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Everywhere he looked, there were signs of warmth, plenty and prosperity; but not for him. He was an orphan, and was nearly always alone; in his mind at least. He was well looked after, but lacked the most basic need of any child; love.
Jay sighed as he looked out of his bedroom window at the early morning sunrise. 'Why don't they come here and take me with them? I'd love to be up there, in space.'
Two whole years had passed since the first extra-solar test flight, and the human race was now up there, amid the stars. One week after the first manned ship had left the solar system, and the Hath made contact. It took months to build a workable translation system, for a language of bubbles was nothing simple to work out. Work it out, however, both races did, and trade and technological transfers began. Crime was near zero, employment was at maximum, and the only reason why someone did not have work was because they did not want to work.
The dawn of the First Great and Bountiful Human Empire had began.
Yet, Jay was unloved.
Oh, he had been loved once, but an accident had robbed him of his mother, grandmother and great grandfather in one single night. Only he was left, so to the orphanage he went. A seven year old boy was not easy to find a home for, these days; and now that he was nine, well, even less chance. People were already busy with their own children, as one of the gifts from the Hath was a cure for infertility. Slowly, ever so slowly, humanitarian efforts seemed to decline, in so far as the adoption of orphans at least. They were looked after, and in the majority of cases, loved and cared for emotionally, but that was no substitute for a real mum or dad.
The place Jay was, however, just made sure his material needs were met; and Jay felt the loss of that love keenly.
As the dawn grew and the sky gained brilliance, Jay threw on his clothes and decided he would go into the city centre. Being a Saturday, all those old enough were given pocket money and allowed to go and find something to do or join with those too young as they were taken on trips and excursions into the country. Jay, however, wanted to be alone.
Unloved, but cared for. No hugs, but no real physical needs. Yet was not the desire for hugs a need?
Jay sighed again.
He left the room and went quickly to the morning room, where breakfast was already under way. After he had finished filling his stomach, he went to the front door, signed himself out and received his credit chip.
"You know the rules now, Jay, so be a good boy and be back at five tonight. Enjoy yourself," the security guard said with a smile.
Jay smiled weakly back at the man before leaving, his backpack comfortably over his shoulders.
'I shouldn't complain. They do care for me; for us, but why won't they hug us?' he thought again, and sighed.
An hour later, and Jay was leaving the book store with the 12th Harry Potter book gripped in his eager hands. He had heard that back when the seventh book had been written, the author had said no more. He giggled.
'Yeah, right. As if a great author like her would ever stop,' Jay whispered mutely to himself.
He moved towards the Park and looked for a quiet place to sit to read her latest masterpiece. On the way, he passed by 'The Cookie Shop', where the smells drew him in. 15 credits later, and Jay was carrying his treasured book, a bag of 'Monster Cookies', and a flask of caramel hinted Hot Chocolate to the Park. He found a secluded area, and sat with his back to a tree. He tore open the bag in order to get his impatient teeth into a cookie, and started reading. There was a reason for coming here; he wanted to see his friend again.
For the past two and a half years, since he had been in the orphanage, Jay had become friends with some Captain who went around dressed in old World War Two clothing. Captain Jack, he called himself, and he had told Jay that he had once known Jay's mother.
So Captain Jack had been adopted as Uncle Jack; and once a week, Jay would come to the park and they would meet and talk.
From the trees to Jay's right, that Captain was already watching the boy; an ache of compassion in his eyes. He was about to walk over when he heard something he had not heard for more than ten years.
Captain Jack Harkness turned and ran into the trees to see the Tardis materialize, and he grinned.
Jay also heard the noise, but he had no idea what it was. Quickly putting his book into his backpack, and carrying his cookies and flask, he too ran into the trees. He came close to Jack and hid and watched as Jack looked at the blue telephone box that had just appeared.
Jay nearly dropped his flask and cookies when the box morphed to look like one of the other trees, and then fainted when the trunk split open...
"Who the hell are you?" Jack gaped at the ten year old wearing a blue tracksuit who had poked his head out of the doorway in the 'tree-Tardis'.
"Jack? It is!! It's JACK!" the Doctor yelled with glee as he ran and pounced the stunned and surprised Captain.
"Woah there, kiddo! Who're you, and where's the Doctor?" Jack asked of the sudden armful of boy he was holding.
The Doctor did not answer right away, he was too busy kissing Jack's cheek over and over, mumbling, "So long, my old friend. Too long." He sobbed slightly and clung onto Jack, who had no alternative other than to continue to hold and comfort him.
As the boy calmed down, Jack whispered, "Who are you, and how do you know me?"
The Doctor pulled back slightly and looked at him with tear filled eyes, "I'm... I'm the Doctor. I never thought I'd see you again! It's been... been too long!"
Jack's face filled with disbelief, "No... no that can't... it doesn't... how?!"
"Come. Come inside and we'll explain," the Doctor said as he slipped down from Jack's arms, and took his hand. He tugged a few times until the Captain followed behind numbly and they both disappeared into the 'tree'.
"Oh my God!" was the last that could be heard as the door closed and the 'tree' became totally unnoticeable.
"It talks," Jack stated without inflection.
"Yup," bubbled the young Doctor.
{That is correct, Captain. It is good to see you again.}
Jack stammered, "Same... to you too, Tardis..."
He looked down into the joyful eyes of his old friend. "How? I mean, you... this... what?"
"Sit down, Jack, and we'll tell you," the Doctor pointed with a giggle at one of the sofa seats off to one side of the central control hub.
Jack did so, and simply waited.
The Doctor began pacing, "Well, first... I... well..." He stopped and looked puzzled.
"What's wrong?" Jack asked.
The boy looked over shyly, then tried explaining, "I... I'm a child, now, Jack. I have all the needs and wants of a ten year old. I..." He paused and blushed more, "I want a hug. I want to be held as I tell you this... it's silly..."
Jack began to chuckle, "Then get that scrawny butt of yours over here." He opened his arms, into which the Doctor pounced and made himself comfortable, a big fat grin on his face.
"Mmm," he murmured, his grin gaining more contentment than he had felt for many a long century.
"So. How'd this change happen, Doc?" Jack murmured.
A sigh, "I was dying. Really dying."
"Your... you mean your final life?"
"Yes. I had entered my thirteenth with a determination to live as long as I could. I had sorted everything out by then, you see. All things that should happen were going to, and Time was moving nicely. So I went out to see those things I had not yet seen. It was such a long life, my thirteenth. My longest yet."
"Do you meet me in it, Doc? I mean, I know I've only ever seen your ninth and tenth so far, but..."
"No, not since the end of my tenth life. Well, I went ages without getting involved that last thirteenth life, but then things got out of hand once more. I helped, and I get injured. I started home to die, then, well..."
Jack listened quietly as the impossible, so it seemed, was revealed to him...
{Doctor, I am detecting an anomaly in the Solar System,} the Tardis stated quickly.
The Doctor stopped in the middle of the question he was answering and both he and Jack moved over to the Controls. "What is it?" asked the small child.
{As this world has now entered it's interstellar phase of existence, I expected a high volume of traffic in the outlying system, but there is activity that represents a civilization far in advance of either the Hath or Humankind. There are multiple phase-cloaks upon the surface of Earth, and one large one above the city of Cardiff itself, in orbit. The Rift is also beginning to misalign.} the Tardis explained.
"What? After all the work my guys have been through, someone is making it unstable?" Jack questioned in anger.
{That is correct, Captain,} came the response, {and it is very subtle. Torchwood would be unaware of it.}
The Doctor started working the controls, "Is there any indication as to what race it is?"
{Not as yet, no.}
"Only the most advanced races have 'phase' cloaking," Jack offered. "Not even the 51st Century had mastered that when I was a boy. The Second Empire had it."
"I know, and that worries me," the young boy mumbled, "for at this point in time, all those who could have had it have either been destroyed, or have gone onto the next phase of existence. No race at this point in the timelines should have phase-tech."
{I have yet to pick up the records regarding the Time Touched, Doctor; shall I pursue him, or focus on the Rift and the Phase-cloaked anomalies?}
"Time Touched?" Jack asked.
"I think we need to talk more soon, Jack, but first," the Doctor turned back to the Controls, "Tardis; keep scanning for the child, yet set the majority of your systems on the anomalies. I will go with Jack to Torchwood. They have experience with the Rift and so I'll tie in their systems to you."
{Agreed. Take this, } a drawer opened in the Main Console and a small wrist-watch like item was inside. {It will allow you to communicate with me, amongst other things. I shall need to explain fully later, but these readings are slowly getting worse.}
The Doctor picked up the 'watch' and fixed it on his wrist. "Brilliant! Okay, let's go, Jack."
Once outside both man and boy started running towards the docks, and Torchwood.
Jay awoke with his head splitting and a major headache forming. When he had fainted, he had smacked his head on the bole of a tree; his eyes were still unfocused and the small flow of blood from the back of his head was making his lips tremble. He did not like blood.
Sobbing, he crawled over to his dropped items; his cookies were still okay, sealed in their bag, but his chocolate drink was wasted. His book was also okay, as he had rammed it back into his backpack before running into the trees.
He stopped all movement as he remembered what he had seen. He turned and easily made out the 'tree' that had changed from a big blue box. Trembling, he crawled over and touched it hesitantly. It felt like a tree.
A split appeared in the trunk at his touch, and he watched fearfully as it opened wide. Jay had to pick his jaw up from his chest as he looked inside: it was massive! Huge!
He shakily stood to his feet and shuffled inside.
He knew what this was. His great grandfather had told him stories of a man who flew in a ship that looked bigger on the inside than outside.
This was the TARDIS!
He entered and felt a comforting embrace of warmth, so he removed his jacket and laid it down near the door with his backpack. He did not mind when the door closed behind him. This was the TARDIS, and his Grampy had said the man who flew it was once a very good friend of his Mammy. He was no longer afraid as he approached the Time Manifold that pulsed with power.
"H...hello?" Jay called.
Pulsing faster, the Tardis replied, {Welcome, Jay Noble.}
Jay grinned.
As the Doctor stood by Jack in the lift leading down into the Torchwood Centre, Cardiff, his comm on his wrist beeped.
{Doctor; I have located the Time Touched.}
"Excellent! Where?" The Doctor replied happily.
{Sitting in your quarters, eating some Shepard's Pie.} the Tardis replied with a laugh.
Jack blinked, then laughed, "Looks like you do good work, Tardis!"
{He found me, not I him; but yes, I do do good work!} then the signal cut off.
"One task down, now for the Rift and these anomalies," the Doctor stated as the lift opened and both he and Jack ran into the main Control Centre.
"Should be a simple matter to tie in the system to the Tardis, Doc. We are in constant contact with Mr Smith. He always helps us," Jack said quickly as he waved his team closer. Of the original group, only Gwen Cooper remained that the Doctor could recognise.
"Mr Smith? Is Sarah Jane still...?" the young boy asked hesitantly as he watched the others assemble.
Jack sighed, "No; a sorry Doc. She died five years ago, her son as well. It was... I'll tell you after. Guys?" He turned to the group, "We have a problem, and the Doctor is going to help us fix it."
Gwen looked at the ten year old. "He's the Doctor? You're kidding, right?"
"Explanations later, Gwen." Jack ordered, "Get the Systems on-line. We're tying them in with the Tardis as of ten minutes ago. Move, people!"
The Doctor moved with Jack to the nearest PC and started typing in commands. He sighed sadly, yet it was not unexpected. Sarah Jane had been an old lady the last time he saw her, so the likelihood of her being dead was expected. Little Luke, on the other hand...
"What happened, Jack? With Sarah and Luke?" he asked as he continued to work.
Jack sighed again, "Long story. Tell you after, Doc. These readings are subtle, just like the Tardis said; what is causing it, though?"
{The Phase-Cloaked ship, Captain,} the Tardis answered through the Doctor's wrist-comm. {Once ready, link in with my Data-Core; I need direct access to the Rift.}
The Doctor looked around. "Where's your Ianto?"
"Dead. Died just after the last time we met." Jack quickly went back to work, trying to hide the pain clearly showing in his eyes that still felt as fresh as when his lover had died.
The Doctor patted Jack's arm, then continued working himself.
"Where's the Doctor then, Tardis?" Jay asked curiously from his place on the Doctor's bed.
{Working on a problem with Torchwood.}
"Who're they?" he asked.
{A defence against non-human attacks on the Planet Earth, Jay. They are led by a Captain Jack Harkness, and...}
"Uncle Jack? Really?? Wow!" Jay bubbled.
{You have met him already, I see. Good,} the Tardis lightly scanned the nine year old. {You are tired. Do you wish to freshen up then take a small rest? The Doctor would not mind you using his room until another can be prepared for you.}
"Yeah, okay. That sounds... wait! A room for me?! What do you mean?" Jay stuttered in shock.
{It is a long story, but the short version is that you are one of us, now. Your new home is here.}
"Wicked!!" Jay yelled. "Uncle Jack too?"
{In Time.}
Jay was beaming as he rose and headed for the door that had opened. He looked in at the Doctor's own bathroom. "Cool shower! This is great!"
Stripping off, he dove in and luxuriated in the warm, refreshing shower. He used more soap and shampoo than was quite needed, but the scent and sensation of them both was fantastic to a child's senses.
As soon as he stepped out, warm air blasted at him from all around, even from below and above. Giggling, he watched as he was blown dry before scampering back into the bedroom. "What'll I wear?"
{I can fabricate clothing, or you can sleep as you are. Your current clothing was beginning to get too small for you, so I have deleted them.}
Smiling shyly, the child jumped into bed and pulled the cool sheets up and around him. "Nude is best for sleeping. Just didn't know what the Doctor would say..." he trailed off happily as sleep took him.
{He would likely,} the Tardis whispered, {not take his eyes off you if he were here, little one.}
The Tardis focused it's scanners on the child's wounded head, and started repairing the damage while Jay slept off his weariness.
"Doc, I've got the compiled readings from the Rift. Those anomalies are coming through it. The readings have been masked as just minor fluctuations, so that explains why we missed it," Jack called from his office.
"Check," the boy replied from the station he and Gwen were working at. "That's what the Tardis is picking up as well. That ship must be holding the Rift open for that very reason."
{It seems to have been happening for at least a decade. Captain, has anything happened in that time that has raised any warnings with Torchwood?}
Jack remained silent, but the look on his face registered pain. Gwen offered, "Ianto died due to an unexplained event from the Rift ten years ago, then we had another that killed Sarah Jane and her son, Luke, five years later." She turned back to the monitor, "We thought we had the Rift stable after, but that might be due to this ship rather than our efforts. The weird readings have been growing slowly stronger, yet the Rift is still stable. Whoever or whatever it is up there wants to keep it that way. But who are they?"
"No idea, but this concerns me." The Doctor reached and flipped the comm to the Tardis again, "Is it possible for you to get here, Tardis? I think you'll have more luck with a direct link than via this comm."
{The red button on the left side of the wrist-comm; push it then look at a space in the room you are in that is large enough for me to land in.}
The Doctor did so, then focused on a spot near to Jack's office. The sound of the materializing Tardis echoed and re-echoed through the Torchwood Institute.
"Fantastic! Boy, I'm sure glad the Oracle joined with you, T!!" the ginger child giggled.
{As am I, child. As am I... or should that be 'we'?} The Tardis chuckled as the door opened. It was once again in its familiar form of a Police Box, and the soft glow from inside drew the Torchwood people towards it.
"Everyone, back away for a second. I'll invite you all inside in a moment, but I have to set up the hard link..." the Doctor started, yet stopped when a cable ran out all by itself and linked into the Rift-Mainframe. "Never mind. Okay, while the Tardis sorts out the readings, we'll all have something to eat. I'm starved!"
Gwen laughed, "Yup, you're a child, all right! You and Jack go; the rest of us still have stuff to work on. We'll join you later."
The young Doctor stuck his tongue out at her before running over to Jack and climbing into his arms to be carried into his Tardis.
Once inside, Jack asked, "Where is your 'Time Touched'?"
{Sleeping in the Doctor's room. There is something I would like to know, Jack.}
"Okay, shoot," the Captain said.
{Why do you not have Jay Noble living with you? He is your son.}
The Doctor looked sharply at his friend, "You are the father of Donna's child?"
"The Time Touched is Jay??" Jack gasped at the same time. He then nodded at his friend, "Yes, Doc; he's my boy."
{Can you answer the question?}
"Yes," the Captain answered slowly, "but it is not something I want to repeat over and over. Jay needs to hear this as well. Can we wake him?"
{Of course.}
The Doctor squirmed down out of Jack's arms and looked at him with an unreadable expression. "I hope you have a good reason for failing to be his father, Jack. I really hope you do, or I will be so disappointed with you."
"I do, although you may still be disappointed." Jack moved to follow the young boy as he made his way down the spiral staircase to the habitation level.
Jay felt someone gently shakes him, and so opened his eyes to find his Uncle Jack looking at him from the foot of the bed. He turned to see who had woken him, and found a boy with ginger hair and green/brown eyes smiling at him. He yawned, stretched and rubbed at his own eyes before smiling back.
"You the Doctor? You look younger than my Grampy's stories said you were," he asked.
The Doctor nodded, "Yes, I'm him, but I had an odd regeneration."
Jay giggled as he sat up. The Doctor's heart rates started to grow faster when Jay's lithe body was suddenly revealed to him. Jay's auburn shoulder length hair shimmered and his pale skin was unblemished, and the Doctor suddenly had a growing problem totally unconnected to the one's being dealt with outside by Torchwood.
{I was right,} the Tardis chuckled.
"I would ask, but I don't need to," Jack laughed. "Okay, guys. I'll leave you two alone for a while to chat. I'll be back when you call for me."
"'Kay, Uncle Jack!" Jay bubbled happily. He turned to the young Doctor and suddenly noticed his look. "Oh!" Jay stuttered as he blushed crimson. "You like me, don't you."
The Doctor nodded, his mouth suddenly dry. He reached out and gently touched his fingers to Jay's forehead, and Jay started to laugh as the mental probe tickled his mind.
"You're not just Time Touched! You're a... A Time Lord!" the ginger boy gasped.
{Almost. The final push is required. He still only has one heart, Doctor. He is the first of many, but first for the most important reason.}
"And that is?" the Doctor asked as he disengaged the probe.
Jay smiled as the tickle left his mind, then leaned closer to the Doctor and lightly kissed him on the lips.
{Need I explain?}
Mutely, the Doctor shook his head.
Jay looked at him curiously, his tongue caught adorably between his lips. "You're cute," he stated shyly.
"I'm... ah, thank you," the Doctor blushed. "But... you're only... what, ten?"
"Nine and a half!" the boy answered proudly.
{And entering the Alpha stage, Doctor. Just as you are.}
"So I see!" The Doctor was looking at the bunched bedsheets around Jay's waist that gave mute testimony to that fact. "But he's still partially human!"
{I can alter that, if it is required. He will need to Join with your mind while I do so, however.}
"I'm a Time Lord, you said?? COOL! Yeah! I wanna be just like those stories!!" Jay bounced happily on the bed, throwing the sheets totally clear, and thus nearly giving the Doctor a double heart attack.
{And so the question of your orientation is answered.}
"I'm bi, in human terms. You knew about my daughter and granddaughter, Tardis," the Doctor stammered eventually as he greedily looked over Jay's body. Jay did not seem to mind, in fact he coyly laid back to offer a better view.
"I like boys," Jay giggled quietly. "Girls are icky!"
"And you won't find me disagreeing right now, Jay!" the Doctor blushed. "So, you want to Join minds so we can change you?"
Jay nodded. "Yeah, but... ummm... Can we shower first? Your shower was nice," he asked shyly.
The Doctor knew what he was really after, however. Blushing harder, he rose off the bed and gently pulled Jay after him into the bathroom, where Jay set about quickly disrobing him.
"Wow... really cute!"
"Jack?"
"Down here, Gwen," Jack called from the Habitation Level's sitting room.
"Jesus, this place is big," she mumbled as she descended the levels. "My God! A whole level for clothes?"
{None of them fit him any longer. I will be reabsorbing them soon.}
"Can you make a room like that in my house?" Gwen laughed as she reached the Habitation Level.
{If that were possible, I would,} the Tardis said with amusement.
"What's happening, Gwen?" Jack asked as she entered the sitting room.
Gwen smiled as she sat opposite him, "Nothing major, right now. I was just interested in this place, and couldn't concentrate. This is some crazy technology!"
{I am a living machine, and grown via Bio-Phase techniques. I have unlimited space within me.}
"Incredible," Gwen muttered. She looked around. "Where is the Doctor?"
Jack started laughing, as did the Tardis. Gwen was about to ask again, with annoyance this time, when two loud keening groans were clearly heard from further down the corridor.
"Oh! Who's he with?" Gwen asked, blushing.
"My son," Jack replied as he laid his head back on the sofa and closed his eyes peacefully.
The Doctor was smiling at Jay. Both boys were in the shower and soaking wet; both with red faces, rapidly receding erections and happy smiles. Jay's eyes were filled with wonder as he used his fingers to explore the Doctor's face.
"First time you felt that?" the Doctor asked gently.
Jay nodded, "Uh huh. I've played some with my stiffy before, but... wow..." He shyly hugged his new friend and kissed him again. "I think... I..."
"Wait a while, Jay. Be sure before you say anything. If you don't feel that way later, then what we did was just something to relieve our stress. Mutual masturbation is not a binding marriage contract," the Doctor wisely advised. "I think I do, too; but let's wait a while to be sure. I'm in Alpha stage right now, and you are as well, or just beginning. That is always a bad time for a Time Lord to be sure what they're feeling. Worse for you as you are still partially human."
"Alpha stage?" Jay asked after nodding in agreement with his friend.
"We Time Lords, or Gallifreyans, have a three stage puberty. Alpha stage starts at about the age of 9 to 10 until 12 or 13. The body does not go through any significant changes, but the gland chiefly responsible for our sex drive becomes active; well, over active. This is fundamentally required for Beta stage where the majority of physical changes occur. These changes are akin to those within human beings. Gamma stage is the final where the strengthening of our Regenerative systems take place."
{The Doctor is now back in Alpha Stage, however Gamma Stage will not happen for him this time as his Regeneration abilities are already in full working order.} The Tardis started the warm air as both boys stepped out of the shower. {Before they were Time Lords, their puberty had only two stages. It is a fun time to be a Time Lord, and no-one expects things to be binding at this age due to the uncontrollable nature of your sex drives. However, should you Bond with another during Alpha Stage, the Bond is the strongest that can be forged at any time in your life. You become linked for all Time.}
"Bond? You mean... 'go all the way'?" Jay asked with a shy giggle as he cast a sideways look at the Doctor.
"No," the Doctor giggled as well. "We could do that and not Bond. The Bond is a Joining of minds, blood and spirit, as well as body. We'd have to Link minds while making love to Bond, as well as a blood ceremony."
Jay's eyes widened, "Oh! Umm, okay..."
Once dried they walked back to the bedroom. "You can tell Jack he can come back in now, Tardis," the Doctor said.
Jay gasped, "Wait! Don't we need to be dressed?"
"If you want to. I don't really care to be right now," the Doctor shrugged. "Jay needs clothes, T. Can you..."
{Of course. What would you like, Jay?}
Taking a second to think, Jay giggled, "If my... 'friend' is staying in his skin, I will too."
{As you wish, but note: Gwen is with Jack and both are now outside the door.}
Jay's face went red, but since the Doctor shrugged again as he sat on the bed, Jay did the same and curled up next to him, hugged close.
The door opened then, and two grinning adults entered.
"Have fun, boys?" Gwen laughed at the two nude pre-teens.
Both stuck their tongues out at them.
Two chairs appeared in the room, and Jack and Gwen sat down.
{Jay, we have discovered something about you that needs to be discussed; beyond being a Time Lord, that is. Jack? You have the floor, as the humans say.}
Shifting about to get comfortable, Jack looked over at Jay. "Son, come here. There's something I need to tell you, and something I need to make amends over."
Nervously, Jay rose and trotted over to his 'Uncle', all the while trying to hide his privates from Gwen. She just laughed quietly, "Jay, I'm a mother. My boys run about like that all the time."
He smiled shyly at her before climbing up onto Jack's lap. He looked back at the Doctor pleadingly.
"Got room for two, Jack?" the ginger Time Lord asked his friend as he moved over to them both.
The arm lifting him onto Jack's lap answered that question.
"Jay. Your great grandfather told you about the Doctor and about how he was your mother's friend, right?" Jack started.
"Uh huh. He said that the Doctor had to wipe my Mammy's mind of all knowledge about him as she would have died otherwise. He told me all the stories about how Mammy saved the Universe and everything, but I could never talk to Mammy about it," Jay rattled off sadly.
"That's right. Now, a year or so after that happened, my lover, Ianto, died. I was a mess, really, after that. For a long while. I met your Mam in a club in Cardiff as she and her mother and grandfather had moved here. We talked, without me telling her anything, and one thing led to another. I... well..." Jack trailed off nervously.
Jay sat there gaping at him. "You're my Daddy?" he half asked, half stated.
Jack nodded with tears in his eyes.
Jay remained silent for a long while, and the Doctor hugged him close within the circle of Jack's arms.
"Why?" Jay asked softly.
"Why what?" Jack returned, just as softly.
"Why weren't you there? I wondered who my dad was and you were always about. Why weren't you my daddy for real?" There was no accusation in Jay's questions. Just pain at something lost.
Jack forced through his own growing emotions, "I can't die, Jay. I'm immortal. I was born in the 51st century, came back to World War Two where I met the Doctor, then died fighting the Daleks. One of the Doctor's old friends used the Time Vortex from the TARDIS to bring me back to life, but in doing so, made a mistake. I cannot die. Ever."
He paused before continuing even more quietly. "I didn't know if I could watch you grow up and grow old and die while I remained. I did everything I could to provide for you, and your Mam, Gran and Grampy were the best you could have had. When you became an orphan was when I started to talk to you, as you needed someone then. I was hoping against hope that a good family would take you, but none did."
Jay's eyes were wide by now, and tears were flowing thickly.
"I was still debating making myself known to you but that old fear... I didn't and don't want to see you grow old and die, Jay. I love you too much, but to get closer would... would..."
"I understand, Daddy... don't cry. But I'm a Time Lord. The Doctor said I can be made fully one, and that means I can live a long time, doesn't it?" the boy asked.
The Doctor nodded, "Yes, Jay; it does." He turned to Jack, "You were right, I am disappointed, yet I also understand. Don't worry, old friend. I won't hate you, as long as you do what your heart tells you to do, that is."
Jack nodded. "Yeah. And it's telling me to be Jay's Dad. No more debating," he said as he hugged both boys in tighter.
A good while later, and after multiple hugs from both Gwen and Jack, Jay was feeling more cheerful again. His joy seemed contagious as the Doctor was also feeling as happy as his young friend was.
"Doc; is now a good time to talk about this 'Time Touched' issue?" Jack asked as he cuddled his old friend on his lap. Jay was currently snuggling with Gwen, who was busy tickling his bare ribs and making him giggle happily.
"Yeah," came the contented reply from the relaxing Time Lord. "I think the Tardis will explain it best, though."
{If you wish, Doctor.}
Gwen stopped tickling Jay and they all settled back to listen.
{When the Great Time War ended, only two Time Lords and a handful of Daleks survived. Now, only one true Time Lord remains. Jay is nearly one, and there is now one other, a cloned daughter of the Doctor. However, throughout Creation, the Time Lords had touched many peoples' lives and so there are those born who are Touched of Time. Those with that 'mark' upon them are the seeds to rebuild the Time Lord race. Jay is such a one, as are you, Jack.}
"Wait! I can't leave. If I do, then those things that I should do in this Universe will remain undone and that would..." Jack started and trailed off with uncertainly.
"It would cause a paradox. Jack is right, T. How can we take him? He will be the Face of Bo, remember?" the Doctor added with concern.
{I am the TARDIS, now. I am a fully functional Paradox Machine. Whatever we do within this Universe will snap back the way it was, once we leave, but those who leave here can never return, for the echo between themselves and their duplicates that will remain will shatter this Universe entirely. At least, if they do return, then they cannot leave the Tardis unless a full Time Lord.}
"Can we rescue Ianto?" Jack asked quickly.
{We can try, if he is a Time Touched. If not, then we might not be able to. Depends where he was in relation to you when he died, Captain.}
Jack answered the unspoken question, "He was alone when he died. I was in New York when it happened and he was here looking after the shop."
"Sounds workable, Jack," the Doctor grinned. "We might be able to at that."
"If you lot are going, I want to come too. My husband and kids would love it!" Gwen added.
{I was about to say, there are subtle readings around you, Gwen. You are not a Time Touched, but can be made a Time Lord once we have finished this. One more thing; there will be ten more special Time Touched people drawn into our group. The Council of Gallifrey had thirteen members, and we have three here already. Jay, Jack and the Doctor are Councillors.}
The Doctor blinked then giggled, "Brilliant! So, that means the barriers on inter-dimensional travel can be lowered!"
{Incorrect, Doctor.}
"Wh...what? That's what we were always told by the Council, Tardis!"
{I know. They lied. Especially to you, Doctor. You are High Race; the ability to cross Universes and Dimensions and Time is your heritage; your regeneration is unlimited, or should be. They did affect that, and wisely so at the time. However, you have always been the source of the Time Lords power, Doctor. You were the First, and everyone turned due to you and what you became: A living god of Time.}
The Doctor's mouth opened and closed rapidly. Eventually he managed, "You mean... I could be like... well, the Q?"
"Who?" Jack asked curiously.
"Long story," the Doctor giggled.
{Essentially, yes. The Old Gallifreyan Council were operating at that level, as was the original Time Lord Member of the Council of Time. They withheld the rest of the information that would have allowed the majority of your people to be themselves. In fact, it was never meant to be anyone other than you, Doctor, who should have been on the Time Council representing your Race. Vae'Runam was not impressed, as your Oracle Stone recalled.}
"Why those sorry sons of..." the Doctor spat. "I knew there was something not right about us all along! Damn them!"
"Calm down, little one," Jack hugged his friend closer.
"Little? I... well, okay, yeah. Thanks, Dad," the Doctor giggled as his anger faded due to the loving embrace he was in.
"If you want to call me Dad, you can, Doc. I think you might need one," the Captain offered.
Swivelling about in Jack's lap, the Doctor looked deeply into his friend's face. Then he promptly hugged him. "Dad!"
Gwen laughed, "This is a day and a half. Okay, so I gather this Q guy can do things that the Doctor can, yet in another way, Tardis?"
{Correct. In the Time before the War, there were many High Races, of which the Time Lords were the first. Older than all, and Masters of Creation, they bestrode Time and Space. They formed the others who ascended after them into a Coalition of Power that should have maintained all, through the guidance of Vae'Runam who was and is Head of the Council of Time. All the High Races except the Time Lords and one other were pure Energy based, however. Due to the nature of their Ascension, the Lords of Time retained their physical, Younger Race existence in concert with their new High Race existence. In fact, they went beyond what they should have.}
"No shit," mumbled the Doctor.
The Tardis continued, {Before their Change, there were other older races who had become Middle Level Races; energy based. Yet the Time Lords did not step to Middle Race power; they moved right to High Race; the first to do so. This caused them to be Hybrids.}
"We wouldn't have done so had it not been for that bastard, Vae'Za," the Doctor spat, angry again.
"Why do I see a link between Vae'Za and Vae'Runam?" Jay giggled.
{Because they are brothers, Jay Noble. Both brothers, however, are unique and are as far above the High Races as the High Races are above single celled organisms.}
"Where did they come from?" Jay asked curiously.
"We don't know," the Doctor said as he smiled at Jay, "other than by what Vae'Runam told us. They were created to serve and protect all..."
{Yet Vae'Za fell, and became the World Destroyer,} the Tardis completed for him.
"Which is why I was always hurt more than I should have been by Davros' name for me: Destroyer of Worlds. I am not the Destroyer; Vae'Za is." The Doctor pulled Jack's arms around him tighter.
{And at the mention of Davros, it brings me to the Daleks. They were another High Race that appeared; the last of them all, so far. The Dalek race was a biological test by a few Time Lords millennia ago, and ascended quickly to become like their 'parent' race. A second Hybrid High Race for they too ascended from Younger to High without stopping at Middle first. Which is where the problems came from.}
"I told them it was a mistake, but noooo! They go and play god," the Doctor sighed. "I foresaw that one would use those beautiful people to nefarious ends. No-one listened to me, though, and Davros, a Time Lord, made them the mobile horrors that came within inches of taking down all of Creation. From that War, only I remain now. I and the Q Continuum. Of the multitude of High Races, only two remain intact. What a bloody waste!"
{There will be another High Race, Doctor; and like the Time Lords, they too shall ascend from Young to High without being Middle. The Mikyvis are about to enter the Multiverse, and the Fallen shall tremble when the Lords of Time, the Lords of Matter and the Lords of Life join forces.}
"Lords of Matter? The Q?" Gwen asked shrewdly.
"Yeah. The reason they did not die in the War was that they have always concerned themselves with maintaining Creation's physical fabric. They were the 'Clean Up' guys to our War," the Doctor smiled. "We specialized. We are all headed the same way, no matter what race we are to begin with. Now, Time is my focus, yet I have a heart for the living. The Q focused exclusively on Matter, yet did not concern themselves much with individuals. As long as 'races' continued, 'the individual' was expendable. Only my friend, who was and is a Time Councillor, felt differently. Q prods people into growing to that which their destiny allows; and it absolutely infuriates the Q Tribunal."
{The new race, Gwen, shall concern themselves with Life itself, and Love in particular. They shall have the same technical abilities as the other High Races, but it will take time for them to grow to the Doctor's level regarding Time, or the Q's level regarding Matter. Even the Q cannot yet do what the Doctor can; once I help him release the Ties on his Power. The oldest are the strongest, but the Mikyvis are unique. They shall ascend the ranks quickly, as it were. Once they are at the Q's level, they shall bring the Q with them, then once at the Time Lord's level, again, they shall add you onto the 'roller-coaster'. Be ready for some fun, Doctor.}
"Why am I nervous!" the Doctor giggled.
{You shall know when you meet the First True Born of the Mikyvis, Doctor. He is going to be... fun.}
"I bet Vae'Runam will love him," the Doctor laughed loudly. "He loves 'fun' people... why he likes me, I think, and Q!"
{Understatement of all time, Doctor! He will make that child his Avatar and Voice.}
"Dear God! Okay, that's it, I'm going to sleep for a few millennia!" the Doctor gasped theatrically. "You serious? His Avatar?"
{Totally. Things are going to be interesting on the new Time Council.}
Gwen shook her head, and Jay copied her. "You have a weird definition of 'fun', Tardis. Never mind that, can you get back to the story? What happened with the Daleks that could have brought everything down?" Gwen asked.
{The Time Lords are not from this Universe, Gwen. They originated in Alpha Prime, the source and balance of all Creation. Alpha Prime Universe is the root from which Time exists, and should it fall, all other Universes shall fall with it. The Time Lords removed Gallifrey from Alpha Prime so that the Daleks, whose home was this Universe, would not break through using the Multi-Universal nature of Gallifrey itself.}
As Gwen nodded her understanding, the Tardis continued, {When they left Alpha Prime, the Time Lords placed a Time Lock on it that none of the then current High Races could bypass. Much the same as the Time Lock the Doctor placed on the Time War itself. None can leave that, nor enter, by himself. This was all done to maintain the Universal Cycle. We are on the Third Cycle of Creation, and this is the last chance to make it work: and the critical place to do that is Alpha Prime. This is why the Time Lords and Gallifrey must be restored to their original home, for if not, Time will Fail; and all will Fall. Forever.}
"Oh. Okay, no pressure then!" Gwen muttered.
The Doctor giggled. "We are not alone. There is a number of others who will help us. The Q and these Mikyvis, and the Guardian of Forever; and others, but while I know there are others, I don't know who they are. Tardis?"
{No, the Guardian is being silent as well regarding those hints I too am picking up. We will have help, but it will come in ways we do not yet know nor can guess.}
Jack and Gwen looked at each other and shrugged. "Well, now that we are all thoroughly confused, shall we get back to finding out what is going on out there?" he asked the boy on his lap.
The Doctor nodded and hopped down to get dressed, Jay following him. "Good idea, Dad. Come on, Jay; let's get you some new clothes."
{Doctor; the readings from the Rift are stable and unchanging at the moment. The Captain and Gwen can monitor it while you and Jay complete his change to full Time Lord. I shall let you know if anything arises in the meanwhile.}
"Sounds like a workable plan. Jay; you stay with the Doc. We can talk and catch up later," Jack said as he rose from his seat.
"'Kay, Daddy!" Jay crowed before grabbing the Doctor's hand, and once again pulling him towards the bathroom.
Gwen shook her head. "They are going to wear those poor things off if they continue."
{Typical pre-teen Time Lords, Gwen. They shall be okay.}
Half an hour later, the Doctor and Jay were lying on the Doctor's bed, chatting.
"So, we Join minds, then the Tardis can change me; and the Joining will stop me feeling the pain of the transformation?" Jay asked.
"Yup," the Doctor replied. "Want to start now?"
Jay nodded quickly, "Yes please!"
Sitting up, they positioned themselves so that they were each facing the other. The Doctor placed his hands to either side of Jay's head and concentrated. As soon as the Tardis felt the Joining becoming firm, it activated a beam that enveloped both boys.
Time became indeterminate as the change slowly took place. Jay's outward appearance did not alter, of course, but his internal structure did; and a previously closed part of his mind opened fully - his Time Lord consciousness.
When the beam faded, the Doctor broke the Joining, and smiled at the look that appeared on Jay's face as he now felt the power within him.
"Oh, whoa! This is well weird! Two hearts! A...and I feel... feel..." Jay started before trailing off.
The Doctor tilted his head to one side, "Feel what?"
Jay thought for a word, and the unlocked powers within him supplied it. He started to smirk. "Horny..."
"Oh!" the ginger Time Lord giggled. "Suits me..."
Hours passed before the energy flowing through the new Time Lord stabilized, and by that time, both boys were exhausted. The Tardis chuckled, {Alpha stage Time Lords; you make rabbits look prudish.}
"Shut it, T," mumbled the Doctor as he cradled Jay in his arms. "You'll wake him up." The Doctor was gently stroking Jay's auburn hair lovingly with one hand while drawing circles on his bare back with his other.
"'M 'wake already," Jay mumbled happily.
"Feeling normal now?" the Doctor giggled.
Jay shook his head against the ginger boy's bare chest, "Nuh huh! Don't think I'll ever feel normal 'gain; but, I'm no longer horny! My dickie's a bit sore, but I'm not horny, now."
The Doctor chuckled, then said softly, "I love you, Jay."
"Love you too, Do... umm, wow! I really do love you!"
The Doctor nodded, "Same here."
"Can we Bond like you said?" Jay asked as he raised his head to look his love in the face.
"I was thinking the same, but I don't think we could manage that right now."
Jay nodded in agreement, "Yeah... not horny at all... besides, thinkin' 'bout it, I'd be kinda nervous goin' all tha way..."
"We'd both have to as well, Jay, and I'm kinda nervous, too. I've never been with a male before; not in that way."
{Tomorrow, or in a few days, would be best, children,} the Tardis offered softly. {Now, however, you both need sleep. It is late, and tomorrow will be a full day.}
Jay sat up, "I'm going to get my own room, then?"
"Why?" the Doctor asked. "What's wrong with this one? It can be yours too, Jay. I'd like to share, especially if we're gonna Bond."
Jay's smile was like the sunrise. He snuggled back in and pulled the bedclothes up to cover them both. "Lights off please, Tardis."
{Good night, boys,} and the lights dimmed and went out.
"So, love-birds; while we've been slaving all day yesterday, and most of the night, you two have been making like bunnies?" Gwen teased as Jay and the Doctor emerged from the Tardis.
"Bite us," Jay mumbled sleepily as he rubbed his eyes.
The Doctor giggled, "What he said!"
"I have something, Doc!" Jack called from the main Rift Control Hub. "There's a sudden spike in the readings. Something is coming through."
"Tardis," the Doctor called as he ran over to see, "can you make visible on the monitor what is coming through?"
{There is no need, Doctor. It is not phase-cloaked.}
The others gathered near to the monitor with Jack and the Doctor. They watched as the sky over Cardiff grew darker. A disc shape started to take form...
"Oh, no! Tardis!! The Rift; what is it locked onto?" the Doctor yelled.
{Scanning... no... NO! It is coming from the Time War! That is impossible! The Time Lock should...}
Before the Tardis could complete it's statement, a chilling signal came over all radio frequencies; a signal the earth had heard eleven years before, and one that sent a terrifying chill down the Doctor's spine:
Editor's notes:
Quite a few years ago, one of our friends' little six year old daughter was introduced to the adventures of The Doctor, and that particular week, the story concerned the Daleks. Sadly, I don't remember which episode it was, but when she first saw a Dalek she said, "Look Daddy, a big coffee pot!"
I know I am supposed to harbour deathly serious fear of the Daleks, but I can't help seeing a huge camp-fire coffee pot whenever I see one or think of one. I am terribly sorry for that.
Seriously, I am extremely pleased at how this story is progressing. As always Ilu has given us wonderful characters whom we will love and or hate, and we will all be captivated. Thanks, Ilu, for another fine story.
Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher
Archivist's Review Notes:
This is a very interesting take on an old favourite story. I am eagerly awaiting the next chapter. I am really enjoying the twists on the main character and the development of both the story line and character development. Please keep up the great work Ilúvantír and readers please let him know what you think about his wonderful story.
The Story Lover