The Doctor winced as his head was dragged back, his scalp throbbing a protest from the treatment. He hadn't expect the malfunctioning laser screwdriver to stop the Master for long, so the murmured promise wasn't surprising in the least. It was a bit more interesting how the House seemed to be almost as impatient as the Master was, however. Or at least, the way the Drudges were holding his arms tight enough for them to start aching suggested that. Housekeepers and Houses normally had something of a close connection, but the Master's situation was hardly normal...

It was starting to give the Doctor an idea.

He realised he was smiling, a little, twisted smile from the way his cheek was starting to puff up a bit, but still a smile. "Take your time," he answered. "I'm not going anywhere. Or, maybe I can take that walk? Stretch my legs? I promise I'll come back."