Things Fall Apart
Jun. 23rd, 2010 08:13 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ericadawn16Title: But Time Marches On
Characters: Alice, Jack, Gwen, David, Emyr, Rhi Jack/Ianto, Gwen/Rhys, David/Emyr
Rated: PG-13 ANGST COE Spoilers MPREG
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Summary: Jack doesn't open up.
Author's Note: The Sequel to But Time Didn't Stop
Previous Chapter: Confirmed
Masterlist: http://ericadawn16.livejournal.com/113396.html
Things Fall Apart
"What?" Alice hissed as it felt like the world had dropped out from under her.
"Not here," Thomas spoke since they were surrounded by acquaintances. They strode away from the area with the knowledge that the other parents would watch Lucia.
"I've tried, I've tried to understand, but I can't. I don't know you anymore. You're like a stranger," Thomas uttered and his green eyes were glimmering. She was trying not to lose it either.
"But what...what am I supposed to do? We're married. We have children," she spat because she didn't want to go through this again especially now. Divorce was bad enough without being pregnant during it.
"I know. I know. I loved you. I still love you. I just...I just can't do this now, but it is your house and a girl should be with her mama. I'll live with my sister or someone while I get my own place and...and decide things," Thomas explained except it seemed like he had already decided things. Alice sniffled and rubbed her eyes. Thomas almost made a motion to comfort her.
"Right, okay, the important thing is that we keep things civil for Lucia and the new baby," Alice agreed and nodded. At least, it meant an end to wondering how things stood. Marriage number two was slipping from her grasp.
************************************************************
Jack rubbed his face and splashed water to wake himself up. Five Weevils had been spotted and they needed his help. Aliens didn't care that it was nearly midnight. He stopped himself from picking up the bottle again. There wasn't time. He needed to put together a bag for Iefan. Gwen had volunteered Rhys for babysiting duty. Rhi was out of the question with her surgery tomorrow and he didn't want to bother David, plus, he wasn't sure how allergic Emyr was to Lula. The puppy had no sense of time either and was running around downstairs. Jack wouldn't have been able to sleep anyway. The thought of anything happening to Rhi made him sick, but the alcohol had helped.
*****************************************************************
Gwen thought she was simply imagining things at first, but it would make sense why he asked Rhys to come pick him and Iefan up. As time went on, there was no doubt about it. Jack's breath smelled like alcohol. His actions were as skilled as ever, but something felt off. He seemed distracted. Something was wrong. Was it still Alice or something else? After the fifth Weevil was subdued, she went over to him.
"Rhys could keep Iefan until...tonight," she suggested while realizing that it was three o'clock in the morning. Jack drew his coat around him and stared at the pavement.
"That might be best. It's better than taking the day off, I suppose," Jack said with a nod.
"He hasn't been around a toddler in so long...it'll be good for him," Gwen spoke with a grin. When Jack made a motion to walk away, she continued, "Is everything going well? Is anything wrong?"
"Of course, why wouldn't they be fine?" Jack said with his usual smug expression. Gwen sighed.
"The rift predictor says today is going to be quiet. I know you're not due until March, but why don't you have Selene do your yearly check-up?" she suggested and would make sure he followed up on it.
"Fine, but it's always flawless just like me," Jack teased.
**********************************************************
Jack hated physicals, but he was used to them. Both Torchwood and the Time Agency before that had insisted on them. Still, he was itching to leave the medical bay.
"If everything's in order, I'll just..."
"Just a few more questions, Jack," Selene said, stopping him in his tracks, "How are you adjusting to being a single parent and working?"
What is this? Did Gwen tell her about the alcohol earlier? He wasn't expecting to be called into work, what he did on his own time was his own business. It wasn't like he was being a danger. He had Rhys drive instead of him.
"It's fine. I try to be with him as much as I can and Rhi usually keeps him when I can't," he said with a shrug. She pushed up her glasses and looked deep in thought.
"Having a family again must be nice although a little difficult to remind you of Ianto," she spoke and he shook his head.
"It's fine, really," he said and pulled up his trousers. Selene tapped her fingers on her mobile.
"What about dating? I know you've kissed a few since Iefan was born, but what about dates? Sex?" she asked and her brown eyes were narrowed. Obviously, she knew that he had kissed people since he had kissed her eight months before. It had just happened, but it didn't mean anything.
"Is that really needed for my files?" he asked while zipping up.
"No, I won't write it down, but it helps me know your state of mind," she said and he tried not to roll his eyes. She was taking job as medic far too serious.
"Fine, I haven't...happy?" he hissed and took the rest of his clothes to change upstairs.
"Jack, I..."
He didn't catch what she said because he was already up the stairs and headed for the kitchen for some privacy. He ignored knowing that there was a bottle of vodka in the freezer and phoned Johnny.
*****************************************************************
David was mashing buttons and trying to ignore his mobile when the door to their flat opened. Emyr hung up his ruckie on a hook and his expression turned sad.
"I thought you were going to try and at least go to Ford's class," he commented and walked over to the couch beside him. On the screen, his character died and he threw the controller on another part of the cushions.
"I just...couldn't, not when they were cutting her open and...," he couldn't finish and put his hands to his face. He felt Emyr's arms around him.
"Have they phoned?" he asked and gave him a light kiss on the lips.
"Yeah, it went the way they wanted it to, no complications and I should be able to visit her tomorrow," David recited with a nod. It still didn't feel real. If anything had gone wrong...and she still had so far to go. Emyr held him closer and kissed him on the cheek.
"I could miss one of mine," he suggested, "and we could go together."
David put a hand over his and was glad he had found such a great guy.
*********************************************************************
Gwen drove with Jack in the passenger seat. She watched his expression and body language except they seemed the same as always.
"You didn't talk with Selene," she declared to see what he would say.
"It wasn't a requirement. It never was before. I don't need to talk with her or anyone," Jack spoke without meeting her eyes.
"I just thought maybe she could get it out of you, that maybe she'd have better ways than I could," Gwen admitted and gripped the wheel. Was Jack being that thick today or this year, more like?
"Why?" Jack asked and his pleasantness had disappeared.
"Because she fancies you, of course," she replied and watched him try to process that.
"But why?" he questioned with a frown.
"Because you're Captain Jack Harkness?" Gwen suggested and yelled at the car in front, "Move already!"
"But it was just one kiss and that was ages ago," Jack stated and she hid her surprise. Selene had kept that to herself.
"It was before the kiss. She was trying to understand more about me so she needed to know about my boss, who I first worked with," she explained and couldn't help the wobble in her voice at that last part. Sometimes, it still hurt so much to think of them: Tosh grinning at her from a computer screen, Owen in his flat, Ianto with his shirt undone after she'd caught them...and someday, that would be her on his list. Jack would be telling Rhys the bad news just as she had done with so many others.
Jack's face was impassable.
"I know it doesn't come easy by you, but you should talk to someone. Whatever it is, it's not good to keep it all bottled up inside. It never works," she spoke before turning on the radio for some oldies.
**********************************************************
Rhi fell asleep again. The more she fought to stay awake, the faster she fell asleep, like it was designed that way. It must have been the drugs flowing into her arm. Everything appeared to be going well or she would have heard anxious voices earlier, at least that's what she thought.
The Return of a Familiar Suit
Characters: Alice, Jack, Gwen, David, Emyr, Rhi Jack/Ianto, Gwen/Rhys, David/Emyr
Rated: PG-13 ANGST COE Spoilers MPREG
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Summary: Jack doesn't open up.
Author's Note: The Sequel to But Time Didn't Stop
Previous Chapter: Confirmed
Masterlist: http://ericadawn16.livejournal.com/113396.html
Things Fall Apart
"What?" Alice hissed as it felt like the world had dropped out from under her.
"Not here," Thomas spoke since they were surrounded by acquaintances. They strode away from the area with the knowledge that the other parents would watch Lucia.
"I've tried, I've tried to understand, but I can't. I don't know you anymore. You're like a stranger," Thomas uttered and his green eyes were glimmering. She was trying not to lose it either.
"But what...what am I supposed to do? We're married. We have children," she spat because she didn't want to go through this again especially now. Divorce was bad enough without being pregnant during it.
"I know. I know. I loved you. I still love you. I just...I just can't do this now, but it is your house and a girl should be with her mama. I'll live with my sister or someone while I get my own place and...and decide things," Thomas explained except it seemed like he had already decided things. Alice sniffled and rubbed her eyes. Thomas almost made a motion to comfort her.
"Right, okay, the important thing is that we keep things civil for Lucia and the new baby," Alice agreed and nodded. At least, it meant an end to wondering how things stood. Marriage number two was slipping from her grasp.
************************************************************
Jack rubbed his face and splashed water to wake himself up. Five Weevils had been spotted and they needed his help. Aliens didn't care that it was nearly midnight. He stopped himself from picking up the bottle again. There wasn't time. He needed to put together a bag for Iefan. Gwen had volunteered Rhys for babysiting duty. Rhi was out of the question with her surgery tomorrow and he didn't want to bother David, plus, he wasn't sure how allergic Emyr was to Lula. The puppy had no sense of time either and was running around downstairs. Jack wouldn't have been able to sleep anyway. The thought of anything happening to Rhi made him sick, but the alcohol had helped.
*****************************************************************
Gwen thought she was simply imagining things at first, but it would make sense why he asked Rhys to come pick him and Iefan up. As time went on, there was no doubt about it. Jack's breath smelled like alcohol. His actions were as skilled as ever, but something felt off. He seemed distracted. Something was wrong. Was it still Alice or something else? After the fifth Weevil was subdued, she went over to him.
"Rhys could keep Iefan until...tonight," she suggested while realizing that it was three o'clock in the morning. Jack drew his coat around him and stared at the pavement.
"That might be best. It's better than taking the day off, I suppose," Jack said with a nod.
"He hasn't been around a toddler in so long...it'll be good for him," Gwen spoke with a grin. When Jack made a motion to walk away, she continued, "Is everything going well? Is anything wrong?"
"Of course, why wouldn't they be fine?" Jack said with his usual smug expression. Gwen sighed.
"The rift predictor says today is going to be quiet. I know you're not due until March, but why don't you have Selene do your yearly check-up?" she suggested and would make sure he followed up on it.
"Fine, but it's always flawless just like me," Jack teased.
**********************************************************
Jack hated physicals, but he was used to them. Both Torchwood and the Time Agency before that had insisted on them. Still, he was itching to leave the medical bay.
"If everything's in order, I'll just..."
"Just a few more questions, Jack," Selene said, stopping him in his tracks, "How are you adjusting to being a single parent and working?"
What is this? Did Gwen tell her about the alcohol earlier? He wasn't expecting to be called into work, what he did on his own time was his own business. It wasn't like he was being a danger. He had Rhys drive instead of him.
"It's fine. I try to be with him as much as I can and Rhi usually keeps him when I can't," he said with a shrug. She pushed up her glasses and looked deep in thought.
"Having a family again must be nice although a little difficult to remind you of Ianto," she spoke and he shook his head.
"It's fine, really," he said and pulled up his trousers. Selene tapped her fingers on her mobile.
"What about dating? I know you've kissed a few since Iefan was born, but what about dates? Sex?" she asked and her brown eyes were narrowed. Obviously, she knew that he had kissed people since he had kissed her eight months before. It had just happened, but it didn't mean anything.
"Is that really needed for my files?" he asked while zipping up.
"No, I won't write it down, but it helps me know your state of mind," she said and he tried not to roll his eyes. She was taking job as medic far too serious.
"Fine, I haven't...happy?" he hissed and took the rest of his clothes to change upstairs.
"Jack, I..."
He didn't catch what she said because he was already up the stairs and headed for the kitchen for some privacy. He ignored knowing that there was a bottle of vodka in the freezer and phoned Johnny.
*****************************************************************
David was mashing buttons and trying to ignore his mobile when the door to their flat opened. Emyr hung up his ruckie on a hook and his expression turned sad.
"I thought you were going to try and at least go to Ford's class," he commented and walked over to the couch beside him. On the screen, his character died and he threw the controller on another part of the cushions.
"I just...couldn't, not when they were cutting her open and...," he couldn't finish and put his hands to his face. He felt Emyr's arms around him.
"Have they phoned?" he asked and gave him a light kiss on the lips.
"Yeah, it went the way they wanted it to, no complications and I should be able to visit her tomorrow," David recited with a nod. It still didn't feel real. If anything had gone wrong...and she still had so far to go. Emyr held him closer and kissed him on the cheek.
"I could miss one of mine," he suggested, "and we could go together."
David put a hand over his and was glad he had found such a great guy.
*********************************************************************
Gwen drove with Jack in the passenger seat. She watched his expression and body language except they seemed the same as always.
"You didn't talk with Selene," she declared to see what he would say.
"It wasn't a requirement. It never was before. I don't need to talk with her or anyone," Jack spoke without meeting her eyes.
"I just thought maybe she could get it out of you, that maybe she'd have better ways than I could," Gwen admitted and gripped the wheel. Was Jack being that thick today or this year, more like?
"Why?" Jack asked and his pleasantness had disappeared.
"Because she fancies you, of course," she replied and watched him try to process that.
"But why?" he questioned with a frown.
"Because you're Captain Jack Harkness?" Gwen suggested and yelled at the car in front, "Move already!"
"But it was just one kiss and that was ages ago," Jack stated and she hid her surprise. Selene had kept that to herself.
"It was before the kiss. She was trying to understand more about me so she needed to know about my boss, who I first worked with," she explained and couldn't help the wobble in her voice at that last part. Sometimes, it still hurt so much to think of them: Tosh grinning at her from a computer screen, Owen in his flat, Ianto with his shirt undone after she'd caught them...and someday, that would be her on his list. Jack would be telling Rhys the bad news just as she had done with so many others.
Jack's face was impassable.
"I know it doesn't come easy by you, but you should talk to someone. Whatever it is, it's not good to keep it all bottled up inside. It never works," she spoke before turning on the radio for some oldies.
**********************************************************
Rhi fell asleep again. The more she fought to stay awake, the faster she fell asleep, like it was designed that way. It must have been the drugs flowing into her arm. Everything appeared to be going well or she would have heard anxious voices earlier, at least that's what she thought.
The Return of a Familiar Suit
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2010-06-26 07:04 am (UTC)You are a fantastic writer. You held my attention throughout. So much so that I just had to finish tonight, no matter that it's 2am! Your characters are so very true.
I'm looking forward to much more, of course. :)
no subject
Date: 2010-06-27 10:28 pm (UTC)Yep, Mica definitely has some Jones in her.
Aww, thank you so much.
(blushes)
There will be more, plus, I've started posting another story that's AU and unrelated but still Torchwood.