Disclaimer: I own nothing

Author's Note: When stating Jack's age (as he is not immortal yet) I've decided that he's 38 because John Barrowman is 43 this year, so in 2005 (when series 1 was) he would have turned 38.

Chapter 10

Lily shrugged out of her dressing gown and looked around the room.

The pool was quite a decent size, with light blue tiling on the floor and a set of stairs at the deep end.

She left her dressing gown on the bench and got out a few towels. Running a hand through her dark hair, she looked around the room, and then wrapped her arms around her torso.

Hugging herself, she edged towards the water and dipped her toes in the water. It was cold and she shivered slightly before bracing herself and jumping in the middle of the pool.

When she came up, her hair was flattened across her face and she pulled a face, moving the wet strands away. Where she'd jumped in, she could stand up, and the water came to her shoulders.

She shivered a little and then relaxed, tipping her head back and getting her hair wet again, smoothing it all down.

When she'd gotten used to the water, she smiled to herself and set off towards the deep end.

She'd been swimming on her own for a good hour and was doing a good job of pushing Captain Jack Harkness out of her mind. She knew she couldn't think about him all the time, or she'd go mental - not what she needed right now. Life was hectic as it was with all the phone box travel and getting caught up with all the aliens and doing a whole lot of running.

Add a secret relationship to that - because it would have to be secret; Dad would never approve of it - and she'd have far too much to cope with.

Although ... they got on so well. And he could be so lovely sometimes, and ... no.

No, no, no. Don't go don't this route, she told herself. You're not supposed to be thinking about him she reminded herself.

She tried to clear her head and sighed, picking her feet from the floor and laying on her back, floating in a star shape. She had just about achieved her desired clear mind, when the door creaked open.

' I told you I wouldn't let it go,' the very familiar voice said.

Quite suprised, Lily stood up in the water and turned around to face him.

' What are you doing in here? ' she asked, feeling exposed and moving deeper in the water, so only her shoulders upwards were visible.

Jack grinned,' I fancied a swim. '

' But you knew I'd be in here? ' asked Lily, shaking her head at him.

He shrugged, still grinning,' Maybe. I wanted to talk to you, but you weren't in your room. I had a look around and here you are. '

' Here I am,' Lily agreed quietly.

' Mind if I join you? ' Jack asked, raising his eyebrows and not waiting for an answer before taking his shoes off. Lily watched open mouthed as he took off his trousers, leaving him stood in a pair of boxer shorts.

His legs were tanned and toned and she had to fight to keep her eyes away from him. She blushed, looking around the room instead. She failed, looking back at him, her eyes starting at his feet and moving up his leg, taking in every detail of him.

She was distracted by him then pulling his shirt over his head, giving her chance to inspect his chest, arms and stomach, against her better judgement. She knew she shouldn't be looking at him like this, when she was trying to not think about him. But it was so tempting when he stood there right in front of her ... like he was trying to tempt her.

' It's rude to stare, you know,' Jack told her with a smirk.

Lily tore her eyes from his body and forced herself to concentrate on his face. She shook her head,' Staring? Me? '

Jack grinned,' What's the matter? See something you like? '

' You wish,' Lily said, willing herself to remain calm and to be confident.

' I don't need to wish,' Jack said, approaching the end of the pool and sitting down on the edge,' pretty soon, I'll have the most beautiful woman in the universe in my arms. '

' Oh? ' Lily asked, much more confident than she felt,' You'll have to introduce me to her some time. '

Jack laughed and slid into the water, slowly moving towards her, the cold not even phasing him.

Lily bit her lip nervously as Jack advanced closer. She took a step backwards and Jack took a step closer. She soon realised that he would go wherever she went, so she stopped backing away.

She stood in the water, the water now just below her shoulders, and Jack came close, his body dripping wet and all the more attractive.

She said nothing - feeling unable to. He was spell-binding, and she was captivated by him - both of them in this pool felt like something out of a dream - it was ridiculous.

Jack's hands were underneath the water and they soon found their way to her bare waist. His hands felt odd on the bare flesh and he rubbed his thumbs around in light circles. She relaxed in his hold and tipped her head back as he drew her closer.

' Lily, Lily, Lily,' he said, his voice unusually quiet and serious, though his smirk was there,' looks like I've got you sooner than I thought you would ... maybe I get to have my ... wicked way,' he said, bringing his head down and kissing her neck lightly, his lips working their way up her neck.

She groaned as he kissed her cheek, dangerously close to the corner of her lips and then she shook her head and pulled her face away from his.

' Wicked way? ' she repeated,' right here in the pool? What do you take me for, Captain? '

Jack grinned, thinking she was joking, and reached for her cheek.

She shook her head, sobering up a bit and thinking about what she was doing now.

' It's not a joke, Jack,' she said, her face clouding as she turned her back on him,' this is ... this is serious. '

' Then talk to me,' Jack said, folding his arms over his chest,' We kissed by the bay. Then we kissed in your room. Then you blank me and get all funny. Then we just kiss again and now you're being all off again. '

' I'm sorry,' Lily muttered, still not facing him.

Jack sighed,' I think we need to talk about this, don't you? '

Lily whirled around as fast as she could do in the water,' Yeah,' she said,' we need to talk about this, without you trying to kiss me or anything ... because I'm not strong enough and I'll let you, then I'll be all confused again. '

Jack nodded,' Alright then,' he said,' so we talk ... here? Now? '

' It's as good a time as any,' Lily said, moving towards the side of the pool and pulling herself up on the side of it.

She sat on the side of the pool, her legs dangling in as the water lapped around her legs. Jack moved over to the side too, but stayed in the water, which lapped around his chest.

' Where do we start? ' Jack asked.

Lily bit her lip and then said,' Well, I suppose we could start at the beginning. I need to know ... you kissed me, you made the first move - I need to know how you feel. '

Jack said nothing, so Lily continued,' You flirt with everyone and everything Jack; you're a player. Yet, when we're together, you can be so different. You confuse me. Am I just going to be one of the girls you flirt with, kiss, and then forget about? '

Jack quickly replied,' No! ' There was a pause before he said,' No way. Lily, what I'm going to say to you is something I've never said to anyone. '

' Oh? '

' I think I'm really falling for you. I'm more attracted to you than I ever have been to anyone, and it's not just because you're gorgeous - it's everything about you. You're the only girl I've ever thought about this seriously. No flirting ... no messing you about ... a proper relationship. '

' Wow,' Lily said, almost to herself, before clearing her throat and looking at him,' so ... you want ...? '

Jack nodded,' I like everything about you and I want you to be mine. And only mine. '

Lily raised her eyebrows - this was serious coming from anyone, but from Jack? Jack wasn't the type to pick one person and commit himself.

' But,' Lily interrupted,' you're a flirt, Jack. You don't do monogomy. '

' I would. For you,' he said.

She shook her head,' You're a rake, Captain. How do I know you can commit to me, and only me? I don't want to be messed about by you. '

He reached out and took one of her hands,' Lily, I'm serious about you. You're the kind of girl I could find myself really falling for. I know I've got a reputation and a past, and I can't prove myself to you, but ... I could sure as hell make you happy. '

Lily laughed, shaking her head,' It's not that easy. '

' But you admit that you have feelings for me? ' he asked

Lily paused and then knew it was time to bare the truth and the whole truth,' Yeah,' she said,' 'course I do. We both know that we get on really well . I'm more attracted to you than I ever have been to anyone. '

' Then what's the problem? ' Jack asked,' you like me. I like you. ' He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it softly.

She shook her head and pulled the hand away,' I don't know,' she said,' the more I think about it, the more I want this to happen. You're so much fun, you're such a great person and you're incredibly handsome. But don't you see? You and I won't always get on the way we do now - you're going to keep on ageing and eventually you'll die. And I won't. Not for a very long time. I'm 200 and in my first regeneration - imagine how long I could be around for with another 12 bodies to go. '

Jack shook his head,' Don't worry about that,' he said,' it's a long way off. I'm 38 years old, Lily. I've got plenty of years ahead of me. '

' But - '

' No,' Jack said firmly, moving to stand in front of her, so he was between her legs. He laid his hands on her knees and looked up at her,' think about the human thing when the time comes. For now, let's just be together and see how it works out. '

' But then there's my Dad,' Lily said.

' You think he'll be jealous? ' asked Jack with a grin.

Lily pushed his hands on her knees,' This is serious, Jack. He's made it pretty clear that he wouldn't approve of a relationship between us. He thinks no-one's good enough for me, and not you because of how you are with women - and men, I think. '

' It's always goin to come back to that, is it? ' Jack sighed,' Lily, I'll show you that I can be faithful to one person. I'll treat you properly. '

She nodded,' I know. I know you would, because when we're together sometimes, you're completely different to that flirty Captain Jack. But my Dad won't believe that. He's protective, and he'll think he's got every reason to be, where you're involved. He won't like it. '

' Then he doesn't have to know,' shrugged Jack.

Lily raised her eyebrows - she hadn't thought of that,' You mean we lie to him? '

' Not exactly lie,' Jack shrugged,' we just keep something from him. We'll just keep this to ourselves for a little - just until we know what we're doing. Just until we know we're happy. Until I've proved to you, that all I wanted it you. Only you. '

The Time Lady paused for a moment, before nodding,' I - I don't usually keep things from him, and it won't feel right to sneak about from him. But ... but maybe it's for the best. At least that way, we can tell him when we're sure we're happy together, and maybe he'll feel better about it when he realises we're sure about it. '

Jack grinned,' Then we're alright. No more problems? '

' No more problems,' she repeated, before stopping and shaking her head,' But - oh, I don't know. I mean - '

Jack held up a hand,' Stop,' he said, authority creeping into is voice,' this should be simple - I like you and you like me, so we get together. But you're finding all these excuses, and you don't need to. '

Lily said nothing and just stared at him as he reached up and laid his hands on her waist. He grabbed her at the waist and pulled her into the water with him.

She stood next to him and he wrapped his arms around her.

' You know what I think? ' he asked, an arm around her waist, the other cupping her cheek,' I think you know we'd be amazing together. And that scares the hell out of you. '

He leaned in and kissed her lips swiftly.

' But it doesn't need to,' he said,' so what do you say? '

And then she finally stopped talking herself out of it and did what felt right.

And he kissed back.

***

Hope everyone thought that was alright?