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Fic: Five Ways Jack Didn't Meet the Doctor's Wife. Part 1: It’s Called Marriage
I've never done a five things fic, and this one might take forever to complete (although I have all five planned out) - but at least I can say I've started posting.
ETA: Dedicated to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
a_phoenixdragon. Happy belated birthday sweetie! <3
Summary: The Doctor doesn't tell Jack what's happened since they last met. There's a reason for that...
Setting: Between TWoRS and 'The Widow etc'.
Characters: The Doctor, Jack, River.
Rating: PG
Wordcount: 1350 approx
Feedback: Oooh, you know you want to.
It’s Called Marriage
An alleyway on an alien planet, so ordinary that he almost walked past the parked TARDIS. He’d stopped dead in his tracks, staring, unsure what to do, when the door opened and a youthful face had looked him over with a ready smile.
“Jack! It’s been forever. Come in, let’s catch up.”
It had been a few weeks now, and - although he was a semi-permanent fixture (the Doctor had, somewhat awkwardly, asked if he’d like to stay for a while, and he had just as awkwardly confirmed) - there had been no actual catching up. Which suited Jack just fine. He was in no hurry to share, and this new Doctor with the young face and the old eyes was clearly not in the mood either. He said something about Companions that had gotten married and so he was mostly travelling on his own, and Jack nodded and didn’t pry further.
He was very friendly though, easy chatter and genuine affection a welcome surprise to Jack (ditto the bow tie and tweed), and the TARDIS seemed happy too - golden and beautiful.
Somewhere inside he could feel something unfurl... He knew where he was, and how things were supposed to be. No more difficult compromises, just the safety of the Doctor’s self-assurance and clear morals.
“Let’s try the crystal falls of Trevellis 5,” the Doctor said, flipping a lever, when a sudden shudder seemed to shake the TARDIS, sending both of them crashing into the partitions, grasping for a hold, as the controls apparently moved by themselves and the ancient engines groaned. Moments later they landed and after a moment of looking at each other in bewilderment, the Doctor jumped to his feet and ran down the stairs, Jack - suddenly worried - hot on his heels.
He almost crashed into the Doctor’s back, however, as the Time Lord had frozen on the spot outside the TARDIS door. Taking in the scene Jack felt a cold chill go through him. They were on the execution square of the Trafeng Empire in the 67th Century (infamous enough for any time traveller to be aware of the place), the local dignitary seated in the judge’s seat, soldiers lining the walls and a woman at the block, the executioner lifting his axe.
The blade caught the sunlight as it fell, blinding him for a moment - but then a shot rang out, and the blade tumbled to the ground as the black-hooded soldier fell down dead, blood spilling from a bullet hole in the middle of his head.
Feeling as if the world was unfolding in slow-motion Jack turned, and took in the figure of the Doctor by his side, Jack’s now smoking gun in his hand, arm perfectly still.
Deathly silence had fallen over the scene, broken by a voice Jack knew had to be the Doctor’s as he could see his lips move, yet it was so cold and cut-down he would not have thought him capable of it.
“You move, you die,” he said, carefully covering the soldiers with the gun, before adding: “Jack. Get her in the TARDIS.”
As Jack took a moment to react he added ”Now!” with such vehemence that Jack ran to his task.
The woman, dressed as a noblewoman, although clearly human, her curly hair pulled away from her face, smiled at him as he gave her a hand - her own were shackled behind her back, which made getting to her feet difficult.
“Thank you,” she said, walking past the Doctor and into the TARDIS without a flicker, and the Doctor slowly followed, gun at the ready until he was inside the TARDIS, at which point he raised his other hand, snapped his fingers and - as if by magic - the doors closed and the engines cranked back to life.
Jack, trying to gather his wits, realised that the woman was probably in shock and turned to her, about to ask her how she was, and saw that she was calmly studying the Doctor, who was now lowering the gun, eyes fastening on her face and fury gathering on his brow.
“What the hell was that?” he asked, looking at her with such undiluted anger that Jack froze; but the woman didn’t so much as flinch, and Jack came to the conclusion that they obviously knew each other somehow. Was she a former companion?
“A little raid that... didn’t go quite as planned.”
“Not quite as planned?” the Doctor exploded, incredulous. “You were about to be beheaded! If we’d been two seconds later-”
He caught himself, swallowing, as strong emotions flitted across his face, before the fury settled again, and his voice was quivering with anger when he spoke, voice low and harsh.
“I killed for you.”
Lifting her chin, the woman looked back, meeting his eyes head-on.
“It’s called marriage, honey.”
As his jaw dropped, she tilted her head, eyes narrowing.
“Well, our marriage at any rate.”
The silence following this statement seemed to stretch forever, something Jack was grateful for, as his mind was desperately trying to make the words fit. Marriage? Marriage? This woman was the Doctor’s wife? How - why - how... The questions were too many to be numbered, and his mind was like syrup.
All he could do was watch the silent war of wills play out in front of him, until - to his astonishment - the Doctor abruptly lowered his gaze.
“Yes. Sorry. I didn’t-”
As if coming back to himself, he noticed that he still had Jack’s gun in his hand, and carefully handed it over.
“Thank you. And sorry for helping myself. Didn’t have time to ask.”
“You’re welcome,” Jack replied, placing the gun in its holster, a hundred questions on the tip of his tongue, yet unable to formulate a single one.
Thankfully the woman (the Doctor’s wife?) took the initiative.
“Aren’t you going to introduce us, dear?”
The Doctor blinked, and nodded.
“Of course. River, this is my good and very old friend, the infamous Captain Jack Harkness, as you’ve probably already guessed. Jack this is-”
He stopped, and looked at her, and when she said “Doctor”, he continued:
“Doctor River Song, my wife and the bane of my existence.”
For a moment she glared daggers, then seemed to stomp down on whatever emotions he had awakened and instead tilted her head.
“You going to uncuff me, so I can shake his hand?” she asked, and the Doctor hesitated, then shook his head.
“No. Considering how much you like them, I think it’s time for you to wear them for once.”
A beat, then her whole demeanour changed. Shooting the Doctor a look from under her eyelashes, she replied “As you wish,” with undertones Jack couldn’t have missed if he’d been blind and deaf.
Staggered, his eyes turned to the Doctor, who suddenly seemed to have gone completely tongue-tied.
“...Right,” he eventually said, clearing his throat and not meeting Jack’s eyes. “I need to-”
“Tea sounds like a lovely idea, dear,” River finished, and he nodded absently.
“Yes. Tea. I’ll make us some tea...”
He walked up a staircase and disappeared round a corner, before his head suddenly popped out again, and River answered his unspoken question.
“And yes darling, I’d like a lift back to Stormcage afterwards.”
“Right. Good,” he said, and his head vanished, his footsteps slowly receding.
After a long moment, Jack eventually turned to the impossibility beside him.
“You’re his wife?” he eventually asked, still unable to get anything to fit. “How... And Stormcage? I-”
“Yes, he married me,” she replied. “And I’m in Stormcage for murder.”
“Whose murder?” he asked, although he knew the answer even before she opened her mouth, her manner so arch he felt several kinds of fool, although what she was suggesting was clearly madness.
“Whose do you think?”
And Jack understood that in this one woman his whole house of cards - the simple moral universe he had contructed around the Doctor - wasn’t just falling to pieces, it was turning upside down...
A smile breaking out on his face, he let his eyes trail over the woman in front of him - this time appraising in every way he knew how.
"I'm beginning to see why he never bothered to 'catch up'" he said, as River, eyes glinting, smiled back - and he could feel something that had been dead for a very long time unfurl.
Life was all of a sudden interesting again...
ETA: Dedicated to
a_phoenixdragon. Happy belated birthday sweetie! <3Summary: The Doctor doesn't tell Jack what's happened since they last met. There's a reason for that...
Setting: Between TWoRS and 'The Widow etc'.
Characters: The Doctor, Jack, River.
Rating: PG
Wordcount: 1350 approx
Feedback: Oooh, you know you want to.
It’s Called Marriage
An alleyway on an alien planet, so ordinary that he almost walked past the parked TARDIS. He’d stopped dead in his tracks, staring, unsure what to do, when the door opened and a youthful face had looked him over with a ready smile.
“Jack! It’s been forever. Come in, let’s catch up.”
It had been a few weeks now, and - although he was a semi-permanent fixture (the Doctor had, somewhat awkwardly, asked if he’d like to stay for a while, and he had just as awkwardly confirmed) - there had been no actual catching up. Which suited Jack just fine. He was in no hurry to share, and this new Doctor with the young face and the old eyes was clearly not in the mood either. He said something about Companions that had gotten married and so he was mostly travelling on his own, and Jack nodded and didn’t pry further.
He was very friendly though, easy chatter and genuine affection a welcome surprise to Jack (ditto the bow tie and tweed), and the TARDIS seemed happy too - golden and beautiful.
Somewhere inside he could feel something unfurl... He knew where he was, and how things were supposed to be. No more difficult compromises, just the safety of the Doctor’s self-assurance and clear morals.
“Let’s try the crystal falls of Trevellis 5,” the Doctor said, flipping a lever, when a sudden shudder seemed to shake the TARDIS, sending both of them crashing into the partitions, grasping for a hold, as the controls apparently moved by themselves and the ancient engines groaned. Moments later they landed and after a moment of looking at each other in bewilderment, the Doctor jumped to his feet and ran down the stairs, Jack - suddenly worried - hot on his heels.
He almost crashed into the Doctor’s back, however, as the Time Lord had frozen on the spot outside the TARDIS door. Taking in the scene Jack felt a cold chill go through him. They were on the execution square of the Trafeng Empire in the 67th Century (infamous enough for any time traveller to be aware of the place), the local dignitary seated in the judge’s seat, soldiers lining the walls and a woman at the block, the executioner lifting his axe.
The blade caught the sunlight as it fell, blinding him for a moment - but then a shot rang out, and the blade tumbled to the ground as the black-hooded soldier fell down dead, blood spilling from a bullet hole in the middle of his head.
Feeling as if the world was unfolding in slow-motion Jack turned, and took in the figure of the Doctor by his side, Jack’s now smoking gun in his hand, arm perfectly still.
Deathly silence had fallen over the scene, broken by a voice Jack knew had to be the Doctor’s as he could see his lips move, yet it was so cold and cut-down he would not have thought him capable of it.
“You move, you die,” he said, carefully covering the soldiers with the gun, before adding: “Jack. Get her in the TARDIS.”
As Jack took a moment to react he added ”Now!” with such vehemence that Jack ran to his task.
The woman, dressed as a noblewoman, although clearly human, her curly hair pulled away from her face, smiled at him as he gave her a hand - her own were shackled behind her back, which made getting to her feet difficult.
“Thank you,” she said, walking past the Doctor and into the TARDIS without a flicker, and the Doctor slowly followed, gun at the ready until he was inside the TARDIS, at which point he raised his other hand, snapped his fingers and - as if by magic - the doors closed and the engines cranked back to life.
Jack, trying to gather his wits, realised that the woman was probably in shock and turned to her, about to ask her how she was, and saw that she was calmly studying the Doctor, who was now lowering the gun, eyes fastening on her face and fury gathering on his brow.
“What the hell was that?” he asked, looking at her with such undiluted anger that Jack froze; but the woman didn’t so much as flinch, and Jack came to the conclusion that they obviously knew each other somehow. Was she a former companion?
“A little raid that... didn’t go quite as planned.”
“Not quite as planned?” the Doctor exploded, incredulous. “You were about to be beheaded! If we’d been two seconds later-”
He caught himself, swallowing, as strong emotions flitted across his face, before the fury settled again, and his voice was quivering with anger when he spoke, voice low and harsh.
“I killed for you.”
Lifting her chin, the woman looked back, meeting his eyes head-on.
“It’s called marriage, honey.”
As his jaw dropped, she tilted her head, eyes narrowing.
“Well, our marriage at any rate.”
The silence following this statement seemed to stretch forever, something Jack was grateful for, as his mind was desperately trying to make the words fit. Marriage? Marriage? This woman was the Doctor’s wife? How - why - how... The questions were too many to be numbered, and his mind was like syrup.
All he could do was watch the silent war of wills play out in front of him, until - to his astonishment - the Doctor abruptly lowered his gaze.
“Yes. Sorry. I didn’t-”
As if coming back to himself, he noticed that he still had Jack’s gun in his hand, and carefully handed it over.
“Thank you. And sorry for helping myself. Didn’t have time to ask.”
“You’re welcome,” Jack replied, placing the gun in its holster, a hundred questions on the tip of his tongue, yet unable to formulate a single one.
Thankfully the woman (the Doctor’s wife?) took the initiative.
“Aren’t you going to introduce us, dear?”
The Doctor blinked, and nodded.
“Of course. River, this is my good and very old friend, the infamous Captain Jack Harkness, as you’ve probably already guessed. Jack this is-”
He stopped, and looked at her, and when she said “Doctor”, he continued:
“Doctor River Song, my wife and the bane of my existence.”
For a moment she glared daggers, then seemed to stomp down on whatever emotions he had awakened and instead tilted her head.
“You going to uncuff me, so I can shake his hand?” she asked, and the Doctor hesitated, then shook his head.
“No. Considering how much you like them, I think it’s time for you to wear them for once.”
A beat, then her whole demeanour changed. Shooting the Doctor a look from under her eyelashes, she replied “As you wish,” with undertones Jack couldn’t have missed if he’d been blind and deaf.
Staggered, his eyes turned to the Doctor, who suddenly seemed to have gone completely tongue-tied.
“...Right,” he eventually said, clearing his throat and not meeting Jack’s eyes. “I need to-”
“Tea sounds like a lovely idea, dear,” River finished, and he nodded absently.
“Yes. Tea. I’ll make us some tea...”
He walked up a staircase and disappeared round a corner, before his head suddenly popped out again, and River answered his unspoken question.
“And yes darling, I’d like a lift back to Stormcage afterwards.”
“Right. Good,” he said, and his head vanished, his footsteps slowly receding.
After a long moment, Jack eventually turned to the impossibility beside him.
“You’re his wife?” he eventually asked, still unable to get anything to fit. “How... And Stormcage? I-”
“Yes, he married me,” she replied. “And I’m in Stormcage for murder.”
“Whose murder?” he asked, although he knew the answer even before she opened her mouth, her manner so arch he felt several kinds of fool, although what she was suggesting was clearly madness.
“Whose do you think?”
And Jack understood that in this one woman his whole house of cards - the simple moral universe he had contructed around the Doctor - wasn’t just falling to pieces, it was turning upside down...
A smile breaking out on his face, he let his eyes trail over the woman in front of him - this time appraising in every way he knew how.
"I'm beginning to see why he never bothered to 'catch up'" he said, as River, eyes glinting, smiled back - and he could feel something that had been dead for a very long time unfurl.
Life was all of a sudden interesting again...
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And I hope you had a fantastic birthday!
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*beams* They're so much fun to write. Glad you enjoyed! <3
And I hope you had a fantastic birthday!
It was very lovely indeed, thank you!
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I cannot resist playing with just how much everything has changed. Especially using 'outside' characters to show the differences.
And the Doctor, deadly and intent with a gun in his hand to protect River, the only person he'd probably go that route for, that was awesome.
Everything sprung from that moment.
11 really is the only Doctor I wouldn't want to face when he's angry. He's such a lovable buffoon most of the time, but when he's angry he gives me chills.
As Promethia once said - the danger with Ten was that he'd lose it. The danger with 11 is that he won't. (I love it, I love it, I love it...)
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Ooh, very good point.
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Using someone like Jack (who was very much part of Ten's world) highlights the differences beautifully. I just couldn't help my self... Glad you liked it! :)
I've read Jack/Eleven fics and Jack/River fics but you put him with the two of them together and - oh boy. Wow.
In that case I've got an older story that you might like: Knowing Me, Knowing You... (Set, and written, post S5. Very different. But fun!)
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Love that icon, too!
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And oh, I can just keep going... :)
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It's one of those stories I kept wanting to do more with, but Promethia told me that sometimes short is also good, so I took her advice... Glad you enjoyed it - loved flipping the tone over and again.
and you're exploring the differences between Nine/Ten and Eleven using Jack's body language almost solely -- that's impressive! Impressive and awesome!
I... was mostly worried that Jack was terribly passive, but I could find no way out of that conundrum. Am thrilled to PIECES that you find it impressive! ♥
(Feel free to write all the "RTD-era characters meet Eleven" fic. I loved the one with him apologising to Mickey, too... ;) )
Well it's one of my kinks (showing how things have changed by using a character from a previous 'era' - I did lots of that in my Buffy fic), so it's quite likely. And there'll be 4 more fics with Jack meeting River, I just need to write them! *g* (I have a VERY, um, anti-Rose/Ten story with Clara & Eleven. Complete crack, yet I dare not post it, people might be upset.)
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So true! Perfect one-shot ftw!
I... was mostly worried that Jack was terribly passive
Definitely didn't read like that. I mean... the Doctor sort of always outshines Jack (or maybe that's just me?), and River... One of those enormous personalities has to take a step back, and married bicker sort of trumps anything Jack might pull. *g* Plus, you got so much about Jack's view of the Doctor, that whole "I re-made Torchwood in your honour" vibe... his POV comes across loud and clear.
And there'll be 4 more fics with Jack meeting River, I just need to write them! *g* (I have a VERY, um, anti-Rose/Ten story with Clara & Eleven. Complete crack, yet I dare not post it, people might be upset.)
Yay, that is a lot of Jack & River fic! :D (Upsetting people should be avoided... Mostly unrelated, because I spent too much time thinking about logistics (and lost my train of thought re: crack and shipping) -- is it anniversary fic? Ten, Rose, Eleven, Clara...?)
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:)
Definitely didn't read like that. I mean... the Doctor sort of always outshines Jack (or maybe that's just me?), and River... One of those enormous personalities has to take a step back, and married bicker sort of trumps anything Jack might pull. *g*
That was my reasoning exactly! And as you say, the Doctor outshines Jack - or rather, Jack takes his cues from the Doctor.
Plus, you got so much about Jack's view of the Doctor, that whole "I re-made Torchwood in your honour" vibe... his POV comes across loud and clear.
*is happy* Plus, I love nothing more than pushing people off pedestals!
Yay, that is a lot of Jack & River fic! :D
Some of it is very silly! And some of it darker than this.
(Upsetting people should be avoided... Mostly unrelated, because I spent too much time thinking about logistics (and lost my train of thought re: crack and shipping) -- is it anniversary fic? Ten, Rose, Eleven, Clara...?)
You can read it here. From way back when all sorts of theories were flying about re. who Clara was. And someone linked to this, which was too good a theory to leave alone. Except I... subverted it rather. Ahem. (VERY tongue-in-cheek.)
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Oh, that's much better! Annnd now I want to rewatch Torchwood. Or at least Reset, for maximum Doctor-fawning. :)
From way back when all sorts of theories were flying about re. who Clara was.
I'd almost forgotten that theory! Perfect crack, and that is a lot of tongue-in-cheek you've got there! Everyone got their share of flaws pointed out so beautifully... ("Stormcage might take me back BYE" made me lol irl.) And poor, poor TenToo! That said, I can see how the fic could upset someone... (Well, technically, it could upset fans of any character and shippers of at least four ships, which is probably a sign that it is good crack.)
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Don't say things like that. I don't have time for re-watch...
I'd almost forgotten that theory! Perfect crack, and that is a lot of tongue-in-cheek you've got there! Everyone got their share of flaws pointed out so beautifully...
For some reason making Rose & TenToo HUGELY dysfunctional suddenly seemed like the most natural thing in the world. (I've also written actual Rose/TenToo, so I feel I'm allowed to have fun too?)
"Stormcage might take me back BYE" made me lol irl.
:D \o/
And poor, poor TenToo! That said, I can see how the fic could upset someone... (Well, technically, it could upset fans of any character and shippers of at least four ships, which is probably a sign that it is good crack.)
Might post it on April Fools or something. And you've reminded me of my Marilyn fic which was jossed, but that I never finished and which I really ought to go back & fix.)
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Totally allowed! That's what fandom is for, right? (It's not like you've devoted a section of your masterlist to TenII/Rose bashfics... that would have been less cool.) And he would so overcompensate, like... he would.
Must find your Rose/TenToo fic now!
Might post it on April Fools or something. And you've reminded me of my Marilyn fic which was jossed
That sounds like a plan! And I would def. read that Marilyn fic.
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I mock because I love. Ahem. ;)
And he would so overcompensate, like... he would.
IKR? It feels weirdly in character.
Must find your Rose/TenToo fic now!
There's two:
What are you? What will you be? (TenToo/Rose set immediately after Ten left them behind. 98% meta.)
Time Crash Mark II. (Summary: “[The Doctor is] a serial falling-in-lover. He loves them all.” Steven Moffat)
That sounds like a plan! And I would def. read that Marilyn fic.
I've actually done it! As in - I've fixed the first part (which is TenToo/Rose & Eleven/River) to make it fit with canon, and am busy writing the ending to the Marilyn part that I could never make fit after everything got jossed! Wooo! \o/
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I've fixed the first part (which is TenToo/Rose & Eleven/River) to make it fit with canon, and am busy writing the ending to the Marilyn part that I could never make fit after everything got jossed! Wooo! \o/
\o/ Wow, you're writing all the things! Go you!
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I was going to say that I'm sure you've seen them before. I hope they'll be just as enjoyable on second viewing.
\o/ Wow, you're writing all the things! Go you!
*screams* IT DIDN'T SAVE MY DRAFT I HAVE TO DO IT ALL AGAIN!!!!!!
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*screams* IT DIDN'T SAVE MY DRAFT I HAVE TO DO IT ALL AGAIN!!!!!!
AAAHHHHHH nonono That is the worst!
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I shall post the first part immediately to make myself feel better.
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Yes, pls do! :)
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And wait a few minutes and it should be up!
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Lovely introduction—I loved Jack's bewilderment as he faced the TARDIS again, and Eleven's happy welcome. Also really enjoyed the awkwardness of the moment when Eleven asked him to stay for a bit—I could just picture that, it felt very fitting, even for the usually confident captain. And I loved the atmosphere you portrayed between the two of them—the way Jack perceived the new incarnation, unsettling in its change but very warm ("young face and old eyes", love it—and the happy, glowing TARDIS too :)) and the unspoken understanding of Eleven not saying much and Jack not being interested in pushing for further knowledge. I loved the way you depicted Jack's feeling with it all. Somewhere inside he could feel something unfurl... He knew where he was, and how things were supposed to be. No more difficult compromises, just the safety of the Doctor’s self-assurance and clear morals.—I love the way you worded that, and that wonderful sense of a newfound balance, of safety, indeed.
The way you depicted River's rescue was really striking: starting with the suddenness of the TARDIS changing course, the alarm the Doctor and Jack both felt, Jack's shock as he scanned the scene they found—and then it got all the more powerful with the way you described all of it, the blinding light reflected on the falling blade, the gunshot ringing and the surge of blood, there was such a sense of violence in all of that. And it was the Doctor who brought that rupture, the executioner's death to prevent River's, all of it happening lightning-fast as there was no other choice and he reacted in a fraction of a second—and you really showed how struck and frozen they all were, the Doctor, Jack unable to quite register it and everyone around them. The Doctor's harsh commands were also wonderfully rendered.
I loved the way you described River as Jack brought her into the TARDIS, then how he expected her to be in shock, but instead she was very calm and observing the Doctor. Their exchange was just great—his rage contrasting with her perfect self-control, the fear he'd felt for her also showig through and all the mixed emotions, then her sharp comeback to his accusing statement. It was all so perfectly fitting: the Doctor would hate to be forced to kill, and the mix of all those powerful emotions would make him so furious and harsh, but River sharply reminded him that she hadn't been above killing for him, that she'd always done anything and everything for him and it was the way their relationship was—and they were equals, always there for the other at any cost. I loved the way you pictured that, with River so strong and willful, their staring each other down for a moment and then the Doctor's acceptance as he realized she was right. And all throughout, Jack was standing puzzled in the middle, trying to figure out who she was and what was going on and just more and more in shock as he heard things he found so hard to take in. His standing as an observer was pretty nice too :) I loved River taking the initiative of the introductions, and the way the Doctor introduced her ♥♥♥ The handcuff lines were flawless—you would add those in! :D I just adored how self-conscious the Doctor got, and River prompting him to go make tea ;) The dialogue between Jack and River at the end was pretty nice as well, loved his calling her "impossibility", and his grasping at straws about the murder. It was lovely that he felt so delighted at having his certainties about the Doctor tossed away so completely, and the ending was great, with the grin he exchanged with River (captain Charming attitude again!), your using the lovely "unfurling" phrase again, and all the things that were calling back to the beginning, the change in the Doctor, unsettling but wonderful, the new balance with Jack's spontaneous understanding with River echoing his new, more relaxed relations with Eleven.
It was a lovely, lovely read :D
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As this is a 'Five Things' story, I have to introduce him five times... Am glad this one worked well, because I wanted everything nice and lowkey to begin with. No running into each other as things were blowing up. Also - awkwardness. Because they're blokes. :)
I loved the way you depicted Jack's feeling with it all. [...] —I love the way you worded that, and that wonderful sense of a newfound balance, of safety, indeed.
*beams* I think Jack (especially after what he's been through) would long for the simpler choices [he thinks] the Doctor offers.
The way you depicted River's rescue was really striking: starting with the suddenness of the TARDIS changing course, the alarm the Doctor and Jack both felt, Jack's shock as he scanned the scene they found—and then it got all the more powerful with the way you described all of it, the blinding light reflected on the falling blade, the gunshot ringing and the surge of blood, there was such a sense of violence in all of that. And it was the Doctor who brought that rupture, the executioner's death to prevent River's, all of it happening lightning-fast as there was no other choice and he reacted in a fraction of a second—and you really showed how struck and frozen they all were, the Doctor, Jack unable to quite register it and everyone around them. The Doctor's harsh commands were also wonderfully rendered.
Sort of lumping all this in for one reply, because you captured just what I was trying to convey - the whole 'split-second' feeling, which is so much easier on screen, but can be cumbersome when writing. I'm glad you thought I captured that, the shock and the immediacy of it all.
I loved the way you described River as Jack brought her into the TARDIS, then how he expected her to be in shock, but instead she was very calm and observing the Doctor. Their exchange was just great—his rage contrasting with her perfect self-control, the fear he'd felt for her also showig through and all the mixed emotions, then her sharp comeback to his accusing statement.
"I won't always be there to catch you!"/"And you are so wrong!" She knows exactly where they stand, and how difficult he finds it - how emotional he gets. So she has to be the calm one.
It was all so perfectly fitting: the Doctor would hate to be forced to kill, and the mix of all those powerful emotions would make him so furious and harsh, but River sharply reminded him that she hadn't been above killing for him, that she'd always done anything and everything for him and it was the way their relationship was—and they were equals, always there for the other at any cost. I loved the way you pictured that, with River so strong and willful, their staring each other down for a moment and then the Doctor's acceptance as he realized she was right.
This is - quite obviously - what the whole fic centres around. All those issues at the heart of them... He fought a war for her, her life was ruined because of him - oh it never ends. And they can't focus on the issues, because then they'd never stop.
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Poor Jack. But it couldn't be helped... ;)
I loved River taking the initiative of the introductions, and the way the Doctor introduced her ♥♥♥ The handcuff lines were flawless—you would add those in! :D I just adored how self-conscious the Doctor got, and River prompting him to go make tea ;)
The tea was mostly to get rid of the Doctor, as by then he was not really capable of much else! ;) (Ooooh, I had such fun!)
The dialogue between Jack and River at the end was pretty nice as well, loved his calling her "impossibility", and his grasping at straws about the murder. It was lovely that he felt so delighted at having his certainties about the Doctor tossed away so completely, and the ending was great, with the grin he exchanged with River (captain Charming attitude again!), your using the lovely "unfurling" phrase again, and all the things that were calling back to the beginning, the change in the Doctor, unsettling but wonderful, the new balance with Jack's spontaneous understanding with River echoing his new, more relaxed relations with Eleven.
You know, I never realised I'd reused the 'unfurling' - partly because most of the fic was finished long ago, but the ending was a perpetual nightmare. So I'm very happy it worked, although now I almost wish I'd done something else... (But that's writing for you, as I'm sure you know. *g*) Thank you again for all your lovely comments.
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WOW!!!!
*DANCES MADLY*
Was this set after 'A Tale of Suspension'?! Cause it almost felt like it was!!
OMG, the Doctor killed someone!! I can believe it of Eleven. Without thought. Without preamble. Split second - pull the trigger: no warnings, no seconds chances and no pronouncements of the same.
Sheer gorgeousness!!
LOVE how Jack first sees River *beams* and how he can see the man who killed another over this woman suddenly get flustered and blush and go make tea...
I just...
WOW...
And this was a birthday present?! How the hell did I miss that?! OMG, I am so sorry!! I should have read this WAY sooner!!
But let me tell you...t'was that much sweeter for the wait!!
*GLEES*
Thank you, sweetie!! This is a perfect prezzie!!
Thank you...
*Happy!Hugs*
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Like a drunk giraffe... ? ;)
Was this set after 'A Tale of Suspension'?! Cause it almost felt like it was!!
I am not familiar with that story, so not deliberately, no...
OMG, the Doctor killed someone!! I can believe it of Eleven. Without thought. Without preamble. Split second - pull the trigger: no warnings, no seconds chances and no pronouncements of the same.
I thought you'd like it! *g* And yes, I sort of stacked it all up against him - split-second reaction, no time to think. And he'd totally do it.
LOVE how Jack first sees River *beams* and how he can see the man who killed another over this woman suddenly get flustered and blush and go make tea...
It's that delightful contradiction.
I just... WOW... And this was a birthday present?! How the hell did I miss that?! OMG, I am so sorry!! I should have read this WAY sooner!!
Well, as you know, there is nothing like late comments. Plus, it was a BELATED present. So don't feel bad! <3
But let me tell you...t'was that much sweeter for the wait!!
You see? ;)
*sends you lots of hugs*
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That sure takes some creativity!
Also - awkwardness. Because they're blokes. :)
*thumbs up* ;)
how emotional he gets. So she has to be the calm one.
When isn't she? Oh River ♥
And they can't focus on the issues, because then they'd never stop.
Rise above and just give each other their all. ♥
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*giggles* *thumbs up*
You know, I never realised I'd reused the 'unfurling' - partly because most of the fic was finished long ago, but the ending was a perpetual nightmare.
Those things that happen without us even realizing… The call-back is lovely though!
So I'm very happy it worked, although now I almost wish I'd done something else... (But that's writing for you, as I'm sure you know. *g*)
Never satisfied, we are! ;)
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I shall have to come up with better ways than 'Just happened to walk past'... *g*
When isn't she? Oh River ♥
When she has to kill him. ;)
Rise above and just give each other their all. ♥
My OTP.
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:)
(Sorry, so late in replying. And my head is in entirely the wrong space...)
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*waves the elisi flag*
When she has to kill him. ;)
Good reason that.
My OTP.
And mine! ♥
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I've got a couple of good ideas. >:)
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Ooh, I like that line. That’s so perfectly true, that’s something that has always attracted me to Doctor Who, and a major reason why I love the Doctor. Thank you for putting it into such clear words.
“A beat, then her whole demeanour changed. Shooting the Doctor a look from under her eyelashes, she replied “As you wish,” with undertones Jack couldn’t have missed if he’d been blind and deaf.”
Ooh, I bet Jack’s ear’s perked up like a donkey’s. I can just see the avid look in his eye as he looked back and forth between the two.
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Thank you for picking out that line. I was rather pleased with it! Even though the story undercuts it rather, it's still true.
Ooh, I bet Jack’s ear’s perked up like a donkey’s. I can just see the avid look in his eye as he looked back and forth between the two.
I'm sure his whole brain went 'Hel-lo!' Suddenly everything is talking his language...
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(No need to reply to this. I just hate having an uneven number of comments to a post...)