I just realized... like right before posting... that I changed between Owen and Zach's 3rd person point of view like a lot through this. LIKE A LOT. And maybe it'll look weird if you're not me reading it. I dun know. I dun usually change views so often. In the middle of one scene.

Raptor
Chapter 12: Error

He didn't return home until the early hours of the morning. He'd woken up in a cave at the base of the volcano, many miles from the outskirts of the park. He'd taken the raptors there a couple times, to the volcano, mostly when they were hiding from Barry or something. Sometimes some sort of training drill was involved. How fast they could get there, how fast they could get back. But it had been a while since they were last there. There was no sign of their scent anymore. The raptor brain didn't like that and Owen made sure to remedy that.

Owen remained in his raptor form until he returned to the trailer. It was the longest he'd ever been in shift. But it felt good to let the raptor just take over for a bit. He still couldn't get the teenager out of his head. If anything, the raptor kept the kid on his mind more. But it was a vague sense, like in the back of his mind. He stumbled into his trailer, his muscles quivering a bit as the aftershocks of shifting seemed to hang on for longer than normal. He shook himself as he staggered back to the bathroom. He didn't want to think about why the kid was lingering in the back of his mind. Because he didn't want to know.

Owen showered, dressed, and headed to the raptor paddock as quick as he could. The raptors were waiting expectantly, demanding explanations. Well, Blue demanded an explanation. Delta didn't seem to care, Charlie was concerned, and Echo just wanted to play. Owen waved them off, said he was just too tired because they kept him up the night before. But everything was fine, blah, blah, blah. "Let's get to work, okay?"

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

"Come on, Zach!" Gray whined from the hall. Rather loudly, too. The kid stamped his feet and bounced and banged on the wall. He wanted to leave right then and he wanted to make sure Zach knew that.

"Just hang on a minute!" Zach snapped, sinking back down on his hotel bed. He rubbed at his face for a moment and let out a sigh as he pulled out his phone. "Promised mom we'd call in the morning, remember?" He wasn't looking forward to it. He really wasn't. She'd called last night, after they'd gotten back to the hotel. Zach had lied, said they were tired and going to bed early. Jet lag and excitement and running around had drained them or some shit. She was placated when Zach promised to call her in the morning, with a much longer call. "We don't call mom and she'll just call later when were out doing something cool." He stated. "Probably something really cool and we'll have to stop and leave and find someplace quiet to talk..."

Gray's eyes widened and he darted back inside. He pulled the door shut and hurried to Zach's side. "Okay! We'll call mom and then go downstairs!"

Zach rolled his eyes. "We have over an hour." He said dryly. "You could have let me sleep longer." He hit her number and pressed the speakerphone button. Then he dropped it on the bed between them and laid back.

"Hello?" She answered after several rings. She sounded tired and distracted.

"Mom!" Gray either didn't notice or he was just too distracted. "Good morning!"

"Good morning, Gray." She said softly, sounding a bit more focused. "Zach there?"

"Yep." Zach answered. "Speakerphone." She asked if they were having fun. And Gray launched into a very detailed, very fast paced explanation. That Zach mostly tuned out. He'd been there the whole day, he didn't need to relive it. Though, the day's events went through his head anyways. Pretty much just all the moments when Owen. There was something about the man. Something... just something. He didn't know what. But that something was plaguing his thoughts. And his dreams.

"Zach?" She said his name loudly, as if she'd said it a few times and he missed it.

"Yeah?" He said quickly. "Sorry."

"I asked if you were having fun, too?" She asked softly.

"Yes." He answered quickly. "It's uh... been a blast."

She let out soft laugh. "That sounds really convincing." Then she sighed. "I'm sorry about Claire."

"She has a job to do." Zach said. "I'm sure she'll have time for us at some point." He wasn't sure at all. He really doubted they'd see her at all. But they said their goodbyes, promised to text her later and send her some pictures, and then call again tomorrow. And then Gray was grabbing Zach's hand and pulling him out the door and down the hall the second he hung up the phone. They hurried downstairs to the dining room for breakfast. Well... Gray hurried. Zach followed behind, his headphones on and acting like he didn't want to be there. It was a tossup, whether he wanted to be there or not. But they found a table and quickly ate.

And right on time, they were standing outside as Owen pulled up in a different jeep. This one had the same blue JW logo, but it was black instead of silver. Zach stood back for a moment, watching as it rolled to a stop. Gray didn't wait, just hopped right in the front seat. Zach slowly stepped forward. "Steal another jeep?" He asked loudly.

"It's a park jeep." Owen answered with a shrug. Zach climbed in and they started off. Gray started asking Owen questions, about himself and about training the raptors. Owen talked about being in the Navy and training dolphins. "It's different." He said. "Dolphins are smart but they got nothing on the raptors."

"Are they really that smart?" Gray asked.

Owen nodded his head. "It's not just their intelligence. They learn fast and they adapt. And they follow orders. Usually." He added.

"Usually?" Zach repeated, leaning forward a bit in the seat. He was actually paying attention for once. Once he heard the word Navy, he was gone. This crazy, weird, hot guy had been in the Navy. Of course, he didn't want to appear too interested.

Owen glanced at him in the rearview mirror and nodded slowly. "Uh... yes." He answered awkwardly and quickly looked back at the road. "For the most part they listen." He continued. "But they're still young and they're just like kids. They get tired and cranky and throw tantrums sometimes if they don't get their way." He smiled. "For the most part, they're good girls." They continued idly for a few more minutes until Owen pulled into the raptor paddock. He pulled into his parking spot and shut the jeep off. He was oddly excited to get in there with his girls and show them off to the brothers, to Zach. He swallowed and leaned back in the seat for a moment.

Gray was already out the door and bouncing as he looked at the fence. Zach watched for a moment and shook his head. Then he leaned forward over the front seat. "You coming?" He asked.

Owen slipped out and shut the door without answering. He didn't look but he could feel Zach following. Why could he feel the kid following? Owen pushed the weird thoughts from his head as he spotted Barry standing outside, talking with the new guy Owen hadn't met yet. Owen waved him over. "Barry. These are the Mitchell brothers, Zach and Gray." He said as he turned and pointed at them.

Barry cocked an eyebrow and looked at Owen.

"Claire's nephews." Owen said quickly. He hadn't told Barry last night. He'd been too preoccupied and honestly forgot.

"Ah." Barry nodded with understanding. And he smiled. "Babysitting duty?" He said softly, leaning closer.

Owen shrugged. "She sorta tricked me into it." He said. "But it's been kinda fun. How's the new guy?"

Barry's smile fell instantly. "Fine. He came with Hoskins. They showed up the moment you left."

Gray had been watching the fence while the grownups talked. He stepped closer, wanting a better look. But suddenly, a shape jumped from the trees and darted towards the fence. She slid to a stop and let out a growl. Gray let out a gasp and stepped back, bumping into Zach. Zach's eyes widened and he put his hand on Gray's shoulder.

Owen turned at the kid's gasp. His eyes followed theirs and he turned towards the fence. He frowned. All four raptors were there suddenly, watching them. And Echo had something odd strapped around her head. "Echo... what are you wearing?" Owen asked her, walking over to the fence. The kids were forgotten as Owen pressed closer to the fence.

Barry stepped up beside him. "It's a video camera that Hoskins' team designed."

"No." Owen said loudly, shaking his head. "No, no, no! Echo!" He snapped and waved his arm.

"Owen, it could be useful. For..." Barry stepped closer and lowered his voice. "When you take them out."

"Fuck that!" Owen said, shaking his head again. "No. They can't touch anything Hoskins has had his hands on. They'll catch a disease." He didn't care if the man was still there. In fact, Owen kind of hoped he was. "Echo!" He stepped closer to the fence. "Take that off." He said, pointing at finger at her.

The youngest raptor shook her head and took a step back. [Phone!] She said.

Owen's eyes widened slowly and he looked at Barry. "You called it a phone?" He snapped.

Barry shrugged. "It has a communication device."

"It's a camera." Owen said, throwing up his arms. "Call it a camera."

Barry crossed his arms and looked at the raptors. "Does it really matter what I called it?" He asked.

"Yes!" Owen snapped, pointing at Echo. "You told her it's a phone. She knows what a phone it. She'll never give it back." He turned to look back at them. "Echo! Now!"

[Phone!] Echo said, bobbing her head.

"It's not a phone." Owen repeated. "It's a camera."

[Phone?] Echo tilted her head, confused.

"Echo, no." Owen said loudly. "Take it off."

She shook her head again and stepped back. [Phone!] She danced a bit to the side and lifted her head, clearly proud of the odd not-phone thing on her head. It was hers now and she wasn't giving it back! Ever! No matter what Alpha said! Echo had phone! Echo's phone!

"Echo, now!" When she still didn't listen, Owen glanced at Blue. He inclined his head in Echo's direction. "Get it off."

The other raptors had stepped back a bit. They all turned and watched Echo and Alpha's argument play out. They were all used to Echo getting her way. Echo always got her way. Delta just huffed out laughter and Charlie shook her head. Blue let out an odd, almost purring sound for a moment. She turned towards her youngest sister and let out a loud growl. She leapt at Echo and knocked her to the ground, being rougher than needed.

"Easy, Blue!" Owen snapped loudly, stepping forward to grab the fence with both hands. "Just get the camera! Don't hurt your sister!"

Blue let out a snort as she moved overtop of Echo. She bent her neck towards Echo, a glint in her eyes. She clamped her teeth on the strap and snapped it.

[Phooooone.] Echo let out a whine.

[No phone!] Blue bent over and picked the camera up in her teeth. She bit down hard, shattering it. Then she spit the pieces out and let Echo up. Echo stayed on the ground, pouting loudly. Charlie stepped closer and bent down to nudge Echo's back comfortingly. Delta just laughed again.

Owen let out a sigh and shook his head. "Good job, Blue." He knelt down, peering through the fence at the sullen raptor still on the ground. "Echo, I promise." He said softly. "That wasn't a phone. It was a camera. A weird camera, but still a camera. Camera." He repeated the word camera more times than necessary, hoping she'd understand. "You know what a camera is."

[Dirt phone.] She said softly.

Owen nodded. "I know Dirt... Barry said it was a phone. But he was wrong. I swear, okay?"

Echo still sulked. She rolled over slightly and pointedly looked at the ground.

"Hey... hey." Owen said softly. She looked up at him. He stuck his tongue out at her. She did it back. Owen laughed as he stood back up. He smiled and turned around. Oh yeah. The kids. His eyes widened a bit. "Uh..."

Zach watched the whole scene play out silently. It wasn't the weirdest thing to talk to an animal like they were a real person, like they understood and you could hold a real conversation with them. People did that a lot with pets. Treating them like a real member of the family. Maybe it made that person a little crazy. But what was really crazy, was when that person really had a conversation with the animal.

Owen was arguing. With a dinosaur. And the other dinosaur... did exactly what he said. And did the first one shake it's head like it was saying no? And did it stick it's tongue out at him? And was the one dinosaur laughing? Was the other trying to comforting the one have a tantrum? Was it having a tantrum? At least Zach had a nice view the whole time. He'd been enjoying staring at Owen's ass. Again. Zach tried hard to look bored when Owen started walking towards them. It was hard to do. Because Owen was smiling. And it was fucking hot when he smiled. And because bossing around dinosaurs was pretty badass, Zach had to admit.

"That was so cool!" Gray said loudly, bouncing from one foot the other.

Zach sighed and rolled his eyes. So much for playing it cool. It was impossible to do with a bouncing kid beside you.

Owen smiled down at Gray. And then directed that god-like smile towards Zach. "What'd you think?" He asked.

I think I want to lick your collar bone. Zach blinked, trying to force the thought from his mind before he blushed. "Wow." He breathed out. "They really listen to you. It's like you're part raptor."

Owen smiled and looked away quickly. Too quickly, Zach thought. Did the man's face redden? Zach thought he was imagining things. But he swore Owen's cheeks were distinctly pinker when he turned back and cleared his throat.

"Do you..." Owen's voice came out squeaky and he cleaned his throat again. What the hell was wrong with him? Get a grip! "You wanna meet them?" He asked.

"Yes!" Gray ran forward Owen grabbed him, laughing and holding him back.

"Hold on a minute." Owen motioned Zach to follow and the teen reluctantly stepped forward. "Stand here." He stopped them about five feet from the fence. "They don't like strangers getting too close to the fence."

"Are they safe?" Gray asked, leaning closer to look.

Owen shook his head. "No, they aren't." He glanced back at his girls, standing in a line and watching curiously, and motioned them forward as he leaned against the wall of the cage. All four raptors stepped closer and seemingly inspected the kids just as the kids did them.

[Firelady's humans?] Blue asked, lifting her nose to scent the air. She inhaled deeply for a moment and then took another step. She stood out in front of her sisters.

Owen nodded once, attempting to be discreet.

Gray leaned forward a bit. "Do they have names?"

Owen turned to Gray and nodded. "The brown one who doesn't like to listen is Echo. The more yellowy green one with stripes beside her is Charlie. Then there's Delta, the more tealy green one. Miss Boss here..." He paused and Blue growled. Owen smiled. "This is Blue. She's the pack Beta."

Gray nodded as he looked from one to the other.

"Who's the alpha?" Zach asked.

Owen smiled. Yet again. "You're looking at him, kid."

Zach's eyes widened a bit. He blushed slightly and looked away quickly.

Owen caught it. And that was cute. Oh god! He was flirting with a child. Was he flirting with a child? Zach looked up at him and Owen smiled at him again. And Zach blushed again and pulled out his cell phone, clearly pretending to check something. Yep. Owen was definitely flirting with a child. He needed to stop. "Wanna see some cool shit?" He asked, more trying to distract himself than anything.

For an hour, he ran the girls through drills, most of them pretty complex and complicated. He wasn't showing off. Well... he wasn't showing off on purpose. Maybe it was a little on purpose. He was totally and completely showing off and smiling and oh god! Did he just wink at the kid? He just winked at the kid. Yeah. That was bad. This was all very bad! Owen glanced down at his watch. It was past noon. He took a deep breath and waved Blue away. "You're done." He said. "Take a break. Then lunch time." He turned around and leaned on the railing. He crossed his arms and he couldn't help but smile. He really couldn't, not around Zach.

"Can we stay and watch them longer?" Gray asked, his voice hopeful as he peered over the edge at the moving raptors.

Owen glanced at his watch again. "Let me call your aunt and see if she wants to meet us somewhere for lunch or something."

Zach turned and leaned against the rail. "That would be a no." He said dryly.

Owen smiled as he pulled out his cell phone and headed across the catwalk. "I'll be right back."

Zach watched him for a moment. He watched as the man left and smiled. A real, genuine smile for the usually sullen teenager. So far, wasn't exactly a bad trip. Hopefully aunt Claire would be busy again tomorrow. Owen had mentioned taking them for a few days. Zach really liked the idea of following the hot weirdo around more.

Gray bounced beside him and leaned over. "Which one is that?" He asked, pointing.

Zach turned slightly and glanced at the greenish striped raptor Gray pointed at. She was standing by the fence, watching someone on the other side. He shrugged and turned back around. He thought it was Charlie. But he really didn't care. He was still watching Owen, who was slowly disappearing down the steps.

"Pig loose!" Someone shouted.

Someone else came running across the catwalk with a catch pole. He didn't look much older than Zach himself. Zach thought maybe that was the guy they'd seen when they drove up. The one Owen didn't introduce them too. The nameless guy didn't seem to see Zach or Gray as he pushed them out of the way and leaned over the edge.

"Look out!" Gray yelled as a blue blur streaked out of the bushes.

The pole guy was jerked to the side and he let go. Zach pushed Gray out of the way seconds before the guy came flying in his direction. And then Zach was flying through the air. Flying? Falling. Falling? And then there was the ground. And everything hurt. And Gray was yelling his name. And Owen was yelling his name. And someone was growling.

Zach opened his eyes and forgot how to breathe.

Owen's heart skipped a beat as he turned at the screaming. He caught the sight of Zach's feet disappearing over the railing. "ZACH!" He dashed down the stairs and turned towards the front gate, pushing past Barry. "OUT!" Owen screamed as he ran for the door. "Get everyone out. NOW!"

"Are you crazy?" Barry screamed, following after him.

Gray came flying down the stairs and Owen grabbed the terrified kid before he got any closer to the fence. He pushed him at Barry without a second thought or a word to the kid. He didn't have time to spare a comforting word. He had to move. Now. "Get everyone as far away as possible, out of eye line. NOW!"

"What are you gonna do?" Barry asked as he grabbed Gray.

Owen shook his head as he turned.

Barry reluctantly hauled the screaming kid off.

Owen hit the door lock and ducked in as soon as it started moving. All four girls were advancing on Zach slowly. Blue was in the front, Delta right beside her. Charlie was just behind them and Echo was lagging behind, looking a bit confused. He could see the control in Blue. She was fighting her own instincts, but she was still growling and spitting and getting too close.

"Hey! HEY!" Owen shouted as he jumped in front of Zach, waving his arms wildly. "Eyes on me!"

[INTRUDER!] Blue screeched.

Owen lifted his hand and pointed at her. "Blue, stand down."

[TRESPASSER!] Delta snapped.

"Stand down!" He repeated.

Blue growled loudly and snapped her jaws at him.

Owen's eyes widened. "Hey!" He snapped loudly back at her. He flashed his own teeth at her and felt a growl deep in the back of his throat. "What did I just say?" He heard Zach moving behind him and Delta hissed. "Delta, I see you. Back the fuck up." Owen turned his body slightly, angling back to motion Zach forward, holding his arm out behind him. He didn't take his eyes off the raptors. "Charlie, stay right there." He felt Zach behind him and the kid grabbed his arm. He held on so tight that Owen was sure he'd have a bruise in the morning.

[Out! OUT!] Blue lowered her head and snapped her jaws.

Owen took a step back slowly, silently glad when Zach caught on and moved with him. Each step they took, the raptors advanced. Owen knew they wouldn't attack him. But no one was allowed inside the raptor paddock but him. Not only had someone come inside, but it had been a stranger, and it had been a surprise. Owen steered Zach backwards out of the cage and hit the lock button.

The second the door closed, Blue and Delta jumped at it, clawing and spitting, showing just how not safe they were. Owen breathed out and he felt Zach tremble behind him. The kid was a fucking rock. Face to face with a prehistoric predator that could eat him and he didn't scream or pass out or try to run. "Zach." He said softly, looking back at him. "Hey." He said softly, his voice barely a whisper. "You're okay."

Zach looked up at him slowly. He blinked and took a deep breath. He opened his mouth and for a moment, didn't say anything. Then he sucked in another breath and let it out slowly. "Gray..." He said, blinking. "Is Gray okay?"

Owen smiled. Kid just had a death scare and he's worried about his brother. "Yeah, he's okay." Owen said softly, a smile on his lips.

Zach swallowed and glanced away. "I pushed him pretty hard." He said, practically leaning on Owen. And he had no intentions of moving anytime soon.

"He's fine." Owen said. "Barry hauled him off."

Zach breathed out an enormous sigh of relief and nodded. Then he turned his head back towards Owen. He dipped his forehead down and rested in against Owen's arm, right above where he was still latched onto.

Owen swallowed for a moment, collecting himself. He was having trouble focusing for a second. Zach was holding him impossibly tight. And he really liked it. A wide smile spread across his face. "Hey. You did good, kid." He said softly. "First rule, never turn your back to them... actually..." He paused for a moment and tilted his head. "First rule is don't go inside the fences. Only I'm allowed in there. Like seriously. They are very territorial. Like super territorial. One guy lost an arm because he went inside, trying to show off and calling them docile chickens just because he'd seen me in there with them."

Zach jerked his head up and away from Owen. His eyes widened.

"He was an asshole." Owen said quickly. "They could sense that. And we found his arm. Doctors sewed it back on. He's perfectly fine. Mostly." He added with a shrug.

Zach nodded slowly, his head rubbing slightly against Owen's arm. He was still very much leaning on him. Zach took another deep breath and breathed it out slowly. "What else?"

Owen had been trying to ignore the way the kid held onto him. He didn't catch what he said. "Hmm?"

"Don't go in and don't turn my back on them." Zach repeated softly. "What else do I need to know to not... get eaten?"

"What else?" Owen repeated.

Zach nodded. "We're going to be here for a while. Don't want to get eaten."

Owen suppressed the urge to tell him how much he'd like him spending time at the raptor paddock. Because he really would. Because right then, Owen wanted to tell the teenager to never leave his paddock. But a high pitched voice stopped him.

"Zach!"

"Later." Owen said with a smile.

Zach blinked and let go of him quickly and stepped away. Gray came flying towards him and wrapped his arms around his waist. "I'm okay, Gray. I'm okay." He said smiled and ruffled the kid's hair for a moment before pushing him away.

"Come on." Owen said after a few minutes. "Let's go find your aunt before she finds out and watches the security feed. Then she'll track us down and kill me."