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Chapter Text

Kate had not had sex since it happened. She smiled inwardly at that thought, the only way she could smile now.

Her lack of a sex life was hardly surprising and not appreciably high on her list of concerns.

There were many different forms and degrees of cyberisation. She knew this from reading UNIT files but now she knew it in far more detail from the truncated version of the cyber database held within her own servers.

She had her own servers now. The thought amused her in a distant detached way.

Her expertise had been in xenobiology not IT. Her children had despaired at her inability to master office 365 and yet now she had more built in processing power than most networks.

Thinking of her family was a reminder that they believed her dead. Such thoughts were definitely not the mood she was trying for tonight.

It was shockingly easy to stop thinking about her family. To compartmentalise her thoughts. Too easy. Much too easy to just put those thoughts to one side.

She should be grateful for that capability given her situation but it was a worrying reminder of what she was so close to becoming.

Another reason for tonight's erotic preoccupation. Her sex life had certainly paused when the Cybermen had wreaked havoc on her body.

Physically Kate was now, to all intents and purposes, a Cyberman. Her humanity had been cut away with her flesh but she was determined that the Cybermen wouldn't take everything from her.

She was determined that her sex life was paused. Not ended. That was one piece of her humanity she could cling to.

In her mind this was a big 'fuck you' to the Cybermen who had thought of her as nothing more than raw materials. Actually more of a 'fuck me' Kate corrected her own thought. It seemed very unlikely anyone else was going to want to be involved in tonight's activities.

The absence of a partner had never hindered her sex life before and it wasn't going to now. Of course in the past she had had more choice in the matter.

She had been rather more desirable before the Cybermen got to her.

UNIT had rescued her before full conversion but just there hadn't been enough of her original body left to reverse the process.

The cyberisation method employed on her had been brutally extreme. The delicacy of her higher functions and thought processes meant they were the last to be overwritten but had UNIT arrived moments later Kate Lethbridge Stewart really would have been gone.

Kate looked at the blank grey mask in the mirror. The odd teardrop eyes and the handle like antennae.

She still felt like herself except there were gaps. Moments when she was sure she should feel something. Anger, sadness, fear, love but those feelings just weren't there or at least the volume had been turned all the way down.

She still recalled what she should feel, still felt to some degree but the extremes were gone.

The UNIT medics said this might be shock, it might be temporary or it might be the cyberisation. Kate thought the latter. She rather hoped it was the latter.

In her opinion taking the edge off her emotions was probably a good thing or she'd be catatonic or looking to snort gold dust.

As it was she was still functional. She could still contribute, she still had a role in UNIT although different to her old command position.

She was part of Osgoods field team now, able to be both a technical asset and security. Kate's rank, pay and legal status were vague. She had a sneaking suspicion she was now listed as equipment rather than personnel on the UNIT asset register.

Aside from that the new role was quite enjoyable. She no longer had to attend endless planning meetings. The burden of command was no longer hers. The lack of responsibility was refreshing but the loss of authority was a little humiliating.

She didn't give orders anymore but most people were respectful. Terrified was probably a more accurate description.

She often overheard people discussing whether she might 'turn' and go full Cyberman.

Kate honestly didn't know if that was a risk. It seemed the cyber conversion process required external input and that it had stopped when they had pulled her from the conversion chamber. But had it? Her new body self repaired so was it also slowly continuing the conversion of her mind?

Would she feel less and less each day? Grow colder?

She didn't know. Worse, she wasn't sure if she cared.

Life was understandably different now. When she didn't talk or move people tended to treat her like furniture, they would have conversations around or over her and seemed shocked when she joined in.

Colleagues she had worked with for years no longer seemed to know her. It was disconcerting as Kate still remembered herself as the 'old' Kate and struggled to reconcile it with people's reactions to how she now appeared.

Kate continually had to fight the sensation that she had food on her face or she'd mis-buttoned her top.

One meeting with a government official who she had met in tedious meetings many times before had been especially embarrassing The man had talked really loudly as if Kate was deaf. He had left abruptly and Kate noticed her wrist gun had extended involuntarily.

Osgood had accompanied to her meeting and had been pleased when it ended early.

"I wish I could do that." She had commented indicating the extended weapon.

Kate's cyberisation was extensive. She wasn't one of those poor ruined things UNIT sometimes rescued from cyber factories Her forearm mounted cyberweapon worked lethally well. Her senses were pin sharp, her recall perfect and she was strong. She was never going to need help with a pickle jar again. Not that she ate pickles anymore.

She remembered Osgood approaching her in the breakroom a few weeks after she had been cleared fit for duty.

It had been an awkward time. UNIT top brass had decided that internally her identity would be released. They had thought, and Kate had agreed, that people might find it easier working with someone they had known rather than an anonymous 'definitely not going to go nuts and kill you, honestly' cyberman.

Of course people hadn't known what to say to her. A few gave their condolences as if she had died. Most were just awkward, scared and uncomfortable around her. Some were fascinated and asked endless questions.

"No you may not touch my handles." Had become a commonly used phrase in Kate's vocabulary.

Osgood had been one of the very few, okay the only one, who had treated her almost normally. Kate remembered that day in the breakroom. Osgood straining to open the marmalade jar then wordlessly holding it out to Kate.

Kate had opened it one handed with a flick of her thumb.

"I loosened it for you." Said Osgood peevishly.

Kate had laughed, though it wasn't audible, but a few others in the breakroom had heard Osgood and smiled or chuckled.

So yes there were definitely advantages to her new condition. Her old knee injury was gone along with her old knees. The arthritis that had begun troubling her was entirely absent in her alloy and plastic body.

But she didn't want to lose her humanity entirely.

Clothing had been a challenge. Externally she was a cyberman but it had been hard to shed the sensation she was walking around naked.

Osgood had suggested clothing as a means of differentiating Kate from other Cybermen and making her seem less threatening.

UNIT had seized most of Kate's belongings after her 'death' citing security issues but in reality it had been to allow Kate access to her things. This had been another measure to help her reconnect with humanity. It had been a horrible failure.

Kate didn't know what would have been worse, staring at old family photos knowing she was lost to her family or staring at those images and feeling almost nothing.

Neither option appealed and Kate had left everything in storage until Osgood suggested clothing.

Osgood came with her. Under the bright lights of the storage unit Kate had attempted to try on some of her old clothes. She had known it would be farcical but she had liked Osgoods idea or perhaps just the thought of spending time with Osgood.

Kate held up a pair of tailored charcoal wool slacks.

"I don't see these fitting over my hips." She said indicating her broad silver armoured thighs.

"Mine either." Sighed Osgood. "You've got some hats there, try a hat."

Kate balanced a navy blue cloche hat on top of her antennae.

"Well if you ever have to go to a formal wedding." Said Osgood admirably keeping a straight face. "Maybe add a scarf, I always thought you'd look good in just a hat and scarf."

"Have you had that thought long?" Asked Kate innocently. She knew that Osgood used to have a crush on her. The scientist had been adorable in her attempts to hide her attraction. Kate had enjoyed the attention and, although back then she wouldn't have contemplated a relationship with a subordinate she wasn't above a little teasing.

"Why don't you pick a scarf?" Suggested Kate.

Blushing Osgood quickly chose a scarf, one that Kate had frequently worn at work, royal blue silk with a discrete darker blue rose pattern.

Kate judged from Osgoods expression that that scarf had featured in Osgoods fantasies in some capacity.

Kate tied it around her throat. She had a weird moment as her olfactory sensors picked up the faded scent of Chanel no 5 and Kate herself or how she had been.

She felt dizzy for a moment.

It was no great suprise that Kate's old clothing didn't fit. Aside from the fact she was more than a foot taller and much broader now she had favoured close fitting tailored outfits that were fairly unforgiving on even minor weight fluctuations.

She still spent time trying increasingly silly combinations of clothing. It was fun. Kate liked that she could still experience fun.

"I feel like I'm in a science fiction remake of Pretty Woman." She commented.

"I would definitely watch that." Said Osgood "Wait, is that the one where Meg Ryan fakes an orgasm."

"No that's 'When Harry met Sally' and I'm not faking an orgasm. I look silly enough as it is."

"You wouldn't have to fake it, you're still perfectly capable. We checked." Said Osgood offhandedly.

"Pardon? You checked?!" Kate's voice was more expressive than usual although of course her expression was blank.

"Before we revived you we ran a full sensory check. It was all under lab conditions, nothing weird. We just used electro-stimulation to generate an orgasm response."

Kate was speechless. Given Kate's lack of body language in her new form this was a little unnerving for Osgood. Kate looked very much like a cyberman when she was silent and still. It was easy to imagine Kate might have gone away and let the cyber controller take charge.

"Why did you do that?" Asked Kate eventually.

It had just occurred to Osgood that this was actually an intimate topic.

"Well we were trying to ascertain how much of you was still in there and what quality of life you might have."

Kate considered this. She had no recollection of the tests, her consciousness not having been on line at the time.

"You've not tried yourself then?" Asked Osgood with more curiousity than tact.

"No." Said Kate shortly.

"Isn't that ... something you did?"

"I'm really not comfortable discussing this." Said Kate glad she couldn't blush.

"Oh, sorry, I just wanted you know you have that .... function, if you need it." Said Osgood.

"Well that's delightful to know. Thank you." Replied Kate rather tartly as she collected up a bag of scarfs to take with her.

All this had led to today with Kate standing in her new quarters at unit HQ and trying to work out how to masturbate.

According to her schematics her external genitals were still there albeit now rather redundant. Internally it was a different matter, she was mostly power plant and armoured endoskeleton installed with little thought of aesthetics.

She didn't have a bed as she didn't sleep anymore and hadn't really considered she might need it for anything else. So feeling foolish Kate stood in front of the mirror. Nervously Kate willed the armour between her thighs to retract.

She was glad of her new emotional limitations because she did not look good down there.

Her cyberman body looked nothing like her old self and that had made it easier to accept. The clean smooth silver and grey body was almost attractive in an architectural way. Seeing her actual flesh pallid and scarred merged with the cybernetics, well that was far more unsettling. Kate quickly shut her armour.

"Come on Kate you used to be really good at this." She spoke out loud.

The words amused her. She wondered if she was hysterical.

"Okay, it would be a shame to waste all those years of practice, eye of the tiger and all that. Get to work girl." She urged herself.

She experienced the weird disconnect of laughing without sound or expression.

Steeling herself she retracted her armour once more and this time probed the atrophied flesh with a silver grey finger.

She had never bothered with toys before, her fingers had been perfectly sufficient but now she wondered if some mechanical assistance might help.

Perhaps she should call around Osgoods flat and see if she could borrow a cup of vibrators.

"Yes definitely getting hysterical." Muttered Kate to herself.

She explored her once familiar flesh. She wasn't as sensitive as she had been that was certain and she wasn't exactly in the mood.

Why was she even doing this? In her old life she masturbated with military efficiency if she was horny, frustrated, stressed or had trouble sleeping.

None of those really applied here. Masturbating in a desperate bid to reconnect with her humanity just wasn't sexy. But that was what she wanted to do. Kate still had the memories of her humanity, of intimate physical pleasure. Those shuddering moments when she was grateful for her body's capacity for ecstasy in the arms of another or alone.

Alone seemed a more practical proposal right now.

Osgood had said she was capable of it so any issues were psychological.

In fact thinking about Osgood helped.

All she had to do was apply appropriate physical stimulation.

She began to do just that.

She picked up one of the scarves she had brought back. The square of royal blue silk that had entranced Osgood.

She wondered what Osgood had imagined for the scarf. Kate could still smell her old self on it. Her sensors could break down and analyse the scent particles but Kate recognised herself.

She imagined how Osgood might add to that scent. Two warm bodies straining together.

The fantasy quickly lost coherency in favour of sensation and need.

Kate felt herself approaching the point of release. Her cold plastic and alloy fingers worked against equally cold flesh but the sensation was delicious and hot.

Kate saw the blank silver mask of her face in the mirror as she came and she truly didn't care.

The climax surprised her with its intensity. How often as a human had sex of any kind been simply a release of pressure, scratching an itch?
But this? This had been wonderful.

The scientist in her wondered at the physiological responses. There was so little flesh left to respond. How much of her pleasure had been artificial, existing only in software? Did she care?

It certainly warranted more tests.

Would Osgood be willing to assist? Kate didn't want to think about that. It was too complicated. Too strange.

Should she talk to Osgood about this? The woman had raised the topic after all but only in her usual awkward adorably tactless way.

Kate was, scared? Would she call it scared? She sighed inwardly. She would.

She was scared Osgood would see her as a lab rat, an interesting specimen nothing more. Kate knew that would hurt even with her blunted emotions.

She slid the cold shield of her armour back into place between her legs, her agitated organs were cooled and cleaned.

The thought of Osgood touching her like that. Kate smiled her secret smile. Well that was a good thought. Perhaps she would just be a lab rat, perhaps she would be more.

It was worth the risk.

She contemplated this for a while before deciding to return to the lab. Not needing sleep meant needing to find something else to do. There was only so much online bridge you could play.

She was mildly surprised to find a package had been left outside her quarters. A set of dark blue coveralls XXL sized along with a note from Osgood.

"Try these, they should fit."

The coveralls were made from a tough poly cotton blend and had pockets on the chest, hips and thighs. They fit Kate perfectly. It occurred to Kate that Osgood probably had her exact measurements on file and that she was likely the same size as all the other Cybermen of her design.

Kate also realised the coveralls were non military. UNIT quartermasters had similar items but not in this style or colour. Osgood had obviously taken the time to go out choose these herself. She had picked a shade of blue close to what Kate had favoured in her suits.

Kate was touched and it gave her a wicked idea.

She found Osgood in the lab next day.

"Thank you for these, they fit perfectly and I do like the colour."

"It matches your eyes, well, I mean, matched." Osgood flushed.

"It was very good of you Osgood. I have a gift for you as well."

Kate took the neatly folded blue silk scarf from the pocket in her new coverall and handed it to Osgood.

"And Osgood I don't mind what you use it for."

Kate's new voice wasn't really designed for the subtle innuendo that she had intended and it wasn't as if she could wink but she liked the soft blush that spread across Osgoods face as she took the folded silk.

Chapter Text

Without rules you had anarchy. Kate had always been in favour of rules. However it was crucial to her fondness for rules that she was the one making them.

She no longer had that privilege. Recent events had forced her into the position of rule follower rather than maker.

It was less fun.

One such rule was to attend mandatory counseling sessions. She had always been suspicious of psychiatry. It seemed like they did science backwards fitting facts to theories.

But that was the price she had to pay to retain a position at UNIT. So she sat listening to the therapist, a bearded 30 something man in cream skinny fit cargo trousers and a blue polo shirt. He spoke with the confidence of an academic who was rarely troubled by reality.

"Kate I believe you're using your cyber conversion as an excuse to repress emotions. It's you that's holding those feelings back not the cybernetics. You've been through huge trauma and you need to express that to come to terms with it. I can help you and you'll be stronger for it."

It irked her that he called her Kate. They weren't friends. His patronising tone would have jacked up her blood pressure if she had any. See also grinding of teeth.

When she had been human Kate had unquestionably had presence and charisma. She had known how to dominate a room.

As a Cyberman she made a much simpler, cruder impact. Seven feet of alloy armour, synthetic muscle and weapons. A walking threat to life.

She stood suddenly. The therapist flinched. Kate leaned forwards over his desk. Her emotions may have been deadened but she took real pleasure at the look of poorly concealed terror on the man's face. Petty? Yes but these days she took her fun where she could.

"I lost my body, my life, my friends, my family, everything and do you know why I don't let my feelings out?" She said.

Her blank mask of a face showed no emotion, even her voice was calm but the metal of the desk twisted in her grip.

The UNIT psychiatrist was suddenly very aware that Kate was between him and the door and it was a small room.

"I don't let my feelings out because I'm scared I might make a mess."

"I ... Uh ... I think that's probably enough for this session. Great progress... Next week .. I .." The therapist moved quickly around Kate and fled the room.

Kate left more sedately. Osgood was waiting for her outside.

"White trousers weren't the cleverest wardrobe choice." Observed Osgood with satisfaction as she watched the fleeing therapist. "But ma'am you really have to stop scaring the psychiatric team."

"Well it made me feel better. Isn't that the point of therapy? Anyway they can counsel each other, gives them something to do.
And Osgood you're my c.o now, you don't have to call me ma'am."

"So does that mean you'll call me ma'am?"

"Don't push it."

Kate smiled then remembered she no longer had facial expressions.

"Do we have any excursions planned ... Ma'am?" Asked Kate.

"I'm sorry, you know the rules ... M...Kate?"

Kate didn't mind Osgood using her first name. Especially the nervous hopeful way she said it. The woman really was adorable.

Although Kate's cybernetic voice had very little inflection Osgood had picked up on the note of longing.

For months Kate had been largely confined to base.

A lot of things were different now since Kate had suffered almost complete cyber conversion. It had taken weeks of tests and observation to persuade people that although she might now look like a Cyberman she was still Kate Lethbridge-stewart under the silver and grey armour.

Kate had done everything she could to sell the idea that she was exactly the same person except with a shinier body. Of course it wasn't that simple.

So many of her thoughts and behaviours had been directly tied to a body she no longer possessed. She wasn't the old Kate with a new body, not exactly.

She had finally convinced them not to put her in stasis in the archive but it was clear she wasn't getting her old life back.

She'd been assigned to Osgoods team. Petronella Osgood was now her boss. Kate tried to be gracious about it.

It did mean she suddenly had to follow a lot of rules. Those rules included strict protocols surrounding when she was allowed off base.

Basically never.

Kate knew her emotions, while present, were severely dampened. She had never been an especially expressive or emotional person. A lot of that had been about not showing what she felt, about self control.

The difference now was that she had less to show, less to control.

Even so she felt considerable resentment that so many decisions were now taken out of her hands.

Convincing UNIT she could be useful had been difficult. Yes she had certain abilities now which could benefit UNIT but she knew they would never entirely trust her. She didn't entirely trust herself.

Sometimes her thoughts seemed cold and alien. Was that her? Was it an aspect of the trauma she had endured? Was it latent cyber programming? She didn't know and it would take more than a patronising therapist in stained pants to tell her.

Her scientific value to UNIT was limited. Over the years they had had a lot of Cybermen and partially converted Cybermen to examine. Although she was coherent and cooperative she wouldn't yield up any new secrets about the cyber race.

Despite all this Kate was determined to make the most of her situation. She mentally reviewed her life. Her family and friends thought she was dead, the years of toil and sacrifice that she had paid for her career were now all for nothing. She was effectively a prisoner of UNIT. Her body, which she had been justly proud of, was now a set of remains wired up to cyber tech. Her social life was reduced to awkward canteen chat and discussions with doctors. Her sex life was non existent but she still had those urges which seemed a cruel joke.

Despite all that was she depressed? Was she down?

Yes! Of course she was but there was no way she was going to admit it. These days she had one hell of a poker face.

Keeping busy was proving strangely difficult. She couldn't sleep. Technically she didn't need to anymore. The problem was the human aspect of her mind still got fatigued.

It meant that while she could work very long hours she couldn't work continuously. She still required some downtime.

But how to fill that time?

The speed with which she could process data meant she caught up on her reading, worked her way through the Archers archive and finally watched Killing Eve within a couple of nights. She wished she hadn't bothered with the ending.

She hung around the lab or mess hall trying to have conversations that weren't either painfully awkward or 'so what's it like being a Cyberman?'.

UNIT HQ had serious internet security and they didn't want her having direct net access just in case she tried to take over the world via social media so browsing the internet was out.

Posting selfies seemed like a bad idea anyway.

At least Osgood was good company despite the awkwardness of her being Kate's boss. Her working hours and social life seemed distressingly similar to Kate's post cyber conversion.

Tonight Kate followed Osgood to the archive where they were cataloguing alien artefacts. Kate didn't have live access to the cyber net but she did had a copy of the cyber database which was helping name some unidentified items.

"I think this is some kind of surgical tool." Said Osgood as she held up a long metallic instrument.

"No it's a spoon." Corrected Kate.

"A spoon?" Osgood peered at it more closely.

"A Judoon spoon it was found on the moon."

"A Judoon spoon from the moon? Are you sure?"

"According to the log it was found during a survey mission in June. At noon."

"A Judoon spoon found on the moon in June at noon?"

"Too soon?"

Osgood looked at Kate's blank silver face with its dark teardrop eyes. Kate had never been so whimsical before. Osgood rather liked the change.

Of course she was sorry about what had happened to Kate. However there was a small part of her, a part that she wasn't proud of, that quite liked the fact that she no longer had to compete for Kate's attention.

What Kate really wanted was to get out of UNIT HQ for a while. She couldn't just go out for a walk for obvious reasons. Her trips off base were limited to missions where she could be deployed discretely. At times she wore a bulky hazmat suit to disguise what she was but that wasn't something you could wear for a casual stroll in the park.

As her immediate supervisor it was Osgood who had to sign off on Kate going out. In addition to Kate having been Osgoods boss she knew Osgood had had a crush on her. It created a weird dynamic.

"Sorry I haven't been able to take you out recently." Said Osgood. It had clearly been bothering her since they'd spoken outside the therapists office. "I don't mean out like a date obviously, I don't mean obviously, I just mean..."

"No I understand." Said Kate "You're not interested in me since I gained weight." She teased. It was only as she said it that Kate realised that this was the first time she had acknowledged that Osgood might have been interested in her.

Osgood reddened.

"That was a joke Osgood." Said Kate.

"I'm not not interested you know." Said Osgood.

Now it was Kate who was surprised. She covered it with another joke.

"It's the handles isn't it? People like something to hold on to."

"I would let you off site if I could but there's so many rules about letting ... Uh .. non human tech ...off base I can't just ... The protocols are really strict. I turned a blind eye to you sneaking into disused underground stations to beat up Yeti but I can't just sign you out anytime."

Osgood was interrupted by her phone. She answered.

"Yes ... That's right ..... Today? ... But ... You can't just leave it there?! ... Already? But ... I see ... Okay ... right ... Bye.."

She looked irritated as she ended the call.

"Problem?" Asked Kate. The casually sympathetic query sounded bizarre coming from a hulking cyberwarrior.

"No, my new couch was just delivered and the lift in my building is out of order so they just dumped it outside."

"So you have to get the couch upstairs? You could ask a few of the big lads from the fast reaction team." Suggested Kate, "Except most of the off duty squaddies are playing a drinking game with the marines."

"Five rounds rapid?" Sighed Osgood. She knew that meant they'd be too drunk to help her safely.

"It's a shame you don't know anyone with cyber enhanced super strength." Said Kate suggestively.

She lifted one of the archive work benches one handed in a casual demonstration.

"Ma'am ... Kate I can't ... Not just to move my couch." Said Osgood uncertainly.

"Who would see? Right now your new couch is sitting there about to be vandalised or stolen ... Poor couch..."

"I suppose we could use it as a trial for the new concealment protocols I've been working on." Ventured Osgood.

"Yes! Let's do that. What do you have? A perception filter? Chameleon tech?"

The reality was a little more prosaic as Osgood brought out the equipment.

XXXL sweat pants, hoodie and a wig.

Kate looked at it.

"You see me as a redhead?" She said amused.

"It was the biggest one they had."

In the baggy grey clothes with the deep hood of the top and the red wig draped over her antennae Kate looked bizarre but not immediately like a Cyberman. It might be enough to fool a quick glance if she kept her hands in her pockets.

It was a far cry from the tailored suits she had favoured in her old life.

Osgood looked critically at the outfit.

"Let's go before either of us realises how silly I look." Suggested Kate.

They took an unmarked van from UNIT's small motor pool. It was a short journey but Kate delighted in watching London through the windshield.

Osgoods building was a nondescript block of flats. Kate had never been there before and found she was curious about how Osgood lived.

Carrying the new floral pattern Ikea couch up twelve flights of stairs was easy for Kate. They passed one young man who didn't look up from his phone.

Osgoods apartment was small and filled with packing boxes. There appeared to be no furniture. Kate saw a messy pile of blankets and duvets on the floor in one room. Presumably that was where Osgood slept.

"Have you just moved in?" Asked Kate.

"About a year ago, I've been busy, people do keep trying to invade the planet you know." Said Osgood defensively.

Kate set the couch carefully down in the main room.

Osgood thanked her. They stood awkwardly.

"I'd offer you a drink but .." said Osgood.

"We could test out the couch." Suggested Kate.

Kate pulled the clear plastic wrap off the couch.

"Very tomb of the Cybermen." Observed Osgood. They sat carefully alongside each other on the couch.

"So what were your plans tonight?" Kate asked eventually to break the awkward silence.

"Well I usually just come home eat watch TV and sleep."

"I can do one of those things."

As Kate said it she realised how desperate she was not to go back to UNIT just yet.

"You don't mind watching me eat?" Asked Osgood.

Her tiny kitchen was essentially a refrigerator and a microwave.

"I'm actually quite a good cook it's just that I don't have the time." She said as she heated up frozen lasagne.

Osgood ate sitting alongside Kate while watching a repeat of Bake Off on her laptop propped on a packing box.

"Is it legal to eat a ready meal while watching this?" Kate wondered aloud.

Three episodes later Osgood yawned reminding Kate that one of them still needed sleep.

She felt guilty for not suggesting dropping her back at UNIT. Kate really didn't want to go back yet. She didn't like how pathetic that made her feel.

She was taking advantage of Osgood and she didn't like how that made her feel either. She sighed internally, the Cybermen were right, feelings were bad.

"It's late. You should probably take me back." Said Kate reluctantly.

Osgood yawned theatrically and stretched out to rest one arm around Kate's broad shoulders. Kate turned her head looking at the blushing Osgood.

"Seriously?"

"You could stay here tonight if you like." Said Osgood shyly "I signed you out."

"That makes me sound like equipment."

"Well you wrote the protocols."

That was true.

"I am going to need to sleep but you can stay and watch TV if you promise not to take over the world."

"I promise but are you sure about this?"

"Kate Lethbridge-Stewart in my flat? Do you know how long I've been trying to make this happen?"

Osgoods tone held a note of gentle self mockery. Kate would have smiled if she could.

"Thank you."

The relief of knowing she had at least one night of something approaching normality hit Kate with unexpected force. She felt an odd pressure and it shocked her to realise she was trying to cry. She was glad she couldn't.

Osgood got up and went to her bedroom.

Kate stayed on the sofa. She felt strangely fragile which was ridiculous considering what she was. She distracted herself by watching Osgood undress for bed through the open door of the bedroom.

Question mark pyjamas? Really?

In the bedroom Osgood arranged her bedding. She glanced up at the Cybermen sitting quietly in the dark lounge still watching TV.

The big silver head turned to look at her with dark teardrop eyes.

After a moment's hesitation Osgood bundled up her duvet and went back to the new couch. She sat back down covering herself with the duvet.

"Aren't you tired?" Asked Kate.

"I haven't seen this episode."

"Osgood ... Petronella you need to sleep. "

"Do you mind if I stretch out?" Osgood asked. She lifted her legs across Kate's lap.

It didn't take long for her to realise that this was a bad idea as Kate's armoured thighs dug painfully into her calves.

After a certain amount of uncomfortable adjustment she sat up again. She was clearly exhausted.

"It's okay Osgood, go to bed." Said Kate. "That's an order."

"I'm your boss now remember." Murmured Osgood but she got up with a tired smile and climbed under her pile of blankets in the other room.

Kate watched TV for another ten minutes before she got up and followed Osgood. She paused at the doorway of the bedroom.

"Petronella I'm not sure how to ask this..."

She began but she stopped as Osgood wordlessly lifted her duvet in invitation.

Awkwardly and with much adjustment and repositioning Kate climbed in behind Osgood spooning the smaller woman. Osgood snuggled sleepily against Kate's bulky armoured body.

"This is quite strange isn't it." Said Kate wonderingly.

"I'm okay with that." Muttered Osgood as she dozed off.

Chapter Text

Kate had never had much time for people who sat around feeling sorry for themselves. Everyone had problems but you got up and did your job. You didn't sit around whining about feelings. You controlled your emotions not the other way around.

It was an old fashioned attitude and probably not that healthy but it had worked for her.

But right now she was feeling a little sorry for herself.

"Pull yourself together Kate." She said aloud into the empty room. "What do you have to complain about? You only had your body violently converted into a cybernetic monstrosity, your family thinks you're dead, you've lost your job and you're virtually a prisoner in UNIT HQ. Could be worse."

She laughed internally but even to herself it sounded bitter.

She sat alone in the darkness of the empty UNIT mess hall and thought about her day and how much she hated motion activated lights.

Since cyber conversion she had gained almost total control over her body but lost most of her involuntary movements. When she sat still she was absolutely motionless. No wasted effort. Efficient.

And the motion activated lights had gone out.

So now she was sitting in darkness and she literally couldn't be bothered to lift a finger to change that.

She recognised that that was probably a bad sign. On the plus side anyone walking in would suddenly find themselves confronted by a silent Cyberman seated ominously in the break room. Kate was looking forward to their reaction. She took her amusement where she could.

She was thinking about pride. Was that an emotion? The Cybermen seemed proud they didn't have emotions which was a contradiction. Was pride just logic if you were superior? Or was that arrogance?

Kate let her thoughts wander invisible to anyone seeing the blank silver mask of the silent Cyberman.

It was Osgood that was making her think about pride. They had slept together. Slept together in the sense of actually sleeping. At least Osgood had slept. Kate didn't, couldn't, do that anymore. But Osgood had curled up, snuggled against Kate's silver armour under the pile of blankets Osgood called a bed.

The memory of Osgoods soft warmth against her dressed in those ridiculous question mark pyjamas created a strong emotional response for Kate even through the numbing effect of her cyber conversion.

Osgood had even hinted she might be interested in the other kind of sleeping together. The kind that involved very little actual sleep by either party if you did it right.

Kate hadn't really considered sex with other people as an option anymore. She still had the urges but being physically a Cyberman was a little limiting in that area.

Were there Cybermen fetishists? Probably. She was scared to ask. She wondered what they called themselves. Deletists? Handlers? Would they consider her a milf (Mondasian I'd like to ....)? If UNIT ever let her have internet access she would look it up.

But that wasn't Osgoods interest in her. At this thought Kate paused and reviewed what she knew about Petronella Osgood and she reconsidered: Okay the fact that Kate was now a Cyberman probably wasn't the only reason Osgood might be interested.

Actually if it was it would be simpler. Kate could deal with that. If it was just a physical kink then Kate would have no problem enjoying herself in a variety of inventive ways with Osgood. But she knew it wasn't that simple.

Whatever Osgoods quirks (and there were many) Kate knew the younger woman had had a crush on her for a long time. When Kate had been head of UNIT she'd known Osgood had feelings for her.

Kate was too professional to take advantage of that but she'd enjoyed the attention. It was flattering and she liked Osgood. On a few lonely nights she'd even considered what it might be like to fulfill the younger woman's fantasies. But she'd never seriously considered acting on it.

Aside from the dubious ethics of a relationship with a subordinate there had been other considerations.

Kate was older, sophisticated, experienced. Osgood was younger, a little dorky and, Kate was guessing here, not very experienced in much outside the lab.

They got on well at work and they both worked long hours. Thinking back Kate realised Osgood had never left work before her. That couldn't have been a coincidence but they didn't otherwise socialise. They moved in different circles.

Kate had had a full social life of dinner parties, classical concerts and bridge evenings. Not to mention her family.

She didn't know much about Osgoods social life but she guessed Netflix was a big factor. She knew Osgood didn't get on well with her family but other than security vetting she had respected her privacy.

But it was all different now. Kate's old life was gone. She couldn't even leave UNIT HQ without permission. It was all different. Less in many ways but Osgood was still there and apparently still interested.

Which was where pride came in. Osgood was currently the only game in town if Kate was looking for a .... what was she looking for?

For once her onboard cyber database let her down. Was she only interested in Osgood because she had no other options? Was that fair on Osgood? Was it fair to be thinking that? Petronella was intelligent, funny, attractive and, yes, a little eccentric but who wanted boring?

Oh god was Osgood only interested in her out of pity? Kate cringed at the thought.

So much for her cyber restricted emotional range. It didn't stop her from wildly overthinking things. She obviously had too much free time. She needed a hobby.

Knitting maybe? She could knit herself an antennae cozy so she looked less threatening. No, she liked looking threatening. There were physical perks to being a Cyberman which she enjoyed in the muted way of her new emotional range.

The lights came on suddenly illuminating the shabby mess hall. Osgood was standing there dressed in a long brown raincoat and holding an old fashioned shopping basket. Her dark brown hair was in bunches tied with ribbons which was a little odd even for her.

"There you are. I've been looking for you. It is you isn't it? We've not been invaded have we? I'm always the last to know." Said Osgood as she walked over to Kate's table.

Kate held up the UNIT ID she wore on a lanyard around her neck. It had her current photo on it which seemed a little pointless.

"Yes it's me."

"Sitting in the darkness brooding, waiting for the UNIT signal to light up the night and call you into action?" Teased Osgood. It made Kate a little embarrassed at her lapse into self pity.

"I was wondering if I should take up knitting." Said Kate with self conscious dignity.

"Well I could always use a new scarf. A longer one." Osgood held out the shopping basket. "These are for you."

Kate looked inside the wicker basket. It contained a plastic toy axe, a shiny metal funnel of the type you'd use in the kitchen and some string.

"It's funny Osgood but of the two of us I was sure I'd be the first one to go insane." Commented Kate dryly.

"You don't get it?" Osgood seemed disappointed. She glanced furtively around making sure they were alone then she started unbuttoning her long raincoat.

Kate wasn't sure what to expect but she got a certain frisson having Osgood unbutton her coat like that which proved she definitely could feel some things.

The reveal was unexpected.

Osgood was wearing a blue gingham pinafore dress over a white puff sleeve blouse, white knee socks with blue bows on them and red converse sneakers. The blue bows on her socks matched the ribbons in her hair.

It took Kate a moment to realise what she was looking at. The costume fitted Osgood so well it must have been homemade.

"Dorothy? That's a bold fashion choice even for you Osgood."

"Have you forgotten the date?"

Kate had. Another difference between her and a 'full' cyberman. She had all the information of the cyber database and an onboard clock, sensors and myriad other systems but she had to think about it. The information didn't just pop up.

So she had overlooked the date. It was Halloween.

"Don't you usually dress as the Doctor?" Asked Kate.

"I had a different inspiration this year." Osgood was smiling. She pointed at the basket Kate now held.

"Aren't you going to put on your costume?"

Plastic axe? Metal funnel? How was that a costume? Kate looked at Osgood who was watching her with nervous anticipation.

Kate did the mental adjustment necessary to imagine herself how she looked now compared to her old appearance which still informed her self image.

Dorothy, an axe, a shiny metal funnel. A shiny metal woman. Not exactly a Tin Man but close. The penny dropped.

Osgood wasn't seriously expecting her to dress up was she, thought Kate. She hadn't dressed up for Halloween in decades and even then it had been for her children.

Judging by Osgoods expectant expression yes she obviously was expecting Kate to join in.

"But what's the string for?" Asked Kate reluctantly.

"To tie the funnel to your handles. You don't mind if I ..... tie your handles do you?"

Osgoods voice got a little excited and hesitant as she said that. The way she said it made Kate wonder what Osgood had been thinking about. How weird was this going to get?

Kate realised she really wanted to find out.

"No, that will be fine Osgood, they're armoured. I ..." Kate was about to say she could tie the funnel in place herself but she saw the look of longing on Osgoods face.

"Would you tie it on for me? Make sure it's straight."

"Oh yes."

"You can tie them as tightly as you like it won't hurt me."

"Oh yes. I'll just do that. Tie it tight. Right around your antenna." Osgood shivered slightly.

Kate was seated so it was easy for Osgood to gently place the metal funnel on the broad low dome between Kate's antenna.

Osgood carefully stroked the smooth silvery metal. She ran her bare hands lightly down the rigid curves of Kate's antenna tracing them to the flared base where they met the armour of Kate's head. Her fingertips glided slowly across the ridged metal soaking in the texture of the alloy.

Kate sat perfectly still as Osgood's fingers, damp with an excited sweat, trailed back up the handle like antennae. Kate didn't need to breath but at that moment, as Osgoods fingers moved against her, she felt like she was holding her breath.

Osgood slid her hands inside the curves of Kate's antennae leaving faint warm traces of her perspiration on the metal.

Kate consulted her onboard sensors and received a battery of information telling her that Osgoods pulse, blood pressure, perspiration and respiratory rate had increased significantly. There was also increased blood flow to certain parts of Osgoods anatomy which Kate felt a little guilty knowing about.

Osgoods hands shook as she reached through the apertures of Kate's antennae. The velvet soft flesh of her inner forearms pressed between the surface of the antenna and the planes of Kate's armour. Osgood drew back as if in a trance letting her hands move across the dense alien metal with a feather light caress.

"Should we come back later do you think? They seem rather distracted."

The voice was elegant, cultured and a little Scottish. Osgood jumped back blushing furiously. Kate looked at the three figures who had entered the mess hall.

She recognised them from the records but those three shouldn't be here now. Not in this century.

"How are you here?" Asked Kate.

"Well we do have a friend with a time machine." Replied Jenny. Madame Vastra's wife was wearing a ragged brown suit with tufts of straw peeking out of the sleeves. There was a battered felt hat on her head and dark patches of red blusher on her cheeks.

"And it would have been rude to refuse Petronella's kind invitation." Said Madam Vastra. She stood alongside Jenny and was dressed in a long sleeved black dress with a layered skirt over striped leggings. A tall black witches hat sat on her head and she held a broom stick in one hand.
"Although I do not see why I must be the wicked one." Said the green scaled Silurian.

"It's because you look so good in black." Said Jenny winking at Osgood "And because you know I like it when you're wicked."

"And you look adorable in your costume my darling scarecrow." Said Vastra. She tweaked a strand of straw that peaked from Jenny's hat.

"Well I for one resent the slanderous implication that I am in some way cowardly!" Protested Strax. He wore a moth eaten lion costume tied around his stocky body with webbing straps. The mane encircled his bald head like a bad wig.

"Hush it was that or the flying monkey costume." Said Jenny.

"Which would have worked perfectly with my jet pack!" Argued Strax "We would have had total domination of the air! Those munchkins would have been at our mercy!!"

"Just think about the confectionery, the sweets, the sherbert, Strax. Think of the sherbert." Said Vastra encouragingly.

"Will there be sherbert dib dabs?! Perhaps even fountains?!" Strax brightened.

"I'm sure there will."

"Excellent! Then let's be off!"

"Off where?" Asked Kate.

"My scan has identified no less than 17 Halloween targets ... sorry ... parties within easy striking distance. They are ripe for the picking! Their sweets shall be ours!!!" Said Strax enthusiastically.

"You can't be serious." protested Kate, "A cyberman, a Silurian and a Sontaron? We can't just wander around London!"

"We can tonight tin woman." Said Osgood cheerfully as she tied the funnel in place. "It's Halloween after all, better than a perception filter. No one will give us a second look."

Osgood paused looking at them a little uncertainly.

"Well probably not a third look." She admitted. "It will be dark."

Kate stood up. She was about to say she was too old for this kind of silliness. And besides operationally it was just too much of a security risk to let three aliens loose on London but then she remembered she wasn't the boss anymore. It wasn't her problem. She actually didn't have the authority to over rule Osgood. Anyway technically Vastra wasn't an alien.

Kate picked up the plastic axe and handed the basket back to Osgood.

Osgood held out her hand in invitation. Kate took it in her armoured gauntlet. She was smiling even though no one could see.

"All we're missing is Toto." Said Kate.

Osgood looked around.

"Oh he was having a problem with the stairs. Is he here yet?"

"Affirmative mistress." The tinny voice came from ground level.

"K9?" Kate said in delight as she looked down.

"Shall we proceed Mistress?" Asked K9.

Kate laughed although it came out as a brief hiss of static. This might be fun.

Osgood smiled up at her and Kate revised her last thought.

This was definitely going to be fun.

Chapter Text

Osgood was working late again. Her official shift had ended hours ago and UNIT funding being what it was she wasn't getting paid for the extra hours let alone overtime.

Her colleagues who left as soon as their contracted hours permitted regarded her with a mix of admiration pity or contempt. Their opinion varied whether she worked the way she did out of commitment, ambition or because she simply had nothing better to do.

To Osgood her colleagues lives seemed wildly over complicated with a bewildering timetable of family and social committments that she wanted no part of.

The simple truth was that Osgood loved her job. Where else did you get the chance to train a polyphase aviatron to keep pigeons off the roof or try a krynoid pod salad? Though she had to admit most of the health benefits from that salad came from the exercise involved in subduing it long enough to eat it.

Recently she had had one more reason to work late.

Osgood looked across the lab to the only other occupant. A Cyberman working intently with a microtome and tissue samples. A Cyberman but not really a Cyberman. Kate.

Kate Lethbridge-Stewart.

Since being rescued from cyber conversion a little too late Kate was now a full time resident of UNIT HQ.

Osgood felt guilty that she was pleased about that.

She hated what had happened to Kate. No, in the confines of her thoughts Osgood could be honest. She hated that it had happened to Kate. She hated that Kate had lost so much. She didn't exactly hate what had happened.

Kate had been one of those people with the busy full complicated lives. Now she was here every night working with Osgood.

Osgood felt bad how much she liked that.

Looking at her derailed Osgoods usual work focus. For about the tenth time that day she found herself reviewing what she felt about Kate. It was a well worn internal monologue.

Osgood hadn't known much about Kate when they first met. Kate was just another of the ambitious successful high fliers with family connections who rotated through UNIT command on their way to more mainstream success.

Osgoods interest was purely physical. Kate was poised, sophisticated, beautiful, utterly unattainable. She outranked Osgood both literally and metaphorically. She had quickly become a regular fixture in the fantasies that kept Osgood warm during lonely nights in her cold flat.

As Osgood had begun working more closely with Kate and gotten to know her better those lurid fantasies had become tempered with real admiration and affection.

There was still lust, so much lust, but Osgood genuinely liked Kate.

Admiration, affection and lust. Three things that rarely overlapped for Osgood and the first two made her feel odd about the third.

It helped that Osgood had never for a moment considered a romantic relationship with Kate a realistic option.

Perhaps a brief one night stand, the two of them thrown together working at some remote UNIT location bleak and isolated, Kate had needs, appetites, Osgood would be there willing and pliant, Kate would use her like a toy to satisfy her hunger...

Osgood realised she was getting carried away with her thoughts. She stood up and opened the window letting the cold damp London air blow over her flushed face as she wrestled her thoughts back from porn land.

The point was back then there had been two Kate's in Osgoods life. Real Kate, the one she worked with, admired, respected and liked and fantasy Kate who made Osgood ravish herself by proxy with alarming regularity.

Osgood thought it was a good system and she was sure no one realised the crush she had on her boss.

It had been mortifying to learn how wrong she was about that.

Kate was the best boss Osgood had ever had. Under her influence both Osgood and UNIT flourished. Osgood herself gained seniority and worked closely with Kate. There was still the distance caused by the gulf in rank and status but Osgood began to consider Kate a friend. Fantasy Kate was on hand, so to speak, to deal with Osgoods other feelings for Kate.

A nice neat system.

When Kate was taken by the Cybermen Osgood hadn't panicked. She'd gone cold, gone a little cyber herself. Devoted herself to tracking down the cyber factory where Kate was held. Despite being terrified, unfit and asthmatic Osgood had gone in with the strike team that had recovered Kate.

There was a question that Osgood dreaded Kate asking her. Something that kept her up at night.

Externally Kate looked like a regular Cyberman. She knew she had been unconscious when they found her.

Kate had never asked how they had identified her amidst the carnage of the cyber factory.

Perhaps Kate knew. Perhaps she had somehow accessed the after action reports, maybe one of the strike team had told her, perhaps she had just guessed or perhaps she didn't want to know.

Osgood hoped she hadn't seen the photographs.

Rank and file Cybermen, even those with a similar external appearance, varied more than people realised. The cyber factories used whatever resources were available so the quality of components, the mix of flesh and synthetics and the materials used all differed.

When Osgood found Kate she had been partway through the conversion process and thankfully unconscious. It had been brutally clear that she wouldn't be viable without the cyber tech. The conversion just hadn't left enough of her but it was enough for Osgood to recognise Kate in the conversion bay.

The conversion process had still been running.

Realistically there were two options.

Osgood had chosen to let the process run until Kate could live.

After she had ensured Kate was physically safe Osgood had deactivated the conversion bay then promptly thrown up.

None of the soldiers with her had questioned her reaction. A few of them had done the same.

The difference was Osgoods reaction hadn't been disgust or horror. It had been relief. Kate was alive.

Now months later sitting in the UNIT lab she hadn't for a moment regretted her decision but she was scared that Kate might. Kate had lost so much.

There had been an inevitably painful adjustment period as Kate had woken up in a new body. UNIT had brought in trauma counsellors whom Kate had tolerated. Osgood had been with her during the process.

While the therapists had tried to get Kate to talk about her family Osgood had pointed out that Kate could now bend steel bars with her bare hands and run three minute miles indefinitely.

Kate had liked Osgoods approach better. Although she had lost the ability to communicate with facial expressions Kate made her views on the therapists known with some very clear verbal instructions and accompanying hand gestures.

Back when Osgood had seen Kate in the conversion bay fantasy Kate had died.

Then a few weeks after Kate had been released from medical confinement a new fantasy Kate had appeared in Osgoods imagination.

This one was tall and silver and powerful but still definitely Kate.

And there was a voice, a small wickedly insistent voice, in Osgoods head saying maybe this time fantasy Kate didn't just have to be a fantasy.

Osgood was in murky moral and emotional waters that she wasn't well equipped to deal with. She tried to set out her thoughts logically:

"You like Kate a great deal.

On a separate but related note you get a thrill out of the idea of sex with a Cyberman.

Kate is a Cyberman now.

Kate is single with a potential dating pool of one.

All good so far.

But Kate is also isolated, vulnerable and recovering from unimaginable horrors. It would be wrong to take advantage of that wouldn't it?

Yes.

Kate might have no interest in a romantic relationship.

Worse Kate might be interested in a romantic relationship but not with you. Not even now. That would be a real kick in the ego.

Kate may or may not know that you are indirectly responsible for her current living situation.

Kate is also inhumanly strong and has a built in gun. Upsetting her could be bad on many levels.

Even if Kate is okay with everything and interested in you would you really want to be with her knowing it might only be because she has no other offers?"

Osgood thought about this last one and added:

"Yes."

Osgood had debated this with herself so many times the thoughts made her ache with fatigue. As usual she reached no conclusions except that she would be there for Kate whatever she needed. Oh and yes she would also continue to workshop ways she and cyber fantasy Kate might enjoy themselves.

For science.

It was dark in the corridor outside the lab. Kate and Osgood were alone.

Kate turned and walked slowly over to Osgood. She stood close. Osgood could smell the cold plastic odor of the cyberman.

"Osgood I have a question." Kate's words were spoken after a long silent pause. A human might have shifted or expressed reluctance, reticence, something. Kate was immobile and unreadable.

Osgood looked nervously into those dark round teardrop eyes.

"Something about this that has been bothering me." She indicated her silvery body. "Something that I have to know."

Osgood realised she wasn't breathing. She fumbled for her inhaler. Her back was against the bench. Kate towered over her.

"... About my .... condition...." Continued Kate flatly.

Osgood closed her eyes briefly and swallowed. She nodded.

"Okay."

Kate leaned so close Osgood could see her own breath condensing on the armour of Kate's face.

"If I shoplift would it be classed as a cyber crime?" asked Kate.

"W..what?"

Kate was silent apart from faint static.

"I'm sorry." She said "I'm laughing, can you tell?"

"I'm close to losing bladder control can you tell?!" Responded Osgood.

"Yes, I can also tell your pulse rate, blood pressure and the last time you had an orgasm."

Osgood was thoroughly flustered and confused but her scientific instincts took over.

"How can you possibly tell the last time I...."

"Cyber hearing."

"Oh god." Osgood blushed. She was never doing that in the bathroom at work again.

Kate took a step back. It was impossible to tell but somehow Osgood imagined she was smiling.

"Osgood .... Petronella ... I know." Said Kate.

"Could you be a little less terrifyingly cryptic please?" Pleaded Osgood.

Kate reached out and straightened the burgundy silk bow tie that Osgood wore. Those hands could deliver a fatal electric shock, they could twist off Osgoods head, they could do a lot of things.

"I know you saved my life Osgood."

The uncertainty felt like physical pain to Osgood.

"Do you know exactly what I did?" She blurted.

"You found me, well parts of me, in that cyber factory. I really wasn't looking my best at that point I admit. And you chose to turn me into this rather than let me die."

Kate's hands slid from the bowtie to either side of Osgoods head. Kate's fingers had a hard rubber texture like the grip on a tool. The silver mask of Kate's face moved close again.

This time Osgood surprised Kate. Osgood kissed her on the narrow slot of her lipless mouth.

Kate pulled back.

"What was that?!"

"I thought you were about to kill me." Protested Osgood.

"And you thought that would change my mind? It was nice but not that good."

"I just wanted to be able to kiss you before I died. Hold on did you say it was 'nice'? I was hoping for passionate."

"Well you may have noticed I'm a little lacking in nerve endings there." Said Kate. "And if you were expecting tongue I've got some disappointing news for you. "

Kate scanned Osgood with a brief inclination of her head.

"Osgood your pulse is at concerning levels, please calm down I'm not going to hurt you."

"So are you okay with the choice I made?"

"Kissing me? Well I have saliva in my slot now and I don't have a handkerchief."

"You know what I mean."

"Petronella the Cybermen did this to me. You saved my life, you made sure I still have options, I can still protect those I care about, I can still be useful, I can still have fun and apparently I'm still irresistible."

"So why did you try to scare me to death?"

"Boredom mostly. And I've seen you staring at me, your heart rate goes up, your perspiration increases, your oxygen uptake decreases. I could tell you were nervous about something. It had to be that. "

Kate didn't add that Osgood was one of the few people who didn't react like that to her normally.

"There might be other explanations for my reactions." Admitted Osgood blushing. She took off her glasses. Kate became a tall silvery blur which was somehow less embarrassing.

"No I wasn't detecting any increased genital blood flow so I know you weren't fantasising about me."

"You can tell that?" Osgood was aghast and a horrible thought occurred to her.
"Could you tell, before?"

Kate said nothing.

"You're smiling aren't you?" Asked Osgood suspiciously.

"I might be."

"So does this mean..what does this mean?" Asked Osgood feeling confused but weirdly happy.

"Well whatever we do going forwards we need to accept that one of us has trouble expressing human emotions and the other one is a cyberman so we need to communicate."

"I can do that. I think."

"And Osgood I'm not making any assumptions and I don't want us to get ahead of ourselves but if we do decide to explore the physical side of a relationship there will be limitations on what is possible. Oral sex for example."

Osgood reddened and put her glasses back on.

"Oh no I understand I mean you don't have lips or a tongue, there's lots of..." She began.

"I was talking about you Osgood." Interrupted Kate. "Based on that kiss you clearly need practice."

"Uh..how do you practice that?"

"I'll think of something."

Kate grinned although no one could see it. She reflected that having an expressionless face and an inability to blush did have it's advantages. She reached out and touched Osgoods arm through the labcoat and tweed jacket. The contact gave her a thrill which burned through the cybernetic fog muting her emotions.

"Osgood why don't we start with something easy? Dinner, a film?"

"You don't eat and we can't go off base."

"I watch you eat those sandwiches you've had marinading in Tupperware all day while you watch a film on your laptop. Then you could take your clothes off."

Kate was having fun with the whole expressionless thing. It was nice to feel that, a change to the background blankness. Osgood looked a little off balance but not like she minded.

"Why am I taking my clothes off?"

"Well you've already seen me naked." Said Kate.

Osgood had a horrible flashback to what she had seen at the cyber factory.

"I've been parading around naked all day." Said Kate quickly. She spread her arms wide indicating her silver armoured body.

Osgood wondered if Kate had known where her mind had gone. Was that what she had meant saying she'd seen her naked? Or did she mean her new body. That had implications of its own.

Osgood decided to test their agreement on communication.

"Kate when you said I'd seen you naked did you mean ...." Osgood couldn't say it, ".... before today." She finished lamely.

"I'm sorry Osgood, I wasn't thinking. I know what you saw and I'm sorry you had to see me like that. I didn't mean that. I meant this."

Kate indicated her body again.

They had spoken about this before more playfully when Kate experimented with clothing.

"So this is you naked?" Osgood tried for a suggestive tone but she wasn't very good at it. This time it was Kate who became serious.

"Osgood I know this isn't a suit I'm wearing, I know what's underneath. This is me now."

Osgood desperately wanted to say something reassuring and seductive.

"I like your handles."

She failed. Kate said nothing but Osgood got the impression she was laughing.

"Why don't I just take off my clothes?" She suggested weakly.

Osgood had taken off her labcoat, tweed jacket and bowtie and she was unbuttoning her shirt when Kate asked:

"Would the CCTV cameras in here be a reason?"

Osgood yelped and grabbed her jacket glancing around frantically before she remembered that there were no cameras in the lab.

Kate did feel a little mean teasing Osgood but she felt she deserved some fun and it delighted her that with Osgood she could feel.

Anyway Osgood didn't seem to mind. She took a step towards Kate.

"Just for that I'm not going to undress for you tonight." Said Osgood.

"That's all right we don't have to rush this." Replied Kate the blankness in her voice hiding disappointment.

"No I meant you're going to have to undress me." Said Osgood. "Consider it a test of your fine motor skills."

"They are excellent."

"Prove it."

And Kate did.

Kate's silvery cybernetic fingers moved with calm unhurried precision. Kate had to admit that her new body had a lot of advantages if you could ignore the underlying horror. If you took the emotion out of it. Which was of course the whole point of being a Cyberman.

She could compartmentalise and think on multiple levels simultaneously. She'd been able to do that as a human but she was much better at it now. Not as good as a true Cyberman but still impressive.

Of course sometimes there was a conflict between the processing streams.

What she was doing right now was a good example of that:

Reflecting on her loss of humanity, the reduction of her emotional capacity and the increased precision of her hands. All while doing something very human. Undressing Osgood.

She continued to unbutton Osgoods shirt. Osgoods heartrate was high and her breathing a little strained.

Kate could measure Osgoods vital signs to a level of accuracy that would make her the envy of the medical world. Osgood was showing physiological indicators of arousal but she couldn't tell if Osgood was entirely enjoying this.

Was she having second thoughts now Kate was actually touching her?

Kates sensory inputs were different now. Better in many ways but also different. Instinct replaced with a massive influx of empirical data.

With the cream linen shirt open to the waist Kate found herself looking at a pale blue ribbed long sleeve thermal vest. Kate's armoured fingers teased at the neckline of the vest.

There was a second vest beneath.

Osgood was breathing hard and trembling. It created an aesthetic effect that Kate rather enjoyed but again she found herself wondering if Osgood had finally come to her senses.

Kate wasn't about to do this if Osgood was acting out of pity or any sense of responsibility. She stopped. It was easy to stop. She wasn't sure she could have if she'd still been human.

Her own arousal, and she was aroused, was different now. It was as compartmentalised as the rest of her thoughts. She realised she could ignore it if she wanted. Not turn it off but she could just lock it away. Put her needs, her sexuality in a box and leave it there.

That might be useful. Might even be necessary given what she was now but the thought unnerved her. Having the ability to calmly pack away aspects of her humanity was disturbing.

Disturbing and, although she hated to admit it, reassuring as well. It helped knowing she had that option.

Kate thought all this while Osgoods body gently heaved against her hands.

"Osgood we can stop at any time." Said Kate hating the harsh drone of her synthetic voice. She wanted to whisper soothingly. "We can stop now, it won't offend me, if this is too much we can stop and never talk of it again or just revisit things another day."

Osgood looked up at Kate's unreadable mask of a face.

"You might be able to stop but I'm going to do this with or without you." Said Osgood her voice shaking. "Have you changed your mind?"

Kate felt that weird sensation again. The receptors in the cybernetic part of her brain attempting to process inputs they weren't designed for. She wasn't sure if she was trying to laugh or cry. Her body wasn't well suited to either.

"I haven't changed my mind Osgood but it's hitting me how strange this is."

"You think sex with me is strange?" Osgood sounded mildly offended.

"Not exactly the perspective I was considering Petronella."

Osgood reached out and placed one sweat clammy hand on the side of Kate's smooth metal face.

"Oh Kate I hadn't thought about this. It's your first time isn't it? Since ... since you were ... " Osgood trailed off then added "Don't worry I'll be gentle with you."

Kate's cyber systems interpreted Osgoods words and Kate briefly reviewed the physical capabilities of her body in comparison to Osgoods frail human form. At the same time Kate once again experienced the disconnected pressure of trying to laugh or maybe cry.

Kate was unnerving when she was silent. It was easy to imagine she was a full cyberman when she didn't speak. Even if she was having the most innocent and mundane thoughts nothing showed on her blank mask of a face.

Osgood looked into the big round eyes with their odd teardrop design.

"I don't want you to be under any pressure Kate, you don't have to do this if it's too much. I was joking about doing this with or without you. Well no I wasn't joking but you don't have to be involved in the process. Not physically anyway. I mean I hope it's all right if I'm thinking about you because that ship may have sailed a few times already and I'm talking too much. I just don't want you to think you can't stop. It's okay Kate."

Kate stroked one finger beneath the neckline of Osgoods thermal vests. Cold plastic against warm skin.

"You are a woman of many layers Osgood."
Said Kate.

"It gets cold in the lab and I have bad circulation. Oh, you weren't talking about the vests were you?"

"Yes I was."

"Oh. Carry on then."

"Is that an order?" Teased Kate. She was feeling strangely fragile.

"Well I am your boss now." Said Osgood mildly.

Removing a long sleeve thermal vest from a woman wearing glasses was a test of Kate's dexterity but she managed it. Osgood was down to her brown wool trousers, short sleeved vest and whatever she had under there. Kate wasn't ruling out more vests.

She was right not to.

"Layering is important in cold weather." Said Osgood as Kate eased up the clinging short sleeved thermal top to expose another beneath.

"You could survive in the vaccum of space."

"Another thing we have in common. Although I might need a hat."

Osgood trembled as the last vest was pulled up.

"Just the one bra?" Asked Kate. She liked it when the words came involuntarily. So often now she was having to try and recall things she had said before or to imagine what human Kate would have said. Sometimes it was hard to think like her old self.

Osgood looked down at her grey sports bra.

"It's from the 'companion' lingerie collection, guaranteed firm support when running. You should try ... Oh I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ... I mean you don't have any..." Osgood stumbled awkwardly over her words. Kate's implacable inexpressive face gave no clue what she was thinking. Osgood groped frantically for something to fill the awkward silence.

"What do you think the Cybermen do with the parts they don't use?" She asked.

Kate straightened to her full height. She knew Osgood well enough to know the question was undoubtedly one of millions the insatiably curious woman had hidden away in her brain. Sometimes they leaked out at the wrong moment.

It didn't help that Kate knew the answer to the question. The information was in her database.

"Osgood can we just recap on the current situation? I am undertaking the lengthy but rewarding process of undressing you with the intention of sexually stimulating you in ways that we will both enjoy."

"And I support you in that."

"But your contribution to the erotic atmosphere is to ask what the Cybermen did with the parts they cut off me?"

"I'm ... not very good at dirty talk." Admitted Osgood. "Sorry. I was nervous."

"You don't have to be nervous with me Osgood."

"Well I'm half naked in the lab at UNIT HQ."

"Oh. Yes I see your point. Should we go somewhere else?" Asked Kate. The strangeness and wonder of the encounter had rather blinded her to some more prosaic issues.

"No. Do you know how many health and safety rules we're breaking doing this in the lab? I feel like such a bad girl!"

"Should we lock the door?"

"Please."

Kate took a step towards the door then sighed mentally as she remembered.

"You'll have to do it Osgood I can't work the biometric lock."

Kate watched Osgood hurry across the lab in her brown wool trousers and grey sports bra.

Kate didn't have the full emotional suppression of a true cyberman but her emotional responses were deadened. The simple fact was that many of her human feelings had been a product of glands and hormones which were now presumably rotting in a bucket in the ruins of the cyber factory.

Despite that the sight of Osgoods pleasingly exposed body hurrying across the lab was creating a definite response.

Osgood returned and stood to a kind of attention in front of Kate. Kate didn't move. Osgood reached out and placed both palms on the upper plastron of Kate's chest armour. Osgoods hands moved down until the dropped slightly to the next segment of armour running along the ridge until her hands were almost at Kate's back and Osgood was forced to step closer.

The soft flesh of Osgoods body pressed gently against Kate's cold hard alloy. Osgoods hands slid to the next segment of armour and moved gently back to the front.

Kate stood completely still as Osgoods hands moved slowly back and forth lower and lower with each pass.

"Osgood...." Kate began "when you touch me like this are you thinking of how I am now or how I was?"

"You're pretty bad at the sexy talk yourself aren't you?" Said Osgood. Her hands were at Kate's broad hips.

"Just curious."

"I feel like there is no right answer to that question." Whispered Osgood. Her hands stroked down the scalloped metal of Kate's thighs.

"I'll settle for an honest answer." Kate was for once glad that her voice was by default expressionless.

"Honest? You really want an honest answer?"

"Yes."

Osgood sorted through her own feelings. She knew she didn't always have the best filter between her thoughts and her words but she worked at it. Kate had just said be honest which meant turning off her filter.

Osgood realised she was taking too long to reply. She could guess what Kate was thinking.

Sure enough Kate stepped back.

"It's okay Osgood I understand I'm not what I was you don't have to .."

"Shut up!"

"Pardon?"

"Kate I am trying to put this into words that won't make me sound crazy. Give me a moment."

Osgood took a deep breath which Kate would have enjoyed if not for the weird undefined internal pressure she was feeling.

Finally Osgood spoke.

"I can't think of a clever or sexy way to say this so I'll just say it:

Point one: I like you Kate. Your mind, your personality: you. I like you quite a lot.

Point two: I liked your old body. It featured in a number of interesting dreams I had.

Point three: I like your new body. It's a beautiful design, a work of art.

Point four: I like the idea of doing intimate things with your new body and quite honestly I'd still be interested even if you weren't in it. You in that body is a bonus for me and even as I say it I know how bad that sounds..."

Osgood paused.

"Is there a point five?" Asked Kate.

"Point five is that you should have noticed I kept my glasses on. I'm not trying to imagine you're something you're not Kate. It's you right now I'm interested in."

Osgoods hands were once more moving along the sculpted planes of Kate's silver alloy thighs.

"Uh Osgood I'm flattered and grateful but I'm ... not .. "

Kate tried to think of the words to describe what lay beneath her armoured skin. Specifically the parts Osgood seemed determined to stimulate. A mess of atrophied bloodless flesh bonded to cybernetics with no thought of aesthetics.

Kate gestured weakly downwards with one big armoured hand.

"Kate I've seen you remember?" Said Osgood gently "I've seen all of you. Back at the Cyber factory and when we brought you back here. I don't have any illusions and there won't be any surprises. To be honest I'm not exactly a Georgia O'Keeffe painting down there myself."

"Petronella I ...."

"EXTERMINATE!!" The manic robotic squawk came from outside the lab door.

Osgood jumped with shock.

"Oh my god I'm not having a threesome with a Dalek." Protested Osgood "At least not this early in the relationship."

Osgood moved to the door. She unlocked it and peered out.

There was a Dalek in the corridor outside.

It was an old damaged Dalek missing it's gun and spotted with corrosion. Several of its sensory domes were absent or shattered and there was a crack in its upper turret.

Three UNIT technicians and two armed soldiers were loosely surrounding the Dalek. They looked panicked and uncertain.

"Stay in cover Ma'am." Shouted the nearest Soldier. His name was Benton, another legacy recruit. He staggered and fell as the disarmed Dalek rammed him with its plunger.

Kate stepped past Osgood.

"Report! What is happening?" She demanded. She delivered the order with the brusque familiarity and easy authority of long habit but she didn't get the response she expected.

"Cyberman!" Shouted one of the techs in horror. The other Soldier trained his weapon on Kate.

Kate turned her blank gaze on the terrified technician.

"Get a grip Emily." She said "I'm not that scary."

Both of the unit troopers carried powerful automatic weapons. They were both smart enough and we'll trained enough to know firing at a Dalek and a Cyberman in close quarters would likely result in lethal ricochets. Neither soldier fired.

"Oh for the love of ... It's me! Kate Lethbridge-Stewart!" Shouted Kate discovering she could still feel exasperation.

"Situation! Report!" Snapped Osgood. Kate turned to stare at her. Osgood taking charge? Kate felt a sudden sense of dizzy unreality that had nothing to do with her cyber conversion.

"Ma'am, we were transporting the Dalek to the archive, we thought it was inert but it woke up." Said Benton clutching his ribs.

The Dalek suddenly reversed ploughing through Osgood and the techs knocking them down then turning for another strike.

Kate stepped between Osgood and the Dalek.

"CYBERMEN ARE INFERIOR!! EXTERMINATE!!" screeched the Dalek.

"Well at least we don't look like half a cruet set." Said Kate.

"CYBERMEN ARE CRUDE IMITATIONS OF DALEK CYBERNETIC PERFECTION!!"

"Oh I can just feel the handle envy from here you failed Kroton!" Kate paused, "Wait, why am I defending the Cybermen?"

"EXTERMINATE!!!"

The Dalek charged. So Kate punched it.

"Did that cyberman just punch the Dalek in the eyestalk?" Asked Benton.

"Yes, yes she did." Said Osgood with a smile.

"Ma'am what are you wearing?" Benton's eyeline dropped.

Osgood blushed "Umm .. it's from the Companion range, excellent support in combat situations."

Kate knew quite a lot about Dalek abilities. Even as a cyberman she knew that a healthy functional Dalek outclassed her. Luckily this one was a barely operational wreck.

She extended her cybergun pressing the barrel to the crack in the Daleks turret and fired the energy weapon twice. Before the Dalek could recover she thrust her hand into the damaged armour and ripped the anterior dome upwards. The Dalek spun madly trying to fire back with a gun it no longer had. Kate reached inside the exposed interior and yanked the crazed Dalek mutant out. It wriggled madly in her grip.

The empty Dalek war machine veered off into the wall.

"Does anyone have a fish tank or something?" Asked Kate holding the squirming Dalek.

Two of the techs pulled open a storage crate and Kate unceremoniously dumped the Dalek inside.

"Full courgette level containment protocols for both the mutant and the chassis." Ordered Osgood. She had gotten to her feet but was leaning against the wall.

"Yes ma'am." Said Benton. "What about the Cyberman?"

"Benton it's me." Said Kate.

The UNIT staff stared. Kate had been living at the base for weeks but after a few awkward interactions she had begun avoiding busy areas. Everyone knew there was a 'tame' cyberman in the building but not everyone had actually met her.

The soldiers looked unconvinced.

"Don't worry about the Cyberman, I'll handle her." Said Osgood "Now get this Dalek in lockdown!"

Kate watched the UNIT team pushing the deactivated Dalek away while two technicians gingerly hefted the storage box which was vibrating angrily.

"....punched it right in the eyestalk..." She heard one technician say in awed tones.

Kate turned to Osgood.

"You're going to 'handle' me?"

"I thought that was the plan." Osgood winced. "Oh, I've twisted my ankle. That's such a companion injury."

Kate bent down and without effort scooped Osgood up in her arms. She carried her back into the lab.

"I feel like there should be music playing." Sighed Osgood wrapping her arms around Kate's armoured neck.

Kate scanned Osgoods ankle. Minor soft tissue injury, no ligament or bone damage.

"We need to get your leg elevated."

"Finally!"

"You know what I mean. It's not serious but it'll heal faster if you keep it iced and elevated."

Kate looked around the lab for somewhere to lay Osgood down.

"I should take you to sick bay."

"Let me put my shirt back on."

"All of them? Or just the top five layers?" Asked Kate. She held Osgood in one arm as she handed her her clothes.

"Don't exaggerate."

Osgood struggled back into her shirt.

"When we get to sick bay you can examine me thoroughly."

"Don't you want the medic?"

UNIT referred to their medical staff as Medics rather than Doctors to save confusion.

"You have medical knowledge and scanning capabilities don't you?" Asked Osgood.

Kate did. Her database contained medical skills and knowledge superior to most human experts. The intended purpose of those abilities was rather sinister.

"I just thought you might prefer a human medic? Given why I have those skills."

"No I trust you and it gives you a reason to finish undressing me."

"I feel that could take a while."

"Think of it as unwrapping a gift, or something less like something I wish I hadn't just said." Said Osgood. "Anyway for all you know I'm not wearing any underwear."

"I'm imagining maybe bike shorts or thermal leggings?" Kate guessed. She saw Osgoods smile "It's both isn't it?"

Chapter Text

He was the last UNIT trooper standing against the Cyberman. He had seen his comrades fall before the silver terror and now he was all that stood between it and victory.

His all too human heart pounded in his chest. A cold nervous sweat trickled down his spine beneath his tactical uniform.

The cyberman had neither heartbeat nor sweat glands. It regarded him with the uncaring lethality of a gun sight.

But the trooper had practiced and trained until his movements were just another aspect of muscle memory. He let the training take over. His breathing slowed. His mind cleared.

He only had a single weapon left to him. It seemed pitifully inadequate considering what he faced. He steadied himself and lined up the shot. He knew with sickening certainty that if he missed it was all over. The cyberman would be victorious.

One last chance. He exhaled slowly and took the shot as the breath left his lungs.

He missed the double. He swore softly under his breath as his colleagues groaned, laughed and jeered.

It wasn't the first time military assets attached to UNIT had been defeated by a cyberman but it was the first time they'd been beaten at darts.

The trooper retrieved his darts from the board.

"I owe you a pint." He said gingerly slapping Kate on the shoulder. His hand stung from the impact. It was like slapping a tank.

Kate would have rolled her eyes if she could. They knew she couldn't drink.

"We can try arm wrestling next time if you like." She suggested provoking laughter from the UNIT staff who had gathered in the break room to watch the darts match.

Since her cyber conversion and after some painfully awkward encounters with former colleagues Kate had avoided the break room. She had avoided people as much as possible.

In fact she had started feeling quite sorry for herself. That feeling annoyed her. She was Kate Lethbridge-Stewart. Lethbridge-Stewart's did not sit moping in their rooms.

So she made herself spend her off duty time in public areas whenever she could.

At first it had been enormously awkward. She didn't eat, she didn't drink and no one was talking to her.

Kate was reminded that not only was she an intimidating cyborg monster she also used to be everyone's boss.

Who wanted to hang out with their boss? Or even their ex boss?

No one.

Nearly seven feet of armour alloy and plastic with an expressionless mask for a face. Kate knew she didn't exactly scream approachable.

So she started going up to people and starting conversations. That was a challenge in itself because the usual reaction was shock tinged with terror. Kate reminded herself it was wrong that she found that funny.

She did stop asking about people's families because no matter how friendly she attempted to sound it either came out like a threat or they responded asking about hers.

But she had persevered. People's curiosity worked to her advantage. They dared each other to speak to her and ask her questions. The veterans tried to impress the new recruits by acting as if having a cyberman hanging around the break room was normal.

She became a fixture, almost a mascot. She found that a little humiliating but Kate would take what she could get.

In her previous life Kate had never really experienced the camaraderie of her team. She had always been on the command fast track separate from the rank and file. It was strange now to be one of the guys.

Well sort of.

Most of the UNIT staff knew who she had been. They knew she was Kate Lethbridge-Stewart but because of how she looked and sounded it was easy to forget that. It worked to her advantage. Her blank silver face was rigidly non judgemental and people shared things with her from appallingly filthy jokes to personal problems and private crushes.

Speaking of crushes Kate was mildly amused by the number of people enquiring about Osgoods relationship status and preferences. They knew Kate worked closely with Osgood and assumed she might know gossip about Osgoods personal life.

It didn't occur to them even as a possibility that Kate's relationship with Osgood might be more intimate than just co-workers. Kate wasn't about to enlighten them.

There was a lot of break room conjecture about Osgoods love life. The general consensus was that if she had one it probably required batteries.

This was surprisingly close to the truth. Not that Kate was about to tell anyone that either.

Most of the people seeking Osgood gossip were just curious. A few had a genuine romantic interest. Of those a lot were simply looking to add Osgood to a list of conquests on the basis that she was warm and breathing.

Kate was sincerely thankful that Osgood herself didn't regard warm and breathing as a deal-breaker in a relationship.

Kate had felt obligated to tell Osgood about the would be suitors. She wanted to make sure Osgood knew she had flesh and blood options.

Osgoods reaction varied between amusement, disgust or suprise depending on who it was. The one reaction Kate never saw was actual interest.

Despite Osgoods repeated denials Kate couldn't shake the feeling that Osgood was with her out of some misplaced sense of obligation.

Finally Osgood had gotten uncharacteristically angry. Kate had just mentioned that one of the UNIT field techs, young, athletic, pleasant and very human had been asking if Osgood was single.

"Kate why do you keep trying to pair me off?" Osgood had asked.

"I just wanted you to know."

"I'm not interested."

"Is it because...."

Osgood interrupted Kate.

"It's because they're not you. Kate are you trying to get rid of me?"

"No of course not."

"I understand if you are. I can see how it might be easier for you."

Kate was about to say how ridiculous that was. How lucky she was to have someone like Osgood but she suddenly realised that it might indeed be easier without her.

These days Kate often found her behaviour was based on memories of how she should feel rather than anything she actually felt. Each day those memories of humanity seemed to fade slightly.

With Osgood she had actual feelings. Osgood helped Kate hold on to her humanity but it was tiring. She had to second guess every decision to judge whether it was the human thing to do, the Kate thing to do or just a cyber imperative.

Many of the therapists Kate had been forced to talk to had spoken about her 'cybernetic half'. Kate herself had used the term out of convenience but it was misleading.

There wasn't a clear divide between Kate's humanity and her cyber systems. Not medically and not in any other way.

Kate knew she wasn't human anymore. She was a cyberman. What made her different to others was that she still had emotions of a sort and she still had independent thought.

Easier just to give in. She could still serve humanity, still be an asset to UNIT but she wouldn't have to deal with the messiness of humanity. All those painful thoughts that came to her when she was alone at night unable to sleep, she could let her cyber systems treat them as a programming anomaly. Wall them off along with the memories of her family and everything she had lost. It would be easier.

But then she had looked at Osgoods sincere bespectacled face. She had thought about the break room, the darts matches. She wasn't ready to trade in her humanity just yet.

Anyway she was still owed a pint. Somehow, and she wasn't sure how, but she intended to collect on that.

"Buck up you sad sack." Said Kate.

"Pardon?" Osgood looked at her and Kate realised she'd spoken out loud.

"Osgood I cannot conceive how life without you could possibly be better." Said Kate with as much affection as her synthetic voice allowed.

"Well you could switch off your humanity and reduce your life to a series of simple logic based decisions thus sparing yourself any emotional pain." Said Osgood cheerfully. "I've thought about doing it myself."

"Petronella you always know just the wrong thing to say."

"Or we could try having sex again." Suggested Osgood hopefully.

"Well that's a much better idea." Agreed Kate although try was the operative word.

The physical side of the relationship had hit a few obstacles but Kate was still amazed, in the abstract way of her new emotional range, that sex was actually an option.

Kate was restricted to UNIT HQ unless there was an operational need to leave. She had a glorified store cupboard assigned as a room. She didn't sleep so there was no bed but at Osgoods urging they made do.

Kate mentally reviewed her last few erotic encounters with Osgood in a montage of thoughts, sensations and images.

Kate leaning back against the wall, Osgood her back pressed against Kate's torso, Osgoods cargo trousers around her knees, Kate's hand reaching around between Osgoods legs. Hard alloy and plastic fingers working with delicacy and precision. Osgood shuddering with delight scrabbling at Kate's legs as she pressed back against her. Kate's other arm supporting Osgood as the smaller woman gave in to pleasure.

Kate's sensors telling her exactly how Osgoods body was reacting to the stimulation. Kate's cyber brain measuring recording monitoring ensuring Osgoods body received optimal stimulation. Kate enjoying the small breathy sounds of Osgoods pleasure. The sensory input giving Kate the definite reassurance that Osgood wasn't faking.

Kate had engineered their position so she was behind Osgood. She thought it would be easier for Osgood if she couldn't see what was touching her.

No, Kate knew that was a lie that she had told herself. The implacable cybernetics in her head informed her that Osgood reached orgasm significantly faster when she was looking at Kate. Kate didn't want to consider why she tried to ignore that.

Osgood pleasantly drained and exhausted took a step forwards and Kate saw the red marks and raw abrasions where Osgood's back and ass had rubbed against her unyielding armour.

Osgood hadn't minded but Kate felt guilty. No matter how gentle Kate was you couldn't avoid the fact that she was made of metal and plastic armour while Osgood was soft unprotected flesh.

Osgood often came away from their play with scratches, bruises and marks. Kate hated that even though Osgood made it very clear she didn't mind.

Kate tried literally keeping Osgood at arms length. Her hand between Osgoods legs giving Osgoods delicate body what it needed with minimal contact.

Osgood had laughed at that and leapt naked on top of a startled Kate.

Osgood naked but for socks straddling Kate atop an army issue cot. Osgood grinding against Kate, Kate's hands helping.

The bed collapsing loudly. Osgoods groin slammed against Kate's alloy hip armour. Osgood said a word Kate hadn't realised she knew.

Kate kneeling, Osgood standing thighs parted around Kate's right antennae. Osgood bucking against her in pleasure. Kate feeling weird and self conscious.

Osgood in an amorous mood. Kate looking at Osgoods clothing: thick ribbed green military sweater with epaulets, khaki wool slacks, brown service boots.

"Osgood you're dressed as my father. It isn't helping the mood."

Osgood satisfied, sweaty and flushed from Kate's attentions lazily stroking Kate's silver chest. The metal there streaked with Osgoods perspiration.

"Kate why won't you open up to me?" Whispered Osgood.

"You know I'm not the type to talk about my feelings and you know that would be a short conversation these days anyway."

Osgoods fingers trailed down to cup the hard armour between Kate's legs.

"No I meant I want you to open up."

And there was the other problem. Osgood wanted to touch Kate the way Kate touched her.

Kate had frozen. Blank and immobile. It was a problem.

Her sensors told her when she was being touched on her armoured skin. She got detailed feed back on temperature, pressure, chemical composition and a whole range of data but her sensors couldn't relay pleasure. At least not the sensual caresses of a lover.

The only way for her to receive that type of sensation was to open her armour and expose the ruined remains of flesh beneath.

She couldn't. Not to Osgood. Seeing herself like that with someone else was too much of a reminder of what had happened to her.

Her powerful silver body was strong and sophisticated. She could almost consider it an upgrade. She could forget what she had been, forget what she had lost. But seeing what was and was not under her outer armour was an awful reminder of the cost.

She touched herself when she was alone. She did it as quickly as her body allowed. She tried not to register the cold scarred feel of her remaining human flesh. She tried not to touch the part where the flesh was brutally merged with metal and plastic. Sometimes her hand moved in a certain way out of long habit and she found circuitry or hydraulics under her fingers instead of skin. She would have closed her eyes but she couldn't do that anymore so she thought about Osgood flushed and sweaty and straining in pleasure until her own solitary release overtook her. Then she sealed her armour and tried to forget.

Kate paused her review of erotic failures and realised Osgood was looking out into the corridor.

A wheezing groaning sound echoed in.

A TARDIS materialising.

Oh great, just what she needed.

UNIT staff tended to be in awe of the Doctor until they had actually worked with them then the awe got tempered with irritation and exasperation.

The Doctor walked in.

"This isn't loch Ness. Osgood! Nice bow tie. Kate, you look different, did you do something with your hair? Suits you."

"Doctor how can you possibly know it was me?"

"You're wearing a name tag."

Kate had forgotten about her unit ID that hung on a lanyard around her neck. It had a photograph of her current appearance alongside her name. She had found that strangely affecting and a little funny.

"And you're not suprised?"

"Well Osgood texted me. She sent pics. Saucy."

Kate looked at Osgood in alarm.

"No nothing like that." Protested Osgood.

"They were nudes!' said the Doctor "Handles out and everything."

"Doctor what are you doing here? Is there a threat?" Asked Kate before she remembered she wasn't in charge anymore.

"Can't I just visit?"

Outside there was the sound of running feet and weapons being readied.

"I'd better go tell people to relax, they do get awfully tense when you arrive Doctor." Said Osgood as she hurried from the room. "Stand down, no one's invading." She called.

"That I know about." Shouted the Doctor after her.

That left Kate and the Doctor alone.

"She's not subtle is she?" Asked Kate. She had guessed the real reason why Osgood had left them alone.

"Kate, I'm sorry." Said the Doctor.

"This." Kate indicated her silver body "Isn't your fault."

"Osgood contacted me when you were taken. I was too late to stop it."

"You have a time machine." Kate couldn't stop herself saying it.

"There are rules." Said the Doctor sadly. "Osgood wanted me to fix you."

"Could you? Feel free to lie."

"I can't fix you Kate, there wasn't enough of you left. There is technology that could make you a lot closer to what you were. Not the same but close."

"But?"

"But earth won't have anything at that level for centuries. I can't let you cheat Kate, you're too good a person, you would share the technology. It could change everything."

"Why do time travellers always assume change will be bad?"

"Experience."

"Very mysterious."

"I try."

"Well I suppose I've gotten quite attached to this body. Difficult to accesserise though."

"You want a handbag?"

"No pockets. Where else am I going to keep my lipstick?" Joked Kate.

"What about a bum bag? A fanny pack? You could get a silver one."

"Haven't I suffered enough indignities?"

"Speaking of, Osgood said she was having trouble getting you to open up. Is it a lubrication issue? I know things can sometimes jam on the older model Cybermen."

"I'm sorry 'older model' ?!" Said Kate offended.

"Nothing to be ashamed of, quick blast of my sonic and you'll be right as rain."

"I don't have anything jammed and you keep your sonic screwdriver away from my intimate areas."

"Just trying to help. Osgood is very fond of you you know." The Doctor spoke tentatively. This wasn't really their area of expertise.

"I know. I'm a lucky woman but I don't want her to have to do anything she doesn't want to just to accommodate my physical issues. She shouldn't have to deal with that." Said Kate. She reflected that having a reduced emotional range made this type of conversion easier so it was now only excruciatingly uncomfortable instead of totally unbearable.

"Osgood wants to do .... that stuff ... the special touching stuff ... with you." Said the Doctor. Neither of them were enjoying this topic.

"I know, because she cares for me."

"Well yes, and no. She cares for you. Fact. But also she likes the special touching with cyberman part. She's slightly unusual in her special touching needs."

Kate didn't have a reply. It was hard to stay silent facing her blank stare.

"Just check her physiological responses when she talks about it." Suggested the Doctor.

"I did." Admitted Kate.

"So you know it's not Osgood that has the problem? Oh I am so good at this! Sigmund Freud would be proud! Did I tell you that I knew Sigmund? We used to hang out at a hot dog stand by the Vienna railway tunnel. He helped me design my sonic."

"Okay Doctor message received."

"You need to let Osgood ... you know .... play with your ... special ... place ... can we stop now?"

"That would be appreciated."

"And I've got you a present."

The Doctor led Kate into the TARDIS. It screeched in protest.

"Don't worry old girl, it's just Kate." The Doctor reassured the TARDIS. The screeching alarm cut off but the lighting dimmed to an angry red.

"Sorry she's not a fan of the Cybermen." Apologised the Doctor, "Anyway here's your gift."

Kate looked at the heavy wooden structure sitting in the TARDIS foyer.

"It's a bed." She said.

"It's a very well made, very strong bed. Used to belong to Henry the Eighth. He was a big lad, owed me a favour. Don't worry it's been thoroughly disinfected."

"Thank you, not to seem ungrateful but you know I don't sleep?"

"But Osgood does, she might want to stay the night."

Kate felt a rare burst of hard to define emotion.

"Thank you."

"You'll have to move it yourself though. I've got a sack barrow you can borrow."

The bed took up most of Kate's store cupboard. The Doctor had supplied a mattress, pillows and duvet which he insisted were stuffed with non allergenic cloned acturan goose down. The pillow cases and duvet cover were a silvery grey which seemed appropriate.

Osgood knocked on the door.

"The Doctor said you'd opened your present." She said.

"Yes, apparently it belonged to Henry the Eighth. Don't worry it's been disinfected. A lot." Kate paused "Osgood talking of opening things..."

Osgood quickly stepped into the room and closed the door behind her.

Chapter Text

Of the many indignities Kate had suffered since cyber conversion Osgood's film collection was getting to her more than most.

Didn't the woman watch anything without 'Star' in the title?

Kate knew she shouldn't complain. For security reasons she was restricted to UNIT HQ with no external Comms, not even a radio. So no Archers, no gardeners question time. And of course no internet access just in case she used it to take over the world.

In her old life she hadn't even used social media so she found this mildly amusing.

Kate had already read every book in the base. She processed data at an incredible rate so she rapidly ran out of reading material.

It had gotten desperate. She'd read the Da Vinci code for god's sake.

Osgood had downloaded some films they could watch together. Thoughtful of her but Osgood's taste in films differed significantly to Kate's. Kate was trying to be broad minded about it.

"I feel conflicted." Said Kate as they watched the Borg in action on Star Trek First Contact. "I don't know who I should be rooting for."

"I know, I felt the same way when I first saw the Borg queen." Agreed Osgood."I mean on one hand she's planning to effectively wipe out humanity as a species but on the other hand there's just something so erotic about her."

"I was joking." Clarified Kate.

"Umm .... me too ..." Lied Osgood. She knew Kate was frustrated with all the restrictions she now suffered but the security protocols for a 'friendly' Cyberman were strict.

"I'm sorry I can't take you out somewhere." She said.

"I could shoot my way out if I wanted to, there's not enough security here to stop me." Said Kate thoughtfully.

"You wouldn't want to hurt people. Not your people." Said Osgood unsure how serious Kate was.

They were both in the lab at UNIT HQ. Kate had been working for days without rest. She quite literally couldn't sleep and her cybernetic body didn't need to rest but her still partially human brain did. Kate had started making mistakes borne of fatigue. That had led to her getting angry with her human weakness which scared her. That type of thinking felt far too Cyberman.

Osgood pointed out that getting angry was itself actually a very human thing. Then she had tried to distract Kate with an impromptu movie night.

They were halfway through the film before it occured to Osgood that it might not have been the most tactful choice.

Neither of them had anything better to do on a Friday night but at least Kate had the excuse of being a Cyberman.

"I could just tear through the old sub basement wall."

"Well that's true." Agreed Osgood.

"Or I could release cybermites into the ventilation system and make you all my cyber slaves."

"You can do that?"

"Yes. You know I can't seem to stop coming up with plans to break out."

"I suppose it passes the time."

"No I mean I really can't stop. It's automatic."

"It's not you, it's your cyber systems running strategy programs." Said Osgood. "Just strategic daydreams."

"Osgood I've been having these thoughts for months."

"But you haven't acted on them." Said Osgood soothingly.

"I didn't tell anyone either. I could show UNIT how to improve their defences to counter cyber abilities but I don't want to. Just in case I decide to...."

Kate looked away her big silver head turning away in shame.

Osgood didn't let her. She gently placed a hand either side of the armoured mask of Kate's face.

"Kate it's normal."

"For a Cyberman."

"No."

"I'm becoming more like them. I'm forgetting Kate. Osgood when I look at you I see fourteen different ways to kill or incapacitate you."

"Really? What are they?" Osgood was sidetracked by genuine interest.

"I don't want to talk about that."

"Because you don't want to give up a tactical advantage?'

"No because I don't want to think about hurting you."

"You wouldn't have to."

"I might."

"No." Osgood kissed the cold metal of Kate's cheek. "Because if you did decide to go full cyber and break out I'd help you." Whispered Osgood. "We could take over the planet together."

"I honestly can't tell if you're joking."

"You could assimilate me and I wouldn't mind at all. Kate the fact you're worried about this means you shouldn't be worried. You're stressed and bored. It's a human reaction."

Kate pulled back.

"No, when I was first converted I had to work to access my cyber systems, I had to make an effort but now it's just there, I see these options, these suggestions. And I'm getting colder, harder." Kate's voice didn't have much variation but even so Osgood could hear the fear in the words. She surprised Kate by laughing.

"I'm glad my existential trauma amuses you."

"No, it's just..." Osgood paused for once she tried to choose her words carefully. "Kate you know I've always been very fond of you, but ...."

"But?"

"Even before this happened to you you weren't exactly cuddly. You were quite intimidating. Harsh even."

"Harsh? I was?"

"Severe. I mean you had to be in your job."

"Was I ever ... severe .... with you?"

"Oh yes. I .... ummm .. I quite liked it." Osgood blushed.

"So you're saying I don't need to worry about turning into a Cyberman because I was already an emotionless robot?"

"No! I'm just saying you're just more aware of your feelings now. It's not surprising you feel off. The thoughts you're having they're just dreams, we all have them."

Kate inclined her head. She was trying to teach herself new body language to make up for her lack of expression. She felt ashamed of her weakness and of letting Osgood see it. She forced herself to brighten up.

"I suppose that's true, Petronella warrior Princess."

Osgood reddened.

"How did you know about that?!"

"You talk in your sleep. It's adorable although I never really saw myself as Gabrielle."

"Well you're the blonde, were I mean, you know who Gabrielle is?" Osgood changed the subject awkwardly.

"I may have watched the show once, I don't only watch Gardeners World you know. Gabrielle though? Really?"

A thought occurred to Kate:

"Osgood I know you like to dress up did you ever....."

Osgood laughed "Really can you imagine me in that leather outfit?"

Kate stared at her. She was really good at staring.

"Halloween five years ago." Admitted Osgood finally. "I destroyed all the pictures so don't ask."

"I don't have to, I have a vivid imagination."

"You're imagining me in that outfit? I looked ridiculous. I didn't even leave the flat."

"I'm imagining you in some of the outfit and you don't look ridiculous."

"Some of the outfit?" Osgood had to ask.

"I let you keep the boots on."

Neither of them said anything. Osgood went over and locked the lab door.

"I'm wearing hiking boots. They're quarry runners from the companion shoe range with added ankle support." She said eventually.

"Just as good."

"Are you seducing me so you don't have to watch the rest of the film?"

"It's not the only reason."

Osgood sighed.

"They're right you know." She said as she switched off her laptop. "Resistance is futile."

Kate would have smiled if she could but she found other ways to express her feelings that Osgood thoroughly enjoyed.

A few days later Osgood was thinking about sex with Kate but not for the usual reasons.

They had found ways around the physical issues. Kate's initial reluctance to have Osgood touch her new body had been largely overcome. In fact Kate was insatiable.

Osgood wasn't complaining exactly. Some soreness aside she was enjoying the expansion of her lovelife to include a second person but she couldn't shake the feeling that Kate was using sex as an escape.

Osgood had no objection to that per se. There were certainly benefits to the approach but she suspected Kate needed more.

The woman had had a family and a high profile career, a challenging and complex job, a full social life.

Now she was a glorified lab tech under house arrest recovering from unimaginable trauma and having frantic desperate sex with an ex employee turned her boss.

Osgood knew she needed to find other ways to keep Kate sane.

Of course that didn't mean she couldn't still enjoy the frenetic benefits of Kate's erotic attempts to distract herself but Kate had seemed more down recently, closer to despair.

Osgood was worried and she had reason to be.

The empty biscuit packet sat on the table and Kate wanted to cry. A rumpled and torn wrapper from a packet of chocolate hobnobs.

It was idiotic. She had walked through the aftermath of murderous battles and not shed a tear but now looking at a biscuit wrapper on the top of a filing cabinet and she was trembling.

Osgood walked in behind Kate. She looked with alarm at the shaking silver giant then she saw the biscuit wrapper and understood.

"They ate the last one." Said Kate flatly.

"I'm sorry." Said Osgood. It might have been funny but Osgood knew why it wasn't.

That packet of biscuits had been Kate's secret stash. Back when she had been human she had hidden them in the back of the filing cabinet in her office.

You had to hide the good biscuits or they got eaten by the voracious UNIT staff. Only off brand rich tea survived more than a day in the break room.

Those chocolate hob nobs had been Kate's private treat. She'd occasionally let Osgood have one after a particularly stressful mission.

After Kate's cyber conversion her office had been cleaned out. The packet of biscuits had been left on the counter in the break room.

Kate didn't eat anymore and you didn't waste chocolate hob nobs. That was probably treason.

People had eaten the biscuits but they'd left the last one 'for Kate'.

A strange sentimental gesture of respect. An oaty chocolate shrine to the woman she had been. As if she might suddenly miraculously recover from the conversion.

It was a silly gesture but each day Kate had seen that last biscuit sitting in the packet. Some tiny irrational part of her clung to the idea that maybe somehow, someday she'd get to eat that biscuit.

"Some bastard ate my hob nob." Said Kate quietly.

She sounded defeated. Lifeless. Her voice almost the default Cyberman tone. She turned and walked from the room.

Osgood got the sense that something had changed. Of everything Kate had suffered, everything she had lost was this tiny thing what broke her?

She was so strong, she had adapted so well. The thought that Kate had reached the limits of her strength terrified Osgood. The same sick fear she had felt when Kate had been taken by the Cybermen.

And Osgood reacted the same way she had then. With action.

"Kate!" She called but Kate ignored her. "Kate!" She called again but still no response. The Cyberman walked slowly away.

"Kate Lethbridge-Stewart you do not turn your back on a superior officer!" Snapped Osgood in her best impression of a drill sergeant.

It was fairly pathetic but it got through. Kate stopped and turned.

"Yes?" She asked in a dead voice.

"You're still on duty. We have a mission. Site decontamination. Post Dalek attack. We deploy in one hour."

Osgood didn't want to leave Kate alone but she needed to prep for the mission. She returned nearly an hour later breathless and disheveled. Kate hadn't moved.

Osgood paused wondering how best to approach Kate.

"Kate with me." She snapped brusquely and was relieved when Kate wordlessly followed her.

They walked quickly through the underground corridors of the UNIT base to where they connected with the network of sewers and decommissioned rail tunnels that UNIT used for fast deployment throughout London. Lit by Osgood's maglite they splashed through the rank dark water that pooled on the tunnel floors. It chilled Osgood's feet through her fabric hiking boots but Kate showed no sign of discomfort.

Osgood gave the briefing as they moved through the tunnels.

"The location we are attending has been confirmed as a Dalek incursion. Recent. No engagement with UNIT forces but evidence that a firefight took place. Extensive damage to the location and possible contamination. It's a public area so our objective is to sweep the site, effect repairs and remove any Dalek contaminants. We've confirmed there are no Daleks on site but who knows what nastiness the pepperpots left behind."

Osgood wheezed, breathless from delivering the briefing in her best 'just the facts ma'am' voice.

Kate said nothing. No questions. No sign of interest. Not even at the chance to go outside.

Osgood led Kate through a mile of dank brick tunnels. It wasn't the best environment to lift someone's spirits but at least they didn't run into any yeti this time.

Finally they climbed a rusty access ladder which creaked alarmingly under Kate's weight and they emerged into a lush tropical garden lit by moonlight.

At last Kate showed some reaction.

"We're in Kew gardens." She said looking around.

The famous botanical gardens at Kew had always been one of Kate's absolute favourite places in London. A keen gardener herself she had found Kew a continual source of pleasure and inspiration.

"The Daleks attacked Kew?" She asked. There was a hint of emotion in her voice now. Outrage. Like she was getting ready to put her big silver boot to Davros ass if he was responsible for damage to Kew.

Osgood was tired from the long fast march through the tunnels. She guided Kate through the gardens taking a long slow route to a cordoned off area of flower beds.

It was one of the research areas where the botanical students did test plantings. This one was an elegant arrangement of ferns, heritage roses and buddleias sheltered by a stand of conifers and concealed by a raised berm of earth creating a sunken garden effect.

And the place had been wrecked. Plants ripped up, deep gouges in the ground, there were energy weapon impact marks everywhere.

Kate scanned the impacts and confirmed that the residue was consistent with Dalek blaster fire. Judging by the pattern it appeared a single Dalek had gone berserk firing almost randomly around the flower beds.

Kate's cybergun extended as she scanned the night for Daleks. Nothing.

Osgood looked around nervously.

"Kate we need to clean this mess up and check the Daleks didn't leave anything behind."

"You want me to work in Kew gardens? To actually work on the gardens?" Asked Kate wonderingly.

"I'm sorry to ask you to do this but we can't risk anyone stumbling over Dalek technology. This area is temporarily off limits to the public and staff so you shouldn't be disturbed. Cover story is pest control. Aphids."

Kate looked around again. She could see the famous glass houses in the distance through the trees shining in the bright moonlight.

"It's beautiful." She said. Her harsh cybernetic voice was just a whisper.

Osgood did her best not to spoil the moment by sneezing but her allergies were acting up.

"There's a tool shed over there if you need gardening, uh, stuff." She said indicating a small wooden shed among the trees.

Kate nodded absently she was already moving towards a displaced rose bush.

"I'll leave you to it then I.." Osgood sneezed violently. "I need to get back to HQ for..." She sneezed again.

"You're leaving me here alone?" Asked Kate in suprise.

"The Daleks have gone, this is just clean up." Said Osgood.

"No I mean, you trust me?" Asked Kate.

"Of course I do. You will be okay here alone?"

"Osgood I'm the scariest thing here."

Osgood stayed long enough to watch Kate retrieve a spade from the shed and get to work. Kate also put on a Kew Gardens work apron she found in the shed. It looked ridiculous tied around her cybernetic body but Osgood said nothing.

Kate found a new appreciation for her body's strength and tirelessness as she worked. She could roughly see how the flower beds had been arranged before the Dalek had cut loose but she had to use her own judgement and creativity in a lot of areas.

Her onboard chronometer was a constant reminder of time but it was easy to ignore as she lost herself in the work.

It was dawn when she realised someone was watching her. An older but sprightly looking woman dressed in a green quilted jacket, grey wool slacks and a tweed cap over grey hair in a short ponytail stood among the trees. The woman was carrying sketch pad and a folding stool. She looked at Kate with bright intelligent eyes.

"This isn't what it looks like." Said Kate trying to appear non threatening. It was difficult given that she was a giant silver armoured cyborg.

"Well it looks like a Cyberman doing gardening." Said the woman tartly.

"Okay, yes that's exactly what it is." Admitted Kate "but I'm not invading."

"You work here? Nice apron by the way."

"No I'm just helping out."

"Not very Cyberman of you." Observed the woman as she set down her stool and sat on it.

Kate wasn't sure what to say.

"It's been years since I've seen a Cyberman. " Said the woman.

Kate took a guess "You were with UNIT? Or one of the Doctor's friends?"

"Both actually, Elizabeth Shaw, call me Liz and I'm assuming you aren't just a Cyberman?"

"No. It's classified." Kate said apologetically. She knew Liz Shaw from the UNIT files. She had been a scientist attached to UNIT back in her father's day. The woman had seen some things.

Liz sighed "I suppose my security clearance expired a few decades ago. I do miss knowing all the secrets."

Kate made a decision.

"Kate Lethbridge-Stewart. "

A look of shock passed quickly over Liz's refined features. It was rapidly replaced with sympathy.

"I worked with your father .... I heard you died. Oh I'm so sorry. I'd ask you what happened but that seems quite obvious."

"Workplace accident." Joked Kate.

"UNIT humour, I don't miss that." Said Liz chuckling. "I still have an auton powergun burn that aches when it's cold."

"We could compare scars but I think I'd win." Said Kate.

"Well I've had a hip replacement."

"We're practically sisters."

"The rehab after the surgery was a chore. How about you?"

"It's an ongoing process." Admitted Kate.

"So your family doesn't know?"

"No. UNIT wasn't sure if I'd survive or be safe to release, they still aren't. They told everyone I was dead."

"I'd have done the same." Said Liz. It sounded harsh but Kate nodded agreement.

"Yes. It seemed the easiest option. Most of command are still worried I'm going to go genocidal."

"Any urges to take over the world?'

"Not today but it is still early."

"Should I be worried that UNIT are here?"

"No I'm just cleaning up after the Daleks."

"Oh those shrieking pepper shakers, still causing problems? Well you've done a wonderful job on the repairs."

"Thank you. It was actually a dream of mine to work here. I always thought if I made it to retirement I might...." She looked at Liz who was smiling.

Liz held up her sketchbook. Kate got a glimpse of botanical sketches.

"Great minds." Said Liz "I volunteer at the visitors centre but it's just an excuse to spend the day here really."

"I used to come here whenever I had the chance." Agreed Kate.

"I see the Cyberman design has changed since my day." Said Liz changing the subject. "I like it. Something I've always wanted to ask though. Why the teardrops?"

"Optic nerve integration port."

"Oh, I was hoping for something more romantic. Do you mind if I sketch you?"

"Go ahead. It's nice to talk to someone outside of UNIT."

"Rub it in that I'm old and retired why don't you." Said Liz stretching out one leg.

"Sorry.

"It's all right. I keep busy. I could do without the arthritis though. I don't suppose you'll ever have to worry about that."

"One of the many advantages of being brutally cyber converted." Said Kate sarcastically. Her voice didn't really convey the right tone but Liz still laughed.

"I'd like to be strong and not have to keep sitting down but I can see there might be a few drawbacks."

"Very hard to find a hat that fits." Said Kate.

"And I imagine your sex life took a bit of a hit."

"You would be surprised."

"Really? Well now I am jealous. It takes all sorts. Is that the cybersex I keep hearing about?" Liz raised an eyebrow in good natured mockery.

"I just have a friend with unusual tastes."

"I'm not going to ask how that works."

"I'm just glad it does." Kate thought warmly of Osgood.

"Forgive me but it's so strange to talk to you like this. I miss that, the strangeness of UNIT. W.I. doesn't really compare though I do have access to a limitless supply of fruit preserves."

"We don't have that at UNIT."

"You must miss out on a lot, being what you are." Said Liz apologetically.

"I miss eating, I miss the Archers." As Kate said it she felt an odd light feeling. It was actually nice to talk about trivial things. Whenever she thought about the loss she'd suffered it was her family and her body, her humanity which dominated her thoughts. Thinking about missing out on a soap opera was funny.

"Oh, a fellow Archers fan? Well I can catch you up ...."

Some time later a sneeze announced Osgoods return.

"Dr Elizabeth Shaw?!" Said Osgood in delight.

Liz looked at the newcomer.

"Do we know each other? Your dress sense seems familiar but I can't place the face." She said.

"It's an honour Dr Shaw, you're a legend!" Gushed Osgood.

Osgood looked from Liz to Kate.

"So you've met ... my large silver friend?"

"She knows who I am Petronella." Said Kate.

"Do I know too much?" Asked Liz with a smile. "Are you going to have to liquidate me?"

"No I don't think so but would you mind signing something?" Asked Osgood.

"A non disclosure agreement?"

"No I just want your autograph." Admitted Osgood.

Amused Liz signed Osgood's notebook.

"We need to get back before it gets busy." Said Osgood. Kate nodded reluctantly.

Liz stood up.

"Can we meet again? It's fun to be able to talk to someone about my UNIT days and I never did sketch you." She said. She looked at Osgood.

"This part of the gardens is quiet in the early hours." Said Liz. "It's why I come here. No one would see Kate."

"I do have a disguise I could wear." Said Kate hopefully. "I know the wig and hoodie aren't perfect but it works at a distance."

"And I just have to see what she looks like in a wig!" Said Liz.

"I did bring it with me just in case." Said Osgood. She had a black military daysack over one shoulder. She pulled the oversize hoodie, sweats and wig out. She also supplied a massive grey raincoat.

Kate dressed.

"Well you look strange but not immediately like a Cyberman." conceded Liz. "It would probably be safe for a short stroll."

Kate looked to Osgood for permission. Osgood felt bad about that. It didn't feel right Kate having to ask her for permission especially not for something so small.

"Why not." Said Osgood. They took a rambling tour of the gardens. Liz was fit for her age but moved slowly. No one minded. At one point they passed a young couple pushing a stroller with a loudly crying baby in it.

Osgood looked worriedly at Kate.

"I'm fine." Reassured Kate.

They left Liz at the visitors centre with a promise that Kate would return next week.

Osgood and Kate walked back to the tunnel entrance in companionable silence until Kate said.

"Did you remember to take it back?"

"What?" Asked Osgood sounding guilty.

"The Dalek gunstick you checked out of the armoury."

"I don't know what you ...." Began Osgood but Kate interrupted.

"A Dalek attack in Kew that gives me the chance to do some gardening? Bumping into Liz Shaw? You set the whole thing up."

"Are you angry?"

"That you shot up Kew Gardens with a Dalek blaster? A little but I'm overwhelmed that you would do all this for me. Thank you Osgood."

"Well I .. I'm very fond of you." Said Osgood looking at a tree.

"I'm fond of you too." Said Kate looking at Osgood.

They walked in silence for a while longer.

"Shooting Dalek guns is fun." Said Osgood out of nowhere "I can see why they like it."

"It's probably best to keep that to yourself." Suggested Kate. "Petronella you've done so much for me but I have another favour to ask...."

A day later...

Several members of the UNIT fast response team entered the break room after a long training session and saw the full packet of chocolate hob nobs on the counter. They advanced hungrily.

"Don't even think it." Said Kate menacingly as she stuck a post it note to the packet:

'Kate's, hands off!'

Okay, so she couldn't eat but she could share them with Osgood and Liz.

Chapter Text

The Dalek glided smoothly through the dank fog bound streets. It was following the sounds of human suffering that cut raggedly through the wet air.

A wretched sobbing wail that the Dalek recognised as coming from a human child.

The Dalek turned a corner. An adult human woman and her child were crouched in the street trying to reach down through the sewer grating. The child was bawling inconsolably.

The older human looked up nervously as the Dalek approached.

"She dropped her teddy down the drain." Explained the woman weakly. Her sleeve was rolled and her arm was dirty to the shoulder from reaching into the sewer.

"WHY ARE YOU TELLING ME?!" demanded the Dalek harshly. The woman looked meaningfully at the Daleks plunger arm.

"THAT IS NOT WHAT IT IS DESIGNED FOR."

The Daleks eyestalk focused down into the grating. Far below it saw a small brightly coloured stuffed bear sitting forlornly amidst the filth.

With an odd feeling of embarrassment the Dalek realised it's arm wouldn't reach. It considered exterminating the two humans. That seemed to fix most problems. It was always best to go with what you knew.

But something stopped it. Some weird unexpected feeling. The Dalek really hated the noise the child was making.

There was a simple well tested fix.

"EXTERMIN...."

It stopped. The Dalek couldn't say why it did what it did next. It moved closer to the tearful child. With a sound like a sigh the Daleks shell opened.

The horrified humans watched the green tentacled Dalek mutant clamber from its shell and crawl across the street to the sewer grate sliming its way inside.

A few minutes later the Dalek mutant crawled back up through the grating clutching the stuffed bear in one tentacle. It held it out to the child.

The child squealed with joy. Before it's mother could stop it the child hugged the Dalek.

"Thank you Mr Octopus!!! Thank you!! Mr Octopus!!" Squeaked the child hugging tightly.

The Dalek reeled in shock. It was the first time ever that anyone had touched it voluntarily.

The child disengaged from the Dalek giggling happily. It took a moment for the Dalek to recover.

The Dalek crawled it's sticky way back up into its shell. It sealed it's carapace up with relief. Once again it considered exterminating the two humans but the horrible noise had stopped.

"Thank you." Said the child's mother. "......Mr Octopus?'

"NEVER SPEAK OF THIS." Demanded the Dalek as it glided quickly away.

Chapter Text

Minutes of Companion Club meeting

Date: relative

Location: The Plungers Rest, London, Earth

Attending: Kate Lethbridge-Stewart (chair person/minute taker. Yes Osgood I can do both I used to run UNIT I think I can handle this), Tegan Jovanka, Ace, Dr Elizabeth Shaw, Oswin Oswald, Madame Vastra Flint, Jenny Flint, Strax Flint (adopted?), Bill Potts, Yasmin Khan, Graham O'Brien.

Apologies: Everyone else.

Thanks: Club offers its thanks to Mr Octopus and Cyberman companion for use of the premises. They declined invite citing 'history' with existing members.

Notes from previous meeting:

Oswin and Strax to provide refreshments. Strax offered to bring music.
Vote to reject Missy's membership application carried unanimously.

Admin notes:

(Remember arrange chairs away from doors - no one in this group will sit with their back to the door. Tegan and Bill may not want to sit near you, don't take it personally - Osgood.)

Meeting transcript and action points:

Tegan: People are starting to hear about this group. Isn't anyone worried this will make us a target?

Ace: Who would be suicidally crazy enough to mess with us?

Liz: We did just turn Missy down as a member.

Ace: The doors are locked right?

Yaz: Vastra I don't think I've ever seen you in modern clothes. Is that a Jurassic Park T Shirt?

Jenny: We saw the film this afternoon.

Vastra: Rife with inaccuracies and not my period at all.

Jenny: She loved it.

Vastra: It had some merits.

Yaz: And you went to see Toy Story as well?

Vastra: Pardon? I don't believe I am familiar with that particular production.

Yaz: But Strax is wearing a Mr Potato Head T shirt.

Strax: It was a gift from the boy Clara, I am told this 'Mr Potato Head' is a mighty Earth warrior!

Yaz: Ummm.. yeah ... Mighty.

Strax: And Miss Lethbridge-Stewart may I again congratulate you on your combat upgrade. It is a great improvement on your feeble human form. A wise choice.

Jenny: Strax she didn't choose to....

Kate: Thankyou.

Tegan: Are we sure about the name? I mean 'The Companion Club' sounds like a senior's dating agency.

Ace: Sounds about right.

Tegan: We agreed that was a one time thing. Post mission adrenaline, which we DO NOT talk about.

Ace: I know, I know, what happens on Traken stays on Traken.

Tegan: It was Brisbane!!

Ace: So who was I with on Traken then?

Jenny: Are those two married? They bicker like an old married couple.

Vastra: What do you mean? We're married, we do not 'bicker'.

Jenny: Nothing, I'm just the maid after all.

Vastra: My darling wife you are most certainly not 'just the maid'.

Jenny: So you won't be wanting me to wear my maids uniform anymore?

Vastra: Well let's not be too hasty about this.

Strax: I shall put on some entertainment. It is time you ignorant humans learned what a real culture sounds like.

Graham: Straxy boy what is that racket? Sounds like an ambulance in pain.

Strax: Pathetic tasteless human! That is the magnificent sound of Sontaron bagpipes played by the great Sontaron musician Mariz himself!!

Yaz: Mariz the Piper?

Strax: I fail to see what is humorous. Mariz work stirs the very soul with its martial excellence! On this track he plays in collaboration with the Ru-Tan Clan it is from his seminal album 'Straight outta Sontar'. Rumour has it he lured the Rutans to the recording studio and slaughtered them all. If you listen closely you can hear their cries on the backing track!! It's a guaranteed floor filler!!

Graham: It's classical then. Got it. Ere Strax this tea you made tastes a bit funny. I think the milk might be off.

Strax: I can assure you it's fresh.

(Action point: buy cows milk at shop for next meeting. Important that it comes from a cow.)

Oswin: HAVE A BUN. I AM TRYING A NEW RECIPE, SAVOURY CHEESE CUPCAKES. TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK.

Graham: I'm sure they'll be great Os, luv.

Tegan: Is it just me or is this a bit weird?

(Chairs note: Thank you Tegan! Finally someone actually finds it strange to be served baked goods by a Dalek. She's balancing the tray on her gunstick for crying out loud. I mean they all love Oswin just because she can bake. Meanwhile they're horrified by me. Why didn't I learn to make cakes like that? Because I was saving the planet running UNIT at the time that's why!)

Tegan: I mean savoury cup cakes, it shouldn't work but it just does. Nice one Os!"

(Chairs note: Typical!)

Oswin: TRY ONE OF THE SKARASEN YOGHURT MUFFINS. I MADE THEM FOR ZYGON NATE BUT SHE COULDN'T MAKE IT, THEY'RE TANGY.

Graham: How do you know? Do you actually eat?

Oswin: I'M EATING ONE RIGHT NOW. I'LL HAVE TO VACUUM CRUMBS OUT OF MY CASING LATER.

Graham: I've got a car vacuum in the motor, you can borrow that if you like.

Oswin: I'VE BEEN MEANING TO GET ONE OF THOSE.

Graham: I've got a mate at the bus depot who can get you a good deal.

Liz: I remember the Doctor built a sonic vacuum cleaner once.

Bill: Why?

Liz: His Rhoomba got taken over by the Great Intelligence.

Ace: The Great Intelligence? Wasn't that the one who tried to invade by using robot yeti in the underground.

Vastra: Yes, I fear the villains name may have been misleading.

Yaz: And the spoonheads, don't forget them.

Graham: Yeah, everyone talks about knife crime but you never hear anything about spoon crime.

Yaz: It's good that you have a day job.

Oswin: WHEN THE MINUTES OF THESE MEETINGS ARE TYPED UP WHY IS EVERYTHING I SAY ALWAYS IN CAPITALS?

Kate: No idea.

Graham: So Bill are you related to the Ponds?

Bill: Who?

Graham: The Ponds, because you live in a puddle? Pond, puddle, get it?

Bill: It's not actually a puddle, it's a multi dimensional portal.

Graham: Well yeah, I knew that, obviously.

Yaz: And that was not actually a joke.

Tegan: Vastra what are you eating? Is that barbecue? It looks a bit undercooked.

Vastra: Cooking ruins the flavour, would you like some?

Jenny: I really wouldn't Ma'am.

Tegan: This is delicious, you can't beat a good barbecue.

Jenny: Oh dear.

Ace: Australian liking barbecue, bit of a cliche isn't it?

Tegan: But this is really good. What type of meat is this anyway? Chicken?

Vastra: Don't worry it's no one you know.

Tegan: Pardon?

Kate: Moving on, any thoughts for club activities for next month?

Liz: We could thwart an alien invasion.

Graham: We did that last month.

Liz: But it's fun.

Ace: True.

Strax: We should be proactive and invade something ourselves! I nominate the moon! Who's with me?! Time we taught those cheese eaters a lesson!

Jenny: Not the moon again Strax.

Graham: Yeah, we want to go somewhere with a bit of atmosphere.

Yaz: Just stop.

Vastra: An art class perhaps? One of us could model, Yaz perhaps you would be willing?

Jenny: Oy!

Graham: I don't mind, I used to do a bit of modelling back in the day, all tasteful stuff.

Vastra: But perhaps Yaz...

Jenny: I think Mr O'Brien would be an excellent choice.

Vastra: But...

Bill: Sorry to leave early but Heather and I are having dinner with Nardole.

Oswin: TELL HIM I LOVED HIM ON BAKE OFF.

Ace: Yes, I've got to go as well. Tegan and I have a ...

Tegan: Mission, we've got a secret UNIT mission, very hush hush.

Kate: No one told me.

Vastra: Jenny and I were hoping to catch a late showing at the theatre.

Jenny: She wants to see 'Fallen Kingdom'.

Strax: And I shall be seeking proper entertainment! Where can one find brutal violence in this town?

Graham: There's a few non league fixtures with late kickoffs.

Strax: Excellent!

Liz: I could use some help working on Bessie if anyone is interested?

Yaz: Bessie?

Kate: The Doctor had a car.

Yaz: I'm in, this I have to see.

Missy: Cooee, is anyone in there? I can hear you you know.

Meeting Ends.