The Master was working on the TARDIS. He would certainly be glad to get back to the stars now that he wasn't in prison. The fact that his dear Beatrice would be joining him only improved matters.
Speaking of his companion, she should be waking up soon. The Master was a relatively early riser. Beatrice, on the other hand, was not. At least not when she had the luxury of being able to get some extra sleep. In all fairness today she had every right to sleep in considering it was her birthday.
Given that he had been around for over six hundred years, birthday's weren't really something the Master tended to observe. However, he was aware that humans put quite a bit of emphasis on them.
The Master went to make two cups of tea in the TARDIS kitchen. By now he had memorized how she liked her tea. A dash of milk with a spoonful of sugar.
Once he had finished the Master checked his watch again and made his way back to the consul room with the two cups of tea on a tray. He didn't have to wait long as Beatrice entered the TARDIS which was still parked in her apartment.
She had evidently just gotten up as her hair was in a slightly messy braid over her shoulder and she wore a dark purple bathrobe and slippers.
"Happy Birthday my dear," he said handing her the tea. A look of surprise crossed her face as she took it.
"How did you know? I didn't mention it."
"Your birthday was listed as June 18th in your UNIT file when I checked to get your address. I simply kept the knowledge in the back of my mind."
"Well, you're right. I'm 30 years old today," she laughed. "I suppose I'm getting old."
"But no less lovely," said the Master and Beatrice blushed slightly.
"Charmer," she said in a fond tone.
"What are your plans for today?" he asked.
"Oh, Jo made me promise to go out with her and I'll probably call my family. But I'm all yours this evening."
"Excellent, I'll do some last-minute checks on the TARDIS while you are out and when you return, you can choose our destination," he told her.
"I'll try and think of somewhere. With a TARDIS there's quite a lot to choose from," she told him as she moved closer and kissed him gently. The moment was interrupted by the phone ringing.
"Blast, that'll be the parents," she said in a miffed tone that the Master found rather amusing. He noticed her accent tended to show more when she was annoyed or angry.
"You'd best go and answer it," he told her. She shot him a playful smile before leaving the TARDIS. He smiled as he watched her go.
/
Beatrice had been surprised that the Master knew it was her birthday. Though it was her 30th she hadn't really remembered till she checked the calendar. An attack from fish people tended to drive that sort of thing out of your mind.
Beatrice picked up the phone and sure enough, it was her mother.
"Happy Birthday dear!" said her mother.
"Thanks, Mum. How are you and Dad?"
"We're both fine. Got plans for the big day?"
"Just going out with friends." And potentially taking a trip into the past, she added in her mind.
"That sounds fantastic," said her mother.
"Yes, unfortunately, I have to go meet a friend from work."
"Alright, have fun." Beatrice smiled at her mother's cheerful tone as she set down the phone. Beatrice then moved back to her room to get dressed. She picked out a light cream coloured top and a black button-down skirt that stopped a few inches above her knees.
Once she was ready to go she put her hair up in a braided bun and then popped into the TARDIS.
"I'm heading out, I'll see you tonight," she said giving the Master a kiss on the cheek. He took her hand and kissed the back of it just as he had the first time they met.
"I'll see you then my dear," he replied. She had to admit he always looked more attractive when he smiled. Perhaps because she knew when he smiled at her it was genuine.
/
"Hi Bea!" said Jo cheerfully as Beatrice sat down across from her at the small cafe they had chosen to meet at.
"Happy Birthday! Are you excited?" Beatrice smiled at her friend's enthusiasm. Jo was like a little ball of energy sometimes.
"Yes, it's nice to have something to celebrate after dealing with alien invasions," said Beatrice.
"I suppose you're right there. There's going to be paperwork for days about the naval base incident." Jo agreed.
"Still, our lives wouldn't be nearly as exciting without those invasions," Beatrice told her friend with a laugh. Jo giggled
"That's probably true." A waitress came by and the two of them ordered. Once the waitress left Jo spoke.
"By the way, I got you a present," she said reaching into her bag and pulling out a package.
"Thank you Jo," said Beatrice with a smile as she took the brightly wrapped package and opening it. Inside was a tube of red lipstick. Beatrice checked the name on the lipstick and laughed.
"Heartbreaker. Fantastic choice Jo."
"I thought you would like it. It's the latest shade from Rimmel London."
"Well, it's lovely. I can't wait to use it." Lipstick was one of the few types of make-up Beatrice liked to use on a regular basis.
"So, is there anyone you're interested in?" asked Jo.
"Not at the moment," replied Beatrice. Or at least nobody I can tell you about.
"I'm sure you'll find someone. Benton actually asked me out," said Jo taking a sip of her coffee.
"That's wonderful!" said Beatrice, happy for her friend. Jo took on a thoughtful look.
"You know the Master really seems to like you. I mean all those time's he kidnapped you he's never tried to hurt you. Not to mention he seemed quite worried when the War Chief captured you."
"Oh, he may be slightly fond of me, or at least slightly impressed by the fact that I'm not afraid to call him out on his BS. But I'm a human, I doubt he would ever be interested in me," Beatrice deflected.
She was slightly surprised that Jo had noticed anything between her and the Master. Then again Jo could be quite perceptive when she tried.
"No, I guess he wouldn't," Jo said. "But it's fun to imagine. Talk about a star-crossed romance."
"That's one way of putting it," Beatrice agreed. Jo didn't know how close to the truth she was.
Fortunately, their food was delivered and the topic of discussion was steered into safer waters.
/
Once the Master had gone through all the necessary checks on the TARDIS, which admittedly did take a few hours since the TARDIS had been inactive for over a month, he walked to his room. On the dresser was a black velvet box that contained Beatrice's birthday present.
Inside the box was a necklace on a silver chain. It was blue with Gallifreyan symbols on it and the round pendant was rimmed in delicate silver.
The Master had the necklace made for Beatrice not long before the Daemons incident. There was a certain exiled Gallifreyan jewellery maker on Castrovalva 9 who had fortunately been willing to make the necklace with no questions asked.
The Master picked a book from his bedside table. He was working his way through a collection of Mark Twain's short stories.
The Master had to admit, humans really did have some creative ideas. At least more creative than the plots of most Gallifreyan novels. He supposed that was what happened with extremely advanced species. They so often focused on technical and academic aspects to further their society that creativity tended to take a back seat.
Returning to the consul room he began to read while he waited for Beatrice to come back.
/
He heard her before he saw her. The sound of her heeled boots was unmistakable. As Beatrice walked into the TARDIS the Master stood.
"How was your day with Miss Grant?" he asked.
"Quite enjoyable. It's nice to have someone I can talk to about what goes on at work. Discussing alien invasions with her almost feels normal."
"Well, she should be used to the unusual by now after being the Doctor's assistant for so long."
"Yes, with the number of alien invasion attempts you have made, foiling those plans is practically an everyday occurrence."
"Well, I promise no invasion attempts tonight. Where would you like to go?" he asked taking her hands.
"How about 1920s New York? I've never been to America."
"An excellent choice my dear. Though I might suggest a change in wardrobe. As flattering as it is you might stand out a bit." Beatrice glanced down at her outfit.
"It is very seventies. Probably not the most fitting thing for the roaring twenties." she let go of his hands and left the consul room. The Master watched her go.
/
Once Beatrice had found an appropriate outfit in the TARDIS wardrobe she returned to her room. The dress she had chosen was black and royal blue with beading and fringe on it. She had also found a pair of long black opera gloves and feathered headpiece to go with it.
Just as she was applying the new shade of lipstick that she had gotten from Jo there was a knock on her door.
"Come in," she called. The Master entered. He was now wearing a perfectly tailored dark grey suit with a dark blue tie and matching pocket square.
"You look absolutely ravishing my dear," he said. Beatrice did a small spin.
"I must say the twenties had excellent style. You look even more devilishly handsome than usual." The Master came to stand behind her.
"Before we go, I have a gift for you. Close your eyes" He said.
"This isn't going to blow up is it?" She asked somewhat sarcastically but closed her eyes all the same. The Master chuckled.
"No, my dear. I assure you this gift is completely explosion free." She felt the Master clip something around her neck. She smiled.
"Can you blame me given your track record? I read about that bomb you had sent to UNIT." She pointed out.
"That was UNIT, this is you. Alright, you can open them." He said.
"Oh, it's beautiful!" she exclaimed in surprise as she opened her eyes. Around her neck was a beautiful pendant. The pendant was obviously Gallifreyan in origin. Her heart seemed to speed up a little. "I love it."
"I'm glad you like it. As I'm sure you have deduced it's Gallifreyan." He wrapped his arms around her from behind and she leaned against him. As she looked at the reflection in the mirror, Beatrice tried to memorize everything about this moment.
"I'll treasure it," she said quietly as she twisted in his arms to face him.
"Happy Birthday my Beatrice," he said softly as he leaned down to gently kiss her, his lips barely putting any pressure on hers. She returned the kiss happily, wrapping her arms around his neck as she did so.
An incredibly strong feeling of warmth and happiness filling her. They pulled apart and she looked into his dark brown eyes. At last, he spoke again.
"That necklace is more than a piece of jewellery. It also serves a slightly more practical purpose."
"How so?" she asked tilting her head to the side slightly.
"The glass over the pendant is made from a Metebelis 3 crystal which often enhances the mind. It will amplify the normally dormant telepathic abilities that you as a human have."
"So this pendant allows me to telepathically communicate with you?" Beatrice asked.
"Precisely. If you and I are ever forcibly separated we will be able to stay in contact with one another." Beatrice smiled slightly. She found it sweet how protective he was of her. There was a certain sense of safety she felt when she was around him.
"Thank you," she said telepathically.
"Your welcome my dear," she heard him reply in her head. Even in her head, she could hear the tenderness inflected in his tone. She had a feeling tonight was going to be wonderful.
Author's Note: Aww:) The Master really is protective of her. I will note that the date I chose for Beatrice's birthday is actually significant. June 18th 1973 was the day that we, unfortunately, lost the wonderful Roger Delgado to a car crash in Turkey. I wish that Roger had lived long enough to see how beloved his character would become. He really was the Master of them all. On a side note, I didn't actually make up the dormant telepathic abilities thing. It is stated by the third Doctor in the episode Planet of the Spiders. I have a surprise for you all in the next chapter. A certain pair of character is going to make a cameo. Please like and COMMENT hearing your thoughts on the story is very important and encouraging. Thank you to those who have commented and thank you to everyone who has read the story!
