The TARDIS flashed her lights at him as he stood in the doorway. He received a gentle nudging from her to return to her driver. Jack couldn't yet though. Taking a deep breath, he stepped off the TARDIS and into the night. He could feel the cool dirt beneath his feet, but he didn't turn around for shoes as he crept closer to the funeral pillar. As he did, he imagined the Master jumping up from within the flames. His body was nothing more than a burnt skeleton now, but he walked towards Jack.
"Hello Jackieboy," The Master grinned. Jack shook his head as he tried not to scream and the image faded leaving the smoldering pile of logs in its wake. Feeling ridiculous for being scared, Jack moved closer. Reaching the funeral pyre, he circled it slowly, looking for any escape route they might have missed. Anything that showed the Master had left before his body was consumed by the flames. Jack found nothing though, just a gold ring lying in the dirt close to the flames. He picked it up, bringing it close to his face so he could see it. He closed his eyes as he realized he was holding the Master's wedding ring. He wanted to throw it, to make sure that it burned with the Master. Instead, he found himself slipping it into his pocket as he continued his journey around the flames.
Reaching the TARDIS, he took one last look back before boarding. The TARDIS hummed angrily at him as he entered, blowing cold air on him as she did. Jack closed the doors behind him, heading up the ramp.
"I'm going," he reassured her as he past by the console and went straight into the corridors. The TARDIS had moved the Doctor's room to the second door in and as Jack entered the corridor he could hear the Doctor screaming. Jack picked up his pace a little, worried that the Doctor was being tortured again. Entering the room, he found the Doctor was still sound asleep writhing on the bed as his mind forced him to relive their days aboard the Valiant. Jack didn't even consider the fact that his feet were filthy as he climbed quickly onto the bed.
"Stop, I'm sorry. I'm sorry," The Doctor screamed as he thrashed trying to get away from whatever was hurting him.
"Shh, I'm here," Jack reassured the Doctor as he laid a gentle hand on the Doctor's arm. The Doctor cried out at his touch.
"No, please stop," He screamed. Jack swore under his breath as he reached up to the Doctor's head. As softly as he could he brushed the Doctor's hair back with his fingertips.
"You're safe now. He's gone," Jack whispered as he continued the gentle stroking motion. The Doctor calmed slightly, as Jack continued to whisper to him. "You don't have to be afraid. I'm here and he can't get to you anymore. You're safe." It seemed like an hour passed before the Doctor went limp again, his breathing evening out as he fell into a deeper sleep. Jack moved closer, wrapping himself around the Time Lord to provide him comfort as he slept. He tried to stay awake, but after awhile found himself yawning with exhaustion. Giving up, Jack snuggled further into him closing his own eyes to rest for a little while.
When he opened them again, he was alone in the bed. Jack found he wasn't surprised. He never expected for the Doctor to stay the entire night in his arms. Jack had seen from the start that the Doctor was afraid to go to sleep. He was as exhausted as Jack, but the thought of sleeping made him want to run. It was only when Jack agreed to stay by his side and wake him if he had a nightmare, did the Doctor finally agree to sleep. Getting out of bed, Jack stretched. He still felt the need to sleep, but the need to make sure the Doctor was alright was greater. Slowly he made his way out of the room and headed to the kitchen.
The Doctor wasn't there, but there was a fresh kettle of hot water simmering on the stove top. Jack walked over to it and poured himself a cup of water. Looking through the cupboards revealed the Doctor still had a small container of coffee. Even though the Doctor preferred tea, he had found out early in his travels that a lot of his companions liked coffee instead and always kept coffee on hand to avoid arguments early in the day. Jack finished making his cup, taking a long sip of the hot liquid. It wasn't the best coffee, but after a year of not having it, the taste was bliss. He took another long drink before setting out to find the Doctor once more.
He debated going to the library, where it wasn't uncommon to find the Doctor relaxing as he read a book. He nixed that idea as he remembered the TARDIS still needed a lot of work. Turning Jack went to the control room. Sure enough the Doctor was in there. He wasn't working though as he sat in the captain's chair with his feet up on the console. He seemed lost in thought, yet he spoke as Jack entered.
"Travel with me again?" The Doctor offered, continuing to stare at the Time router.
"I don't know Doc," Jack responded, moving closer to him. "I have thought a lot about my team this last year. I miss them, especially Ianto. I can't just abandon them or Torchwood to run among the stars anymore." The Doctor nodded.
"Will you help me to repair the TARDIS before you go?" The Doctor wondered, finally turning his eyes to look at Jack.
"Of course," Jack accepted. The Doctor wouldn't be happy until he could travel again and while he could do the work himself, with Jack's help it would be done quicker. The Doctor got a faint smile on his face.
"Thank you. She is still hurting from being a paradox machine and I have to help her," The Doctor explained as he stood up. He put both hands on the console as he looked down. "This last year was my fault."
"It wasn't. Don't even think that," Jack snipped at him. The Doctor winced at Jack's harsh tone. Jack softened it before continuing. "He is responsible for his actions, not you."
"I know," The Doctor sighed. He didn't sound as though he believed Jack's words. Only time would allow the Doctor to forgive himself if he ever did. "He was once my friend and I should have saved him. I couldn't though. All I could do was give him a proper burial, even if he didn't deserve it. I couldn't leave his body out there. Someone could get ahold of his ashes, so while you slept, I gathered them up and placed them in the morgue. I didn't know what else to do with them." The Doctor rambled. He paused as Jack wrapped him in a hug from behind.
"He didn't deserve you," Jack cooed softly as he held the Doctor. The Doctor let Jack for a moment. He then carefully moved away from Jack.
"Before we get started I want to examine you and make sure you're alright as well," The Doctor explained moving towards the medi-bay.
"I'm fine," Jack insisted, not wanting to go. Ever since he became immortal he avoided hospitals as he healed too quickly to consider stitches or receiving care for a broken bone.
"I'm fine too. Come on," The Doctor answered gesturing with his hand for Jack to follow him. Seeing the Doctor wasn't really giving him a choice, Jack set off after him.