Shady Lady - Part 9
Part 1 is here
Complete fic is available via the Big Bang site here
Gwen always had that moment of slight discomfort as she watched Jack around other women. It wasn’t jealousy, she didn’t feel angry when he flirted; it was more amusement at the way in which women (and men) would sometimes melt in his presence. The discomfort came when she recognised a gesture as one she used herself. The slightly too long eye contact. The touches to his arm. The laughing at his occasionally bad or obscure jokes.
As much as it was amusing to watch it on someone else it always left her wondering if she looked that bad. Flirting with Jack was such a way of life at Torchwood she barely even noticed it any more but to an outsider did she ever appear as simpering as-
“Oh Captain Harkness, you are such a naughty one!” Gwen resisted from rolling her eyes and instead feigned interest in a collection of wartime journals adorning the cabinet before her. The glass was bright enough that she could see Jack’s reflection in it as he flirted shamelessly with the curator. For a respectable academic woman she had that air of dotty granny about her that Jack just seemed to bring out with a wink.
The transformation from the businesslike and frankly grumpy way she had greeted Gwen to the flirting temptress she was for Jack had almost been startling enough to make Gwen reach for her gun. It took her a moment to remember that just because someone was creepy they weren’t necessarily alien. Closing her eyes for a moment she pushed her hair back from her face and slid her hand behind her neck, rubbing the muscles lightly.
“You ok?” Jack asked quietly. Gwen jumped, her eyes flying open to see his ghostly reflection in the glass of the cabinet, his eyes cast into dark holes by the lighting but the concerned look on his face instantly reassuring her. The curator had vanished and with a wry grin of relief Gwen turned, making sure they were alone again before she spoke.
“Just taking a break from your number one fan,” she said with a grin. Jack laughed out loud and wrapped his arm around her, pulling her gently across the room to another cabinet, this one filled with medals and what looked like pieces of scrap metal.
“Now come on, you know that’s Doctor Silmore.” Jack leaned closer to the case and smiled as he recognised the medals. “Ms Goodman is simply being very helpful - she was going to refuse to help us and claim she needed another week at least to get the watch ready for transport. As it is technically in her care at the moment she would have been perfectly within her rights to claim lack of staff or resources and stall us for longer.”
“Dare I ask what you promised to get her to change her mind?” Gwen raised her eyebrows quizzically. Jack chuckled again and shrugged lightly, the movement of his arm around her almost tempting Gwen to rest her head on his shoulder after it was jostled there.
“Well, we are leaving a watch-shaped hole in her exhibition.” Tilting his head to the side he tapped the case lightly with his knuckles. “I may have told her I was a collector and would be happy to lend her another watch instead. Admittedly she is sad to lose such a unique piece with a good family legend behind it but when I said I would be willing to do an interview with her about the one I’m donating and the stories of the soldier who owned it she cheered right up.” Gwen frowned and pulled out from under his arm.
“Whose watch are you going to give them then?” she asked. Smiling softly Jack shrugged and placed his hands on his hips.
“Well I do have a couple of watches from World War One in the archives and believe me,” he said suggestively, “I know more than a few stories about the soldiers who owned them...” Gwen chuckled and punched him playfully.
“I don’t think those sort of stories are what she had in mind, Jack.” Laughing he was about to continue but his gaze shifted behind her as she heard footsteps approaching.
“Ms Goodman, that was fast!” Slipping past her Jack greeted the curator again. “You must have them well trained back there; I bet you rule them with an iron fist in a velvet glove.” Gwen stayed facing the cabinet, afraid if she turned round the disgust would be all too evident on her face. To her surprise the curator appeared to be lapping it up, a girlish giggle cutting through the air.
“Well it does help to know how to handle your...staff.” Gwen shuddered but quickly shifted on the spot to disguise it as a fidget. “And Captain, please, call me Brenda.” Gwen couldn’t help screwing up her face as the image of her mother-in-law flirting with Jack pushed its way into her head. Biting her lip hard, she hoped they wouldn’t want her to join in the conversation any time soon.
“Brenda. Such a wonderful name.” Jack really was shameless sometimes. “Is this it?” Gwen forced her best polite policeman’s stare onto her face and turned, taking in the small box in the curator’s hands and the forms underneath it.
“All boxed up ready for transport,” the curator confirmed, “if I can just get you to sign for it?” Gwen followed them over to a waist height display table and watched as Jack signed the paperwork before taking the box from Brenda with a slightly too lengthy pause as their hands touched. “There we go then, Captain. Do you fancy a naughty peek?”
“Always the best kind.” Jack grinned wickedly and let his fingers spread wide over the top of the box, holding it firm in his other hand. The box was simple cardboard, the sort of archival box she had seen Ianto use for the everyday objects in the archives but it was tied with a plain white cotton ribbon of sorts. Jack tugged the knot loose carefully and held the box firm whilst Brenda let her fingers brush over his as she eased the lid off slowly.
“I’ll just get rid of this,” Brenda said quietly.
Gwen watched with mild interest as the lid lifted free to reveal what looked like a square shaped piece of foam cut to fit the dimensions of the box. Brenda’s fingernails gently snagged the edges of the foam and teased it up before getting a grip on it and pulling it free. The watch was secured in another piece of the foam, snug in a cut out chamber that it fit into perfectly.
It was a silver pocket watch, nothing too remarkable about it but the design on the front was very pretty. The strange circular shapes reminded her of planets and orbits, or the gears of a clock perhaps. Definitely pretty. Gwen frowned as she heard the slight gasp from Jack and quickly glanced at him, catching the look of complete shock on his face.
“It is a beautiful piece isn’t it?” The curator looked up, mistaking his surprise for something else and smiled teasingly. “The design is unique as far as we can tell, possibly a bespoke engraving made for the original owner. Unusually there are no maker’s marks on it but-” She pulled back, hastily pulling a pair of white cotton gloves from her pocket and slipping them on with a few expert twists of her fingers.
“May I?” the curator asked. Jack nodded, slightly dumbstruck as she eased the watch out of its bed and turned it over. “There are these strange indentations on the back, almost as though it is a part of a larger device. My personal theory is that it was designed to be mounted onto a larger clock, possibly as part of the pendulum.” She giggled slightly and ran her gloved fingertip over the strange holes. “Either that or the watch maker was trying to cover up blemishes in the back. Whatever the reason it is certainly a one of a kind piece that we shall be most sad to see go. Although if you are still up for your offer?”
Jack didn’t reply, his gaze remained fixed on the watch as he reached out to her, ignoring the slight hesitation on her face as she took in his bare fingers before with a swift manoeuvre she pulled the glove off her hand, blanketing it around the watch and placing the bundle in his palm. He was staring at the watch as though trying to make sense of something impossible.
“Captain?” The curator looked at him, confused. “I do hope you aren’t going to stand me up?” Snapping back, Jack’s trademark grin slipped onto his face and he slid the watch back into the box, quickly grabbing the foam and pushing it back into place.
“As if.” Jack slid the box into his coat pocket and slipped his arm through the curators. “You have my number, just let me know a good week for you and I’ll bring a couple of pieces over, we can go through the stories, work out which fits better in the exhibition and sort out that loan. Maybe over dinner?”
Gwen ignored the giggle and felt the conversation start to wash over her as she concentrated on Jack, the tell-tale signs of his concern obvious to her even though to the curator he was back to his usual self. Something was wrong with that watch and she had a horrible feeling that this scavenger hunt was about to become something a lot more serious.
Pulling her phone from her pocket she began to discreetly text Rhys to tell him she would be late. No point spoiling both their evenings...
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Ianto was always somewhat amazed by how low human beings could go sometimes. He walked out of Mr Taylor’s house and pulled out his phone, making a swift call to social services. He slid back into the SUV, somehow not surprised when John’s face appeared between the seats a good foot lower than it should be if they had been sitting quietly and behaving themselves.
“So what’s the verdict on the old git?”John asked half heartedly. “Any bracelet?”
“Ianto?” Justine’s face appeared beside his before pushing him out the way as her hands gripped the sides of the front seats, pulling herself back up onto her seat. “Come on, how about some good news?”
“Mr Taylor’s family have got him a private carer but sadly they didn’t bother screening properly and went for bargain basement.” Ianto pulled out a notepad and passed it back, a single name and address on the top sheet. “She’s been stealing from him for months and threatening him that she will get him put in a home if he tells any one.” Justine’s face darkened as she peered at the small terraced house.
“I just don’t get this century sometimes,” she said thoughtfully, “so many wonderful cultures and times when the elderly were revered and cared for or when you had whole families living together, supporting one another. But you lot let your parents raise you then shove them in a home when they need your help in return. And instead of doctors and nurses who do their jobs and take pride in their work you get caring and dedicated but overworked and demoralised staff run into the ground by targets and managers - or mercenaries who are after a quick buck and a bit of power. Some care.”
“It’s not all like that.” Ianto glared at her in the rear view mirror.
“It’s enough.” Sighing, Justine passed him back the notepad and leaned back in her seat, adjusting her blouse slightly as she moved. “Right, are we going to go pay this wonderful Florence Nightingale of the 21st century a visit or not? I wouldn’t mind a quick chat with her about this. Not to mention any other patients on her rounds.” Ianto nodded and watched as John finally finished adjusting his clothing and slid into the seat beside her.
“Do I get to see your interrogator routine again?” John asked hopefully. “Oh let me be good cop this time, Jack never lets me play good cop.” Ianto rolled his eyes and turned round to face them.
“You are not to hurt her in any way. Understood?” The pair of them pouted in unison and glanced at each other.
“He never lets us have any fun,” John said to her sulkily.
“And we could have such fun the three of us,” she added, “if he only gave us a chance-”
Ianto turned round again and started the SUV, easily ignoring the lewd comments and innuendos from the back seat. Working for Jack for so long he was used to it. He was glad they couldn’t tell that his mind wasn’t one hundred percent on his driving though as his mind ran through a couple of the options they were outlining; particularly one involving the three of them, the bonnet of the SUV, some duct tape and Jack’s emergency glove box lube. They were definitely ideas worth considering for another time - and with a different cast.
*********************************
“Jack, will you please watch where you are going! Just slow down a bit and tell me what the bloody hell is going on!” Gwen winced, her fingers spread wide over the dashboard in the vain hope that if he did crash she might somehow save herself by sheer force of will and her arms. The box with the watch in was between her feet and she wasn’t sure whether she was protecting it or stopping it from... from whatever it was that had Jack looking so scared. “Jack, you are scaring me.”
Glancing sideways at her quickly Jack’s expression softened a little and he slowed, swinging out around the cars ahead and relaxing a little as they hit the open road.
“We have to get back to the Hub; I have to find out what Justine is up to.” His face was still grim as he gripped the steering wheel tight, his eyes locked on the road. Gwen nodded quickly and pulled one hand off the dashboard, her fingers so stiff with the tense pressure she had been putting on them that she had to wriggle her fingers to get the blood back into them.
“But what’s so special about that watch?” she asked. “You recognised it, didn’t you?” She watched as Jack swallowed hard, her eyes tracing his neck and seeing the way his muscles tensed. She hadn’t seen him so scared for a long time and it was freaking her out more than she could say. At the same time though she became stronger in return, her training and instincts calming her down to be able to support him.
“I’ve seen one like it, yes.” He sighed heavily and banged one hand against the wheel. “And it is dangerous, the last time I saw a watch like that it was bad news of the worst kind.”
“But this had been in the museum for ages.” Gwen glanced down at the box between her feet and fought the urge to throw it out the window. “They will have cleaned it and photographed it and all sorts. If it was dangerous wouldn’t they have, well, had something happen?”
“I’m not sure exactly how it works but sometimes the right person has to open it.” Jack shrugged and ran a hand through his hair distractedly as Gwen fought the urge to tell him to keep his hands on the wheel. “But I can’t take the risk that Juice wants it for something dangerous or is working for someone else who does know how to use it. I am not taking that risk. That watch has to be kept away from her at all costs. We need to stop her.” He paused, his hand fumbling in his jacket before passing her the phone. “Ianto, we need to warn him, he needs to contain her until we get to them.”
“And then what?” Grabbing the phone she dialled quickly and put it on loudspeaker, holding it near his ear as it connected. “What are you going to do with her?” Looking at her grimly for a moment he turned back to pay attention to the road but the set of his jaw left her in no doubt that he was deadly serious.
“Whatever it takes to stop her.”
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Ianto felt his phone vibrate as John and Justine towered over the frightened care worker as she hastily began pulling out stashes of stolen valuables from around her small flat. Catching John’s eye as he pulled the earpiece out of his pocket he slipped out of the room, heading down the hall to the woman’s bedroom and closing the door behind him. Smiling to himself he put on his earpiece and peered through the net curtains of the room out to the street below to check on the SUV.
“I thought I was supposed to be the one calling you every hour, not the other way round.” Ianto’s smile faded as he caught the urgency in Jack’s voice.
“Ianto, where are you? Where’s Justine?”
“She and John are having a little chat with Mr. Taylor’s carer. It seems as though the home help has been helping herself to a few little trinkets here and there from her patient’s homes. Justine insisted the honourable thing to do would be to retrieve all the stolen objects. She and John are just persuading the helper to show them where the rest is.” He sighed slightly and moved further away from the door as a loud shout from John echoed through the flat. They had promised not to hurt her but there was no sense in making Jack worry about it.
“She can’t hear you right now, can she?”
“No, she’s down the hall.” Ianto frowned and moved further away from the door, lowering his voice. “Jack what’s wrong?”
“The watch, it’s not as harmless as she made out. It has some pretty powerful alien technology involved with it and she conveniently forgot to mention it. She’s up to something. Listen, I want you to get the bracelet and get back to the Hub. Forget the sphere. Just get her back and put her in a cell, knock her out, just make her safe until I can get back. We’re still a couple of hours away so just...”
Ianto winced as a loud expletive from Gwen in the background confirmed his fears that Jack was on the phone whilst driving at high speed again. “Just neutralise her until I can get there.” Jack’s voice sounded strained and he could hear Gwen saying something that sounded like truck. He wasn’t sure which of the alternatives his mind came up for to fit the situation he preferred. “And whatever you do keep your distance if you can, she’s deadly.” Ianto nodded and listened as the voices quietened down and footsteps came down the hall towards them.
“Not a problem Jack, we’ll see you back at the Hub. Gotta go.” Ianto hung up hastily and put the earpiece back in his pocket as the door opened and Justine peered around it, a triumphant smile on her face.
“Got it!” Grinning, Lady Justine stepped fully into the room, her hands on her hips. “Along with quite a few other pieces actually. Mostly jewellery and shiny things, this carer was quite the magpie. John’s just packing it all up with a list of her patients, I figure we can pass it to the lovely Gwen and her police friends to do their-” She waved her hands dismissively. “Police thing. I never did really get what it is they do at the moment other than wear hideous uniforms. Although those truncheons are rather interesting...” She stepped into the room fully and tilted her head to one side quizzically at the polite smile on Ianto’s face. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Ianto shook his head quickly and his smile broadened. “Jack’s just going to be a little longer than he thought and needs me to check out something at the Hub. Probably just a weevil, nothing to worry about really but you know how he is. We might have to delay getting the sphere until later. So, if you’re all done we can get going then!”
“Ianto I already told you, you have such expressive eyes.” Justine pushed the door closed and stepped further into the room, her eyes cold. “Why don’t you tell me what’s really going on.”
“It’s nothing really, probably just Jack being paranoid, but better to humour him.” Ianto watched her hands slide along her hips and tried to resist the urge to back away. “So, shall we just get back in the SUV and-”
The door burst open and Captain John stepped in, raising an eyebrow at the way they were standing so rigidly apart.
“And here when I saw you two sneak off to the bedroom I thought we were finally gonna have some fun,” John complained as he sniffed slightly and folded his arms.
“John, why is your mind always in the gutter?” Justine turned to face him as she spoke, her back to Ianto, and he took advantage of the distraction to move past her towards the door. “We were just-” Quick as a flash she pulled a small spray bottle, no bigger than a lipstick, from her waistband and spun around. Squirting the liquid into Ianto’s face she watched dispassionately as he collapsed to the floor. “Strategising. And it’s time for a change in the plans.” Whipping out her Arbalet she pointed the small crossbow at John and grinned at him evilly.
“Dear John. The big question is; can I trust you?” Justine looked at him, considering his reactions and sighed as she saw him glance at Ianto with concern. “Obviously not. You really have been working on that soul thing haven’t you?” Shrugging, she motioned him into the room, careful to keep well clear of the range of his legs. “Take his clothes off. Then yours.” John shrugged, and hauled Ianto on to the bed.
“You know, generally speaking it goes better when you keep them conscious.” John began efficiently stripping Ianto of his clothes as he spoke. “More fun that way, you get all the screaming and everything.” Sighing, Justine watched as the pile of clothes grew and Ianto’s smart suit was flung carelessly across the room before being joined by underwear. Finally John was free to start on himself.
“I don’t have any kinky plans for you my dear,” she said with a pout, “sorry to disappoint you. I just figured this would be a good way to leave you unarmed. And of course the added bonus of the thought of the look on his face when he wakes up with you next to him. I must admit that is a delicious thought.”
“It’s not exactly one I normally object to either darling.” John stripped without any trace of embarrassment or modesty, his clothes joining Ianto’s. “Rather his than yours,” he said as he looked her up and down.
“Right, onto the bed John. Put Ianto face down, hands by the headboard, then do the same.” She watched as he pushed and pulled the unconscious man into place before taking his place beside him. “Perfect.” Walking over behind him she pressed the point of the arrow into his back before leaning over him and whispering in his ear. “Time to say goodnight, John. Lift up your head and take a deep breath.” She paused and thought for a moment. “Or I’ll just club you instead and you know how much that hurts when you wake up naked and tied down. Again.” Lifting himself up John looked at her angrily.
“I don’t know what the hell you’re up to, Juice but I swear when I get my hands on you I’ll-”
Justine sprayed him and watched as the drug got to work, his eyes closing almost instantly as he crashed back into the mattress. Keeping the arrow against his spine she swiftly pulled an old fashioned set of police handcuffs from under her corset and grinned happily. Scanners, always looking for the high-tech and forgetting the old school tricks.
Wrapping the chain around the bars of the headboard she fastened the cuffs tight around his wrist before stroking the arrow down his back thoughtfully. She should really kill him now and be done with it; he had definitely become too soft to be predictable. Unlike Jack who was now so soft it was easy to know what he would do next - and how to stop him.
But a promise was a promise. Besides, it was so hard to find a good lay in this universe and John certainly was that if nothing else. Considering for a moment she shrugged and pulled the Arbalet away. Taking off her hooped earrings she tapped them together with a grin before fastening one around Ianto’s wrist and one around John’s. Electric cuffs. She had always had such fun with those. And she had been right, cover them with a thin layer of gold and not even Jack and John, who were intimately familiar with them, had recognised them for what they were.
Finally pulling the sash from her waist she tied Ianto’s hands to the headboard too and stroked her fingers down his bare spine. Grinning to herself she took a moment to record the image using her wrist strap and debated whether to send it to Jack straight away or save it for later. She licked her lips as she took in the sight of the pair of them together. It was a pity to let such a fine menu go unsampled but she had work to do.
And whilst Jack wouldn’t be helping her this time, she was going to have to make sure he and his little helper were in no position to stop her either. That would require one last stop on her way back...
Part 10
Complete fic is available via the Big Bang site here
Gwen always had that moment of slight discomfort as she watched Jack around other women. It wasn’t jealousy, she didn’t feel angry when he flirted; it was more amusement at the way in which women (and men) would sometimes melt in his presence. The discomfort came when she recognised a gesture as one she used herself. The slightly too long eye contact. The touches to his arm. The laughing at his occasionally bad or obscure jokes.
As much as it was amusing to watch it on someone else it always left her wondering if she looked that bad. Flirting with Jack was such a way of life at Torchwood she barely even noticed it any more but to an outsider did she ever appear as simpering as-
“Oh Captain Harkness, you are such a naughty one!” Gwen resisted from rolling her eyes and instead feigned interest in a collection of wartime journals adorning the cabinet before her. The glass was bright enough that she could see Jack’s reflection in it as he flirted shamelessly with the curator. For a respectable academic woman she had that air of dotty granny about her that Jack just seemed to bring out with a wink.
The transformation from the businesslike and frankly grumpy way she had greeted Gwen to the flirting temptress she was for Jack had almost been startling enough to make Gwen reach for her gun. It took her a moment to remember that just because someone was creepy they weren’t necessarily alien. Closing her eyes for a moment she pushed her hair back from her face and slid her hand behind her neck, rubbing the muscles lightly.
“You ok?” Jack asked quietly. Gwen jumped, her eyes flying open to see his ghostly reflection in the glass of the cabinet, his eyes cast into dark holes by the lighting but the concerned look on his face instantly reassuring her. The curator had vanished and with a wry grin of relief Gwen turned, making sure they were alone again before she spoke.
“Just taking a break from your number one fan,” she said with a grin. Jack laughed out loud and wrapped his arm around her, pulling her gently across the room to another cabinet, this one filled with medals and what looked like pieces of scrap metal.
“Now come on, you know that’s Doctor Silmore.” Jack leaned closer to the case and smiled as he recognised the medals. “Ms Goodman is simply being very helpful - she was going to refuse to help us and claim she needed another week at least to get the watch ready for transport. As it is technically in her care at the moment she would have been perfectly within her rights to claim lack of staff or resources and stall us for longer.”
“Dare I ask what you promised to get her to change her mind?” Gwen raised her eyebrows quizzically. Jack chuckled again and shrugged lightly, the movement of his arm around her almost tempting Gwen to rest her head on his shoulder after it was jostled there.
“Well, we are leaving a watch-shaped hole in her exhibition.” Tilting his head to the side he tapped the case lightly with his knuckles. “I may have told her I was a collector and would be happy to lend her another watch instead. Admittedly she is sad to lose such a unique piece with a good family legend behind it but when I said I would be willing to do an interview with her about the one I’m donating and the stories of the soldier who owned it she cheered right up.” Gwen frowned and pulled out from under his arm.
“Whose watch are you going to give them then?” she asked. Smiling softly Jack shrugged and placed his hands on his hips.
“Well I do have a couple of watches from World War One in the archives and believe me,” he said suggestively, “I know more than a few stories about the soldiers who owned them...” Gwen chuckled and punched him playfully.
“I don’t think those sort of stories are what she had in mind, Jack.” Laughing he was about to continue but his gaze shifted behind her as she heard footsteps approaching.
“Ms Goodman, that was fast!” Slipping past her Jack greeted the curator again. “You must have them well trained back there; I bet you rule them with an iron fist in a velvet glove.” Gwen stayed facing the cabinet, afraid if she turned round the disgust would be all too evident on her face. To her surprise the curator appeared to be lapping it up, a girlish giggle cutting through the air.
“Well it does help to know how to handle your...staff.” Gwen shuddered but quickly shifted on the spot to disguise it as a fidget. “And Captain, please, call me Brenda.” Gwen couldn’t help screwing up her face as the image of her mother-in-law flirting with Jack pushed its way into her head. Biting her lip hard, she hoped they wouldn’t want her to join in the conversation any time soon.
“Brenda. Such a wonderful name.” Jack really was shameless sometimes. “Is this it?” Gwen forced her best polite policeman’s stare onto her face and turned, taking in the small box in the curator’s hands and the forms underneath it.
“All boxed up ready for transport,” the curator confirmed, “if I can just get you to sign for it?” Gwen followed them over to a waist height display table and watched as Jack signed the paperwork before taking the box from Brenda with a slightly too lengthy pause as their hands touched. “There we go then, Captain. Do you fancy a naughty peek?”
“Always the best kind.” Jack grinned wickedly and let his fingers spread wide over the top of the box, holding it firm in his other hand. The box was simple cardboard, the sort of archival box she had seen Ianto use for the everyday objects in the archives but it was tied with a plain white cotton ribbon of sorts. Jack tugged the knot loose carefully and held the box firm whilst Brenda let her fingers brush over his as she eased the lid off slowly.
“I’ll just get rid of this,” Brenda said quietly.
Gwen watched with mild interest as the lid lifted free to reveal what looked like a square shaped piece of foam cut to fit the dimensions of the box. Brenda’s fingernails gently snagged the edges of the foam and teased it up before getting a grip on it and pulling it free. The watch was secured in another piece of the foam, snug in a cut out chamber that it fit into perfectly.
It was a silver pocket watch, nothing too remarkable about it but the design on the front was very pretty. The strange circular shapes reminded her of planets and orbits, or the gears of a clock perhaps. Definitely pretty. Gwen frowned as she heard the slight gasp from Jack and quickly glanced at him, catching the look of complete shock on his face.
“It is a beautiful piece isn’t it?” The curator looked up, mistaking his surprise for something else and smiled teasingly. “The design is unique as far as we can tell, possibly a bespoke engraving made for the original owner. Unusually there are no maker’s marks on it but-” She pulled back, hastily pulling a pair of white cotton gloves from her pocket and slipping them on with a few expert twists of her fingers.
“May I?” the curator asked. Jack nodded, slightly dumbstruck as she eased the watch out of its bed and turned it over. “There are these strange indentations on the back, almost as though it is a part of a larger device. My personal theory is that it was designed to be mounted onto a larger clock, possibly as part of the pendulum.” She giggled slightly and ran her gloved fingertip over the strange holes. “Either that or the watch maker was trying to cover up blemishes in the back. Whatever the reason it is certainly a one of a kind piece that we shall be most sad to see go. Although if you are still up for your offer?”
Jack didn’t reply, his gaze remained fixed on the watch as he reached out to her, ignoring the slight hesitation on her face as she took in his bare fingers before with a swift manoeuvre she pulled the glove off her hand, blanketing it around the watch and placing the bundle in his palm. He was staring at the watch as though trying to make sense of something impossible.
“Captain?” The curator looked at him, confused. “I do hope you aren’t going to stand me up?” Snapping back, Jack’s trademark grin slipped onto his face and he slid the watch back into the box, quickly grabbing the foam and pushing it back into place.
“As if.” Jack slid the box into his coat pocket and slipped his arm through the curators. “You have my number, just let me know a good week for you and I’ll bring a couple of pieces over, we can go through the stories, work out which fits better in the exhibition and sort out that loan. Maybe over dinner?”
Gwen ignored the giggle and felt the conversation start to wash over her as she concentrated on Jack, the tell-tale signs of his concern obvious to her even though to the curator he was back to his usual self. Something was wrong with that watch and she had a horrible feeling that this scavenger hunt was about to become something a lot more serious.
Pulling her phone from her pocket she began to discreetly text Rhys to tell him she would be late. No point spoiling both their evenings...
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Ianto was always somewhat amazed by how low human beings could go sometimes. He walked out of Mr Taylor’s house and pulled out his phone, making a swift call to social services. He slid back into the SUV, somehow not surprised when John’s face appeared between the seats a good foot lower than it should be if they had been sitting quietly and behaving themselves.
“So what’s the verdict on the old git?”John asked half heartedly. “Any bracelet?”
“Ianto?” Justine’s face appeared beside his before pushing him out the way as her hands gripped the sides of the front seats, pulling herself back up onto her seat. “Come on, how about some good news?”
“Mr Taylor’s family have got him a private carer but sadly they didn’t bother screening properly and went for bargain basement.” Ianto pulled out a notepad and passed it back, a single name and address on the top sheet. “She’s been stealing from him for months and threatening him that she will get him put in a home if he tells any one.” Justine’s face darkened as she peered at the small terraced house.
“I just don’t get this century sometimes,” she said thoughtfully, “so many wonderful cultures and times when the elderly were revered and cared for or when you had whole families living together, supporting one another. But you lot let your parents raise you then shove them in a home when they need your help in return. And instead of doctors and nurses who do their jobs and take pride in their work you get caring and dedicated but overworked and demoralised staff run into the ground by targets and managers - or mercenaries who are after a quick buck and a bit of power. Some care.”
“It’s not all like that.” Ianto glared at her in the rear view mirror.
“It’s enough.” Sighing, Justine passed him back the notepad and leaned back in her seat, adjusting her blouse slightly as she moved. “Right, are we going to go pay this wonderful Florence Nightingale of the 21st century a visit or not? I wouldn’t mind a quick chat with her about this. Not to mention any other patients on her rounds.” Ianto nodded and watched as John finally finished adjusting his clothing and slid into the seat beside her.
“Do I get to see your interrogator routine again?” John asked hopefully. “Oh let me be good cop this time, Jack never lets me play good cop.” Ianto rolled his eyes and turned round to face them.
“You are not to hurt her in any way. Understood?” The pair of them pouted in unison and glanced at each other.
“He never lets us have any fun,” John said to her sulkily.
“And we could have such fun the three of us,” she added, “if he only gave us a chance-”
Ianto turned round again and started the SUV, easily ignoring the lewd comments and innuendos from the back seat. Working for Jack for so long he was used to it. He was glad they couldn’t tell that his mind wasn’t one hundred percent on his driving though as his mind ran through a couple of the options they were outlining; particularly one involving the three of them, the bonnet of the SUV, some duct tape and Jack’s emergency glove box lube. They were definitely ideas worth considering for another time - and with a different cast.
*********************************
“Jack, will you please watch where you are going! Just slow down a bit and tell me what the bloody hell is going on!” Gwen winced, her fingers spread wide over the dashboard in the vain hope that if he did crash she might somehow save herself by sheer force of will and her arms. The box with the watch in was between her feet and she wasn’t sure whether she was protecting it or stopping it from... from whatever it was that had Jack looking so scared. “Jack, you are scaring me.”
Glancing sideways at her quickly Jack’s expression softened a little and he slowed, swinging out around the cars ahead and relaxing a little as they hit the open road.
“We have to get back to the Hub; I have to find out what Justine is up to.” His face was still grim as he gripped the steering wheel tight, his eyes locked on the road. Gwen nodded quickly and pulled one hand off the dashboard, her fingers so stiff with the tense pressure she had been putting on them that she had to wriggle her fingers to get the blood back into them.
“But what’s so special about that watch?” she asked. “You recognised it, didn’t you?” She watched as Jack swallowed hard, her eyes tracing his neck and seeing the way his muscles tensed. She hadn’t seen him so scared for a long time and it was freaking her out more than she could say. At the same time though she became stronger in return, her training and instincts calming her down to be able to support him.
“I’ve seen one like it, yes.” He sighed heavily and banged one hand against the wheel. “And it is dangerous, the last time I saw a watch like that it was bad news of the worst kind.”
“But this had been in the museum for ages.” Gwen glanced down at the box between her feet and fought the urge to throw it out the window. “They will have cleaned it and photographed it and all sorts. If it was dangerous wouldn’t they have, well, had something happen?”
“I’m not sure exactly how it works but sometimes the right person has to open it.” Jack shrugged and ran a hand through his hair distractedly as Gwen fought the urge to tell him to keep his hands on the wheel. “But I can’t take the risk that Juice wants it for something dangerous or is working for someone else who does know how to use it. I am not taking that risk. That watch has to be kept away from her at all costs. We need to stop her.” He paused, his hand fumbling in his jacket before passing her the phone. “Ianto, we need to warn him, he needs to contain her until we get to them.”
“And then what?” Grabbing the phone she dialled quickly and put it on loudspeaker, holding it near his ear as it connected. “What are you going to do with her?” Looking at her grimly for a moment he turned back to pay attention to the road but the set of his jaw left her in no doubt that he was deadly serious.
“Whatever it takes to stop her.”
*******************************
Ianto felt his phone vibrate as John and Justine towered over the frightened care worker as she hastily began pulling out stashes of stolen valuables from around her small flat. Catching John’s eye as he pulled the earpiece out of his pocket he slipped out of the room, heading down the hall to the woman’s bedroom and closing the door behind him. Smiling to himself he put on his earpiece and peered through the net curtains of the room out to the street below to check on the SUV.
“I thought I was supposed to be the one calling you every hour, not the other way round.” Ianto’s smile faded as he caught the urgency in Jack’s voice.
“Ianto, where are you? Where’s Justine?”
“She and John are having a little chat with Mr. Taylor’s carer. It seems as though the home help has been helping herself to a few little trinkets here and there from her patient’s homes. Justine insisted the honourable thing to do would be to retrieve all the stolen objects. She and John are just persuading the helper to show them where the rest is.” He sighed slightly and moved further away from the door as a loud shout from John echoed through the flat. They had promised not to hurt her but there was no sense in making Jack worry about it.
“She can’t hear you right now, can she?”
“No, she’s down the hall.” Ianto frowned and moved further away from the door, lowering his voice. “Jack what’s wrong?”
“The watch, it’s not as harmless as she made out. It has some pretty powerful alien technology involved with it and she conveniently forgot to mention it. She’s up to something. Listen, I want you to get the bracelet and get back to the Hub. Forget the sphere. Just get her back and put her in a cell, knock her out, just make her safe until I can get back. We’re still a couple of hours away so just...”
Ianto winced as a loud expletive from Gwen in the background confirmed his fears that Jack was on the phone whilst driving at high speed again. “Just neutralise her until I can get there.” Jack’s voice sounded strained and he could hear Gwen saying something that sounded like truck. He wasn’t sure which of the alternatives his mind came up for to fit the situation he preferred. “And whatever you do keep your distance if you can, she’s deadly.” Ianto nodded and listened as the voices quietened down and footsteps came down the hall towards them.
“Not a problem Jack, we’ll see you back at the Hub. Gotta go.” Ianto hung up hastily and put the earpiece back in his pocket as the door opened and Justine peered around it, a triumphant smile on her face.
“Got it!” Grinning, Lady Justine stepped fully into the room, her hands on her hips. “Along with quite a few other pieces actually. Mostly jewellery and shiny things, this carer was quite the magpie. John’s just packing it all up with a list of her patients, I figure we can pass it to the lovely Gwen and her police friends to do their-” She waved her hands dismissively. “Police thing. I never did really get what it is they do at the moment other than wear hideous uniforms. Although those truncheons are rather interesting...” She stepped into the room fully and tilted her head to one side quizzically at the polite smile on Ianto’s face. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Ianto shook his head quickly and his smile broadened. “Jack’s just going to be a little longer than he thought and needs me to check out something at the Hub. Probably just a weevil, nothing to worry about really but you know how he is. We might have to delay getting the sphere until later. So, if you’re all done we can get going then!”
“Ianto I already told you, you have such expressive eyes.” Justine pushed the door closed and stepped further into the room, her eyes cold. “Why don’t you tell me what’s really going on.”
“It’s nothing really, probably just Jack being paranoid, but better to humour him.” Ianto watched her hands slide along her hips and tried to resist the urge to back away. “So, shall we just get back in the SUV and-”
The door burst open and Captain John stepped in, raising an eyebrow at the way they were standing so rigidly apart.
“And here when I saw you two sneak off to the bedroom I thought we were finally gonna have some fun,” John complained as he sniffed slightly and folded his arms.
“John, why is your mind always in the gutter?” Justine turned to face him as she spoke, her back to Ianto, and he took advantage of the distraction to move past her towards the door. “We were just-” Quick as a flash she pulled a small spray bottle, no bigger than a lipstick, from her waistband and spun around. Squirting the liquid into Ianto’s face she watched dispassionately as he collapsed to the floor. “Strategising. And it’s time for a change in the plans.” Whipping out her Arbalet she pointed the small crossbow at John and grinned at him evilly.
“Dear John. The big question is; can I trust you?” Justine looked at him, considering his reactions and sighed as she saw him glance at Ianto with concern. “Obviously not. You really have been working on that soul thing haven’t you?” Shrugging, she motioned him into the room, careful to keep well clear of the range of his legs. “Take his clothes off. Then yours.” John shrugged, and hauled Ianto on to the bed.
“You know, generally speaking it goes better when you keep them conscious.” John began efficiently stripping Ianto of his clothes as he spoke. “More fun that way, you get all the screaming and everything.” Sighing, Justine watched as the pile of clothes grew and Ianto’s smart suit was flung carelessly across the room before being joined by underwear. Finally John was free to start on himself.
“I don’t have any kinky plans for you my dear,” she said with a pout, “sorry to disappoint you. I just figured this would be a good way to leave you unarmed. And of course the added bonus of the thought of the look on his face when he wakes up with you next to him. I must admit that is a delicious thought.”
“It’s not exactly one I normally object to either darling.” John stripped without any trace of embarrassment or modesty, his clothes joining Ianto’s. “Rather his than yours,” he said as he looked her up and down.
“Right, onto the bed John. Put Ianto face down, hands by the headboard, then do the same.” She watched as he pushed and pulled the unconscious man into place before taking his place beside him. “Perfect.” Walking over behind him she pressed the point of the arrow into his back before leaning over him and whispering in his ear. “Time to say goodnight, John. Lift up your head and take a deep breath.” She paused and thought for a moment. “Or I’ll just club you instead and you know how much that hurts when you wake up naked and tied down. Again.” Lifting himself up John looked at her angrily.
“I don’t know what the hell you’re up to, Juice but I swear when I get my hands on you I’ll-”
Justine sprayed him and watched as the drug got to work, his eyes closing almost instantly as he crashed back into the mattress. Keeping the arrow against his spine she swiftly pulled an old fashioned set of police handcuffs from under her corset and grinned happily. Scanners, always looking for the high-tech and forgetting the old school tricks.
Wrapping the chain around the bars of the headboard she fastened the cuffs tight around his wrist before stroking the arrow down his back thoughtfully. She should really kill him now and be done with it; he had definitely become too soft to be predictable. Unlike Jack who was now so soft it was easy to know what he would do next - and how to stop him.
But a promise was a promise. Besides, it was so hard to find a good lay in this universe and John certainly was that if nothing else. Considering for a moment she shrugged and pulled the Arbalet away. Taking off her hooped earrings she tapped them together with a grin before fastening one around Ianto’s wrist and one around John’s. Electric cuffs. She had always had such fun with those. And she had been right, cover them with a thin layer of gold and not even Jack and John, who were intimately familiar with them, had recognised them for what they were.
Finally pulling the sash from her waist she tied Ianto’s hands to the headboard too and stroked her fingers down his bare spine. Grinning to herself she took a moment to record the image using her wrist strap and debated whether to send it to Jack straight away or save it for later. She licked her lips as she took in the sight of the pair of them together. It was a pity to let such a fine menu go unsampled but she had work to do.
And whilst Jack wouldn’t be helping her this time, she was going to have to make sure he and his little helper were in no position to stop her either. That would require one last stop on her way back...
Part 10