Author's Notes - This chapter ends the story on a happy note. I plan on writing a sequel to address the Library and a few loose ends, and I'm currently writing a prequel to The Emissary that explains Jack and Melissa's tangled timelines. With the holidays rapidly approaching, however, I probably won't start posting until the new year. I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed for their feedback and encouragement. Knowing people were reading the story helped me continue during a few rough patches. A special thank you to uzumaki misaki for reviewing the last chapter. I'll admit I expected more comments after killing the TARDIS! Hopefully everyone was out shopping on Friday, and the lack of reviews doesn't mean you hated the resolution. Hope you enjoy.

Not five minutes after reuniting with his wife, the Doctor impatiently rubbed his hands together. "Awake now, Em? I think it's high time we got home, don't you?"

She gave him a long look, sensing he was anxious underneath his forced cheerfulness. However, she couldn't think of a single reason to remain in the Citadel any longer than necessary.

"Home sounds wonderful to me, Doctor. Jack, what do you think?"

Jack was already standing by the door. "I think you two are carrying the kids. Let's blow this gin joint."

At her hard stare, he replied innocently. "What? I did some work in Chicago during the Roaring Twenties."

"One of you is going to explain," she warned, but she didn't bother waiting for an answer. Instead, she put Owen in her arms and started towards the empty corridor.

With a conspiratorial grin, the Doctor whispered in Hope's ear that he had a special surprise. As soon she put her arms around his neck, he was out the door, his long strides outpacing his bond mates'.

When Melissa came to the end of yet another long, gray corridor and saw the TARDIS, her hearts lurched. It was like seeing a dear friend's daughter all grown up—she was filled with joy even as her eyes welled with tears.

"She's beautiful."

Stroking the pristine blue paint, she smiled poignantly at the Doctor. "She saved me, you know. I had lost myself to the Web of Time, and she sang me to my senses. Even when her song ended, I hoped that she had somehow managed to survive."

"She did—in nine hundred sixty-two new TARDISes. There's a little bit of the old girl in each one. Although, I have to admit, I rather think this one has more than her fair share. Come and meet her."

The interior of the ship reflected the new TARDIS' personality. The walls were papered with antique maps of every kind, broken periodically by rich, mahogany columns. The wood extended to the hexagonal console, which gave the impression of six narrow desks fused together. The time rotor was a long, neon green cylinder encased in frosted glass, and the various knobs and buttons that controlled the ship were fashioned from bits of brass and copper.

Hope stopped at the edge of the threshold, spellbound. "She's so pretty." Then, she took several halting steps towards the console, her right hand raised out in front of her. "And so lonely."

Her mother snatched her from her slow march towards the heart of the ship. Concerned, she looked down at Hope; the little girl frowned as she vainly attempted to free herself.

"You can hear that?"

When she nodded, Melissa and the Doctor became instantly troubled. Their daughter should not be able to hear that particular song at such a young age. The TARDIS sang a welcome and a heartfelt invitation, her need for companionship calling to all who could hear. She would continue to sing the enticing melody until she had bonded with her pilot.

"Doc, I think you better bond with her. Even I can hear that song. If you don't hurry, she'll end up being my ship."

He glanced at Jack to find him using his cane as a brace against the lure of the music. Briefly, he wished that the three of them could bond with the new TARDIS together, but he dismissed the idea as being much too selfish. Jack was human and Melissa lived under the threat of a predestination paradox. His bond mates' days were numbered, and it would be cruel to tie the ship to such heartache. It would be difficult enough for him.

"Right."

Standing in front of the console, he placed his hands flat on a wooden panel. His body was briefly bathed in a warm, golden light. Intrigued, Owen ran towards him, but Jack was able to grab the toddler before he could interfere with the bonding process. The young time ship's song gradually changed from one of longing to jubilation. Taking his hands away from the ship that would evermore be his TARDIS, the Doctor grinned like a child at Christmas.

"She's a beauty. Aren't you, young one?"

Electricity arced from the time rotor to the Doctor's hands, and he yelped in surprise. "Don't like references to your age? What would you have me call you, then?"

Melissa smirked. "Call her the new girl."

The console immediately started to spark. "I'll take that as a no, then."

"Call her Beauty, Daddy."

The ship hummed softly in approval of Hope's suggestion.

"Beauty it is," he agreed, inviting Hope to assist him as he input the coordinates for the estate.

The ship materialized in the same spot in the kitchen where the Doctor's former TARDIS was wont to do. A few people commented on the glossy paint, but no outsider ever guessed that the ship in which the Doctor now travelled was not the one he had stolen all those years ago. She appeared to be nothing more than a Type 40 TARDIS with a much needed overhaul. And, that was precisely the way her new family preferred.

Smirking, Brax leaned against the doorframe to the spacious kitchen in his ancestral home. He watched unobserved while Melissa placed a batch of chocolate chip cookies in the oven she had imported from Earth. He thought the cheery red apron she wore over a pair of jeans and a black sweater was overdoing things a tad, but he kept that opinion to himself as he finally let his presence be known.

"I have been sent to inform you that your insistence on baking is demoralizing the kitchen staff. Berxie would prefer you return to your formal duties on the High Council."

Turning to face him, she arched an eyebrow. "We can't have that. A shame, though, I was planning on baking a batch for you."

He laughed; the foreign sound that came from his throat was rich, deep and hearty. The pervading aroma of chocolate filled the air as he voiced his approval. "You know, that's the best bribery offer I've had all day."

She eyed his scarlet robes with veiled disappointment. Melissa had thought his time spent with them had convinced him to leave the High Council for good, but perhaps she had misjudged his contentment. After all, the Doctor's brother had been schooled in the fine art of intrigue and intimidation from a very young age.

After his turn at the untempered schism, Brax's announcement that he was destined to lead the CIA had virtually sealed his fate. He had been personally tutored by Borusa to become one of the most ruthless cardinals Gallifrey had ever known. Little wonder he'd grown bored of the valley, although she couldn't help but question his timing.

As he tried to swipe a cookie from the cooling rack, she promptly slapped his hand. "These aren't for you. I'm taking these to the Elder. She's done so much for us since the children were born, and I haven't thanked her properly."

He pouted theatrically, which looked absolutely ridiculous on his homely face. "One? Please? No doubt I've earned one cookie at some point."

She handed him a warm cookie, her voice playfully stern. "Well, you do make the children laugh. I suppose you're entitled to one."

Sinking his teeth into the gooey chocolate and sugary biscuit, he closed his eyes to better savor the moment. There were definitely things he missed about Earth, and food was number six on the list.

Speculatively eyeing another cookie, he offhandedly remarked, "Bruno sends his regards. The invitation to sit on the High Council is a sincere one. Oh, and I thought you'd like to know that Healer Galan was killed yesterday in a laboratory accident. His DNA sequencer exploded while he was standing next to it. There weren't many identifiable remains to recover, but it was enough to confirm his death. A shame, really, I'm afraid he wasn't found for some time. His consciousness was lost before he could be uploaded to the Matrix."

Her expression became closed as she considered his bombshell. His return as chief operative for the Celestial Intervention Agency now made perfect sense. "Here, have another cookie," she said woodenly as she considered how much it had cost him to arrange for Healer Galan's fortunate tragedy.

It didn't take him long to notice her upset. Eyeing a third cookie, he began to ramble. "I'm quite satisfied that I returned to the High Council when I did. Bruno is in desperate need of mentoring if he is to become an effective president. Who better than me to assist him? His negotiation skills, especially, are rubbish. I'm afraid he's quite the pushover, but I'm sure he'll improve now that I can offer my assistance. Besides, Flavia likes seeing me every day."

Relaxing, she gave him the third cookie. Even in the privacy of her home, it was too dangerous to speak plainly, but she rightly took his little speech as much needed reassurance. Whatever he had promised the High Lord President for his complicity, it had not been too steep.

"What did you expect?" she asked in an almost normal tone of voice. "Before becoming President, Bruno was just as ignorant as Jack when it came to Time Lord politics. I think he's doing a wonderful job, especially now that the brains behind the High Council has returned."

"I'm hardly the brains, Emma. I'm much more likely to be the loyal attack dog."

"Dogs aren't subtle enough to describe you, Brax. A cat, on the other hand . . . ."

"Someone mention a cat? I only ask because I don't like cats."

Melissa swiftly slapped the Doctor's hand as he attempted to take a cookie. "That's for the Elder. And, we were discussing what sort of animal best describes your brother's position on the Council. He mentioned a dog, but I think a cat's much more fitting."

"You're both wrong. Brax is obviously a fox."

His brother agreed. "Cunning, I like it. Besides, foxes are much better looking than cats."

Jack had entered the kitchen by that time and couldn't resist. "Speaking from personal experience? 'Cause I've got to tell you, I've had a few cat people in my time, and they can be quite charming. In fact, there was this time on New Earth with a tabby that . . . ."

"Spare me, Harkness. You can't have copulated with as many sentient species as you claim. Even with a Vortex Manipulator, it would take more years than you've been alive."

"Who said they had to be sentient?"

Brax actually groaned out loud. The Doctor managed to swipe a cookie while Melissa shook her head.

"We were discussing my bond brother's role on the High Council, not past sexual exploits, although I'm sure it's easy to confuse the two. Now, get out, all of you. And, take the cookies with you. I obviously overestimated your patience. Just be sure to share with Hope and Owen."

She had that tone in her voice—the overly indignant one that the Doctor and Jack had learned to instantly obey. There was no reason to risk Melissa's temper on such a fine day. They complied with alacrity, dumping the still-warm cookies into a sack before making themselves scarce.

Brax was swift on their heels until Melissa put a restraining hand on his arm. Curious, he turned to face her.

"Thank you. I shall sleep easier knowing you are on the High Council looking out for us.

"So shall I."

"Elder?"

With no little degree of trepidation, Melissa walked hesitantly into the beautiful space that represented the Arcadians' temporary seat of power on Gallifrey's Southern Sea. The tiled, marble edifice resembled a miniature Roman temple, and she wondered if the powerful seers had been more involved in Earth's development than anyone had ever suspected.

"Melissa, it is very good to see you."

Bowing slightly, she warmly greeted the Elder, who stood in the exact in middle of the structure, almost as if she had been waiting for her arrival. With a suppressed chuckle, Melissa realized that she must have been doing exactly that.

The young seer wore a simple black tunic over brown trousers, and her hair cascaded down her back. Her eyes twinkled merrily as she acknowledged her guest. In short, she looked more relaxed than the Time Lord had ever seen her.

"I brought chocolate chip cookies. I thought you might like them." She held up the tin in which she had packed the second batch of the chocolaty treat.

Gracefully, the Elder accepted her gift, opening the tin to take a cautious whiff. A smile stole over her face. "They smell wonderful. Thank you."

"What are friends for?"

The girl looked flummoxed by that simple statement. "You consider me your friend?"

"I would have hardly let you name my daughter if I didn't."

"I've never had a friend," the seer admitted shyly.

"Well, you do now."

She smiled broadly. Her own future had always been hidden. It seemed to be much better than she had ever imagined.

"Come on, Jack! Only seven hundred more feet and you'll have a new story to tell."

Looking at the ice crevasse in front of him, Jack suppressed a shudder. How the hell had he let the Doctor and Melissa convince him to climb Mt. Endeavor?

"It's the twelve thousand foot drop I'm worried about, Sweetheart."

The Doctor clapped him heartily on the back. "Don't worry, Captain. That crevasse can't be more than three hundred feet deep."

"Thanks, Doc. That makes me feel so much better."

Roped together, the three began the arduous final ascent to the peak of Mt. Endeavor. Jack hoped his crampons were fastened securely because he could no longer feel his feet. Even with the extra insulation built into his clothes, the cold was beginning to seep inside his skin.

Just as he thought they would be able to traverse the glacier without incident, he felt a sharp tug behind him and a muffled expletive. Digging in his heels and his ice axe, he stopped his own slide. Turning, he saw that Melissa had done the same, but the rope that tied her to the Doctor was taut and disappeared at the edge of the latest crevasse. Carefully, he inched towards her.

She was shouting for the Doctor, but the wind made it impossible to hear a response. Before either one of them could become properly terrified, the Doctor's head popped out of the hole and the rest of his body soon followed.

"Sorry," he said sheepishly. "Misjudged the edge on that one."

Brushing off the ice and snow that clung to his parka, he took off in the lead, practically dragging Melissa and Jack in his eagerness to continue. Turning around, he gave them a devilish grin.

"What are you two waiting for? Allons-y!"

They shared equal looks of irritation before placing themselves behind the Doctor. Step by carefully placed step, they came to the edge of the glacier. The rest of the climb was dull in comparison. Enough Time Lords had scaled the mountain for switchbacks to have been beaten into the snow-covered ground; there was little danger of plunging to a painful death. In another hour, they were standing on the pinnacle, looking down at the serene red valley below.

Exuberant, they embraced one another, scarcely believing their achievement.

"You are definitely burning your cane when we get back, Jack Harkness."

That thought warmed him to his toes, until he realized he would soon have to repeat the entire trek in reverse. Groaning, he leaned against a convenient boulder.

"I don't guess we can take the ski lift down?"

Wishing there was a ski lift, Melissa forced herself to be chipper for his sake. "What goes up must come down. At least you won't be working against gravity this time."

Smug, the Doctor took out a silver whistle. "You are more than welcome to go down by foot, if you wish. However, I thought we might enjoy a different method of descent."

As they watched in bemusement, he blew the whistle, although no sound could be heard. Soon, the summit was filled with a familiar mechanical wheezing, and the TARDIS appeared several feet away.

"Emergency Program Four," he explained proudly. "Calls the TARDIS to its pilot."

"Who's piloting the ship? Brax?"

The Doctor looked at Jack like he'd gone mental. "Why would anyone need to be inside the TARDIS for it to work? That would defeat the purpose of the emergency program, wouldn't it?"

Melissa snorted with amusement. No wonder the Doctor was so smug. He'd finally fixed the glitch in the program.

"Of course it would, Doc," Jack agreed dryly. "Don't know how I could have thought of something so stupid."

"Don't let it bother you, Captain. Not everyone can have my brilliance."

As they walked towards the ship, he added nonchalantly, "Did I happen to mention that this particular TARDIS comes equipped with a hot tub?"

"Fantastic!"

Melissa had to agree.

Cocooned between the Doctor and Jack, Melissa couldn't sleep. Both men were worn out from a day of climbing and a night of passionate lovemaking, but she felt oddly alert. She briefly considered checking on Hope and Owen, but she didn't want to disturb her bond mates' rest. Staring at the ceiling, she resigned herself to a night of introspection.

Owen had recently celebrated his second birthday and was becoming a very expressive little boy. Unfortunately, his favorite expression at the moment seemed to be 'no'. She'd never dealt with the terrible twos before. Susan and Matthew had fit much more into the defiant threes, and she could only hope this phase of Owen's disappeared as quickly as theirs had.

Hope posed an altogether different problem. Her intellect was poised to rival the Doctor's, but her caution had not developed at the same rate. They were constantly finding her conducting experiments that had the potential for catastrophe, or challenging herself physically in such a reckless manner that Jack now sported a few gray hairs.

Still, she wouldn't change a thing. For the first time in many years, she was truly content. Her children were a blessing, no matter the cost. Her relationship with the Doctor once again mirrored the incredible rapport they had shared before Athena's death. And, Jack's presence by her side made her feel complete in a way she had never thought possible.

She felt comfortable in her home, content to be nothing more than a mother and wife. Her duties as head of the household were not onerous, and there were many people that she counted as friend. Brax visited several times a week, still trying to entice her back to the High Council, but his invitations were perfunctory and easily ignored.

Even her nightmares of the Time War had finally lost their sting, although the guilt of what she had done would always remain. Rassilon and the Bad Wolf would forever haunt her dreams, but only the Library still held the power to frighten her. Secretly, she studied its history, wondering if there was a way to change her fate. Most of the time, however, she was content to live in the present, rather than the future or the past.

After several hours of similar thoughts, she noticed that Jack began to toss and turn. He finally settled, and she assumed he'd gone back to sleep until she felt his hands tighten against her waist.

"Not tired?"

"I should be," she admitted quietly. "I just can't seem to stop thinking."

One of his hands found her breasts and the other the base of her head. His tender strokes mesmerized, more soothing than provocative. Slowly, she felt her mind empty.

"Better?"

"With you? Always."

His hands gradually stilled, and again she thought him asleep until his troubled whisper broke the silence. "I can't stand the thought of you dying, Sweetheart."

"Jack, we're all going to die." Then, with a confident lilt in her voice, she added, "But, it won't be today."

Suddenly, she felt a pair of strong, warm arms wrapping around them both. "Everything ends, Captain—even this. A wise man once told me to grieve once it's gone, not before."

Jack relaxed. "That brother of yours is too smart for his own good, Doc. But, I guess this one time, his advice makes sense."

Seeking affirmation, they slipped deep into their bond to join as one. They shared their strength and joy with the firm belief that life would be fantastic for many years to come.

And it was.

-The End