Longevity
"Hey, Doc?"
"What is it Jack?" The Doctor's voice flitted up from underneath the console he worked on. Pausing in his repairs, he shuffled out a bit so he could look at Jack, really look at him.
"You did the best you could, stop blaming yourself, it just makes it worse." The Doctor smiled sadly up to the quiet captain, understanding and compassion clear in his eyes.
"But... I could have chosen someone else. I didn't have to provoke it. I could still have Ianto... I miss him."
Slowly, the Doctor put down his screwdriver and sat up. Massaging blood back into his arms, the Doctor shuffled over to where Jack sat and rested his head on Jack's knee. He felt the other tense minutely before relaxing.
"Could've, would've, should've. Sometimes I wonder what the point of time lords are. We live so long, bond so easily, accept so easily, and still have to live by the rules that hurt us. But, even with all the heartache and sadness and suffering I wouldn't trade it for the world." The Doctor looked up at Jack and blinked sleepily. "Because through all that I met the best and brightest; the most wonderful, amazing, brilliant people: Donna, Martha, rose... You." Running and hand nervously through his hair the Doctor chuckled quietly. "For those moments, those hilarious times, the running... I would suffer again because you, all of you, made it worth it."
Jack stared at the Doctor, dumbfounded. The Time Lord blinked and mumbled to himself about getting sentimental in his old age before standing and brushing the nonexistent dust off of his suit. Offering a hand to Jack, the Doctor pulled Jack to his feet and began to drag him towards the kitchen.
"Ice cream." The Doctor responded to Jack's questioning gaze. "Good for solving all sorts of problems."
"Doctor..." The Doctor stopped and looked at him, face unguarded and full of concern and love. "Thank you." Pulling the Doctor into his arms, Jack placed a soft, chaste kiss to the Doctors lips before pulling back and grinning.
"Now, how about that ice cream?"