So... this was supposed to be finished and posted yesterday, in celebration of me going to see the new movie, Fallen Kingdom. But... I didn't get it finished. XD So posting it the day after.
Raptor
Drop Anchor
Chapter 29: Don't Know
Echo scrambled up, kicking all her sisters as she did. Blue snapped at her but Echo paid her no mind. Her full attention was on the two babies in Zach's arms. She let out a squeal and started forward.
Zach turned to the side, attempting to shield them. "No!" He snapped. "You need to calm down or you'll hurt them!" The anger in his voice startled the twins and they pressed closer to his chest.
Echo stopped immediately. She ducked down and let out a soft squeak. The other sister's slowly and carefully detangled themselves behind Echo.
"Okay." Zach continued. "You interrupted Charlie's moment. So Delta and Echo, back outside. Wait on the porch until I call you." Echo let out a whine and Blue snapped at her. Delta stepped outside and Echo followed, looking dejected. Zach felt bad, he really did. But he also wanted to make sure the youngest and most excitable of the raptors understood that babies needed protecting and gentleness. At least until the baby I-Rexes were big enough to handle Echo. At that point, he may have to worry for Echo's safety. He glanced down at the babies in his arms. He guessed it wouldn't be too long. He swore they felt heavier. How could they feel heavier? It'd only been a few hours.
Zach breathed out and stepped over to Charlie. Charlie's introduction went smoothly after that. The twins rubbed against her legs and tried to climb on her weird tail. Delta's introduction was next. She snorted loudly and snapped playfully at Minnie's tail. Minnie snapped back and Indigo joined in. Echo was last. She let out a loud whine at the door. Zach smiled and pulled the door open. "Okay. Gentle, Echo."
Echo stepped inside the trailer slowly. She was clearly trying not to bounce. And it was adorable. She dropped to the floor in front of the twins. She was pretty much laying down. The twins let out excited, tiny squeals and started climbing all over the larger reptile. Damnit! Now Zach wanted his phone more than ever.
The employee phone started ringing. Zach picked it up, answering it quickly. He hoped it was Owen. He didn't bother looking at the crummy display. "Hello?"
"Zach." It wasn't Owen. It was aunt Claire.
"Oh. Hey aunt Claire." He tried to not sound disappointed.
"I have to cancel on you today." She said, either not catching his disappointment or not caring.
"Oh... everything okay?" He asked.
"What?" She sounded distracted for a moment. "Oh yes. Everything's fine. Just busy. A lot of staff arrived today."
"They get here okay?"
"Yes, of course. I'm sorry to cancel..."
"It's fine." Zach said quickly.
"I really have liked our lunches together."
Zach smiled and looked down at the floor. "Me, too."
"Tomorrow, then. For sure. No canceling. I promise."
"Sure. Tomorrow." He hung up and turned back to the raptors. "Firelady is too busy with the people that arrived today." He explained. "So... I get to stay here! Don't have to go to town."
Blue exchanged a look with Delta and warbled something. She answered back and Charlie turned towards them, commenting as well. Moments like this, Zach felt left out. It was becoming easier and more natural to treat the raptors like people. But when they were chittering to themselves, he was reminded that they weren't. He sighed.
Blue turned to him. She titled her head to the side. Then she turned and nodded towards the door.
"Outside?" He asked.
She tilted her head to the side again.
"Something outside."
Blue nodded.
"You want me to do something outside." He stated.
She nodded her head again.
"Away from the trailer?" He asked and got another nod. He glanced down at the twins, still rolling around on top of Echo. "Can't leave them alone." He said. "One of you will have to stay with them."
Echo lifted her head and let out a squeak.
Zach shook his head quickly. "No, not you."
She squealed again, sounding insistent.
Zach looked at Blue. "What do you think? Yes or no?"
Blue glanced at Echo. Her eyes narrowed and her lips wrinkled, pulling back in a snarl. It didn't sound like she actually said anything but Echo nodded her head quickly. Blue snorted loudly and turned to Zach. She nodded her head.
"That's a yes." Zach said. "You think Echo can babysit."
Blue nodded and tilted her head a bit and pointed her muzzle at Zach.
Zach breathed out slowly. Blue was letting him decide. At least he thought that was what she was saying. "Fine."
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
"Sorry about the treadmill." Owen said, a tone of genuine regret in his voice. He really hadn't meant to break it.
Tim shrugged as he walked in behind Owen. He pulled the door shut and leaned back against it a moment. "It's my fault really. I shouldn't have pushed you."
Owen smiled as he turned for the too small hospital bed. He stepped towards it, his eyes on the phone. He couldn't believe he'd left it. "I told ya, I don't tire easily."
"Where does all that energy come from?"
Owen reached for the phone, shrugging a bit. "I eat a lot." He grabbed the phone and straightened up. He glanced back at Tim, smiling. "That's a hint."
Tim pushed off the door, nodding. "Cafeteria or should I go get something?"
"What do you think?"
Tim let out a laugh. "Mexican place again? Or something else?"
Owen shrugged. "Just feed me. Before I get angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry."
Tim let out a loud laugh.
Owen smiled again as he looked at the phone display. His eyes widened and his smile fell. So many missed phone and video calls. "Shit." He pressed the recall button and put it to his ear. No answer. He tried again. "Shit!"
Tim paused and turned back to him. "What's wrong?"
"I missed a call." Owen snapped.
Tim frowned. "So... call whoever it was back."
"I did! He's not answering!"
Tim looked confused. "Then... wait a bit and call him back. What's the alarm?"
"He called a lot."
"Then good chance he'll call back."
"Something's wrong!"
Tim stared at him for a moment. Then he shrugged and turned towards the door. "Okay... you stay here and freak out... I'll get food." He hurried out the door.
Owen glared after him. Then pressed the redial button and put the phone to his ear.
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
[Mom.] Echo told the twins. [Mom small squishy. Alpha dad big squishy. Dad broke. Dad get fixed on box.] She pointed to the computer. The twins their heads to the side, almost in unison. Echo snorted loudly. Once dad called, then big sister Echo could explain better. She was a good big sister. She was a good babysitter. She dug out all their stuffed Nemo toys next and put them in the pillow nest. She went through their names, introducing the twins to them. [Nemo best.] She explained.
She also kept checking on Sylar, the unhatched egg. She nudged it gently with her nose. She snorted and shook her head. The egg didn't smell right. She was pretty sure it was broken. But mom kept taking care of it. Maybe Echo was wrong.
Next, she took the twins outside. They waddled behind her, sticking close and bouncing through the tall grass. She took them closer to the water. Not too close, she was sure. They stayed back enough and wrestled around in the sand. That's where they were when the low rumble of the motorcycle reached them.
The bike jerked to a stop and Zach anchored his feet into the ground to steady it. But it was already starting to tip. Delta appeared at his side and helped him keep it standing while he applied the kick stop. Driving he was fine at. He could steer through the jungle with no problem now. He'd taken to it faster than driving a car. But the stopping, he wasn't so good at yet. At least he didn't run into the side of the trailer again.
Zach swung his leg over and dropped to the ground. He brushed himself off. Then looked up as he heard the tiny squeals. The baby I-Rex twins were running towards him. Zach smiled as he knelt down. Then suddenly, they were jumping, practically flying in the air towards him. They bowled Zach over and he landed on his back as they bounced on him. He let out a laughed and pushed them off gently. "Easy." He said. "Echo." He called, standing up and brushing himself off again. "We brought you lunch since you missed the hunt."
It was the second time he'd been hunting with them. He knew he really wasn't helping. If anything, the sound of the motorcycle made things worse. It echoed through the jungle. But the raptors were fast and the wild pigs were slow and dumb compared to them. Zach knew him being included didn't help any from a practical stance. But the raptors liked it. Some pack bonding thing, he was sure. And it made him smile. Because he was pack.
He turned as Charlie zipped past him towards Echo. She dropped a large chunk of bloodied meet at her sister's feet. The twins turned and sniffed at the air. They turned to watch Echo with large, curious eyes. Echo tore off a small piece and they had to try it. Then they rolled in the dirt and blood. Zach wrinkled his nose and smiled at them. "Okay everyone, bath time. Then we can go see Rexy." He ushered all of them towards the water.
In the end, Zach had to go in the water with the twins to get them to go. He was soaked head to toe but he laughed the whole time. "Okay." He said, turning towards the trailer. "Let me go get changed and we'll go." They hadn't seen Rexy in a couple days, not since she was put back into her enclosure. It was harder to sneak over there, with Claire on watch all the time. But with her being preoccupied with her cleaning and maintenance crews, maybe they could sneak into the enclosure.
Zach ran into the trailer and headed straight to the bedroom. He pulled out a clean Jurassic World shirt, a large picture of a stegosaurus on the front. He changed quickly and ran a towel over his head. He was about to head back outside when the temporary phone rang. He paused, listening to it a moment too long. It finally registered in his head and he darted towards the counter and grabbed it. Missed call. Several missed calls, actually. He smiled as he turned towards the computer. He opened the video calls and hit his number. Then he opened the trailer door. "Hey, bring them in here."
"Zach?"
"Yeah, hang on." He called, holding the door open. Echo zipped in past him, letting out a loud squeal. "Don't say anything yet."
"About what?" Owen asked loudly. "Hey Echo."
Zach watched the twins hop up the stairs slowly. Blue followed close behind, nudging them when they wavered a bit. Zach smiled as they bounced up to him. He bent down and picked them up.
"Zach?" Owen's voice called out. "What's going on?"
"Just a second." Zach called out, straightening up.
"You called a lot." Owen said. "I was worried. What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Zach said as he held the twins against him and walked towards the computer. "Just have to make introductions."
"Introductions?"
Zach stepped in front of the screen, the twins plastered against him. Their eyes widened as they looked at the shocked man on the screen. "They hatched way early this morning." Zach said with a smile. "I tried to call you."
A smile spread across Owen's face. "Uh... yeah... we were... doing tests..."
"Tests?"
"I broke a treadmill."
"You broke a treadmill?"
"Hey little cuties." Owen said, waving at the screen. Echo pushed in closer to Zach and let out a few warbles to the twins. Owen laughed and shrugged.
"What?"
"She introduced me as squishy alpha." Owen said. "Who's being fixed in the box. Echo, that is a ridiculous way to explain it."
Zach smiled and let out a laugh. "Sounds good to me. I wasn't sure how to explain this. I figured they could better. Here." Zach turned and dropped the twins in the pillow nest. Then he reached for the computer monitor. He pulled it closer to the edge of the counter and angled it down.
"Did you make a nest?"
"Maybe."
"That's adorable."
Zach smiled sheepishly. "I'll be right back... just... letting the others know... change of plans..." Zach turned for the door.
Owen smiled as he pulled himself backwards on his hospital bed. He leaned back and breathed out a content sigh. It really did something to him, seeing Zach so comfortable in his home, with his girls and the new babies. It really was something. And he couldn't wait to get back.
[Mom!]
Owen frowned as he stared at the screen. No. No, no. He had to be mistaken.
Echo zipped by the screen. [Mom! Mom!]
Owen's mouth dropped open. Echo! Of course it was Echo that said it!
"Echo!" Zach snapped, coming back inside. "No running inside!"
"Uh... Zach..."
Zach stopped and looked at the screen. "Sorry." He heaved out a sigh. "It is literally a mad house in here. I'll get it cleaned up, I swear."
"No!" Owen shook his head quickly. "I don't care about the bungalow."
Zach smiled at the name. "Dork."
Owen wasn't smiling. "I just... can I talk to Echo? Alone?"
Zach's smile fell and he frowned. "Echo? Alone? Why?"
"Just need to... for a couple minutes."
"What'd she do?"
"Please?"
Zach didn't look happy. "Echo! Get in here! Owen wants to talk to you." Zach bent down and scooped up Indigo and Minnie. "How are you so heavy?"
Echo zipped back in. She tilted her head to the side as she looked at Zach.
Zach shrugged slightly. "I don't know what you did." Zach said. He nodded towards the computer. Then he took the twins outside and shut the door.
Echo turned to watch him. Then she turned back to Owen. She tilted her head to the side again. [What?]
"Don't what me!" Owen snapped. "What did you just call him?"
Echo glanced at the door. [Trip.] She answered softly.
"No. No, no, no. I heard you!"
Echo ducked down, going off-screen.
"No! Echo!" Owen snapped louder that time. "Get back up here! I'm talking to you! Answer me!"
Echo let out a snort and poked her head back up. [Mom!] She said defiantly. [Trip mom!]
"Trip isn't your mom!" Owen said loudly. "Trip... is a boy... uh... man... Trip is male! Males aren't moms!"
[Mom!] Echo insisted. [Echo's mom, sister's mom, and baby's moms! Trip is mom!] She used more words than normal, speaking more clearly and more human-like than she ever had before.
Owen sighed and shook his head. "Echo..." He said softly. "He's not your mom."
[Yes!]
"Why?" Owen asked. "Why do you think he's your mom?"
[Alpha dad!]
Owen shrugged. He'd tried to dissuade them over the years. But it was a term he answered to. And one he was finding harder and harder to oppose. "Fine." He breathed out. "I'm your dad."
[Dad's mate is mom!]
"He's not your mom!" Owen insisted. "He's not a girl!"
[Mom!]
"If he's anything... he's like... your other dad..."
[Nemo Mom!] Echo snapped.
Owen rolled his eyes. "Nemo's mom got eaten by a barracuda." He pointed out. "Echo! You can't..."
The door opened and Zach stepped inside. "Are you almost done?"
Owen sighed. "We're not done with this." He whispered to Echo. "Yeah, something wrong?" He called louder.
"The grass outside is too tall." Zach said.
"Tall?"
"Yeah. These two..." Zach stepped closer and dropped them in the center of the pillow nest. "Were hiding in the grass. They gave me a heart attack! And Delta just laughed!" He paused and straightened up. "Well... I think she was laughing."
Owen smiled. "Probably."
"No more outside until they are bigger!" Zach breathed out.
Owen shrugged. "You could probably cut it."
Zach glanced over at the computer screen. "What... like... mow it?"
Owen shrugged. "We had a grounds crew. I'm sure Lowery could find where their equipment is stored. I'm sure they got some heavy duty mowers."
Zach glared at him a moment. "You want me to mow the lawn." He let out an exaggerated groan and threw back his head. "You're giving me chores!"
"Hey, you said the grass was too long."
Zach shrugged and Echo bumped into him and let out a soft squeak.
"Stop it!" Owen snapped.
Zach glanced sideways at Echo. "What's going on?"
"Nothing." Owen said quickly. Echo stuck her tongue out at the computer screen and rubbed her head against Zach's arm. "Stop it!" Owen said. Echo squealed again, louder. "It's not healthy!"
"What?"
Echo let out a whine and attempted to duck behind Zach.
"He's not your mother!" Owen snapped. HIs eyes widened and flittered to Zach for a moment. He hadn't meant to say it out loud. Damnit. "He's not." Owen said softer. "Tell her you're not."
Zach stared at the screen for a moment. He blinked and looked away. It wasn't that big of a stretch. Not really. If he and Owen were dating or whatever... and Echo was like Owen's daughter or something... and the twins clearly imprinted on him... it had been less than a day. Zach breathed out. He turned slightly and glanced over his shoulder at Echo. "I don't care." He said softly, reaching out to touch her neck. "She can call me mom."
Owen rolled his eyes and shook his head. "No! Do not encourage her!"
Echo let out a happy squeal and Zach threw his arm around her neck. "Call me mommy if you want. Don't listen to daddy."
"Don't say that again."
Zach smiled again. Then cleared his throat and pushed Echo away. "Alright. Go outside and run around or something. Wear out that energy before you drive me crazy. We'll try to see Rexy tomorrow."
Echo let out another squeak and ran out the door, the door banging loudly behind her.
"Echo!" Zach let out a sigh but he smile and turned back to the computer. He pulled up a chair and sunk down in it. The twins had fallen asleep in the nest and it was cute. Zach sighed again as his eyes drifted to the drawer incubator that was still on the floor in the corner. "Sylar still hadn't hatched." Zach said softly
"That's not your fault." Owen said gently. "Zach, you're doing a great job. Really you are." A small smile tugged at the corner of those lips. So soft and sweet. Zach glanced up at the screen and quickly looked away. Yeah, so sweet. Owen would give anything to be there right then. He really just wanted to hold Zach and comfort him. Owen could feel the urge deep within him. He breathed out and smiled. "You're adorable."
Zach's shy demeanor vanished quickly. He rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Whatever. You have my phone."
The topic change caught Owen a little off guard. "Phone?"
Zach groaned loudly and grabbed the employee cell phone. "This thing doesn't have a camera." He whined. "How can a phone not have a camera?"
Owen smiled and nodded. "Yeah, employee phones are shit."
"I want my camera and you have it!"
Owen nodded slowly. "I guess you didn't find it then."
Zach tilted his head to the side. "Find what?"
Owen shrugged. "I just assumed you'd snoop through everything."
Zach's eyes widened slightly. "Uh... not... everything..." He mumbled out.
Owen let out a laugh. "You can. I don't care." He shook his head slightly, still smiling. "All the camera equipment is still there, from when they were younger. Not as easy and convenient as a cell phone camera. But it's in the kitchen... in a box in one of the cabinets."
"So... old equipment?"
Owen frowned. "Not old. Vintage."
"Seriously? Vintage? Just a fancy was to say old."
Owen rolled his eyes.
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
Author's Notes: I didn't skip the hunt, Sylar. I'd just rather write it as an extra story thing. So it can be nice and awesome. Same thing with the grass thing Snuggie wants, for whatever reason.
Anyways... if anyone has Discord and wants to join my chat server, give me a poke. Chas#0048
