The Doctor woke up stretched out in the bed alone and pleasantly sore. He would have been completely relaxed except for the fact that his head was hurting. For the first time ever his body had moved with Jack's without pain. Instead, he was able to stare into the eyes of his lover as Jack showed him how much he loved him. He had missed Jack the last week when they had shared a bed but not communicated. Now he had him back, he wasn't going to ruin it. As much as he still wanted to find the man in the park again, every day it was getting easier. He no longer had the cravings that made his body weak, even if there were still times he wanted just a small taste of it. Soon he would be clean and he could ask Martha to release the medical injunction that she had placed on him. Even if he thought that she should release him now, there was no point asking until the TARDIS allowed him back on.
He didn't know what would happen once he was released. What he wanted was to travel the universe with Jack by his side. Jack had told him before that he wouldn't travel with him and normally he didn't ask anyone twice. The problem was that needed Jack. He didn't know if he could rely on a new companion to stop him the way he could rely on him. Jack was also his lover and he didn't want his hearts to break again. He had suffered more losses in his life then anybody should have to bear. He felt he had the right to be selfish and hold onto the little bit of happiness that he had found in the universe.
Feeling slightly queasy, he unburied his head, looking out into the sunlit room. He could smell that someone was cooking and his stomach growled. A quick calculation on time told him that it was Jack who was cooking as Martha would still be at work. He wanted to go out to see Jack, except the light, was bothering him so he hid his head again beneath the blankets. His head was steadily getting worse and he moaned in discomfort. He was no longer comfortable. He just wanted a cup of tea and then to go back to sleep.
"Jack," he whimpered scared by how bad the headache was getting. He tried to call out again except a moan escaped instead. He grabbed his head curling into himself as his world went dark.
-DW-
Jack spent a few hours prepping their dinner to make sure everything was perfect for the Doctor's celebratory dinner. He was going to make steak with mushrooms, onions, garlic, and pan sauce. They were having chips on the side along with mixed vegetables for everyone but the Doctor. Then dessert was going to be banana pudding made with fresh bananas. He had also made a chocolate pudding for those who didn't want the banana pudding or for people like the Doctor who he suspected would be having both. He made sure that the puddings were in the fridge and that the vegetables were cut before he even considered waking up the Doctor. He wanted to give the Doctor a chance to shower and dress in his suit before the others arrived. Making a cup of coffee, he went into the bedroom with it as a peace offering.
"Oh, sweetheart not again," Jack sighed. The Doctor was still sleeping peacefully. It was only the fact that the blankets were twisted and he was laying sideways that gave away that something wasn't right. Jack suspected it was another seizure over a nightmare but only by waking him would he be sure. Setting down the coffee on the bedside table, he sat near the Doctor's head. He hoped silently that he was wrong as he gently stroked the Doctor's head.
"Jack," The Doctor whined after a moment, trying to pull away from Jack's hand. Jack tried to keep from swearing as his fear was confirmed by the Doctor's reaction to being woken. The Doctor squirmed so that his head was rested on Jack's thigh as his eyes closed again.
"I take it you're feeling pretty lousy, huh," Jack commented. He really didn't want to cancel the small celebration that he had planned for the Doctor, though. It would be nice to see everyone and have a moment to relax without having to worry about his lover. He had hoped the Doctor would be excited now he was worried about him again.
"Yeah," The Doctor agreed, rubbing his head against Jack's leg. His breathing was starting to even out, but Jack didn't want him to go to sleep. He ran his hand down to the Doctor's shoulder, giving him a gentle shake. The Doctor opened his eyes to glare at him as he moved his hand back up to run his fingers in the hair behind the Doctor's ear.
"I know your still tired Doctor, but I think you should consider getting up so that you can shower before our guests arrive," Jack suggested. He stopped himself from going so far as to suggest the Doctor wore a suit because at this point he knew he would be lucky just to get the Time Lord out of bed.
"Who's coming?" The Doctor questioned sleepily. Jack was tempted to make an inappropriate comment but bit it back due to the Doctor not feeling well.
"Martha is coming home and with her, she is bringing Mickey and the Brigadier. Her little sister Tish is also coming over to help us celebrate," The Doctor looked up at him confused.
"What are we celebrating?" He questioned.
"You," Jack informed him. The Doctor groaned. Smiling Jack kissed him on the side of his head as he continued to run his fingers through the hair behind his ears. "Don't give me that. We both know that you love being the center of attention, even if you don't like being thanked. This party is to celebrate how far you have come this last month. We are going to have a nice meal with a dessert I know that you will like."
"Is Sarah joining us?" The Doctor whispered.
"We thought about inviting Sarah Jane, but we didn't think you would want her here quite yet," Jack told him. The Doctor shook his head no. While he had forgiven all of them for holding him against his will to help get his body clean, he still hadn't forgiven Sarah for allowing Martha to take away his rights. Jack glanced at the time. As much as he wanted to stay here in the bed with the Doctor, he needed to finish cooking dinner. The others would be arriving soon and with the Doctor feeling sick he was probably going to have to help him to shower if he wanted one. He stopped stroking the Doctor's head causing the Doctor to turn it slightly to look up at him. "I know you're comfortable, but I need to finish cooking dinner. So I need to know if you want to get up and shower or do you want to lay here until the others arrive?"
"Yeah," the Doctor replied not really answering Jack's question. Jack sighed.
"Shower or sleep?" He questioned simplifying it for the Doctor.
"Shower," The Doctor responded even if he still made no attempt to move.
"Good choice," Jack chuckled. He helped the Doctor up. The Doctor stumbled towards the shower and Jack helped him. Jack undressed the Doctor, before undressing himself. He then supported him as together they climbed into the tub. He wondered briefly if a shower was a bad idea as the Doctor leaned sleepily against him letting Jack wash his body. Once the Doctor was clean, he dressed him again in his pajamas. The Doctor didn't complain as Jack steered him towards the couch. He was asleep almost immediately upon sitting down. Jack helped him to turn on his side, resting his head on the arm as he watched him. The Doctor's breathing was even and the best thing for him was to sleep if he needed it. Leaving him to rest, Jack went back into the kitchen to finish cooking.