For the first time in nearly two years, Rose and the Doctor were not running for their lives. Rose was lying on the purple sand wearing a pink bikini and looking at the Doctor's indignant face. He was also lying on the sand and wearing a pair of blue shorts. He was not amused at being half naked.
"I don't see why I couldn't wear my normal clothes," he was moaning.
"Because, Theta, we are supposed to be on holiday and getting a suntan and you can't do that in a suit."
"But Rose, I don't want a suntan," he moaned.
"Well, I do and you agreed we could have a proper holiday. We've only been here two days and most of that has been in the TARDIS because it was raining. This is the first nice day we've had and we're spending it on the beach together," she said with such finality in her voice he dared not argue with her.
"Yes, Rose," he said and tried to relax on the bright purple sand.
"I don't see why the sand has to be bright purple, it really clashes with my shorts," he said after a while.
"Shut up and rub this on my back before I burn" said Rose, tossing him a bottle of suntan lotion.
***
Everyone left the conference room. Jack went through the side door to his office, followed by Ianto. Jack sat at his desk and stared at the phone, his hand resting on the receiver but not actually gripping it.
"Come on, Jack, you've got to call them," Ianto said, coming to his side and perching on the desk.
"I know, but what do I say? I mean after what I said in Scotland."
"The Doctor will understand, Martha is his friend."
Jack nodded and picked up the phone.
***
Rose rolled over and plucked her phone from the bag at the side of her. The Doctor had finally relaxed and gone swimming in the sea. Rose laughed as she looked at him. This planet was amazing: purple sand as far as the eye could see and a blood red sea. She could just make out his chocolate-coloured hair bobbing around in the sea.
"Hello, mum, you'll never guess where we are," she said, laughing as she answered her phone.
"Rose, it's not Jackie," said Jack.
"Jack, I thought you didn't ever want to see us again," she replied bitterly.
"Rose, this is an emergency I need to speak to the Doctor."
"Well he's swimming at the moment," she said watching her life partner bobbing around in the red sea.
"Rose, please," pleaded Jack.
"Alright, I'll call him."
Rose looked up at the Doctor and called him. He came out the water immediately.
"Yes, Rose?" he asked, flopping at her side
"Theta, Jack wants to talk to you," she said holding the phone out to him.
"Well I don't want to talk to him," he said loud enough for Jack to hear as he took the phone from Rose and shut it off.
***
Jack replaced the receiver and looked at Ianto.
"He hung up," said Jack.
"Try again," said Ianto, gently touching Jack on the shoulder.
Jack redialed Rose's number.
"You've reached the answer phone of Rose and Theta, please leave a message after the beep."
Jack hung up.
"I got the answer machine," he said.
"Jack, you need to keep trying, Martha wants him here," said Ianto.
"I know, but he won't even talk to me. I don't know what else I can do," he said, laying his head on Ianto's chest, the tears falling hard.
"I should never have told him I didn't need him anymore," he said softly.
"It's ok, Cariad," said Ianto gently.
"No, it's not. Martha wants him and he won't even talk to me anymore."
For a minute or so, Ianto never said anything, he just held Jack in his arms. Then he gently pulled Jack's head up to face him.
"What about the TARDIS, Jack?"
"What about her?"
"Didn't you once tell me you could communicate with her?"
Jack hugged Ianto.
"You're brilliant, Ianto Harkness-Jones. No, you're beyond brilliant," he said and started tapping numbers into his wrist computer.
Ianto heard a gentle hum in his mind and he looked at Jack.
"It's ok, it's the TARDIS" said Jack and then spoke to the TARDIS.
"Hello, gorgeous."
Ianto heard an angry hum.
"I know, I'm sorry, but listen old girl. You remember Martha don't you?" he said.
The TARDIS answered with a gentle hum.
"Yes I know you liked her. Listen old girl, Martha is dying she wants to see the Doctor but he won't even talk to me. Do you think you can get him here for me?"
The TARDIS hummed again.
"Good girl. You can materialise right inside the Hub."
She hummed again.
"It's an emergency old girl, Martha doesn't have much time. I need you to get him here now," pleaded Jack.
She hummed again.
"Good girl, I'll see you soon," said Jack and he cut the link with his old friend's time machine.
He turned to look at Ianto.
"That was amazing Jack. I could only hear humming, but I understood what she was saying."
"I know, most people only hear humming. She knows how special you are to me so she entered your mind, too."
Ianto smiled and leant forward. Their lips met and they kissed.
Owen knocked on Jack's office door.
"Come in," called Jack as he pulled away from Ianto's lips.
"Jack, I need to start this operation now. Rhiannon is beginning to show signs of stress again."
"Is Martha awake?" asked Jack.
"Yes, she's asking for you and for the Doctor."
"He's on his way," said Jack as he stood up and took Ianto's hand in his.
The three Torchwood team members walked into medical, where the others were waiting.
Jack and Ianto took the chairs next to Martha, so she could see them both. Gwen and Tosh were gowned up, ready to help Owen. Martha looked at Jack.
"It's ok sweetheart he's on his way," said Jack gently.
Martha nodded as Owen spoke.
"You ready, Martha?" he asked.
"Yes," she said as tears appeared in her eyes.
Ianto reached over and wiped them away.
Owen took a deep breath as Tosh passed him the scalpel and he began to cut into Martha's skin.