Starcrossed (A Doctor Who Fanfiction) Book Two

An Inevitable End

Beatrice lay in the Master's arms. She remembered being in a similar position the morning after she had confessed her love for him. However, the mood on that morning had been very different. Almost blissful. Now there was an air of sadness and finality.

She would miss waking up and seeing him almost every morning. Quite frankly she would miss everything about him. His sweet protectiveness of her, the way that he would insult humans before realizing she was there causing him to add "she was the exception", she'd even miss his ridiculous scheming. 

But most of all she would regret the loss of sharing these tender moments with him. When he had fully dropped his heartless evil genius mask and gave her a chance to see a different side of him.

"What are you thinking?" he asked her softly, brushing back a lock of her hair. Beatrice shifted so that she could prop herself up on her elbow her free hand entwined with the Master's as she looked into his dark brown eyes.

"I'm thinking about how much I'm going to miss you. After everything that's happened between us, the idea of never seeing you again is a rather difficult one to contemplate," she told him quietly. The Master glanced down at their joined hands before meeting her gaze again.

"I once said I would never make you a promise I didn't intend to keep. With the uncertainty of the immediate future, I can't promise you that we will see each other again. I couldn't be sure of being able to keep that promise."

"I know, and I'd rather have a harsher truth than a comforting lie," Beatrice replied squeezing his hand slightly.

"You didn't let me finish.  All I can say is that never is a rather definitive word and in my experience, the future is anything but definitive." Despite the situation, Beatrice couldn't help but smile slightly for a moment. But the levity was soon gone as Beatrice noticed a tinge of gold coming from the Master's hand.

"I should go soon. We don't have much more time," she said softly. The Master nodded as they shared a look of understanding. 

DWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDW

Beatrice didn't have very much to pack. Most of the clothes she wore while travelling with the Master were from the TARDIS closet. The Master helped her with packing what she was taking with her. It was a menial task but she knew that both of them were taking any excuse they had to stay in each other's company.

Once she had almost everything packed the Master turned to her.

"I'll go set the coordinates for your apartment." Beatrice nodded and they shared a brief kiss before he left. Beatrice grabbed her journal of sketches. She had to leave him something.

Quickly she went to the Master's desk and wrote a short letter. Sliding the paper into the front pages of the journal she placed it on the Master's pillow. Beatrice then took her carpet bag and glanced around the room one more time before leaving.

As she walked through the halls for a final time she passed the living room and couldn't help but smile, remembering all times the two of them had spent there. The way he would hold her close as he read to her. They had past many an evening there, relaxing after whatever trouble they had gotten into.

She continued walking until she reached the console room where the Master stood fiddling with the controls. He looked up as she came in and set her bag down. They stared at each other for a moment before she quickly moved forward throwing her arms around him. Suddenly the realness of the situation had hit her in full force. The Master wrapped his arms around her and ran his hand through her hair.  Beatrice pulled back slightly, looking up at him.

"Please promise me something," she said in a soft tone.

"Whatever you wish my dear. There is little I could refuse you," he replied gently. Beatrice's heart warmed at the familiar term of endearment.

"Please don't forget me. I know that in over six centuries two years with one person probably don't count for much. I know I'm just a small insignificant aspect of your life in the grand scheme of things. But I love you and if you forgot me..." The Master cut her off.

"Beatrice, you are anything but insignificant. You have been more important to me in the short time we had together than many whom I have known for centuries. I could never forget you. I just hope that you will do the same."

The Master's voice held a gentleness she had only ever heard directed at her. Tenderly he brushed away a tear that Beatrice hadn't noticed roll down her cheek. Her chest constricted for a moment. She finally understood what people meant when they used the word heartbreak. 

"Never," she said. A small smile briefly passed over the Master's face and he leaned down to kiss her. They had shared many kisses but this was the most emotional. It was as if both of them were attempting to express the tide of emotions going through them. Beatrice did her best to memorize the feeling of his lips pressed against hers his arms holding her in a close embrace. One of her hands caressed his cheek while the other rested on his shoulder.

Too soon they had to break the kiss. The TARDIS gave a jolt as it landed. Beatrice glanced at the doors which had opened. Their foreheads were leaned against each other

"Goodbye Master," she whispered as she forced herself to pull away. The Master took her right hand and gently brought the back of it up to his lips.

"Goodbye, my love," Beatrice's eyes widened for a moment. He had never used that word before and somehow it gave her the strength to pull away completely she picked up her bag and gave his hand a final squeeze before finally letting go. As she walked out she longed for nothing more than to run back to his arms. Once outside the TARDIS, she turned back around to look at the Master through who she could see through the doorway.

Beatrice watched as the TARDIS door closed behind her. Her eyes met the Master's and held his gaze until the door separated them. Nothing happened for a moment. Beatrice guessed he was watching her. She gave a small smile not wanting his last image of her to be of tears.

Finally, after what seemed like an age, the TARDIS dematerialized taking a piece of her heart with it. As she watched it go Beatrice knew that she would never forget him and never stop loving him for as long as she lived. Her love. Her Master.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

The Master maintained eye contact with Beatrice until the door closed. He watched her on the scanner for a moment. Taking one last look.

Less than three years ago would have thought the idea that he could care for anyone so deeply to be ludicrous. But as he watched her he knew that despite the ache he felt in his chest, he would do it all over again if given the chance.

The Master forced himself to look away and dematerialize the TARDIS. He had every intention of keeping his promise to her. For what seemed like a few short moments he had been truly happy. And he would never forget the cause of that joy.  

As he allowed the regeneration energy to finally overtake him his final thoughts were of a beautiful red-haired woman. His love. His Beatrice.                                                                                                                                     

The End