Fic: A Man Not Alone by sam_storyteller

[kalichan]

Title: A Man Not Alone
Author: sam_storyteller [aka copperbadge]
Rating: standard
Length: ~4500 words, oneshot
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Jack/Ianto, Gwen, Owen, Tosh, John Hart
Genre/Category: timey-wimey
Warnings: none
Spoilers: 2x07: Dead Man Walking
Summary: Ianto Jones knows why Jack is Torchwood's leader. Jack knows what Ianto Jones will be.

Why you should read it:

Comments

[such_heights]

Yes! I adore this story beyond telling. And however Torchwood actually does end, this will still be my canon I should think.

[kalichan]

Oh yeah! The John Hart thing, in particular. Because, I mean, wow. Why not just slaughter them all? What's the mileage in giving them a chance? And how convenient to only kill the one who can't die!

And I just love fanboy!Jack meeting them all and being all, "zomg! my heroes!"

[itcamefromjapan]

This is so funny. I just reread this yesterday, after not having done so in months. At the time, I was thinking, this has to become canon. It has to. And, well, needless to say, it didn't, but I still love it like crazy.

[kalichan]

Yeah, I actually forgot it was by sam for awhile, so it took me some time to relocate, but it is still made of awesome.

[fmanalyst]

It intrigues me that you're the one promoting this gorgeous story because I'd been reminded of it while reading the series you and rm have been writing it, this sense that Jack is educating Ianto for the future because it's Ianto who needs to be ready.

[kalichan]

Well, thank you. That is a fabulous compliment. The spiralling nature of the timelines -- the future creating the past, the sense that all times are now, the 'always already-ness' of it -- is something that is also central to IHNIIBT, and as you point out, is in the grand tradition of stories like "A Man Not Alone" not to mention Doctor Who itself, so hearing that you were reminded of it in ours is truly awesome.

[fmanalyst]

I've been reading back through IHNIIBT lately, and I'd been getting those vibes from your Jack. And yes, "always already", as much of cliche as it's become in theory circles, is precisely the term in that the timelines are recursive. Over lunch today I was thinking about the founding of Torchwood during the 10th doctor's regeneration. So I started wondering: Does Torchwood exist in the doctor's timeline for his earlier regenerations? And what of the man in "Rose" who had tracked the 9th regeneration at various points in history?

[kalichan]

And yes, "always already", as much of cliche as it's become in theory circles, is precisely the term in that the timelines are recursive.

Theory Sound Bites Infiltrate Fandom, film @ 11. *grin* I'm not much of a Derridean myself, but the phrase seemed apt.

Does Torchwood exist in the doctor's timeline for his earlier regenerations?

Well, it exists for the Ninth Doctor's timeline at least: it's the answer for one of the questions that is asked in the Weakest Link bit. And then there's Face of Boe. As for Classic!Who, I don't know. I hope it does on some level, but the Doctor has always been able to rewrite his own timeline.

On the other hand, I always thought that the man who showed Rose all the Ninth Doctor pics ought to have had pictures of other Doctors around as well. I also sometimes subscribe to the theory that Nine took off -- when Rose refuses to go with him the first time -- and only then is present in all those pictures at the Titanic and Krakatoa and the Kennedy assassination.