A/N: Hey guys, thank you so far for the follows & favourites so far. Thought I'd update before I disappear for a week, hope you guys enjoy! This one is a little less action packed, but hope you enjoy it regardless! (Sorry if it feels a little rushed in places…)

Chapter Two

Beep, beep, beep.

"Eugh," Owen groaned, not fully registering anything. It was too earlier.

Way too earlier.

He needed a little longer. Not a wake-up call. He buried back into the silk sheet covers for a moment. His mind slowly slipped back into the comforts of sleep… sleep… sleep…

Suddenly, Owen jolted realising his mistake. That beeping in the background, the familiar beeping of…

His phone.

All the haziness of sleep now gone, he pulled himself up. Tossing aside the covers, he reached for the buzzing phone, snatching it up off the side. He blinked for a moment, taking in the bright light of the screen. Once his eyes focussed, he became even more alerted when he saw the caller…

Max.

Not wasting any more time, he hit the answer button and brought it up to his ear.

"Max, where the hell have you been?" he tried to whisper as quietly as he could, but the anger in his voice made it almost impossible. He looked over to Claire's sleeping form next to him. The last thing he wanted to do was wake her. After all it was…

He looked at the clock. Three in the morning. That wasn't good, why the hell was Max calling at this hour? Shit… she really must be in trouble. Standing up, Owen moved to the on-suite bathroom slipping the door shut behind him.

It was clear Max was waiting on the other end, preparing herself with what to say. He could hear her small sigh, and could just picture her with an anxious look as she broke bad news.

God. What had happened? Had she been thrown in jail again? Had she been in some kind of accident? Maybe she'd fell in with a bad crowd and now she was running for her life? Or she went wild and had a crazy one-stand? Fuck… was that it? Was he gonna be an uncle? Either way if some bastard had hurt her or touched her in any way he'd…

"Owen… I'm not sure where to start…" Max's voice came down the other end of the phone.

Owen frowned still angry but his concern won out, "Something's happened hasn't it? Did someone hurt you?"

"No… none has hurt me Owen, I swear! I'm totally fine, promise!"

"Then, what is it Max?"

"It's… oh god Owen, I can't do this over the phone…"

Owen knew his sister could handle herself. She was tough and thick-skinned, she didn't let anything get to her. Sure she broke at times, like any other human being would. But Max… no, she could handle any kind of shit. She was fierce, she never gave up and stood proud with her decisions. Sure she made mistakes, but she always accepted them and moved on.

But right now, something was off. Owen hadn't heard her sound so afraid in such a long time. He could hear her trying to mask it, but he could sense it in the small cracks of her voice. That hit him. This wasn't jail or regular standard trouble. This was bigger. Much bigger.

The silence on the other end was worrying.

"Max, talk to me," Owen spoke softly, his previous anger had disappeared.

"Owen I… I need you… can we do this in person?"

Owen paused, startled by part of the sentence. I need you… Images of his past scared little five-year-old Max, bundled up in her covers after a crazy nightmare, popped into his head. That was the last full true time he ever hear her utter those words.

"Of course," he answered, "You still at that small farmhouse of yours on the outskirts of Chicago?"

"You know it."

"I'll be on the next flight, Max. Whatever it is, we'll fix it… together okay?"

He could almost hear her smile as she answered, "Okay."

"I'll be with you soon kid."

With that he ended the call. He should have felt relieved at finally hearing from Max, but now he felt worse… Knowing something was terribly wrong. Max was in deep shit and he needed to get to her… fast.

He opened the door to the on-suite, stepping back into the bedroom. The lamps had been switched on and Claire was sat up in bed, looking across at him.

She looked exhausted but curious, her red hair was all fluffed up in a bed-head do. Owen loved the bed-head do, it was the only time she never used any spray or straightens to make every strand match. Owen walked over and Claire registered his features. Instantly she recognised the deeply troubled frown, knowing something was wrong.

"Owen… what's happened?" she asked looking up at him worried.

He sighed, "It was Max. Claire… she's in trouble. I don't know what kind… but it's big."

"Oh my god. Is she okay? What's actually happened?"

"She says she's fine… She wouldn't specify exactly, said she'd rather explain in person."

"In person? That means-"

"I'm jumping on the next flight to Chicago, head for her farmhouse. See what's happened."

"Hey I still have some contacts, they could probably get us a private flight in the next few hours."

"Us?" Owen frowned at Claire in confusion.

"Yes, I'm coming with you," Claire replied to his confused look, pulling out her phone and beginning to scroll through her contacts.

"Claire-"

"If the gesture at the chivalrous and protective move doesn't work on your sister, it's not gonna work on me. After all Max said we're a team, right?"

Owen smiled at that. Claire was just as concerned as he was. It was glad to finally be with a woman who cared and was beginning to cherish his sister as much he did.

"Right," he nodded and smiled.

….

Sunlight was breaking through the windows of the small farmhouse kitchen, illuminating the dusty work tops. A pan sat a-top the cooker, three carrots were bubbling away in the hot water. Max stood leaning on the counter behind her, just staring at the carrots. She loved making soft vegetable treats, at least it might calm him down a little given the new environment. His new environment was not much fairer or lighter than his other, but she couldn't very well let him run across the natural habitat on her backdoor step. She'd be caught and they'd be back at square one again.

She didn't know how she was going to break all this to Owen. Truthfully, she was terrified. But she had to stay strong and work this out. For Rex's sake.

She visibly jumped at the sound of her doorbell. Shit. They'd found her! Slowly and avoiding any windows that weren't covered by the blinds. Reaching for the peek-hole cover, she peered through it. A breath of relief escaped her lips. The familiar figures of Owen and Claire stood collectively on her porch. She didn't expect them so soon and she didn't expect to see Claire. She must have pulled some strings and insisted on coming along. Max smiled. She had a feeling she'd like Claire from day one.

Unbolting the door, she swung it open for her visitors.

"Owen," she greeted, smiling happily at her brother.

"Hey kid," he smiled. He didn't hesitate as he stepped in and took her into his arms, holding her close. Max returned the embrace, closing her eyes for a moment. It was good to have her brother here. Right now, she needed someone she could count out.

Owen pulled away and smiled at her. He then stepped aside to let Claire inside. Claire stepped in, closing the door behind her.

"Hi Max," she greeted with a smile.

"Hi Claire," Max returned the greeting. The two hadn't quite progressed to a hug greeting yet.

She looked to her brother who was watching her intently.

"I guess it's time for an explanation, huh?" Max asked.

"Well we didn't fly out here for nothing, what's going on Max?" Owen replied.

Max ran a hand through her hair for a moment, thinking for a moment of where to begin.

"I think it would be best to show you," Max answered. Owen and Claire exchanged puzzled glances, as Max moved to the kitchen. She finished up the carrots, turning off the oven top and putting the soft vegetables on a plate. Picking it up in one hand, she led the way to the garage. Owen and Claire followed after her, in a blazing trail of curiosity and confusion. Max pushed open the door with her free hand, and continued inside. Owen and Claire also entered, not far behind her.

Once they were inside, Owen instantly felt like they were being walked by a third party. His eyes opened wide as they fell upon that third party.

The young dinosaur registered Max, but when his gaze met Owen and Claire he became alarmed. He chirped in panic and moved further back, eyes wide.

Owen stopped with Claire standing closely behind him. He became aware of the threat, watching it intently. He looked to Max, who seemed un-phased.

"Max…" he uttered slowly.

"It's okay Owen, he won't attack. He's just a little startled that's all," Max reassured.

She stretched out her hand to Rex, "It's alright Rex, they won't hurt you."

Rex seemed to settle at the sound of her voice, but he was still cautious. He stepped forward watching Owen and Claire.

Max turned to them with a small smile, "Owen, Claire. I'd like you to meet Rex."