Chapter twenty-one: Miss Martha Jones

I'd pluck a fair rose for my love. I'd pluck a red rose blowing. Love's in my heart. A-trying so to prove, what your heart's knowing. I'd pluck a finger on a thorn. I'd pluck a finger bleeding. Red is my heart; wounded and forlorn, and your heart needing. I'd hold a finger to my tongue. I'd hold a finger waiting. My heart is sore, until it joins in song, wi' your heart mating.

Feeling eyes on her, Jackie looked up from where she was typing in her final notes to find Jack, Tosh, Owen and Gwen staring at her. she flushed crimson. "Sorry, was I singing aloud again?"

"Definitely." Owen said with a smile in Tosh's direction. "That song from Poldark."

"Never apologize," Jack states with a grin. "for giving us such pleasure."

She shook her head in embarrassment. This that been a very unusual two weeks. Jack and she had grown even closer than she thought possible.

She'd written an odd note on her wrist to help Jack find memories of his dad. She'd tried helping him, and to her success, Jack could remember moments for a while, they just weren't long term. He forgot the memories in a few hours, probably because his head was full of so much information. So, every night, they'd sit on the floor together and Jackie would help Jack find memories of his childhood and family. She kept a special notebook for Jack, so he'd be able to start remembering them on his own. She hadn't been feeling well lately, slight nauseous at times and she threw up quite a bit. She was able to hide most of this from Jack because she didn't want him to worry.

Tosh and Owen, they were now officially dating. Their first date had gotten off so well that Jackie found a thank you note at her place from Owen the next day. They were a perfect couple as everyone had predicted. In the days that followed, Owen had become less cynical and Tosh's confidence had grown. Jack pointed out to her how those two reminded him of themselves when they first started. Their finer points would rub off onto the other person, helping shape them.

"Well, I shouldn't be doing it while we're working on a case." She said patiently.

"You don't sing that often." Gwen pointed out.

"With good reason," she stated. "my voice is terrible."

"Eh," Jack titled his head to the side. "you're a long way from sounding like Lucille ball."

Jack, Ianto said over the intercom. your VIP visitor is here.

Jack grinned and darted up the stairs, grabbing her hand and pulling her out of her chair. Her small laptop crashed to the ground. "Jack!" she laughed. "It's probably broken. What are you doing?"

"You'll see!" His grin grew broader as they approached the reception entrance. "Suddenly, in an underground mortuary, on a wet night in Cardiff, I hear the song of a nightingale." The circular door rolled back and their visitor entered. A gorgeous black woman with stunning features, perfect skin and an attractive suit approaches them. "Miss Martha Jones."

Martha Jones smiles, revealing a row of perfect white teeth. "Hello Jack." Martha set her bag down, strode up to Jack and threw her arms around his shoulders enveloping him in a hug. Jackie fought to keep her emotions underway, but for some reason, she seemed overly sensitive lately. "Oh, it's good to see you, Jack."

Jack pulled away and laughed before he began making introductions. "Toshiko, Owen, Gwen, Ianto, meet Martha." Jack turns towards her, bestowing a very loving gaze on her. "And this lady deserves a very special introduction. Martha, this is Jacqueline Harkness."

"Ah, Jack and Jacqueline that, is so cute. I'm pleased to meet you." Martha's brow arches as she shakes Jackie's hand. "I didn't know Jack that you had a sister." The smile falls off Jack's face. UNIT didn't mention that fact."

Jack laughs and places his hands on Jackie's shoulders. "Actually, Martha…this is my wife."

Martha's eyes bulge in astonishment. "Are you serious?"

Jack nods. "Yep. Been married to her for almost 5 months now."

"Wow." She stared at Jackie in amazement. "Well, my hat is off to you, if you think you can handle marriage to him."

"Trust me," Jack says as he grips her hand. "she keeps me on my toes."

"And he drives me crazy." Jackie added as she gave him a gentle nudge with the elbow in the ribs.

"Yeah," Jack says soothingly in her ear. "but you love it."

Jackie bobs her head in agreement, as Owen asks Martha. "So, is this just a casual visit, or-

Martha picks up her bags and heads towards the autopsy room. "I'm here to complete your postmortem."

Owen frowns as Jack follows Martha. "Doctor Jones is from UNIT." He explains.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Gwen's says as she scurries after them. "Sorry, I get a bit confused. Which one's UNIT?"

"Intelligence, military, cute red caps." Jack says with a foot on the rail, patting her side as she passes him by to get to her fallen laptop. "The acceptable face of intelligence gathering on aliens. We're more ad hoc," Jackie shuts the lid to her laptop and opens it, praying that its fine just as Jack asserts. Even though it's not cracked, the screen could still be damaged. "but better looking. And I've got the sexiest agent on the planet."

"Jack!" she whines, as she blushes red. "This is my third laptop that you've ruined! The screen is smashed!"

He blinks innocently. "This time, it wasn't my fault you didn't have a good grip on it!"

"Oh, you!" she went for the nearest computer and opened up the notebook program so she could take notes. "I hate these computers." She muttered.

"I identified a pattern from UNIT's data on sudden deaths." Martha reported Toxic shock. Nothing to link the victims. Different ages, sexes, ethnic origins, occupations. But there was a statistically significant concentration in South Wales."

"Come on, Martha, be honest." Jack said with a grin. "You just came all this way to see me."

Jackie rolled her eyes as Martha continued examining their latest victim. "Still struggling to conquer your shyness, Jack?"

Jack laughed as Owen stepped towards Martha. "So," he drew out slowly. "what about this pattern, then, Doctor Jones?"

"They were being written off as suicides or accidents. Look." Jackie stepped up from her computer and leaned over so she could see what Martha was referring to. "Puncture mark. Hypodermic needle."

"Oh," Jackie's stomach swirled. "that is disgusting."

"You'll find his bloodstream was pumped full of ammonium hydroxide." Martha added.

The extra details added a visual that did not help Jackie. Bile welled up and she ran for the kitchen. She barely made it the sink, her first heave wound up in an empty bowl on the counter before she made her way over to the garbage disposer side of the sink. After the vomiting passed, she began to look for the cleaning supplies under the sink to sanitize the counter.

"You ok?" she looked up to see Ianto there, holding her purse. He winced. "No, you're not. You should have Owen take a look at you."

"No."

"How about the med scanner?"

"No!"

He shrugged. "Ok….maybe you could ask Martha, if asking Owen would make you uncomfortable."

Jackie shook her head. "It's just something I've eaten."

"Jackie," Ianto pointed out. "you don't eat much of anything, so what could it be?"

"I've no idea." Jack stuck his head into the kitchen and she held up her hand. "Out of the kitchen now Jack! I'm fine."

"Jackie," he stated firmly. "I've asked Owen to-

"If you set up an exam without my permission Jack," she snapped. "I will deny you all of your husbandly rights to my body for this whole month! I am fine!"

Jack let out a growl. "I need to talk to Martha for a bit. Then, you and I are having a discussion and you will see a doctor!" Jackie's reaction was to grab a spoon and throw it at Jack as he closed the door. Hearing it clang, he poked his head back in and snapped. "And you will get an exam, even if I have to hold you down on the exam myself!" that said, he slammed the kitchen door shut.

Jackie stamped her foot and went to the refrigerator to grab a cherry and lime soda. "I hate that man sometimes."

Ianto chuckled as he turned on the water and began spraying out the bowl and the sink. "Yeah, I really believe you."

"Hmm, I'll do that Ianto." She said stepping forward. "It's my mess."

He shook his head. "I don't mind. Besides, I wanted to talk to you a bit, about Meryl."

Jackie's ears perked up. "Really? What about?"

"Well," Ianto hesitated for a moment. "I'm contemplating asking her to move in with me."

"And you want my opinion?" Ianto nodded and she hesitated. "I'd suggest Gwen, because, I'm an old fashioned girl, remember?"

He shook his head. "No, it's not like that."

"Oh, I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions like that."

"It's er, a reasonable assumption but," he exhaled. "she's somewhat famous but, with work the way it is…I don't see how I could. And…she's so sweet…I don't want her to think that I'm offering her charity."

"Ianto," she questioned. "is this because she's having a difficult time financially or, because you love her and want to be with her?"

"Both, actually." He cleared his throat. "I'm actually, er, uhm, following some of your dating advice and waiting, until…marriage before," Jackie smiled as Ianto tried to keep from blushing. "getting intimate. She was uhm, pregnant when she married her first husband. And, what…you and Jack have its…amazing to see."

She blushed. "I hope the cameras haven't been showing too much."

"Er, Owen tried and, you seem to, mentally be able to blacken the cameras."

She exhaled. "Good to know. so, you're asking my advice as to how to ask her to move in with you, without coming across as you have an ulterior motive. Correct?"

"Yes."

She took another swallow. "You do intend to marry her someday in the future, am I correct?" he bobbed his head. "I think you should tell her that." Ianto visibly blanched. "But, also state, that doesn't mean that you're going to propose to her now." He relaxed. "Make it clear to her that you care about her and you want to help her because of how it distresses you to see her under such stress. You two have been together for almost 6 months, you're a couple, which makes you a team, which means, you don't leave the other player struggling."

Ianto bobbed his head. "I like that approach."

"But, you can't keep asking me for advice, after all, it's your relationship."

"I know but," he smiled, showing a very similar expression that Jack often bestowed upon her. "I want everything to be perfect."

"And it will be perfect Ianto," she assured him as she reached for her purse. "because, you're the man for her and she's the woman for you." she opened up her purse and reapplied her lipstick. "Now, I need to go find Jack and Martha."

"And for the record," Ianto said. "I don't think Jack and Martha were lovers."

She shrugged. "Jack's over a thousand years old. If I started to get concerned about how many lovers he's had, I'd be a very foolish woman."

"Then, I suggest you tell her that." she took another swallow of her drink and exited the room. She peered around, saw Jack leaving the hot house, and made a beeline for him. "Jack!"

He smiled. "Ah, very good. Jackie, I've arranged for Martha to examine you later."

"No. we're in the middle of a mission."

"And you keep throwing up." He stated firmly as she stalked towards him. "Now, I don't care if you melt me into a pile of ash, but, she is going to examine you."

"It's my body," she stated firmly. "and it's my decision."

"Well, you my wife and as far as I'm concerned, your body, is mine too!" Jackie blushed at his words. "And, I want it well again. no arguing!"

Jackie let out a growl as Martha and Gwen approached. "You'll get used it," Gwen said. "they're always like this."

Jackie's eyes widened. "Excuse me?"

"If you two aren't' having some merry argument, you two are messing about contaminating any piece of furniture that's handy."

Martha turned towards Jack. "Really?"

He shrugged. "What can I say?"

"Well, in that case, maybe she's pregnant." Martha suggested. "It is possible."

Jack placed a comforting hand on Jackie's shoulder. "Jackie can't have children." He said softly. "She's infertile."

Martha nodded sympathetically. "I'm sorry."

Jackie exhaled. "It's fine. how could we find the time to raise a child in this environment anyway?"

Jack cleared his throat. "So you've seen the hot house. Tour continues this way, ladies, please. No dawdling."

She laughed as he slung his arm around her shoulders. "Oh, you sound like a tour guide. Were you one at some point?"

"A long time ago."

Jackie glanced behind her to see that Gwen and Martha were dawdling a bit anyway. "They're probably talking about you."

"Really?" he said as he paused and looked in their direction. "I wonder what they are saying."

She hesitated before placing her hand on Jack's head and reaching out listen to Gwen and Martha talk. Er, so, you know Jack pretty well, then?

Jack's eyes widened. "I didn't know you could do this!" he grinned. "You're amazing!"

"I know!"

Oh, we were only together for a few days, but it was intense.

You mean? Jackie glanced at Jack who was already shaking his head in denial.

Oh, God, no! Martha almost shrieked. No, not that sort of intense. Nothing like that. Why, were you and him?

No, no, not at all. I never had a chance. Jack smirked and placed his hands on her waist. I couldn't do that…not to my sister. Gwen paused. Well, maybe just once. Jack and Jackie's eyes widened in shock at Gwen's admission. But, he'd never, he loves Jackie too much.

So, it's too late now. Martha sighed. We must have been the only two people on the planet.

I know. Gwen questioned soberly. What were we doing wrong?

"Ok," Jack said in slight indignation. "I've heard enough." Jackie began laughing as Jack hollered out to them. "Oi, you talking about me?"

"No, no," Gwen said as they hurried towards them. "we were just discussing alien flora, weren't we?"

"She's no fun." Jack said dryly as he wrapped an arm around Jackie's waist and lifted her up onto his hip. "Raise your game girls."

Jackie giggled and wrapped her arm around his shoulder. "Jack, put me down."

He laughed at her. "If you really meant it, I would, but I know for a fact that you don't."

Jackie snorted and turned to Martha. "Sorry, he's always like this."

"Yeah." Martha laughed. "I can imagine."

"So, how did you two meet?" Jackie questioned. "Jack has millions of things to tell me that we forget things."

"Oh, it's hard to explain."

"Jackie actually remembers the end of the world," Jack stated as he shifted her up higher, so her legs were around his waist. "so, it'll be easier."

"Really?" Martha's eyes widened in surprise. "How come?"

"She's an alien of some kinds." He explained. "Not sure what kind."

Martha giggled. "Oh, that takes me back. Every time you'd introduce yourself to someone and the Doctor would tell you to stop it!"

Jack started laughing. "I know, and I was like, "Can't I say hello to anybody?" which of course, irritated him."

"You've got some well weird kit." Martha said as she picked up the singularity scalpel to examine it. "What's this?"

"Be careful." Jack warned in a teasing tone. "It's an alien artifact."

Martha looked at Jackie, still around Jack's waist. "Well, you'd know, wouldn't you?"

Jack patted Jackie on this hip. "Don't worry; I know every inch of this artifact very well."

"Shut up," Jackie said as she wiggled free from his grip. "it's not appropriate Jack, the things you say at times."

"There's a lot of argument about this," Owen said as he stepped forward and took the singularity scalpel out of Martha's hand and began making some adjustments. "but for my money it's got to be a surgical instrument."

"Really?" Martha questioned in surprise.

"He's guessing." Jack stated. "Typical medic."

"Right," Owen shrugged off Jack's sarcasm. "well, I call it a singularity scalpel. See," Jack pulled Jackie towards him as Martha stepped towards Owen. "what it does is it concentrates energy on a tiny fixed point without damaging anything on the way. It's brilliant."

"It's amazing."

"Yeah," Gwen said before asking. "do you remember the last time you did that, Owen?"

"You blew up Jackie's sandwich all over her." Jack stated. "Reduced it to mud."

"Yes. Right." Jackie shook her head as Owen tuned all of them out except for Martha. Jackie wondered if Owen was slightly attracted to Martha, after all, they were both doctors. "Now, all we're going to do is," he grabbed a paper cup from under the display, grabbed a piece of paper from Jackie's station and crumbled it up and stuffed it in the cup. "we're going to vaporize this paper without even scorching the cup."

Jackie shakes her head as Jack predicts. "This is going to end in tears." He reached for Jackie and pulled her into his side while tugging Martha out of reach of any soon to be flying projectiles. "You, stay here."

She shrugged. "Jack, I'm fine. I've got a built in force field, remember?"

Jackie notes Ianto approaching just as Owen presses the fire button. Something behind Ianto explodes causing him to let out a loud shout and duck. Everyone looks at Ianto, who turns behind him to see what's been destroyed behind him. he then stands up and scowls at Owen like a parent would scowl at a child that wouldn't behave.

Jack laughs at Ianto's expression as Owen explains quiet humbly. "Er, I haven't quite got the calibration right yet."

"Are you alright Ianto?" Jackie asks with a sober face.

He nods his head as he brushes off his coat. "Yes. Thank you for asking." He cleared his throat. "Jack, there's been another attack, assault with a hypodermic. Only this time, the victim survived. Woman aged twenty-seven. She's in the hospital. Medical records wiped, just like the others."

Everyone jumped into action and Jackie ran to get her jacket, only to have Jack pull it away from her. "Ahh, no you don't. you're staying here."

"Jack!"

"I'm serious!" He snapped firmly. "There are all kinds of bugs and things floating around in there. I don't want you exposed to anything else."

"There is nothing wrong with me!" She shouted. "Do you understand me?" Jack nudged Martha and Gwen towards the garage and she stalked after them. "I am going!"

Jack turned and said. "Ianto, stun her now." Jackie spun around towards Ianto, just as Jack stunned her from behind, sending her into blackness.

"Where is he?" Jackie shouted as she woke up to find herself in her and Jack's bed, roughly two hours later. "Where is he?"

"Up in my office, baby." Jack said casually. "Come on up." She hauled herself up, fury radiating from her. "You woke up just in time."

Jackie's hand shot out and she released a surge of energy that knocked Jack right out of his chair and across the room. Everyone stared at her as she brought her hand down and snapped. "Don't you ever use a bloody stun gun on me again, Captain Jack Harkness! I'm your wife, not a wild animal! You either have to respect my wishes or come up with a better reason for me to stay here at home!" Jack simply gazed up at her as she inhaled deeply. "Are we clear?"

Jack stood up and brushed himself off. "Clear." He studied her carefully. "Are we even now?"

She nodded. "I think so."

"Good." he stepped towards her and kissed her on the mouth. She smiled and placed her hands on his waist before pulling away. He smirked at her and kept his hand on her shoulder. "Now, I'll fill you in at what's going on." they both ignored everyone staring at them in utter shock as the two of them continued as if nothing had happened at all. "Locally, we've got a murder victim and a survivor. Both attacked with hypodermics, both with their medical records wiped."

"And more cases across the UK." Martha informed them. "We think the point of the attacks is to destroy evidence of their medical condition."

"Gwen, Ianto," Jack said purposefully looking over her head. "pursue the criminal investigation."

"Okay." Gwen said cautiously.

"Martha, Owen will follow up with the medical side."

"Fine." Owen mumbled.

"Tosh," Jack questioned. "any luck in retrieving those medical records?"

"Not yet. I'm gonna have to dig down into the system memories, see if I can find any remnants of deleted or temporary files." She added with a faint smile and dip of the head. "Completely illegally, of course."

"Do what you have to." He stated. "We're not dealing with a freak with some needle fetish. This is a conspiracy."

"And, what do you want me to do? And don't you dare suggest that I take another nap because you already put me to bed!"

"I was going to suggest that you make…dinner," Jack hesitated before asking. "or would you prefer that we all order out tonight?"

"That's what I mean by finding another excuse." Jackie exhaled. "Martha is company, so I should make dinner."

"Oh, don't put yourself out on account of me."Martha assured her. "I don't want to be a bother."

"Nonsense!" Jackie said as she got excited. "I haven't had a chance to play hostess in Torchwood. You're my first guest." She kissed Jack's cheek. "Go on and have fun, I'll be in the kitchen if you need me."

"Well if I need you," he stated suggestively. "I'll be sure to go and get you."

She froze in place and turned slowly to find him grinning at her. "You…are making your own dinner tonight!"