A/N: Somebody mentioned that the child could be someone connected to Master's and Doctor's past, a friend from school for example? In my fic, it is not a friend, but the idea started from this moment.
It was hard to find the hidden chamber in planet's core, especially with the deadly level of radiation emanating on her home, but at last - the secret Matrix's console was just a few steps away from Doctor. If only Master didn't stand next to it...
"Listen, I know the truth now. The Founding Fathers wanted to create a noble race, immortal, without anger, nor hatred...They need a vessel, a place where all negative emotions could be hidden. From all available possibilities, they chose a child... Such pressure, no one would be able to survive it... That's why Founders made sure that it could never die, at least not physically. Bodies could be weak, but souls - never and are much easier to cut from time. With adequate program in the Matrix, the timeless child's soul has been receiving a body after body, (which grounded it to our universe) a new person to live in and suffer. What's more the person, or anyone around, would not know that he or she was the timeless child." She bowed her head in shame. "Nevertheless, it still couldn't work forever. The vessel got full, the virus was spreading, but they couldn't deactivate it, as it would only get worse. The child was like Pandora's box. Gallifrey's destruction partly broke the programming, I found the timeless child. It is you."
"Idiot!"
"What?"
"You don't know anything! You have no idea! Stupid, useless woman!"
"Of course it is you, Master. I've got its DNA. OK, it was incomplete, but there was 50% match with yours.
"And pray tell me, whose is the other half?"
"Why would it matter? It is you. It must be you. Drums. You constant delight of cruelty and chaos. Manipulating everyone to your whims. Your DNA!"
"And yours, Doctor!"
"...what are you talking about?"
"It's our CHILD!"
"...you lie."
"Another timeline, alternate universe, we had a child! Think about it, there was a need for very strong host. A person, who was naturally born, without any fake interference." he came closer to her. "When we were young, all thought of us as stars of next generation. Our minds - unique, potential - enviable, genetic code - extraordinary. Imagine if our houses joined into one, sons and daughters coming from there would be unstoppable." his face darkened. "Of course, they would choose one as a lab rat!
"...no..."
"When our child was taken, Founders made sure to hide it, destroy the possibility of its existence and put us at each other throats to never convince any offspring. They've done a great job. Look at us, have you ever thought that we could be together, love?"
"No, no, nonono, it doesn't make sense, you are lying... you must lie..."
"With such silly excuse? If I wanted to deceive you, I would certainly be more creative! Focus, you should feel it, especially in this chamber."
"I don't feel anything."
"Listen, Doctor." he forced her to look into his eyes.
"Yes, a silent voice... it is crying. Oh, gods, it's here, in the machine!"
"Do you know what the timeless child is? A person ripped from the time continuity and transformed into battery for our civilisation! Beasts! Monsters! Bastards! If I could, I would be killing them over and over again!" he looked at the Matrix's console. "I just need to finish the job and destroy the machine."
"Wait!" Doctor quickly blocked his way. "You don't have to do it. There is a back up copy, which can restore everything. Founders are guilty, true, but not all of our society!"
"I don't care!"
"I won't allow it!"
"And what would you do to stop me, Doctor?"
"I would ask you to help me rescue OUR child."
"Don't you think that I haven't tried? There is a hell inside! 10-15 minutes and you get mad, then change into dust." From Master's mouth came something between roar and painful cry. For a moment, Doctor almost believed that he had lost it, but then - it was not possible, not the Master. She stood her ground and let him speak. "Our child is only a child in the name, its body is not a body any more. Its mind... " Fresh tears started falling from his eyes. "I hoped that I could end its suffering at least, but it seems that I missed one thing."
"I'm here, I will help you."
"Long time ago, I had a daughter, do you remember? I made sure that she was safe and protected. I have never planned to have more children, for a reason. But did they really think that I would pass by and pretend that nothing has happened? How could they..."
Hands were holding him. Doctor's warm hands. He could only return the hug.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. If I have noticed...If I stopped for a second and ..."
"I know." her hair smelled nice. "You understand now, don't you? It cannot be forgiven and we have no choice."
"Give me 15 minutes."
"What?"
"If I didn't come out, you could proceed with destroying everything what you want. If I got out... I presume that it would also satisfy you."
"I'm not lying to you." The time lord pushed Doctor away slightly and looked at her face. "It's really an awful place inside."
"Let me be a judge of that."
"Timeless child didn't recognize me, it wouldn't know who you are as well."
"Master, please. You should already realised that I've made my choice."
ooo
20 minutes passed. 1 hour. 2 hours. 10 hours. After 17 hours, Master was asking himself what he was doing here. However, Doctor always liked to come late, very late. Surprisingly, hardly anyone complained.
"It's a girl." his legs shook and the time lord only managed to make a few steps, before falling down next to his exhausted friend and four year old child.
"Yes." Doctor smiled happily. "I think she has your eyes."
"She was so deformed that I could only guess if she was a girl or boy."
"It's all right now." the time lady took his hand. "She will be sleeping for a longer time and may have problems with communicating with us, but I'm sure that all will be fine in the end. Oh, and Gallifrey is back. Sorry, it was non negotiable."
"I don't mind."
"Come on, hold her."
"No. I can't." Suddenly, he moved away as if something burned him.
"Why? Where are you going?"
"As far away as possible."
"What? Oi, you can't abandon her. Or me! Not right now."
"Especially now! Before I will loose my sanity again." Doctor was weak and she could hardly stand up, therefore he was free to go. "Do you know how I protected my first daughter? I kept myself away. She was beautiful and brilliant, what's more - not mad." he looked at the child sleeping soundly in Doctor's arms. "I know that you will take care of her, me... you know, who I am. I would only corrupt her."
"You will have us and my Fam! Together will can work it out! You can't just give up!"
"I'm sorry."
"No! Master, please."
"Thank you for believing in me, but it's for the best. Goodbye, Doctor... my oldest friend. Tell her that I love her."
A/N: is it possible to cry when writing?
