Chapter twenty-three: Unceasing miracles

Jackie kept her eyes trained on everything as they walked along. Jack leading the way with Owen behind him while she brought up the rear. This whole institute felt wrong to her, she felt like…they were walking amongst at group of zombies. The staff was focused, but they didn't love their work.

They entered the office to find Mr. Copley behind his desk. He looked up with curiosity in his eyes as they entered the room. "Ahh Torchwood I see, an unexpected pleasure."

Jack stepped forward and sat down in the only chair opposite Copley. "Captain Jack Harkness."

Copley nodded and looked towards Owen. "Dr. Owen Harper."

She purposefully chose to remain silent, that way she could read him as he looked towards her and held her gaze. When he did look towards her, she gave him a very encouraging smile, which he met. "And you are?"

"Ms. Jacqueline Cooper." She said as she shifted the items in her hands. "Pleased to meet you."

"And," he glanced towards Jack, who she was certain was seething inside. "your job for Torchwood is what?"

"I'm the secretary." She held up her notepad. "I just take notes."

"Really?" He studied her. "What a waste."

"Jackie," Jack bit out. "if it's not too much trouble, why don't you hand Mr. Copley the files?"

She smiled as she reached into her bag and pulled out the files. "No trouble at all." She extended them to him. "Sorry Sir."

"No problem." Mr. Copley's hand lingered on hers and she allowed it, even though his touch made her skin crawl.

Jack cleared his throat and leaned forward, pressing the issue. "Do you recognize any of the people in the folder?"

Mr. Copley look irritated at Jack interfering, but he complied. Jackie shot him an apologetic look before shrinking back into the corner. Owen leaned forward and hissed as she passed by. "Don't overdo it."

"Tell Copley that!" She hissed back.

Copley flipped through the file, barely glancing at the people. "Sorry you've had a wasted journey, Mister Harker."

"Harkness." Jackie smirked, sensing Jack's emotions. "And it's Captain, but you can call me Jack."

"Captain?" Copley asked dryly. "Where did you park your boat?"

Jack laughed before turning to her and Owen. "I like a man with a sense of humor." He shot her a glare before turning to Copley. "Know any good gags about clinical trials?"

"Well, Jack, none of these faces mean anything to me." he was lying. He was good at keeping cool, but lies were easy to sense. "And as the Institute director, I would have met them personally, had they been our trial subjects."

"Doctor Copley-

Copley cut Jack off. "I prefer Professor, actually."

Jack stood up and leaned forward. "But I can call you Aaron, right?" Copley said nothing See, this is a little awkward." Jack opened up the file again, making Copley take another look at the victims. "Two of these people were murdered. Another died of a parasitic infection of alien origin, and one of the victims mentioned your organization's name shortly before she died."

"Alien origin?" Copley was good at keeping the sarcasm genuine. "That's preposterous."

Suddenly, Jackie's stomach cramped and she dropped her file as she grabbed onto her stomach. All eyes went to her as she inhaled and bent over to pick up the files. "Sorry."

Jack looked concerned. "Are you alright?"

"Yes." Her head began swimming in that moment and she shook her head as she suddenly began to feel very lightheaded. "Actually, no I don't." That said, Jackie passed out on the carpeted floor.

"Now," Owen's voice sounded far away, but it was getting closer. "if there was a drug that could restore the human body back to its factory settings, as it were, you would know about it."

"You're right, I would." Copley said in an offhanded voice. "But nothing like that exists."

"I had a friend whose nostrils flared when he was lying." Jack stated.

Jackie opened her eyes and groaned. "Oh," she looked up around her. Jack and Copley were talking a short distance away from her, while Owen had her propped up. "what did I miss?"

"Nothing." Owen assured her. "Can you get up?"

"Am I fired?" she moaned as got to her knees.

"Your blood sugar was low." Copley informed her. "I've ordered the kitchens to prepare something for you to eat. Red meat would be good but, Captain Harkness informed us you don't eat it."

"I don't." She stood up and ran her hands down her deep grey suit dress, her hand paused as she noted a small lump in her stomach. Her heart paused in her chest and she frowned. "I must have…I need to see Martha."

"Well," Copley said as he looked at his watch. "I'm already late for my next appointment."

"You go ahead." Jack assured him. "We'll have a look around."

"Well, obviously our research suites are classified," Jackie took her folders from Owen and tucked them under her arm. "so we can't grant you access to those, but we'd be delighted to give you the PR tour."

"Normally, Aaron," Jack informed him. "we go where we like."

"Not here, actually." Copley said firmly. "Ask Whitehall. We're fireproof."

"Yeah. I had a bad experience with a politician recently." The testy note in Jack's voice informed her that it had gone badly. "I tend not to listen to Whitehall anymore."

"Let me get someone to guide you back to your vehicle." Copley said as he picked up his phone. "And, I'll have a wheelchair brought up here for Ms. Cooper."

"Don't bother," Jack said as he guided her towards the door. "she's fine."

"Thank you for your concern Mr. Copley!" she called as Jack slammed the door shut. "Easy Jack." she said as she struggled to keep up with his long stride. "I don't feel well."

He paused. "You mean, that wasn't a trick to get into the infirmary?"

She looked up at him as if he was an idiot. "Why would I try a trick like that with two medical men in the room?"

He stopped and picked her up. "I'm sorry about that baby, here."

"Am I putting on weight?" she asked. "Because, I think I am."

Jack shook his head. "You feel as light as always." Security showed up and joined them, ensuring that they'd head back to their car. One of them held a bag of something that caused her stomach to start growling, but she wasn't about to accept the food. Who know what Copley might have put in it? "Now, you promised-

"Martha's been busy." Jackie explained with a groan. "I swear, after this incident that I intend to get an exam."

"Good."

"So, what did I miss while I was unconscious?" Jackie squirmed. "put me down please."

"Jackie."

"Put me down, now!" Jack exhaled and did as she asked with a shake of his head. "Thank you. you were saying."

"Nothing much." Owen stated. "Professor Copley insists that he knows absolutely nothing."

"And, I sensed the lies blindfolded."

"Was it me," Jack questioned. "or was he a little touchy?"

"Yeah, so much for the polite approach." Owen said as he got into the back seat of the SUV and Jackie traveled around to the front passenger seat. "We need to turn this place over."

When Jackie got into the car, she noted that Jack's bracer was beeping."Oh, yeah." Jack said with a grin. "According to these readings, this place has the highest concentration of alien life forms this side of the Rift." Jack glances at the female security guard, who is not even trying to hide the fact that she's staring at them intently. Jack turns to her with a shake of his head. "Grey is so not her color."

Jackie looked down at her deep grey dress as Jack started the SUV. "I'm wearing grey."

"You're a brunette, she's a blonde," he pointed out. "and this gentleman does not prefer blondes."

"Well, I'll reserve my judgment as you haven't met Marilyn Monroe." Jackie paused before inhaling to ask. "Or have you?"

"Well-

"Never mind!" She cut Jack off. "I don't want to know!"

"Baby," Jack teased with a grin. "I married you, not her."

"Don't," she bit out. "even think of buttering me up Jack!"

"Why would I want to do that?" He questioned. "Then you'd slip away."

Back at the hub,

"I can't hack in there, Jack!" Tosh protested. "And if I keep trying with a brute force approach, they'll know they're under attack."

"An alien life form is preying on the human bloodstream." Jack insisted firmly. "I need a way in there." Jackie took a sip out of her glass of lemonade and set it next to her empty plate. Jack rubbed her shoulder. "Feel better?"

She nodded and stood up. "Yes, I do."

He smiled fondly at her as Ianto came into the room. "Tosh, I've got the results of that research. On the screen now."

Jack moved towards Tosh's screen. "Ianto, that's brilliant!" Owen and Martha came up from the autopsy room towards them. "They're in the market for volunteers."

"That's understandable," Jack said dryly. "given their wastage rate."

"Then one of us goes in undercover." Gwen suggested, her voice rising slightly in anticipation of being chosen.

"No," Jack said firmly. "we don't know enough about the workings of that place. Too many things could go wrong."

"I could go." Jackie stated. "I've got a built in defense system."

Jack tilted his head to the side. "I'll think about it, after Martha's examined you."

She nodded. "Fair enough."

He drew himself up sharply and looked at her before exhaling. "I hate it when you agree with me so quickly."

"What if you were to put a medic in there?" Martha questioned. "Someone who knew what to look for."

"Yeah," Owen shook his head. "but I can't do it. They know me now, don't they?"

"I know it's hard to believe, Owen," Martha stated as Jackie smirked slightly. "but I wasn't thinking of you."

Martha turned to Jack, her eyes wide and hopeful. Jack paused and shook his head. "No way."

"Come on, Jack," Martha reminded him. "I've been in worse places and you know it."

Jack paused and looked around at everyone, who didn't say anything before looking towards her. she bobbed her head and smiled at him. from what she knew about Martha Jones, she could take care of herself. "Okay."

"Good." Martha smiled and looked towards Jackie. "And now, I've got a patient to examine, so everyone, stay out of the autopsy room for a bit."

"Thank you Martha."Jack wrapped his arms around Jackie's waist. "Now, I promise, you'll survive." He kissed her on the mouth. "Now, be a good little girl and I'll have a present for you."

Jackie glanced pointedly at his lower half of his body before remarking dryly. "I'm not sure that's a present I want to unwrap." Gwen choked on her laughter while Jack stared down at her in shock as she smiled flirtatiously up at him.

"Give me a bit to come up with a comeback for that one." Jack let out a chuckle as before turning his gaze to Martha. "I don't want any abnormal tests on her. If you want to scan her, that's fine, but only do tests that we subject humans to."

"Well, technically Jack," Martha reasoned. "she is an alien. You should have info on her and her species in case the need arises in the future."

"If the need arises in the future, we'll deal with it. she's my wife," Jack said as he placed his hand on her shoulder. "not a specimen."

Jackie smiled as she reached up and rubbed his hand . "Did I mention he's terribly in love with me which causes him to be outrageously possessive at times?"

"Which, you really don't seem to mind." He shot back at her before turning to Martha. "So, how much time do you need to find out what's bothering my girl?"

"Not sure Jack, give us maybe an hour. By then, you guys should have some sort of an idea put together."

The hour had gone by rather swiftly. Jackie had been so worried that she had a tumor and had been so relieved when Martha had said it wasn't. Martha was a good doctor and she made the whole experience rather pleasant for her. when Martha wasn't asking her medical questions, they talked, mainly about Jack. after all, he was a fascinating subject to discuss.

"So," Martha said casually as she glanced at a bunch of test results. "Jack asked me if I could get you a UNIT cap to wear."

"Did he?" Jackie questioned as she tilted her head to the side before shrugging. "Well, red is my one of my favorite colors."

"So," Martha's smile seem to broaden just slightly. "am I right in thinking that you and he…have an active sex life?"

"Very active." Jackie shrugged. "I think it gets a bit out of hand sometimes, but," she exhales and rolls her eyes. "it's…well, Jack is my husband. honestly, I'm not even going to ask where's he's learned some of the stuff he knows since he's got over one thousand years of experience at that sort of thing and I've got a lot to learn."

"Well," Martha asked slyly with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "he mentioned that your body changes colors during moments of intimacy."

Heat climbed up Jackie's neck. "Yes, it does."

"And, does your body do anything else?" Martha questioned. "I ask because your biology seems to be almost human except for a few things. Apparently, since your last medical exam, your tonsils, spleen, gallbladder, one of your kidneys and appendix have all vanished." Jackie's eyes widened. "Don't worry, these are all organs you can live without, they're not necessary. Your body is really quite fascinating."

"So my husband's told me," Jackie said with a smirk. "many times."

Martha laughed lightly. "Obviously!"

Jackie exhaled and sobered slightly. "Well, as to your questions about how my body works. I can read thoughts, sense lies, create all sorts of things with energy and I can semi-fly."

Martha's eyes widened. "What?"

"Not like superman, I can only float up and down, but, nothing else comes to mind. Someday, I'll find out what I am. Did the tests give you any indications?"

"No, sorry. I could find out, if Jack hadn't forbid you being tested."

"He's a worrywart, but then, he's lost so many people that he just wants me safe." Jackie exhaled before asking. "So, do you know what's wrong with me? is it my biology rewriting itself?"

"Well, that's what I thought at first, but, it isn't." Martha smiled brightly as she inhaled deeply before announcing. "Jackie, you are pregnant." Jackie gasped and jumped off the autopsy table in complete shock. Martha steadied Jackie as cold blood ran up her face to her brain. "Six weeks pregnant actually."

"No. no way." She shook her head in denial. "I am not pregnant! I can't be."

"Alright, Jackie," Martha said soothingly. "you need to calm down. You're turning a sort of silverish gray." Jackie bobbed her head and sat down. "I performed several different tests, but I assure you, you're six weeks."

"no, I can't be!" She said. "Our medical scanner showed clearly, that I am infertile!" her voice broke. "How can I be pregnant?"

"Uhm," Martha bit her lip. "I'll try to explain it, but, it might be embarrassing for you."

"Try." Jackie begged. "Please, because…this is too much."

"Well," she stepped over to pick up a file. "I looked at your original scan that Owen made several months ago. At the time, well…you weren't married and your body…seemed to have adjusted itself once it started receiving, Jack's attentions. Jack mentioned that you kept him at arm's length until you had a ring on your finger." At Jackie's look, she added. "I'd asked if you'd been in a relationship with anybody else. He informed that you were a virgin, on your wedding night."

"Damn right I made him wait, it was against my religious beliefs!" She groaned as she blushed deeply. "Now, I find I can't even trust him to keep his mouth shut about our sex life!"

"He didn't get into too many details. He mentioned it in private, because he figured you'd never tell me the information."

"You're a doctor. It's non-personal, with him…I think he enjoys showing off."

"Oh, you noticed that then?" Martha questioned. Jackie arched her brow, but smiled along with Martha. "But, it's wonderful though. Jack, he told me how much you'd wanted a baby."

"Yes. I did." Jackie nodded as happiness flooded over her. "Oh, I can't wait to tell him."

"And be sure," Martha added. "that you inform him that you're pregnant with twins!"

Jackie began crying again, but this time, the tears made sense. She was happy and carrying twins. She and Jack, were going to be parents. Would miracles never cease for her? she'd never thought that she'd ever be blessed so richly.