The Diggs County Dinosaur Institute opened its gift shop doors to its first customers one early Friday morning.

"Why do we have to wear this God awful uniform?" The student, Cameron, complained to Dr. Marsh. She raised an eyebrow and looked him over in the gray slacks and striped top with her hand on her chin. "It is a bit baggy on you," she observed, not answering his question.

She stood up straight and walked in front of the three other students who signed up to work at the shop for extra credit, and only extra credit, because that was all the institute had to offer these days. "It was supposed to make you all look dignified and cohesive, like a team," she finally explained when she completed her examinations of their uniforms. "It simply will have to do," This didn't reassure the students. "We don't have the time or money for anything else."

The shop was small, a bit cramped. It had three registers. Two were closer to the exit of the store on a shared counter, and one was close to the exit of the museum exhibits. Plastic triceratops, stegosaurus, and spinosaurus lined the furthest back wall, and hats, t-shirts, and keychains to do with the Institute were in the main part of the store. In the middle, there was a display of colorful rocks and crystals with a sign that said "Prehistoric Rocks" being sold for six dollars each. Right by the exit there were hand puppets of carnotaurus and tyrannosaurus rex hanging up for thirteen dollars each.

As the museum opened its doors that morning, Dr. Marsh saw hope with every transaction, but she knew it wouldn't be enough, especially since the gas station down the street had already been selling dinosaur things for a while now, and now the institute had to fund the raising of a baby dinosaur.

~0~

Six months after the initial announcement of their success in time travel, the Diggs County Dinosaur Institute was ready to send their first group of tourists back in time. It was a hot summer evening in August when the opening ceremony was held for those who worked and studied at the Institute as well as investors, even the president of the World Paleontological Society, Dr. Vladimur Borontsky, made an appearance.

Helen Marsh was surprised, to say the least, as he sauntered up to her after her opening speech. "Dr. Borontsky, it is an honor to see you in attendance tonight." She said to him during the reception. He was an older man in his 60s with graying hair and a silver mustache. He was wearing a suit with no tie.

"How could I miss the opening ceremony of the first ever time tours?" He asked, with a smile on his face and hands in the air. "I'm impressed, Helen," He clasped his hands together, and the smile morphed into a serious face. "But I'm also wary. I fear you may have jumped head first into this. How can you ever be so sure it is safe?"

She waved an elegant hand in the air. "Oh nonsense," she laughed, amused. "Our staff has taken the rover through an extensive 'test-and-adjust' phase and they all say the same thing. 'It's fast, it's a blast, and it's in the past."

He rubbed his mustache but looked apprehensive. "Sure, but there have been whispers of accidents. How long will it take for something to happen to a civilian?" She tried not to let him see her pleasant demeanor falter. "I assure you, Dr. Borontsky, it is all under control. No one has ever been harmed on one of these tours."

"Harmed? no. In harm's way on the other hand," he suggested. She saw the back of Grant Seeker's head, and saw him as an opportunity for distraction.

"Oh! Oh, Dr. Seeker," she called to him before he could make his way further into the crowd. Dr. Borontsky frowned. The scientist didn't hear her at first, and then he turned around. "Could you come here for a moment?" she asked. She thought he looked cute as a button in a red dress shirt and navy blue chevron tie. His hair was a bit disheveled like he had ran his fingers through it nervously. He looked at her and the president of the World Paleontological Society, and his eyes got wide in understanding of what she needed.

"Oh, yes. It is about time we begin, Dr. Marsh? He asked vaguely and she nodded. "Stay for a little while," she said to the president. "I think you'll change your mind after going on a tour yourself."

"Good seeing you, Dr. Borontsky," Dr. Seeker called behind himself, putting his hand on the small of Dr. Marsh's back to guide her away.

Dr. Marah turned, looking at Dr. Borontsky from the corner of her eye as they made their way through the crowd and whispered in Dr. Seeker's ear as they walked closer to the time rovers in the front of the room, "he was asking too many questions." Dr. Seeker smiled as though she was telling him something funny. "You're welcome for getting you out of there."

They made their way to the front of the room and stepped up onto a rover and called for everyone's attention. A hush fell over the crowd. "Good evening, and thank you all for being here. I would like to proudly announce to all of you the beginning of public Time Rover Tours. In a few minutes, eleven of you at a time, with the guidance of Dr. Grant Seeker can be transported back in time," Dr. Marsh announced. Clapping roared through the crowd before she could continue. She humbly waved her hands for the crowd to settle down. "We hope you enjoy your trip through time."

Folks started to line up, with the more apprehensive guests enjoying the party still. Tours to go back in time went off without a hitch. Everyone got to see some beautiful scenery, and Dr. Seeker did a great job touring everyone around the terrain and pointing out the different dinosaurs. Dr. Marsh was impressed. About four or five different groups went for only a few minutes each.

She found herself taking part in a spread of fruits, cheeses, and other finger foods that were on a table along the wall, and she mingled with the investors who were all a buzz of how exciting it all was. When the party started to settle, and the crowd started to thin out, Dr. Marsh found herself wanting for some fresh air.

She slipped out a side door of the garage on the opposite side of the building from the offices and stood, looking at the pavement lot in front of her and taking in the cool air and the night sky. The pavement was dark and wet, as if it had been raining earlier in the night. She breathed in deeply, unsuccessfully trying to quel her anxiety that tonight would be it. That tonight would be enough for the investors.

The click of the handle turning behind her made her turn her head, and Grant Seeker came to stand beside her.

"I was told I'd find you out here," he said, and she looked at him. The wind picked up and she watched it blow through his hair, making it look even more tousled than before. Light drops of rain started to spit from the sky, but not enough to bother them to go back inside. "The tours have wrapped up for the evening. Dr. Borontsky sends his regards."

The wind had a chill and Dr. Marsh shivered in her evening gown. "And here i was thinking you were simply asking about me," she teased him. Dr. Seeker smiled but continued, "most everyone is leaving or has left, so I hope it is okay that I gave the closing speech without you."

Dr. Marsh nodded, "Thank you. It was getting a bit stuffy in there with the smell of mechanical oil. I didn't know how long I could take it." They both stood there, watching the trees on the outskirts of the lot. Rain pattered down onto the pavement leaving white ripples in the lamplight.

Suddenly, the rain started to fall harder and Helen squealed in surprise. They quickly made their way under the awning of the door to the building, huddling close together. The raindrops sparkled like diamonds in the light as the rain started pouring even harder. "Should we go inside?" He asked. She turned to look at him, smiling, but when she saw he was already looking at her, her smile fell. He gulped nervously, and his eyes darted to her lips. "We need to stop this foolishness," she whispered, but her pinky finger looped around his and he squeezed.

"It's okay," he said quietly in response. He looked down at their hand, and she interlocked their fingers. He looked up at her and their eyes met. Her brown eyes were the prettiest in the world because they were hers.

When they went inside, it was mostly students picking up after the party, taking trash, putting away food, and folding tables, but music was still playing. They both looked down and they were still holding hands. They let go. Very quickly the room was empty.

The music changed, and he looked at her with a devious sparkle in his eye. "May I have this dance?" He asked, offering his hand once more. Dr. Marsh looked around nervously but relaxed. Even if someone were in the room, it didn't matter. She didn't need to feel embarrassed. "I would love to, thank you," she took his hand. He put his other hand on her waist, she put her hand on his shoulder, and they started swaying to the music. He led them slowly along.

"Thank you for everything tonight," she said to him, only having to look up at him a little bit in her heels. "You don't have to thank me," he said, laughed, and looked away from her eyes and into the distance.

"No, but I do," she said, still looking at his face as they danced, their bodies slowly getting closer. His face was pensive. "Every step of the way, you have proven time and time again that I made the right choice." Grant Seeker didn't like the guilty feeling he had, but he didn't say anything and held her close as they swayed round and round.