Despite how tired and sore he was, the Doctor tried to look around as he was led by the men to a small one-roomed house on the edge of the village. Other men were being led to similar houses that lined a single road. He could see Jack standing between the two men helping him, not far away but unlike the others, he wasn't being placed in any of the temporary homes. Instead, they stood there waiting for their orders as the door to the temporary home the Doctor was staying in was opened. Looking inside, the doctor could see a single room with a small bed, a table with two chairs, a couple of cupboards and a little nook in the wall with a fire. Next, to the fire, there were a few pieces of wood to burn and the Doctor wondered briefly where the wood had come from as he was helped inside.
"This will be your house until you have been given your official job assignment within the village. Then you will be placed near other workers who share similar tasks or in your case Doctor, you will be given living quarters that are attached to the clinic," the man informed the Doctor. The Doctor nodded showing his understanding as he stood in the room. The men released their grip on him and he tried to remain standing on his own even as his legs threatened to give out on him. He wanted more than anything to just collapse down on the bed and sleep but he couldn't until he knew that Jack was being cared for as well.
"Where is Jack going to stay?" the Doctor asked the man.
"The whore has not been given a home, nor will he be given a job assignment. We will discuss what to do with him in the morning, in the meantime, he will be allowed to sleep in the alley between the homes," the man answered.
"I won't allow you to treat him like he is nothing. If you refuse to give him a home for the night or within the village then he is going to stay with me," the Doctor informed the man trying to let the oncoming storm show in his eyes. He wasn't sure how well it was working as the man didn't seem the least bit intimidated as he continued to stare him in the eyes.
"We thought you might say that," the man answered. He didn't argue the Doctor as he turned his back on him going to the door. He motioned to the men standing a short way from the home and they brought Jack into the house dumping him onto the bed. The Doctor slumped into the chair as the men left closing the door behind them. He was grateful for a moment to rest after the hours of being on his feet, but he was also eager to get up and explore the small place that he would be staying in for at least the night. He was exhausted, though, and wanted nothing more to join Jack in the bed. Not even, his curiosity of why there were children and women on Hades was able to make him move from the chair as he fought to keep his eyes open. The only thing that did make him finally force himself to his feet, was the man lying near him. Jack groaned and then whimpered as he squirmed and rolled, trying to get his abused body comfortable on the bed. Realizing that Jack still needed someone to take care of him and there was no one else made him push aside his own exhaustion to care for the immortal.
At the end of the bed, there was a small clay box that he bypassed and headed for the cupboards beside the fire instead. Inside the cupboard, there was a meager amount of bread. It wasn't enough to satisfy one man and he was going to have to share the small amount between the two of them. Also in the cupboard, there were a few makeshift clay plates, a clay cup, and a single bottle of water. He poured Jack a small cup of water bringing it over to the bed. Jack stopped squirming as he took the cup from the Doctor bringing it to his mouth. He spilled it down his chest as he drained the small amount quickly. The Doctor took a large drink from the bottle, then refilled Jack's cup before going back to look around the hut. He wasn't surprised when he found nothing of use. These huts weren't made for long-term use and he wasn't sure how many men had been through them over the years. He wasn't going to give up yet, though. He had turned towards the clay box when there was a loud knock on the door. He exchanged glances with Jack before going to answer it. It took him a long moment to get to the door and upon opening it, he found the same man who had taken pity on them previously standing outside the door. In his hands, he held two pairs of new clothes as well as a small clay bowl. Inside the bowl was a dark thick paste that looked as if it were made of clay as well.
"What is it?" the Doctor asked as he took the items.
"It is clay along with a few herbs in it. It will help the cuts on your back to heal as well as draw out the infection," the man answered. "I suggest you rest now because first thing in the morning you are to report to the leader for your official job assignment."
"And if I don't," the Doctor asked.
"Then you will be cast out and the whore will be returned to the men in the caves." The Doctor closed the door, not giving the man a chance to finish as he decided he didn't want to hear it. He laid the clothing on the chair, then turned towards the bed seeing that the captain's eyes were closed and his breathing had gone even. He was unsure if Jack had passed out or if he had just fallen asleep due to exhaustion. It didn't matter either way as he was still going to help his friend no matter what the other people in the village thought about him. Taking a seat on the edge of the bed he tried to figure out how to apply the paste to Jack's back. Since he didn't know for sure what was in it, he didn't want to risk touching it and poisoning himself. Setting the bowl down a moment, he took off his torn shirt. He ripped off a small piece of cloth and wrapped it around his fingers making sure to cover all of the skin. He then dipped his fingers into the bowl getting a large amount to spread on Jack's back. He was gentle but Jack still groaned as his sore back was touched and tried to move away from the Doctor's hands.
"Easy now. I know it doesn't feel nice but this will make you feel better," the Doctor promised.
"K," Jack sighed trying to stay put despite the new burning sensation in his back. The Doctor spread a thick layer of the paste on Jack's back and then helped him to put a new shirt on to cover it. He didn't worry about his own injuries as he put on a new shirt as well before laying down on the bed in front of Jack. He wrapped his arms gently around the Captain seeking his warmth as he closed his own eyes and tried to rest. Despite not wanting to move, in the morning he would have a job to do. He just hoped they took his injuries into account or he would fail Jack and the others before he even began.
Jack didn't know how long he was asleep before his bladder woke him up. It had been awhile since he had to use the loo as he normally was denied water as well as any other kind of nourishment by the people who lived in the caves. As his mind came into focus, he realized that he was laying on a bed with a shivering warm body pressed against his chest. He opened his eyes to look down at the Time Lord that had saved him from the caves. While he didn't ever want to have the Doctor stuck on the planet with him, he was grateful he was there. The Doctor had shown him more kindness in the short time that they had been reunited than in the entire time he had been on the planet. While he knew this was a prison planet, that kindness gave him hope that there was a future and he could live and not just survive because he had no other choice.
He dropped a kiss on the top of the Doctor's head, frowning as he realized how warm the Time Lord was. He turned his head so his cheek was on top of the Doctor's head feeling how the normally cool body was radiating heat. That concerned Jack as the Doctor's body was normally cool to Jack's touch and he worried that he was getting sick or developing an infection. Pulling himself carefully out of the Doctor's arms, he pulled his sore body slowly out of the bed trying not to hurt or disturb the Doctor any further. He could barely see anything against the dying firelight and he really didn't want to heat the room any further but he needed to be able to see. So going to the fireplace, he found a few smaller pieces of wood adding them in. He stoked the fire until the flames rose high enough to provide light to the small room. Turning back he could see the Doctor more clearly. The Time Lord looked pale in the light and lifting the back of the Doctor's shirt he could see the Doctor's abused bloody back. He felt guilty as he could still feel the clay caked on his own back and knew that while the Doctor had attended to his own wounds he cared little about himself. Needing to make it right, Jack stood again going to explore the room.
Starting with the chest at the end of the bed, he found a ratty thin blanket and a few stray pieces of cloth that could be used as washcloths. He pulled the blanket out and laid it at the end of the bed before continuing his search. He found a small bowl of dried clay sitting near the cupboards with the cloth still in it. He thought briefly about rehydrating it with water in order to use it on the Doctor's back. He dismissed the idea quickly as he saw the cloth sitting in the bowl. The Doctor had avoided touching it and Jack worried there was something in it the Doctor was allergic to. Not wanting to poison the Doctor, he moved on trying to find another way to help the Time Lord. Opening the cupboard he found the bottle of water the Doctor had used earlier. He opened it and took a large drink before retrieving the cup from beside the bed where he left it. He poured a small amount of the water into the cup. Kneeling down, he stroked the Doctor's hair trying to be gentle as he woke him.
"Doctor, it's time to open your eyes. I know you're tired but I need you to sit up so that I can tend to your back," Jack cooed at him. The Doctor groaned turning more into himself not wanting to open his eyes quite yet. He was absolutely exhausted still and he really didn't want to sit up.
"I just want to sleep," the Doctor whined. He wasn't sure why people kept waking him up rather than just letting him sleep like he needed to. It was rather rude of them.
"You need to be tended to first," Jack told him calmly.
"I'm fine," The Doctor moaned as he threw his arm over his head hoping that it would make Jack shut up and leave him alone. He groaned loudly as Jack took his arm moving it away from his head.
"Your back is a mess, sweethearts. I know you are tired but you can't just ignore the fact that you are hurt or you are going to die or regenerate. So just sit up for a minute and let me tend to your wounds like you did mine. Then we can curl up under the blanket I found and sleep," Jack tempted the Doctor trying to sound stern despite how weak he felt. The Doctor hesitated for a moment as he considered continue ignoring Jack before he rolled over onto his stomach. Hissing in pain as his sore leg and stomach met the mattress. He then slowly pushed himself up on to his knees then turned his sore body until he was sitting facing the wall. He didn't bother to sit straight but hunched over, obviously too tired to hold himself up properly. Jack moved so that he was no longer kneeling on the floor but sitting on the edge of the bed. He helped the Doctor to remove his shirt then picked up one of the cloths from the trunk dipping it into the water and touching it gently to the Doctor's back. The Doctor cried out in pain as Jack touched his back and Jack made gentle shushing sounds trying to calm him.
"Why did you get sent here?" The Doctor asked through gritted teeth as he attempted to distract himself from the pain in his back.
"I made mistakes," Jack answered vaguely not ready to talk about it. "Why did you get sent here?"
"I ran from the Shadow Proclamation. They wanted me to take the TARDIS into war and I refused," The Doctor stated. He sighed. "I deserve to be here, though. I also made mistakes, Jack. I tried to change a fixed point in time and by doing so ruined a woman's legacy. She had a beautiful history that ended with her death on Mars and inspiring others. Now, because of me, her legacy ends with her committing suicide on Earth." The Doctor didn't tell Jack that he had become the Time Lord Victorious. He felt as if he were invincible as he stood there in the snow. She proved he wasn't with the sound of the gunshot that echoed in the empty street. After that, it had been easy for the Shadow Proclamation to catch up with him. He didn't fight as they arrested him feeling as if he deserved the punishment. Had he known they were taking him to Hades, he would have fought harder to escape.
"Sorry," Jack told him as the Doctor hissed in pain and flinched away from his touch as he tried to clean a particularly deep wound. He put a steadying hand on the Doctor's shoulder forcing him to stay still as finished cleaning the infected cut. He rinsed out the rag moving on to the next cut before speaking again.
"Back when I was in the Time Agency, I was sent to the planet Fuego Verde. The Time Agency sent me to kill the crowned prince and princess in order to overthrow the Monarchy that had taken hold. The king had no other heirs and they hoped by killing them that an election could take place and the Time Agency could have one of their own men elected. I was chosen to go and back then, I didn't question why I just followed my orders like a good soldier. I was able to gain access to their home by lying to the prince and telling him I was a prince as well. The prince was naive and he believed my lies inviting me to the annual feast. It would have been simple to poison their food and have one of the many waiters or cooks blamed for the murder but the more time I spent with the family the more I liked them. They weren't bad people and I couldn't understand why the Time Agency wanted them dead. So, that night after everyone had gone to bed, I went to the prince's room," Jack began deciding to tell the Doctor the truth. He knew it had been hard for the Doctor to admit his mistakes and if he was willing to tell Jack the truth then Jack would do the same regardless of what the Doctor would think about him afterward.
"Does this end with a naked escape?" The Doctor interrupted him. Jack had more naked escape stories than anyone else he knew and even if they weren't all true he told them well.
"Not this time," Jack chuckled. "I did bed the prince and then held him as he drifted off to sleep. I still couldn't kill him, though. He was kind and no matter what the Agency thought, he was innocent. So I made a decision and that morning I told him the Time Agency's plans to kill him and his sister. He told his guards and they searched my possessions finding the vial of poison as well as a knife that the agency had provided me. They ordered my arrest but by that time I was gone. I fled both the planet and the agency and I tried not to look back. It wasn't until recently when I was traveling that I saw the prince again. He recognized me instantly and had me arrested. I was brought here for my crimes against the family." Finishing both his story and cleaning the Doctor's back. He picked the Doctor's shirt up from the floor and helped the Doctor put his arms into it. His back stinging painfully, the Doctor whimpered as he laid back down on the bed. He felt the bed shift and was grateful when Jack laid down with him being careful not to touch his back. Jack reached down, pulling the blanket up to try to keep them warm during the long cold night. He snuggled into Jack, but he was too sore to go back to sleep yet.
"Jack, why do they call you the whore?" The Doctor wondered as he had only heard the men call Jack the whore since his arrival. He felt Jack tense in his arms and knew he had struck a nerve with the Captain. He opened his eyes looking up at Jack as he stared at the wall behind them.
"I'd rather not say," Jack answered softly.
"I know it is hard, but I want to hear it from you, Jack. I don't blame nor do I judge you for anything that you did to stay survive here. Hades is an unforgiving place and the men here don't seem to like you. They will tell me what you did in order to try to separate me from you. I would rather hear it from you before that happens," The Doctor informed Jack. Jack remained quiet and the Doctor didn't push the conversation knowing that Jack would tell him in his own time.
"I don't want you to look at me like everyone else does," Jack finally admitted after a long moment.
"It won't change how I feel about you, Jack," The Doctor responded. He shivered as he tried to cuddle more into Jack for the warmth, but he was unable to get any closer. Jack moved his arms gently tightening the grip around him as he avoided putting pressure on his wounds.
"When I first arrived here, I accidentally found my way to the caves just like you did. They caught me and put me inside one of the cells. Back then, they intentionally killed the men they captured rather than just beat them and nightly I had to watch other's die knowing it would soon be my turn." Jack's voice cracked as he spoke the memories clear as once more he was back in his cell listening to the men scream in pain. No matter how tightly he plugged his ears, he could still hear them as they begged for the men to stop before their screams were finally silenced forever. He cleared his throat before continuing. "I was left for days before they finally dragged me out of the cell and discovered that I can't stay dead. So it became a game for them a challenge almost. Nightly they would beat me, each competing to see how long could they keep me alive before I finally died from my injuries."
"I'm so sorry," The Doctor interrupted. Jack took a deep breath and continued before he lost the courage to tell the Doctor the rest.
"Eventually they decided that since I didn't stay dead, I didn't need to eat or drink either. One man tried to get me to spread my legs for them, insisting they would feed me if I did. I refused of course. I don't know how many times I refused and was either beaten or starved to death before I finally gave in," Jack whispered. The Doctor moved his arms, hugging him tightly even though it hurt both of them. He trembled with both pain and anger at what happened to his old friend. Jack didn't deserve to be imprisoned on this planet. He had defied the Time Agency's orders and told the prince the truth about why he was there. Once they were off this planet, he would make the prince answer to why he still felt Jack needed to be punished.
He stared up at Jack, seeing the tears in Jack's eyes. He hated seeing the Captain in pain and he needed to make it right. He needed to show Jack that he still felt the same way about him regardless of what happened. Leaning up he kissed Jack softly on the cheek. Jack pulled his eyes away from the wall looking at him with surprise. The Doctor smiled at him cheekily as he kissed him once more. Jack couldn't help but smile back as he held the Time Lord against him. He dropped a kiss on the top of the Doctor's head, then snuggled him close as together they drifted off to sleep once more.
