A/N: Oh, just like to thank JxIHarkness-Jones for giving me the nanogenes idea because I had no idea how to bring Owen back. Forgot to say in the first chapter.
Owen suddenly snapped into action as he bent down to pick up the Doctor.
"Ianto, help me up with the Doctor. Tosh, bring every piece of scanning equipment down to the medical bay." Owen ordered. Tosh and Ianto moved to do as he said. "Come on, faster. Move."
Tosh ran ahead as Owen and Ianto carried the Doctor's unconscious form between them.
"We should call Jack, get him to come back to the Hub." Ianto said as they placed the Doctor on the bed.
Owen tapped his comms and started to perform scans with the equipment Tosh had brought down as he waited for Jack to respond.
Jack and Gwen were just climbing back into the SUV with Bilis' body now in the back, when the Captain heard his comms beep. He tapped the button and climbed into the drivers seat.
"Owen, the body under the bridge was Bilis. We're bringing him back to the Hub now." Jack told him.
"How's Gwen? Is she ok?" Owen demanded.
Jack looked over at Gwen and smiled. She'd turned on her own comms to listen in and rolled her eyes and smiled at Jack.
"I'm fine Owen." She answered.
"You'd better be." He replied. "Anyway, Jack you need to get here quick. The Doctor landed in that blue box thing but there's something wrong. I think...I think he might be dying."
"Owen, it's ok. Keep him in the TARDIS. He'll regenerate." Jack told him.
"No Jack. The Doctor, he said something about a virus that's deadly to Time Lords. He said 'no regeneration'." Owen explained. "Jack, what do I do? I'm scanning him now but I've never seen anything like him. He's got two hearts for God's sake. His DNA's so much different to ours."
"Owen, calm down. I'll be there as soon as I can. Just do what you can for him until I get there." Jack said.
Jack pressed his foot down on the accelerator and Gwen reached across to put a comforting hand on his arm.
"Jack, he'll be ok." Gwen said quietly.
The Captain said nothing as he continued to stare straight through the window. After a few seconds, he took a hand off the wheel and placed it over hers but he wouldn't look at her.
Owen ran around, hooking the Doctor up to machines and checking the readings.
"Tosh, I'm going to take a blood sample. I want you to examine it for anything that shouldn't be there. Ianto, is there anything on Time Lords in the archives that could help us figure out a solution?" He asked.
"Not that I can recall but I could have a look." Ianto answered.
"Alright, you do that. Be quick." Owen nodded. Ianto quickly left the room as Owen took the blood sample and handed it to Tosh. "Right, you examine that while I try and make sense of these readings. See if I can work out what should and what shouldn't be happening."
Jack and Gwen returned to the Hub and found Tosh examining a droplet of the Doctor's blood under a microscope at her desk. Jack ran over to her, shrugging off his jacket as he went.
"Found anything?" He asked.
"Nothing I can see but I'm running other chemical tests too." She told him and pointed to one of the monitors. It was showing the results and progress of the tests being performed plus readings from the machines hooked up to the Doctor. "I'm no doctor but I can make sense of some of these readings."
"How's the Doctor?" Jack asked.
"Owen's with him now but he's still unconscious. Whatever he's been infected with has seriously attacked his immune system." Tosh answered. "You know the Doctor better than us, do you know what could affect Time Lords like this?"
"No, I have no idea." He replied. "Keep looking and let us know if you find anything."
Jack and Gwen hurried down to the medical bay where Owen was concentrating hard on the machines around him. The Doctor was lying on the bed, a thin sheen of sweat on his face as he shook and mumbled under his breath.
"I've never seen a strain of virus like this." Owen told them.
"But do you think you could come up with a cure?" Gwen asked.
"If it was a normal human being then maybe...but he's not human. A cure for us could kill him." Owen replied.
"Owen, I've got the results of the tests." Tosh said as she entered the room carrying her PDA.
She passed it to him so he could examine the results. Jack watched his face and tried to work out if the news was good or bad.
"Can you cure him?" Jack asked.
"Like I said, if it was a normal person, I could probably come up with an antidote but he's not human. This man saved my life and I could end up killing him. I need more information." Owen told them. Ianto came in, his face set in a grim expression. "Please tell me you've found something."
"Nothing that could be of help." Ianto answered.
Jack put a hand on Owen's shoulder and looked into his eyes.
"Owen, I have faith in you. I know you can do this." He said.
"Jack, I've never come across a complex system like his before." Owen argued.
The Captain stepped away as Gwen stood by Owen's side and took his hand in hers.
"Jack's right. You can do this Owen. You're an amazing doctor, better than you give yourself credit for. You just need to believe. I have faith in you too." She told him.
One of the machines beeped behind them and Jack ran over to it.
"We don't have long, his hearts are failing. Owen, please." Jack begged.
Gwen took his face in her hands and forced him to look into her eyes.
"Owen, you can do this." She said.
He looked into her eyes for a few seconds before nodding. He pulled away and ran out of the room to the autopsy bay.
"I'm on it." He shouted. "Jack, keep him stable."
"Gwen Cooper, whatever power you have over Owen, I want some." Jack grinned. "How did you get it?"
Gwen rolled her eyes and stood by the Doctor's bed.
"Let's just concentrate on the Doctor, shall we?" She said.
"Oh, like that. Well, I'm not sure Owen would appreciate me trying to sleep with him." Jack smirked. "You can keep the power."
"Jack." Gwen warned. "The Doctor may be dying. This is not the time for your stupid comments."
Jack sobered up as he knelt by the Doctor's side and held onto his hand.
"Hang in there Doctor." Jack whispered. "We've got the best medic working on a cure."
Owen's hands shook as he prepared the best antidote he could think of. He was nervous of making a mistake that could end up killing the Doctor.
"Shit." He spat as he dropped the test tube he was holding.
The contents spilled over the floor as the test tube shattered everywhere.
"Owen, I don't mean to rush you but the Doctor's condition is really starting to deteriorate." Jack's voice said in his ear. "How's that antidote coming?"
"Yeah, Jack, I'm working on it. I'm doing the best I can." He snapped.
"Owen." Gwen's voice said quietly. "It's alright sweetheart, we know you can do this. Just stay calm darling."
"God, do you want to go and hold his hand?" Jack asked sarcastically.
"Actually, could you?" Owen asked. "It might help."
He heard her giggle quietly as if she thought he was joking but he was actually being serious. Gwen always had a calming effect on him and he could really do with seeing her amazing smile right now.
A few moments later, he heard footsteps approaching and coming out onto the balcony. He looked around and smiled as he saw Gwen looking down at him.
"Hey." She said quietly. She walked down the steps to him and turned off her comms. He leant into her hand as she reached for his and turned it off. "Owen, are you ok?"
"I'm just...feeling so much pressure. This man has done so many amazing things. He brought me back to life. I'm feeling all this pressure to keep him alive." Owen admitted. "What if I can't do it? What if I fail?"
She pulled him into a hug and held him as she felt him cling to her.
"No one means to pressure you. Like I said, we all have faith in you. You're not going to fail because you're the best bloody doctor there is." She told him and pulled away to look into his eyes. "Do you understand that?" Owen gave her a small smile and nodded. "Uh-uh, I want to hear you say it. Say 'I understand because I'm the best bloody medic there is'."
"I understand because I'm the best bloody medic there is." He laughed.
"Good." She smiled. "Now, make that antidote Doctor Harper."
Owen set to work making the antidote as Gwen cleared up the mess he'd made.
Once he'd finished, he stood in front of her and held it up in a needle.
"Here it is." He said. "Let's hope this works."
He took her hand and they quickly made their way down to the medical bay.
Jack was sitting beside a restless Doctor. The Doctor was shouting out and thrashing around as the Captain tried to hold him still. The others were waiting and watching anxiously.
"Owen, is that antidote ready?" Jack shouted over the Doctor's screams.
Owen ran to his side and produced the needle.
"Hold him still." Owen ordered.
"I can't. Ianto, help me." Jack commanded.
As Ianto rushed to help them, Tosh and Gwen shuffled towards each other and grabbed hold of each other. They watched as Ianto and Jack pinned the Doctor down while Owen injected him with the antidote.
The three team members took a step back as the Doctor's cries grew quieter and he lay still. Jack looked between the Doctor and the machines anxiously. They indicated that everything was fine but Jack wasn't going to be happy until the Doctor woke up. Ianto put a hand on Jack's shoulder and the Captain placed his hand over the younger man's.
Owen walked over to stand between the two girls and put his arms around them. He kissed the top of Gwen's head and she leant it on his shoulder.
The Doctor's eyes fluttered open and he looked around at the team.
"Well, that was interesting." He said.
Jack broke into a grin as he went to help the Doctor sit up.
"What happened to you?" Jack asked.
"Well, I went to see everyone one last time and I did and it was fun. After that, I decided to do some sight seeing. I visited the planet Midnight again. Beautiful place but they'd just had an outbreak of some kind of flu. A virus that's deadly to Time Lords. If I'd have known, I wouldn't have gone." The Doctor explained.
"But why did you come back here? All the hospitals in all the different galaxies you could have chosen. Ones that know how to cure you. Why here?" Jack frowned.
The Doctor looked straight at Owen and the others all turned to look at him too.
"I knew that Owen could do it." He answered. "And I knew that you trusted him Jack, so he must be pretty good. I must say, he proved me right. I feel great."
Gwen smiled up at Owen proudly as he looked away bashfully.
"He's amazing." She said.
"How did you know this wasn't your time?" Jack asked.
"If I'm going to die, I'm not going to let it be some flu virus that takes me out." He replied. "I want to go out saving a planet somewhere or doing something heroic." Jack chuckled as the Doctor smiled his impish grin. He looked around at the team before standing up. "I should be going now. Thank you, Owen. You saved my life."
"You saved mine first – and Gwen's." Owen said as he shook the Doctor's hand. "I guess I got to thank you after all, not under the circumstances I would have liked but still, I got to say thanks."
"I guess you did." The Doctor nodded. He turned to Gwen and took her hand to shake it. "Gwen, it was a pleasure -" He noticed her free hand clutching her side and the bandage showing through her t-shirt. "You're hurt."
"It's nothing." She told him.
"She was shot." Owen said.
"Honestly, can't you lot last five minutes without getting shot?" The Doctor asked. He sighed and shook his head as he started to lead her out of the room. "Come on, come with me to the TARDIS. We'll get the nanogenes to fix you up."
"Oh, you really don't have to." Gwen protested. "You've done enough for us already. It'll heal soon enough."
"Oh, stop arguing." The Doctor sighed.
She looked around at the others for help but they just shrugged and followed. With a sigh, Gwen let the Doctor lead her out to the TARDIS.
"You know, these trips between the TARDIS and the Hub would be a lot quicker if you stopped parking over the quick exit." Jack commented.
"Sorry Jack, need the perception filter and it's the best spot to refuel." The Doctor replied. "In we go." They entered the TARDIS and walked over to the central controls. The Doctor went to remove her bandage when he noticed Owen watching them with his arms folded across his chest. "Owen, could you please remove Miss Cooper's bandage?"
Owen quickly stepped forward to do as he said.
"Jealous much?" Gwen breathed in his ear. She cringed and looked away as her wound was uncovered. "Does it...does it hurt?" She asked as the Doctor snapped his fingers to summon the nanogenes.
"No, it just...tingles." Owen answered. "It's a bit weird."
"Ok Owen, I'll let you do this one." The Doctor said. He grabbed Owen's hand as if to shake it and transferred the nanogenes to his hand. When he pulled away, the tiny, golden lights stayed around Owen's hand. "Now gently put your hand over Gwen's wound."
Owen took a step closer to Gwen and they gazed into each other's eyes as he rested his hand on her side. If they were alone, she would have leant forward and kissed him but they weren't so she looked away to stop herself.
As Owen had said, she felt a strange tingling sensation as the nanogenes began to knit her skin back together.
A few moments later, the feeling stopped and she looked down at where Owen's hand was still resting. The nanogenes faded from view and the two looked back at each other. Owen slowly removed his hand and glanced down.
When he smiled, Gwen quickly looked down and saw that her wound had completely healed. She also noticed that the tiny scars from the last time had gone too.
She turned and pulled the Doctor into a hug. He smiled in surprise and hugged her back. When she pulled away, she kissed him on the cheek causing a red tinge to appear on his face.
"Thank you." She smiled. "For everything. You have done so much for us."
"It's what I do." The Doctor shrugged. "Well, it's been good to see you all again but I really do have to go now."
"Will you come back?" Gwen asked.
"Oh, I expect so." He nodded. "I might look a little different next time but it'll still be me."
All the Torchwood members apart from Jack, looked at each other with raised eyebrows.
"Goodbye Doc, I hope we see you again soon." Jack smiled. "Come on guys."
The team smiled at the Doctor as they followed Jack out of the TARDIS. They turned and watched as it faded from view, shielding their faces from the strong wind it whipped up.
"Jack, what did the Doctor mean by 'I might look a little different next time'?" Tosh asked.
"It's a long story." Jack chuckled. "Ianto, Bilis' body is still in the back of the SUV. Help me get it down to the morgue?"
Tosh, Gwen and Owen headed back into the Hub while Jack and Ianto headed to the SUV.
Tosh left the couple and went up to the meeting room to wait for Ianto to come back and make a fresh pot of coffee. Gwen and Owen walked over to their workstations and she turned to wrap her arms around his neck.
"I am so proud of you, Owen Harper." She told him. "You could've bottled out but you didn't. You stayed with it and look what happened. You saved the Doctor's life."
"I only stuck with it because I had you by my side to help me through." He said honestly.
She smiled as he leant in to capture her lips in a sweet kiss. As they pulled away, Gwen bit her bottom lip and let her eyes drop to his chest and back.
"Owen...I don't have a big hole in my side any more." She said.
"No, you don't." Owen replied. Gwen raised an eyebrow and waited for him to get it. She saw it hit him and he smirked. "Oh, no...you don't, do you?"
"Nope." She grinned.
Their lips met in a fiery kiss as their tongues battled for dominance. Owen's arms cradled her tighter to his chest as her hands ran through his hair. They pulled away as their lungs screamed for air.
"Your place or mine?" He growled.
"Mine. It's closer." She answered.
"Right." He said. They looked hungrily into each other's eyes as they breathed heavily. "We're going to have to let go because I am very close to pushing you up against the nearest wall."
"Ok." Gwen nodded.
Neither of them let go and Gwen's grip seemed to get tighter.
"Alright, on three." He said and Gwen quickly nodded in response. "Ok. One...two...three..."
They forced themselves away from each other just as Jack and Ianto walked into the main area of the Hub.
"Ok, Bilis is in the morgue." Jack told them. "Hopefully we won't be having any more trouble with giant gods."
"He's finally at rest." Gwen said quietly. "Probably for the first time in years."
Jack nodded with a grave expression on his face before changing the subject.
"Ok. Owen, I want you to record the virus the Doctor was infected with and the cure you used. Also, write down the cure you'd use on humans. You never know when we're going to need it." Jack ordered. "Gwen, write a personal profile on Bilis and give it to Ianto who can file it away with the research we did on Abaddon. Ianto, just supply us with cups of your most amazing coffee."
"Yes sir." Ianto smiled and made his way up to the coffee machine.
As Gwen and Owen worked, they cast each other hungry glances. They were both counting down the hours until they could go home.
Gwen had chosen to work at Suzie's old workstation as she couldn't concentrate with Owen being so close to her. Her stomach turned back flips every time she looked at him. Tonight wasn't going to be just about tearing each other's clothes off, although she was looking forward to that, it would be the mark of the start of their relationship.
He looked up as she was gazing at him and she noticed the look in his eyes had changed. It wasn't hungry like it had been seconds before when they'd glanced at each other. It was warm and tender.
She frowned slightly as he looked away and pulled out his phone. Seconds later, she felt her pocket vibrate and reached for her own phone. A smile spread across her face as she read the text message from Owen.
"I love you
xxx"
She looked back up at him to find him watching her. Blowing him a kiss, she text back a reply.
"I love you too
xxx"
"You two sending each other dirty messages?" Jack asked as he came out of his office.
"Yeah we are." Owen grinned. "Do you want to see?"
"No we're not Jack." Gwen snapped. "Ignore him."
"Well, whatever you're doing, I don't care. How are those reports coming along?" He asked.
"I'm finished." Owen answered.
"Yeah, me too." Gwen nodded.
"Then take your dirty messages and go home." He smiled.
"We were not sending dirty messages." Gwen growled through gritted teeth.
"Whatever." Jack chuckled. "Go home, it's getting late and it's been another one of those long days. Owen, that was some good work today. You did me proud."
Owen nodded his head slightly as he pulled on his jacket. He walked towards Gwen who was stood waiting for him. She held out her hand and smiled as he took it.
"He's done us all proud." She said.
Owen rolled his eyes as Jack smiled and watched them go.
Gwen giggled as she tried to let them into her flat. Owen's hands and lips had already attached themselves to her making it difficult for her to put the key in the lock. She turned in his arms, once she'd managed to get the door open, and clamped her lips over his. They fumbled their way over to the sofa, losing jackets, shoes and Owen's shirt along the way. Gwen pushed him down onto the sofa and straddled his lap. She pressed herself into him as his arms wrapped around her and his tongue trailed over her lip. They pulled away as he slipped her t-shirt over her head.
"Call me Doctor Harper again." He whispered as she started to trail kisses down his neck. "I love the way you say it."
Gwen pulled away and stood up, grinning mischievously. He frowned as she started to walk out of the room.
"Calling Doctor Harper to the bedroom." She called over her shoulder.
Owen was on his feet in seconds and he ran to the bedroom, scooping her up on the way.
Later, Gwen watched Owen sleeping, her hand over his beating heart. A few days ago, she'd thought she'd lost Owen for good but here he was, his warm body by her side. She'd never felt so happy in all her life and she thanked whatever gods were smiling down on her.
As she lay herself down beside him, he rolled towards her and wrapped his arms around her. Burying her face in his chest, she drifted off into a deep sleep.
A/N: I'm afraid that's the end of this one. I tried to make it as long as I could but I have no idea where to take this now. I have two more ideas I'm going to write that I've been thinking about for a while now so hopefully they'll be longer.