33

Tosh admitted that it was she, who had released Gwen.

Gwen was still confused about what was happening and the Doctor declared her to be in psychic shock.

"Well, they are upping the ante if they are trying mind control" River frowned, "Do you remember calling Unit?"

"Calling Unit? Why the hell would I call those useless sods!" Gwen spluttered.

"See?" Tosh threw her arms out, "I believe her."

"So do I" Ianto nodded.

Owen looked around the room, "But why?"

They all took a few moments to look at each other, then the Doctor sighed.

"To get Ianto out of the Tardis room" he finally groaned, "Worked, didn't it?"

"Ah shit!" Owen snarled, reaching for an extinguisher.

"They need time" Ianto waved him off, "Looks like they regroup, recharge … or whatever before another sweep."

"Yeah?" Jack considered, it made sense.

"So. Dad!" River said with a wicked grin, "Gonna show me this room?"

"Behave!" Ianto growled without malice, then motioned for her to follow him.

As they walked, she took the time to look at him, seeing the same ears.

That's something, right?

Ear are important?

Ianto smiled and motioned her in as she gasped and then cooed, then she looked around.

"Mama, this is River" Ianto said calmly and the walls pulsed.

"Oh, lovely" River reached out to stroke the wall.

"I just … I need …." Ianto was looking around her and smiled as Jack entered, the pull too great to ignore.

Jack walked over to Ianto and opened his arms, letting Ianto snuggle in.

"So. What do I call you" she asked Jack, "Are you my mummy?"

"Don't" the Doctor snapped in the doorway as Jack paled.

"What?" she was surprised.

Gwen pushed past them and over to Ianto, still intent on apologizing.

The fact that the Silence could control Gwen was reason enough for Ianto to want to settle back in the room, content that she still shielded him.

"It's OK Gwen, I believe you" Ianto said softly, "I was so confused by your sudden change, I should have known they were getting desperate. Gods, I don't want anyone hurt."

"It's OK" the Doctor said as he watched the exchange, "They won't be around much longer. I have a wee trip to make, you stay here my boy. I will be back in a jiffy."

"I want to come with!" River rose, "This is my family they have fucked with."

"Yes, but if you shoot her, we can't negotiate" the Doctor said calmly.

"Who?" Gwen asked with a frown.

"That bloody cyclops bitch" River snarled.

"A cyclops?" Jack grimaced, "They don't deal well."

"Nor a real one, a bitch with an eye patch," River explained with a small grin, "I call her that because she hates it."

"What will you do?" Ianto asked softly, "You will be safe, right?"

"Oh, you darling boy" River sighed, "She will be the one in need of protection."

"Back in a shake of a dead Freltion's tail" the Doctor clapped his hands as she shooed River away.

"If it's dead, would it still shake?" Gwen asked after a few moments of silence.

"Oh yes" Ianto nodded, "According to the files, they continue to show signs of life for at least three hours after decapitation."

"Ew!" Tosh grimaced as Owen laughed.

Jack relaxed as he heard the fading grind of the Tardis, confident that his own friend would sort this out.

If not, Jack would just go there himself.

If it took the rest of his very long life.

And kill whoever controls them.

He would set their world aflame.