FIC Torchwood - "October Moon"

[fajrdrako]

I wrote this for theatrical_muse. I see nothing in the rules about not posting it elsewhere, so here it is. Also posted at torchwoodgwen, October Moon.

Title: October Moon
Fandom: Torchwood/Doctor Who
Characters: Jack, Gwen
Challenge: theatrical_muse prompt #200 - Picture prompt: birds and moon. Rating: G
Disclaimer: Not mine, no claims, all property of the BBC.
Notes: Spoilers for Doctor Who episode "Tooth and Claw". Cross-posted toOctober Moon, and theatrical_muse.


October Moon

After days of rain, the air was clear and clean. Outside the city, Jack and Gwen were free of the light pollution and whatever toxins the city threw up to the sky above: they could look up at the night sky, the moon unnaturally large, lighting the drifting clouds. Some of the brightest stars were visible despite the moonlight. "What a lovely night," said Gwen.

They were sitting on a blanket from the SUV, leaning back against a tree. Birds lit on a branch. "It's like Halloween," said Jack. "Beautiful and just a little spooky, as if we could see through to other worlds."

She smiled. "The kind of night when vampires and werewolves walk."

"Got any silver bullets handy?"

"Just garlic."

He laughed. "Try mistletoe. It's good for werewolf protection."

She looked at him sideways. "You telling me werewolves are real? People who turn into wolves?"

"Not exactly. But lupine wavelength haemovariforms exist. They come from the D'kalna Galaxy. Ferocious appetites. I wouldn't like to meet one in a dark alley, I tell you. Give me a Weevil to deal with any day."

"So we're lucky it's Weevils coming through the rift and not lupine whatsits."

He shuddered. "Definitely."

"So has one of those ever come to earth? Are the legends real?"

"I only ever knew of one verified case. It was Torchwood's first case, actually. Back in 1879, in Scotland, at the original Torchwood Estate. A lupine wavelength haemovariform - a werewolf - invaded a Scottish manor house. The inhabitants barely escaped with their lives. Some died, in fact - including the lord of the manor."

"How do you know?"

"It used to be in the Torchwood archives. I read those files."

"I'd like to read about it."

"Those records are gone now."

"Gone? How?"

"They were at Torchwood One. They were destroyed in the Battle of Canary Wharf."

"How?"

"The Cybermen wiped the computers, for one thing."

"But if it's from 1879, the records must have been on paper."

"They burned, I suppose. Or were lost in the void with the other debris. I retrieved what I could, afterwards, but those papers weren't in the files I found."

"All those mysterious files in the lower levels that Ianto keeps working on."

"Yes."

"What are you not telling me?"

"What a suspicious mind you have! Why do you think I'm hiding anything?"

"Cop's intuition. C'mon, give.... Jack? You didn't destroy the file? Did you?"

"Why would I do that?"

"You did!"

"There was sensitive material in it," he said, without a trace of shame. "Something that might be an embarrassment for the Royal Family. Something better forgotten."

"Since when do you give a rat's ass for the Royal Family?"

"I am a dedicated monarchist."

"Like hell. Jack Harkness, you're an old fraud."

"True, and also true. See? I wouldn't lie to you."

Laughing, she squeezed his arm, and put her head on his shoulder, looking up at the tree and the birds. "I think I'll buy some mistletoe in the morning."

"Good idea," said Jack.

~ ~ ~
Character: Gwen Cooper
Fandom: Doctor Who/Torchwood
Words: 504

Comments

[lauradi7.livejournal.com]

Interesting. Also, date typo the first time (1979 - the second use properly has 1879).

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Oops. thanks.

[raissad.livejournal.com]

Very sweet. :) I think Jack and Gwen would be good for each other, platonically or romantically. They'd balance each other out. I also think Jack and Tosh would be good, too. Omnisexuality sure is handy. :)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Very sweet. :)

Big grin - thank you.

I think Jack and Gwen would be good for each other, platonically or romantically.

Yes. I love the way they interact.

I also think Jack and Tosh would be good, too. Omnisexuality sure is handy. :)

I'm kind of into Jack/anybody, or maybe Jack/everybody....

[msp-hacker.livejournal.com]

Bad Jack, destroying documents so Tochwood forgets that the Doctor and Rose are supposed to be Banished. = )

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yup - Jack is bad!

All in a good cause.

[halfspokenwords.livejournal.com]

You are TM's Gwen! I had my suspicions. :D

I meant to comment to this, actually. It captures both characters very well. I know I've said it before, too, but I adore the way you write Jack.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

You are TM's Gwen! I had my suspicions. :D

You clever person.

It captures both characters very well.

Thank you!

I've said it before, too, but I adore the way you write Jack.

It makes me so happy to hear you say so - do feel free to say it again some time! I love hearing it.

And of course, I love Jack - I really want to do him justice.

[halfspokenwords.livejournal.com]

TM!Ianto is mine, though of late I have not been able to give him all the attention he deserves.

Never fear; surely in the future I shall have cause to say so again. I have no doubts.

*shares in the Jack-love*

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

How wonderful - I love your Ianto, you have his voice and manner absolutely captured. Vividly, for all his characteristic understatement - which is, of course, fun to contrast with Gwen's burbling. I always enjoy their/our exchanges.

[halfspokenwords.livejournal.com]

As do I! If you'd ever like them to interact, just give the word.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I like the idea... any idea as to approach?

[halfspokenwords.livejournal.com]

Hmmm... I can't think of any at the moment, but it's late at night and I believe my brain has shut off. Suggestions?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Let me think about it. If/when inspiration strikes, you'll be the first to know. Or we could just (as we have so far) start a casual conversation and see where it leads. Gwen could ask Ianto for help with something personal - though I'm not sure what!

[halfspokenwords.livejournal.com]

Casual conversation could work! There's always the meme-or-quiz route, I suppose.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Well,Gwen's always the girl for the challenging-indiscreet question, like 'who'd you snog last'.

Where should we set it up?

[halfspokenwords.livejournal.com]

Ah, yes. So she is. Though, admittedly, were she to ask that now Ianto would have a very different answer. ;)

One of the journals? Maybe hers, if you've got an idea in mind.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

were she to ask that now Ianto would have a very different answer. ;)

Well? do you want her to ask him? Would he answer honestly? It would probably shock her if he did!

[halfspokenwords.livejournal.com]

You know, I'm not sure. I don't think that he'd volunteer, but if she didn't drop it after one vague dodge...? But then again, he's set (more or less; I guess that's fluid) after EoD, so he might assume she knew at least about that kiss--

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I was setting Gwen at a point between Combat and Captain Jack Harkness; so she's broken up with Owen but wouldn't have seen Jack kissing Ianto yet. And she has, in fact, no idea that there's anything happening between them, though she has a vague sense they're attracted to each other.

This is not a problem we can't adjust to...

Gwen is good at being tenacious about a question!

[halfspokenwords.livejournal.com]

When we had a Jack, his arrival as t_f was post-LotTL, so setting Ianto at the same place in canon just seemed logical. But since he's not really around anymore, I'm willing to change that, if you'd prefer...?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Since we're almost into the next series, I am likely to skip to the "present" day of the refreshed continuity - does that suit your chronology?

[halfspokenwords.livejournal.com]

That would be splendid!

And your Gwen continues to be perfect.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Aww, what a nice thing to say! Thank you. (I love your posts, too!)

Haven't decided what to write about this week - !

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

Aw, cute bit of platonic Jack/Gwen. Nice! :)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I love the way they interact on the show.

[laurab1.livejournal.com]

Very sweet :)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Love your appropriate icon.