It had been several weeks since the incident at the science base. Beatrice had been transferred a few days after the incident. She now worked in the same building as the Doctor. The same building where the Master was currently being held.
Beatrice knew she should have been freaked out and possibly traumatized by the experience of getting held hostage by an alien psychopath. But honestly, she felt just fine. She was more intrigued by the experience the frightened.
Jo had gone on break for a few weeks to see her family so Beatrice had been left to fill the role of the Doctor's assistant. This mostly consisted of passing him test tubes and bringing tea. This was fine by Beatrice as she found watching the Doctor work extremely fascinating.
She was constantly curious about the different experiments that he did and he was quite happy to explain things for her.
His experiments weren't the only thing that she was curious about, she was also curious about the Master. She didn't know what it was that made her so interested in him but now that her curiosity had been piqued Beatrice longed to know more about the mysterious man residing several floors below.
For what seemed like the millionth time Beatrice attempted to get information on the Master out of the Doctor.
"So, you and the Master went to school together?" she said casually as she brought the Doctor some tea and sandwiches.
"Yes, at the Academy" on Gallifrey." said the Doctor shortly.
"But if you two were friends back then how can you be so different now?" Beatrice asked.
"People change over time. What someone is like as a child can be very different than as an adult."
"What was he like then?" she said in curiosity.
"Miss. Rosenfield, I really would appreciate it if you dropped the subject of the Master. He is a dangerous criminal and that is all that you need to know." The Doctor's voice was polite but firm.
Beatrice sighed heavily. "Fine. If I really have to." This was always how it went. Whenever she tried to wheedle any information on him that wasn't in his criminal file. Which was quite extensive all things considered.
Beatrice had been forced to stop herself from laughing a little when she read about his attempt to take over the world using plastic flowers.
As she left the room she pondered what to do. Obviously, she wasn't going to be getting any answers out of the Doctor, which only left the Master.
However, he was under lock and key. She didn't know how she could get down there to talk with him. He was a dangerous criminal but the idea of seeing him again excited her a little. She would just have to wait for the right opportunity.
Much to her delight, said opportunity came much quicker than she expected.
Every year UNIT had a giant New Years party that everyone went to. With most people distracted up there she could surely sneak down to visit the Master.
On the evening of the party, she set a tea tray with 3 mugs and headed down to the cells. As she went down further the sounds from the party slowly faded. Finally, she reached his cell which was being guarded.
"Hey!" shouted the guard on duty. "You aren't supposed to be here." Beatrice shrugged.
"I just wanted to talk to him. Besides, I brought you a mug of tea. It is a shame you're stuck on duty while everyone is at the party."
"You aren't seeing him Beatrice." said the guard firmly. Beatrice sighed.
"Yes, I am. Unless you want me to tell the Brigadier how you were snogging Captain Bell a few weeks ago while you were on duty." The guard paled. "You can still stand guard. Just let me in, and if I get hurt because I went in there, I will make sure the Brig doesn't make it your fault." The guard wavered.
"Fine. But on your own head be it." said the guard and Beatrice gave a small smirk. Still looking wary the guard opened the door enough for Beatrice to get in and then closed it behind her.
The cell was plain with a chair, crate, and a small bed in the corner on which sat the Master reading a book. He looked up as Beatrice entered the room and Beatrice could have sworn that she saw a look of surprise in his eyes when he saw her. She gave him a small smile.
"Beatrice, what an interesting surprise. To what do I owe this pleasant visit?" he asked her politely, standing up.
"Hello Master, how are you?" she asked. "And in answer to your question, I thought you might like some company."
"As well as one can expect from being in a cell." Beatrice nodded.
"Well, I brought tea if you would like some." she offered.
"Thank you, my dear. Please sit." he gestured to the sole chair in the room in a gentlemanly manner. Smoothing her skirt underneath her, Beatrice sat. Incidentally, she had taken slightly longer getting ready today. Beatrice had applied a thin layer of makeup to her fair skin and her long red hair was put up in a simple french role. Not that it should matter, she reminded herself.
"So did the Brigadier send you down here? It is hardly a usual occurrence for a young lady like yourself to come and visit a criminal." the Master said.
"Well, no. I actually came here of my own volition. Nobody but the guard knows I am here." she told him.
"How rebellious. Tell me. How did you get passed the guard?" he seemed genuinely interested. Beatrice took a sip of her tea.
"Oh, I just semi blackmailed him," she said casually. "Nothing serious but enough to get me entrance. I also promised not to blame him if you kill me." her tone was light. She showed absolutely no fear at the fact that she was sitting having tea with a sociopathic alien.
"Indeed. And why may I ask did you wish to visit me? Aside from apparently thinking I would desire the company of someone other than a security guard."
"We never really got to finish talking. Besides I was right about wanting company wasn't I? It has to get pretty lonely down here."
"My dear Beatrice, this is hardly the first time I've been incarcerated and this is certainly not the worst prison. But I will concede that you were right."
"I feel like I should be more worried than I am at the fact that you've been incarcerated so often. Then again you're you so it can't be totally surprising I suppose." Beatrice said with a small shrug.
"Worry not. I have no plans to either kill or attack you." the Master assured her.
"Yes, I know. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't have risked coming down here."
"My dear, you are either very brave or very foolish."
"Perhaps a bit of both," said Beatrice. "I've never had too much trouble throwing caution to the wind."
"Well then, shall we continue our previous conversation?" the Master suggested taking a sip of his tea.
"That sounds like a good idea. Now where were we?" asked Beatrice.
"As I recall, I was just asking you why you were interested in talking with me." replied the Master.
"Ah yes, to be honest, I am not really sure why. Perhaps simple curiosity. Not to mention that morals aside your company is very enjoyable." Beatrice told him.
"I see." said the Master.
"Now I have a question. Why are you willing to talk to me? Most criminals in my experience are not too interested in chatting with agents without an ulterior motive."
"Most agents don't come down and have tea with criminals." countered the Master.
"Touche," said Beatrice inclining her head. "But you have not answered my question."
"Truthfully, I find you fascinating Beatrice. You showed no fear in a rather tense and dangerous situation and have so far acted in the exact opposite way that any other UNIT officer has ever acted. You are far too interesting for me to pass up on an opportunity to understand you."
"Well, I suppose the feeling is mutual.
Beatrice was surprised at how easily she could talk to the Master. She had no idea why it was so simple conversing with him.
"I've been wondering. If you Timelords can travel all around the universe why are you and the Doctor always here of all places?" she asked curiously.
"The Doctor has always loved Earth and it's people for as long as I can recall. It's rather an obsession of his. Right up there with constantly meddling in other people's business. The Doctor is currently in exile due to the fact that the Timelord leaders disliked his interference in the affairs of other worlds."
"Wow, they sound like assholes. Banishing someone just for helping out." Beatrice said with a slight snort.
"Well, that's one way of putting it." said the Master seeming slightly amused at Beatrice's bluntness.
"But what about you? Why are you here besides seemingly wanting to cause trouble?" she asked the last part slightly teasingly.
"The Doctor is the one person who I can say is nearly my intellectual equal. I find it interesting matching wits with him and watching him run about with his little friends at UNIT." replied the Master.
"But you ended up in a cell because of what you've done and the Doctor helped put you there." Beatrice was a bit confused.
"True, but as I have said, this is hardly the worst prison I have been held in. Besides my dear, do you honestly think I will be here for good." Beatrice paused at this. He was practically openly admitting he would try to escape.
"No I suppose not," she told him honestly. He really didn't seem like the type who was willing to be caged for too long. She checked her watch. She had best get going."
"I'm really sorry but I have to go now before they catch me. It's been interesting chatting with you if you want I can come back some time to keep you company.
The Master seemed intrigued at her offer. He looked at her, studying her eyes as if looking for some kind of deception.
"Yes, I would enjoy that. Thank you for coming down my dear, it's been a pleasure," he said standing politely as Beatrice got up and took the empty tea setting.
"Is there anything you would like me to bring next time. Within reason I mean." she tacked on at the end. She certainly wouldn't bring him weapons or something to aid in his escape.
"Perhaps some reading material. I'm not exactly picky but something of substance would be appreciated," he told her.
"I think I can handle that. Until next time then." she knocked on the door to let the guard know she was done and he let her out. She had thoroughly enjoyed her visit.
Beatrice smiled as she walked towards the stairs. Unfortunately, what was waiting at the top of the stairs wiped the smile from her face.
Authors Note: Oh! Cliffhanger! Please like and comment. Especially comments. I love feedback and if you have any suggestions for the story feel free to let me know.