"It'll be fine. Really. I've done this more times than you can imagine," Jack assured them, flagging over a waitress and getting them set for food and drinks. All he wanted was water, which was...strange.

"So!" he exclaimed when she'd gone. "What do you guys want to do? There's no war on, no real alien presence yet, and no reason to worry. Torchwood is in Cardiff, miles off that way, and the Doctor won't be here for a few more years. The town is ours."

And then, from the strap on his wrist, a shrill beep began. Jack looked down at it and his carefree smile faded immediately.