The Wandering Years 7: Melbourne (or: Try to Remember)

[jadesfire]

terrylj has written a wonderful missing-scene' for the series, In a minute, there is time. I love the idea and she's caught the characters spot on. Go! Read! And leave nice comments, for they are as food to the writer :)

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While I am normally the speediest replier on LJ ;), I'm out shopping with my mother for the day (hoorah!) so won't get back to most of you until tomorrow. Have fun in my absence :)

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Title: Melbourne (or: Try to Remember)

Author: jadesfire2808
Rating: G
Word Count: ~1,300
Warnings/Spoilers: None/Technically this is a Doctor Who crossover.
Betas: crystalshard and miss_zedem (who should take credit for the title).

A/N: With thanks to fangrrl_squees for help with the character.

Summary: Jack goes in search of a friend of a friend.

The Wandering Years 1: New York (or: Wonderful Town)
The Wandering Years 2: San Francisco (or: Where I Left My Heart)
The Wandering Years 3: Las Vegas (or: Viva!) Part 1
The Wandering Years 3: Las Vegas (or: Viva!) Part 2
The Wandering Years 4: Cardiff (or: Going to the Chapel)
The Wandering Years 5: Vancouver (or: Old Friends)
The Wandering Years 6: Cardiff Reprise (or: To Everything there is a Season)



Melbourne, Australia. February 5th 1988

"Is this seat taken?"

The woman looked up, glancing round the café. It was a busy lunchtime and most of the other chairs were full. She nodded. "Knock yourself out."

"I'll just sit, if it's all the same to you." Jack hung his jacket on the back of the chair, angling it so that he could look at the woman without getting the sun in his eyes. She laughed and went back to her book, head bent low.

"Are you local?" Jack asked conversationally.

"Not to Melbourne. I grew up in Brisbane." She turned a page. "Where in the States are you from?"

"You wouldn't have heard of it. I've done a lot of travelling, though."

Glancing up, she gave him a curious look. "Where abouts?"

"Oh, all over." Jack nodded to the waiter, ordering a double espresso and a glass of water. "Have you travelled?"

Her eyes drifted away from him. "I used to."

"Anywhere exciting?"

"Like you wouldn't believe."

"Try me."

She just laughed. "I don't think so, but thanks anyway." Returning to her book, she shifted on her seat so that she was facing the street rather than Jack.

"Let me tell you where you went, then," Jack said, pausing as the waiter brought his drinks. The woman was looking up at him, her expression halfway between confused and suspicious. Once they were alone, Jack went on, "You went to worlds you can't tell anyone about, amazing worlds with aliens and monsters. You saw lives saved, changed for the better. You saw people die, because that's what happens. Because it always happens when he's around."

As if suddenly becoming aware that her mouth was open, the woman closed it quickly, looking around the crowded café. When she spoke, her voice was full of fear and anger.

"Who are you? How did you find me?"

"I have a contact at UNIT," Jack said, sipping his coffee. "He told me what happened in London, two years ago. How you walked out of the building where everyone died, looking like you'd seen more than just dead bodies and aliens. He said you looked like you'd seen the end of the world and didn't know where to go next."

"Who are you?" There was an edge to her voice now, panic beginning to take hold.

"I work for an interested organisation."

"Interested in me?"

Jack laughed. "No. Sorry to disappoint you. Tegan Jovanka only registers on our watch list for one reason." He met her wide eyed stare. "Because you've met the Doctor."

Without asking, Tegan picked up his glass of water, gulping down half of it. Her hand was shaking as she set it back on the table.

"What do you want?"

"Just to talk."

"Right. You've travelled halfway round the world just to have a cup of coffee with me."

"Actually, I'm the only one having coffee at the moment." Jack drained his drink, rolling the empty cup backwards and forwards between his palms. "And I was in the neighbourhood, more or less."

She considered this for a moment, then closed her book. "So what do you want to talk about?"

"Him."

"It's been two years."

Jack raised his eyebrows. "And you're telling me you've forgotten about it?"

"I wish I could."

"No, you don't."

"How would you know?" This time, Jack didn't answer, staring at her with the same calm, steady expression until she caught up. She gasped. "You've travelled with him."

Giving her a brisk nod, Jack pulled the glass of water towards him. "Not the same 'him' if you know what I mean, but yes, I have."

"I know what you mean." She took a deep breath. "How is he?"

"Just the same. How are you?"

"It's been two years. I'm still alive."

"And well, and living in Melbourne. What are you doing here?" Jack asked.

"Studying. Reminding myself that I can still have a life. Trying to forget."

"There are other choices. Besides ignoring and forgetting, I mean."

"Like what?" The suspicious look was back. "Why are you here?"

"I'm here with a job offer." Jack held up a hand, stopping her before she could say anything. "Please, just hear me out. I work for an organisation whose primary purpose is to find the Doctor, wherever and whenever he appears."

Tegan stared. "You hunt him?"

"Not exactly. Stalking might be a closer analogy."

She didn't return his smile. "Why?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Why do you stalk him?"

"Our other purpose," Jack went on, ignoring the question, "is to find and use alien technology for the benefit of mankind."

"Is that all?" she gave an incredulous laugh. "Got a high opinion of yourselves, don't you?"

"Are you interested?"

Tegan thought for a moment, chewing her bottom lip. "What will you do with him? I mean, you're hunting him down. What are you going to do with him when you find him? If you find him."

"That's not my decision."

"How can you do this?" She leaned across the table, lowering her voice a little. "You travelled with him. You knew him. And you're going to help someone catch him, to-" She broke off as the waiter passed their table. "I couldn't do it."

"He does tend to inspire loyalty."

"Not in you, apparently." When Jack didn't answer, she tilted her head. "Does he?"

Toying with his glass, Jack shrugged. "Like I said, my organisation is committed to tracking him down."

"And you? What are you committed to?"

"Right now? To offering you this job. Do you want it?"

After a long moment, Tegan shook her head. "No. I left that life for a reason. I can't go back."

"Can't you?" Jack asked. "You're telling me that if he landed right here, right now," he gestured to the street in front of him, "you wouldn't walk back through those doors?"

She shook her head. "No. I wouldn't. Would you?"

"He's the one who left me." Jack didn't meet her eye.

"I'm sorry. Really, I am. But my answer's the same. I'm trying to get on with my life."

"So are we all." When he turned to her again, it was with his most genuine fake smile. "Will you at least let me buy you a coffee? No hard feelings?"

"Sure. Black with one sugar."

"Coming right up." Getting to his feet, Jack pulled his jacket from the back of the chair and headed inside. He waited at the counter after ordering, fishing in his pocket for his wallet and the ever-present box of pills that had become part of his standard kit: Webley, coat, wallet, keys, retcon. He ran his fingers over the small metal case for a moment, trying to work out how much of a dose he was going to need. For a moment, he contemplated using enough to wipe out years, letting her wake up in a hospital with a splitting headache and a nasty case of amnesia. It might be kinder than what she was living through at the moment.

But when the coffees came, he dropped in a single tablet under cover of adding sugar. He didn't have the right to take all that away from her, convenient or not. Losing two years had been bad enough. Losing six would be devastating.

Returning to their table, he pushed the coffee towards her.

"Here's to the future," he said, lifting his cup in a toast.

"The future."

"No regrets."

She paused, her cup still held in the air. "There's always regrets."

"I guess so." He thought for a moment. "Then here's to surviving."

"Surviving."

They sat in companionable silence for a while, drinking their coffees and watching the passers-by. Eventually, Jack pulled the book from Tegan's unresisting fingers, laying it on the table before she could drop it. Then he made sure that she wasn't going to fall out of her chair as she dozed. He slipped his jacket on and, with a final glance over his shoulder, left her sleeping in the sunlight.

Comments

[miss-zedem.livejournal.com]

Lovely. Jack's hesitation over using retcon is very nice. And Tegan! Woot!

I'm actually missing my regular emails of these - how's the next series coming on? *grin*

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

Hmm? Next series? Huh?

Ahem.

It works in my head...just having trouble with the words due to certain distractions, but will press on with it soon. I hope. Anyway, how's your series? Any progress?

Tegan is one of my favourite characters so I was really chuffed to be able to get her in. Thanks, hon! :D

[miss-zedem.livejournal.com]

I'm just having stern words with Ianto cos he keeps going a bit emo on me. Luckily Owen's there to slap him out of it a bit - he's having a bad day so he's quite happy to take it out on the teaboy ;). I'll get back to you later today hopefully!

[mickeyk.livejournal.com]

Hi, Tegan!:

"Is this seat taken?"

The woman looked up, glancing round the café. It was a busy lunchtime and most of the other chairs were full. She nodded. "Knock yourself out."

"I'll just sit, if it's all the same to you." Jack hung his jacket on the back of the chair, angling it so that he could look at the woman without getting the sun in his eyes. She laughed and went back to her book, head bent low.

"Are you local?" Jack asked conversationally.

"Not to Melbourne. I grew up in Brisbane." She turned a page. "Where in the States are you from?"

Well, if this is based on canon, and by that, I mean the old series... definitely Tegan:

"Let me tell you where you went, then," Jack said, pausing as the waiter brought his drinks. The woman was looking up at him, her expression halfway between confused and suspicious. Once they were alone, Jack went on, "You went to worlds you can't tell anyone about, amazing worlds with aliens and monsters. You saw lives saved, changed for the better. You saw people die, because that's what happens. Because it always happens when he's around."

*snicker!* at this:

Jack laughed. "No. Sorry to disappoint you. Tegan Jovanka only registers on our watch list for one reason." He met her wide eyed stare. "Because you've met the Doctor."

Without asking, Tegan picked up his glass of water, gulping down half of it. Her hand was shaking as she set it back on the table.

Hah! I was right! :)

"So are we all." When he turned to her again, it was with his most genuine fake smile. "Will you at least let me buy you a coffee? No hard feelings?"

Ouch. Hello, RetCon.

They sat in companionable silence for a while, drinking their coffees and watching the passers-by. Eventually, Jack pulled the book from Tegan's unresisting fingers, laying it on the table before she could drop it. Then he made sure that she wasn't going to fall out of her chair as she dozed. He slipped his jacket on and, with a final glance over his shoulder, left her sleeping in the sunlight.

Double ouch. Now we see the Jack who could so easily use it on Gwen, in the first ep of Torchwood.

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Tegan's always been my favourite companion, so I couldn't resist using her here.

Thanks! :)

[in-the-bottle.livejournal.com]

Have been enjoying this series so far and it's been great, though I've been sucky at posting comments. :(

This part though, I'm basically still going 'Wheeee!! MELBOURNE!!!! YAY!!'

Hee!

[mimi-sardinia.livejournal.com]

This part though, I'm basically still going 'Wheeee!! MELBOURNE!!!! YAY!!'

Part of me, when I saw the city name, went "Melbourne? Melbourne? *Squee!* Australia! ...oh, that means Tegan... cool! :)"

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

*grin* Love the icon!

I can't get anything past you guys, can I....;)

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

Wow, you even have an appropriate icon! Most impressive :)

Thanks so much - really glad you're enjoying.

[in-the-bottle.livejournal.com]

Well, it's the city I'm currently living in after all, just seems appropriate to have an icon for it. :D

*off to read the next part*

[crowson75.livejournal.com]

That really was very lovely. I could imagine Jack so clearly there standing trying to decide how much retcon to use. Brilliant.

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

There's something inherently worrying about retcon, that I definitely want to explore further...

Thanks so much - really glad you enjoyed :)

[dark-aegis.livejournal.com]

Tegan! Oh, this is lovely and oh, so painfully real. Between Tegan's anguish and Jack's, then Jack waffling between retcon doses...oh, painful. Loved it!

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

Thank you - it was kind of short, so I'm glad their respective pain came across okay. Really glad you enjoyed.

[pfyre.livejournal.com]

hmmm... very nice and so 'Jack'....

I love seeing Tegan again... the Doctor's influence on her life....

and Jack waffling a bit on just how much to retcon her....

thanks for sharing this and I can't wait for the next set of stories!

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

*grin* There's one more story in this series yet...

I find the post-Doctor companions fascinating - Rose was the first one where we got to see the aftereffects of leaving him. I couldn't resist doing Tegan, especially as I had Jack wandering round the world anyway. ;)

Glad you enjoyed and thanks so much for commenting

[crystalshard.livejournal.com]

Ooooh. There's something delightfully shivery about using Retcon, especially with the reminder that Jack has two years missing. I'm so glad you brought in Tegan - the Doctor's old companions just seem to get too easily forgotten.

Wonderful story, as always.

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

I think the retcon/missing memories theme is one I'm going to have to revisit - it seems to have caught people's imaginations (including mine!)

Thanks so much :)

[terrylj.livejournal.com]

I would like to register a complaint. This chapter is too short! :) Well, it tells the story well, so I'll try not to whine.

1988...hm, I was just discovering Doctor Who on PBS around that time. (And no sooner did I fall in love that I learned it had been CANCELLEDOMG!!!11!!...no, not still bitter, why do you ask?)

Yay Tegan! I love Tegan. She had such a complicated relationship with the Doctor. She's bound to be having a hard time adjusting.

I really like here that Jack can't or won't answer questions about his loyalty to the Doctor. He probably doesn't even know, at this point. But he does know he'd walk right back in the TARDIS. *loves Jack*

I also like the way he decides to use just the minimum of retcon. One of the things I absolutely hated about "Everything Changes" was the casual way he was just messing with Gwen's head, almost acting like he was enjoying it. In "TEC/TDD" we got the distinct impression that he was fairly angry about his own memories being taken, and here he was doing it to other people without any qualms. I like that here he really thinks about it.

I wonder what his first time using it for Torchwood was like? I'm sure it was a Time Agent thing, so I wonder if it was him that introduced it to Torchwood, and what made him decide that that would be a good idea? Sorry, wandering there.

On another note, I love the expression "buy you a coffee" or "have a coffee". We only say "have some coffee" or "have a cup of coffee". Because of the large number of Brit-fics I'm reading, the expression is starting to creep into my vocabulary, and it gets me some funny looks. Ha, I'll have some of you saying "y'all" before too long! English needs a second-person-plural anyway. Please note that it's a contraction of "you all" and therefore the apostrophe goes after the "y", not anywhere else; and that it's never used to only one person. When addressing large groups of people and wanting to make sure they know they're all included, it's acceptable to say "all y'all."

Good grief, I need coffee. Am completely unfocused. Thanks for the rec, and once again thank you very much for allowing me to play with your characters. I loved Hugh right off. It took me a while to warm up to Hywel, and now I love him too. I don't know how far you're taking the next series, but if Ianto comes in, it'll be interesting to see if you manage to make me become as fond of him as I am the others. I like Ianto quite a lot in TW, but the writers are not really helping me get a handle on his character.

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

Gosh *blinks* I think you made up for the length of the story... ;)

Good points, all of them. I always liked that although Tegan loved/respected/liked the Doctor, she was willing to argue with him and always had this slightly wary attitude. It felt so much more real that way.

Jack's use of retcon is definitely something I'm going to revisit, taking all those points into account...

Um, I hope you got your coffee okay... On a similar note, I picked up the phrase "Y'alright" from a friend (you don't really say the 'l') and can't seem to get rid of it...it sounds a bit weird without a Northern accent, but I seem to get away with it... ;)

Ianto? Hmm...the writers were going to kill off the character, so it's hardly surprising he's a bit inconsistent! I rely on miss_zedem and crystalshard for him, as well as just rewatching and rewatching - it's the only way to get it right. *sigh* the hardship ;)

Thanks so much, as ever. Last one today! *sob*

[nnwest.livejournal.com]

Lovely Tegan. You've captured her mixed feelings about the Doctor very well. Even Jack's peep out just a bit.

Just another step on the path for Jack. Glad to see there was a time when Jack paused before wiping someone's memory.

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

I find it hard to believe that Jack goes along blithely with Torchwood's "search and capture" policy on the Doctor. I don't suppose it's going to be addressed in the new series, but I can but dream....

Thanks so much :)

[laurab1.livejournal.com]

I think I just about remember Tegan, and some evil snake-eye-thing. They're both a bit broken, and Jack continues to get darker.

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

*nods* you remember rightly! That's 'Kinda' you're remembering, which was a BIG Tegan story. I'm a huge fan of hers and couldn't resist putting her in.

Glad you enjoyed - thanks so much for commenting :)