[House and Ace]

[more_flexible]

Jack left the Compound and went home. He didn't want to talk about it. He just wanted to be quiet, be allowed a moment of weakness. Martha had told him, but it wasn't the same as seeing it. Sure, sure, he'd seen the films of himself with Gwen and Ianto, TOsh and Owen. He'd seen and he knew, but he didn't know them the way he'd known the Doctor.

Maybe they were all just stray dogs. Martha, she was a smart one.

He kicked off his snadles and climbed onto the bed next to House and laid down next to him, draping his arm over the man and pressing his face to House's side.

Comments

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

Jack caught up quickly, the taste of the kiss still lingering on his lips.

"Ace," he said as he slowed his steps and laid a hand on her shoulder. "Talk to me."

[pawnoffenric.livejournal.com]

She actually winced. "Told you that. When I went to Cardiff." She didn't quite remember (not at the moment) that she'd not told him she'd gone to Cardiff.

"I'm sorry. I mean, I've done this before. And-" Making sense? Not her forte.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"Okay, wait," he said, confused and sure he'd sy the wrong thing and make it worse. "Just...take a breath and start from the beginning. You went to Cardiff? What did you do before?"

[pawnoffenric.livejournal.com]

"When I went home, I.... I left the Doctor. I chose to go back to Cardiff. And.... And I told you."

She paused.

".... I told you. That he came back for you. And the way your face looked-" Guilt.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

How many times had he said these words? He'd lost count. He'd said it to Gwen and Ianto and Tosh and Owen so many times...

"Ace, I'm not that guy," he said gently. "I've seen the film. When I hear the TARDIS. I've seen the look on my face. This isn't your fault."

[pawnoffenric.livejournal.com]

She pinched the bridge of her nose between her fingers. "... I'm sorry. Not-" She held up a hand. "It's not... that. It's-" She looked up at him. "I thought that he came back for you. I really did."

She slipped closer to hug him. "I know it wasn't you. You both told me that- I just- it was the closest I could get." Her face oddly twisted into a half-smile, not really wanting to admit to that. Not after the last time.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

"I thought that, too. Should have known better...he doesn't go back," Jack replied, soft and resigned to the truth of it.

"The...closest you could get. When was this?" he asked, considering it for a moment. "During the comas?"

[pawnoffenric.livejournal.com]

She looked away, and nodded. "I- I thought I was... back there. For good. So I- I laid the Doctor flat, made him drop me in Cardiff." She paused. "In 1989." Because... it was him. It was him, and not Ianto or Tosh or anybody else.

But she didn't want to see his face, right now. The look on it when he realised how sad-

How it was.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

1989. That was before the films showed. He hadn't any idea what had gone on with him in the time between slipping through the rift and what the television show explained, except, apparently, he'd died first at Ellis Island. And then many times after that.

1989. She'd had the Doctor take her to him. In Cardiff. He blinked and gaped, then laid his hand lightly on her shoulder, daring to hope he had a handle on it.

"Because...I'm home for you," he said, not exactly questioning, but still a little unsure.

[pawnoffenric.livejournal.com]

"Because you're my best friend." Something flickered there, in her eyes. "Because- I thought I'd lost everything, and you were still... something."

She shook her head slightly. "All I had? I worked. Did Ianto's job."

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

Jack didn't quite know what to think. He'd never have guessed that if he'd ever given it much thought. She'd chosen him? Over the Doctor? Even...not here?

For a brief period, the thought process was written across his face, then he smiled...crooked and with a vaguely shy quality...and ducked his chin.

"You know...I'd have liked that. If it had been real, I mean. To know that you were part of my future. If you'd been in my films..."

[pawnoffenric.livejournal.com]

"It's not the films that matter." She was serious, her fingers finding his hand. ".... Jack." She swallowed hard. "Maybe I have a part? It's just not been played yet."

Her shoulders almost... hunched. "You told me- You told me you weren't you. I knew that, knew it as soon as I saw you." She paused, remembering.

We've shagged, once. Because you felt bad for me, I think. Thought it would help, that it'd make me not be lonely. But only once. She'd been more honest. Thinking he'd never be him again.

But then...

I love you.

And he'd nodded, that odd look in his eyes.

I know. I could tell when I touched you...the way you're heart beat. It's kind of tragic, really, that I don't know you...I bet you're fantastic.

Because... because. She wished she'd never had to do that. Never know that it wouldn't ever happen.

[captainjack.livejournal.com]

Jack squeezed her hand and pulled her close, wrapping his other arm around her shoulders. "Nice to know at least I'm consistant," he said, trying to make light of it. "Not that guy here...or there."

His hand moved up and down her back in slow circles. He was her best friend? Where he thought of as home? He kept holding her, not wanting to let her go.

"But you saw it. The film. So you saw...why," he said hesitantly. He really didn't want to talk about it. Not from his side, anyhow. But if she needed to, he'd listen.

"