The Doctor didn't know how long they walked for as he fought to remain conscious. His leg though gave out on him every other step and his back and body burned from the beating he had received. He was also weak from lack of nutrition and water. He kept putting one foot in front of the other though. Not for his own sake but for Jacks. He focused on the fact that if he gave up or didn't go with the men, Jack would be forced back to the encampment as well. Stumbling he hit the ground hard as the man helping him walk didn't even try to stop him from falling.
"Are you sure this is the great Time Lord?" The man asked in disgust.
"Do you dare question my leadership?" Another man wondered as he came forward. The Doctor turned his head slightly away from the two arguing men to look for Jack. He was relieved to see that Jack was still coming with them. He was fighting the men though as he lifted his legs and kicked out at them. They continued to drag him along as if he were a doll. With the knowledge that Jack was still with him, he tried to stand up and continue on. He cried out in pain and frustration as he couldn't. The man picked him up as if he were a child and flung him over his shoulder. He screamed in pain.
"Quiet," the man snapped as he started to walk again. Without having to pace himself to the Doctor's slow steps, he was able to move faster. Unfortunately for the Doctor every step was agony. The ground blurred several times before it went completely dark.
He opened his eyes again to find that he was laying on the ground once more. A fire was lit nearby giving warmth to the camp, but he couldn't feel it from his position near a low mound. He shivered from the cold of the place but at the same time his back burned as though he were laying in the fire itself. Nearby Jack laid huddled near the mound. Pushing himself with his feet he clawed his way over to his once friend. Jack didn't even look at him as he pushed himself between the mound and the Captain.
"Jack, it's me," The Doctor whispered softly. He reached up and moved a piece of hair off of Jack's forehead. Jack whimpered shying away from his touch. "Oh Jack what did they do to you?" He didn't know how long the two of them laid in pain together until he heard footsteps approaching. He looked up to see the man who had carried him approaching them. He hoped silently that they weren't moving again.
"Eat," the man said roughly, throwing a piece of stale bread and a bottle of water at the Doctor. The Doctor took them gratefully.
"Where is his?" He asked as the man turned away without providing Jack any food.
"There is no reason why we should waste our food rations on the whore. If he dies he will just come back," The man informed him with no emotion in his voice.
"Just because he can come suffer and then come back doesn't mean he should. He is still human and can still feel the pain that has been inflicted upon him," The Doctor hissed.
"Then share your rations with him. Know this though Time Lord, when you become weak and can no longer contribute to the group, we won't feed you either," The man responded walking away. The Doctor didn't watch him go as he turned his attention back to Jack. He opened the bottle of water and took a small drink from it. He then helped Jack take a drink. Jack tried to gulp it, but the Doctor pulled it back away from him before he could. He then took another drink before closing the bottle. Breaking off half of his bread he offered to the Captain. Jack hesitated before taking it from him. He shoved it all into his mouth quickly.
"I'm not going to take it from you," The Doctor whispered. He slowly ate his own portion, as he laid near Jack. Just being near the Captain made him feel safe even if Jack was in no position to protect him if someone came to them. He wondered how long Jack had been trapped on Hades enduring until he had arrived. Even though his own body was just as injured he focused on Jack for a moment. He cried out as he forced himself to lean up and examine Jack's injuries. Due the Atron energy that ran through his body past wounds were no longer visible. He would heal again with no scarring, but his pleas as the men hurt him let the Doctor know this wasn't Jack's first time being beat. He ran his fingers gently along Jack's back. Jack whimpered and the Doctor made gentle shushing sounds.
"I'm not going to hurt you," he promised. When they reached their final destination he was going to have to find out if they had any medicine for Jack. For now though he grabbed the bottle of water again. Ripping off a piece of his torn shirt, he poured a small amount of the water onto it. Gently he tried to clean Jack's wounds but there wasn't enough water and he didn't want to waste it. Sighing with frustration he took another drink and allowed Jack another before hiding the water behind him. He then snuggled closer to Jack. He closed his eyes trying to rest his aching body. He didn't open his eyes as he felt Jack move slightly and then Jack's arms carefully wrap around his sore body.
"Are you really here?" Jack wondered softly. He couldn't help but think he was just imagining the Doctor here taking care of him as he had thought of the Doctor often over the years. Except no one had ever been this kind to him since he arrived on this horrible planet.
"Yes," The Doctor answered him, moving closer. He opened his eyes and looked up. Jack was looking back down at him with sadness in his eyes.
"I have wanted to see you again for so long Doc, but not here. Never here," Jack informed him. He hung his head, closing his eyes once more.
"I will get us off this planet Jack," The Doctor promised.
"How?" Jack wondered. The Doctor didn't answer as he didn't know yet, but he wasn't going to let Jack rot on this planet for all eternity. He was going to save him.
