A/N--Thank you Puzzledhermit, Beach Dog, and Dybdahl for taking the time to review.
I LIKE IMPOSSIBLE
Chapter 4: Long Day
Rose hadn't anticipated an answer right away; she hadn't. She'd assumed that Jack would take his time, but, as the days became weeks and the weeks became months, she eventually had to concede to herself that he might not ever come around.
To her friends and family, the waiting was nearly as tortuous as it was for Rose because as more and more time passed they watched her lose more and more of her luster, fading into a shadow. They watched her closely for any hint of a breakdown, as though it were imminent.
Rose couldn't help but notice that everyone was treating her like a delicate vase about to shatter, and she did the best she could to wear a brave face. After all, she'd had five years of practice. And so she went about her daily business as though nothing was bothering her, hardly acknowledging even to herself how very disappointed she was.
Business went on as usual at Torchwood. And exactly one month, three weeks, and two days after she had offered Jack Harkness a job, she sat in a large conference room at Canary Wharf and attempted to wrap up an exceptionally challenging negotiation.
"And so," she addressed the delegates of two alien species and their earth liaisons in a voice that hardly belied her exhaustion at the conclusion of twenty-seven hours of intense debate. "The Glistygians will henceforth honor the sovereignty of the Cologial Government while traveling on any of the three worlds in the Meelith System and in the Dovess Corridor. In return, the Cologial Government will immediately initiate the aforementioned steps to formerly acknowledge and promote the sovereignty of the Glistygian Government on the Moon of Astorgia before the conclusion of the next Meelithian Cycle—two years and 37 earth days from today." At this Rose Tyler looked to the leader of the Cologial Delegation. "Ambassador?"
The Cologian Delegate, a humanoid triped with greenish skin, rose and spoke in a high voice. "We accept these terms, and, as a gift of peace, we offer the Glistygians these seeds from the Farms of Meelia." The delegate placed a gold box upon the table, opening it to reveal several packets of seeds sealed and labeled.
Then Glistygian Delegate, a squat biped with no arms, stood on the opposite side of the table. "We also accept these terms, and we gratefully accept the gift of our brethren. In return, we offer our own gift of peace," he blinked three times and a piece of parchment appeared on the table in front of him, "The schematics of a Havish Satellite."
The Cologian Delegate looked quite pleased with his gift as he replied, "In the name of the Cologial Government, I accept your gift."
"Right then," said Rose, also standing now. "Thank you all for your hard work on this one. I am certain that the terms that we've agreed to, while difficult, will prove the best course of action in your situation. As a representative of Torchwood, I want to thank you for your cooperation and for welcoming our delegates into your negotiations. I believe that you've already met with earth's ambassadors to discuss travel and trade arrangements."
"Miss Tyler," the Cologian responded with a bow, "My government would like to offer The Torchwood Institute our thanks for hosting our discussions and you for acting as an objective party. Please accept a gift of peace..."
The delegate held out a small golden sphere which strongly reminded Rose of another sphere she'd once been offered as a gift of peace. But she shook her head, "I'm sorry. Torchwood policy prohibits my acceptance of personal gifts, but I accept the offer in all good faith and thank you for your sincere good wishes." The Cologian nodded his head in acceptance of her words.
Rose smiled all of the delegates out of the room, shaking hands and nodding politely as necessary, but when they were all gone she slumped down in her seat. She hadn't even realized that she'd fallen asleep when she felt herself being gently shaken. She opened her eyes groggily, only to see piecing eyes and a wry grin. "Oy, Ianto," she mumbled, "Did I fall asleep? What time is it?"
"Going on three in the morning," the Welshman replied.
"Well, that's great," said Rose quickly jumping to her feet, a look not unlike panic on her face. "Mum's likely having a proper fit." Then, she studied the man before her and asked in an entirely different tone, "What are you doing in this early?"
"You mean this late. I haven't left yet, either. But, as I was heading out the door, Ernie told me that you were still in the building. Seems as though Carl wasn't able to make it in tonight and Ernie couldn't leave the lobby unattended; he asked if I could pop in on you before heading out."
"Thank you. That Ernie really is a sweetheart, isn't he? Guess I should stop by my office and grab my things."
"Do you want me to wait? Walk you out?"
Rose shook her head, "No. I'm up four floors from here. Besides, it's late, and you have an earlier day than me tomorrow, I think."
Ianto nodded, "Right then. See you tomorrow."
Rose nodded, "Yeah, tomorrow. Oh, and tell Ernie that I'm on my way."
Rose took one elevator up, and Ianto took another one down. Rose dutifully filed her paperwork on the Cologian/Glistygian negotiation—she had learned early on that putting paperwork off was a very bad idea. Then, she did a final check of her email before shutting down her work station. She had one email from Mickey checking in around 11:30 while she'd still been in negotiations letting her know that both her boys had gotten in safe from a tricky field assignment. Thank God!
In the lift to the lobby, Rose checked for messages on her cell phone, still the same one that the Doctor modified all those years ago. One from Jake repeating what Mickey had told her in her email, that they were safe and their mission successful, one from her mother asking where in the bloody hell she was, and one from Pete telling her not to worry about her mother as she was finally sleeping but to please call and check in.
Rose was halfway across the lobby, dialing Pete's number when someone called her name. "Miss Tyler?"
She turned and stopped; Pete's phone began to ring in her ear. "Oh, hey, Ernie. Thanks for sending Ianto up to check on me. I fell asleep in the conference room again."
Ernie smiled at her warmly from behind the security desk. "Thought it might be something like that. You were at it forever with that one."
"Yeah, but I think we got it worked out pretty well."
"I hope so, Miss Tyler." Ernie nodded solemnly. "Before you go, someone left you a package." And, he extended a small square package wrapped in brown paper.
Shifting her coat and her briefcase to one arm, she took the package from Ernie, and then mouthed her good-bye because at that moment Pete's voicemail came on. "Hi, Dad," she began.
She exited Torchwood Tower with one last wave over her shoulder. She was halfway across the empty parking lot and just slipping her cell phone back into her pocket when the box she was carrying pulsed. Off-balance and surprised, Rose stumbled, briefcase, coat, and package all flying as she put her hands out to catch her self.
And there, laying flat on her chest in the parking lot, Rose Tyler watched speechless as the brown package sitting mere inches from her face burst into flames and as a small golden sphere levitated from within the burning package just before her nose. Then, as the sphere opened, Rose Tyler lost consciousness neither seeing nor feeling the figures approaching behind her from out of the night
TO BE CONTINUED...