Before he could stop himself, he had thrown his arms around the Master, hugging him tight. Then he ran - no, sprinted - out the door and down the street to the little house he once shared with his beautiful young wife. He opened the door, and Rose turned at the sound, sensing her husband's approach, and he wrapped her in his arms, kissing every inch of her face, unable to stop the tears from trickling down his cheeks. "Jack! Jack! What's this all about? I thought you had to work!"
"I - I postponed. For a day longer with you." he lied.
"Sweetie, you're crying..." She whispered, wiping away his tears.
"I just couldn't stand the thought of being away from you." he said softly.
But she could look him in the eyes and know this was an older man than the one who had left her just minutes ago. She searched his gaze for a moment. "So...you came back. How old are you, now, love?"
Jack tucked her hair behind her ear. "I can't tell you." he told her. "All I can say is, I miss you." She smiled gently.
She hugged him. "I love you, Jack Harkness, you stupid, crazy man. You know going back on your own timeline is against the rules."
"I know. But I promise I won't do it again." He kissed her. "Come on. Let me treat you to dinner. We'll get your favorite."
"You hate fish." she laughed.
"But I love you."
....
Jack took his Rose to dinner. He wined and dined her like he used to back when they were just dating. Just two kids in love. Every moment of that twenty-four hours was spent with her. Laughing and reminiscing on the old times and the places they'd been. Jack made love to her one last time. Well...a few - last times.
By the evening of the next day, they sat on the porch, looking out at the sunset, their fingers intertwined. "I don't want to leave..." Jack admitted softly.
Rose sighed, leaning her head on his shoulder. "I know, Sweetie."
"I love you."
"I love you too." Jack kissed her softly. "Jack. Be strong. You have to be strong for our little girl." She rested a hand on her abdomen. She was only two weeks. She hadn't told her present Jack yet. But she knew it was a girl.
There were tears in his eyes again. "I know." he whispered.
"Go back to your friends, and you be the best man that I know you can be. And when you're ready, go get our baby."
Jack nodded. He stood, and she did too. They walked together down the path back to the Master's TARDIS. He looked up at it, clutching her hand tightly. She gave his hand a little squeeze.
He let out a shaky breath, turning to face her. "I love you." he said for maybe the hundredth time that day.
"I love you, too, Jack." she smiled.
"G-" He choked on a sob. He didn't want to leave. Those twenty-four hours had been the happiest he'd had in a long time.
"Goodbye, Jack." she whispered. She kissed his cheek.
"Goodbye...Rose." He wrapped her in his arms and kissed her one last time with all the love and passion he could muster. "I love you." Finally, he released her hand, and knocked on the door to the TARDIS.