Um, YEAH. That's how I roll. This was great. I mean, I see how this can be read as a standalone, but if you've read The Last First Time, how on earth would you not see this as a companion piece?
My initial reaction to the Jimmy part was a fear of retribution, actually. Guys like him might be inclined to get some revenge in that situation. I hope Jack scared him enough that he wouldn't dare think of it. Would the Doctor have done something similar? He's not really a fan of violence, but he was pretty fucking angry. Hmm.
Jack getting hit by the bus was sweet, too. Loved that. I mean, stakes are pretty low for him, unless you think about paradoxes and universe ripping, etc etc.
This is making me want to rewatch some series one, because I honestly can't remember if Jack was so fond of Rose that he'd stand by as her childhood protector with nothing much else to do. I suppose he must have - there's a good reason apart from his horniness that they're a lot of people's OT3.
I think this has made it necessary for me to go reread The Last First Time.
Author's Response: See, I saw Jimmy as being someone who liked being tough and being powerful - but only because he only ever exerted that power over someone smaller than himself. I don\'t think he would have taken revenge on Rose, but he definitely might have lashed out at someone else. And I was really surprised that most people reduced Jack down to \"horniness\". I always saw his character as being very open to experience (almost, perhaps, as a way of making up for how he found it hard to open up as a person). Rose, and to a lesser extent the Doctor, brought out his good qualities - bravery, generosity, compassion - that by the end of S1 he was prepared to, and did, die to save the universe. Visiting Rose that first time was on purpose, a way of getting in touch with that innocence he remembers, and the other times were by accident, but each event helped him remember his inherent goodness. Thank you for the review :D!
I just love this story, and it's a wonderful interpretation of the whole "I checked in on her once or twice" missing scene. You've got his character down cold -- so often Jack is reduced to a sex-crazed cliché, but you've really captured the heroic side of him. And the Doctor's part is perfect -- nicely understated. Plus, I loved the bit where Jack gets the note and decides to get very, very drunk.
Author's Response: Jack\'s a great character to write because theres SO much to him - and you\'re right, he does often get reduced to the sex-crazed cliche which makes me pretty sad. He\'s fantastic to compare/contrast with the Doctor, since they deal with their long lives in entirely different ways, but still face the same sorts of problems. Thank you for the lovely review!
That was fantastic. I've always loved it when Jack goes back to become Rose's "guardian angel". His search for the Doctor made this fic all the more poignant.
And beating up Jimmy Stone is always a good move in my books. ;)
Author's Response: Thank you! I wish there were more stories where the relationship between Jack and Rose was explored - it\'s something that isn\'t shown on screen much, just the consequences of it.
That was awesome! :) Loved how Ten popped up at the bus.
Author's Response: Thank you! I assume the Doctor would sort of be like \"this timeline of Rose\'s is a bit wobbly, I should check it out, not that I\'d do anything per se...\" and then bam, there\'s Jack to save the day :)
Loved it. Very well done.
Author's Response: Thanks!
Nice. I love the ending.
Author's Response: Thank you for the review!