Hey," Owen greeted.

"Grady," O'Neill stood to shake his hand. "Been awhile."

"Yes, it has," Owen agreed, returning the handshake. "Welcome aboard."

"Hey beefcake," Zia greeted. She then let out a huff. "So, I assume you're not here to get me out of this?" She lifted her bound hands.

"I'm here to help you get yourself out," he replied. Owen glanced at her arms below the edge of her t-shirt that were peppered with bruises and then caught a glimpse of her far cheek, also bruised. "Please tell me someone didn't hit you," he asked with concern.

"This?" she asked turning her head. "No, that's from slamming my face into the ground while I was trying to get away. I was real successful as you can see," she shifted her hands up again to emphasize.

"Heard you put up a hell of a fight, though."

"Yeah, I did," she agreed proudly.

"Seal sure said she did," Phil confirmed. "You know that's high praise from him."

"So, you've known all about this?" she asked Owen, already knowing the answer.

Owen nodded.

"Claire?"

He nodded again.

"I'm not sure if I'm more pissed at Wheatley or the two of you," she expressed.

"I'll let you two talk," Phil said, as he pressed a kiss to the top of Zia's head and turned to leave. "Don't peek at my tiles," he added.

"I might. You've beaten me at two games already. I need all the help I can get."

Phil flashed her smile and left.

"So, you and O'Neill, huh?"

"Yeah, I guess. I don't know. It's been a weird couple of days. Understatement of the year. He's surprisingly smart. You know for a military guy."

"I'll try to not take offense to that. You know Claire used to underestimate me too. Occasionally she still does."

"So, can you fill me in more about what the hell is going on around here? I mean I always knew something wasn't quite right, but I spend most of my time with the raptors, which I love. So, I guess I just chose to ignore everything else."

"So, I know you love what you do around here."

"I do, and it's not like there are very many job openings for paleo vets," she scoffed.

"That doesn't need to change. Look, Ken's had you in mind from the start. He was just waiting for the right situation. He thinks Phil might be it."

"What do you mean by situation?"

"I guess you'd call it matchmaking. It's just by no means traditional."

Zia scoffed again.

"Are you opposed to having a man in your life?" Owen asked.

Zia let out a sigh. "If I'm being honest, no. I just started to think it was never going to happen. I've never been much for dating. I kind of just threw myself into being a vet. Phil seems like he likes me. I kind of don't get it. I mean I've already seen the guy with his shirt off. Well and then some. Kind of how I got myself into this whole thing," she added, lifting her bound hands up again.

"He probably has a thing for cute Brainiac's," Owen prompted. "Smart guys like smart women. Especially guys that are smart enough to not be intimidated by them. As far as I know you've both been in similar situations. There hasn't really been anyone on his radar either. Neither of you are getting any younger. Sometimes you just have to decide that you'd rather not be alone anymore."

"So, what, we're just supposed to settle?"

"It's not settling. People aren't perfect. Situations aren't perfect. Relationships are two compatible people deciding that they want to be together. Things evolve. Sometimes things happen for a reason. It looks like you have something to offer each other."

"So, what happens if I agree to all this?"

"Not as much as you might think. I'm sure you'll both be getting one of these." Owen gestured to his bracelet.

"What is that?" Zia asked.

"Satellite tracker."

"Ok, so he basically wants to microchip me. What else?"

"You can't tell anyone about what else you know, which especially includes Barry by the way. He and his family are happy and have been left out of this."

"Understood," Zia agreed.

"Then there's a decent amount of security rules and protocols that need to be followed along with some expectations of being in the inner circle. Restraints and monitoring on some of your outside communications. Finances are basically taken care of. They will probably expect you to move into our old room in the carriage house together once you're ready. For you that's about it. The only reason you've been under lock and key the past few days is that you haven't acquiesced. Ken needs to know that he can trust you."

"And what if it doesn't work out with this O'Neill guy and I?"

"Well then it doesn't. But I've heard he's barely left your side and it's been what three days? Don't you think that's worth giving a chance?"

Zia let out a big sigh. "Ok."

"Ok?"

"Yeah, I'm starting to go stir crazy anyway. If that's what it takes to get me out of these cuffs," she said cheekily with a smile.

"Great! I'll let Ken know."

"Can you make sure Phil comes back soon too?" she asked. "I'm calmer when he's around."

"No problem." Owen smiled. "Out of curiosity, do you know how much Phil already knew about operations around here?"

"He said he was aware that he was going to be asked to join when his military service ended. I guess his dad was all for him and his brother not being lifers like he is, but still being able to use their skills, you know?"

Owen nodded.

"Apparently Wheatley and O'Neill Senior go way back. He didn't know everything though. Said he certainly wasn't expecting whatever the fuck the thing with the boss's wife was the other day."

Owen laughed. "Yeah, I never said Wheatley and the missus were sane. It's kind of their thing."

"Am I going to be subjected to something like that?" she asked, with honest concern.

"First, that was further than things usually go because at the time you weren't really in the picture and Seal wanted his brother to get messed with. It's generally a bit more hands off and usually a one-time thing. Believe it or not but Ken and Miranda are otherwise exclusive. I'm not saying Ken's not going to make you uncomfortable, but he generally doesn't put anyone in a situation that they won't accept, even though that acceptance may not be immediate."

"Did they do something like that with you and Claire?"

Owen let out a laugh. "Yeah," he smiled again, "and then some. Turns out it was the kick in the ass Claire and I needed, and we're never looked back. Ken has an uncanny ability to read people, even on things they likely wouldn't admit out loud."

"So, are you telling me I can trust him? Because up until a few days ago, I thought he was overall at least ok as a boss."

"Yeah, just accept that things around here are a little outside of normal societal convention. But, yes, you can trust him. It may not always seem it, and I've had my share of rows with him, and I hate to admit it, but in the end, he was nearly always right."

"And Miranda?"

"They're kind of a package deal, and she is, without a doubt, crazier than he is, which is a whole 'nother element. But yes, you can trust her, too." Owen shut up for a minute to look at her. Allowing the conversation to settle in. Satisfied, he spoke again. "So, if you're good, I'll go fetch Phil to get you out of this room and get you downstairs to the heads of household so we can get on with it then."

Zia nodded her head, albeit nervously, but nodded, nonetheless.