Seconds Tick By, Jack

[Rose Tyler]

Rose had a lot to think about, and she'd needed some time to do it. After she and Jack had left Torchwood, and left Earth completely, Rose had let the TARDIS rest in the middle of space, surrounded by stars. She just let the ship float there, the TARDIS protecting the occupants inside, like it always did. There was nowhere to go, and nobody to try and find, and Rose wasn't in the mood to go traveling. She just needed time, and to sort things out in her head. There was a lot of confusin information to take in, and she wasn't sure how to get through it all.

The biggest thing was The Doctor being in love with a human. A human that wasn't her. It just didn't make sense. After all the time they'd spent tgether, and everything they'd been through, she had been so sure that he loved her. But he'd never let himself. Now, so soon after she'd gone, he'd fallen in love with somone else? How had he gotten over her so quickly, and even if he had been able to, why was the situation with this River person so different? Why had he let himself love her the way he'd never let himself love Rose? What did River have that Rose didn't, and why did it change the rules?

All through the night, Rose hadn't been able to sleep much, only a few minutes here and there. Mostly, she just sat in the control room, thinking. If Jack hadn't been there, she probably would have cried the entire time... though, maybe not. A part of her felt like she was past tears. She'd made some tea, but didn't drink more than half a cup, and for the most part, she was quiet. Finally, after a good number of hours, Rose felt a little calmer. She didn't feel any better about whatever The Doctor had been up to in her absense, but it had sunk in.

She had begun to accept the fact that The Doctor, Her doctor, was gone. The one she'd lived with and had started to grow old with had died, and the one that she'd left behind was as good as dead. He'd regenerated, and left her. The man who was there now was still The Doctor, savior of Earth, and a wonderful man. But he wasn't hers, and he wasn't the man that she was in love with. She just wished she was, and that he returned her feelings. It was a huge wound that was going to take a lot of time to heal, but Rose had been through a lot, and she was trying to push through like she always did. She was trying to accept it.

Eventually, she was going to have to. And as The Doctor kept reminding her in their old lives together, she was human. She only had a few years before she ied and the universe went on without her. She didn't have time to let herself die while she was still alive. She had to grieve for the loss of her loved ones, but sooner or later, she had to start living again. She just didn't know how she was supposed to do that. She'd never felt more alone in her entire life, and it scared her. Standing from her seat, Rose moved to lean against one of the support beams of the TARDIS's large control room.

[Jack Harkness]

Jack mostly kept quiet onboard her TARDIS. He watched her, ready to comfort, cuddle, and offer support if she needed it. The Captain wasn’t going to force it on her for sure; he knew she’d kick him right out of her ship if he tried than maneuver on her. No, he was mostly here to make sure she didn’t do anything drastic. Like, fly herself into a black hole. Or, go on some kind of suicide mission and get herself killed over the incident. Sure, it wasn’t the happiest thing to have seen happen, but he’d had the same problem, and while he HAD killed himself, he’d come back to life. So that wasn’t really a problem for him. But Rose had one life. She deserved a happy life.

He watched her piece together the information that she’d gathered. Eventually she’d seemed to come to some sort of conclusion after trying to sleep. Jack quietly waited. He didn’t need to sleep, and would often toss and turn if he even tried it. So he stayed awake, watching over Rose as she thought, questioned herself and blamed the Doctor. HE sang quietly to himself, keeping an interested eye on Rose, but also looking around the TARDIS.

While it seemed to have the same basic shape of the Doctor’s, he noticed that she had some different features. Her TARDIS seemed to be more… organized. The console didn’t look as crowded with buttons and toggles as the Doctor’s. The ship still felt alive, very alive. Jack placed his hand on the side of the ship and felt it thrum with life. It didn’t seem so adverse to him though, and he smiled at that. Looking down at the ship he thought about it. He’d looked up when Rose had made some tea, he’d gotten to his feet and taken a cup for himself, watching as she drank only a half of it. He’d been about to tell her to drink more, but he let it slide.

He’d looked away and closed his eyes for near about an hour, and when he looked up Rose was deep in thought. He let her be. He waited a few more hours, about the quiet ship, and then saw a change in her eyes. She seemed to have accepted it finally, and Jack smiled softly. Rose was something else. He watched her get up and lean on one of the support beams in her TARDIS. Jack got up; he walked quietly over towards her and looked down at her. He wasn’t entirely sure what to say, but she looked so alone, so terribly alone that he just wanted to take her into his arms and hold her. Prove that she wasn’t alone.

Give her something warm to hold. To be held by. And Jack did just that, without telling her, he wrapped his arms around her. His’ jacket touched the warmish metal and he looked down at Rose. He held her loosely, in case she wanted to break away from him. He really didn’t say anything to her, waiting for her to be ready before any sort of conversation broke out. But he wanted her to know who’s side he was on. Hers.

[Rose Tyler]

This was going to hurt for a very long time. Maybe forever. Who could truly get over the man who you considered the love of your life? In fact, two men who were the loves of her life. She'd lost them so many times, but this was the first time that death had come into play. You couldn't really fight with death. Well, Rose had found her ways, and Jack knew that by experience. But she hadn't been able to find a way out of this one. And now both versions of The Doctor that she had fallen in love with were gone, and he'd turned into someone new. Someone that fell for someone else.

There was so much pain that she would have to live with. And maybe that was the point, she had to live with it. And in order to live with it, she had to accept it. It would be a process, but at least Rose had started down that path. Her love was dead, gone forever, and she couldn't go after him. Well, she could kill herself, but she didn't know what happened after you died, so who was to say she was going to end up with him, anyway? The Doctor, neither of them, would have wanted that for her, either, so she couldn't just commit suicide. She had to go on, like she was, and... try.

Rose just had to figure out how. Right now, she was just begining to let it happen, and to take life the way it had unfolded, but what else? After deciding to try and accept it, and slowly letting it sink in, what else were you supposed to do? She didn't know, and maybe that was almost worse than anything else. The not knowing of what to do next. It left so many questions, that she couldn't answer, and she hated that feeling. It wasn't the excitement of an adventure, it was the dread of something that could be absolutely horrible.

This was the kind of situation where she would have asked The Doctor what to do next. That wasn't exactly an option now, though. Rose heard footsteps, but she didn't look up until they stopped right in front of her. She lifted her gaze as his arms moved to wrap around her, which she didn't stop him from doing. Instead, she let herself lean against him, her head resting against his strong chest. It felt so good to be able to lean against him, and feel like she wasn't as alone as she thought she was. Closing her eyes, Rose let a few moments pass, in his arms, taking comfort in his presence.

"Oh, Jack."

She breathed his name, and she wasn't sure if she was talking to him, or just glad that he was there, with her. If he hadn't convinced her to let him come with her, she didn't know if she would have been taking it as well as she had. He was like a rock, keeping her grounded. Well, maybe she would have been acting exactly the way she was now, but she liked to think that he'd been the reason she'd been able to do what she had. Thank god for him. What could she say that would express what he meant to her, and how much she wanted to thank him for.. just being him.

"I love you."

[Jack Harkness]

He smiled as she leaned into him. Easily he took the weight, and then leaned himself against her TARDIS wall. She felt so cold, but he'd make that all better. He felt her breathing, and the small weight of her head on his chest. He looked down at her curiously, almost wanting to say something to her. But he didn't know what. His eyes closed and he just stood there, holding Rose in his arms comfortably. When she didn't pull away from him, he knew she really had come to a sort of term with what had happened. Suddenly the quiet wasn't just quiet, it was warm. At least to Jack. This quiet was not one of sorrow, speachlessness or rage. It was a sort of contentment that signaled the start of a new direction in something.

Jack's slightly pointed ears twitched and he shifted a little as Rose said his name. He wasn't entirely sure she was aware that she'd said it... or if she was directing it at him. She just seemed to be confirming that he was there. Still. Thoughts entertained him as he waited quietly, and then he spoke softly to the comfortable silence, "Rose," he said just as quietly as she had seconds earlier. He kept on holding her, and was surprised to find that he didn't want to let her go. Ever. Keeping her right here, right now, until she was old, fat and happy seemed like exactly the right sort of thing to do. He looked down at her, nestled so neatly against his chest and in his arms. He knew though, no matter how much he wanted to hold her there, keep her there, Rose was her own kinda girl. And she'd want more adventures.

Suddenly he sensed her wanting to say something that could have been important. He looked down at her, loosening his arms just a fraction in case that was what she wanted from him. Instead she said something that made him smile, it was a sad smile. But a true smile. He tightened his arms once more and nodded his head gently. She loved him. Everyone always loved him. And they always would. Jack had that alure about him apparently. He didn't know why he always took on spouses or partners, no, wait. That was a lie. He knew. Jack had always known why.

He couldn't be alone. Alone was so scary, it was heartbreaking. Being alone was like dying every second he was alive. That's why he had an ex list that would go on till the sun burned out, and why there would be more after Ianto. More, a never ending line. Jack wanted to feel loved, he wanted to be in charge. More than anything, he wanted to save lives (and, well, not die of course). That's why it was easy for him to say what he said next. It was second nature to him.

"I love you too, Rose."

It was simple, honest, true. But for some reason, Jack felt that it had some sort of deeper meaning to it. He was about to ponder on it when a scent breezed by his nose. He twitched it and frowned. How long had it been since Rose had showered? He couldn't allow her to neglect herself. That was insanely wrong on so many levels. he pulled away from the embrace a little and smiled down at Rose. He hoped she would take it it with good heart, and so he said it with a soft chuckle.

"I love you, but you smell."

[Rose Tyler]

It felt good to be in someone's arms again. Not a random someone, but someone that she really cared about, and that she knew really cared about her. The pair of them had been through so much in their lives, and she knew that she would always think about him and love him, no matter where she was. She would always wonder where he was, and what he was doing, and if he was happy. Having him hold her made her feel safer, like even though the world was spinning fast enough to throw her off, it might still be okay.

Hearing him say that he loved her in return put a small smile on her face, and warmed her heart. She hadn't ever really quiestioned that, she'd known that there was a connection between when they'd first met, even if it had been purely physical. But it had quickly grown. He'd reminded her of the version of The Doctor that she'd first met, and so she'd trusted him. And he'd even told her that she was worth dying for, before being killed by a Dalek. He'd gone through so much for her, and she knew he would do it again, like she would for him. That was love.

Not physical love, or love that you would easily get over. Deep love. Past romance, or friendship, it was true. She didn't know exactly how to explain it, but it just felt like it was big. Like her lve with The Doctor, it hadn't just been romance, or friendship, it was something that there wasn't a word for, and it would go on forever. Something that she'd never forget. She knew that she loved Jack deeply, even if thingshad never lined up in the right way for things to go past flirting. But he was there now, and proving that love by simply being there.

Shemight have stayed like that for a lot longer, but Jack started to pull back from her, making her look up at him. She didn't even try to wonder at whathe might say, and that was a good thing, because she never would have guessed what came out of his mouth. She smelled? Shaking her head, Rose slapped him gently, but thinking about it, he must be right. She hadn't had the right mindset to think about taking care of herself. She'd barely let herself eat, let alone bath. Nothing had mattered. Now? Well... now, she just had to figure out what to do next. Maybe a back was a good next step.

It was clensing, and refreshing. It was a very good image for what she had to be doing. Taking the next step, getting ready for whatever might come next. Cleaning herself of the past, and clensing her spirit so she coudl move on, and start on the future. Well, she might not be able to do all of that with one bath, after all it wasn't magic, it was just soap and water. But it was something. It was a good step to take. Taking a deep breath, and pulling out of Jack's arms, Rose let out a breath. This would be hard the first few days... weeks, maybe months, but it would be easier with Jack.

"I'll go take a bath."

~~Want to fast forward to after the bath?~~

[Jack Harkness]

[[ XD Jack says no, but I'm TOTALLY saying yes. ]]

Jack grinned when she slapped him and shook her head. He couldn't help but grin at her, this was more like the old Rose. He could tell she was thinking about it, and knew that what he said was correct. He knew she'd been so busy thinking about other things that were absolutely not herself. And here he was, setting her back on the right path to returning her to "normality". He smiled as she seemed to think more about the cleaningness of a bath. Jack almost didn't want to open his arms and let her stand on her own. But he applauded her for doing so. He smiled as she let out a held-in breath and then smiled encouragingly at her.

"You do that. I'll be right here, waiting."

He smirked and then had a look around the TARDIS. Which was what he'd been doing the entire time, but he'd been focusing on Rose and not the actual ship itself. Now he did. Jack placed a hand on the warm alive metal and was pleased to find that it didn't seem to... hate him. Not like the Doctor's. That silly ship had always felt cold, this one was different. He laughed softly and ran a hand smoothly up the metal and then back down, letting his hand fall to his side as he did so. He turned to look at Rose with a half-smile on his lips.

"Unless, you'd like me to join you?"

Of course he wouldn't, but it was always fun to play around with Rose. He shook his head and then watched her leave to take a bath. He wandered around the TARDIS once more while Rose was away. He could hear the sounds of running water and laughed. Water, on a space ship, where did she store it all? Jack cautiously opened a door along one hallway and peeked in. The room seemed to just be a room, a bed, desk. Nothing more. Unfurnished. Jack gave a rueful smile and then closed the door.

He opened several other doors and peeked into each one. He avoided the door to the bathroom though he would have liked to open up the door, he was sure a soapy rag was prepped in case he did. He probably didn't get through half of the TARDIS's insides before he decided that it would be best to head back. Rose must be done with her bath about now. He got lost several times on his way back to the main console of the ship. But each time it led to something new. So that was pretty cool.

Finally Jack entered the main area of the TARDIS, and he didn't see Rose as he looked about. With a simple shrug of his shoulders he walked to the control chair near the console, sat down on it and kicked his feet up. He leaned his head back, crossing his arms in front of him as he did so. They rested comfortably on his warm chest. Soon Jack's breathing became melodic, slow. He was out cold.

He hadn't meant to of course, but it had been a trying few days.

[Rose Tyler]

Jack said that he would be waiting, and Rose nodded, before turning away from him to head towards the hallway that would lead to the bathroom. She heard Jack's offer, and shook her head with a small smile on her face. She knew that he might be joking, but there was definite truth in his words. He was the only one that could have said something like that at a time like this, and it made her feel a little better. He just had a special charm about him, and he could say things and have them come across in the perfect way, and not a completely perverted, crude way.

Leaving him in the control room to do whatever he wanted to do while she cleaned herself up. He was right, she needed to freshen up, it had been over week or so since the last time she'd really done anything to take care of herself. Almost two, in fact, but she'd taken a quick shower a few days ago... or so. It was hard to keep track, as her mind was always on something else that was far more important, to her. Rose went into the bedroom that she had once shared with a man that she loved, and it was so odd to walk in, and see how empty it was.

His things were still there, and while they were few, they were very sentimental and valuable to her. He would never enter through that door ever again, or sleep in that bed. His life was over, and the universe went on without him. Before she got undressed, Rose went into the bathroom to run the water, and get it to the right temperature for her bath. With the water slowly filling the run, Rose went back into her room to undress, and pick up her bathrobe, before heading back into the washroom, and closing the door behind her.

The blonde woman sliped into the tub, letting the hot water wash over her fair skin, and sooth her aching muscles. She let herself soak there for a while, relaxing and trying to clear her mind. There was so much darkness there, and she wanted to start letting herself ease into life that would be without The Doctor. She stayed in there for a good fifteen minutes, before she started to wash herself. She got rid of all the dirt and sweat that had built up, and finally washed hr hair, ridding it of the oils that had build up over the days. There were tangles that she conditioned out, and she was finally starting to feel a little like her old self.

Emptier, but herself. Once the water was drained, and her body was rinsed of all the soap, Rose stepped out of the tub, and dried herself off with one of the fluffy towels, before slipping on her silky robe. Rose took a few minutes to dry her hair a bit, before brushing it out. She'd almost forgotten how long it had gotten, without all of the tangles and oil in it. Once she was all finished, Rose left her bathroom and walked back out into the rest of the ship. She wentback through the hall, to the control room, where she thought was the best pace to look for jack.

It was quiet, so she wondered what he might be doing. He coudl have been reading one of the many books, or looking over the controls... anything, really. When she spotted him, eyes closed and body still, a soft smile came to her lips. He looked so peaceful there, and he looked so perfect. He'd always been an extremely handsome man, and his heart only increased that. Moving to quietly curl up on the couch a few feet away from the chair he was in, and just let herself watch him. She rested her head against her arm, her eyes watching him sleep, contentedly.

[Jack Harkness]

His dreams were muddled, but pleasant. He was smiling outwardly as he dreamed. There wasn't an exact thing that he dreamed about, it was more or less a reflection of his own life in general. Since Jack didn't sleep all that often, his dreams were more wild and vivid, though if he woke up he wouldn't be able to say what any of them were really about. They came in unfinished flashes of memory. Adventures with Rose, teasing Ianto, finding Gwen. Owen. Toshiko's bargain. Meeting the Doctor. The soft touch of lips, passion. Adventure. The Ocean. A tuxedo kitten.

Suddenly the dreams became way to much, rushing as they usually did and Jack came awake with a quiet start. His eyes opened swiftly and he looked about. Where...? Rose. TARDIS. Bath. He relaxed himself and took a deep breath. He paused, was someone breathing? He thought Rose was still in her bath, yes? Of course there couldn't be someone else on the TARDIS, that was impossible. Unless Rose had a cat. Then it would be possible. But Jack was fairly certain that she didn't have a cat. Fairly.

The Captain remained motionless for a few minutes more, then he decided that someone really was in the room with him and there wasn't any water running. He turned his head slowly, allowing locks of dark brown hair to fall neatly into place over her stunning blue eyes. He focused on Rose Tyler, laying on the couch close to him, watching him. He felt a smile smooth his face as he looked at her. She was looking much better since she'd taken a bath. Now her hair was clean and it shined in the TARDIS's light. It appeared to be longer as well, that was something new for Jack. He lifted an eyebrow in question, but didn't say anything.

He didn't want to say anything actually. Just sit there, looking over at beautiful Rose as she watched him. There seemed to be a smile in her eyes, something that hadn't been there for a while. He shifted a little, the chair was surprisingly comfortable. For a captain's chair, the one back in Jack's office wasn't nearly this nice. He'd have to make a note to ask Rose where she'd gotten it (though he suspected he wasn't going to like the answer).

"Hey, see you clean up nice. Feeling a little better?"

He said quietly, breaking the content silence of the TARDIS control room with soft words. He tilted his head back even more and watched Rose. She was incredibly strong for someone human, well, someone mortal. Humans (himself included) never failed to shock him with how strong they always turned out to be. They grieved, denied, ranted, blamed, but they always carried on. And that was what Rose was doing right this very second. She was probably still in so much pain, but she was carrying onwards. Fighting the good fight. Jack admired that so much, there was a lot that he admired about Rose Tyler, but her fiery, loving soul was what he loved most about her.

[Rose Tyler]

Rose was happy to watch Jack sleep, something she hadn't seen in a long while. When she and Jack had first been traveling companions with The Doctor, in his previous incarnation, she'd caught him sleeping something, if she would wake up first, but not since then. They hadn't seen each other for so long, and it seemed like he didn't need much sleep these days. That was probably her fault, with what she'd done to him. But he looked so calm resting in that chair, and that smile on his face made her wonder what kind of dreams he might be having.

What dreams did a man like him have? Secret desires and longings, past loves, or his ideal loves that he had yet to meet, his past, his future? There were endless possibilities, and she liked to think about all of them. It was interesting to think about the things he might want and have only in his dreams, or things that he had, and liked to keep re-living. She didn't take her eyes off of him, and kept quiet when he woke up, not too much time later. She watched him, until his eyes landed on her, and her smile grew a little as her eyes met his.

She loved how his blue eyes sparkled. He had so much life in him. You could see all of it, all of his passion for life in his eyes, and in was beautful and rare. He wasn't afraid to experience things, and throw himself into the world in a wa she'd never met anyone else that could do that. Except for The Doctor. She'd always admired their fearless outlook on the world. Most people could never let go like that, and allow themselves to live so purely and fully. When he spoke and commented on her appearence, Rose nodded, agreeing with him.

"Yes, I do."

She did feel better. She almost felt like a different person, but she pain and emptiness was still in her heart. It might never leave her, at least not fully, but she felt better with Jack sitting there. He was with her, and he would help her feel like she had a reason to keep fighting. There were people out there, and there was life to live, and she couldn't give up, even though it wouldbe so easy. Adjusting her robe, Rose stood up from her place on the couch, and walked behind Jack to wrap her arms around his neck, and place a kiss on his cheek.

"I'm glad you're here."

[Jack Harkness]

Jack's own smile grew when he saw Rose smile back at him. She really did have one of the nicest smiles he'd ever seen. And that was the truth. The honest truth. He could probably spend all day watching her do just that; smile. How on earth had the Doctor been able to give her back to the parallel dimension not once, but twice? On the one had, he was impressed by the Doctor, and on the other, he wanted to smack some good 'ole sense into the jerk. How could he look on someone as special as Rose and not keep her around with him always? It wasn't right. Jack just kept watching Rose and smiled more when she agreed with him.

"Good."

He breathed the word, shifting a bit more and nearly unseating himself from the chair. Re-fixing himself so it wasn't quite as hard to stare at Rose without falling off the aforementioned device, he thought back to when he'd first met her. Wild, reckless, and full of life. She was the everything he'd always wanted to be in his deepest dreams, and it had been someone he'd almost never become. But while the Doctor saved planets, worlds, universes and everyone... it was Rose who changed people. MADE them want to be better than they were. Better than before.

He could tell that Rose was feeling better. She still had that hollowed, unwhole look to her eyes, and that would never truly fade away. But there was now a sparkle of hope, a craving to do something instead of sitting around and moping about. He was about to get up and sit next to her (he'd only really just noticed she was wearing a robe, oh dear.), when she'd gotten up from her place on the couch and walked over behind Jack.

His neck had craned back so he could watch her, curious as to what she was going to do. Make a snide comment about how he was in her chair? Push him out with a laugh? He grinned when she wrapped her arms around her neck, shivering just a little bit -- he didn't like things hanging on his neck -- and then chuckled when she kissed him on the cheek. It felt a little bit more like the old times. Well, as much as it could with Jack currently immortal and the two of them alone in a brand-new TARDIS. Okay. Brand-new to Jack.

He felt warmed when she commented on how happy she was that he was here with her. He knew she was. Which was why he'd almost forced her to allow him to come along with her. There was nothing more scary than being alone by one's self when you felt like you were completely alone in the world. It was one of the worst feelings ever actually. Jack smiled and breathed out through his nose, he laid his head against hers and nodded slightly.

"I know. I'm glad I'm here too, Rose."

[Rose Tyler]

With their heads leaning against each others, Rose just let herself enjoy the moment. There was a feeling of comfort and warmth that came form something so simple as just being with one of her greatest and oldest friends. She would never forget the day she'd met him, when she'd fallen and he had caught her. The first thing she saw were his bright eyes, and charming smile before she'd passed out. When she woke up again, it didn't even take him five seconds before he was already flirting with her again, and there was no denying that she'd flirted right back.

He just had a way about him. But there was so much more to him than his charm, which was why she loved him, and trusted him with her life. She held him for another few moments, before she let her arms loosen, and she straightened up once more. What was she to do now? Freshly showed and shaved, no longer smelling like some homeless person who didn't know what soap was, but she had nowhere to go. Travel just wasn't going to be what it used to, and she wasn't ready to go off and have a new adventure. There were places she wanted to go, plans she'd made, but it was too soon.

Rose walked back over to the beam that she'd been leaning against before her bath, and let herself rest against it once more. Her hair was nearly fully dry by now, and she wondered what she could change into. Jeans, a skirt, or just some sweats... it was hard to say. By all rights, she probably should have tried to get some sleep, but she wasn't tired. She should have been, but had a wierd kind of restless energy, and yet she didn't actually want to go and do something. There was no winning, but there were worst things. At least she felt a little calmer, and she didn't care much about her small dilema.

"So tell me, Jack, has anyone captured your heart yet?"

She smiled playfully at him, knowing she had to word the question carefully. There was no point in specifying gender, and she knew that it didn't matter with him. It didn't matter with race, or species either, for the most part. She knew that he flirted with anything, human, alien, no matter what the sex, and she assumed that he would go as far as the mood took him. And there was no point in asking who's heart he might have captured, because that list could go on and on. But he'd been on earth for some time living his life. Was there anyone there special to him? Or, at least, someone who made his evenings interestin.

[Jack Harkness]

Jack inhaled slowly, he'd always loved the way that Rose had smelled. She never smelled like a rose, which Jack found highly amusing. But she had a scent about it. It was like a mixture of smells. Cinnamon, hints of chocolate and vanilla, and (most predominately) rain-heavy wind. In fact, that was just about the first thing Jack had noticed about Rose. Aside from her hair and Union Jack shirt. Well, and all her curves. But then she'd passed out. He'd had time to watch her, she had such a peaceful look on her face. Trusting. Sweet. Jack had found that he'd really been captivated by it.

He was sad when her arms loosened around him and she stood up. He looked up at her curiously, then took his feet off the console and swiveled the chair to face towards Rose. She was leaning against the same beam as before, and still looked so lost. Not yet ready to move on, but not yet wanting to remain in the past and dwell on it. It hurt Jack to see his fiery Rose so lost. Although, her getting some clothes on might be the best course of actions. Not that Jack really wanted her to get dressed, she was fine just as she was right now. Of course, now that Jack's mind was on this train of thoughts, it was probably best that she get dressed.

He blinked as she asked him a question suddenly. He nodded his head and smiled at her, leaning back in the chair as he tried not to stare at her. He patted his hands on his thighs and smiled warmly at her. "Of course, it always seems to be taken. Currently, by an employee. You haven't met him, I don't think." He paused, "At least, in this universe. Ianto Jones is his name." He smiled just thinking about the Welshman. Ianto would probably be worried that Jack had gone off and left him again. Jack sighed mentally, on one level, Ianto's neediness was cute, but also a little hindering. Of course, he loved Ianto very much, and was pleased with how the male had started to come more and more out of his shell as of late, so he was getting there. "And, of course, you. Ever since the first day I met you." He smiled softly.

It was so easy around Rose. To admit that. If he'd mentioned it around Ianto, the poor Welshman would get jealous (though he'd try not to let it show), and pout until Jack made it up to him somehow And while tiring, it had it's rewards. Like really good coffee. Jack shuddered to think what Ianto would do to him if he broke it off, what sorts of painful poisons he could put into Jack's drink.

[Rose Tyler]

Rose didn't find it all that surprising when he told her that it always seemed to be taken. Jack was a rare breed, and it seemed like he could find the beauty in anyone. He was able to see the true beauty in a person, no matter is it was a human being or an alien, and no matter what gender. He could appreciate the things that made a person different and special, and see what they had inside, and not get caught up in one cultures idea of the perfect body and form. It was a rare thing, at least it was one earth in this time.

And Jack had never been one to shy away from something different, especially when it came to relationships, in whatever form that word came in. There was always a new experience to be had, and he wasn't afraid to have it, though she'dnever been positive how he dealt with the very complicated idea of love. It probably didn't mean the same thing to him as it did to her, but he had a very different outlook on life. He lived so much longer than the rest of the universe... well, that was her fault. Yet, somehow, he made it look so easy.

Listening to him, Rose tried to think back to her time at the Torchwood of the other universe she'd been trapped in. She'd met so many people there, but like anywhere, there were the ones that she worked the closest with, and the ones that she never really quite knew. Ianto Jones, though, she did remember that name. Ianto was a hard worker, and he made a hell of a cup of coffee. Of course, in that world, he'd already been in love with someone else. In fact, if she remembered correctly, he'd been engaged to a woman there, Lisa.

He was a good looking man, though, and it seemed very possible for him to catch Jack's eye. Things were different in each universe, so it was easy enough to think that the Lisa in this universe was with someone else, and Ianto had never fallen in love with her. Her thoughts were cut short, and pulled from romance of Ianto Jones and whoever his partners might be when Jack added another name to his list of loves. Hers. Rose's eyes met hers and she gave him a smile, not sure if he was being fattering or if he really meant it.

Well, she knew he loved her, and she loved him. But she didn't think that he loved her in the same way she had been asking about, like his love with another man. She'd never really considered what kind of love she had for Jack. When they'd first met, there had been a clear attraction, but then they'd parted ways and The Doctor had regenerated, and things had simply taken their own course. With Jack, Rose couldn't even separate what kind of love she had for him, because it never mattered. She adored him, found him attractive, and would do anything for him.

She would die for him without a second thought. And she knew he felt the same way, but she'd just never thought about it before. Now that she had, she almost started wondering exactly what kind of relationship he had with the Ianto person who worked for him. Pushing herself off the beam, Rose walked over to Jack and sat down on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. The blonde placed a kiss on his cheek, before pulling back to look into his handsome face. It was really sweet of him to say something like that, no matter how he meant it.

"I love you, too, Jack. You've always taken up such a big part of my heart, and you always will."

She knew that, no matter what, there was no way she would ever forget him, and there was no possible way that anyone would take his place in her heart. He was one of her best friends, and it went even deeper than that. He was like that one perfect love that she'd never had, and yet always had, somehow. There was no real way to explain it the right way, but she could feel it. It was so simple with him, it made the complicated almost fade away. Her eyes looked into his, her bangs falling over her eyes. There was so much more to him, than just 51st century charm.

"You know, there's something really special about you."

[Jack Harkness]

Jack smiled as he watched Rose. She was just so... amazing. But that word really failed to describe was Rose truly was. The phrase 'diamond in the rocks' sprang to mind, but that was very much too Aladdin for Jack's tastes. While, the movie had been great, Robin Williams was such a funny man. Plus, it was a musical cartoon; which was a little surprising. But as of late, they seemed ever more popular than the regular kind of musicals. Though... The Producers was a real knee-slapper. Jack smiled, his thoughts far away as Rose watched him. He tilted back in his chair a little and looked up at the ceiling. Bambi, Lion King... what else... Cinderella, that indian girl one... umm... I know there are more... He frowned and then tilted his head back down.

He caught sight of Rose and smiled warmly again. She was what he was here, for, and his attention should thus remain on her. He wondered what she was thinking about, was it the Doctor who'd recently abandoned her (though it looked like it really hurt him to do so)? Or was it the fact that she was now a very available widow? Was she thinking about him? He hoped she was thinking about him, him was a very important person to think about. Jack's brain went blank, then he paled. What about Gray? It was curious that his mind should switch so suddenly over to Gray, but it did. So here he was, thinking about his brother.

Well, that was an instant mood-killer. Gray probably still wanted to kill him, which was sad. Since Jack loved his brother very much, he still felt the scar and guilt of that day, but he'd forgiven his brother. Despite the fact that nearly single-handedly (well, with the help of John), he'd killed Toshiko and Owen. Oh, that killed the mood even more. Jack was finding it a little hard to keep up his smile now, and he found that his thoughts were once again steering towards the handsome Ianto Jones. Ianto really was one-of-a-kind. He kept secrets, told half-truths, non-truths. It was rather annoying sometimes, but Jack understood. He did the same thing himself to them all the time. It sure must have seriously annoyed them. It probably, and was in fact, annoying Jack. He'd have to sit Ianto down and have a 'truth, no secrets' talk. Maybe then it could be followed by naked hide and seek. Aha! There was that grin on Jack's face again.

His thoughts left the perverse world and traveled along more mundane ideals. Gwen, Rhys, the fact of what would happen once she wanted children. He shelved those thoughts, he could tell when he looked at Rose that she was a little surprised to find her name on the (currently) very short list. Jack nodded his head slowly and smiled warmly at her again. Rose was just that sort of special girl, she'd had part of his heart right from the first. When the Doctor had sent her away, Jack knew he'd done the right thing; they had to save Rose. She had to survive, always, she had to survive. He knew that she loved him just as much, but Jack was curious how much.

He watched her calmly as she pushed off the beam and then walked back over to Jack. He smiled as she sat down on his lap (and struggled to keep those oh-so-inappropriate thoughts out of his mainstream wavelength), and wrapped her arms around his neck. Without a second thought, his arms encircled her and held her close to him. She was warm, very warm. And comfortable. Some people you'd try and hold, but they'd have such bony angles that it was just downright uncomfortable. He grinned widely when she planted a small kiss on his cheek and then she looked at him. She had such a nice face. Healthy. He laughed a little when she retorted and he nodded.

"Same here Rose. And it's a part I never want to have back, keep it safe."


He smiled when her bangs fell into her eyes. Again. With the ease of practice, Jack lifted up a hand and brushed it away. Then, almost unable to stop himself, he traced his fingertips gently down the side of her face and let them rest on her chin for the smallest of seconds. Then he pulled back and chuckled at her final comment.

"Part of that's because of you. Well, okay. Maybe three quarters of it. But who's counting?"

[Rose Tyler]

"I will."

Smiling her promise to him, Rose placed her hand gently over his shirt, where his heart rested in his chest. She could feel it beating under her palm, and there was something soothing about the steady beat. With The Doctor, she'dbeen so used to thinking of him with Two hearts, and sometimes she felt them when they would hug. But with the MC Doctor, she'd always only felt one heart when they would lay in bed together. She'd grown to love that one heartbeat, and stop longing for the second that she was so used to expecting.

And now, she just let herself feel Jack's, glad that he was sitting there, under her, and hlding her close to him. He was there when she needed him most, and she knew that he'd been clever to word his arguments perfectly, almost tricking her to let him come along. That didn't upset her, it was best that he'd tricked her, and she probably would have done the same, if the situation had been different. His next words made her look away from her hand on his chest back up to his face. She couldn't tell if it was a good thin, or a bad thing.

She'd given him life, and saved him from death when nobody else coudl have. The Dalek had shot him down, taking him away from the universe, and Rose had brought him back. But whatever she'd done, it kept bringing him back, over and over again. It resurrected him over and over again, every time he died, making him a fixed point in time and space. Some might think that it was great, to live forever. Others would look at it as a curse, never being able to find piece. Always feeling the pain of dying in every way imaginable, only to be dragged back to wait for it to happen again.

"That's a good thing?"

She felt the guilt of those thoughts whenever her mind drifted to Jack's situation. But the way he lived, he seemed to accept what had happened to him, and was making the most of the long life she had given him. Without knowing it, really, or at least, without remembering it very well, but it was done. The way he was talking about it now, though, it sounded like he was speaking about it as a good thing. Her eyes met his, and she didn't know what she liked what she saw there, like she always did. His eyes always carried such a warmth and deep affection when they fell on her, making her feel loved and cared for, even when she felt like she was alone. She felt a small shiver run down her spine, feeling his hand gently brush herhair out of her eyes, before softly falling down her face. There was a tender care to his touch that she felt like she'd almost forgotten. After a time she couldn't guess, her eyes looked down.