disclaimer: i own nothing Resident Evil related on this fanfic, just my own ideas for somewhat of a story, all characters and possible brands citations are property of their own respective owners.


A Morning and a Promise

Jill didn't get much sleep that night, she was up a while before the sun rose. She woke up with a surprise, she felt a weight on her arm, and took her a few seconds to realize what it was, and with it all the memories from the last night came rushing. She felt remorseful, guilty, as if she had not only betrayed Chris, but betrayed Claire and herself as well. Things that shouldn't have happened did, and everything escalated way too fast, from the pseudo confession, to their day as a couple to the night to wrap it all up. It was confusing, frustrating. But, above all that, she felt happy, and that happiness somewhat scared her, she felt unworthy, and as if it could all just vanish in an instant. Her head was working full throttle, thinking about all of it, making her feel sick. She decided that getting up and clearing her thoughts a bit would be better than lying there and let it all just brew inside her, so she slowly got off the bed to not wake up Claire and went to the second floor balcony to smoke a cigarette.

"I still don't know what's up with this huh." She thought to herself, more in reproach than in question. Standing outside and finally paying attention to herself, she could feel her body was tired, her back hurt as if it had small cuts all over, and her arm was sore, she was glad she didn't feel a headache or anything more that could indicate a bad hangover. She was mostly just spacing out, lost in a myriad of thoughts when she saw Rebecca downstairs on the backyard waving at her. She just made a confused expression and waved back once, unsure why Rebecca was waving at her so frantically. Rebecca started moving her hand, beckoning Jill to go down to the yard to talk with her. Jill took a moment, looked back at the bed, where Claire slept soundly, then turned back to Rebecca and raised a finger, asking for a moment. She then went inside and got changed, taking one last look at Claire before going downstairs.

As soon as she stepped outside Rebecca started complaining.

"I was waving at you forever there, my arm hurts now! Were you ignoring me on purpose or what?" she said huffing at the end.

"No, no. I was just…lost in thought I guess?"

"Oh. Thinking about the night Claire?" Rebecca said with a smirk.

First Jill slightly blushed and the corner of her mouth turned up in an awkward smile, but as soon as it came it was gone, her face turned into a troubled one.

"That…too."

"Jill. You are not having seconds thoughts right? You are not going to break up with her or do anything stupid like that right?"

"No! Maybe. I think maybe I should but-"

"You should nothing." Rebecca was genuinely angry at this. "First actually good thing to happen to both of you in a good while, and after taking so long to happen too, there's no reason to think it would be better to break it all up."

"But-"

"But nothing, I'm sure your promise with Chris is important to you, even more so after all that's happen, I get that, but I also know that he wouldn't actually be mad about this. Ok, maybe a little, he is overprotective, but no more than he would if anybody else started dating his sister!"

Rebecca's voice was growing louder and Jill was starting to get worried about waking Claire up with their conversation, so she just grabbed Rebecca by the arm and pulled her a little ways from the house, Rebecca mostly ignored it, just following Jill and continuing to state her opinions.

"Also don't give me that you don't deserve it, you do. She does too for that matter."

"I know…I know that but-"

"But what? Why do you have to try and complicate things? Why can't you just take it for what it is, and be happy when it makes you happy? Stop being so damn difficult!"

Jill was taken back for a moment at the aggressiveness on Rebecca's voice, Rebecca seemed surprised at herself as soon as she finished talking.

"S-sorry. Didn't mean to blow up like that, it's just…gah! You can be so frustrating at times." Rebecca said, after a deep breath and feeling herself deflating, she sat on the floor before continuing. "I can understand that you are worried, that things happened to you that you won't be able to forget or get over any time soon, heck maybe even never. But you have to let us in, to let her in. Please! I don't want to lose you again when you are right in front of our eyes."

Jill just looked at her friend for a moment, then sat down beside her.

"Sorry. It's just…too many things. There's…everything that I told you about already and…" Jill was hesitant, not sure how to breach the subject, specially because she didn't know how much of it was true or what it even meant.

"And…?"

"And at the BSAA labs. Something happened there."

"I heard you-" Rebecca stopped, trying to think of a word.

"Freaked out?"

"Well, yeah. That you freaked out in the lab a couple times, and people got hurt in the process. Most people involved in the project knew about the risks though.

"Project huh?" –Jill said in a sad tone.

"Shit, poor choice of words." Rebecca berated at herself.

"Yes. Well, sorry, but it's true, trying to fix you was considered a project, the medical board wasn't sure if it was even possible, it wasn't just a matter of PTSD, you were little a walking virus breakout waiting to happen from their perspective." Rebecca said with a troubled expression. "Some of them didn't even want to actually treat you, and instead wanted to use you for studies, more like a guinea pig, and if that somehow turned out curing you great, if not…" Rebecca shuddered thinking about it, bracing herself.

"And they did, I don't know at what point, I can't remember clearly, I'm not even sure if it actually happened or I just distorted things in my head. They took me out of the main complex, I was taken somewhere else, and I don't know what happened there. It's all a blank Rebecca, it's almost like it was when Wesker turned up the dosage of his…mind controlling drug...stuff. I still don't even know what the hell that was. I know I did things, that things happened to me, it's like my body has memory of it, but my mind just draws a blank." Jill was looking down at her hands while talking, opening and closing her fists, her hands slightly shaking at the fragmented memory. "Cassandra implied she knew I was taken out of the main lab complex, but she didn't know what for or why."

Rebecca frowned before starting.

"They said they took you to an outside lab to prevent possible damage to untrained, and a group of scientist and psychiatrists went with you for treatment. Or at least that's what they told us, but they told us that and you were back almost immediately, 2 days I think? The word was that you had calmed down considerably and having you interacting with more people instead of secluding you even further was a better treatment? I…just took their word for it… I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault, no reason to be sorry. But...something happened, I just don't know what, and I don't know what it could mean either, for me or… if it comes to worse, Claire."

Both women fell silent for a while, Rebecca wasn't sure what to say at that, but she was sure of one thing.

"So thinking about that isn't going to help anybody, neither will pushing everybody away from you. We are all here, I can't say we'll be able to completely protect you from everything, heck I don't think you need protection for starters, you are completely capable of kicking all kinds of asses all by yourself." Rebecca said, trying to change the mood but still reassuring her friend. "But what I can say, is that we are all here, and if you ever need any of us you know you can count on it. Claire included, well at this point I think her more than anyone else, and regardless, what I said stand. You say something happened, I believe you, but far as we can tell nothing came of it, you are fine, if not somewhat shaken, but fine other than that. And you need her, you know that as much as I do. And she needs you too."

"Maybe…"

"Besides…" Rebecca started, smiling again.

"What?" Jill answered with an awkward expression, not sure what Rebecca was going on about.

"You two make such a cute couple. All cuddly on the couch yesterday, don't think I've missed that. Or how Claire was completely trying to get you drunk with those candies."

"She really was huh? Was wondering if I was thinking too hard about it, but guess I was right." Jill said with a small chuckle.

"Oh she was, I'm guessing she had plans and that would help with it?" Rebecca said in a knowing voice, causing Jill shift in place, seemly slightly uncomfortable.

"So…did her plans work out?" Rebecca smirked.

"I don't know what-"

"You have a hickey on your neck, actually, two." Rebecca cut before Jill could finish.

Jill just opened and closed her mouth a couple times as if trying to say something, but nothing came to mind.

"So I'm guessing it did?"

Jill sighed deeply before answering and in nearly ashamed tone.

"Yes. Yes it did."

"Oh."

Rebecca was joking, she did think they would make out or something of the sort, but from Jill's tone of voice that wasn't just what happened, so it took her by surprise.

"Not that it is any of my business but…wasn't that a little too fast? We were all joking about it and all but…"

"I know!" Jill said feeling even more guilty. "It's too much, too fast. She was so…it's like she was demanding it of me, as if she needed it as confirmation that it was really real. I don't know. I shouldn't have caved in, I should've resisted, or at least not gone that far."

"Well, you two did have a lot of vodka on your heads and...honestly, how long had it been? Even more so...it was Claire, I know that doesn't help with you resisting it." Rebecca said as if trying to take some of the apparent burden of guilt Jill seemed to be carrying.

"No. If anything it was my fault, I was…well, the one with any kind of experience, I'm also older, and I know there are more things at stake than just the two of us."

"Older? You are like 5 years apart or so? Doubt you can use older there with any kind of actual significance."

"Yeah, well, still. I should've thought it out better." Jill said lowering her face and resting against the palm of her hand. "I don't want to force anything on her, I don't want to-"

"I thought we were over that already?"

Both women got surprised at the sudden voice interjecting on their conversation, Rebecca snapped her head in the direction the voice came from, seeing Claire, using a shirt that was clearly not hers, and was too big for her own good, and sneakers. Jill on the other hand didn't move, she froze on the position she was.

"Since when have you been there?" Jill asked somewhat dryly, putting her hand down but still keeping her face cast down, not looking at Claire.

"Got here just now, you weren't there when I woke up so…" Claire said after sighing slightly.

Claire walked up to Jill and stood infront of her, Jill looked up at her face with a smile.

"Oh, a nice smile. And she says it might be better to break up? Pfff." Rebecca thought to herself with a small grin.

"Hi. Good Morning." Jill said putting out her hand, so Claire could help her up.

"Hmph. Morning." Claire, plopping herself down between Jill's leg and laying her back against her. "Don't leave like that again…not saying anything…" Claire said in a low sad tone, almost sulking.

Jill couldn't help but think to herself how adorable Claire could be.

"Sorry." Jill said kissing the top of Claire's head. "Rebecca called me out for a chat and I didn't want to wake you up."

"Chat is it? Any reason for the secrecy?" Claire said, with a tinge of jealousy on her voice but apparently not noticing It herself.

"Yes." Rebecca cut in before Jill could answer, and said with her best poker face. "We were talking about going out to have some fun, just the two of us, but alas, you showed up before I could convince her."

Claire glared at Rebecca, receiving a big laugh in return. She felt Jill tremble slightly behind her, and turned around, to see Jill looking away from her, a small smirk fighting it's way to her lips. She opened her mouth a couple of times, but she got that she was being made fun of before making things worse for herself.

"Yeah, well. You two can go do that if you want, I'll just be on my way then." she made to get up, making an angry face.

"No wait." Jill said pulling her back. "Rebecca was just joking around, we were really just chatting."

Claire turned back with a smile on herself.

"I know. I believe in you." she said hugging Jill and giving her a quick kiss. "Even if I don't trust that one that much." Claire finished looking at Rebecca and putting her tongue out.

"Wait a minute now. That one?" Rebecca answered feigning being hurt.

"You know what they say, never trust a redhead with an innocent face." Claire answered, trying to sound serious but already starting to laugh.

"You are a redhead too you know." Jill interjected.

"Totally not innocent looking though." Rebecca poked.

"Hey! I'm totally innocent…mostly." Claire finally said with a smile.

The three one them just sat there for a while, being silly with each other and talking about amenities for some time, till Moira came out of the main house.

"Mornin' to the three of you." –she said squinting her eyes at the bright outside, the day wasn't particularly sunny or anything, in fact the backyard was still mostly under the cover of the shadows of the trees that encircled it. "How can you people be so energetic so early? And on top of that after all that candy with vodka? I feel ready to thrown my insides out and my head is banging like mad.

"Well, that's cause you are very weak when it comes to vodka. Or drinking in general I guess? But specially vodka." –Claire answered.

Moira just grunted in response.

"Just letting you know I'm using your kitchen to make myself some coffee, then I'll have to go. Barry is probably talk my ear off as it is. I also have other stuff to do."

"Sure. I'd offer to make some myself but-"

"But you are totally comfy on Jill's half embrace and don't want to get up from there, yeah I don't want to take you out of there either so no worries." she just stared at them for a little before continuing. "You two look sickeningly sweet together." She finally grumbled before going back inside the house.

"I should probably start getting ready too. Going home after work today, so need to get some things ready and pack up."

"Really?" Claire asked, still giggling at Moira's comment.

"Yeah really. You make it sound weird that I'm going home, I never officially moved here or anything, though I admit I rather spend most of my free time here then home alone, so boring."

Jill knew boring wasn't the only reason, but kept her thoughts to herself.

"Yeah, well, true. Will miss you though, you've been here non-stop since…Jill got back I guess?"

"Yeah, I wanted to spend some time with her, not every time we get a friend back from the dead you know."

"Uh huh." Claire said feigning annoyance on her voice.

"Oh come on, you know what I mean."

"Yeah, yeah. We all missed our Jill."

"Not in the same way, clearly." Rebecca said, this time making Claire blush and getting a taste of victory in their little friendly spat over Jill.

"Oh yeah, Chris should be coming home around lunch too."

Jill stopped for a second, while Claire just waited to hear what was the significance of her brother coming home for lunch, it isn't uncommon or anything.

"You know, you'll have to tell him?"

Claire took a second to understand what Rebecca meant.

"Sure? I don't see a problem with that. Actually, I don't see why I would have to tell him anything, but no reason not to either?" she still couldn't see where the problem was.

"For you it's all fine and dandy, but you sure it's the same for Chris and Jill though? That's what I mean."

"Oh." Claire said, finally understanding what Rebecca was getting at.

Jill didn't say anything, and was uncomfortably still behind her, making Claire feel a small wave of uncomfort.

"You are okay with it right? Telling Chris about us?"

Jill opened her mouth as if to speak but nothing came out. Rebecca looked at her with a serious expression, seeing it Jill remembered their earlier talk, and the previous day too, and made her mind.

"Yeah. I'll tell him actually, I'd rather do it myself."

Claire made a troubled face, but just nodded in acceptance. She didn't think her brother would actually create any big problems about the two of them being together, but she did understand what Jill meant when she said she didn't want to betray Chris again. For a silly a promise it was, it was still one, and clearly it was a serious one for Jill.

"Ok. I'm going, probably help Moira with her coffee cause she's probably going to end up burning it somehow looking at how out of it she seemed. And I'll probably take the opportunity and make some for myself and leave with her for work. You guys...do your thing there, I'll leave you some coffee ready too. I'll call when I get home." Rebecca said, getting up from where she was sitting and quickly hugging Claire and Jill, before heading into the main house.

"And then there were two." Claire said a couple of seconds after Rebecca went inside. "Guess it's just us today till my brother comes home."

"Yeah." Jill said, resting on her arms and leaning backwards. She had made her mind, but facing Chris was still going to be thought for her.

"Jill?"

"Yeah?"

"Last night."

"Mmm?"

"Thank you." Claire finally said resting her head on Jill's chest.

"Huh?"

"Nothing." Claire said almost inaudibly.

"And it was surprisingly good. In case you were wondering." Claire added in a bashful tone. "But makes me wonder if I should be happy that you had some experience or be jealous that you did." she said with a small frown.

Jill just giggled a little and silently ran her fingers through Claire's hair. They just stayed like that for a little bit, enjoying the moment and seeing the sun start to cover the backyard

"Can we go inside? Sitting on the floor is making my butt and back hurt."

"Sure. Main house?"

"Sure. Err, actually, I think I'll go take a shower." Claire said as she got up, holding her shirt down with both hands, front and back.

"Ok? I think I'll take one myself too."

"Great! See you in a bit then." Claire said nearly running into the house.

"What was that all about?" Jill thought to herself, but as she got back in the bedroom she noticed something, a piece of clothing on the floor by the bed. "Wait, was she really not using any underwear the whole time?!" Jill wasn't sure if she should laugh or feel sorry for Claire at this. She decided to pretend she never noticed it and went to take a shower of her own.

After the shower Jill went to the main house, and found Claire setting up breakfast for them.

"Isn't that a little…too much?" Jill said looking at the table, there was too much bread, and coffee, and juice, and fruits and other assorted food you'd expect from a breakfast, just not all at the same time.

"Yes, well, I wasn't sure what to make so I wound up making everything I thought of, plus what Rebecca had left us already."

"Definitively too much." Jill said sitting on the table, she just stared at the food for a little while, when she noticed Claire looking at her expectantly.

"Sorry Claire, I don't usually even eat anything at breakfast, just drink a cup of coffee and maybe eat a slice of bread." Jill said in an apologetic tone. "But, since you made it for us, I'll try and eat something, just don't expect me to eat a lot. Really sorry."

"I-it's ok really, I was just overthinking it and lost track of what I was doing, when I noticed it was this mess already." Claire said in a slightly sad tone, she wasn't hurt by it or anything, just feeling a little sorry for making herself looking silly.

"We can always save it and eat it later yeah? Now, let's eat before it gets cold." Jill said, building up some courage to eat way more then she has done in years on a breakfast.

They ate breakfast, which finished with Jill barely finishing a plate of food and a cup of coffee, and again apologizing, and Claire eating a little more than that herself, and apologizing for making so much. They actually had a laugh at the situation while putting all food away so it wouldn't go bad, and Claire made a mental note that if she made them breakfast again to make Jill something light.

The next hours were spent on the living room, they chatted some more, watched some tv, and traded few kisses, from small innocent ones, to more deep ones. Jill wasn't acting as reserved and was actually touching Claire when things heated up more, but keeping it moderated. Claire herself was feeling confident, and was somewhat relieved by Jill's action, feeling as if she was finally, if only slightly, more comfortable about the two of them being together. She still felt a little odd about it herself, but she had to put the extra effort to bring Jill out of whatever shell she was closing herself into, she knew that, so she didn't mind doing things a little out of her comfort zone. Comfort zone that was actually expanding constantly, as she felt more and more comfortable with Jill. She actually wanted them to be at her room, but Jill insisted on staying at the living room, for a moment she feared Jill was retracting for some reason, but everything was going fine. Claire wouldn't admit it, but every so often she wanted to go further then what Jill was offering her, she felt as if Jill was consciously holding back on them doing anything further, but she was satisfied enough as it was, so she didn't dwell on it that much.

Few hours passed and lunch time was getting closer, Claire could feel that Jill was getting anxious. She kept checking the clock, and glancing at the entrance door. Their small make out sessions had all but stopped, even if she tried to start anything Jill would just react in a halfhearted manner and things would naturally come to a stop. She understood why, but still felt frustrated, so eventually she gave up, settling for sitting beside Jill and resting her head on her shoulder while they watched tv.

And right on cue, few minutes later, they could hear a car parking outside. Claire could feel Jill tense beside her, she slightly squeezed her hand but said nothing, and Jill squeezed back.

Chris entered through the front door and was met with Jill standing in the middle of the hallway as if waiting for him to enter, with Claire to her side, slightly behind her.

"Hi to you two." he said, finding the situation weird, but with no clue yet about what was going on.

"Hey." Claire answered, giving Jill's hand one last squeeze, before heading to the kitchen, seeming to get herself something to drink.

"Hey. Chris, can I talk with you for a second?"

"Sure."

"Um, can we go outside?" Jill said awkwardly.

"Sure…anything wrong? You are starting to worry me." Chris said following Jill outside.

Once they were both outside Jill didn't really say anything, she just stood in front of Chris for a little while, thinking of how to say it.

"Claire?" Chris questioned suddenly.

Jill reacted surprised looking back, to see nobody there.

"Busted." She thought to herself.

"I'm sorry."

"For?"

"Claire."

"What about her?" Chris already had a small idea of where this was going after what he saw in the living room, his sister's and Jill's reactions the other day, and Jill's reaction just now, he was massaging his forehead as if to fight off a headache.

"Going out. I mean, we are."

"And?"

"And...I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry for?"

"...Betraying you." Jill said with her head cast down, in a sad and defeated tone.

Chris immediately stopped to look at Jill and could clearly see she was taking things too far.

"Jill, listen-"

"You have every right to be mad at me, if it's really a big problem for you I'm…"

"You what?"

"…"

"Are you implying you'll simply leave her if I tell you to?"

Jill didn't answer, she just clenched her jaws and fists, as if getting ready to receive a blow.

"Well, she's at least sticking to it."

"Listen, Jill. I won't say I'm thrilled by the idea." Chris started, which made Jill flinch ever so slightly. "She was supposed to be off limits." he sighed.

Jill could practically feel her face falling as she lowered her head in shame.

"Damn it Jill, she's my little sister you know? Did you guys even think it through? This is not going to be easy, not with the live styles you two have and past we all carry. That and a good amount of people simply not taking same sex relationships well, if not downright abhorring it." he said in an almost angry voice.

Jill could feel finger joints starting to hurt from pressure as she clenched her fist open and close again.

"Not that I think I'd give anybody an easy time being her boyfriend though, or girlfriend as is the case. She's always going to be my little sister, and I'll always look out for her."

Jill wasn't really listening anymore, she heard what he said but it simply didn't make sense to her.

"But, all things considered, I think her choice could be much worse." he said in a more subdued manner.

"Not going to say anything?" Chris asked Jill, looking for a reaction.

"Yes. I'm sorry, but I can't give up on her. Not when she likes me back."

Chris sighed.

"You were not listening to me were you?"

"Huh?"

"I said she could've chosen worse. Even if I'm not a huge fan of the idea, I know you, I know that you'll try your best for her. And in the end, that's all I can ask of…whoever she decides to go out with really."

Jill couldn't really believe what she was hearing, not that she thought it was impossible for him to accept it, but she didn't expect him to even remotely imply it was a good thing, and, in his manner, say that he was fine with it, or as fine as she would with someone taking his sister.

"That said, I'll say this. Make her cry and you'll have to answer to me, got it?"

"Y-yes." Jill felt awkward, Chris had all but ignored their promise, probably not as important as Claire's happiness was in his eyes, she guessed.

"And Claire?" he spoke slightly louder. "I know you are listening behind the glass door."

Claire came out to the yard and stood beside Jill, taking and holding her hand in reassurance. Jill looked at her and gave her a small smile, while Claire looked back at her with a much larger one on her lips.

Chris looked at it for a second and fought back a smile. True, he wasn't too keen on the idea, too many problems could happen or come up because of it, but it was hard to not be in the slightest happy seeing his sister and his best friend and partner so happy together.

"So, Claire. You heard it all, right?"

"Yeah. Though, it's not really your-"

"Not hearing any of it. Only thing I want to say is, make my partner cry and you'll have to answer to me, got it?" he said with a serious face, but let out a small grin when Claire smiled confidently back at him.

"Ok, that's all then."

Claire hugged Jill and whispered that it was all done, and it was ok, that she could calm down now. Jill finally let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, before hugging Claire back. Claire moved her head sideways, and was going to kiss Jill when Chris practically jumped towards them, thrusting his arm between them.

"Ok, ok, ok. That's enough, I really don't want to see you two getting all over each other."

Claire glared at him, held his wrist and moved his arm back, and then kissed Jill on the lips.

"Yes, we won't be getting all over each other in front of you, but you better get used to at least see us holding hands or exchanging kisses, it's what couples do." Claire said in a friendly yet firm manner.

Chris just grunted and grumbled something before heading inside the house and saying.

"Fine, just go slow yeah? The idea is still really weird to me. Now let's eat, I'm starving."

Claire smiled at Jill and gave her another kiss, then going into the house bringing Jill behind her by the hand. Jill herself had a smile on her face, she couldn't really hide how satisfied and happy she was with how things turned out.

"I'll make us some pasta, think you can help me with the sauce Jill?" Claire asked going into the kitchen.

"Can we order out?" Chris said with concern on his voice.

"Don't want pasta?"

"I do but…" he looked at Jill apologetically before continuing. "Sorry Jill. Claire, Jill is a terrible cook, anything harder than frozen or instant food and-"

"Hey! I can cook, I'm not amazing at it sure, but I can cook. I think I can handle make some simple sauce for some pasta." Jill said defending herself.

"She says she can cook?"

"...Don't come complaining later saying I didn't warn you." Chris said putting his hands up in surrender.

"Then just shush and sit there and twiddle with your thumbs or something till food is done." Claire said, turning back to the fridge to start getting ingredients.

Jill smiled at the small banter, but then started to get worried if she could really pull it off. Honestly speaking, she just didn't cook, you can't really know how to do something from just reading it, but she was determined to get it done, if nothing else cause she didn't want to completely fail at helping Claire with something that was in theory so simple.

"Here goes nothing."


AN:

This one definitively didn't come out exactly as i expected, but following the same idea of the rest. Write it a couple times, then stop rewriting it and upload it instead of rewriting it forever. Starting to find this length to be good enough however, so it isn't as surprising anymore. Still writing really late at nigh/early morning, so any too gross errors are probably a result of that, everything else would be my own fault or the auto correct/spell check on the text editor.

The rough idea for the next part of the story is already coming along, and we should be starting a new "arc" in a chapter or two. (or set of events i guess? this is not that well written or well developed to say it has actual story arcs i don't think).

Again, thank you for reading, reviews, opinions and constructive criticism are welcomed. Oh and thank you for the first 2 follows and the first favorite, forgot to comment on it before, don't want to call any names but they know who they are. Thanks guys.

See you guys on the next chapter.