Torchwood

Starting Again

Gwen handed the baby to Rhys.

'He's bothered to show up again then?' Rhys said. 'I did wonder if he would.'

Gwen didn't admit it but it had also crossed her mind that she may never see Jack again.

'So where are you meeting? Top of the highest hill, or is that just when you're heavily pregnant.'

'Don't be mean.'

'I have a lot of respect for him, but he left us to god knows what.'

'We survived.'

'We were lucky nothing happened.'

'I was still here.'

'I know and your great but it's not right to leave you to save the whole world on your own especially while you were pregnant.'

'Well he's back now.'

'So where is he meeting you?'

'The bay.'

'Tell you to bring a hard hat, did he?'

She smiled 'No he didn't,' she kissed Rhys and the baby, 'I'll see you later.'

'You take care.'

Jack was staring out across the bay when Gwen arrived. The Plass had been fixed and was looking like it had done. As if nothing had ever happened.

'You remembered us then?'

'Of course I did.' He said smiling but it wasn't quite the same smile as it used to be. 'That's if you want me here of course.'

'Of course I do.'

'I thought you might stand a better chance without me.'

'Don't be ridiculous.'

'It's just I've lost so many people and it's all my fault.'

'No it's not.'

'I couldn't bear it if I lost you too. And now its not just Rhys you've got to worry about you've got a little girl too. How is she?'

'Megan's fine.'

'I couldn't deprive her of a mother.'

'Jack any choice is my choice. We can't leave this planet unguarded.'

'There's Torchwood Two.'

'Come off it Jack would you really leave it to them.'

Jack laughed, 'They aren't the best.'

'But we are,' she said taking his arm.

He smiled and it was warmer this time. 'I'm giving you the choice, you can leave now and have a normal life with Rhys and Megan, leave Torchwood behind.'

'No, never. Do you really want me to go?'

'It would be the best thing for you.'

'You think? And we won't get attacked or abducted by aliens? We'll never be safe. Jack I can't leave Torchwood.'

'I could retcon you.'

'It didn't work the first time. Jack listen to me this is my own choice, Torchwood is in my blood now. There's no turning back.'

'Only if you are sure?'

'I have never been more certain.'

'Ok, you'd better come with me then.'

They went through the tourist information office. Gwen was expecting to see Ianto sitting there and then it came flooding back to her, like you do when you've lost someone. You're brain tricks you for a moment and then you feel all the worse when you remember. She followed Jack down the corridor and into the lift.

'Some of the lower levels weren't quite so badly hit.'

Gwen wondered what mess they would be met with. Would they even be able to get out of the lift?

The giant cog rolled away and Gwen was shocked by what she saw.

Jack let her go first, 'They did they best they could. Most of it is built to the original plans –they were on the server- but I did ask for some changes being as I had the opportunity.'

'Oh my God it's amazing you wouldn't know…'

'We'd been blown up.'

'Who did it?'

'Some very good builders, who are now wondering what happened to all that time and where such a large amount of money came from.' He smiled, his phone started to ring. 'Jack Harkness, when? What do you mean you don't know? I'll be right there.' He said disconnecting he didn't look at all happy.

'What is it?'

'I left Ianto's body in the freezer of a funeral directors, being as I couldn't bring him here.'

'Didn't you bury him like Tosh?'

'No not yet, I would have once I'd got my head around it.'

'So what's the problem?'

'Ianto's body's gone missing.'