[PLOT:TARDIS]

[more_flexible]

Jack had been searching the corridors and rooms for...he didn't know how long. When he came across food, he ate it and when he was tired he had lain down in a place that was as lovely as the butterfly atrium had been. He never did find that again, which was kinda tragic, but he was too busy searching. He'd forgotten all about his lunch and the repairs. He'd forgotten the Doctor's warning that he needed to be careful or he'd walk out a month later and think only a few days had passed. He'd forgotten any responsibilities or friends he had on the island...not forgotten entirely, but it just seemed like they wouldn't be bothered if he was gone for a while. He had something to do. Something consuming. Something important. The TARDIS needed him and he could help. He could make her better.

As he looked down the deep shaft that continued on in inky darkness, down and down into what could be anything, Jack knew that was where he needed to go. He needed to get down in there, no matter how long it took. He circled the giant hole and tried to find a way past the barricade, the decided that the best course of action was to simply climb over. He could jump in and get to the bottom faster. He'd fix her with his bare hands or die trying.

He'd already died once and come back thanks to the TARDIS and Rose. He wasn't afraid. Death was just a do-over.

Comments

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"They won't be digging around 'under her skirts'," the Doctor pointed out. "Not like you do, Jack, not even Martha. And you know it's not the same with anyone but you. Not after Rose did...what she did."

Maybe he was scrambling for reasons, but they were true.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

Jack couldn't find a single argument for that. K9 had been clear about the fact that he had been physically altered and it wasn't Rose alone who had done that.

"Okay, yeah. I guess you're right," he nodded. "I'll just...be more careful. If I'd thought the console was going to open, I'd have, oh, I don't know. Run?"

He chuckled and ducked his chin, looking at the Doctor from beneath his lashes.

"Hopped for my life?"

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"You totally would have looked anyway," the Doctor said, then grinned at him. "Daredevil. And don't pull that flirtatious bit with me or you'll be snogging me again, and then you'll have Rob to deal with. Almost worse than falling to your doom."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Oh, come on, Doctor. I've kept from doing it this long...I'm sure I can hold out longer," he quipped.

"Is he any better? He was stressed like I've never seen him the last time he and I talked," he continued without hesitation, then started waking slowly. The this rate, they'd never get out.

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"Somewhat," the Doctor said. "Enforced rest periods have helped somewhat." He tailed after Jack. "'This long?' You did it five bloody minutes ago."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"I did not," he insisted with a soft laugh. "If I'd snogged, you, I'd remember it. And you'd be bright red...I know you."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

The door was right there, and there was the console room, and the Doctor brushed past Jack to call up the internal sensor array.

The picture wasn't that clear, but it was pretty obvious who it was and who was being snogged, and when.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"You keep records?" he asked, arching his brow as he studied the image. "You might want to keep from looking at anything that went on in my room. Just so you know."

He turned a mischievous and dashing smile at the Doctor, then shook his head. "I thought I'd just imagined that. I've got a vivid imagination...but I think the universe is better off if there's no video record of the things I think about."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"Oh, I already know Logan was here," the Doctor said, "but I didn't bother watching, I do think of some kinds of privacy." He gave Jack a bit of a look. "Do I want to know what else you think about when it comes to me?"

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Considering you're married?" He paused and studied the Doctor for a minute in silence, then looked away.

"No."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"Like it's anything different from what you think about other people," the Doctor said, and flopped back on the seats. He figured the TARDIS could very well have been feeding off Jack's desire, like she'd fed off Rose's need to save them.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"You'd be shocked," he countered. "Probably horrified. Really, if you could read my mind? You'd need a shower."

Jack tried not to smile, but it was a futile effort and before long he wasn't only smiling, he was laughing.

"You should probably know that I didn't do anything with Logan in there. About the time She dimmed the lights, we left."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"A cold shower," the Doctor drawled. "I'm not nearly as immune to your charms as I once was, Jack." He crossed his feet on the console, propped up. "And I figured she would. You're one of hers, she does get jealous."

Now that she had herself back, anyhow.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Then it's probably a good thing I keep my charm in check, huh?" he asked, flashing a toothy smile. The teasing gleam in his eyes passed quickly, though as the Doctor's words struck him.

"You think she's jealous of Rob?"

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"You do have some morals," the Doctor said, "for people you respect." He paused for a moment at the question, then slowly opened his eyes and looked at Jack.

"Could be. He gets...uncomfortable every time we're in here."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Is that something new?" he asked, taking a seat near the Doctor's feet. "Logan wasn't uncomfortable until I told him she's aware."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"No, he's not been keen on being in here for a while," the Doctor said. He scritched the back of his head. "But something she said...when she was you...I wonder."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"When she was me..."

That was more than a little disturbing. Jack didn't like the idea of anyone in his head, and yet it was the sort of thing that kept happening. He'd joked that telepathy was the new internet porn, but the reality of it was so much more than that.

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"You--she--snogged me, Jack," the Doctor pointed out, still sprawled somewhat bonelessly in the chair. "Snogged the hell out of me actually, I'd sorta forgot how good you are at that. And then you asked me if I missed being part of you and with you being inside me. That she took your mind for me, Jack. She's lonely."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

It had to be hell, being here and aware and unable to connect with anyone. That level of loneliness would drive anyone insane. Jack cleared his throat and forced a calm smile.

"I think the most disturbing part of that whole thing is that you've nearly forgotten how good I am."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

The Doctor looked at him, looked him in the eye.

"Don't lie to me, Jack."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Not lying. Just careful about what I say out loud, Doctor," he replied.

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

The Doctor just kept looking at him with dark eyes. He wasn't interested in playing around.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Lonely isn't quite a strong enough word," Jack finally said after an eternity ticked off with blinks and heart beats. "Missing you doesn't come close to describing it."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"All right," the Doctor said after another very long few moments. "So you want to put her out of her misery?"

Lobotomise her, more like.