My Queen of The Garden

by aliceoakdown11

"This is where we've always been heading, you and I." The Doctor's daughter was always shunned on Gallifrey, now travelling with her father, can she learn to trust him while keeping from him her biggest secret? That she's unavoidably in love with his best enemy. The MasterXOC

82. Part 5 - Chapter 82

The Master stepped forward out of the gate, he didn't have to order for The Doctor to be restrained as his clones had already taken the liberty of doing it for him. He bounded across the floor grabbing the front of The Doctor's jacket, forcing himself into his space. His face barely an inch away from her father's. The Master practically buzzed with a newfound energy. Excitement shimmering through him.

He had The Doctor, helpless.

The Master stared hatefully into the other man's eyes, before dropping his grip, his face curling into a sneer.

"Take them away."

The gate certainly seemed to have strengthened him somewhat. She couldn't be sure of the extent, the shock of white blonde hadn't been reversed, although, the dark circles under his eyes had reduced and most importantly he no longer looked like he was about to collapse.

One of the lab technicians moved into the secondary control room for the nuclear bolt, releasing Wilf into the arms of the awaiting guards. Hally shifted, turning her head to aimlessly stare out of the dark double doors as Wilf's gaze threatened to land on her. There was something about the wide, kind eyes of the old man that she didn't want to witness.

"You can stop this! Hally, these are your friends! Hally!..."

She blocked out the remainder of her father's voice, tension rolling up her spine. Her vision blurred as nausea shivered inwards, from the tips of her fingers in a violent wave towards her stomach. Without sparing a glance their way, Hally walked from the room and out into the corridor outside. Not entirely sure where she was aiming to go, she took the first left door into a long, rectangular dining room. Her stomach rolled as she forced herself down into the nearest chair, bracing herself on her knees in an attempt to ride through the sensation without retching.

She heard the ruffle of his jeans as The Master crouched down in front of her. "Are you alright?"

Tilting her head in a short nod she swallowed. "Mm."

The warmth of his hand pressed into the side of her face, before his thumb pressed into the soft underside of her chin, tilting her face upwards and into his line of sight. Concern pulled at his expression, insistent pupils flashing with mild irritation at her lie. Pushing through her hands she straightened herself up, as she did so, through the open doorways she caught sight of The Master in Jack's clothing, hauling himself to his feet from the spot where she'd shot him.

The vision of her husband dressed in Jack's World War Two coat had bile rising in her throat once more.

"You should have eaten something." The Master, her Master, pressed a hand against her forehead, his tone laced with both worry and light chastisement. He caught the line of her gaze, shooting a look over his shoulder. Without a word he clicked his fingers impatiently, garnering the attention of one of the guards who swiftly and silently closed the door behind him, leaving just Hally and The Master alone in the room. A welcoming quiet fell across them, now that the outside had been shut out, Hally could almost pretend they were alone. That the whole building, the whole world wasn't an unavoidable reminder of them. A soft breath fell from her lips as the tension in her shoulders released.

"I'm fine… it passes. It's probably just…" She made a noncommittal noise. "Stress."

He offered a small smile at that, running his fingers across her face and into her hair, pushing it back away from her face. "Well, we're safe now. No one to come for us. No one to stop us." He tilted forward, pressing a slow kiss against her forehead. A seal of protection.

"How do you feel?" She quipped back at him, bringing her own hand up to run cautiously across his face. Tracing the previously darkened areas underneath his eyes.

His face split into a bright, wide grin. "Wonderful." He hopped back to his feet. "Never better." Holding out his hand towards her he helped her up to her feet and into his arms. "My beautiful, wonderful wife." His lips pressed happily against her own, banishing away any lingering unease. Palms captured her face, holding her face to his. "We are untouchable now." His excitement was undeniably infectious, her mouth pulled into a smile as she exhaled a soft laugh.

She rolled her bottom lip between her teeth. "What are we going to do about him?"

The Master shrugged nonchalantly. "Who the fuck cares." He snapped, ignoring her question and instead choosing to wrap her closer into his body, tilting his head down to press his lips against hers. He enveloped her slowly, coaxing her tongue into his mouth gently as though leading a wounded animal. But, to his delight, she was curving against him within moments, matching the caress of his tongue with equal enthusiasm.

A breathy moan fell from her lips as the realisation hit her that it had technically been quite some time since she'd kissed him last and it would have appeared The Master had had a similar thought as he assumed dominance, holding her frame tight against his, attacking her mouth as though the secrets of the universe were hidden inside. Previous dizziness completely forgotten, her hands ascended to tug at the roots of his hair as he smoothed down the arch of her back, shamelessly kneading over the curve of her arse.

A low, barely restrained groan rumbled in The Master's chest, and within barely three paces he had her back up against the wall, leaving her no escape. Caged and submissive to the claim his mouth demanded against her lips. With a heavy breath, the pressure against her lips disappeared and she opened her eyes to see him staring down at her, his pupils wide and black.

"Are you…" He cleared his throat, the sound strained and gruff. "Do you want to…?"

When the meaning behind his words hit, her mouth curved with a wicked smile. "Oh, are you asking now?"

Behind his eyes flashed hot irritation followed closely behind by heated arousal. He dived back in towards her, this time his mouth connecting with the sensitive skin of her neck, peppering desperate kisses up and along her jaw. "Yes…" He groaned against her skin. "Yes, I'm asking." Hands had slipped behind her thighs and without warning he pulled her legs out from under her, pressing his hips sharply into hers, keeping her held up against the wall by only his body. Soft laughter bubbled up in her chest as she tugged his head back to allow her mouth back to press against his.

Totally powerless against the battle his mouth waged against hers. Soft, impatient moans dripped from her as she gripped at his shoulders, running her hands across his clothed chest.

"Right now…?" If her mind hadn't been completely preoccupied with the sensation of his arousal pressed against her clothed centre she would have whined at the way her words came out as a desperate, voiceless whimper.

His moan vibrated deep inside both of them. "Yes. Right. Now."

Heat butterflied across her chest and face as a smile crept over her own features. The knowledge that she could reduce him, this man, this wonderful, genius, chaos into such a carnal, base animal was electrifying. "It's just… in this position… we always seem to get interrupted." Her eyes flashed with amusement, pointedly looking at his body pressed flush against hers, holding her captive against the wall.

The Master offered an acknowledging grunt of agreement. "Well, this time…" His grunted. "Everyone on the whole planet is me." The warmth of his hand splayed across her neck. "I can guarantee you… we won't be interrupted." His mouth was on hers again, this time she fought him hungrily for dominance as her hands tugged at his hoodie. He shifted his hips back, letting her down momentarily so he could pull down the black jogging bottoms she'd been wearing since having taken them from the Fish and Chip shop employee. Not wasting her opportunity, her hands slipped underneath his hoodie and T-shirt, finding the buckle of his belt, undoing his jeans and pushing them down. Once her lower half was bare, The Master pressed back against her, supporting her weight as her legs shifted to wrap around his hips. His mouth crashed back down on hers, demanding entrance as his hand came up to grip across her jaw. Warm breath fanned out across her face. He was completely intoxicating. Her absolute addiction.

He paused his complete invasion of her senses, tilting his head back to survey her, a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth. Hally took in the sight of her husband. Beautifully ruffled. Forever composed. Flecks of warm light stared back at her from within the deep brown. "I know you're scared…" His voice was low, a hum. "I know inside you're burning." The way he stared so deeply into her soul, made it impossible to break eye contact. His warm breath mingled with hers. "Ripping yourself apart." There was only The Master's voice. "But I am with you. Always." He breathed, shifting his hips as his hand moved down between their bodies to guide himself inside her. Both let out a contented breath, gaze never dropping. Caught within his gaze.

This time, when his pressed his lips against hers it was different, warmth spread down into her chest, surrounding her hearts. The words he spoke with the caress of his lips were a secret, known only to her.

"Let me in…" She exhaled, walking her mind gently around the edges of his concrete wall.

He winced, pressing his forehead against hers. "I don't want to hurt you."

"You won't. I don't care if you do. Let me in. If it hurts, let me hurt with you…" Her hands brushed through his hair in a gentle caress. His hips stilled, pressed deep against hers. "I want to feel you."

His breath fans out across her face and from within the walls, a small, almost reluctant gap appeared, a corridor, leading her in towards him. The corridor wasn't like anything she'd seen or felt before, and yet it was somehow familiar. She knew she'd crossed into Koschei's mind almost immediately, the noise of the drums flared up loudly around her. Angry, demanding and deafening. The Master's arms shifted, wrapping one around her back, pulling her torso into his with a grunt. She exhaled with a gasp, pressing forward inside his mind.

It was chaos.

Bright and dark all at once.

Pain and fear floating through the abyss. She couldn't help but be aware of the memories he had purposefully hidden from her. Locked away and bolted. Although she didn't go near them, she could sense their presence. She wouldn't even try to pry, all she desired was to be close, to melt herself into him.

Then, he was there. With her. His presence blanketed her as his hips shifted forward, warmth trickling through them both as needy pleasure heated within her lower abdomen.

Then his lips were on hers again and she could feel him. His complete, unwavering gratitude. His pride, mingled with her own storm of protectiveness. She would do anything for him, and he knew. He had seen. She had forced him back from the brink of death, had done what needed to be done, her rage at his pain, somehow it calmed him, calmed the drums. The Master let out a low moan, rocking his hips against hers. She had taken over the whole planet to keep him safe.

He groaned, thrusting hard, eliciting a weak moan from her as her hands moved into his hair. Pulling back to give her access to his neck, which she promptly attacked. His moan vibrated the skin under her lips, her own muffled by his neck as he rocked against her with added urgency.

"You are, everything." His voice pressed into her mind. "My life… is you."

Breath caught in her throat, using her hold on his hair to tug his head back, bringing his head down to press his mouth against her own. Her own thoughts tumbled from her incoherently. "I love you, I lo… Iloveyou, love you. Master. MasterMaster."

Her head hit the wall as she fell over the edge, tightening blissfully around him. There was a guttural groan from him, his hand winding into her hair as he revelled in her pleasure. His hips stuttered, a breathless moan tugged from him. His climax sent a shiver through the both of them.

Heavy breaths met in between them. He held her against the wall, neither of them wanting to move. More than content to stay, just where they were. A soft, breath of a laugh fell from her. He couldn't help but catch her ridiculous laughter, humming into his own amusement. She wriggled and he gently let her down to stand. Forever the gentleman, The Master grabbed her trousers for her, chucking them in her general direction as he pulled up his own, refastening his belt.

Hally redressed herself, The Master opening the door only once she was fully decent. He waited for her to reach him before he pressed a kiss to her mouth, one hand cradling the back of her head before he released her and moved through the open doorway. She didn't bother to cover the stupidly happy smile on her face as she followed him.

A guard, or who she assumed had been a guard stepped in next to The Master. "The Doctor and his human companion have been detained in the study, Sir."

"Mm. Good." The Master nodded and let the guard lead the way, his hand curving around to capture her waist.

As they entered the room, Hally clocked multiple things at once. The guards, in their all-black, helmeted attire, the TV screens, displaying multiple versions of The Master, then tied to a chair on the far side of the room was Wilf, and opposite him, nearest to them was The Doctor, tied… or perhaps strapped to a chair. The room itself was long, a continuation of the dark red walls. As they entered, they had to pass by The Doctor to get into the centre of the room. The Master seamlessly split from her, curving around to The Doctor's other side. He leant in close to him, amusement sparking behind his eyes at his helplessness.

"Now then…" He whispered, Hally moved around to the front, not feeling any need to stop her husband's mockery. "I've got a planet to run." He smirked, eyes flicking down over the strap covering The Doctor's mouth before he moved away from him over towards the plethora of screens. "Is everybody ready?"

Each screen had a live link with different versions of her husband. One, was internal, linking with the Gate room showing the Naismith-Master, he spoke first. "Six billion, seven hundred and twenty-seven million, nine hundred and forty-nine thousand three hundred and thirty-eight versions of us awaiting orders."

The way The Master practically keened had her mouth twitching with a smile. He turned his head to her, shooting her a shameless wink. She snorted, rolling her eyes.

Another spoke, an obnoxious American flag pinned up behind him. "This is Washington. As President of the United States, I can transfer all the United Nations protocols to you immediately, putting you in charge of all the Earth's defences."

"UNIT HQ, Geneva reporting. All under your command, sir." A general replied, swiftly followed by another. "And this is the Central Military Commission here in Beijing, sir, with over two point five million soldiers, sir. Present arms!"

Koschei clicked his neck, evidently more than pleased with himself. His attention swivelled around to her father. "Enough soldiers and weapons to turn this planet into a warship. Nothing to say, Doctor?" He turned towards The Doctor. "What's that? Pardon? Sorry?" He mocked, his face splitting into an ugly sneer.

"You let him go, you swine." Wilf piped up.

"Oh, your dad's still kicking up a fuss." The Master rolled his eyes, fixing the old man with a withering glare.

But Wilf didn't buckle under his hateful gaze. "Yeah? Well, I'd be proud if I was."

Koschei advanced on him, pressing his finger to his lips, anger spiking behind the façade. "Hush, now. Listen to your Master."

"Doctor. Where is your TARDIS?" Hally interrupted, crossing her arms as she considered her father. "All of this can go away with a flick of a switch." She offered.

The Master hummed. "Where is it? Doctor."

"A whole planet, for a Time Machine. I think it's a pretty fair trade, what do you think Wilf?" Hally turned back to look at Donna's Grandpa, who, she could see was confused. She turned back to The Doctor, waving her hand, removing the strap that covered his mouth.

"Doctor?" Wilf spoke, the singular word holding more than one question.

The Doctor's eyes were sad. "I'm sorry… but I can't. It's not just this planet Wilf, if I hand over the TARDIS, it's the whole universe…"

The Master rolled his eyes, tutting. "Oh, God Doctor, doesn't it get old? This, high and mighty, 'protecting the universe' bullshit?" He turned to Wilf, offering him a mock look of apology. "Sorry for the language, Grandad." He turned back to The Doctor. "Have you ever even asked? Ever actually thought about it?! We don't want your TARDIS to run off and destroy the universe, Doctor. We just want to leave!"

The Doctor's sad, wide eyes trailed from him to her. "I can't…"

"You can't trust me. Yes. I understand the sentiment." She snapped back at him, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Both of you… you burn so brightly. So vast. The rest of us can merely close our eyes to not be blinded. But this…" His gaze moved between them, landing on her. "It doesn't have to be like this… I know you're hurt, and you're scared but that doesn't make you omnipotent. You are beautiful, everything about you is magnificent… and you…" His attention turned to The Master. "You're a genius. You're stone cold brilliant, you are. I swear, you really are. But you could be so much more. You could be beautiful. With a mind like that, we could travel the stars. The three of us. It would be my honour. Because you don't need to own or dominate or fight the universe, just see it. To have the privilege of seeing the whole of time and space. That's more than enough…"

A breath fell from her, a sad laugh as tears sprang to her eyes as she shook her head. "You think… we want this? You think we seek it?" She stared at him, her voice breaking. "We don't want any of this. But if you back me into a corner I will lash out and I. Will. Win." She snarled the words at him. "If you don't want people to get hurt, Doctor, then get out of my way. Where is the TARDIS?!"

The Doctor simply stared back at her sadly. The Master strode towards him, slapping him across the face hard. "Tell me!"

She pressed her hands to her head, the unwelcome wave of dizziness returning. Stomach rolling she turned away from her father, attempting to swallow the nausea down.

Before she had even realised she was swaying, hands had caught her arms, steadying her. "Hally?" The Master's voice was low, although the room was otherwise so silent that no doubt everyone present would still be able to hear him.

She swallowed, stomach flipping, her head felt weightless. He turned her in his arms to face him, checking over her face. "Are you alright…?"

"Mmhmm." She hummed out.

He motioned towards a guard. "Grab a chair." She tried to wriggle from his grip but her body would not let her.

"I don't… I'm fine."

"Stop telling me you're fine, you are evidently not fine. Did they do this?" His voice hummed, a low command.

Her head shook. "They didn't touch me… I'm just… tired." Reluctantly, yet silently thankful, she sat into the chair brought by the guard. The Master's eyes grazed over her, insistent concern alight in his eyes.

"I told you to eat something…" He growled lowly as he pressed a hand to her face, checking her temperature. Insistently, he tilted her chin upwards, catching her eyes, inspecting both of them intensely. "Stay still." He muttered, pressing two fingers against her temple, closing his eyes.

The Doctor cleared his throat, the tone of his voice had changed. "My screwdriver… it's in my pocket." The Master looked over at him, and after a moment rose and walked over to him.

"Where?"

"Right… breast pocket." The Doctor tried to nod his head in the direction of the correct pocket. The Master huffed, as though irritated at The Doctor himself for being restrained and shoved his hand into his jacket, finding the pocket.

"That one?"

"No… lower, right pocket…"

The Master grumbled before finally pulling the screwdriver out. "Mm." He offered, moving back over towards Hally.

"I'm seriously fine… it passes." She grumbled irritably, annoyed that so much fuss was being made. The Master ignored her, scanning across her anyway with a buzz. The Doctor's Screwdriver made a cheerful beep as the scan completed and The Master's eyes flicked sharply to the device, noting the results.

He paused, only momentarily, before he cleared his throat, lowering the screwdriver. "Mm…" The noise caught in his throat. Hally cocked an eyebrow at him. "You're just hungry. Like I said." He snapped, pulling her to her feet, not roughly, but swiftly. He nodded behind him at one of the guards with their helmet off, staring into his own face. "Take her, make sure she eats something."

The guard nodded, offering his arm to her. She rolled her eyes, scowling at The Master. "I am fine."

"There are over two hundred versions of me alone in this building, Hally. Do not choose today to argue with me." His voice had dipped with a warning drawl. She scowled darkly at him but conceded, taking the Guard-Master's offered arm, letting him lead her from the room.

The Doctor watched his daughter walk past him to leave the room, her gaze didn't flick towards him once. Then, the wooden doors were closing behind him.

The Master didn't move, eyes glued to the stop she'd exited from. Something burned intensely behind his eyes and even from halfway across the room, The Doctor could tell his friend was in deep thought.

Wilf looked from The Master to The Doctor, confusion etched onto his face.

The Master, without a word, clicked back on the screwdriver, re-reading something. Then he hummed and began to pace.

As though he were alone, he ran his hand over his stubble, pacing back and forth as Wilf and The Doctor stared. Now that Hally had gone, it was just them and one guard remaining. His face was covered, helmeted as some of them were. Interestingly, although The Doctor wouldn't mention it currently, The Master hadn't seemed to notice the remaining guard was an inch or two taller than the rest.

"Is… she alright?" The Doctor tried, hoping to pull him from his thoughts.

The Master looked up at him, an unfamiliar expression passing across his face. Uncertainty. Unwilling fear. He hummed, giving him a short nod. "She's… fine." His voice was uncharacteristically quiet. The Master continued to stare at him, before finally stepping in quickly towards him, bringing himself to stand directly in front of him. Now, The Doctor could see the misty sheen glazing over The Master's eyes.

"Where… we need… Doctor, we need your TARDIS." This time, The Master didn't demand, he didn't order. He asked. His voice rose barely above a whisper. Momentarily, The Doctor considered this was perhaps a new tactic that he was trying, that his face would split into a wide manic grin and he'd tell him he was an idiot. But he didn't. He continued to stare deep into his eyes, willing, practically begging him to cooperate.

"Why…?" He knew this man in front of him, he wasn't lying. Something had changed.

The Master swallowed, stretching his jaw, looking away and then back to him. He swiftly flicked screwdriver back out, holding it up for The Doctor to see.

His eyes adjusted to the sudden nearness, a frown pulling at his face as he concentrated on the data from his screwdriver. Scanning until, he paused.

The Master lowered it, his eyes not leaving his.

Now The Doctor understood the look behind his old friend's eyes.

Complete, earth-shattering terror.

The Master grimaced, running his hands roughly through his hair. "That's why they didn't touch her…" He muttered to himself, groaning. "I'm such a fucking idiot…"

"Well…" The Doctor lilted.

"Oh, you can talk." His friend shot back at him spitefully. Before he groaned and rubbed a hand over his face. "I wondered why they didn't touch her… it should have been obvious. Fuck. Which means it was before…"

The dark brown eyes widened and he let out a painful groan of realisation.

The Doctor cocked an eyebrow. "What?"

"I… hmm… I think I marked her."

"You think?"

"No… no I did."

"What? That's practically archaic. Time Lords stopped 'marking' their bonded centuries ago. How did that even happen...? Well... no... don't tell me."

"I didn't mean to." The Master rolled his eyes childishly.

"Yes, except you're not an idiot, so you would have taken…" The Doctor's voice trailed away awkwardly. "Precautions."

"Well… we were… in 1901."

The Doctor winced, the conversation batted between the two not like a father talking to his daughter's husband, but rather what they had been before. Just two friends, discussing the fact that one of them had accidentally gotten a girl pregnant…

The Doctor cleared his throat. "Alright, here is a proposal. You, release me… we will take her to the TARDIS, where we'll leave her while we reverse…." He motioned around, towards the TV's with the multiples of The Master. "This."

Master watched him, and eventually nodded. "Yes. Fine." He went to move away before a thought passed through him and he rounded back towards him, pointing a warning finger at his face. "But this isn't us playing happy families… don't get any ideas, Grandad."

The Doctor nodded, his jaw unconsciously tensing. He searched The Master's face. "I am assuming… seeing as you sent her out of the room, that we are of a similar opinion in terms of… not telling her… right now." The Doctor's voice lowered.

The look that passed over The Master's face was one of discomfort. "Mm. Not right now. Later."

"Mhmm."

"Doctor, what's going on?" The Doctor had almost forgotten Wilf was still in the room.

"Nothing, Wilf… it's all going to be fine."

The Master's eyes scanned across the straps holding The Doctor to the chair, he could see the dilemma within in gaze, teetering on the edge of whether or not to trust him. "If you double-cross me on this Doctor…" There was a vulnerable lilt behind the warning.

"This is bigger than us." The Doctor offered.

After a moment of silent, intense staring, both men nodded.

That was when the Vinvocci ruined everything.

"Time to go!" The female barged through the door on the far side of the room.

"No, wait!" The Doctor yelled as The Master went to turn towards the intrusion. But it was too late, the guard, who had never been a guard, hit The Master hard over the back of the head with the butt of his gun knocking him unconscious.

"…Oh my God, I hit him. I've never hit anyone in my life." The male Vinvocci whimpered, pulling the helmet from his head to reveal his true form.

The female huffed, motioning towards the door. "Well, come on. We need to get out of here fast." She hurried over to Wilf, releasing him from the ropes as the male tended to The Doctor.

"Hold on! You don't understand!" The Doctor cried out as the male, Rossiter picked up his Sonic Screwdriver. Sensing their limited time, the Vinvocci decided to not untie him and simply resulted to wheeling him from the room. "No, no, no! Stop and listen to me!"

But they didn't. They continued with their terrible rescue.

---

Hally sat, eating the cheese and cucumber sandwich in the kitchen. She and the Guard-Master had come to an 'agreement'. She really hadn't wanted to eat anything, her stomach still rolling uncomfortably. But he had insisted. So she'd settled for something vaguely dry and bland.

Fucking, husband, fucking, everywhere.

He was now leaning against the counter, watching her like a hawk.

"Better?"

"A little."

"Hmm, you're most likely dehydrated." He moved to get her a large glass of water. "Drink this."

"I am perfectly capable of keeping myself alive, I have been doing it for a long time." Hally responded, shooting him a sarcastic smile.

"Yes, dear. But today, you have rather overreached yourself it would seem." He sent her back a sickeningly sweet smile.

She clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth, rolling her eyes. As she ate, she considered him. "The noise in your head…" She started, catching his attention. He cocked an eyebrow at her. "It's louder, now, isn't it?"

He crossed his arms over his chest, an endless image of nonchalant calm. "Are you under the impression, that because I am not 'your' Master, I am therefore more likely to divulge information to you that he himself might not want to?"

She pouted at him, scowling, before she fixed her face into a sweet smile. "Yes."

He hummed and shook his head.

"It is louder, though… isn't it? Whatever they did…"

"Go and ask him yourself." He clipped. She shot him a sneer, about to get to her feet to do just that before he barked. "After, you've finished eating."

Hally grumbled unhappily to herself, petulantly finishing what was on her plate.

Hally became externally aware that something was wrong

There was a kafuffle out in the hallway and suddenly guards were running.

She rose to her feet, her attention towards the door. The guard that was with her shifted away from the counter, moving towards the hallway. He hummed, moving ahead of her. "Hmm, wait here." She shot him a scowl, which he ignored, leaving her behind in the kitchen.

He let out an irritable growl when he turned to realise she was following behind him regardless, but didn't say a word. They entered the gate room, where the commotion seemed to be centred. Orders were being barked in The Master's voice but it was only once she'd fully entered the room and her eyes found him, in his black hoodie, the red T-shirt poking out the bottom, that she realised it was her Master. He was shouting, spitting his words with unchecked fury. He rounded towards them and within his eyes, she saw his rage. Pure, chaotic madness within his eyes.

Hally stopped in her tracks, the sight had her momentarily frozen.

Then, his eyes landed on her and in a second the thunderstorm vanished. Replaced with something else. Gaze never leaving hers, he crossed the room, gathering her up in his arms. Anger still lingered beneath his surface, like a mighty volcano ready to erupt, tempered just for her.

"What happened?" She pressed, knowing something must have occurred after she'd left to rile him so quickly and so violently.

"The Doctor ran." The words dripped from him like poison.

"He escaped?"

The Master growled a response, dark hate flashing behind his eyes. His grip on her tightened, drawing her nearer to his body.

"Well, that's fine." She offered him a calm smile, curving herself into him, sensing his need to have her closer. While she understood why The Doctor escaping would certainly irritate him, it didn't explain his current state. "We have control of literally everyone on the planet, what could he possibly do?"

His jaw tensed, his hands came to stroke the back of her head. "Mmm." He growled. "Yes. He's stranded now. He can't come back." Although directed at her, The Master spoke the words as though not really meant for her at all, more to himself.

Hally squeezed gently into his biceps, gracing her face with an open smile. "Well then, we're ok, aren't we?" His pupils dilated as his focus fell back fully onto her, a small smile of his own curving at the sides of his mouth. Heated, swirling intensity still burned behind his eyes. One of her hands came up to touch his cheek. "Just you and me." Her eyes drifted from him to those watching around the room. "…And then… more of you." She cleared her throat with a small laugh which he caught softly, some of the tension washing off him.

Through the windows the light of the sun was swiftly disappearing. "Can we go to bed?" Looking back up at him she watched his face fall into a frown, not understanding her shift. Exhaling softly she explained for him, rubbing her thumb across his cheekbone where her hand still lay against his cheek. "It's dark and I'm exhausted and I just want to go to bed with you." The Master's gaze softened and although reluctance still danced within the light of his eyes, his nodded.

Pressing his hand into the small of her back, The Master led her from the gate room, ordering the Naismith-Master to alert him immediately if The Doctor reappeared. One of the guards stepped in front ahead, leading them to the largest guest bedroom, moving out of the way to allow them entrance before closing the door behind them.

Hally moved to the wardrobe, happy to find a black, satin nightdress. She wasted no time, stripping down to nothing on the spot before pulling the garment on over her head. As she moved towards the bed, a thought struck her. "It'll be Christmas tomorrow."

Following her lead, The Master had also removed his borrowed clothes and lay back on the large double bed in just his boxers. A soft chuckle hummed in his chest as Hally climbed in next to him, resting her head on his chest and wrapping her arms around him. "I suppose I should get you a gift." His smirk was audible.

Her own laugh fell from her. She shifted, getting underneath the duvet with him and adjusting herself until she was lying on her side, facing him. He mirrored her, the dark pools of his eyes tracing across her face. "Well, that means I have to get you one too."

His anger from before hadn't dissipated completely, she knew he wasn't tired, wasn't in the mood for sleep at all, and yet selfishly she didn't want either of them to be anywhere else. All she wanted was to lie in his arms, so she did, she wrapped herself up in him, content to simply remain close.

His lips pressed a warm kiss against her forehead. "Oh, you already have." The words were muffled against her skin. Her eyes had already fluttered closed as a small smile played at her lips.

The Master held his wife as she drifted off. His own mind was moving far too quickly to possibly consider falling asleep. But she wanted him, so she had him. And if he was honest, it was calming. Holding her. But he wasn't just holding her…

Absentmindedly, his hand drifted up and down her back.

The Doctor.

The Doctor had run.

Rage blossomed inside his chest. His hearts beat painfully in his chest.

Gritting his teeth, The Master took in a slow, deep breath.

Now what?

They'd have to find his TARDIS without him.

Although there was the small possibility that they could now remain on Earth, he couldn't be sure of its extended safety with The Doctor lurking and if the humans were to revert back…

They could not be on the planet if that happened.

His gaze moved back down to the face of his wife, perfectly relaxed and content in her slumber. Bringing his hand up, he pushed a stray piece of hair from her face, letting his fingers sink into the locks.

This would change everything.

They weren't ready.

He could not imagine a worse time…

The 'Master race', aside, Earth wasn't an option any longer. Not if there was a possibility that a group of humans knew about her pregnancy. They were too known. Too loud.

They had nowhere to go…

He was still… dying.

Not as urgently as before.

It might even be that if he tried to regenerate it would work now.

But he didn't want to try.

He liked being him.

He liked being him, with her.

Plus, it was his child.

Something swelled within his chest. Ferocious and certain.

He would do anything to keep them safe.

Whatever happened.

Both her, and their child, would be safe.

He wanted to tell her. Of course, he did. He knew she'd be angry when she found out he'd withheld it. But right now, wasn't the time.

She was hurting. She was scared and desperate and she'd just killed tens of thousands of people and turned the rest remorselessly into him. He knew his wife. He knew it was going to catch up to her eventually. She wasn't like him. She cared. At some point, now the perceived danger had passed, it would hit her.

And he couldn't add to that.

She had said she didn't want children.

He rolled his lip between his teeth. Technically so had he.

Although, the feelings flittering inside his chest said differently.

Just not now.

Now, was bad.

But it was happening, now.

But, he imagined, she might react differently to him.

Possibly, badly.

He just didn't want to add to the heavy mental load she was already carrying.

Once, they had the TARDIS, or a way off this planet.

Then, he'd tell her.

The Master sat in his own thoughts for a few hours, the woman in his arms barely stirred.

A heavy exhale brought his gaze back to her face, complete darkness shrouded the outside world, the time creeping slowly towards 4am. While part of him wanted to continue to hold her, to let her rest, to continue to protect the child growing inside her, another part of him was overcome with the desire to show her, to show this magnificent, beautiful woman, who had protected him at all costs, just how much he appreciated her. He very much wanted to watch his divine, powerful, pregnant wife come apart.

This time, his hands trailed down her body with an intended purpose, down, dipping at her waist, over her hips and along the outside of her thigh. His fingers leaving a trail of ghostlike caresses. Anchoring himself on his elbow, The Master shifted his own body down, underneath the covers wrapped around the both of them. His hand eased underneath her knee, pressing her legs apart until gravity assisted him in rolling her onto her back. A breathy exhale fell from her lips as she stirred, followed by a soft sleepy laugh as he pinned her knees apart, making space for him to lie between her legs.

He shifted up the nightdress, trailing soft kisses up the inside of her thigh. A soft gasp of her breath and her hand digging into his hair offered him her enthusiastic encouragement. Hungrily, his mouth pressed to the warmth between her legs, a content moan vibrating in the back of his throat as she arched, pressing herself down onto his tongue. Cold air hit him as Hally shoved the duvet off them both, her gaze catching his, watching him with wide, dilated pupils. He flattened his tongue against her, revelling in her intoxicating taste. Hands wound into his hair as his chuckle only vibrated into her heat as he felt her tug hard, anchoring his mouth to her. He imbued every movement of his tongue with the words he could not say, desperately needing her to know the aching depths of his need for her.

The muscles of her thighs tightened underneath his hands and with a strained, hitched moan she came. He watched her, in complete awe as her back arched, beautifully strung tension pulling at her neck and jaw as she lost herself to it. He eased his happy torture of her sensitive flesh as she shook, watching as the tension melted from her features into serene bliss.

The tip of his tongue flicked between her folds yet again.

A heavy exhale fell from her, infused with a moan. "Ohh…. Fuck…"

A dark chuckle rumbled in his chest as he devoured her once more.

There was nowhere else he'd rather be and he would remain there for as long as he wished.

Hally lay on her back, the rise and fall of her chest still more pronounced than usual as she brushed her hand absentmindedly through The Master's hair.

A smile pulled at her mouth. She could certainly get used to waking up like that.

His head now lay, resting on her abdomen, one of her legs lazily draped across his waist.

"Do you miss it?" His voice was quiet and low, she could hear his own breathlessness.

"Miss what?"

"Home."

"Gallifrey?" A small frown tugged at her forehead, her gaze flicking down to him. She couldn't see his expression fully as his head was turned to the side.

"Mm."

"I don't think I miss Gallifrey specifically… I'm not sure it ever really felt like home but… I suppose I miss aspects. I miss the familiarity, the sense of belonging somewhere, having a home, having a people… however shitty they might have been."

The Master seemed to absorb her words, but didn't offer anything in return. So she pressed. "Do you?"

For a moment, he didn't reply, before he ran his tongue across his lips. "My home, is here."

She cocked a disbelieving eyebrow. "On Earth?"

"With you." He hummed.

Warmth spread across her chest. Looking down at him, pressed, resting against her stomach, her own arms cradling him he seemed almost childlike. Melancholy. A lost boy. "What about… well, you had family on Gallifrey. Do you miss them?"

"You are my family."

A soft laugh fell from her in an exhale. "I know… but that's not what I asked."

He pouted, grumbling. "Most of my family were already dead. The rest… we were not close."

"Your parents?"

He scoffed. "One of my favourite days is the day my father shrivelled off this living plane." For some reason, hearing his words seemed to give The Master pause. He took in a sharp breath, the gentle hold he hand on her waist unconsciously tightening. She heard him swallow before he shifted, his weight leaving her as he sat back on his heels. "You miss your parents… don't you." It wasn't an accusation, it was barely even a question. More a sort of, sad and yet intrigued statement.

"Uhh…" For a moment, she wasn't sure how to answer. "I… I suppose I do. Not… Gallifrey but…" The name died on her lips, so he finished her sentence for her.

"Rose."

Hally tilted herself up to sitting, crossing her legs in front of her and offered him a nod.

"And him."

Again, she nodded. "In a way."

"You love them." Again, he didn't phrase it as a question, although she knew to provide him with an answer.

"Yes…" Hally wasn't sure where The Master's thoughts had taken him.

"Why?" The Master's face was uncharacteristically open, no anger lingered.

Something in his gaze had her shifting towards him, taking his hand in hers. "What do you mean…?"

He frowned and rephrased. "They have hardly been an exemplary example of good parenting. No one would blame you for despising the both of them… and yet consistently… although it certainly fluctuates… your love for them is unconditional." He cocked his head to one side. "Why is that?"

Hally opened her mouth, closed it again and narrowed her eyes. "My love for you is unconditional too… if that's what you're getting at…"

He waved her words away. "Yes, yes. I know that. I'm not asking about us, I'm asking about this. Answer the question." He clipped.

"Ok…" She widened her eyes at him sarcastically, making obvious note of the strangeness of his line of questioning. He rolled his eyes in admittance but waved his hand towards her in a quickening motion. "Well… I suppose it's just because they are my parents."

"Lots of people hate their parents for much less. Biological procreation does not equate to positive feelings."

Hally let out a huff, bemused but continuing to attempt to provide him with an answer that would sate him. "Alright… yes, neither of them have been great." The Master snorted at that, silenced by her withering glare. "But, despite our… differences… I know that he, well they… I know they care. I know that they love me. Whether they're with me or not. For however long or short they've been my parents, I know she loved me. Then him… he does too. He's infuriating about it and sometimes I want to throw him into a supernova for being so fucking suffocating but… I know why he's like that. He's just terrified. Basically, all the time. And I can't really find it in myself not to love him for that…"

"Hmm." The Master hummed, something was churning inside his mind.

She wet her lips, watching him. "Are you alright?"

"Mmm…" He rubbed a hand across his head, grimacing.

"Do they hurt?"

His eyes met hers at her question, understanding falling across his face. "They are insistent. Relentless. Calling me."

"Can I help?" Her hand moved from his to press against his temple meaningfully.

With a tired sigh, The Master leant forward, leaning his forehead against hers. "You already are."

"No, but really... There must be a reason they're louder… something they did. And if they could make them louder, what if we made them quieter? I mean, everyone is you now, so surely we can measure it somehow?" Her hand had traced along the edge of his hair, to cup the back of his neck.

Eyes met hers. "Wait…" Excitement buzzed around him suddenly and he let out a bark of laughter.

"What?"

"Everyone is me." His face split into a wide, brilliant grin. Grabbing her face he pressed a hard kiss to her mouth. "Oh, you beautiful, clever thing." He ripped away from her, leaping from the bed. "Everyone. Is. Me. It's not just in my head anymore, but it's in six-billion. We can trace it." He held out his hand to her, which she took, letting him lead her off the bed. Within seconds, he had redressed himself, coming to her side to guide her from the room with him, brimming with excitable energy.

He practically skipped into the gate room, met with the cocked eyebrow of the Naismith-Master. "I didn't expect you to be up so soon…" The man shot a sly look between them both, which The Master waved away immediately, revealing his realisation to Naismith.

"Don't you see, it's perfect. Six billion of us… all listening at once."

Naismith nodded. "Shouldn't be a problem to co-ordinate. I shall send out the message."

The Master clapped his hands, whirling back to face her. "My clever, clever wife." He beamed down at her, enveloping her in his arms. His excitement was infectious, unable to help herself, her own face split into a smile. She nuzzled happily into the nook under his chin. "You're welcome. Can I help? Amplification or something?" He shook his head, rearing back to catch her head in between his hands.

"No… no. We will be more than enough." His eyes sparkled with possibility. "We can find it… the source."

"Hmm…" Consideration fell across her face. "Perhaps we can make it stop."

"Perhaps, indeed." He pressed two unnecessarily loud, wet kisses on her cheeks before peppering chaste, swift kisses down the side of her neck, eliciting a giggle from her. "Now… you are causing… quite a distraction…" The low, dangerous thrum of his voice had her stomach flipping, although flicking her eyes around the room she couldn't help but notice that she was indeed gathering rather a lot of attentive stares.

"Well, it's not my fault they're all you." Hally clipped back at him, hiding her blush behind her amusement.

"Well, it sort of is… but more importantly, you're barely dressed… adorably ruffled… extremely fuckable and, You. Smell. Like. Sex."

"That is completely your fault…"

He grinned, holding her close, his body pressed up against hers. "Indeed."

"Sir, we're ready. Every single one of us is prepared." Both Hally and The Master heard the edge of impatience within the Naismith-Master's tone.

Her Master shot her a meaningfully playful look. "Go… shower. Find yourself some clothes. This won't take long."

"Oh, I see. I'm being banished for being a distraction?" She retorted impishly, offering him a coyly raised eyebrow.

His mouth captured hers in an unnecessarily possessive kiss. "Yes. Now go… before I fuck you on this marble floor in front of the whole planet." The danger glinting behind his eyes had heat splashed across her face and chest as she blushed darkly, and another wave heading straight between her legs.

"Fine." She cleared her throat in an attempt to remove the light wobble to her voice.

It was now impossible not to feel the intensity of all eyes on her.

It really didn't help that they were all his eyes.

There wasn't a sound as she turned and exited the room, his gaze burning heated holes into her back. As she clicked the doors closed, his voice rang out. "Then we listen. All of us, across the world, just listen."

Hally left the many Masters to do their thing while she headed back into the room they'd slept in. Briefly searching around in the closet for possible options for a change of clothes, Hally then jumped happily in the shower.

It was indeed, very needed.

To wash off everything from the last 24-hours.

The last two months…

Slightly sticky patches remained on her skin where wires had been taped against her, it felt wonderful to scrub them away. To make herself clean again. Running conditioner through her hair, Hally mentally noted that she really needed haircut, whenever she could find the time. It was on the fourth scrubbing and rinsing of her body that she finally felt clean.

Her body.

Felt a little more hers again.

As she stepped out of the shower, she pondered whether they should dye The Master's hair back brown. Although, he was definitely making the blonde, work. She wouldn't tell him, but she kind of liked it. She definitely liked the length and the darker patch of stubble sprinkled over the lower half of his face. It gave him a sort of, manic rogue look. Chuckling to herself, she wrapped the white fluffy towel around her body. She took the time to dry her hair with the hairdryer, the mundaneness of it feeling strangely necessary. Although, she did tire of it, choosing to let some of the dampness remain. Hally had found some dark jeans in the wardrobe and a deep maroon cashmere type sweater which she pulled on over her head.

Finally feeling a little more secure and put together, she went out in search of The Master.

Which wasn't a hard task.

His stupid face was everywhere.

Finding the specific set of eyes twinkling with mischief that was her husband was also surprisingly easy. Intuitive even. The other versions, the previously human versions didn't feel the same. There was a fizzle of familiarity for certain, but it was nothing in comparison to the tidal wave of essence that erupted from her husband in an all-encompassing aura of him.

He was impossible to miss.

As she re-entered the gate room, she noted the hubbub of activity. Koschei turned, sensing her approach and clocked her with a grin, wild excitement flashing behind his stare as he grabbed at her, pulling her into him.

"You smell clean." His smirk disappeared from sight as he nuzzled against the soft skin of her neck.

Although a smile crept onto her face, she rolled her eyes. "And you still smell like chip fat…" A wide, unapologetic grin was his response. "Did you find anything?"

"OH, yes we did!" His grin was stupidly infectious, lighting up his face with an almost childlike excitement. "The sound, the noise was tangible. Designed."

A frown knit her brows. "Designed?"

"Someone designed it."

The excitement waned from her face. "Someone… did this to you?"

He gave a noncommittal hum, his gaze shifting somewhere distant. "Something came through. Something followed the signal. It fell from the sky." Eyes sparkling, he gently took her hand, guiding her towards the window. They stepped out onto the balcony, the cool breeze brushing against her skin. Pointing off into the distance, his voice barely contained his thrill. "Over there." He gripped her shoulders in a firm, reassuring squeeze. "We're retrieving it now." His enthusiasm was palpable, seemingly ignorant of the dread that had settled in her stomach.

"Hm."

With a tender touch, he turned her in his arms, catching the way her eyes scanned his face, still unconvinced. Fingers traced the contours of his face, sliding up to his temple. "But… someone did this?" Sharp eyes stared back at him, a fiery anger burning behind them. Catching her hand, he held it gently yet firmly to his chest.

A buzz from his phone broke the moment. He took it out and placed it on speaker.

"We've found it, Sir." The Master's voice crackled through the speaker, urgent. Koschei's eyes lit up with immediate interest. "It's a diamond, sir. Oh. The most impossible diamond…" Intrigue mingled with excitement as he locked eyes with her. "You won't believe this. It's a White Point star."

An ice cold shiver ran down her spine.

Gallifrey.

Simultaneous realisation ignited in his eyes at the same moment.

Home.

"How is that possible?" She whispered, her breath catching in her throat.

"Bring it back to me." He commanded, his voice steady but filled with anticipation.

"Yes, Sir."

Koschei clicked off the phone, his thoughts clearly racing. Hally watched him, a hint of nervousness lingering in her eyes.

Could this mean there was a way back to Gallifrey?

…But was that truly where they wanted to go?

"What are you thinking?" She murmured, trying to catch his attention, the lack of a completely open channel between them left her uncertain of his desire.

"Gallifrey." His eyes were wide with excitement.

She swallowed. "Yes… but… Gallifrey isn't necessarily our friend. There's Rassilon, to name but one problem… and the Council, who hate me and also very much dislike you."

He grinned, a mischievous glint in his eyes, evidently experiencing none of the worries she was quickly collecting. "Yes… but what else do you find on Gallifrey?"

She cocked an eyebrow. "Lots of death and Daleks?"

"A TARDIS," he breathed, his voice filled with reprieve.

Her eyebrows shot up.

Oh.

OH.

Yes.

"Oh…"

He hummed happily. "You and me… the whole universe." His words were an offering, an invitation.

A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. "But… what if they come for us?"

He chuckled. "Then we fix that problem the same way we fixed this planet." His confident smirk widened as he shot her a confident wink.

Her own mouth curved to match his. "Oh, what? Turn them all into you?"

"Mmm. I can see it now." His broad grin had her choking on a laugh.

"God help me."

The laugh that fell from him was loud and carefree before he leaned in, pressing his mouth to hers. "This is it. This is how we're set free. This family. You and me and… the whole universe."

Her eyes, bright with emotion, locked onto his, and she nodded.

The many Masters got to work as soon as the diamond arrived. Hally lingered, unable to keep herself from it, unable to stop herself from marvelling at the impossibility of it. Perfectly formed. A sight she hadn't seen for decades. A token from the past. From home. Yet, it was there, sent to them. To him. In the back of her mind, Hally made a note, made a vow to herself that regardless of what happened next, she would find out who had done this to The Master. Who had hurt him, all this time. The drums had caused him so much pain. All that suffering. Whether or not they led to their freedom, she would be sure to punish the person responsible.

But that could wait.

It was a secondary objective.

Throughout the night, the Masters worked tirelessly to solidify the link, wiring the White Point Star into the power mainframe of the gate. Linking them. It wasn't that Hally hadn't been involved, she had tried to help. But with twenty sets of the same eyes watching her with that look of dark warning, waiting for her inevitable fuck up, she found it best to mainly stay out of their way. Providing assistance only when prompted by an impatient bark of, 'hold this.', 'grab me the modulator switch.', 'no, not that one, that one.'

They stood, ready and together, eyes fixed in a mixture of disbelief and anxious intrigue on where the diamond now sat, placed in its cradle among the mass of wires. It never even crossed her mind that it wouldn't work, such was her unwavering confidence in his genius. Whatever he touched, came alive with endless possibility. Her hand slipped into his as he opened up a broadcast link, broadcasting primarily to the stars, but no doubt, also overheard by The Doctor. Sitting in orbit somewhere above the planet.

"A star fell from the sky…" Her husband's voice rang out across the gate room. The whole planet held its breath as he spoke. "Don't you want to know where from? Because now it makes sense, Doctor." The word was dripped in seething acid. "The whole of my life. My destiny. Leading to this. The star was a diamond. And the diamond is a Whitepoint Star. And I have worked all night to sanctify that gift. Now the star is ours. I can increase the signal and use it as a lifeline... for us. For my family. Do you get it now? Do you see? Keep watching, Doctor. This should be spectacular. Over and out." He clipped with brutal finality.

He turned to her then, eyes ablaze with unsaid promise, a deep pit of universal, celestial yearning. A silent question hung between them. Hally, anchoring herself with a hand against his chest, leant in and pressed her lips to his. Closure with a kiss. When she pulled away, he offered her the hint of a nod.

They were ready.

She swallowed down her own uncertainty and turned back towards the gate, however, this was about to play out, they were at least sure of their end goal.

Find themselves a TARDIS.

The details in between now and then were less than clear.

"Open up the Nuclear Bolt. Infuse the power lines to maximum." The Master ordered.

"Nuclear bolt accelerating, sir."

"Send the signal back and the link becomes a pathway…"

A synthetic beat of four began to beep in a continuous loop as the transmission amplified. It angered her, that sound. The sound she'd come to associate with him, at times had even found comfort in that noise. Tainted.

His voice drew her from her thoughts, a low whisper, just for her. "We have contact. We're going home…"

From their right The Master's voice hummed over the screen from UNIT headquarters. "Sir, we've got a fix. Hundred and five thousand miles in orbit… All NATO defences coordinated, sir, awaiting your command."

"We don't need him. Any second now, there will be Time Lords to spare." The Master snapped.

Hally's voice echoed across the room, all the more noticeable with it being the only other voice on the planet. "Keep him at bay." A sharp command that no one rebuffed.

Power surged into the gate in front of them, centring in the middle of the archway. A bright light danced in the centre, as though someone had lit a match. The light grew, blowing and blossoming outwards until it engulfed the entire structure.

A portal was opening.

"He's heading straight for you…" Concern bled through from the UNIT General, but neither her husband nor Hally took much notice. Far too engrossed in what was happening in front of them.

His grip on her hand tightened.

Anticipation flooded through her veins, tinged with a healthy amount of fear.

The portal hummed with life, the bridge between worlds solidifying in a burst of white. Hally winced, the brightness of it burning behind her eyes. Figures were moving inside the light.

Moving towards them.

Closer and closer…

"I think I should warn you…" A Master's voice was cut off by her husband at her side.

"Not now!"

They were coming through.

Time Lords.

An anxious grip closed around her throat as the figures grew closer and the light from the bridge settled to a brightness that no longer blinded them. The dark red, unmistakable robes of the council seemed to float towards them and at the front, leading them, a man carrying an all too familiar golden staff and gauntlet. His own robes adorned with the fiery golden insignia of the President.

Rassilon.

Hatred curled within her, although his face had changed, his eyes cold and unfeeling still held a power over her. Fear.

A pressure moved up her arm and Hally became momentarily aware of The Master gently pulling at her arm as if to move himself in front of her, however, all eyes in the room were drawn upward when with an almighty crash something smashed through the glass ceiling and landed in the middle of the marble floor.

Those nearby, including Hally and The Master took a reactionary step back, primed to be on the defensive when the familiar brown pin-stripe suit flashed recognition through her.

The Doctor.

Unbelievable.

His body, splayed out on the ground stirred as he struggled to hold himself up, he tried to raise his arm. In his hand, to Hally's complete surprise, he held a gun, an old fashioned revolver type. But, a gun.

The Time Lords halted their approach, four flanked the President. The outer two, in their ceremonial robes and the inner pair, who for some reason had their faces hidden behind their hands, their heads bowed.

Turning his head towards them, her father silently pleaded with both her and The Master, his eyes round with fear. A low growl vibrated from her husband. Neither of them moved.

"My Lord Doctor. My Lord Master. We are gathered for the end." Rassilon eyed the three of them with detached contemplation as The Doctor grunted and finally managed to push himself to his feet.

Anger ripped through her. "How charming of you to pretend like I'm not here." She snapped, pettily.

The President tipped his head forward, his bright eyes centring in on her with a hint of violent intent. "You, are not a Time Lord." He clipped back, haughtily.

"Listen to me. This can't happen!" The Doctor cut across them, his words dripping with his desperate pleading.

Rassilon offered a hum of consideration. "It is a fitting paradox that our salvation comes at the hands of our most deranged child."

"Then, I suppose, it's only right to assume that this was all your genius?" Hally pressed, murder flashing behind her eyes as she continued to stare defiantly into his cold, dead, gaze.

His mouth curled upwards into a victorious sneer. "I have ensured the future of Gallifrey."

"Oh, he's not saving you. Don't you realise what he's doing?" The Doctor scoffed, his gaze moving from Rassilon to clock The Master.

Koschei snarled at him, taking two steps forward hurriedly. "Hey, no, hey! That's mine. Hush."

It didn't shock her that The Master had indeed almost immediately reverted to their back up plan. Rassilon was a threat. He would need to be dealt with. Plus, he was never going to forfeit the opportunity to have every single Time Lord under his thumb.

A noise thrummed in Hally's throat, a subtle hum of approval.

Rassilon had done this to The Master.

Rassilon would pay.

"Look around you. I've transplanted myself into every single human being." Dark, triumphant amusement trickled into The Master's voice as he motioned, arms wide to the surrounding Masters.

Hally moved, shifting from behind The Master to step in beside him, drawing Rassilon's hateful gaze to her. "But who wants a mongrel little species like them, hmm?" She cooed, earning her a chuckle from her husband. "Oh, yes, Mister President, sir, standing there all noble and resplendent and decrepit." Her voice lowered into a snarl. "Think how much better you're going to look… as him."

Anger flashed behind Rassilon's eyes, his upper lip twitching into a sneer. He raised his hand, his damned gauntlet glinting with menace. Around them, the humans began to shift, they began to revert. With an undignified cry of fury Hally advanced on him, raising her own hand.

A sharp golden, rope like tendril whipped from the centre of her palm and curled around the gauntlet. Her face set with a determined glower she tugged, immediately meeting the resistance of Rassilon's power.

Forcefully he yanked his gloved hand back, most likely assuming he could simply shrug her off. When he realised that he couldn't, that in fact, her power had a hold on him, he let out a furious bark before resetting himself, filtering his focus singularly towards her. The force from the gauntlet grew, white, hot and deadly burning into edges of the coil she had wrapped around it. A hiss of pain fell from her, effort coursing through her body as she fought to keep her grip.

Their power met, pressed, immovable against one another. A battle of wills. Her rage slammed against his vehemence. The Master hadn't left her side, but she felt as The Doctor stepped in on her other flank. The concern coming from him was as expected, and yet strangely, a similar edge was also emanating from The Master.

"Hal, wait…" A hand landed on hers, it was The Master's. Her forehead creased with an uncertain frown.

Anger still swelled deep in her chest, her eyes not moving from the President in front of her. Keeping her concentration set against him. "He did this… the whole of your life…" Pain flashed behind her eyes.

Koschei's voice lowered and he stepped in closer. "I know." She could sense his rage, but there was something else too, something hidden. Something that was forcing him to hold back.

On her other side, The Doctor stood. Her gaze shifted towards her father, hoping to see something of an answer on his face. But he wasn't looking at her. The Doctor's eyes were trained on The Master, a look passed between the two men and by the time she'd turned her head to look at The Master, something had shifted within him. She knew, without either of them saying a word that they had silently come to an agreement.

The plan had changed…?

The Doctor took the moment to step in front of her, as he did pressure pushed at her arm, The Master's hand bringing it back down to her side. The golden tether between her and Rassilon dropped and fizzled out of existence. His intention now undeterred, the humans shifted and phased back into just that, humans.

"On your knees, mankind." Rassilon's voice boomed through the room and after a moment or two, the terrified apes complied.

Seemingly working in tandem with each other, The Master's hands moved to her shoulders, shifting her behind him, out of harms way. He turned back to face The Doctor and Rassilon, his touch not leaving her. He was breathing hard, knees slightly bent, poised, ready to attack. At the same time, there was a resounding click of a gun as The Doctor raised the revolver towards the President.

"Choose your enemy well. We are many. They are but a pair." Rassilon called down to him, tilting his chin upwards to look down on them all.

The Master hissed with impatience. "Kill him. Kill him Doctor and Gallifrey could be yours."

Her own hearts were beating frantically in her chest.

Would he?

Could he really?

What was happening…?

"Kill him, Doctor… and everything goes back to how it was." The Master's voice was laced with intent, urging the man in front of him to pull the trigger.

Something about his words gave The Doctor pause, he turned his head towards The Master, although the gun remained steady. "Oh… my friend… nothing is ever going to be how it was, ever again."

Something akin to pain flashed momentarily across The Master's face, before he stowed it away. His face broke with impatient rage. "Go on. Do it!"

"Really, Doctor? The final act of your life is murder." Rassilon jeered, drawing The Doctor's gaze back to him. There were a few, heavy, silent seconds, before the tension across her father's shoulders dropped and he let out a long breath. Then he turned. Fear spiked in her hearts when he turned towards them. He raised the gun and aimed it directly at The Master.

She froze.

The Master's grip on her tightened and there was half a moment where she was struck with absolute betrayal. Ice cold shards as she stared at her father, his gun aimed at Koschei's head.

Complete despair before words fell from The Doctor's mouth. "Get out of the way."

Thankfully, unlike her, The Master hadn't completely frozen and he moved, dragging her with him. He shoved them both out of the way as The Doctor fired the gun. With a violent spark, it connected with the White Point Star, shattering the link to the bridge.

Victorious, The Doctor rounded back on Rassilon, resolute. "The link is broken! Back into the Time War, Rassilon. Back into hell!"

Cracks struck along the bridge, shattering the portal. Rassilon and the others began to fade as the link snapped back, dragging them back.

"You'll die with me, Doctor." Rassilon raised his gauntlet once more, this time, his stare fixed on The Doctor.

"I know."

Her husband, who still had his hands on her, tensed. In front of her eyes, he shifted, eyes darting around the room before they landed on The Doctor and finally slipping back up to Rassilon.

His head turned back to face her, wide, certain eyes met hers with a flicker of regret. Before she could open her mouth to ask him, he'd taken her head in his hands and pressed his mouth against hers in a fiery, burning promise.

A promise.

Then, he ripped himself away from her.

"Get out of the way."

The Doctor turned to look back at him. An understanding that Hally could not possibly comprehend in that moment passed over his face. Her father nodded and bounded out of the way. With a pained cry, energy ripped through The Master, splitting and ripping until it spilled forth into his palm, aimed directly at Rassilon. Hally, witnessing the agony wrack his body let out a wail, lunging at him. Long, familiar arms wrapped around her torso, yanking her backwards, away from the path to the President. Away from The Master.

No, no, no.

What the FUCK WAS HAPPENING?

The Master advanced, rage and agonising pain splitting him apart as he slammed it all into Rassilon, edging closer. "You will have power over me no more! All of my life! I am NOT what you made me! One! Two! Three! Four!"

He was killing him. The Master was shoving his life force into Rassilon and it was killing him. The President sunk to his knees as Koschei staggered forward. It was killing them both. The bridge was disintegrating. Dragging them back. The Master included. He would be sucked in. He'd be trapped on Gallifrey.

No, no, no.

"Koschei!" Her voice broke, the scream ripping at her vocal chords. With a burst of energy The Doctor was blasted backwards off her and she ran. Straight to him.

She barrelled into him. The light around them surged.

They had seconds.

She grabbed at his hoodie, to pull him back or to jump in with him she didn't care.

The seconds, seemed to stretch.

Time warped.

White surrounded them.

The Master turned to her, panic ripped over his features.

Within the same moment, his mind slammed into hers, shattering every defence as his voice echoed into every corner of her being. At the same time his hand shoved into the centre of her chest. He pushed her. Sending her flying backwards.

Hard.

Her feet had already slipped out from underneath her.

The white light seemed to stretch onto eternity.

The Master was no longer in front of her.

Nothing was in front of her.

There was nothing.

Just white as she fell.

All that remained was his voice ringing in her mind.

"Go with The Doctor."

She fell backwards.

Then, suddenly it was dark.

Almost pitch black.

She landed, awkwardly and painfully on her back.

The floor was cold and hard.

Someone was screaming.

For once, she was pretty sure it wasn't her.

She pushed herself to her feet, turning around to the space she'd just fallen from. A concrete wall stood in front of her and Hally knew, immediately, that wherever she was, it was not Naismith Mansion and it was not Gallifrey. In front of her, in the middle of the wall, was a wide crack. The white light she'd just escaped from still poured through. It had seemingly just spat her out. Without a second thought she ran back towards it, intent on jumping back through but before she could it snapped shut, leaving no trace at all.

With a scream of desperation, Hally slammed her hand into the cold, hard concrete. Fury sparked from her fingertips leaving a raging dark burn on the otherwise unyielding wall.

"No, No! NO!"

"Oh… you have got to be kidding me." Another voice.

She wasn't alone.

Hally whirled around, barely taking in her surroundings, but she was externally aware that it was quite dark. A warehouse. Concrete. Metal. Screaming.

The woman in front of her was not in any way familiar, and yet she was staring at Hally as though Hally had just gate crashed her birthday party. She was thirties, maybe early forties perhaps, human? Her hands had moved to her hips, glaring at her through a mass of dark blonde curls.

"Now?!" The woman groaned.

"River, come on!" A male voice shouted to their right, footsteps pounding against the concrete.

There were other voices too.

They weren't alone.

A man ran up to the glaring woman in front of her. River? He was tall, skinny and perpetually confused-looking. He turned from River to Hally and back to the woman. "Wha… who… we don't have time." He motioned towards the woman as if to convey panic. "River, running!"

The woman. Who it appeared was indeed the one he was calling River, turned back towards Hally, looking her up and down, nervously but with an edge of impatience. "Look… this is about to be a lot… but I need you to not freak out."

Hally's face creased with a dark scowl, turning back to the wall. "No… I need to go back. I don't know… how I got here."

"You can't go back." The tone of the woman was final. Knowing and yet apologetic. Hally looked back at her, fear and panic slicing across her face.

"What?"

More people ran into view, but still a way off.

"Run!" Another male yelled, waving his arms madly towards them, he was followed by a tall ginger woman, and then bringing up the rear was a slightly older man, who slowed, glancing at them all as confusion flickered across his face.

"What the hell's going on?" The man spoke slowly with an American drawl.

The madly waving man turned back, motioning to a point behind the American. "Look behind you."

Hally followed his line of sight, eyes locking onto what she assumed was the reason they'd all been running in the first place. A creature was stalking towards them from the darkness. Tall. Humanoid-ish, wearing a… suit? Its face was stretched into something more like Van Gogh's 'The Scream' than a human. It had long pale fingers that it was currently reaching towards the group.

Frankly. It was gross and seemed to be chasing them.

River let out a heavy exhale, eyes darting from Hally to the creature. Her face held conflict, as though apologising for her lack of available time. "You can't go back. You don't go back. It's not possible. He pushed you, but you'd already started to be ripped back to Gallifrey. He pushed you. You fell through a crack in the universe. It spat you out here." The woman rambled at speed. Her words didn't really land. How could they? It didn't make sense. How the hell did this woman know all of this?

"Who are you?" Hally growled at her.

The American was talking to the younger man, he turned and spotted the creature, poised to attack. Hally turned back to River, about to demand answers when behind her, perhaps only ten meters away, impossibly and wonderfully was the TARDIS.

Her eyes lit up.

The creature reared towards the American, just as the man let out a shout and Hally bolted towards the familiar window lights of The Doctor's ridiculous blue box.

The TARDIS.

The TARDIS could take her back.

"Wait, no!" River's voice yelped from behind her, feet slamming against the floor as the older woman ran after her.

Unfamiliar voices were shouting behind her but Hally paid no attention.

She slammed into the TARDIS first, yanking at the door.

Locked.

"Open the fucking door." She growled up at the machine.

She clanged back at her, a sad but defiant no.

The ship let out a pained whine as Hally banged her hand against the door.

Then, hands were whirling her about and her back was shoved against the rough wood of the TARDIS door. The first thing Hally's eyes focused on was the barrel of the blaster gun that was now trained on the centre of her chest.

The woman, River, had her backed against the door, her eyes burning with a strangely patient ferocity. "Morvazatium Bullets." She clipped, eyes flicking down towards the barrel of the gun in warning. "They periodically alter their shape inside your body for maximum damage. It'd take even you a good forty-five minutes to heal around it and trust me, it'll hurt like hell."

Hally's face dropped into a glare of incredulous rage.

"I don't want to shoot you. But I will if you don't listen."

"River, what…?" Another feminine voice. The others had caught up with them, their own eyes wide with fear, breaths coming out in sharp pants. They were still being hunted by that creature.

"Get in the T-…. Oh." The second man had stepped into view. Again, tall, skinny, floppy dark hair pushed back off his angular, unassuming face. His eyes met with hers, a whole plethora of emotions clicking into place.

Hally's hearts were thumping painfully in her chest.

Who the fuck were all these people?

The American yelped, checking behind them and seeing the steadily approaching creature. "Uh… I don't mean to rush you."

River, still staring at Hally, moved quickly. She turned, expertly shooting over her shoulder at the creature, it dropped down dead with a satisfying thud, before she immediately trained the gun back onto Hally.

"River… put the gun down." The man muttered, his eyes wide, never leaving her face.

"I'm not going to shoot her, Doctor." River traipsed over the final word with added emphasis, as though spelling it out for a child for the first time. The woman's eyes kept their gaze fixed on hers. Hally felt like an animal. Wild and frantic, cornered by her keepers. Confusion tugged the frown onto her face as she looked from River to the man she was speaking to.

Not man… that boy…

He wasn't the…

It wasn't The Doctor. He's not…

But the way he was staring back at her. An incredibly complicated cauldron of pain, fear, relief and concern. Endless pools of concern. God, she'd seen that look way too many times for it to not be familiar.

No.

Wait.

What the fuck was happening?

This wasn't…

No…

"This is America, 1969, and he's 909." River spoke, directly and calmly, as if somehow anticipating Hally's questions.

Hally nodded slowly.

Then she shook her head. "This isn't happening…"

"It is happening. And I'm sorry but you can't go back and you have to come with us."

Hally swallowed the bile stuck in her throat.

"River… we should-." The Doctor's voice lilted awkwardly, as though pleading with the woman.

"No, Doctor. Don't treat her like a child." River snapped back at him.

"She is-."

"No. She isn't." River shot back, looking at her, an eyebrow raised semi-expectantly.

Hally had no clue who this woman was, but somehow it was like she was anticipating her every move. The inevitable tantrum Hally was about to have, somehow… didn't come.

River took in a slow breath, recalibrating. "What did he tell you?"

"What?"

"The Master… as he pushed you. He told you something… what was it?" River pushed, like a teacher trying to ease the correct answer from a student without giving everything away all at once.

Hally's face fell into a deep frown. How the fuck would this woman know Koschei had done that? "Who are you…?"

"That's not relevant right now… what did he say?"

Hally, still backed up against the TARDIS, looked from River to the new, younger, Doctor. She swallowed.

"Go with The Doctor."

"He didn't mean, him." Hally rebuffed, looking back at River.

"No… maybe not. But that's The Doctor… and you are safest with him. So, take a breath…" River watched her, patiently and expectantly as Hally did what she was told and took in a deep breath.

"Why? Why the fuck would he want me to go with him?!"

River gave her a small compassionate smile as she took a small step back, lowering the gun. "You've had a really bad day… and it isn't about to get much better…"

Tears pricked at Hally's eyes. She didn't want this to happen. She didn't want any of this.

River's smile was sad, and Hally was pretty sure water was pooling in the older woman's eyes as well. "I know. But you are going to be ok."

"I can't…" Hally shook her head, the torrent within her was so vast. So uncontrollable and this woman wanted her to not explode.

"Yes, you can. You can and you do."

Hally shook her head again, vehemently. "No… no, no. I don't want this." Emotion broke her voice as her vision blurred with tears.

"I know. I'm so sorry." River meant it. She could see. Could hear it in her words. "And it is ok for you to cry and scream, and shout and be angry… because it's not fair. It isn't. No one expects you to be ok, Hally… but you know, that doesn't mean you have to punish the universe for it. You can choose not to."

Hally understood her point.

Don't explode.

As much as she really, really wanted to.

The urge was there. Stoked by anger. Fury. She wanted to kill. Wanted to scream and force her way back. Universe be damned. But there was something in the way River was looking at her. Something knowing. Something, understanding that made her pause. Made her think.

Hally took in another deep breath and gave her a short, resounding nod.

The older woman let out a soft breath and offered her a thankful nod and finally placed the gun back into its holster.

Hally was shaking.

Tears were streaming down her face which she furiously wiped away.

She would not cry in front of multiple strangers.

Especially ones who were currently all staring at her as though she'd grown an extra head. River turned, looking confidently and expectantly up towards The Doctor. Waiting for him to make the next move.

He cleared his throat, clearly at a loss and ran a hand through his stupid hair.

Then, in a silence that grew heavier by the second, he reached into his inside pocket and pulled out his key. He took an awkward step forward, evidently very aware that she was still backed up against the TARDIS door and unlocked it for them. Having to squeeze past her to push the door open. "We should… we need to… get out of… leave.. we need… go. We need to go." The jumble of words passed from him as he stepped through the TARDIS doors.

The others stared at her, evidently waiting for her to follow him. River offered her a small nod of encouragement, the others just stared at her in utter confusion.

She turned and with a heavy ache in her hearts, followed him through the door.