Starcrossed (A Doctor Who Fanfiction) Book Two

A Difficult Discussion

"Alright, why don't you make some tea while I change into something more comfortable,  and we can meet in the living room," Beatrice told him. He could tell she knew where this was going. The Master merely nodded in response and gently pressed his lips to her's. 

After a moment they pulled apart and she gave him a small smile. However, it was forced and didn't hold the same warmth her smiles normally did. Slowly she turned away and left the console room. The Master set the TARDIS to float in the vortex and made his way to the kitchen.

As he began preparing the tea his mind wandered back over their relationship.  Their first meeting when she had intrigued him with her fearlessness, wit, and though he wouldn't have acknowledged it then, beauty.

The moment when he caught her from falling off the lorry. The way she had blushed and the warmth he had felt at her proximity. That first Christmas on Snowland and the inexplicable happiness he felt as they danced together. Their first kiss when he realized he couldn't let anything happen to her.

Then there was the night she had confessed to loving him. He could still see in his mind's eye the way her eyes had shone with emotion as he realized he had truly fallen for her. And most recently her refusal to leave him when he tried to push her away. But now she would have to go for certain. There was no way she could stay, though he knew she would if she could.

The TARDIS would be much lonelier without her. The idea that he would never hear her laughter or see her bright smile ever again was difficult to comprehend. She had become an important point in his life. Someone he could trust implicitly. The Doctor might have a constant rotation of companions but Beatrice could never be replaced.

The Master finished making the tea and took the two cups to the living room. He set them down on the table in front of the couch and waited for Beatrice. A few minutes later she entered wearing a long, dark green, dressing gown with a number of buttons down the centre and intricate gold thread embroidered across the garment. Her hair was down and flowed across her shoulders in firey waves. She looked stunning.

She sat down next to him and angled her body so they were facing each other. 

"So, you had something to discuss?" she asked. Her voice was carefully controlled although he could see the sadness in her eyes.

"Yes my dear," he paused. It was rare he had trouble expressing himself. Now was one of those few times. "I think you know what this is about." 

"It's time for us to part, isn't it?" she said without looking at him. The Master sighed.

"Yes, my dear. I'm afraid it is," he hoped she could tell he didn't want this any more than she did.

"What's brought this on?" she asked her voice still eerily calm. He could see she was trying to prevent herself from getting overly emotional. The Master gently slipped his hand into her's brushing the back of her hand with his thumb.

"Regeneration my dear," he said showing her his hand which had a few wisps of golden energy coming from in before he repressed the energy again.  "This body is old and I will soon have to change. I have no idea what I will be like when I change and this is my final regeneration."

"You'll be alright, won't you? I mean just because this is your last one doesn't mean that something will go wrong?" Beatrice asked, her voice filled with concern. The Master smiled slightly. Trust his Beatrice to be more concerned about him.

"Final regenerations are a tricky business and..." he stopped not wanting to mention his limited amount of remaining regeneration energy.

"And?" she prompted. "I know you're holding something back." 

"I don't have quite as much regeneration energy as normal I used some of it up earlier for a rather more important cause."

"What could be more important than your own survival!" she exclaimed. The Master didn't answer. He could see her putting the pieces together in her mind and silently cursed her perceptiveness. He could never hide anything from her. Beatrice's eyes widened.

"Wait! When the War Chief destroyed my mind, you healed it. Did you use your regeneration energy to save me?" her face was one of shock, worry, indignation, and gratitude. He moved closer and placed his hand on her cheek.

"I did. Your mind would not have recovered otherwise. But I don't regret it. I knew what I was doing. So don't blame yourself like I know you are starting to do."

"But if you hadn't used it you would be certain your regeneration would go fine and..." the Master cut her off.

"And I would have lost you. That isn't a price I'm willing to pay for anything. Look at me." she shifted her gaze to meet his. "I could never have let you be permanently damaged like that. Every day we have spent together has only convinced me that I made the right decision." She threw her arms around him.

"I never knew that did that. Thank you," she whispered.

"I never wanted you to feel an obligation to me for doing it and I knew you would blame yourself." Beatrice pulled back and gave him a wry smile.

"You know me too well."

"Indeed I do," they shared a smile for a moment before the seriousness of their situation descended back upon them.

"So your regeneration might not go as planned?" she said softly.

"Might being the keyword. As I said it's only a possibility. Besides regeneration doesn't just change timelords physically. It can change personality. I'll be a different person and I don't want memories of our time together to be tarnished by any potential unpleasantness stemming from the change." his chest tightened as he watched a look of sadness and resignation cross Beatrice's face. 

"I understand," she replied quietly before looking away. "It's funny, I thought knowing that this would come would make the parting easier. But it doesn't seem to have helped very much." 

"No, I can't say it has," the Master replied, still holding her hand. Beatrice turned her head to look back at him. Her eyes shone with unshed tears and love. 

"All same. I don't regret this. Not a minute of it."

"Nor do I," the Master told her softly as he raised his hand,  pulling her closer so that their lips met. He did his best to savour the feeling of the moment. Her lips on his, the softness of her hair against his skin as his fingers became entangled in it, and the happiness the action brought him.

When they finally pulled apart they were both slightly breathless.

"How long until I need to leave?" she murmured.

"I can hold it off till the morning," he replied.

"Then I suppose we should make the most of that time."

"Indeed," he told her as they both stood and headed towards their bedroom hand in hand.

Author's Note:  It's never been clear how the Master ended up as a corpse or if he regenerated from Delgado so I'm just having him regenerate of old age which is possible. We've got one chapter to go now! Please like and COMMENT I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for reading! Until next time Whovians!