(no subject)

[im_torchwood]

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.

Comments

[im_torchwood]

"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."

[quartermaster_q]

"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."

[im_torchwood]

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

[quartermaster_q]

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.

[im_torchwood]

"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.

[quartermaster_q]

"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.

[im_torchwood]

"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.

[quartermaster_q]

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

[im_torchwood]

"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.

[quartermaster_q]

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

[im_torchwood]

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

[quartermaster_q]

"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."

[im_torchwood]

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.

[quartermaster_q]

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

[im_torchwood]

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

He paused.

"He's my whole universe."

[quartermaster_q]

Q seemed to consider that for a moment, his head tilted slightly as he nodded.

"Strange, you don't seem the committed sort, and Mr. Echolls- Well, he's not been lucky in love, has he? How odd- The pair of you, that is. It's a strange pairing."

[im_torchwood]

"It's epic. Spanning lives and continents...and dimensions. Of course, you have to believe in destiny. Do you?" Jack asked.

[quartermaster_q]

"Destiny is just a word people use to make their ambitions and desires sound less selfish or more grand," Q replied. "...So no, not really Jack. For whatever it's worth though, I do believe in love."

[im_torchwood]

It wasn't a battle he was prepared to fight nor a hill he wanted to die on so Jack simply conceded.

"Love makes everything better," he said. "And I love Logan with the full force of everything that keeps me alive."

[quartermaster_q]

"That doesn't sound very healthy, but alright," Q replied, texting Bond again as he spoke, picking the rudest emojis he had and hitting send.

[im_torchwood]

"When you've been around as long as I have, Q, Epic has a different meaning," Jack said lightly.

Q was treated to broken hearts, guns, bombs, poo, and skulls. And then a row of hearts and a kissy face. There was little rhyme or reason to it. Bond, skilled as he was, didn't quite grasp the language of emojis.

[quartermaster_q]

"Hmm, and you are very old- Aren't you, captain?" Q replied, texting Bond back only one emoji this time- An eggplant.

"He's very young though."

[im_torchwood]

"He's not as young as you think. Well, here...but in the vortex of time and space things are wibbly-wobbley and it gets...you don't care, I'm sure. You just want the tech, Hmm?"

Jack lead the way in and opened the heavy blast door to the abandoned underground station that was on no map. It was well appointed with tech, cheerfully lit, but sterile. This was no one's home the way Cardiff had been.

"This way to the operating theater..."

[quartermaster_q]

Q had been here before, briefly, but he still took it all in, absorbing every detail as they walked.

"I'll need a pot of tea," he noted. "I work better caffeinated."

[im_torchwood]

"I have a Keurig, will that do?" he asked. Jack appreciated a proper pot as much as anyone, but he was all about speed and convenience.