Chapter Two – 5000 Ways Dr Grant Can Bore You To Tears

"What's the punishment then? 5000 word essay on the many ways Grant can put students to sleep?"

Billy snorted at the joke and pulled on his soccer boots.

"I've to tidy some lab after class."

"That sucks."

"Better than writing an essay I guess."

"You going?"

"I dunno. See how I feel."

"Let's go kick their asses." Billy's friend grinned and indicated the opposition players. Billy matched his grin and sauntered out on to the park, stretching his arms above his head. It was a beautiful day and Billy never felt more alive when he was outside in the sunshine. He had always been active and energetic, taking part in nearly every sport at the University. He did snowboarding, football, basketball, tennis, hockey and even took beginners lessons in paragliding. Classes came second in Billy's list of priorities at university. He read a lot, but became restless easy. He always had to be active, always had to be just ahead of everyone else. The young man was smart and sensitive, but he hid it under a layer of immaturity and cockiness. He was popular with girls and had many friends, but still inside he was hollow, lacking something major in his life. He never allowed himself to feel vulnerable and never dated anyone seriously. Even his close friends were kept to a certain distance. He had always lived alone and never had anyone he was very close to and this way of life was everything he knew. His philosophy was that we were born alone and we die alone, why should life be any different? It was a sad life he lead that he focused on materialistic things and sport and never let anyone penetrate the barriers he had constructed around his heart and soul. No one knew the real Billy Brennan and this thought was the main force that drove him into sobs at night. He would hug his pillow and smother his anguish into his arms. No one really cared. Each morning would be met with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes and a flirtatious comment to pretty girls that never had any truth to it and then he could pretend that he was happy and that life was really worth living for.

"Let's go play some ball." He told himself as the whistle blew and the game began.

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"I'm part of the physics department teaching kids about Chaos Theory."

Alan cleared his throat to dispatch his laugh and sipped his coffee. Ian frowned and pulled at his croissant, stuffing it into his mouth.

"I'm sure that will go down a treat."

"Unlike your dino bones."

Alan sat quietly unable to think of a comeback. He sighed and suddenly looked weary. He sat his cup down and clasped his hands together in front of his face.

"The truth is, Ian, it's getting harder and harder to get up in the morning."

"Alan, I know you're old, but you're not that old."

"That's not what I mean. The enthusiasm is gone. I feel like I'm droning on and on and no one is listening. Nobody cares. Take that kid today. He probably never even took one word of what I said in. They're all focused on the future now. No one cares about the past anymore. They take my class in the off chance I'll tell them all about the Park."

Alan and Ian shared a look and a thousand horrifying memories burned through their minds. They never made a habit of talking about that part of their life.

"You're bound to get kids who are taking the class for somewhere to sleep for an hour, but focus on the ones who want to be there, who are hanging on your every word."

Alan nodded and sipped his coffee once again.

"Yeah."

"How is life at home?"

"Fine. Why do you ask?"

"Well, you know Ellie is married now and I'm still with Sarah. Aren't you lonely?"

"I miss not having the constant company like when we were at digs, but I also like the quiet. Besides, I'll be seeing a lot more of you now that you're working here."

"You live in such a big house though. It's got like six bedrooms!"

"Ian, it has three. Hardly massive."

"I still think you should start dating."

Alan choked into his cup.

"Alright, who are you and what have you done with the real Ian Malcolm?" He demanded.

"What do you mean by that?"

"You're asking me about my personal life and not once have you tried to enforce your views about evolution of life or your precious chaos."

"I was being nice."

"Yeah, well, stop it, it's unnatural."

Ian chuckled and waved a hand to the waitress for the bill.

"I really must get back to class."

"Yes, I should too."

"What you going to do about the Brennan kid?"

"I'll keep him for an hour and get him to organise equipment in the lab."

"Do you think he'll show?" Ian asked, placing down a twenty dollar bill.

"If he doesn't we'll both see plenty of him to get our own back." Alan stated grimly.

"How so?"

"I checked his file before we left for lunch and guess what other class he's picked this semester." Alan smiled and pointed to Ian.

"Oh, this is too good to be true. We can grind him down to pulp between the two of us."

Alan shook his head and stood up putting on his jacket.

"Don't get too mean, Ian."

"Would I?"

Both men laughed softly and made their way back to their own departments.

"It was nice catching up with you." Alan admitted. He really did like Ian Malcolm when he wasn't being so obtuse.

"Can't say the same about you." He yelled, walking away and waving a hand above his head.

"I take that back." Alan muttered and walked into the lecture hall ready to bore another hundred pupils with his historical facts and figures.

Author's Note: Thank you so much to Terrrarock for reviewing Chapter 1. You're such a star. Thank you also for following my fanfiction. Hopefully see you in later chapters of this!