Ten

Owen and Claire were target shooting on the Jurassic World range with several members of the ACU, including Eric, who was packing up his equipment behind them. Eric watched them with amusement and mild jealousy. His jealousy was tempered by the fact neither of them would let their guard down long enough to embrace what they had. Eric decided a long time ago that he would probably never be friends with either of them on their own. He'd known Owen longer, but it took only several meetings for him to appreciate Owen's arrogance, intensity, and absence of conversational skills. Eric had been shocked when Owen first brought Claire to meet the ACU over a year ago. The shock was that Owen seemed nervous, softer around her. It was clear to Eric that Owen didn't just want to get in her pants. Eric's first impression of Claire was similar to his of Owen. Sure, she was beautiful, but she was just as arrogant and intense - if not more - than Owen. Claire was a more dynamic conversationalist than Owen but came across as somewhat frigid. Eric had only been seeing them regularly for the last six months, when Owen started bringing Claire to the range and teaching her to shoot. He could tell that something had changed between them. Claire was softer now. She was also fast becoming a crack shot. Claire put down her rifle, took off her ear and eye protection, and stepped back. When he ran out of ammunition, Owen did the same. Claire was smiling and energized. Owen looked anxious.

"This is such a great way to blow off steam after work," said Claire, "I should get the rest of the marketing team down here."

"Please don't," Eric replied, "We don't mind you, Claire, but we don't want our sanctuary overrun."

"Don't mind him," Owen interjected, "He's a misogynist at heart."

"You should write my personal ad," Eric responded sarcastically. Claire laughed and started to pack up.

Owen moved his bag closer to her and lightly brushed up against her. He took a deep breath and said, "You're getting really good at this."

"Thanks," Claire smiled, "I have a great teacher." She jabbed him playfully in the ribs with her elbow. He avoided eye contact with her. Claire zipped her bag closed and turned to Eric.

"I'm going to the ladies' room," she announced, "Cleanest bathroom on the island - my sanctuary!"

As she walked away, Owen watched her with yearning. Eric shook his head and put a hand on Owen's shoulder.

"You could follow her in there, you know?" said Eric, smirking, "No one would interrupt you." Owen remained quiet and avoided eye contact.

"Sorry for suggesting something so forward," Eric sighed and added bitterly, "You've only been parading her around us for a year." Owen finally looked at Eric and puffed out his chest to an almost imperceptible degree. Eric half-smiled and raised his palms, saying, "Don't worry. No one else is movin' in while you're standing in the way." Owen relaxed, and Eric laughed.

"Seriously though," asked Eric, "How much longer is this gonna go on?"

"Oh, I'd say I have another year before it's too late to get out of the friend zone," Owen replied sarcastically.

"Keep telling yourself that, Owen."

Owen looked away from him and fussed with the zipper on his bag, "I'll just stay in the friend zone then. We're both really busy and ambitious. I'm not stopping anyone else fr-"

Eric snapped his fingers in front of Owen's face to cut him off, "Hey. Listen. That is not what I meant. Stop acting like a woman."

"See, total misogynist."

"Very funny," Eric rolled his eyes then continued with a serious tone, "Don't wait another year. You're not at sea." Eric pointed in the direction of the restrooms and finished, "Find your harbor."

Owen laughed nervously and smiled, "That's deep, man. Pun intended."

"Joke all you want," Eric said, shaking his head, "I wasn't. And just so you know, I'm not interested in her. If I were, I wouldn't bullshit myself like you're doing." He walked away irritated and nodded sympathetically at Claire as he passed her on his way out. She lowered her eyebrows in confusion.

"What's wrong with him?" asked Claire.

"Oh, he's just butt hurt by my teasing him," replied Owen.

"These Navy expressions you use," Claire laughed, "I never stop learning from you." She slung her bag over her shoulder and put on her sunglasses.

Owen looked down and said under his breath, "Those who can't do, teach."

"Sorry?"

"Nothing."

Owen put on his sunglasses, and they walked out the building in silence.

A/N: Now you know why the ladies room was so enticing in the last chapter. I wrote a few different versions of this chapter but ultimately decided not to have Eric be a rival for Owen. Internal threats can be more powerful. Let me know what you're thinking so far.

Meanwhile back at the ranch...