Chapter 2:
"You have a pterodactyl."
Jack finds the Doctor leaning on the railing of an upper catwalk and watching the beast sweep and whirl in the roof space above him.
"Yeah, that's Myfanwy." Jack leans beside him. "She fell through the rift one day. So here she stays."
The Doctor nods.
"How are you doing?" Jack asks looking over at the Time Lord.
"You know me, always fine."
Jack raises an eyebrow. He is in no mood to sleep.
"You're still alone."
The Doctor pulls a face. "Yes."
"You still miss her." It isn't a question.
"The simple lack of her is more to me than others' presence," the Doctor quotes, his face shadowed. "Edward Thomas, smart man." He keeps his eyes on the swooping reptile above.
Jack pats his hand sympathetically and doesn't reply. What can he say? I miss her too. Because he does. So very much. He has for a century.
A few moments later the Doctor speaks. "Should ask you the same thing Captain. You okay after that year?"
He suppresses the shudder that runs through him but realises that the Doctor has felt it anyway. "Been better Doctor but you know that." Jack's thoughts flash back to those many months. He remembers screaming until his throat was raw, begging, crying and swearing blue murder. He thought he was going out of his mind. And he is fairly sure the Doctor knows that. But Captain Jack Harkness does not lie down and die, so he kept smiling and joking and wonders if he went partially insane in doing so. But because the Doctor was there it somehow all seemed worth it.
"Have they forgiven you yet?"
Jack shrugs. "It's been four months."
"That means no."
"It means I don't know Doctor." Jack shoots a sideways look at him. "They got sent to the Himalayas because of me."
"Always worth a visit," the Doctor says only half flippantly.
"What happened to them? In that year? Did they die Doctor?"
"I don't know. And they won't remember."
"But they remember the Himalayas! They remember hearing that we were Britain's most wanted terrorists!" he snaps back. "They've worked out who you are you know. They still might report you." The Doctor doesn't answer, and Jacks stares moodily down into the Hub. "Sometimes I think they still hate me."
"Martha remembers," the Doctor says so quietly that Jack isn't sure if he heard him or not. "Do you think she's forgiven me for putting her through all that?"
"She forgave you the first time she saw you again Doctor."
He pulls a face, uncertain. "I still made her do it." There is a weighted pause. "I destroyed half her life Jack." He looks at Jack and sees his own sadness reflected back at him.
Jack bites the inside of his cheek and looks at the Doctor for a long moment before, wanting to change the subject, he asks; "So you intend to instigate a slave revolution in three hours?"
"Well that's how long Tosh tells me your Rift-O-Scope will maintain a gap for us so yeah," he says suddenly brighter.
"Its not called that!" Jack says, wondering why he always feels like an idiot next to the Doctor.
"It will get messy Jack." The Doctor is staring at him now, face serious again. "On the Sophixzee ship. I have no idea what could happen. It'll be all dark and decadent and…you'll probably love the place." He smirks twistedly.
Jack half smiles back.
"They might put stuff in the air to drive up profits. We could end up…" the Doctor leaves the thought hanging. "I don't want your team there. I don't want Martha there. We don't know what it will drive us to do. I don't want to have to protect them from you or me. I trust you to watch my back Jack. And not in a dirty way!"
Jack pouts then nods. "You can tell them though."
Jack leans back on the edge of his desk and listens to the noise rise in the other room as the Doctor tells the team that he doesn't want them to come. He sighs and closes his eyes.
"Jack!" Martha shouts as she comes through the door.
He opens his eyes and looks up at her.
"Why drag me all the way down here if you don't want me to help?" she demands.
"Its not my…" Jack starts.
"Oi Harkness!" Owen appears behind Martha. "Me and Martha have reached a decision."
Jack frowns but remains silent. He is still not sure he trusts the friendship that has grown between these two.
Owen continues. "We're doctors. He said there were slaves. He'll need us."
Jack sighs again and gives a non-committal grunt just as Gwen marches past them. "Jack."
There is warning in her voice that he takes no heed of. Pushing himself up from the desk he says firmly, "No Gwen."
"I'm coming Jack. You need me!"
Jack rubs the bridge of his nose and heads into the main room of the Hub, the three of them following him all shouting their case. The Doctor is spinning happily on an office chair paying no attention to the furore he has created. Jack looks to the other two members of Torchwood. "Ianto? Tosh? Do you wanna come too?"
Tosh shakes her head, balancing her laptop on one arm. Ianto shakes his too.
"No I don't," he says looking slightly afraid.
"Good. You two can maintain the rift then."
The Doctor looks up. "You've gone soft Harkness."
Jack gives him a warning look. "Deal with it Doctor. So when do we go?"
"No time like the present."
"You have a plan I take it?"
"Not as such," he shrugs then grins. "Like old times huh?"
"Oh yes," Jack sighs, "and we all know how well they ended. I usually wind up dead!"
"Wow," Gwen breathes staring up at the vaulted organic ceiling above her head. "Its…"
"Bigger on the inside," Martha finishes before the Doctor can say it, and she is smiling as she walks in to the TARDIS behind the four members of Torchwood. She looks at the Doctor. "What exactly should I wear as a sex fiend?"
"Why did you look at me when you said that?" Jack asks the Doctor with a petulant pout from his position on the jump seat.
The Doctor laughs. "Wardrobe is still down the corridor, second left." He looks to Jack. "You too. I don't think World War two chic is quite the look here."
Jack bounces to his feet. "Don't 'spose you've got another pair of leather trousers kicking about?"
About an hour and much shrieking over the contents of the wardrobe later the five people heading off on the mission emerge, looking mostly unlike their usual selves. Jack has located a pair of black leather trousers and has paired these with a tight black t-shirt and heavy leather boots. Over this he has shrugged on a tight black leather bomber jacket. He leans on the wall outside and waits for the others. He is soon joined by the Doctor who leans beside him.
Jack looks him over with a critical eye. "Is that…?"
The Doctor fingers the edge of the black leather jacket nervously. "Yeah." There is a pause. "Does the rest of my outfit pass muster?"
"Do a twirl," Jack asks eying the slim fit white shirt and tight dark denim jeans, as the Doctor obliges. "Maybe a little pure but nice ass," he says grinning and slapping the Doctor's backside.
"Keep your hands to yourself Harkness," the Doctor says in retort. "And pure?" He raises an eyebrow and steps forward so his nose is millimetres from Jack's. The Doctor's hand is against the wall beside Jack's head. "Wanna bet?"
His eyes are boring in Jack's and Jack swallows nervously. For a split second Jack doesn't know whether to kiss him or run screaming for the hills. He settles on neither, merely letting his eyes widen under the intense brown-eyed gaze.
They are interrupted by the other three spilling out of the room. The Doctor straightens, grins at Jack and Jack realises how easily he has just been played. Maybe the Doctor would be alright after all.
"How do I look?" Martha does a twirl.
Jack whistles at her.
Martha's face is half hidden by a black netted veil attached to a small hat that is perched at a rakish angle on her head, and her knee length scarlet dress clings to her every curve.
"I think you're gonna be in trouble lil' Miss Martha," Jack drawls grinning and grabbing at her.
She skips out of reach. "Do I pass Doctor?" she pouts scarlet lips at him.
The Doctor nods. "I think you'll do."
She pokes out her tongue at him. Owen and Gwen are both wearing black. Gwen in a long slinky dress that is split to the thigh.
Jack shakes his head at her. "Your boyfriend already hates me Gwen why make it worse?"
"Sounds like a good man," the Doctor mutters innocently. Jack shoots him a look.
Owen is wearing a black suit, which could have been made for him, over a black shirt and tie. He gives Jack and the Doctor a smirk.
"Ladies?" he asks holding out his arms to them.
Martha giggles and grabs his arm, leaning into him still laughing. Gwen gives Jack another look, then takes Owen's other arm and they head off down the corridor back towards the control room.
"Now that's impure!" Jack says, his eyes on their backsides.
The Doctor frowns after them. "They look like children. Children dressed up for the slaughter."
"Give them more credit Doctor," Jack says gently.
"Why? They opened the Rift! They got you killed!"
"They're not the only ones remember," Jack reminds him. "They'll be fine."
The Doctor purses his lips. "Really? You and me know the score Jack. They'll get eaten alive."
Jack just gives him a tight smile. "Lets go check Ianto and Tosh haven't taken too much of the TARDIS apart shall we?"
Rose lets the shower wash over her and wonders what is going to happen. Mickey is standing guard just outside the door for her because they don't trust the guards or many of the other slaves for that matter. She is squeezing water out of her hair with her hands when she hears the voice.
"Rose?"
It is not Mickey, but definitely male with a hint of a growl about it. She stiffens and wonders what happened to Mickey.
"Who are you? How do you know who I am?" she demands.
"Mickey let me in." His tone takes on the tiniest hint of amusement. "Don't worry I'm not looking."
She peeks over her shoulder and through the steamed up shower door, sees the outline of a man with his back to her. Broad shouldered with dark hair to the collar of his black pinstriped suit jacket.
"Hand me a towel then," she says about to reach for the off switch.
"Leave it on," he says suddenly. "It'll mean we can talk in private."
He hands her the towel over his shoulder as she steps out. She takes it and wraps it firmly about her body. "You can turn round now."
He turns and smiles at her, sniffing the air as he does so. Rose frowns at him suspiciously. He is taller than her. Good looking. The hint of taut muscles under the suit. He scratches his hair above his right ear with one hand in a dog-like manner.
"Right…" Rose backs up two paces nervously. "Who are you?"
"Name is Wolf."
Her eyes widen and he notices straight away. "Don't worry I'm not the big bad wolf. Huff puff, I'm here to help you."
"Really?" she tightens the towel around her body. "Why?"
He suddenly looks so mournful that she knows she has hit a raw nerve. "We all have people we need to get back to Rose."
She nods, the lump in her throat preventing an answer right now.
"Now I know this isn't the Tenth Kingdom anymore. This is some…other place. I've heard all the rumours about you Rose Tyler. Protector. Heroine." He sniffs her again. "You have a touch of the wolf about you yourself my little lamb."
Rose suppresses the shudder that runs through her.
"I heard what they're making you do tonight."
"You did?" she glances towards the barely there dress they are making her wear so she can be sold off to the first punter that comes along.
He smiles sadly at her. "We always know. Don't you wonder Rose? Why you never see the broken ones?"
"The broken ones?" she says starting to shiver.
Wolf turns around to let her dress without having to be asked and continues speaking. "The ones that this life destroys. They aren't any good to them anymore. Don't break Rose. Take your mind someplace else. Or fight like hell." He turns round just as she pulls the last strap of her dress up. "Or my lamb chop they will eat you alive."
"Have you..? I mean…did they?"
He shakes his head. "Wouldn't dare. I'm dangerous." He grins wolfishly at her and for just a second Rose would swear she saw fangs and that his eyes glowed just a little bit orange. "We expect a lot Rose Tyler. We've been waiting for a moment and you may just be it."
"What do you want me to do?" She asks nervously trying to pull the split in the shiny black dress closed a bit over her leg.
He smiles at her. "Cause trouble. Mickey will give you the signal. That's all you need to know bunny."
Mickey pokes his head through the door at that moment. "Wolf they're coming."
Rose reaches up and turns off the shower.
Wolf leans forward and kisses her lightly on the cheek, barely more than a brush of his lips on her skin. "Be careful Rose and remember what I said."
He slips out of the open door before she can reply.
Mickey stares at her, face tight with worry. He comes to her and grabs both her hands in his. "Rose…"
"Don't Mickey," she says firmly.
"I'll try and get the signal to you before they…"
She shakes her head and he catches her in a tight hug. "I love you Rose," he mumbles against her ear. "No matter what." He pulls away hearing noises outside the room. "I've got to go."
"I love you too Mickey," she says before finally letting go of his hand.
He gives her one last pained look before he leaves.
Tosh's head is underneath the central console when Jack and the Doctor enter the control room. "This is incredible!" she can be heard mumbling. "Its like coral. I would love to run some tests on this."
"Fat chance," the Doctor snorts, causing her to withdraw her head sharply. Her cheeks go pink underneath her glasses then he grins at her. "And you pretty lady have to monitor the Rift-O-Scope for me."
She looks puzzled for a moment and then twigs what he is talking about and looks to Jack. "Are you sure about this?"
He nods sharply. "I am." He grins at Ianto. "Don't look so worried. I've got a professional doing the rift opening this time!" He gives the Welshman a hug.
Ianto hugs him back, and smiles tightly. "Sure Sir." He pulls two earpieces from his jacket pocket. "Here's your earpiece Martha, and Doctor one for you."
The Doctor raises an eyebrow at Martha. "You've been here before."
She tucks the earpiece into her cleavage. "I may have helped out once or twice."
He looks at Jack who shrugs, grinning. "I'm sorry," he says but his voice is nothing of the sort.
Jack looks at Owen. "You'd better have plenty of Retcon on your person."
Owen nods. "Already thought of that."
The Doctor shoots them both a look, then one at Martha who looks at the floor. She knows what she and Owen discussed.
Jack claps his hands. "Ianto, Tosh you call us if anything looks untoward."
"Well lets get started then children!" the Doctor says ushering Toshiko and Ianto out of the door. "Hold onto something boys and girls."
"Why?" Gwen asks just as the Doctor slaps a button and the TARDIS rumbles into life. She hurriedly grabs hold of one of the beams to save herself in her heels. Owen too is clinging on.
"What the?" he exclaims, his hands wrapped firmly around a column.
Martha and Jack keep their balance while the Doctor bounces around the central console. He grins at Jack. "I'm looking to you for the big entrance Captain."
"My specialty," he grins back as the TARDIS bumps to a halt.
He bounds out of the door and they find themselves in a large antechamber. There is a large set of double doors guarded by two insect-like aliens.
"Are they?" Martha starts.
The Doctor nods. "Remember you rule this place. Behave like Jack usually does."
Jack snorts but says nothing.
The Doctor flashes the two guards the biggest grin he can manage without splitting his face in two and waves the psychic paper at them.
They gesture the group past the velvet ropes and Jack gives both doors a massive shove. The interior of the club is dark and smoky, reeking of a thousand different perfumes from a thousand different worlds. It is intoxicating and makes their heads spin just a little. Jack pauses beside the Doctor just inside the door, waiting long enough for them to get noticed to his desired level. They are standing at the top of a short staircase and the club dips away into a smoky haze below them. To the right is a selection of stages where various aliens are dancing. To the left tables are spread with a variety of aliens sat at them. Hanging from the ceiling and on the walls are metal cages with naked or semi-naked slaves in them. Along the furthest wall in a long bar. Jack swallows and grabs the Doctor's hand in one of his and Martha's in the other.
"Well isn't this a sight," he drawls overacting his American accent to full effect and dragging them into the crowd. Owen and Gwen following half-nervously. "All this pretty! Well a man could have a hard time deciding on what he wants to taste first." He leers at a waitress carrying a tray. She offers them all glasses of what looks like red wine that they take and she moves on.
Gwen has just raised the glass to her lips.
"Don't," the Doctor says in a low voice, tucking the sonic screwdriver back into a pocket. "It'll be voodoo Ribena, laced with Gallifrey knows what drugs to send your libido sky high. They want to make sure you spend the most money you can."
Owen spits his back out into the glass and looks horrified.
"We split up and get a good look at the place. If you see anything interesting call me," the Doctor grins wolfishly at Martha and grabs her hand. "Come on darlin' lets see what naughtiness we can get up to." He appears to have copied his accent from Jack's.
Gwen and Owen look at each other. "We'll…err…stick together," Gwen says looping her arm through Owen's. They set off towards the dance stages.
Jack looks at the Doctor and Martha. "Guess we have a threesome then?"
The Doctor smirks at him in a manner that is most un-Doctor-like. "Don't tempt me." He slaps Martha on the backside with his free hand. "Get moving babe."
Honey squeezes past Mickey behind the bar and gives him the tiniest wink. He smiles tightly back and glances again at the bottles of alcohol lined up. He slides his gaze to where Wolf is prowling at the far end of the bar.
"Excuse me?" a voice cuts in suddenly.
Mickey looks round at the human girl in the red dress.
"Hi…wait you're English."
She nods, gives him a sly smile. "So are you."
"What can I get you?" he asks suddenly professional as a slaver passes.
"Anything vaguely normal? White wine?"
"That I can do." He pours her a glass. "Or at least it's vaguely like it." He shrugs. "You alone?"
She shakes her head and smiles coyly through the veil. "Just got a little sick of my companions suddenly chauvinistic tendencies." She waves a hand back over her shoulder but Mickey cannot see whom at through the crowds.
"This place does that have that effect on people," he says as she sips her drink.
He leans forward and mutters towards her ear, having no idea why he feels he can trust this stranger. "I don't think you're here for pleasure. I think this is a job."
She jerks back and stares at him wide eyed.
"I knew it," Mickey says smiling. "Mickey Smith."
"Doctor Martha Jones," she replies getting over her shock. "How did you know?"
"I've spent a long time fighting so I make it my business to know. Hang on." He moves to fetch a drink for another customer then returns to her. He lets his eyes sweep over her. "Well since you're human and you're here and you don't seem like a pervert so I'll say you're one of two things."
"Really?"
He smiles grimly. "Time agent or Torchwood."
Martha starts. "Tor…" How on earth does someone who is a slave know about Torchwood? "I…err…I'm…not…" She takes a deep swig of her drink. "I have to…go…" She whirls without letting him speak and hunts the crowd for the Doctor and Jack.
Jack returns from the bar and leans on the rail beside the Doctor where he is watching the dancers with a frown between his eyebrows, the wine glass hanging in his fingers. He hands him one of the glasses he is carrying.
The Doctor frowns a little deeper at it.
"Hypervodka," Jack answers his unspoken question and downs his own drink. He hisses through his teeth. "That was good."
The Doctor stares at the drink for a second longer then downs it too. He gasps softly before he sets the glass down and realises Jack is staring at him with intent in his eyes.
"You know Doctor," Jack drawls softly, sidling a bit closer. "You always said if I bought you a drink…" he raises his eyebrows suggestively.
"Jack…" there is warning in the Doctor's voice.
Jack grabs the lapels of the Doctor's jacket. "You didn't think you could wear this jacket and I wouldn't notice?" he stares into the other man's eyes stepping so close that there is now no room between them, his fingers caressing the black leather.
"Jack don't…" the Doctor says gently seeing the hurt longing in Jack's eyes for the man long gone.
Jack pulls the Doctor into a kiss by his jacket lapels silencing him a moment. The Doctor's eyes go wide and for a minute he considers kissing him back to really shut him up. But he yanks his head away. "I said don't Jack!"
Jack blinks, shakes his head slightly as though to clear it and stares at him. "Oh…oh…I…I'm…sorry?" he finally finishes lamely. He lets his hands drop from the leather. He fidgets on the spot. "Must be the…air…Doctor…"
The Doctor pats his shoulder only a little awkwardly then grins. "Not here anyway Jack."
Jack chuckles. Then realises the Doctor is staring off at something, his mouth half open.
"Doctor?" Jack tries to see what the Time Lord is staring at but cannot tell through the smoggy darkness and throngs of people. "Doctor? What do we do?"
"I don't know about you," the Doctor says distantly handing the wineglass to Jack, "but I'm going to buy myself a girl."
He walks resolutely towards the stages. Jack blinks at his back mouth hanging open. "What?!" he finally splutters out but the Doctor is gone. He looks down at the glass in his hand and wonders if the Doctor ignored his own advice on the voodoo Ribena.