This chapter (and the following seven, for that matter), have been sitting in my folder for quite a while, and what with switching from one beta to another, and both of them being really busy (which I totally understand; love you guys) I never got around to posting them.

But, it's Christmas, so have a treat :3

Chapter Thirteen

"Things are going well," she informed Martha, over a cup of coffee. "Sure, I haven't found Dad yet, but I've got Gwen, Luke – some of the time anyway, Sky, Jack. I'm saving the world."

"He'd be very proud of you," Martha smiled.

It was mid-October, a week since Jack had left the Cooper-Williams residence, and Jenny and Martha were sitting in the latter's kitchen, catching up. It had been a good month since they'd seen each other, and many things had changed, mainly on Martha's end. She and Mickey had re-joined UNIT, after a near-miss with a Sontaran that had almost caused their deaths. While UNIT had its dangers, they were less numerous than freelancing.

"Jack's going to be disappointed," Jenny smirked. "We still need a medic."

The renewed UNIT agent rolled her eyes. "What for? He got along just fine for the past five years …"

"What if something happened to me or Sky and we needed to go to the hospital?"

"Jenny, your Dad was at my hospital, and no one kidnapped him to run tests or try and steal his immortality."

Jenny shook her head. "But you didn't tell anyone that he had two hearts."

"There's always retcon," Martha muttered, defeated, as Mickey entered the room.

"Hey Jenny," he smiled, pecking Martha on the cheek and pouring himself some coffee. As was his usual greeting, he added, "Find him yet?"

The Time Lady shook her head, ponytail swishing with the movement. "Not yet."

"You will," he assured her, as he also said every time, stirring sugar into his coffee. "How're things?"

"The same as ever. A Sycorax turned up in Cardiff Bay and started threatening everyone with a sword. I've never been so glad of that time Jack got drunk and taught me and Sky how to swordfight …" she sighed. The alien in question was contained in one of the cells of Torchwood, his sword hung in the shooting range. It was not, however the only oddity. A bow and quiver of arrows were also hung on the soundproof walls ("Funny story, that …" Jack had said, when they had been pointed out, before conveniently forgetting to tell them it).

"Thank God for Captain Cheesecake," Mickey grinned. "Or we'd all be toast."

Jenny quirked an eyebrow. "'Captain Cheesecake'?"

"A nickname," Martha sighed long-sufferingly, tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear. "Jack calls him 'Mickey Mouse'. He started calling me 'Minnie Mouse'," she shook her head. "I had no idea what he was on about."

She laughed. "Cute."

"You'd think."

Jenny enjoyed her time in London. She tried to balance her time evenly between the Ponds, the Smiths and Luke (who always seemed to have Charlie in tow). It didn't quite help that she had to keep with schedules. She didn't see as much of any of them as she would've liked. At least Luke would be returning to Cardiff for a week for the holiday that coincided with Halloween. Jenny was interested in the tradition of All Hallow's Eve, and how it had changed over the years. Gwen insisted that it was a stupid holiday and that the young Time Lady's interest was misdirected.

"I think I'll head," said Jenny, rising from her chair. "My train leaves at three … thanks for everything, you two."

Martha stood to embrace her, and Mickey bestowed a one-armed hug to her, as he was still holding his coffee. Jenny swung her handbag over her shoulder and left the house, followed by Martha.

"Call again soon," the dark-skinned woman implored. "It's always a pleasure talking to you."

"I will," she promised, smiling, and setting off down the street.

She rummaged through her handbag, looking for some money. She'd buy a sandwich or something similar before setting off for the train station …

She collided with someone else, her handbag falling, the contents spilling all over the pavement.

"I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, kneeling down and starting to refill her handbag, as the redhead she had knocked into brushed down her sweater. "I wasn't looking where I was going – I—"

"It's Song, right?"

Jenny froze at the voice, glancing over. Donna had knelt down and was helping her, her eyes the normal blue-green colour with a ring of gold encircling the pupil. She had Central Heterochromia, Jenny noted, wondering why she'd never noticed before. Donna was not affected by her presence, at least not yet.

"Yeah," she managed, through her shock. This was the second time they'd met in a few short months. If this continued, Donna might come very close to remembering. "Jenny Song."

"I never forget a weird name," Donna grinned, adding a notebook to Jenny's handbag.

"Thanks a lot," Jenny smiled, pulling the handbag onto her shoulder. "It was very kind of you, considering it was me who bumped into you … I might see you again. You never know."

The redhead nodded. "See you around, then, Song."

Jenny watched her first friend walk off, chewing her lip. She didn't mind being referenced to as 'Song'. It was likely for the best. Repeating 'Jenny' too often might trigger something in her memory, despite their only having met once.

Jenny shook her head slightly, continuing on her way. She checked her phone. No messages or calls, and it was 2:45 pm. No chance of stopping anywhere; she'd have to eat on the train.

Sighing at the thought of the price of 'train food', she crossed the street, trying not to worry about Donna.

Jack was standing there at the train station, in his usual dark blue coat that made him stick out immediately in the crowd. His reason for being there couldn't be good, but she was determined not to worry about it until she knew what it was.

"Jack," was her greeting, as she reached him, hefting the handbag (which he'd bought her, she was reminded) higher up on her shoulder.

"Don't be alarmed," he began.

Dread pooled in her stomach, but she merely quirked an eyebrow. "You do realise that saying that has made me alarmed?"

"Sky's been taken to hospital," he finished. "Gwen's there with her, and we're going now. C'mon."

"What's wrong with her?" Jenny asked, walking as quickly as possible without running to the SUV.

"Her fever came back," Jack answered, starting the engine. "Antibiotics and How I Met Your Mother—" his lips quirked upward slightly at that— "didn't work this time."

"What if they check for her heartbeat?" Jenny queried, more to herself than Jack, running an agitated hand through her hair. "What if she can't be treated by human medicine?"

"Jenny."

She was startled by his hand covering hers. "Don't worry," he murmured. "She'll be fine. Bombs are tough."

She almost laughed. Some sort of huff of laughter escaped her, and tears pricked her eyes at the same time. Jack's hand returned to the steering wheel.

"Does Luke know?" was the next thing she asked.

"No," Jack replied. "No use bothering him when he's got a big assignment coming up." (Jenny frowned in surprise that he had remembered. It had been mentioned only briefly). "If she gets worse – which she won't – we'll tell him."

The blonde nodded. It made sense. University was hard work, even for someone like Luke.

The rest of the drive to Cardiff General passed in a thick silence. Jenny refused to voice any more fears, meaning Jack had no need to assuage them. Sky was the closest thing to a sister that Jenny had. She was deeply worried for her welfare.

They reached the hospital, Jenny trailing behind Jack as he enquired about Sky Smith. They were directed to floor five, ward fifteen. In a private room, they found Sky, lying in the hospital bed, wearing the standard-issue white gown, her light brown hair spreading across the pillow, a plastic band encircling her wrist. She looked weak, but she smiled at the sight of them.

"They're running tests …" Gwen informed them. She, too, looked worried. Her nails had been bitten down, a sign of nervousness.

"I'll be fine," Sky murmured.

"'Course you will, kiddo. You're tough as old boots, you."

She giggled as Jenny took a seat on the other side of the bed.

A doctor appeared; a middle-aged woman with a long ponytail falling down her back, holding a chart. She glanced at the people in the room. "My name is Dr. Adams. I have Miss Smith's test results here. You are?"

"Gwen Cooper," said Gwen. "Sky's guardian. This is Jack Harkness and Jenny Song; they're family friends."

Dr. Adams nodded. "Well, I can conclude that Miss Smith's—" she nodded towards Sky, who was listening intently—"illness has been caused by a virus. We'll prescribe an antiviral and keep her in until it takes effect. It's only a precaution. You can never be too careful. Is that all right, Sky?"

"Yeah."

"All right," Dr. Adams smiled. "If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask."

"We're fine; thanks, doctor."

"See?" Sky smiled at them. "I'll be fine in no time!"

"Yeah."