m_findlow

Title: For a good cause
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters: Jack, Tosh
Author: m_findlow
Rating: PG
Length: 300 words
Content notes: pre-canon
Author notes: Written for Advent Calendar Day 12 - A character volunteers to help kids that need help over the holidays, and another character finds out at fffc
Summary: Tosh gets an offer she can't refuse.

'I'm off,' Tosh said, shrugging on her jacket and tying her scarf tightly around her neck.

Jack came and leaned in his doorway, hands shoved deeply inside his pockets. 'Off to get yourself sozzled on eggnog and Christmas cheer?'

'Nothing so exciting as that,' she replied.

Jack's eyebrows drifted up into his hairline. 'Oh? No crazy Christmas parties? I've always wanted to go to one of those parties where everyone has to wear funny Christmas hats.' He sighed. 'Oh, well, maybe next year.'

'I'm sure you'd be the life of the party,' Tosh replied. She checked her watch, noticing she was already late.

'Looks like you got somewhere to be at least,' Jack said, the motion not slipping past his keen eye.

Tosh momentarily froze at the insinuation. 'It's nothing.'

'Yeah, but now you've got me curious,' Jack said, wandering over and fixing her with his keen blue eyes. 'And nothing is nothing. Come on, Tosh. Spill the beans.'

She toyed with the edge of her jacket. 'Well, actually, I volunteered to help out at a youth drop-in centre. I didn't have anyone else to spend Christmas with so...' Her eyes dropped to the floor. It felt embarrassing to admit she was a loner.

Jack seemed unperturbed by her response. 'That's very charitable of you, Tosh. I'm impressed.'

'Just helping where I can.'

'Need some extra help?

'I'll be fine,' she said, attempting to make a quick getaway. She didn't need Jack's sympathy.

'What if I wanted to?' he asked. 'I don't exactly have any plans either. Unless you count babysitting the rift machine, and it's useless at pulling Christmas crackers. If you don't want your boss hanging out with you, that's fine too.'

Tosh was taken aback by the gesture. 'You're sure?'

'I'm always up for lending a hand.'