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http://amythest-n-ice.livejournal.com/38195.html
Link to Chapter 11
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Rose slipped into the gardens, looking around for Jack. She saw him leaning against a tree by the stream, staring into the rippling water. She stopped a fair distance from him, unsure of her welcome.
“Jack, aren’t you coming to dinner?”
“I’m not hungry.”
“Come on Jack, you’ve been moping for days. What’s up? Have you and the Doctor had a row?”
“No, we haven’t been fighting. I’m OK Rose, I’m just not hungry.”
“Come on Jack, this isn’t like you. Tell me what’s up.”
“You wouldn’t believe me, or understand.”
“I would Jack. After everything I’ve seen travelling with the Doctor, I don’t think there’s anything I wouldn’t believe.”
“Leave it, please Rose. I don’t want to talk about it.”
He stood up and headed for the door, Rose a few steps behind him. She hesitated in the garden doorway when she saw the Doctor stop Jack in the corridor, talking softly. She saw Jack shake his head minutely, and the Doctor leaned forward to kiss his temple lightly, before letting him go on his way. The Doctor turned and looked right at where she hovered just behind the door.
“Come on Rose, the dinner is going cold, and Mickey was wondering where you were.”
“I was trying to get Jack to come to dinner. I haven’t seen him eat much of anything since he was sick the other day.”
“He just has something on his mind, he is eating, the TARDIS has been making sure for me, he’s just not really up for company right now.”
“What’s wrong with him Doctor? Is he ill?”
“Don’t push it Rose, if he wants you to know, he’ll tell you. Come on.”
He chivvied her back to the kitchen, and they all sat down at the table to eat their dinner.
“So, where are we off to?” Rose asked.
“Mirax, I need to get some parts for the TARDIS. We’ll only be there for a day or so, after that, I haven’t decided yet.”
“So, will there still be time for us to have a look around while you’re looking for your parts?”
“As long as you’re careful, you can go into the bazaar. I’ll make sure you have some credits in case you want to buy anything. Usual restrictions apply, don’t buy anything alive, don’t buy food without checking it with me first.” He looked squarely at Mickey as he reiterated the rules.
“Jack will know what’s safe won’t he?” Rose asked.
“In the event that Jack feels like coming out when we get there, he’ll be staying with me.”
“Oh right, so how long until we land?”
“Oh, not until the morning. I’m timing it so that our morning is morning there, that way I’ll have the whole day to look for the parts I want, and you’ll have the whole day to explore the bazaar.”
“Brilliant.” Rose grinned. She loved shopping, especially in alien markets, you could pick up the strangest things.
The Doctor went into the bedroom he shared with Jack some time later, seeing Jack curled up under the covers. He sat on the edge of the bed, resting one hand lightly on Jack’s hip.
“We saved you some dinner, it’s in the warmer.”
Jack turned onto his back, looking up into the blue eyes of the Time Lord.
“Rose thinks we’ve been fighting.”
“Rose can think whatever she wants, until you’re good and ready to tell her what’s really going on. Don’t let her push you into telling them before you’re ready.”
“I won’t.”
“Are you going to come and eat?”
“Sure, why not.” Jack got up, pulling a robe on over his t-shirt and sweats, and he and the Doctor headed back to the kitchen.
The Doctor started a pot of tea while Jack took his dinner out of the warmer and sat at the table. Jack pulled a face and took the meat off the plate, dropping it on a small plate. There was always a chance that someone would use it in a sandwich the next day.
“What’s wrong with it? You need the protein Jack.”
“Not sure why, but I couldn’t stand meat last time I was pregnant, and the same is happening this time.”
“What about fish?”
“Can’t stand that when I’m not pregnant, never mind when I am.”
“I’ll think of something, you can’t cut something that important out of your diet.”
Jack looked at him and shook his head, smiling fondly.
“Whatever you want.”
The Doctor grinned widely at him and came to the table with the tea and two mugs.
“So, we’re landing on Mirax tomorrow. Rose and Mickey are going round the bazaar, and I’m going looking for parts. Do you want to come with me?”
“Mirax? That sounds familiar, where do I know that from?” Jack tapped his finger on the table, trying to figure why the name was ringing a bell with him.
“Ah, yes. Um, what year are you aiming for?”
The Doctor laughed, leaning back in his chair.
“What year can’t you go to?” He asked.
“Definitely the whole of the 22nd century, and possibly the 23rd as well, depending on the statute of limitations they have on walking off with Chula warships.”
“Mirax is where you got that ship from? Love it. Don’t worry, we’re heading for the 32nd century, they’re not going to have that much leeway on the statutes,” the Doctor said with a grin.
Jack grinned back, clearing his plate of all the vegetables and potatoes, and taking it over to the sink, washing it off. He sensed the Doctor come up behind him, and the older man wrapped his arms around his waist, stroking his stomach lightly as he kissed the back of his neck. Jack rested his hand over the Doctor’s, holding it still on his stomach.
“I still can’t believe I could be this lucky, a perfect mate, and our child in there.”
Jack rested his head back against the Doctor’s shoulder, and felt his embrace tighten fractionally in response.
“I know you’re still scared Jack, but I’ll look after you, I promise.”
“Don’t make promises you might not be able to keep. I know the kind of life we lead, and I know the risks. All we can do is stay as safe as we possibly can, and I’ll have to avoid the more stupid things I have a tendency to do.”
The Doctor laughed softly and turned Jack around to face him, kissing him lightly.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.” Jack murmured, deepening the kiss hungrily.
“I think we should maybe head back to the bedroom,” the Doctor said, slightly breathless.
“That is the best idea I have heard all day.” Jack laughed, catching his hand and leading the way.
tbc
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