A/N: This takes place post-COE after Jack has left Earth for parts (and possibly times) unknown.

A New Life

It was a cold, rainy day, and Alice couldn't think of anyone who would brave this weather to ring her doorbell. Since the death of her son, she had retreated into herself. Most people had stopped trying to get through to her by now. She was mostly left alone. Unfortunately, when she went to answer the door she was faced with the one person she absolutely wanted to leave her alone. There at her door, standing in the pouring rain, was her father, the infamous Captain Jack Harkness. Before she could slam the door in his face, he wedged his body into the opening. That was when she noticed the tiny bundle wrapped in his coat.

"What are you thinking?" she screamed at him. "Did you think you could bring me a replacement and I'd forgive you? They're children not puppies!" She couldn't contain her fury.

"That's not why I'm here," replied Jack seemingly confused by her anger. "He's not… I'm not… He's mine!" As Jack sputtered out a response, he held the infant closely and protectively against his chest. The baby had started to cry because of the shouting. Alice suddenly noticed that her father wasn't his usual self. He seemed uncomfortable and his coat was wrapped around him in a way that seemed to try to hide his body. This definitely wasn't like the Jack Harkness she knew. As Jack struggled to comfort the baby while keeping them both covered in the wind and the rain, Alice caught a glimpse of his shirt and two damp spots that had appeared in response to the baby's cries. Jack, realizing what she had seen, drew his coat around him even tighter and said "I'm taking something to stop that."

"Oh my God!" Alice exclaimed. "You're not his father, you're his mother! How is that even possible? What are you? What have you done to yourself?"

"I haven't done anything to myself. I was born this way," Jack said defensively.

"You're a hermaphrodite?"

"That's an offensive term. I'm a male dominant, dual-gendered individual. There's nothing wrong with me. I know you're angry with me, but I didn't come here expecting you to forgive me. I know I don't deserve it, but I need your help. We need your help."

Alice's anger faded as she looked at her father and her little brother. Just thinking about the family relationships would take some getting used to. She had a feeling she knew what Jack was going to ask of her, and she could see how it was tearing him up inside. She decided to take pity on him. "Well don't just stand there. Give him to me and come inside. Neither of you should be out in this weather."

When they were inside and seated, Alice finally got a good look at the baby in her arms. He looked like he was only a few days old. He even had the stump of his umbilical cord still attached. She looked at her father and the way he was sitting somewhat gingerly. She couldn't help herself. "Shouldn't you have healed by now, or is that only for life-threatening injuries?"

"Normally I would have healed by now, even from something minor. My body seems to be confused by the changes. It's not sure what's normal for me anymore. It'll sort itself out soon. I've gone through this before, just not while immortal."

Alice wasn't sure if she was surprised by that admission or not. This was all a bit much to take in. Without thinking, Alice held the baby against her shoulder and put her cheek against the top of his head. She breathed in the scent of newborn baby, that wonderful smell that made you want to hold them like this forever. The smell that made you fall in love with that tiny little person in your arms. "So who's his father?" She stopped herself. "Well there's a question I never thought I'd have to ask you."

Alice watched as a look of immense grief took over her father's features. "His name was Ianto Jones. He was killed by the 456. After everything was over, I just couldn't let him go. I took a sample from his body and I used it to… I know I shouldn't have done it. I had no right, but I just needed some way to hold on to him." There were tears in Jack's eyes as he said this.

"You must have really loved him," Alice said as she reached out to comfort her father.

"More than anything, and I never told him. Even when he was dying in my arms, I couldn't say it. He never knew how I felt, not really. I tried so hard to deny what was developing between us just so I wouldn't get hurt. It didn't work. All I did was hurt him and waste what little time we had together."

Alice was beginning to understand the changes she'd seen in her father. Her father had lost his hope and faith that day. He had completely given up until he had seen her faith in his ability to save the day, but it had almost been too late to help. If she had let him take Steven when he came to her house at the beginning of the whole mess, would he have had time to find a way to defeat the 456 without sacrificing anyone? Had her distrust of her own father actually led to her son's death? Alice needed to distract herself from these painful thoughts.

"So, you want me to take the baby, don't you?" For the first time in a long time she looked her father straight in the eyes. She could see the pain there, and she didn't take any pleasure in it. She knew how it felt to lose your baby.

"Yes," Jack said in almost a whisper. It was obvious how hard this was for him. "I can't take care of him. You were right, I'm dangerous. He isn't safe with me. You're the only one I trust to raise him and protect him, even from me."

Alice looked at the baby who had fallen asleep in her arms. He was her little brother, but they didn't have the same father or mother. Life with Jack was always so complicated, but one thing was simple. "So what am I supposed to call him?"

Jack looked up in surprise. "You mean you'll take him?"

"Of course I will. He's family. Besides someone has to tell him about his brave nephew who died to save all the other children on Earth. No one can do that better than me. But he needs a name."

"I guess that's up to you. He's yours now." Once again Jack looked defeated. This was what he wanted, but it hurt nevertheless.

Alice knew there was more to this than her father was saying, and she was determined to get some answers. But first she needed to start mending some bridges. She looked down at her baby brother's face. "I guess the only proper thing to do is name him after his father, then. Ianto Harkness-Jones, welcome to the family."

Jack looked shocked, but there was actually a hint of a smile on his face. Alice was sure it had been a very long time since her father had last smiled. "It'll be your responsibility to tell him about his father, Dad."

"You mean you'll let me see him?" There was surprise and hope on Jack's face. It was obvious he thought he would be giving up his son forever.

"Of course I'll let you see him, you're his mother. I can't believe I just said that. You better make yourself comfortable, Dad. We deserve some honest answers from you, and it's about time you stopped hiding everything about your past."

Jack settled himself on his daughter's sofa. Fear and happiness were doing battle on his face. He hadn't lost everything like he thought he would, but he still might after Alice got her answers. No matter, he was too tired to hide anymore. Maybe it was time to get everything out in the open.

Up next: Jack's sordid past. What will Alice think about everything her father's gone through? Will it change how she sees him?