A DIFFERENT WORLD: CHILDREN OF EARTH

Day Five

There's something I've been meaning to ask Jack. Very recently, a question that won't stop nagging me since I've seen her.

Why is it that Rose Tyler appears throughout history to save the world...but sometimes...sometimes she doesn't...all those times when there was no sign of her...i wanted to know why not.

Why wouldn't the blonde child from not so long ago. The woman who made Jack immortal and brought Owen and Tosh back to life...just ignore us?

But I won't ask anymore because now I know.

Sometimes Rose has to look at our planet, her home, the place she had lived for nineteen years and turn back in shame.

I am recording this in case someone finds it and you can see.

You can see how the world ended.

Frobisher stood there alone, almost rolling his eyes as Torchwood walked in together. Jack Harkness in his 1940's glory, Gwen Cooper on his right hand and Owen Harper on his left with Toshiko Sato and Ianto Jones besides them. They all wore their sunglasses for the dramatic effect and unfortunately Frobisher had to admit they all looked good.

They stopped before him and whipped off their sunglasses.

"The threat still stands" Gwen said calmly.

"Haven't we gotten past that?" Frobisher groaned.

"Just because Ianto is here does not mean that all the information recorded on his laptop is" Jack said smirking. "It's hidden and one word from any of us it'll be released to the public"

"What do you think Torchwood is now?" Frobisher asked irritably. "Your spy is locked up, your families being watched and your base – both of them – are gone. Do you still think you're players?"

"We can try" Gwen spat out.

"And most likely to succeed, none of you stiffs in the suits (no offense Ianto) have experience like us" Owen said grinning.

"We're at the tipping point right now" Frobisher said grimily. "Civilisation as we know it is about to go to hell. You want to start that descend a little earlier then go ahead"

Jack looked away thoughtfully and the others knew he was considering their options. "He's right" Jack said quietly.

"What?" Gwen and Owen screeched together, Tosh frowned and Ianto looked confused.

"Look what happened, we almost lost Owen-"

"But I'm fine Ja-"

"Destroy the information" Jack ordered firmly. "Go now and come back later after I discuss arrangements with Frobisher here"

TWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTW

They were on a helicopter pad, the sky was blue and the sun was shining and the trees surrounding them were beautifully green. It was as if the day was mocking them. Tosh and Owen hugged Gwen and Ianto before Jack planted a kiss on Ianto's lips and hugged Gwen tighter and longer than the others, smelling her hair while murmuring something to her.

Gwen and Ianto then jogged towards the helicopter and climbed in, Ianto being his usual gentlemen self by helping Gwen in. Just as they did climb in the men in military clothing handcuffed Jack, Owen and Tosh.

"You better have a plan Jack" Owen grumbled.

"I have none" Jack said looking pale and blank faced. "Like Frobisher said, civilisation is going to hell. We have to wait out today and then try fix what's left. At least with Gwen and Ianto in Cardiff we'll have someone"

Tosh glanced at him. "Ianto's family" she said. "He's got nieces and nephews hasn't he? And chances are so does Rhys...you're giving them a chance to protect their own family"

Jack nodded and they were silent throughout the whole journey towards the holding cells. The cells were clean, sterilised white floors and walls, only a notch higher than the bleak grey Jack and Owen were stuck in only three days before. The moment the door was slammed shut behind the three of them Owen plastered on a false grin on his face.

"Well normally in a situation like this I would suggest sex" Owen said with his usual lack of charm. "However Jack is in the cell with us"

"Well I never" a posh accented voice from across the hallway said. "I sincerely hope Toshiko that your beau is not crude like this young man"

"Bridget!" Tosh cried out.

"Tough luck old lady, I'm Tosh's boyfriend" Owen said smugly.

"Well I hope you shall never meet Toshiko's mother, she might cut you down with Toshiko's father's katana just for being impolite" Bridget said stiffly, obviously unhappy with Tosh's choice in men. "It's is a good thing Toshiko's father passed away long ago, he might have just killed you for even looking at Toshiko"

Tosh's face turned a bright pink while Jack bit his lip to stop laughing. "Yeah well good thing I'm always armed" Owen snapped back. "Just remember lady I'm a doctor and I know how to dissect"

"Well I never!" Bridget exclaimed. "Toshiko I do hope you captain has a plan because those dear children are going to be taken for god knows what!"

"Unfortunately my darling Bridget I have no plan" Jack said with his usual hint of flirtation causing Owen to roll his eyes. "We got to hope for the best. I'm mostly playing on Gwen's habit of making people think and feel. The secret control sector will be banging on our doors in no time"

"Yeah to have another pot at us" Owen mumbled.

"I do hope so" Bridget said. "Oh I hope John and his family will be all right. Did you see him? Do you think he'll forgive me?"

"With your amazing charm you wouldn't forgive you?" Jack said flatteringly and reassuringly. "I'm sure he understands if it was Tosh doing this against me I would as well"

"You're a good man Captain Harkness" Bridget said grudgingly. "Just stop flirting"

TWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTW

Andy met them at the landing pad and drove them in his patrol car. Gwen refused to tell Andy what was going on, she rested her head against Ianto's shoulder and sighed heavily.

"It's Torchwood that did it" she said emptily. "They give you retcon and chemicals and radiation and god knows what. The bloody pill didn't stand a chance. That's what Torchwood does you see, it ruins your life"

"What are you talking about Gwen?" Ianto asked worriedly. "How is your life ruined?"

"Do you want to have kids in this world Ianto? " Gwen asked pulling away, looking at him with a tearful expression that made him squirm inside. "Where the government is willing to just hand them over" the last part was in a strangled whisper so Andy couldn't hear.

"You can't get rid off it Gwen" Ianto said gently. "Rhys would want this baby. We want it, you saw Jack he was acting like he was the father. Tosh is getting all excited and Owen is prepared to get every child-birthing book he can. This is a Torchwood baby; we're all excited and willing to love it"

"You're pregnant? Bloody hell who's the father?" Andy cried out in shock and amusement. "Is it you Ianto?"

Gwen glared and Ianto chuckled. "Take the left please Andy, my sister lives just on that estate"

TWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTW

The cell door opened and Bridget looked up to see John Frobisher looking grey and worn out. She stood up and smoothed her skirt out to look respectable to her adored boss.

"Sir...i am...i am so sorry sir but I-"

John held a hand out to silence her. "I have got you free of your charges, the Prime Minister himself had pardoned you" he said in a flat monotone voice. "You are not to go near any government official building and will remain in your home for the time being"

"John...thank you but-"

"Come with me" John cut her off again. "There are many ears in these walls"

Bridget suppressed a smug smile when she heard Dr Owen Harper groan. She accepted John's offered arm and allowed him to lead her to the car where Lois, that new girl they had recently hired to sort out their new system was in the driver's seat. Once the car started moving John closed his eyes.

"My children are to be taken away" he said in a strangled horrified voice. "I am going to prevent it from happening but first, I need you to send Lois to make notes after all the new Home Office will need to know all about this incident"

"Of course sir" Bridget said.

John took her hand and she felt something being slipped into it. "You were a very dear and loyal friend of mine and I forgive you" he said, she felt tears build up but refused to cry in front of John. "It is a shame we could not work together for longer. Take care Bridget and make sure this never happens again"

The car pulled to a stop and John Frobisher climbed out of it. Walking away with his head held up high.

Bridget then cried fully.

TWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTW

Owen was tapping a beat on his thigh while Jack rested his head against the wall and Tosh was mentally working out equations in her head. That was when there was suddenly shouting as their cell door got wretched open by men dressed in black.

"What's going on?" Jack roared.

"Move it, go, go, go, go" the men shouted pulling Jack, Tosh and Owen out of the cell. "Go, go, go, come on move it we said"

"Charming, mind giving the lady some care?" Owen sneered catching a stumbling Tosh. "Where the hell do you think you're taking us?"

"Just move it" a man snapped shoving Owen through the door and out into the corridor.

TWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTW

Ianto's sister was lovely, the moment Ianto murmured that Gwen was pregnant she made sure that Gwen had somewhere to sit down. She instantly believed everything Ianto told her and got her husband to bring all the children from the estate over to hers. Ianto watched from behind the curtain for men to come and take the children. Not long after they arrived men in military uniform were sneaking into the streets.

Quickly and quietly while whispering orders and comforts Gwen, Ianto and Rhiannon got the children into coats and shoes before sneaking them down the grassy hill and into an abandoned barn. Andy, Johnny and the men of the estate fought the military to give them a cover.

It was then when Gwen had Ianto to film her little speech.

Maybe one day she could ask Rose Tyler herself. Gwen sat there silently and wondered, if the world gets more and more corrupt, still handing her children to aliens then she shall beat them to it and give her baby to Rose Tyler and the Doctor to look after it.

"What are you thinking?" Ianto whispered. "You're not going out there to fight are you?"

"No" Gwen whispered shaking her head. "Even I'm not that stupid"

"Debatable"

"Oi!"

"You're not really going to get rid off the baby are you?" Ianto asked biting his lip. "I was telling the truth when I said we'll all love it"

"I know" Gwen whispered smiling sadly. "I was just having bad thoughts, don't worry I could never bring myself to kill my child"

"I know you're too caring. Jack once called you the Heart of Torchwood"

Gwen blushed lightly and turned round to keep an eye on the children while silently praying that Owen, Tosh and Jack will be fine and save them all. She refused to see a single child be handed to those monsters.

TWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTW

They were led down another sterile corridor. This time in another building after a quick flight on a helicopter. A blonde boy looked gleeful as he ran towards them.

"Uncle Jack!"

"Uncle Jack?" Owen mouthed to Tosh incredulously, Tosh shrugged back unable to answer the question.

"Hey soldier- whoa" Jack said as the blonde boy knocked him back with his enthusiastic hug.

"We haven't got time!" Agent Johnson snapped.

"Hey listen, you better stay with your Mum, ok?" a dark haired woman passed with a smile. She paused at Tosh and Owen.

"I'm Alice, Jack's daughter" she whispered. "You must be Tosh and Owen, right?" they nodded stunned that she knew them. "Dad talks about you lot all the time, the way he talks about you two specifically though it's like I got a brother and sister" she winked before walking away leaving two rather gobsmacked Torchwood members.

After handing Stephen to a worker, she ran back behind them as they were lead to a cold stone and damp room.

"Ah I love the decor" Owen said sarcastically as the handcuffs were taken off. He stretched his arms. "Freedom!"

"This should be everything you need and if not we'll find it" Agent Johnson said calmly.

"For what?" Tosh asked looking at the technology in awe; it was like a child in a toy shop.

"Wavelengths, the 456 are named after a wavelength and that's got to be the key of fighting back" Agent Johnson explained.

"You're wasting your time" an old man in a red shirt said from behind the younger woman. "There's nothing you can do, I analysed those wavelengths for forty years and never broke them"

Agent Johnson turned round and shot him without even blinking. The man landed on the floor groaning. "What do you say Captain? She told me you're good" she nodded at Jack's daughter. "Was she right?"

Jack turned to his daughter and smiled. "Well Tosh is better with the computers but we can do it" Jack said confidently taking his coat off. "Toshiko, time to work"

Tosh immediately ran behind the computer and rapidly began to type on the keyboard. "Give me access to the Torchwood software" she dashed to a laptop. "Log me on the servers and welcome back"

"It still won't work" the man said panting, leaning against some huge computers. "There's nothing on there, it's useless!"

"Would you like me to shoot you as well?" Owen retorted. "We got Toshiko Sato, child prodigy and now complete genius"

Tosh glowed at the compliment. "We also got technology beyond you" Jack snapped.

"We've hacked into Torchwood years ago you idiot" the man snarled. "There's nothing"

"I believe that was before I was hired because no one has been able to hack into my perfected firewalls" Tosh said smugly.

"Bring him over here" Agent Johnson ordered. The man groaned and moaned as the uniformed men dragged him across the room regardless of his injury.

"Dad come over here" Alice cried out watching the news on a laptop. "They're trying to get the story out, they're taking the kids!"

Owen and Jack joined Alice to watch the news while Tosh continued to work.

"I got it" Tosh shouted. "If we sack the wavelength back to them, make a constructive wave...but how? It would be like just shouting...unless...why did Clem die?"

"It was the 456 that killed him" Agent Johnson said softly remembering the moment too vividly.

"But how and why, do you still have the recording?" Agent Johnson nodded and pulled it out. "See if he wasn't taken by the 456 as a child, he wasn't a threat unless...maybe the connection hurt them?"

The man looked at Tosh curiously while Jack nodded thinking the same trail of thought. Owen looked proud of Tosh while confused of what exactly was going on. Agent Johnson showed them the recording.

"What's that sound Mr Decker?" Jack asked the old man who and limped towards them.

"I don't know, it sounds new" Mr Decker admitted.

"Exactly it's new" Jack said grinning.

"We don't have to analyse the wavelength, just copy it and make it into a new constructive wave" Tosh said frowning. "But we have no way of transmitting"

"Course you have" Mr Decker said grinning evilly. "Same way as them"

"Never" Tosh hissed. "I refuse to harm any child"

"Rather cut my own hand off" Owen agreed heatedly.

"We'll find another way" Jack said.

"What's going on?" Alice asked worriedly.

"Oho that child is going to fry" Mr Decker said.

Tosh, Owen and Alice saw the guilty, conflicted look on Jack's face.

"No Dad" Alice whispered. "No Dad, tell them no, no Dad, just no, DAD NO!"

"We're running out of time" Agent Johnson said sadly.

"One child or millions" Owen mumbled miserably not wanting to resort to this.

"DAD NO!"

"Jack?" Tosh whispered anxiously.

Jack nodded.

"STEPHEN!"

Alice ran out screaming, trying to get to her son in time. Tosh closed her eyes in horror and Owen clenched his hands in fists, both knew that she wouldn't, the boy got carried into the room and placed where they needed. He looked lost and confused as he kept asking Uncle Jack what was going on. Jack choked out a sorry before he pressed the needed buttons.

Stephen let out a high pitched scream.

Then he began to shudder all over as if he was having some sort of attack.

Then the blood spurted out of his nose.

And he collapsed.

"Maybe...maybe he's like Jack" Owen whispered hopefully as Alice ran screaming to her son's side.

Jack was silently crying.

"I don't think he is" Tosh whimpered before tears spilt down her face.

TWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTW

Tosh and Owen sat either side of Jack. Both holding his hands and rubbing his shoulder in attempt to comfort him. Both were too shell shocked to say anything. Alice walked out of the room looking shocked and worn out, her eyes red from crying too much.

As she walked past she spat at them. "You two are better off with him" she hissed. "Bloody Torchwood they called you. I can see why! One day it'll be your kid his killed and see how much you love him then!"

She marched off crying once again.

Jack cringed and hunched over, tears spilling once again.

Tosh and Owen exchanged sad and grief filled glances. Their worry for Jack getting stronger and stronger by the second.

Deep down they knew he was going to leave them soon.

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