Steve let the hot water run over his bruised body. He was used to this kind of pain. Transforming and gun wounds alike. Glancing down, he saw that the water was finally clear. It had taken him longer than usual to heal. That was probably due to the power that the .357 packed. He had only ever been shot by 9mm rounds. His muscles ached and he was tired. That was something that only happened after he mutated. Normally he only slept maybe 4 hours in several days. Lids drooped wearily over golden eyes as he leaned against the shower wall. A knock at the door woke him though.

"Yeah?" he yelled over the water.

"Just making sure you're okay man." came Chris's voice.

"I'm good. Be out in a sec." he called back and quickly shut off the water.

He toweled off and stared at his reflection in the mirror of the small bathroom. Red hair spilled onto a too pale face. Light pink scars were covered parts of his face. They were barely visible but he could see them. His eyes saw a lot of things that most people couldn't see. Sighing, he pulled on the clothes Chris had given him. The shirt was a little big. Steve might be stronger than the older man but he certainly wasn't as built. Chris and Barry were sitting in the living room when he came out. The older of the two jumped up.

"Sorry about shooting you in the back. I'm Barry." he said holding out his hand.

Steve took it and nodded.

"Steve Burnside. Don't worry about it; you didn't know anything about me so I don't blame you. I would have done the same myself if I had seen a monster going after my friend." he said.

Barry smiled and sat back down.

"Okay so here's the plan. Leon and Ada are outside the hotel. They said everything normal there. Leon managed to keep the cops from getting in to check out the gun shots earlier. They haven't been able to confirm that Wesker, Sherry, or Claire are even there but it's the only lead we've got. Steve you look like hell, no offense." Chris said.

"Yeah I feel like shit too." he grinned.

"Are you coming with us?" he asked.

Steve took a deep breath.

"I don't know what kind of help I'll be. I could probably take this Wesker guy if I was in top shape but I'm still recovering. Claire is in there though and I won't leave her again." he breathed.

Chris gave him a questioning look.

"I died." was his only answer.

Everyday since he was brought back, Steve thought only of how Claire had been left on the island to fend for herself. It always made him feel terrible. His death had left her alone. He never forgave himself for being so weak. There was no way he was going to remain behind while the rest of this little group went to save the girl he loved. Wait what? He pushed the thought to the back of his mind. That was something that would have to be worried about later.

"So when do we ship out?" he asked Chris, who was staring at him.

"Just as soon as you're ready. Barry and I have got our weapons. I don't know what you usually use."

Just as he finished there was a knock at the door. Barry jumped up and went to answer it. Steve instantly caught the scent of his team leader Erik. The other man walked in and smiled when he saw him.

"Burnside I was really hoping you weren't dead." he joked.

Steve grinned and took the hands hand.

"I brought you're gear." he said while handing him a duffle bag.

He quickly opened it, seeing his custom golden guns.

"Thanks Erik. Where's the rest of the team?"

"They're all down in the hummer. I hear we're charging a mad mans place, trying to save a damsel in distress." he half laughed.

Chris nodded.

"That's generally the plan." he said.

The four look at each other.

"As soon as Steve gets ready, we're going to set out." Chris said.

Erik and Barry nodded.

Steve thought it was interesting how Chris was automatically the leader even though Barry was more experienced and Erik was actually an operative team captain. That wasn't the point though. He took the duffle bag back to the bathroom with him so he could change into his uniform. He smiled at the familiar black attire before quickly pulled the clothes on. His holsters fit onto his sides perfectly. He put his guns away and headed out. Chris was the only one left in the small apartment. Barry and Erik must have gone down to the helicopter. He was about to walk past Chris to the door when he noticed that Chris was staring at a picture on top of the TV.

"This is of my team when I first joined the Raccoon City S.T.A.R.S. The whole crew. Bravo and Alpha." Chris said fondly.

Steve walked over and stared at the picture. He didn't recognize any of the people except for Chris, Barry, and the guy he assumed was Wesker. Chris pointed to a blond man with Shades.

"That's who you saw take Claire right?" he asked.

Steve nodded.

"Albert Wesker. He was our captain. The single most professional man I have ever met. He was a great leader. Sometimes I can't believe all the things he has done since then. I never would have thought he would turn his back on us for Umbrella."

"It was always my opinion that you can't really trust anyone." Steve said quietly.

Chris looked at him.

"I don't think that's really true. I know people who would never betray me."

"You think that now."

They stared at each other.

"I just want to get Claire back. She's the only person who I could trust, short of my team so far."

Chris nodded.

"That's why I want you to come. It's always good to have someone else who cares coming along. Leon cares a lot about Claire but I kind of get the feeling you might care just a bit more." Chris said with a smile.

Steve returned it.

"Claire saved me." was the only answer he had to give.

Then the two set off. Hopefully to take down the villain and save the girl. Just like a fairy tail.

________________________________________________________________________

Jill woke up alone and very cold. She sat straight up and looked around. She was alone in the hospital. She could hear people screaming in other rooms. That was unfortunately normal for this place. The recent outbreak had sent many infected people into intensive care. She glanced down at the IV hooked into her arm. Suddenly memories flooded her mind. She had tried to kill Chris and ended up being shot in the back. Tears lined her eyes as she gingerly touched her back. It barely hurt. Guess Wesker's tampering wasn't entirely a bad thing.

She pulled the IV from her arm and removed the life support system. Immediately it flat lined and she could hear the alarm going on at the nurse's station. She would have to be fast. Not a problem. Swinging her legs over the edge of the bed she stood. Her legs shook some then got steady. Without thinking, she pushed the large window open and jumped out. Thankfully she was on the 2nd floor and the fall wasn't so much that it would break any bones. The second her feet hit the ground she took off. She had no idea where she was going but she knew she needed to get away.

It must have been past curfew because the streets were bare. Taking a deep breath and ran farther down the road. Her apartment was still blocks away and she didn't have a key. Chris was probably home but she didn't feel like going there. Why not? Seeing a small clothing store tucked in between two other buildings, she went for it. She punched through the glass of the door and unlocked it. No alarm gave her away as she entered and looked around. There really wasn't much to choose from. She grabbed a pair of jeans and a blue t-shirt. It was the best she could find. Jill was about to leave when he eyes caught something hanging near the wall. A single black beret was hanging on a hat stand. She smiled at the familiar ornament. Her own black beret had been lost long ago after she got out of the mansion. It had been lucky. Thinking one more thing couldn't hurt; she grabbed the hat and ran out.

Within moments of running at her still unnatural speed, she found herself almost directly in front of Wesker's hotel. Wonderful. She couldn't stay away from him even if she wanted to. Taking a deep breath as she had before, Jill walked through the front doors. The hotel was practically empty. A woman stood behind the desk but she wasn't paying any attention to Jill. She went straight to the elevator and pressed that cursed button that would take her to him. She knew he was still there. Her entire body was nearly vibrating as the elevator came to a ridiculously slow stop. She raced out in between the still opening doors and practically burst into his room. Claire Redfield smiled wide as she caught sight of Jill. Her smile faltered as she saw the serious look on Jill's face. Wesker appeared seconds later. He smiled and motioned for her to come into the room. She calmly shut the door behind her. Now that she was back with him, she was much calmer.

Wesker turned from her and went back to the sofa where he grabbed his laptop and started doing who knows what. Claire eyed Jill suspiciously. It tore at Jill to ignore Claire but she couldn't do anything to help her. She stood perfectly still, watching Claire. She tried to relay her sadness to the younger woman through her eyes. Claire finally smiled weakly and rested her head against the desk. Jill was forced to simply stand. In such close proximity to Wesker, she truly had no control. If she did, she couldn't find it. Wesker glanced up at her.

"Jill I have a feeling that your friends will be joining us soon. Why don't you keep by the door. Handle anyone that attempts to break in." he ordered.

She nodded and stood next to the door. With her back pressed to the wall, she closed her eyes. Odds were good that they would try to sneak. She needed to listen.

Several minutes passed in silence. The only sound was that of Wesker's typing. It wasn't that she was expecting an attack yet but maybe that she wanted it. Of course she would have to fight her friends but if they shot her then she wouldn't be able to do any harm and she would be useless to Wesker. There was a click. Like someone opening their door down the hall. She waited for more noise. Something to tell her whether or not the sound was a threat. Seconds ticked away without anymore sound. She stared to ease up she heard soft footsteps. Only a few then silence again. She glanced at Wesker then slowly opened the door. He glanced up at her then nodded. Obviously knowing what she was doing.

Jill stepped into the hall and shut the door silently behind her. The hall was empty as far as she could see. Up ahead was a turn towards the elevators. It was out of her line of sight so she slowly made her way to the corner. She didn't have a weapon but she wouldn't need one. Her ears picked up a voice. It sounded like a man but it was so quite that she knew they were trying to hide from someone. She crouched down and risked a look around the corner. First her eyes locked on Barry Burton as he stood casually by the elevator. Then she saw the butt of a rifle as it hit her in the jaw. Jill was thrown backwards. She caught sight of Leon and Chris before everything went dark.