I can only wish I owned Jurassic Park. But not literally, cause the owners seem to go through tons of hell.

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Owen swirled his bottle of beer in the crowded bar and sighed. Claire had, in not so many words, been a bust. It'd been a month since their not-really date and he was still hearing the fall out.

To be fair, he had shown up in board shorts, but he didn't really have a lot of clothes. And none of them were really "date" wear. For all the luck he'd had, he could have turned up in his work jeans and it probably would have gone better. Pretty much everyone had paid attention to their date. The raptor-whisperer and Claire Dearing? It was like their very own fairytale. Until it crumbled under the weight of both of their expectations.

She'd come dressed in an upscale variation of her white-on-white norm, with not a hair out of place. He'd sort of looked like he'd just walked off a windy beach. He'd actually made plans for them, solid ones. But he'd seen the look on her face when she'd seen him and he'd just dropped them. He'd self-sabotaged.

The look on her face had been enough.

She'd been expecting more than he'd ever be able to give her. He wasn't upscale, wasn't rich, wasn't trendy. He was pretty much straight off the Navy-farm with only what he'd pulled together to his name.

Owen tipped the remaining inch of beer into his mouth and raised his hand to the bartender. ACU was here, and one of them was going to become a pain in the pass in the next couple of minutes. Somewhere, Craig had decided to make it his life goal to piss him off. Owen was pretty sure it was because Claire had said yes to a date with him and she'd shot Craig down without a chance. The bartender slid a shot of tequila his way and left him to stew in his silence.

Even in the crowded bar, he could feel when ACU focused on him. He glanced in the mirror to see Jen Meyers shoving someone in his direction. He closed his eyes and downed the shot.

"I've contracted a rare tropical disease which will kill me unless I have sex with you in the next half hour."

"Fuck off." He replied.

"That's sort of the point."

He grit his teeth and turned to look at the speaker and paused. She was a petite Asian woman with short hair and eyes that weren't quite human colored. The blue was too bright. She smiled up at him and he caught himself.

"Ask Craig to help you."

"I'd break him." She slid into the seat next to him and flagged the bartender. "Personally, if you talk to me for about twenty more minutes, I can win the bet and he can't ever accidentally grab my ass again."

"Twenty more minutes?"

"Well, if we leave the bar together and camp out at your place, they definitely won't know how long we talked or if I just crashed on the nearest horizontal surface and finally got the nap of my dreams."

"Huh. What's in it for me?"

"The illusion that we slept together and the chance to really piss Craig off?" She took his hand in hers and pressed her lips to wrist. Owen watched her as she glanced up at him through thick lashes. She smiled, lips pressed against his pulse. He glanced at the mirror behind the bar. The ACU group were all staring their way, and Craig did look decidedly angry. He weighed his options.

"Buy me the bottle and we can go."

She flagged the bartender.

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Kagome mulled over her life choices as she followed Owen Grady out of the bar. She waved at Jen and ignored the decidedly lewd advice that the women was slinging her way. The door shut behind them, quieting the din. She fell into step next to the taller American man.

"So, I'm Kagome Higurashi. You are?"

"Owen Grady." He took a swig of tequila. "You knew that already."

She shrugged and stuck her hands into the pockets of her low slung cargo pants.

"Doesn't everyone know everyone around here?" She retorted. Owen snorted.

"Our lives go through as much scrutiny as the dinosaurs do."

"Ah! But the dinosaurs don't gossip. Or maybe they do. Who knows?" Kagome stopped walking when he did.

"Do you do this often? Fake proposition men you don't know and follow them home?"

"Only when they've got a nice ass." She quipped. "And I'm pretty sure if you tried anything, I could break a couple of bones for the effort." Owen rolled his eyes.

"Really?" He queried. She hummed in response and started walking. "Do you even know where you're going?"

"Jen said there's this hotel that you like. The breakfasts are apparently to die for?" She replied stepping over a fallen branch. "Really I think she's been planning this. Something about someone needing to ride your bones into the bed. I think she really meant herself, but losers can't be choosers." She turned the corner and waited for him to catch up.

"What? ACU isn't enough for her?"

"She's got an eye on Hamada, but he's a real stickler for the rules. So, no "fraternization" with the minions." Kagome scrubbed at her head. "You know, you should cheer up a bit. You're taking a pretty girl home tonight."

"Excuse me for wanting to get drunk in privacy."

"Grady, you were at a crowded bar. One frequented by ACU. If you wanted them to leave you alone, you could have found some hole in the wall."

"Where I might have been kidnapped because, hey, look at me. Besides, I wouldn't have been able to con sweet little things into buying whole bottles of tequila if I'd gone that route."

"Oh, I'm a sweet little thing?" She quirked a brow and smirked at him. "How would you know what I taste like?" Owen waved her off and pulled open a door. They walked up the stairs in silence until he made it to his room.

"So like, does the staff know you go trolling through their entrances?"

"Who do you think let me know I could use that door?" He responded, setting the half empty bottle of tequila on the table. "Now, we're in my bedroom, there's a bed, go to sleep and leave me alone for the night."

"You got a shirt I can borrow?" He stared at her and then pointedly looked around his tiny room. "Yeah, I guess you don't." She kicked off her boots at the door and shut it behind her after. Her socks were next. Owen glanced down and caught sight of her toes. Her nails were painted black and her feet were tiny. She brushed by him. "Which side do you prefer?"

"Closest to the door." She nodded and undid the top button of her pants. In spite of his mood, Owen felt the low burn of arousal. She was beautiful and taking off her clothes in his room. He toed his shoes off and stepped behind her as she pulled the sheet down and dropped a pillow on the floor. She straightened and he ran his fingers up her arms.

"Uh-uh. I'm going to sleep now." She twisted in his arms. "You can amuse yourself with whatever's on TV." She slipped into the bed and rolled to the other side before coming to her feet again. With efficient movements, she shucked off her pants and took her bra off, dropping them both into a pile on the nightstand. She slipped under the cover and turned so her back was facing him. "I promise I won't even peek." He chuckled and went back to the table.

An hour passed, and then two and he set the now empty bottle of tequila on the table and stumbled over to the bed. He kicked off his pants and pulled his shirt over his head and dropped them to the floor before climbing into bed with the petite woman. Sighing, he closed his eyes and turned on his side to face the door. He was mildly amused when she glued herself to his back ten minutes later, and vaguely frustrated when she got handsy in her sleep twenty minutes after that. He eventually dozed off with her arms around his waist and her cheek pressed against his spine.

He woke to the sound of someone knocking on his door. He groaned in almost pain, and dragged a pillow over his head. He felt the bed dip, and then footsteps towards the door. He heard the shift of fabric, and realized she must have tugged his shirt on before the door opened. There were murmurs at the door and soft laughter. He sat up enough to catch sight of Jen as the door closed.

"Should I be worried that she knows what room I'm in?" He queried. Kagome snorted. He studied her as she walked to the table, two coffee cups in hand. Her hair was sleep mussed, half of it sticking into the air. "No seriously, did she bribe the staff?"

"Oh sweetie, I texted her the room number last night. I can't have you selling me off into human trafficking or some other nefarious deed." He stared at her blankly. "I'm on shift today. I've to get back to the Park before Hamada chews me out."

"Got it." He swung his legs over the side of the bed. "Join me for breakfast?"

"Oh Grady, you really know how to treat a woman." He rolled his eyes and stepped past her, into the tiny bathroom. When he returned, she was dressed and sitting at the table with her coffee. He pulled on his pants and slipped on his shirt before picking up the second cup. He took a sip and winced. It was a bit too sweet and creamy for his tastes, but coffee was coffee. He binned the empty tequila bottle and left the room. She followed behind him quietly, content to sip her drink. When they made it to out to the patio, he rolled his eyes.

"Are they here for you or me?"

"Well, I guess you've redeemed yourself." She raised her cup in a salute to the AC group. A couple nodded in response. She sat across from him. "Now, what should I be ordering?"

"Everything is pretty good." She nodded and rattled off her order in Spanish to the waiter. Owen quirked an eyebrow at her and placed his own order.

"Lady of talents."

"Many and varied." She grinned at him deviously. A bowl of fruit was deposited between them. She nabbed a pineapple, winking at him as she licked her fingers clean.

Owen laughed.

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Kagome stretched languidly before she sat up. Owen grunted in annoyance and pulled a pillow over his head. It'd had been a couple of weeks since they'd first met, and she'd taking to crashing in his bed. She didn't have nightmares there, and it got her away from Craig and his ilk. Also, dorm life was not for her. She hated having to live in close quarters with her team even though she loved (most) of them.

But Owen was nice. The drinking thing seemed to pretty much be a one-off for the most part. He'd have a shot of tequila here or a beer there, but she hadn't seen him drink an entire bottle down since the night they'd met. He'd let her in the second night with no questions. And the following and the following. Even though he was probably getting annoyed at her stealing his sheets, he let her sleep where she wanted, without demanding anything in return. She pushed herself out of the bed and gathered up the clean uniform she'd set on his desk.

After a quick shower, she dressed and ventured into the kitchen. She prepped his coffee machine, turned it on and left, closing the door behind her. She made her way to her truck and climbed in the cab and drove back to the on-site headquarters. Once in the building, she swept into the mini-kitchen and made a couple of omelettes. She set the extra on a warming plate and grabbed a couple slices of toast and a banana. She poured herself a glass of water from the jug waiting on the table. As she ate, Hamada walked into the room and fixed himself a plate. He sat across form her and grunted in greeting.

"No, I'm not making you coffee too."

He rolled his eyes.

"Did I even ask?"

"Oh, I thought that was what the grunting was about. Honestly, I've told everyone that I won't make a fresh pot if the last person who uses the machine can't dump the old stuff out." She stuffed a bit of egg in her mouth. "Also, don't act like you weren't lurking in the hall. I saw you."

"I thank you for the meal."

Kagome rolled her eyes.

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"Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit!" The ankylosaurus swung at her again and she dropped, rolling under its tail and popping to her feet. "Craig! You dipshit!" He'd hit the dinosaur with the prod instead of tranqing it. She threw herself at a tree and scrambled up it. The dinosaur rammed the tree. "You fucker!"

"Yeah, yeah I am. My bad chickie." Kagome snarled wordlessly into her headset. The ankylosaurus considered her again before turning and lumbering away. She saw Hamada pop out of the bushes and shoot the tranq gun. The dinosaur made a rumbling sound as it continued to move before eventually it tipped over, drugged to the gills. Kagome dropped down from the tree, stopping to pick up the gun she'd dropped in her haste. The transport unit rolled in and the dino-vets popped out. The hustled over to the down creature, talking to each other as they checked it over. The dinosaur had been becoming increasing hostile, lashing out at its herd and destroying random trees. She sighed as she checked her gun over. Through some miracle, it hadn't been stepped on. She breathed deeply and slung it over her shoulder.

Hamada gave he a professional once over and gestured for her to switch places with the transport driver. Hendricks clambered out when she tapped on the glass and she took his place.

That hadn't been as bad as facing down some of the demons in the past, but she hadn't been ready for the rampage, or for the dinosaur to all but lock on to her. Her hand's shook as she adjusted the seat and the wheel. Hendricks was huge. Her? Not so much.

Forty-five minutes later, she hit the gas and drove the team back to the safe zone. She decked Craig the minute he was close enough for her to. Hamada wandered away as if he didn't see her. Jen pulled off her hat and gave her a noogie.

"I, for one, would have shit myself if that had happened to me."

"Shut up Jen." The brunette rubbed her knuckles into her skull harder. "Stop! Stop!" The other woman stepped back.

"Good thinking with the tree. You flew up that thing so fast I almost didn't believe it."

"You'd do the same if you were about to get crushed by an oversized lizard." Jen patted her head.

"No sweetie, I would have hid behind the tree. Jen can't climb." She clapped her hands together. "Now, who wants sugar?"

"I do, I do." Kagome said flatly.

"Good, cause Owen's here to give it to you." Jen wiggled her eyebrows at the shorter woman. "Some people have all the luck."

"Yeah, no." Kagome replied. She stepped into the building and made her way to the armory to deposit everything she'd taken out into the field. Owen generally steered clear of her during the day. In fact, she was pretty sure that Jen had claimed the fuck buddy pool with a ridiculous amount of enthusiasm. Also, the jumbo box of condoms and almost-vat of lube the woman had gifted her with pretty much let her know that everyone just thought they were fucking.

They weren't.

She found Owen in the kitchen, munching on an apple.

"Are you taking me out to lunch?"

"You're on shift, sorry." He quipped. She grabbed a glass of water and waited. He finished the apple, binned the core, washed his hands, wiped down the counters. She took another sip of water. "So, you're off duty tomorrow."

"Two days on, one day off."

"Dinner tonight?" He tucked his thumbs into his pockets.

"No. I'm not cooking you dinner Grady. I did that last night. Eat the leftovers." He stared at her. She blinked. "Oh. Oh! Dinner yes, that would be great." She smoothed down her hair, aware that it was still sticking up oddly from when Jen had ruffled it. "What time?"

"Eight-ish?"

"Okay, cool. I'll meet you at you place?"

"No she won't. She's lying. You have to pick her up." Jen interrupted. The woman opened the fridge and grabbed a container of carrot sticks. Kagome glared at her.

"Or we could meet on the docks?"

"That works fine." Kagome said. "Is that fine Jen?"

"Why are you asking me? It's your date." Kagome closed her eyes as Owen chuckled.

"Eight-ish on the docks. I'll see you there." Kagome confirmed.

"Great." He shot Jen a look and left the room.

"Oh, true wuv."

"Nah, dude is locking that pussy down." Hendricks rumbled.

Kagome dropped her head and counted to ten. The rest of the on-shift team (including Hamada) filtered in to place wages on exactly what was happening.

"You guys." She trailed off, studying her team. "You guys are all foul. You're bad, bad people." They ignored her.

"Hundred dollars that he dresses in board shorts again." Hendricks called.

"He's learned his lesson. It'll be a decent pair of jeans at the very least." Jen retorted. Kagome set her glass down and walked away. One day, one day she'd get some dirt on them and bury them in it.

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Kagome eyed herself in the tiny mirror. She lined her eyes, curled her lashes and fluffed her hair into something semi-presentable. She stepped back to eye her outfit. It wasn't anything too fancy, only a simple black romper and wedge heels. She smiled uncertainly. She hadn't been on a date since she'd returned from the well.

One night stands? Rarely.

But a date? Not at all.

Her room door burst open and she heard Jen all but bounce in.

"Lemme see, lemme see!" Kagome sighed and stepped out of the bathroom. Jen leaned closer to her. "No perfume?"

"Don't like it." Kagome answered. Jen walked around her, hemming and hawing before snapping a photo and sending it off. Kagome felt her phone buzz. She looked at it. "Jen."

The other woman paused guiltily.

"Everyone wanted to know what you were wearing."

"You guys are all vicious little shits." Kagome sighed and dropped her phone into her knapsack. Jen dashed into the bathroom, grabbed a handful of condoms and showered them into the bag as well. Kagome closed her eyes and resolved to ignore the other woman for a couple of days. She walked out her room, Jen dogging her footsteps. The woman was once again offering her advice that she definitely didn't need.

She made it to the door and opened it.

"Vicious shits, all of you. Like diarrhea, only worse." Her shift-team were milling around outside, clearly waiting for her. She opened her truck and stared blankly at all of the crap they'd shoved into it.

"Who the fucks dildo is this? Craig? Is it yours?" She grabbed it gingerly and threw it at the man. "Why do you guys even have all of this shit!? Whose porn is this? Take it back. Oh my god you guys! How much lube do you think I can carry?" She spun around to see them playing hot potato with the rainbow dildo. "I can't take any of you anywhere! I'm reporting all of you for sexual harassment!" She shoved the stuff to the side and clambered in. She lay her head on the steering wheel and then started the truck up and drove away to the sound of hooting and catcalling.

She made it to the docks and parked. She slid out of her vehicle and turned to the ferry only to see Owen jogging towards her.

"Staff ferry's down for maintenance. I'm so sorry, I forgot." She shrugged.

"We can go to on one of the restaurants here?"

"Do you mind?" Kagome shook her head. "Great. Good. Um, I have my bike. Could we take your truck?" She nodded and turned back to it and paused.

"Could I- Could I have a couple of minutes first?" He nodded, eying her curiously as she climbed into the cab and started chucking stuff over the seat. She reached over and opened his door. He stopped and bent to grab something before climbing in.

"So, um?" She looked over to see him holding a delicate looking pair of crotch less undies.

"Fucking Jen." She snatched it from him and tossed it back.

"So, if I just happened to look back there."

She shot him a murderous look. "Don't."

"Okay, okay." She drove back to the main staff lot and parked. Owen met her in front of the vehicle. "You look great. Whatever you did to your hair, I really like it." She softened, half expecting him to have some other embarrassing item in his hands.

"Thank you." She studied him for the first time. "You scrub up well Grady." He laughed and tucked his thumbs into his jeans. "Where were you thinking of going?"

"I'm not sure. I sort of had a plan that fell apart. Now, there is this one place with the best sushi."

"Ah! I know it. That'll be fine." He nodded and moved to the staff gate. Once they were in, they closed it and made sure it was locked and stepped onto the main promenade. Owen looked down at her as they walked, judged the mood and grabbed her hand. He settled it into the crook of his arm and continued on. She laughed softly.

"So, where'd they scoop you up from?"

"JSDF, where else?" She replied. "You?"

"Navy. It was a good time to leave too." She studied him and accepted his words with a nod. Anyone else would have asked why. "Favorite food?"

"Oden! And you?"

"I'm partial to barbecue. And ice cream, for there will never be enough." Kagome laughed. "Any family?"

"A brother and my mom. I don't see them enough. But we didn't quite see eye to eye in the end."

"Oh, sorry." She shrugged. "Alright, you know what? I'm not going to play twenty questions here. We'll just see where the night takes us."

"Sounds great to me." She replied.

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Kagome stopped outside of Owen's bungalow. He opened the door.

"What? You're not walking me to my door?"

She rolled her eyes and cut the engine.

"You're right. You might trip over something and die and then what would I do with myself?"

"Mourn for me?" He answered, tugging her forward over the seat. She slid towards him and when he should have stepped back, he didn't. Instead, he looked up at her seriously. "Now missy, I am going to be a proper gentleman, even though you're probably going to crawl into my bed half naked in a couple of hours."

"That's not exactly proper then, is it?"

"It's proper enough."

"Got it." She slipped out the cab and he stepped back, giving her room. When they made it to the front door, she turned to him. "Well, here's your door. I've ensured you've made it here safely. If you trip on anything once you pass the threshold, I'm not responsible." She fell silent under the weight of his eyes.

He bent and kissed her, starting slow and sweet and ending with something hungry and raw that left her wanting. He pulled back and opened his door.

"I think it would be best if you went back to your bed tonight." She nodded and turned to walk back to her truck. She didn't expect him to walk with her. But he did, opening the door for her, holding her hand as she climbed into the cab, dragging her down for another kiss that left her wet and wanting and closing the door between them before going back into his home.

It took Kagome ten minutes to start her truck and drive away.

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Kagome swung at the other man with a vicious uppercut and watched it connect, watched as he took one, two steps back.

"Hot damn, someone didn't get laid last night." Hendricks rumbled.

Kagome snarled and spun into a high kick. He blocked, grabbed her leg to throw her, but she's already spinning and he drops her before her other leg connects with his head. She bounced up and struck with a quick jab that he blocked as well, until her forearm connects with his throat. He gagged and waved her away.

"Okay, okay. I won't say anything else. But damn you're a vicious thing." She settled into her stance as his arms go up. They start to move again, Kagome ducking and pulling back from his longer reach, him trying to keep up with her speed and agility. There is a moment when he thought he'd won, when she blocked with a forearm and he could clearly see that his next strike would be perfect, and then her legs were around his neck and he's on the ground. He groaned when she popped back up, but stayed on the floor. She grabbed her water and took a sip.

"Are you getting up anytime soon?"

"I'm good here." She laughed and tossed his towel his way. He caught it and mopped up his sweat before draping it oved his face. "See? I'm dead." Kagome snorted and left him on the mat. When she'd gotten up, most of the crap that had been in her truck had been cleared out. The only thing they'd left her was a box of assorted condoms. She took a quick shower and got dressed in pair of jeans and a soft gray shirt. From the recreation center, she headed over to the main park. Typically, she spent her off times touring the park. It never really got old to her, not seeing creatures that should be dead. It gave her hope, because if dinosaurs could walk the planet, even in a limited capacity, it had to mean that somewhere out there, demons still existed. Logically, she knew that one in no way meant the other, but she hoped. So, for the day, she lost herself in going from one attraction to the other. Her favorite was the T. Rex. She loved the old girl and her battle scars. She always ended her day there, at one of the off times. She left the park after that and returned to her basically-a-dorm room. She set her bag of takeout on the table and changed into an oversized shirt. Moving to the tiny living room, she turned on the TV and scarfed her meal. She found a movie, brushed her teeth, grabbed a blanket and settled down on the couch.

Kagome woke slowly, warm and comfortable. She heard knocking, and assumed it was Jen. She could let herself in. When the knocking didn't stop, she hoisted herself from the couch and made her way to the door. She opened it, staring up blearily at knocker.

"Owen?"

"Can I come in?"

"Yeah, yeah." She stepped back. "Shoes off." He bent and pulled off his boots, setting them by hers. "What's up?"

"I have been spoiled." He stated seriously.

"What?"

"I slept badly last night and this wasn't gearing up to be any better. I promise I don't snore or wet the bed." Kagome blinked at him. He stared at her. "Is now a bad time?" She blinked again as her sleep fogged brain finally put things together. Sighing, she shoved him into her room, onto her bed and then crawled in next to him. In seconds, she was out again.

The next time she woke, it was to fingers carding through her short hair. She was half draped over Owen, her face in the crook of his neck, and he was running his fingers through her hair. She made a soft sound and snuggled into him.

"What time is it?"

"You've got an hour." He replied.

"Mmm." He chuckled, pressed a kiss to her hair and relaxed under her. "This bed is too small."

"Just a bit." He agreed. Kagome pushed herself up, pressed a closed-mouth kiss to his lips and slipped into the bathroom. She reemerged minutes later, hair wet and in only a towel. Owen propped himself up to watch as she dug through her clothes before once again leaving the room. She came back in ten minutes later.

"You've got raptors to whisper to."

"I do."

"I've made coffee."

"I love you." She waved him off and found a pair of socks to wear. Owen grabbed the bag he'd dropped by the bed and plopped it into his lap as he sat up. He rummaged around in it, pulling out a wrinkled shirt and jeans before he commandeered her shower. He got dressed, brushed his teeth and walked out, scrubbing at his hair with her other towel. She was leaning against her dining table, sipping from her coffee mug. He stood next to her, and when she looked up, he dropped a kiss on her lips.

Kagome hummed in appreciation.

"I've got to run." She murmured against his mouth. He sighed.

"See you tonight?"

"I guess. Especially since you're so spoiled."

"Forever and ever." Kagome laughed as she left the room. Owen mulled over his words and found them true. He'd be happy to be spoiled by her for as long as she'd have him.

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A month later, Kagome stared at Owen from the dining table. He'd come home tired, taken a shower and crashed on the couch. One of his workers had been stupid, had gotten far too close to the pen and had paid for it with his life. Owen had spent the day speaking with Claire, repeating the story over and over again as she drilled him for information. It was the guy's fault. Never turn your back on the raptors. It was the number one rule.

She slipped out of the chair and padded over to him. She stood there for a moment before she straddles his lap. He jerked awake with a murmur, and she pressed her lips to his.

He made an interested sound and deepened the kiss, licking his way into her mouth like it had always been his. She kissed him back just as fervently. He pulled back and nipped at her ear before running his tongue over the same spot. He trailed sharp nips and sweet kisses down her neck, his hands slipping under her shirt. Her head fell back and she moaned as he nipped at her pulse, his thumbs brushing against the underside of her breasts. His mouth traveled back up, kissing the underside of her jaw, her chin, and then he's back at her mouth. He kissed her as if he intended to sear the memory of his mouth against hers into her brain, as if he's branding her with his lips and tongue and teeth. They've tumbled sideways and her pants are somehow on the floor, his shirt has disappeared and his fingers have found her wet and wanting.

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Months later, Owen could only stare blindly at the screen. The room is quiet and he's aware that all eyes are on him.

"I told you to call them back." He murmured. Only three of the heartbeats pump on the screen. Her's is not one of them. "I told you to call them back." There are tears on his face and he feels hollowed out. Broken. "Why the fuck didn't you call them back!?"

Claire is unable to form words. She'd jest watched a group of people, of her people be crushed because she had her pride and refused to bend.

"Fuck. Fuck. FUCK." He's left the room. He couldn't stay there. He'd hurt someone. Strangle her with his bare hands and leave her as empty as he feels. "GODDAMNIT!" He threw a monitor, hears glass shatter and storms into Wu's office. "What's in that thing?"

The man shrugged his shoulders.

"Proprietary information. You don't have the clearance." Owen stared at him flatly. He is aware that he's being pulled backwards, and he lets them. If he stands in this man's office any longer, he'll force his cup down his throat and watch him choke on it.

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Owen is sat in the far back of the shelter. He can see Claire from here, watch her hug her nephews close. There is a warm weight against his side suddenly, and he cannot, will not look down.

"I heard you saved the day." His breath is caught in his throat. "You and Blue and Claire and that ornery as hell T. Rex." A head rests on his shoulder.

He chanced it, sees her silky hair half matted in blood.

"Kagome?"

"Mmm." She looked up at him. There is blood smeared over her skin and a gash still weeping blood on her brow. "Sorry about earlier."

"Kagome?" He repeats.

"I lost my tracker. Sorry." One of her arms is dangling uselessly at her side. Her clothes are sweat-soaked and she is clearly in pain. "It got snagged when I was running. I hit a tree and woke up a couple hours ago." He wants to hug her, but he doesn't. Instead he leads her over to a medic. The man looked up, sees the dark blue of the ACU and leaves his current patient without fuss. The patient squawked until he sees Kagome, sees the blood and the arm that's dangling uselessly at her side. Sees that she's still on her feet even though she must be in pain. Owen thanked the heavens for triage, or she'd have had to wait her turn.

"She's got a concussion. Possible broken collarbone, dislocated shoulder." Owen nodded.

"I'm really sorry Owen." Kagome repeats.

"Oh, no baby. I should have come to find you." He pressed a kiss to her blood-soaked hair. The medic pushed her arm in suddenly and she screamed. But her arm is no longer hanging.

"She can't go to sleep." The medic murmured before he sets out to gather some painkillers.

"I'm so sorry Owen."

"No baby, I should have looked for you. Thought you were dead, but I should have still looked." A woman clears her space for him, helps him lead Kagome to the empty seats and lays her down. The medic is back and he's cutting through her top, opening the shirt to see underneath. There are nasty bruises all down her sides. He hears a gasp and looks up. Claire is standing there, hands over her mouth.

"I should have listened to you." She breathes. The medic is pressing against some of the bruises, making sure her ribs aren't broken. He presses his hands down her leg after tugging her top closed.

Owen kisses Kagome's hand and sits there. Claire walks away when she realizes he is ignoring her. His kindness had ended once her nephews were safe and he couldn't bring himself to respond.

xxxxxxxxxx

Owen kisses Kagome's fingers and she smiles at him. He pulls her closer, one hand around her waist.

"What do you say we blow this joint?"

"No." He drops a kiss on her mouth. "No, Owen, no."

"Jen! We're out! Is that okay?"

"Why are you asking me? It's your wedding." The brunette replies. Owen beams at her.

"I knew I liked you for a reason."

"Owen!"

"I've contracted a rare tropical disease which will kill me unless I have sex with you in the next half hour." He murmurs. Kagome laughs.

"You're awful." He waggles his eyebrows.

"You love it."