Jill feels a thrill inside of her that she hasn't felt in weeks as she enters the Umbrella for the first time. She feels like an intruder, a double agent, like a jaded sinner entering a church after years of transgressions. Yet it is an exhilarating type of unease, the kind that she can feed off of to harbor yet more strength.
Mia managed to inform Annette of Jill's return (even the Doctor's wife hadn't been allowed back) and gathered a list of documents to find. In addition, she has specific requests for offices to investigate should she be awarded the chance. She goes through that first day with only one man daring to question her presence.
"Miss Valentine, I'm afraid you'll find yourself quite far behind in our current projects. Nevertheless, I will see to it that you receive as many compiled documents as I can manage and any accompanying notes I can find." Colonel Burton informs upon noticing her entrance.
"You are more than kind, Colonel, I thank you." Jill smiles at him.
"Might I escort you to your desk?" He holds out his arm to which she accepts.
"Tell me, has work here slowed or quickened with all the happenings in London?"
"Oh, I think neither really. Time matters not in these halls, unfortunately." Colonel Burton shakes his head, "Our numbers yet dwindle, Miss, it will be good to have your hands at work for us once more."
"I will do all I can." She promises as they reach her work space.
There stands Mr. Redfield, speaking in his usual animated tone with Lieutenant Dewey and Captain Kennedy. Jill feels an amalgamation of embarrassment once the man's gaze flicks towards her. He saw her in such an unseemly state previously, in spite of her disagreeable manner he has helped her beyond comprehension.
"Ah, Miss Valentine, what a pleasure it is to see you here." Mr. Redfield smiles brightly at her.
"It's a pleasure to be back. For now." She quips with a tender smile cast his way.
"Ah yes, how quickly will the day devolve into chaos, I wonder?" Dewey nearly cackles at the mention.
"If we've any luck it'll be after sundown." Captain Kennedy shakes his head.
"You are swift to pin your problems on your elder self. I can't imagine he'll be grateful for such a thing." Jill says rifling through some of the documents left on her desk.
"Perhaps, but if he's so put out by it, he'll have no one to blame but himself." Dewey jests before walking away with Colonel Burton.
"If it is the case that you were wondering after Miss Redfield, I hope it will bring you comfort to know she is well. And she hopes that you will write her soon." Captain Kennedy makes mention of this as he passes yet more documents to Jill.
"That is a great comfort, Captain, and I thank you for it." She nods to give him leave of her.
"And so, all is well." Mr. Redfield laughs.
"Certainly not." Jill returns with a chuckle.
"Oh?"
"Were that true, our business here would be both fruitless and needless."
"Ah, how could I forget, the pressing matters of the horde and that staggering call of duty. Yes?"
"Your sense of humor has not suffered the brutal attacks reality has forged against it, I see."
"It never could, and I am honored that you think I am humorous."
"Is that what I said, sir?"
"That is what I chose to hear, madam."
Jill laughs again, "You wear accountability well, Mr. Redfield, one might mistake it for admittance."
"Is that so wrong a thing." He asks, still holding humor in his tone.
"Nonsense, that was not even a glimmer of an idea in my mind."
"Then, indulge me, what was gleaming there?"
"It was compliment, sir." She says plainly. His gaze softens even more as he hears those words, so much so, Jill feels the beginnings of nervousness stirring within her.
Luckily for her, before the moment can escalate, a nearby wall blasts open accompanied by small fires and corpse burnt beyond recognition.
"It's too early for this." Major Coen grumbles as he places an incredible stack of documents on Jill's desk.
"Dear sweet Jesus." Jill breathes softly as Mr. Redfield helps snuff out the flames and rescue singed papers.
"I cannot believe you willingly came back to this Miss. You must be either insane or incredibly bored." Billy shakes his head.
"Perhaps both are at war within me and neither has won out."
He laughs, "It's a good thing, I think. Keep the battle going for as long as you can manage."
"You are not-"
"My Rebecca is a resilient little thing, she is quite well. As for myself, it is not a fiancé's place to be taking sides in such a matter."
Jill feels a hitch in her breath before she speaks, "I don't think she would care much for being called little, Major."
He nods, "Indeed… I hope you will not expose my misstep."
"Only if you prove you do not deserve her wrath." Jill lets out a laugh, "And only if she will receive me after-"
"Forgive me, Miss Valentine, but for you to even consider that you have offended my betrothed is utterly preposterous." He shakes his head, "As I said, she is a resilient thing, and not one to allow a single instance to decide anything for her. Furthermore, I will be utterly shocked if you do not receive a missive in the coming weeks demanding you continue your argument until it's all sorted."
"You think that earnestly?" Jill asks.
"I am positive of such a truth."
"You speak only in truths now?"
"Indeed." He laughs, "Would you like to hear some more?"
"Should I take my chances with a soothsayer or should I get to work?" Jill asks beginning to thumb through documents.
"It is my humble opinion that you have grown quite close to our Christopher."
"Now we're on to gossip then?" Jill chuckles.
"Or is it truth?" Major Coen smirks in response.
Jill shakes her head, "Tragedy brings mankind together, as it were."
"As it were, indeed." He chuckles.
"Billy! Do you intend to spend the day chatting or will you help us?" Edward calls from the wreckage.
The Major leaves Jill then to her studies and, over the course of the next four days, manages to smuggle Annette's requested documents out of the Umbrella.
Mia looks thrilled with each delivery but a knowing look passes between them with the documents. Their luck cannot possibly hold with such a show of good fortune.
"Be very careful, Miss Valentine." Mia says softly.
Those words haunt Jill as she wakes those few mornings, nevertheless, she proceeds with her work well into the week.
Perhaps it is not a comfort she feels within her, but power in its place. She feels a surge of courage fill her when she enters the umbrella, perhaps it is the only reason she enters at all.
Mr. Redfield notes her confidence with a bold chuckle and approving glance.
"I do believe we've got our girl back, boys."
"How very brash of you to not only address me as a girl, but to claim ownership over me, sir." She returns the laugh but with a stern glare accompanying it.
"Many a man would wish more of you, Miss, we are being humble." Captain Kennedy chuckles.
"Is that what you call it?"
"Indeed." Leon snickers.
"Pardon my saying so, but it would do you well to bite your tongue, lest your compatriots turn against you." Jill passes her gaze towards Mr. Redfield who's set his jaw as the Captain spoke.
The Captain turns his head to the ground and mutters a mild, "My apologies."
"Come now, Mr. Redfield, if you intend to bully the woman in your workplace, you must know others will join in." Jill pushes the man's shoulder gently and with a laugh. "I've given up on finding offense in such tidings, it is not worth your while to be insulted."
"So you say." Mr. Redfield shakes his head slightly.
"In any case, you have become quite the optimist, Miss Valentine." Edward notes.
"Optimist, Lieutenant? Never, I am merely the only soul who still has an inclination of belief in our eventual victory."
"Yes, optimism, as I've said." He laughs.
Jill rolls her eyes, "You boys could stand more of such a thing, it's no wonder you accomplish so little without me."
"You are correct, madam. We need you desperately, as previously established." Mr. Redfield laughs.
"And I do so love that you have finally admitted to such a thing."
Jill would be remiss to say she doesn't feel a catching in her breath after the laugh passes through her lips. There's nothing short of adoration in the way Mr. Redfield looks at her and it might have caught her off guard once. But for some reason she feels a sense of comfort in all the chaos, perhaps something akin to warmth accompanies his presence now.
She names the feeling trust and finds herself completely satisfied with the term, even as her mind teeters with such a result.
"Are you two quite finished?"
Jill and Chris turn with synchronized gasps.
"General Wesker." Jill feels the burn of embarrassment flush her cheeks as she speaks.
"My office, Miss Valentine." He says brutally storming passed her.
The rest of the umbrella staff and their craning necks feign work as Jill regains her composure. Realizing how doe eyed and genial she must have appeared leaves her feeling nearly sick. Or perhaps the feel comes from wondering what the General will say to her.
"God help me." She mutters unconsciously as she gathers her things.
"Perhaps one of us should accompany you, Miss." Mr. Redfield suggests.
"That is conceivably one of the worst ideas I have ever heard. Waltzing into the General's office uninvited." Dewey mutters to himself before turning towards his work.
"Do be careful, Miss Valentine, the General has been brutal as of late." Captain Kennedy warns before she scurries after the General.
Once inside of the monstrosity of an office, General Wesker looks at her with a raking gaze.
"I heard of your return second hand, funny considering this is my operation."
"How strange, I was told to return directly and immediately." She says nervously.
"I did not request your presence in this place."
"I merely answered the call to serve my country… Sir."
He nods in a way that feels nearly calculated, "Indeed…"
"I've these documents finished, sir." She produces the files for him to take.
"Consider it your last assignment." He tosses them onto the pile.
"I beg your pardon?" She is startled, not by his command but by his seeming disinterest.
"Your last assignment here." He says standing just an inch taller. "Your services are no longer required, we've got much more pressing matters to take care of."
"I don't understand, what could possibly be more pressing than a cure?"
He glares at her, "Look around you, Miss Valentine, the crows have flown away from London's tower."
"London may fall, but mankind cannot."
"My, you've an infuriating optimism that has no place here." General Wesker knocks over half of the pile of documents. "You are no longer welcome in the umbrella, go home. It's over."
Perhaps it is foolish to continue down this course, but she has very little to lose. In fact, from her present stance, she has everything to gain; perhaps he will show a bit of his hand, tempted by her questioning. This is her rational reasoning, though she knows deep down she too wants a destruction of sorts. In a small secret part of her heart, she wants to see how much of himself he will unravel while she remains a bystander.
"What does the king think of such a proclamation?" She asks.
"The king has left as so many others, you however insist on remaining to wreak yet more havoc."
"Havoc, sir? No, my aim is to end Las Plagas, perhaps you have forgotten that mission."
The gleam in his eye makes Jill feel positively sick.
"No." He whispers it, "I've not forgotten, you are the one who knows not the enemy you face."
Jill bristles under the comment, "I know more than you think."
"You are a stupid bitch if you believe that. And here I thought you were only the former."
Jill takes the chill up her spine as a catalyst to make her exit.
"It would do you well to continue such things as leaving, Miss Valentine." General Wesker says before she walks out of his office.
Mr. Redfield remains by her desk, yet she pays him no mind. Even as he speaks she merely gathers her things and attempts walks out of the umbrella. Before she can withdraw entirely from that place of demons and evils, Mr. Redfield manages to take hold of her arm.
She gasps as she turns to face him, shaken and nearly sick to her stomach.
"You look as if you've seen a ghost." Mr. Redfield's statement drips with worry.
"No sir, I've seen something much worse and much more tangible. What I have seen is a monster."
Mr. Redfield's gaze darkens significantly. "Did he harm you?"
"Not in the physical sense, but he is a vile being." Jill shakes her head, "Worry not, I will make a swift recovery, and it would do you well to return to your duties."
"I am not certain I should work for a man who can treat anyone, especially a lady, thusly."
"Somebody has to discover a cure, Mr. Redfield."
"And with each passing day it becomes more apparent that it will not be the men in this building who do so."
"You could be wrong."
"But I won't be."
"But you could." Suddenly, Jill becomes aware of her proximity to the man. He still holds her arm and their breath intermingles just barely in the spare between them. He's warm against her skin beating out the winter chill just beyond the closest door. It scares and invigorates her to be so close to any man, but of course he's not just any man.
This is Mr. Redfield.
The only man for whom she has reconsidered her disposition on any given topic, and for whom her heart practically quakes in his presence. Never before has she felt so violently for any one person and it frightens her beyond comprehension.
"You know better, madam. You know better than any man in the world what it will take to cure Las Plagas. The umbrella is a cruel joke."
"You mustn't say that." She says, "Spare me of such tidings."
"I cannot and I will not. You need no such coddling, you've too much strength for that."
"What am I to do now, pray tell?"
"What you always do, you will fight back against the very thing that attacks you." He says it so confidently she nearly agrees.
"And how should I do that?"
"Find a cure, if there is one person who can do it, you must."
"I know nothing of medicines and sciences."
"You know enough, I know you do. You have to…" He looks lost in thought for a moment.
"My how our tables have turned, look who's the optimist now." Jill manages the jest in spite of the fear in her chest. There's no conceivable way that Mr. Redfield knows about her… independent dealings, is there?
"We do need you, desperately so. Please, promise me you won't give up on this god given task."
She wants to rebuke him, remind him how hopeless such a thing is, yet she does not. "I'm not the type to give up."
"I know you aren't, that's…" Before he can finish speaking he reaches out to hold the vial of poison around her neck. The token he gifted that she has yet to go one day without.
"I should be off, sir." Jill says slowly, pensively even; as if this could be the only place in the world that she is needed.
"We are creatures of habit, aren't we?" He pushes back his coats to reveal the jade handle of her father's former dagger at his belt.
"We have… we are certainly tied up in something together, sir, though I know not what that something is."
They share a breath in the silence, hesitant and staggering, before Mr. Redfield leans forward and places a tender kiss to her brow. The action startles Jill, but she does not protest to his doing so, the affection is nearly welcomed (a thought that is surely troubling if not horrifying). She feels safer with him, somehow, and that is a dangerous feeling indeed.
Such a gesture could still be written off as harmless salutations, but it treads a dangerous line that Jill cannot face in the current circumstances. Wagging tongues would run rampant if they so much as caught a glimpse of such affection being shared between them. And without a chaperone or her father's approval, it would destroy both their reputations.
"Chris! Where are you?" One of the soldiers calls off, not too far from them. Jill feels a surge of panic that they could have been seen.
"You must go now, Mr. Redfield." Jill finally takes a step away from him. "Take care, please."
She turns then and rushes off before he can open his mouth, for she would surely stay were he to speak any more. A startling realization she does her best to bury deep within her mind, there's no time for revelations of this kind.
Upon arriving back at the Winter estate, Jill is met by Mia, standing startled in the front hall by her guest's sudden appearance.
"Go fetch the young miss some water." Mia says to the servant by her side before ushering Jill into the drawing room.
"I believe I've just been fired by the Righteous Leader himself." Jill groans once they are securely alone.
"Wesker fired you?" Mia asks incredulously while thumbing through the documents Jill has brought with her.
"He did!" Jill shakes her head still aghast at the happenings of the past hour, "And he told me such terrible things."
"Sounds quite believable, for that insidious man." Mia smirks at the documents, "Annette has good reason to believe that we've finally done it."
"Well, she better hurry before Wesker decides to kill us all."
"He knows about our operation?"
"He implied such, yes." Jill confirms.
Mia bites her lip, "Come with me tomorrow morning, Jill, do not tell my husband of this recent development. Annette implied that she has something major to discuss with us in her last letter."
Jill nods slowly, "I've a terrible feeling about this, Mia."
Mrs. Winters mimics Jill's movement, "As you should."
Well this story has quickly become apropos huh? If you're feeling stressed or just need to talk my DMs are open, remember we're in this together.
