What if...

[not_so_different]

 A single shot rang out. The Master heard shouting, chaos. It took a moment for him to register that he'd been shot... And that Lucy was the one holding the gun.

His faced creased in confusion, followed by understanding. Of course. The woman scorned. Of course...

He stumbled backwards, the handcuffs preventing him from bracing himself as he fell backwards. The golden glow had already started to emanate from under his skin. 

"No... Not like this..." He grit his teeth, trying to swallow it down. "Not like this..." 

Comments

[borntolove]

Others wonder why he doesn't like guns; this is a prime example. Ten catches someone and holds him tight, "Don't go. Please don't go."

He finally found you! They're all that are left are each other! The Doctor wants to make amends for all their cat-mouse fighting for lives.

Which is then when The Doctor notices the golden glow on someone's skin, "Everyone take cover!"

Ten meanwhile will take his chances on being hit with regeneration energy.

[not_so_different]

He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to swallow down the regeneration. His voice was tight with pain.

"Why should I?"

The glow dimmed, but didn't disappear entirely. He wasn't too keen on the idea of being the Doctor's little pet. A kept Time Lord. Why not just end the cycle?

[borntolove]

"We can see the beauty of the universe together." Remember that promise made so very long ago?

[not_so_different]

"As your prisoner..."

His face contorted in pain, but he somehow managed to glare up at the Doctor.

[borntolove]

Ten holds The Master closer and whispers in his ear; "As my friend." There's an undertone that he's deeply sorry about all the pain that was caused and let's start over. Then gives a hand squeeze.

[not_so_different]

That did it. He gasped, his head falling back as the regeneration overwhelmed him. There was a blast of gold energy that burst out from beneath his clothes, blinding everyone on the deck.

It was only a moment before his face slimmed and his entire body shrank. Dark curls sprouted from his head, cascading over the Doctor's arms where he held him... No... her!

The glow faded and a lovely woman with long dark curls lay in the Doctor's arms. She groaned, her eyes opening.

"Ouch. That was..."

Wait. She blinked and frowned.

"Oh no!"

[borntolove]

Ten, meanwhile, holds tight and hopefully blocks any regeneration energy that might hit someone. Though he can feel it, The Master's body changing and getting - getting smaller.

For only a split second, The Doctor is surprised too but that quickly goes away and combs his fingers through his - sorry, her curls. Your gender is completely irrelevant, silly.

[not_so_different]

She laid there for a moment, getting her bearings. She could vaguely hear the cries of astonishment from the silly humans in the room but she had bigger things to worry about. Her eyes drifted down to her chest. "Well now... that's... unexpected." It wasn't unheard of, of course, for Time Lords to swap genders in a regeneration. It was just a bit of a shock.

[borntolove]

The Doctor helps his friend-enemy to her feet; "Come on. Let's go explore the universe together." Ten whispers and keeps his body protectively over The Master.

Then turns to the humans in the room; "Right. Like I said, my responsibly. And you -", Ten points to Lisa, "Have five seconds to get out of here." Is the remark with a commanding growl and fierce eyes before someone gets creative with a punishment.

[not_so_different]

She lets him help her, though she's practically tripping on the longer trousers. Choosing the ability to walk over fashion, she slips out of her shoes, standing in her stocking feet.

Still handcuffed and slightly disoriented by the regeneration, she had no problem letting him lead the way.

[borntolove]

Meanwhile, Martha will be going back with her family and Jack back to his team. They say their good-byes and take Lisa off and The Doctor escorts, The Master to The Tardis and unlocks the cuffs once inside.

"Where too first?"

[not_so_different]

The Master... The name seems a little silly now, doesn't it? She sits down in the pilot's seat, a hand to her head.

"I haven't the slightest. Everything is still rebooting."