gracie_musica | Different Kind of Magic -- Mandate from the Masses

Title: Different Kind of Magic
Chapter Fourteen: Mandate from the Masses
Date Written: 7/9/09
Rating: PG/K+
Word Count: 2,016
Fandom: Torchwood/Doctor Who
Characters/Pairings: Ianto/Jack, Bilis Manger (TW), Christina de Souza (DW)
Spoilers: Doctor Who up through Season 04 and current specials, Torchwood up through 02, Different Sort of Science and To Days To Come
Warnings: AU like whoa.
Author's Notes: Thanks so much to my gorgeous betas

totally4ryo and

katestamps, who are my sounding boards, my muses, and all-around fantastic girls. The title comes from Monty Python. No, seriously.

Yes, I know. However, I endeavor to be kind to those who haven't seen it yet and want to be as spoiler-free as possible. Therefore, I'm screening comments until Saturday, and won't comment back until then.

Previous chapters found here.

Book cover by

cjharknessgirl

"The aristocracy survives for a reason. We're ready for anything."
-- Lady Christina de Souza, Planet of the Dead

Rose and the Doctor were still on their first official inspection of the kingdom when the new Head of Torchwood House decided to hold a conference of his own to discuss changing attitudes on neutral ground. All noble families were invited, Loyalist and Renegade alike, and most of those who had been invited came.

Ianto knew what Jack's game was: With the nobles away, his parents could get a true read of the areas from the commoners. However, he held his tongue and just went along with his lover's idea.

With Jack doing all the correspondence and sweet-talking reluctant royals to turn up, the little management decisions of the house fell to Ianto. Which guest should be put in which room, and which guest should stay far away from another? Should they use that tablecloth and this silver set? And what in Pythia's name would they feed everyone?

The entire house was abuzz with nervous energy, quickly throwing Ianto into a bundle of frazzled nerves. He tried not to show it, but his friends knew and tried their best to soothe him. The only time he felt calm, however, was when he was around Jack, who had been doing this sort of thing for ages. He always knew just what to say, whether it was to a harried maid, a frustrated noble, or his poor frazzled Ianto.

"I told you me being Second was a bad idea," Ianto moaned softly for what was probably the hundredth time. His face was buried in his hands as he leaned his elbows on his desk.

Jack's low chuckle rumbled behind him and he felt warm lips against his ear. "Nonsense," the Time Lord said. Ianto could hear the smile in his voice. "You're doing a fabulous job." He pressed another kiss to his skin, this time on the soft patch of skin just behind his ear.

"I haven't done anything helpful," Ianto argued.

Jack's hands moved to Ianto's shoulders. His fingers dug into the fabric stretched over the younger Mage's back, thumbs slowly, firmly working at the knots in the muscles along his spine. "You're just nervous," he rationalized. "Once everyone shows up you won't have time to think about anything else and you'll become the charming man I know you are."

Ianto leaned back into Jack's hands, his eyes still closed as he enjoyed the physical and emotional boost Jack was giving him. "And what do you base that theory off of?" he asked, already feeling worlds better.

"Thunderstorms."

Ianto snorted in amusement. Jack pressed a kiss to the crown of his head. "No, hear me out," he murmured against his hair, breath tickling the dark strands. "Before a big thunderstorm everything is very still, very quiet," he explained. "The world waiting for the dark clouds to split apart. During the storm, though, you don't think about it because everything is busy and alive and crashing. All that oppressive anxiety you feel before the storm just washes away in the rain. That's why everything is so much better after the storm clears."

The dark-haired Mage turned to smile up at his lover. "Silver tongued bastard," he teased softly.

"Stubborn, bull-headed idiot," Jack replied before leaning in to kiss him properly. "You did a fantastic job, you're just waiting for the rain."

"I do feel like unspent lighting," Ianto admitted. "Jumpy."

"Well..." Jack's face split into a gorgeous grin. "Maybe we should burn off some of that energy," he suggested. It would have been innocent if it hadn't been for his hands sliding lower, down Ianto's back and between the seat to cup his arse.

"You're awful," chastised Ianto, but he was laughing and pulling Jack down for another kiss.

Nervous waiting energy turned into anxious waiting energy of another kind as Jack kissed him, deep and slow. Ianto couldn't quite bite back the low moan in his throat, and he nipped Jack's lower lip when the Time Lord smirked in response. Jack's warm, wet mouth moved down his neck. Ianto tipped his head back invitingly, another moan spilling up from the pale line of his throat.

Jack's hand was sliding around, teasingly resting on Ianto's thigh, fingertips feather-light through the rough fabric of his pants. Ianto was opening his mouth, about to suggest that they go up to their quarters before someone walked in, when he heard a polite cough.

Both men looked up to see Bilis standing in the doorway. Ianto felt his face heat up as Jack chuckled, pressing his forehead against Ianto's. "Yes?"

"Lady Christina is here, sirs."

Jack sighed and pulled away. "Of course she is. That woman never shows up on time."

-----

The family name de Souza was a name that Ianto knew all too well, a name that was known throughout the kingdom. They had a reputation for being a bit eccentric; not full-blown mad, mind, but just always going against the grain. The Lady Christina, the current matriarch of the family, was a prime example of the de Souza family's unique mindset. A woman of wealth, position, and stature, she preferred to roam about the countryside with little to no guard and just explore. She'd been turning out numerous, highly detailed maps of previously unexplored areas since she was a young woman.

The fact that the de Souza family were Queen Rose's cousins wasn't lost on Ianto. Jack truly was his parents' son.

Ianto's first impression of her was that she would be more at home in the stables than in their sitting room scrutinizing the art on the wall, her back to the door. She was wearing what looked like a well-made, sturdy white working shirt and close-fitting leather trousers, her long storm-black hair pulled back against the nape of her neck.

Jack cleared his throat and the Lady de Souza turned. Ianto recognized the same peripheral family traits he'd seen in Jack and Matthew Harkness when he compared Christina to Rose; the shape of their eye and their jawline, and the way her whole face lit up when she smiled at Jack. The two cousins hugged, Jack lifting her off her feet for a moment and making her laugh, before turning to Ianto.

"You must be Ianto Jones," Christina said, moving forward to take the young Mage's hand in a firm handshake. "It's nice to finally put a face with the name."

"I could say the same, Lady de Souza," Ianto said, kissing the back of her hand politely.

She laughed and looked over her shoulder at Jack. "He's a charmer!"

"He's spoken for," Jack growled back, but he was grinning.

"Pity," the Lady sighed, withdrawing her hand. "And it's Christina."

"Of course, Lady Christina," Ianto replied smoothly.

Christina sighed heavily, crossing her arms across her chest before looking at Jack. "Well, you do need someone to be polite with you as Head."

Jack mockingly put a hand over his heart.

"The Queen and the Doctor have only good things to say about you," Christina told Ianto. "One would think that you were their son instead of Jack."

Ianto blinked in surprise. "You knew?"

Christina grinned, revealing perfect rows of white. "I know my cousin, and Jack and I spent time here together at Torchwood House, even if he's older than I am."

"Not that much older," Jack defended.

Ianto and Christina both rolled their eyes. "Anyway, I'm not an idiot," she continued.

"Anyway, I died for you," Jack shot back.

"An act which was perfectly unnecessary, as I could have handled myself."

"Your horse was out of control!"

"I was in control," she argued. "And I think it was rather rude of you not to stay dead after upsetting me so."

It was obvious she was teasing him, but the barb managed to steal Jack's response out of his mouth. He stared at her, mouth agape.

Ianto thought it was wise to change the subject before someone said something they'd regret, even if it was said in jest. "Lady Christina, I realize you must be tired from your trip, but I'm sorry to say that your room isn't prepared yet."

"I know, Mr. Jones -- "

" -- Ianto, please, ma'am," the Mage interrupted.

"Mr. Jones," the Lady de Souza reiterated. Ianto got the subtext. Call me Christina and I'll call you Ianto. "However, I wanted to come early to discuss a matter that will probably arise during the conference."

Ianto took the woman standing before him in, really analyzing her; she was dressed more like a commoner than royalty and while her speech was polished aristocracy, she lived her own life. She didn't like being told what she could and could not do, the rules of court society.

She didn't like the trappings she'd be caught in if she followed Rose.

"... You don't want to be the Queen's Heir Presumptive," he guessed.

Jack groaned. "Goddess, now I need a drink."

"You are more appropriate to take the throne!" the dark-haired woman argued.

"If I did, I'd not only shame Torchwood House but the Queen -- and, by proxy, your family," Jack argued. "I'm content where I am."

"So you going to force me to do something I don't want just because you can't be buggered?" Christina had turned to face him, hands on her hips.

"History is full of rulers that didn't want the responsibility of the throne," Jack said, facing her as well.

"And it's full of rulers that completely ripped their kingdoms apart!" she argued.

The two of them were now toe-to-toe, noses almost touching, blue eyes boring into blue. Without turning away from her, Jack folded his arms across his chest and said, "Ianto? What do you think?"

"I think I hate it when you put me in the middle, Jack," Ianto sighed, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand. "You both have valid points," he said. "And I personally of am of the If a person wants power, they shouldn't be allowed have it persuasion."

Jack gave his cousin a look that clearly said I told you so.

"However, Lady Christina also has a valid point," Ianto continued. "And with the way things are now, any blood relation ascending to the throne -- either Rose's or Harold's -- will be criticized heavily. By both sides."

Christina was nodding along in agreement. "For argument's sake, let's say it's me. If I agree with the Loyalist, I'll be accused of either placating or even patronizing them. If I agree with the Renegades, I'll be accused of family favoritism."

"Exactly," Ianto agreed.

Jack turned to face him. "So what do you propose? We can't just not have a figurehead."

"I agree," Ianto said. "But what if we lessened the power that figurehead has?" When neither of them answered his question, he continued. "Monarchs have advisers in their inner circle, people who can give an insight to both sides of an issue. What if instead of a slew of advisers, the lords and ladies of the kingdom act in their stead? I mean, who else would have a better grasp of their own land, their own people, than them? You told me when we met that those of Torchwood House were intermediaries, so we can provide that area."

The cousins looked at each other. "It's a good idea," Christina admitted.

"He's not just a pretty face," Jack agreed.

Ianto rolled his eyes. "When Queen Rose and the Doctor leave us -- " He turned his gaze upwards in quick prayer. " -- and may that be a long time coming -- the nobles can select someone they all agree on. Ideally, that way everyone will be happy."

"I see flaws in that," Christina said. "The majority will shut out the minority, for one."

"I never said it was perfect, Christina," Ianto said. "You just asked my opinion and that's the best option I can come up with in such short notice."

The Lady de Souza regarded Ianto for a moment before turning to Jack. "We've got two days to figure out the specifics."

"I'm going to need a really big drink," Jack repeated.