Ruby was walking home from school after netball practise humming gently to herself. For once in her life everything was going well. She turned the corner and smiled as she basked in the last of the suns rays. Behind her came a shadow creeping closer and closer towards her. But she was so wrapped up in her own thoughts she didn't see it or hear it before it was too late.

Owen stood in the hub checking his watch every five seconds looking worried "Where is she?" he murmured

"She not back yet?" Ianto said coming into the room

"No she said she's be back by five and now it's nearly six"

"You sure she's not just running late you know what Ruby's like" Ianto said

"Yeah but not this late" Owen said with panic in his voice

At that moment Ruby stumbled in through the door all pale and clammy "Owen" she murmured

"Ruby...Ruby what happened?" Owen said grabbing her before she fell

"Owen bring her into the hub" Ianto called opening the door.

Owen scooped Ruby up and he could feel her pulse getting weaker and weaker with each step he took. As they burst into the hub Jack looked up shocked

"What happened?" he cried as Owen ran towards the medical bay

"I don't know we just found her like this" Ianto called

"Is she hurt?" Jack said runnig down the steps

"No i don't think so" Owen said checking her over "God she's burning up" he said feeling her head

"What's that it looks like bite marks?" Ianto said pointin to two marks on her neck

Jack leaned over to get a better look "Oh god" he breathed

"What? what is it Jack?" Owen said looking up

"Shadow Weaver" he gasped

"What's that?" Ianto said looking worried at Jack's expression

"Owen i'm sorry" Jack said

"Why what is a shadow weaver?" Owen shouted

"A shadow weaver is a shade that latches onto it's victims mind and takes oart of it away at a time"

"What does that mean?" Ianto cried

"It means it's stealing her mind" Owen shouted and Jack nodded "Is there a cure?"

"Yeah but you wont like it"

"Tell me Jack"

"She has to forget everything that's happened to her recently"

"That means..." Ianto sighed

"Torchwood and me" Owen bit his lip in anguish

"I'm sorry it's the only way" Jack said placing a hand on Owen's shoulder

"Do it" he said tears falling down his face "If she gets to live then just do it"

"Ok" he said "I'll give you two a moment" he said montioning to Ruby

Owen nodded and walked over to Ruby "Ruby, Ruby listen to me"

"What's happening?" she said looking scared

"Ruby you're going to be just fine, it's just a little infection. You're going to be fine. Jack's going to give you an injection that's going to make you go to sleep for a bit and i promise you it'll be all better after that, do you trust me?"

"Yeah i trust you" she said calming a little

"Ruby i just want you to remeber somthing ok...you are a worthwhile human being and don't you let anyone tell you anything different and i want you to know that the world isn't as dark and scary as you've experienced. There are good people in the world and as long as there are you will never be alone" he said trying not to cry and Ruby nodded

"Like you" she said smiling as Jack came down the steps

"Ready?" he said to Owen and he nodded

Jack looked down at Sammie and said "Just a little scratch and it'll all be over"

"Ok" she said as Jack injected her

Owen held her tightly as the liquid took effect and she slowly dropped into a deep sleep

"She's going to be ok now?"

"Owen she'll be fine but she'll never remember"

"What will happen to her?" Owen said

"She'll go back into the foster system but i made sure she's got a good social worker this time" Jack said as he looked down at Ruby and Owen nodded

"But she will never remember any of this?"

"She can't Owen that's the sacrfice that had to be made" Jack said pulling Owen into a hug as the man wept on his shoulders.