Chapter Text
The Doctor knew this healing business was gonna take time and that he was gonna get worse before he got better. But every time things felt they seemingly couldn’t get worse, it did. His lack of sleep probably didn’t help, sure timelords need less sleep than humans but no respectable timelord slept as little as he did. The late nights, early mornings and days without sleep really got to him and he wasn’t sure why he put himself through it. You’re not exactly meant to punish yourself when healing. Though, even when he did attempt to sleep his body just simply refused. He tried everything! Different positions, different teas, some weird nose spray, covering himself in some of Rose’s plushies, rain/beach/woodland noises, ASMR, sleeping at the end of Donna and Shaun’s bed. Even on one occasion he convinced Donna to try knock him out, they thought it was a brilliant idea. Shaun didn’t agree and immediately intervened.
It was early in the morning; maybe 5 or 6AM. The Doctor was sat on the sofa that was currently too soft for his liking and the mix of noisy voices from the TV seemed to just mush into one big annoying groan. The shoulder he was leant on could have been anyone’s, maybe Donna, Shaun or Wilf? Probably not Rose because she always leant on him. Or maybe it was a figment of his imagination and this was him getting worse. The Doctor felt distant from the world and just so confused. Was he happy or sad? Angry or scared? Exhausted or energised? Female or male? Both? Neither? Was he on earth or sat in the TARDIS?
Speaking of the TARDIS, he heard her land outside in the garden. She was his TARDIS but not this regeneration’s one. He sat up as quickly as he could, coming to attention. The Doctor didn’t hesitate to run to the window, pressing his forehead against the glass like an excited puppy. Donna stood next to him, of course she was there. She was always there for him. Donna gave him a knowing look before they rushed outside, both equally as thrilled to see what the future incarnation of the Doctor’s visit was for. Last time, the reason for his visit was for Donna’s birthday and he completely outshined everyone’s presents. A diamond is a girl's best friend? Wrong, a t-shirt that says ‘Donna’s word is final’ is. Though the dance that Rose and her Doctor had choreographed and performed to ‘One more time’ by Britney Spears for her will always have a special place in her heart and camera roll.
The door to the TARDIS opened just as Donna and the Doctor left through the back door. There out walked the future Doctor with his big, bright, brilliant smile and the best fashion taste they’ve ever had. He looked ecstatic to see them, hope beaming behind his beautiful brown eyes that shone just as bright as earth’s closest sun. The future Doctor looked happy and peaceful, his feelings were contagious and spread to Donna and the Doctor as they all hugged.
“Hello!” The future Doctor chirped as he pulled away, keeping his hands on a shoulder of each of them.
“Back so soon?” The Doctor tilted his head, he’d been living on earth for nine months now yet his future self had only visited twice. Both times he came bearing fabulous gifts he knew they’d love and this time wouldn’t be any different.
“Couldn’t live without us?” Donna grinned, earning a cheeky laugh from the future Doctor that was brimming with love.
“Of course! Of course! Missed you lots babes.” He looked between the two of them with an even wider smile. “I’ve got a gift, to help with your insomnia, luv. You staying awake 24/7 isn’t gonna help you not be as thin as a pin.” The future Doctor pulled away, holding onto the door of the TARDIS and leant in through the doorway.
“Ruby, bring em’ over here.” The Doctor and Donna looked at each other, glad that the Doctor would be able to sleep again but also because the future Doctor had a friend around.
“How can such a small thing be so heavy?!?” A female voice echoed inside the tardis which they assumed was Ruby. They could tell she handed the future Doctor something heavy by the way his body tensed up. He pulled them out and immediately shoved them into the Doctor’s arms before retreating back into the TARDIS.
“You’ve got them now so no takesies backsies. Though I did drug and kidnap them so they may be a wee bit mad.” The future Doctor was about to close the door on them but said one more thing before doing so.
“Tell Rose that no matter what she got for her exam results, I’m proud of her.” A couple seconds passed before the TARDS began to discorporate before completely disappearing. Donna looked away from where the TARDIS stood and down at the person in the Doctor’s arms, who he was having a difficult time trying not to drop. They were out cold and the Doctor looked horrified that they were here.
“I don’t see how former Prime Minister, Harold Saxon, will help you with your insomnia.”
———
The Master was laid out on the sofa, still very much asleep. Looking the most peaceful they had been in years. Donna was sitting by their feet with a hand on their shin, not in a comforting way but rather to restrain them if they suddenly sprang up. The Doctor was sitting in Wilf’s chair, the furthest possible place from the Master within the room. His future incarnation had healed, he knew what had happened and what he needed. But why was the Master being here necessary for his healing? They’ll just make things worse, insomnia cure my ass. That bitch will be keeping the Doctor awake with worry. Even if he did hand them over to UNIT for imprisonment they’d still find a way to escape like they did last time and all the times before that. The Doctor was frowning, realising that he should have put them inside his TARDIS where everyone would be safer. The Doctor is far too tired now anyway and he wouldn’t let Donna move them cause she couldn’t fight back if they woke up. Maybe trying to sleep would help? If he could but knowing his anxiety, probably not.
Shaun walked in, looking at the Master, then Donna, then the Doctor. He went between the three of them several times before opening his mouth.
“Anyone for coffee?” Donna smiled at her husband though the Doctor was too busy focusing on the Master to give a response. Not that he was allowed coffee anyway. Something was wrong, very wrong. His future incarnation left too quickly, just dumped them and ran. Plus, the Master looked sweet like this, the Master was NOT sweet. Their chest raised like the sea going in and out. The Doctor could hear the sea overlap peacefully as sea gulls begged for food by squawking like a demented thing. The taste of a vanilla Mr Whippy sticking to his tongue. The Doctor shut his eyes tight, shaking his head to get rid of the sensations. What was happening to him?
“Oh my god! Is that Harold Saxon?!?” The Doctor didn’t even know Sylvia was here or that she was coming around today. Especially at 6AM when most of them are normally asleep. She was the only one not in pyjamas. Well the Master wasn’t either but the Doctor would rather not include them right now. They were wearing the same thing they were wearing when he’d last seen this face. No, no you would think that if you didn’t see the small changes but the Doctor did. The coat was a slightly different style with dark brown buttons and the lining was a much more dreary and lifeless red than their old coat. It was open, revealing more of their sage shirt that was definitely the same one with a lost button revealing a bit of their tummy. That was unusual for the Master, the Doctor never saw their skin (expect their face and hands, obviously). Well when they were much younger he’d see all of them but they both were different people back then. They’d changed and grown but not for the best. Maturing in completely different ways yet not different enough for the Doctor’s liking.
Plus their clothing were always pristine and any imperfections were immediately fixed no matter the situation. They could sew a button back on in the blink of an eye; it was rather impressive. In the academy, they fixed the many holes that appeared on the Doctor’s uniform throughout the day. Even sewing a new uniform for him when the other one was past repair. Though the scrap material from it was added to their ever growing quilt. They actually made quite a successful business fixing uniforms once other students found out which was fast as the Doctor loved to brag about how amazing the Master was. It was so much easier paying one of the weird band kids to fix a hole or a missing button who could do it in a minute while you still had the uniform on than to helplessly watch the hole get bigger. Because if it did then they would have to contact their parents or family members- who’d get extremely mad at them- for them to fix it. Sewing skills weren’t common among the elite so they’d most likely have to pay someone else to do it or buy a whole new one. That was just too much of a hassle for some kids plus they’d have to wait with one less uniform for a while. The Master definitely over charged for people they didn’t know but the Deca only had to pay pennies. The Doctor paid nothing even though he tried to on several occasions because he felt like he was using the Master but he was always met with the same response of ‘You're my Theta, it’s fine.’ Anyway, it was going into the Master’s savings where they had an unspoken agreement that it was both of theirs. The Master had started it quite early on when he arrived at the academy and made friends with the Doctor. Their father didn’t approve of their friendship and they were scared they might get cut off. Looking back, the Master’s father cutting them off would have been a massive scandal since they were the heir but they were an anxious kid who didn’t understand politics.
The Doctor soundlessly sighed, not wanting to think about his childhood at the moment. The Master’s black trousers were far too small for them but that’s only because they were ripped at the bottom. The loose threads were allowed to brush against their teal socks that had yellow ducks sewn into them. Cute. No, the Doctor knew what the Master was capable of and it wasn’t cute. He gripped onto the armchair, refusing to draw his eyes away from them. The Master’s green 1460 Doc Martens were scruffy and well used; he'd never seen a pair of their shoes be in such bad shape. The Doctor swore the soles were starting to come off and had a glue residue on them from an attempt to fix them. The yellow and brown laces looked like they’d suffered a lot of water damage and all the ends had lost the plastic tube that kept them from falling apart. Which they were starting to do.
“Mum, they’re a Timelord. The other Doctor just dropped them on us.” Donna sighed, looking down at the Master then to the Doctor. She studied his vacant stare, picking out hints of anger and confusion from his almost blank face. Donna didn’t know much about the Master but, from the Doctor’s reaction, she knew they were bad news. Donna wanted her family safe but she also knew she could trust the Doctor. The Master was here for a reason. If she didn’t like that reason then they’d be kicked to the moon.
“A timelord that looks like Harold Saxon?” Sylvia questioned, taking a step forward to get a better look at the drugged timelord. A slight twitch of their nose made her jump back while Donna tightened her grip on their shin. The Master was scary, you didn’t have to know shit all about them yet you’d be frightened.
“No, they were Harold Saxon, Mum. I don’t know the full details but the Doctor briefly explained it to me years ago. They tried taking over the universe.” Donna shook her head, she wasn’t nervous often but now was one of those moments. Her mum’s reaction didn’t help.
“Well why aren’t they in the TARDIS?!? Shouldn’t you put them in the TARDIS?!?” Sylvia turned to the Doctor, almost as if she was telling him off. Well she was telling him off because putting the Master in the house was a dumb decision on his part.
“Yeah, yeah. I know.” The Doctor groaned, not usually using such a harsh tone. Sylvia seemed startled by the Doctor’s sudden switch in mood “I’m tired. They’re heavier than they look. I don’t have the energy to carry them to the TARDIS.” The Doctor sat back in Wilf’s chair with crossed arms, staring daggers at Sylvia. The Master’s presence was bringing out the worst in him, making him uneasy in his own home. The Doctor hated this.
“Doctor, it’s fine. I can carry them. You don’t have to do it.” Shaun interrupted the conversation before Sylvia jumped at the Doctor or, surprisingly, vice versa. The Doctor was going to respond but Donna got to it before he could open his mouth.
“Exactly, you don’t need to do it yourself spaceman. You’re allowed to get help.” Donna stood up, letting go of the Master’s shin. Shaun put his hand under the Master’s armpits, the Doctor watched with a frown. His body was tense and his hands shook as Shaun lifted the Master up.
“Oh Jeeze, he really is heavy. You weren’t kidding, Doctor.” Shaun laughed, nearly dropping the Master onto the floor. The Doctor looked on in fear, scared that they’d wake up or Shaun would drop them. They wouldn’t be too happy if they woke up with a bruise or a bump to the head. Donna rolled her eyes with a smile, picking up the Master’s legs.
“Come on, teamwork makes the dream work. Let’s get them in the TARDIS before they wake up.” The Doctor silently watched as Shaun and Donna shuffled out the room. Sylvia looked back at the Doctor before leaving after them. He should probably follow.
Donna and Shaun laid the Master down on the Doctor’s bed. The TARDIS insisted on it as she kept moving around the rooms. The Doctor had followed them in the end, abnormally quiet and brooding. It seemed like the Master’s presence was going to make him go back on months of progress.
“Doctor, they’re fine in here. You know the TARDIS will send them on a wild goose chase or just lock em’ in here when they wake up. She delights in that. Come have some breakfast.” Donna tried to coax the Doctor out the room but he shook his head. He’d much rather stare daggers at the unconscious Master from the corner of the room.
“I’ll follow you in a bit. I just want a minute.” The Doctor sighed, seeming less angry than before. He’s sure that he’d be angry once more when the Master woke up. For now, he’d just be worried about everyone he loved. Donna nodded, looking back at Sylvia and Shaun who were standing in the doorway. Donna took hold of Shaun’s hand as they left.
“I voted for them, you know.” The Doctor heard Shaun say as they walked down the corridor. That made him laugh to himself. The year that never was seemed like a lifetime ago, well it was. The two of them were ancient as can be and yet they kept getting older. The Doctor sat down at the bottom of the bed, shuffling slightly closer. The Master’s Doc Martens were caked with dirt which the Doctor didn’t appreciate being on his bed. He looked at the Master’s unbothered face before reaching for one of their shoes. Them showing no reaction as he began to undo the laces of the left shoe was good. The Doctor continued to undo their laces, keeping a watchful eye over the Master. He paused every time he felt like the Master might move but eventually did undo the left shoe just enough to slide it off. The Doctor placed it on the floor- at the end of the bed- before moving onto the other shoe. He felt more calm now that the Master wouldn’t suddenly wake up but that didn’t stop the uneasy feeling. The Doctor still paused and moved slowly as he undid the right shoe’s laces. He placed that one next to the left shoe once he’d managed to slip it off. The Master was always one to wear their shoes, even in their own TARDIS. Or slippers but the Doctor doesn’t tend to see them in their pink bunny slippers within the past thousand years or so. So a very long time, they might not even have them anymore
The Doctor shuffled to the top of the bed and turned his body so he could face his old enemy. The peaceful energy that radiated from them was uncanny and far too uncomfortable. It looked like they’d never been through what they’ve been through. The way that their eye bags were practically non-existent made it look like the Master never went through the horrors of the time war or the years of abuse they put each other through. This was the face of a person that never got submerged into a river then had to watch their best friend smash their bully’s head in with a rock. That face held no memory of how they soothed their blood covered friend as they both watched the child’s body burn away. There was no recollection of how they had intertwined their fingers as one pressed soft kisses into the other’s forehead.
“You’re gonna be fine. You’re safe now.” The Doctor was unsure if he’d said that in the present or back then but it pulled him away from the unpleasant past that he shares with the other timelord. He’d not thought about Torvic or that night in a while now. It was their shared secret, the only present evidence of any type of friendship the two timelords had. It would never bring them back together. It would be wrong if it did yet they were both just wrong. The Doctor believes that his actions that night is the reason for their falling out. The silly little child that he was had ruined any chance he had of living his life out by the Master’s side. He’ll never understand how the Master could forgive him for that; perhaps it’s the reason he finds himself forgiving them for much worse. The Doctor is afraid that the Master will take that forgiveness away.
This is definitely something he should talk about in therapy yet this was their thing. Their secret that they only spoke about through knowing eyes. They didn’t have much left cause they just kept burning it. Theta and Koschei were so much but The Doctor and Master had just destroyed it all. If only those two little timetots could see their future, would they even bother staying friends? Of course they would, they’d try to defy time just so they’d stay together.
“I adored you, you know.” The Doctor placed his hand on the Master’s chest. He stared down and appreciated the fact that they were breathing.
“You were my everything. Like a sort of extension of myself. I miss having that.” This regeneration was far too honest for his own liking but he feared that he’d never be as honest as he’d like to be if the Master woke up. Of course they’d wake up, he assumes his future self had given the Master a sedative that would wear off in no time. Nothing dangerous.
———
“You deserve time with your friends.” Donna gave him a sympathetic smile “You’ve been looking forward to this for weeks now.” The Doctor sighed with defeat, looking at the TARDIS through the kitchen window before back at Donna. She was right, he needed to talk to his friends. Plus some of them were travelling far to come see him, he couldn’t cancel now. That really wouldn’t be fair. Anyway, the Master was out cold and probably wouldn’t wake up till late evening. The Doctor could allow himself a healthy distraction.
“Yeah, you’re right. I need to calm myself down before I deal with the Master.” The Doctor nods before taking a bite out of his toast. Today was going to be good, no time lord would be ruining that for him.
By late morning, some previous companions of the Doctor had arrived and were sitting out on the patio with him. He’d started these small get togethers back in May in an attempt to reconnect with his old friends. He was hoping to apologise for mistakes he made and break any grudges held that he wasn’t aware about. His first meeting was with Ian Chesterton. He was honestly amazed that he was still alive at 99. They’d talked about their adventures together and the life Ian and Barbra had after they left the TARDIS. The two of them had hoped the Doctor and Susan would come crashing into their back garden one day and invite them back on board though that dream of theirs died with Barbra. Ian died 31 years after Barbra, under a month after his and the Doctor’s get-to-together. It felt like all Ian wanted was closure before he left. The Doctor hadn’t gone to his funeral, he didn’t have the courage. He did visit his grave a couple days after to pay his respects to both Ian and Barbra, placing a TARDIS key on their twin grave. It had been hard, harder than he expected. He had those two to thank for the person he is today. And Susan as well, of course. He wishes he knew where she was or if he even was alive.
The Doctor was sat between Liz and Jo, the both of them had met him during his third (technically not but at the time he was sure it was his third) incarnation. Back in the seventies when he was stranded on earth, giving the poor Brigadier a headache. Martha had been sitting in an Acapulco garden chair but had since gone off to find a jumper she’d left on her last visit. She’d been very weary when the Doctor first invited her over, worried that it would be nothing but trouble. Eventually, Martha and the Doctor met up at a costa. A big apology had been given by the Doctor for the way he treated her yet both of them felt like it wasn’t enough. Though, that wasn’t voiced. The Doctor sat and listened to Martha. About how she felt and how her family felt and how they’ll never fully recover. She also talked about her separation with Mickey and her daughter, Angel. Angel was smart and hilarious and turning fourteen later in the year. She didn’t have many friends and spent a lot of time at home but Martha didn’t mind. They were each other’s best friends. UNIT offered her a job a few years back but she passed the offer but gladly gave statements about her time with the Doctor. Ace originally wasn’t meant to be here but she was a last minute invite Donna had added a few days before.
Liz, Jo and the Doctor sat on a rattan effect garden sofa with Ace opposite them, in an Acapulco garden chair like Martha. The TARDIS was usually at the end of the garden but she’s decided to move closer, just behind the garden sofa cause these people are her friends too. The Doctor wouldn’t dare tell her she wasn’t allowed to stay.
“I’m just not sure if I should move. I love my home but I keep getting awful thoughts of it setting alight.” Jo frowned deeply as she turned to her friends for advice. She seemed quite nervous about the thought.
“That’s just your anxiety speaking, Jo. You can’t let it win.” Ace gave her a grin of reassurance, leaning forward on her chair. Which was so right. House appliances are the main cause of house fires and Jo was careful. Plus, it’s not like she had any enemies that wanted to burn her house down. Liz opened her mouth to give her two cents into the conversation but was interrupted by the TARDIS door opening.
“I…” All their eyes turned to the Master stepping out the TARDIS. They looked dreary and discombobulated, the sun seeming to burn their eyes. The Doctor felt his double heart beat rise, refusing to take his eyes off the Master in fear of seeing the other’s reaction. None of them had met this face before but they worked at UNIT, they knew this face was on file. Jo never seemed to hate the Master but there wasn’t much to hate about them back then. But Jo was aware of their recent actions so the Doctor was unsure of her stance on the renegade timelord nowadays. Ace had been there the last time the Master and him had been face to face, she knew the horrors. Liz knew the Master but hadn’t had nearly as many run-ins with them as the other two had.
Surprisingly, the Master couldn’t finish their sentence and fell down. A loud bang happened when their head hit the sofa, pushing it forward, before their head hit the patio tiles. Doctor Martha Jones stood in the doorway, frying pan in hand with a deadly grip. Her eyes burned with fury as they moved towards the Doctor- her icy blue jumper really making her outrage pop out. Martha eyed her next victim up and down; the Doctor was somehow whiter than white.
“How long?!?”
———
Martha yelled at him all through Ace’s phone call to Kate. Martha yelled at him all through the wait for UNIT to arrive. Martha yelled at him all through UNIT bounding the unconscious Master in thick restraints and loading them into a UNIT van with several armed guards. Martha yelled at him all through the car ride to UNIT HQ. Martha yelled at him all through the elevator ride up. She did eventually stop when they were face to face with Kate Steward who didn’t look too impressed herself.
“I don’t think you understand the whole retirement thing. You’re not meant to be hiding murderous psychopaths in your TARDIS. A murderous psychopath who was trying to kill you a year ago.” Her arms were crossed while her eyes were cold; filled with annoyance.
“I uh-“
“No, I don’t wanna hear it now. I’m gonna tell you what’s happening then you can talk.” Kate interrupted the Doctor’s attempt to explain himself but she was having none of it. He understood this and nodded his head in agreement. Martha and the Doctor followed Kate; Liz had started her journey home while Jo and Ace gathered around a desk so they wouldn’t be joining them. Kate led them to the front of the room before stopping at her desk, sitting down. Martha sat down on the desk, arms crossed, while watching Kate do something on the computer. The Doctor wasn’t sure what, he was too busy staring at the picture of the Brigadier who stared back at him. The Doctor mournfully grinned, reminding himself of a much simpler time.
“They haven’t woken up yet” The Doctor’s attention was brought back to Kate as she spoke. On the screen, it showed security footage of the Master. They were in a dark cell, on a bed, curled in on themself. A forty-odd-year-old man was sitting on a chair in UNIT security uniform with a gun securely gripped in his hands.
“And no one has been able to wake them up so now we’re just waiting.” Kate continued as Martha smirked, clearly proud of her work. Maybe she should take a page out of Rapunzel’s book and hit more people over the head with frying pans.
“The second they wake up, I’m doing an interrogation. Try to figure out what their plan is. But that leaves us with some time. Time for you to explain yourself.” Kate finished speaking, turning her chair so she was facing the Doctor. Both Kate and Martha’s eyes were on him, seeming to be boiling him alive with those glares. Sweat dripped down his face, feeling oddly warm in his suit.
“I uh…they uhh. I was gonna tell but uhh, you know how it is.” The two only seemed to get more annoyed so the Doctor took in a deep breath and started over.
“They’ve only been here since 6AM today, seven hours tops. Future me dropped them off, he’d drugged them to keep them asleep. He said they’re a gift for me so I’d actually sleep. I’ve got really bad insomnia. I was going to tell you about them but I wanted to spend time with Martha and the others. I don’t know anything about how they are or what they’re up to. The only thing I’ve heard them say was ‘I uh’ before getting hit with a frying pan.” The Doctor didn’t stop to breathe, talking as quickly as he possibly could. The two still managed to understand what he was talking about though.
Martha ran her hands down her face while Kate let out a deep sigh. How were they gonna deal with all this?
“I’m going home.” Martha blurted out, standing up tall. No way was she gonna be in the same building as the Master. She had to be with her family at a time like this. They were all under the impression that the Master was dead. Anyway, she had to protect Angel in case the Master escaped confinement. They’d tripled the guards around the Master’s cell since last time and had more coming in within the next thirty minutes but they’d be dumb to think that would stop them.
Kate nodded, not objecting to Martha's decision and wishing her a goodbye. The Doctor gave her a wordless goodbye as their eyes met. He did feel guilty. He should have paid more attention to her and not let her go into the TARDIS. He frowned deeply as he watched Martha walk away but turned away once she stopped to talk to Ace and Jo.
“They seem to be waking up now.” Kate stood up, brushing imaginary crumbs off her suit. “There will be a transcriptionist coming up in a bit, don’t distract them. You’ll be allowed to watch the interview from here but no audio. If you notice anything to add to the report then tell me when I’m done.” And with that Kate walked down the aisle of the desks, Martha joining her in the elevator.