Booth returned to the office and tossed her backpack down on her desk. She flopped down in her chair and leaned back slightly; deep in thought. Several theories were running though her mind. She would need to do more research. The journals currently available to them were sparse and there was no way she could do any kind of outside resource consultation. She would have to go at it alone; maybe with a bit of help from her co-workers. She smiled to herself. She and the raptor did acknowledge each other on another level – it was first contact. Booth had to remind herself what Scarlet was. She was a species that there was very little knowledge of, she was a super-predator, and in no way could she let her guard down around any of them. Perhaps though, the behavioral theories around raptors were no different than the myths and legends people had about wolves for centuries. Booth had witnessed first-hand that wolves were adoring parents, loving partners and, in a way, developed a kind of culture. However, they were aggressive and territorial when needed. She wanted o dictate her thoughts, but that would turn into a long conversation with herself. Her mind started wandering off to someone else. Quickly, she jotted points down in her journal as reminders.

"Evening!" she heard an unfamiliar voice call out. Booth took her eyes off her journal and smiled. She knew who that was.

"Mr. Hammond, Sir. Nice to finally meet you." She stood up to greet him.

"It's finally nice to meet you, young lady. I've heard so much about you. I tried to get in to say hello earlier but, lawyers and signing checks and boring business prevented me from doing so."

"No problem, Mr. Hammond. I've been busy learning the ropes."

"Please, John," he paused "So what do you think so far?" He said perching up on the corner of her desk.

"Well, inner eight-year-old me is still bouncing up and down at the fact that there's dinosaurs. Always loved em'."

Hammond smiled.

"So, what do you think?"

"I spent all day with the raptors," She said excitedly "And tomorrow, the t-rex."

Hammond couldn't contain his laughter.

"I can see that you were the right one for the job," he patted her arm. "You're extraordinarily bright and I'm so happy that you're here. Thank you."

"No, thank you for giving me this opportunity. I won't let you down."

"Lauren, it's my responsibility not to let you down. Now, whatever you need, please let me know. It might be a bit of a slow start, but we'll get there."

"There is something – make it more some things."

"Sure."

"Quagga, Passenger Pigeon, Great Auk, just to name a few."

"Sorry? A few of what, dear?"

"Species that we made extinct," she paused. "If you can bring back animals who's disappearance we had no involvement in, than maybe you can correct some of the past mistakes of man. Repent for the sins of our fathers. The world may see it as more ethical science. Not to keep behind bars or glass, not for profit, but to be as it was intended."

Hammond stared into the amber on the top of his cane. He had never thought of that before.

"You have a good heart, Lauren. Maybe too good of one in a world of money and business. But at my age, I learned that the cold hard truth to make any kind of change is to be number one."

"My dad always told me that we're not on this planet to rule and dominate, we're all here to be stewards – the most noble of tasks. I guess that's why I wanted to become a vet," she smiled. "I'd like to think that at one time, we could talk to the animals. Perhaps, someday, we will again."

Hammond sighed a kindly grandfather like sigh. She was still young and quite innocent. He was like her once; so very long ago.

Muldoon had tried his best all day not to be distracted. He had spent most of his time doing what he despised the most – paperwork. With a growing population of animals, he would need staff. Muldoon was educated in business just as his parents wanted. He had absolutely no desire to spend his life sitting at boardroom tables and when he followed his ambition and left for Africa instead of a corner office, his relationship with his parents grew distant. Pouring over budget numbers numbed his mind so it started to wander towards more interesting things. He was rather relieved when Harding asked him if he wanted to come along to check on the brachiosaurs. Of course, Harding was a little curious about the fledging friendship he had with Booth. Muldoon assured him that they just talked the night before. By the time Muldoon returned to the office, most of the lights were off. He was just going to lock up the tranquilizer gun and then page her. He was getting that fluttering sensation in his stomach again. He was looking forward to seeing her again.

He could hear Hammond and Booth. She was dedicated to her job all right. Everyone else was done for the day and there she was, talking shop. When she saw him, she almost glowed.

"Hey, Rob." She said.

"My God, she's beautiful." He thought.

"You know; the first animal I'd like to talk to is a Humpback whale." Muldoon remarked.

Hammond cocked his head.

"Why a Humpback?"

"To find out if Star Trek 4 might have some truth to it." He replied.

Hammond rolled his eyes. "Don't work late, dear." Hammond ordered as he got up

"Naw. I was on my way out, actually. I promised a very handsome man I'd have a drink with him."

"Oh, and –" Hammond attempted to ask who it was and then he figured it out.

"She asked me." Muldoon stated as he locked the cabinet.

"Well done, Robert." Hammond whispered to him.