Chapter 9: The Last Planet

Posted 10 March 2011

The night on the third planet was spent talking. Sure, there were other things they wanted to do, but it just didn't seem like the time to do it. At the moment, talking to each other and holding each other seemed like the best thing.

When morning came, they were both scared. They tried their best to not let the other know of their fear, but they knew. They knew that it was the beginning of their fourth day together. Would it be their last?

They stood silently and went to meet up with the rest of the tour group. The third planet was quite a spectacle. Animals that walked almost upright. Why did everything always evolve that way? Plants ranging from tiny to skyscraper tall could be found right next to each other.

It wasn't quite as enchanting as the first to, but that didn't matter to either of them. They were equally as fascinated. They'd finally done it. All these years, and they finally made it to the one spot they always aspired to reach. Together.

"Dear guests," the speaker sounded, "thank you for joining us on the guided tour of the Jumper System. We hope your experience was enjoyable. Please board the shuttle back to the first planet where your vehicles are parked."

"We did it." the Doctor said as they hopped in the shuttle.

"I know. Doesn't it feel amazing?" the Master agreed enthusiastically.

"It does. These last few days... have been the greatest ones of my life. And I've had some awesome days in my life."

"You're just saying that."

"No, I'm not. I'll be honest, I've loved other people. You know that. But... the love I have for you can't be matched."

"That just makes it that much harder..."

"Yes. But I don't regret this."

"Oh, neither do I." the Master said honestly.

The shuttle landed and the Doctor guided the Master by the hand back to the TARDIS.

When they got close to her, they could hear her in their heads. She sounded sad.

"Um... can we sit down for a minute?" the Master asked suddenly.

The Doctor did not like the sound of that. "Sure." he took them over to a bench. "Here. Are you ok?" What are you thinking? Of course he's not ok! It's happening. Right now. You're losing him.

"I'm fine." the Master's breathing became heavy. "Woah. No. I'm not fine. Doctor..."

"Come on, I'll carry you." the Doctor scooped him up.

"Carry me where?"

"Back to the TARDIS. We still have one last trip to make." The Doctor carried his love into the ship and laid him in his bed.

The Master felt himself be put down on something soft. He heard a sad voice in his head. The TARDIS. After the Doctor placed a kiss on his forehead and left the room, the Master spoke to her.

"I didn't think I'd be back either." he told her. He continued to answer her thoughts out loud. "Yeah, I'm sorry about that. No, they're beating very slowly, almost a five minutes between each set of four. There isn't anything he can do. You can't do anything either. Of course I don't want to leave him. Yes, I know how he feels. No, I don't have enough energy to communicate telepathically. Where is he taking me? Earth, good. No, I won't be back. Thanks, I'm glad you forgive me. I'm sure. You can hear them? I know it hurts, stop listening. There, see? I told you you to stop listening. Yes, I know they're getting duller. Would you stop listening? They'll drive you crazy, don't think they won't just because you're a TARDIS. Good. No, you're not annoying me. Last words? I suppose I'll have to think of them soon, won't I?"

"Who are you talking to?" the Doctor asked when he entered the room.

"The TARDIS. Have we landed?"

"Yeah. Do you need me to carry you still?"

"I'm afraid so, I can't move my legs." the Master sounded defeated.

"Don't give up yet. You've still got some life in you." the Doctor effortlessly hoisted the Master into his arms again and carried him out of the room. He took him out of the ship and set him down in the soft grass. It was daylight, but they were in a secluded field.

"Earth?" the Master asked as the Doctor laid next to him.

"The one and only."

The Master reached out a hand and felt the grass. "Yep. Definitely Earth."

"Close your eyes. It'll save energy."

"Why would I want to save energy if I can't even look at you?"

"Master, please..."

"No. I had you bring me here so I could see it. I wanted to be here at my one moment of sanity."

"You wanted to die here all along." the Doctor realized.

"How did you know?"

"Why?"

"It seems right, doesn't it? All the people I hurt, the lives I took. Everything I did. And now I die here."

"Don't talk like that."

"It's true. But I'll stop. I don't want us to fight. Not now. Not like this." the Master felt the Doctor's lips touching his. And it was perfect.

"I love you."

"Do you really, though? It's the end for me, Doctor. You can tell me."

"Would I lie to you?" the Doctor asked sadly.

"Yes."

"Not about this."

"I love you too."

"I know."

"Will you burry me here?"

"I can't do that."

"I know." the Master attempted to laugh, but it took all his breath from him.

"I'll have the TARDIS choose a spot. Somewhere that won't be disturbed."

"We all turn to dust eventually, love. It won't matter whether my dust is disturbed or not."

"It'll matter to me."

"I can't hear them..." The master told what he knew for the last few minutes. He felt tears fall on his cheeks. "Tell that Amy girl thanks. If she hadn't said anything, I wouldn't have told you what was happening."

"But... I thought the whole reason you came to me was so we could reconcile..."

"It was. But I never planned on actually telling you. I was going to say my last goodbyes and leave. But when I knew you had feelings for me... I couldn't pass that opportunity up."

"I'm glad we did this." the Doctor said. "I love you more than anything."

"I'm going to have to stop talking." the Master said. He couldn't catch his breath. And it was getting harder to form coherent thoughts. And it was a struggle to move his lips the right way to make sounds.

"Ok. Master, I know this is scary for you, and sad and... I just want you to know that I love you no matter what and I'm... I'm not angry or upset with you at all, ok?" the Doctor paused to see a little nod from the man in his arms. "You're my world." He felt the Master's heartbeat slow until it finally stopped, and his shoulders slumped back.

A/N: That's it. That was the end. Sorry if it stank. But I won't know if it stank or if it smelled delicious unless you review! Thanks :D And thanks to all who stuck with me through this! You're the best!