Eureka fic: "Priorities" (Jack/Nathan, PG-13)
Fandom: EUReKA
Title: Priorities
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Sometimes Nathan needs to be reminded about where his priorities should be.
Disclaimer: Not mine. Property of SciFi, Andrew Cosby and Jamie Paglia.
Pairing/Characters: Jack Carter/Nathan Stark
Categories/Warnings: Assumes that S3 didn't happen, S2 AU of sorts, established relationship.
A/N: Vaguely prompted by a portion of "When the World Ends" by Dave Matthews Band. (I dare you to find what part.) Thanks to serene_quill for the beta help.
Jack sighs. It’s late and long since time for bed. He could just go to sleep already, but the bed is too empty, too cold without Nathan. Jack’s gotten spoiled-- comfortable and used to having Nathan around, something he never expected to feel ever again after the divorce.
Off to track down wayward scientists, he thinks. He reluctantly leavers himself out of bed, feet chilled by the cold, smooth surface of the floor. He heads downstairs and finds Nathan on the couch, engrossed with some sort of work on his laptop, like usual. Work that he should have been done with two hours ago… again, like usual. He sighs.
He sits down next to Nathan, reaching an arm along the top of the couch behind him and diving right into his personal space. He’s tired, a little cold, and just wants to be with Nathan, preferably in a bed. Where he should have been. Two hours ago.
Jack leans into him, nudging his head against the side of Nathan’s neck, burying his nose in the spot that he knows Nathan loves. Nathan makes a little startled noise, but doesn’t shy away, instead baring his neck a little more to Jack.
“Whatcha doin this time, scientist?” He kisses Nathan’s cheek softly, and Nathan leans into the touch, even though his eyes are still on the computer screen. Typical Nathan too caught up in some science experiment to remember about the rest of the world around him. Nathan makes a small noise of disappointment when Jack moves away slightly, seemingly less controlled because he’s distracted. Jack likes finding those glimpses of the guy he fell for hiding amongst the idiotic, overworked scientist when he can find them. He takes what he can get.
“A revision of the model exploring orbital body movements in the event of a triggered reduction of energy in the central star of a discoid galaxy,” Nathan says, still not looking over at him but trying to shift closer.
Nathan’s hand slides onto his thigh, resting lightly, fingers spread. It’s warm, comforting. Normal. And almost makes up for the fact that he’s engrossed in a computer and not paying Jack any attention.
Jack watches the image move on the screen, considering it carefully. “So… basically the end of the known universe. Are things exploding or imploding?”
Nathan gives him the ‘thank you Captain Obvious’ look, but it’s softer than usual. Maybe he’s wearing down on Nathan’s resistance yet. Or maybe because there’s nobody else around to impress or assert his alpha status over. Jack was surprised to find Nathan doesn’t try to prove it all the time when there’s nobody around.
“Imploding, if I have to go with your... description,” Nathan says as he moves his hand away to type rapidly. Jack misses the feel of it as soon as he moves and watches Nathan’s hands as they dance fluidly across the keyboard, typing commands.
Jack watches the screen as the model starts over, and Nathan returns his hand to Jack’s thigh. Jack can’t stop the smile that tugs at the corners of his lips. It belongs there, and he can feel it with a sense of certainty.
“It’s actually kinda pretty, especially for the end of life as we know it,” Jack says, watching the mass of swirling clouds and dots, which he assumes are planets and asteroids. It looks a lot like the pictures he saw when his dad took him to Menlo Park to see the moon rocks exhibit when he was a kid.
“It does have an intrinsic elegance,” Nathan says as he strokes Jack’s leg absently. He stops and frowns at the computer. “It would, however, be better if it didn’t have the wobble in the 3rd vector.”
Jack tangles his fingers in Nathan’s stray hand before he can go back to typing. “Fix the wobble of the universe tomorrow. It’s late.” He kisses the side of Nathan’s jaw.
“It’s not the wobble of… nevermind.” He turns and kisses Jack softly, sweetly, and Jack practically melts into it, rolling his eyes at himself for being so easily distracted. Bed, not another hour of computer models.
He leans back, and Nathan follows him, seemingly unwilling to break the kiss. Jack moves back a little farther, and eventually they part. Jack pushes himself off of the couch, pausing to wait for Nathan. “Come on, Scientist. Bed now, or you’re not going to get what you want.”
“Just need to fix this one variable string and re-run it. Won’t be long.” Nathan’s fingers are flying across the keyboard again, focused on the screen in front of him.
Jack frowns. “I’ve been trying to drag you to bed for the last two hours. Last chance, scientist, or don’t come to bed at all.”
“Shhhh. I’ll be there soon,” Nathan says absently as his hands move to Jack’s waist and knead softly. Jack feels the familiar tingle in his chest as Nathan’s hands slowly move up and down his sides, drawn into the comforting motions, ready to just give into him there… No, he has to prove his point. If Nathan doesn’t listen now, he’ll always expect to get his way. More than he already does. He growls in annoyance.
”Science waits for no one, Sheriff,” Nathan says with mock seriousness.
Jack frowns, but tries to keep it light. “Yeah, well, I wait for no science. You’re going to be on the couch tonight if you want to keep playing with that.”
Nathan makes a show of considering this, expression thoughtful. Jack doesn’t think this project is actually important enough for him to stay up, or he wouldn’t have bothered Nathan in the first place. He can tell which ones are the important ones, even if Nathan doesn’t think so.
Just as he steps away, Jack hears the click of the latch on the laptop and the soft thump of the machine being placed on the couch. He hears the creak of his leather couch and Nathan’s arm snakes around him, pulling them together. Nathan starts to nibble on his neck, breathing him in.
Jack tilts his head back, giving Nathan a bit more room to work with. “S.A.R.A.H., Security 2 and Privacy 3.”
S.A.R.A.H. chimes. “Enabled. Good night, Sheriff, Dr. Stark.”
Nathan’s hand snakes down to cup him and Jack starts walking toward the stairs, Nathan still plastered tight against his back. Their progress is slow, but he hardly minds. Nathan’s channeled intensity is now directed at him, and although it wasn’t quite what he was expecting because he really did want to go to bed and go to sleep-- he’ll take it.
Fin
4/09
Feedback always welcome.
Link to all of my stories
Title: Priorities
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Sometimes Nathan needs to be reminded about where his priorities should be.
Disclaimer: Not mine. Property of SciFi, Andrew Cosby and Jamie Paglia.
Pairing/Characters: Jack Carter/Nathan Stark
Categories/Warnings: Assumes that S3 didn't happen, S2 AU of sorts, established relationship.
A/N: Vaguely prompted by a portion of "When the World Ends" by Dave Matthews Band. (I dare you to find what part.) Thanks to serene_quill for the beta help.
Jack sighs. It’s late and long since time for bed. He could just go to sleep already, but the bed is too empty, too cold without Nathan. Jack’s gotten spoiled-- comfortable and used to having Nathan around, something he never expected to feel ever again after the divorce.
Off to track down wayward scientists, he thinks. He reluctantly leavers himself out of bed, feet chilled by the cold, smooth surface of the floor. He heads downstairs and finds Nathan on the couch, engrossed with some sort of work on his laptop, like usual. Work that he should have been done with two hours ago… again, like usual. He sighs.
He sits down next to Nathan, reaching an arm along the top of the couch behind him and diving right into his personal space. He’s tired, a little cold, and just wants to be with Nathan, preferably in a bed. Where he should have been. Two hours ago.
Jack leans into him, nudging his head against the side of Nathan’s neck, burying his nose in the spot that he knows Nathan loves. Nathan makes a little startled noise, but doesn’t shy away, instead baring his neck a little more to Jack.
“Whatcha doin this time, scientist?” He kisses Nathan’s cheek softly, and Nathan leans into the touch, even though his eyes are still on the computer screen. Typical Nathan too caught up in some science experiment to remember about the rest of the world around him. Nathan makes a small noise of disappointment when Jack moves away slightly, seemingly less controlled because he’s distracted. Jack likes finding those glimpses of the guy he fell for hiding amongst the idiotic, overworked scientist when he can find them. He takes what he can get.
“A revision of the model exploring orbital body movements in the event of a triggered reduction of energy in the central star of a discoid galaxy,” Nathan says, still not looking over at him but trying to shift closer.
Nathan’s hand slides onto his thigh, resting lightly, fingers spread. It’s warm, comforting. Normal. And almost makes up for the fact that he’s engrossed in a computer and not paying Jack any attention.
Jack watches the image move on the screen, considering it carefully. “So… basically the end of the known universe. Are things exploding or imploding?”
Nathan gives him the ‘thank you Captain Obvious’ look, but it’s softer than usual. Maybe he’s wearing down on Nathan’s resistance yet. Or maybe because there’s nobody else around to impress or assert his alpha status over. Jack was surprised to find Nathan doesn’t try to prove it all the time when there’s nobody around.
“Imploding, if I have to go with your... description,” Nathan says as he moves his hand away to type rapidly. Jack misses the feel of it as soon as he moves and watches Nathan’s hands as they dance fluidly across the keyboard, typing commands.
Jack watches the screen as the model starts over, and Nathan returns his hand to Jack’s thigh. Jack can’t stop the smile that tugs at the corners of his lips. It belongs there, and he can feel it with a sense of certainty.
“It’s actually kinda pretty, especially for the end of life as we know it,” Jack says, watching the mass of swirling clouds and dots, which he assumes are planets and asteroids. It looks a lot like the pictures he saw when his dad took him to Menlo Park to see the moon rocks exhibit when he was a kid.
“It does have an intrinsic elegance,” Nathan says as he strokes Jack’s leg absently. He stops and frowns at the computer. “It would, however, be better if it didn’t have the wobble in the 3rd vector.”
Jack tangles his fingers in Nathan’s stray hand before he can go back to typing. “Fix the wobble of the universe tomorrow. It’s late.” He kisses the side of Nathan’s jaw.
“It’s not the wobble of… nevermind.” He turns and kisses Jack softly, sweetly, and Jack practically melts into it, rolling his eyes at himself for being so easily distracted. Bed, not another hour of computer models.
He leans back, and Nathan follows him, seemingly unwilling to break the kiss. Jack moves back a little farther, and eventually they part. Jack pushes himself off of the couch, pausing to wait for Nathan. “Come on, Scientist. Bed now, or you’re not going to get what you want.”
“Just need to fix this one variable string and re-run it. Won’t be long.” Nathan’s fingers are flying across the keyboard again, focused on the screen in front of him.
Jack frowns. “I’ve been trying to drag you to bed for the last two hours. Last chance, scientist, or don’t come to bed at all.”
“Shhhh. I’ll be there soon,” Nathan says absently as his hands move to Jack’s waist and knead softly. Jack feels the familiar tingle in his chest as Nathan’s hands slowly move up and down his sides, drawn into the comforting motions, ready to just give into him there… No, he has to prove his point. If Nathan doesn’t listen now, he’ll always expect to get his way. More than he already does. He growls in annoyance.
”Science waits for no one, Sheriff,” Nathan says with mock seriousness.
Jack frowns, but tries to keep it light. “Yeah, well, I wait for no science. You’re going to be on the couch tonight if you want to keep playing with that.”
Nathan makes a show of considering this, expression thoughtful. Jack doesn’t think this project is actually important enough for him to stay up, or he wouldn’t have bothered Nathan in the first place. He can tell which ones are the important ones, even if Nathan doesn’t think so.
Just as he steps away, Jack hears the click of the latch on the laptop and the soft thump of the machine being placed on the couch. He hears the creak of his leather couch and Nathan’s arm snakes around him, pulling them together. Nathan starts to nibble on his neck, breathing him in.
Jack tilts his head back, giving Nathan a bit more room to work with. “S.A.R.A.H., Security 2 and Privacy 3.”
S.A.R.A.H. chimes. “Enabled. Good night, Sheriff, Dr. Stark.”
Nathan’s hand snakes down to cup him and Jack starts walking toward the stairs, Nathan still plastered tight against his back. Their progress is slow, but he hardly minds. Nathan’s channeled intensity is now directed at him, and although it wasn’t quite what he was expecting because he really did want to go to bed and go to sleep-- he’ll take it.
Fin
4/09
Feedback always welcome.
Link to all of my stories