Finding One's Place

[donutsweeper]

Title: Finding One's Place
Pairing/Warning/Rating: Vague Jack/Nine, spoilers for "Boom Town,"  rated G
Word Count: 868
Beta:unfeathered
Summary: The Doctor helps Jack realize where he belongs.
Author's Note: Written for becky_h  for her birthday.

The Doctor leaned against the wall and looked at Jack, really looked at him.

Jack was on his back, arms overhead, elbow deep into the TARDIS console, trying to repair all the damage caused when the extrapolator had opened the rift  "You stupid ape," he muttered under his breath, not liking what he saw.  Dull, flat eyes with circles around them so dark they almost looked like bruises.  Smears of grease, dirt and who knew what else covered him.  Small burns that speckled his arms, a result of the sparks caused by his work; they had to be painful, but it didn't appear that Jack even noticed them.  Jack didn't seem to be noticing anything other than the task at hand; he was even completely oblivious to the Doctor's scrutiny, which was rather worrisome in itself.

The Doctor ran his fingers along the console as he cautiously approached Jack.  "She's looking good, Captain."  When Jack didn't respond the Doctor reached down to touch his shoulder.  "Captain?"

Jack was so startled by the gentle touch he jumped, nearly smashing his forehead into the panel above him.  "Doctor!  Sorry, didn't see you there."

"Jack, when's the last time you took a break?"  

Jack blinked twice, processing the question.  "I just need to finish rewiring this section here, then..."

"A break, Jack.  When is the last time you took one?"  He spoke like he was talking to a small child.

"Um," Jack started to run a hand through his hair, but stopped, wincing slightly.  "Breakfast?  Rose brought me something and we talked for a bit."

The Doctor grabbed Jack's hand, grimacing at the gash that ran along the palm.  "Breakfast?"  Jack nodded.  "Do you have any idea how long ago that was?"  He watched as Jack's perpetual grin faded and his brow slowly furrowed.  "Come on."  He physically tugged Jack out from under the console.  "You've been at this all day.  Time for bed."

"Why Doctor," Jack said as he let the Doctor pull him to his feet, "just what... are... you... offerin..."  He paled rapidly and trailed off as he began to sway.

"Jack!"  The Doctor caught Jack before he could fall.  "You can barely stand and you're still trying to flirt with me?"

Sighing tiredly, Jack allowed the Doctor to support some of his weight.  "Something wrong with flirting?"

"There is when you can't make good on your innuendo."  The Doctor began guiding Jack back to his room.

"Don't need to stand once we're in bed, Doctor."

"We?  You were flirting!"

"According to you, I'm always flirting."  Jack pretended to pout before he broke into a wide yawn.

"And you're trying to tell me you're not?"  The Doctor asked as he propped Jack up against a wall before popping open a storage panel.  "Wait here."

"Wait?  What for?"  Jack asked, but didn't protest.  He just stood there, slumped where the Doctor left him.

"Supplies," the Doctor said as he rummaged around.

"Supplies.  What for?  To help with repairs?"  Jack's eyes shot open.  "I've everything I need.  Just give me another day or two, I'll get her fixed up, you'll never-"

"Jack, the supplies aren't for the TARDIS, they're for you.  It's probably escaped your notice, but you're a mess."  Jack cocked an eyebrow, but remained uncharacteristically silent.  The Doctor eyed him carefully as he tucked a bundle under his arm and closed the panel.  "Come on," he said as he slipped Jack's arm over his shoulder again to continue down the hall.

When they arrived at Jack's room the Doctor toed the door open.  He paused briefly, taking in the unused quality of the room before bringing Jack over to the bed.  "Give me your right hand." Putting the bundle down on the bed next to Jack, he huffed in frustration when the other man didn't move.  "Right hand, Captain," he ordered gruffly.  This time, Jack responded to that tone, offered up his hand immediately.

"Doctor, what..."

"Hold still."  Picking a cloth out of the bundle he began wiping Jack's hand with it.  "Antiseptic cleansing cloth," he explained.  The Doctor worked in silent for a few minutes, his touch firm, yet gentle.  “Why, Jack?” he asked, pointing to the cuts and burns.

“Why what?”

“Why did you work yourself this hard, to the point of endangering your health?”

Jack shrugged.  “I was trying to get everything fixed up.  Get her shipshape.  Like she was before.”

“Before what?”

Jack bit his lip and looked away.

“Jack, the TARDIS has never been shipshape, the entire time I’ve had her.”  He reached out to grab Jack’s chin, forcing Jack to look him in the eyes.  “You didn’t need to go to such lengths to fix her.”

“Yeah, but...”

“But, what?” 

Jack tried to look away again, but the Doctor’s grip was too strong.  “I just wanted to show you I could be useful.”

“You don’t need to earn your keep here, Jack.  I’m not going to kick you off at the next trading planet just because of some sparks from the console.”  He tapped Jack on the cheek, grinning at the slight smile he received in response.  “Now, get some sleep,” he ordered, pressing a kiss into Jack’s hair.  “Next stop Raxacoricofallapatorius!”

Comments

[kensieg.livejournal.com]

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

*blushes* glad you liked it!

[adafrog.livejournal.com]

Oh Jack. I love the Doctor caring for him, and reassuring him. (if only he wouldn't be leaving him soon :(

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, Jack and Nine needed more time together!

[becky-h.livejournal.com]

...AWWWWWWWWWWWWW. That is fantastic.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Yay! Glad you liked it! Happy Birthday, Kiddo!

[unfeathered]

This is so lovely - a real feel-good fic! :-)

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Thanks! And thanks for the help!

[aeron-lanart.livejournal.com]

Awwww. Jack, TARDIS and the Doctor... one of my favourite combinations.

This writing fic thing for other people's birthdays is great. Thank you!

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

omg, ICON FTW! Glad you liked it!

[humantales.livejournal.com]

I definitely see Jack trying to get the Doctor's approval. Poor Jack!

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Glad you liked it! :)

[http://users.livejournal.com/_medley_/]

Whoo hoo, I love it when people on my flist have birthdays. Let me just add to the AWWWWW here. This is adorable.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Birthdays are best when the love is spread around! :)

[taffimai.livejournal.com]

Aww, so sweet.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

oooh, excellent icon! Glad you liked it!

[oursoliloquies.livejournal.com]

Oh, Jack and Nine! This makes me ever so happy. You captured their dynamic wonderfully.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much!

[wendymr.livejournal.com]

Aww, this is lovely :) I can just imagine Jack doing all that, too. Lovely hurt/comfort!

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

thank you! :)

[random-smith.livejournal.com]

God, I'm so happy that someone still writes Jack/Nine!

Oh, I so needed a good dose of hurt/comfort Jack/Doctor fluff after the finale. And I love the idea of Jack tinkering with the Tardis. Fantastic, really ♥.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

There is not enough Nine out there, is there? Glad you liked this! :)

[the-dark-side.livejournal.com]

Yay!

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

:)

[itsarift-thing.livejournal.com]

Bless him... and then the Doctor kissed him... awww

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

:) Thanks! Was hoping people would like that bit

[laurab1.livejournal.com]

Aww :) Lovely!

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[rustydog.livejournal.com]

I join the chorus of awwwww. This is very sweet.

"You can barely stand and you're still trying to flirt with me?"

Ha, he so would!

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

That Jack, such a flirter! :) Glad you liked!

[rose-cat.livejournal.com]

Oh, sweet. Happier times...

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

thank you! :)