Resident Evil and all of its characters belong to Capcom. But you already know that.
-I-
Back
Tuesday, 6pm
She sighed deeply watching the trees they were passing by. The woods and meadows could be compared neither to the dry land in Kijuju, nor to the sterile hospital walls she had been staring at day after day during the rehab. It had been several months since she'd finally returned to the US after years of captivity, if it could actually be called so. But right after coming back, she had found herself locked away again, in hospitals and labs. And though she perfectly knew it was a chance to help herself and others, fighting evil just seemed a more pleasant way of work. Now, after rehabilitation, she was a free woman again. Physically, she was almost the same Jill Valentine as before, except for the hair, which had never recovered its natural tone. But deep inside her everything had changed.
She looked at the surroundings and recognized familiar environments. The smells and sights told her it was the place where she'd lived before that tragedy, but she didn't feel like coming home. This was the home of the Jill she had been before entering the Spencer Estate; before tackling Wesker through the window in order to save her partner; before becoming a lab rat and, even worse, Excella's puppet, murdering and infecting innocent people. Now, she wasn't that old Jill anymore, not even a shadow of her. All that was left was just a broken version of what she used to be. Unable to hold a weapon, afraid of being touched and not standing being alone - she'd become useless to the BSAA and to herself.
Chris was driving. He had done an incredible job this whole time, as well as his partner in Kijuju, Sheva. Together they had not only freed her from the device which provided her body with a constant dose of P30, they had also stopped and killed Wesker. After all those years seeding chaos, Albert Wesker was dead - for good this time. And what had SHE done meanwhile? She had been an instrument of Wesker's horrible plans and nothing could ever ease all the pain she had caused. And she didn't even know how to feel about all the happenings. The strange emptiness in her didn't leave any space for other emotions, not even if it came to such severe things like murder. She was wondering if she'd ever be able to feel anything again. Chris looked at her.
"How are you?," he asked.
"I'm alright," she lied. How many times had she told him those exact words in the past months, since the first time back in the catacombs in Africa?
When her eyes met his smile, Jill became aware of how her body didn't react to that stimulus anymore. She had loved his smile from the very first time they had met at S.T.A.R.S. and she had always wanted to tell him that the moments he smiled reminded her that life was more than fighting. But she never could gather enough courage to tell him how she felt about him, about them both. Now it was too late. She didn't feel it anymore. She actually didn't feel anything at all.
Jill was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice how Chris drove into a wide street with big houses on each side, with beautiful gardens and shiny cars parked in front. He stopped his Jeep in front of a pretty single family home with white walls and roses in the garden. The dim twilight bathed the whole street in an orange-red tone. Birds sang and crickets chirped. Everything seemed quiet and lovely. Too quiet and lovely. Jill gave Chris a questioning look.
"When did the BSAA decide to move their headquarters to the suburbs?" She lifted an eyebrow. Ever since she'd come back from Africa she'd expressed her wish to return to work as soon as possible.
"Jill," he said, turning off the engine, "I know you'd like to get back to work right away." He stared at the confused look in his partner's eyes and took a deep breath. "But you've been through a lot, you've just recovered and I don't want this to be too stressful to you." He was sure Jill wouldn't agree with his plans and he even felt irresponsible for taking decisions without asking her. But he really wanted everything to be as light as possible for her. "I told everyone you're coming back on Friday. I want you to rest until then, to get used to the sunlight and to a life of a human being."
She couldn't believe it. Chris had lied to everyone in the BSAA. Even worse, he had lied to her. Couldn't he imagine how she felt? She just wanted to get back to fight bioterrorism again in order to make right what she had done under the enemy's control. She needed to distract herself from the immense void consuming her. Free time was definitely not giving her that kind of distraction. She wanted to start fixing everything, even if it was just doing paperwork.
The feeling of betrayal almost made her slap him for taking decisions without consulting her humble opinion. But the sad look on his face made her think twice. She saw that Chris was feeling guilty for what happened to her. She hated seeing him suffer like that and decided to swallow her pride and do what he asked for. After all, it would be only for a couple of days. Before the weekend she'd be wandering around the BSAA headquarters again, pretending nothing had ever happened to her.
"Thank you, Chris," she whispered.
Chris nodded and smiled again in relief. He'd expected a more violent reaction from her. The fact that her eyes had lost its usual shine worried him and he was desperately seeking the moment to have a chat with his old partner. There were still so many unasked questions that didn't let him find rest.
"There's something else," he said. "Unfortunately, I can't skip work these days." Jill looked at him completely scared. He wasn't leaving her alone, was he? Chris understood her gaze and completed his sentence quickly "So I decided to leave you with the only person in this whole world I trust more than myself to take care of you." He jumped out of the car. Before Jill could even wonder who that mysterious person was he had already opened the door on her side and was offering her his hand to help her get out. He took Jill's small suitcase from the backseat and led her through the garden, having a quick glance at the well-cared white roses before stepping to the front door and ringing the bell.
Jill was nervous. Who was she expecting to open that door? Someone Chris trusted more than himself? Could it be…? Her thoughts were interrupted by the ray of light that shone from the inside of the house right into their faces.
"Chris!" A young woman threw herself into Chris' arms. "I'm so glad to see you again."
Chris smiled and laid his arms around her, his eyes showing the most tender glow Jill had ever seen in him. That tiny detail showed Jill that her first impression had been correct. Chris turned his face to her.
"Jill, I'm happy to finally introduce you to each other." The woman let go of him and looked at Jill with a curious, warm look. "This is my little sister, Claire."
Claire surely knew about Jill's situation and her fear of closeness. Though giving her a huge and warm smile, she just reached out her hand instead of throwing her arms around her, like she had done with Chris.
"It's such a pleasure to finally meet you, Jill," she said. "Chris has told me so much about you I feel you already belong to our family. It is such a pity we didn't meet before."
Jill took Claire's hand and shook it. "Thank you Claire. It's a pleasure for me as well."
Chris watched them in delight. The two most important women in his life finally knew each other. Not having introduced Claire to Jill had been one of the things he had most regretted after Jill's little accident in the Spencer Estate. But life had granted him another chance to do things right and he was definitely taking it this time.
"But, please, don't stand there all night long. Come inside. Dinner's almost ready," Claire said.
Chris and Jill entered the lightful house. The most notorious space on the ground floor was a wide living room with big windows and very elegant white curtains. The walls were painted in different grey tones, which created a perfect contrast with the completely white furniture. Even the TV had a white framework. Chris looked around impressed. Everything was neat and clean, completely unlike Claire's usual lifestyle, though she wasn't half as messy as himself. The open kitchen was almost as big as the living room and only a counter separated the two zones. Also the kitchen had been built in grey and white, with expensive-looking cabinets.
"Make yourself comfortable," Claire yelled running into the kitchen. "The bedrooms are upstairs if you want to leave your suitcase there, Jill. And there is one bathroom on each floor. I think you can have a quick shower before dinner if you'd enjoy that. Anyone a cup of wine?"
Chris looked at Jill. She nodded. "I'd love a wine. I'll have that shower later."
Claire came back from the kitchen. "I hope you're hungry."
Chris nodded and Jill smiled lightly. "I'm starving, actually," she said.
"That's great. I've made a vegan lasagna, a salad with honey and warm goat cheese and tiny hamburgers," Claire smiled at Jill. "I wasn't sure if you'd have any problems with animal products so I just made different things for you. But if you don't want anything of that we can order something."
Jill didn't know what to say. She was simply amazed by that young woman she'd just met. Claire had obviously spent the whole day in the kitchen cooking for Chris and her. "I eat almost everything," she said head shaking. "But, don't ask me why, since the first incidents in the Arklay Mountains, I'm not able to eat boiled eggs."
Claire made a grimace of disgust. "Nobody likes boiled eggs." She laughed. "But I hope you like scrambled ones. That's what you'll get for breakfast. But for now I'll bring the wine." She winked and tried to turn back to the kitchen. Chris stopped her.
"So, you said this is the vacation house of a coworker of yours?" He asked challenging.
"Hmmm," Claire said nodding. "Yes, well… it's Neil's".
"Fisher." He rolled his eyes. Jill stared at him surprised. She didn't know who that Neil guy was, but Chris acted like he was some sort of reborn Albert Wesker.
"Oh, come on, Chris! Wipe away that disappointed look from your face. I paid for this house." Claire shouted while heading finally to the kitchen. "With money."
It was funny to see how Chris treated his sister, although Jill felt sorry for poor Claire. It surely wasn't easy to have such a protective big brother. Herself had always wished to have a brother who could care for her. But seeing how uncomfortable Claire was talking about men, she was happy nobody was demanding any explanations from her.
Chris needed to distract himself from imagining Fisher undressing his sister with his eyes and to find another point to focus on. He remembered that he hadn't asked Jill how she felt about staying with Claire. Maybe she wasn't comfortable in that house in the suburbs.
"Jill, listen," he said. "I know this is all going a little fast. But I'm sure Claire will entertain you perfectly these days. And I'll stay here the nights as well, okay?"
Jill smiled. The warm ambience that surrounded the Redfields was far enough to make her feel comfortable. And Chris' sister was so extremely nice and carefree that she already felt better. Claire came back to the living room holding a tray with three cups of wine on it.
"It has to be white wine," she explained rolling her eyes. "Neil would kill me if I ruined his five thousand dollar couch with a stain." She lifted her glass. "Cheers!"
Jill poured the wine down her throat in one single gulp. It was sweet, tasty, and slightly burning and it felt so good. Chris looked at her surprised. She blushed.
"I guess I was thirsty too."
"Would you prefer a cup of water or some orange juice?" Claire asked.
"No, thank you. The wine is excellent!"
Tuesday, 7pm
Claire served dinner and the three sat together at the white dining table. One thing was clear, Neil Fisher had good taste in furniture. And if he was really as interested in Claire as Chris feared, he had good taste in women too. The younger Redfield was incredibly beautiful. She had the same deep gaze as Chris, but her hair was burning red, tied up to a ponytail. She was slightly shorter than Jill and probably not as trained as she was, but Claire seemed to know perfectly how to defend herself. Her expression showed cheerfulness, but concern about the constant threat the world was exposed to. Hearing Claire talk made Jill wish her brother could be a little more like her.
"This lasagna is delicious. I'm impressed by your abilities in the kitchen," Chris said. Claire smirked at him, already knowing what she was about to hear. "I guess you've been secretly dating a cook."
"Why should she keep a cook-boyfriend a secret?" Jill asked curiously.
"Yes, Chris." Claire grinned mischievously. "Why should I keep a cook-boyfriend a secret?"
Chris thought a second, then smiled and said, "Well, maybe because he's fat and ugly." He took a sip of wine.
"Oh Chris," Claire said. "Who cares if he's ugly if the sex is amazing."
Chris spitted out the wine and got a heavy cough attack, while Claire was giving him the biggest and most sarcastic grin Jill had ever seen. She couldn't help but laugh out loud, which immediately caused the siblings to stop their small fight and glance at her.
Bringing Jill to Claire's place had been a great idea. Of course he knew that the typical argument he used to have with his sister about her boyfriends could seem funny to others, but he was also aware of the positive effect the redhead's warm character combined with her sharp tongue were having on Jill. Chris couldn't have felt happier that moment.
Jill laughed until tears ran down her cheeks. When she went to the bathroom to wash her face, Chris' eyes followed her delicate moves.
"I like her," Claire confessed smiling, cupping her chin in her hands. "I'm just wondering when you're gonna tell her that you like her too."
"Claire, please. She's just come back from a very traumatic experience and months of tests and rehabilitation. Besides, we're just friends and partners."
The water stopped. Jill was about to come out. Claire decided to give quick sisterly advice.
"Yeah Chris, just partners. But you know what?" She looked at him seriously. "Not everybody gets a second chance."
Chris stared at her thoughtfully. Jill came out of the bathroom and got back to the table. Her face was slightly swollen, but she was smiling. She took a big gulp of wine.
"You shouldn't drink that much," Chris advised.
"Oh, please. She's not on duty," Claire complained and filled Jill's glass gain. "If you feel so, you can drink as much as you want. You already know this house has two bathrooms so we can both throw up at once, and then recover from our hangover on that huge couch over there."
"Claire!" Chris yelled angrily. Suddenly his cellphone rang. "I have to get this, but we're not done here yet." He pointed at the women before answering the call. "Redfield speaking." He went to the kitchen to hear better.
"You know, I never used to drink much. But it has been many years since I last had a cup of wine, and…" Jill tried to explain. Claire just smiled at her.
"You don't need to justify anything to me, neither to Chris. I know he's happy you're somehow getting back to a normal life, whatever normal means for people like us."
"I feel guilty for taking away a small piece of normality from you. You're sacrificing your vacation to stay with me."
"Jill, please. Don't say such a thing." Claire gave her a worried look. "I've always wanted to meet you. Besides, you sacrificed far more when you saved my brother from being killed."
Jill looked at her. "He told you?"
"Of course he did! That changed his life completely. But we'll talk about that tomorrow when he's gone." Claire winked. Chris came back from the kitchen, throwing his phone angrily onto the table.
"I'm sorry, but I have to leave," he said, leaning his hands on the backrest of his chair. "It looks like something is wrong with the preparation for the mission some of my men are going on tomorrow."
"And you're the only one who can fix that? You've miseducated them, brother."
"Probably. But you know, I'm their captain. I should actually go on that mission myself." Chris laughed, but then gave Jill a doubtful look, like asking her for permission.
Jill smiled and nodded. Of course she felt a little disappointed, but she also wanted to know what Claire had to tell her in private.
Chris went to the door followed by Claire. Before leaving, he turned around to place a soft kiss on his sister's cheek. He used the short distance between them to warn her about Jill's situation again.
"Please, don't push her."
Claire rolled her eyes. "I'll take good care of her, I promise."
Jill had stayed at the table, but since the house was a wide, open space, she could see the Redfields saying goodbye to each other. She remembered how Chris used to kiss her goodbye on the cheek as well. Everything was different between them before the Spencer Estate. Now, she couldn't let him do that anymore. He seemed to feel that barrier and respected it.
Claire came back with a tub of Ben & Jerry's Salted Caramel Core Ice-Cream and two spoons.
"Ready for dessert?"
Hello everybody!
This is the first chapter of Hands and Tools. I know the title sucks. And when you find out the reason why I called it like that in Chapter 3, you're gonna hate it anyway. But it needed a title. Untitled was just too easy.
This is how I figured Claire and Jill could finally meet. The ladies are the main characters in this adventure. Chris is just a secondary someone...
I have already written several chapters, so I'm gonna update this regurlarly.
I really hope you enjoy it. If you like it or if you hate it so much that you just want to let me know, please review. I'd be happy to know what you think about it.
And, of course, thank you for reading.