The Master materialized the TARDIS just around the corner from Beatrice's parent's house at precisely 6:00. He was slightly surprised to see her waiting for him. He had anticipated potentially having to wait for her in case things went longer. Not that he was complaining.

He opened the door to the TARDIS and she stepped inside. As he looked up from the consul he immediately noticed that she looked extremely downcast. Almost as if she was on the verge of tears.

"Are you alright my dear?" he inquired in concern.

"I'm fine. Thank you for picking me up," her voice was soft but nearly emotionless. She gave him a small smile though there was no real feeling behind it. She then quickly hurried past him and deeper into the TARDIS.

The Master set the TARDIS to dematerialize before looking back down the hallway. It didn't take telepathy to tell that something was off about Beatrice. She had been her normal cheerful self when he had left her.

With a sigh, he went to search for her. Whatever was going on. He didn't think she should be alone. Apparently the TARDIS agreed because he found her fairly quickly. She was in the TARDIS living room. Curled up on the couch and staring into the flames of the electric fireplace.

She didn't acknowledge his entrance but continued staring into the fire with a blank look on her face.

He sat down next to her and gently took her hand. She finally turned towards him although she still wouldn't meet his gaze

"My dear, what happened?" She was silent for a moment. When she spoke her voice was quiet and wavering.

"I had a rather serious disagreement with my family. They don't understand that I don't want to keep all these secrets. I have to. For their safety and the safety of others. Besides, even if I did how could they understand any of this? Almost my entire life surrounds things that I can't tell them about. Alien invasions, visits to other planets, even you.

I love what I do and I don't regret my decisions when it comes to you and to UNIT. But just hearing my own sister tell me that she doesn't know me anymore and that if I'm going to be so secretive maybe I shouldn't visit anymore. It just hurts. I don't know what to do." Her restraint seemed to crumble as she began to cry freely.

The Master pulled her into his arms and held her gently stroking her hair. He wasn't entirely sure what to do. Comforting emotional humans was more the Doctor's area of expertise. Yet, he hating seeing his darling Beatrice so distressed. Allowing her to get her emotions out was probably the best thing he could do.

Finally, her crying subsided and she pulled away. He handed her a handkerchief for her to dry her eyes taking her free hand in his once again. She finally met his eyes and she sighed.

"You must think me quite silly breaking down like this," she said softly.

"Silly is the last word I would use to describe you, my dear. They're your family and you have every right to be upset." He was hardly going to condemn her for being emotional over something that clearly mattered to her.

"My sister wasn't the only one to say something hurtful. I said a few things I didn't mean. I just don't know how to reconcile this. It's like two parts of my life are constantly at odds."

"I'm afraid I'm not entirely sure what to tell you. I'm afraid I don't have an experience comparable to this one to draw advice from."

"I didn't think you would," she said gently. "But thank you."

"What for?" asked the Master. This elicited a small but at least genuine smile from Beatrice and she squeezed his hand lightly.

"For being here for me. You aren't used to dealing with something like this. But instead of leaving me to deal with my feelings on my own, you came here and listened. So thank you."

"Your very welcome my dear. I will always be here for you," he replied softly. At least for as long as I can.

Author's Note: Well here's another chapter. Sorry, it's a bit short. We should be getting another adventure soon. But I wanted to push the Master outside his comfort zone a bit. Please like and COMMENT. Thank you especially to those who already have. By the way, this story is also now posted on AO3. Due to the fun sucking black hole that is school I won't be able to update again immediately but I will do my utmost to stay consistent. Thank you everyone for reading. Until next time Whovians!