AN: Zach is present during the events of the movie; he is with Claire and Owen. Eva gets kidnapped with Maisie, so Zach is determined to save her. Zach and Eva are now twenty-three, and they are engaged.
This short is a conversation between Owen and Zach after Maisie and Eva had been kidnapped.
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"I'm worried about her," Zach mumbled.
Owen shot him a glance. "What, and you think I'm not?"
"You're worried about your daughter." the younger man argued. "I'm worried about my fianceé."
Not removing his eyes from the road, Owen countered: "She's braver than anyone I know. She'll be fine."
"She's brave," Zach agreed, "And fearless. But I know her, and if it comes down to saving herself and saving Maisie, she'll save Maisie with no regard for herself. No matter what the consequences."
Owen didn't reply, silently processing.
"I can't lose her." Zach continued. "She won't let anything happen to Maisie, even at the cost of her own life. Her loyalty and bravery are two of the things I love most about her, but they're also going to be the death of her. Have you ever noticed that she has the self-preservation skills of a squirrel on crack?!"
Owen waited a minute, but Zach didn't say anything more, breathing heavily as he worked himself into a frenzy.
"I think you're forgetting that I practically raised her," Owen commented idly. "I know she can be reckless, but that's what she has you for. You two balance each other out, and you can get through to her in a way none of us ever could."
Zach huffed. "But I'm not with her now, so who's going to stop her from doing dumb things?"
"Breathe, Zach. She's got more sense than you give her credit for." Owen scolded. "Besides, she won't let anything get in the way of seeing you again. She loves you, too, you know."
The dark-haired man inhaled and exhaled deeply. "I do know that," he mumbled. "I'm just terrified that something will happen to her."
"Me too," Owen agreed. "I'm terrified at the thought of anything happening to either of them."
Zach fully looked at Owen. "We're going to get them back."
"Hell yeah, we are."
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The Girl Next Door
FanfictionEva Grady is the younger sister of Owen Grady. More fearless than her badass brother, she will do anything for the people she loves. Growing up next to the Mitchells, she and Zach are the best of friends. Having practically grown up at Jurassic Worl...
