She looked like a kid at Christmas – her eyes all aglow, the blur of excitement. Muldoon had to shake his head.

"I didn't ask, but did you name them?"

"No." he smirked.

"I do. Makes it easier to know which ones I'm talking about." She kept walking further down the fence line.

"Bite force? What can they saw through?"

"Haven't measured that yet, but I saw the alpha took a big chunk out of a cow femur."

"What do you figure? 800 to 1000?"

"I'd say that's about right."

"How fast?"

"I wouldn't want to get one out in the open. They'd give cheetahs a run for the money."

"They're not full size yet, I'm guessing. Don't look as big as the fossils."

"No, they're 10 months, now."

There were eight pairs of yellow eyes transfixed on her, but it did not phase Booth at all. She was as curious about them as they were about her. The alpha gave a short twill and cocked her head slightly. As leader, she had to a good judge in order to protect her sisters. The other pride was different and at times down right confusing. They presented hers with food, perhaps to appease them; after all, they were the stronger pride. Her mind and her gut told her to chase and kill food, but there was none around and her territory was blocked by some unknown thing that caused pain when touched. Taking it was the only logical solution although she wished she could find out where the other pride got their food. There seemed to be a lot of it wherever it was. Alpha did not know exactly who was their alpha. The one they called Rob was difficult to read. While she suspected he was the dominant one, she sensed he feared them. His beta called Gerry and the female Sue, sometimes would poke them and look at them when they mysteriously and suddenly were almost asleep. They were gentle and their voices were calm but again, they were always cautious. There was another member of the other pride they saw from time to time. He seemed to be the eldest of them all and perhaps he was the alpha. This is the one they called Hammond. However, Alpha had seen Rob and Hammond argue; something she would never permit in her pride. Hammond was usually happy but he never took the time to understand her or her pride. This new addition to the other pride was different. She was more respectful. Booth leaned over the railing ever so slightly.

"They're absolutely breathtaking."

Muldoon smirked and stood next to her; rather close.

"I'd like to say that's an unusual thing to say about animals that are killing machines, but for you, not so much."

"You get me."

"I completely understand. I believe that if not for the asteroid, velociraptors would have been the ones that landed on the moon. God made them too perfect. Wiped them all out and re-designed it to be weaker, stupider, slower – and then called it man."

"That's deep."

"I have my moments."

She turned her eyes up towards him for a brief second. He was so handsome and suave, and those eyes - ah, she could lost in them.

"I'd like see you again, later." She said rather sensually.

"You just said what? Met him only yesterday, remember?"

That rather caught her off guard. Sure, she had bouts of puppy love here and there and yes, she had been attracted to a couple of professors and a colleague at fish and game, but it had never felt this intense. She certainly never said anything and never acted on it. Muldoon pulled her in with a magnetic force she could not resist.

"Yeah, a drink or two sounds nice." He acknowledged calmly although his stomach fluttered slightly.

"Hey, Gerry," McRae gestured. "Check those two out."

"It's kinda like watching a nature documentary, isn't it? All we need is David Attenborough to narrate."

McRae smirked, and tongue in cheek said: "They're probably like: 'I know a lot about raptors.' 'Oh, Rob. I'm completely smitten. Play your cards right and you can plow me like a corn field.'"

Normally observant of their surroundings, Muldoon and Booth didn't even realize their colleagues had even showed up.

"Mornin'!" Harding called with a wave. Booth created a bit of distance between herself and Muldoon suddenly, as if she didn't want her boss to catch what was going on.

"So, whatcha think?" McRae asked.

"Kinda like a tank full of sharks. I'd really like to observe hunting behavior. Rob said he kinda felt sorry for that one goat."

"They don't kill like your critters do, hun. I mean, crocs aren't pretty eaters either. Closest thing I can compare what raptors do is in Dawn of the Dead."

"The one that's been looking at me this whole time, is she the alpha?"

"Yes." Muldoon answered.

She had a certain air about her; a girl that demanded attention and she had a bit of a reddish tone.

"Callin' her 'Scarlett'. You know, like from Gone with the Wind."

"Lauren's naming them." Muldoon informed Harding.

"Ah. Ok. Well, go right ahead. They're yours if you want them."

"Can't I have a pony instead?" she joked.

"Yeah, and they'll eat it." McRae laughed.

Her colleagues went on to their other duties, leaving Booth alone with the pride to just quietly watch and learn. The beta was dubbed 'Willow', then there was 'Ivy', 'Holly', 'Jet', 'Jade', 'Pearl' and the runt of the litter became 'Maggie'. It was getting close to the end of the day. This was one of Scarlet's favorite times of the day. It was relaxing and peaceful. She enjoyed listening to the crickets and the frogs. They helped her sleep. The new female from the Other Pride had spent the day with them. She was quiet and barely moved. Scarlet accepted the fact that the Other Pride was not nearly as smart as hers. She had tried to talk to them, but they never seemed to understand. Perhaps their methods of communications were not as advanced and sophisticated as hers.

Booth stood up.

"Well, ladies. It's been fun, but it's quittin' time." Booth said as she put her field journal away in her backpack. Scarlet wondered if maybe, she might be able to reach this one. She gave a distinctive call, one that Booth had not heard from her before. She turned and looked right at Scarlet.

"Talking to me, huh?" Booth asked. Scarlet wagged her tail excitedly and the rest of her pride took notice. Finally, someone from the Other Pride really wanted to speak. Slowly and surely, Scarlet gave a slow court nod. Maybe this one would understand that she was trying to be friendly; that she wanted to know more. Booth smiled; knowing that there was so much more to these creatures, more than anyone could possibly imagine. She gave her own court nod. The pride chirped with joy. She replied! At long last, the line of communication was open – even a small amount. Scarlet and her sisters knew there was so much more to these creatures, more than they could possibly imagine.