7

"So, we dig this hole I have marked out … I want it at least 10 feet deep … 12 would be better. We then hopefully hit the water table" Ianto said as he stood next to the cabin they were fixing up as the welcome house for any new arrivals they wanted to watch and vote on. The last one hadn't fared so well over the winter years.

"Then what?" Kev asked.

"Well … dig and we will see" Ianto replied and Kev agreed, getting into the digger to do as he was damned well told. He scooped large rocks and stones out of the way, a diligent worker who wanted a perfectly smooth hole like Ianto had indicated, soon pleased with himself.

"Well done" Ianto called out, "I see water seeping in already!"

"Now what?" Kev asked again, watching as Ianto motioned to Rhys who sat half asleep in the nearby tip truck and he started to back it up, dropping some gravel into the bottom of the hole. Ianto motioned for him to stop.

"Even it out can you? About two feet of small stone." Ianto yelled as Rhys got out of the truck and wandered over to peer down then nod.

"Still bloody deep!" Kev argued, watching as Ianto strode over to the two huge plastic pipes, large enough to walk inside and he gaped as Ianto pulled out a knife and started calmly stabbing at the walls until it was aerated.

"OK, now these stand up in there" Ianto said with a wave of his hand "Come on then. Before the water level rises again."

Kev shrugged and did as he was told, sitting the huge pipes nearly in the hole. There was about five foot of space between them and the walls, Kev starting to get it as Rhys backed up the truck and dumped more gravel, Ianto motioning for him to move each time it filled the spot until two feet of the pipes stuck out of a filled hole.

Kev got out of the digger and walked over to peer inside the pipes, amazed to see water filling them from the bottom up. "Well … bugger me."

"No thanks, Jack would be jealous for sure" Ianto quipped happily, watching as the instant well became a reality.

"So … the peaty soil is a filter … the gravel is a filter and last but not least the thin slits also help catch impurities in the water" Kev guessed.

"Yeah, we will test it to be sure, but I am confident that it is pure and safe. It means whoever we put here will have longer to stay without need for us to fuss in case they need to be quarantined or something." Ianto explained.

"Quarantined" Kev repeated.

"Think about it. Been so many years, you think there are any vaccines out there still? How many viruses and such do you think are running rampant now? No chances, not without pure little souls. Nope. Time for Owen to run tests, for us to know either way" Ianto sighed.

"So. Gill is following Logan into the world of medicine?" Kev said suddenly "Is Owen OK with a student?"

"Anyone else might have been in trouble but he is used to him now. A few more have to get used to the idea of apprentices. We need to start looking to the Bigs for Grup jobs. Time marches on, some are getting on a bit and retiring is not an option for some who will refuse but if they see the next generation stepping up they might ease off their internal throttles a bit." Ianto explained.

"Especially as we are getting so big" Rhys joined in "We went over your 100 limit. I think come the next winter we will be closer to 150."

"Probably" Ianto laughed "Gods help us, babies are popping everywhere this summer!"

"Gods, more than one?" Kev snorted. "You have to stop shaking a stick at them behind their backs. At least Pip does it out in public!"

"Your woman is already there!" Ianto snapped back "Martha and Marley too. That's three and we are only getting into spring. You think a few more won't follow?"

Kev stood gaping at Ianto who realized a beat too late that he had snapped, his nerves a little frayed with the upcoming Recon. "Shit. Sorry Kev, that was not my place to say that. She is still trying to work it out. Don't tell!"

Kev hugged Ianto against him "No worries mate. You know I will try but … another? So soon?"

"Two years gap is good, will be closer to three by the time it gets here" Ianto replied "With Martha gone as well it will …. Shit."

Kev was off and running, his promise to try to contain it totally gone and Ianto looked at Rhys with a soft sigh "He's off to tell both women isn't he."

"Sisters. Man, he has no idea the shit-storm two preggers sisters will be, even with Andy and Mickey there to pet and pamper." Rhys laughed softly "I know we will not have another, Alice is so happy with our lot. Besides, there may be more waifs along the way"

"Exactly, life is still out to surprise us" Ianto smiled happily as he watched the water peak at over half way.

"And what a ride!" Rhys said happily.