Ficlet Two
The next time the Doctor had arrived in Cardiff, Jack hadn’t disappeared without so much as a backward glance, and he hadn’t wanted to. Martha Jones had arrived at Torchwood once more, insisting that the Doctor needed Jack’s help.
Gwen had been a little quiet, almost withdrawn, since the Flat Holm incident, so he left Torchwood in the tenuous dual command of Owen and Toshiko. Ianto accompanied him up to the Plass, within view of the TARDIS.
Facing him squarely, Jack took both of Ianto’s hands in his. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”
Ianto smiled and shook his head, squeezing Jack’s hands.
“Want to come with us?”
Ianto glanced over at the TARDIS and shook his head once more. “Don’t think so. Besides, someone had better stay here and make sure they don’t kill each other.”
Jack laughed quietly and pressed his forehead to Ianto’s. “Be good while I’m gone.”
A delicious, wicked grin lit Ianto’s face. “And what if I’m not?”
This time Jack laughed out loud, and finally detached his hands from Ianto’s. “I’ll see you soon. Hell, I might see you in twenty minutes, if the TARDIS is on usual form.” Bracing himself, he smiled once more then turned and walked away.
“Jack? Be careful?”
Jack spun on his heel, alarmed at the note of anxiety and vulnerability in Ianto’s voice. Ianto knew, of course, that there was precious little in Cardiff that could harm Jack for very long, but out there in the depths of time and space … well, who knew? He strode back towards Ianto, wrapped his arms around him, and kissed him; a genuine, romantic, sweep-you-off-your-feet kiss.
When it was over, he turned and jogged away towards the TARDIS, knowing that if he didn’t go now, he never would.
** ** **
It emerged that the Doctor and his new assistant, Donna - Jack wasn’t sure; he’d never before met someone who was so immune to his charm - had discovered a village on a distant planet that was being slowly poisoned by the fruits of a wild plant that had mutated. It was simple enough: all they had to do to save the inhabitants was to dig up the small tree and destroy it. Simple enough, yes, but no-one could go near it, not even the Doctor. In the end he’d been forced to go to Jack for help, and they’d picked up Martha on the way, to help treat the survivors.
The villagers, Jack realised, were vaguely humanoid and very attractive, with vivid-hued skin and anywhere between two and six extra limbs. Those in the advanced stages of the disease looked pitiful, small and shrivelled, their bodies wasting away.
Before they emerged from the TARDIS, the Doctor kitted himself and his companions out with full biological-hazard-and-radiation suits, and for the first time in a good long while Jack was grateful for his inability to die. He might’ve been doomed to suffer an inescapable eternity of suffering and loneliness, but at least he didn’t have to walk around this beautiful, exotic world looking like a low-rent Buzz Lightyear.
The villagers were very welcoming and incredibly friendly, and Jack received a “stop it!” warning from the Doctor before he’d even had chance to open his mouth. When they heard of Jack’s plan to go into the forest and destroy the plant, they tried everything to stop him, to protect him. One large, four-armed man even rugby-tackled him on his way through the gate.
In the end it had been ridiculously easy. The poisonous plant had been instantly identifiable - it was the only one that was bright pink, glowing, and emitting clouds of shimmering smoke - and had withered and died as soon as he’d set fire to it. Problem solved. Brushing soot from his hands, he strode back to village, singing to himself.
There was rapture in the village as he delivered his news, and preparations were immediately under way for an enormous celebration. The Doctor, as usual, wanted to quietly slip away, but was understandably shouted down by the combined might of Martha and Donna. As darkness fell, small lights filled the trees and the music of drums and bells filled the air.
Jack danced with several of the villagers, bringing back a long-forgotten discovery that dancing with someone who had more than twice as many limbs as you was quite the challenge. After a while, though, he found himself withdrawing from the party, standing on the outside, watching as Martha danced with two five-legged children, Donna struggled not to trip over the extra legs of her dance partner, and the Doctor scoffed down whole platefuls of party food.
Eventually, the Doctor made his way over to Jack. “Something wrong?”
Taking a sip from his sweet, mysterious drink, he replied. “No. Why?”
“Not like you, not being the life and soul of the party.”
“I’m fine.”
The Doctor gave him a brief, searching look, before drifting off again in search of more snacks.
As the night drew on, darkness fell completely, and the lights in the trees twinkled ever more brightly. Lost in his thoughts, he didn’t even notice Martha materialise at his side. She handed him a plate of food, and then leaned against the wall next to him.
“I’m exhausted. Haven’t been to a party like this … well, ever!”
He smiled at her, almost absent-mindedly, before putting his plate of food to one side, untouched.
“What is it?”
“I’m not hungry.”
She waved her hands impatiently. “Not that. What’s up? I’ve never known you be so quiet.”
“It’s nothing …”
“Jack …” she turned her big eyes on him fully, not letting him brush her off.
He pushed his hands deep into his pockets, took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. Then he gave her an ironic smile. “I miss Ianto.”
He expected her to laugh at him, but instead she put her arm around his waist and gave him a comforting squeeze. “I know. Don’t worry, you’ll be back soon.”
** ** **