A Companion For the Doctor

Spoilers/ Disclaimer: Doctor Who is not mine- believe me, it would have had some changes. These boys are not mine, take it up with someone else. Spoilers? Well, if you haven't seen the end of Doctor Who Season One, then a small spoiler for Jack.

Pairing: Jack/ Tenth Doctor

A/N And hello again! Adding in hints of plot- maybe? Just maybe? Either way, enjoy! Drop a comment if you have a moment!

Chapter Three

The Doctor was angered.

He pushed Jack into the TARDIS, barely avoiding the bullets flying after them. The Doctor leapt inside after Jack, closing the doors behind him. He stood next to the door, trying to cover the anger on his face with indifference. He succeeded- partially.

He had not planned on landing in the middle of a civil war, nor did he expect not one but both sides to think that he and Jack were spying for the opposing side. When he had tried to talk their way out of it, tried to show the soldiers that they were travelers, lost and out of their way, the soldiers decided they were done listening.

That was when the guns started firing.

Jack stood beside one of the supports, arms at his sides, hands in his pockets. "Doctor?"

The Doctor stalked towards Jack, anger still shining in his eyes. "What were you thinking?"

"I was thinking that I wanted to keep you safe." Jack pulled his hands from his pockets, spreading his arms wide.

"You almost died, Jack." The Doctor seethed.

Jack's eyebrows furrowed. "'They were shooting at you! Was I supposed to stand by and watch? I would have come back a moment later! You of all people should know that!"

The Doctor stared at Jack. "Do you-no." he turned away from him. "Forget it. Let's go."

"No." Jack reached out and grabbed onto the Doctor's shoulder. "What's wrong?"

"..."

"Doctor." Jack whispered. "Please."

"...It hurts, Jack." So soft Jack almost missed it.

Jack moved until he stood in front of the Doctor, staring concernedly. "What do you mean?"

The Doctor tried to disentangle himself, but Jack gripped his shoulders. "Tell me, Doctor."

"...Watching you die." The Doctor murmured. "I..."

Jack nodded encouragingly. "Mhm?"

"I remember how many I've let down. And... I've failed you again. Every time you die I've failed to protect you."

The Doctor looked at Jack's concerned face. "What if you stop coming back, Jack? What do I do then? What do you do?"

Jack opened his mouth to speak, but the Doctor tried to shrug him off. "I don't die for fun." Jack murmured.

"Then what do you die for?"

"To keep you safe!"

The Doctor eyed Jack. "I can protect myself."

"I..." Jack whispered. "I can't risk losing you."

The Doctor stepped back, out of Jack's grip. Jack let him go. The Doctor surged forward, reaching for Jack's side. Before the Immortal knew what the Doctor was doing, the latter stood feet away from him, Jack's pistol in his hand. Jack's hand flew his holster, now empty.

Jack could read the distaste on the Doctor's face as he held the Captain's pistol higher, cold metal caressing his flesh. Most would be unable to read the fearful hatred in the Doctor's eyes, but Jack could see. The Doctor steped back again, swallowing thickly.

"Doctor..." Jack stepped forward, but the Doctor only moved backwards.

"It scares you, Jack." The Doctor whispered.

"C'mon, stop it..."

"What would you do..." The Doctor left off, finger sliding to the trigger.

"The safety's off! Just drop it!" Jack pleaded, moving forward again, trying to reach the Doctor.

The Doctor evaded his grip. "I'll just come back in a few moments."

Jack moved forward, but the Doctor only continued to move back. "Please..."

"Do you understand yet, Jack?" The Doctor murmured.

"Every time we step out of the TARDIS this is how I see you. Can you imagine if this went off?" The Doctor continued, gaze not leaving Jack's ashen face. "You do that to me too often, Jack." His voice quietened. "And I watch the gun go off again and again."

Jack lunged forward, tearing the pistol from the Doctor's grip. The Time Lord released it, lwtting Jack throw it across the room to clatter against the floor. The Doctor was drawn into Jack's arms, buried in the greatcoat.

"Doc..." Jack whispered into the man's hair. "You didn't have to do that to yourself."

"Apparently I did." The Doctor almost cracked a weak smile.

Jack refused to let go. He clutched onto the Doctor, worried more than ever about the Time Lord in his arms.