[for the doctor]

[more_flexible]

Thursday was a spectacular day. Not too hot, not too humid, the sky was a gorgeous blue and the breeze stirred the air just enough. Jack woke with the sun and was finishing up the cutting of the treads. He had a pile of bamboo cut to length for spindles and he'd selected the nearby tree he'd use for the center support. Now all he needed was to assemble the spiral staricase up twenty feet or so, and then fix the landing so the short bridge would tie on.

Sometimes he was really happy with the bookshelf.

Comments

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

It did sting, and something on his back throbbed, but he nodded, ignoring them both. "Yeah, let's. Can I use the screwdriver?" he asked, passing him by to mount the stairs, a dark circle forming on his shoulder.

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

The Doctor frowned at the bruise, but handed Jack the screwdriver. "Here," he said, handing it over. "I'm sorry, Jack."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"It was just an accident. Don't worry about it," he grinned, installing the next tread. "Maybe we should get the bannister on before we get too much higher, though."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"Good plan," the Doctor agreed. "I don't suppose you've made that up already, all prepared and everything?" He gave Jack a sweet smile.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

He jerked his chin in the direction of a pile of long, young bamboo stalks. "I might have."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

The Doctor gently walked over and picked them up, testing the bend. He grinned at Jack. "Nice."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"I tried to be prepared," he said, adding one more step. "That, and Stu came by and told me what I was doin' all wrong, boy," he added, drawling like the Texan.

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"You young'uns don't know nothin' bout construction," the Doctor drawled in response, coming back over and fetching the poles as well as the supports for them.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Reckon I'm fixin' ta get this here thing built for ya," he snorted. "I shouldn't make fun of him. e's a decent guy. And he gave me his guns."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"Yeah...it was...I'm really glad you were able to find Ace. And that you all were all right," he said softly, handing up the bamboo.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Nothing to worry about...after her initial fit over us thinking she couldn't take care of herself. Which wasn't it at all. I told her I'd always come for her," he explained, securing the first segment.

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"At least you could make that promise," the Doctor said almost to himself, quietly, sad. He handed up the next bit and chewed on his lower lip.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

Jack stopped for a second and looked at him. "You could, too."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"She wouldn't believe me," the Doctor said, looking back at him. He saw something there that made him question. Maybe it was all the things they hadn't said.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"You're right. She probably wouldn't," he said as he held his hand out for another part, never looking away for an instant. "Of course, then again..."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"Say it," the Doctor said, handing it to him and settling his gaze on Jack.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Maybe she wants to believe it. That you would. But that's not how it is for any of us, is it?" he asked, turning away.

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"Oh, for fuck's sake," the Doctor muttered. "Quite being so fucking oblique and say what you mean. That I dump companions like misbehaving puppies on the roadside."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"We do talk to one another, you know. Ace and Sarah Jane and I. I know that you saw Sarah Jane again, and I know eventually you'll come for me. So...not exactly like puppies..."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"Come bloody off it, Jack," the Doctor said, still working at a similar pace while holding the conversation. "Just fucking tell me, I'm sick and tired of all this dancing around the subject. Tell me how horrible I am. I let Gwen slap me, you can slug me in the jaw, god knows I deserve it."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"I'm not going to hit you," he said quietly, an edge of venom to his voice. "And if you need punched, go ask Rob. Or House. Or Gwen. Or Ianto. Or Alcuin...although I doubt he'd hit you. Or anyone else walking and breathing so I can see just how replacable I am," he snapped, zapping the last of the bannister in place. "Is that off it enough?"

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"Oh, so god forbid I even flirt with someone in front of you," the Doctor snapped back. He'd known Jack being sober at that party had been a bad thing from the start. "The bedroom bit? Yes, that's rude. But oh, now I can't even talk to someone, snog someone, dance with someone. You're the one who came to me to end it, Jack. You're the one making promises. Don't throw that back on my head."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

He decended the steps slowly and walked directly in front of him, holding out the sonic screwdriver. "You wanted told, I told you. I think I can get the rest of this myself," he said calmly.

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"And now you won't listen to what I have to say in spite of it," the Doctor said, not moving. "Letting me draw my own conclusions?"

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"I left. You moved on. It hurts and there's no going back to what there was before. Calling me hero, calling me sweet...it doesn't change anything. You're as good as gone. I'll listen to what you have to say if it's anything different than what you've said before, but if this is just going to go around in circles, is there really a point?"