The Master Calls

Chapter 7

Her cell phone ringing awoke her from her deep slumber. She groggily answered it and was instantly alert when she heard who it was on the other side. She fumbled for the light switch and hastily scrawled down the address Sergeant Collins gave her. Whenever there was a crime or murder that was suspiciously alien, Torchwood was called in.

She hung up and called each of her team members, relaying the address to them. She flicked on her light and picked up her clothes that had been discarded on the floor and dressed hastily, almost falling over a few times in her haste.

She hurried downstairs and saw the kitchen light was on. She entered the kitchen and found the Master sitting at the kitchen table, bits and bobs strewn all over the surface. He looked up at her and smiled, standing and pocketing what suspiciously looked like a sonic screwdriver. Hadn't taken him long and she was hardly surprised that he had nicked a few items from Torchwood. She hadn't expected anything less from him.

"I'm heading out to a crime scene. Wanna join me?" she asked, snatching her leather jacket off the back of the kitchen chair. It was September and the weather was starting to get cooler, especially the nights. She pulled open a kitchen drawer and took out her gun and holster, fastening it on her hip. She looked up and was surprised to see him patiently waiting for her, a thermos mug in his hand. She shrugged her jacket on and took the proffered mug.

"How did you know?" she asked as they headed to the car.

"Heard your phone ringing. A call at this time in the morning usually doesn't mean anything good. I put two and two together."

She fastened her seatbelt and started the car. "Was that a sonic screwdriver I saw you put in your pocket?" she asked as she sped off into the night.

"Laser Screwdriver," he corrected. She ignored the white knuckle grip he had on his armrest.

"So not as good as a Sonic Screwdriver then?" she teased.

"No. It's better. Can do all the things a sonic can do, but has a few other...modifications."

"So, it's dangerous then?"

"Well, I need a dangerous weapon to fight myself out of dangerous situations. Can't very well do that with a plain old boring sonic screwdriver," he stated sardonically.

She had to admit that he had a point. She reached for her thermos and took a swig of her tea.

"Will you please keep both hands on the wheel," he ordered.

"Why? Do I make you nervous?" she asked, taking another pointed sip and grinned.

"Your driving skills certainly do," he muttered.

She put her thermos back in the cup holder. "Good cup of tea. Thank-you."

"I know how cranky you are when you don't have your tea. More so than you normally are."

She rolled her eyes, well aware that he couldn't see it. "A simple 'You're welcome' would have sufficed."

"It could have. But that's being polite and there's nothing fun in being polite. So boring."

She grinned. His attitude was so different, yet so similar to that of the Doctor. He was more like him than he wanted to admit to.

They made it to their destination, the other members of her team waiting in their vehicles for her arrival. That was one of the disadvantages of living outside the city limits. It took much longer to get to a crime scene.

She parked and they stepped out. She was glad she had bought her jacket, the cool September air sending a chill through her. She looked over at the Master, only wearing his suit. She envied Time Lords and their imperviousness to the cold. Or heat. Or anything for that matter.