Jack Harkness. That's Captain Jack Harkness to you. Flirts with anything that has a heartbeat, will pull out a gun at any sign of danger and comes in guns blazing. It seems like he'll never stop acting younger than his age. And what exactly is his age? Over 100 last time he checked.
Immortality. Gift of the Gods or a curse from hell? Jack doesn't know anymore. Years and years ago, in the height of the London Blitz – the first time he'd experienced it – he would have thought such an eternal life, filled with never-ending bliss, would be fantastic as an old friend would put it. But then again, it wasn't so blissful now. Each day, the Earth is threatened. Each day he sends them out knowing that they might not come back. Knowing that the stakes are different for him. Knowing that he's playing God way too often. Knowing that the people of the 21st century are no different from his 51st natives.
Humanity is the strength that binds the earth together. Innocent lives are lost too often. Maybe that's why he refused to let anyone interfere as he stood before the devourer of life.
As he stands there, he knows he hates his team but loves them at the same time. As he stands there, his life force being sucked from him in excruciating pain, he forgives them right then and there. And as he stands there, knowing that there is the possibility that this time, he's not coming back… As he stands there, he closes his eyes and lets go, falling into Darkness, Death and Void, knowing that his team is safe. Knowing that those he loves are safe.
Because this is Captain Jack Harkness. Compassionate, caring, loving and a coward that's brave enough to stand in the face of death. This is Captain Jack Harkness. He'll die any day if it means that the world will be safe, for the time being.
Years and years ago, in the height of the London Blitz – the first time he'd experienced it – Jack would have never found himself brave.