This is being written in collaboration with my talented friend nightchild78. We are having fun bouncing ideas off each other, and sharing in the excitement of watching this story unfold!
Special thanks to Rose Malmaison for making the image to go along with this fic!
Categories: NCIS/Torchwood
Rating: M
Characters: Tony DiNozzo, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Abby Sciuto, Tim McGee, Ziva David, Dr Donald Mallard, Jimmy Palmer / Jack Harkness, Ianto Jones, Toshiko Sato, Owen Harper.
Pairings: Tony/Gibbs, Jack/Ianto, Tosh/Owen.
Warnings: Swearing, slash, Mpreg, explicit sexual situations.
Spoilers: Set during the 6th season of NCIS and after Children of Earth for Torchwood. Mentions of the episodes SWAK and Requiem for NCIS, and for the episodes Cyberwoman, To the Last Man, Dead Man Walking, A Day In the Death, Exit Wounds as well as the whole of season 3 of Torchwood. Miracle Day never happened.
Disclaimer: We don't own these characters. We just like to play with them.
RENASCENCE RENASCENCE RENASCENCE
"The baby...I didn't mean to...hurt the baby," Tony managed to say through his pain.
His entire body ached, but he was focused on the pain in his abdomen, where he'd struck some wood on the way down the stairs. Could the baby have survived such a violent fall?
Closing his eyes, Tony tried to focus on his breathing. He would not let everyone see him have another panic attack!
Ducky lifted the t-shirt that Tony was wearing, examining the pregnant man's stomach and cautiously pressing his fingertips around the tender flesh.
"Mmm...red from impact. You'll likely be sporting an impressive bruise very soon."
Tony felt his chest tighten. "When can I get the ultrasound?" he asked, hoping to soon put this worry behind him.
"I called Owen. It's set up in your room now, whenever you're ready," Tosh informed him with a gentle smile.
Tony smiled back in gratitude. "I'm ready now." He sat up, wincing and clutching his stomach, just as McGee walked into the vast lobby with a bag of his clothes.
Seeing everyone gathered around Tony on the floor, McGee dropped the duffle bag by the door and rushed over to his friend. "Oh my God! Tony, what happened?"
"Lamentably trying to re-enact Vivien Leigh falling down the stairs in Gone with the Wind," Tony answered sharply, standing up with Gibbs' assistance and leaning against the older man. "Got really dizzy and lost my balance," he then added in a more subdued tone.
"Oh no! Are you okay? How's the baby?" McGee asked, putting a hand on Tony's shoulder in a show of brotherly support.
"I don't know. About to get an ultrasound," Tony replied, taking a shaky step forward and promptly stumbling. Fortunately, Gibbs caught him in his arms before he could fall again. He tried to take a few more steps, but he ached everywhere, and his limbs felt like jelly. His steps were more like that of a toddler just learning to walk.
Tony didn't understand why his body had become so weak. The feeling had actually started from the moment he got out of bed that morning, and gotten progressively worse. When Jack was showing him around, Tony had to stop and take frequent rests, and climbing the staircase upstairs was a lot more draining than it should have been. By the time he stood at the top of the stairs, ready to go down, his world was spinning. Add the fall and worry over the baby to everything, and Tony found himself gripped by fear and frustration. Taking a final step, supported by Gibbs on one side, and Jack on the other, Tony stumbled once again, falling to his knees and crying out in frustration. He had met enough pregnant women before to know it wasn't normal to be in such a state in the early stages of pregnancy.
Gibbs kneeled down next to Tony, lifting his lover's chin. "Tony, I know this is scary. But we'll figure this out. You have all these people here right now, because they want to help you through this. So you get that ultrasound, get some rest, and - this is very important - let us help you!"
Tony nodded, looking away, and appearing almost embarrassed. "I don't think I can walk right now. I need...help." That last word dropped off into a barely audible whisper.
Gibbs looked up at Jack, and they shared a knowing nod.
"All right, Tony. Jack and I are going to carry you."
Tony winced at the idea, but reluctantly nodded his consent. All he wanted was reassurance that the baby was okay. And if his pride had to suffer so he could get that reassurance, so be it.
Slowly and carefully, Jack and Gibbs lifted Tony up and carried him into the bedroom together, gently setting him down on the bed.
"I'm proud of you," Gibbs whispered before he released his hold. "It takes a strong man to ask for help." He punctuated the statement with a kiss, and Tony gave him a quivering smile as Gibbs and Jack removed his shirt, readying him for the ultrasound.
"This is going to be cold", Ducky warned, just before he squirted gel onto Tony's belly, while Owen was busy calibrating the machine.
"I remember", Tony smiled, surprisingly much calmer now that he was safely settled into the bed.
Tony watched the monitor expectantly as Ducky ran the doppler over his stomach, and he saw it. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks. It was ridiculously small, but that tiny flashing speck was so much more than the beginnings of a baby. It was a miracle created from pure love! Two damaged men, reluctant to love for fear of getting hurt again, had at last surrendered, giving their hearts and bodies to one another. Realizing it was worth the risk.
As for the heartbeat, yes, it was present; strong and rhythmic. Unlike the first time, its sound soothed Tony. Bringing his heart to a calm, even place. Everything else faded into the back of his mind.
Feeling Gibbs squeeze his hand, Tony finally understood the miracles and gifts life had presented him with. Because yes! This pregnancy was a gift! True, Tony felt like hell, and it would likely get worse before it got better. He still didn't understand how such an impossible thing could have happened to him. But with every heartbeat, Tony could feel the bond between parent and child grow stronger. It was beyond anything he could explain, or even begin to understand. But Tony knew. He'd made his decision.
"Jethro?" Tony turned his head, looking up at the older man. "I want to keep this baby. I want us to be a family."
The room erupted into a chorus of cheers and applause as Gibbs climbed into bed beside Tony, cupped his face in his hands, and planted a tender kiss upon his full lips.
Ducky felt almost awkward as he wiped the gel off of Tony's abdomen, not wishing to disturb the intimate moment.
But the couple barely noticed anyone else's presence, no more than their hurried departure. Gibbs lovingly massaged Tony's belly, noting it was already slightly swollen, which was a curious development. Or maybe that was just his imagination.
Gibbs smiled, seeing that Tony had fallen asleep. The coming months were sure to be full of surprises, and as worried as Gibbs was about Tony, his lover was certainly the most resilient man he had ever met. Gibbs had absolute faith that Tony could endure whatever this pregnancy might throw at him.
RENASCENCE RENASCENCE RENASCENCE
Tony's eyes popped open with a heartbreaking scream. He didn't know if he was sad or angry, or why he would be feeling either of those things. He didn't understand much of anything as rage and grief coursed through him simultaneously.
For days - even before he had learned he was pregnant - Tony had felt his emotions were beyond his control. It took great restraint not to cry at the smallest thing. Alternately, he frequently had to stop himself from losing his temper when Abby, who he usually found quirky and endearing, tested his patience. Or when McGee would babble on about computer stuff.
And then there were the panic attacks, which began in 2005. After his bout with the plague, followed immediately by Kate being killed just inches from where he stood, Tony was left an emotional wreck. And that was just the beginning. So much heartbreak. So much guilt. So many unspeakable things that Tony had endured and been expected to carry on with a smile.
Unbeknownst to his coworkers, he had weekly sessions with a therapist, and was only able to function with the help of medication. Nobody knew, not even Gibbs.
Tony's father used to think of himself as invincible. He hadn't even shed a tear at Tony's mother's funeral. But Tony, he knew better than that. No one could survive what he had been through and remain unharmed. There were scars in his soul which would never heal, and though he like to pretend otherwise, Tony knew he wasn't Superman. So he meekly went to his sessions and took his meds.
The problem was that in recent weeks, Tony had been unable to keep his meds down. He knew that was probably a major contributing factor to his violent mood swings. But these seemed worse. Sometimes, he managed to keep an even keel. Others, his mood would spike and drop at a moment's notice, making Tony want to rip his skin off.
Apart from the panic attacks, Tony had been able to hide all of this from everyone. Even Jethro. But now, the raw, primal scream that ripped his throat echoed throughout the house, eventually turning into hysterical sobbing. Tony found himself frightened by the sounds coming out of him. Hoping for some kind of relief from the pain in his heart.
Gibbs, Owen and Ducky came rushing into the room, the elder doctor having decided to take residence at the manor considering Tony's precarious state. Gibbs got into bed with Tony, taking him into his arms and rocking him until the sobs quieted into soft whimpers.
"It's okay, Tony," Gibbs soothed. "I'm here. You're safe."
"I...I don't...I..." Tony choked out incoherently.
Gibbs turned towards the two doctors.
"What's happening to Tony? I've never seen him like this before."
"I think I can explain," Owen said confidently, calmly taking a seat at the foot of the bed. "Ducky and I have been observing Tony's moods, and noticed they're quite...erratic."
Tony sniffled. "I thought I was doing a better job of hiding it."
"Well, you stink at it!" Owen said jokingly, with the intent of lightening the mood. It seemed to do the trick, as Tony let a soft laugh escape his lips.
"Really?" Tony sighed. "I used to be so convincing."
"Yeah. He fooled most people," Gibbs confirmed. "Not me."
Tony squeezed Gibbs closer. That was what he loved about him. He never had to hide.
"We've been looking over your test results," Owen continued. "It's taking a bit of time, because I tested you for a lot of things. Many that you'd never even dream of!"
"Yes," Ducky chimed in. "Working with Dr. Harper here has proven to be quite an educational experience!"
"So, what do you think is wrong with me?" Tony asked, hoping it was nothing too serious.
"Simply put, you're body has become a hormonal battleground", Owen answered. You have elevated levels of both estrogen and testoterone. This could also explain your weakness and dizziness. I don't mean to alarm you, but if we don't get this sorted out quickly, it will become dangerous for you and your baby."
Tony looked very afraid, nervously wringing his hands."Is there...any...anything..."
"Breathe, Tony." Gibbs rubbed soothing circles on the younger man's back. "Hear them out. This might be treatable."
"We may have a solution, Tony," Ducky informed him. "But I'm afraid you won't like it very much."
Tony swallowed hard. "What is it?"
"We're going to need to lower your testosterone levels and raise your estrogen levels, in order to make your body more suitable for the baby," Owen answered.
Tony's eyes went wide. "So, for the purpose of this pregnancy, you'd be turning me into a woman?" Tony asked, more than a little uncomfortable at the thought. "A chick with a dick?"
Owen burst out laughing.
"Don't worry. Nothing so drastic. You won't grow breasts, or lose your facial hair."
Ducky smiled gently, patting Tony on the shoulder. " What we wish to do is trick your body into believing you're a woman, to provide a safe place for your baby to develop and grow. Unfortunately..." Ducky's voice trailed off. He knew that Tony would hate the next part.
"We will need to give you a shot, every day, to keep your testosterone levels down."
"Figures," Tony muttered. "Life always finds a way to make me its bitch."
Gibbs lifted Tony's chin so that the younger man was facing him. "You sure you want to do this?"
"Last chance to decide," Owen added. "If you want this baby, Ducky is going to need to administer the first shot now."
Tony looked thoughtful for a moment before answering. For a man with a fear of needles, the idea of daily injections that would make him more feminine, at least from his point of view, was not an appealing one. And yet, the small miracle in his womb was not something he was willing to give up.
"I want this baby." The thickness in Tony's voice indicated fear and trepididation. But his tone left nothing to question. He was having this baby, and nothing was going to change his mind.
Ducky nodded. "I'll be back with your shot momentarily."
As he turned to exit, Ducky bumped into Jack coming in.
"Good evening, Dr. Mallard!" the immortal greeted.
"Ducky," the Scotsman corrected. "Please, call me Ducky."
"Okay, then. Ducky." Jack smiled and nodded cordially.
"How's the patient?" he asked Owen.
"As well as can be expected," Owen shrugged. "Agreed to daily injections that will grow him a proper vagina."
"It will do what?!" Tony practically shrieked.
"Relax, mum," Owen laughed. "I was just having you on."
"Don't call me 'mum'," Tony grumbled, as Jack and Gibbs laughed along with Owen.
"Actually, in the 51st century, men who have babies are called 'mom', the same as women," Jack told Tony, taking a seat next to him on the bed. "People aren't so concerned with gender labels in the future. And if you think about it, biologically speaking, you are this child's mother."
"And what a handsome mother he is!" Ducky chuckled, re entering the room with Tony's shot. "All right, Tony. Prepare yourself."
Tony looked to Gibbs, trying to be brave. Gibbs clasped Tony's hand into his own, allowing Tony to squeeze as tightly as he needed to as the needle entered his arm.
A sob escaped his throat as Tony squeezed Gibbs' hand until it was nearly purple. Breathing his way through the pain, Tony collapsed against his lover's chest, hating himself for being so weak.
"You did great," Gibbs whispered, pressing Tony's head against his body. "By the time this is over, you just might be cured of your needle phobia."
"Don't count on it," Tony snorted, before turning his attention to Owen. "So, what now? Will I be able to go back to work soon?"
Owen shook his head. "Not until after this baby is born. You're barely into your first trimester and you're already having problems. I can only imagine what it will be like for you later. I'm placing you on bed rest, mister! You can get up to use the bathroom - though I would recommend you pee sitting down. We'll get you a chair for the shower, and you can sit out in the living areas if you want to get out of this room. But that's it!"
Tony sighed heavily. He had hoped to have at least a few dates with Gibbs before the baby came. But he wasn't about to take any chances, so he would just have to accept these circumstances.
"Oh. One more thing," Owen added, readying himself to leave. "No sex! I don't want to have to separate you two. I can tell the two of you are the type that go at it like rabbits," Owen remarked as he walked out of the room.
"You're bedside manner sucks!" Tony called after Owen.
"Get used to it, mum!" Owen called back.
Jack chuckled. From what he'd learned about Tony, once he was feeling stronger, he'd be able to hold his own with Owen.
"Can I have a moment with Tony please?" Jack asked Gibbs, trying to be respectful of the father-to-be and his place in all of this.
Gibbs nodded to Jack, planting a kiss on the top of Tony's head as he got out of the bed.
"I'll be back to check on you soon," he promised.
Putting a hand on Tony's knee, Ducky also prepared to make his exit.
"I'm proud of you, Tony. You're going to make a great mother - I mean father. Well, I don't really know what I mean!" he finally laughed, as he and Gibbs left together.
Tony sighed, turning over onto his side to face Jack. "Is it this hard for men to be pregnant in the 51st century?"
"Well, no, not usually," Jack answered honestly.
"So, no bed rest? No shots to make you more like a woman? No being weak as a kitten?" Tony asked bitterly.
"No," Jack said, almost apologetically. "But like I said before, humankind has evolved by that time. So no. I'm sorry, Tony. Most men in my time won't experience pregnancy in the way that you are."
"Of course they won't," Tony huffed.
"But that's not to say mine was easy," Jack added cryptically.
"What?" Tony slowly sat up. "You were pregnant, Jack?"
"Yep." Jack nodded. "This is not something I usually talk about, but..." Jack averted his eyes and gazed out the window into the garden. "Anyway, I admit I didn't have any of your physical difficulties. In fact, my pregnancy was comparable to a typical female pregnancy now. The problem for me was that I wasn't pregnant in the 51st century. I was pregnant in the 1940s."
"What happened?" Tony was genuinely interested in hearing what Jack had to say. Not only because of his own current experience. But also because this truly would make a great movie. Man from the future, trapped in the distant past, falls in love and becomes pregnant. What a story!
"During World War Two, I fought for the British Army. Towards the end of the war, I served in the same regiment as this dashing Englishman named James. I was drawn to him, almost immediately, and I could tell the attraction was mutual. But he was never comfortable with his sexuality, and I knew that, if I didn't make the first move, nothing would happen between us. And so I played the part of the bold American, sneaking into his bunk after lights out. He was scared out of his wits! But I silenced him with our first kiss, and that was the beginning of our relationship," Jack recalled.
"How did you make it work?" Tony asked, lying back down. "Back then, weren't same sex relationships illegal?"
"They were,"Jack confirmed. "And we had to be careful. After the war, I'd visit James at his flat in London every other Saturday. His neighbors knew we served together, and that's all they knew. No one suspected a thing. But the things we got to behind closed doors...I awakened a side of James that he wasn't entirely comfortable facing. I think he might have hated that side of himself. The side that could love a man. By extension, he grew to hate me. Our relationship couldn't survive, as one sided as it had become."
"I'm guessing James never knew you were pregnant?" Without thinking, Tony instinctively put his hand to his own stomach.
Jack gave a joyless laugh. "No. How would I explain that I come from the future and, by the way, I'm carrying his child? He'd think I was insane! Even if by some miracle he accepted it as truth, he would always label me a freak. Worse yet, he would label our child a freak, and probably end up mistreating her."
"So, what did you do?" Tony was hanging onto Jack's every word, for once able to forget all that he had been dealing with.
"Even back then, I worked for Torchwood. Much of my time serving in the Army was actually spent protecting the soldiers from unknown alien threats, and gathering information on all unusual encounters," Jack explained. "I wasn't the only Torchwood officer enlisted. We all wanted the opportunity to serve. But we also knew that most of those men had no idea of the unspeakable threats that existed beyond their comprehension.
After I learned I was pregnant, Torchwood basically hid me away. I gave birth in the Hub. A beautiful baby girl! I held my daughter in my arms, feeling this ache in my heart. Knowing that I couldn't keep her. Torchwood was no place to raise a child. And without a proper mom and dad, she would never be accepted. She wouldn't have the opportunities that I wanted so badly for her to have. So, even though it broke my heart, I had to let her go."
Jack paused, obviously trying to maintain his composure.
"I kissed her one last time, and handed her off to Helen, a kind woman who worked with me at Torchwood and took pity on me and the child. She took my daughter to London, where James had recently married."
Jack was looking down at his hands resting in his lap. His face was red and splotched with tears, which continued to fall. He wasn't too proud to cry. The pain of losing a child was something he knew he would never recover from.
"James was already married?" Tony scowled, both surprised and disgusted, fighting off his own tears at what he was hearing. "He sure didn't waste any time before moving on."
"No. He didn't." Covering his face with his hands, Jack wiped away his tears in one swift motion. "But he married a good woman. They could offer my daughter a loving, stable home.
Helen went to them, claiming that she was the mother of my child, and that I had recently died, and she couldn't possibly raise this child alone. She asked James and his wife if they would raise her as their own, as a favor to his late war buddy Jack. And they agreed to it. James ended up raising his own child without realizing it, and I...I never saw her again. But I think about her. Every day. I wonder what's become of her, and I wish I could just see her and tell her how much I love and miss her!"
Jack closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. After all those years, the pain of letting that child go was still fresh.
Maybe it was his own pregnant hormones, but Jack's story broke Tony's heart into a million pieces, and he found himself looking at the man with a new found respect. There was more to Captain Jack Harkness than good looks and charisma. This was a man who had experienced love, loss and pain in their rawest, most devastating forms. Yet his heart remained loving, loyal and kind in spite of his pain. Jack, Tony thought, was a man to be admired.
"Oh, Jack...I'm so sorry..."
A teary eyed Jack took Tony by the hand and smiled at him.
"I didn't tell you this story for pity, or to in any way diminish what you're going through," Jack explained. "I told you so that you could know that, to some extent, I understand. You don't need to feel alone in this. You have the support of your friends, and the love of a good man. I didn't have those things when I was pregnant. I hope you realize how lucky you are."
"I do now, Jack. Thank you."
Tony felt a sense of peace in his heart. He realized now, all he needed was to feel understood. And he would be forever thankful to Jack for giving him that gift of understanding.
RENASCENCE RENASCENCE RENASCENCE
Jack sat up in bed, turning over to see Ianto sleeping soundly. Moonlight peeking through the curtains illumined his pale face, reminding Jack of the way he looked in death. Jack swallowed, blinking away oncoming tears. That was in the past. Ianto's death was nothing more than a painful memory now. He was here, alive and well, at Jack's side, where he belonged.
Deciding a hot shower was in order, Jack quietly got out of bed, checking Ianto's breathing, as he always did, before he left the room.
Shutting the bedroom door behind him, Jack winced at the creak of the hinges. He didn't wish to wake Ianto.
"Hello, Jack."
It was all Jack could do not to yelp in surprise when Owen called to him. Owen, leaning casually against the wall next to Jack and Ianto's bedroom door, smirked at the sight of the great Captain Jack Harkness, wide eyed and jumping in fright.
"I know you don't need to sleep, but you can't just lurk outside people's bedroom doors," Jack scolded, putting a hand to his chest. "It's creepy."
"Jack, we need to talk." There was an urgency in Owen's tone.
Jack ran a hand through his hair, leaning against the wall and sighing. "Something tells me I won't like what you have to say."
"I did some tests on Tony's samples to check for possible environmental causes for his state," Owen began.
"And..." Jack wished that Owen would just get on with it already.
"Nothing relevant, except for one thing."
"I know you like to build up suspense sometimes, but it's really too early. So, please, stop teasing and spit it out," Jack said irritably.
"I found traces of the same kind of pheromones as yours," Owen finally revealed.
"51st century pheromones? You mean Tony comes from the future?"
Owen shook his head. "That's what I thought at first. Then I ran a DNA test in search for similar characteristics with yours."
"Owen, I'm losing patience," Jack warned.
"Tony's DNA has 27% alleles in common with yours," Owen finally revealed.
Jack stood frozen, processing what he had just been told.
"Twenty..."
"You and Tony are related by blood, man. You didn't know that?"
"It can't... It...Tosh! Tosh!"
Knowing the tech analyst was an early riser, Jack raced to find her in her office.
Tosh spun around in her chair, brightly smiling at Jack. "Good morning! What can I do for you?"
"I need everything that you have about Tony on personal level," Jack told her without returning her greeting, his voice strained with urgency.
Tosh's face instantly morphed into a mask of concentration as she made her way into the database. She had learned a long time ago not to ask unnecessary questions when Jack was in this kind of mood.
It took only a moment for Tosh her to pull up Tony's file. "Okay, what are you looking for exactly?"
"His ascendance."
"No problem. Here we are. Anthony Dominic DiNozzo Jr.," she read. "The only child born to Anthony Dominic DiNozzo Sr. and Annabelle Elizabeth Paddington..."
Tosh's voice trailed off, as she caught sight of Jack's stunned expression.
"Annabelle..." Jack whispered, his mind racing, a myriad of thoughts and emotions overwhelming him. "Tosh. Access my personal files," he ordered, suddenly snapping out of his daze.
"Right away!" Tosh nodded, opening up the secret site she had set up years ago.
At first glance, it appeared to be the "under construction" site for a hand made soap business. Clicking on a tiny dot, it prompted Tosh to enter three distinct passwords. Finally, they were looking at the website dedicated to the safe keeping of the personal documents and photographs of all Torchwood personnel. Tosh had the fore site to make digital copies, which was fortunate, since most everything in the Hub had been destroyed in the explosion.
Tosh stood up, allowing Jack to take her seat and access his photos. He frantically ran his eyes over the files for a moment until he found the ones he was looking for. He printed out two black and white photographs so quickly that Tosh couldn't even make out what they were of.
Snatching the piece of paper from the printer, Jack dashed towards the door and almost bumped into Ianto, the young man scratching his head and yawning widely as he entered the room.
"Jack? Are you all right?" he asked, noting the tears falling down Jack's cheeks.
Jack gave a subtle nod, staring down at his feet and not daring to look at Ianto in the eyes.
"Yes... no... I don't know. I... I think I found Annabelle..." he stammered, his voice thick with emotion. Without further ado, he walked pass Ianto and literally fled through the corridor.
Tosh looked over at Owen, the pair exchanging confused glances.
They turned towards Ianto, who stood frozen in the doorway.
"What the heck is going on?" Owen demanded.
Ianto briefly turned around and shrugged.
"I don't know for sure, but I'd say another miracle," he whispered before disappearing in Jack's wake.
Owen raised a dubious eyebrow and glanced at Tosh, who seemed as lost as he was.
"Is it me or, do miracles seem fairly common these days?"
RENASCENCE RENASCENCE RENASCENCE
When Ianto entered their room only a moment later, he found Jack sitting on the bed and staring blankly out the window, his hands clutching the photos hard enough to turn his knuckles white.
Shaking off the last trace of his sleepy haze, Ianto cautiously climbed onto the bed behind his lover and gently wrapped his arms around Jack's shoulders, feeling Jack's ragged breathing against his chest.
"What's happened?" the Welshman asked in a low, cautious tone, pulling Jack down with him onto the bed.
Turning around to lay on his side, Jack gazed into the concerned eyes of his lover. There would be no more secrets between them. That had been decided the moment Ianto was returned to him from the dead. Also, Jack found that he needed the comfort that Ianto could provide him.
"Owen found 51st century pheromones present in Tony."
Ianto raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
"We share the same DNA!" Jack continued. "I...Tony is my..." Jack was smiling through his tears, not quite sure whether to laugh or cry.
Ianto's mouth opened wide in surprise, his own eyes tearing up with happiness for Jack. "So, Tony is your...?"
Jack nodded, a loud sob finally erupting from his throat as he fell into Ianto's welcoming arms.
"I thought I'd lost my family," Jack whispered into Ianto's neck. "And after losing Steven...I'm gonna get it right this time, Ianto."
"I know you are, Jack." Ianto smiled. "Now I understand why you and Tony already share such an amazing bond."
RENASCENCE RENASCENCE RENASCENCE
Jack quietly opened the door to Tony's room, hoping he was finally awake, since it was already after 10:00am.
With the noticeable exception of Tony's partner, Ziva, who hadn't shown up since their first meeting Friday night, everyone else from NCIS had come to visit Tony at some point during the weekend, and were now all back to work.
Even though Gibbs wanted to be able to take more time off to help take care of Tony, he felt he needed to get some things squared away at work first. He would also need to think of an excuse for any long term absence he may take. Not to mention Tony, who would be gone for nearly a year. Jack promised that he and Ianto would "handle" things for them. After all, if there was one thing Torchwood was good at, it was covering things up.
Tony stirred as he heard the door opening, turning over and smiling at Jack.
"Good morning, sleeping beauty," Jack greeted.
"Mm." Tony stretched, grunting as he did so. "I can't seem to stay awake. Owen said it's the shots. Apparently, it won't be as bad once I get my hormones in check."
"How are you feeling otherwise?" Jack asked, taking a seat on the bed.
"I think I'm in a slightly better mood. Or maybe I'm just too tired to notice," Tony laughed.
"I can go if you want to keep sleeping," Jack offered, pointing with his thumb to the door.
"No. Stay," Tony insisted. "You've got those photos in your hand. You obviously came in to show me something."
"Okay. You caught me." Jack laughed, taking a seat on the bed.
"Well, I wouldn't be a very good investigator if I missed that easy detail," Tony quipped, picking up one of the photos Jack had set down beside him.
It was an old black and white photo of a shirtless Jack, sitting up in bed and holding a newborn baby. Jack looked the same,Tony thought. Only tired, with sweaty bangs plastered to his forehead.
But it was Jack's expression that broke Tony's heart. As Jack looked down at the tiny new life his his arms, there was a sadness in his eyes. A pained knowledge that this child he loved so much would soon be ripped from his arms forever.
"The baby you're holding...was that your daughter?" Tony asked through the lump in his throat.
Jack nodded, his eyes to the floor. "Helen took that picture. She said I deserved to have at least something reminding me of her. It was taken just before I had to let her go. But not before I named her. I may not have been able to raise my little girl, but her name was my parting gift for her to keep for life."
"What did you you name her?"
Looking up, Jack caught Tony's gaze before answering.
"Annabelle. I named my daughter Annabelle Elizabeth."
Tony's eyes widened slightly before watering in memory. "Annabelle Elizabeth. That... That was my mom's name."
"Is that so?" Giving Tony a knowing grin, Jack gave him the second photo.
In the photo were two men in 1940's military uniform. One of them was Jack, and other man was light haired and slender, with a handsome, chiseled face. At first glance, they were just two fellow soldiers posing side by side for posterity, but looking closer, Tony noticed a certain closeness between them.
"Do you know this man?" Jack asked, pointing.
Tony took the picture and raised a quizzical eyebrow.
"Yes, of course. It's Grandpa Jim. I never met him in the flesh, but he is quite a legend in my family. Mom said he was a war hero..."
Tony looked up, his eyes meeting Jack's as he began to put the pieces together.
"Does this mean...?"
"That's right, Tony," Jack confirmed, a loving softness in his voice. "I'm your grandfather."