A/N: I can't believe the week took so long to go by. So, happy 4th of July to my American readers, and happy belated Canada Day to my fellow Canadians. And for the other countries, I'm sorry to say I don't know your national days, but I will look them up. Doesn't do any harm to research things now and then. Or in my case, every day for fun.

Disclaimer: I do not own Universal, Jurassic Park or any of its characters. Just Mel and the chaos I create with her.

I basically camped out at the paddock, overseeing the building, the electrical, the testing of fences, failsafe's, the generators. Anything that could go wrong was tested. Even the stupidest things, I tested for. The walkway was constructed within a day of Owen Grady's arrival. As I suspected, I was not the welcoming crew. But he did manage to find me, in the last place I expected.

"Hey neighbor," I heard as I was sunbathing in the warmth of the sunset, a bottle of tequila at my side as I dangled my feet in the small lake off my dock.

"Oh no," I whispered to myself. Turning I found him being dropped off, with a bag in one hand and a guitar case in the next.

"Let me guess, you asked for the most secluded place, because you don't like people." I said, taking another swig of alcohol.

"Nah, they haven't finished the expansion on the employee housing complex. This is temporary. But I might ask it to be permanent," He said, sitting beside me and taking the bottle from my hands.

"Hey, get your own," I said, as he took a swig.

"Oh, you like the good stuff."

"It's the only thing that burns enough." I said, plucking the bottle from his hands.

"So boss lady, I still need that tour."

"Ugh, it's my day off tomorrow. Ask someone else." I said sourly.

"You're in a bad mood," He laughed.

"No, just toasting myself to another year of not dying." I said, lightly touching the scar on my collarbone.

"It's been how many years?" He asked quietly.

"19."

"You were how old again?" Awkwardly.

"9." I bit out.

"Sorry. I realize this is the wrong way to find out more about you. Maybe I'll just unpack, and you can finish your… I don't even know. Goodnight Mel."

"Night."

The next day was restful for me. Not just because I woke up without a hangover, but because I wasn't asked to come in for anything. I was able to finish my smaller projects, and make my way up to the nearly completed pen. Dr. Wu wanted to start the embryos within the next day, and the eggs would take about a month to hatch. Owen was already up there, casing the paddock and getting himself introduced to all the extra handlers and workers.

"Ah, Mel Bel. Finally joined the party."

"Grady." I said, sighing at the sight of the pens. He followed my line of sight and said, "So, when do I meet them?"

"After they hatch. You… as much as I hate the idea, will be there for them to imprint on. I want to try and see if they will respond to you as their Alpha."

"Versus the Beta? Can I name them?"

"You name things, you get attached. So if you're 100% on naming them, knock yourself out." I said, moving to get a better look at the modular coming in for office space.

"Andy! I want those connected in the next half hour," I yelled down to my head of construction.

"Sure thing Dr. Grant."

"Jack! Jack! JACK!" I yelled, getting a hold of the crane operator's attention.

"Don't be an idiot. Use your spotters. You nearly hit my car!" I said and he looked around the load he had nervously, to spot my vehicle.

"Come on Jackie," Andy said, shaking his head at him.

"You're pretty important 'round here."

"When you have most of the island reporting to you, yeah, I would consider that. But I'm here for the animals, not the people." I explained, watching as they placed the modular.

"Dr. Grant. Vic Hoskins," A man said coming up beside me to shake my hand.

"Mr. Hoskins. I understand you were hired as InGen's new Head of Security."

"And you're the little lady they were too afraid of to do so."

"For good reason," I smirked.

"I just want you to know that I don't report to you. I report to Masrani."

"And any reporting to Masrani, has to go through me. I don't roll over for anyone, especially bullies. So anything you have to say to Masrani, goes through me."

"Step away from the lady," Owen said, as Vic took a step closer towards me, trying to intimidate me.

"Didn't catch your name," Vic said, scowl slipping form his face.

"Owen Grady."

"You're a Veteran, huh? You need to keep some muscle around sweetheart?"

"Listen Hoskins, I don't know who you have on your side, but I can assure you. I have animals that love me and listen to my commands. Have you ever been trampled by a herd of Triceratops? I've seen it. The handler died because he didn't respect the animals. He used brute force against an immovable object, eight times his size. So, don't mess with me. You may have been hired for Security, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. You are guarding the secrets of InGen, nothing more. This isn't the military, where you're guarding our nation. These are living wonders that companies would love to replicate, but they don't understand. Don't think for a minute that you are higher and mightier than anyone else her because you had military training. You are nothing more than a glorified mall cop."

"Phew, little spitfire, ain't she?" Vic said, smiling at Owen like I wasn't even there.

"Hoskins, I have more than enough sway with the board of Directors to have your employment terminated on the grounds of sexual harassment, and gender discrimination alone. Not to mention the way you seemed to try and intimidate me by using your body, as if to make yourself bigger. I can assure you I will not be dealing with you on a one on one basis again."

"I can testify to that." Owen said, and Vic narrowed his eyes at me.

"So, are you ready to submit to the fact I am your superior?" I said, eyes flashing. His upper lip sneered at me and turned to leave before he could make a bigger problem.

"He seemed pleasant." Owen said, trying to relieve the tension.

"I read up on him. He's been an asshole all his life. I wasn't about to let him get his foot in the door of doing the same thing here."

"How can one person be that bad?" He said, and I smirked up at him.

"Thank you for having my back. You didn't have to do that. I can hold my own."

"I know. I witnessed it. I just wanted him to know that I was still watching. Makes guys nervous when another guys doesn't ignore their behavior."

"Again, thank you."

"If you want to thank me, let me take you out for dinner tonight."

"Owen, I am still your boss."

"I know. But until these things are born, you aren't." He smiled.

"Owen, don't make me report you for sexual harassment." I said, half teasing.

"Okay okay. Just don't be surprised if I keep asking you. Once a day, until you agree."

"As if you have the patience." I challenged.

"Fine. We'll make it a bet then. If I can get you to cave within a year, I get to take you anywhere I want on the island, for dinner."

"And if I don't cave in a year, you stop asking. And if I want to, I have to ask you."

"Deal."

"You are going to lose," I smirked, walking down the stairs to watch the modular being completely hooked up.

"I don't bet on things I can't win at," He said, that panty-dropping smile coming into play.

Oh brother.

A/N: How was that? :)