Fic: Cling (4/4)
Title: Cling (4/4)
Betas: canaana & wendymr
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.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
Chapter 4
The club manager was hesitant at first, but when they told him what had happened on his premises, he immediately produced the security footage.
The Doctor flinches as he watches himself, staring fixedly towards the dance floor, while the slight figure of the Ceridian approaches their table from behind. She bends forward, her hand flicks over their table just once, and she leaves the frame, no one sparing her a second glance.
Least of all him. Bleeding hell.
Jack touches his shoulder lightly. "You were right. It was her."
"Told you."
"I just wanted to make sure," Rose says.
"You were right to," Jack says with a smile. "Wouldn't have wanted to go off half-cocked."
The Doctor nods grimly. He and Jack were enraged enough to go on gut instinct, but given what he intends to do to the culprit, Rose was right to make sure they had the right person first. Still, seeing himself so utterly failing to protect his companions…
He feels a hand on his shoulder and turns his head.
The warmth and love shining in Jack's eyes, despite of what they've just seen, are humbling. He gives the Doctor a teasing smile. "Don't start."
He snorts at the turn-around of their usual pattern. Jack doesn’t mean flirting, of course; he's talking about self-blame. The Doctor grins. "Right. Got someone better to blame, anyway."
*****
The club owner wants to call the authorities right away. He's mortified that something like that happened on his premises. Rose almost feels sorry for him. It's a combination of Jack's sweet talking and the look in the Doctor's eyes as he promises none of the club's patrons will ever be bothered by that woman again that makes the owner agree to give them till evening to deal with it themselves.
It's easy enough to find her - few of her race travel this far in this century. A few well-aimed questions, accompanied by flirty smiles from Jack or Rose - whichever works - and they're standing outside a sleek little space glider moored near the center of the spaceport - an expensive parking space, the Doctor assures her.
"Right." The Time Lord looks at Jack. "How'd you want to play this?"
Jack raises an eyebrow. "You're asking me?" His eyes are twinkling. "Isn't this where you normally tell us to shut up and follow your lead?" His fingers gently play along the Doctor's wrist, taking the sting out of his words.
Rose giggles, and Jack winks at her.
The Doctor rubs his neck. "Not that bad, am I?" At Jack's grin, he concedes, "Well, Time Lord, me. My job to sort things, usually. But - you're the one who… well…"
"The one it hit hardest," Rose helps, earning herself two grateful glances.
"Yeah. So if you wanna take charge here - I'll follow your lead, yeah?" Something in his tone is almost shy. Rose isn't sure what this is about, but clearly it goes back to the conversation the blokes had this morning.
Jack smiles, and touches the Doctor's elbow. There's a warmth in his eyes, as if- Rose looks away, feeling that something private is passing between them.
"Know what I really want?" Jack says. Rose looks back at him.
"What?" the Doctor asks.
Jack's lips are as thin as a knife blade. A corner of his mouth turns upwards. "I want her to be hit by the full force of the Oncoming Storm."
The Doctor's grin mirrors Jack's. "Right." He takes a step towards the door. Rose and Jack stand by his shoulders. "Follow my lead."
*****
The Doctor knocks. Jack would have gone for something a little more forceful. But he adjusts his features to match the Doctor's polite smile. It was his choice to do this the Doctor's way. And the fact that the Doctor explicitly gave him a choice means he really was listening earlier. That thought makes it easier to smile.
The door opens to the slight form of the Ceridian, her fur sleep-ruffled in the middle of the day, eyes reddened and ears laid back. "What do you want?" She looks the Doctor up and down. When her gaze turns to Jack, her eyes widen and her fingers fumble for the door control.
"Hello!" the Doctor says brightly, stepping over the threshold into the ship. Rose follows, and Jack brings up the rear. He closes the door and positions himself right in front of the controls. Rose throws him a glance, and he nods towards the console in the front of the ship. Rose leans against it nonchalantly, while the Doctor backs the Ceridian into the corner between the vessel's wall and her bunk, blocking the path to the cargo bay. He's still smiling widely. "So nice to finally meet you face-to-face! I'm the Doctor, by the way, and this is Rose and Jack. Well, I suppose you've met Jack quite… close-up already, haven't you? Though maybe not as close as you would have liked?"
"I didn't do anything!" she hisses. She's gesticulating with her left paw - which doesn’t distract Jack from her right sneaking behind her back.
He pulls his blaster and points it straight at her. "I wouldn't do that if I were you!" She's too close to the Doctor for him to actually fire, but she doesn’t need to know that.
Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Rose reaching for a large spanner lying on the console.
The Ceridian freezes. The Doctor reaches around her and holds up a Drex VII laser shooter. "Ah, now is that any way to greet guests? And what did you say your name was?"
Her ears droop. "Relle of the Grinru Clan."
"Grinru, huh? Give my regards to Sarlo." The Doctor still sounds perfectly pleasant. He passes Jack the shooter and looks pointedly at his blaster. Jack pockets both guns, but keeps his within easy reach.
"You… you know Sarlo?" Relle's tail is swishing back and forth.
"Oh, yes. Old drinking buddies, him and me." He turns back to Relle, and his voice goes ice cold. "I wonder what he'd say if he knew one of his clan is going around drugging and raping people." All the lines of his frame shift - he seems taller, harder, and much more dangerous. Jack is almost glad he can't see his eyes.
"I didn't-" she protests, stepping back until her whipping tail hits the wall.
"Don't even try to tell me Jack was the first one you drugged. If we hadn't caught on, you'd have had your way with him and left me and Rose to the mercy of the next passer-by, wouldn't you?"
She bares her teeth. "All I wanted was a little fun! I was just going to make him pleasure me, not hurt him."
The Doctor steps so close to Relle that her pointy ears peeking over his shoulders are all Jack can see of her. "And that sentence neatly illustrates why we'll make damn sure you never have a chance to do that to anyone again."
Jack grins in grim satisfaction. He glances at Rose. She seems torn between disgust and anger.
"Jack," The Doctor says, his tone cold and commanding. "Scan this place for Cling."
Jack punches a few buttons on his wristcomp. "In the cargo bay, right by the door. At least ten kilos."
The Doctor's lines harden even further. "Not just a user then, eh? You sell this stuff."
Relle tries to sidestep the Doctor. He backs her against the tall storage unit at the foot-end of her bunk. Her bared teeth and slitted eyes speak of more anger than fear.
"Rose," the Doctor says. "Go to the cargo bay and find the Cling. Blueish powder, probably wrapped in thermoneutride vacuum foil - looks like cellophane. Go to the wet cell - should be to your left - and flush it." Rose nods and heads for the narrow doorway.
"No!" Relle howls and tries to dodge the Doctor. He brings his arms down to the right and left of her, pinning her effectively without actually touching. She snaps her teeth at him, but he doesn’t flinch. "You're destroying my livelihood!" Just then, they hear ripping sounds, followed by a series of small splashes.
The Doctor grins wolfishly. "Wouldn't worry about your livelihood. They'll feed you in prison."
Relle is shocked into silence at first, then she begins to sputter. "I'm not… You can't…" There's the sound of a hydrosonic toilet flushing. Relle's outrage turns into a grin. "You have no proof."
Rose emerges from the cargo room, holding up a small packet. "Kept one for evidence." She smiles at the proud glances she gets from both men.
"Good thinking, Rose." Jack squeezes her shoulder.
"Yeah. It was." He focuses on Relle again. "Though not necessary in this case. Since you'll confess an' all."
She sneers. "Why would I do such a thing?"
The Doctor's back to smiling politely, and his voice sounds positively pleasant when he says. "Because I'm telling you to."
She flashes her claws, but doesn’t actually strike. Clearly, she knows that she'd stand no chance in a physical fight. She's trying to bluff or talk her way out. "And who are you to give orders to me, human?"
The Doctor grins. "Ah, see, that's where you're making a mistake." His voice goes cold again and he leans in, his nose inches from her snout. "You want to know who I am?"
Jack's telepathic senses, weak as they are, scream, and his shields come up reflexively. At the same time, Relle covers her face with her paws and starts shaking her head. Jack looks over at Rose, who seems confused but unaffected.
"What's going on?" she asks him.
"The Doctor's projecting at her. Very loudly."
"Projecting?"
"Telepathically." He sees Relle wrapping her tail around herself tightly. Her knees are starting to shake.
"He's in her mind?" Rose looks torn between satisfaction and disdain. She's not a telepath, but fascinated by the idea. They've discussed the ethics of telepathy many times.
"Not really," Jack explains. "It's more like he's right outside her door, yelling at the top of his voice. She can't help hearing him, but he's not inside." Relle's beginning to slide down the wall, curling herself into a fetal position.
"What's he saying?"
"I don't know. It's very focused on her. I'm just getting echoes."
Relle is rocking back and forth now, keening.
The echoes stop. Relle stares up at the Doctor, wide-eyed.
The Time Lord smiles, but there's nothing warm or comforting in it. "So - that's who I am. And now, will you go to the police like a good girl, tell them what you did, who your suppliers are, and the names of all your customers?"
Relle shakily stands up. "I… I… yes, Milord." Her voice is very small.
With one of the most patronizing grins Jack has ever seen from his lover, he pats her on the head. "Atta girl. Run along now." Then his eyes harden. "If you ever come near me or mine again…"
"I won't!" Relle squeaks, and hastens towards the door. Rose steps aside to let her pass, Jack hits the door controls, and she's out and hurrying towards the city center before the door is even fully open.
"Are we sure she'll turn herself in?" Rose asks, putting the now-unneeded packet of Cling down on the bunk.
Jack and the Doctor exchange a dark grin. "Psychology," Jack says.
The Doctor steps closer to Jack. "Enough Oncoming Storm in that for your liking?"
Jack's reply makes Rose hit the door controls. She's used to the blokes, but there's no need to alarm passers-by.
*****
The Doctor takes them out to dinner after that, to a little restaurant not far from the space port. On their way back to the TARDIS for an early night, they notice a lot of police vehicles and men in uniform with blinking metal wands that look like some kind of scanner. "Raids," the Doctor says with a satisfied smirk.
As they part ways at the door to Jack's room, Rose hugs the Doctor good-night. He returns the embrace warmly. "You're sure you're all right with this? Ignored you for most of the morning already."
She grins and shakes her head. "You can make it up to me later."
Her hug with Jack is tight and long. The Doctor smiles. Knowing that his companions are just friends, he finds their open physical affection nothing but sweet. Funny how he's not jealous at all when he trusts.
Not that he's ever jealous, of course.
He hears Jack mumble thanks into Rose's ear - for forgiving him, for her support, for understanding that he needs alone time with his lover right now.
Rose just smiles. "It's all right. Really." She spiders her fingers up Jack's side, making him squirm and pull away. Then she winks and makes a "Get on with it," gesture in the Doctor's direction.
As soon as she leaves, Jack turns to the Doctor. "We're going shopping tomorrow. Some place with lots of pink clothes and sparkly jewelry." He enters his room.
The Doctor sighs. "Was gonna say we'll go anywhere you want." He follows, closing the door behind them.
"This is it, then." Jack seems determined.
The Doctor nods. Jack is right. While he can easily come up with at least twelve places all of them would enjoy, Rose deserves a day that's all about her. And she'll appreciate the gesture.
"And we'll both go with her," Jack continues. "And be cheerful about it."
The Doctor raises an eyebrow. "Didn't know I needed you to tell me how to be nice to Rose."
Jack deflates. "Sorry. Nervous."
"'Bout shopping?"
"About something you said."
A tiny knot of dread settles in the Doctor's stomach, like an ice marble. "What's that?"
"I've been thinking." Jack sits down on the bed and pulls off his boots. "About what you said about Time Lords and sex. How there's a deeper connection that I don't get."
The Doctor winces. These are not things he likes to speak of. Not things that should ever be spoken of. The icy knot in his stomach becomes heavier and harder. "Yeah?"
Jack's gaze is searching. "You said you only develop the drive if you feel that deep connection. The one I can't understand. You have the drive with me."
The clump of ice in his guts sends shivers up and down his spine. He knows where this is going now. He nods.
"So there's a whole dimension of your feelings for me that I don't get. Can't ever get. And that I don't return."
He squeezes his eyes shut. Icy tentacles wrap around his hearts. This is it. The "We're just too different" conversation. Jack is going to tell him that he needs someone he can relate to, not someone who has whole inner worlds he can't even explain.
He's been afraid of this ever since they first started being more than just companions.
Hell, no. He's always afraid of this even with companions. And the day always comes when they leave, because they want a normal life.
But damn, this hurts. He didn't think it'd be so soon. He thought he'd have more time.
He feels a touch on his jaw and opens his eyes. Jack's face is inches from his, full of concern. He startles backwards at what the Doctor knows must be raw pain in his eyes.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stir up the pain. I just wanted-"
"I understand." Easier if he says it himself. "Too alien, me. Better if we're just friends."
Suddenly, there's fear on Jack's face that mirrors his own, but it's gone in a split-second. "Wait… are you saying that because it's what you want, or because it's what you think I want?"
"Like you said. We're too different. Whole lot of stuff 'bout me that's just weird to you."
Jack steps closer, and takes the Doctor's face between his palms. The Doctor wants to step back - he doesn’t need a kiss good-bye. But the tenderness feels so good, and who knows if he'll ever have it again. He closes his eyes and swallows against the nausea.
"I'm not dumping you."
His eyes snap open, search Jack's. There's complete honesty there, and annoyance.
"I'm not dumping you, you idiot. Are you dumping me?"
He shakes his head, not quite trusting his voice.
"Good. Didn't think so." Jack lets go and sits back down on the bed, patting the blanket next to him.
The Doctor sits down numbly. His knees are feeling wobbly, anyway.
"What I was trying to say is…" Jack takes a deep breath. Clearly whatever it is is not easy for him. "Would it help if I let you into my mind while we have sex?"
This is so much not what he expected that it startles a laugh out of him. "What?"
"If I let you hold contact with my mind while we shag, could I… return… more of whatever it is you're feeling?"
"You don't like telepathy." The lad's always been wary of it, allowing contact only when there was no choice. Him offering it so freely now...
"That's not what I asked," Jack says impatiently. "Would it help?"
He shakes his head. "No. Not for that. Mental contact during sex can be fantastic, but it wouldn't help here. The things I was talkin' about… your mind just can't process them, telepathically or otherwise."
Jack takes a deep breath and nods. "All right." He's clearly trying to hide his relief.
The Doctor squeezes his thigh. "Where'd that come from?"
Jack shrugs. "Would have been willing to do it to be less… lacking." He sounds completely matter-of-fact, but the last word stops the Doctor cold.
"You're not lacking." What the hell? "Bloody brilliant is what you are."
Jack grins. "Thanks. But, like you said, there are things I can't give you. Important things."
The Doctor shakes his head, picking at his jeans above the knee. Seem to be getting a bit thin there. May be time to retire this pair.
Jack is still looking at him, waiting for a reply. He takes a deep breath. "What we have… never thought I'd have that again, after... I'm not settling, Jack."
"Like hell you aren't."
The Doctor looks up again. He considers denying it, but Jack's eyes show his lover's seen through him already. He nods. "Yeah. I am. I'm sorry." He holds his breath, waiting for Jack's reaction. Being told his partner feels he settled… He's afraid he's going to lose Jack after all.
Jack grins wryly. "Everybody settles, Doctor."
The Doctor blinks. "What?"
"No one can be everything to someone else. No one's the perfect partner. Never figured I was yours. We all find the closest to our ideal that we can, then settle." He shrugs. "That's why I don't believe in monogamy. Puts too much pressure on one person."
The Doctor's feelings are in turmoil. He's torn between relief at Jack's acceptance, and sheer terror at his last statement. He's not sure what's on his face, but apparently whatever it is is enough to make Jack understand.
"Oh, relax. You know I'm monogamous for you. It's the only way you'll have me."
"I… I wouldn't want to take something…" But he's lying. Hell, he can't open their relationship. He just can't. Damn Time Lord morals and instincts, but he could never accept it if Jack-
Jack puts a hand on his knee. "It's all right. You were clear about that from the start. No flings, no kisses, and getting growled at for flirting."
"But it's not what you want." Has Jack been resenting their agreement all along?
Jack shrugs. "Sometimes, I see someone when we're out, and I think to myself 'Damn, if only the Doctor wasn't so hung up about sex.'"
At his dismayed expression, Jack grins. "And then I turn around and write them off. Because you're worth it."
And one day, Jack'll get fed up with it. Probably soon. Sex is so very important to him. "If you ever… really need to… maybe I could…" He can't even pretend.
"No, you couldn't. And I'll never 'really need to.'" Jack shrugs. "The thing about casual sex not being a big deal for me? Cuts both ways. Yes, I wish I had a partner who didn't mind if I tasted other samples, but in the end, the main course is more important to me." He smiles - his real smile, not the one he uses to blind people. "I can't have you and casual flings both. So - I settle."
There's a tentative smile on the Doctor's face. "Settle for an insufferably arrogant git who'll impose his values on you?"
Jack grins. "Aw, he has his good sides." He leans closer. "Great kisser, for instance."
The Doctor hesitates for one second, searching Jack's eyes. Then he leans in, and Jack proceeds to kiss him breathless, respiratory bypass or not.
When they break apart, Jack looks at him earnestly. "Everybody settles, Doctor. The one thing that matters is - are you happy with what you settled for?"
"Yes. Those things you can't comprehend… I can't get them, Jack. Never again. Not from anyone. But I thought… I didn't think it'd ever be this good again." He struggles. He shouldn't even speak of these things. But Jack deserves to know, and there's no way to let him know except words. "Even if you can't return them… the fact that you make me feel them..." He stops, and is glad to see Jack nodding his understanding. "Sorry. Hard to talk about."
Jack eyes light with realization. "That's why you can never say those words, isn't it?"
Damn. I love you. Three little words. Six phonemes. It should be so easy to say. He certainly feels it. But… "It's not something we're supposed to express in words." The very thought leaves a disgusting taste in his mouth. "Not ever."
Jack nods. "It's fine. Don't need you to say it. Never did. Just nice to understand why."
He shuffles his feet. "Right. So… You're still all right with the deal, yeah?"
Jack smiles. "Yeah."
"'S just, sometimes…"
Jack frowns. "What?"
"Sometimes, when you flirt… It's okay to flirt, I know I said it was okay, and it is, but…"
Jack puts a hand on his shoulder. "Just say it."
"Sometimes you flirt so damn hard." Fuck, he sounds like a jealous teenager. But hearing that Jack finds monogamy pointless has rattled his self-confidence more than he wants to admit.
Jack laughs. "You want to know why?"
"I do know! Flirting just comes natural to you." And there really is nothing wrong with that, dammit.
"No. Well, yes. A little bit of flirting, sure. But when I flirt really hard? It's for you."
He stops. "What?"
Jack grins. "I know you'll say you don't get jealous, but… When I flirt really hard, you have a tendency to throw me on the bed and screw me through the mattress later on." He grins wolfishly "Sometimes more than once."
He feels his jaw slacken and swallows to get his voice back. His ears are burning.
"I never flirt that hard unless you're watching, you know?" Jack's grin is teasing now, and he's slowly licking his lips. "It's almost the only way I can get you to really let go."
Right. Aware of his own superior physical strength, the Doctor usually takes great care to hold himself back. He knew that Jack sometimes likes it a bit rough, of course, but he may have underestimated how much. The Doctor feels a mixture of annoyance and amusement smooth away the tension in his gut. Warmth is beginning to pool in his groin. "Oh, you ain't seen nothin' yet, my lad." He schools his face to the mask of a predator, with just a hint of Oncoming Storm.
He can hear Jack's pulse picking up and his breathing getting faster, and the human's pupils are dilating. "Talk's cheap." The teasing tone's well played, and Jack even manages a scoff. "Show me."
The Doctor grabs Jack around the waist, pulls him close, and bites the nape of his neck. He looks up at Jack's hiss of pain, and sees his lover's eyes burn with desire. The Doctor bends his lips to Jack's pulse point and sucks the heated skin into his mouth, gently first, then hard, marking it. Jack groans and lets his head drop back, his fingers digging into the Doctor's shoulders, sending flames of arousal up and down his spine.
The Doctor feels heat rushing through his body. He makes no attempt to control it. For the second time today, Jack's summoned the Oncoming Storm. And for the second time today, he'll get it.
*****
Jack can't stop grinning the next day. Not even when Rose teases him mercilessly about walking funny. Not even when the Doctor threatens to take them to Fennion Twelve for a long nature hike. And when they go to Glominian instead to give Rose the shopping trip to end all shopping trips, he makes sure she has a good time - but whenever she's in a changing room, he flirts with every shop clerk, cashier and customer who'll respond.
Standing directly in the Doctor's line of sight.
The End
Betas: canaana & wendymr
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.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
Chapter 4
The club manager was hesitant at first, but when they told him what had happened on his premises, he immediately produced the security footage.
The Doctor flinches as he watches himself, staring fixedly towards the dance floor, while the slight figure of the Ceridian approaches their table from behind. She bends forward, her hand flicks over their table just once, and she leaves the frame, no one sparing her a second glance.
Least of all him. Bleeding hell.
Jack touches his shoulder lightly. "You were right. It was her."
"Told you."
"I just wanted to make sure," Rose says.
"You were right to," Jack says with a smile. "Wouldn't have wanted to go off half-cocked."
The Doctor nods grimly. He and Jack were enraged enough to go on gut instinct, but given what he intends to do to the culprit, Rose was right to make sure they had the right person first. Still, seeing himself so utterly failing to protect his companions…
He feels a hand on his shoulder and turns his head.
The warmth and love shining in Jack's eyes, despite of what they've just seen, are humbling. He gives the Doctor a teasing smile. "Don't start."
He snorts at the turn-around of their usual pattern. Jack doesn’t mean flirting, of course; he's talking about self-blame. The Doctor grins. "Right. Got someone better to blame, anyway."
*****
The club owner wants to call the authorities right away. He's mortified that something like that happened on his premises. Rose almost feels sorry for him. It's a combination of Jack's sweet talking and the look in the Doctor's eyes as he promises none of the club's patrons will ever be bothered by that woman again that makes the owner agree to give them till evening to deal with it themselves.
It's easy enough to find her - few of her race travel this far in this century. A few well-aimed questions, accompanied by flirty smiles from Jack or Rose - whichever works - and they're standing outside a sleek little space glider moored near the center of the spaceport - an expensive parking space, the Doctor assures her.
"Right." The Time Lord looks at Jack. "How'd you want to play this?"
Jack raises an eyebrow. "You're asking me?" His eyes are twinkling. "Isn't this where you normally tell us to shut up and follow your lead?" His fingers gently play along the Doctor's wrist, taking the sting out of his words.
Rose giggles, and Jack winks at her.
The Doctor rubs his neck. "Not that bad, am I?" At Jack's grin, he concedes, "Well, Time Lord, me. My job to sort things, usually. But - you're the one who… well…"
"The one it hit hardest," Rose helps, earning herself two grateful glances.
"Yeah. So if you wanna take charge here - I'll follow your lead, yeah?" Something in his tone is almost shy. Rose isn't sure what this is about, but clearly it goes back to the conversation the blokes had this morning.
Jack smiles, and touches the Doctor's elbow. There's a warmth in his eyes, as if- Rose looks away, feeling that something private is passing between them.
"Know what I really want?" Jack says. Rose looks back at him.
"What?" the Doctor asks.
Jack's lips are as thin as a knife blade. A corner of his mouth turns upwards. "I want her to be hit by the full force of the Oncoming Storm."
The Doctor's grin mirrors Jack's. "Right." He takes a step towards the door. Rose and Jack stand by his shoulders. "Follow my lead."
*****
The Doctor knocks. Jack would have gone for something a little more forceful. But he adjusts his features to match the Doctor's polite smile. It was his choice to do this the Doctor's way. And the fact that the Doctor explicitly gave him a choice means he really was listening earlier. That thought makes it easier to smile.
The door opens to the slight form of the Ceridian, her fur sleep-ruffled in the middle of the day, eyes reddened and ears laid back. "What do you want?" She looks the Doctor up and down. When her gaze turns to Jack, her eyes widen and her fingers fumble for the door control.
"Hello!" the Doctor says brightly, stepping over the threshold into the ship. Rose follows, and Jack brings up the rear. He closes the door and positions himself right in front of the controls. Rose throws him a glance, and he nods towards the console in the front of the ship. Rose leans against it nonchalantly, while the Doctor backs the Ceridian into the corner between the vessel's wall and her bunk, blocking the path to the cargo bay. He's still smiling widely. "So nice to finally meet you face-to-face! I'm the Doctor, by the way, and this is Rose and Jack. Well, I suppose you've met Jack quite… close-up already, haven't you? Though maybe not as close as you would have liked?"
"I didn't do anything!" she hisses. She's gesticulating with her left paw - which doesn’t distract Jack from her right sneaking behind her back.
He pulls his blaster and points it straight at her. "I wouldn't do that if I were you!" She's too close to the Doctor for him to actually fire, but she doesn’t need to know that.
Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Rose reaching for a large spanner lying on the console.
The Ceridian freezes. The Doctor reaches around her and holds up a Drex VII laser shooter. "Ah, now is that any way to greet guests? And what did you say your name was?"
Her ears droop. "Relle of the Grinru Clan."
"Grinru, huh? Give my regards to Sarlo." The Doctor still sounds perfectly pleasant. He passes Jack the shooter and looks pointedly at his blaster. Jack pockets both guns, but keeps his within easy reach.
"You… you know Sarlo?" Relle's tail is swishing back and forth.
"Oh, yes. Old drinking buddies, him and me." He turns back to Relle, and his voice goes ice cold. "I wonder what he'd say if he knew one of his clan is going around drugging and raping people." All the lines of his frame shift - he seems taller, harder, and much more dangerous. Jack is almost glad he can't see his eyes.
"I didn't-" she protests, stepping back until her whipping tail hits the wall.
"Don't even try to tell me Jack was the first one you drugged. If we hadn't caught on, you'd have had your way with him and left me and Rose to the mercy of the next passer-by, wouldn't you?"
She bares her teeth. "All I wanted was a little fun! I was just going to make him pleasure me, not hurt him."
The Doctor steps so close to Relle that her pointy ears peeking over his shoulders are all Jack can see of her. "And that sentence neatly illustrates why we'll make damn sure you never have a chance to do that to anyone again."
Jack grins in grim satisfaction. He glances at Rose. She seems torn between disgust and anger.
"Jack," The Doctor says, his tone cold and commanding. "Scan this place for Cling."
Jack punches a few buttons on his wristcomp. "In the cargo bay, right by the door. At least ten kilos."
The Doctor's lines harden even further. "Not just a user then, eh? You sell this stuff."
Relle tries to sidestep the Doctor. He backs her against the tall storage unit at the foot-end of her bunk. Her bared teeth and slitted eyes speak of more anger than fear.
"Rose," the Doctor says. "Go to the cargo bay and find the Cling. Blueish powder, probably wrapped in thermoneutride vacuum foil - looks like cellophane. Go to the wet cell - should be to your left - and flush it." Rose nods and heads for the narrow doorway.
"No!" Relle howls and tries to dodge the Doctor. He brings his arms down to the right and left of her, pinning her effectively without actually touching. She snaps her teeth at him, but he doesn’t flinch. "You're destroying my livelihood!" Just then, they hear ripping sounds, followed by a series of small splashes.
The Doctor grins wolfishly. "Wouldn't worry about your livelihood. They'll feed you in prison."
Relle is shocked into silence at first, then she begins to sputter. "I'm not… You can't…" There's the sound of a hydrosonic toilet flushing. Relle's outrage turns into a grin. "You have no proof."
Rose emerges from the cargo room, holding up a small packet. "Kept one for evidence." She smiles at the proud glances she gets from both men.
"Good thinking, Rose." Jack squeezes her shoulder.
"Yeah. It was." He focuses on Relle again. "Though not necessary in this case. Since you'll confess an' all."
She sneers. "Why would I do such a thing?"
The Doctor's back to smiling politely, and his voice sounds positively pleasant when he says. "Because I'm telling you to."
She flashes her claws, but doesn’t actually strike. Clearly, she knows that she'd stand no chance in a physical fight. She's trying to bluff or talk her way out. "And who are you to give orders to me, human?"
The Doctor grins. "Ah, see, that's where you're making a mistake." His voice goes cold again and he leans in, his nose inches from her snout. "You want to know who I am?"
Jack's telepathic senses, weak as they are, scream, and his shields come up reflexively. At the same time, Relle covers her face with her paws and starts shaking her head. Jack looks over at Rose, who seems confused but unaffected.
"What's going on?" she asks him.
"The Doctor's projecting at her. Very loudly."
"Projecting?"
"Telepathically." He sees Relle wrapping her tail around herself tightly. Her knees are starting to shake.
"He's in her mind?" Rose looks torn between satisfaction and disdain. She's not a telepath, but fascinated by the idea. They've discussed the ethics of telepathy many times.
"Not really," Jack explains. "It's more like he's right outside her door, yelling at the top of his voice. She can't help hearing him, but he's not inside." Relle's beginning to slide down the wall, curling herself into a fetal position.
"What's he saying?"
"I don't know. It's very focused on her. I'm just getting echoes."
Relle is rocking back and forth now, keening.
The echoes stop. Relle stares up at the Doctor, wide-eyed.
The Time Lord smiles, but there's nothing warm or comforting in it. "So - that's who I am. And now, will you go to the police like a good girl, tell them what you did, who your suppliers are, and the names of all your customers?"
Relle shakily stands up. "I… I… yes, Milord." Her voice is very small.
With one of the most patronizing grins Jack has ever seen from his lover, he pats her on the head. "Atta girl. Run along now." Then his eyes harden. "If you ever come near me or mine again…"
"I won't!" Relle squeaks, and hastens towards the door. Rose steps aside to let her pass, Jack hits the door controls, and she's out and hurrying towards the city center before the door is even fully open.
"Are we sure she'll turn herself in?" Rose asks, putting the now-unneeded packet of Cling down on the bunk.
Jack and the Doctor exchange a dark grin. "Psychology," Jack says.
The Doctor steps closer to Jack. "Enough Oncoming Storm in that for your liking?"
Jack's reply makes Rose hit the door controls. She's used to the blokes, but there's no need to alarm passers-by.
*****
The Doctor takes them out to dinner after that, to a little restaurant not far from the space port. On their way back to the TARDIS for an early night, they notice a lot of police vehicles and men in uniform with blinking metal wands that look like some kind of scanner. "Raids," the Doctor says with a satisfied smirk.
As they part ways at the door to Jack's room, Rose hugs the Doctor good-night. He returns the embrace warmly. "You're sure you're all right with this? Ignored you for most of the morning already."
She grins and shakes her head. "You can make it up to me later."
Her hug with Jack is tight and long. The Doctor smiles. Knowing that his companions are just friends, he finds their open physical affection nothing but sweet. Funny how he's not jealous at all when he trusts.
Not that he's ever jealous, of course.
He hears Jack mumble thanks into Rose's ear - for forgiving him, for her support, for understanding that he needs alone time with his lover right now.
Rose just smiles. "It's all right. Really." She spiders her fingers up Jack's side, making him squirm and pull away. Then she winks and makes a "Get on with it," gesture in the Doctor's direction.
As soon as she leaves, Jack turns to the Doctor. "We're going shopping tomorrow. Some place with lots of pink clothes and sparkly jewelry." He enters his room.
The Doctor sighs. "Was gonna say we'll go anywhere you want." He follows, closing the door behind them.
"This is it, then." Jack seems determined.
The Doctor nods. Jack is right. While he can easily come up with at least twelve places all of them would enjoy, Rose deserves a day that's all about her. And she'll appreciate the gesture.
"And we'll both go with her," Jack continues. "And be cheerful about it."
The Doctor raises an eyebrow. "Didn't know I needed you to tell me how to be nice to Rose."
Jack deflates. "Sorry. Nervous."
"'Bout shopping?"
"About something you said."
A tiny knot of dread settles in the Doctor's stomach, like an ice marble. "What's that?"
"I've been thinking." Jack sits down on the bed and pulls off his boots. "About what you said about Time Lords and sex. How there's a deeper connection that I don't get."
The Doctor winces. These are not things he likes to speak of. Not things that should ever be spoken of. The icy knot in his stomach becomes heavier and harder. "Yeah?"
Jack's gaze is searching. "You said you only develop the drive if you feel that deep connection. The one I can't understand. You have the drive with me."
The clump of ice in his guts sends shivers up and down his spine. He knows where this is going now. He nods.
"So there's a whole dimension of your feelings for me that I don't get. Can't ever get. And that I don't return."
He squeezes his eyes shut. Icy tentacles wrap around his hearts. This is it. The "We're just too different" conversation. Jack is going to tell him that he needs someone he can relate to, not someone who has whole inner worlds he can't even explain.
He's been afraid of this ever since they first started being more than just companions.
Hell, no. He's always afraid of this even with companions. And the day always comes when they leave, because they want a normal life.
But damn, this hurts. He didn't think it'd be so soon. He thought he'd have more time.
He feels a touch on his jaw and opens his eyes. Jack's face is inches from his, full of concern. He startles backwards at what the Doctor knows must be raw pain in his eyes.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stir up the pain. I just wanted-"
"I understand." Easier if he says it himself. "Too alien, me. Better if we're just friends."
Suddenly, there's fear on Jack's face that mirrors his own, but it's gone in a split-second. "Wait… are you saying that because it's what you want, or because it's what you think I want?"
"Like you said. We're too different. Whole lot of stuff 'bout me that's just weird to you."
Jack steps closer, and takes the Doctor's face between his palms. The Doctor wants to step back - he doesn’t need a kiss good-bye. But the tenderness feels so good, and who knows if he'll ever have it again. He closes his eyes and swallows against the nausea.
"I'm not dumping you."
His eyes snap open, search Jack's. There's complete honesty there, and annoyance.
"I'm not dumping you, you idiot. Are you dumping me?"
He shakes his head, not quite trusting his voice.
"Good. Didn't think so." Jack lets go and sits back down on the bed, patting the blanket next to him.
The Doctor sits down numbly. His knees are feeling wobbly, anyway.
"What I was trying to say is…" Jack takes a deep breath. Clearly whatever it is is not easy for him. "Would it help if I let you into my mind while we have sex?"
This is so much not what he expected that it startles a laugh out of him. "What?"
"If I let you hold contact with my mind while we shag, could I… return… more of whatever it is you're feeling?"
"You don't like telepathy." The lad's always been wary of it, allowing contact only when there was no choice. Him offering it so freely now...
"That's not what I asked," Jack says impatiently. "Would it help?"
He shakes his head. "No. Not for that. Mental contact during sex can be fantastic, but it wouldn't help here. The things I was talkin' about… your mind just can't process them, telepathically or otherwise."
Jack takes a deep breath and nods. "All right." He's clearly trying to hide his relief.
The Doctor squeezes his thigh. "Where'd that come from?"
Jack shrugs. "Would have been willing to do it to be less… lacking." He sounds completely matter-of-fact, but the last word stops the Doctor cold.
"You're not lacking." What the hell? "Bloody brilliant is what you are."
Jack grins. "Thanks. But, like you said, there are things I can't give you. Important things."
The Doctor shakes his head, picking at his jeans above the knee. Seem to be getting a bit thin there. May be time to retire this pair.
Jack is still looking at him, waiting for a reply. He takes a deep breath. "What we have… never thought I'd have that again, after... I'm not settling, Jack."
"Like hell you aren't."
The Doctor looks up again. He considers denying it, but Jack's eyes show his lover's seen through him already. He nods. "Yeah. I am. I'm sorry." He holds his breath, waiting for Jack's reaction. Being told his partner feels he settled… He's afraid he's going to lose Jack after all.
Jack grins wryly. "Everybody settles, Doctor."
The Doctor blinks. "What?"
"No one can be everything to someone else. No one's the perfect partner. Never figured I was yours. We all find the closest to our ideal that we can, then settle." He shrugs. "That's why I don't believe in monogamy. Puts too much pressure on one person."
The Doctor's feelings are in turmoil. He's torn between relief at Jack's acceptance, and sheer terror at his last statement. He's not sure what's on his face, but apparently whatever it is is enough to make Jack understand.
"Oh, relax. You know I'm monogamous for you. It's the only way you'll have me."
"I… I wouldn't want to take something…" But he's lying. Hell, he can't open their relationship. He just can't. Damn Time Lord morals and instincts, but he could never accept it if Jack-
Jack puts a hand on his knee. "It's all right. You were clear about that from the start. No flings, no kisses, and getting growled at for flirting."
"But it's not what you want." Has Jack been resenting their agreement all along?
Jack shrugs. "Sometimes, I see someone when we're out, and I think to myself 'Damn, if only the Doctor wasn't so hung up about sex.'"
At his dismayed expression, Jack grins. "And then I turn around and write them off. Because you're worth it."
And one day, Jack'll get fed up with it. Probably soon. Sex is so very important to him. "If you ever… really need to… maybe I could…" He can't even pretend.
"No, you couldn't. And I'll never 'really need to.'" Jack shrugs. "The thing about casual sex not being a big deal for me? Cuts both ways. Yes, I wish I had a partner who didn't mind if I tasted other samples, but in the end, the main course is more important to me." He smiles - his real smile, not the one he uses to blind people. "I can't have you and casual flings both. So - I settle."
There's a tentative smile on the Doctor's face. "Settle for an insufferably arrogant git who'll impose his values on you?"
Jack grins. "Aw, he has his good sides." He leans closer. "Great kisser, for instance."
The Doctor hesitates for one second, searching Jack's eyes. Then he leans in, and Jack proceeds to kiss him breathless, respiratory bypass or not.
When they break apart, Jack looks at him earnestly. "Everybody settles, Doctor. The one thing that matters is - are you happy with what you settled for?"
"Yes. Those things you can't comprehend… I can't get them, Jack. Never again. Not from anyone. But I thought… I didn't think it'd ever be this good again." He struggles. He shouldn't even speak of these things. But Jack deserves to know, and there's no way to let him know except words. "Even if you can't return them… the fact that you make me feel them..." He stops, and is glad to see Jack nodding his understanding. "Sorry. Hard to talk about."
Jack eyes light with realization. "That's why you can never say those words, isn't it?"
Damn. I love you. Three little words. Six phonemes. It should be so easy to say. He certainly feels it. But… "It's not something we're supposed to express in words." The very thought leaves a disgusting taste in his mouth. "Not ever."
Jack nods. "It's fine. Don't need you to say it. Never did. Just nice to understand why."
He shuffles his feet. "Right. So… You're still all right with the deal, yeah?"
Jack smiles. "Yeah."
"'S just, sometimes…"
Jack frowns. "What?"
"Sometimes, when you flirt… It's okay to flirt, I know I said it was okay, and it is, but…"
Jack puts a hand on his shoulder. "Just say it."
"Sometimes you flirt so damn hard." Fuck, he sounds like a jealous teenager. But hearing that Jack finds monogamy pointless has rattled his self-confidence more than he wants to admit.
Jack laughs. "You want to know why?"
"I do know! Flirting just comes natural to you." And there really is nothing wrong with that, dammit.
"No. Well, yes. A little bit of flirting, sure. But when I flirt really hard? It's for you."
He stops. "What?"
Jack grins. "I know you'll say you don't get jealous, but… When I flirt really hard, you have a tendency to throw me on the bed and screw me through the mattress later on." He grins wolfishly "Sometimes more than once."
He feels his jaw slacken and swallows to get his voice back. His ears are burning.
"I never flirt that hard unless you're watching, you know?" Jack's grin is teasing now, and he's slowly licking his lips. "It's almost the only way I can get you to really let go."
Right. Aware of his own superior physical strength, the Doctor usually takes great care to hold himself back. He knew that Jack sometimes likes it a bit rough, of course, but he may have underestimated how much. The Doctor feels a mixture of annoyance and amusement smooth away the tension in his gut. Warmth is beginning to pool in his groin. "Oh, you ain't seen nothin' yet, my lad." He schools his face to the mask of a predator, with just a hint of Oncoming Storm.
He can hear Jack's pulse picking up and his breathing getting faster, and the human's pupils are dilating. "Talk's cheap." The teasing tone's well played, and Jack even manages a scoff. "Show me."
The Doctor grabs Jack around the waist, pulls him close, and bites the nape of his neck. He looks up at Jack's hiss of pain, and sees his lover's eyes burn with desire. The Doctor bends his lips to Jack's pulse point and sucks the heated skin into his mouth, gently first, then hard, marking it. Jack groans and lets his head drop back, his fingers digging into the Doctor's shoulders, sending flames of arousal up and down his spine.
The Doctor feels heat rushing through his body. He makes no attempt to control it. For the second time today, Jack's summoned the Oncoming Storm. And for the second time today, he'll get it.
*****
Jack can't stop grinning the next day. Not even when Rose teases him mercilessly about walking funny. Not even when the Doctor threatens to take them to Fennion Twelve for a long nature hike. And when they go to Glominian instead to give Rose the shopping trip to end all shopping trips, he makes sure she has a good time - but whenever she's in a changing room, he flirts with every shop clerk, cashier and customer who'll respond.
Standing directly in the Doctor's line of sight.
The End