"I'm not that up-to-date on my dinosaur history so feel free to stop me if I'm wrong, but whatever it is you just said isn't a real dinosaur, right?" I asked the group. They all shook their heads no. "That's what I thought."

"What did it say about the raptors?" Owen inquired, his voice steady though I saw him clenching and unclenching his fists at his sides. He was mildly irritated about my whole stealth plan with Lowery, but he was on a whole different level now that the girls were involved. "Did you find anything that pointed to what that Domino Rex thing actually is?"

"Indominus Rex," Lowery corrected. Owen scowled; he was not a happy camper tonight. "Right, not important, and no. The files for both dinosaurs look like basic research, theories and some reports from you guys, but like I said most of the files are inaccessible remotely. I couldn't access any tangible information on either dinosaur."

While it appeared my hunch about InGen being a bad little donut was correct we still didn't have any hard evidence with which to nail them to wall. Metaphorically speaking of course.

"That's it then. If we can't get to the information there isn't a lot we can do," Barry stated. Thank you Negative Nancy.

"Well, maybe…," I pondered, a vague idea forming in my mind.

"Jo, the only way to access those files would be to at the server itself. Before you ask, I checked, and that server is located on the top floor in the most highly secure part of the building. It requires an access card that only a handful of people have. I mean, what do you plan to do, steal an access card and break into the server room?" Lowery laughed at the impossible notion.

"Pretty much," I told him. Owen and Barry's eyes swung around to me.

Lowery cleared his throat instantly sobering, "Oh, well, OK."

"Barry, why don't you and Lowery call it a night. We're not coming up with a plan now. I'll link up with you tomorrow at work," Owen said, dismissing the pair in a clipped tone.

I started walking behind them towards the path hoping Owen wouldn't notice. It had not escaped my attention he hadn't said my name when he'd essentially ended our meeting. The last thing I wanted was to be marooned on this beach, alone with Owen, with high tide imminent.

Before I could make a break for it Owen's hand shot out ending my hasty retreat, "Mind hanging back for a minute?" He said it like a question, but the hard look in his eyes told me he wasn't really asking. High tide it was then.

I looked longingly as Barry and Lowery made the trek back up the path leaving me alone with one furious raptor trainer. I shifted my weight back and forth anxiously awaiting his next move. I decided my best course of action was to just wait until he showed his cards. No need to agitate an already riled up animal.

After about two minutes of waiting I was out of patience.

"Are you going to say something or just stand there all dark and broody?" I asked flippantly. Owen's eyes narrowed on mine, and I took a tentative step back. Probably not the best way to approach this situation.

"Do you really think baiting me is in your best interest right now?"

"No?" I was in uncharted waters right now. I didn't know how to handle upset, unpredictable Owen. Especially when I wasn't sure exactly what he was pissed about. Was he pissed about my no so secret meeting with Lowery? Was he mad that InGen was keeping hidden files on his girls? Was he pissed the Cowboys were having another off year? It was just too hard to call at this point.

He exhaled harshly through his nose, dragging his hands through his hair in obvious frustration. I instantly felt like a douchebag. Whatever he was feeling right now, save for the Cowboys sucking, it was because of me. Owen had gone above and beyond the call of duty for me since my injury, and this was how I repaid him. With secrets and lies. It was no wonder I couldn't manage to keep anyone in my life for more than a few weeks. I was a bad friend, and a worse person. My heart constricted with fear at the thought of pushing Owen too far and losing him.

"How long have you known?" I asked softly.

"Since the bonfire." My eyes widened in surprise. Fucking Lowery and his big mouth.

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"I wanted you to trust me enough to tell me yourself," he responded sadly, turning away from me. "I came tonight because I was worried you might do something rash without thinking it through."

That pretty much described my entire existence. My eyes dropped to the beach, filling with tears I couldn't hold back. He was waiting on me to trust him, to come to him with my suspicions and I'd let him down. It was like watching a tape on rewind. I always managed to ruin anything good in my life, and Owen was one of the best things I'd ever come across. I was the definition of a failure. He looked so disappointed and hurt by my actions I almost couldn't stand it. He didn't understand I hadn't kept it from him because I didn't trust him. It was exactly the opposite. I kept it from him because I couldn't bear the thought of dragging him into one of my harebrained schemes only to see him hurt as a result.

"I do trust you," I almost cried, "I didn't tell you because I couldn't protect you if this went sideways."

I was shocked to realize the truth of my statement. Stunned, even. I trusted Owen. In every sense of the word, and it terrified me. Somehow he had become that voice in the back of head that made me strive towards better things. He was someone whose opinion I valued with the utmost importance. He was my best friend, and something more I still couldn't put a label on. Holy shit. When had this happened? I'm a fairly observant person, but this revelation took me completely by surprise.

I had never had such a devout feeling of blind trust in anyone. Most people probably grew up surrounded by feelings of trust from their parents, their family, even their friends. I'd never had anyone to count on except myself. Until Owen. He was a solid presence in my life. As steadfast and reliable as anyone I'd ever met. Plus, he was extremely easy to look at. Especially when he was dressed like a cross between the Crocodile Hunter and a Special Forces Soldier. The man was a force to be reckoned with that was for sure. A body like his with a face like that made it damn near impossible to keep your clothes on when he smiled at you. Believe me, I'd been fighting the temptation for months (as had every other woman on the island).

Owen stepped in front of me, tipping my head up with his hands so he could look at me. A tear escaped my eye, running down my cheek. Another first for me, crying in front of someone. This whole night was full of horrendously, embarrassing firsts. My life was an always evolving disaster. I do a good job of pretending everything is fine, but when it's late at night and I'm all alone I can admit I've never been fine. It was the emotional equivalent of walking around with your sock sliding off inside your shoe. Annoying, and terribly inconvenient.

Owen's thumb brushed across my cheek, whipping the tear away, his gaze softening, "I appreciate the gesture Jo, but you don't need to protect me. I can handle myself."

Oh, I knew that first hand. Owen was a one man wrecking crew when he needed to be. Problem was you couldn't punch your way out of every situation, much as I might like to try.

"Yeah, well, there isn't a whole lot you can do if they just up and fire you. I couldn't let that happen. I know how much the girls mean to you."

He smiled at me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders as he led us to the path. Apparently, the interrogation was over. The look in his eyes told me he wasn't just worried about losing his girls, and just like that those fucking butterflies were doing laps in my stomach. This man and his freaking dimples were going to be the death of me.

"Just out of curiosity, how were you planning to explain Lowery's involvement if your evil plot was uncovered?"

"First of all, my plot was not evil. Second, I would just tell them I held a gun to his head and made him do it," I answered honestly, sniffling a little.

"And you couldn't say the same about me?"

We had just reached the top of the hill, and I had to stop I was laughing so hard. My ribs protested the action. Owen was truly oblivious to his entire persona. No one in their right mind would believe I could not only get the drop on Owen, but maintain control for any amount of time. Not without a trail of bodies a mile long in his wake.

"I don't think anyone would believe I coerced you with the threat of physical violence," I patted him on the back as I looked around for my Jeep. I'm not that great at math, but I was only counting one Jeep in the vicinity. Owen's. "What…where the hell is my Jeep?!"

"Barry took it. You can pick it up tomorrow at the paddock," Owen smiled brightly at me.

Come again? I didn't have a response for this.

Was this my punishment? I had been a bad girl and planned a secret meeting so now I had to walk all the way home?

I was suddenly over my new found affection towards Owen, and was back to our status quo of me wanting to murder him, slowly. My brain was so enamored with the idea of wrapping my hands around his throat and choking the life out him I hadn't noticed he was already sitting astride his motorcycle looking at me expectantly.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I was genuinely confused at this point. I thought I was facing a 20-mile road march home.

"Are you going to get on or just stand there all night?" he asked, gesturing to the space behind him.

Stand there all night, definitely.

"But, but, that's your bike." I'm really good at stating the obvious.

"Motorcycle."

"Whatever."

"Josephine King, are you nervous to get on my motorcycle?" he taunted, clearly enjoying my displeasure.

Hell fucking yes I was nervous to get on the back of his motorcycle, but not for the reasons he thought. Getting on the motorcycle would require me to press my body up against Owen's muscular, tight, extremely sexy body. I would have to wrap my arms around his lean, ripped stomach.

Oh Jesus, I might pass out just thinking about it.

Had it gotten hotter out here or was it just me?

I fanned my face as I swallowed the lump in my throat, my eyes darting around the jungle. I couldn't do this. Well, that wasn't technically true. I could definitely do this, but not without molesting him. That wouldn't be safe. There were laws against driving and doing that kind of...stuff. There was probably a bus or some kind of public transportation I could take, right? I just needed to explore my options.

"Jo, you look ready to bolt. I promise it's totally safe. You know I'd never let anything happen to you."

Good, this was good. He thought I was nervous about riding on the bike because it could mean death in a fiery motorcycle related crash. That was better than what was really going on inside my head. My inner slut was stripped down to her Victoria Secret best imploring me to get my ass on the back of that motorcycle this instant. I shook my head rapidly back and forth telling that sex crazed lunatic to shut up.

Owen looked sincerely concerned at this point. I closed my eyes and gave my hormones a stern "down" command as I shuffled towards the motorcycle. I swung my leg over the machine settling onto the back. There were at least five inches between Owen and me. If I scooted back any further I'd fall off.

"Uh Jo, you're going to have to get a little closer for this to work."

Oh dear lord sweet baby Jesus.

I let out a little whimper as I slid forward, plastering my front to his back. I slowly wrapped my arms around his waist tentatively, and was reminded of one of our first conversations when he'd told me we didn't need a motorcycle if I wanted my arms around him. My inner slut had donned three-inch slut shoes, and was now swinging on a stripper pole like a pro. Jesus, that woman needed to get laid.

Owen kicked started the motorcycle, and I instantly squeezed my arms around his waist in response. Everywhere I touched was rock hard muscle, and my mouth went dry. This whole thing was like a biblical experience. I decided if I died right here, right now, I'd be OK with that. The really sad part was we hadn't even started moving yet. He revved the engine, and I think I may have moaned a little.

Owen cleared his throat, shifting slightly as he turned around to look at me, "Not that I don't enjoy all the noises coming out of your mouth right now, but if you don't stop we won't be leaving this spot any time in the near future."

Oh. My. God.

I was so excited by the sheer possibilities I may have peed a little bit. Fucking kill me now.

I bit my lip, burying my head into Owen's back as we shot forward through the jungle. I don't remember any of the ride home. It may have taken two minutes, it may have lasted a lifetime. I spent the entire ride memorizing everything about Owen. The way his body moved as he piloted the motorcycle with expert precision, his smell, the feel of our bodies pressed together. By the time he pulled up to my house I was lightheaded, and more than a little dazed. I awkwardly lumbered off the motorcycle like a baby giraffe taking its first steps

"Thanks for the ride," I mumbled, retreating towards my house with a stumble.

I only made it a few steps before I was swung around, Owen's lips crashing down on mine. His arms snaked around my waist mindful of my ribs, pulling me flush against him. Holy hell, pressed up against Owen twice in one night. It was like winning the lottery. A girl could get used to this.

This kiss was nothing like the chaste kiss we had shared weeks before. No, this kiss was filled with passion and desperation. I felt like a little kid spinning with my head hanging off the end of a merry go round. I wrapped my hands around his neck and threaded my fingers into his hair, pulling him even closer. I felt his tongue brush across my lower lip slowly, and was pretty sure I whimpered in response, my legs feeling shaky beneath me as I opened my mouth to him. I had done my fair share of kissing, but this was like checking something off a bucket list.

The need for oxygen made us pull apart, but I'll have it be known I'd have been happy to simply pass out from oxygen deprivation. Owen's gaze drifted all over my face as he sported a lazy grin. We were both breathing hard, and I fought the urge to wince at deep breaths. These ribs were killing my game. His eyes flicked down towards my ribs, and I knew he'd noticed my discomfort. He shook his head slightly, a grin tugging at his lips as I attempted to play off the pain.

"Get some sleep, and take your pill. I can tell you're in pain," Owen said lightly, placing a kiss to my forehead. "Goodnight."

I nodded my head and he gave me a crooked smile as he walked back to his motorcycle. I watched him drive back to his bungalow in the dead of night with the feeling that everything had just changed. Was it really possible for your world to flip upside down with one kiss? I looked out towards the ocean, taking a deep breath of the sea salt air. For the first time in weeks I felt like my relationship with Owen was on solid ground. I still didn't know where it was headed, but I could live with what I knew for now. I knew we cared about each other, and there was a feeling that we were on the edge of something much more.

Turning to walk towards my house I knew the firming up of our relationship had come at an opportune time. There was a storm brewing on the horizon, and it would take all our collective expertise to navigate it successfully.

Lowery had uncovered some potentially damaging evidence about InGen's involvement in the raptor program, and possibly some kind of genetic manipulation. The question still remained, what were they planning and what did it mean for the future of the park? I knew I needed to find out, but I had an uncomfortable feeling in my stomach. I paused at my door, the feeling was dread. I was scared. Not for myself, but those I'd dragged into my crazy world. There were other people involved; people I now understood I cared about.

Lowery. Barry. Owen.

They had somehow become my family. The thought of losing any of them was a possibility I simply couldn't allow to come to pass. I was going to find out what InGen was planning.

The only question was, could protect everyone in the process?

animagirl: Don't be upset with Owen, I don't think he means to be that way...I think he is struggling with his feelings for Jo and worries she will get herself into a situation she can't get out of. She's more of a beg forgiveness than ask permission type of woman and that might hinder her ability to keep breathing...don't abandon us :)

angelicedg: Me too! Yeah, Jo underestimated them (she should have known better, Owen's probably a ninja in his spare time)...probably won't happen again.

xxyangxx2006: Thanks so much! I think Jo was slightly delusional if she thought she could pull this all off with just Lowery...she's got help now whether she wants it or not.

casper6six6: Thanks! Hope you liked the latest chapter :)

GayMexicanBatman: Thanks for reading and to answer your question...keep reading and we shall see.

Desert Vulpes Zerda: Yeah, I couldn't make half this shit up...my life is ridiculous sometimes. Jo is my therapeutic outlet. If I could kick ass like she does my life would perfect because I would basically be a superhero :)

Mystery Guest: Thanks for reading and yes I will be incorporating the movie into the story in an AU type setting. I hope you enjoyed this chapter...keep reading!

sarahmichellegellarfan1: Thank you, thank you! Hope you keep reading.

Storylover00: Jo and Owen are about to get this party started...enjoy!