Fic: Journey Into Night 6/11 + Epilogue

[kae_nine]

Title: Journey Into Night
Author: Kaethel (kae-nine)
Characters/Pairing: Ten/Rose, eventually Ten/Jack/Rose
Rated: M
Warnings: explicit OT3 content, character death in the second chapter (none of the main three characters)
Spoilers: Nothing beyond DW’s Journey’s End. Small mention of Torchwood’s Exit Wounds.
Summary: He’s got the biggest family in the

Comments

[wendymr]

What I really love about this chapter is the shift in the Doctor and Jack's relationship. They've become equals in many ways since Satellite Five; even if Jack could never be the Doctor's intellectual equal or equal in sensing Time, he's definitely equal in terms of authority, of decision-making and taking responsibility. We saw in Utopia that in some ways Jack was also becoming the Doctor's superior when it came to dealing with people.

This is all very much in evidence in this chapter; it's Jack who's subtly encouraging the Doctor to talk as they work, in contrast to the Doctor making Jack talk as they did on Malcassiro. It's Jack coming up with suggestions and solutions when he realises what the Doctor needs for his duplicate - and Jack taking the initiative to offer comfort, which the Doctor would never ask for but definitely needs. I love that whole scene.

“We’ll do it, the three of us, together,” he said, answering the silent plea. “Rose and I, we’re going to help. You’re not alone, Doctor. You don’t have to be.”

There was a nod, shy, almost imperceptible, then, with one last check at the Vortex stabiliser, the Doctor walked out of the console room.

“You don’t have to be,” Jack said again, his voice a whisper.

But maybe he wanted to be.

He doesn't; he's just idiotic enough to believe that he has to be. :P So now we just need both Jack and Rose together to break through his bullheaded crap and convince him that without someone with him - preferably the two of them - he's useless, and lonelier than he deserves to be.

[kae_nine]

I had Utopia in mind the whole time when I was writing this chapter, especially the tinkering scene. Except I wasn't going to put a sealed door between them or put one of them in a radioactive room. *g* And yes, this time I wanted Jack to initiate their talk, especially as the Doctor is the one with issues this time. I'm so glad you liked that scene. :)

Yes, now we need Rose and Jack to help him see how wrong he is. Thanks so much again, both for the comment and for all your brainstorming and BRing while I was writing!