Chapter 4 is here! Apologies for the gaps between updates, just done my GCSE mocks :/

Anyways, Tia's time has come. The time for her to leave Torchwood and travel with the Doctor, but what hasn't Jack told her?

Enjoy :)

As always, please review :)

~Star

"Jack we need to talk." The Doctor demanded in a serious tone as he stood in the doorway of Jack's office. The Captain looked up from his papers, slightly worried, and motioned for him to come in.

"What's the problem?" Jack asked as the Time Lord sat down opposite him, seemingly not there just for a friendly chat.

"What Absentia did. It was wrong and you know it." The Doctor said coldly, arms crossed.

Jack gave a heavy sigh and replied "It was the only way Doctor, and she did save your life, remember?" Jack said in defence, which seemed to irritate the Doctor even more.

"There's always another way Jack, a better way." He clarified, his tone changing. "And I want to prove that to Absentia. I want her to travel in the TARDIS with me, I want to help her."

"You want to take her away?" Jack replied, he didn't seem shocked or surprised.

"Yes." The Doctor said plainly. "She's a Time Lady, she belongs with me."

"I know." Jack admitted, giving no defence this time. "I didn't tell you before for Tia's sake. The plan was never to keep her, just care for her 'till we could give her to you. It was just a matter of time, how long we didn't know. But now you're here, you have to take Absentia with you."

"I will look after her, Jack. I promise you." The Time Lord said in assurance, and Jack simply nodded sadly, not making eye contact. But what they didn't know about their 'little conversation' was that Absentia was standing just outside the door.

And she heard everything.

"So? What did he say?" Donna inquired when the Doctor left Jack's office and joined her on the couch on the main floor.

"Jack said yes." He replied as he sat down next to his companion.

"Then why don't you look happy?" She added, taking note of her friend's grim expression.

"Because I know that taking her away will break their hearts." The Doctor said guiltily, looking to Tosh, Ianto and the rest of the team, working as always.

"But this will help her, right? We'll help her?" Donna said uncertainly.

"I hope so." He sighed, still looking at the Torchwood team.

Minutes later, Jack emerged from his office and called the team to the meeting room. Everyone was present: Jack, Ianto, Gwen, Tosh, Owen, The Doctor and Donna. Everyone except Absentia.

"Where's Tia?" Jack asked the group, eyeing the door and half expecting his niece to walk in at any moment.

"She's in her room I think. I saw her head downstairs." Tosh replied. "Why? Do you want me to get her for the meeting?"

"No." Jack ordered, his expression sad as he felt he was betraying Tia by not including her. He sighed then continued: "As you all know, when we first took in Absentia we agreed that we'd care and protect her until her rightful guardian arrived. And now he's here, we have to give Tia up."

"So that's it? We're never gonna see her again!" Owen exclaimed in annoyance, hitting the table in fury.

"It's for the best Owen. She's a Time Lord, she belongs with her own kind." Jack said seriously, but Owen really wasn't having it.

"Well what about us Jack!" Owen screamed in retaliation. "She's your niece, our friend-no actually, I consider her my family! We've looked after her all her life, and now you're gonna send her packing!"

"It is not up for discussion!" Jack yelled to the entire group. Everyone stayed silent.

"Don't I get a say?" A voice called angrily from the doorway. Everyone looked round to see Absentia standing in the doorway directly opposite Jack, glaring with merciless eyes. No-one spoke, they just continued a guilty silence. Jack's expression was of guilt as he stared at the girl.

"Well?!" Tia repeated, anger building as she stepped into the room. "Aren't you going to ask me how I feel about being sent away with this stupid tit!" She added, pointing to the Doctor.

"Oi! Don't you call him that!" Donna said fiercely in defence, angering the young Time Lady more.

"And you, look at you!" Absentia said cruelly. "Look at that hair and makeup! It's pitiful! What man would have you?"

"Absentia Jubilee Harkness!" Jack yelled angrily, silencing the entire room. Tia didn't speak, she just walked away with a look of pure disgust on her face.

"Tia wait!" Jack called as he ran after her, but she didn't stop. The Doctor followed them while the others stayed in place, either too saddened or afraid to try to help.

"Absentia please!" Jack called again when they all entered the main part of the Hub. Tia stopped and turned angrily to face both men, eyes fixed on Jack.

"Why, Uncle Jack?" Tia said, her tone still angry, but betrayed. "Why are you trying to send me away?!"

"Because it's for the best. You belong with the Doctor, with your own kind." Jack said calmly, the sadness returning from earlier.

"How the hell can you say that!" Tia yelled in retaliation. "Who was it who took me in and raised me?: You guys. Who stood up to those mean girls who called me weird?: You and Owen! Who single-handedly arranged all of my birthday parties?: Ianto! Who acted as surrogate mothers when I needed comforting?: Gwen and Tosh, and who adopted me and loved me like I was their own?...You Uncle Jack."

"Yes, we did. But it was only supposed to be until the Doctor returned, that was the plan." Jack admitted, guilt evident in his voice as it cracked slightly and tears began to fill his eyes.

"Plans change! It's always just been the 6 of us… Rhys sometimes too, and that's how I've always liked it! I don't need the stupid Doctor… because you guys are my family." Absentia screamed, desperation coming clear.

"Absentia, I-" the Doctor tried to say, but not before Tia could cut him off.

"No, you stay out of this!" She yelled, backing away. "I am not going with you! Leave me alone, I don't need you, you bastard!"

"Absentia?" Jack called to his niece kindly, approaching her slowly. "It's okay, come here."

"Why? So you can send me away from my home, my job, my family?!" She said sarcastically as she backed away even more, getting far too close to the drop between the platform and the water tower.

"No, Tia, no. I understand now." the Captain said in an attempt to regain his niece's trust, holding his hand out to her. "You wanna stay here, and that's okay, because you can."

Absentia lowered her eyelids and continued to move away. "I don't believe you." She spat, reaching the edge and falling backwards. Jack raced forward and grabbed Tia before she could fall and pulled her into a hug.

"I love you Tia." He whispered gently while he stroked her dark hair. Then he reached into his pocket and pulled something out: a small piece of cloth. Before she could do anything, Jack held the cloth over Absentia's mouth. She kicked and struggled furiously as she tried to pull away, but Jack held her steady until her eyes drooped shut and her entire body went limp. Jack scooped her up as she fell into unconsciousness, then looked to the Doctor.

"Take her." He said, his voice cracking as tears began to drip from his weary eyes. The Doctor silently nodded and took Absentia gently into his arms. Jack looked sadly at Tia as she slept. More than anything he just wanted to take her back from the Doctor and keep her with him forever. He'd raised her, she was his girl, and giving her up was breaking him. He kissed her forehead and forced himself to step back.

"Look after her, Doctor. I mean it." He said as he chocked back a sob and tears flowed freely down his face.

"I will, I promise." He said truthfully, the turned and headed for the exit. "Donna, we're leaving."

"So soon?" Donna whined when she came to the Doctor. Her eyes widened when she saw him holding Absentia. "Doctor, what's wrong with her? What happened?!" She asked in panic.

"It's okay, she's just sleeping." He responded solemnly and ushered for her to follow him out. Donna complied hesitantly and they walked out of the base carrying Tia. Now all Jack could do was watch them go.

"Jack what's going on?" Gwen called as she and the rest of the team followed her into the room. As they entered they caught sight of the Doctor and Donna as they left, and they saw them taking Absentia with them.

"Absentia?" Tosh called after them in worry, but no response came.

"Tia!" Owen yelled, dashing after them. "Bring her back now!"

"We have to let her go." Jack cried as he grabbed Owen and held him back. Owen fought and struggled as he too started to cry, as did Ianto, Tosh and Gwen. Eventually Jack released his grip, then Owen's sadness partially turned to anger. He pushed Jack away and growled:

"How the hell could you do this?!"

Betcha didn't see that coming!

This was really depressing for me to write, but I planned it ages ago so yeah.

Don't worry, IT'S NOT OVER YET!

Will Tia accept her new life or fight to return to her old one? Come back soon to find out!