[for the doctor]

[more_flexible]

Thursday evening after dinner, Jack decided maybe he should have some idea of what the plans were for joining the rooms of the treehouse. It had gone up okay, but rennovations might be a little more complex than building from the start.

It wasn't where he lived anymore, so he knocked...and waited.

Comments

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

The Doctor got up, whistling Atalanta to stay put in her bed near K-9, and padded over to the door, opening it and leaning against the jamb. "Hey, Jack," he said. "C'mon in."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Thanks," he replied, sauntering inside. "Thought I'd better get some idea of what we're doing tomorrow before we actually do it."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"I've got some drawings done up," the Doctor said, gesturing for Jack to have a sit. He scritched his jaw and went to make some coffee, then picked the drawings up and set them on the table.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

He went over the designs with careful attention, one after the other. "I think this here might need another support," he murmured, even though he nodded his approval.

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"Probably. Fred was the one who did the bulk of the actual structural engineering on the original structure." The Doctor sighed, then covered it by getting up to get the coffee. "I'm not nearly as good at it as she i--was."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

Jack caught it, but chose instantly not to needle him about it. "Probably better than me too, but you and me together can figure it out," he shrugged. "Is there going to be a door between? What's this line here?" he asked, pointing to...he wasn't quite sure what it indicated.

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"There's a door at the bottom of the stairs," the Doctor said, walking over with two cups of coffee, and leaned over his shoulder to set the mug down. "That...I think that was a window?"

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Oh, okay. I see it now," he nodded, setting the plans aside in favor of the coffee. "Thanks. You didn't have to."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"Nah," the Doctor said, sitting down next to him to have an equal view of the plans. "You all right? Seem a little..." He looked him over, concerned. "Preoccupied."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Yeah," he grinned, buying some time by taking a sip. "I'm fine. Same as ever."

Of course, he didn't bother to mention anything like why he had a bruise on his hand, just where his thumb joined. Or why he looked leaner than usual. Or why he kept sneaking glances at the stairs.

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

The Doctor wasn't that distracted by the plans or by Chase's worries of late to not notice. He caught Jack's wrist and looked at it. "What's wrong."

It wasn't a question.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Nothing's wrong," he said evenly, pulling back. "Just bloodwork. It came back...fine. I just need to be more careful."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"Bloodwork," the Doctor said. He frowned. "Careful of what exactly, Jack?"

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

He shrugged, shaking his head. "Pushing myself. Working too much, not eating enough, you know. It's nothing."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"Not eating enough," the Doctor said. He sighed, knowing he wasn't supposed to make a big deal out of it. Not anymore. "You're getting it sorted, then?"

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Yeah. Eggs and avocados and bacon. More fat, more meat, more meals," he shrugged. "Might not like him, but Wilson isn't incompetant."

Which may have been the kindest thing he'd ever said.

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

The Doctor made no comment--namely that any dietician with half a brain could have figured that bit out. He wasn't in the mood. "You're gonna do it."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Already doing it," he replied, leaning back. "Talked to Stu about not being there everyday and why and I thought he was going to come apart. I don't think I've ever seen him angry."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"Angry at you?" the Doctor asked, trying to imagine what angry Stu would look like. Hurt, yes, and worn, but not angry.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, angry at me," he grinned. "For being stupid. Pushing too hard. I think from now on, he's going to be calling me Jackass," he snickered.

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

The Doctor considered this for a moment, then snorted in laughter. "I'm just surprised no one's come up with that before," he said, sitting back and drinking his coffee.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"What makes you think they haven't?" he laughed.

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"Maybe I'm just pissed that I haven't thought of it already," the Doctor said, teasing him.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

Jack rolled his eyes. "I have a looong list of insulting nicknames if you've ever got time to kill."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"Really? Mine are all badass," the Doctor quipped in reply, picking up the plans and kicking his feet up.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

He arched a brow and murmured, "Sure," before taking another drink.

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"You don't believe me? Admittedly, some aren't complimentary, but they're badass uncomplimentary."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"No, no. I believe you," he smirked.

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"You know, now I'm going to use my badass abilities to make sure you eat properly on my job site." The Doctor smirked at him.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

Jack shot him a look. "You can't seriously think that intimidates me. Stu told Jane."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"Well, then, my work is clearly done for me," the Doctor said, smirking even more.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"And then some," he laughed. "Even Greg's watching me now. You'd think I couldn't take care of myself."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

The Doctor might have tensed slightly at the mention of House, but said nothing. "Everyone's just worried," he said.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

And Jack might have noticed. "Everyone needs to relax. I'm a big boy, I can handle it."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"Maybe we realise that but just happen to care," the Doctor replied, brows lifting at Jack. "Let us, yeah?"

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

He sat back and took another drink. If anyone here had any idea how difficult that was for him, had always been, it would be the Doctor. "Sure," he conceded.

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

The Doctor put a hand on his shoulder. Of course he knew. But he had to say it.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

He turned his head, and without even thinking, pressed a kiss to the Doctor's hand. "You don't need to worry. Really."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

The Doctor flushed slightly, but didn't pull away. "I know, but I do regardless," he said. "You know that."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"I know," he grinned. "It's...appreciated."