Bits in Between

Chapter Twelve: Lunch with Jack

By Lumendea

AN: This takes place after The Return with Fenric. Originally it was going to be a part of an episode but just didn't flow, so here it is expanded a bit.

…..

Rose was never quite sure what to think when Jack called and invited her to lunch. They did it often enough that Rose knew a bit about the 51st century. She'd heard him complain about how obsessed humans of her era were with biological sex and gender. He'd given her a sip of something called Hypervodka once that had almost knocked her over. Rose had also been regaled with numerous stories that always seemed to end with Jack naked. Lunches with Jack were fun and never boring.

Yet Rose still wasn't sure why he was around so often. He had his vortex manipulator, but Jack's complete comfort with her era made Rose wonder how often or how long he'd been hanging around. He got almost all of her references and made plenty of his own. Still, he never shared why he was hanging around the early 21st century. Sometimes Rose thought she caught a glimpse of him in the corner of her eye.

She was celebrating the great achievement in a small sushi café in London with an old/future friend sitting across from her. Jack Harkness was dressed much the same as always in his classic look that made Rose wonder if he'd taken a page from the Doctor's book and just adopted one outfit. His long coat was slung over the back of his chair, and his sleeves were rolled up. Rose was very aware that she was getting jealous looks from other female patrons.

"This is amazing sushi," Jack all but groaned suddenly. "Damn, this is good!" He smiled and nodded in pleasure. "Not as good as Japan obviously, but very good. California is great too for sushi."

"Yeah," Rose laughed in agreement even as she fumbled with the chopsticks for a moment. "Good lunch choice."

"Well, you're leaving Earth soon, and I won't be seeing you for a bit," Jack said. He shrugged casually, but it only made Rose suspicious. "Timelines and all that."

"Talking of timelines, anything interesting in your life right now?" Rose asked as casually as she could manage. "Or anyone interesting?"

Jack paused, a bit of Bluefin tuna halfway up to his mouth and a look of almost panic settling on his features. Quickly, he schooled his features. Anyone who didn't know Jack probably wouldn't have even noticed, but at this point, Rose had a good read on the former Time Agent. He swallowed down the sushi, and Rose gave him a knowing look as she tried to hide her smirk.

"Ah, time travel," Jack muttered a moment later. "The delightful possibility of your best friend being the mother of the woman you're involved with. Look, Rose, I swear we didn't really see it coming," Jack insisted as he shifted in his seat a bit nervously. "I mean, Athena was just always different. She was born fully grown, so I was never part of her childhood like I was with Astra. She never called me Uncle Jack or anything like that, and we just had a different sort of relationship. When she was a bit older, we'd occasionally go and find trouble together and things just…" he trailed off and shrugged. "If it makes you feel better, it was a long coming development. Decades, in fact, makes you and the Doctor look like you got together in a week."

"I'm still just having a hard time imagining you in a relationship with my daughter," Rose admitted. "You've never struck me as…" she trailed off, not wanting to sound accusatory.

"We have a fairly open relationship," Jack replied with a small teasing smile. "Sometimes, we find a third or a fourth. I can give you details-"

"God no, Jack," Rose scolded, giving him a dark look that only made him laugh. "Just no. You may be my friend, but keep in mind that she's my daughter." She shook her head and looked down at her sushi. "Besides, I've already heard a bit about a Mel before."

"A Mel?" Jack repeated with a hint of confusion. "Not sure who that is." He grinned and laughed. "Can't wait to find out."

"What?" Rose grimaced. "Damn! I'm sorry, forget I said anything." Rose looked down at her plate. This was before the Fenric in New York incident for him then. "Bugger!"

Jack laughed for a moment before he turned more serious. "But honestly, Rose, I don't cheat. When I'm in a relationship, we outline our expectations and agree. I don't look for hurting others."

"I know. I do know that I'm sorry." Rose said. She shook her head a little. "By the time it happens, I'll probably have adjusted." Rose chuckled. "I make no promises about the Doctor, though."

"Yeah," Jack said weakly. He shivered but then lifted his glass. "That's going to be an interesting dinner the first time she brings me back."

Holding back her own laugh, Rose just shook her head at her friend and brought up her own glass. They clinked them together, grinning at each other.

"How long until I see you again?" Rose asked softly. "I'll be leaving Earth soon."

"It'll be a while, I'm afraid." His smile softened. "Nice to know you'll miss me, but I'm sure you'll be busy with the Doctor."

"Any clues on when I wear him down?" Rose asked, batting her eyelashes.

"Oh, Rosie, I'm afraid you're facing a bit of a dry spell," Jack said. He truly did sound very sorry. "All the flirting and longing looks… it was horrible."

"Great." Rose grimaced and then sighed loudly. "This year's been bad enough." She sighed. "At least I got a great snog recently." The memory made her smile and shiver a little. "No matter the body, he is very good."

Jack made an excited sound and leaned forward eagerly. "Tell me more. Which body, what did he look like, and how was it?"

"You're snogging my daughter!"

"Doesn't mean that I'm not still very interested in what you and the Doctor do."

"Please tell me you get how weird that is," Rose all but pleaded.

"To your 21st century standards, sure," Jack agreed. He just shrugged and grinned at her. "Just tell me one thing, he still has a great arse, right?"

Trying not to smile, Rose gave up in less than ten seconds. She was bright red, but she grinned at Jack and nodded in agreement. Her almost brother/ future sort of maybe son-in-law laughed out loud. Rose couldn't help but giggle a little. Her life was very strange, but she loved it.