“Billy, it’s good to meet you. This is Dr. Sattler, paleobotanist extraordinaire,” Alan said.

 

With a quiet laugh, Ellie patted Alan on the arm. “Hi, Billy.”

 

“Dr. Grant—Dr. Sattler, it’s an honor,” Brennan said.

 

“And this is Lex and Tim,” she said.

 

“Hey, guys,” Brennan said.

 

Brennan glanced momentarily towards one of the other tables. “It looks like I’ve got another party. I’ll be back later.”

 

“I recognize that look,” Ellie said.

 

Alan smiled slyly. “What look?”

 

“The ‘time to rescue a wayward paleontology student’ look.”

 

Alan laughed, at the choice of her words. “I’d like to know why he’s not in school,” he said.

 

“Actually, I'd like to find out the reason, too.”

 

“Alan, when you’re digging for dinosaurs, do you camp out?” Tim asked.

 

“Yep, in a tipi."

 

“Is it a tipi like the Indians used?” Tim asked.

 

“It’s the very same design. We got them several years ago.”

 

“I wish I could camp out in a tipi,” Tim said wistfully.

 

Ellie wondered if Tim's mother would let him come to Montana next summer. She quickly glanced at Alan; his expression altered momentarily and they locked eyes; she knew his thoughts mirrored hers.

 

“How come you use tipis instead of tents?” Lex asked.

 

“Well, Lex, we’ve been in and out of Western Montana for a number of years at Egg Mountain. When we first started prospecting there, we tried several kinds of tents, but the high winds always blew over the tents, once with me in one! Egg Mountain and the surrounding areas once belonged to the Blackfoot nation, so we went and talked to the tribal elders at the Blackfoot reservation, and they agreed to make us the tipis. We have six now. They’re actually larger inside and more comfortable than tents.”

 

“Wow… How cool,” Lex said.

 

Brennan soon returned to take their appetizer dishes. “Dr. Grant, are you on an expedition?” he said

 

“I wish...” he said, scowling. “We came to Costa Rica on a consulting job and there have been some complications. It looks like we’ll be here for a while longer.”

 

“Billy, what university were you attending?” Ellie asked.

 

“Uh… Idaho State.”

 

“So… Why aren’t you home getting ready for the fall term?” she asked.

 

“I wasn’t happy with my paleontology courses. They disappointed me so much I decided not to go back to school.”

 

Alan exchanged knowing looks with Ellie, and nodded. “I see.” In his opinion, Mabrey was one of the worst of the “Teacup Dinosaur Hunters;” paleontologists afraid to get their hands dirty, and who’s only interest was the potential profits of fossil hunting for museums. Worse than useless, they devoured desperately needed funding which should be used for legitimate research.

 

He would like to know more about the young man’s predicament, but realized it was the wrong time and place. “What time do you come in to work tomorrow?”

 

“Actually, I’m off.”

 

“Perfect. I have a meeting to go to in the morning, and Ellie’s taking Tim and Lex to a museum, why don’t you come by tomorrow afternoon and we’ll talk.”

 

Billy slowly nodded, then smiled broadly. “I’d like to, Dr. Grant.”

 

“Good. We’re staying at the Apartotel El Sesteo."

 

"I’ve got the address," Ellie said. She dug into her backpack and retrieved the paper with their address, and a small spiral notebook, and rapidly wrote the address down.

 

“I’ll find it," he said, placing the paper in his pocket. "Hey, I’ll be back with the main courses."

 

“We’ll be here,” Alan said.

 

Ellie smiled at Alan fondly. Billy Brennan would not be the first student Alan got through a difficult situation. “You’ll have him back in school in no time.”

 

“I’m going to try.”

 

Brennan soon came back carrying a large tray with their main courses. He quickly placed the dishes in front of the group.

 

“Why don’t you plan to come over about four?” Alan said.

 

“Sure, I can be there.”

 

“Then you can stay for dinner,” Ellie said.

 

“Wow, Dr. Sattler, I don’t know what to say…” he trailed off shyly.

 

“All you have to do is say yes,” Ellie said.

 

“Well, okay, sure, I’d love to.”

 

“You’d better be careful, or you might get trapped into a game of Monopoly. These two put Donald Trump to shame.”

 

Brennan laughed. “I’ll remember that. Well, I’ve got another party. I’ll be back to check on you later. Enjoy the meal.”

 

“Thanks,” Ellie said, watching him hurry away. “You know, I bet your friend Jack Mabrey is the cause of Billy’s problems.”

 

"Wouldn't surprise me a bit." Alan said.

 

In her first semester of her PhD studies, Ellie attended the annual meeting of the Vertebrate Paleontological Society, along with the rest of the paleontology department’s staff and students. She had already heard of Mabrey and the methods he used to acquire fossils, and his lack of teaching expertise. On the last night of the meeting, Alan delivered a scathing keynote address on the future of Paleontology and the dangers of fossil collecting for profit. Although Alan mentioned no names during the speech, Mabrey correctly guessed he was a target; afterwards the two men had engaged in a very public quarrel. Ellie remembered Alan’s surprise that he had been allowed to speak on a subject so controversial.

 

“Is Mr. Brennan going to be a paleontologist?” Tim asked.

 

“He is, if I have anything to do with it,” Alan said.

 

Ellie took off the top of a pan and laughed. “Hey Alan, take a look at this – Moo Shu fajitas.”

 

Alan raised his eyebrows in surprise; instead of the expected pancakes, he found several tortillas. “Interesting.”

 

While they ate, the restaurant began to fill, and Brennan did not have time for an extended conversion when he returned to refill their drinks.

 

“Your food must be good,” Ellie said, watching Lex eagerly consume her food.

 

“Oh, yeah, it’s great,” Lex said.

 

“Mine’s good too,” Tim said.

 

“Well, these are terrific,” Alan said. “Want to split the last tortilla?”

 

“I couldn’t eat another bite. You go ahead.”

 

“Okay.” Alan spooned the last of the pork mixture into the tortilla, and took a bite.

 

After finishing their meal, Brennan returned to take their plates. “How’d you like it?”

 

“I loved it,” Lex said.

 

“That's what I want to hear. Is everybody ready for dessert?”

 

He chuckled at the groans heard all around the table. “What, nobody wants any of our famous Sticky Rice?”

 

“I’d love some, but I’d explode,” Ellie said.

 

Brennan laughed and nodded, gathering their dishes. “I hear that a lot. I’ll be back in a minute with your bill.”

 

“I don’t think I could go swimming after this, I might sink and drown,” Tim said.

 

 Leaning back in his chair, Alan contentedly patted his stomach. “I’m glad, Tim. I’d probably go sound asleep.”

 

Brennan soon returned with the bill. “It was really great to meet you, Dr. Grant, Dr. Sattler.”

 

“It was good to meet you too, Billy. You are coming tomorrow, right?” Alan asked.

 

“I promise I’ll be there.”

“We’re in suite five.”

 

“Okay, good. Goodnight everybody. See you tomorrow.” Brennan left to attend to his other parties, and they slowly walked to the checkout stand.

 

“Alan, while you pay, I’ll go call us a taxi,” Ellie said.

 

“Okay,” Alan said.

 

“How did you like your dinner, Señor?” the woman behind the counter asked, taking his money.

 

“It was excellent, and our waiter was very attentive,” Alan said, throwing in a plug for Brennan.

 

“Excellent. Have a good evening.”

 

“Thanks.” Alan turned away from the stand, and looked around. “Guys, let's see how Ellie’s doing,” Alan said to Lex and Tim. They walked to the pay phones. Alan found her hanging up the phone.

 

“What’s the verdict?” Alan asked.

 

“The cab will be here in about fifteen minutes.”

 

“Okay, let’s wait outside.”

 

They left the restaurant, and waited for the taxi, Alan’s arm around Ellie. “I wish they’d open a restaurant in Denver,” Alan said, leaning casually against the wall of the restaurant.

 

“I agree,” Ellie replied.

 

They waited quietly for a few minutes, until a taxi stopped at the curb and honked. “Here we go,” Alan said. “I’ll take the back seat this time.”

 

“Thank you,” Ellie said gratefully.

 

Alan climbed into the back seat next to Lex and Tim, and attempted to arrange his legs in a comfortable position. The trip did not take long, fortunately, and soon they pulled into the hotel’s parking lot.

 

“I’ll get the fare,” Ellie said. While she paid for the ride, the others exited the cab. “Do you miss Joe’s van?” Ellie asked in amusement, watching Alan stretch his legs.

 

“I sure do.” 

Passing the front desk, they waved at Manuel. “I'm going to get these contacts out,” Ellie said, switching on the overhead light as they entered the suite.

 

“Well, I’m not going anywhere,” Lex said, taking a seat in one of the chairs.

 

“Me either, Lex,” Tim said, collapsing into the other chair.

 

"I think I'll join you," Alan said. He untied his shoes, kicked them off, then stretched out on the couch. He laughed suddenly.

 

“What’s so funny?” Tim asked.

 

“We look like a pride of lions after a meal, lying about all relaxed and lazy.”

 

“Have you ever been to Africa?” Lex asked.

 

“Once, many years ago. I learned details about animal behavior which could never be taught in a classroom.”

 

“How come you study animal behavior?” Tim asked.

 

“Well, by studying the behavior of present day species, I can make more accurate hypotheses about the behavior of dinosaurs.”

 

“I guess you don’t need to study their behavior anymore, do you?” Tim asked, his expression pensive.

 

Alan exhaled, nodding thoughtfully. “No, I guess I don’t, Tim.” He knew too much about dinosaur behavior now.

 

“If you could go to one place you haven’t been before, where would you go?” Lex asked.

 

Alan propped his head back against the head rest and considered the question for a moment. “Antarctica, I think.”

 

“They didn’t have any dinosaurs there, did they?” she asked.

 

“Actually, the fossils of several species have been discovered on the continent. In prehistoric times, the climate was similar to South America.”

 

“Really? I didn’t know that,” Lex said.

 

From her bedroom, Ellie listened while Alan talked to the children.  Most paleontologists gave classroom lectures, but in all the time she had known him, he steadfastly refused to conduct any student lectures. He obviously enjoyed teaching Lex and Tim, why did he deny himself the pleasure of bringing new knowledge to children? After pondering this question for a few seconds, she entered into the living room.

 

“Ellie, Alan wants to go to Antarctica to dig for fossils,” Tim said.

 

Alan moved his legs aside and Ellie took a seat next to him. “No kidding? Well, honey, you can go without me,” she said, teasingly. “I don’t even like the winters in Colorado.”

 

Alan laughed and checked his watch. “Well, your mom is probably waiting for us to call.” Checking their list, he dialed Lynda’s number.

 

The call connected on the second ring. “Hi, Lynda, this is Alan.”

 

“Oh, hi, Alan. How was dinner?”

 

“Not bad at all.”

 

"I got a message from Joe Reiling. The children can come home anytime. I just have some documents to sign tomorrow and then I’ll fly down. Have they given you any idea when you can leave?”

 

“None.”

 

Lynda sighed. “That’s too bad, Alan."

 

From across the room, Tim motioned to Alan. "Can I talk to mom?" he asked.

 

Alan nodded. “Lynda, Tim wants to talk to you.”

 

“Okay.”

 

“Hopefully, we’ll be hearing from you tomorrow.”

 

“I hope so, too. Good night, Alan.”

 

“Good night, Lynda.”

 

He handed Tim the receiver. “Here you go, Tim.”

 

“Thanks. Hi, Mom.”

 

“Hi sweetie. Are you having fun?”

 

“Yeah…”

 

Ellie laughed when Tim began to rapidly list all their activities.

“…and we’ve been playing Monopoly, too.” Tim said.

 

“Tell her you’ve been beating the grownups,” Ellie said.

 

“Oh, yeah, we’ve been beating the grownups,” Tim said.

 

“You have?  Where did you eat dinner?”

 

“We ate at a Chinese place. It was good!”

 

“In Costa Rica?” Lynda said doubtfully.

 

“Yep, right here in town.  Alan and Ellie couldn’t believe it either. The guy who waited on us is a paleontology student, and he's coming over tomorrow to talk to them. Are you coming to get us?”

 

 “In a couple of days I think.”

 

“Oh, okay… Do you want to talk to Lex?”

 

“Sure, sweetie. I’ll talk to you later.”

 

“Night, mom.”

 

“Lex, Mom wants to talk to you.”

 

"Okay." Lex said. “Hi, Mom,” she said.

 

While she spoke to her mother, Ellie noted Lex’s friendly and relaxed manner, so different from the hostility she had exhibited towards her mother earlier. She hoped they continued to make progress once she returned home.

 

“…Okay, mom, goodnight.”

 

Lex handed Alan the phone, and placing the receiver into its cradle, he yawned. “Well, I’m full and sleepy. I’m going to call it a night.” He leaned over and gave Ellie a kiss. “You guys can hold down the fort.”

 

“I’m not far behind,” Ellie said.

 

“I might read for a little bit,” Tim said.

 

“Not me, I’m ready for bed,” Lex said. "I’ll get my pajamas on."

 

“Me, too.” Tim asked.

 

The kids climbed to their feet and went into their respective bedrooms, and Ellie took the opportunity to cuddle close to Alan.

 

“Things seem calmer between Lex and Lynda,” he said. “Did you talk to her?”

 

Ellie nodded. “Before we fell asleep this afternoon.”

 

“Looks like it did a lot of good.”

 

“I think it did. They still have some work to do, but it’s a start.”

 

“Joe told Lynda the kids can go home. She said the papers should be signed tomorrow,” Alan said. “I guess she’ll be here in a couple of days.”

 

“Sounds like it. I hope you can sleep tonight.”

 

“Me too. It’s annoying as hell.”

 

“It worries me, Alan.”

 

“Hey, I’ll be okay.”

 

Ellie sighed. She knew he downplayed his problems, but she decided to drop it for now. She put her arms around Alan and kissed him hard. “Goodnight, Dr. Grant.”

 

“Goodnight, Dr. Sattler.”

 

Entering the bathroom, she changed into the big t-shirt she wore at night, and found Lex already in bed.

 

“Good night, kiddo,” Ellie said, turning out the lamp.

 

“Goodnight… Ellie, when do you think you’ll get to leave here?” Lex asked.

 

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to leave soon. It depends on the Costa Ricans.”

 

“Oh… You, know we’ve really enjoyed staying with you and Alan. It's fun.”

 

Ellie smiled. “We’ve had fun with you guys. Do you know the two of have made history?”

 

“We have?”

 

“Oh, yeah. Alan doesn’t like children, but he’s crazy about you and Timmy.”

 

“He doesn’t like kids? Why?”

 

“I don’t know, Lex.” He had never given her a real reason, beyond some excuses.

 

“You like kids, don’t you?”

 

Ellie smiled into the darkness. “I love children, especially bright kids like you and Tim.”

 

“Do you want to have a baby?”

 

“I do.” Illogical as it seemed to want a child so soon after earning her doctorate; she could not change her biological clock. She wanted desperately to have a child with Alan.

 

“So what’s going to happen to you and Alan if he doesn’t want children?”

 

Lex’s question slammed into her like a physical blow. “I don’t know…” she whispered.