: The Trip – Part 3 :
"He what?!" whisper yelled Jill, Chris, Rebecca and Barry.
"H-he wants me to stay with him because he needs me for recruit information.." Claire mumbled as she prodded the roasted potatoes on her plate with a fork, never taking her eyes off the dish.
It was meal time in the mess hall. The STARS members had taken to their own table that they apparently always sat at when they were at the Victory City recruitment center. Everyone was laughing, having a great time up until about 10 seconds ago when Claire suddenly blurted out the miss fortunate news.
"Yeah, recruit information! dirty fucking bastard.." Chris angrily grumbled. "There's no way you're staying with him Claire, he-"
"Chris, hes my boss!" Claire growled, now looking up directly at him with a glare. "I thought you at least respected him as your Captain!"
"I do Claire! but-"
"But nothing Chris!" Claire quickly protested, throwing down her fork in frustration. Chris flinched ever so slightly, as did everyone else. "Hes my boss and i have work to do here! you guys have to monitor training, and i have to be his assistant! End of discussion!"
Chris opened his mouth to speak, but Claire quickly held up a finger in warning, making him silent.
After a few awkward minutes of silence, Claire sighed and ran a hand through her slightly tangled hair. She'd need a shower as soon as they made it to the hotel. "I'm sorry." she murmured quietly.
Chris nodded slowly. "Its alright Claire.. i'm sorry too. I know you have a job to do.. its just.."
Claire smiled. "I know it sucks, trust me. It really really sucks." Claire giggled softly when she saw the group loosen up and crack a smile at her situation now. "I don't like it anymore so than you do.."
"Are you still coming out tomorrow night?" Rebecca asked with a hopeful smile. At this question, everyone's heads snapped in her direction. Claire's heart suddenly lurched, because she had completely forgotten about going out. "Fuck.. i hope i am.."
"Sneak out!" Jill suggested while a playful smirk. "Come on, its not like you're on vacation with your dad, i'm sure he wont mind.. but if he does, sneak out." she winked and leaned on Chris ever so slightly, attempting to get him to smile, which he did thankfully.
"If it comes down to it, you know i will!" Claire answered with a laugh, plopping a little bit of turkey into her mouth, thanking god that admitting to the awful situation was only awkward for a few minutes.
She felt Joseph, Enrico and Brad approach from behind them. They were in a heated debate over some guy who had apparently cut in line in the cafeteria. "Fucker got the last piece of lamb too." complained Brad.
"Aw get over it chicken heart!" laughed Joseph as he slapped his back, taking the seats at either side of Claire. "The guy was like freaking 8 feet anyway. I tell ya, some of these guys are on steroids!" Joseph said to the entire group, which both Chris and Barry had a few things to say about.
Claire laughed at a passing comment about there being a guy so muscle-y in the gym today, that Chris nearly dropped his weights. She loved when they could all sit down and enjoy this kind of banter without Wesker, who would most likely just prompt Chris to kick up a fight.
No, Wesker was fairly busy all day actually, with what was anyone's guess. He had phone calls and reports to tend to all day, as he was only seen for a few minutes at drills, where he asked Claire for the sign up sheets, and was quickly gone again. In fact, looking around the cafeteria, she couldn't spot the blonde captain anywhere..
But she did catch someone else's eye. Leon was seated at a table that could only really sit about 6 people, but about 10 people had dragged chairs over, and now they were all sitting around talking. Leon must of been telling a joke, because as soon as he finished talking, the group erupted in laughter. He looked over to her and smiled once he caught her looking. She blushed ever so slightly when he winked and waved. She waved back ever so subtly to avoid anyone at her table passing comment, to which he chuckled and went back talking to his group.
You're a freaking idiot around him. She mentally slapped herself. Do i like him or something?
Her mind conjured up their conversation from the previous day and she recalled him defending her, her heart racing, her face completely flushed.
"Which one?" Jill whispered to her from straight across the table. She made Claire jump ever so slightly from her thoughts and smile weakly. "Nothing gets by you, huh?" Claire softly whispered back, attempting to keep their conversation from Chris, which was easy right now since they were all ripping on Brad for something.
Claire jerked her head in the direction of Leon's table, and without looking back, she whispered, "The one with the kind of swept, brown hair. His names Leon."
Jill subtly looked over Claire's shoulder and scrutinized the group. "The one with the straws up his nose?" she asked with a raised eyebrow of disbelief. Claire opened her mouth to speak, but quickly glancing back, she could see Leon did, in fact have red straws in his nose, acting like a walrus. Claire snorted softly and nodded.
Jill shrugged and giggled. "Not bad, hes funny and cute anyway."
"And super sweet." Claire offered. "His room mates were being assholes to me and he defended me."
"Aww." Jill pouted with a smile, tilting her head to the side playfully. "Claire and Leon, sitting in a tree-"
"Shhh!" Claire hissed, but ultimately started giggling when she saw Jill biting her lip, trying not to laugh at how much she was blushing."
Just then, she felt someone behind her. Turning her head to the right, she caught the glint off of sunglasses, and immediately knew who it was. "Are you ready to go, Dear Heart?"
Claire finished off her glass of coke and nodded. "Yes Captain." Claire nodded to him. Chris looked up when he saw her sister standing, and his stare turned to a glare for the most part. Wesker either decided to ignore it or didn't notice, but he seriously doubted the latter.
"See you guys tomorrow morning." Claire said to the group, who smiled and waved. Chris eventually did smile. "Later sis." Claire felt just the slightest bit better that Chris even said that much. Wesker cleared his throat once she was finished with her good byes. "Captain Marini will take over for the two teams until lights out at 2100 hours, to which i expect no reports of misconduct, am i clear?"
The team nodded curtly, which Wesker expected nothing less of. As they walked out of the mess hair, Wesker caught sight of Claire watching one of the officers. He couldn't tell who, but he knew she was watching someone. The thought made him slightly angry. Slightly.
Out in the parking lot, Claire caught sight of Wesker's car, and shot him a sideways glance. "How did y-"
"I had a friend deliver it here." Wesker answered, looking straight ahead. He had William and Annette drive his car up to him during the drill's, so no officers would be patrolling, and the couple, who Wesker guessed - and actually were - dressed in white lab coats, would not be reported for suspicious behavior.
Claire nodded slowly and internally groaned. Greaaaat. Its only like 7, he better not be the type to go to bed at 8 pm after watching the news. Claire unintentionally scared herself with the thought.
The drive was silent. Neither Wesker nor Claire attempted conversation. She thought a few times to mess with the radio, but decided against it, since she wasn't fully sure where exactly they stood. She was sure they were friends, or at least, whatever Wesker considered were friends, but she didn't want to push anything. Instead, she took in the scenery of Victory city. It clearly harbored a College as well as the recruitment center, considering the amount of students she spotted around town. They weren't exactly hard to miss, their back packs and Styrofoam cups of coffee being dead give away's. They must of been the alternate semester students. Claire thanked the lord she opted for the a summer break rather than a Fall break.
As the approached the hotel, Claire noticed the scenery switch from big buildings and establishments, to more greenery and small, but expensive looking boutiques and restaurants. They drove over a grand bridge that had a huge lake underneath, that's shore was lined with illuminated street lights, treets and benches. She could only imagine how nice it was during nice sunny days.
They soon passed a sign which read "The Marionette Hotel and Spa - Victory Cities crowning glory." and perked up. She figured the place would just be fairly run of the mill, but as they drove passed huge, grand black gates, and drove up a long stretch lane that had huge looming willows and cherry blossom trees, and came to a court yard with a massive fountain, Claire saw that it was anything but.
The hotel had a very regal look about it, with brought yellow stone walls, marble pillars in front of the entrance that's doors were entirely glass, Claire knew it wasn't cheap in any sense. The valet took Wesker's keys and the bellhop took their bags. They welcomes them to the Marionette hotel, but Wesker waved them off. Claire felt a little awkward, feeling completely out of place. Her idea of elegance was her hair up when she went to a party, not a stay in a very posh hotel. For gods sake, i'm in a tight t-shirt and skinny jeans!
Wesker said nothing to her as he opened the glass door and held it open for her. Once she was in the foyer, she got the pleasant smell of jasmine drifting about. Directly in front of her was a large marble reception desk, which a total of three women, who seemed to perk up and smile widely as they notice Wesker approach them. Claire's mouth was hanging open like an idiot as she stared up at the huge crystal chandelier that hung far above their heads, at the grand marble stair case to the left, the cute little cafe to her far right, where people drank and ate from expensive china, in elegant suits and evening dresses.
And I'm still in a tight t-shirt and skinny freaking jeans!
"Dear Heart, if you'd prefer to stay in the foyer for the night, will i give you a seperate key to meet me later?" Wesker said, with the slightest hint of sarcasm in his voice as he peered at her with amusement.
Claire shook her head and obediently followed him. She was like a kid in a candy store as she looked all around herself. The gorgeous dark wood and deep blood red wallpaper was so alluring to her. The soft piano music that drifted from the dining hall was enough to make her smile. "How much does this place cost?" Claire whispered, mostly to herself, but Wesker answered anyway.
"About 470 dollars a night."
Claire's mouth practically hit the floor as they walked up the gorgeous stair case and down the hall to their left. Wesker smirked when he heard Claire stumble over her words. "Jesus.. " was all she got out as Wesker stopped abruptly in front of room A-13, and opened the door with his key.
Wesker allowed Claire in first to take in her surrounding, and this time, she wasn't so subtly with her reaction. "Holy crap!" she exclaimed as she looked around the room. The decor consisted of much the same colors and materials as were in reception. The dark wood and red velvet wallpaper on the walls created a gorgeous contrast to the white, shiny tiles that lined the kitchen and seating area. The mahogany carpet of the bedroom and the rich chocolate brown curtains at either side of the door that lead out to a balcony, that were dimly lit by the two lamps at the sides of a large, king sized bed, in the middle of the room, and a single bed, that was pathetically put beside it.
Claire huffed. She could guess who was going to get the King sized bed. Turning back, she noticed Wesker scrutinizing the room, but with a completely blank face as he observed the room. He didn't seem exactly pleased with the room, nor did he seem disappointed. By the lamp, the bellhop had left the number of the pent house room service, and times for breakfast and dinner.
"Wait.. pent house? We're staying in a pent house?" Claire asked in disbelief, turning to Wesker who had now taken off his jacket and sunglasses. Wesker simply nodded. "Is that a problem?"
"A problem? I'm staying in a freaking pent house!" Claire squealed in glee. The nicest hotel she'd ever stayed in was for Chris' 23rd birthday when a few of his old Air force buddies took the siblings out to Las Vegas, but Claire was condemned to stay in the room as she was too young to go out at night. The hotel had all its staff dress in toga's and Claire had gotten no sleep the whole time considering their was always either a party in the room beside her, or Chris would wake her stumbling into the room drunkenly. So she'd never even so much as heard the word elegance and hotel in the same sentence.
Wesker smirked. He had a hunch that Claire would be fairly impressed with the sheer size and appearance of the hotel, but this completely shocked reaction gave him all the information he needed to know, in that she had clearly never been treated to something this nice. Enjoy it Dear Heart, this may very well be the last time.
"Feel free to use room service as much as you'd like, as well as the pool and gym downstairs. Breakfast is at 8 AM, and we're expected back at the training center at 9 AM."
Getting up early. Good. Claire grumbled to herself, but shook it off as she noticed a huge TV in the sitting area. Wesker noticed Claire's attention drift off from him and he thought it would be a good time to leave her to her own devices. He still had to call William and check on the lab results for Claire's blood, all at the same time keeping an eye on her, and keeping notes of her behavior. There was still every possibility her DNA wouldn't bind with G, but he was hoping to avoid that. He'd have to kill her before she fully mutated, and her dying right now was something he couldn't afford.
"Can i.. " Claire started, feeling like she was on a trip with her dad asking for permission to do anything. Wesker raised an eyebrow in slight confusion, but when Claire gestured to the TV, Wesker nodded quickly. "Of course, of course. If you could, please order me something from room service, i skipped out on dinner at the center."
Claire nodded slowly, noticing he hadn't actually pointed out what he'd like, but figured she'd get whatever came up on the menu. "If you'll excuse me." Wesker stated. "I must use the phone in the lobby." he said as he drifted out of the room without so much as a good bye. Claire shrugged and picked up the room service menu as she settled on the large couch, turning on the tv to MTV. She nearly smirked when she saw the first choice. Immediately, she dialed the phone in the room.
"Hello, room service?"
"So she shouldn't mutate at all Al.. her blood work is a pretty early sample, but from what i can see, the virus wont completely take over her system and force her to mutate.. but we know that these sort of things can be unpredictable." William mumbled. He tended to mumble a lot during phone calls.
"Of course." Wesker answered, attempting to keep his voice down in the foyer, even though the receptionists weren't paying attention and there were very little people walking in and out of the place.
"If she starts to show skin discoloration, test the acidity of her blood. if its highly acidic, use the emergency of the anti-virus."
Wesker gritted his teeth. The fact that Claire was walking around and talking just fine today was a miracle, and he certainly didn't want to just use an anti-virus and wipe out their only bargaining chip for Marcus. No. It wasn't even an option.
"Of course." Wesker repeated, trying not to give detailed answers on the off chance that someone was listening. "I must return to my room then William, I will let you know of any further progress." he quickly finished before hanging up. He nodded to the blonde who had allowed him the phone and returned to his room. It had gotten quite late actually. He figured the call would last 10, maybe 20 minutes, but William was not one to cut a conversation short. He needed blood work results and a worst cast scenario plan, but what he actually got was what was happening around the labs, what samples were successful on the progenitor project (the first successful samples since the start of it), where Annette and William had gone to dinner yesterday, how Sherry had tied her shoes by herself, how the lab had gotten new equipment, and then the blood work and worst case scenario plan.
The man was exhausting.
As he approached the room, he quickly realized it was quite late and Claire would probably be sleep in bed, so he quietly opened the door and looked around curiously. There was a lamp left on in the kitchen, but as he peered into the bedroom, he saw her in bed, lying on her back, her chest slowly rising and falling, suggesting that she was asleep, at least for a while.
As he walking into the kitchen, he spied a silver tray on the counter and snickered. He figured Claire wouldn't of gotten him anything, but he stood corrected as he picked up a note she'd left on top of the silver top tray.
Since you didn't get to finish the first one. Hope its not too greasy. - Claire
Lifting the tray, he smirked as he observed the Baked Salmon and mixed veg on the side of it.
As he cut into the salmon, he couldn't help but chuckle at Claire's stab at being funny.
Perhaps having her here would be enjoyable too.
Surprise! I wanted to get out another chapter because i love you all so much ;v;
MARKUS1234: Thank you!
Tenebrarum: Oh yes, and he's got plenty more in store! and i'm super glad you're enjoying it! heehee yeah, i'm not done with Leon, not for a while anyway!
roseimagine: Aw, thank you so much! This made me smile so much! ;v;
KataraZombie: Nope! i'd never leave you guys!
Ayunat: Thank you!
SherlocksDoctor: Aw, I'm really glad! Yes, I do have big plans now that Claire's infected! and i definitely hope you continue to enjoy it!
AMMOZomvie: I'm super glad you like my story!