Disclaimer: I don't own Resident Evil, it's characters, settings, monsters, creatures and all the things that go bump in the night...

English

Rated T

Romance and Hurt/Comfort

Jill V. & Chris. R

What Unites Us

Chapter Four

After exploring all the back streets of France, Jill had found a little café. The blackboard sign outside had swayed her decisions as the menu was in both French and English meaning she wouldn't have to translate every little word. Although she knew a few words in French, she'd rather spend her holiday doing fun things like she was now. Ordering hot chocolates, Jill added a croissant and a pain au chocolate with hers– deciding to take one with her back to the ship in case she got the clawing feel of hunger and didn't want to risk the ship's food again.

Chris had paid for their drinks as Jill reserved a seat for them between the counter and the entrance which overlooked the small courtyard though the sheet glass windows. The dark, wood panelled walls almost made it feel cold and gloomy, but nestled in the far corner of the café, Jill could see most of the interior décor. Full of deep reds that coloured the table cloths and blinds. The gold framed black and white photos of the shop easily gave the impression that the shop had been open for many years. Jill sighed at the fact that this small shop had been thriving all the while they were fighting for their lives all them years ago.

Chris threw a couple of packets of sugar on the tray and made it over to his partner as he watched Jill watch the rest of the ship's passengers taking photos by the fountain with different cameras. He smirked at the youngsters fooling around in the water as their parents went over a map. "Hot chocolate for the lady. With not one, but two snacks for her bottomless stomach." Chris served her the drink and loved the smile he received.

"Thank you waiter, but don't go expecting a tip." Jill raised an eyebrow as Chris passed over the food. The croissant was on a plate with some strawberry jam and butter in metal containers next to a knife. Though, Jill picked up the sweet treat and tore one of the ends off before hungrily munching on it. Before she ended up polishing off the whole treat, she offered some to Chris – who declined her offer – she then smothered it in the butter and jam.

"You should save yourself for dinner, ya know." Chris smirked, feeling like he was with Claire, his younger sister. She always insisted on eating something before dinner. But he also smirked to himself at seeing Jill in an ordinary situation with no zombies, no viruses and bio-terrorism.

"Ugh, no. I'll pass. If it's anything like what I had last night, I'm not going to have any more. Thank you very much." Jill wrapped up the other snack and put her in her bag before looking up at Chris. She saw him blowing the froth on the cup of hot chocolate in his hands.

"What happened last night?" He frowned.

Jill shook her head, stupidity rising it's ugly head in her mind as she remembered all the details. "Long story short, I've come to realise I have seasickness."

The frown on Chris's mouth didn't move as she spoke but only grew further on his face as he furrowed his brow in confusion. "But 2005, the mission on the ship? You were alright there. Weren't ya?"

"Yeah. Perhaps it's something that he did to me. Another one of the side effects?" She matched his frown for once of her own and sipped her chocolate.

"Possibly..." Chris trailed off. He didn't need to ask who 'he' was. They both knew all to well the one man behind Uroboros and who had used his partner as a guinea pig for years. "How are you holding up, Jillybean?" He asked out of the blue.

Jill merely blinked and opened her mouth. Though she replied with a shrug. "As good as anyone can really be after going through what we have done."

"You would've thought we'd be used to it now, huh?" Chris reached across and took Jill's hand that were on her lap. He gave it a squeeze before kissing her gently on the mouth. There were no fireworks. Nor bright dancing colours of any kind. Not like what he once used to read in his mother's romance novels. He was once intrigued as to why she liked them so much, he had flicked through one, not impressed or as interested as what his mother had been. But she had still kept a tight hold on them.

He had no idea what had persuaded him to do that. It just felt so right. Throwing caution to the wind, he pecked her on the mouth as he caged her small hand in his. It was apt as he had held her when he had saved her. Running up to her side and pulling her limp form into his arms. He protected her with himself.

That was another memory that would never leave him.

Chris pulled away when he felt her tense. "Jillybean, I'm sorry." He looked down at their hands joined. How could I be so stupid? She's just come out of hospital and you make a move on her?! Chris sighed and looked away, nervous of her answer.

"Um, it's just... after everything that has happened," Jill broke their hand contact and reached for her drink. She took another sip of her drink, one that didn't burn her insides. This time she noticed there was the right balance of of milk and the taste of real chocolate in her mouth as she swallowed. "I'm not sure what to make of everything just yet." She frowned but licked her lips.

Chris nodded. The wonderful feeling of seeing her running up to him, the sensation of her small arms doing their best to get around him was still fresh in his mind. He could even still smell her flowery perfume, feel her breath on his neck as she had clung to him. But the wonder was now gone. Replaced by shame and more so – guilt.

"It didn't mean I didn't like it." She muttered, shyly. The corner of her mouth pulled into a half smile.

Chris brushed a hair from her face and felt just how hot her cheeks were. "I'm sorry babe, if you feel uncomfortable, I'll stop."

"It's okay." She pressed her lips together before continuing. "I'd like to go back to the ship after our drinks, if that's okay."

"That's alright with me, for any particular reason?"

"I just don't want the ship leaving without me with us two sat here like lemons." Jill smiled, taking a few gulps of the chocolate.

That's the reason why I'll never go on one! :P Thanks for reading, hope you liked and please review! :)