The Hub was eerily quiet as Gwen Williams wandered across the floor from the coffee machine were she had just finished washing up her stripy mug. She almost hadn't been able to drink. Even now she still felt sick, a whole week since those terrible events.
Gwen paused just above the Autopsy bay, glancing down to the clean table that was set up. Ianto had done a good job removing all the blood, though Gwen doubted any of them would ever be able to remove the stains from their memories.
Blinking back the tears she swallowed hard as happier memories crossed her mind. The time they'd all played basket ball, the day Ianto had first returned to work, the first time he managed to make a decent cup of coffee again and Owen had joked that he'd no longer have to risk breaking the coffee machine in order to get their caffeine fix.
"What have you done with the real Owen?"
"He's mellowed! I'm good aren't I?"
Gwen smiled a sad watery smile and shook her head. They'd been so happy. She felt worse for Jack. After all, he'd not only had to lose his brother twice, but said sibling was the person responsible for Tosh and Owen's deaths.
Shaking her head again she headed towards the Captain's office. She couldn't stay here much longer; she was going to go mad with the grief. The door was open and she paused in the doorway as she caught sight of Jack.
He was sat in his chair, staring into space, a certain Welsh tea-boy on his lap. Ianto's head was resting in the crook of Jack's neck, dark circles under his puffy eyes. One of Jack's arms was round Ianto's waist, the other free hand being slowly caressed between Ianto's.
They looked so unhappy, but somehow comforted by the fact that they had each other. Gwen almost didn't want to say anything. If she broke their train of thought then they'd be bought crashing back to reality and have to think about what had happened.
Backing out slowly she picked up a post-it-note pad and scribbled a quick note. She tore it off and stuck it to the monitor of the computer facing Jack's office.
Gone home to spend time with Rhys. Give me a call if the world's ending.
G xxx
It almost broke her heat again to leave the note. It was something Tosh used to do. Mostly references for Ianto about various artefacts that needed archiving. Walking quickly towards the cog wheel door, she disappeared out of the Hub.
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The clinic was once again heaving with patients and Doctor James Wilson was among those attending to them. He picked up another file from the nurse's station and glanced at the name; Eres Youghorg. Smiling slightly he opened the door to exam room one and shut it quickly before anyone else could see.
Inside, waiting for him, was Gregory House holding a bag of bagels, two cups of coffee and his portable telly on the exam table.
"Thought you could use a break," House said gesturing at the chair next to him.
Wilson sat down, grabbing one of the coffee cups and a bagel, settling in to watch whatever medical programme House was watching.
"You know, you could do what normal people do and just wait for my actual break before showering me with edible gifts," Wilson chuckled.
"Where would be the fun in that?" House asked. "It wouldn't annoy Cuddy for a start."
"Ah, that's why you wanted me in here," Wilson nodded, taking a gulp of the coffee.
"Well, not the only reason," House said raising an eyebrow at Wilson.
"No," Wilson said firmly. "Not in the clinic."
"You're no fun," House complained.
"What if we got caught?" Wilson said. "Besides, I'd probably put my back out."
"Oh nag nag nag," House pulled a face. "It's like having a wife."
Wilson shot House a dark look.
"Don't start," he said.
"What? I was only saying-"
"I know what you were saying," Wilson replied. "And I'm saying don't start."
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The wind blew gently across the tall grassy sand dunes, the sea calm and sparkling under the midday suns. The sound of children's laughter was just starting to drift across the bay as the first games of the day started. School was not a strict thing in the 51st century and most days the children would educate themselves through play.
"Vincent! Come on!" A boy of about twelve stood at the top of one particularly tall sand dune, waving to his friend. He had short browny blonde hair and bright green eyes.
"Levlin, shut up," another boy hissed at the first. "It's still early."
"So?" Levlin glanced between the boy next to him and Vincent who was having trouble climbing up the sand dune.
"You've already been grounded three times this solstice," the boy next to him complained, running his hand through his dark brown wavy hair. He looked painfully at his best friend through bright blue eyes.
"Well we're celebrating!" Levlin replied stubbornly. "It's not every day that you get your Peleck goggles!"
"Well I didn't have to do much," the blue eyed boy scuffed his boots on the sand awkwardly. "Just pass my first flying test."
"Exactly!" Levlin said. He sighed exhasperatedly as Vincent finally reached them. "At last! Come on! We're going to go skinny dipping!"
"Lev we can't!" Vincent stared at his friends wide eyed. "What if They attack whilst we're there? Or the Sloulis come swiming by? My sister's mate Alfie reckons he knows a guy who lost all his limbs when he went swimming!"
"Duh, that's why we're going in the morning!" Levlin rolled his eyes. "They only come out at Twilight."
"But... still, Lev," the boy with blue eyes shifted. "If They were to attack while we're in the water..."
Levlin looked between his friends, scowling.
"They're only goggles," the blue eyed boy tugged at his goggles nervously. "I still might not get into the academy."
"Not without me you won't," Levlin said, but smiled as he relented. "Ok, let's go and see if we can find a ball." ~~
That was how Jack Harkness remembered the Boeshane Peninsula. Most of the time anyway. That particular memory was from three days before his brother was taken. He'd been so happy to finally receive his Peleck goggles.
Jack turned over and glanced at Ianto, the Welshman's face partially lit by the light from the streetlamp shinning through a crack in the curtains. Jack had loved so many people in his time and he wasn't sure he could lose another.
Normally he would've been up and wandering around. He couldn't stand sleep. He didn't really need it and he had nightmares when he forced himself to rest. It was times like that that made him realise why the Doctor kept running and never stopped. Keeping busy was the only thing stopping his demons consuming him.
Tonight though Jack shuffled across the bed to Ianto's sleeping form, wrapping an arm round the warm body. He knew Ianto didn't mind waking up alone, especially as he understood how hard Jack found sleep, but just this once, Jack knew it would help them both if they woke and they were still together. Jack closed his eyes. He didn't have to sleep, he could just rest.