DISCLAIMER: You are reading Fanfiction, I am not profiting in any way, I don't own Resident Evil, Capcom does.
Summary: S.T.A.R.S Unit is called to the Grand Opening Gala night of Raccoon City's new Museum of Natural History and many important city members and Umbrella Corp. people are attending, half of S.T.A.R.S is going to attend as guests to boost the unit's public image and garner support from upstanding Raccoon City citizens. Jill Valentine is part of the group attending as a guest who currently crushes on a certain cold and shade wearing captain who is also a guest…PRE-MANSION INCIDENT ROMANCE and Rated Teen for some light swearing…
Authors Note: This is my first attempt at a fanfiction so please be lenient with me...
I added Rebecca to the story even though I think she joined in 1998 but the person she replaces that was in the photograph of the S.T.A.R.S members was never named…so in the story she goes…plus she needed to be there for the plot too…
This isn't as detailed as I wanted it but it's good enough for now. If it doesn't suck too much maybe I'll expand it with enough support…
'Thoughts'
"Speech"
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October 24th 1997 9:48PM
Grand Opening Gala of the Museum of Natural History of Raccoon City
The pristine white walls of the large room that was chosen to be the main area for the gala was glowing in the perfect lighting of the hall. Decorating those walls were different wall hangings advertising the city, various exhibitions, and the main financial source, the Umbrella Corporation. Intent for this museum was rather clear. It would enrich the minds of the young and old in Raccoon City and generate more funding from different places and people nation and possibly worldwide because of the lure it was to researchers, archaeologists, and professors for the sheer possibility to do studies using the state of the art facilities that were at the Museum's disposal. There were primordial fossils and stuffed animals and other relics that were significant to mankind and other ancient things that had to do more with the area of Raccoon City and some things on the history of the city itself.
The architecture of the museum itself was in a Neo-Greek style that was simplistic, but captivating to the eye. Tables laden with exotic appetizers and glasses of champagne complete with servers. There was even a bar with two obviously well trained mixologists (the fancy word for bartenders…). Nothing was cheap or rushed for this event. Many months of planning were given in order to have an opulent four hours in honor of the official opening of the museum and to cater to the important guests for future and constant support. Various people filled the ballroom like hall making it resemble a colorful mosaic with their attire and personalities. From the company men and city councilmen to the socialites and the scientific community, they all mingled with each other enjoying the night of political games for power and riches.
There was another sort in the room as well. Not belonging to part of the upper class or the political game (willingly). They were the Special Tactics And Rescue Service or S.T.A.R.S Unit. Consisting of two teams, Alpha and Bravo, they were the elite in the Raccoon Police Department. Unfortunately that meant they were also under the thumb of Chief Brian Irons and to an extent Mayor Warren as well. Half of the two teams would be part of the security detail of the event while the other half was to attend as guests and to be the public face for the unit. That half was doomed on Irons order to collect the favor of the assorted attending deep pocketed citizens. One of them was not particularly happy with this in the slightest.
"I hope you are all enjoying yourselves tonight in celebrating this prodigious night with myself and those who helped make this Museum possible for the improvement in interest for the education of our Raccoon City citizens!" Mayor Warren boomed over a microphone somewhere within the mass of finery.
Jill Valentine hurriedly waded her way through many of the annoying and over cologned or perfumed snobs in the crowd trying to find someone sane and wasn't a politician. Over the last two hours she had to put up with the leering glances sent her way, drunken men and women rambling off to her to gossip or attempt to impress her, and the infuriating way she kept seeing her Captain's omnipresent shades in her general direction. Like that man had to keep showing his dislike for her not so compliant behavior with the veiled wishes of the Chief In-Ass-Irons. Gathering good public opinion was one thing, but having to don a new emerald green cocktail dress with new black stilettos and parading herself like meat or a trophy was another goddamned thing. Captain Albert Wesker, that hypocrite wasn't even trying himself; instead he chose to wander the hall as to not get cornered by his new female fans. 'Huh, I guess he actually is getting public support and what not for S.T.A.R.S and R.P.D. however indirect…HA! At least you're suffering in a way too, maybe I should give one of those clown make-up wearing hyenas some info on him…like his contact info.'
Thinking of the others in S.T.A.R.S. caught in this farce and the others luckily on security, Jill mentally pouted. 'From both Bravo and Alpha those attending are myself, Chris, Rebecca, Enrico, Kenneth, and Captain Wesker. The others are part of security. Brad should have been the one here not me, He'd probably chicken out and run somewhere if something happened…'
Jill realized that it wasn't nice to mentally pick on Brad just because she was angry with her Captain and the event of the night she was volunteered to participate in. All of them were chosen by Irons for a reason. Rebecca Chambers, young and gifted, to show off the promising youth and the R.P.D.'s will to show that new ideas and perspectives are welcome. Chris Redfield had been picked for his boyish charm, hard working tendencies, and go getter attitude. Jill couldn't quite figure out what Irons-In-Ass saw in Kenneth but it must have been something to be played by Irons to the attendees. She suspected the reason that she was selected was that she was the epitome of a strong female officer and probably to get rich old men staring at her fitness level in this damn dress, 'It's not my fault I don't want to end up unfit since I AM A HARD WORKING MEMBER OF THE POLICE FORCEAND I ACTUALLY HAVE TO WORK FOR A LIVING YOU LEERING OLD FARTS!' Though, if she said that out loud right there she may not have a job anymore. The two Captains were self explanatory to Jill. Even though one in particular stood out more to her, that shade wearing douche…'Maybe I won't give the hyenas his info, God knows I do not want to see them making a Department visit just to try to gain his attention since he barely pays attention to me…' Not that she really wanted his attention, Jill reasoned with herself, she didn't have a crush on Captain Wesker as Barry and the others often joked. It was just a grudging respect for the man as he was professional and skilled.
Many times that respect turned to fierce admiration, but she always caught herself before it turned into anything else because anything more would be too good for that high and mighty man. Why wear sunglasses even here? Maybe his eyes would make his fanclub swoon or more motivated to get to him. 'Peh, I never swooned no matter how beautiful they were…' Jill had one time seen Wesker's eyes when one of the boys stole his sunglasses during a predominantly slow shift. Chris had suspiciously not shown up for work for a few days after THAT event, but when he did he was shifty eyed for a while and jumped whenever Captain Wesker came in or said something.
While Jill started looking for Chris, she had spotted Rebecca a little while ago at the bar, of course she wasn't drinking…That chem genius seemed to be teaching the bartenders to make some new drinks. Her Captain drifted out of her mind a little while ago as she continued pushing through throngs of people. Jeez aren't these people too old to be out this late? Jill saw Chris who was chatting with Kenneth near the appetizers so she made a bee line for it. Halfway there Chief Irons-In-Ass and Mayor Warren took her aside and started talking to her. The Mayor wasn't that bad to Jill because she wasn't important enough to see him enough to decide on his character. Irons was always chafing to her patience though, possibly it was because he was annoying, talked too much, or was just plain creepy. Like now when his eyes were trying to eat Jill. Coughing, The Mayor looked at Irons and Irons remembered the world around him,
"Ah, Miss Valentine! l I hope you are enjoying your night!" he chippered out obviously trying not to lose himself in checking her out.
"Yes I am Sir, it really is a wonderful event and I love museums." Jill responded. God did she sound too much like a robot? Did her contempt for the asshat show? Judging by their actions she didn't or Irons-In-Ass was too busy looking at her rack to notice.
"Good! Good! Now I just wanted to introduce the Mayor here to one of his hardworking police officers", He is way too happy, did he notice how much support Captain Wesker is getting? 'Nah, he'd be too jealous and his face would look too much like a plum if he noticed…'
Mayor Warren stepped closer with a sigh and said, "Brian, I'm sure I can introduce myself to this lovely lady without your help and I'm sure she can speak for herself."
Oh? Where did that energetic booming voice go from earlier? Did Irons-Up-Ass drain him of his energy? If that was the case Jill couldn't blame him.
"Oh excuse me I believe the excitement of the night and the thought of the blossoming future for our city just got to me for a moment. Alright! I shall entrust one of my best officers to you Mayor Warren! I'll be off over there with Mr. Svindlare and Mr. Zampara, we don't want Umbrella feeling forgotten!" with a huff and a surprising amount of speed the fat man was off to entertain some Umbrella Company men.
Turning back to Jill the Mayor relaxed a little bit and started a real conversation with her.
"Well now that the air is cleared a little I'll be glad to make your acquaintance properly. Of course I am Mayor Warren, now may I be honored with your undoubtedly beautiful name?" Resisting a giggle Jill realized that more people shared her opinion of Irons than she had originally thought, she was iffy on her Captain since he seemed at times to tolerate the man while at other times he seemd to want to shove Irons somewhere worse than the jail cells.
"Jill Valentine of S.T.A.R.S. Alpha Unit, It's nice to meet you Mayor Warren and thank you for your hand with this museum. I'm glad there's one closer for me to go to now when I have free time. It must have been stressful dealing with the process." Even if their occupations were different his was still just as stressful if not more so than hers.
" You are most welcome, it was stressful, but must be equally stressful for you and your unit to handle Chief Irons and his…enthusiasm… especially you my dear, No female deserves that gaze of his."
With a shiver Jill couldn't help but agree. But her experiences with the Chief Irons weren't as much as the two captains of S.T.A.R.S.
Thankfully...
"I believe most of the stress of dealing with his enthusiasm in different things goes to Captain Wesker since Chief Irons always has something to talk to him about." Jill's eyes started to wander subconsciously for her Captain.
"The illustrious and mysterious Captain Albert Wesker! Indeed he must have his hands full. I'm sure you're his favorite and most reliable. That Chris Redfield looks also to be a trusty officer but you seem more the match for your Captain in many different ways." The Mayor looked knowingly at Jill
'Me? A Match? Reliable? Favorite? Of Captain Wesker?' What was the Mayor getting at?
"Ms. Valentine you forget that I am a politician so reading people isn't all that difficult. And if it wasn't confirmed earlier I'd say your face and reaction confirm my suspicions now. You have a crush on your Captain don't you?" With a knowing look and laugh he led Jill to a different part of the room so it wouldn't be easy for Chief Irons to find them and so they could see a large part of the room.
"Mayor, I don't know what you mean. I respect my Captain, but I hold no romantic feelings for him." Right? It was always and strictly respect, even when faced with those entrancing ice and sapphire blue orbs that were the Captains eyes.
"But my dear Ms. Valentine! He may hold some for you. I mean ever since Chief Irons and I came over to you his gaze has been on us like a hungry hawk. Rather protective of him I think." Careful to not whip around too fast, the Mayor maneuvered Jill into a position where she could finally see aforementioned man. And as a consequence she saw that leaning against a wall and protected from most guests' view by a pillar, was her shade wearing Captain staring in their direction. Or at least that was what Jill guessed.
"He may just be looking over here by chance!" came Jill's squeaks of denial. She did not want to consider that she did have a crush. Subconsciously all the evidence was there and if it were a normal situation she would have accepted numerous amounts of evidence. However, this was not a normal situation. She did find him attractive in looks and behavior, for a snarky aloof cat. Yes a cat named Whisker in her head and when she was alone at home. His name was just asking for it!
"Highly unlikely since his gaze has been following us since earlier and as I led you away from Brian. I say you should try to get him to dance with you seeing that you two would look wonderful together."
Jill finally took this chance to actually see what Captain Wesker was wearing as she hadn't really looked during the night. Her mental dams of denial were close to breaking anyway especially with that manipulative Mayor poking around. Damn bored politicians...
Observing him while hiding with the Mayor, Jill's eyes widened a fraction of a bit as the Mayor's smile did too.
Fitted with a pitch black suit and a charcoal grey dress shirt and black tie, it was obvious why his fan club had not dropped their pursuit. Simple but the Captain owned that look. If she ever got close enough for a proper inspection there was sure to be other little things that put his elegance far above the other old meat balloons in the room that called themselves men.
With a subconscious quick lick of her lips Jill turned back to the grinning Mayor.
"Well what should I do now that I admit that I may have the smallest crush on him?" Jill said staring at the bar with all its tempting goodness
"Why, enjoy this night! Maybe save your poor Captain from those harpies- I mean well meaning female citizens." Jill contemplated this and wearily stared at Chris and Kenneth who noticed her burning stares.
"Alright sir I'll enjoy myself more. Thank you for the help with the revelation." Focusing in on the Mayor once more Jill noticed that he was bouncing on his feet and grinning. Was he trying to be a cupid or something? Or was the stress of politics rotting his brain? How was she supposed to act on her crush that he was obviously endorsing?
"Well off you go! I'm going to talk to the band to play a good song for you and see if I can avoid Brian for a bit longer, hopefully he doesn't use the micropho-"the Mayor was interrupted
"Has anyone seen Mayor Warren? I believe he may have gotten lost in this gala of ours!" Chief Irons called out using the microphone.
"Curses, he'll find me quicker now, off I go now, I hope you enjoy my advice and thank you for the reprieve and amusement!" with that the Mayor swiftly made his way through the crowd.
Confused and feeling mental dread Jill made her way to Kenneth and Chris unaware of the shaded gaze upon her. She also offhandly wondered if someone gave a drug to Chief Irons-In-Ass.
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Authors Note: Alright I was intending this to be a one shot but when I first wrote it the other day I saw that it had gotten too long and I decided to split it into parts to make it more manage able and so I can go over the story and tweak it.
I may post the next chapter in a few days or longer since my college semester is coming up. So don't worry my most likely few readers...
My first story I know there are some holes and things I need to fix but I hope I get told about it in the possible future reviews …I want to think it isn't too dismal
Thanks for reading…Reviews would be nice but I'm not going to hold the future chapter for them…
Ciao for now…
-Pancoon