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 16

Claire hated Lex's job, she decided.

After a couple of days "freedom", of being able to spend all their time together, Lex had to return to work. Though she assured Claire she decided her own hours and therefore could take another halfday, it still grated on the redhead. She wanted to spend every second with the blonde. Especially now, with so little time remaining.

Claire's own leave was nearly over. She would be returning to the world's biggest theme park tomorrow, right on the cusp of its tenth anniversary and unveiling of its biggest attraction yet. She could not afford to miss it: unlike Lex, Claire did not decide her own hours. Jurassic World was its own master, Claire in many ways its mistress. She was at the island's beck and call. Not that she resented that... or did she?

Now, she was not so sure. It meant leaving Lex Murphy, and that was something that brought chills to the redhead. In less than a week, she had gone from a couple of unsuccessful dates with a dinosaur handler, to meeting the most amazing, most perfect person in the world. Claire was smitten... and call it arrogance, but she got the inkling Lex was in a like mindset.

But it did not matter. What mattered was Claire's work: and frankly, she would not give that up for anything. Right... ?

Claire almost audibly tutted, as the answer was obvious.

Indeed, the futility of this thing between them was the reason Claire decided not to ask about Lex's nightmare. She considered it, but once the blonde left for work, Claire realised it was right not to bring it up. There was a chance it had something to do with why Lex hated theme parks. If that was the case, then it was exactly the same reason why Claire kept quiet about her job. Why force Lex to think back to whatever happened when the redhead was leaving? Would Claire just return to her job and potentially leave Lex an emotional wreck? No. That was out of the question. Claire cared too much for Lex to do that. She wanted this week between them to be as perfect as possible.

Eventhough it would only be a week.

Sighing, Claire once more resolved not to dwell on the matter: it was superfluous. Her work came before anything else. It had to.

That did not stop her from again grumbling about Lex's job, however. Could she not take just two more full days off? A halfday just meant half a day not being in the beautiful blonde's arms. Claire spent the entire midday counting the hours - minutes? - until Lex clocked off. Once that happened, Claire was determined to practically not let the woman out of her sight. Being apart was just unbearable, especially as every moment mattered now.

But in the meantime, Claire was stuck milling around the business district - much like she did on her first day here. She engaged in window-shopping and had a brunch in "their" cafe, all the while not straying too far from Lex's place of business. It was odd how it happened to be the same building her boss visited earlier, but Claire had not shared that with Lex. As if it would be relevent; who was Simon Masrani to Lex?

Again sighing, Claire stopped her aimless wandering outside a jewellery shop. She lazily looked at the items in the window, her mind not really focusing. The shop had some nice engagement rings. Claire panned her eyes across them, mildly analysing them. There was a pretty blue-gemmed one... that ruby one was quite fetching... but one in particular caught Claire's eye. It matched Lex's lovely hair. Claire could imagine Lex wearing it, especially if she asked the blonde on the promonade overlooking the park's...

Wait, what? WHAT? Claire's eyes threatened to pop out their sockets. Was she just thinking... ?!

Claire audibly gulped and spun around away from the window. Putting her hand to her mouth, she blushed deeply. What had she just... did she think about... ?

Oh God. Claire hurridly strode away from the shop. Oh God oh God oh God. What was going on? Did she... actually envision... ?

OK, now Claire Dearing was afraid. Spending significant time with someone was one thing. Sex was another. Not wanting to leave that person was pushing it. But... that?

Were... Claire's feelings for Lex that deep? Was she actually, bonafidely in love? For Lex's sake, if not her own, the redhead hoped not. She would be gone tomorrow. Any - any - feelings she had for Lex could not lead to anything.

Even... love.

Claire found herself almost running from the jewellery shop, fighting the urge not to look back.

A fight she might have lost...

TO BE CONTINUED