She was dead for already three years, Chris reminded himself, taking another shot of fine russian vodka. The thought was depressing; he still had the feeling that she'll walk in in any second, right now, laughing and ruffling his hair like she did when they were in S.T.A.R.S.
Unfortunately, she didn't. She never came back, and Chris had to understand that she was gone. Jill was gone, forever, and it was his own damn fault.
Grief came overwhelmed him once again and he hit the table with his fist, gritting his teeth. He could feel tears in his eyes, again...
He knew he was druk. He was drunk for already what time this year he couldn't say; there were no missions in the B.S.A.A. for him yet for already two months because the virus dealers weren't about to show themselves so happily, so he sat in one of the bars near his house in Massachusets and tried to drown his guilt in alchohol.
His PDA vibrated in his pocket vigorously, but Chris didn't feel it; in his state, he was too stunned to do anything, even looking at something was becoming quite difficult.
Someone walked in the bar and sat on the stool near Chris. The Redfield's gaze focused on the person that just came and he let out a sigh that turned into a little growl.
"You know, she won't come back even if you drink all vodka of the world" - the person commented. Chrs lazily tried to show a middle finger, but his fingers were too clumsy and didn't want to move on his will; when drunk, Chris was just helpless. A newborn baby could kill him with a rattle when the mighty Redfield was like that.
"Fuck off, Carlos" - grunted Chris, deciding to voice his wantings verbally. He heard a chuckle; a sarcastic chuckle, but Chris knew that behind it was sadness.
He missed her to, he knew.
They both missed her.
"One whisky please" - Carlos asked the barman. As the barman nodded and turned around to open the requested bottle of alchohol, Carlos snatched the glass from Chris's numb shaking fingers and drank all that was left.
"Hey, that was my drink! And besides, didn't you just order something else?"- Chris mumbled.
Carlos wiped his mouth, exhaling.
"I think you've had enough, partner. I don't want to carry your heavy body all the way to your apartament; you know, I want to die a happy healthy man at the age of ninety and not because of the broken spine at thirty four."
Chris winced. Partner. This word burned into him. He couldn't bring himself to call someone that since... Well, since her. She'd been his only partner. All others were walking shit.
"Like you even would've thought about helping me, Oliveira. You can lie to yourself all you want, but you can't lie to me. I know you for how long already?.."
"Seven years I guess?"- Carlos drank some of his whisky that the barman brought him.
"Exactly"
"Well, maybe something good could be awoken in me seeing you so vulnerable and helpless. You just imagine: the allmighty Christopher Redfield..."
"Can it"
Carlos shrugged, drinking the remnants of his whisky.
"You're no fun. It was just a joke" - he payed for his drink, throwing the money on the table; it quickly vanished in the barmans hands who counted them and looked content. Probably the tip was good.
Chris heavily looked at Carlos, his eyes unfocused and misty. Damn vodka. Why russians had to invent it in the first place? He had a feeling that just for his personal torture.
"Why are you even here? Don't you have a whore you want to go and fuck?" - Chris thought he talked pretty clear, but in fact his words were awfully slurred. It was a miracle Carlos understood him at all, but on the other hand it wasn't surprising; the ex-mercenary just knew him all-too well.
Oliveira averted his misty gaze, instead focusing on a particularly interesting wooden surface of the table in front of them.
"You pretty damn know that since I met Jill, I can't even look at other females" - he said quitely, nearly whispered. In the bar with loud upbeat music it was really hard to hear him, but somehow, Chris did.
"Is that so? - Chris chuckled hysterically. - You mean you didn't have a fuck in years? How unfortunate. Poor Carlos."
Redfield's voice was practically dripping with sarcasm and anger. Carlos winced as if someone hit him.
"You're drunk - he stated jumping off the stool. - Let's go".
Chris shook his head angirly.
"Like hell I'm going anywhere! - Chris eyed Carlos with such hatred that the ex-mercenary winced again. - I bet you don't even give a fuck that she's dead now! Get it? She's dead! She'll never come back! Never! And you're acting like you don't care at all!" - he stood up, swinged his fist at Carlos and missed only mere sentimetres. Hs reaction now was too slow, and besides, Carlos was sober, unlike him, and managed to duck.
"How the hell can you say that!? Just because I don't drink that much like you doesn't mean that I don't care! Drinking yourself until you see stars won't bring Jill back!" - The ex-Umbrella mercenary yelled at his partner, his italian accent showing clearly when he was angry.
Chris just breathed heavily, looking at Carlos. Mentioning her name now was somewhat a taboo; it brought too much painful memories. He stared at Carlos, his eyes unmoving, piercing into mercenaries brownish orbs.
And then, without warning, he punched.
Carlos stumbled backwards, his back colliding with the bar wall. Touching his nose, he saw that blood was seeping out; wiping it with his hand that was immeditaely stained red, he rushed to Chris and hit him in the neck with the side of his palm. He knew the exact place where to hit, and he didn't miss; rolling his eyes, Chris fell to the floor, his bulky body not moving. He was unconcious.
Sighting, Carlos pulled out his cellphone.
"Kirk, he's drunk. Yes, again. He's unconcious now; I hit him so he'd stop making the peaceful bar clients anxious. Yes, bring the car here ASAP. I don't want to carry this elephant alone; and he might wake up soon, maybe after half an hour. Yeah, thanks, I owe you one. Carlos out."
As he closed the lid, Carlos sighted at his partner, who was now unconciously lying on the floor.
"If you only knew how I miss her, Redfield. If you only knew..."