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“So” Jack asked looking out at the storm from inside the cave “any idea how long this storm is going to last?”
“Well they usually only happen at night and last the whole night. Sudden immense drop in temperature because none of the suns are providing heat. Still, should be over in 6 earth hours or so.”
Rose had huddled down in a corner, clearly shivering. “M… might have w… warned us for t…that. W…would’ve packed an extra c…c…coat.” The Doctor quickly moved to her side, took of his jacket and sat down beside her, pulling her onto his lap he placed his jacket over the two of them, rubbing her warm.
“Well, there shouldn’t have been any need of that if a certain captain, who as a former time agent should’ve known better, hadn’t started flirting with the locals.” He shot a glaring look towards Jack.
“I was just saying hello! It’s not my fault they jump to conclusions almost as quick as you do.”
Rose laughed out loud and the Doctor calmed down by the sound of it. Her laughter always had a soothing effect on him. “Better?” He asked and she nodded her head “A bit yeah.”
He continued to hold her close against him, protective of her.
“Aren’t you cold Jack?” She asked turning her head towards him.
“Don’t mind me. I’ll survive anything.” He answered with a wink. Although in truth it was freezing and he wasn’t immune to that. He just didn’t want to disturb their little bubble, not yet anyway.
He had been travelling with the pair for two months now and just like before he was convinced of two things. One, Rose and the Doctor were mad about each other and two, for two normally very observant beings they were either blind of their own feelings or the other one’s or too stubborn to act upon it. Anyway, Jack had made it his personal mission to bring his two favourite beings together. Which was long overdue if you asked him.
So far he had tried giving them some personal time, flirting with Rose to make the Doctor jealous, personal talks with Rose about the Docter and vice versa. But no succes thus far.
He lowered himself to the ground and stared at the two cuddled so closely together. The Doctor held her so tender as if she were the most precious thing there was, which to him she probably was. He watched how her fingers were on his chest and how his fingers went through her hair. Both absent minded.
After a while he did start to shiver and the Doctor noticed. He gestured towards the empty spot next to him and Rose. “Come on, no need to freeze yourself to death even though you can survive that. Normally you’re the first to look for an excuse to get up close.” The Doctor then looked down at Rose and noticed that she was falling asleep. “Now isn’t the time to close your eyes.”
“So tired.” She murmured and they both noticed her lips had turned a pale blue. “Not good!” Jack exclaimed as the Doctor started shaking her, trying to get some life into her. “How much longer do we need to stay here?”
“At least three more hours.” The Doctor answered and Jack could tell that his usual calm was sliding away.
“Right, how far away is the Tardis?”
“Jack, don’t be ridiculous, you’ll never make it!”
Jack took the bag he had carried from the ground and looked at the Doctor. “I have experience with freezing to death. Everytime I wake up I can go on again for five minutes before collapsing again. It’s the best chance she has Doctor.”
The Doctor just nodded and Jack started to run through the storm, trying to get a quick pace as to reach the Tardis faster but the storm was making it difficult.
In the cave the Doctor held Rose closer to him and tried keeping her awake by talking to her and rubbing her for more body heat. “Come on love, Jack’s gonna be here soon and then I’ll take you to your bed where you can have a nice sleep under the covers but not here and now.”
“Will you sleep with me?”
“Ofcourse” the Doctor replied “Like every night.”
It had been a game of them ever since Jack came on board. Curious to see how far Jack would go in his matchmaking schemes. But right now it didn’t seem important anymore. None of it all did. All that mattered was getting her safe. He kissed her forehead and continued to rub her warm. “Just hang on okay? He’ll be here soon.”
It still took 37 minutes before Jack managed to reach the Tardis and bring it to the cave. By that time Rose was barely awake and delirious. The Doctor hurried her inside towards her bedroom.
“Jack! I need you to bring me hot tea with lots of sugar in it.” Jack nodded and hurried towards the kitchen as the Doctor placed her in bed and pulled her blanket around her.
“Hey love, don’t pass out on me now you hear me? I need you to drink that tea, you’ll feel better. If you think I’m planning on losing you so soon after finding you.”
At last Jack returned with the tea and the Doctor helped Rose drink it. After that he crawled in the bed with her and held her close. Kissing her hair, not caring what Jack saw or thought. Jack didn’t say anything. He took the empty mug and left the room quietly, smiling as he walked through the hallway.
Finally.