Title: A Happy Accident
Author: Shen
Rating: PG

Characters: Ten/Jack/Rose, Martha, OC
Summary: What if, instead of Jack flinging the TARDIS to the end of this universe in Utopia, the ship had jumped universes instead? Originally written for the OT3 ficathon.

Chapter Four: It's Complicated

Martha imagined the next part of her day would involve being in some gigantic conference room, or at a hearing, or perhaps even in an interrogation suite. The way this Torchwood's been described to her, it seems like a giant federal/paramilitary agency that would have them all signing affidavits in front of multiple officials and submitting to "preliminary questioning." However, contrary to those assumptions, they just get signed in by Rose and Jefferson, then hop an elevator to the top floor of the skyscraper. There is a large but relatively cozy office inhabited by a balding man with close-cropped hair and a certain resemblance to Rose. Confirming her suspicions is a photo on the desk featuring the man himself, a woman of about his same age, and Rose.

Well, isn't that just... swell.

"Pete, I'm back," Rose greets.

"Rose, Green, good; that was quicker than I'd hoped. And Doctor, nice to see you again."

"Pete! Peter-pickety-pete, look at you in your penthouse office. And you've had time to put on a bit of paunch without Cybermen chasing you around, eh?" The man called Pete makes a good-natured half-grimace as he shakes the Doctor's hand.

"Well, some of us don't age as well as Time Lords." Martha senses more than sees Rose's eye roll.

"Doctor."

"It suits you!" the Doctor continues heedlessly. "Very 'distinguished executive.'"

Just as heedlessly, Pete asks, "And who might you two be?" Introductions occur, during which she tries not to sound too dejected, and they run through a quick explanation of what's gone on. She mostly tunes it out, gazing without interest at the patterns on the carpet and the knick knacks on the desk.

"I thought you said it was impossible to get back here." But as this new bit of information drifts into her ears, Martha tries to pay a little more attention.

"I did, and I really thought it was. Apparently my ship just needed proper motivation." Jack shoots a glare at the Doctor, who gulps before continuing, "Er, either that or the walls between our worlds are weakening again. "

"Weakening again?" Martha asks, suddenly alarmed out of her funk. Shouldn't things like, "Our Universe Melting Into Neighboring One" have been in newspaper headlines somewhere? For not the first time, she internally laments that the media is such crap at telling everyone what's really going on when it's not cut-and-dry Earth science. And Rose hadn't gone into any of that, just explained that this was a parallel world and gave a description of its Torchwood. Jack looks at the wide-eyed Martha and nods.

"That was what Canary Wharf and the 'Ghost Shifts' were all about. Thinning fabric between our worlds, caused or at least exacerbated by Cybermen trying to pull a fast one on us." He looks chagrined as he continues, "Not that anyone was willing to listen to me when I told them the Shifts weren't to be trusted. Still, even I didn't imagine what they really were until it was too late."

Rose suddenly blurts, "You were around during the Ghost Shifts?! Why didn't you contact us! My mum would have called me if you went to her." Jack grimaces.

"It's... complicated."

The Doctor finishes, "The point is, despite this brilliant side-effect of us being able to see Rose again universal barriers thinning against the Void can't be good, if it's the case." Martha sardonically reflects on how bleeding brilliant everyone seems to be feeling, especially her. As she does, Pete sighs and looks down for a moment.

"Before we plan further, tell me, how long do you plan to stay here?"

The Doctor says, "Mmm, not sure. Your prize agent here wouldn't let me look over my TARDIS-" he pauses to endure an elbow to the ribs. Despite herself, Martha almost snorts before remembering how irritated she is at this entire turn of events. "-to see how injured she is. But you all need to know that it can't be long; we've ripped a whole in the universe. It needs to be sealed and not reopened for a few millennia at least. The longer I let it sit open, the closer it becomes to a serious problem. It could even result in a permanent hole that behaves similarly to the Rift in our Cardiff, with any number of bits and bobs falling through space, time, and the Void to greet you at your front door."

"Wait," Jack interjects angrily, whirling to stand in front of the Doctor, "you knew about me and the Rift? And you never came? Not even to help?" The hurt in is eyes is evident even to a stranger like Martha. Good lord, the dirty laundry in this group of people! For the first time, she begins to think that perhaps it's for the best the Doctor never showed any consistent romantic interest in her. Maybe.

Confronted, the Doctor draws himself up taller and goes, "I knew you were watching over it, didn't I?" Jack growls at the "compliment."

"Wait, what's this about Cardiff?" Rose asks, somewhat alarmed. Jack's handsome, easy-smiling face now holds a severe countenance.

"We'll talk about it later."

For the first time, with some steel in her voice, "You'd better believe it."

After a loaded silence and much glaring, Pete clears his throat.

"Well, why don't you all go to the TARDIS now. Report back when you know about your ship and the state of the universe's walls. And... take your time. I have to make a report to the government and the media. And then, Rose... I'll go tell your mother what's going on. So you can go with them, but you'd best be back later tonight." Rose raises an eyebrow.

"Is that an order?" she asks mildly.

"That's a stepfather's plea, love."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Jefferson kindly drives them all back to the TARDIS, and this time the whole car is uncomfortably quiet. The Doctor broods.

He's still happy, in his hearts of hearts. Surpassing every rational expectation, he's found Rose, held her again. He was even surprised at how delighted he was to see and hold Jack again, considering his… affliction. The holding part felt especially nice, when all he could have thought to expect was a punch in his already slightly crooked nose. Not that he minds the crookedness. He rather thinks it gives him character.

And yet, there's about to be a reckoning. One in which an uncomfortable amount of blame rests squarely on his shoulders. Abandonment, lying, and persistent neglect after he realized Jack was in Cardiff. Despite Jack's initial clemency, he could still decide he never wanted contact with him again.

There's also the state of the multiverse to worry about. Oh, he knows there isn't anything pressing, no universal implosions. The TARDIS wouldn't have let him waltz out without so much as a klaxon if that wasn't the case. However, this lull won't last forever, meaning Rose is going to have to choose whether to come with him or not, soon and permanently.

Selfishly, he's still glad to have kissed her one last time regardless. But he shudders to think that he's given her every reason to never want to see him again. Though, maybe it's not entirely selfish. If she stays in this universe now, at least she'll know that she's only missing out on a coward and a liar.

His melancholy is thick enough that arriving at the park in which the TARDIS rests is a surprise.