NG found it hard to concentrate at work that morning. His mind found all the events around him distracting and couldn't focus on his first love of linguistics to find meaning in Andie's cryptic words. He played the recording into the database and came up with nothing except part of the word link to an off dialect of a species that was more or less extinct. The only hit from any recorded source either verbal or written was the first part of the first word Le. It was a prefix used in many alien languages equivalent to the English prefix mis or wrongly. NG shook his head; it didn't fit, not when there was no meanings found for any of the other words. So he began to break down the words in the hopes of maybe getting other such hits in order to form a rough base for translation, then he hoped to polish it up by filling in the possible words that it could mean. He was more or less digging a hole for himself when discovering many parts of the words had double if not triple meanings in many different types of languages when Mark entered his thoughts.

"But it is a start," Mark said from the doorway, holding a bag of fast food burgers NG gathered from the smell.

"You better have a Coke with that. I'm dying for a sugar rush," he smiled as his Papa set up the food and handed him the cup.

"Coffee not enough or are you actually trying to sleep at night?" Mark smiled as he unwrapped his burger.

"Sleep with a house full of children and the oldest one is driving me crazy is an impossibility for the most part. He cleaned the bathroom in the guest room twice, brought in fresh flowers, bought a new bed set for the guest room and stocked us with all kinds of foods that the children and I will never eat. Now he is trying to burn down the house while he started cooking early this morning. I dropped the kids off at school, of course no easy task because they're afraid they will miss the Doctor. Andie and I came here. She said she needed to get away from her crazy Daddy." NG took a large helping of chips and shoved them into his mouth.

Mark figured out NG meant Jack for the oldest child. But NG had tried to cover something else up that Mark skimmed upon when he touched his son's mind. "So how long have you known?" Mark watched his son's eyes pop out of his head.

NG jumped at his at his Papa's words. This violation of his mind by Mark had his barriers up again.

He had let them lapse in order to follow Andie at her lesson with Darrin. Jack's great grandson had taken to tutoring her. Darrin loved the girl as he did all of NG and Jack's kids. So he volunteered to tutor her when Ianto and Tara went off to regular school, something that NG knew made Jack nervous. They weren't regular children. But Tara just wanted to fit in and over time she used her gifts less and less. That was fine and so was her current career choice of a fashion designer. NG could tell Jack wasn't thrilled, since a career in the public eye would make her visible to the world. Jack liked a low profile, especially for the kids. But he did admit that the girl had a good eye for color and her ideas showed talent even if her sense of fashion to both parents was debatable. But the girl could draw.

Jack smiled ear to ear when Ianto announced he wanted to be a Torchwood Scientist/ Agent. It made his Daddy proud to think that he would be working with his son some day. Even through Jack's excitement NG could read the worried apprehension in Jack's mind at times. He knew Jack was trying to accept it even if he did have the normal fears of a parent. The main fear of course was could he keep his son safe from the boogiemen the adult world of Rift investigation would bring about. NG told him that all Jack could do was train his son well, like John had done for him. NG pointed out that even the world without Torchwood's troubles could still be dangerous.

That didn't stop Jack's concern. NG guessed that it maybe hard for a parent to outlive a child to a normal mortal. But Jack would have to. He just wanted his children to live extremely long. So NG never stepped over Jack's feelings in this, like his Papa would have done with John by making him feel embarrassed about his feelings. He just wrapped his arms around Jack when he saw that stare into the future start and told him he loved him. Jack would come back to him and take NG in his arms. They would stay like that without words. It felt nice to just be and Jack was thankful for all he had, even if it was on a time limit.

NG moved his neck back and forth, making a cracking sound with each twist. "Not long." He saw Mark's face twist as he scrunched up his nose at NG's mental wall all of a sudden. "It is barely visible on a microscope image." He went for the hamburger next.

"I only went to read your mind because I could sense something about you. It was then I felt the child growing inside you. Are you okay with it?" He sipped his coke and took another munch on his burger.

NG shook his head yes before jotting down a possibility for the second word. "Yes I am, it's just not really at a good time. Jack and I just got done talking about having another one and bang, I'm knocked up again. With the Doctor coming, Andie's wonderful nightmares I keep having for her and now I can travel comfortably with my skills, it really isn't a great time. I suppose it will give me time to study the data before trying another trip. My travels are out of the question if I'm going to be pregnant for nine months. It will curb my curiosity. Papa, I'll let you in on a secret. I loved traveling through time and I would do it all the time if I could." He smiled at Mark. "Oh and don't tell Dad about the baby, I haven't even told Jack yet."

Mark smiled back. "Sure and all my worries are solved. I was going to suggest you take this whole thing slowly, learn as much as your can before you rush out the door. A nine month delay would mean you could be really ready for the next time."

"That is unless something needs my immediate attention. It also means I can work on a possibility for others to do it as well. I already started to set up some test parameters to judge possible candidates."

Mark frowned at his son. "But isn't this all because of the moonstones? Do you really think that there are others with moonstone energy here on Earth?" Mark didn't like where this was going.

"Of course not, I'm looking for brainwave patterns that may be able to handle moonstone energy in use with something similar to a Vortex Manipulator." He noted some random word similar to the last word Andie spoke before he looked at his Papa. Mark was ready to burst he was getting that angry with NG. "Papa, it is the only way to find a true candidate."

Mark yelled when he picked the table up and turned it over, crushing their lunch and damaging NG's laptop as well as ruining the some of the books he had taken off the shelves. "Those were priceless." NG spoke softly as he bent to collect the books before they were beyond repair. He glared at his Papa's reaction. Mark just was so unpredictable. He waited for the reason why Mark needed to toss their lunch onto the floor; acting very relaxed and not letting the angry vibe upset him.

"Your Dad mentioned your other twisted thought. Now you want to make a little army by trying to repeat what happen to you. Do you even know what you are saying any more? I for one won't allow it."

"Last thing I noticed, Papa, you didn't have a say here. You are an employee here where my authority comes from Jack. He happens to be the CEO still." He stood before moving to the small sink at the far end of the room to towel off the books.

Mark was right on his heels. "Jack is retired. Dan wouldn't allow it." Mark pushed himself in front of NG, making his son sidestep him. "And if you think I'm going to let you dose people with moonstone energy with the only sources being your daughter and you, you're sadly mistaken."

"I love this about you. You are always jumping to the wrong conclusion. This reaction comes from some inner guilt of yours. I would never willfully put another living person through what you did to me! You know exactly how I hate myself for what happened to Andie. But unlike you, I have learned to deal with this." He picked up the table placing what was still intact back up on it. NG spied his drink and picked it up. Thankfully by some modern miracle the cup held and the lid stayed in place. He took a deep sip from the straw before placing it on the table.

Mark frowned deeper as he began to help clean up his mess. "I think I have made a mess of things."

NG laughed, not a hurtful laugh but a genuine happy laugh. "You think?" He smiled bring one to Mark's ageless face.

"I'm sorry. I just feel on edge lately and I don't know why. Maybe I should ask Anna if there is such a thing as a male change of life."

NG laughed again. "So let me see, if this is your reaction from 'the change,' you have been going through it most of my life!" He ducked the rolled paper bag that was thrown at his head.

"Funny, you are like your Dad sometimes. You both have that same spark."

NG smiled at those words, full of pride.

When he had his Papa's trust back and it seemed that things had settled, NG approached the subject of the picture Mark had painted as Andy. "I saw that picture of Ramanh and myself in your mind from time to time when I was in your head rummaging around. And you know what Papa?" NG got some paper towels to wipe down the remainder of the books. "I have to see if Darrin can fix these." He fumbled with them, putting them on the table before he went back to the topic. "I didn't like how you put me at the center of your guilt. Ramanh and I aren't your creatures. We are your children and for once you have to stop making us the product of your nightmare and let us do what we must. If you can't agree, then please step out of the way."

Mark blinked, feeling very small all of the sudden. "You're right," he whispered. "I always believed it was my fault. I never meant for you to see that picture, nor did I mean to push you out of the way. I'm so scared every time you grow, NG. I feel like the part of me that is in you is vanishing." Mark just looked at his son as he mopped up the mess with the rest of the paper towels. Mark went to get the rubbish can nearby.

"I know Papa, it is just very stressful right now. I'm trying to do this right, like the way I feel I should. Why is it that whatever I do somehow affects those I love the most? I know I've upset Dad with my revelation and now you. Papa, I'm just trying to do what I feel is the next step."

"I know, my little one. Gods, I know that better than you do. But you are frightening at times. I look at you." He returned dropping the can near by and placed his hand under NG's chin leveling his eyes with his. "I look at you and I don't see my little boy but something frightening, something I created. Can you half understand what I mean?" He watched the knowledge hit NG before he stood placing the ruined lunch into the trash.

NG froze for a moment as his thoughts turned to his own daughter. Somehow Mark's words tripped just how he felt about Andie as of late. Mark was able to feel his son's emotions through the barrier. "Yes, Papa I do and I'm frightened for what she may become."

Mark held his child, hoping that he could chase the monsters away like he had when NG was little. "Let's leave here and I'll get you a proper lunch. Or are you afraid there won't be room for the feast tonight? I hope it goes well. The Doctor doesn't know about Jack and you or that you have a brood. Make sure you photograph his face. I want to laugh at it when I see him tomorrow, if he stays that long that is!"


"He is afraid, John. I saw it in his eyes, down to his soul." Mark snuggled up to John as they sat on the sofa in their house later that day taking in an old movie.

"I know, Lovely, we are going to have to let it be for now. I'm not going through this again. It was too much the last time we jumped the gun. NG is going to be scared and I didn't mean to scare him. He told me today that he was upset going into the mission because of my words in the car. I won't make that mistake again with him and lecturing him when I know he should be mentally unhindered for this type of thing. He is taking this very seriously, including what he feels is going on with Andie." John pulled Mark closer, kissing the side of his head. His hair smelled so good and was always so soft to the touch since his first time touching it.

"Well go easy on the training. Jack doesn't know it yet but NG is pregnant again and I didn't tell you so act surprised when you hear the news. Right now I'm glad we aren't at the house. I'll pick the Doctor's brain later at the party tomorrow. I just hope he stays for a bit."

John didn't move, giving Mark the excuse to poke him in the ribs. "Hey, are you upset about becoming a grandfather again? Better than a great grandfather."

"I should have seen it in his mood. Damn, that is fantastic." John suddenly looked younger with the news. Mark was glad despite it all his life happened the way it did. The events that changed him led him to bask in the glow of such an amazing aura of a man called John Hart.

Suddenly Mark heard NG in the back of his mind saying. "I told you not to tell anyone!" It was followed by laughter.

Mark smiled while replying to his son. "It wasn't anyone, it was your Father."


Jack went over again with NG how he just knew that the Doctor was going to land in their back yard. Martha called earlier and said that the Doctor was with her and she gave him Jack's address and location. Jack smiled and told her to make sure she told him about the pool. He wasn't sure if the Doctor could swim, and he didn't want to have to fish him up out of the water. But it would make for a grand entrance. That had Jack wondering if a machine that could survive the vacuum of space would be able to survive a pool full of water.

"Come to think of it I don't remember the TARDIS ever landing in the water. I know it has a force field around it so you can open the door and look out into space but does that work in the water?" He added some salt to the soup.

NG was eating a snack at the table with their children. He looked up at the rather random question Jack just threw out there. "It would make for one hell of a shark cage. Hey, your thoughts are running a mile a minute here." The children giggled when they sensed how chaotic their Dad's mind was working.

"I can feel it too, Papa, it is like Daddy's mind is spinning around." Tara said as very lady like she took a forkful of yellow cake to her mouth.

"Hey, how the hell did you guys get in there?" Jack pretended to be angry, fisting his hands on his hips with a growl, causing more giggles from the group at the table.

"It is easy when you are frazzled, Dad." Ianto had taken to calling Jack that after their father and son conversation. It saddened NG. He had just gotten used to his little boy being a little man, now he was growing up to be a real man.

"Well, so be it then. But it is true; I don't think The TARDIS ever landed in the water, not when I was traveling on it. I wonder if it could?" He reached over and lowered the heat on the stove.

The Doctor's arrival had a bell ringing in Jack's ear. He still didn't know what to make of it or why The Doctor contacted him in such away. Everyone was kind of shocked that the message or rather card was a birthday card for Jack. Much later the shock from the Hub's staff seemed lessen after he explained to them the details (there weren't many) of the visit much later after that invisible cat was let out of the bag.

It would seem the Doctor found out about Jack's real birthday. Jack felt like he was floating at first that his mad crush had found out his birthday. Of course Jack never brought up the date so NG decided it would be the perfect time and in memory of Ianto Jones to have one of those blowout parties for Jack. Jack didn't like that part at first but he agreed to it only after they had a private party with the Doctor. That meant only Jack, the kids and NG. NG saw the logic; they had a lot of personal ground to cover with the Doctor first. Then they would make Jack suffer at a party. Mark was making a special hat for the birthday boy being the only one save The Doctor that actually knew Jack's real birthday as well as his real name.

Jack started to treat the private dinner like a rather fussy member of his family was coming for a visit. It had been many years since the Doctor had shown up. NG last remembered seeing the Time Lord the day he graduated from University. For some reason the Doctor had come to his party. No one asked why, it was just nice to see him. And he stayed on for a few days before leaving, being extremely social and not because of a threat to the very Earth they lived on.

But now this wasn't official business and one that didn't revolve around a global crisis, at least not one they were aware of and the words were, "I'll be in your neighborhood so I thought I could stop by old friend and lend a hand celebrating your birthday." Jack still didn't ever remember mentioning his birthday to the Doctor or why suddenly it was important to send a card and warrant a visit. Jack put the Harkness-Perry-Hart household on red alert. NG wasn't to happy because the next two days after NG's return, Jack went crazy cleaning, polishing, painting and buffing everything, including the children. NG frowned because no matter what he did Jack seemed to disapprove of it.

Except at night, alone in their room. He didn't think there was anything wrong with NG there. If anything Jack didn't want the morning to come, NG made it feel that good. They were having a lot of mental intercourse, Jack allowing NG to penetrate his mind a little deeper each time during sex. It was very erotic for Jack and each morning he was a little calmer with the approach of "D" Day.

Jack still had no idea about the baby. NG made sure no matter how intensely their minds linked that was hidden from Jack. He wanted to wait for the perfect time.

The children were beyond excited. Which had NG wondering why they were so calm at the table. It was like they were practicing their table manners for this VIP visit. Jack also became aware of how organized and behaved they seemed as he watched them eat.

"Okay, who replaced my messy offspring with careful neat ones?" He teased, leaving the soup to kiss the top of Andie's head.

"We want you to be proud, Daddy. We know how important the Doctor is to you." Andie simply stated.

Since birth they had been told about the Doctor. Now they could meet him and maybe get him to take them for a trip in the TARDIS. NG liked idea, saying it would make for a different type of family vacation. The thoughts of going to Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon paled at maybe a trip to Mars or maybe the beaches of Boeshane.

But he also wondered if the Time Vortex would have an effect on his unborn child. He had heard in the past the Amy Pond's child, Melody, which was conceived on the TARDIS, was given the abilities of regeneration and that people traveling with the Doctor maintained the time signature of the TARDIS, so he wondered if they went with the Doctor what would happen to his unborn child. But he did want the kids to see Boeshane. They needed to know where their Grandpa and Father came from. It was part of their heritage, after all.

The other night he had an odd thought that maybe Jack could get the Doctor to find his mother; she could see her grandkids then. But he became melancholy after the thought. NG found him brooding out in the garden that night. It was then Jack told NG the whole story about his mother and how he had purposely turned away from her and never went back. He hoped that since he lived forever he could find her one more time just to say he was sorry.

NG held him under the stars that night reassuring him that he would get that chance. The Universe didn't give him a second chance not to take advantage of it at some point or another. He felt Jack settle in his arms as the moon came out. Suddenly NG looked at his bracelet and it glowed back at him. He brushed the bad feeling he had away from his mind. He didn't want to know what it meant at this moment. He simply didn't care.

"I am proud of you, Peaches, all of you." Jack said when his thoughts returned back to the present. He earned smiles form his brood. He returned to the soup and absentmindedly began to salt it again.

NG rose from the table and swiped the shaker out of his hands. "Here, give me the salt shaker before you ruin the soup." Jack laughed, showing the age lines in the corner of his eyes while he places the saltshaker into NG's hands. "There, now we are spared from sodium poisoning."

"Martha wants to come see the kids." Jack said off the cuff. "I was thinking we should go see her instead. We're due for a vacation."

NG chuckled, letting his shoulders move up and down as his brown hair fell over his face. Jack leaned to kiss him, making the children at the table giggle. "Okay you three, if you are finished put your plates in the sink and wash your hands. I want any homework finished before the Doctor gets here. I have a feeling none of you will find time later." He winked at NG who just started laughing. "Hey," Jack whispered, "If you can't take me seriously, who will?" He had Andie hugging his waist, she like the others was growing each day and she was almost waist high now. "What is it, Peaches? Is there something you want?"

Her round face with NG's hair looked up at him with big eyes. "I finished my work at the Hub. Can I stay and help you? I could paint but that would be messy and I don't feel like reading right now. The words hurt for some reason." Her face was muted of emotion as if this wasn't a complaint, just a stated fact.

NG rubbed the back of her neck as he inched closer to Jack. "Darrin told me you had some trouble today. I know, let's go out to the garden and check to see if the flowers are perfect for the Doctor. We could pick him some as a welcoming gift. Then when he comes you can give them to him." She smiled widely at the thought.

"Not fair!" Tara yelled, placing her dish in the sink with a thud. She said "sorry" when Jack glare at her for the outburst.

"Tara, you know the rules." Ianto moved her out of the way and placed his plate gently into the sink. NG thought he was Jack for a moment, he resembled him so closely. Outside of NG's abilities, there was no trace of him in any of Ianto's physical features.

Jack spoke making the group come to order. "I know it doesn't seem fair. And I remember how it was when I was young and found it so hard to wait for something, but this is important. I want this to be special; the Doctor is special to me. Think of it this way, you finish your homework and it is more time to spend with our guest tonight. So do we have a deal?"

"Yes Daddy!" They returned in a chorus. Jack took note of Ianto reverting back to Daddy again as he watched Tara and him leave.

"Daddy, how will we know when he gets here?" Tara turned and asked.

"You'll feel it, and then you will hear the TARDIS. Nothing makes a sound quite like it in the Universe." Jack face took the appearance of nostalgia while he remembered the last time he heard the most amazing thing ever created. "Yes, there is nothing at all like it."


NG felt the TARDIS as Andie shivered slightly next to him. "Is that the feeling Daddy was talking about, Papa? Is this what the TARDIS feels like?" She shook harder, almost dropping the basket of flowers she was hold. NG went for her.

"Hey lets get you inside and get these flowers together. We can tell your Dad that his friend is here."

He grabbed her hand but she hesitated. It was then she spoke in words that to him didn't even sound like words. She fixed her gazed on a spot by the shed about 10 feet from the pool. NG felt it as well as saw it, the wind picked up as if a great ship of power was landing. He thought of it as a helicopter descending softly to the landing pad. It was then that the sound followed, sending a tingle through both father and daughter. He rushed Andie to the door. He wasn't sure what to make of her words just then. He would have to wait and see how the rest of the visit went with the Doctor before he could analyze them.

Jack stood in their way as the pair arrived at the back door, staring off at the spot where the TARDIS had just started to materialize. He didn't see them as he moved passed NG and Andie to meet his friend. "Remember what we talked about. NG, I'll bring him inside and then we can introduced the rest of you." Jack turned to him smiling and there was this amazing light in his eyes.

NG took it as sign that Jack still loved this man. It was something that would be with him forever. He couldn't fault Jack for NG felt it himself with Ismandle and the time they spent together, that certain magnetism that comes from something far older and wiser than your self. He complete understood it; he lived with a man that gave him that same feeling from time to time.


Jack stood arms folded waiting for the TARDIS to finish its materialization. He almost ran to the door as the Police Box stilled but stopped himself and held his ground. He felt his body start to rock back and forth on his heels, something he quickly stilled. Above all he wanted to appear cool even if inside he wanted to howl and cheer.

The blue door creaked open and Jack's heart stopped for the briefest of moments. A bright red-haired man poked his head out and smiled. "Hello Jack! Thanks for the warning about the pool. I had to adjust the old girl before I set her down. You look non-aging as always." He was out the door in single bound using unusually long legs to bound his way in wide stride to hug Jack.

The slim body that picked Jack up in a bear hug was abnormally strong. Jack was impressed and couldn't help but laugh. All the other times he didn't think of the Doctor as this physical, well maybe his first Doctor was since they did kiss after all. But this Doctor was friendly. He liked it.

It was a shock to Jack when the Doctor set him down and shook his hand. It was then their eyes met. Jack blinked at the sight of them. The hair was one thing, flaming red and shiny as if it was badly dyed but the eyes they were creepy. They were ice blue or the outer rim of the irises was before turning a sharp gray on the inside. Held in the middle a pinpoint black dot that as far as Jack noticed didn't change with the sunlight coming out from behind the clouds above.

"Shocking, I know. I have to tell you something. My last regeneration didn't go at all well." He smiled at Jack.

"Oh and this was the result? Did you ever think of cosmetic surgery?" The nose was now the focal point, something Jack was finding hard to ignore it was so sharp and pointy, almost like a villain in need of a pointed mustache waxed at the ends.

"That's just the problem, this is the result of plastic surgery. You should have seen me before."


John didn't like the feeling he had as he went to the Hub that evening. Mark was getting ready for a gallery show and he felt unwanted. Though Mark said he could stay he knew Mark was just being polite so he decided to call the Hub and see if anyone on the evening staff felt like leaving. Harry said sure, he wanted to take the family to some new alien film at the cinema and he promised to tell John all about it for a good laugh.

Leon got on the line and said he would be waiting with pizza for him. There were some odd readings he wanted John to look at. "I was going to call you and ask you to stop by, you must have picked up on my thoughts."

"Well with Jack busy and Gwen out, and seeing that Rhys is helping your Papa at the gallery, I really have run out of friends my age to hang out with."

"Sally and Dan are here, so you can share some stories about the early days with the newbies. I think they will like it. I always did." He heard John's laugh at the other end.

"Son, the stories of the old never impress the youth. They want their own stories, not some old folks' jaded memories. Anyway, things feel too weird, like something charged the air to have a story telling night. Did you pick up the TARDIS?" He asked, regretting his words as soon as he left his mouth.

"That's just it. We did and something shadowed it and came through and then vanished. I don't know if I should bother Jack until I know more with this. I have Darrin looking for any information on past events of a similar nature. But if you were to ask me I would describe it as a double image." He heard John curse on the other end. He could also hear the car's engine accelerate. "Dad, do you think it is bad?"

"Leon, outside of Ianto and Jack's wedding which I wasn't there for, anytime the Doctor shows up it is never all good."


The Doctor moved around the room touching objects. "He has been gone that long? I'm sorry Jack, it must have been hard for you." He stopped to face Jack wondering what the man must be thinking. "Why didn't Martha say anything to me?" It would have made this less awkward he thought to himself. He knew Jack would go through this for the rest of eternity. But each time he ran into Jack he would never know what to expect from his friend, what new sorrow he would be carrying. But Jack didn't look like he was still in mourning.

The Doctor turned to look at the contents in the room, Jack watched arms folded over his chest as if he was waiting for something. "I asked her not to," he explained.

"But why, is it that painful?" He saw it then the picture on the wall. It was Jack and NG with three children dressed up in Victorian costumes. He reached for it, running his fingers over the images that were safe behind the glass.

"That was dress up day at Ianto and Tara's school. They are all 12 years old now. NG and I got together after Ianto passed. This is our family." His face beamed at the picture when he stood next to The Doctor to explain it.

The Doctor nodded. "So NG came back, not surprised, it seemed like he didn't want to go. But I have a feeling there is more to this than you are telling me." He rested his hand on Jack's shoulder.

"That can wait." Jack smiled when he heard NG's throat clear.

The Doctor turned to see Jack's family looking at him. The boy looked just like Jack and the one girl like NG the middle girl was a beauty all her own. He saw how wide their eyes were as they stared at him.

NG walked up to the Doctor and held out his hand. The Doctor took it warmly, holding onto it after the shake had finished. "Welcome back Doctor, it has been a long time. And you have such an interesting face."

The Doctor felt NG scan him. "You got your gifts back! How splendid! That must have made your parents happy." He froze for a moment as a dark feeling hit him.

"It did, though we have had our ups and down. But like Jack said, we can go over that later. There are things we need to talk about." He smiled as he waved the children over.

They had NG's gifts the Doctor quickly found out has he was being rapidly scanned by two of the children. The third, the NG looking girl just stared at him.

"I'm Ianto. It is a pleasure to meet you, Doctor." The boy seemed so intelligent, The Doctor had a feeling that he could say anything to him and he would understand. Jack's eyes and face smiled at him with Jack's toothy grin.

He took the boys hand. "I'm happy to meet you. And can I say is that your efforts to get into this old skull of mine," he tapped his head, "was done with amazing skill."

Ianto laughed, not being at all disturbed about the way the Doctor looked. Tara pushed her brother out of the way, much the way the Doctor noted, Jolein used to do to Leon when she wanted to be next. The difference was Ianto didn't get angry, he let it happen as he moved towards Andie.

The Doctor shook Tara's hand as he gave her a little bow, making the little girl giggle. "You are a very pretty young lady Tara. It is nice to see that you don't take after your Daddy." He laughed as Jack grumbled. "I just hope he doesn't chase your suitors away."

NG chimed in as if on queue. "Or chase after them himself. We all know how Jack can be."

Tara looked confused at the adult conversation. "I don't like boys yet."

"Liar!" Andie yelled. "You like that boy you saw at the bookstore. I could tell, but he didn't like you!"

Tara started to cry and Jack went to console her. "Why are you so horrid, Andie?" She refused her father's comfort and ran to her room.

It was then the Doctor took notice of Andie. But more important to NG was that she noticed him. They locked onto each other and for a second it seemed they shared words. The Doctor shook his head when the contact was broken, unaware that NG had witnessed the encounter.

"The first rule is to never be mean to your sister. Someday you will want her to be your best friend." The Doctor went for Andie, extending his hand. "Nice to meet you, Andie."

The girl froze as her ashen face stared at him. Something was bothering the Doctor about the girl; she seemed off. He tried to get into her mind again, but it was even less than the last encounter. All he could see was shapes and colors and the smallest of particles. He didn't like it at all. He also knew he had finally found what he had come here for.

Sensing something was up with the two, NG moved protectively between The Doctor and Andie. He smiled before speaking. "Andie you know it is rude to stare. Now Peaches go wash up and apologize to your sister."

She nodded and turned to leave, the color slowly returning to her face. Jack caught the look on NG's face as he spoke to the Doctor.

"I'm sorry for her, she isn't like us, well that is also something we have to talk about and something I need your help with as well as some other things. Ianto, why don't you take our guest to the table, then get your sisters. Dinner is almost ready."

"How about a drink? We have ginger beer." Jack asked not liking how thick the air felt in the room.

The Doctor blinked turning his face to Jack's voice. He felt a small hand grab onto his and looked down to see Ianto smiling up at him seemingly unaffected by the events that had just happened. "That would be nice. Thanks and it's all right. Some children and I just don't hit it off." By the look in his face, Jack swore the Doctor was thinking of something far different then his statement said.

The Doctor let the boy lead him to the dining room, trying not to let the events jade the meal. But somehow he knew that coming here wasn't by chance, it never was. Something had guided him here.

Jack and NG stood next to each other waiting for the room to empty. "Either he saw something or she spooked him. Jack, I don't like this." NG didn't like this feeling of something would happen. "It was downright creepy what passed between them."

"Look, we agreed to tell him about the moonstones, and we agreed to see if he could help her. But we have to make sure he doesn't know how much control you have on the jumps. Or would you rather trust him and tell him everything if it gets her some help? NG, to be honest, the dreams are bothering me more than I'm letting on. And if you want honesty, I don't know if I like what they are doing to you. I think we have to see what we can do about this. I say trust him for now."

He nodded when he saw Jack's concern. "You are right," he kissed him. "Let's get dinner on."

End Chapter 53

TBC