No person left behind ((tag fractured_agent))

[slayers_desire]

April was a little nervous, truth be told. She wasn't nervous about spending time with Jack Harkness again, as she considered him a good friend.

She was more nervous about bringing him to the Vampire Village to talk to Spike.

So much time had passed for Jack, since he last saw Spike. But it was a completely different story for Spike. And so much could go wrong.

April just hoped that things worked out...

Comments

[fractured_agent]

Jack returns the kiss, regretting that he can't be here to support this gorgeous man more than just right now, but glad that he can help now. And there's something that he's dreading, but he has to know. "I've never asked how long your people live."

[buffyverse_npcs]

"We aren't quite immortal, as there are things that can kill us. Sunlight burns. A stake through the heart destroys us."

"I was born in the 1880s. And managed to avoid being staked this long..."

[fractured_agent]

That makes him far older than most people Jack has fallen for, save for the Doctor. And yet... "You're so young." Younger than Jack, wasn't even born yet when Jack was stranded on Earth.

[buffyverse_npcs]

"You know what they say about younger men, right?" Spike chuckles. He realizes that Jack is older.

[fractured_agent]

"Sure, they have more stamina, but it's the older ones who have all the experience," Jack says with a grin. Spike is at least closer to his age that most people he meets these days, and it's oddly refreshing. Jack looks and physically feels as young as he was when he first died, but in his head he feels the weight of his years.

[buffyverse_npcs]

"How many times have you lost someone you loved, pet?" Spike places his hand back on Jack's. Showing support.

[fractured_agent]

"Too many." He would say he's lost track, but he remembers every one. There's an old shoebox in his office, full of old photos of his lovers throughout the decades he's spent in Torchwood. "Most Torchwood employees don't tend to serve longer than more than ten to fifteen years." The way he says it implies that they don't tend to retire peacefully.

[buffyverse_npcs]

"I have lost two... four if you count Angel's and Buffy's betrayal. I can't imagine the hardships you face."

"But..." He shrugged. "I would like to be there for you. When and if you needed me."

[fractured_agent]

"I appreciate it." He means that sincerely. He's had very, very few people remain constant in his life at any point.

"You said you've avoided being killed so far... how risky is it, for you?" Seeing the house here and the peaceful garden, it's impossible to tell if there are dangers lurking elsewhere in the world. Or if Spike spends any of his time in the Buffyverse.

[buffyverse_npcs]

"It gets more risky the more trouble I get into..." Spike smiles wirily. "I live for the day. Embrace it."

[fractured_agent]

"I remember those days." All when he was mortal, too. He'd had fun, living from day to day, like each one might be his last. Then he did die, thinking he'd had a good life.

Now there's no point in living every day like it's the last, because it never will be. Puts a bit of a damper on it for him. But he won't spoil Spike's fun either. He knows that his case is different.

[buffyverse_npcs]

"There are immortals in my dimension." Spike had encounter with one.

[fractured_agent]

"Are they truly immortal? Live for millions of years, come back from death every time?" They don't have people like that in Jack's universe. Long-lived species, yes. But not on the same scale as himself. Not that he's ever found or heard of.

[buffyverse_npcs]

"The Immortal I met had. He treated Angelus and I like children."

[fractured_agent]

Jack can't tell from context if this Immortal guy is someone he'd want to meet or not. "What is he?"

[buffyverse_npcs]

"Not a vampire. Not a Demon. Not a God. Just a guy who lives forever."

"Angel said he was evil once. Not sure if that was because The Immortal bedded Dru and Darla at the same time."

[fractured_agent]

"Was? So he's turned his life around?" Familiar story, one Jack's heard dozens of times. Sometimes it's even true. It was for him.

[buffyverse_npcs]

"I never socialized with the man. He stole my girl. Twice. Was a pest, but a lonely man."

[fractured_agent]

"That's too bad." Doesn't sound like someone he'll be able to get advice from, then. Finding a listening ear isn't difficult, but finding someone who knows exactly what it's like... that's a whole lot harder. "My universe boasts dozens of long-lived species, but the oldest ones I know of only make it to a few thousand or so years."

[buffyverse_npcs]

"You seeking someone to talk to?"

[fractured_agent]

"Not actively... but I wouldn't turn down the chance. It's... difficult, living amongst ordinary human beings." He's sure Spike will understand. Their natures aren't the same, but there are enough similarities that this is something they share.

[buffyverse_npcs]

"I am not the same as you, I know that. But I am still here, if you need."

[fractured_agent]

"Thanks. I'll probably take you up on that sometime."

[buffyverse_npcs]

"Good. Shasta and I were going to dance for Solace tonight. Want to join?"

[fractured_agent]

"Sure. I love dancing." Jack's always up for a party. That's one of the things he liked about wartime so much. "You inviting April along too?"