12/07/15. Yeesh so I haven't gone to this story for a long time. Sorry :( I wonder if the Jurassic World hype has died down yet? I was actually hit with writer's block for a while, then I started my new job and omg it's been hectic, and I'm currently concentrating on 2 more stories. Yikes I am a busy bee indeed!

Hope you enjoy this chapter.

TROUBLE AFOOT

"Well, this is it." Lindy said.

Owen nodded. "...It was due to happen some day."

Both turned to each other respectively, although Lindy kept her glance to the ground awkwardly. "Thanks for allowing me to stay with you for that time."

"I'll miss the pie." He commented, and she chuckled, finally meeting his gaze.

It was time for Lindy to move back into her accommodation now that it had been fixed and everything should be back to normal. She had to admit that she would miss staying with Owen although it was for a brief period of time. She guessed she missed having someone to talk to after work hours (even if Owen was technically her boss), since she would just return to her room after work and sit in silence, either watching movies or any other program on TV. She stood with her bag slung over her shoulder filled with her clothes and amenities and Owen reached forwards with his hand outstretched. Unsure of what he was trying to do, she assumed it was a friendly handshake and reached forwards only for his fist to bump against her fingers.

"Oops."

"Sorry, I thought – "

"No, it's okay. We can shake hands."

Their hands found each other clumsily and they proceeded to shake loosely before letting go. Her hand was so tiny and warm compared to his.

"It's been real." He added.

She smiled dryly at him. "Same here."

"See you at work."

"See ya." She replied, and Owen sidled towards the direction of his motorbike with his hands in his pockets. Lindy watched his retreating back, then quickly said, "Owen, wait."

He turned to see her jogging up to him, stopping by his side. "What is it?"

"Thank you," She said, "For everything."

Then she quickly stood on her tiptoe, kissed him on the cheek briefly and rushed away.

MEMORANDUM

To: Claire Dearing

From: Simon Masrani

Subject: Breach of Security

Dear Claire,

It's been brought to my attention that the park has been under scrutiny lately, and that we have also suffered a breach of security by an intruder the other day. I was informed that the perpetrator hacked into confidential information contained within the lab and stole roughly a gigabyte of data about our assets. The source was unable to be traced due to being used on a ghost device but the security officer on duty that night said he saw someone inside the lab and shouted at them. The intruder attempted to escape but the Officer drew his weapon and managed to injure the intruder, specifically in the right calf. The intruder still succeeded in escaping and we have been compromised.

We've toughened our security measures, but I'd like to know this happened in the first place and how you will prevent this from happening again in the future?

Many thanks,

Simon

A FEW DAYS LATER

It was different without Lindy around in the house.

No-one was there to make fresh pie or wash the dishes or his clothes. It wasn't that he liked having her around for helping him with the basic, menial housekeeping, but he missed her presence. He missed having her around. He'd lived on his own in the little bungalow for some time and suddenly having a roommate made things a little exciting. She even left her scent all over his pillow.

Owen would be training Echo on a one to one basis when he would automatically rub at his cheek where she had kissed him. He had been doing that unconsciously for some time now and occasionally he would catch himself doing it. Unsure of what to think of it, he carried on as usual with little regard. Moments later, Lindy arrived at the paddock, looking a little paler than usual but nothing out of the ordinary, except she had traded her shorts for a pair of thin leggings and she appeared to be dragging one foot after the other. He left the raptor on her own to happily devour a rat and left the catwalk to greet her.

"Hey," He said, and she stopped in her tracks to smile up at him warmly.

"Hey." She replied.

"You alright?"

She nodded. "Just a bit tired; I didn't sleep very well last night. My new bed isn't very comfy."

"I know, my bungalow must seem like a five star hotel." He said with a grin, and Lindy chuckled in response and he gestured for her to walk with him. "C'mon, I'll go over today's tasks. We'll go to the office to talk."

"Great."

They passed the raptor den where they could see Bates seated on a bench with his boots off, tending to his foot which was wrapped up tightly in bandages.

"Bates? What happened to you?" Owen asked, as they walked past.

Bates glanced up in response, "Oh, this? It's an injury from a training exercise." He replied, "It's nothing."

Owen and Lindy left him to his own devices, although when she threw a glance over her shoulder, she met Bates' gaze; he was gazing at her with a steady glint in his eye. Swallowing down, she quickly turned away, focusing on her front. Owen led her into the office where she sat herself down in front of him. He proceeded to go over the recent reports and the raptor's progress.

Lindy couldn't find herself concentrating.

" – Ball."

She looked up, having missed the entire conversation. "Sorry?"

"The ball, Lindy. Are you going?" Owen asked. He had an eyebrow raised, noticing how distant she appeared. "...You okay? You look like you got a lot on your mind. Did something happen?"

"Oh. Um, no, I'm fine." She replied, "And er, yeah, I'm going to the charity ball. Mr Bates asked me."

He inwardly drew in a hiss of discontent as he winced, "Bates? Really? Him?"

She nodded. "He asked me the other day."

It must've been when Owen spotted them chatting to each other when she was bathing the raptors. Man, had Bates gone in for the kill already? Somehow the fact made him a little dejected.

"Are you going?" Lindy asked, and he tensed up slightly.

"Er..." He rubbed the back of his head, throwing his glance to his papers that were strewn in front of him on his desk. "I dunno."

"You should ask Ms Dearing." She pointed out.

"Yeah." He grunted; for some reason, he was entertained with the idea of asking Claire, but why was the fact that Lindy was going with Bates beginning to get on his nerves too? Maybe he had become rather protective of her. After all, she was his intern.

They continued to go over their work and writing down notes about the raptor's progression although he would always sneak glances at her and look at how serious she was whilst working until suddenly, the door to the office opened and speaking of the devil, there stood Barry and Claire.

"Owen, Miss Lindy, I'm so sorry to disturb you both; Ms Dearing needs to talk to you." Barry said, and Owen hastily rose from his seat as Claire stepped in; as usual, she looked very elegant with her white shirt and skirt and heels, although this time, she appeared a little distressed.

"Can we talk outside please?" Claire asked, averting her glance from Lindy, to Owen, who nodded.

"What's up?" He asked.

"I'll tell you once we're out."

"That important, huh?"

She gave him a tired look in response and Lindy and Barry watched as they exited the office. Once outside, Claire glanced around them as though double checking that they were truly alone, then crossed her arms, turning to him. "Have you heard?"

"About what?"

"There was an intruder a couple of days ago."

"You mean the couple who went to the park? You called us in for a meeting about that."

She shook her head. "No, this is something else. Something new, but possibly related."

Noticing how agitated she appeared, he nodded, "Alright. Lay it on me."

Quietly, she said, "They stole information from the lab, Mr Grady. Data. We're investigating. Don't tell anyone about this; not many people know about this, only myself, Mr Masrani and the board."

"So there really are thieves in the park?"

She nodded. "Yes. We're trying to find out."

"Uh...so it's just you, Masrani and some really senior people who know about this...so why are you telling me?"

With a gentle sigh, she said, "...I trust you. Out of all employees in this park, you're very dedicated to your work. I know how much the park and the raptors mean to you as much as the park means to me. So please keep an eye out for me, for any strange behavior or-or..." As she left her sentence trailing, she put her hands on her hips, glancing to the side whilst shaking her head.

He tilted his head at her, "Claire...are you alright?"

"Yes, of course I am, Mr Grady." She snapped abruptly, but he thought otherwise. She must be stressed out of her mind despite her calm composure.

"I bet Masrani's breathing fire down your neck to find the perp."

"Yes, he is. But please, whatever you do, do not tell anyone."

"My lips are sealed." He replied, "I bet that date's looking really inviting now. You should take some time off to relax and stuff. I can help you with that."

Frustrated, her eyes narrowed at him as his lips spread into a thin grin. "I can't believe you! You have really bad timing, you know that?"

He shrugged, still smiling lightly.

Claire huffed, planting her hands on her hips once more. "Oh, fine. Fine. I'm free this Friday evening. Let's...I don't know, go out for a meal. Have a drink."

Owen's grin widened. "Sounds good to me."

...