A Better Man 1/1

[amberfocus]

A/N:  I'm not sure where this even came from but it has been picking at me all day while I've been trying to write smut, so I wanted to get it out of my system so I could.  It's Alternate Universe, obviously.  It's definitely not my ship, but well...I can see how it might happen.  Master/Rose.  It's short but it actually takes place over the course of a relationship of months, which might not be obvious, but it does.  At some point in the future I might make it into a real fic, but for now this is what you get.

                                                        A Better Man

He doesn’t belong here any more than she does. She can sense it the minute she walks into the restaurant, feels his startled eyes on her and turns and meets his gaze. It’s the anomaly he’s been tracking, or rather she’s the anomaly he’s been tracking. And there’s something about her that draws him into her flame. He is more than a moth but she is more than the sun.

 

She walks right up to him, sits down at his table, makes no pretense that this won’t happen. They both know it will. They will know each other because they have to. And perhaps because they will want to. They don’t yet, but each knows they will. He won’t pretend she’s random. She’s more than that. Always will be. He’s not sure she even knows how to pretend.

 

He has had many names and many faces in his lifetimes but this is one he is quite fond of. And when she looks at him he can tell that she appreciates it nearly as much as he does. She’s different from any other woman he’s ever met. Not just on this planet but anywhere and any when in any universe. For one thing she’s intelligent, knows things she shouldn’t know, but doesn’t try to impress him with her knowledge.

 

It slips out in fits and starts and even though she has no formal schooling, she knows too much to just be a typical human. He’s not even sure she is human and unless he goes into her mind he has no way of truly knowing. But he hasn’t gained her trust and for some reason he isn’t willing to force the issue. He likes her. He likes Rose Tyler. He can’t remember the last time he simply liked someone. Other than himself.

 

The first time she touches him his body surges. He recognizes her touch and that’s impossible. But he does. It is more than familiar; it is as if it is a part of him. Her hand simply rests on top of his for a moment and her warm brown eyes give him that look, the one that says if she wanted to she could read every secret he doesn’t dare to share. When she moves her hand away he reaches out and grabs hold of it, lacing their fingers together and she startles. But she doesn’t make him let go.

 

He is surprised that he wants to have her. He has spent so much of his life being above such things as losing himself inside a woman. But Rose is again different. When he voices his desire she gives him a very odd, very hard look. They haven't even kissed.  It’s as if she doesn’t know he’s truly serious. He repeats himself.

 

“I want to have sex with you.” It isn’t what he means exactly but even the words ‘make love’ are too close to what he really wants for him to speak them. She is so different, this woman. What he could have with her scares him as nothing, no one, has ever done.

 

The pause is long, drawn out, never ending. But then it does end. “All right,” she says. “Tonight.” The smile he aims for is one of cold triumph. He misses by a mile. All he feels is warmth that she said yes. What has she done to him?

 

He thinks that he might find himself again when he takes her. If he can possess her fully, make her into nothing but a vessel for his desire, a repository for his needs, than his world will right itself again. It doesn’t. Because making love to Rose, and there is no doubt that what he does to her is this, is as different from any other experience as the woman herself is from any other woman.

 

After it is over he makes the decision and gives up the fight. For the first time in his life he is going to be a better man. Rose makes him want to.

Comments

[nattieb.livejournal.com]

I hesitated clicking on this but I am not disappointed that I did. Excellent job, specifically with showing the conflict it was well reasoned out!

Don't know if I will ever read this ship again, but this little glimpse, just once, was okay.

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

I know, it's totally weird, isn't it, me even venturing into this ship? I think someone sent me a twisted plot bunny in amongst all the smut bunnies. Usually I just ignore them, but this one was getting in the way of good Nine/Rose smut.

I'm glad you took a chance though. This will probably be all there ever is, even if I do have ideas dancing through my head at the moment.

[nattieb.livejournal.com]

It is really weird, you venturing into this ship, but it was still up to your high standard and obviously I love your stories so much that I am willing to read a master/Rose story.

*goes back to her own story and trying to coax an angsty Rose into at least have a little hope. *

[wiggiemomsi.livejournal.com]

Oh, now; don't blame my twisted plot bunnies for your surge of inspiration and and the brilliance of this incredibly done little fic!!

Obviously you are a *wordsmith* capable of quality smithing(?) in ANY ship! As long as we agree that THIS IS FIC, and your other stories are CANON; no problem!

Now ... when can we expect the next chapter, huh? *Persuader Plot Bunny* is getting anxious!

*Hopeful Hugs*

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

Well, who else can I blame then? *laughs* Yes, this is fic and my other stories are definitely canon. *grins* I'm sure you've already found the next YW? chapter. I'm hoping to finish off my HM chapter and have it up tonight. Jep's whole evening is free to beta so there's a very good chance and well,

HM SPOILER HERE**************************

Rose might just get captured and um...tied up...and um...the Doctor might consider the benefits of that particular scenario to be interesting...maybe. Of course, there may be some irritation in the way he finds her first, though. Might be a very interesting chapter is all I'm saying. Because someone keeps sending me these smut bunnies you see. *grins*

[azriona.livejournal.com]

Weird. Very weird. I mean, good weird, don't get me wrong, but still.

The first time she touches him his body surges. He recognizes her touch and that’s impossible. But he does. It is more than familiar; it is as if it is a part of him.

What he could have with her scares him as nothing, no one, has ever done.

If he can possess her fully, make her into nothing but a vessel for his desire, a repository for his needs, than his world will right itself again. It doesn’t.

Oh, I so want this from her view. When does this happen to her? Is this the parallel world? Where's the Doctor in this? Does that have something to do with why the Master "recognizes" Rose?

I'm very intrigued here. I know it's a one-shot, I know the bunnies are busy with Nine/Rose...but I'm seriously curious why Rose says "all right". It's not something I'd expect her to say, not really.

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's the parallel world. It's about five years out from Doomsday. She's given up all hope of finding the Doctor after trying for several years.

The Master "recognizes" Rose because she's still got a bit of the Time Vortex in her. He's responding to Bad Wolf without knowing why. Rose is responding to him without knowing why as well, she is responding to the Time Lord in him, the bit that is familiar. Besides, have you seen John Simm? Oh, wait, maybe that's just me. *grins*

I'll think about her POV. That only took me 10 minutes to write so something similar I might be able to pound out today after I finish chapter 17 of YW. I left Rose and Nine in the middle of the act so I should probably get back to it before they start to cramp up from inactivity.

[azriona.livejournal.com]

Goodness, don't let them cramp. Especially if Rose is pregnant, poor thing!

Okay, that explanation makes tons of sense. I can see that happening, really - if the Master was in the parallel world. Although boy, wouldn't the Doctor flip?

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

I'd say he'd be doing full on handsprings in anger and fear. Having the Master anywhere near the love of the Doctor's life would destroy him.

[bluevolvic.livejournal.com]

Not normally a ship that I tend to read, But You writting this type of ship , made it interesting and more bearable to read :D.Great talent you have ;)

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I really, really don't know where this idea came from. It almost disturbs me that I wrote it.

[othermewriter.livejournal.com]

I was incredibly hesitant to open this as I know far too much about the master's history to think it would ever work but you did a good job with it anyway.

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

Oh, I know. I've watched the evil Master since I was four years old and it's hard to even conceive he could attempt to be good. I think he might though, if he fell in love with Rose. At least for a little while.

[wiggiemomsi.livejournal.com]

souleswanderer wrote a fantastic 17-chapter Master/Rose story, By Any Other Name, that she says is "Set in Pete's World, post Doomsday. Some things aren't always what they seem." It had the same general idea, that Simm (not alt!Simm) is attracted to Rose, and slowly wins her over as his bride, but there's a twist that shows what he's like beneath the surface. Don't know why I'm attracted to this "good looking bad guy attracted to hottie and changes because of her" idea, but you sure can write it!

*Hugs*

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's one of the few Rose/Master fics I've read and liked, despite the twist. I'm glad you liked the way I wrote it.

[dragonmom64.livejournal.com]

Very interesting start to a 'ship not often seen. I like that "sensing of the unusual" about each other, and I think it would be neat to see their reactions if they found out why.....

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

Hmm...don't give me more plot bunnies. I don't need any more plot bunnies...It would be interesting, wouldn't it? But not now. I'll put it in my story ideas file for later.

[anepidemic.livejournal.com]

I am a little bit in love with this. I saw Rose/Master and was expecting the usual destruction of Rose story (I won't have such little faith in you again :)

You've written so simply, and I love that. It conveys the depth of what's going on without being over-written.

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

Yeah? I wasn't sure I even should write this one, but I ended up strangely liking the end result. I like Rose too much to destroy her. I can make her hurt and be in pain and have poor judgement, but in the end, she'll always be Rose and Rose is strength even in misery.

[maniacalshen.livejournal.com]

Rose Tyler: Time Lord aphrodisiac.

A part of me can't help but think about the Doctor showing up, discovering this situation, and regenerating in shock. Or not regenerating, because the whole thing would make his head explode, and I'm not sure you can come back from that. The rest of me, however, rather likes how you executed the concept. :) Great job! And there is something intriguing about Rose/Master, isn't there? I've wondered about it myself.

[thette.livejournal.com]

I've read somewhere that a Time Lord can regenerate from having his head cut off, but not from having both hearts stabbed, which sounded completely backwards to me.

Strange, but great, amberfocus!

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

Giggle snorts at Time Lord aphrodisiac. That would make a really, really good icon. You ought to. You really ought to. I'd use it.

The Doctor would have fits. Fits! Yes, it is an intriguing ship in a dark and twisted sort of way. It seems completely wrong and yet it appeals anyway. And I think Rose could handle him.

[maniacalshen.livejournal.com]

I may one day make one with the Master in it... but it's past my bedtime. XD Those icons are in this post here: http://community.livejournal.com/realism_sucks/5670.html

...Which I'll actually post in communities tomorrow. ::yawn:: 'Night!

[ravenclaw-devil.livejournal.com]

Wow.

I think I could like this version of the Master. Maybe. I can't even imaging the Doctor's reaction at seeing this, though.

Fantastic job.

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

Thank you. He's by no means a good man yet. It will take time and many backwards steps if I ever make this into a full fic. The Doctor would lose it. But so would the Master.

[sunnytyler001.livejournal.com]

Master/Rose! Oh! Brilliant!
This is my second OTP!
And a brilliant story!
Please, could you post it here?
http://community.livejournal.com/master_rose/

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

Thank you. And I've done so.

[deirdre-shojo.livejournal.com]

lovely!