Chapter 19

Donna leaned across the table, catching Jack's eyes and looking pointedly at him. Gwen pressed her lips together and looked between them uncomfortably.
"We have to do something." Donna stated seriously. Jack nodded, his mouth twitching into a smirk; he knew exactly what she was thinking. He crossed his arms and looking back up at the door.

"But what? It has to be something subtle but powerful, otherwise he'll catch on to us." Jack rubbed his chin thoughtfully, reaching into his past for his more successful matchmaking attempts. If they were going to set up the Doctor and Rose it had to be unexpected and inescapable; that'd be his biggest challenge, preventing the two from running away. The couple seemed to have an unhealthy knack for it. Gwen was looking at him, doing her best to look only vaguely curious He could see right through that look and rolled his eyes at her dramatically. "Matters of the heart are best left to the professionals." he stated.

"And you're a professional?" Gwen chortled. Jack grinned at her and shrugged.

"Considering how many relationships I've been in, I'm the closest you can get." Jack replied.

"Jack..." Gwen glared at him. "Just because you're an intergalactic Casanova doesn't mean you can foul up other peoples relationships."

"It's not fouling, it's..." Donna paused and searched for the right word. "Nudging, we're nudging them in the right direction." Gwen looked skeptical and picked up her mug.

"Who are we nudging?" River strode in, Owen and Martha behind her.

"The Doctor and Rose." Jack gestured to the food and the table and scooted his chair over to make room for them. River let out an exasperated sigh.

"Gosh...yes. Heavens they could use a bulldozer." She walked over the cupboard and handed plates to Owen and Martha. "It's amazing how thick he can be."

"Aren't they together?" Owen looked up at River in confusion. Gwen was watching him over her mug, smirking viciously. He was properly mussed and looking slightly tired, just as she'd said he would. Owen caught her eye and raised an eyebrow at her before burying himself in food.

"Strictly speaking, yes. They can't breathe without each other it seems sometimes." River commented dryly, sitting next to him.

"But he can't seem to make it official." Donna finished. She leaned back in her chair and growled. "He's the flippin' Lord of Time and he can't ask her out on a proper date."

"Be fair Donna, how long has it been since he's done this?" Jack asked. Donna scrunched her nose.

"That's just it, I don't think he ever has." she paused. "You forget that he's alien and then he brings up something like this...s'weird."

"I know a guy at Delmonico's that owes me a favor, we could get them a reservation, pretend like it was one of ours but we can't go and guilt trip them into going instead." Jack suggested. Martha nodded from where she was leaning on the counter.

"He wouldn't need much persuading for that, he of all people would know the history of the place. I wouldn't be surprised if he waltzed in her and invited us to go right now." she pointed out. Jack grinned, pulling out his cell phone.

"Delmonico's it is, and a cozy table for two."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~OIA~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Ladies and Gents, we are taking a field trip." The Doctor announced as he strode back into the kitchen. He eyed them, wary of the peculiarly innocent looking faces. He looked back at Rose, his suspicion clearly conveyed. She didn't respond, but glared at Jack, sure that if something was up it would have originated with him.
"Field trip? Where?" Jack asked, doing his best to look innocent.
"Time Agency, it's probably best that you stay here Jack, to avoid crossing your timeline." The Doctor stated casually. "Besides, someone has to keep this lot under control, make sure our aliens aren't getting out of hand." Jack glared back at him.
"Fine. I get Martha and Gwen." he paused an idea popping into his head. "And Rose." The Doctor opened his mouth to argue but Jack held up a hand. "In case we've got to help out in the field, I can take her and Gwen for back up and still have Martha here." Martha scowled at him from her mug and he winked back at her.
"He's got a point, I can help." Rose said. The Doctor snapped his mouth shut and frowned.
"It isn't like she'll be more than a universe away, all you have to do is hop back in the TARDIS and she'll be here safe and sound." Martha added, keeping her tone light. Her words still struck a cord and his eyes darkened.

"I'll be fine." Rose said softly, resting her hand on his arm. He looked down at her, his lips twitching upwards.

"You better be. I'm holding you accountable Harkness." He nodded toward the door. "Go on, do whatever you Torchwood people do. I'll send reports via the comm." Jack saluted him sharply, marching out of the kitchen. Rose squeezed his hand before leading Gwen and Martha out.

"I'll see ya later!" She called.

"Not if I see you first!" The Doctor responded, a small smile on his face. River looked at Donna and pretended to gag.

"He's got it bad."