im_torchwood | (no subject)

(no subject)

Jack raced after the blowfish and caught him in an aley behind, of all places, a fish and chip place.

"Give it up," Jack said.

"Pay me, fucker," the fish said clearly in English.

Jack reached into his pocket as if for a gun, but pulled out a thick stack of notes.

"Alright," he shrugged.

The blowfish came closer and took the money, then handed Jack a wrinkled paper sack. Then he ran off, keeping out of sight until he got his hood up.

Jack opened the bag, looked inside, and smiled.

"Well , hello beautiful."

Then he heard a scuff just down the way and he looked to see who it was.

"Oh. Hi there," he said.

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"Then I think we have a deal," Jack said and offered to shake on it to show he was earnest.

"Really?" Q asked, offering Jack a suspicious look as he took the offered hand. "You're not going to let me do the work and then lock me up in a cage somewhere? ...Because, honestly, I'd be a bit cross if you did."

"Nah, you'd like it too much anyway," Jack snorted. And there was always Retcon...he'd really have to be slick to get it in Q's system, though.

"Come on. I'll drive."

"I really wouldn't," Q muttered, though he followed along anyway, eager to see what Jack was building.

Pulling out his phone, he sent off a quick text to Bond- Just in case.

Jack climbed in and drove them to Canary Wharf and descended the tube station nearby and passed through public doors, then hidden doors.

"There's an easier way in but they'd have my head if I showed it to you," he said.

"They don't have to know, do they? You've never been the 'by the book' sort after all- Not from what I've read," Q noted, glancing over at Jack and raising a brow.

"I have to watch myself here in London. I don't have the freedom I had in Cardiff. And I've got things to lose," he said. He'd been increasingly nervous since he'd found the 'Harkness Contingency Plan" in the Torchwood files. That had been a wake up call- how they'd deal with him if they ever had to...

"They don't trust you fully," Q said, looking over and tilting his head. "That must bother you."

"Of course they don't. I wouldn't if I was in their position, either," he replied. "Would you?"

Q considered that for a long moment, wetting his lips thoughtfully, then humming.

"I don't honestly know. I'd like to think I'd have the sense to get to know you, and not simply judge based on what the reports say."

"The reports say different things over the years. Even if you read them all you don't get a clear picture," Jack said. "I'm sure the reports about you leave a lot out."

"The ones that still exist," Q replied with a pleased little smirk. "The person who hired me as Quartermaster didn't depend on my reports though- She came to me, spoke to me in person."

"Em?" Jack asked and it was clear that for him it was a name and not a title of bearing deserving respect.

Q didn't respond to that- His silence both an answer, and a slight scolding for the lack of respect shown.

"So, this machine you'd like me to build- Explain it," he prompted.

"It's part...flouroscope sort of x-ray and part...drain snake and plunger," he explained. "The basic model is built, but it could work better," Jack explained.

"And you use if for... What, exactly?" Q asked. "I find it's best to start with need- When you know what a tool is most desired for, it's easier to build that, then work you way out to other uses," he explained.

"In theory it locates alien parasites and extracts them without major invasive surgery. It's got a teleportation unit on it that's....glitchy," Jack replied.

Q hummed in understanding, then glanced over again. "It might take some time- This is very new tech to me," he reminded Jack.

"So, like, what? Two hours? I'll order a pizza in," he offered with a smirk. He couldn't help showing off- even when he knew he shouldn't. At least Q would have the proper appreciation for what Jack had to show off.

"Try twenty four, minimum," Q replied, looking unamused. "I may be brilliant, but I'm not magic, Jack."

"Isn't your double o guard dog going to have fits if you go missing for twenty four?" he asked.

"Absolutely," Q smirked. "I'll have to check in with him every few hours- He'll not be pleased that I'm here. ...I did text him that I was leaving with you though, I expect he'll be texting back his disapproval shortly."

As if on cue, Q's phone buzzed lightly. It was, as he'd guess, some choice words from Bond along with some vague threats of violence. Posturing, mostly.

"It'll be fine. I should text Logan, too. Let him know I'll be working late."

He didn't sound too terribly happy with the prospect.

"You live with Mr. Echolls?" Q asked, texting Bond back a kissy face emoji, and nothing more.

"He's my husband," Jack said. "That's not for show..."

He paused.

"He's my whole universe."