Chapter Six: Meant for Each Other

They arrived at her father's estate many hours later. The Master was sleeping again, so she roughly shoved his shoulder. His head hit the car window and he awoke throbbing. "What the hell did you do that for?"

"We're here," she informed him with a cute little smile.

"You didn't have to slam me into the door," he mumbled as she got out and walked around to help him. She opened it and he sent her an irritated expression. "No, really. Thanks for that. I think I have a concussion now."

"Stop being so dramatic. Seriously, you're acting like a girl."

Her arm went around his waist and supported him as they walked. "Take that back. I am no such thing!"

"Yeah, you are. You've got the art of nagging down. I really think that you'll be a great housewife."

"Was that a marriage proposal?"

"You wish."

She opened the door and wandered into the living room. Pete and Jackie were there with her little brother. The parents stopped playing with blocks and stared at Rose and the Master. Jackie had a look of shock on her face while Pete's expression was blank. Footsteps broke the uncomfortable silence, as Mickey came down the stairs when he heard the door open.

"Who's this?" Pete asked with a gesture in the Master's direction.

"I'm the Master," he answered with a smile.

"We're calling you Harold Saxon," Rose snarled in response. "This is Harold Saxon. He's a Time Lord like the Doctor. They traveled together and apparently he came from the parallel world."

Mickey walked in behind them with a chuckle. "So what is he then? The Doctor's brother?"

"No no no no," the Master laughed. "We were old mates."

Jackie wasn't following. "So, you're a Time Lord like the Doctor from a parallel universe? I didn't think that was possible. The Doctor was the last one and we can't travel between worlds. Rose, this doesn't make any sense. He's got to be some lunatic that knows about us. Where on Earth did you dig him up?"

"I'll explain everything later. He is who he says he is. He just appeared on Bad Wolf Bay," Rose shrugged.

"I do that. Just appear," he agreed.

"Oh and he was shot. We need to get him a doctor. Quietly. Mum, why don't you get Caddie to prepare a room for our guest?"

Jackie nodded in understanding. "Right. I will go do that right now."

After Jackie scooped up little Tony, they vanished into the hallway. Pete and Mickey stared at the Master curiously. He didn't know who these blokes were and why they were treating him like an animal at the zoo.

"Who are they?" the Master asked Rose indiscreetly.

"That's Pete Tyler. My dad. And Mickey Smith. An old friend. He traveled with the Doctor and me for a bit."

The Master studied Mickey. "You said he traveled with the Doctor? Huh. He never mentioned a Ricky. He's not even in the files."

Mickey made a noise in protest. "That's Mickey, mate. He never mentioned you either!"

"But I have a file," the Master stuck his tongue out. Rose pushed on his gunshot wound. "Ouch! Stop that!"

"Behave yourself," she warned.

After an uncomfortable few minutes, Jackie came back into the room. "We have a bedroom set up for you, Mr. Saxon. Why don't you lie down? I'll get you a cup of tea."

"Yes. Thank you. Some bloody tea. Not Norwegian sink water like you got me, Rose."

She pressed into his stomach again as they walked. He winced and smiled at her. Once they got him settled into the bed, Jackie brought him some tea. He gulped it down and yawned, suddenly feeling very sleepy. Once he was out, they exited the room and entered the code. He was locked inside.

Rose fell into her mother's arms in sobs. "He says that the Doctor is dead. I don't want to believe him, but how can I know? He's a world away."

"Oh, Rose. I'm so sorry. Maybe he's lying. Can you even be sure he's who he says he is?"

She nodded. "He has two hearts, and there's this thing. A parallel world jumper. I have it in my bag. It's got Gallifreyan on the back. Plus, he knows things. He's at least talked to the Doctor. When he showed up, he was in handcuffs and gut shot. He claims that they were wrongfully detained and the Doctor was shot in the head. He managed to escape. I don't know if I buy that. The Doctor is very good at running."

"Well, we'll figure it out soon enough. He's in CADDIE now. No escaping that."

She had to remember to thank her father for that genius idea: Confinement And Detainment Disguised In Estates. She wasn't crazy about the name, but it did the trick. The Master was trapped in that bedroom. He wouldn't be able to leave if he tried. Rose retrieved her bag and gave the jumper device to her father for Torchwood to study. In the meantime, she asked for some time off to deal with the Time Lord. She truly believed that deep down he was good like the Doctor, and she was going to get to him. If she did, maybe he'd open up and tell the truth. And, maybe, that would lead her to the Doctor. He was alive…she'd bet her life on it.

The physician tended to the Master while he was still out. Jackie had laced his tea with heavy sedatives. Rose sat in a chair in the corner, observing. After the physician left, she waited for the Time Lord to wake. He slowly opened his eyes and looked around. His focus landed on Rose and he grinned.

"Rose. What a pleasant surprise! What are you doing here? Looking to use me as your punching bag for a bit?"

"Maybe later. I do have a big boxing match coming up. I'm pretty feisty. Quite a champion."

"Oh, I wouldn't doubt it. Has anyone looked me over?"

"Yeah. The doctors came and took care of you while you were out. You'll be just fine, but you need to take it easy for a few days."

He readjusted to a more comfortable position on the cushy bed. "I won't complain about that. Why are you way over there? I don't bite. Well, not unless someone asks first. Come closer. It won't kill you."

"Why should I?" she asked incredulously from across the room.

"Tell me about you. The Doctor only said so much. I've gathered some from yesterday, but I like to know my friends well. Who are you really, Rose Tyler?"

She stood up and moved to the side of his bed. "I'm the Bad Wolf. Defender of the Earth. The Valiant Child. And, I'm completely human. I want to help you, Mr. Saxon. If you'll let me, I will be your best friend in this world. But, I can't be your mate if you're going to betray my trust. No secrets. No lies. I don't make idle threats. I meant what I said. Don't even think about crossing me."

His chest purred. This woman was downright sexy. Lucy was nothing compared to her. Rose Tyler was exactly like the Doctor described. Unstoppable. No wonder he loved her so dearly. The Master was determined to keep this one for his own. A new world, a new life. With her. A final stab at the Doctor. He'd turn Rose into his bloodthirsty empress. They'd watch the world suffer together.

"I do believe that we'll be magnificent, Bad Wolf. You and me. This is the start of something brilliant."

She sensed darkness in his voice, but she figured that it was just a Time Lord trait. The Doctor could get that way. He extended his hand and she shook it. After that, she let go and moved to the door.

"Get some sleep, Harold. I'll wake you at breakfast."

"Quite right. I'll see you then. I look forward to it."

He watched her leave and clapped his hands together. The drums were raging. His fingers tapped the rhythm as he laughed. The Bad Wolf. How sinister. How adorable. It suited her. That blond hair. Golden brown eyes. Beautiful body. Lilting voice. And what a backbone! As far as humans went, this one couldn't be any more perfect. Fate was on his side when he appeared on the beach. It was like…they were meant for each other, he supposed. And how the Doctor would cringe if he knew!

On the TARDIS, the Doctor and Donna were beginning to piece the jumper device together. Donna didn't know how to do much of anything with the TARDIS, so the Doctor was running out of patience.

"And this goes where?" she called from beneath the floor.

"Come on, Donna! There's a hole that's the same shape! It's like putting a puzzle together!"

"Well, I was never very good at those either! If you wanted me to file it alphabetically or draft a letter, I can help you. Once a temp—"

"Always a temp, yes I know. It should be a big hole on the dash with little wings. Like a flying block. Look for that."

"There are six of those!"

He put his face in his hands. At this rate, they weren't going to have it done for ages. What was the Master up to? Had he succeeded in destruction? He shivered at the unpleasant thoughts. The other Time Lord needed to stay away from his Rose. If he even touched a hair on her head…that would make things very simple. It was one thing to bastardize his TARDIS. It was one thing to hurt his friends. It was one thing to torment the Earth. But, this was a completely different story. No one messed with Rose Tyler. She was his universe. The Oncoming Storm was back with vengeance, and he didn't mind it one bit.