Lucy was once again bouncing up and down, giddy with excitement. She and the Doctor had just landed in Ireland. They hadn't left yet, but even knowing that a (technically) foreign land was outside the door was intoxicating. The Doctor came from the doorway that led down the hall to their respective rooms and suppressed the urge to roll his eyes at her. A thought occurred to Lucy and she ceased jumping and squealing like a little girl. She looked down, presumably at the ground and the Doctor noticed her silence.

"Don't tell me you've changed your mind."

"No, it's not that, but….I mean, will anybody notice what I'm wearing? It's not exactly 19th century Ireland." The Doctor looked at Lucy's ensemble. She was lovely, of course, in a pair of dark grey skinny jeans, and a light blue baby doll tank top dress over a bright yellow T-shirt, finished off with black Converse. She had French braided only part of the right side of her hair, letting both the plait and the rest of her hair flow freely. She raised her eyebrows at him and he realised he had been caught staring.

"Um, no, er, you'll be fine. Just act like you belong and you will." He nodded at her and she smiled widely.

"Trans-dimensional translation and clothing? That's just smashing." The Doctor returned her smile and held out his hand for her to take. She did and they walked out into their Irish setting.

Lucy found herself in an immense field. On the horizon were scores of identical fields, rolling hills and even a picturesque river winding its way through her vision. Behind her was a tall black forest, complete with swooping birds and lush green colours.

The sky ahead was slightly grey, and the clouds looked dark and heavy, but that didn't matter. She breathed in deeply, feeling the cool, rich air travel into her lungs which were surely filled with London smog.

The Doctor leaned down and said, "See anything you like?"

"Everything. Absolutely everything."

"So… where do we go from here?"

Lucy scanned her options and found that to her left, very close was a small village. She pointed and the Doctor once again took her hand and they walked side by side toward their destination.

Lorna Finn drummed her fingers on the table. Everyone else was silent. They could all feel that…presence. She looked directly across the table at her careworn mother. Her black hair had started to fall out of its knot and her cheeks were flushed. Her threadbare gown was fraying, leaving strings all over the cottage. And that little crease line between her brows was starting to stick. Next to her mother, Edie was her father, Francis. The dark grey smudges under his eyes were also staring to look permanent. Presently, he lifted a hand and massaged his own brow, looking down, frowning all the while. To her left, Lorna's older brother Frank was holding the baby, little Margaret. While Margaret was not yet old enough to understand what was happening, Frank and Lorna traded glances, thinking each looked as worried as they themselves felt. No one looked over at Grandfather Finn. While Lorna was sure her grandfather's face would be impassive, she wasn't sure she could bear it. Nor was she sure anyone else could either. The banshee's wail had surely meant his immanent death.

It had happened later that night, although surely now it was very early morning. Lorna thought she could see a slight yellow hue at the shade drawn over the window. Each member of the family had been simultaneously awoken by a hideous wail. They'd all gathered in a panic and Grandfather Finn had said that he'd actually seen the pale young woman. Upon hearing this, Mother had dropped the tea kettle and wrung her shaking hands. Grandfather Finn had gone on to say that her hair was fair and long and that she was beautiful and looked as though she were about Lorna's age, sixteen. Lorna's best friend Mary Catharine had said that a banshee only actually appeared to the person who was actually going to die. But she'd also heard from Brigid MacPhearson's older brother that anybody could see her.

Just then, a great clap of thunder shook the house and a bolt of lightning lit the whole room. Lorna started and looked round, hearing the rain pouring on the roof. A sharp series of three knocks was heard at the door and every eye turned in its direction. No one made a move to get up and so Lorna took it upon herself. No one stopped her.

The heavy oak door opened with many a creak and Lorna could just barely make out through the pounding rain two figures, one male, and one female. She ushered them in hurriedly and they thanked her, dripping on the floor. The woman apologised and Lorna only shook her head. "Tis nothin', Miss. Truly, I'm sorry about the state of your dress. Did you fall and tear it in the storm?" The young woman threw a dark look at the man and nodded.

"I'm sorry." said he dark haired pale beauty. Lorna shook her head and before they could move into the kitchen where everyone else was gathered, some thought seized her. It must have happened when she looked into the man's eyes. "Please forgive me, but this isn't a blessed time for us. My name is Lorna Finn and last night….the rest of my family and I heard the banshee's call. Please, is there anything you can do to help? Anything at all?" The young woman frowned but the tall mad with those old, old eyes nodded slowly.

"A banshee, you say? I though they only appeared to certain families. I don't recall Finn being on that list."

They both spoke with English accents, and yet, this man at least knew Irish culture. Normally, Lorna and her family weren't too fond of the English, but beggars could not be choosers.

"Those families have inter-married so much that almost every family has heard a banshee's wail. We are related to the O'Neill's." The man nodded and Lorna grew impatient. "So can you help us?" As the man nodded slowly again the girl stepped forward and took her hand. "We'll do our best."

Lorna offered her a small smile and led them into the kitchen where her family's eyes looked up at them with mixed emotions.

Lucy saw confusion, sadness, hopelessness and conversely, hope. Lorna stepped forward, standing by the shoulder of a boy around Lucy's age who was holding a baby. "This is Frank, holding Margaret, that's my father Francis, my mother, Edie and….and Grandfather Finn." Lucy took this to mean that the banshee had foretold his death. The Doctor acknowledged each of them as he was introduced and said, "Hello, and thank you for allowing us to enter your home, especially in this time. I'm the Doctor, and this is my…friend Lucy Blake. We're here to help you. Now, Grandfather Finn? I'll need to know everything that happened." As Grandfather Finn retold his tale, Lucy took the seat offered her and motioned for Frank to give her the baby, who had grown fussy. Frank offered her willingly. Lucy took the baby girl in her arms and gently rocked her up and down. Lorna's grandfather had finished speaking and the Doctor was being shown around the Finn house by Francis. Lucy softly crooned the only Gaelic song she knew and then recalled that if they spoke Gaelic here, her song would come out as pure nonsense. But nobody questioned her and she thought they must have assumed that she was singing in English. Her head started to hurt and she concentrated on singing only. She wasn't the best, but she thought that at least she could carry a tune. And sure enough, Margaret stopped squirming and fell asleep. Edie stretched out her hands and Lucy gave her back her child. Frank looked at her with admiring curiosity and she smiled back at him. The Doctor came back into the room, bespectacled and pursing his lips.

"Anything, Doctor? Have you found anything?"

He motioned for her to follow him and she rose, accompanying him into the hall where the front door was. Francis had gone back into the kitchen with the others and Lorna was busy making another pot of tea.

"They're aliens." The Doctor said.

"The Finns? But, they seem so-"

"No, not the Finns, the banshees. I've been all over the house; I went into the grandfather's room and had the sonic screwdriver all over it once Francis left. There was loads of background radiation, the stiff you soak up when you travel in time, you've got it, and I've got it. Grandfather Finn said he saw the banshee appear by his bed toward the window. The screwdriver showed that extraterrestrial activity was peak there. I'm guessing they use some sort of sonar like thing, like bats do, and project their call to these families."

"But they foretell death, Doctor. How do they do it? Is it just luck? I've heard that sometimes, when someone is given a frightening but general prediction, they themselves make it happen, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Maybe because they expect someone to die, it will just sort of happen, I mean, people can die of fright."

"You don't believe in ghosts, do you?"

"No I don't, but what does that matter, you said they're aliens."

"I did say that. And I meant it as well. But I think you're on to something. I don't know why the banshees are here, but people think of explanations for things they have no other reason for, that's how religions get started. So maybe when the banshees showed up-"

"So did the explanations." Finished Lucy, but then she wasn't finished. "Hold on. I've just thought of something else. We've been working on the basis that the banshees are benign. What if they're not just foretelling the deaths of these people but-"

"Actually causing them, instead." said the Doctor, taking his turn to finish her sentence.

Lucy bit her bottom lip and led the way back into the kitchen. How would they be able to test their hypothesis? Would the banshee return every night until a member of their family dropped dead? Or would the banshee return every night to deliver the sentence herself? It wasn't exactly like they could go round knocking people up until a banshee showed up and they were able to actually watch her suck the life out of someone. Lucy shuddered at the thought.

"Sorry, it's always cold in here." Lorna's mother Edie was looking at her, apologising for something she had no control over, apologising falsely, since Lucy's discomfort was caused by something else entirely. She only shook her head and said,

"No, I'm fine. Really, it was just nice of you to let us in."

"And now I hear you're going to help us. Francis said the Doctor looked all over the house, all the while with something in his eyes. It's us who should be thanking you."

The Doctor put his hand up modestly and Lucy only shook her head absently. At long last, the Doctor spoke. "I believe, we believe that the banshee is not only foretelling the deaths of family, but….but actually carrying them out."

This statement was met with silence. Lucy looked over at Grandfather Finn, who instead of looking fearful, seemed outraged.

"Are you suggesting, sir, that these phantoms are killing Irish families? It's you English who are responsible for more 'n half our suff'rings!"

"Now, Grandfather, be reasonable. These two have offered their help and their guidance and who are we to throw it away? Do they look like they control the government? Do they look like they have any say over what happens in their own country, let alone ours?" Grandfather Finn said nothing, but glared apologetically at Lucy and the Doctor. Lucy didn't think it was even possible to glare apologetically, but she'd just seen it done. The Doctor went on. "Now that we've got that cleared up, are we expecting the banshee to show up again? Because Lucy and I can't very well stay here until….well, you see what I mean."

Frank offered up his own voice, looking all the while at Lucy. "There have been hundreds of different accounts. Some say the banshee will come every night. Some say she is never seen again, except for her warning. Or that she's only seen again at the actual time of death, and help guides the departed to Heaven. There are stories that after her warning she remains with the family until the death happens, never seen, but always there." Lucy didn't believe in ghosts but there was certainly something heavy and oppressive shrouding this family. Maybe it was just expectation itself. Her first idea was that that was all there was to it anyway.

The Doctor was nodding, taking everything in, and using it to his advantage.

"So, if she's still here, it follows that she's here for a reason, which also means that she knows everything every one of us has said."

"This is a clever one." Every living person in the room held his or her breath. The voice that had just spoken was cold, a shrill whisper. Directly behind Grandfather Finn was a spectral woman with long fair hair, a sweeping gown, pale as the moon skin and a face that would be fair itself, were it not for the demented smile twisting her otherwise lovely features. "You, Doctor, are the first in many hundred years to guess our true nature. And because of this land's recent inter-breeding, we have had so many more to feast upon."

"Then who are you here for today?" Lucy said, rising. The banshee turned her face to Lucy, said nothing, but then looked down at Grandfather Finn and grinned widely. Grandfather Finn didn't look round at her, he didn't dare. Maybe it was this look that would kill him, that would cause his demise.

"What planet do you come from? It's not Earth, I know that." Lucy said next.

"You know more than you seem, girl. We come from so far away. Many, many light years, thousands of your lifetimes."

"And how do you kill people? Why? What can you possible gain?" Lucy was bordering on frantic, she was so curious, but she knew the situation was dire.

"They sustain us. Watch." And as she bent down toward Grandfather Finn, making him rise and turn to face her with her pale, slender hands, the Doctor and Lucy both lurched forward, reaching out to him, screaming, "No!"

But it was too late. The banshee had affixed her mouth to Grandfather Finn's and was sucking out his very life force. Lucy couldn't help but think that it was not unlike the Dementors in Harry Potter. Maybe this was where Rowling had got her macabre idea. Everyone was on their feet, paralysed with fear. Francis was shielding his wife Edie, who in turn was holding her baby Margaret close, looking away from her father-in-law. Frank was holding back a silently sobbing Lorna who had one had still stretched out to her grandfather in a vain attempt to reach him. Lucy lowered her own arm, putting her hand to her mouth in disgust, or maybe protection. This was one of the most horrific things she'd ever seen and yet, no tears came. Perhaps she was still in shock. She hated to think that she might be getting used to the idea of death. It did seem to follow in the Doctor's wake. Or was it the other way round?

In no time at all, the banshee had finished with her meal. She let Grandfather Finn fall to the floor, slumping, sprawled like an animal.

"Satisfied, girl? I'm not. You see, now that your friend knows our secret, I'm afraid I can't let any one of you live. My sisters and I have been far too comfortable for far too long, but no more." And with that she let out a piercing, horrible cry. Her scream, the most terrible thing Lucy had ever heard, caused everyone in the room to clap their hand's to their ears. Edie was holding one hand to her ear, the other pressed up against her husband, the free hand holding Margaret, whose cries were totally drowned out. Lucy saw six more banshees appear, totaling seven. One for each of them. Seven lovely, petrifying banshees stood before them, ready to feast. Lucy could see no way out.

However, the Doctor could see one. It was a long shot, but that was all he needed. Lately, the sonic screwdriver was doing more than it ever had. It was doing unexpected things that often proved useful. So he took a risk and as the banshees approached them, he tinkered with the screwdriver, pushed a button and-

Yes! The sonic screwdriver let out its own banshee-like wail. The banshees all screamed along with it, but in pain, not revelry or warning. The only downside was the humans could hear it as well. They had all clapped their hands to their ears again and were actually sinking to the ground, trying to escape it. The sound was starting to bother him. Finally though, one by one, the banshees burst into dust, leaving heaps upon the floor. The Doctor let go the button and the noise ceased at once. The humans all slowly rose to their feet again, scarcely breathing. Lucy let out a shaky breath and the Doctor turned to her, eyes filled with woe. He looked passed her though, and instead at each Finn in turn. Addressing Lorna, the first to ask for his help he said, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I was too late to save your grandfather. I'm-"

"Please, Doctor." said Francis. "You did what you could and we all, as awful as I feel saying it, expected him to die. That is how it has been. Now we just that the manner was more evil than we had all originally thought. But you've destroyed the banshees now. And you've save the rest of our lives." Edie nodded, still trying to sooth Margaret. The Doctor sighed and put his hand on the small of Lucy's back, leading her out into the hall. The Finns all followed and the Doctor turned back to them and said, "Thank you, again. Lucy and I are going now."

"Take care." Lucy said, giving a small wave. They left without another word, leaving the Finn family in somewhat stunned silence. Most of the rain had ceased and the sun was even beginning to peek out from behind the clouds. They had started walking toward the T.A.R.D.I.S. but then Lucy stopped, and held on to the Doctor's jacket so that he had to stop too. He turned to look at her and raised his eyebrows. Her tiny scar was almost invisible in this half-light, and yet, even when he could see it, it didn't make her less beautiful. She was frowning slightly, not saying anything. She was biting her lower lip, her adorable habit she had when she was thinking about something. He knew better than to ask her before she finished. Not half a minute later though, she said, "We can't leave yet. No, hear me out. I wanted a nice trip to the past and we got banshees. My trip to the future was not made up for with hover cars the fact that we were almost killed by a giant fish-thing. I'm in Ireland, mate, and we're going to a pub." The Doctor looked at Lucy, almost incredulous. He didn't say anything so she tugged his hand, walking back toward town already and said, "Go on then, I'll buy you a drink." And he was sold. So they walked arm-in-arm toward the nearest pub in the ever-lightening sky.