A/N: So apparently I couldn't count. I promised Owen in this chapter and I lied unintentionally. Owen is in the NEXT chapter. But this sets up for the next chapter! It's still good. Let me know what you think.
Disclaimer: I do not own Universal, Jurassic Park or any of its characters. Just Mel and the chaos I create.
After having a full blown panic attack in Dr. Wu's office, where Simon called for medical because I was not calming down. Vivian came to sit with me in Medical while I was passed out from lack of oxygen. Guess that happens when you hyperventilate. Never did get to the bar that night, because after I was cleared by Medical, I was sent home to rest.
"Daddy?" I asked as I answered my cell phone.
"Mr. Masrani called me to tell me what happened. Do I need to come?"
"Dad, I know you don't want to be anywhere near this island." I said as I flopped onto my couch with my bottle of tequila.
"I will, just to make sure you're not alone."
"I'll be fine Dad. Just need a good night sleep and the rest of this tequila."
"What happened?"
"I just got spooked by Rexy." I lied.
"No, Mr. Masrani said you were discussing work and when they brought up Velociraptors, you acted like you were experiencing PTSD flashbacks."
"Okay, I didn't know I could tell you that." I sighed.
"How's your scar? It's not hurting, is it?"
"No. Only when it rains," I said, taking a swig of tequila.
"Why are they discussing Raptors?" He asked.
"Dad, I have the authority to shut it down at any time. Let me be the judge, jury and executioner on this one." I bit out.
"Mel, I'm only looking out for you on this one. I don't want you to be having attacks everyday because you know they are on the island."
"Even if this goes through, they have to build a secure paddock, and it has to be up to my standards. And if anything, I wouldn't be the one to oversee their handling. I couldn't be there everyday."
"I think I need to come."
"No Dad, this island doesn't need to cripple the both of us."
"My daughter needs me. I'll stay for a bit, and you can show me around. Even if I don't agree with your decision to be there, I know it would have happened without you. Your mother would expect me to be there for you." He said, and I bit back a sob.
"Daddy, she's been gone since I was 5. The dead don't have feelings. Especially overdosed druggies."
"Melissa," My Dad said, and I sighed.
"I'm not going to apologize. She left. She overdosed Dad. She didn't want us." I said, "I'm not going to mourn someone who didn't care."
"She was still your mother."
"Biologically yes. Technically, Ellie is my mother. She was there, and she cared about me."
"Speaking of Ellie, did you tell her yet?" I asked, uncertain that I wanted the answer.
"She is your mother," He joked.
"Oh joy."
My father didn't end up coming, as he got caught up at the university and called to another dig site. It was a month later that I drew up plans for the Raptor Paddock. If Dr. Wu was going to be persistent, I was going to be thorough. A perfectionist really, analyzing every detail for even the slightest flaw.
"We aren't using the same code for each raptor. Each one will be unique. We just want to see which one comes as close to the original breed." He said, clearly enamored with the idea of raptors.
"When do you think they'll be ready?" I said, eyeing the computer.
"We can have the eggs ready in a month. We just want to change a few details."
"These are already deadly creatures Dr. Wu. I've been at the mercy of one. Robert Muldoon, Mr. Arnold, both died from these creatures."
"Which is why we have them imprint on their handler." He explained.
"Are you insane?" I said lowly, "Have you completely lost your mind? These things are lethal at 6 months, and you want to put someone in there with them?"
"How high do you plan to have the walls?" he asked, unfazed by my questions.
"They were able to jump over 15 feet, last I saw. So I wanted to make them 20-25, just as a precaution. Like… Rexy."
"They need some low vegetation to hide behind."
"Ferns. Nothing higher than 5 feet." I said, laying down the law. "They need to be visible at all times."
"I want 8 raptors."
"2." I said.
"6," He challenged.
"2." I said.
"4 then." He said folding his arms over his chest. I thought about it. They were pack hunters. Would that be too many still?
"I'll consider it." I said, laying out the plans to show Simon and Dr. Wu.
"It's is rather amusing, watching you two bicker." Simon chuckled under his breath.
"I cannot even begin to tell you how much I despise this idea. So, if this has to happen, I get to chose our…handlers."
"Handlers? As in plural?"
"Raptors are pack hunters. Two sets of eyes to every raptor or this is shut down until you see things my way." I said, my voice making my decree final.
"You're the boss." Simon smirked and I could feel Dr. Wu's hatred for me in that moment. I rolled my eyes slightly, and said, "I have several candidates in mind, and will be flying out to meet with them once construction of the paddock is underway, and I can watch the foundation being laid."
"How big will this paddock be?"
"For now, I want an octagon. When and if they don't kill each other, we can talk about expanding the paddock. But I want foundation below the ground, another 10 -15 feet to ensure they can't dig their way out."
"We shouldn't assume the worst."
"Really? Cause I wish someone had assumed the worst the first time around," I growled out, getting in Henry's face. He took a deep breath and said, "I meant in regards to them escaping."
"I don't care how this might be defined as overreacting. I want back up generators next to the paddock, failsafe's on the gates. Two gates this time. One to an inner door, where there will be cages to contain them, should any personnel need to enter the paddock. The genetic code of each dinosaur will be different, so I don't expect them to like each other at first. Each one will seem like a threat. If they are kept together since infancy, they have a higher chance of bonding to each other, versus killing each other."
"You will be overseeing them?" Dr. Wu said
"No. As you may have noticed, I don't take too well to the idea of raptors. And I'm very sure the last one that got too close to me could smell how terrified I was. They are wondrous creatures that I will not be interacting with, unless forced." I said, looking to Simon.
"We will start construction in a week then. I already had Claire pick the location. Does this part of the island feel secure enough for you? Not anywhere close to the resort, but close enough that it's within a 15 minute drive." Simon said, pointing at the map of Isla Nublar and I nodded.
"Now," Dr. Wu said gaining my attention, "Can I have a time frame for when I can start creating embryos?"
"When I have my team here, and not a minute sooner." I said, giving my best bitch face.
A/N: Let me know what you think! Reviews equal chapters ;)
