Captain Jack and Captain Jack [for slayers_desire]

[fractured_agent]

It's been a few months since the team got their first lessons in psychic shielding, and once again, the Hub is open to April's expertise. Though he knows they're having guests, Jack doesn't push anyone to clean up the clutter so it looks better. The Hub is still a work space, and a chaotically changing one at that. They're all used to it by now, and Jack knows April won't mind.

Ianto is manning the tourist information office upstairs, as usual, and he knows that April is coming.

Comments

[slayers_desire]

"We better keep things uncomplicated," April agrees with a chuckle.

[fractured_agent]

"We'd better join the party or it'll look strange," Jack says, and leads the way to the bar. "Three waters, please." When the barkeep tells him the price, he automatically reaches for his wallet, then freezes as he remembers that all his currency is from the twenty-first century.

"I'll get them," an airman to their left offers. He isn't looking at Jack though, his eyes are on Toshiko.

[slayers_desire]

April never even thought about the currency problems, until she sees Jack freeze for a moment. She smirks slightly, when the airman attempts his flirtation.

[fractured_agent]

Jack's a bit amused too. Tosh is just plain nervous, not noticing his interest in her right away.

"Under one condition," the airman continues.

Jack is immediately suspicious. "What?"

The airman reaches out and grabs Tosh's hand, pulling her out onto the dance floor. Startled, she doesn't resist.

[slayers_desire]

"Bold..." April mutters to herself. But she knows that was just the style in the 1940s. And she is glad to see that Tosh doesn't resist too much.

[fractured_agent]

Jack laughs a little, glad to see that Tosh's race apparently doesn't matter to this young man. But then he hears a woman to the side of them exclaim, quite rudely, "Why is George dancing with a Jap?"

Uh-oh.

Tosh casts Jack and April a slightly panicked look, both from overhearing the woman and from being dragged onto the dance floor without even a 'May I have this dance?'

[slayers_desire]

Seems like George likes adventure and causing a scene, and April is not sure how to handle the scene that is being created. She doesn't want Tosh to be in any danger.

What do we do?

[fractured_agent]

I guess we ask him to stop, Jack decides. He doesn't want to make a scene, but Tosh certainly doesn't look like she's finding this fun. He approaches the dance floor and taps George on the shoulder. "Do you mind?" he asks smoothly, as if asking to cut in.

"I'm only borrowing her, mate," George replies.

"Maybe she doesn't want to be borrowed," Jack shoots back.

[slayers_desire]

"Cut a rug with me..." April hopes to provide George a distraction, after approaching the couple too. After all, no one where should question Jack dancing with Tosh. Hopefully.

[fractured_agent]

George looks at April, considering. She's attractive and her offer is tempting. But he's also wound up, and something here doesn't make sense to him. "Isn't this your woman?" he asks Jack, jerking his head towards April. He's assuming that of course Tosh wouldn't be with one of the boys, not seriously anyway.

[slayers_desire]

"The Captain doesn't have any one woman..." April gently takes George's arms, smiling softly.

"Besides, he really must stay on duty." She is hoping that George might assume that Tosh is part of Jack's assignment.

[fractured_agent]

"No one's on duty tonight, luv," George says, in a sort of are-you-stupid tone. "This is a party."

Well, this isn't going how Jack wanted it to. But then a new voice enters the conversation, one that stands out because unlike everyone else here, it has an American accent. "Settle down, kiddo. Like you said, it's a party." The speaker is a tall young man, with blue eyes and brown hair, also dressed in an RAF uniform. To Jack's experienced eye, he also notices the flight captain's bars on the uniform, marking his rank.

[slayers_desire]

April tries really hard not to react to George's tone. And is glad for the interruption from another Captain.

"Your loss... George." And she simply declines her previous offer with those three words.

[fractured_agent]

George looks angry, but a word from the newcomer sets him straight. "Go have a drink with the boys, George. I'm sure the lovely ladies will be up for a dance later."

The airman looks a little resentful, but does as he's told, moving back to join some of the other men in the unit. Better yet, he doesn't hold a grudge against either Tosh or April.

"Sorry about that," the newcomer says. "The men are a bit lively tonight. It's the last day of OTU tomorrow."

[slayers_desire]

April is a little afraid now to ask any questions, in fear of looking out of place for her lack of knowledge.

"We appreciate you stepping in, Captain."

[fractured_agent]

Jack can tell April is unsure, and provides a running 'translation' for her. OTU is operational training exercises. Practice flying, pretty much.

"No problem," the captain says with a smile. "Your accents aren't from around here. Are you a volunteer too?" The last part is mostly directed towards Jack.

"Yeah," Jack says, slipping back into the part he played decades ago.

[slayers_desire]

April knows that airplanes were the huge difference in the Second World War.

"We just stopped in for a night off, ourselves."

[fractured_agent]

The captain assumes that Jack is on leave and taking his women out for a night on the town, which isn't a bad thing to assume. He reaches out and shakes Jack's hand in a warm greeting. "I'm Captain Jack Harkness, 133rd squadron."

Jack's smile freezes on his face and his heart drops like a stone. Tosh's eyes go wide as she looks back and forth between them.

[slayers_desire]

April is a little confused herself, but is sure that Jack will explain to her later. You can use my father's birth name, if you have too... William Pratt. You sound British enough, it might do...

[fractured_agent]

It's been a long time since Jack's frozen up so badly, and for several moments he doesn't even know what to say. Tosh is stunned and confused, but quickly fills the awkward silence. "Toshiko Sato," she introduces herself.

[slayers_desire]

"April Kent." She too is able to introduce herself easily. She gently gives Jack mental support, so he can recover.

[fractured_agent]

Jack gives himself a mental shake, and grasps for the name April told him. "Captain William Pratt, 71st," he replies, trying to put that smile back on his face. It's difficult, looking at this man and knowing who he really is now. Tosh won't be able to tell what's going on under the surface, of course, but April will. Shock, guilt, even a hint of panic and grief.

The other Jack doesn't seem to notice either. "Seventy-first, that's where I'm hoping to be posted."

[slayers_desire]

April does sense all of Jack's internal emotions. And knows they are related to the man in front of them.

"When do you leave, Captain?"

[fractured_agent]

"We're still waiting on orders, but we expect to get them soon," Captain Harkness says easily. "Probably escorting bombers over the Channel." He tilts his head towards the bar. "What's your poison? I'm buying."

Jack is vaguely aware he might sound rude, but he wants to get out of this situation before he says the wrong thing. "We'll have to take a rain check, sorry. We were in the middle of something." Even as he says it, he knows there will be no avoiding this the longer they stay.

[slayers_desire]

April wonders if part of the reason they were sent back to this date has to do with the real Captain Harkness. But she wisely says nothing when Jack makes an excuse to leave the situation.