Jack kept close track of the time as he cooked dinner for the small group. About ten minutes before everyone was supposed to arrive, Jack took a fresh cup of coffee out into the living room to wake the sleeping Time Lord. The last thing he wanted was him to be startled awake by the others arriving when he wasn't feeling well. The Doctor had turned over on the couch so that he was laying facing the back with his knees curled up to his chest. Jack sat down on the edge, gently stroking the Doctor's head to wake him.
"It's time to wake up sweetheart. Everyone will be here soon for dinner and I have a nice cup of coffee to help you wake up," Jack cooed softly.
"I want tea," The Doctor whimpered without opening his eyes. Jack took a deep breath. He really hoped that the Doctor only wanted a cup of tea because he wasn't feeling well and not because he was craving the drugs again.
"Two sugars with milk?" Jack questioned softly trying to get an idea how the Doctor was feeling.
"Three," The Doctor responded showing how poorly he was. Jack kissed him on the side of the head before going into the kitchen to make the tea. The Doctor was sitting up on the couch when he returned. Jack handed him the cup of tea and he took it in both hands holding it close to himself. His hands were slightly shaking as he brought it to his mouth to take a drink.
"I can call everyone to cancel the party if you want to go back to bed," Jack offered, trying not to make the Doctor feel as if he was obligated to stay awake. The Doctor shook his head no. He took another drink of tea before setting it down on the table. He forced himself to his feet stumbling towards the bedroom. "Where are you going?"
"To dress," The Doctor answered. He felt horrible and he wanted more than anything to crawl back into bed to sleep. He wasn't stupid, though, and he knew what time it was. Martha would be home in a few minutes. It was too late to cancel the party despite Jack's offer. The least he could do was dress in his suit. Pulling out his trousers, he laid them on the bed then pulled out an undershirt, shirt, tie and jacket laying them on the bed next to the trousers. Staring at the suit, he then went for a pair of sock and a cream colored converse. Sitting down on the end of the bed, he started to unbutton his pajamas slowly to dress.
While he was dressing, Jack had everything ready for dinner, except for the steaks. He was heading to check on the Doctor when he heard a key in the door. Martha came in laughing as she was speaking to the Brigadier and Tish. Mickey was following behind them carrying the groceries that they had purchased. Not only had they purchased the steaks that Jack requested they had also got several other items including alcohol, and ice cream.
"If you will take the steaks into the kitchen, I will cook them in just a moment," Jack told Mickey. Mickey nodded heading towards the kitchen with the food.
"Where is the Doctor?" Martha wondered noticing that he wasn't in the room.
"He went to get dressed a few minutes ago. I was just about to go offer him help if he needed it," Jack informed her.
"Is he alright?" The Brigadier wondered. Jack shook his head no.
"I didn't witness it, but I am positive that he had another seizure this afternoon. He took a nap on the couch but he is still acting very lethargic," Jack explained to them.
"I'll come with you," Martha told him. Together the two of them went to the room to find the Doctor still sitting shirtless on the end of the bed. He had managed to get his trousers on but that was as far as he bothered to dress. He looked up at them as they entered not caring. Martha sat down on the bed next to him, taking his wrist in her hand to check his pulse. "Jack tells me that you might have had a seizure this afternoon."
"Did I?" He questioned. He didn't remember having a seizure but it would explain a lot towards how he was feeling.
"We don't know for sure," Jack informed him sitting down next to him. "I came into the room to find you tangled in the blankets. That and the way you are acting makes me believe that you had a seizure over a nightmare," Jack explained to him. The Doctor shrugged. He pulled his hand away from Martha reaching for his shirt.
"I'm fine," He snipped at her. It would have been more impressive if he hadn't followed it with a yawn.
"Alright," Martha agreed as she visually checked him. He was slightly pale and slumping half naked on the bed rather than holding himself straight. She could tell that he was tired but he was focusing on her and trying to make an effort to get ready. She didn't believe for a moment that he was fine, though. She expected that he would end up going to bed halfway through the meal but for now she was going to believe him. "Then we have a few things to discuss and then I will leave you to finish dressing with Jack." He reached out for Jack for support causing Martha to smile.
"I promise you that it is good news. As you know I took blood today and after you left I had the TARDIS run test on it. You will be happy to know that the drugs that you were taken have completely cleared your system. We are going to stop you taking the medicine to help with the side effects at the end of the week. We are also going to start winging you off of the medicine that blocks your telepathy so that your last dosage will be at the same time as the side effects medicine ends. If your seizures become worse, however, we may have to reaccess taking you off the medications."
"I want to feel her again," The Doctor replied softly.
"I know, but we can't put your health at risk just so you can communicate with her again," Martha told him. He glared at her but nodded. She turned to Jack. "I am going to get Mickey to start the steaks for you."
"Thank you. I will be out there in a moment," Jack responded. He waited for Martha to leave before reaching for the Doctor's shirt. The Doctor didn't stop him.
"You know it is okay to be not alright. Everyone out there knows that you are healing and no one would mind if you wanted to wear your pajamas or go back to bed," Jack told him.
"I know," The Doctor responded reaching for his shirt. With Jack's help, he finished getting dressed then made his way out to the living room. He put a smile on his face, but it did nothing to hide how tired he was feeling. "Alistair."
"Hello Old Chap, it is good to see you on your feet and in a better mood," The Brigadier informed him. The last time he saw the Doctor he had proceeded on scaring everyone out of the room. He shook Alistair's hand as the two of them headed to the kitchen table. While he had dressed, Mickey had cooked the steaks and the table was set ready for the meal. The Doctor took his seat next to Jack picking up his knife and fork. He started on his meal listening to the conversations more than participating as he ate. He only ate just over half his steak and majority of his chips with tea. Mickey, Jack, and Tish were making their way through the beers and by the time dessert was served Mickey and Tish were both pleasantly tipsy. The Doctor stuck with banana pudding, his head drooping as he ate.
"And he is out," Jack chuckled as the Doctor's spoon dropped. Jack moved the food out of the way to keep him from sticking his face in it as his head fell forward.
"He lasted longer than I expected. Why don't you take him into bed, Jack," Martha suggested. She hoped that he wouldn't sleep the entire night, but even if he did, with the way that Mickey and Tish were drinking they would still be there in the morning. No one commented as Jack scooped the Doctor up carrying him into the room. Jack removed his converse before tucking him into the bed.
"Love you," The Doctor slurred wrapping himself around a pillow.
"I love you too, sweetheart," Jack responded, kissing him softly on the cheek. He crept out of the room, closing the door softly behind himself. Taking a beer for himself he settled down at the table. The atmosphere was more subdue as it didn't seem fair that they were celebrating the Time Lord's recovery as he slept off a seizure in the next room.