4

Jack entered the Assassin's Bolthole and froze as the woman perched on the arm of the sofa turned her head in an unnatural way to eyeball him.

"Raven, please stop that, it is not good for the furniture" Ianto said without looking up from the parchment he was reading, "He is the King of here, bow."

She rose gracefully, like liquid and Jack was transfixed as she canted her head and bowed a low sweep of an arm almost touching the ground like a feather's brush before she rose and her head swivelled once more.

"Yes, you may" Ianto muttered, "But don't scare that poor cat again. Cook will have your guts for garters."

She wraithed away like Ianto sometimes does and it finally occurred to Jack that she was Violet's replacement. Ianto sighed as he looked up from the parchment, "My Liege?"

"Don't call me that" Jack frowned as he slumped on the sofa, "It occurred to me that you came to ask me something and I acted like an arse. I am sorry, that man…he just riles me like a porcupine quill in my butt. I should not have spoken to you like that."

"Doesn't matter, you were right" Ianto shrugged again and Jack found it to be annoying, "After all, you are the king."

"Awwww, you are gonna punish me" Jack sighed, his eyes fluttering shut.

Jack rolled his head and watched Ianto rise to place the parchment away then turn and face him, "Come on, the dinner is almost ready and you mother would like to see us all eat together once and a while. If that's OK with you. Wouldn't want that to sound too bossy."

"Ianto" Jack sighed as he rose and held out his hand, "Please forgive me. Don't make me beg."

Ianto snorted as he accepted the hand and let Jack lead him to the Great Hall where the table was set with low lit candles and a spring feel with daffodils and daisies.

"Oh, there you are" the Queen gushed, "We were just discussing dates, Jack when would a wedding best suit your schedule? They want a day of celebration, I think a week of festivities, much like yours. After all, as Ianto pointed out, he is next in line."

Jack had started to sit and looked up with surprise, "What?"

"Ianto gave me her hand after you told him to" Gray said with glee, "We are doing it soon, as soon as we can."

Jack turned to Ianto, "You said Gray was next in line?"

"Well he is if we are not to breed" Ianto replied as he motioned a server, "Take the wine away please. I have need of pineapple and orange juice tonight, my throat is sore."

Jack stared at Ianto and the table grew silent as they watched Ianto calmly ignore him and addressed Gray instead, "So. Gray. Children? I take it you and Violet will at least give your mother grandchildren? She cannot wait for sweet Rose."

Ianto took a bite of his salad and made a face, pushing the plate aside and reaching for the goblet instead, "Of course, the problem is….any child you have will not be one of 'your people' but as you love her the mixed blood should not bother you, at least."

Jack placed his fork down and looked hard at Ianto as the words from their argument started to run through his mind and he made a soft huff of anger as he realised what Ianto was doing "Stop it!"

Ianto looked over at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Stop it" Jack repeated, "Just…if you can't be civil just shut up!"

"Jack!" River scolded. "Ever since the…you were unwell you have become increasingly rude. Do you not hear how you speak to your own husband?"

"Consort" Gray corrected, then gasped and placed a hand by his mouth and made the motion of locking it closed with a snort of amusement.

Violet watched Ianto blink and then take another sip, his hurt hidden in the goblet but he had trained her to see these things and now she saw how fragile he was.

Whatever was wrong, it was something he was struggling with and she reached across the table only to have her hand halted as a blade struck the wooden table and she pulled her hand back with a bark of shock as Raven hissed.

Ianto turned and made a motion with his hand that was also recognised by both young women and Raven removed the blade to wraith back into the shadows.

"What the hell was that for!" Jack asked with confusion.

Ianto shrugged and buttered a bread roll with a look of consternation.

"That's Raven, Mas….Ianto's new assistant" Violent smiled and everyone turned to look at the tapestry where she had stood a short time ago.

"Wow, she moved better than you do" Gray whispered and Violet bristled silently.

The meal was had in relative silence until River could not stand it anymore, throwing down her napkin and rising as they rose in compliance.

"A nice family meal, is it too much to ask for?" she demanded, "Jack can you please find something to make you at least pleasant again, Gray I know you are happy but have some decorum and Ianto. For the love of the gods, eat something."

Ianto canted his head as she glided from the room while Jack and Gray looked at each other and shrugged with apparent confusion.

Ianto signalled that he was leaving and Violet almost took a step before Raven appeared from nowhere to openly eyeball her while following at her Master's heel.

Jack didn't even notice him leave.