The Year that Never Was

Chapter 1

He stood proudly at the large window on the deck of The vaillant sipping from a glass of the finest malt whiskey, He gazed down upon the burnt ruins and grinned widely, so wide it made his madness flow from every pore of his being. "ohhh so much death and destruction...Isn't It good Doctor, isn't it just wonderful?" he spoke full of joy. "My children have done wonders, don't you agree?" as he spoke he never took his eyes off his new dominion, his world, he was master of all and damn it made him feel good.

He stared in awe for a while longer then spun around excitedly on his heels to face the deck. He tilted his head and focused his eyes on the old, decrepit man sat in the centre of the room "Awww what's wrong Doctor?" he mock pouted "Have your hearts been broken into four? Have you been crying yourself to sleep?" The Doctor sat silently in his wheelchair not giving the Master the satisfaction of a reply. "TALK TO ME!" The Master yelled becoming irritated by The Doctors lack of response "Its no fun if you Don't answer!" he moaned like a spoilt child.

Rolling his eyes he finally made his way back down the steps from the viewing area towards The Doctor. He squatted before him so their eyes were level "Your silence will not change a thing Doctor...My children have already killed a nice percentage of the population" he stood up straight and downed the rest of his whiskey, slamming the glass on the nearby table and winced from the alcohol burning down his throat. "You should be proud of me Doctor...I never made anything of myself back on Gallifrey...and look at me now" his expression was one of pure smugness "Master of earth...and soon the universe." He looked at the Doctor waiting for him to talk but nothing passed his lips "Oh for gods sake you are hopeless" He gave up and walked away to the lift and pressed the button, as the doors opened he frowned "If I'm getting no joy out of you, I'll go find Lucy...I'm sure I get some entertainment there" he raised his eyebrows up and down with a fixed grin. "pleasant nightmares Doctor" the lift doors closed behind him and all that could be heard was the Masters demanding voice calling his wife "LUCY SWEETHEART, YOUR MASTER IS WAITING!.

A couple of hours had passed since Harry had had enough of irritating the doctor and returned upstairs to his wife.

Lucy sat huddled in her red robe in the corner of the masters Bedroom sobbing quietly, a fresh black eye had started to appear. She glanced over to the kingsize bed where The Master was now sleeping almost contentedly under the black silk sheets. How could he have no conscience, no guilt at what he did to her every waking day.

She remembered when she had first met him, he had won over her heart, he used to wine and dine her, he had even won over her family, her father had given Harry the go ahead to marry her and she was too loved up to say no. "What a fool I was" she thought.

For the moment she was too scared to move in case she disturbed him, She wanted to make sure he was completely asleep before she made any attempt to get up. the dread flowed through her at the thought of him waking up and beating her...or even worse he would rape her again. she didn't give her consent to him any more, but that never stopped him.

she had been on the valliant for 6 months now, and things had took a turn for the worst. Harry only used and abused her nowadays she was nothing more than a toy to him, one that he could play with when he pleased and chuck to the side when he didn't.

She took a deep breath wiping away her tears she finally plucked up the courage to stand up and creep out of the room, she couldn't help but look at him once more, noticing that even when he slept he looked like a smug bastard.

Once out of the bedroom Lucy felt relieved and made her way to the lift. she had to speak to the Doctor, she needed to understand why Harry treated her this way, Why he felt the need to have all this power, she knew the only person that could answer her mind full of questions would be The Doctor.

The lift doors opened onto the deck and there still sat in his wheelchair in the dimly lit room was the doctor. Lucy approached him cautiously "D..Doctor?" she asked softly. The old man turned his head to face her, his eyes had so much love and wisdom in them. "Lucy?..Does he know you have come down here?...Its not wise" he spoke with such concern. He is so different to Harry she thought. "No...he's sleeping...I...I needed to speak with you, I have questions...about...about Harry. The Doctor frowned "If he finds out you have come down here..." he began, but Lucy butt in before he could finish "He won't..." The Doctor sighed "ok...but please be quick I don't want you to get hurt" he suddenly saw her eye "oh...he's beaten you again?..." a look of sorrow appeared on The Doctors face "I'm so so sorry...I really am." "Its not your fault Doctor, It was 'his' fists, not yours" he shook his head "No..but I am responsible for him!...he's all I've got left, I need to stop him..help him..." he frowned deeply "Doctor.." Lucy started "Why...Why is he like this?" the Doctor looked away for a moment as if contemplating his past "It started on Gallifrey... our home planet, we..." he stopped mid sentence as a rumbling noise sounded, the lift was moving downwards, He looked up his eyes wide. "Oh Lucy..I'm so sorry" he said as the lift doors opened, and there stood the Master in his black silk robe, his bed hair all over the place which made him look like a madman that had escaped from an asylum. "Oh look...what have we here...having a little mothers meeting are we?" he spoke full of sarcasm "Do you really think you could go behind my back Lucy? You forget I have eyes all over this ship!" as he said this there was a buzz and a round silver sphere shot out of the lift then hovered by Harry's head. "Did you forget my children Lucy...?" he grinned widely "Master...we had to warn you...shall we kill the pretty lady now...may we slice and dice her mister master?" the sphere spoke in a metallic voice and flew around like an over excitable insect "No..I will deal with her..." he shot Lucy a evil glare then looked to the sphere "You may go my" he said waving his hand dismissively, the toclaphane obeyed then disappeared.

"So..my Lucy, my beautiful Lucy...what to do with you my sweet?..." he tapped his chin mockingly, contemplating her fate "Back to bed I think...I'll be with you shortly" he stared at her grief stricken face which he knew would make the whole experience all the more pleasurable. "off you go...run along" she glanced briefly at the doctor worriedly then disappeared into the lift.

"so then Doctor, just you and me again...Am I going to get the silent treatment again? hmm?" The Doctor looked saddened "Master...please you have to stop this...I can help you, I'm begging you, just stop" The Master choked back a laugh "oh look at that the old man does have a voice after all...even though it is a pleading one. "he smirked then raised his arm swinging a punch in the Doctors face "Didn't anyone tell you shouldn't speak to other peoples wife's about their husbands behind their backs?" he hissed full of venom.

The Doctor held his face but continued to plead with the man before him. no one would have ever believed that they were once best friends "Look, please...just listen" The master rolled his eyes disgustedly "NO!...YOU LISTEN TO ME!" he breathed heavy in anger "you go behind my back again I won't be held responsible for my actions!...do you understand!"

The Doctor knew there was no reasoning with him while he was in this state so he just nodded obediently. "good! now...lets see where my Lucy's gotten too" he smiled insanely pushing the wheelchair bound Doctor out of his way, then walked back to the lift. "Master!" the Doctor called "please don't hurt her..." The lift doors closed but not before the Doctor noticed the manic glint in the Masters eyes.

The Doctor frowned full of pure sorrow and guilt "oh god...oh..poor Lucy..."

TBC