CHAPTER SUMMARY: Theta, Missy and Koschei make up as friends as she starts her first day of training for the Chancellery Guard.

Running Away from Gallifrey

Chapter 6: Diverging Paths

It had been a couple years since the Otherstide ball where they first made their relationship public, enduring the wrath of their families for starting gossip. However, things had started to quiet down in terms of talk around the Academy as everyone got used to seeing the 'power couple' together. Even their parents had suddenly gone silent, making them know that this was only the calm before the storm again.

Missy sat on Koschei's lap as he held her tightly to him on the chair. They were currently spending time together talking in the dorm room he shared with Theta for the morning.

He smiled, "So, today's finally the day?" she nodded, causing him to raise an eyebrow, "What's wrong?"

"I'm not going to lie, I'm nervous," she said, grabbing his hand, "But it's something I want as much as I enjoy being with you." They smiled, kissing each other.

Koschei intertwined his hand with hers, taking pleasure in the warmth and closeness of her as always, finding comfort in her scent of jasmine. "Are you honestly comparing me as an equal to the Chancellery Guard of all things?" he chuckled.

"Well, I do plan to have you both in my future." His eyes went wide, looking at her in awe before she realized the meaning in her words, a blush creeping onto her face. She was quick to explain it. "I-I mean–"

He silenced her with a finger to her lips, smirking with pride and joy, "I know what you meant." His hand lightly stroked her cheek. "How did I get so lucky to end up with someone like you in my life?" he whispered.

Missy smiled, leaning her forehead to his. "Because I want a love that consumes me. I want passion and adventure, maybe even a little danger, and you just happen to be the person who can give it to me." She paused before continuing. "Plus you're a genius and honestly drop-dead handsome. I can't help but love it."

Her words had him taken back. No one had ever said things like that about him before. Koschei was constantly used to his parents making him feel like anything he did was never good enough, even if he got all the top grades in his classes. He never received genuine praise from someone unless he made them in return for something.

"I love you too," he breathed out. He really did love her. She just constantly left him in awe with everything she did, everything she was. She was the calm to this drumming in his head. His clarity. His reason. His Missy. "I have a surprise for you."

"What is it?" She perked up, awaiting what he had to say.

"I wasn't sure if it would be right to tell around Theta, because you know how he can get about things, but I've been making future plans to work my way up in the ranks and become Lord President someday."

Missy gasped happily, "No way! If you end up becoming Lord President someday, then that means—"

"That we'll work side by side, together. It will be your job to protect me," he smiled.

She immediately saluted, "It would be my honor."

Hearing the sounds of giggling and laughter, Theta entered the dorm room to see his two friends happily hugging each other. He paused, raising an eyebrow, before they awkwardly stopped, noticing his presence there.

The awkward tension and silence was noticeable. However, it was quickly dissolved when Theta spoke first. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt." He was the first one in the group to get used to their relationship, even with the divide starting between the three of them.

Missy cleared her throat. "It's okay."

"Missy and I were just telling each other some good news," Koschei announced, backing her up.

"Oh, what's that?" Theta asked with genuine curiosity.

They both exchanged looks with one another, wondering if it would be okay to tell him. All they wanted was to share things they were happy about without their friend judging them for it all because he didn't agree with it or saw things going a different way.

Missy was the first one to dare it, fire shining in her eyes, "I'm starting the first day of army classes for the Chancellery Guard today."

"And I was telling her I plan to someday become Lord President right beside her." Koschei stated, stepping up beside his girlfriend.

Theta's jaw tightened. They knew he wouldn't be happy about it because he refused to see it from their point of view or understand their reasons for it. He always thought he knew best. "Have you both completely lost it?!" he barked.

Koschei sighed with annoyance. "And what if we have? What are you going to do about it?" The statement for him went deeper than any of them would understand. Seeing Theta wasn't going to do a thing, he looked to Missy and grabbed her hand. "Come on, let's get out of here."

"No," she said, gently pulling her hand from his, storming up to Theta. "I'm done with this. You can berate me all you want, call me naive, or a fool for the career path I'm choosing to take in life, but I will NOT stand by and let you do the same to Koschei." She pointed at his chest. "You know how his parents can be towards him. He's worked SO hard for this and I refuse to let you ruin it for him all because you don't agree with it!"

They were both left speechless at her words.

She continued. "We're your friends, Theta, and friends support each other."

He sighed, finally putting down his defenses and admitting the truth. "I thought the three of us were going to travel the universe someday. Or did you both forget that?"

The three of them looked at one another, realizing their paths and dreams were starting to shift from what they were originally when they started the Academy long ago. Koschei and Missy seemed to be on the same path, just going about it in different ways, but as for Theta— was he even on a path?

Missy gave a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry, Theta—"

Koschei cut her off. "But we can't just run away easily from our problems like you do!"

"I see," Theta said, swallowing. It seemed he was the only one following the dreams they once had now.

Seeing how he tried to compose himself, Missy walked up to her friend, taking his hands into hers, giving a smile. She was done with this argument between them and wanted to make things right. "Let's stop fighting. I just want things to be the way it used to be with us. Can we all agree on that and put our differences aside?" she asked, looking at Koschei and Theta in particular who happened to start arguing lately as well.

"Theta first," Koschei said, glaring at him.

She elbowed him for acting childish. "Koschei—"

"No, he's right," he sighed, looking down. "I'm sorry I said harsh things to you. I just— I don't want to lose you two. You're my best friends and I was only trying to help. I don't agree with what you're doing, but if there is anyone I think that could improve the High Council of Gallifrey, it's the two of you."

Koschei softened at this, while Missy took him into a hug. "You will never lose us, Theta! It's still the three of us against the world, no matter what."

"Exactly what she said," nodded the Oakdown heir, "We are still friends."

Theta gave a small smile despite feeling something deep down inside him warning him otherwise. "I'm proud of the both of you."

"Now all we have to do is make sure you at least graduate from the Academy, even if it's with a 51%," declared Koschei, chuckling as his friend gave a frown.

Missy took them both into a hug, knowing it would be her last time to do so for a while. "It's time. I have to go now. You both better behave."

"Good luck. I know you will make it through, just remember to stay alert and don't fully trust anyone, especially in the Chancellery Guard!" Theta reminded her like a big brother would with a sibling he was giving a talking to.

She smiled warmly, "Thanks."

Her eyes rested on Koschei as he took her hand, giving it a light squeeze. He didn't want to see her go, but he knew that they would see each other again soon. And then, they would be working side by side together after graduation, possibly being even more than just co-workers and best friends. He had plans to ask her once the time rolled around.

She leaned her forehead towards his affectionately. "I'm going to miss you, even if it's for three months."

"I'll miss you too. I can't imagine life without you," he said back, enjoying the comforting touch she gave that always calmed his mind.

Theta sighed, chuckling. "Okay, lovebirds, hurry it up or get a room."

Koschei shot him a challenging look. "Then get out of the room," he said, starting to pick Missy up into his arms, taking her into a passionate kiss as she wrapped her legs around him.

Seeing the intimate position his friends were getting into, Theta blushed, quickly turning around and heading straight for the door. "I was just joking!" he shouted.

The only thing he could hear was giggles and then moans as he shut the door, leaving them to it.

Now began the longest days of her life. Taking a transmat to the training room, Missy found herself surrounded in a room with mostly men. Some of them she knew from the Academy, but some were faces she hadn't even met yet. The room had stasers locked away with Chancellery Guard armor and suits.

"Alright kids, form a single file line right now. I want to see your faces and know your names!" shouted a feminine voice. It almost took Missy by surprise before she realized it belonged to the person who would be teaching them for the remaining three months; The General.

Everyone did exactly as told and stood up straight and tall, waiting for her to come down their way. When she finally made her way down, the General stopped at Missy. She was an older woman with gray streaks in her hair.

"I'm Missy of House Dvora, Ma'am!" she shouted.

"We haven't had a Dvora here for centuries. Let's hope you don't follow in their place," she stated, exactly referencing the Morbius incident with a glare. "I'm going to enjoy making you into a soldier."

She gulped nervously before the General moved onto her next prey. It was a young boy with brown hair. He looked the age one should be just entering the Academy, instead he was here of all places. "I'm An- Andred from House Redlooms, Ma'am!" he said with a shaky voice.

"Ah, another candidate from House Redlooms. No surprise there." she exclaimed, already moving onto the next person. It wasn't anything new to know that House Redlooms was most known for all their members being part of the Chancellery Guard. There was Hilred, probably one of his cousins, down the way.

"ATTENTION!"

Hearing the thump of boots, Missy followed in suit, standing to attention.

"Today's the day your training for the Chancellery Guard begins. There is more to the Chancellery Guard than just having the honor of protecting our Lord and Lady President's. We are the law and security on Gallifrey . Everyone looks to us to make sure they are protected and that everything runs smoothly in the Citadel with no problems," The General's eyes landed on Missy in particular, making her hearts race from the judging glance in them. "You will learn to work as a team, a unit, and if you don't think you can handle it, back out now while you still can. But do know, you will be judged harshly for this and your parents will be notified of your incompetence."

It felt as if she was speaking directly to Missy and Missy only. She swallowed, trying to calm down her racing hearts, assuring herself this was what she wanted to do. She wanted to be strong. She wanted to work alongside Koschei.

Seeing no one step forward or run away, the General continued on. "Very well, you've made your decisions. Let's begin."

Missy fell to the ground with a slam, huffing and panting heavily. The group of men around her were laughing, well all except for one; Andred. The first thing the General had them do was change out of their robes and into a Chancellery Guard uniform. Then she had them do fitness exercises to help build them up physically.

This was probably the most intense and hardcord thing she had ever experienced in her life.

"Aw, what's wrong Princess? Not used to a little hard work?" Maxil, one of her group members, remarked snidely.

Someone came over, helping her up. "Don't worry about them. There is typically a bully of some kind everywhere," he said, holding out his hand. "I'm Andred of Redlooms."

"Yes, I know," she smiled, wiping the dirt off of her. "I'm Missy of Dvora."

"It's going to take awhile before you build up the physical stamina, but that's why it's always the first thing they start you off on. Trust me, your muscles are going to be sore after this, but as long as you keep moving, it starts to get easier."

"Good to know."

The General spotted them and started yelling. "Back to work you two! This isn't the time for messing around. I didn't give orders for you to have a break!"

Missy jumped, following orders as she started to climb up the ladder and try again. When she grabbed the rope and began to swing, trying to touch the other one, she felt her muscles give out, proceeding to fall to the ground once more. Again, chuckles of amusement were heard and she felt herself starting to get tired of this repeat.

"You're going to regenerate if you keep that up!" reminded Maxil annoyingly.

She just shot him a look, continuing to wipe the dirt off her once more, looking back up at the exercise. Everyone else seemed to be getting it with ease, except for her. Feeling the self-doubt creeping in, it got her thinking that maybe Theta was right, was she even cut out for this?

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Let me know what you thought of this chapter! I really appreciate the feedback!

Koschei and Missy's relationship is getting serious. And it seems Theta is fixing his friendships with Koschei and Missy. However, our Dvora girl is starting to experience self-doubt. This is just the starting stone to her becoming the Fighter later on in life. We also got special guest appearances from Andred, Maxil and Hilred from the Classic Era! As for the General, she's obviously from Modern Who.

BTW, I finally posted the main story to this series, "The Last of the Time Lords," taking place in the 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th & 13th Doctor's Era. Just the prologue is up, but please check it out. Thanks!

See you in the next chapter!