Fic: Cling (1/4)
Title: Cling (1/4)
Beta: canaana, wendymr, additional input from kae_nine
Rating: Teen (swearing, sexual content, mentions of non-con)
Spoilers: The Doctor Dances
Characters: Nine/Jack, Rose
Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction; the characters are the property of the BBC and used here without permission. No money was made.
Summary: It was supposed to be just a fun night out…
A/N: Written for dshael, who bid on me in the Support Stacie Auction. This is the word count of several incentive things she won added together… and then it got away from me a little. Prompt: Deal!verse, cling, blunt head trauma.
This is set in the Deal-verse.
Cling
Chapter 1
The Doctor leans back in his chair and glowers at Jack.
Of course, Jack remains unimpressed, since he's on the other side of the dance floor, dancing with a Ceridian, her silky fur pressed against his very tight T-shirt. And that's completely fair enough. The Doctor doesn't mind. Course not. After all, when Jack and Rose begged and wheedled to go clubbing, he stipulated that he would not, under any circumstances, dance, and they'd have to find their own partners.
So it's not like he minds that Jack has taken him at his word. Not at all. And while Jack has been dancing and flirting with about half the aliens in the club - and passing a few of the good-looking male ones on to Rose afterwards - he's turned down all advances to do more unhesitatingly and with a smile.
But damn, that woman's plastered all over Jack's chest, her arms around his neck and her snout on his shoulder, and is this really necessary?
The Doctor takes a deep breath. Jack's just being Jack. He's remained strictly within the boundaries they agreed on. He enjoys clubbing and dancing and flirting, and the Doctor knows he has no right to keep him from doing these things just because he doesn’t enjoy them himself.
Hell, if he doesn’t want Jack to be fondled and sniffed by other people, all he has to do is cross the dance floor, grab the Captain, and twirl him around himself. He doesn’t doubt for a second that Jack would be delighted.
He almost gets up, but... No. He'd rather stay here, where he has a clear view and can keep an eye on both Jack and Rose - she's been dancing with a string of pretty boys, but she always comes back to their table after a song or two.
Also, he'd make a complete ass of himself. Give him ballroom dancing any day, but this "modern" hopping about and the complex arm movements Jack spent the past week teaching Rose… they're just not for him.
And anyway, he needs to watch their drinks.
The song ends, and Jack disengages from his partner with a smile and some sort of quip that makes her laugh. She steps closer and whispers in his ear. The Doctor turns his chair to be able to watch more closely.
Jack shakes his head as he answers, smiling and gesturing towards the Doctor. The Ceridian throws a quick glance across the dance floor and frowns, fluffing up her tail. She grabs Jack's belt and pulls him towards her, groping his arse with her other hand.
An abrupt movement of Jack's arm, a fluid sidestep, and a hard stare combined with some barb the Doctor can't hear, but that makes the Ceridian's ears droop. She mumbles something and disappears into the crowd.
Jack glances around for Rose; she's chatting with a Balhoonian, laughing and seeming perfectly relaxed. He sends her a quick smile and looks over at the Doctor.
The Time Lord raises an eyebrow.
Jack frowns and cocks his head in question.
The Doctor forces a grin and waves him off. The lad's done nothing wrong. Bit of fun, that's all. Not Jack's fault that his lover is both a terrible dancer and the jealous sort. And it's not like Jack did anything to make the Ceridian want to get into his trousers. Well, nothing except not looking half bad and being charming and suave, and he can't help that.
Still, for the next two songs, the Doctor keeps an even closer eye on Jack. He's dancing with a human couple now, weaving through the complicated three-step patterns with an elegance and grace the Doctor can only admire. He has to swallow several times as he watches Jack turning, bending and stretching to the fast rhythm. Except for occasional glances to make sure Rose is okay, he doesn't take his eyes off Jack.
At the end of the set, both Rose and Jack start weaving their way towards him. The Doctor turns his chair back towards the table and grins at Jack. "Having a good time?"
Jack smiles and takes a long draught from his drink. "Yeah. Bit hot in here, though."
Rose winks at him, fiddling with her necklace, which has got caught in a button. "Don't think anyone'd object if you took off your shirt."
The Time Lord growls.
"'cept the Doctor, that is."
The Doctor reaches for his drink to hide his scowl. Wouldn't do to ruin the apes' night out. As he brings the glass to his lips, he freezes. Sniffs, then takes a small sip.
Rose is just about to drink from her cocktail. He grabs it out of her hand. "Hey!"
He smells the bubbly pink concoction, then takes Jack's almost empty glass and smells it, too. "Hell."
Jack looks at him, instantly tense and serious. "What is it?"
"Rose - have you had any of it?"
"No." She shakes her head. "You took it from me before I could."
He turns to Jack, putting a hand on his arm. "How much have you had?"
"Most of it. What the fuck's in there?" Fine beads of sweat are forming on Jack's forehead and his pupils are beginning to dilate.
"Cling."
"Fucking hell." Jack pulls his arm away. "Thought you were watching the drinks!"
He was supposed to. Said he would. Has been sitting right next to them all night. How the hell did he let himself get that distracted?
Petty jealousy, that's how. And he didn't even realize his lapse. If only he'd checked their glasses before letting them drink…
"What's Cling?" Rose sounds scared. Jack turns to her, the anger on his face giving way to tension. "Rose, can you settle our tab? We need to get home." He turns back to the Doctor. "Think you could keep an eye on me, or is that too much to ask?" he spits.
The Doctor bristles at the reproach, then stops himself short. The lad's right. And, if his heart rate and body chemistry are anything to go by, terrified.
He covers Jack's hand with his. Jack lets him, but his eyes are still narrowed in anger. "Jack. It will be all right. I'm sorry I let this happen."
Jack turns to him and his face is awash in warring emotions - anger, fear, and, the Doctor realizes with disgust, starry-eyed admiration and desire that he knows are not coming from Jack's own mind. "Don't be sorry, it's not your…" For a moment, rage wins out and Jack's jaw snaps shut. "Great. It's kicking in already."
The Doctor shoves a credit chip at Rose. "Go and pay, then get back here as quickly as you can."
She looks panicked, but gets up with a brief nod. He takes her hand and squeezes it reassuringly. "Jack will be fine. We just need to get him home."
Another nod, and Rose starts pushing her way towards the bar. The Doctor's keeping an eye on her and a hand on Jack's shoulder. He's almost certain Jack was the target here - it must have been that bloody Ceridian hussy. If he gets his hands on-
He feels Jack's arms wrap around him. The Captain rests his head on his shoulder and mumbles. "Thank you for taking me out, Doc."
Oh damn. Damndamndamndamn. This stuff is kicking in way too fast. How much was in that drink? He needs to get Jack back to the TARDIS so he can run a blood panel, find out the specific composition and dosage of the Cling in Jack's system. Looks like it's one of the most potent strands.
Without preamble, Jack tries to shift into the Doctor's lap. "No," he says, gently pushing him back into his chair. "Just wait till Rose gets back, yeah?"
Jack's lip trembles and he looks down. "Sorry."
Hell. He runs a hand along Jack's arm. "'S all right."
Rose has paid and is now headed back towards them. The Doctor gets up to meet her, pulling Jack with him. He keeps an arm tightly wrapped around the other man's waist.
Jack has his hands all over him - rubbing his back, stroking his hair, fondling the front of his jeans. The Doctor keeps one arm around him and takes Rose's hand with the other. He'll have to let Jack get on with it and just hope he can get them out of here before he does anything even more embarrassing.
Rose is watching them, biting her lip. "What is this Cling stuff?" she asks as they wind their way towards the exit.
"It's… In terms you'll understand, it's a date rape drug. Seems one of Jack's dance partners wanted a bit more than he was willing to give."
Rose's eyes flash with anger. "They were gonna knock him out an' rape him?"
"Not 'knock out,' precisely. The way Cling works, it makes people incredibly eager to please. Will do anything they're asked to - have sex, hand over all their money, fight someone. Doesn’t matter who's asking, either."
Rose looks at Jack, wide-eyed. "Anyone could just walk up to him now and say 'Slap that blonde,' an' he would?"
The Doctor pulls Jack closer, his body language signaling that no stranger is getting anywhere near him. "Better not try."
Jack buries his face in the Doctor's neck, nibbling softly.
The Time Lord sighs. "Also makes them crave physical closeness, to the point where it hurts when they're not touching someone. Hence the name." He grunts. "Makes people literally do anything for a pat on the head."
Jack licks the side of the Doctor's neck. "Pat my head," he begs.
It would be funny if it weren't so bloody horrible. And it's his fault. The real Jack is still in there, and he'll be rightly livid with the Doctor once he's back in control. With a sigh, the Doctor runs a hand through Jack's hair, and Jack quivers with delight.
Rose looks on, dismayed. She usually finds displays of affection between her travel companions "cute," "adorable" and a whole lot of other adjectives he and Jack pretend to hate, but secretly revel in. But she's clever enough to see that this, while not outside the realm of things Jack will do of his own free will in the right mood, is chemical manipulation of the worst kind. Nothing cute about it.
Rose looks back at the Doctor. "Why'd they put it in all our glasses, then?"
"Probably didn't know which was his. Or wanted to make sure we wouldn't be able to take care of him." Thank the stars Jack hadn't gone back out to the dance floor before the Doctor discovered the drugs. Anything could have happened. The Doctor tightens his hold around Jack's waist and doesn’t object as Jack presses his arse sideways against his hip.
"An' I'm guessing us stupid apes can't taste or smell it, eh?"
The Doctor yelps as Jack squeezes him in a way he loves, but that's inappropriate in public. "Exactly."
"But he'll be all right once we get him to the TARDIS? You can give him an antidote?"
He shakes his head. "No such thing. Will just have to keep him safe while it runs its course."
Rose steps around him so she's on Jack's other side and puts her arm through his. "Will do that, then." She manages not to look taken aback as Jack rubs his arse against her hip.
"Will come on to anyone in this state," the Doctor explains apologetically as he pushes open the door. He breathes in the cool night air, grateful the TARDIS is just around the corner.
"I like Rose!" Jack protests.
"Know you do, lad." Hell. He needs to get them both home, and then he needs to somehow convince Rose to leave him and Jack alone. He knows his lover well enough to realize Jack very likely harbors some fantasies about their companion. Fantasies he'd never act on, both because he knows Rose isn't interested and because he promised the Doctor exclusivity. But in his current state, Jack can't be held responsible for what he might say. He'd never hurt Rose - he doesn’t have that in him - but he might say things that would make life on the TARDIS very awkward.
Jack smiles at Rose goofily. "You have a pretty smile! And great-"
"Oi!" He needs to distract Jack. So he says the first thing that pops into his head. "Anything you like about me?" It's an invitation for disaster, but at least this will only embarrass him, and he deserves it for allowing this to happen. If Jack's gushing about him, at least he won't say anything that'd embarrass Rose.
"Your cock!" Jack announces enthusiastically.
So much for that idea.
"It's so thick! And smooth! And cool! And I like how you…" In desperation, the Doctor clasps a hand over Jack's mouth. He glances at Rose. She's biting her lip to keep from giggling. No damage done then, except to his pride.
He becomes aware of something moist… and it's Jack licking his palm. Of course. He lets him. At least it keeps the lad quiet.
When they reach the TARDIS, Rose disentangles her arm from Jack's and unlocks the door. "Right, what now?"
"Medbay. Want a blood panel."
"Oh! Can we use the restraints on the med beds again?" Jack asks, his eyes shining with excitement.
Looking anywhere but at Rose, the Doctor mumbles "Maybe another time…"
"So, I'm guessing this 'Cling' stuff also disables the brain-to-mouth filter?" The concern in Rose's voice takes the edge off the sarcasm.
"Yep. He'll say anything that pops into his mind. Would answer any questions, too, so don't ask him anything personal, all right?" A person under the influence of Cling will bare their soul if asked - even if part of them is desperate not to. Jack is very private about some of his past.
"You can ask me anything!" Jack objects as Rose nods. "I'll tell you! What do you want to know?"
"Nothing." The Doctor tries to sound soothing. The part of Jack's mind that's still him must feel vulnerable and exposed right now, knowing all his secrets could be wrung from him for the asking. But the parts currently run by the drug want to divulge any information listeners might find interesting. One of the chemical components of Cling is also used in truth serums.
"Aw, come on - ask me! Ask!"
He looks so eager that the Doctor decides it's best to humor him. At least that will keep them moving towards the medbay. "All right. Tell me about-" Something harmless, but still personal enough that Jack will see it as a real question. The drug doesn’t make him any less intelligent. "Have you always been this well-built?" The adjective will make the lad happy, and at worst, they'll get a story about how Jack was pudgy as a child. Nothing too bad.
"Yes. Always ran around a lot. Never put on much weight. Well, except for when I was pregnant, of course."
Rose stops dead in her tracks. The Doctor manages to keep his face neutral, and distracts Jack by rubbing his back. Jack arches into the touch.
The Doctor knew Jack had a uterine implant, of course, but this is news to him. It's not something he has any right to find out about unless Jack tells him of his own free will. And he doesn’t have free will at the moment.
The Doctor turns to Rose. "You know… might be best if you just went to bed. Leave us to it. Gonna be awkward."
Rose hesitates. "You're sure you don't need me? Nothing I can do to help?"
"Oh, I know what you could help us with!" Jack starts, and the Doctor kisses him roughly to silence him. Jack melts against him, and for a moment the Doctor feels like he's exploiting his drugged state. Not that Jack doesn’t usually respond well to kisses. But he doesn’t let them distract him from what he wants to say. But wouldn't it be worse to let him say things he'd later wish he hadn't? Somehow, both seem like taking advantage.
He turns back to Rose, who's shifting from foot to foot. "Nah. Really. I'll just check his blood to make sure it's nothing worse, an' then I'll just… sit with him."
"Shouldn't he sleep it off?"
"Can't. Among other things, it's designed to keep you… going… all through the night."
Rose frowns in concern "What are you going to do, then?"
"Just stay with him, keep him calm an' out of trouble. Don't need sleep, me."
Rose nods. "If I can do anything, just wake me, yeah? I don't mind."
He nods, privately resolving not to let Jack near another living soul until the poor bloke is in full possession of his senses again.
If he could, he'd leave him alone. But Jack physically needs company, touch and closeness right now. It'd be cruel to make him be on his own, even in a safe environment like the TARDIS.
The Doctor sighs and starts moving them towards the medbay once more. It's going to be a long night.
Go to part 2.
Beta: canaana, wendymr, additional input from kae_nine
Rating: Teen (swearing, sexual content, mentions of non-con)
Spoilers: The Doctor Dances
Characters: Nine/Jack, Rose
Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction; the characters are the property of the BBC and used here without permission. No money was made.
Summary: It was supposed to be just a fun night out…
A/N: Written for dshael, who bid on me in the Support Stacie Auction. This is the word count of several incentive things she won added together… and then it got away from me a little. Prompt: Deal!verse, cling, blunt head trauma.
This is set in the Deal-verse.
Cling
Chapter 1
The Doctor leans back in his chair and glowers at Jack.
Of course, Jack remains unimpressed, since he's on the other side of the dance floor, dancing with a Ceridian, her silky fur pressed against his very tight T-shirt. And that's completely fair enough. The Doctor doesn't mind. Course not. After all, when Jack and Rose begged and wheedled to go clubbing, he stipulated that he would not, under any circumstances, dance, and they'd have to find their own partners.
So it's not like he minds that Jack has taken him at his word. Not at all. And while Jack has been dancing and flirting with about half the aliens in the club - and passing a few of the good-looking male ones on to Rose afterwards - he's turned down all advances to do more unhesitatingly and with a smile.
But damn, that woman's plastered all over Jack's chest, her arms around his neck and her snout on his shoulder, and is this really necessary?
The Doctor takes a deep breath. Jack's just being Jack. He's remained strictly within the boundaries they agreed on. He enjoys clubbing and dancing and flirting, and the Doctor knows he has no right to keep him from doing these things just because he doesn’t enjoy them himself.
Hell, if he doesn’t want Jack to be fondled and sniffed by other people, all he has to do is cross the dance floor, grab the Captain, and twirl him around himself. He doesn’t doubt for a second that Jack would be delighted.
He almost gets up, but... No. He'd rather stay here, where he has a clear view and can keep an eye on both Jack and Rose - she's been dancing with a string of pretty boys, but she always comes back to their table after a song or two.
Also, he'd make a complete ass of himself. Give him ballroom dancing any day, but this "modern" hopping about and the complex arm movements Jack spent the past week teaching Rose… they're just not for him.
And anyway, he needs to watch their drinks.
The song ends, and Jack disengages from his partner with a smile and some sort of quip that makes her laugh. She steps closer and whispers in his ear. The Doctor turns his chair to be able to watch more closely.
Jack shakes his head as he answers, smiling and gesturing towards the Doctor. The Ceridian throws a quick glance across the dance floor and frowns, fluffing up her tail. She grabs Jack's belt and pulls him towards her, groping his arse with her other hand.
An abrupt movement of Jack's arm, a fluid sidestep, and a hard stare combined with some barb the Doctor can't hear, but that makes the Ceridian's ears droop. She mumbles something and disappears into the crowd.
Jack glances around for Rose; she's chatting with a Balhoonian, laughing and seeming perfectly relaxed. He sends her a quick smile and looks over at the Doctor.
The Time Lord raises an eyebrow.
Jack frowns and cocks his head in question.
The Doctor forces a grin and waves him off. The lad's done nothing wrong. Bit of fun, that's all. Not Jack's fault that his lover is both a terrible dancer and the jealous sort. And it's not like Jack did anything to make the Ceridian want to get into his trousers. Well, nothing except not looking half bad and being charming and suave, and he can't help that.
Still, for the next two songs, the Doctor keeps an even closer eye on Jack. He's dancing with a human couple now, weaving through the complicated three-step patterns with an elegance and grace the Doctor can only admire. He has to swallow several times as he watches Jack turning, bending and stretching to the fast rhythm. Except for occasional glances to make sure Rose is okay, he doesn't take his eyes off Jack.
At the end of the set, both Rose and Jack start weaving their way towards him. The Doctor turns his chair back towards the table and grins at Jack. "Having a good time?"
Jack smiles and takes a long draught from his drink. "Yeah. Bit hot in here, though."
Rose winks at him, fiddling with her necklace, which has got caught in a button. "Don't think anyone'd object if you took off your shirt."
The Time Lord growls.
"'cept the Doctor, that is."
The Doctor reaches for his drink to hide his scowl. Wouldn't do to ruin the apes' night out. As he brings the glass to his lips, he freezes. Sniffs, then takes a small sip.
Rose is just about to drink from her cocktail. He grabs it out of her hand. "Hey!"
He smells the bubbly pink concoction, then takes Jack's almost empty glass and smells it, too. "Hell."
Jack looks at him, instantly tense and serious. "What is it?"
"Rose - have you had any of it?"
"No." She shakes her head. "You took it from me before I could."
He turns to Jack, putting a hand on his arm. "How much have you had?"
"Most of it. What the fuck's in there?" Fine beads of sweat are forming on Jack's forehead and his pupils are beginning to dilate.
"Cling."
"Fucking hell." Jack pulls his arm away. "Thought you were watching the drinks!"
He was supposed to. Said he would. Has been sitting right next to them all night. How the hell did he let himself get that distracted?
Petty jealousy, that's how. And he didn't even realize his lapse. If only he'd checked their glasses before letting them drink…
"What's Cling?" Rose sounds scared. Jack turns to her, the anger on his face giving way to tension. "Rose, can you settle our tab? We need to get home." He turns back to the Doctor. "Think you could keep an eye on me, or is that too much to ask?" he spits.
The Doctor bristles at the reproach, then stops himself short. The lad's right. And, if his heart rate and body chemistry are anything to go by, terrified.
He covers Jack's hand with his. Jack lets him, but his eyes are still narrowed in anger. "Jack. It will be all right. I'm sorry I let this happen."
Jack turns to him and his face is awash in warring emotions - anger, fear, and, the Doctor realizes with disgust, starry-eyed admiration and desire that he knows are not coming from Jack's own mind. "Don't be sorry, it's not your…" For a moment, rage wins out and Jack's jaw snaps shut. "Great. It's kicking in already."
The Doctor shoves a credit chip at Rose. "Go and pay, then get back here as quickly as you can."
She looks panicked, but gets up with a brief nod. He takes her hand and squeezes it reassuringly. "Jack will be fine. We just need to get him home."
Another nod, and Rose starts pushing her way towards the bar. The Doctor's keeping an eye on her and a hand on Jack's shoulder. He's almost certain Jack was the target here - it must have been that bloody Ceridian hussy. If he gets his hands on-
He feels Jack's arms wrap around him. The Captain rests his head on his shoulder and mumbles. "Thank you for taking me out, Doc."
Oh damn. Damndamndamndamn. This stuff is kicking in way too fast. How much was in that drink? He needs to get Jack back to the TARDIS so he can run a blood panel, find out the specific composition and dosage of the Cling in Jack's system. Looks like it's one of the most potent strands.
Without preamble, Jack tries to shift into the Doctor's lap. "No," he says, gently pushing him back into his chair. "Just wait till Rose gets back, yeah?"
Jack's lip trembles and he looks down. "Sorry."
Hell. He runs a hand along Jack's arm. "'S all right."
Rose has paid and is now headed back towards them. The Doctor gets up to meet her, pulling Jack with him. He keeps an arm tightly wrapped around the other man's waist.
Jack has his hands all over him - rubbing his back, stroking his hair, fondling the front of his jeans. The Doctor keeps one arm around him and takes Rose's hand with the other. He'll have to let Jack get on with it and just hope he can get them out of here before he does anything even more embarrassing.
Rose is watching them, biting her lip. "What is this Cling stuff?" she asks as they wind their way towards the exit.
"It's… In terms you'll understand, it's a date rape drug. Seems one of Jack's dance partners wanted a bit more than he was willing to give."
Rose's eyes flash with anger. "They were gonna knock him out an' rape him?"
"Not 'knock out,' precisely. The way Cling works, it makes people incredibly eager to please. Will do anything they're asked to - have sex, hand over all their money, fight someone. Doesn’t matter who's asking, either."
Rose looks at Jack, wide-eyed. "Anyone could just walk up to him now and say 'Slap that blonde,' an' he would?"
The Doctor pulls Jack closer, his body language signaling that no stranger is getting anywhere near him. "Better not try."
Jack buries his face in the Doctor's neck, nibbling softly.
The Time Lord sighs. "Also makes them crave physical closeness, to the point where it hurts when they're not touching someone. Hence the name." He grunts. "Makes people literally do anything for a pat on the head."
Jack licks the side of the Doctor's neck. "Pat my head," he begs.
It would be funny if it weren't so bloody horrible. And it's his fault. The real Jack is still in there, and he'll be rightly livid with the Doctor once he's back in control. With a sigh, the Doctor runs a hand through Jack's hair, and Jack quivers with delight.
Rose looks on, dismayed. She usually finds displays of affection between her travel companions "cute," "adorable" and a whole lot of other adjectives he and Jack pretend to hate, but secretly revel in. But she's clever enough to see that this, while not outside the realm of things Jack will do of his own free will in the right mood, is chemical manipulation of the worst kind. Nothing cute about it.
Rose looks back at the Doctor. "Why'd they put it in all our glasses, then?"
"Probably didn't know which was his. Or wanted to make sure we wouldn't be able to take care of him." Thank the stars Jack hadn't gone back out to the dance floor before the Doctor discovered the drugs. Anything could have happened. The Doctor tightens his hold around Jack's waist and doesn’t object as Jack presses his arse sideways against his hip.
"An' I'm guessing us stupid apes can't taste or smell it, eh?"
The Doctor yelps as Jack squeezes him in a way he loves, but that's inappropriate in public. "Exactly."
"But he'll be all right once we get him to the TARDIS? You can give him an antidote?"
He shakes his head. "No such thing. Will just have to keep him safe while it runs its course."
Rose steps around him so she's on Jack's other side and puts her arm through his. "Will do that, then." She manages not to look taken aback as Jack rubs his arse against her hip.
"Will come on to anyone in this state," the Doctor explains apologetically as he pushes open the door. He breathes in the cool night air, grateful the TARDIS is just around the corner.
"I like Rose!" Jack protests.
"Know you do, lad." Hell. He needs to get them both home, and then he needs to somehow convince Rose to leave him and Jack alone. He knows his lover well enough to realize Jack very likely harbors some fantasies about their companion. Fantasies he'd never act on, both because he knows Rose isn't interested and because he promised the Doctor exclusivity. But in his current state, Jack can't be held responsible for what he might say. He'd never hurt Rose - he doesn’t have that in him - but he might say things that would make life on the TARDIS very awkward.
Jack smiles at Rose goofily. "You have a pretty smile! And great-"
"Oi!" He needs to distract Jack. So he says the first thing that pops into his head. "Anything you like about me?" It's an invitation for disaster, but at least this will only embarrass him, and he deserves it for allowing this to happen. If Jack's gushing about him, at least he won't say anything that'd embarrass Rose.
"Your cock!" Jack announces enthusiastically.
So much for that idea.
"It's so thick! And smooth! And cool! And I like how you…" In desperation, the Doctor clasps a hand over Jack's mouth. He glances at Rose. She's biting her lip to keep from giggling. No damage done then, except to his pride.
He becomes aware of something moist… and it's Jack licking his palm. Of course. He lets him. At least it keeps the lad quiet.
When they reach the TARDIS, Rose disentangles her arm from Jack's and unlocks the door. "Right, what now?"
"Medbay. Want a blood panel."
"Oh! Can we use the restraints on the med beds again?" Jack asks, his eyes shining with excitement.
Looking anywhere but at Rose, the Doctor mumbles "Maybe another time…"
"So, I'm guessing this 'Cling' stuff also disables the brain-to-mouth filter?" The concern in Rose's voice takes the edge off the sarcasm.
"Yep. He'll say anything that pops into his mind. Would answer any questions, too, so don't ask him anything personal, all right?" A person under the influence of Cling will bare their soul if asked - even if part of them is desperate not to. Jack is very private about some of his past.
"You can ask me anything!" Jack objects as Rose nods. "I'll tell you! What do you want to know?"
"Nothing." The Doctor tries to sound soothing. The part of Jack's mind that's still him must feel vulnerable and exposed right now, knowing all his secrets could be wrung from him for the asking. But the parts currently run by the drug want to divulge any information listeners might find interesting. One of the chemical components of Cling is also used in truth serums.
"Aw, come on - ask me! Ask!"
He looks so eager that the Doctor decides it's best to humor him. At least that will keep them moving towards the medbay. "All right. Tell me about-" Something harmless, but still personal enough that Jack will see it as a real question. The drug doesn’t make him any less intelligent. "Have you always been this well-built?" The adjective will make the lad happy, and at worst, they'll get a story about how Jack was pudgy as a child. Nothing too bad.
"Yes. Always ran around a lot. Never put on much weight. Well, except for when I was pregnant, of course."
Rose stops dead in her tracks. The Doctor manages to keep his face neutral, and distracts Jack by rubbing his back. Jack arches into the touch.
The Doctor knew Jack had a uterine implant, of course, but this is news to him. It's not something he has any right to find out about unless Jack tells him of his own free will. And he doesn’t have free will at the moment.
The Doctor turns to Rose. "You know… might be best if you just went to bed. Leave us to it. Gonna be awkward."
Rose hesitates. "You're sure you don't need me? Nothing I can do to help?"
"Oh, I know what you could help us with!" Jack starts, and the Doctor kisses him roughly to silence him. Jack melts against him, and for a moment the Doctor feels like he's exploiting his drugged state. Not that Jack doesn’t usually respond well to kisses. But he doesn’t let them distract him from what he wants to say. But wouldn't it be worse to let him say things he'd later wish he hadn't? Somehow, both seem like taking advantage.
He turns back to Rose, who's shifting from foot to foot. "Nah. Really. I'll just check his blood to make sure it's nothing worse, an' then I'll just… sit with him."
"Shouldn't he sleep it off?"
"Can't. Among other things, it's designed to keep you… going… all through the night."
Rose frowns in concern "What are you going to do, then?"
"Just stay with him, keep him calm an' out of trouble. Don't need sleep, me."
Rose nods. "If I can do anything, just wake me, yeah? I don't mind."
He nods, privately resolving not to let Jack near another living soul until the poor bloke is in full possession of his senses again.
If he could, he'd leave him alone. But Jack physically needs company, touch and closeness right now. It'd be cruel to make him be on his own, even in a safe environment like the TARDIS.
The Doctor sighs and starts moving them towards the medbay once more. It's going to be a long night.
Go to part 2.