FIC: Torchwood (drabble): "The Parting of the Ways"

[fajrdrako]

Title: The Parting of the Ways
Genre: Torchwood drabble
Author: fajrdrako
Characters: Jack/Jack
Challenge: tw100 challenge: free for all, using #20: Doctor Who titles, #13 in a series of 13
Rating: PG
Words: 100
Disclaimer: Not mine, no claims, all property of the BBC.
Notes: Spoilers for the Torchwood episode "Captain Jack Harkness" . Cross-posted to my LJ and tw100.


The Parting of the Ways

He could not leave Captain Jack Harkness without kissing him. He couldn't do it.

So he turned and kissed him, forgetting everything else. Time did not exist. Death was not lurking just out of sight. A kiss to last a lifetime, for both of them.

The kiss was better than words. In words, he could not explain who and what he was, the extent of his love, or the strangeness of their meeting.

Tosh was calling him.

He had to leave. No choice. No choice at all.

Jack turned away from the man who was more himself than he was.


~ ~ ~

Comments

[jhava.livejournal.com]

Absolutely lovely. A well written drabble can express an emotion exquisitely; this captures Jack's turmoil beautifully and provides a very credible explanation for the motivation behind the kiss.

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

This has been such a lovely series *happy sigh*. I particularly liked:

Death was not lurking just out of sight
because it hangs so much over the episode - this felt just right. And you've caught Jack's confusion spot on.

*loud applause* :D

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the kind words. Yes, I love the way "Captain Jack Harkness" builds Jack's emotions, moment by moment and scene by scene, till he's pretty much immersed in it by the end.

Very nice icon!

[damalan.livejournal.com]

You understand Jack's pain: love, desire, duty, guilt - all mixed up together. And the last line is so absolutely true... he has met his dream of himself, the man he believes the Doctor wants him to be.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

This has been such a lovely series

Thank you so much! I certainly enjoyed doing it; I need a break or I'll get stale, but I was thinking of continuing with the titles for series 2 Doctor Who. Maybe.

because it hangs so much over the episode

It's all about love and death. And time. And how Jack and Jack had so little time.

Thank you!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes, that's exactly how I see it. Our Jack approves, loves and admires 1941 Jack in the way he wants the Doctor to approve, love and admire him. And I think he envies 1941 Jack his heroic death - the kind of death our Jack sought on the Game Station, and couldn't attain. It isn't that he wants to die, it's that he admires that kind of hero, the soldier who gives his all.

[jhava.livejournal.com]

Very nice icon!

Thank you! As you know, I'm still rather focussed on this particular pairing and consequently seem to have a rather inordinately large number of Jack/Jack icons.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

And that's a nice icon, too. Really, you couldn't have too many!

I love the Jack/Jack pairing, and as you can see, have been refocussing on it whenever possible. It's a difficult one to write because it's all there in the episode, but - I'm doing what I can!

[damalan.livejournal.com]

Our Jack approves, loves and admires 1941 Jack in the way he wants the Doctor to approve, love and admire him.

You would really appreciate one the of the deleted scenes from Episode 12 then. It's a slight preamble to the conversation the two Jack's have sitting on the balcony overlooking the dance floor. 1941!Jack says he only hopes he can survive to become an old war hero. Our Jack replies:

"You are a hero. To me."

He's not just saying what he feels about 1941!Jack. You make me realise he's also saying the thing that he dreams the Doctor will one day tell him.


he envies 1941 Jack his heroic death

Jack's a professional soldier at heart. As such he knows that death in battle is always possible. It doesn't help though that in the same deleted scene, 1941!Jack tells him:

"Okay, I could croak up there, but without death in the balance there'd be no valour, no honour."

Which leaves Jack feeling that he can never be a hero whilst he's an immortal. Hence his rush to embrace death in the shadow of Abaddon.


he admires that kind of hero... who gives his all

I think that brings us back to earlier. Jack always gives his all; and then 15 minutes later he gives his all again! Oh sorry, did you mean something else? ;-)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

"You are a hero. To me."

Oh, I must get my hands on that scene! Of cousre we know Jack felt that, but I'd love to hear him say it....

"Okay, I could croak up there, but without death in the balance there'd be no valour, no honour."

Ouch! Now, that's a real twist of the knife. And yes, it's the way our Jack thinks, too. Abaddon is an opportunity for him, as well as a challenge.

Jack always gives his all; and then 15 minutes later he gives his all again! Oh sorry, did you mean something else?

Hey, it's just Jack being consistent! No small measures in anything.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

the man who was more himself than he was

Oh, that's beautiful.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[raissad.livejournal.com]

Lovely! :)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I do love writing about those two.

[damalan.livejournal.com]

Of cousre we know Jack felt that, but I'd love to hear him say it...

He says it really softly, and movingly. 1941!Jack is moved by it, which is why he thinks that perhaps Jack is coming on to him. Unfortunately, because of another deleted scene with George, Jack is convinced that the Captain really is in love with his girlfriend. Cue pathos.


Ouch! Now, that's a real twist of the knife. And yes, it's the way our Jack thinks, too. Abaddon is an opportunity for him, as well as a challenge

In yet another deleted scene from End of Days, Jack speaks to Gwen as he gets out of the SUV to face Abaddon. He tells her that perhaps the reason he couldn't die before is so he can do this thing, sacrifice himself. (He also forgives her betrayal, saying he understands why she did it, and telling her again to hold onto her life.) So Jack is really doing this to match 1941!Jack's sacrifice.

That encounter with 1941!Jack really messes him up, hence the showdown with the team. It's just a shame that all the scenes that help explain it got cut!

[damalan.livejournal.com]

Hey, it's just Jack being consistent! No small measures in anything.

Jack is the textbook example of exuberant when he's around the Doctor. Indeed he's the only person that seems to be able to match the Doctor's own energy. Another reason they are so well matched.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

1941!Jack is moved by it, which is why he thinks that perhaps Jack is coming on to him.

Nice.

because of another deleted scene with George, Jack is convinced that the Captain really is in love with his girlfriend.

Awww...! It sounds as if they cut some good moments.

e tells her that perhaps the reason he couldn't die before is so he can do this thing, sacrifice himself.

I like that idea. Jack thinks there's a reason for his survival, a cosmic purpose for his continuance. To the viewer's eye it looks more as if he's alive because Rose loved him and didn't want him to be dead. I like the contrast there - the sense of purpose in either case being along totally different lines.

(He also forgives her betrayal, saying he understands why she did it, and telling her again to hold onto her life.)

ooh - I want to see that!

It's just a shame that all the scenes that help explain it got cut!

Yes, really! Couldn't they have cut something else?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

It seems to me that the Doctor raises Jack's energy by being in proximity - bringing out the best in Jack. Inwardly and outwardly. It's wonderful to see.

[damalan.livejournal.com]

It seems to me that we need another experiment. So far the examples of energy induction in Jack have involved them insulated by clothing. Clearly we need to repeat without clothing, and perhaps at a variety of ranges through to direct contact.

That sound a reasonable experimental protocol? :-)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

It sounds to me that it's the kind of experiment that Jack would approve of. It also seems to me that Jack and the Doctor had been conduction ongoing experiments in this regard, keeping them just outside the storylines, quite possibly for a long time and frequently, until they were so rudely interrupted by complications like death-by-Dalek, and regeneration. Perhaps the Doctor still asks himself from time to time, "Where did I mislay that experiment?" but hasn't quite pinned it down yet...

Well, actually, he has, as of the very end of "End of Days", but we haven't had the opportunity to witness the results yet.

I do believe in encouraging all the Doctor's scientific work in this manner.

[damalan.livejournal.com]

Awww...! It sounds as if they cut some good moments

The other DVDs had stuff that was just interesting. The third set has stuff which is important to explain the story.


a cosmic purpose for his continuance

Which is really amusing set against his criticism of Ianto near the start: "You people love any story that denies the randomness of existence". His immortality is pretty much a textbook example of a random consequence, but Jack feels there has to be a purpose... :-)


Couldn't they have cut something else?

Just so long as it's not Ianto panicking after seeing Ianto. He pants beautifully, and has a 'hand-on-hips' moment. Nor the kiss either - need that too.

Maybe we could have lost Gwen's incessant pawing over Jack's corpse. :-)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

The other DVDs had stuff that was just interesting.

I'm hoping they will eventually come out with a boxed set of the whole series for region 1. (I can watch region 2 but it's trickier.) And that when they do, they'll have all the extras, and won't cut any. Especially these!

His immortality is pretty much a textbook example of a random consequence, but Jack feels there has to be a purpose...

I love that self-contradiction too. Oh, Jack!

He pants beautifully, and has a 'hand-on-hips' moment. Nor the kiss either - need that too.

Absolutely! Keep all of that. I adore Ianto in that episode. Not that I don't like him in all the others, of course... and I adore him in "Cyberwoman"... but "Captain Jack Harknses" has some of my favourite Ianto scenes, when he's arguing with Owen.

we could have lost Gwen's incessant pawing over Jack's corpse.

Yes.. I think they could safely have shaved a good half hour off that bit.

[damalan.livejournal.com]

Sorry, you've got me thinking about Ianto in Captain Jack Harkness and End of Days. Now I'm all distracted! :)

But yes, in many ways the Ianto/Owen scenes in Episode 12 were his best, showing how much Ianto had changed and matured. I am so looking forward to seeing how he's used in Series 2.

[damalan.livejournal.com]

Sounds to me like it needs its own spin-off series. And a full supporting line in illustrated textbooks. And DVDs. And a website. And posters...

That enough quality science for you? ;)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Now I'm all distracted!

I can think of less pleasant ways to be distracted.

I am so looking forward to seeing how he's used in Series 2.

So am I. Ianto is wonderful already, and has so much potential.

In series one, he makes mistakes, but they are errors of information and passion, not the bone-headed mistakes that the others make. Unless I'm just misreading it because I'm biased...

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Good for a start!

[damalan.livejournal.com]

It's true - as distractions go this is a most pleasing one. :-)

Ianto's failings in Season 1 were: Lisa (very serious but a crime of passion); and Mutiny (also serious, but it happened because Jack had no ideas what else to do, and seemed to afraid to try it).

He really is the one Jack should be grooming to be his deputy. I mean, grooming other than in bed. Though I imagine that afterwards they have time to talk...

Getting distracted again!

{thinks of Ianto and Jack in bed}

Sorry, you were saying?

:-)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Lisa (very serious but a crime of passion)

Yes, and there was nothing erroneious or accidental about it. Ianto was doing something very important to him - he'd risk the world to save the woman he loved. It's hard to see this as a really bad thing - I mean, clearly he was misjudging the extent of the danger because he had such faith and hope in her - and was unable to believe the extent to which the Cybermen had co-opted her brain. But we can't dislike him for the extent of loyalty, determination, commitment, love and courage that he showed. And there was no easy way he could have known the truth of the situation.

Mutiny (also serious, but it happened because Jack had no ideas what else to do, and seemed to afraid to try it).

Again, Ianto was not in a position to see all the implications that Jack did. Given the belief that they had to try something, his actions make sense - though it might have been better if he'd prevented Owen from shooting Jack.

He really is the one Jack should be grooming to be his deputy.

Absolutely! Ianto has the potential, and the courage, and the brains.

I mean, grooming other than in bed.

Understood. I suppose one could accuse Jack of having favourites - but he'd be the first to agree, and ask, "What's wrong with that?"

{thinks of Ianto and Jack in bed}

On that happy thought, I'm going to go and do my Saturday shopping.

[damalan.livejournal.com]

Trying to save Lisa is something that I think any of them might have done for a loved one, maybe even Jack. The mutiny is also a black mark for Jack; he failed to keep his team with him - mostly because he had no answers of his own.


though it might have been better if he'd prevented Owen from shooting Jack

Well I think that caught all of them by surprise, even Owen. And Ianto was pretty devastated by it. I loved the choked way he said "What have you done?"


Ianto has the potential, and the courage, and the brains

Much like a young Jack in fact. Maybe not quite the panache, but that can be taught.


I suppose one could accuse Jack of having favourites

Well, Ianto made the move on him; and it was open to the rest of them to offer. :)


On that happy thought

It is a happy thought. It ought in Season 2 to be a happy screencap! :-)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

The mutiny is also a black mark for Jack; he failed to keep his team with him - mostly because he had no answers of his own.

He was outmanoeuvred by Bilis, for one thing, and wrapped up in grief over 1941!Jack. He wasn't at his best - and he lost his temper, lost control of the situation. Very uncharacteristic. Mistakes were made all around.

Ianto was pretty devastated by it. I loved the choked way he said "What have you done?"

I love that too.

Ianto made the move on him

True, and I absolutely love that. That wins Ianto some huge bonus marks of approval from me.