Alice and Jack searched through the Torchwood database for hours. It was only when they saw the sunrise over CCTV that they stopped.
"We've searched through hundreds of species but nothing even remotely fits," Alice said despairingly.
"Don't worry," Jack said confidently. "There are still thousands of aliens to look through. We've barely scratched the surface."
Alice looked at Jack from her place on the couch.
"What if we never find it?" she asked dully. Jack leaned forward in his seat and fixed her with a determined stare.
"We will," he said. "I promise."
Alice stood up, appearing unconvinced.
"Is there a place where I can sleep?" she asked. "I need to do that too, you know."
"Of course," Jack said. "Just take my bed." Alice looked at him sharply.
"You sleep here?"
"Why shouldn't I? It's not like I get paid. Besides, someone's gotta be here to make sure nothing happens when everyone else is off living their lives."
"Are you sure it's no trouble?" Alice asked. "You have to sleep too."
"Don't worry," Jack reassured her. "The rest of my team'll be here soon. We'll figure out something more permanent later."
They had arrived in a room tucked away from the rest of the Hub. A bed was built into a hollow in the wall, with a small bathroom stuffed in the corner of the room. Jack pulled a white shirt out of the chest of drawers across from the bed and tossed it to Alice.
"You can sleep in that if you want," he said. "I'm assuming you don't have any other clothes besides what you're wearing?" Alice looked down at the pale blue dress she had arrived in.
"No," she said.
"Then we'll buy you some tomorrow, assuming nothing rift-related happens," Jack said. "Unless you'd rather contact the Doctor and ask him to send you some of your old clothes…?"
"No," Alice decided. "I'd rather not talk to him right now if it's all the same to you."
"Of course. I understand. You get settled, and come find me if you need anything."
"Jack," Alice called. Jack paused at the door. "Your team…will I have to meet them?" Jack hesitated.
"Eventually. But don't worry about that now. Just rest up, and I'll probably be here when you wake." With that, he left the room, the door closing behind him with a snap.
Alice slowly surveyed her surroundings. The room was surprisingly neat; Alice had assumed that Jack's personal quarters would share the Hub's cluttered appearance. Checking to make sure no one was watching, Alice slipped out of her dress and pulled Jack's shirt over her head. After a moment's hesitation, she put the TARDIS key around her neck. Something about the atmosphere of the Hub unsettled her. It had none of the TARDIS's warmth. Still, she supposed it was something she'd have to get used to. After all, she thought as she climbed into Jack's bed and pulled the sheets over her, It's not as if I'll be leaving any time soon.
