AN: Not beta'd. Please review, it'll motivate me to post quicker.
August, 1994 – Montana Badlands
Montana summers were notoriously dry and hot. The weather was uncomfortable, but perfect for digging up million-year-old fossils. It made for long days and dirt that was pleasantly manageable.
There were only a few weeks left in the dig, and Dr. Alan Grant was actually looking forward to the end of the season. This year had been particularly hard on him. Ever since the events from the previous summer, the students have been too distracted on their interest in Jurassic Park to pay attention to anything else.
Despite his strict rules on not mentioning—and especially gossiping—about the Park, it seemed as though that's all the students ever talked about. It wasn't so bad when he wasn't around. At times he would enter a tent to everyone hushing each other, or hear his name being whispered while walking past a group lying down on the desert floor. He tried not to let it bother him, so long as they didn't speak to him, or Ellie, directly.
Ellie seemed to be having a harder time than him. He tried his best to be there for her, although lately, his girlfriend seemed to want to spend her time anywhere but with him. He couldn't really blame her; he barely wanted to be around dinosaurs himself. Currently she was out of state, working with some associates at an opening exhibit.
He tried not to let her absence bother him. The relief of not having to protect her from questioning students was a load off, but without her help, the work piled up.
This morning he had woken up early and noticed there was a steady rain starting. He shrugged and decided it would be a good time to catch up on some paperwork. Honestly, he was grateful for the break, and the cool air. He was sitting in a tent reading over some files with a cup of coffee when one of his graduate students poked his head in.
"Dr. Grant?" He called.
"Yes?" Alan replied without looking up from his work.
"A new student just pulled up. Says he wants to volunteer for the last couple of weeks. Just a freshman, I think. Do you mind?"
"Hmm," Alan sighed and stretched his neck. Another student poking around and asking questions about that god forsaken island, no doubt—whatever. They could use the help when it was time to pack up. "Fine, fine. Send him in."
Alan stood and went to refill his coffee, and listened as he heard the new student being told to come in. He sat back down as soon as the young man entered the tent.
"Good morning," Alan greeted and watched as the young man smiled nervously.
"Good morning," he replied politely, but with a shaky breath at the end.
"Listen, I don't usually accept visitors towards the end of the summer like this, but I lost a lot of students halfway through the season. We need the help. However, I also expect students to fill out the proper forms before showing up."
"I'll do whatever I can to help, but ah," the young man smiled anxiously and rubbed the back of his neck, "I did submit a request through your department. They said it might take a few weeks, but that was at the beginning of June."
Alan felt his face getting hot in embarrassment. He sheepishly turned towards a tall stack of papers on his desk, and new without looking that the kid was telling the truth.
"Well then," Alan stood up and walked around his desk, "Sorry for the delay. Thank you for taking the initiative and joining us."
He extended his hand and offered it to the other man.
"It's my pleasure, Dr. Grant." The young man shook his hand graciously. "I'm so excited to be here and thank you so much for not turning me away."
Alan could tell already that he liked this kid. He was polite and sincere, and he hadn't mentioned Jurassic Park once so far. If he was lucky, he could mold him into a great addition to their team. There was just the matter of finding something for him to work on today… Alan smirked and turned back to the young man.
"Actually, I have the perfect task for you to start with. With the weather today, most of the students spend their time working indoors anyway."
"Absolutely. I'll do anything. Name it and I'll be glad to help."
Alan nodded and grinned again when he turned away. This kid's enthusiasm was endearing.
"Okay," Alan began as he reached the corner of his tent. He grabbed another stack of paperwork and placed it next to the one on the corner of his desk. "Here. I need you to sort and file these documents. Anything signed from the University goes into that file cabinet." Alan pointed to the small cabinet that his coffee maker sat on. "Everything else goes into the larger one right here." Alan gestured to the cabinet behind his desk. "Think you can manage?"
The young man smiled brightly and gave Alan a thumbs up.
"Of course!" He replied with sheer optimism and went straight over to the piles and began sorting through them eagerly.
"Well then, I guess I'll be off. I need to make my rounds. Lunch is at 11 and get with Sandy for your tent assignment. Any questions?"
"Nope. I think I'm good. Thanks again for letting me stay."
Alan smiled and watched for a moment as the kid carefully sorted through the files. "It's no problem. I'll come and check on you in an hour." With that, Alan began to walk out the flap of his tent. He stopped just as he took as step out and turned his head around. "I'm sorry, what was your name?"
"Oh, Billy Brennan," Billy answered cheerfully, and went straight back to his work.
"Welcome to Montana, Billy," Alan spoke quickly and exited the tent completely. He started towards the first stop in his round, thinking highly of the new student. 'Billy,' he thought, 'I hope he sticks around for a while.'
