AUTHORS NOTE: Hi all! I'm a huge RESI fan and don't feel I've delved enough into the fanfiction side of things, possibly because I enjoy the cannon too much! Never the less I'm here to fulfill my fantasy. This story will have a lot of suffering and suspense involved because, if you ask me, our heroes need to have a little more of that in their tails ;) Please let me know what you guys think I appreciate all reviews! Just please be aware not everything will be 100% as I'm changing a few things up-this is fanfiction after all. This fiction is based post RE: 5 but pre RE: 6. So without further ado please enjoy!

PART ONE

Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring.

Reaching out she snatched the phone off its cradle and propped it between her shoulder and ear before returning to the computer screen before her. She would hear the ringing of the phone in her sleep, what little sleep she could steal during the night. It was never much but a few hours was what she had to be content with.

"B.S.A.A North America branch, you're through to Jill Valentine. How can I assist you?"

The line was a stark reminder of how she was babied now-by everyone and not just Chris. An office job? Who'd have thought...in the back of her mind though she understood why. People were nervous around her now-though it had been proven she was no longer a threat. The P30 chemical had been fully erased from her body and any other exposure to the viruses were fully dealt with. The tests had drained her and they had gone on for over four months until she was finally allowed to leave the premises and be allowed to be herself again.

A voice on the other end of the phone began babbling some reporter wanting information on the current situation of the B.S.A.A on the most recent incident at Marhawa Academy in Asia. Jill had heard all about it from Piers who had stopped by her newly rented apartment, seeing as her previous contract had expired years ago during her stay in Africa. Sounded like a hell of a time and not only that but Piers did happen to mention a lot about this Merah girl...Jill did wonder.

"Ma'am I do apologize but the B.S.A.A has disclosed all information currently available at the press conference three days ago. I'm afraid there is nothing further that I can tell you," Jill rattled off the usual reasons. This reporter was persistent though and wouldn't take no for an answer. The way Jill saw it, the longer this woman was on the phone but be less time she would have to spend talking to some other reprobate. Heaving a sigh she adjusted the phone onto her other shoulder, rolling out her now freed one before returning to the computer screen finishing signing off the reports about a small incident in Istanbul which had required some assistance from the North America branch. Trivial things really. All she had to do was finishing dotting the I's and crossing the T's. The reporter begged her for more information.

"Again, ma'am, I will reiterate for you. I cannot provide any more details on the incident. There is nothing more to include then what has already been given."

Now the reporter turned nasty. Calling names and trashing the B.S.A.A name. Did the woman really think that was going to get her anywhere? With Jill? She had picked the wrong woman and the wrong day. The woman continued her onslaught of insults while Jill focused on the report and finally brought a finger to the touch screen and providing a signature. Done. She could breathe a welcome sigh of relief now. Years ago, before Kijuju Jill's stomach would have turned and boiled at the thought of having to file reports and answer calls...now though it was a strange welcome every day to her. The events in Africa had left her severely weakened and the tests after had continued her down spiral further. By the time the events of Asia had come around Jill had still not recovered to an acceptable condition and so her superiors denied the allowance to aid Chris in his mission instead partnering him with Piers. Since then Jill had worked furiously to regain her fitness and stamina.

"Miss. Thatcher that is quite enough!" Jill growled into the phone now giving the reporter her full attention. The reporter was silenced by the outburst. "I have already declared to you that you will not be receiving further information. As you are aware all calls are closely monitored so all that you have said has been recorded. I have been as professional as I can while you have endeavored to pry and disrespect. If you continue I will have you reported to police for slander, do I make myself clear?"

No response.

"Now is there anything further I can help you with?" Jill's tone returned to the monotone professionalism. The phone line died a moment later. Jill allowed the phone to slip off her shoulder onto her lap, her hands rising and rubbing her tired eyes. Wasn't it just a few moments ago she thought what a mercy this job was for her now?

"Sounds like fun," A familiar voice ripped her back from her quarreling mind. She looked up to see him striding toward the desk, jeans with a rip in one knee from age, a simple grey t-shirt, and the branded B.S.A.A navy zipped sweatshirt. Jill cocked a brow before sliding the phone back onto its cradle. "So what's my favorite receptionist up to?" Chris asked a small twinkle in his eye coming to a halt and looking down at her.

Jill leaned forward onto the desk, lacing her hands together and resting her chin on her fingers, mischievous look crossing her own face as she looked up at him. It was funny before it had all been work work for them both when they had been partners, well they would always be partners, but now there was a certain air between them both. An air that caused Jill to slowly begin to realize something. She missed him when he was away, his visits to her desk made her stomach flutter and that look, the one he was giving her now, caused her cheeks to flush. When your skin was as pale as hers was now it didn't take much to see the rosiness.

"You know I've been working out-do you want to feel how hard I can hit?" She plastered a smile on her lips.

Chris laughed. "Last time I took you on in a fight I think I ended up under you, right?"

"I did come out on top.." Jill winked.

"Yeah...we'll have to have a rematch sometime," Chris nodded. Jill's heart fluttered like a school girl but she didn't allow it to show. She kept her composure but the swelling pit in her stomach told her enough. Stop it! She snapped to herself internally. The air between them was still for a moment both looking at one another. "So are you ready then?" Chris finally asked.

"Ready?" Jill asked blankly. For a rematch? She hadn't even had a shower...or shaved for that matter.

"You're off the clock, remember? I was gonna drop you home, you wanted me to have a look at this leak in your kitchen..?"

Jill's cheeks reddened suddenly and she glanced to the clock on the computer in front of her. She had finished her shift, of course. She had asked Chris to meet her at 4:30. Being the weekend there had been no plumber available to come to her new apartment so when she mentioned it in passing Chris had offered to help out...though she wasn't sure how much of a plumber he was. At least if he could stop the leak that would be something until she could get a plumber to come out the following week.

"Well actually you're late," Jill sighed swirling in the chair before ducking low behind the desk and snatching her handbag from underneath.

"Late?" Chris scowled.

"I said 4:30...and it's what time?"

"...4.50."

Jill said nothing before finally rising from the chair and sweeping around the side of the desk pulling the cream scarf from her handbag and wrapping it around her neck before shrugging on the green parka. It was still January and there was still snow on the ground outside. She strode past Chris without another word leaving the usually stoic man baffled.

The reception for the B.S.A.A building was still brightly lit, people still going about their business they worked around the clock to prevent the spread of terrorism and although the front desk was unmanned Jill knew that Liz would be appearing any moment to take over. The large glass front of the building showed the darkening skies outside and the clouds that took over. It would be more snow by the looks of things. Jill reached the front doors and paused looking over her shoulder to Chris who was quickly catching pace with her.

"I'm late again?" He had an apologetic look on his face. Jill attempted to remain annoyed but it quickly melted away and she smiled before rolling her eyes stuffing her hands into the pockets of the coat and bracing herself for the temperature drop outside. "I'll make it up to you, I promise!" Chris said as he passed. Had he winked at her? He heaved the heavy glass door open and held it for her allowing her to slip out into the arctic temperatures. Well. That's how it felt. She really had gone soft.

The jeep had been warm, Chris more than happy to show off his new toy. Heated leather seats and windscreen made the weather that lay outside a distant memory as the 4x4 breezed through the growing blanket of snow. He was like a child on Christmas and it brought a smile to her face as her mind wandered into territory it didn't belong. The trip hadn't taken them long and they were pulling into the underground garage of Jill's apartment block in less than an hour.

Making their way up the seventh floor Jill pulled the keys from her back and twisted them in the lock before pushing the door open stepping inside and allowing Chris to follow. Thankfully she had set the heating to come on while she was out and so the apartment was already briskly warm. The apartment opened up into the living room with the kitchen visible through the wall near the rear. Two bedrooms, the spares was nearly directly to the right of the entrance hall and hers was past the kitchen with an ensuite, there was a spare room that Jill hadn't known what to do with yet so it was kind of a half office half gym affair. Most of her paperwork and equipment from work was in there along with a treadmill and punch bag...for when she really needed it. The spare bathroom was to the left of the spare room tucked in between that and the bathroom.

"Come on in," Jill smiled allowing Chris to slip past and take in the apartment.

"Wow...last time I was here you had a few boxes and mattress. Look at it now."

"Yeah...well, Claire helped with the decorating."

"That's why it's so familiar," Chris clicked his fingers as if he'd just solved a mystery. Jill hooked her handbag onto the coat rack along with her coat and scarf before crossing the room and jerking the curtains over the large floor length windows that looked out onto the city below. "So where's this leak then?" Chris unzipped his sweatshirt and tossed it over the back of one of the sofas in the living area.

"It's just under the sink," Jill crossed the room flicking the TV on as she passed before entering the kitchen. For once the kitchen was actually clean with her being grounded from field missions Jill had actually taken the time to occupy herself and learn how to cook, to a half decent standard of course. It also meant that she could properly look after her apartment instead of leaving it half disheveled all the time. She moved to the press beneath the sink and opened the cupboard pulling out a basket of cleaning utensils along with various bottles of sprays and bleach. Chris followed her and ducked low once she had cleared the cupboard. Water was pooled at the bottom and he accessed the pipes running from the sink into the floor.

"You want some gloves or something?" Jill asked.

"I've had my hands in far worse than this," Chris chuckled, "Your problem isn't the sink, it's the washing machine, got a loose pipe and it's pushing the water through the back to here."

"Oh.."

"Shouldn't take me too long, just need to move the washer and retighten things. No big deal at all," He pulled back out from underneath the sink and looked up to her. Jill smiled with relief.

"Okay great, you okay here while I go take a shower then?"

"Can't get into too much trouble here," Chris grinned, "Go for it. I'll just use your keys and run down to the jeep and grab some tools. Won't take longer than an hour I'd say."

They split. Jill headed for the bathroom while Chris attended the sink. She threw the door of her bedroom over and quickly rushed across the room stripping the polo neck off her top half and throwing it across the room, slipping out of the jeans and boots as she went. The shower was a welcome relief. She allowed the heat and steam to wash over her and warm her through to the bone. Her skin was like porcelain everyone would always mention it, she was nearly the color of the tiles on the wall, her pale hair that stretched to her waist now once it was loose didn't seem to be losing its shade of pale blonde she guessed it never would now those damned chemicals had done a number on her body in more ways than one. As she showered she could hear the faint noise of the TV from the living room and the sound of the front door closing as Chris reentered before a number of noises were heard from the kitchen. Jill wouldn't like she was thankful for the company, the nights were long when she was on her own with only the TV to keep her sane.

Stepping from the shower she quickly grabbed a towel and dried her body before heading into the bedroom and moving to the dresser. She produced a clean white vest and opted for a pair of black leggings to go with it. The apartment was warm and the steam shower had set her on fire so, for now, she opted to leave a sweatshirt off. She quickly grabbed a hairband off her dresser for her unusually long hair so she could tame the locks. Moving back into the kitchen she popped the hairband in her mouth before reaching around for her hair and attempting to gather it all into a high ponytail.

"Howz it going?" She asked through the band between her lips. Chris had pulled the washing machine out halfway into the kitchen, its wires unplugged and pipes removed for now. He was beneath the countertop on his back screwing and twisting with a wrench.

"You got a lot of water down here," He said from beneath the counter not coming out. Jill grabbed the band from her mouth and brought it back to twist around her hair.

"Yeah...well, I've still been running the washer-I thought it was the sink."

"Clearly," Chris laughed from underneath the counter. Jill narrowed her eyes before crossing the kitchen.

"Are you staying for dinner?" Jill rested on the counter pondering what she would make. There was a crash and a curse from beneath the counter and the sound of spurting water before something was quickly twisted and the flow of water stopped again. Jill fought the smile that threatened on her mouth-Chris was far better with his guns then wrenches. Jill folded her arms as she awaited an answer, would he answer? Had he heard her? After another silent moment, she had gathered he hadn't. Chris reappeared now rising from underneath the counter and looking around. Jill tossed him a cloth from the sink. Quickly he wiped his hands before tucking the cloth into a jean pocket and reaching for the washing machine sliding it slightly back in before ducking low to reconnect everything and finally sliding the washing machine back into place.

"There," He said triumphantly, "Didn't need a plumber after all." His face was smeared with various streaks of dirt and dust, his dark hair dampened from where the water must have sprayed over him.

"Great-how much do I owe you?" She asked spinning and reaching for her purse.

"Nothing!" Chris quickly lunged toward her grasping her wrist. Jill laughed before thrusting a fist into his shoulder.

"I know!" She giggled. There was that fluttering feeling in her stomach again... "Now are you staying for dinner or what?"

"Oh no couldn't trouble you, I'll leave you to your peace," Chris smiled pulling the cloth from his pockets and wiping his hands again.

"Oh come on, you fixed my problem at least let me get you something to eat."

"Honestly-"

"Save it," Jill growled, crossing the kitchen and plucking a number of takeout menus propped beside the microwave. "So do you want Chinese, Italian or Thai?"

The empty plates that rested on the coffee table were testament to how good the Chinese food had been. Jill sat cross-legged on the sofa a blanket around her shoulders as she continued to chew on another prawn cracker...like she hadn't had enough. Chris was sat back nursing his swollen stomach watching the horror film that was currently playing. Ironically it was a zombie film.

"They don't move like that," Chris noted.

"I know! Are you really telling me they aren't smart enough to just go around them?" Jill added. There was a silence as one of the actors was devoured before Jill and Chris looked at each other. They shared a laugh. Jill finished the remains of the cracker before settling back pulling the blanket around her shoulders again.

"Well I better get going, I have to meet with some new cadets in the morning," Chris said tiredly.

"You've only just come back from Asia-can't someone else do it? What about Piers? Or Sampson. He doesn't do much else right?"

"Sampson? Haha, now that would be something." Chris stood now and stretched before reaching for his sweatshirt off the sofa and sliding it over his shoulders. Jill felt an internal dread. She had just grown used to the company and now she'd be left on her own again until she had to go to work again. What was wrong with her? She was acting like a wailing woman. She was never like this before...it all happened. Chris gathered his pieces from around the apartment before returning to the living room. Jill sighed before throwing the blanket off her shoulders and following him to the door. He unlocked it and pulled it open pausing before stepping outside.

"Thanks for the food."

"Thanks for fixing my 'sink'."

They smiled. Chris reached out now with his free hand and took hold of her long ponytail that was thrown over one shoulder. She cast a look to the pale color.

"I'm getting it dyed soon."

"Why? I like it," Chris mused as his fingers glided over the silky strands.

"You do?"

"Yeah...suits you." He smiled dropping his hand again. They stood in silence.

"Goodnight Jill."

"Night Chris."

Slowly he leaned forward and placed a small kiss to her brow. She hadn't expected it and the feeling made her stomach swell, her knees weak and cheeks flush. She looked up to him as he drew back.

What happened next was a rushing whirlwind that Jill had never expected.

Her hands were on his sweatshirt pulling him closer, his hands were on her hips pulling her to him.

Their lips became locked in an unbreakable kiss that only broke to allow breath. They stepped back inside the apartment, Chris flinging the door closed behind him with an arm before it returned to her hip. Her hands worked furiously at the zip of his sweatshirt drawing it down in a single motion before her fingers forced the material off his shoulders to the floor. They continued to work their way through the apartment toward her room. Pausing briefly in the corridor he pressed her to the wall showering her neck and collarbone with kiss after kiss. Her breath had quickened beyond anticipation, so much so she thought she couldn't breathe. It felt...so good. Her stomach continued to swell and a strange feeling was building deep inside her. Something she hadn't felt for years. It was anticipation for what would come next, longing for something she had always secretly desired. His hands were roaming across her stomach across her chest beneath her vest. It made her quake with excitement.

Not yet.

She pushed him back now, forced him against the opposing wall her knee spreading his legs as she pressed her knee up higher and higher against him. Her hands explored his body, his sculpted chest, and abdomen lowering to his pelvis. She felt his anatomy twitch against where her knee was forced. She grinned now finally bringing her hands up and removing the t-shirt from his body tossing it aside. He grabbed her now and lifted her at the knees, her arms wrapped around his neck and he carried her to the bedroom tossing the door closed behind them.

Bleep, bleep. Bleep, bleep. Bleep, bleep.

Jill would shoot the wretched alarm if her gun had been close to hand. Rising her head from the pillow she cast her eyes toward the crack in the curtains. It was still dark. Casting her eyes to the alarm clock on the side table she noted the time 2.57 a.m. It wasn't nearly time to get up yet. So what was ringing? It was then Jill felt it. She was pushed back against someone, their bodies molded into one another. His arm was draped over her hip, his arm beneath her head. He was so warm. She could feel the heat radiating from him. Carefully she attempted to get a better look at his sleeping face but through the dark and the angle she had to crane her head in it wasn't possible. Hopefully whatever was ringing would turn itself off. She nestled back against him and shut her eyes embracing the feeling of having him there was her.

Bleep, bleep. Bleep, bleep. Bleep, bleep.

Jill couldn't believe her luck. Her eyes snapped open and she growled. Throwing the comforter back she slipped out from next to him. The icy feeling that hung in the air slapped her bare body harshly. She hissed at the feeling of her bare feet against the wooden floorboards quickly scampering across them toward the source of the noise. By now her movements had awoken Chris who was turning and rubbing at his eyes. Jill located the sound of the ringing coming from his jean pocket. He must have really overestimated his alarm-as she drew the phone out all thoughts washed away. Jill watched the name flashing across the phone and a rising pit of dread began to expand in her stomach.

"Jill...you okay?" Chris' voice asked from across the room. Jill turned with the phone in her hand and looked across to Chris.

"It's HQ."

"Tell them it can it wait," Chris snorted, he must have also noted the time.

"No, Chris. It's Director Speirs' personal line..."

Chris didn't falter and was out of the bed and across the room taking hold of the phone in a fraction of a second. If Director Speirs was calling...then something was up.

AUTHORS NOTE: So kind of a slow start-for Valenfield fans? You're welcome. For others-hold tight, it's just getting started ;)