Chapter 6: So I'm Always With You, Part 1
Introduction: New chapter to begin the month. I hope all of you find this chapter as good as the previous ones. This is a two part story.
Enjoy!
Three Weeks Before Raccoon City Incident
Monday September 7th, 1998
Chris Redfield's Apartment
8:21PM
Chris was taking his time packing up his belongings.
It had been decided less then a few weeks ago that he would be the first to leave for Europe. With Jill and Barry staying behind to take care of a few loose ends. Barry had already uprooted his family out of the city and the country. Jill had made the decision to stay and monitor any Umbrella activity that went on in the city. Over the course of the last month, reports of monsters and strange sightings had been reported with great frequency since the Mansion Incident.
Chris wasn't exactly comfortable leaving like this, he sighed as he placed three pairs of white t-shirts into his suitcase. He only packed enough clothes for a one-way trip and figured he'd buy more clothes when he got to Europe. Though he did have a safehouse procured on the east coast, he figured he'd stop there first before flying to Europe. He looked about his room and stared at some of the clothes he owned. His suit from Claire's graduation, the tuxedo he wore last year during the prescient opening last summer and the ball in December.
He looked at various items in his room, some trophies, trinkets and some picture frames that he emptied out of the photos and put them into a storage box that he shipped to Barry's house outside the country. He closed his suitcase and placed it on the desk chair across his bed.
Walking out of his bedroom he looked about, he'd left everything else that was of little use behind. Though he did give Barry his CDs, movies and his games for safekeeping: many of them were from Jill or Claire and he knew he would feel guilty if he left them behind.
He examined the now bare living room, there wasn't much left in terms of personal belongings. He had his TV, DVD player, stereo and various furniture, but he could replace those with ease.
He immediately walked to his bookshelf and peeked through his modest collection of books. Including various novels, texts, encyclopedias and journals, he pulled a large blue binder-like book and flipped it to look at the cover.
He smiled somewhat at what it was.
A photo album.
It had hundreds of memories from the last several years of his life. He opened and turned to a random page, he smiled warmly at the pictures on the page. It was of him and Jill from last summer. They were wearing formal wear at the opening ceremony of the new Raccoon City Police Headquarters. He looked at himself and noted how great he looked in a tuxedo. He gently ran his finger over the image of Jill, she was standing on his left and she was wearing the quintessential black dress.
He thought about how perfect they looked together and how happy they were. Before the mansion, before all the death, and now the mission to take down Umbrella for their crimes.
His ears perked up when he heard a gentle knocking on the door. He placed the photo album down on the coffee table, he quietly pulled his Glock from under the side table closet to the door. Flipping the safety off, he slowly crept towards the door. Holding the gun with both hands and in front of him.
Stopping within ten feet of the door, he heard two knocks, a ten second pause and then three knocks, finally he waited five seconds and heard two knocks. The only one who knew this secret was Jill and Barry.
"Jill?" Chris said loudly. He hadn't expected to see her until the day before he left. He was somewhat confused, yet relived that it was his partner and friend.
"It's me, Chris." Jill said from behind the door.
Chris lowered his Glock and unlocked the door, twisting the top lock, turning the deadbolt to the left and finally unlocking the doorknob. He slowly opened the door and saw Jill standing in front of him.
She was wearing a black tank top, stone washed jeans and a pair of black shoes, over her shoulder was her backpack and her handbag in her left hand.
"Hi, Chris." Jill tried giving Chris a smile, but it seemed forced. Chris motioned for her to come in.
As Jill walked inside she turned and watched Chris lock the door and head to the right and pull back the bisque colored curtains to look outside. Despite the fact that it wasn't quite dark out yet, he constantly had to check everywhere that he wasn't being followed or watched. They both knew Umbrella was aware of their activities and they made sure to watch their backs at all times.
"No one followed you?" Chris asked in a straight-forward manner still looking out the window. He turned to look at Jill before looking back outside.
She shook her head. "No. I was in the clear the whole way over." Jill responded.
Nodding in response and satisfied with everything he pulled away from the curtain and flipped the safety on his Glock before putting it back under the side table.
Cutting to the chase. "Why are you here?" He asked.
Jill placed her handbag on the side table and turned to face Chris. She noted his stern voice and almost cold-like demeanor. She couldn't help but realize how sad her eyes looked to him.
"Chris, I just wanted to see you before you left." Jill told him. She hoped that her voice didn't give away how scared and lonely she felt at the moment and how she really felt about staying behind while him and Barry left the city.
Chris gave her a bemused expression. He smiled softly at her: it was his first real smile in quite a few weeks. Jill always made him feel better and more at ease about everything, but something wasn't quite right.
"Well, I'm happy you're here." He told her.
He slowly turned to head for the kitchen. "What something to drink?"
"No." Jill said. "I'll be fine."
Chris looked at her, he slowly let a look of worry appear on his face. Something wasn't right and he knew it. Jill didn't usually act this timid or dependent. While she didn't come across as dependent right now, he knew something was bothering her.
"Are you sure?"
Jill nodded her head and tried to force another smile.
Chris came up to her and looked her in the eyes. He gently gripped her right shoulder and squeezed. "You don't look okay." He spoke softly.
Jill slowly lifted her left hand to her eyes and wiped them. "I-It's nothing." She was lying and he knew it too. She was trying to hold back the tears that had been forming once she got here. She cried herself to sleep last night, terrified at the thought of never seeing him again. Never telling him how she felt. How there was a chance that neither of them would survive this.
"Jill…" Chris whispered. "What's wrong? Tell me."
Jill looked up at him and a few tears dropped down her eyes. Suddenly, her backpack dropped to the ground and she wrapped her arms around him and held him tight. She let the tears drop down her face like a waterfall against Chris' blue shirt.
"I-I'm s-so…." Jill stammered out between sobs. "Scared."
Chris held her tight and placed a gentle hand on the back of her head and stroked from the back of her head to her neck. He had his other hand on the crevice of her back.
"Jill." Chris whispered into her ear. "It's okay. You're not the only one."
Jill pulled away from his shoulder and looked at him in the eyes. "Chris…"
"I'm scared too." Chris told her truthfully. "I'm worried about how this will all play out. All the danger we're facing now and in the future. I'm worried for Barry and his family."
As Jill tried to wipe the tears away, she looked in his eyes and saw warmth she had not seen in a long time. It was as if the hardness that Chris had developed recently had melted away and she saw the man she loved again. Not that she didn't love him even after he became hardened after the Arklay Mountains, but she felt as if the Chris she knew was slipping away from her.
Chris swallowed and sighed before continuing. "I'm not worried as much about me." He paused. He had hoped he could tell her how he felt in a more romantic setting, but the circumstances they were under had changed their lives forever. If I don't tell her now…
He tilted Jill's head up by her chin and looked her in the eyes. "I'm worried about you."
Jill suddenly felt her heart skip a beat at what Chris was telling her. Was he finally going to confess his feelings for her? Chris, is this what I've….
"It scares me everyday thinking about what could happen to you…." Chris began: he swallowed another lump in his throat and took a deep breath. "I don't know what I would do if I lost you…"
Jill felt her tears go away. Chris, her partner, her friend, and someone she had hoped would be her boyfriend and maybe more was confessing how he scared he was, not just for him, but for her.
"Chris…" She gently reached up with her right hand and cupped his left cheek. She felt a small blush form and wanted so badly to kiss him on the lips, to hold him, shed their clothes and head to the bed and make love. Instead, she hesitated to say anything and told Chris something else.
"Chris, thank you." Jill muttered, she stared at him and gave a wide smile. "It means a lot to me what you just said."
Chris nodded and embraced her again. He smiled back at her and he felt like his old self again, even if he knew that this wouldn't last long, he at least felt better knowing that he could still be who he once was.
As they pulled away Jill took a breath and picked up her backpack from the ground. Chris noticed she brought it with her and was somewhat curious as to why.
"Why'd you bring your backpack?" Chris asked.
Jill placed her pack on the top of the couch and zipped it open. "I brought some clothes. Not much…."
Chris cut her off. "Why clothes? Did something happen at your place?" He started thinking of the possibilities and dreaded whatever horrors could potentially happen.
Jill shook her head quickly. "Nothing happened." She pulled out some sleepwear. "I just wanted to spend the night here." She bit her lip nervously before speaking again and looked down at the floor. "I didn't want to be along tonight."
Chris was taken slightly aback at her statement. She had on occasion crashed at his place, but nothing usually came of it. Though when the weather was bad, she would often stay with him and because his apartment didn't have the best insulation, they'd often share his bed.
He had never slept with a woman before Jill and he learned from her that he was the first guy she'd shared a bed with. It wasn't awkward at all and if anything it was rather comforting for both of them. He admitted to himself that he wanted to give into temptation and have sex with her, but he resisted, hoping it would be under more romantic and joyful circumstances.
"Chris…?"
Shaking himself from his thoughts, he smiled at her. "Don't worry, Jill." He replied and gently gripped her hand with his own. "Your safe with me."
Jill nodded and headed towards Chris' bedroom without another word. She felt safer with him, and as strong and independent that she was, she was still a woman and still needed someone like Chris to be there for her.
An hour and half later, and Chris and Jill finished a small dinner. Inside his bedroom, Chris was finishing his packing, he looked at the photo album he brought to his bedroom and wondered if he should bring it with him.
He heard a noise and turned to look at Jill, who was fresh out of the shower. She held a small towel around her neck and was wearing a belly tank top which was pink in color, light green booty shorts and no bra. Chris tried not to stare at her breasts, especially her hardened nipples and how the water dripped down her skin and onto all the crevices of her body.
"Finished packing?" Jill asked innocently.
Nodding his head Chris placed his suitcase back on the chair. "Yeah."
She noted the blue photo album lying on the bed. "Were you planning on taking your photo album with you?"
Chris looked at her and then back at the album. "No, I'm sending it to Barry's house in the morning."
Jill nodded and walked towards the bed and picked up the album. She opened it carefully and flipped through the pages. She let a small smile form at the various pictures of Chris, Claire, their friends and her. She thought of all the happy times, before everything changed.
"I think it's a good idea." Jill said looking at him with a soft expression on her face.
Chris let a mild smirk form. "If you think it's a good idea, then I'd better do it."
Jill furrowed her brow at him and lightly smacked him in the chest. "You better."
She looked through the album one more time, she then felt a sudden surge of sadness overcome her again. Jill knew that she'd have to get out of the city eventually, but it would be different without having Chris by her side. Closing her eyes she thought about what it would feel like without him.
"Jill."
Looking up, the brunette looked into Chris' eyes, through her peripheral vision she noticed Chris held something in his hand. He must have stepped away for a second while she was lost in thought.
"What is it, Chris?"
She closed the album and looked at what Chris was holding. Chris held it out to her and she examined it closely. She noticed it was in a small plastic bag and the zipper was taped to the back to keep any dust or water from damaging it.
It was photo of them. It was from the winder ball last December. She looked at what they were wearing: his tuxedo and her simple black dress. They stood in front of a large Christmas tree in the main lobby. They looked amazing together and she thought they looked like a real couple.
"Why are you showing me this?" Jill asked, somewhat confused.
Chris smiled and gently took his album away and placed it on top of his suitcase. He slowly took her left hand and placed it into her hand. "I'm not just showing you this." He said with a gentle voice. "I want you to have this with you while I'm gone. I want you to know that I'm always with you."
Jill opened her eyes wide and looked at Chris again. "Chris…"
"Hold onto it." Chris said again. "For me."
Jill smiled softly and gently held the photo. She was so happy Chris was giving this to her and it immediately made her feel stronger and better about the situation they were in. The brunette knew that she carrying this picture of them would bring her piece of mind and something to live for.
"Chris." Jill began. "Thank you."
Chris nodded. He turned on his heel and picked up a black shirt and a pair of boxers. "I'm gonna shower." He slowly walked out of the bedroom. "You can get ready for bed without me."
After he walked out, Jill placed her free hand on her breasts to feel her rapid heartbeat. While they had never confessed their love for each yet, she knew this was his way of showing her that he loved care. She realized she needed to give him something to hold onto and to have something that could make him feel better.
Jill suddenly had an idea and quickly walked out of the bedroom. She went to her handbag and opened it up, she carefully placed the photo next to her wallet. Quickly she went to her backpack and pulled out her small photo album, she decided to carry it with her in the hopes that Chris would take it with her to Europe.
She opened it up as she walked back to the bedroom. She pulled out a photo of her and Chris and examined it. It was from last summer after Claire's graduation. They were in San Diego for a motorcycle convention with the red head and the three hung out at one of the many beaches. She looked at the photo some more and smiled at what they were wearing. Him wearing a white t-shirt and green and blue swim trunks and her wearing a sky blue bikini with black stripes. She grinned at the photo of them and it reminded her of how much of a normal couple they looked. It was as if they didn't have a care in the world and no life or death responsibilities to worry about.
Setting her album on top of his, she walked to the kitchen, turned on the lights and opened up a few drawers to find a small plastic baggy. Finding her prize, she carefully placed the photo in the bag and zipped it up. After finding some scotch tape, she taped it shut and folded the zipper portion to the back of the photo. Satisfied with her work, she shut the lights off and walked back to the bedroom and heard the shower turn off.
She began looking for something that Chris could use to carry it with. She then looked into his closet and saw rummaged through his stuff, she noticed that Chris had his brown 'Made in Heaven' jacket and black S.T.A.R.S. vest in the center. She figured he would be taking both items with him, she decided to pull out the black vest and walked to the bed with it in her hand.
Lying the vest on the bed, she examined the different pockets that were on the front. She looked at the photo and thought carrying it in her vest would bring him luck and something to look at when he was alone or hiding from Umbrella.
Her ears perked at the sound of footsteps walking into the bedroom. "Jill?"
She looked up and saw Chris wearing the shirt and boxers. He still had some dampness to his skin and it showed with his clothes attached to him rather snugly. His hair was still damp and to Jill he looked amazing, she tried to keep her eyes from looking down at his crotch.
"Oh," Jill spoke up. "Chris, um…"
Chris walked up to her and looked at what she was doing. He noticed the plastic wrapped photo. He picked it up and smiled. "What's this for?"
Jill licked her lips and looked at Chris. "It's for you." She rubbed her hands together before continuing. "I want you to carry this with you."
Chris looked at her and then at the photo. He nodded his head. "Thanks."
Jill shrugged her shoulder. "Your welcome." She turned and pointed at her photo album that was atop Chris'. "Can you ship mine too?"
Chris peered over her to see what she was pointing at. "Sure."
Jill turned to Chris again and watched him open up one of the pockets of his vest, he carefully and slowly slipped the photo in the pocket and zipped it up and buttoned it. He lifted his vest off the bed and put it back on the hanger.
Turning around he noticed Jill was pulling the covers off and getting ready to slid into bed. Chris joined her and went to his side of the bed. As he lied down next to her, he turned to face her and saw how tired she was.
"Try to get some sleep, okay?" Chris said softly.
Jill looked at him and nodded her and yawned. "I will."
"Goodnight, Jill." Chris told her. He reached over and patted her on the hand.
She smiled. "Goodnight, Chris."
Chris lifted the sheet and started to cover himself, but he felt Jill's soft hand grab his forearm.
"Chris?" Jill spoke in a whisper.
"Yeah?"
Jill bit her lip again. She felt nervous, but she knew she had to tell him. It was now or never. And she didn't want it to be never.
"Chris…" Jill said again. She noticed Chris gently holding her hand and looking into her eyes with a gentle look.
She reached up with her free hand and placed it on his cheek. "Chris, I've been meaning to tell you this for a long time. And If I don't tell you now…."
Chris placed two fingers on her lips to stop her. "Jill." He said with confidence. "I know what you're about to tell me."
Jill suddenly felt her heart beat faster and faster.
"I love you." Chris said. "I've loved you for a long time Jill."
Jill's eyes went wide and she felt her cheeks warm up into a blush. He told her first. He didn't hesitate, it immediately gave her the courage to tell him the same thing.
"Chris." She began. She looked down at her lap before she spoke. "I love you too."
Both looked into each other's eyes and let a comfortable beat develop between them. Slowly, Chris reached down and took Jill's lips with his own. It was a soft and warm kiss. They took their time tasting each other, slowly the two wrapped their arms around the other in an embrace. Chris slowly slipped his tongue into her mouth, and received a small moan of delight from Jill in response.
As they kissed, their hands explored each other's bodies. She felt the firm muscles of his neck and shoulders. She let hands linger down his back and heard him let out a groan. She smiled inwardly and thought about how exciting it was to be turning him on. Instinctively, she pressed her body against him and let her breasts squish against his muscled chest.
Pulling away for air, Chris looked at her face and saw how flushed she had become. He slowly placed his lips on hers again and gently ran his hands behind her back. He gently lifted the tank top to feel the bare skin underneath and his ministrations elicited an even louder moan from Jill.
They slowly separated again and Jill looked at Chris. He noticed how she gave him a seductive look, yet he also saw an innocent look in her eyes.
Collapsing on the bed together, Chris found himself on his back with Jill lying on top. They looked at each other and both knew that this was right.
Next: The love scene!
