best_enemies | Thorns and Roses

Title: Thorns and Roses
Rating: PG-13
Characters: Romana, the Rani, Six/Ainley!Master
Summary: Romana and the Rani spend an evening chatting over a nice cup of tea.
Wordcount: something like 700.
Note: I own nothing but the story.
P.S. And it is a very enterntaining story. I promise.

"Oh, I do love autumn, all the leaves, all the colours..."

"I'm afraid it's spring, Madam President."

"Is it? I've never been really good at those seasons on Earth. And call me Romana, I'm here on holiday."

"As you wish, Romana. To say the truth, I'm rather surprised you've accepted my invitation."

"Well, we are both women burdened with power, so I thought it would be nice for us to have a little chat over a cup of tea."

"Can't say that power is a burden for me. Although being the sole empress of the whole planet is rather demanding, I must admit..."

"Rani, one more thing. May I ask you not to mention things that might make it my duty as the President of Gallifrey to abort our lovely tea party?"

The Rani smiled and they fell silent in their comfortable armchairs, looking down at the cherry blossom in the last rays of the dying sun from the balcony of the Rani's cosy little house. The exquisitely scented evening air was full of bird's voices and they both didn't feel like talking for some time.

Some people thought the Rani was cynical and cold hearted, but no. Reasonable would be the word, and reason never contradicted with appreciation of true beauty. And even less did it prevent one from becoming a great gardener. Romana's eyes widened with delight as she looked at the Rani's garden, and the latter couldn't help smiling proudly. Every rose bush, every little daisy on every flowerbed, every blossoming tree was not only planted, but bred by herself, the Rani. It was a small hobby that helped her keep her mind calm and sharp under any circumstances.

"Rani, you are brilliant... This garden... I think it's the prettiest place on the Earth now!"

"Let's just hope the Doctor doesn't feel like visiting it. I dread to think what might come of all my tedious work if he does."

They both laughed and Romana asked:

"Have you seen him lately, by the way?"

"As a matter of fact I have. Him, and that other idiot, the Master. Romana, could you please pass me the lemons? Thank you."

"Rani, I was wondering... You see, I've heard some gossip of you and the Master being... Well, lovers. Is it true?"

"Not a word of it. The Master can think of no one else but the Doctor. And of nothing else. And that gossip about you and the Doctor?"

"Well, I have to admit, I used to be very fond of him. But he is so much older than me, and besides... There was always the Master, in both of his hearts."

"The Master... He can screw up practically anything, even my experiments. The moment he sees the Doctor he can think of nothing else but of getting him into bed. No wonder he has never succeeded in any of his wretched schemes."

"Yes, men sometimes have no control over their desires. Too much passion. I hope some day women will take over and everything will come into place. Rani, dear, could you pass me the sugar, please. Thank you."

They fell silent again, watching the Rani's garden fall asleep as the sun disappeared under horison. Suddenly they heard a very familiar whooshing noise, and the blue police box materialised rather roughly on the neat lawn. The Rani let out a suppressed moan, but Romana was on cloud nine.

"Doctor! Oh, I should come and see him!"

The moment she said so the TARDIS's door flew open. Romana’s eyes widened even more, now with astonishment, as she watched the Doctor and the Master stumble outside, kissing madly, and falling somewhere among the immaculate rose bushes.

"Oh, maybe not. Ouch, that must hurt, I mean, the roses, all those thorns..."

"Some scratches and bruises will serve them right," the Rani answered with a mixture of pain and disgust in her voice.

"Oh, Rani, don't be too hard on them, they are such lovebirds. Still, it's amazing that they materialised here and now, of all the times and places."

"The world is a tiny place," muttered the Rani gravely, taking another sip on her tea, as she watched the Doctor's obscene yellow trousers land right in the middle of her favorite flowerbed.