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UPDATE AND PREVIEW OF CHAPTER 79
Well, I've finally decided to continue on with this epic story and I know it's been so very long, but I'm confident I can pick it up again. I've already started the chapters that introduces the new cross-over Sci-fi which I hope you will enjoy.
First, I need to wrap up this Torchwood/Dr Who section, before introducing the next franchise into the story. It will take about 6-8 weeks to conclude this section and will cover between 3 to 5 chapters.
I apologise in advance for errors you may encounter while reading and I assume you will pick me up on any continuity issues. It's been a while since I've written anything so I trust you will bear with me as my writing will be a bit rusty.
So now, time to pick up the next chapter from where we left it, with the Doctor and his TARDIS working on their matchmaking between Gwen and Rhys Williams. The story picks up in the Hub as a new development unfolds.
Chapter 79 – Beginnings and Endings
Aaron stared blankly at the monitor, his thoughts miles away from the writing in front of him. He had started re-reading his plans that had been carefully laid out with step-by-step logic, compassion and a deep understanding of the human psyche. Now all his carefully planned programme for Mrs Williams was being bypassed in favour of the Doctor's sudden inspiration to take Mrs Williams to an 'alien healing centre'. He felt annoyed at the Doctor's presumption that he could deal with this difficult matter better than him. Really annoyed.
Surprised at the surge of emotion rising inside, Aaron got up and headed quickly for Jack's office, knocked sharply on the door and stepped inside without waiting for Jack's consent to be seen.
Jack had barely uttered the words "Come in" when Aaron was already in and taking a seat at his desk. The Immortal assessed the handsome doctor's tension and quickly waved him into the chair opposite him.
"Jack! I know that the Doctor is a very close friend of yours and you have absolute faith in him, but I must protest! My careful plans for dealing with both Torchwood staff and Mrs and Mrs Williams, have just been tossed out the window by your Doctor!"
"Now let's presume all goes well with the Williams at the alien healing centre, as I understand it went well with your brother and … John." He coloured slightly as he remembered it hadn't been everything that Jack had hoped but, there had indeed, been healing and reconciliation.
"I want you to contact the Doctor and tell him to come back here to pick me up. I insist on going with him and the Williams to this alien healing centre he believes will do wonders for them. Now it just might, but I am part of the Torchwood team and this area of human psychology is my speciality! It's the job you tasked me with Jack, and I need to be closely involved with all parts of the whole process! I hope you can see this because I'm really quite adamant about it!"
Jack's mind was racing the whole time Aaron had been speaking, just waiting for a pause in his impassioned speech to interrupt. He missed it.
"Now I'll need to go home and pack a few things, explain to Gareth that I'll be going away for a short time, but I imagine the Doctor will manipulate time, so we won't be away very long at all. I'm right, aren't I Jack? I'll leave it to you to contact the Doctor and tell him I'll be coming along. Of course, it will be easier for the Doctor to pick me up from my place so just give him my address. I'll be taking the laptop with all my notes on it and I'm sure the Doctor will take care of any inoculations I might need, won't he? Gareth won't be too pleased about my trip, but I will make it up to him when all this is over. It's a pity he can't come along with us but … no, of course not! It's a professional trip, not a joy ride, though I can't help but feel a bit of excitement."
Jack nodded and was about to reply that he wasn't sure whether the Doctor would agree to this plan, when Aaron just shot up out of the chair and strode purposefully to the door, turning briefly for a curt nod to the Immortal before he stepped out. He was muttering to himself all the while as he descended the stairs.
Jack sighed and got up to arrange with Tosh to contact the Doctor. As he quickly descended the stairs, he realised Aaron had already left the Hub.
He went over to Toshiko who was having a quick word with Owen. As he neared them, Owen looked up, nodded at Jack, then walked away back to his room, giving Tosh a quick, flirty wink. Tosh was all business as she turned to face Jack.
"Tosh, I need you to contact the Doctor. Now. Aaron wants to go with him and the Williams to the healing centre that John and Gray went to. I don't think the Doctor will like it but I'm with Aaron on this and I need to persuade him to pick Aaron up."
"Okay" Tosh replied, turned back to her monitor and pressed a few keys. A message came through from the TARDIS. "Jack, go to your office, the TARDIS will patch the Doctor through to your direct line."
"Thanks Tosh, you probably don't want to hear the conversation the Doctor and I will be having, but I promise you it will be lively! I hope I can persuade him, so wish me luck!"
Tosh just grinned at him, shaking her head in mock disagreement, though she secretly thought Jack was going to need a lot of luck persuading the Time Lord.
Jack reached his desk just as his phone rang. He slid into his chair and answered it quickly, speaking just as rapidly as Aaron had spoken to him so his friend wouldn't interrupt him.
"Doctor! I need you to pick up Aaron and take him with you on this mission with the Williams. He is part of our team and his involvement with this mission is crucial because after you all return, Aaron will be tasked to integrate the Williams and Torchwood back together in whatever capacity is possible for the sake of the future Mission. You can see that he needs to be involved with what happens to them at the centre, he needs to know what happens and how it changes them so he can readjust the program he has formulated, if it proves necessary."
There was a long pause as Jack waited for the Doctor to respond negatively, to what he had just been told. Jack was surprised when the Doctor finally responded.
"Yes. I agree. I trust him, Jack. It will be easier for me if he is with us and I'm sure he's got a better bedside manner than I do! Gwen is resting and I've just picked Rhys up so a quick detour to get Aaron. His address?"
Jack chuckled. "Oh, he does indeed have a great bedside manner, so I'm told! Well, I'll get Tosh to send you his address. And Doctor? Even if the Williams are fully healed and restored as a couple when you return, don't bring them directly here! Contact me before your arrival as I'll arrange accommodation for them. I can use a government safe house which will be better than using UNIT's facilities."
"Right you are, Jack! Remember, we'll just be gone a week in real time. I'll explain to Aaron how we'll be away for 2 or 3 months in our time."
The Doctor rang off before Jack could say goodbye. He messaged Tosh, but she had already received the Doctor's message via the TARDIS and had sent him Aaron's address.
Jack let out a huge sigh of relief. Now the team could focus properly on their Torchwood duties and not worry about any dramas flaring up in the meantime. He hoped the Doctor's plan would work, otherwise the real Mission would be in jeopardy. If only the Doctor would confide in him about it.
Jack went back downstairs, paused at the top of the autopsy bay and called out to Owen. "I need you to come with me. Aaron is going with the Doctor and the Williams to the alien healing centre and they'll be gone for about a week in our time. We're going to arrange a government safe house for the Williams to stay when they return. We'll also need to see Andy and explain that Rhys will be fine with Aaron and the Doctor."
Owen nodded his understanding, grabbed his coat and came up the stairs. He trotted up to Tosh and gave her a quick peck before heading out of the Hub.
Jack paused at Tosh's desk. "I need you to monitor the Rift and if anything comes up, send Ianto out to deal with it. Owen and I have a few errands to run but I don't know how long we'll be so just pack up and leave if we're late back. Tell Ianto I'll be home in time to tuck him into bed!"
Jack laughed as Tosh just shook her head at him and shooed him away. Jack was confident, for the first time in a long time, that their situation would get better because he believed in the Doctor's success with the Williams. And he believed in Aaron.
