As The Rush Comes

Author's note: My previous story was also a K-Mart/Wesker pair up. How ever I felt it lacked natural history and luster. So after watching Afterlife again this idea came to me. So like normal I'm sticking to most of the game's natural history only injecting K-mart/Dahlia in. I hope you enjoy. And yes the first chapter is first/third person choppy, but following chapters will be purely third person. I wanted to inject their first impressions and feelings in with the first chapter.

Per usual: I own none of these characters. They are owned by Capcom and K-mart is with Sony.

Chapter One: History

I had first laid eyes on Dahlia Valentine in the fall of 1997. She was six years old and sitting before me terrified in the Raccoon City Police Department interrogation room. A few bruises and dried blood covered her innocent face. Jill had gotten a call of a shooting in a residence. As it turned out, little Dahlia, a foster child had shot and killed the male who was fostering her and another girl. According to the report, the man had molested the other young girl in his care and was pursuing Dahlia. Dahlia retaliated and he began beating her. Then the girl raced for the gun and put two in the chest. Two perfect hits to the heart. Everyone had been counting her as lucky, but I on the other sensed something different about her. The way her eyes looked at me, beyond her years and calculated. Her body moved utterly graceful for a four year old. There were small subtle clues in her personality that clued me in on the fact she had killed him in cold blood. Sure the law was on her side, but there was something about her I had sensed that snapped. Could she had been protective of the other girl? I didn't know at the time, nor cared. I just wanted to rap it up as I had work for Umbrella to do.

Jill Valentine, one of my officers had taken a liking to Dahlia. She adopted her soon after the incident was cleared. There were two distractions in the office, my last year of S.T.A.R.S. Claire Redfield and the mysterious Dahlia. Despite my callous nature, I had felt a twinge of lust for the Redfield girl. Even with her in the station, if Dahlia was near my eyes would be glued to her. The cold look in her eyes faded after a few months in Jill's care. She was a sunny blonde and her skin was tanning nicely. Jill even looked healthier with the child about. Before Jill had been very thin and pale, now lean muscles had grown and she glowed.

Dahlia was dancing around the station after school as always. Her homework was finished and perfect. With her high level of intelligence, she was already in the ninth grade. Nothing about her was normal, not even her clothing. Jill had let the child choose her clothing and even though young she already had a sense of style of her own. She liked very colorful ensembles or very old and retro styles. She loved going for the china doll look and pulled it off. For right now she sat like a cat perched in a window reading a William Gibson book. A finger was tugging on her pumpkin earrings. It was one of her fascinations, pumpkins. The little girl was borderline obsessed with them, from the smells, looks, to tastes. From what I could tell most of her allowance was spent at pumpkin spice lattes and books.

It was now May 1998 and time was drawing near. I was no where close to the Redfield girl nor to finding out more of the six year old. When I looked up again, she was gone. The only trace left was her book in the window seal. After another hour of paperwork, I left for the gym. There she was, hitting the speed bag with a force a six year old shouldn't be capable. Her motion function was well beyond her years. Her head turned to me and she stopped the bag with the palm of her tan hand.

"Impressive for a six year old wouldn't you say Dahlia?"

"I guess you could say that, Captain Wesker. Though not too surprising is it?" she countered while hopping off the metal folding chair she had been using.

"Are you that capable with firearms are well?" My brows perked.

"I didn't miss now did I?" She shot back, no expression on her angelic face what so ever.

"Pistols aren't your favorite though? You're too small to like sub machine guns. I'm guessing high powered rifles." I asked, smirking.

"The M82A1 is my favorite. It does me justice." she replied, her voice seemingly softer.

How in the world did she get her hands on one? An orphan. Looking at her, I knew she was serious. She was one of the very few humans alive who peeked my interests and she was just six. I could only imagine what would have happened if she was an adult.

"Goodnight Captain Wesker." her soft voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Sweet dreams Dahlia." She had turned to leave and took one last look at me. "And stay out of the woods in the mountains. They aren't safe." I warned sternly. The child seemed unphased.

"I can feel them. You shouldn't let your pets out so close to the city. Accidents can happen." she hissed. With that she left and I felt absolutely stunned.

I stood there for a good five minutes pondering her, before heading off to public records. Birth parents and place of birth unknown. Dahlia was dropped off at a hospital a few days after her birth. There was slight footage of the couple who left her at the hospital. The faces looked familiar. He only know the world of Umbrella. Whoever she was, someone had made damn sure she couldn't be traced to her parents. If it was Umbrella linked, there were only a few possibilities...

July 13th, 1998

Dahlia

My amazing mother had pulled out all the stops for my seventh birthday. She had sushi catering, Hello Kitty themed everything, and all of the officers of STARS in attendance. We were at home and it was sunny pool party. Everyone was happy and it hit me like truck when he entered. Captain Wesker. Even in casual wear he stuck out like a sore thumb. Per usual, he sported black sunglasses, which for once looked in place, with black swim trucks and a black T-shirt. Although black, there was nothing plain about his attire. One could tell he deeply enjoyed luxury. My mom greeted him as halfway hid behind her legs.

"Thanks for coming Captain, though it is a surprise. Come join us we're about to eat." her smooth words were true. Even I wasn't expecting him here. A child's birthday part just seemed rather below him.

My hazel eyes watched as he handed my mother a pink and black wrapped box. Wesker then proceeded to join his fellow officers. As he seemed non threatening, I joined my mother and Chris. I liked him for the most part, but something deep inside of me just knew he would be dragging my mother into trouble. He was a good boyfriend to her, he was very protective, and he loved us both. I was extra baggage and he minded not at all. He tried very hard to be the father figure I needed and for that alone I appreciated him.

As everyone sat down to eat, I sat in between Jill and Wesker. My mother tried a few bites of my sushi as did Chris, both making funny faces before they turned back to their steaks. I giggled and rolled my eyes as I watched everyone else do pretty much the same. Ah well, I had tried to turn them to a different culture at least. The only person who enjoyed my meal with me was Wesker.

After blowing out my candles and everyone had chowed down, the presents came. Which besides the sushi was my favorite part. As an orphan, I had never had a birthday party and very rarely received gifts. So today I cherished every second. Jill was my angel and my life. She made it worth living. Everything was opened pretty quickly, I wasn't patient.

Jill had gotten me clothes and new books, medical ones to prepare me for college. Chris had gotten me a Hello Kitty switchblade, which Jill refused until he said it was for when I left for college and that I needed to protect myself. She agreed to it after he promised a lesson on knife safety. Rebecca had gotten me school supplies also in Hello Kitty. One could say it was an odd gift, but Rebecca knew what I liked. Most of the others got me various odds and ends, lots of cards with money. Wesker's gift was last and it was the only one I took my time with. The wrapping was very meticulously crafted. Wrapped by Wesker, no doubt. I was surprised to find a Coach backpack. It was the standard khaki with pink leather. Inside the backpack was jewelry box which contained a diamond cross. The other mystery item was my teddy bear. The one that I had since birth and had been locked up in evidence. I looked up shocked.

"I noticed that you go to mass and didn't have a necklace. And you need a sturdy backpack for college. As for the other I figured you were missing it." his voice came out smooth, rather than it's usual growl.

"Thank you Captain Wesker!" I squealed and hugged him. He was stiff by surprise at first, and finally hugged back.

As I grabbed my white teddy bear, I noticed he had indeed bleached it. There wasn't a single trace of blood. Not even in his white and gold wings. There were very few items I cared about, Leo was considered my absolute irreplaceable belonging. I remembered falling asleep very quickly and easily that night for the first time in a long time.

July 24, 1998

Dahlia

Something isn't right. That's what my minded repeated to me all day. I was hard at work during summer school. I was to finish the tenth grade by August. I wanted to be in college by the next year. My usual concentration was high, but today, nothing... My eyes kept flashing towards the mountains. I had heard of more attacks from Mom and Chris talking, but there was something worse going on or about to happen. My pen tapped nervously for two hours until the day concluded. From there, I ran to the police station. I ran as fast as I could, knocking over people, stands, anything in my way. As I rounded the corner for the STARS section, I found Jill and Chris suiting up.

"We're going to be late today baby, I'm so sorry. Claire will watch you tonight. Just order a pizza okay?" She apologized. I ran into her arms and hugged her as hard as I could.

"I love you, please be careful." My voice stammered. I was upset and for once couldn't hide the fact.

I then marched off in search of Wesker. If anything would happen, it would be his fault. My brain and intuition screamed at me. I found him in his office, pulling his vest on. His lips pursed as I closed his door.

"Can I help you Dahlia?" he growled, his irritation gleaming at my intrusion.

I held his stare with my own fierce glare. He had cold blue yes, they were very dark and it complimented his personality entirely. It was the first time I had seen him without his sunglasses, which rested on his desk. I grabbed his left hand and squeezed it.

"Promise me you won't let anything happen to Jill. Please Wesker." I begged.

His face relaxed somewhat as we studied each other. "You are a very interesting creature Dahlia. I'll do what I can to ensure her safety. The others are a different story." His voice came flat, even. Heartless.

"Why?" I asked. I didn't know what he had done or was about to do, but I had a feeling that he was about to betray us all. There was always something sinister about him, I could never put my finger on it. Something told me, that Albert Wesker was a very bad man full of dark intentions and ambition.

"It's just who I am Dahlia. It's who I was made to be." He answered simply. I hugged his legs and looked up again with tear filled eyes.

"People aren't manufactured, they can always go against their nature and change." The tears spilled down my cheeks and I did nothing to stop them.

"You can not change without the will to do so. I do not want to change." His hands found my cheeks. "I promise I'll do what I can to see she makes it out of there and home to you."

For the first time out of the year I knew him, I trusted him. I nodded as he wiped away my tears. He then placed his signature sunglasses on and motioned for the door. I sighed softly and walked out. I shivered as I went to go hug my mother and Chris.

"Sweetheart don't be upset. I'll take care of your mother." Chris told me, his face was full of worry.

I realized then that no one had ever seen me upset or cry since I had came into their lives. My personality almost matched Wesker. I hugged him tightly and hoped I would see him again. After hugging my mother, she handed me a STARS jacket and kissed my forehead. After leaving RPD, I headed to the cathedral and prayed. I spent most of the night tossing and turning.

About 2 AM, I sat straight up in bed. My mind couldn't take it anymore. Grabbing my switch blade, I made my way through the house silently as to not wake Claire. Then I fled for the mountain. The blood hit my senses and the smell made me sick. The silence is what bothered me the most as I scurried through the forest.

The only word I could describe all the monstrosities I had encountered was horror. For the first time I was horrified. After finding countless bodies of STARS members, I cried. Then I stumbled onto the corpses of various mutated animals. I knew Wesker was apart of this. He was a monster and I knew this, but part of me was unable to accept it. Hours passed, more horrors found. I was in a living nightmare. Then I heard an explosion and it woke me straight up.

I raced toward the sound, praying Jill and Chris weren't in it. I was halfway to the burning when I seen him. We both stopped. Blood covered him every where. For a minute as I stared into his now hellfire cat eyes, I wondered if it was my mother's blood. He bent down on one knee reaching out to me. My legs carried me forward without realizing it. My tiny hands cupped his face as I studied his bloody face and eyes

"You shouldn't be out here." he spoke finally, his thumbs wiping my tears.

"I couldn't stop myself... You're one of them now aren't you?" I asked, remembering the dogs.

"You've always been one Dahlia. It's how I found you." I looked back to him confused. "Your mother was an experiment from Rockfort Island, infected with the T-Veronica virus and your father was infected with the T-virus. They were bred and two months into her pregnancy they escaped. Of course they were found a few years ago and both sent to Rockfort for permanent holding."

"It doesn't matter. It never mattered where I came from. Where's Jill?" I rubbed my eyes and yawned, feeling exhaustion set in.

"Safe with Chris like I promised." He answered with a snicker. I leaned in and hugged him.

"Thank you Wesker."

From my hug, he picked me up and carried me. He told me to sleep and not worry. Something in me knew he had was responsible for many deaths. I should've been terrified, but I could sense that he wouldn't hurt me. I felt safe with him. I drifted off to sleep and only woke when I felt him placing me in my bed. I felt his lips touch my forehead.

"Goodbye for now, Dear heart."

The days and few weeks that followed were chaotic. Many funerals were attended. Rebecca survived and I was more than glad. After seeing most of Bravo's team's corpses, I thought I'd never see her again. Mom and Chris's relationship seemed more solidified. A week after everyone's death was announced, we were visited by an attorney. Wesker who was classified as dead had left things to me in his will. Jill was furious, naturally. However, he left me a very solid college fund and money. Though I had told no one about seeing Wesker, it touched me that he thought of me.

October 1, 1998

Dahlia

Raccoon City was gone. Gone. My eyes blinked. I couldn't believe it. My only home, gone. It was all I knew. I almost lost everything. Including my mother. She barely made it out. As she spoke with authorities I clung to her with my everything. When the outbreak occurred, I ran and hide at a local K-Mart. Jill was gone at the time. There wasn't very many survivors when I first was evacuated. I thought for sure everyone was dead. I was thanking God for the small miracles he gave that day.

December 15, 2003

He had completed all of his objectives and kept pushing. He had finished Umbrella. Not even Chris or Jill had managed that. After his successful retrieval of the archives he had spent month in intense research mode. For now, he was back in the United States. He had been checking up on various old Umbrella Labs. Ones he had hidden from the court documents so he could use them personally. For now he was in Boston and away from Excella Gionne. She was his newest toy and a rather annoying one at that.

Wesker's shoes crunched over the gravel of Harvard Medical School's quadrangle softly. He was here to check on Dahlia's progress. Though he knew she maintained a perfect GPA through records, he still missed her. Dahlia was easy to spot, short and blonde, with pumpkin earrings and a black STARS jacket. She still carried the backpack he had given her years ago, the sentimental type. She was walking with a tall man, the typical college age, and chattering away unaware of Wesker's presence.

She looked healthy and happy. It was all he could hope for. He followed close catching some of their conversation. They enthusing over their upcoming graduation and speaking of their internships. Dahlia was going to Massachusetts General Hospital for Neurosurgery and general surgery. A twinge of pride washed over him as he listened. He made a mental note to be present for her graduation, as she discussed the unlikelihood of her mother attending due to traveling.

The fact unnerved him, Jill could spend time traveling all over the world with Chris and yet couldn't make a graduation. Dahlia looked sad when she had stated it. Her friend departed to a nearby building. She was completely oblivious to Wesker's presence as she made her way to her next class. He noted her humming of songs and slight skips when she walked.

May 21, 2004

Dahlia was not wrong. Neither Chris nor Jill were present for her graduation. She graduated summa cum laude and Valedictorian. Her speech was very well written and touching. Wesker could tell she was sad and disappointed. No one had known her well enough to know. He heard various comments about her as the ceremony droned on. People wondered who were her parents, where she came from, how old she was, and how wealthy her parents were.

As the end came, she noticed him. And she smiled her real smile, for the first time in long time. She had been very lonely since had started college. Jill and Chris were always gone with the BSAA. Very many holidays were spent alone now. Though she truly never expected to see Wesker there, she appreciated it with all her heart.

When people were clearing to go home, she ran to him. He smirked at her eagerness. Dahlia stopped short of running into him. They studied each other for a short time. Each noting their differences from the last time they met. She was taller now about five feet and her hair seemed more wavy. He hadn't aged one bit, but physically he had acquired more muscle.

"For you, Dr. Valentine." he said finally, a white rose in his hand.

"Thank you Wesker." she chimed in, her face radiant as she took the flower.

"No Jill or Chris?" he asked, knowing the answer.

"No they're too busy fighting your monsters."

"Umbrella's monsters, Dahlia." he corrected sternly. She sighed audibly and smiled.

"Where have you been?" she asked. Dahlia always had been a curious child.

"Everywhere." came the simple reply. "Until next time, Dear Heart."

She leaned forward and hugged him. His lips met her forehead, kissing softly. She watched as he left. She was happy that it wasn't nightfall. This goodbye felt better than their last and she noted it when he gave her a final glance before disappearing into a sea of bodies.

September 25, 2006

Dahlia's legs were burning as she ran through the castle. When she burst the door, she had seen Wesker holding Chris about to end his life. And then she seen Jill running. Dahlia took off without hesitation, blocking and pushing Jill backwards as the blonde collided with Wesker. Chris was dropped and the pair of blondes smashed through the window. As mad as Wesker was, he struggled to cradle her. He knew he would survive the fall, but he didn't know if Dahlia would.

As they crashed into the water, his body took most of the blow. He was stunned for a moment as his body was healing. He looked her on the surface and nothing. She wasn't moving or breathing when she found her. Her lips were blue, her body lifeless, unacceptable. When he drained her lungs, she coughed finally. Her pulse was weak. He needed to get her to a medical facility.

When the helicopter arrived, she was in the same state. Barely there, feeling small and cold in his arms. When Excella met him, he had her restrained. She screamed like a child after him as he continued on with Dahlia in his arms. The TriCell doctors were terrified when she was brought to them. When they refused to treat her, he shot the doctor speaking. Some cried, some screamed, the rest stepped over the body to examine her. He killed off the ones screaming, no emotion on his face. Clean shots to the forehead. The remaining felt on edge as they screamed orders, nurses scattered.

They repaired what they could. The lead doctor injected the p90 to speed the process, but advised that Wesker keep her in cyrostasis. He figured her mix of virii could heal her completely if given time. There was major brain damage and that would take time to heal. After he agreed, he watched them place her in the glass tank making sure she was completely covered. It was a luxury he didn't allow most, but she wasn't most people.

It was then when he knew, she was his only exception. He would watch her sometimes. After the day's work, or sometimes when he was stressed. Her face would calm him. The only time he wouldn't come to her was when he was with Excella or after he'd fuck the Italian. It made him feel dirty. He had never felt that way before. It had never bothered him to use Excella. She was so intelligent, yet so gullible and fragile. He liked to break her mentally and physically over and over. He was her God, and even full of bruises from previous nights she'd be just as eager to welcome him back to her bed.

Excella had no idea about the girl who slept in the glass cage. While she had worked so hard to please Wesker, she had failed every single time. There was no way to combat her rival. Excella was perfect in just about any other man's preferences, but all Wesker could think about was Sleeping Beauty.