Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Doctor Who characters, though it would be fun to own Captain Jack.

This is my first time posting a story on Fanfiction, based on the reviews I'll see how far I want to take it. So pretty please with sugar and chocolate sprinkles on top review!

Darkness settled along the horizon as the thick grey clouds thickened into a heady blanket, blotting out the light of the waning moon. Ice curled along the edges of the temple the marble frescos of Venus and Cupid crackling as it drew breath, its hungry gaze halting upon the single flame within the center of the building.

A strange whooping noise startled the air as it sucked in its breath torn from the flickering candle and turned its sinewy gray neck to the sky. A whirling blue box shattered through the thick cloud layer as it spun down in its own miniature tornado to land next to the terracotta building.

The door swung open as grey smoke came curling out in billowing plumes, followed closely by a man in a black leather jacket. Walking around to the front of the box, he ran a hand along the wooden surface as he took a metal rod from his pocket. Words came tumbling out in a rush of muttering curses as he ran the rod over the deep blue wood, the slight beeping drawing two more people from the smoke filled interior. A blonde woman reached out to grasp the first man's arm as her companion followed behind, his dark hair unruly as he pulled on the long blue greatcoat.

Watching it all from above the lidless white eyes followed the movements of the trio before it slunk back behind the temple's arches and into shadow.

Δ

"What's wrong with her now Doctor? Did Jack mess up the landing gears when he spilled mum's tea on the console?" Rose asked, her brown eyes crinkling as Jack reared around the glare at her.

"Oh so now it's all my fault that your mom makes scalding hot tea and puts it in a leaky thermos!" He shouted his hands flying about his head only to rest on his hips which he had cocked towards Rose. "I see how it is, Jack's always the bad boy and the Doctor's a saint."

"Hardly," the Doctor murmured as he ran the sonic screwdriver over the TARDIS once more before running back into her smoke filled interior. "Something called us here through the psychic paper, but there was some resistance as we traveled through the vortex." he called back to his companions as he ran the screwdriver around the control panel, pulling on plugs and pressing buttons.

"Well where's here exactly Doctor?" Rose asked, her head popping around the door to watch his frenzied rush around the console.

"Uh. Right, here is about 49 BCE in Rome and we're at the Atrium Vesta where the Vestal Virgins live," the Doctor replied as he slid the sonic screwdriver back into his pocket and turned to face Rose, a grin breaking out across his face to stretch out to his ears.

"VIRGINS!" Jack yelled as he began to jump around, pulling Rose along with him in an impromptu dance. "Where? Where are the virgins? It's just such a quaint little concept, oh if I was back in the 51st century and— ow." The Doctor cut him off with a look while Rose pinched his arm.

"They're Vestal Virgins Jack, they choose to stay pure and keep the fire of Rome lit, and it's a sign of Rome's strength and purity, not some antiquated puritan belief. They symbolize the honor and virtue of Rome," the Doctor said as he winked over at Rose while Jack sighed and threw his arms out to hug the TARDIS.

"Seems reasonable," Rose murmured as Jack shook himself and straightened his suspenders. "Why're we here Doctor, what did the message say?"

"It was a call for help from an old friend of mine. His army should be encamped outside the city aways," the Doctor responded as he walked over to close the doors to the TARDIS.

"Who's your friend?" Jack asked returning to the conversation.

"Caesar. Julius Caesar."

"Oh this is the best idea you've had in a long time Doctor," Jack said as a grin broke out across his face crinkling his blue eyes. "Come on Rose, let's go meet Caesar." he said as he linked arms with Rose and headed off towards the twinkling lights to the right of the temple.

"The camp's actually this way you two," the Doctor called out, jerking his head the opposite way as Jack and Rose wheeled around to follow him.

Δ

"So how do you know Caesar?" Rose asked as she linked her arm with the Doctor, leaving Jack to wander between the narrowing streets.

"Oh you know, usual reasons. Chaos, aliens, world ending," he replied grinning at Rose before turning to reign Jack in. "Oi, don't go wandering off, the Romans don't take kindly to strangers, especially in wartime."

"Alright, but only because I want to talk with Rose," Jack said as he slung his arm around Rose's shoulder, pulling her into his side. "So what do you think Rose? Can we handle these Romans?"

"Oh I know we can."

"You two shut it, we're here," the Doctor said, turning to his two companions as they reached the edge of the city.

Giant tents of billowing white stood out against the dark night sky, as flames and ashes wound their way beneath the starch color to darken the atmosphere. Horses were tethered to wooden poles along the way as men lay scattered between fire pits, their armor loosened as the mugs of wine lay forgotten upon the sodden loam.

"Who goes there?" A sentry started from his perch along a log at the camp barrier, his burnished armor glinting beneath the torch in his upheld hand.

"Hello, I'm the Doctor. And these are my friends Rose and Jack. I got a message from Caesar saying to meet him here," the Doctor said as he sauntered forward flashing his psychic paper at the man.

"Oh right, we were told you were coming. Come along then, Caesar shouldn't be kept waiting," the man shrugged his arm onwards and the Doctor, Rose, and Jack followed him into the heart of the encampment.

Jack sidled up next to the sentry, taking in his short blonde hair and muscled form with a quick once over.

"Hi, Captain Jack Harkness. And you are?"

"Jack, no. Just no," the Doctor murmured as he got the young man's furious blush.

"I was just saying hi," Jack pouted as he turned back to their guide.

"Just saying hi means a whole other thing to him," Rose muttered causing her and the Doctor to break out into silent body wrenching giggles as Jack continued to question the man.

"So solider, you still haven't told me your name."

"Sorry Captain, it's Sextus Quintilanus."

"Sextus? Strong Roman name, where're you from Sextus?" Jack smirked as he ghosted a hand along Sextus' back.

"Campania sir."

"Ah nice place, so what brings you— ow," Rose slapped Jack upside the head as they came to a halt before a great white tent, the arches draped in golden embroidery.

"We're here, I must go back to my post," Sextus took off before Jack could get another word in.

"Well come on then, let's go meet the great Caesar," Rose said as she pushed back the tent flap and ushered the Doctor and Jack before her.

A dim series of flickering candles illuminated the inside of the tent, drawing all attention to the table laid out in the middle where a man was currently seated. Middle aged with a balding crown, he looked up at his guests with a strong jaw and piercing blue eyes which narrowed as they settled on the Doctor.

"So you've come then?" he asked his voice like gravel pouring down into a rushing riverbed.

"Well I did get your message. Doctor, urgent: need help. People dying. Come soon. XOXO Caesar,"