Chapter 35

While the pursuit of Oduya and Stamford, and subsequent investigation into UNIT, was ongoing the Queen had not forgotten her other assurances to Owen. She fully intended to change the law to allow extreme duress to be a defence against treason, murder and lesser crimes. She had been working behind the scenes in Parliament, garnering support for her proposed new law. As she had anticipated, the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition and most MPs, irrespective of party, had no major objections and were therefore willing to support her proposed legislation. None had any idea why she was pushing it forward.

A codicil to the law applying to crimes committed under duress was quietly approved, largely unnoticed by the public. The codicil stated that if, in the opinion of the Monarch, the duress the perpetrator was under was of a unique and cruel nature, which no person could reasonably be expected to resist, then the perpetrator is not guilty of any crime committed, including crimes such as murder. The codicil was entered into law retrospectively, so that any previously occurring case would be covered.

This naturally, as intended, brought Jack's case into review. It did not take long for a closed session of judges, headed by the Monarch, to review the evidence and conclude that the duress that Jack was under was uniquely severe, and that by building the EMP device Jack had done more to resist than could be expected of anyone. He was therefore found not guilty of all the crimes of which he had been previous convicted. Unlike a pardon, which had left Jack guilty, but forgiven, this new verdict exonerated him completely.

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The paperwork regarding the new verdict was delivered by courier to the Torchwood run tourist office. Ianto was on duty at the time. The letter was addressed to Jack Harkness, and had an impressively ornate seal. It was obviously an important document.

Ianto rushed down into the Hub to show Owen. "Owen, look at this!" he exclaimed. "It's from the Palace. We're not busy, can I take it round to Jack?"

Owen looked at the envelope. He remembered what the Queen had said all those months ago at their meeting and smiled. He really hoped that his suspicion was right. "Yes, take it round now. Do you know if Jack's working?"

"I don't think he works on Mondays," Ianto answered, "He's probably at home. I'll give him a call to check but I won't tell him why I'm going round. Do you think it's good news? Maybe Oduya and Stamford's trial is about to start."

"I don't think Jack would get this type of package for that," Owen opined, "but it could be good news." He watched with amusement as Ianto practically bounced out of the door.

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Having ascertained that Jack was home, Ianto drove round with the letter. When he knocked on the door Tosh answered it.

"Hi, Ianto," she said brightly. "Jack said you were coming round. What's up?"

Ianto grinned excitedly. "Jack's got a very exciting looking letter from the Palace. I thought he should get it straight away." He showed her the letter.

Tosh looked at it with interest then yelled up the stairs, "Jack, Ianto's got some post for you."

A minute later Jack thundered down the stairs. Ianto handed him the letter. He looked at it with surprise. "What would the Palace be doing writing to me?" he asked. Tosh and Ianto just shrugged.

"Open it and see," prompted Tosh, when Jack just stood there unmoving.

Hesitating slightly, Jack opened the letter and read it. He couldn't actually believe what he was reading to start with, but then handed it to Tosh.

As Jack dropped down heavily on the sofa in a state of shock, Tosh read the letter quickly, an enormous grin developing on her face as she read.

Ianto was on tenterhooks the entire time. "Well," he demanded. "What does it say?"

"It's a document from the Queen exonerating me of all charges relating to the Valiant," Jack murmured softly.

Ianto was confused. "But you've already been pardoned," he pointed out.

"Not pardoned," Tosh explained with glee, "exonerated. That means found not guilty. A pardon implies guilt. This does not." She threw herself at Jack, kissing him passionately. "This is wonderful!"

Suddenly understanding, Ianto let out a whoop. "Finally, British justice comes good! Congratulations Jack."

Jack smiled broadly. "I never dreamed this would happen. Did either of you know this was a possibility?"

"No," Ianto declared, "but Owen was looking very hopeful when he saw the letter, I've an idea that he knew. In fact I'd better get back and tell him. I'm meant to be at work anyway."

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When Ianto got back to the Hub, he rushed to tell Owen the good news. Gwen was with him.

"You knew, didn't you?" Into accused.

Owen looked sheepish. "I knew the Queen was going to try for this, but she didn't want to get Jack's hopes up so we didn't tell him. She had to get the law changed to do it; it wasn't simple."

"Wow," Gwen interjected. "the Queen did that for Jack, that's amazing!"

"She felt very strongly that he had been appallingly treated."

"We should throw a party for Jack," Gwen suggested. "We could have it at my place, Rhys wouldn't mind."

"That's a great idea," Owen agreed. "Don't invite the new guys though. Jack doesn't know them. And anyway, we'd need some people to man the Hub while we're all at the party," he added with a grin. "I'll tell Karen to expect an invite."

"This is so great," Gwen enthused. "I'd better tell Rhys and then check with Jack what night he's free." With that she rushed out.

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With Gwen's promise that the party would only be the long term Torchwood members, including Joanne and Mark, plus Owen's partner Karen and Charlotte, Jack had agreed to the party in his honour. None of Jack's work colleagues would be invited, as it would be impossible to explain what the party was for, without revealing Jack's past to them.

Jack had never met Karen, but Owen had told him that she was aware of the broad facts of his false imprisonment and Torchwood's subsequent fight to get him pardoned. Jack found that he was largely OK with that. He might not have been initially but, after months of therapy with Charlotte, he was less sensitive to a few others knowing about his past. And he knew that Owen had been circumspect and not given her any details.

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The evening of the party dawned. Jack and Tosh were getting ready at his house. Jack had chosen smart casual clothes, but Tosh had gone for a posh frock, which she had bought specially for the occasion.

"You look gorgeous, Tosh," said Jack admiringly.

Tosh did a twirl. "It's lovely isn't it. It's a good thing that we get paid a lot at Torchwood, though."

"Do you think I should wear a suit?" asked Jack. "Or is this good enough?"

"You're the guest of honour, Jack, you can wear whatever you like," Tosh laughed.

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When Jack and Tosh arrived, most of the guests were already there. Gwen bustled around offering and refilling drinks and Rhys had been delegated to hand round finger food. Music played in the background. It was a low key affair. Just what Jack wanted.

Having heard so much about Jack over the many months that Torchwood had been looking for him and trying to get him pardoned, then after he returned to Torchwood, Karen was nervous about meeting him. The man had had such a profound effect on Owen, turning his emotions from hate, to immense respect laced with a massive amount of guilt. She didn't know any details, but she knew that Owen now considered Jack to be a hero that he owed his life to. And it wasn't as simple as that. Owen's reactions over the months indicated something much deeper than even that.

She was pulled out of her reverie by Owen's voice as he did the introductions. "Karen, this is Jack, Jack, Karen."

The two looked at each other. Both were surprised to see that the other was nervous.

Jack extended his hand and, as she reached out to shake it, Karen took in his appearance. Tall, dark and handsome could have been coined just for him. However he didn't have the demeanor of a man who knew that he was good looking. He was slightly tentative, and clearly apprehensive meeting her.

Jack was nervous. He knew that Karen knew some things about his past. Living with Owen, she could hardly have missed all the drama. Did she believe him to be a murderer, did she pity him? He looked for signs of that in her face, but found none. Relaxing slightly, he smiled. "Pleased to meet you, Karen. Owen is a lucky guy."

"Oh no," Karen demurred. "I'm the lucky one."

"Tell me how you and Owen met," Jack asked. "He's never said."

With the ice broken, Jack and Karen chatted happily. Ianto and Tosh looked on from across the room. "There was a time when Jack would have been flirting with her non-stop," mused Ianto, "and he would have wanted to be the centre of attention wherever he went."

"He doesn't do that anymore," Tosh pointed out. "He'd much rather stay in the background now. And he barely flirts."

Ianto sipped from his drink as he watched Jack. "He is different now, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. And have you noticed how well he's looking? The food at that restaurant must be great; he's been there for six months and he's practically back to his proper weight."

"Let's hope he doesn't go too far," Tosh giggled. "Or he'll need to go on a diet."

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There was a knock on the door an hour into the party. "I thought that everyone was already here," Jack remarked to Gwen.

"All but one," Gwen replied. "Don't worry you'll be pleased," she reassured him, at Jack's worried look.

Gwen opened the door to let the final guest in.

"Harriet!" exclaimed Jack, while enveloping her in a hug. "I didn't realise you were coming."

"I wouldn't have missed it," Harriet laughed, reaching up to kiss him on the cheek. "I'm so happy for you Jack."

Gwen looked on with approval. "I wanted it to be a surprise," she explained.

Karen had seen the new arrival and nudged Owen hard. "Owen, look! Isn't that Harriet Jones, the ex-PM? What is she doing here?"

Owen hadn't noticed Harriet arrive, but he swung round and beamed. "Yes. She's a good friend of Jack's, and helped us get him pardoned. I'm glad Gwen thought to invite her."

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A couple of hours later everyone was tipsy, even Charlotte, who generally didn't drink. Jack and Ianto were sitting together chatting.

"You know, we should start up a pub night," Ianto suggested. "A boy's night out. Now that you're not living at the Hub we barely see you."

"Won't the girls be put out if we do that?" queried Jack.

"They already have a girl's night out," Ianto pointed out, "so they could hardly object."

"OK," Jack agreed. "How about we aim for every Thursday night. I don't work Thursdays. I'd have to miss it if it hits my heroin day though."

"Given Torchwood's unpredictable schedule, any of us could be unavailable at a moments notice," Ianto commented wryly. "I'll run it by Owen and Mark and see if they are up for it."

They were interrupted in their planning by the ting of a teaspoon on a glass. It was Gwen, trying to get everyone's attention. She had just finished handing out glasses of champagne to everyone.

"Ladies and gentlemen," she began formally. "As you know this party is in honour of Jack's exoneration of all the crimes that he was accused of. As Harriet is much more used to public speaking than I am, she has agreed to say a few words."

As Harriet stood up, Jack blushed with embarrassment. He really hoped that she would make it short.

She did, but she didn't spare his blushes, declaring him a hero for saving the Torchwood team and all of humanity, and unjustly imprisoned for crimes he was not guilty of. She thanked the Queen for bringing justice to the case and then asked everyone to raise their glasses in a toast to Jack and the Queen.

As everyone rose and made the toast Jack's embarrassment reached a peak, though he was also pleased. He knew that he needed to respond, at least briefly. He rose to his feet. "Thank you everyone, I know that you have all worked hard on my behalf and that this verdict is largely down to you. I appreciate everything you did. And I'm looking forward to living a normal life now, thanks to you."

As he sat down, everyone clapped, then Gwen turned the music back up and started refilling everyone's glasses. The formal atmosphere dissipated and became somewhat raucous. Eventually Karen and Owen started a trend by dancing, despite the small space available, followed quickly by Gwen and Rhys. Jack found himself dancing with Charlotte, then Harriet and finally Tosh.

Ianto watched the dancing with amusement, though he did not join in. Joanne and Mark were doing a good impression of a couple. He wondered if there was more to that than just a dance at this party. He was joined on his sofa by Charlotte, and then Harriet, as they finished dancing.

"Jack looks happy," Harriet observed.

"He does, doesn't he," agreed Charlotte. "Life outside Torchwood is really suiting him, and being exonerated is the icing on the cake. There is still Oduya and Stamford's trial to get through, but after that he should be able to truly start afresh."

The party continued into the early hours of the morning, then people began to drift away, congratulating Jack again on their way out to their taxis. Eventually Jack and Tosh were the only guests left. They thanked Gwen and Rhys and headed back to Jack's house, both in a pleasantly inebriated state. "That was a good night," Tosh declared.

"The best," Jack confirmed happily.