Disclaimer: I do not own Torchwood, Doctor Who, or any of these characters.

Writer's note: this idea came to me out of nowhere :) Anyway, hope you enjoy; I tried to incorporate some original quotes from the series'. Please review (if you want to) :)

The Doctor stepped out onto the world he knew nothing of. As the soles of his converse came into contact with the dark, sandy ground he imagined Rose beaming and jumping up and down with excitement exclaiming 'I'll never get used to this; different ground beneath my feet, different sky!' he smiled at the memory but nowadays memories seemed to fill him with more melancholy than joy. He glanced up at the purple sky and marveled as the sun from a different world set slowly. The Doctor wasn't much of a drinker but he knew that the best place to meet the locals and discover where he had landed was the pub and every world had a pub.

He paced into the dingy bar and scanned the room, grinning at the diversity that greeted him; there were Ood, cyborgs, Sontarans, a lonely Sycorax (that sent a spike of guilt and anger through the doctor), and even a few excitable Adipose, who were perched on the table; a large group of humanoids with neon pink skin were also situated in the corner drinking large glasses of a navy blue beverage the doctor couldn't name. The Doctor went to sit up at the bar, where a Vinvocci barman with green skin and spikes all over his head stood pulling pints of the dark blue liquid; he was about to ask the cactus looking alien for a pint of the blue stuff when a voice came from behind him.

"Doctor?"

'It can't be' The Doctor thought

"Jack?" he turned and sure enough, found Captain Jack Harkness standing in the doorway.

Captain Jack Harkness was a wreck. He had just left Rhys and a heartbroken, pregnant Gwen on a hill overlooking Cardiff and was now looking for the nearest off-world bar to drown his sorrows in. He expected a long night fueled by grief and alcohol; he considered going out on the pull but realized he didn't know if he wanted that anymore; he wanted warm coffees and suits with pink shirts and stopwatches, in reality, he just wanted Ianto back. He shook his head; this was a night for drinking his memory away not delving into it. What he did not expect however was to walk into the first shabby pub he laid his eyes on and find the man he had previously spent a century waiting for sitting at the bar.

"Doctor?"

"Jack?" The Doctor turned an incredulous on his face.

"What are you doing here?" Jack exclaimed

"Wait!" The Doctor held a finger up "What year is it?"

"On earth?"

"Yes on earth?"

"Umm… 2009"

"Oh."

"Yeah"

"So the 456?"

"Yeah" Jack pulled out a barstool and sat down

"Jack I'm sorry."

"Yeah"

There was a pause

"Didn't spot you lending a helping hand during that particular world-ending event." Jack's tone was like broken glass

"I couldn't it was-"

"a fixed point in time and space." Jack finished "Yeah I figured as much."

The Doctor looked at him regretfully "You did good though." he said

"How did you know?" Jack moved to face the barman "A large whiskey please."

The barman looked expectantly at The Doctor but he shook his head "Just a water for me."

The Vinvocci grunted and set their drinks in front of them.

"Thank you." They said in unison

The doctor surveyed Jack again, he had his elbows upon the sticky bar and was rubbing his eyes "Although I couldn't intervene I was watching and Jack, you saved the world."

"Couldn't save him though… I… I mean I couldn't save all of them." Jack stammered, staring mournfully at his drink.

The Doctor cocked his head.

"You loved him didn't you?"

"Was it that obvious?" Jack's laugh was tired and broken

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." The Doctor lamented.

"Same here." Jack looked down at his hands "What about you though? It couldn't have been easy losing Rose for the second time."

"She's happier now."

"But you're not."

"That doesn't matter."

"Doesn't it?"

The doctor shook his head

"Why didn't you ever tell her?" Jack asked, glimpsing up from his drink.

"Tell her what?"

Jack raised his eyebrows "That you loved her."

"Why didn't you tell him?" The Doctor retaliated

"Everyone who gets close to me either dies or has their life ruined; Tosh, Owen, Suzie, Gray, Steven, and Ianto all died because of me. I can't let myself love."

The Doctor knew that telling Jack that wasn't true wouldn't help. Just like the doctor, he would never stop blaming himself for others' pain. The curse of being immortal is that every story comes to an end around you.

"And..." Jack carried on "I was scared, and he was dying and if I told him the truth it would only be me left to pick up the pieces."

There was silence between them; it was a silence that spoke of great loss and heartbreaking anticipation for the next one.

"Your turn." Jack insisted

The Doctor sighed "I knew if I told her I'd never be able to let go."

"At least she got you… well, the other you."

The Doctor nodded

"And what are you doing now? Who have you got?"

"Oh, I've got the TARDIS. Same old life. Last of the Time Lords."

"On your own?"

The Doctor nodded again.

"And what about you Jack? Where are you off to?"

"Earth is too small. I've got a lot of dirt to shake off my shoes." Jack groaned and necked his whiskey. The Doctor winced on his behalf

"I have lived so many lives; it's time to find another one." Jack stood up, the barstool scraping against the floor. "One thing." He continued

The Doctor tilted his head up at him "Go on."

"Gwen and Rhys and… and Ianto's family…" Jack faltered on his words "Just… just make sure they're looked after, and when it inevitably all goes pear-shaped again can you keep an eye out?"

"Of course, but where will you be?"

"There's nothing on earth for me anymore. I only ever came back for him." Jack lifted his wrist and pushed up his sleeve to peer at his wristwatch.

"Jack."

Jack looked up

"Will I ever see you again?"

Jack grinned and winked "You know me; you can't get rid of me that easily."

The Doctor smiled "Be safe captain." He said with a nod

"And you Doctor." And then with a salute and a flash of light Jack was gone

The Doctor ran a hand through his hair and sighed "A pint of the blue stuff to go please."