INT. BACK ROOM
Jack is lying on the floor, gasping. Dumbledore is above him.
DUMBLEDORE
Did you have a nice visit?
JACK
(angry)
Why did you bring me back?!
DUMBLEDORE
It was just a test. I only took a small sample of a memory. You can go back if you like.
Jack catches his breath, then sits up reluctantly.
JACK
That was the night I took him out to dinner for the first time. I'd been complaining that he took too long to get dressed. He said I wouldn't understand. My look never varies much.
Jack closes his eyes, remembering. Savoring each detail. As if he is seeing it all again for the first time.
JACK (CON'T)
He came into my office in a brand new suit, tie freshly pressed. Just the right dash of cologne. He always looked good. But that night…that night he looked…amazing.
Dumbledore looks quietly down on Jack for a moment.
DUMBLEDORE
Would you like to try again?
JACK
(clutching the hem of Dumbledore's robes)
Yes. Please. Take me back.
DUMBLEDORE
I'm sorry Jack, but it will never work out between us.
Jack continues to look at him desperately, and Dumbledore sobers.
DUMBLEDORE (CON'T)
Very well.
Dumbledore pulls out his wand again and places in next to Jack's head. He appears to be concentrating very hard, a little puzzled.
DUMBLEDORE
Your memories are so vast and complex. I can't quite find that precise strand.
Jack looks worried.
DUMBLEDORE (CON'T)
Ah ha. I've found one just as good. Oh I quite like this one. In fact I think it's better.
He draws out a thicker, longer strand this time. He drops it into the penseive, like before.
DUMBLEDORE
Ready to try again?
Jack nods and dives back in.
CUT TO:
The fog clears to reveal…
INT. THE HUB
It is Christmas Eve. There is a Christmas Tree decked with all kinds of strange (probably alien) ornaments in between Tosh and Ownen's workstations. Wreaths and garlands are draped sporadically around, a stark contrast with the cold, dingy metal typical of the Hub. Jack looks around and sees Past Jack sitting up in his office. Doing work and looking out every now and then.
GWEN COOPER pops up from the basement.
GWEN
Aren't you going to come and see the tree, Jack?
Jack goes to her. Knowing she can't here him, he says her name softly.
JACK
Gwen.
PAST JACK
In a minute.
TOSH and OWEN, looking unusually happy and full of life, follow her up. They are in high spirits and laughing over something. Jack inhales deeply as he sees them, almost unable to believe they are real.
TOSH
Did you see the look on his face?
OWEN
Don't think he'd ever seen a weevil before. Not exactly what he thought he was getting for Christmas, I reckon.
TOSH
Well thank god no one got hurt. Last thing we want to do is spend Christmas Eve dealing with a dead body.
OWEN
Don't worry Tosh. Nothing I couldn't have handled on my own. You could have gone home anyway.
TOSH
Oh it's all right. I would have stayed. Not much waiting for me there. Just a sad bag of crisps and late night TV.
Owen walks over to the tree and looks up.
OWEN
Would you look at this tree! (to Tosh) You and Gwen did this?
TOSH
Yep.
Gwen comes over to them.
GWEN
Ianto helped us pull some of the decorations out of the archives. He's brining up the last box now.
OWEN
Well you lot have done a fantastic job. (to Past Jack) Oy, Jack! You should really take a look at this!
PAST JACK
I said "in a minute"! Some of us still have work to do on the holidays.
OWEN
He's no fun.
GWEN
He's just being stubborn.
There are footsteps coming up from the archives, and they all turn to see IANTO, dressed in his suit as always, and carrying a large metal box.
Jack's breath stops. He stares at Ianto in utter disbelief. He hardly dares to hope that what he's seeing is real. Could it really be him?
IANTO
This is the last one. I had to dig way into the back to find it.
OWEN
Want a hand with that, mate?
IANTO
No, thanks, I've got it.
Ianto sets it down on the ground and Gwen, Tosh and Owen crowd around. Jack comes over too. Tentatively, he reaches out a hand towards Ianto's back, his fingers hovering uncertainly above his shoulder. Ianto pulls the lid off. Jack recoils, drawing his hand back.
OWEN
Wow.
TOSH
Oh my god.
GWEN
What is it?
IANTO
Not sure exactly. But I think it's beautiful.
Jack goes over to look inside and see what it is, but the box is filled with fog.
IANTO (CON'T)
So, who wants to put it on then?
They all look to one another.
GWEN
I think we should have Jack do it. (calling to Past Jack)
Jack! I think it's about time you helped us out with these decorations!
PAST JACK
I think I've decorated enough trees in my lifetime, thank you very much.
GWEN
Looks like we'll have to drag him. Who's with me?
Tosh, Owen, and Ianto look at one another, then smile. Gwen leads the way as they all charge into Past Jack's office.
OWEN
Grab his legs!
TOSH
I've got the arms!
PAST JACK
Hey! What are you doing?!
IANTO
It's best if you don't struggle.
They rush at him and each grab a limb, pulling him out of his chair, laughing all the while.
GWEN
Come on, Jack Harkness. You can't fight against the whole team!
PAST JACK
You're not gonna let me get out of this, are you?
GWEN
(cheekily)
Not while you're alive.
PAST JACK
Hey! Hey! Watch it!
They carry a mildly struggling Past Jack out of his office and into the center of the Hub, dumping him unceremoniously next to the Christmas Tree.
PAST JACK
All right, all right! What do you want me to do?
Ianto walks over to the box and pulls out a beautiful, star shaped glass container. It swirls with a brilliant, golden, gaseous glow. He places it gently in Jack's hands.
PAST JACK
Oh my god. Is this a star prism from the Falflux Galaxy?
Ianto shrugs.
IANTO
No idea. Just found it in the basement.
PAST JACK
This was down in the archives?
IANTO
Yep.
PAST JACK
Wow. These things are practically collector's items. You could sell these for a small fortune in certain parts of the universe.
GWEN
Jack, you're staring at something incredibly beautiful and all you can think about is selling it?
PAST JACK
You want to put this on the tree?
TOSH
Why not? It's prefect for the top.
IANTO
Really pulls the whole alien-Christmas tree look together.
Past Jack laughs.
PAST JACK
Why not. Someone get me a chair.
Ianto, of course, pulls one over immediately and props it up next to the tree. Past Jack steps on with his help. Tosh passes him some wire.
PAST JACK
Thanks.
Past Jack reaches up and secures the star prism to the top of the tree. He jumps down. Ianto pulls the chair away. Past Jack looks up and surveys his work.
PAST JACK
What do you think?
Gwen, Owen, Ianto, and Tosh all gaze up in awe. The star pulses with a warm glow, bathing all of them in its golden light.
OWEN
Now there's a Christmas tree.
TOSH
It's beautiful.
GWEN
If only Rhys could see this.
IANTO
(looking over at Past Jack)
Do you like it?
PAST JACK
(slightly in awe)
Yea.
A clock somewhere strikes midnight.
PAST JACK (CON'T)
Well, good work team! Happy Christmas! Looks like we're all done here for the night. Let's hope nothing decides to slip through the rift tomorrow so we can all enjoy our holiday in peace.
GWEN
I better be getting home to Rhys.
Gwen gives Past Jack a hug.
GWEN (CON'T)
Happy Holidays! Don't get into too much trouble, eh?
PAST JACK
I'll try. Now get on home!
OWEN
(to Tosh)
You going home to your tv and crisps?
TOSH
I suppose.
OWEN
You uh-mind if I come over? Join you for a bit? It's not like I can go out on the town. Everything's all shut up.
TOSH
Yea. Of course!
OWEN
Right then. You drive. I'll follow.
Gwen is hugging everyone goodbye.
GWEN
Take care of yourself, Tosh.
(to Owen)
And don't stay out too late you.
OWEN
You sound like my Mum.
GWEN
Right. Happy Christmas then!
Past Jack beams around at all of his team. There is a great depth of pride and love behind that smile. Tosh and Owen head for the door.
GWEN
You heading home, Ianto?
IANTO
(looks over at Past Jack)
No, I think I'll stick around here for a while.
Past Jack smiles.
GWEN
(smiling knowingly)
Alright, you two. Take care now.
Gwen leaves.
PAST JACK
So. Just us now.
IANTO
Yep.
PAST JACK
What should we do?
IANTO
(teasing)
I thought you had work to do.
PAST JACK
Well, I dunno. There are all kinds of…"work". I think I've done enough of the paper kind for the night.
Past Jack and Jack both take a step closer to Ianto.
IANTO
I have to be at my sister's house in ten hours.
PAST JACK
Well, let's not waste anymore time.
Past Jack grabs Ianto's tie and pulls him closer.
The room begins to fade again, the images dissolving to fog.
JACK
No! Not yet! Not yet!
But it is too late. The memory is gone, and Jack is lying back on the floor again. Dumbledore is standing over him.
JACK
Dammit! Why did you stop?
DUMBLEDORE
That's all I extracted. I felt that was a suitable place to stop.
JACK
It wasn't! Let me see the rest!
DUMBLEDORE
I doubt I can find that specific memory again. You're memories are so tangled and dense. It would be nearly impossible.
JACK
(close to tears)
It wasn't enough.
DUMBLEDORE
It never is. But I can give you one more shot.
JACK
Can you try to find the rest of that one?
DUMBLEDORE
We'll see.
He takes out his wand again and places it against Jack's head.
DUMBLEDORE
No. No. Hmm. Ah. This is close enough.
He pulls out a new strand, shorter this time, but incredibly vibrant. He taps it into the penseive.
DUMBLEDORE
Not exactly the same memory, but close along the timeline.
Jack eagerly dives back in again.
The fog dissolves to the Hub again.