Slashthedrabble Challenge 592 - Critical care

[m_findlow]

Title: Critical care
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters: Jack, Greg Bishop
Author: m_findlow
Rating: PG
Length: 500 words
Content notes: none
Author notes: Written for Challenge 592 - Illness at slashthedrabble
Summary: Jack is left dazed and confused, but someone is there to look after him.

Jack's mind was a haze as he tried opening his eyes. They were glued shut with the crusted remains of sleep and a heavy sense of malaise. Without being able to see properly yet, he could hear the sound of gulls crying and waters lapping at the shore. The tang of salt and ozone hung on the air. It gave him a sense of comfort, knowing that he was surely at home in the safety of his own abode. Most wouldn't have called it that, since it was little more than a wooden box on the beach - the kind ladies had used in Victorian times to change out of their long gowns and into overly modest beachwear, which was hardly any different, but a lady's modesty was paramount. Now it was a bachelor pad, perfect for that man who had nothing and desired freedom.

As his vision began to form, he glimpsed the outline of someone standing by the door of the narrow shed. ‘Ah, you're awake. I thought I'd open the door and air the place out a bit.’ Greg Bishop's voice was like its own breath of fresh air to Jack's ears. He peered out at the view of the ocean rolling up the beach. ‘Not a bad view you've got here, really. If you don't mind the cramped conditions.’

Jack pushed himself upright on the bed, all his muscles feeling sluggish and unused. ‘What happened?’

Greg stepped over and cocked his head at Jack as he looked down on him. ‘You don't remember?’

Jack rubbed his face. ‘Don't think so.’

‘Well, you had some kind of illness, though I have no idea what. Although you seem to be past the worst of it. When you didn't turn up for a few days I came looking for you. I know you only come and go as you please but I like to think you'd miss me enough to turn up eventually.’

‘A few days? I saw you yesterday.’

‘If yesterday was nearly a week ago, then yes.’ Greg lowered himself down on the edge. ‘You had me quite worried there for a while. The delusions made you very vehement that you were going out for a swim and there wasn't anything I could do to stop you.’

‘You've been here this whole time?’

‘Someone had to make sure you didn't go out and drown yourself in the bay. And Brennan had me on strict orders to make sure you didn't go anywhere in case you were contagious.’

Jack forced a smile. ‘Good old Doctor Brennan worrying about me. Surprised you didn't have me locked up at the hub.’

‘Oh, she didn't want you spreading contagious disease in there either.’

‘How thoughtful of her.’ He only wished he knew what he'd had and where he'd gotten it. ‘You risked catching something just to look after me?’

Greg ran a hand through his greasy hair with such tenderness. ‘I might be Torchwood's doctor, but you're more than just my patient.’