Disclaimers, etc., see part one.
Approval
By Eugena
Chapter Two: Interlude
How could he answer Gwen's imploring stare? He had once been a con man. He knew how to lie. What fabricated answer could he find?
He lost the will to lead that old life after he had met Rose. He still remembered her, seeing her face as if she were still living—eternally young.
In contrast to Estelle, who had actually lived, but aged. He could never imagine Rose with grey hair?
Could he imagine Gwen?
He often looked for "The Rose Factor" in his many years: shining hope of humanity emanating from a good soul. It was this should that saved him. Sure, The Doctor helped, too. But Rose truly saved his soul. In his gratitude, he fell deeply in love with the blonde angel, much to the annoyance of the Time Lord.
Yet, all things around him come to an end. He lives on.
When Rose's Doctor died, replaced with the brown eyed Time Lord that he had seen drawn in drawn in private paintings by Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson, Rose died with him. The part of Rose that could not belong to Jack died with the leather-jacketed man.
Had Jack met up with Rose soon after they had parted, he could have reclaimed his love. Though still hunting a ghost, Rose would have joined Jack, and she would have lived.
The second Doctor could not protect her. He did not possess the desperation and hunger for her as did his predecessor. He discarded Rose for a glorified French Whore. He threw away Jack's and the proper Doctor's most precious treasure.
Mickey Smith was among the names of the dead. He had protected the treasure as best he could, and, as Jack was sure, gave his life for her.
Jack wished The Doctor died properly and that he had a body for Rose. He would have buried them side by side—lovers forever.
The lives around Jack were short. Could he be honest with Gwen?