Ripper Street/Jack's Alley

[thegentlemanthug]

Bennet Drake isn't as young as he used to be.

When he was no more than a boy, but wore the uniform of a man, Drake could outmatch any private in his unit in a sprint or in the ring. While he's still got his boxing fists, his legs aren't up to scratch and that's why their suspect is getting away.

The Inspector took the right fork when Drake took the left, and their maverick doctor with a gun is somewhere nearby. And while Drake thinks Homer Jackson is a law unto himself that no self-respecting copper would touch with a barge pole, he's grateful for another man on their side this night.

Whitechapel is cloaked in fog and Drake is running blind.

Right into the lad he's chasing.

One minute later, he's on the ground. He doesn't remember the fall, as he watches the lad disappear into the fog.

But his hand is clasped tightly to his side and, when he lifts it away, his palm is red.

Comments

[thegentlemanthug]

Drake's not sure he wants to be the talk of the station, but it's that or his pathetic upstairs room and his fussing landlady.

"It's a bit sore," he admits, which is as close as he'll come to saying he's in agony.

[thirstforvice]

"Now that, I can help with," Jackson returns to his initial plan, locating a bottle of laudanum and passing it over.

"Go steady with that. It's strong."

[thegentlemanthug]

Drake sips it cautiously. He drank all manner of foul spirits in the Army, most of it moonshine made on the march, but he knows laudanum can knock a man out as sure as ether.

He passes the bottle back but refuses to lie down. Drake plans to be up and working tomorrow, even if it kills him. Lord knows what the Inspector would do without him.

[thirstforvice]

"Better?"

Jackson's hand hovers near the precious bottle, carefully watching how much Drake's putting away. The stuff is not cheap to come by.

[thegentlemanthug]

Drake nods, as the liquid burns its way down. He shivers and sets the bottle down, swiping a hand over his forehead.

"Bloody freezing."

[thirstforvice]

Reid's bed is ready and waiting, prepared in advance, so all Jackson has left to do is get the Sergeant to it.

"All the laudanum in the world's not going to make this painless, I'm afraid," he says in way of an apology, before starting to help the man to his feet.

[thegentlemanthug]

The laudanum is already dulling his nerves and senses, but nothing prepares him for the wrenching in his side and the sickening feeling from a broken bone pulling apart. Drake chokes and grasps at Jackson's shoulder, before a painful bout of coughing starts up.

"Maybe...a couple o'days rest," he concedes, alarmed at how his words are slurring.

[thirstforvice]

"I think that would be wise," Jackson nods, sensibly not going for the 'I told you so' approach.

"The more you cooperate, the faster you'll heal," he can't help but add.

[thegentlemanthug]

"I'm cop'rative," Drake says, slowly putting one food forward. "Model patient, me."

[thirstforvice]

"Sure, you are," Jackson agrees with a laugh, helping Drake over to the makeshift bed.

"Just stay where I put you until you're healed."

[thegentlemanthug]

"Few days an' I'll be right as ninepence," Drake insists, leaning on Jackson more than he'd like. "Been cut before."

[thirstforvice]

"Not like this, I'd imagine."

Getting Drake to the bed, Jackson helps him to lie down before checking his handiwork, making sure no stitches had burst on their brief walk. Satisfied, he pulls away with a gentle pat on the shoulder.

"Rest now, Sergeant."

[thegentlemanthug]

"Don't you worry, Doc," Drake says, with a sleepy smile. "Won't undo your good work."

[thirstforvice]

Jackson smiles despite himself, leaning back over the bed.

"I think I like you better when you're drugged to the eyeballs," he comments. "Far more... complimentary."

[thegentlemanthug]

"Fuck off, doctor," Drake says, but his smile spreads and his voice is warm, almost affectionate. He must be drugged.

"Don't you have another corpse waiting?"

[thirstforvice]

Jackson shakes his head.

"No corpses tonight. Not even you."

[thegentlemanthug]

"Should I feel special?"

Drake shivers again. "Whysit so cold?"

[thirstforvice]

"You lost a lot of blood," Jackson explains patiently, retrieving blankets from wherever he can find them.

"And you've had quite a shock as well. It's to be expected."

[thegentlemanthug]

"Oh," Drake says quietly. He forgets sometimes how much smarter Jackson is than he is.

As the doctor piles more and more blankets on top of him, Drake catches the man's wrist. "Tryin' t'suffocate me?"

[thirstforvice]

"If it'll stop your complaining."

Jackson doesn't go for any more blankets, letting his wrist be held. "You tell me, now, if you're still too cold. Or too hot."

[thegentlemanthug]

Drake feels exhausted, sleep slowly dragging him down.

"Just right," he mumbles. "You were right about that...personal service."

[thirstforvice]

"I'm the best Doctor in London Town," Jackson announces.

"And you can't say any different, not now."

[thegentlemanthug]

"And inflate your ego further, Doc?" Drake coughs weakly. "Next it'll be Her Majesty - and who'll remember the poor seargants of Whitechapel then?"

[thirstforvice]

"Kind of you to think so highly of me," Jackson grins, though he doubts the royalty will be knocking on his door any time soon. Not for any good reason, anyway.

"You should sleep."

[thegentlemanthug]

Drake's still holding Jackson's wrist. It's warm under his freezing hand, and he's strangely reluctant for the doctor to leave. He remembers the last time he had laudanum, and the nightmares that followed him into the darkness. He had no wish to wake those shadows tonight - not alone, in the police station.

"Not tired," he lies, his eyelids drooping.