Chapter 1: August 1998

Introduction: Here's a brief first chapter. As a side note, this story will feature different one-shots, so many of these chapters will take place in different years. For the sake of chronology of the series, I figured starting with the events following Resident Evil(the Remake specifically) would be a good way to tell the first chapter.

I slightly alter the scene with Wesker and the Tyrant. You'll see as you read.

Enjoy!

Sunday, August 2nd, 1998

10:28am

Raccoon City Police Department S.T.A.R.S. Office

Chris slammed his fist down onto his desk in anger. He let out a loud and anger filled growl. The constant frustrations in dealing with Brian Irons, the chief of police, was a challenge; he wouldn't listen, and he blew him and Jill off about everything that had to do with the mansion incident.

Slipping off his vest and tossing it to the floor next to his guitar, he rolled up the sleeves on his green, button-up collared shirt and leaned back in his creaky chair.

He looked at the manila folder filled with paperwork detailing Umbrella's activities at the mansion and at the underground lab facility. He sighed; he spent the last few days preparing this report with Jill. They even spent their day off looking through all the files and data they were able to collect during the mission to create their report.

But Irons ignored them when they presented the folder on Friday and he told them it was over and down with and told them to work on rebuilding the S.T.A.R.S. unit. It angered Chris to no end; he lost many friends on that horrific night. Though Barry Burton and the rookie, Rebecca Chambers survived alongside him and Jill, it still made him feel no better.

He thought about Albert Wesker's betrayal: his manipulation of Barry into betraying Jill, the shooting of Rebecca, though she survived because of her bulletproof vest, and alongside Jill watched the mutated freak known as Tyrant impale Wesker and toss him aside. And while the four were able to escape with Brad Vickers' help, it still wasn't any easier for either of them to comprehend all that happened in one night.

Chris crossed his arms on his desk and placed his forehead down against them to try and relax. Too much in one long night to deal with for any one person.

And to top it off, he hadn't spoken to Claire since before the incident. Hadn't emailed her or sent her a card at least. Chris felt the weight of the world was resting on his broad shoulders and yet he felt he couldn't do anything to remedy that.

He heard the door open slowly and heard soft footsteps walk inside. He looked up and saw Jill walk in with two cups of coffee. She wasn't wearing her beret and wore a white polo shirt and her blue pants she wore with her standard uniform. She looked exquisite as always.

She shut the door with her feet and looked at Chris and tried to give him a smile, but it was hard. They both had much to deal with. But it only brought them closer, though they had developed a special relationship over the few years since they got together when the Alpha Team was a full unit.

Chris sat up and reached out to grab his cup. "Thanks."

Jill nodded and handed him his cup. "Your welcome."

He took a small sip and enjoyed the taste of the coffee and cream, the hotness of the liquid warming up his insides. He looked up at her once more as she leaned a hip against his desk. He watched her drink her own coffee and shut her eyes for a moment savoring the taste as well.

"You didn't have to be here today." Chris spoke up, there wasn't a hint of irritation in his voice, just a genuine concern of Jill's health. She wasn't getting much sleep like he was and it concerned him.

"I know, but this is our fight. And I intend to see this through to the end just like you. I don't want you to be alone in this Chris." Jill replied with a serious tone, but the last line was of genuine desire to be with Chris.

He nodded and remembered telling her he was going to work on finding more clues on Umbrella and what else they were working on besides the T-Virus. He also felt compelled to ask around for any information about Irons. He was always a suspicious man and he never felt comfortable around him. He and Jill also felt concerned for the secretary and her safety. She heard that Irons had lashed out at her several times and Jill told the secretary to let her and Chris know if anything happened involving him.

"Thanks Jill." He gently gripped her left hand and tried to force a smile as well. She smiled at him and held his hand in a tight grip. Words weren't necessary between the two, they could sit together in silence and enjoy each other's company during movie nights, lunch, dinner or whatever else they opted to do.

"Chris…" Jill whispered softly. She felt safer when she was with him. While she was always a strong and independent woman, having Chris in her life made it easier to let down her walls and just be Jill Valentine, an all-American girl, with a guy friend, who could potentially be more than that.

"Jill?" Chris asked still holding her hand. He raised an eyebrow at her sudden hesitancy.

"Chris," she paused. She figured it was better to say it now. "I wonder if we can be more…." It wasn't a question, but more a statement, a hint of hope for them.

Chris smiled, placing his coffee on his desk, still holding her hand, he stood up and looked into her eyes.

"Yeah, I'm thinking the same thing." Chris whispered under his breath. Jill looked at him and Chris took his coffee and placed it on her desk.

Jill stood up and looked Chris in the eyes. She saw hope in them and also a sense of warmth in them. Reaching up, she gently stroked his cheek and rubbed her thumb against his chin. They both knew they could kiss right now, but they both knew they could wait.

Instead, Jill wrapped her arms around Chris' neck and felt him wrap his strong arms around her back. They held each other close and both could feel their hearts pounding against the others. They both knew how safe they were together and how somehow, someway, no matter what it would take, they would find a way to end this nightmare with Umbrella.

As they pulled away from each other, keeping their arms wrapped around the other, they both smiled; a genuine one that they both shared.

"Ready to work?" Chris asked, saddened inside that he was forced to break the mood.

"Of course." Jill responded, she was sad too, but the fight wasn't over and may never be, but that was the price they paid to stop Umbrella and protect people from the worst.

They separated and began the work of stopping Umbrella and finding the truth. But they had each other and that's all that mattered to either of them.

Next: 2005.