Author Note: Some of the timeline will be off for this one, but I was not planning on following the script of the Resident Evil movies, but instead using the characters you all love to create my own story line. Please, enjoy, be courteous, & review (I do take constructive criticism!)

Disclaimer: I do not own the Characters, but a girl can dream right?

Without further adieu…here comes Chapter Nine

B

Update Oct-30-2015: As I prepare to add more to Calm Before the Storm I figured I should go back and look over what I posted almost two years ago to the story that started it all. This way I can make some editorial changes while also refreshing my memory on what things I left off with in the end.

Update Dec-23-2019: I haven't created any FF in awhile, and would like to get back into it, specifically with some RE stuff. To do so, I figured I would edit some old work to try and get some ideas percolating in my head before the Christmas holidays

- 9 -

- Mexico -

Jill silently watched the waves as their small boat bounced atop the ocean. Every once in awhile the cold ocean water splashed over the sides, spraying her with a salty mist. The beach was now on the horizon, looking deserted by both people and the infected. The white sand stretched for miles in either direction as the palm trees rustled in the breeze. They were acting as natures dividing line between beach and dense, tropical jungle.

"Keep your eyes open for the undead!" Chris yelled over the engine as Claire and Alice began to gear up.

Jill watched as Alice pointed her weapon at the shoreline, using the side of the boat to steady herself as best she could in the waves. Claire took out a pistol from the rucksack on the ground, stretching it out to Jill to take.

"Now you trust me with a gun?" Jill asked, taking the pistol.

"Not completely, but I believe in fair chances." Claire replied.

Rescuing survivors and getting her people home was Claire's main priority and no matter Jill's agenda, she is still fair game to the undead.

Jill checked the magazine; loaded with 12 rounds. She slammed it back into place, clearing the chamber, and taking aim on the shoreline.

Chris cut the boats motor as they coasted the waves towards shore. With about twenty feet to shore, Chris jumped out of the boat into the waist deep water, pulling the bow towards the beach as the woman kept watch. Luther did the same, both boats gently gliding onto the sandy shore. Alice lifted the outboard motor to prevent the propeller from getting clogged with seaweed and dropped anchor. This would prevent their boat from floating out to sea with the rising tide.

Everyone jumped into the cold ocean water, wading through thick seaweed, scanning the shoreline with their weapons, ready to fire at the first sight of the undead.

There was a time when this beach was riddled with tourists enjoying a relaxing vacation from their stressful lives. There were cabanas set up further down the beach, with ripped up beach umbrellas and loungers almost covered completely in sand. It was surreal to think that this was once a resort full of people, now crawling with the infected scouting their next meal.

Jill lowered her pistol; if their were any undead close by, they would have attacked by now. Chris and Luther took point, while the women stayed in the rear, protecting their two inexperienced volunteers. She could sense their fear, seeing their trigger finger vibrating against their weapons. At the first sound they were sure to respond with a loud shotgun blast.

"I think someone should calm those guys down," Jill said, nodding at the volunteers.

Claire nodded, leaving Alice in charge of Jill while she tried to calm the volunteers. It was too dangerous to be traveling into the thick underbrush by foot, they needed to find transport.

"We need to find a vehicle, it will be getting dark soon." Alice stated, her feet heavy in the thick sand. That was when she stopped, something was following them.

As she turned, a lone undead had emerged from the water, arms stretched in front of him, mouth wide. She pushed Jill out of the way, grabbing the knife from her hip and threw it, the blade slicing deep into his skull and knocking him backwards. Jill looked to the body two feet from her. He barely looked human, his skin ashen and eyes cloudy. Jill watched as Alice dug her boot into his chest and pulled the knife from his head, as greenish brown liquid pooling in the sand.

"Are you alright?" Alice asked, wiping the green muck on her cargo pants and extending her hand to help Jill out of the sand.

"Thanks, how did you know?" Jill asked, seeing Claire making her way towards them, concern on her face.

"Call it a sixth sense," Alice replied, sheathing her knife once more.

"Are you okay?" Claire asked as she approached, her concern directed at Alice, her eyes scanning her body for any injuries.

"We're fine Claire, I'd be more concerned about those volunteers up there." Alice replied, seeing the men's faces go pale at the sight of the infected corpse.

Claire looked at Jill, seeing she was intensely staring at the infected, as if that it was the key to her missing memories, "Jill?" She said, with no response.

Alice gently touched the woman's shoulder, "Hey, look at me."

Jill complied, her eyes wide with horror, "You're infected aren't you? I remember, the lab-" She muttered.

Claire looked at Alice, cautioning her to not say anything. Alice led Jill away from the corpse, seeing that the men were uncovering something buried in the sand up ahead, far enough away that they would be unable to overhear.

"Yes Jill. I'll tell you everything once we are back on the ship, I promise." Alice said with a smile, eyeing Claire who stalked off towards the men.

Claire took a few deep breaths, knowing that getting angry was not going to help anyone. It was clear Jill's memories were coming back, and Alice did have the right to tell her everything, but just not here. Not with two volunteers within earshot that were already looking for something to shoot. Knowledge was power, and also very dangerous, not just for Alice, but for everyone out here. She approached what the men had found; an abandoned military grade vehicle. The volunteers were on the left side, using their hands to dig out the wheels that were stuck in the sand.

"Is it just me, or do you find it strange that, that guy was alone?" Brian said to is partner.

"I was thinking the same thing." His partner replied.

"One shot from your gun and more will come, I'm sure of it." Alice sneered, causing both men to jump at the sound of her voice.

"Claire!" Luther called, waving at the redhead. "We need your help!"

Chris was using the butt end of his rifle to remove the sand surrounding the front right tire as Luther was lost under the hood of the truck. If this truck could run, it would be more than enough room for the survivors and any supplies they were able to scrounge up.

"Is this my birthday present?" Claire asked with a smile.

"It could be." Luther replied, closing the hood, "It looks like just got stuck in the sand. Care to be on look out while us men try to move this."

Claire cocked her pistol, "With pleasure."

Jill joined Claire on look out as Luther got into the driver's seat, turned the key and the engine purred to life. Chris, the volunteers and Alice all pushed from the back as Luther gunned the engine, smoke blowing from the exhaust and sand kicking up from under the tires. After a couple of tries the truck started to move, edging towards the grass and away from the beach. Once back on solid ground, Alice and Chris tied back the canvas flaps, helping the volunteers inside, followed by Jill, Claire and then finally Alice. Chris rounded the side to the passenger door at the front, getting in beside Luther as the truck began it's trek into the jungle.

Jill sat near the flaps, her gun pointed out the beach in the event any other undead decided to make an appearance. Her mind was still reeling from Alice confirming that she was or still is infected. Seeing how she handled that undead creature reminded her of a memory in Raccoon City, of the graveyard where the infected were rising out of the ground, and Alice didn't miss a beat in taking them out one by one.

"Are you okay?" Alice asked.

Jill looked at her with a smile, "I'm fine, just things are coming back, but in pieces."

Alice reached across the truck bed, resting her hand on Jill's knee, "I know it's confusing, but I promise it will get better."

There were no roads, street signs or villages for that matter, so the path Luther followed through the bushes was barely maintained, thankful for the suspension and shocks on the military truck as they traversed overgrown roots and rocks. Based on the transmissions map coordinates, they were only an hour north east of their current position. The two male volunteers were at the back of the truck, leaning against the cab, eyeing the woman who were close to the flaps.

Claire sat beside Alice, resting her hand on her lover's thigh. Jill watched the protective nature of the red head, sensing that Alice was more than just a friend. She wondered if there was ever a thing between her and Alice? If she had found love at all in the dystopia, and if so, what happened to them? She had no concept of time. How long had it been since Raccoon City? Since she became a drone to Umbrella? Was it possible something more was done to her? All these questions, and many more frustrated Jill. It was possible that Alice could not answer everything.

"What are you thinking about?" Alice asked, noticing Jill was once again lost deep in thought.

"How long has it been since we met?" Jill whispered.

Alice could feel Claire's eyes on her, "Jill, I don't think now is the time-"

"Please, I need to know."

Alice could feel the tug on her heart strings. She glanced at Claire, as the red head got up, moving back towards the volunteers, unwilling to listen anymore. She had given up trying to convince Alice that this was a bad idea.

Alice took a deep breath, meeting Jill's eyes, "Are you sure you're ready to hear this?"

Jill nodded, "Please Alice," She begged.

"About three years."

Jill was speechless. Three fucking years? Unbelievable, un-fucking-believable. There was a possibility that Umbrella had controlled her for three years. At most Jill thought a year, being optimistic with only a few months, but three years is a long time for people to be apart.

"Jill, I know this is a lot to handle all at once, but what I'm saying is the truth." Alice replied, feeling the eyes of Claire and the volunteers on the two of them.

"What happened after the church? I remember a graveyard, and a school, but it's all still hazy."

She shuddered, the mayhem and inhumanity that ensued that night was what good horror movies were made of. Why did they go to a school? Who else was with them? Where did they go? All these uncertainties were giving Jill a headache.

"Listen Jill, I'll tell you everything you want to know, but now now." Alice said, eyeing the men at the back, "It's not safe." She whispered.

Jill looked to the men, noticing they were listening to their conversation. She knew what Alice meant. There was no telling what damage could be done, not only on this search and rescue mission, but once they got back to the ship. The last thing she wanted was to be put back in that cell.

"Can you just answer me one question." Jill asked, turning her attention back to Alice.

"Sure,"

"Did Umbrella capture me in Raccoon City?"

"No, you escaped. Umbrella must have gotten you after we had parted ways." Alice replied, choosing not to explain any further.

Jill just nodded, turning her attention back out the canvas flaps, trying to contain her tears. Suddenly, the truck began to slow to a halt. They could hear Luther and Chris exit the cab, as they walked towards the back to the truck. They'd reached their destination.

T.B.C.

So...what do you think so far...

Send me a review with your thoughts and constructive criticism :)