Chapter thirty-five: Daleks, Danger and Doctor

Two weeks later,

Jack peered up from his desk and stood up with a smile. "Good morning beautiful."

"Good morning husband," Jackie gazed around his office. "where's my tea?"

Jack laughed as he pulled her into an embrace. "Got it for you, but I want my morning dose of sugar first. Come here you."

She smiled and placed her hands on his shoulders as he kissed, smirking slightly as his hands wandered to her hips. At that moment, there was a huge tremor like an earthquake that was strong enough to throw them apart! Jack stumbled backwards as she fell backwards onto his desk! Jack fell to the ground as papers went flying and a metal tier paper rack fell on his head! Jackie held onto the tightly as the room was thrown around. Dirt began falling from the ceiling and for a moment, she thought they were all going to be buried alive, but then the tremor began to cease.

"Whoa, what happened? Was it the Rift?" he stood up and stumbled over to her. "Baby, are you alright?" she coughed as dirt continued falling on her face. He helped her sit up and brushed at her clothes, his eyes scanning her. "Are you hurt anywhere?"

She shook her head. "I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Very."

With that, he turned and bolted into the other room. "Gwen? Ianto? You okay?"

"No broken bones, slight loss of dignity." Ianto said slowly. "No change there then."

"Jackie?" Gwen called. "Is she alright?"

"I'm fine," she called back. "just slightly off balance."

"The whole of the city must've felt that." Gwen gasped out she pulled herself up and went to the nearest computer station. "The whole of South Wales."

"I'm going to take a look outside."

Jack runs out while Ianto activates a computer screen. She and Gwen crowd around the screen and their faces drop in astonishment at the sight before them. "A little bit bigger than South Wales."

Jackie shakes her head. "I'm going to make coffee…with whiskey. It's going to be one hell of a night this time."

Do you know what, I look up and there's all these moons and things. Have you seen them? Did you see them? I thought, what was I drinking last night, furniture polish? Ianto laughs with Paul Grady's studio audience.

"Ianto." Jack says firmly. "Time and a place."

"He is funny, though." Ianto says as he turns off the computer screen. His phone goes off, signaling its Meryl. "Just a moment, it's the wife." Ianto and Meryl had gotten married two weeks ago. The loss of Tosh and Owen had caused him to move up his marriage proposal plans sooner, not willing to miss out one day with her again. Today was Ianto's first day back on the job once back from the honeymoon. Ian had stayed with them at Torchwood under Jackie's careful supervision.

Jack nods before calling. "Gwen, come and see."

"Gwen is on the phone her other half." Jackie pointed as he handed Jack a cup and leaned near the computer screen. "So, tell me please."

"Someone's established an artificial atmospheric shell, keeping the air and holding in the heat."

"Well," she said attempting to inject a positive note into a somewhat tense situation. "it's comforting to know that whatever or whomever moved us wants the human race alive."

As the planets on the scan move in their orbits, a flashing red dot appears in the middle. "No, but what's that?" Gwen questions. "That's not a planet."

Jackie frowned. "It appears to be some sort of space ship."

"Three thousand miles and closing."Gwen was now growing more concerned. "But who are they?"

At that moment Jack's mobile rings. He glances at her before flipping it open. "Martha Jones, voice of a nightingale. Tell me you put something in my drink.

No such luck. She heard Martha's voice faintly. Jack hated putting his phone on speaker. Have you heard from the Doctor?

"Not a word. Where are you?"

New York.

He shrugs, somewhat enviously. "Nice for some."

I've been promoted. Medical Director on Project Indigo.

"Did you get that thing working?" he questions, somewhat in surprise.

Indigo's top secret. Martha sounds surprised. No one's supposed to know about it.

"Uhh," Jack drawls out. "I met a soldier in a bar, long story."

Something in his tone prompted Jackie to cross her arms and ask. "And when was that?"

"Strictly professional." He says. "She had nothing on you."

"So it was a she, not a he then?"

"Fifteen hundred miles and accelerating." Gwen declared with a nervous exhale. "They're almost here."

"Keep calm Gwen," Jackie said. "We can all panic later."

Suddenly, the words 'exterminate' began playing through the speakers with an automatic sounding voice. Jack suddenly paused and looked at the speakers, his face growing sick and pale. "No." the voices kept repeating the same word over and over again. "Oh, no." the phone almost fell from Jack's hand.

"What is it?" Gwen questioned, growing more worried by Jack's fear. "Who are they? Do you know them, Jack?"

He hugged Gwen and Ianto tightly and then pulled her into his embrace, prompting her to ask. "Jack, what is it? Please, tell me."

"There's nothing I can do. I'm sorry." He shook his head. "We're dead."

His words caused her blood to chill and she held onto him tightly for several moments. After a few moments, she shook her head. "It's not over yet Jack, there must be something that we can do."

"There's nothing."

"We try, or die fighting." She pulled away from him. "Come on, we've got to do something."

"You human race." The earth shook again, showing the daleks were attacking the earth. He shook his head. "You never give up."

"No. we don't." everyone jumped to their stations and began monitoring the progress of the earth. However, earth went to hell in a matter of mere seconds.

"The Valiant's down!" Jack shouted.

"Air force retreating over North Africa." Ianto reported. "Daleks landing in Japan."

"We've lost contact with the Prime Minister's plane." Gwen shouted. "Jack! Manhattan."

Jackie grabbed Jack's phone and tossed it to him, he caught it neatly. "Martha, get out of there."

I can't, Jack. Martha protested. I've got a job to do.

"They're targeting military bases and you're next on the list."

Jackie went to her station and started a program to try to find the pattern, once done; she began calling the military bases that were to be next attack, that way everyone would at least be on alert. She had just gotten off the phone with a military base in India when Jack shouted. "Martha, don't do it. Don't!" Jack looked at his phone. He was stunned for a moment and then anger filled him. Jack threw the phone across the room and kicked the desk.

"What's Project Indigo?" Ianto questioned as Jackie hurried towards him.

Jackie placed her hand on Jack's shoulder as he wiped his eyes in defeat. "Experimental teleport salvaged from the Sontarans." He inhaled raggedly, trying to control his emotions but failed to do so. "But they haven't got coordinates, or stabilization."

"So," Jackie asked slowly and carefully. "where is she?"

"Scattered into atoms." The words hit her hard. "Martha's down. It's over." He stalked out of the room. "It's over for all of us!"

Jackie exhaled as he walked away. It wasn't over for him, it was never over for him, but Jack always wanted to feel like he belonged. She wasn't going to remind him of that. Jack went to the upper part of the autopsy room, went, and sat by a pillar, his favorite spot when he was upset. Everyone sank into the nearest seat they could find while Jackie floated upwards to sit beside Jack.

This is the Commander General of the United Nations calling the Dalek Fleet. We surrender. Repeat, we surrender. Planet Earth surrenders.

Jack glowered somewhat sternly up at her, but she carefully got down on the floor beside him with a few grunts. He pulled her close, one hand on her stomach as he confided. "I can't lose you."

"And you won't," she promised him. "you won't."

He shook his head. "If the Doctor doesn't show up, the daleks-

She placed a finger on his mouth. "I know Jack, I know. Don't blame yourself and don't….forget me."

He pulled her closer and kissed her hand. "I can't. I won't. You're going to be the one who haunts me for all eternity."

She rested her head against his shoulder, biting her lip before asking him quietly. "Do you… have any regrets…about marrying me?"

He looked down at her in surprise. "Why would I ever?"

"Because…you wouldn't be concerned about me right now, if we'd never married. Or, if we'd never even met, it probably," her voice trembled slightly. "would have been better that way."

Jack exhaled. "True, it would have been better, but…who'd want to go on living without ever knowing what we've been fortunate enough to share together. Thank you," he said gently. "for sharing so much of yourself with me."

"Someone's trying to get in touch." Gwen called towards them.

"The whole world's crying out." Jack said dejectedly. "Just leave it."

Jackie smacks his shoulder lightly. It was not like him to just give up on everything and she didn't like him this way. "Jack-

Captain Jack Harkness, shame on you. A strict female voice caused Jack to stiffen slightly in recognition. Now stand to attention, sir.

Jack jumped up and ran over to the station. "What? Who is that?"

"I'd like to know that myself." Jackie groaned as she pulled herself up carefully.

Harriet Jones, former Prime Minister.

"Yeah," Jack stated. "I know who you are."

Sarah Jane Smith, 13 Bannerman Road. Are you there?

Yeah. Yeah, I'm here. That, that's me.

Good. Jackie finally made it over to the screen so she could see what was going on. Now let's see if we can talk to each other. The screen divided into four sections and three faces came into view. One screen was full of static. The fourth contact seems to be having some trouble getting through. I'll just boost the signal.

Hello?

Jackie screamed and jumped up and down with joy as Martha's face came into view. Jack let out a laugh of joy and relief. "Martha Jones. Martha, where are you?"

I guess Project Indigo was more clever than we thought. One second I was in Manhattan, next second. Maybe Indigo tapped into my mind, because I ended up in the one place that I wanted to be. She smiled and shook her head in wonderment. But then all of a sudden, it's like the laptop turned itself on.

It did. That was me. Harriet explained as she held up her identification. Harriet Jones, former Prime Minister.

Yes, Martha cut her off somewhat abruptly, but with a smile. I know who you are.

I thought it was about time we all met. Given the current crisis. Torchwood, Harriet began introducing them. This is Sarah Jane Smith.

"I've been following your work." Jack dipped his head in salute. "Nice job with the Slitheen."

Yeah, well, I've been staying away from you lot. Too many guns. She explained with a nod towards the boy standing beside her.

"All the same," Jack injected a note of charm. "might I say looking good, ma'am?"

Really? Sarah Jane tilted her head to the side, a bit of a flush on her cheeks.

Jackie swatted Jack's arm as Harriet reprimanded him. Not now, Captain. And Martha Jones Former companion to the Doctor.

But how did you find me? Martha questioned.

This, ladies and gentlemen, this is the Subwave Network. A sentient piece of software programmed to seek out anyone and everyone who can help to contact the Doctor.

What if the Daleks can hear us? Jackie nodded in agreement with Martha's question.

No, that's the beauty of the Subwave. It's undetectable.

And you invented it? A note of admiration rang in Sarah Jane's voice.

Jackie's stomach cramped slightly causing her to moan. Jack glanced at her and she looked around. "I'm going to sit down for a moment." Once she did, she changed her mind. She got up and waddled downstairs to use the bathroom. She made it inside, but when she shut the door, a huge gush of liquid flowed down her legs, stopping her dead in her tracks. She looked down at herself and moaned in despair. "Oh no! God, please not now!"

Of all the times to go into labor, why did it have to be now? Jackie sat down as the liquid kept dribbling and fought to keep from panicking, but she was failing dreadfully. The earth had surrendered to daleks, the Doctor hadn't shown up, Owen was deceased, Martha wasn't there and Jack would go insane as soon as he found out. So, Jackie decided not to say anything to anyone for a few hours at least.

After carefully cleaning herself up, changing her dress, she made her way back up to where the others were. Because she was so pregnant, it took her almost 10 minutes to complete the task! Thank goodness Jack, like most men wouldn't even notice that she'd changed her clothes. Or at least she hoped that he would notice, because then she'd have to answer his questions about why she'd changed!

Jackie came up the stairs to find everyone running around, a determined gleam in their eyes. She squealed with delight and clapped her hands together. "You've got a plan!" Jack turned and grinned broadly at her. "I love seeing you like this."

"Honey," Jack said as he ran past her and began tying in on the computer. "sit down for a moment." she nodded and sat back and watched as he, Ianto and Gwen came dashing back and forth. "Rift power activated."

"All terminals coordinated." Gwen confirmed.

Ianto plugs in a big power cable into the rift manipulator. "National grid online. Giving you everything we've got."

Connecting you to Mister Smith. Sarah Jane smith said from her end.

All telephone networks combined. Sarah Jane's son said.

Martha smiled brightly. Sending you the number now.

Opening Subwave Network to maximum. Harriet declared.

Mister Smith, Sarah Jane ordered. Make that call.

Calling the Doctor.

"And…sending." Jack declared with a flip of a switch.

At that moment, everything starts going bang with a tremendous energy overload. Jackie created a protective bubble around herself as sparks fly. "I think we've got a fix!" Jack shouts over the noise.

Mister Smith now at two hundred per cent. Oh, come on, Doctor.

Ianto and Jack dashed from station to station, trying to keep everything from frying. "Harriet," Gwen suddenly declared. "A saucer's locked on to your location. They've found you.

I know. Harriet said calmly. I'm using The Network to mask your transmission. Keep going.

Exterminate. The windows in Harriet's apartment blew open, blasted by the Daleks.

Captain, Harriet said solemnly. I'm transferring the Subwave Network to Torchwood. You're in charge now. And tell the Doctor from me, he chose his companions well. It's been an honor. Harriet gets up to face the three Daleks who have smashed their way in, and shows her ID. Harriet Jones. Former Prime Minister.

Yes, one of those ridiculous machines sneered coldly at her. we know who you are.

Oh, you know nothing of any human, and that will be your downfall.

The dalek's paused for a moment, as if considering her words before speaking. Exterminate.

And with that, the first quarter of the screen dissolves into static. Jackie inhales deeply, her hand protectively on her stomach, words unwilling to come to anyone's lips. "Someone's trying to get through!" Ianto said suddenly, causing everyone to hurry towards the nearest screen. "Look!"

At that moment the Doctor and his current companion, took up Harriet's quarter of the screen. His companion was an attractive redheaded woman and the doctor had a nice looking face and a great head of hair. Jack laughs weakly with relief before shouting in fury at the screen. "Where the hell have you been? Doctor, it's the Daleks."

Jackie laughed and rubbed his shoulder. "Stop it, grumpy." She felt a faint twinge and managed to muffle it using her powers. Jack glanced at her, but she miraculously managed to keep her face impassive.

"Oh, he's a bit nice." Gwen declared. "I thought he'd be older."

"He's not that young." Ianto stated, obviously having read something of the doctor's history. The amount of knowledge flowing through Ianto's brain and body was somewhat frightening at times to her.

Sarah Jane. The doctor said fondly. Who's that boy? That must be Torchwood. Oh, they're brilliant. He grinned brightly. Look at you all, you clever people.

That's Martha. His companion said as she leaned forward and pointed at the screen. And who's he?

Captain Jack. The doctor's smile dissipated for a moment as he shook his finger at her. Don't. Just don't.

"Well!" Jackie looked sideways at Jack. "Something I should know?"

"Shut up." Jack stated without looking at her before giving her a smack on the behind. "Don't start."

It's like an outer space Facebook.

Everyone except Rose. The doctor said somewhat dejectedly. She remembered Jack telling her about rose, the woman the doctor had loved, yet had lost.

At that moment, they lost the transmission. She groaned and shook her head. "Please say we haven't lost them!" Jack bolted and raced to his office. "Jack!" He ignored her, causing her to groan. "Oh, no. he's going to do something I'm going to hate. I know that look well."

"Gwen," Ianto said solemnly as Jack raced past them on his phone. "Dalek saucer heading for the Bay. They've found us."

Jack raced out of his office with a huge gun in his hand. "Yeah," Ianto helped Jack into his coat as excitement grew in his voice. "that's the teleport base code. And that's all I need, to get this thing working again." Jack activates his wrist teleport. "Oscillating four and nine." He smiles broadly. "Thank you, Martha Jones." He then hangs up and Gwen gives Jack his gun back. "I've got to go. I've got to find the Doctor." He slung the gun strap around his shoulder before turning to everyone. "I'll come back." She glowered doubtfully at him. "I'm coming back."

"Don't worry about us." Gwen assured him. "Just go."

"We'll be fine." Ianto said with a straight face, though inwardly he was concerned about his wife and son that he might never see again."

"You'd better be." He kissed her on the forehead. "You stay calm and keep the little ones safe."

"I'm going with you." she declared.

"No. you need to stay here, it's not safe out there." Jack stepped away from her and she waited for him to press the buttons before grabbing a hold of him. "Jackie!" He bellowed as she was teleported out of Torchwood. Somehow, she knew, he wasn't going to forgive her for this one as easily as he normally would have. She couldn't explain it, but she had to be there with him for some unknown reason.