Chapter thirty-one: A time to cry

"You can't keep them hidden. They have families who deserve to know."

Gwen's voice caused Jackie to stir slightly in Jack's lap. Gwen and Jack went silent for a moment, hoping they hadn't woken her. When she made no comment, Jack hissed. "Keep your voice down Gwen, she's exhausted."

"Mhmm," Gwen agreed. "I've noticed. Has she been sleeping well enough? She looks almost dead at times."

Gwen's innocent yet insensitive words hit her hard. Jack inhaled deeply and placed a soft hand on her head. "Jackie always looks beautiful to me," she could hear Jack fighting back the emotions that were only visible to a wife's ears. "no matter what."

"I just meant," Gwen corrected herself. "that…she doesn't look well."

"Owen's checked her. It's just going to be…a rough pregnancy." He inhaled deeply. "Gwen, they're sick in ways you could never imagine. We can't fix them; we just care for them."

"Jackie can. Helen told me that Jackie had…healed a girl."

"No." Jack said firmly. "I've forbidden her to do anything like that again until our babies are born and she's promised me."

Gwen exhaled. "I guess." She was quiet for a moment before saying. "Jonah's asked me to bring Nikki here."

"No." Jack said instantly.

"She has a right to know."

"No way." He turned slightly, shifting her head position in his lap.

"She said not knowing is the worst part."

"How are you going to tell her that her child has aged forty years in seven months?" Jack demanded, his voice rising slightly before Gwen shushed him. "That he's scarred, that he cannot look after himself?"

"We don't have the right to hide it from her!" Gwen hissed.

"We do." Jackie said quietly, causing both of them to look down at her. "We do have the right Gwen."

"I'm sorry honey," Jack said soothingly. "go back to sleep."

"In a bit," she kept her eyes closed. "I need to speak. Gwen, think about what this would to his mother. She remembers her son differently. To you, he's a boy who vanished. She remembers a 15 year old, not a 55-year old man. if you do this, you'll destroy whatever image she had of that boy for her forever, especially since she can't take care of him at home."

"And if you tell her," Jack reminded her. "you have to tell her about the Rift and Torchwood."

"Then I will." Gwen didn't even hesitate.

"What if she doesn't believe you?" Jack questioned.

"I have to try. We owe her the truth. Jack, if you'd lost someone, wouldn't you want to know?"

Jackie felt Jack's reaction before she opened her eyes. She opened her eyes and looked up, not surprised to find him looking down at her. "Gwen," she said quietly as she felt around for his hand. Finding it, she gripped his hand firmly. "you don't ask a man, who's lived 1,000 years a question like that. He's known grief and loss like you've never known. So he's lived the moment that anyone who's lost someone never wants to experience again."

"I'm sorry Jack." Gwen said quietly, her sympathy was sincere this time. "Let me try." She pleaded as she reached out and placed her hand on Jack's. "Please."

Jack was silent for a moment before looking out across the ocean and saying. "Go ahead Gwen, but be prepared for what you're about to go stirring up."

"I'll be careful Jack." Gwen stood up and brushed off her pants. "I've got to go. The boat's coming back for me soon."

"Honey," Jack helped Jackie into a sitting position. "I think it's time for you to go home."

"I'm hungry." Her stomach let out a growl and she rubbed it as Jack stood up. "Did you hear that? I need to be fed."

"Alright." He picked her up and relocated her to the wheel chair. "Where do you want to eat?"

"Anywhere with a hamburger and chips."

Gwen frowned. "You don't eat red meat."

She shrugged and offered. "I'm pregnant and having a strange hunger craving?"

"Whatever my lady wants," Jack said with a smile as he planted a kiss on the top of her head. "she shall have."

She gazed adoringly up at Jack. "I like that." at his semi-confused look she added. "How you called me your lady."

"Well, you are my lady. So I think it was appropriate."

Back at the hub,

Jackie wiped her mouth and set aside her dirty napkin. Jack tilted his head to the side. "You ok?"

She nodded. "Full."

He gave a pointed glance towards her stomach. "I noticed."

She laughed and placed a hand on her large stomach. "Daddy's talking silly again." One of them let out a kick, causing her to inhale. "Oh! Easy there."

Jack set down his food and moved to sit on the edge of the couch beside her. "We still haven't picked out names yet."

"I'm going to insist on Asa for him."

He frowned slightly. "Asa Harkness?"

"Well, you always talk about The Doctor. We'll never know his name and Asa is a Hebrew name meaning 'Doctor.' I thought, it would be a nice tribute to him."

"I'm touched that you'd think of such a thing."

She smiled. "And I'm surprised, you didn't think of that in the first place." She shifted. "I've decided to let you pick our daughter's name though."

"Jacqueline." His response was so instant that her heart paused in her chest. "Jacqueline Davina Harkness."

She inhaled deeply. "Jack-

"I can and I will name my daughter after my own wife." Jack's voice broached no argument. They both weren't sure if she'd make it, but Jack wanted to commemorate his love for her in naming her daughter after her if she didn't survive the birthing process.

She wasn't going to argue with him on this. She had said he could name their daughter. Besides, if she did live, they could always call their daughter Davina, instead of Jacqueline. "Alright, if that's what you wish." At that moment, another one of the twins kicked hard. "Ohh." She placed her hand on her stomach. "They're getting stronger now." Jack smiled faintly as he pushed her shirt up to her breasts to run his rough hand over her growing stomach. The fine hairs all over Jackie's body stood up on end at his touch. "I remember," she said softly. "the first time you touched me like this." He paused and looked up at her. "I was trapped on your desk and you were upset because…Ianto had kissed me. You were ticking me and…my shirt came up."

"To be honest, I was surprised that you let me touch you that way." Jack mused as he continued running his hand over her stomach in a circular motion. "But I remember something else though." He paused to hold her gaze. "That was the first time you told that you loved me and you wanted to be with me."

A tap on the door behind them caused them to look to see Owen entering the room. "Ianto's here. He's brought Meryl and her son Ian here for a visit."

Jack frowned. "I don't recall clearing this."

"You didn't." Owen said before preparing to swing the door shut. "He just decided on it."

Jackie smiled. "I think, he's planning to propose soon."

"Yeah." Jack said somewhat absent-mindedly. "He's got that look of a happily condemned man about him."

She swatted his shoulder. "Oh, Jack!"

"Not that I mind being condemned for all eternity to you." he said he drew her shirt back down around her. "I'd treasure it."

She reached up and stroked his face. "Jack." The door opened and Ianto and Meryl came into the room. she dropped her hand and turned slightly to survey them.

Meryl was a beautiful woman. Her almost waist-length red hair, hung down her back in a braid. She wore a green military inspired dress that fit her perfectly. She was a beautiful woman with a kind face and air about her.

Ianto closed the door behind Meryl and her son Ian hid right behind her bashfully. Jack stood up and walked over to Meryl. "Captain Jack Harkness."

She held out her hand and held Jack's gaze without blushing. "I'm Meryl Summer and this is my son, Ian."

Jack grinned down at him. "Hi there." Ian responded by shrinking back behind his mother. "Kinda shy then?"

"A little." Ian said quietly.

"Yeah, don't worry, it's not a permanent state." Jack turned towards Jackie. "And this gorgeous lady, is my wife."

Jackie waved at her. "Hi, forgive me for not getting up."

Meryl shook her head. "Oh, don't bother. Ianto mentioned you were having twins, so you should take advantage of all the rest you can get."

"So, I've been told, but I can't wait to…hold them." Jackie cleared her throat. "I'm sorry that we didn't get a chance to talk at the wedding. Ianto has told me so much about you."

Meryl smiled somewhat shyly. "I know, I still couldn't believe it. Ianto's been so patient and understanding with Ian and me, explaining things to us."

"Well, it's about time he brought you for a visit." Jackie's voice wobbled for a moment, forcing her to clear her throat. "He's been a lot happier since he's been with you."

Meryl smiled as her son Ian came up behind her and tugged one her shirt. She turned and knelt. "What is it?"

She stopped hearing words at that moment. she watched as she saw a mother consoling her son and the realization hit her hard. Tears welled up in her eyes, her stomach began heaving and she covered her mouth to keep from crying. Jack turned towards her just as she broke down and began crying hard. "Ianto, Meryl, give us a moment alone please." Jack moved swiftly towards her and wrapped her tightly in his arms. "Shh, I've got you. you're not going anywhere."

"I don't want to die!" She wailed as soon as the door shut behind Ianto, Meryl and Ian. "I don't want to go!"

"You're not dying. I won't allow it." it was then that Jack's tears began to leak down his cheeks. "I'm not going to lose you." He kissed her head. "Let it all out baby, let it all out." She grabbed onto him tightly, afraid that he'd slip away. "You've always been the strong one. Don't give up on me. your faith in your God has always been strong, don't let him take you from me."

"Jack, I-

"If he's as all powerful as you say he is, then he won't take you from me."

"Jack, it's not His fault."

"From where I'm standing-

"I wasn't supposed to get pregnant Jack." she sniffled. "It wasn't supposed to happen. And now, it has." She inhaled, desperate to regain some kind of control. "I wasn't made to be a mother."

"It's not like we were trying for a baby." Jackie shot him a look, questioning that statement. He shrugged. "Alright, maybe we were a bit enthusiastic."

"Now, all we can do is hold on and see what happens." She shook her head. "I just…I saw Meryl and…it's possible…I could never have that."

"Jackie," Jack exhaled raggedly as his fingers dug into her shoulders. "I want you to cry, just this once. Let it all out and then we'll find the strength together. We'll make it Jackie, we will."

She knew in the deepest reaches of her heart and soul that he was lying, determined to be strong for her. But they both knew, that she knew he knew that he was lying to her as well. But maybe, they both needed a good dose of lies to help them through this time.

Four weeks later,

"Gwen," Jackie said from inside the SUV. "I am texting you the location. There appears to be four or five signs of life, non-human. Get down here as soon as you can because," she stressed. "Jack won't let me get out of the SUV until the whole area is secured and that could take weeks when we're down one person!"

Jack laughed loudly at her as she hung up the phone. Honey, you're due in three weeks. You're not going in any strange area unless it is secured properly.

Besides Jackie, you're so close to a delivery date, Owen said. It's better not risk any danger of any sort. She rolled her eyes. Yes, she was weak and tired, but she wasn't helpless. She could defend herself if necessary. So, sure they're not Weevils?

Don't think so, different energy patterns. I can't make sense of it. Jackie could just see Tosh shaking her head. Not a species we've encountered before.

Well, let's hope they're friendly, then.

Owen, Ianto, take the other side of the building. Check the upper floors. Toshiko with me.

"If Gwen shows up, can I-

No, you cannot join us now. Jack said instantly. Now, be a sweetheart and boot up the laptop and start working on the report.

"But I've got nothing to put on the report."

Humor me, or play spider solitaire.

Jackie snorted and did as he asked, but she didn't stop listening to the chatter. Stuck inside the SUV or not, she wanted to be aware of the conversation. I'm getting mirror readings on both floors. One creature at either end of the building.

Toshiko, split up. Jackie turned to monitor and with a few clicks, began tracking their movements. You know, these creatures are very quiet.

Maybe they're sleeping.

Or hatching.

Or maybe they aren't creatures at all.

She frowned. "What are they then Tosh?"

Just explosive devices.

Jackie's head whipped up and panic broke over her at Jack's words. "What?

Snap.

"Jack!" The moment the words left her lips the whole building was rocked with an explosion. Glass, debris and smoke came pouring out of the windows. "Tosh! Owen! Can anyone hear me?" Not a sound was heard except for static. Jackie jumped out of the car, grabbed her cell phone, the first aid kit and speed dialed Gwen who fortunately picked up one the first ring. "Gwen, there's been an explosion at the site." She began hobbling slowly in that direction. "Everyone is inside. They're not responding, so I'm assuming that they've hurt."

Oh my God. Gwen shrieked. Jackie, you can't go in there, you're pregnant. It's not good for you.

"They need help. I'm going to go find Jack. Get here now!"

Jackie, please, we're almost there. promise me that you'll wait for us!

Jackie inhaled raggedly. "I can't wait any longer Gwen, I'm sorry. They need help, please hurry." With that, Jackie hung up and began to carefully hobble inside the dusty warehouse.