Chapter twenty-five: Goreki

The car stopping awoke Jackie; she opened her eyes, barely aware of anything through the pain. She glanced up and recognized where she was, Hedley Point, her grandfather had taken her here once before he died. They were quite a drive away from Torchwood now. The sun was shining, so several hours must have passed. Suzie came around the car and pulled her out of the seat. Jackie blinked as the bright light hurting her eyes for a moment, increasing her headache. Suzie tried to speak, but couldn't, her voice came out as a strangled whisper. "What's happening?"

Jackie mumbled in a slurred voice as Suzie pulled her along the boardwalk. "I've… got…your voice." Jackie couldn't hear Suzie anymore; she vaguely registered hearing a screeching car behind her. "Jack."

That was the last thing she said before dropping to the ground unconscious, her will completely drained from her. She closed her eyes and let her whole body relax.

She didn't mind this. It felt nice. Calm, peaceful and no more pain. She saw herself, lying on the ground as she stood beside her own body. Jack, Gwen and Owen were running towards them. Owen went for her body and Jack went for Suzie. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but she could see from both of their expressions that what was going on wasn't good.

A soft hand on her shoulder caused her to turn around. It was her grandfather, young and healthy again, not all eaten up from the cancer as she'd last seen him. He smiled at her as he gave her a hug. "Hello Jackie." She returned the hug. "My, you've been a good girl, strong, and I'm glad to see you've kept the faith."

She exhaled. "It hasn't been easy."

"Well, it paid off."

She turned back towards the scene, just as Jack shot Suzie. She stared at the whole thing playing off in front of her. Gwen was crying, pleading to God and Jack not to let her die. "What's happening here, if I'm dead?"

"You're being given a decision." He informed her. "Do you wish to come with me and move forward in the final leg of your journey of life? Or, do you wish to stay on earth?"

She frowned. "But, I thought I was dead."

"You're almost dead. If Jack doesn't remember to have Tosh and Ianto destroy the glove quickly, you will die. If you chose to stay on earth, I can always give his memory a prod in time so you can live."

"I probably don't have much time to decide this do I?"

Her grandfather shook her head. "A few minutes. Either way you chose, God will satisfied from your decision, He wants you to chose which decision will make you happy."

"That's very good and generous of Him." Jackie hesitated. "Am I allowed to know what will happen if I chose to stay here?"

"If you wish, but you will not remember the future when you return to earth. Not much will be revealed to you, but glimpses of what you could have."

Jackie saw a brightness flash before her eyes then colorful images form in the brightness. She saw herself in a wedding dress. Then, her stomach swelling with a child growing in her. She held twins babies in her arms. The man she'd married, his face was obscured from her. All too soon, the visions ended.

"This is what you could have on earth." Her grandfather said. "If you want."

She smiled as tears filled her eyes. "I want to return to earth." She turned towards her grandfather. "Will I remember this, meeting you?"

"Not much I'm afraid." He smiled and brought his hand up. "Go now."

A huge, sharp, pain exploded all over Jackie, burning her body for a moment. She let out gaps and screamed as life filled her. "Jack!" For a moment, she thought she might have kept Suzie's voice, but an attempt to speak again told her that she was mute again. The connection now broke; her voice had gone with Suzie. She inhaled deeply and gasped in shock as she looked around the bay. She saw Suzie, lying on the ground, blood pouring from her body.

She groaned and turned aside as she got sick. Owen helped her into a better position so she wouldn't choke on her own vomit. Gwen kept an arm around her waist as she sobbed. "Oh dear God! God! You're alive!"

Jackie let out a groan as she grabbed onto to Gwen as tight as possible. Fear and panic temporarily overwhelmed her. Is she dead?

"Yes! Jack had to kill her or you were going to die!" Jackie turned towards Jack, he stood there, over Suzie's body, but he was looking at streamed down her cheeks, she was glad to be back, but sorry that it had cost Suzie another death to prickle Jack's conscience. The sound of sirens caused her to jump slightly in disorientation. "Thank God," Gwen sniffled loudly. "You're going to the hospital." Owen lifted her up and began moving towards the sirens. "Do you want me to call mom or dad?"

She shook her head. And tell them what? I almost died from an alien glove sucking the life out of me?

The next morning,

Jackie and Gwen walked arm and arm into the Torchwood base. Jackie's body was still somewhat drained of energy, but she was getting stronger with each passing hour. They came into the main room and Jackie saw a bouquet of flowers waiting for her, with a cup of Ianto's coffee next to it.

"Jackie!" Tosh said as she hurried towards her to give her a hug. "Oh, you had us worried yesterday."

I am so sorry. She promised as Tosh observed her. I promise never to disregard Jack's orders again after this.

"I should hope so." Ianto said as he stepped towards her to give her a hug around the shoulder. "Almost lost one of the most popular team members."

"You should sit down." Gwen said, nudging her towards the nearest chair. "She'll never admit it, but she is tired."

Jackie rolled her eyes. She thinks she's my mother. Everyone chuckled as she glanced around. Where's Jack?

"Oh, he's late." Ianto said. "It's a little unusual." He glanced at his stopwatch. "Twelve minutes and counting."

Is he very mad at me? Am I going to get fired?

"He better not fire you," Tosh proclaimed. "or I'm going to quit."

"Me too!" Gwen said.

"And, me three." Ianto added.

"And," Owen said. "I guess that'll include me. Things would be so boring around here without the Cooper sisters."

Jackie reached for the multi-colored bouquet of roses and inhaled deeply. Did Gwen mention my favorite flowers were roses?

"Actually, no I didn't." Gwen leaned on the edge of the table. "Who bought them?"

"Er, we all chipped in." Ianto said.

Jackie smiled at him. Bet it was your idea. Ianto shifted a little as her smile broadened. I thought so.

The sound of the door rolling back, caused everyone's heads turn towards the entrance as Jack came into the room. He paused upon entry and looked at her for a moment, without saying a word. The look, to her, spoke to her as if he couldn't believe that she was back here again and she wasn't going anywhere.

Jackie stood up and walked towards him. He stood there, crossing his arms across his chest. For a moment, neither spoke and Jackie wasn't sure what to say to him. She could sense that he was quietly demanding an explanation. The whole atmosphere seemed to grow tense with emotions that were begging to be expressed, but the words couldn't be found. Then, Jackie remembered that she'd promised to give Jack his answer today.

Realizing, as neither could say anything; she brought her hands up and signed the words that she'd been longing to tell someone for years. I love you too. Her heart swelled with that admission.

The moment her hands dropped, Jack grabbed a hold of her around the waist and kissed her. Jackie wrapped her arms around his shoulders as he lifted her up off the ground. His kiss was deep and intense, but not too passionate, as she was new to this sort of thing. She could feel all the pent up emotions explode in this kiss. Jackie held onto him tightly as he pulled her closer to him.

"Just a bloody minute Mr. Jack Harkness!" Gwen shouted, as they broke apart, startled by her voice. "That's my sister!"

Jackie flushed, as Jack didn't set her down, leaving her dangling in mid-air, still in his arms. They both inhaled, not willing to break eye contact for a few precious moments. Jack rested his head against hers before speaking to Gwen. "Jackie and I are officially entering into a relationship." She could virtually feel Gwen jump in shock; after all, the others were somewhat aware of something going on. "I suggest that you let her tell me what to do and what not to do to her." she swatted his cheek playfully making him laugh. "No need to worry, Jackie will keep me in check."

"What is this?" Gwen demanded in shock. "You're honestly interested in dating Jackie?" Jack nodded. "Why?"

"Because, I love her," Jack studied her expression closely. "do I need another reason besides that?" she shook her head. "I thought not."

"I think they make a great couple." Tosh said. "They work well together."

"And there's definitely chemistry there." Ianto added helpfully.

"And," Owen added. "Jack's been much easier to work with since she turned up."

"Hey!" Jack glowered at Owen.

She patted Jack on the shoulder. Let me down.

"Right. Sorry."

She shook her head as her feet touched the ground. No, you're not.

He laughed and wrapped an arm around her waist. "You're right, I'm not."

Jackie turned to Gwen, who still looked slightly concerned about the whole situation. Gwen, I'm also not your little sister any more. I hunt aliens, just like you and I am in charge of my own life. Not you.

"And she's stubborn," Jack adds. "So, I don't think you'll get her to change her mind so easily."

"I know!" Gwen said in exasperation. "I mean, come on Jack! You're obviously the first man to kiss her and have a romantic interest in her. This is a whole….good girl gone bad story unfolding right here without any warning for me!"

Sorry about that. Jackie shook her head. I know, you always envisioned the Jimmy Stewart type for me, not the Marlon Brando type.

Gwen folded her arms and asked. "And how long has this been going on?"

"Hey," Jack pointed out. "it's your fault. You pushed us in this direction."

The look on Gwen's face was priceless. "I did!?"

Jackie nodded along with Jack. "Yes, you had everyone play truth or dare when we went camping and when you revealed Jackie had never been kissed; I thought I'd even the playing field."

Except, it backfired on him and I gave him a dressing down.

"Yeah, took a while to get her to even look me in the eye again."

Gwen asked. "There's just one thing I need to know. What are you going to tell mom and dad?"

Jackie bit her lip and looked toward Jack as her mind reeled. I've no idea.

"Well," he kissed her on the forehead. "we can discuss that later, over dinner sometime." He stepped away from her. "I've got to go store Suzie and you, are to rest for the day. Don't do anything at all."

She rolled her eyes and headed straight for the kitchen. No matter what Jack said, as far as what she was going to do, as long as it didn't twist Torchwood regulations, she was going to be herself.