Chapter Text
In the few days before flying out of Montana, Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler made sure their crew was left with everything they’ll need in their absence. They made sure the schedule and charts were rock solid instead of wondering if they packed a toothbrush or not. Of course, they wished they could share the luxury they’re experiencing right now in Costa Rica, but Alan and Ellie are relieved to finally have some time to themselves.
“Are you excited for the trip, Alan?” Ellie asks as they follow the driver out their Costa Rican hotel. She tightens the knot on her shirt and pulls slightly on her shorts as she walks alongside Alan.
“I’m excited to get this ride over with.” He says fixing his hat and collared shirt, trying to preserve his suave persona.
Ellie simply smiles at him as they board. She can’t wait to see whatever was so important that their benefactor had to pull them away from the dig site. While she loves her job, Ellie could not have accepted the offer faster. Not only for the extra funding and networking, but for the experience and bonding time for her and Alan. “What do you think Hammond needs a bunch of paleontologists for?”
Alan shrugs, “Who knows, maybe he’s found something for his dining room and wants us to identify it.”
She laughs, “Millionaires sure are strange, but I don’t think that’s it. I can’t put my finger on it but it’s got to be bigger than that. He said he had an island filled with things that makes his other one look like a petting zoo. What could he possibly mean by that?”
Alan removes his sunglasses and adjusts his hat over his face for a quick nap. “I don’t know, but we’ll figure it out soon enough.”
Ellie frowns, knowing she has hit the limits of his ability to engage in small talk. ‘This trip has to break him out of his shell I just know it!’ she thinks before they’re driven off to the next airport.
“Looks like we’re early,” Ellie says as they’re met with empty seats. “Gives you time to get to know this thing and kill those nerves of yours.”
“Nerves? I’m not nervous, who said I’m nervous?” Alan asks as he quickly memorizes where the emergency life vests are. He thinks back to how the only danger on dig sites are gusts of wind that set back your work a few days and the occasional heat stroke. Being on the ground is much safer no matter what anyone tells him.
Before long, the rest of the guests pile into the helicopter with John Hammond coming in last. As they take off, he spends a few minutes introducing everyone with a smile. The group engage in some small talk to get to know each other better with Alan shedding off some nerves the longer they’re in the air. Being in the jet was just fine, but a helicopter? Every time there’s some minor turbulence, he gets a little quieter and his knuckles get whiter with his grip tightening on his seat.
Alan decides to let his mind drift as the mathematician on board, Dr. Ian Malcolm, rambles on. Something about Chaos Theory? Attraction? With the way he looks, he’s got no problem in that field. Alan scans him over as he flirts with Ellie, seeing how natural it comes to Dr. Malcolm and how irresistible Ellie finds him. Alan moves to examine Dr. Malcolm’s features with more interest: the carefully done hair, the choice in clothes, and don’t even get him started on the delivery of his words. The flirtatious bad boy was a recipe for guaranteed attraction. He turns away as Ellie giggles, rolling his eyes. How can she fall for someone that quick? Then again, he didn’t have to do much to woo her himself either.
Alan doesn’t know what scares him more: the helicopter going over the ocean, or swerving through the mountainous island. He grips his seat with one hand while playing with his raptor talon with the other. Ellie notices and places a hand on his forearm to steady him.
“Oh, bad wind sheers,” Hammond says as the helicopter quivers some more. “We ’ll have to drop quickly, so hold on.”
As soon as he says that, the ride turns from a trembling mess to an exhilarating coaster. The drop is so intense it lifts Alan out of his seat just as fast as it drops him. Ellie lets a snicker slip out, earning smiles from the others in the helicopter minus Alan.
Embarrassed, he reaches for the seat belts like everyone else. To his surprise, he can only find two buckles while everyone else has a normal seat belt. What kind of a luxury helicopter is this? Doctor Malcolm smiles as he watches Alan squirm trying to get them to work.
“Don’t worry, Doctor. This is only a taste of the Chaos Theory.”
The helicopter lands on the pad with at ‘thud’ earning the final grunt from Alan. He unties the buckles while everyone is already being let out and Hammond explains that they will be taken to see a marvelous sight. Perhaps they’ll even get to see the whole reason why they were brought here.
“Doctor Sattler, would you like to join me in my vehicle? I have a few questions I’d like to ask you about paleobotany.” Hammond offers with a hand extended.
She looks over towards Alan before accepting and running towards the first Jeep. Alan fumbles with his words as he tries to tell her to come back. The Jeep only has four seats, the driver, the passenger being Hammond, the lawyer, Gennaro, in the back, and now Ellie. So, that means the only open car is with…
“Well, the front seats are already taken so I’ll take the back left side. You get a full view of my good side that way.” Dr. Malcolm teases with a wink.
Alan huffs and puffs, adding a few curses under his breath, and reluctantly gets in. Doctor Malcolm adjusts his collar and fluffs his curls in the side mirror before joining Alan. This trip is shaping up to be long and unbearable.