Soul's Shadow (Doctor Who - SI)

Part XVII (III)

I wasn't sure if anyone else had heard my words. They didn't know about how I and the Master had met the first time. And I wouldn't tell them. They wouldn't understand anyway. Nina would, maybe. Donna, though? She was too good of heart and too forgiving.

The Master regarded me with a cruel smile. "What a shame. And there I thought I'd finally get something fun to see."

"You think I'd just run in there and..." My thoughts wandered back to my small apartment, to the dark corner in my wardrobe where the gun was hidden. Never to be used. Would I really have done it anyway? Would I have flinched at the last second? Would I have begged the Master to try his hypnosis on me again so I could see it through?

"No. I didn't think so." He tapped my nose and got serious again. "But if a pathetic coward like you is willing to do it at all, that means something. Just wanted to check if you're alright."

"'m not pathetic," I grumbled and stepped on his foot. An action that only wielded a chuckle.

"Is that your boyfriend?"

I winced and turned around. Nina was curiously staring at the two of us and Donna wasn't helping with her knowing smirk.

"N... noooo! He's not."

"What's that thing?" The Master pointed at my sister. "She looks like you. And you're even the same height."

"My sister."

"Oh, right, that explains things." He still looked at her as if she were some nasty bug in the dirt.

Nina stepped forward and politely held her hand out. "I'm Nina. Hey."

The Master regarded her hand with a huff and made himself as tall as he could. "You can call me the Master, little ape. Just because you're related to my toy doesn't mean I'll spare your pathetic life if you're annoying."

Nina let her hand sink and looked at me, blinking. "Wow, he's even more of an arse than your last boyfriend. Where do you pick those up?"

I couldn't help it. That comment made me burst out a laugh, melting the tension away that had been building. "He's a friend, nothing more. And I guess he picked me up. Quite literally..." I poked his chest. "Be nice to her. Or rather... just don't be so you around her."

"I'm me around everyone." His half smile was as vicious as it was teasing.

Donna giggled. "Maybe stop it and people might actually like you."

"I don't need them to."

"Obviously. Well, I guess it's enough if Lucy does. And the Doctor."

"Just shut it, witch."

"Witch?" Donna laughed. "That's the least creative insult I've heard from you in a while."

I groaned and pinched my nose with two fingers. "Can we just... leave or something? I don't want to be here any longer than necessary."

"The ice cream hole is still in business," said Nina, referring to a location we had started calling a hole because it was a shabby place, but sold surprisingly delicious ice cream.

"Yeah, good idea."