Disclaimer: I don't own RE, but I own this fic.

1999

Life after Rockfort was like, life after hell. You keep wondering where and when your nightmares would pop up. Claire Redfield was an innocent subjected to the horrors of earth's hell: Umbrella. Now, she lived her life in fear, waiting and watching for any signs as to when her past would catch up to her; when Umbrella would catch up to her. The dull scenery flew by as she stared out the window from the back seat of the black SUV.

"Claire?" "What?" Chris glanced back at her and asked, "Did you hear a word I said?" "Not really." "Forget it." With that, he went back to flirting with Jill, who sat in the passenger's seat, smiling at his cheesy jokes. "Oh my God Chris, just ask me out," she thought impatiently.

Claire groaned out as Chris tried to hide the fact that he liked Jill, but he was as transparent as negligee in his case, ignorance wasn't bliss. Everyone knew that women knew when a guy liked them. The red head smiled as her brunette friend laid his head on her shoulder. Thanks to him she was saved from that freaky Ashford family, and all it took was an email. Leon Scott Kennedy was a great friend, or was he more?

Strong, handsome, and caring, he was everything. Because of him, Claire had survived the weirdest scenario of zombies and incestuous siblings. The red head felt the brunette grab her hand, causing her to blush, this didn't go unnoticed by Chris. Leon saw him glaring at him from the rearview mirror, causing him to instantly revert to the other side of the car. Despite how Leon saved Claire's life, Chris still didn't want him near her. There was something strange about Kennedy, something he'd missed, Jill's attitude towards him only fueled Chris' suspicion.

Suddenly Jill was frantic, "Chris watch out!" Just in time, Chris looked back to the road to see another car coming straight at them. In an effort to keep from crashing, he swerved off the road and hit the brakes, the car rocked slightly but settled. Claire held onto the back of the seat with shaking hands, but Chris tried to remain calm, while Jill, on the other hand, sat stiffly in her seat holding onto the sides of the chair. Leon held his head and groaned out, but Chris only asked, "Is everybody alright?" He received no answer no answer but it was clear that everyone was ticked.

"Nice start to our vacation bro!" Claire's words stung, he was trying at least. Chris had planned a little relax time in the mountains but they heading to THE cabin. "If we rented out the only cabin up there, why was someone coming down?"

Claire asked herself this over and over. Perhaps it was some teens who had gotten turned around. Yeah, that was it. Figuring it was time to get rid of this paranoia, Claire sighed and said gently, "Chris, it's alright, let's just get to the cabin." After a silent ride they made it to the top and Chris' remained on the road.

Claire wasn't the only one asking who that was, but Chris wasn't going to ruin the rest of the trip with worry and staying up all night. Umbrella was shut down and Wesker never popped up unless Chris involved himself with the pharmaceutical company. According to Wesker, he'd, "Sold himself to a new organization," anyway. "Chris?" Jill brought him back from his thoughts of their ex-boss. Smiling at her he got out of the car and watched a smiling Claire take her things into the cabin, then, a grinning Leon.

This put a scowl on Chris' face, until Jill walked around the car to him. "Chris, relax." "Jill, why'd he have to come?" Putting a hand on her hip, she replied with a question, "Because if it weren't for him Claire would be in teeny weeny bits?" The brunette gave a sigh of defeat, making Jill feel bad.

Chris didn't like loosing an argument, but what else could Jill say? They owed Kennedy a lot, even if they hated admitting it.

In the Cabin

"There are only three bedrooms," said a blushing Claire, knowing that Leon would be subjected to the couch anyway. "I'm ok with the couch," he assured her, taking her hand into his own. Leon was like a rock to her, insuring that the past was the past and the only thing remaining of it was him. But Leon had his demons, and one in particular: the fiery Asian: Ada. That demon was long gone and now all that remained of her was a faint memory that would creep up and resurface in his mind.

What did he see in her? It had to have been the mystery or perhaps how it was forbidden. She was nothing special, but the demeanor, the attitude, and the fact she was indeed a spy could turn on any man. She was dangerous, and on the wrong side. After thinking about Ada, Leon couldn't look at Claire.

"Excuse me." Sad, blue eyes watched him march out, and she knew what was wrong. It seemed that even beyond the grave that the villains got their way. Just then Claire's cell phone rang, and she was grateful for the distraction. Ignoring the fact that she shouldn't even be getting service, she answered.

"Hello?" "…" "Hello?" "…" Click. Deciding not to look to much into it, she hung up, assuming it was a wrong number. Or was it?

"Calm down Claire." The night was quiet, except for a constant ticking. Chris found the source of the problem, a clock someone had left behind. Claire and the others sat around the coffee table in the den staring at it, but only because Chris wasn't doing so. "It's a clock Chris," Claire said exasperated.

"I know. Look, it's almost 12 o'clock, go to bed." Just as they stood to their feet, the ticking became more rapid and Chris' eyes grew wide. "Everybody out!"