CHAPTER SUMMARY: Theta and Missy have a fight over differences. Koschei and Missy share a moment, but tensions begin to rise high between all three of them.

Running Away from Gallifrey

Chapter 4: Divided Loyalties

"He's not here. He's caught up in detention again," Koschei called out to Missy. "You can sit next to me if you like."

She nodded, setting her plate down on the table, taking her seat. "Figures. What'd he get into trouble for this time?"

"He made a device with Drax that accidentally ended up exploding a chicken in Cybernetics."

Ushas, who was sitting across from them, huffed. "Stupid fools." She was a Time Lady known for usually sticking to her own studies in chemistry with a dislike for Theta and his antics. "Serves them right," she exclaimed, pushing her dark hair back from her face.

"Someone's chiper today!" said Magnus, joining them at the table.

"Shut up." she barked with a glare.

He chuckled, always finding her behavior amusing, before glancing over to Missy and Koschei. The blonde was angrily eating her food, her mind off somewhere in the distance, while the dark haired boy beside her had his blue eyes fixated on her intensely with slight worry.

He couldn't make it anymore obvious, Magnus thought to himself.

"You and Theta still not talking to each other?" he asked, taking a bite of his meal.

Missy snapped from her thoughts, her face showing a mix of sadness and anger. "No…he still hasn't apologized for what he said." She bit her lip, suddenly slamming down her drink, causing Ushas to give her a stare too. "I mean, who in Gallifrey does he think he is, telling me I can't handle taking military classes if I want to. It's my life, not his!"

It had been a week now since Missy and Theta had their huge fight, right in this very room and at this very table in front of the whole Academy practically. They were just mindlessly mentioning their career choices. Of course Theta didn't really have one planned out unlike everyone else, but for some reason, the moment Missy mentioned taking Military classes again so she could join the Chancellery Guard, he lost it, telling her she was a fool and it wasn't safe – that she would never make it through.

Poor Koschei had been caught up in the middle of their fight the most.

"He'll come around, eventually," the Oakdown boy said confidently. "Besides, you were right to tell him off. What he did was uncalled for. I would have stuck it to Theta too if he tried to tell me that what I was doing was wrong."

Missy sighed. "I know he had good intentions behind it. I get it, but…"

"You wish he had more faith in your abilities as a person?" Koschei smirked.

She nodded before tilting her head slightly, guilt on her features. "It's not much to ask from one of your friends, right?"

Magnus and Ushas watched as Koschei's eyes lit up with a warmth towards the Dvora girl. "No, not at all. You have my faith, Missy," he responded, causing both of them to give knowing looks to each other.

It hadn't been all that secret in the Deca lately that Koschei and Missy seemed closer with each other than before. Between the glances, slight touches, excited tones and just the overall body language, it was obvious they had developed feelings for one another. However, the problem was — neither of them were making the first move and confessing.

Missy's brown eyes shined, giving Koschei a smile. "Thank you. You have my faith too, Koschei." The pounding of their hearts and the warmth in their chests said the unspoken confessions they hesitated to give one another.

However, the tender moment was disrupted by another member, Mortimus, plopping down onto the bench directly across from them.

"Uhhhh…" he groaned dramatically, resting his head on the table like a hopeless mess. "It's no use! I'm pathetic!"

"What's wrong this time?" Magnus asked, rolling his eyes.

Mortimus rested his chin on the table, looking up at him. "I swear I've asked every girl out at this Academy to the Otherstitde dance, but even the ones I have dated before have turned down my offer." He whined. "The only girls I haven't asked yet are…" he glanced to the two female Deca members currently in front of him.

Millennia — another female member — was already off limits, dating Rallon. Ushas was…completely out of the question. She was more dedicated to her experiments than anything else and would kick him in the time balls if he dared ask.

But Missy… "Hey, you're not currently dating anyone, right?" he asked.

Missy's eyes went wide at the bluntness of his question, glancing at Koschei briefly for a sign, anything, to tell her his feelings. He remained impassive, causing her to hide a frown. "Um, no, I'm not."

"Great then!" he chirped up with hope. "You're pretty enough and rich…how would you feel about dating me? Just until the dance is over?" Missy bit her lip in unassurance. "Please! Consider it an 'I owe you'."

Seeing Koschei wasn't making a move, she let out a breath, giving a forced smile. "Very well." A grin covered Mortimus' face as she pointed a finger at him. "But…just until Otherstitde is over. After that, you owe me."

Mortimus nodded desperately. "Whatever you want!"

Magnus and Ushas caught the calm look on Koschei's face, but didn't see how he curled his fist in frustration under the table at what just transpired.

Two weeks had passed since Missy and Mortimus started dating, and most of the members of the Deca couldn't wait for their deal to be over with — especially Koschei. No one was sure what happened, but Mortimus and Missy suddenly seemed to be playing their parts as boyfriend and girlfriend perfectly, matching up to Millennia and Rallon.

Despite not being on speaking terms with one another, Theta and Missy could at least handle being in the same room with each other for the weekly club meetings the Deca had in Borusa's classroom. She appreciated the distraction from it that Mortimus would offer her.

"Today's meeting brings us to the fact that Otherstide is this weekend." Ushas said, calling everyone to order.

"Oh, great." sighed Theta. "I think I'll pass on it."

"No one was talking to you, Sigma!"

Theta narrowed his eyes in disbelief. "But you were just addressing the whole room! That includes me too!"

She glared. "Not when I say it doesn't. Now, shut up. I wasn't done yet." Theta looked to his best friend, Koschei, sitting right next to him, shaking his head. "Otherstide is this weekend, which means everyone will be getting ready for the annual dance."

It was silent for a few as everyone looked forward, waiting for her to get to the point. However, the sounds of giggles and sudden smacking of lips made everyone look back at the source —- everyone, except Koschei.

Mortimus and Missy weren't even listening to the meeting at all. At least Missy was trying to at first until Mortimus tuned it out and started whispering things to make her laugh in her ear. He was quite the trickster, always knowing how to make something fun.

"Mort, I'm trying to listen to Ushas speak." She whispered through a giggle, feeling his breath tickle her ear.

"But I'm bored!" he whined, holding her hand in his. "Besides, it's just Ushas. She's probably mentioning something boring no one wants to listen to anyway, like how to make a Dinosaur."

She couldn't help but chuckle. "Mort!"

"They went extinct. There isn't much she can do except change their fate, but Time Lords aren't allowed to interfere in such things. Right?"

Missy tried to quiet him, but Mortimus continued to cling onto her, nuzzling his head into her neck before going in for a kiss. Hearing a sudden silence, Missy opened her eyes, realizing the whole room was watching them.

Pulling away, she lightly tapped him. "Mort…"

He glanced over at them without a care in the world. "Oh, is the meeting over now? Good talk then. Till next week." Mortimus started to stand up, still holding Missy's hand in his. "Let's go, babe."

"Hold it right there, we just started!" Ushas yelled furiously. "We haven't been able to get through it because of your making out. You can at least hold off locking lips like Millennia and Rallon do until after."

Mortimus sighed, slumping down. "Then get to the point already."

Koschei clutched his fist once again on Mortimus' attitude over things. It usually didn't get on his nerves, but lately ever since he started dating Missy, just the sight and sound of the student pissed him off.

Theta noticed his friend unconsciously tapping his fingers in a rhythm of four on the desk furiously. "Kos?"

Without another word, the Oakdown heir jolted up from his chair and shouted at the dark haired boy by Missy's side. "If you don't like being at these meetings, then why in Rassilon are you even a part of this group, Mortimus?!"

Suddenly the once peaceful meeting room of the Deca became thick with tension that was so sharp, it felt like someone would be cut down for making the slightest move.

Mortimus lazily raised an eyebrow. "Wow, Koschei, what has you set off? You've never given a shit about it before."

"Because you're sitting here constantly whining to get your way, but not even bothering to put in effort and pissing us off! We have more important things to do than deal with your sorry ass." He stated, slamming his hands down on the desk.

No one had ever seen Koschei lose his cool like this, especially Theta and Missy. He was usually the calm and collected one of the three, seeming to be in perfect control.

Missy gave a concerned look Koschei's way, causing him to try and regain control over himself. The last thing he wanted was to have her see him in a negative light too. He couldn't help but speak out against this fool's behavior, feeling the drumming in his head racing with blood.

Missy rose, trying to calm them down. "Why don't we just calm down and talk this out rationally."

Theta couldn't help but snort at this. "You're one to talk…"

"What?"

He stood up, pointing out the obvious. "You yelled at me in front of the whole school for trying to stop you from putting yourself in danger."

Magnus sighed, rolling his eyes. "Here we go again."

Missy squinted her eyes. "It was only because you said it was a stupid thing for me to enroll myself in worthless Military classes and that I would never survive a day being one of those 'pathetic and pompous Chancellery Guardsmen' because I would end up shooting myself with my own staser!"

"I still hold true to what I said." Theta said, standing tall and firm.

Missy couldn't help the tears threatening to fall from her eyes. "Do you really think I'm that stupid?"

He paused before responding. "No, not stupid…just very naive to the point of getting yourself killed."

She could feel her hearts hurting with every word he spoke. Why didn't he just believe in her as she believed in him.

Despite her best efforts to hold back the tears, they started to fall from her face. "Excuse me…" she said, apologizing for leaving during the meeting as she rushed out the door.

"Missy…" Koschei called out, watching her leave with concern. He knew how Theta's words affected her.

Mortimus sighed. "Awww, why can she leave, but I can't?"

Ushas threw her hands up, yelling. "Fine, meeting adjourned since no one really cares what I have to say and would rather argue instead!"

Theta rose up from his seat, noticing the look his friend was shooting him. If looks could kill…he'd be dead. "I know what you're going to say, Kos, but I said what I said because I care for her too. She's my friend and I think of her as a sister. I'm just looking out for her."

"I know, but you didn't have to say it like that! At least tell her you still think of her highly because she believes otherwise right now."

The Lungbarrow boy sighed, putting his bag securely around his shoulder. "I told the truth. I don't think down on her or her capabilities as a person. She's one of the strongest people I know. I just don't like the idea of the Chancellery Guard."

"That's only because they keep catching you doing things you shouldn't, like sneaking out of the capitol…" Koschei chuckled, pointing out the obvious.

Theta cracked a smile, shrugging. "I'll see you back at the dorm."

"Okay." He said, bidding his friend farewell. Koschei noticed Mortimus still sitting at his desk as he narrowed his eyes, walking over. "Aren't you going to go after her? You are her boyfriend after all. She looked pretty upset."

Mortimus yawned without a worry in the world. "I know you're her friend and all, but don't worry, she's fine. I'm giving her time to cool off."

Koschei rolled his eyes, trying to not start another fight with him before storming off out of the room. "Fine, I'll do it myself."

Millennia heard a knock at the door as she answered, opening it to see Koschei. It was usually him, Theta or Rallon at that door. "Hi there. She's in her room. I'll get her for you." She smiled.

"OKay, thank you." He said, rather out of breath. He had searched everywhere for her, but didn't think of the most obvious place until now.

"Hey, Missy, Koschei is here to see you." The blue haired girl announced, lightly knocking at the bedroom door.

"Thanks, I'll be right out." She stated from behind the door.

Millennia motioned for him to come in and not stand outside the doorway as they heard shuffling before Missy came out.

"Hey…" he breathed out, looking at her in awe.

"Hi…" she said, starting to feel better just seeing him before her. It was like a magnetic force between them every time they were together.

The Brightshore girl just smiled, shaking her head, hoping the two would just get together already.

"My, such words. Calm down you two. You may just win the debate next week!" She teased, winking at her roommate who blushed slightly.

"You want to go to the usual spot?" Koschei asked.

"As long as Theta isn't there."

"If he is, we can just go somewhere else." He smiled.

Missy felt her hearts flutter from his consideration over her. He always knew how to cheer her up and make her feel like she was worthy just being herself — like a queen to his king. It was always so hypnotic and intoxicating. She couldn't get enough.

Sitting out on the roof of their secret hideout, they watched the shining citadel of Gallifrey in the night sky in silence. Everyone was going about their lives, not stopping to take a rest or contemplate things like they did.

Missy hugged her knees, while Koschei would briefly glance over to her every now and then. There were still many unspoken words between them and tension different from what was happening with Missy and Theta. This went deeper , to their very hearts and souls.

She finally glanced up to him, catching his eyes. After sharing a smile, she was the first to speak. "Thanks for bringing me here. It's the kind of break I need right now."

"Of course," he nodded, biting his lip, wanting nothing more than to reach out towards her and take her into the comfort of his arms. He cleared his throat. "Are you doing okay though?"

She hesitated, before knowing she could trust Koschei with this more than anything, letting some tears fall from her face. "No, but I'll be okay. I'm just sorry that you have to be in the middle of our fight."

"I have no problem with it," Koschei stated. "Theta thinks he knows what is best for everyone, but sometimes it's not always the case. It's just his way of showing that he cares, even if it's wrong."

Missy wasn't going to let Theta stop her from joining the Chancellery Guard just because of a difference of opinion between them, but it still made her concerned, "What if we never make up and just continue butting heads?" she asked.

His eyes narrowed slightly, as if in deep contemplation about something before shrugging. "It's typical. It's not like me and Theta haven't had our differences before either." He smiled, trying to reassure her. "However, we always remain friends in the end."

This took a heavy weight off her chest, giving a smile to the Oakdown boy. "You always know how to make me feel better. Thank you, Koschei."

"Anything for you."

Once again that magnetic force between them started to take hold, looking each other in the eyes, feeling themselves be pulled towards each other. They didn't stop it this time, going with the motions. Their lips touched, and they felt an electric spark between them before Missy quickly pulled away, covering her mouth.

"I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. It was wrong." she said, now putting distance between them awkwardly.

Koschei's hearts dropped, thinking she was going to reject what just happened as panic spread throughout him. He grabbed her hands, desperate to convince her. "No, there was nothing wrong about it. Come on, Missy, you know there is something between us. Something deeper and unexplainable, a fire."

She couldn't do this right now. "Koschei—"

"We've had feelings for each other for a while now. You can't just deny what happened."

"I'm not." she stated, turning towards him, standing her ground. "I've been wanting to do that with you for awhile now—"

"Me too."

"But…I'm currently dating Mortimus. I have a promise to uphold." Missy sighed, pointing out the truth to him. Koschei felt his blood boil, hearing the drums start off again. "And what about our families…they wouldn't like the idea of us being a romantic item."

He growled with frustration. "Who cares what they think?! I just want to live my life the way I want to and love whoever I want to without anyone telling me what to do anymore!" His grip on her hands tightened a little. "I want to be with you."

"Oh, Koschei." Missy said, looking at him sadly as she cupped his cheek. He leaned into her touch.

The Oakdown boy leaned into her touch, enjoying the comfort it always brought him. "You're the only one who can quiet it all." he whispered unconsciously.

"What?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Realizing his slip, he sighed, clutching his head. "J-Just an annoying headache, that's all." Looking back into her eyes, he rested his forehead on hers. "There is a bond between us."

He was right. They had been drawn to each other like magnets or atoms, trying to find the other parts of themselves to feel complete again. There was a fire between them. It was hypnotic and neither of them could get enough, always wanting more. It was more intimate than the friendship they shared with Theta.

But…

"I know…" she sighed, tears falling from her face, "But I'm sorry, Koschei. I've already promised Mortimus I would go to the Otherstide ball with him. I can't break my word."

He gritted his teeth. "He doesn't even really care about it, just like he doesn't pay attention in our meetings. You can't tell me that you've come to develop feelings for him?" Koschei felt the beat inside his head taking off more and more as he felt everything slipping away from his grasp. Seeing she wasn't going to fight against it and follow her hearts, he felt something in him snap again. "This isn't you, Missy! You are acting pathetic!"

Her eyes widened with hurt and shock, but it was already too late. The words had slipped from his mouth. "Don't start acting like Theta, thinking you know what's best for me."

This didn't help his anger as is. "I am NOTHING like him and I never will be!"

"Then let me do what I think is best, Koschei." Missy stated, standing her ground before her face softened, watching as he tried relaxing. "You do trust in me, right?"

"Yes."

"Good." She started to get up from the spot, feeling the comforting moment had been ruined. Glancing to the door that led back to the dorms, she motioned over that way. "I think it's time we start getting back before we are caught."

"You go. I won't be long."

He didn't watch her walk off, but once he heard the door close behind him, Koschei let out a groan of frustration and pain. The drums had been getting worse and he wasn't sure how much longer he could take it and the situation with Missy. All he wanted was her in his arms. All he wanted was to be in control . And he would be, no matter what he had to do to get it.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: We get to see a little into the Origins of the Master taking hold. And it will only cause more trouble here to come as we see the differences starting to take place between our main three.

See you in the next chapter. Let me know your thoughts on this one :)

Follow me on the Tumblr blog for updates and more on this story: theFighterofGallifrey dot tumblr dot com