Just a short chapter of Doctor and Jack… insanity. I'm getting a little better at catching Jack, I think. Problem is, it seems like he covers a lot of deeper thoughts with his lightheartedness. I'm getting it. Watching Torchwood helps.

Chapter Four

The door to the Tardis blew open early the next morning, and Jack blew in with a self-satisfied grin plastered on his lipstick-decorated face. "God I love this planet!" he cried as he burst into the ship.

The Doctor looked up from the control panel and chuckled. "I can see that," he replied with amusement.

Cheerfully, Jack strolled up and peered over his shoulder. "You would too if you'd give it half a chance!" he pointed out, strolling to the control panel. "But enough about that," he continued. "Lemme tell you about the night I had…"

"Do I really want to hear about it?" the Doctor asked. "And is this suitable for a family audience?"

"Of course not! That's why I love Rasarnia!" By this point, Jack had recognized that nothing he said was going to pull the Doctor's attention away from the control panel. Exasperated, he walked up next to him and leaned against the panel himself. "So… What are we looking at?"

"I'm been trying to figure out a way to speed up the charging process without blowing a hole in the rift like we did in Cardiff."

"I see…" Jack replied, gazing at the screen. He was quiet for several minutes before he finally shoved the Doctor powerfully on one shoulder. "You jerk! You were going to leave me behind!"

"Actually, something's come up that I would like to leave a bit sooner to investigate," the Doctor replied, frowning, "but I don't think that's going to happen." He glared at the instrument panel, willing the energy charge of his ship to rise faster.

"What's up, Doc?" Jack asked, strolling over to peek at the panel.

"Something you wouldn't understand," the Doctor replied, briefly glaring at the other man.

"Try me," was Jack's retort as he settled down into the seat he had vacated the night before. "You might think that I'm a shallow, egocentric jerk, and… you would be wrong. I'm actually a very sexy, shallow, egocentric jerk. However, that doesn't mean I don't care. Besides, I owe you one for an incredible night in Rasarnia. And believe me, the women of this planet owe you too."

"Alright," the Doctor said, a smug smile falling over his features as he folded his arms over his chest and leaned back against the Tardis' control panel. "Any time there are more than one Time Lords in the multi-verse, we can sense one another's presence. Last night, I felt the presence of another Time Lord. Still do, actually," he added.

Jack lifted his chin and looked thoughtful. "I thought you were the only one," he stated the obvious.

"I did too," he said. "This came out of nowhere… almost literally."

"So now you want to go chasing through Lord only knows where to find this person who has been hidden for Lord only knows how long?" he asked.

"Well... yeah," The Doctor replied, as if that should be obvious. "For one thing, I want to know who it is that's scurrying about and why and how they've been hidden for all this time."

"And secondly…?" Jack encouraged, motioning him to go on.

The Doctor hesitated. "I can't get back to Rose on my own," he admitted. "With only one Time Lord, it's just not possible without blowing up two time lines. But with two Time Lords…" he trailed off, glancing up at the green cylinder that propelled the Tardis through time and space.

"Well why didn't you say so to begin with?" Jack replied, grinning. "I'd looooove to see Rose again myself," he added with a mischievous twinkle and a grin on his lips. Carefully, though, he eyed the Doctor. While Rose was a breathtaking beauty, he had more said it to get a rise out of his friend.

Apparently it worked. "Since you like this planet so much," the Doctor snapped, darkly, "how would you like me to leave you on it?"

"I can't say the idea doesn't have its appeal," Jack retorted, laughing. "But I think I'll stick with you. Come on, Doc," he added, flopping down so that he could take a peek at the Tardis. "Let's see if we can figure out a way to get you to that other Time Lord so you can get your girl back."