Chapter 12
Late Nights and Coffee Breaks
Lily was silent in the car on the way to the Hub. Everyone was silent. It was quarter to eleven by the time they arrived at the Hub, and by eleven thirty, Lily was on her second cup of coffee when they decided to hook her up to some monitors and give her the first shot of adrenaline. At three they let Suzie and Ianto leave. Owen, Tosh, and Jack stayed in charge of monitoring her and keeping her wake.
"I'm sorry about all of this…you shouldn't have to stay awake on my account," she said.
Jack shrugged as he took another sip of his coffee, "I don't mind. I get to keep my company with a beautiful woman," he said.
Lily blushed and then yawned.
"Need some more coffee?" he asked, pointing at her mug.
"If I have another I'll need to use the loo," Lily answered.
Jack shrugged sheepishly, "Just let me know when you want another," he said.
Lily nodded but said nothing.
The night wore on; she was exhausted but forced herself to stay awake.
"Do you want to go for a walk?" Jack asked at quarter to six.
She looked up and then to her monitors, "Don't I need to stay connected to all of this tut?"
Jack looked at Owen, "No she's fine to go," he said.
They took everything off of her and then Lily grabbed her coat. Jack took her hand once they were on the lift. She was silent as they walked; sleep was pulling down on her eyes. She shook herself mentally and tried to focus on something else. Lily looked at her hand and studied how it fit into Jack's. It seemed like it was meant to be there. She then turned her attention to the Bay. It was still dark out, but the sun was bordering on the horizon.
"Jack, do you guys have any more bright ideas to keep me awake?" she asked finally.
"I know of a place where you can get espresso shots. That might do something for you," he answered.
"What's an espresso shot?" Lily inquired.
Jack looked at his watch, "You can try one…but they won't be open for awhile yet," he answered.
Lily walked over to the docks. She sat down on the cold ground and Jack joined her. They looked out at the murky bay. The Captain then looked at Lily as he thought of something to talk about. Her long red hair was pulled up into a bun that over the course of the night had become a bit messier. A few strands were hanging down and blowing about in the wind. She looked like an angel, no imperfections in her face.
"So, Lily Ainsworth…what is the thing that surprises you the most about two thousand and seven?" he asked.
She thought about it, clearly fighting sleep, "Most things really. The fashions and how girls will just walk around with everything hanging out. The piercings on some people is disgusting. Do you want me to go on?" she laughed.
"No, that's alright," Jack laughed too.
"Are Owen and Suzie…sleeping with each other?" Lily suddenly asked.
He looked at her with a raised eyebrow, "Talk about modesty issues," he answered.
She shrugged.
"I think they are, yeah," Jack said.
"Tis a shame, Tosh is carrying a torch for him," Lily replied.
"Did Tosh tell you this?"
"No…it's obvious though. But not to you all apparently, because your all thick."
"Well thanks for that," Jack said.
They were silent again and Lily moved closer to Jack, telling herself the cold was egging her on. He instantly put his arm around her and the cold that had been biting at her before disappeared. Something about their current situation was so bizarre and yet…right.
Lily had gone through so much the last few weeks, but this is where she wanted to be. She could see some sort of relationship with Jack…even if it had flaws, but who know how he felt towards her.
Then again…that was his arm wrapped around her.
Lily closed her eyes for a brief moment. Before her eyes she saw the Torchwood team standing in the City Centre. Except Suzie, and she saw instead another woman. Pretty face and black hair, looking lost. There in the middle of it all was Lily….looking terrified. Then gun shots rang, from out of no where. Jack ordered her out of the way and Lily fell to the ground.
"Lily!" someone shouted.
She felt her body shaking and then she opened her eyes, "Wh…what?" she asked softly.
Jack breathed a sigh of relief, "You fell asleep," he said.
"Have I died then?" Lily asked.
Jack had to smile, "No you haven't….thankfully."
"Time for that espresso then…and maybe some breakfast?" she then suggested.
Jack nodded, they stood up and went to the coffee shop (Ianto purchased his supplies here; Jack felt the need to inform Lily). The girl wound up ordering two of the shots, which may or may not have been a good idea. They then went to get some food and they ate in silence for the most part. But thanks to the shots, she was wide awake.
They decided on no coffee during breakfast, Lily was already shaking a little. Once they finished eating, they started back for the Hub.
"I want to get a tree for my room at the house," Lily said.
Jack looked up, "Alright…you'll need some ornaments and stuff," he said.
"Would it be alright?" she asked.
"Yeah…absolutely, we could go look at stuff now…if you want," Jack answered.
"Oh lovely…"
So they turned and headed for a store that Jack knew of, for whatever reason.
She picked out some typical ornaments and got just a little too excited over the Wizard of Oz and Gone with The Wind ornaments she found. After they paid for everything they started for the house.
"We can get you a real tree or a fake one. What strikes you're fancy?" Jack asked.
"Oh I'd rather have a real tree," Lily answered with a yawn.
"That's probably for the best…the fake trees just aren't as nice," Jack said.
"Thank you," Lily said once they were in the house.
"What for?" he asked.
"For doing all of this for me. Keeping up with me so I don't fall asleep and die," she paused, "Now it's not everyday you get to say that!"
"Stop thanking me for this! It's our job, especially since you're in our care," Jack protested.
Lily rolled her eyes, "It's just that…I've become so accustomed to most people in the twenty-first century being a little rude. Torchwood is the nicest lot here," she explained.
"We're not always this nice to visitors," Jack answered.
"I know…but you've been nice to me," she replied.
"That's because we like you," he flirted.
She smiled, "Well I like you too."
They smiled at each other for just a moment and then Lily quickly turned back to putting the purchases away.
"I hope you'll come over on Christmas Eve to help decorate," Lily then said.
"Yeah we can go out that morning if you'd like and get a tree," Jack replied.
She didn't respond Jack turned to look at Lily. She was standing up but not moving.
"Lily?"
There was no response. He walked over to her and found she had fallen asleep.
"Lily!" he shouted.
She let out a slight groan and then her legs began to buckle.
Jack reached out and grabbed her before she could hit the floor. Lily groaned again, but she stayed asleep. Jack shook her gently, but this time Lily let out a whimper, of fear and of sadness.
"Lily," Jack urged, shaking her even more now.
But Lily did not wake…
XX
A/N- Okay so I totally realize it's been aaaages since I updated this, and I don't blame you for hating me….
But anyways…this chapter is dedicated to Ellie, cause she's coming back from London…well she's probably already in London now…but anyways…
And special kudos to…my big brother of all people! He helped me a bit with this chapter! Cause I was writing it back during his spring break when we were coming back from visiting our dad. So without really knowing the full thing, I had to try and explain it to him, he got the gist of things…and he helped me with Jack and Lily's conversations….so yeah. Love you Andy!
Love you readers even more if you review!
Beccs! ^_^
