Disclaimer: Hm … I'm still planning to blow up the BBC … still need some Nitro-9 …and still don't own Doctor Who …

A/N: I promised Saturday, and here it is, next chapter :D However, I think I can't keep up this fast uploading because I'm completely stuck with the original in … eh … for you it's Chapter 6, I think. I know, this isn't really a problem for you right now because there are still 2 chapters to translate, but you've to understand that translating isn't that easy. I have the feeling that I just need some time to think about this story and where I want it to go. But I'll try to update the next chapter Saturday in two weeks, I hope this is ok.

Aaaand, thanks to all of you who have reviewed again. You're just amazing :D

My wonderful beta oddood has done another miracle. She read and revised this chapter in just 30 minutes :D And this chapter is longer than the first two ones :D

Two Sides of the Same Coin

Chapter Three – Sleep

Exactly 4 minutes and 26 seconds later the Master had found a way to turn these five days into hell. For the Doctor, of course.

It was good he had a strong voice.

"Doooooooctoooooor?!"

Somewhere in the TARDIS there was a loud clangour and fast steps on gratings. Few seconds later the Doctor stood in the door to the infirmary.

"What's up?" he asked, a little short of breath.

"Oh … nothing … I just wanted to ask if I could have something to drink?", the Master said with an innocent face. "I mustn't get up, so I can't get it myself, can I?"

A despaired sigh. Ha, the Doctor hadn't thought of this! A wide grin appeared on the Master's face. Oh, this would be such fun!

*DW*

The Master took the liberty of playing the game some more times.

"I fancy some fish & chips. Do you know the little shop on Dean Street in London?"

"It's cold in here, isn't it? How about another blanket?"

"I've got nasty backache … An additional pillow would be nice!"

And always the Doctor responded positively. Fascinating.

But the Master noticed that he should not carry it to excess. As he called the Doctor the fifth time in one hour and asked him how they should handle going to the lavatory, he got the quick but painful answer of a flying bedpan hitting his head. He did not dare to say a word for the next five hours.

*DW*

When the Master didn't annoy him with special requests, the Doctor searched the Tardis' library for a way to give the Master back the lost energy. His collection of specialized books was huge, but yet he had the feeling that he would find nothing.

Due to the Master enjoying himself so much the first day, he felt worse afterwards. He dozed off more frequently. But that wasn't very upsetting for him, as he didn't have much to do anyway.

What he did not know, but the Doctor observed with growing fear, was that the Master did not fall asleep, but pass out and changed into the skeleton-mode for several minutes. Five days had been a very generous estimate, the Doctor thought sorrowfully. His friend – yes, somehow he had started to think of this seemingly weak Timelord as a friend – had maybe three days left. And that was only if he drained every last drop of energy from the Tardis to help him.

He had to find another way. Quick.

The Master woke out of his unconsciousness less and less often. Even he noticed in those few conscious moments that there was something amiss.

But somehow … no, he wasn't frightened. Death was nothing new for him.

Theta knows what he is doing.

Be quiet, Koschei.

One time the Master woke up, and noted that something was different. He kept his eyes shut and just listened. The constant beeping. His own gentle breaths.

And there … there! Was this a low snore?

He opened his eyes and looked around. The light in the room was dimmed; it seemed to be night (or at least the TARDIS had changed into night-mode).

And there, in the corner, the Doctor sat in a very uncomfortable position in an armchair the Tardis definitely had put there; he couldn't remember it standing there earlier. The Doctor had apparently fallen asleep reading the huge tome he still balanced on his knees; once in a while he let out a soft moan or gurgling, but apart from that he slept peacefully.

You should wake him so he can get a few hours of good rest, Koschei said.

"Hush", the Master did more to himself then to the voice in his head; it could not be silenced that easy. On the contrary, since the Drums had vanished Koschei had become louder and louder with every passing hour.

He leaned back and looked at the sleeping Doctor.

He couldn't classify his feelings for the other Timelord. This was the Doctor, damn it. The Doctor had prevented him … how many times to control the universe? They were like the two sides of the same coin, and he was … yeah, he was the dark side.

And the shiny, luminous side was the Doctor; always ready to stop him. The eternal interplay.

He hated it.

And he was sick and tired of playing.

Slowly, the Master drifted back to sleep.

*DW*

He was shaken; only slightly, and it only brought him back to the real world very slowly. It was difficult for him not to turn and hide in the dark again.

He blinked, and saw (again, he added silently) the Doctor above him. The wide grin seemed to be imprinted on his face and reached from one ear to the other.

"Hello!" The Doctor had raised his right hand and waved to the other Timelord. Literally. What had got into him now?

"Hello" the Master croaked. His throat hurt as he spoke, as if he hadn't drunk for days. Or as if he had screamed for hours.

"Fancy a walk?" The Doctor was in a very good mood. The Master suspected something … bad coming.

"I thought I can't leave the bed?" the Master said. Oh, he didn't like the sound of this!

"Don't worry, I have worked on the time-stabiliser module. Yeah, I really found a name for it!" He ran his fingers through his already messy hair and the grin on his face became even wider. "Well, it works now for a short time with a small internal power supply. However, it won't operate that long, but we'll only need a few minutes anyway."

"For what?" The Master sat up in his bed and felt for the gadget on his head. The thick cable had vanished and had been replaced by something small and cubic.

"Oh, that's a secret", the Doctor grinned, "Come on, I'll help you!"

First, the Master wanted to protest. He did not need any help. But as his feet touched the floor he suddenly felt very dizzy. And when exactly did he change his nice black hoodie and the black jeans for some blue pyjama?

The Doctor came to his aid, holding him up.

"You know there'll be revenge for this?" the Master stated dryly.

"I know." The Doctor grinned again.

The Master had to acknowledge that the Doctor had eventually learned the art of torture. It made him smile.

Slowly, step-by-step, they first left the infirmary, walked along the corridor and finally reached the TARDIS' control room. The Master concentrated mainly on his feet so he did not stumble and fall down, but as he noticed the strange light in the main room of the TARDIS, he looked up.

He couldn't believe that the Doctor was really that stupid.

*+DW+*

I know, cliffhanger :D Can't wait for your opinion. Liked it, Disliked it? Anyway, push the little green button below, I know you want to XD