Jack - Christmas

[logan_echolls]

(continued from here)

Sitting in the boarding area, Logan looked out one of the large windows, watching as planes took off and landed. In a way leaving London felt wrong- As though he was taking a time out from serving his sentence. Though working for Torchwood often felt the same way. He'd given up so much when he'd left America, convinced that it was for the greater good, and now- Now it seemed as though it had all been for nothing. Just one more fuck up in a long line of fuck ups.

He took solace in the idea that at least with Torchwood he stood more of a chance accomplishing what he'd come here to do, but that didn't really make it easier.

Glancing over at Jack, he hesitated slightly before speaking up. "What happens if there's no answers. No solutions?" he asked quietly.

Comments

[im_torchwood]

"Now you're talking," Jack agreed enthusiastically. "Let's go see what's around. We'll have a good time. Relax."

[logan_echolls]

They walked a ways down the shore, eventually finding a small restaurant with outdoor seating. Beer in hand, Logan looked almost relaxed as he leaned back in his seat and looked out at the waves.

[im_torchwood]

Jack sipped his water and watched Logan.

"How do you feel about the tropics?" he asked.

[logan_echolls]

"Feels like home," Logan admitted. "Or some perfect version of home."

[im_torchwood]

"You ever think about it really being home? Like what you'd do? What kind of hut you'd live in?" Jack asked.

[logan_echolls]

"Uh- No," Logan replied honestly, laughing a bit. "I can't see myself living in a hut, honestly," he admitted, shaking his head and offering Jack a smile.

"I bet you're all about that. Roughing it."

[im_torchwood]

"I do like it rough," he grinned, giving Logan a quick wink.

[logan_echolls]

Logan rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"I bet you're a sweetheart. Romantic to a fault," he tutted. "You're a flowers on the first date sap."

[im_torchwood]

"More the 'surprise trip to paradise' kind on my first dates," he replied, showing his hand entirely.

[logan_echolls]

Logan looked a bit caught off guard, and he was silent a beat before laughing.

"Jack, uh- Look, I'm flattered, man, but- I'm not your guy. I mean, I'm not out here claiming to be totally straight, and I'm not saying you aren't good looking, but I'm- I'm not there, man. I don't know if I'll ever be there again. I'm still getting over my marriage."

[im_torchwood]

"Just...give it some thought," he said. "I know you've got a lot of baggage, Logan. I know what I'm jumping in to."

[logan_echolls]

Logan just nodded, looking away.

[im_torchwood]

As if the waitress was an angel of mercy, their pizza came out and she set it between them.

"Enjoy," she smiled and Jack smiled back. His smile faded a bit as he looked at Logan. "Eat with me."

[logan_echolls]

Logan nodded, taking a slice and digging in. Food was a good distraction. Maybe after a meal and some drinks they could pretend this conversation hadn't happened.

[im_torchwood]

Jack ate three pieces before he spoke again. First he wiped his mouth with the napkin, then leaned in.

"The moon is full. Good night to go to the beach to see the squids lighting up," he suggested.

[logan_echolls]

"That's a really weird euphemism," Logan quipped, finishing his third drink and then laughing.

[im_torchwood]

Jack couldn't help but laugh, too.

"I'm

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<p>Jack couldn't help but laugh, too.</p> <p>"I'm <i<serious</i>," he insisted. "The squid come up to lay their eggs and the glow blue. C'mon. Bet you've never seen the surf glitter like that."</p>

[logan_echolls]

Logan snorted a laugh at that, then shrugged. "Sure, okay, let's go look."

[im_torchwood]

Happy with that answer, Jack picked up his fourth slice. the waitress came over and jack asked for water, and ordered Logan another beer. It was nice to see him relaxed and laughing.

[logan_echolls]

Logan knew he should stay steady, but he did let himself get just a little tipsy before they settled their bill and headed to the beach.

"I love the smell of the ocean," he said softly.

[im_torchwood]

"That, I do remember," he said to himself.

"What's your favorite part of it all? The ocean, the shore?"

[logan_echolls]

"What? You keep saying you remember. What do you remember?" Logan asked, frowning. "How long were you looking at my files? A crush is one thing, but I'm not spending a vacation with a stalker, Jack. Jesus. Boundaries, man. Boundaries."

[im_torchwood]

Jack wet his lips and carefully considered whether or not to tell Logan the truth.

"I can promise I'm not stalking you," he said. "And, yeah, I read your file. But if I told you why I remember certain things? You wouldn't believe me."

[logan_echolls]

"Yeah, I probably wont," Logan agreed. "You know what, enjoy the squids, I need to sleep. I'm tired and I want to get up early to catch some waves."

[im_torchwood]

Jack stayed seated as Logan made his excuses. He sat there long after Logan was gone. He sat there even as the place closed down for the night.

And then he finally went back to the hotel room. He'd hoped he'd waited long enough and Logan was actually asleep.