Persistence of Memory (The Lives of Saints Remix) by pogrebin (PG13)

[ficwize.livejournal.com]

Title: Persistence of Memory (The Lives of Saints Remix)
Fandom: Torchwood (with strong Doctor Who references!)
Pairing: Jack/Ianto, hints of past Martha/Jack
Author on LJ: pogrebin
Author Website: A list of her fics/
Why this must be read: This is an extremely powerful, very real look at the Torchwood characters through the eyes of Dr. Martha Jones. Twice.

I'm cheating a bit – this story could almost be recced on the Doctor Who van, but it is fundamentally a story of the Torchwood team. Martha met the team twice, but she's the only one who remembers what they were like during The Year that Never Was. When she meets them again, she has to work to keep the memories of what wasn't from overwhelming that which is.

This is vintage perfectly written time-muckery and the story that emerges is pitch perfect. It's a pleasure to rec it here.


Is

It takes four months for Martha Jones to call Jack Harkness, but actually, it's Jack that who calls her first in the end. “Miss Martha Jones,” he purrs over the UNIT telephone line, not caring that her bosses were probably recording the call. “Are you wearing your uniform right now?”

“Shut it, Harkness,” she says, keeping her voice stern even though she’s grinning. “I’m a nearly-married woman now. Ring on my finger and everything.”

“You sly little minx. Who’s the lucky guy? How did you meet?”

Martha’s eyes flick to the flashing red light on the dialler. “Let’s say we met when I was-- travelling.”

There’s a brief silence on the other end of the line, and the sound of someone sitting up a bit straighter, maybe leaning forward. “Is he a good man, Martha?”

“Better than even he knows.”

“He’d better be,” is all Jack says about that, but then he rustles some papers over the line and clears his throat. “Martha,” he warbles warmly. “How do you feel about Cardiff in the spring? I’ll throw in expenses if you wear the red beret.”


Persistence of Memory (The Lives of Saints Remix)