The Master Calls

Chapter 18

Rose woke up with a start. It was still dark out, the bedside clock reading five in the morning. She had only been asleep two hours. She looked over at the Master, his face peaceful and serene as he slept soundly. She wondered how long it had been since he had had a proper night's sleep?

She shifted out of the bed, careful not to disturb him and went to the bathroom. Afterwards, as she was padding to bed, she thought she heard a noise downstairs. She looked over at the Master, who was still sleeping soundly, and decided to go and investigate, quickly pulling on her bathrobe.

The light was in the kitchen and she heard the beautiful humming tune that only Missy could carry. She walked into the kitchen and saw Missy making a cup of tea. She turned around and smiled beautifully at Rose, handing Rose her own mug of tea.

"Thanks," Rose said, taking the mug and going to sit by the table, Missy joining her.

Missy took a delicate sip and placed her cup down in her saucer. Rose wondered why she hadn't been given a cup and saucer, but Missy probably knew by now that she preferred her tea in a mug.

"Why didn't you tell me this would happen?" Rose asked softly.

"Paradoxes, Rose. I certainly don't want to change anything about my past with you, regardless of how bumpy things may get. Each moment with you is precious to me."

Rose looked down into her mug and bit her bottom lip thoughtfully. Then she finally looked up, meeting Missy's intense blue eyes. "Will you ever forgive me?"

Missy's face softened. "There was never anything to forgive, Rose."

"Yes, there is. I almost left you for the Doctor."

"Yes, well, no one ever said you were exceptionally bright in your younger days."

Rose rolled her eyes and shook her head, taking another sip of her tea.

"Don't beat yourself up, Rose. I'm just happy that you chose me. I don't think you have any idea how much that means, especially when I'm competing with that pompous ass Doctor." She paused taking another sip of her tea. "We hurt each other that night, Rose. But in the end we knew we wanted each other and when all is said and done, that's all that really matters. I waited and you came back. Looking back, though, it all seems rather silly, that fight. But it was an important one. It cleared up a lot of things between us."

Rose nodded. "So, no regrets?"

"I only regret not being there to shove my umbrella up his..."

Rose held up her hand, almost choking on her tea.

"You Ok, Dearie?" Missy asked sweetly as Rose coughed violently.

Rose nodded mutely. "So anything else you want to give me a heads-up about?"

Missy looked up to the ceiling, mulling over the question, her black coated fingernails tapping on the kitchen table. "Nothing that I can reveal. But maybe just a favor?"

"Go on," Rose asked.

"Give Cornhole a swift kick in the noogles when you see him again. I still haven't forgiven that bastard for accusing me of killing you. Future you won't let me pay him a visit. Probably because I'm more vindictive as a woman."

Rose grinned. "Nah. All women are vindictive, Missy. You inherited that trait quite nicely."

Missy grinned at her. "Why, thank-you. Here I thought it was just this particular regeneration."

Missy paused and cocked her head, listening. "I'd better get going. I'll soon be waking up." She stood up primly and went over to Rose, leaning down to place a soft kiss on her lips and smiled down at her fondly. "My Rose," she said, caressing her cheek and then straightened, pressing her bracelet and disappearing.