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 17

Lex had found work trying, in more ways than one. Though she booked her leave knowing there would be an increased workload upon her return, her extra time off - the halfdays - to spend with Claire meant she missed more than she originally planned. In other words, there was evenmore work to do once she was back. That was only exasperated by the fact she would be taking another halfday even on her first day back.

But Lex was not angry at Claire for that. Why? Well... that was because of the other reason she found work trying: it meant time away from Claire Dearing.

Indeed, for as much as Lex found the increased workload annoying, what was more intolerable was the fact she was not with the redhead. She wanted to spend every second with her - especially now, with so little time remaining. Claire would be gone tomorrow. That hurt Lex more than she could say.

The blonde could not believe howmuch had happened in such a short time. If someone told her a week ago she would not only meet the most wonderful, beautiful, amazing woman of her life, but already feel immense pain at her absense.. well, it was unlikely, to say the least. But that was exactly what had happened. Lex was smitten with Claire... and as bigheaded as it was, she had a feeling Claire felt the same.

But once more, Lex thought of the futility of it all. Claire had a life of her own: tomorrow she would be gone. And Lex knew from past experience long-distance relationships did not work. At least not for her. Besides, there was a difference between a holiday relationship and a proper, fulltime one, right? And as much as Lex wished it was the latter, she had to come to terms with the fact it was only the former.

That was why, despite any issues at work, Lex gladly took another day off. She wanted to spend as much time as possible with the gorgeous redhead while she still could. Fuck work. It was not everday you fell in...

Lex chastised herself. Do not think that. It could only lead to pain.

But once she clocked off, reached the ground floor, and saw Claire waiting for her... Lex sighed. The mere sight of the woman was so wonderful it almost hurt. She wondered if she would survive the next day's goodbye.

Just as they had three days before, they closed the gap between them in seconds, Claire giving a slight variation of what she said before. "I missed you so much." Needless to say, Lex felt the same. But in a way, it only made things worse: they would really miss eachother after tomorrow.

Resolving not to let that truism ruin things, Lex forced her lips on Claire's, pushing her tongue in before she met resistance. Claire returned in kind, neither caring where they were. That said, this time they did not immediately retire to Claire's hotel room. They both somehow managed to control themselves and go to "their" cafe for lunch. But the meal was still full of heated looks, blushed faces, held hands and even footsie under the table. Lex almost smirked: her heart was in deep trouble.

However, there was something Lex noticed - Claire was uncharacteristically nervous. She could tell. Despite knowing the redhead for less than a week... Lex could read her like a book. She tried to ignore what that meant.

About half-an-hour into their lunch, Claire's grip on Lex's hand tightened. "I... I have something for you." Lex tilted her head. "It's... it's a 'thank you' for being so... kind... to me this week. And to show you... howmuch you mean to me." The blonde's breath caught: though she pretty much surmised as much, the fact Claire was flushed at saying Lex meant something to her was still shocking. Again, Lex wondered how she managed to gain the attention of this gorgeous woman. Oh yeah: they literally crashed into eachother.

Claire reached into her handbag and revealed a rectangular box. She then opened it... revealing a stunning, golden necklace. Lex's eyes widened. She had never seen jewellery so... "It's beautiful," she gasped. "This... is for me... ?"

The redhead raised their joined hands - as she had many times - and kissed Lex's knuckles. It must have been Lex's imagination that Claire's lips lingered longer than ever before. "If you want it, my pretty lady." At that, Lex actually chuckled. Was that a rhetorical question? This was ridiculous: Lex had never been the recipient of such a gift.

"I... I can't accept this," Lex whispered. It was too good for her.

"Please, my darling," Claire said, standing and, with the necklace in hand, moving around until she was behind Lex. She then delicately brushed Lex's golden hair away and reverently brought the jewellery to Lex's neck, locking the clasp in place. If that was not sensual enough, Lex shuddered when she felt Claire's lips briefly on her neck. The blush that resulted nearly made her pass out. To Lex's disappointment - but understanding, as they were in a public place - Claire left her personal space and returned to her seat opposite the blonde. "Now it's beautiful."

Lex looked down, embarrassed at such praise. "Thank you. I... don't know what to say."

Claire once more took Lex's hand and kissed it. "Don't say anything."

Lex gulped. Yes... her heart was in deep, deep trouble.

They finished their lunch in record time. Before either knew it, they were back at Claire's hotel room, in the comfort of eachother's arms. Their clothes were quickly discarded - though the necklace stayed on...

TO BE CONTINUED