The Trick Is To Keep Breathing 4/?
Apr. 21st, 2012 11:10 am![[personal profile]](http://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
missthingsplaceAU: When it all changes: Life, Love and Family in Torchwood.
Title: The Trick Is To Keep Breathing
Author: ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
missthingsplace
Parings/characters: Jack/Ianto, Gwen/Rhys, Andy, My OC's: Caden, Eloise, Dylan, Jenni, Claire, Chloe, Damien, Ianto's family.
Disclaimer: I don't own Torchwood or any of the characters ... unfortunately, just borrowing them for a while.
Summary: The Twins, Caden and Eloise are now 19 and working for Torchwood, a case comes up that would be perfect for them but their parents are reluctant to let them work on the field, especially Jack ... will his fear be founded?
Spoilers: Probably not, but you never know ...
Warnings: Mentions of abuse but no details.
Rating: NC17 for the series.
A/N: So sorry that it has been so long since i posted any fic but life is finally getting back to normal after the wedding last week. I have a few pics but i am waiting for my brother to send me the offical photo's and then i will upload some here. The next chapter of Utopia will also be posted very soon.
“Just checking in again,” Eloise said discretely into her comm. “it's getting dark and cold now, hopefully they know about me and will come soon.”
“Same here,” Caden added.
“And my bum is numb from sitting on the pavement for most of the day,” Eloise said with a grumble. “but I made almost five quid and got a cup of coffee.”
“How on earth do people live like this?” Caden asked. “I made a little more but it's nothing, it will barely buy a sandwich and a drink!”
“Sadly that's why some on the streets end up dealing drunks or selling their bodies,” Ianto replied sadly, finally getting a word in.
“If you're not chosen and picked up by midnight then I guess you should head home?” Jack asked, trying to keep his hope out of his voice.
“No Daddy,” Eloise answered. “if we do that we might get seen and then our cover will be blown.”
“And that will be the end of the mission,” Caden added. “we're going to see this through Dad.”
“Just be careful,” Jack said simply.
“Dad, if you tell us to be careful once more I swear when I see you next I will slap you,” Eloise told him, her tone light and playful.
“We are not kids any more Dad,” Caden said. “and this will prove it.”
“Okay, okay,” Jack sighed resignedly. “I won't mention it again.”
“But I might,” Ianto added with a chuckle.
“Da!” Both twins laughed in unison.
“Okay, don't forget to check in again in an hour,” Ianto told them.
“We won't,” Eloise answered for the two of them.
With that the twin cut their comms and wrapped the blankets they had been sitting on around their bodies to keep warm at exactly the same time without either of them suggesting it to the other.
“It's bloody freezing,” Eloise sent to her brother.
“Yeah, what I wouldn't give to be in our nice warm house now,” Caden agreed.
“And a duvet wouldn't go ...” Eloise began and then stopped when she spotted the blue people carrier with the hostels logo on approaching her slowly along the road. “Caden, they've seen me.”
“Just play it cool,” Caden said, suddenly scared for his sister.
“I will,” she said and then looked every part the homeless teen when the vehicle came to a halt by her feet and a perky young woman with red hair got out and spoke to her.
“Hi,” she began, with a bright smile Eloise could see in the pale glow of the street lights. “I'm Jane, and you are?”
“Eloise,” she replied quietly, having already decided that using her real Christian name would make things less complicated. “Eloise Jones.”
“Well Eloise, I work for a local hostel and I'd like to offer you a bed for the night.” She told her.
“Why should I trust you?” Eloise asked, tugging the blanket tighter around her body and looking nervous.
“Look, the car shows where I'm from,” Jane said. “I promise you, you will come to no harm. Just a bed for the night and some food. That sounds better than sleeping here in this doorway, doesn't it?”
“I guess so,” Eloise shrugged but didn't move.
“Then lets get you there then, you can have a shower too,” Jane said, her cheerful grin getting wider. “and we can probably find you some clean clothes that fit if you'd like?”
“Sure,” Eloise said slowly, getting to her feet and allowing the woman to help her into the passenger seat of the people carrier.
“You'll like the hostel, we're a friendly lot,” Jane said reassuringly as she started the car.
“Maybe,” Eloise said mumbling into the blanket.
“Are you okay?” Caden's voice came to her a few moments later.
“Fine, I'm in the hostels car and heading for there I guess,” she answered, peering out the windows at the familiar streets of Cardiff.
“I think I'm going to be spending the night on the street,” Caden told her. “if I don't get picked up I'll head into the City Centre tomorrow.”
“Stay safe and find somewhere to keep warm,” Eloise told him.
“I have just the place and a plan,” Caden replied. “Don't forget to check in with our parents.”
“I won't,” Eloise promised. “see you soon I hope.”
“You too,” Caden replied and then the two of them stopped communicating.
“You're very quiet, are you okay?” Jane asked Eloise.
“Yep,” Eloise replied simply.
By the time they pulled into the small car park at the back of the hostel Eloise had the sulky, homeless teenager act perfect. Jane had stopped trying to get her to talk and the rest of the journey had been in silence, which suited Eloise just fine as she was feeling a little nervous, which also helped with her cover.
“So, lets get you inside and something in your tummy first,” Jane said, turning off the ignition. “then I can show you where you're sleeping and find those clean clothes I promised you.”
“Mmmm,” Eloise mumbled, following the woman's lead and getting out of the SUV and into the back of the building.
“This is the kitchen.” Jane said with a bright smile. “the dining hall is just through there but it's closed now, I thought you might like some soup and a sandwich?”
“Sure,” Eloise answered along with her stomach rumbling loudly.
“Are you from here, Cardiff that is?” Jane asked, pouring soup from a can into a bowl and placing it in the microwave to heat up before reaching into a cupboard and getting a loaf of bread.”
“Yep,” Eloise told her with a small nod, still clutching her blanket around herself.
“Why are you on the streets, where are your parents?” Jane continued as she put together a sandwich.
“They died in a car crash just over a year ago,” Eloise replied, looking down at her hands. “I went to live with my aunt but … we don't get along.”
“In what way?” Jane pushed, placing the bowl of piping hot soup down in front of her and then the sandwich.
Eloise picked up a spoon and used it to taste the soup, which was much better than she expected.
“She tried to treat me like a little kid,” Eloise replied easily. “I'm not a kid.”
“How old are you?” Jane asked.
“Nearly seventeen,” Eloise answered, taking a couple of years off her real age knowing she could easily pass for younger if she wanted without make-up.
“It's a hard life, living on the streets,” Jane said, watching the girl eat ravenously. “but we've found you now, we'll help you all we can.”
Eloise mumbled a thank you and finished the last of her meal.
“Now, I'm sure your tired, does a shower and some sleep sound good?” Jane asked her.
Eloise nodded once with an added shrug of the shoulders and once again followed Jane who led her to a small, clean room that had a single bed, a small chest of drawers and a wardrobe.
“This will be your room,” Jane told her with a smile and opened the wardrobe where there were two towels. She handed them to Eloise.
“I'll show you where the showers are and then I will find you some night things. I'll bring them to the showers and leave them there for you in the changing room,” Jane told her. “and some clean clothes for tomorrow on your bed. Is there anything else you need?”
“A toothbrush?” Eloise asked hopefully.
“You'll find some new ones in packets in the shower room, along with soap, shampoo and conditioner,” Jane answered. “there are also more intimate items should you require them.”
“I don't have much money,” Eloise told her.
“You don't have to pay for them,” Jane smiled widely. “now, lets show you where you can get yourself clean.”
Eloise once again following Jane and sent a short message to her brother. “I'm in, so far so good.”
TBC
no subject
Date: 2012-04-21 12:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-21 12:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-21 05:55 pm (UTC)It's a true gift!
no subject
Date: 2012-04-21 10:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-22 12:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-23 06:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-23 10:36 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-29 03:29 pm (UTC)Hope wedding went well and look forward to piccies.
*hugs*
D xxx
no subject
Date: 2012-05-29 04:04 pm (UTC)great chapter