Author's Note: Checking this, I remembered that writing bits of it (well, most of it) was like being dragged over red hot shards of broken glass by wild, incontinent horses while listening to fingernails and cats' claws on a blackboard. So I'm sorry if bits are tiresome. I was trying to keep to the period, and some of the people are irritating. The ( Read more... )

Chapter Four

John must have fallen asleep at some point in the night, because the sharp beams of sunlight cutting through his curtains in the early morning woke him abruptly. The confusion that had been puzzling him during the night was gone, taking the strange ideas with it, leaving him with the reality of mundane, wonderful everyday life.

He ( Read more... )

Chapter Three

The crowing of the village rooster woke him sharply. He groaned inwardly for a moment, not ready to rise yet. Then he sat bolt upright with a start. What time was it? Was he late?

He had an appointment at nine in the village. It would be just his luck to be late. But … no. Just this once, he was in plenty of time. He wandered ( Read more... )

Chapter Two

He glanced around, half curious, half anxious. He had the impression that the TARDIS’ solution to any problem involving the Master would simply be to jettison whichever room he’s currently inhabiting. Of all the beings the Master hurt, the Doctor is alone in his forgiveness.

In the end, he was struck dumb by the suggestion his ship has ( Read more... )

Thump. Thump. Thump.

The chair was soft and comfortable. The lighting in the study was perfect; warm and cosy, but bright enough to read. Gentle strains of music were streaming from the aged gramophone in the corner. A plate of delicious snacks rested on the desk. It was wonderful, really.

And the Doctor was about eight seconds away from completely ( Read more... )

Author's note: The very final word in this story, and more fun to write than the other four chapters put together! Of course, it helps that it's so short. But sweet, I hope.

Many days later, the Doctor lies half asleep in his bed. Keeping the Master happy has turned out to be exhausting work, albeit of the very best kind. With permission, he’s left ( Read more... )

Author's Note: Here we finally are. I really do apologise for the several, erm, months it took me to write this last chapter. It's completely finished now, even the epilogue, and will be posted through the next 24 hours. And I'm never, ever attempting a project this size again!

The Master watches on a fuzzy data screen as Peliera and the Doctor ( Read more... )

Another part, should've been part of Part 2, but was too long!

For a while, they wander the base in silence. The Doctor is distracted, greatly involved in examining his surroundings for any sign of alien interference.

The Master’s bored. Their last conversation, back in the TARDIS, has left him in a melancholy mood. He wants to leave, and he knows ( Read more... )

This is Part 2 of 4, thanks to LJ and their size limits. It's not as sappy as the last chapter, but I've made up for the sap with wacky skience! No idea if it makes sense. It may not, actually, until you read the final part. All will be revealed. (Bear with me, please?)

The Doctor jumps up and rushes away; the Master stomps after him, caught between ( Read more... )

Firstly and most importantly, huge apologies for how long this update took. Nightmare writer's block, coupled with work problems, coupled with the chest cold/stomach bug combo from hell .... but I'm back now. The fic's finished, and I'll be posting the final three parts over the next day or two. Hope you enjoy, and are happy to know I have a ( Read more... )