Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was raining, on a humid night in Cardiff, when Gwen had made her way towards a scene. Receiving a cup of hot coffee from one of her co-workers, she makes her way towards the scene, ducking under the tape to speak with Andy, a man of average size in height and weight, with tawny coloured hair. 

“So who is it?,” Gwen asked the man that stood above her.

“We don’t know. Some bloke. You goin’ to Slimbo’s?,” He asked her in a semi-excited voice.

“Is it drinks?” She started to move closer in on the scene.

“I think it’s just pizza,” He stated as he followed her.

“Might, yeah,” she responded, and was run into by another Scene Of Crime Officer, who quickly made an apology but told her that they had to go. Andy questioned what was happening, then got a call from his radio saying that all officers had to leave. He just shook his head, and ducked under the tape to leave, telling everyone else to back up.

Gwen ran up to another Officer and asked him about what was happening. , “Bugger if I know,” he responded with a yawn, “ I just heard the scene is getting transferred to Torchwood.”

Gwen’s face faded to a more puzzled expression, “What? They can’t do that. They’ll ruin the scene.”

The man shook his head. “They’re much higher up, I’d give it a rest if-” The man’s fatigue left him, and in horror he stared at Gwen. “Ma’am. Ma’am there’s something on your back.” He ran back over the tape as fast as he could, and Gwen sat there puzzled.

She decided it was imprudent to look at the scene now, as it was getting late, and Rhys would’ve been happy to just see her home early. She left under the tape, as her eyes caught with one of distant figures. She just shook her head, and began her way back to the station so she could make it home to Rhys.

Chapter Text

Gwen was awoken by  Rhys, a sturdy man around her height, bringing her a cup of coffee. He leaned into her ear, and whispered sweetly, “Good mornin’. How was work?”

She took a sip of the coffee. “The bloody same. I still wish I knew what those ‘Special Ops’ folks were up too. It’s a disgrace that they could just take over, you know.”

“Well I’m bloody glad they did.” He leaned over to where she sat up on the bed, and gave her a kiss on her cheek. “I had a wonderful night with you.”

As Gwen giggled, she let out a, “I did too.” Then she stood herself up, and kissed him on the lips, pulling him close to her. “Now I have to get ready for work. You too, big man. See you tonight.” 

Rhys returned the kiss. “Yea. Dinner’ll be set and all. You’ll be absolutely buzzing.”

“Well I hope so.”

***

While Gwen was on her patrol for the day, she was bumped into by a strange looking man in out of date clothing. “Oi! You in the gwenny suit, bloody watch your step.”

The man looked up, and replied in an American accent, “My apologies ma’am.” He began to make his way into the hospital, but turned and took a good look at her. He shook his head, and went inside. 

Gwen continued her route, baffled by the whole experience and made her way back to the Department office. When she got there, Andy rushed up to her. “I’m so bloody sorry mate. I can’t even imagine what you feel like. It’s bloody terrible, I tell ya.”

She tilted her head in confusement. “What are you on about?” she asked.

Andy straightened himself and answered, “You didn’t hear?”

“I would be askin’ if I knew, now would I?” she claimed.

“I’m not kidding, but we just got a report. When we came to the scene, we learned the man was Rhys. I’m sorry Gwen, he’s dead.”

“What? No, this can’t be,” she yelled, pulling the attention of the crowd of people in the entrance. Andy pulled Gwen aside, and brought her into a private room. There Gwen continued, “Do we have any leads?”

“Only one. All the deaths seem linked via the same knife. The one used on the body the other night.” Andy hung his head, and let out a low sigh. 

“Weren’t those bloody Ops blokes meant to do something about that? Oh, Rhys.” She began sobbing, and Andy wrapped his arms around her. Gwen then stood up, and stormed out of the room, mumbling under her breath, “Just who are these Torchwood blokes.”

Chapter Text

Gwen was devastated by the news she had delivered to her during her shift, but she was glad to be home. She could finally sit down and grieve, something she really needed to do. Except all her thoughts of peace faded when she entered the empty apartment.

The table laid neat and clean, and the house was almost pristine, yet it had an eerie emptiness. And to add insult to injury, the entire empty space was filled with photos of them. 

No. Not them. Him.

Gwen collapsed on the couch, and began to ball her eyes out until she could no longer feel her eyes. She just wished he was there to console her. Help her. Yet, she can’t. And she never will have that feeling again.

It was a haunting feeling, and yet she wasn’t filled with sadness, but anger. An anger at whatever this Torchwood was. How dare they take her case. Take her love. She couldn’t stand to be in her apartment anymore. She had to find this Torchwood.  

She was quick to slam on a clubbing outfit, and made her way towards the bay in a speedy fashion. It was about a twenty-five minute walk to Gin & Bake by Cardiff Bay. She took her seat there in the frantic bar, and was greeted by a man with a queer frame and English accent.

“Hello,” he said to her with a strange charisma.

“Can I help you?” Gwen asked the man that stood leaning on the wall next to her, examining him. She knew it was too early after Rhys’ murder, but when she was ready, she knew Rhys would want her to move on and be happy.

“You havin’ a good time?” the man replied, as he examined Gwen.

“Not so much. No.” She looked down into her drink and stared in its emptiness.

“Let me get ya drink?” His face quickly switched from a flirtatious grin to one of concern and empathy, as he took a seat right next to Gwen.

“No thank you. It's just. It’s been rough lately.” She moved her hands into a cross on the desk, and laid her head face down within it. A barely audible, muffled noise came from her cocoon. “Actually. Whisky. That’d be nice ‘bout now.”

The man turned to the bartender, and asked for two shots of whiskey, then turned back to Gwen. “Hey, sorry ‘bout before. Name’s Owen. Dr Owen Harper.”

When the sound of shot glasses hitting the table was heard, Gwen lifted her head up just barely, and turned to him. “A Doctor aye? Where do you work?” Her hand moved to grab the whiskey glass.

“Can’t say,” he smiled at her. “Confidential. But pays good. You?”

“I work in Crime Scenes. Here in Cardiff. You local?”

Owen let out a small chuckle. “You could tell huh? Well I moved here for work. Used to be full time in the Royal Infirmary here in Cardiff.”

“Oh really?” Gwen giggled. “Lived here all my life, I have. It’s nice.”

Owen snorted at the Idea. “I guess. I cannot bear it ‘ere however. Yet, my work states that I do.”

The two smiled at each other, before Gwen realised the time. “I’m sorry, Doctor. I do have to take my leave, about now, though.”

“Care for an escort?” 

Gwen smiled and shook her head. “If you insist.” The two of them began to laugh.

Chapter Text

As Owen and Gwen made it towards Gwen’s place she felt as if she had some connection with this man. He wasn’t suave or cool, but he acted like he was and Gwen felt like she could confide in him. 

Although Rhys’ death was untimely and all too close, she felt like this could, and just may even work. Not now, but maybe, In the not so distant future.

While on their walk, they passed by Cardiff Bay, where Owen’s expression became a bit antsy. Gwen didn’t seem to notice, but she did examine the area around her. “Beautiful, ain’t it?” she said towards the man.

“Yea. Suppose so, if you lived here long ‘nough,” he answered in a chuckle and smile.

“Suppose so, yea.” Gwen smiled back. That smile quickly became a frown. All she thought was How could I do this to Rhys? 

“Hey,” Owen started, tilting his head with a sensitive look in his eyes. “What gots you down? Maybe I could be of help, aye?”

“It’s just.” Tears welled up in her eyes, “Earlier on today, my boyfriend. He was murdered. And It’s just hard yano-” She soon could feel the warm tears on her face as she fell to the ground, sobbing.

Owen squatted down next to her, and wrapped his arms around her body, “Shh. I get it. It’s– hard.” 

Gwen smiled as she hid her eyes with her left arm, and felt like she could move on. Just maybe. Just – “Owen?” a stern English voice called out from above them, and Gwen quickly felt hurt once more.

“Oh Suzie, not now. This is, er Gwen. Met her at the bar,” Owen told her.

“Ah, nice to meet you Gwen. You local?” Suzie extended her hand to shake Gwen’s, but it was quickly pushed away by Gwen.

Gwen removed herself from Owen, and began, “You, how could you. I thought, I just–”

“Oh, you think? No. Definitely not.” Owen laughed.

Suzie gave Owen a right good punch in the arm, then added Cynically, “Once though. Never ‘gain, but once.”

“What’s that for!” Owen started rubbing his arm. Gwen and Suzie just blankly looked at each then laughed. 

“Anyway, yea. Lived here all my life, I have,” Gwen told her. 

Before Suzie could add another word, Owen started, “So what are you doin’ out ere Suzie? Your apartment’s out more, ain’t it?”

Suzie’s face flooded with instant regret at stopping, “I– Well. See. I.”

Then from behind them, Gwen heard an eerily familiar voice sarcastically ask,  “I know. Care to share with the class, Suzie?”

Chapter Text

Gwen turned to see the voice, and recognised the American man that bumped into her earlier that day. “Killing the innocent?” The man clicked his tongue as he shook his head. “I can’t say I wasn’t worried.”

“Jack, what are you on about?” Owen asked as he looked back and forth between Suzie and Jack, with one eyebrow raised in confusement. 

“Want to tell him?” The man, Jack, asked Suzie with such cadence. 

“What’s he on about? Cardiff Police, I’m going to have to ask you all to–” Gwen was cut short, when she saw Suzie draw out a gun, and grab Owen. Locking his heading in place and moving the gun so it fit close to his temple.

“No sudden movements. Either of you,” she threatened with tears forming under her eyes. They didn’t feel like crocodile tears, but  it may have been better if they were. You could see the pain behind her eyes, and peer into her psyche.

Her head turned to Jack, and she continued, “Jack. I’m sorry. It doesn’t… shouldn’t have been this way. Honestly, truly. But–” She cut herself off, and her face once the mere reflection of sadness, morphed into anger, “I have to. This place, be honest Jack. It’s a joke.”

Owen went to add to the conversation but Suzie pressed the gun harder into his temple. “Don’t even speak, Harper. This is between Jack and I.” She turned her head to Gwen, “So Gwen. You pieced it, yea? We’re Torchwood. We outrank you and quite honestly, you aren’t needed for this.” She aimed the pistol towards Gwen.

“Suzie! I demand you drop the weapon now. That’s an order!” Jack commanded.

Suzie only pointed her towards Jack, and sobbed out as she said, “Consider this my resignation.” One shot was fired into the centre of Jack’s forehead. Both Owen and Gwen winced.

“Anyone else. No?” She turned the gun back towards Owen, and whispered into his ear. Then fired the weapon clean into his temple. His body fell to the floor, and the splatter ruined Suzie’s perfect white outfit.

She set the gun to her side, and turned towards Gwen. “Now. I’m sorry. Truly I am, but this is the only way.”

Gwen attempted to console her captor, “It isn’t. Please, Suzie. Follow me back to the department. I promise–”

“Actually,” Suzie injected with a twisted smile. Not truly sinister, but mixed regret and anguish, and a flurry of emotions Gwen couldn’t place. “I might have to reject that offer.” She steadied her gun, and aimed it at the centre of Gwen’s chest.

Yet before it fired, Jack’s voice echoed, “Suzie. The Captain gave an order. Now, drop your weapon.” He was up, no wound to be seen on his head, with a revolver pointed at Suzie.

“Fine,” Suzie responded, dropping to her knees, and lowering her weapon. Jack moved his gun back towards his waist, just as Suzie quickly shifted her pistol on herself, and fired one last shot.

Jack walked over to where the two corpses, and one would be corpse remained. He turned to Gwen, and offered his hand to her. Gwen stood up on her own, and turned to him. “Where do you get off on allowing so much… so much death… agony? Is this fun for you?” she asked the man, whose face was painted with grief.

“I’m sorry Miss, but–” he started, then tilted his head as he stared behind Gwen. “Do you feel that?”

Gwen turned to look behind her. “Feel what?”

“Oh nothing.” Jack shook his head, and moved behind Gwen, pulling a strange item from out of his pocket. “Just thought I saw something on your back,” he responded as he placed the object upon the nape of Gwen’s neck, as she passed into Jack’s arms.

He tapped a button on the side of his headset. “Toshiko? Yea. Send in an extraction team. And ready a cell. Let’s just say, we have a new guest.”