Jack- August 16th, 2009
Nov. 1st, 2009 11:48 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ericadawn16Title: But Time Didn’t Stop
Characters: Jack, Gwen, Rhys, Rhi, Lois Jack/Ianto Gwen/Rhys
Rated: PG-13 ANGST COE Spoilers
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Summary: Gwen and Rhys have Jack over for her birthday.
Author's Note: Starts after COE.
Previous Chapter: August 12th, 2009
Masterlist: http://ericadawn16.livejournal.com/63337.html
August 16th, 2009
For having a whole house to choose from, she should have chosen something farther away, thought Jack. He could still hear everything.
“What’s wrong with Paul O’Grady? He’s gay, isn’t he?” asked Rhys as Jack opened his eyes and played with his watch.
“It’s not that, he was one of Ianto’s favorites,” he heard Gwen explain.
“Well, I couldn’t have known, could I? I don’t have a list of everything that might remind him of Ianto,” Rhys complained, “and we were fine until you made a big deal out of the book.”
“I didn’t remember that I loaned it to him. He liked the chick books and it had time travel so it makes sense…I just forgot,” she spoke and he heard her voice break at the end.
“We can’t keep doing this, Gwen. It’s like we’re constantly walking on eggshells about him,” Rhys told her, “You loved Ianto, I did, too, and I know it can’t compare to what Jack felt for him, but it’s been nearly three months. Shouldn’t he be better than this? You’re coping.”
Jack wished he had his coat on him. He felt naked and Rhys was pointing out all his flaws.
“I have you and this baby. Jack doesn’t have anyone. I don’t think he’s even talked to Rhi in at least a week or two,” Gwen argued and Jack sighed. They were arguing over him. He felt like a disturbed child rather than a grown man. It made him think that his plan would be for the best. They’d be better off without him. A ding sounded and he hoped that was dinner.
“Go get him, that’s the meatloaf,” she spoke in a defeated tone. The meal that followed was one of the most awkward he had ever witnessed. No one mentioned Ianto. They talked about pointless things, like Simon Cowell or the problems at Rhys’ business.
“Now, the best part,” Gwen announced and took a large chocolate cake out of the fridge. Each person was given a piece and this was highlight of the evening that almost made it all worth it.
“Time for presents,” said Rhys a short time later and placed the two gifts in front of her plate.
“Never get between a pregnant woman and her cake,” she joked and scooped up the remaining frosting with her finger. Her husband grinned and Jack almost smiled. She went for Jack’s present first and ripped off the paper as fast as she could. Then, she opened the box to reveal salt and pepper shakers shaped like Pterodactyls.
“Oh, Myfanwy…thanks, Jack,” she said as she studied the blue figures, “and now my darling husband’s gift.”
Inside the silver paper was a jewelry box with an Amethyst heart.
“They told me that was the birthstone for February,” he explained and she looked like she was going to cry.
“That’s so sweet, I love you,” she spoke, rising from her chair and crossing over to Rhys’. They kissed as Jack licked up the rest of his cake frosting.
“Why don’t you go get the picture?” the Welshman suggested and she nodded, leaving the room for a minute. He couldn’t bear the silence again.
“That was a nice meal,” Jack complimented and he knew Rhys would know what he meant.
“She’s quite the cook when she has the time,” the other agreed and Gwen came back in with a photograph.
“It’s the baby,” she declared with a huge smile and handed him the paper, “Completely healthy.”
It looked like a baby; large head with tiny feet and hands. The due date was listed as February 1, 2010
“I think it’s going to be a boy,” said Rhys, proudly. His wife gave him a little shove.
“It was turned wrong for them to tell that,” Gwen spoke, taking the sonogram back, “I’d take either one as long as it’s healthy.”
His mobile chirped and he saw on the caller ID that it was Rhi. He’d call her back later as he refused the call. Gwen and Rhys must have had the same idea as they looked at one another before he nodded at her.
“Jack, do you have any plans for Wednesday night?” she questioned in what she must have thought was casual.
Do you mean how do I spend the twenty-sixth anniversary of my lover’s birth now that he’s dead? Thought Jack and frowned, playing with the mobile in his hand.
“I’m going to spend the evening with Rhi and her family,” he told them and hated how they nodded like it was an acceptable way of spending the time.
*********************************************************************
Jack lay down on the bed, but he wasn’t tired. It was so hard to sleep. He either couldn’t be comfortable or the memories would come back. Picking up his mobile, he called the number.
“Jack, I was just about ready for bed, but I’m glad you called. How are you doing?” Rhi inquired and he wished he’d called her sooner.
“I’m…” he started and wasn’t sure how to answer that, “I’m living.”
“You should come by on Wednesday, have a meal with us,” she suggested.
“I’d like that,” he agreed and had thought about coming by whether he’d been invited or not. He heard her breathing on the other end, but couldn’t bring himself to hang up.
“Jack, I missed you. I thought maybe we’d see you more than we have, maybe you’d even do something with David,” the voice on the other end spoke. He met the boy at the funeral and he liked him well enough. There was just one problem.
“I’m sorry, it’s just that David…David reminds me of a boy I used to know who was the same age and had blond hair and…I lost him,” Jack left off so much more but the air felt full of what he hadn’t said. David also had blue eyes just like his uncle.
“Right, I understand, but I’m expecting you at the house after 5:30, mister,” she said with a little laugh.
“I will be there,” he promised and the call was ended.
****************************************************************
When he woke up, it still sat on the nightstand. He might as well get it over with.
“Bill Shipton here,” the man answered and he tried not to cringe.
“This is Captain Jack Harkness, I’ve reconsidered your offer,” he replied and moved his mobile away as the other man exclaimed, “Oh, that’s great, we can proceed with the funeral then?”
“Yes, I just have a few demands before I agree to it,” he spoke into the mobile.
“Anything, anything at all,” the voice on the other end agreed.
“I’m not doing any interviews. I’m not to be contacted by anyone but you. I don’t even want to be identified as anything else than ‘Steven’s grandfather’, you got that?” he asked and his voice wavered from wanting to cry to wanting to hit something. There was hesitation on the other end. They still weren’t getting exactly what they wanted.
“Fine, we accept those terms,” Shipton agreed, “I will be calling back with a date and time.”
“Thanks,” Jack replied and hung up before crying into his pillow. For two days, he pretended like nothing had changed, but he would have to own up to it for his plan to work. He waited outside for Gwen to show up.
“We need to talk,” he to her and she nodded so they walked over to the fence where the construction noise made it impossible for anyone to overhear.
“The government and I have come to an agreement about Steven’s funeral,” he admitted as though he’d committed a horrible crime. She knew how he felt.
“Oh, Jack, I’m sorry,” she spoke and laid her hand on his back.
“I want you to be there with me,” he implored her; “I won’t be able to do it alone.”
“No, of course, I’ll be there with you,” Gwen agreed and hugged him. Her brown eyes still looked concerned as he pulled away.
“Jack, look what a courier just handed me!” Lois yelled and held up a red UNIT package. He hurried over to take it from her and they went inside.
“Is it dangerous?” the young woman asked and he shook his head.
“It would be written on the outside if it was,” Jack informed her and undid the strip to open the large red envelope. Inside were a note and a disc.
August 19th, 2009
edf
Characters: Jack, Gwen, Rhys, Rhi, Lois Jack/Ianto Gwen/Rhys
Rated: PG-13 ANGST COE Spoilers
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Summary: Gwen and Rhys have Jack over for her birthday.
Author's Note: Starts after COE.
Previous Chapter: August 12th, 2009
Masterlist: http://ericadawn16.livejournal.com/63337.html
August 16th, 2009
For having a whole house to choose from, she should have chosen something farther away, thought Jack. He could still hear everything.
“What’s wrong with Paul O’Grady? He’s gay, isn’t he?” asked Rhys as Jack opened his eyes and played with his watch.
“It’s not that, he was one of Ianto’s favorites,” he heard Gwen explain.
“Well, I couldn’t have known, could I? I don’t have a list of everything that might remind him of Ianto,” Rhys complained, “and we were fine until you made a big deal out of the book.”
“I didn’t remember that I loaned it to him. He liked the chick books and it had time travel so it makes sense…I just forgot,” she spoke and he heard her voice break at the end.
“We can’t keep doing this, Gwen. It’s like we’re constantly walking on eggshells about him,” Rhys told her, “You loved Ianto, I did, too, and I know it can’t compare to what Jack felt for him, but it’s been nearly three months. Shouldn’t he be better than this? You’re coping.”
Jack wished he had his coat on him. He felt naked and Rhys was pointing out all his flaws.
“I have you and this baby. Jack doesn’t have anyone. I don’t think he’s even talked to Rhi in at least a week or two,” Gwen argued and Jack sighed. They were arguing over him. He felt like a disturbed child rather than a grown man. It made him think that his plan would be for the best. They’d be better off without him. A ding sounded and he hoped that was dinner.
“Go get him, that’s the meatloaf,” she spoke in a defeated tone. The meal that followed was one of the most awkward he had ever witnessed. No one mentioned Ianto. They talked about pointless things, like Simon Cowell or the problems at Rhys’ business.
“Now, the best part,” Gwen announced and took a large chocolate cake out of the fridge. Each person was given a piece and this was highlight of the evening that almost made it all worth it.
“Time for presents,” said Rhys a short time later and placed the two gifts in front of her plate.
“Never get between a pregnant woman and her cake,” she joked and scooped up the remaining frosting with her finger. Her husband grinned and Jack almost smiled. She went for Jack’s present first and ripped off the paper as fast as she could. Then, she opened the box to reveal salt and pepper shakers shaped like Pterodactyls.
“Oh, Myfanwy…thanks, Jack,” she said as she studied the blue figures, “and now my darling husband’s gift.”
Inside the silver paper was a jewelry box with an Amethyst heart.
“They told me that was the birthstone for February,” he explained and she looked like she was going to cry.
“That’s so sweet, I love you,” she spoke, rising from her chair and crossing over to Rhys’. They kissed as Jack licked up the rest of his cake frosting.
“Why don’t you go get the picture?” the Welshman suggested and she nodded, leaving the room for a minute. He couldn’t bear the silence again.
“That was a nice meal,” Jack complimented and he knew Rhys would know what he meant.
“She’s quite the cook when she has the time,” the other agreed and Gwen came back in with a photograph.
“It’s the baby,” she declared with a huge smile and handed him the paper, “Completely healthy.”
It looked like a baby; large head with tiny feet and hands. The due date was listed as February 1, 2010
“I think it’s going to be a boy,” said Rhys, proudly. His wife gave him a little shove.
“It was turned wrong for them to tell that,” Gwen spoke, taking the sonogram back, “I’d take either one as long as it’s healthy.”
His mobile chirped and he saw on the caller ID that it was Rhi. He’d call her back later as he refused the call. Gwen and Rhys must have had the same idea as they looked at one another before he nodded at her.
“Jack, do you have any plans for Wednesday night?” she questioned in what she must have thought was casual.
Do you mean how do I spend the twenty-sixth anniversary of my lover’s birth now that he’s dead? Thought Jack and frowned, playing with the mobile in his hand.
“I’m going to spend the evening with Rhi and her family,” he told them and hated how they nodded like it was an acceptable way of spending the time.
*********************************************************************
Jack lay down on the bed, but he wasn’t tired. It was so hard to sleep. He either couldn’t be comfortable or the memories would come back. Picking up his mobile, he called the number.
“Jack, I was just about ready for bed, but I’m glad you called. How are you doing?” Rhi inquired and he wished he’d called her sooner.
“I’m…” he started and wasn’t sure how to answer that, “I’m living.”
“You should come by on Wednesday, have a meal with us,” she suggested.
“I’d like that,” he agreed and had thought about coming by whether he’d been invited or not. He heard her breathing on the other end, but couldn’t bring himself to hang up.
“Jack, I missed you. I thought maybe we’d see you more than we have, maybe you’d even do something with David,” the voice on the other end spoke. He met the boy at the funeral and he liked him well enough. There was just one problem.
“I’m sorry, it’s just that David…David reminds me of a boy I used to know who was the same age and had blond hair and…I lost him,” Jack left off so much more but the air felt full of what he hadn’t said. David also had blue eyes just like his uncle.
“Right, I understand, but I’m expecting you at the house after 5:30, mister,” she said with a little laugh.
“I will be there,” he promised and the call was ended.
****************************************************************
When he woke up, it still sat on the nightstand. He might as well get it over with.
“Bill Shipton here,” the man answered and he tried not to cringe.
“This is Captain Jack Harkness, I’ve reconsidered your offer,” he replied and moved his mobile away as the other man exclaimed, “Oh, that’s great, we can proceed with the funeral then?”
“Yes, I just have a few demands before I agree to it,” he spoke into the mobile.
“Anything, anything at all,” the voice on the other end agreed.
“I’m not doing any interviews. I’m not to be contacted by anyone but you. I don’t even want to be identified as anything else than ‘Steven’s grandfather’, you got that?” he asked and his voice wavered from wanting to cry to wanting to hit something. There was hesitation on the other end. They still weren’t getting exactly what they wanted.
“Fine, we accept those terms,” Shipton agreed, “I will be calling back with a date and time.”
“Thanks,” Jack replied and hung up before crying into his pillow. For two days, he pretended like nothing had changed, but he would have to own up to it for his plan to work. He waited outside for Gwen to show up.
“We need to talk,” he to her and she nodded so they walked over to the fence where the construction noise made it impossible for anyone to overhear.
“The government and I have come to an agreement about Steven’s funeral,” he admitted as though he’d committed a horrible crime. She knew how he felt.
“Oh, Jack, I’m sorry,” she spoke and laid her hand on his back.
“I want you to be there with me,” he implored her; “I won’t be able to do it alone.”
“No, of course, I’ll be there with you,” Gwen agreed and hugged him. Her brown eyes still looked concerned as he pulled away.
“Jack, look what a courier just handed me!” Lois yelled and held up a red UNIT package. He hurried over to take it from her and they went inside.
“Is it dangerous?” the young woman asked and he shook his head.
“It would be written on the outside if it was,” Jack informed her and undid the strip to open the large red envelope. Inside were a note and a disc.
August 19th, 2009
edf
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Date: 2009-11-06 03:50 am (UTC)Thank you!