CHAPTER EIGHT. Lovin' Me.
THE BOAT had docked in the Lockwood estate, giving the group an idea that the island was never a real thing, all lies. It was obvious Claire was fuming with hatred, while Tatum's anger had yet to pipe down, especially after being healed by Zia and getting a deep rest in the arms of Zach. She had never felt more energized.
While Claire and Owen were occupied driving their own way into the Lockwood's mansion, Tatum and Zach sat quietly in the back of the medical jeep with Blue and Zia. Tatum found it best to keep a close eye on Blue for Owen, while also being led unknowingly to where the rest of the dinosaurs were located.
Tatum wasn't exactly sure on where they'd go from there after they, hopefully, successfully saved all the dinosaurs they could. Tatum would save all of them, she had to. She was just a tad bit worrisome on where exactly they'd be located after being retrieved. Maybe her parents would know a location. She'd figure it out one way or another.
The rocky road of the estate bumped against the wheels, causing the three in the automobile to bounce up and down. Zia was kept in the corner, continuing to examine Blue to ensure she was healing correctly, while Tate and Zach tried their best to search around the area they were travelling through with minimal sight.
"How's Blue?" Tate asked, flicking her eyes between Zia and the small crack through the curtain door. Zia shrugged, checking Blue's vitals.
"Not bad. I'm more concerned about how she'll do when she stands for the first time and starts manoeuvring around, though." Zia responds, wiping her hands off with each other. "I just need to let her rest. Not much I can do."
"Yeah," Tate's hand ran down Blue's scales. "I'm so on edge." She murmurs. "I wish I knew what was happening with all of this. I know Owen mentioned something about them possibly auctioning off the dinosaurs. You really think they'd do that?"
"Not surprising. People will do anything for money these days." Zia sighs, speaking the truth. "But they need Blue for something else. None of us have had any idea on what possible reasoning they'd have behind meeting to save her besides maybe promising her to a buyer."
"That's weird." Tate mutters, backing away from the curtain to rest against the metal compartment trunk. "She is the only one left of the raptor pack so I guess I understand why they'd make her a difficult sell. It just all seems so weird, you know? I feel like there's something more behind it."
"Yeah, totally." Zia agrees, slouching into a more comfortable position. "Did you guys ever have to deal with this back when Jurassic World was opened? Like, the selling part. We're people trying to buy your dinosaurs?"
"All the time. Especially when our lab and marketing team would over-exaggerate our newest additions to the park. When they were making the Indominous, all anyone could ever talk about around the park, even on social media, the news, everywhere, was about what could they be making in the lab that could be so exciting. Especially with it being a new breed, people were raving about it."
"That's insane." Zia laughs in awe, shaking her head. "You two said met on the island, right?" Zia looks between Zach and Tate, awaiting the answer as the couple exchanges bashfully looks.
"Yeah," Zach smiles, grabbing Tate's hand smoothly. "She always acted like she never liked me, but I knew she couldn't lie to herself for long." Zach smirks cockily, teasing Tatum.
"Shut up. Let's not forget I rejected you multiple times." Tatum lifted her finger, pointing to him.
"Then I charmingly stole your heart."
"Sure you did." Tate's lips form into a thin line as Zach winked at her. As if on cue, the vehicle comes to stop at its new destination right as the conversation ended. Tate and Zach were quick to start making an escape plan, knowing that if they were caught by Wheatley, the driver of the automobile, they'd be screwed. "We have to go find Claire and Owen — try to get to us once you're off Wheatley's radar."
"Got it. Good luck." Zia smiles, before starting to form a new bandage for Blue to ensure she'd have a clean one for whenever she was to get up. Zach and Tate only nodded, sharing vague glances, before making their move. Exiting out of the vehicle, Tate and Zach tried to be as stealthy as possible, keeping their heads low and out of the way.
As Tate began to creep around the corners with Zach following on her heels, the sudden feeling of force was felt on her head. Tate's eyes fluttered up, realizing Zach was folding a hat onto her head making her ease. She swiftly peered over her shoulder, sending him a smile as a thank you. He gladly returned it, throwing on his own stolen hat.
The two then began to properly walk, watching as all the crew that was huddled on the boat, began to do their own tasks that involved relocating the dinosaurs to wherever they were assigned to be. On the main track that led to who knows where, was Trix throwing a fit in a large cargo container. Tate gasped in shock as she watched the t-rex be zapped repeatedly by tasers, encouraging her to proceed forward. Doing as she was told to, while also being bribed with a chained-up goat, Trix did what she was meant to do.
Once fully in, the doors to the small compartment where Trix had just entered closed, sealing her in. Suddenly, through the small glass windows that looked into the room, Tate and Zach watched as Trix was dragged down by an elevator shaft, leading her to a bottom floor. Tate's jaw clenched, narrowing her eyelids. Tate knew she'd have to find a way down to wherever they were going, and she needed to do it fast.
"Come on." She whispers, waving Zach closer. Zach paced beside her as the two entered into a password coded door that was opened by a security guard that didn't know he was helping two smugglers in. Continuing to be quiet, the two embarked around the security guard, not fueling an ounce of suspicion. "We need to find out where they're taking them. If there is some sort of door down there that leads to the outside, then we have to let them out — all of them."
"A- all of them? You want to let the dinosaurs run free? We'll never be able to get them back, at least, not all of them." Zach spoke in an appalled down, pointing out the issue at hand.
"I can live with that, Zach. I trained them to be adapted to humans. As long as they're free, that's all that matters."
"God, okay." Zach shakes his head, rolling his neck around the corridor to examine it all. "This is a horrible idea, Tate."
"But you love me for my horrible ideas." Tate's feet stopped, smiling up at him, before grasping his biceps. "I know this isn't a good time at all, but I just wanted to thank you for helping me with all of this. I know it was really hard going back to Isla Nublar, so I'm sorry if I made you feel obligated to come with me, but I am happy you came, and I'm even more happy we actually got out of there alive." She chuckles, slightly joking. "Just- thank you for caring."
Zach's face lit up with admiration, cupping Tate's rosy cheeks. "I'm your boyfriend, Tate. I'm always going to be there for you, no matter what." He sighs, gently rubbing the rim of her cheekbone. "Since we're confessing a bunch of shit at the worst possible time, I uh- I need to tell you something Tate. And right now, I have a lot of adrenaline, so I don't think I'll have the guts to do it anytime soon even though I want to say it all the time," He laughs, seeming semi-embarrassed. "So, I'm just going to say it." He suddenly inhales a harsh breath, shaking his head gently. "Tate, I uh,"
"Yes." She smirks, hooking her arms around the crook of his neck, knowing where this was leading. For the first time in her life, she felt so incredibly content and prepared for this. But not just content and prepared, but also excited and thrilled she had found someone so right for her.
"I love you." He says without hesitating anymore. Nervous, his eyes fell to the ground, horrified of what Tate's reaction would be. Feeling the chill of her fingertips urging him to look up, meeting her piercing chocolate brown eyes.
"I love you, too, Mitchell." She mutters, easing out the words with silk laced through her voice. Zach released a breath of relief, smiling joyfully to himself as his eyes shut and head shook. Tate smiled at his adoring reaction, tilting her head down to get his attention. "Thanks for lovin' me."
"How could I not, Grant." With a rushing urge to connect their lips, Zach did so, holding the back of her neck as he eagerly molded their mouths together. Tate couldn't contain the growing grin on her lips, letting it expand each touch of their lips. Zach mimicked the expression, the couple exhaling their laughter. "We need to go."
"Yeah." She nods her head, trailing her hands down so her left palm could connect to his, whisking him away with much haste. Zach gladly followed in pursuit, couniting to wear the same thrilling smirk on his lips.
Even though their nerves were shot with warmth, they knew the task at hand was more important.
authors note
i love them so much