An audience can empathize with characters a lot better when they understand their motivations/intentions!
}{}{}{}{
The plane had finally leveled out, giving them a moment to breathe. Only long enough for Owen to ease her down and evaluate any injuries. Claire hadn't registered anything; it was all just adrenaline and a frequent search for the right order to her thoughts. She didn't even have any protests prepared; her hands were scraped, arms and legs sore, and each breath brought a pain across her ribs.
"How's your hand?" Claire whimpered past the poking Owen was giving her abdomen. His brow lifted, realizing her distraction. "Sore. Not too smart, fist fighting with a raptor injury."
Her eyes inspected his reach for the first aid kit. "You were favoring it before-"
"It's fine." Owen paused with a hard glance to reassure her. He left it at that, opening the kit. "We need to clean and bandage that arm."
Claire winced at the look of it, blood crusting up her forearm and elbow. "Was Barry alright?"
"Thrilled to finally bag Santos." Owen shrugged. "Maybe we'll actually catch-up next time."
"A leisurely visit." Claire forced a joke and a grin. Owen affirmed. "A family vacation, when this is all over."
Claire released a chuckle, leaning into him as the plane- the old and patched plane- jolted.
"I got it!" their pilot called back. "Don't be given' me that, baby."
Owen waited for it to straighten out then went back to tending her gash. For all the dramatic turns in her life, Claire still wilted with the sight of blood. So she was happy to turn her head back toward the cockpit. Kayla Watt's curls bushed over the seat, pep-talking the plane and keeping them steady... drawing them closer to the mountains and to Biosyn.
Kayla had clearly owned the aircraft a long time. It felt worn in and loved, much like their cabin. Claire's mind sparked at that and she clutched her jacket. Sadness pressed in on her, feeling across the pockets. "I-I lost her picture."
Owen stopped. His face came up with cracks in his stoniness. Claire's head fell back, the ceiling glassy through her tears. She let them fall a minute- but little of the pain inside her relaxed.
"We're getting her back, Claire." Owen's voice was absolute in that. "Biosyn was wrong in taking her."
"And we were right in keeping her?" Claire eyed him, digging up the discussions they had tried having. Owen secured dressing over her cut. "You're being too harsh, as usual."
"Owen."
He stopped, gaze narrowed and angry. "We were doing what we could!"
"We got selfish." Claire stated at him, shocking them both. But if there was anytime to realize it, it was now. Franklin had asked if this was all about absolving herself, putting something right after the park. She didn't know anymore. Dinosaurs weren't the reason she and Owen were racing toward the heart of Italy. She gave a heavy, challenging breath."Well, didn't we?"
Owen ran his good hand over his face, the anger leaving him; and more. The fight had either left him, or he was saving it for later. They stayed silent a minute more before Owen gave a reluctant nod. "We jumped into this, ignoring every probability-" His eyes, lighthearted and yet so soulful, locked on her. "Would you trade a day of it?"
"No." Claire didn't need to think. Owen rocked back, unsurprised. "We like being parents."
"Parents... let go." Claire shrugged helplessly. "They help their kids find answers. We get her back, what changes?"
Owen studied her, possibly to control his own misty eyes. "You're good at seeing the endgame, Claire. If I could keep Maisie on that mountain forever, I'd do it."
Claire touched his face, where she so often drew strength from. "I kind of love you for that."
He caught her hand, kissing her knuckles. "Me too. And, we'll figure it out. We'll- start trusting the world. So she can."
How are his one-liners always so smooth? She could've cried again. From day one, it had come easily for Owen to connect with Maisie; talk to her, encourage her, establish trust... make her understand what was happening. Claire still struggled for even a foot of common ground. What if I never get the chance for more?
She couldn't think like that though! Rather, she focused on nodding and letting Owen hold her.
}{}{}{}{
Happy Fourth of July everyone!
