Commander Abheri pushed back from her chair, and paced the bridge. The first officer watched her nervously as he monitored their orbit, staying hidden in the toxic high reaches of the planet's atmosphere.

"It's been five days," she muttered. "Has the TARDIS moved?"

"No, Commander," he reported. He pulled up an image of the TARDIS continuing its orbit around the second planet. "Both Time Lord ships are holding steady. However, the Conservancy is beginning to leave." He pointed to a cluster of fighters. "I think they have given up searching for us. Two thirds of their ships have left the quadrant."

She nodded grimly. "That leaves few to guard our mother ship. It is odd that both TARDI have stayed in one place so long. Have you seen any sign of of the Doyenne's transfer?"

"No."

"Watch for it," she said narrowing her golden eyes. "When my aunt transfers, she will take my daughter with her."

"Do you still want to monitor the abomination?"

She glared at the first officer. "Did I amend my orders? Report."

"No, sir." He swallowed. "There has been no movement. None of the intercepted communiques mentioned him. You may have crippled him so he can't revive."

"Keep monitoring," she said absently. "I want him back no matter what state he is in." She settled back in her command chair. "His fear was a distinct pleasure…so many memories." She looked up at him expectantly. "You can return to your post.

The first officer saluted and returned to the communication panel. He pulled up the intercepted images and messages from the Conservancy, combing through them for any mention of the Doyenne or Jack Harkness.

XXX

Colonel McGrath personally supervised the transfer of the last patient from the TARDIS to the Conservancy medical ship before returning to the conference room to. He found the Doctor sitting at the table brooding, absently stirring a cup of tea.

"How's Jack?" he asked.

"Same," replied the Doctor. "Mara says he is physically healed, but…his mind…"

"And Jens?"

"Recovering," the Doctor stood up and began to help the Colonel gather the Conservancy documents. "Time Lord regenerations are tricky." He noted McGrath's concern. "Jens is fine, just resting."

"I'm sorry, Doctor," McGrath said as he began boxing the documents. "All reports are that the rebels have left the area. The last Conservancy ship will be leaving tomorrow. My orders are to start another search in a different quadrant."

"And the Doyenne?"

"My orders are to assist in her transfer to the Adyan vessel, and to escort her ship to her home world."

"So this is good-bye."

"Soon." McGrath closed the box and put it to the side. "I'm sorry we couldn't do more for Jack." He paused. "I may have had issues with him in the past, but he was a brave man."

"He still is, Colonel," the Doctor said softly as he rose from the table. "Please excuse me, it is almost time for me to relieve Gray.

The Doctor left the conference room as the Colonel continued to sort and pack the Conservancy documents. He turned down the hall and stopped by the door of the infirmary before entering. Gray was seated by his brother's bedside, holding his hand. The Doctor could overhear the end of a story from their childhood from the Boeshane Pennisula. Gray looked up as the Doctor entered the room.

"Any change?"

Gray shook his head. "Vital signs are strong, but…" He looked up. "I heard that when coma patients do not revive quickly, they can remain in a vegetative state for years."

The Doctor changed the subject. "When I came in, I heard you call him 'Blue'."

Gray smiled. "Nicknames my mother gave us, I had gray eyes so she called me Gray and my brother was Blue."

"Don't give up on Blue, just yet," the Doctor said as he rested his hand on Gray's shoulder. "The Boeshane brothers are strong…and stubborn." He gave him a quick neck rub. "Go, you're tired. My turn."

The Doctor's eyes followed Gray as he left the room, then turned to the man lying on the bed. The monitors beat a quiet, steady rhythm of heart, lungs, and blood pressure. He looks so peaceful, the Doctor thought as he placed his hand on Jack's forehead and gently ruffled his hair, almost like a child.

He called his companions the Children of Time when he first met Jack. But this one was caught in time, trapped between the living and the dead. The Doctor wished he could reach in and pull Jack back, but he couldn't. He bent over and gently kissed him on the forehead, before settling in the chair by the bed.

The hours drifted by measured by steady pulse of the monitors, and the rise and fall of Jack's breath. The Doyenne and Chi walked into the room four hours into his watch. She nodded to the Doctor as she entered, picked up the chart, and noted the levels on the monitors. After she listen to the heartbeat on the stethoscope, she carefully opened his eyes. The pupils were still fixed. She frowned and gently closed them again. The Adyan sighed and straightened, as she turned toward the Doctor.

"I was hopeful for a sign of progress," she said sadly. "But I'm afraid my niece hurt him more than I thought." She took the chair opposite the Doctor. "Colonel McGrath has informed me that it is time for me to return to my people. The transport will leave in a few hours to take me and the child to our ship for the journey home. The Conservancy has granted my wish to bring our rebels home for rehabilitation."

"You have done all you can for him, Doyenne," said the Doctor as he warmly clasped her hand.

"Chi has asked to stay with the Captain," said the Doyenne as she rose from the chair.

"I'm sure Mara will welcome his assistance," replied the Doctor as he stood.

"Good," replied the Doyenne. "As soon as the child is transferred, Chi will meet with your doctor. He may stay as long as he is needed." She smiled at Chi. "It is time my people share our knowledge with our friends. Time to end centuries of isolation."

The Doyenne gracefully bowed to the Doctor, the diamond pattern on her cobalt blue gown sparkled in the dim light of the infirmary. The Doctor smiled as he bowed to return her farewell. She placed the hood of her cape over her braided gray hair and smiled in return. The Doctor watched as both Adyans left the room, and turned towards the conference room to speak with McGrath. As their footsteps faded away, the room returned to the steady beat of the monitors.

The Doctor settled back in the chair, and turned towards Jack watching the soft rise and fall of his chest.

"You know when we found you, during the London blitz, I wasn't sure I could trust you, not even sure I liked you." He leaned towards the bed. "Hiding behind another name, flirting anything with a pulse." He glanced towards the monitors. No change.

"But you grow on people, Jack. And it's not just those pheromones or that silly grin of yours. Taking on the Daleks. Taking on Torchwood. You step up to it, son, when everyone runs, you step up. Rose saw that in you."

He took Jack's hand and clasped it between his own hands. It was warm but unresponsive.

"Now you listen to me, Captain. People are waiting for you. Toshi, Jens, Gray, Chi, Mara, Ajit…me. Family. Now you need to step up to it." He leaned closer. "You step up to it."

He squeezed former Time Agent's hand, hoping for a response. Nothing.

The Doctor frowned in disappointment, adjusted the quilt around the Captain's body for warmth, and then settled back in his chair.

XXX

"Grandpa."

The Doctor felt a hand gently shaking his shoulder.

"Grandpa, wake up."

He opened his eyes to see Toshi standing in front of him. Her dark unruly hair fell over bright blue eyes framed by long lashes.

"You fell asleep," she grinned. "Do you want me to make you some tea?"

The Doctor shook his head and stretched out his body.

"No," he said as he glanced at the clock. "You're early."

"I know," she said as she pulled a chair and sat beside him. "I want to show you something," she said brightly. "I have an idea."

The Doctor looked at his granddaughter with fondness. The little girl who played Time Agent among the caves had grown into a resourceful young woman. The eager, impish glint in her eyes reminded him so much of Jack.

She pushed a dented, metal box into his hands. The dull yellow metallic paint was aged and chipped.

"It belongs to Dad," she said. "Open it."

The Time Lord carefully opened the latch, pulling the top up. Inside were carefully folded letters and fading photographs—mementos of loves won and lost.

"This is very Jack," he smiled as he spread the contents on the bed. His heart caught as an aging picture of Rose slipped out. He blinked twice, and replaced it. "We talked about this before. You need to put it back. Respect your father's privacy."

"I know, but there is more," Toshi said excitedly as she deftly pulled a small leather journal and memory stick from the bottom of the box. "I think I found something that could help; help him get well. She pressed the objects into his hand.

"What are these?" he asked.

"Codebooks," Toshi's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "When I was little, I asked my dad about being a Time Agent. He didn't tell me everything, but he did tell me about the boxes. The ones he set up to protect himself. He needed to set a code with each one, in case he needed to go back, in case he needed the memory."

"I don't understand," said the Doctor.

That's how he organized his mind."

"I still don't understand."

"Chi told me about what the Commander did to Dad," Toshi's voice dropped to a serious tone. "She trashed his boxes. The Doyenne said Dad had to reorganize the memories. I think this is the key. The codes he set up to re-enter the boxes."

"Toshi, the Doyenne said it was too dangerous for any of us to re-enter his mind. I'm not sure he can hear the stories we have been telling him, much less codes."

"I know," she insisted. "But I've transferred all the information from the journal and the memory stick to this." She held up the Adyan medical device. "Their technology was created by a Gallifreyan. It interfaces with the TARDIS. If we can't help Dad, maybe she can!"