Chapter: 2

A/N: you guys jump in too quick lol. Thank you for the reviews they're much appreciated and they give me encouragement to continue :) enjoy.

Claire awoke the next morning to the empty home, seeing the sunrays shining through her window, turning to see her alarm clock read 9 A.M. Going toward her window she sees the busy streets of Washington D.C. Letting in the fresh air of the crisp morning, she sees the old woman from the corner coming out of the nearby bakery shop and her neighbor wife playing out on the side walk with her toddler. A smile spread through her face and turned, looking more far ahead she spy's the Washington monument in all of it's glory. She stood for a few moments, admiring all the peace stored in the area, content with the choice in area she begged Chris to get. Finally she stepped away when she heard a knock on the door, opening it to see the pale brunette standing in the door way.

"How are you feeling?"

"Fine," Claire stepped away from the doorway to let Jill in. "Do you want any coffee?" Claire offered innocently to which Jill just rolled her eyes.

"You know I'm trying to cut back on the caffeine," she sat at the kitchen table. "That's beyond the point though, what's really on your mind Claire." Jill liked to knit pick at people's minds, it's a wonder why she didn't go into psychology or even interrogation. Claire gave out a sigh and sat across from Jill.

"Nothing really, just... Chris is in Europe and you know how worried I get." Jill nodded her head in agreement, understanding Claire fully.

"I know what you mean, but it's just something Clive needs Chris to check out, it's nothing major or else I would be going in with him, not Jessica." Jill laughed looking down shaking her head with disapproval. She then sighed out looking up to the heavens. "God knows how she manages to function."

The mood shifted to a more humorous setting, one that involved trash talking about Jessica, sending Claire to a onset of laughter and tears at the corner of her eyes from the comedy that Jill brought with her. The gossiping stopped around 11 when Jill stood up.

"I should head on to work, Clive wants to show me some weird gun they just came in with, wish me luck on not trying to shoot someone in the process." With an embrace she left, and the same pattern continued until mid week when instead of Claire welcoming Jill early Thursday morning, she was met with Leon.

Confused she lets her estranged friend in, she hadn't seen him in months since he always seemed busy with government business, the only times she's had some sort of communication was with holiday cards and a few phone calls every now and then.

"Why are you here?"

"What I can't stop by to say hi?" Leon's cheeks brighten in embarrassment and his voice heightened, showing his offense at Claire's question.

"Well the least you can do is warn me so my house doesn't look like a pig sty." Claire mumbled, having Leon chuckle, walking past her.

"Trust me, your house isn't dirty, until I see rats running around this place; it's clean." laughing Claire sat in the armchair while Leon on the couch. She missed the RDP agent, he was the only one who truly knew how she felt about almost all her current fears now, and not having the man around took a toll on her, but she knew he had to continue on with life. She just hated the fact that she wished it would be as easy for her.

"So what's up, how's your big government job." Claire smiled leaning forward with excitement, her elbow propped to hold her head in place, her joy radiating from her old friend who showed his coolness.

"Nothing special, it's not that hard of a job, the hardest things I've done is go on a coffee run for the guy." Leon shrugged leaning back with his arms across his chest. "I thought I was going to have extremities, turns out I'm just the messenger most of the time." He laughed.

"Well I'm a little disappointed, I expected more... Well at least you get paid for it."

"What were you expecting? Some James Bond missions?"

"Well, yes."

He chuckled and it was silent for a moment.

"You were waiting for Jill huh?" His statement caused Claire to look up suddenly at him.

"Yeah, how'd you know?" He closed his eyes and nodded sighing out.

"She told me to come by to check up on you because she had to go to Europe to check something out." Claire turned a pale, her heartbeat increased and her eyes searched frantically, remembering her words on if it were major she would be going with Chris instead of Jessica.

"Did she tell you for what?" He shook his head hesitantly, keeping eye contact with Claire for some sort of comfort that never seemed to arrive to the worrying party.

"Leon, please, tell me if she told you anything." He shook his head with more confidence now and leaned more forward now.

"No she just said that she'd be back as soon as possible and to check up on you. She said not to worry." Claire put her hands on her face and whispered 'oh god.' She stood up abruptly and went to her room, Leon following close behind.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm calling Chris." She said grabbing her red phone dialing frantically. Waiting on the line it was only cut by the sound of a robotic voicemail that asked to leave a message to the caller. "Shit." She bit out.

"Claire you're only making yourself worry, if Jill said it's nothing to worry about, don't worry about it." Leon consoled, standing at the door way. Claire shook her head, trying to get a hold of her older brother, dialing his phone number once more. Again the same result of the line going to voice mail. Claire shut her phone and began pacing around the room in a feeble attempt to calm her nerves.

"Claire you need to calm down."

"For what Leon?" Claire snapped causing Leon's out reached hands to fall back down to his sides. She shook her head and continued to pace.

"You don't understand. Jill told me if it was major they would send her in, and now they have."

"I'm sure it's just a thing they needed both of them to go to, maybe it's just a presentation they have to both attend, you don't know."

"Well neither do you now, don't you?" Claire clipped, stomping out of her bedroom and going to the coat closet.

"Where are you going?"

"To the BSAA HQ. If anyone has answers it'll be Clive." She said grabbing her house keys.

"Wait for me, knowing you you'll just make a fool of yourself there." He mumbled the last part, Claire could care less at this point and was out the door with Leon jogging up to catch up with the apprehensive Redfield.

A/N: Thanks again for the reviews :) please r&r and vote! Love you guys!

Grandprincessanastasiaromanov5: thanks!

Guest 1: sorry he wasn't in this chapter! He'll be in the story soon though, promise :)

Admiralsarah: unfortunately he wasn't, but he'll be featured soon! Foundation of the story needs to be placed first :)

Frozenheart7: thank you! I love them too lol, obviously. I speak Spanish as well :).