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 15

Claire opened her eyes and sighed. Once again, passion with Lex had left her content and relaxed. Of course, her slumber was probably more to do with the fact she was awake half the night... and not because of sex. Though she was hardly angry at the person responsible for her lack of sleep.

Seeing Lex in that state was a wake-up call in more ways than one. It hurt Claire immeasurably to witness it: to see the woman she cared so very much for so weak, so distressed. The redhead got the inkling it was more than a simple nightmare: rarely did "normal" bad dreams lead to such hysterics. What did Lex dream about? Some past memory? An old boyfriend leaving her? Not that Lex ever mentioned boyfriends, but she did, in a moment of panic, say "he" had left.

That brought out another feeling in Claire: jealousy. To be frank, the OM was surprised; her guts churned at the idea of someone else being with her beautiful blonde. Let alone someone being foolish enough to leave her. Claire remembered Lex mentioning the girlfriend who finished with her on her birthday. What a stupid, stupid woman; not only was it callous and cruel, but pure idiocy. How could anyone leave the wonderful, beautiful...

Hang on... her beautiful blonde? Did Claire just think that? And... why was she so angry at someone leaving Lex? Was that not what she was about to do? Yet, as the week went on, she was finding it harder and harder to contemplate. How long was it now? Claire blinked: her holiday had one day left. She was returning to Isla Nublar tomorrow. That filled her with actual dread. As insane as the idea was at the start of the week... she did not want to go. The idea of leaving Lex Murphy was almost physically painful.

But she had to leave. Her job was not just her career... it was her life. Running Jurassic World gave her meaning, purpose, even passion. Everything else was secondary. New passions could not happen. But... the passion Lex brought out in her; the want, the need - it was like nothing Claire had felt before. And after lastnight, Lex's nightmare brought out something else in Claire. She desperately, hopelessly wanted - needed - to comfort the blonde. She felt the urgent need to protect her, not just then, but... the very idea of Lex in pain, for any reason, made the redhead's blood run cold. Claire wanted to protect and comfort Lex; she wanted to be the one to protect and comfort her.

Claire took a deep breath and shook her head. No. It could not happen. Nothing could come of this. They were friends - nothing more.

With that bitter thought, Claire forced herself out of Lex's bed. Inbetween her musings she noticed the blonde was not beside her. Ignoring the fact that hurt her too, Claire slipped on the dressing gown she brought with her from her hotel room. "Lex?" Nothing. With a frown, the redhead left the bedroom and, once she made her way downstairs, was about to call out again. But then she saw the beautiful blonde in her all-but-empty study... sitting infront of her easel. Slowly approaching, Claire could not help the smile that formed on her face. "There you are."

Lex darted her head and stared wide-eyed. It looked like she had been caught with her hand in the biscuit jar. "Oh God, Claire... I... I'm sorry. I guess I lost track... "

"It's OK, honey," reassured Claire, kissing Lex's inviting lips once she reached her. "What are you upto?"

Lex blushed. "I... I'm sorry," she repeated. "I just... thought I'd come down and paint. I... find it relaxing." Claire smirked. Lex did say the desire to put something on canvas could just come to her out the blue. Besides, the sight of the lovely woman with specks of paint on her was stupidly cute. But her smile faded when she saw Lex's guilty face. "I'm sorry... after this morning, I should've stayed with you."

Claire sighed. Lex was referring to when she woke up alone and assumed the redhead left her. The thought sickened Claire: she would never just walk out on her... at least, not until she had to. "I said it's OK, Lex," she said resolutely, before motioning to the canvas. "Can I see?"

Lex's expression changed from guilt to embarassment. "It... it's nothing. I'm really bad. Besides... it's not finished."

"If you're doing it, then it's not 'nothing'," said Claire. "And I've seen your other paintings, so I know you're anything but 'really bad'." She stroked Lex's cheek. "And as for it being unfinished... well, I've always wanted to see an artist's work in progress." That was sort of true: after all, she was never privy to the cloning process of Jurassic World's attractions. Claire only ever saw the finished products. "Please?"

Lex's blush deepened, but she slowly turned the easel until Claire could see the painting. What met the redhead's eyes caused them to become saucers.

It was... her.

Claire was dumbfounded. Lex had taken the time, the effort, to paint a portrait of her. And, if she may think so herself... it was perfect. An exact likeness. "My God... I... I don't know what to say... you've painted me?" Claire actually felt unworthy.

"I know your every detail," Lex whispered. "Your perfect face, your flawless... " She stopped, her face now bright red. "And... and I only paint things that mean alot to me." Lex then looked down. "Dammit, I... I shouldn't have... "

Claire quickly raised Lex's face up with a finger under the chin, and seamlessly kissed her. Not even concerning herself with getting paint on herself, Claire slowly climbed onto Lex's lap, the kiss deepening...

TO BE CONTINUED