Previously…
Jack seemed to have been waiting just for the moment they were seated once again. "Tea, anyone?"
Star: Chapter Ten
Martha was the first to react, her eyes wide. "I wouldn't trust him, if I were you," she spoke, a warning in her voice.
"Oh, we don't," the Doctor assured her. "Not on instances like these. There is no way I am going to allow you play your tricks on us. Not today, of all days! Sorry, Jack."
The Captain shrugged. "You don't know what you're missing, but so be it." The question was if they were missing anything on this day at all. If he were to believe Rose's words – these two lovebirds were in need of nothing. Sure, some more time in the bedroom could never hurt anyone.
"Do you want me to bring you the tea, Rose? Doctor?" the dark-skinned companion inquired, doubtful. They, particularly Rose, had every reason not to trust her – simply because the fair-haired girl did not know her at all.
Rose sent the Doctor a questioning glance. He nodded at her, his lips forming a small smile. Martha Jones only turned her eyes away. Understanding each other from a glance was, of course, a valuable talent the two have so visibly shared – but it felt somewhat disturbing.
"Please, if it wouldn't trouble you, Martha," the Time Lord sent her a friendly smile. Martha Jones could never take part in Jack's trickery – one both Rose and the Doctor were familiar with just enough.
"I know how the Doctor takes his tea. What about you, Rose?"
"More milk, less sugar," the Time Lord answered for her.
"I'll have my tea however you prepare it, Martha," Rose smiled. "As long as you don't put any sort of alcohol in it," she glared at Jack, who sent her his most innocent look.
Donna snorted. "I see everybody knows you too well, Captain." She looked at Rose and the Doctor, grinning. "He was intending to do just that."
"Of course he would," the Doctor rolled his eyes.
"Aww. Too bad." Jack seemed more amused than upset. "I was hoping you would share some juicy bits with your best friend, now that you're reunited and sickeningly happy. Alcohol would have certainly helped."
"What is it you would like to know?" Rose's voice was treacherously sweet. The Doctor shook his head at her in disbelief, but was purposefully ignored. I know what I'm doing, her eyes seemed to be saying. Her lover did not object further.
"Oooh… are you sure you did not consume anything while away from us?"
"We might have," Rose hoped her face did not accidentally give anything important away. Jack was the last person she would want to discuss some of these things with.
"You do realise I can actually tell if the shag was a pleasant experience?"
Martha and Donna shared a meaningful look. The fact the Doctor and Rose were grinning at each other… and touching, always touching – this still meant nothing. Not when they had recently convinced them nothing of that kind had happened. Donna wondered if the blonde was used to this. Maybe snogging was enough for them, unusual as the couple were.
Donna eyed him curiously. "Yeah? Feel like sharing your observations with us?"
The blonde looked at the two women with desperation. The redhead gave her a comforting nod. It was clear she had an idea where this conversation was going.
Jack was persistent. "One question, Rosie. Has the Doctor talked you into bonding with him already?"
Seeing her face lose all colour at his words, Jack glared at the Time Lord. "Quick, are we? Or is it the other way around? Have you decided not to burden her with this at all?"
Rose fixed her look to the ground, physically feeling the bloodless white on her face being replaced with treacherous flush.
"I'm sorry, Rose," Jack spoke soothingly, hoping she would turn to face him. She did not, her expectant look fixed on the Gallifreyan. "Look at me," the Captain encouraged. "I'm surely more than capable of fixing relationships."
As if responding to Jack's words, Rose's hands wrapped firmly around the Time Lord. "There is nothing to fix between us, she spoke softly, her eyes locking with the Doctor's, who smirked at her.
The immortal human was not about to let go, having chosen to ignore the obvious. "I'm serious. Everybody faces problems sometimes. Not one quality shag wouldn't fix, though. Rosie should know, the gorgeous young lusty woman that she is. Right, Rose?" he winked at her good-naturedly. The impression, however…
The two other more recent companions shared another glance. Martha's eyes widened in horror. Donna rolled her eyes at the man, ready to have some words with him. He was not going to get away with it this time. As if Rose hadn't had enough shocks for the day. "Now, listen to me, Captain I-know-everything-"
Donna was not allowed to continue with her heated speech, as the Doctor shook his head at her. Rose was looking anywhere but at Jack.
"Never, I repeat – never say this again," the alien spoke icily, keeping his eyes on the woman now in his arms, who was trembling with emotion no other than laughter, a knowing smirk on her lips. His eyes were smiling, but the Doctor hoped his dark voice conveyed the meaning well enough. "Neither to Rose nor of Rose. Is this clear?"
Jack smirked, not flustered. "Can't promise that."
"I don't know how you guys tolerate him at all," Martha shrugged. "I'm off to get you tea, yeah?"
Donna was looking daggers at the self-assured immortal human. "Why do people like you get the gift of immortality is beyond me."
Jack stared at her incredulously, then threw a meaningful glance at Rose. Luckily, she seemed busy with quietly talking with her Doctor. The way their eyes sparkled suggested they hadn't heard Donna at all.
The ginger seemed to have caught her mistake and bit her lip. "Never mind," she mouthed guiltily.
Soon, Rose excused herself from the party, muttering something under her breath about needing to fix her make-up. The Time Lord was watching her quietly.
"Don't you worry, Doctor. I'll manage." she said in a strange voice, leaving the room in a hurry.
"What were you both thinking?" the Time Lord spoke quietly after a minute of heavy silence.
"About what, Doc?"
"Don't you start, Harkness. You know nothing good leaves your mouth the moment you start talking about… whatever subject."
Donna snorted. "As the subject is always one and the same, Doctor?"
He ignored the remark. "Seriously, Donna? Would you consider immortality a gift?"
No, of course she wouldn't. Her tongue got the better of her, that was all… "Where's Rose?"
"Don't you dare changing the topic. She is fixing her make-up." Or will be, the moment she gets over the reminder. The Doctor did not think of telling this to Donna – least of all in the presence of Jack. "Jack knows it's not a gift at all. No matter what he lets on in front of Rose."
The Captain nodded. "It sure is, if you have someone you love who'd live for as long as you do, though. Don't you dare miss the opportunity, Doc."
"Not a gift, all right," the redhead agreed. "But-" The Time Lord's dark eyes were watching her challengingly.
Oh, fuck. Donna felt like disappearing off the surface of this planet, or wherever they were. "I have touched some sensitive chords, haven't I?"
"Some? You'd rather not want to face the Doctor's anger the moment someone hurts the woman he loves, Donna." Jack shook his head.
"I haven't really done anything! Said one sentence. And hadn't she got over-"
"No, she hadn't. Hasn't, and it will certainly take more than a day for Rose to get over it."
"Oh. I hadn't realised. Sorry!" Donna Noble was not used to being wrong, but her eyes assured the Doctor her mistake was not intentional… This was Donna. His fiery ginger companion. Being mad at this brilliant human woman for being herself was impossible.
"Better think next time," he muttered.
The Captain looked at him intently, glad to see his anger was quick to evaporate. "I know what should certainly help, Doc."
"Sexual healing?" the Time Lord guessed, amused. He wondered if there was ever a thing other than sex on the ex-Time Agent's mind.
Jack grinned. "Well, Doctor… now this is exactly what I would have suggested." Judging from their behaviour, this went without saying. He could not help himself. "Would it be very bad if I asked you just how she is in bed?"
Donna rolled her eyes. "I think it's none of our business, Captain."
"Yeah, but I can't help it," he shrugged.
"None of your business. Do you think it will take you long to finish the hypervodka?"
"To finish? Not long at all. To get properly drunk, though… A few more bottles should do it," Jack grinned.
The ginger shook her head. Just a bit tipsy herself, she returned to the table to wait for the two other women to come back.
As Martha Jones returned with the tea… and with the giggling Rose by her side – the birthday seemed to be in order once again.
A/N. Giggling as in merely amused, not 'tipsy' kind of amused. Yet? Maybe?
Review? :)