Disclaimer: I don't own Torchwood.

Author's note: This story has been in the making for about five years. I wrote the first few chapters, but never posted them here for some reason. Now that I'm watching Torchwood again, I feel it's time to finish writing this. Part of the reason for getting back to Torchwood was indeed inspiring myself to return to this, as I always felt that the story needed finishing. In any case, there are fairly clear breaks for chapters, which I'll post gradually, while writing the later chapters. I reckon this will be maybe 10 chapters long, give or take a couple.

I have rated this story 'T', although there will be a chapter later, which is a little more mature. I will post a warning at the beginning of it. Other than that, enjoy, and if you happen to like what I've done here, please leave a review. Also, if anyone is keen to volunteer to beta read stuff for me, I'd be most grateful.

20 Jan 1941, Ritz Dance Hall, Cardiff

Timing, Captain Jack Harkness found, could be such a precious thing. It had taken a long time for the original Captain Harkness to work up the nerve to approach Jack, to go against the social norms of the period he was living in, and when he finally did, the two men had only time for a passionate, slow dance and a kiss flavoured with their combined tears. There was so much potential in that single kiss, Jack could almost feel possible futures slipping past him, through him, history and future aligning to become what he knew was to be. Then he had to do what was right, to remember his duty, and to leave behind this beautiful man who only had a day to live.

Jack hesitated only a moment, longing to lose himself in the Captain's soulful eyes, before he backed away from his dance partner. With a deep breath, he prepared himself to travel through time, to go back to his home in the Hub and back to the beautiful, fragile love he had built with Ianto. Before him, the Rift pulsed and shimmered in blinding colours, each flashing past almost too fast to register. Both Jack and Toshiko experienced a moment of trepidation, knowing that they would have to enter the vortex of light in order to return to their time. There was no telling what effect the Rift would have on them and whether they would even survive the experience. The thought that spurred them on was the knowledge that this was their only way home. Jack turned back to see Captain Harkness salute him and the tears fell freely from his eyes. A glance shared between him and Tosh indicated that they were both ready and they started forward. However, as Jack stepped into the light of the Rift with anxious Toshiko by his side, he instantly knew that something was amiss. Indeed, the Torchwood officers stepped straight through the light and emerged on the landing behind it, just as the light ebbed and faded away.

"Jack?"

Toshiko's panic was clear in her exclamation, fear replacing hope and joy in her dark eyes.

"There must have been an anomaly in the Rift, which made it close as we were trying to pass through it. The others will have opened it to bring us home, based on the co-ordinates you left them and I expect they are struggling to stabilize the power fluctuation long enough to pull as through. Don't worry, Tosh, they are no doubt already working on it and the Rift will open again."

Jack wrapped his arm around his companion in order to reassure her, but he already had a sinking feeling in his stomach about what would happen. Even with the co-ordinates and the Rift manipulator back at the Torchwood headquarters, the Rift was unpredictable and difficult to control. Given the dangers associated with Rift activity, they had always refrained from experimenting too much and therefore did not properly understand how to channel its potential. Jack understood that the others were trying to do all they could to help bring the rest of the team back to the present, including taking the gamble of opening the Rift. And for some reason, the gamble had not paid off.

While he was comforting Toshiko and trying to fight off the feeling of dread seeping through him, Jack's eyes slowly found Captain Harkness, suddenly aware of everyone in the room staring at them. He had a sneaking feeling that it was not entirely because of the light show either. The original Jack Harkness' eyes were full of sorrow and indecision, and Jack suddenly felt an irresistible urge to embrace the man. Toshiko, always observant, followed Jack's gaze and stepped away from her employer's arms.

"Go to him", she whispered, "I will keep watch for any Rift activity and find you if something happens."

Jack gently squeezed her hand to show how grateful he was, and then crossed the distance separating him from Captain Harkness. When he finally stood in front of the man, their eyes met, and no words needed to be spoken. Jack took the Captain's hand and slowly led him out of the hall, with the crowd watching them leave in silence.