Life's a Beach

[iwasforgiven]

When: Party Like it's 1957
Who: Jack Harkness cjharknesstw/OTA
Where: Wildwood, New Jersey 1957


What:

He made a promise to have a fun day, one fun day that was a bit more civilized for the 4th of July weekend. It was to be in the style of the life of a Time Traveler so it was to be in any part in the past or future. The past is always fun to revisit so 1957 was the era of choice and Alisa picked the location. It would be unknown except for maybe people in the metropolitan eras of New York City and Philadelphia, Wildwood, New Jersey.

Jack's TARDIS arrived on the beach disguised as a beach cabana and he stepped out in a pair of board shorts, with a beach umbrella, sun glasses and a chair. There's going to be more needed to take the wee ones out for the day.

This trip also included picking up Ianto and Toshiko to join the team on this outing. This also included anyone else who would of been interested in joining him on this trip.


((OOC: People can either tack on to this thread or spread out. The TARDIS is godmod worthy to go back between 21st century New York, Cardiff, 1790 Camping and of course back to 57 for beach times fun. If people do the group thread remember to be polite and take turns. Enjoy the 4th!))

Comments

[open-flame.livejournal.com]

July 4th was never Liz's favorite day, even before it became the anniversary of the day she killed her family because she got too upset to control her fire when she was eleven. The fireworks, the crowds, even as a child it was just a bit too much for her to deal with. After she started to associate the day with the fact she thought of herself as a murderer, even years later and it was pretty much the worst day of the year, every year, and always had been.

The BPRD always sent her on a mission, little things that weren't to concerning like pixie infestations or possessions that she could handle with one hand tied behind her back and very little thought. It was tradition. The distraction mission to keep her out of the BPRD and around some poor black suit who'd keep her from getting depressed enough to put a bullet in her own head. (which she'd considered a few times years ago)

Since coming to Torchwood she'd managed to be able to avoid questions abotu why she was so damn moody around Independence Day somehow. Holing up and hiding from the world worked like a charm her first July there.

But, that wasn't going to work this year. Things had changed, so much that sometimes she wondered why she couldn't let go of that guilt and sadness. Liz had people she cared about here and people that cared about her and trying to casually duck out of an event on the day when all she wanted to do was curl up in a ball and cry just wasn't going to happen. Someone would come looking for her, and then she'd have to explain the tears and...no, that wasn't going to work.

So, she did the only thing she could think of: plastered on a fake happy face and pretended everything was fine. Maybe, just maybe it would work.

Maybe.

[iwasforgiven]

And, out goes David running in the sand without a swimsuit on. Jack had went to get these guys but someone proved to be slippery. Jack looks at Liz once he finally wrangles the little guy and he covers the baby up with a towel.

Jack looked at Liz and of course he picked the worse possible day for a trip to the beach. Alisa's inside with Jon who's being cranky and in need of a nap, getting the girls ready but Jack goes to walk over towards Liz. He knows fake happy the best out of everyone. "Sorry.." He tells her and he goes to place a free hand on her shoulder.

Jack's aware of everything that happened to Liz and he goes to pull her into a hug. This is what Jack does when he knows one of his team or even better family.

[open-flame.livejournal.com]

One word. One single word that usually doesn't mean a damn thing. Sorry.

But somehow the fact Jack stopped something so important like being with his kid (who seems to have his father's affection for being naked) hits a little closer to home than Liz expected. It reminds her of the way her step brother used to stop everything to protect her at school when she was being teased, no matter how important whatever it was had been.

"Hey, can't expect the world to stop spinning just 'cause the walking napalm strike's having a bad day, right?" Liz looks away from Jack when the expression on his face looks so much like the one Trevor Broom used to get when he'd find her after that obligatory mission that didn't do a damn thing to make her feel better. She doesn't want people to worry, or feel sorry for her, or anything. Why should someone else feel bad because of something she did?

"He's never gonna meet them..." Liz knows it might not makes sense when she starts crying and mutters that into Jack's shoulder when he hugs her. She can't stop thinking about her long dead parents, her unborn child's grandparents that he'll never get to meet. The uncle her brother could have been, and how honored he'd have been to be one of the men Liz and Owen's son was named for, even if it was by accident. The worst part? Her parents would have liked Owen, too. She's sure of it. And even if they didn't, she still wishes they'd have had the change to meet him.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Everyone's trying to have fun and I'm such a downer." Liz tries to push her boss, who's so much more than just a boss, away as she tries to stop crying. "You're trying to be with your kid and I'm just..." she looks over at David and frowns before letting out a heavy breathe. "Sorry. I won't bug your daddy by being all sad about things that can't be changed anyway. I promise."

[iwasforgiven]

Jack considered everyone in his team to be family, Liz included and it mattered to him that she was feeling 'okay'. Sadness is not a problem but he always worries about the well being of those he's to care about.

He places David down who quickly goes to explore the sand and to hell with the towel. That will be off again the moment the baby stops investigating his sandy hands. "I'm allowed to do this right?" Jack offers with a bright smile, and he lets her cry on him. He understands how Liz feels and he keeps her held tight. "I can always fill in for a grandfather..." The fact she's having a child can't help. "You've got a big family you know and it's all right here." Jack tells her to try somehow to make up for it. He knows he never will either.

"Oh, it's okay, Liz." Jack loosens the hug and he looks her in the eye. "I think David's happy..." Jack turns around to see David making a naked run for the beach... "Oi!" Jack's soon on his feet again before he's chasing down the bronze skinned wee one down towards the water's edge. To hell with sand castles, people sun bathing and sandwiches he's going to keep the little guy from getting lost. It's a good thing David isn't exactly sure footed when he takes a dive into the soft sand before he reaches his destination.

Jack's not far behind and he's got the towel in hand. "Alright, alright..." David is of course wibbling and now crying. Jack hefts the upset little guy and gives him a good kiss on the cheek. "I got you, I got you..."

That down there, *points to lower thread* Making me wibble. Then this... IHU. (not really <3 )

[open-flame.livejournal.com]

Okay? It would take a miracle for Liz to feel okay or even more unlikely, happy on this day. Something huge enough to make her stop associating this date with something awful and start association it with something wonderful, and she doesn't expect that to happen.

"Yeah. You're allowed." Liz is clinging to the first person outside the BPRD she told her deep dark secret too. She doesn't want to let go of Jack or have him let her go, not really. That's the trouble with being closed off. When you break, you break harder than most and all that bottled up emotion comes pouring out like a flood. "Just gimme a second, OK?" It's all Liz can do to not start flickering unhappy flames, but her desire to not hurt Jack, least of all in front of his kid is stronger than these negative emotions and her pain.

David prevents it from even being a possibility though but forcing his dad to have to dash off after him. Liz takes that moment to compose herself, wiping her tears and taking several deep breaths before she walks over to Jack and his son.

"God, you're amazing..." It's directed at both of them and the site is almost enough to make Liz cry again. "You can totally be Robbie's grandfather, if you wanna be. Or Uncle or...whatever." Liz finally addresses Jack's statement from before as she watches the child he's holding. "You think your kids and my kids are gonna get along?" She asks, looking down at her stomach a moment before the smallest of real smiles hits her lips. "It's kinda gonna break my heart of one of your boys doesn't end up being Robbie's best friend. How weird is that?"

Very emotional!

[iwasforgiven]

Jack's eyes wander towards the bump that Liz has and he takes her hand to place it there. He looks at her with the tiniest smile there on his face. "He's going to make you forget about everything that hurts. He's going to make a day like this wonderful."

He pulls her in tight again and of course David made this moment all but impossible, but to Jack it's a memory good memory of chasing his naked son down the beach. He looks at the water's edge and he'll save this moment for Alisa to see.

"Hey, if I can run down a quick moving Weevil, a kid who's just got his ability to walk isn't that much of a problem." Jack puts David back down on the sand to let the little guy explore what's there on his bum. He's sure he won't sit still again but the fall might of knocked some sense into his son.

He looks himself over, sure he's old enough to be everyone's grandfather but he doesn't look the part. "I'm a bit young looking for the grandfather roll aren't I? How about an uncle?" It's not long before David tries to run around again with a big gigantic smile. "I'm sure they'll be great friends once they understand that idea."

Jack huffs a bit and once more he's chasing David on the beach. The little guy just seems happy to run before he falls again. Okay, no tears but there's lots of giggling.

[gotthemessage.livejournal.com]

He's not quite sure about this, but he's there - in a pair of jeans and a plain white t-shirt, which should come close enough to blending in, as long as he's not also wearing socks and shoes.

He steps out, squints against the sun, goes back to find a pair of sunglasses and flops down on the sand, intending to watch rather than just jump in. There's too much going on with, and around him, the past couple of days for his usual confidence to be in present.

Still, when someone approaches he flashes them a smile and says, "hey." Regardless of who that person is. It's a safe, friendly, and too-bright (for anyone who knows him) greeting, but right now it's what he's got.

Well, that and sun, surf, and the possibility of a nice day on the beach. Little things are good things.

He still wants answers.

[iwasforgiven]

Jack is outside of the cabana or well his own TARDIS he's got a bottle of Coke in his hand, no shirt on and he's enjoying himself. The children that were out earlier went down into the TARDIS for a nap. Jack's got time to himself and time to oogle the odd passer by.

It was time to eventually get up and find some proper beach food. He never visited this location so it's all pretty new for Jack. It's a new place and a new place is worthy of being explored. Jack's got his hands at his side and he looks to see where he can get food. The damn mile wide beach but of course he comes across one familiar face. "Hello, handsome." Jack comes to a stop and he pushes the pair of modern aviator sunglasses up to the bridge of his nose.

[gotthemessage.livejournal.com]

He laughs, warm and legitimately amused at being on the receiving end of what amounts to his own flattery. "Good thing I was warned there'd be a few of 'me' around. Might have been overcome by all the prettiness."

He's not being entirely serious, but there's some honesty there, anyway. The warning was a good thing, because this is... a little odd, even for him. Paradoxes and timelines and all.

[iwasforgiven]

Jack looks him over the face is a bit younger and Jack considers asking. "Yes, we've got a popular face around here. I'm going to have to ask just for the sake of it about your time line, what's the last thing you recall before ending up here?"

"Oh, there's plenty of pretty faces here," Jack teases, and he looks for a quiet place to talk. "Why don't we go somewhere less crowded and we can talk a bit."

[gotthemessage.livejournal.com]

"Last thing before I ended up here? Or the last thing before the Doctor picked me up, warned me about there being several of me running around?" What can he say - he's a smart ass, and more so when he's on edge.

He does climb to his feet though, brushing the sand off his pants once he's up. "Sounds like a plan. Lead the way."

[redtrainers.livejournal.com]

Gwen wandered out in a fifties style bikini and her hair pulled back in a ponytail. She had left Anwen with Skinny and carried a straw beach bag with some summer supplies. Her shades were on and she had a pair of matching sandals as well. She had really been looking forward to this.

Granted, she didn't really have much to celebrate, but she was glad to be included in the party. All around them people were enjoying the day and wearing the colors. A few boys smiled at her and she smiled right back as she made her way over to Jack.

"Nice spot. Alisa did good." She chuckled and spread out a towel by his chair. "Look at everyone having fun. This is brilliant."

[iwasforgiven]

Finally, Jack's got the time to spend with his family, Alisa was with him for a moment for a bit of family time before one of the girls had enough. Jack loves the idea of 'lotion' and having someone he cares for put it on him was heaven.

David, Jon and Gabriella are each with him and he looks over to see Gwen coming over to join them. "Hey, nice to see you here with us." Jack offered with a big smile as big as one gets after that intense moment on the TARDIS. It was cleaned of the gore from the two Jacks offing themselves before Gwen would of came to join him.

"Yeah, it is brilliant. There's no Weevils, parties to be spoiled and it's just us with family." Jack smiles, and he waits for Alisa to return with Jacky. "I hope Anwen's going to be coming to join the fun with those two." He's got little Gabby in his arms with a bottle and a towel to keep the sun off of her. It's amazing how fast he can recover from something so gruesome.

[redtrainers.livejournal.com]

"Aw, now isn't that a cute sight." She moved over and smiled at the little ones, giving them all kisses on their cheeks. "Who wouldn't miss a fifties beach party. Maybe we can even get you to sing for us like Frankie," she teased.

Gwen raised her shades and looked around, before sliding them back down on her face. It really was too bright for them. Not that she was complaining. Not in the slightest.

"She might come out later. I left her with Jack since she was napping. Plus, I didn't have any sunblock. Please tell me you have some?" Gwen didn't want to think about the gruesome. She had seen a bit of the blood, but didn't know much about how it got there. And she wasn't sure she wanted to either.

"It's been ages since I've been swimming. Now this, this is heaven."

[iwasforgiven]

It is a cute sight with the little ones hanging out on the blanket. Jack watches David play in the sand with a bucket and shovel. The wee one is covered in sand and his brother has taken the joys of eating the stuff. "It was something safe and civil. Camping isn't a Torchwood favorite." He knows the reasons as to why, Ianto still holed himself in the TARDIS and has been scowling ever since.

He keeps his shades on and he continues to feed the bottle to Gabby who's gobbling the formula down. "These two are starting to miss her. Isn't that right?" Jack asks David who's happy to ignore him for a bit of sand action.

"I have some in Alisa's bag over there." Neither of the two use it for Jack it's an obvious reason but the stuff is for the kids. "It should work just fine on you." Sure the pair used lotion but it was for some other reason. Jack would rather leave mention of what happened be as it was even a bit much for himself.

The beach is a nice sight, David of course might get the idea to try to test the waters again. Still he's easily entertained with filling and dumping.

[redtrainers.livejournal.com]

“I might go and get Anwen in a little while. She was a bit cranky and wasn’t sleeping very well.” She smiled up at Jack. “She’s currently in bed beside Skinny, the two of them curled up together. I took a picture with my mobile. It was so cute.” She giggled at the sight of them still fresh in her mind. “He really is so good with her. I’m lucky to have such good people in my life.” She gave Jack a look, yes she had meant him too.

Wandering over to the bag, she rifled through it, then pulled out the little bottle. Squirting some into her hand, she began to put it on her arms and shoulders. “Thank you, Alisa,” she said as she spread a little on her face and nose. Her smile faded and she spoke softly as she moved closer to Jack. “Well, you know. It’s hard to forget the other camping trip. We want to go and have fun. It’s not even a lack of technology for me, I just… It’s hard not to think about the Beacons. Gwen still had bad memories she couldn’t shake.

Leaning down, Gwen began to rub some on her legs. “Aw, does the little one have a crush on Anwen?” She decided to move on to a much happier topic. “Tell Alisa thank you for this.” Gwen put it back in the bag and then plopped down on her beach towel. “I think it’s just grand that you did this for us, no matter where you take us. It’s a great bonding trip.” He really was a great leader as well as a great friend.

[holmes-reptile.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, the nineteen fifties - Vastra visited this futuristic decade once with the Doctor back when he was in that rather dreadful multi-colour coat with loud voice phase. It struck her as very colourful and finding its feet yet oddly stiffened at the same time.

Honestly she was certain that there was a reason for partying whilst the universe was in possible peril but she and Jack - well, Past Jack to her - were but occupants of the TARDIS with the Doctor, so she had warmed to the occasion by doning a human summer dress from the TARDIS, who had kindly adapted it to her Homo Reptilia self good enough. For once she was shrugging off the idea of being looked at with fear - if anyone outside the TARDIS circle saw and asked her about, she'd mention it was for a 50's monster flick and that would probably stick.

So here she was pool side, soaking up some pleasant sun rays which remind her of her world's ancient past. She'd deal with impending multiversal crisis later.

[iwasforgiven]

None of this made sense, Jack finally went to change into his regular clothing that's not too dated and he leans outside of the TARDIS doors to look at the crowd that has died down.

Old Vastra, now that's an old face he hasn't seen in a long time. "Madame Vastra, enjoying our rather strange sun on a July 4th afternoon?" Jack looks up at the wibbly sun, the same sun that the start of the 21st century is faced with.

[holmes-reptile.livejournal.com]

Vastra raised her glasses and smiled warmly, amazed to herself that she could tell this happened to be a completely different Jack to the one who'd joined her in the TARDIS, given the fact that the two weren't totally unlike in clothing.

"I find the weather in this part of the planet to be closer to how Earth was when I was a child. Closing my eyes becomes very nostalgic, actually. And please Jack, feel free to join me." She indicated a nearby reclining chair.

"In answer to your incoming question, I was brought here by the Doctor and another Jack - one who hadn't met me yet. The Doctor on the other hand tells me that since our occasional tet-a-tets back in the 1880's that you've been with Torchwood for a very long time." She finished the sentence rather ruefully, given the love-hate relationship she and her people had experienced with that organisation from its earliest inception. Still, she knew Jack to be an honest person and trusted his judgement.

[iwasforgiven]

He knew all about Vastra's people from his long time on Earth and as a Time Agent. He seats himself down in the chair beside her with when it's offered.

"I remember seeing living breathing dinosaurs before the asteroid hit." Jack speaks fondly of a memory from his time in the Time Agency. He rests his hands on his knees and he leans back in the chair with his boots digging into the sand.

He looks at the wibbly sun, that same old sun that he got to know during his time in the 21st century. "There's plenty of Doctors here with various faces." The Captain raises an eyebrow about the Jack that hasn't met her. "I met him myself not long ago." Then there's the mention of Torchwood and Jack smiles widely. "Torchwood? Well, I've been with the organization in Cardiff since my arrival on Earth."

He wonders if he should give her a spoiler. "Let's just say the original Torchwood was destroyed five years ago. I took it over with oversight from the British government until that too was destroyed."

am open to whatevs

[bottled_drums]

Guess who gave Andrew the slip - and who decided to strip naked rather than wait for someone to dig out a bathing suit for him. Märet's bound and determined to get his skinny dipping in this time before anyone can stop him. He darts out of the TARDIS, but comes to a clumsy stop near Jack as he hits the sand, blinded by the bright light of the sun overhead and reflecting off the water. He brings a hand up to shade his eyes, squinting around at the scene before him. Is that Jack? Yes! He laughs heartily, and then he's off again, tearing down the beach and kicking up sand.

[iwasforgiven]

The kids were taken back into the TARDIS for a nap, we're not going to traumatize them with the sight of naked Maret. Then there's gasps of the few people on the beach. The sight must be pretty horrific and no it's not a Weevil either.

Jack cringes at the sight and he grabs hold of a towel. Andrew is so going to be unhappy about Master slipping loose. He rushes up from the chair and he darts after the Meta-Meta. "Hey! You do know that I'm the only one allowed to do this right?"

[bottled_drums]

Really, he's just a naked human...ish. Märet is blissfully unaware of the effect he seems to be having on people - though he does notice Jack chasing him. He turns to look back, then puts on a burst of speed. Why does no one want to let him go swimming?

He bolts for the surf, thinking Jack might not follow him into the water.

[iwasforgiven]

It wouldn't be bad if Maret wanted to wear swim trunks. "You do know we have shorts you can..." Jack groans and he chases the blond into the surf. Yes, Jack's going to follow him into the water.

The towel has seen better days. "We've got children in that TARDIS and Andrew's going to kill me." He really wonders what's up with the meta-meta and why he is insisting on running around naked. "You're going to get sunburn where you don't want sun burn."

[bottled_drums]

Märet ducks gleefully down into the oncoming waves, dunking his head in the salt water. It's quite cold, and he emerges a moment later, howling and sputtering, but still gleeful. He turns to see Jack coming up behind him with the towel, and shakes his head sharply.

"Nuh-uh! Stay there!" Not that he's ever had much luck at bossing anyone around.