A/N: Okay, it was The Doctor who said that every choice we make create an alternative universe where that one particular choice was made differently and created a new turn of events.
And I want to unfold the course of events following one particular decision being made otherwise.
First chapter it's Master's POV, then I plan to write most of in third person style.

UPD: Had to reupload the story, since there seemed to be some ff error, maybe the Master is playing tricks on me, or the name of the chapter is unlucky... But Kyhy(), your review was read and greatly appreciated.


Chapter 1. Bad Day.

Every decent time traveler must be capable of making up fairy good explanations.

When all is said and done, there is just one thing left to set straight.

"You still haven't answered the question. What happens to me?"

Yes, Doctor, tell me – what you are going to do with a man who's almost destroyed your precious Earth? Damn the "almost" part though...

"You're my responsibility from now on. The only Time Lord left in existence."

Oh, no, don't give me that! Now you're the responsible kind. The oh-so-good Doctor, now advancing to become a saint.

"Yeah, but you can't trust him."

Jack looks so funny, all worried, hurrying to state the obvious.

"No. The only safe place for him is the TARDIS."

Now, that's amusing, the logic of it. Really, it is.

"You mean you're just gonna…keep me?"

What is it that he is talking about? Am I some sort of a dog to him? Is he actually going to... have me around all the time? Doesn't that mean that I am going to have him around all the time, whether I like it or not?

"Hmm. If that's what I have to do. It's time to change."

I look up, I try to focus on that tiny black dot on the ceiling – I don't want to hear all that. I don't really know why, but I just don't! It feels that something in me will go wrong if I were to take those words seriously.

"Maybe I've been wandering for too long. Now I'll have someone to care for."

I still can't help hearing that phase to the very last syllable when the bullet hits me.

At first I don't actually understand what has just happened, so I only stare at the Doctor, surprised. Then I start falling down, and as I do I finally see Lucy, still holding a gun in her hand – so, it was her. How ironic.

The Doctor catches me as I fall, lowering me down carefully.

"There you go. I've got you. I've got you."

"Always the women."

"I didn't see her."

You are actually apologizing for not saving me from all the people who want me dead? Bad idea, there's just too many of them, too many even for the almighty Doctor.

"Dying in your arms. Happy now?"

"You're not dying, don't be stupid. It's only a bullet. Just regenerate."

"No." No, Doctor. Don't you get it?

"One little bullet. Come on."

"I guess you don't know me so well. I refuse."

I refuse, Doctor. I choose to die - and to win. How about that? I win, and you are not gonna have it your way. Not again! Not ever again!

"On no, you don't."

I hear that, and the next moment I see that girl, that Matha Jones, right above me. Now, that's quick.

"Time Lord or not, you're not going to die from a wound like that. Not if I can help it".

She pushes Doctor away from me, then puts her hands of the wound and presses. Hey, it hurts, you know? Well, it hurts either way, yeah, but damn it! What the hell is she doing? I had a perfect plan here, I was going to proudly die right now, having it my way – and then get safely resurrected by my faithful followers, but of course – and I was going to see the Doctor in anguish and despair, all tearful and heartbroken – oh, the marvellous sight of that! – as a pleasing free bonus.

And then she had to go and spoil all that.

Remember what I said? Always the women.

"Are you insane?" I inquire, trying my best to distract her, although talking is not exactly the easiest task right now. Well, seriously, I don't even know if I should be indignant or amused, considering the situation. Why should she of all people be trying to save me?

"Have you forgotten? I'm a dangerous madman, who tried to kill you, your family, not even minding the whole..."

"Shut up!" she exclaims, not even letting me finish, and then presses harder. I barely suppress a cry – I'm not going to cry from pain in front of the Doctor! And just how dare she!

"What the..." I start again. Like I am going to listen to her.

" I said SHUT UP! You shouldn't speak in your condition."

What's her problem, really? It's not like I actually shut up because she said so, it's just that...

"Is there a first-aid kit?" she continues, and she's a little bit scary right now.

"Yes?" one of the assistants says doubtfully, not even sure why he was answering – and I can understand him... well, almost. He's human, after all. Never understood them.

"Than get it here NOW!"

Scary. Yes, definitely scary.

"But why, Martha?..." oh, I know that voice! Come on, Francine, I know you should really, really hate me! I made your life a nightmare for a whole year, I was trying so hard! Come on, don't let me down!

"Mom, I know I'm crazy doing this, and I'm sorry, I am, but... you see, I traveled with the Doctor, and then I've seen a lot of people this year – and it made me realize... we shouldn't go on deciding who should live and who should not. If we can help someone, we just do it. And the Doctor has saved us all, he saved me so many times – so if I can do something for him, than I will do it, whether I like it or not."

Oh, just great! More heroic acts and yet more things to do with the Doctor, it's always the Doctor who matters, always always always the Doctor...

And just if that wasn't enough, now I'm starting to loose conscience.

"What now, Doctor? Should we take him to the medical quarters, or?..."

"No, get him to the TARDIS. In there, there's all we need to save him. We just need to get him there in time." Those words are distant, like they're coming through the veil.

Everything gets blurred, and I try to cling to the hope that I will die before they can save me. But knowing TARDIS isn't that far away... Let's face it, my chances are slim.

Damn it. And the day started so well...

And yet the funny thing is – with my conscience slipping into the pain the drums seem to do the same. They're dying away, giving me one tiny moment of piece. It feels so strange – the world without the constant repeat of four beats in my head. So strange, so unnatural. It still hurts like hell, but nevertheless the world feels so...

Before I can finish, everything falls into darkness.


A/N: Well, I would appreciate it if you drop me a line in comments if you think it's worth continuing. Since so much more can be told about those two...

The Doctor doesn't yet fully understand what he's up for, deciding to make the Master "his responsibility" – he's not what one would call the responsible kind, don't you think? Well, when it doesn't come to saving the universe, but rather on the daily basis. And the Master, in turn, is being far away from the mere idea that his priorities between escaping to make some troubles for the universe and getting himself in a life-threatening situations while helping the Doctor on his ridiculous quest to save some stupid race from destruction are about to get changed.

And then, or course, there are the drums.