Set-up/Story idea: So this is now my third Claire and Owen fanfic. I do not think I'm alone in thinking that the movie insinuated that Owen and Claire likely had a little more history than just a terrible first date. This is my take on one way that could have led up to their animosity towards each other. Hope you enjoy it. I tried to make it make sense within the context of the movie. I thinking this story will be a total of four, maybe five chapters.

Chapter 1 – A touching moment…

Owen was so relieved. He had just completed a demonstration with the raptors for the park's operations manager Claire Dearing, as well as a whole host of other bigwigs.

He had been hearing some chatter that they were considering cutting back on the program since these raptors were not a public attraction for the park. He knew is was likely true when he'd gotten a last minute request from his boss to do a training demonstration for the board of directors. They wanted to see that the raptors were making progress. Considering the raptors were primarily used for research purposes, a question had come into play as to whether they had too many staff people devoted to helping out in this area. Owen was fearful not that he would lose his job, but that some of his friends might lose theirs or be rerouted to another section of the park if part of their funding was cut. He did not want that to happen. He couldn't bear the thought of losing anyone on his crew, especially his best friend Barry.

In today's demonstration he had showcased how far the raptors had come in their training and made a strong argument as to why every single person on his crew was necessary and needed. He wouldn't know if it had worked for a few more weeks after the yearly all hand on deck type of board meeting, but he hoped it was enough.

His girls were now all back in their cages with their heads securely placed in their muzzles. Owen leaned down and whispered to Blue, "you did good today girl." Blue's temperament was crucial in keeping her siblings in check, so he truly was grateful for her cooperation. She responded to his praise with a happy snort.

"So it's true," he heard a female voice call from the other side of the gate. Owen looked up to see none other than Claire Dearing standing there looking as if she just stepped out of the pages of a high end fashion magazine.

"Ms. Dearing," Owen said nodding and acknowledging her presence. "I didn't realize you were still here." He paused then added, "What's true?"

"That you are the raptor whisperer." She responded smiling a bit. "At least that's what everyone calls you."

Owen laughed. "Haven't heard that," he said. "Guess they don't say that to my face. And I'm not sure it's true anyways."

"I beg to differ," she said a bit playfully. "I'm pretty sure I just saw you whispering to that raptor."

Owen laughed. "Is she flirting with me?" He wondered. Probably not but a man could dream. "Well, it's hard to argue with that," he said then added politely, "is there something else I can help with?"

Claire and Owen had seen each other around in meetings but they had not officially met until today. Both had taken notice of the other unable to deny at least a physical attraction from a distance, but they had never actually spoken until Owen had shaken her hand and introduced himself about an hour before. Her sparkling blue eyes were gorgeous, he had noticed right away.

"My assistant took the other board members back to the park for lunch. I stayed behind because I had a follow up question," she replied.

"Of course," Owen said trying to sound polite when he was nervous. "She wasn't convinced about our work here," he worried to himself.

He walked closer to the gate. "What would you like to know?"

"Actually," she started, "I was wondering if I could take a closer look at the raptors. I've only really ever seen the baby and herbivore dinosaurs up close. Would that be okay?"

Claire had even surprised herself when she asked Zara to go ahead without her, but there was something about these animals, and yes maybe about their trainer, she was dying to know more about.

Owen was relieved. Her question was just if she could take a closer look at the raptors. That he could handle. She had seen the demonstration from up high behind a glass.

"Sure," Owen said opening the gate to allow her to come into what they called the arena. "This is a perfect time because they are muzzled, and they just ate, so they are calm."

"Thank you, Mr. Grady," she said as she stepped through.

"Owen," he corrected and flashed his gorgeous smile.

"Owen," she repeated smiling and hoped her cheeks weren't pink. "It's just his name, Claire, jeez," she thought to herself confused and intrigued about why she felt so shy around him.

"Watch your step," Owen said and gently grabbed her elbow to steer her away from what looked like a pile of mostly consumed animal parts. "Sorry," he said giving her an apologetic look and letting go of her. "We don't typically have people with such nice shoes on in here," he said staring at her feet.

Claire's elbow burned where his warm hand had been. "Thanks," she simply responded, "I'll be more careful."

She more closely watched her foot placement as she followed Owen closer to the raptors. She smiled as she got close enough to really take a close look. "This is Blue, right?" She asked leaning down to take a closer look now stepping in front of Owen.

"Yep," Owen answered impressed by her attention to detail. "She's beautiful huh?" Owen certainly felt that way about her but sometimes got funny looks from people when he said things like that. Not from Claire though. He could see the awe in her eyes, and it warmed his heart.

"She's amazing," Claire responded stepping even closer. Claire herself would admit she had grown somewhat immune to the awe of these animals over the years, but these raptors were so incredible. Beautiful, intelligent, and dangerous. "Can I touch her?" She asked looking back at Owen hopefully.

"Sure," Owen responded smiling aware of the fact that her interest in the raptors was making him happier than it should. He walked over to Blue, and leaned down and said softly, "Good girl," and petted her head gently. "Ms. Dearing here is going to pet you too," he told her. "She's nice." When Blue responded with what Claire could swear was a purr, Owen looked at her over the top of Blue and said, "okay, go ahead."

"Thanks, and you can call me Claire," she added meeting his eyes. Owen smiled. "Claire," he repeated.

Claire stretched out her hand a bit tentatively and placed it where Owen's had just been. She smiled immediately. "She's so soft," Claire, said sounding surprised. "Like..." She trailed off looking for the right word.

"Feathers," Owen suggested.

"Yes," Claire responded. She looked so lizard-like, but she felt more like a bird. Claire continued petting the top of Blue's head as Owen watched. Owen suddenly realized he was seeing something remarkable. From what he knew and had heard about Claire Dearing, she was all work and no play...a smart, capable, and at times vicious businesswoman. But here, now, he was seeing a very human and maybe even vulnerable side that he doubted many, if any, people got to see. He knew right then and there that he was desperate to know more about this woman.

"It feels like suede under her chin," Owen said. "Here," he said and gently reached for her hand. Claire let him take it and move it under Blue's chin. "Right there," he said placing her hand gently in place and using his own hand to help Claire stroke Blue's soft skin in the right spot to feel what he was talking about.

"Wow," Claire said. "That's incredible." These raptors and this man were full of surprises.

Claire continued to pet Blue, and so did Owen, though within about a minute they both became aware that he was really now just lightly stroking the back of Claire's hand instead of actually touching the raptor. She had no complaints but someone did. Suddenly, Blue made a hissing noise, which startled Claire. She gasped and jerked her hand back.

"I'm sorry," she said sounding both started and concerned. "Did I hurt her?"

Owen laughed but appreciated Claire's concern. "Nah," he said gently stroking Blue's nose. "She's just jealous."

"Jealous," Claire said in surprise looking into Owen's eyes. "Of what?" She asked.

"That I'm about to ask you out on a date," Owen responded grinning.

Claire blushed. "Where did that come from?" she thought to herself.

"Oh, why?" She asked out loud before she could stop herself really wondering what this man could possibly see in her. He had caught her totally off guard. They were so different. "You don't even know me." She said softly.

"I know that, and I want to," he said genuinely now stepping away from Blue and closer to Claire. "Come on, please," he said and pouted his lip, which made her laugh.

Claire thought for minute. She hadn't been on a date in a very long time, and there was no denying Owen was good-looking and smart, and the butterflies in her stomach told her she was even more intrigued than just that. Though she was his superior at the park, he didn't technically report to her, so she didn't think it would be an HR issue. "Oh what the hell?" Claire thought to herself.

She looked into Owen's eyes and said, "it's against my better judgment, but I'm going to say yes."

Owen grinned, and Claire quickly followed up with, "but only if it's okay with Blue."

Owen walked over to Blue and said, "you don't mind, do you girl?" Owen patted her head and she purred. "See, she's fine with it. She's just protective."

"Okay, then," Claire said again smiling.

"Great. How about tonight?"

"I can't tonight. I'm in meetings with the board until 8," she replied. "How about tomorrow?"

"Sure," he said.

"I'll make reservations at one of the park restaurants. Do you have a preference?" She asked.

"Ladies choice," he responded smiling.

"Okay, I'll pick you up at 6:30, okay?"

"Pick me up? How do you know where I live?" He asked sounding surprised.

"I know as much as possible about all the park employees, especially ones who make special requests" Claire responded a bit teasingly. "For instance, I know that you live in the cabin furthest away from the park as your housing application requested that you have as much outdoor space as possible. It's a 20-minute drive, so 6:30 should allow us to make a 7 o'clock reservation. I also know that you have a motorcycle instead of a car because you were the first employee to request one on property, and we had to buy a special insurance policy for it, so I figured me driving was the best option. Is that okay?" She asked.

Owen was stunned on so many levels. She seemed to know a lot more about him than he would have imagined, and man was she organized. "Well, they say opposites attract," he thought to himself. Certainly wasn't anything to scare him away.

"Sure that's fine," he said.

"Okay then," she said smiling. "See you tomorrow. Thank you for showing me the raptors." She then added shyly, "and for asking me out."

"Yep," Owen thought. "Definitely not scaring me away."

"Thanks for saying yes," he said smiling, and with that she disappeared around the corner to walk to her car.

About that time, Barry walked out to where Owen was standing. "Was that Ms. Dearing still here?" he asked.

"Yep," Owen said. "She just had a few more questions."

Barry knew Owen well enough to know that wasn't the whole story given his smug tone.

"Owen?" He asked in a prodding tone.

Owen smiled. "Can't get anything past you, huh? She wanted to pet Blue, and I asked her out. We are going on a date tomorrow."

"Wow," Barry said. "I wouldn't have figured her for your type, and definitely not you hers," he added jokingly.

Owen laughed and clapped Barry's shoulder. "I'm not sure we are my friend, but I want to find out. I'll tell you one thing though," he said laughing to his buddy as they walked back toward the enclosure. "I have a feeling that woman will be more of a challenge than all four of these raptors." The best friends laughed as they made their way back into the arena.