[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]

"Yeah," the Doctor replied, and smiled softly before letting go. "Was it really just about the pot noodles?" he asked, after clearing his throat.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Absolutely," he lied, smiling brighter. "And now I think I can live without them for another three years. Maybe longer."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

It wasn't like the Doctor didn't know it. But he wasn't going to get in the way of either of them and what they had. "You know, there was that colony world of otaku..."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Oh, God. Don't remind me," Jack laughed. He nodded toward the path as he draped his arm around the Doctor and started walking. If they were going to talk, they might as well get to the compound. If they stayed here for much longer, Jack was afraid he might just shove the Doctor back inside the TARDIS and consequences be damned.

And reminiscing was so much...safer.

"Remember that vendor? The one whose mother came out and started hitting me with that scroll?"

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"Well, that's because you bleeding basically offered to take the virginity of a sworn Khosian acolyte," the Doctor said, "in rather explicit terms. I know, how were you to know that 'dancing' was such an explicit metaphor."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"That really wasn't my fault," he countered. "And besides, when I found out I figured the mom might be interested instead. If you hadn't dragged me away, I could have danced with her. I would have even let her keep the scroll handy."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"Oh yeah, whatever," the Doctor drawled. "You were just putting on a show for Rose because she had that cyberpunk William Gibson's-wet-dream dress on."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

Jack groaned and his arm tightened around the Doctor.

"She looked good. Even you had to have noticed."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"Of course I did," the Doctor replied, smirking. "But I was more stoic then and less human. Besides, I figured if you were meant to, she'd let you."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

He snorted again as he shot the Doctor a look. "It was never gonna happen. I accepted that the first moment I saw how she looked at you."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, well." The Doctor shrugged and cleared his throat, not wanting to deal with the idea of that. "Didn't mean to get in your way."

Even if Rose would be another conquest, or if she wouldn't.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

Jack laughed warmly, let go, and gave him a playful shrug. "How could I ever hope to compete with those ears? I was doomed from the start."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"Oi, that is low, that is, Harkness," the Doctor retorted, and gave him a light punch in the bicep. "I wasn't interested in a shag anyway and you know it."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Hey!" he exclaimed and rubbed his arm, aping indignation well. "I'm just saying. Good looking guy, pretty young girl, handsome captain. If you were, I wouldn't judge."

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"Knew there was a reason we picked you up," the Doctor said, turning and winking at him. "Never thought we'd end up here."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Here? Here isn't so bad," Jack grinned, feeling more and more like himself as they ventured away from the TARDIS.

[sortofaman.livejournal.com]

"No," the Doctor agreed, "it's not, is it." Even so, he couldn't help but glance back once over his shoulder.

It was another thing to haunt him.