Authors note: thank you all for reviewing, putting me on alert and favourites. This last chapter is dedicated to you all.
Previously:
"Gwen, you coming with me or are you staying with the Doctor?" Jack asked
Everyone's eyes were on me and I realised that I had to make a choice. The TARDIS or Torchwood. My team or Rose. My best friend the Doctor or the man I love Jack.
"I…" Gwen said shaking her head "I…don't know…I honestly don't know Jack"
Jack looked away hoping she won't see the sadness in his face. Hoping that she won't see how disappointed he is that she didn't pick him straight away like he picked her. Like Rose picked the Doctor.
"Oh…" he mumbled, he looked over to Rose and the Doctor and quickly changed the topic. "How did you get back Rosie? I thought it was supposed to be impossible"
Rose grinned "Gwen researched the rift, thought if the TARDIS travelled through the rift it'll get in Pete's world without cracking the walls of time and space. She spent months on it. Was going to show the Doctor in Cardiff but ended up at the end of the universe. The Master found the research and used it. So he could have his fun and games" her smile turned into a frown when she talked about the Master. Nobody pushed her into details.
The silence was deafening and the Doctor jumped up and clapped his hands. "Cardiff, May 2007 right? Good, here we go"
The TARDIS rocked about briefly before landing smoothly. Jack looked over to Gwen who made no movement to the door.
"Well then…" he said smiling stiffly "I better go then" he turned to the door and exited. He could hear footsteps. He turned smiling thinking Gwen was behind him, instead the Doctor was.
"Hand me your vortex manipulator I can't afford you time travelling" he said holding his hand out. Jack sighed but handed it over.
"Rose" Gwen said softly "the Doctor is my best friend and if you weren't here I would have stayed…I won't leave him alone."
Rose pulled Gwen into a hug "Gwen Cooper you are fantastic" she whispered "thank you so much for looking after him"
"You know" Jack said "I was born in the Boeshane Pensulia. My nickname was the Face of Boe because of my good looks"
Gwen, Rose and the Doctor exchanged looks before bursting out into hysterical laughter.
"What?" Jack asked "what are you three hiding"
Gwen slipped an arm through Jack's "oh honey if I could tell you I will but that would spoil the future for you"
"You were brilliant Gwen Cooper" the Doctor said changing the subject "and I'm glad I met you. I'm sorry what I said about Torchwood. If it's got workers like you, then it's not all that bad."
"You better come and visit" Gwen said "and I'm keeping the key no way am I doing a Jack and jump on top of the TARDIS"
"What?" Jack blinked "I'm confused, I thought you were staying with the Doctor and Rose"
"Nah, two's a couple, three's a crowd" Gwen said "and five is family" she added softly smiling up at Jack. Jack smiled back and the pair stared at each other, not realising that Rose and the Doctor had slipped away until the TARDIS engines started.
We walked along the street hand in hand, exchanging stories and laughing. Jack paused when he saw a newspaper.
"Oh no way" he said "bloody hell his piloting skills have not changed at all. Or if they had only for the worse"
He held out the paper and I caught two words. January 2008. Ah shit, the others are so going to kill me and Jack, I've been gone almost two years and him nearly a year.
"Shall we get dinner first?" I asked "a last supper kind of thing"
"Sure" Jack said.
The next few hours went quickly and Jack decided he wanted a dramatic entrance. We followed the voices on Jack's comm. And tracked the three in a house trying to capture a giant blowfish that hijacked a sports car.
"Stay here" Jack hissed in my ear as he slipped against the wall round the corner.
I caught bits of the blowfish insulting Ianto, when suddenly I hear a gun shot and Jack saying. "Hey kids, you missed me?" he then reached out from behind and grabbed my hand "I brought you a present" he said pulling me round.
"Gwen…" Ianto whispered
"You're shitting me" Owen muttered
"My god" Tosh whispered looking gob smacked.
Next thing I know the three of them have me and Jack locked in some tight group hug. And I grin happily. Because I am Gwen Cooper, Torchwood recruit. I used to be the Doctor's companion but I had made my choice. And you know what? I wouldn't have it anyway.
Author's note: the end. Thank you all for reading and please review one last time.