Jack thought he'd lost it when he heard the familiar noises of the Tardis and a moment later the Doctor sauntered into his office and gave him a wide grin.

"I thought you'd be happier to see me."

Jack couldn't believe it. He was staring at the Doctor unable to say anything. He'd thought he'd never see him again. He'd hurt both Ianto and John trying to deal with that. And now he just stopped by? Just like that?

"What's up with you?"

"You told me to get lost."

"What? When?"

"You were standing right here in my office telling me to get out of your life."

"I haven't a clue what you're talking about."

Jack clenched his teeth.

"Don't fuck with me."

"Jack, I've never been in your office before."

He turned around taking it in.

"It's nice. Could use a little paint though."

Jack followed his gaze. Right. The spot on the wall where he'd hit it...he forced himself back to the present.

"Wait a minute. Why can't you remember?"

"Remember what?"

"This."

Jack showed him the footage of their conversation. The Doctor shook his head.

"That's not me."

"Sure looks like you!?"

The Doctor was silent for a moment. Could it be...?

"Tell me Jack, was he a time lord? I know you can sense these things. Was he?"

"What do you mean a time lord? You're the last one."

The Doctor just kept looking at him. Jack shook his head.

"No! He's dead. He died in your arms!"

He didn't like the sound of that. "He died refusing to regenerate!"

"There were rumors of a cult trying to bring him back. What if it's true, what if they succeeded?"

"But how did he do it?"

"He might have gotten my personal imprint when I held him... Assuming he found some sort of mimic device all he had to do was feed that imprint into the device and voila. He's good."

"But why would he come here?"

The Doctor sat down in Jack's chair. More to himself than to Jack he said:

"Probably some sort of personal project. Obviously he thinks you're worth torturing..."

"What?"

He looked at Jack with a small smile.

"He's jealous."

Jack went over and squatted down.

"Of what?"

The Doctor still looked him straight in the eye.

"Of you."

Jack's eyebrows rose. Very softly the Doctor went on:

"Of what you mean to me."

And just like that Jack was speechless again.

"We're connected, Jack. I can feel you. That's why I came: to find out what's wrong with you."

Jack's eyes closed and a smile started to spread on his face. Relief.

"I'm fine."

The Doctor's smile widened.

"Looks like now you are."

Jack opened his eyes and they looked at each other for a long moment. And then the Doctor jumped from Jack's chair.

"I have to go. I have a time lord to take care of."

TBC