A Difficult Explanation (Broadchurch+Torchwood)

Chapter 10-Fallen

Jack walked around the town. He had planned on following Hardy, but the media had stopped him. He was forced to answer questions.

He tapped his COMS. "Hey." He said quietly, exhausted after the day.

"Jack!" Ianto replied happily. "Where are you?"

"You can track me." The Captain said with a smirk as his fixed the collar of his greatcoat.

"Don't want to be too clingy."

"Oh Ianto." Jack chuckled. He paused and looked up, seeing the fence of the cliffs at the edge of his vision. A shadow flashed in the distance, causing the Captain to react. "Talk to you later Yan. Meet you up for a drink." He said, turning off his COMS before the tea boy could respond.

Jack picked up his pace, the pit in his stomach tightening. Dread filled him as he thought of what the figure might do. He was too far away to call out. He looked up at the sky, the moon shining down. -Perfect time to die...- He thought grimly. -When no one is around to watch.-

Alec looked over the edge. He took a deep breath. All of his emotions just crushed him. Everything he had stored up.

He felt the familiar pain in his chest, accepting it, just this once. He smiled softly, his fresh tears following the familiar tracks down his face. He sunk his head in shame and disappointment. "Good luck Miller." He said softly before raising his head and opening his chestnut eyes. He sighed heavily and drew in a short breath before leaning forward.

Jack had tried to call out. As he got closer, he had watched the familiar brown hair blow in the night wind. The suit flap in the breeze. Tears fell down his face as the Captain fell to his knees. He knew that Alec Hardy had been fake. He had just lost his best friend.

Jack sat there silently, leaning his back against fence. After several moments of gathering himself, he stood up. He could see the flashing lights in the distance, knowing that Ianto had freaked. He drew In a shaky breath and stepped over the fence as he pulled out his phone. He tapped a quick phone number and put the cell to his ear.

An annoyed voice answered.

"Who the hell is this at midnight?"

"Ellie, I'm very sorry for disturb you... "

"W..who?" She replied, voice tired and dull.

"Jack Harkness."

"How the hell did you get my phone number?"

"That doesn't matter. T..there's been another one."

"Another what?"

"Body... at the beach. Except this was a suicide."

Ellie snapped awake. Rustling could be heard on the other line. "Shit. Shit. Shit." She paused and sighed. "Where the hell is Hardy when you need him?"

Jack gulped and looked over the edge, wincing at the broken figure of the detective... of his Time Lord. "...Dead.." He replied, voice hoarse.

The line cut out.

Jack stood at the base of the cliff, Ianto next to him. Jack was a nervous wreck, which usually never happened. Ianto tried to keep him calm, but nothing worked. The Captain had just lost the friend that would stick with him forever.

Ellie kneeled beside the body, tears falling down her face as she looked down at the broken body. She reopened her eyes as an ambulance pulled up. She turned her head to look, confused.

The paramedics rushed out. "H..he's dead..." She choked out. Jack came up behind her and helped her up. He shook his head. "No... He's not.." He seemed suddenly calm.

Ellie stood up and dusted herself off. She wiped her tears.

The loud sirens... Wasn't I supposed to be dead? I...Why?

Everything soon faded out again.

Jack jumped into the SUV, dragging D.S. Miller and Ianto along. "Let's go." He said quietly, flicking on the lights and going full speed to the hospital. "Jack... What the hell?" Ellie hissed, holding onto her seat. "I'm allowed this." He said easily.

The Captain had regained himself on the outside, but his emotions felt as if they were melting. He was breaking from the inside out.

The Ambulance had reached the hospital before them. The three stepped out of the car, but Jack turned to Ianto and shook his head. "Please, Yan, Go tell everyone that the investigation here is over... As soon as I'm done.. I'll come back to the Hub." Ianto shook his head. "I'll go to the Inn, but not home."

Jack and Ellie ran in. They had asked the receptionist, but were forced to wait.

Time slowly passed. Jack felt as if just because the Lord of Time was near death that time would stop. He blinked slowly, realization dawning on him. Alec had only been alive because of regeneration.

When they were allowed to enter, Jack walked in first. He pushed open the door,relaxed. He froze, eyes tracing all of the tubes running in and out of his body.

D.I. Hardy lay in the bed, his eyes closed. The man looked relaxed for once in his life.

Ellie peeked over Jack's shoulder, her eyes widened. She turned away and pushed Jack forward, allowing him to go first.

The Captain looked back at her and offered a reassuring smile. He slowly walked up to the bed, eyes falling down on his face. There wasn't a scratch on him. He smiled sadly. "Everything... Will be alright." He whispered. His eyes looked up to the bedside table, a familiar pocket watch sitting on the wood. He smiled softly, noticing the faint golden glow.

He looked down at Alec, "Welcome back." He said with a smiled, watching the man open his eyes.

(I feel like I'm playing all these characters wrong.

I don't feel like I'm capturing them right... oh well. I also feel like I've lost all of you, just cause I was gone. I don't know. Could just be me and my depression. Never know right? Heh.. Guess I'll leave ya to your reading! For those that have read this.... Thank you. It really cheers me up when I see comments and reads. I don't care about favorites, I just love to hear your thoughts.)