Jack was all for bickering and arguing and acting superior. In fact he could be very good at all of the above when the time called for it (and often when it didn't). But the moment the Doctor fell forward his mind seemed to click into a different mode.
He lifted one hand and cradled the Doctor's face a moment, stooping to look at him and check he was okay. Far too intimate a gesture really, but then that was just him. And it came naturally.
"Look," he said, "whatever this is, it isn't me. Now Doctor, let me help you, come on, sit back down."
He guided him back towards the bench and for the first time, spoke the Doctor's name without the sarcasm.
no subject
Protective.
He reached out and caught hold of him.
"You're okay, you're okay. I've got you. I've got you."
He lifted one hand and cradled the Doctor's face a moment, stooping to look at him and check he was okay. Far too intimate a gesture really, but then that was just him. And it came naturally.
"Look," he said, "whatever this is, it isn't me. Now Doctor, let me help you, come on, sit back down."
He guided him back towards the bench and for the first time, spoke the Doctor's name without the sarcasm.