Goslin- I'm really happy with this chapter. I hope you are too. Sorry for the no updates in forever thing! Reputationatory is not a word, but I like it anyway! (Read this chapter to understand the comment.) Remember, big things come in small packages.

The Lost Moments

The Red Queen Part II

Inside every pale flame that blinked on and off in the small, Italian restaurant, Malcolm thought he could see dark and menacing woods. He put the thoughts behind him, focusing on Richard beside him, and the glass of wine he had yet to touch. His hand rested on the neck of the delicate glass, as he lifted it in a toast to his now long – time.. Research partner? Friend? Malcolm couldn't find the right words to explain his relationship with Levine. They'd now known each other for years, but it seemed that they hadn't moved on at all. They still fought, they still generally disliked each other (in the best possible way, mind you), and still they complimented each other perfectly. They had come here to celebrate their newfound connection to Isla Sorna. But both knew that they also wanted to get thoroughly drunk. The restaurant was expensive (not that this was a problem for Levine), and dressed with real vines and an open, romantic atmosphere.

"A toast," Levine proclaimed, raising his glass rediculously high in the air.

Malcolm's glass clinked against Levine's. Malcolm laughed.

"What's so funny?" Levine inquired in a relaxed, drunken, and not entirely interested manner.

"You," Malcolm replied in a slightly less intoxicated drawl, any southern accent he had left now showing itself proudly. "You are the dumbest smart person I've ever met."A crooked smile played on his lips as he added softly, "If I had your money, I might have your guts too."

Levine winced. Even in his drunken state, he could feel a Malcolm lecture coming on. He decided to try and head it off at the pass. "You mean to say, that in my clever and snappy ignoramus, I somehow always manage to pull through?"

Malcolm was unphazed as he continued, " People used to earn money, you know. Now you either have it or you don't. Period. End of discussion...God." Malcolm sighed.

"People and God rarely have interludes together, or, at least, in the Old Testament, they always seemed counterproductive," Levine said, now using his nails as a focal point. It was very dark outside, and the darkness seemed to be doing strange things to his emotions regarding Malcolm. Levine was finding him...attractive. Oh well. Anthropological studies show that we are often attracted to those we affiliate with as being our mentors. But Levine hoped that he wouldn't be this attracted for long, he was feeling a tightness around his jeans.

Malcolm was trying very hard to stare at a particularly overgrown tree when Levine made his snide and unrelated remark. The candles seemed to give the restaurant a particularly romantic air, and he had a sudden thought: what if someone thought they were gay? Would it be natural to assume that two men sharing a dinner together would be a red flag for homosexuality? Would he assume that? He realized with horror that he might indeed. Unless he got out business cards and papers now, Malcolm realized, they could be in serious momentary reputationatory danger. Ah well. Anthropological studies had a new pet theory about why people were attracted to those who were generally considered assholes...something about charisma.

It began to rain outside, just a little trickle that decorated the plants outside the restaurant, quenching the scorched sidewalks.

Ten minutes later, the waiter returned to inform them that they had been here for an hour, and had already paid for their meal and did they want dessert? HintHintNudgeNudge sort of deal. The men smiled at eachother, understanding flashing, and both said 'No' almost simultaneously before going out to brave the rain. Through a sort of kinetic energy, their hands fell together as they walked out of the place. Malcolm stopped before they went out into the rain completely.

"You know, I've never really been one to run out into the rain," Malcolm said.

"Not the Singing in the Rain type, huh?"

"Nope."

"Me neither."

"Well, it's not coming down too hard."

"Not too bad."

Malcolm looked at Levine, whose eyes were squinted in frustration, and arms wound around himself to keep straying rain from falling on him from the overhangings. He looked at the rain: harmless. The rain was totally harmless. Malcolm walked calmly out of the threshold and into the middle of the sidewalk, where he stood, peppered with droplets on his black attire.

Levine followed like a disciple, squinting and hugging himself even more, before he finally gave in and relaxed his arms at his sides, staring at Malcolm as if for an explanation.

Malcolm put his arm around Levine and said earnestly, "We should do this again sometime soon."

Levine frowned. "It'll be difficult when I go back to New York."

"Yeah. I know."