Tada! Sorry its been so long (again) bit of a mental week at work... 74hrs! Anyhoo, here it is Chapter 18 – Moving on. Reviews as always really appreciated, this chapter kinda marks the start of things to come, lots of plot ready and waiting to be written. Hope January been good to you all. Xoxo

Gwen closed the front door behind her and went to get Carys ready for the day's shopping spree. She felt drained and isolated.

Ianto sat in the passenger seat and looked over at Jack. He hadn't said a word since they'd left Gwen's. His eyes were fixed on the road but his driving was no better than usual.

"You alright?" He asked, fixing his own eyes on the road ahead.

"Fine," said Jack. "You?"

"Fine," said Ianto in the same non-committal tone.

The pair sat in silence again as the traffic lights changed to red.

"I believe Mickey when he says the bomb's not coming through," Ianto stated.

"As do I. That's why I hired him," Jack replied.

Ianto managed a small smile.

Silence filled the air again.

"You know you can change your mind," Ianto began.

"Change my mind?" Jack asked, as he pulled up outside number 24.

"You know, about the house, about us" Ianto trailed off.

"What makes you think I want to change my mind?" Jack's tone was harsh and serious.

Ianto looked at him, Jack turned to meet his eyes.

"What is it that makes everyone doubt me?" Jack said softly with undertones of danger.

Ianto blinked and opened his eyes a little further; he wasn't sure what to make of this question. He broke Jacks gaze and looked out the window again.

"I wasn't aware 'everyone' had an opinion," Ianto said avoiding the question.

Jack turned and looked out his own window at the pavement opposite and the terraced houses further down. It had been a long time since he'd let himself get deep enough to settle down; but back then no one had doubted his intentions, or if they had they hadn't felt the need to voice them. Buzz Buzz. The phone in his pocket buzzed incessantly dragging him back to the here and now.

"Martha."

"Yep, yep be there in two just dropping Ianto at home." He glanced at Ianto, but if the word home had evoked any response it wasn't showing.

"See you outside." And he hung up the phone, still taking in the body sat in the passenger seat.

"I'll see you at the hub later," Ianto said opening the door and climbing down.

"No kiss?" askeed Jack turning his head and raising one eyebrow suggestively.

Ianto closed his eyes briefly, "If you're very good," he said upon opening his eyes as a smile spread across his face. He shut the door, walked round the front of the SUV and crossed the street to number 24.

Jack watched in amazement as he felt the shiver running through his spine, and his brain processing what had just happened. Tonight couldn't come quick enough! He started the engine, shock himself out of his thoughts and pulled sharply away.

Jack grabbed Martha and Mickey from outside the hotel minutes later, and with the aid of some more illegal speeds, jumping at least two set of lights, and nearly missing a collision with a cyclist arrived at the forest just two minutes after that! As expected, a pile of rubble appeared under a tree and contained nothing more dangerous than a sharp piece of glass and some seriously heavy slabs. With the loot carefully deposited in the boot, the trio survived more of Jack's driving and arrived at the hub before lunchtime.

"Good work team." Jack announced.

"Go team torchwood." Mickey said with a wink to Jack, and a thumbs up to Martha.

Martha laughed. "Go team torchwood," she said in approval.

Jack grabbed both by the shoulders and pulled them in for a hug, "It's good to have you guys on board."

"I've been thinking," said Martha carefully looking up at Jack.

"Oh yeah?" he asked.

"Yeah, and," she paused, "I thought I'd run it past Tom, but if the offer still stands then I'd like to stay."

Jack smiled a broad genuine smile.

Martha smiled back.

"Get in!" Mickey exclaimed. "Cup of tea to celebrate?"

"You put the kettle on." Jack said.

"I'll just call Tom." Martha said, "He should be on a break just now I think."

"You do that." The smile on Jack's face continued to shine.

Martha took her phone out of her bag and hurried out of the hub to make the call. Jack stood at the edge of the organised rubble that represented the original hub and just smiled, it was all falling nicely into place. Buzz Buzz. His phone rang again, was a nuisance these things were, he hoped Gwen had managed to find a comms system today, he really didn't fancy waiting any longer. Talk of the devil, the screen read "Gwen".

"Gwen."

"Excellent, and even better."

"See you both back here in half an hour then. You want to grab lunch on the way?"

"Yeah, no sandwiches is fine. Did you get the coffee maker too?"

"Great, let Ianto choose the coffee."

"Haha, very funny, see you both soon."

He hung up. This was going to be the best picnic ever, you never know Gwen might even have chairs! He laughed to himself. Then he heard footsteps entering the warehouse and a voice he didn't recognise.

"Nice place," said the voice.

Jack pivoted on the spot and let his eyes adjust to the bright light streaming in the now open warehouse door. Stood between him and the door was a man wearing a jacket and on closer inspection he appeared to be wearing a bow tie around the neck of his shirt.

"Can I help?" Jack asked briskly.

"Well that is why I dropped in," said the man, starting to walk towards him again.

Jack tipped his head to the side and looked inquisitively at the stranger.

"We haven't much time actually, but you don't look too busy. I'll have you back in before sunset."

"Hold your horses," Jack said. "How about you explain what you're about and then I'll decided whether or not I'm going to help."

"But Jack it's me! You've never needed persuading before, come on there really isn't much time." The man grabbed Jack's wrist and made to head for the door.

Jack grabbed the man's hand and removed it from his wrist, maintaining his grip on it when it was released. He stared into the young man's eyes.

"Ah," said the man slowly. "Course, you don't recognise me do you? Sorry, took a bit of getting used to myself, but you know a younger body has a hell of a lot of advantages, check out the cheek bones for instance."

Jack stared harder into the eyes, a look of realisation sweeping across his face. He opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted.

"Maybe you're jealous? Is that it? You really aren't looking bad yourself, but we really need to go. It won't take long I promise." The younger man seemed to have wriggled his way out of Jack's grip and was making for the door. "Come on!" He yelled over his shoulder.

Jack closed his mouth and started running, this was insane, it couldn't be could it? Why now? Maybe he could explain what was going on? Maybe he could explain where the hell he'd been when they could really have done with a bit of help.

As he reached the entrance to the hub the man was nowhere to be seen. Jack scanned right, just the docks; ahead of him he could see Martha walking down the side of a near by warehouse talking, or rather listening on her phone. He can't have gone far he thought, and turned to his left started running again. He had just passed the end of hub when he heard a cough to his left again. He turned. And there it was. A blue police box parked neatly out of sight at the side of the hub. Stood outside idly fidgeting with a sonic screwdriver stood the younger man, and his identity was no longer a mystery.

"Doctor!" Jack said, slightly out of breath.

"Jack!" Said The Doctor warmly, with a grin so wide his bow tie made him look almost clown like.

"You want to stop for lunch?" Jack offered. "Mickey and Martha are here, and Gwen and Ianto will be back soon, I'm sure they'd love to meet you."

"No we really have to go," said the Doctor, stuffing his screwdriver into his trouser pocket and opening the door to the police box.

"Well I should really let them know I'm off." Jack said.

"No time for that." He grabbed Jacks arm and pulled him inside the Tardis. "Sorry," he added as the Tardis spluttered into life.

Jack rolled his eyes and leant against the central panel. "So want to tell me what we're up to then?"

Gwen parked neatly at the hub door and got out the car to fetch Carys from the back seat. Ianto let himself out the passenger side and admired the view; a cold but dry day, clear skies without a hint of cloud. He breathed in, he wasn't aware he'd died, but right now he was very grateful to be alive.

"You ok pet?" Gwen asked from the door to the hub.

"Yeah, I'm good thanks." He smiled.

Gwen smiled back, "shall we?" She asked.

"No time like the present." He crossed the concrete and held the door open for her and Carys.

The hub was unexpectedly quiet. A computer whirred at the single work station, but there wasn't anyone sat at it. Ianto and Gwen exchanged glances.

"Hey, over here." Mickey called.

Ianto and Gwen turned to their left and spotted Mickey and Martha sat in the medical bay area. Both were slightly hunched, and Mickey had his hand on Martha's knee, neither moved as they approached.

"What happened?" Gwen asked cautiously.

"Where is Jack?" Ianto asked unable to hide the concern from his voice.

"That a bloody good question." Mickey said and returned his attention to Martha.

"Martha?" Gwen asked.

Martha looked up at Gwen, the lighting was dim especially in the corner, but those eyes looked blood shot, even if there owner was putting on a brave face.

"Hey," Gwen said kindly, handing Carys to Ianto and moving to embrace Martha. "Come here. You ok?"

"I'm fine." said Martha, wiping her eyes and taking a deep breath.

Gwen looked at Mickey, Mickey looked at Ianto, Ianto looked at Mickey. Mickey shrugged.

"What happened?" asked Ianto calmly.

"I dunno, I really dunno" said Mickey. "Martha went outside to make a phone call, I went to make some tea in the far corner. Jack was stood over there when I left," he pointed at the workstation and other hub belongings. "When I got back with three cups of tea he was no where to be seen."

Ianto ran a hand through his hair and scanned round the hub, it wasn't like there was anywhere to hide.

"Martha was on the phone to Tom." Mickey added. "I think they've had an argument."

"Oh hun." Gwen exclaimed and hugged a little bit harder. She knelt down so she could cradle Martha's head on her shoulder. She looked up at Ianto, he looked down and shook his head slightly.

"He's gone again, hasn't he."

Gwen bit her lip, she knew how much that was going to hurt. How could Jack do that to him, after everything this morning?

"Well," said Ianto, hoping he sounded more confident and together than he felt. "Lunch anyone?"

"I'll give you a hand." Mickey said, standing up and heading for the door.

Ianto managed a small smile and a nod at Gwen and went after Mickey.