The Rose & Crown

Chapter Six

"Missy," the Doctor angrily whispered through gritted teeth. He should have been able to sense her presence before, yet was too preoccupied with his companion's unknowingly dark secret to detect her. The last time he saw her was back on Skaro amidst a civil war raging between the living and dead Daleks. She had intentionally locked Clara in the armour of a deceased Dalek and tried to convince him to destroy her. If it weren't for his intuitiveness of the inner workings of their species and knowing a Dalek would never utter the word 'mercy', Clara would be dead. He had no knowledge of what became of her after he and Clara escaped. He left her behind to fend for herself during the chaos. Knowing her, she probably found some clever way off the planet. All he knew was he told her to run, and run she had. Even now, as she stood high above him, all the risks he took to save her life in the past came rushing into his mind. He realised how stupid he was for falling right into her trap yet again.

"I don't believe it," Clara admitted in shock. She never understood why the Doctor let her escape that day. He and the Master's history went so deep in time, it would take an eternity to grasp what they were to each other. Friends? Foes? As much as she tried to be understanding, his weakness was the hope she would one day change her ways and be the friends they once were so many years ago. Back when they were just children.

"I'd like to thank you all for coming to my little soirée," Missy continued, wielding her signature sonic-parasol beside her. "The auction will begin shortly. So until then, keep your panties on. Or don't! Either way, we're going to have a bit of fun now, aren't we?" The crowd shouted their cheers to her as she stood above them like a goddess. All except for two. Her head turned towards the cheerless guests sulking below her, her eyes connecting with her old friend. A smile peeled over her lips as she descended the stairs, greeting her followers in the crowd with her devious, flirtatious behaviour. Approaching the Doctor, her smile widened. "My, my, my. I knew you could never stay away for very long," she gloated as his eyes burned with anger. "I have to say, this obsessive infatuation you have with me is rather sexy."

"I should have known it was you behind all of this. What are you playing at this time, Missy? Planning to turn all these people into more Cybermen? Or perhaps you're in league with the Zygons now. I can never seem to keep up to speed with all of your charming charades." He held on to his temper as best he could.

"Oh, Doctor." She pouted her lips. "You're so predictable when you're wearing your cross-pants." She noticed Clara standing next to him. "And Clara, so good to see you again! How's my girl? Have you been treating my boyfriend well?"

"I'm not your girl. Or did you forget the part where you tried to have me killed?" she fumed, resisting the urge to hit her in her evil face.

"Let's just consider that my way of flirting, dear." She watched as Clara turned red with hatred. "Whew! It must be absolutely boiling with all these sweaty bodies about. You look a bit flushed. By the way, how are you feeling these days?" she provoked her, looking her up and down.

"Stop playing games," he interjected. "What's this auction really all about?"

"Charity, darling," she teased.

"Charity for whom?"

"Why, for me, of course!"

"What could you possibly need all that money for? Planning a holiday somewhere? Off to some hot spot all the kids are talking about these days?"

Missy laughed at the old man, which only made him furious. "Oh, you silly little man. There's more to life than just money. Here we are a trade-way where just about anything can be considered payment." She glanced at Clara. "Including pets." She watched Clara's heated reaction, grinning to herself. "Listen, just between us girls. With a dress like that, you don't have to stick around this frumpy old face. There are plenty of younger men in this room willing to sweep you off your feet faster than you can drop your knickers!"