46

Tosh held the 'scanner' with more confidence than she felt, Owen in on the rouse and standing proudly to be the first.

Nothing.

Of course.

She then kept talking about bone density and other things she remembered from her medical training that had no real bearing on anything as she scanned Stephen and pushed the button as agreed. Everyone jumped and glances were shared as she took a deep breath.

"Thank you love" she said softly "sorry it was so loud. Ok. Next?"

John stepped forward as she scanned him, then Jack. Then Ianto stepped forward and everyone held their breath, Ianto not sure if he should be insulted or not at how wide some eyes were as they followed the arcing of the scanner.

Nothing.

As agreed.

She then scanned the dog and pressed the button, everyone again nodding as they knew that one. They looked at Ianto with something akin to apology for doubting him, their fears allayed there.

"OK, who is next?" she asked calmly.

"Do me" Rhys barked "I have to get those pies out soon and need to check them."

She did the sweep and silence thing, more nods as everyone accepted this. Then she turned to find Andy there, his face set with a resigned look "Best do me too. I want to help Rhys."

She did. He moved on to help Rhys as Jim now moved forward. One by one they were scanned without her pressing the alarm button, everyone looking relived as they knew they were clean and being proven so such was a boon.

Finally Gwen was left sitting on the sofa with Enid, both women holding hands as they had watched proceedings. Gwen had been upset when Rhys was scanned, pleased to see him clean and had now watched in silence with her hands clasped in Enid's' against the baby bump.

Ianto glanced at the sofa more than once, letting everyone know he was not happy with them still there and as Toshiko turned to wield the scanner he spoke.

"Come now ladies, you won't feel a thing" he said gently "Those pies smell delicious and we can eat as soon as we are done with this malarkey."

They sat staring at him silently.

"Gwennie" Rhys growled "Stop being a divvy, get up and let Toshiko at you. I'm hungry."

Gwen looked at Enid and then took a deep breath "OK, think it's horseshit though."

She rose and walked to Toshiko as everyone gaped then Martha silently raised her weapon to point it at the one they now knew was the danger. Enid's face never changed, even as she seemed to shrink back into the sofa and her silent screaming for Buckley made Ianto's knees buckle.

"Ianto!"

"It's her" Gwen spun to gaped "Enid. You? It's you?"

Ianto was clutching at his head as Enid's eyes widened to almost glow and the crack of John's hand across her face stopped the agonising pain for Ianto instantly. He slumped to the floor panting as he groaned through the psychic shock.

"No" Andy wailed "No …no…no….Enny?"

She looked at him, her face impassive as she snarled "She always hated that name!"

Andy stopped sobbing and stared at the thing controlling the room "Enid? Is she still in there at all?"

"We live to feed. To conquer. You really thing a simpering little thing like her was a match for me? She died within moments of my consuming her life-force. Such a pitiful little .." she snarled as she started to rise from the sofa only to yelp as Janet bit down savagely on her hand.

Everyone started yelling as Enid struggled up, her large belly in the way as she swing at John, the sound of the weapon fire loud in the small space as she fall forward onto her stomach, the knife in her hand clunking across the floor to land at Andy's feet. He goldfished with shock.

"She's not dead" Ianto panted "Quick."

"Yeah" John roled her over and reached for the knife, his face devoid of fear as he moved it toward her thorax.

"NO The baby ya idiot. The baby. Save the poor little thing before she bleeds out from the chest wound!" Ianto barked, crawling over to seize the knife and cut himself yelping as he dropped the knife and Owen seized it up.

"Get out of the way. I'm the fucking doctor here" he demanded as he fell onto her writhing legs, "Hold her still goddamn it."

People rushed to help as Ianto rose unsteadily and walked over to Andy who was clutching at the bench with wide shocked eyes. He took a tea towel and wrapped his hand, then pulled Andy into his arms as Andy stated to weep. Ianto turned him away from what was happening on the floor, soothing as he ribbed his back and said softly that she didn't know what was happening. Already gone. Already in the next place. This was not her. Anything he could think of to say as Andy cried for his sister, his only remaining family.

Well. And the new life squealing with indignation as Owen yanked it out and struggled to cut the cord as Enid choked and died.

"Oh god" Gwen wailed "It's covered in slime!"

"They come that way ya stupid bitch" Owen snapped "Someone take it, I might be able to …"

Jack snatched the baby and retreated from the huddle as they continued to see what they could do but then Owen said softly "she's gone."

Silence.

Then a soft cry from the bundle and Ianto led Andy over to accept it. Andy turned back to Ianto with the baby between them, the room smelling of blood, gunpowder and death. Jack placed the antique Webley back in its holster and shakily lowered himself to a chair.

Well.

There goes the bait then.

Shit.