Title: Thank You
Author: grissomrocks
Rating: K
Genre: General
Disclaimer: Don't own anything related to Torchwood. Just borrowing some characters to remind everyone to honor all veterans, not just during Veteran's Day (US)/Remembrance Day (UK), but every day.
Remembrance Day isn't just a day to honor the dead, but also to appreciate the living, the chaplain at the UNIT Remembrance Sunday service had said in his message. I give you this task today: find a veteran and tell him or her just two little words, "thank you."
There was only one person that came to mind when Martha Jones had heard the chaplain's exhortation. And now, on Remembrance Day proper, she was walking in the plaza above Torchwood's Hub, looking for that person.
She found him exactly where Ianto had said he'd be. Captain Jack Harkness was on a dock overlooking the bay, just standing there, apparently deep in thought. Martha assumed that he was thinking about the men that he had served with during two world wars, nearly all from the first and most of those from the second now deceased.
"Jack?"
Jack turned around. The smile he gave the woman he considered his best friend lit up his entire face, which made the telltale signs of where he had been crying all the more noticeable. However, Martha wisely pretended not to notice as she was swept up in a crushing hug.
"Martha Jones!" Jack gave his usual greeting. "Suddenly, on a dreary dock on Cardiff Bay, I hear the voice of a nightingale." He put Martha down with a quick friendly kiss to her forehead. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit? Or is this official UNIT business?"
Martha then told Jack about the UNIT Remembrance Sunday service she had attended and the chaplain's request. "All I could think about was the one veteran who can never receive any official recognition for his service in both world wars and who will end up being the last surviving veteran even after those wars are long forgotten."
"I've come to terms with that a long time ago, Martha," Jack said with no trace of resentment. "I don't expect anyone to hold any parades in my honor."
"I wasn't planning on throwing you a parade, Jack," Martha responded, smiling. "I just wanted to come and do exactly what the chaplain asked."
She then stood on tiptoe, hugged Jack, and whispered in his ear.
"Thank you."
The End