Arranging for a job offer [futureverse, for slayers_desire]

[fractured_agent]

The little yellow farmhouse looks just the same as it always has, perched on the flat plains of Kansas amidst miles of cornfields. Though it's nowhere near a beach, the small agricultural community of Smallville has always reminded Jack Harkness of Boeshane, a tiny little place out in the middle of nowhere, with neighbors who looks out for each other and stay close together as a community with a shared, tragic past.

The year is 2041 - he double-checked, just in case something went wrong with the Nexus again, or his vortex manipulator. The little piece of tech was never meant to last more than a century without maintenance, but it's served him well so far.

Jack looks the same as he always has, plus a single gray hair or two, his ancient gaze the only sign of the two thousand plus years he's already lived. It's warm in Kansas this time of year, but he doesn't seem to mind the heat from his wool greatcoat, one of his only constant companions, as he walks up the dirt road towards the Kent farm.

Comments

[fractured_agent]

"Not right now, but she has a lot of natural talent that would be useful to the Institute," Jack says, now making sure that she knows there's plenty of time to decide. He isn't going to whisk Martha away as soon as her high school diploma hits her hand. And he especially won't say anything to Martha if the Kents don't want him doing so. "If she began training in college, she could be a top-notch field agent by the time she graduates."

[slayers_desire]

"She would be really honored to hear you think so."

But April is still nervous. "can you tell me more about her duties?"

[fractured_agent]

Well she hasn't thrown anything at him and told him to get out, so he takes that as a good sign that she's at least thinking about it. Or hearing him out, at the very least. "That would depend on her specialty. All Torchwood agents are required to be certified on handguns and self-defense, and be capable of going out in the field to track down alien lifeforms or artifacts. I need people who are hard-working, dedicated, work well solo or in a group, and most of all, think quickly on their feet. We never know what we'll be facing day to day, so creative problem solving is a must."

[slayers_desire]

Strangely, it is hearing that Martha would have to handle a handgun that makes her the most nervous.

Most of the qualities that a Torchwood agent needs, seems to fit Martha though. And she had to fight back those nerves.

"You came to me first?"

[fractured_agent]

"Absolutely. She's your daughter. I'd never steal her away from you under your nose." He's not offended that she wants to make sure, though. He's been a parent himself. He understands. And there's a reason that Lucia took his daughter far away from Torchwood when she was still a child.

[slayers_desire]

"I really think that Clark should be here too." Martha is their youngest. And she knows that they both worry about her the most because of that, and because she has no 'special powers'.

[fractured_agent]

He nods, understanding that too. "I'm sure you'd prefer to talk about it together before Martha gets home from school."

[slayers_desire]

"We might have a few more questions for you to. So please, get comfortable." April doesn't need a phone to contact her husband, since all she has to do is think about him.

Clark... are you busy?

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Being contacted over the bond is nothing unusual, so Clark doesn't think much of it. Just at work. What's up?

[slayers_desire]

Captain Jack Harkness is at the farm. He needs to talk to the both of us, about Martha

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Clark frowns. About Martha? That's not what he expected to hear, after learning that Jack was visiting.

[slayers_desire]

And her joining Torchwood

[kalel_ofkrypton]

If what she said before hadn't gotten his attention, she would have it now. I'll be right there.

[slayers_desire]

April is feeling a little restless, she knows that Clark will get home in seconds... but still takes a moment to prepare a cup of tea for everyone.

"Clark is coming home, Jack."

[fractured_agent]

Jack prefers coffee, but tea is perfectly fine with him. He's lived in the UK for well over a century, after all.

"I imagine we won't have long to wait, then."

[slayers_desire]

"Definitely not. One of the fastest men alive."

[fractured_agent]

Fortunately, Jack doesn't get to make the obvious joke before Clark walks in the front door. "Jack. Welcome back to Smallville."

Jack can tell Clark is being cautious underneath his friendliness. "Thanks, Clark. It's been a while."

[slayers_desire]

"As I mentioned in my little mental message, Jack is here to talk to us about the potential for Martha to join Torchwood."

[fractured_agent]

"Yes... about that." Clark looks at Jack sternly. He's very protective of their youngest daughter, and he already had concerns about her joining the Justice League. "I don't think that's going to happen."

Jack isn't surprised to get resistance to the idea. "I realize it's not the safest occupation, but I only hire the best."

[slayers_desire]

"I have my concerns too..."

"But we allowed Jon, Laura and Will to join the JLA when they asked. Drake is almost there himself..."

"And when I hear Jack talk about what he sees in Martha... I just know she would be so honored to be chosen."

[fractured_agent]

"Just because she would be honored doesn't mean that she should take a dangerous job in another world," Clark says, and though it sounds harsh, it's out of love for their daughter. Letting her go into a dangerous profession where he can come to her rescue, if need be, is one thing. But if she's in Jack's world... who might come when she's in trouble? "She's not like the others."

"No, she isn't," Jack replies smoothly. "She has great potential, such that she might not ever fully realize here."

[slayers_desire]

"We would always be protecting her here..." April says softly, as if realizing the truth herself. "Us... her siblings..."

"He is right. She would be so sheltered by us... she would never find her true potential."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Clark doesn't want to accept that. It's difficult, letting go of their youngest when all her other siblings are already out in the world, especially when she has no powers. "That can't be true."

[slayers_desire]

"Clark... you thought it yourself... if she was here in our world, you could always come to her rescue."

"You don't think that way for the others... you let them live their own lives."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"The others can defend themselves better than her. She's talented and strong, but how many times have we had to bail her out? What happens when she runs into trouble with Torchwood and can't get ahold of us?"