AN: The Second chapter is a little longer and takes place when they find Las Vegas in RE Extinction. I like how it turned out really. :) Enjoy more Alice and Claire.
All Or Nothing:
That night, I had finally gotten to sleep after I retired into the hotel to sleep on the couch. I had been thinking about what had happened between Claire and I all night long, unable to forget the feeling of her lips on my own. I was a little doubtful of the entire thing; after all, I had just met the woman. But, something again, deep down in my gut was telling me to go with it. And this time, I was more than willing to trust it.
The next few days went by slowly. The convoy had little to no fuel, and they were just about out of food. Things had to be done, and as Claire, Carlos, the others and I discussed, we decided Las Vegas would be our best bet. Big cities usually had more leftovers than all the small towns did.
Once there, we truly discovered that the desert had taken back her city. Vegas was buried in twenty or more feet of sand, and only the mock Eiffel Tower and Statue of Liberty stood out among a few other things. Of course, Umbrella had left us a few surprises, trying to capture me again. But I wouldn't give in that easily.
Watching Dr. Isaacs fly off in that helicopter, I knew they had a base stationed somewhere in the middle of this barren wasteland. We'd get that helicopter and head to Alaska, and to Arcadia one way or the other. It was the only hope this group of survivors had left to grasp for, and I'd be willing to help them with all my heart.
That night after we took on the crate of experimented undead, we hunkered down in the trucks for the long night ahead of us, after planning how to break into the zombie surrounded compound. Tonight though, instead of sleeping on the ground like I did the last time, Claire invited me into her Hummer. Unsure of what exactly her intentions would be, I went anyway, a smile on my face.
Claire had been reclined out fully in the driver's seat, her hat pulled down over her eyes. I slowly sat down in the passenger's side, also wondering where K-Mart had gotten off to. Probably with Carlos, I thought. I felt terrible that he had been bit, but there was nothing we could do. We had no anti-virus. He was a brave man, and he had the plan to infiltrate the compound. He knew he was going to die, at least now he'd die doing something to help us all out. Tomorrow was do or die.
Finally, Claire stirred enough after hearing the door shut behind me. She blinked and moved her hat off her face, taking off the black aviators as well, hanging them in the front of her tank top. "Oh, Alice you're here."
"Yeah…you invited me, remember?"
"I know I did. I wanted to talk to you."
"About what exactly?"
"First off, I just wanted to say thanks for giving us the hope to keep going. I still don't know if it'll work out in the end but…"
"But it's better than nothing."
"That's right." Claire replied, her eyes darting over to me. I caught her glance and smiled a tiny bit. I still yet again, had that feeling in my gut. But for now, I kept silent. "Second, I wanted to thank you for just…saving us. Twice now. I mean, we lost some people today. But I'd hate to see how many more it would have been if you weren't here with us."
"I uh…again, thanks." I replied awkwardly. I didn't feel the need to be praised like this, but obviously Claire thought so. "I just feel bad about Carlos." I sighed softly, looking over to where he was getting into the back of the military truck to sleep. K-Mart of course was with him.
"It's unfortunate, but he's going to get us into the compound."
"I know. He's…he's a brave man."
"Mmm." Claire mumbled a reply, shifting in her seat so she was lying on her side to face me. It was definitely dark as it was going to get outside now and in the cabin of the Hummer, I could barely see the outline of the other woman's face if it wasn't for the moonlight filtering in. I wanted to ask her if there was anything else, but then she said it for me. "And the last thing…Alice, I know we've just met, but there's just something about you that I'm finding myself really…" She paused again, her face a tinge of pink.
"Really what?" I asked softly, not wanting to push her, but yet at the same time, I was curious to hear her answer.
"Falling for you." I blinked back a silent reply. That gut feeling was doing summersaults in my stomach. Of all things, and of all places, I had another woman telling me she was falling for me?
Maybe with all this going on, maybe taking that chance was something I should do. After all, it's either all or nothing. Either you take what you can and make the best of it, or you have nothing at all. As I looked over at Claire, I knew I had to make that choice, and take that chance.
Slowly, I moved so I was close as I could be, almost on the middle console of the truck. Claire too realised what was happening and at long last met me halfway. I kissed her lips, closing my eyes tight. I wanted this kiss to show that I meant it. Not that the first one didn't mean anything, but that had been Claire kissing me. This time, it was the other way around. She mumbled a soft little moan, and slowly I pulled back, but kept close to her face, eyes partially open.
"Alice…" She whispered, barely audible to my ears.
"It's all or nothing Claire…and I want it all…" I whispered in reply, opening my eyes fully to look into hers. "I want to take that chance with you."
"What do you mean?"
"I know it's really soon, or quick or whatever but in a world like this, love is something that someone comes to want and cherish and..."
"Alice, what is it?" Claire put her hand on my arm, gazing into my eyes curiously.
"I think I'm in love with you."~
AN II: The following lyrics to the song All or Nothing by Theory of a Deadman really gave me the inspiration for this chapter. Especially the bolded lyrics. :D
When I first saw you standing there
You know it was a little hard not to stare
So nervous when I drove you home
I know being apart is a little hard to bear
Send some flowers to your work and home
So that I will have you in my arms again
We kissed that night before I left
Still now that's something
I could never forget
You've got all that I need
Looking at all or nothing
Babe it's you and I
With you I know that
I'm good for something
So let's go give it a try
We got our backs against the ocean
It's just us against the world
Looking at all or nothing
Babe it's you and I
Looking at all or nothing
Babe it's you and I
Let's take a chance go far away today
And never look back again
Since I said I loved you in Las Vegas
It's never been the same since then
You've got all that I need~