Title: No two paths
Author: m_findlow
Rating: PG
Length: 873 words
Content notes: Spoilers for Big Finish audio play “The Lives of Captain Jack - The Day After I Died”
Author notes: Written for Challenge 411 - Amnesty using Challenge 100 - Choices and Challenge 130 - Identity
Summary: Jack’s life is at yet another crossroads.


Jack couldn't help but feel a tiny swell of pride as he watched Earth's survivors begin taking tentative steps towards the crashed spacecraft, realising that it abounded with food and other essential supplies. Things that would make their lives here at least a little bit easier. Finally the Hope Foundation had actually done some good for the people it purported to help.

‘Not bad for a fledgling reporter and a reclusive hero,’ Silo remarked, giving Jack a nudge.

‘Hey, don't forget me,’ Malfi said, still leaning against Jack's other side, gripping his arm for something to guide him, blind and eyeless as he was.

‘Of course not,’ Silo said. ‘Oh, Malfi,. I wish you could see it.’

He hummed thoughtfully and Jack felt the vibration pass through his arm. ‘Describe it for me.’

Jack cut Silo off before she could go into full reporter mode, no doubt still recording everything. ‘It's beautiful, Malfi. All those humans surviving despite everything, and now with a little something extra to help them take that next big step to rebuild their world. The daleks may have ruined it, and other species taken advantage, but you humans always find a way through.’ For a. Brief moment he pictured another Earth in another time, a grubby council estate and one Rose Tyler, who was as much the embodiment of that same spirited adventurer as he saw in Silo Crook. ‘You're pretty special.’

Silo rocked on the balls of her feet as they watched on. ‘So, what now, Jack? Are you planning on going back into hiding now that you've saved the day again? Is that what heroes do? Live like grumpy hermits?’

‘Hey, I wasn't grumpy.’ Then he chewed his lip as she narrowed her eyes at him. ‘Okay, so I was a little grumpy, but you'd just wandered through a wasteland still littered with dalek time limpet bombs. Fastest and stupidest way to get yourself killed in my opinion. Anyone would be mad.’

It was an excellent question though. What did he do now? He'd survived and cheated death twice now. Once was all the wake up call he'd needed. That was why he'd hidden himself away in the first place. Earth wasn't the best place to be with all the destruction and the starvation and high unemployment going around, not to mention the plethora of unexploded ordnance. He'd had no intentions of putting himself in danger again, as much as it could be avoided. It was all temporary, until he could figure out his next move. In theory, he was hanging out for the Doctor and Rose to realise they'd made a mistake leaving him behind, and that any day now they might turn up in their TARDIS and pick him up. That was the dream. The reality had turned out a lot less pleasant so far. Staying alive long enough to see it happen was a lot harder than he'd expected, and harder still when youthful and inexperienced humans like silo dragged him right back into the fray.

‘I dunno,’ he replied, genuinely meaning it. ‘Not sure what's left here for me.’ He still had his vortex manipulator that could take him anywhere in time and space and yet he was reluctant to go anywhere the Doctor wouldn't be able to find him. Until then though, what was he supposed to do? He wasn't sure who he was anymore. He didn't feel like Jack Harkness, Time Agent and part time crook. He also didn't feel like Jack Harkness, saviour of planet Earth. Who was he when he wasn't with the Doctor and Rose? He looked despondently at Silo. ‘I'm not sure I have anywhere to go.’ And he meant that.

‘What are you talking about? Silo said, sounding shocked and surprised. ‘You have us, of course.’

‘Yeah,’ Malfi replied. ‘I need someone to help me find some new eyes, and Silo…’

Jack chuckled. He knew what Silo needed – someone who might provide a good story. He didn't want to be the centre of any story, not even Silo’s stories. He was no hero. Then again, he wasn't flush with other choices right now. He'd thought being alone was the safe bet, but it had also been a pretty miserable existence. What was the point of living but being sad and lonely? He could probably do with a few new friends right now and Silo and Malfi had been kind to him. What did he have to lose? Maybe he didn’t know who he was now without the Doctor and Rose, but maybe this was his chance to find out who he could be. The universe was full of infinite choices, and this was just another crossroads.

‘So, what do you say, Jack?’ Silo asked, trying to read his expression. ‘Feel like sticking with us and finding out what planet Earth might do next?’

He clutched Malfi tighter against him, then wrapped an arm around Silo, pulling her just as close. ‘You’ve twisted my arm. But yeah, I think I can put up with you a while longer. Just keep that recorder away from me and we'll be fine.’

‘No promises, Jack,’ Silo told him. ‘You just never know when the next big story will need telling.’