Growing up Torchwood

Telling Alice

            Jack paced back and forth, phone in hand. There were not many things in this world, or in any world for that matter, that scared him. After all, he had lived through wars, fought off Daleks, and could come back to life. Several Times. However, the idea of telling Alice that her son had been unknowingly kidnapped by a crazy Time Lord was not something he wanted to do.

            “Alright,” he said to himself, “You can do this Jack.” He took a deep breath and dialed the familiar number. Jack waited with baited breath for her to answer and was both relieved and disappointed when the machine picked up.

            “Hey Alice, its Jack,” he said slowly, “Um, listen... just… call me when you get this.” He hung up and collapsed in a chair, feeling more tired than he had in a long time. He looked out of his office and could see his team hard at work. After they had gone off to talk to significant others privately, they had all returned to the computers more determined than ever to find The Godfather. He could see Owen and Tosh typing away, trying to find some indication of where The Godfather had gone. Rose was hovering behind Tosh again, wanting to help, but with no clue how. He could see The Doctor walking around the place where the TARDIS had been with his sonic screwdriver out. Finally, he saw Ianto. The Welshman was making his way up the steps to his office with some of his Torchwood-famous tea in hand.

            “Thought you could use something to help calm your nerves,” Ianto said, setting the tea down on Jack’s desk.

            “Thanks,” Jack said with a small smile.

            “Did you reach Alice?” Ianto asked.

            “Machine picked up,” Jack replied, “I just said to call me.” As soon as he said this, his phone rang. He glanced up at Ianto and then picked up his phone.

            “Hey Alice,” he said, “No everything’s fine. Well actually, it’s not… No, no Steven’s not hurt… Actually he’s not here.”

            “What do you mean he’s not there?” Ianto heard Alice shout down the phone as Jack pulled it away from his ear.

            “Look, just let me explain what happened,” Jack said and Ianto assumed Alice agreed because the other man launched into the story about The Godfather.

            “I promise you Alice, I’m going to find him,” Jack assured her, “I know I could tell you there’s no need for you to come back, but I know you won’t listen. So just call me when you get back.” He paused and listened to Alice.

            “I’m so sorry Alice,” he whispered, “Yeah okay, bye.” He hung up the phone and leaned back in his chair.

            “Is she okay?” Ianto asked hesitantly.

            “She’s as okay as someone can be after learning their son was kidnapped by an alien,” Jack told him.

            “And she’s not mad at you, right?” Ianto asked, not wanting this to mess up the relationship Jack had been building with his daughter.

            “No, she was angry at first,” Jack said, “But when I told her he had taken Kayden, Daniel, and Jackson too she realized I would never have let this happen if I could’ve stopped it.”

            “Now what?” Ianto asked.

            “Now we find this so-called Godfather,” Jack said, standing from his chair and pulling Ianto down to where the others were.