It meant more to Jack than he could really express, that the Doctor had broached the distance there and kissed him. Not the physical distance, of course, they were more than a little close. But a mental distance, and one he could have quite easily widened. It might have hurt a little, but it would, Jack thought, have been safer.

He wanted to thank him, though he wasn't sure how. But he had no time for thanks.

He heard the noise and he breathed out, closing his eyes a moment and internally cursing. "On three, Doctor, I'm going to stand and turn," he whispered to him and slowly, slowly moved his hands away and up.

"One... Two.... Three..."

He pulled himself to standing and turned, hands in the air. In the process, he almost fell. The drugs must have been stronger than he knew.