A chapter to help bring you out of your post Halloween candy coma...enjoy!
As it turns out it's incredible easy to avoid someone, even on an island. I hadn't seen or spoken to Owen since the night of our date or not a date. I had decided if I didn't see him for the foreseeable future that would suit me just fine. As much as I hated to admit it his behavior hurt me. I couldn't figure out why he would kiss me, albeit briefly, then just walk away. Was I really so bad at kissing he felt the need to avoid me? Maybe the whole night was just supposed to be a pity party because I looked like I had gone a few rounds with Holyfield, and it got out of hand. Whatever his reasons it only confirmed that putting yourself out there wasn't worth it. I had hoped Owen would be different. The ache in my heart said different.
After I got over being hurt I got pissed. This asshole wanted to wine, dine and kiss me then act like I had fallen off the face of the planet? Well, two could play at that game. I had a PhD in avoidance. I felt like a moron for actually believing for two seconds he was interested in me. I should know by now that no one was interested in damaged goods.
To be honest, I wasn't sure if I was avoiding him or the other way around, but it had been almost a month since I'd seen him. Which is why I found my current predicament so shitty.
Simon had called me in to his office for an update on everything I had been doing the last few weeks. He specifically wanted my take on the raptor program. Considering I'd only visited the raptor paddock once, for about 10 minutes, I was limited with my insight. After listening to me repeat the same observations 10 different ways he told me, in no uncertain terms, to get my ass out to the paddock, today. Which was why I was currently sitting in my Jeep outside the raptor paddock, banging my head against the steering wheel.
"Are you going to get out or just stay here all day?" Barry asked, casually leaning against my window.
"I don't know. Maybe stay here all day. I haven't decided."
"Owen isn't here right now." How he knew my behavior had anything to do with Owen made me queasy.
I hopped out of the Jeep, striding towards the paddock. "Alright then, let's get this show on the road." Barry laughed as he followed me.
The raptors were out of containment, roaming around the paddock freely. They had gotten so much bigger since the last time I'd seen them. My feet moved involuntarily to the metal stairs that would take me up to the catwalk crisscrossing above the paddock. Once there I saw the raptors bounding back and forth across the paddock, nipping, growling, and chirping at each other while they interacted. They moved with such fierce precision. These girls were stone cold killers. They were amazing.
"Do they always communicate like that?" I asked Barry, leaning over the railing to get a better look at the girls. He nodded, assuming a similar position to my right. Man, these raptors were something else. I could watch them all day.
Watching the girls had my mind involuntarily wandering to Owen. I finally realized what was bothering me so much about this whole scenario. That piece of crap had me doubting my game. It was driving me insane. I was a sexy, desirable woman who any man would love to date. Right?
I looked over at Barry who hadn't taken his eyes off the raptors, the perfect solution to this problem suddenly clear. I turned towards him, squaring my shoulders while leaning against the railing, "Barry, you'd date me right?"
Barry immediately turned to face me, his eyes bulging out of their sockets. He took a step away from me muttering something under his breath in French. Well, this wasn't good.
"I...I have a girlfriend Jo," he stuttered, holding his hands up in surrender.
"Oh for fuck's sake Barry, I'm not suggesting we go at it right here on the catwalk. I'm simply asking, hypothetically speaking, if you'd date me?"
He shook his head furiously back and forth in the universal sign for no. "I like all my limbs attached to my body thank you very much."
What did that mean? I was getting ready to beat the answer out of him when I heard a harsh command barked behind me.
"Hey!" Owen yelled, clicking a device he held in his left hand. "Eyes up here." At first I thought he might be talking to Barry or me, but his gaze was locked on the raptors down below. So much for Owen not being here. I briefly debating slinking away, but what little pride I had left kept me firmly rooted in place.
I turned, watching the girls line up below, their predatory gazes locked on Owen like a tractor beam. Holy shit. They were waiting for his command. This was nothing short of a miracle. I heard a pig squeal in the background, and all four raptors went crazy chirping and growling.
"Hold," bellowed Owen from the catwalk. The raptors snarled in response clearly agitated. "Cut that shit out Blue. Delta lock it up."
The corresponding raptors responded by freezing, but were clearly displeased with the command. Charlie, Echo and Delta's gaze alternated between Owen and Blue. Clearly their loyalty was torn. Blue's deadly eyes never wavered from Owen. She was debating what to do. Owen froze on the catwalk staring Blue down, and I held my breath, scared to even blink. Right before Owen dropped his hand Blue squawked out a series of chirps that resulted in all four raptors taking off after the pig.
"Fuck!" Owen yelled, dropping his head, his hands braced on the railing. He was gripping the bars so tight his knuckles were turning white.
I glanced at Barry and we had a silent conversation which equated to both of us making ourselves scarce. Before we could escape down the catwalk, avoiding Owen's fury, a portly, middle-aged man with a goatee labored up the stairs. His hair was cut military short, but his stature told me his military days had long since passed. He was dressed like an L.L. Bean store had thrown up on him. Outfitted head to toe in tan. Tan pants, tan shirt, even tan boots. Whoever said monochromatic was a good look never saw this guy. I don't know if this guy ever had a "prime", but he was about 10 years and 60 pounds past it at this point. The buttons on his long sleeved shirt were straining against the girth in his middle. I felt the urge to don eye protection in case one of the buttons came tearing off endangering my eyesight. He lumbered towards, the catwalk shaking like a herd of elephants were charging.
"Hot damn boy, you almost had 'em that time." This was clearly directed at Owen. He bypassed both Barry and me without so much as a second glance.
"Not really Hoskins," Owen replied bitterly. Vic Hoskins, leader of InGen's private security force on the island, and by all accounts a real douchebag.
"Are you kidding me?! You had them almost eating out of your hand," Hoskins responded, slapping Owen on the back.
"You weren't supposed to be here until next week Hoskins," Barry chimed in clearly displeased with Hoskins early arrival. It was abundantly clear things were not all sunshine and roses between the InGen employees at this site. Then again, if this oxygen thief was my boss I'd look like I'd sucked on lemons too when I saw him.
Hoskins turned, taking in Barry and me for the first time. He ignored Barry completely as he focused his beady eyes on me, "Well, what do we have here?"
I raised my eyebrows at him, clearly conveying the message "you're kidding, right?". I glanced at Barry trying to decipher if this asshole was for real. I heard Owen's boots pound on the catwalk as he intercepted Hoskins before he could stop in front of me. Owen started rattling off random raptor facts to distract Hoskins as he walked him down the stairs. Barry and I followed behind at a slower pace. I fully intended to return to my Jeep and report to Simon that I had, in fact, visited the raptor paddock at least once this quarter. I was such a good employee; maybe I would be Employee of the Month.
I didn't get the chance to retreat as Hoskins rounded on me. His eyes narrowed as he snapped his fingers with enlightenment. "I know who you are now. You put one of my top recruits out of action a few weeks ago."
He sounded unhappy that Cole was currently stateside nursing three pins in his surgically repaired arm. I hated to break it to Hoskins, but if Cole was one of InGen's top recruits they were screwed. I gave him a little finger wave, smiling.
"Listen here honey, I pay a lot of money recruiting these guys and getting them here. I don't think it's funny that some washed up F.B.I. reject scored a lucky shot to take one out."
Yeah, now I needed to kick his ass merely on principle. I moved passed Barry, debating whether I should stab him or shoot him when Owen's arm shot out, wrapping around my waist. He picked me up off my feet as if I weighed no more than a sack of flour, firmly planting me behind him.
"I was there Hoskins, there were no lucky shots by Jo. Rogers is the one who fought dirty and still lost," Owen supplied. While I thought it was sweet Owen was defending me I didn't need his help. The guy hadn't said two words to me in a month. He could shove his chivalry where the sun didn't shine.
"Bullshit Grady, I've seen her file, no way she has chops to take down a highly trained operative." I burst out laughing behind Owen. Hoskins thought his InGen security forces were "highly trained operatives". Oh that was just too good.
Owen glanced at my disapprovingly over his shoulder before continuing. "I really don't have time to debate this shit Hoskins. Do you want to go over those report or not?"
Owen was already moving towards the office building. Hoskins paused briefly to rake his eyes up and down my body. Barry stiffened beside me, stepping forward in an attempt to shield Hoskins' gaze. I smirked at Hoskins as he walked off, his eyes still trained on me. He didn't stop looking until he reached the office. Owen stood holding the door open. He ushered Hoskins inside then met my eyes. He looked pained, haunted even. It was clear he wanted to say something, but something was holding him back. Smart money said it wasn't just the sleaze bag occupying his office. My heart sped up under his penetrating gaze. It was like he could look directly into my soul. I couldn't deal with this now or ever. He may be hot enough to be an Calvin Klein underwear model, but I was still pissed. I looked away first, turning my back on him. Taking a shaky breath I rolled my shoulders, eyeing Barry.
"Why is Hoskins so interested in the raptors obeying Owen's commands?" I asked.
"I don't know," he answered honestly.
I walked back to my Jeep, sitting inside with the engine off, drumming my thumb against the window sill. Vic Hoskins wasn't expected here until next week, but he had shown up early in a deliberate attempt to surprise Owen and Barry. He had a vested interest in the raptors following Owen's orders, but why? InGen's security division had exploded under Hoskins' leadership. Recently they had gained a partnership with the United Nations Security Council. He had an angle concerning the raptors otherwise he would be out visiting the Triceratops paddock. Men like Hoskins always had an angle. Since InGen security division was booming he must have the twisted notion he could use the raptors in some way. The real question was how many people would pay the price for his delusions?
Sighing I started the engine and headed home. If Vic Hoskins thought, for even a second, he could control the raptors I was not the craziest person on this island.
Deathcutie20: Thanks! Hope you liked the post date (or not a date) tension...LOL
angelicedg: Nothing with Jo and Owen will ever be normal :) Don't worry, their dysfunction is what makes them great.
Desert Vulpes Verda: Hello again friend :) They make me happy too!
PadawanCassy: Thanks for the review. Claire will make her feelings known, eventually.
xxyangxx2006: Thanks! Jo has plenty of guilt to go around. I'm sure this isn't the last we'll hear of it. Hope you enjoyed!