Chapter 7: Confusion.

As the days dragged on Claire found it easier to keep her secret. Rebecca hadn't questioned her about it since that day, maybe she just figured that her friend would go to her when she was ready. Aside from that Claire hadn't had any more of her little moments with the Alpha Team Captain. She was honestly happy about that as it made it even easier to hide. Once school started back up again the trio found themselves the talk of the halls as they walked. Rebecca had been pestered and prodded at over what had happened to her in the mall and Ashley often times came running to her rescue dragging her off with Claire yelling profanities to make their fellow students back off. It took a couple of weeks but they eventually got the message. The trio often shared late night calls and went into school bedraggled as well, it was hard to ignore the occasional nightmare of the events that had occurred especially after they had to appear in court; eye witness this, suspect that, evidence this. It seemed after they had to go to court Rebecca really started to digest what had happened. The poor girl was calling at night, waking Barry and Kathy in the process which eventually led to them allowing Claire a phone in her room so she could answer it faster without having to run down the stairs. Not that her missing the last step or two from time to time making her stumble and stub her toes helped at all either. But the Burtons were understanding of the situation, and now that Moira and Polly were back home after having spent that time with Kathy's parents they were trying to 'return back to normal' as well - In a matter of speaking.

Once Chris was out of the hospital he would pop by for visits, proud of his new apartment even though he wasn't doing such a hot job of keeping up with it at the moment. He blamed his work hours, not that it would hurt for him to pick up the beer cans and food cartons and throw them in the trash before he went to bed. Since Chris now had his own place he was trying to usher Claire to move in with him. Since they were siblings and all he didn't want her to have to stay with Barry and his wife if she didn't need to anymore. Claire was his baby sis and he felt the most responsible for her and Claire understood how he felt and where he was coming from. On one hand she wanted to move in with her brother but on the other hand she didn't want to move more into the city limits and be cramped up in his apartment either. Claire had freedom out and away from it all where it was nice and quiet and Chris understood how she felt. Didn't stop him from trying though!

Claire was thankful that her brother had recovered and was alright from the gunshot. It had been superficial and no serious damage had been done. He was lucky it was a clean shot and straight through at that. Every now and again he'd tell them about how Joseph had kept calling him 'Chrissy the Gimpy' since the older Redfield sibling had to hobble around for awhile unable to work. Forest took over his spot on Alpha briefly since both he and Chris were similar in their skills of wielding firearms. Jill had even been stopping by his place to 'check up on him' or so he claimed. 'Sure Chris.' Claire had thought when he told them. 'I'm sure that's all she was doing while there.' It wasn't an oblivious thing that the two S.T.A.R.S team members had feelings for each other. They didn't really act on them in public for obvious reasons but they had gotten closer and talked more about it.

As the bell rang Claire joined up with her friends. "We ready to blow this taco stand?" The redhead said as they approached the doors that led to their freedom for the weekend. "You know what," Ashley said thoughtfully. "Tacos sound great! You guys wanna grab some?"

"I could go for a nice burrito." Rebecca chimed in with a happy smile as they climbed onto their school bus. Ashley climbed into the seats behind Rebecca and Claire, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder as she rested on the back of their seat. "So is that a yes?" She turned her head to look at Claire now who seemed to be contemplating the idea but sadly ended up shaking her head. "I'd love to guys but I don't have any money."

"We could splurge for you, Claire!" Rebecca was always offering to buy her food and all that did was make Claire feel bad. "Say Claire." Ashley was twirling her hair around her finger now, her way of thinking and Claire turned to look at her. "What?"

"Why don't you get a job?"

"That's funny, how would I get there everyday? I'd probably spend my paycheck in bus fare and never be able to save up for a car."

"Well what about babysitting?"

Rebecca chimed in again with a big smile, "Oh that's a great idea, Ash!"

"I know I'm just such a genius." Ashley flipped her hair over her shoulder once again as Claire made a face for a moment. "Babysitting?" She wondered out loud. "But how am I supposed to get to their houses?" She then asked her so called 'genius' friend. Back in thought Ashley nodded her head. "Maybe you could watch them at your house!"

"I don't know if Barry and Kathy would like that very much." Claire said resting her chin in the palm of her hand while glancing out the window. "Moira and Polly and then that person's kids too?" She shook her head now. "That's a lot of kids under one roof and even then they could get really rowdy and I'd hate for Kathy and Barry to get irritated." The trio sat quietly for a moment before Ashley spoke once again. "Ok you can go to their houses then."

"Ash I just said I have no means of transportation-" But Ashley cut her off. "Ah but you could get a bike!"

"I already have-" Claire sat up straight now with a smile on her face. "Yeah! I do have a bike!" She smacked her fist into the palm of her hand as if she had just struck gold. "It needs a new tire but other than that it's in great shape."

"Yeah just get a raincoat for when it rains and you're all set!" Ashley was once again proud of herself. "And not mention it'll be a great form of exercise."

"What's that supposed to mean?" But before Ashley could answer the bus had stopped and it was time for her to get off. "Well gotta go, see ya!" She waved and hopped off the bus. "You don't think she was implying that I'm fat, do you?" Claire asked Rebecca as the bus started to move again. "No, Claire. You're fine!" Rebecca smiled at her with a light clap of her hands. "But I do think the babysitting idea is a great one and you should totally do it!"

"Yeah I'll ask Barry about a new tire for my bike when I get home and then talk to them about me babysitting." With a plan in mind Claire felt like she was really growing up!

- . - . - . -

Claire was greeted with warm smiles as she walked in through the front door. "Claire!" Moira said happily jumping off the couch and running over to her wrapping her arms around one of Claire's long legs. "Hi Moira! Did you have fun today?"

"Yes!" The young girl said with a smile before sitting her butt on Claire's foot. "Carry me!" Poor Claire had to semi-hobble her way out to the kitchen where Kathy was with Moira clinging to her leg as she went. The older woman always seemed to be in this one room and it was always amazing because the scents that permeated from her cooking were only the best ever. It looked like Kathy had muffins in the oven today, Claire could see them through the glass on the door. "Hi Aunt Kathy!" The older woman turned with a warm smile. "Welcome home, Claire." Claire had started to call her 'aunt' because she looked at the Burtons as her family, even if they weren't related by blood. "Moira let go of poor Claire's leg." Kathy playfully scolded her eldest daughter now stepping over to peel her off of the teenager's leg. "I'm sure Claire has had a long day at school."

"It wasn't so bad." Claire said sitting her book-bag down on a stool next to herself. "Just boring old History." History, bleh! Who wanted to learn about a bunch of dead guys? Not Claire that's who! "You'll need it someday." Kathy said still smiling. 'Somehow I really doubt that.' Claire thought anyway as she stepped over to the oven and peeked inside. "Now Claire Redfield you close that oven door!" Kathy said shooing Moira back into the living room with her younger sister. Claire quickly closed the oven back up. "I was just looking."

"They're not ready yet and they're for after dinner." Claire groaned in response. "Oh it's not so bad, I made a dozen of them." Claire smiled at that. A dozen meant she could have more than one! The redhead patted her belly eager for a muffin. "Oh Aunt Kathy I have a question."

"Yes, dear?"

"I've been thinking I might like to get something of a job. You know a way of earning money for myself."

"Alright."

"Would it be alright if I babysat?"

Kathy thought for a moment. "Wouldn't you like a regular job like working in one of the stores in town or-" Kathy stopped for a moment, her back to Claire as her face paled while a terrible thought entered her mind. She rather Claire was at someone's house watching children than possibly end up in another situation like what had occurred during the girl's Spring Break. At least she knew that way she'd be able to call and check up on her without upsetting a manager. "You know what!" Kathy spun around with a small smile on her face now as she placed her hands on the island counter top. "I think that's a great idea!"

"Really?"

"Yes, yes I do."

"Great!" Claire said happily as she bounced in place. "I need a new tire for my bike though so I can travel without having to pay bus fare."

"I'm sure Barry would have no problem springing for that for you, Claire."

Claire was all smiles. She was one step closer to being more responsible and maturity and it made her happy. That and having dollar bills in her pockets. Cha-ching!

- . - . - . -

"So I've made some fliers that I can post up or hand out." Claire was walking with Rebecca through the local super market. Rebecca had joined her friend in going on a small shopping trip with Kathy and her two daughters seeing as they needed a few things and she was already over hanging out. "That's awesome, Claire." Rebecca smiled as she held Moira's hand. Polly sat in the cart that Kathy pushed along. Every once in awhile she'd stop, glance at her list and then grab an item from the shelf placing it into the cart before pushing it along once again. "I asked the store manager if I could put one on the tack board as you walk in and he said I could so I've got my first one up already, too." The teen was proud of herself, she almost felt like an entrepreneur.

"Hopefully someone gives you a call soon and you can get started right away."

"I sure hope so." Claire grabbed a bag of marshmallows while Kathy had her back turned and slipped them into the cart. "Shhh." She placed a finger to her lips quietly and Polly copied her with a giggle. "Claire what did you place in the cart?"

"Nothing."

Kathy peered into the cart trying to see what wasn't supposed to be there but completely over looked the bag of marshmallows. "Claire would you go into the next isle and grab some shampoo? I'm going to the freezer section to grab some meat for dinner."

"Ok I'll meet you guys down there then." And Claire set off as if on a mission but once she rounded the corner she stopped dead in her tracks. Standing in front of her only a few feet away was someone she had been able to avoid for the past few weeks with little to no trouble and yet here he now stood with his back to her. 'Maybe if I just slowly back out and go around the other way.'

"Hey Claire!"

She whipped around to see the source of the voice that said her name, exposing her to him as she caught him turning to look in her direction out the corner of her eye in mid turn. 'Curses! Damn you Ashley!'

Sure enough there was Ashley walking up to her. "I saw your flier!"

"My flier?"

"Yeah the one out by the entrance?" Ashley was happy for her friend. "You're gonna be getting calls in no time!"

"Oh! Right that flier." Claire suddenly got very antsy, it was almost as if she could feel his eyes burning into the back of her head. 'Please walk away! Not this way though but the other way!' She was hopeful that he'd go the other way and not acknowledge her. Ashley started talking again. "So whatcha here for?"

"I'm supposed to be grabbing shampoo."

"Well that's down this way." Ashley started to turn Claire around to head further down the isle to which Claire was reluctant to the motion but soon found herself turning around anyway. Wesker was still there but had moved further down the isle himself. Claire watched as he plucked a bottle from the top shelf and placed it into the basket he was carrying before leaving the isle. A sigh of relief escaped her and her knees felt weak. "Hey are you alright?" Ashley asked looking at Claire oddly.

"I've never been better." Claire took a deep breath trying to calm her nerves. Why did she get so anxious when she was in his presence suddenly? The S.T.A.R.S Captain hadn't done anything with her since the ride home that day after the mall incident and she figured that maybe her previous thoughts on the matter had been true. He was now bored with her and moved onto a better prospect. In other words, an older woman with more experience. Why had he done that? Was he really trying to comfort her or was it simply because of her current state at the time and it had only made her even easier than what she had allowed herself to be the first time? Without another thought on the subject she semi-jogged down the isle further herself and grabbed what she needed before turning and jogging back past Ashley. "Claire?" But Ashley was ignored as Claire made her way as quickly as she could for the freezer department as more thoughts started to swirl in her head again.

- . - . - . -

On the ride back home Claire had been rather quiet sitting in the passenger seat while Rebecca sat in the back with Moira and Polly singing nursery rhymes and playing Patty-Cake. Claire had glanced at her flier before leaving and wondered if she'd get any calls soon, she planned to check the phone once they got back home and see if there were maybe any messages even if it was still pretty early and the store hadn't been very busy. Once back everyone unloaded and helped take groceries inside. Rebecca went and made a quick call to her parents asking if she could go ahead and stay the night; Kathy had already told her it was fine. As Claire helped put stuff away in the kitchen she glanced over at Kathy who was in the living room turning on the TV for her two daughters, turning it to a channel playing cartoons. Claire felt so bottled up, wanting to talk to someone about how she was feeling. But then she got scared and shooed the thought away. What she had done needed to be kept a secret. 'I'll take it to my grave!' She thought while sticking cans into the cupboard beneath the counter. 'No one can ever know about it. No one. Not ever.'

"My mom said she'll bring me some clothes by since she's going to be staying with my aunt for the night." Rebecca said stepping into the kitchen joining Claire and helping her in putting stuff away.

"How is your aunt?" Claire pushed her thoughts away once again looking at her friend. Rebecca just shrugged. "I haven't seen her in awhile but from what I last heard she was getting worse." The girl's smile turned into a frown as she placed a box of noodles into one of the upper cupboards. "The cancer just keeps spreading you know."

Claire frowned now, too. "I'm sorry, Becca."

Rebecca turned to the fellow teenager and gave a weak smile. "It's alright. I've been reading lots of medical books here lately because of it."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, I've actually been thinking that maybe, just maybe, if I can I'd like to be apart of the S.T.A.R.S team some day."

"Really?" Claire perked up a bit as Rebecca nodded her head at her friend. "I'd like to help people like they do, I want to help keep people safe and make sure they know they're not alone in whatever is happening. Plus I think I'd make a great medic!"

"Of course you will!" Claire replied happily. "I bet you'll make the S.T.A.R.S team no problem!"

"You really think so, Claire?"

"Hey if an oaf like my brother can make it than you can too!"

"Aww thanks, Clai- Hey wait a minute! What's that supposed to mean?"

Claire laughed at her friend before fleeing the kitchen with Rebecca chasing after her. "Claire Redfield!"

- . - . - . -

It was after two in the morning and Claire still wasn't asleep. And no it wasn't because she and Rebecca were laying on the floor in the living room either. Claire was used to sleeping like this when they had their slumber parties. No, it was something else. Claire had been telling herself almost the entire night now that if she didn't think about it the thoughts wouldn't bother her. But she kept thinking about them and once she pushed them away they would come right back it seemed. She slipped out from under her blanket and stepped out onto the back porch looking up at the sky. It was a full moon and she could see the stars despite the few clouds that lingered, moving slowly with the wind. "What am I doing?" She wondered as the stars twinkled before her. She felt confused knowing that what she was thinking about was so very wrong, but she couldn't figure out why she suddenly felt so much attraction and kept trying to find logical reasoning. Hormones? Her general idea of what a man should be? Claire shook her head leaning on the porches railing now. She started to think of it almost like 'animal instincts', that need for the 'Alpha Male', which was the image Albert Wesker portrayed in her mind. He was dominating, empowering and physically demanding. 'Or maybe I'm just stupid and immature.'

Claire clenched her hands together now as she thought about him. Another thing that bothered her was her earlier thoughts about him. She was a teenager and he was an older man, he could easily become bored with her in no time and move onto a better prospect. "There's plenty of women out there that I'm sure he has his way with." Claire sighed as the image of him with another woman entered her mind and she felt her face get hot with jealousy. She was such a stupid little girl indeed still it seemed, thinking it may actually eventually lead to something. In some ways she was grateful, in others it made her feel stupid and used. Well Claire knew she had allowed it to happen so she had no one to blame but herself and that was another thing she was kicking herself in the ass for. She felt tears slip down her cheeks and she wiped them away. Where was all of this suddenly coming from? She wanted him to stay away from her just like he had been for the past month now. But at the same time she felt attachment and a longing. "Great I'm like Ashley was when that exchange student was here. She slept with him a few times and proclaimed that she was 'so in love'." She did air quotes as she talked to herself, "Then he went back and he didn't write to her or anything and she stayed locked up in her room for days, Becca and I only saw her when she was at school and even then she didn't speak to either of us." Claire frowned at the memory.

Hugging herself Claire went back into the house locking the back door behind herself. 'If I'm ever in that situation with him again, I can't give in to him.' Claire told herself as she slid back under her blanket, curling up under it she buried her head into her pillow, staring off into the darkness of the room that surrounded her. She listened to Rebecca's breathing for a moment. The younger girl had a slight snore but it wasn't so bad as to keep you up all night. 'You tell him no, Claire. No means no and he's an officer of the law and he should understand that.' Claire thought as she blinked her eyes really fast feeling another tear slip out. Turning over she buried her face into her pillow and sleep soon welcomed her.

- . - . - . -

"Claire! Rebecca!" Polly and Moira tugged at the teenager's hair as they called their names. Claire groaned shifting under her blanket. "Noooo..." Polly tugged her hair again before poking her in her face. "Wake up, Claire! Mommy is making food!"

"Food?" Claire slightly raised her head with a sniff. The smell of buttermilk pancakes wafted through the air and into her nose and she smiled big and was soon on her feet. "Paaaancaaakesss." She said almost as if in a daze as she groggily made her way to the kitchen. She was soon joined by Rebecca and the two younger girls. Rebecca yawned a 'good morning' while rubbing her eyes with the sleeve of her bed shirt. "Morning girls." Kathy said as she added another fresh and fluffy pancake to the already big stack on the plate on the island counter. "If you want you can go on ahead and help yourselves." The older woman offered them both a warm smile as Barry came into the kitchen now. "They're alive!" He boomed feigning terror before grabbing two plates to get his daughters their breakfast for them.

"Hey you combed your hair today!" Claire retorted dramatically placing her hands on either side of her face and feigning shock.

"Smart aleck." He replied cutting up pancakes then taking the plates out to the table with Moira and Polly following after him. The girls went on about how much syrup they wanted and extra butter.

"Claire you had a phone call today!" Kathy turned to her still smiling making the redhead smile back. "I did?"

"You sure did." She brought over a couple more pancakes and placed them on the main plate as she finished, "An Annette Birkin called saying she had been told by a close friend of her husband's about you. She seemed very interested in meeting and talking with you about watching her little girl later today."

Her first job and Claire couldn't believe it as she practically jumped for joy! Well she didn't quite have it yet but her foot was in the door. Helping herself to a big plate of pancakes Claire was confident and knew this was the opportunity that she had been waiting for!

A/N: I took a bit writing this chapter. I would start then felt like I was dragging it out, and I don't want to seem like I'm dragging anything. *teary eyes* Then I knew how I wanted the next chapter to play out but needed this one to end in the right way so the next chapter worked. Gah the ideas I have and trying to think of how to make it all work! Thanks for reading and following/faving! ~ Shaka

Someday970: You don't have to be sorry. You read when you can! :D Thank you for always telling me what you think.

Gravesheart: I appreciate that! Thank you for reading. :3