Chapter 1
Sinking
There was a almighty clamouring as people rushed to the lifeboat deck. Aurelia was being pushed and buffeted about, attempting to reach the front, but the railings were closed and she, along with so many others were trapped below decks as the unsinkable ship filled with water. Her mother stood beside her and her fiancé stood behind them; all exchanged worried looks and her mother took of her leather wrist strap and placed it on her daughters arm. She tapped in some numbers and kissed her daughters head.
"When I tell you, I want you to press this button," she pointed. "Do you hear, leannan?" The Scotswoman said softly, tears streaming down her pale face and Aurelia nodded, before looking back to her beloved who shot her a warm, but nervous smile. Then it dawned on her what her mother was suggesting and Aurelia rebelled.
"No. Not without you two."
"Aurelia, do as your mother asks. I will see her safe and if not... Well, at least you know neither of us were alone." Her Russian fiancé explained quietly. Aurelia shot him a frightened look and he wrapped an arm around her, holding her close and kissing her forehead as the water began to swim around their ankles. He reached out a hand to his would be mother in law and she took it gratefully.
When the water was around their knees, both her fiancé and her mother nodded. Reluctantly Aurelia pressed the button her mother had indicated and left them to succumb to the sea. The other men, women and children, who had gathered in that stairwell, with them.
Not too far in the future, the Torchwood team had just been packing up to leave for the night, the day's work done, when a bell began to chime and Jack's eyes widened in worry. The rift shone gold and then a hologram appeared. The figure of a woman, no older than perhaps forty with long red hair and wearing an Edwardian dress, stared off into the distance. Jack dropped to knees by Tosh's desk, silent tears rolling down his face.
"Jack? Darling, if you're seeing this... Then I am afraid I am dead. I am sending her to you, raise her, care for her, love her as much as I know you love me. Take care, my love, and goodbye." The woman spoke in a soft Scottish burr but in a light, slightly saddened voice which was thick from tears. Then she was gone and Jack howled as if someone had ripped out his heart before his very eyes. Then the rift shone brighter than before, almost blinding the team and a young, brunette, water drenched woman fell out of the rift and into Jack's waiting arms.