Amy watched the enormous, round-shaped aviary slowly disappear into the fog, the sounds of the Pteranodons already having disappeared into the evening air. After coughing up an entire river from her lungs and recovering from what she concluded must have been a mild panic attack, Amy retreated to the far side of the barge and sat on top a bench where she curled herself around her knees and covered her face, refusing to speak with anyone. She made no mention of her near death below the water's surface, nor did she acknowledge what had happened to Billy. His fate had gone completely unspoken among the group. Paul and Alan busied themselves with their next plan of action in terms of starting the boat's motor and reaching the coast while Amanda and Eric spoke quietly among one another about their home back in Oklahoma. Amy did not bother with listening to a word of what anyone was saying, and even if she had, she wouldn't have understood a word of it. She was lost inside her own mind. Amy simply allowed the hum of the motor to lull her into a state of numbness; no thoughts, no pain, just a tingling that filled her body much like TV static.

After a while, Amy noticed something from the corner of her eye. It was Alan, and he was pacing. He always paced when he had something he wanted to say, or when he had a lot on his mind. From his movements alone and the constant glances sent her way, Amy knew that he wanted to talk to her. Alan would take some steps towards her and opened his mouth, then recoiled with a small shake of his head and retreated again. This happened quite a few times before he finally gave up on his first tactic. Instead, he went to the ledge beside her and he leaned against the railing, his head ducked low as he fell deep in thought. Amy wasn't sure how long this new, gawky silence lasted. The atmosphere surrounding the two was thick and electric with apprehension and unease. Amy could hardly bear to look at the man, let alone say something to him. Her mind was still numbed and barren of proper thought. This was by no means her way of silently telling Alan that she had nothing to say, for her words were enough to fill a lifetime over again, but she simply did not know what to say now.

There were approaching footsteps and a new person appeared from behind them. Eric stood watching the two, quiet in his study of the situation as he weighed his options. The boy shuffled awkwardly and he nibbled at his lip, searching for some words to say himself. Alan let out a long, tired sigh, and Eric finally discovered his voice. "Alan, Amy?" the boy started, testing the waters. Alan spun around quickly, somewhat caught off guard by the kid's presence, but he played this off swiftly with a forceful smile.

"Hey, Eric, how are you doing?" he responded and took a seat upon the bench beside Amy, but not close enough to accidentally graze her. Seeing that he had not been rejected, Eric stepped off from his ledge and took a seat in the bench across from Alan and Amy. The kid's hands clasped around one another and he fiddled with his thumbs, not unlike a nervous Alan, Amy thought. Though this did nothing to move the woman, Amy did peak over her elbows curiously at the new situation. After a few moments, Eric looked back up to Alan with an almost heartbreaking look upon his sweet face.

"I'm sorry about Billy."

As soon as the name had left his lips, Amy and Alan both reacted. Amy felt her body tense greatly while Alan's shoulders dropped. Amy's muscles fought to take flight; to run away from both Eric and Alan and everyone else on this god forsaken boat and find refuge far away from everyone, though she remained. Alan leaned forward and he placed his hands on his knees as if reeling from some invisible punch in the gut. It was the first time in what must have been hours that anyone had dared mention Billy. Amy could see Alan's knuckles growing white and she thought his skin might break open from the force, though he suddenly relaxed.

Alan sighed again, his lips flattened and brows creased. Amy felt something touch her thigh and she nearly jumped at the sensation, though she soon recognized the feeling of Alan's hand, carefully sliding in place against her cold skin. It was almost instinctual, his touch. Like her, Alan always had trouble speaking of such heavy topics. His palm against her leg was his baring; his way of grounding himself enough to continue on. It made Amy feel warm. Alan shot a small glance her way and their eyes met and she understood him. After everything they had been through, Alan needed her help through this moment. He inhaled sharply and returned his attention to Eric. "You know what the last thing I said to him was?" he asked softly in a voice so filled with hurt. "I said, 'you're as bad as the people who built this place.' I called him a mess up, which wasn't true. None of it was." He shook his head, his handsome face filled with disgust at the memory. "Billy was just... young, that's all. And I got angry with Amethyst for trying to tell me that," he trailed off.

Amy very nearly bolted at that moment. She and Alan were both bold people; too proud to properly speak of emotions often. This sudden change in Alan somewhat scared Amy. In her mind, she would have rather jumped into the river rather than face the awful truth of her reality, though the new strength in Alan kept her unmoving, waiting to see his most true response to everything. After a short pause, Alan continued solemnly, "I have a theory that there are two kinds of boys; those who want to be astronomers and those who want to be astronauts. The astronomer - or the paleontologist - gets to study these amazing things from a place of complete safety."

"But then you never get to go into space," Eric finished and Alan nodded.

"Exactly. It's the difference between imagining and seeing, to be able to touch them, and that's… That's all Billy wanted."

For the first time since they had set out on the boat, Amy moved. She unwrapped an arm from around her knees and she placed her hand on top of Alan's and she squeezed his appendage warmly as a great surge filled her. At that moment of complete vulnerability from her and Alan both, Amy wanted nothing more than to spill everything to him once and for all. And yet, the rest of her body made no move to do such a thing. She did not process the words that swam in her thoughts. She did not look at Alan and let anything and everything pour from her lips. Amy merely held his hand in hers and hoped that would be enough. Thankfully, for the moment at least, it was.

Amy suddenly flinched as a bright light attacked her eyes. There was a break in the thick trees that surrounded them and the brightness of the setting sun was revealed. Amy shielded herself from the light, angry at the assault that further caused her head to pound, yet at the sound of Eric's voice, she found herself looking. "Dr. Grant, Amy!" the boy exclaimed and he pointed towards the sun and stood to his feet. Amy blinked hard against the light as she and Alan both stood as well. First, Amy could see nothing but blinding white and a dull green. Then, her eyes adjusted and she could finally see.

Displayed out before them like some spectacular painting come to life, Amy stared wide eyed upon the great valley that stretched out below the lowered sun and rainbowed sky of dark reds, rich purples, and deep blues, all smeared together with bright pink clouds. The river's edge gently sloshed against dark green bushes and shrubs that led up to a landscape of a wondrous, waking valley and towering mountains far in the distance. Standing proudly and grazing upon the fresh grass and tall tree leaves was a herd of Parasaurolophus, Nigersaurus, Brachiosaurus, and Stegosaurus, all lowly trumpeting and singing with one another in a rumbling, beautiful harmony. From the water's edge, Amy saw a few Ankylosauruses as well, their clubbed tails almost wagging as they waddled through the shore.

Amy felt herself grow unsteady and she had to settle herself against the railing of the barge as her mind drifted back and forth. The view displayed before her was truly spectacular. Despite seeing something similar many times before, nothing seemed real. It was like she was walking through a dreamland deep inside her subconscious. Everything within her wanted nothing more than to walk off the barge and into this beautiful world; leaving everything else as nothing but a memory. Eric pressed himself between Alan and Amy as he leaned over the rail as far as he could as if the boy were trying to touch the scene before them. "You know something, Dr. Grant?" Eric suddenly asked. Amy peered down at the child curiously. Despite his bruised and cut face and unwashed, shaggy hair, his crystal blue eyes seemed to sparkle, and it brought a smile to the woman's lips. When Alan didn't answer, Eric turned to him with a small, saddened smile of his own. "Billy was right."

That struck a cord deep within Amy's chest. Tears instantly stung the woman's eyes and she blinked rapidly as her knuckles tightened against the rust of the rails in a desperate attempt to keep herself from tumbling head first into complete despair once again. A thick lump formed in her throat and she was unable to breathe, though her chest still thundered wildly. Her eyes instantly jumped to Alan in search of his help. Alan did not meet her gaze, though. Instead, the man blinked heavily and his lips flattened in his signature, uncomfortable look. Without a word, Alan rested his hand on Eric's head, gave a short tussle of his hair, then hooked his arm around the boy and brought him close to his side in what would have been considered an embrace in Alan's eyes.

Then, Amy felt a soft tingle in her wrist and she was met with the sight of Alan's fingers brushing against her skin, beckoning for her, though hesitating. Just like that, Amy's internal pain and turmoil had lessened significantly. Amy wrapped her arm around Eric while Alan's hand slipped around her waist and pulled her closer, hugging the woman and child tightly to his side. There were no further words from anyone; nothing more that needed to be said at that moment. The three simply reveled in one another's presence quietly as they returned their eyes to the grassy field, taking in everything that had happened, what had been said, and what was to come. Almost mimicking them, three Brachiosauruses lumbered their way to the water's edge and besides the barge. With a growling trumpeting, they lowered their heads curiously and studied the small boat filled with strange creatures, causing Eric to giggle and watch in complete awe.

Amy snuck a peak at the beaming boy, happening to glance at Alan in the process. Her heart nearly lept all the way out of her chest and into her throat. He was looking at her, and solely at her alone. It was nothing menacing or angry like at the aviary, nor was it altogether saddened or hurt. The look simply said that they needed to talk. Amy turned her head fully to face the man, and through unwavering eye contact between icy blue and melted caramel, she gave a single nod of her understanding.

The moment was broken as soon as it happened. Eric excitedly pointed out at the quickly passing field and began questioning the elder paleontologists about the assortment of dinosaurs, driving the adult's attention from each other and to him instead. Amy wasn't sure if Eric had done this on purpose or not, but she was grateful all the same. Amy knew her and Alan would have to discuss their current predicament and what had happened, but she wanted to push that off for just a bit longer. She wanted to remain this way, standing on a boat's ledge arm-in-arm with Alan and a child nestled tightly between them for just a few moments more. This way, when the inevitable happened at the conclusion of their talk, she would still have this last happy memory at the very least.

As evening turned to night, Amy remained seated at the bench at the back of the barge, watching the light between the trees grow dull and the colors of the sky darken overhead. Once it was too dark to see the leaves, Amy turned her attention to the stars, where she tried to occupy herself with counting the twinkling lights. She knew that, eventually, Alan would come to her again, but she simply did not want to think of that now. After a while of tense apprehension, Amy finally began to relax. The low hum of the motor and the chill of the night lulled her into a sense of comfortability she had not known in what seemed like years. She wasn't sure how long she remained this way, though it passed her by far too quickly for her liking, for Alan suddenly appeared at her side.

Alan said nothing for a long time. He stood with his hands shoved deep into his pockets and his head lowered. Every once in a while, he would follow her gaze to the stars, then he would look at her. Amy stayed silent and unmoving, not wanting to be the one to acknowledge the impending conversation first, for she still hadn't a clue what to say. Another heavy minute ticked by and Amy's trepidation grew second by second until, finally, Alan made his move. The man dropped his head while a hand came to scratch the back of his neck and he cleared his throat quietly.

"I brought you a coat," he said and offered her a dark brown jacket. It looked like the one Billy had given her on the plane. Without a thought or word, Amy limply wrapped the jacket around her shoulders and she inhaled. It smelled just like him. Amy wasn't sure where Alan had found it, though she was grateful all the same, and she mumbled a gentle thank you. "Want me to wrap your leg?" he gestured to her calf, where she still bled lightly. Amy was slightly taken aback as she had completely forgotten about the cut, though she composed herself and nodded. Alan kneeled down and began to wrap her leg with a piece of cloth. It looked to be ripped by some discarded clothing, though she wasn't sure where exactly it had come from. Amy remained silent as she watched Alan wrap the cloth tightly against her flesh, his hot breath tickling her bare skin and sending sharp shivers coiling up her spine. "Do you remember when we first met?" was Alan's first real question. Amy didn't expect him to ask such a question, nor had she prepared for a walk down memory lane. Because of this, she countered with a question of her own.

"On Hammond's helicopter?"

Alan took her response as his okay to continue. With one last wrap, Alan tied off the cloth tightly and sat himself on the edge of her bench, almost too fearful to take the chance in sitting any closer. Even so, he continued steadily, "you've always been so argumentative, even with our first phone call. Still, I didn't know just how fiery you were until we actually met. You could hardly manage to open your eyes at all during that flight, but the very moment you realized who I was, you wanted to argue."

"So, what you're saying is, you found me attractive because I could hold my own against your smart ass." Despite her flattened tone, her words were rather teasing. It did its job as near instantly, the mood was somewhat uplifted and less awkward.

"Your words, not mine," the two chuckled lightly, then Alan sighed. He watched his fingers fiddle unconsciously upon his knees as he struggled internally with finding the words he wanted to continue forward with. "I think that... What initially drew me toward you was that spark you have. Not for starting fights or telling people off, but the reason you do it. I think first, it was the way you spoke about your people at West Glacier. How you were so focused on protecting them that you put yourself in danger. It didn't matter what InGen or Biosyn wanted you to do so long as your people were alright in the end. Then when we got stuck with Lex and Tim, no matter how exhausted you were or how hurt you got, you were determined to be alright for them." Then, Alan began to laugh and he shook his head at a sudden memory. "Remember when you first arrived at Snakewater? When one of the guys was chasing that thing through the sand?"

"You mean the night I saved that frog?"

"God, I've never seen someone so pissed! You nearly broke your knuckles on the guy's teeth. Who was it again?"

"I think his name was Clint," Amy snorted through her own growing enthusiasm.

"That's it! All because he was chasing a frog."

"Watch yourself, Dr. Grant. I'm not above smacking you for disrespecting frogs."

"There's the fire I was looking for," he shoved her gently with his boot and Amy lightly slapped his shoulder with a playful glare. So unlike what Amy had been expecting, their situation reminded her fondly of their late night conversations around a fire back at their camp. It was reminiscent of the nights spent retelling joyful memories and laughing over a drink or two without a care as to what the next day's problems would carry. Those were simpler times, though, and it had been a long time since Amy or Alan had partaken in such pleasantries, with or without each other. The couple's laughter soon quieted to small hums of quieted affection, though Alan was quick to speak again. This time, however, his voice was not quite as lighthearted as before. It was more somber, thoughtful even. "I've always thought that little fire in you was… really beautiful."

Amy shifted against the bench, edging ever so slightly closer to him. She could feel the warmth emitting from him and she felt a sharp chill shake her, though this went ignored as she mulled over his words fully. A firm lump formed in the depths of her drying throat, though this was quickly forced back down as her own words began to spill without a passing thought of her own.

"I think what first got me to notice you was how cocky you are," she said. The memories of the years they overcame had suddenly come flowing through her like waves over a lillypad, and she accepted this whole heartedly. As soon as the memories overtook her mind, she spoke them clearly and without hesitation. "Oh, I was beyond angry on our first phone call. I thought you were just another pompous ass who only cared for his next check. When I met you in person, I wanted to hate you. Hell, I wanted to blame you for everything that had happened to me. But you weren't an ass, you're confident and intelligent… Whenever you look at something, it's like I can see you picking it apart, studying it down to its last atom. Even if you don't understand what you're looking at, you're instantly willing to learn everything about it. And even though you try so hard to pretend like you don't care about things, I love how obvious it is that you do care. No matter what situation you're in, you're a natural leader and you love it, because action is how you show your feelings. The way the gears in your mind work… I think that's beautiful."

The very second the words fell from her mouth, Alan reacted. He didn't respond in the way she had hoped, however. Instead, he heaved greatly through his nose and leaned forward, his hands coming up to run through his hair. "Amethyst, what are we doing?"

"I don't know," she countered defensively. She could feel her heart begin to pound at the sudden turn of topic. "What do you think we're doing?"

"I think we're grasping at straws."

"Alan…"

"Every time we finally take a step forward, we're forced four paces back. Especially in the past few months."

"Yeah, I know..."

"Maybe it's my fault. Maybe I do this to women."

"Do what?"

"Look what I did to Ellie," he gestured to the empty air, like he was reaching for his point so that he would not have to actually say it out loud. His outstretched fingers curled and his hand dropped. "We were together for nine years…. Nine years, and now we can't hold a conversation that doesn't involve work. Hell, she could hardly even look at me during dinner. I don't even know why she stayed with me for as long as she did." Alan heaved an overflowing breath and his hands came up to hold his head, cradling all the weight he had felt for God knows how long. "I can see you pulling away, too, just like she did."

Immediately, Amy shook her head in retaliation. "Alan, that's not what's happening."

He rounded on her. "Then tell me what's wrong so I can fix it."

"I," Amy gasped, her lips falling open as her mind raced with forming what she wished to say, though her tongue failed her. "I don't know what's wrong." She said this without a real thought to what it had meant, or what the implications behind her words were. Still, Amy felt her walls cracking and she was struggling to mend the walls quick enough. "I don't know why I do this, but I know my feelings for you haven't changed. And no matter what happens on this island or what might happen when we get home, I don't think my feelings will ever change."

"I don't think I'll ever stop loving you," he said instantly. Finally, their eyes met, and Amy did not shy away from his look. Her eyes stayed strongly in sight with his and she bit her lip desperately. She truly wanted to meet the enthusiasm in his words and finally speak everything she had been holding, yet something still held her back.

Her hands came up and Alan grabbed them instantly, bringing her hands to his chest as he scooted even closer to her. His mouth opened, though she spoke over him. "Billy kissed me. I didn't kiss him back. I don't love him, Alan. Not like that, but he did kiss me. What now?"

"I-" he started, then stopped. He lowered her hands from his chest and to his lap, where his thumb subconsciously rubbed little patterns against her palm while he processed what had just been revealed. He had to clear his throat before he could begin again. "Billy's just a kid… It's taking me a while to understand that, but I do know that. Billy… he meant a lot to me. He meant a lot to everyone. Although I can't say that I'm overjoyed that he kissed you… I just want you to be happy, Amy."

"And I am happy," she brought his hands close to her heart, trying to get him to look at her again, though his eyes never rose. "I'm happy with you."

"I'm nothing special, Amethyst."

"But you are, Alan. I'd rather have one moment of special with you rather than a lifetime of nothing special without you. But there are things... Things you can't know about yet. Things I can't tell you-"

"But you can tell him?" His words were harsh and biting, though he instantly recoiled from the sound. Amy could feel new tears building up in the corners of her eyes, though her own voice had disappeared. Alan's lips flattened and his blue eyes blinked heavily. "We've told each other everything, Amethyst. Why can't you tell me this?" Her mouth dropped open to say something, what that was, she wasn't sure, though Alan shook his head and it silenced her. "It's alright. I just wanted to know my place with you."

At that, Alan stood from the bench. Amy's fingers tightened ever so slightly around his own, though she still could not say anything. He began to walk away and Amy tugged him back, resisting him, though she did not speak. Just tell him, her mind screamed. Alan stopped, waiting for her next move. Just tell him. His eyes met hers, his blue irises reddened around the edges. God, just tell him. Alan began to walk away again. This time, her hands dropped, letting him go. Without another look, Alan turned away from her and left with heavy feet. Every step echoed like gunfire between her ears. The tears overflowed, leaving streaks against her dirty cheeks. Please, Amy, say something! Alan disappeared around a large cage and into the darkness without even a passing glance. Please…

Amy remained on the bench for a long time after that. She did not bother keeping track of the time, though it hardly would have mattered to her even if she had. The cold caused her to shiver terribly, though she could hardly feel it at all. From somewhere behind, she could hear light conversation, though it wasn't until Paul turned off the motor that she bothered to pay attention.

"Listen," he said. Amy's ears perked as she searched for what Paul was referring to. Then she heard it; the muffled jingle of Paul's satellite phone. The sound steadily grew closer as the boat floated the river. Amy felt her breath hitch and she jumped to her feet, her eyes scanning their surroundings for any sight of the Spinosaurus. The jingle grew louder and louder until Amy was finally able to pinpoint a break in the trees. They drew nearer to the clearing until, finally, they saw where the noise was coming from. Three large, steaming piles of Spinosaurus dung.

"Find it before it stops ringing!" Alan ordered and jumped over the side of the barge, landing in the shallow water with a splash.

Paul and Amanda jumped over after him, though before Amy could follow, she heard Amanda call out, "Eric, you stay on that boat with Amy!" Eric placed his hands against the railing and threw a foot over, but before he could drop down, Amy snatched him back up and held him in place by wrapping her arms over his chest.

The three adults all dove their arms into the muck elbow deep, dragging large chunks in their desperate search. "Guys, be careful!" Amy warned, her eyes still scanning through the thick trees. "We don't know where the Spino-" the words suddenly choked her as she got a whiff of the dung and she gagged. Amy turned to bury her nose deep into her elbow, her face scrunched in disgust as her stomach churned scornfully. Another wave of the wretched smell hit her, accompanied by squelching plops as the group continued to dig. Amy dropped Eric and she stumbled to the side of the boat, heaving and gasping as her stomach tried to empty itself, though she was only able to spit out a thickened saliva as there was nothing for her to throw up. Eric patted her on the back gently, trying to comfort the older woman. Once she was able to somewhat settle herself, she gratefully ran a hand through his hair.

"I got it!" Amanda declared. Alan was at her side quickly and he dug the phone the rest of the way out. He slid the antenna out and pressed the call button. Then, he put the phone up to his ear.

"Hello? Hello!" he tried, though the voice that emitted from the phone was automated. There was a collective sigh of disappointment from the group as Alan hung up. Amy grimaced and cursed under her breath, then her body went cold. Appearing from the darkness just in front of Alan, Paul, and Amanda was a Ceratosaurus.

"Look out!" Eric screamed and pointed, though it was too late for them to run. The giant predator stalked forward, its steps thundering and throat growling. Amy brought Eric to her chest and she hid his face while she could only look on in horror, watching as the Ceratosaurus lowered its head close to the group with a harsh sniff. Suddenly, the creature jerked back with a rough shake of its head. It peered down its sharp nose at the puny humans, its tongue sloshing thickly with its buildup of saliva. Then, it let out a guttural groan, turned from the group, and stalked back into the wilderness. They all watched on in a stunned amazement, mouths parted and eyes wide at what had just transpired.

Without thinking, Amy said, "this puts a new meaning to shit luck." All eyes were suddenly on her. All Amy could do was shrug sheepishly. Then, Eric laughed. Soon enough, the rest of the group joined the kid, all chuckling heavily at the entire situation. However, their momentary joy was interrupted by a harsh crack of thunder that made Amy jump. Quickly, Alan, Paul, and Amanda cleaned themselves of the muck covering their arms and clothes before rejoining Amy and Eric on the boat. Paul started up the motor and they were once again on their way down the river and towards the coast.