Author's Notes - If you've read The Emissary, welcome back! I hope you enjoy the sequel, Careless Benevolence. It's still a work in progress, and I'd love to hear your opinions. Just a reminder that this went completely AU after Journey's End.

The usual disclaimers apply. I'm doing this for fun, definitely don't own the characters, not making any money on this, and no infringement is intended. And, any dialogue you recognize from the Bad Wolf is from Parting of the Ways.

If you're not familiar with The Emissary, you might want to read it before you start this story. I know; it's really long and the beginning is bulky. Feel free to skim. If you're still determined to read a sequel before the original, you at least need to know that Melissa (or Emma as the Doctor likes to call her), a Time Lord, is the Doctor's wife and Susan Foreman's grandmother. Through some very convoluted plot points, she and Jack Harkness married while she appeared human under the chameleon arch. The three managed to break the time lock and save Gallifrey from destruction. This is the aftermath.

The Bad Wolf appeared just as she had on the Gamestation, her figure that of a familiar young woman, but her eyes filled with unimaginable power. As the guards made move to restrain her, she held up her hand, freezing them and Romana to the spot. "You are tiny."

"Rose, don't do this!" The Doctor pleaded, hoping that she would listen this time. When she looked at him quizzically, he added softly, "It's over. Jack's gone. Just let him go."

Ignoring him, she addressed the crowd, who was immobile with shock. "I can see all of time and the whole of creation, what was, what is and what could be."

Then, she looked sorrowfully at the Doctor. "And this is why it hurt. I want you, safe, My Doctor, protected from the false gods."

Terrified at what she may yet do, he spoke gently, trying to reason with her. "I am safe, Rose. I am safe here with the Emissary, and safe with you on the parallel Earth. You loved me so much, you saved me twice. Now, just let it go."

"How can I let go of this?"

The Bad Wolf swung her gaze to Melissa, tears falling down her face. "My Emissary. His pawn." Then, she again looked mournfully at Jack. "My knight. His sacrifice. But it should not hurt."

That simple statement sent chills down the Doctor's spine. What was an immature, benevolent god truly capable of? He could feel Melissa's terror bubbling to the surface as they felt the Bad Wolf focus her attention on the three of them.

"I bring life."

"Rose, NO!" the Doctor yelled, supporting his bond mate as her knees buckled. He watched in dismay as the powerful being continued placidly as if he had never interrupted.

"And everlasting death to the Doctor's most faithful companion."

Then, she was gone. The entire assembly looked in stunned amazement at the spot where the Bad Wolf had stood before breaking out in raucous murmurings. Simultaneously, Captain Jack Harkness gasped back to life, sitting up and looking around in confusion.

As he caught the Doctor's eyes, he asked in consternation, "Someone going to tell me why I'm on a bier?"

"Not now, Captain!"

Still gripping Melissa by the waist, the Doctor yanked Jack off the bier and urgently pulled the two towards the TARDIS. Luckily, his ship was parked near the Panopticon, and everyone was still too stunned by what they had witnessed to attempt to stop them. Not that the Doctor had any intention of letting them; it was imperative that they escape before anyone on the High Council understood what had just happened.

Letting go of Jack's hand, he pulled out his key, noting with some surprise that his hands were trembling too much to put it in the lock. Jack deftly took the key out of his useless fingers and opened the doors. Sweeping Melissa inside, the Doctor passed her wordlessly off to the Captain as he quickly took the ship into the Time Vortex.

Once they were relatively safe and he was sure no one was tracking them, he turned his attention to his bond mate. She was shaking violently, her green eyes glazed in shock.

"She- I don't- How could- I mean- Jack?" She was on the verge of hysteria, and it was easy for the Doctor to take over.

"Tests!" he exclaimed loudly pacing around the console. "Definitely time for some tests. Not every day a god brings you back to life, after all, even for you Jack. We should do some tests."

While the Captain started protesting that he felt fine, the Doctor grabbed Melissa and whispered soothingly in her ear. "We'll do some tests. Figure things out. Come with me."

Gently, he led her down the corridor, Jack trailing worriedly behind. When they reached the infirmary, he laid her on the bed, his fingers finding the sides of her face. Easing her into a deep sleep, he continued searching her mind until he found what he had hoped he would not. Lovingly, he kissed her forehead, his emotions tightly in check. He led Jack wordlessly out into the hallway, where he firmly shut the door.

Searching his friend's face, Jack was unexpectedly nervous. The Doctor looked like he wanted to kill something or someone. "So, Doc, you going to explain what's going on?"

The Time Lord stared at him, his eyes bleak and cold. Slowly, he unleashed a torrent of curses that astounded the Captain in their creativeness, although he thought that a being would have to be gelatinous for at least one of them to apply. Not content with the cursing, his friend let loose a string of expletives in more languages than even a former Time Agent could possibly comprehend, although he understood the gist when the Doctor finished heatedly. "Why the hell couldn't the Bad Wolf leave well enough alone?"

For a second, the Captain stared at him in dismay before putting on a self-deprecating smile and commenting wryly, "So I guess you're not too pleased that she brought me back, huh?"

Staring blankly at his companion for a second, the Doctor closed the distance between them with two swift strides. Cupping Jack's face, he kissed him harshly on the lips before releasing him and taking a small step backwards.

His voice cracking, he commanded severely. "Don't, just don't. When I saw you, lying there next to Rassilon's tomb, actually dead this time, I—"

Unable to complete his sentence, he took a deep breath, getting his emotions under control so he could explain. Flatly, he stated, "It's not you I'm upset about, Jack; it's Emma. She's pregnant."

Stunned by the Doctor's kiss, Jack felt like he was missing something important, and raced to catch up. When he understood what his friend had said, his face broke out into a wide grin. "That's fantastic! Congratulations, Doc!"

But the Doctor didn't smile in response, and Jack's grin slowly turned into a frown. Anxiously, he asked, "Is it the bond? Will it hurt her or the baby, being bonded to both of us?" He had been reassured when he had felt the link, but now he was uneasy.

He didn't answer the question. Instead, he stated with no emotion whatsoever, "I didn't get her pregnant."

Now he was completely confused. "The night we left? But why would she want . . . ?"

"You didn't either, Captain."

His rage was so near the surface that he was likely to take it out on the people he cared about. He took another deep breath, trying to calm down before looking Jack in the eyes, willing him to comprehend.

Finally, when it was clear that his friend had no idea what he was saying, he deflated, leaning against the wall in defeat. "She said, I bring life," he admitted bitterly, hoping he wouldn't have to explain further.

"I don't understand." But, his stomach knotted. There was a part of him that understood all too well.

"Don't you?" Irrationally, he wanted to make Jack hurt on some level just so he could share some of the pain.

Blanching, he begged, "Explain it to me, please. I want to help her."

"I wish I could explain it." Staring off in the distance, he added sorrowfully, "She's in bad shape, Jack. What she did in Rassilon's tomb severely damaged her temporal lobe. A wristwatch and calendar aren't going to help this time. Regenerating is the only way to heal her mind."

"She can regenerate?" Again, the Captain felt behind the curve.

"Yes, we both can. The healers gave us a whole new set, but it doesn't matter. It's impossible for her until afterwards."

"Regenerating will kill the baby?"

"Regenerating will kill them both," the Time Lord stated gravely, knowing it was time to move the discussion to a room with chairs. This was going to take a while. "Come on, Captain. The TARDIS will let us know when she wakes up. Let's go into the kitchen. I bet you could use something to eat."

It took the Doctor over an hour to explain Time Lord biology and reproduction to Jack, and by that time, the Captain wasn't very hungry. In some cases ignorance was bliss. It was fortunate that Melissa hadn't shared some things with him during her pregnancy with Joy, or he wouldn't have let her outside of the Hub.

Drinking some water because his stomach just couldn't handle the thought of coffee at the moment, Jack sat wearily in his chair, wondering why he was so tired after having spent several days as a corpse. In fact, he was surprised to find his eyelids getting heavy. He wasn't used to feeling sleepy so soon after a resurrection.

The whine of the sonic screwdriver brought his senses back into sharp focus. "So what's the verdict, Doc? What impossible thing have I become this time?" He smiled cheekily at the Time Lord to let him know that whatever the Bad Wolf had done to him, it would be okay.

But the Doctor put his elbows on the table and rested his head in his hand, rubbing his forehead for a few seconds before looking somberly at his friend. "I wish it were something impossible this time, Jack, but today she gave you everlasting death."

"What?" Images of Owen flashed through his mind, and he fought to maintain his composure. "Are you saying I'm a walking corpse?"

His question brought an ironic smile to his friend's drawn face. "No more so than any other human, Captain." Rushing to explain, he added quietly. "She cured you, Jack. You're no longer a fixed point in time. The next time you die, you won't come back."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

In the end, it wasn't necessary for the TARDIS to alert the Doctor and Jack of Melissa's waking. The burst of broiling anger they felt exploding into their consciousness was more than enough to alert them to her awareness. Although rushing from opposite ends of the ship, they arrived at the infirmary together. Carefully opening the door, the Doctor ducked as she hurled a piece of obsolete medical equipment at the now broken mirror on the opposite wall.

"No, no, no, no, no!" she shouted incoherently as she finally acknowledged their presence. "She can't do this! I'm not some sort of toy for the Bad Wolf to play with! Haven't I suffered enough?"

She was still ranting at them when her complexion turned sickly green and she raced to the trash can, vomiting spectacularly.

The Doctor knelt beside her. "Stop blocking us, Em. It's only making you sick. Open your mind to us so we can help you."

"I don't want any help," she answered miserably, but she allowed the Doctor to help her stand. Then, she finally acknowledged Jack's presence. "Don't make me do this," she begged.

"I don't think you have much choice, Sweetheart."

That statement made her temper flare. "I have a choice! I can get rid of it!"

The Doctor answered calmly before Jack could react. "That's true; you can do that if you wish, and no one's going to stop you. But, you need to decide now, before your hormone levels are too high. Do you want to kill the baby or not?"

"Don't call it that! It's just a bunch of foreign cells growing inside me. I didn't ask for this!"

Again, she was sick, and her limbs were shaking by the time the Doctor sat her on the bed. He and Jack sat on either side of her, silently offering their support.

She looked venomously at the Time Lord. "I hate you."

He didn't reply except to put his hand on her shoulder. When she didn't shrug it off, Jack put his hand on her other shoulder, and she immediately leaned against him, sobbing uncontrollably for several minutes before she could speak.

"I have to decide now?"

Somberly, the Doctor nodded. "It will be too dangerous later, Em."

The desolation they heard in her voice made both men cringe. "Athena, Matthew, Susan, Joy—they're all dead. I don't want to feel that agony ever again. It's bad enough remembering." Her mouth twisted into a pained frown as she struggled with her decision. "But I don't know what to do." Her emotions careened from anger to despair to resignedness to anger once again.

When neither one of them proposed a solution, she curled up into a tight ball, sniffling as she tried to control her emotions well enough to think rationally. They offered her silent support, trying to pour sympathy and acceptance into her, but her mind was shut tight. After a while, she straightened, her decision made.

"No matter what I decide, you promise me you'll both stay? No running away?"

Glancing at the Doctor, Jack answered for both of them. "We promise, Sweetheart. We both love you, and nothing's going to change that."

Remorsefully she confessed, "I can't do it. I just can't. I can't kill them. It's not their fault."

As she leaned wearily against Jack, he mouthed over her head, "Them?"

The Doctor nodded, as surprised as the Captain had been. "Em, no matter what happens, we'll both be here for you."

"Good, because I'm going to be sick again." Her stomach roiled, and it was all they could do to get out of the way. By the time she had finished, a cold sweat dampened her skin.

"Let's get you some tea, eh?"

Helping her stand, the Doctor kissed her briefly before handing her to Jack. Silently, he thanked his ship; the kitchen was suddenly across the hall from the infirmary. Boiling the water for the tea, he tried to think sensibly about their problem, but his mind was in turmoil. Instead, he watched her for signs of lingering nausea.

Putting the sweet ginger tea in front of her, he handed Jack a cup of coffee, and then put a tin of biscuits on the table. The three of them drank quietly, too overwhelmed to say much of anything. As Melissa stared absently into her empty cup, Jack reached over to push her hair behind her ear. Startled, she looked up, seeing him as if for the first time.

"You were dead."

Her voice was too anguished for him to try to make a joke of it. "I know. I'm sorry I hurt you."

Tears ran unchecked down her face. "I killed you."

"Sweetheart, no. Don't do this to yourself. You weren't responsible. And, I'd do it again to keep you safe."

Her emotions swinging wildly, she confessed between gasping sobs. "I killed you. I could feel you slipping away and I didn't stop it. I couldn't stop it. When you were gone it hurt so bad I didn't want to feel anything ever again. You were gone, Jack. You were gone and it hurt worse than when Hart took you so far away. It was like someone had cut out one of my hearts, and it hurt, and I don't want to feel that way again."

Pushing her chair away, she wrapped her arms tightly around him, clinging to him as she cried. Choking up, he gripped her just as tightly, the implications of his new mortality just beginning to sink in. In all probability, he would hurt her again, much sooner than she knew. What had she said once? Humans don't live for very long.

Looking sympathetically at them both, the Doctor noticed the instant Jack understood what the Bad Wolf's gift would do to the woman he loved. Placing his hand on the Captain's shoulder, he gave him a small shake of the head. It wasn't time to burden her with that knowledge yet. In this case, the damage to her temporal lobe was a blessing. She was unable to perceive that Jack was no longer a fixed point.

"Why don't you two get some rest? I've got some thinking to do."

She grabbed his arm before he could take a step. "You promised you wouldn't run away."

"I'm not," he argued until he saw the set look on her face. He saw Jack's grin of amusement and stifled a long-suffering sigh. "What do you want me to do, Em?"

"Come to bed with us. I need you both."

It was a command, not a request, and he wasn't sure if she was testing his resolve or was truly that insecure. It didn't matter; either way she needed him. Beating back his sense of unease, he spoke as congenially as he could. "I can do that. 'Course I can."

"Hey, Doc, you won't believe how long I've been waiting to hear you say that!"

Flushing, the Doctor began to babble wildly about the history of tea, until he realized that Jack had been valiantly trying to lighten Melissa's mood. As they walked into his bedroom, he squeezed his friend's arm in silent thanks. It hadn't worked; she still had tears running down her face, but it had been a good effort. Self-consciously, the Doctor removed his tie, stripping the rest of his clothes quickly before he could lose his nerve.

"I should have guessed you'd go commando, Doc. That suit's too tight for much else."

"Oi!" Turning around, he noticed that Jack was already naked, standing around with the confidence of the fully clothed. For a second, he envied his friend's nonchalance, and then he did his best to match it. "Guessed, Captain? And here I am thinking your powers of observation were better than that."

Whatever witty reply Jack would have given was drowned out by Melissa's snorts, which quickly turned into howling laughter. At first they were concerned, afraid she had gone into hysterics, but then they got the distinct impression she was laughing at them. Even Jack seemed disconcerted by that fact.

"What?"

Wiping her eyes, she tried her best to calm down. "When I said go to bed, I meant to sleep!

Both men looked somewhat embarrassed by their mistake. "Yes, well, I know I've got my jimjams somewhere around here."

The Doctor forgot all about his pajamas when Melissa hastily clapped her hand over her mouth and raced to the toilet. She retched until nothing but yellow bile came out of her mouth, and then she did it some more. Jack pulled her hair back while the Doctor carefully supported her body. By the time it was over, she was barely able to stand. Worn out, she let them both help her to the bed, gratefully taking a few sips of water from a cup the Doctor held while Jack wiped her face with a warm washcloth.

Putting the cup of water down, the Doctor started unbuttoning her shirt. Jack unlaced her boots, pulling them off as gently as he could. She was passive throughout, even when the Doctor undid her trousers, slipping them easily off. Hesitating for only a second, he tugged off her lace panties, deciding that if they were completely nude, she might as well be too.

Settling beside her, Jack pulled the duvet over all three of them, wanting to keep her as warm as possible. As her eyes were beginning to droop, the Doctor broke the silence. "You've got to let us in, Em. You're going to adversely affect your own health if you don't."

"Now?"

Patiently, he answered. "Yes, now. It will only get worse the longer you wait."

They were already touching, he and Jack tentatively seeking entrance against her mental barriers. As soon as he reassured her, they were both transported to a familiar landscape. The waterfall roared in the background, but the stained glass pavilion was shattered, just as it had been in fact. She stood nervously before them, wearing a pair of old, comfortable jeans and her Norwegian sweater zipped up tight. Her running shoes were on, and she was out of breath, leaning heavily against one of the support beams of the destroyed pavilion.

Ignoring the glass that littered the scene, the Doctor walked calmly towards her, Jack following a step behind. When they reached her, they could both see that she had slivers of glass embedded in her face and hands.

Cupping his hand over her cheek, the Doctor willed her injuries away as easily as he changed the setting. "You don't have to punish yourself, Em. No one is angry at you, and none of it is your fault. We'll do this together."

Jack sat down and opened the picnic basket, pulling out bread, cheese and wine. He approved of the Doctor's choice. Celara Six was a pleasant memory the three of them shared. It was twilight, and the moons cast a silvery glow on the white sand beach. Smiling, Jack handed Melissa and the Doctor a glass of wine.

"To new beginnings," he toasted, well aware of the numerous meanings loaded into that simple phrase.

The Doctor quirked an eyebrow at him, but drank to the toast. Melissa stared at both of them for a long moment before tipping back her wineglass and quickly draining it. There was an awkward pause as the three of them just stared at each other, not quite sure what to do or who should take the lead.

Stepping hesitantly forward, Melissa solemnly took Jack's hand and then the Doctor's. "Thank you. I don't know the Bad Wolf's intent, and can't pretend to be pleased by what she's done. But I can't imagine going through it without either one of you. I need you both."

They could feel her sincerity pouring through her words, and both knew it had been difficult for her to admit to needing anything, even them. At that point, she was far from perfect, however. They wrapped their arms around her, overlapping their embraces, and all three felt a soothing comfort disperse gently through their minds.

Encouraged, each of them gradually lowered their defenses, until they were standing completely unguarded. In that instant, there was no shame, no guilt or recriminations; there was simply acceptance. For one precious moment, three became one. There was an ecstasy to their joining, although there was nothing sexual in the encounter.

Their perception shifted, and the bond that Melissa had sometimes perceived as two ropes tied together by a third unraveled to become three ropes woven into a braid. It was strong and beautiful, but more importantly, it was profoundly true. All three marveled at the shifting dynamic, and even the Doctor approved of the transformation.

They separated slowly, eventually coming to rest in their own minds. Cracking open his eyes, Jack saw that Melissa's coloring had improved significantly. Her eyes were shut tightly, however, as she struggled in vain to accept the gift that the Bad Wolf had bestowed. Catching the Doctor's eye, Jack telegraphed his intentions very clearly, and his friend gave a small nod in agreement. Mental synthesis was all well and good, but they were corporeal beings, and touch was just as important. It was time to prove to her that neither one of them was going to run away.

As Jack trailed his fingers down her neck, Melissa automatically turned towards him, eyes still firmly shut. The kiss he gave her was so intoxicating that it took her a while to realize that he didn't possess two mouths and someone else's teeth were gently rasping against her right earlobe. Her eyes flew open.

Knowing what protest she was about to make, the Doctor whispered into her ear. "It's fine. This is about you, not me."

She let her eyes close once again, coming to understanding very quickly that it was, indeed, all about her. Afterwards, she was awed and humbled by the devotion of the two men she loved. Cocooned between them, she quickly fell asleep.

Jack was careful not to even glance in the Doctor's direction for fear that the Time Lord would suddenly be overcome by embarrassment and feel the need to flee. He never saw, therefore, the look of affection on the Doctor's face as he watched the Captain slowly drift to sleep. When both his bond mates were resting comfortably, the Doctor reluctantly left. There was much to think about, and the TARDIS couldn't stay in the Vortex forever.