Multiple hours, multiple rooms

It's just a job, why are you being so stubborn about it?

First of all "it is not just a job", it's my job and for a good part of the last 5 years it has been my entire life. You're being unreasonable and I don't understand where all of this is coming from?

Claire and Owen have been having this argument for couple of days now and they weren't even close to just quit and give up. None of them was willing to recognize where all of those unresolved fillings were coming from, but if they were to keep their relationship healthy and going, this whole thing had to come to an end.

That day at the park had changed everything, but at least it was the beginning of something positive and promising- their relationship. Owen and Claire always had struggled with the unspoken attraction between them; one bad date couldn't just erase that, so when the whole drama and publicity broke about the events in the park, they found a need to stay together.

One thing led to the other, but even after almost 18 months of dating, neither of them had said the L-word. They never felt the need to express their feelings it with words or grand gestures. Owen knew it pretty much as soon he met Claire, that this woman, this beautiful, caring, strong, but never the less stubborn creature is special, like maybe his soulmate – special. Everything about her behavior on that faithful day was driving him crazy, but he just couldn't stop thinking about the fact that she had shown more strength and character than the most of the people he has ever met and he was with the NAVY, for heaven's sake.

Claire was never the do-first-think-later kind of a person, she was always the one with plans and charts and clear vision of her future, most of it was just work, work, and more work. Until, she met Owen. He was complete opposite of her, very passionate and emotion-driven. But after everything that they had been through, Claire started to appreciate those things about him and somewhere along the way she fell so in-love with him. So madly in love with him that the very thought of him not being with her, them not growing old together was causing her actual physical pain.

For both of them it was weird not say "I love you" every time they felt in their bones, but probably as long as it was left unspoken there was no change one of them not to say it back. It was like Owen and Claire were afraid of the intensity of their own feelings. So, when that fight finally broke out, nothing was left unspoken. Maybe, some things were!

Where is this coming from, what, are you kidding me? - Claire was so upset with Owen, that she could feel her entire body reacting to the stress of the possibility Owen to spend 6 months on the island, working alongside with the very people responsible for the death of so many- Ingen. They were arguing for days, while at home, while at work, even in bed and this thing was becoming more and more of a problem. Multiple hours and multiple rooms, things were getting pretty bad. There was a void in the bedroom this night, a void that was getting bigger with everything there were saying to each other.

Yes, I told you about it like weeks ago and you were ok with it. Now, all of the sudden it's a big problem! What is going on with you lately? – Owen had this particular way of saying and doing things, especially serious and possibly dangerous things, like they were nothing at all and he was doing that just to piss off Claire. So far it was working perfectly!

The last time you mentioned going back to the island you said it would be for couple of weeks, maybe a mount and now is for 6 mounts, Owen! Six mounts, on a island, where there are only dangerous animals, no people, no guards, nothing between you and raging T-Rex, for all I know! Isn't that bothering you, cause for sure is bothering me!

Those animals are there because of us, so it is our responsibility to make sure that they are safe from everything we left behind. It's going to take some time to do so and you knew that very well. Honestly, I don't see why we're having this conversation to begin with.

It's not much of a conversation, since you are probably going to do it anyway! I just…

Claire felt so week, both physically and mentally. She sat down on the bed, just to make sure that Owen doesn't notice her body shaking. The ones strong and independent woman now couldn't face the possibility of life without Owen Grady. She felt like she was losing her ability to speak, her head was pounding and was feeling heavy, but she had to try to convince him to stay with her. Claire gathered all of her remaining strength and said with calm, almost empty voice:

Ok, I get that and I fully support it, but isn't the fact that you would have to work with Ingen people worrying you even a little bit? Ingen should not be trusted, after everything they have done, they are playing their angle here and don't want you to be a part of whatever they are planning next!

Ingen had survived the initial shock and turbulence after the park story and now was fully operational again. Only few people in the world knew what Ingen was really doing for the past 18 mounts, but for the rest of the world Ingen Corporation was only trying to make up for its mistakes and take care of the remaining animals and dinos on the island. They kept a close eye on Owen, cause he was the only one that had successfully trained the raptors and Ingen executives felt like Owen should be part of their future plans. For them there wasn't going to be no for an answer.

I know Ingen is not the good and green company, they are the actual bad guy in this story, but we need to look past that and do the right thing here. That's why I am taking Barry with me, to keep me save. – Owen's voice was so calm and clear, not only because he didn't want to fight with Claire about it, but because he had already made up his mind. He was going to go, even if that was something that would make Claire angry. The only thing he feared the most, was if this relationship was strong enough to survive past this, what if this was the last time they were having a conversation like a couple? Whatever she was about to say next was the only answer he was looking for.

Claire, I know how you feel about Ingen's involvement, but they are the only people that are showing some interest in those animals. We have to do this, I have to do this! I hope you can understand it and help me, support me!

Claire was restless and vocal about it for the past couple of days, she was trying so hard to convince Owen not to go, but she was starting to realize that she is about to lose the fight and just the thought of that scared her so much. She closed her eyes and covered her face with her hands, as an attempt to stop to the tears, the calm herself, to be in control once again.

Owen was standing by the bathroom door the whole time, afraid that if he comes any near to Claire and just hug her, he is not going to be able to let her go. But going back to the island was the right thing to do and Owen knew that Claire was fully behind him on that. But seeing Claire so broken and devastated by it was unbearable. He was the reason why the woman he loved so deeply was falling apart before his very eyes. Nothing about this situation was normal and he knew it, the end of their relationship was coming! Moment before he decided to go and take her in to his arms, really moment before he was about to send Ingen and the island mission to hell, Claire stood up and looked at him. There were no sign of tears, only resolution:

Fine!- Claire's voice, her entire demeanor was calm and stoic. She had finally come to terms of what was happening. The soon it was over the better for her and for Owen.

Fine? Claire, I am not a child, I don't need permission to do anything and fine won't cut it! Just talk to me.

There isn't much to say. We are not talking; it feels like I am the only one talking here. You are doing it and there's nothing that I could say or do. I am so tired of this situation. I would beg, but it won't change a thing… I can't do this anymore, I am not strong enough! I give up!

So that's it, you give up?! What are you giving up from, Claire, this or our live? – the pressure in the room was palpable, it was like an actual third party and it was unbearable!

You are going to kill yourself and I am not going to stand here and support it! If you need to go, just go, but I am not going to be a part of it! Just go and move on with your life! Maybe we are not that good of a pairing! I need some time to think about everything and to make some decisions about myself, I suggest you do that too! The great difference here, Owen, is that I don't need to do it on an island full of dangerous fossils!

The look on Owen's face was a mixture of rage, disappointment and sadness. Nothing could have prepared him for all of this.

So, there is nothing else to be said?

No, there isn't!

The 5 feet between them felt like Grand Canyon, the air wasn't moving, the silence was the only thing left. Nothing more to be said nothing more to be done. All those funny and beautiful moments in this very room were like a fake memory, nothing felt real anymore. Claire and Owen were no more! How this happened and why, was a mystery for Owen, but it now Claire and Owen were hystory. He had to be strong enough to walk away first, he knew that Claire won't do it. He knew her better than anyone else.

I will come tomorrow and pick up my stuff. I'll come while you're at work won't bother more that necessary.

Owen packed some of his clothes and put his toothbrush and some other things from the bathroom in his bag. He was pretty much done. It was funny that everything he ever needed in his life fit in a small bag, but people like him don't need much to be happy. He had Claire and that was the most important thing he could even want or need, everything else was replaceable, she wasn't. He left without saying goodbye; he wasn't going to able to walk away if he had looked at her again. If he had he would have noticed it…

Claire walked away the moment he started to pack his things. Something inside of her broke, she felt it. And when she heard the door closing, she knew that she had lost Owen for good. And for what, why did she have to act like this, Owen was grown man, capable of taking care of himself. He was strong, fearless and well prepared, why did she do that? For a moment time stood still! Everything was becoming clear! She did this for herself, she was afraid of her feelings. Owen Grady had become the main part of her life; there was no life without him. There was not Claire without Owen! But why did she do that, something had to have changed, but what was it?

Claire was in love with Owen Grady! Love so powerful that could change a person, that could make them feel complete and alive! She didn't push Owen away because she was afraid that something will happen to him, she pushed him away to shield herself from the pain of ever losing him. And now she has lost him! He was gone! The L-world creep itself to the top of her lips and she felt like a fool for not saying it every day!

I love you, you big idiot! Just be safe out there! - Claire hoped that somehow the words would find their way to him!

Owen Grady was now a part of Claire's life. Claire never find it inside of her to say it- she was caring his child!

So much was left unsaid tonight.