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 13

No. More. Avoidance.

That was the mantra going through Lex's head as she stared at the restroom mirror.

It had been five days. Five days of not mentioning the topic Lex really did not want to think about, but enough was enough. No matter what, she was going to ask about Clare's job. It was time to fucking grow up. It was Just. A. Theme park.

It truly amazed the blonde how they had managed to avoid the subject. She could write a book called How to Not Talk About Your Girlfriend's Job. Though of course, Clare was not her girlfriend... right?

Lex was starting to wonder. Well, actually she had been wondering that since their first night together - but it was another talking point they had magically managed to skirt around. However, as the week progressed, and they spent more time together, Lex felt herself falling more and more. She was crazy about Claire Dearing.

Staring at her reflection, Lex sighed. Here she was, in the restroom of another restaurant Claire had taken them to. Nowhere near as fancy as the previous night - perhaps the redhead felt she was showing off before - but still not exactly a burger joint. This was at least arguably more communal than lastnight's place. Open air, no booking required, right next door to a regular bar. Lex could hear the tavern's television bellowing through the restroom walls. It was even visible outside the restroom, the two venues were so close.

But it was not the fact Claire was treating her to another meal that had her down - it was guilt. Lex had made almost no effort to talk about Claire's occupation. It was terribly selfish; though she never really relished them, she had little problem with theme parks, per se. But since her surprise office encounter earlier in the week, it was like... she just did not want to think about parks at all. Why did Masrani have to visit? Why now - when Lex had met the woman of her dreams?

Audibly gulping, Lex realised what she thought. Yes, she was crazy about Claire. In love? Was Tea right? No... she could not afford to be. Claire would be gone in two days, and Lex would be alone again. Alone with her stupid, pathetic, childish memories. If only Masrani had not shown up, then she could ask about Claire's job with no problem. It was not as if the blonde had never gone to a "funfair" since 1993 - far from it. She often took Tim's children to the zoo. But having Simon Masrani just turn up in her office, with no warning... it was enough to bring back all of Lex's trepeditions.

But no more. Forget her fears. They were going to talk about Claire's occupation. Straightening herself up, Lex actually felt calm, more confident. Of course, that could have been down to just thinking about the redhead. She did not know what this thing exactly was between them, but just being with Claire lifted Lex's spirits. She was indeed the most perfect woman she had ever met... her job aside.

Lex thought back to earlier that day, while unloading boxes of her belongings into her new house. The handholding moment - noticed by her future neighbours - was telling. But of what? Were they friends? Certainly. Friends with benefits... just fuckbuddies? The fact Claire would be gone in two days leant credence to the latter possibility, which made Lex's stomach turn.

Though she could hardly complain. She had done more than her share of initiating sex - infact, just moments after Sam and Laura left them. Lex, once more overcome with her desire to be with Claire, had led her into her soon-to-be abode. Truth be told, sex there felt a little naughty: it was not officially Lex's home yet. A silly feeling - the house was all bought and paid for, after all - but it felt naughty nontheless.

Lex took a deep breath, deciding to brush away the heat that rose from thinking about their time in eachother's arms. It was time to talk jobs. Lex had to ignore the nagging doubt she had over what exactly their coupling meant - although there was really no doubt. It meant nothing. They were... friends. Nothing more. Lex would just have to accept how bitter that felt.

She left the restroom and was about to go back to the table where her gorgeous companion was waiting... when a sound caught her attention. Specifically, a word.

"Jurassic."

Blinking her eyes, Lex was frozen. Then, in an indulgance of surprise and morbid curiosity - or perhaps self-loathing - she slowly turned her head. Lex saw the next-door bar's TV airing an advertisement... for a world-famous amusement park.

Shit.

"Celebrating ten years of prehistoric thrills and spills, book now to be onhand for the unveiling of the greatest attraction in Jurassic World history: what is the Indomi... "

"Shit."

Fortunately, Lex's exclamation was not loud enough for anyone enjoying meals or drinks to hear. That was little consolation, though. Fucking, fucking TV. The blonde could already feel her eyes watering. No, no. Stop it. She looked down to see, to her surprise, her hands trembling. "You can't be serious... " Taking a big gulp of air, she somehow managed to stem the storm before it arrived. Having Claire waiting for her - in all her beautiful glory - helped. The redhead could not see her like this; Lex would not allow it. "For her... " she breathed. "For her." Letting the air out of her mouth in a soft blow, Lex clenched her fists to stop them shaking, before clearing her throat and striding away from the blaring of the TV. Luckily, their table was too far away for the sound to carry. Lex - her panic already going - could get back to losing herself in Claire's eyes.

But they never did talk about her job.

And in leaving when she did, Lex missed the final few seconds of the advertisement. It showed a gallery of talking heads; park staff encouraging people to join in the tenth anniversary festivities - ending with a certain redheaded Operations Manager...

TO BE CONTINUED