This chapter ended up being longer than I planned, and that's after pruning a bunch of unnecessary stuff I got carried away with. I would've pruned more but this is the last chapter of the A NEW HOPE chapter series. The next chapter series will be the park preparations leading to Jurassic World. I foresee those chapters being fun to write.


A NEW HOPE

20 – A New Hope

A hot bath, breakfast, pain killers, forced physical therapy of walking laps around Quarantine, electroshock therapy, attempting to help with cleaning fossils in the office trailer, another hot bath, lunch, pain killers, forced physical therapy, electroshock therapy, much needed rest, dinner, pain killers, helping clean fossils, then finally bed.

Grant's alarm clock went off at five AM, meaning it was time to do it again.

By the third day, Pet chose to work in the fossil tent hoping for a 'hey check this out' moment. Sadly, it wasn't one of those days. It was one of those boring ones of unearthing what they could of the ribs. Pet tried to get up, deciding instead to help George with cleaning fossils but stopped. Nope. Getting up was not happening. Okay. So, staying on the ground it was. Come dinner time, she did need help up. With Grant on one side of her and Billy on another, she was cautiously hoisted off the ground.

POP! Pet barked a loud screech and was on her way back down to the ground had it not been for the much-needed support. Cheryl leaped to her feet, completely horrified by the sound. She wasn't the only one. There were a couple of other volunteers in the tent that were giving the hybrid confused stares.

"Put me down, put me down," Pet cried.

Billy was looking around for the satellite phone. "Do I need to call an ambulance? Mr. Masrani?"

Pet snarled. "Please, for the love of God, don't call that man! Whatever you do, don't call Simon!"

Billy put the phone back down on the table and stepped away. "Okay. Sure thing."

She pressed a hand into her lower back, where the loud pop stemmed from and groaned. "That fucking hurt."

Grant began gently massaging the area the hybrid was grabbing. "That's why you need to get up and move around." The longer she sat there, it occurred to her that her back popping, if only once, eased a very minor amount of pain.

Pet was helped off the ground after ten minutes and assisted to Quarantine. She went straight to the couch and laid there on her stomach, whimpering. One sticky pad, two sticky pads… Once all six were in place, the electroshock control device was turned on. Pet snatched it out of Muldoon's hand and turned up the voltage by two points.

He frowned. "You're only supposed to stay on five."

A snorted hiss. "I really don't fucking care at this moment. It can't hurt any worse than it does now."


Two afternoons later, by four PM, Simon's helicopter landed at the dig site. Pet whined into Grant's shoulder. "This is going to suck. I'm going to be stuck on an airplane for three hours going to Cali, and then tomorrow, a total of sixteen hours."

He held her against him in a loving embrace and kissed the top of her head. "You'll be fine, honey. Take some pictures for me."

"I can't wait till this is all over with, and Simon has his damn park. Then I can finally be left alone."

Grant watched Muldoon load into the helicopter with his backpack slung over a shoulder, and his laptop tucked under an arm. Sure, after all this was done, the hybrid would be left alone, but would she ever be at peace? Would he ever be at peace? Grant tightened his hold around the hybrid protectively. He greatly worried about her, especially given what he knew.

Two nights prior, Muldoon and Terrence came to talk privately with him. Once the interviews were done, they were going to join Simon's dream team for animal corralling. Their long-term interest also expanded into remaining at the park as employees. Both ex-game wardens had already submitted their job resumes for consideration. As if that was really necessary. No doubt, Simon hired them right then and there with no interview needed.

Grant couldn't blame them for wanting to move on. He knew the ex-game wardens were going stir crazy at the dig site, doing what they could to pass the time. But there was still that itch of wanting to do more after having worked outside for so long chasing and tagging animals. It was something Grant knew bothered the hybrid, too. Being part raptor, she was a hunter, a predator. And here she was allowing herself to be figuratively caged up. This wasn't where she belonged. Out there on the islands where she could be at her full potential was where she belonged.

Pet had no idea her friends' plans. Grant felt wrong for keeping it from her. She'd find out in due time once the time came for the dream team to ship out. Grant also learned through his private meeting with the two men that Muldoon's very good friend Roland was on board to join, too. It took quite a bit of convincing from what he was told.

Like anyone else who'd experienced a trip gone to hell on the islands, Roland was very reluctant to join. It took quite a bit of convincing him how this trip would be different from the disaster that was led by Hammond's nephew, Peter Ludlow. To Roland, there was no difference. Both trips were led by wealthy men that ran InGen, hiring 'the best' to corral and trap dangerous animals to have them displayed as theme park attractions. But, as Muldoon concluded, his good friend finally agreed. What finally convinced him to join made Grant laugh. This trip would be the end-all to the age's long discussion on who was the better hunter. It was a challenge Roland couldn't resist.

Despite the two big game hunters' obsessions over proving who was better, Grant already knew who beat them out times over. She was currently in his arms and holding onto him like she'd never see him again after leaving for London. She didn't need rifles and tranquilizers to take down her prey. All she needed was a pair of titanium balls and her bare hands and feet. He smiled into the hybrid's medium brown hair whipping about her person in the helicopter's wind.

Grant closed his eyes, more like squeezed them shut, to hold back the growing nervousness burning the pit of his gut. He knew what was going to happen, regardless of how the scenario presented itself. It was predictable that once the hybrid found out three of her closest friends were putting themselves in harm's way, she'd feel obligated to remain at their side. No way in hell would she just let them go to Isla Nublar without her being there to keep an eye on them. If she didn't, and something happened to one of them, she'd never let herself live it down.

Not really wanting to, Grant let her go. Her bag and pillow were loaded into the helicopter's cab, Pet carefully taking a spot beside Muldoon. The door was closed, and the aircraft lifted off.

Pet toed off her boots and rested her socked feet on the empty seat next to Simon. Her analytical guise of him was a silent indication something was on her mind. "I need you to help me with something." The billionaire remained quiet, his expression passive and his dark eyes captured by her pleading blue-green ones. "I need help locating Derek."

Simon was thrown off by the request. "Did something happen?"

"He took off here some nights ago. We haven't heard from him since. Calling his cell phone does nothing to help since he's canceled that line."

"Strange." The two people seated across the helicopter from him appeared much the same, anxious. "I was just speaking with him in my office shortly before my leaving to come here."

It greatly relieved Muldoon to hear the little shit was, in fact, in California. "Did he say anything?"

The billionaire shook his head. "Nothing outside of the ordinary. He mentioned being in the area on a big job that he hoped would pay just as big to help with medical expenses."

Pet gave a brief look at Muldoon from the corner of her eye, then returned her interest to Simon. "Did he leave you a contact number or where to reach him at?"

"He told me he's staying at a motel just outside San Francisco."

That knot that had made itself at home in Muldoon's stomach since Derek left the dig site kicked at him. There was no ignoring what it was suggesting, either, for the entire helicopter ride to Glasgow's airport where Simon's private jet waited. The closer the plane got to San Francisco over its three-and-a-half-hour flight, the worse the feeling got.

Stretching out below a suite on the ninth floor of a lavish Palo Alto, California hotel was the glowing city skyline and the bustling, congested streets. It was becoming a second home to her anytime she was in the area. The rattling of something approaching her door struck her ears. She turned her head just in time as a knock echoed the quiet room. Crap. Now came having to walk over to it and answer it.

"Just a minute!" she bellowed. "Or twenty…I just hope you're not in a hurry."

Slow step in front of the other brought the hunched over hybrid to the door. She opened it and blinked in surprise. Standing at her door was a suited grey-haired man pushing a white roll cart. Positioned across its top was a tray with a covered dish, a napkin neatly folded around silverware, and a bucket of ice with a bottled soda inside it. Pet cracked a smile and laughed. Of course, Simon knew she couldn't drink alcohol while on pain killers.

The room service representative smiled at the woman. "Courtesy of Mr. Masrani, madam."

Pet lifted the lid to see what was prepared for dinner. A mostly raw steak sat in a pool of natural juices surrounded by mashed potatoes and steamed veggies smothered with cheese. She stepped aside and motioned inside the room. "You can just wheel that courtesy right on in here, kind sir."

The cart was positioned next to the kitchenette table and the tray's contents arranged on the table. Pet retrieved a twenty-dollar bill out of her wallet and handed it to the gentleman. While it might have been a bit much for a tip, she was in a generous mood. The man left her room with a grateful smile and closed the door behind him.

The delicious meal was devoured in record time. Pet felt no shame in even licking the plate clean. She let out a hefty belch and opened her door to set her dirty dishes in the hallway, as was the procedure. In doing so, she saw Muldoon standing in front of the elevators at the end of the hallway. Her heart ached for him and what he was about to try and do.


Ten-twenty at night came around. A door slamming somewhere in the hallway had Pet nearly jumping out of her skin. Water splashed out of the bubble bath she was lounging in and puddled on the tile floor. The heavy doors already closed rather loudly on their own, but this wasn't that. This was from someone upset about something. She sat up and listened for any more disturbances, suspecting who it was that caused the commotion. Only three of the four suites located on that section of the floor level were occupied, those being her, Muldoon, and Simon. Pet knew for a damn fact it wouldn't have been the billionaire, which meant it had to be Muldoon returning from his attempting a one on one talking to with Derek. And it didn't go well.

Pet whimpered. The woman knew she needed to be there for her lifelong best friend, but getting out of the tub was proving to be extremely difficult. One soapy hand clawed at the walls for stability while the other death gripped the edge of the tub. The drying off and getting dressed in a red tank top and light grey sweatpants was easy. Now to go check on the troubled man.

Pet went to Muldoon's room door directly across the hall and raised her fist to knock on it. She stopped. Now probably wasn't a good time. Anytime she was upset, the last thing she wanted was someone pestering her with 'do you want to talk about it?' Instead, the hybrid pressed an ear against the smooth, cool surface of the door and listened. Sure enough, she was right. The sounds of a man being torn apart by guilt and regret were muffled on the other side.

The door belonging to Simon's room opened, the billionaire stepping out into the hallway in a wine-colored velvet housecoat. Puzzled dark eyes studied the hybrid. Pet shook her head that he leave the issue alone and went back into the spacious confines of her room. She slowly sat down on the couch and gazed out at the glowing city skyline stretching outside her window. It was difficult to register how quickly, or slow time passed without looking at a clock. To Pet, it felt like she had been sitting there a lifetime deep in thought. In reality, it was only a little over forty-five minutes.

The tapping of knuckles on her door almost didn't register with her they were so quiet. Pet rubbed her tired face with her hands. This was no time for that rich son of a bitch to be nosey. Once again, the hybrid was back on her feet and shuffling to the door. Armed with a tangent on the tip of her tongue, she jerked the door open and locked onto brown eyes. But they didn't belong to Simon.

Beneath the bill of a black ball cap, puffy eyes from extensive crying met her flabbergasted ones. Derek hoarsely stated, "Hey."

Pet's first thought was to grab the man and hug him dearly. Yet, something inside her wouldn't let her. Maybe it was the white portion of his cast visible under his jacket's sleeve that stopped her. She didn't want to chance hurting him. "Hi." Where she found the courage, she wasn't sure, but she took a step towards him.

Derek crashed into her and scooped her up in his arms. He sobbed into her shoulder, and she let him. "I'm sorry I left you guys like that." He felt his head go up and down with the hybrid shrugging.

"You needed to get away. It happens." Pet comforted him a little bit longer, him continuing.

"Did you know…about…" Derek sniffed back another encroaching emotional breakdown. "This whole time, he was my dad and didn't tell me."

Blue-green eyes started to swell with their own tears. "I know. I'm so sorry. I just found out very recently, myself."

"At least that asshole that helped raise me isn't my real father. I fucking hated him so much."

Pet huffed a laugh under her breath. "I know."

Derek pulled away from the hug and wiped his eyes. "I could really use a beer or few. Come with me to the bar downstairs for a few drinks."

The hybrid bit her lips together. "I, uh, kind of can't drink any alcohol while taking this medication I'm on."

"I said drinks…not get drunk. Soda is considered a drink."

Pet rolled her eyes and snorted humorously. "Fine, whatever. Give me a minute to throw on a different shirt and get my shoes on."

Derek chose to stay in the hallway, going down a door to Simon's room. He politely knocked on it and waited for an answer. There was a bit of a wait, Derek wondering if he was asleep. He was about to turn and leave when the door opened.

Groggy dark eyes met those struggling to remain composed. "There you are. Veronica and your uncle have been trying to get in contact with you."

"About that." Derek slid off his ball cap to adjust the back band of it. It was fitting a bit snug against his bandaged head injury. "Come to find out, Robert isn't my uncle." Derek frowned, rolling a shoulder in a semi-shrug. "I just found out tonight he's actually my father." Simon's brow dropped in sadness. "Long story, but anyway…Pet and I were about to go downstairs to get some drinks. I wasn't sure if you wanted to join us or…go back to bed. I know you're flying out for London before sunrise tomorrow morning."

Simon gawked at Muldoon's closed door and nodded. "Sure. I'll meet you two downstairs shortly."

"Oh, and Mr. Masrani?" Hearing Derek not call him one of the many monikers left him speechless on the spot. "Thank you for being there for us after the accident. I never got around to telling you at the hospital."

Whatever it was that seemed to change the arrogant and mouthy younger man to make him more well-mannered was a much-enjoyed change. "The most important thing is that you and Veronica are doing much better in your recovery."

"Rob told me she hates me for wrecking the Jeep. It was the last thing John Hammond bought for her before his passing."

A sly smile changed the billionaire's demeanor. "Not to worry. Robert and I started working on that when still in Montana."

Derek arched a brow curiously. "Oh, do tell."

Simon back-peddled into his room wearing a crooked smile, "We'll talk more about it later," and shut the door.

Derek was back to being alone in the hallway. The door across Pet's greatly bothered him. The more he tried to ignore it, the more he couldn't. His steps were heavy, and his fists balled at his sides. Before he knew it, one was impacting the hard surface over and over. He didn't even remember walking the distance to the door.

"Hey old man, Pet, Masrani, and I are going downstairs to get drinks! Get your shit together and join us!" Derek heard Pet's door open and gawked at her over his shoulder. The hybrid was now in a black hoodie paired with the same light grey sweatpants he saw her in earlier. Her special made hiking boots stood out the most about her look. "I'm glad to see you dressed up."

Pet mocked a laugh and shot him the middle finger.


A cold beer bottle was sat down on a table along with a frozen strawberry drink in a tall drink glass. Along the glass's rim were sugar and a lime slice. Pet pointed at the glass. "The fuck is this? I thought I was getting a soda."

"Relax, Pet. It's a virgin strawberry margarita. Meaning, it's-"

"Alcohol-free, yes, I know what a virgin drink means." She lounged back in the padded circular booth and sipped the tasty beverage.

"Hey, I'm just looking out for you." Derek took a hefty chug of his beer. "Drinking a soda when everyone else is boozing it up is for lightweight pussies and pregos."

"Or responsible designated drivers and or maybe, just maybe, someone on some pretty strong pain killers."

"Pfft, whatever," Derek laughed.

Elevator doors opened and out stepped Simon. Seeing him without a tie and suit coat gave him a more relaxed and approachable look. He closed in on the table and stopped what he was about to say the moment he saw the frozen drink cradled in clawed hands.

Pet knew where his gaze was aimed. "It's alcohol-free, I promise."

Derek pointed the longneck of his beer bottle at the bar. "I've got an open tab going. Order what you want, and you better not try paying for our drinks!"

Pet stirred her drink with her straw and smirked at chocolate brown eyes. "You're uncharacteristically nice tonight. What's gotten into you?"

"I fucked up and want to make things right." Derek fretfully smiled and drank another quarter of his beer in one drink.

A slow nod came from the hybrid. "What fuck up are you trying to make right? There's so many." The two people smirked at the other.

Simon returned with a drink glass half full of scotch and four ice cubes clanking around. He chose to sit at the end of the circular booth closest to the hybrid. Should the last person of their get together show up, Simon felt it best father and son sit next to each other for bonding purposes. He just hoped that would be the best-case scenario and not the worst where the authorities got called, and someone, if not both, ended up in jail.

"So," Simon stated, easing the silence into conversation, "you told me you were here on a job. How were you planning to take someone down with a broken arm?"

Derek stopped swigging the remainder of his beer to gawk at the questioning man. Shit. He didn't know how to answer to cover for the bullshit lie. The drink was swallowed, and an explanation made through a constricting throat and a burn in his stomach not caused by beer. "Yeah...I didn't come here for a job."

"I'm aware of that now."

Neither of the two conversing men was aware of Pet staring starry-eyed at one of the television screens above the bar. It was displaying a ballroom dancing competition. Derek asking her a question that remained unanswered had him looking at her, wondering why. He followed her unblinking gaze's aim to see the TV. A couple performing were dancing to an upbeat song in a tango style.

"What's the big damn deal, Pet?"

"I find it beautiful. I would love to learn how to dance like that."

Derek snickered. "That might be a problem. See, there's this thing called two clawed feet."

Pet frowned over a slurp of her straw. "Yeah, I know. It'd just be fun to do."

The elevator in the lobby chiming and their doors opening showed Muldoon to be its only occupant. Derek scooted into Pet, gently nudging her to the left end of the booth. At first, she thought he was trying to push her into Simon until she saw Muldoon come into view. Everyone seated around the booth turned statuesque.

Derek, wearing a cheesy grin, patted the section of the seat right beside him. "Have a seat, Pops."

Muldoon glared down at the smartass little shit. "Don't." He went to the bar, placed his order to the bartender, and returned to the booth with two bottles less than a minute later. Father and son visually scrutinized the other, one more in warning compared to the 'give no damn' grin on the other.

Muldoon raised one of the beer bottles to his mouth to take a drink. Grey eyes tempered down on the drink in Pet's hands. She grumbled as she rolled her eyes. "It's nonalcoholic before you say anything."

Grey eyes cut down on chocolate brown ones. Derek held his hands up. "Don't look at me! She's the one who wanted it!" A clawed fist slammed down hard on his upper leg. Derek yelped out and massaged the throbbing soreness. "Shit, that hurt!"

"Good," she scolded and took another drink.

Derek sat back and studied the scarred man shamelessly draining his bottle. "Hey, Rob…I, uh, wanted to ask you something." He watched the now empty bottle join his on the table's ledge. "I canceled my motel room and need a place to crash for a little while." Pet knew that look in Muldoon's eyes. It was of deep consideration. To others less knowledgeable, the look tended to be intimidating. "It wouldn't be for long. Just until you head back to Montana." No answer came from the scarred man. No answer was a good indication of a yes. Muldoon was known to be very vocal in all the ways in which to say no to a simple request. Pet knew this as well. "You'll hardly know I'm there."

Simon blurted a disbelieving laugh. "That would be a first."

Pet smiled and chased her lime slice around her glass with her straw before taking another drink. Two more good swigs and she'd need another one. A rush of excitement tingled her insides. Seeing Muldoon and Derek attempting to work out their differences gave her a new hope things were about to improve significantly. It seemed that's all her arriving at the dig site had been, a new hope. Her illness being cured, her no longer being hunted by InGen, Grant getting funding to his dig site he damn near lost, her engagement to someone she had spent most of her life admiring… But there was still that part of her that worried how quickly all that could be lost to the new park. Hopefully, this time at a park would be different.