DISCLAIMER: No, I don't own Doctor Who. Yes, I wish I did. No, I don't earn any money from this. Yes, David Tennant is My Doctor.

ALL PRAISE TO THE MIGHTY BBC! ;)

SUMMARY: Starting at the end of Utopia, things change for the Doctor and the Master. But in a good way, I promise! Doctor/Rose. (This is my first fic, so take it easy on me, please!)

A/N: Thank you so much to everyone reading this. I seriously hope I haven't bungled things too badly with this. (I catch myself reading chapters and thinking 'WTF was I doing?') So thanks again!

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The TARDIS materialized in its usual corner of the Hub, but when the doors didn't open, Jack got worried. He pulled his key from his pocket and went in, finding The Master sitting on the jump seat close to unconscious.

"Koschei! What the hell happened? Where's The Doctor?"

Koschei laughed. "You said my name. Must be love." He groaned, sitting up. "Just tired. The Doctor's in the infirmary." He held up a hand, staying Jack's alarm. "He's fine. Sleeping."

"I think you should tell me exactly what happened here," and crossed his arms over his chest in typical Jack Harkness style.

"And you're right because I need your help."

The Master told Jack about his plan to access the parallel universe to get to Rose. To get her back for The Doctor.

"He doesn't see it, Jack. One of the smartest men I have EVER known... and I've known my fair share, but he can't see what's right under his nose."

Jack interrupted, "They need each other."

"Yes, but it's more than that."

"Figures. Usually is with those two." Jack smirked and Koschei chuckled.

"Yeah, it is. Jack, do you remember Bad Wolf?" He watched Jack pale and jerk back."I'll take that as yes since, in your condition, it would be hard not to." He straightened and stood, swayed again and waved off Jack's offer of a supporting hand, stumbled to the console and laid a hand on it.

"It's taken me all these years to figure it out. I have the equations and variables worked out. Even had the TARDIS help me with some so I wouldn't chance hurting Her." He stroked the console and rotor. "The one thing I could never find is the right universe." He shrugged, "Would have worked on it forever, but I passed out." Koschei grimaced. "Exhaustion, you know, is something even Time Lords are not immune to."

Jack snorted, nodding and remembering several times he'd found The Doctor passed out under the console, screwdriver in his mouth, lose wires in each hand, and soft snores coming from his friend.

"I must have been dreaming. I had to have been because I haven't seen her in so long. It's the only way I would have NOT brushed it aside."

"Who?"

"Bad Wolf." The Master smiled. "My Golden Goddess. My Lady of Time." He continued to absently stroke the time rotor.

"I used the energy signature from the TARDIS and the time vortex, added in Rose's own unique biochemical makeup to find what shouldn't be. And it worked, Jack. Not only did I find the right universe, I found Rose. I can track her anywhere, anywhen, across time and space in every universe." His voice dropped to almost a whisper. "She's still alive Jack."

"Impossible," Jack countered.

Koschei laughed. "Between you and The Doctor, that word means nothing!"

"Well, this is great. Fantastic and absolutely brilliant!"

Jack jumped up and grabbed Koschei into a swinging hug, pounding each other on the back before pulling back and kissing Koschei full on the mouth. Jack barely had time to realize he wasn't stopping him before Koschei pulled back and said, "This is where I need your help to make things right."

He walked around the console to show Jack the monitor. "Not enough power. Can't go around exploding stars without consequence."

Jack watched him warily. "How much power?"

"I need the Rift."

"WHAT?"

The Master cocked an eyebrow. "I need. The Rift, Jack. More specifically, I need to harness all the power of the Rift, wide open. I can channel it through the TARDIS, powering her up for a complete, and SAFE, jump through to the other universe. She can stabilize the jump window for as long as it takes to get her back to him." He looked back at the monitor. "Shouldn't take more than a day or two."

"What about this world? Open Rift means more baddies and I can't risk that. Even for Rose Tyler."

"That's the good thing! No "baddies", as you called them. The Rift will be tethered to the TARDIS and nothing will come or go without Her knowledge or intervention. Completely safe!"

Jack hestiated for 2.3594 seconds, forever in the eyes of the Time Lord in front of him.

Jack nodded. "Let's do it."

"YES! Thank you Jack!" Koschei jumped, grabbed the immortal man and kissed him again, once, quickly. "I owe you for this, more than you can possibly know."

A bit dazed, Jack nodded. "Yeah. You do. Now," Jack clapped his hands together, rubbing them excitedly. "Where's The Doctor? We gotta tell 'em!"

Koschei rubbed the back of his neck and blushed, stammered.

"Yeeaah... He's not gonna be ... involved in this."

This time Jack cocked his eyebrow. "And why not?"

"I um... I... kinda...," his voice dropped and he muttered. "druggedhimandnowhe'sunconsciousintheinfirmary."

Jack surprised them both when he burst out laughing. And laughing. And laughing. Until his sides began to ache and tears streamed from his eyes. Koschei even giggled along with him.

"Oooh! This is gonna be great." He swiped his eyes and took a few deep breaths to calm himself, barely able to contain the giggles.

"Phew!" he laughed. "Alright then. Let's go."