7
Jack had wanted to be part of the Away Team but Ianto stressed that it had to be Dwyer's mission, he had to 'save' them with supplies and promises of a better way now. The only way to gain leadership quickly and effectively.
In the last couple of days while sorting out the changeover, Ianto had been counselling him quietly, as had the Queen and he was more than ready to take up a mantle of chains and puff his chest out. Ianot could not wait to be rid and his Grandmother was pleased her two grandsons had stopped trying to think of a way to kill each other without her noticing.
Truth be told, she was glad to get the slimy little toad off her boat too. But of course, one would never say so.
Rhys found Jack and Ianto in quiet conversation, moving closer to ask if things were OK.
"I just hope Dwyer sticks to the brief" Ianto said softly.
"You call him Marcus sometimes."
"Also, his name. Dwyer is his title rite. He prefers it, his mother was a Dowager and she named him Dwyer for that, Marcus the second name, the one his father got to choose. As she died when he was so young, his father called him Marcus. Now he is about to be…. Well… a semi-king it seems fitting to call him by the name of birth and office." Ianto whispered "He always hated being called Marcus knowing his mother did not like it. Why I only rarely use it like an insult."
"So… his mother died when he was a smalling, like you and still he was a prick?"
"Yeah…. He can not see things from the point of view of anther. A narcissist. He sees every and all actions from the perspective of the impact on himself." Ianto smiled softly.
Both of you have faced such hardships at such a young age but are so different".
"He was always a prick, even when we were small" Ianto winked and they both laughed softly, then Ianto added "But I know he sees it in himself now, and is slightly ashamed, even if he will never admit it. So… this is his chance to make a new life. A new him."
"Well... we shall see."
"Indeed"
.
.
The team left with John at the helm, content to let the Dwyer think he was the one in charge. Why not. Little creep. Ianto smiled to himself, telling himself to stop being such a morose shit, this was not the boy he fought, the man had seemed…. More adult the last few weeks and upon learning of a title of office, had actually got over himself.
Sort of.
Ianto was still glad to get rid.
When John returned it was with a handful of those who wanted to be off the dirt, wanted to be with others. They were thin but not starved, clearly they had rationed food but the two children on board John's Away Vessel were full of beans, as the saying goes.
Weird saying.
The biggest shock was the man who stepped off and ran straight at Ianto with glee "IANTO!"
"Andy?" Ianot gaped, then stared to laugh as he greeted the Crusty he had found so endearing on Jack's staff.
"Fuck me, when I heard your voice I… then the captain the last few days with the final stuff. It was such a… oh. Rhys" Andy stalled out as Rhys approved, the delight on the older man's face clear as he reached for Andy and pulled him into an embrace.
"I thought you were gone for good" Rhys said as he finally released him.
"Nah…. Just a bit. When it all turned to shit I gathered who I could reach and went hell for leather. I remember what the Cap had said about high water and… well… I remember this place you told me about. Of course, Gwen remembered it too so…"
"Gwen."
"Yeah… you missus. She's there." John scoffed "didn't want to come, even when I said you were here. She said she was happy there. Looks like she is queen bee."
"She is, I feel sorry for that Dwayne fella or whatever his name is. She'll eat him alive" Andy laughed with delight, "already had herself wrapped around his arm yanking on it when we left. He looked a little shellshocked."
"That's Gwen. Looking for the positives. His name is Dwyer, Ianto's cousin would ya believe" Rhys snorted "Christ almighty. Just when I think she's gone. Like that song where the damned cat comes back, right?"
"Nah, no worries there" Andy grinned, then he looked chagrined "Sorry mate."
"Are you kidding? We were over with long before the water came. The talk of the wedding was doing me head in mate" Rhys laughed "I felt pussy trapped big time."
Well, that new fella is gonna feel the love" Andy roared with mirth, "It drove her mad that we wouldn't have a leader but a committee. So hard to control us all at once"
Rhys roared with mirth, throwing an arm around Andy's shoulders "Come on mate. You can bunk in with me, I have room since my roommate just left with the Shore Group."
As they wandered off talking animatedly Jack turned to Ianto "Those two were good friends before it all went tits up. Gwen was even jealous if you can believe that."
"Hmmm" Ianot watched the two friends leave the area and canted his head.
Hmmmm.