Chapter Text
SECRETS AND STORMS
Simon Masrani was sitting in the meeting room near the lab, once again arguing with Henry and Allison over the lack of asset development. “The numbers are declining, Henry, and I need solutions fast. We need something new. Something exciting and even scarier. I need something that will bring the people here in droves.”
Henry smiled. He had been waiting for this chance, “Then I think it's time we discuss heavier genetic modification. We need to start looking at hybrids. We can start with some of the smaller breeds...”
“I feel like we nee something even more exciting. Think bigger!” Simon exclaimed, “Look, Henry. Allison. I need you to think outside the box. We need something that people can't resist.”
“Simon!” Claire called out as she raced into the room, feeling slightly panicked. “We have a little problem.” She tried to calm herself down, not wanting to look too desperate. She had tried everything in her power but the situation was now out of hand.
“I don't like problems, Claire. I like solutions.” Simon responded as he turned to look at her. “What's going on?”
“Well it seems the helicopter delivering the new dinosaurs from Isla Sorna is....late.” she huffed. She had been sure to send all the specific information out in emails. She knew she had been very clear on the delivery schedule. For some reason, her instructions were all disregarded.
“That delivery is crucial for the opening of the new exhibit Claire. I need those animals here today.”
“Wait, I didn't know about any new exhibit.” Henry interjected.
“I've kept it secret. I'm introducing our VIP investors to it tonight.” Simon answered.
“Hang on a second. How is there a new....” Henry started.
“Maybe we should postpone.” Claire interrupted quickly, almost ignoring Henry completely.
“Claire, it is the goal of this park to finally realize John Hammond's dream. The more money we bring in, the more advancements we can make in the development of science and genetics. Every new investor helps bring us closer to those goals. I think this new exhibit will have them begging to give us that money.”
“Even just a day, Simon. Give me one more day to get them here.” she pleaded.
“I could. But then I'm left explaining to these investors, that I've personally made numerous arrangements for, why I couldn't deliver the product on time. That's not a good look for me, Claire. I would think someone who's in line for Assistant Manager of Park Operations would want to do whatever they could to guarantee the park gets that money.”
“Assistant manager of park operations....?” she wondered aloud.
“I hired you right out of school because you showed me a “can-do” attitude. Was I mistaken?” he smirked.
“No! No, I can do this, Simon. Let me take care of it. I promise the exhibit will have it's opening as planned. Tonight.” she gulped.
The helicopter was blown around hard as the storm churning outside intensified. The occupants inside and their cargo were tossed around like rag dolls.
“Who's stupid idea was it to make us deliver these guys in this weather!!” Owen shouted over the noise of the chopper and the wind blowing outside.
“Today was the deadline! If you'd been on time, asshole, we wouldn't be in this situation! If we don't deliver, we don't get paid!”
“How was I supposed to know we'd get stuck out here in this?! I figured we had plenty of time!”
“What was her name?!” Billy smirked. He knew Owen's reputation well.
Owen hesitated, “Rita, but that's beside the point!” he finally answered. “Still thought we had plenty of time! This is fucking stupid! They're risking millions in assets for this shit!”
“Well, I don't know how well this cargo is gonna hold being blown around like this!” Billy said.
Owen looked back and saw the inside crates being rattled around. He got up and stumbled over to the crates to check the straps. “We still okay, Red?” he asked his companion, a red-haired German Shepherd. The dog barked in response. Owen smiled and scratched his head as he finished making sure all the crates were secure. He stumbled back to his seat and Red followed next to him.
They heard static as the radio crackled to life, “Control to Jurassic 2. Control to Jurassic 2. Billy, you there?” a voice came on.
Owen grabbed the microphone for the radio, “Billy's a little busy trying to make sure we don't die up here!” he replied angrily, “Somebody had the idiotic idea to make us fly in the middle of a storm!”
“Who is this?”
“It's Owen Grady!”
“Who?”
“The animal behaviorist with InGen! I'm the assigned handler with the raptor project and you also contracted me to transport these infants!”
“Well, good for you, Mr. Grady. Now if you'd be so kind as to get here ON TIME, I'd appreciate it!”
Something about her voice had him prodding her, “Eager to meet me, huh?” he flirted.
“Eager to get paid?” she retorted.
“Listen, whoever the hell you think you are....” Owen started to argue. Billy looked over at him, frantically shaking his head in the negative, trying to warn him.
“This is Claire Dearing, Senior Asset Manager.”
“Okay, Claire...” he sneered, “We are out here risking our lives unnecessarily, so forgive me if I say fuck your timeline. We will get there when we get there and we deserve hazard pay for this. I've been with these eggs since their development and if anything happens to them, it's on your head.”
“Maybe next time don't wait until the last minute to fulfill your obligations! My bosses decided this timeline, not me! You wanna get paid? Get here soon!”
“Fuck!” Owen said, slamming the dashboard in front of him. “Well she's infuriating!”
“Careful with that one. She'll be running things soon.” Billy offered.
“Trust me, I know the type. I can handle it.” he half smiled. The helicopter caught a strong wind and shifted sideways, “Shit!” he swore as he looked back at the cargo, still securely tied down. The infant dinosaurs were screeching and howling, clearly not enjoying the ride. “Sorry guys! Our bosses insisted you be there now!”
“Hey Owen, five minutes inbound, and the skies are clearing.” Billy relayed.
“Fucking finally!” he groaned.
The service dock was crowded with incoming freight when the helicopter landed on the nearby pad. Billy cut the engine as Owen and Red jumped out. They were immediately approached by a bearded, gray-haired man. He reached out to Owen to shake his hand and welcome him.
“Owen Grady? Vic Hoskins, head of InGen security division. I'll be your supervisor on the project.” he smiled.
“Vic.” Owen nodded gruffly. He hated having bosses, but he knew it was necessary for the project to go forward.
“I hope you can handle this. I can promise you its going to be the most important work of your career. We pulled you from the Navy because you were the best of the best in behaviorists. I'm already impressed on your reports from the egg development.”
“Thank you. I'm looking forward to it. I especially like the location.” he smirked, “The ride over was a little rough, though. Crazy people ordering us to fly in bad weather.”
“You'll find Masrani can be a little demanding. Just stick with me and stay outta the park's way.” Vic offered.
“I'll keep that in mind. Now if you don't mind, I might take a little bit of time to recover. I've been in rough rides in the Navy, but that was rough.” he chuckled.
“I'd say you've earned a day or two off. Dr. Wu wants the eggs to be examined in the lab for the next day or two, but they are scheduled to hatch, hence the delivery timeline.”
Days off meant he had time to explore the island. He loved taking time with nature and he wanted to find his way around to the best spots. “Cool. I'll be on call if anything happens with the eggs. Can you point me in the direction of Claire Dearing? She supposedly has my paycheck for the extra delivery.” Owen asked. He wasn't going to admit it, but their back and forth over the radio had him curious about her beyond just getting paid.
“She was over checking in the trucks coming off the ships. Over there somewhere.” Vic pointed as he became distracted by text messages coming in. “I'll check in later.”
Owen just shook his head and looked down, “Come on, Red. Let's get that pay check and get outta here for a while.” He and his companion wandered over to the delivery area where a number of people were rushing around, checking in cargo. Owen just observed the activity as he saw other dinosaurs arriving in cages as well as new looking vehicles and other large equipment.
He didn't notice Red had strayed over to a woman standing in the middle of the chaos, a tablet in her hand as she monitored all the arrivals. She felt a nudge on her leg and looked down to see the German Shepherd sitting and wagging his tail at her.
Claire crouched down to his level, “Hi.” she smiled widely, petting him on the head, “Where did you come from?” She scratched behind his ear as he licked her face, leaving her laughing.
“Hey Red!” Both the dog and Claire looked over to where the voice came from.
Owen was struck. She was beautiful. Red kept licking her cheek, making her laugh and the smile she held on her face made him melt. She had long red hair, pulled back in a pony tail and was dressed in fitted green cargo pants and matching shirt. As he walked closer to him, she stood up, still smiling at him. He caught her eyes and they were the most striking shade of green he had ever seen.
“Wow.” He realized he had spoken out loud when she raised an eyebrow at him.
“Wow?” she smirked knowingly.
He cleared his throat, not liking being caught ogling, “I mean wow in the sense that Red rarely runs up to strangers like that.”
“So that's your name, huh?” she to her new friend.
“I think it works perfectly fine for both of you.” Owen grinned as he stepped closer. He could immediately smell the scent of the vanilla lotion or perfume she used. It took all his willpower not to step in and taste her.
Oblivious, she responded, “Animals always seem to like me.” she shrugged, looking down at the dog who was still at her side wagging his tail. “I tend to like them just as much. More than some people.”
He found his interest in the mystery woman rapidly increasing with each passing moment. He started to think he might be able to convince her to explore the island with him. “You and me both.” He grinned.
“Claire Dearing.” she smiled back, reaching out her hand to shake his.
“You're Claire Dearing?” he groaned. Of course it was. HIs goddamn luck.
“In the flesh. And you are?” she asked.
“Owen Grady.”
“Of course you are.” she groaned.
“And what is that supposed to mean?”
“I just should have known with the way you were on the radio that you'd be...” She closed her mouth before she said too much, but she couldn't hide the slight blush that crossed her face.
Owen didn't miss it and he thought it made her more adorable. He decided to keep prodding her, “That I'd be...what?” he smirked, raising an eyebrow.
A look of frustration crossed her face, making him grin wider. She huffed in response, “Never mind. I have work to do and you're distracting me.”
“That's fine. I'll just take my paycheck with that hazard pay and I'll be out of your way.”
“I'm not paying for an unfinished job.”
“What the hell are you talking about?! Your infants are right there!”
“The job was to deliver the infants to their location. Which is in the exhibit, on the other side of the island.”
“Are you freaking kidding me?! After what we just went through to get here? Plus, I just got here. I have no idea where I'm going.”
“Well, I have a couple of deliveries I need to personally check in, so you can follow me in the truck. Your eggs are on route to the lab now, anyway.” she smirked. She gave him a challenging look before scratching Red on the head and turning to walk away.
Despite his frustration at the situation, he couldn't help but watch her ass sway as she walked away from him. He looked down at Red and sighed, “I can't decide if this is going to be the best thing that happened to me or if it's going to kill me.” He was referring to both the new job and the adorably infuriating red head that just pushed all his buttons.