This is my very first Doctor Who fanfic, so please be kind with reviews. I'm still having a little trouble really capturing Jack and the Doctor; they're harder to write for than one might think. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it!
Disclaimer: Much as I may wish otherwise, the Doctor is not mine.
Chapter One
He had seen the most breathtaking wonders that the galaxy could offer. He'd witnessed the birth and the death of Earth – could do them both in the same day if he chose. In the 900 years of his life, he had seen planets, people, species and solar systems that would boggle the average human mind.
But with every awe-inspiring sight and experience, it seemed, came yet another loss. His family. His home. Companion after companion.
Rose.
And now here he was, facing yet another loss. Martha, the latest of his traveling companions, had elected to go her own way that very day. Nothing personal, she'd said. She just couldn't ever live up to a memory of her predecessor. She'd always feel like she was living in Rose's shadow.
And, to some degree, he supposed she was right.
At least this time he wasn't left completely alone. In some freak twist of fortune, he and Martha had picked up, of all people, Jack Harkness several days before. Jack may not be the best of company – but at least he was company. As coincidence had it, Jack was able to take several days of vacation from his position at Torchwood, and elected to spend it with the Doctor. A working vacation, he called it. Research.
"So where to next?" Jack asked as the two men stood on the TARDIS. Jack had found himself the only comfortable seat and was lounging arrogantly in it, one arm thrown across the back of his chair.
The Doctor briefly glanced over at him and then back at his time machine. "Well," he replied, slowly, "we don't have the fuel to go too far." He fell silent for a long moment, ignoring the glasses that slipped further down his nose. "There!" he finally cried, jubilantly. "The remnant of a time rift in the Rasarnia system. It should give us enough juice to go on a while."
"Rasarnia," Jack mused, a slow grin spreading over his handsome face. "I had an interesting week there a few years ago."
"I think you've had an interesting week in about half the galaxy," the Doctor retorted, amusement tingeing his tone. With a flourish, he punched the last of his commands into the Tardis and watched as the massive engine fired to life. Moments later, they popped into existence on the planet of Rasarnia, and Jack practically leaped to his feet.
"I like this whole sucking energy out of the world around you bit," he said, stretching, "but…"
"Go," the Doctor replied, chuckling. "If you're out hitting on something else with two legs, at least I'll be safe."
"Oh, come on, I'll buy you a drink first," Jack replied with a mischievous wink.
"Flattering as that sounds," The Doctor replied dryly, "I'll have to pass. I have to do something – anything – other than clubbing with you on Rasarnia."
"You really should go," Jack retorted, leaning casually against the Tardis' controls. "In a place like this even a guy like you could have some…fun."
"I could have 'fun' any time I choose. It will probably never be here, and will definitely never be with you."
Jack took a moment to look his friend over, arms folded over his broad chest. "Seriously," he said, "come with me. Not so I can hit on you – which I can't say that I won't do. More because…" Jack hesitated. "I really hate to see you cooped up in here moping."
"I do not mope," the Doctor replied, indignantly.
"No, you don't," Jack relented. "Not much. But, occasionally since—"
"Don't say it," the Doctor interrupted quietly. The dark look he shot Jack silenced the other man.
Jack sighed and gave up. "Fine, if you want to sit around here and play with your toy, then play away. How long are we going to be here, so I know when to come back?"
The Doctor gave the ship's controls a considering look. "Two days?" he replied. "Shouldn't take longer than that."
A wicked grin spread over Jack's lips. "Just enough time," he said with a nod. And then, with a cheery wave, he exited the Tardis and vanished from sight.
A sigh escaped the Doctor's lips as he glanced down at the instrument panel once again. At least things won't be boring… he thought to himself, a smile tugging at his lips. Jack may be flamboyant and arrogant, and he may hit on anything with two legs – and even that was optional at times – but he did keep things interesting.
Then again, sometimes he wondered if he could do with a bit of boring for a while.
God knows things haven't been boring since—
Quickly, he let that thought die. It had been a year since he'd last seen her at Bad Wolf Bay, but the time had not made her memory any less painful.
With the Tardis happily recharging her batteries, the Doctor glanced at his watch and fought off a yawn. Time Lord or no, even he needed sleep every once in a while. He gave the ship one last once-over to make sure that all was in order, and headed to his room deeper into the ship. It took only moments to undress and ready for bed, and soon he was beneath the covers.
He rested one hand behind his head and gazed up at the ceiling in quiet contemplation. Night time, alone in his room, was the hardest. With nothing to distract him or keep his mind occupied, memories assaulted him from every direction. It wasn't just memories of Rose, but of Gallifrey, his home, his family…
Tonight, with Martha's parting still fresh in his mind, it was primarily Rose that drifted through his thoughts. As his mind slowed and began to drift, images of her passed through. The sound of her laugh as she'd lain next to him on the grass on New Earth. His arms ached as he remembered the feel of her in his arms, and he could almost still taste her on his lips the few rare times that he'd kissed her.
Softly, he sighed and shifted uncomfortably in his bed. Perhaps he should think about something else.
Since he was already in a bit of a melancholy mood, he rolled over onto his side and allowed himself a very rare memory. Closing his eyes, he pictured Gallifrey. He could see children – three of them – playing in a field, and heard their laughter ringing in his ears, turning up the corners of his lips. He swallowed a lump in his throat, and let himself remember the sight, the smell, and the feel of the place. If he tried hard enough, he could almost remember the feel and the sense of other Time Lords swirling around him…
Abruptly, he sat straight up in his bed, eyes wide. Had the memory been that strong? Slowly, the tension faded from his body and he slipped back against the pillow. He exhaled slowly and let his mind begin to drift toward sleep again. It had only been his mind playing tricks on him as he'd remembered things long past….
Once again, he snapped up in bed only a moment before. A pin could be heard as it dropped to the floor in the room, so still and silent was the Doctor. No, this time he knew it hadn't been his imagination. It was a flash of a sensation that he hadn't felt in ages. A sensation that he thought he'd never feel again. His muscles were rigid as he sat alert in the bed, anticipating another flash.
The third time, it wasn't a flash, but a prolonged sensation that sent the hair on the back of his neck standing on end. It was unmistakable. He knew what that sensation meant. His dark eyes grew wide and his jaw slid open. "That's impossible!" he suddenly cried with disbelief into the darkness, and leaped out of his bed, throwing his dressing gown on as he bolted from the room and toward the Tardis' main instrument panel.
