Chapter 5

There was a flash of white light which was so bright Rose had to shield her eyes.

"Hey," came Jack's voice. She felt firm arms wrap around her in a hug. "It's been so long, hasn't it?"

Rose opened her eyes and looked up to see Jack Harkness' eyes sparkling down at her. She hugged him back and smiled at him, which he returned. "Yeah," she agreed, stepping back, looking at him fully. He was still clean shaven and looked exactly how he'd been last time she'd seen him. "It has been a long time. Too long. Shall I introduce you to the new Doctor? Well, new for you."

He held his hand out which she grasped tightly. "Lead the way." He said. "But remember the Doctor didn't remind you about me so please don't over react if I throw a punch or shout."

Rose nodded. "I wouldn't blame you. He wasn't the one who's memory of you was erased. Or maybe it did…"

"A Time Lord wouldn't forget no matter how many regenerations. Trust me I've done my research."

"Well, then I see nothing else stopping us, so let's go." Rose said.

The Doctor didn't hear Rose come up, he was thinking too hard, staring at the engine, willing it to start, though he knew it wouldn't.

"Doctor?" Rose said anxiously from the top of the stairs. He didn't look up at her.

"Hey Doc, long time no see."

Just when the Doctor looked up a punch hit him square on the cheek, hard. He fell.

"Ow! Why d'you do that?" the Doctor asked, massaging his face, standing up. He backed away as not to be hit again.

Jack stood before the Doctor, Rose hovering by the stairs. "You left me on the Game-station! That a good enough reason for you?" Jack shouted.

"Hang on. You died. The Daleks killed you. How did you get back?"

"I don't know. The Dalek shot me and then the next moment, I don't know how much time passed, but I was back and I heard the TARDIS leaving and I saw you fade away."

The Doctor looked over Jack's shoulder at Rose. "I told you to let go of the power of the TARDIS. You couldn't and I said you can't control life and death and then you replied, crying, 'But I can.' It all makes sense now. Jack, I thought you were dead. I presumed Rose was just grieving that's why she never mentioned you."

"And you never asked her?" Jack said angrily, gesturing at Rose. "You never thought to bring me up in conversation? Or - or try to rescue me?"

"Like I said, I thought you were dead!" the Doctor told him, raising his voice.

"How could I be grieving if I didn't know he was dead?" Rose asked precariously.

"I don't know, maybe you could sense it that whole psychic shock thing and all, where someone you love dies or gets hurt you can sense it. Rose you're special, I just thought… I'm sorry." The Doctor sighed. "If I'd known I would've come straight back to get you. You helped us end the Time War and for that I thank you. Do you accept my apology?"

Jack sighed. "I fought to win. We did beat the Daleks and so I guess… yeah. Yeah I do accept. I'm sorry for, ah, punching you. And besides those two years gave me more engineering practice."

"May I ask," the Doctor said. "How you knew to come at exactly this time?"

Jack smiled. "Rose. She contacted me," He tapped his watch. "They still work. Built to last for a few years. I tried yours you know," Jack told Rose. "But it was off."

Rose looked down at the floor and said quietly, "I thought the battery would go. I mean, we've travelled for more than two years." She looked up again. "So are we gonna work a way out of here or not?"

Jack rubbed his hands, prepping himself. "Absolutely."