Chapter 12 The Warm Up Session

Britta

"I'm not doing any therapy sessions with that psycho!"

"You'll do whatever I say. I need to do a session with you and Pterano first before the group session at the river." Britta pushed on Hyp's foot so that his leg bent at the knee, then applied pressure when Hyp pushed back. He wasn't wincing as much, meaning he was gradually getting better.

"Is that what I'm up so early for?" Hyp asked grouchily.

"Yeah, full day ahead. I don't have time to work with you both separately."

"No, you just want to be done before sunset."

Hyp put his hands behind his head like he had nailed it, which he kind of did. Britta dropped his foot. "You're not helping."

"I am, too!"

She glared at him and held out her hand for the other foot, which he jammed into her hands. Hyp was not happy with the group session or having to get up early. On top of that, all fire broke out when she broke the news that Pterano would be joining them this morning. Britta kept cool with him because, deep down anyway, Hyp wasn't such a bad egg. In their many therapy sessions, he sometimes proved to be quite the thinker. Maybe he would get over his judgmental view on Pterano. She was fairly sure the two had never even met, and had endless reservations about doing a joint therapy session at all. But all of the ones she was currently working with needed the same thing. So why not? She hoped it wouldn't turn out to go too badly… If they could get past this morning, then the rest of the day should be fine. But Pterano and Hyp both needed a warm-up, so she had little choice. The other would be joining them at the river with the next two hours.

"Britta, who else is supposed to be in session besides him?" Hyp asked curiously.

"None of your business. You'll find out later today."

She laughed when those gold eyes narrowed at her. Hyp might not be the most pleasant one to be around, but they at least understood one another. He was actually quite funny when one overlooked the edginess. Hyp smiled and leaned his head back on his hands like he had actually accomplished a goal. Britta smacked the bottom of his foot.

"Sit up. You can't do this leaned back. You should know this by now."

"Ugghhh! Here." Hyp wrestled himself upright and straightened his knee as she applied pressure to his foot. After a few minutes of Hyp miraculously cooperating, she heard Pterano land softly.

"Morning greetings," he said, sounding pretty cheerful for someone who had gotten up before the Bright Circle rose fully into the sky.

Britta clutched Hyp's foot when he narrowed his eyes at what he viewed as a criminal. When Hyp gave her the "what?" look, she whispered so only he could hear. "Be nice."

Hyp's expression had "yeah right" written all over it. Figuring she got as close as she would get for now, she stood and turned to Pterano. "Good morning. Thanks for coming so early."

"My pleasure." His voice rang with both sincerity and sarcasm.

Britta shook her head with a smile and gestured to Hyp. "Pterano, I would like you to meet Hyp. Hyp, this is Pterano."

Pterano turned his attention to Hyp with a timid curious expression, while Hyp narrowed his eyes in a death glare and shrunk against his rock. Pterano sensed the aggression from the body language and bit down hard on his lower teeth before turning back to her and ignoring the adolescent all together. "Umm…my pleasure. Ahem…Britta? Why am I here, dear?"

Hyp pushed on the rock to stand as straight as his ribs would allow at such a fast speed. "Dear?"

Britta wanted to slap herself already for even thinking this would start off the day well. She waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, Hyp. Sit down. He says that to everybody."

Pterano tilted his head because that was somewhat of a lie. While he was ridiculously polite and occasionally said the word, he rarely addressed anyone in such a way but her. But she needed to calm the situation and didn't have time for this.

Hyp wasn't convinced, and continued to glower at the great flyer. "Oh, right. Did he call the little swimmer girl he kidnapped that, too?" His voice stung with venomous sarcasm.

Pterano's eyes widened in shock when he felt the sting of the memories he had suppressed, then his eyes turned cold in a way that reminded Britta of his father when he look back to Hyp.

Pterano hurled his wings aside to face Hyp. "I say, how dare you-"

Britta interjected because she saw where this was headed. "It's none of your business, Hyp! Now Pterano, go sit over there and talk to me. Hyp sit down. It's time for a new exercise."

Pterano and Hyp exchanged piercing looks before begrudgingly plopping down in their places and crossing their arms. It was times like this Britta wondered if she would have been better off to limit her practice to children instead. She sat in front of Hyp and held her hands up, facing Hyp. "Okay, you know what to do. Push against my hands gently until you feel pain in your ribs. Then release the pressure and start again. Go."

They had done this before, and Hyp had never been able to stand a great amount of pressure. But now she was practically wrestling with him to keep from falling over.

"I said 'gently,' Hyp! Don't hurt yourself. Now Pterano, talk."

Pterano's voice was pleasant as he spread his hands innocently. "Right. About what?"

Britta shrugged indifferently. "Anything. Like…how are you feeling this morning?"

Pterano stared at her with uncertainty. "Grand…just a bit tired."

Britta relaxed when Hyp took a short break. "Me too. Did the two of you eat? You'll need it today."

Britta really didn't know what she wanted Pterano to say, either. He just needed as much social interaction as possible. And being around others was the first place to start.

Both male dinosaurs chortled because no male dinosaur went anywhere without eating something. Hyp had practically left a trail, and Pterano had probably taken a mouthful before flying off.

Hyp didn't feel compelled to answer anymore, but Pterano said something. "Not as much as I would like, but yes."

Britta shook her head. "I should have known."

Hyp caught on. "Why would you ask that? Did you eat?"

Britta smiled because he got her. "Nope. I don't like getting up any more than you do."

Hyp gestured to the half shell full of the mixture she had spent quite some time of last night. "What's that, then?"

"It's a mixture I made for the girl that will be joining us at the river today. She will need it."

Pterano walked over and took a look inside. "Isn't that used to relax muscles and to help one sleep?"

He did remember. Hyp reached for it when Britta nodded. She slapped his hand away so he wouldn't get it. "Don't you even. It took me hours to mix those herbs last night."

Pterano spread his hands, ignoring Hyp altogether. "I suppose you want something to eat, then?"

Britta gave him an obvious smile of false sweetness. "It would be nice. Just a few berries. Specifically the ones over there." She gestured to the red berries blooming in the bushes just yards away.

Pterano nodded and spread his wings, but a sarcastic suggestion from Hyp stopped him.

"How about getting some berries from the Mysterious Beyond?" he muttered, fidgeting with his fingers like he was counting.

"Hyp!" Before Britta could do anything, Pterano clenched his teeth and spun around. His wings whipped behind him as he turned.

"How about you lose your voice?" His voice rose as he spoke, indicating he was quickly losing his temper.

"Oh, is that all you got?" Hyp stood, but Britta held him back in mid-step.

"Hyp! Pterano! Stop it."

She turned her back on Pterano and shoved Hyp the other way. "Go stretch and wait for me. If you can't behave, I'm going to get your father."

Hyp glared at her a moment, then stomped away. As he began to stretch, she and Pterano got on each other's case when she turned back to him.

He spoke so only she could hear, but she was certain his urgent gestures made it perfectly clear to anyone watching where he stood.

"Britta, I have had enough to hear with him. I told you I didn't want to do a session with anyone to begin with. If you think I am going to talk about my private life in front of him, you are sadly mistaken-"

Britta interjected, speaking in a strained whisper herself because her temper was also going quickly. And the Bright Circle had only just risen. "You need social interaction, good or bad, Pterano. And I need to get this done. So suck it up. He's just a kid."

Pterano was basically whisper-shouting, and jerked a finger in Hyp's direction. "He knows exactly what he's saying. I may have the status of a criminal, but I served my sentence and I don't have to put up with…"

"You're going to have to put up with a lot, Pterano. He's not a bad kid, so you might do well to start with him. You don't have to stand by and let him speak to you that way, but handle it like an adult. Really, Pterano, come on."

This stopped Pterano in his tracks, he froze a moment before crossing his arms and lowering his head because he knew she was right. Britta felt guilty now.

She sighed and placed a hand on his forearm. "Pterano, I'm sorry. Just try to the group session today. If you don't like it, we don't have to do it again. But I was up with Mr. Threehorn's baby daughter all night because she was sick. It took forever to find the right medicine to get her comfortable enough to sleep, and I still have so much to do today. I'm so tired and need a little time to rest, Pterano. Please."

Pterano's eyes softened. He sighed and squeezed her hand with a hint of a smile before flying off to get her berries. "Thank you," she whispered.

She hurried back to she could have a little word with Hyp. "What's wrong with you?"

Hyp spun around, happy to say just what was wrong with him. "I don't want to do a therapy session with that guy, or with anybody. I don't think what I have to do to get over these stupid ribs if anybody's "business," especially his!" Hyp shouted as he pointed in the direction Pterano had gone.

Britta sighed and grabbed his hand in both of hers, earning a "what are you doing?!" look from Hyp.

She continued because he gave her this look so often she was used to it. "Hyp, I'm going to tell you just like I told him a minute ago. I've been up all night with a sick baby and just might be up again tonight. I need at least a little time to rest today, and really need to fit in all of your sessions. Please. Just try the session today and if you don't like it, we won't do it again. Hyp, I'm so tired. Please. I thought you would have fun having people to talk to besides me for a change."

Hyp's eyes softened just a little, but he wasn't as compassionate as Pterano. "I didn't want him. Britta, he's a criminal."

Now Britta was whisper-shouting. "Hyp, he served his sentence and is trying to make up for his mistakes. Regardless of his past, he hasn't done anything to you. So, as with any other patient of mine, please respect him during my sessions. Understand?"

Hyp crossed his arms and begrudgingly stared at the ground. "Why did you ever think I would want to talk to him?"

"I didn't," Britta admitted, "but there will be others at the river, Hyp. And he has to start interacting with others. Please just do this for me today."

When Hyp gave an angry huff, she clenched her fists. "Okay?!"

"Okay!" he yelled back. Britta smiled because the angry agreements were an inside joke of theirs.

Hyp smiled, but still had to make one of his threatening comments to make himself feel better. "But if he makes you cry again, I'll make him sorry."

Britta tilted her head, clueless and confused. "Cry? When did he…"

Hyp gave a sarcastic shrug as he answered. "At the river. I saw that creep fly down and…."

A light went off in Britta's mind. "Oh, after you left with the kids? Oh, Hyp, he didn't…."

Hyp interrupted because he didn't care. "And I also saw him hold your hand a minute ago. Britta, tell me you two aren't…you know…."

Britta crossed her wings and drew in a jagged breath. Why did Hyp remind her of Tim at times in that, if his mind was set on something, she couldn't lie to him.

Before she could say anything else, Hyp read into her expression. For the first time since she had known him, those golden eyes actually popped open in concern. "Oh, Britta. No." he said.

Britta shook her head and knelt before him. "He is from my past, Hyp. We've known each other since we were hatchlings. I'm helping him. That's all you need to know. We've been separated for a long time, and…neither of us could afford to have anything more right now. Please don't say anything, Hyp. Threehorn would skin me. There's nothing more going on."

Hyp crossed his arms. "Promise?

"Yes!" Britta turned when she heard the flapping of wings as Pterano landed with a leaf full of berries in his beak. Now she was truly exasperated.

"Tell me you don't actually love this guy."

All words were knocked out of Britta then, resulting in a small choking sound coming from the back of her throat as she search for the right way to tell him she could never say that. She still did love Pterano, but the problem was that she didn't know if she could forgive what time had brought. He still loved her, she knew it, but would that be enough for him to forgive her? There was mistrust in his eyes ever since he learned of the children he never knew. And she could also see the sorrow when he saw the same mistrust in hers. She could never answer Hyp's question.

Pterano was approaching fast. She turned back to Hyp. "Just be respectful."

Hyp crossed his arms in disbelief as Pterano approached and set the leaf before her. "There we are," he said pleasantly, "now are we going to start the session or did I just get up early to get your breakfast?"

Britta cracked a smile. "Thank you for getting my breakfast, Pterano. Good job. You may go."

Hyp snickered as Pterano's beak hung agape in shock. Pterano got the joke and marched over to a patch of grass and lay down on his stomach. He closed his eyes and turned his head to the side, pretending to sleep. Hyp pointed at him, looking at Britta all the while.

"Hey, no fair!" He popped one of the berries from Britta's breakfast into his mouth and reclined against a rock.

Britta stamped her foot. "Alright, you two. Get up. If I can't sleep, you can't sleep either!"

She popped some berries into her mouth as Hyp started his next exercise. Now those golden eyes bore a trace of mistrust on the occasion that he would steal at glance at her. Great, now Hyp doesn't trust me right now.

They only got a few moments with Hyp doing his warm ups and Britta prompting Pterano to carry on small talk before they had to go to the river.

"Okay, you two. Come on. We are late." Britta scooped up the last of the berries and popped them in her mouth, waiting for Hyp and Pterano to stand. Hyp stood first, and hit Pterano in the face with his tail on purpose.

"Sorry," he said with a smile as Pterano rubbed his cheek.

Pterano stood and whipped his wing to the side, "accidentally" backhanding Hyp in the face.

"Oh, excuse me…" His tone was distinguished, but a hint of a smile played at the corners of his beak.

Hyp's eyes flashed as he rubbed his cheek. "Why, I outta…"

Britta stepped between them then. "You two can't be polite to one another for two minutes? Really, guys?!"

Hyp and Pterano both cringed at her dangerous tone, shielding their faces for whatever reason. When they didn't answer, Britta flung them both ahead of her. "Get to the river. Don't touch each other, don't look at each, don't talk to each other. Just walk."

They each took two or so steps, then glanced back to see if she was coming. Britta scooped up the mixture of medicine and jerked her finger in the river's direction. "Go!"

She didn't move until they did as she said, then sighed as she followed, hoping that the group session would somehow make this day worthwhile.

Chomper's Mother

"Mommy! I can't do it right!"

She turned to see that her son was trying to stomp small trees aside, as his father did with the bigger trees. Frustrated, he move to yet another twig and looked excited when he succeeded in bending it.

"Look, Mommy! I did it!"

"Chomper, don't…"

But he had already released his foothold on the tree, resulting in it knocking him into the air when it snapped back into place. The tiny sharptooth was tossed so violently, he somersaulted on the ground several times before being stopped by a boulder. He lay upside down for a moment with his lower body leaning against the boulder while his head and shoulders were on the ground. When he opened his eyes, they were flooding with tears.

"Oh, son…" She leaned down and nuzzled him as he started to sniffle. He wasn't only hurt by the fall, he was almost embarrassed. Perhaps more embarrassed than he was hurt. And Chomper was so kind-hearted and sensitive that this was enough.

She knelt and held on her tiny arms, which he jumped the rest of the way into. She cradled him in her hands and licked his face before resting the tip of her nose against his little cheek.

"Stomping tress aside will be easy for you before you know it."

A tiny smile spread across her son's face. "When I'm older?" he asked.

"Yes."

"I can't wait!" He seemed so excited to think about growing up, but he had no idea how hard it was.

"Well, I can." Both mother and son laughed as she carried him back to his father.

She felt her eyes moisten as she thought about her son, who had ventured to the Great Valley to learn how dinosaurs lived in harmony. Of course their son would be the one to want to learn, and they were proud of him. But he had been gone so long.

As if he felt her thoughts, her mate stirred beside her and watched the Bright Circle rise into the sky a moment before poking her in the cheek with his nose.

When she didn't respond, he lay his head on top of hers. "You miss him, don't you?" he asked in their language.

She pulled her head out from under his so she could look at him. "Yes. I do."

He sighed with stinky morning breath and nuzzled her. "Me too. It's almost time to visit him, is it not?"

She nodded. "Just a few more days."

He rolled over and stood up to start the morning hunt. He was always hungry for food when he first woke up. "I think we should start the journey soon."

She looked up at him, then nodded and stood to hunt alongside him, all the while thinking about their son.

…. Hey guys, sorry it's been so long. But here is the next chapter. I hope you are enjoying it so far and would love to hear from you.

Anyway, thanks for reading. There is a part 2 to this chapter coming up because I didn't want any comedy/important things missed due to a long length. So next, we have the group session with Britta, which should be very amusing. So keep checking in. In the meantime, thanks and have a wonderful week!

PS- When Chomper's family speaks, they are talking in their own language. Just to let you know :D ...