Anythingdrabble Challenge 179 - Off target

[m_findlow]

Title: Off target
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters/Pairings: Gwen, Jack
Word Count: 500 words
Rating: PG.
Notes: Written for Challenge 179 - Aim at anythingdrabble
Summary: Jack's aim is off and it's hardly any wonder.

Gwen sighed in relief as she finally located Jack. She hadn't expected him to be so hard to find. The hub was large but there were usually only a few places Jack could normally be found, especially during the middle of the day when he should have been in his office working. Or at least pretending to. Checking the firing range five floors below the main hub was a last ditch effort to locate him. He rarely ever came down here other than after hours, and usually then only to vent his frustrations. Gwen knew better than to stand between Jack and his webley when he was in a bad mood.

He sensed her behind him and smiled. ‘I've been testing out this new fifth generation gun. It's supposed to have intuitive target technology embedded in the neural interface, but I don't know, Gwen. I think maybe it's a dud. I just can't get it to work the way it's supposed to. I haven't hit a damn thing all afternoon. Well, unless you count the innocent civilians.’

On another day Gwen might have teased him over the damage to their life-size cutouts of ordinary Cardiff residents positioned between weevils and blowfish. These days it was a wonder Jack could focus on anything. He was what Gwen's dad called a Nervous Nelly, always worrying about Ianto and his progressing pregnancy. Gwen was less worried. She'd been there herself and she knew Ianto had it all well in hand considering. Well, perhaps except for this last harebrained decision he'd made. Driving himself to the hub whilst in labour was utter madness.

‘Do you think the boffins in London should take a look at it?’ Jack asked. ‘Might be  internal damage to the neural interface processors. Or it could be a disconnect with the firing mechanism, or a spatial anomaly caused by the rift that has set everything three inches to the left. Of course, when I aimed three inches further to the right it still didn't hit.’

‘Well, I'm sure we can have a very detailed and interesting conversation about it sometime later.’

Jack levelled his gaze as he lifted the weapon two-handed and prepared to take aim again, his face full of determined concentration. ‘Why later?’

Gwen took a step forward. ‘Well, not to alarm you, but Ianto is on his way to the hub. It's time.’

Jack spun with such speed that the gun was still held high, swinging around and landing directly with Gwen in its sights. A lifetime of danger made her react unconsciously, ducking quickly to avoid the path of the gun's fire. Jack's aim might have been off today, but at that distance he could hardly miss her if his finger squeezed the trigger even just slightly.

‘Jack!’ she yelled, snapping him back to reality, lowering the gun to his side. ‘Jesus Christ,’ she swore.

Jack went pale ‘He…’ It spoke volumes that he couldn't articulate any other words.

‘Yes. Now move your bloody arse, Jack!’