"Good afternoon, Miss Jovanka," a rich voice greeted her.
Looking up a side hallway, Tegan saw the Master, walking casually towards her, a small grin playing on his lips. Tegan swallowed, bracing herself. She wasn't happy with him or with herself. The concert, even more than the sex they'd shared, had upset her view of him. Before she had hated him, but now she struggled with an uncomfortable mix of anger, guilt, and a warm feeling she refused to admit was anything but desire.
"You shouldn't be here," Tegan huffed, irritated at the strength of her reaction to him.
"Possibly, but I rarely let that stop me, when I have something to accomplish," the Master observed, his head tilted in curiosity.
"Like what? Why are you here?" Tegan asked flatly, upset and puzzled.
"Do I need an excuse? Perhaps, I merely want to say hello," the Master claimed, chuckling.
"Stop it!" Tegan responded angrily, half turning from him, in an effort to control herself. "It's so easy for you isn't? You don't have to worry about other people and consequences. You can just come and go and wreak all the havoc you like!"
"You seem to like the sort of havoc I've been wreaking lately," the Master pointed out, outwardly amused, but inwardly puzzled, starting to worry. Had the Doctor said something unkind to her? "Although, I'm not the one that locked us in together."
"I didn't mean to!" Tegan protested. "Anyway, you said it was hate sex, remember? We had an excuse...at least until that blasted concert!"
"But, it was merely an excuse, wasn't it?" the Master prodded, feeling a wave of triumph. "Though, I don't really see why you need one!"
"Don't!" Tegan ordered sharply. "You just don't get it, do you?"
"Get what?" the Master demanded, striving for patience.
"You've turned me into a traitor," Tegan insisted, miserably.
"That's a bit strong, don't you think?" the Master asked, surprised. What in the cosmos did she think she'd betrayed?
"A bit strong?" Tegan repeated, her voice becoming almost shrill with accusation. "You killed my Auntie Vanessa, remember? I loved her, you know!"
The Master cursed mentally. He'd hoped he could delay dealing with that issue, until his relationship with Tegan was on firmer ground. He didn't feel guilty, but he did regret the older woman's death. Not only had it been unnecessary, but it was now an impediment to something he truly wanted. The Master wasn't ready to admit that he found Tegan's pain unacceptable.
"Your aunt," the Master repeated, grimly. "I was expecting you to raise objections about the Doctor."
"The Doctor can take care of himself and it's not like I'd help you harm him, thanks," Tegan snapped. "My aunt was helpless and you...you just killed her!"
"And if I had not?" the Master questioned, wondering what he was up against.
Tegan raised her hands in a helpless gesture and scolded, "But you did! You did and you can't bring her back anymore than the Doctor could bring back Adric!"
The Master's gaze sharpened at that.
"Miss Jovanka..." he began, but she didn't let him continue.
"NO! All right? The answer is no!" Tegan insisted, her voice faltering only slightly.
"The Doctor is here," the Master announced calmly, his own emotions kept under iron control. This wasn't finished, not at all, but he could see the need for a strategic retreat. Tegan needed someone she trusted right now and, unfortunately, he did not yet have that distinction. He wasn't happy at the relief that crossed her features at the Doctor's name, but he understood it, nevertheless.
Tegan turned and saw the Doctor standing at the end of the hall, his expression concerned. After a final, tormented glance at the Master, Tegan turned and ran to her friend. She didn't see the Master take a few steps back and disappear into the shadows of a nearby archway. The Doctor waited until the Master was gone, before placing his hands on Tegan's shoulders.
"Are you all right, Tegan? Did he hurt you?" the Doctor asked, gently.
Tegan took a deep breath, pushing her emotions aside and shaking her head.
"No, he didn't hurt me. I did. I disappointed myself and...she'd be so disappointed in me," Tegan explained.
"Nonsense!" the Doctor denied strongly, hoping to ease her misplaced sense of guilt. "You've done splendidly!"
"Thanks, Doc," Tegan smiled shakily. "Brave heart, huh?"
"Brave heart, indeed!" the Doctor agreed, smiling. "Come on now, cheer up! The king has ordered a great feast in our honor and we have just enough time to freshen up a bit!"
Tegan followed the Doctor, though a stubborn part of her felt more like mourning than celebrating.