A/N – This came to me as I was getting ready this morning and a documentary about Bletchley Park came on.

Please forgive any historical inaccuracies as I was only half listening to the program and while I have seen other films and documentaries, I really didn't do much research other than dates for this. I've been having a lot of issues translating ideas to actual stories lately and I really just wanted to get this out there.

War and Love

After showing his credentials to the guard on duty, Captain Jack Harkness turned the car onto the gravel drive and slowing approached the main house. Torchwood had been involved in some of the work being done at Bletchley Park since before the war at the request of the king. Not too involved, of course, just a hint or a nudge in the right direction or an idea for a new technology here and there.

Jack had been sent on a routine check to make sure the 'help' they'd offered was not being taken too far. He hated these visits. He wanted so much to be able to tell these people something to be able to end the war sooner, but he knew he couldn't. Sometimes he felt that he was assigned these visits as some kind of punishment by the leaders of Torchwood.

So, biding his time, Jack went through the motions. He attended the meetings, followed the carefully guided tours, making notes and all the time knowing full well that any major change in the course of the war was at least a year away and there was absolutely nothing he could do about it. It would even be a few more years before he'd be meeting the Doctor and Rose for the first time in London.

Returning his thoughts to the present (such as it was), Jack gathered up the day's reports and various other papers he'd been given and tucked them into his satchel. It was late, he noted glancing at his watch. Too late to head back to London tonight. He'd get a room in town and head back in the morning to drop off the reports and debrief (he smiled at the turn of phrase) before driving back to Cardiff.

Securing the satchel in a special lockbox in the car, Jack headed off down the gravel lane towards the town. Because it was only one night, he was able to secure a room at the local inn. Places to stay were at a premium in the small village due to the influx of people working at the Park. After settling in and once more making sure the satchel and its contents were secure, Jack headed off to a pub he'd seen earlier for a meal and a drink.

The Captain settled himself at a table in the corner with a bowl of stew and a pint. He sat and watched the comings and goings of the other diners as he ate. Most of the patrons were obviously not local and therefore employees from Bletchley Park. His focus was drawn to a small group at the end of the bar – especially the young dark-haired man. Jack recognized Alan Turing immediately. The man was legendary even in the 51st Century. Knowing what was ahead for the young man, Jack was suddenly no longer hungry.

Jack watched the group of codebreakers talking and laughing – giving so much to their country and not knowing that in a few short years that same country would vilify Turing for whom he loved.

Angry at his inability to do anything to save this doomed man, Jack swiftly stood up, grabbed his coat and left the pub. Back in his room at the inn, he paced, unable to calm his thoughts. It would be so easy to try to say a few words of warning… too easy. He couldn't stay here. The temptation was too overwhelming.

Leaving a few notes on the bedside table, Jack picked up his things and stepped out into the night. A few minutes later, he was driving off into the darkness towards London intent on refusing any future visits to Bletchley Park.

End

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