DISCLAIMERS

1. I DO NOT OWN JURASSIC PARK/WORLD. This is just for fun.

2. This is a femslash story. If you don't like that sort of thing, you won't like this.

PART 11

Lex looked terrible. Plain. Inadequate. Unworthy.

She was sure of it, considering how her companion for the evening looked.

Claire had booked a table at one of the fanciest restaurants in the city. Lex did not care where they ate - as long as they were together - but Claire was insistant: she expained she wanted their meal to be special. The casual way the redhead spoke about it, plus the apparent ease she got a spot in the fancy place indicated to Lex she was not shy of a few bucks. Besides, she was staying in a five-star hotel, always looked immaculate, and even Lex knew her shoes must have cost a bomb. Were theme park employees really paid that well?

At that, Lex groaned inwardly. They had still not talked about Claire's job. It was amazing, really, how they could spend so much time together, but manage to avoid a pretty important topic. Lex sighed at her weakness. Ever since Simon Masrani's visit, the mere thought of amusement parks made her guts turn. His appearance brought back all of Lex's insecurities and... well, fears. Though it was true they never fully left her, she managed to supress and ignore them with light medication.

Lex felt pathetic. She was not a child anymore! When was she going to get over it? Tim tried to explain to her many times over the years that neither of them would ever fully overcome the memories. But her brother, perhaps because of his interest and understanding of dinosaurs, managed his memories far better than she. The adrenaline that got Lex through the ordeal on the island wore off as soon as they returned to America.

But... dammit, she had to grow up. No more avoiding. She was going to ask about Claire's job. She owed it to her. It was just a theme park! Disneyworld, Sea World or Universal Studios were hardly Jurassic Park... or World, as it was now known. Stupid, pompous name.

"Are you OK?"

Lex darted her head at the voice, to see a concerned Claire looking at her. The redhead had just finished talking to the maitre d' concerning their table. She took Lex's hand in hers and squeezed gently. "Is something wrong, honey?" Neither of them seemed to realise when they started using terms of endearment... they just had.

"No... not at all," Lex said, shaking her head. "C'mon, let's eat." Claire looked slightly unconvinced, but Lex walked them to their table - led by the maitre d' - before she could say anything else. Once they sat, ordered and were left alone, Claire softly took Lex's hand again, across the table.

"You look beautiful."

Lex blushed as her earlier thoughts returned. Claire was clearly being kind. Next to the redhead, Lex was nothing. Knowing the type of place they were going to, Lex picked the fanciest attire she could find in her wardrobe, but she had never been one for extravagance. Claire, however, was in a dress that looked like she was poured into. Had she brought it with her on the offchance she would wear it on a holiday? Or had Claire purchased it especially for tonight? To be honest, the latter possibility made Lex feel a mite smug... even if it did again suggest money was little object to her companion. "You're just being nice."

Claire shook her head, staring directly into the blonde's eyes. "You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, and you've never looked more beautiful than right now."

Lex's breath caught. Not saying anything else, Claire lifted their joined hands, then kissed Lex's knuckles tenderly. Taking an audible gulp, Lex struggled to rein in her emotions. She wanted to throw the table aside and take this woman right now. But instead, she hastily cleared her throat and spoke. "Thank... thank... " She stammered, embarrassed beyond belief: as if she could compare to Claire Dearing. "I... I don't usually go to places like this. I'm just abit... I dunno."

Claire's face fell. "I'm sorry... I thought you'd like it."

"No, I do," Lex said quickly. Feeling awful at the redhead's guilty face, she decided to lighten the mood. "As long as the food's good, I'll be fine." Mirroring Claire's action, she lifted her hand to her mouth and pressed her lips against her knuckles. "And considering the company, I'm sure the night will be perfect."

"I owe it to you," said Claire. "You've been so kind to me... it's the least I could do."

"Don't be silly," said Lex. "It's been my pleasure." In more ways than one.

"I mean it, Lex," the redhead said sternly. "I really appreciate... everything."

With Claire's actions and words, Lex feared this was it. That this was their final time together. A "thank you" from Claire before they parted ways forever.

Several hours later, after yet more multiple - and simultaneous - orgasms in Claire's room, it was clear that fear was premature...

TO BE CONTINUED