The Doctor lay quietly listening to Kui'la read to him in Gallifreyan. She had trouble pronouncing some of the words but she spoke it fluently allowing him to have conversations once more in the language he had heard since birth. He never realized that it would be the little things that he missed the most once his planet was gone and not having someone to speak to in his native tongue was just one of them. He had hated the planet for so many years, running as soon as he had the chance. Now he just wanted to return their one last time. To wake up in the morning to the smell of the fresh air drifting through the barn before watching the sunrise over the silver trees making them look as if the forest were on fire. He wanted to go into the small house he grew up in and be greeted by the scent of the fresh bread baking. Most of all, he wanted to see his mother, children, and his beloved Susan one last time and beg for their forgiveness for his part in ending the war. The loneliness that he felt after all the other Time Lords were ripped from his head was what caused him to regenerate into his ninth body. Rose helped alleviate a lot of that loneliness, and then when she was gone, he turned to Jack. Reaching out, he found Jack's hand squeezing it in what he hoped was a comforting gesture as he continued to listen to his daughter.
"Do you want your tea?" Jack questioned him softly.
"I don't want to move my head," The Doctor admitted. Jack squeezed his hand again releasing it as he stood up. The Doctor heard his heavy footsteps leaving the room but they returned less than a moment later. Jack sat down on the edge of the bed again.
"Open," Jack told him. The Doctor furrowed his brow to show his confusion as he listened to Jack. Normally, he wouldn't trust such a request without opening his eyes first as he never knew what the Captain was up to, but with their daughter, in the room, he trusted that it would be nothing inappropriate entering his mouth. A small smile crossed his face as he felt the straw against his lip and he latched onto it taking a long drink of the tea. He drained the cup quickly finishing it off with a slurp. "More?"
"Please," the Doctor agreed, the small amount of tea had reminded him how thirsty he actually was and he felt as if he could finish off several cups. Then the only problem would be getting up in order to use the loo. Jack made him a second cup and he drained that one as well, then took a smaller drink from the third cup before deciding that he was done. His stomach felt warm from the tea and he yawned sleepily. Taking Jack's hand once more, he left himself drift as he held the warm hand and listened to the soothing words of his daughter reading in Gallifreyan. None of it helped his headache, but it comforted him having them with him. His head continued to throb and he took Jack's hand laying it on his forehead hoping to use the heat to alliviate it. A soft knock on the door caused him to turn his head and he immediately regretted the decision as a moan escaped as he closed his eyes again.
"Can I help you, Tosh?" Jack asked, not looking at Tosh as he stared at his lover.
"Sorry to interrupt, but Owen and I were going to order pizza for the hub and we're wondering if you wanted us to order you anything?" Tosh questioned.
"No," The Doctor whispered.
"I want pepperoni," Kui'la spoke up happily. He saw the Doctor visibly wince as she raised her voice to make sure that she was heard.
"A small pepperoni and my usual. Order extra for when Gwen and Martha get here," Jack told her keeping his voice soft.
"I will," Tosh reassured him lowering her voice as well. "Kui'la do you want to come with me to get the pizzas?" Normally, they just ordered the pizzas for delivery but she could tell the Doctor wasn't feeling well and even if he was enjoying his daughter's company resting quietly would probably be better for his head.
"Yeah," Kui'la agreed scrambling off the bed. Jack mouthed the words thank you to Tosh and she winked at him as she took Kui'la's hand disappearing down the corridor.
"Do you want a bath?" Jack questioned the Doctor once they were gone.
"A bath sounds lovely but I don't want to move," the Doctor admitted with a sigh.
"I could carry you that way you don't have to," Jack offered.
"Alright," The Doctor agreed. Jack moved the blankets off the Doctor's legs, helping the Doctor to slide down his pants and trousers. He then carefully slid his arms underneath the Doctor with one beneath his legs and the other his back. He slowly started to lift the Doctor off the bed as the Time Lord tensed in his arms. He gripped Jack's shirt tightly as he tried desperately not to get sick on the Captain. Jack was careful, though, as he took the Doctor fully into his arms carrying him towards the bathtub. The TARDIS had already filled the tub in anticipation of her thief. Jack gently lowered him into the water, staying in place until the Doctor released his grip as he allowed himself to relax in the warm water. The TARDIS dimmed the lights in the room and he could smell a soft scent coming from the water that he knew was supposed to help soothe his head. He breathed it in, willing it to work as he relaxed. Beside him, he could hear Jack's gentle even breathing as he sat with him. The Doctor opened one eye as he felt a cloth press against his chest. He rolled his eye, letting it close again as Jack cleaned his body washing away the sweat from laying in bed all day. When he was finished, Jack carried him back to his room. He helped him dry off and dress in a pair of night clothes before tucking him back in the blankets.
"How's your head feeling?" Jack wondered.
"A little better," The Doctor answered.
"Well, Martha should be here soon and then hopefully she will be able to find a solution to your headaches," Jack told the Doctor.
"While I hope she can, I don't think she will be able to. The TARDIS and I both have been working on the problem and the only solution I have found is just waiting for it to go away on its own," the Doctor sighed.
"I'm sorry," Jack apologized.
"It's not your fault. I've had headaches more often in this body. Part of it comes from my energy levels being destabilized when I was woken up early during my regeneration sickness. It wasn't Rose's fault that she woke me early, but Jackie wouldn't let me tell her what I needed to help with my head at that time making it go on for longer," the Doctor complained softly.
"Is there anything else that I can do to help?" Jack wondered.
"Lay with me," the Doctor told him. Jack kiceked off his shoes crawling up on the bed. He took the Doctor carefully in his arms as he laid with him. The Doctor kept his head as still as possible as he turned his body towards Jack. Jack held him half way on his side, letting the Doctor rest while they waited for Martha's arrival.
