Jack didn't know how many days passed as the two of them took to the stars once more. Besides the Doctor's medications, there were no restrictions nor were there any time limits, appointments or anyone telling them when they had to eat or sleep. The Doctor felt alive again by Jack's side and together they explored forgotten cities and crowded space stations. They made love on sandy beaches beneath pure white stars. They climbed hills and trees alike as they walked on planets that had never seen life before, but most of all they ran. They ran from danger or for the thrill of it. Together they caused trouble and when visiting the temples of the Verdespobl they finally got the chance to run for their lives. It may have been the Doctor who touched the priceless gold statue that sat on the white marble throne but it was Jack who picked it up.
"Jack don't you dare," The Doctor yelled as they ran towards the TARDIS with several guards chasing after them. Jack still had the gold statue in his hand and with the other hand had reached for his own gun as a bullet nearly missed hitting the Doctor's shoulder.
"Get down," Jack yelled back. The Doctor ducked behind a large rock that sat to the side of the path, pulling Osiris with him to keep him out of danger. Osiris barked his happiness, his tails wagging as he enjoyed their game. With the Doctor and Osiris out of sight, Jack took the statue and held it high above his head. The guards all drew nearer, their guns pointing towards Jack's heart. Jack wasn't afraid of them. He could come back from a bullet.
"Put the statue down," A guard demanded. Jack looked at the Doctor out of the corner of his eyes. The Doctor smiled at him and he smiled back. The Doctor pointed at the TARDIS and then held up three fingers. Jack nodded slowly as he focused back on the guards. They were inching closer ready to grab Jack. He really didn't feel like being arrested, though. Seeing the Doctor's last finger go down, he threw the statue as hard as he could at the guards. They scrambled to catch it, desperate not to let the priceless artifact hit the ground. With them momentarily distracted they took off running again. They were almost to the TARDIS when a bullet lodged itself into the wood.
"They're shooting my TARDIS," The Doctor pouted.
"Just run," Jack yelled. The Doctor made it to the TARDIS first, snapping his fingers to open the door. He ran in and Osiris followed him on board. With his lover safe, Jack turned running back towards the guards. The Doctor watched on in disbelief as Jack tackled the guard holding the statue. He wrestled it out of his hands before two other guards came after him. He heard Osiris growl and a man scream as he dropped his gun. Jack looked over to see that he was unable to hold it with a dog latched onto his hand and Osiris looked as if he had no intention of letting go. Jack got quickly to his feet taking the statue with him. He started running again towards the door whistling for Osiris to follow him as he ran. Osiris easily overtook him going to the TARDIS first. Jack was thankful that he did because not even a moment later the ground exploded by his feet right where Osiris had been standing. With one last push, he made it away from the guards and through the doors. The Doctor slammed the door shut protecting them from the bullets as Jack collapsed to the ground giggling.
"I got it," Jack called out happily as he held the statue up. The Doctor dropped to his knees in front of his lover. Taking the statue, he broke all the laws of the temple and set it on the floor of the TARDIS.
"You are such an ape," The Doctor laughed kissing Jack. "Why did you go back for it."
"I thought it would make a nice decoration for my desk at Torchwood," Jack told him as he patted the statue on the head. Now that they were safe, he picked up the statue and actually looked at it. It reminded him of one of the flying monkies from the Wizard of Oz. It had a monkey body with large wings. Its face, however, was human. It was an ugly statue, but Jack felt that he earned it. He grabbed the Doctor pulling him down on his chest laying back on the TARDIS floor as they kissed again. The Doctor broke the kiss laying his head down on Jack's chest, listening to his heart. The grating was uncomfortable but Jack didn't make him move. He placed a hand on the Doctor's back just holding his lover. The Doctor rolled his head so that he could look at Jack.
"I'm hungry," The Doctor told him.
"There is a small restaurant that I use to go to when I was with the Time Agency. They make an excellent fake beef steak," Jack told him. It wasn't from a real cow as they didn't have cows on the planet. Yet, it still tasted like beef. The Doctor made a face at the suggestion.
"I would rather have real beef because you never know where the fake beef actually comes from," The Doctor told him. Jack adjusted so the Doctor was laying between his legs as he ran his hand comfortingly down the Doctor's spine.
"Does that mean that you want to return to London?" Jack questioned him. The Doctor thought about it for a moment then nodded. While he was having fun running, he had been gone for long enough. As much as he didn't want to admit it, he missed speaking with Dannyboy. While running with Jack had made him feel better, he had so much that he wanted to tell the psychiatrist. He had come to rely on Ian's opinion. Even if he didn't always agree with Ian, he had helped him to overcome many of the fears that he held after giving into the drugs.
"I think it is time," The Doctor told him. He started to try to stand up but Jack held him in place. He sighed laying his head back down on Jack's chest. His lover was never completely satisfied and he could feel Jack's member hardening between them. He reached down, taking charge for the first time. Jack had to stop himself from cumming quickly as the Doctor pulled down their trousers. He let the Doctor up as the Doctor took off his own trousers and pulled Jack's the rest of the way down. Without any coaxing on Jack's part, he positioned himself between Jack's legs. He took Jack's foot placing it on his shoulder before pushing himself into Jack's body. Jack let his head fall back with a thunk on the grating.
"Ow," Jack moaned. He lifted his head reaching to rub the back of it.
"Ape," The Doctor chuckled as he paused in his movements buried deep within his lover. Jack looked up and could see that despite his laughter there was a fear in his eyes that he was the one who had caused Jack pain. Jack reached out for the Doctor's hand and the Doctor took it. He squeezed it comfortingly as he let the feeling of love pour through their bond.
"You didn't hurt me," Jack reassured his lover. The Doctor kissed the side of Jack's ankle and Jack smiled laying his head back carefully on the grating. Once he was sure he wasn't going to hurt himself by slamming his head back again, the Doctor stared into Jack's eyes as he began to move again. With the Time Lord finally taking charge, it wasn't long before Jack fell over the edge. The Doctor was close and he thrust harder into Jack before finding his release deep in his body. He quickly pulled out after examining his lover to make sure he hadn't inadvertently hurt him.
"Are you alright?" He questioned sincerely.
"I'm fine," Jack promised him, sitting up. The Doctor picked up his own trousers and pulled them on before handing Jack his. Going to the controls, he set the TARDIS to return to London only a couple of hours after they left. Martha didn't need to know about their adventure any more than they had gone on a trip. In the morning, routines would start again but the Doctor didn't dread the idea. The routines had kept him safe when he was at his weakest and the continued routine of his medications kept him healthy. Pulling the handbrake, he sent them on their way.