Hi everyone I'm Sorry I haven't updated in awhile. I just wanted to thank everyone for their fantastic support. Also someone asked me how many chapters are left. I'm not so sure but I'm guessing maybe two or three. Not long now. Anyways here's the next part and I thought I'd throw in some double D (Doctor and Donna) madness lol


Chapter 14

Gwen had fallen asleep sometime in the middle of the bus trip. It was only when the bright light from the rising sun crept through the window did she stir. She looked at her watch and yawned. Only a few hours ago had she been in Cardiff and now look how far she had come.

She put a hand to her cheek and wiped off some tears that had squeezed through closed eyelids in the middle of the night. She wasn't even aware of the fact that she had been crying. Who the hell was she kidding? She knew she would miss all of them. That life. But what was she supposed to do? There was once a time where the thought of leaving would just kill her. She wouldn't have been able to do it and now here she was on a bus fleeing.

The bus came to a halt some time later. There was applause for the bus driver for a safe journey as everyone grabbed their things and hopped off. She stretched herself and gave a small sigh before standing. Gwen picked up her pocketbook and pulled her suitcase out from over head. She let a few people go ahead of her as they filed out and then made her own way down the aisle towards the door.

Out into a new life. One where she would learn to get along without Torchwood benefits, without her friends and family back in Cardiff and without Captain Jack Harkness.


The SUV screeched to a stop. Captain Jack Harkness slammed the door and didn't waste any time entering the bus station of drop off passengers. He couldn't keep track being so preoccupied with his thoughts throughout the entire drive, but he was pretty sure he had broken at least eight-no nineteen laws. The point was the Prime Minister was not going to be happy that Torchwood had taken advantage again.

Jack watched as one by one passengers were coming off the bus. None of them he recognized as Gwen.

"Excuse me," Jack asked a man with a blue cap, "Was this the only bus that came from Cardiff today?"

"Yes, I'm pretty…oh no. Actually there was one other. About an hour ago it pulled up," the man replied.

"Thank you," Jack said rather quickly as he exited out.

He stood on the sidewalk receiving strange looks from passing people because he was the man who dressed out of his time. He just ignored them and continued walking up the sidewalk pulling out his cell phone dialing the Hub in the process.

"Jack?" Owen answered.

"I lost her. I need you to do another search. Her bus pulled up an hour ago," Jack stated.

"Tosh!" Owen yelled in the background.

Jack was on speakerphone and Tosh had heard every word.

"Do you know how long it took me to finally get the bus location?" Tosh said frustrated.

"What? I thought you said you broke through the lock?" Ianto asked also coming around.

Owen and Ianto stared at her expectantly and she blushed, "Well I lied. I used an old photograph of her to track CCTV. Her files are still…locked away."

"So, you mean you still can't break the password. You, Toshiko Sato, computer genius, cannot break-" Owen was trying not to laugh, but pulled himself together when she gave him her death glare.

"Jack, I'll call you back," Tosh stated simply before hanging up.

Jack yelled in frustration and kicked a trash can.

"Hey," a young police officer called out in a warning tone.

"Sorry," Jack grumbled as he continued his walk.

He could have just flashed his I.D and made the cop feel like a fool, but he found himself showing more respect for police officers ever since he met…well…

What was he to do in the meantime? The whole ride here he had been trying to come up with a way to convince her to come back. How would she react? Would she come back? Would he be forced to stun gun her and put her in the SUV. The point was the thought of living without her drove him mad and he'd do whatever he could just to bring her back to him.

Jack sat on a bench watching the people around him pass by. He was still caught in his thoughts. How was he going to tell her that he was in…blue police box.


Gwen sat at the bar, controlling the amount of liquor that went it, so it later wouldn't come out. She was thinking through a plan. London was good, she was on her way, but she knew she couldn't stay here. It was still too close. Maybe she could go to France or even Spain. What about America? Jack spoke with an American accent.

Stop it, she told herself. She sighed and looked around her. At the moment she just needed to find a place to stay for the night.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your melancholy thoughts judging by the look on your face, but I just wanted to see your face more clearly. You remind me of someone I just can't…place it" a man looked rudely taking her face in his hands.

It was surprising and unexpected. She didn't pull away though.

"I'm sorry," she asked.

"Have we met before?" he asked.

The man wore a brown pinstripe suit and white sneakers. He had the wildest hair Gwen had ever seen and he clearly had no idea of the meaning of the words subtle, shy or polite.

"No, I think I would have remembered, sorry," she smiled trying to be polite whilst gaining her face back in the process.

"Oh, well while I'm here," he sat down next to her uninvited, "Welsh? Am I right?"

"Yes. I'm originally from Cardiff," she answered, "And yourself."

"Oh, all sorts of places," he waved his hand.

"You know the last man who answered me like that wound up drugging my drink."

Not to mention hired her to work for a secret organization that track down non-human life forms, scavenge alien technology and keep an eye on a rift the runs through Cardiff. How come her thoughts always led to Jack?

"Well I'm pretty sure I won't be doing that."

"Yeah. I know sorry. I was just…remembering I suppose," she smiled down into her drink in her hands.

"Are you visiting someone or here on a work call, if you don't mind my asking that is."

"I left Cardiff for personal reasons," she answered, "No matter where I go though something always seems to remind me of him-it though."

"Ahh. I know how you feel. I had a friend…well she lived here," he said in understanding, "in fact this was one of her mom's favorite pubs. Her flat's not far from here either and it seems…no matter what I do I can't escape the memory and the…well I know how you feel."

He drifted off for a few seconds in remembrance, his expression very serious, but just as quickly he turned back changing the subject, "That was a long time ago anyways why did you leave, again if you don't mind my asking."

"I fell in love with my boss and he…he was a very complicated man, let's just say," she said taking a sip of her drink, "So, if you're not from around here why are you here? Just felt like popping into the neighborhood if you don't mind me asking," she said with a bit of mock in her tone.

"Um…no actually there was…a thing. I was looking into a thing that happened to be in London when I noticed this place and thought hey I have time, so why not. I can definitely see why Jackie, Rose's mum, liked this place. Lovely people," he looked at Gwen, "I swear I know you from somewhere, but I just can't place it."

"Maybe it'll come to you if you don't think about it," Gwen smiled into her glass.

"The thing is you seem like a lovely person. And I mean that really and you should be taking advantage of this complement because I don't usually complement people in the first place. If you don't believe me I once told my friend she looked beautiful and then scoffed it by saying well for a human at least, but again long time ago. Point is you're a very nice woman. Who would be so stupid as to let you get away? Thank you," he told the bartender who gave him a glass of water because apparently they didn't make any hot tea. He looked at Gwen whilst taking a sip.

"Captain Jack Harkness," she mumbled thinking he didn't hear.

The man spit out his drink choking in the process and Gwen raised an eyebrow at him. She patted him on the back as he tried to calm himself.

"You okay?" she asked.

"Yes, yes just…horrible water. I'm never buying water here again," he lied, "So you worked for this man you were in love with?"

"Yes," she answered.

"And you left. He knows you left?"

"Either he knows or he's just finding out."

"I'm sorry I didn't catch your name."

"Gwen. Gwen…Casey," she told him shaking his hand, "And you are?"

"Smith. John Smith," if she wanted to play fake names, he was game. He had an idea of who she was, Jack having mentioned her a few times. A few more times than any other person on his team giving away some hidden feelings, "Gwen, listen. Whatever this guy did or didn't do you shouldn't leave. I bet you right now he is out there looking for you because he needs you back and he loves you just as much as you do him."

"I know he does, but he just won't admit it. He's…afraid."

"I suppose I can relate."

"You afraid to tell your friend you loved her too, weren't you."

"It's…complicated," he said scratching the back of his neck.

"Everything seems to be nowadays," she answered.

"Pain in the rear, isn't it."

Gwen smiled, "It always is."

The Doctor laughed, but stopped as Gwen's smile soon faded. She sighed. The man could see the sadness written all over her features. Jack Harkness, he thought, the notorious conman, traveler, seducer and heartbreaker.

"Ooh I wish I could remember who it is you remind me of, but for the first time in a very, very, very, very, very and I do mean very long time I am drawing a blank," he said changing the subject and earning a small laugh from her in return, "Gwen Casey (Cooper, he thought, he was pretty sure it was Cooper. How many times had Jack corrected him and threatened to hit him if he didn't get it right), I swear to you the moment I remember I will be getting in touch with you. It was very nice meeting you, but I'm afraid I must go, but before I do just…don't give up, that's what Rose would have said. Have faith. I'm sure it will work out for you in the end."

"Rose sounded like a beautiful person," Gwen answered.

The man smiled in memory, "She was. She…really was."

She grinned at him, "Thank you, John."

"Thank you, Gwen," he smiled at her and walked out the door.

He took a deep breath taking in the London air. What a sweet lady, he thought. The minute he arrived in Cardiff he swore to himself…the man began grumbling, "Jack Harkness, what the hell have you gotten yourself into this time?"


Jack used his old TARDIS key which he kept with him at all times to let him in. The Doctor wouldn't have minded much he was sure, but Donna on the other hand…

"Jack bloody Harkness," Donna smiled.

He smiled back, "Donna Delightful Noble. Still gorgeous as ever and still travelling with the Doc I presume."

"Obviously," she told him as she pulled him into a hug and then pulled back, "Hey, you better watch those wandering hands of yours."

He grinned as he strolled around the console, "So where's the Doc. I was hoping to talk to him."

Donna put her hands on her hips, "What have you done this time?"

"What?"

"You were hoping to talk to him, "she said ridiculing his American accent, "Harkness you've got another thing coming if you think you can pull a fast one like that on me."

Jack's expression grew serious, "I lost a friend."

"A friend? My God, you sound like the Doctor now. Is she trapped in a parallel universe too?"

"No, no. She…she left me and I need help finding her is all."

"Why'd she leave?"

"Because I refused to admit how I felt about her."

"And how do-"

"-I'm in love with her," he interrupted.

"Oh," Donna dropped her hands disbelievingly, "You're in-"

"-Yeah."

Jack knew Donna could be rude and a bit obnoxious at times, but he never expected her to hold her stomach and break out in a fit of laughter. It seemed to last for minutes and only when she saw Jack's expression tense did she stop.

"You're serious?" she asked breathlessly.

"Yeah," he stated.

"I'm sorry, but it's just your…you and you don't seem like the type who is willing to settle down."

"I'm not."

"Then just what are you prepared to offer this woman. Woman? You said her right?"

"Yes. Her name is Gwen."

"Gwen. That's pretty. Does she love you?"

"Well, I hope so," he said sarcastically, "Otherwise I'd be wasting my time wouldn't I?"

"Well what are you doing here? You should be out looking for her-oh hold on, that's right. You're waiting for the Doctor to help you."

"Yes," Jack said starting to get agitated.

Donna and Jack turned to the sound of the doors opening and a man in a brown pinstripe suit and white sneakers walked. His hair grew Jack noted.

"Donna," the Doctor babbled not bothering to look up and heading straight for the console, "We are going straight to Cardiff and when I find Jack-Jack you remember him right? Man, who can't die, flirts with everything, calls me Doc, I hate when he calls me that by the way. Only adds to my nerves. Well as soon as I find him I swear on all the Timelords that by the time I get through with him he is going to be one sorry piece of-Jack! You're here!"

Jack had his arms crossed and was staring at the Doctor who had finally decided to look in the direction the man was standing.

"You were saying Doc?" Jack encouraged him to continue.

"Jack!" the Doctor went to embrace him, but Jack stepped back. The Doctor's arms dropped and he said, "Well since we're skipping that part-"

The Doctor slapped him across the face. Donna stared in horror and was trying not to laugh. That had caught him completely off guard. Jack brought his head up to look into the face of one angry physician.

"What was that for?" he asked in a tone of mock hurt.

"You know, I'm usually the one getting slapped across the face, but I never actually get to slap people across the face. Kind of fun," the Doctor told Donna who just nodded and then turned back to Jack anger evident in his tone, "Now back to you. Just what the hell have you gotten yourself into this time? I understand you shag anything and everyone, but usually emotions don't get involved. It's not the 51st century you know. And you breaking that sweet woman's heart. Always putting her in danger, willing to risk her life for you or at least that's what I'm guessing if she's as in love with you as she admits and works for Torchwood. Just what are you playing at Jack leading her on and off and Oh My God I sound like Jackie," The Doctor leaned against the console in disbelief, "I even slapped him across the face like Jackie. I gave him a Jackie slap! And now I'm…oh, so this is what Jackie felt like. Yikes! I owe her an apology."

"You finished?" Jack finally asked.

"Finished?" Donna spoke for the first time since the Doctor's arrival, "I'm still trying to figure out how he breathes."

"You and me both," Jack muttered.

"Getting back to the point," the Doctor stated, "Do you love her?"

"What I want to know is how you know why I am here and that it is a she in the first place," Jack shot back.

"Because I met her," the Doctor stated.

Jack blinked and tried to comprehend what he just said, "You saw her?"

"Saw her, talked with her, laughed with her, sulked with her. Moving on now before I tell you where, when, how and why you have to answer me this. What are you going to do when you see her? Are you going to wipe her memory, bring her back to Torchwood and make it seem like this decision never even crossed her mind, so she'd just still be there with you? Or will you fight for her, die for her, love her, share her bed, and be her right shoulder?"

"You make it sound like marriage."

"Answer the question Jack. She needs more than just you as a friend. She is heartbroken, saddened. Her face reminded me of the one Rose had at the beach just before…anyways the point is she doesn't have forever. You do. Would you rather remember her at a distance, loving you from a far, having another man's children and growing old heartbroken and underappreciated? Or do you want to remember her being with you. With only you. Loving only you in the little time you have left with her."

Jack thought for a moment. The Doctor's words had a great impact on him. Earlier he had been struggling with just what he was going to do. Sure, Tosh's words were influential, but deep down inside he knew that he was only doing it for selfish reasons. He needed her there. Retcon was never not an option especially if persuasion didn't work, but the Doctor's words made him realize it wasn't fair to either of them

When he looked back how did he want to remember things? Him never telling her? Her with someone who wasn't him living miserably? He wanted to look back years from now knowing he had Gwen Cooper just as much as she already had him. The Doctor was right and this time he really couldn't let her get away.

"Where is she?" he asked after a moment of silence.

The Doctor grinned and answered, "A pub three blocks from here called -- --. If you hurry she might still be in there."

Jack hugged the Doctor and bid a quick farewell as he ran out the door. Donna and the Doctor watched him leave. After a moment of silence he went back over to the TARDIS putting on his serious face making sure everything was in order. He was singing just under his breath to fill the silence "It's a small world after all.."

"Would you have told Rose if she ever threatened to leave? Would you have told her you loved her."

"That's the thing Donna," he sighed stopping his singing, "She did leave and not on her own accord. She promised me forever. Problem was she couldn't keep that promise, but Jack's still got a chance."

He grinned at her as he stared at the console in remembrance. She tried to give him a reassuring smile. Just as quickly as the moment came, the moment went.

"So, how about 20 A.D Jerusalem?" the Doctor cross the other side of the console, "You feel like finding out if there really is a God?"