A/N – For the past few months I have been in a bit of a funk. Grand ideas for writing but cant seem to actually get them down. Hence, this little thing took me a week to write. Hopefully I can get back into it and get some stuff out there.

Inspiration for this came from the song by Crash Test Dummies – specifically as featured in the pilot for 'Due South'.

Superman's Song

Toshiko tapped out the final strokes to start her analysis program, then leaned back in her chair. She stretched out her arms, hearing the joints pop satisfactorily.

Glancing around the Hub, she noticed Gwen had not surprisingly already left. It was quite late after all. She could see the top of Owen's head moving around the medical area and heard the accompanying clanking of surgical instruments. She smiled knowing that despite the cursing and grumbling, the medic was enjoying himself.

Turning her chair around, Tosh saw Ianto stepping out of the shadowy corridor that lead to the archives. As if sensing her gaze, he met her eyes and smiled before turning towards the kitchen area.

Finally she turned her attention to the glass walled office in the corner - Jack's very own Fortress of Solitude. The door stood open allowing her to see the man sitting at the desk inside. It was rare to see Jack so still and quiet.

It had been a long day thanks to the creature Owen was now dissecting. Several civilians had died… Jack had died several times. Their normally carefree and larger than life leader looked so small and alone sitting at the desk. Even though he appeared to be reading reports, Tosh could see the weariness in his shoulders and when he glanced up at the computer monitor; his eyes were devoid of their usual sparkle.

Toshiko had been the first one Jack had recruited when he became leader of Torchwood Three. She'd seen him at his most vulnerable. It hadn't been his choice to be in charge. He hadn't asked for the responsibility of keeping watch over the rift. Yet he'd stayed. He'd built his team.

After the Battle of Canary Wharf came even more responsibility. Now the Captain had the safety of the entire nation, if not the world, in his hands.

Tosh wondered how he managed to cope, especially when she suspected that Earth wasn't even his home. Why did he accept this daunting task of protecting a world that wasn't even his own?

Jack put on his brave 'Superman' persona for that world. The brilliant smile… the jokes… the flirting… were all part of the costume he put on when he was saving the world.

But the real Jack was the man she was seeing now. A man who had been given so much responsibility that he'd never asked for. More responsibility than any one man should ever be given.

Her reverie was broken as a shadow passed her station. It was Ianto heading to Jack's office. Tosh watched as the younger man crossed the room, placing a coffee mug on the desk at Jack's elbow. He stepped behind the chair and rested his hands on the captain's shoulders and leaned down to whisper something in the older man's ear. Jack turned to Ianto and smiled. Not his super hero smile, but a real one. She watched the two men together and understood how Jack was able to carry on.

End

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