Dropping in

[exileineternity]

One late december night, there was a groaning and wheezing in the Torchwood hub and a blue box appeared near the entrance. It sat there silently humming in the dim light, while it's occupant dashed about the mushroom shaped console in an attempt to start its refuelling sequence

Comments

[great_smile]

Jack smiled and he reached up, bracing his palm over the other man's hand on his arm. He shook his head, but said nothing more about it. "It's just us today. Long story, but nobody is at the Hub. Gwen went with her husband to his parents for some anniversary thing and Ianto went to visit with his family. They'll be back tomorrow. In theory. If something truly dire happens, I'll call." He winked at the Doctor, looking a bit sly. "I think they hope something does happen and they want me to call them regardless, to save them from normality. A little normal does them good." And he liked having the Doctor all to himself. Another fact he'd never admit aloud

Sorry for taking so long. Personal family crap again.

[exileineternity]

The Doctor looked around the office. "Brilliant cover." He looked around the office a child like grin on his face.

Sorry for taking so long. Personal family crap again.

[exileineternity]

The Doctor looked around the office. "Brilliant cover." He looked around the office a child like grin on his face.

He beamed even more at the stone rolling back and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Why Jack, you've out done your self! Very, very, very, secret is a very secret sort of way. Reminds me of unwrapping a chocolate..." He paused, not sure exactly where he was going with it. "Well you know what I mean? So we have the place to ourselves? No need to worry about calling them, I'm here, if you need help we can take care of any problems! Your staff can have a holiday!"

[great_smile]

"You haven't seen the half of it, yet." He winked at the Doctor. "If you're impressed with a tourist shop, just wait."

Jack led him through the stone tunnel. Pressing a button on the wall, the lift door opened and they stepped inside. It was a quick, quiet ride down in the lift. The cog door opened and they stepped inside the 'real' Hub. And then the Doctor saw it. And he saw it all.

The computers beeped quietly in the background. Above them, the pterodactyl flew overhead, screeching softly. The water fell down the water fall and lapped into the small pool at the bottom. It was just the two of them there.

"Welcome to Torchwood."

[exileineternity]

The Doctor was very impressed. He recalled how Jack told him he rebuilt Torchwood for the Doctor. At the time, the Doctor was bitter, he wasn't sure what to think really. A part of him resented how he seemed to influence his human companions to be warriors and killers. It was only after loosing Donna he came to realize why. It made him think of his people and how they manipulated others to do their dirty work. Davros was right about him

[great_smile]

He wished that the Doctor understood things. He didn’t rebuild Torchwood for war. He knew that the Doctor didn’t like to fight. In truth, he didn’t either. He just had a bit more of an open mind to it than the Doctor. While the Doctor didn’t ever want to fight, Jack knew that it had to be done sometimes. Mostly as a last resort. Davros wasn’t right. If he asked Jack, Davros was completely wrong. The Doctor inspired them to be better people. He inspired them that this Earth needed saving and they weren’t just people living on the surface. They could do more. They could be more. They weren’t just one voice in the wilderness and they could do something. That’s what he inspired

[exileineternity]

The Doctor joined Jack at the railing and leaned against it. He listened and smiled. He could see the affection Jack had for him, and help with his loneliness some. It was nice to know he wasn't alone in his work to help others. "Brilliant! I'm very proud of you Jack. I know you don't want this place Canary Warf, and you're doing an excellent job. I..." He trailed. "Happy I'm not alone in it. It's good to know someone else... Someone close is carrying on..." He almost said my foot steps, but the words caught in his throat and he turned away. "Jack, you've done so much for me, and this world. Thank you."

[great_smile]

“Doctor…”

And then he was there, behind the Doctor, gently laying a hand on his shoulder. He leaned up and gently kissed the back of the Doctor’s other shoulder, not doing more than that. He didn’t want to scare the Doctor or make him uncomfortable. He just wanted the man to know that he was here for him. Yes, he wanted to carry on in the Doctor’s footsteps, but it was more than that.

“Have to carry on. You’re not always here, Doctor. Someone has to be here when you’re not.” He smiled warmly at the Doctor, well, the back of his head. “You inspire me, Doctor. I wish I could be half the man you are.” He hugged the Doctor from behind, very brief, before pulling away again.

“Come on. We have to go downstairs. You have to see Janet. And I think you’d like Owen’s medical lab…” He sighed. He had to move on, to realize it wasn’t Owen’s lab anymore. Though, to Jack, it always would be.

I hope that's ok. I know Jack didn't say anything, but the Doc seems the type to notice certain thin

[exileineternity]

The Doctor nodded. As hard as it was to accept, Jack was right he wasn't here and some day he wouldn't be here

[great_smile]

Jack frowned. “That is shit. I do this because of you. I’m no better than you. You made me who I am, from that moment on the game station so many years ago.” He growled and pulled away from the Doctor, shaking his head. “You can’t… Don’t say such things. Damnit.” He sighed and his anger was short lived. He just hated to hear the Doctor think like that. It wasn’t like that at all. This place was supposed to be a tribute to him, not make him feel bad. He took the Doctor’s hand and pulled him down the steps

[exileineternity]

The Doctor looked down, aware he upset Jack. It was difficult to explain how he felt. He certainly put his foot in it. He followed Jack down to the cells and listened. Torchwood made him proud, and he wasn't sure how to express it. The problem was, in the past he wasn't very kind about it, and treated Jack suspiciously over it.

"I know you are doing this for me... And I proud of you because of it. "

He looked at Janet and realized Jack's words were very true. How many had he helped to pass on? He went to put a hand on Jack's shoulder. "I understand. It's never easy Jack... But I'm here to help, if you need it. You're not alone doing it anymore."

Perhaps doing it together is what they both needed?

real life sucks my time away :(

[great_smile]

“You should meet Gwen and Ianto. I don’t know where they are. Probably out…” He sighed and wrapped an arm around the Doctor’s shoulders, staring at Janet as he did so. “They’ve gone through so much. Gwen, she’d done everything she could to keep her real life and not let it drift while working here at Torchwood. Aliens even invaded her wedding. You should have been there. You would have enjoyed it. Drinks and mayhem

Re: real life sucks my time away :(

[exileineternity]

Alien's invading someones wedding did give the usually hum-drum hokey-pokey wedding dance bordom a interesting twist. The Doctor nodded. "It sounds like I'd like this Gwen. And she's managed to keep her life, brilliant

[great_smile]

Jack grinned. He wrapped an arm around the Doctor, pulling him in close for a half hug. “Well if we made you realize it, then maybe you should realize what you’ve done to us too? For us even? We’re all better because of you. It’s not just some one way here, Doc. It’s mutual.” He reached up and playfully ruffled the Doctor’s hair. On purpose.

“She used to work for UNIT before she came here, Tosh. Hell, you probably met her and didn’t even know it.” He let go and took the Doctor’s hand, tugging him back up towards the main part of Torchwood. “You have to see the computer system she put together for us. It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen. I’d be willing to wager on that!”