Hidden By Aliens

Nightmares Given Flesh

It was election day. Leah only noticed that because the rest of Torchwood told her to stay home. She hadn't minded. With the craziness of the past week, she needed some time to herself. Jack had left anyway, so there wasn't anyone at Torchwood for Leah to talk with.

Her human mothers were in town, which helped keep off the boredom. Leah was so excited. She hadn't seen Leanna and Thelma since Christmas, when they first sent Leah out to live with Aunt Chloe. They hadn't been around when Leah joined Torchwood. Leah had only really heard from them over the phone.

There was a part of Leah that understood their concern. She was their only child, who they had lost once before. It wouldn't have done any good to hear that Leah was working with the very people that once stole her away. Even if Captain Jack knew her future self, that wouldn't have calmed down Leanna and Thelma.

But, surprisingly, Leah did like the work. She liked working with the humans, oddities that they all were. It upset her that everyone was going on a mission without her. Yeah she was a minor but an alien minor. Surely there were laws at Torchwood to work around? Maybe Jack would know. If he hadn't run off to chase Future Leah and the Doctor, he would've let Leah join the trip. She could help in the Himalayas! She had done research! But no. Jack had to go have fun, leaving Leah behind to be sidelined.

She hoped her future self was having fun with him, at least. That would be something to look forward to.

They were staying in Chloe's place. While her aunt was looking in the Himalayas, she leant the flat to the Luna-Johnsons. Her mothers were happy for the free room and board.

Leah woke up that morning feeling refreshed. She walked into the kitchen, seeing Thelma working in the kitchen.

"Good morning, Lee." Thelma held up the frying pan, full of scrambled eggs. "Surprised you slept."

Leah wasn't. It had been a crazy week. She'd earned some proper sleep. "I was just tired. You and Mum settle in okay?"

Thelma nodded. "We did. Chloe's room is really good."

Leah heard Leanna groaning from the living room space. She turned to Thelma, who was snorting while getting back to cooking. "Leanna liked the sound proofing and cushioned-"

"Ignoring you!" Leah pushed her hands over her ears, loudly murmuring to keep out the noise. Thelma laughed all the while.

Leanna was reclining on the couch, seeming to work out a crick in her back to get comfortable. Leah sat herself down on the far side of the couch, wondering if she truly missed her mothers and if she wouldn't mind them going right back where they came from.

"So-" Leanna nodded her head towards a gathering pile of junk. "-you still tinkering?"

Leah groaned an affirmative. "Had to keep myself educated, you know."

Leanna hummed. "School is good then? Well not school-school but, you get it."

"Well, I'm trying to get nuclear physics down." Leah admitted. Her mum blinked. "I'm joking. That was two years ago."

"Right, I remember having to tell you not to nuke Japan." Leanna commented. She glanced at her watch.

Thelma walked in, carrying two plates of bacon, eggs, and toast. "And I remember telling you not to make jokes like that, since it was her adoptive country that actually did that."

Leanna snorted. "You did not. You laughed right with me."

"Because it was so ridiculous!" Thelma replied. She walked back towards the kitchen, getting the third plate. "Now she's working for Torchwood. That could actually happen!"