02- From Bad to Worse

[itsthecoat.livejournal.com]

[Jack appears on the Astral plane, his coat gone. The front of his shirt is covered in blood, and he looks more dazed than anything, half wondering half stumbling. He mumbles to himself as he walks, an almost blank look on his face] Their dead. I couldn't even save Rhys for Gwen, and now so man people are dead. Why doesn't the blood come off......

[ooc: *cough* Do to his recent interaction with Simm!Master, Jack's mental state has gone from somewhat bad but manageable, to  a few steps from just loosing it completely. Which, of course, reflects on his reality, which in turn makes things worse >>

Oh, and just for the record; any post before this is basically pre!return, so he'll be his normal self there u-u]

Comments

[itsthecoat.livejournal.com]

I seem to make up for it in abundance of talent in other areas, however.

[barelyemoting.livejournal.com]

[brow raise]

And that would be?

[itsthecoat.livejournal.com]

I'll give you one guess, Brigadier; it doesn't have much to do with the army, though.

[barelyemoting.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid I'm not that good at guessing games, Captain.

[itsthecoat.livejournal.com]

[The smile on his lips is the only indication of what he's going to do next; Jack lean in and kisses the Brigadier; deeply, tongue tracing over his lips. He's still smiling as he pulls away] Just think along those lines then, sir.

[barelyemoting.livejournal.com]

[the Brig sort of stares for a moment afterwards before adjusting his outfit. first the TARDIS, now Harkness, really, this was getting a tad bit too frequent... but then he goes on as if relatively unbothered]

Ah. Yes. Well. A lot of people have some degree of talent in that particular area, Captain. But I think I'll take your word on how talented.

[itsthecoat.livejournal.com]

[Jack feigns a look of hurt/disappointment] Only take my word on it? It's been a while since I was rejected this outright, Brigadier.....

[barelyemoting.livejournal.com]

[raises a brow, then chuckles] Think of it less as 'rejection' and more of it as 'being a gentleman'. I tend not to do anything with people right after they've had a bit of a loss - doesn't do a thing for recovery.

[itsthecoat.livejournal.com]

[gives him what seems to be a fond smile, then takes a step forward, leaving almost no space between them] You consider it taking advantage, think my opinion would be different if I was in a 'right' state of mind? Believe me Brigadier, that's not the case with me.

[barelyemoting.livejournal.com]

[he folds his hands behind his back] I'd rather not take any undue risks, Harkness. If you fancy making another pass, see me later.

[itsthecoat.livejournal.com]

[it's something, but Jack has never been one to settle] You have my word, Brigadier, that this isn't merely impulse or grief-driven.

Are you familiar with the 51st century?

[barelyemoting.livejournal.com]

[Brig is resolute] I'd still rather play it safe.


Never been.

[itsthecoat.livejournal.com]

I was born and grew up then, before I became a Time Agent. The personal boundaries that people have today....their none existent then. Physical closeness was only natural, sex...[he shrugs] as common as hugging is today.

[barelyemoting.livejournal.com]

I typically don't hug anyone, Captain. Most of my time is spent with UNIT and we don't do that sort of thing.

[itsthecoat.livejournal.com]

[Jack frowns at this, then without hesitation lifts his arms and wraps then around the Brigadier in a solid hug]

[barelyemoting.livejournal.com]

[the Brig doesn't react much, but he is feeling a mite awkward]

[itsthecoat.livejournal.com]

[Jacks gives him a squeeze then pulls away, though he keeps one arm around the Brig's shoulder] Even just a hug every once in a while is needed, you know; even the Doctor dances.

[barelyemoting.livejournal.com]

[the Brig looks mildly quizzical] Of course he does. I saw him dance with Miss Grant at UNIT's last Christmas Party.

[itsthecoat.livejournal.com]

[Jack can't help but smile, because it's been a long time since he's even thought about the reference] Think of a more...intimate kind of dance, sir.

[barelyemoting.livejournal.com]

...Can't fathom it. He's always seemed the sort to be a bit removed.

[itsthecoat.livejournal.com]

I've only seen him actually dance once, though I still owe him a drink.

But what I'm referring to, Brigadier, is sex; the Doctor's own euphemism for it.

[barelyemoting.livejournal.com]

[realisation]

Ah.


Well. Never much asked him about it. None of my business.

[itsthecoat.livejournal.com]

See? That's what I mean. Twenty first century people always seem so...repressed when it comes to things like sexualities and physical categories.

Quaint little categories and all.

[barelyemoting.livejournal.com]

Regardless of repression - of which, I dare say I am not repressed in the least - it's none of my business. Not to mention, it's got no place being brought up.

[itsthecoat.livejournal.com]

[He sighs softly, shaking his head] That is something where UNIT could learn a thing or two from my team; you can't just be soldiers to each other. Torchwood Three...something happened, and two people died. It could've been avoided so easily if we had just talked to each other, bothered to find out about the other person.

I'm not saying there were no secrets between us, but what's the point in fighting for and protecting something you don't even know?