locker_monster | Doctor Who fic: Bare Justice (1/1)

Title: Bare Justice (1/1)
Rating: G
Word Count: 465
Characters: Rose, Jack, Nine
Timeline: Set post-"The Doctor Dances"
Summary: Jack faces the consequences after breaking the law on an alien planet.
Disclaimer: The BBC owns everything
A/N: Entry for

who_contest's "Fine" challenge.

"Harkness, Jack. You've been released."

Rose craned her neck, trying to catch a glimpse of Jack's holding cell, but the corridor turned a corner after a few feet, obscuring the rest of the prison from view. There was a heavy clang as a lock disengaged followed by the squeak of hinges in desperate need of some oil.

"Your friend cannot return to this planet for six months," said the guard who ran the admittance desk. He stared hard at Rose and the Doctor with multi-faceted eyes that looked like diamonds.

"What?" asked Rose. "Jack just stumbled into the wrong garden. Seems a bit harsh to ban him from the planet."

"It was the royal garden. The safety and security of our monarch is our highest priority."

Rose nearly snorted. Some security when there wasn't even a gate or sign saying that the garden was private property.

"We'll steer clear of the solar system," the Doctor assured the guard.

"See you later, boys," Rose heard Jack say to the guards who had released him. "It's been fun."

He turned the corner and he broke out into a smile upon seeing Rose and the Doctor. Rose started to smile back but she quickly realized that something was wrong. She adverted her gaze and half turned away from the desk as a flush rose up her neck. "Um, where are his clothes?" she asked the Doctor in a whisper.

Jack Harkness was stark naked.

"It's the standard fine on Eloysia," replied the Doctor, sounding completely unperturbed by Jack's state of dress or lack thereof. "Anyone who commits a crime is stripped bare, to show that they're guilty."

Rose didn't know what to say. She was well aware that laws and rules were different on every planet that they visited, but this had to be the strangest so far.

"Wish I could say that this was the first time I had to walk home naked." Jack started for the door, making no effort to cover himself up, and that gave Rose a very good view of his backside. She found herself staring and she forced herself to focus on the back of Jack's head instead.

The Doctor caught up with Jack and for a moment, Rose thought he might offer the man his leather jacket, but after a brief exchange the Time Lord just walked on.

Jack suddenly looked back at Rose. Against her better judgement, her eyes drifted down to his chest. He had a nice chest. Nice abs, too... She mentally stopped herself there and trained her gaze back on his face. Jack's smile grew wider. "Too bad we all didn't stumble into that garden."

Rose bit down on her tongue and hurried out the door, doing her best not to think about any more naked men.