donutsweeper (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
donutsweeper) wrote2008-09-08 11:04 am
donutsweeper) wrote2008-09-08 11:04 am
Entry tags:
Fic Commentary: The Big Event
Title: The Big Event
Pairing/Warning/Rating: Torchwood story with additional characters from Doctor Who, NCIS, Due South and Stargate Atlantis, rated G
Word Count: 3001
Beta: _medley_
Summary: The Torchwood team plans an important celebration.
Author's Note: This is my 200th story and I just wanted to take a minute to thank everyone who has taken this journey with me. Hugs and donuts for everybody! I debated back and forth what sort of story to write for my 200th. I decided not to go for the epic, mostly because I thought about it too late. Crossover's are kind of my signature, so combining a bunch of my typical fandoms into one big part seemed like a good way to go.
Thursday
Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C
Deciding which fandoms was hard. I also had to be careful to present them in ways that people familiar with only two or three of the fandoms wouldn't feel confused or lost. Therefore, I made it a point to 'introduce' each character as they showed up here for anyone who was unfamiliar with them
Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard was about to leave the morgue for the evening when he paused, his hand on the light switch. Something was... off. He looked over the room, his gaze falling on an envelope lying in the middle of the furthest autopsy table.
"What do we have here?" The table had been empty only minutes ago, he was sure of it. Pulling out his cell phone, he dialed as he approached the letter carefully. Experience had taught him suspicious letters were not something to be trifled with.
This is a nod to the episode "SWAK" where Tony opened a letter seeded with plague.
A gruff "Gibbs" came through the phone at the same time that Ducky realized the envelope was, in fact, a gilded invitation addressed to him in a very fine hand.
Gibbs is not known for his phone etiquette. Ducky and Gibbs have been friends for years though, he'd be the person Ducky would call for anything. I also didn't want to give away too much of the story's theme right away. So far, to let the readers know it was a super fancy invitation was enough.
"Ah, Jethro," Ducky said, opening the letter and skimming its contents. "I trust I’m not disturbing anything?"
"Technically we’re not on call so that shouldn’t be a problem. Everything okay?"
"Oh yes indeed, I shall see you on Monday-" Ducky gave the phone an indulgent smile as the call was abruptly terminated when Gibbs hung up without saying goodbye. "Well, well." He pocketed the phone and looked at the letter again. "I can’t believe it is that time already. How exciting!"
My vague personal fanon is that Ducky served under Jack (literally and figuratively) years and years ago. It's canon that he worked for the both British police and armed services for a bit before joining NCIS, yet he's mentioned he can't talk about it. I always took that to mean he worked for Torchwood. I actually have a very long unfinished fic sitting on my harddrive delving into that history.
Canadian Consulate, Chicago, IL
Constable Benton Fraser was finishing up some paperwork when he was interrupted by a quiet knock and a nervous, "Sir?"
"Yes, Constable Turnbull?"
"Excuse me, sir, but this came for you in the mail. Well, not exactly in the mail, it was on the mail, on top of today’s mail, but there isn’t any postage and I already went through the mail today when it first arrived and I could have sworn it wasn’t there then, but maybe...."
I love Turnbull's babble. He's not actually on Due South a lot, but there are some great scenes where he's driving people nuts with his babble.
"Constable Turnbull?" Fraser interrupted, knowing better than to wait for Turnbull to get to the end of his story on his own.
"Yes, sir?"
"May I see the letter in question?"
"Oh yes, sir. Of course, sir. I was going to open it, but it is for you after all, and I wasn’t sure if I, well, if you. Here it is.." Turnbull strode into the room and deposited the envelope on the desk.
"Thank you," Fraser said, distractedly, "that will be all." The letter was indeed addressed to him, both him and Diefenbaker in fact, which he found to be a trifle unusual. While his wolf usually accompanied him wherever he went, it was more often something that was tolerated, as opposed to actually anticipated . After opening the envelope carefully with his knife and pulling out the invitation, his fingers grazed over the fine calligraphy as he read out loud, "The honour of your presence is requested.... oh dear."
I love Dief, however too often his presence is not truly welcomed by others on the show, thus the idea that he was actually invited came to mind. Jack (and Torchwood) puts up with a pterdactyl, a half-wolf would be a piece of cake. I'm also vaguely proud of myself for remembering to use the British spelling of 'honour' here.
City of Atlantis, Pegasus Galaxy
Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard was a desperate man. The Daedalus was not due to arrive for three days and the mess hall had just informed him there was only enough coffee left in the city for maybe half that time, and that was if McKay and the other scientists stuck to their officially rationed amount. Which was about as likely as the Wraith and the Genii asking to them to all join together for a sing along.
I've always been amazed at the amount of coffee they seem to go through in Atlantis. How can they keep up with that sort of demand?
He closed his eyes and rubbed his hand over his face. Dealing with a caffeinated Rodney could be difficult, but a caffeine-less one? Even without any missions scheduled there would be no way to avoid the man; the city was only so big after all and there was no way he could avoid being called in to settle the disputes and frayed nerves that Rodney was bound to cause. To put it bluntly, sometimes being in command sucked.
John's always seemed to me to be a reluctant commander. He can do his job, but that sort of thing would not be something he'd remotely look forward to dealing with.
Maybe he could sneak a puddle jumper out for a little while, just until the edge wore off the caffeine withdrawal. Or maybe he could convince Doctor Keller to sedate everyone until the new supplies showed up. He knew better than to even ask for that, but it was something he and Jack used to joke about every so often.
I could see him considering sedating Rodney on several occasions. I also used this bit to sneak in a mention of Jack and the fact Keller's now in charge if the sick bay (which, for people who'd read anything in my pants!verse would know that it meant this was set several years in the future from when those stories took place).
"So the invitations are away then?" Gwen asked Tosh.
"Oh yes." She pointed to the purple shimmery artefact on the table. "Ianto’s discovery of the transdimensional rift-manipulating transmat-capable delivery device in the archives was a godsend."
Silly named alien tech is the best.
"I thought we were going to come up with a better name for that thing?" Owen ambled over and reached out to touch it, only to have his hand slapped away.
"Don’t you dare, Owen." Gwen’s tone was stern. "We still need it to get everyone here for the party."
"I wasn’t gonna break it." Owen huffed, but then winced at how whiny he sounded. "Do you think this is going to work?"
"Dunno." Owen shrugged. "Our little tea boy’s got all sorts of secrets though. I wouldn’t be suprised if..."
And here I am, nicely deflecting the fact I have no idea how Ianto came up with the guest list (along the lines of the scene in"Everything Changes" where Jack avoids answering Gwen regarding people falling into the invisible list).
"Wouldn’t be surprised if what, Owen?" Ianto interrupted as he came up from behind them. Gwen laughed as Owen jumped in surprise.
"If, if...if you knew where Jack’s little black book was," Owen said quickly.
"I know things about Jack because I actually listen to him." Ianto stepped closer to Owen, leaning into his personal space. "It’s amazing what a person can learn if they actually pay attention."
"Sometimes I wonder if even half of what he tells us is true." Gwen kept her voice even as she stepped closer, ready to defuse the situation in case it escalated.
Yeah, I've wondered that myself.
"Hard to tell with that one," Owen agreed. "But, we know enough about him to know he needs this."
"Yeah, he does." Gwen sighed and turned to Ianto. "Has he figured it out yet?"
"I don’t think so," Ianto admitted, "but I can’t be certain."
"Is he still up there?" Tosh asked.
"Yeah, I think he’s looking in that box of his again." One by one their eyes went up to Jack’s office. The box was supposed to be a secret, but they all knew about it and the pictures it held. Over 100 years of memories, and many of them apparently painful. Jack always seemed sadder and more lonely after spending time lost in its memories.
Long before "Something Borrowed" aired I wrote a drabble where Jack had a box of treasures that he'd kept through his lifetime. No matter how transient his life, I imagine there'd be a few things he'd try to hold onto.
"No worries, mate." Owen put an arm around Ianto’s shoulder. "This time tomorrow Jack’ll be back to his old self. No more moping about."
"Owen’s right, Ianto." Tosh smiled at him as she reached out to take his hand. "Jack just needs to remember how many people he still has out are out there."
Over a hundred fifty years of living in all sorts of places and times had to wear on a guy. Poor Jack.
"And how many people love him," Gwen added, resting her hand briefly over Ianto and Tosh’s.
"I didn’t realize I was paying you to have a lovefest." Jack was standing in the doorway to his office, looking down at them, his voice has harsh and cold as it boomed through the Hub.
The team quickly broke apart. Ianto, in a deft motion, swept the rift device off the table and carried it toward the archive, shielding it from Jack’s view with his body.
"I’ll just put this back now that you’re done with your tests, Tosh."
"Oh, yes. Thank you, Ianto." Tosh sat down at her workstation and began furiously typing up a storm.
"Right, and I’ve that paperwork to finish." Gwen walked over to her own desk.
Owen looked around for a moment, biting his lip. "And I’ll, I’ll.... I guess I could go give autopsy that thorough cleaning you’re always asking for."
Owen definitely got the short end of the stick with that one.
Out of the corner of his eye Owen caught the slight movement when Jack’s shoulders slumped before the quiet, "Good, good," reply as Jack slipped back into his office.
It was important in my mind to have it be Owen who saw this. Normally, he'd be considered the least compassionate, there is depth and kindness in him.
Owen sighed. "Tomorrow can’t come soon enough!"
Friday Morning
Throughout the world, nearby star systems, and planes of existence, a select group of lucky people carefully prepared for the festivities. Dress uniforms were aired. Tuxes cleaned. Medals polished. Fur brushed. Trainers de-gummed. Some bought presents, others rummaged through pictures, and a few just paced nervously, waiting until the proper time.
"Trainers de-gummed" may just be the best line I've ever written.
Miskin Manor, Miskin, Wales
I spent HOURS trying to find an appropriate venue in the Cardiff area. Ideally it would have been where the last party could have taken place, but that was not to be. Miskin Manor was around that long, but it did have the necessary staircase and banister for the scene below.
"Everything’s ready, yeah?" Gwen leaned on the banister, perusing the ornate dining room below.
"Yep." Ianto lifted up his clipboard to show her the various checkmarks next to nearly every line. "It’s certainly helped matters that someone kept notes from the last time they did this."
"They were certainly thorough back then," Gwen commented.
Ianto shook his head. "I still can't believe how much planning his old team, or maybe teams, had put into this. An entire list of appropriate venues complete with suggested menus and aperitifs.... Everything, even down to the flowers for the tables."
"It made things a lot easier for us." Gwen turned and faced Ianto. "Did you know? About," she made a vague hand gesture to the flurry of activity going on everywhere, "Well, all of this. Any of this."
"No. My first year here I was too new, and after that I guess I never put two and two together to realize..."
This part of the conversation was supposed to be about that Jack gets mopey every year around this time of year (his birthday). Not sure if that came out or not.
"No reason that you should have. He hides it well." Gwen shrugged. "It’s easy to only see what he wants us to."
"Still..." Ianto trailed off, a guilty look in his eyes.
"You planned all this, didn’t you? Jack will love it." She touched his arm briefly, a quick sign of support. "I’m going to go do one last check on the room we’re using to transmat the guests into, wouldn’t want any mix-ups there, would we?" She laughed lightly.
Ianto smiled. "No, that certainly wouldn’t do. I better get back to the Hub before Jack becomes suspicious."
"Still no sign he’s figured it out yet?"
"Gwen!" Ianto blushed, but Gwen just grinned as she took off down the stairs.
I like Gwen and Ianto's relationship in canon. A bit of sibling rivalry. A bit of fun. I tried to write it that way here.
Late Friday Afternoon
The Hub, Cardiff, Wales
"Jack?" Tosh called out. "Jack, the rift alarms are going off."
Jack ran over to her workstation. "What have we got?"
Typing quickly, she brought up different screens. "Rift activity. A lot of it."
"Where?" Jack had grabbed his coat and put it on.
"Just east of Cardiff." She squinted at the readings. "In Miskin, it looks like. Whatever it is, it’s building, Jack. I haven’t seen readings like this since the rift was opened."
"You stay here and..." Jack looked around. "Wait a minute, where are Gwen and Owen?"
"The police called about that device that showed up on their roof. The one with the squiggly print on it. Andy thought it had to be alien, remember?"
The team would have thought up a reason why the entire team had to respond to the alert. They're sneaky that way.
"Oh, right." Jack ran a hand along his chin. "Can you monitor the reading from the SUV?"
"Shouldn’t be a problem. Let me just transfer the feed."
"Ianto?" Jack called into his radio.
"Yes, sir?" was the tinny reply.
"Close up the tourist office and bring the SUV around. I need you out in the field with us."
"Right away, sir"
"Tosh, I’m going to grab some extra weapons out of the armory. I don’t want to be outgunned and undermanned." He turned and began to walk away. "Meet you up top," he threw over his shoulder.
Jack wouldn't like going out without the full compliment though.
"Be right there, Jack," Tosh replied, waiting until he was well out of sight to break into a wide grin.
On the M4 approaching Miskin, Wales
Yes, I googlemapped how to get from Cardiff to Miskin. I am such a geek.
"Talk to me Tosh." Jack shifted in his seat. He could see the reflections of the information she was reading on the computer screen dancing across her face.
"Multiple rift signatures," she explained, not looking away from the screen. "Whatever is coming through, there is sure a lot of it."
"Great," Jack muttered, "Just great." He turned back to peer through the windshield. "Any luck with Gwen and Owen?"
"Sorry?" Ianto’s eyes flicked to Jack for a moment.
"Nothing." Jack straightened a crease in his jacket and shook his head slightly. "Nothing at all."
"I’ve narrowed down the coordinates," Tosh called out. "Turn north next chance you get, Ianto."
"Not a problem, there’s an exit up ahead."
"We getting close, Tosh?" Jack asked.
"Yeah, not much further now."
"And the rift activity?"
"I think it’s starting to drop off."
"Which doesn’t help us any. Especially considering how many of whatever it is are already here." Jack opened up his wrist comp and began taking his own readings, ignoring the quiet directions Tosh gave to Ianto and relayed to Owen.
Miskin Manor, Miskin, Wales
Jack hopped out when the SUV pulled to a stop in front of the manor. He readied several weapons, passing the pulse cannon to Ianto and two glocks to Tosh. "All right." He consulted his wrist comp one last time. "Multiple targets. We can’t wait for Owen and Gwen, not since I can’t get a fix on whether or not there are people inside. Stay behind me. Shoot only if you have to, but if you think you are in danger do not hesitate to fire. Got it?" Both Ianto and Tosh nodded. "Let’s go."
"Ianto!" Jack hissed. "What are you-"
"Surprise!!!!" The entire room bellowed at once.
The lights came on to show a huge banner proclaiming “Happy 200th Birthday, Jack!”
Gun still out, Jack froze, staring at the crowd of people under the banner. Ianto took a step closer and carefully slipped the Webley out of Jack’s hand before whispering, “You didn’t think we’d forgotten, did you?”
Ianto would have to be the one to approach him here, Jack's not good at having his personal space invaded and in his state of mind slow, steady movements were probably a good idea.
“I.... I...” Jack’s empty hand fell to his side. “I didn’t even know you knew.” He looked over at all the friends his team had gathered together for him. “Ben? Ducky? Sheppard? But how?”
“Transdimensional transmat device... thing.” Owen said, walking up with Gwen. He slapped Jack on the shoulder, while Gwen offered a quick hug. “The best way to travel for even the most discerning guest.”
Yeah, they never did come up with a name for it... but awww, team love moment.
“And the rift, all this, Tosh, what?”
“Happy Birthday, Jack.” Tosh was so happy she was practically glowing as she leaned over to kiss Jack on the cheek.
“Quite the team you’ve got here, Captain.” The Doctor stepped forward. “And you should take the proper time to tell them that, but not now. I was promised dinner and dancing, so close your mouth, shake off that shock, slip out of that coat and be prepared to stay for awhile!” The Doctor looked around. “Music? Where’s the music? How can we dance without music!”
“Oook!” came an enthusiastic cry from the far side of the crowd.
I love the fact that all it takes is one word to recognize the Librarian. It was also my way of showing that there were a lot more people there than we saw invites get sent out to.
“Good man!” the Doctor called back. “Now then, Jack. What do you say we get this party started!”
Pairing/Warning/Rating: Torchwood story with additional characters from Doctor Who, NCIS, Due South and Stargate Atlantis, rated G
Word Count: 3001
Beta: _medley_
Summary: The Torchwood team plans an important celebration.
Author's Note: This is my 200th story and I just wanted to take a minute to thank everyone who has taken this journey with me. Hugs and donuts for everybody! I debated back and forth what sort of story to write for my 200th. I decided not to go for the epic, mostly because I thought about it too late. Crossover's are kind of my signature, so combining a bunch of my typical fandoms into one big part seemed like a good way to go.
Thursday
Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C
Deciding which fandoms was hard. I also had to be careful to present them in ways that people familiar with only two or three of the fandoms wouldn't feel confused or lost. Therefore, I made it a point to 'introduce' each character as they showed up here for anyone who was unfamiliar with them
Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard was about to leave the morgue for the evening when he paused, his hand on the light switch. Something was... off. He looked over the room, his gaze falling on an envelope lying in the middle of the furthest autopsy table.
"What do we have here?" The table had been empty only minutes ago, he was sure of it. Pulling out his cell phone, he dialed as he approached the letter carefully. Experience had taught him suspicious letters were not something to be trifled with.
This is a nod to the episode "SWAK" where Tony opened a letter seeded with plague.
A gruff "Gibbs" came through the phone at the same time that Ducky realized the envelope was, in fact, a gilded invitation addressed to him in a very fine hand.
Gibbs is not known for his phone etiquette. Ducky and Gibbs have been friends for years though, he'd be the person Ducky would call for anything. I also didn't want to give away too much of the story's theme right away. So far, to let the readers know it was a super fancy invitation was enough.
"Ah, Jethro," Ducky said, opening the letter and skimming its contents. "I trust I’m not disturbing anything?"
"What do you need, Duck?"
I love that Gibbs calls him "Duck"
"Technically we’re not on call so that shouldn’t be a problem. Everything okay?"
"Oh yes indeed, I shall see you on Monday-" Ducky gave the phone an indulgent smile as the call was abruptly terminated when Gibbs hung up without saying goodbye. "Well, well." He pocketed the phone and looked at the letter again. "I can’t believe it is that time already. How exciting!"
My vague personal fanon is that Ducky served under Jack (literally and figuratively) years and years ago. It's canon that he worked for the both British police and armed services for a bit before joining NCIS, yet he's mentioned he can't talk about it. I always took that to mean he worked for Torchwood. I actually have a very long unfinished fic sitting on my harddrive delving into that history.
The console room, the TARDIS
The Doctor had pried open a panel and, holding his sonic screwdriver in his mouth, and had started working on replacing some of the wiring. Somehow he was always behind on routine maintenance; there was just too much to do, too many things to see and the simple basic things like replacing the wiring before it shorted out just wasn’t something he found all that exiting or desirable in comparison to, well, to just about anything.
To me, the Doctor's like a hyperactive two year old. Maintenance would not be his thing.
But, he’d sworn to himself that he’d try to get caught up on all those things that needed doing. It was just him and the old girl now and he was going to fix her up so she purred. Or at least quit burning him anytime he tried taking her through the vortex. He absentmindedly rubbed the blisters on his left hand. He may be a Time Lord, but those sparks could really hurt!
I always figured the TARDIS might have her own way of getting her point across
He was just about to seal the panel back up when a piece of paper fluttered down, landing on top of the pile of refurbished wires he’d just worked on. Paper? Here? Jamming the sonic screwdriver in his pocket he reached over to pick it up, belatedly realizing it was an envelope.
"What?" How did it get there? Things didn’t often just randomly appear in the TARDIS. He flipped it over and saw that was addressed to ‘The Friend of Captain Jack Harkness known as the Doctor.’
And here we have a little more info on the invite. It's for Jack (which most of my readers probably had guessed anyway, but oh well.)
"What?" He ripped it open and read it over quickly. "What?"
Canadian Consulate, Chicago, IL
Constable Benton Fraser was finishing up some paperwork when he was interrupted by a quiet knock and a nervous, "Sir?"
"Yes, Constable Turnbull?"
"Excuse me, sir, but this came for you in the mail. Well, not exactly in the mail, it was on the mail, on top of today’s mail, but there isn’t any postage and I already went through the mail today when it first arrived and I could have sworn it wasn’t there then, but maybe...."
I love Turnbull's babble. He's not actually on Due South a lot, but there are some great scenes where he's driving people nuts with his babble.
"Constable Turnbull?" Fraser interrupted, knowing better than to wait for Turnbull to get to the end of his story on his own.
"Yes, sir?"
"May I see the letter in question?"
"Oh yes, sir. Of course, sir. I was going to open it, but it is for you after all, and I wasn’t sure if I, well, if you. Here it is.." Turnbull strode into the room and deposited the envelope on the desk.
"Thank you," Fraser said, distractedly, "that will be all." The letter was indeed addressed to him, both him and Diefenbaker in fact, which he found to be a trifle unusual. While his wolf usually accompanied him wherever he went, it was more often something that was tolerated, as opposed to actually anticipated . After opening the envelope carefully with his knife and pulling out the invitation, his fingers grazed over the fine calligraphy as he read out loud, "The honour of your presence is requested.... oh dear."
I love Dief, however too often his presence is not truly welcomed by others on the show, thus the idea that he was actually invited came to mind. Jack (and Torchwood) puts up with a pterdactyl, a half-wolf would be a piece of cake. I'm also vaguely proud of myself for remembering to use the British spelling of 'honour' here.
City of Atlantis, Pegasus Galaxy
Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard was a desperate man. The Daedalus was not due to arrive for three days and the mess hall had just informed him there was only enough coffee left in the city for maybe half that time, and that was if McKay and the other scientists stuck to their officially rationed amount. Which was about as likely as the Wraith and the Genii asking to them to all join together for a sing along.
I've always been amazed at the amount of coffee they seem to go through in Atlantis. How can they keep up with that sort of demand?
He closed his eyes and rubbed his hand over his face. Dealing with a caffeinated Rodney could be difficult, but a caffeine-less one? Even without any missions scheduled there would be no way to avoid the man; the city was only so big after all and there was no way he could avoid being called in to settle the disputes and frayed nerves that Rodney was bound to cause. To put it bluntly, sometimes being in command sucked.
John's always seemed to me to be a reluctant commander. He can do his job, but that sort of thing would not be something he'd remotely look forward to dealing with.
Maybe he could sneak a puddle jumper out for a little while, just until the edge wore off the caffeine withdrawal. Or maybe he could convince Doctor Keller to sedate everyone until the new supplies showed up. He knew better than to even ask for that, but it was something he and Jack used to joke about every so often.
I could see him considering sedating Rodney on several occasions. I also used this bit to sneak in a mention of Jack and the fact Keller's now in charge if the sick bay (which, for people who'd read anything in my pants!verse would know that it meant this was set several years in the future from when those stories took place).
Damn, he missed Jack. Jack would have been able to charm coffee out of someone, somewhere. People tripped over themselves to set up trading alliances when Jack was negotiating them. But, to be fair, Jack was back where he belonged. He’d stayed in Atlantis until he’d caught up with his own time line and then with a little of what he called "jiggery pokery" to that wrist device of his, and a quick salute, he was gone in a flash of light. There was the occasional message, and a random package or two, but it wasn’t the same.
Jack would excel at setting up trade partnerships, wouldn't he? I cheated a bit with how Jack got home, but I like the idea of him being able to use his wrist comp if he really wanted to. Oh, and the salute is a nod to the end of "LOTTL."
He took a deep breath and opened his eyes, trying to figure out how to word an email about the coffee status without creating a citywide panic. That was when he noticed a letter on the desk in front of him, which he knew had been empty only minutes before. There had been no alarms or telltale sounds of beaming technology, but he was still about to call in backup until he decided to read it first. Then he found himself smiling. His problems, for the moment anyway, were solved.
I wouldn't envy anyone having to write that email. And I had to mention the beaming and whatnot because John's the sort who would always be on the look out for that sort of thing.
I debated having even more invites sent out- to Harry Dresden, etc, but decided it would get silly in a hurry.
"So the invitations are away then?" Gwen asked Tosh.
"Oh yes." She pointed to the purple shimmery artefact on the table. "Ianto’s discovery of the transdimensional rift-manipulating transmat-capable delivery device in the archives was a godsend."
Silly named alien tech is the best.
"I thought we were going to come up with a better name for that thing?" Owen ambled over and reached out to touch it, only to have his hand slapped away.
"Don’t you dare, Owen." Gwen’s tone was stern. "We still need it to get everyone here for the party."
"I wasn’t gonna break it." Owen huffed, but then winced at how whiny he sounded. "Do you think this is going to work?"
"I hope so." Tosh looked up towards Jack’s office. "It certainly can’t hurt matters any," she added quietly.
A slight glimpse that all might not be right in the world of Torchwood.
"Dunno." Owen shrugged. "Our little tea boy’s got all sorts of secrets though. I wouldn’t be suprised if..."
And here I am, nicely deflecting the fact I have no idea how Ianto came up with the guest list (along the lines of the scene in"Everything Changes" where Jack avoids answering Gwen regarding people falling into the invisible list).
"Wouldn’t be surprised if what, Owen?" Ianto interrupted as he came up from behind them. Gwen laughed as Owen jumped in surprise.
"If, if...if you knew where Jack’s little black book was," Owen said quickly.
"I know things about Jack because I actually listen to him." Ianto stepped closer to Owen, leaning into his personal space. "It’s amazing what a person can learn if they actually pay attention."
"Sometimes I wonder if even half of what he tells us is true." Gwen kept her voice even as she stepped closer, ready to defuse the situation in case it escalated.
Yeah, I've wondered that myself.
"Hard to tell with that one," Owen agreed. "But, we know enough about him to know he needs this."
"Yeah, he does." Gwen sighed and turned to Ianto. "Has he figured it out yet?"
"I don’t think so," Ianto admitted, "but I can’t be certain."
"Is he still up there?" Tosh asked.
"Yeah, I think he’s looking in that box of his again." One by one their eyes went up to Jack’s office. The box was supposed to be a secret, but they all knew about it and the pictures it held. Over 100 years of memories, and many of them apparently painful. Jack always seemed sadder and more lonely after spending time lost in its memories.
Long before "Something Borrowed" aired I wrote a drabble where Jack had a box of treasures that he'd kept through his lifetime. No matter how transient his life, I imagine there'd be a few things he'd try to hold onto.
"No worries, mate." Owen put an arm around Ianto’s shoulder. "This time tomorrow Jack’ll be back to his old self. No more moping about."
"Owen’s right, Ianto." Tosh smiled at him as she reached out to take his hand. "Jack just needs to remember how many people he still has out are out there."
Over a hundred fifty years of living in all sorts of places and times had to wear on a guy. Poor Jack.
"And how many people love him," Gwen added, resting her hand briefly over Ianto and Tosh’s.
"I didn’t realize I was paying you to have a lovefest." Jack was standing in the doorway to his office, looking down at them, his voice has harsh and cold as it boomed through the Hub.
The team quickly broke apart. Ianto, in a deft motion, swept the rift device off the table and carried it toward the archive, shielding it from Jack’s view with his body.
"I’ll just put this back now that you’re done with your tests, Tosh."
"Oh, yes. Thank you, Ianto." Tosh sat down at her workstation and began furiously typing up a storm.
"Right, and I’ve that paperwork to finish." Gwen walked over to her own desk.
Owen looked around for a moment, biting his lip. "And I’ll, I’ll.... I guess I could go give autopsy that thorough cleaning you’re always asking for."
Owen definitely got the short end of the stick with that one.
Out of the corner of his eye Owen caught the slight movement when Jack’s shoulders slumped before the quiet, "Good, good," reply as Jack slipped back into his office.
It was important in my mind to have it be Owen who saw this. Normally, he'd be considered the least compassionate, there is depth and kindness in him.
Owen sighed. "Tomorrow can’t come soon enough!"
Friday Morning
Throughout the world, nearby star systems, and planes of existence, a select group of lucky people carefully prepared for the festivities. Dress uniforms were aired. Tuxes cleaned. Medals polished. Fur brushed. Trainers de-gummed. Some bought presents, others rummaged through pictures, and a few just paced nervously, waiting until the proper time.
"Trainers de-gummed" may just be the best line I've ever written.
Miskin Manor, Miskin, Wales
I spent HOURS trying to find an appropriate venue in the Cardiff area. Ideally it would have been where the last party could have taken place, but that was not to be. Miskin Manor was around that long, but it did have the necessary staircase and banister for the scene below.
"Everything’s ready, yeah?" Gwen leaned on the banister, perusing the ornate dining room below.
"Yep." Ianto lifted up his clipboard to show her the various checkmarks next to nearly every line. "It’s certainly helped matters that someone kept notes from the last time they did this."
"They were certainly thorough back then," Gwen commented.
Ianto shook his head. "I still can't believe how much planning his old team, or maybe teams, had put into this. An entire list of appropriate venues complete with suggested menus and aperitifs.... Everything, even down to the flowers for the tables."
"It made things a lot easier for us." Gwen turned and faced Ianto. "Did you know? About," she made a vague hand gesture to the flurry of activity going on everywhere, "Well, all of this. Any of this."
"No. My first year here I was too new, and after that I guess I never put two and two together to realize..."
This part of the conversation was supposed to be about that Jack gets mopey every year around this time of year (his birthday). Not sure if that came out or not.
"No reason that you should have. He hides it well." Gwen shrugged. "It’s easy to only see what he wants us to."
"Still..." Ianto trailed off, a guilty look in his eyes.
"You planned all this, didn’t you? Jack will love it." She touched his arm briefly, a quick sign of support. "I’m going to go do one last check on the room we’re using to transmat the guests into, wouldn’t want any mix-ups there, would we?" She laughed lightly.
Ianto smiled. "No, that certainly wouldn’t do. I better get back to the Hub before Jack becomes suspicious."
"Still no sign he’s figured it out yet?"
"Not that I can see, and considering he cancelled the last one- twenty-five years ago- I think we’re safe."
I figure having a party for Jack every year would get a bit silly, but once every 25 or 50 years seemed about right.
"Gwen!" Ianto blushed, but Gwen just grinned as she took off down the stairs.
I like Gwen and Ianto's relationship in canon. A bit of sibling rivalry. A bit of fun. I tried to write it that way here.
Late Friday Afternoon
The Hub, Cardiff, Wales
"Jack?" Tosh called out. "Jack, the rift alarms are going off."
Jack ran over to her workstation. "What have we got?"
Typing quickly, she brought up different screens. "Rift activity. A lot of it."
"Where?" Jack had grabbed his coat and put it on.
"Just east of Cardiff." She squinted at the readings. "In Miskin, it looks like. Whatever it is, it’s building, Jack. I haven’t seen readings like this since the rift was opened."
"You stay here and..." Jack looked around. "Wait a minute, where are Gwen and Owen?"
"The police called about that device that showed up on their roof. The one with the squiggly print on it. Andy thought it had to be alien, remember?"
The team would have thought up a reason why the entire team had to respond to the alert. They're sneaky that way.
"Oh, right." Jack ran a hand along his chin. "Can you monitor the reading from the SUV?"
"Shouldn’t be a problem. Let me just transfer the feed."
"Ianto?" Jack called into his radio.
"Yes, sir?" was the tinny reply.
"Close up the tourist office and bring the SUV around. I need you out in the field with us."
"Right away, sir"
"Tosh, I’m going to grab some extra weapons out of the armory. I don’t want to be outgunned and undermanned." He turned and began to walk away. "Meet you up top," he threw over his shoulder.
Jack wouldn't like going out without the full compliment though.
"Be right there, Jack," Tosh replied, waiting until he was well out of sight to break into a wide grin.
On the M4 approaching Miskin, Wales
Yes, I googlemapped how to get from Cardiff to Miskin. I am such a geek.
"Talk to me Tosh." Jack shifted in his seat. He could see the reflections of the information she was reading on the computer screen dancing across her face.
"Multiple rift signatures," she explained, not looking away from the screen. "Whatever is coming through, there is sure a lot of it."
"Great," Jack muttered, "Just great." He turned back to peer through the windshield. "Any luck with Gwen and Owen?"
"They were almost finished when I called," Ianto answered. "They should be only fifteen minutes or so behind us. Owen’s driving," he mentioned as an afterthought, "so maybe not even that."
Everyone has their own driving style. I imagine Owen's would be fast and a bit dangerous.
"Sorry?" Ianto’s eyes flicked to Jack for a moment.
"Nothing." Jack straightened a crease in his jacket and shook his head slightly. "Nothing at all."
"I’ve narrowed down the coordinates," Tosh called out. "Turn north next chance you get, Ianto."
"Not a problem, there’s an exit up ahead."
"We getting close, Tosh?" Jack asked.
"Yeah, not much further now."
"And the rift activity?"
"I think it’s starting to drop off."
"Which doesn’t help us any. Especially considering how many of whatever it is are already here." Jack opened up his wrist comp and began taking his own readings, ignoring the quiet directions Tosh gave to Ianto and relayed to Owen.
Miskin Manor, Miskin, Wales
Jack hopped out when the SUV pulled to a stop in front of the manor. He readied several weapons, passing the pulse cannon to Ianto and two glocks to Tosh. "All right." He consulted his wrist comp one last time. "Multiple targets. We can’t wait for Owen and Gwen, not since I can’t get a fix on whether or not there are people inside. Stay behind me. Shoot only if you have to, but if you think you are in danger do not hesitate to fire. Got it?" Both Ianto and Tosh nodded. "Let’s go."
Jack slowly pushed in the door. Everything was dark, quiet, but not still. Jack’s brow furrowed. "Something’s not right," he whispered to the others.
He'd pick up on the rift activity and the fact that a bunch of people where hiding in the room.
"Ianto!" Jack hissed. "What are you-"
"Surprise!!!!" The entire room bellowed at once.
The lights came on to show a huge banner proclaiming “Happy 200th Birthday, Jack!”
Gun still out, Jack froze, staring at the crowd of people under the banner. Ianto took a step closer and carefully slipped the Webley out of Jack’s hand before whispering, “You didn’t think we’d forgotten, did you?”
Ianto would have to be the one to approach him here, Jack's not good at having his personal space invaded and in his state of mind slow, steady movements were probably a good idea.
“I.... I...” Jack’s empty hand fell to his side. “I didn’t even know you knew.” He looked over at all the friends his team had gathered together for him. “Ben? Ducky? Sheppard? But how?”
“Transdimensional transmat device... thing.” Owen said, walking up with Gwen. He slapped Jack on the shoulder, while Gwen offered a quick hug. “The best way to travel for even the most discerning guest.”
Yeah, they never did come up with a name for it... but awww, team love moment.
“And the rift, all this, Tosh, what?”
“Happy Birthday, Jack.” Tosh was so happy she was practically glowing as she leaned over to kiss Jack on the cheek.
“Quite the team you’ve got here, Captain.” The Doctor stepped forward. “And you should take the proper time to tell them that, but not now. I was promised dinner and dancing, so close your mouth, shake off that shock, slip out of that coat and be prepared to stay for awhile!” The Doctor looked around. “Music? Where’s the music? How can we dance without music!”
“Oook!” came an enthusiastic cry from the far side of the crowd.
I love the fact that all it takes is one word to recognize the Librarian. It was also my way of showing that there were a lot more people there than we saw invites get sent out to.
“Good man!” the Doctor called back. “Now then, Jack. What do you say we get this party started!”
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Oooh! That's interesting, makes sense, and I'd like to read the fic if you finish it.
To me, the Doctor's like a hyperactive two year old. Maintenance would not be his thing.
I can see that, especially Ten. Interesting that Jack *did* go for the maintenance. As a way of being useful, but even at his lighthearted times he also seemed to be able to get a deep focus that we don't see so much from the Doctor. Well, especially Ten. :)
Yes, all the "what"s were on purpose.
And I could hear it perfectly in my head!
I love Dief, however too often his presence is not truly welcomed by others on the show, thus the idea that he was actually invited came to mind. Jack (and Torchwood) puts up with a pterdactyl, a half-wolf would be a piece of cake.
I think I said it before, but I loved that!
Jack would excel at setting up trade partnerships, wouldn't he?
He SO would. He and Teyla would be a great team!
Silly named alien tech is the best.
The funniest thing is when it's done seriously in a script, so your parody of that is what had me laughing the hardest.
It was important in my mind to have it be Owen who saw this. Normally, he'd be considered the least compassionate, there is depth and kindness in him.
::warm fuzzies:: I really agree.
"Trainers de-gummed" may just be the best line I've ever written.
It's pretty awesome! Evocative and hilarious.
I spent HOURS trying to find an appropriate venue in the Cardiff area.
Research can really take over sometimes, can't it? But if it's important, it's important! Even if it's just for a line or two.
Yes, I googlemapped how to get from Cardiff to Miskin. I am such a geek.
I once spent hours looking at *online CCTV camera footage* of Welsh highways to find out which grade of road would have those tall street lights. And I think it was for a drabble. ::headdesk::
It was also my way of showing that there were a lot more people there than we saw invites get sent out to.
It was a good way! That way you can say that anybody from any fandom was there, really. :)
This was really fun and interesting to read, thank you!
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Yo're right- Nine did fixy stuff (I love that scene with the blinky light on his forehead) maybe that did have something to do with Jack wanting to and Nine feeling he couldn't let Jack do it alone.
I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who does a ridiculous amount of (perhaps not necessary) research!
Thanks for requesting this, it's always fun to re-look at something!
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Research is a wonderful thing - never stop doing it - it doesn't make you a geek, honest *G*
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Research is fun, but occassionally even I admit, it's possible to go completely overboard!
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