Chapter 1
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, everything belongs to its rightful owners
AN1: So I have been watching Doctor Who/Torchwood lately and I wanted to write, but couldn't figure out how to continue my other story so I decided to write this. I really love the dynamic between Nine/Jack/Rose and it made me sad that we didn't see Ten/Rose/Jack travel together so I decided to write this.
In Torchwood this is set after Meat and in Doctor who it is post Voyage of the Damned and before the start of series four.
AN2: I'll continue my other stories as soon as I'm finish this story, I just felt the need to write it.
It has been three days since Rhys found out about Torchwood and under normal circumstances Jack would have retconned both Gwen and Rhys but he couldn't do it, not to Gwen. Honestly Jack isn't completely sure why he didn't retcon her, maybe it was because she's someone who's important to him, or because he lets himself be open with her or maybe even because she reminds him of Rose, he doesn't know and he suspects that he will never.
It's early evening and Jack is sitting in his office finishing the briefings he writes for UNIT.
"JACK!" Tosh's voice yells and in a flash Jack hurries out to his team.
"What is it?" Jack asks as he runs across the hub.
"Huge Rift spike is just starting. Alley between warehouses near the river." Tosh explains.
"Ianto, Owen, Gwen with me. Tosh direct from here." Jack says as she runs to grab his jacket and gun before leaving the hub, Ianto, Owen and Gwen right behind him.
Five minutes later Jack, Owen, Gwen and Ianto are on their way to the location when the rift spike is.
"Jack, take the next turn. The spike is starting about a hundred meters down." Tosh informs Jack.
"Got it." Jack says before taking the turn fast, which causes the others to hold on tightly and a few seconds later Jack slams on the breaks and throws open the door as he does a portal seems to be open and a woman seemingly rolls out.
"Oh ouch." The woman says and as he hears the voice Jack doesn't believe it until the woman starts to push herself up and he sees her face.
"Rose." Jack says shocked as he lowers his gun and puts it back in his holster.
"Jack, who is she?" Gwen asks as the girl, Rose Tyler, who Jack can't believe he is seeing again after what The Doctor said, looks over at him.
"Jack? Oh my god, Jack!" Rose says sounding both thrilled and amazed as she gets up and run towards Jack, and as she starts to run, he does too and they meet half way between where Jack was and where Rose was and embrace each other, nether noticing the words 'Bad Wolf' written on the wall behind Rose, "I've missed you soo much." Rose says as Jack picks her up and swings her around as he hugs her.
"I've missed you too." Jack says as he holds Rose, honestly he doesn't want to let go, but he knows he has to, "What are you doing here? I thought you were in a Parallel Universe." Jack says as he reluctantly puts Rose down.
"I've been trying to find a way back and I decided to use the rift in a way that wouldn't cause all universes to end. I wasn't sure if it would work or not, but guess it did." Rose says as she looks around, "What about you? You're supposed to be in 200,100 rebuilding the earth, not the twenty first century."
"It's a long story." Jack explains, being pretty sure that he's going to have to explain that to his team, "I can't believe you're here."
"I can't believe you're here." Rose says and they embrace each other once more.
"Are we going to do our say things three times again?" Jack asks curious and Ron just smiles back at him.
"Jack, what's going on? Who is this?" Gwen ask as Jack and Rose hold each other tightly.
"Oh, right. Gwen Cooper, Ianto Jones, Owen Harper, I would like you to meet Rose Tyler. Rose meet my team." Jack introduces once he and Rose break apart once more
"It's nice to meet you." Rose says with a smile, "You have a team?" she asks Jack.
"Since Canary Wharf I've been rebuilding Torchwood, making it better, in The Doctor's Honour, in your honour. I didn't know you survived until recently." Jack explains.
"That's funny I've been doing the same thing where I was." Rose explains then realises what Jack said, "Wait, have you been in the Twenty First century since the Game Station?"
"Game Station?" Gwen asks Owen and Ianto.
"No idea." Ianto admits and Owen just looks confused.
"Not exactly. Like I said, it's a long story." Jack explains.
"JACK! BEHIND YOU!" Owen yells allowing Jack to turn, just in time to see a Weevil coming towards him and Rose and acting on instinct Jack pushes her out of the way and in the second it takes him to do that Jack's chest is sliced up.
"JACK!" Rose yells, tears coming to her eyes, sounding terrified as Gwen, Owen and Ianto take on the Weevil, "No, no, no." Rose says as she hurries over to him, "No, you can't do this to me. Not when I've just met you again. Jack! HELP ME!" Rose yells as Gwen, Owen and Ianto, "We've got to get him to hospital."
"No we don't. He'll be fine." Owen informs Rose.
"What are you talking about? He's dying, he needs help." Rose says, causing Gwen, Owen and Ianto to exchange confused looks, "Stay with me, Jack. Please stay with me." Rose says as she moves Jack's head onto her lap, she knows that it doesn't look like he's breathing, but she can't believe it, she won't
"You don't know." Gwen realises as Owen and Ianto take the Weevil to the back of the SUV, "You knew him before." She realises, looking completely shocked at that.
"Before what?" Rose ask confused, but before anyone can answer her Jack gasps back to life causing Rose to scream "What was that?" she asks confused.
"Hello." Jack says to Rose as he looks up at her.
"Hello." Rose says, not sure what else to say, how to comprehend everything.
"Hello." Jack responds with a smile.
"Don't start that. How are you talking to me right now?" Rose ask, looking shocked as even her time with The Doctor and her time on the parallel universe hasn't prepared her for seeing Jack die and come back to life.
"It's part of my long story." Jack explains as he sits up, "I'll explain back at The Hub." He explains.
"You're not even cut." Rose says shocked as she reaches out and touches his chest.
"Jack, we've got to get going." Ianto says.
"Okay." Jack calls over his shoulder before turning back to Rose who looks worried, "I'm okay, Rose really. I'll explain everything." Jack says as he stands up, "You coming?" he asks as he sticks out his hand for Rose to grab.
"Of course." Rose says as she takes Jacks hand and after they exchange smiles Rose and Jack head back to the SUV and to the surprise of the team Jack sits in the back with Rose and Gwen allowing Owen and Ianto to sit in the front.
"So, have you two known each other a long time?" Gwen asks curious as Owen starts to drive.
"Oh yes." Jack answers, "I was a completely different man when we met." He admits, Rose being the only one who understands that truth and gravity of that statement.
"I was hanging off a barrage balloon." Rose says with a grin, "You saved me."
"It was quiet the entrance. I couldn't resist." Jack says, smiling fondly as he remembers, as he does he remembers something that he learnt in second time in the forties, "Oh guess what I learnt. I forgot to turn off Big Ben. It got hit because you wanted to know the time." Jack informs Rose to the complete confusion of his team.
"That wasn't my fault! You're the one who was showing off." Rose teases.
"I was not showing off!" Jack objects.
"Dancing on an invisible spaceship that was teethed to big ben in the middle of an air raid isn't showing off? What do you call it then?" Rose asks as Jack's team exchange confused looks, not understanding what is going on.
"I was trying to close a deal!" Jack explains.
"With champagne and dancing?"
"I was trying to help you relax."
"I think you had more than relaxation on your mind." Rose comments and Jack just laughs, "God, I've missed you."
"Right back at you." Jack says as he puts his arm around Rose and pulls her into his side, feeling that Rose snuggles in, causing Jacks team to exchange looks as while Jack is affectionate with everyone this is a different type of affectionate, an openness they have never seen Jack show.
When they get back to The Hub Jack gets Owen to drop him and Rose off on the plaza.
"I want to show you the grand entrance." Jack explains as he and Rose get out the car, "I'll see you downstairs." Jack tells his team.
"Do you remember the last time we were here together?" Rose asks curious as she and Jack link arms and start to walk.
"Of course. Micky told us that we thought we were all so cleaver." Jack says, remembering that.
"That's exactly what we thought." Rose comments.
"That's because it was true." Jack says smiling, "How is Micky Mouse? He was with you, right?" Jack asks curious.
"Yeah, he was. He's good. He really likes it there." Rose explains, she told her parents and Micky what she was doing before she left and they all wished her luck, once they realised that they wouldn't stop her, and Micky promised that he would look after her family.
"Good. That's good." Jack explains, "So at some point the TARDIS left something behind, want to see?" he asks curious.
"Of course." Rose answers and Jack steps forward and ono the invisible lift, because he and Rose are still linked arms she steps on too.
"Rose Tyler, welcome to Torchwood Three." Jack says as he activates the lift with his Vortex Manipulator.
As The lift lowers Rose looks around looking amazed.
"You have a better base than me." Rose informs Jack who just grins.
"Good to know." Jack says amused, "I'm pretty fond of it." He explains and as the lift lowers Jack's team walks over all four of them having looks on interest on their faces, it being clear that they all want answers about who Rose is and what she means to Jack.
"Rose Tyler, Toshiko Sato." Jack introduces.
"It's nice to meet you." Rose says with a smile, "So is this all of Torchwood three?" she asks Jack curious.
"This is basically all of Torchwood now. I'm doing things differently. Torchwood one got too big, was too out of control." He says.
"Can't argue with you there." Rose admits, looking around, "So, do you want to give me a tour?"
"How about a story first, then a tour." Jack suggests.
"Sounds good to me." Rose says and she follows Jack to his office.
"Okay, who was that?" Owen asks the others once Rose and Jack are in his office.
"No idea. But they seem close." Gwen comments.
"I would agree, but she didn't know that he could come back to life." Ianto points out.
"That could just mean that she knew him before he became immortal." Tosh comments.
"Considering the way there were talking I think that's a pretty good chance." Gwen admits.
"What happened to you, Jack?" Rose asks once he and Jack are in his office and the two of them are sitting down
"You." Jack answers and Rose just looks confused.
"What are you talking about?" Rose asks confused.
"He didn't tell you, of course he didn't." Jack comments realising that he shouldn't be surprised, "What do you remember about that day, the day with the Dalek's, the last time we saw each other?" Jack ask curious, needing to know because he needs to know what gaps to fill.
"I opened the TARDIS and then everything's kind of blank until I woke up on the TARDIS and he started to change." Rose explains, "But I know that I destroyed the Dalek's. I know that I took the time vortex into me, right?"
"Yeah." Jack confirms, "When you got back, I was already dead so after you destroyed the Dalek's you brought me back. But, according to The Doctor you couldn't control the power so you brought me back forever. I became a fixed point in time and space, a fact."
"So you'll never die, because of me?" Rose ask and Jack nods, "And he knew! He told me that you were rebuilding the earth. But he left you on purpose, didn't he?" Rose asks.
"Yeah, he did." Jack says and Rose looks furious, "It's more complicated than you think." Jack says quickly, "As a Time Lord I feel wrong to him, because I shouldn't exist or I did. I don't know if I still do." He explains, "The TARDIS didn't like me at all either. She went to the end of the universe with me clucking on to the outside."
"That doesn't make leaving you okay." Rose comments, it being clear that she isn't happy that The Doctor left Jack, "So, you've seen him since I left. How is he?" she asks, concerned
"He misses you, he misses you a lot, and when I was with him he went through something bad." Jack explains.
"Is he alone?" Rose asks curious.
"He wasn't when I was with him, but last I knew he was now." Jack explains.
"He shouldn't be alone." Rose says sadly, "How did you end up here, in this time?" Rose asks but before Jack can answer he sees Gwen standing at the door.
"Yes, Gwen?" Jack asks curious.
"Rhys is bringing dinner in. Do you and Rose want food?" Gwen asks curious.
Hearing the question Jack looks to Rose who nods, "Sure, that would be great. Let us know when Rhys gets here."
"Sure." Gwen says before leaving.
"Rhys?" Rose asks curious.
"Gwen's fiancé. He found out the truth. Normally his memories would be erased, but I couldn't do that this time." Jack admits.
"Aww, you're still a big old softy underneath everything." Rose says with a teasing smiling.
"Don't spread it around I have a reputation to uphold." Jack says playfully, "So, are you sure that you want to know how I got here? It's a long story."
"Of course I want to know." Rose says.
"Well, I came to just in time to see the TARDIS take off, and all I knew is that I had to see you and him again." Jack admits, "It was a good thing I still had this." Jack says showing Rose his wrist.
"Your Vortex Manipulator."
"Yep." Jack confirms, "I knew that my best chance of catching up with you again was the twenty first century. So, I used my Vortex Manipulator, but I over shot and I ended up in 1869 and it burned out. I was stuck." Jack explains.
"So, you've been waiting for over a hundred years?" Rose asks shocked.
"Yeah. I've spent most of my time in Cardiff waiting for the Doctor to come and refill, trying to figure out why I couldn't die when everyone around me did." Jack says sadly, then before he can say anymore Rose rushes over sits on his lap and hugs him once more.
"I'm so sorry, Jack. I'm sorry that I did this to you that I made you suffer like this." Rose says as she hugs Jack tightly.
"It's okay. You didn't know, it's okay Rose." Jack says as he hugs Rose, placing a kiss on forehead.
"No, it's not." Rose says as they break apart, "Have you always worked for Torchwood?"
"Not always." Jack answers, "I did all kinds of things." He admits, "Visited places and people. Which reminds me, why didn't you ever tell me that you did Gymnastics?" he asks curios.
"It was a long time ago. How'd you find out?" Rose asks curious.
"I paid some visits to your old estate. I watched you win bronze. I never said hello because I couldn't mess with the timelines, but it felt good to see you." Jack explains.
"Wow." Rose says shocked give Jack one more hug and kissing his cheek before standing up, "So, this team of yours. What are they like?"
"Well there's Owen, he's our doctor. Has a bit of short fuse and I let him get under my skin more than I should. Then you've got Tosh, she's our genius, there is basically nothing that she can't do. Then you've got Gwen, she's a former police office, actually has a life outside Torchwood so she reminds us what that is like. Then there's Ianto, he keeps us all from falling apart, probably runs more things behind the scenes that I do." Jack admits with a smirk.
"Sounds like a great team." Rose comments, "So, what do they know about you?" Rose asks wanting to know that so that she doesn't give away something that Jack hasn't said.
"Not much. They know I can't die, and that I had been waiting for the right kind of doctor but that's basically it; and with the exception of Tosh who knows it for a fact, they have all assumed that my name isn't Captain Jack Harkness, although after all this time it feels like it is more my name than any other." He admits.
"So, I see you're still struggling with letting people see the real you." Rose comments, knowing that before her and The Doctor came along that was a real problem for Jack.
"It's just gotten easier not to." Jack admits and he and Rose drift into silence, honestly neither of them are sure what to say.
"So, is there any chance you know where he currently is? Where I could find him?" Rose asks curious after about five minutes of silence.
"Sorry, no chance." Jack admits, as Rose tries not to show how hurt she is by that, "But, he has a phone now. And I just happen to have the number." He reveals as after Martha left the Doctor she called him and gave him the number for The Doctor, just in case.
"Really?" Rose asks, being surprised by that.
"Really." Jack says as he pulls out his phone and calls the number for The Doctor. "Voicemail, really? I didn't even think he had that." Jack comments, causing Rose to laugh as he waits for the beep, "Hey, Doctor, it's me Jack. Something's come through the rift that you're going to want to see, it's not dangerous; just something you're really going to want to see. I'm at Torchwood, come by when you get this." Jack says before hanging up.
"Why didn't you tell him it was me?" Rose asks curious.
"His reaction is going to be better this way." Jack explains, "If you don't mind putting up with me, I'll wait a week and if hasn't called back or visited I'll call again and tell him."
"It's not putting up with you, Jack, I really want to spend time with you." Rose reveals, honestly she is thinking that even though she really wants to see The Doctor she also really wants to spend some time with Jack so a part of her is hoping that it takes The Doctor a few days to respond to Jack's message.
"JACK FOOD'S HERE!" Gwen' voice yells.
"Hungry?"
"Starved." Rose answers and she and Jack head out of his office, "I just noticed, the coat, it's the same as what you were wearing when we first met, why?" Rose asks curious as they walk out of the office.
"I liked it. I actually recreated it when I had time." Jack admits as after he realised he was stuck he didn't want to have to wait until world war two to have the coat he loved again.
"Why?" Rose ask, as they head upstairs, not seeing why Jack would remake that.
"It reminded me you, and The Doctor, of the person that you two showed me I could be. The person I wanted to be." Jack admits.
"Wow, Jack." Rose says as they walk into the conference room. Honestly she isn't sure how to respond to that.
"Rose, Rhys, Rhys, Rose." Jack reveals as he and Rose walk into the conference room
"It's nice to meet you." Rose reveals as Jack sits down at the head of the table and Rose pulls a chair over so that she is sitting right next to Jack, on his right side.
"Yeah, you too. Do you work for Torchwood too? Gwen didn't mention you." Rhys comments.
"No, I don't work for Torchwood, not this Torchwood anyway. Jack's an old friend, we crossed paths again." Rose explains.
"Oh, old friends. How did you meet?" Rhys asks, not realising how big of deal that is.
"Yeah, how did you meet? You weren't making much sense in the car." Owen comments.
"Yeah, we wouldn't have." Jack admits as he and Rose exchange looks and Jack gives her a nod.
"I was traveling, got into a bit of bother. Jack found me hanging from a barrage balloon, with a union jack on my shirt, during a German air raid." Rose reveals, looking amused as she realises how ridiculous that all sounds.
"That was a really great shirt." Jack says, grinning a Rose.
"It really was." Rose confirms.
"German Air raid?" Ianto asks confused, "When was this?"
"January 20th 1941." Jack says as he takes a bite of his food, honestly he finds the looks of complete shock on his team and Rhys's faces rather amusing.
"What were you doing in 1941?" Gwen asks confused.
"How were you in 1941?" Rhys asks looking even more confused than everyone else in the room.
"I had some business to attend to there." Jack explains, causing Rose to snort.
"Business, really? That's what you're calling it?" Rose asks, giving Jack a look.
"I think it's fitting." Jack comments.
"I could think of a few more words that are even more fitting." Rose informs Jack.
"I know you could." Jack says with a smirk, "But you're not going to."
"No, I'm not." Rose confirms.
"In the car, did you say something about a spaceship teethed to Big Ben?" Owen asks curious, realising that this may just be their chance to get some answers about who Jack is.
"Yep, it was how I was getting around in 1941." Jack explains
"How did you get a spaceship in 1941?" Tosh asks curious.
"I borrowed it before I arrived." Jack explains and honestly the more Jack says the more confused his team and Rhys become.
"You know, Jack, borrowing implies that you intended to give it back." Rose tells her friend.
"I did! Until it blew up." Jack explains, causing the others to exchange looks, "I was just glad that you two decided to give me a lift." Jack says, "It was great, wasn't it, the three of us traveling together?"
"Traveling, in 1941?" Gwen asks curious.
"No, all over." Jack says, "We went to incredible places, saw incredible things." Jack says smiling at Rose.
"Yeah, we did." Rose confirms as she and Jack exchange a private look, it seemingly to the others that there are sharing something that the others don't understand.
"When Rose saw you she said that you were meant to be in 200,100 is that we're you're from?" Ianto asks Jack curious.
"No, it was just…..." Jack starts to say before trailing off.
"Where we said goodbye." Rose explains, seeing that Jack isn't going to, "Some things happened. I was sent home, to this century, while Jack fought for the earth." She explains, while the team and Rhys look at Jack who is making an effort to look at his plate, not anyone else.
"Jack's been working for Torchwood for years. Why haven't you found each other sooner?" Gwen asks.
"I was told that Jack was rebuilding the earth in the future." Rose explains.
"And up until recently I thought Rose died at Canary Wharf, but she was in fact in a parallel universe." Jack explains, looking sadly at Rose.
"You're barking! None of this is possible." Rhys tells Jack.
"It is actually, very possible." Jack tells Rhys.
"You were at Canary Wharf?" Ianto asks Rose.
"Yes." Rose confirms and Jack reaches over and takes her hand.
"So was I." Ianto reveals.
"I'm sorry." Rose says and Inato nods.
"Are you going to explain how all this is possible?" Rhys asks curious.
"No." Jack says, "I'll be in my office." Jack says picking up his plate and leaving the common area as talking to Rose about what happened is one thing, but talking to his team about it is another thing all together and isn't something he wants to do right now.