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Chapter 30: Fragments
The Torchwood team excluding Gwen Cooper were heading out when the TARDIS appeared before them. Jack stopped and smiled as he waited for the door to open. When it finally did, Iris stepped out.
It had been a few days for her to adjust to her grief over losing River Song. But she felt much better now. When the Doctor had offered to drop her off at Cardiff, she quickly agreed, missing Jack and Ianto along with the rest of the team.
The moment she had stepped outside the TARDIS and saw the team, she smiled weakly until she noticed Gwen was missing. But before she could ask them about where Gwen was, Jack quickly hugged her tightly as he pressed a kiss on her head.
Iris smiled at that before telepathically thanking the Doctor through their bond. The Time Lord merely chuckled before the TARDIS began to dematerialize behind them. When Jack finally separated from her, Ianto came over and did the same. Iris laughed a little at that while she said,
"Thanks guys. I missed you all too."
Tosh and Owen smiled at the sight of the trio reuniting. It had been a while since they had seen the newly regenerated Iris.
Curious, Iris asked them, "Where are you guys going?"
Jack's smile slightly dimmed a little as he said, "There was a signal that needed some tracking down, so we're all going to go investigate."
Iris' eyes widened and then she grabbed both Jack and Ianto's hands as she led them, saying,
"Then what are we doing here? Let's go!"
With that, the Time Lady started dragging them to the car, making sure that they would hurry over there. Tosh giggled a little as she told Owen,
"They look happy to see her again. They finally got used to the idea of being in a trio, but that's just Jack's influence, I guess."
Owen shook his head while there was a smile that still remained on his face. They then joined the rest of their team to hurry over to the site with the signals. Once they arrived, Iris frowned as she tried to discern where she had seen the abandoned building.
But something seemed to stop her from quite remembering it when she heard Ianto's message for Gwen,
"Gwen, texting you the location. Appearing four or five signs of life, definitely non-human. Get here as soon as you can."
Owen looked around as he asked, "So, sure they're not Weevils?"
Tosh looked at her scanner as she responded with, "Don't think so. Different energy patterns. I can't make sense of it. Not a species we've encountered before."
Owen huffed at that, as he responded with, "Well, let's hope they're friendly, then."
Jack gave out orders for them as he said,
"Owen, Ianto, Tosh, take the other side of the building. Check the upper floors. Iris with me."
Iris nodded and headed inside with Jack. But not too long after, Jack asked Toshiko through their comms, "Tosh? Any readings?"
As Toshiko was telling them something, Iris realized where they were and when she had returned to. Iris quickly grasped Jack's arm as she said, "We shouldn't split up. I just remembered."
Jack looked at her incredulously and he asked cautiously, "Is this an episode?"
Iris nodded and said, "We need to get out of here."
But before they could do anything, Jack and Iris were blown away from each other as an explosion erupted throughout the entire building.
…..~~…..
Never-ending blackness enveloped Iris as she partially regained consciousness. It felt as if she was floating when a small light appeared in front of her before she felt something cold by her feet. She looked down to find snow under her bare feet. That was when she saw that she had on a white dress once again, long hair flowing behind her as the wind hit her face.
She looked around to find red grass and snow around her. Iris gasped as she saw the citadel once again in front of her. She stepped forward to the peaceful landscape when she heard a voice that chilled her bones as the view disappeared.
"See…"
She was in a new location and instead of being free, she was chained inside a cage. The clean, white dress was covered in fresh red blood along with rusted old ones. Iris felt pain through her heart wrack her entire body as she lifted her head to look around what appeared to be a lab.
As she looked around, she noticed one thing that seemed to slow down time in her shock. It was an orb-like object that contained what looked like a supernova. That was when a male figure in a full Gallifreyan robe enter the lab. She rattled her chains, trying to break free when the man looked up at her and smiled.
The smile sent another chill down her spine as she grimaced in pain, when the man said,
"You're finally awake. It was about time. You see, I need myself a warrior, and what better than the one who could absorb anti-time and-"
But his voice faded as she could no longer hear him. Rather, her mind only comprehended one word that seemed to follow after that sentence:
"Zagreus."
With that, Iris screamed in pain as the man committed torture that caused her immense pain. This seemed to never end when she was jolted awake by a breeze of fresh air that suddenly filled her lungs.
…..~~~~~…..
She coughed and that was when her eyes opened to see a small amount of light peek through the piles of rocks around her. Iris remembered where she was and heard voices above her call out to her.
But as she tried to call out to them, pain stopped her. It seemed to come from the same source as she had just experienced in the vision she had. Iris wheezed out a shaky breath while hearing the Doctor's panicked voice from across her bond as he yelled out,
"Iris?! Are you alright?"
Iris smiled at the worry the Time Lord expressed and sent him a confirmation that she was alright and that there was nothing to worry about. It didn't seem to erase his worry for her, but he did calm down upon hearing her voice.
A few more minutes passed as Iris heard voices above her and then a rock directly above her was removed to shine more light down where she was. Iris grimaced by the onslaught of light caused her eyes to narrow as they tried to adjust to the brightness.
That was when she heard Jack's worried voice call out to her. "Iris! Are you alright?"
Iris wheezed, unable to answer back. Tears streamed down her face when another bout of pain went across her body. Her mind felt like it was about to catch on fire when more rocks were quickly being removed from above her. Before she realized what was happening, strong arms pulled her out from the wreckage as Jack and Ianto both hugged her carefully and tried to catch her attention.
Iris wasn't sure if she had been screaming that prompted the team to quickly remove all of the rubble off of her, but she couldn't keep her head straight for a minute or two as the pain from her dream overtook her.
As she was about to faint, the pain died, leaving only the cool air to replace it. Iris took in large gulps of air as she tried to clear her head. Ianto and Jack worriedly looked down at her. Ianto was taking few strands of hair out of her face as he asked,
"Iris?"
The Time Lady, managed to calm down as she said, "Oh God…"
She thought back to the vision that had sprung up on her. What did that mean? Was that man a younger Rassilon she had seen in her vision? If so, how long had she been under his influence if this ws all true?
But before she could do anything, her attention was brought back to the real world as Jack Harkness hugged her and whispered,
"I was worried that I had lost you."
Iris smiled gently as she stood up cautiously, still feeling the remnants of the pain that had wracked through her body earlier.
"I'm fine. It's just… I saw something that I can't tell you right now."
Jack worriedly glanced at her at that, but understood her meaning as he said,
"Let's get out of here."
When they headed out, they met up with Owen and Tosh. Iris quickly looked over their body to ensure that they didn't get too hurt when Jack asked them,
"You guys okay?"
Owen nodded as he supported Tosh, stating, "Yeah, you lot alright? What happened?"
Tosh was still supporting her arm that seemed to be broken while Iris said, "We need to get back to Cardiff as soon as possible. This was a planned attack."
Iris glanced towards Jack, unable to mention that this was all his little brother's work. As she stood up straighter, feeling better due to Time Lord biology, she hurried over to help Tosh walk to the Rover.
Owen muttered, "You were lucky."
Ianto tiredly responded with, "We all were."
Gwen looked confused and worried as she warily asked her leader, "Jack, who's done this?"
But before anybody could respond, Jack's vortex manipulator lit up to show a holo-message. Ianto gasped as he said, "Oh, no."
Gwen looked fearful as she aside, "Jack, what does he want?"
But then, the hologram of John stated, "Oooh… déjà vu. Or did I say that already? Hey, team. Of course, there might be a few less of you by now. Don't know if you liked my little gift. Of course, you can't die. And with all that life, all that time, you can't spare any for me. Oh… Say hi to the family."
Jack's face paled upon seeing the new homogamic figure stand next to John. It was his brother. Iris looked up at Jack, who looked shocked as he muttered,
"No way. It can't be."
The whole team watched Jack at this point as John said,
"Been a while since you've seen your brother, eh, Jack?"
Jack whispered out his brother's name in shock while John responded with,
"Okay, here's what's going to happen. Everything you love, everything you treasure will die. I'm going to tear your world apart, Captain Jack Harkness, piece by piece. Starting now, Maybe now you'll want to spend some time with me."
Owen grimaced while Tosh spoke quickly with,
"I'm getting readings of rift activity all over the city. Major rift flares at St. Helen's Hospital, the Police Headquarters and the Central IT Server Station."
That was the moment, Gwen's phone rang out. She quickly answered it, while she walked over to Rhys' car, responding to the person,
"Okay, I'm on my way, alright?"
With that, she whirled back to face her team as she asked, "This is him, isn't it? This Captain John, or whatever he likes to call himself."
Jack didn't really answer the question as he barked out orders.
"Rhys, drop Owen at the hospital. Tosh, Ianto, cover the Central Server building. Gwen, the police station, and Iris, take me to Torchwood."
Iris nodded and started preparing the Rover that seemed to remain there, another difference from the episode. Rhys looked at them in disbelief as he asked,
"You think we're all going to fit in here?"
He was referring to the three adults along with him and Gwen. Jack bit out impatiently,
"Yeah, we're going to have to."
Tosh didn't look so happy as she still nursed her broken arm that Iris provided a sling for as she said,
"Jack, these are traps."
Jack glared at her, giving her a look that stopped all other questions from her as he said,
"So be careful. You know what he's capable of."
Gwen asked him and Iris, "What about you two?"
Jack answered her as he neared the Rover, "We're gonna go reason with him."
Owen glared at his boss as he hissed out, "He just tried to kill us."
Jack's eyes turned sad as he said, "I was the only one who could ever control him. That's why the Time Agency partnered us. And if things were to turn south, Iris will take control of the situation."
Rhys looked confused as he asked his wife, "Did you just say Time Agency? Don't tlel me that's based in Cardiff too."
Once they arrived at the Hub, Jack held Iris' hand and said to her,
"Stay hidden. You're not going in there with me. You just went through something severe."
Iris glared at him and responded with, "No way. I'm not leaving you there alone! I know what happends to you if you go by yourself. What was the point in bringing me along if you were going to send me away?"
Jack's eyes softened as he put a hand to her face before leaning in to kiss her. Iris glared at him and said,
"That won't stop me from interfering you know."
Jack sighed and said, "Then please, for the team. Make sure you are safe."
Iris was about to argue when Jack jumped out from the Rover and ran towards the inside of the Hub. Iris could only watch him walk away with sadness before turning the Rover off and making sure to find a safe location to be in and call for the Doctor. She needed his help for something.
But when Iris felt a tingle of energy, she looked around to find nothing around her. She quickly dialed the number for the Doctor and waited. It took a while but the call got through and the Doctor answered his phone with a,
"Iris! You're safe!"
Iris sighed and immediately went to the point. "Doctor, I need your help with something…"
~~~~~…..~~~~~
It didn't take long for Iris to sneak into the Hub, finding Jack and John not inside. She warily had her gun prepared, before going to her computer to see if she could get the system and program that she knew Tosh was going to later try to set when she arrived.
However, before too long, she heard a voice say,
"Well, look who's here."
Iris immediately froze as she recognized the drawling voice. John. She eyed the gun in front of her as John said,
"I don't believe we've met. John Hart. Nice to-"
But before he could finish his sentence, Iris whirled around with the gun in her hand, aiming it straight at him. She glared at the man as she ground out,
"John Hart. Nice to see you again."
John immediately put both of his hands up as he looked at her curiously. He didn't seem to recognize her still as he asked,
"I don't think we've actually met. Who are you?"
Iris kept her aim steady as she answered with, "Remember a girl named Iris?"
John's eyes widened at that as he remembered a member of the team when he exclaimed,
"You! It can't be you! Nobody can just change their body and face like that!"
Iris didn't respond as Gwen rushed inside. John noticed her too since he said,
"You took your time."
Gwen nodded to Iris, indicating that she was here to help as she said, "On your knees."
John rolled his eyes as his tone changed, saying, "Honestly, it's just sex, sex, sex with you people."
Iris aimed her gun closer as she hissed out, "Now!"
Gwen continued with, "Hands behind your head. I'm gonna need a really good reason not to shoot you within the next 20 seconds."
John looked closely at Iris as he answered with, "I know where Jack is."
Iris smirked at that, causing John to look slightly fearful as she said, "I know where he is too. So, too bad."
Gwen grit out, "Anything else?"
John glared as he had to state, "I came back to help you."
Gwen's eyes narrowed even further as her face turned slightly flush from anger as she said,
"You bombed this city."
John ignored Iris as he said, "Listen to me. You have to believe me. It's Gray, Jack's brother, that's been doing all this."
Gwen intercepted Iris as she angrily said, "Don't talk rubbish."
She glanced over to Iris, who seemed to think on it before lowering her gun. But as she was about to say something, Iris kicked John for good measure, causing the man to clutch his stomach when he sat back up. Iris huffed and told the man,
"That was for hurting Jack earlier. And by the way, I know it's Gray. I know that he had been abducted and left behind in the Bedlam Outlands. The moment that molecular bomb comes off you, I have something for you to do."
John warily eyed her as he asked, "What is it?"
Gwen kept her gun trained on the man as she asked, "Iris, he killed people. Why do you trust him?"
Iris sighed as she said, "I don't. But as a person who used to trust Jack, maybe still does, he won't abandon his… friend. That lets me request one thing from him. Protect Toshiko Sato while she comes to finish what she needs to."
Gwen warily looked at Iris before nodding as she said, "Alright. Fine. But I keep an eye on him at all times."
Iris smirked at that and responded with, "Of course. It wouldn't be Gwen Cooper if she didn't make sure she saved Earth."
Gwen looked at her incredulously, not sure how Iris could find the time to be so happy about something. But she merely shook her head as John suddenly said,
"You want me to protect someone from Gray?"
Iris nodded and said, "You want to help Jack? That's the only thing you really can do. I know where he is, and he's here. It's just not the right moment to have him revealed yet. Gray and Jack need to meet each other at the right time."
John nodded reluctantly while Gwen looked at Iris with surprise. Jack was here in the Hub according to Iris, and that meant that she knew something more. Gwen bit her lips as she said,
"I'll make sure nobody gets hurt."
Iris smiled at Gwen appreciatively and said, "Thanks, but make sure you don't get hurt in the process either."
Gwen nodded at that and the group waited. At that moment, however, a high-pitched noise filled the Hub and Iris grimaced as she could feel the telepathic signal that had gone to the Weevils. Gwen asked in a panic-filled voice,
"What the hell is that?"
Iris responded with, "He's let the Weevils out…"
Gwen's eyes went wide, almost bulging out of her head as she said, "What?! Oh my God."
That was when John whispered in fear, "He must be here in the city. He said he was gonna take Jack's life, destroy it from the inside out. A weevil wake-up call could be just the beginning."
John turned to Iris as he asked her once again, "You sure you know where Jack is?"
Iris glared at him as she said, "Yes! Now, be quiet as I think of something!"
The Time Lady was furiously typing on her keyboard when Weevils rushed towards them. Iris quickly finished typing when a force field of some sort rose between the humans and the weevils. Gwen sighed out loud while John let out a whistle, impressed at what just happened. The weevils seemed distracted as the perception filter on the force field caused them to shift elsewhere in the Torchwood base to look for something. Once they disappeared, Iris started typing again as Ianto rushed into the Hub.
Iris let out a breath of relief as she rushed over to hug Ianto. The Welsh man hugged her before spotting John there. He quickly pushed Iris behind him as he aimed his gun when Gwen quickly stepped between John and Ianto, yelling out,
"No! Ianto, we need John right now! Iris told me that we need him!"
Ianto's eyes were still filled with anger, but he looked towards the woman he loved as he tensely lowered his gun. John apologetically looked at Ianto as he said,
"I'll make things right, Eye Candy."
Ianto glared at the man, but remained quiet as Tosh stepped inside too, stating, "Then start by getting those Weevils down the Vaults before they recover."
Iris sighed and said, "Tosh, he needs to be here. If not, someone has to be."
Ianto glared at John as he said, "I'm not letting him out of my sight. I don't trust him."
Iris looked over to Ianto pleadingly, as she begged him, "Ianto, please, he wants to help and he means it. I need him to be here."
Ianto shook his head and quickly dragged John over with him towards the Weevils. Gwen looked hesitant about where she needed to be. Iris sadly looked at Gwen as she said,
"Go with Ianto please. I… I need you to make sure Ianto doesn't do something he might regret."
Gwen nodded and ran to catch up to Ianto and John. Tosh sighed and said, "Something bad's supposed to happen to me, isn't it?"
Iris looked over at her and asked, "What do you mean?"
Tosh smiled sadly as she began working on the program that she needed. While doing this, she said, "I know that look on your face Iris. That hasn't changed despite you regenerating."
Iris looked at the woman in front of her, her own resolve solidifying as she said,
"I'm not going to let anything happen to you."
Tosh smiled appreciatively and nodded, typing away furiously. A few moments later, both women heard Owen say through communication,
"Tosh, you're going to have to help me out here. I haven't got a bloody clue what I'm doing."
Tosh began to work through before a look of dread came to her as she said,
"Okay, I don't want you to panic, but the reactor's already hit the critical point."
But as Owen was about to say something, Iris felt her hearts sing as they all heard the sound of the TARDIS materialize near Owen. Not too long after, they heard the Doctor say,
"Anybody request for a sonic screwdriver?"
Iris shook her head at his antics, but quickly realized something as she turned to Tosh. She said,
"Tosh, I need you to do whatever the Doctor asks you to do, but I set it so that you portable device can do all that without the computers. Go hide somewhere."
Tosh looked at her with fearful eyes before running towards a corner that she had known for a lockdown situation. Iris quickly began to leave when a gunshot sound rang throughout the Hub. Iris gasped as pain seared in her arm. Luckily, she had been moving around, so the bullet only grazed her left arm, but it still hurt. She turned around and raised her gun to face Gray, who started pulling power cables from the computers.
Iris tried to have a cold expression as she heard Gray saying,
"I've heard people say death is such a waste. I imagine it more as a relief."
But before he could say anything more, Iris couldn't help herself say,
"Well, I've already died once. I did not enjoy that at all. I'd rather avoid it if I could. I mean, what would you do if you were to die slowly? I might have enough time to play chess, eat strawberries, make a sculpture. Ooh, I could probably even do something fancy with-"
Gray stepped closer, making Iris frown at that as she quickly said again,
"Oh God, I'm beginning to sound like the Doctor."
Gray seemed to get angrier, but he didn't shoot as the gun was still trained on him. They were at a stalemate as he managed to hiss out,
"The battle's done. Jack's dead. I won."
But Iris could only smirk when both of them heard a banging noise coming from what seemed to be behind Gray. His brows furrowed in confusion as he asked, "What's that?"
Iris's eyes saddened as she softly responded with, "Why don't you go see?"
With that, Gray left the room to investigate, not thinking much about the injured Time Lady. Meanwhile, Tosh peeked her head over to find Iris wincing in pain as blood seeped down her left arm. She ran over to her friend as she yelled out,
"Are you alright?!"
Iris nodded as she clutched her arm and asked Tosh, "Tosh, I need you to help me a little bit."
Tosh nodded immediately and Iris said, "Could you open the holding cell doors? The trio is stuck down there."
Tosh sighed as she said, "But your arm-"
Iris shook her head and said, "No. I bet Owen is on his way now via TARDIS, so I can have him or the Doctor to look after my arm. Just make sure Gwen, Ianto and John are all safe."
Tosh looked reluctant but started to open the vault doors. That was when she saw Jack solemnly enter the holding cell area. As the TARDIS materialized into the Hub, Tosh noticed Ianto lean into Jack heavily, finally letting all his relief get shown.
She turned to Iris, who had gone down to the autopsy room to treat the gunshot wound on her arm. Tosh sighed as the door of the TARDIS opened and Owen ran out, eyes wide, as he saw her safe and sound.
"Bloody hell, I never want to go through all that again!"
Tosh let her tears fall as she cried out from the high stress that they had all been involved in. The Doctor and Donna followed the Torchwood medic out, looking for the Time Lady.
Upon spotting her in the autopsy room on a table, struggling to ease the pain, the Doctor ran over and yelled out through their bond,
"Iris! What happened? How bad is it?"
Iris looked up at him and smiled as she said out loud, "I'm fine. Just a little accident. I just need help with easing the pain for this stupid wound."
Donna sighed loudly as she glared at her and said, "Can't you not get hurt in an adventure? I swear that you are more of an idiot than this guy is."
Iris laughed a little while the Doctor said, "Oi! Idiot?!"
Donna chuckled at that, still relieved that Iris didn't manage to die this time around. She actually looked happier as she looked at Owen and Tosh. She couldn't quite tell what the look on the Time Lady's face was, but it was similar to relief and happiness all mixed together.
But that look faded into one of somewhat hidden sadness as Iris watched Jack put his brother into one of the cryoboxes. The Doctor had helped Owen and Tosh into the TARDIS so that he could look at both of them since he had more technologies that could help with their injuries in the TARDIS med-bay. The two women on the other hand, watched as Jack told the group,
"My whole life I was looking for him. Now I have to lose him all over again."
John Hart walked over and patted his friend's shoulder, telling him, "You cryo-freeze him and then what? Wake him up in a hundred years and he's miraculously better? Because that's not gonna happen. Maybe killing him would be the release he needs."
Iris stood up at that and responded with, "No. Death is never the answer. Gray needs time to heal, and one day, Jack will be ready to face his brother, but it's not time yet."
Jack nodded and looked at her with gratitude in his eyes. Iris gave him a small smile, knowing that he was hurting still as John whispered to Jack,
"You didn't struggle when I buried you. Like you were allowing it."
Jack's eyes darkened with guilt as he responded with, "It was my penance."
John shook his head and said, "It's not your fault."
Donna sighed as she turned back to Iris at that moment, saying, "Are you going to be alright? No, are you alright? We left you here to take a break, but…"
Iris smiled brightly at her as she said, "I'm fine."
Donna narrowed her eyes, thinking back to the quick mood changes that the Time Lady was showing. She knew that response and avoidance of the question, the Doctor always did that. And here was Iris, doing the same exact thing.
But before she could pester the woman further, Toshiko and Owen came outside of the TARDIS. The Torchwood technician's arm was no longer broken. Rather, it looked normal. Donna rolled her eyes as the Doctor wiggled his eyebrows, gloating and showing extreme happiness. She just shoved him back inside the TARDIS when they turned to see John hug Jack, and then go over to Iris, kissing her on the cheek, before sauntering out of the Hub.
Iris looked up at Jack, with a knowing look. Jack sighed, and hugged her, the two people staying quiet. As they were separating, Gwen and Ianto came along to join the group. That was when they all heard Donna Nobel's voice ring out as she told the team,
"So, the Doctor and I were talking, and he's willing to take everyone home or for a relaxing journey if people want to join."
The Torchwood team looked at the Time Lord, who looked down incredulously at his companion before clearing his throat a little and turning to face the team and nodding awkwardly. Iris chuckled a little at that, feeling the heavy weight of the entire day get a little lighter due to her red-haired friend.
Iris smiled and hugged Jack a little tighter, looking up at him. Jack sighed and said,
"I have to stay here because of the mess. But you go."
Iris looked up at Jack studying him before shaking her head and looking back at the duo standing by the entrance of the TARDIS. She told them,
"I think I'll pass this time, but see you all soon."
The Time Lord looked a little disappointed, but could sense that she wanted to be near Jack for a while. Nodding his head, he looked over to everybody else, who looked exhausted. Owen then spoke up and asked,
"Well, Tosh and I were thinking of sticking with the team for a while and maybe getting drinks to blow off some steam so that we can get the workload off of Jack here for a bit."
Gwen and Ianto nodded, walking nearer to Jack and Iris. Donna nodded, noticing the bond the team shared and said,
"Then we'll leave you all to it. But let us know if you need help!"
Iris lightheartedly saluted Donna as the two time travelers went back into the TARDIS. The team watched the ship dematerialize from the Hub.
With that, the team silently quietly dispersed, not ready to quite clean up everything yet.
Iris grabbed Jack's hand when he solemnly walked towards the room he used to stay at. Jack didn't look back at her, just standing there. Iris' hearts broke a little at his silence, understanding that he was mourning the loss and discovery of his brother.
"I didn't know. I…"
Iris quietly walked closer and hugged him from behind, whispering to him,
"I know."
Jack let out a tear slip down his face as she silently held him. He felt the warmth emanating from her, the calming presence holding him down from completely breaking down. So many things could have gone wrong tonight, but she had prevented that from taking place.
He then slowly turned around to face her as he said, "You should go home. We have a bit to do tomorrow."
Iris smiled sadly as she responded with, "I'm not leaving you behind Jack. You shouldn't be alone tonight."
Jack choked back a sob at that, as she did not push him, but just continued to stay by him the entire night. They did not talk, but Iris held his hand, and when Jack finally fell asleep from exhaustion, she let him rest his head on her lap.
She sat there, stroking his hair softly, looking around the Hub. So much had happened for her in this place. She had found two people she loved dearly, a team she cared dearly for. And then had become a Time Lady. She couldn't have imagined this all taking place, her getting the chance to see the universe something she had thought impossible not too long ago.
Iris sighed deeply, knowing that it was a further uphill battle that Jack was facing from this point on. All she could hope for was helping him as much as she could. She looked down at Jack's peaceful sleeping face, not sure what to feel about the events that unfolded so far. It was too quick. All she could hope for now was that the events to unfold for the team would come much later for them all.
Soon, Jack woke up, finding Iris smiling gently at him from his position.
"Did you not sleep?"
Iris shook her head, as she said, "Time Lady biology. I don't need sleep as much."
Jack stayed there, basking in the simplicity and yet meaningful position they were in. He looked up at her deep brown eyes, wanting to etch this into memory. The last body of Iris was gone. The one who had drawn him in with the sad look always haunting her eyes.
He could still see some of it in her, but it felt different. It felt as if most of the haunted look was gone, and more of a solemn, heavy sadness that was hidden by a younger, lighthearted façade she maintained for him and Ianto.
He cupped her cheek with one of his hand as he asked, "Why did you stay?"
Iris leaned her head into his hand as she said, "Because you shouldn't be alone. And… because I need you."
Jack saw the raw emotion that escaped when she had said the last sentence. His heart raced at that confession. This version of her was less hesitant about confessing her true feelings towards him and he felt the sadness from Gray ebb a little at that.
Iris saw the emotions run through her lover's eyes, and leaned down to peck Jack on the lips lightly.
Jack looked up in surprise, before reaching for her and bringing her back down to his lips. The kiss they shared was less passionate then other times. It was more gentle, more of a comforting kiss. Iris' hearts felt lightened by the kiss.
When they broke for air, the two people smiled at each other. Iris pecked him on the forehead as she whispered to him,
"Gray will be back at some point. I'll make sure that happens. It won't be easy, but I promise to help you with that."
Jack smiled at her sadly as he said, "What did I do to deserve you?"
Iris let out a throaty laugh at that, as she once again, started to run her fingers through his hair until morning rose and they had to start cleaning up the Hub to deal with the whole fiasco that took place last night.
A/N: Sorry for the short chapter! It's been a while, and I apologize, but it's been a hectic semester for me. I will upload for sure next week with multiple chapters, but please wait until then! Thank you for everyone's support and love!