Ch 7

Jack went still with indecision. Part of him wanted to rush out of the tent and hold the obviously distressed Time Lord in his arms. The other part of him feared that the cause of it was his recent actions and he wasn't sure he could deal with that just yet.

So he took the easy way out, and crawled back into his sleeping bag, hoping the morning would bring more clarity of thought and a way to broach the subject without causing further harm.

Sometime in the night The Doctor had slid back into the tent and into Jack's arms without waking him. He was clearly not asleep, even though his eyes were closed and he was breathing steadily to give the appearance that he was. He waited until Jack opened his eyes to stretch and yawn as if coming awake. Turning in the ex-Time Agent's embrace to face him, he smiled, "good morning."

Jack didn't have the heart to interrupt this peaceful scene, even though he knew it was further acting on The Doctor's part, the smile seemed almost genuine. He allowed himself a light kiss to the smiling man's forehead and rolled over on his back.

The Doctor stared at him, for a moment, probably gauging Jack's 'morning after' reaction to him, trying to figure him out. Jack could feel the intensity of his gaze but couldn't look him in the eye, remembering the scene at the fire last night, still seeing the trail of tears...

Before he could say another word the Time Lord was out of the sleeping bag on his feet and chattering away about proposed activities for the day.

Finally Jack could hold back no longer, "Doc, we have to talk," he ventured. The minute the words left his mouth he could feel the tension rise in the air of the small tent.

"I'll make coffee..." The Doctor continued as if Jack had not spoken.

"I saw you crying last night," Jack decided to stop pussy footing around and come straight to the point.

At that the Time Lord stopped his almost manic movements and went still. Jack climbed out of the sleeping bag to stand in front of him, "I know I hurt you, and I'm sorry..."

"It's not..." The Doctor started, taking a deep breath, "you're not why..."

"Talk to me, please?" Jack pleaded as he saw the guarded look in the dark eyes that seemed to be so far away now.

"It's just been a long time since..." he stopped clearly searching for the right words, his voice soft and dream like, "and...it…just brought back a lot of memories."

"Good or bad?" Jack asked.

"Both," then as if someone had flipped the channel a bright smile appeared on The Doctor's face, "right! Coffee, then lambs! Get dressed and I'll meet you outside." With that he pulled away from Jack's concerned gaze and bounded out of the tent.

Jack groaned in frustration, he wanted to grab the thin Time Lord by the shoulders and shake him until his teeth rattled. He had seen the pain in those large dark eyes, and had almost thought for once that The Doctor would open up to him, but in a flash the moment was gone. The wall that he built around himself was back up, perhaps stronger than ever.

Instead he threw his clothes on and joined The Doctor at the now roaring fire, "you can't pretend yesterday didn't happen," he started after accepting a steaming cup of coffee.

"And I don't want to," the Time Lord replied, "please don't think I regret it," he reached out and touched Jack on the cheek.

"You were inside my head!" Jack pulled away and stood up, eyes blazing, "you were only reacting to what I wanted you to do, you can't have enjoyed it!" he growled, "I hurt you!"

The Doctor looked up at him unblinkingly; even in his anger Jack wondered what was going on behind those unreadable eyes. "Pain isn't always a bad thing," he finally responded, his voice barely above a whisper.

Then he looked away from Jack and stared into the fire.