crack_van | The Road To... (PG-13) by Zippix

Fandom: DOCTOR WHO
Pairing: Doctor/Master
Length: novel-length
Author on LJ:

amyross
Author's website: profile at Teaspoon
Why this must be read: The premise of this story is very familiar - some time after The Last of the Time Lords, Lucy Saxon approaches the Doctor with the Master's ring. The Doctor helps to bring him back to life and they try to co-exist in the TARDIS together. Things happen. When this premise is done well, it can be a very satisfying read, and this story is a good example. It has great banter, wonderful, if not always consistent, character voices, an interesting take on the drums and how to get rid of them, and, most importantly, this Road leads to a happy ending, which is so rare for this pairing.

For about a week — who knows, in the Void? — they barely speak to each other. The Doctor spends much of his time at the console, staring at a screen, smiling from time to time.

For the most part, the Master avoids the console room. For a day or two it is interesting to simply explore the TARDIS. Last time he was here, his mind was on other things. In the end, boredom drives him back. Perhaps he can fill in some hours tormenting the Doctor. It is such fun. The trouble is, the Doctor’s been very patient, so far. Irritating, superciliously, infuriatingly patient and forgiving.

Still, the Master enjoys a challenge.

The Road To...