The Doctor sat back in his chair and placed the jelly baby between his lips. It had been such a long time since he had taken a moment to enjoy his little indulgences.
That was the problem with being a time lord sometimes he wished that the universe would just stay saved!
From the corner of his eye he noticed the shimmering light and the figure that blinked into existence. He savoured the jelly baby before turning to look at the new arrival.
"Hello again, Doctor?" Captain Jack Harkness beamed back at the Doctor.
"Hello." The Doctor replied "But I don't think I've had the pleasure."
"You're right you haven't." Laughed Jack "But the version of you I know might do if you play you're cards right."
"So you know me?" The Doctor asked moving over to Jack and eyeing him curiously.
"We've been to the End of the World and back you and I." Jack whispered.
"How did you manage to get aboard the TARDIS?" The Doctor quizzed.
Jack held up his wrist and showed the Doctor the experimental Transmat device attached to it.
"This picked up the energy waves of the TARDIS as you passed over the time rift?" Jack answered.
"Time rift? Interesting…."
Jack seemed to be studying the Doctor.
"Is there something on my face?" The Doctor asked.
"What? No. I was just looking at the weird get up." Jack tugged at the lapels of the frock coat. "Seriously, that is so last century!"
The Doctor laughed and gestured at Jack's trench coat.
"So is that!" The Doctor remarked.
Jack laughed and surprised the Doctor by grabbing him and pulling him close in to a hug.
"It's definitely you Doctor! So which regeneration is this?"
"My eighth…. and you know me from when?"
"Ninth and tenth I believe, although I'm never quite sure where you are concerned."
"Good to see that I can still be full of surprises but you still haven't told me your name."
"Captain Jack Harkness."
The Doctor held out a hand and Jack returned the gesture.
"So you're alone on the TARDIS? And what is with this funky décor?"
"Yes I've sent my companions home to be with their loved ones. I take it the TARDIS interior is different from when you know me?" The Doctor asked.
"A bit different but this is nice, homely." Jack sat in the chair and studied the library look of the TARDIS. "Where are you headed?"
The Doctor seemed to wince.
"Gallifray or at least what's left of it."
"That sounds heavy!" Jack said concerned at the sudden look of worry that crossed the Doctors face.
"Indeed!" The Doctor looked at Jack "So tell me, the Doctor you know, am I worth knowing?"
Jack began to feel the sensation of being pulled back through the rift as the Transmat lit up again.
He stood saluted the Doctor and smiled.
"In your own words, you are FANTASTIC!"
The figure disappeared in a flash of light leaving The Doctor by him self again.
He sat and picked out another jelly baby.
"FANTASTIC!" The Doctor exclaimed.
And settled him self down for the arduous journey ahead.