Friday at work halted with his last session ending on a happy note. As Sean said goodbye to Mrs. Alberta, she smiled and thanked him.

"I think today we had a very good talk, Dr. Knowlens. Thank you. And may I say whatever has made you so pleasant today that I hope it stays with you a long time. You are too young to not be this way." She smiled at him for the first time in the three years she had been coming to him.

He could help but return her smile. "You can call me Sean, I think we know each other well enough for that, Doris." He handed her a piece of chocolate. She took it gladly.

"With all this doom and gloom lately, I was beginning to think that none of us would ever warm up to the world and each other again. I hope your warmth is contagious, Dr… Sean. I'll see you next week then; I'm going to spread some of this around, especially to my husband!" The 54-year-old housewife, mother of two said as she winked at him.

He blushed. It seemed all of his patients were leaving his office in incredibly good moods today. Maybe it was a sign of the times changing. Maybe he was just on this amazing natural high, all over an immortal stranger. Jack, who are you, that you have me so excited just at the prospect of talking with you? He asked himself. He walked Doris to the door and told her to be safe and have a fantastic weekend.

"Try to contain yourself with your husband. You don't want him to think you're going mad." He waved as she giggled and danced to the car. Sean shook his head and went inside to lock up. He had promised Norma that he would leave the place spotless, so he did just that before he left.

His mood was infectious as he went to the stores to gather what he needed for dinner. It took five different places to find the ingredients for a spaghetti dinner with meatballs and garlic bread, some mineral water and custard (his Da's favorite) for desert. And coffee, his Da loved coffee.

In the last four years international trade had basically died. Frankly, after what had happened with the 456, no one trusted the UK. The international community felt betrayed by the country that everyone thought was one of the good guys. If anything, the 456 existence was something everyone would have assumed the Americans would have hid from the world. But it wasn't. So most of the world stopped a lot of their trading and went into a period of isolationism. It was a sad time for the world. Each country was licking its wounds as they tried to redefine whom their allies and friends were in the world's new community.

The outcome of all this was that food was limited. So many fled the cities trying to return to the simple life of farming and bartering. It worked somehow, but at least one family member had to work in the cities. It was the law, and the State and Queen requested their service. They were paid and they got benefits of extra rations. Food was one of the perks to the employees working in the city.

It took a little while for the food to dwindle away in the big box retailers and the warehouses. But eventually the country just ran out. What was imported from other countries came in small amounts and would cost an arm and a leg. Sean had some extra money, simply because he didn't buy much anymore. So he treated his dad to a very pricey pasta dinner. He even was able to get some fresh veggies and fruit from a farmers' market. Despite the heartache in getting the stuff needed to grow the food, the farmers were producing the best looking fruits and veggies that Sean ever saw. He was glad to pay the hefty sum, and thanked the young guy and his old dad for their efforts in providing for best look oranges and eggs he ever saw.

The old farmer commented as he left. "Those "pill hoppers" are starting earlier and earlier lately, at least they could wait until dark and let the decent folk get home." Sean giggled at the comment and just kept smiling all the way home.

When he arrived at his apartment, he could hear the classical radio station playing. His Da was there. He barely got the bags to the table as he grabbed his Da in a long hug. Father and son held on tight to one another.

"Well I haven't had a greeting like that since, well you know," Sean's Da said. "Let me look at you. You're smiling! I haven't seen you smile like that in awhile."

"I know. I just feel like dancing or something. I don't know what is going on with me. Norma was in shock and my patients didn't know if it was a joke or not. They kept looking at the calendar." He laughed as his Da watched his precious son put the stuff on the table. "Ta da! Coffee!" He presented it to his Da, who began looking for the pot.

"My, I feel like a king! Sean, is this all for just us? What are you feeding an army? This is an awful lot of food." His father looked at the thin man that was his son who kept whistling and he shook his head. He couldn't remember the last time he had seen him that happy.

"We can eat in all weekend then. Some of it is for Monday. I have a guest coming over." Sean blushed as his father raised his eyebrows.

"Oh Sean, I couldn't be happier for you!" He hugged his son and then plugged the coffee pot in and flicked on. Tears dampened the rims of his glasses. "Bless this day, my boy is happy again."

"Da!!! It isn't like that! I just met him, not sure if he is the reason that I feel this way." He began the cut up the vegetables for dinner. "But it does feel good to be happy again!" He smiled as he prepared the meal, his father joining in.

"Ah but it is good to see you happy, I don't care why as long as it stays for awhile." Father and son uncannily had the same smile as they worked side by side.

Jack was getting fed up with the way of this new world he found himself in. First the pizza arrived three hours late and second, there was no real meat to be had on the meat feast pie. It was some synthetic crap that tasted like it was old before he was born.

He picked at it and threw it back in the box, with the thought that some revolutions had started over such small things like this. Pizza was a big one. Badly made pizza was enough to topple any government. He laughed as the image of protest being controlled by the police who didn't want the angry mob of ham and pineapple pizza shippers to riot. After all what if they decided to add peaches to the pie? He giggled and took another sip of wine, wondering whatever happened to the Sixties.

And when the hell did he become a wine drinker? Ever since he got back he had been at the wine. "I guess like a fine wine, I become more robust with age. I become flavorful. I become full body and go well with fish and chicken." He laughed out loud at his own silliness. "And I'm talking to myself again. Good thing I have a date with a shrink!" He put the glass down, and threw the pizza in the garbage. Then he worked the stiffness out of his body for a bit.

He needed to walk around the apartment while the Beach Boys blared. He wished he still had his MP3 player but he lost it playing Hedeen poker with a wonderful woman from Mandain. She was so yellow that she glowed. He lost a little more then the MP3 player that night, but it only dulled the pain for a moment.

He picked the wine glass up and took a swig. "And another issue with wine. It makes you remember the ones that you love. Ianto if you were still here, I would tell you to never drink wine on an empty stomach. You tend to get tipsy. Am I tipsy? No way. La, la, la, I'm tipsy. Hey World!!" He screamed. "The immortal fuck up Jack Harkness is tipsy!" He laughed as he danced around the apartment making noises and knocking a lamp or two over.

There was a loud banging on the ceiling then at the wall to the right, then the one to the left. "Oh know I angered the gods again. Shush… I have to be very, very quiet, I'm looking for information on a psychiatrist." He giggled some more.

"Will you shut the fuck up in there; some of us have to work!" A voice cried

"Ditto! We need to sleep," a voice came from beyond the other wall.

A dog barked and a baby started to cry.

"Shit!" He lowered the music. "Sorry neighbors, I had a bit of a rough time." He grinned at nothing. Closing his eyes, he imagined they were forgiving him. Maybe they would come over for a little drink. He began to giggle.

"Just shut up!" The first voice shouted. So much for creative visualization, Jack thought as he returned to Sean's information page on the State department website.

Dr. Sean Knowlens

Born 9th March 1981

Age 32.

Father: Peter

Mother: Elizabeth Ryan

Sister: Helen 12 December 1979

Brother: Paul 15 June 1977

It began to list a bit of information about the schools he went to. It also talked about an award he won, which was for some of the papers he published, the as well as lectures he had done. It all came to a stop after the middle of the year in 2008 when he was accused of killing his partner, a Dr. Liam Eckerson, in a DUI. The incident was considered only an accident, but Sean lost his personal practice and was assigned to the State, where he had worked ever since, now only counseling 456 syndrome patients.

Dr Liam Eckerson: File access denied.

"Now this is strange!" Jack thought. He typed in some more codes that might help him hack into Liam's file. Nothing short of a warning signal came through. He quickly shut down the computer. "Damn, I have to get another laptop now; they will more than likely be looking for that IP address. Time to get a new one. I can't use you anymore. And who are they this time?" The puzzle was getting more complex.

From what he had seen of Sean, he didn't seem like the type to murder someone, even by accident. And not someone he loved. What was the name he said in the alleyway while that guy was attacking him? Jack didn't want to think about that. It wasn't lovemaking. It wasn't even sex. It was dark and wrong. It was like Sean was someone else. "Liam. He said Happy Birthday, Liam!" Jack tugged at his chin while he thought.

All the food gone and piles of dishes later, their beers polished off, Peter and his son Sean were laughing at a movie called "Clerks". It was an old American film about the life at the Jersey store and these convenient store clerks. Peter threw popcorn at his son; Sean tossed it back as they laughed at the film.

"What made you pick that, Da?" Sean mumbled as he shoved that last of the popcorn in his mouth.

"Son, are you sure you are all right? You haven't stopped eating." His Da teased him. He was happy that his son was really eating. Sean stopped eating a few months after he met Liam. Liam, overwrought with worry, had called Peter up to ask if his son had a 'condition'.

None of the doctors' tests had found anything wrong. There was no parasite or fungus. Nothing. They said it was probably a symptom of being in a new situation. Sean became skinnier, but stayed healthy. Years later, at Liam and Sean's wedding, he was still not gaining weight. His mother began to despise Liam, thinking he was the cause of her son's emaciated look. Liam denied it and told her that at least he wasn't a fat sow like her. She didn't go to the ceremony. Sean cried the next day when they went on their honeymoon. His mother never spoke to him again. Not that she cared to begin with. His siblings were indifferent to their brother.

Peter was glad his son was feeling lively again and eating. Whoever this stranger was, he prayed he would bring his son some kind of hope and comfort. Sean should have someone who loved him. And like a true son, Sean was evading any conversation that had to do with this stranger.

"Really Da, where did you get the movie?" Grabbing a few chips and another beer, Sean stretched out on his sleeping bag and looked at the ceiling. "I haven't had any nightmares dad. Not since I met him." He began to explain his experience with the immortal. "I woke up the next day hungry. I think it is more sexual frustration. I haven't been with anyone since Liam died, Da. I went out looking for it and I was rather wired. I think that I was asking for it, I needed someone to celebrate Liam's birthday with. I came so close to just letting go, Da. Just wanted to be free and not care who was touching me." He blinked away the moment of sadness and glanced at his Da. Peter as always listened intently to his youngest child.

"Like some old style hero he was there, in the middle of my struggle between right and wrong. I don't know why he was there. I later found out that he was looking for me." He saw his Da's eyes widen at the last part. "He isn't a professional stalker Da, not that type." He clarified to Peter that he wasn't in danger. "He was looking for a doctor. I helped a friend of his. Look, I don't know where this is going. I just met him. But he helped me realize that I have to let go of Liam, a little bit at a time, but it has to be done. Also, he's damn fine." A pillow was aimed at his head.

"That is for scaring me!" Peter gauged his son's shocked expression before continuing. Yawning, he stated. "Sean my heart, you are the world to me. When you were born, something tugged at those heartstrings. You have to understand, that I want you to be free. But this man, you don't know him, yet he is already seeking residence inside you. Whether you realize it or not, you're smitten with him, but please go-slow. Find out what kind of help he needs, before you commit to this. Okay?" He sat up to get a better look at his son.

"Da," Sean couldn't say what the secret was, and why he believed Jack. It was in his eyes, that way he looked beyond, like he was nowhere yet everywhere. Something that made Jack appear human but yet not at the same time. The hurt of so much lost that Jack tried to cover up with his smile had convinced Sean that Jack was real. So much had happened in Sean's lifetime, that an immortal man walking up to a doctor in need of therapy didn't seem that unrealistic when it happened.

"It's okay, Sean my son, I trust you to make up your own mind. I won't bring up Superman again." The double shot of pillows crashed into Pete's head. "And for that, I keep the pillows. Now let's get some sleep. I want to take you that old movie theater sometime. You know the one that still shows the silent films."

End Chapter 4 TBC