After Hours
by heavensgirl

SYNOPSIS: Pre-Incident. It all started one sleepless night, when Claire found herself at the viewing room of her enclosure, with only the thick glass protecting her from a mouth full of sharp teeth.

Standard disclaimer applies.

Part 1 of 2

Claire never had problems when it came to sleeping. She had a strict daily schedule that included when her bedtime was for that night, so she had enough energy for all her activities the following day. Her body had fully adjusted to that strict schedule: every time her head hits the pillow by 10:30 pm, it would only take a few minutes before she falls into a deep sleep.

But tonight wasn't the case. Claire was on her back, gazing at the ceiling and counting imaginary sheep that she thought would eventually lull her to sleep. After counting to 300, Claire sighed, got up from her bed, and opened the door that led to her balcony that overlooked the vast expanse of Jurassic World.

As part of the package of working for Jurassic World, employees were given nice living situations within the park/resort. Employees were given rooms akin to hotel accommodations, complete with a dining facility and gym access. However, she knew of someone who disliked such luxury and instead insisted on building his own bungalow near the lagoon of the park's raptor compound…

Claire sighed again, annoyed that she would be thinking of that particular someone at this random hour; she did not need any more distractions from her sleep. She had an urgent meeting with business investors at 9:00 in the morning; she couldn't afford to look haggard in front of them. But she had tried everything to help her sleep: she did her usual light reading, drank some warm milk, and listened to some classical music before she attempted the clichéd sheep counting. None of them worked.

In the deafening silence, she heard a short roar in the near distance. Claire gripped on the balcony's railing, panic rising at the thought that one of the park's assets somehow escaped. She knew that she would get a call from the ACU if a situation like that happens, so after a few, tense minutes, Claire sighed in relief that she did not get such a call.

She knew that unmistakable roar. Her bedroom's balcony happened to be facing one of the most popular attractions of the park and she had heard of that roar before, even at this time of the night when the park was closed and only the maintenance crew and ACU security members were out and about in the park.

Another roar from the same source. Claire bit her bottom lip and tapped impatiently on the balcony railing, internally debating whether or not she should go out there at this hour just so she can satisfy the growing curiosity within her.

It was after the third, consecutive roar that Claire grabbed a sweater and slippers from her closet, not minding that she was still in her pajamas when she tiptoed out of her room and out of the building's glass doors.

Claire didn't feel afraid at all while she traipsed in the park at night. There were still a handful of restaurants open for happy hour and the park was full of security guards that were posted at almost every turn. Many of them noticed her but none of them stopped her for some questioning – maybe it was because she was the park's manager and didn't really want to bother asking why she was wandering in the park at almost midnight, clad only in her pajamas.

It didn't take long for her to arrive outside the entrance of the Tyrannosaurus Rex Kingdom. She heard another roar, softer than the last but still strong that she felt the ground beneath her quiver. Claire inhaled deeply and went inside the compound, using her badge to go to the viewing gallery through corridors that only employees can use.

When she turned on the lights as soon as she arrived in the gallery, Claire could see its occupant lying down near the trees, its eyes wide open yet it seemed to be immobile. Claire put her face close to the glass, not understanding why the T-Rex wasn't moving.

"She's just waking up after they tranquilized her a few hours ago," a voice said from behind. A startled Claire turned around and came face to face with a smiling Owen Grady, the park's popular "raptor whisperer."

Owen chuckled and looked her up and down. "Never thought I'd see the day when my boss is dressed only in pajamas… better yet, in shorts. Nice legs."

Claire rolled her eyes and scowled. "Are you eager to be unemployed, Mr. Grady?"

Owen pouted. "Jeez. It was a compliment."

Claire's attention turned back to the T-Rex, who was beginning to move from its position. "I heard her roar quite a few times, but how could that be if she was tranquilized?"

"I guess dinosaurs can dream, too," Owen said. When Claire gave him an incredulous look, he shrugged. "What? Maybe Rexy was dreaming that she was chasing a prey and she was roaring in victory. Or maybe she's roar sleeping… you know, like sleep talking… except she's a dinosaur."

Claire rolled her eyes again at the ridiculousness of his words. "You have such a wild imagination, Mr. Grady."

"It's Owen. And I like to think the dinos are kind of like humans, too."

"Hmm…"

"So, what are you doing here? Isn't it past your bedtime already?"

"I couldn't sleep," replied Claire, watching as the T-Rex slowly stood up, shaking her head as the remaining effects of the tranquilizer were wearing off. "What about you?"

"Tonight's her scheduled check-up. They always need a few extra guys to help tranquilize her," explained Owen. "She already knows when it's that time of the month, so she's pretty good at avoiding the tranquilizer. It took a few tries to finally get one to hit her."

Claire smiled. "Clever girl."

As if the dinosaur had heard her comment, Rexy turned around and stared directly at their direction. Claire took a sharp intake of breath as Rexy stopped mere inches from where Claire and Owen stood, with only the thick glass protecting them from this majestic dinosaur.

Claire didn't bother to run and hide, knowing that the T-Rex already spotted her and Owen. Rexy tilted her head and seemed to be examining the two tiny people in front of her, taking a particular interest in Claire.

Claire and the T-Rex stood there for a few minutes staring at each other. Claire was used to the looks that many of her co-workers gave her – looks that were often fearful because of her position within the company. But the look from the T-Rex was quite the opposite: it was a predatory look, one that made Claire aware how small she really was in this park full of dinosaurs. And maybe that was why Claire felt drawn to her.

Claire placed a hand on the glass, right where Rexy was. She felt quite silly, but she wanted to somehow tell the T-Rex how awed she was at its strength and fearlessness.

The dinosaur growled and exhaled loudly, creating a big cloud of fog on the glass. After a few seconds, the mist cleared and Rexy was already walking back towards the wooded area of her paddock.

Owen was chuckling again. "I think she likes you."

Claire smiled and gazed at the retreating form of her new friend.

After that night, Claire made it a habit to visit Rexy's paddock almost every night after the park's closed down for the day and most of the guests were sleeping comfortably in their rooms. Sometimes she would bring a book; other times she would bring some of her paperwork and peruse through them while she sat on the floor of the viewing room until Claire would yawn and bid goodbye to her companion on the other side of the glass.

Claire couldn't help it. For reasons beyond her understanding, she felt comfortable and – dare she say it – at peace when she was in Paddock 9. Claire actually liked being in the same vicinity with this terrifying and powerful creature. She didn't care what other people thought; she just knew she wanted to be there as much as she can.

Owen – who eventually figured out her late night activity – would sometimes drop by and accompany her until one of them decides it's time to leave. Unlike Claire who would always bring something to do to pass the time, Owen preferred to spend his time by distracting Claire on whatever she was doing.

Even though his distractions annoyed her, Claire was grateful for the extra company. She also quietly appreciated that Owen never questioned why she was in the T-Rex paddock often and late at night. She wouldn't even have an answer if he asked, anyway.

"You like it here, huh?" asked Owen. They were both sitting cross-legged on the floor, watching as Rexy walked around in her enclosure.

Claire nodded. "Yeah… it's nice."

"Are you planning to come by again tomorrow?"

Claire looked at him questioningly. "As usual. Why do you ask?"

"Just making sure," he replied. He stood up and offered her a hand. "Guess I'll see you tomorrow?"

Claire took his offered hand and stood up as well. She raised an eyebrow at him and wondered why he asked such a question. He should know by now that she was always here at night. "Yeah, I'll be here."

She got her answer the following night. When Claire made her way to the viewing room, she was genuinely surprised with what she saw there: in the middle of the glass enclosure was a picnic blanket and two pillows. Owen was also there, a basket in hand.

Claire stood with her mouth gaping at the scene before her. It was only after Owen's hearty laugh that she snapped out of her shocked state.

"You're speechless, that's a first," he said, setting down the basket and motioning for her to sit down on one of the pillows. "I know you like sitting on the floor when you're here, but doesn't your ass hurt after a while?"

Before she decided to sit, she went to the glass and saw her ever loyal companion chewing on what appeared to be pieces of her meal for her late dinner that night. Claire had cringed the first time she witnessed that, but now she smiled, feeling unusually happy that her T-Rex friend also had what seemed to be a beautiful night.

Claire knocked on the glass. It only took a few steps for the T-Rex to meet Claire. The dinosaur emitted a low growl then breathed out heavily again, fogging up the glass like it did the first time Claire visited. For Claire, she always took that as a greeting from the T-Rex.

Rexy let out another growl before turning around and finishing her meal. Claire smiled before plopping down across Owen, who was grinning at her.

"Look at you being all BFFs with Rexy," he commented, laughing and opening the picnic basket. He took out a variety of chips and candies and two bottles of beer.

Claire eyed him suspiciously. "Uhm, what's this?"

"Well, I figured you already had dinner earlier, so snacks looked like the better option for a late night rendezvous," he replied, gesturing for her to pick any bag she wanted.

Claire shook her head, explaining to Owen that she disliked junk food. She watched him open a bag of chips and couldn't help asking, "Rendezvous? Don't tell me this is your idea of a date, Owen."

Owen smirked at her. "Do you want it to be?"

Claire rolled her eyes. She had known Owen ever since he became an employee five years ago when she was just an assistant to the park's manager at the time. They first met in person when she accompanied the manager for Owen's first-time evaluation, a month after he was hired… it was also the first time she had made an embarrassment of herself in front of Owen and other employees that worked in the raptor paddock: as soon as she stepped foot near the gates, Claire tripped, scraped her knees, and became covered in mud.

Owen was immediately on her side to offer his assistance, but Claire was a prideful woman – she shooed his extended hand, stood up on her own, and held her head high despite the filthy state she was in and the stinging sensation on her knees. Owen smiled at her, impressed with the way she carried herself despite her obvious embarrassment. In fact, he was so impressed with her that he bluntly asked her out in front of the manager and his co-workers. Claire immediately declined, but the stubborn man never stopped asking her out ever since.

"I don't consider this a date, Owen," Claire said, sighing as she recalled that embarrassing day.

Owen's smile grew wider. "Would you like to go on a real date with me, Claire?"

Claire huffed in annoyance. "Don't you get tired of asking me out?"

"Never."

"Why?"

"Because I'd really like to go on a real date with you."

"You can't be serious."

Owen frowned. "I'm actually a bit offended you said that. Look, I know I can be annoying at times and I do enjoy getting on your nerves, but I'm dead serious about wanting to take you out on a date."

The seriousness and honesty in his voice did not go unnoticed by Claire. Feeling guilty, she ducked her head shyly as she looked away from Owen's intense stare. She felt silly when she felt herself starting to blush; she was a professional at controlling her feelings (damn it!), but this man somehow made her lose that control. She was wary of Owen's intentions, but she had to admit she was impressed on how persistent he was – it reminded Claire of herself.

"You're very stubborn, you know that?" Claire said, turning her gaze back to Owen.

"Look who's talking," teased Owen. "So, what do you say?"

Before Claire can give Owen a reply to his offer, she felt the floor vibrate as Rexy roared nearby. She looked out to the paddock, wondering what had caused her dinosaur friend to bellow, but her focus instantly shifted when Owen cleared his throat, waiting for a reply.

Her heart was beating wildly when she answered him, "How about a nice dinner this Friday?"

"Sounds like a plan," Owen said. He smiled and raised his beer in her direction. "Cheers."

Even though Claire's brain racked up countless of reasons why the two of them together won't work, her heart insisted on giving him a chance. She surmised that she can make some kind of itinerary so that their first date would be successful and memorable enough to possibly make way for a second date…

She would learn after their first date that she should've listened to her brain rather than her heart in the first place.

A/N: Came up with this prompt when I saw that promotional JW poster of Claire and the I-Rex. Put my own little twist on it for the purpose of this story.

I like the idea that Claire and Rexy had some kind of connection or bond (call me crazy). That scene with Claire opening Paddock 9 and Rexy coming out… AWESOME, I TELL YA. It's too awesome.

Reviews and likes are always appreciated. Please stay tuned for Chapter 2 of 2! I promise Ch. 2 will focus more on Claire and Rexy with some Claire x Owen sprinkled throughout.

Yours Truly, HG

Edited: 2/13/18