XxxxxxXxxxxxxx

Chapter 33 - Pete and the Fixed Point

Rose had arrived at the Tyler Mansion. She sat at the bar in the kitchen, talking to Jack. Tony and Jacob ran into the room closely followed by Zeus.

"Rose! Where is Genie?" Tony asked.

She turned and held up her hands at him. "Really? Don't even say hello to me?"

Tony rolled his eyes. "Where is she?"

Rose laughed, "She's with Poltious looking for you."

"Ah, bloody hell." Tony exclaimed and ran out of the room with Jacob and Zeus.

Jack laughed, "And he's swearing again. Good thing Jackie isn't down here to hear that."

Rose giggled, "Indeed."

Jack smiled, "You know, I like Jackie. She's…..ummm…"

She smiled, "What?"

"She's like you."

"God! Don't say that!"

"No, really. Well. She's…. a mom. It's like having a mom again. She was cooking dinner for all of us when I got here, and I asked her to let me do it." He smiled, "She patted me on my cheek and told me I was a 'good boy.' How about that? It was nice."

Rose smiled, "That's sweet."

Jack nodded his head. "I thought so. It's been a long time." He tossed a tiny shrimp in his mouth.

"How long has it been? I've never asked how old you are now."

He went to the refrigerator and took out two bottles of beer. "I have no idea."

He opened the bottles and handed her one. She leaned on the bar and looked surprised at him. "You have no idea?"

He shook his head and chuckled. "I honestly don't know. Funny thing is, I made fun of 'yours' truly' for years about that. He has no idea. But, he's right. It's easy to lose track of. And after all, what does it matter?"

She smiled, "He says it's just a number. A very unknown number."

Jack pointed at her with his bottle. "For both of us. Well, the three of us I suppose. How old are you? Do you know?"

"I have it within about three years, I believe."

"There's ways you can measure how old you are. Well, the Doctor could. There's a thing in your head that measures it. I can't remember what it's called."

Rose looked seriously at him.

"If you are curious about yourself, you could probably ask him to look."

She shook her head. "I really don't want to know. Like you said, it's not important."

He leaned against the cabinet and looked at Rose. "He said you have a prolonged lifespan now."

She sighed, "I do. Yes."

"Is that something-"

"I really don't want to talk about it."

He drank his beer and nodded, "Huh. Alright. Well, Rose. If you do, you know I'm always here for you."

She smiled, "Thanks, Jack. It's just not something I want talk about, yet."

He nodded, "Fair enough."

He went back to work preparing the pizzas. She sipped her beer as she watched him. "How long did it take until you knew?"

He didn't look up, "Knew what, Rose?"

"That you couldn't die?"

He didn't look up at her and nodded his head. "Well, I remember waking up on Satellite Five. The TARDIS had just left and I could hear her….disappearing. You know?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I stayed there for a while and helped sort out the mess. Get everyone back on track. I was hurt rather badly during that time. Looking back at it, I should have known then."

"What happened?"

"Ah, something stupid I did. My Vortex Manipulator had been damaged, and I knew it was probably only good for one trip. I thought a lot about it and decided that if I was to find the Doctor again, I needed to come back to the 21st century and find you."

"Me?" She asked surprised.

"Oh, yes. It malfunctioned and landed me back in the 19th century, though. I landed in 1869. Then, it completely burned out. A few years later, I came to the United States and got into a fight at Ellis Island. That was 1892. I was shot, and came back. That's when I knew for sure."

Rose looked at him seriously, "Jack. I know we have talked about this, but-"

He quickly pointed at her. "I do not blame you for this. Well, that's not true. I do. But, I don't feel as if it something you should feel badly about. The way I see it, you saved me. And you keep saving me every time I do something stupid. And Rose, really. Have you met me? I needed some help."

She laughed. "Thank you, Jack."

He continued, "So, I just waited until time caught back up with that point."

She sat down her bottle and leaned on the bar, "So, let me get this straight. You waited until he met me?"

"I had to. The first time I met you both was during the Blitz. I couldn't interfere with that meeting, otherwise, I would mess up my immortality. So, I waited until I saw the TARDIS refueling on the rift in Cardiff and got his attention. He was traveling with Martha."

"So, you traveled with Martha, too?"

He nodded his head and smiled. "Yes. I knew her rather well. She worked with me and Mickey after the Doctor brought the Earth back to its place."

"And left me and my Doctor here." Rose said. "How long ago was that for you?"

He shrugged his shoulders, "I have no idea. A long time."

Rose smiled, "So, Martha and Mickey ended up together."

He smiled, "Yeah, they did. Best agents I ever had. Kick ass team. Funny enough, Mickey grew a beard for a while, too."

Rose laughed, "I can't even imagine him with a beard. Wow."

He chuckled, "It worked for him. It was hot."

She rolled her eyes and smiled at him. "Jake and you."

"Jake and me. Yes. What?"

She told him teasingly, "He really likes you in a kilt."

Jack smiled proudly, "Oh, yes he does! But, what's not to like?"

"You should take him someplace where you can wear one again."

He laughed as he sat down his beer and popped shrimp in his mouth, "I've offered to get him one. But, he assures me that he doesn't have the legs for it."

Rose laughed as she sat back, "Oh, he doesn't. Believe me."

"You've been looking at his legs?" he looked shocked.

"Jealous?" she teased. "You have been looking at my husband's legs."

He laughed, "More than that if we're honest with one another. You know, this whole, thing."

She raised her eyebrow at him. "What thing?"

"You know. You and the Doc'."

"I'm not following. What are you getting at?"

Jack narrowed his eyes at her. "Really? Nothing?"

She smiled. "Jack. Really? Are you still on about this?"

Jack pointed at her. "Now, you know as well as I do that this is just, weird."

She rolled her eyes. "You need to get over yourself."

He groaned, "And he's shaved! He looks more like himself now. I noticed he kept the sideburns."

She smiled and rested her head on her fist. "Yes. He did."

Jack teased Rose, "Ah, you won't notice the beard missing then. They are far enough down to tickle your thighs still."

She closed her eyes and laughed under her breath. "Shut up."

"I'm curious. Were you, like this, when we were all on the TARDIS together?"

She bit her lip and teased him. "Maybe we were."

"Nah, I wouldn't have missed that. Well, there was….nah."

Rose sipped her beer and laughed under her breath.

Pete walked into the room. "Oh, hey sweetheart."

She turned to look at him. She could feel he was still fuming, "Alright, what's the matter?"

"Nothing to concern you with." He insisted.

She rolled her eyes. "Dad. What has he done?"

Pete chuckled, "Oh, that's rich. No! It's not him."

She sighed, "He's keeping me shielded completely at the moment. What is he doing? He's alright?"

Pete kissed her head, "He's completely fine. He's dealing with work stuff. Don't worry about it, Rose."

Jack popped the olive in his mouth. "Work stuff that involves the Doctor shooting four men? Did that even happen?"

Pete looked surprised, "He what?"

Rose closed her eyes and sighed, "I'm sure he wouldn't want us talking about this."

Jack's eyes grew huge. "Jake wasn't bullshitting about that? The actual fuck-"

Pete put his hands on his hips and looked at Rose. "What the hell?"

Jack pointed at Rose. "Okay, something is wrong. He would never do that. He won't even touch a-"

"Someone was going to shoot Genie. He sent himself a reminder. I'm not sure how he's even doing it. She was outside playing with Tony and Jacob."

Jack nodded his head. "Yeah, that part I remember. He told me to take them to the island. We popped away."

She nodded, "Right. He took Jake's gun, and shot the men."

Jack took a long drink from a bottle of beer to give himself time to think. "Rose-"

Pete had put it all together. "That's where the heart came from. There wasn't one, and he brought one from the men to Howie."

Rose nodded her head as she sipped her beer. "I'm surprised he hasn't at least told you, Dad."

Jack took the pizza out of the oven, "Rose. That's not him. Is he alright?"

"Jack, he's fine. I'm sure I'm bleeding into him-"

"A hell of a lot for him to do that!"

"Jack. He's alright. Don't worry about him." She said quietly.

"Now, that sounds like him there. He's bleeding into you." Jack pointed out.

Pete shook his head. "Rose. Are you-"

She smiled. "Dad. I'm fine."

"No, I know that. I just-"

Rose held up her finger. "He's on his way back."

Within a few seconds, Lewis and the Doctor walked into the kitchen. "Sorted, Pete. I'll fill you in later." He walked directly to Rose and smiled. "And hello."

She smiled at him, "Well, hello."

He inhaled deeply as he rubbed her back. "Damn, Jack. That smells lovely."

Pete looked around. "Where is Howie?"

"He went upstairs to find Caroline. Oh, Rose. Jackie is going to complain about-"

"How you can't keep your hands to yourself? Oh yes, we've spoken."

He chuckled as kissed her forehead.

"Where is Jackie?" Lewis asked.

"Upstairs with Sam. I just came back from up there. She is changing a nappy, but should be back down in a bit." Pete told him.

Lewis nodded his head.

Jack announced, "And this pizza is done if you want some! Although, I have no idea where I can find something to cut it with."

Rose shook her head. "There should be something there in that drawer."

"Nope. I've looked there."

Pete shook his head, "I have no idea."

The Doctor walked to the other side where Jack was and looked in the drawers with Jack. He looked down at the pizza. He smiled and laughed under his breath.

Rose smiled, "What are you thinking?"

He pointed at the odd shaped pizza. "Reminds me of something. See if you can spot it."

She looked at the pizza and smiled, "I'm not sure. What?"

"Moisturize me." He teased.

Rose laughed.

"That's just nasty. I don't need to hear this shit." Jack complained.

Lewis laughed, "It's not what you think. He's told me that story."

Jack rolled his eyes.

Pete opened the dishwasher and found the pizza cutter. "Ah ha! Got it!" He went to work cutting the pizza.

The Doctor pointed at Rose. "I need to see you. I have something you have asked for."

Rose stood up off of the barstool. "Well, I'm here."

He smiled as he took her hand and lead her out of the kitchen. He turned his head, "Guys, save us some. We'll just be a few minutes."

Jack was cramming pizza in his mouth. "There's another one on its' way out. This one is ours, man."

They walked out of the kitchen and through the hallway. When they got to the main entry way, he turned and faced her. "I have the medicine that will …. Ummm…"

She knew it was so she could start breastfeeding again. He ran his fingers through his hair.

She smiled, "Since when have you been so bashful? How do I have to take it?"

He laughed under his breath, "Sorry. I just have something on my mind. I have to inject it into the side of your breasts."

She held his hand and took him into the small loo that was over on the side of the room. She closed the door and turned to see his face.

"Really? Another toilet?" he asked.

"Well, hell. You were being all…. weird." She tossed her hands in the air.

He laughed, "Fair enough. Unbutton your shirt."

She unbuttoned the blouse as he took the small injector out of his pocket. "Do you need me to take off my bra, too?"

He rubbed his chin as he looked at her breasts.

"Doctor."

He looked at her face, "Sorry, what?"

She rolled her eyes and smiled, "You. How long will it take it to work?"

He put the injector against the side of her breast, "Not long. It's a simple thing." He bit his lip and sighed. He held the injector to her breast for a few moments.

"Alright. What is it?" she asked.

He took the injector away. "Rose. Could I ask you to wait on this? Just a few hours?"

"Of course. What's wrong?"

He shook his head. "Nothing. It's just…..umm."

She looked at him curiously, "You don't want me to-"

He pointed at her, "No. That's not it. I want to celebrate Christmas with you. Just us. This can wait a few hours. Ask your mum if she would mind watching the children for us. I'll come back and get Sam in the morning. You can give him a feed then."

She smiled, "Christmas isn't for a few days."

"Well, yeah. I know. But, it's our first Christmas together. Here. I'd like to make it special. What do you think? Would that be alright?"

She smiled as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She felt him put his hands on her hips. "What do you have in mind?"

He smiled like a loon, "Oh, something I think you will enjoy."

She cupped her hands on his face and smiled, "It's completely fine with me. Sure."

He smiled at her. "No beard. It's weird, huh?"

"I'm trying really hard not to admit to myself that I prefer you without one."

He laughed under his breath. "The non-scruffy Doctor."

She giggled, "Yes. Exactly."

"Will you ask your mum? I have to have a meeting with Pete and Lewis, but it shouldn't take long."

"Of course. But, only if you promise me one thing."

He held her and smiled, "What's that?"

"That you won't keep your hands to yourself." She teased him with her tongue in her teeth.

He laughed as he pulled her closer to him and kissed her. She continued to hold his face in her hands as she felt him cup both of her breasts and gently tease her nipples through her bra.

XxxxxXxxxxxxxxxxx

After everyone had ate enough of Jack's pizza, the children ran through the hallways upstairs playing loudly. Rose, Caroline and Jackie retired to the sitting room with Sam. The Doctor, Lewis, Jack, Jake, Pete and Howie all sat around the dining room table. Jack leaned back and closed the door to keep anyone from overhearing their conversation.

Pete nodded his head. "Alright. The subject of this meeting is the prisoner who is currently aboard the Doctor's ship."

The Doctor smiled like a loon.

"What's with you?" Lewis asked.

"He called me 'the Doctor'. He usually calls me John."

Jack laughed as he took the glass of wine the Doctor was drinking, "It's time to cut him off now. Someone has had too much to drink tonight."

"Ah! Damn it. I'm fine." He insisted as he sat up and waved his hand. "The prisoner in question has a history that all of us in this room are familiar with. He is one of the men who attacked Rose many years ago. He was thought to have been killed on a mission from Torchwood. I've confirmed he was the only survivor of it."

Pete sighed as he sat back in his chair. "So, none of the others made it."

The Doctor shook his head.

"Could that be why he is so hell bent?" Lewis asked. "Only survivor?"

"He believes that it is his responsibility to get vengeance over the loss of the rest of the unit. He feels they were sent there with the intentions of never returning." The Doctor explained.

Pete grumbled as he crossed his arms, "They were. I won't deny it."

Howie asked, "Do you feel that he is part of this terrorism?"

The Doctor sat back and sighed, "That's the problem. He's not. He had no prior knowledge that the Space Traffic Control would be attacked, I was going to be kidnapped, none of that stuff that happened that night. It is purely coincidence. However…."

Jake spoke up, "He was part of the kidnapping from the park."

Jack groaned and threw his head back, "Ugh. This can't even be possible. An organization can't be this disorganized."

Lewis rubbed his lips with his finger. "Unless it's not organized. This looks like a person on the outside, doing his own thing. Maybe that's what it is."

"He met with the bar keeper in Atlanta to get into the kidnapping from the playground. All of the other suspects were killed in that. He managed to get away." The Doctor informed them. "He was the one that supplied them with the shit they knocked Rose and me out with."

Pete tapped the tabletop, "That finally makes sense where they got it, then."

Jake nodded his head. "And it should be a comfort to know that there isn't anymore of it."

The Doctor nodded, "That's right. Well, unless they have managed to figure out how to manufacture it now. They had put the remaining bit they had from this guy, into two syringes. There couldn't have been that much left after they used it on us at the Presidential palace."

Pete nodded his head. "That is good news."

Lewis crossed his arms, "So, this guy sold them this stuff…and joined their crew for one job?"

"He had to buy into it. That's how it worked. So, he gave them the remaining Bee Sting venom that he had."

Jack shook his head in surprise, "How the hell do you even know this?"

The Doctor smiled, "Oh, I can be a pretty good interrogator when I need to be."

Jack looked at Jake, who nodded his head, clearly impressed.

Lewis poured himself a drink. "This makes sense now. When we arrested the bar keeper in Atlanta, and shut down that part of the operation-"

"Then eliminated Dorian Ides." Jake added.

"Right, that really disorganized this entire thing." Lewis added. "There's not a head guy, it's just a lot of little groups and individuals running about."

Jack crossed his arms. "That isn't good. That's more dangerous."

The Doctor nodded his head. "That's very true. Harder to see the enemy. They could be hidden in plain sight. Perhaps, even in our own group."

Pete shook his head. "I trust everyone that works for us. Quauhtin, Jake, Jack, and that kid….what is his name?"

"Logan." The Doctor helped.

"Yes! He's a good guy. But, I won't deny that I trust very few others."

The Doctor nodded, "Indeed. And speaking about that, Howie. Your Vice President. I really don't like that guy."

Howie chuckled. "Hell, neither do I. What else do we agree on?"

Jack laughed, "The Wanker."

The Doctor told him about the empty cooler and how the heart was never on its way to him. Howie took the news the way Pete expected. He sat back in his chair and grunted under his breath, "Fucker. I'll fix his damn wagon."

They all smiled at Howie's reaction. The Doctor tapped the table top with his hand as he rose up and rubbed his face. "Now, what do we do with this information?"

Lewis sighed, "Well, there is a lot going on with this. Let's start with Howie's re-election. We need to be more cautious of his security."

"Fuck my security. I have Marines. If you worry about anyone, worry about Jacob. They've already managed to get him. Hearing this shit about what happened with my heart just shows that he's not safe. John. I want to talk to Caroline to ensure it's alright with her, but could you take him to your place and keep him away from these guys?"

The Doctor nodded his head. "Of course. He's always welcome with us. I'll prepare him a room. He'll be fine."

Howie nodded his head. "I'm completely in your debt-"

He waved his hand, "I learned a long time ago to never keep score. It's alright. Talk to Caroline. He'll be safe on the island with us."

Lewis nodded his head. "Still, I want to put a Quauhtin on Howie and Caroline at all times."

The Doctor nodded his head. "I want one on the Wanker, too."

Howie smiled and crossed his arms. "See if you can get him for treason. The United States hasn't convicted someone of that in years."

The Doctor rubbed his chin. "1944. World War II. Herbert Haupt and the U-boat Raiders. Oh yes. Granted, the United States has only ever convicted 5 individuals of that."

Jack looked surprised, "Really? Only 5?"

"They are a young country. Not like Britain."

Howie pointed at the Doctor, "Don't be getting too big for your britches over there."

Jack asked the Doctor. "What is he saying?"

The Doctor leaned back up, "Anyway. That's sorted for the moment. Now, the subject of this prisoner on the ship remains. What do we do with the information we have from him, and do we need anything else?"

Pete shook his head, "No. What do we do with this guy now that he's turned up alive?"

Lewis nodded, "He's probably made a career out of telling everyone every dirty secret Torchwood has that he knew."

Jack turned his head, "Should we ask him what he's told people?"

Lewis pointed out. "Probably a safer bet to assume he's told everything he knows. Even if he hasn't, another agent could have."

"Which explains how they got into the building and everything." Jake added.

Pete nodded his head. "There is a new system being installed there now. Same one they use at the Pentagon. I should have done it years ago."

Jake asked, "Should we review the training of the agents, or any procedures? After the Cyber Invasion, some things just had to get done. There really should be departments and operations that are cleaned up."

The Doctor pointed at Jake. "That's a good point. Jack. Work with Jake and you two come up with better training, procedures and such. Pete? Are you good with that?"

Pete nodded his head. "That sounds good. Let me know what you guys come up with. We'll get it enacted quickly."

Jake nodded his head. "Well, that's sorted. Doc'. Want Jack and me to go back and off this guy?"

The Doctor sighed, "No. All of these events happening the way they have, and when I had you two go back before-"

"Wait. You had them go back in time?" Pete asked.

The Doctor looked up at him and nodded.

"Damn it, son! You can't do that! Things happen and that's just the way of it. You can't go fucking around with this shit-"

The Doctor groaned and leaned his head back. He looked back at Jack, who laughed quietly at him. "Man. I have lived centuries to hear someone bitch at you about that."

The Doctor rubbed his face, "Pete."

Pete leaned into the table and glared at him. "What?"

He glanced back at Jack who was positively about to bounce out of his chair in excitement of what the Doctor was going to say. To Jack's disappointment, the Doctor waved his hand at Pete and groaned, "I'm not even going to go into this with you.

Jack looked crushed, "Really? That's all you're going to say?"

The Doctor rolled his eyes at Jack and mumbled, "Way more at stake here than winning an argument."

Jack tossed his hands up, "Like what?"

Lewis, sensing the conversation needed to get back on course, "Anyway! The prisoner is currently in a time…. what did you call it?"

The Doctor nodded, "A time stasis."

Pete looked confused, "He's what?"

Jack looked shocked, "That's illegal."

The Doctor turned his head and looked at Jack. "Nah. Time Lords were the only ones that could do that in the Prime Dimension. It was a rule made for them. I'm the only one here now and no one is here to tell me I can't."

Jake looked confused, "Okay, hang on. A time stasis? So, he's just…."

The Doctor shrugged his shoulders. "I needed time to think about what to do. It's as if he has just….stopped."

"Whose jurisdiction does this even fall under?" Lewis asked. "Torchwood?"

"No. Mine." The Doctor insisted as he pointed to himself.

"That's the reason you had him moved to the ship." Jack realized.

"Not really. Originally, it was just to question him outside of Torchwood. See if we could get anything out of him. But, finding out how who he is now? He is mine."

Pete crossed his arms as he glared at him. "Well, hang on a damn minute. He's a prisoner of Torch-"

"Torchwood considers him dead. All of the records state that. The person he hurt is too dear to me to risk losing this piece of shit, or letting him get away with what he's done. I'm handling this, and if you want to take it to a higher authority, I'm sorry. There isn't one. It ends with me."

Jack sat back and smiled, "Yes. I'm happy now."

Pete rolled his eyes. "Alright. You want this piece of shit, I'm not going to fight you for him. You are welcome to him."

Jack looked back at him, "So, what can we do?"

The Doctor groaned, "Unfortunately, I've messed this up. It was my intentions to have you and Jake return to stop the attack on Rose. But, in stopping Trout's murder, I've managed to create another fixed point."

"So, that has to happen now?" Jack asked.

"It's strange. It's not ….. concrete. I've never experienced anything like it."

Pete stood up and leaned against the back of the chair he stood behind and dropped his head. "I'm telling you, son. I really don't think it's a good idea at all. Rose became serious about finding you after that happened. I worry you will mess that up. Have you spoken to her about this?"

He shook his head.

Pete put his hands in his pockets and sighed. "Gentlemen, will you lot please give me and my son-in-law the room?"

Jack stood up and patted the Doctor on the chest. He mumbled, "And you're about to get your ass chewed out."

The Doctor smiled at Jack. "It won't be the first time."

Jack laughed. "Or the last."

They all walked out of the room, leaving Pete and the Doctor behind.

Pete sat down next to him. "Alright. I don't know how to say this-"

"Oh, the gods, you are going to tell me some more shit-"

"I'm not. I've told you everything. I really have. I'm just going to leave you with a thought. You, are making decisions for Rose that aren't yours to make."

"This is my decision to make! It was my fault she was in that situation-"

Pete shook his head, "How did she get there?"

"What do you mean?"

"Trace it back, son. How did she get there?"

"Well, she was working the Dimensional Cannon-"

"Further back."

He groaned, "You're trying to tell me that me making decisions for her is what got her into that situation to begin with."

"Right in one. You need to talk to her about this and get her opinion on it. Does she know you sent the guys back?"

He considered, "No."

"Why? Out of all people. Why didn't you tell her?"

"Something I was doing. I needed her to not know so the timeline would seal properly."

"And is it sealed now?"

He nodded his head. "I get what you are saying, Pete-"

"No, I don't think you do. You are still treating her like a parent treats a child. You are making all of the decisions and not giving her an option on anything. Hell, she doesn't know-"

"Fuck! You're the one that has told us all not to tell her-"

"That's different! Don't compare that with this."

He crossed his arms and groaned. "Pete. I know what I'm doing."

Pete held his hands out in his defense. "This is the part where I apologize."

He looked surprised at him, "Apologize? What?"

Pete nodded his head. "It is really none of my businesses, and I've probably put my nose in where it doesn't belong. I just felt I needed to say something as your friend. I want you two to be happy. I realize you are ….. experienced with Time Travel and the like, but I'm telling you. It just frightens the hell out of me. More than the possibility of her finding out that scumbag is still alive. More than her reaction to knowing that you know this about her. If a human can see a fixed point, I see that as one. I hate that it happened and if I could get you to go back and prevent it, I would. But, this is an odd case. I can't even believe I'm admitting it to you."

"Odd how?"

"I can't explain it. It's just… what I'm supposed to tell you. It's so, very important that I tell you that I'm willing to risk you punching me out over this conversation. Do not send anyone back to change that. It's fixed. Alright?"

The Doctor looked completely bewildered. "Alright, Pete." He shook his hand.

Pete nodded his head and sighed in relief. "So, we're good?"

He smiled, "Thank you for talking to me about this. I'm sure it wasn't an easy thing to say to me."

XxxxxXxxxxxxx