Chapter Seven
Ianto took a shower after lunch and helped Jack pack up, they had to be back at Torchwood tomorrow morning and Jack had said something about wanting to check into the hub back home.
Anne smiled as she reached out, hugging Ianto and Jack at the same time. "It's going to be great having you in the family Jack, I can tell. Call us about bringing Billie down sometime."
Ianto nodded as he moved over to his brother and sister to give them hugs. Jack looked at Billie and Katie, he'd created quite a bond with the both of them, he was going to miss them and he hadn't even left yet. Crouching down on one knee Jack looked Billie in the eye, before he reached out to push the hair from her face. "You are so smart, and funny. One day you're going to be quite the young woman, I can only hope I get to see it. Call if you need anything love."
Billie nodded as she stepped forward and hugged Jack's neck. "By Jack." She whispered. He smiled and rubbed her back before releasing her.
"Bye sweetheart." He watched her step away to hug her Uncle Ianto, before he looked back at Katie. She looked sad. "Katie?"
"I like you." She whimpered.
He chuckled softly as he reached out and took her hand. "I don't think I've ever had someone cry over that."
She shook her head. "Don't want you to go."
Smiling, Jack pulled her into his arms, and pressed a kiss to her temple. "You're going to be seeing Uncle Yan and me a lot more, okay. I promise. And just think we're getting married not to long from now."
"Yeah."
Jack smirked as he hugged her close for another minute before he allowed Ianto to pick her up and give her a hug. He watched Ianto quietly for a few minutes, as Ianto spoke to Katie in hushed tones. Jack let out an 'oof' when he felt two strong arms wrap around him from behind. Turning, he found Livi attached to him. "You're not going to miss me are you?" He joked.
The eighteen year old rolled her eyes and grinned. "You're the best person Ianto's ever dated. So you stick around Jack Harkness."
He laughed out loud as he hugged her, glad he'd found a family that was so openly affectionate. Though he'd be willing to say that was partly Maggie, since he knew the later centuries were much more openly affectionate with friends and family. "Come visit any time."
"I will!" she grinned.
Shaking his head, Jack stepped up to Maggie, smiling down at the woman. "I—" He shook his head, not even sure where to begin.
Chuckling, Maggie gripped his hand in hers. "I know, feel free to call or visit any time you need to. And you take care of that boy for me."
Jack nodded and pressed a kiss to her cheek. If he'd met this woman, years earlier he probably could have been Ianto's father instead. Trying not to shudder at such a weird thought he pulled away and looked at Gareth, he accepted the hand Ianto's father was offering. "Sir."
"Call me Gareth son; I know we didn't get much of a chance to talk. But—well you just take care of our boy."
Jack nodded. "I will." Jack stepped away, allowing Ianto to bid his parents a quick goodbye, before they headed to their car.
The car trip home consisted mostly of arguing over music, discussing the wedding plans, talking about locations, family and friends who would be there, as well as when Billie or Livi would come up for a visit. Ianto was sitting in the passengers seat listening to Jack discuss how he wanted to take Billie to all the best places in Wales, show her all around. All the while, Ianto kept thinking their lives couldn't possibly get any better than this. Ianto smiled softly as he watched Jack speak animatedly about some of the tourists places he'd been over the years. Ianto had achieved something he'd never expected—he'd domesticated Jack Harkness. Even more than that, Jack appeared to like the idea.
Yes, a part of Ianto wanted more, he couldn't wait for the wedding; he wanted children, a house, family traditions. But right now, in this very moment Ianto felt like he was on top of the world. Reaching over the middle consol, Ianto gripped Jack's hand in his, and continued their conversation.
o0o
Jack pulled the car in front of their flat. "No reason you should have to go, I'm just going to pop in, make sure everything is normal then I'll be home. Shouldn't take more than half an hour."
Ianto eyed the man. "Promises, promises. Be home soon, I plan on carrying out all the things I wanted to do this morning." He opened the door, offered Jack a quick kiss, before getting his stuff out of the car and heading up to their flat.
Jack shook his head, it was almost worth it to leave the hub alone for another night, but he honestly did feel an urge to check and make sure everything was still normal. He pulled the car in front of the hub, deciding the head in through the invisible lift. Stepping onto the platform he looked down at his wrist piece and pressed a few buttons, feeling the initial jerk, moments later he began his descent.
He wasn't even half way down when he heard the crack, looking down his eyes grew wide in horror as he watched a ball of fire and heat coming towards him—an explosion, the lift jilted sideways and Jack cried out as he fell head first towards the ground—still several feet below him. Jack let out a startling sob of pain as he hit the ground, alive. It felt as if every bone in his body was on fire.
Another crack and explosion filled the hub and he watched in horror as the ceiling began to crumble. Just as his world began to fade away Jack saw a face step into his view. "Hello Captain." the voice sneered, before Jack lost consciousness.
o0o
She looked up in surprise as she heard a familiar crack. "The Rift is opening!" she screamed, looking down at the little boy gripping her hand she threw another glance over her shoulder. "This isn't supposed to happen!"
"Well it is!" the black man returned as he stepped to her side. "It's our only chance—we've got to warn them!"
"It's time to go!" a second man called as he looked at what appeared to be a giant tear in the middle of Cardiff bay.
She looked back down at her son, sweeping the brown haired, brown eyed boy into her arms, tucking his head close to her chest, she took the men by the hand and together the three stepped through. When the managed to tumble out on the other side it was just in time to see someone stepping onto a brick. "That's Jack—" She whispered, still clutching her crying son. "JACK!" She cried out. He didn't react, probably didn't even hear her, his eyes grew wide in horror as he looked down—she heard his cry of pain then a giant explosion.
o0o
"Where are we!?" Donna demanded as the Doctor threw a couple controls in reverse.
"We're in Cardiff! The rift is open, something's wrong, I told Jack never to open it again!"
Donna looked at him stunned as the Doctor ran to the door, threw them open and watched in horror as a giant explosion erupted from downtown Cardiff. "Something is very wrong."