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Tweak says, "rip it! rip it!"

The Doctor (fromgallifrey) wrote in vas_captio_rpg,
@ 2009-08-10 10:13:00

Entry tags:

!complete, day 18, jack harkness, location: museum, the doctor (ten)

Who: John Smith and Captain Jack
What: Reconcilliation
Where: The Museum
When: Day 18, 10:14 AM
Rating: PG

Status: Active

It didn't matter where Rose had wound up going after the Doctor had left her behind; the Doctor had a destination: The Museum. He needed to find Jack and maybe catch a glimpse of Sarah Jane. He needed to know if those very important people were alive and that Jack was alright. It really was that simple. What about the Doctor? Well, he'd had a bit of a rough patch - and nothing was better for smoothing that sort of feeling over than seeing your friends in prime condition.

So, he'd slip down the familiar corridor to knock on Jack and Ianto's door. Don't expect apologies, Con Man, he didn't have any; he just wanted to make sure that you and that Torchwood-Heathen of yours were alright and then he'd be on his merry way to the carnival.

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fromgallifrey
2009-08-22 02:42 am UTC (link)

The grin he'd expected. Of course Jack would grin about this. A grin was fitting. That next bit? The part with the expletive which was not deleted? Well, that made the Doctor blink. Any sort of shared, conspiratorial smile was kept firmly in check. "Right, now that's been sorted..."

So, the hand that had been on his shoulder slid to wrap around his shoulders and Jack was back to being himself again and the Doctor was back to re-bottling everything back up where it belonged. Mostly. "Muck it up?" Well, he looked a little incredulous there, actually. "You think this is my first time around the block, Jack?" There was quite a string of broken hearts that came in the Doctor's wake, though he didn't like to think about it often. "It's ridiculous, Jack," the Time Lord said it because he'd assumed Jack was thinking it and he shook his head because it was what was rattling around in his own head at the moment.

"Oh, because you'd rather have stayed with that bomb and your martini?" Never even occurred to the Doctor that he ought to try and take you back home, by the way. "Well, I only take the best, Jack."

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capt_harkness
2009-08-22 03:27 am UTC (link)

Yes, Jack would grin about this because that was what Jack did. And one had to be blind to see how the Doctor looked at Rose, but then again, Jack had that extra knowledge of seeing her and him together with that whole Medusa Ccrusade incident. "Oh come on, you can't just leave it there!" Jack said, nudging the Doctor. "One doesn't start with such juicy morsels and then just... not finish the story!"

Because Jack did want all the little details of this one hundred percent of the way.

"Yes, muck it up with a capital M," Jack replied, enjoying the banter between them. "No, I don't think it's your first time around the block, but I don't think you've Danced as much as I have." He quickly held up a hand. "And if you say no one has danced as much as me, we will have words -- even if it is true." Part of Jack wondered who had the longer string of broken hearts, he or the Doctor. Now, who ever would haev thought the day would come when Jack would be offering love advice to the Doctor?

"It's not ridiculous. It's... figuring out what you want. That is, assuming you know what you want."

Jack shook his head and shuddered. "Not particularly. And not when my computer was saying chance of termination was one hundred percent." Jack paused and looked at the Doctor then smiled. An actual, genuine Captain Jack smile -- not one that was usually on his face to hide what he was thinking. That sort of approval and compliment was something he always wanted from the Doctor. "I... thank you..." The words felt foreign on his tongue, saying thank you. "And, really, in spite of appearances? I choose my friends and partners carefully."

Take that as you will, Doctor -- though surprisingly, for once in Jack's life, it's not a come on.

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fromgallifrey
2009-08-22 03:44 am UTC (link)

"That's where it's going to stay, Jack." Famous last words. "Because she'd Nine's right now," he took a breath before continuing, raking his hand back through his hair. "They took him, well, right before he becomes me. Last shot he's got," which ought to explain a lot. "I can't just..." He let his thought trail away. It boiled down to the fact that he couldn't just take her from him. He couldn't just swoop in there and snatch Rose up from Nine when this was the absolute last bit of time he had left with her. Either way, one of them would be disappointed, and this Time Lord was just fine with it being him. He was used to it, actually. "He's her Doctor, not my turn yet." His tongue rode the roof of his mouth, clicking a bit. "That's alright though, this whole bit here? Gravy anyway, right? With my Rose off on that parallel world, not fair to be taking up with some other version of her, yeah?" Let him think that, Captain.

"Well..." The Doctor started. Knowing what you want, most obvious answer in the universe, yet so very complicated. "Haven't wanted anything in a very long time, Jack. Didn't even realize I'd needed anything until Rose." He looked away, this was getting a bit too open, wasn't it? Push it back into the TARDIS doors and lock them up tight, Doctor.

"I'd hope so. The best only deserve the same." The Doctor looked back down the hallway, about ready to make his escape. "Right, so, I'm going back to work on the modulator, really," he cleared his throat. "You ought to get back," he canted his head back toward the door.

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capt_harkness
2009-08-22 04:47 am UTC (link)

Famous last words in deed. Particularly when said around Jack Harkness. Because Jack would remember things for a very long time... and bring things back up whenever he saw fit. Don't worry, Doctor, Jack won't do it at a time that it would embarrass -- but it would be mentioned once more. Sometime. You just won't know when. "Well, that now makes sense as to where all of us are from," Jack said, rubbing the back of his neck thoughtfully. "Can I state, for the record, that it's wonderful knowing more than you do just this once? At least... in events that are to come in the future that is." Because he wasn't going to let the Doctor forget that he came from a point further in the future and actually knew things.

Jack just gave the Doctor a look. "What do you mean it's not your turn?" Jack questioned, pulling away from the Doctor with his hands on his hips. "She's still the same Rose, no matter what. Rose is Rose. She's the same woman from Satellite 5 and the same woman..." That I see later on. "And she's mad for both of you." That jack could tell even with one conversation with Rose thusfar.

At that, Jack could understand, more than you would ever know, Doctor. "I know," he said softly, and there was a look in his eyes that spoke volumes. Because Jack had been content to Dance with whoever he wanted without thought... and then there had been Ianto. "I understand, perhaps better than anyone." Jack turned his head, looking over his shoulder as if to give the further point that he understood because of Ianto. "Just... don't deny yourself. It never works out well in the end."

Yes, that was the approval Jack so desperately craved from his Doctor. While Nine may have appeared and while Jack may have spent that first bit of time travelling with Nine? It was Ten he'd been the closest to -- even if there hadn't been a kiss yet between them.

"And you'll have help if you need it, on the Modulator, I mean," Jack replied. He looked back over his shoulder once more and nodded. "He needed some sleep." Once more Jack reached for the Doctor, unsure of what to say for a moment. In the end, he did that patented Jack move he'd used on Nine. He stepped forward and cupped the Doctor's face and kissed him gently.

Chaste coming from Captain Jack and that was saying something. And really, that kiss said it all by way of knowing the situation and how deep the bonds of friendship ran with Jack.

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fromgallifrey
2009-08-22 05:04 am UTC (link)

"Rub it in," he quipped playfully. So, you knew a bit more, Harkness; the Time Lord didn't expect you to let him forget it any time soon.

"It means that since I won't be the sort to make her choose, Jack. She's not meant to and it's cruel." Basically the same man yet different. What mattered was that this was the best thing he could do for both Nine and Rose. He'd agreed with Nine, after all, that it was his time with her and he wouldn't go swooping in and stealing her, even if he did love her. Even when he knew that Nine didn't quite realize he could love her yet. "And he deserves this bit of happiness, Jack." That other version of him? Not had much to be happy about aside from Rose, did he? Time War. Daleks. Being brought to this place. He deserved her.

Such a similar circumstance, yet different places to come at it. Jack danced with everything, the Doctor had convinced himself he'd forgotten about dancing and all the emotional trappings that worked in concert with it. "Can't really work out in the end at all, Jack." He meant between he and Remy, of course.

"Right," he replied about the modulator and left the comment about Ianto needing some sleep without response. Though, it didn't seem that Jack really wanted a response as he'd leaned forward and planted that very quick kiss on his lips, so very reminiscent of that farewell.

"Don't start," he teased, shaking his head. What else was he supposed to expect from his friend the Captain? "Snogs reserved for the end of it all, Captain." Smirk.

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capt_harkness
2009-08-22 05:21 am UTC (link)

"Oh you know me, Doc," Jack said, clicking his tongue against the roof of his mouth. "I don't rub things in, ever." Oh a lie if there ever was one. And the smile on Jack's face didn't quite match the attempted innocent speech either.

"I never said you'd be the one who'd make her choose, Doctor," Jack said softly. "Even if you did, when has Rose ever been the sort to listen to what any of us said?" Never, that was when. "What about you?" he asked after a brief pause. "Don't you deserve to have that bit of happiness yourself?" Speaking as someone who tended to keep lovers at arm's length, Jack could get it. It'd taken a year with the Master to get Jack to admit he needed Ianto.

In that moment, Jack knew which one couldn't work out. He just looked at the Doctor and nodded, trying to let the other man know that he was here to listen -- even if he knew just how hard it was to talk about any of this. Hell, how long did it take jack to be able to say 'I love you' to Ianto? "One of them will," he said, equally cryptically. That is, providing this Doctor allow himself some happiness.

Jack held up both hands in mock surrender. "Not starting anything, I promise. Though, I think we can say that we're pretty close to 'the end of it' in this place." Jack smiled softly, giving the Doctor one final kiss on the cheek. He couldn't just leave it there, sorry Doctor. "Unless, of course, I can finish it." He waggled his eyebrows so the Doctor knew he was kidding then gave him a half-salute. "Just because he's back... and everything that entails..." Jack figured the Doctor knew exactly what activity Jack was going back to. "Come get me if you need anything."

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fromgallifrey
2009-08-22 05:39 am UTC (link)

"She'd have to choose Jack. Not like she's some sort of trivet we pass off every other Tuesday." No, they were possessive of her, those two Doctors even if Ten was taking a very hands off approach until recently. He'd asked people to watch her and take care of her and make certain she was safe. He'd tried to keep his distance and he'd kept his feelings to himself fairly well, he'd thought. He'd kissed her, but that could mean anything. Wasn't like he told her that in the future he loved her and he knew that she loved him. "I just won't give her the option of choice, I suppose. Keep sending her back to her Doctor if it comes down to it. Really, just avoid her all together if I have to." Oh, look at you Time Lord, was it really coming down to this?

There was a twinge there, when his friend asked the same question that ginger-headed thief kept asking again and again. Didn't he deserve a bit of happiness in the middle of it all? "There's work to do, Jack. We'll all go back to where we were and chances are none of us will even remember any of this place. So, it's not about chasing happiness, at least not for me. Not this time." He pushed his hands into his pocket with a small shrug. "Got plenty of things to look forward to when I get back, cloister bells ringing and all. You know how much I enjoy running up against the end of the Universe and all."

There had been that kiss to contend with that left the Doctor shaking his head again. "I think I'll leave you to your reunion for a while, Jack," the Doctor was already trailing down the hallway with a wave of his hand. The TARDIS doors had closed back up again and the Doctor's heart was tucked back inside safe and sound. You'd think it would make him feel better to know that Jack understood; unfortunately, when you've resigned yourself to a bit of self sacrifice in the name of the greater good, it's sort of difficult to feel on the up and up.

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capt_harkness
2009-08-27 02:38 am UTC (link)

And Jack knew full well that Rose wouldn't take too well to being a woman 'passed around' between men. Rose was far too independent which was one of the reasons he loved her so. Amazing how easy it was to admit he loved Rose but the problem came when it was saying the same thing to Ianto -- ah, the wonders that was Captain Jack Harkness. "But therein lay the problem, Doctor," Jack said softly. "You're depriving her of the choice and making it for her. Tell me, how well does that usually work out where Rose Tyler is concerned?" he asked. Because the answer was not well at all.

Rose had returned to Satellite 5 after Nine had made a choice for her. That said something right there, didn't it?

Yes, Jack was going to ask the questions because that was his way. As far as Jack was concerned, the lonely angel did deserve a bit of happiness. Just because one was immortal didn't mean they couldn't take a bit of comfort in others every now and again. Jack did and he was all the happier for it because he'd go insane otherwise. They all needed contact, even the Doctor. It was just a matter of convincing the other man of such.

Jack's face broke into a bit of a smile at that. "Ah, running up against the end of the Universe. I wonder if some day it'll ever get old." Jack knew in his heart of hearts that it wouldn't. "There always seems to be good company for running out at the End of the Universe. Though let me tell you, I am never hanging on through timey-wimey like that again."

Again, he looked back and smiled. "Thank you," Jack said softly. He did, though, have to get in one parting shot before those TARDIS doors closed tight once more. "It's not so bad letting yourself open up every now and again. There's a difference between dancing and dancing." And Jack very clearly danced with Ianto. "Every now and then, you should let yourself have that extra bit. It won't kill you, I promise."

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