O.o I'm SO sorry I haven't updated in forever. I got really caught up in exams and piled under work. Anyway, I finally got caught up and I plan on regularly updating again. I'd like to thank everyone for their reviews, like always, they're very supportive and helpful.

And, no, I still don't own Doctor Who. Wishing only gets you so far, sadly...

Even more interesting that than introducing new companions to the TARDIS, the Doctor found, was introducing companions to the Master. Before he'd even landed the TARDIS, the Doctor made three predictions. The first being that Rory would put on a brave face for all of about a minute before the Master managed to demoralize him. Secondly, Amelia Pond and the Master would not get along in any way, shape or form. And, finally, life around the TARDIS wouldn't be easy. Then again, when was life in the TARDIS ever easy?

What actually happened, however, was a bit far from what he expected. Of course, the Master's reaction to the nurse went according to the Doctor's predictions. For the first several seconds, Rory merely stared. After the Doctor casually made introductions and warned the Ponds quickly about the Master, Rory placed himself in front of his wife. The Master, sensing he human's discomfort with a dangerous alien in such close proximity, let loose a malicious grin, "Oh, don't worry, ape. I only bite when I'm hungry and I've already had breakfast. Save your energy for lunch." Prediction one complete.

The Doctor gave a dramatic sigh, "Are you honestly proud of that?"

The other timelord turned his grin to his enemy, "Wouldn't you like to know, Theta?"

And then things began to turn in a direction the Doctor hadn't predicted. Amy stepped in front of her husband, watching the timelord with a manic grin. She pointed at the Doctor without taking her eyes from the Master, "You know him? I mean, really know him."

The Master tilted his head a bit, inspecting the redhead. The Doctor did not like the look on his face. "Of course I know him. I tutored him," the Master said, turning a particularly evil glance toward that Doctor.

Said timelord quickly rushed towards the bleach blonde and stated shoving him back into the hall of the TARDIS by his shoulders, "Alright. That's lovely and all, but I think we should give the poor man some time to get properly cleaned up."

The Master slipped slyly under the Doctor's pushing arms and turned to face him, grin in place, "See, Doctor? For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. For example, your imprisoning me here with you has lead me to the opportunity to tell wonderful and colorful stories to these beloved companions of yours about our past."

The Doctor narrowed his eyes and pointed to the Master's chest like a mother scolding her child, "You're forgetting that I still owe you for all of those times you've tried to take over the world and imprison me."

"I was trying to kill you," the Master hissed.

"Of course you were," the Doctor shot back with a knowing smile.

The grin melted right off of the other timelord's face to be replaced with a scowl, "I was simply waiting for you to watch as I killed your companion."

The Doctor shook his head, "Of course. If that's what puts you to sleep at night. Just one more thing: why save me that Christmas? Hm?"

"Why wouldn't I kill him? He destroyed my life! It was revenge; pure and simple."

"I thought that you enjoyed what you do."

"I'd like to take this time to let you know, dear Theta," the Master sneered, "that the universe doesn't revolve around your massive ego!" Amy laughed.

The Doctor shot her a glare before returning his attention to his once friend turned enemy. "Don't listen to him, Pond. He'll use you to make his escape." The Master shrugged casually before he simply sat down and leaned against the wall of the control room. The Doctor watched him carefully for a few minutes before turning his attention to the TARDIS's controls.

Rory took the chance to approach the Doctor. "You said he's dangerous. Why is he in here, then?" he asked, trying unsuccessfully to be quiet.

The Doctor didn't pull his attention from the TARDIS, "Because he's my responsibility."

The Master scoffed and rolled his eyes, "Then why don't you do what you do with the rest of your responsibilities and toss me out into the time vortex?" There was no answer. While Rory argued with the Doctor, Amy took the time to stand next to the newest TARDIS traveler.

"So, what are you two? Friends? Brothers? Something else?" she asked, trying to sound as casual as possible.

He frowned and watched the Doctor fiddling with the controls. "Why would I answer you, ape?" he said, almost absently.

She shrugged, "I don't know. It was worth a try. It's not like he's going to tell me anything. He likes to be so mysterious."

The Master shook his head, "That isn't the point of it."

"Then, what is?" Amy asked, trying to get as much from the new alien as possible.

He finally turned his full attention to her. When he spoke, he spoke with enough volume to project to the Doctor, "Because he's an idiot who thinks he has to safe the universe to make up for not saving his planet."

"I heard that!" the Doctor snapped, "There will be none of this... consorting on my own ship!"

"Keep your eyes on the road, raggedy man!" Amy shouted, "I'm not done snooping!"

"You'll not be snooping in my past on my ship with me standing eight feet away from you!" the Doctor instructed.

'Seven feet three inches," the Master interjected in an attempt to rally the Doctor's anger. Anything to make him angry. Angry meant mistakes and mistakes meant escape. More than that, anger from the Doctor was much easier to deal with than that self-righteous stare of his. It was something the Master wanted to avoid, even if it came at a rather heavy cost.

"You hush," the Doctor said, "And you, Pond! You realize that that man you're standing next to would kill you if it benefited him?"

"Believe me, Doctor, if I'm going to kill anyone on this blasted ship, it would be you," the Master said, closing his eyes, "At the moment, anyway."

"Does he just threaten you like this all of the time?" Rory asked, "And you're just keeping him around?"

The Doctor flipped another switch on the TARDIS and the familiar sound of takeoff echoed through the room, "He's a genius, Rory. Think of it this way; it would be brilliant times two. Besides, I think that we may just need an extra bit of brilliant sometime soon."

"I just have one question, Doctor," Amy said, walking towards her boys.

"What's that, Pond?"

Amy snickered, "Is your name really Theta?"

The Doctor leered at the Master, "It was a nickname."

The TARDIS gave a nasty lurch, sending everyone but the Master who was seated stumbling. Prediction there, complete.

Well, there you go. Hopefully it wasn't too bad. ^.^ I hope to update soon. Then we get to find out where the Doctor has decided to take the gang.