Chapter 9 – Starting over

She was a bit astonished at how quickly he agreed. They continued to battle about numerous things though she was careful about her words in fear he would give up on her and the boys if she got too out of line with him.

She couldn't take it anymore when he tried to send her back to the compound. She somewhat insanely adjusted her clothing and told him that she was going with him whether he liked it or not, and he could not order her around like one of his damn animals. She actually saw his eyes shift to a different understanding of her, and he agreed as long as she followed his orders. "Fine," she consented.

They walked back to the car, so they could drive down to the area where the boys would have most likely gotten out of the lake so they could follow their tracks from there.

In a sudden moment of vulnerability Claire said, "Owen, thank you for helping me find them." She meant it and decided it was worth saying out loud.

"You're welcome," he said back. "Let's not pretend you don't know that I'd do anything for you." Owen was a bit surprised he let that slip out, but what the hell? Who knew if they'd even make it out of here alive?

Claire was equally stunned. She sat quietly for a minute then said, "Actually I don't know that. Still?"

Owen looked over at her as much as he could while still watching where they were going. "Of course," he said. "Nothings changed for me," he admitted.

"Then why do you treat me like it has?" Claire asked now too wrapped up in the conversation to stop. This was probably not the time or place, but if not now, when?

"Why do you think, Claire?" Owen said now sounding a bit testy. "It's the only defense mechanism I have against you. Every time I see you, I just want to cry or drop on my knees and beg you to reconsider. You've made it clear that's not an option, so instead, I'm a jerk. I don't know what else to do."

Claire looked down at her lap. Here he was still – now nearly a year after they had met, heart on his sleeve, emotional about her. "That day, at the arena," she started slowly…."that girl was really your sister wasn't she?"

"Yep," Owen said a bit smugly. "Her name is Kelsey. She's a marine biology major at the University of Miami. She was visiting me for the weekend."

Claire felt horrible. "I'm sorry," she said and meant it. "You were right. Part of me just couldn't believe we could work out, so I freaked out. I'm sorry," she reiterated. "Did you hurt your hand?"

"What?" Owen asked.

"I saw you throw it through that door when I was driving away," she said.

"Oh that, yeah, not my finest moment, but I was fine. Kelsie patched me up then let me get drunk and pretty much cry about you all weekend," he laughed as he admitted it. "She wanted to find you, you know? Get you to listen to her if not me. I told her not to bother. I figured you wouldn't have listened to her anyway."

"You were probably right," Claire admitted. "I was scared." Might as well lay it all on the table. Life-threatening situations will do that to you.

Owen now stopped the car as they had driven as far as they could. They would now have to go on foot. Before they got out, Owen put his arm across Claire to stop her from moving forcing her to look at him. "Has it changed for you?" he asked, and she knew exactly what he was asking. Did she still have feelings for him? His truth was all out there in the open. He had to know whether it was the right time or not. "No," she admitted honestly. "I still care about you, Owen."

"Then lets find those boys, make it out of here alive and really start over," he said and asked at the same time.

"Okay," she said smiling softly. "It's a deal."

"Shake on it," he said now smiling too. She reached out and shook his hand. Then they got out of the car to find Zach and Gray.

***I hope you enjoyed it. I think this story line could have still fit in with the context of the movie and then he still could have kissed her after she saved him since they had sort of made out – but it could have been heat of the moment too. I see this story as somewhat of a prequel to my other fanfic, "Time to Relax," which I encourage you to read too. Full disclosure, it is rated M. Thank you.