Finally, the chapter I've been waiting for.:P
If you're a Chris/Jill fan, you'll probably like this. If not, er, just give it a chance.:P I loved this scene in RE5.
Thanks for the reviews, people.:) Hope you continue to read and review. I'm almost done with this story, but I have an idea for follow-ups, maybe to the older ones I've made.
xxx
"I think the odds are fair, two on two. Right, Jill?"
Damn you, Wesker!
I screamed in my head even as I swung this way and that, landing blows on Chris and his partner, Sheva, each time. Easily, I dodged the bullet the woman shot at me, running in her direction and driving a kick at her back, sending her sprawling to the ground. Beside me, Wesker was laughing softly as he battled Chris, hitting him, his blows painful but at the same time not fatal, playing with him while ensuring pain. "Seven minutes. Seven minutes is all I can spare with you," he drawled softly. Even as I fought with Sheva, I couldn't help but stare at their fight, horrified.
Chris wasn't even fighting back. Instead, he was trying to get to me, desperation in his eyes. "Jill, it's me! Don't you recognize me?"
Dammit! I do!
I tried to speak, to tell him I do know him, that this isn't what I wanted, that I couldn't fight it, but I couldn't. Attempting to open my mouth only brought out unintelligible growls, and trying to stop fighting only made my attacks more vicious. I winced inwardly as I tossed Sheva on the ground, hearing her land hard on her back.
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
When she got up, she immediately raised her gun and fired bullet after bullet. At that moment, a part of me really wanted to get shot. I wanted to die at that time, wanted it all to end, because if this kept up, I knew how it would end. Chris and Sheva's blood would be on my hands. But my body moved on its own, dodging the bullets without any effort. Reaching her easily, I kicked her hard, sending her flying, and as she was in the air, I raced to her, and drove a fist in her gut.
It was then that I felt a hand on my shoulder. Chris had finally reached me and tried to keep me steady by holding on to me, but I easily batted his hands away and drove the side of my hand at his throat, cutting off his airflow. Giving him no time to catch his breath, I did a backwards flip, clipping him on the chin as I moved.
"We should hide!" I barely heard Sheva cry to Chris, even as I prepared to attack again. They ran off to the labyrinth, with Wesker and me after them. Even as we chased after them, I tried to fight back, tried to gain back control of my body, but to no avail.
Please, Chris. Get away while you still can. Leave me. Please.
xxx
"Wesker, stop!"
The sound of his voice was enough to bring me to them. Rounding the corner, I easily downed Sheva, immediately grappling Chris, grabbing his arm and pinning him to the ground.
"Jill, come on! It's me, Chris! Snap out of it!"
I know! Believe me, I know! I sobbed in my head, even as I prepared to tear his arm off.
"Nice move, Chris." Again that voice, cold, mocking. "But now that your partner has arrived, I'll leave you two to catch up."
Partner. A mockery.
Chris screamed as I added more pressure. "Come on, Jill! Get yourself together! Wake up! Jill Valentine!"
And it was then that I found myself breaking free, taking control over my body again, at least partially. "Chr… Chris…" I managed to gasp out, tearing myself away from him.
"Jill…" Chris whispered, making a slight move as though to try and reach my side again.
No, don't. Don't come near me. Please. Get away while you still can. Please. I don't want to hurt you again.
Even as I struggled to gain full control of my body, that hateful voice came again.
"Remarkable! Still resisting at such an advanced stage!" The slight raising of his voice betrayed his surprise. Wesker hardly ever raised his voice. It was then that I realized he didn't expect this. Maybe… Just maybe… I fought even more strongly, each motion agonizing, but this time I welcomed it, if it meant taking complete control. I raised my head slightly, and I saw him smirking. Whatever faint hope I felt became extinguished as I saw his cruel smile aimed at me. "Commendable, yet futile," he drawled, relishing each word as he pressed a button on the device he was holding. All at once, the pain I was feeling increased a hundredfold, forcing me to my knees and causing me to scream in agony. It was pain like no other, and as wave upon wave hit me, I felt myself losing control of my body again, at the same time as my mind blacking out. Darkness came again, and this time, I welcomed it, knowing that if it didn't, I might end up witnessing two of the most painful things that could happen to me: Chris's death, or mine. Like when we tried to arrest Spencer on that fateful day, I found myself hoping it was me.
xxx
But it wasn't my time.
Each sense came back slowly, one at a time. The smell of sweat and damp surroundings invaded my nostrils. I felt myself being cradled in someone's arms, strong, yet gentle. I heard a familiar voice, coaxing me to go back. As my eyes fluttered open, I took in everything I saw slowly, almost as though I was seeing things for the first time. And perhaps, it was. My eyes focused on the person cradling me. His face had aged, his body different from what I remembered, bulkier, but his eyes remained the same. The same eyes that I saw in my dreams.
"Chris…" I whispered. "I'm so sorry."
A faint smile passed his lips, relief at hearing me speak, knowing I was really back. "It's okay," he said, his soft, gentle tone in contrast to his size. His arms tightened slightly. Maybe he needed this as much as I did. He looked at me, and I stared back, savoring this moment, before the intensity of his gaze forced me to tear my eyes away. Yet I didn't pull away. Just a few seconds, I thought to myself weakly, allowing myself to enjoy the warmth that his arms gave me. Reality intruded in the form of footsteps.
"You're Sheva, right?" I asked, turning to the young woman beside us.
"Yes." A hint of reserve tinged her voice. I wasn't surprised. After what I've done…
"I couldn't control my actions, but God, I was still aware. Forgive me."
"It's alright," she replied then, the reservation disappearing from her voice. I looked at her face, and she looked right back, her eyes gentle, forgiving. It was more than I could hope for.
"Thank you," I said softly, my eyes unaccountably tearing up. No time for that.
Chris helped me to my feet, one arm still around me, his own way of lending me his strength. He never was good with words, but he always knew how to show his concern through his actions. I allowed myself those few seconds of enjoying his warmth, but then I pushed him gently away. I couldn't afford to be selfish, especially not now. I spoke up. "Listen, I'm going to be alright. You two need to stop him."
Chris protested, as I knew he would. "We can't just leave you here!"
"You have to! This is your only chance! If Wesker succeeds, Uroboros will spread across the globe! Millions will die!"
"Well, yeah, but…"
"I'm alright!" I insisted, lying through my teeth, even as I struggled to remain on my feet. "You need to stop him!" Even with my words, a look of indecisiveness crossed his face. I ruthlessly pushed the feeling of elation I felt at his willingness to sacrifice everything, the chase for Wesker and even the fate of the world for me. Dammit, Jill. Now is not the time to be selfish!
I grabbed him in desperation. "Chris, you're the only one who can! Before it's too late." I pulled back slightly, and then raised my head, staring straight at him. "Don't you trust your partner?"
My words finally got through him. Silent communication passed between us, our eyes telling more than words the things we wanted to say. "Alright," he finally agreed, but he didn't tear his eyes from mine, his gaze intense. Telling me something. I held back tears again. For all we've lost. For what we've missed. For all that was. For what could have been. For what could be.
"Take care of him," I asked Sheva, half-pleading.
She gave a nod, smiling gently, her kind eyes understanding.
Thank you.
I watched as they got on the elevator. Staring back at Chris, knowing that this might be the last chance we might see each other again.When the elevator doors closed, I expelled a long sigh.
"You're our only hope to survive this."