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 First, I want to give you all my apologies for taking so very long. I never meant to keep you guys waiting! Second. My question still stands. This is the last chapter I have to post before branching into either yes, episodes, or no, why would there be episodes? Let me know, please? :) Then I can write it and have it up.
Chapter Five
They had been so close.
The Doctor had been pushing open the door, cursing himself for slipping up, for even stepping outside the TARDIS doors. He really should have known better. Hadn't he and Jack already stepped into so many revolutions, so many civil wars? Every one ended poorly, the relationship between the two of them strained for a time.
He had been doing so well, keeping Jack away from all of this. He must have gotten the time wrong- this planet was supposed to have been vacated after a devastating revolution shook the government to the ground. Instead he had taken Jack into the heart of its bloodiest time period!
"Any time, Doctor." Jack tried not to sound worried.
The Doctor could hear the pounding footsteps of creatures three times their own size, racing towards them with every passing second. He fumbled with his key in his haste, rushing to slip it onto the TARDIS door. He pushed open the door as he heard the angry war cry of their pursuers. He began to step in when he felt a heavy weight against his back.
He turned his head as he entered the TARDIS, Jack leaning against him, breath thick. Jack pushed the door shut before collapsing to the floor.
"Laser." Jack smiled weakly up at the Doctor.
The Doctor fell to his knees next to Jack, brown eyes wide and sorrowful. He wiped away cold sweat from Jack's forehead.
"Jack, I'm so sorry." The Doctor whispered.
Jack tried to scoff but winced in pain. "Just... just be here when I wake up, okay?"
The Doctor nodded. He said no more, drawing Jack into his arms as the man's breathing slowed. He felt as Jack fell limp, last breath leaving in a single sigh. The Doctor rested his chin in Jack's hair, trying to remind himself Jack would be back, it would be okay.
But he should have been able to save him.
He sighed, brown eyes closing as he waited. Jack was still warm, unmoving. The Doctor clutched him tighter, drawing him to his chest.
When Jack took his first deep gasp, the Doctor's eyes flew open. His hands tightened their grip on Jack's coat, refusing to let the man go far. Jack's hands grabbed the Doctor's arms, clutching onto brown fabric. Jack's breathing slowly- too slowly for the Doctor's liking- returned to normal. The Doctor stared down at the man in his arms.
The Doctor buried his face in Jack's hair. "It's okay Doc." Jack whispered.
Jack leaned his head back to stare up at the Doctor. "It's okay." he said again quietly.
He sat completely still as slightly trembling lips pressed themselves to his forehead. The Doctor rested his cheek against the top of Jack's head, still holding Jack to him.
"Don't you do that again."
"Yes sir." Jack smiled weakly.
Jack sat up, disentangling himself. The Doctor reluctantly let go, standing alongside the Captain.
The Doctor immediately headed for the controls- he was taking Jack away from there. He glanced at the screen, watching as the door of the TARDIS was beat upon, Jack's killer surely among them. He turned it away and quickly began playing with his levers.
Jack stood back and watched. He could still see worry etched into the lines of the Doctor's face. He caught the Doctor glancing up at him discretely as he circled the console more quickly than usual.
The Captain clutched onto the support as the TARDIS trembled. He watched the worry slowly leave the Doctor's face as they moved away from the bloody planet and closer to their new destination.
When the TARDIS had stopped shaking, Jack released the support. He looked to the Doctor, wary to go out the door first when the Doctor was in such a mood. Every time they found trouble, the Doctor went through a period where he carefully scouted outside before allowing Jack out.
Jack wondered if the Doctor was like this for every companion.
The Doctor looked at his monitor and seemed to deem it safe. He strode up to the doors and opened one, stepping out momentarily. Jack waited for the Doctor's return before approaching the doors.
"You'll like it here." The Doctor sounded positive.
Jack looked outside and smiled.
"London?" Jack looked to the Doctor.
The Doctor shrugged. "Go ahead."
Jack walked out, but the Doctor stayed inside. He leaned against the wall, giving Jack time on his own. If Jack were anything like him, he felt an attachment to Earth and to this city. The Doctor could not explain it and knew he probably would never be able to, but he did not mind.
He wanted Jack to have a chance to leave, should Jack not want to continue roaming a dangerous universe.
"Bit too safe, isn't it Doc?" Jack asked teasingly as he walked back in.
The Doctor smiled.
Jack shook his head as he looked at the Doctor. He knew why the Time Lord had chosen London. He also knew there was no way he was ever going to leave this man.
The Doctor appeared to be in a much better mood as he moved around the control room, the usual spring back in his step. Jack smiled and grabbed on.