Chapter thirteen
Cure heartbreak the fast way

Pain, like raw emotion hurting every single inch of her body. Natalie sat on Owen's bed, the bed not so long ago she laid with him in. She would never lay with him, never feel his fingers caress her cheek. Never have him hold her close, and push her buttons.

Pain was painful, and while she couldn't stop the ever flow of tears, Natalie didn't want to feel it anymore, she didn't want to be anything anymore. The definition of heartbreak, overwhelming distress. Natalie's eyes kept forward to the bedroom door, she could see a few missed calls.

"Where are you?" A voice came from the phone, "Natalie call me back!" It was a voicemail from Jack, and Natalie placed the phone on speaker, and then closed her eyes.

"Nat... Nat please call me, I can help you." Gwen was caring, she couldn't know what Natalie was going through, she wouldn't ever know it.

"Natalie, I know you don't want to answer, just know we care." Ianto's soft welsh tones were smooth, and now Natalie opened her eyes, she glanced over the phone.

"Nat I am going to order a curry, thought I'd let you know I am going to get your favourite, so don't be on that computer all night." Owen's voice was annoyed, but not in a mean way. "I'll even run you a bath." She could hear the cheeky tone of his voice. "Love you babe."

The phone went through the air hitting the wall in a loud crash, and as it broke into pieces Natalie fell back into the bed. It still smelt of Owen, and with fresh pain coming to focus she couldn't think of anything else.

Why did she come here? What could being here change? Natalie couldn't answer the questions, she didn't know what was going to change in her. She wanted to be human for him, and now he was dead she didn't know what to.

Natalie opened her eyes, it was the drumming again, it was beating louder, and her hand held on the locket. In a flash she sat up, her fingers were light on the locket, and for a second she felt no resistance.

It was a simple as a snap, closing her eyes it was only a second. Eyes opening again and a smile appeared on a clean face. "Finally!" Nisnoierungurlumimid sat up, her hands going to her face. "Where the..." She couldn't figure out, it was taking a while to come to terms with where she was.

Getting to her feet she went wide eyed, "Bloody," She turned to run her hands over the sheets, "Where are you?" She spoke more to the sheets, her eyes kept scanning. "Found ya!" She picked up a small key. She brought it to her lips kissing it softly.

Nisnoierungurlumimid felt driven, she walked through the shopping centre of Cardiff, the night sky was dulled by lights, and she could only go by her key. The warmth of knowing she would be in her TARDIS soon, she can fly away from this place, and as she found herself by a post box, she laughed. "Well that was the hard part." The key fit in the lock as it opened to let her inside. The place was a mess, and she walked to the console touching the buttons. "I've missed you too." She then glanced to remember her fallen comrades, "Sadly we didn't win the war together." She placed the locket in the centre, catching her reflection on the screen, "I'm not sticking around here!" She didn't know who she was talking to, but her hands went down catching what she was wearing. "Change!" She rushed away from the main control room.

"Okay, I am free from war, I am free from rules." Nisnoierungurlumimid stopped, "Well not all rules." She took a deep breathe, "I can't go around say, hi I am Nisnoierungurlumimid. No that's a mouthful." She walked into a room with nothing but clothes. "Nissy..." She pulled the shirt she was wearing off. "No..." She exhaled removing the jeans throwing them away. "Nyx!" She nodded, "That..." She stopped talking. "I am alone." She turned to see a mirror, her eyes scanning over herself. "Biodata module," She ran a hand across her stomach, a scar, then from her bicep to her elbow, another one. "Wish I could of kept the scar free part." Her eyes fell. "Clothes." She clicked walking over the railings of different fabrics. Coming across a red and black plaid long shirt, she smiled, quickly putting it on, the long green skirt jumped out at her, before finding a pair of neon red socks, she finally found a pair of army style boots.

Nyx turned to the mirror, her hands going to her hair, she titled her head to one side, she exhaled. "Change is good." Grabbing a pair of scissors she started to chop random lengths into the long blonde hair, stopping for a second to see what she did. "Now to find the Doctor!" She turned to leave the room behind her, she stopped for a second to think of what she was leaving behind. "Not yet..." She whispered before heading back to the main control room.

Stepping out Nyx glanced over the beach hut that was her TARDIS, she laughed seeing the beach was amazing. She walked over the sand, she didn't know why she was here. Then again she couldn't figure out how she was going to find The Doctor, and she went towards the water before seeing the man. "You knew?"

The Twelfth Doctor smiled pulling his sunglasses down, "So, you found me..." He then glanced out to the sea, "And you're not mad?"

"Mad!" Nyx snapped, "I am furious," He hands went to her hips, "You, you was selfish, inconsiderate, and rude!" She stopped, "And also very stupid." Finally she turned to face The Doctor, "I go by Nyx now."

"Goddess of darkness, and daughter of Chaos." The Doctor pushed his sunglasses up now. "Very creative."

Nyx nodded, "I have to ask, are they all gone?" Her hands moved to relax, she couldn't focus on anger, her body was still feeling it all, but the war seemed to have long finished.

"It's a long story Nyx, can I just let you know that everything is going to be fine," The Doctor turned to face her, he could see the pain behind her eyes, but she was a good soldier, and she hide everything well.

With a light flick of a hand Nyx nodded, "Fine, but I have to ask why Cardiff?"

"Rift in time, it's the best place to refuel the TADRIS," He started, but then stopped. "I didn't know of Torchwood when I left you there." He pointed out. "I'm sorry about Owen."

A quietness fell upon them, and it was as if the sun couldn't hide the chill that hung in the air. Nyx's eyes glazed over for only a second. "He's life is a fixed point." Her face blank and void of emotion. "And it was my way back."

"You know Natalie was a nice girl," The Doctor tried to bring emotion back to the conversation, but he couldn't help but notice that she wasn't going to change.

She blinked, Nyx wasn't sure how to take it, "I guess so," She didn't want to dwell on Natalie Fisher, and while she focused on the waves, she could still feel the echo of pain still held in the body. "But then she wasn't real."

"You can't push that away," The Doctor got Nyx's attention, "She'll live inside you." The Doctor wanted her to understand, but then he couldn't force her into being okay.

While the waves crashed against the shore, the sky was clear, and Nyx knew that earth was a simple place. It was remembering being in that simple mind, and as she was focused on the smell of the sea, people with idol conversation as a clock ticked down their very limited lifespan. "A simple girl, and she loved greatly." Nyx blinked a tear, "But like all humans, they attach themselves to the mediocre, and..."

"You've not been here two minutes and you are quick to pass judgement on them." The Doctor laughed, "They are more than just blips on the time line." He held a hand out for her. "You need to see it all." He gave a smile at the adventure.

"I have a few to spare." Nyx grinned with him, her eyes turning around. "My TARDIS or yours?" She asked feeling confident once again.

Jack sat in his office, he couldn't get passed the events that unfolded. He could see himself trying hard to hold onto his team, and it was proving to be the hardest thing. The week wasn't meant to go like this, he ran his hand into his hair trying to think of the positive of a negative time.

"Coffee," Ianto placed the mug down, he felt himself trying to get over the events himself. "I made it extra strong." He pointed out before going to leave, "Do you think..."

"I don't know," Jack brought the coffee to his lips drinking, he glanced to Ianto, "She's gone." He knew Ianto was going to bring up Natalie, and Jack knew that she wasn't answering her phone, and everything was now going to voice mail.

Ianto stepped back into the office, "Would she come back?" he wasn't sure what to do, it seemed with everything going on, the team felt lighter. "I mean..."

Jack shrugged, "I'm guessing Natalie is gone," He knew she was gone, "A Time Lady with all of time and space to explore." He felt sad for a second.

"And I come back to Cardiff!" Nyx made Ianto jump out of his skin, she laughed at his reaction to her presence. "Oh, I see why people have cameras!" Her voice was light hearted.

Jack stood up, he took in the appearance, a short blonde bob cut, she wore a black vest with a long plaid shirt and a skirt. "You came back?"

"Jack..." Her head turned around, "Ianto Jones," Her finger pointed to herself now. "Nyx." She kept grinning, "And you two look like crap!" She clapped her hands rushing around the office.

Ianto felt lost, "Nyx..." He mouthed to Jack.

"I love it," Jack followed her out of the office, "But where did you go?" He asked following her towards the computer station.

Ianto kept behind Jack, he watched as Nyx stopped at a computer, "Why are you so cheerful?" He couldn't understand it, "Owen he's..." He went to say still around.

"Dead I know," Nyx was on the computer now, "Not why I am here." She added while typing something.

Jack stepped up now, he moved her from the computer, "Then why are you here?" He was serious now.

"Fuel," She laughed, "And also coordinates." She stopped moving seeing the expression Jack and Ianto had on there faces matched. "I mean you're free to join me." She gave a wink to Ianto.

"How?" Ianto wasn't sure how to take it, he could see the face of Natalie, but the voice, the way she was holding herself was not the same as before. "I mean do you not care?"

Jack felt himself move close to Ianto, he placed a hand to his shoulder, but then he couldn't say to Ianto what he could think was true. "It's..."

"Ianto I," Nyx stopped as she spoke over Jack. "I mean I know humans take a while to grieve."

"How long have you been gone?" Jack finally asked.

Nyx felt puzzled, "I've been away, me and the Doctor went to ancient Egypt, oh it was being invaded, and I was a queen for a week..." She stopped speaking, "I went to see the Bildoriana nebula." Her voice was getting excited, but it dropped seeing Ianto's face still confused. "It's been six months for me, but I set my date to be back in twenty oh nine..." She spoke carefully, "I mean it's been a year since..."

Jack shook his head, "It's still twenty oh eight," He couldn't help but laugh. "You messed up."

"I didn't mess up!" Nyx pointed, "And you should know that..." Her eyes going to Ianto now, "I just thought I'd come and see." She stopped talking feeling lost. "I guess I am meant to be here now." She nodded, "Now." She opened and closed her mouth, "That is a very odd word, the more I say it, the less it feels real."

"I'm going to need more coffee for this," Ianto headed to the kitchen.

Nyx now was playing her boot along the floor, her hands behind her back watching him leave, she kept quiet. Jack was studying over her expression, he couldn't believe it himself. "So the Bildoriana nebula," He exhaled sitting down on a chair. "Guess you went to see the blooming of the Felisha lights." Jack relaxed into the chair, "I hear it's beautiful to watch."

"It really was, when I saw it. It opened up my mind." Nyx moved towards the computer again. "But you would know since you went there once," She turned her face to see Jack's expression, "I mean it's a happening place for most Time agents." Her eyes going to his vortex manipulator. "I was high in my class..." She finally added while looking through the computer. "Fifty first century," She gave a smirk to the thought, but then again she seemed to hold a inside joke with herself.

Jack straighten himself up, "Guess since you know so much," He stopped seeing she was typing, "And can I ask what you are doing?" He was on his feet moving towards her.

"I am helping," She stopped typing to face Jack, "That I'm not going to hurt anything." Her eyes lighting up. Nyx felt herself getting closer to Jack, "I mean you are so..." She stopped for a second placing a hand to his heart, "Bad." She dropped the last word.

"Bad?" Jack smirked, "I mean I do my best to save people..."

Nyx shook her head, "You was meant to be dead, and from what I am guessing someone made an oops, and you now are a fixed point in time and space." She bit her bottom lip, "Most Time Lords would stay far away from you."

"I've been told," Jack kept his eye on her, "I'm guessing you don't really mind." He raised an eyebrow. "Not like the others..."

"Oh I wouldn't say that, but then I tend to walk off the beaten path." Her eyes locked onto Jack's, and her face lit up. "I guess you fascinate me." Her hand lightly played up his shirt before letting him go.

"Never expected that," Ianto interrupted, "So how long are you hanging around?" He turned to see Jack's expression, Ianto didn't do jealousy, but he knew what kind of man Jack was.

Nyx rocked on her feet, "Didn't give it much thought," Her eyes looking around herself, she knew the place through Natalie's eyes, but her own were taking in everything. "I can help with the rift manipulator, I can update your security, I could even take us all to prehistoric time and get your girl a boyfriend..." She pointed up.

"Ones enough," Ianto pointed up, "And Jack, wouldn't it be awkward with..." He pointed out.

Jack turned away from Nyx, "Awkward with what?" He asked Ianto, he was too caught in the moment. "Oh!" He stopped hearing the sound of the cogs showing the team turning up.

"Jack I have thought about it, and I am happy enough doing the work alone..." Tosh froze. "Natalie..."

"No," Nyx waved, "Call me Nyx," She held a hand out, then stopped, "Not traditional with your Japanese heritage." Nyx could see the confusion on Tosh's face. "I guess I am currently confusing you, but then again." She clapped, "Where is Gwen, oh if I could tell her the story of her ancestry." She stopped speaking seeing the team all looking lost. "Have I got something on my face?"

"No," Tosh spoke up, "It's just you don't know..." Her attention to Jack, and then to Ianto. "Did any of you care to tell her?"

"Tell me what?" Nyx then froze for a second, he was walking into the hub, and for a heartbeat her eyes locked on his. "Oh gods!" Nyx felt frozen.

Owen was now frozen to the spot seeing her face, it was staring right at him, but everything was different. "Bugger!" He snapped.

Everyone in the hub were silent, and all attention was on Nyx and Owen. While no one spoke, it was getting tense, and it was hard to know who was going to speak first.

"You're dead!" Nyx pointed to Owen.

Owen pointed back, "And you're back." He turned to Jack, "You said she wouldn't..."

"I said might not," Jack corrected, then turned to Nyx, "And I should mention I said might..." His nodded.

"I think he is referring to Natalie," Nyx watched Owen's face, "And yes, she isn't coming back."

Owen nodded, "Right, well I am going to go..." He pointed to the medical bay.

Nyx could see Tosh and Ianto now walking away, and it was just Nyx and Jack standing together now. "Guess that kinda slipped your mind."

"It's a long story." Jack started to go back to his office, but knew she was behind him. "I won't bore you with the details..."

Nyx rushed to step in front of him, "Details do not bore me, but walking corpse do make me think what did you do?" Jack was surprised to hear authority in her tone.

"Well I used a glove, that kinda reanimates the dead for a period of time, and with that Owen kinda stuck in his body..." He nodded, "So, we're not sure how long." He took his phone out. "I got pictures of him in the harbour." He held it out to her.

"Was it metal, silver, and like a medieval?" Nyx asked carefully.

Jack nodded, "Ianto called it the risen mitten."

"Resurrection gauntlet was a power tool in the time war, it gave Time Lord's the ability to come back for enough time to start a regeneration cycle in the TARDIS, but then it wasn't used on Gallifrey as home is where we can regenerate freely."

"So the effects on humans..." Jack was curious, but then for once he was getting questions answered.

Nyx closed Jack's office door, "Not meant to be used on little brains." Her voice snapped, and Jack felt taken back. "I mean a mortal on another mortal, but you." She laughed, "I know what you did Jack and now he's trapped." She sat down. "I might find a way to fix it." Her fingers went to her mouth as she chewed her nails. "But seriously Jack." Her eyes were going up to him.

"I'm not that great with the thinking," Jack held his hands up, "I just wanted to." He stopped talking seeing her face. "It's hard to explain."

"You felt bad, because you can run head first, fuck the consequences, but they are mortal, and fragile to boot." Nyx got to her feet, she brushed a hand to his face, "But you have a hundred or so years on them..."

"You know I thought I was the flirt," Jack took her hand, "But I have to ask why did you come here?" He kept her hand in his.

Nyx shrugged, "I was with the Doctor, and while I know he is trying to save home, a part of me couldn't do it." She let Jack's hand drop. "Part of me felt like this was home."

"Not many of you stay human that long," Jack could see her heading to his desk draw, she opened it putting a full bottle on the table. "Now that wasn't there before."

Nyx shrugged, "Most Time Lords, they use the biodata module to be another species for a few hours, days." She sighed, "The Doctor was human for a few months..." Nyx closed her eyes. "I was human for nearly half a year, or over half a year." She licked her bottom lip watching Jack now. "And I know because she took the pain of my war."

"She had dreams of your war, and it scared her. She was scared of you..." Jack picked the bottle up, "A good vintage."

Nyx laughed, "She might of saved me," Her hand played with the desk, "Most of us went mad near the end, I saw my friends die. Well not really friends, as we didn't have many good memories to share over a pint."

"How about a scotch with a new friend?" Jack poured a drink into a glass and passing it to her.

Nyx picked it up, "Thank you," She took a sip before looking over Jack, "Guess I'm welcome as part of the team?"

"A Time Lady working for Torchwood Three," He clinked his glass to hers. "I'm guessing you'll be coming and going a lot."

"But then you should know you can't stop the need for adventure," Nyx drank more, "Plus I guess I can always help make this place stronger..."