Disclaimer: I (sadly) do not own either Warehouse 13 or Torchwood. Those rights belong to Syfy and BBC, respectively.
In the year 2095…
Cardiff, Wales
Captain Jack Harkness was seated at his usual spot at the pub, nursing a beer. It was a long shot from the hypervodka he had drank back home in the 51st century, but after calling Eartch his home for the last three centuries, he had slowly grown used to the ancient liquor. At least nowadays it was moving in the right direction of becoming hypervodka, he thought with a wry grin.
Jack was trying not to think, only drink, which was easier said than done. He had just lost another member of his team. He had lost so many over the years, and each one stung, but ever since the beginning of the 21st century, when he had lost his team, each death only served to remind him of them.
Gwen Cooper. Sure, she had flirted with him a few too many times for his liking, but she was still his friend.
Owen Harper. That surly, snarky medic would have fit right in on the Boeshane Peninsula with the rest of the 51st century men.
Toshiko Sato. She was brilliant, Tosh was. But she never let her intellect stop her from helping everyone else, much like a certain Doctor that Jack knew.
Ianto Jones. Even after all these years, just thinking that name made Jack's heart ache. His biggest regret would always be refusing to tell Ianto how he truly felt.
He still remembered that moment like it was yesterday.
"I love you" Ianto said with labored breath, as he lay there dying in Jack's arms.
"Don't." he'd responded firmly, then watched, helpless, as the life drained out of Ianto's eyes.
He hadn't meant it. He had meant don't waste your breath on telling me that…
"I already knew." He whispered aloud, as tears threatened to fall from his eyes, the way they always did whenever he thought about his sweet Jones, Ianto Jones.
"Death is always hard, isn't it, Captain?" an unfamiliar voice said from next to the eternal man.
It was a petite, rather severe looking redhead, although severe may have been better used to describe her predecessor. Her hair was pulled up into a bun, and her ensemble was a strange mix of professional, punk, goth, and just a hint of emo. She radiated an old energy, though, mixed with sadness, but practically hidden in the mystery and endless wonder that surrounded her.
"Excuse me?" Captain Harkness asked, unsure if the woman was talking to him or not.
"Especially when it is the death of a loved one." The woman continued, before looking him in the eye. And that was when Jack recognized her.
It was 2009, shortly before the 456, and jack had taken Ianto to Switzerland for the weekend to celebrate their 6-month anniversary.
They were walking down the street, holding hands, when Ianto tensed.
"What is it, Yan?" Jack had asked his lover.
"Look." The younger man answered, before nodding across the street. A young redheaded girl was walking rather quickly, looking over her shoulder every few seconds, like she was afraid someone was following her.
And there was someone following her. An older man, with a big potbelly and an adorable froggy face.
"Switzerland." Jack whispered, surprised, and the woman nodded.
"Yes." She said, then laughed. "Only that was lifetimes ago, for the both of us."
"What are you talking about?" Jack asked. "Who are you?"
"My name is Donovan, Claudia Donovan. I am the Caretaker of Warehouse 14. I am roughly 103 years old, although I haven't aged in about 82 years." She said, then smiled at him sadly.
"And I am probably one of the only humans out there who knows exactly what you are feeling right now."