Forever Constant

Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Torchwood.

Chapter 9: 1925

She was watching, as she so often did. She watched as tents and stages were erected, as contortionists, acrobats, and strongmen warmed up. And through all the bustle of a traveling show preparing for its next performance, she watched for the Captain.

She knew he was here. She'd not have come if he weren't. Why he was here was her question and for once her curiosity had urged her to come and find out – the alternative being to wait until she next saw him and ask then.

"If you'd just explain how it works - !"

"I've told you, it wouldn't be any help to you or anyone else if I did!"

Smiling, she turned in the direction of the angry voices, one of which belonged to the very man she had come to find.

"Jack, your act is the most popular in the show!" the second arguer exclaimed.

"Yeah, and if everyone knew how it worked, that would only make it less popular," was the reply. "Leave well enough alone, will you?" The man who she took to be the manager of the show evidently had no answer to this - he stormed off and the Captain shook his head at the retreating figure.

She was standing behind him, out of his sight, but when he spoke again, she had no doubt he was talking to her. "I'm performing here as the man who can't die."

"Fitting," she said, and he glanced at her as she approached.

He shrugged. "Sure. But they want to know how I do it." He gave a short, slightly derisive laugh. "What am I supposed to say to that?"

She had thought his answer had been a perfectly good one, though it had obviously not pleased the manager. Presumably, he liked to know what was going on in his show – and a trick that wasn't really a trick didn't fit the bill. "If you don't tell them, what are they going to do? Kill you?"

This time his laugh was more natural. "Good point." After a pause, he asked. "You don't really strike me as the type to enjoy this sort of thing. Why are you here?"

"I am here to ask you that very question." Having stated her purpose, she didn't bother actually asking the question, instead looking at the performers around them as he was deciding what to say. She could sense his indecision.

Finally, he answered. "I'm on assignment."

"Torchwood?"

"Mm. I went back after the war. Couldn't resist. It's not a bad organization, really," he went on quickly. "They have the same ultimate goals as the Doctor does, they just don't understand that." He sounded like he was more trying to convince himself than her.

She closed her eyes, thinking back over the years. "He will understand," she murmured after a few seconds. Eyes open again, she look up at him. "I saw it. In the cards. He will understand."

"Really?"

He relaxed as she nodded. It had been one of the many things that hadn't made sense when she first saw it, but now she knew what it meant.

"Jack!" The manager was coming back. "What are you still doing out here? You should be getting ready – go! Go, go, go!" He yelled.

Sighing, the Captain started to leave, but then stopped and turned back to her. "I'll see you again."

It wasn't a question. It had never been a question, in her mind. Still, she was glad to hear him say it, to know that he understood this. "Of course," she said.

The manager looked about ready to explode, so that was when she decided to take her leave.

As she walked away, however, she was content in her firm, unyielding, and unchanging knowledge: he would always be there.

A/N: Thanks to Torchwood Cardiff for reviewing last chapter!

Fun Fact: This is the first chapter of this story that calls Jack by name. I think it's also the first chapter that has dialogue from a character not Jack or the girl.

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