[for the doctor]

[more_flexible]

Jack left the clinic and went to the basement showers. He had no idea how long he stood there, washing away the blood and the dirt and the sweat and the worry. Gwen would be okay. She had to be.

The one very nice thing about the showers here was they never went cold...or they hadn't any time Jack had ever been in them.

A quick scrub and he left his bloody jeans behind in the waste bin, opting for the towel and M-16 ensemble as he walked in to pick something new and sensible from the clothes box. Something told him it was going to be a long day.

Comments

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

Something was up, and the screaming that morning had to have been part of it. It was more than the tsunami, too. On coming to the compound for tea, the Doctor had discovered just what it was and what he could do about it. Had to go back and fetch a few things, but...in the meantime he needed suitable clothes.

"You look like one of the Scots from the fall of Terrin," he noted, rummaging through the bin.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Yeah," he replied, his voice hoarse and thick. He pulled out a pair of underwear and put them on without hesitating.

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

The Doctor blinked, almost gawking. Something was far more up than just escape of dinosaurs, and...

Rob had been gone this morning.

"What's going on," he said, looking at him.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Gwen..." he started, then took a shaking breath. "Gwen was attacked by a pack of raptors near the TARDIS. Rob...Rob and Tosh did emergency surgery and drilled some holes...drilled some holes in her skull," he managed, digging dep and pulling out black leather trousers.

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

He gaped for a long moment. "Oh god," he breathed. Not just for Gwen but for all of them, because that was nothing minor to be doing around here.

And there wasn't anything he could say, 'I'm sorry' was rubbish, he'd learned that by now. "And now?" he said finally, asking what Jack was doing and eyeing the clothes.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

He sniffed hard to clear his nose and tugged on the pants. "Now? I was going to start with getting other people out of the area. I killed the pack, but if four got out, more got out and it's not safe. These aren't creatures you fuck around with."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

Jack...had been crying. The Doctor was almost stunned. Almost. "The council," he said, getting back to business, "was already on it. They've got a plan to get the fence back up, but it's going to take a while. I..."

His lips quirked. "I might have volunteered to lead a team for herding and containment, if you're interested."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Yeah," he nodded. It was a deliberate movement and anyone who knew him could see the easy, everyday demeanor was fast being subsumed by the Jack he could be. The one who spouted off orders without blinking. The one who didn't hesitate to shoot first.

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

He knew that Jack somewhat, and he met him with the Doctor, the one whose jaw set to steel and eyes to obsidian, no matter what the colour. "I'm going to go get a few things from the house. If I see anyone on the way back, I'll bring them."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Stu's pistol," he said quickly. "And rounds for the rifle. And..." he swallowed hard once more. "Ace? And Jane? Make sure..."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"Of course." The Doctor's eyes met Jack's, then softened slightly as he came in to meet him. "Jack?"

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

His eyes flickered weak for just a moment, then they were back to the stormy blue.

"Yeah?"

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

He leaned in and kissed him, careful and slow. It was a lot like he had been kissed once.

"Don't let it consume you more than you need," he said quietly, gaze settling, then turned to the bin to pull out acceptable clothes. Better shoes, some tougher denim.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"I know," he replied, licking the taste from his lips. "I'm working on it."

The Doctor had to know it was coming; had to if he knew Jack at all.

"I'm fine."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"I know. You know I had to say it." The Doctor kept plowing through piles, finally coming up with some steel-toed Doc workboots with ankle support.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Yeah. She just," he sighed and pulled out a shirt, looking at it for a second. There was a dark, round bruise on the inside of his elbow, like someone had driven a nail into his arm.

"It was bad. I haven't seen a wound like that in a long time."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

The Doctor's gaze flicked over the bruise, but he was certain Jack would deny pain regarding it. "I know you know, but..I have to say it. My campaign isn't going to be revenge. We can't afford that here, we're outnumbered, and the mess...think of the health risk with the bodies."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"I know that," he said, the sound of him rolling his eyes clear even in his tone. "Odds are there will be more prey than predators anyhow. Not everything is about revenge."

That was left with the four bodies near the TARDIS.

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"I just don't want anyone getting the wrong idea. Otherwise things will fall apart. You..." He paused. "You'll be a great help to me, Jack."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

Jack nodded and grit his teeth, pulling the shirt on. "You'd better hurry up. We've got work to do before anyone else gets hurt."