Chapter Eight: Patience
They woke with horrid hangovers and lethargically went back to the car. After driving home in silence, they exited the car and entered the estate. On the way to the Master's room, Pete and Mickey were in an adjacent area discussing work at Torchwood. Unfortunately, the Master overheard.
"We can't get the ship to work. There's something wrong with the engine and no one knows how to fix it. It's just been mental without Rose. Everyone is scrambling to fill in, but we don't have the experience she does. It's funny how much she picked up traveling with the Doctor," Mickey admitted to Pete, not knowing that they could hear him.
The Master smiled at the dismayed look on Rose's face. "You work at Torchwood? I knew you were lying about the shop."
"Just pretend you don't know that," she attempted. It didn't work.
"Why don't you take me to Torchwood? I bet that I could help."
"I don't trust you."
He acted offended. "After everything we've been through? And what about last night? You said that you liked me."
"I told you not to remember that. Anyway, you might be a Time Lord, but I barely know you."
"Oh, come on! I built a parallel world jumper. Imagine what else I could do. Torchwood could use someone like me. Please, Rosie. I'm going mad just sitting around the house. You can take me for one visit. See how it goes."
She knew that he was incredibly sharp based on the device he built, so maybe he could help around Torchwood. But, that didn't mean that she'd let him out of her sight. Upon talking to her father, the Master was given a one day pass. Excitedly, he got ready and joined them on the ride to work. She had a bad feeling about it.
The Master wasn't impressed with this version of Torchwood. It was all right, but he'd have to do a lot of work to get everything ready. As soon as he did, he could put his plan into place. He wanted to join with another alien race just as he did before. Humans would do anything to save themselves, so as long as he could control their fear he'd have the world. Without the Doctor and his friends, it'd be a breeze to achieve world domination…and keep it that way.
"Just like that," the Master explained as he fixed the broken ship for Mickey and his crew.
"We've been trying to crack that for a month. You did it in less than five minutes," Mickey responded in amazement.
"Four minutes and twenty-nine seconds, to be precise. What else needs mending? C'mon, be quick about it. I'm only here for today! Onwards, upwards, over, and back again! We have things to do!"
Three hours later, the Master had fixed, completed, created, and finished everything in the Torchwood queue. He clapped his hands and sent a wink in Rose's direction. "There you are. All straightened out. I noticed that the loo is leaking on the fourth floor. I could fix that if you'd like. Or, is there anything more exciting to do?"
"You've done everything…" Pete muttered in shock. "How on Earth did you do that?"
"Well, I'm not from Earth. That might have something to do with it. Just a bit. Have I earned a full-time job or not?"
"You're in," Pete answered as he shook the Master's hand. "Welcome aboard. Everyone can go home for the day. I'll see you bright and early tomorrow."
People filed out of the room and Mickey motioned to the door. "Aren't you lot coming? We drove together."
"Why don't we stay in London?" the Master suggested to Rose. "Get some chips."
"All right…" she nodded hesitantly.
Mickey left them and Torchwood shut down while they were still in the room. The Master leaned against the wall with an arrogant smirk. "I told you that I could help."
"Yeah. You did. Why exactly are we staying in London? I'm not buying this chips bit, and even if I did I'm not paying for it. No cheap dates."
"Clever girl. Of course we aren't staying here! There is one last thing to do. That broken ship isn't broken anymore, but no one has gone for a test flight. What do you say? You, me, the stars?"
She rolled her eyes. "We can't do that. It's against regulations."
"No rules, Bad Wolf. I know that you miss it. The big black. The whole of the universe just beyond the thin glass. So thin you feel like you can reach out and touch it. Space. Stars. Planets. Nebulas. Besides, I did tell you that I'd take you there, didn't I? All I ask is one spin. We'll put it back and no one has to know but you and me. It'll be our little secret."
During this, he had moved closer and closer. His body was inches from hers and he had that wolfish grin. His words were so tantalizing. She missed it all, and here this man was offering to give it back. Even if it wasn't allowed and it was only a moment, she had to go. She wouldn't be herself if she didn't. Smiling, she darted towards the small craft. He chuckled and ran in pursuit.
Together, they got into the small craft and he powered it up. Naturally, he put on the cloak just before taking off through the hangar. Flying through the air, they burst into the atmosphere with a trail of smoke. She had a very happy expression on her face, and he felt his chest purr. He enjoyed seeing Rose Tyler so happy. What? He didn't think that. No, he was just glad that she was starting to trust him. He didn't care about her emotions. She had to like him for his plan to work. That was all it was…
"Here we are! Orbiting Mars!" he announced as he set it to auto control.
She stood up and went to the window with a sad smile. "There it is. Space. I can see the stars up close and personal."
"No need to thank me. I wanted to come here," he laughed conceitedly, which got her chuckling as well.
When he went to embrace her, she moved away. "We should get back before someone figures out we took this."
"Everyone went home. We have plenty more time, and you know that we do. Why are you so ready to leave? We just got up here. I would think that after who knows how long you'd want to wait around to the last possible second."
"It just doesn't feel right. I'm sorry, but I can't be up here like this. It's not the TARDIS."
"You mean that it's not the Doctor," he rephrased with anger burning his hearts. "You have to accept that he is never coming back. He's dead and gone."
"Yeah. Maybe so. But, not to me. Not yet."
He stepped forward and snatched her hand. "You said that we shouldn't compare. We should take things as they are. Don't compare me to him. We're two different people. Did he come here? Did he come back to you? No. He didn't. And how about me? I'm standing here right in front of you, offering you the universe."
She grew silent and he looked intently at her face. Almost tenderly, he reached out and brushed her cheek. He told himself that this was a game. It was a challenge. He wanted to win her, claim her as his. Maybe he was just that way. Maybe it was to hurt the Doctor. But, he wouldn't accept that it was deeper than that. It had to be anything but that. The Master didn't care about anyone but himself. He wasn't capable of love. He didn't want to be. Villainous. That was him.
Then, why wasn't he thinking about anything but how the glow of Mars caught her eyes?
"What exactly are you saying?" she whispered, suppressing a shiver.
Automatically, he slipped off his suit coat and draped it around her shoulders. Silently, he adjusted it and put on a smile. "I think that you'll learn that I'm everything you want. Nothing could stop us if we were together."
"Seriously?" she smirked as he frowned. "I've known you a few days—maybe a week—and you'd like us to be…a thing?"
"Yes. If you can trust me. And you can. I promise. I wouldn't lie to you."
"I think you would. I think that you might be."
He scowled at how stubborn she was. "What would it take to have you at my side?"
"Time. It would take time. You told me that the man I love is dead. I'm not exactly over that yet. Humans don't turn about and fall out of love overnight. Maybe, I can let go. Maybe. But, you have to be patient."
Patient? He could be patient. It took eighteen months before, and he could wait eighteen months again. He'd just have to work a bit harder for this girl than he did Lucy. It'd be worth it. More than worth it. It's all he wanted. Wait, and world domination. Can't forget that. Nodding, he stepped away from her and returned to the controls. "I'll hold you to that, Rosie."
She didn't think that even with all the time in the world she'd be over the Doctor. This Master person wasn't him. They had similarities, and the Master had the same Time Lord charm. He was smart, funny, attractive, and every now and again he seemed genuinely gentle. Then again, there were times she was convinced that he'd do horrible things. She felt that way about the Doctor at first too. Yeah, time. That's what would tell all…
In the other Torchwood, Captain Jack Harkness was helping the Doctor find the part that he needed. Donna was watching them, more appropriately Jack's bum, as they sifted through the pile on hands and knees. Jack held one up. "Like this?"
"Sort of, but a bit smaller and with a curved end," the Doctor responded, instantly adding, "Don't even go there, Jack."
He grinned. "You're taking the fun out of this, Doctor. So how's this one?"
The Doctor smiled and held it closer to his brainy specs. "Perfect! Thank you, Jack! You are a life saver!"
"Don't mention it. So, you're really doing this? You're really jumping to the other world?"
"I have no choice," he replied quietly.
Jack accepted it with a pat on the Doctor's back. "Hey, it's for your girl. I believe in you. How will this work, though? The whole TARDIS will jump?"
"Yep. It'll find a small fluctuation in the walls between universes and it'll send us through."
"Won't that be a problem? What if the gap is fifty years from when the Master went through?" Jack questioned nervously.
"I've calibrated it. We should arrive either within minutes or months of when he got there."
"Months? How many months? What if you're too late?"
"Could be as long six or seven. If we're too late, we try to set it right. We did it before and we'll do it again."
"Well, he did it before. It's my first time," Donna added.
Jack winked. "Nice. The first time is always the most special."
"Enough of that. We have to get going. Sorry if the universe collapses," the Doctor sighed as he hugged Jack goodbye.
"Eh, don't worry about it. We all do stupid things when we're in love."
"Did I say love?" the Doctor asked while they walked to the TARDIS.
"I'm not a dumbo!" Jack shouted back with a wave. "Fly safe, kids. Tell Rose hello from me and that you can't live without her!"
"He will. I'll make sure!" Donna called.
"Must you always put words into my mouth? Aren't the words coming out of your mouth enough?" the Doctor grumbled as he shut the door behind him.
"Oi! Watch it, spaceman!"
In a wheeze, the TARDIS began to disappear.