We're back in Cardiff ...
Torchwood Goes Forth
Chapter Five
"Jack, you said you'd come across something like this before. What was that all about?" prompted Gwen. The others had fallen silent after Lois' innocent-seeming question. The 456 had terrorised and frightened Earth's inhabitants, could this signal herald something as bad? Or worse?
"I was on Raxacoricofallapatorius at the time, the Slitheen homeworld. They were using a ring of emitters to create a sonic barrier around their nurseries. As the terrain is atrocious this was the only way they could synchronise the sonics." He looked round at the team and smiled. "Entirely peaceful and this could be too so don't get uptight about it. Everything out there is not trying to kill you." He was pleased when they relaxed; no point having them spooked at this stage. "First things first, let's trace the source of this signal and that should tell us who's sending it and why."
"Could it be natural?" asked Alonso, intrigued by the puzzle. He had the nagging feeling that he'd also seen something similar but couldn't think where.
"That's possible," replied Kevin, "there are a number of phenomena that could have caused it though the Captain says they're not very likely. I've been going through them and eliminated half already."
"That's good," encouraged Gwen. "How do we trace it?"
"Triangulation, ma'am. We take readings from different locations and where they intersect is the source."
"It's coming from a fair distance, that's why we're picking up so much static," put in Jack. "Any ideas, Kevin?"
"Probably North America. Jean-Paul isn't receiving it."
Gwen knew that it had been too good to last, that Kevin would lapse back into obscure technobabble or isolated statements that made no sense whatsoever. She bit back a sigh and asked the obvious question. "Who's Jean-Paul?"
"Oh, he works for DPSD just outside Marseilles. If he's not receiving, it has to be coming to us from the west."
"It was a good idea to get confirmation, Kevin," said Gwen calmly, "but next time check with me or Selwyn before you do. Okay?" He nodded, not understanding why but happy to go along with the instruction.
"Are we keeping this to ourselves?" asked Selwyn. His role within Torchwood was to liaise with the other agencies around the world as well as monitor the UK Government's activities. All information was supposed to be shared equally and while he had been a diplomat long enough to know that this didn't always happen, he still preferred to be open.
After a quick glance at Jack, Gwen said, "We don't know what this is, frankly, so why make ourselves look stupid by alarming everyone for what may be nothing. For now, we'll just ask the relevant countries if they picked up the signal. Who should we approach?"
The discussion continued for ten minutes at the end of which they'd agreed to contact Canada, the USA and Mexico. All three countries had been helpful in the past and could be relied upon to be discreet. Selwyn went off to draft suitable requests – to be checked by Gwen – which would be sent immediately in view of the time difference with the UK; replies should be in by morning. Lois was given the task of checking the archives, those records that had survived on the servers, for anything similar and Kevin continued to eliminate natural causes of the signal. With nothing else to do, Alonso drifted back to his workstation to work on the megaheim-counter which would scan the atmosphere for traces of crestinoni.
Jack stood to one side with Gwen, the two of them still a bit wary around one another after their disagreement. But they knew one another too well, and had been through too much together, to bear grudges and neither was prone to sulking.
"Soon as we get the emails off, I'm heading home." It was gone six now and she wanted some time with her family. "Want to come and meet Rhys and Daniel?" He did not reply so she went on, "You don't have to but Rhys would like to see you again. And he reminded me, over lunch, there were a couple of things came out of the Hub that we thought might be yours. I took them home for safe keeping."
"It's Alonso's first day on Earth, I'm not sure I should leave him," replied Jack eventually. He wasn't sure how he'd react to Gwen's happy home life and Rhys had never been the most tactful of men; Jack didn't need recriminations about his time away.
"Bring him with you."
"I don't know, Gwen."
"Well, you know where we are if you want to come round." Her address had been among the others given to him with the codes and swipe cards. She was hurt but not surprised he did not jump at the invitation: Jack did not like domesticity. "I'd better go and check on Selwyn."
A little before seven o'clock, the Torchwood team were all on their way home. Jack and Alonso stopped at a supermarket for some essentials. The latter was delighted with yet another new experience and his chatter and enthusiasm amused Jack enough to allow him to forget his unease at being back on Earth and specifically in Cardiff. At the apartment, they heated up pizzas and sat eating them in front of the television, another of Earth's novelties that Alonso enjoyed. It reminded Jack of other times but these he relegated to the back of his mind and concentrated on answering his companion's many questions.
Over an hour later and in another part of Penarth, Rhys was washing up the dinner things as Gwen sat with Daniel on the old sofa they'd squeezed into a corner of the kitchen/diner. The baby was gurgling as Gwen played with his toes and made baby talk. Rhys watched the two of them and a great wave of love washed over him; these were the two most important people in his life and he loved them so very much. Even the interference of his and Gwen's mothers – who now had Daniel's upbringing to disagree about – could not tarnish his love for his family. But now Jack was back and Gwen had stayed at work later than at any time since Daniel had been born. Rhys had not said anything to Gwen but he was determined that their family life and her safety were going to be her first priority regardless of what Jack Harkness might want. He'd tell the man so if necessary.
"God, this one is so gorgeous," said Gwen, looking across at her husband. "How did we ever make something this wonderful?"
"I'll show you." He was across the room and kissing her, hands at her breasts, when the front door bell rang. "Who the hell's that?" he demanded.
"Only one way to find out," she said with a smile, kissing him lightly before pushing him on his way. "Probably your bloody mother again!" Brenda had taken to popping in at odd times with something for the baby; at least Gwen's own mother was in Swansea and didn't arrive unannounced. The baby grizzled at being ignored and she picked him up, cuddling him to her. "Shhh, sweetheart, Mummy's here."
Opening the front door, Rhys was not surprised to see the familiar figure of Jack Harkness and yet he was still taken aback. The man had visited their old place no more than half a dozen times in over three years and yet here he was on his first day back on Earth. The two men stared at one another for a moment or two, long enough for Rhys to see the sadness was still in Jack's eyes.
"Do I get to come in?" asked Jack with a smile. He had decided to come now and alone – Alonso was happy watching television and would start playing with the bath taps if he got bored – to get over any awkwardness at meeting Rhys again.
"'Course, come on in, Jack. It's good to see you, mate." Rhys stepped back and ushered him in, taking his greatcoat and hanging it up. They had never been friends, Gwen would always come between them, but they respected one another. "Gwen," he called, leading the way to the kitchen, "it's Jack."
Walking into the room Jack was struck by the domesticity. Gwen and Rhys had only lived here six months but the house was already a home with photographs on the walls and a comfortable untidiness about the place. Ironing was piled on a worktop and baby paraphernalia littered most of the other surfaces. He noted the way Rhys went to Gwen's side, sitting on the arm of the sofa and putting a proprietorial hand on her shoulder. Does the man really think I'm interested in her? thought Jack. Or that I'd be able to wrest her away if I was? The absurdity of it made him relax as nothing else could.
"Jack, this is Daniel." Gwen stood up and held the baby so Jack could see him. "Wanna hold him?"
"Yes." Surprisingly this was true.
Once assured Jack had a firm hold of Daniel, Gwen relaxed and watched him with interest. He had obviously done this before and she wondered again how many families he had had in his long life, how many babies he had held. There had been Alice, of course. He must have nursed her in the same way he was Daniel. And presumably Steven. But were there others he had loved and lost? She shivered at the thought of losing her own family and leant back against Rhys, pulling his arm round her.
"He likes you," said Rhys. "He normally kicks up a stink when someone new holds him. Screams the bloody house down, he does."
"He does not!" protested Gwen. "My son doesn't scream."
"Oh no! Suppose he's mine then." Rhys grinned, used to the argument. "How about a drink, Jack? We've got beer or wine. Or there's coffee."
"Beer, please."
"Let's go in the other room. Not that's it much tidier than in here," said Gwen, leading the way. "Never seem to get a chance to clear up." She kept an eye on Daniel but he lay contentedly in Jack's arms looking up at him and Jack was handling him like a pro. "Sit yourself down."
"Thanks." Jack settled in a chair, resting the baby on his crossed legs so Daniel was facing him. He looked from the baby to Gwen, who was sitting on the couch opposite, and back again a few times. "He takes after you."
"That's what my mam says." She grimaced. "But Brenda doesn't agree."
"She wouldn't." Jack grinned at the memory of Rhys' mother who he had accused of being a Nostrovite. "Expect they've got plenty of advice for you."
"Tons! Oh thanks, love." She took the glass of wine from Rhys who put a bottle of beer on the table beside Jack and sat by Gwen. "What have you done with Alonso?"
"Left him watching Desperate Housewives. He's fascinated." Jack rolled his eyes, never having had time for soaps or much else in the way of television. He expertly put the baby in the crook of his arm and reached for the beer. "Cheers."
"Cheers, mate." Rhys was dying to ask more about Alonso having heard only the basics from Gwen but she had jabbed him in the ribs, her signal he was to say nothing. He tried to think of something else to say but what do you ask someone who's been travelling among the stars. He'd really liked to have asked about that but he was sure it would only earn him another jab in the ribs so stayed quiet.
"You still at Harwoods?" asked Jack, breaking the silence.
"Yeah. It's good. No more space whales, thank God!"
They continued to make conversation. It was a bit stilted but Rhys got started on the long-winded tale of how they had found, bought and moved into the house which covered any awkwardness. Jack kept hold of the baby, drinking in the smell that reminded him of the many others he had held but not of any particular one; he was grateful that Steven had been fair right from the start while Daniel was dark. Gwen told him of their plans for the baptism and invited him to attend while not expecting him to accept.
"Baptism? You got religion, Gwen?" he teased.
"We go most weeks." She was defensive. "Lot of people do now."
"Even Banana! He's in the bloody choir," chortled Rhys.
"I'll go and get those bits we found, before I forget," said Gwen and left the room. She still felt uncomfortable when talking about her decision to attend church but like the majority of the UK she had been drawn to it after the 456. She wasn't a true believer, or at least didn't think she was, but it gave her comfort. The Church had adapted to meet the needs of younger people like her and Rhys and they enjoyed attending the lively services.
Downstairs the conversation had dried up. Rhys sipped his beer and eventually said, "So."
"So," echoed Jack, amused at how ill-at-ease Rhys was even in his own home. "Enjoying fatherhood?"
"It's the best, Jack." Rhys was relieved to have a subject on which he could talk forever. "I love it. Love him. I just hope I can be the father he deserves 'cos he is the best thing that's ever happened to me. After meeting Gwen, of course." He grinned.
"Enjoy every minute, Rhys."
"I intend to. I am!" He sobered a little. "Never told Gwen but, well, it frightens me a bit. I just hope I don't muck it up."
"You won't. Gwen won't let you!"
"Won't let him do what? What have you been saying, Rhys Williams?" Gwen had returned to hear Jack's last comment. "I don't stop you doing anything."
"You're the best wife a man could have," agreed Rhys diplomatically and sharing a look of complete understanding with Jack.
"Just remember that," she scolded. "These are what we found, Jack. They were in the last sweep of the place before it was sealed and I think they came from the office, or maybe your old quarters, that's why we thought they were yours." Gwen held out a bag containing a battered tin box which had been welded shut by the heat of the explosion, two metal discs about the size of saucers and a leather bound book. "Shall I take him?" She reached for her son, anxious to hold him again.
"Sure." He let Daniel go and watched as she possessively checked to make sure he was okay; she was an excellent mother, caring but not over-protective. He looked into the bag and froze, his heart stopping for a moment.
On the sofa, Gwen and Rhys were too busy cooing over Daniel to notice immediately and it was only when Rhys looked up that he saw Jack's stricken face. "Jack, mate, you okay?"
"Jack?" queried Gwen, also looking over at her former boss. "What is it?" She hastily gave the baby to Rhys and moved to Jack's side, kneeling beside him, a hand on his arm. "Tell me."
Jack remained silent, reaching into the bag and withdrawing the book. There were stains on the cover and the spine was broken and scorched but it was unmistakable. He stroked it reverently and opened it slowly with an intake of breath when he saw the inscription on the inside cover. Gwen leaned over and read the words.
"Oh my God, I had no idea." The words swam in front of her suddenly tear-filled eyes: 'This is the diary of Ianto Jones. Read no further.' In a different coloured ink and obviously added later was 'This means you, Jack.' She ran a hand over Jack's arm.
Jack closed the cover and rested a hand on the book. So many memories were associated with this diary: reading it when Ianto had not known; looking over his shoulder as he wrote in it; the events recorded in it. It was the only tangible link he had with the man and yet Jack was unsure if he could ever bring himself to look in it again. He was aware of Gwen beside him and Rhys looking on anxiously as he juggled a suddenly fractious baby.
"Thanks for this," Jack managed eventually, his voice breaking. "And these." He gestured to the box which he recognised as containing photographs of him from the twentieth century and including one or two of Alice and Steven. He hoped they were undamaged. The discs were not important, some trinkets he had picked up when travelling with The Doctor. He carefully put them all back in the bag and reached for his beer, his hand shaking slightly.
"I never opened it," said Gwen, moving to rejoin Rhys and snuggling under his arm. "We found it just after Daniel was born and that was such a hectic time. I'm glad now. It would have been … wrong." She let Daniel suck on her little finger which quietened him.
"I'll keep it safe." Jack finished his beer and stood up. "I'd better get going. I'll see myself out." With that he was out of the room and the front door shut a few moments later.
"What was that about?" demanded Rhys. Gwen told him.
Jack drove fast through the streets of Cardiff. He had not realised where he was headed until he arrived. The place was closed so he parked as close as he could and scaled the gates, dropping down on the other side. He strode along the wide path and then veered off across the grass. The headstone was new since he had been here last and he stood and stared at it as memories and regrets assailed him.
Poor Jack, so many memories.
