A/N: We're nearly done! This is the penultimate chapter! It's sad and exciting to be nearly finished. I hope you like this chapter; the adventure gets tied up in this one but there are hints of more yet to come...but that's another story! Thanks, as always, to all who reviewed the last chapter:

Rwyf-Yn-y-Blaidd-Drwg, Simpa007, alyssa love, Mrs. 11th, chibiwolfgurl, MayFairy, Jo. Brookes, Lady Brid, Shifuni and padmay97.

The Beginning of the Game

The Master's eyes darted from Fred to the Doctor and then to the robots, his mind whirring, trying to sort out a plan. Suddenly, his hand dived into his pocket and pulled out a small, black gun. He wielded it; his eyes dark and dangerous. Then he fired four shots. They all ducked as three Clockworks fell, sparking and clattering. The last shot hit the electrics box behind the counter and the room was plunged into darkness.

The Doctor groped in the dark and found a slim, human-feeling arm. It pulled away from him but replaced the contact by placing a hand in his. He smiled, enjoying the feeling of having Fred close again. How could he have doubted that she'd see through the Master? A light suddenly flickered on to reveal Amy holding a small torch; the Master was nowhere in sight. Amy looked at the Doctor and raised an eyebrow, amused.

"Is there something you two want to tell me?"

The Doctor grinned and squeezed Fred's hand. He turned to look at her only to be met by an alarmed Rory instead. He dropped his hand quickly and the both men puffed out their chests and scratched their heads, trying to seem manly again. Amy just laughed and said,

"C'mon, we'd better go after her." She gestured to the stairs behind them where Fred's feet were just running out of sight.

She could hear him, she was sure of it. She could hear his ragged breath in front of her. She stopped running so she could listen properly. He wasn't that far in front of her; she squinted and could see his blonde hair rounding the corner a few metres ahead.

She started running again; she needed to catch up with him.

They needed to talk.

The Master took the stairs two at a time, acutely aware of that she was following him. He needed to get back to their room, get the vortex manipulator and the hell out of here. As he turned the door handle to his room, he couldn't help but smile wryly. Winifred may have turned all of his best-laid plans to dust but – as odd as it may sound – he had more respect for her now than he had before. Before, he had thought she was just clinging onto him; hoping that he was a replacement Doctor. But now he could see her for who she was and he liked her more for it. Of course, he'd still have to kill her...but not today. One day soon and he would enjoy the chase until he did.

Today, he had to just get away with his life.

"Run I said and run you did." Her voice said from the doorway behind him as he rummaged through his things desperately for his vortex manipulator.

"Well, believe it or not, I sometimes do as I'm told."

She snorted. "I very much doubt that."

He strapped the vortex manipulator to his wrist, his eyes never leaving hers. His fingers hovered over the buttons. "You're not going to try and stop me?"

She shook her head. "No. I don't want to kill you and I'm not even sure I could kill a Time Lord; seems a bit complicated and a bit of a waste of talent if you ask me. Besides, you saved my life so it seems only fair that I let you have yours. Just this once."

It was his turn to snort. "You think you can win again? You were lucky this time; you had the element of surprise. Could you do it again though? I doubt it."

"Win?"

"Yes: win. Could you win another round of this little game? It'll be pretty dangerous, you know. You'd better be ready the next time we meet."

She raised an eyebrow. "And if I don't want to play?"

"Then I'll kill you." He flashed her a self-assured grin. "Well, I'm going to kill you anyway but if you don't play I'll just do it straight away. Much less fun for the both of us."

She said nothing. He scowled, longing for her to say that she'd play this game with him; that she'd play for her life every time they met. He didn't want this sparring to end, it had been so long since he'd had something like this. His heart was pounding, excited by the danger and the risk.

"You know it was me, don't you?" He began to provoke. "It was me who made the TARDIS take off and leave you all alone to die on that transport ship. And then, when you came around and I was looking after you, I told you that he hadn't come back for you." She glared at him, her muscles tense. This was definitely a sore spot. Evidently, anything to do with the Doctor was a bit of a sensitive area for her. "He did come back for you. I saw him. He looked for you for days but I hid you." He laughed, knowing she was on the brink of cracking. "I think he missed you. Ah well, he's moved on now, hasn't he? Damage done."

Suddenly, the Master's left cheek was stinging.

"I bet they're in their room!" The Doctor exclaimed, sprinting up the stairs and along the corridor, coming to a halt outside their door, waiting for Amy and Rory to catch up before flinging the door wide open.

They were just in time to see Fred slap the Master hard across the face. The Master laughed, though he didn't sound nearly as gleeful as he had been. Fred leaned in close to him and the three friends could only just hear what she said.

"I've won this one. Let's see what happens the next time."

The Master's dark eyes glittered before he tapped the buttons on the vortex manipulator. There was a crack and he was gone.

So the Master escaped with his life! And, no, Fred's isn't evil...just gun happy! Haha!

I hope you enjoyed that...one more chapter to go!

Also, for all those lovely people asking, I do have a sequel planned (if I'm honest, I have several planned) but I'll tell you more about those at the end of the last chapter.

Please leave a review...I love them!