Jack woke from his nap as the plane landed on the runway. He massaged the kinks in his back as he peered out the window. Air travel was a lot more advanced than it had been in World War 2, when he'd been flying his own fighter plane, but even so, it was still only 1959. Air travel had a long way to go until it would get to a point where he would term it "pleasant and comfortable."

As the plane taxied to the terminal, Jack stood up and grabbed his bag from the seat next to him. Thank goodness for half full flights. Shrugging on his WW2 RAF trench coat, he headed down the aisle towards the front of the plane. Giving the stewardess a dazzling smile, he disembarked down the stairs onto the tarmac.

Jack inhaled deeply as the cool Wisconsin air caressed his face. This was his first vacation in two years. Torchwood worked him hard, which is what he genuinely preferred, but every so often, especially after a particularly difficult mission, the need to get away and just exist, free of aliens, bureaucracy, and business as usual, became overwhelming. So here he was.


If anyone had asked him how he had picked Wisconsin as a vacation destination, he might have made up some elaborate story. Because the actual answer was rather silly. He had spun a desk globe and plopped his finger down. And it had landed on Wisconsin.

Still, any place was as good as any other and Jack had never been to Wisconsin before so he was looking forward to it. Rest, relaxation, maybe some fishing. He had a whole month to get lost and enjoy himself before he had to head back to Cardiff.

Strolling towards the main terminal building, Jack found information, where they directed him to the one car rental agency at General Mitchell Airport.

"Welcome to Milwaukee," the good looking man behind the counter greeted Jack as he approached. "How can I help you today?"

Lurid thoughts flashed through Jack's mind of just how this gorgeous man could "help him" but he managed to pull himself from that train of thought before it went too far.

"Looking to rent a car," he said politely as the man perked up at hearing this.

"Wonderful!" The man said. "Do you have a reservation?"

"Nope," Jack replied.

"Not a problem, not a problem," the man said as he started looking through a binder on his desk. "We have several cars available at the moment. Are you looking for anything in particular?"

"Something sexy and sleek," Jack responded automatically.

The man thought for just a second. Then he perked up. "I have just the thing!"

Twenty minutes later, Jack was pulling out of the rental agency parking lot in a shiny blue 1959 Chevy Impala convertible. It was mid September but he had the top down anyway. Nothing made Jack feel more alive than the wind in his hair, even if it was a bit chilly.

He didn't have a destination in mind, but that was part of the fun. Just being away from his responsibilities was enough to have him feeling relaxed and at ease. There was no pressure to be anywhere in particular. He was content to simply cruise.

Before long he found himself driving through a residential neighborhood. Well maintained houses sat behind well maintained lawns. Very pleasant in a rather boring sort of way. A nice change of pace for Jack. He was loving it!

A short while later he found himself on the main strip of this pleasant suburb and as he was passing by a diner, on a whim, he pulled into the lot. It was approaching dinner time anyway and as if on cue, his stomach started grumbling, agreeing with him wholeheartedly.

Putting the top back up, he hopped out of the car and locked up. The smell of burgers and other fried wonders assaulted his nose as he glanced at the sign above the diner. Arnold's. Jack shrugged. Worked for him


Author's Note: I'm well aware that whales aren't fish.