30

Kev. Sean, Billy and Mickey stood with Dean and Frank as they checked the things for a little day jaunt along the line. They were all excited and Ianto stood back letting his son have some control as he and Frank solemnly checked as well. A little dry run for the big dry run like. This was to test them before they headed for the line fixing to Scotland.

Jack approached and Ianto turned to find his smile freezing as young Gill approached with Owen carrying something between them.

"The medical kit" Owen said by way of explanation, "Gonna be a long day and we don't want to die so … Gill here is gonna help."

Ianto slow blinked.

"I can't come to Scotland. This leg of mine hates the rhythm of the train tracks. Gill here is a good student and I think a day out as your medic might give him more confidence" Owen smiled as he patted the young man's shoulder.

"He's only 14" Ianto said lamely as he watched Heather and Logan running towards them with matching looks of horror.

"What's going on!" Logan demanded as he reached them first, Heather panting as she came behind "Gilly?"

"I am gonna be the medic" Gill said proudly, "Billy and Stephen are sorting my security kit now, I just have to change and we can go."

"Gillford. We talked about this" Heather said calmly "I do not want you leaving the Dome until you are 18 and…"

"Uncle Owen says I am old enough now. It's a new world out there Mom. Back in the days of the Vikings I would have a wife and everything, providing for my own family!" he said angrily "I want to!"

"This is not the first long ride, this is only a couple of hours to test the little jigger. Just across country to Fallback and back instead of Stronghold underground. We hope to use the train tracks for large things like houses and such if we have to add more to Fallback. We build them better here on the flat, can move them over the hill via track if it all works" Kev explained "This is also a trial run for those of us who will be going to Scotland, so we all learn how she works, if someone is …injured… we need someone else to step up to the controls. Like any vehicle, more than one driver!"

"Injured" Heather snorted. "You mean killed."

Ianto sighed, not happy either as this had clearly not been discussed and he saw the surprise on Jack's face showing he hadn't thought it was a problem. Was this just for the track check between village? Or did he want Gill on the week long? Taking Tosh, they could not take Owen too, the rule 'no two parentals from the same family at the same time' bar them. Ianto had expected Logan or maybe even Abner or Sam with their medical backgrounds. Not a … Big.

"Come on, it's just for the day. Come on dad, you can come with!" Gill whined, now desperate for the jaunt so he could say he had gone beyond the Dome like some others in his age group had already. "Not fair."

Frank turned and said something unintelligible to those who did not understand him but Dean snorted as he nodded "I know. Like that sometimes."

"What did Frank just say?" Logan asked "He didn't Sign it."

"He said that you never really grow up in your patent's eyes" Dena answered "You see … his Dad still kisses his head before patting his back and telling to go off and play. Frank is clever and cleverer than most Bigs. Some Grups even, but Uncle Owie will always see a little boy."

"Well … maybe" Ianto started to give in as Jack calmly walked over to talk to the others like it was a done deal.

"Dad?"

"Your father is helping with the First Aid courses today and you know it. Swimming about to start, he has to help with the CPR classes. I will!" Heather said with mild discomfort.

Now Ianto was not happy at all, her discomfort not at all what he wanted to see, given the smell he knew was an early sigh of seeding. He was torn. Did he tell her? Would it stick? So early, only a few weeks so really she might still … damn.

"Holdfast?" Jack touched Ianto's' arm and Ianto sent an image of a baby in her arms to him. Jack grunted "Another one? At her age? Shit. Seeds are catching everywhere."

Logan froze, staring at Ianto as he face palmed and Jack went on with the usual oblivion "So .. Martha, Tish, Marley, who else? Oh yes, you suspect Clara given the way you keep staring at her over the dinner table and now Heather too? Shit, we will need a bigger school house for sure! At least some of the older mums-to-be can help the first timers"

"Are you saying Heather is pregnant?" Logan asked calmly. "She's almost 40!"

Ianto sighed.

Gill got to go without Parentals after all.