Title: The Question
Rating: K+
Pairings: Doctor/ Rose, kind of anyway!
Set: Post 'The Doctor Dances'
"Look, I consider you a friend, okay," Jack said, leaning heavily against the TARDIS console next to where the Doctor was diligently working, "I mean you saved my life, right? I guess that pretty much makes us pals for life. On my part anyway."
The Doctor glanced up at him momentarily before turning back to carry on with his work.
"And you see when you become pals with someone," Jack explained, folding his arms across his chest, "There's certain rules that come into force that need to followed. Especially the ones about women, cause they're the ones that cause the most grief."
He saw the muscle in the Doctor's cheek twitch.
"Pals never ever cross into each other's territory, right?" Jack reasoned, "That's just really low and despite what you might think of me, I'm not like that."
The Doctor continued to work.
"So," the rouge traveller continued, "As your pal I need to get something straight with you. Rose is sexy. I mean she is really so hot, you could fry eggs on her skin. Preferably when she's naked."
The Doctor shot him an angry glare which Jack chose to ignore.
"Anyway, as you can probably imagine I'm pretty fond of her."
The twitch in the Doctor's cheek returned stronger than before.
"But I'm getting this vibe that you're pretty fond of her yourself though. And as I pal I have to respect that. So as I see it I'm duty bound to ask you and you need to tell me straight – what's the deal with you two?"
The Doctor stood up straight, looking steadily at the other man who didn't falter at his gaze.
"Just say the word," Jack promised, "And I'll back off. Under the laws of palhood, is she out of bounds?"
The Doctor nodded, his jaw resolutely set, "She's out of bounds."
A broad smile grew across Jack's face and he patted the Doctor firmly on the back before heading out through the rear door.
"Well?" Rose asked nervously as soon as the door was tightly closed and she was sure the Doctor couldn't hear them.
Jack's grin reappeared, "Yeah, he definitely loves you."
Rose beamed happily.
"Thank you."
"Any time."