Previous part of Seperate Ways.

***

Jack burst through the door, looking around frantically. Spotting Gwen sitting on the couch with Joey in her arms, he rushed over and began to check him over for bumps and bruises. "What’s wrong with them?" He took the baby from her, careful not to wake him. "And where is Lulu?" He sat beside Gwen.

"I’m down here, Jack!" Her voice called from what sounded like the autopsy bay. "But I’m not hurt. Owen is showing me some of the cool bacteria he has growing down here!"

"Lu, please come here so I can see you," Jack all but pleaded. He needed to see that they were both okay.

Within a few minutes, Tallulah appeared in front of Jack. He pulled her onto the sofa beside him and drew her in for a hug, it being the best he could do with only one arm. Gwen watched with her hands to her mouth. Watching him with Susan’s kids made her realize that the Captain was changing ... for the better. Well, it was that and the fact that he had shown up in his pajama bottoms and a plain tee, hair everywhere. But he was still wearing that coat ... the coat that Gwen was convinced the man wore to bed ... and this was somewhat proving it to her.

"Oh, God, Lu, I was so worried," He held her so close, she yelped, forcing him to let her go. "What happened?"

She sat up and tucked her leg under as she got comfortable. "I dunno. It was weird. Taryn took us for ice cream and then she got up to go to the bathroom. She never came back."

"Did you see who took her?" The baby stirred a little and then nuzzled into Jack’s neck before heaving a sigh and starting to snore a little.

"All I saw was the blue box."

Jack touched her hand. "Are you sure you saw a blue box?"

"Yes, why?" She was starting to get scared and Gwen picked up on it.

"No reason not to believe her, Jack, and shouldn’t you be getting them home?" She stepped in to help.

Jack shook his head to clear it. "Right, just going to ask Owen a few questions. Would you hold this little sack of bricks?" He kissed the boy on the head as he passed the boy to Gwen. He never even woke up.

Jack stood overlooking the railing down at Owen. "Owen, anything usual at the place where you picked up the kids?"

"Not really, only injury of sorts was the migraine that the kid managed to give me by singing that God-awful song in the car." Owen looked up at the man.

"And what song would that be?" His mouth turned up at the corner.

"Tiny Dancer. And what are you doing in your jimmies? Sleepover?" His raised an eyebrow.

"Something like that. Any injuries to anyone? Especially the kids?" He ignored the medic.

"None, Jack, they all checked out. Honest. Now, get back to your slumber party, Harkness." Owen laughed at himself.

Jack crossed back to Gwen and took the child from her once again. She was reluctant to give him up, and looked a little sad when he was gone from her arms. Jack thought that maybe it was time for her to think about having a kid of her own ... after all, she had Rhys to help her when she was at work. "Right, I’m going to head back, find out what I can from Lu ... if you don’t hear from me by seven, lock up shop and transfer the Rift Monitor to me cell. Got that?"

They all nodded as Jack took Tallulah’s hand and lead her out the door. Tosh looked at the others. "Did you see what he was wearing?"

"I think that was the ‘Dad going to pick up the kids from a bad dream they had at a slumber party look," Owen added.

"I dunno, it fit him," Gwen put in. "Domestic looks good on Jack."

"Who are we kidding, Gwen? Any thing looks good on Jack!" The women laughed at a private joke and Owen went back to categorizing his various molds and spores. The less he knew, the better, he figured.

 ***

Jack parked the car and helped Tallulah out before going around and getting Joey out of his seat. The boy slept on as Susan appeared at the door. "What’s going on? Where’s Taryn?"

Jack looked at her and walked past to put Joey to bed. When he had him down, he went to Tallulah’s bedroom door and knocked. "Lu?"

"Jack, I told you all I know." She sounded tired, so Jack left it.

"If you do think of anything else, tell me? Wake me up if you have to. Okay?" He talked through the still-closed door.

"Fine." At least she was her usual sulky pre-teen self.

Jack found Susan in her bedroom, sitting on the bed. "Where is Taryn? Is she okay?" She held her arms close to her chest, as if she were cold and trying to hold the heat in.

Jack took his coat off and draped it over a chair in the room before sitting beside her and pulling her close. "She’s going to be fine."

"But where is she now?" Susan sounded small and scared for her friend.

"Well, I don’t know." Jack told her the truth. "But I know she’s safe. I know who has her."

"Are you telling me she was taken?" She searched his face in the hopes that that was the wrong guess.

He nodded. "But I know the guy ... he’s as safe as houses. Honest. You trust me right?"

"You know that I do." Tears were starting in her eyes.

"Then trust me on this." He drew her in to a hug and kissed her on the top of the head. "Tomorrow we’ll begin the search for a nanny ... you’ve been needing one anyway."

"Only need a day nanny," She protested weakly.

"Fine, but I’ll help ... okay?" Jack was pulling back the covers on the bed.

"Fine, if you really want to," Susan sounded too tired to argue and he knew it was because she felt like she could have done something. Like if he hadn’t stopped her from calling that she never would have come up missing.

They got under the covers and within minutes of curling up to Jack, Susan was breathing evenly and even snoring at times. He contented himself with laying kisses along her hairline and thinking about how she had been right. He was going to have to learn to trust her intuitions, he guessed as he himself drifted off.

The next morning, he woke up well before Susan and got to work trying to find a nanny. She can into the kitchen to find bits of paper strewn around and scribbled all over as well as Jack sitting at the table with a BlueTooth in his ear.

"Toshiko, can you just look up one more? One? Please, Toshiko? Please? Please? Pretty, pretty please? Thanks! You’re the greatest. Her name is Nicole White. Yes, White, like the color. Okay, let me know when you find out. Thanks, Tosh!" He lifted his head from the paper he was reading and looked at the woman standing in front of him. "Oh, good, you’re up! With any luck, this will be the last one."

"So what are you doing, exactly?" She sat at the table and laid her head on her folded arms.

"Well, I am having Tosh run the prospective nanny’s records. So far, there hasn’t been anyone I trust," Jack had a pen behind the ear that wasn’t taken by the comm.

She looked up at him for a moment. "Jack, why are you doing this? I could have gotten off early today and taken care of it."

"No you couldn’t. And I can." He smiled at her. "So I am. Now, you go and get ready for work and I’ll do this."

"Bleh." Susan made a face at him and drug her feet down the hall to wake up Tallulah before going to get dressed for work.

"Yeah, thanks, Tosh, I think that’s going to do it. Unless you want to patch me through. Again, thank you ... with all my heart." Jack was talking when she came back into the room. "Hello, Is this Nicole? Nicole, this is Captain Jack Harkness and I hear you come very highly recommended. When can you start? Tomorrow would be great. Thank you!"

"So, it’s good news I take it, " Susan was dressed for work and grabbing her keys.

"Yeah," Jack nodded. "She can start tomorrow."

"What about today? I can call and…" she was cut off before she could finish.

"No, I’ll take Joey with me. You go on to work. Tosh and Gwen would love to have their hands on him anyway, trust me." Jack laughed at the thought of how the day would go.

"Wait. You never said how much. Jack, I can’t spend too much on a nanny," she looked down at the floor.

Jack walked to her and hugged her close. "Listen, don’t worry so much, I have it covered. These kids are like my own. I’ll be glad to help." Where had that come from? It was true, but why did have to go and say it out loud?

Susan’s breath caught a bit when she realized what he had said, but tried to act like it hadn’t been said. It would be much easier for her, after all, if she hadn’t heard that. "Okay, and hey, thanks. We can talk about this more when I get home." She was out the door after she saw Tallulah leave.

"Sure thing, sweetheart," he said as she ducked out the door. It felt nice to be domestic again, he thought.

***

"Who do you have there, then?" Gwen asked, taking the child that Jack had in his arms. "Maybe he wants to come play with Auntie Gwen?"

"Thanks, Gwen," Jack sighed, dropped the diaper bag he had on his shoulder, but not before Tosh had looked up and giggled at him.

The very image of Captain Jack Harkness, one time intergalactic conman, now leader of Torchwood Three, standing tall and proud in his standard work outfit of choice - with the coat, of course - comm in ear, holding a toddler who was biting his finger and looking very proud of himself. And let’s not forget the baby blue diaper bag that was hanging off his shoulder. Tosh was reduced to a fit of giggles that ended with a snort. Owen came up to see what was making the girls laugh and doubled over himself.

"Jack Harkness doing domestic? Never thought I’d see the day," Owen shook his head and walked toward the kitchen. "Has anyone seen the TeaBoy?"

"Ianto isn’t in yet?" Jack’s eyebrows knit together. "That isn’t like him. Did you hear from him yesterday?" He rummaged through the bag he brought for some toys for the boy to play with.

"Never did," Tosh didn’t look up as she watched for any sign of the Weevils that had been out the day before.

"That’s odd, not at all like him," Jack remarked, going to lean on the back of Tosh’s chair as Gwen took the book and ball Jack had fished out for Joey.

"I tried getting him on the comm, but nothing. And he isn’t answering his cell." Tosh punched more buttons.

Jack looked quickly at Gwen, who widened her eyes and shrugged. "I’ll try calling him. Gwen, have you got Joey?"

"Jack, I have fought aliens and you are asking me if I can handle a toddler?" She joked, "We’ll be fine."

With a quick grin, Jack went to his office. "Thanks, I owe you."

Once up there, he looked around. The mug that he had left on his desk two days ago was still there, proving that Ianto had not been there while the others were not. Jack used his cell to dial Ianto’s cell and got only a message that his mailbox was full. Concerned, Jack dialed the home number that he had for the man, only to get an answering machine on that end as well. This was not at all like Ianto, and it scared Jack. There was only one place that had not been checked, so Jack opened the hatch located in his office and peeked in, only to be met with the smell of stale, uncirculated air. And not a sign of Ianto. Jack ran his hands through his hair and went out to the main part of the Hub. Ianto’s desk was the same.

"I’m going to go by his house." Jack made a decision. "Gwen, grab Joey and come with me."

Gwen picked up the baby and followed Jack out. He had borrowed Susan’s car, so he strapped Joey into his car seat before slipping behind the wheel. "I can’t understand why Ianto would do this," he muttered as he started the car. "Not like him at all."

"Jack," Gwen placed her on his leg, "he’s fine, I’m sure."

Jack looked his leg and then up at her with an arched eyebrow. "How can you be so sure, Gwen? He could be in big trouble. You know that good can change to bad in a matter of seconds."

They rode in silence the rest of the way to Ianto’s flat. When they pulled up to the curb, Jack looked over at Gwen. "Stay here. If I need you, I’ll call."

Gwen nodded and watched as he went to the front door and knocked. He got no answer, so he used the key Ianto had given him. Gwen saw him go inside and turned to the child in the back. "Joey, Jack is being very silly ... I’ll bet this has to do with your Auntie Erin…"

"Erin," Joey agreed, clapping his chubby hands.

Gwen laughed and watched the boy laugh and bounce his feet. She wondered if she would ever be able to have a family of her own and briefly envied Jack, even if this wasn’t his family, he was getting to spend time with them. More than ever, Gwen wanted a baby to cuddle. Joey looked at her studying him and whined to get out of the straps.

"I don’t think Jack wants you out of there, love," she told him gently.

"Love," he repeated, holding his arms out to her.

It broke her heart to tell him no again, but she quickly added, "When we get back, dear, I promise."

Jack came back out of the apartment with a distressed look on his face. Gwen talked to Joey before he got back in. "Looks like Uncle Jack is upset."

"Daddy!" Joey insisted, just as Jack opened the door.

His head whipped back to the child in the backseat. "What did he just say?"

Gwen, who had her hand over her mouth, and was afraid to answer, let her eyes go wide.

"What did you say?" He turned to face the child again.

Laughter bubbled out of the toddler. "Daddy!" he demanded, reaching out to Jack.

Gwen watched Jack go pale for a moment before tears began to run down his face. Forgetting Ianto, he reached around and undid Joey. It had been a long time since he heard that word directed at him; so long, in fact, that he had forgotten how it felt to hear it. Jack gathered him in his arms and held him so tight that the boy let out a bit of a yelp.

"Jack," Gwen whispered, "he should be able to breathe, yeah?"

He had forgotten Gwen was in the car. "Of course." He loosened his grip a bit and looked at her, tears still in his eyes. "Gwen, it’s been so long…"

All she could do was nod. "Jack, maybe we should just leave this. Ianto would have called if it were that important. Really."

Jack looked at her, Joey’s small hand now in his hair. "I suppose you’re right."

"Damn right, I’m right." Gwen smiled. "Oops, forgot about the kid. Maybe you should take him home, yeah?"

Jack nodded. Suddenly, the world was different. It didn’t matter if Ianto was there. Jack was there and Joey was there and the word was there, still in the air, the word ... a title ... that changed everything in a second. A word that made Jack want to cry and scream and laugh and live and die and oh, so much more. "I think that’s a good idea. I’ll try calling Ianto a little later. Do you need a ride home?"

"Thanks, that would be great, I’ll tell Tosh and Owen then?" Gwen tapped the comm in her ear.

"Yeah, let me put him back," Jack opened the door and busied himself with putting Joey back in his seat.

Once he had finished, he once again took his place in the driver’s seat. "Did you tell them to transfer all calls to me?"

"Tosh said she would take them and call you if she needed you," Gwen patted his leg.

"You told them, didn’t you?" Jack’s eyes smiled along with him.

Gwen hid behind her hands. "You didn’t want me to?"

"No, it’s fine. Still a bit in shock, but it’s good." He took one of her hands. "You heard him, right? I’m not being crazy here…"

"Yes, Jack, I heard him. Now take me home so you can go and spend more time with him like you want." Gwen was the voice of reason.

Jack started the car, still smiling. Today was going to be a good day.

***

Ianto snuggled closer to Erin. They had been holed up in her room watching old movies for two days, leaving only to answer the door to collect the takeout. In her sleep, Erin sighed and stretched a little, a content smile on her face. Ianto briefly wondered what she was thinking about as he idly rubbed his chin. He could do with a shave, he thought, but that became secondary when the woman beside him began to stir. She gave him her morning smile and stretched again before settling against the man’s chest.

Ianto kissed the top of her head. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yep, didn’t make any mistakes," she yawned into him.

He chuckled at her little joke and pulled her closer. "What do you have planned for today?"

"You mean that you want to do something other than this?" She turned to look up at him.

"Of course not," he kissed her gently on the lips. Ianto hadn’t been into work for those two days ... hadn’t even called. After all, it wasn’t like Jack didn’t know where he was. He had heard the older man’s voice upstairs just the night before.

"Ianto ... did you call work?" It was like she could read his mind.

"No," he was honest with her. "They know where to find me. Not that I want them to."

"True. How about breakfast?" Erin was already moving.

"Sounds great," Ianto swung his feet off the bed and stood to stretch. "I’ll make coffee."

"You have a deal!" She pulled her loose hair into a ponytail, watching Ianto out of the corner of her eye. "What?"

"Nothing ... that’s it," his smile was warm. "Everything is fine. Still fine." He crossed to her. "For the first time in a long time."

She searched his eyes. "Oh my God, Yan, you’re serious." Sudden realization hit her. "You must have been hurt so badly."

He nodded, not once feeling any of the old familiar feeling that normal would accompany this conversation. "It all gone ... Lisa, Jack…"

Erin knit her eyebrows together. "Do you want to talk about it?"

He rubbed her arms lightly as he talked, "Only if you want to know."

"Ianto, I want to know everything you want to tell me ... no more, no less." The look on her face told him she was telling him the truth.

"You won’t get mad or ... worse ... jealous?" He thought back to Jack and the way he would always cut Ianto off if he talked about past lovers ... nevermind that he would tell stories at the drop of a hat.

"Don’t be silly. Tell me everything about you." She put her arms around him.

"Everything? What do you mean?" He looked down at her, eyebrow arched.

"Just everything! Start from when you were born and don’t stop until you get to this very second. Don’t leave anything out." She put her head to his chest to hear his heartbeat.

"Well, to start it off, my Mam met my Tad…" he began, wrapping his arms tightly around her.

***

Jack had driven Gwen home, only to find Rhys outside when they pulled up. He walked over to the car and stuck his head in to kiss Gwen before they even got stopped good. "Is there anything wrong?" he looked over at Jack.

"No, we decided to call it an early day. Not enough time to spend with our families," Gwen answered for him.

Jack had to smile at the word she had chosen. Family. He had always thought that that was not a possibility anymore ... that Torchwood would be his only family now. He was sure that his face was going to split right in half.

"Things good with you then, Jack?" He still had his head in the car and was now looking at Joey. "Who’s this then? Newest member of Torchwood?"

"That’s Joseph Danger," Gwen said it like she was reciting a movie trailer, her eyebrows raised.

"That right?" Rhys looked to Jack for an answer. "Who’s is he?"

"My girlfriend’s." Jack puffed his chest up a bit as he answered.

Rhys tried not to look shocked, he really did. But Rhys was rubbish at it, really, truly rubbish. "You have a girlfriend?"

Jack looked at the man and chuckled audibly. "Yes, Rhys. You should meet her, she’s even human."

"Oh stop, you two," Gwen laughed, putting her hands up between them.

Rhys opened the door for her and they spoke in a whisper for a bit. Gwen poked her head back in the car before shutting the door. "You want to come up and talk for a bit?"

Jack thought about saying no, but saw that they really did want him there, so he accepted their invitation and parked the car. Gwen and Rhys had gone in, so he unstrapped Joey and carried him into the house. The boy bounced on his hip when he saw Gwen again, and reached for her. Rhys watched as she took the boy and carried him off to the kitchen.

"You know, she wants one of those," Rhys remarked, looking at Jack as if he had put the idea in her head.

Jack looked at the kitchen, "She’d be good at it." His reply was automatic, but truthful.

"Yeah, I suppose so. That’s my Gwenny, takin’ care of the world!" The two of them shared a laugh and went to sit at the table as Gwen got them something to drink.

"Here, Rhys," She handed Joey over to him before he could protest and headed back to the kitchen, "I can’t pour when I am holding him and this place is NOT kid-proofed."

Jack watched as the boy studied Rhys before turning to Jack and holding his arms out. "Daddy?" he pleaded, reaching for Jack’s coat.

"Did he just call you…?" Rhys was becoming more and more confused.

Jack took the boy and beamed at the other man. "Yep." He hugged him close as Gwen brought out a pack of crackers.

"He can have these, yeah?" She asked Jack before handing them to the toddler.

He nodded. "Wedding’s coming up ... how are you guys doing?" Joey shifted on his lap as he tried to open the pack, only managing to crush them. Jack took them and got the remaining ones out, putting the crumbs that were left on the table.

"Nervous," Gwen sat, wrapping her hands around her teacup. Rhys looked at her then. "Well, I am ... aren’t you?"

"Yeah, terrified," he admitted, taking her hand in his. At that moment, a look passed between them that was unfiltered and true ... no mistaking that they were destined for a forever together ... that Jack felt as though he were intruding.

"It’s nothing kids ... been through it myself." He thought for a moment about what he had just said, then continued. "Besides, you guys already got the living together part down ... what’s left?"

"Well, that, for starters," Rhys inclined his head at the toddler happily eating crackers and dropping wet bits all over Jack’s pants.

"Thanks, Joe," he muttered as he picked at the bits, but it was no use. "But this is the best part."

"I can see you’re having a ball there," Gwen laughed. "Let me get you a towel." She was just out of earshot when Rhys leaned closer to Jack.

"You know, I’m not as nervous as I keep saying. I can’t wait to start my life with her proper. And I want kids, Jack, but I don’t know how we are going to do that with her job." Jack studied his face for a bit.

"Rhys, you have my promise that when that time comes, I will do everything I can to make sure that that is a possibility for you two." He sat back in his chair. "You make the call."

"Thank you Jack." Rhys nodded and watched as Gwen came back in the room with a towel to help clean Joey off.

"What were you two talkin’ about, then?" She asked, looking over her shoulder at Rhys. "Did you ask him?"

"Not yet ... I was getting’ to it." He smiled at her. "Well, Jack, you see, one of my mates isn’t gonna be in town for the wedding. We were wonderin’ if maybe you could step in for him?"

Jack was shocked. He looked, confused, from Gwen to Rhys and back to Gwen, who nodded to him that it was okay. "Yeah, sure, I’d be honored!"

"Once again, Captain Harkness, you save the day," Gwen joked, handing him the towel and sitting.

"Yeah, but I think this shirt might be a lost cause. I forgot how messy soggy crackers could be," he made a face at them. "I hate to cut this short, but I think I’m going to go home and get some stuff straightened out. Thanks for having us."

Gwen walked Jack to the door, kissing Joey on the cheek as they left. "Bye, Joe."

The boy smiled at her and waved a cracker-coated hand. "And thanks, Jack, it means a lot to us."

"No problem, Gwen," he shared a quick hug with her before calling back into the flat. "See ya later, Rhys!"

It was a short walk back to the car, but, as Jack replayed what had been said, he thought about what he had meant. Back there, to Rhys and Gwen, he had said he needed to get home. But wasn’t the Hub his home? When had all of this changed so much for him?

***

The Doctor appeared moments later, two cups of tea in hand. Taryn took one and inhaled before putting her lips to the cup.

"It’s Earl Gray, all I could find," he explained, taking a seat next to where she sat in the jumpseat and putting his feet on the console.

"It’s lovely!" She exclaimed, taking another smell before taking a second sip. "Now, you have to tell me what is going on here."

"That’s easy." He leaned back, content. "I don’t know."

"How can you not know?" The confusion was coming back.

"I do know that it has to do with Susan. And you are the most direct link to her right now." She started to protest. "The TARDIS is never wrong about this."

"So, you’re telling me that you grabbed me out of my normal, everyday life to save Susan? Does it always have to be about her? Why not Jack? He’s way closer to her right now ... that is, depending on what time of day it is…" She almost whined, but held herself in check.

The Doctor was drinking when he registered what she was saying. "Hold on, did you say Jack?"

"Yeah, this guy she is dating, seems a bit of a player, if you ask me ... which no one does." She swirled the tea around in her cup, watching his face.

"It’s not Harkness is it?" He almost choked. "Couldn’t be Jack Harkness…"

Taryn nodded as she drank. "Yeah, that’s him ... tall, dashing, lots of charm?"

"But how did he…OH! Now I get it! It’s all clear now!" He sat upright and ran his free hand through his hair. "Taryn, how long have you known Susan?"

"A bit. Long enough. Why?" She was very confused as to how Jack knew this man, but it figured, one looney would know another.

"Did you know her when she was in school?" He was trying to narrow this down a bit more.

"No, I didn’t meet her until after she had kids. What is this about?"

"Well, I got a message from one of my oldest friends. The Face of Boe ... don’t suppose you know him do you?"

"Look. You either need to start making sense or I am going to just leave."

"But I told you ... you can’t do that. We are out in space, twisting through time ... trying to get to the point in your friend’s life where you can stop her from making a mistake."

"Wait. I read a story about this once. We can’t step on a prehistoric butterfly, right?" Taryn was gesturing with her hands as she spoke.

He looked at her for a moment and tugged on his ear. "Uh, no, actually."

"Then what?"

"Well, it seems that you are the only one who can get her to change her mind."

"Why?"

"You ask too many questions ... has anyone ever told you that, Miss Beall?" He rubbed his eyes.

"I have to ... a good writer always asks questions! Take for instance Agatha Christie. She was a great writer ... her stuff stood the test of time. Do you even know who I am talking about?"

The Doctor laughed and nodded, knowing that he had met her in the flesh. "I’ve heard of her a few times."

"She’s great. Anyway, I have to ask questions ... what if I want to write about this later?"

"NO! You can’t do that!" He grabbed for her mug with both hands ... he had scared her by shouting.

"You don’t have to shout, geezy creezy…"

"But you can’t, okay? Not ever. Promise me."

She bit the end of her little finger and, hooking it, offered it to him. When he was confused, she did it again, indicted he should as well. Once he had, she locked pinkies with him "Pinky swear!"

"Ouch!" That was a new pain ... he had never seen anyone do that, but it made sense. He made a mental note to make that standard for verbal agreements. "Let’s get busy trying to figure out what needs to be changed shall we?"

***

He got back to the house and parked the car. Joey had fallen asleep, and taking him out of the seat without waking him had been a chore, but the feeling of the small boy snuggled against him made it all worth it.

There were still a couple of hours before Susan would get home, and it was the day that Tallulah went to drama lessons after school, so he had some time to just be ... not that he knew what to do with it. Moving Joey had caused him to awaken enough that he was no ready to get up and go. Jack had few phone calls to make, so he situated the boy in the living room on the sofa with a few books and went into the kitchen for some privacy.

"Tosh," he called through the comm. "I need you to do me a giant favor."

"What is it Jack?" Her voice was clear, meaning she was still at the Hub, working on computer updates, no doubt.

"I need you to institute protocol 53," he reached into the cookie jar that sat on the counter and got a few out, sticking one in his mouth whole as he talked.

"Protocol 53? Are you sure?" Her voice squeaked a bit. "Jack, that’s a big one."

"I have never been so sure in all my life, Toshiko." He walked back into the living room and handed the baby a cookie for each hand.

"I’ll get right on it then, Jack." She promised, and he could hear her already typing in the rat-a-tat-tat that he had found was distinctive to Toshiko.

"I’ll owe you." She could hear his patented grin through the comm.

"You already do, Jack." Likewise, he could hear her shy grin that usually accompanied a light blush.

"You are a doll, Toshiko Sato! Remember, if you need me ... any Rift activity at all ... you call me!" He was firm as he stuck another Gingersnap in his mouth.

He heard her sigh as he ended the communication. When he had taken off his coat and hung it in the hall closet - Susan liked when he did that without being asked ... he went back to where the baby sat looking at books, cookie all but melting down his hands. Jack sat beside him and pulled the boy onto his lap. "How about we watch some telly?"

Joey bounced in his lap and turned to laugh at the man holding him. His baby blue eyes sparkled as he forced a laugh and patted Jack’s shirt, leaving trails of Gingersnap as he did so. He hugged the boy and kissed his cheek before getting the remote and flicking the television on to cartoons. The two sat and laughed for whole before Jack noticed that his breathing had become even. He looked down to find Joey asleep once again. Thinking he could use this time to get a few things done before Susan showed up, he put the boy in his bed and went back to clean up the kitchen.

He was just finishing up the dishes when he heard someone come in and sit at the table. Turning, he saw Ianto. His mouth went into a hard line and he wiped his hands as he walked to him. "So, I see that you make your return."

Ianto looked at his hands, which he had folded on the table in front of him. "Never left, actually."

"So this is serious?" He took a seat next to him.

Ianto looked up. "Yeah, I think it might be, Jack."

Visibly hurt, Jack tried to hide it the best he could. "That’s great. Really." Why am I acting like this? I have Susan ... I should be happy. But there’s this little bit ... this little bit of me that wants to have both of them.

"Actually, I needed to talk to ... surprised that you’re here." He turned to Jack.

Jack chuckled, remembering what happened. "Yeah, damndest thing ... went looking for you and found me…"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, the team was worried that something had happened to you ... me included ... Yan, you have to call us when you aren’t going to show up…" He placed his hand on Ianto’s. "So, after calling you about a million and two times, Gwen and I went by your flat. You weren’t there ... obviously ... and as I was getting back in the car the most amazing thing happened." His eyes glazed over in memory.

"What was that?" He had never seen that look on Jack’s face ... not the whole time he had known him; not even for as closely as he had known him.

"I heard a name I hadn’t heard in so long, Yan. One word that can change everything in an instant. One word that can make even the hardest man stop in his tracks." He was looking into his eyes as he spoke.

"And that word, Jack?" He never blinked.

"Daddy." Tears were starting to try to push through as he remembered the tug his heart had felt at the utterance of that one word.

"Oh, Jack, that’s great!" Ianto didn’t know what to do for his friend at that moment, so he patted his arm.

"Yeah, it really is. Ianto, I think for the first time, everything is going to be fine." Jack agreed, nodding. "What did you need to talk about?"

"It’s funny, actually. I was afraid that I was going to say something that would upset you, yet, now, I don’t think it will." Ianto noticed the cookie on the front of his shirt and resisted the urge to try to brush it off.

"What’s that?" Jack looked at where Ianto’s eye were on his shirt and smiled. Cookie.

"That I don’t feel broken anymore." He tried to read if Jack was angry, but saw not even a glimmer. "There’s something about Erin that makes me whole again. Good ... no ... great. She makes me want to live, Jack."

"That’s wonderful, Ianto. I knew someone would." He realized what he had just been told. "What do you mean ... ‘want to live’?"

"I want out, Jack. I want you to let me quit." This was the hardest thing the Welshman had done. "I want you to Retcon me and let me be happy…"

Jack drained of all color as he gripped the table. "You what?"

"I want to be Ianto Jones again." e found it hard to look the older man in the eye.

"You are Ianto Jones. What would quitting Torchwood do for you?" He was almost frantic.

"It would make me normal." His voice was small.

"Yan, think this through. If you still want it in a week, I’ll do it. Okay?" He stood and was standing behind the man now.

"Deal." He looked up at Jack. "One week."

"Please think it through." Jack kissed him on the tope of the head and Ianto closed his eyes.

***

"Are you sure?" Jack asked Ianto, who was now standing before him in jeans and a tee ... not his customary suit.

The younger man put his hands on the desk and leaned forward. "You called Protocol 53 and you're asking me if I'm sure?"

"How did you know about that?" Jack was taken off guard.

"I'm Ianto Jones. It's my job to know everything." His eyebrows went up as he talked.

Jack's heart fell to his feet. This is why he hated the thought of losing the Welshman. There was no way he could train another person as well as Ianto had already trained himself.

"And now I want out." His voice lost all of the playful tone it had held.

"Ianto, you know I can't just let you out. You know there are certain things that have to happen to you." Jack's tone was one of regret.

"Yes, sir, I know."He nodded slightly.

"And you also know that when I Retcon you to take away the memory of working for Torchwood that any memories you have ... connected or not ... will be taken?"

"Yes, sir, I know."

Jack stood now and leaned toward him. "All your memories, Yan, not just the bad ones."

He held his eyes. "Yes, sir, I know."

Jack felt all at once betrayed and hurt. He had to sit. He could understand the man wanting to forget what had happened to Lisa, what had happened with the cannibals, the giant space whale; but wanting to forget Lisa herself ... and Jack... "Ianto, you have to know that there is no reversing this. You may lose the memory of why you wanted this done."

"Jack, you have no idea how I feel right now." Ianto relaxed his grip. "She's everything I want and need. I want to be there for her. Forever. If I stay with Torchwood, that's just not possible."

The older man leaned back in his chair and smiled. "So this is about love?"

Ianto smiled back. Jack had figured him out. "Yes, sir."

"I thought we decided you would wait a week..."

"No, you decided I would wait a week. This can't wait. I want to start my life with Erin right now."

"Then I have to give you credit. But I'm not letting you out."

"I won't show up." He stuck his chin out defiantly.

"Ahh...but you will. You'll even make coffee." Jack smiled at his attempt to stand up to him.

"Are you threatening me?" Ianto was getting mad that he was not being taken seriously.

"Not at all ... I'm offering you something better." His eyebrows went up.

"What are you talking about?" He was trying to keep his cool, Jack could tell.

"I'm taking you out of the field."

"I'm not sure I understand."

"We need a liaison. Think you're up to it?"

His shoulders slumped a bit. "That's what I am now, sir. It still means field work.'

"Not strictly. With my decision to put Protocol 53 into action, we'll need a few new members of the team." His tone was one of 'think-you-know-everything-but-you-don't-Ianto-Jones'.

"You mean setting up shifts?" Ianto was intrigued.

Jack nodded. "Seems like the lot of us are being domesticated ... speaking of ... what do you know about Tosh and Owen?"

Ianto looked down at where Tosh sat. She was smiling as she investigated the artifact in front of her. "What do you mean?"

Jack steepled his hands in thought, placing his pointer fingers to his lips. "Ahhh...something the great Ianto Jones knows nothing about?"

"Toshiko and Owen? No way!" Ianto was visibly shocked.

"Yes! I just noticed it myself. Guess we have been spending too much time away," Jack's look was unreadable. "That's why I was thinking shifts. That's how it was done at Torchwood One, right?"

The other man nodded, still trying to wrap his head around the concept of the two single members of their team dating one another. Somehow, two days away had been too long.

"Then it can't be that hard. Yvonne Hartman ... rest her soul ... wasn't one of the best directors Torchwood has ever had, but she knew her business. That place ran like a well-oiled machine. That was, until...well, you know what happened..." Jack paused and then realized that there was no strangled 'yawp' at the mention of Canary Wharf like he was used to hearing from his colleague. "Yan, what's going on?"

The Welshman's face held a somewhat worried expression. "You don't think this is all because of that artifact that Tosh has been working on, do you?"

Jack was forced to laugh, noting the frown he got from Ianto as he did so. "That turned out to be nothing more than an Intergalactic PEZ Dispenser ... or it's alien equivalent. What we are experiencing right now, my friend, is something Torchwood is famous for making us forget ... that we are human." He paused to let it sink in before continuing. "And humans love and lose and love again ... even ones who are immortal."

"It's been so long," Ianto looked out the window again as he whispered.

"It has for all of us ... except Gwen. It's time, Yan. We all deserve this."

"So, what do we do now?" Ianto looked to the older man for an answer.

"I suppose we keep our eyes open for talent we can use."

"Right then," he turned his eyes from the window. "Do the others know?"

"Wanted you to be the first ... call a staff meeting, will you, Yan?"

"Yes, sir." he stood and went to the door before turning. "When I said what I did about it being so long, you know what I meant, right?"

Jack looked at his hands. "I understand, Yan, I really do. It was fun while it lasted..."

"Yeah." And he was gone to round up the others.

Jack watched him leave, realizing that it was really and truly over for them. He waited for the pain that he always got in his heart when he thought like this and noticed it never came. Instead, all he could think of was Susan ... of the way he felt about her, about her kids. Hell, it was even the way he felt when he had mentioned to Gwen that he was going 'home' that one night ... it just felt so right. Things were really changing around Torchwood.

***

After an hour of searching for the peculiar, painful, and downright annoying beeping noise that the TARDIS was emitting, the Doctor found what it was.

"Aha! Oh, that's brilliant, that is!" He bounced over to Taryn.

"What was it?" Taryn bounced her head in time with him.

"You'll never guess." The Doctor rocked on his heels.

"Okay..." She turned from him.

"Well, go on..." He tapped her on the shoulder.

"Excuse me?" She looked at the hand.

"Guess!" The Doctor's hands and eyes danced.

"You just said I never would!" Taryn was beginning to suspect he was more than a little crazy.

"Well, try!" He pressed.

"Okay. It was the looney detector going off to warn me." She smiled her best smile.

He looked at her for a moment as of trying to process what she said. "Ice cream getting low ... I guess there's an alarm to let us know!"

"Like I said ... looney detector." Taryn shook her head. "How did you not know? Didn't you put it in?"

"Yes ... well, no ... well, you see...that's complicated." He ran his hand through his hair, something that Taryn didn't fail to notice caused a very interesting result.

"Seeing as this is a time machine ... I'd say it was time to start explaining." She set her hands on her hips and waited for him to begin.

"Let's walk and I'll explain as we go," he motioned to the hallway.

"Fine. I'd love to see how big this thing really is," she fell into step beside him.

"All right, then ... a tour and a story."

"Deal."

They walked along what Taryn considered to be a somewhat plainly decorated corridor. However, the lighting itself was something to behold. Although there were no visible fixtures, the lighting was soft and inviting. She briefly wondered if there was a way to get that same effect in her room back home.

"Okay," the Doctor's voice cut through her thoughts, "It's all very simple, really. I'm what they call a Timelord ... the last of them, really ... end of the line, me. There were more, mind you, but that's a whole other story...Anyway, as a Timelord, I regenerate ... so it must have been..."

Taryn cut him off. "I'm sorry ... regenerate? Like an earthworm?"

"Like a wha- Oh! No, no, no ... not like that at all! Though I suppose that would be nifty if I could ... wish I could ask the council about that, actually..." He paced excitedly as he spoke.

"Doctor? You were explaining something else to me? The regeneration thing?" she snapped her fingers in front of him.

"Right, right. Regeneration. I can ... by using a special process ... change my complete appearance to save my life in an emergency." He beamed at her, very pleased with himself.

"And you keep the same brain?"

"For the most part, yes," A slight nod.

"Then why is it you didn't remember about the alarm?" She was getting flustered now.

"Well, I only have trace memories ... and the deep genetic ones, of course ... but each me is a little different." The Doctor tired to explain further.

"And how many of 'you' have there been?" It was all making her head hurt.

He counted briefly. "Old codger, flute, old again, bit of fuzzy hair with long scarf, celery in lapel, ugh that outfit(!), The Professor (thanks, Ace), (don't know what went wrong with that one), the brooding one ... and me! That makes 10...'

"So, you're saying you have been different people ... 10 different people to be exact?" She held her head.

"Well ... yes." The Doctor thought that sounded perfectly reasonable.

"Why can't I hear the looney alarm going off?" She looked at him.

The Doctor cheerfully ignored her as they walked along. He made a mental note that the TARDIS kept popping up a certain door ... one he hadn't seen before.

"What's behind there?" Taryn pointed to an ornately carved door.

"That, Taryn, is the library." He touched the door and it opened.

Taryn stood, her mouth all but hanging open for a moment, taking everything in. There were rows upon rows of books and it looked to the young woman like they were neverending. Off to her left, there was a plush sitting area with a couple of sofas and a tale. Again, the lighting was just perfect.

"What books are here?"

"Lots ... and you can read any of them thanks to the TARDIS ... she translates!" He watched her eyes looking around the room, trying to take it all in.

"Nora Roberts?"

"Yup."

"Sue Grafton?"

"All twenty-six volumes..."

"Wait! Twenty-six? She's only on 'T'!"

"Uh..."

"Oh, duh! This is a time machine. You have 'U' through 'Z' then?" She was excited now.

"Yup," He popped the 'p'.

"See you later, then." She called as she ran to the stacks. "Call me when we get where we are going."

"By the way," he called after her retreating form, "I love your stuff ... read it all!"

She stopped now and turned. "All one of it?" She laughed at her own joke. "You have my book in here?"

"Four actually," he told her. "One of Susan's as well ... she's very odd, you know."

"Yeah, but we love her for it..." She thought for a moment. "Where would I find mine?"

"Doubt the TARDIS will let you ... good luck!" He turned and went out the door without another word, leaving Taryn to explore.

***

"Lucy, I'm home!" Jack opened the door to Susan's house, only to be met by Joey launching himself at Jack's leg.

"Joey, come back!" A honey blonde young woman came around the corner, carrying a pair of pants that Jack now noticed the child was not wearing. "Oh, hello...'

The man smiled at her as he bent to pick up the child clinging to him. "You must be Nicole. I'm Captain Jack Harkness.'

Nicole blushed and hid the pants behind her as she offered her other hand for him to shake. "That would be me ... Susan just called and said she'd be a little bit late."

Jack looked back at Ianto, who had driven them there. "And this is Ianto Jones. Ianto, this is the new Nanny, Nicole."

The younger man nodded at her before pushing past Jack and into the house. "Nice to meet you, Nicole. I'll probably see you around." he disappeared down the steps before Nicole could answer.

"Well, reinforcements are here now, have no fear!" Jack, still holding the toddler, shrugged out of his greatcoat, letting it fall to the floor. "You can leave them with me."

"Thank you, Mr. Harkness." Nicole blushed again, trying to look him in the eyes. "Oh! And so you know, Tallulah is at a friend's house. Susan okayed it."

"All right. Thanks. See you tomorrow, then?" He walked toward the kitchen as he talked.

"Yeah, I'll be here. Thank you ... and ... nice meeting you." She took a moment to pick up Jack's coat and lay it over the back of the couch before grabbing her backpack and heading out the door.

"Wow, buddy. Second day the women have left us alone." Jack remarked as he went to raid the cookie jar that sat on the counter.

"Kick-a-ball," Joey told him quite seriously, pointing to the cookie.

"Gin-ger-snap," Jack corrected him.

The toddler shook his head of white-blonde hair. "Kick-a-ball!" He insisted.

"Gin-ger-snap," the man dangled the cookie within the boy's reach.

"Snap?" He asked, reaching.

"Here go," Jack gave it to him and ruffled the boy's hair. He had set him down and was about to get the two of them a drink when he heard a small voice behind him.

"Wanker."

Jack turned and looked at the boy who was staring innocently up at him. "What was that?"

As an answer, he received a blank stare.

"Did you just say what I think you said?!"

"Probably." A familiar voice came through the door. "The rule around here is that if think you heard him say it, then he did."

Jack pulled her into a hug. "Then, your son, my dear, has a filthy mouth."

"Don't blame me," Susan looked up at him. "Probably learned it from your co-workers. That Owen sure can talk a rude game."

"He's dead," Jack muttered as he kissed her. "You know, I have something I want to talk to you about."

"Truth be told ... I think Taryn taught him that. Sit, sit, tell me about your day."

They took their usual seats at the table as Joey wandered into the living room to play.

"Ianto tried to quit today," Jack laced his fingers together as they spoke.

"Why would he do that?" Susan looked at her nails. She decided she needed to quit biting them.

"I guess he and Erin are getting serious. He's here right now." He looked at the stairs.

"Really?! That's wonderful! Erin deserves someone as nice as him!" She could hardly sit in her seat.

"Well, I guess it's not that great for you ... does this mean you'll have to work longer hours?"

"Not even. We decided to hire a second shift." He paused for a moment to look at her. "We're all getting a little too domesticated to do the job full-time anymore..."

"Is it me? I don't want to get in the way of your job, Jack."

"It is you. But that's fine. I want you to 'get in the way' of my job. It's been a long time since I had something that didn't directly involve Torchwood." he reached for her hands. "Susan, there's a lot you don't know about me."

"Then tell me, Jack. We can trade stories." She let him wrap his hands around hers. "That is ... if you want to tell me. I don't want you to feel like you have to tell me anything." She felt like she was talking in circles.

He drew a deep breath, his shoulders rising as he did so. He figured he should start at the big one. "I can't die."

Susan looked at him, trying to process what that might mean. "Stop it, Jack. You and Lulu and those stories you make up! Now, you're the Highlander? Not likely."

"Susan, it's true. You saw where I work ... it's not a tourist center. Well, not completely ... it's a tourist center up top. But down below, that's where I really work." The more he spoke, the more desperate his voice sounded. He all but pleaded for her to believe him.

She stood up quickly, pulling her hands from his. "Jack, I'm not going to listen to this! Quit being silly. If you didn't want to tell me, then you shouldn't have even brought it up. There's no sense in making up stories." She walked into the living room to find Joey.

Jack followed her, insisting he was telling the truth ... and, in fact, acting annoyed when she wouldn't believe him. "Susan, it's the truth! I'm not even from this century! I was born in the future ... quite a while from now, actually..."

She had picked up the boy and was now walking with him to the bathroom. She stopped and turned to him. "Jack..."

"Susan, you have to believe me." He held her shoulders. "There are so many things about me that seem impossible, but it's all true ... honest."

"Fine, Jack. Prove to me that you are who or what you say you are." Joey wiggled in her arms.

"Okay. You go ahead and bathe him. Once he's down for the night, I'll prove it all to you." He watched as she went to do just that before tapping the comm he had left in his ear. "Toshiko?"

There was a moment before Jack got an answer. "Go ahead, Jack."

"Tosh, I need access to the Hub computers. Can you arrange that?" He walked back down the hall.

"Sure, is it the laptop we have listed at her address?"

"Yeah ... have I got clearance?" He pulled the laptop from the cupboard Susan kept it in.

"One moment; unscrambling frequency." He could hear her typing for a moment before she continued. "Okay, Jack, call when you're done so we can seal it back."

"Can do, Tosh. Thanks!" He set about pulling up the files he would need as he heard the child splashing around in the tub.

***

Next part of Seperate Ways.