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 12

Moving boxes into a house was no less hard than packing them for leaving a house.

That was Claire's thought process as she placed another box of belongings on the floor of Lex's upcoming abode. Still, she was not complaining. Far from it - it meant she got to spend a fifth day with a certain blonde whom she was crazy about.

Their meal the previous night, after some early unease, was wonderful. Claire had wanted to thank Lex for sacrificing so much of her time for her, in a more communal setting. Though their time in bed - and the shower, bathtub and even up against the hotel room door - was pure ecstasy, Claire knew she had kept this wonderful woman away from the outside world. Besides, she wanted to treat the blonde, to show her what the OM could offer her.

Claire frowned at that thought. What... could she offer Lex, really? Her holiday was nearly over - in two days she would be back on Isla Nublar, ready to resume her job. Lex had her own life, and Claire knew she had taken up more than enough of it. It was just... she could not help herself. She craved this woman. When they were in eachother's arms, when their lips were practically moulded together, when she heard Lex moan and scream her name...

Stop it. Now was most definitely not the time. They had come to Lex's future home, beginning the process of moving the blonde's belongings in. Claire was more than happy to resume heavy lifting, and thinking about it, it was perhaps strange how they did not really even discuss it. No awkward offer by either of them - Claire had just stayed with her, like they... belonged...

No. Claire would not think that. It would only hurt them both - and Claire was determined not to hurt Lex. That was one of the reasons she intentionally kept quiet about her job. Ever since Lex's initial reaction to her working at a theme park of some kind, Claire knew it was a bigger deal than the blonde let on. Claire dreaded to think what could have happened to Lex; amusement parks did not exactly have a 100% No Incidents record. There was even a chance Lex's experience involved a death - fatalities were sadly not unheard of at "funfairs". It was a good thing Jurassic World's safety measures were beyond reproach.

So Claire had not said anything. Even over their meal, she managed to keep the conversation away from her occupation. For brief moments, Claire thought she sensed Lex about to ask about it - so the redhead changed the subject. It was for the best: she could tell Lex was uncomfortable about it, and besides, what was the point? Claire would be gone in two days, leaving an upset Lex thinking back to whatever had happened. That would just be cruel.

Suddenly, Claire felt someone rest against her back, and looked down to see arms wrapping around her. Sighing in contentment, she leaned back and rested her head against Lex's shoulder. "To what do I owe this pleasure?" she purred.

Kissing the redhead's neck, Lex tightened her grip on Claire's waist. "I just want to thank you... you didn't have to do this."

Sighing in contentment, Claire craned her neck until they were somewhat face-to-face. "You think I'd let you move all those heavy boxes alone?" She kissed Lex on the tip of the nose. "You're not getting rid... " She suddenly stopped, catching herself. That was close.

Lex frowned. "What's wrong?" Loosening her hold on Claire, the blonde slowly turned her around until they were fully facing eachother. Claire winced inwardly. She had begun to speak before she thought; to say what she was really thinking, what she was wanting. She had nearly voiced her desire not to leave this beautiful woman - not until she had to. But that would be the worst thing to say. They had no future together. They both knew that. They both seemed to accept that. But had Claire, really? It was a question she was trying hard not to ask herself. But the way Lex made her feel...

"Darling, please... say something." Lex's eyes were pleading.

"It's nothing," she said, clearing her throat. "Really."

Lex stroked her cheek. "You sure?"

Smiling, Claire kissed her tenderly on the lips. "I'm sure." She had to be. "Now come on, there are more boxes in the car." Trying not to acknowledge Lex's less-than-convinced expression, the redhead walked back to Lex's car. However, before she could reach it, she heard a voice from the next house.

"Hey there." Claire turned to see a man and woman holding eachother close, waving heartily at them. "Hope you don't mind us saying 'hello'," the man said, smiling.

Before Claire could respond, Lex appeared by her side. "Hi, guys." She motioned to the couple, speaking to Claire. "This is Sam and Laura, my upcoming neighbours." Claire waved slightly at them, unusually-insecure. She suddenly felt like the odd person out.

"I see you've got some help with moving in," Laura said.

"That's not the half of it," said Lex, winking at Claire. The redhead blushed.

"Well, we know you'll both be very happy here," said Sam.

At that, both Claire and Lex nearly choked. "Oh, no no no no, we're not... " Lex faulted, and Claire could well understand. They were not a couple. They were not together. But then... what were they? "We're... just friends." Claire knew it was true, but she felt a pang of hurt nonetheless.

"'Just friends', huh?" Laura said with a wry smile. "Is that why you automatically held hands once you got close?"

Both women looked down and saw their hands were indeed intertwined. Claire's breath caught. Neither of them even realised it - it was like a reflex. As it was with their easily slipping into petnames, it just seemed to be... right. Claire actually felt butterflies, and could not help the timid smile that formed on her face.

"Now you've embarrassed them," chuckled Sam. "We'll leave you two alone." The neighbours turned and, with a final wave back, disappeared into their house. Claire and Lex looked at eachother for a moment, then the blonde softly pulled the redhead close and kissed her. Claire was surprised, but decided not to question things, instead losing herself in Lex's lips...

TO BE CONTINUED