Oh look! It's been a month! Ugh! I don't remember if I've whined about my carpal tunnel on here yet? I know the Discord peeps have heard me whine about it over the past couple months. But yeah, carpal tunnel is a bitch. But here ya go. I had fun with this chapter.

Raptor Heart
Periphery
Chapter 3: Performance

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. One last, quick show. Then he'd hightail it out of there and wait at the docks for his mate's return to the island. Because it had been way too long since Zach had been there and Owen felt the need to remedy that. As soon as possible. He needed Zach on the island. Even if it were only for a few days. He really needed him there longer. But he could take the couple days. For now.

He pinched the bridge of his nose. He couldn't believe he was about to do this. He was so going to get yelled at if she found out. But he wasn't one to chicken out or back down. And a bet was a bet. And he'd lost it. He was totally going to kill Barry when this was all over, for even suggesting it. He was going to make his best friend regret coming back to the island last month. Owen sucked in another deep breath and slipped his headset on. "We good?" He asked into the microphone.

There was a laugh over the line. "Oh yes." Barry said, way too excited for what was about to happen. "I have the track all cued up."

Owen rolled his eyes. "Great." He mumbled.

"You can still back out." Barry offered. "I gave you a second option."

"I am not telling you his name!" Owen snapped lowly. And Barry just laughed again. Owen ignored him as he walked over to his terminal and checked the cameras. The raptor paddock was rebuilt. It was larger and the walls extended out to Owen's bungalow. The gates to the bungalow were closed during the day. But at night, he opened them and the girls went home with him. The twins, too, though he suspected that wouldn't last much longer. They were getting too big to let into the raptor paddock. But they would cross that line when they got there. For now, Owen's attention was on his next show.

There was a stage and behind thick Plexiglas and raised were rows of seats. Drop down screens hung from the ceiling and it was like his own mini amphitheater. Sometimes he'd bring the girls up on stage with him and do tricks. Sometimes he'd strap cameras similar to the ones Hoskins designed on them and let them hunt. Sometimes he went with them on his motorcycle. Other times, he'd do shows just about their natural behaviors. He had cameras all through their little part of the jungle, always recording movement. Sometimes he'd share some of their odd quirks. Echo's obsession with Nemo, Delta's love of tricks, Charlie's robotic tail, and Blue's ability to lead her sisters and practically run her own show. None of those would be today's show, though.

"Ready when you are, boss." Barry's voice rang in his ears. "Unless you changed your mind and give up."

Owen lifted his hand and flipped off the air. He knew Barry would be able to see him. He just wanted to get this over with. So he could go wait at the docks. For his mate. The next four days were going to be busy! So he needed any excuse to spend as much time with Zach as possible. But later. Because now, he had a show to do. So no. He wasn't backing down. "Play the track." He said. "Softly. Increase when Echo comes out."

"Got it, boss." Barry said.

"And don't tell me how you got an instrumental track of that song so quickly."

"Karaoke." He answered.

Owen frowned, imagining his friend singing karaoke to that song. He shivered and shook his head. "I said don't tell me. Echo, you ready?" There was a loud, answering squeal in his headset and Owen cringed slightly. "Volume, Echo." He shook his head. "Couldn't convince any of the others, huh?"

[No fun.] She answered, this time softer over the line.

Owen let out a laugh as he headed across the enclosure. He jogged up on the stage as a chorus of cheers and applause rang out. He smiled and clapped his hands together. "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to the Raptor Paddock. For those of you who do not know me, I am the pack alpha, Owen Grady. What we have for you today is a little different." The music started streaming in and Owen ran over the lyrics in his head. "See..." Owen started, walking across the stage. "I lost a bet. So Echo and I are gonna do a little dance for you. Echo! Get out here!"

Echo let out a squeal as she raced across the enclosure and leapt up on stage. She slid a bit, stumbled, and rolled the rest of the way to Owen's side. The crowd erupted in laughter and cameras flashed. Echo let out another squeal as she flopped around for a moment and looked up at Owen. [Dad!]

Owen let out a laugh and crossed his arms. "Graceful."

Echo let out a snort again and finally jumped up. She bounced and shook herself. [Dance!]

The music, if it could even really be called music, grew louder. The beat thudded out of the speakers. Owen smiled as he lifted his hands and started. "I like big butts and I can not lie." He shouted. "You other brothers can't deny."

Echo bounced a bit and let out a squeal. Then she twisted around and started wagging her tail.

Owen smiled. "That when a girl walks in with an itty bitty waist, and a round thing in your face, you... uh..." He wondered if Barry actually thought this through. Probably not. Owen continued, deciding to just skip most of it. "So fellas, yeah, fellas, yeah, has your girlfriend got the butt?"

A few people in the crowd had gotten into it and yelled back, "Hell yeah!"

Owen laughed. "Tell them to shake it, shake it, shake that healthy butt!" And that's exactly what Echo did. The crowd erupted in laughs and applause. Owen shook his head and held up his hands. "Hang up. Barry." He touched his hand to his headset. "This really isn't very appropriate. You got something else we can dance to?"

Barry laughed in his ears. "Yeah, I do."

Owen rolled his eyes and glanced sideways at Echo. "Uncle Barry said yes, he's got another song for us. More appropriate, right?"

"Yes." Barry answered.

A new song started and Owen rolled his eyes again. "Seriously?" He said into the microphone. "I'm going to kill you, you know?"

Barry laughed. "You should have never gotten drunk and preformed the entire song perfectly."

Owen put one hand on his hip and lifted his other hand to wave it in the air. It had been a few years ago, but yes. He had danced to the song at Barry's birthday party. He'd been very drunk and hardly remembered it. "All the single ladies, not put your hands up." He sang out.

Echo let out a loud squeal and lifted her hand up.

"Up in the club, just broke up." Owen swiveled his hips. "I'm doing my own little thing." He kicked out his leg and turned to the side. Echo tried to mimic him beside him. "You decided to dip and now you wanna trip, 'cause another brother noticed me." He dipped forward and snapped back up. He was so totally going to kill Barry if he threw his back out. The movements were a bit jarring. He definitely couldn't move like Beyoncé, and he swore it was easier last time he did it. When he was drunk.

But the crowd was getting into it, singing along and cheering. A few were even in the isles, dancing along. And he was having fun. "'Cause if you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it. If you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it. Don't be mad once you see that he want it, if you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it. Oh, oh, oh..."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Zach smiled as he leaned over the rail as the island came into view. He was reminded of Gray doing the same thing, exactly a year ago. And Zach had snapped at him, in anger. Not because he was actually worried. He was angry at Gray for being too excited and embarrassing him. And he'd been so stupid! He was such a moody teenager, angry at the world. For no reason. He'd been such a cliché. It was hard to imagine how much had changed in his life over the course of a year. A year! Was that all it had been?

The ferry drew closer to the island and Zach sucked in a breath. This was his life, his future. This island. And said island was getting bigger on the horizon. He smiled again as he leaned on the railing. He watched the waves in the water until they started to slow. The ferry docked and people started walking down the ramp. Zach stepped onto the docks and immediately started looking around. Owen said he'd meet him there. Zach pulled out his phone and glanced at the time. He was actually early. The ferry had made good time. Owen should still be in the middle of a show. Zach couldn't call him. He scratched at the back of his neck for a moment, thinking. He could just get himself checked in first. He was supposed to be staying at the hotel. He highly doubted he'd be spending any time there. But had to keep up appearances or whatever.

"Gray's brother!"

Zach turned at the voice and smiled. He wasn't expecting to see the man, but he wasn't exactly disappointed. While he'd rather Owen have been there, he still liked Simon. "Mr. Masrani!"

Simon stepped closer, a smile on his face. "Simon." The man corrected. "You arrived early."

Zach nodded and shrugged a bit. "Yeah, I guess. How did you know?"

"Lowery was watching the ferry arrive." Simon explained. "He said it was nearly a half hour ahead of schedule."

Zach nodded his head slowly. "Owen's still busy?" He tried to hide the disappointment in his voice.

Simon nodded. "Yes. So I thought this would give us a chance to catch up, my boy!"

Zach smiled and laughed at his enthusiasm. He nodded his head again. "Sure."

Simon clapped his hands together. "We'll get you checked into the hotel and then I will give you a proper tour of control."

"I've been up there several times." Zach pointed out.

Simon nodded. "But your aunt is there now and... it was a demand." He hooked his arm around Zach. "Now let's get going! We don't want to keep her waiting!" He leaned closer and dropped his voice to a whisper. "She kind of scares me."

Zach let out a laugh and they started across the docks. They hurried through getting Zach checked in and dropping his stuff off in his hotel room. Then they were on their way to control. Zach was so excited to be back. He was trying so hard not to skip or run or trip or seem too eager. Which he totally was. He was going to be seeing his girls, today. All of them. And just as soon as he could convince Owen into sneaking off, he was going to be going home, to the bungalow. Even if it were only for a few minutes.

"Zach!" Claire threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. Zach smiled and hugged her back. "How was your trip?" She asked, stepping back.

"Good." He answered. "Just... fast, I guess."

Claire linked her arm in his and pulled him back a few steps. "You nervous?" She asked softly, dropping her voice to barely a whisper.

Zach thought about her question for a moment. He wasn't nervous about being back on the island itself. He wasn't nervous about seeing the raptors or twins again. Or Owen, for that matter. But he'd be lying if he said he wasn't nervous for what everyone thought he was there for. For attempting to train the twins well enough in a few days to show them off to investors or whoever. He had no clue where to even start. Or if it were even possible. He'd been talking to them more over the video phone in the last couple weeks, since Owen first told him. But really... he wasn't sure how well it was going to go. And this was basically a test drive for the rest of his life. He didn't want to mess it up. And embarrass himself. And disappoint Simon. And let Claire and Owen down. He messed this up and he'd never get hired on the island, he was sure. And his life would be ruined.

Zach paused. He was being dramatic. He fought the urge to roll his eyes at himself as Claire waited for an answer. Even if he did horribly and failed, no one could stop him from moving to the island and living with Owen. With no job. Just sitting about the bungalow. Waiting for Owen to get home. Being bored out of his mind. Yeah, dramatic. He knew this. Yes, this was a test run. But it was also pretty last minute. They wouldn't really hold this over him, he was sure. He breathed out and nodded. "A bit." He admitted.

Claire smiled and squeezed his arm affectionately. "You'll do great." She said softly. "Just try your hardest, do your best, and project confidence." She said with a nod. "Even if you don't feel it. You've already impressed Owen and Simon. And me." She added with a smile. "I'm so proud of you, Zach."

Zach was rendered speechless by her sincerity. He swallowed the lump forming in his throat and dropped his gaze to the floor. Before he could say anything, though, Simon was there again, grabbing his arm and whisking him around the room. They said hi to practically everyone in the room. People Zach hadn't met and names he'd never remembered. Simon didn't even know most of their names. Until just Lowery was left.

Lowery waved at him with an awkward smile. "Welcome back." He said stiffly.

Simon smiled between them. "You know Lows?"

Lowery glanced at Simon. He tilted his head at the use of nickname but didn't say anything about it. "Uh... yeah. When he was taking care of the raptors."

"Ah." Simon nodded and opened his mouth to say more. But his phone rang and he excused himself to answer it.

Zach watched him for a moment before turning to Lowery. "So... uh.. have you.. checked in on Owen's show? Is he done yet?"

Lowery was quiet for a moment as he stared blankly at Zach. Then he glanced around quickly, making sure no one was paying any attention to them. No one was, of course. They all had jobs to do. Lowery leaned closer and dropped his voice. "Exactly how old are you?"

Zach's eyes widened. "I... uh... 18." He stuttered a bit over the answer.

"Exact." Lowery stressed.

"7 months."

"A year ago?" Lowery asked. Zach swallowed and nodded his head, glad Lowery didn't voice the rest of the question. Lowery leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms. Zach squirmed a bit under the scrutiny. But the man didn't say anything.

Luckily, Simon returned a moment later. "Sorry for the disruption, boys. You two catch up?" Both nodded their heads and Simon smiled. He reached over to pat Lowery on the shoulder. "Good, good." He said and turned to Zach. "You ready to go?"

Zach cleared his throat and shook himself. "Uh... go?"

"To see your twins." Simon said.

Zach nodded quickly. "Yes!" He said, still nodding his head. He was equal parts excited to see them and just wanted to get away from Lowery before the man questioned him more.

Simon laughed again. "Let's go! Claire!"

She stopped whatever she'd been doing and turned towards them. "Yes?"

"We're going to see the twins."

Claire nodded. "I'll go with you."

"Wonderful!" Simon clapped his hands together. "We can stop by Rexy first."

Claire stepped closer to them and frowned for a moment. "The T-Rex?"

Simon nodded. "Zach mentioned he wanted to visit her and she is the closest."

Claire's lips pulled tightly for a moment and she nodded stiffly. "Yes. Of course." She still wasn't completely okay with Zach's involvement last year with the giant carnivore. But she couldn't change it now and she was learning to accept it.

Zach wanted to ask about Owen again. He'd never gotten an answer and he wanted Owen there with him and the twins. He needed to convince them to listen to him. But he didn't ask. He followed behind them and soon he was stepping into Claire's car. Claire was talking a mile a minute, falling back into her old habits. She rattled off facts about the twins, about them themselves and their new enclosure. About the structure and size, about the safety and how they'd yet to attack the walls. Or anything or anyone, really. She explained how the twins were situated between Rexy and the raptors. And that all three paddocks were connected by gates. The twins had gotten pretty attached to Rexy. And the newly built monorail track made several loops overtop all three enclosures.

But all of this, Zach already knew. He'd been involved in everything from the start of the new designs. The gates had been his idea, thinking it would keep all the dinosaurs involved happy. Simon also already knew everything. He'd been trying to be more hands on with the island since the reopen. He'd had a house built for himself on the island and he was there at least once a week. But both men humored her. Claire was happiest when she was in business mode.

"We had wanted to try training them for the invisible fences..." She was saying as pulled the car into the parking lot. "But the liability alone at the moment..."

"We're here." Simon announced loudly, even though Claire had been the one driving.

Zach laughed as he practically jumped out. He raced inside to the main viewing window for Rexy. There were a few people inside, clamoring to catch a look at the old girl. Zach squeezed in and pressed his face to the glass like the others. But he didn't see her. "Damnit." He pushed away from the window with a sigh. He really had wanted to see her. And he doubted he'd be able to get in there with her. He wasn't really sure if she'd even remember him.

"Hang on." Claire said, pulling her phone out. She swiped her fingers over it and put it to her ear. "Lowery, patch me threw to the T-Rex control room, uh... what's his name..."

"Reese." Zach said automatically.

Claire glanced at him. "Reese. Yes."

A few minutes later, a man Zach recognized by voice came into the viewing area. He held a microphone out. "Who wants it?" He asked. Claire pointed to Zach and Reese turned towards him. He stared at him for a moment and tilted his head. "You may think you're just like Owen." Reese started and then paused and shook his head. "God help us all that there's two." He mumbled under his breath. "But you aren't going in there with her." He said louder.

Zach nodded his head as he took the microphone. "Yes, sir."

Reese sighed and shook his head. "She's being stubborn." He said. "She's just on the other side of the trees there." He said, pointing. "Just standing there." Reese shook his head and turned.

Zach waited until Reese left before bringing the microphone closer to his mouth. "Uh..." His voice echoed over the speakers. Zach glanced up for a moment. He wasn't really sure what to say. He pressed closer to the glass. The crowd parted, staring at him with interest. Zach lifted the mic again. "Rexy." He said her name softly. "Rexy." He called a second time, in an almost singsong voice. "Where's my girl at?"

There was a shifted in the trees. The leaves fluttered for a moment before Rexy's large head poked through. She stared for a moment.

"Rexy!" Zach smiled. "You gonna come over and say hi?"

She blinked and stepped forward slowly. She moved closer to the viewing platform. She bent down and put her eye right up against it as a few gasps rang through the room.

Zach waved wildly. "Hey, Rexy! Remember me!?" She let out a rumble. It was a soft rumble for her but it still seemed to shake the platform. Zach let out a laugh as she practically rubbed against the glass. "You remember your um... stitches?" He turned to the side. He bent down and craned his neck back, trying to mimic her. Rexy snorted loudly and bobbed her whole body, like she was nodding. It was a mannerism she picked up from the raptors. She pressed herself to the ground like she'd done the few times he climbed on her back.

It was a lame trick. Zach certainly didn't think it was impressive. He hadn't realized he'd taught her a trick anyways. If it could even be called that. But the crowd around him broke out in cheers and gasps. All around him, people held out phones and cameras, taking videos and pictures. A few were turned towards him and he realized he'd been recorded the whole time.

Huh.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Author's Notes: Twins and raptors will be up next. The outline for this chapter just kept getting longer. So I split it! 8D And yes. I did listen to the Single Ladies song on repeat while editing this. Single Ladies by Beyoncé and Baby Got Back by Sir Mix-a-lot. I can't remember how the idea came about, but I remember talking with Momma Pink one right while I was laying in bed. And somehow, we were talking about Owen losing a bet and having to sing Baby Got Back at a show with the raptors. But I was half asleep. And Pink offered to write it down for me so I wouldn't forget. XD But I grabbed a notebook out of the new notebook drawer and scribbled down the note in the dark. I found said notebook the other day and laughed. But really... the song isn't very family friendly. XD ANYWAYS... PINK! IF YOU EVER READ THIS STORY AGAIN, DO YOU REMEMBER THIS LATE NIGHT CONVERSATION?!