(no subject)
CHAPTER ELEVEN
They cleared out their rooms as quietly and discretely as possible. Jack put everything he wanted to take with him into one of the pillowcases Ianto helped him pick out when he had first moved. It still smelled like his lover, Jack noted, as he filled the makeshift sack with the photos he’d taken, the camera and a few of the fine shirts Monsieur Homme had made for him. He didn’t know if he would wear them again, but he couldn’t bring himself to throw them away. He also took the tattered tour guide Ianto bought him on their second date. It was worn from the rain and from being stuffed into his jacket pocket, but Jack didn’t care. It would go into the memory box he kept in his office. Someday he would take it out and his heart would swell at the sight of the words, Parí, A Walking Guide.
Owen did not have many sentimental possessions, but he kept his book on Parí as well, along with a shirt Gwen forced him to buy one day and a few pages of sheet music. “I guess we need to be careful not to show these things to anyone, right?” holding up the first page of a song that did not exist in their world.
“No one would believe you anyway,” Jack murmured as he tossed a few items into the pile that was going into the trash. “I think that’s everything. You all set?”
“Just need to drop these letters off. Let’s go.”
Jack picked up his RAF coat from the bed and for the first time since his third day in Parí he slid his arms through the sleeves and settled the heavy coat onto his shoulders. He picked up his sack and followed Owen out of the room.
A Meliank was waiting patiently for them by the infamous gateway where Owen and Jack had initially landed. Jack could understand why this alien would stand out. Though humanoid looking, A Meliank was tall, about six and a half feet, with smooth, lavender skin that glistened even in the dark night. He was dressed in several layers of fabrics, all very lush and ornate in shades of green, maroon and gold. His hair was blue, almost the color of midnight, the same as his enormous eyes, and fell down his back in many thin plaits.
“Greetings, Captain,” A Meliank said, his light voice heavily accented. “I am glad your doctor was able to find you so expeditiously. You are ready to return now?”
“You speak English?”
“I have a translator,” A Meliank clarified, gesturing to what must have been a pocket in his robes. “Dr. Harper tells me he has been stuck here for almost two months. Is that correct?”
“It is. One week here is one day in our world.”
“Then I imagine you must be anxious to return. Shall we go?”
Jack took one final look at Parí, joyous and peaceful looking as it slowly fell asleep. “Yes, it’s time to go.”
“Very well. Dr. Owen Harper, please take my hands.”
Owen placed his hands on top of A Meliank’s larger ones. He noticed that a round object, similar to the one that was imbedded into the frame was placed on the right palm. “This will take us home?”
“Yes. Just remember to breathe.”
Before Jack’s eyes, a soft white glow enveloped Owen’s hands, then his shoulders and soon his whole body. It blinded Jack for just a second and when he could see once more, Owen was gone. “That’s it?”
“Were you expecting something a bit more complicated?” A Meliank asked with a smile, showing Jack his sharp looking white teeth. “I assure you it is not as easy as it appears. It requires much of my energy to do this.”
“Do you need a minute to recover?”
“I will be fine. We must return you to your home. You have been missed. And Gaetiezzé is anxious to speak with you.”
“I’m rather surprised he didn’t come here himself, see what was inside the world he was guarding.”
“That is precisely why he did not. He has trusted me with the task.”
“Owen said you are his consort?”
“I believe that is the proper word for it, yes.”
“You’re his partner? You love him, would do anything for him?”
“Only that which I knew he would want me to do. And yes, I love him dearly.”
Jack was about to say more, but closed his mouth instead and swallowed thickly. “Get me out of here.”
“Take my hands, Captain and breathe.”
Jack tucked his sack of treasures under his arm and placed his hands into A Meliank’s. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He felt a warm, itchy sensation travel up from his fingertips to his hair and straight down his spine. Then he was engulfed with it. He wanted to scratch, but he couldn’t move his body.
As fast as the sensation came, it went, and Jack landed harshly onto a hard, cold surface.
“Oh, Jack! You’re back!”
Jack took a moment to take in his new location, damp, stale air, a pair of black stiletto shoes and the buzz of Rift energy teasing his senses. He was in the Hub, in Cardiff, in his world. Slowly, he got to his feet. He brushed the dirt off his trousers and plastered a fake smile on his face.
“Hello, ladies. Miss me?”
“Jack! We’re so glad you’re safe.” Both Susie and Tosh gave him very quick, awkward hugs before stepping away from him. Jack suddenly realised how disconnected his teammates were from one another if they could barely bring themselves to hug each other. He made a note to think on it more later on.
“Yes, safe and sound, not a scratch on me. Although, I have to say, that isn’t my favorite way to travel.”
“Unfortunately, Captain, it is the only known mode of transportation.”
Jack now noticed another member of the Fogniaccztir species standing nearby. He looked like A Meliank, but his attire showed him to be of higher rank. He was broader and his snow-white hair was spun into tight ringlets that bounced by his shoulder blades. “You must be Gaetiezzé.”
“I am Gaetiezzé, Guardian of this gateway. Would it be possible to continue our discussion in a more hospitable environment? Upstairs perhaps?”
“After you.” Jack and Gaetiezzé started to ascend the stairs with Susie and Owen close behind when Tosh stopped them.
“What about A Meliank? Shouldn’t we wait for him to return?”
“If you could please do that, Miss Toshiko Sato, I would be most grateful. Once he has returned safely, I would like him join us. You will direct him, yes?”
“Of course.”
“Thanks, Tosh,” Jack said with a small, genuine quirk of his lips.
Up in Jack’s office, the guardian filled the Captain in on what had transpired in his absence while the two other members of Torchwood 3 made coffee.
“It took some searching. Our historians went through many old documents, but they were able to locate information about retrieval from within the gateway. The stone that sealed the entrance was the key. Unfortunately, Ms. Costello said it was lost. We had to find another one. I do not think my team has had such an enjoyable time before. They were most excited about this project.”
“Well, I’m glad we were a good source of entertainment for you all.”
“I do not mean to be rude, just honest. This has not happened for many generations! We have never prepared for such an event. When we found a second stone, we were not certain if it would indeed work, but A Meliank insisted that he could do it.”
“And he did. He said it took a lot of energy to do it though.”
“He is very strong in body and mind.”
“So, what now, Gaetiezzé? I’m assuming you want to reclaim the painting.”
“Indeed we would. It has been in my family’s possession since its creation.”
“Creation? What do you mean?”
“Mythology is the main source of our information regarding the gateways.”
“Gateways? You mean there’s more than one?”
“Our ancestors created them and entrusted their care to the High Order families of which there are six.”
“The world I landed in was populated by humans though. Did your ancestors make a rift between realities?” Jack asked.
“I do not truly believe they did. Most of my people believe our ancestors helped colonise the corners of the universe and used the gateways to watch over them. However, it is, as I said, a myth. What we know for certain is that each generation is charged with their guardianship. How they came to be is irrelevant. They simply are and we guard them.” Gaetiezzé sighed before continuing his story. “It is documented that there was a war between one of the worlds and Dulrilkl. Once it was over, many years later, the Guardians agreed that the Fogniaccztir would never interfere again, never enter the gateway again. The stone was forged and sealed the gateway. No one has entered since.”
“Until Owen fell in.”
“And you followed. I have often wondered what kind of places were there. I know every image as well as I know my consort’s body. I am not going to ask you about where you were; it will be too much temptation. But, please tell me, was it a peaceful place? Was it surviving well?”
Jack looked at the alien sitting regally before him. He sounded like a concerned parent and in way Jack supposed he was one. “It was beautiful. It was thriving. There had been wars years before, but they were living peacefully. It was…” Jack’s voice trailed off as he thought about what he left behind. “You would have been proud, Gaetiezzé.”
The Guardian smiled. “Thank you, Captain. I appreciate your words.”
“It’s the truth. To be honest, it didn’t feel like I was stranded in a strange world at all.”
“You are missing it, aren’t you?”
Jack shrugged. “Time is different there. What was only three days here was almost a month there.”
“Oh,” was all the Guardian said, but his eyes were reading Jack. The Captain folded his arms across his chest and tried to look nonchalant.
“I don’t mean to contradict your beliefs, but I’m more inclined to believe that Owen and I were in an alternate reality,” Jack surmised. “It had to have been one because it was so similar to Earth.”
“You may believe what you want, Captain. I am sorry I cannot provide you with exact answers. They do not exist.”
Jack sighed. “I guess it doesn’t matter. We’re not going back there and I don’t think Owen and I made any lasting impacts that would affect the future, at least not enough to cause a war.”
Gaetiezzé was silent for a moment, watching the Captain as he toyed with the strap around his wrist, his mind obviously elsewhere. “I am also sorry for the confusion you must feel,” he said, breaking the Captain’s train of thought.
“What do you mean?”
“The light in your colleagues’ eyes is not returned. They were happy to see each other again and celebrated, but you did not. You smile when you do not wish to be smiling. But, it is obvious you care for them. That is conflicting, is it not?”
Jack snorted. “Don’t miss a thing, do you?”
“Not when it is so obvious,” Gaetiezzé remarked. “Again, I do not mean to be rude or presumptuous, but I feel responsible.”
Before the Guardian could continue, the sound of footsteps coming up from the basement was heard.
“That must be Tosh and A Meliank!” Susie called out from below.
Jack turned to look out the window just in time to see his technician and the consort enter the Hub. A Meliank was leaning heavily against the much shorter Toshiko.
“Gaetiezzé?” Jack started.
The Guardian must have sensed the distress and he was out of the office before the pair made it to the shabby couch. “A Meliank! What is wrong?”
The consort just chuckled as he settled himself on the couch, releasing Tosh to grab onto his worried lover. “Nothing, Tiez. I am just a little weak. Nothing that a spot of that dark drink won’t cure.”
“Here,” Jack said, taking a cup from the tray Susie carried. “You can have mine. I don’t need any.” In truth, Jack could have really used a good, strong cup of coffee, but like with so many things, Ianto had spoiled him on anything other than quality roasts.
“Thank you, Captain.” A Meliank took the cup and sipped from it gratefully. “I feel better already. Please do not fuss, Tiez.”
“I have every right to fuss, Mel, so just let me.”
Jack watched as the Guardian sat beside his consort and smoothed back a few loose strands of dark blue hair. They were so loving, from their pet names to the looks they gave each other as the Torchwood team set about debriefing everyone on their experiences. Jack stayed quiet, choosing instead to watch the guests from Dulrilkl. He’d had very little interaction with this species in the past and he was struck by them. They were beautiful, intelligent, caring, and incredibly observant. It was obvious that they were taken with his team as well; they listened eagerly to Tosh’s explanation of the programs she was working on and Susie’s discovery of a nest of Weevils.
“Needless to say, there was hardly a dull moment, Jack. I believe Tosh and I are owed time and a half!” The others laughed at Susie’s demand and Jack nodded his head in agreement.
“I’m sure we can work something out, Susie. And thank you for all you’ve done. But, I think it might be time for us to see to our guests. Will you be staying the night?”
“Your ladies have been most kind in preparing a room here for us. Our ship is in your car park and not nearly as comfortable as your mattresses,” Gaetiezzé informed Jack.
“If it wouldn’t be a bother, Captain, we should like to stay another Earth day.” A Meliank smiled through his fatigue, but Jack could tell that the man needed rest.
“I’d love for you to stay. Why doesn’t everyone go home and we’ll meet back here in the morning. Owen, I’m sure you’re eager to sleep in your own bed.” The medic just nodded. He hadn’t said much since he arrived back, seeming to take his lead from Jack, who was also quiet. “Then it’s settled.” Everyone dispersed, but Owen lingered by his Captain’s shoulder. “Something you needed, Owen?”
“When you didn’t appear in the basement immediately… I wondered if you ran.”
“After the way I left, how could I have gone back to him? No, you were right. My place is here with Torchwood. Go home, Owen. Get some sleep.”
“I don’t know if I can. I’m glad I’m back, but…”
“It feels weird, doesn’t it?” Jack asked, knowing exactly how he felt. “Try to get back into your routine and soon it will be as if you never left.”
“Are you going to take your own advice?”
“I’m heading down to my bunker. And tomorrow, we’ll finish the debriefing, see our new friends off, and get back to work. Just another day.”
“Jack, I’m - ”
“Owen, just go home, get some rest. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Owen huffed, but did as Jack asked and headed out of the Hub. Jack looked around and saw that everyone had gone. Jack took his time shutting things down, as he had every night before falling into the painting. Once everything was at rest, Jack went down to his bunker with his pillow sack. He slowly began the task of unpacking his belongings, hanging up the shirts, shelving the camera and separating the photos between the ones he was going to keep nearby and those that would be put away.
He sat on his camp bed with the stack of images on his lap. Carefully, trying to avoid smudging the pictures, he looked at the smiling face of his lover. Each one, both candid and posed, showed Ianto, happy and in love. It made Jack’s heart ache, thinking of Ianto’s face as he left the gallery. He wondered if he should just put all of the photos away and take them out again when the pain and heartache weren’t so acute. But, the thought of not seeing Ianto, even in just a captured image, for more than a day brought a sickening feeling that settled in his gut. Jack put one aside and placed the others in a drawer in his dresser. He propped the selected photo against his small table lamp, and laid down on his bed, looking at it.
It showed him and Ianto standing in front of the Louvre, their arms wrapped around each other. Jack remembered how excited he had been to see the museum as it was before the glass pyramids were erected. Through careful questioning, he found out that, to Ianto’s knowledge, no one had even suggested that such pieces be built.
It had been a good day, lots of sunshine, no work to do, just a long stretch of time to do with as they pleased. The tourist they had stopped to take the photo had been more than happy to take a few of them and Jack kept them all. He loved this one the most, a very close shot of them, their heads together, their smiles beaming.
Jack stared at it until his eyes were blurry with tears. He turned onto his back and let the small salty streams run down his face and wet his hair. He was exhausted and knew that at some point his body would give in and drag him into slumber, but he guessed that was several hours away. For the moment, he just let his mind drift where it wanted, always coming back to that look in Ianto’s eyes when he realised that Jack had lied to him.
The next morning, Jack, his team, and the Guardian were all gathered around the sofa having a breakfast of coffee, pastries and muffins.
“Are you sure A Meliank is alright? Should I take him something to eat?” Tosh asked, as the plates of food were almost bare.
“That would be very kind of you, Miss Sato,” Gaetiezzé said. “And I’m sure he would love some coffee. But, I will take it to him. He was still weak when he awoke this morning. I’m sure this food will be most welcome.”
Gaetiezzé took a plate and two cups of coffee and went to deliver them to his consort.
“They’re sweet, aren’t they?” Tosh commented.
“Very,” Susie agreed with little interest.
“A Meliank told me that when they get back, they are going to try to start a family. Can you imagine?”
“What? The two of them? They’re both blokes!” Owen exclaimed.
“Alien biology is not the same as human, Owen. And no, you may not ask them how it works.”
“But, Jack! Think of what we could learn - ”
“It’d be rude, Owen. Let them be.”
Owen continued to grumble, but let the matter drop.
“So,” Susie began, “are you guys going to tell us what you’ve been up to for the past few weeks?”
“Yes!” Tosh said. “Tell us, what was it like in there?”
Owen and Jack exchanged a look, which Owen broke in favor of shoveling flaky croissant into his mouth. Jack sighed. “Well, it was basically an alternative Earth. Everyone was human and things were pretty much the same, but there were a few differences. We landed in Paris, or Parí, as it was called.”
“Paris? You lucky arse bastards! We’re running around like crazy, trying to bring you home and all the while you are kicking up your heels in Paris!” Susie shouted. “Unbelievable, Tosh. Looks like Jack owes us some holiday time as well as time and a half.”
“No holidays, ladies. The last thing Owen and I need is anymore time without your lovely company.” Jack winked at them before gulping down his coffee. It was hot and soothing, but it tasted like ash in his mouth. He smiled as he swallowed the drink. “Besides, it wasn’t like Owen and I were loafing about. We had to work you know.”
“Yeah, we did, almost every night!” Owen added.
“Doing what exactly?”
“We worked in a jazz club on the Left Bank.”
“Bartending?”
“Entertaining,” Jack replied, grinning. “You are looking at two former stars of the Bleu Allée nightclub. Owen Harper, accomplished pianist.”
“And Jack Harkness, crooner extraordinaire!”
Tosh shook her head. “I don’t believe you. There’s no way.”
“Believe what you want, Tosh. Jack and I were brilliant and everyone loved us.”
“If it was so wonderful, why’d you bother coming back?” Susie asked sarcastically.
Jack blinked against the brief stab of hurt and was thankful when Owen answered her remark. “If you were going to be this ungrateful, we wouldn’t have done.”
“No, no, we’re glad you’re back, honestly,” Tosh conceded. “This just means you’re going to have to give us a duet sometime when we’re here late.”
“When we’re pissed is more like it.”
“I’ll leave that to you three then,” Jack said, rising from his spot at the table. “I believe there is a certain Ms. Hartman that has been waiting for me to return her call. Can someone just give me a shout when our guests come back up? Although, if Tosh is correct, perhaps they couldn’t resist christening the hotel room!” Jack gave a leer and a laugh before heading up to his office.
It was true that the leader of Torchwood wanted to speak with him, but he normally would never rush to call her. Jack just really wanted to avoid any more questions and comments from the team. He trusted Owen to tell their stories and edit appropriately.
“Back to the grind,” he mumbled as he picked up his phone and dialed the London office. Soon he was connected to Yvonne’s line and her grating voice invaded his ear. “Yvonne! I hear you’ve been impatient for me.”
“I don’t like waiting Harkness. Where have you been? Your staff hasn’t been forthcoming.”
“That’s because they’re my staff and not your toadies. Now, what can I do for you?”
Jack managed to get off the phone with the head of Torchwood in just less than thirty minutes. Not bad, he thought. He stretched his arms above his head and was about to check his e-mail when a thought hit him like a bullet.
Quickly, he pulled one of his search programs and began typing in names of the friends he made in Parí. If it was an alternate reality, was it possible that there were versions of them in his universe? He almost refrained from typing in Ianto’s name, but he decided he had to know. He set the program running, searching for information on Gwen Cooper, Rhys Williams and Ianto Jones. He put in their ages and their birthplaces and hoped to find the answer quickly.
He spent the rest of the day checking his e-mails, returning phone calls and catching up on paperwork. He made sure his guests were well. The two aliens spent most of the day with Toshiko and Owen, learning about Earth and about the work that the team members did. Susie isolated herself away with some new project and only appeared for food.
It was evening by the time Jack’s search was complete. After sifting through all of the information, it became clear that no one was a match. Jack swallowed thickly. When he did the search, he wasn’t sure if he wanted other versions of his new friends to pop up on his computer screen. However, faced with the fact that there wasn’t a spunky Gwen Cooper, or a heroic Rhys Williams in his life anymore was more upsetting than he expected. And his world wouldn’t know the beauty that was his lover could bring. Jack shook his head viciously, trying to regain focus and push down his sorrow.
He was saved from his sad thoughts by an alarm sounding. He jumped up from his chair, grabbed his coat from the rack and jogged out of his office.
“Weevils?” he called out over the Hub.
“Looks like,” Tosh said, as she tapped on her computer trying to find the aliens’ location.
“Good. I could go for a bit of running. Let’s roll!”
“Captain? If I could detain you?”
Jack turned and saw Gaetiezzé standing by the pool of water to the left. “Not the best time, Gaetiezzé. We need to take care of a little problem.”
“If it is so little, surely your team can handle it. Please do me this favor, Captain Harkness.”
“Stay, Jack. We’ll take care of it,” Susie assured him.
“Them,” Tosh corrected. “It’s a pair of them.”
“Fine. Susie, take Tosh and Owen with you. Call if you get into trouble.” Jack waited until his team was armed and charging out the door. “What is it? Is something wrong with A Meliank?”
Gaetiezzé shook his head, his curls flying into his handsome face as he did so. “There is nothing wrong with him, but I do wish to speak to you about him. I thought it best for this conversation to remain private.” His dark eyes indicated the now shut entrance into Torchwood 3
“Very well. You certainly have my attention.” Jack put his hands in his pockets and stood firm.
Gaetiezzé regarded the Captain with a friendly gaze before facing the shimmering pool. “I have known Mel all of my life. We were raised together and our parents always planned for us to be bound to one another. Unlike some, we did not mind this arrangement. We never fought it, never questioned it. We knew our parents’ will would be obeyed and in truth I never wanted to be with anyone else. It is not always easy; we fight often. Mel is extremely stubborn and rarely relents in an argument when he believes whole-heartedly he is in the right. I love him for that, among many other things.”
Gaetiezzé paused to face Jack, who was watching him curiously. “I am a blessed man, Captain. As a member of the High Order, I am away often for government work and since I cannot bear to be parted from him, Mel accompanies me. He doesn’t like all the travelling. He wants to be at home. He wants to carry my children. He puts it aside for me because he returns the love I give equally.”
“This all very nice, Gaetiezzé and I agree, you are very lucky. But, why are you telling me all of this? I could tell how much you loved each other within moments of meeting you.”
Gaetiezzé blushed, or at least, Jack thought it was blush; the alien’s lavender skin darkened to a rose color. “Thank you, Captain. I am telling you all of this so that you will understand why I have allowed a breach of protocol.”
Jack’s eyes darkened. “What protocol?”
“A Meliank is a strong, intelligent man. He may not hold my rank, but he has my heart and my respect. I know he would not have done this unless he had carefully thought it through.”
“Do stop asking for forgiveness, Tiez,” A Meliank stated as he came up the stairs from the basement. In his hands was the painting, the stone used to retrieve them embedded in the frame.
Jack saw it and he felt his heart sink just a bit more. A Meliank had closed the world. No more interference, just guardianship. “What have you done that needs forgiving?”
“I do not believe anything, Captain. However, Tiez does not want you to think him a weak minded man so he is giving you explanations when all you have to do is use your eyes.”
“Use my eyes?”
“And ears.”
Jack was confused as to what A Meliank meant until he heard the soft step of feet on the stairs. Jack watched as the consort grinned, smugly, and moved over to his mate. The sound grew closer and closer. Jack breathed more deeply, worried about what was coming from the basement. He looked to his guests who were both calm. When Jack’s eyes returned to the stairs he had to blink several times.
Standing there with a suitcase clutched in his hand was someone Jack had never thought he’d lay eyes on again.
“Ianto?”