A Difficult Explanation (Broadchurch+Torchwood)

Chapter 8-Trust

Detective Inspector Alec Hardy walked into the hospital room, his footsteps echoing along the tile. He shoved his hands into his pockets and tilted his head at Jack's relaxed form. The Captain had been sleeping softly.

Alec took notice of the chair beside the bed and sat in it, looking Jack over. He didn't look hurt at all. Not even a scratch. -Could what he said have been true?- Alec thought with a sneaking suspicion. His mind wandered back to the story that Jack had once told him and Miller. -He had been strangled, also drowned. The paramedics mentioned that he had been in the water all night. I'm so confused.- The D.I. rested his head in his hands with a heavy sigh. He rubbed his eyes and picked his head up.

Alec sat there for what felt like hours until Jack had finally opened his eyes.

"Alec?" He asked softly, causing the man to jump. "Oh, you're awake." He said softly, sighing tiredly.

Jack, surprised he had slept, sat up, criss- crossing his legs. "What's up?" He asked lightly, tilting his head to the side.

"Just... just checking on you." Alec said with a shrug.

Jack's eyes lit up. He then shrugged. "I can tell there's more. Something's on your mind."

"Harkness..."

"Jack, please."

Alec tested the word on his tongue a couple times and shrugged, "Jack... I met your friends." He said, having no idea how to approach this. With the time that this man had spent in the office, he really had a way to turn someone's opinion around. The Detective no longer hated the Captain.

"Friends?" Jack asked. "The three?"

Alec nodded tiredly, he felt like a father talking to his son. "Held me at gunpoint." He muttered softly.

Jack rolled his eyes. He tapped his earpiece, hearing the heated argument on the other side. He hissed under his breath and quietly told them to shut it.

Alec blinked. "What is that?" He asked softly. Jack took the piece out of his ear. "This? It's...it's a.. Another version of telephone. Bluetooth basically." He said with a shrug.

Alec rolled his eyes, fighting the urge to force questions onto him. He knew it was a lie. It was obvious. "So.. Jack?" He asked softly.

"Yeah?"

"You're not hurt."

The color drained from Jack's face. He then relaxed, knowing he could trust Alec. "Yeah... Remember what I told you before?"

Alec nodded.

"I'm immortal." The Captain finished.

Alec raised an eyebrow and shook his head. "Jack this is serious." He mumbled.

"Oh come on! The signs are all there! I just wish you could see them...Someone you remind me of could. If only you were them. " He muttered, defeated. "I just wish you would trust me." He muttered sadly and turned away from Alec, looking out the window.

Alec was taken aback. "Jack..." he muttered.

"I'll be by the office tomorrow." He said softly. "I'll return to the room and answer your questions." -I will find you...- He thought. -My Doctor.-

Alec sighed heavily and stood up, running a hand through his hair. "I just want to thank you..." He said quietly. "For saving my life the other day." -And I tried to save yours in return...- He sighed once more. He then left without another word.

Alec walked into the station, face blank as usual. He walked up to the desk and mentioned a quick thing. "When the suspect gets here, send him to my office." He muttered before shoving his hands in his pockets and heading down.

The D.I. pushed open the door of his office, looking up when he heard a soft voice.

Miller gave a soft smile from his desk chair. She stood up, "We need to talk."

Alec shrugged and motioned towards the seat opposite his desk. She took it hesitantly.

"What about?" He asked with a sigh. He had an idea of what she might want.

"W...What happened? To send you to the hospital?" She asked lightly.

Alec blinked slowly, thinking up an excuse. "Just stress. It's nothing big." He shrugged.

Ellie tried to fight back, but Alec raised his hand. "Please." He said, trying to hide the defeat in his voice. "Just let me be. Miller let's not focus on me, but the cases."

"What's the other one?" She asked.

"Immortality."

She raised an eyebrow and tilted her head, but stood up and left, leaving Alec alone with his thoughts.

Alec pulled the unfamiliar watch from his pocket. His thumb grazed the printed surface, causing his mind to wander.

"Doctor!" A voice caused, causing him to turn around. "Jack!" He responded with a smile. The men shared a quick hug before turning around. A blue box stood beside them. The Doctor pushed open the door, "Welcome home!" He said, sending a quick glance to the immortal being beside him.

Jack smiled and walked inside. "Feels so good to be back! What have you done since I was gone?"

The Doctor shrugged. "Oh, This and That. Nothing too exciting." He said with a smirk. He flipped a switch, causing the machine to take flight.

After the short flight, the box landed. Jack pushed open the door, the Doctor following, pulling on his trenchcoat in the process. "What are we doing here?" Jack asked, looking around at the familiar scenery.

The Doctor smiled sadly and looked up at the apartment building. He shrugged, "Sometimes you just have to pay an old visit I guess." Jack nodded in understanding and draped his arm across the Time Lords shoulders. "I understand." He said with a sad smile.

Alec blinked slowly, feeling a tear trek down his cheek. He looked down at the watch, unsure of what he had just seen. The man had looked like him. The one known as 'Doctor.'

He had no idea why he was upset, he always held in his emotions.

A soft knock broke him out of his thoughts. He looked up to see Captain Jack Harkness standing in the doorway.