Chapter 23: Jack gets some answers
Jack smiled as he watched the three leave the Hub. He turned to Jack 4, who was looking at him expectantly. "There're some questions I'd like to ask," he said seriously.
"Thought there might be." He pulled a chair up the table and sat down. "Fire away."
"It's about the team. I couldn't help but notice your reaction when Tosh said about being here for the new-look Torchwood. And the fact you didn't reply."
Jack 4 nodded. "She won't be here for that. She and Owen are killed, in a few months from now."
Jack grimaced. "No! That's not fair!" he protested, slamming his fist down on the table. After a few minutes he asked, "What happens?"
"I think it best you don't have all the details. Let's just say, there's an attack on Cardiff and they die – at the same time but not in the same place. Though," Jack 4 added musingly, "they were on the comms so in a way they were together."
"I suppose there's no way I can stop it?" Jack 4 shook his head and Jack sighed with genuine regret. "Gwen?"
"She's with you for another couple of years, then leaves to raise a family. She's the first to leave Torchwood and not have her memories wiped. She has a normal, long life with children and grandchildren."
"I'm glad." Jack paused, wanting to ask but not sure he wanted to hear the answer. "And Ianto? Jack 5 said he helps set up the expanded Torchwood," he ventured at last.
"He'll be with you, through thick and thin, for a good many years. The changes to Torchwood mean administration expands exponentially. He takes that on, becomes the lynch-pin of the organisation, its Managing Director or CEO. He's its public face. Without him, the whole thing would've collapsed. Doing that means he's not in the field so stays safe, which suits both of you." Jack 4 paused and looked thoughtful. "I guess right now its mainly physical attraction you feel for him; it becomes much more than that."
"It's more than that already. I haven't really let myself believe it, too afraid of losing him. But you say we have years together. Just how long are we talking about?"
"Ianto leaves Torchwood in the early 2050s, feted for his part in keeping the world safe. He lives, with you, for another 20-odd years before he dies in your arms." Jack 4 found he was moved by the memory even after all the intervening years.
"I'm glad. He deserves a long life." Jack was content.
"Anything else?" asked Jack 4, rising from the chair and stretching. When Jack shook his head, he said, "Then I'd like to update this if I may." He showed Jack a small crystal block that Jack recognised as a data storage device popular among the Antilliops. "I started keeping records of significant events and people around 2500, when my memory started going, but a lot of the records had been condensed and the early years are a bit sketchy."
"Help yourself to any of the records," offered Jack, also rising and making to leave the room. "You can use my office. Need any help?"
"No, I should be able to find my way around." They left the Boardroom and made for the office.