Aftermath of Destruction Chapter 14: Push, a resident evil fanfic

Disclaimer: I don't own anything associated with Resident Evil. I do however own the story. The song I use is entitled "Push" and belongs to Sarah McLachlan. The song is track six from "Afterglow."

Aftermath of Destruction

Chapter Fourteen: Push

"Where in the hell are we?" An aggravated Carlos muttered as he saw the large bar come in focus, complete with a parking lot full of cars.

"A bar to celebrate." Barry replied.

"Huh?" The chorus erupted throughout the van.

"What? You think I doubted we were gonna win this? I called just about everyone who's been involved with this last week and they were all eager to come and celebrate with us – or if we had lost, to figure out what in the hell we were gonna do."

Chris chuckled. "Well at least we're all dressed for the occasion."

"That we are." Leon replied.

The van was soon parked, and a mutual feeling of happiness washed over the group. They knew that tonight that they could let loose and enjoy life for once, and rejoice in the fact that Umbrella was gone.

Chris pulled the doors open, letting everyone pass through. He peered around the corner as he entered, and saw many faces he recognized. The bar wasn't as full as he thought, and he realized that it must've been reserved for them and that everyone was still trying to get ready for others soon to arrive.

~ * * ~

Every time I look at you

The world just melts away

All my troubles all my fears

Dissolve in your affections

You've seen me at my weakest

But you take me as I am

And when I fall you offer me

A softer place to land

Leon wrapped his arms around Claire from behind, kissing the back of her neck. "What do you say we get outta here and go back to the hotel?"

"Oh no Kennedy, you're not gonna drag me away from a party. I haven't been drunk since college, and I plan on getting very drunk tonight." Claire replied.

Leon chuckled. "I hope somebody stays sober tonight, or else we're all gonna be sleeping here."

"Leon, can you go get those boxes of extra glasses we had earlier? They're in the back room!" Cathy shouted over the roar of conversations going on throughout the bar. It was packed with old friends and family and there was nothing but laughter going on.

"Yeah, when do you need them?" Leon asked, moving away from Claire to go to the back.

"Oh not right now. We're just getting kinda low, I'll let you know when." Cathy replied.

Leon shrugged and headed back toward his seat. He was stopped when Chris grabbed his arm.

"Tell me when she tells you to go get them, I'll do it for you."

Leon furrowed his brows. "Chris, I think I can handle a box of shot glasses."

Chris shook his head and headed back to the back room. Leon's curiosity got the better of him, and he trailed after Chris through the crowds of people.

"What are you doing?"

Chris shut the door to the storage room and grabbed a napkin. "What makes you think it's any of your business?"

"Well you just seem a bit protective of the store room that's all…"

Chris sighed and grabbed a permanent marker. He scrawled something across the napkin, and laid it on top of the box of glasses. "Damn it, since you're not going to leave until you know – or help me – I'll tell you. I swear to God if you tell anyone though…" Chris trailed off menacingly.

Leon gulped. "Uh…"

~ * * ~

"Where's Chris?" Jill asked, scanning the mob of people for him.

Claire set down her glass of wine. "Leon and him went off somewhere to do something for Cathy I think."

"Oh." Jill said. "Hey, I believe you are under the legal drinking age."

Claire scowled. "I'm older than Becca, who is currently on the verge of losing soberness herself."

Jill glanced over at Rebecca who was laughing with Carlos and sipping a bottle of Southern Comfort. "At least she hasn't gotten close to the Jack Daniel's or Crown Royal."

"Crown Royal? Where?"

Chris's voice startled Jill. "Out of your reach that's where."

"Aw come on, it's gonna take a hell of a lot more than that to get me drunk." Chris whined playfully.

Leon pretended to whisper. "I'll sneak you a bottle."

The group chuckled.

Claire and Jill both noticed something was being hidden from the two, they could read it in the way Chris and Leon were acting. The women shared a look with each other, and then looked at the silent Chris and Leon.

"What are you guys talking about?" Carlos asked as he and Rebecca made their way to empty stools next to the four.

"How Jill is going to attempt to keep me from getting drunk." Chris replied with a grin, as he knew the couple was near drunken stupor already.

"We can see that Rebecca here isn't stopping you from any drinking." Leon remarked.

"Nope, I've never really let loose, not even in college, so I'm ready for a good time tonight." Rebecca answered.

"Oh God, this isn't your first time drinking is it?" Claire asked.

"Well, it'll be my first time drunk." Rebecca answered.

"Oh hell, Carlos make sure you come home with some Asprin." Chris said.

Carlos cringed. "Becky, are you sure you want to keep drinking, I mean I'll hold your hair if I have to but…"

"I'm not gonna have a hangover, I mean this is only my second bottle." Rebecca replied triumphantly.

Carlos ran a hand through his hair. "Ay caramba, chica take it from me, your first time is going to painful believe me."

Rebecca giggled. "It's not like I'm having sex for the first time, Carlos."

Jill shook her head. "They never listen."

"I think she's already a bit tipsy." Claire whispered.

Leon nodded. "Yeah well, don't ruin her fun."

"As long as more of this continues, I'll be alright." Claire gestured toward her glass of wine.

Chris snatched it away, taking a sip of the sweet liquid. "You honestly think me, your older brother, is going to let you get drunk? Claire, do you know what happens at parties when you get drunk?"

"Yeah, the person who takes the drinker's liquor away gets their ass kicked." Claire replied, grabbing the glass back.

"She does have you there." Leon answered.

"Leon, can you get me those glasses now?" Cathy's voice drifted through the laughter of the group suddenly.

"Let me get them, you watch my sister." Chris ordered. "Jill, you wanna help?"

Jill hopped off the barstool, trying not to think too hard on the knowing looks Chris and Leon exchanged. "Did I miss something?" She shrugged the feeling off.

You stay the course you hold the line

You keep it all together

You're the one true thing I know I can believe in

You're all the things that I desire

You save me you complete me

You're the one true thing I know I can believe

~ * * ~

"Where did you and Chris disappear to?" Claire asked after her brother and Jill had vacated their seats.

"Nowhere, we were just seeing who uh…who all was here." Leon stammered slightly.

"Uh huh, now can you tell me why your cheeks are getting flushed and you're shaking?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." Leon replied.

"Why you're giving me the same act you gave when Sherry brought up the train?"

Leon's eyes flitted over to where Chris and Jill had just entered the back hallway into the storage room and shut the door. "Please God let him get this over with quick so before Claire jumps me." Leon pleaded in his head as he thought of clever ways to stall Claire.

"Hey, where did Chris and Jill go?" Rebecca asked, suddenly noticing the empty barstools.

Carlos chuckled. "I can take one guess."

"They supposedly went to get more glasses for Cathy, but I think there's a little more to it than Leon wants to share." Claire answered stoically.

"Like I said, one guess as to what they're doing." Carlos repeated.

"Claire, I think you've had a bit much to drink. You heard Cathy, they went to go get the boxes of glasses out of the storage room." Leon shifted uncomfortably, trying to sound indifferent.

"Storage room? Carlos, we haven't tried in there yet have we?" Rebecca suddenly blurted.

Carlos blushed, and slowly lifted the bottle of Southern Comfort from Rebecca's grasp. "Sorry, but I'm cutting you off for a little while."

Rebecca pouted and then raised her eyebrows. "Wanna go try in there?"

"I believe you've got a handful." Leon remarked.

"Tell me about it. Thing is, do I resist the offer?" Carlos asked teasingly.

"If Chris and Jill are using it, then yes you resist." Claire stated and turned back to Leon. "Kennedy, if you don't tell me right now what's going on in there I'll – "

"You'll what?" Leon knew he was testing Claire's temper. "Damn you Chris, you owe me for this."

"Hey guys!" Sherry suddenly appeared, lifting herself onto Chris's seat.

"Thank you Sherry." Leon mumbled. "You were saying?"

"Something inappropriate for her ears." Claire responded, eyeing Leon.

Sherry looked at the couple. "Oh great, Claire you can't kill him yet, you just got together."

"He keeps this mysterious vibe up and I will." Claire returned.

"Look, you'll find out soon enough, I promise you." Leon put up his hands in surrender.

"Will I be happy with it?" Claire asked.

"Very." Leon replied.

"I wanna know!" Rebecca yelled.

"Leon just said that we'd know soon." Carlos whispered.

"Oh." Rebecca brought the bottle of alcohol back to her lips.

"What is wrong with her?" Sherry asked, giggling at Rebecca's drunken comments.

~ * * ~

Chris pulled the door into the back storage hall open. He let Jill in first, and then closed the door behind him. Chris stood, pretending to look for which box held the shot glasses.

"Now which one was it?" He mumbled, grazing his hand across every box but the right one.

Jill shrugged and leaned against the doorframe. "I'll let you figure that one out."

"Yeah well, while I'm looking I think I'll enlighten you with my thoughts." Chris turned to face Jill.

"Enlighten away." Jill motioned.

"Well, we've been together for a little over a year now and I think it's safe to say we both love each other right?" When Jill nodded slowly he continued. "I mean we've been through more than I think most relationships could stand. Look at the nine months we spent apart…there's no telling what could've happened in that time period, but it didn't get to us. Then with all of the shit – what Umbrella put us through and what I've put you through – and we're still standing."

I get mad so easy

But you give me room to breathe

No matter what I say or do

'Cause you're just too good to fight about it

Even when I have to push

Just to see how far you'll go

You won't stoop down to battle

But you never turn to go

"Yeah, I'd say we were – "

"Meant to be? Yeah, me too." Chris finished Jill's sentence. "I just hope that you know I love you more than my life itself."

"I know, the times you've risked your life – Chris what are you getting at?" Jill arched a quizzical eyebrow at him.

"I just wanted to make sure you know how I feel is all." Chris replied nonchalantly. He stood for a second and then sighed. "We better start finding that box, I'd imagine Cathy's having hell holding down the fort with no more clean glasses. Why don't you check over there on that stack of boxes and I'll check over here?"

Jill walked adjacent from where Chris was standing, to which he walked behind her, patiently waiting. Jill examined the tops of the boxes; coming across the one Chris had laid the napkin across. She picked up the soft napkin, reading the slanted writing that she recognized immediately as Chris's.

"Turn around?" She read from the small napkin. "What the hell does that mean?" She obeyed, and slowly turned around. "Oh my God…"

Chris gulped. "Holy fuck here we go." He couldn't read Jill's expression of shock so he tried to stay calm.

"Chris are you…"

"I can't exactly put into words how I feel about you, but I'm hoping from this you'll get an idea…Jillian Valentine, will you marry me?" Chris stared straight into Jill's eyes, trying to focus on the deep azure orbs. He stayed steady on his one-kneed position, and held the dark, plush box in front of him. He watched the tears fill her eyes, and his heart stopped. "Remember, it takes one to say yes."

Jill realized he was referring to their discussion a couple of days before. Finally she found her voice, allowing Chris's heart to beat again. "Yes!"

Chris stood up, sliding the ring on Jill's finger. It was a platinum band, with two diamonds on either side of an exceptionally large sapphire. He then wiped the tears of joy from her cheeks, unable to suppress the grin breaking his face. Jill then slid her arms around his neck, and pulled him into one of the best kisses shared between the two.

Chris chuckled when Jill broke the kiss due to her excited sobs. "Are you gonna be okay?"

"Yeah it's just…do you know how long I've been waiting on you to ask me?" Jill laughed.

"Probably as long as I've been waiting to ask, just tonight felt right what with the celebration and all." Chris grinned and then added, "I figured I'd do it before one of us got too drunk to remember what happened. I don't think we wanna end up in Vegas with a mock Elvis reading our vows do we?"

Jill giggled. "No, I don't think we do." She then lay her head against his chest, gazing thoughtfully at the ring on her finger symbolizing the future to come.

"Well, do you want to go tell the others before they all end up drunk in Vegas?" Chris embraced Jill and leaned against the door.

"That might be a good idea." Jill answered.

"Well wait, I better get these shot glasses for Cathy." Chris stated as he lifted the box and followed Jill out into the bar.

~ * * ~

"Here you go Cathy." Chris sat the box down on the counter.

"Thanks Chris, it only took an hour." Cathy replied jokingly.

"Hey, he had some important business to attend to." Jill defended.

"I'll bet." Carlos grinned.

Chris's middle finger shot up as he began to stand on top of a barstool, and on top of the counter. He took Jill's hands, and carefully guided her with him, until they were both standing over everyone.

"What the hell is he doing?" Claire asked.

"And you say I'm drunk." Rebecca remarked, suddenly a little more sober.

"Everyone put down their drinks and listen to me for a second!" Chris shouted, although three-fourths of the bar was already watching him. "Don't you guys think that we should all get together and party more often?"

There was an assortment of "Hell yeah" and glass raises.

"Well, the important business I was attending to was along those lines." Chris turned to Jill. "You wanna raise your left hand and do the honors?"

As Jill did this she announced, "We're getting married!"

The crowd roared with excitement and congratulations as Chris and Jill hopped off the counter to their closer family and friends.

"Holy shit Chris!" Claire seemed happy until she smacked Chris upside his head and pulled at Leon's ear. "Why the hell didn't you idiots tell me?"

"Leon could've told you – "

"You made me swear not to – "

"Oh well, it doesn't matter. Jill, we've gotta start planning this!"

Rebecca nodded. "Yep, first things first though. We need liquor, beer, alcohol, oh and wine!"

Jill grinned at Claire. "I think we better wait until tomorrow when she's sober."

"Better make that day after tomorrow or else it'll be something along the lines of 'We need Asprin, Tylenol, and so forth.'"

"So you finally did it huh?" Barry clapped his hand over Chris's shoulder.

"Yep." Chris still couldn't contain his happiness.

Cathy chuckled. "Well good for you two, but I'm not bartending your wedding."

Chris laughed. "Ah, well I suppose we could Carlos to do it considering he'd have better control over how much Becca over there drinks."

"You're damn right amigo, wedding or not, this little chica is allowed none!" Carlos replied and then made a small sound of pain as Rebecca's foot collided with his shin.

"That's what you think." She answered. "Anyway Chris, it's about time. I figured this would happen even before Spencer."

"What is that obvious?"

"Yes!" Came Claire, Barry, Cathy, and Rebecca's unison reply.

Chris grinned sheepishly as he slid his arms around Jill. "Well then I was suppose it was about time."

"Hell yes it was." Jill answered.

Barry chuckled. "Well Chris, get ready for the married life."

"And what can I expect?"

"Plenty of arguments, but there's more happy times." Barry said, placing an arm around Cathy.

Cathy looked at Jill. "Just remember, resist the urge to strangle him, they're good for some things."

Jill smiled. "Plenty of experience in that field already."

"So Leon, when are you gonna pop the question to Claire?" Carlos asked, grinning.

"Where's your ring for Bec?"

"Hey, you two have known each other longer." Carlos replied.

"Besides, you've already slipped up and called me Kennedy once." Claire reminded him.

Leon shrugged. "You never know."

"Well I can't propose to Becca, she's a little out of it right now." Carlos stated, pointing at Rebecca's crashed out form.

"I heard that." Rebecca mumbled groggily, but kept her head on the bar counter.

~ * * ~

Around 2:00 AM, everyone had gone off to their respective hotel rooms after seeing everyone else off. Sherry, Polly, and Moira had a joint room with Barry and Cathy, while everyone else was in their own rooms.

Carlos lay Rebecca back on their bed, and climbed in next to her.

"Carlos?"

"Yeah?"

"I think Chris was right." Rebecca muttered. "We're gonna need some Asprin."

Carlos chuckled and turned out the light in their room and kissed Rebecca as she drifted off into sleep.

~ * * ~

"Well this was one hell of day." Leon declared as Claire flopped back on the bed.

"I'm gonna sleep good tonight."

"I don't think I'm going to let you sleep for a while." Leon replied.

"That's what you think." Claire answered.

Leon crawled up on the bed next to Claire. "You know you can't resist me."

"How much money do you want to put down on that?" Claire grinned.

Leon planted soft kisses along Claire's neck. "A lot."

Love is just the antidote

When nothing else can kill me

There are times I can't decide

When I can't tell up from down

You make me feel less crazy

When otherwise I'd drown

But you pick me up and brush me off

And tell me I'm OK

Sometimes that's just what we need

To get us through the day

Claire giggled and pulled Leon's mouth to hers. The kiss was broken though, when a loud snore from Barry's room sounded.

"That didn't kill the mood did it?" Leon laughed.

Claire shook her head. "Not by a long shot."

~ * * ~

Chris chuckled. "Are you gonna stare at that ring all night?"

Jill smiled. "I just might."

Chris encircled his arms around Jill's waist as they stood in the middle of their hotel room. She immediately placed her arms around his neck gazing up at him. He grinned, before leaning down and kissing her softly. A small hum erupted from Jill's throat as Chris's tongue slid into her mouth.

They parted, gasping for air after a few moments.

"What do you say we make this engagement official?" Chris offered.

"So I take it your ribs aren't hurting?" Jill arched an eyebrow.

"If they did, I wouldn't let it stop me." Chris answered as he and Jill fell back against the bed.

You stay the course you hold the line

You keep it all together

You're the one true thing I know I can believe…

"I love you." Jill said, as Chris ran his hands through her hair.

"I love you too, and I'm so sorry that I put you through what I have. You know I couldn't live without you right?"

"You're not going to." Jill replied, as the engagement ring glinted in the soft moonlight.

Umbrella was no more. Although tomorrow there would be interviews among interviews, and for the rest of their lives, the survivors would have to relive the hellish events of the past over and over again. They would never forget the endured pain, but they could move on. All that mattered was their family and friends and the fact that they'd survived – a task almost impossible. The group had done it, and things were definitely headed in the right direction, and they were going to make the most of it.

~ * * ~

Author's Note: It's finished! I can't believe it, can you? Sorry for any mistakes but I wanted to get this over with. I had quite the dilemma with the song choice and everything considering I wanted to use a good love song and I know plenty of those. I chose "Push" because it kind of directed toward most of the couples featured, although the chapter was focused mainly on Chris and Jill. Anyway, there was your surprise. Come on though, you had to know he was gonna propose! Sorry for the wait, the chapter was going to be up last weekend but I went to the "Meteora Tour 2004" with Linkin Park, Story of the Year, Hoobastank, and P.O.D. Yeah, my time was pretty taken considering I'm still in shock a week later from being that damn close to the stage! I mean I was right there! Ah…anyway Avril Lavigne's coming soon so I'm getting prepared for that. If any of you care to see another story of mine, I should be posting "Enigmatic Intentions" which will be a fic featuring our favorite gang trying to vacation out in the country, but with plenty of laughs and stress and all. Further down is a thanks to everyone whose reviewed and an excerpt from my upcoming fic, which should be posted soon. I've got a bunch of partial chapters written and ideas spinning around so don't be surprised if the excerpt you see is redone when the full chapter is put together. Oh and if you've got any suggestions for my fic either put them in my review or IM me at kickinxtreme…

Thanks In Order By Review…

Dale: Hey! Hmmm what to say to you? You're among my best reviewers and you're always on my ass about updating. I still don't think I can write well, but I'll pretend I do for you. Thanks for all the ideas and encouragement, and the late night talks, etc. Now update your fic before I kick your ass! Oh, I'll talk to you later then.

Ktdid: Thanks for your review, I'm glad the songs worked well with the fic.

Pinguicha: Thanks for your reviews too! Ah, I can't believe you thought I was gonna kill of Chris in the beginning. Guess that means I was pretty convincing. Oh, and Jill did become Jill Redfield so I hope that filled that out. Anyway, thanks!

Dragon43: Ah you wouldn't believe the work spent to put the songs into these chapters. Again, I'm glad it worked well. Thanks for your reviews!

ScoobySnax1: Another of my best reviewers. Hope you get to work on another fic soon. You're an excellent writer and thanks for your words of support and all. You're right, good bands never get what they deserve, I'm still miffed about that lol. Anyway, hope the surprise was good enough to wait for.

Frenchy: Thanks for your support.

OtaSnake: Thanks for the review, I hope you enjoyed this.

Clear-Rivers-FanY2K: Thanks for your review!

Frequent name changer: So is this the pen name you are now? I think you should stick with it lol. You're among one of my best reviewers, thanks for all your support. Now where the hell is an update on one of my favorite stories eh?

HELL: Hmmm, well the media was involved, that's all I've got to say to that.

CityHighPlaya2003-2004: Thanks for the review!

Angelo Kennedy: Thanks for the review!

Shakahnna: Well, you're among my best reviewers, and probably my most descriptive. Thanks for all your reviews! Thanks for all the good talks and encouragement too. You're an excellent writer so keep it up! Oh, and again, glad the songs all worked out, I might do my next fic with them but I'm not sure yet.

Peanutbuttershine: Hmm, well I'm not gonna waste my time on you.

Thanks to all who reviewed and to anyone who read and didn't review! Sorry if somehow I left you out!

Excerpt from "Enigmatic Intentions"

Jill Valentine checked her compass, making an evident sound of disgust as she saw the small drops of water land on its faceplate, blurring her sense of direction. She looked up at the dark sky, threatening to let a torrent of rain out. She smeared the drops of water off with her shirt, and looked at the trees surrounding her one last time. She let her eyes flit back and forth, quickly checking for movement, before she began walking. Slowly, Jill's foot crunched down on the leaves and sticks beneath her booted foot. The rain was coming down a bit harder now, and all signs suggested for it to pour. She increased her speed slightly, keeping her vision focused partially on the compass, and partially on the trail in front of her. She stopped suddenly, her survival instincts kicking in. The young woman's mind raced trying to decode the new threat, she'd heard another set of footsteps trailing behind hers, yet nothing was around. She brushed her now soaked hair out of her eyes, and shoved the metallic whistle in her mouth. She exhaled, letting the whistle shriek slightly. If one of her comrades was near, they'd instinctively blow back, but as far as she knew, Carlos Oliveira and Rebecca Chambers were tackling the western side, Claire Redfield and Leon Kennedy had southwest. The others that had been assigned the weekly orienteering training had all other directions except northwest, which was what Jill had drawn. She shrugged the feeling off, continuing on her mission, which was to find the golf ball marked with a specific number serving as her checkpoint. Jill checked the compass again, maneuvering it so it was at the coordinates she'd memorized.

CRACK!

She came to an abrupt stop. Someone was nearby. These were the kind of things that made Jill wish Chris Redfield, her fiancé, wasn't so wrapped up in paperwork. He'd gotten caught up at his desk, and couldn't make mandatory training. Although Rebecca, Chris, Claire, Leon, Carlos, Barry Burton, and herself didn't have to do it considering each was joint captain of the newly reformed S.T.A.R.S., they still did it like any other officer.

CRUNCH!

Another noise erupted. Jill cursed the pouring rain, which was impairing her hearing. Someone was following her. She slowly turned her head, and let a sharp cry erupt from her throat as two toned arms grabbed her from behind. She was spun around by the strength of her aggressor so quickly she was unable to see their face before she found her lips being crushed into someone else's.

A soft moan erupted from her throat as the familiar lips worked down the nape of her neck and back up to her lips again. Reluctantly, the attacker pulled away, letting his hands plant on either side of Jill's waist.

"Hey."

"Hey yourself." Jill replied stroking Chris's wet and matted hair backwards, only to have the rain flatten it out again. "You scared the shit outta me."

"Kinda the point." Chris answered, smirking. "Ah you knew it was me, unless you've got another lover that sneaks up behind you in the woods and ravishes you…"

"You know about him?" Jill joked.

Chris laughed. "Yeah, kicked his ass before I found you."

Jill shook her head. "Damn, no more orgasms for me."

"Is that right?"

Not much to go from, sorry! Guess if you wanna see the rest you're just gonna hafta wait on the update 'cause I'm trying my damnedest to put all this together to get a good fic so expect it soon…