[ace, doctor, cuddy]

[more_flexible]

He'd talked to House. That was...what was today? He'd talked to House on Monday. That had to be days ago.

Jack was in his hut. He'd been there...days, maybe. He had some water, and he'd eaten something. Maybe a while ago, he couldn't remember.

Is this what it was to have a broken heart? Had he done this to people? Had he done this to people all over time and space?

Had he done this to people here?

Fuck it. Jack rolled over and pulled the sheet up over his face. If anyone needed him, they'd know where to find him or who to ask. It's not like he was going anywhere.



[dual duty because I'm lazy. this is for ace, cuddy and the doctor. he's still not talking, so I'm really sorry if these go short or die.]

Comments

[doctorcuddymd.livejournal.com]

Her hands reached down, one taking his and the other brushing the hair from his face.

"He didn't hit you, did he?"

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"No," he replied quickly. "No, he didn't. He wouldn't."

[doctorcuddymd.livejournal.com]

Her hand caressed his cheek and she kept her eyes on his. "You promise me."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Lisa, I promise. He didn't hit me," he said steadily.

The wall? The wall was another matter entirely.

"We just talked. Yelled. Cried...whatever. It doesn't matter."

[doctorcuddymd.livejournal.com]

She nodded again, seeing both that he wasn't hiding it from her and that there were no bruises. Her hand squeezed his, and she smoothed his hair once more, noting the thickness.

"I'm not going to sit here and grill you. You know that, right?"

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"I know. I appreciate it, really. I've just been going over and over it. And over it. How the hell do people deal with this, Lisa? Really? How do people move on?"

[doctorcuddymd.livejournal.com]

"That whole thing about time healing wounds?" she asked, squeezing his hand gently.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"That's bullshit. I've travelled through time. It doesn't heal anything," he said quietly, almost bitterly. "And living through it slowly just grates. You know, I've been here a year almost? I told you that, right?"

[doctorcuddymd.livejournal.com]

"You did," she nodded. "And you're right. It is bullshit, time doesn't heal anything. It never goes away, Jack. Somehow we just learn to bear it."

Her eyes dropped before looking to him again.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Yeah," he sighed, reaching over to run his fingers down her back lightly. Just the tips ghosted over the scars beneath her clothes. "I'm working on that."

[doctorcuddymd.livejournal.com]

His touch was welcomed and it gave a brief, fleeting hope it'd be all right. "Let's get you cleaned up," she said.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

Jack looked around his hut, then at her with an arched brow. "I'm fresh out of indoor plumbing, pretty lady," he said.

[doctorcuddymd.livejournal.com]

"Then come to the showers with me," she said. "I won't let anyone bother you."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Lisa, that's sweet...but really. I stink," he smiled. Really smiled. His new growth of whiskers made his teeth seem all the more white.

[doctorcuddymd.livejournal.com]

"And again, I don't care," she laughed, unable to help but smile back. "Come on, Jack. For me."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

He groaned, flopped back, groaned again...then realized it was really pointless to argue. "Okay," he agreed, throwing the covers off. Ass always, he was naked. "Do you see my shorts anywhere?"

[doctorcuddymd.livejournal.com]

"Over here," she said, twisting and bending to get them before handing them to him. "Here."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Thanks."

He took them and pulled them on, the stood so he could pull them up and fasten them. Some things never changed, and how he moved, so comfortable in his own skin was one of them. Maybe that's why the foreign hollowness bothered him so much. Maybe.

"Lead the way," he grinned. It actually felt good to be up and moving.

[doctorcuddymd.livejournal.com]

He was smiling and she grinned back, reaching for his hand.

"Come on."

A few moments later they were on the way, the showers not too far.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

He let his fingers twine with hers as they walked. He wasn't very talkative, but just being out and moving was good. And as they reached the compund, he held the door for her. "After you."

[doctorcuddymd.livejournal.com]

She stepped through the door with a little flourish, then crossed to the lines of stalls. Crossing her arms she pulled the dress from her body.

"Come on, in with you," she teased gently.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

He honestly hadn't expected her to do that and looked at her for a second. "I...um...Lisa, I..." he started.

[doctorcuddymd.livejournal.com]

"Whatever it is," she said, turning to face him, "don't worry about it. Come on."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

He heaved a sigh, again for the sake of not arguing, and stripped off his shorts. Without a word, he joined her in the shower and turned his back to her so he could turn the water on. Faint bruises lined his shoulders, but they looked like bite marks. Nothing new for Jack, really.

[doctorcuddymd.livejournal.com]

Her lips pressed together and she fought her instinct to throttle House. Ducking her head she kissed two of the bruises, her lips soft. Raising her hands she twisted her hair into them, wringing the water before reaching for the soap.