Just outside the dorms, early Thursday morning

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack had woken up early, feeling restless, and had slipped quietly out of bed - not wanting to wake his guest - intending to go for a run.

That had lasted about two seconds after he set foot outside and felt how warm it was already. So instead of running, he was lounging lazily under a tree, watching the sky lighten, and contemplating whether the reward of caffeine was worth the effort of walking into town.

[Open! But I'm going to bed in about three hours.]

Comments

[kawalsky.livejournal.com]

Kawalsky was already up and had been for a run. In summer he preferred to start just before the sun came up so it wasn't too hot by the time he got back. He reached the gates and stopped running, walking up the rest of the way towards the dorms. He saw Harkness and, rather than being a jerk, nodded politely as he approached.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack grinned and lifted a lazy hand in greeting towards the person he didn't know. "Morning. Been running?"

[kawalsky.livejournal.com]

Kawalsky slowed down and put his hands on his hips. He bit back a sarcastic response. "Looks that way. You always up this early or got a hot date?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Nah, hot date was last night." Jack smirked and sat up, leaning back on his elbows while he looked up at the new person. "Was going to run, but it was just way too much effort. I'm Jack, by the way."

[kawalsky.livejournal.com]

"We've met." He didn't sound too impressed.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack's eyebrows rose slightly at the tone. "And I obviously made quite an impression. Not that I remember." Smiling a little, he asked, "Mind reintroducing yourself?"

[kawalsky.livejournal.com]

"Kawalsky. I used to date Liz Weir. Remember her?" He waved his hand. "CJ's TA? You used to flirt with her in front of me?" Okay, so it was just that one time, but he was still a little pissed about it.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Nope, don't remember her. Or you. And I really hope you mean I used to flirt with Liz, not CJ." Jack looked vaguely horrified at the thought, then snapped his fingers. "Kawalsky. I know who you are - you spent last Saturday kissing Sam." It's possible he was far too amused about that, and it probably showed.

[kawalsky.livejournal.com]

He nodded. "Yeah, that's me." He folded his arms across his chest. "Not the first time. Me and Sam go way back." It wasn't exactly a lie depending on how you interpreted it.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Pleasure to meet you, Kawalsky." Jack gave him his most charming smile and tipped his head to the side, studying him. "Old friends of Sam are high on my list of people to get to know. Seeing as how I'm spending so much time with her." He smiled slyly - he wasn't going to drag Sam into anything, but he couldn't resist poking one of her possible ex's just a bit.

[kawalsky.livejournal.com]

"So I've heard. She sure is special, isn't she?" His arms were still folded.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack's smile softened and he turned his gaze back to the sky. "She is. She's the best."

[kawalsky.livejournal.com]

"At least you know something good when you see it." He unfolded his arms. "Unless everyone's 'the best' to you."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack's eyes narrowed as he looked back at Kawalsky, then his expression smoothed into one of amusement. "Well, everyone's 'the best' at something. Take me, for example. You'd be amazed how many people think of me as 'the best'."

[kawalsky.livejournal.com]

"You'd be amazed how many people don't."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"That's only cause they haven't had the Jack Harkness experience." He smirked and sat up straight. "Did you want to try it?" he asked innocently.

[kawalsky.livejournal.com]

Kawalsky jutted out his jaw and gave Jack a 'you gotta be kidding me' look. "I'll take a raincheck." Hooray for sarcasm.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack pretended obliviousness, gazing innocently up at the sky. "Probably just as well. I'm busy tonight, tomorrow night and the whole weekend." Tapping his chin thoughtfully, he said, "In fact, now that I think about it, the only time I've got free is right now, and it'd have to be your room, cause there's someone in mine."

[kawalsky.livejournal.com]

Kawalsky didn't look impressed. "You're not my type, and the Mr Oblivious act doesn't suit you."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"I'm crushed, truly I am." Jack smirked. "And here I thought this was going to be the start of a beautiful friendship. You, me, dinner, maybe some dancing, who knows where it could have led." Turns out Kawalsky wasn't the only one who could do sarcasm at this hour of the morning.

[kawalsky.livejournal.com]

"To a bloody nose," Charlie retorted. "And I'm not talking about mine."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"A bloody nose? That's the best you can come up with? I'm disappointed." And he was, you could tell by the very sad look on his face. "I would have expected something more imaginative from one of Sam's old friends."

[kawalsky.livejournal.com]

"I don't like to waste my good material."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"I guess that's the difference between you and me." Jack laughed, genuinely amused. "I give everyone my best, doesn't matter who they are."

[kawalsky.livejournal.com]

"There are plenty of differences between us and most of them aren't in your favor."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"And what would they be? Enlighten me, Kawalsky." Jack grinned and spread his hands wide in invitation. "Grace me with your wisdom, your no doubt scintillating insights into my personality. Please."

[kawalsky.livejournal.com]

"How can I? All you ever do is act. You're a 24/7 performer. Always playing the part. Always got your 'best' face on. I dunno why. Don't care enough to find out." His hands went back to his hips as he shrugged. "But whatever's underneath must be in pretty poor shape if you've gotta keep it hidden behind a quick wink and a cheesy grin all the time."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack blinked at him for a moment, then a grin slowly spread across his face. Flopping onto his back, he started to laugh. "I was right. Scintillating." Still laughing, he rolled onto his side so he could see Kawalsky. "And my grin is not cheesy. It's stunning."

[kawalsky.livejournal.com]

Kawalsky shook his head. "Keep telling yourself that." He gave a weak mock-salute and started walking towards the dorms.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"I don't have to," Jack called after him. "Plenty of people are happy to do that for me."

He shifted onto his back and folded his hands under his head, gazing up into the sky. An occasional chuckle may have escaped as he lay there, enjoying the morning.