A/N: There doesn't see to be much on The Biscuit either and after watching Prayer For The Dead I thought that he should have a fanfic. I also thought it would be interesting to have a bit of a look at his friendship with Jim, hopefully it works :)
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Reflections
Jack McVitie lay in the hospital bed, contemplating his fate. He still wasn't sure who had been more horrified by his heart attack: Jim or himself. They had been arguing of the current drug issue and suddenly he'd been seized by a crippling pain in his chest.
What he couldn't figure out was why everyone seemed to be blaming Jim for this attack. It could have happened at any time, in many ways he was glad it had happened when it did. If there was anyone he would want around when he had a heart attack it would be Jim.
Although the other man had been concerned he hadn't fallen to pieces or dithered about, unsure of what to do, as others might have. Instead he had tried to make him more comfortable before phoning the ambulance and following their instructions.
Jim was a good man, especially in a crisis and a good friend to boot.
All the same he had been unsure how to react when the Chief Constable had informed him that Jim would be acting Superintendent in his absence. On the one hand he had felt as though they were replacing him all ready, whilst on the other he had been faintly amused, knowing that the news would probably not be welcome to Jim.
Jim liked to be on the ground, working on the cases himself and Jack knew that he would resent having to attend 'strategic meetings' at headquarters or having to take a backseat in investigations. Both had taken Jack some time to get used to, but for Jim they would probably be nigh unbearable.
Jim had little use for small talk so the meetings would not go down well and he hated being idle. Jack was well aware that Jim was more than happy for him to attend all the functions whilst he did the 'dirty' work.
Another thing that concerned him about the arrangement had been Marjory's reaction to it. The silly woman had somehow gotten it into her head that Jim had deliberately caused the heart attack so that he could slip into Jack's place.
An absurdity if he ever heard one.
But an absurdity that was made worse by the way that Marjory had treated Jean after she came to visit him. Jack had always had a soft spot for Jean, she had a lot to put up with from Jim but she never complained and was always very supportive.
Jack often had to restrain himself from making unfavourable comparisons between her and Marjory.
Though that was unkind, he admonished himself. He knew that Marjory was just very worried about him and that all this bluster was merely her way of dealing with it.
No matter how much he might wish that she would stop fussing.
It was probably down to her hostility that Jim hadn't stopped by to see him, and Jean had intimated as much when she visited.
A shame.
Jack enjoyed Jim's company, his forthright manner was refreshing. Besides, he really would like to resolve this drugs issue and he liked to think that before the attack he almost had Jim beaten.
Jack sighed as he heard Marjory returning. Perhaps it was for the best that Jim stayed away, though he did hope that he didn't put much stock by what others were saying about the cause of his heart attack. He certainly didn't blame him for what had happened.
Though, knowing Jim, he probably either didn't know or didn't care what other people thought.
Jack swallowed a smile at the thought as Marjory bustled into the room, her arms full of extra pillows.