Chapter 49

"Right then!" The Doctor exclaimed looking at Coas and Jack. "Now that we've gotten that taken care of, we can drop you off at home, Coas, and then we can go back to Earth."

"No." Jack's voice was flat. "I'm not going back there. I'd appreciate a ride off Paxtia but that's it."

"Don't be ridiculous, Jack. They need you there." The Doctor's being exuded exasperation. "Besides, what could you possibly be doing out here that is important?"

"That's the thing, Doctor." Jack's face was impassive. "I don't want to be doing anything important. I like not haing that kind of responsibility. And besides, Earth doesn't need me. There is nothing there for me to go back to."

Coas sensed that this conversation had little to do with him and decided to make himself scarce. "I'll go make more of that beverage you like." Neither man noticed him as Coas hurried off to the kitchen.

"Jack, you don't understand. Torchwood doesn't rebuild without you and Earth needs Torchwood. The universe needs Earth. Things have gone all wrong in your absence."

"I don't care. I lost everything I cared about. Even if I wanted to help, that planet is like a cemetary and I'll lose my mind if I have to go back." Jack's eyes turned pleading. "Please, just let me go."

"I can't do that Jack. And you're wrong. Not everything was lost. Ianto Jones survived." In retrospect, the Doctor realized that a bit more tact would have been useful in revealing this information. As it was, Jack's calm evaporated.

"Don't. Don't do that. You may not be the kindest man but I've not known you to be needlessly cruel." Jack's eyes were icy cold.

"I'm telling the truth. We saved him."

"Is it that important to you? That I go back to Earth? That you'll haunt me with one of my greatest regrets, one of the things I've tried my hardest to forget and put behind me?"

"You'll never succeed and you know that." The Doctor's voice remained calm and level. "You love him. You need him. No matter how far or fast you run, that will never change."

"You think I haven't figured that out?" Jack's voice cracked. "It eats at me everyday. But it's easier to live with it here. I won't go back. And I will never forgive you for using him against me."

"I'm telling you the truth Jack. I promise."

"Why him? If you were going to claim to save anyone that I killed, why not Steven? Why Ianto?"

"Because Steven was meant to die." Jack flinched at this. "There was no other way to handle that situation. But Ianto wasn't meant to die. Ianto needed to survive. And so he did."

Jack's eyes were filled with tears and utter disbelief. "I saw him die. I can't believe you would stoop this low just to get your way. I'm leaving. Don't bother following me."

Jack turned to exit the TARDIS. He opened the doors and found a dark skinned girl on the other side, her key in the lock. "Lois Habiba?"

"Long story. It's actually Nehti. Hari Nehti. If you wouldn't mind?" She gestured for him to move out of the way so that she could enter the ship. Once she was inside, she looked between him and the Doctor. "Well, what have I missed? It's utter chaos out there, people are rioting on the streets. If you could call something that peaceful a riot, that is."

"I was just leaving." Jack refused to look at either of them.

"Where's Ianto?" The Doctor looked wary.

"He was kidnapped by some guards. I was knocked unconscious so I don't know what happened to him. It was strange."

"Wait, you're in on this, too?" Jack looked incredulous.

"What do you mean?" Nehti glanced at him in confusion.

"He's trying to convince me to return to Earth by telling me that Ianto didn't die." Jack's mouth twisted bitterly.

"It's true. He's been traveling with us for months looking for you. We were looking together in the other city for you when he was abducted by the guards that were keeping a perimeter on the city. I got here as soon as I could." Nehti looked nervously at the Doctor. "I'm sorry. I tried to stop them but we were outnumbered."

"It's okay," the Doctor soothed, keeping an eye on Jack, who looked like he was about to collapse from shock.

"You're telling the truth? He's really alive? And here?"

"Yes, Jack." The Doctor locked a steady gaze on his pallid face. "We saved him. We meant to return him to you but you left before we were able. And as soon as we find out what happened to him, he'll be here again.