Author's Notes: And here we have the second chapter! There will be two more chapters after this one, as Rassilon has a lot of work to do. We know that he brought Tosh, Owen and Suzie back from the dead so far. One is working for Jack again; one is working with Liam Grady, while the third will be Rassilon's new Companion (one of them). So, let's see here … who's missing? (evil smile) That will be in the next chapter, and the final chapter will see the first encounter between the Doctor (the 11th) and Rassilon since the Doctor's regeneration. In this chapter, Jack investigates an anomaly in town and encounters an old enemy; Rassilon comes face to face with his youngest child; while Koschei/the Master remembers his past and makes a decision about his future, as well as the future of a former partner in crime. (second evil smile)
Chapter Two
A Father and Son Reunion
Dupres, OK
Two weeks after the containment of the Gelfth
Under normal circumstances, Carlyon Tregarth didn't like to send his people into situations by themselves … even if that person was an immortal who came back to life every time he died. That was the case ever since their first (and hopefully, last and only) encounter with the Kinnickkinnock. However, Rex and Jason were investigating a Rift spike; Lucas was doing maintenance on their helicopter; Octavia and Owen were interviewing the denizens of Dupres in the wake of the Gelfth's attack a few weeks earlier; while Sophia, Priscilla and Adriane were at lunch with the newest member of the family, getting to know (respectively) their granddaughter, daughter, and older sister Esther/Juliana; and Carlyon accompanied Natalie to interview Ailsa's new teacher. All of which left Jack to investigate an anomaly coming from the building beside their home for veterans, on his own. And that was fine with him. He was never entirely comfortable with Carlyon's directive … he could take care of himself, but if he was dead, he wouldn't be in a position to protect anyone else.
The truth was, he needed the time to clear his head. Seeing Tosh again hurt, in a good way. There were other notables from that situation; for one, he was thoroughly amused when Tosh gave Adriane Tregarth the shovel talk on Owen's behalf (and equally bemused when she gave Esther the exact same talk on his behalf). That was all before she kissed him (and Owen) good-bye before vacating Natalie's body. At least this time, a member of his team asked permission before taking over Natalie's body … they still weren't sure what Suzie was doing, and Jack wasn't sure if they'd ever know.
It was important. He knew that much. But for now, he had other things to worry about. Jack raced lightly up the steps of the building where the anomaly was first noticed, carefully pushing the door open and stepping inside. Jack waited while his eyes acclimated to the change in lighting and glanced around, checking for potential issues. At first glance, it was just your prototypical deserted building … aside from the slight, dark-haired man standing in front of him. Jack's Webley was in his hand and aimed at the newcomer between one breath and the next.
The man offered him a small smile, saying in a soft Scottish burr, "There's no need for that, Jack, although I suppose I can't blame you for keeping it handy." He knew Jack's name. That did nothing to alleviate Jack's concern. There was something unnervingly familiar about the stranger. A possibility occurred to him … The stranger continued, "You know, this isn't how I pictured this meeting. I would have figured that you would have shot me by now. Then again, you weren't here the last time I tried to take over the planet." Jack's blood ran cold as that possibility grew stronger, and the man's smile grew broader, though not friendlier. He observed coolly, "Really, I hadn't thought it would take you so long to figure it out, Jack … I know I made more of an impression, after that Year we spent together. You and those children on your team."
There were times when Jack really hated being right. The immortal flicked the safety back on, slammed the Webley back into its holster, and then he started forward. There was a flicker of fear, or trepidation, in the Master's eyes as Jack's fingers twisted in the bastard's collar and he slammed the Master hard into the wall, hissing, "You go near them, near any of them, and Doctor or no Doctor, I will kill you. Hell, I may kill you right now!" His hands were actually wrapped around the Master's throat as he remembered Tish and Clive and Francine, and the hell that the Master put them through; as he remembered the sight of his team dying, one by one.
Jack wanted to kill the bastard right here, right now, to make sure he could never do such a thing to Jack's home again. But he couldn't. It wasn't because the Doctor wouldn't have approved. He did a lot of things that the Doctor didn't approve of. But there was something in the Master's dark eyes that stopped him … that fear or trepidation that Jack noticed earlier. He also saw sadness … sympathy … but what was missing was the disgust that he remembered, that strange mixture of revulsion and curiosity as he killed Jack over and over.
The trembling immortal released his tormentor. The Master shook his head as he rubbed his throat and observed softly, wonderment obvious in his voice, "Unbelievable. You had your hands around my throat, literally … and you let me go. Me, the monster who spent an entire year torturing you just because I could and to get a reaction out of that worthless Time Lord who calls himself the Doctor. Oh, I know, you drew my attention to force me to leave the Jones family alone, but the truth remains. I hurt you in every way possible, Jack Harkness, and when you literally had me in your grasp, when you could have ended me once and for all, you let me go. You are truly a stronger man than I am … and truly bigger on the inside."
"What kind of game are you playing, Master?" Jack rasped out. It was the same man who tortured him for that horrific year, but at the same time, it wasn't. Dizziness swept over him and he gasped, "What the hell did you do to me?" Jack looked down at himself, but saw no syringes sticking out of his body. He raised his head with some difficulty, forcing himself to focus on the Master … whose hands were empty and his expression genuinely worried. Jack's knees buckled and he began to collapse. To top off an already-extremely confusing encounter, the Master's worry gave way to fear and he actually moved forward to catch Jack.
As his nemesis cradled him, easing him to the ground, he called, "Rassilon! By the stars, if this is one of your games, it needs to end right now! Your son needs you!" A cool hand cupped Jack's cheek, and the Master hissed, "Damn you, you do not get to do this to me! I don't know what's happening to you, Handsome Jack, but you will fight it!" A shadow fell over the two men and Jack looked up, dazed, to find Ray Zilon, the Colasanto gardener, standing there. Ray Zilon. Rassilon. The first among Time Lords, the key to his lost memories … and that knowledge sent Jack spinning into oblivion as his greatest enemy cradled him close.
TWTWTWTWTWTWTW
He knew there was a chance that his son would react badly to seeing Koschei again … so did the erstwhile Master … but his agent wanted this chance to talk to Jack first. Just to be safe (and unbeknownst to Koschei), Rassilon brought along a sedative for his fallen child because he knew just how aggravating Koschei could be to a saint. As much as Rassilon loved his son, Jack was no saint and he certainly wasn't an angel. As it turned out, he brought the sedative for the wrong person … if he'd known that part of his 'making amends' speech included taunting Jack about that horrific Year, Rassilon would have knocked Koschei unconscious, bound and gagged him, and stuck him in a cupboard! As it was, he had to fire a sedative-laden dart into his son's calf, to prevent him from triggering another regeneration for the younger Time Lord.
"What the hell did you do to him? I thought … never mind," Koschei snapped, still cradling Jack in his arms as Rassilon approached. Evidently, he now saw the dart sticking out of Jack's lower leg. The Prime motioned for the fallen Time Lord to give him his son, which Koschei did without a second thought. Rassilon wanted to close his eyes and savor the feeling of having his son in his arms once more, although once, just once, it would be nice if he wasn't unconscious or dead. Rassilon kissed the top of Jack's head, running his fingers through the dark hair, as Koschei added, "Just how much was in that sedative anyhow?"
"Enough to take down a fully-grown elephant, so with Jack's metabolism, he should be waking up in about five minutes or so. I actually intended to use that sedative on you, if you decided to get manic. Using it on my son wasn't part of the plan, until you decided to goad him. What were you thinking? He could have killed you!" Rassilon fumed, stroking his son's cheek lightly. He was aware that he probably looked ridiculous, petting the face of his grown son, but he came to realize that petting and stroking could be quite relaxing. And after the idiotic stunt Koschei just pulled, he needed all the relaxation he could get.
"I … wasn't. Thinking, that is. I was a bit put out that Jack didn't recognize me," Koschei admitted, sounding more than a little sheepish. Rassilon barely managed to keep from rolling his eyes, especially when Koschei added, sounding more than a little surprised, "So, you knocked your son unconscious because you were afraid Jack would choke me to death." Rassilon smiled a bit grimly, appreciating that Koschei was referring to his son by his name, rather than one of his appalling 'nicknames.'
"Indeed. As it happened, it was unnecessary, but each life my son takes weighs on him," Rassilon answered, brushing a lock of hair away from his child's brow. Koschei's jaw dropped and Rassilon added, "You would have regenerated. I did it for him, not for you." Koschei closed his mouth with a snap, as Rassilon continued, "Understand me, and understand me well, Koschei. I regret what I did to you. I do. But if it comes to a choice between you and my son, I will choose my son. You've had many chances to get it right. This is your last one."
Koschei's jaw worked for a long moment, obviously not pleased with the Prime's words, but then he ducked his head and murmured, "Understood, my Lord President." He looked back up at Rassilon, sighing, "And you're right. I have had more chances than just about anyone … and taunting Jack like that was a foolish thing to do. My Lord President … I noticed something, or rather a lack of something. Jack … he feels differently. He …" Koschei was interrupted when Jack awoke as he came back to life, gasping for breath and thoroughly disoriented. Rassilon held him tightly, partly to calm him and partly to make sure that he didn't accidently (on purpose) clout Koschei, much as the younger Time Lord might deserve it.
As it was, his youngest son growled at his former tormentor and Rassilon touched his cheek once more, drawing Jack's attention back to himself. The blue eyes focused on him, and Jack murmured, "Ray Zilon. Rassilon, first among Time Lords. I've heard of you … brilliant, mad Rassilon. Never thought I'd meet you while you were pretending to be a gardener in a former lover's estate." The Prime touched his son's cheek again, with infinite tenderness. He guessed that his little boy wasn't yet feeling up to flirting with him. As it turned out, he thought that a little bit too soon, because a moment later, Jack added, "I'd forgotten how attractive you were. Maybe didn't notice the first time, since I'd just been gassed to death repeatedly."
Rassilon ignored Koschei's somewhat disgusted look, since Jack had no idea that he was flirting with his own father (yet), and instead replied, "I'm flattered, little one … but as beautiful as you are yourself, I'll have to turn down your kind offer." He wished now that he'd done things differently the second time they met, as Time Lord and Time Agent during the Time War, but at the time, he was protecting his son, even though there were many Time Lords who knew of Jack's bloodline. What was past was past, and what was past was prologue, and he needed to worry about the here and now.
"Too bad. So, what can I do for the First of the modern Time Lords?" Jack asked hoarsely. He added with a frown, "And do you know what happened to me? I don't get sick … well, not very often." Koschei snickered and Jack growled, "You and I have unfinished business, Master. Enjoy this while you can." Koschei abruptly stopped laughing (wisest action he'd taken yet), and Jack continued, "And while I'm thinking about it, why can you stand to be close to me? I've been very reliably informed that I'm Wrong, that it's painful for a Time Lord to look at me."
Rassilon bristled … but not enough for Jack to notice. Instead, he looked over his child's head to Koschei and asked simply, "Theta?" When Koschei nodded, Rassilon told his son, "You aren't Wrong. You're a Fixed Point in Time and Space, but you aren't Wrong. If you were Wrong, I would have ended you while you were unconscious." Son or not, Rassilon would have done it. He was rewarded with a small smile from his son, and Rassilon repeated, "You are not Wrong. And even if you were, that wasn't your choice. Being near you causes me no pain … and, you are not causing Koschei pain, either. And let's get you up from the floor."
"That's what I was seeing … the absence of disgust," Jack murmured as Koschei and Rassilon both helped him to his feet. He looked from one Time Lord to the other, saying, "What's happened?" Well, that covered a great deal of ground! Jack continued, blue eyes narrowed thoughtfully, "And while we're on the subject … you … we've met before. Not just at Angelo's estate, but before then. I've always thought that it was the Time Agency who took those two years of memories … but it wasn't." Behind Jack, Koschei was making faces and Rassilon wished he could reach around his son to slap the back of the younger Time Lord's head.
"You are indeed correct, child. And yes, to me, you are a child. Both of you are. The first thing you need to know, little one, is that you did nothing wrong. I know that fear has haunted you from the moment you woke up, so long ago. But you did nothing wrong, you committed no crime. Instead, there were crimes committed against you. When Theta-Nine left you on the Game Station, it was not the first time you were harmed by the action of a Time Lord. The truth is, Jack … you fought in the Time War. I knew of your Time Agency, and I requested you specifically," Rassilon answered, his voice trembling. It was the moment of truth, and he had no idea if he was ready.
His son asked the most obvious question, "Why?" His brow furrowed and for a moment, Rassilon saw the infant lying in the arms of the Time Lord he trusted above all others. Jack shook his head, saying, "I was just a kid from the Boeshane Peninsula … I was good at my job, sure, but I wasn't the best at anything. You could have gotten anyone in the Time Agency. Why me?" There was no insecurity in Jack's tone … he was simply telling the truth as he understood it to be. Jack added, almost to himself, "And why do I believe you? I don't even know you."
"You do know me, child. You don't remember knowing me, but you do," Rassilon answered hoarsely, both of his hearts pounding in his chest. Koschei backed off, giving the father and son some much needed room. He swallowed hard and told his child, "It's long past time for you to get those memories of yours back. Are you ready?" Jack's eyes flickered away as he thought about that. Rassilon didn't push the boy. He'd had so long to let go of his bitterness and resentment. But the questions remained in his mind, and slowly, Jack nodded. Rassilon smiled tenderly at his little boy, fingers lightly caressing his temples, and said, "Then close your eyes, my little one. I'll allow no harm to come to you. Close your eyes and remember."
Jack's blue eyes flickered, before closing all together. Rassilon murmured, "That's it. You're safe here, sweet boy." Koschei watched with a slightly troubled expression … no doubt, because he was remembering his own encounter with the young man, so many years ago. The drums deafened him to those memories. While Koschei never had much use for humanity, aside from a lure to annoy the Doctor, the Master was the first Time Lord to realize who Jack was … and he swore to Rassilon that he would allow no harm to come to his young Prince. When Rassilon asked why, the Master smiled humorlessly and replied, 'because if that young ape is hurt or worse, killed, your rage would end the universe. And as you've noticed, I rather like living.'
Koschei was evidently remembering that as well, for his lips formed the words, 'So long as I draw breath, no harm shall come to your son.' He shook his head, mouthing, 'so much for my promises.' But he turned and walked away, standing at the door to keep watch. The Prime wouldn't be surprised if his agent didn't go back in time and have a word with that particular incarnation … and then unleash him on his previous incarnation. If he did, he was fairly certain that Jack would sell tickets. Rassilon closed his eyes, focusing on his son's brilliant, amazing mind … found the lock which he needed … and turned the key.
TWTWTWTWTWTWTW
So long as I draw breath, no harm shall come to your son. Well … so much for that vow! Then again, once that worthless idiot took the shot that nearly killed Jack, Koschei's promise was broken. Of course, he was away from the young prince's side at the time, checking into something that caught Jack's attention, and thus, neither Prime nor prince held it against him. But the fact remained that Jack was harmed while supposedly under Koschei's protection. That promise was broken further on the Valiant, and Koschei shuddered as he remembered.
When they met again, after so many centuries, he told his old friend that he ran during the Time War. That actually didn't happen until after Rassilon's son nearly died in his arms. It wasn't the first time he was less than honest with Theta, and he was quite certain that it wouldn't be the last. And as he said, it wasn't even that he cared about what happened to Jack, but he did care about his own skin. Rassilon told that foolish Colasanto bitch whom Koschei so enjoyed tormenting that if a father was powerful enough, he could make the world tremble before his rage. The truth was, if Jack died, Rassilon would have ended the whole universe.
Since he and Rassilon were freed from the Time Lock (which evidently had to do as much with an old friend of Rassilon's as much as the need for balance in the universe), Koschei learned far more about what went on after the Lord President sent him away. And that, he learned, wasn't because of his failure to protect Jack at all … but because Rassilon even then feared that victory in the Time War would come at too high of a price, and he had to ensure that at least one Time Lord survived … even if that Time Lord was the Master.
Koschei thought briefly about being insulted by that caveat, and then ruefully admitted that if only one member of your race could survive, your first choice wouldn't be one who was obsessed with immortality and causing trouble for his old school friend. On the contrary, it would be the aforementioned old school friend, since he was the only one …
Koschei's mind stuttered to a stop, especially when he saw Rassilon's smirk. Koschei sighed and observed, "Well, I guess I should give up the title of 'Master,' because you're the real Master." Rassilon roared with laughter and toasted Koschei, before his young assistant (who once worked for Jack) refilled his water glass. He eventually retired to Jack's caravan to tinker, giving Koschei time alone with Suzie … alone time which they both very much enjoyed. Now there was a young lady who was quite inventive in bed. Koschei wondered what would have happened if she was his chosen consort, rather than Lucy, and then dismissed it … Suzie was dead at the time. A pity, too … he could imagine the fun they would have had.
A choked-back cry from Jack had him turning back toward the father and son, and Koschei shuddered as Rassilon returned his son's memories to him. He remembered those times all too well … remembered how that oh-so-young Jack Harkness (though that wasn't the name he used then) could make him laugh; remembered the days and nights the father and son would spend in Rassilon's laboratory; and above all, remembered his Prime's fury as his youngest child nearly died in Koschei's arms after that fool attacked him. It seemed that he was trying to provoke Rassilon into a rage. He succeeded … and doomed himself. Koschei was still unclear about the details … he was too busy trying to prevent Jack's death, and he really didn't care about what happened to anyone stupid enough to cross Rassilon.
Koschei's hearts nearly broke when he heard his prince choke out, "So I didn't do anything wrong?" Captain Jack Harkness should never sound like that, he thought a bit numbly, not even when I killed him repeatedly did he ever sound like that. No matter how badly I hurt him, I never made him sound like that. Jack went on, sounding shocked and shattered and hopeful and heartbroken, "I was so afraid I'd done something terrible. I told Rose that maybe the Doctor was right not to trust me."
"You weren't the guilty party, child … I was. And for that, I am beyond sorry. There … there is one more secret that must be told," Rassilon said quietly. For the first time since awakening as a sane Time Lord (no drums or a desire for immortality), Koschei saw fear in his Prime's expression. He feared being rejected by his child, and rather than rejoice in the older Time Lord's weakness, rather than scorn Rassilon for his vulnerability, Koschei felt something far more unexpected: compassion.
But there was another surprise in store. By now, Koschei knew, he really should be used to them. The Impossible Man and his father would always be good for surprises. Jack answered simply, "You're my father. Yes, Papa. I remember." Now it was Rassilon's turn to cry out, as he cupped his son's face in his hands. It made Koschei's hearts hurt to see, but this was a good ache. Oh, bloody hell, he thought with no small amount of chagrin, I'm turning into the Doctor! He looked away once more as Rassilon peppered his youngest child's face with kisses, before pulling Jack into his arms once more. There were some things that you just weren't meant to see, and that topped the list so far as the once-insane Time Lord was concerned.
Then again, that was par for the course so far as this odd little family was concerned. Koschei's mind seized on that. Family. The Families. He knew that his one-time partners in crime were still around and still intent on causing trouble. At the time, it seemed like a good idea, partnering with the Families to create a new Gallifrey. And that particular self, who was the counterpart to the Doctor's third, fourth and fifth incarnations, was far saner than his most recent incarnation. And talk about damning with faint praise, as the humans were so fond of saying!
Well, there was no help for it. Because when he and Rassilon were freed from the Time Lock, when he was healed of the drums, something that was missing found its way into his psyche and ended his fascination with, his desire for, immortality. He still didn't know what Rassilon did to him, but he now realized that immortality was more of a curse than a blessing. Koschei thought about what he did to Jack on the Valiant during that Year, and for the first time, he realized that as an immortal, he could well fall victim to another with similar designs and designs. He was a Time Lord, yes, but as a Time Lord, he wasn't infallible or invulnerable. He thought about a young immortal who endured a Year of torment and experimentation, and yet was still sane at the end of that time. Not unscathed, no. Far from it. But he was sane, and Koschei knew that under the exact same conditions, he couldn't have said the same thing.
He realized now, too, that it would ultimately be his responsibility to bring down the Families. Jack stopped them once, and would continue stopping them, but it wasn't Jack who created the situation: it was Koschei. That made it Koschei's responsibility. With a small smile, he realized the trouble he could cause now that he was truly sane. And he would cause trouble for the Doctor … just as he would cause trouble for the Families. He helped to create the Families by showing them the Gap in the world and helping them to create the Miracle … it would be Koschei who would sow the seeds for their ultimate and final destruction.
For the first time since looking into the Untempered Schism as a young child, thus birthing his dreams and desires for immortality, Koschei had a purpose. His purpose was to bring about the end of the Families. Not because he cared anything about Earth or about the apes, but because no being, whether Time Lord or human, should have access to that kind of power … power he gave them. And he could continue to annoy and harry and otherwise aggravate the Doctor, because really, even mostly-sane Time Lords needed a hobby, aside from fornicating with lovely, long-legged humans who were trying for redemption.
And speaking of Suzie … Rassilon had what he wanted. His son was back in his arms, with his memories restored. Koschei closed his eyes for a moment, searching the time lines to see if his Prime would need him in the foreseeable future. Excellent. He and his son would spend the next several hours catching up and learning about each other. Koschei happened to know that against Rassilon's orders, Suzie followed them to this quaint little town in Oklahoma and was in fact staying in a hotel on the outskirts. There was no telling what kind of mischief the two of them could make in the next few hours. With that in mind, Koschei slipped out of the building, allowing Rassilon this much needed time with his son.
TBC