**Fever Dreams**

Prompt: Jack harkness is burning up with fever but he tries to push through. After he faints in front of his team jack admits that he is sick. The team takes care of him

Jack Harkness leaned heavily against the cold metal wall of the Hub, his breath coming in short, uneven gasps. He could feel the world spinning around him, like he was trapped in one of those old carnival rides – only this time, there was no laughing crowd to distract him from the image of relentless darkness creeping at the edges of his consciousness. The day had started like any other. Torchwood had received a report of strange seismic activity near the outskirts of Cardiff, strange enough to warrant investigation. It was classic Jack; he thrived on the thrill of the chase, on the exhilaration of stepping into the unknown. But as the hours wore on, he found himself increasingly out of sorts. The fever had crept in slowly, a nagging heat that nestled just beneath his skin, radiating outward, dulling his sharp instincts. He brushed aside his discomfort, focused on the task at hand, barking orders and organizing the team. Ianto was gathering supplies, Gwen was on the phone with a contact, and Owen was pouring over data in the lab. They looked to Jack for guidance, and just when he thought he could push through, a wave of dizziness crashed over him. “Jack?” Gwen’s voice echoed in his ears, colored with concern. “You okay?” “Just peachy,” he smiled, though it felt like a grimace. “Let’s keep digging into those readings. There’s something here.” But inside, he felt another shiver thread down his spine, the heat swelling beneath his skin like an insistent tide. He took a shaky step forward, pushing against the weight of the air. Owen glanced up, concern etching sharper lines on his face. “Are you sure you should be out here?” Jack waved him off, his heart racing. “It’s just a bit of fatigue. I’ll be fine.” An hour slipped away like sand through fingers. Jack found himself sitting on the worn leather couch in the break room. He pulled his legs up, curling into a ball, hoping the heat would dissipate. Ianto brought in a cup of tea, the steam curling up towards Jack’s face like a warm hug. “Here,” Ianto said softly, kneeling next to him. “Drink this.” Jack forced himself to swallow a few sips, but his limbs felt heavy, like lead weights pulling him deeper into oblivion. Just as he set the cup down, the room tilted dangerously, and he closed his eyes, just for a moment. The next thing he knew, the world erupted into chaos. Ianto’s frantic voice merged with Owen’s deep rumble, and Gwen’s sharp gasps pierced the haze. Jack's body crumpled to the floor before he could grasp what was happening, his vision blurring into fractured shapes and colors. The darkness enveloped him, a velvet blanket that had come for him at last. When Jack finally blinked awake, he was startled to find himself in the medical bay, lying on one of the beds. The familiar smell of antiseptic filled his nostrils, yet everything felt wrong. He turned his head slowly, just enough to take in the worried faces surrounding him. “Jack!” Gwen exclaimed, her relief palpable. “You scared us.” “What happened?” Jack croaked, attempting to sit up but wincing at the wave of dizziness that accompanied the movement. “You fainted,” Owen replied bluntly, though his eyes betrayed a concern he usually kept tucked away. “You’re burning up with fever. You could’ve seriously hurt yourself.” Jack couldn't help but smirk despite the throbbing in his head. “Classic Harkness, huh? Always bringing the drama.” Ianto shook his head, moving closer, his expression steady yet gentle. “This isn't a joke, Jack. You’re sick. You need to rest.” “Rest?” Jack laughed weakly, the sound turning into a cough. “I have a team to lead, a world to save—” “Which you can’t do if you’re unconscious!” Owen interjected, his tone unwavering. “Look, we’ve had enough adventures today. Just admit it – you need to take a break.” Jack’s demeanor shifted; the facade began to crumble. He could feel the warmth spreading through his body, and for the first time, he allowed himself to acknowledge the weakness that had dogged him all day. “Alright, alright. I’m sick.” Those words hung in the air, a fragile acknowledgment that seemed to fracture the tension. Gwen rushed to his side, her fingers brushing back the damp hair off his forehead. “That’s all we wanted. It’s okay to be human, Jack.” Owen nodded, pulling up a chair. “Let’s get you some meds and monitor that fever. No heroics this time.” Ianto disappeared from the room, returning shortly with supplies that Jack was certain he would have pushed aside if the roles were reversed. It felt strange to let his guard down, to relinquish control. But with Ianto humming softly as he gathered a cool cloth for Jack’s forehead, he felt anchored in a way he hadn’t expected. As the hours passed, his fever edged downward under the careful watch of his team. They took turns sitting by his side, chatting about everything from mundane gossip to outlandish conspiracy theories they had encountered. Jack found comfort in their stories, each laugh further pushing the feverish darkness away, wrapping him in a cocoon of warmth and kinship. “Keep those stories coming,” Jack murmured, his voice still barely above a whisper. “I could get used to this.” “You’re not off the hook yet,” Owen said, though his tone eased. “You still owe us a proper pizza night once you’re back on your feet.” Jack chuckled, feeling the warmth of a smile cross his lips. “Deal.” In the heart of the Hub, surrounded by his friends – his family – the darkness that had threatened him began to dissipate, replaced by the fierce light of belonging. Perhaps admitting he was sick hadn’t been the end, but rather, a new beginning as Jack Harkness leaned into the tender embrace of care. The fever broke, but the bonds strengthened, reminding him once more that even heroes need to rest and be cared for, no matter how invincible they might seem.