Disclaimer: don't own DW.  Set after Age of Steel.

"You are Peter Tyler. Confirm."

"Er...Confirm"

"I remember you, my name was Jackie Tyler"

"What do you think then Rose? Rose?"

The Doctor's excitement had rendered him oblivious to Rose's pain. Putting his hand on her back, she jumped. Now looking at her with pleading eyes, realising something was wrong the Doctor asked again, this time looking straight at her.

"Rose?"

"Yea...Yea" A single stray tear slipped down her cheek.

Ever since she had met her mum, the cyberman – woman she should say, God if her mum ever heard her call her a man – she couldn't understand. Why her, why Jackie, why her mother?

Immediately noticing the tear, the Doctor pulled her into him, whispering soothing words and gently guiding her to a nearby, very handily placed bench. Waiting for her to calm down, he asked again. This time holding her at arm's length, almost forcing her to look at him.

"Rose?"

Taking a deep breath, she began.

"When me and – hiccup – D – Pete went into the cyber factory, we met Mum –

"- a Jackie Tyler" interrupted the Doctor, cautious that he knew where this story was heading.

"And she recognised him, which led to us being caught and then meeting you in cyber control" Rose continued

Sensing there was more to come; the Doctor continued subconsciously stroking Rose's back and waiting expectantly. But no more came. Rose had run out of words. The Doctor, now all business, knelt down in front of her, tipping her chin up so their eyes met.

"Rose, listen to me, your mother is one of the strongest, most loyal people I know and that wouldn't change, regardless of what universe she is in. The fact that she overcame what Lumic made her - he couldn't keep the admiration out of his voice, a fact which Rose noticed too – is testament to that. As well as her slaps. Blimey, they hurt; my cheek wasn't the same for at least a week"

A ghost of a smile appeared on Rose's face. "You better not let her hear you say that, you'll never live it down"

"And probably get another slap." The Doctor added darkly.

"That as well" agreed Rose, now fully smiling.

Glad that was over the Doctor got up, never realising how much his knees were protesting, until now.

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