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ericadawn16Title: But Time Marches On
Characters: Jack, Rhi, Alice Jack/Ianto
Rated: PG-13 ANGST COE Spoilers MPREG
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Summary: Jack and Alice have a talk about Steven and Ianto.
Author's Note: The Sequel to But Time Didn't Stop
Previous Chapter: Sogni
Masterlist: http://ericadawn16.livejournal.com/113396.html
Obstacles
Everyone enjoyed their gifts awhile longer before Alice stood up.
"I should get a bag for the rubbish," she announced and started walking out of the room.
"I'll come with you," Jack volunteered and went after her. He ignored Thomas' inquisitive expression.
"We still really haven't gotten a chance to talk and we leave tomorrow," Jack spoke as she stepped into a storage area.
"No, we haven't," she agreed and opened up a door. He leaned against the other wall.
"It's still...it's still a little weird," Alice spoke and he nodded although he wished it wasn't that way, "He thinks Lucia is the only child I've had. He doesn't know anything about Steven and I know he doesn't suspect anything because he'd never had a child before, but...I know."
She ripped the black bag out with a flourish.
"I never even wanted another child or husband, but he was so in love with me that I couldn't help falling for him. I married but I thought maybe we couldn't have children. I was old enough, but Lucia came along and it was like a miracle. I never wanted her to be sad or want anything. I spoiled her. I've practically ruined her and he doesn't even know why," Alice complained and grabbed a storage shelf for support.
"It doesn't have to be that way. If you don't like how things are, you can change. She's young enough that it's not hopeless or I imagine not. I'm not good with these things," Jack said and knew it was the understatement of the year.
"I just...I changed so much, I'm not sure how to be able to change back and I don't want to change completely back to what I was. I didn't exist. I was a shadow who just wanted her son back. I just wanted him back and I couldn't and I kept thinking about you and mum. The two of you never believed in Heaven. I guess it must have come from working for Torchwood. You always said there was nothing but darkness after we died. I kept thinking about Steven in darkness...I don't like to think about it. It seems so wrong. He was just a little boy," Alice uttered and tears were coming down her cheeks. Jack wanted to hug her. He made a few steps, but he couldn't do it. A hug would be a quick fix that would also make him feel better. He didn't want to feel better after what he just realized he and Lucia had done to her. Jack shook his head and whispered, "I'm sorry, I had it all wrong."
"What?" Alice croaked her hazel eyes were wide, "that time didn't sound like a reflex."
"It wasn't. It was the truth. I'm sorry, but there is more to the darkness," Jack said, sticking his hands in his pockets, "When I died, that's all I saw...the darkness. I assumed that's all there was. Then, I died and someone was waiting for me...Ianto. He's there waiting for me everytime I die and it's not so dark anymore. It's grey."
"So, you were wrong and it's grey instead of dark and you have hallucinations?" Alice asked while wringing the black bag with her hands.
"It wasn't like that. He knew things I didn't. He told me about you. He said how you had gone back to where Lucia grew up and was teaching English under the name Melissa Moretti. How could I have known that?" Jack pointed out and she shook her head.
"How could he have known that? We never even met," Alice said and her hair was becoming more undone.
"Ianto met your mum up there...in heaven...Lucia told him," he uttered and wondered if she'd guess what he was implying.
"But...but...are they alone?" she asked and her fists were clenched around the rubbish bag.
"No," he whispered, "Steven's there. They met...he told me Steven's happy. They visit each other."
Tears started coming down Alice's cheeks again.
"He said he was happy? Really? He wouldn't lie, would he?" Alice asked and her words became softer and softer. Jack rushed to her side and took her in his arms.
"No, Ianto would never lie about this especially...," he started but it was hard to admit even to her, "Especially when he looked happy, too. I was able to tell him about Iefan." She continued to sniffle as he held her. Then, there was a knock on the door and Rhi entered.
"They're beginning to ask what happened to you," she explained and studied their faces, "What did happen to you?"
"I told her about Steven...that Ianto says he's happy," he told her and she nodded.
"You know," Rhi said, looking at Alice with a trace of disappointment, "He's never visited me. He's only visited Jack."
"I think my dad's always had that effect on people," Alice retorted, but it was nice to see her in a better mood even if it was at his expense. Rhi laughed and Alice nodded, pulling away from him.
"I'm glad you liked the bowl," Alice continued, "I can't think you enough for taking such good care of my brother when Jack's at work."
"It's not that big of a deal. I love him," Rhi spoke, "I watch him and I can see my brother in him...it's like he's not completely gone."
Silence filled the room after that until Jack held the door open. It was time to face the others.
***************************************************************
Alice yawned. It had been a long day and she had managed without a nap, but now it was catching up with her. Thomas must have been tired as well because he was being more quiet than usual. Alice gave up and sat on the bed with Thomas crawling on the bed behind her; massaging her shoulders.
"Did your father or perhaps an uncle look anything like Jack?" he asked in an odd voice. She could almost be honest with him.
"Yes, Jack looked just like our dad," she said and undid the rest of her hair, "why?"
"I...must confess something," Thomas admitted and his tone of voice was strange, "I saw your files for 'home movies' on the computer and I watch, but I was confused. I never saw your brother, only a grown-up that looked like Jack."
Had her husband stumbled onto the truth on his own? Then, another thought struck her. Some of those videos were more recent.
"Did you watch all of them?" she asked and was afraid of his answer.
"Yes, even the newer ones. You were very sweet with the neighbor boy," he spoke and she didn't correct his mistake.
"I loved him," Alice whispered and reached back to tug on his thigh. He changed his position so he encircled her. His legs were on either side of her body. She liked feeling protected.
"What happened?" Thomas asked and there was a commotion from another room. Lucia had tried to sneak out of bed to play with her new toys, no doubt.
"I'll go, you can lie down," he suggested and got up. It probably wouldn't take long as he left the room. Alice took off her shoes and relaxed against the mattress as best she could. More sounds came from the other room and she smiled. Maybe Thomas would forget about asking about Steven.
"Lucia is back in bed," Thomas said with a grin as he came back in and removed his shoes before starting on his other clothes. He was changing into his pajamas when she heard him say, "Jack wrote the bit on the back of your photo."
"What?" she asked and wasn't sure what he meant.
"When we print out photos of Lucia, we write out the date right away, but Jack wrote the date except that he would have been too young," Thomas spoke, "and Jack saying that thing about the puppy and having that long time alone with the two of you. You never explain why you and Jack stop talking. I can tell it was between you, but I don't know why."
Alice wasn't sure what to say.
"I know it must be something really, really bad and then, when you only invite him to things with a lot of people and part of the time you seem so...scomodo when he's around," Thomas continued and seemed uncomfortable himself, "Did he do something? Something to you? Something...sex?"
Alice couldn't believe what she was hearing. She shook her head from side to side before finding her voice.
"No, no, no, Jack would never do that to a child especially me," she told him and swallowed down bile that had come up. Thomas entered the bed and his face was full of confusion.
"You're right though. I did lie about Jack," she said and took a deep breath before continuing, "Jack isn't my brother...he's my father."
"He is...he is your father," Thomas confirmed aloud, "that does...that does make sense."
As well as he was taking this, maybe it's what she should have done from the start.
"So, then he would be Lucia's grandfather and Iefan...Iefan is actually your brother," Thomas spoke in realization and she nodded.
"That's why I wanted for Iefan and Lucia to get along so badly. I don't want to have to choose between my daughter or my brother," she uttered and tried to be optimistic. There had been no physical violence between them tonight so that was an improvement.
"But Jack...you said he was married to this man...Ianto," Thomas said and his hands moved in frustration, "How can he be gay and have you? Is that why they did not marry?"
"No, I was telling you the truth then. Jack and my mum didn't believe in labels or social norms. They had sex...a lot...and I was the result. He's not gay. I let you think that because it was easier. He's attracted to either men or women, always has been or at least, my mom said he was that way even before he met her," Alice explained and wondered if this was making Jack look worse in her husband's eyes.
"I think...I think I want to read some before bed," Thomas spoke and kissed her on the cheek. She watched him go and wasn't quite sure how he took it.
Up the Duff
Characters: Jack, Rhi, Alice Jack/Ianto
Rated: PG-13 ANGST COE Spoilers MPREG
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Summary: Jack and Alice have a talk about Steven and Ianto.
Author's Note: The Sequel to But Time Didn't Stop
Previous Chapter: Sogni
Masterlist: http://ericadawn16.livejournal.com/113396.html
Obstacles
Everyone enjoyed their gifts awhile longer before Alice stood up.
"I should get a bag for the rubbish," she announced and started walking out of the room.
"I'll come with you," Jack volunteered and went after her. He ignored Thomas' inquisitive expression.
"We still really haven't gotten a chance to talk and we leave tomorrow," Jack spoke as she stepped into a storage area.
"No, we haven't," she agreed and opened up a door. He leaned against the other wall.
"It's still...it's still a little weird," Alice spoke and he nodded although he wished it wasn't that way, "He thinks Lucia is the only child I've had. He doesn't know anything about Steven and I know he doesn't suspect anything because he'd never had a child before, but...I know."
She ripped the black bag out with a flourish.
"I never even wanted another child or husband, but he was so in love with me that I couldn't help falling for him. I married but I thought maybe we couldn't have children. I was old enough, but Lucia came along and it was like a miracle. I never wanted her to be sad or want anything. I spoiled her. I've practically ruined her and he doesn't even know why," Alice complained and grabbed a storage shelf for support.
"It doesn't have to be that way. If you don't like how things are, you can change. She's young enough that it's not hopeless or I imagine not. I'm not good with these things," Jack said and knew it was the understatement of the year.
"I just...I changed so much, I'm not sure how to be able to change back and I don't want to change completely back to what I was. I didn't exist. I was a shadow who just wanted her son back. I just wanted him back and I couldn't and I kept thinking about you and mum. The two of you never believed in Heaven. I guess it must have come from working for Torchwood. You always said there was nothing but darkness after we died. I kept thinking about Steven in darkness...I don't like to think about it. It seems so wrong. He was just a little boy," Alice uttered and tears were coming down her cheeks. Jack wanted to hug her. He made a few steps, but he couldn't do it. A hug would be a quick fix that would also make him feel better. He didn't want to feel better after what he just realized he and Lucia had done to her. Jack shook his head and whispered, "I'm sorry, I had it all wrong."
"What?" Alice croaked her hazel eyes were wide, "that time didn't sound like a reflex."
"It wasn't. It was the truth. I'm sorry, but there is more to the darkness," Jack said, sticking his hands in his pockets, "When I died, that's all I saw...the darkness. I assumed that's all there was. Then, I died and someone was waiting for me...Ianto. He's there waiting for me everytime I die and it's not so dark anymore. It's grey."
"So, you were wrong and it's grey instead of dark and you have hallucinations?" Alice asked while wringing the black bag with her hands.
"It wasn't like that. He knew things I didn't. He told me about you. He said how you had gone back to where Lucia grew up and was teaching English under the name Melissa Moretti. How could I have known that?" Jack pointed out and she shook her head.
"How could he have known that? We never even met," Alice said and her hair was becoming more undone.
"Ianto met your mum up there...in heaven...Lucia told him," he uttered and wondered if she'd guess what he was implying.
"But...but...are they alone?" she asked and her fists were clenched around the rubbish bag.
"No," he whispered, "Steven's there. They met...he told me Steven's happy. They visit each other."
Tears started coming down Alice's cheeks again.
"He said he was happy? Really? He wouldn't lie, would he?" Alice asked and her words became softer and softer. Jack rushed to her side and took her in his arms.
"No, Ianto would never lie about this especially...," he started but it was hard to admit even to her, "Especially when he looked happy, too. I was able to tell him about Iefan." She continued to sniffle as he held her. Then, there was a knock on the door and Rhi entered.
"They're beginning to ask what happened to you," she explained and studied their faces, "What did happen to you?"
"I told her about Steven...that Ianto says he's happy," he told her and she nodded.
"You know," Rhi said, looking at Alice with a trace of disappointment, "He's never visited me. He's only visited Jack."
"I think my dad's always had that effect on people," Alice retorted, but it was nice to see her in a better mood even if it was at his expense. Rhi laughed and Alice nodded, pulling away from him.
"I'm glad you liked the bowl," Alice continued, "I can't think you enough for taking such good care of my brother when Jack's at work."
"It's not that big of a deal. I love him," Rhi spoke, "I watch him and I can see my brother in him...it's like he's not completely gone."
Silence filled the room after that until Jack held the door open. It was time to face the others.
***************************************************************
Alice yawned. It had been a long day and she had managed without a nap, but now it was catching up with her. Thomas must have been tired as well because he was being more quiet than usual. Alice gave up and sat on the bed with Thomas crawling on the bed behind her; massaging her shoulders.
"Did your father or perhaps an uncle look anything like Jack?" he asked in an odd voice. She could almost be honest with him.
"Yes, Jack looked just like our dad," she said and undid the rest of her hair, "why?"
"I...must confess something," Thomas admitted and his tone of voice was strange, "I saw your files for 'home movies' on the computer and I watch, but I was confused. I never saw your brother, only a grown-up that looked like Jack."
Had her husband stumbled onto the truth on his own? Then, another thought struck her. Some of those videos were more recent.
"Did you watch all of them?" she asked and was afraid of his answer.
"Yes, even the newer ones. You were very sweet with the neighbor boy," he spoke and she didn't correct his mistake.
"I loved him," Alice whispered and reached back to tug on his thigh. He changed his position so he encircled her. His legs were on either side of her body. She liked feeling protected.
"What happened?" Thomas asked and there was a commotion from another room. Lucia had tried to sneak out of bed to play with her new toys, no doubt.
"I'll go, you can lie down," he suggested and got up. It probably wouldn't take long as he left the room. Alice took off her shoes and relaxed against the mattress as best she could. More sounds came from the other room and she smiled. Maybe Thomas would forget about asking about Steven.
"Lucia is back in bed," Thomas said with a grin as he came back in and removed his shoes before starting on his other clothes. He was changing into his pajamas when she heard him say, "Jack wrote the bit on the back of your photo."
"What?" she asked and wasn't sure what he meant.
"When we print out photos of Lucia, we write out the date right away, but Jack wrote the date except that he would have been too young," Thomas spoke, "and Jack saying that thing about the puppy and having that long time alone with the two of you. You never explain why you and Jack stop talking. I can tell it was between you, but I don't know why."
Alice wasn't sure what to say.
"I know it must be something really, really bad and then, when you only invite him to things with a lot of people and part of the time you seem so...scomodo when he's around," Thomas continued and seemed uncomfortable himself, "Did he do something? Something to you? Something...sex?"
Alice couldn't believe what she was hearing. She shook her head from side to side before finding her voice.
"No, no, no, Jack would never do that to a child especially me," she told him and swallowed down bile that had come up. Thomas entered the bed and his face was full of confusion.
"You're right though. I did lie about Jack," she said and took a deep breath before continuing, "Jack isn't my brother...he's my father."
"He is...he is your father," Thomas confirmed aloud, "that does...that does make sense."
As well as he was taking this, maybe it's what she should have done from the start.
"So, then he would be Lucia's grandfather and Iefan...Iefan is actually your brother," Thomas spoke in realization and she nodded.
"That's why I wanted for Iefan and Lucia to get along so badly. I don't want to have to choose between my daughter or my brother," she uttered and tried to be optimistic. There had been no physical violence between them tonight so that was an improvement.
"But Jack...you said he was married to this man...Ianto," Thomas said and his hands moved in frustration, "How can he be gay and have you? Is that why they did not marry?"
"No, I was telling you the truth then. Jack and my mum didn't believe in labels or social norms. They had sex...a lot...and I was the result. He's not gay. I let you think that because it was easier. He's attracted to either men or women, always has been or at least, my mom said he was that way even before he met her," Alice explained and wondered if this was making Jack look worse in her husband's eyes.
"I think...I think I want to read some before bed," Thomas spoke and kissed her on the cheek. She watched him go and wasn't quite sure how he took it.
Up the Duff
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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Date: 2010-05-21 08:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-21 10:37 pm (UTC)Thanks for this story and I am looking forward to more.
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Date: 2010-05-27 07:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-06-07 04:47 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-06-16 10:35 pm (UTC)Because it's me? And it's still early in the story?
Thank You
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Date: 2010-06-16 10:37 pm (UTC)It was a lot for him to take in in a short period of time.
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Date: 2010-06-16 10:38 pm (UTC)thank you
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Date: 2010-06-16 10:39 pm (UTC)(sees your icon and swoons)
Thank You
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Date: 2010-08-03 10:00 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-20 02:16 am (UTC)thanks