The Master Calls

Chapter 12

Rose opened her eyes slowly, squinting against the bright lights.

"I'll dim the lights for you," his familiar voice said by her side.

She blinked a few times, her eyes adjusting to the dim glow that now permeated the Med Bay. She turned her head slowly to the side and saw him strolling back to her, a pleased smile playing on his lips. He sat down next to her and clasped her hand in his own.

"How..." she tried to get out, but her voice was raspy and dry.

He fished in his pocket and produced something that looked like a stick of gum. "Open up," he ordered softly and she complied. He laid it on her tongue and it instantly dissolved. Her eyes widened as her thirst was immediately sated.

"What was that?" she asked, her voice now sounding normal.

"Alien version of nutrition bars. Gives someone the needed fluids and nutrition when food and water are scarce."

"Where did you get those?" she asked.

"I made them. Easy enough to do. We had to keep you hydrated and nourished while you were out." His eyes took on a darker look, a look that was haunted.

"How long was I out?"

"Two weeks. The Anti-Time had started attacking you from within. If we hadn't administered the Zero Matter when we did, it could have been a lot worse."

She looked up into his eyes and he squeezed her hand, a soft smile playing on his lips.

"Zero Matter?"

"It counteracts the effect of Anti-Time. Anti-Time basically erases a person from history. And where you are a creature of Time, it really had its work cut out for it. Your power was working overtime trying to heal you as the Anti-Time infected you and tried to destroy you. Now Zero Matter, can be just as harmful as Anti-Time. Essentially it is negative energy. But it worked in counteracting the Anti-Time. But on its own, it can be just as deadly."

"How did you know to use it?"

"I didn't. Susie did."

She frowned at him and he continued. "Your human Doctor ran his own tests on you, Rose. He knew what could destroy you and what could be used to save you. He entrusted Susie with that knowledge and the antidote."

She gaped wordlessly at him as the impact of his statement hit her.

He smiled an almost pityingly smile at her. "My guess is he did it without your knowledge and destroyed all findings so no one else could hurt you. He did it to protect you."

She remained silent for a bit. "Did your machine pick up that Anti-Time would destroy me?"

"Yes."

She looked up at him sharply.

"I still stand by my promise, Rose. I will destroy you if the day ever comes that you lose control and cannot be saved."

She nodded.

"But I also destroyed all my data. Don't want that getting in the wrong hands and someone figuring out that Anti-Time is your Kryptonite."

She cocked her head at him. "You understand Superman references, but not Spiderman references? Go figure."

He grinned wanly at her. She smiled back and decided to try and sit up and hissed as a sharp pain lanced through her shoulder.

The Master adjusted the bed, so that she could sit up. "Unfortunately, you're healing as slow as a human right now. Might be a few more weeks yet before you're good as new."