Disclaimer: The BBC owns all things Doctor Who.

Chapter 8: And May Your Days Be Good And Long Upon The Earth…

The Doctor looked about the room as he formulated a plan to halt the Rift Energy Capacitor overload and detonation. The countdown continued as he rushed over and picked up Jack's vortex manipulator. Slipping the watch-like device in his pocket, he took out his sonic screwdriver as he quickly stepped over to one of the machines that lined the walls of the Master's laboratory. The tip of the Doctor's device glowed blue as an access panel fell away, revealing complex circuitry. He saw a flash and ducked as a red beam fired past him. The beam came from a small laser pointer attached to the housing on the inside of the machine. The Master had toyed with the simple device making it powerful enough to cut through solid matter. It left a nasty burn hole on the opposite wall. A blast from the Doctor's sonic screwdriver and the laser pointer popped and smoked, melting slightly.

The Doctor made sure that the power to the machine was disabled and he examined the design. He began pulling circuit boards, and was relieved that no further attacks from the device took place. He was running out of time, and the Master's little games like the deadly laser pointer wasted precious seconds. He took the circuit boards and ran to the prototype Lazarus machine, glancing at the countdown. Two minutes remained. He scanned the platform with his screwdriver. He detected no traps. "Must have been fried by the energy surge," the Doctor muttered aloud to himself. He opened the access panel and just as he thought, most of the circuitry was charred. He saw a broken laser pointer inside and he quickly pulled it out and tossed it aside. He then set about repairing the machine with the circuit boards he was carrying.

Martha and Jack carefully re-entered the lab. They noted the countdown and exchanged concerned glances as they joined the Doctor. The Doctor did not look up to acknowledge them, but continued to work feverishly on repairing the machine. "I want you two to get out of here and get inside the TARDIS. It's the safest place for you. If this doesn't work, well, I suppose the Master will be the last of the Time Lords."

"We want to help Doctor, and we're not going anywhere," Martha said kneeling down close to the Doctor. She watched him work. She was always fascinated how he made the complex look simple, how he would risk everything to help people and seek nothing in return, and how he could forgive a monster for unspeakable acts. As much as she tried, she had not gotten over the fact that part of her still loved him.

The sonic screwdriver hummed as the Doctor connected the circuit boards. He pressed the final circuit board in place. He then took out the vortex manipulator and wired it to the platform. More work with the sonic screwdriver and the vortex manipulator lit up again. The Lazarus machine shuttered and began to function as power returned to the prototype device. "You can't help, because I appear to be done," he smiled at Martha as he snapped the access panel back in place.

"Forty-two seconds, Doctor," Jack said glancing at the countdown. "What are you going to do?"

"There's no time to get out," the Doctor said to his companions. "I've converted the Lazarus machine prototype into a portal conduit. I'm going to try to shunt the energy back into the rift… hang onto something solid and don't let go!" he said as he hooked his arm onto a pipe. Jack took Martha and they held onto another pipe as the Doctor did.

The Rife Energy Capacitor began to rumble. It had reached critical mass. The cone-like device started to glow eerily and began to take on a spectral appearance as its solid form converted to pure energy. The room filled with a loud, surging sound as the process took place. The Doctor, sonic screwdriver at the ready, hit the vortex manipulator with a sonic blast, switching it on. The large framework of the Lazarus machine prototype took on a similar appearance to that of the Capacitor, glowing strangely as well. The countdown reached zero.

"Shut your eyes!" the Doctor shouted over the noise created by the surging energy fields. The three all shut their eyes and held on tight as massive bolts of energy arced from one machine to the other. The light was blinding, and the room shook as the Lazarus machine absorbed the energy from the Capacitor and poured it back into the riff. Cardiff shook as well, caught in an earthquake caused by the massive energy exchange.

The UNIT troops took cover as best they could during the tremors, mostly by avoiding bits of falling masonry from the old warehouse. During the quake, no one noticed that a brick wall of a nearby building suddenly seemed to stick out a bit more than it should. Inside his TARDIS, the Master sat on a stylish, black leather chair. His wife sat next to him in a similar chair. Both watched the screen as Cardiff shook. Each sipped champagne from crystal flutes and exchanged amused glances at each other.

The power continued to surge from one side of the room to another. At times, streaks of energy bounced off consoles sending them into sparks. The air grew hot and hazy. Jack pressed himself closer to Martha as best he could to shield her. Loose bits on the floor began to rise, fly toward the Lazarus machine, and ionize into energy. Finally, the Capacitor rose, glowing and still spewing energy. The Capacitor then hurled towards the Lazarus machine. When it struck, there was a loud cracking noise. The space around the Lazarus machine seemed to curve and the Capacitor was gone.

The ground stopped shaking and the air soon returned to normal. The Doctor, Martha, and Jack all let go of the pipes they held and sunk to the floor exhausted. "Never a dull moment," Jack said, a huge grin on his face.

The Doctor smoothed back his shock of wild, brown hair. "Oh, yes," he said, looking about the ruined laboratory. "Looks like UNIT will have a quite a jumble sale with this lot." He walked over to the smoldering remains of the Lazarus device and removed the vortex manipulator from the rubble. He handed it to Jack.

"Thanks," Jack smiled. He put the vortex manipulator back on his wrist. "It takes a licking…"

Martha threw her arms around the Doctor. "You were brilliant!"

"I was, wasn't I?" he grinned, not really minding the hug.

The three left the ruined laboratory, made thier way up the tunnel, and left the warehouse. On the streets, UNIT was moving about, coordinating with the Cardiff police and the rest of Torchwood, as they assessed the damage. Colonel Beresford and Major Hinson saw the trio and made their way over to them.

"Thank you, Doctor," the Colonel said shaking his hand. She shook Martha and Jack's hands as well. The major followed suit and shook everyone's hand as well. "Doctor Jones, you'll be working on a report regarding the Master?" the Colonel said turning the Martha.

"Yes," she replied sternly. There was much she wanted to put into the report. Some of it would not be regulation. Still, it would make her feel better.

Where is the Master?" Major Hinson asked, after he finished shaking hands with everyone.

"The Master's out there somewhere. He's my responsibility. I'll find him and save him from himself," the Doctor said aloud, to no one in particular. He then brightened up. "Well, I'd better be off. Donna may miss me if I'm gone too long."

"Where is Donna, Doctor?" Martha asked realizing she wasn't with him.

"Oh, I left her with the Ice Warriors," he said absent-mindedly. "Ice Warriors!" His eyes became very big and he rushed for the TARDIS. "Goodbye!" he shouted and waved to everyone as he entered the TARDIS. A moment later, it was gone.

"Some things about him never change," Jack said wistfully.

"No they don't," Martha said looking at the spot where the TARDIS used to be.

"He managed it again, yes he did!" the Master said, pouting and frowning from his chair. He scowled and looked very ill tempered.

Lucy Saxon placed a well-manicured hand on her husband's arm. "Harry, it'll be all right. You can destroy Cardiff another time."

The Master laughed. His laughter always aroused her and terrified her at the same time. She adored the feeling. "Well, we should be off," the Master said standing. He walked over to the console and began activating controls. There was a fast humming noise lasting several seconds. "I've just downloaded the entire musical library of Earth. Something to listen to, you know."

"Where shall we go, Harry? You said something about 'whirlpools of gold' on the Valliant," Lucy asked with anticipation.

"Oh yes, I was going to take Tonya there as well," the Master said remembering.

Lucy shot him a very displeased look. She knew the Tonya business had been an act. They had worked it all out in advance, along with everything else. It still made her a bit jealous. She would have used Jack to make her husband jealous if it would not have interfered with his plan.

"Well, so I could shove her in one of the whirlpools," he continued. "She would have made a lovely statue." He flashed her one of his boyishly charming smiles and kissed her passionately. When he pulled away from her, he remained close. "We'd better stop by the mansion and get some of your clothes. I don't have much in the line of ladies' apparel here," he grinned. The Master then hit a button on the console. Music seemed to play from nowhere. It was a Rogue Traders song.

Drive fast, don't crash
Make your money, make it last
Hang tight, kick back
Prepare yourself for the attack
Buy low, sell high
Take your pills, tell your lies
Fake your tan, wear a tie
Go to the gym, you'll never die

And that's the way to go
And that's the way to go (to go)

The Master winked at Lucy, swaying to the music, and took her hand in his as he pressed the dematerialization circuit control.

Author's Note: I must apologize for the lateness of this, the final chapter. I had computer problems, medical problems, family problems, ect! But it's up, and I do hope you enjoy! I'm working on the next story and hope to have that up soon! I have to do a lot of catching up to do. Please read and review. Thank you so very much!