A/N: Sorry once again for the delay- holiday and life and stuff! Thank you so much to everyone who read and reviewed the last chapter, sticking with the story even though I'm useless at updating. I'm glad you all love the Owen and Claire I've created as much as me! Hope you all enjoy the next part (it was meant to be all fluff but somehow some drama slipped in there somehow?); please keep the feedback up, I really appreciate it (and I promise I'll be better at updating!) x

Chapter 10

Two weeks after Claire had slipped into the lab in the early hours of the morning, she sat on the steps of Owen's porch sipping a beer she had retrieved from the fridge.

She knew he was coming home that night; him having text her jokingly mentioning that he was looking forward to sleeping in a bed rather than a couch. That's why she had driven straight there after finishing for the day, eager to spend some time with Owen regardless of the fact he was probably dead on his feet.

She had toyed with the idea of cooking for him so he had dinner waiting for him but, given her lack of culinary expertise, the chance of anything actually edible being produced was unlikely. Instead she had stopped by the Thai restaurant on Main Street, ordering a wide variety of dishes as she realised she didn't know what Owen liked. In fact, she realised they never had even been on a proper date in the 3 months they'd been together; not the traditional dress up and got to a fancy restaurant type that she was familiar with in previous relationships.

She had shaken that thought from her head as she drove to Owen's bungalow; happy with the way things were between them and deciding that the non-conventional worked well for them. She was disappointed that Owen wasn't already home (she had worked until gone 10pm and she was sure he'd be done before her), but pushed open the door to his trailer and set the food down (she was going to have words with him when he did get home about security and how he shouldn't leave the door unlocked).

Claire had a shower while waiting, pulling her pyjamas on before routing through his fridge for some wine, sighing when she found it empty of everything except beer. She reluctantly opened one, grabbing a box of pad thai and settling on the porch and waited.

She waited until she was forced to move by the chill in the air and the ache in the bottom of her spine. She was going to insist that Owen bought a table and chairs for outside when she next saw him; they couldn't keep eating on the porch steps forever. A small smile crossed her face as she realised that she automatically was including herself in Owen's future and she absently wondered at what point imagining her future with someone didn't send her into a blind panic.

Claire pulled the old blanket off the back of Owen's couch before grabbing a fresh beer and heading back outside climbing into the hammock, curled up into the slightly itchy fabric as she responded her work emails to pass time.

Her eyes flew open as she woke with a start to the rumble of Owen's motorbike pulling up. She hadn't meant to drift off but she clearly had; the edge of the blanket slightly damp from the bottle of beer she had tipped over.

She watched as Owen made his way up the stairs. His weary expression was clear in the moonlight and he looked more tired than she had ever seen him, almost like he could fall asleep as he was walking. Yet, underneath it all, she could see the happiness in his face; the contentedness he gained from working with the raptors, with any animals. She recognised it from the late nights spent discussing the T-Rex.

"Hey." She whispered as he reached the top step and he flinched as her voice carried over to him, squinting in the direction of the hammock.

"Claire?" He headed over to her, kicking his boots off and climbing into the hammock next to her. "What are you doing here? It's like 3am."

"Waiting for you." She curled up into his side, hooking her leg around his waist to hold him as close as possible. "Your shirt smells." She muttered, wrinkling her nose.

"Sorry." He detangled himself for her for long enough to pull his shirt off, it barely hitting the deck before she was back on top on him, a lazy kiss pressed to his chest. "I didn't realise you were coming."

"I've missed you. I haven't seen you in two weeks. Not outside of work, at least."

He sighed, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head. "I'm sorry. I know I haven't been the best boyfriend these last few weeks. Work is just…insane."

"You don't have to apologise. I understand." She really did understand; she was just used to being on the other side of it. She was a workaholic, after all. She just wasn't expecting that she would miss him so damn much. "The raptors are a priority."

"Hey." He tugged her so she was on top of him and she marvelled slightly at how she fitted perfectly against him. "You're always going to be my priority."

She swallowed down again the lump in her throat; his emotional declarations always through her for a loop. "As your boss, I have to disagree with that."

He chuckled, tightening his grip on her understanding her need for levity. "You are not my boss. I work for InGen."

She raised her head, a playful smile pulling at the corner of her mouth. "I could get your ass fired if I wanted to."

"I don't doubt it. There's nothing Claire Dearing can't do."

She felt her cheeks darken at his words, ducking her head back against his bare chest. "You need a break. You're going to work yourself into the ground."

"Says you." He let out a chuckle, poking her in the ribs lightly. "Don't think I haven't noticed that you've been in the office until all hours of the night."

"It is a bit pot meets kettle." She admitted. "Simon has me working on this new project."

"Oh?"

"It's confidential." She blurted out automatically and silence stretched between them for a moment. "You should take this weekend off."

"I need to be with the raptors." He argued. "And surely you'll be working too."

"That's what Barry and the rest of the team are for. If you don't take a break you're going to make mistakes." She shrugged slightly against him. "And I've got Sunday off. Simon insisted as I've worked every day for over 3 weeks."

"You sound like you really want me to have this weekend off, Miss Dearing?" He questioned, playing with the ends of her hair slightly.

"There's this thing on Saturday night." She tried to sound casual, but she couldn't stop the nerves slipping in.

"This thing?" He encouraged gently, his lips brushing over her forehead.

"A fundraiser. Masrani wants me to go to talk to potential investors." She found his hand and linked her fingers through his. "I could use a date."

"You want me to go with you?" He asked, his voice rising in surprise. "Is this the reason Masrani gave you Sunday off?"

She rolled her eyes. "He thinks I need to let my hair down and have fun." She sunk her teeth into her lip and chewed on it absently. "Is that a problem?"

"No!" He protested quickly. "It's just the other day…you pretended like we didn't know each other. I thought you didn't want people to know about us or something."

"We were at work Owen." She raised her head to look him in the eye; a slight frown on her face. "I want you there, if you want to be there? You're not ashamed to be seen with me, are you?"

"God, Claire no!" He sat up quickly, his hands coming up to cup her face. The hammock swung from side to side at the sudden movement and she grabbed onto his shoulders to steady herself. "You know I think you're amazing. I would tell everyone I met if I thought you'd let me: the amazingly gorgeous Claire Dearing is my girlfriend."

He had a teasing smirk on his face but she could see the seriousness in his expression. Her cheeks burned at his words and she hit his shoulder lightly. "Stop it."

"Never." He grinned pulling her to him so his lips were pressed against hers, moving his hands from her face to her hair. Her stomach fluttered at his actions and she felt like her heart was going to soar right out of her chest.

"You'll come to the fundraiser then?" She murmured against his lips as he pulled away.

"Of course."

A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. "You have to dress up. No board shorts."

He faked an offended expression, holding a hand to his chest. "I do own a suit, I'll have you know!"

"You need a tux." She responded, a wry smile on her face.

"That might be a problem." He admitted with a chuckle, pressing another quick kiss to her lips.

"I'll sort it." Claire promised. "Have you eaten? I brought dinner for you." Owen's smile widened further than she thought was possible and she shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. "What?"

"God, I love you." He tugged on one of the loose curls that ended up falling in her face. "I'm definitely keeping you around."

Claire stood in the corner of the ballroom, absently fiddling with the fabric of dark blue dress she wore. She always felt out of place at events like this; parties, whether for work or not, were not her thing. They never had been, even when she was in college. It was one of the reasons she wanted Owen to come with her.

The weekend she had insisted Owen take off had been cut down and cut down until it was only a few hours off for the fundraiser. Then he'd text saying there was some sort of emergency and he was needed but he would meet her there. Fast forward an hour into the night and there was no sign of him. She knew how hard he'd been working but at the same time, stood at the side of the room alone, she couldn't help but feel pissed at him.

She shook herself out of the thoughts and plastered a smile on her face. She was here to work, after all; she was never going to get any investors moping in the corner. So what if Owen hadn't turned up yet: she was the best at her job and she didn't need him by her side to do it.

She flitted from investor to investor, a false smile on her face as she flirted with them; giggling at the right moment and casually laying her hand on their arm, in spite of the way her skin crawled as they leered at her. It always amazed her how she could effortlessly flirt when her job required it but she still was awkward around Owen.

Speaking of Owen, she caught sight of him entering across the room from where she talking to Simon and a representative from Verizon Mobile. They seemed more eager than everyone else she had spoken to that night, almost desperate to be linked to what the lab was claiming would be the most dangerous predator to ever walk the Earth. She didn't like it but she turned on the charm regardless: Masrani paid her to get investors, not to question the moral views behind them.

Owen began heading in their direction and she resolutely ignored him; annoyed that he was over two hours late when he knew how much she wanted him to come. Simon turned around in surprise as he reached the small group, a smile on his face as he clapped Owen on the shoulder.

"Owen! I didn't realise you were invited tonight." He greeted.

Owen shrugged, a grin on his face. He looked uncomfortable in his tux, but also so damn good that Claire was half convinced she was drooling. Or she would be if part of her didn't want to hit him. "Just a plus one."

He indicated towards her and she pursed her lips as everyone's attention turned to her. Owen moved to her side, resting his hand on her back where the dress dipped, leaning to kiss her lightly, a frown on his face as she turned her head so the kiss met his cheek.

"You and Claire?" Simon asked curiously before his face broke out in a wide grin. "That's brilliant! We'll leave you to it."

He led the potential investor away before she could protest leaving her alone with Owen, unable to stop the glare she aimed at him. He moved his hands so they rested on her hips, squeezing lightly until she looked up at him.

"You're annoyed at me." He stated and she just raised an eyebrow in response. "I'm sorry."

She let out a sigh, resting her hand on top of his bicep and rubbing her thumb over it. "Are you though?"

"Yes. I promised you I'd be here. I never want to break a promise to you, Claire." He smiled that goofy grin that made her heart melt in spite of her anger. "You're too important."

"You make it very difficult for me to be pissed off at you." She muttered, stepping closer to him so she had to tip her head back to look at him.

"Good." He dipped his head to capture her lips softly with his. "I'll make it up to you. Be the perfect supportive arm candy."

He threw a wink at her and she rolled her eyes, a smile creeping onto her face. "I've actually had enough of investors and businessmen for tonight. Want to get out of here?"

"I'm wearing a tux especially." He protested, an over dramatic pout on his face.

She couldn't resist a giggle at his ridiculousness as she chided him gently. "Owen."

"What do you have in mind?"

Claire was sure that this was the last place Owen expected her to suggest but she needed a drink and she enjoyed the surprise grin that flicked across his face as she pulled him towards Sunrio Tequila Bar.

He stepped up behind her as she paused to open the door, resting his hands on her hips and tugging her back gently so she was flush against him. He pressed an open mouth kiss to the exposed skin of her neck and she couldn't help the contented sigh that slipped from her lips.

"We're going to be overdressed." He murmured against her skin.

He was right: the bar inside was full of holiday goers and post shift employees. Her floor length dress meant she stuck out like a sore thumb, Owen's tux wasn't any less conspicuous. She felt the eyes on them as soon as they walked in and headed towards the bar and immediately began to regret her decision. She didn't mind people knowing about them but she was never one for being the centre of attention. In the next moment, however, Owens hand found its place on the exposed skin of her back and she felt herself relax into him; her worries slipping away as she downed the tequila shot he ordered for her.

He guided them towards a booth in the corner, a couple more tequila shots in hand, as he slid into the seat next to her; his side pressed against her so she could feel the full warm length of his body.

He wordlessly handed her one of the shot glasses and she toyed with it before wrapping her fingers around it firmly and throwing it back, still unable to hide the grimace of distaste that crossed her face.

"You're still mad at me." His voice was a low rumble next to her; his eyes fixed on his still full glass opposed to looking in her direction.

Claire let out a sigh; the harsh gust of breath forcing its way from her lips, still painted blood red from when she had applied her makeup at the start of the night. "I never see you anymore. You're always at work."

Her words used the same tone that a petulant child might use; her hands turning the empty glass over and over in her hand to give herself something, anything to do. Owen ordered a few more shots from a passing waitress, throwing his own tequila back as he waited for the new ones to be brought over.

"One of the first things you told me about yourself, once you knew I knew who you were, was that you were a workaholic. That you'd work all hours of the day, answer calls on your day off, go into work in the middle of the night if you had to. Do you remember what I said to you in response?"

"That you already knew that." She recalls easily. "That you liked me anyway."

He shook his head slightly, throwing back the new shot before turning his head to look at her. His arm was now sling along the back of the booth behind her, fingers toying with the ends of her hair, which hung in loose waves for the occasion.

"Not that I liked you anyway. I liked you because you're you and your dedication to your job, desire to be the best and keep this place going is a huge part of that. It's not a fault to me."

"Right." She dragged the word out slowly, having no idea what his point was as she blinked up at him.

"I like having a purpose and the raptors... they give me that. I thought you'd understand because you're the same."

She understood his sentiment; knew she wasn't in a position to argue. Yet, she could still feel her anger bubbling under the surface. He didn't get to use that as an excuse. "I always come home to you though, Owen. You never have to go weeks without seeing me."

Her words were harsh but quiet, somehow still having the desired effect even in the loud, crowded bar. She saw the guilt flash on his face and she felt a small sense of satisfaction. He opened his mouth to comment and she raised her hand to his, tangling their fingers together and squeezing to cut him off. She used her free hand to drain the alcohol out of the small glass.

She met his gaze unblinkingly, her lip caught between her teeth. "I don't sleep when you're not there."

That was the crux of it really. What had been bothering her so much in his absence from her life these past few weeks. She had come to rely on him; get used to him being around. She had tried everything she used to do before she met him: worked until she felt like she'd drop, sit in the T-Rex viewing room until she could almost predict every move the dinosaur would make, lay in bed and toss and turn until the sun filtered through the curtains. None of it had worked though, and all her body seemed to crave was him.

She wanted to curl up around him in the tiny hammock on his porch, entwine her limbs with his and feel the steady beat of his heart under her head. She hated it, hated needing someone, and yet she did need him. For more than just sleep.

Owen frowned, moving his hand so it cupped her cheek, his thumb capturing a tear she didn't realise had escaped her eye. "Claire."

He made her name sound so precious and she could listen to the way it fell out of his mouth all day. "It's stupid, I know."

"It's not stupid." He brushed his lips against hers softly and she could smell the tequila on his breath. "I sleep better with you too."

"Just come home at night." She blurted, tightening her grip on his hand. "No matter what time you finish. Just so we can have some time together."

Claire's cheeks darkened at her slight outburst; the tequila shots having more of an effect than she had previously realised. He didn't seem to mind though, a crooked smile crossing his face. "On one condition."

She tipped her head to the side slightly, raising an eyebrow questioningly.

"Move in with me."

Her breath left her lungs in a whoosh and she was sure her mouth was hanging open. "What?" She managed to croak out.

"Live with me." He stroked her cheek softly. "I want you to live with me."

"How do you always manage to blindside me?" She mused, a small smile pulling at the corner of her mouth. He shrugged, not tearing his eyes from her. "In your trailer?"

Owen chuckled, shooting her a weird look. "Where else?"

She could hear the drunken slur to his voice, see the eagerness in his expression and perhaps if she had drunk a few tequilas less, or if she had missed him less desperately, she would refuse. Instead, she pursed her lips together and nodded sharply.

"Okay." She managed to whisper. "I'll move in with you."

The answering smile she got pushed any lingering doubts she had firmly from her mind.