Elsewhere

Tegan awakens early, after a restless night's sleep, and forces herself to prepare and eat her simple, healthy, boring (God, she's sick of fruit and simple grains and juice) breakfast. She knows it's not logical to expect the Doctor to appear today, but she does. The Master said he entered the code, and the Doctor has never been one to put things off. If he is coming today, she will be ready. If the Master truly intends to return her son to her and leave them in peace if he gets what he wants (but does he really intend any of that, the cynical voice inside her head asks, one she does her best to ignore), then she will be more than ready.

If the Master keeps his word, fine. If not, if he follows his usual pattern of betrayal and double-dealing, well, there's always her belt and her original plan. But she pins her hopes on the Doctor; if anyone can get through a sticky situation and out-think the Master, he can.

She knows the Master will be back, that he plans to have her and John safely nearby. If he were going to meet the Doctor elsewhere, he would take them with him, not trusting them out of his sight at such a delicate juncture. Not after going to so much trouble, putting so much time and effort into taking and keeping them for just this purpose. Bargaining chips, hostages, just something for him to exchange for what he really wants.

It certainly isn't the first time Tegan feels used by the Master, but God willing, it will be the last.

oOo

Kyris opened the TARDIS door. Warm sea air flowed in as he and the others filed out and onto the beach they'd landed next to. Unconsciously, Nyssa stretched, turning with closed eyes to feel the warmth of the tropical sun on her face. "Long time on that space station?" Peri asked. She, too, appeared to be enjoying the view. At least the Master had chosen a paradise for the rendezvous.

Nyssa grinned and opened her eyes. "I guess I didn't realize how much I missed the ground under my feet and sunshine." She turned to Tyrel with shining eyes. "We have to take a vacation after all this is over!"

"If we make it out in one piece." That bit of sour grapes came from Ace. Of course. She looked around with no appearance of either enjoyment or distaste; it was obvious she saw this place as nothing more than the next stop in her quest to be restored to her daughter. "Well?" She turned to Kyris. "Which way?"

He pointed down the beach. "That way. There's a village and some crop fields near what looks to be a natural harbor. Just around that headland." He nodded, and the others obediently raised their eyes. "Looks like we might have to wade a bit, but the water shouldn't be too deep; the tides out fairly far." He nodded again, and they duly noted the rocks appearing above the gentle waves about a half-mile or so out.

"What about the TARDIS? Is it safe to leave it here?" Peri gave a worried frown as she glanced over her shoulder. She'd changed to shorts and sturdy sneakers from the wardrobe room, as had Nyssa and Tyrel, both appearing happy to shuck their uniforms even under the current circumstances.

Kyris patted his pocket. He, too, wore shorts and a pair of water shoes, or so Peri assumed them to be. Ace hadn't bothered to change, but the other Earth woman suspected she could care less if she was soaked to the skin, as long as they caught up to the Master. "It's locked up tight, and the Master won't be expecting us, he'll be too focused on the Doctor. There are no humanoid life forms nearby, and no signs of inhabitation on this side of the island. Which is why I landed us here," he added, turning and trudging across the sand. "We should get going before the tide starts to turn, unless you all want to hike up that hill and down the other side."

The hillside was covered in jungle, making it difficult to judge exactly how steep it might be, but it was obvious wading around the cliff side was the faster way to go. Without another word, the others fell into line behind him. All except Ace, who had, predictably enough, started without them. She walked steadily, not bothering to see if they were behind her or not, not acknowledging Kyris when he caught up to her and fell into step on her right. She looked neither at the ocean or the jungle, staring straight ahead.

The Master was finally within her reach, and she was determined not to let him escape again.

Not until he gave her back her daughter.

oOo

The Doctor paused before exiting his TARDIS. Had he done the right thing, sending the others off on a wild goose chase? He shook his head, then stepped through the door. Of course he had. Even if the Master hadn't demanded he come alone, he would have insisted on doing so. He already had two hostages; why give him access to five more? Especially Ace; he didn't like the look in her eyes, didn't know her well enough to tell if he could trust her to let him take the lead. Perhaps his future self might be better able to keep her in check, but he doubted his own ability to do so. Or his son's.

His son. As he strolled down the beach toward the village that lay about a half-mile away from him, he allowed his thoughts to wander. Kyris. His son, his and Romana's. Why hadn't she told him? It was a question he intended to ask his son about, because of all his memories, he was absolutely certain he would have held on to any that concerned parenthood. He'd always known Susan was his grand-daughter, of course, but it hadn't really occurred to him to question her parentage before this. "And I shouldn't be doing so now," he murmured to himself, clapping his hat more firmly on his head and quickening his pace. He should be concentrating on the Master, on how he intended to save Tegan and her son, all without sacrificing his TARDIS. He should be going over his plans.

The problem was, he hadn't made any. Nothing had come to mind, and although he hated to rely on his usual habit of winging it when the stakes were so high, he'd always worked that way before. Well, mostly. At any rate, he expected something would come to him. It usually did.

And if it doesn't? a voice asked. He ignored it.

Something would come to him.

He wouldn't let Tegan down. Not this time.