It took a while to clear everything up at the Naval Base, so it was getting dark by the time they got back to UNIT HQ. The Brigadier, while pleased that another plan of the Master's had been foiled, was not happy about the amount of paperwork covering up the Sea Devils incident would take. He was also annoyed that the Master had escaped.
After giving him a rundown of what had happened both at the prison and the Naval Base Jo and Beatrice were given permission to leave. Beatrice was very pleased when she finally reached her street. It had been a long day.
She sighed as she got out of her car and began walking the short distance to her apartment. Opening the door, she removed her coat and walked into her small living room. Sitting on her couch casually reading a book was a very familiar man.
"Master!" she said in surprise.
"Hello, Beatrice. I was just having a look at your book collection. Quite impressive by all accounts." He said as he stood up and walked over to Beatrice. Beatrice smacked his arm looking slightly cross.
"Good God! You nearly scared me to death when I saw the body on the stretcher. Ironically you faking a heart attack nearly gave me a real one!"
"My, aren't we feeling violent today." Beatrice sighed and sat down on the sofa.
"You just scared me, that's all." The Master joined her on the couch.
"My apologies my dear." Beatrice leaned her head on his shoulder and he placed his arm around her.
"Apology accepted. I suppose what matters is that you've once again escaped capture."
"You realize how ironic that statement is coming from a UNIT agent."
"Last I checked everything about our relationship is rather ironic," Beatrice said with a small smile.
"Indeed," agreed the Master.
"You know I told you this whole Sea Devils thing was going to backfire on you." She said tilting her head to look up at him.
"So, you did. Although you must admit part of it was certainly that fool Walker's fault the Doctor did mention he sent the attack."
"Admittedly he was an idiot. Who the HELL thinks that the immediate answer to a problem like that is a nuclear missile strike?"
"Evidently him, you humans can be rather ridiculous. Present company excluded."
"Says the timelord who posed as a cult leader and then tried to raise Satan." Shot back, Beatrice.
"Touché, my dear." Beatrice giggled.
"I don't think I'll ever get over the image of you as a vicar."
"I can see why you would find it amusing." the Master said dryly.
"That really wasn't your most subtle disguise. Although, admittedly it was those glasses that were the real ridiculous aspect of that disguise."
"I was going for mild-mannered." Defended the Master. Beatrice burst out laughing. The Master gave her a fond smile.
"Who do you think you are? Clark Kent? Mild-mannered is probably the LAST word I would use to describe you."
"Really?" he asked raising an eyebrow.
"You use hypnosis on people. Mild-mannered people don't do that." Beatrice told him bluntly.
"A fair point." Conceded the Master. "How would you describe me?"
"A slightly infuriating megalomaniac who is far too charming and charismatic for his own good," she replied. The Master chuckled clearly amused by her description.
"And you are an intelligent woman with a penchant for getting herself involved in dangerous situations and who is far too cheeky for her own good."
"Well, if I weren't such a trouble magnet you and I might not have met. If I had any sense I would have escaped that facility before you got to me."
"Then I'm thankful that you didn't," the Master told her. She leaned her head on his chest.
"So am I," Beatrice said quietly, a small smile on her lips. After a moment, she spoke again. "Would you like some tea? I doubt that made you a proper cup at that prison.
"Indeed they didn't." replied the Master and she got up moving to the kitchen.
/
The Master watched Beatrice leave the room and stood moving to look some more around her apartment. There was a record player in one corner. On top was a worn holder for a record. The cover read the title "So in Love" from Kiss Me Kate. Judging by the look of the cover the record had been played often.
On another table sat a series of photographs that the Master assumed were of Beatrice's friends and family. He vaguely recognized two of the people in one of the photographs from the glimpses he caught in Beatrice's memories.
"Taking a look around?" asked Beatrice who the Master had not heard re-enter. She handed him a warm mug of tea. The Master took a sip. He had to admit Beatrice was excellent when it came to tea.
"You can learn a lot about a person from the things they surround themself with. Who are the people in the pictures?" he asked. Where once he might have asked this merely to be polite he found that now he genuinely wanted to learn more about the woman who had managed to find her way into his hearts.
"The one on the far left is my mother, father, and siblings. Louisa and Collin are a few years older than me. Collin is a lawyer and my sister works at a bridal salon." The Master could see the family resemblance clearly.
"I recognize their faces from your memories," he said. "Who are the others?"
"That next one is my little niece Michelle. Collin's daughter. One year old and already getting into mischief."
"She must take after her Aunt," commented the Master.
"Collin and Louisa said something similar." Beatrice tilted her head towards the final picture. "That last one is from my graduation. I hated that red it clashed with my hair. The girl next to me is my best friend and former roommate, Samantha." The Master looked at the girl with brown hair and glasses standing arm and arm with Beatrice. Both wore red mortarboards and matching gowns.
"She was the girl who left your apartment on the day I came to see you correct?" he asked.
"Yes, she was the one who told me I should trust my feelings for you even if what we have won't last forever." At this, the Master placed a hand on her arm.
"It's true that our paths are someday destined to separate my dear. I can't promise we will always be together, but I can promise some part of me will always care for you." Beatrice gave him a small smile.
"Me too," she replied softly. The Master wasn't sure what to say and glanced over at the record player.
"I see you enjoy Cole Porter." Beatrice laughed.
"Oh that. I'm afraid that the hopeless romantic in me has a bit of a soft spot for him. Particularly Kiss Me, Kate. Who knew a show about two divorced actors could have one of the most romantic songs in musical history?"
"Though I haven't seen the musical itself I am vaguely familiar with some of Porter's work. One of the Doctor's previous regenerations was a bit of a musical fan. Though the only instrument he could seem to handle was a recorder."
"That sounds a bit like the Doctor," she paused. "Would you mind if I played it?"
"Certainly," replied the Master. It was better than some of the ridiculous tunes the Doctor's second incarnation had come up with. Or the abysmal attempts at music the Doctor had made during their time at the Academy. The Master had been subject to the Doctor's musical talents, or lack thereof, more often than he would like.
The record began to play and the Master set down his mug. Holding out his hand out to Beatrice.
"May I have this dance?" Beatrice gave a mock curtsy.
"Certainly," she said taking his hand. The Master was reminded of that Christmas night. When he took her dancing when he first started to truly accept that he cared for this wonderful woman. They danced slowly both listening to the lyrics.
So Taunt Me, and Hurt Me
Deceive Me, Desert Me
I'm Yours Till I Die,
So in Love, So in Love,
So in Love with You My Love
Am I...
Author's Note: There you go! Another chapter. Not too much happening but I thought these two deserved a bit of a rest after that crazy Sea Devils stuff. I don't own the lyrics to So in Love. It's a wonderful song by Cole Porter and I thought rather fitting for this couple. Thank you to those who have commented. As usual, I love hearing from you. I'll be glad to hear what you think of this chapter. Thanks for reading!
