Chapter 11

The latch was closed. The heart of the TARDIS could no longer extort energy from him and he could feel the energy that was lost being slowly released back into him. He could feel the process of returning immortality beginning, his surroundings slowly coming back into view. His lips tingled from a mysterious sensation and words he had so desperately wanted to hear for so long still lingered in his mind, but at what cost.

He could feel her lying next to him as time tinged just underneath him. He felt for her hand, his sight still distorted. He couldn't see her, but he could feel her and she was shaking. It was only then when he had tried to find her other hand, did he feel the blood seeping more then ever.

Jack shot up, his paralyzation of death coming to final end and looked down at the woman on the rift. Cold, pale, broken, but all so beautiful Gwen.

"Jack," her voice barely above a whisper.

"Gwen? No. No, sweetie what have you done?" his voice was soft and scared.

He placed his hand over the wound and the other on her forehead. She held on to his wrist and he could feel her shiver. He had lost her once before. He had seen her at her lowest point, but even through that she lived on and came back so much stronger and wiser. He had seen his life without her and hated himself and everything about it. He knew one day he would eventually lose her, but now and not yet. He knew a fair few things about time and this was not hers. It couldn't be…

"I ended the healing process a bit too early," she weakly said.

She coughed blood and he stroked her hair. The wound had expanded because of the rift energy she had transferred from her to Jack. Signs of rift energy still glowed around her. She was still exposed and even if someone could stop the bleeding and fix her wound she would die from head trauma because the energy was not properly disposed of. It was still in her head. Her breaths were coming in louder and faster and either was helpless.

"Why? Why?" he questioned, "Gwen, you shouldn't have. Why?"

She took a deep breath and looked right into his eyes. She used every ounce of energy to make this as clear to him as it was to her, "You were meant to live. You are going to do so many great things. I saw it in time and even if I hadn't it would not have changed my decision to save you."

Gwen moaned as another pain shot through her. She grasped both her hands in his as tears began to trickle past his cheeks and slide down his chin. She gasped for breath. A thought came into view and he spoke quickly trying to cover up his broken voice.

"Gwen, did you close your mind to the rift yet?"

"Slowly. I am…slowly," she turned her head from side to side slowly trying to shake off the dizziness that was beginning to take over.

Gwen grinned. It was all she could do. She looked at him and lifted her shaking hand to his cheek. He leaned into her touch as another tear fell down his cheek.

"Jack," her eyes were wet and the darkness was creeping.

"-don't you dare," he told her, "This isn't over…"

Rose sat at the console her hand over her mouth as tears rained down her eyes. She couldn't bring herself to look out the TARDIS to see what was happening and wasn't sure if she wanted to. The Doctor stood with his back to her and Tosh who was sitting on the sofa with her face in

her arms.

The door to the TARDIS opened and all turned to look. Jack held Gwen in his arms building up his strength from his recent death. They were covered in blood. Gwen chest rose ever so slightly making the others fully aware that she was still breathing.

"Give me the key," he said with a tone of authority.

"Jack, you'll die," Tosh started walking over to where Rose stood.

"I was only vulnerable to the heart of the TARDIS because you released it while I was in the process of dying. As you can see I'm fine now, but she needs that energy put back in her, so it can properly be released and heal her."

The Doctor looked at Jack and then at Rose. Streaks of mascara shown from tears across her face. All she could do was nod her head. At this moment she was just about as ready to risk everything to save Gwen just as much as Jack was.

"I never could win against you two," the Doctor sighed reading Rose's expression.

He pulled out his key, turned it and moved Tosh and Rose back. Jack lay Gwen down on the floor carefully as not to disrupt her any longer. She was losing. He could see it. He took a final breath praying that this would work and wrenched the latch open. He immediately fell back and watched as the rift energy reentered her. She rose for a moment, crying out and then fell back again. Rose, the Doctor, Tosh watched in anticipation. Jack moved forward taking Gwen's hand in his as they waited.

No sounds could be heard except the gentle humming of the TARDIS. No breaths could be heard as they all help them in anticipation. Jack gulped as seconds passed by and there was still no reaction. He put two fingers to her wrist and easily found a slow pulse which gave some kind of reassurance.

It was when her mouth parted and a puff of rift energy was released that Jack breathed. He watched as it slowly began the healing process. It was slow, but it was working at least. Jack squeezed her hand tighter and wiped some of the sweat on his face with the back of his sleeve. The Doctor pulled Rose into a hug and Tosh kneeled next to Jack rubbing his shoulder while looking over Gwen.

The world seemed to slow a little. The last puffs of rift energy left her body after moments and the Doctor closed the heart of the TARDIS from human eyes once more. He then placed his hand on her head and entered her mind closing the rift from her. Gwen's breathing was returning to normal and both Tosh and Jack gave a sigh of relief. Her eyes were still closed, but it didn't matter right now. The point was she would eventually wake up and when she did she would be back where she belonged.
Gwen awoke in a strange yet familiar setting. Strange because it felt like she had been away for a while now, but familiar because of the sense of how soft the sheets were beneath her body and comfortable the pillows were tucked beneath her neck and head which was still sore, but yet so relieved. She remembered having let go of the entire rift when…when…she couldn't remember.

She remembered dying, well almost dying. She remembered Bilis and Suzie and Rose? Tosh? Jack? Jack!

Gwen shot up, but then clutched her head which was still bruised, but working none the less. She groaned not caring how loud her voice was or who heard her. It hurt. Bad.

"That's what you get for trying to save the universe," she thought sarcastically, but then stopped because apparently it also hurt to think. Fully, anyways.

Ianto had heard Gwen's groan from the small infirmary Torchwood had and grinned despite himself. Jack, Tosh and Gwen had returned a few days later though for the three it had only been a few minutes according to the travels of the TARDIS. Owen and Ianto had gone nuts trying to evacuate the city from the cracking sky and then the sky had stopped cracking and then it had broke apart even more and then various parts of the city were being pulled into a giant black hole and then the contents of the black hole were being released back into Cardiff and then everything had gone back to normal. No one else seemed to remember anything, but Owen and Ianto did. Why? Because they were Torchwood and knew more than anybody. They had then spent days trying to figure out where Jack and Tosh had gone and if they were okay.

The TARDIS showed up a week later. Ianto was the first to notice on the CCTV and called Owen up immediately. Tosh was the first to emerge. Her appearance was disheveled and she was tired, but perfectly okay and both could only feel relief. Ianto pulled her into a loose hug quickly releasing her, while Owen just took both her hands in his and kissed her long and deep. When they had finally broken the kiss she grinned and pulled them both into a big hug.

"We did it," said the Doctor emerging from the TARDIS with a very pretty blonde standing by his side, "All five of us."

Jackie emerged from the Hub with Pete and the baby and hugged her daughter. Rose hugged back just as tightly. Jackie then took the Doctor's face in his hands and gave him a big kiss. Rose couldn't help but giggle.

Ianto counted. Tosh was one, the Doctor and the blonde and Jack, but who was the…

Jack emerged from the TARDIS. His appearance was even worse than Tosh's. His face full of sweat and grime while his clothes stained blood. But what really sent both Ianto and Owen over the edge was the figure in his arms as he carried her out of the TARDIS. Her dark brown hair moved with the wind covering most of her pale face, but Ianto and Owen knew immediately who it was.

Jack bid a silent farewell to the Doctor and grinned at Rose and walked towards the Hub looking straight ahead. He did not even turn to see the TARDIS dematerializing. There was only one universal truth.

"Look Gwen," he whispered as he stood outside the millennium centre though he knew she was unconscious in his arms, "We're home."

"Sleeping beauty has awoken from her slumber," present Ianto called to Jack in the Hub.

They had gotten off on better terms since their last meeting. They had gone back to the old routine before they had become lovers. The last few days without Jack have been good ones and it was just what he needed to sort things out. He had finally come to terms. No doubt he was heartbroken, but he was ready to move on. They were just friends. Good friends who cared for each other. Nothing else. There couldn't be anything else any more.

Tosh and Owen after doing quite a bit of talking were down in archives snogging their heads off. It was just after six and for once in a long time the world seemed to behave a bit normal. Jack climbed the steps down from his office and peered over to where Ianto was standing in front of the computer finishing up the last of his report on the whole episode.

Jack only grinned at him. He felt much more relaxed having all of his second family back here with him. It all just felt so right and Jack was so grateful for it.

"Any activity?"

"No, sir," said Ianto not looking from the computer.

Jack raised an eyebrow at him. So, they had gone back to sir again. Ianto turned his head feeling Jack's eyes on him. They were soft and full of grief and couldn't bear Ianto's gaze because of the guilt that swarmed them. He looked at the floor and Ianto sighed.

"I mean no Jack. No activity," Ianto managed a grin.

Jack grinned back and his eyes lit up. He gave Ianto's shoulder a squeeze and walked over to Owen and Tosh's desks picking up their final reports.

"I think everyone should be heading home now. It's getting late. We almost caused the end of the world and then stopped it. All in all a good week," Jack said trying to light up the atmosphere with a little playful conversation.

"I couldn't agree more. Let's hope next week's not as bad though yeah?" said Ianto standing and gathering his things.

"You should probably tell those two to get a room preferably at their own place. Some of us have to ACTUALLY work here," Jack said in all seriousness, but grinning.

Ianto pulled up the CCTV of Tosh and Owen. He had her flat on her back and they both looked like they were in desperate need of oxygen. Ianto smiled knowing he was going to have fun with this. He waited until the perfect moment when he yelled on a speaker, "Get a room!"

They both jumped from their position fumbling with the very loose clothing and messy hair.

"Bloody hell, Ianto. Get a life," Owen yelled at the camera sticking up the middle finger.

Ianto grinned. Yes, he agreed all in all a very good week. Ianto was the first to leave the Hub for once. He didn't feel like going home just yet, but what was there to do. He saw a pub just ahead and thought hey why not. He walked past the fountain and down the road.

He entered sitting at the bar and ordering a pint. A man next to him was knocking a few back like it was the answer to all of his problems.

"Hey, you might want to take it easy," Ianto offered out of concern.

The man had dark brown hair, grey green eyes and wore a nice clean suit. He must've been one of those kinds of folk who had a well paying job, friends and a nice family at home. So why was here a stingy old pub?

"I appreciate the concern, but it's just been a crazy day. If I'm lucky the alcohol will kill me before I get a proper chance to do it myself," he spoke with a Welsh accent.

"May I ask?"

"Up until recently I was demoted at work and then today I just signed my divorce papers. She got everything. The house, the car and all because I'm gay."

Ianto grinned and took a sip of the drink the barman had put in front of him.

"I'm sorry I didn't catch your name," said Ianto holding out his hand.

The man shook it and said, "Ben. Ben Cooper."

"Cooper? You wouldn't happen to be related to a Gwen Cooper would you?"

"Actually, yes. She was a cousin of mine. Disappeared for a while and then just today her mother called yelling from the top of her lungs that her daughter was found. None of the family's seen her yet for some reason or other. How'd you know her?"

"I work with her," said Ianto.

"Really?" said Ben taking a sudden interest.

Well, Ianto figured, Gwen had his Jack. She owed him for that…

Meanwhile back at the Hub Gwen clutched her head, but was relieved to know it was because of an ordinary headache and not because she held the whole of time and space in it. She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. Jack stood against the doorframe with his arms folded staring at the person he had missed for so long. He could have stood and stared and never get tired of it and was delighted that he'd actually get to do so.

It took Gwen a few minutes to actually realize he was standing there watching her. The look he was giving her sent shivers down her spine. Some things just don't change she thought miserably as he still had that effect to make her melt every time he entered a room.

She smiled at him, "Hi."

"Hi," he answered.

"How long have I been out," she asked.

"About two days," he said, "How are you feeling?"

"Like the inside of my head exploded."

Jack beamed at her and handed her an icepack he had been holding. She gratefully took it, "The Doctor said that's normal after what you've been through. What do you remember?"

Gwen took a deep breath and closed her eyes again trying to focus on the most recent events. She was lying in the TARDIS. Everything was black and then it felt like everything being lighted up again if only for a moment. When she had felt it, she immediately thought about the machine and Suzie. When she was there she had felt every single time Jack had died. Every second of darkness, every moment of pain, every trickle of blood and then as the energy shot through her she could feel what he felt every time he came back. It would only last for a second, but it was the feeling of being alive.

Her forehead was scrunched as though she was thinking hard and then it softened. She had unconsciously let tears trickle down her closed eyes as she thought about this. Jack took her hand in his thinking that maybe he shouldn't have asked as it was too painful for her to relive.

"Gwen," he said softly.

She opened her eyes which were shining from tears. She drew her hand up to her eyes and began to wipe them away.

"Sorry," she apologized.

"What did you remember?"

"Nothing. It was nothing," she said.

"Those tears don't exactly support your statement."

Gwen took a deep breath and closed her eyes again, "Promise you won't be mad."

Jack was rather taken aback by this statement.

"All right," he said.

She looked him in the eyes, "I remember you. I felt you. I felt every single time you died and every single time you came back and it was the most…incredibly terrifying experience I had ever encountered and I…I'm sorry."

Tears were beginning to start again as she saw the pained expression on his face.

"I…I shouldn't have said anything," she began, but he just squeezed her hand tighter and began to wipe the tears from her face. She never expected his question after that.

"Am I wrong?" he asked.

It was something that nagged him day in and day out. Your wrong the Doctor had said. It was an instinct and he was just wrong. Wrong because he couldn't die? As though he had even chosen to live. Rose had made that decision for him.

"Am I wrong?" he repeated the question and closed his eyes in anticipation to the answer. He thought maybe she wouldn't understand the question, but she surprised him with an answer.

"No," she said, "You're stuck in time. You can never die, but you have so much to live for. You're feared, but not wrong."

Jack nodded his head and grinned at her though it didn't reach his eyes. She grinned back though not sure of whether what she said was good news to him or not. Gwen's face grew quite serious at her next question.

"How long have I been dead?"

"You haven't been, "He said wiping his eyes which were threatening tears. He didn't hate her answer, but rather was scared of what it meant, but he didn't want to tell her, "You've been missing for six months."

"Six months? For me I've only been gone a few days."

"Time travel does that I suppose," said Jack looking at the floor.

"Well it's good to be back," she said changing the subject. She grinned and then put on her best Jack Harkness smirk, "Did you miss me?"

He looked at her adoringly and smiled, "More then you know."

She smiled at him and him at her. Before he left the room he planted a quick kiss to her surprised lips and left without another word. He walked down the steps pleased with himself and made his way to his office to get some work done.

Gwen grinned and then pressed the icepack to her throbbing head once more. Yup, she was home and it felt so good.