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DW fic: Big Brother. (Not The Last)
I hate Tuesdays. There is always too much running around on Tuesdays. *kicks RL* So I bring you fic. I'm aware that 'Not The Last' only had a handful of readers, but I figure that at least a couple of you are around? I can hope... *crosses fingers like mad*
Summary & setting: Takes place directly after the events of the last chapter (not the epilogue!) of Not The Last, but is more like a bridge to the not-yet-written sequel. The key word here is 'consequences'.
Spoilers: S3 of Doctor Who. (AU post-SoD, won't make much sense if you've not read the main story.)
Characters: Jack and Alex (OC).
Rating: PG
Word count: 1462
Big Brother
23rd of April 2015
Thursday morning, and Jack was taking Alex to school. He’d arrived the night before, present in hand - along with Martha, Tom and their baby - to find not just a birthday party for an 8-year-old, but a household that had been shaken thoroughly. Alex himself had been almost bouncing off the walls (before settling down and systematically taking apart every piece of technology in the house, enlisting Luke’s enthusiastic help when he needed more hands), the Doctor had been looking by turns relieved and worried, and the Master had been so happy that he almost purred. Lucy had been concentrating on making sure everyone had enough to eat.
It was good that by now they were all very accomplished at maintaining the careful balance needed to keep the past at bay...
Pretend that the man in the armchair across from you didn’t torture you for a year. Pretend that his wife handing you a cup of coffee didn’t dance when the Earth fell. Pretend that it never happened, even if the boy - laughing as he shows off a simple time experiment - wouldn't have existed otherwise...
At one point the Doctor had taken his former companions aside and confided in them what had taken place earlier, and it was apparent that, although Alex was clearly fine, the Doctor was still deeply conflicted. Jack had offered to give the boy a lift in the morning, so the Doctor could have a rest, and the offer had been gratefully accepted (it’d take him a good while before he got used to the new name, he was sure. Alex was just Alex in his mind).
“Can you pick me up too?” the boy had asked as they left the house, and Jack had said maybe - while he was in town he had to go looking for a shape changing alien that they thought might have hidden itself somewhere in the seedier parts of Soho. If he couldn’t make it, he’d make sure to call the Doctor and let him know.
They were now standing by the gate to the school playground, but instead of running in the way he usually did, Alex had stopped. He was studying the raucous games, and Jack followed suit - couldn’t blame the boy for being a bit tired after staying up half the night. Although children were the same anywhere, he mused... Sure in most playgrounds the banter would involve less decimal points or literary quotations - but the happy, carefree spirit was the same.
They stood like that for a moment; then Alex said, never taking his eyes off his friends:
“One day they’ll all be dead; but I won’t. Like you Jack.”
Jack nearly choked and turned his head to look at the boy by his side. With a sickening feeling he realised that there was something eerily familiar about the look on the kid’s face - he’d seen it over and over in the eyes of war children: the knowledge of their own mortality, something no child should have to face. And yet this was different - this boy had understood his own immortality, and the way in which the world would change around him, whilst he stood still. Jack still remembered his own reluctance to face up to this fact, the years in which he had desperately tried to deny the truth. And yet Alex had apparently in an instant accepted the reality of the situation.
Was that what the Schism did? No wonder the Doctor had run away. And no wonder he’d been looking so guilty...
Then slowly the boy turned his head, and again Jack was struck by how much he resembled his father. The golden hair apart, Alexander Saxon was his father in miniature, right down to the brown of his eyes. Except his were clear and calm, with none of his father’s unpredictable malice. “It’s OK though,” he continued, as he tilted his head. “If I was only human I’d never have enough time to discover everything, would I?”
Jack swallowed. “Look - Alex...”
“Seeker,” the child corrected automatically, then suddenly frowned. “Jack - can you keep a secret? Like a really, really big one?”
Jack nodded, wondering what was coming, but tried to appear as though he was ready for anything. “Of course I can lil’ buddy.”
The kid smiled. “I need you to do me a favour.” He glanced at his watch and then walked off to a bench close by and sat down. Jack settled himself next to him, and watched as the boy took off his backpack and rooted round in it for a moment.
And then he pulled out the Master’s laser screwdriver.
For a moment Jack felt faint. He could still remember the very particular pain of being shot with it, and his mind was wildly trying to think of a reason why on earth this tool of destruction was in the hands of a child.
“Daddy gave me this last night, as a special birthday present,” Alex said, slowly turning it over in his hands. Seeing the questions on Jack’s face, he elaborated. “The Doctor made sure Daddy could never use it. But he never thought that he’d let anyone else use it either - so yesterday Daddy changed it, and now it only works for me.”
Jack slowly nodded. Yes, he could see it all now, and yet again he dearly wished he could wring the Master’s neck. How perfectly typical of him to do something so reprehensible - putting his own son in such an impossible situation. Although Jack knew that that was not how he’d see it. Yet again he wondered how on earth the Master could have fathered this child - because he couldn’t have been more different. If it hadn’t been for the boy’s looks, Jack would have been convinced that Lucy’d had an affair with the Doctor.
Alex looked up, biting his lip worriedly. “I don’t want it. But I can’t tell Daddy that. And I can’t tell the Doctor, because then he’d get mad - like really, really mad - and maybe think that Daddy wanted me to help him escape.” Slowly he stroked the brushed metal. “Can you look after it, Jack? Put it in your special safe in Torchwood, and promise never, ever to tell anyone? Please?”
Brown eyes met blue, and Jack swallowed. “Of course I can. And yes, I promise never to tell a single soul.”
The relief on the boy’s face was palpable, but then suddenly a mischievous look came into his eyes. He turned his attention back to the screwdriver, carefully adjusting the settings. Then, as Jack stared - first in bewilderment, then in sudden understanding - he grabbed hold of Jack’s wrist, exposing the vortex manipulator, before expertly aiming the screwdriver and a second later the wrist unit sprang back to life.
He smiled. “No one will be able to shut it down again. For some things, laser really is better!”
Jack was still staring at him speechlessly as the screwdriver was handed over with a secretive smile and a wink.
“Don’t be late picking me up!”
Shaking his head, Jack couldn’t help laughing.
“And what exactly am I supposed to say when the Doctor notices?”
The boy grinned. “I guess you better make sure he doesn’t!”
“Right...” Jack had a feeling that he ought to say something, or do something - to be the responsible adult. Except what exactly that something should be, he didn’t know.
Before he got any further in his thinking, the bell rang.
“Oh crap!” In a flurry of worried brown eyes and impish grin the child ran past Jack towards the gate, only stopping once to look behind him.
“Please don’t tell the Doctor that I said a naughty word. And thank you!”
And then the Seeker was gone.
Quietly Jack turned over the weapon in his hand, before yet again staring at the familiar little lights on his wrist. And he realised that not once had the boy called him ‘uncle’ the way he had before. But then - everything had changed, hadn’t it? He might centuries older, but the boy already had more knowledge and brainpower than Jack ever would. So not an uncle... maybe an older brother? That would fit nicely, he thought, since they were already partners in crime against ‘the grownups’, weren’t they? And it wasn’t like he could ever lose this sibling...
He also had a feeling the Seeker would need a brother very much.
(For now, continued in To Save A Life.)
Summary & setting: Takes place directly after the events of the last chapter (not the epilogue!) of Not The Last, but is more like a bridge to the not-yet-written sequel. The key word here is 'consequences'.
Spoilers: S3 of Doctor Who. (AU post-SoD, won't make much sense if you've not read the main story.)
Characters: Jack and Alex (OC).
Rating: PG
Word count: 1462
Big Brother
23rd of April 2015
Thursday morning, and Jack was taking Alex to school. He’d arrived the night before, present in hand - along with Martha, Tom and their baby - to find not just a birthday party for an 8-year-old, but a household that had been shaken thoroughly. Alex himself had been almost bouncing off the walls (before settling down and systematically taking apart every piece of technology in the house, enlisting Luke’s enthusiastic help when he needed more hands), the Doctor had been looking by turns relieved and worried, and the Master had been so happy that he almost purred. Lucy had been concentrating on making sure everyone had enough to eat.
It was good that by now they were all very accomplished at maintaining the careful balance needed to keep the past at bay...
Pretend that the man in the armchair across from you didn’t torture you for a year. Pretend that his wife handing you a cup of coffee didn’t dance when the Earth fell. Pretend that it never happened, even if the boy - laughing as he shows off a simple time experiment - wouldn't have existed otherwise...
At one point the Doctor had taken his former companions aside and confided in them what had taken place earlier, and it was apparent that, although Alex was clearly fine, the Doctor was still deeply conflicted. Jack had offered to give the boy a lift in the morning, so the Doctor could have a rest, and the offer had been gratefully accepted (it’d take him a good while before he got used to the new name, he was sure. Alex was just Alex in his mind).
“Can you pick me up too?” the boy had asked as they left the house, and Jack had said maybe - while he was in town he had to go looking for a shape changing alien that they thought might have hidden itself somewhere in the seedier parts of Soho. If he couldn’t make it, he’d make sure to call the Doctor and let him know.
They were now standing by the gate to the school playground, but instead of running in the way he usually did, Alex had stopped. He was studying the raucous games, and Jack followed suit - couldn’t blame the boy for being a bit tired after staying up half the night. Although children were the same anywhere, he mused... Sure in most playgrounds the banter would involve less decimal points or literary quotations - but the happy, carefree spirit was the same.
They stood like that for a moment; then Alex said, never taking his eyes off his friends:
“One day they’ll all be dead; but I won’t. Like you Jack.”
Jack nearly choked and turned his head to look at the boy by his side. With a sickening feeling he realised that there was something eerily familiar about the look on the kid’s face - he’d seen it over and over in the eyes of war children: the knowledge of their own mortality, something no child should have to face. And yet this was different - this boy had understood his own immortality, and the way in which the world would change around him, whilst he stood still. Jack still remembered his own reluctance to face up to this fact, the years in which he had desperately tried to deny the truth. And yet Alex had apparently in an instant accepted the reality of the situation.
Was that what the Schism did? No wonder the Doctor had run away. And no wonder he’d been looking so guilty...
Then slowly the boy turned his head, and again Jack was struck by how much he resembled his father. The golden hair apart, Alexander Saxon was his father in miniature, right down to the brown of his eyes. Except his were clear and calm, with none of his father’s unpredictable malice. “It’s OK though,” he continued, as he tilted his head. “If I was only human I’d never have enough time to discover everything, would I?”
Jack swallowed. “Look - Alex...”
“Seeker,” the child corrected automatically, then suddenly frowned. “Jack - can you keep a secret? Like a really, really big one?”
Jack nodded, wondering what was coming, but tried to appear as though he was ready for anything. “Of course I can lil’ buddy.”
The kid smiled. “I need you to do me a favour.” He glanced at his watch and then walked off to a bench close by and sat down. Jack settled himself next to him, and watched as the boy took off his backpack and rooted round in it for a moment.
And then he pulled out the Master’s laser screwdriver.
For a moment Jack felt faint. He could still remember the very particular pain of being shot with it, and his mind was wildly trying to think of a reason why on earth this tool of destruction was in the hands of a child.
“Daddy gave me this last night, as a special birthday present,” Alex said, slowly turning it over in his hands. Seeing the questions on Jack’s face, he elaborated. “The Doctor made sure Daddy could never use it. But he never thought that he’d let anyone else use it either - so yesterday Daddy changed it, and now it only works for me.”
Jack slowly nodded. Yes, he could see it all now, and yet again he dearly wished he could wring the Master’s neck. How perfectly typical of him to do something so reprehensible - putting his own son in such an impossible situation. Although Jack knew that that was not how he’d see it. Yet again he wondered how on earth the Master could have fathered this child - because he couldn’t have been more different. If it hadn’t been for the boy’s looks, Jack would have been convinced that Lucy’d had an affair with the Doctor.
Alex looked up, biting his lip worriedly. “I don’t want it. But I can’t tell Daddy that. And I can’t tell the Doctor, because then he’d get mad - like really, really mad - and maybe think that Daddy wanted me to help him escape.” Slowly he stroked the brushed metal. “Can you look after it, Jack? Put it in your special safe in Torchwood, and promise never, ever to tell anyone? Please?”
Brown eyes met blue, and Jack swallowed. “Of course I can. And yes, I promise never to tell a single soul.”
The relief on the boy’s face was palpable, but then suddenly a mischievous look came into his eyes. He turned his attention back to the screwdriver, carefully adjusting the settings. Then, as Jack stared - first in bewilderment, then in sudden understanding - he grabbed hold of Jack’s wrist, exposing the vortex manipulator, before expertly aiming the screwdriver and a second later the wrist unit sprang back to life.
He smiled. “No one will be able to shut it down again. For some things, laser really is better!”
Jack was still staring at him speechlessly as the screwdriver was handed over with a secretive smile and a wink.
“Don’t be late picking me up!”
Shaking his head, Jack couldn’t help laughing.
“And what exactly am I supposed to say when the Doctor notices?”
The boy grinned. “I guess you better make sure he doesn’t!”
“Right...” Jack had a feeling that he ought to say something, or do something - to be the responsible adult. Except what exactly that something should be, he didn’t know.
Before he got any further in his thinking, the bell rang.
“Oh crap!” In a flurry of worried brown eyes and impish grin the child ran past Jack towards the gate, only stopping once to look behind him.
“Please don’t tell the Doctor that I said a naughty word. And thank you!”
And then the Seeker was gone.
Quietly Jack turned over the weapon in his hand, before yet again staring at the familiar little lights on his wrist. And he realised that not once had the boy called him ‘uncle’ the way he had before. But then - everything had changed, hadn’t it? He might centuries older, but the boy already had more knowledge and brainpower than Jack ever would. So not an uncle... maybe an older brother? That would fit nicely, he thought, since they were already partners in crime against ‘the grownups’, weren’t they? And it wasn’t like he could ever lose this sibling...
He also had a feeling the Seeker would need a brother very much.
(For now, continued in To Save A Life.)
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Well I haven't written all that many... But thank you lots for reading! It really means an awful lot! *cherishes comment*
I am glad Alex and won't be alone when they older.
Jack always breaks my heart, so I was terribly happy to give him an (almost) immortal friend. (Of course there's the Doctor, but the Doctor is a lot older than the Seeker, and I can't see him willingly getting himself a new round of regenerations.)
I thought they might have become lovers later on, because two centuries don't really make a difference when you are a few thousand. Nor does watching someone grow up, like that.
I'm still pondering that one. Here's what I wrote in the epilogue, which is set a few centuries after this:
It’s funny, actually, because he will screw anything and everything in the entire universe, but not me. Says that it’s because I’m like a surrogate younger brother - just can’t think of me that way.
[...]
Also - to be perfectly honest - I’m rather relived that sex isn’t a part of our relationship, since it might complicate things somewhat.
That said, I think he quite fancies my latest regeneration.
So it's kinda left open... feel free to imagine whatever you want. ;)
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I like Jack here. It would have to be really surreal to sit down with the man who tortured you for a year, and you captured his ambivilance well.
And I love his insight into Alex. Poor Alex does have a lot in common with refugee children, and Jack would be the perfect older brother.
Very nice!
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Squee! *does the happy dance* I have a whole sequel worked out, set when Alex is 16, and it's all one long adventure. I just DO NOT HAVE TIME to write it. ::pouts::
I like Jack here. It would have to be really surreal to sit down with the man who tortured you for a year, and you captured his ambivilance well.
Thank you! I didn't want to go into the whole thing too deeply, but to have all those people in one room, trying their best to be polite and friendly, would be quite something... And deeply, deeply uncomfortable for everyone involved I should think.
And I love his insight into Alex.
Jack of course was the same age when he came face to face with death (something he kinda skirts around in the story), so he really does understand Alex better than most.
Poor Alex does have a lot in common with refugee children, and Jack would be the perfect older brother.
Alex works this out almost instinctively - he is very emotionally astute, seeking out Jack as his main friend because he knows he can't lose him. And - although he travels around plenty - he doesn't have companions like the Doctor. (This is partly due to his personality, and partly due to being brought up by the Doctor and seeing how damaged he is from losing so many.)
Very nice!
Thank you! :) *smooches*
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I think you're feeding your plot bunnies too much lettuce as they're multiplying in all directions *g*.
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Thank you. :) (I'm sure I sent it your way at some point... didn't I?)
Loved the part with Alex seeing his own immortality and Jack's understanding him so well.
It was one of those moments that just wrote itself - partly because I knew they'd end up as best friends with a sibling dynamic, and showing how that began was wonderful.
I think you're feeding your plot bunnies too much lettuce as they're multiplying in all directions *g*.
Stupid bunnies. I'm putting them on a diet! (That said, I've had this story sitting in a folder for absolutely *ages*.)
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Since you mentioned that this particular story didn't have a wide readership, I wanted to make sure you know that I've been enjoying it quite a bit -- and particularly this latest chapter, with Jack becoming the immortal big brother to The Seeker. Really well done.
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*is frightfully flattered* The next chapter of My Immortal is actually coming along very nicely, and will (hopefully) be done sometime next week. And Children of Earth is very much worth waiting for! ::is still blown away::
Since you mentioned that this particular story didn't have a wide readership, I wanted to make sure you know that I've been enjoying it quite a bit
You are one of my most favourite people now! Thank you SO much for reading.
and particularly this latest chapter, with Jack becoming the immortal big brother to The Seeker. Really well done.
Thank you! :) I love my little AU to distraction and have plenty more stories planned... just can't find the time to write them. *sigh* Still, I'm THRILLED that you're reading. *sends many, many hugs*
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You read it!!!
And see what I mean about the Schism being v. damaging? Alex is lucky and is inspired, but still his whole world view shifts for good. The other story I pointed you towards (the Boxing Day one) shows this from Alex's POV. But that one's a bit longer...
Anyway - the Jack/Alex friendship is one of the most fundamental parts of the whole 'verse, so I am v. pleased that you like it! :)
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*HUGS*
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It's such a simple idea (what if the Master & Lucy had a child) and it just... became magic. Esp because it started out as a way of exploring Doctor/Master, and then the Seeker (AS IF BY MAGIC) suddenly decided to become 3-dimensional and it's now HIS story.
And I'm sure you can see why Jack is such an important figure here: He is best friend, confidante, older brother - the one person that the Seeker trusts (and loves) more than anyone else, and the one he never lies to. (And as you can/will see, he happily lies to everyone, because it's the only way his life can function.)
Anyway, I need to go to work now, but am THRILLED TO BITS that you read this. There's a link to the fic index in the post, so when you feel like reading the fic's all there. Best follow the way it's laid out, just for ease of understanding. ;)
*runs away, happily*
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I loved Jack's POV over the state he found everybody in when he arrived for Alex's birthday. Especially all the pretending going on.
One day they’ll all be dead; but I won’t. Like you Jack.
Wow—I had about the same reaction as Jack. I loved his insight over the shift that had happened in Alex. Also loved the similarity he suddenly spotted between the boy and his father, and yet the difference, subtle yet infinitely meaningful. I was also quite unsettled with the new name—like your characters, pretty much ;)
Jack's reaction at seeing the Master's screwdriver in Alex's hands was very moving and striking, of course he has very powerful and painful memories with that object. The idea of the Master giving it to his son was quite chilling, and I loved Alex's reaction and thoughts about the matter… He was so stuck between the Master and the Doctor, and he had very clear insight over the Doctor's reaction, so it was really fitting that he'd turn to Jack for assistance. I love it ♥ I loved the way Alex used the laser on the vortex manipulator and how bewildered Jack was, lol.
The ending was simply wonderful—a shift again, consequences indeed, and I love the idea of Jack being a brother figure to Alex :D It's perfect! And oh yes, he'll need him… ♥
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You know, I'm not sure. Jack is obviously Han Solo though.
I loved Jack's POV over the state he found everybody in when he arrived for Alex's birthday. Especially all the pretending going on.
All that pretending is something that'll become important. Or rather, the fact that this is natural for Alex is something that'll be a plot point further down the line. :)
Wow—I had about the same reaction as Jack. I loved his insight over the shift that had happened in Alex.
Alex will always think of it as the best day of his life - yet also the day when his childhood ended.
Also loved the similarity he suddenly spotted between the boy and his father, and yet the difference, subtle yet infinitely meaningful.
He is very much like his dad - yet very much his own.
I was also quite unsettled with the new name—like your characters, pretty much ;)
Ah names... Very important things. (The name you choose is like a promise...) Oh there'll be plenty going on with those names in future!
Jack's reaction at seeing the Master's screwdriver in Alex's hands was very moving and striking, of course he has very powerful and painful memories with that object. The idea of the Master giving it to his son was quite chilling, and I loved Alex's reaction and thoughts about the matter… He was so stuck between the Master and the Doctor, and he had very clear insight over the Doctor's reaction, so it was really fitting that he'd turn to Jack for assistance. I love it ♥
:) Poor kid - he's stuck in the middle, and he is beginning to understand what that means.
I loved the way Alex used the laser on the vortex manipulator and how bewildered Jack was, lol.
Smart kid, Alex. You'll see. :)
The ending was simply wonderful—a shift again, consequences indeed, and I love the idea of Jack being a brother figure to Alex :D It's perfect! And oh yes, he'll need him… ♥
Oh you have no idea... But this is one of the things about Alex - he's instinctively turning to someone he can trust, and someone he can't lose...
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And this is where feeble knowledge becomes feeble. XD Guess I need to see Star Wars. *hides*
All that pretending is something that'll become important. Or rather, the fact that this is natural for Alex is something that'll be a plot point further down the line. :)
I love pretending themes… ;)
Alex will always think of it as the best day of his life - yet also the day when his childhood ended.
That’s beautiful. ♥
:) Poor kid - he's stuck in the middle, and he is beginning to understand what that means.
Growing up is hard…
Oh you have no idea... But this is one of the things about Alex - he's instinctively turning to someone he can trust, and someone he can't lose...
Good instinct ftw.
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Oh you dooooooooo! (The originals!) There's a good project for the weekend! :)
I love pretending themes… ;)
So many lies. He learns to lie as easy as he breathes...
That’s beautiful. ♥
♥
Growing up is hard…
And extra hard when the people you love hate each other.
Good instinct ftw.
He has a good dollop of emotional intelligence. Doesn't always work though.
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Other projects for the weekend: keeping up with emails the best I can, uploading that drabble I've got leftover, typing some HP ones for a friend + maybe those three one-shots I've got hanging around, getting closer to finishing my s7 rewatches so I can get to my 10+ shows-to-watch list AND classic!Who, finishing your Lucy fic, doing mod stuff for a forum and oh wait, that's if I don't get work again. Well, to be fair, I don't have much of the trouble of a RL, but I've got plenty enough projects to keep myself busy otherwise :D Too many projects actually. Should keep them more prioritized, can't seem to let go… Obsessive, overachieving personalities ftw. (And I didn't even mention the sensible things I should do and am neglecting…)
Star Wars is a classic though, of course I should see it. Then again, should also get 'round to the LotR movies… and other stuff that make my culture awfully lacking, I guess…
So many lies. He learns to lie as easy as he breathes...
"You know, that's often the way that it is when someone's seen a thing or two. Experience makes liars of us all. We lie about who we are, about what we've done."
And extra hard when the people you love hate each other.
*winces*
He has a good dollop of emotional intelligence. Doesn't always work though.
Nothing always does…
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"You know, that's often the way that it is when someone's seen a thing or two. Experience makes liars of us all. We lie about who we are, about what we've done."</i< Oh yes. But the thing about Alex is that he's been fed this since he was baby... All those issues, all the lies that come with it - that's the people he was brought up by.
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Oh yes. But the thing about Alex is that he's been fed this since he was baby... All those issues, all the lies that come with it - that's the people he was brought up by.
Indeed. I was mostly quoting this because it's so pretty and meaningful and right, and also fresh in my mind (rewatched Hide yesterday…), but it's not the most fitting quote for the situation ;)
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And oh, the quote is perfect. It's like... The lies, the scars, they're Alex's inheritance? His people are gone, and the Doctor carries the weight of that destruction - and Alex can see the effects.
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I love it. ♥
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Sounds likely ;)
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