Chapter 1- Life after Steve

NOTE: The story begins after the incident in the Antarctic base, when they arrive back home.

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Claire and Chris were quiet on the way home from the small airport. There wasn't much to be said. Chris knew Claire was still upset about Steve's death, but he couldn't say anything that would make her feel better. Besides, it had been a long day for her. Bringing up the subject could bring back memories she's trying to forget right now. (Poor Claire. man, I wish I could make her feel better)

As soon as they got home, she pushed open the car door and took out her keys. She tossed them to Chris, and he trudged up the steps to the front door. Claire walked into the house and into the kitchen. She pulled open the refrigerator, and looked for a quick snack. She was starving.

"Hey, how about I order us some Pizza?" Chris asked.

Claire winced, Pizza? Does he really think I'm up for Pizza at a time like THIS?! Instead of yelling, she smiled and said, "No thanks, Chris. I'm not exactly up for cheese tonight."

A worried feeling overcame Chris. Claire not wanting to eat her favorite food is definitely something to worry about, he thought to himself. Claire closed the refrigerator with a packet of crisps in her hand. She walked slowly up the stairs looking as down as ever. Chris ran up to her and put his hand on her shoulder.

"Claire. you sure you're ok? Cause if you wanna talk I'm here for you sis." he began.

Claire stopped him and smiled, "Don't worry about me. I'm just tired."

Chris nodded and went back down the stairs. He sat on the couch and flipped through a T.V magazine before hearing his cell phone ring . He cleared his throat, "Hello?" he said.

"Chris? You're ok? Thank god! Why didn't you call?!," the person said. It was definitely Leon. Chris laughed and put his hand over the phone.

"Sorry man, we just got back." Chris replied, "And Claire's fine too. Well err. except she's a little depressed cause she lost a good friend back there."

"How good a friend?" Leon asked. Chris smiled. He knew Leon had a little crush on his sister.

"Well, they were pretty close, I guess. His name was Steve." He said.

Leon sighed, "Umbrella, right? When will they ever stop?"

Chris paused and listened. Was it his imagination or was Claire crying up there?

"Hey Leon, I'll call you back." He said and hung up before Leon could even say bye. He ran up the stairs and knocked on Claire's door.

"Claire? Can I come in please?" he asked. There was no answer, except for cries.

He opened the door and saw Claire. Her face was buried in her pillow and her whole body was moving. Chris closed the door and sat beside her. He put his hand on her head.

"I can't believe he's gone. I can't believe it." She cried. She got up and looked at Chris. Tears were streaming down her cheeks, and her face was red. Chris hugged her.

"Don't cry, Claire. please? I hate to see you like this, I really do." He told her stroking her head. Claire pushed him away and folded her arms.

"Chris. you don't understand. When I first met Steve I thought he was just a kid with a cocky attitude. But no kid would have stared at me the way Steve did, Chris. and he didn't feel like a kid to me anymore. More like a mature guy with a bad family history. And before he died, do you know what was the last thing he said to me? He told me he loved me. he LOVED me, Chris."

Claire trailed off and started crying again. Chris was speechless. So something ELSE did go on between them.

Chris decided to leave Claire alone, and got up to walk to the door. Claire continued to cry, for she knew that she could never reply, "I love you too" to Steve.

Claire pulled the covers over her head and cried the whole nightlong. Damn Umbrella. Damn you.

In the morning, Claire found Chris sleeping on the couch with his cell phone in his hand. She walked over to the kitchen and made herself cereal. She opened the refrigerator and grabbed the milk. As she closed it, she noticed a picture of Chris with all the other S.T.A.R.S members stuck on nicely. "Boy, did Chris have a goofy looking hair-do back then! Hey. wait, isn't that Wesker? The scum. he took Steve!" she whispered.

Suddenly she had an idea. "Wesker took Steve. If I find Wesker, I'm sure to find Steve!" she said to herself. For the first time since yesterday, she actually smiled without having to fake it. Claire ran to Chris and shook him awake.

"Chris! Chris! Chris! Remember Wesker said that he has Steve and that he can bring Steve back to life? Remember? I'm going to find Wesker. cause where there's Wesker. there's got to be Steve." she said.

Chris stopped her, "Claire, Wesker is a dangerous guy. No, that's insane. Listen Claire, I know you're upset about Steve. but you're going to have to get over it!"

Ding- dong!

"That's the door. I'll get it!" Claire said. She opened the door to find Leon standing in the doorway. She blushed a bit knowing she was still in her nightdress. "Hi Claire." he said and grinned. Chris came over to them to talk to Leon. "Leon, tell her she's insane! She wants to find Wesker so she can find Steve!" Chris said waving his arms around. As soon as he said Steve, Leon winced. "Chris, I'm not insane, ok? And I want to find Steve. I know he's alive!" Claire screamed. Chris put his hands up in the air like he didn't know what to do. Claire ran up to her room and sat down on her bed. If they won't help me find Steve, then I'm going to go find him myself.

Will Claire go to find Steve without Chris's consent? Can she risk putting herself in danger?