Author's note: This is the first story I am putting out into the world. I was scared to do it. It was born out of Jurassic World "living" on HBO for the majority of 2016. Chapters will alternate in time, present and past. I tried to make the time jumps minimally confusing, so some of the chapters are very short. Enjoy!

One

Owen Grady and Claire Dearing walked down an interior hallway of a beachfront hotel on mainland Costa Rica. They had never been big talkers in their history together. They were comfortable with silence and, very often, communicated with each other best without saying a word. Words were especially unnecessary today. Masrani Global had secured hotel rooms for interested Jurassic World employees in the aftermath of the Indominus Rex disaster. Claire gratefully accepted a room to rest and collect her thoughts. Karen and Scott had already taken the boys to the airport to get away from Costa Rica as soon as humanly possible. Claire had an open invitation to stay with them as soon as she was ready. She feared that Masrani Global would summon her at any moment to discuss, in excruciating detail, the events of the preceding 48 hours. InGen had recalled all of its employees to their San Diego headquarters, but Owen was too exhausted to go there today. Owen had taken Claire's hotel room keycard from the concierge without asking permission. As they walked down the hallway to their room, Claire carried two red drawstring bags bearing the Masrani Global logo that contained clean clothes and toiletries. She silently wondered how much Simon Masrani had prepared for the "eventuality" that had unfolded. Owen opened the door to their room, and Claire followed him inside. She bolted the door and turned to face him. Their eyes locked. Despite feeling very changed by recent events, they were instantly comforted by the silence and familiar eyes. Claire recognized the hungry look in Owen's eyes. For the first time, it didn't make her nervous. Owen had never witnessed Claire reciprocating that hunger, and it took his pent-up desire to another level. She dropped the red bags as he practically lunged for her. His kiss was forceful and possessive. Claire initially slackened in his arms, then returned his embrace and ran her fingers through his hair. Owen carried Claire over to the bed. Before he put her down, she broke their kiss.

"Wait," said Claire, panting.

"What?" groaned Owen.

"I want this. I want you."

"But?"

"I would be much more comfortable and enjoy this a lot more if I had a shower first. We smell like shit."

Owen raised an eyebrow and replied, "We could do both." He carried her over to the bathroom. Owen put her down and kissed her against the door frame. They looked inside the standard hotel bathroom.

"I am not that coordinated and already very bruised," she said dismissively.

"Fine," Owen relented, "What's a few more minutes after five years of foreplay?"

Claire grinned at him broadly. She embraced him, kissed him deeply, and then rested her forehead on his with her eyes closed. In a serious tone, Claire said, "You're worth the wait."

Owen slapped her ass and teased, "Enough. Go first."

She smiled and started the water in the shower head. Owen stepped out into the room and removed his vest and shirt. He smelled the shirt and was immediately repulsed. He threw the shirt on the floor.

Owen shouted into the bathroom, "You were right about the smell."

"I told you so," laughed Claire.

Owen examined the contents of his drawstring bag and undressed to his boxer briefs. He looked into the bathroom and watched Claire's silhouette in the curtain. When the water cut off, Owen ducked back into the room.

Claire stepped out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel and announced, "That felt amazing after the last two days."

Owen stood directly in front of her and said, "We're just getting started." He moved to touch her face, but she stopped him.

"I am clean," she said playfully, "Your turn."

"Yes, ma'am," he groaned in response.

A few minutes later, Owen emerged from the bathroom toweling himself off. "You were right about the shower," he said. Owen stopped when he realized that Claire was already asleep under the sheet. Facing him, she looked beautiful and at peace. Owen sighed. He joined her in the bed and watched her sleep. He brushed hair out of her face, smiled wistfully, and kissed her forehead. After turning out the light, Owen settled in for much-needed rest.

Please review and thanks for reading.