Jack took his time in the shower. No matter how hard he tried, he was unable to stop his thoughts from dwelling on the Doctor and Ianto. He was positive that he had ruined things with Ianto today except it wasn't fair to keep lying with the young Welshman when his heart was so conflicted. In the fifty-first century, it would be acceptable for him to have a sexual relationship with Ianto and an emotional relationship with the Doctor. Jack couldn't do that, though. They both deserved more than just half of heart. Ianto deserved someone that he could grow old with and that loved him entirely. While the Doctor deserved someone that could be with him through all his regenerations. Neither one deserved the pain they had received from previous relationships, nor the horrible abuse the Doctor received. Even if the Doctor could never love him back, Jack would make sure that he was taken care of and knew that he was loved until his dying day. Jack sighed reaching for the gun that he had brought with him. Taking aim, he silenced his thoughts for a moment.

By the time Jack made it back to the Doctor, his gun was once more stashed in his bedside drawer and there was no sign of the injury to his hand nor the gunshot wound that had helped to heal it. He had taken his time to shave, trim his hair and make himself look more presentable even if he didn't feel that way. He was surprised to see that the Doctor was sitting up in bed with his eyes open a crack. A cup of tea was sitting on a table across his lap and a long straw was sticking out of it allowing him to drink without help. He smiled softly as he saw Jack coming down the stairs towards him.

"Martha was supposed to tell me as soon as you were awake," Jack informed him as he approached.

"She said that you were with Ianto," The Doctor replied monotonously. Jack sat down on the edge of the bed looking into the Time Lord's eyes. They had a glossy sheen from the drugs that were racing through his system to try to control the hallucinations. Reaching out, he tried to brush a piece of hair off of the Doctor's forehead but he moved his head from Jack's hand. Jack dropped his hand as he tried not to sigh.

"Does it upset you that I was with Ianto?" Jack questioned him. The Doctor shook his head no even as he refused to meet Jack's eyes. Jack couldn't keep the anger out of his voice as he spoke again. "Good because it shouldn't. I was happy with Ianto before you arrived."

"I'm sorry," The Doctor whispered, still with no emotion in his voice. "Once Martha releases me, I can take the girls and leave if you want me to."

"Is that you want?" Jack wondered softening his tone slightly. It wasn't fair to take his anger out on the Doctor when he had only come to Torchwood seeking their help. It wasn't his fault that Jack still cared about him or that Jack was confused because of Cerys. The Doctor had never asked Jack to love him, only to help him.

"No, I want to stay with you," The Doctor answered after a moment. What he wanted was to feel safe after everything that had happened to him and Jack made him feel that way. He didn't want to take the girls back on the TARDIS, wandering lost and alone until someone else hurt him or caused him pain. How long could he protect his children by himself when he couldn't even protect them from the monster that they called papa. They could have a real papa with Jack. A man who would love them raising them to be happy rather than only knowing fear.

"You make me feel safe," He continued, his mouth getting ahead of his brain. Realizing what he said, he turned his head away, his face going red. Jack leaned down kissing the side of the Doctor's head.

"Then you can stay as long as you need to," Jack told him.

-DW-

The next few days were the same as Jack stayed by the Doctor's side whenever possible. The Doctor remained impassive as the drugs made it hard for him to think. He was still restrained to the bed but that was alright as he had little interest in doing anything besides staring at the wall. He asked about his daughters often and asked to see them often. The girls, however, were kept away from him not only for his own safety but theirs. They feared his reaction when the girls were taken as he became violent the first two times. While the Doctor understood their concern, the girls were too young to. They cried and Cerys acted out making it hard for Gwen to watch them. Martha and Tosh helped out when they could but Martha also had the Doctor to care for. Owen claimed he wasn't good with kids and no one had seen Ianto since his and Jack's discussion.

Jack stayed by the Doctor's side, caring for him and trying to get him to talk about what happened with the Master. The Doctor remained impassive, however. He stared for long hours at the wall not saying anything as he listened to Jack talk and the Master mock him. Every day the Master was becoming less clear but despite the medications he remained. Blood seeped from his forehead and chest reminding the Doctor of how he killed him to save his children. Only Jack being near him kept him from speaking to the Master and seeking his guidance. Jack's constant reassurance reminded him that he had a safe place in the universe, regardless of how small it was.

While the Doctor slept, however, Jack worked on clearing out an old storage room to make it a safe space for the Doctor. He took his time sorting out the files and packing them into boxes. He had Owen pick up paint on the way to work one morning and painted the room a soft blue. A bed was moved into the room that had restraints on the sides. A large armchair was placed beside the bed for Jack to use but other than that the room was left empty. Jack hated himself as he placed a deadbolt on the outside of the door in order to lock the Doctor in if necessary.

In the early morning of the fourth day, the Doctor was finally moved to the room. Martha made sure the Doctor was properly medicated before having Jack carry him through the hub. The Doctor looked around lazily as he was carried up one set of stairs and then down another. Martha opened the door for Jack and Jack carried him to the bed, laying him down on it. The Doctor squirmed happily on the bed relieved not to be restrained anymore. He turned on his side, curling into himself with a soft sigh. While he hadn't been flat on his back, due to being pregnant, his body was sore from laying in one position most days. He stretched out again, squirming as he rubbed his face against the pillow. Jack stood in the doorway watching the Doctor try to get comfortable. He tossed and turned before looking up at Jack.

"Lay with me?" He questioned. Jack closed the door behind himself as he crossed the room. Climbing up on the bed, he took the Doctor into his arms. The Doctor rubbed his face against Jack's chest. Jack looked down, seeing that the Doctor wasn't doing it because he was trying to get comfortable. His eyes were glossy and he seemed to be enjoying the feel of the fabric rubbing against his cheek.

"Having fun?" Jack wondered as he watched him. The Doctor stopped as he looked up at Jack.

"You're soft," He informed him matter of factly as he placed his forehead against Jack's chest. He took a deep breath in as he ran his hand on Jack's shirt. "And warm."

Jack lay there watching as the Doctor ran his hand along Jack's body feeling the different textures with interest. He seemed fascinated by each new texture along with how Jack's chest moved up and down as he breathed. Jack couldn't help but wonder what Martha had given the Doctor and if he would remember his wandering hands laters. Regardless of whether or not he did, however, Jack knew that he was going to give him hell for it later.