Before the Sunset

Bree's foot tapped nervously as she waited for Dr. Grant to show up. Last night has been exciting for Bree. Bree felt she had received the best news of her life and absolutely could not wait to share it with Dr. Grant. So excited, she hardly slept at all last night. Bree held two cups of coffee in her hands. One which she sipped continuously as she kept checking her watch for the time.

8:06 am

Bree let out a frustrated sigh as she tried to keep herself together and keep from yelling out loud to the world her exciting news. Of all the days Dr. Grant could choose to be late for he had to choose today. Dr. Grant wouldn't admit it, but Bree knew he was stressed out of his mind trying to keep his final project alive.

Ever since Jurassic World has opened their doors, people have had the opportunity people to see the dinosaurs for themselves and it has been nearly impossible for Dr. Grant to find any more funding for his research. No one cares about Dr. Grant professional opinions about the monsters of Jurassic World because they believe now that's exactly how dinosaurs looked and behaved back in their time. No one believes these are smart and dangerous hybrids because Jurassic World has been open for a few years now and not a single incident has happened.

That we know of at least.

Finally, Bree hears footsteps down the hall. She smiles as she excitedly picks up her belongings, tries to straighten her messy, long, dark, curly hair, and stands up straight, prepared to greet Dr. Grant.

Dr. Grant appeared around the corner. Years of stress and nightmares have really taken their toll on Dr. Grant's body. All his hair is now white, age lines covered him from head to toe despite his real age. The only part about him that time hasn't been able to conquer is his strength and flame within him, but Bree still worries that with the right disappointment it still can easily be extinguished.

"Good Morning Miss Malcolm, how are you this morning?" Dr. Grant courteously greeted as he walked past Bree to open the door of his office.

"I am feeling fantastic this morning sir but why are you calling me Miss Malcolm? We work together every day Dr. Grant and I am about to graduate. I won't be your student much longer," Bree reminded him.

"You woke me at 3 in the morning with your phone call," Dr. Grant stated as he opened his door. "And because you still call me Dr. Grant. Until you start being a little nicer to me, Miss Malcolm it is."

Bree couldn't help but smile at him from behind. Dr. Grant was much more of a father to her than her real dad is. Her real dad… well, let's just say Bree is happy he has been out of her life for the last couple of years. Putting the thoughts behind her, they both strode into the office and Bree held out her second cup of coffee to Dr. Grant.

"Well, it is a good thing that I bought this then with me," Bree offered, happily.

Dr. Grant was seated in his chair behind the desk and smiled back before taking the cup of coffee from Bree's hand.

"Thank you, Bree," He offered before taking a sip of his coffee. "Mmm, it's not hot anymore."

"It would have been if someone wasn't late this morning," Bree chastised back as she took her seat in front of Dr. Grant and laid out documents in front of herself on the desk.

"So, who gave you a proposal last night that you could not wait to share with me," Alan asked as he eyed the documents and leaned back comfortably in his chair.

Bree felt her face pale as the part of the proposal she dreaded to share came up. She took a deep breath to straightened herself out and looked at Dr. Grant square in the eye to make sure he understands the importance of this proposal.

"Before I tell you who sent me this proposal I want to remind you, Dr. Grant- "

"Alan," Dr. Grant corrected. "Like you said before Bree, your basically not my student anymore. It's time you start referring me as your colleague rather than your professor."

"Okay Alan," The name sounded foreign on her tongue. "I'd like to remind you this isn't about just about our team. This is about your life's work. Something I intend you see through before you retire."

Alan chuckled at that comment then Bree continued.

"I found someone who wants us to fund our research. They believe we are correct in our theories on Velociraptors," Bree announced.

"For how long?" Alan asked disbelievingly. Too many disappointments, he doesn't have much hope anymore.

"Until we are done."

Dr. Grant eyebrow rose. Despite his calm and collected expression, Dr. Grant's eyes lite up with excitement. Bree felt pleased to see his flame and passion for the work has not yet burnt out.

"Until we are done?" Dr. Grant mumbled still in shock. Bree nodded.

More excitement began to appear on Alan's face, but Alan has years of experience with disappointment and deception. Alan also knows that no one does anything without expecting a big return. It's how the world works in this new era. His expression hardens as he clasped his hands together.

"All of this so far sounds wonderful Bree but from who is the proposal coming from?" Alan asks sternly.

Bree's nerves returned so her right hand began to play with a strain of curly hair. A nervous tick she has.

"They are also offering a great opportunity for me. They have asked me to temporarily come work for them since I am one of the top minds with behavioral paleontology, they need me. They have also asked that I bring one other paleontologist with me. I was hoping you could help me with that," Bree ranted, trying to avoid the question.

"I do happen to know quite a number of paleontologists, but who is sponsoring this Bree?"

"They are also offering me amazing benefits and-" Bree tried to continue.

"Bree! Who. Is. It?" Alan abruptly and forcefully demanded.

Bree took a deep breath.

"Jurassic World."

It was a good thing Alan was sitting down because Bree was sure the news would have knocked him down to his knees. He still looks like the wind was knocked out of him.

"What are you thinking?" Alan asked in angry disbelief.

"I already sent them a response and signed a few legal documents," Bree quickly answered unfazed by Alan's response. She was nervous about his response all night but now that they are here she isn't scared anymore. She knew Alan's bad relationship with Jurassic World and everyone associated with it. She knew he would take it badly.

"No, I forbid you to- "

"I already agreed to be their Paleontological behaviorist," Bree cut off Alan this time. "I just need another paleontologist to come with me and support me with all this work we have ahead of us."

But Alan felt livid. He stood up in rage as his hands slammed down on his desk making Bree flinch.

"Bree, what are you thinking? Did you seriously think I would consider saying yes to this? Have you not listened to me at all these last couples of years?" Alan shouted, unable to contain the emotions that were now so freely flowing out of him. Old memories were resurfacing already.

Bree slid all the documents that were sitting on Alan's desk towards him.

"No, that is why I am leaving today. Here's all the paperwork for this deal. Here's all the paperwork the second paleontologist will need to fill out, and instructions on how to come to the island," Bree continued on as Dr. Grant stood in angry silence at the level of betrayal he felt before him.

"I'm doing this for you, Dr. Grant. You have been my mentor and father for me for years. I can't bear to see your life's work disappear like it meant nothing," Bree paused for a moment.

"Send someone else with me or not, I am still going. Just know this, if you don't send someone to help me then that means I will have to spend more time on the island thus putting my life more at risk with the extra time I will have to spend there." Bree knew that was a low blow, but the proposal did state two people have to go on this trip or no deal.

Alan still stood there in silence showing no signs of having heard the last few things Bree said. Bree let out another frustrated sigh then began picking up her things ready to go. She heads for the door but then pauses one more time before turning back to Dr. Grant who still hasn't moved an inch.

"We are out of options Dr. Grant, we are the last of our species," Bree quoted Dr. Grant to himself. He has said that every time they lost a sponsorship. She then left the room, leaving Dr. Grant to his thoughts.

Alan sat back down to think for a moment. He couldn't help but admire Bree's bravery and strength, but Alan also knew very well that bravery could easily lead to stupidity. He has seen it already with one of his past students. One that came with him to one of those islands a long, long time ago.

Feeling the panic resurface, Alan pushed those memories away. He couldn't accept this ridiculous proposal and put the lives of his students at risk, he will never agree. But Bree wasn't giving him a choice; she gave him a demand. Bree is certainly one of the most courageous and stubborn people Alan has ever met.

He sat there for another 5 minutes before he reached out for the phone on his desk. He had an idea, and if Bree thought he was going to let her go that easily, she is sorely mistaken.