Ok last proper chapter folks, I do hope you have enjoyed my little story & thank you to all my reviewers it really does brighten my day when someone takes the time to review.

There will be a very very brief epilogue to follow this but otherwise enjoy the finale:

-/-

"She is not staying on Earth Doctor." UNIT's Chief Scientist's blue eyes were resolute, her thin lips pulled into a tight line as she attempted to stare down the timelord.

"Come now Kate I would have thought you would have relished the opportunity to prove UNIT's worth?" The Doctor suggested, unable to completely keep the teasing tone from his voice, a tone that merely caused Kate to lose the lingering remains of warmth from her face.

"UNIT has no need to prove anything." Kate retorted hotly as she fell in step with the long limbed timelord who was storming his way through UNIT headquarters in search of where they had stashed his Tardis this time.

"We are already valued for our efforts but we are also aware of our limitations Doctor. The Master…Mistress…whatever that timelord is called these days, is a psychopath who has pissed off at least half the galaxy. We don't stand a chance of keeping her in custody for long, you know it and I know it. Hell even if we kept her sedated the entire time, which would violate just about every law we have, even then she would probably find a way to escape."

"I can help you contain her…"

"Fine but will you also help us protect her?" Kate countered, surprising The Doctor with her blunt change of tactic and he came to a sudden stop.

"What do you mean?" The Doctor demanded his eyebrows furrowed, even as Kate glanced around the corridor before tugging a reluctant Doctor into one of the nearest empty rooms and shutting the door.

"I mean that as soon as other races realise she is alive and on Earth, this planet is going to be overrun with aliens with grudges out for a little revenge. I am not happy about putting my men's lives on the line for her…And that's even ignoring the people on this world who would want to see her eliminated, some of whom are politically powerful. You could be leaving her here to her execution."

"Some would say that was fair, after all that she has put your planet through." The Doctor grudgingly admitted. Besides it wouldn't be a first for The Master.

"Could you really stand by and allow that?" Kate asked, her normally controlled expression allowing her personal horror to leak through.

"I…I would have to respect the laws and wishes of…"

"Doctor since when have you ever done that?" Kate snorted. "You are forever sticking your nose in and telling everyone how they should be doing things, that's what makes you you!"

"Fine if you must know no I don't want her dead I never have done." The Doctor answered hotly rubbing his bandaged hands across his world weary face that seemed to have aged during this conversation. "Despite the terrible things she has done and as much as I wish I could I can't forget that once she was my best friend."

Wisely Kate remained silent although The Doctor could easily read the conflict in her eyes; compassion for him warred with duty to her planet. It was a conflict The Doctor understood only too well, having your hearts torn in different directions at the same time, only last time he had runaway rather than be forced to make a choice.

"I just don't know what to do for the best…Clara tried to kill her and I couldn't let her do that but I couldn't have them both on the Tardis without one of them killing the other. I can't just let her go she's a public menace but the thought of having to face a battle every single day from now onward…" The Doctor sighed that is what it would be, his life, a constant battleground no peace and he wasn't sure he had the strength to keep on fighting, he was just so old and so tired of all of this.

"Isn't there somewhere else she can go? Some intergalactic police force who could deal with people like her?" Kate prompted surprised when that caused The Doctor to chuckle; if the Stormcage hadn't been able to hold River, The Mistress would probably turn it into her own personal fortress.

"I was being serious Doctor."

"I know and there is but I'm afraid they would have about as much success as you would in keeping her contained….No there really is no alternative but the Tardis." He had known it all along and if he knew it then undoubtedly The Mistress knew it as well, was it any wonder she called his bluff?

"I'll need a little time to get something suitable set…" The Doctor began only for his words to be cut off by the sudden loud blaring of a klaxon. "Is that…"

"The cells." Kate finished for him watching as the blood drained from The Doctor's face and he leapt towards the door wrenching it open before racing off down the corridor trying her best to keep up in her heels even as the corridors filled with armed UNIT guards.

"Looks like we are all out of time Doctor!"

-/-

"I came to get you surely that must count for something?"

"Only because you had no other choice." Missy hissed, her bright blue eyes blown wide as she dug her talons into Seb's newly acquired skin causing him to whimper at the new sensation…pain…not pleasant it seemed. "Only because I have my Tardis preprogramed to deal with hijackers…Did you enjoy your little trip without the stabilisers on Seb?"

"No I didn't and I am very sorry Mistress, besides I did come here to rescue you that should count for something." Seb added putting Dr Chang's dark eyes to good use in the most pathetic of puppy faces.

"But you're not sorry for trying to murder me!" Osgood couldn't help but growl, her irritation growing as Seb merely rolled his eyes and tutted.

"Don't be rude Seb Skip here has a point…Apologise…"

"But she's just a human I thought they didn't matter? You never bothered about them before."

He was sulking. Osgood couldn't believe her eyes. Here was the self-centred little twerp who had pushed her out of Missy's Tardis with the intention of murdering her and then stolen said Tardis effectively stranding them both and Seb had the nerve to look put out when his creator continued to glare at him.

Missy would probably have done more than glare, given her grip on his throat, but the sudden wailing of a klaxon leant the situation a sense of urgency. Seb's sudden arrival had finally been spotted, any moment now this room would be swarming with armed guards.

"I presume you have a plan?" The Mistress demanded releasing her grip on Seb's throat and giving him a little push. "If so tick tock."

Smirking a little as he straightened the tie that had been pushed askew on his newly acquired suit Seb smugly handed over a little metal bracelet. "All charged." He replied gleefully unable to resist showing off a little, and more to the point showing up his Mistress's little human pet.

"Well it is nice to know you are not both light-fingered and incompetent." Missy retorted tartly, slipping the bracelet easily about her wrist and pressing a few of the controls.

"Shall we go then?" Seb asked gleefully reaching through the cell and grasping Missy's elbow, shooting a look at Osgood that didn't bode well.

"Wait you can't mean to le…." Osgood demanded her heart in her throat as the pair suddenly disappeared in a blur of blue light leaving her all alone.

She had honestly never expected Missy to leave her behind. Not willingly and it surprised Osgood how much it stung. It was ridiculous really The Mistress was a homicidal maniac why would she even want to escape with her and yet… Was it just another failing of being human that she had tried to humanise the timelady, she had wanted to find good in her so she had leapt upon any small sign that could be twisted that way…

God she was such an idiot.

Before Osgood had time to compose herself the door to the cellblock was thrown open and ahead of the cavalry charge was The Doctor, closely followed by a rather out of breath Kate Lethbridge-Stewart.

"NO NO NO!" The Doctor was furious at finding the Mistress's cell empty, yet most of the anger was directed at himself for being so stupid. Of course she was going to escape, it was only a wonder she had taken so long to do so.

A part of The Doctor couldn't help but wonder if she had stuck around as long as she had because The Mistress had been waiting for him? It was certainly a remarkable coincidence that it was only after their little spat and his threats that she had chosen to leave.

"How did she escape?" The Doctor demanded, pulling out his sonic and scanning the empty cell for any sign that The Mistress was actually hiding in plain sight.

"Teleport bracelet." Osgood replied softly, surprised when The Doctor deigned to turn and acknowledge her this time before turning to scowl at her boss.

"And you didn't think to search her?"

"Of course we did!" Kate replied hotly. "We may only be human Doctor but we are not infants. If she had it on her we would have found it."

"She didn't Seb brought it in." Osgood offered and suddenly she was the focus of their complete attention.

"Seb?"

"The A.I. from the Nethersphere. Missy gave him human form; it's really kind of a long story." Osgood explained with a sigh as she shuffled to the front of the cell and rested her throbbing forehead against the cold bars. "Look could I be let out of here?"

"You broke UNIT regulations." Kate replied her tone unusually cold as she crossed her arms defensively across her chest in an effort to distance herself from her former protégée. "You consorted with a known enemy…"

"I was dead!" Osgood snapped surprising both Kate and herself with her show of backbone. "I am pretty certain my employment contract expires after I am killed in the line of duty. Besides she left me behind, I am not sure what that says about the level of consorting I can be accused of?"

Snorting The Doctor continued to scan the room with his sonic, now picking up the traces of displacement from the teleport bracelet that supported Osgood's version of events. "You should consider yourself lucky you survived at all, just ask Lucy Saxon…on no wait you can't because she's dead! Because that is what she does, kills and destroys and…"

"She didn't kill you!" Osgood snapped back, not even sure why she was continuing to defend The Mistress's reputation, perhaps it was that there was no else who could or would? "She could have just left you and escaped on her Tardis after we escaped from The Nethersphere but she put her own life at risk to rescue you."

"On that her credibility is more than a little suspect." The Doctor retorted sullenly before a thought suddenly occurred to him. "You went with her didn't you? You know what happened? You agree to tell me everything you know and I'll let you out." He added lifting his sonic intending to turn it on the cell door.

"Do you mind Doctor, Osgood here is under my jurisdiction." Kate huffed laying a restraining hand on The Doctor's arm even as he turned to scowl down at her. "And I recall someone earlier saying about how they have to respect the laws and traditions of the…"

"God that sounds mind numbingly boring." A familiar voice droned and all three of them whirled around to see The Mistress resplendent in a new deep blue Edwardian style gown applying a coat of her verdant red lipstick as she leant against the open door of her Tardis. Or at least it had to be her Tardis the whole thing was invisible save the open doorway in which she stood, through which a glimpse of the Tardis interior could be seen.

"How the hell did she sneak…"

"Some of us know how to pilot a Tardis correctly." Missy gloated cutting off Kate's question. "You don't think they are meant to make that dreadful noise his makes do you? This Idiot has been leaving the brakes on for years."

"What are you doing back here?" The Doctor demanded as The Mistress pushed herself away from the safety of her Tardis and sauntered over to him a playful smile tugging at her lips. "I would have thought you would be halfway to the other side of the universe by now.

"What can't a girl just pop in to say hello anymore love?" Missy teased tutting under her breath as she took hold of The Doctor's unbuttoned coat and fastened it for him. "Honestly honey you'll catch your death running around half naked like this and you really should be resting."

"I would be if it wasn't for some pesky little irritant determined to ruin my day!" The Doctor huffed pushing aside the Mistress's arms as they went to loop around his waist, taking hold of her upper arm with his free hand. "You're up to something what is it?"

"Now now Thete why must I always have an ulterior motive?" Missy pouted before her lips stretched into a smirk enjoying his discomfort as she trailed her fingers down over his bandaged chest.

"Because you always do!" The Doctor snapped. "Well I will stop you Mi…."

"Bored now!" Missy yawned, rolling her eyes as she raised her free hand to wave dismissively in front of her mouth. "No I am merely here to pick up my companion." She added sliding her fingers down over The Doctors arm and then stroking his sonic in a suggestive manner before depressing the button and unlocking Osgood's cell.

"Come along now Skip!"

"Missy?"

"Osgood stay right there that's an order!"

"Your companion?"

"Now now one at a time!" Missy insisted as they all spoke at once, staring up gloatingly into The Doctors stunned face. "Oh don't tell me she didn't tell you? That really is very remiss of you Skip!"

"I thought my travel permit had been revoked." Osgood muttered sullenly as she pushed the door to her cell open and stepped out gingerly; avoiding the betrayed glance that Kate shot her. "I mean considering you disappeared without a by your leave."

"Silly baby." Missy tutted. "The bracelet can only carry two at a time I thought it best to return with the Tardis in any case and of course I needed to change and make myself presentable." Missy added, running her hand over the dark blue velvet of her dress that really did a good job picking out the colour of her eyes.

"You could have said…"

"And where would the fun be in that? Besides if I had then I might have cause to doubt all those nice things you said." Missy retorted her blue eyes flickering back from her companion to once again stare up at The Doctor. "She's such a darling isn't she? I really must thank you for bringing her to my attention."

"You cannot think I am just going to let you swan out of here with her?" The Doctor asked in disbelief staring down into The Mistress's smiling face.

"Oh Thete don't be boring." Missy sighed stretching up onto her tiptoes as she wrapped one arm around his neck and before The Doctor could protest pressing a chaste peck to his lips.

"We both know I am going to do what I want, so why waste breath denying it. Why don't you give me a little head start hmmm?" She added playfully tugging on the lapel of his jacket. "If you can catch me you can keep me. I'll even promise be a good little prisoner no more than one jailbreak a month."

"I have already caught you Mistress." The Doctor hissed ignoring the way his lips seemed to tingle from her kiss, tightening his grip on her arm to prevent her from slipping his grip. "Now we are…we are…" He stuttered frowning as The Mistress's smiling face seemed to sway a little.

"Careful there love." Missy cooed softly, gently prising The Doctor's now limp fingers from her arm. "That stuff can pack a bit of a punch."

"What…did you…" The Doctor slurred, his limbs suddenly so heavy that he couldn't resist as Missy pushed him in Kate's direction and he toppled into UNIT's Chief Science Officer like a falling tree, and Kate all but collapsed under his weight as she rushed to catch him.

"Just a little something to help you get that sleep you need love. You'll be right as rain…say in about forty eight hours." Missy replied softly, raising her hand to her lips and blowing him a kiss. "Sweet dreams now…" She added with a little wave as she sauntered back to the waiting Tardis.

"Wai…" The Doctor managed to groan, fighting the sleeping agent with every bit of determination.

"Skip." Missy called out expectantly from the doorway her painted nails tapping impatiently on the invisible surface, blue eyes narrowing in what was more a hint of annoyance.

"Osgood don't you take one step that's an order." Kate insisted shrilly, horrified when the younger woman actually seemed torn.

Glancing between Kate and The Doctor Osgood was genuinely conflicted, she had given her word and all of time and space beckoned. Yet she would be leaving behind so much as well. As she caught The Doctor's barely conscious gaze Osgood could see the genuine confusion in his eyes, he really couldn't understand why anyone not insane or evil would willingly follow The Mistress anywhere and in a strange way it was this that sealed the deal.

"I'm sorry." Osgood said softly, forcing an apologetic smile.

Then decision made she turned on her heel and rushed towards the Tardis catching sight of Missy's surprised expression that quickly evolved into one of triumph as she pulled her new trophy inside. Then with a mocking salute aimed at the barely conscious Doctor The Mistress pulled her Tardis door closed and then they were gone and there was nothing left to stop The Doctor from falling into the welcome oblivion of sleep.

Yet even as he did so The Doctor couldn't help the smile that tugged briefly at his lips.

The Mistress had come back for a companion…a human companion and had put herself at risk to do so…something that hadn't happened since…He couldn't quite remember but he knew it was significant.

And more importantly she was alive…somewhere in the universe and he would find her…The Doctor would always find her.

-/-