(no subject)
Title: Commiseration
Author: Becky_H
Character(s): Tenth Doctor, Jack.
Rating: G
Spoilers None, really.
Warnings: Nope.
Word Count: 383
Prompt: Set2Music Prompt 14: Show me what it's like to be the last one standing.
Summary: Two old friends come together to witness the passing of a world, and to pay tribute.
Author's Notes: AU - this completely ignores Jack's 'revelation' at the very end of Last of the Time Lords.
The Earth was just minutes away from being consumed by fire.
Somewhere nearby, the Doctor and Rose were just starting on their journey together through time and space. Someday in the not-too distant future -- but far in the past of the world glowing beneath them -- they'd meet him. Someday soon for them but so long ago for Jack that time had blunted and dimmed the edges of the memory, faded it to sepia tones.
It still made him smile.
He stood watching the planet that had been humanity's home for millennia, empty now and in her last minutes as a living world, with his hands in his pockets and a strange, distant smile.
He felt the presence behind him before he felt the hand on his shoulder. He didn't startle, but turned slowly to look over his shoulder to where the Doctor -- one of many, one who had seen his world burn, and one with whom Jack had traveled -- stood. His hair was messy, his suit was rumpled and there was a wealth of uncertain sympathy in his eyes.
Jack's smile warmed, if only by a fraction. "Doctor," he said. His voice was quiet, soft and low out of respect not just for the Time Lord, but for the event he had come to witness.
The Doctor inclined his head slightly. "Captain." There was another kind of respect in that single word, the Doctor's voice heavy and weighted with it. Respect for Jack, certainly, but also for the history, both shared and not, of individuals and of species and of worlds consumed by fire.
They stood for long moments in silent, shared commiseration as the broad screen behind them slowly brightened.
"Come for the show?" Jack asked, and, in asking, acknowledged and accepted the Doctor's unspoken sympathy.
"Came for an old friend," the Doctor told Jack. Words put to feeling left no room for doubt, though there had never been any to begin with.
Jack turned back to face the feverish dying of the world that had been his home for an eternity.
He didn't say thank you but showed his gratitude as the Doctor showed his support. In silence they moved to stand together, side by side, shoulder to shoulder, thigh to thigh, facing the end of the world.
Author: Becky_H
Character(s): Tenth Doctor, Jack.
Rating: G
Spoilers None, really.
Warnings: Nope.
Word Count: 383
Prompt: Set2Music Prompt 14: Show me what it's like to be the last one standing.
Summary: Two old friends come together to witness the passing of a world, and to pay tribute.
Author's Notes: AU - this completely ignores Jack's 'revelation' at the very end of Last of the Time Lords.
The Earth was just minutes away from being consumed by fire.
Somewhere nearby, the Doctor and Rose were just starting on their journey together through time and space. Someday in the not-too distant future -- but far in the past of the world glowing beneath them -- they'd meet him. Someday soon for them but so long ago for Jack that time had blunted and dimmed the edges of the memory, faded it to sepia tones.
It still made him smile.
He stood watching the planet that had been humanity's home for millennia, empty now and in her last minutes as a living world, with his hands in his pockets and a strange, distant smile.
He felt the presence behind him before he felt the hand on his shoulder. He didn't startle, but turned slowly to look over his shoulder to where the Doctor -- one of many, one who had seen his world burn, and one with whom Jack had traveled -- stood. His hair was messy, his suit was rumpled and there was a wealth of uncertain sympathy in his eyes.
Jack's smile warmed, if only by a fraction. "Doctor," he said. His voice was quiet, soft and low out of respect not just for the Time Lord, but for the event he had come to witness.
The Doctor inclined his head slightly. "Captain." There was another kind of respect in that single word, the Doctor's voice heavy and weighted with it. Respect for Jack, certainly, but also for the history, both shared and not, of individuals and of species and of worlds consumed by fire.
They stood for long moments in silent, shared commiseration as the broad screen behind them slowly brightened.
"Come for the show?" Jack asked, and, in asking, acknowledged and accepted the Doctor's unspoken sympathy.
"Came for an old friend," the Doctor told Jack. Words put to feeling left no room for doubt, though there had never been any to begin with.
Jack turned back to face the feverish dying of the world that had been his home for an eternity.
He didn't say thank you but showed his gratitude as the Doctor showed his support. In silence they moved to stand together, side by side, shoulder to shoulder, thigh to thigh, facing the end of the world.