Grim death fic

[iamjabberwok]

I have whooping cough and it feels like I'm trying to cough up my ribs one by one, so I'm taking it out on Jack.

Title: Disappear (so creative, I know, but it’s better than “Untitled”)
Challenge: Disappear (big surprise)
Rating: R for violent imagery
Pairing: Jack/Ten (though not blatantly so)
Warnings: Violence, temporary character death
Summary: A

Comments

[vail_kagami]

Oh, this was beautiful, and so sad!

[iamjabberwok]

thank you so much. You know, I have that response to so many of your fics :o)

[nightrider101]

Wow. This was incredible and so very sad.

But he can’t go yet, the Doctor is crying. Jack has never seen him cry and it scares him. “No they don’t jack. They don’t just disappear. I can still see them, can’t you? All your scars.”

*sniff* You raised the emotion and angst each time the Doctor pointed out a scar he saw on Jack. As a writer, that was a brilliant choice for the construction of this ficlet.

He doesn’t have the strength or the breath left to reply, “It’s ok, I don’t mind. It’s nice actually. All the pain and hopelessness goes away for a while. Just close your eyes. Die like me for just a moment. A little moment of peace. It’s so hard to survive on and on.”

Again, my heart broke for Jack and what that year must have been like for him.

Amazing job describing what death must feel like for Jack and how sometimes it must be seen a a relief.

Great job with this story. I'm very impressed!

[iamjabberwok]

wow, thanks so much. What an amazing review *has a happy day*

I think Jack really becomes a noble character in the year that never was. He takes all that crap for the Doctor, when he probably could have escaped with Martha had he wanted to. (although, that probably wouldn't have been any easier) What struck me was the selflessness--what really hurts is the fact that while he can escape for a little while, the Doctor can't.

[nightrider101]

what really hurts is the fact that while he can escape for a little while, the Doctor can't.

Exactly. You conveyed that well with this fic. :)

On a side note, you mentioned at the start of the story that you have a bad cough. I hope you feel better soon!

[iamjabberwok]

Thanks :o)

[shinodabear]

He touches a spot in the middle of his stomach, “Stray javelin”

Four places on his chest, “the Toclafane”

A spot near his temple, “the laser screwdriver”

He splays a hand over Jack’s heart “A Dalek laser.”

Very powerful section there. The Doctor says so much in though four gestures, to me. The javelin being that the Doctor actually listened to what Jack had to say back on Malcassairo, the Toclafane/laser screwdriver the conditions they're facing now, together, and the Dalek laser as an apology without the "I'm sorry" or maybe a recognition of how brave Jack is/was. Maybe I'm reading into it, but that's what I got out of it, and I loved it.

I also liked Jack's response to that bit, "I can't see those things, Doc," as in they don't matter. Martha's heroics and courage get acknowledged at the end of the Year, but Jack's never does. We all know what he went through though, or can imagine. I'd like to think all those deaths for him were some sort of escape from it all, for a little while.

I'm done rambling now, I promise. :)

[iamjabberwok]

hooray for rambling!

I'm so glad you thought the list was effective. I actually agonized over it, and I don't think you're reading too much into it at all. I thought of it in the same way: a way for the Doctor to acknowledge the hardships Jack has been through (and to take responsibility) and an opportunity for Jack to dismiss them.

I agree, I like to think of the deaths as Jack's escape Although, that must make it so hard to come back. For Jack, (and for the Doctor too, I imagine) death is the easy way out.
Thanks for the review!

[iamjabberwok]

thanks :o)