Title: Everything Changes, Part Four of Four

Author: Emma

Characters: Canonical Torchwood Three members… sort of.

Rating: Some chapters definitely not safe for work.

Disclaimer: Oh, please. If I owned them, would I let some of those idiots write the scripts? And if I were making any money off them, would I be where they could find me?

Summary: Constable Gwen Cooper is drawn into the dark world of the Queen’s Magicians.

Author’s Note: I have been bitten by a radioactive plot bunny that threatened to disintegrate my cells if I didn’t do this. No. I don’t know if I will do all the episodes, though it would be fun. We’ll see.

Author's Note: This is a retelling of the Torchwood episodes in a world in which there are no aliens and magic and the supernatural are very real. For all of you history nerds, the Synod of Whitby went the other way and the majority of the northern English, Scots, Welsh, and Irish are Celtic Christians.

Author’s Note: I like to thank RTD for the inspiration (/snark)

            “Before we start, introductions are in order. From left to right, Suzie Costello, second in command and Bishop-certified medium, Owen Harper, medical doctor and Healer, and Toshiko Sato, technologist and researcher.” Captain Harkness pointed at the young man handing out coffee cups. “And this is Ianto Jones. He keeps us supplied with everything we need and gets us everywhere on time. And he looks good in a suit.”

            “Careful, sir, that’s harassment.”

            Gwen grinned at the snorts (Suzie and Owen) and giggles (Toshiko) that the exchange produced. It would seem her prospective colleagues took their boss’s peculiarities in stride.

            “So, Gwen Cooper, what do you want to know?”

            “Why me?”

            He didn’t even bother to pretend. “Because I’ve been looking for someone with your qualifications for years. You are a pantheist, a perspective Torchwood lacks. You are intelligent and persistent, and people like you and talk to you. And more to the point, Andy Davidson thinks you’re the right person for the job.”

            “Andy works for you?”

            “Would you trust the current police commissioner?” He bit into a biscuit. “Next question.”

            “Why here? Cardiff, I mean. I know it’s considered one of the most haunted places in Britain, but…”

            “Tell me what you know about the Wall between the Worlds, Gwen.”

            “The Wall between the Worlds is the barrier between the living and the dead, the natural and the supernatural. At certain times of year it becomes thinner. It is thinnest at Samhain…”

            He stopped her with a raised hand. “Now tell me what you know about Torchwood.”

            “Torchwood was created by Queen Victoria after she was nearly bitten by a werewolf under the control of demon worshippers that wanted to gain control of the government through the Royal Family. Your mandate is to protect the Empire against supernatural threats.” She looked down at her hands. “My people say you have another mandate, one much more… secret.”

            “Your people are right, but no for the right reason.” Captain Harkness leaned back, sipping at his coffee. “The secret we guard is that the Wall between the Worlds is not as solid as people believe. It is constantly warping and cracking, opening and closing. The supernatural is always one step away, Gwen, especially here in Cardiff.”

            “I don’t understand.”

            “More than a thousand years ago a man known only as the Doctor discovered that there is a Rift in the Wall. A permanent opening. In most places it’s too small to be a threat, but in Cardiff it’s an open wound. Our real mandate is to keep the Rift closed as much as we can and to deal with what comes through when we can’t.”

            Gwen sat in stunned silence. None of the things she had imagined came close to matching this.    “But… but…” she finally sputtered. “People have a right to protect themselves. Why aren’t you telling them?”

            “God, no!” Suzie interjected. “Most people deal with the supernatural by making believe it’s very distant from their every day lives. Can you imagine if they knew that it’s right next door all the time?”

            “My people believe that the spirits are all around us,” she objected. “It hasn’t driven us mad yet.”

            “Because,” Suzie said, “your beliefs do not square you off against a Great Enemy. Most Christians equate supernatural with satanic. The idea that things could pop out at them, Church or no Church, would drive them stark staring mad.”

            “But…”

            “Gwen,” Ianto’s soft voice cut through her protest. “Right now, a young girl with odd powers will be hauled in front of a Bishop’s court for certification. But if people stop trusting the Church, they will take matters into their own hands.”

            Gwen grabbed at her certification pendant as if it were a talisman. “Yes. I see.”

            “Good.” Captain Harkness stood up. “You start tomorrow, bright and early. We’ll take care of notifying your supervisor. Tosh will save the CCTV tape so you can gloat over Kenyon blowing an artery.” He walked her to a spot near the fountain. “Hold on,” he said.

            She nearly shrieked as the flagstone under her feet began to move. Hanging on to Captain Harkness’s arm, she rode upwards to emerge at one side of the Plas. As she passed the opening she felt the tingle that signified a glamour field.

            “I hope you don’t leave this thing open too often.” She said. “Someone could fall through.”

            “That is so very Welsh,” he complained good-naturedly. “I show you something fantastic and you find fault. Off you go, Gwen Cooper. See you tomorrow.”

            She trotted in the direction of the side street where she had parked her car. It was late, and as she left the lights of the Plas and the Millennium Centre she found herself walking in shadows. Twice she thought she heard footsteps behind her, but she attributed it to fears caused by her new knowledge. The third time she could no longer ignore the facts. She waited until she entered the circle of light cast by one of the ornate lampposts and turned around. Suzie Costello stood a few steps away, a large gun in her hand.

            “I’m sorry, Gwen Cooper.” Her voice was oddly gentle. “But I can’t let you come to work with us.”

            “Why not?”

            “You would see. You would know.”

            “Suzie.” Captain Harkness emerged from the darkness to stand between them. “Why, Suzie? Why did you kill them?”

            “I had to,” she seemed to be arguing with herself as much as with him. “I had to know how the glove worked. You understand, don’t you, Jack? I had to know.”

            He started to move towards her. Without a word, she raised the gun and shot him in the chest. The force of the impact spun him around and he collapsed. Gwen screamed. Suzie turned towards her and raised the gun again. Gwen felt herself being lifted off her feet and she was pushed back into the shadows and into the safety of a recessed doorway. A large hand clamped around her mouth.

            “Stay still,” Ianto Jones hissed in her ear. “The glove is controlling her. She’ll feel every movement.”

            “Gwen! Come out! I won’t go away, you know.”

            A movement behind Suzie caught Gwen’s attention. If it hadn’t been for Ianto’s hand, she would have screamed. Jack Harkness was standing in the light. His shirt was covered in blood, but he was alive and breathing easily.

            “Suzie.”

            Suzie did scream as she turned around. “No! No! You’re dead. I know you were, I felt it!” She hung on to the gun with both hands. “Oh God, you’re one of them, aren’t you? They’re always around, you know. I try to keep them away, but they’re always around.” She raised the gun and placed it under her chin. “Maybe I should just join them. It would be so much easier.”

            “Suzie, no!” Gwen could hear the anguish in the Captain’s voice. “Please!”

            A shot rang out and Suzie crumpled to the ground. Gwen stumbled as Ianto released her and walked away. She watched as he knelt by the body. He pulled a small vial from his pocket and, removing the cap, poured a small stream of oil into Suzie’s mouth. Dipping his fingers into the vial, he made the sign of the cross on Suzie’s forehead and murmured a prayer. Then he rose to join his boss. Gwen could see tears in his eyes.

            “Thank you, Ianto.”  Captain Harkness sounded weary. “Well, Gwen? You’ve seen the beauty and the horror of Torchwood, all in one night. Are you sure you still want to join?”