Chapter 6

Within an hour, Rose had confirmed everything and there would be movers bringing in some of her furniture and clothing from her flat in London to Jack's flat in Cardiff. She made sure that the Doctor's clothes and hair products (dear gods that man had enough gel and mousse to start his own styling salon) were also brought along.

Walking back inside she looked for both the two men. Out of her eye she saw another one of those crazy cat clocks with the eyes and tail that moved back and forth on the wall between the kitchen and the living area. Huh, never really thought that was Jack's style. I wonder if he was the one who put the other one up in Torchwood. It would kind of make sense, I guess. I should ask him about it or at least ask if he minds if I move it somewhere else. I swear it creeps me out. It's like it is watching me. A noise from Jack's bedroom alerted to where they currently were. She turned to go to them and promptly forgot all about the clock.

Rose walked into Jack's bedroom to see both of them sprawled out on Jack's bed watching the telly. "Telly? Really Doctor? Big Brother of all things? After everything that happened on Gamestation, I would have thought that would be the LAST thing you would want to watch! Seriously - I had no idea that you were a reality show junkie. And Jack… Explain please."

The Doctor looked sheepish, "Well I have been flipping through the telly late at night after you have gone to bed, since I don't need quite as much sleep as you do, and I stumbled across this world's version of the show and it sucked me in. I dunno why really, but it is addicting. We can watch something else."

Jack was distracted by the way Rose had put her hands on her hips and thrust them to one side, despite the fact that she was glaring at them both. I want to kiss that look off her face. Shaking himself mentally and locking that thought away, he responded instead with a trademark smile and said, "Well, I only have the one TV and it's here in the bedroom, since it is where I watch it. I do have a stereo in the living room if you want music instead."

"Actually what I want at the moment is some food. Anyone else hungry?" Rose answered.

Not really for food. Images of the three of them doing naughty things to each other flashed through Jack's mind, the way he used to fantasize on the TARDIS. But by now he was used to pulling them back and said instead, "I could go for a bite. Wanna grab something or order in?"

The Doctor pulled out his sonic screwdriver and looked at the time. "Does that little Chinese place down the street exist in this timeline? Do they deliver this late? Are they as good?"

Rose laughed. Since they had tried the place so long ago in the other Cardiff, the Doctor had been obsessed with their mu-shu pork and fried green beans.

"You mean the Golden Dragon? Yes it's here too and actually even better than the old one." Jack replied with a grin. "They are open until 1am but they usually stop delivery at 11." Jack looked his watch at saw it was a quarter to midnight. "I can usually get Mr. Chin to make an exception for me. Should I order the usual?" Jack grinned, remembering the Doctor's preferences as well as Rose's.

"Jack, is there anyone you don't have wrapped around your finger?" Rose asked curiously.

"You will just have to find out for yourself," Jack winked as he pulled out his phone, dialed and spoke in flawless Cantonese to the person on the other end.

"Show off," the Doctor grumbled as he noted the impressed look on Rose's face.

She turned around and looked at him, giving him a wink and her trademark tongue in teeth grin. Now that Jack had stepped into the other room, she slipped off he shoes and made her way to the obscenely large bed. She crawled across it to the Doctor, a look of pure mischief on her face.

The Doctor gulped. He knew that look.

"Jealous Doctor?" She stayed on all fours, hovering above him.

"Never, after all I can speak several languages even when the TARDIS wasn't translating for me." His voice trailed off as she started to lower her arms to bring her closer to his lips. Please oh please let her come closer. I need her lips. I need her.

"Ahem," Jack said sardonically from the doorway as he unabashedly checked out the curve of Rose's ass in her jeans, "I would prefer that you not make out on my bed unless I happen to be a part of it."

Rose blushed but quickly flipped over, so she was seated next to the doctor. "That could be arranged." She added flippantly - unaware of the stunned look of desire that crossed the Doctor's face. "Really Jack, this bed is big enough that you could have an orgy on one side and still have someone sleep undisturbed in the other."

Jack hadn't missed the expression that flickered across the Doctor's face. Interesting. That wasn't a look of jealousy. It was … interest? Hmmm… Tucking that away for future consideration, he flirted right back, "How do you know I haven't tried it?"

"Um … Yes… Well… Is there food on the way?" the Doctor interrupted before it could get any deeper. He knew both Rose and Jack's tendency to flirt whenever they could. Without the TARDIS's filter it could devolve faster than he was quite ready for. Not that I am a prude… well not really anyway… not anymore… I just don't know how to flirt. They both make it look so easy.

Taking pity on the Doctor, Jack dropped the teasing undertones. "Yes. It should be here in 10 minutes. Do you want to eat in the kitchen or in here? We can watch a movie or something."

"Here actually sounds good," Rose replied as she sat back in the pillows. "It's been a long day. It would be kind of nice to relax and watch a movie before crashing. The movers won't be here until tomorrow, but the couch is big enough that we can both crash there for the night."

"Nonsense. You can have my bed. The Doctor can have the couch. I will sleep on the floor."

"That's not fair to you, Jack."

"I insist." He put on his serious face, and Rose knew she was outmaneuvered. That didn't stop her from glaring at him.

"You can glare all you want, Rosie, I am not changing my mind. I am a big boy. I can handle a night on the floor." The ring of the doorbell was a distraction Jack welcomed. I just won't tell you that I will cherish the smell of you on my pillows in the morning. "Food is here."

The Doctor jumped up to grab utensils while Jack paid for the food. Bringing in the bag and setting it on the bed, he sat down on the other side of Rose, knowing the Doctor would be returning to his former position. Opening it, he handed Rose her shrimp chow fun, set the mu-shu pork in front of the Doctor's place, grabbed his Kung Pao and set the order of green beans in the center so they could all snack.

The Doctor handed each of them a pair of chopsticks as he sat back down, his mind flashing back to the many times that they had shared a companionable meal and movie on the TARDIS. They would laugh and debate the merits of whatever they were watching. It always felt so good to be there with them. It felt right. Perfect. Even when Rose and Jack would fall asleep, I didn't want to move them.

"So what are we watching?" Jack asked.

"What is on?" Rose countered as she flipped on the channel index. "Oh! It's a Star Trek Marathon!"

"Thinking about your 'Captain' again?" Jack ducked as Rose tried to grab the nearest pillow to hit him with.

"You just wish that you could watch what I do with the Captain."

"Oi.. Pipe down! The opening credits are starting," The Doctor said loudly, even as he heard Jack's mutter under his breath 'More than you know'. Jack is right though. I could hear her when she used it in the past and it was all I could do not to go to her then. Now… I don't know what I would do. And Jack poses a new dilemma. He wants her too. I have always known that. Just as part of her has always wanted him. Can I deal with that? I can't claim Rose - she has always done what she wants; but I don't know what I would do if I lost her again. A niggle whispered at the back of his mind. Don't forget about Jack. You have wanted him too. Even when you ran from him, part of you still wanted him. Why can't you have both? But that would be wrong… wouldn't it?

The sound of end credits woke the Doctor. Still sleepy, he blearily opened his eyes to see the time. Realizing that he couldn't see the clock, he started to shift positions when a faint grumble stopped him. He could smell green apple and immediately knew it was the shampoo Rose favored. A strand of her golden hair tickled his cheek and he realized the weight of her on his chest. That she had fallen asleep during the movie was unsurprising, but the fact that she had instinctly cuddled into his chest made him warm. Moving his arm to brush away a stray strand that was making its way across her cheek, the Doctor noticed something else. Jack had also fallen asleep and was spooning Rose, his arm across her hip and his hand resting on the Doctor's chest. The warmth in his chest increased. I should get up and move them but they look so peaceful. So comfortable. In fact, it would be cruel to do so. A yawn punctuated his thought train. Silly human body needing at least 6 hours of sleep. Well I guess it won't hurt me to stay here for a little longer. He was able to free a hand enough to grab the remote and turn off the telly. In fact, I am actually quite comfortable myself… In moments the Doctor had drifted back to sleep.

Jack was the first to wake fully - the light streaming through the window indicating it was early morning. So much for the floor… Not that he was complaining. Rose was in his arms, he could smell the faintest trace of her perfume on the sweet spot behind her ear. He could feel the brush of the Doctor's hand against his own where it rested on his chest. Gods to wake up this way every morning… I would give so much.

Rose stretched and Jack took that as his cue to pull back to a slightly less intimate position before she woke completely. It was only a matter of seconds before her chocolate eyes opened and she murmured sleepily, "'Ello…"

Grinning Jack said, "Hello."

"Hello." She said again in automatic response before realizing the position she was in – sleeping between two men and curled up into the Doctor. "Oh…" She blushed prettily as full consciousness set in.

"Well, you won in the end." Jack teased.

"Wot do you mean?" Rose's mind was still fuzzy.

"I didn't sleep on the floor." Jack grinned at her. "Come on, let's go make coffee."

Rose looked at the still sleeping Doctor. It was odd for him to still be asleep. He must have been really tired. I can wake him after we have coffee. The movers should be here in a couple of hours anyway. Best get ready.

Smiling she took the hand that Jack stretched out to her. He pulled her to her feet but refused to let go of her hand as he led her to the kitchen. Rose secretly relished the feel but then immediately felt slightly guilty. The Doctor is still asleep in the other room… But it's Jack…

Without realizing she was doing it, she traced her fingers across the crystal as she walked by. The hum soothed her on deep level – taking her confusion and turning it into normality. Why is it wrong to want both? It seemed to say.

"Rose – c'mon!" Jack pulled on her hand again.

"OK. Ok. I am coming." She turned back and followed him into the kitchen.

The crystal hummed behind her and grew another spire.