Accountability

Chapter Summary: The Doctor and Jack prepare to part ways for the first time since the Doctor's return. The couple find the perfect home and the Doctor gets a bit of practice when a friend comes to visit him.

Warnings : Fluff,

Chapter 10: You and Me

The alarm clock beside the bed went off promptly at six AM. A weary groan came from the form on the opposite side while the other jumped to shut it off and burst up to his feet. Jack lifted his head drowsily as the Doctor zipped across the room in a flash. The Time Lord flung open the wardrobe and snatched up the suit that hung there.

By the time Jack managed to sit up and stretch, the Doctor had run for the ladder, scrambling up only to recall the hatch wasn't open when his head collided with it.

"Ouch!" He rubbed at the sore spot, glaring at the closed hatch from where he'd landed back on the bed. "Why is it shut anyway! It's stupid to shut it when we're here alone!"

Jack laughed. The captain wrapped his arms around the Time Lord's shoulders, pulling him back against his bare chest. He kissed the point of collision lovingly.

"I know you're excited, sweethearts, but you won't make it in one piece at this rate."

"Not if you keep shutting things," the Doctor pouted at him.

Jack couldn't resist, not when that lower lip was stuck out so invitingly. He leaned in and kissed the other man. He could feel the tension ebb out of the body he held as the Time Lord began to kiss back. When the Doctor had relaxed completely, Jack pulled back.

"Better," he asked.

"Better," the Doctor agreed.

Jack reached out one arm to flip the switch on the wall, illuminating the little crawl space of a room they were currently sharing. It had been plenty for Jack on his own, but now he had a lover and a baby on the way. He was adamant that this place was not good enough for his family. They needed a proper house. Money was no object so they would've had one already if the pair of them weren't so awfully picky. They had seen several perfectly nice houses, even a few palatial ones, but they had found fault with every one of them. This one didn't have the right kitchen. That one was too small. This one was too big and separated. That one doesn't have a nice enough view.

Jack was determined though. They would have the perfect home even if he had to build it himself. But for now, they both had to get ready for the day.

"Come on. We can shower together," he said, nuzzling the flesh just under the leather collar.

"Oh no." The Doctor pushed him away gently. "If I get in with you we'll never get out and then I'll be late."

No arguing with that. Reluctantly, Jack let him go to shower alone while he finished waking up. It was stupid, he knew, but the Time Lord hadn't been out of his sight for longer than an hour or two since he'd shown up at the hub that first night. Now he was starting his new job at the university and it worried Jack. Of course, the Doctor was a grown man, fully capable of looking after himself, but that didn't ease the captain's mind the way it ought to. He had become so used to the other man being within arm's reach at any given time. But it made him happy, and Jack wasn't about to take that from him. Besides, he was working at a college. What's the worst that could happen to him?

Instead of allowing his mind to come up with some horribly terrifying scenario, Jack decided to start breakfast while he waited for his turn to shower. He had to be careful though. While the Doctor hadn't been actually throwing up much at all, at six weeks along just the sight of certain foods could leave his stomach churning all day. He decided to play it safe with banana pancakes. It seemed that no matter how the Doctor felt you couldn't go wrong with a banana. He vaguely remembered the man saying something about it being the equivalent of pomegranate for humans, a super fruit that did a myriad of beneficial things for Time Lord biology.

Gwen was due back today, the love for her baby girl driving her to return to at least half shifts at the hub, ensuring everything was calm and quiet on the alien front. Anwen was a gorgeous baby girl and the Welsh couple could not have been prouder parents. He had even been dubbed Uncle Jack.

"That smells fantastic," the Doctor said, walking into the hub's small kitchen, futzing with his tie. "You didn't put nuts in them, did you," he asked, pulling a face.

"I did half and half so you couldn't complain either way."

The Doctor smiled at him. "You're too good to me," he said as Jack handed him a plate of plain banana.

"Baby, ain't no such thing," Jack told him, giving him a quick kiss. "Nothing's too good for you."

The Doctor rolled his eyes, sitting down with his breakfast. After smothering them in strawberry syrup instead of pancake syrup, he cut into the stack with the side of his fork, careful not to get any on himself. It wouldn't do to show up with syrup stains on his first day. He wasn't exactly nervous so much as excited. He had his own proper job teaching ancient history and mythology. He happened to be the leading expert in the field, what with having lived a decent portion of it. The hard part would be sticking to the text books when they got something wrong, but he couldn't exactly explain how he knew the text was wrong. Today would be more of a get acquainted day, learn the student's names, explain how his class would be conducted and just try to make a good first impression.

He hoped the kids would like him. He hoped he could keep their interest. He knew his subject was not one that appealed to a majority of people but usually those who chose to study it were devoted enthusiasts. All in all, the Doctor couldn't wait to get there.

Once the pancake batter had been finished off, Jack had gone to get his own shower. That was something he would miss during the day, he thought. Jack wouldn't be in the next room anymore. He couldn't just wander into the office when he fancied a bit of a cuddle or just the other man's company. Still, he thought as he finished off his plate and took a swig of juice, a little separation might do them some good. He didn't want them becoming too codependent on each other. It was good to have something that was just yours in a relationship.

He cleared up the dishes while he waited for Jack. Until he'd gotten some driving practice, Jack would be taking him to work and picking him up afterward. Jack's driving had calmed a lot, at least when the Time Lord was in the car with him. It wasn't exactly what one would call relaxing but it wasn't the death defying adrenaline rush it used to be.

"Is someone cooking?"

The Doctor turned to see one Gwen Cooper in the doorway of the kitchen. It was odd to see her without the protruding belly he was used to. He smiled broadly at her.

"Hey, look at you! Back already!" He held out the stack of banana nut pancakes to her. "Jack made breakfast."

"That's right," she said, taking one off the plate. "It's your first day at the school, isn't it."

"Yup," he said, popping the P.

"You'll be great. They're bound to love you."

"You think so?"

"Of course," she told him, pulling off pieces of pancake to nibble on. "Though Ianto'll be missing you. The archives had never been more organized than when you were doing them."

"Oh, I'll still be around," he said. "I'm still happy to help. I just wanted something else. Cataloging and filing isn't exactly the most fulfilling of occupations."

"Tell me about it," she said, rolling her eyes. "So how are things on the baby front? I was sick out of my mind by now."

"Pretty good, actually. Nauseous now and then but not much actual sickness."

The Doctor had been reluctant to discuss anything pregnancy related with anyone but Jack, but then he'd realized her motives. It wasn't about the novelty of a pregnant man or the idea he needed to be looked after. Gwen herself was pregnant and finally had someone else sharing that experience. She was looking for camaraderie.

"I'm seeing Martha tomorrow afternoon. Blood work and all that," he cringed. "I hate needles. So barbaric."

Gwen laughed. "Well get used to it, mate. Lots of blood work and you'll be peeing in a cup so often you'll forget how to use a toilet."

xXxXx

The Doctor followed Jack through the car park. He straightened his tie for the millionth time that day and quadruple checked that he had the mobile Jack had bought him, his sonic – better safe than sorry- and his classroom key. Jack turned to him, taking him by he wrists to stop his fussing.

"Doc, look at me."

The Time Lord obediently met the captain's gaze. The adorably nervous expression was far too tempting and Jack couldn't help himself. He captured those soft lips in a brief but tender kiss.

"You'll be fine," he assured him. "And I've got something for you."

Reaching into his pocket, Jack drew out a thin silver chain. Hanging from the end was a pair of military dog tags.

"I know it's not exactly appropriate for a professor to wear a collar to work. But I want you wearing something to remind you who you're coming home to.

"These are mine from the blitz. The first time we met," he said, placing the chain around the Doctor's neck. "This is going to serve as your collar in public from now on."

The Doctor took the tags in his palm, staring at them. Jack's dog tags. He smiled and looked up at Jack. His eyes sparkled and he wrapped his arms around the captain's neck. He didn't know why this made him so happy but something about the small gesture made his hearts swell. Jack held him for a minute, glad he liked the little token before pulling away gently.

"Come on. You're gonna be late. And I'm taking you somewhere special afterward."

xXxXx

He had been nervous the whole car ride over, but once he entered the classroom, he felt right at home. The Doctor had immediately set down his brief case and went for the blackboards. On the first, he wrote his "name", Doctor Smith, and on the second, he put a question.

"What is Mythology?"

He looked at the clock. Five minutes to eight. Students should be shuffling in any time now. The first to enter was a younger looking boy with glasses and dark hair that hung in his eyes. He kept his head down and only spared a passing glance to see his professor before taking a seat in the back of the room.

'Not particularly talkative, is he,' he thought to himself.

The next to enter were a pair of younger girls who looked his way and giggled before taking their seats. The Doctor realized with some degree of horror that they were part of that group from the bus stop and felt his cheeks grow hotter. Only his first day and two of his students already had photos of him getting snogged.

Next was an older looking man. He looked to be in his early forties, his hair going gray around the ears and he carried a leather shoulder bag instead of a back pack. Then, just as the bell rang, a woman with a clip board and a tape recorder walked in, immediately approaching his desk. She seemed very enthusiastic.

"Excuse me, doctor Smith," she began.

"Yes."

"My name is Madeline Howel. I'm in the midst of writing a novel and I would be so grateful if you would allow me to sit in on your classes for research."

Madeline looked like a creative one. She wore faded denims and a baggy sweatshirt, comfort before fashion. Her curly hair had a wildness about it that was barely contained by the scrunchie and a pencil stuck out of it. Those eyes though. There was a curiosity shining there, boundless and bright, that he found immediately endearing. Were he still traveling, he would have readily asked her to join him. She was exactly what he looked for in a companion. The Doctor smiled.

"Not a problem at all. Take a seat Miss Howell, though I caution you, today is a fairly simple day. When I get into the real stuff though you'll get plenty of material. I assure you."

With a wink, he turned back to face his desk and took up his role sheet. He had expected a small class but not this small. He would have thought a four person class would have been dropped. Probably Jack's doing.

"Alright, class. I am Dr. Smith. Welcome to ancient history and mythology. Now, I have your names here on this sheet but I don't much care for sheets and student numbers. So impersonal. Instead, we're going to go around the room one by one. You'll tell us your name and why you've decided to take this class."

He scanned the faces, settling on the boy in the back.

"You there, you can start."

The young man shifted uncomfortably. It was obvious he wasn't too fond of the personal introduction idea.

"I'm called Noel," he said. "I just like mythology."

"Alright," the Doctor said. "Bit short but it'll do. Welcome, Noel. Next," he called on one of the girls, a ginger. He was instantly jealous.

"Hey," she said, obviously not at all self conscious as she flipped her hair and looked around the room like she owned it. "I'm Chelsea. I took this class 'cause it seemed like it might be fun and Rochelle didn't want to take it by herself."

"So I take it you're Rochelle then," the Doctor said, talking to the brunette seated beside Chelsea.

"Yeah."

"And why are you taking this class?"

"I just like learnin'. It seemed like something interesting and I don't know much about it."

Looks like he was starting from scratch with this lot.

"What about you sir," he asked, addressing the final student.

"My name is Markus. I'm taking this class to get my own doctorate. Not all of us knew we wanted to teach mythology right out of high school Mr. Smith."

Wow. This one had a chip on his shoulder. He obviously wasn't happy to be taught by someone he thought was younger than him.

"Alright then," he mumbled, turning to the board he had written on earlier. "Today I want to have an open discussion. I want you to tell me, what is mythology?"

Markus spoke up first. "It's the study of ancient beliefs or religion and their place of origin."

"Wrong, next. Noel?"

"A body or collection of myths belonging to a people and addressing their origin, history, deities, ancestors, and heroes."

"No! You're spouting things from text books. That's the definition, that's not what mythology is. Come on. Some one give me something real, something from you."

No one answered. They all sat looking at each other as if the answer would pop up on one of their faces. Finally, Madeline raised her hand.

"Miss Howel, what have you got."

"Well," she started nervously, afraid to be wrong as well. "I've always seen mythology as a window."

"A window," Markus scoffed. "Oh please."

"Yes," she continued. "It's like a window into the minds of the people. Through mythology we can see how they thought and rationalized natural phenomenon. It shows the evolution of human thought over time by showing their thought processes."

The Doctor smiled. "That," he said, pointing in her direction as he looked at the rest of them. "That is brilliant. That is the kind of free thought and open minded, enthusiastic approach that is needed to appreciate mythology. Let's get started."

xXxXx

"Really, Jack. You look like a child whose just had their toy stolen," Gwen said as she sat at her desk, catching up with what had gone on while she'd been away.

It was true. The captain had been moping around like a kicked puppy all morning. Even now, he sat in a chair at the other desk, spinning idly and staring at the ceiling. Every now and then he'd let out a sigh of displeasure.

"Well I'm bored," he said. "There's nothing to do and my usual distraction won't be back until three."

"Why don't you go see where Lacy's gotten to? I'm sure she'll play with you."

Jack seemed to consider that for a moment. He hadn't thought about that. They hadn't really gotten to training her except for the basics. Maybe there would be something to do today after all. After ten minutes with her, Jack was convinced that he could and would train her to be a sniffer dog if it was the last thing he did.

"All right girl. Smell it. There you go. Now go find him!"

Lacy took off like a shot after sniffing at the fabric Jack held in his hand. She disappeared for a minute or two before hey heard a crash and a yell.

"Damn it, Jack!"

He winced at the angry Welsh accent that drifted down the hall to them. Gwen leaned over in her chair.

"What did you give her?"

"Ianto's jacket."

"I get the feeling you'll be buying him a new one."

xXxXx

The Doctor sat by himself in the courtyard. He knew he'd forgotten something this morning. The lunch he'd packed for himself was still sitting on the counter in the hub's kitchen. He had his fancy new bank card of course but ever since that school with Rose he didn't trust school cafeteria food and he had no idea where to go or what restaurants were around. Not to mention he would have to remember how to get back. No. He decided he was better off waiting until Jack picked him up to get something. He was hungry though.

"Oi! There he is!"

The Time Lord turned, hearing a familiar voice. Making their way toward him was Rhys and little Anwen in her pram. He smiled and waved them over. It was nice to see a pair of familiar faces.

"Hello! What are you two doing here? Not scouting already, are you," he said, tickling the baby's tiny belly as he made faces at her.

"She was getting' a bit fussy, thought she might like a visit with one of her favorite uncles," Rhys said. "Plus, we got a call from mummy sayin' Jack was in a state when he seen your lunch still on the counter. Thought you might like this."

The man reached into the storage basket beneath the pram and pulled up a take away box. The name of the little cafe Jack had taken him to was printed on the lid. He took it from the other man gratefully, flipping it open to show the panini he'd gotten last time.

"Oh yes," he groaned, taking a bite from it and appeasing his growling stomach before it tried to eat itself.

"So how's the first day goin' mate," Rhys asked, laughing as the Doctor ate the sandwich like it was his last meal.

"I think it's going rather well. I do have one student whose rather apposed to being taught by someone "younger" but the others really seem to be picking up on it."

They made small talk while the Doctor finished eating, discussing the house search, how parenthood was treating the young Welsh couple and what their other halves were probably getting up to at their own jobs. They couldn't help laughing at the infinite possibilities that came with Jack's mind for mischief.

"So are you doing the stay at home dad thing or is this just until she can start daycare?"

"I don't know if I want her in daycare to be honest. I wasn't plannin' on it bein' permanent, me stayin' home, but it don't make sense for Gwen to quit with how much she makes there. And it's actually been quite nice stayin' home with my little girl.

"Actually," he said, turning to look over his shoulder. "Do you mind keepin' an eye on her while I pop to the loo?"

"Oh. N-not at all," the Doctor said, trying not to let his worry show. What could happen in that short amount of time?

Rhys thanked him and went off to find a bathroom, leaving him alone with the baby girl. They sat there silently. The Doctor felt awkward, but what do you say to a baby? How was he meant to entertain her? Anwen wasn't giving anything away, sitting there and staring at him. She made a few garbled noises and waved her tiny arms at him but he didn't know what that meant. The little noises soon turned fussy and she waved her arms at him more.

"I...I don't know what this means," he told her, waving his arms back at her. She started to cry now.

"Oh no. Please, don't do that," he pleaded with her. "I'm sorry, but I don't know what you want."

She continued to cry, getting steadily louder as her mysterious need went unmet. What did babies like? He recalled they rather liked being held. He could try that. Carefully, he slid his arms beneath her, bringing one hand to rest beneath her head and brought her close to his chest, cradling her the way he'd seen others do.

Anwen calmed somewhat as he held her but she still wasn't happy. He could tell her a story. Did babies like stories? He knew older kids loved them but he wasn't sure if a baby would care for one or if she'd even understand. He figured there was no harm in trying and began to tell her about the time he and her uncle Jack had rescued a whole planet from their unjust ruler who was using the cure to a deadly disease as a means of controlling them. It had happened when Rose was taking a holiday with Jackie. The pair had decided to take their own holiday on Corbenaxica five. Of course, the Doctor had landed them in a not so peaceful part of the planet's time line and neither of them had been able to turn away from the promise of an adventure.

"Then your uncle Jack comes running round the corner, yelling at me to start running as well. We used to do a lot of that, running I mean. Sure enough, less than five feet behind him is a mob of royal guards demanding his head. So we ran down the hill and into the TARDIS, safest place in the universe. I thought they were angry at us for overthrowing the king. As it turns out, uncle Jack had made the princess a bit too friendly of a proposition."

Anwen had long since stopped crying and was looking up at him with interest. It was obvious she didn't understand the words but she was glad of the attention. The Doctor smiled down at her. Maybe he'd be good at this baby thing. She seemed to like him at least.

"You're uncle Jack's a good one for being too friendly. Though, I have to admit, it did get me in the end," he said with a smile. "Now we're having a baby too. I hope you two can be friends."

Little Anwen reached out and took hold of his finger in her tiny palm and he couldn't stop the smile that nearly split his face. She pulled his finger into her mouth and started to suck on it, looking up at him with bright blue eyes.

"You know exactly how cute you are, don't you," he said, laughing quietly as she used him as a pacifier. He just couldn't bring himself to mind it.

xXxXx

Jack pulled up outside the main gates and parked there. He got out to wait for his lover, leaning against the SUV. A mob of students and teachers poured out, making their way to their own transports. Of course, Jack tended to draw some attention wherever he went. Groups of giggling girls and even a few of the boys stopped to look. There had been a time where he would have tried getting one or more of them into bed, but those days were gone now. There was only one person here he was interested in.

The Doctor finally stepped out, scanning the crowd, obviously looking for Jack. Brown eyes lit up when they landed on him and the Time Lord made his way over with a big smile on his face. Jack smiled back, pulling the other man in for a kiss once he was close enough.

"So how did it go," he asked.

"It was great! More fun than I thought it would be. Small classes but it's better that way."

"Good." He held the Time Lord against him tightly, having missed his lover all day. "Now hurry up and get in. I have something to show you."

They got in the car, driving off. Jack was practically buzzing as they made their way out of town and into a more country setting. The Doctor looked watched out the window, wondering what Jack could possibly want to show him all the way out here.

"Jack, if you wanted car sex you could have said. You don't have to drive me out to the middle of nowhere."

"Tempting," the captain said with a wink, "but not this time."

"Then what?"

"You'll see. Not much longer now."

The Doctor sighed, impatient. He didn't want to wait. He'd been waiting all day to be alone with Jack but this wasn't what he'd had in mind. They took a left onto a dirt road so small you could easily miss it. Trees lined the driveway, their leaves beginning to turn lovely reds and oranges with the onset of the autumn season. Light filtered through their branches casting intricate patterns of shadows on them. It was beautiful, but the Doctor still didn't understand why they were out here.

"Alright," Jack said. "Close your eyes now."

"But,"

"Eyes. Closed. Now."

With another loud sigh, the Doctor closed his eyes. The car pulled to a stop and he heard Jack get out. His door was opened next and he was guided out. He yelped as he was pulled off his feet and into Jack's arms.

"Jack, what are you doing!"

"Just trust me," he said, carrying the Time Lord somewhere.

Of course, he couldn't be sure where he was going. It felt like stairs. He was set down on his feet again when they reached the top and the sound of a door opening reached his ears. Then Jack's hands were on his shoulders.

"No peeking," Jack whispered in his ear as he slowly guided the other man forward. Five steps, ten, stop. "Okay, open."

When his eyes opened his jaw dropped. It was gorgeous. To his left, there was a large, modern, eat in kitchen. On the right was a sunken living room with a fire place. Two hallways lead off from the living room on either side of it. The entire back wall of the house was one way glass, showing a gorgeous view of the field out back and the mountains beyond. There was a patio built on to the back as well. He could imagine spending mornings out their watching the sun rise together.

"Oh, Jack. It's gorgeous!"

"But there's more," he said, taking him by the hand and leading him down one of the halls to the second door on the right. "This will be the nursery."

The room was big enough to fit everything the baby could possibly need but small enough to be cozy. The carpet was mint green which the Doctor didn't much care for but it could be replaced. Jack took him to the back room now, opening the door to reveal a large room with hard wood floors and two doors leading off of it.

"This is the master bedroom," Jack told him, nuzzling against his neck. "Walk in closet, and en suite bathroom with whirlpool bath. And the other hall has a play room and an office space. We could park the TARDIS back there. That way she's always close by."

The Doctor was awe struck. It was beautiful and sophisticated. Not too big or too small.

"So, what do you think?"

He turned to face the captain, hugging him tightly.

"How soon can we move in?"