A/N. I wasn't going to post this new story until i finished New Beginnings, but i had this first chapter finished and i wanted to know what people thought. This is the first story i've written with Owen and Tosh in it so i'm getting used to writing them, hopefully i do ok. It's set after Adam, so everyone is still alive. This is just an idea that has been bouncing around in my head for a while. Kat :)

I own nothing sadly.

Chapter 1.

'Watch out!' shouted Gwen in Owens direction. He moved swiftly to the left, out of the way of the thing coming towards him.

'Got it' called Jack, as he managed to trap said creature, 'Still one left though.'

Jack, Owen, Gwen and Ianto were in an alley just off the Plass, having been drawn there by a Rift spike. Tosh had stayed behind to direct them. It turned out that the creatures that had come through were the size of Yorkshire terriers, fluffy and bright purple in colour. They would look quite cute if it wasn't for the razor sharp teeth and claws. They were also fairly smart as they were proving tricky to catch. The plan was to herd them together and then catch them into pet carriers that Ianto had managed to secure from a local pet shop. They could then be walked back over to the Hub without anyone seeing them. They had caught three and had one left.

'I see it,' said Ianto crouching down and pointing at a bin next to Gwen. 'It's gone behind there.'

'Right, Ianto, Gwen stand on one side, Owen go on the other with the basket and I'll move the bin. It'll only have one way to go.' They moved into position quickly and quietly. Jack carefully moved the bin forward. The creature looked up at them wide eyed, teeth bared, it knew it was trapped. Ianto and Gwen moved one step closer and it had no choice but to go in Owens direction. Unfortunately for Owen it moved so suddenly that it took him by surprise and the force of it shooting into the box caused him to lose his balance and fall on the floor. This resulted in Ianto and Gwen tying to stifle their laughter.

'Hey not funny,' grumbled Owen from his place on the floor, but the indignant look on his face just made them laugh harder. Jack took pity on him and offered him a hand to pull himself up with.

The four of them picked up the boxes and started walking back towards the Hub. They walked back across the Plass, the creatures in the box could be heard growling quietly. As they approached the tourist information office entrance they noticed a woman leaning against the railing near it. The way she kept glancing around made it look as though she was waiting for someone. She was an average height, blonde, around thirty and as Owen was quick to notice, pretty. She looked over at them as they approached, a smile appearing on her lips.

'She seems to know us, or at least one of us,' remarked Gwen. 'It's not me.'

'Me neither and I would definitely remember her,' said Owen.

The matter was resolved though when the woman got a little closer and said 'Ianto'. She spoke a little hesitantly, almost as if she wasn't sure.

Ianto moved away from the others a little, recognition crossing his features when he realised who the woman was. 'Jessie, I can't believe it's you.'

Then to the other threes surprise, Jessie closed the gap between her and Ianto and wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into a hug, which he returned. Ianto wasn't generally known for showing such displays of affection. As they pulled apart Ianto said, 'So long time no see. You're looking good.'

Jessie gave a sad smile, 'Couldn't look any worse than the last time you saw me.' Her face then brightened a bit. 'You look good too.'

'Thanks. Not that I'm not happy to see you, but what are you doing here. This is the last place I ever expected to see you.'

'Yeah, I'm sorry to show up out of the blue like this, but I needed to talk to you. I need your help. I realise that's kind of cheeky as it's been ages since we last spoke, but you're the only person who can help.'

'It's ok, really. Just because we haven't spoken in a while, doesn't mean we stop being friends, if I can help I will. What is it?'

'It's sensitive, and I don't want to discuss it out here in the open. Plus we seem to be getting stared at,' she said looking over Ianto's shoulder to where Jack, Gwen and Owen were standing trying to look like they weren't eavesdropping, but failing miserably. Ianto looked round at them, he had momentarily forgotten they were there, such was his surprise to see Jessie.

'Sorry, these are my colleagues, Captain Jack Harkness, Owen Harper and Gwen Cooper. This is Jessie Miller.'

Jessie shook hands with the others, noting the rather inquisitive looks they were giving her. She felt like she was under fierce scrutiny. 'Pleased to meet you all,' she said.

Before any of them could start giving Jessie the third degree, Ianto spoke again. He knew they were going to want to know about her, but he wanted to tell them in his own way. 'Look, I have something to finish up, but meet me across the road at the coffee shop in half an hour.'

'Are you sure you have time now? I can wait till later.'

'Yeah I'm sure, I'll see you then ok?'

'Thank you,' she replied, then she turned and started walking away, leaving Ianto with his three team mates.

'How do you know someone that attractive, and more importantly why haven't you introduce us before?' asked Owen, who was following Jessie's retreating figure with his eyes.

'Jessie is an old friend, we used to work together. I haven't seen her in a couple of years. Even if we were in closer contact I wouldn't have introduced you, I'd want her to stay friends with me.'

Before Owen could retort, Gwen spoke up. 'Hang on, did you just say you used to work together?'

'Yes,' replied Ianto not willing to elaborate on it.

Jack, who had been quiet up until now, just watching the interaction between Ianto and Jessie, exchanged a glance with Owen. Both of them immediately knowing that Ianto had obviously worked with Jessie in London, and both hoping that Gwen wouldn't push the subject. These hopes were dashed when Gwen said, 'But that would mean she worked for Torchwood.'

'Yes she did,' came the rather quiet reply.

Sensing that Ianto didn't want to expand on this, Jack cut Gwen off before she could speak again. 'We need to get these creatures into the Hub and settled, not stand out here all day chatting.'

Ianto shot Jack a grateful smile and picked up the box he had put down while talking to Jessie, and walked into the tourist information centre. Jack and the others close behind. Jack resolving to get Ianto alone to talk to him.

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