II. Because he just knew…

Rose hadn't seen the Doctor since they'd departed the parallel world, but he'd been incredibly kind and thoughtful, all the same. Her memories of returning to her room were a bit sketchy, but she was sure he'd helped. Then he'd let her sleep as long as she needed, without any outrageous wake up calls. When she'd emerged from her en suite, there'd been a tray with tea, strawberries and cream, and chocolate biscuits on her desk.

He'd provided every comfort he could think of, and she was grateful, really, but the one thing she wanted, more than anything else in the universe right now, was her mum. She didn't suppose a nine hundred year old man from another world could be expected to understand that.

The Doctor looked up and smiled at her as she wandered into the control room. "Better?"

"Yeah, thanks," Rose murmured, manufacturing a small smile for him.

The TARDIS landed with a gentle bump.

"Where are we, then?"

The Doctor gestured to the monitor.

Rose leaned in next to him and recognized the lounge of her mother's flat. Her eyes widened, then filled with a shimmer of tears as she flung her arms around his neck.

"Just thought you might…" his voice trailed off vaguely - he'd never been good at this sort of thing.

"Thank you," Rose said softly, gifting him with a beautiful smile. She pressed a kiss to his cheek, then dashed outside to engulf her mum in a fierce embrace.