When Everything Changed - Chapter 19/20
Oct. 24th, 2010 11:08 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
tonjavmooreTitle: When Everything Changed – A Torchwood/Dr. Who/Sarah Jane Adventures Crossover
Author:tonjavmoore
Characters/Pairings: Jack/Ianto, Gwen/Rhys, Eleven and Amy Pond, and a lot of people from the Whoniverse at large
Rating: PG
Word Count: Total: 32,741; Chapter 19: 2,136
Spoilers: This assumes that you are familiar the five days of Children of Earth. Otherwise, you’ll be a bit lost. This is a timey-wimey fixit that takes up action partway through Day 3.
Disclaimer: Torchwood, Dr. Who, and Sarah Jane Adventures all belong to the BBC and RTD. Sadly.
Betas: Thanks to midlist_writer and welsh_scotsman on Live Journal. Also, to my friend Alexandria Cameron who put up with my squeals and tantrums when it just wouldn’t get out through my fingers the way I wanted it to.
Dedication: This is for my good friend and the best roommate anyone could have ever the pleasure of having, Susan Garrett. She was taken from us by cancer and the world is not as bright as it was before she left.
Summary: When the Shadow Architects find a paradox that is destroying the Universe, can the Eleventh Doctor find a way to restore Jack’s timeline to what it should have been?
I have disabled comments on Live Journal. Please comment at my Dreamwidth account. I love comments. They are cookies for my soul. You don’t have to have an account to comment there.
Story starts here:
Chapter 1
Chapter 19
A few linear days after the meeting with Jack and Ianto, Amy and the Doctor sneaked in with perceptions filters to join the crowd of people in the Palace for a press conference. It was hard to contain her excitement. She never thought she would actually get to see the Royal Family this close. (She didn’t count Liz 10, who didn’t line up with her ideas of a reigning monarch.) Just one of the many perks when traveling with the Doctor.
The room was ringed with the Royal Guard, armed with decidedly non-ceremonial weapons. The civil unrest that had followed on the invasion of the 456 had only just dissipated and no one was willing to take risks with the monarchy. It was due to the long-ingrained loyalty to the House of Windsor that had allowed Great Britain to settle down so quickly. Other countries were not so lucky. Amy spared a moment to wonder if the US would actually break apart, as it had threatened to do.
There were UNIT soldiers here, too. Amy recognized the red berets. One was on the platform with the Queen, Prince Phillip, and Prince William, sitting a bit apart, along with other men dressed in military uniforms.
When she heard low-voiced murmuring from the crowd, Amy turned to see the cause. The Torchwood team had entered the room from behind her and heads had turned to gawk at them. Jack and Ianto stood together, not touching, but not needing to. Sarah Jane was with them, although Amy couldn’t see Luke. Gwen was to the left of Jack, with her husband beside her. Martha and Mickey were on the other side of Ianto. Their determined expressions made them both dignified and formidable, and the effect on the room was palpable.
The public information officer stepped up to the podium and cleared his throat. “Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, their Royal Majesties would like me to express their thanks for your attendance today. If you would, please hold your questions until the end of the statements and we will try to answer as many as we can. I remind you that the country is still in mourning for our lost children and that nothing that will exacerbate the grief of the parents will be given in answer.”
He meant “Pay attention and don’t wander off track into finger-pointing,” Amy guessed.
“I present to you His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales.”
As the Prince rose, so did the rest of the room. Amy would have, too, if she hadn’t already been on her feet. As he bowed to his grandmother, Amy could clearly see that William carried the responsibility of leadership on his shoulders as though it were as natural as wearing a cardigan. He stepped up to the podium and surveyed the room, smiling a little. “Please be seated,” he said. “No need for all of us to be uncomfortable.”
Amy glanced over her shoulder at the Torchwood team. Their stance and expressions were unchanged. Only the occasional blink of eyes showed that they were alive and breathing.
Once everyone was back in their respective seats and the television cameras were again unobstructed, the Prince began to speak. “We do not need to tell you about the terrible tragedy that has overtaken our world. We have been invaded and children ripped from our arms. We can do nothing to change the past, but we will do everything in our power to change our future.
“The wise and foresighted Queen Victoria established an organization to monitor and protect the Earth from this eventuality. This organization operated in secret and for the most part did its job so well that people were able to dismiss the possibility of visitors from other worlds as flights of fancy confined to books, television and films. Only a handful knew what the dangers were.
“That changes now. There will be no more secrecy and evasion on this. Those of you in our larger cities, especially London, have seen the evidence of alien invasion with your own eyes in years past, but accepted by and large the explanations you were given by persons you had a right to believe and trust. No more lies about this. There are other races that live on other planets. For the most part they are peaceful, but there are those who are not. We’ve heretofore been saved by this organization on numerous occasions, but they did their jobs so quietly that most of us never noticed.
“Where were they when the 456 came, you may ask. The answer is that they were doing their job. Unfortunately they were prevented from doing it effectively because of certain corrupt Cabinet Ministers who felt it more important to hide the mistakes of the past rather than secure the present. Instead of taking their rightful places in the forefront of the planet’s defenses, they were hunted, harassed, and imprisoned. Those who are responsible for this outrage are awaiting trial for treason against the Crown.”
Amy saw the wince from the military men on the platform. They hadn’t been allowed to do their jobs either, but none of them had been stalked like animals, or had their leader blown to smithereens. Amy had little sympathy for them.
“It’s a new age that we are living in now,” Prince William continued. “A time when we will all have to acknowledge the dangers we have been living under. Not that the agency will stop doing its utmost to protect our planet, but they can no longer operate alone and in secret. It is time that we learn how to protect ourselves.
“Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth II, has requested that I take the position of leader of this effort and I have been honored to accept. From this day forward, we will have a new purpose. A new destiny. One fraught with dangers and pitfalls, but one with hope. I will share this new hope with you now.”
One of the doors in the back of the room opened and Luke came in holding Bobby by the hand. He transferred the hand to Gwen and stepped back. She looked down and smiled at the boy. All of them did. It was the first time that they had moved since they had come in. Gwen urged the boy to come with her as they started up the aisle. Amy was startled to see that Bobby was dressed in the clothes he had been found in.
The television cameras had not turned to show Torchwood, but as Gwen walked past them, they showed her moving towards the front of the room.. Her head was high and they expression of grim determination had returned to her face. Bobby trotted alongside her, looking neither to the right nor the left. His whole attention was fixed on the platform.
Gwen followed as he mounted the steps and stopped in front of the Queen. He gave her a formal bow, perfectly executed as though he’d been born to do it. When he stood up, she gave him a small smile and a nod. Bobby then turned to the Prince and bowed again. His little face was solemn and though there were murmurs, but no one laughed.
Prince William knelt and lifted Bobby in his arms. He turned back to the cameras. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is our hope. What is your name, young man?”
“Hamish, sir.”
Amy frowned. His name was Robert. Perhaps they were using a false name. That would make sense if they wanted to give him a semblance of a normal life.
“How old are you?”
“I’m seven years old, sir.” He held up fingers to demonstrate, which caused another stir in the watchers.
“Now, Hamish, this is important. What year were you born?”
He didn’t hesitate. “I was born in 1958, sir.”
Gasps shot through the audience, followed by a rising murmur of voices. William quieted them by saying, “Where were you born?”
“In Scotland,” Bobby said. “At the orphanage.” His brow furrowed as though he was trying to remember something and then relaxed. “Your Highness,” he added respectfully.
“Thank you, Hamish,” the Prince said and set him down. He went back to Gwen who had come up the stairs to stand at the end of the platform.
Prince William took a deep breath and spoke again. “This boy is the one you have no doubt seen in the broadcasts of the video taken in the room at Thames House. He and a few others were ‘given’ to the 456 by the existing government in 1965. When the alien that came here was killed, Hamish remained alive. He has no memory of what transpired after he was taken prisoner until he woke up here when the alien was killed. The doctors say he has no after-effects other than some slight scarring in the lungs.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the world, let me tell you what this means to us. That little boy was taken by the same aliens who came back to steal millions of our children. The ones they took, the ones we are mourning for now – they are still alive out there. They’re still alive and we can get them back.”
This time the crowd was loud. Hands flew in the air as questions were shouted. The Prince put up his hands. “Please indulge us for a few more minutes.”
The noise level dropped again. William continued, “I want you to meet someone else. You may have heard her voice on that horrible day. She was on the emergency broadcast network, urging everyone to get their children under cover. Her name is Gwen Cooper.”
Applause ensued. Amy felt justified in clapping, since everyone else was clapping, too, and she wouldn’t be heard. It was a good thing. She was about to burst with all the energy she had bottled up.
Gwen stood beside the Prince, her hand still holding Bobby’s. “Hello,” she said, quietly but firmly. “I’m Gwen Cooper of Torchwood. I’ve been fighting aliens for years.”
She drew in a deep breath. “Torchwood has been fighting these battles since the organization was chartered by Queen Victoria. Our purpose remains unchanged. We will protect the people of Earth with all our strength. Now, we have come to a crisis. We have two things that need doing and we will need help to do them. Our first aim is to establish a better defense against threats from outside of our solar system. The second is to go beyond those boundaries and find our missing children.
“Torchwood will continue put itself on the front lines of defense in keeping our planet from those who would harm us. Make no mistakes, ladies and gentlemen, there will be more aliens coming, both benevolent and otherwise. We will make friends and allies of the former, and we will stop the latter. That’s in the Torchwood charter – to defend the earth from extra-terrestrial threats. We’re still sworn to uphold that, but now we have another task that is just as important.
“We are going to build a starship. We don’t know how yet, but we are going to do it. And when it is built, we are going to the nearest system that will support life and look for our children. If they aren’t there, we’ll go on to the next, and the next, and the next until we find them. We are going to find the Children of Earth and we are going to bring them home!”
For a moment, the silence was complete and then the room nearly burst with the sounds of applause and shouts. The Queen rose to her feet and joined in. Gwen’s face looked flushed, but her smile was wide. When the noise had started to abate and the Queen resumed her seat, Gwen indicated that they were to sit.
“We are going to do this, and we’re inviting all the peoples of the world to join with us. The NATO countries have already pledged their support and we hope more will follow. In honor of this arrangement, it has been decided that every ship that goes beyond the boundaries of Earth’s atmosphere will bear the name of a missing child.”
Gwen reached down and took Bobby’s hand. “We know that you have many questions and we will answer them to the best of our knowledge. We’re taking a short recess for you to gather your thoughts. Hamish, is there anything you’d like to say before you go?”
Amy wondered how much the boy was actually taking in. He smiled and shook his head, then changed it to a nod. Gwen knelt, bringing the microphone with her, and held it out for him. He said, “I… don’t forget, please? Remember. They all want to come home.”
Author:
tonjavmoore Characters/Pairings: Jack/Ianto, Gwen/Rhys, Eleven and Amy Pond, and a lot of people from the Whoniverse at large
Rating: PG
Word Count: Total: 32,741; Chapter 19: 2,136
Spoilers: This assumes that you are familiar the five days of Children of Earth. Otherwise, you’ll be a bit lost. This is a timey-wimey fixit that takes up action partway through Day 3.
Disclaimer: Torchwood, Dr. Who, and Sarah Jane Adventures all belong to the BBC and RTD. Sadly.
Betas: Thanks to midlist_writer and welsh_scotsman on Live Journal. Also, to my friend Alexandria Cameron who put up with my squeals and tantrums when it just wouldn’t get out through my fingers the way I wanted it to.
Dedication: This is for my good friend and the best roommate anyone could have ever the pleasure of having, Susan Garrett. She was taken from us by cancer and the world is not as bright as it was before she left.
Summary: When the Shadow Architects find a paradox that is destroying the Universe, can the Eleventh Doctor find a way to restore Jack’s timeline to what it should have been?
I have disabled comments on Live Journal. Please comment at my Dreamwidth account. I love comments. They are cookies for my soul. You don’t have to have an account to comment there.
Story starts here:
Chapter 1
Chapter 19
A few linear days after the meeting with Jack and Ianto, Amy and the Doctor sneaked in with perceptions filters to join the crowd of people in the Palace for a press conference. It was hard to contain her excitement. She never thought she would actually get to see the Royal Family this close. (She didn’t count Liz 10, who didn’t line up with her ideas of a reigning monarch.) Just one of the many perks when traveling with the Doctor.
The room was ringed with the Royal Guard, armed with decidedly non-ceremonial weapons. The civil unrest that had followed on the invasion of the 456 had only just dissipated and no one was willing to take risks with the monarchy. It was due to the long-ingrained loyalty to the House of Windsor that had allowed Great Britain to settle down so quickly. Other countries were not so lucky. Amy spared a moment to wonder if the US would actually break apart, as it had threatened to do.
There were UNIT soldiers here, too. Amy recognized the red berets. One was on the platform with the Queen, Prince Phillip, and Prince William, sitting a bit apart, along with other men dressed in military uniforms.
When she heard low-voiced murmuring from the crowd, Amy turned to see the cause. The Torchwood team had entered the room from behind her and heads had turned to gawk at them. Jack and Ianto stood together, not touching, but not needing to. Sarah Jane was with them, although Amy couldn’t see Luke. Gwen was to the left of Jack, with her husband beside her. Martha and Mickey were on the other side of Ianto. Their determined expressions made them both dignified and formidable, and the effect on the room was palpable.
The public information officer stepped up to the podium and cleared his throat. “Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, their Royal Majesties would like me to express their thanks for your attendance today. If you would, please hold your questions until the end of the statements and we will try to answer as many as we can. I remind you that the country is still in mourning for our lost children and that nothing that will exacerbate the grief of the parents will be given in answer.”
He meant “Pay attention and don’t wander off track into finger-pointing,” Amy guessed.
“I present to you His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales.”
As the Prince rose, so did the rest of the room. Amy would have, too, if she hadn’t already been on her feet. As he bowed to his grandmother, Amy could clearly see that William carried the responsibility of leadership on his shoulders as though it were as natural as wearing a cardigan. He stepped up to the podium and surveyed the room, smiling a little. “Please be seated,” he said. “No need for all of us to be uncomfortable.”
Amy glanced over her shoulder at the Torchwood team. Their stance and expressions were unchanged. Only the occasional blink of eyes showed that they were alive and breathing.
Once everyone was back in their respective seats and the television cameras were again unobstructed, the Prince began to speak. “We do not need to tell you about the terrible tragedy that has overtaken our world. We have been invaded and children ripped from our arms. We can do nothing to change the past, but we will do everything in our power to change our future.
“The wise and foresighted Queen Victoria established an organization to monitor and protect the Earth from this eventuality. This organization operated in secret and for the most part did its job so well that people were able to dismiss the possibility of visitors from other worlds as flights of fancy confined to books, television and films. Only a handful knew what the dangers were.
“That changes now. There will be no more secrecy and evasion on this. Those of you in our larger cities, especially London, have seen the evidence of alien invasion with your own eyes in years past, but accepted by and large the explanations you were given by persons you had a right to believe and trust. No more lies about this. There are other races that live on other planets. For the most part they are peaceful, but there are those who are not. We’ve heretofore been saved by this organization on numerous occasions, but they did their jobs so quietly that most of us never noticed.
“Where were they when the 456 came, you may ask. The answer is that they were doing their job. Unfortunately they were prevented from doing it effectively because of certain corrupt Cabinet Ministers who felt it more important to hide the mistakes of the past rather than secure the present. Instead of taking their rightful places in the forefront of the planet’s defenses, they were hunted, harassed, and imprisoned. Those who are responsible for this outrage are awaiting trial for treason against the Crown.”
Amy saw the wince from the military men on the platform. They hadn’t been allowed to do their jobs either, but none of them had been stalked like animals, or had their leader blown to smithereens. Amy had little sympathy for them.
“It’s a new age that we are living in now,” Prince William continued. “A time when we will all have to acknowledge the dangers we have been living under. Not that the agency will stop doing its utmost to protect our planet, but they can no longer operate alone and in secret. It is time that we learn how to protect ourselves.
“Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth II, has requested that I take the position of leader of this effort and I have been honored to accept. From this day forward, we will have a new purpose. A new destiny. One fraught with dangers and pitfalls, but one with hope. I will share this new hope with you now.”
One of the doors in the back of the room opened and Luke came in holding Bobby by the hand. He transferred the hand to Gwen and stepped back. She looked down and smiled at the boy. All of them did. It was the first time that they had moved since they had come in. Gwen urged the boy to come with her as they started up the aisle. Amy was startled to see that Bobby was dressed in the clothes he had been found in.
The television cameras had not turned to show Torchwood, but as Gwen walked past them, they showed her moving towards the front of the room.. Her head was high and they expression of grim determination had returned to her face. Bobby trotted alongside her, looking neither to the right nor the left. His whole attention was fixed on the platform.
Gwen followed as he mounted the steps and stopped in front of the Queen. He gave her a formal bow, perfectly executed as though he’d been born to do it. When he stood up, she gave him a small smile and a nod. Bobby then turned to the Prince and bowed again. His little face was solemn and though there were murmurs, but no one laughed.
Prince William knelt and lifted Bobby in his arms. He turned back to the cameras. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is our hope. What is your name, young man?”
“Hamish, sir.”
Amy frowned. His name was Robert. Perhaps they were using a false name. That would make sense if they wanted to give him a semblance of a normal life.
“How old are you?”
“I’m seven years old, sir.” He held up fingers to demonstrate, which caused another stir in the watchers.
“Now, Hamish, this is important. What year were you born?”
He didn’t hesitate. “I was born in 1958, sir.”
Gasps shot through the audience, followed by a rising murmur of voices. William quieted them by saying, “Where were you born?”
“In Scotland,” Bobby said. “At the orphanage.” His brow furrowed as though he was trying to remember something and then relaxed. “Your Highness,” he added respectfully.
“Thank you, Hamish,” the Prince said and set him down. He went back to Gwen who had come up the stairs to stand at the end of the platform.
Prince William took a deep breath and spoke again. “This boy is the one you have no doubt seen in the broadcasts of the video taken in the room at Thames House. He and a few others were ‘given’ to the 456 by the existing government in 1965. When the alien that came here was killed, Hamish remained alive. He has no memory of what transpired after he was taken prisoner until he woke up here when the alien was killed. The doctors say he has no after-effects other than some slight scarring in the lungs.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the world, let me tell you what this means to us. That little boy was taken by the same aliens who came back to steal millions of our children. The ones they took, the ones we are mourning for now – they are still alive out there. They’re still alive and we can get them back.”
This time the crowd was loud. Hands flew in the air as questions were shouted. The Prince put up his hands. “Please indulge us for a few more minutes.”
The noise level dropped again. William continued, “I want you to meet someone else. You may have heard her voice on that horrible day. She was on the emergency broadcast network, urging everyone to get their children under cover. Her name is Gwen Cooper.”
Applause ensued. Amy felt justified in clapping, since everyone else was clapping, too, and she wouldn’t be heard. It was a good thing. She was about to burst with all the energy she had bottled up.
Gwen stood beside the Prince, her hand still holding Bobby’s. “Hello,” she said, quietly but firmly. “I’m Gwen Cooper of Torchwood. I’ve been fighting aliens for years.”
She drew in a deep breath. “Torchwood has been fighting these battles since the organization was chartered by Queen Victoria. Our purpose remains unchanged. We will protect the people of Earth with all our strength. Now, we have come to a crisis. We have two things that need doing and we will need help to do them. Our first aim is to establish a better defense against threats from outside of our solar system. The second is to go beyond those boundaries and find our missing children.
“Torchwood will continue put itself on the front lines of defense in keeping our planet from those who would harm us. Make no mistakes, ladies and gentlemen, there will be more aliens coming, both benevolent and otherwise. We will make friends and allies of the former, and we will stop the latter. That’s in the Torchwood charter – to defend the earth from extra-terrestrial threats. We’re still sworn to uphold that, but now we have another task that is just as important.
“We are going to build a starship. We don’t know how yet, but we are going to do it. And when it is built, we are going to the nearest system that will support life and look for our children. If they aren’t there, we’ll go on to the next, and the next, and the next until we find them. We are going to find the Children of Earth and we are going to bring them home!”
For a moment, the silence was complete and then the room nearly burst with the sounds of applause and shouts. The Queen rose to her feet and joined in. Gwen’s face looked flushed, but her smile was wide. When the noise had started to abate and the Queen resumed her seat, Gwen indicated that they were to sit.
“We are going to do this, and we’re inviting all the peoples of the world to join with us. The NATO countries have already pledged their support and we hope more will follow. In honor of this arrangement, it has been decided that every ship that goes beyond the boundaries of Earth’s atmosphere will bear the name of a missing child.”
Gwen reached down and took Bobby’s hand. “We know that you have many questions and we will answer them to the best of our knowledge. We’re taking a short recess for you to gather your thoughts. Hamish, is there anything you’d like to say before you go?”
Amy wondered how much the boy was actually taking in. He smiled and shook his head, then changed it to a nod. Gwen knelt, bringing the microphone with her, and held it out for him. He said, “I… don’t forget, please? Remember. They all want to come home.”
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-25 08:02 am (UTC)Damn it, this is my canon.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-25 11:06 am (UTC)Torchwood and the Crown standing up to stupid goverment people, and I love that the ships will bear a child's name, a lovely touch.
So sad that it's nearly over but looking forward to next chapter. :)
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-25 11:57 am (UTC)I'm going to miss this when it's over, but it's been a fantastic ride.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-25 11:59 am (UTC)Now finally we see what Gwen is tasked with - it's rather daunting! But then, the rest of Torchwood won't be having an easy time either!
Only one chapter to go, which is sad..
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-25 12:46 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-25 04:56 pm (UTC)Jack knows that Gwen will go mad without something to do. This way she can still make a difference without putting her baby in danger. He's a good leader and knows who to put on what job.
The team will need to get bigger, but he's got a good core.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-25 04:59 pm (UTC)More to come. There's so much more to tell.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-25 05:02 pm (UTC)It's my canon, too. We live in a world that needs to believe there is hope. CoE took it away, so I'm restoring it.
Remember, it's not over until the Fat Lady sings.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-25 05:12 pm (UTC)This won't be easy for Torchwood, but then when is it ever?
I've got more planned. This is a rich enough universe (I think) for lots to happen.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-25 05:15 pm (UTC)I've got more planned. I tried to leave it open. I much prefer a universe with Ianto and Jack intact, so my mind is free to play with them. And all the others.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-25 05:30 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-25 05:36 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-25 11:04 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-26 12:24 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-26 06:36 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-26 07:37 am (UTC)I love that Torchwood and the Crown have come up with plans to build ships so that they can find the children. And naming them after the kids is a lovely touch. Gwen and Bobby being the public faces of the project is just perfect. It's just what Gwen needs to do and a good way for her to help.
This has been such an amazing story, I'm glad to hear there's going to be more!
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-26 01:08 pm (UTC)Once he knew there was a chance, Jack would move heaven and Earth to get those children back. That's who he is.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-26 01:12 pm (UTC)I didn't think Jack would let Gwen keep going into danger, but he also knows that she'll go nuts and do something things if she has to stay at home. She's the perfect candidate to take charge of the Starship Project.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-26 01:13 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-26 01:16 pm (UTC)Now that I'm happy with my canon (as opposed to RTD's), lots of ideas are percolating to the surface.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-11-20 09:42 pm (UTC)I'm reading it after his engagement, so I'm kinda expecting Kate too ;D