And Then There Was One - and George (open)

[everybodylives]

She spent too much time alone. She knew this, both intellectually and as an awareness in her gut. The knowledge didn't inspire her to make any changes though, she was used to a mostly solitary life, having spent most of her life in some form of prison or another

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[a_fixed_point]

Jack didn't ask to sit, cup of coffee in hand (they'd never make it as well as Ianto had), he just sat turning the seat around with his coat swaying behind him in a flourish of bravado.

"Writing anything good?" From that expression on her face, Jack was thinking not.

[everybodylives]

She smiled, "Well it isn't Shakespeare."

She sipped her tea and gave him an assessing look.

"It's instructions. In case you and Martha need to put me down."

[a_fixed_point]

"Not nearly as entertaining as Shakespeare..." Even the tragedies. Jack's expression steeled, putting up the soldier front. It was easier. "Are you thinking that we might be needing to carry out those instructions any time soon?"

[everybodylives]

"Shakespeare wasn't even as entertaining as Shakespeare." River told him with a half smile.

"Though he certainly thought he was." She flipped the journal closed and picked up her tea. "I'm hoping it won't be necessary at all, but... he's not here to keep me on the straight and narrow so to speak."

[a_fixed_point]

"Do tell. Martha has some pretty interesting stories about Shakespeare, I'd loved to hear more." he smiled lightly, leaning forward.

Jack's expression sobered once more though, "You've spent more time out of his presence than in it, haven't you?" he'd likely waited longer, but that didn't matter, "He might come back here. In fact I'd bet on it."

But of course, he might not come back as her Doctor.

[everybodylives]

"Maybe some evening over a cocktail," Shakespeare had been an awful flirt.

"And more time apart yes but... not so long between visits. Not since..." Not since she'd become River Song. "And I always knew he'd come back for me. Here... I can't say that can I. No one comes here on their own."

[a_fixed_point]

"I suppose that's true." he frowned, hands fanning out idly on the table, "If it does come to what you're thinking it might, I'll do what you ask."

Didn't mean he'd like it, but he'd done many things he hadn't liked. Story of his life.

[everybodylives]

"I know," she would too, they were alike that way. "Martha won't. But maybe because I told you to do it she'll understand."

[a_fixed_point]

"Maybe." he wasn't so sure, "She's tough, but I'm not sure she'll be alright with this..."

[everybodylives]

She sighed, that was why Martha had left the Doctor. She was strong, but not quite strong enough, except that she'd done what River had never been able to.

"Then we don't tell her. Just, pretend I went home finally." It would be true enough.

[a_fixed_point]

Jack had to agree with that plan and nodded firmly, "Then that's what I'll tell her."

He sighed, sipping his coffee, "But you'll do your best to see I don't have to... right?"

[everybodylives]

"I'm trying," she promised. "I don't... see any signs of it but I do worry."

[a_fixed_point]

"Fair enough. It's good to have a fallback plan." he couldn't argue that.

He'd killed his own grandson, he could kill the Doctor's wife. He was the one that had to do what was needed but no one else would do.

Jack clapped his hands together, brushing that unhappy topic aside as if it had never happened, smile wide, "So! Now what are you doing for dinner tonight? What would you say to a night out on the town?"

[everybodylives]

She'd killed the Doctor. So to speak. So she understood.

"With you? I'd be a fool to turn down that offer."

[a_fixed_point]

Jack grinned, giving her a wink, "You would be. Then it's a date." So to speak, anyway.

[everybodylives]

That made her laugh, a delighted sound, her head tipped back.

"Oh Jack, you're a dear man. You know that right?"