The alarm buzzed, sharp and insistent. Hally groaned, turning over to silence it, her fingers fumbling against her phone screen. She barely had time to process the time, 7:00 AM, before the calendar invitation came through. Kate Stewart: Team Briefing - 8:30.
If she didn't have a child, she'd bury her face back into the pillow and sleep for at least another hour. But she did, which meant she had to drag herself up, shower, and ensure her daughter was clean, dressed, and fed before she even thought about dealing with work.
She felt fingers lazily combing through her hair. She shifted, turning back to her wife. Missy's other hand held her book open as she read. Missy was already awake, as always. And… so was Lily, sitting patiently at the foot of the bed, watching her with an expectant expression.
"Are we getting up now?" Lily asked, bright-eyed.
Hally sighed softly. "Yes…"
Missy's chuckle was soft and knowing.
"Why are you both always so awake?"
"I think you sleep too much." Lily hummed, completely matter-of-fact, before hopping off the bed and padding toward the bathroom. A few moments later, they both heard the shower start to run.
Missy closed her book with a quiet snap, shifting slightly beside her. Hally rolled onto her back, eyes drifting over to her wife. Missy tilted her head, a small, knowing smile playing at her lips.
"Come here, love."
Hally didn't hesitate, moving into her embrace, curling up against her. She rested her head at the top of Missy's chest, feeling the slow, steady rhythm of her twin hearts beneath her cheek. Missy pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, arms wrapping around her, holding her close. Their legs tangled together beneath the covers, the warmth of Missy's skin, pleasant against her own.
They lay in silence, listening to the muffled sound of running water from the bathroom.
No words were needed.
Hally could hear Missy's heartbeats, constant, grounding, real. And yet, the weight in her chest didn't ease. There was something unspoken hanging between them, something neither of them needed to say out loud to acknowledge.
It wasn't tension. It wasn't anger. It wasn't sadness. It was just there.
A quiet certainty.
Something was going to happen.
She could feel it in her bones, that shift in the air, that quiet hum of inevitability. Whatever change was coming, it would happen here.
The Master's presence, his presence, only solidified that. He was here, which at least meant Koschei wasn't going to die. Not properly. That, at least, was a small relief. But it didn't change the fact that something was looming, just beyond reach, waiting for them.
They weren't leaving this the same as when they had arrived.
Missy's arms tightened around her slightly and Hally, almost without thinking, clung to her just a little tighter in return.
Missy hummed softly, amusement laced in her voice. "So… do you want to tell me about that phone call?"
A slow, embarrassed smile curved across Hally's face. Heat bloomed in her cheeks. "Uh… no?"
Missy exhaled on a slow laugh, shifting until her knee pressed between Hally's thighs. "Well, at least we know you'll want to jump the future model too."
Hally let out a startled laugh, half-hiding her face against Missy's chest. "I'll always want to jump you."
"Good."
The water shut off and they both listened as their daughter dried herself off, brushed her teeth, and made her way back into the room wrapped in a towel. She stopped in the doorway, hands on her hips, huffing at them.
"You're still in bed."
Hally groaned dramatically, flopping onto her back, reluctantly detangling herself from Missy's warmth. "Uuuuuurgh. Fiiiiiiine." She hauled herself up, feet hitting the floor with exaggerated reluctance. "I'm up. I'm up."
Hally made her way to the base canteen with Lily in tow, guiding her small, hungry gremlin toward the breakfast spread. The room was already filled with the mooching UNIT staff, half-awake and lingering over their trays of mass-produced food.
Missy had turned her nose up at the whole ordeal, flat-out refusing to eat anything so mundane, and had disappeared back to the TARDIS for something more refined.
Hally, meanwhile, worked on assembling a tray, grabbing a mix of breakfast foods for both herself and Lily. Beside her, Lily busied herself with her own tray, at least until something else caught her attention and just like that, she was gone.
Hally let out a soft sigh, staring at the two trays in front of her, debating whether she could condense the food down onto one, or if she could realistically manage to carry both.
"Do you need a hand?"
Uhhhh, why was his voice suddenly sexier?
How was he actually doing that?
She felt his presence slip in on her left.
Urgh. She preferred it when he was at least trying to pretend to be O.
Swallowing, she glanced between the trays, then around the room for her daughter, now nowhere to be seen. With another sigh, she turned to look at him. "Yes… probably."
The Master smiled at her, effortlessly picking up her tray so she could focus on sorting Lily's.
"Did you see where she—?"
"Over by the vending machine."
Hally's eyes flicked over and found Lily indeed hovering by the vending machine, utterly engrossed in whatever indecisive crisis she was having over snacks.
"Wonderful."
She moved toward a table, setting her daughter's tray down before motioning for Lily to join her. The Master followed, placing her tray in front of her before straightening.
Hally glanced up at him, clearing her throat. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
And there it was again, that smile.
She exhaled quietly, already exasperated. "Not here."
"Not, what, here?"
It was actually unnerving how, despite having the exact same face, he looked so little like O. The kindness that once softened his features was gone, his eyes darker, sharper, glittering with amusement. His lips curved with confidence, playful and knowing, while the slight stubble on his jaw added sharper angles to his face.
"Stop… flirting with me."
"I'm not."
"Yes, you are."
"I'm just talking."
"It's the same thing."
Before he could respond, Lily reappeared, clutching two yoghurts triumphantly.
"I couldn't decide, so I'm going to eat both," she declared.
Hally raised an amused brow at the strawberry and chocolate yoghurts her daughter brandished before letting out a soft laugh. "Solid plan, Lils."
Lily plopped down into the seat opposite her, grinning brightly at O as she settled in.
"Would you like to sit with us?"
Before Hally could even open her mouth, he was already answering.
"I'd love to."
And with that, he sat next to Lily, entirely at ease.
Hally rolled her jaw slightly, shooting him a look. He ignored it.
"I… I don't want this to be confusing," she said carefully, keeping her tone casual enough that Lily wouldn't pick up on the underlying weight of her words.
He hummed, completely unbothered. "It won't be."
Then, with zero shame, he reached over and stole the tiny breakfast muffin from her plate.
Hally narrowed her eyes as he took a bite, looking far too pleased with himself. She could snatch it back, make a point of it, but she decided against it.
"You do realise there's an entire tray of them over there?" she pointed out, her voice flat.
The Master chewed, swallowed, and then gave her a small, smug smile. "Yes. But this one tastes better." He grinned at her, deliberately taking another bite.
Lily, meanwhile, remained blissfully unaware of whatever battle was playing out between the two adults. She licked her spoon clean before pointing it at him.
"Do you work here?"
Hally straightened slightly, about to interject, but he was already turning to Lily with that easy, charming smile.
"In a manner of speaking."
Lily squinted at him, intrigued. "What do you do?"
O tilted his head as if considering how best to phrase his answer. "I work in research."
Lily studied him for a moment, her spoon hovering halfway to her mouth. "Hmm… what does that mean?"
"Well," O started, tilting his head again like he was pondering the perfect response, "it means I'm here to help out with… a few things. You could say I'm a bit of a helper."
Hally shot him a quick look, but he was already smirking, either oblivious or pretending to be, to her warning glance.
Lily hummed, still entirely focused on O. "Do you have a favourite colour?"
"Ah, now we're getting to the important stuff," O said with mock seriousness. "I think it might still be purple."
"Still?" Lily scrunched her nose. "Does it change?"
O gave a playful shrug. "Sometimes it does. What's your favourite colour?"
Lily considered the question. "I like blue. Blue's nice."
She tilted her head, eyeing O curiously. "Do you have any pets?"
For a brief second, something softened in O's face, a flicker of something that even Hally wasn't entirely sure she could place. "I used to have a rabbit. A while ago."
Lily's eyes widened with excitement. "I have a rabbit!"
"Do you, now?"
"Yes! His name is Hades."
"A perfect name for a rabbit."
Lily beamed, then fired off another question. "Do you like adventures?"
"I suppose I'm pretty partial to them, yes."
"Alright," Lily said, refocusing on him with all the intensity of a child conducting a very serious interview. "If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?"
O leaned back in his chair, his gaze flicking between her and Hally, a knowing smile on his lips.
"I can't think of anywhere else I'd rather be, than right here."
The flutter in Hally's chest was completely unfair.
Her daughter scrunched up her face, clearly very displeased. "Of all the places in the whole world and you just want to be here?"
"Mmhmm."
Lily sighed dramatically. "That's pretty disappointing."
Hally felt a presence next to her and looked up to see Armitage hovering nearby, his expression unreadable but clearly intent on talking to her. She hesitated for only a moment before slipping from the table, leaving Lily and O chattering away as she moved just a few meters out of earshot.
"Where's Missy?" Armitage asked first.
"In the TARDIS. Probably munching on two bowls' worth of Coco Pops."
Armitage nodded. "Hart is going to be watching Lily today."
"Is he?"
"Yes." His tone made it clear that any further questions wouldn't be answered. But she tried anyway.
"Any reason why…?"
"Because I said so."
"I see." She blinked at him. "Anything else?"
"He's in the office, with the TARDIS, when you're ready."
Armitage's gaze flicked almost imperceptibly past her. She turned slightly and caught 'O' watching them. Something lingered in his expression before he looked back at Lily with a smile.
Hally shifted her weight onto one hip, crossing her arms as she turned back to Armitage. "I'd prefer it if you were with Lily."
"I know you would. But I'm taking over your security today."
"Why?"
"An explanation isn't going to be possible."
She let out a small, incredulous laugh.
"Hally." He cut off her inevitable argument before she could even start. "Your daughter will be perfectly safe. She'll be on the TARDIS. Hart has had her in his care many times before. You know I wouldn't make this change without good reason."
Hally sucked on the back of her teeth, running her tongue over her incisors. "And has this good reason come from Kate? Or someone else?"
"I'll see you for Kate's briefing." Was all he gave her before turning and walking away.
She rolled her jaw, mildly annoyed, not at the change itself, but at the weird, secret keeping.
Heading back to the table, she found Lily still chatting animatedly. Hally gave her a smile.
"Everything alright?" 'O' asked.
She shot him a look that very clearly said, 'You know exactly what's not alright, you little shit.' Although, what actually came out of her mouth, however, was: "Yes."
She turned to Lily. "Are you ready?"
"Am I ready to be locked away in my prison with the most boring man in the world?" Lily gasped dramatically.
Hally tilted her head at her, her face pulling into a wry smile.
O laughed, well, no, The Master laughed. The sound was nothing like O at all.
Lily got to her feet.
"Well… you'll be thrilled to know that we're not locking you up with Uncle Armi today. And anyway, it's hardly a prison, it's giant. You could get lost in there for five days and still not have found every room."
"Am I going with Uncle John today?!"
"Yes."
This significantly improved her daughter's mood. "Okay!" she chirped, moving with much more enthusiasm. She turned to give O a bright wave goodbye. "Bye, O!"
"Have a good day, Lilja." He smiled at her.
Hally took Lily's hand and started toward the door. "Have you found the swimming pool yet?"
"Yes, we found that ages ago."
"Oh-kay… have you found the room with the dragon in it yet?"
"No?!—Wait… is this one of those times where you're saying something you think I want to hear just to get me to do something you want me to do…"
"It might be…"
Hally dropped Lily off with Hart and made her way to the briefing. Most people were already there.
Missy arrived late, followed by directly by…O. Because of course. As if that wasn't a terrifying sight.
Hally really should have kept an eye on one of them to make sure they didn't end up together. Because whatever that entailed, it no doubt involved inevitable plotting. Or something equally disastrous. Missy split off from O and moved around to sit next to her. Hally caught Alina's questioning stare from across the room.
She'd evidently noticed, too.
O, meanwhile, remained near the back, hands in his pockets, his expression unreadable but ever so slightly entertained.
Kate cleared her throat, bringing the room to attention. "Alright, let's get started."
The hum of side conversations faded.
"We've made some progress overnight. One of our teams uncovered something we believe to be the source of the signal," Kate began, pulling up an image of an excavation site. "They're still working on fully excavating it, but they're confident it's intact enough to be transported here. We expect it to arrive sometime this afternoon."
A few murmurs around the table, people already making notes. Hally furrowed her brow as she scanned the images. The object, whatever it was, was about the size of a basketball, partially buried, strange etchings barely visible along its surface. It didn't match anything familiar.
"We've already begun cross-referencing the readings against the data the Doctor provided from his TARDIS," Kate continued, "but so far, nothing matches."
She clicked to another screen, displaying a live feed from the excavation site. The object, metallic, spherical, and still partially buried, was being carefully uncovered by a UNIT team.
"We're still working on fully excavating it," Kate continued. "Initial scans indicate there's an object inside the sphere. But the sphere itself is what's giving off the signal."
She went into detail about the material of the sphere, it was incredibly dense, stronger than most known metals, but still showing signs of age. However, they couldn't get a full reading on what was inside it. They just knew it was something smaller, round, and flat. Like a disk.
Jack crossed his arms, brow furrowed. "Is there any chance it's a containment unit?"
A few heads turned at that.
"That's one of the working theories," Kate said. "We won't know for sure until we open it."
At that, the Doctor sat up straighter. "You're planning on opening it?"
Kate gave him a pointed look. "It's an unidentified artefact giving off a signal we don't understand. Yes, Doctor, we're going to open it."
She exhaled, scanning the room. "Osgood, you'll be leading the analysis on energy readings. We need to know what kind of power source we're dealing with, whether we can turn this signal off. And since I'm not in the mood for surprises, I want constant monitoring on any fluctuations."
Osgood nodded quickly, already flipping to a new page in her notebook. "Understood. I'll pull in some of the lab techs to assist."
Kate's eyes moved to O. "You'll be working with her on that."
O just nodded.
Kate moved on. "Alina, if you could assist with the historical cross-referencing, I would appreciate it."
"Of course."
Kate's gaze landed on River and Martha. "You two will be overseeing biological and environmental analysis. If this thing has any trace organic material, I need to know if it's hazardous, dormant, or something we really don't want waking up."
"Doctor, we're already keeping a close eye on anyone else who's picking up the signal. If you could do your own check, perhaps see if there's a way we can trace its origin?"
Then, Kate turned to Hally. "If we can't find a way to turn this signal off, I want to contain it. Get me some options."
She didn't need to include Missy. She knew she'd go wherever Hally did.
Turning to Jack, Kate continued, "You'll be coordinating with the field teams to ensure safe transport. We don't need an incident between excavation and arrival."
Jack saluted lazily. "You got it, boss."
Kate hummed. "I want progress reports by 1:30 p.m. if we're working towards an arrival of 3 p.m."
Hally and Missy sorted Kate's 'containment options' within about an hour and a half. Partially because they were great, but mostly because Osgood had informed them that the signal would shut off once the containment was opened.
Kate had therefore told Hally to go help Osgood. Apparently, she was running simulations with lab techs and needed 'more hands'.
Hally practically dragged Missy with her.
They found Osgood, who left the simulations running to take them through into the computer lab… where O was already present. As well as another random lab assistant.
Osgood took them through the readings she wanted them to look at, then moved towards the door. "Joel, you're with me."
Osgood smiled at the man, and Hally straightened.
"Uh…"
Osgood flashed her a smile. "I'll be back in thirty minutes once the sims are run."
"Okay… do we… uh… do you need Joel… can we keep Joel?"
Being left in a room alone with both of them seemed like a bad idea.
Osgood cocked an eyebrow. Joel looked a bit lost. O smirked into his computer screen, and Missy chuckled low in her throat.
Bad. Idea.
"We'll be thirty minutes." Osgood grinned and left. Taking Joel with her.
A low growl vibrated in Hally's throat as she moved around to the row of computers opposite the one O was currently sitting at. She sat, actually intending to do the thing Osgood had brought her here to do.
Missy hovered for a moment, tapping her fingernails loudly against the computer desk. Then, she moved around to Hally's computer.
Missy didn't sit. Instead, she leaned against the desk beside Hally, still tapping her nails in an obnoxiously rhythmic fashion against the surface. Tap. Tap. Tap.
Hally exhaled sharply through her nose. "Are you going to help, or are you just going to be annoying?"
Missy's lips curled. "Oh, darling, I can do both. Watch." She flicked her gaze to O. "Go on. Ask me something complicated."
O smirked. "Alright. Let's see, any ideas on the waveform differentials in the secondary energy readings."
Missy barely even hesitated. "Oh, those? Absolutely meaningless. UNIT's just making them up so they feel useful."
O let out an amused sound. "Mm. Almost convincing."
"Almost?" Missy sniffed, tossing her hair. "I'm always convincing."
O's eyes glinted. "Prove it."
"Oh, please," Hally muttered, rubbing her temple. "Flirt with yourself in your own time."
Missy grinned. "This is my time."
Hally gave her a look before turning to O. "Aren't you supposed to be running calculations?"
"I am running calculations," O said, gesturing at his screen without looking. "Though I'd be far more efficient without the… distractions."
Hally decided to ignore them. She worked silently. Ignoring the quips passed between them.
Missy purred, leaning against the desk Hally was trying to work at. "She is rather distracting, isn't she?"
She could ignore them.
She could totally ignore them.
O hummed, tapping a few keys. "If we're ever going to get this done, we'd probably best resolve that." He leaned back in his chair, glancing at Missy with a smirk.
"What did you have in mind?" Missy cooed. "It's rather a difficult problem."
"Perhaps we should just work together. You know, for efficiency's sake."
Ok… perhaps purposefully riling both of them yesterday had been a terrible idea.
Missy raised an eyebrow, moving a step closer to Hally, who stiffened, trying her best to stay focused. "Oh, you'd like that, wouldn't you, darling? A little too much."
Hally cleared her throat, trying to block out the suggestive undertones in their voices. She settled on silence, because talking would only give them words to play with, and probably betray the tremble in her voice.
But they were playing her.
She knew they were playing her.
Missy didn't share.
Missy had very little interest in sharing.
They just wanted her flustered. Which was working.
But she could ignore it. Osgood would be back in twenty-five minutes.
O rose from his seat slowly, leaning against his desk to watch her. She flicked a quick glare his way. Which in hindsight was a mistake. Because there was nothing of O looking back at her anymore. The Master watched her, the curve of a smirk against his lips. "What do you think?"
She ground her jaw and glared back at him. Stomach flip-flopping at the complete darkness staring back at her. "I think… you're both bluffing." She hit the key on the keyboard a little harder than necessary. He laughed and Missy hissed, drawing a sharp nail up the outside of her arm.
"Oh, do you?"
She swallowed. "Yes." She stopped the pretence of work, folding her arms. "Because you're both far too possessive to contemplate sharing. Your ego won't let you. Not even with yourself." She clipped out, cutting and assured.
The Master licked his lips, his mouth curving with a knowing smile. "Mm… well, she is right."
"You've got us there, sweetheart." Missy whispered against her ear, sending shivers up her spine.
"But… well… you see… we've come to a bit of an agreement." His eyes flashed.
"Laid some ground rules, so to speak."
She swallowed, cleared her throat and tried to pretend she was going back to looking at the screen.
"Don't you want to hear them?"
She ran a hand through her hair. "I don't believe you."
Missy's laugh was low, dangerous. The kind she reserved for her absolute victories, just before her enemies squirmed and died. She leant in, breath tickling the side of her face. "You'll only come for me."
"I can't come inside you." The Master helpfully joined in. "Obviously." He purred.
"Obviously." She whispered against her ear, before adding. "…and, you only moan my name."
It was too warm.
The room was warm.
It was stifling.
Uh.
No.
She stood up, to leave. To run. To jump into the nearest cold shower.
But Missy straightened, stepping purposefully in her way.
Her wife grabbed her by the collar and kissed her, hard and claiming.
Hally barely had time to register it, let alone think about an escape plan. Missy's hands were firm against her, pulling her closer, deepening it like she had every intention of taking her apart, right here, in this damn lab.
And then Hally became acutely aware of the eyes on them. Of The Master, watching.
She felt the weight of his gaze, the way it burned against her skin.
She pulled back, breathless.
Missy was still close, still holding her there, and when Hally's breath hitched, O finally spoke, voice smooth as silk.
"Oh, please don't stop on my account."
Hally's pulse pounded in her ears. Missy's fingers flexed against her, and then, deliberately, almost lazily, she moved.
One moment, Hally was against the desk, and the next, Missy had shifted her, pulling her across the room with unsettling ease.
A sharp gasp left Hally as Missy hit the opposite row of desks. Pressing herself back into it, with Hally now standing in front of her, caught in the space between her legs.
Hally's hands came up instinctively to steady herself, catching the edge of the desk behind Missy.
Missy just smiled, delving back into her mouth. The kiss was nothing but sex.
Warmth hummed at her back. And then…another touch.
Different hands.
His fingers, light at first, barely skimmed her hips, testing. He was waiting. Waiting for Missy to shove him away. But she didn't. She was more than occupied with her tongue down Hally's throat.
He shifted then, pressing forward with enough force to pin Hally between them, her chest pressed tightly against Missy's, while his body pressed firmly against her back. Sandwiched between the two of them.
Oh, fuck.
Ah.
No.
Bad.
Bad. Bad. Bad.
Hally let out a soft gasp and managed to remove her mouth from her wife.
"Uh.. we should…"
"Find a room?" The Master offered helpfully from behind her, as he wound a hand into the roots of her hair, tugging her head back slightly.
She swallowed the sound that nearly fell from her as Missy's mouth found the front of her neck, lips and teeth marking a slow, dangerous path downward.
"Uh…"
And then The Master's mouth, hot and soft, on the back of her neck, and for a second, her legs forgot how to keep her upright. Her eyes fluttered closed. "Oh my—"
Oh.
Oh, no.
A voice screamed in the back of her mind. PUBLIC PLACE. PUBLIC PLACE.
Impatient hands palmed at her, one of them had already pulled her shirt free from her trousers. Fingers pressed against her skin, palms cupping her breasts. The Master's hand remained tangled in her hair, pulling her head back against his shoulder to grant him better access to her neck.
"Uh… hold on," she gasped as he nipped at her, a shiver trickling down her spine. Missy's hands were already at her waist, deftly undoing the buttons of her trousers.
"Cameras… there… there'll be cameras…" She managed to breathe out, arms shifting to brace herself against Missy.
"They've been running on a loop for ten minutes," The Master's voice vibrated low in her ear, his tongue soothing over the reddened patch of skin he'd left at her neck.
Missy's hand slid into her underwear, fingers finding her soaked. "Any other weak excuses?" The words murmured from him, smug and dark and impatient.
Hally could only moan in response as Missy pushed her fingers inside her, her breath catching at the slow, knowing press. Trapped between them, another hand, maybe Missy's, had snaked into her bra, pulling at one of her nipples.
"I'll take that as a no." His hands slid to her hips, pushing her trousers down, her underwear following, just enough to bare her to them. Heat shot through her, Missy's mouth capturing hers as her wife shifted back slightly, half-sitting herself on the desk. Hally's hands found her waist instinctively, gripping, steadying herself.
Her breath hitched at the sound of a belt buckle behind, larger hands returning to her hips, angling her, bending her over slightly. Missy pulled back just enough, her fingers slipping from between her legs, bringing her hand up to brace against her, her other hand wound into Hally's hair, tilting her face up, forcing her to meet her gaze.
"Sweetheart, look at me."
She did.
Missy's hand shifted, caressing her cheek, her fingernail dragging lightly, just enough to sting. "Would you like me to let him fuck you?"
There was a low growl from behind her, but The Master didn't move, not yet. He was waiting, impatiently, for her answer. One of his hands ran slow and deliberate up and down her back, the other teasing himself at her entrance.
Hally practically shuddered in Missy's arms, caught entirely in the sharp blue of her gaze. She rolled her lower lip between her teeth. She knew she could have gotten away with just nodding, just a simple yes. She could tell by the flush of her wife's cheeks, the hitch in her breath, the dark dilated pupil of her eyes that she was more than ready to watch her fall apart
But she wanted Missy to know.
To know she was still all hers.
The sound was barely louder than a breath. "I'll take him, for you, Mistress."
She was pretty sure her wife stopped breathing. Missy adjusted her hands, one came to splay over the top of her chest, just below her neck, holding her semi-upright. The other, gave a slow, deliberate caress through her hair as Missy leant in closer, the whisper in her ear just as much a command as it was a promise.
"Then you'd best hold on pet, because I don't think he's going to be gentle."
A groan caught in Hally's throat, her weight shifting to bear a little more on Missy. One hand braced against her hip the other on her shoulder. Perhaps The Master had been waiting for the right moment, or perhaps Missy had looked back at him, because his hand tightened at her hip and he thrust inside her, hard.
Missy's palm slapped down over Hally's mouth, muffling the noise that otherwise would have definitely been heard at least two rooms away. Missy shifted just enough so that their faces were inches apart, her hand held tight over her mouth, gaze heavy, locked onto Hally's face.
"Eyes on me."
It wasn't a request.
Hally's lashes fluttered as her eyes snapped back open.
She could feel herself, tight around him.
He was so fucking deep.
Missy held her, held her still, braced against the rock of his hard, deliberate thrusts.
She shuddered at the sound that vibrated through him, his hands tightening on her hips as he took her.
Missy's eyes didn't move from her face. Enthralled, drinking in every flicker of pleasure that crossed her face. Every sharp breath against her palm, every small, helpless sound, every time her eyes nearly rolled back into her head. Missy took it all.
Hally clung to her, fingers curling against fabric, against skin, anything to hold onto her. She barely registered the sound of her own desperate whimper against Missy's palm. It was building so fast between her legs. Winding tighter, sharper, pulling taut deep inside her. She couldn't stop the arch of her back, the way her thighs were shaking. She knew the pair of them must be taking most of her weight, because she would not be standing otherwise.
It rolled, hot, in her abdomen, taut and tight.
Her head dropped forward, a deep, shuddering, guttural moan escaping against Missy's hand.
"Ah, ah, you don't come for him." Missy's voice cut through, her fingers tightening in Hally's hair, forcing her head back up.
The muffled moan that tore from her throat was still pretty damn loud.
"If you stop looking at me, I'll stop." A warning, sharp and certain. Missy held her gaze, making sure Hally understood before finally releasing her hair. Her hand remained firm over her mouth, but the other, oh, the other, slid between her thighs, fingers rolling over her clit, pressing, drawing her higher.
Hally's entire body jolted, caught between them, so close she could barely breathe.
"Do you think you can be quiet?" Missy's eyebrow arched, an almost playful lilt in her voice.
Hally barely managed a desperate shake of her head, eyes glassy, breath stuttering.
Missy pouted, a thoughtful hum vibrating in her throat. She didn't stop, didn't slow. "Well, you see, I want both my hands."
There was a grunt from behind her, The Master's rhythm changed. A shift in weight, and then Missy's palm lifted, only for a larger, rougher hand to replace it. A firm, unyielding hold against her mouth, anchoring him as he pounded into her, harder, deeper.
Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes.
Then, Missy, still watching, slipped her now-free hand into her own trousers.
Hally nearly lost her mind.
"You're going to come with me." The words were a promise, low and commanding as her fingers worked the both of them. The sharp blue had her caught, so intensely it was impossible to look away. Broken breaths already fell from her wife. Missy was close. Hally could see it, could feel it. The way her jaw tensed, her pupils darkened. The way the fingers between Hally's legs moved with increasing urgency. The way her wife had that look in her eyes, the one that's like she's pulling the orgasm from Hally's body with her mind.
"Do it." Her wife practically spat the words at her.
There wasn't even a second before Hally did.
It was a good thing there was still a hand over her mouth.
The wave started deep inside her, rolling out in an all-consuming surge that took over every inch of her body. It hit hard. Missy moaned, her lip caught between her teeth, eyes locked onto Hally as she tumbled over the edge alongside her.
It seemed to last forever, rippling through them, pulling them both under.
Above them, the overhead light flickered, then sparked out completely.
Missy's hand slowed, and behind her, The Master's movements followed suit, his rhythm easing into something slow, coaxing her through the dregs of it. A breathless whimper slipped from her lips as he finally removed his hand, his touch turning soft, soothing, running up and down her back in gentle strokes.
Missy caught her completely, wrapping her arms around her and holding her close, cradling her against her chest. Hally's breath came in heavy, uneven bursts against Missy's neck as warm hands caressed over her.
"Good girl." Missy's voice was a soft, satisfied purr. "My perfect girl."
The words sent a pleasant shiver down Hally's spine.
Their hands were still on her, Missy's, The Master's, both tender, careful, tracing overheated skin in lazy, soothing patterns. He was still inside her, still moving, slow and indulgent, the rhythm accompanied by low, vibrating moans.
Missy held her, letting her settle, letting her breathe, before she shifted them.
She straightened, bringing Hally upright with her. Even with The Master's hands steady at her hips, he slipped from her.
Missy didn't let her go. She guided her, turning just enough to prop Hally against the desk, keeping her steady. Then, she turned back, to him.
And that was when Hally realised, Missy had positioned herself between them.
A barrier. A deliberate move.
The Master noticed it immediately, his gaze darkened. "We had an agreement…"
Missy hummed, as though considering him. She tilted her head slightly. "And everyone has gotten what they wanted."
A noise vibrated in his throat, warning. Missy only smirked, her posture relaxed, almost lazy. "I told you, you weren't going to come inside her."
His mouth opened to argue, but Missy silenced him with a simple, dismissive motion.
"…And for the record," she continued, her tone low and impish, "in her mouth is still inside her. You can go… and sort that problem out yourself."
"That is not the only option," he snarled at her.
Missy's smile twisted into something sharp enough to carve through glass. She tutted, as though reprimanding a child. "You stole an orgasm from her once. Consider this me taking it back."
The noise that came from him was deadly and objectively terrifying, but Missy didn't flinch. She didn't even move a muscle, completely unfazed. "Don't make me do something we'll both regret." She crooned, her voice dripping with a false sweetness.
He rolled his jaw, shifted, and tucked himself back into his clothes. "You're insufferable, you know." He bit towards her.
She just smiled, pretending to examine her nails. "Yes," she drawled, her voice laced with sarcasm. "People say that all the time. Not that I ever pay them any notice… although, perhaps when you're saying it to yourself, it might be time to bring it up with the therapist."
Her tone made it more than clear. The conversation was over. He would not be finding any sort of release here.
He rolled his eyes and with a dark scowl etched onto his face, he did his belt back up.
With one final murderous look at Missy, he stalked from the room.
Missy turned back to her, eyes tracing over the barely contained smile on Hally's lips, her eyes glassy with a well-satisfied sheen. She helped her slip off the desk, watching as Hally pulled her trousers back up with a coy smile. Missy brought her mouth to hers. The kiss was pure possession, Missy's tongue forcing hers into immediate submission. Missy pulled back, her lips tugging at Hally's lower lip as she bit down softly. She shifted away and after a moment, pulled something from her pocket.
"Open your mouth."
Hally raised an eyebrow but obeyed, parting her lips. Missy slipped something onto her tongue, a small, round disk. It dissolved almost instantly, the taste lingering like something metallic and sweet.
"Swallow."
Hally swallowed obediently, the sensation leaving a slight buzzing in her mouth. Missy hummed, a soft, pleased sound escaping her.
Then her gaze shifted upwards. "I think you blew the bulb," Missy murmured, her lips curling into a teasing smile.
Hally blinked, a ridiculous giggle escaping her. "…and probably a few of my neurons along with it…"
Missy laughed, a sound that filled the air, her eyes scanning Hally's face with something akin to admiration as she inhaled deeply. Then, just as quickly, something shifted in her expression. Her gaze narrowed.
"You need to shower." Missy hummed with a slight pout, her fingers brushing Hally's hand.
Hally raised an eyebrow.
"You smell like him." Missy cut in, her words sharp, the implication clear. She tugged gently on Hally's hand, guiding her toward the door.
Hally felt a faint smirk tug at her lips, but she didn't protest. Osgood, she knew, would wonder where the three of them had gotten to, but right now, she didn't really care.
Her wife fucked her three times in the shower just to make sure the smell of him was gone.
They rocked up into the lab after Kate sent out a confirmation that the artefact had been brought in. She saw that a few of them definitely noticed that both she and Missy had completely changed clothes since the morning, but thankfully no one said anything. What was certainly more incriminating was the fact that 'O' had also changed. Something that considering the glare Alina shot her way when he entered the room, was not lost on everyone.
Kate was going through the information they'd all pooled, which wasn't really anything useful. The signal itself had been deemed safe, so she took them through into the containment unit they'd set up around the artefact. Osgood remained outside, monitoring in case of change.
Small charges were placed along the seams of the outside capsule, which when activated opened it up like an egg. Inside, lay a gold disk. Just bigger than a CD.
It was covered in writing.
In Gallifreyan.
The Doctor frowned as he picked up the golden disk, his fingers tracing the Gallifreyan symbols etched across its surface. "It's a confession dial…" he muttered, his brow furrowing deeper.
Clara's voice cut through. "What's a confession dial?"
The Doctor paused, considering the best way to explain. "It's… uh… a Gallifreyan ritual," he started, but Missy's voice interrupted.
"It means someone's dying," she said bluntly, her tone heavy with implication.
The Doctor looked back at Missy, frowning. "No… no, because this wasn't delivered. That's not how this works. You don't just find your confession dial lying around. They don't send out signals for all to hear."
Missy narrowed her eyes at him, not entirely convinced. "So, it isn't a confession dial, then?" River asked. "But it's been made to look like one?"
The Doctor hummed thoughtfully, turning the disk over in his hands. "Maybe…" He glanced up at the group, clearly lost in thought.
Kate pressed further. "What does it say?"
The Doctor frowned again as he read over the disk's surface. "It's… ah, it's a prophecy," he said slowly, brow deeply furrowed.
"A prophecy?" Clara echoed.
The Doctor nodded. "Hm. Yes. On Gallifrey, there's a… for simplicity, let's call it a supercomputer."
Missy snorted, but The Doctor shot her a pointed look, silencing her.
"The Matrix," he clarified, a hint of exasperation creeping into his voice. "It's intelligent. Some of the information it provides relates to the future. A 'prophecy'. It's just… one of those. One of the oldest…"
The group exchanged curious glances. Kate was the first to speak again. "So, what does it say?"
The Doctor sighed, his mood darkening as his gaze skimmed across the surface of the dial once more. "It's just an old wives' tale. No one should ever listen to prophecies." He muttered.
River, however, had had enough of the vagueness. Her patience slipping, she reached out and took the disk from his hands. "Let me see it," she said firmly, and before anyone could stop her, she
"From fire it rises, from war it is wrought,
Of two warrior races, yet claimed by none.
A shadow at the threshold,
A name unspoken, a fate unwritten.
It will stand upon the ashes of Gallifrey,
A billion hearts will break,
But its own shall not mend.
Past and future, torn asunder,
Threads of fate unravel, undone.
The wound and the blade,
The healer and the ruin,
The storm that does not break,
But bends until time yields.
It walks alone,
Or does not walk at all.
The gates will shatter.
The storm will rise.
The hour will come when time itself will weep.
The Hybrid shall stand,
And Gallifrey will fall."
A heavy silence followed.
Clara cleared her throat. "What does it mean, Doctor?"
The Doctor's expression darkened as he took the disk from River's hands, his irritation evident. "It's just a prophecy. A Matrix prophecy," he cut dismissively. "It doesn't mean it means anything." He shoved the disk back into its cradle with an aggressive motion, as if irritated by its very presence.
She could feel attention.
She could feel eyes on her.
"Okay..." she began, her voice steady, though she couldn't hide the trace of annoyance. "This room is now quite tense..."
"Well…" Jack hummed. A knowing sort of hum.
Hally crossed her arms over her chest defensively. "Well, what?" She shot him a glare.
"Well, it wouldn't be a giant leap." He didn't hesitate to motion toward her with a tilt of his head.
"It's got nothing to do with me." Her voice was barbed with a sharp edge.
Clara tilted her head, speaking gently. "How would you know?"
Hally shifted her glare over to her too. "Okay, well, we're not taking the word of the Matrix seriously. It couldn't even predict the bloody Time War properly."
Jack didn't let up. He motioned toward her again. "It has ended up here, with you."
Hally motioned to the whole crowd of people gathered around the dial. "There are other people in this room."
"You're the only 'Hybrid,'" Jack pressed, not giving up.
Hally shook her head, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. "That's not true." She motioned to River with a quick glance. "She's a hybrid too. And if we're getting technical, I'm a Tribrid. So, there."
Jack raised an eyebrow, clearly not satisfied. "Oh-kay... but come on? Two warrior races, yet claimed by none? A storm that does not break, but bends until time yields?" His words lingered in the air, heavy with implication.
Hally narrowed her eyes at him, refusing to give an inch. "No. We're not making this a me thing. It's not a me thing," she bit out, turning her gaze up to The Doctor for reassurance. "Is it?"
The Doctor sighed deeply, a long breath. "It's a glorified poem. It's probably not about anything."
Missy shifted in front of her, picking up the disk and turning it over in her hands thoughtfully. "What is the point in it being here?" Her eyes locked with The Doctor's, an unspoken something passing between them, though it was one neither of them were willing to vocalise.
A dark expression crossed The Doctor's face as he answered, his voice dipping low. "I don't know."
Hally shifted uneasily. One of the oldest prophecies on Gallifrey wasn't about her, was it? She supposed, Jack wasn't wrong. There wasn't anything in what River had read aloud that crossed her out, but that didn't mean it was about her.
She had no inclination to return to Gallifrey.
So, then why was it there?
It had practically forced them to find it.
It had wanted to be found.
O cleared his throat.
She reached out and took the disk from Missy's grasp.
The second her skin made contact with the cold surface, pain shot up her arm, burning deep into her flesh. A searing red heat spread from her fingertips. With a sharp gasp, she dropped the dial with a clatter, the sound of it hitting the floor louder than the hiss of pain that escaped her.
It took a moment for the others to realise it had burnt her. Missy's fingers were quick, tugging her hand into hers, eyes wide as the dark red burn formed over her palm.
The Doctor moved swiftly, kneeling beside them. His eyes narrowed as he picked up the dial, flipping it over in his hands.
Her handprint was etched onto its surface.
"Doctor!" Clara's voice rang out, full of panic.
"It's not hot." The Doctor's voice was clipped, he quickly returned the disk to its cradle as the surface of it began to shift. There was a low clicking sound as something within the disk moved, the edges of the dial clicking open. Inside, a small container was revealed, deeper than it seemed at first glance.
Within the container rested a gold ring, bracelet-sized. The Doctor's eyes went wide with curiosity, his hands hovering near it. As they watched, the components within the container began to move, clicking into place, the ring itself twisting. The band slowly rotated, and then, with a faint hum, it began to hover, rising gently out of the container.
A wave of unease washed over the room. Everyone's eyes locked onto it, a mix of wariness and panic in their expressions. The Doctor scanned it intently with his screwdriver. It shifted, moving to hover in front of her.
"Doctor!" Missy's voice cut through the noise, sharp and insistent.
The band hummed, shifting, its golden surface rearranging with precise, mechanical movements. Symbols twisted and reformed, and then…
"Confirmed: Hally, of the House of Oakdown, of Gallifrey. Royal Successor to the Throne of An Gàrradh."
Static. A warping, unnatural distortion.
"Under the authority of the Sentinels of Carnathon, for crimes against the fabric of the universe, sentence is passed."
A cold weight settled in her gut.
"Under Section 17 of the Planetary Peace Acts, by decree of the High Council of Gallifrey, you have been sentenced to death for the following offences:
Violation of Article 3 —For the unlawful assassination of Lord President Rassilon. Section 8, Intergalactic Peace and Neutrality—For the violation of interplanetary accords with multiple sovereign nations, engaging in hostile actions against leadership, and inciting war through unauthorized assassination of political figures."
Oh, fuck.
"For committing acts of regicide and treason while holding a position of future sovereignty within a recognised monarchy. The sentence is final. You are to be transported for execution upon Carnathon without delay. Witnesses are required."
"No… no, no, no…" The band spun once, twice, then sent out a pulse. The energy rippled outward, something unseen but felt, like fingers trailing over skin, like shackles snapping into place.
Missy's grip on Hally's arm turned vice-like. "Doctor! Shut it down!"
Clara took a wary step back. "What is it doing?"
"Scan complete. Witnesses secured."
The band moved.
Fast.
Straight for her chest.
Missy reacted first, yanking her back, but it struck home. It latched onto the top of her sternum like a living thing.
And then it sank in.
Spines shot from the band, burying themselves deep, past skin, past muscle, into bone, anchoring it to her.
Hally screamed.
Pain, deep and raw, sent lightning through her nerves. Her vision blurred, bile rising in her throat as something cold flooded into her veins. She clawed at it, tried to pry it off, but it wouldn't budge.
The liquid burned through her, a slow, crawling venom.
She could feel it threading through her bloodstream, creeping into her bones, into something deeper.
Missy was shouting. The Doctor's voice was sharp, urgent. Hands were on her shoulders, trying to steady her, to hold her up.
She tried to pull it out, force it out but nothing happened.
Short, sharp breaths.
"Extraction in '10', seconds."
"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!" Hally gasped, her voice strained with pain as she pulled at the gold ring, embedded firmly into her skin. The edges of it burned against her palm.
Missy was scanning it over with her own device, her brow furrowed in concentration. The Doctor was fiddling with his screwdriver, trying to work around the edges of it. "I can't… it won't come off," The Doctor muttered, frustration creeping into his voice. He adjusted the settings, but the ring remained stubbornly in place.
"Hal, pull it off. Force it out." Missy's voice was steady, despite the growing panic.
"I…" Hally gasped again, clutching her hand. "I can't… I can't…" She held up her hand, willing something to appear in her palm, a flicker of light, anything.
Nothing happened.
"Extraction in '5', seconds."
"No… fuck no! This isn't fair! You murder people ALL THE TIME!" Hally's voice cracked, panic rising in her chest.
"You're going to be fine. It's going to b-"