Hey there! I'm Cali and this is my first Doctor Who/Torchwood Fic... so yeah... I don't know exactly where this is going to go but... We'll see!

"Jack?"

There was no way he was hearing thatvoice, it was completely impossible. She was with the Doctor and if she was back that would mean—"Chrissie."

She looked the same as the last time he'd seen her—jeans torn at the knee, black tank-top layered over a red one, her favorite blue Converse a bit scuffed up but still on her feet. "Hi."

"You're back." He didn't need to say anything else and she didn't need to confirm. There was a silent understanding between all of the Doctor's once-companions.

She shrugged, dropping into his chair and throwing her legs over the arm like she owned the place, deep blue nails dragging lazily across the polish of his desk. "What day is it?"

"July 16th."

A soft noise of interest left her throat, fingers leaving the desk to glide through her auburn locks. "Time?"

He glanced at the clock on Owen's computer. "9:18."

"He dropped me off late…"

They both knew that was the only thing that would be said on the subject, no matter his questions. He knew better than to ask them, instead leaving her to her thoughts.

And yet, she broke his cautionary silence. "Hey Jack?"

"Mmm?" He flipped the lid on his mask back down, firing the welding torch back up. The waver in her voice, the uncertainty that was on her face, was something he couldn't bear.

"Can I stay here for the night?" She picked at the flawless color on her nails. "Just tonight. I swear."

God damntrying to distract himself was pointless. Welding torch off, mask up. "Of course you can." He looked at her again as he set down his tools, regretting it the moment he did so.

Thin trails of tears sluiced down her face, breaking free after hours of restraint. Muddy brown eyes were clutched tightly against the onslaught, her body shaking as she fought to contain her sobs. Crystalline blue fingernails dug into her palms, both the skin and the polish stained red from her effort. Stumbling words escaped her lips, drowned by her sobs the moment her lips parted.

He didn't rush to her side, nor did he stand frozen by her reaction. He walked slowly to her side and pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on the crown of her head. No words left his lips, no lies about everything being okay. Her fists, smeared slightly with her own blood, pounded against his chest, smashing over his heart. He exhaled softly, breathing a soft cloud of warmth over her head. At that, she withered, collapsing as the fight in her vanished.

"Gone." She whispered forlornly, mumbling it into his shoulder as if that would keep it from being true.

Jack kissed the crown of the young woman's head. "He's gone, Chrissie."

And he'll be back… He always comes back.

Sooooo... what did you think? Any theories on why she went to Jack? If you have one, PM it to me and I just may tell you if you're right. :D Um, so anyway, please Review. It makes my life so much better if I know how you feel.

Thanks so much for reading,

Cali