Disclaimer: I don't own anything in the Who-verse. That honour belongs to RTD and the mighty and glorious BBC. The only thing I get out of this is a warm fuzzy feeling knowing I am trying to put right what once was wrong.

Authors Note: After all the who-haa over posting chapter 11, hopefully Chapter 12 will be more straightforward. Once again thanks to everyone who has reviewed, story alerted and added this as a favourite story. I love you all. *blows big kiss*

Chapter XII

"Lois? Have you got any further tracing the Mantrassian sphere?" Jack called down from the door of his office.

"I picked up an energy spike about twenty minutes ago. Mickey's gone to check it out." Lois called back never once lifting her eyes from the computer screen where a glowing red dot was superimposed over a map.

"You didn't send him on his own did you? You know what effect that sphere has on male humans. I'm not sure we can cover up another male pregnancy. Tom had enough trouble covering up the last three. We'll run out of Retcon if it carries on like this." There was a disembodied snort of laughter from above. "Mind you, Mickey Smith pregnant. I could dine out on that for the next year."

Lois threw Jack a reproving look even though she knew he couldn't see her from his current position.

"No, Martha's gone with him to contain it. Mickey's just providing back up. There are a lot of Weevils located in that area."

Jack stuck his head over the bannister, "You better check in the records what effect those spheres have on Weevils. The last thing we need is a whole family of baby Weevils cropping up."

Lois nodded and fired up a second computer screen to search for the information. Whilst she was waiting for the record to appear, she cast a glance up at Jack who was still looking expectantly over the railing at her, and gave him a cheeky wink.

"Why are you squeamish about men getting pregnant anyway? I thought in your time it was quite a normal thing."

"Oh yeah in the 51st century it was all the rage. Still, all that pain, yuckiness. I'll pass."

He received an icily cold glare in reply,

"So it's OK for us women to go through all that pain and anguish and what was it, ah yes, yuckiness, but not men. You're a bloody chauvinist Jack Harkness. You should be ashamed, especially with Donna due any time now."

Jack laughed and winked at her, "Yeah but you think what a man has to try and push a baby through!" He gave a suggestive leer at his crotch and despite herself Lois flinched. "Exactly!" he affirmed. He was silent for a moment and then laughed. "You are so easy to wind up," he chuckled. "No, in the 51st century it's all birth by C-section – well, the male equivalent."

Lois scowled at him and returned her attention to the computer screen where the red dot still shone steadily out.

"They should be there now," she reported.

Jack activated his ear piece.

"Mickey? Martha? You there?"

There was a brief buzz of static before Martha's voice replied echoing round the Hub.

"We're here Jack. All quiet. Can't find the sphere though."

"It's about fifteen metres due West of your present location." Lois checked the monitor again. "There looks to be a small outbuilding, maybe a tool shed."

"On it," Mickey confirmed. There were a few moments of the sounds of scrabbling over rough ground and metal doors being pushed open. Jack waited impatiently, the agitation plain on his face.

"Come on, come on," he muttered.

"It's OK, we've got it." Martha finally said, her breathing only slightly laboured. "Looks like Tom might be busy again though."

Jack rolled his eyes, "Please don't tell me Mickey's pregnant." he groaned. There was an indignant yelp over the comms followed by a muttered 'Piss off'.

Martha laughed, "No, some poor tramp was wrapped round it using it for warmth. The deep tissue scanner says it's triplets. Equivalent to about 26 weeks. We've only got twenty minutes to get him back to the Hub otherwise I'll be delivering the babies in the SUV.

"Get back here" Jack ordered grimacing. "Afterbirth is murder to get off the leather. Ianto would be..." He stopped abruptly and wordlessly disappeared back into his office. Over the comms Martha sighed, which was echoed by Lois.

"I'm coming in. Prep the med bay for me would you?" Martha asked.

"Will do. Best I keep out of the way." Lois replied, her voice low and guarded.

"He'll be fine," Martha said briskly with a confidence she didn't feel. "See you in fifteen."

Up in his office Jack threw himself into his office chair and resting his elbows on the table put his head in his hands. For a moment he'd forgotten. How was that possible? For just an instant it was if the last eighteen months had never happened. There was just Torchwood, doing what it did best, with the incomparable Ianto moaning over the state of the SUV after every mission. Was it ever going to get easier missing him. Sitting upright he ran his hand back through his hair and breathed out slowly collecting his thoughts, before picking up the phone.

"Hiya," he said softly as the phone was answered. "How you doing?"

On the other end Donna shifted uncomfortably in her chair and rubbed her back thoughtfully.

"My back is killing me and your child appears to be trying to run a half marathon." she said caustically. "And you?"

"I'm OK." Jack said carefully. Donna wasn't fooled, instantly picking up on Jack's mood she allowed her voice to soften,

"No, you're not. What's the matter?"

Jack hesitated. He knew he wasn't the most tactful guy on the planet but somehow mentioning his dead ex-partner to his extremely pregnant wife seemed like bad form. The problem was Donna was the one person he needed to tell. Otherwise it would feel like he was keeping secrets and he had enough of those already.

"Something came up at work. It just reminded me of Ianto. Brought it all back. How much I miss him. I'm sorry. You don't need to hear this, especially now," he apologised helplessly.

Donna took a deep breath. She would be lying if she said it didn't hurt just a little when Jack mentioned Ianto. She couldn't help it, she was only human. The thing was, so was Jack.

"Yes I do," she said quietly. "I know you miss him Jack. It wouldn't be right if you didn't. Just remember I love you and I'm here when you need me."

Jack's chest tightened. "I don't deserve you," he said huskily.

"Probably not," Donna concurred. "But you've got me. All two tons of me..."

She heard Jack give an affectionate chuckle. "You look beautiful," he said honestly. "And damned sexy."

"As if," she retorted. She shifted uncomfortably again. The pain in her back was getting worse. Suddenly she felt a sharp cramping pain in her abdomen and drew in her breath sharply. "Little sod," she muttered under her breath.

"Jack, will you be late home tonight?" she asked trying to force her voice to sound normal.

"Shouldn't be. Why?" Jack's voice was reassuringly calm. She was being stupid, Donna thought reasonably. She wasn't due for another three weeks. It was just one of those Braxton-Hicks false contraction things. Almost immediately, Donna felt another cramping pain, this one much stronger, and a sudden release of warm liquid over her legs. This definitely wasn't a false alarm.

Jack heard Donna curse under her breath. "Donna?" he asked warily.

" You might need to come home a bit early," Donna panted biting her lip.

"Why?"

God. Was he being deliberately obtuse, Donna thought incredulously. As a third contraction seized her Donna forgot all about her intention to be dignified in labour.

"Because my waters just broke, you stupid git. Get your ass back here now, Jack Harkness!" she screeched down the phone and hung up.

Jack stared uncomprehendingly at the dead phone in his hand for several seconds, then he leapt to his feet and vaulted over the desk in a move worthy of an Olympic gymnast.

"Lois!" he yelled pulling open his office door. " I need you to find me a helicopter. Now!"

Apparently Martha had arranged for a UNIT helicopter to be on standby for the last month for just such an eventuality and within ten minutes Jack was high in the sky above Cardiff heading out of the city towards London. It was the longest hour of Jack's life. In an effort not to feel so helpless he used the UNIT communication channels to contact Sylvia and Wilf, only to find Donna had got there before him. It seemed despite the differences between Donna and Sylvia, when it came to needing reassurance in such situations, mothers were still top of the list. Jack wondered wryly how long it would take before they were at each others throats. He hoped Wilf was up to the task of keeping the peace until he arrived.

"How much longer?" he asked impatiently. The helicopter flight crews looked at each other in amusement. Jack Harkness was a legend. The indestructible captain who had the ear of world governments, not to mention top UNIT brass. At the moment though he was indistinguishable from any other expectant father.

"Less than five minutes," the pilot replied pointing out the hospital on the skyline where UNIT doctors were attending to Donna. Jack had insisted that UNIT doctors monitored Donna throughout her pregnancy. He wasn't taking any chances. Not this time.

Jack was out of the helicopter barely seconds after it touched down and charged into the roof access door vanishing in a flurry of blue grey material. Donna was on the seventh floor, his briefing on the helicopter worthy of one of UNIT's most complex military operations. He took the stairs several at a time unwilling to wait for the lift and barged through into the Maternity Ward with all the arrogant swagger of Captain Jack Harkness, leader of Torchwood. It lasted about three seconds. As he swung down the corridor which lead to the delivery suites he heard a howl of pain. Donna. He faltered, stomach lurching, face draining of colour. A nurse in pale pink scrubs poked her head out of a door to his right.

"Mr Harkness," she enquired politely. Jack nodded dumbly.

"You can come in," she encouraged him, opening the door wider to admit him. Jack hesitated. This was a situation he was completely unprepared for. He hadn't even been to the birthing classes with Donna. Torchwood business had always seemed to get in the way. The nurse raised her eyebrows impatiently.

"Is that Jack?" He heard Donna ask from inside the room. "Harkness! You bastard. Get in here now!"

Galvanised Jack pushed past the nurse into the delivery suite where Donna lay propped up on the bed, face pale, hair mussed, eyes dark with pain. Or maybe anger, Jack corrected as she grabbed his hand in a vice like grip.

"Hey sweetheart" he soothed.

"Sweetheart! I'll give you sweetheart! You are never coming near me again, Jack Harkness. Do you understand? Never again..." Donna's diatribe was cut short by a squeal of pain as another contraction overtook her. She gripped Jack's hand tighter and he winced. "Don't leave me," Donna pleaded her eyes swimming.

Jack leant in close. "Never," he said softly.

"Mr Harkness?" A doctors voice cut into Jack's forgotten earpiece startling him. "Can I have a word?"

Immediately fear closed Jack's throat. Lifting Donna's hand to his lips he kissed it and said,

"I'm just going to have a quick chat with the midwife. Get the lay of the land."

"I thought I was the lay of the land" Donna joked weakly.

"Absolutely," he agreed. "I'll only be a minute." Jack crossed to the far side of the delivery suite, pulling the earpiece out of his ear and shoving it in his coat pocket, where a white-coated doctor joined him. With a curt nod Jack motioned for him to speak.

"Captain Harkness, there is a problem with the labour. Donna's contractions are unusually intense and the baby is in some distress. Its heart rate is depressed and we have noted some arrhythmia in Donna's heartbeat also. We are concerned that unless we can deliver the baby very soon there may be some danger to both the baby and Donna." The doctor's tone was hushed and worried.

Jack felt his insides drop away. He glanced over at Donna face which he could now see was deathly pale. Like Ianto's had been as he had laid on the floor of the hall covered in the red shroud. Jack let out a small moan causing the doctor to stare at him in concern.

"W...What do you want to do?" Jack asked finally, his voice trembling.

" We would like permission to do a C-section," the doctor said calmly. "It's the safest option for Donna and the baby. We have a theatre prepped and ready to go."

"Do it," Jack said, his voice anguished. "Do whatever you need to do, but whatever you do don't let them die."

The doctor placed his hand reassuringly on Jack's arm but he shook it off and strode back to Donna. For the first time he noticed Sylvia and Wilf sat at the other side of Donna, faces pale and eyes fearful. He couldn't meet their gaze. He'd promised Wilf he wouldn't hurt Donna and now here she was in terrible pain, in danger, and it was all his fault. He caught up Donna's hand again and held it to his cheek.

"Donna. There's a problem sweetheart," he said gently trying to keep the fear he felt out of his voice. "The baby's not doing too well." He felt Donna convulse in pain and knew that this time it had nothing to do with a contraction. Across the bed he saw Wilf and Sylvia grab each other in distress. "The doctors want to do a C-section and take the baby out. It'll be safer for both of you." He looked into Donna's eyes and saw the fear. She nodded in resignation and gripped his hand tightly.

"You'll stay with me? Won't you? You have to make sure the baby is OK. Promise me Jack."

"I promise," he said, his voice determined. He nodded to the doctor and within seconds the team of nurses and doctors had swooped around Donna's bed. Jack moved to one side while they worked but all the time he kept his hand tightly wrapped around Donna.

Finally she lay on the trolley ready to be moved into theatre. As they wheeled her down the corridor, she thrashed in pain as contraction after contraction hit her. Jack ran alongside, only withdrawing his hand as he discarded his coat and pulled on a green theatre gown over his clothes. They passed through double doors into the gleaming sterile theatre which swung shut behind them, separating them from Wilf and Sylvia's scared faces.

In the theatre, anaesthesiologists inserted needles in the back of Donna's hand, inserted IV's of fluids into her arms. All the time Donna lay unresisting, the pain of her contractions overshadowing all else. Jack leant over Donna, whispering in her ear trying to keep her calm, trying to keep himself calm.

"Alright, Mrs Harkness," the anaesthesiologist loomed over them, his face confident. "We're going to put you under now."

Donna thrashed her head from side to side in panic. "Jack?" she said, her voice fearful.

Jack kissed her forehead. "Ssh. I'm here. I've got you. I love you." His eyes welled with tears but he forced them back.

"I love you too..." Donna replied. For a moment her voice was strong, her eyes seemed to glint with their old fire. Then her eyes slowly closed and her hand went limp in Jack's. His face stony Jack nodded to the doctors to begin. Then letting Donna's hand rest in his own he waited.

The moment Donna went under the doctors sprang into action. With a surety stemming from countless operations the surgeon made the cut and within seconds he was hauling the small form of a baby from Donna's womb. There was a heart stopping moment of silence and then to Jack's relief there came a loud indignant wail.

"You have a daughter, Captain Harkness." The doctor glanced up to give Jack a confident smile. "Looks fine. We'll just give her the once over and then you can have a hold." As he spoke he passed the baby to a waiting nurse who immediately swaddled her in a pristine blue cloth and hurried away to a side table. Then he turned his attention back to Donna.

Jack grinned in delight. A daughter. And one with a set of lungs to clearly rival her mothers. Leaning over to Donna he whispered in her ear.

"It's a girl Donna. Thank you." Looking up he saw the nurse approaching carrying the infant and he held his arms out eagerly. The nurse deposited the bundle in his arms.

"Your daughter, Mr Harkness." Jack looked down and for the first time looked into his daughters eyes. No baby blue for his girl, Jack noted with amusement. Already the eyes staring back were a startling emerald green which seemed, at least to Jack, to contain the wisdom of ages. Jack moved a finger to caress her downy cheek.

"Hello Angel," he breathed as he lifted her up to Donna. "This is your mom."

It was at that moment that he noticed the silence. Not complete silence just the absence of movement in the room. Slowly he lifted his head, becoming aware that the bleeping of the monitor was slower, less regular. On the periphery of his vision he could see the faces of the surgeon, the nurses and doctors, all pale and grey with concern and something else. Fear. His heart pounding in his ears he followed their gaze past Donna to the floor. Blood. Donna's blood. So much blood. Too much blood.

For Jack the next few minutes were an eternity. Cradling his daughter in his arms he clung to her like a life preserver, staring at her face, willing himself not to give in to the blackness that was threatening to engulf him. He couldn't lose Donna. Not now. It wasn't time. Dimly he heard the hushed voices of the medical team. Medical terms which he did not understand were thrown about. Frantic efforts to stop the bleeding.

"Captain Harkness?" Suddenly the world coalesced around him. He looked up at the surgeon.

"Captain. Donna has had a placenta accreta. It's when the placenta attaches too firmly to the uterus. As the placenta has come away parts have remained attached to uterus wall causing the excessive bleeding. Donna has lost a lot of blood and we need to control the bleeding. The safest way to treat this is by performing a hysterectomy. Do we have your permission?"

Jack looked blankly at him. Could he do this. Remove Donna's ability to have another child. His child.

"What will happen if you don't do a hysterectomy?"

"Honestly?" Jack nodded. For the first time the surgeon looked like the military man he was. Used to dealing with soldiers.

"The bleeding is severe. The loss of blood so far is in itself life threatening. Without the hysterectomy there is very high chance she might die."

There was no choice. Losing Donna was not an option. His daughter needed a mother. He hoped Donna could forgive him the choice he had to make.

"Just do it. Don't let her die. Do you understand me. She can't die." His voice cracked on the last word.

"Captain. That may not be in my hands," the surgeon admitted honestly.

Desolate, Jack nodded mutely.

"We may be some time," the surgeon said kindly as he moved round to start the operation. "Why don't you wait outside."

"We'll wait here," Jack replied flatly. "As long as it takes."

Berate me if you must. I know I'm mean and heartless, but this is neccessary as will become clear in Chapter 13 when Donna speaks to a dead man (I so loved writing the next two chapters). Reviews make me tiggerish!