The Lost Moments
Gambler's Ruin: Part II
I an Malcolm stared at the presently blank computer screen and listened as Richard pressed buttons on the console. He could think of nothing but Levine's lips... And how awful it had felt. He wanted to go wash his face and use soap in his mouth, a task usually reserved for foul-mouthed children.
On the topic of children, Malcolm was wondering how in the world Kelly and Arby were doing, when Richard Levine tapped him on his shoulder with his characteristic impatience. "Look!" Levine pronounced proudly, stepping away from the computer proudly, waiting for the older man to analize his work. But even from the blurry distance, Malcolm could tell this was not Levine's usual frivilous If-It's-Good-Enough-For-Me-It's-Good-Enough-For-You style. It was much too....professional.
Just to agrivate the usually agrivating paleontologist a little, Malcolm survayed the image, (blurry to his eyes from this distance) for an extra long time, before reaching in his shirt pocket and pulling out his glasses. Malcolm took careful not that he was annoyingly prompt and professorish and proper about the whole deal of putting on his glasses. He made this his own personal payback.
Glasses in place, Malcolm leaned slightly closer to the console, but before he could remember to be cautious and proper and annoying again, his jaw dropped.
On the bright blue florescence of the computer console was a map of Isla Sorna. And on the map were little dots. Some were red and some were blue,...and they were constantly moving. Malcolm knew they had to be dinosaurs on the island! Perhaps the extinction project could be carried out after all! Malcolm felt happy butterflies in his stomach, and his mind raced with a million questions. Richard, how did you do this? Where did it come from? What exactly is it? Is there anything else I need to know? What do blue and red represent?
Speaking of Richard Levine, the man himself was sitting by the console, grinning widely and openly. Like a schoolchild whose work was well-received.
Malcolm struggled to find his voice. "Richard, what on earth is this.."
"SURPRISE!" Malcolm shrugged his glasses off and did a double take as he whirled around to face....Sarah.
And Arby. And Kelly. And Thorne. They had evidently popped up from behind the neat and tidy sofa. Malcolm looked to Levine, but to his surprise, the man was as shocked as he, his jaw looking as Ian's had when he had seen the map. His fine, strong jaw. Ian wondered if he even compared to Richard when it came to handsomeness. Richard was so well-built. His mind turned to the kiss, as Sarah came to the door and beckoned him seductively. In the back of his mind, he thought he heard Kelly stifle a giggle. Sarah used her first finger to beckon him, almost playfully. What in the world was she up to?
Malcolm stepped cautiously foward, aware of everyone in the room, hoping Sarah had the sense not to do something too outrageous. This was so unlike her. Once he was within arm's reach, she shot one of her slender arms out and grabbed him by the shirt, kissing him passionatly. What was with people tonight? He heard everyone laugh and wondered what in the hell was going on. If this was some sort of kissing game, he didn't want to have to play it with Thorne or the minors in the room. He hadn't really wanted to do it with Levine...
The kiss ended, and Malcolm couldn't help himself as he pressed, "What is going on?"
Sarah Harding pointed playfully above her, to the top of the door threshold. Above his tall figure, not at all hidden from view, but quite precariously placed, was a bit of decorative, but authentic mistletoe. Malcolm wanted to hit someone, but instead, he joined the crowd and laughed.
About an hour later, everything had quieted down. The map had been forgotten, and so had the kisses. And everyone was staying at Levine's for Christmas. The children had permission from their parents, and slept in a room together, in two separate beds. Ian was to sleep in a room with Sarah, and Levine was bunking with Thorne.
And after Levine had thoroughly fussed at them not to muss anything in his apartment up, they all retired to their rooms, exhausted.
Richard had a strange expression on his face, as he stared at his Christmas present. It was almost as if he were studying it as an artifact. Malcolm let out a little chuckle, as Levine turned it in his hands, studying it.
"The paper tears, there. And there's something inside," Malcolm said sarcastically. Levine shot him a contemptuous look, before tearing the paper, (if it could be called tearing), right on the folded line, where the tape was. Malcolm jokingly slapped his hand to his forehead, and let out a 'he'll never learn' sigh.
Malcolm's mind, on the whole, however, was somewhere else entirely, with his arm around a still groggy Sarah Harding's shoulders. The two children, who seemed to be now entirely governed by Thorne, were bouncing up and down, impatiently waiting for Thorne, who was 'Santa' this year, to pass around a gift to them. Kelly was slightly more mature than Arby, thought Malcolm. It must be hard to be a teenage girl. Especially one that was teased by her peers. In a moment of pity for her, Malcolm passed her his gift to her.
Kelly beamed. No one ever was quite so nice to her! And this was her rolemodel-want-to-be-like-when-I-grow-up's boyfriend! Or were they back together…? It sure looked like it.
But one never knows, considering the oddities of the human heart, thought Malcolm, as he watched an ecstatic Kelly rip open the small package that contained earrings for her.
Malcolm looked at the ceiling and sighed, watching the fan spin around, and sighed. It had been a most interesting Christmas indeed, and he had an idea it was only going to go downhill from here…Oh well.