4
Need: Whispers Like Prayers
When Jack finished his cold shower (and had he ever needed it!) he felt a bit more in control of himself. After pulling on a fresh tee shirt and a pair of pyjama bottoms he found the Doctor busily tapping away on one of the Torchwood computers.
"Hullo," he said, eyeing Jack a little shyly. "Been busy. Uploading all the medical information you'll need from the TARDIS. I asked her to replicate my blood supply and a few drugs you might find useful if something happens. Which nothing will because I'm officially out of the Universe-fixing business." He tapped a few more keys. "There, all done. Blood supply and drugs should be ready by noon tomorrow. You can get it from the med bay since you have all the TARDIS keys now."
Jack went to him and took is upper arms in his hands. "Doc, I know you think you can't go on right now…but the Universe needs you! You made a mistake, and I won't sugar-coat it, it was a bad one. But you didn't deliberately set out to destroy the Universe. Right now, I think the best thing for you would be a nice, warm shower and a good sleep. Maybe tomorrow you can look at everything with a fresh eye, yeah?"
"Whatever you think is best," he replied, hanging his head again.
Jack gave him a hug, then turned him in the direction of the shower and with a pat on the bottom said, "Go shower. I'll get you something to sleep in and make you a cup of hot chocolate, okay?" The Doctor looked at him over his shoulder and Jack gave him an encouraging nudge. "Go on, then."
He found a pair of pyjama bottoms and a clean tee shirt and put them beside the sink while the Doctor was showering. He paused a moment, watching the shadowy movements behind the shower curtain. Behind that flimsy piece of plastic was wet, naked Time Lord. He let himself gaze longingly for a moment, then forced himself to leave quietly and make the promised hot chocolate.
When the Doctor came out the hot chocolate was just finished, and Jack was just then pouring it into a pair of mugs. Jack looked at him as the Time Lord took his mug. Jack's bottoms and tee shirt were too big for him, and with his freshly scrubbed face and the big clothes on him, he looked incredibly young and, well, vulnerable. Adorable. And huggable. And kissable. And…stop it, Jack! he scolded himself.
When he sat down on the couch with his own mug the Doctor once more scooted over next to him, practically crawling in Jack's lap, and just how much was he supposed to take? Finally, he sighed and surrendered to his compulsions enough to drape an arm around the Time Lord. They sat cozily like that and finished their hot chocolate wordlessly. Jack took their mugs and rinsed them out, then nodded in the direction of his quarters. "Ready to hit the hay?" he asked.
The Doctor nodded, apparently still firmly in passive mode. As Jack walked by, the Doctor took his hand, again as if waiting to be led. Jack took him to the manhole that led down into his little private space and let the Doctor climb down the ladder first. Jack followed, rummaged around for a spare blanket and pillow and settled the Doctor on the couch near his bed.
He got into his own bed and turned out the lamp, laying there waiting to drop off so that he could get a little respite from the thoughts in his head. After a few minutes, he felt the mattress dip. Oh, hell, the Doctor was getting in bed with him? Seriously?
Apparently the Time Lord thought Jack had dropped off. He carefully snuggled up to Jack as if afraid he would wake his friend. Jack could feel him trembling and knew he must be feeling upset again. He rolled over on his side and pulled the Doctor close, letting him curl into Jack and bury his face in Jack's chest.
"Can't sleep?" he murmured.
"No," the Doctor said. "My thoughts just keep going round and round."
"Well, just pretend I'm an over-sized teddy bear and try to go to sleep."
"Thanks," said the Doctor, snuggling in gratefully. "Maybe I can sleep after we lie here and cuddle a bit. I like your cuddles, Jack. Guess I just need a good cuh—" the Doctor yawned hugely. "Cuddle," he finished.
Jack brushed his fingers through the Doctor's tawny hair and kissed the top of his head. "Yeah, he said. "You just cuddle to your hearts content, sweethearts."
It seemed like less than two minutes before Jack heard his breathing even out as the Time Lord slipped into sleep, apparently feeling safe and secure in Jack's arms. And damn it, Jack wondered, how is it that the Time Lord did it? How was it possible for Jack to just keep falling more and more in love with him?