I stared at the ceiling. I wasn't into the whole macho men don't share their feelings shtick. But I hated therapists. However, I couldn't escape it. I didn't mind telling my problems to someone I trust, but some stranger, even if they were bound by law to keep what you said to themselves, is still a stranger. But if I wanted to continue working, I had to get a clean bill of health.

To recap. Loni had found me delirious and gripping my gun for dear life. She'd been forced to sedate me and had me airlifted to a hospital on the mainland. I'd woken from a dreamless sleep feeling better, but Loni had already reported the incident. Since I had some government contracts, a psych eval was mandatory.

The shrink in question was an acquaintance of Loni. It should have made it easier to talk to.

"While I enjoy looking at you. You're going to have to talk for this to work."

I chuckled. "Look, doc. I don't really know where to start and I don't enjoy talking to strangers."

"Let's make it simple. Tell me about the dream."

I took in a deep breath and reminded myself I had to do this. "I was asleep in my bunk. I heard a scream and went out to check. I found Hector and LB dead. Good friends of mine and they work for me." I took another deep breath before continuing. "I checked on Loni and found her body missing but her bunk covered in blood. Then they attacked me. Troodons are small carnivorous dinosaurs. They dragged me into the dark and ripped me apart."

"Hmm. Dinosaurs, that's a new one." She murmured.

I turned and gave her a hard look. "Doc, don't patronize me. And understanding this conversation leaves this room. We'll both be in legal trouble."

She adjusted her glasses. "I'm sorry Mr. Muldoon. My cousin died during the San Diego incident. I didn't mean to imply that I didn't believe you."

I let out a breath and nodded my head. "My condolences. Look Doc. I'm not broken or mentally unstable. Those creatures were unlike anything I've ever dealt with. They were killers on a whole other level. I thought I'd lose those closest to me. I had a nightmare. Not a mental break. Honestly, this whole situation is plain embarrassing."

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She nodded her head. "Lucky for you, I can tell you're not mentally unstable. But I would like a couple more sessions with you. Just to be on the safe side. Then I'll clear you to get back to work. Deal?"

"Deal," I promised.

"But if you have another nightmare, I need you to tell me. It won't affect my decision to clear you. But I can help you if you trust me." She told me.

I sat up and looked in the eye. "My people are like my family. I usually have at least one nightmare after a mission. I'll admit not that bad before, but it wasn't a regular mission."

"Why do you think you have nightmares?"

I rolled my eyes. "Isn't that your job? Aren't you supposed to tell me why?"

She smirked. "My job is to help you find the answer for yourself. If I tell you the answer, you can always rationalize it away and spend a great deal of time in denial. That would be more detrimental."

"Huh. That actually makes sense." I leaned back on the bench. "Well, I know the reason. I don't even have to be a shrink to figure it out." I teased. "Every nightmare is a manifestation of my fear. Each one always involves me failing to protect my friends. I guess it's a delayed reaction."

"At least you're self-aware." I saw her check her watch. "And we're out of time. She rose from her chair. "Two more sessions. Keep being honest, like you've been this session and the next two will be easy."

I chuckled and shook her hand. "I'll do my best Doc. Take care."

She smiled and walked me out. I walked out to find Loni standing next to my car. "You okay?" She asked me.

I rolled my eyes at her. "Yes. I was already okay. You're a damn busy body and I don't want to be your next project."

She flipped me off. "Whatever. Let's go." She hopped into my car.

"Where's your car?" I asked her as I slid into the driver's seat.

"Left it at home. I needed the walk." She admitted.

"We'll both be okay. Let's just take it easy for now. Okay?"

She nodded her head but wouldn't meet my eyes. I suppose she had it worse than me. Maybe they all needed a brief vacation. The check from Biosyn cleared. They should have plenty of money to take it easy for now. Yeah, a vacation was just the thing they all needed.

Isla Pena-200 miles from Costa Rica

Moonlight shone down on a trio of bodies. Their chest had been ripped open and pawn fronds had been placed strategically to hide them from prying eyes. From within the chest cavity, little white eggs began to wobble, then break. Shrill cries echoed out into the chilly night air. More cries rang out as more and more little white orbs broke their occupants, entering the world.

A single pair of blowing white orbs moved close, crooning and nuzzling the infants. The little gray bodies fed on the meat that had housed them. The single surviving Troodon female moved from nest to nest, checking for stillborns and moving fronds to keep the infants warm. Her pack was no more, but their future was secured in the hatchlings in the nests. Despite the two legs' best attempts. Life found a way.