House

[im_torchwood]

Jack couldn't just leave well enough alone. When he had free time, he found himself haunting the hospital, driving past Greg's building, spying on him as he got coffee. He even lo-jacked his bike.

But actually talk to the man? That wasn't in the plan.

He was actually in the hallway outside the clinic when his phone rang. He stopped to look at it, but it was just his boss so he swiped the call away.

Comments

[drfeelbad]

"Wow, those can cause brain hemorrhages," House said, distracted by a moment by an interesting medical condition.

Then he looked at Jack for a moment and said, "You knew a different me, didn't you. This has happened to me before. And it explains everything." There, he'd solved the puzzle.

It was really fucking weird, and more than a little disconcerting.

[im_torchwood]

"You're getting faster at putting it all together," he replied, duly impressed.

[drfeelbad]

House frowned a little, not getting that part. But he was more interested in asking - "So I'm right? You really knew another version of me? Jesus. I never thought I'd be on this side of it but it's fucking weird."

Pause. "I guess I should ask you to prove it. What's something you shouldn't know?"

[im_torchwood]

"Something I shouldn't know? Okay...when you were twelve you figured out the man you called your father actually wasn't," he said, then paused briefly. "Or maybe something even more personal. Like your birthmark that looks like Tennessee..."

[drfeelbad]

House's eyes went slightly wide. "Well," he said. Not sure which surprised him more.

"So I take it we were... close."

[im_torchwood]

"Once upon a time," Jack replied.

[drfeelbad]

"You want to elaborate on that?" House said, just as the waitress came back with their drinks. He immediately took a gulp.

[im_torchwood]

"There was an island," he said. "Don't worry, you don't remember...if it was even you at all."

[drfeelbad]

"How old was I?" House asked, and then added, "This has happened to me, you know. A new version of someone... but he was younger. Didn't remember me, didn't remember the life of his that I knew."

[im_torchwood]

"Yeah, I know," he replied. "You were a few years younger then...but so was I."

[drfeelbad]

A few. So not a lot.

House waited a beat and then asked, "Were we lovers?"

[im_torchwood]

"Of course," Jack said on a huff of a laugh.

[drfeelbad]

"Of course?" House arched an eyebrow. "Which one of us is the total slut, you or me?"

[im_torchwood]

"You. Hands down," he grinned.

[drfeelbad]

House laughed, genuine. "In that case, thank you for your service."

[im_torchwood]

"I earned my stripes," he smiled. Jack took a sip of water.

[drfeelbad]

“Did I?” asked House.

[im_torchwood]

"Yeah, I'd say you did," he said with a nod. "Not a ton to do there besides fuck and get stoned, to be honest."

[drfeelbad]

“Sounds like my kind of place,” said House. “Just so you know, I’m picturing you naked right now.”

[im_torchwood]

"Liking what you see?" Jack asked with a cocky smile.

[drfeelbad]

“Oh please,” said House. “You know you’re hot. Out of my league, for sure, which is why this is so interesting.”

[im_torchwood]

Jack shook his head and chuckled.

"Nice your self esteem hasn't changed."

[drfeelbad]

"My self esteem is selective," House said dryly. "I'm glad that you also seem to accept that I'm the smartest person in the room."

[im_torchwood]

"Well, that's a given, isn't it?" Jack asked.

[drfeelbad]

"You still haven't told me why you're stalking me," House pointed out. "Curiosity? Obligation? Affection?"