More spoilers for the DW episode "The Doctor's Daughter."

No major adult content. Hope you like it. :)

Spare Wheel

Thirty-five: Cleaning Up

"How is he?" the Master asked urgently. "Can I see him?"

The Doctor licked his lips. "He'll be all right, but it will take a lot of time, I'm afraid. I'm sorry, but he doesn't want to see you yet."

"Did he say so?" the Master asked, sounding surprised.

"Yes, he did. You mustn't take it to heart, though. He's not himself right now."

The Master's face darkened. "You did this to him. How the hell could you leave him like that?"

"Don't. I didn't want to leave him. Let's stop worrying about the things we can't change now."

The Master turned away angrily.

"Master, the best thing you can do for Jack right now is to give him the space he needs. He's very resilient; I'm sure he'll be much better soon."

"What if he… doesn't ever want to see me again?"

The Doctor had never heard such uncertainty from the Master. He approached him slowly and laid a hand on his arm. "I'm sure it's not as bad as all that. We just need to reassure him that he's safe. Once he feels secure again, he'll want to see you."

The Master nodded, still not turning toward him.

"Listen, for now I have something very important I want you to do for me. I'm sure Jenny would like to help the Meddler find his TARDIS. I'd like you to go along and keep an eye on her. And take Gray along, too. He needs to keep busy. Can you do that?"

"Yes." The Master turned back to look at the others standing around the passageway. "Your daughter—is she a Timelord?"

"Not exactly. She can't regenerate."

"Is she… well, is she your natural-born daughter?"

The Doctor shook his head. "She's a sort of clone."

"Not hardly—she's a girl."

"Yes, yes," the Doctor said impatiently. "She's made from human materials and my DNA pattern scrambled."

"And what made you decide to have that done?"

"I didn't. I'd just arrived on a planet and the people there stuck my hand in this cloning machine that took a tissue sample, and—there she was."

The Master looked amused. "So… she's sort of your rape child."

"Not at all! Don't you dare say anything of the kind to her."

"All right. I wouldn't. I've no reason to antagonize her. You say it's your DNA pattern? How'd she end up so fetching?"

"Oh, stop."

"Are you sure she can't regenerate? There's no good way to test it."

"She died. And then after I'd left the planet, the life force that had been left there to make it habitable brought her back to life."

"I see. Well, maybe she just didn't know what to do. I mean, we've got the benefit of centuries' training."

"And the influence of the schism," the Doctor reminded him.

"Oh, details. We could teach her. It's worth a try anyway, don't you think?"

"I don't know. One thing at a time, eh?"

"Right." The Master went to Jenny who was getting acquainted with the Meddler.

The Doctor went to John. "How is Dair?" he asked him.

"He's stable. He'll be asleep for a few hours. Don't know what we'll do with him once he wakes up." John glanced at Gray, who was standing near Dair and watching him intently. "Gray seems to know him. I haven't asked, though."

"Time for that later. Right now, I'd like you to come with me. I need to get Jack back to the Tardis. I think he'll tolerate your presence better than the others right now."

"Really? If you say so." John followed the Doctor back to the room where they had found Jack.

Jack was sitting with his back to the wall, watching the door. He visibly relaxed when his eyes met the Doctor's. Then his gaze shifted onto John.

John retrieved the gun Gray had dropped and slipped it into his empty holster. Then he twisted the leather keepers into place. "You look like hell, Jack," he commented.

Don't talk to him like that! the Doctor thought, horrified.

But Jack showed a hint of a smile. "Well… that's where I've been lately. Comparatively, you look pretty good right now."

John grinned. "Thank you. Want to borrow my jacket until we get you to the Tardis?"

"Too small," Jack scoffed.

The Doctor kept quiet. He had forgotten that John had known Jack longer—and probably better. He helped Jack to his feet.

"Take it anyway," John said, pulling his jacket off. "You don't have to button it—I never do."

Jack took the jacket and shrugged it on, smirking at how tightly it fit around his shoulders. "Thanks." He reached out, hesitated and then pulled John into a hug. "It is good to see you."

"You, too. God, I missed you. We were worried sick." John didn't return the embrace, but he rested his head on Jack's shoulder. "I'm so sorry."

"It's okay." Jack moved back to kiss John lightly on the lips.

The Doctor took a look out the door. The Master, the Meddler, Jenny and Gray were nowhere in sight. River seemed to have gone with them, too. "Jack, you don't mind a few men in uniform, do you?"

"Not if they're on our side."

"They are. Let's go."

As the Doctor and John escorted Jack back toward the Tardis, one of Jenny's subordinates approached them.

"One of the scouts found these, sir—are they yours?" He held up a pair of boots.

Jack nodded and gave him a weak smile. "Thank you."

John took the boots and slung them over his shoulder. "Thanks, mate. We should get together later."

"Time and place," the Doctor muttered. John's even worse than Jack… worse than Jack was before, that is. Who knows if he'll ever be his cocky self again?

Once in the Tardis John set Jack's boots on the floor. "I'll get your coat for you—it missed you."

Jack smiled a little at John as he left. Then he looked around the control room. "For some reason I thought it would look different. But it's just the same." He grasped the front of John's jacket and looked down at it. "This thing's really not my style. Hope he's taken good care of mine."

"Actually, Gray has," said the Doctor.

"Gray? Really?"

"He's been using it for a blanket at night. Can't sleep without it."

Jack stared at the Doctor as if he couldn't comprehend his words. "What… do you mean?"

"He's a lot better. In fact, I've never seen such a complete transformation in a human. He never says a word against you. When he does say anything, he's expressing sorrow over hurting you." The Doctor paused. Jack was breathing hard and looked almost as if he were in pain. I hope I didn't give him more than he can handle, he worried.

"Doctor… he's going to be all right?" Jack took the Doctor by the arms and looked at him earnestly.

"He's not completely well yet, but he's doing so much better. Now we've got you back, I'm sure he'll make more progress." Seeing tears in his friend's eyes, the Doctor gently tugged him forward. "It's all right, Jack."

Jack hugged the Doctor tightly. "It's all I've wanted for so long… just for him to be okay again." He loosened his hold. "Sorry… I'm squeezing again."

"Oh, go ahead and squeeze." The Doctor rubbed Jack's back and kissed his face. "Come on, let's get you washed up. You can use my bath if you'd like."

"I thought you didn't want me in your room. You're going to have to remodel…"

"I don't care anymore," the Doctor said quickly. "It's not the least bit important. Anyway, you were right—why have two armchairs if I don't intend to let anyone in? Come on."

Jack looked much less uneasy now that they were walking down the Tardis's familiar corridors. He had stopped shaking and he didn't look around for danger as much. When the Doctor opened his door and they entered his private quarters, Jack headed for the bathroom and paused.

"Do you need any help?" the Doctor asked uncertainly.

Jack shook his head. "No. I'd just rather you stayed with me. You don't have to, though… I'll be fine."

"I can. It's all right." The Doctor returned to Jack's side and accompanied him into the bathroom.

Jack chose the oversized porcelain tub rather than the walk-in closet-type shower stall. He sat on the rim of the tub and started the water running, holding his hand under the faucet. He scooped up some water and drank it from his hand.

"I didn't think to ask if you were hungry or thirsty."

"A little of both, but I'll be fine for now."

The Doctor pulled a stool over to the tub and sat by it, wondering what to say. He wanted to help Jack relax, but he didn't want to irritate him with a lot of talking.

Jack surveyed the rack hanging off the side of the tub. "You sure don't hold back on accessories, do you? Soap, loofa, back scrubber, wash cloth, shampoo…"

"Well, why should I? It's like a well-stocked tea chest. The simplest comforts are sometimes the most important."

Jack smiled slightly and nodded. "Yeah." He began taking off John's jacket.

"I'll get some towels out of the cabinet for you," the Doctor offered. He got up and moved away to let Jack undress in relative privacy. He took his time selecting two large towels and wandered back after he heard the water stop running.

Jack leaned against the side of the tub and closed his eyes for a moment. "You have no idea how good this feels."

The Doctor smiled. Then he heard the faint sound of a knock from the other room. "That's probably John," he said. "I'll be right back."

"You won't let him in, will you?" Jack asked.

"Heavens, no. I don't mind you in here, but he's another case entirely." He picked up John's jacket and headed back through the bedroom.

John was waiting with Jack's coat over his arm. "How's he doing?"

"He seems calm for the moment. I think it's best to distract him for now." The Doctor took Jack's coat and handed the Napoleonic jacket back to John.

"May I come in?"

"I'm sorry, no."

"What am I to do, then? I'll go mad just waiting."

"He'll need something to eat soon. Could you get something for him?"

"Yes, of course. Right away." John immediately hurried down the hall at a jog.

The Doctor relocked his door and went back into the bathroom where he laid Jack's coat over a towel rack.

"There's a sight for sore eyes," said Jack. His hair was white and foamy with shampoo.

The Doctor smiled. "You look like a shampooing advert."

"Can't help it—I did a lot of ads in my day. Shampoo, soap, deodorant, breakfast cereal, sporting goods… all kinds of stuff."

The Doctor went back to sit by the tub. Seeing that there was still a lot of dried blood on Jack's neck and back, he took up a cloth. "Mind if I give you a hand?" he asked.

Jack shot a quick look at him. "Okay," he agreed.

Moving slowly, the Doctor dipped the cloth in the soapy water and began wiping away the dark, sticky substance. He paused to switch on the tub's filtering system. "This'll clean the water a bit," he explained. The water had gained a dull rusty hue from the dirt and blood dissolved in it.

"It's like a Jacuzzi."

A little later Jack made a small sound and the Doctor leaned forward to see his face; he was smiling. "What is it?"

"I just… had a funny thought."

"Do I want to know?"

Jack's smile grew slightly. "It's just that you're so gentle."

"What did you expect?"

"I don't know. But it kind of reminds me of my mother."

"Oh… okay. And is that a compliment in this case?"

"It is in any case. But frankly, she's the person I'd most like to be with right now. She always treated me like I was fragile when I was little. When I had a part in a satellite show she never let me do any of my own stunts, even though they weren't very dangerous."

The Doctor rinsed the wash cloth in the water and resumed his task. "She must have had a fit when you joined the Time Agency."

"Well… I was the man of the house then. Everything changed after my dad died and Gray disappeared."

"I'm about done here," the Doctor said, thinking it would be good to change the subject before Jack thought too much about Gray.

"Okay." Jack bent forward to rinse his hair under the faucet.

"I'll get you a dressing gown to borrow." The Doctor went back to his bedroom and opened the wardrobe. "Maroon… green—why did I keep that one? Blue…" He selected a long, soft blue robe and returned to the bathroom.

Jack had one towel wrapped around his waist and was using the other to dry his hair while the tub drained. He looked up warily when the Doctor came back in, but relaxed immediately. "That's a really nice bathtub."

"Thanks. I think it's a 33rd century—rather expensive model, too. But, as you've observed, I don't hold back on the simple comforts."

"Yeah, but you also never have any money. So I have to wonder…"

The Doctor held out the robe to Jack who took it and slung it around his shoulders. "This is nice too. Thanks."

"Yes, it's one of my favorites."

"So, where's Dair? We can put the Master somewhere else and let Dair have his room. Or Gray's. Or do you have another room with a good locking system? 'Cause I guarantee he'll be trying to get out."

"Jack…" the Doctor looked around the room as if some eloquent words would appear before him. "Wouldn't it be better to let him go?"

"What, just turn him loose somewhere? He'd go wherever there are humans and attack them. He'd get killed the first time around, by himself."

"Well, maybe we could leave him at an institution or something."

"They wouldn't know what to do with him. They'd have to keep him sedated all the time to keep him from killing anyone who tried to get near him. They wouldn't understand him."

"Do you understand him?"

"Yes."

The Doctor looked for any sign of doubt on Jack's face, but there was none. He sighed. "What if he got loose? What if he hurt you again? I couldn't bear that. And Gray—the whole reason you did this was to keep the Reavers from getting Gray again. Now you want to bring one of them right into the Tardis with us?"

"He's not one of them. He's not."

Jack's voice sounded strange to the Doctor. Pleading.

"It's all right, Jack. I only want to be sure you're safe."

"I can't leave him. We can't leave without him. Please."

The Doctor held his arms out and Jack stepped into them. "All right, I'll tell you what," he said quietly. "We'll talk to him when he comes to. I want to see him interact with you. If I think he's too lost a cause, I won't keep him on the Tardis. We'll take him someplace else. But if you can show me he can be human again, I'll see about making other arrangements. Is that fair?"

"Okay," Jack answered heavily. He nestled his cheek against the Doctor's shoulder. "He can learn. I'm sure of it."

The Doctor caressed Jack's head lightly with one hand. "Hey, you need a shave. I'll get a razor for you."

"You going to just take off and go now?" the Master asked the Meddler in his TARDIS.

The Meddler shook his head. "Not right away. I want to talk to the Doctor some more. I know I can learn a lot from him."

"So, you two are Timelords like my dad," Jenny said slowly, looking around. "And this is a TARDIS. Are there lots of Timelords?"

"No, not anymore," the Master said. He wandered around the control panel, examining it. "We'll give you a nice history lesson once we're all cozy in the Doctor's Tardis… I assume you'll want to go with us."

"Of course!" Jenny said, smiling.

Gray and River waited outside, hand in hand. When the others rejoined them, Jenny received a call on her radio.

"Yes, Sergeant?"

"The prisoner is coming to, Lieutenant. Shall we sedate him again?"

"Is he restrained?"

"Yes."

"I want to talk to him," Gray put in.

"Leave him conscious," Jenny instructed. "We're on our way back."

"Copy. Over and out."

"Be careful," River told Gray as he approached the military cot where Dair was tied down.

"I'll be fine."

Dair growled at Gray.

"Easy," Gray said softly. "I won't hurt you. I'm sorry I shot you. It was an accident."

Dair strained against the strong straps that held him.

"You can't get away, so you should stop trying before you hurt yourself worse."

For a moment, Dair continued struggling. Then he became limp and gave a bloodcurdling shriek.

"Hey, stop it."

"Jack," Dair groaned. Then he screamed it. "Jack, my Jack! My Jack!"

"He's not yours!" Gray shouted back.

Dair stopped screaming and stared at Gray, his chest heaving.

"Jack's my brother," Gray said more quietly, coming closer. "Remember I used to tell you about him? I used to say my dad and my brother Jack were going to come save me. Remember that? I said, 'I will never give up.'"

There was silence for about a minute as Dair searched Gray's face and his breathing slowly returned to normal. "I will find you," he whispered.

Gray smiled. "That's right. I remember—that's the last thing you said to us."

"Alena?"

"It's okay; she's dead."

Dair closed his eyes. "Good."

"She was in a lot of pain and we couldn't save her. So my friend John shot her." Gray put his hand over Dair's. "I thought they'd killed you. They took you away so long ago. Like all the others."

"All dead."

"I'm sorry." Gray squeezed Dair's hand. "The medics say you're going to be okay. Do you want to come away with us?"

"I want Jack."

Gray gritted his teeth. He felt the impulse to hit Dair, but he contained it. "You're not yourself, Dair. When you've been safe for a while you'll realize you can own things again and no one will try to take them from you. You can be friends with someone without keeping them tied up."

"I'm tied up."

"That's so you won't hurt anyone, including yourself. We're going to help you."

Dair pulled his hand away and strained as far back from Gray as he could. "I want Jack," he said, breathing hard again. "I want Jack. I want Jack."

Gray backed away. "I don't think he's going to listen to me anymore," he told the Master. "You'd better call John and let him know Dair's awake and asking for Jack."

"You don't really think we should take that wretched creature with us?" The Master asked.

"We can't leave him to himself. It would be kinder to kill him. So we've got to do that or take him along."

"I'm all for the former."

"Fine, but not without Jack's say-so."

In a new set of clothes from the Doctor's wardrobe, Jack finished up the meal John had brought him. Food had never tasted so good. He looked up when the Doctor came back into the room, but didn't pause his eating.

"John's got a message from the Master. I know you're tired, but Dair is awake and asking for you. He's restrained and there are people all round him. But you don't have to see him yet if you don't want to."

"Will you go with me?"

"Yes, of course. I can introduce you to that person I wanted you to meet while we're at it."

"I forgot. Who is it?"

"Well, it's a bit hard to explain, but she's my daughter."

Jack set his glass down and looked up at the Doctor. "Your… Yeah, I bet it's hard to explain!"

"Now, don't be like that. I'll tell you on the way. Are you ready?"

"I guess so." Jack put on his coat and sighed. "This is so much better."

"You look worlds better," the Doctor agreed. He took Jack's hand and led him from the room.

Gray and the Master had left the area by the time the Doctor arrived with Jack. He introduced Jack to Jenny.

"Well, it's a good thing you can't regenerate," Jack commented as he shook her hand.

"Why is that?"

"You couldn't possibly be more beautiful than you are now."

Jenny giggled.

"Stop it," the Doctor warned, but he felt relieved at the evidence that Jack had retained his cavalier personality.

"The patient is right through here," Jenny said. She led the way and they entered the chamber where Simon and several orderlies were keeping watch over Dair.

The Doctor stayed close behind Jack as he approached the cot.

"Hello, Dair," Jack said quietly.

Dair's eyes flew open wide and he pulled against his restraints. "Jack."

Jack cringed back momentarily, but then he moved forward again. "Dair, it's okay. We're going to help you. Just hold still."

"You lied, Jack."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean for you to get hurt. Gray wasn't trying to hit you."

Jack reached out to stroke Dair's face; Dair strained forward suddenly, snapping at his hand. Jack jumped back.

"Jack, come away," the Doctor said, putting his arm around Jack. He could feel his friend trembling again.

"No. I'm okay." He turned stubbornly back toward Dair. "Let's get something straight. I'm not your prisoner now. You're mine. I'm not going to let you hurt me anymore."

They stared at one another for a while. Then Dair spoke again.

"Kill me."

"No."

"Kill me!" Dair shouted hysterically.

Jack slapped him. "Stop that right now!"

Dair gasped and fell silent.

"Jack…" the Doctor said uncertainly.

Jack held up one hand, signaling the Doctor not to interfere. "I'm sorry it has to be like this," he told Dair, "but you need to grow up now. You have to trust me before I can trust you." He took Dair's head in his hands and leaned in close to him. "Do you want me to take you away like I promised?"

After a moment, Dair said, "Dad and Jack will come take me away. I will never give up." Tears formed in his eyes.

Jack backed away from him, shaking harder than ever. "I'm sorry." He sank to his knees on the floor. "I'm so sorry."

The Doctor knelt beside Jack and held him close. "Jack, it's not your fault. He's out of his mind—he doesn't know what he's saying."

"Sure, he does. He's saying I'm too late. I should have gotten him out of here years ago. If I'd kept looking for Gray, maybe I'd have found him in time."

"I don't think you are too late. Looking at him, hearing the way he talks… I think you were right and he can get better. But it will take a very long time. And a great deal of patience. You care about him?"

Jack nodded. "I don't want him to stay like this."

"Then I'll help you. But you have to remember that it won't be easy. He's sure to have bad days and setbacks."

"I know."

The Doctor kissed Jack's neck. "All we can do is try. If we fail, he can't be any worse off than he is now."

Still a long hard road ahead of us, but we're outta the woods! :p