The Orphan and Her Family

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Christmas ends, and the Doctor departs. Sophie's holiday doesn't end until New Year's, so she accompanies Jack back to the Hub. They arrive in the middle of the night, and Sophie takes the time to start going through some of the archives.

Eight AM arrives before she even realises it, and she ascends the stairs back up to the main Hub. Ianto smiles as she enters the room, "Did you have a Happy Christmas, Sophie?"

She grins back at him, and approaches the desks, "Yeah, Ianto. I did, thanks. And you?"

"It was about the same as normal," he shrugs, and then exits the room.

She glances over at the rest of Torchwood to find them gathered around the monitor. She glances at the screen, and visibly stiffens. "What the actual f*ck," she swears, standing from the wheelie chair. Sophie walks toward the screen, pushing Owen over to the side, "No, no. That is not right. Not in any universe."

On screen there is a woman being escorted out of her home. It's one Sarah Jane Smith. "I don't know," Owen shrugs, "Says here she's a child abductor. I think that seems pretty d*mn right to me."

Sophie rolls her eyes, ignoring the doctor. "Jack!" she calls out over her shoulder.

The immortal steps out of his office, and leans against the railing, "What's wrong, Soph?"

"I need a lift to Ealing, and I need for you to make a call."

He shrugs, and nods, "Yeah, okay. Let me grab my coat and keys."

Owen looks up at him incredulously, "What you're just going to do as she asks. No questions asked?"

"Yeah," Jack nods, and turns back to his office. He reappears a moment later with his coat on, and a set of keys in his hands. As he descends the stairs, he looks over at Sophie. "C'mon, we can make the call on the way."

She wraps her arms around his waist, as they head for the garage, "Thank, Jack," she smiles, as he opens the door for her.

"Course, kid. You know there isn't much that I wouldn't do for you." He climbs into the driver's seat, and tosses his phone to her. "Want to give me the basics on what's going on. Can't really do much unless I know."

Sophie nods, as she dials the number for the Ealing police department. "The woman who got arrested, her name is Sarah Jane Smith. She was one of the Doctor's companions. And she's gotta be innocent."

"All I needed was friend of the Doctor's," he says, taking the phone from Sophie's hand. He puts it on speaker as he hits the call button. "This is Captain Jack Harkness, Torchwood."

There's a crackling from the other end of the phone, and then a startled voice says, "Torchwood?" Followed by a more composed, "What can I do for you, Captain?"

"You have a Sarah Jane Smith within your custody, correct?"

"Uh," the person says, "Yes, sir."

"Good. I want her released immediately."

"Sir?"

Jack glances over at Sophie, and smirks, "You heard me. I want her released. Go tell whoever you need to that she's to go, free of any and all charges."

There is once again a crackling sound, and some whispers, "Yes sir, of course, sir."

Jack hangs up, and shoves his phone back into his coat pocket, all while keeping his eyes on the road. He glances over to see Sophie staring at him like he grew a new head. Glancing in the rearview mirror, Jack confirms that he still only has one head, and glances over at the woman once again, "What?"

"It's that easy?"

"For me, yeah." He focuses his eyes back on the road, and Sophie starts to fiddle with the radio. "Y'know, it is a two and a half hour drive to Ealing. That gives you plenty of time to tell me more about Ms. Smith."

"Right," Sophie nods, and leans back in her seat. "Where to begin?"

"Usually you'd start at the beginning."

She makes a face at Jack, "Oh, ha ha. This is the Doctor we're talking about, it's hard to find the beginning of a story with him in the picture."

Jack nods, "Okay, fair enough."

She sighs, "Alright, so Sarah Jane is a journalist, who grew up in the care of her aunt. She met the Doctor when he was called in by UNIT back in the seventies. She's met so many different aliens, been to thousands of planets. She even watched him regenerate."

"So, she's something special."

"You know the Doc, he only takes the best."

"What happened then?"

"The Doctor had to go back to Gallifrey, so he left Sarah Jane on earth, and never came back to visit."

Jack makes a face, "So he abandoned her. I know what that's like."

"Yeah." Sophie goes back to fidgeting with the radio, as the car once again descends into silence.

***

Two hours later Jack pulls into 13 Bannerman Road. He shuts off the car, and climbs out. Sophie follows suit, looking around. She sees two faces at the window across the street, and smiles, before turning back to the door.

Jack bangs on the door, loudly. She looks over at him, and whacks him on the side of his head. "What was that for!" he grouses, rubbing his head.

"There's a doorbell, you idiot."

Jack shrugs, the door opening. Sophie is hidden from Sarah Jane's view, as she's behind a bush. The older woman stands there, her arms crossed, and a frown on her face. Jack gives her his best flirtatious smile, "Hello, ma'am."

She squints at him, taking in his appearance, "Who are you?"

"Captain Jack Harkness, Torchwood."

"So you're the one responsible for getting me out of custody."

"Yes, and no." He grabs Sophie by her elbow, and pulls her to his side, in view of the door.

She waves awkwardly, and smiles, "Hi, Sarah. It's been a while."

Sarah Jane sighs, stepping aside and ushering the duo inside. She busies herself with making some tea, while Jack and Sophie take a seat at the table, and glance at each other.

The woman walks over, and hands both Jack and Sophie a cuppa, and then sits down in her own seat. "So, what brings you here?"

Jack glances over at Sophie, "She told me that you needed some help. I am always happy to help a friend of the Doctor's."

Sarah Jane takes a sip of her tea, "You know the Doctor then?"

"Yeah," Jack shrugs, "You could say that. I travelled with him a little bit."

"Really," she asks, raising her eyebrows. "I travelled with him for a while as well."

"So Sophie tells me." Jack sets his cup down on the table in front of him. "She also tells me that there is no way you're a child abductor, so what happened?"

Sarah Jane sighs, "Luke. He was created by the Bane, or so I thought."

"But, he was kidnapped instead," Sophie say

Sarah Jane nods sadly, and stares into her cup.

"I'm sorry, Sarah," Sophie says, laying a hand on the older woman's hand. "That must be hard."

Sarah Jane shakes her head, "Oh, it's alright. I fought aliens before I met Luke. In fact," she says, climbing to her feet, "I was on my way to the Pharos Institute before you dropped in. I really should be heading back that way."

Jack stands up as well, "Let us join you. It's dangerous to go into alien infested issues alone."

She scans him, "Very well," her eyes linger on his holster, "But, no guns."

"You're the boss."