"To the son of an 'unter!" Johnny said loudly, raising his glass.

"Son of a hunter!" Rodriguez and Eddy echoed, bringing up their own. Steve blushed deeply and laughed as they all drank.

They were seated in luxurious comfort aboard Hammond's private Learjet, cruising at 38,000 feet. Each man had a pint of the finest Costa Rican beer in his hand, provided by the smiling stewardess who was in the process of concocting an in-flight meal which smelled delicious. Hammond had remained behind to arrange for both Miller and his accomplices' incarceration, while Tim and Lex's parents were flying out to bring the kids home themselves. However, the four 'Merry Men' had jumped at the chance for a private flight home.

"Go on, what happened then?" Eddy asked.

Johnny snorted. "Then, the big man came charging down the beach, waving his arms about. I'm like 'what, Roddy?' And he's all like 'they're comiiiiiiing!'"

The others burst out laughing at Johnny's account of Rodriguez's exploits on the island. The Costa Rican coastguard had picked them up shortly after clearing the reefs that surrounded the Isla Nublar but, having nothing to charge them with other than helplessly drifting in an unpowered dinghy, had been released upon their return to dry land. They were reunited with a triumphant Steve and Eddy at Hammond's hotel shortly after.

"I can't wait to have a nice, hot bath." Eddy drained his beer wistfully.

"It's a shave and a proper cuppa, for me." Johnny stroked the stubble on his chin. "What about you, Steve?"

Steve shrugged. Truth be told, he didn't have much to go back to. Picking up litter in the murkier corners of London seemed a far cry from the past few days. "Guess I haven't really thought about it." He brushed off the question.

Eddy frowned, suddenly remembering their conversation in Hammond's Drawing Room. It seemed a lifetime ago. "Where did you say you've been living?"

Steve shrugged again, evasive. "I'm renting a flat in London."

"Doing what?" Eddy pressed. "Are you on your own?"

This was a harder question to answer. Steve clicked his tongue and looked away. "Yeah. Not much, really. A bit of… Uh, cleaning, here and there."

"Jesus." Eddy broke off to call the stewardess. "Darlin', please could I get a refill?" He held up his empty glass. The stewardess smiled at his crooked grin and obliged. "Okay, where was I? Oh, yeah. I've started working at a zoo-type place, back home in Texas. Only part-time stuff, but it's a start. I'll introduce you to the manager. You can stay with me until you get settled."

Steve smiled ruefully. "Thanks, Eddy, but I couldn't possibly freeload…"

"Don't argue with me, Muldoon!" Eddy growled, but there was a playful note to his voice. "I may not be your Dad, but I'll have you over my knee faster thank you can goddamn blink."

The others laughed. Steve held up his hands with a smile. "Sounds like I don't have a choice."

"Damn right, you don't." Eddy grinned back. "What about you, Roddy?"

Rodriguez spoke slowly, choosing his words with care. "Mr Hammond said he needs a new bodyguard. Maybe I will do this, for a while."

"Remind me never to bloody cross 'im, then." Johnny chuckled.

Rodriguez nodded solemnly. "I will crush you."

The others looked at each other for a moment, then burst out laughing again.