Graveside

She came here often, as often as she could between motherhood and Torchwood. She sat and talked, sometimes about her day, sometimes about whatever was on her mind, sometimes about him. And some days she just sat, letting the world go by.

Rhys understood, sort of. He joked he always knew where to find her, after all she was always at the Hub, at home or here.

There were days when she arrived and Alice was there, those days she stayed out of sight. Not leaving, just keeping her distance. Those days, she didn't speak, just allowed her mind to wander. Days like today.

"I've seen you, you know. Seen you sitting at my son's grave. Who are you? What are you doing there?" The voice shocked her out of her mental wanderings, angry and confused.

"My name is Gwen, Alice."

"You know my name. You were involved, weren't you. Another one of those government types who know all about me, and I know nothing."

Gwen's voice was soft.

"I know your father."

Bitterness suffused the beautiful face.

"Well that is a perfectly good reason to leave right now and never come back. That man has brought nothing but pain."

"I am so sorry about Steven. No parent should have to see their child die. No one should have to outlive their children."

Somehow the sincerity in Gwen's voice got through to the distraught woman, and she nodded her thanks. But the anger welled again.

"You are not going to make me forgive him. I will never forgive him for what he did."

"I wouldn't ask you to."

The answer seemed to shock Alice. After a few moments she asked, more calmly.

"Why do you come here?"

"Because Steven deserves to be remembered."

Tears welled in both pairs of eyes, for the loss, for the pain. And Gwen wrapped her arms around Jack's daughter, as they swayed together.

"You love him."

"Yes."

"Don't. Leave him now before he hurts you too."

"I can't. I won't. There is nothing I can do to stop him losing everyone he loves, everyone he will ever love, but I won't let him lose me a moment before he has to."

Her voice was gentle, but firm.

========

Alice kept hearing the echo in her head, even as she angrily tried to silence it.

"No one should have to outlive their children."