A/N: Sorry for the delay, I had a bit of trouble with this chapter. Anyway, here it is a few days late. Hope you enjoy!
Yimin had barely made it through the door when he was met with the sight of Koschei and Maisa's packed suitcases. It was early morning and he was surprised to see either his wife or daughter awake. For a brief moment, he wondered if Koschei was leaving him. It was fleeting when he remembered there wasn't a high council official on Gallifrey that would allow Koschei to maintain full custody of Maisa. Red sand and dust scattered in his hair and along his linen shirt, lasting evidence of the most recent sand storm that characterised the end of Gallifreyan summer time. For the last week, the time lord had been staying in the Capitol having regular meetings with the War Committee. War was drawing closer, on some planets, Gallifreyan troops had already been deployed. The Committee had estimated that fighting would start on planet in a matter of years, if not months. Yimin looked at his young daughter's innocent face regretfully. What would her future be? He dreaded to think. "We're going to visit uncle Theta, papa" Maisa said happily, unaware of he father's inner turmoil, causing Koschei to look away from her checklist and meet the eyes of her husband. The time lady was pleased she had cleared away her folders from day before; Yimin was unaware of her work with the arms manufacturers and as a contract killer. Since leaving the hospital turned prison all those years ago, Koschei had developed an insatiable thirst for blood. In the first months of Maisa's life, she had been able to contain it, naively believing that her beloved daughter was enough to stop the drums and the voices and the need for violence. As Maisa grew from a baby into a toddler, Koschei realised her need for such things couldn't be suppressed. It wasn't that she loved her daughter any less, it was just that she needed to feel the rush and control of a fresh kill.
"Visiting uncle Theta, eh? Even after papa's been away with work for so long" Yimin said as he picked Maisa up and planted a kiss on her cheek. Maisa looked upset for a second before breaking into another smile, "don't worry, papa, we'll be back soon. Then we can all be together. Me, you and mama." Yimin smiled at his daughter. "I guess, but sometimes I think mama would be happier if it was just you, her and uncle Theta" the time lord said bitterly. Yimin was mild mannered and the bitterness in his voice didn't suit him. Koschei rolled her eyes at his comment as she pulled her hair out of its braid and combed her fingers through it. Yimin scowled. She only ever wore her hair down for Theta. It suited her, chocolate brown curls that bounced on her shoulders and framed her face. Maisa looked between her two parents, sensing an uneasy atmosphere and not entirely sure what was happening. "Down please papa" she requested, smiling when her father placed her on the floor by her toys. "Okay sweetie pie. Mama and I will just be next door. Why don't you choose the toys you're going to take to show uncle Theta?" Yimin said, resigning himself to the fact that there was no stopping his wife from travelling to see her oldest friend, as he directed Koschei to the conservatory. The time lady exhaled a deep breath and followed him into the next room. She wanted to get going. The journey was going to take all day as it was. Why did everything have to be such a drama with him?
"I suppose you know that Theta has been let go from the academy" Yimin said monotonously, turned away from Koschei as she stood in the doorway, keeping half an eye on Maisa. "He was spouting his hippy nonsense again. Those views aren't welcome in the establishments, especially at times like this." Koschei turned away from Maisa, staring at her husband's back. "I know about his dismissal, yes" she said, ignoring his disapproval. She disapproved with Theta's opinions herself, but did respect his individuality. At least he hadn't turned in the typical time lord clone that the leaders wanted them all to become. Yimin was fast becoming one of them. "Cilinzia wrote to me. Apparently, Theta is in a bad way and needs cheering up. You know how he gets and he is my friend, I owe him this much." Yimin scoffed, turning to face her. "Cilinzia?" He said indignantly, "She can't stand you!" Koschei glared at him, quickly looking over her shoulder to check Maisa was still settled and couldn't sense the brewing argument between her parents. "She has her reasons and she cares for Theta. That's all that matters" the time lady snarled, annoyed that her husband had voiced her anxieties over seeing Cilinzia again after all these years. Yimin rolled his eyes, jealously pooling in the pit of his stomach. Everyone cares about Theta, he thought to himself as he turned his attention back to Koschei. "As for Theta being a friend of yours, what kind of a friend would have abandoned you in that hospital, hmm? Leaving you there for years like an unwanted stray." Koschei's nostrils flared and Yimin regretted his words instantly. He shrunk away from his wife as she grabbed a vase from the table and flung it at him, narrowly avoiding his head as it shattered into pieces against the door. It was a warning shot. If she had wanted it to hit, it would have hit and they both knew that. Yimin wanted to meet her anger with a burst of his own but knew he couldn't. The only reason that this marriage of convenience worked was because Yimin was so restrained. Anger and violence didn't come naturally to him. Instead of reacting to Koschei, he looked over to see Maisa startled and peering into the room at her parents. Her eyes were wide with concern, tears threatening to fall. "It's okay, darling, mama just dropped the vase and it broke" he reassured, she looked unconvinced. It was getting harder and harder to hide her mother's temperament from the toddler. "Will you go and finish choosing your toys? I want to see which ones you've picked in about ten minutes" Yimin said. Maisa didn't budge instead watching her mother's tense shoulders rise and fall. "Mama okay?" the toddler questioned, voice full of worry for her silent mother. "Mama's fine, darling" Yimin responded, willing his daughter to return to the lounge. She didn't. "Mama?" Maisa pressed. Yimin looked over at Koschei, who was taking steadying breaths and deplored her to answer her daughter. Koschei nodded at her husband. "Mama's fine, little pea" she breathed through gritted teeth. "Clumsy mama dropped the vase. Never mind, accidents happen" she continued, still facing away from Maisa for fear her daughter would see her face red with anger and her clenched fists. Maisa watched her mother's back curiously. "Do as papa says and get your toys, we'll be with you in a minute" Koschei added, slightly calmer, when she didn't hear her daughter retreating. "Okay" Maisa backed down eventually, turning back into the room.
Yimin looked at his wife. He wanted to shout at her, to tell her that she needed to reign in her anger for the sake of Maisa. What would happen if Maisa said something she didn't like? He didn't say any of that,of course, and instead settled for claiming accountability the way he always did. "That was low of me. I'm sorry' he rushed an apology. "Damn right it was low" Koschei said jabbing her finger at his chest as she approached him. "You know he didn't abandon me, the government you work for took over control of that place" Koschei said harshly. "You have some guts bringing that up" the time lady seethed, remembering how long it had taken to trust Theta again and believe it wasn't his fault. Yimin looked at his feet like a scolded child. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it." Koschei snarled at him. He was pitiful. "I should think so too. And stop thinking so loudly. I have ways of controlling my anger and would never hurt Maisa." Yimin gulped and nodded.
"How long will you and Maisa be gone?" Yimin asked eventually as his wife went to head back into the lounge. He'd been hoping to be able to spend time with his wife and daughter while he was home. Their marriage was nothing more than one of convenience but that didn't mean they didn't share a mutual fondness for each other. Plus, Maisa was growing so quickly these days. He didn't want to miss anymore of her milestones than he had to. "As long as I like" Koschei said firmly, still reeling from his earlier outburst. "I see" Yimin sighed. Koschei softened at the defeat in his voice. She knew the horrible things he was dealing with at work. "I'll be there as long as Theta needs me" she said calmly, voice softer than earlier, as she walked towards the time lord. "Does Maisa have to go with you?" He asked, reaching down for her hand as she placed it over his hearts. Koschei laughed lightly. "Darling, our daughter loves you dearly but she won't settle at night without me. It's nothing personal, she's just more used to having me around" Koschei said delicately. Maisa wouldn't settle, it was true, but Koschei also couldn't be separated from her daughter for more than a few hours. That was the way it went; where Koschei went, Maisa went and vice versa. "I know" Yimin said, "just don't be too long. I'd like to spend some time with our daughter before I have to go back to work" he added. Koschei nodded, stretching up and placing a kiss on his cheek. "I'll make sure you get to spend some time with little pea" she promised, "but we're going to head off now. I want to be there by sundown."
Koschei readjusted the cotton sling that was hanging over her shoulder and loosely tied at her back. Maisa was bundled up inside, fast asleep, and snuggling against her mother. The weight of the toddler was heavy and Koschei realised that the pair would soon have to find a new way of travelling. Maisa had been excited during the early part of the journey, treating it as an adventure and looking forward to seeing her uncle Theta. During the shuttle journey in early evening, however, the time tot had grown tired and started to fuss leading to a full blown meltdown on a crowded carriage. That was much to the dismay of the high society Gallifreyans, who tutted loudly to express their disapproval at seeing such a young child out at that time. Koschei ignored them, focusing instead on settling Maisa and staying out of sight of the two agents she'd spotted halfway down the carriage. Following a bottle of milk and a few lullabies, Maisa had fallen into a deep sleep. Pulling the blanket tighter around the toddler's frame, Koschei turned onto Theta's street, noting that his new neighbourhood was far more upmarket than the last one. She guessed the move came when he had received his post at the Academy. Reaching the front door, the time lady smiled down at her daughter before quickly rapping on the wooden door and hearing Cilinzia's approaching footsteps.
"Koschei" Cilinzia greeted the other time lady as she opened the door. Her voice was devoid of the kindness that had been there when they last saw eachother. Instead, it was restrained and hid the anger that was bubbling under the surface. Koschei couldn't bring herself to look at Cilinzia and instead fussed over Maisa's blanket and soother toy, only nodding to acknowledge Theta's wife. She had no intention of feeling guilty, Cilinzia may not approve of her actions and lifestyle but that was who she was now. Guilt was Theta's thing. Not hers. "I wasn't expecting you to come so soon. I only sent the message yesterday. It's a long journey for the little one" the time lady stated, watching Koschei's eyes flicker up indignantly and lingering on her face. Koschei tried hard to hide her surprise at Cilinzia's new regeneration; she'd forgotten that the time lady had regenerated following an accident at work until she saw her darkened skin and shorter hair. Cilinzia's gaze lowered to the sight of Maisa, cuddled up to Koschei as her little hand gripped to her mother's shirt collar. "Her name's Maisa" Koschei said quickly retracting her eyes from Cilinzia's new face and returning to look at the time tot sleeping soundly. She hated it when Maisa wasn't referred to by her name. "That suits her. She's a lovely little thing" Cilinzia praised and it was the first time the time lady's voice hadn't sounded strained. Koschei coughed and nodded. "Can we come in? She's getting cold and I don't want her waking up" she said hovering awkwardly on the door step and growing aware of the cool evening breeze. Cilinzia nodded and opened the door further, beckoning for Koschei to follow after her.
The pair walked to the living room in silence, Koschei gripping hold of Maisa tightly while Cilinzia walked several steps ahead. One room in particular caught Koschei's attention. She could have sworn she sensed a loom in use but that was ludicrous. Theta and Cilinzia had raised their three children. Theta always said they would have no more, especially with the war approaching. Unless...Unza would certainly be old enough to be starting a family of his own by now. But why was the loom here and not with him in the capitol. Cilinzia picked up on where Koschei was looking and coughed. "There's a saying, according to Theta, from this planet that he's become rather obsessed with of late. It says, curiosity killed the cat. Quite a wise piece of advice, I'd say." Cilinzia said cooly, not looking back at Koschei. Koschei took the hint and returned her attention to Maisa. When they reached their stuffy, carpeted destination, Koschei remained hovering in the doorway unsure whether or not she was welcome. Her reception had certainly been hostile and the air remained thick with tension. Both her arms were growing numb from the weight of Maisa and their suitcases. Still, she remained standing. She'd hoped Cilinzia would have just shown her to Theta and left the pair to it. That's what had always happened in the past. "Sit down then" Cilinzia snapped, growing impatient with the time lady's hovering. Calling Koschei over to help had been her last resort and the reality of having to deal with Theta's best friend was as difficult as she'd imagined. It was strange seeing a time lady she used to consider a friend so many years ago. She used to feel sorry for Koschei but now she resented, and worse still, feared her. She knew the circles that the time lady worked in. She knew that she'd started killing for fun. She knew her list of victims was growing in numbers each year. However, she was the only one who could help Theta. Her husband had been in an awful way leading up to the dismissal and had stopped functioning since. Cilinzia hadn't been able to get him out of his bed, or make him eat anything. The children had even visited from their respective jobs to try and stir their father. None of it had worked. Koschei was her final option.
"Would you like a drink?" Cilinzia offered, forcing the calm to return to her voice. Opening up her drinks cabinet, she poured herself a glass of brandy. Koschei shook her head, feeling Maisa move in her arms and open her eyes blearily. "Mama" the toddler said sleepily, suddenly aware of her unfamiliar surroundings. "Shh, shh little pea. Go back to sleep, it's still nighttime" Koschei soothed, tracing her fingers across Maisa's forehead, sending the thought sleep to the forefront of her mind, smiling as she returned to her slumber. Cilinzia watched the exchange nostalgically. It didn't seem that long ago that her children were that age. Now, all three were working and Unza was even starting a family of his own. The time lady tried not to worry about the future her yet to be loomed grandchild and focused on the problem at hand. "It's not all alcoholic, I have some fruit juice in this mini fridge" Cilinzia said quietly, once she was sure Maisa had re-settled. "I'm fine. Not thirsty, thank you though" Koschei said, unwrapping Maisa from the sling and re-positioning her in her lap. Cilinzia nodded and took a seat opposite her. "Where's Theta?" Koschei asked eventually, growing more impatient with the facade the longer it dragged out. "He's in his room, I'll take you there in a minute. Let me just finish my drink" Cilinzia replied as she casually checked over Koschei, making sure she wasn't going to hurt Theta in anyway. It wouldn't be the first time that had happened. More and more, when Theta returned from attempting to calm Koschei down, he was covered in bruises and wounds. Cilinzia had told him on more than one occasion that enough was enough. But he always said that she couldn't help it and he was rather it was him that got hurt than Maisa. Watching the way Koschei interacted with Maisa, she found it hard to imagine the time lady would be capable of hurting the toddler. Deciding Koschei was no risk to her husband, Cilinzia finished her drink. "You're doing an excellent job with her, Koschei. She's beautiful and clearly adores you" the time lady praised, shocked at her own words and how genuine they were. She wouldn't have thought Koschei could ever be a good mother. Koschei looked up, surprised at the compliment. She'd never expected it from Cilinzia. "Does Yimin help out a lot? When he's not at work, I mean. It's tiring work when they're this age. It can be intense" Koschei nodded, a little crushed by the add on. Cilinzia's words echoed Theta's on the first day he'd come to meet Maisa and it was clear what she meant by them. Cilinzia may as well have said"there should be a more responsible parent to care for her when you're having mad moments. We know how things can get on top of you." Koschei straightened her back. "Yimin dotes on her when he's around. She's definitely a mummy's girl though" she said quickly, making sure Cilinzia was aware of her capabilities as a mother. "Anyway, I'm a lot more in control now than I ever was before" Koschei added, watching Cilinzia nod. "I can see that. You're a good mother Koschei" she reassured, regretting asking after Yimin.
"Are your three still in the Capitol?" Koschei said eventually, looking at the photos that lined the cabinet. She felt like she'd been handed an olive branch by Cilinzia and planned on using it. She still cared deeply for all three of Theta's children. "Don't talk about my children, Koschei. I'm never going to be comfortable with you talking about them." The response was final, but still Koschei persisted. "I never meant for Unza to get hurt. I didn't mean for any of that weekend to happen." Cilinzia sucked in her breath. "I'm not doing this Koschei" she said firmly, shaking her head. Koschei persisted some more. "I'm sorry, if I could change what had happened, I would. I never meant to do tha-"
"Enough" Cilinzia barked, causing Maisa to stir with a slight cry. Silence hang heavy in the air between the two time ladies as the toddler was quickly soothed on her mother's knee and returned to sleep. Cilinzia continued, slightly quieter this time. "You're never going to understand it, are you? It was never that weekend that caused me to hate you. Yes, Unza got hurt and yes, you shouldn't have hit him like that. But, I knew that you weren't well. I knew that you needed help and it wasn't your fault. I was angry, of course I was, he was my little boy, but that anger faded to concern. Do you even remember me coming to visit you in the hospital with Theta? I told you time and time again that I forgave you and I wanted you to get better and explained that I had to put my children's safety first. You were my friend and I wanted you to get better. I still believed you would get better." Cilinzia finished, her cheeks flushed with anger. Koschei flinched and shook her head. She never knew Cilinzia had been to visit her. She didn't remember anything about the hospital before it was taken over by the government and she didn't like to spend too much time thinking about it. "I don't remember much about my time there" she said quietly, stroking Maisa's hair for comfort. "Of course you don't" Cilinzia replied. Her tone wasn't cold but it didn't have the kindness of Theta's concern. It was just resigned. "Well, I do remember those times. I also remember when you first came out of there and when you first put someone in hospital and when you first killed a whole family. What's it going to be next? A whole village, a whole planet, a whole galaxy? You see, it was never your outburst that weekend that made me hate you. It was everything you've done since. I realised a few decades ago that you were beyond saving. You already have so much blood on your hands and with this war brewing I dread to think what is going to happen to you. Theta still thinks you can be saved, I'm afraid I gave up on that notion years ago." Cilinzia's words struck Koschei like a knife. The words were mean but they weren't untrue. It was her fears vocalised. One day, she was going to go too far. "I'm here to see Theta, show me to his room" Koschei said cooly, rising from her seat and holding Maisa to her chest. Cilinzia could see her words had hurt the other time lady but didn't regret saying them. She had warned Koschei to drop the subject. Cilinzia mirrored Koschei's actions, only hold out her open arms. "At least let me take Maisa, I can set up her cot in the spare room and keep an eye on her" she suggested, watching Koschei hold the toddler tighter. "No. She stays with me" she responded, lifting her bags. "Theta's in a bad way. She might be a bit shocked to see him like that and I don't know how he'll respond to seeing her. I think it'll be better for her to stay with me" Cilinzia tried again, stretching her arms out further. "No. I'll set up her cot and she should sleep through now. If she wakes up in a strange place with a strange woman she'll never settle. Anyway, it's not Thete you have to worry about. I'm the monster after all."
Cilinzia had eventually backed down and led Koschei upstairs to Theta. In the middle of the darkened room, Theta was lying in his bed unmoving. He was definitely awake, Koschei could tell that much, but he was unable or unwilling to acknowledge her presence. Walking into the adjoining office and setting up the travel cot, Koschei took a few seconds to ensure that Maisa was settled before pulling the door shut and joining Theta. "Well, well, well this just won't do my dear" she said softly shrugging off her jacket and crawling across the mattress. Theta felt the mattress dip and turned away from Koschei. He didn't want her here, he didn't want her to see him like this. "Now, that really is childish, Thete. I've come a long way to see you. Aren't you going to tell me what's bugging you?" She cooed, grabbing him by the shoulders and forcing him to face her. As he faced her, she took in his drawn in features and sighed. He crumbled, scrunching up his face and burying it against her shoulder. Koschei ran fingers through his hair and rubbed small circles in his back. She felt his tears wet her shirt as he let out what felt like a week's pent up upset. "Shh, shh, shh" she soothed, "let it all out, my love, let it all out" she finished, pecking him on his forehead. After several seconds, Theta pulled away from Koschei's embrace and blinked furiously. "I'm sorry" he said embarrassedly, rubbing his palm harshly along his damp cheeks. Koschei tsked, "don't be ridiculous. You've got nothing to be sorry for" she said, reaching for his hand and taking it in hers. "Although, I hope you realise that's not it. You can't soak my shirt and then apologise and pretend all is well again. The mind's a dangerous place, darling, and you're clearly in a bad way. I'm not going anywhere until I know you're better. Now, I hear you've been in bed all week. That's no good, dear. No good at all. I say we start by getting you up and having a chat. What do you say?" She suggested as she turned on the lamp. Theta looked at her, squinting at the oppressive light that filled the room. "It's the middle of the night, Kos" he said, voice croaking. Koschei raised her eyebrows, "and you've been in bed for five days straight. You smell, darling" she said, pulling back the sheets despite his protestations. "Look at me" she directed, looking intently into his eyes, "no you don't currently look like a suicide risk. Right, go on, have a shower and I'll change the bed. I saw the clean sheets in the drawers in the office when I put Maisa there. Theta looked up at her confused by almost everything she had said, jumping up as the sheet was literally pulled from under him. "It's the middle of the night. Can't this wait until the morning" he tried again, suddenly feeling exposed now he was away from them safety of his bed. "Theta, you haven't left that bed for five days. Time means nothing when you're in this state, take it from me. Now go and have a shower. The bed will be nice and fresh when you get back and I'll have some tea ready for you. Chop, chop" Koschei said, shooing him out of the room. "I'm going" he muttered, collecting a towel from the drawer on his way out. "Did you say Maisa was here?" He asked hopefully when he got to the doorway. Koschei smiled and nodded. "She's fast asleep at the moment but you'll see her in the morning. She's very excited to see you" Koschei said, shedding the bed of its covers and growing relieved at Theta's lightening mood. The time lord stood in the doorway nodding and for the first time in a while growing excited for the next day. He hadn't seen Maisa for months and couldn't wait to spend some time with her. With everything that had happened recently, it would be nice to spend some time around an innocent. "Go and have a shower, dear. When you get back we're having that chat."
Theta returned from the bathroom after half an hour, feeling admittedly refreshed. On his walk back, he found himself wondering if he'd imagined Koschei's arrival. Had she been some kind of hallucination brought on by his depressed haze. Surely not. Peering into his room, he found Koschei sat in the middle of his newly-made bed surrounded by a tray of drinks and snacks. "Aha, the wanderer returns" Koschei whispered with a warm smile. Theta blinked and nodded, unbelievably relieved to see her. "I always return" he mumbled as he pulled on some fresh pyjamas and discarded of his towel. "I should think so too. Now, come on, have a sandwich, you're withering away" She said, holding out a plate and watching Theta eye it cautiously. "Don't worry, I didn't make them, they were left in the fridge by Cilinzia" Koschei explained, edging it further towards him and growing frustrated with his reluctance. "So help me, Theta, if you don't take a sandwich, I will force one down you" she said playfully but with enough firmness to her voice for Theta to know he had no option but to take one. He picked the smallest triangle closest to the edge of the plate. Koschei smiled triumphantly and patted the mattress. "Good boy. Now come and sit down" she guided, picking up a sandwich for herself and taking a bite out of the corner.
Light was starting to shine through the window when Theta looked over Koschei's shoulder and out across the landscape. Koschei shuffled on the bed, aware that on this occasion time was against them. Maisa would be waking soon wanting breakfast and demanding attention. Attuning her mind to Maisa's imprint, she projected calm, peaceful images to her daughter in the hope that she would remain asleep for just a bit longer. Theta had only just started to properly open up to her and she didn't want to put him off or become distracted. Returning her attention to Theta, she smiled encouragingly at him to continue. "I just want people to be safe and people to be happy" he sighed, Koschei nodded. "I know you do. You care about too many people. It's not your job, Theta, you're not responsible for the Universe" she said, running her thumb along the back of his hand. "This war is going to be big. It's going to devastate whole planets and it's my fault. I should have tried harder to stop it" he said, feeling the despair creeping back in. They'd been going in these circles all night, just talking through everything that had bothered him and caused him to breakdown. His dismissal, the impending war, his fears for his children and students. This was the fifteenth time they'd explored this avenue of anxiety in about three hours. Koschei didn't mind. She knew what it was like to get a thought stuck in your head and for it never to leave. "Thete. It's not your fault. This war is going to happen regardless of your action or inaction. It's going to be terrible and people are going to die" she said bluntly. "But none of that, my darling, is going to be your fault." Theta nodded, dropping his head to her shoulder with a defeated whine. "The Universe is a horrible place, Kos" he sighed against her. "I know" she whispered against his ear. Her breath was warm and tickled the shell of his ear. "But it's also an amazing place. Never forget that, Thete. The wonder, the curiosity that's what makes you who you are."
Later, Theta wouldn't be able to recall what made him kiss Koschei. It could have been the time lady's kind words. It could have been the fact that they hadn't slept with each other in over three years. It could have been that he really needed the physical contact. It was probably a combination of all three. All he did know was that as soon as Koschei's last words tickled his ear, he had turned and planted his lips against hers urgently. Her lips were dry from travelling across the villages in the summer heat. She'd come all this way to see him, he thought, fully appreciating her efforts for the first time. It made him deepen the kiss, moaning into her mouth as she reciprocated his pursuit. You came all this way for me he projected into her mind, treading carefully into her thoughts. He always had to be so careful with her mind. It was still recovering. Of course I did. I'll always be there for you. I'd follow you to the end of the Universe she projected back, pulling away from his lips. She felt tired from the sudden mental contact and knew not to push herself further. "We're not sleeping together, though, not now, not while your like this" Koschei said vocally, watching Theta nod. She was right, he was an emotional roller-coaster at the moment. "I've missed you" he said, not quite ready to leave her embrace or the familiar cloud of her thoughts that enveloped him comfortingly. "Likewise" Koschei smiled, laying then both down and enticing them both into a deep sleep.
It was a deep, blissful sleep lasting all of fifteen minutes for Koschei. As soon as the first bird began singing their morning song, Maisa was calling out. The toddler's confused cry pierced through Koschei mentally and physically as she jolted awake. Wiping her hair from her face, the time lady jumped out of bed and headed for the study. She was surprised at herself for falling to sleep, even briefly, but guessed the travelling had taken it out of her. Opening the door, Koschei found Maisa standing up on unsteady, chubby legs and crying out. "Mama!" She cried, damp eyes widening when she caught sight of her mother. "Hey little pea, what's all this about then?" She said softly, feeling slightly guilty at her daughter's obvious confusion at waking up in a strange environment. "Mama, Mama" she whined, raising her arms and grabbing at the air. Koschei lifted Maisa out of her cot, humming as the toddler sniffed and buried her head against her mother's chest. "Okay, sweetheart, we're at uncle Theta's. Do you remember?" The toddler nodded settling when she remembered where she was but still showed no intention of letting go of Koschei. Instead, she clung tighter and nuzzled against the time lady. "Hug, mama" she whined against Koschei who felt dribble form on her shoulder as Maisa sucked on it. It was an old comfort habit that Maisa had had since she was newly-loomed. "Oh, little pea, I was only next door. You want a cuddle?" Koschei soothed, running a hand down Maisa's back. Her daughter nodded. "Are you hungry for some food?" "Hug, hug please" Maisa murmured, tightening her grip on Koschei. "Okay, cuddles first and then we'll have some breakfast" the time lady soothed, walking back into Theta's room and rejoining the sleeping time lord.
Surprisingly, both Maisa and Koschei fell back to sleep, joining Theta in the land of nod. For a few short hours, everything was peaceful and perfect for the two and a half time lords.
Gordon woke in his cell to his usual empty stomach and dry mouth. The room was dark, and although there were no windows, he could tell it was the middle of the night. He was beginning to tire of this whole charade, the time lords hadn't been in contact with him since his arrest and he had no idea whether or not the faction was still operating without his leadership. The faction leader now had daily interviews and he knew he was close to breaking and providing details of the plan to his ex- boss. Even so, he was sure it would be pointless now. They must be aware that the faction was nothing more than a cover for the time lord's plans. Despite this, Gordon still harboured ambitions that his faction would be able to grow in strength and create adequate defenses against alien attacks. Moving his hand to rid the sleep from his eyes, the man jolted when he realised he was chained. This was new. kate and the UNIT employes had never used actual restraints before, was this a new tactic he thought to himself?
"No" a voice echoed calmly off the walls "this wasn't Kate or UNIT'S idea, dearie" the voice continued, reading the man's fears and smirking. Gordon squinted in the dark, trying to make out the figure. As he lifted his head, the first thing he saw was the glistening silver edge of a blade. Swallowing dryly and moving his eyes further up, he saw a pair of ice blue slits staring back at him. He knew those eyes, but he'd never seen them like this. When he saw them, they were hazy and confused and scared. He'd revelled in the power. Now, they were alight and dangerous and so very alive. Gordon felt a shiver run down his spine.
"Have you guessed who it is yet?" the voice in the dark teased, both knowing that he knew who it was. "Mistress" Gordon said through gritted teeth. "Oh! No fun. I was hoping to drag that out a wee bit longer. I suppose I can't help it if my reputation precedes me" she sighed, lighting a candle and letting the flames burst light into the dank cell. The time lady smirked when she saw Gordon's weathered face. Gordon managed a smirk when he saw her swollen abdomen. "Oh, honey, I wouldn't be smirking about anything if I were you. You're in big trouble" Missy replied, taking quick calculated steps towards the man and stopping when they were face to face. She'd had this encounter planned out for weeks. The planning hadn't taken long, but readying herself to be able to face him had. Now, as she stood face to face with him, she had managed to bury her fear away for long enough to get the revenge she sought.
"I see this pregnancy has been successful, then. Must be something to do with the human DNA" Gordon winked, figuring his time was limited and he wouldn't go down without a fight. Missy rolled her eyes for show while internally she swallowed down the bile that was rising. "Yes, well my species has always struggled with fertility. It's a shame the same can't be said for your lot. They just keep reproducing. You lot really will become the pest infestation of the Universe" she said calmly as she undid his shirt and began tracing the blade along his chest, licking her lips in anticipation. Gordon shivered at the coolness of it and closed his eyes. "If you're going to kill me, get it over with" he said with a resigned acceptance. "Kill you!" the time lady exclaimed, chuckling gravely. "Death's too good for you, love. I'm going to make you suffer" she said, moving to straddle him as she sunk the knife in deep enough to hurt but make nothing more than a surface wound. "Now, why don't you say something nice?"
That first torture lasted a good few hours and Missy made sure that she programmed her vortex manipulator to travel a few hours backwards when she teleported back into the house. Crawling back into bed with the Doctor, she sighed happily as she nuzzled against his back. Adrenaline was still pumping through her veins and her mind was too active for sleep but she was content to lay next to the Doctor and pleased that she had got away with her jolly.
"And where have you been?" A Scottish voice, edged with sleep, asked through the silence. He'd been aware that Missy had gone missing about an hour ago. He also knew that she had been climbing the walls the last few days. He couldn't forbid her from going off, in fact, he'd gone off several times himself over the last week. Neither of them fared well when faced with being caged in. However, when he sensed the temporal residue that came with rough and ready time travel, he had to voice a concern. "Out" Missy replied cooly, hearts still pumping as she drew Gallifreyan circles into his back. The Doctor sighed, feeling her accelerated heartbeats. If she'd been off killing someone or something, he didn't want to know. It was easier to accept her behaviour when he was ignorant to it. The time lord did worry, however, about the impact that using cheap time travel would have on her and the baby. "I don't mind you going out, Missy. I wish you'd tell me before you went, though, but I get that it can get a bit suffocating in here. Just promise not to use that vortex manipulator again. It's dangerous enough when you just have yourself to worry about, it really isn't safe for the baby." Missy rolled onto her back and sighed and kicked her legs out against the sheets. The adrenaline was leaving her now and she knew she had to be careful. The come down was always harder. Listening to the Doctor's words, she resolved to only use conventional methods of transport in her future torture efforts. She couldn't have the Doctor growing suspicious.
And so, for the next few weeks, whenever she found herself at UNIT HQ, whether that was for a check up or while the Doctor was working in the lab, she would pay a little visit to Gordon.
Artificial lighting was bleeding into the shop, making the Doctor squint as he walked down an aisle lined with wet wipes and potties. It was now late September and the Doctor had followed Kate's advice of going shopping for baby supplies during this month because there were always bound to be sales on. The Doctor remembers that Kate had giggled after that, stating "well, it makes sense really." Everyone had laughed, except for the Doctor who just looked confused. Missy had been the one to put the old fool out of his misery, explaining Kate's joke. "New Year's celebrations, dear, on Earth and in linear time, take place at the end of December" she had drawled, smirking. "So?" the Doctor had scowled, causing the humans to laugh some more. Missy had rolled her eyes and continued her explanation. "By September, love, it's been nine months since New Year's and all those...fireworks" she said, raising her eyebrows suggestively and waving her hands in what could only be assumed to be an impression of fireworks. The Doctor had frowned, deep in thought for a few seconds. Eyes bulged comically in realisation as he gasped "oh" and tried to ignore the laughs of the room.
Pushing the reminder of his embarrassing ignorance to the back of his mind, the Doctor picked up two bulk packets of newborn nappies and compared them confusedly. As he examined the near-identical packets, he found himself questioning how he'd ended up spending the best part of a day at Mothercare. That morning, the two time lords had realised they had nothing planned for the day and that was never good for either of them. Clara had gone to work. About a month ago the teacher had decided she would return to work when the new term started, on a part time basis, in order to maintain some of her old life. It was a decision that the Doctor had understood and encouraged. Ever since Danny's death, Clara had retreated from her everyday life and fully into her life with the Doctor. While the time lord enjoyed spending time with Clara, he knew it wasn't right or fair on her to be robbed of a normal human life. Also, throughout all of this, the Doctor had to prioitise Missy so it would be good for Clara to have some time to herself, even if it did mean going back to work. Kate had called the previous evening to inform the Doctor that an important meeting was being held at UNIT, with high profile external visitors, so he wouldn't be able to use the lab to continue researching pain relief methods for Missy. With Clara at work and UNIT off limits, their day was wide open. Glancing at the calendar on the fridge, the Doctor realised that it was now the final week in September; if they didn't go shopping this week they'd miss out on the offers that Kate was talking about. Not only that, Missy was now larger, more tired and grumpier. If they left the shopping any longer, she would refuse to go completely. For once in his life, the Doctor was having to battle against time. Living in a linear timeline was proving harder than he had expected. It was even harder when he had a time machine but couldn't use it. Looking over at Missy, he had noticed that the time lady seemed quite settled as she dug into whatever concoction she was eating that morning. Today looked set to be one of her good days, maybe it would be best to try and do the shop today. "How are you feeling today, Missy?" He's asked, watching her tilt her head and examine him. "Fat and pregnant" she'd responded, taking a bite out of what looked like toast. The Doctor had laughed. It would be one of her good days if she was able to be sarcastic about the situation. "Well yes, I can see that" he teased, pausing to watch her inevitably feign offense. "But what I actually meant was how are things up here today?" He asked tapping the side of his head meaningfully. They'd fallen into this habit over the past few weeks as they'd both settled into the new routine, the Doctor asking Missy how she was feeling and her sometimes being able to respond openly. Some days it was obvious that she was having a bad day and things were too much in her head. Other days, it was equally easy to tell that she was having a good day. Today was the latter, with the time lady able to make sarcastic digs and jokes. "Ah you mean am I closer to sane than insane today? I get ya" she winked theatrically in response. "Well I'm up and dressed. I'm walking and talking. I'm not hearing anything in my head but the baby's imprint and my own thoughts. I'm not the one that runs around claiming to be a doctor, but I'd say my head was pretty sane today" she sang, taking a sip of orange juice. "Good" the Doctor nodded, "then we're going shopping."
So, three hours later, that was how the Doctor had found himself comparing nappies and all sorts of other baby related equipment. Retrieving a scrunched up list, the Doctor crossed a line through nappies as he flung his selected box into the trolley. "Missy, come on, we've still got to go to the clothes section and pick you up some maternity bras. Whatever the hell they are" the Doctor called out, panicking slightly when Missy didn't immediately respond and he couldn't catch sight of her. She couldn't have gotten far and she wasn't exactly hard to spot nowadays. With the pregnant time lady now approaching the end of her sixth month, she had a very prominent bump. Kate had quietly taken the Doctor to one side about a month ago and mentioned that Missy was bigger than most women at that stage. She had organised a home visit with Dr Chang, just to double check that there hadn't been a mistake with his estimation of how far along Missy was. After a half an hour examination, he concluded that his first predictions had been correct. The time lady had been unimpressed by the unnecessary prodding, even after the Doctor had explained why it actually was necessary. Dr. Chang and Kate had reassured them both that it wasn't anything to worry about, each pregnancy was different. The Doctor, however, had suspected that Missy's small frame and the fact the her time lord body wasn't meant for this had lead to such a large bump.
Taking a deep breath and scanning the aisle, he tried again. "Missy?" He questioned, relief growing when he received a reply from behind. "I'm coming, keep your hair on" she mumbled and the Doctor suppressed the urge to laugh as he watched her waddle slowly towards him, holding some packets in her hand. Missy had certainly become more comfortable with the pregnancy over the last few weeks, he noted to himself. The time lady caught sight of the Doctor's face, all tight and fighting the urge to laugh. Sighing, she felt the pressure on her ankles and the burning in her feet as she tried to reach him. "Go on, you can laugh" she said, finally reaching him and looping her arm through his. "It is a bit funny. But you know I'm not laughing at what happened to you. I'd never laugh at that" he said gravely, feeling Missy lean against his arm. "I know. Anyway, I hope you realise that you're giving me a foot massage when we get in. My feet are killing me" she yawned, resting her head against his shoulder. "You mean another foot massage like every other night? I think I've just about gotten used to the routine, yes Mistress" He joked, bopping her nose and laughing. "Well they just ache so much at the moment" she whined, shifting on her feet as though to stress her point. Missy was starting to get restless at this stage. One hour in this hell hole had been enough but three was testing her already limited patience. It was a wonder no one had died yet. "I'm tired. Can we go now?" She asked, slowing and hoping the Doctor would take the hint to match her pace. He did before looking over at her. "We'll go, we just need to get one more item and then we're done and won't need to get anything else or come back here again" he said, looking back down at his list intently. "Right, this way, we need to get you some maternity bras for when you're nursing th-" Missy stilled. "Stop" she said, the Doctor obeyed and gulped. They'd discussed that Missy would have to care for the child herself for at least a month a few weeks before hand. Her reaction to the news had been mixed and she hadn't said much about how she was feeling concerning it all. The Doctor knew she was nervous about the bonding and intimacy that would come with breastfeeding; he just hoped that he wasn't about to trigger a reaction to it now. Missy picked up on what the Doctor was worrying about and shook her head. "I was just stopping because I already picked that up as well as some of these blankets" she reassured him waving the packages in front of him as she dropped them in the trolley. "Ah" the Doctor breathed, visibly relieved that she wasn't on the verge of a breakdown while they were in public. It was for her sake more than his. "I was concerned you were a bit worried about what we were talking about the other week" the Doctor said slowly, choosing his words carefully. Missy nodded. "I am worried about all of that" she said calmly, working to keep herself calm, "but there's still a while before I need to think about that. I'm trying to take things day by day while I'm coping well with things" she said quietly, as the pair walked towards the checkouts. "I am doing okay, aren't I, Thete?" She asked, confidence faltering slightly as she turned to the Doctor with furrowed brows. There were times in the past where she had thought she was doing well but actually she hadn't been. Sometimes she couldn't tell when her mind was playing tricks. She really thought she'd been doing well this time but there was a possibility that she hadn't. The Doctor's felt for her as he heard her doubt herself. "You've been doing really well, sweetheart." She nodded, pushing her doubts to the back of her mind. "Good, good. I just have to check" she said. The fact that she had the clarity to check highlighted to both of them how well she was doing. If she had been doing truly badly, she wouldn't have even been aware. "I know you do. If you want to talk about any of that stuff another time, we can. We've got plenty of time to go over it. "Thanks. I will before..." she pauses to wave in front of her, "before she arrives but not right now." The Doctor nods and smiles as they arrive at the checkout. He had happily observed that Missy hadn't referred to the baby as 'it' all day. This would make it the second day in a row, evidence that she was stabilising. "Do you like those blankets I chose?" the time lady asked as he began unloading the heavier stuff onto the conveyer belt, Missy placing the lighter items on after. It was a sign to change the conversation. "I do. I like the little ducks on the corners" he smiled, greeting the cashier with a nod. Missy smiled proudly, pleased to have done something right. "Maisa always liked blankets. I think this one will too. They'll definitely need them, what with being born in winter and all" Missy said wistfully, gaze lingering on the pile of pastel blankets as she traced her finger over her stomach. The Doctor watched her curiously, wondering if she'd given anymore thought about what she was going to do with the child after it was born. So far, she had always vehemently said that she couldn't raise it. He'd broached the idea of Me and Henry adopting the baby with her and she had seemed in favour of the notion. However, every so often, he caught sight of her maternal side. A side of her he hadn't seen in centuries. He questioned whether once the child was actually here, she'd be able to give them up. "Maisa did like blankets. I remember once looking after her when you had to go off somewhere for the evening and she was not a happy bunny; she cried the house down until I produced that old rag of a blanket she dragged along everywhere." The Doctor reminisced, pushing his thoughts of what would happen to the baby to the back of his mind, mentally noting he would discuss it with her later. Missy hummed happily at the memory of Maisa, she'd been thinking a lot about her daughter recently which was no surprise given the circumstances. It wasn't often that the Doctor and her reminisced about their children. "I still have that blanket, somewhere...where ever all my things are at the moment" Missy paused, realising she had no idea where any of her possessions were, let alone her Tardis. I don't think I would have lost it. I used to keep it in my desk drawer at Downing Street" the time lady laughed, ignoring the confused look of the cashier. Didn't humans always look confused, anyway? "That'll be £250, please" the young girl said, interrupting the time lords. The Doctor passed over the UNIT credit card, cringing. Money had never been a thing that concerned either of them but the past few months living on Earth had taught him a thing or two. Missy remained unfazed, still oblivious to the more mundane details of human life. "You gave me a box of things that used to belong to Maisa a while ago, love. I can go to the Tardis and get it sometime next week if you'd like ?" Missy nodded, deep in thought "of course I did, when I was taking a break from being Harold Saxon. I remember now. I was so paranoid in that form. I mean, I normally am, but that one more so" she said, "it's funny the things we forget, isn't it" she laughed. The Doctor nodded and the pair headed back to the car.
"She's managed to start torturing Gordon, Lord President" Alsaz said tiredly in the eleventh hour of the meeting. There were about twenty members of the High Council present, all of whom were privy to details surrounding the plans to start the new army. "Gordon?" Rassilon questioned, not needing to ask who she was shuffling through papers and failing to recall a Gordon. "The faction leader, sir. The human" Alsaz said, growing tired of having to remind him of particularly crucial people involved in the plan. "Oh, him. The smug one" Rassilon said with a dismissive flick of the hand. "Where did we get that intelligence from? That immortal girl?" He asked, watching as Alsaz shook her head. "No, not Me. We have some other ears on the inside. Humans can be easily bought." Rassilon nodded, he'd started to grow concerned about Me's loyalties since the Mistress' release from imprisonment. "Does the Doctor know what she's been doing?" He asked, knowing that exploiting the differences in the Doctor and the Master's moral compasses had always been a form of entertainment. "No. But I don't think he'll care this time. He knows what Gordon did to her" Alsaz explained. "Hmm, perhaps not, but he would care if an innocent party got caught up in it" he said, clogs starting to turn as he formulated a plan. "I'm not happy with her being able to torture this Gordon" Rassilon declared after a moment of consideration. It wasn't that he cared for the faction leader's welfare, it was more he could see all the time they spent breaking her in becoming wasted. A Mistress with fight left in her was not something he wanted to deal with when they got her back to Gallifrey.
"Remind me why we aren't still using the tracker to torment her?" He asked the team, still unsure as to why they had stopped using that technique a few weeks before hand. "We want it to be able to work in a few months time, to get her back to Gallifrey. When we were using it to before, they were finding ways to deal with it" Alsaz spoke up, after a few nervous glances from the others at the table. "Oh yes. All that 'Kos, listen to me. It's not real, focus on my voice' lark" Rassilon sighed, tapping his fingers against the surface. "We will start to use it again in a few weeks time, sir, we just don't want the Mistress to become immune to it. It is vital that both her and the Doctor are on Gallifrey when the baby is born, if we want this plan to work" Alsaz consoled, watching Rassilon nod reluctantly. "Fine, but is there anything else we can use in the meantime? I want her to be tame when she gets here" Rassilon said, this time turning his attention to the science team. "Actually" the time lord at the end of the table spoke up, looking over to Alsaz who nodded, "there is something we've been working on. We can start testing it as soon as you say the word. She'll definitely be tamed by the time she gets here after being used as a guinea pig for this" he continued. "Good. Whatever you need to do, do it" Rassilon nodded definitively. "Now, if you'll all open the folders in front of you, I want you to familiarise yourself with the lives and deaths of Cilinzia, Yimin, Unza, Daryn, Rilni and Maisa."
