Drabble: It Hurts

[aibhinn_fics]

Title: It Hurts
Author: aibhinn
Character(s): Ten
Rating: G
Summary: "You're wrong." What, exactly, did the Doctor mean?
Spoilers: POTW
Disclaimer: I harbor no illusions that I have any right to Doctor Who, Torchwood, or any of the characters portrayed therein. I write for the love of the show, and make no money at it.
Author's note: Not really sure why this hit me between the eyes, but here you are.



Jack's immortality blazes like a sun, a nuclear furnace that draws on nearly infinite amounts of energy to drag him back from death.

It's wrong. No human should have to go through that: the pain of death followed by the pain of coming back. It's bad enough for Time Lords, bred to deal with it; for a human, it's torture.

That's why he ran. Not because Jack should be dead, but because Jack can't die. And the Doctor doesn't know how to reverse it.

His friend has suffered, and will suffer, and he can't do a damn thing.

It hurts.

Comments

[nightrider101.livejournal.com]

Oh, I loved this! I'm going to adopt this as part of my personal canon.

This was especially inquisitive:

That's why he ran. Not because Jack should be dead, but because Jack can't die. And the Doctor doesn't know how to reverse it.

His friend has suffered, and will suffer, and he can't do a damn thing.

Thank you so much for sharing!

[principia-coh.livejournal.com]

Oooooh. Certainly puts a somewhat more positive/understandable spin on it, although it still amounts to the Doctor running away like he always does.

[adafrog.livejournal.com]

*slaps the doctor anyway because he sure can be a coward*

[kitsun3.livejournal.com]

Ow. That was awesome. :)

[themusecalliope]

Yes. I do believe that you have that exactly right.

Hmmm...no one can take his life. It can only be given.

[wildchildcait.livejournal.com]

well htat at least is a lot more doctor friendly explanation than the doctor just arse about facing and being timist? die-ist? or whatever. Interesting explanation and well set out, thank you!

[oursoliloquies.livejournal.com]

Can I just say how lovely this is? It is simply heartbreaking, and I think this drabble pretty much sums Jack up, his ability to reconstruct himself, come back to life, and how exactly it affects him. Great job.

[kynaii.livejournal.com]

/whacks the Doctor upside the head.
/glares go back NOW!

[invisible-lift.livejournal.com]

Ooh. This feels surprisingly right. Very nice.

[karaokegal.livejournal.com]

Awwwww! Another great addition to my favorite angst OTP.

[tardis-stowaway.livejournal.com]

Wonderful! This is elegantly written and provides a much more satisfying explanation than the show ever gave for the Doctor's abandonment. The Doctor's still a bit of a coward for running, but less of a heartless bastard.

[ivy-b.livejournal.com]

I wish that were canon. It would help me not hate Ten (and Nine) for abandoning Jack and treating him so badly.