He noticed the very handsome Captain James Harper watching him

He noticed the very handsome Captain James Harper watching him. There was something in that gaze he found being drawn to, some plea that touched his very soul. He sensed the deep sorrow inof this other Captain, and he could tell this man was yearning for something he hadn't had.

Captain Jack Harkness suddenly felt the urge to comfort this other man, whom he couldn't pinpoint why, but felt closer than any other comrades, ever. There was something about him that felt so familiar, so reassuring. It was like they had always been connected. James Harper was the soulmate he had been looking for all the time. Captain Jack had never intended to feel like this about another man, he hadn't known it was possible. He had dated beautiful women, fell for several one, but he had never thought of having a crush over a guy. Yet now, he didn't even think twice before having realized the attraction to this mysterious man. And it felt so right.

He could see the sadness in James' eyes, and instantly remembered his distant look during their earlier conversation. Though he had noticed the way he looked at him then, he had been able to perceive some other, determining emotion in those crystal-blue eyes. Loneliness. Along with something else... Longing for someone whom he couldn't have.

James' words echoed in his mind. 'I just think you should live every night like it's your last. Make tonight the best night of your life.'

Making up his mind, he walked across the dance floor to Captain Harper. Stopping at the table, he didn't say a word, just did what his heart told him to. Taking the other man's hand, he led him to the dance floor.

Toshiko exchanged a smile with Gwen, being happy for their Captain's temporary, delightful distraction.

Watching the captains' dance, Gwen couldn't determine what she was feeling.

Seemingly there was some magical spark between Jack and the real Captain Harkness, which made him feel like having gotten home after a long while. Jack relaxed features while dancing in the arms of his namesake were something rarely seen, so she was thankful to the real Captain for having worked this magic on him. On the other hand, the memory of Jack's kiss was still lingering on her, sending a shiver down her spine every now and then. Yeah, that was Jack - he knew how to make an unforgettable impression. She already missed the intoxicating feeling of his mouth brushing onto hers. Darn you, Gwen, she scolded herself, you have Rhys! You love that man and he loves you. That affair with Owen was just a mistake, you mustn't do that again. Not even if it's Jack. Most of all ifif it's Jack.

Jack flirted with almost everyone;, that was coded in his personality. He was a charmeur, a genuine Casanova in time and space. He could make even aliens' legs shake with just his dazzling, mischivious smile. Captain Jack was dangerous for one's will of resistance. Noone could ever resist him. No one but me, Gwen thought.

They had had their little moments, but that had been just the usual flirting of Jack. At least, that was she had kept telling herself. She had had Rhys after all, she reminded herself stubbornly. And according to the gossips in the Hub, Jack had been seeing Ianto recently. Which seemingly didn't keep him from embracing another man though, she noted.

The other pairs were staring in awe at the unusual couple, but the captains didn't care. They were just dancing slowly, the sweet melodies of a beautiful song enwrapping them.

That certain night. The night we met. There was magic abroad in the air. There were angels dancing at the Ritz. And a nightingale sang in Berkeley Square ... I may be right. I may be wrong ...

Having a man in his arms was wrong, yet it felt so right. Captain Harkness couldn't explain the feeling, all he knew was that he felt complete, and that was enough.

Jack tightened his hold around the Captain, his eyes were staring into his, reading the unspoken emotions and thoughts. The Captain had been a great, brave man, and Jack was proud of having taken his name into the future.

Captain Harkness might have not been aware of the truth, yet he also realized the special bond that had formed between them. He didn't understand it, yet he trust this strangely familiar man.

Following his heart, Jack pulled away and leaned to kiss the real Captain. His breath was already tickling Captain Harkness' mouth, when - before their lips could have met - an extremely bright light filled the dancehall.

The Rift.

"They did it!" Gwen exclaimed, jumping up from beside the table.

"Jack!" Ggrabbing her laptop and coat, Toshiko leaped to her feet. "Jack, we need to get out!" Sshe looked at their Ccaptain expectantly.

Gwen rushed to him. "Jack..."

He looked at the Captain reluctantly. His feelings were mixed, suddenly he wasn't sure if he wanted to go back to their time. Staying with his namesake, preventing his death was too tempting.

Toshiko's exasperated voice begged him. "Jack, you have to! We need you!"

"Jack.. " Gwen touched his arm gently.

Sighing, he turned to the Captain, "I have to go. It's my duty."

He nodded. If someone knew what duty meant, it was him.

Thoughts still lingering on the Captain, Jack followed Gwen toward the rift.

No, I can't do this, he paused. I might never see him again.

Turning around, he hurried back and brushed his mouth on the Captain's. He responded with the same passion, and their world, emotions, past and present blended into each other in single kiss. A kiss that neither of them would ever forget.

Jack reluctantly broke away and caressed the Captain's cheek. Both of them knew this had been goodbye forever.

Joining his team, he looked back at the real Jack Harkness once more. Suddenly everyone else faded around the Captain, leaving him alone in the dancehall. Fighting his emotions, he straightened up and tearfully saluted Jack before vanishing from the view too.

The angels finished their dance in the Ritz.

"We don't have much time," Toshiko reminded Jack quietly.

With an inaudible sigh, he nodded. "Let's go."

Gwen reaching for him, he took her hand and the three Torchwood officers entered the rift back home.

"We made it! We made it!" Gwen rejoiced as exiting the building she registered the way too familiar surrounds. It was their world in their time. Relief surging through her, she hugged Jack with the utmost happiness. Every single thing that had bothered her seemed to be mere nothing compared to the prospect of having stucked in another time.

Relishing her delight, Jack laughed and hugged her back. Though he shared the happiness of the female members of his team, he also felt being torn inside. Too many feelings were whirling in his soul that he needed to sort out before catching up with life. Looking back at the Ritz over Gwen's shoulder, his eyes welled up.

Pulling back, Gwen ran to Tosh and hugged her tight.

"I can't wait to be back in the Hub," Tosh said happily before turning to their Ccaptain. "Jack, are you alright?"

Averting his look off of the building, he smiled at her. "Yeah, I'm okay." Then his look wandered to Gwen who still had his coat on. "You're a bit overdressed, aren't you?" he tilted his head with a mischivious smirk.

"Why do men always think that?" she retorted with a grin.

Jack's eyes widened a bit; he tended to forget that she had had a life outside Torchwood. Pang of jealousy emerged in his heart. He suddenly envied Rhys for seeing Gwen in other than her usual work-outfits.

Tosh giggled. Watching her companions she came to the same realization as before: Jack and Gwen had an amazing chemistry, and they always were so relaxed and cheery around each other. She saw the way Jack looked at Gwen when she wasn't aware of his stare, just as she noticed Gwen's secret glances to him. Too bad there were so many things in their way.

No matter how cool and sexy Gwen looked in his greatcoat, Jack had to retrieve his trademark piece of clothing.

"Sorry, it looks much better on me," he lied with a cocky grin and helped her out of the coat.

"You wish," she retorted with a confident smirk.

Yeah, he thought, recalling her sight in his coat once again.

Laughing, he wrapped his arms around Gwen and Tosh. "Let's get back to the Hub."

TBC