Three days passed before John emerged from the TARDIS. During those three days, little else changed as everyone worked to restore the rift and collect the artifacts that were coming through. Jack was thankful for all the help that Mickey, Donna, Martha, and Rose provided and wanted to keep all of them onboard to continue to help. The problem was Rose. Despite her ability to help and everyone insisting that she was doing a wonderful job, Jack knew better. He could tell they weren't lying about her work ethic as she did just as much work as the others but he saw the tension in the room when she was around. The laughter died down and conversations stopped. He noticed both Martha and the Doctor did their best to avoid working directly with her, even if it was subtle as Martha kept to the autopsy room and the Doctor the vault. He was going to have to address it eventually, but for now, he kept a silent eye on them hoping they would work it out.
"Feeling better?" Jack questioned as John stepped out into his office. John's eyes were brighter than before and he looked well rested. His dark red shirt was clean and he was still wearing the black jeans only he had changed to black trainers rather than the converse that the Doctor favored or the black boots that he had favored in his previous body.
"I think so. Sorry, I was gone so long but I have thought about your offer and would like to continue working here if that is still alright," John advised him as he took a seat in the chair across from Jack.
"Fine. The Doctor explained that it could take a few days for you to adjust. He also said that the process would be quicker if you could have used the zero room but he just hasn't found the time to clean it," Jack explained. John laughed.
"I don't think the zero room would have helped me much, even if it was clean. I needed to figure out who I was now," John answered him.
"And have you?" Jack questioned. John shook his head no.
"No. This body is half human and therefore different than any I have possessed before. I once told people that I was half-human on my mother's side but I never imagined it would be like this. Though I still have my Time Lord hearing, but I can't feel the world turning beneath my feet. I can still see time twisting and molding. I also see your uniqueness. The way time bounces off of you in a way that offends my Time Lord senses but the Doctor has come to find comforting and beautiful in its own way," John informed him. Jack smiled at that comment and John smiled back as he continued. "I still need to figure out who I am, but hiding in the TARDIS won't help me."
"If there is anything I can do, just let me know," Jack offered.
"I will," John agreed starting to stand.
"Also, if you ever need to talk to someone, I'm here or if you would feel more comfortable talking to someone trained to help people, I have a list of people who are willing to help and I am sure Martha does too," Jack informed him. John laughed loudly, his whole face lighting up.
"I'm not the Doctor, Jack. You don't have to be afraid to say the word psychiatrist to me." Jack nodded turning back to his computer. Taking advantage of the silence, John hurried out of Jack's office and into the main hub. He paused at the top of the stairs as he looked at the group of people gathered in the hub. They were all working and no one took notice of him at the top of the stairs. That was alright by him, though. He walked slowly down the stairs, turning towards the direction of the archives. He went down the stairs, pausing in the doorway.
The Doctor was standing with Ianto near the vault door. Their lips were pressed together in a soft kiss, neither one of them taking charge. It was more than a friendly kiss but less passionate than the ones he knew that the Doctor wanted to share with Jack. John cleared his throat and they broke apart quickly. Both their faces were bright red but John pretended not to notice as he came further into the room.
"I've come to offer my help with the artifacts," John informed them.
"I would ask if you are planning on breaking anymore but the Doctor has already broken several as well," Ianto told him.
"I told you why I broke them," The Doctor responded indignantly.
"Because it was easier than identifying it," John teased him.
"It was a tracking device," The Doctor declared.
"But we can't prove that since you broke it. It could have just been a piece of silverware or a child's toy," Ianto laughed. The Doctor glared at him making a humphing noise and Ianto laughed. He kissed the Doctor on the side of the head, but with John there, the Doctor pulled away without returning the gesture.
"Where should I start?" John questioned. Ianto pointed at a small group of artifacts that were sitting on the desk.
"Those are ones that we have yet to identify," Ianto answered. Both Jack and the Doctor had already looked at the artifacts, so Ianto didn't have much hope that John would be able to identify it either. John walked over picking one of them up off the desk. Out of habit, he reached for his sonic only to remember that he didn't have one.
"Here," the Doctor said as he reached into his own pocket and pulled his out. John took it from him, as he did he noticed there was something different about the weight of the sonic. He looked down to see that it wasn't the Doctor's usual sonic but a new one. This one was longer with four prongs holding in a green jewel. John looked at him questioningly. "The TARDIS thought you might need it."
"Thank you," John exclaimed. He tested it, seeing that the sonic grew longer when he flicked it with all four prongs opening wide. He flipped it in his hand, catching it. At least it was still weighted correctly. Setting to work, he scanned the first artifact.
"I'm going to check on Conner and then see if Jack needs anything," the Doctor told John as he headed towards the door.
"I'll come with you," Ianto spoke up immediately. John smiled as he heard them hurrying out the door and up the stairs. Knowing that he wouldn't see any of them for awhile, he concentrated on identifying the artifacts.
