Chapter 25: Time is of the Essence

"I forgive you."

"Don't," she begged. Alice truly believed she didn't deserve it. "Don't forgive me again. I can't take it." The brunette watched Claire shake her head.

"Every single day, Alice."

It was the same thing the woman had said to her during the meteor shower. It felt like forever ago. She wasn't that person anymore, probably hadn't been that person since. Now, her powers were all but gone; only a whisper remained. With their near absence, humanity returned with a vengeance. Regret and sorrow accompanied her resurrecting soul, attacking her heart and tearing at her mind.

Claire moved in closer to her, and while Alice still wanted to keep the redhead at bay out of fear, she realized that her terror was irrational. She was already resolved to never hurt Claire again. The redhead drew near, and Alice looked for the apprehension in her as well. There was none.

"All the time we've been together I've only given you reason to fear me," Alice stated like the fact was clear as day.

"That's not true…and even if it was-" Claire put a hand on her cheek and brushed away a falling tear, "it wouldn't stop me from loving you."

Alice shut her eyes; not so much to keep the words out, but to keep them in. They were only closed for a second when she felt Claire's lips on her own. The kiss started out soft; neither of them taking more than the other was giving. The brunette felt the intensity grow in her chest, and she slowly lifted her arms to set them on the small of Claire's back. The redhead forced her backwards into the Hummer, and Alice took the light pain of hitting the vehicle in stride. Claire made her touch gentler as she slid her hands from Alice's collarbone, softly touching the bullet wound, to the back of the brunette's shoulders.

Claire pulled her mouth away only enough to rest her head on Alice's. The brunette still had her eyes closed, and she would've bet her handgun that the redhead did too.

Her sweet voice entered Alice's mind again.

"No more drinking." The redhead kissed the corner of her mouth. "No more self-destruction." She kissed the other side. "Just let me love you." Claire brought their foreheads together again as Alice beamed.

The brunette opened her eyes, hoping to meet Claire's green ones and was not disappointed.

"I'll do you one better," she promised. "I'll love you back."

This time Alice kissed Claire, and she felt the redhead smile into it. It was much longer than the first and more passionate still.

Suddenly Paco was at their heels, begging for attention. Claire grinned at the dog as she spoke.

"K must've sent him out here to get us for dinner."

Alice chuckled. "Smart girl. You remember what happened the last time she interrupted us…"

The brunette watched Claire's face blush in the dim light. However, there was still one more thing Alice wanted to talk about. She needed to tell Claire what happened with Isaacs; that she was limited and not just in her abilities.

"Claire, before we go in…" She took the redhead's hand in hers. "Isaacs gave me the serum. I'm not invincible anymore, but I'm sure you guessed that." The brunette was suddenly struck with a very morbid yet uplifting thought. I can die in her arms. Alice was nearly crying again, and while they would've been happy tears, she held them back. She still had to finish telling Claire why she acted the way she did.

"When we were there…Before, when Isaacs came for me…" Alice had already told K all this, so she didn't know why it was so hard for her now. Luckily, Claire silenced her before she could butcher the telling any more.

"I already know Alice." She intertwined the fingers of their joined hands before she continued sheepishly. "I um, heard you and K earlier. At least right until Paco almost got me busted."

The brunette laughed; happy the tension was disappearing into the night. Alice led Claire inside, and when the teen saw them together she tried to hide her reaction.

Alice wasn't having any of it, and she knew Claire wouldn't either. The second she saw a tear on the girl's cheek she called to her.

"Come here K."

The girl sniffled and did what she was asked. The redhead was the first to envelop the girl in a hug, and Alice wasn't far behind. She put an arm around each of them, and they both buried their heads into the crook of her neck.

Before the outbreak Alice had a chance to save the world from the deadly practices of a powerful corporation, but she failed, and her actions put the world in jeopardy. Then Dr. Isaacs turned her into the very weapon that could destroy Umbrella, but she failed again.

Finally two survivors, a fiery redhead and her silent charge, gave her the chance to be the hero she'd forgotten she had the potential to be.

Though they gave her so much the hunger for redemption was beginning to gnaw at her insides, and the time to sate it was of the essence.

So I have a few things to say. First off and most importantly, thank you all for reading. Those of you who left reviews, you guys were often the encouragement I needed to continue. To those of you I know personally – well you already know how I feel about you and your impact on this, but you are awesome. Plain and simple. Reviews are always welcome on this as are messages if you're shy ;)

The sequel has begun... Exciting! It's titled:

A World Without Heroes:Redemption

Have an awezombie day full of explosions, badass aerial stunts, infected beasts, and shotguns! Until next time -

Being a hero is cool, but walking the thin line between hero and villain is cooler. ;)