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]

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.