Helen Cutter smiled as opportunity presented itself a little sooner than expected. She had been banking on Connor and Abby to be the ones to lose sight of their new companion or even the red-headed bureaucrat who had made an odd room mate of her but not the soldier. Helen had credited him with a little more skill. Knowing he had to be close behind, she seized her chance literally, reaching out a hand to grasp at the wrist of a stranger and yank its owner round the corner of the building.
Helen was not expecting the punch that followed and instinct only gave her so much advantage. Her body sensed the danger a fraction of a second too late and whilst she was able to avoid the worst of the impact she still felt a painful blow on her jaw from the fist.
"Hey!" Helen protested angrily.
Helen glowered down at the younger woman, aware now that they had gained immediate attention and she was looking like a captor not a rescuer. She considered it a small mercy that she had at least changed out of her dirty explorer's attire and was wearing some clean, bloodstain free clothes for a change.
"I'm here to help!" Helen exclaimed.
Helen leaned forward to the woman, resisting to the urge to rub at her smarting jaw. She murmured quickly and quietly, "it's about the anomalies, you want to know more, you come with me, you want to stay in the dark, you wait here for the captain."
Melina, stunned by what had just occurred, glared up at the woman suspiciously. She considered jerking free from her grasp but hesitated at the mention of anomalies.
"I don't know you," Melina protested.
"You don't know Nick and his group either," Helen retaliated. "Did they tell you that creature in the museum was from the future? Have they even mentioned the future yet?"
Helen pulled Melina further back down the side of the building knowing Captain Ryan had to have exited it by now. It could only be good fortune that he must be glancing round the other side of it first.
Melina felt a quiver up her spine at the mention of 'future'. She couldn't even quite comprehend it, considering that this present was her future.
"Well, are you coming with me?" Helen queried as she gave a serious stare. She flashed a slightly mocking smile as she promised, "I'll bring you back safely, I swear."
Melina frowned at this, mistrusting of the smile the words came with. "Who are you?"
"Helen Cutter," she retorted as frustration filled her dark eyes. "Come on then," she urged as she pulled on Melina's wrist.
Melina shook her head, intrigued as she was she held only mistrust for this woman and hearing her name only strengthened her unease. She was surprised to hear Helen's surname and considered sardonically that Ryan had withheld it purposely.
"I'll help you find what they won't, a way home," Helen offered with a serious stare.
Melina's face tautened with this revelation, her lips parting slightly and her pupils freezing upon Helen as she tried to quell her sudden hopes. The sceptic in her protested that this was a little too good to be true and yet Ryan had implied that Helen knew things about the anomalies that they didn't.
Helen's dark eyes flickered past Melina and an uneasy smile slipped across her stern but attractive face.
Feeling Helen's grasp tighten upon her and seeing her stare suddenly focused elsewhere prompted Melina to glance over her shoulder. She saw Captain Ryan approaching, relief in his eyes before he masked it for anger as his pale stare focused on Helen.
Helen considered her options quickly as the captain came towards them. Self-preservation won out as it had for eight years. She had planted the seed of hope in Melina and knew she could cultivate it at a later point when danger wasn't so near.
Melina let out a startled cry as Helen released her and shoved her hard without warning into the approaching captain. Without a word, Helen turned and sprinted down the alleyway knowing if the captain bothered to follow he would at least be delayed.
Ryan frowned as he jostled with the unbalanced woman and steadied her on her feet. He tried to keep his gaze on Helen, ready to pursue but Melina's arm shot up into his vision as she flailed in an attempt to right herself and in that moment Helen was gone.
"Damn it," Ryan cursed in annoyance as he released Melina.
The blonde focused his anger to her as he gestured in the direction Melina had fled.
"What did she say to you?" he snapped.
Melina, composed again, folded her arms and glared up at the blonde.
"You're not pretending you don't know her then," she murmured sardonically. "She said her name is Helen Cutter, presumably a relation of Nick's then? Oh and that thing at the museum, that you wouldn't talk about, she said it was from the future."
Melina watched as the captain showed her only his annoyance, not reacting to her mention of the future.
"Anything else?" Ryan demanded.
Melina shook her head, unwilling to divulge the suggestion of a return home that Helen had mentioned.
"She's dangerous," he muttered crossly.
Melina dropped her arms by her sides and continued to glare up at him.
"How in the hell would I know that?" she remarked hotly. "None of you tell me anything. You say I'm the one acting like this is a stopping point for me but you're the same, you don't share anything about this business as if you think I'm going to move on from it."
The blonde continued to frown, his pale gaze darting about their surroundings, conscious of anyone within listening range. The background chatter he had reduced to white noise started to take form in his ears again as he tried to detect if anyone was discussing Helen's bizarre departure. As far as he could tell either no one had noticed or, and it seemed more likely, no one care much about Helen shoving Melina before running off.
"Alright," he consented reluctantly. "I take your point." He held up a hand before Melina could say anything. "However, it's not my decision."
"No," she retaliated sardonically, "you're just the good soldier following orders."
Ryan studied her for a moment, weighing out his options as he took in the dimples budding at the corners of her mouth as she tried to keep back the frown. Her eyes were bright, shining as she attempted to force anger in them to keep back the grief that tormented her.
"I'm the captain who gives the orders," he retorted at last.
Ryan tugged out his phone and searched for a name. He dialled and got an answer after four rings.
"Ms Brown, Melina just had an encounter with Helen," he advised bluntly. He talked quickly, interrupting the angry, spluttered retort Claudia was trying to give. "I'm no fan of any civilian in this line of work but we can't have some knowing things and others not. Ignorance is dangerous and it will get people killed. She's not a tourist anymore, the others know about Helen and the future predator, Melina needs to know as well."
Ryan looked to Melina whose mouth had made a small o shape as her eyes budded with surprise.
"It doesn't have to be right now," Ryan conceded. His expression became one Melina couldn't quite decipher, his mouth settling into a line as he raised a hand to scratch at his short blonde hair. "Helen is in the wind, no point rushing. I'm still with Melina. Well," he added quietly, "no one's had food."
Melina snickered at this as she finally realised Ryan's expression was one of awkwardness as he struggled to explain to Claudia why he was still with Melina.
"Cutter wants to do what?" Ryan exclaimed. His frown was back, it distorted his handsome features into a hostile, almost thuggish appearance. "Alright, fine." He glanced at his watch. "We're about an hour away. Right, bye."
Ryan hung up the phone and pocketed it, cursing himself internally for making the call.
"What was that all about?" Melina queried.
"The professor is still with Claudia," Ryan explained, "and my attempt at showing humanity, as you put it," he said sardonically, "has backfired on me so wonderfully that now I remember why I just stick to being a soldier. Claudia and Cutter had lunch plans," he admitted, "so now we have lunch plans."
Melina laughed before she could help it. "I don't think you could have put that more awkwardly," she joked. She shook her head with a smile and pushed back some of her hair from her face. "Well that's cheered me up anyway."
"So glad to be of service," Ryan sneered. "It's ridiculous," he complained, "Claudia is a government official, she knows better than divulging work business publicly and lunch is public."
"Oh come on," Melina chided him, "they'll hardly reveal that much to me publicly, Claudia isn't careless and if she's any say in the venue it will be private and extremely expensive. Anyway, even I have noticed the vibing between Claudia and Cutter, don't be gnarly, we're ruining their date enough by being there. Hmm one wonders why either of them would suggest it considering the topic is a woman connected to Nick."
Melina raised her eyebrows slightly as she gave the captain a curious stare.
"Well Cutter would rather get the conversation over and done with now I've prompted him to have it and Claudia's worried you'll wander off again if she doesn't start divulging to you."
"Hmm," Melina cocked her head slightly as her stare turned thoughtful, "essentially you're saying you ruined their lunch date plans with that phone call."
Ryan stared down the woman unfavourably.
"I made the call for you," he grumbled. "You want people to tell you more, now they will."
Melina smiled up at him. "Well I'll figure out a way to show my gratitude, okay?" she offered cheerfully. "I mean I'd buy lunch but I've no income yet, something I must badger Claudia and Lester about. I've no identity in this time so my employee options are slim," she folded her arms and lamented, "it's shady business in the Home Office or nothing. I hope it pays well but Connor implies it doesn't and tends to be voluntary."
"Voluntary for civilians," Ryan admitted, "Lester thought a lack of financial incentive might have put everyone off."
Melina's smile widened at this. "Really? He thought not getting paid would put people off time portals and the possibility of seeing prehistoric creatures in person?" she marvelled. "Hmm, I mean everyone has to make a living that's true but seriously?"
Ryan nodded.
"How long did that last?"
"A few months before Abby and Stephen started talking about human rights and wage entitlement and how without a contract they weren't under any clause to stay quiet," he retorted dryly as his frown deepened. "Lester had to agree that it was safer having them on the payroll than off it."
"But you don't agree."
"No."
"Well, I'll have to check out this payroll business because I need to make a living too. First though, let's try and get that lunch hmm?"
Melina's gaze was focused on the large, long fish tank that sat to the left of their table casting tables behind it in a distorted vision of aquatic blue. It was salt water boasting sea horses and starfish as well as colourful fish for residents. The sceptic in Melina wondered if it was really for ambience or just to show off the restaurant's wealth.
"Melina," Claudia called to her politely, "would you like a drink?"
Retaining her gaze on the tank, Melina nodded. "Oh yes, wine definitely."
Claudia gazed up to the waiter standing beside her apologetically. "What kind? We have the menu here," Claudia advised.
"White," Melina answered cheerfully as she finally looked back to the table. Noticing the waiter, she had the grace to tilt her head up to him and offer an apologetic smile. "I don't really know wine I'm afraid and I'm getting an awful sense of deja vu now. Whatever is affordable I suppose."
"Oh nonsense," Claudia said chirpily as she smiled across the table before turning her attention back up to the waiter. "A glass of the Veridicchio."
"Very good madam," the waiter enthused. He glanced over to Ryan inquisitively.
"Water," the captain commented bluntly, "and nothing fancy, I don't want to see a five pound charge for a wilting slice of lemon."
The waiter and Claudia both frowned whilst Nick gave a soft chuckle and shook his head.
"Now captain I'm feeling a little displaced here too," Nick sympathised, "but we can at least try and blend in."
Melina made a 'hmm' sound at this. "Really," she said sardonically as she glanced over to the redhead. "You feel displaced? I wonder what that's like."
"Alright," Claudia interrupted sharply. She gave a forced laugh before turning up to the waiter again. "Just bring a jug of water for the table please, lemons welcome and ice."
"Can I have one of those paper umbrellas?" Melina pried as she smiled across the table. "They're still a thing right? Always liked those, they brighten my day."
"They come in cocktails and it's far too early for those," Claudia responded, her tone slightly sharp as her temper started to rise.
"But not too early for wine," Ryan grumbled.
"No," Claudia retorted heatedly. "In fact I'll have a glass too, yes, bring me some Veridicchio too," Claudia addressed the waiter louder than intended. Realising she had raised her voice, she suddenly smiled, her mouth stretching out a little too widely as she bobbed her head in an awkward nod of apology. "Thank you."
The waiter nodded before hurrying off.
"You two are being naughty," Nick scorned wryly as he grinned from Melina to Ryan and wagged his finger at them.
"What have you been doing all this time?" Claudia demanded as she placed her hands on her lap to resist the urge to fold them. "You were meant to go straight home," she added as her scornful dark gaze fell on Melina.
"I thought you didn't feel like going out," Nick spoke up, "isn't that what you told Connor?"
"You could have told me if you wanted lunch," Claudia complained.
"It's safer if we know where you are," Nick chided.
"And who with," Claudia grumbled as she gave the captain a disapproving glance.
"What?" Ryan interrupted.
The captain stared across the table to Nick. Staring was all he could do as he tried to spy Nick's emotions in his face to determine if he was joking or not.
Nick gave a small smile in response. His shoulders drifted up in a half-shrug before he gestured to Melina loosely with one hand. "We were worried when you phoned."
"And a little confused," Claudia confessed.
Melina startled everyone when a torrent of giggles escaped her. Her shoulders rose up and down rapidly as she tried to contain them. She squeezed her eyes shut and attempted to contain the giggles by clamping a hand over her mouth but it failed.
"What in the hell is so funny?" Ryan demanded dryly as he glanced over to her.
The blonde tried to be annoyed but he was glad to see her happy again.
Melina shook her head as she tried to get the giggles under control, well aware of the curious stares she was garnering from other diners.
"I'm sorry," she choked out as the laughter finally started to fail. "I just..."
Melina looked over the rectangular table to Claudia, who remained disapproving, and Nick who looked amused.
"Well..." Melina placed her hands on the linen tablecloth pointing to Claudia, "mum," she moved her hands to gesture to Nick, "dad, I'm over eighteen now, you've got to stop telling me how to live my life and Tom doesn't need your approval either."
Claudia's lips parted slightly before her dark brown gaze darted over to the captain. "So it's Tom now is it?" she remarked sharply as she missed the joke.
Nick's smile widened as Melina started giggling again.
"It is my name," the blonde retorted defensively. "Now, are we going to talk about Helen?" he demanded. "Not that I agree with the venue choice for this conversation."
Claudia stiffened at the woman's name and Nick's smile vanished.
Claudia composed herself quickly, snatching up the menu with one hand and staring at it pointedly as she answered Ryan.
"After I get my glass of wine and we order some starters."
Melina watched Claudia thoughtfully, speculating that the woman's irate mood had less to do with Melina's wandering and more to do with Helen Cutter. Her gaze shifted onto Nick who had a calm contemplative stare on as he too studied the menu.
"And the future, I heard a little something about that too," Melina murmured as she plucked up her own menu.
"Oh what I would give for an anomaly right now," Claudia grumbled.
The waiter returned with their drinks and took their orders briskly, making it clear that he didn't want to linger at their table.
"Alright," Claudia said in a forced calm as she set down her half-drained wine glass, "which mess do we start with?" She fixed a stern gaze upon the captain. "How did Helen find you?"
"I left breadcrumbs," Ryan retorted dryly as he frowned back at her.
Melina let out an amused snicker at this.
"I don't know how," Ryan snapped, "but don't imply it was my fault."
Claudia raised her palms in a mock defence before shaking her head crossly. "I just want to know how she was able to encounter Melina if Melina was with you and why Helen isn't in custody?"
"She used me as a weapon," Melina offered up.
"As a weapon?" Nick echoed as he cocked his head in confusion.
"She pushed me into him and ran," Melina retorted bluntly.
"Oh."
"She knew I had a connection to the anomalies and she knew about that creature in the museum," Melina explained. She glanced across the table to both Nick and Claudia. "She knew more about me than I do about her."
Nick sighed and looked to Claudia out of the corner of his blue eyes but she seemed to be purposefully evading his gaze.
"That's my fault," Nick said softly, his Scottish accent growing stronger with each word. "She's my ex-wife, it's a bit of a touchy subject."
Melina leaned across the table slightly, intrigued but wary of the pain that had slipped into the man's cerulean irises.
"She disappeared for eight years, I didn't know what to think. Turns out she was just time travelling through the anomalies, now she's come back to the present but I'm not entirely sure why."
"It's for nothing good," Claudia grumbled. "After all she won't help us."
"Well, you and Lester don't always scream friendliness and warmth," Melina mused.
Claudia frowned across at her.
"Sorry," Melina apologised hastily, "maybe more so Lester. I mean you have opened your home up to me and I do appreciate that but the whole non-civilians and secrecy and shadows thing is an off-putting vibe."
"Kind of gnarly?" Ryan quipped sarcastically.
Melina turned to face him and gave a wide smile that exposed the dimples in her cheeks. "Wow Tom you're making me feel right at home," she said brightly.
"Gnarly," Claudia repeated as her mouth curdled slightly, "she's becoming a bad influence on you captain."
Nick chuckled at this. "A bit of a role reversal isn't it? I thought we were scolding Melina for sneaking off with him without calling first."
"No one was sneaking," Ryan protested.
Melina jerked her thumb in the blonde's directly as their starters appeared. "He insists he's the older one therefore he's the one who should know better," she jested.
"He should know better," Claudia scorned, "imagine what Lester would think of all this."
"Wait a second, you're not my bloody parents," Ryan retorted irately.
The captain sank back in his chair and crossed his arms, turning his frown down on the plate of garnished chicken. He knew moodily that half the cost of the dish was down to the collection of colourful leaves of salad that he had only a minor interest in.
"So we've glossed over Helen rather awkwardly," Melina mused, "what about future predators huh? Whose telling me about that radical twist?"
Claudia and Nick tensed again and shared another glance.
"Your poker faces are marvellous," Ryan scorned them.
"That's a conversation for wine glass number two," Claudia decided.
"What are the bars like in this time?" Melina pondered aloud. "What music do people dance to? Do they still dance? I always loved disco," she mused with another smile.
"I'm afraid we have a phrase about that," Nick said as he gave her a sympathetic look. "We say 'deader than disco'."
"Oh well that's alright," Melina dismissed as she tucked into her garlic bread, "I'm sure they said dead as a dinosaur too and look how that's going these days."
Ryan grinned at this. "She's got you there professor."
Claudia and Melina eagerly worked their way through the wine and food, both becoming brighter with each glass they savoured. The main course was coupled with a brief conversation about the future predators. Nick stated it was only a working theory that they were from a future, perhaps the dark descendants of bats and that none of them had any real knowledge to these predators or this plausible future. He kept the conversation from the obvious paradox that he had contemplated many times, what did their own visitations to a far off past mean for this present? What changes had they perhaps already made if any? Or were there many alternate realities out there now, one born every time the past was meddled with? It was too much of a headache for Nick to contemplate.
The past should be forbidden from tampering with and yet how many anomalies had he stepped through now to see the primordial world because the scholar in him couldn't resist? Nick understood Helen's actions even if he didn't agree with them, the temptation to go time hopping and explore ancient marvels only dreamed of by post had been too great for her. What was the cost to this though? Had she changed things they weren't aware of? Nick didn't think so but he was wary of what was yet to come, that murky, uncertain future? The future predators presented a grim outlook and Nick wondered how much Helen knew about that.
"You know I quite like having a flatmate," Claudia confessed jovially. "I mean that, I do." She plucked up her wine glass. "You're fun and you're nice, even if you do worry me with your wandering."
Melina smiled back at the copper haired woman. "It's nice to have someone worry," she admitted. "And as far as room-mates from a different time go, I don't think I could do better than you."
The captain and professor exchanged a look, both knowing they were sharing the burden of getting the two slightly inebriated women from the restaurant to Claudia's flat.
"I think we should toast to that," Claudia said brightly.
"Yep, we should," Melina agreed.
Nick smiled as they clinked their glasses together before drinking them. He liked that Claudia was happier, it made him happier.
"I'm guessing it's a strong vintage then," Nick murmured quietly.
"What gave that away?" Ryan quipped sardonically.
The blonde surveyed their surroundings carefully for the fifth time, trying to gage what newcomers there were to the restaurant and how close they were. He would admit grudgingly that it was an advantage to dine in a dearer place as it offered more space and privacy.
Ryan's pale blue eyes went wide and he noticeably tensed up in his chair, his hands turning rigid in his lap as he remained faced to the right.
Nick followed the man's stare, at once wary and curious.
Ryan's cheeks turned sallow as a well-dressed, elegant woman broke from the small group of friends she was getting seated with and began walking towards them.
Nick studied the woman with intrigue as she continued to approach them. She was unfamiliar and looked harmless but one could never be too careful. At least with ancient beasts Nick usually knew were he stood- food or not food- but with people it was always a greyer situation.
The woman was tall and slender, she oozed style with her silk top and designer caramel trousers, her exposed arms were a radiant golden-brown brought about from good genes and sun and her face was bronzed to match, glowing with healthy warmth rather than the all too common pock-marked and over freckled face of too much sun indulgence. Her hair hung free in dark brunette waves with only a few telltale greys to couple with the wrinkles at her brow and lines at her eyes. She was potentially in her fifties but it was a fit fifty-something, her poise suggesting a previous dabble into modelling and her glittering diamond jewellery promising she came from a life of being a somebody.
"Tommy I thought that was you," she greeted cheerfully in a warm but assuredly posh voice. "You haven't called in ages," she pouted, "and here I find you at Marsha's favourite place for brunch. How very unlike you."
The woman's pale blue gaze flickered across the table quickly, scanning the others with interest.
Melina, Claudia and Nick were all gawking back to the woman, none of them attempting to hide their surprise.
Captain Ryan was the only one not looking, in fact he was making a strong effort to stare at his plate wishing as Claudia had for an anomaly only he didn't just want the distraction of one, he wanted to be swallowed up by one certain that dinosaurs would be better than this.
The woman smiled down at the blonde and folded her arms as her eyes twinkled with mirth.
"Tommy you're not in camouflage gear I can see you. Aren't you going to introduce me and explain why you haven't been to the house? Your father has called you enough times."
Ryan finally looked up to the woman, showing her his sulky frown before he banished it for a neutral expression. "These are people I work with," he grumbled, "it's secretive."
"Not really," Nick interrupted with a smile. "I'm Professor Nick Cutter," he introduced as he offered out a hand. "From the University of Dean."
"University? How do you know Tommy?" the woman queried as she accepted the hand.
"He's assisting freelance with some business I have involving wild creatures, you see my work relates to exotic animals," Nick explained quickly.
"And I'm Claudia," Claudia confessed, "Brown that is," she added quickly, "Claudia Brown." She smiled brightly as she offered out her own hand. "I work with Nick."
The woman took her hand and shook it before her gaze darted to Melina.
"I'm Melina," she introduced. A grin stretched across her face as she added, "Pending, Melina Pending."
Nick grinned at this and shook his head in amusement.
The woman smiled at them all. "Well it's lovely to meet all of you and since Tommy seems to have been struck mute I shall return the introductions myself. I am Selena Ryan, Tommy's mother."
"Well it is really quite lovely to meet you," Melina enthused. Her grin widened at the burning glower the captain gave her.
Selena smiled back. "It's rather wonderful to see Tommy in a place like this, he never comes on my invite. You must all be a good influence."
Melina let out a chuckle before she could help it, trying to stop it caused her to make an odd choking noise.
Ryan poured her a glass of water quickly and shoved it over to her. "Here you hyena," he addressed her quietly.
Melina snorted this time as she attempted to hold back further laughter. She grasped at the glass and gulped it, accidentally swallowing an ice-cube whole in the process.
"Can't take you anywhere," Ryan chided as she slammed the glass down and started coughing and spluttering.
The blonde reached over and smacked her hard on the back.
Melina jumped with the force of the blow, wincing as her ribcage shuddered. She let out a squeal and a gasp when the second blow came unexpectedly. It had the desired effect, sending the ice-cube out and scuttling across the table.
"There you go," Ryan mused calmly.
"That's going to be a memorable first impression," Nick mused quietly to himself.
Like everyone else he was staring at Melina, at first in alarm but now that she was breathing again his gaze sparkled with amusement.
"She's not really a good influence," Claudia admitted as she smiled. "An influence, let's say." She picked up her wine glass and swallowed down the remnants of it.
"Anyway, we need to get the bill," Ryan stated firmly. "I'll see you later mum," he added as he looked up to Selena pointedly.
"I hope that you do Tommy. Look, I have a standing order here, we're good customers. I'll see that your bill is added to mine, call it a treat since I see you so rarely."
The blonde visible grimaced when Selena reached out a hand to ruffle his short hair.
"I really wish you'd grow this," she scolded.
She lowered the hand and smiled at them all again.
"Thank you very much for lunch," Nick said, "but are you quite sure Mrs Ryan?"
"Oh yes," she insisted with a wave of her hand. "Just make sure Tommy does call me."
"Oh we will," Melina chirped up cheerfully.
Ryan pushed his chair back and stood. "Mum you don't have to pay," he protested quietly as he stared down at her.
"Nonsense, it's fine. You go have fun with your friends."
Ryan grimaced at this before shaking his head. "We're not teenagers."
"No?" Selena glanced past him to Melina and Claudia who giggled as they stood. "Well your lovely lady friends drink a little like it."
Ryan sighed. "Alright, thanks mum."
Ryan turned to usher the party away, moving hastily to grasp the arm of the slightly wobbly Melina.
"Oh my gosh," she hissed at him excitedly, "you're from a snobby family and you do get called Tommy, that's so cute!"
"Shut up," he scorned her but there was only annoyance to his tone no real rage. "You're from money too," he reminded her. "As if normal teenagers got a year gap in South Africa."
"You'd know and I said snobby not money," she continued to tease, "although in your case it's definitely both. Your mum's very pretty, I liked her bracelet."
Melina continued to ramble as Ryan guided her from the table and Nick escorted Claudia.
"Hey why are you a soldier then? I mean it's not for money."
"No although I don't live on inheritance just so you know."
"No mansion then?"
"Nope, sorry."
"Well I've no house at all so I wouldn't worry. Must ask Lester about the money thing. Hmm I should ring him since Claudia's adamant about phone calls."
"Let's leave that until another time," Tom advised.
"Claudia," Melina called back over her shoulder suddenly. "Can I get paid? You know, a wage or danger money, same thing really."
"I suppose I could work that out with Lester," Claudia allowed. "Although I'm not sure what job title we should give you."
"Dinosaur wrangler," Melina retorted happily.
"You've never even met a dinosaur," Ryan scolded.
"No but it sounds cool."
