![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
Doctor Who Christmas Fic! :)
Look I come bearing Christmassy fic! Really I ought to post it on the 24th or something, since that would fit the mood of the piece far better, but I doubt anyone would be around to see it then...
Anyway, this is a little fic very much in the tradition of proper Christmas stories - as the name probably implies! I really hope you like (and read?). I'm far too busy rushing around, but I wanted to contribute at least a little. *sends Christmassy hugs out to everyone*
Title: A Christmas Carol for the Master
Setting: AU-post 'Sound of Drums'.
Spoilers: End of S3! (And won’t make sense unless you’ve seen it.)
Rating: PG.
Characters: The Doctor, the Master, Lucy, OCs.
Wordcount: 1700 words.
Thank you's: To![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
kathyh for the look-through.
Feedback: Pretty please? That would be the best Christmas present I could get!
Author’s notes: This story is set within my ‘Not The Last’ verse, but is intended as a stand-alone. All you need to know is that in this AU the Master and Lucy had a son - Alexander - between ‘Sound of Drums’ and ‘Last of the Timelords’, and for his sake the Master agreed to being imprisoned by the Doctor after time wound back. It is now 4 1/2 years later (and Alex is at a school for gifted children).
A Christmas Carol for the Master
Christmas 2011
...
“No he can’t!”
“Yes he can!”
“No he can’t! No one can do that!”
“But he can! It’s true!”
“No he can’t! You’re a liar Alexander Saxon, and I’m telling my dad!”
“I am not a liar-”
Neil Gregman buried his head in his hands as a rush of loud footsteps came closer and closer, before the door to his study burst open, and he was faced with three indignant 4-year-olds.
'Well', his wife had said before going out, 'it’s either watching them - since we promised Matthew that he could have his school friends over - or doing the last of the Christmas shopping! And anyway... you used to be a children’s entertainer! If they get bored you can just make them some balloon animals!'
He hated how she always brought up that last point. Plenty of students worked the kiddie party circuit to pay their way through uni, and he’d really only been in it for the money - always wanting more out of life, as his subsequent career as a TV executive proved.
With a sinking heart he looked at the angry eyes and determined faces, and had a feeling that balloon animals wouldn’t work at all.
“OK boys,” he began, voice as calm and reasonable as he could make it. “What’s the matter?”
“Alex says,” Matt immediately began, “that his uncle can make it snow. But no one can do that, can they Daddy?”
“But-” Alex tried, before Josh butted in. “Snow depends on the weather con-conditions, and the right temperarture and... things... An’ I know that because I saw a proper TV programme about the climate!”
“But my uncle can make it snow! He’s made it snow every Christmas Day for the past... lots of years.” Alex said, clearly not prepared to give an inch.
“How?” Matt demanded, and Alex bit his lip, suddenly looking unsure, eyes travelling over the walls of the study before settling back on Matt’s face.
“It’s a secret!” he finally replied, with as much dignity as his four-and-three-quarter years could give him, and Neil had to fight very hard to keep a straight face. Oh the things you could get kids to believe - even kids as bright as these.
Looking at Alexander’s resolute little face, he was again somewhat astonished that his son had struck up a friendship with Harold Saxon’s son... not that Matt knew anything specific about the ex-Prime Minister, of course, except that he was in prison. But Neil could still clearly remember the sheer unreality of the situation as he'd sat in front of the TV and watched the American President dissolve into shiny glitter and Mr Saxon laughing his head off... He still felt somewhat upset about it, since he’d liked Saxon more than any other politician he’d ever seen. Shame he’d been bat-shit crazy.
Thinking about it, it was no wonder that the child’s uncle probably tried to overcompensate a little, given the circumstances.
“I still don’t believe you!” Matt said, and Neil saw anger flare up anew in Alex’s eyes: “Well I’ll ask him to make it snow Christmas Eve this year. Just wait!”
Josh and Matt looked back, wholly unconvinced, and Neil shook his head. The kid’s uncle would have a job getting out of that one if the weather didn’t behave. Anyway - better intervene.
“Now, now, boys, there’s no need to argue. Who knows - maybe Alex’s uncle does have a few tricks up his sleeve. Although I doubt he can do this!”
With a flick of the wrist and an added flourish, he pulled a penny out of Josh’s ear.
Three little faces suddenly registered nothing except awe, as they stared at him wide-eyed and open-mouthed.
Grinning Neil then made the coin vanish into thin air, before making it reappear in Alex’s shirt pocket.
A few minutes later he was making balloon animals after all, suddenly remembering why this had been such a fun way to earn a living.
***
Christmas Eve, and peace had finally settled over the Saxon household. They had all - the Doctor, the Master, Lucy and Alex - watched ‘Scrooged’ , which had entailed extending Alex’s bedtime somewhat, and when the film had finished the boy had been in a very silly, over-tired mood, refusing to go to bed. If not reminded of the link between Santa’s visist and good behaviour, he would probably have continued into a full tantrum. Thankfully however he’d abruptly acquiesced and let Lucy take him away to get ready for bed.
Turning on the radio and tuning it until Christmas carols quietly filled the room, the Doctor looked over at the Master, now ensconced in his favourite armchair by the glowing fire, book in hand; as usual looking as self-contained and imperturbable as a cat. Then Alex and Lucy re-appeared, the boy now dressed in his favourite Star Wars pajamas, and half-asleep already.
“Now say goodnight and I’ll tuck you in,” Lucy said, and after giving his father a hug, Alex came over to the Doctor. But as his little arms folded around him, the Doctor could suddenly feel the boy going rigid.
“What is it?” he asked, and Alex stared up at him, wide-eyed.
“Uncle! You have to make it snow! Right now!”
“What? Now? But you’re going to bed - wait ‘till tomorrow.”
“But you have to! I told Matt and Josh that you could make it snow and they didn’t believe me and then I said you’d make it snow on Christmas Eve and if you don’t they’ll think I’m a liar and did I tell you that Matt’s dad can do magic and make coins appear and disappear? ‘Cause he can! Honestly it’s true!”
Trying to sort through the barrage of information, the Doctor settled on the most important fact. “You told them? Alex, remember what we said?”
“But I didn’t tell them how or anything! Really truly I didn’t. But they called me a liar and I’m not and please please please Uncle make it snow? Pleeeeeeeease?”
The Doctor looked out of the window at the cold, wet darkness, and shivered involuntarily. Why had he let slip about the snow? Not that the once-a-year show could impact on the climate in any way, but the boy oughtn’t take these things for granted...
Then the Master spoke, briefly glancing up from his book and smirking. “Come now Doctor, surely you don’t want to disappoint the child?”
The Doctor looked from Alex’s hopeful, pleading eyes to the Master’s mocking countenance and sighed. At least the TARDIS wasn’t parked very far away...
***
As the Doctor closed the door behind him, Lucy walked over to her husband, waiting for him to lower the book and look up before she spoke. “Would you like some Christmas cake dear? And maybe some tea?”
“Hmm... the cake bit sounds good. Maybe some whiskey to go with it?”
“Of course.”
She smiled and walked out of the room, knowing full well that his eyes would be following her. Oh she looked so very pretty in red... But it wasn’t her body that he loved, although it certainly gave him plenty of pleasure - it was the fact that she was his, all his, and would do anything, be anything, he wanted. The only person in the entire universe who was truly obedient to him now. A small, but dearly treasured relief in his nightmarish prison.
Did the Doctor realise just how much the Master abhorred the pleasant, suburban life Lucy and Alex had been given? Probably not - the Doctor wasn’t that perverse. Once a month the Master was allowed to visit his wife, but the happy, ‘normal’ life all around was almost enough to make him run back to the TARDIS screaming. Not that he didn’t admire human culture in its own way - their endless ingenuity and inventiveness impressed him as much as it did the Doctor - but he couldn’t just stand back and enjoy it, a spectator to the show. No, he was forever driven forward, forever hearing the drums calling, calling, calling... calling to war.
A war he had lost.
He looked around the cosy sitting room, with its picture book fireplace (complete with Christmas stocking); the plush three piece suite; the shelves filled with books, ornaments and family photos; the Christmas tree twinkling with lights and decorations - and he could happily have set fire to the whole thing, even burning up with it. The only thing stopping him of course being the boy...
He was standing by the window, craning his neck to look up at the sky, and studying him the Master could feel the familiar anger surging at this cripped half-life they were forced to endure. His son, a marvel of marvels - the last of the Timelords - having to live so hidden and curtailed that he had no ambitions beyond trying to impress two human children. By rights whole galaxies should be bowing down to him by now; every species know that the splendour and might of Gallifrey lived on-
Then Alex suddenly called out:
“Daddy! Daddy! Come!”
As always unable to deny his son anything, the Master got up and obediently looked out as the black sky was suddenly filled with white snowflakes, softly whirling and chasing each other. The room behind them was reflected in the window, so it seemed as if the darkness was illuminated with brightly coloured lights, lending the view a fairytale quality.
“Isn’t it amazing Daddy?”
The Master turned his head to look at his son, a platitude on his lips... And then somehow - unaccountably - as he looked into the boy’s happy, bright eyes, the drums slowed down to a soft, calm cadence.
The Christmas Carol playing in the background wove into the gentle beat, and a strange, unfamiliar feeling of peace settled over him. Putting his arm around the child’s slender shoulders, the Master smiled back warmly.
“Yes it is... Merry Christmas son.”
And the clear, soaring human voices filled the room, singing of miracles from long ago.
Lo, how a rose e'er blooming...
It came, a floweret bright,
Amid the cold of winter
When half spent was the night
The End
Part 5.
(A/N: You can find the lyrics for the carol here, and I’ve uploaded an instrumental version (Zamzar converts files). If you want to hear it sung, you can d/l it here (requires Quick Time). )
Anyway, this is a little fic very much in the tradition of proper Christmas stories - as the name probably implies! I really hope you like (and read?). I'm far too busy rushing around, but I wanted to contribute at least a little. *sends Christmassy hugs out to everyone*
Title: A Christmas Carol for the Master
Setting: AU-post 'Sound of Drums'.
Spoilers: End of S3! (And won’t make sense unless you’ve seen it.)
Rating: PG.
Characters: The Doctor, the Master, Lucy, OCs.
Wordcount: 1700 words.
Thank you's: To
kathyh for the look-through.Feedback: Pretty please? That would be the best Christmas present I could get!
Author’s notes: This story is set within my ‘Not The Last’ verse, but is intended as a stand-alone. All you need to know is that in this AU the Master and Lucy had a son - Alexander - between ‘Sound of Drums’ and ‘Last of the Timelords’, and for his sake the Master agreed to being imprisoned by the Doctor after time wound back. It is now 4 1/2 years later (and Alex is at a school for gifted children).
Christmas 2011
...
“No he can’t!”
“Yes he can!”
“No he can’t! No one can do that!”
“But he can! It’s true!”
“No he can’t! You’re a liar Alexander Saxon, and I’m telling my dad!”
“I am not a liar-”
Neil Gregman buried his head in his hands as a rush of loud footsteps came closer and closer, before the door to his study burst open, and he was faced with three indignant 4-year-olds.
'Well', his wife had said before going out, 'it’s either watching them - since we promised Matthew that he could have his school friends over - or doing the last of the Christmas shopping! And anyway... you used to be a children’s entertainer! If they get bored you can just make them some balloon animals!'
He hated how she always brought up that last point. Plenty of students worked the kiddie party circuit to pay their way through uni, and he’d really only been in it for the money - always wanting more out of life, as his subsequent career as a TV executive proved.
With a sinking heart he looked at the angry eyes and determined faces, and had a feeling that balloon animals wouldn’t work at all.
“OK boys,” he began, voice as calm and reasonable as he could make it. “What’s the matter?”
“Alex says,” Matt immediately began, “that his uncle can make it snow. But no one can do that, can they Daddy?”
“But-” Alex tried, before Josh butted in. “Snow depends on the weather con-conditions, and the right temperarture and... things... An’ I know that because I saw a proper TV programme about the climate!”
“But my uncle can make it snow! He’s made it snow every Christmas Day for the past... lots of years.” Alex said, clearly not prepared to give an inch.
“How?” Matt demanded, and Alex bit his lip, suddenly looking unsure, eyes travelling over the walls of the study before settling back on Matt’s face.
“It’s a secret!” he finally replied, with as much dignity as his four-and-three-quarter years could give him, and Neil had to fight very hard to keep a straight face. Oh the things you could get kids to believe - even kids as bright as these.
Looking at Alexander’s resolute little face, he was again somewhat astonished that his son had struck up a friendship with Harold Saxon’s son... not that Matt knew anything specific about the ex-Prime Minister, of course, except that he was in prison. But Neil could still clearly remember the sheer unreality of the situation as he'd sat in front of the TV and watched the American President dissolve into shiny glitter and Mr Saxon laughing his head off... He still felt somewhat upset about it, since he’d liked Saxon more than any other politician he’d ever seen. Shame he’d been bat-shit crazy.
Thinking about it, it was no wonder that the child’s uncle probably tried to overcompensate a little, given the circumstances.
“I still don’t believe you!” Matt said, and Neil saw anger flare up anew in Alex’s eyes: “Well I’ll ask him to make it snow Christmas Eve this year. Just wait!”
Josh and Matt looked back, wholly unconvinced, and Neil shook his head. The kid’s uncle would have a job getting out of that one if the weather didn’t behave. Anyway - better intervene.
“Now, now, boys, there’s no need to argue. Who knows - maybe Alex’s uncle does have a few tricks up his sleeve. Although I doubt he can do this!”
With a flick of the wrist and an added flourish, he pulled a penny out of Josh’s ear.
Three little faces suddenly registered nothing except awe, as they stared at him wide-eyed and open-mouthed.
Grinning Neil then made the coin vanish into thin air, before making it reappear in Alex’s shirt pocket.
A few minutes later he was making balloon animals after all, suddenly remembering why this had been such a fun way to earn a living.
Christmas Eve, and peace had finally settled over the Saxon household. They had all - the Doctor, the Master, Lucy and Alex - watched ‘Scrooged’ , which had entailed extending Alex’s bedtime somewhat, and when the film had finished the boy had been in a very silly, over-tired mood, refusing to go to bed. If not reminded of the link between Santa’s visist and good behaviour, he would probably have continued into a full tantrum. Thankfully however he’d abruptly acquiesced and let Lucy take him away to get ready for bed.
Turning on the radio and tuning it until Christmas carols quietly filled the room, the Doctor looked over at the Master, now ensconced in his favourite armchair by the glowing fire, book in hand; as usual looking as self-contained and imperturbable as a cat. Then Alex and Lucy re-appeared, the boy now dressed in his favourite Star Wars pajamas, and half-asleep already.
“Now say goodnight and I’ll tuck you in,” Lucy said, and after giving his father a hug, Alex came over to the Doctor. But as his little arms folded around him, the Doctor could suddenly feel the boy going rigid.
“What is it?” he asked, and Alex stared up at him, wide-eyed.
“Uncle! You have to make it snow! Right now!”
“What? Now? But you’re going to bed - wait ‘till tomorrow.”
“But you have to! I told Matt and Josh that you could make it snow and they didn’t believe me and then I said you’d make it snow on Christmas Eve and if you don’t they’ll think I’m a liar and did I tell you that Matt’s dad can do magic and make coins appear and disappear? ‘Cause he can! Honestly it’s true!”
Trying to sort through the barrage of information, the Doctor settled on the most important fact. “You told them? Alex, remember what we said?”
“But I didn’t tell them how or anything! Really truly I didn’t. But they called me a liar and I’m not and please please please Uncle make it snow? Pleeeeeeeease?”
The Doctor looked out of the window at the cold, wet darkness, and shivered involuntarily. Why had he let slip about the snow? Not that the once-a-year show could impact on the climate in any way, but the boy oughtn’t take these things for granted...
Then the Master spoke, briefly glancing up from his book and smirking. “Come now Doctor, surely you don’t want to disappoint the child?”
The Doctor looked from Alex’s hopeful, pleading eyes to the Master’s mocking countenance and sighed. At least the TARDIS wasn’t parked very far away...
As the Doctor closed the door behind him, Lucy walked over to her husband, waiting for him to lower the book and look up before she spoke. “Would you like some Christmas cake dear? And maybe some tea?”
“Hmm... the cake bit sounds good. Maybe some whiskey to go with it?”
“Of course.”
She smiled and walked out of the room, knowing full well that his eyes would be following her. Oh she looked so very pretty in red... But it wasn’t her body that he loved, although it certainly gave him plenty of pleasure - it was the fact that she was his, all his, and would do anything, be anything, he wanted. The only person in the entire universe who was truly obedient to him now. A small, but dearly treasured relief in his nightmarish prison.
Did the Doctor realise just how much the Master abhorred the pleasant, suburban life Lucy and Alex had been given? Probably not - the Doctor wasn’t that perverse. Once a month the Master was allowed to visit his wife, but the happy, ‘normal’ life all around was almost enough to make him run back to the TARDIS screaming. Not that he didn’t admire human culture in its own way - their endless ingenuity and inventiveness impressed him as much as it did the Doctor - but he couldn’t just stand back and enjoy it, a spectator to the show. No, he was forever driven forward, forever hearing the drums calling, calling, calling... calling to war.
A war he had lost.
He looked around the cosy sitting room, with its picture book fireplace (complete with Christmas stocking); the plush three piece suite; the shelves filled with books, ornaments and family photos; the Christmas tree twinkling with lights and decorations - and he could happily have set fire to the whole thing, even burning up with it. The only thing stopping him of course being the boy...
He was standing by the window, craning his neck to look up at the sky, and studying him the Master could feel the familiar anger surging at this cripped half-life they were forced to endure. His son, a marvel of marvels - the last of the Timelords - having to live so hidden and curtailed that he had no ambitions beyond trying to impress two human children. By rights whole galaxies should be bowing down to him by now; every species know that the splendour and might of Gallifrey lived on-
Then Alex suddenly called out:
“Daddy! Daddy! Come!”
As always unable to deny his son anything, the Master got up and obediently looked out as the black sky was suddenly filled with white snowflakes, softly whirling and chasing each other. The room behind them was reflected in the window, so it seemed as if the darkness was illuminated with brightly coloured lights, lending the view a fairytale quality.
“Isn’t it amazing Daddy?”
The Master turned his head to look at his son, a platitude on his lips... And then somehow - unaccountably - as he looked into the boy’s happy, bright eyes, the drums slowed down to a soft, calm cadence.
The Christmas Carol playing in the background wove into the gentle beat, and a strange, unfamiliar feeling of peace settled over him. Putting his arm around the child’s slender shoulders, the Master smiled back warmly.
“Yes it is... Merry Christmas son.”
And the clear, soaring human voices filled the room, singing of miracles from long ago.
It came, a floweret bright,
Amid the cold of winter
When half spent was the night
The End
Part 5.
(A/N: You can find the lyrics for the carol here, and I’ve uploaded an instrumental version (Zamzar converts files). If you want to hear it sung, you can d/l it here (requires Quick Time). )
no subject
Very believable situation with the school-friends and their dad. One of my favorite things to read are stories where we see our characters through an outsider's eyes.
But Neil could still clearly remember the sheer unreality of the situation as he'd sat in front of the TV and watched the American President dissolve into shiny glitter and Mr Saxon laughing his head off... He still felt somewhat upset about it, since he’d liked Saxon more than any other politician he’d ever seen. Shame he’d been bat-shit crazy.
Snerk!
no subject
Yay! *does the happy dance*
You make the Master well, maybe not sympathetic exactly, but comprehendable? Or you would if that were actually a word! His actions make sense in this universe; which is just about the highest praise I can give. Go, you!
Squee! I *love* The Master and I guess it ought to worry me how easily I write him... Actually one thing I wanted to do in this piece was to show how - if it wasn't for Alex - suicide really would be the preferable option for The Master.
and who wouldn't love Alex? Even me, who isn't generally a fan of baby-fic.
Alex is wonderful (and I figured a Timelord child ain't all that different from a human one, and those I have plenty of experience of! *g*). Also I don't think it's possible to have a child in your 'verse and not have a Christmas Miracle happen. :)
Very believable situation with the school-friends and their dad. One of my favorite things to read are stories where we see our characters through an outsider's eyes.
Oooh thank you! I was worried all the OCs might put people off - I'm glad that wasn't the case. (And yes the viewpoint thing is v. handy.) Anyway, one day when I continue the 'verse Matt and Josh will show up! :)
Snerk!
Heh. I couldn't not... and I also wanted to show that Harold Saxon still holds some sway, somewhere deep in people's subconscious.
no subject
Again, I really do like this little AU-verse of yours.
no subject
Oh that's a wonderful way of putting it! And I do love the fact that he truly loves his son - it adds a wonderful dimension to his character. Of course he is still evil, and if he'd been bringing Alex up by himself would have spoiled him rotten and totally warped him.
Again, I really do like this little AU-verse of yours.
I doubt I'll ever get used to you reading - not mention liking - my fic! But thank you so much! *is terribly pleased*
no subject
no subject
no subject
I love the outside perspective in the beginning. How ordinary people react to the miracles around them is one of the most charming aspects of the Who-verse.
Also liked the thing, with the doctor keeping the master as his responsibility, guess I have to read your other stories, to see how it came to be that way.
no subject
You read my Who-fic! *clings* So few people read my Who-fic it isn't even funny! So thank you!!!
And now I'll probably get as bad an addict.
Heh. *is pleased* It is *such* a shiny 'verse, but I myself only really hang out on the very, very edges of the fandom - trust me, there's some *crazy* people out there. (And shipping wars etc. that I couldn't care less about. I just admire teh pretty.)
I love the outside perspective in the beginning. How ordinary people react to the miracles around them is one of the most charming aspects of the Who-verse.
Yay! So glad that worked, it's not that easy to pull off. But I had a lot of fun wondering how a Timelord child would fit into the human world.
Also liked the thing, with the doctor keeping the master as his responsibility
Oh it's a wonderful thing to explore. The Doctor/Master power-dynamics are what inspired most of this 'verse I think.
guess I have to read your other stories, to see how it came to be that way.
I can't tell you how much that'd mean to me! *pledges eternal gratitude*
no subject
now and thennigh constantly. And he'd make a good father, if it weren't for all of this. Koschei's got a level head, and would look after Alex, clearly. And kudos for getting in a reference to The Christmas Invasion.no subject
This pleases me immensely!
He's a good man, in there, somewhere, I really believe he is. He's just had so many bad things happen to him that even he forgets it
now and thennigh constantly.*nods* He and the Doctor started off as best friends after all, and I think the Doctor remember this very keenly, hence all the times he tries to appeal to his better side.
And he'd make a good father, if it weren't for all of this. Koschei's got a level head, and would look after Alex, clearly.
Well he'd spoil him rotten, but he truly loves him. Which was one of the things I love(d) exploring in this 'verse. What if the Master truly loved someone beside himself. (Someone he wasn't fighting with all the time... *g*)
And kudos for getting in a reference to The Christmas Invasion.
I did?