Disclaimer: I don't even own the box set guys… sorry to disappoint you.

Doctor Who: …And You'd Stay

Part 3

A current of emotions startled the Doctor just as much as the appearance of the Master. He remembered watching him die and refuse to regenerate, he had finally given up ever scrap of hope left inside his hearts that a Time Lord still traversed the stars. This was new though, a different world. A sliver of hope reached his thoughts, maybe. Maybe. But no. He wouldn't hope. In all his years he had learned that looking forward to something that may or may not come to you is dangerous. Better to deal with the loss of it immediately than to lose it again. Yet there the Master stood. The proof that Galifrey still existed? The sole survivor? The Doctor put on a mask, but he was too late this time. Rose was staring at him worriedly, squeezing his hand so tight his fingers toyed with the idea of breaking.

"Alright, let's hear it." The Doctor said, brushing aside his emotions.

"Hear what?"

"You know."

"I'd like to hear you say it Theta."

"Fine. What's your scheme Master?" He said the words with as much sarcasm as he could muster, which was a considerable amount. The Master smiled, leaned against the TARDIS controls and looked off to the corner of the TARDIS, as if he was looking through its walls and into the near future.

"The entire universe. Every little planet from the Moon of Poosh to Earth to Yufraties to the end of matter itself. Protected. Locked up. Balanced. Safe and comfortable. All because of the Time Lords," The Doctor's hearts raced. Yes. The Time Lords. "so, in order for any of my empire to begin I'm going to have to destroy them." He smiled brightly as if he had just told them he had tea brewing in the kitchen and asking 'one lump or two?'

"You can't do that." His rage barely stayed in check now.

"Oh, dear Doctor. I already killed one of you, now do yourself a favor and don't try to stop me." He began his long stride out of the TARDIS, but stopped. "Aw why not? Let's make it fun! One last battle before I end it all eh? Go ahead, try to stop me!" He laughed viciously and walked out the door, leaving the pair at a loss for words.

Minutes later Rose spoke, the Doctor's defeated eyes scared her more than the Master's lividly powerful ones.

"He doesn't know what he's dealing with. The stuff of legend remember? He doesn't know what he's dealing with…" She repeated quietly. The Doctor opened his mouth, about to try to convey his emotions, but when his eyes turned on hers they grew desperate, a look that sent chills of terror coursing through Rose. She reached out to touch his arm but he was too fast. He held her by the shoulders.

"We can both get away, make it so that this never happened to us. Let Gallifrey burn as it was intended to. We don't have to do this Rose." Rose shook her head. It was time for her to wield bravery like a heavy sword that she could now somehow lift.

"Now Doctor, you and I both know what we have to do yeah?" He smiled at his Rose halfheartedly.

"Yeah..." Rose had bested him. Her nerve was stronger than his at this point. The Doctor hated admitting it- but he was tired. It had gone on so long that he was growing weary of everything. Life itself. But not Rose... he needed her now. He fed off of her energy as if she were some sort of cosmic caffeine, no, he'd tried Cosmic Caffeine (nasty stuff with terrible after effects, but that's a later tale), Rose was more like hope or desire. He (metaphorically) squared his shoulders, took a large amount of Rose's ethereal hope, and grinned with a sudden endearment towards the whole messed up universe. "Alons-y!"

Author's note: Really am terribly sorry about my absence... I got behind? Oi... I have no excuse this has been typed up for awhile..... sorry everyone :\ please review still!P.S. In fact, between the time that I wrote this and now I have acquired the box set so I suppose I've lied to you as well. :(