Alan unlocked the door to their suite, and held it for Joe and the others. As he passed the phone, he saw the message light blinking. "Looks like we have a message." While he pressed the extension for the front desk, Joe pushed a borrowed luggage cart, laden with their groceries, into the kitchen.

 

"Front desk, this is Manuel."

 

"Manuel, this is Alan Grant in suite five. I see we have a message."

 

"Yes, sir, Dr. Sattler's mother called. She said the transfer is on the way."

 

“Thanks, I’ll let her know."

 

"Have a good afternoon."

 

"You, too." Alan hung up the phone. "Abbey called; the transfer is on the way."

 

"Good, I’ll call her later," Ellie said as she began to put away the groceries.

 

"Need some help?" he asked.

 

"No, I’ve got it covered," she said.

 

"All right."

 

"Alan, can we start on the puzzle?" Lex asked.

 

"Sure…” He looked at the table for a moment. “You know, we’ll need to use the table for meals. I think we need a flat piece of cardboard. Come on, let's go talk to the front desk and see if they have a spare piece we can use."

 

"Okay, sounds like a plan to me," Lex said.

 

"Be back in a minute," he said to Ellie.

 

Ellie laughed and shook her head in amazement as they left the room.

 

"What is it?" Joe asked.

 

"Alan Grant, the man who hates children," she said, as she set the milk in the refrigerator.

 

"Him? He's great with kids."

 

"I know." Ellie shook her head again. "I know."

 

Ellie stopped, turned, and faced Joe. Although she had only known him for a couple of days, she felt she could trust him to be honest with her. "Joe, how long do you think they'll keep us here?"

 

"Ellie, I don't know," he said. "I wish I could give you a better answer. Pauley told me this morning that they don’t blame Alan for what happened. He’s been trying every angle he can; but there's no reasoning with them right now. If we just had some leverage over them."

 

"I'm worried about Alan; I know he doesn't want to talk to them about Isla Nublar."

 

"You know, it might be best to talk about everything."

 

"Not Alan, especially to strangers. He's a private man, sometimes I have a hard time getting him to open up to me.” Especially about the subject of children, she thought. “You know, except for what he told them yesterday, other than a couple of offhand comments; he hasn't said a word about what happened." She could say the same about herself; she had to admit. "Everything's locked up inside his head, and tomorrow they're going to drag it out of him. I want to be there to support him."

 

"So go, I’ll watch the kids."

 

"Would you? That would be wonderful."

 

"Sure, I don't mind."

 

"Thanks..." Her mind eased, she turned back to the groceries. A few seconds later, the door opened and the children and Alan entered, toting a large piece of cardboard.

 

"Success..." Alan said. He placed the cardboard on the table, and Lex and Tim sat down and eagerly began to open the puzzle box.

 

"Sure you don’t need any help?" Alan asked Ellie.

 

"Nope, why don't you and Joe grab a beer and go out on the patio?" They had bought a six-pack of Imperial beer, a Costa Rican brand, at Joe’s recommendation.

 

"Joe, I think Ellie’s tossing us outside," Alan said.

 

Joe laughed and glanced at his watch. "I'd love a beer, but I'd better get back to the embassy. Pauley was meeting with the Costa Ricans this afternoon, and I want to see what happened. I’ll give you a call if anything has changed."

 

Alan had thought the meeting somehow concerned to Jurassic Park. "Thanks for running us around today."

 

"Hey, it was my pleasure; I'll talk to you later. Bye, kids."

 

"Bye, Mr. Reiling," Tim said.

 

Alan shut and locked the door, and then walked back into the kitchen. "Want a beer?" he asked Ellie.

 

"I'd love one; they’re in the fridge."

 

As he reached into the refrigerator for the beer bottles, he realized they needed a bottle opener. "I hope there's an opener around here," he said as he started to open the drawers.

 

"Try the second one; I think I saw one in there."

 

"Ah… here we go." He snapped the caps off the bottles and handed one to her. "Well, I'll be on the patio."

 

"I'll be out there in a few minutes."

 

As she took a drink of the beer, Ellie thought about what Joe had said earlier. He was right; leverage was what they needed, but what could they do? They were just scientists; they weren’t rich, and though Alan had become a reluctant celebrity after the discovery of the hadrosaur eggs, he was not famous in the traditional sense of the word. There must be something, she thought, as she returned to her task.

 

 

 

Alan watched as a few yards away, a few of the hotel guests swam and played in the pool. He dreaded tomorrow, all he wanted to do was to forget about the whole mess, and go home. He roughly lifted the beer bottle and gulped a swallow of beer, then stared at the pool again.

 

Ellie stepped outside, and watched Alan drink his beer, the frustration obvious in his abrupt movements. "Alan?" When he did not reply, she walked up to him and gently put her hand on his shoulder.

 

Alan looked up, startled. "Hey… Finished the groceries?"

 

She nodded and sat down in one of the other chairs. "Uh huh, we won’t starve now." She rubbed her neck, stiff with tension and worry.

 

He stood behind her, and began to knead her neck muscles. “I can help with that.”

 

She gratefully tipped her head forward. "Oh, that feels good, don't stop."

 

"Anything you say..."

 

"Joe and I were talking while you were gone; he said we needed some leverage to force them to let us go," she said.

 

"He's right, but I can’t think of anything that could help us."

 

"I can’t either… I hope we'll think of something. You know, we’d better decide what we’re going to do with our classes."

 

"Yeah… I’ve been thinking about that. I think I’m going to get Dix to teach the Geo212 class until we get back. It's a freshman course, so he’d better be able to handle it. If he can't, I've been doing a lousy job teaching him.” Alan laughed shortly. “What are you going to do with your Paleobotany class?"

 

She rubbed her jaw thoughtfully. "Well, I think I'm going to let Jan take it."

 

Alan nodded. “Good choice.” The phone began to ring and glancing at his watch, he quickly estimated the time it would take Ben to drive to Great Falls and back. "That might be Ben," he said.

 

"You're probably right."

 

They went into the living room and as he sat down, Alan picked up the phone. "Hello?"

 

“Hey,” Ben said. “Well, you'll have clothes in a couple of days and the money is on the way, too.”

 

"Good deal, thanks a lot, my friend. I owe you a steak dinner."

 

"You wouldn’t if you knew how much the shipping cost."

 

Alan heard Ben laugh in that short sharp way of his, and at that moment, Alan realized just how much he missed his friends. "That bad?"

 

"Oh, yeah."

 

Alan scowled. "Then don't tell me how much it was until we get back."

 

"All right. Let me write that down though; Alan owes me a steak dinner."

 

Alan laughed. "We've come up with a solution to our teaching problems. I'm going to get Dix to handle the Geo212 class, and Ellie's going to get Jan Thompson to take her botany class."

 

"That’ll work…”

 

“You know, you’re going to be short two drivers going home,” he said regretfully.

 

“I’m working on a solution for that. Don’t let that get you down.”

 

“Ben, the dig’s my responsibility. No matter what the reason, I feel like I’m letting you down.” He looked at Ellie and frowned.

 

“You’re not letting me down. You didn’t create this mess.”

 

Alan did not answer; no matter what Ben said, everything that happened in Montana was his responsibility.

 

“I just saw Dix and Jan walk by if you want to talk to them."

 

It had been getting so hot that they had begun working before dawn under floodlights to finish in the early afternoon. "Yeah, sure, we can talk to them now." Dix was in charge of the E-Saurus excavation. Alan liked to get his PhD candidates some authority to give them a taste of the responsibility they would have as full professors and researchers. He had done the same with Ellie.

 

"Hang on a minute; I'll go find them."

 

"Great…" Alan told Ellie what Ben had said about the clothes and wire. “He’s looking for Dix and Jan.”

 

Ellie nodded. "Oh, good." She had intended for Jan, a promising graduate student, to teach one or two individual classes that fall, and they had already gone over the lesson plans for the semester. She would get more experience than she had bargained for, Ellie thought.

 

Alan noticed the children had been quiet, which he appreciated. At that moment, Tim looked at him and smiled. "More grownup stuff," Alan said.

 

"Oh, that sucks."

 

"Sure does, Tim.” Through the phone, Alan heard the trailer door open and close.

 

"Dr. Grant?"

 

"Yeah, Dix."

 

"Hi. Ben said you wanted to talk to me."

 

"Yeah, Ellie and I have a problem. We're stuck in Costa Rica, and we may not make it back before the term starts.”

 

"That’s too bad… Ben told us about the delay.”

 

"It’s turning into a longer delay than we thought. So…we would like you and Jan to cover our classes until we get back."

 

"The Geo212 class? Sure, I can do that. Your lesson plans are still here, right?"

 

"Yeah, they're in my desk by the lab table."

 

"I’ll take them back to Denver with me."

 

Alan hated to throw the class on his PhD candidate. That summer, Dix had formulated a promising dissertation subject, which he would begin to write that fall. He would be a busy young man, and though Alan had planned on him teaching a couple of classes, he was mainly to work on his dissertation. Jan was busy with her Masters courses as well as writing her thesis. "I wanted you to teach a couple of classes, but this wasn't what I had in mind," he said with a laugh.

 

Dix laughed as well. "Well, since it's the intro course I'd better know it."

 

"You got that right, buster." Parker Dixon or Dix to his friends was what Ben called a homegrown paleo, having started under Alan as an undergrad. He was a good kid, and had a promising future.

 

"Ben said you didn't know how long you would be there," Dix said.

 

"Nope, right now we don't have a clue."

 

"Jeez, that blows. Everybody misses you and Dr. Sattler."

 

"We miss you guys too; I can guarantee you I'd rather be in Montana right now."

 

"I bet."

 

"Go ahead pack the lesson plans up." Alan did not have much hope that they would be leaving anytime soon. “Let me give you our number here. If you have any questions, call us collect.”

 

"We’ll do that. Fire away...”

 

Alan gave Dix their number. "Well, I think Dr. Sattler wants to talk to Jan."

 

"I hope you guys get back soon."

 

"Me too, Dix; I’ll talk to you later."

 

"Talk to you then."

 

Alan handed the phone to Ellie.

 

"Dr. Sattler?" Jan said.

 

"Hi, Jan."

 

“Hi… How are you?"

 

"Good… I need a big favor, we’re stuck here for awhile, and I’d like you to cover my Paleobotany class for me." Ellie knew Jan could handle it. She had done well in her Masters classes, and she was to be her teaching assistant that fall.

 

"Oh sure, I'll be glad to do that."

 

"Thanks, I appreciate it.”

 

"Are your lesson plans still in the desk?"

 

"In the top drawer... Dr. Grant gave Dix our number, so give me a call if you have any questions.”

 

“I’ll do that.”

 

“Well, I'd better let you go before the nickel runs out."

 

"Okay, Dr. Sattler. Talk to you later."

 

"Bye, Jan."

 

Ellie gave the phone back to Alan, which he placed into its cradle. "Well, that's one problem solved. I wish they were all that easy to fix."

 

“I do too…,” he said.

 

Ellie saw Lex yawn. "Tired?" she asked.

 

"A little bit."

 

"I feel the same way,” she said. “You know, I think I'm going to take a nap."

 

"That is a good idea,” Alan said. “Tim, what about you?"

 

“That sounds good to me.”

 

"Well, then, how about we retire for a while?" Ellie said.

 

"Sounds good to me," Lex said, wincing as she stood up. "Ellie, can I have an Advil?"

 

"Still sore?"

 

"Yeah," Lex said.

 

"I'd like one too," Tim said.

 

"I think I'm going to take a couple of aspirin myself," Alan added. He decided against taking one of the prescription pain relievers until later that night. He walked over too the kitchen counter, where Ellie had put the bottle and took two, tossing them down without water.

 

Ellie watched him and shook her head, she couldn't figure out how he could do that.

 

Alan gave her a kiss as he walked by her. "I'll see you later." He went into the bedroom and took off his boots. He had learned his lesson at the food stand and he carefully lay down. He sighed in relief as his back relaxed, and he willfully cleared his mind of all the problems before him. Before long, he drifted off to sleep.

 

 

 

"Ellie?" Lex asked.

 

"Uh huh..." she said.

 

"You said you were mad after your parents divorced, right?"

 

Ellie had almost dozed off; she did not have the energy for a heart-to-heart chat, but she had promised Lex. She turned over and gazed at her. "I was angry, mostly at my father. He had always been a big part of my life and all the sudden he was gone. I didn't see much of him for many, many years."

 

"That's like what's happened with me, but I guess I'm mad at both of them. We used to do stuff together; but it's like my dad doesn't care any more, and my mother's always busy.”

 

“I’m not making excuses, because I don’t know her, but maybe she’s distracted by what’s happening.” 

 

“Yeah, but she hasn't even tried to come and get us.”

 

“Well, that was Alan’s idea, remember?” Ellie said gently.

 

“Oh, yeah, I forgot… Ellie, she doesn't understand me at all; all she does is criticize me because I want to be a vegetarian and because I like computers instead of drooling over boys all the time. I guess she thinks I should be like all my friends. I don’t want to be like all the other girls. I mean, I like boys, but there’s other important stuff in my life, too.”

 

Ellie sensed the girl was releasing long suppressed emotions. "Have you talked to her about this?”

 

“No…We always fight.”

 

“That’s too bad…” Ellie smiled at Lex, remembering those days. “I was the same way when I was growing up.”

 

“You were?”

 

Ellie nodded. “I loved math and science, and just like you, all my friends were boy crazy. I’m lucky; my parents encouraged my interests.”

 

"Did you ever make up with your father—your real father, I mean?"

 

"When I was in graduate school.” She would never forget that day. She had heard a knock on her apartment door, to her surprise it was her father. She had first refused to let him in, and then she had let him in at last. He had uttered a heartfelt apology for being absent from her life and asked for her forgiveness. At first she refused, but sensing his sincerity, she finally accepted the apology. During the next year they had spent time together and had become friends. “He passed away while I was in grad school; I wish we had more time together. I hope your dad realizes what he’s missing and comes back to you."

 

“I do, too,” she said softly.

 

“Honey, give your mom another chance, okay?”

 

Lex thought it over for a moment “I will. Thanks for talking to me.”

 

“Anytime.” Ellie closed her eyes, and was asleep in minutes.

 

 

 

With a groan, Alan fumbled to reach the phone as it jangled beside the bed.

 

“Yeah, Alan Grant,” he said hoarsely.

 

“Hi Alan, it’s Linda. Oh, dear, did I wake you up?”

 

“It’s okay… We ran around all morning, and ran out of gas.”

 

“Oh, I see… My hearing’s in a recess, so I thought I’d let you know the clothes are on the way. They said everything should be there the day after tomorrow.”

 

“Good, we’ve got some on the way too.”

 

Alan looked up and saw Ellie peek in the door; he motioned for her to come in.

 

“Lynda, Lex and Tim just came in, would you like to talk to them?” Alan said.

 

“I’d love to.”

 

“Who wants to go first?” he asked.

 

“I will,” Lex said.

 

Alan looked at Ellie and raised his eyebrows in surprise. Ellie smiled; perhaps their little talk had made a difference.

 

Lex took the phone from Alan. “Hi, Mom.”

 

“Hi, honey, did you have a good nap?”

 

“Yeah…We’re all still tired.”

 

“I can imagine.” Lynda noted with relief that Lex seemed less hostile. Maybe there was hope for them after all. “I remember I could never get you to take a nap when you were younger.”

 

Lex laughed. “I remember that, too. Guess what we had for lunch?”

 

“I can’t imagine; what did you have?”

 

“Empañadas and plantains.”

 

“What’s an Empañadas?”

 

“It’s like a cheese and bean turnover.”

 

“Oh, I see, that sounds good. Did you like the plantains?”

 

“They were great; even Tim liked them. Can we get some when we get home?”

 

“Sure, if you want to.”

 

“Cool…”

 

Lynda had thought a great deal about Lex’s decision to become a vegetarian. “Honey, I’ve been thinking about your diet. You’re obviously healthy, so I’m not going to give you any more grief about it. When you get home, you can explain everything to me so I’ll understand it better.”

 

“Sure, I can do that,” she said happily.

 

“Good… Well, I’d better talk to Tim.”

 

“Okay,” Lex said.

 

“It was good to talk to you.”

 

“Yeah, me too. Bye, Mom.”

 

“Good-bye honey.” Pleased by the pleasant conversation, Lynda smiled in relief.

 

Lex handed the phone to Tim then smiled at Ellie, who winked at her in encouragement.

 

“Hi, Mom,” Tim said.

 

“Hey, kiddo. Enjoy your nap?”

 

“Yeah, I feel a lot better now.”

 

“Good… So what have you been up to?”

 

“Oh, Alan had to do some grownup stuff this morning."

 

“Uh oh…”

 

“Yeah, he had to fill out some forms at the Embassy. Mom, did you know he’s from New Zealand?”

 

Lynda thought she had heard a slight accent when she had talked to him earlier; she found it charming. “No, I didn’t know that.”

 

“Yep, he is. We went to a bookstore after that, and I looked New Zealand up in an atlas so I’d known where it was.”

 

 “That was a good idea.”

 

“Then we went to a game store and got Monopoly and a jigsaw puzzle.”

 

“Well, that should be fun.”

 

“We started it before we went to sleep. Oh, yeah, did Lex tell you about the plantains?”

 

“She sure did. You liked them?”

 

“Oh, yeah, they were great.”

 

Amazed at what Tim had said, Lynda shook her head. She had terrible problems getting Tim to try new foods; she wondered what magic the two scientists possessed. She saw her lawyer approaching and figured her hearing was about to resume. “Well, Timmy, I’d better let you go.”

 

“Okay.”

 

“I’ll talk to you later.”

 

“Bye, Mom.”

 

Tim handed the phone back to Alan. “Well, I guess I should get up,” Alan said, running his hand through his hair. “I’ll be out in a minute,” Alan said.

 

Lex went into her bedroom, and Ellie sat down at the dinner table to wait for Alan. As she sat at the table, she realized there were two other people they needed to talk to.

 

After a short time, Alan came into the living room. “My turn,” Tim said as he left the room.

 

“You know, there’s a couple of people we need to call,” Ellie said.

 

Alan sat down at the table. “Who?” he asked, frowning.

 

“Nathan and Karen.”

 

Alan leaned his head back and closed his eyes. “You’re right.” As department head, they would have to tell Nathan Rothman about the delay, as would Karen, their department secretary.

 

Alan knew Karen was in Florida visiting her parents, and was due back at the university later that week to get the department ready for the semester. “I’ll give Karen a call in a couple of days. I’ll call Nathan after I get back tomorrow.”

 

Ellie saw his jaw tighten at the mention of tomorrow’s meeting. “I'd like to go with you; Joe said he’d watch Lex and Tim.”

 

 “That’s all right; you don’t have to do that.” Reliving their ordeal would do nothing but increase her stress, he thought.

 

“I know I don’t have to, but I want to.”

 

“Ellie, I can do this alone,” he said more forcefully than he had intended.

 

Stubborn, stubborn, man, she thought. “Okay, fine; whatever you want to do.” She stood and turned sharply away.

 

Oh crap, he thought. “Ellie, honey, let me explain.”

 

She turned once more to face him. “Alan, don’t honey me. If you don’t want me there, then that’s the way it’s going to be.”

 

Alan’s stomach lurched as Ellie stalked outside, and then he glumly sat back down at the table.

 

 

Seething, Ellie stood outside on the patio for a few minutes trying to calm down, and then walked back in the suite. She had planned to make spaghetti but she was not in the mood to cook. “Guys, it’s too late to make the spaghetti sauce. How about grilled cheese sandwiches?” she asked tersely, ignoring Alan.

 

Uneasy with her sudden change of mood, the children looked at Alan, who remained silent. He suddenly felt the need to get outside to escape Ellie’s anger. Without a word, he went outside and sat down at the patio table. He shook his head slowly, confused by her hostility. They had disagreements occasionally; all couples did; but she had never lashed out at him like that. It was out of character for her to do such a thing. Maybe he was being chauvinistic, but all he wanted to do was protect her. Is that so wrong, he wondered. He was miserable; his life had spiraled out of his control and the woman he loved was furious at him.

 

After a few minutes, Tim came out onto the patio. “Alan, dinner’s ready,” he said quietly. Alan nodded, and he and the boy went inside.

 

Dinner saw no drop in tension; the children were quiet, uneasy with the friction in the air. Ellie picked at her food, still angry with Alan, and refused to meet his occasional glance her way.

 

“Ellie, should we put our dishes in the dishwasher?” Lex asked softly, after she finished her meal.

 

“Sure sweetie, that’s a good idea; we'll run it tomorrow morning,” she said managing a smile. Ellie realized how upset and nervous the kids were.

 

“I think I’m going to get my pajamas on and mess with the puzzle,” Tim said.

 

“I’m going to read for awhile,” Lex said, who looked uncertainly at Alan.

 

Alan nodded, but didn’t say anything as the children left the room.

 

Ellie got up from the dinner table and started towards the bedroom, intending to take a shower. As she walked away, Alan stood to make one more try to reason with her. “Ellie, please listen…”

 

Ellie spun around to face him, her anger flaring again. “Alan, I think you’ve made yourself clear, you don’t want me around tomorrow. I guess you don’t trust me.”

 

Without another word, she stalked out of the room, leaving him to stand openmouthed in shock. He did not know how to react to such an accusation. Not trust her? He would trust her with his life.

 

 

 

 

Ashamed, Ellie stood under the shower. What is the matter with me… she wondered. She knew Alan was only being protective and she had terribly overreacted. She had not felt right since they had left the island. Of course he trusted her; he had never given her a single reason to doubt that trust. The stricken look on his face had said volumes about how much she had hurt him; her eyes filled with tears. Suddenly, all the confusion and shame became too much for her; she slid down into the tub, curled up in a ball, and sobbed.

 

Ellie's tears gradually stopped, and she turned off the shower. She numbly toweled herself dry and put her sleep shirt on, then dried her hair, brushing it back. As she crossed into the bedroom, she saw Lex had already changed into her pajamas and was reading.

 

“Hi, Ellie,” Lex said cautiously.

 

“Is the book good?”

 

“Yeah, it is.”

 

“Good… Did Tim get his bed ready?”

 

Lex nodded. “Ellie, are you mad at Alan?”

 

Ellie breathed out slowly. “We had a misunderstanding, mostly on my part, and I said something I regret. I’m going to talk to him right now.”

 

Lex smiled. “Good.”

 

Ellie smiled at Lex. “I’ll be back.”

 

Bent over the puzzle, Tim quickly looked at Ellie as she walked into the living room, and then returned his attention to his puzzle.

 

“How’s the puzzle coming along?” she asked.

 

Tim shrugged, but remained silent.

 

Ellie knelt beside the boy. “Tim, I’m sorry I wasn’t much company at dinner.”

 

“Why are you mad at Alan?” he asked.

 

“We had a misunderstanding; I’m headed that way to get everything straightened out.”

 

“Good. I don’t like it when people fight.”

 

“Did your mother and father fight a lot?”

 

“Yeah, a whole lot. I usually just went into my room and turned on some music.”

 

Ellie frowned in sympathy. “Poor guy, I’m sorry that you had to go through that.”

 

“It’s okay… Alan changed my bandages. He said I might be able to go swimming tomorrow.”

 

“He did? Hey, that’s great! Well, I’m going to go talk to him. Don’t stay up too late.”

 

“I won’t. Goodnight, Ellie.”

 

“Good night, Tim.” She walked into Alan’s bedroom, and shut the door behind her for some privacy. Alan had been in the shower; she could hear the hair dryer going. For a moment, she fondly ran her hand over his shirt, which he had placed over a chair, then began to pace. Would he even talk to her, she wondered. A few seconds later, the dryer shut off, and Alan came out of the bathroom, a towel around his waist, water beading on his chest. He took two steps and froze.

 

It hurt her to see the wounded, wary expression on his handsome face. She silently approached, praying he would forgive her. After what seemed an eternity, she saw his expression change and he opened his arms to her. She rushed into his embrace, and leaned her head on his shoulders. “Oh, Alan, I’m so sorry. Please forgive me,” she said.

 

“It’s all right,” he said, holding her tightly. “I’m getting you wet, let me go and dry off,” he said after a few moments. “Don’t move. I’ll be right back.”

 

“I’ll be here.”

 

On the way back into the bathroom, he picked up his pajama bottoms. “That’s what I came out for,” he said with a grin.

 

Alan quickly returned, dressed in his pajama bottoms and one of the t-shirt’s she had bought him. They sat down side by side on the bed, and for a few seconds neither one said anything, they just looked at each other, not sure where to start.

 

“Alan—”

 

“Ellie—”

 

They had both spoken at the same time and they laughed, putting their foreheads together.

 

“I’ll go first,” Alan said. “Ellie, there’s not a person, man or woman who I trust more than you.”

 

“Oh, Alan, that was a horrible thing to say; I know you trust me.”

 

“But that’s what it must have seemed like.” He stood and began to pace. “What happened today in the store scared me, and I guess I was trying to protect you. I didn’t want you to have to relive everything; that’s all I was trying to do. It all came out all wrong.” He sat down again and took her hand.

 

“I know that, at least now I do.” She caressed his cheek. “Alan, I’m not sure what’s going on with me; I feel so mixed up inside.”

 

“I know what it is,” he said, angry at the emotional pain she was suffering. “It’s that damn island and everything that happened to us.”

 

 Ellie nodded. “I want to go with you tomorrow; we’ll help each other get through it.”

 

“He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother?” he said with a crooked grin, his eyes shining mischievously.

 

Ellie put her arms around his neck. “Believe me, I’m not thinking of you in a brotherly way.”

 

“Stay with me for a while,” he whispered, as he placed a kiss on her forehead.

 

“I’d like that.”

 

Alan turned the ceiling fan down, and opened the door for Tim. He lay down with Ellie, and held her close, caressing her arm.

 

“This feels so good,” she said, yawning. She snuggled closer to Alan, feeling safe for the first time since they had left the island. She could not understand why she felt so insecure, it was not how she normally felt. She hoped it was something that did not last.

 

 

 

 

Alan opened his eyes; his heart pounding, as the high pitch scream filled the room. “Lex, don’t move!” he shouted. He frantically looked around for the Rex, and then realized he was in his bedroom.

 

Ellie sat bolt upright and looked at Alan in confusion, and then realized where the screams had come from. “Oh, my God, it’s Lex.” She jumped out of bed and went quickly out of the bedroom.

 

Alan climbed out of bed and dazedly followed Ellie; grabbing his robe on the way out the door. As he went into the other room, he saw Lex was sitting up in bed, her eyes wide open but unseeing.

 

“Dr. Grant! Dr. Grant! The monster!” Lex called out loudly, her voice panicked.

 

Alan stopped, unsure of what he should do to help Lex. He looked at Ellie helplessly; he had no experience in this. How the hell do you wake a child who’s having a nightmare, he wondered.

 

Tim ran into the room and went to her bedside, his eyes wide, alarmed at his sister's distress.

 

Ellie knew Lex needed the reassurance from the man who had saved her life. “Alan, talk to her.”

 

Alan nodded and took a deep breath, then gently sat on the bed. “Lex, it’s Dr. Grant. The Rex is gone, we’re safe,” he said, trying his best to reassure her. After he had rescued Tim, he had told the kids to call him Alan. Lex’s dream must have been taking place before that time.

 

“It’s gone?” Lex said in a small, frightened voice.

 

“That’s right, all the dinosaurs are gone. It’s just you, me, Ellie and Tim.”

 

“Timmy’s out of the tree?”

 

“She would bring that up,” Tim muttered.

 

Alan smiled, and then put his finger to his lips to quiet the boy. “Yep, Tim’s out of the tree. We’re at the hotel now, all safe and sound.”

 

Ellie could see Lex was waking up, her eyes beginning to focus on the people around her.

 

“Alan?” Lex looked at him, now fully awake, and then began to cry.

 

He put his arms around her, and she held on tightly to him as she wept. By instinct, he rocked her as he would a small child, and gradually her tears slowed.

 

“Tim, can you do us a favor and get your sister a Kleenex?” Ellie asked.

 

“Sure.” Tim went quickly into the bathroom, emerging a few seconds later with a handful of tissues. “Here you go, Lex.”

 

The girl sniffed and dabbed her eyes. "Thank you.”

 

“There… Is that better?” Ellie asked.

 

The girl nodded and blew her nose. “Alan, I’m sorry I got your shirt wet."

 

Alan looked down at his shirt and smiled. “It’ll dry. Want to talk about it?”

 

Lex frowned. “We were on the road and the big one—the T-Rex was chasing us. We were all there, and Grandpa and Dr. Malcolm, too. It kept chasing us, and we couldn’t get away.”

 

Alan saw Lex’s eyes fill with tears again, and he put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

 

“I was so scared out there,” Lex said.

 

“I was, too,” Alan said.

 

“You were?” Lex asked.

 

“Oh, yeah, I was petrified,” he said.

 

“But you still helped us,” she said.

 

“I did what I had to do; but I wouldn’t have been able to get you out from the car at all if it hadn’t been for Dr. Malcolm. He’s the real hero…”

 

“I know,” Lex said.

 

“You know, I think some warm milk and cookies might be good right about now,” Alan said.

 

“Hey, that’s a great idea,” Ellie said.

 

“Yeah, I’d like some, too,” Tim said.

 

Lex touched Ellie on the arm as the group walked into the living room. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

 

“Sure.”

 

“Did you make up with Alan?”

 

Ellie smiled and nodded. “We talked everything out, and then fell sound asleep.”

 

“I’m glad you made up. Ellie, we won’t tell anyone if you want to stay with Alan.”

 

“I know you won’t, but we think it’s better if I stay in here.”

 

Lex shrugged. “Whatever you want to do.”

 

“Come on; let’s grab some of those cookies before the guys eat them all.”