Disclaimer: I don't own 'Torchwood' or any of its characters. The series is the property of the BBC. So there is no copyright infringement intended, nor do I intend to tick anyone off – so please don't sue me, I'm poor enough already! But I do own the story itself and the non-'Torchwood' types…. :O)
This is my first 'Torchwood' fanfic. It is based after the end of the first series as well as my own (twisted) imagination! I do not intend to rip off any other writer so if this premise has been done before I'm sorry, I just hope mine is different enough for it not to be too boring. But if I digress from the series too much don't shoot me as I'm old, and the brain (what little I have) is not what it used to be! LOL!
This is going to be fairly short, just a fair amount of chapters, as I'm merely trying to stretch myself a little more since my recent strokes. I do want to finish my outstanding fictions, but am having serious trouble remembering my plots for them; so please bear with me.
If you've read any of my other stuff and liked it, hopefully you'll like this too.
WARNING: POSSIBLY SOME BAD LANGUAGE AND VIOLENCE; THERE IS A GRUSOME DEATH IN THIS CHAPTER SO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!
All reviews, and constructive criticism, gratefully received – but no flaming please; and I will try to update regularly.
'Thoughts'
"Speech"
Summary: What if Jack is reunited with an old friend; a friend he has watched grow up? How will Ianto take the renewed friendship and what will the other members of the team make of it? Things are changing at the hub, and not all will be welcome. JxOC GxO
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WAITING
Chapter One – Reunions
Jack was slumped in his seat as if waiting for the sword of Damocles to drop 'not that it would do any good' he thought with a humourless smile; recent events had taught him that if that thing had not been able to kill him, then nothing would.
It was strange because he some how felt cheated, that he was missing out on the biggest adventure yet by not being able to die. He hoped that now that evil entity had been killed, that Susie was somewhere better than a black void; that everyone that had died was.
He dragged his mind away from such dark thoughts; then he heard it, the soft swish of the main doors. Ianto's voice drifted lightly across to him; Jack flinched, he hoped the other man wouldn't come up – he'd withdrawn somewhat from that relationship recently and, although Ianto hadn't really said anything, the hurt looks and reproachful stares he got whenever their eyes met were driving him mad. He constantly felt like he went around with his own personal puppy to kick.
However, there was another voice joining it and then he remembered; it was her first day today – God he'd had to pull some strings to get her here, particularly without her knowing he'd done it. But he'd given his solemn word and that was something he always kept; her mother had trusted him and he wouldn't let her down.
He got up and stared out of his office window; she stood hesitantly by the doors, Ianto had gone – which in itself was odd; he should've brought her up to him. He took in the dipped head, covered in the chocolate brown hair he remembered still, the body language screaming discomfiture and realised that that had probably made the younger man want to give her time to get used to her new surroundings.
Jack sighed; that was something you could never fault the young Welshman on, his sensitivity to others. It was a feeling he had long ago locked up.
She stared around and up; at 8:00am it was too early for the others to be in – indeed perhaps Ianto had thought he might not be about yet either.
Suddenly, and before Jack could shout a warning, the pterodactyl flew down with a loud screeching noise. Jack looked on in wordless amazement as she gazed softly at it and merely said "shhh" whilst holding a finger to her lips.
She remained motionless, so much so that Jack could hardly tell if she was breathing, until the creature alighted just ahead of her on the other side of the bridge into the rear section of the hub.
It clacked its huge beaklike mouth at her and she grinned. It was amazing, as her whole face suddenly transformed - well, what he could see of it. "Hello old man; goodness me, you're a long way from home aren't you? I thought you were extinct - no offence." She all but whispered to the ancient creature; so quietly in fact that Jack had to strain to hear.
He strolled onto the platform with as much casual impartiality as he could muster "hello Nia – long time, no see."
Sharp blue eyes swung up in alarm; but even as she relaxed, the words she spoke next cut him to the quick "I'm sorry sir, have we met already?" As her quiet voice rolled over him, he was transported back to the first time they'd met – oh yes, they'd met already alright; and more than once.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Captain Jack Harkness stepped up to the little girl hiding behind the large metal bin; it was 1976, the year of the red hot summer. He, the Doctor and Rose had been on the trail of a Skellarn hunter from the planet Sarnakan.
It was an odd alien to look at, sort of like a large frog with a nasty attitude; and appalling body odour, reminiscent of rotting vegetation and putrid meat.
They were a race well known for their nihilism and deceptiveness. In fact the planet's only claim to fame was its organised crime; so organised and brutal in fact, that it would put all of Earth's own organised criminal elements in the shade.
Their bite, as humans were considered a major delicacy but extremely rare, was extremely toxic and would start dissolving you from the internal organs first – not a pleasant way to go, as they basically sucked your insides out much like a spider would to a fly; the first major signs of a Skellarn bite would bear all the outward appearances of the latter stages of the Ebola virus.
It was a truly painful way to die, long and drawn out and intended as such so that its victim was still faintly alive when they reached Sarnahan. It was also extremely unpleasant to witness; the screams of pain as their internal organs dissolved, the vomiting of blood and liquefied organs too nauseating to even bear to remember. Indeed the most compassionate thing you could do for any victim was to kill them immediately.
The Skellarn's had a very impressive holographic projector that mimicked the species they were culling; that way they could integrate with ease and kill at will – the human race was merely their most highly sought after delicacy.
In this case the child had only just been saved from being bitten and it was no surprise that she was terrified of everything and everyone right now.
However, Jack felt they needed to make sure she was alright. This was proving difficult; the Doctor, and even Rose, had given up trying to coax her out of her hiding place. But Jack was made of sterner stuff; he was not about to admit defeat, especially when it came to a female – even a little one.
"Aww come on sweetheart, you can trust me – I'm not gonna hurt you, cross my heart and everything." He gave her his most winning smile and made a cross over his heart.
Large terrified blue eyes and neatly trimmed chocolate coloured hair peeked out briefly from behind the bin; she was weighing up if she could trust him. Finally she sighed, got to her feet and stepped out to where he could see her properly; but still ensuring the bin was within easy reach.
Jack, knowing the large metal refuse collector would have offered her no protection at all, felt his heart clench at her futile little plan "is it gone?" she eyed the street warily.
"Yeah, my friend over there….got rid of it." Jack indicated the Doctor.
"You mean he killed it right – coz there's no point letting it run around; it'll only come back, bad things always do." The small girl seemed to be gaining some confidence…….well, until the Doctor came over and then her nerve failed her and she ducked behind Jack.
The Doctor frowned in exasperated irritation "why are small children always shy with me – it's ridiculous; do I even look threatening?"
Rose sighed and rolled her eyes at Jack who stifled the grin "No, but that's not the point you idiot!" she slapped his head.
"OWW!" the Doctor rubbed the sore spot "why did you do that? I was only making an observation – children are always shy around me."
"It's a kid thing; she'll be like it with everyone." Rose placated.
The Doctor eyed the child hanging onto Jack's shirt and hiding behind the tall American "well, she's not like it with him!"
Jack grinned "what can I say; I have a way with the ladies."
It was the Doctor's turn to roll his eyes now "even a seven year old?"
Jack shrugged "she's female, it's a gift; or maybe it's your big ears that scare her - not every kid liked Dumbo you know." He turned to the little girl and ignored the other man's killer glare "hey, these are friends of mine and they won't hurt you either – in fact they got rid of the bad guy and yes they killed him."
She looked at him intently for a moment and then nodded; her small hand slipped into his and she said three words that Jack had never heard from anyone before – not connected with him anyway. She whispered "I trust you."
"You do?" he couldn't hide his surprise.
"Yeah" a shy smile flashed across her face "you're alright" she tapped his chest lightly "in here, you got a good heart."
Jack beamed and even the Doctor could see it was a truly genuine smile. He shook his head, who knew the philandering Captain Jack Harkness was such a sucker for cute little kids.
The child edged her way over to the Doctor "I'm six actually" he nodded as if expecting it, though in truth was surprised as she seemed quite big for her age and very bright. "you a doctor then?" he nodded "then can you come see to my mummy; she's been really poorly since she got bit. I'm worried for her."She turned to Jack "he won't hurt her right? I mean you promise he's nice like you yeah?"
Jack nodded solemnly "no he won't hurt her and yeah he's an okay guy too."
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
They followed the little girl to a block of antiquated flats in a run down part of the estate. She led the way to a black front door "I painted that" the pride was obvious "I did it all on my ownsy too."
Jack smiled "good job kid, nice brush work."
"It's Titania, but everyone who wants to keep breathing calls me Nia." She blushed "I hate my name – why couldn't they've called me Lisa, or Karen; something normal?"
"I think it's a lovely name; but as I do indeed value my life, Nia it will be" Jack grinned.
Rose rolled her eyes; he really couldn't help but try and get round any female, regardless of age, creed or even bloody planet. Still she had to admit he did seem genuinely taken with the kid; so she supposed he wasn't all bad.
They entered the flat and as soon as they saw the child's mother they all knew what she'd been bitten by. That was how the Skellarn had come to be chasing the small girl; having bitten the mother, he quickly realised the child would have been worth an even bigger fortune.
Jack looked at the Doctor who'd crouched beside the woman "ummm, well – let's have a look at you then."
Accepting blue eyes, so like her daughter's, took them all in before settling on her little girl who'd climbed onto the bed. "Mummy these are my……" Nia hesitated about what to call them before deciding on a good standby "friends; they'll help you get well."
Jack sighed in silent despair as a small amount of fluid and internal matter trickled out of the woman's mouth; she was sinking fairly quickly so it was safe to assume the hunter had given her a larger than average dose of liquefying venom.
He must've intended to eat the mother and take her kid back to sell – thereby having a choice meal and making a huge amount of money out of the day's hunt.
She smiled at her daughter and nodded at Rose, who bent down with a smile "can you……take her outside…….for…….a minute?"
Rose nodded silently, tears welling as she thought of how her dad had died and the hole it had left in her life. She ushered the little girl outside into the living room with murmurs of not getting in the Doctor's way.
The mother now looked at the two men "I'm……I'm Nancy……..that's Nia." She stopped and closed her eyes as a wave of pain swept over her; it was a wonder she wasn't screaming.
Jack nodded "she told us." He took a deep breath "were you bitten recently?"
"Yes" she nodded slowly "a few hours ago…..this…this man came to read the……meter he said; then he…..he turned into…..this thing that bit……me." She sighed "it hurt, but then the pain inside………got a lot….worse."
"We'll see if we can patch you up" the Doctor smiled.
She shook her head "I ain't getting…….patched up……..I'm dying……….I know it……you know it………so…let's not…..pretend, eh?"
The two men merely nodded "look, her….dad's dead…..too…..she…she ain't……got no one…..else." her eyes closed briefly once more and more blood and matter flowed, even her tears were of blood now. "I'm…..worried…what will….happen….to her."
Jack stepped forward "we'll make sure she's alright; I give you my word, I'll always look after her." The Doctor looked sharply at him, but noticed he didn't seem to be saying it to placate her; his whole stance was of someone who meant every word.
"I don't do domestic Jack!" he hissed at the American.
"I'll figure it out alright?" Jack hissed back. The Doctor sighed and nodded, knowing that Rose would side with the other man – her soft human heart going out to the child he could already see her empathising with.
Nancy touched bloodstained fingers to the Doctor's arm "can……can….you do…something for the…..pain? It's….so…bad I want…..to scream."
The Doctor closed his eyes and shook his head "the only thing we can do is……" he couldn't finish the sentence.
She understood "I see…..bring Nia…in….please?"
He called Rose who hustled the little girl back in, she sat gravely on the bedside; her whole little body stiff with fear and worry. Rose was openly crying now, big fat tears rolling down her cheeks; Jack had to swallow the large lump in his throat just to be able to breath and the Doctor looked angry at his utter helplessness.
Yet another being suffering because he wasn't as all powerful as everyone else seemed to think he bloody was! He growled in frustration and rubbed a hand over his face.
Nancy put a hand to her mouth to wipe away some of the worst of the blood and goo that was now flowing freely. Her bloodied hand now gripped her daughter's little ones, folded so neatly in her lap – the white knuckles as they gripped each other the only outward sign that she was panicking.
"Listen sweetheart………the……doctor's done…..all he….can….but….but….I have…..to….go…to….daddy now….he's lonely…..and I'm so tired…….." she paused and took a deep breath "but I need you….to be very….brave…..don't cry…….I'll ……. be….alright….and….and…." she looked at the American realising she didn't know his name; he mouthed Jack and so she continued "and Jack….has promised….me faithfully……on his word…..of honour that he'll…….look out for you…..alright?"
Her daughter had gone so pale that Jack thought she was about to faint but she didn't she just nodded. say….good…bye…and then go with….with…" she looked at the young woman.
"Rose." She said thickly. tears still running down her face.
Nancy nodded and returned her pained gaze to her little girl "go with Rose……they have to…..to…." she dug around for the right word in her rapidly melting brain to explain what was about to happen "help me…..go to….daddy." There was the briefest of pauses before bloody tears welled "I'll miss you….pickle. But…..remember….we're always….with you…always."
The child nodded silently – but what she said next as she embraced her mother for the final time broke all the hearts of those present "goodbye mummy, love you squillions – say hello to daddy yeah?"
Her mother nodded, not trusting herself to speak and gently pushed her child towards Rose, who silently took her from the room. Both jumped when they heard the shot that rendered Nia an orphan.
Jack appeared in time to see the little girl sink to her knees clutching a moth eaten old teddy to her as if it was all she had left in the world – and in a way it was.
Rose waited until they were all on the Tardis before flying to her room and sobbing her heart out; the Doctor following her and rocking her and telling her it was alright, it was kinder to do that than to let the woman suffer.
Nia had been very quiet; but once on the Tardis she opened up a little and the Doctor was surprised to see her chatting to the machine a few hours later. Judging by the slightly louder hum from the old girl she liked the child; he shook his head, he didn't do domestic.
So it was that the little girl was handed over to the authorities; still clutching her teddy. Rose had ranted and raged at him for days; Jack had stayed in his room, his anger making him feel that to confront the time lord was not wise in his current state.
Finally the Doctor had relented enough to do them a deal – they would check on her; after all they had a time machine. They would drop into her life as and when they felt it appropriate; that way they could make sure she was alright, Jack would still be able to keep his word and he would not have to 'do domestic'.
Neither Jack nor Rose really felt it was enough; but as they could see it was the best they were going to get, they eventually agreed.
So it was that the next time they saw Nia she was nine and had been in care for three years. Three hard, tough years in a system that didn't have the time or resources to care too much for a lonely little girl………