Having Chris back is like breathing fresh air for the first time in a lifetime and she is grateful to forget even for a second all the daunting things she has in store. Jill selfishly takes up their Sunday and Monday, never once letting on that a storm is coming. Even when Rebecca starts working that Tuesday morning, Jill keeps her mouth shut and the air in the office light.

"So, your first task is our main mode of operations: paperwork." Jill presents the younger girl a stack of files.

Rebecca eagerly takes the files.

"Thanks for helping me Jill. I know I'm not technically in your unit or even a STARS member."

"You are for the summer." Jill says semi-enthusiastically.

Chris had nearly grit his teeth to the gums seeing Wesker interact with Rebecca that morning and Jill's taking it upon herself to protect her... even though that's Edward's job, technically speaking.

Jill opens one of the drawers of Rebecca's desk to guide her through filing processes only to see school girl porn opened in the empty space. Lifting the magazine out, she chucks it at a nearby Brad.

"You're trash." She says half-heartedly.

"Come on, what kind of office would we be if we didn't prank the new guy? It's a rite of passage." Brad chuckles.

"You could be more creative at the very least, but I know it's hard for you."

"Shit," Edward chuckles, "Is that a challenge, Valentine?"

"I know that work is hard enough, so don't strain yourself." She snickers while helping Rebecca separate files into piles and Rebecca looks at Jill with a reverent sort of gaze.

"Ooo, felt the heat off that one." Forest smirks.

"You sound surprised." Jill puts her hands on her hips, trying her best to mask how humored she is.

"Jill, you're a dream girl." Richard complements, handing her another file.

"I'm a lot of people's dream girl, so get in line." She takes the file, winking at Rebecca when she notices how awestruck the younger girl is.

"Jesus, Jill, you're like, invincible." Edward snorts.

"I'm not like anything, I am invincible." She walks back to her own desk, catching a glimpse of Chris snickering from behind his hand. "Am I wrong?"

"No ma'am." Chris says as straight as he can.

Cocky is not something the universe seems content to allow Jill to feel and that becomes abundantly clear when Wesker waltzes back into the office.

"Jill, come see me." He says, bored as ever.

Standing slowly, she does her best to ignore the blaze in Chris's eyes as she follows Wesker into his office.

"Close the door." He says, shuffling through some of the documents on his desk.

She does as he asks, willing herself to keep her courage. "Yes, sir?"

"How is Rebecca adjusting?" He asks, still avoiding her gaze.

"She's doing well – smart and willing to learn." He nods at her words. "Was that all?"

"You tell me."

The two share a second of eye contact before she responds, "That's all on my end, sir."

"Do you want to tell me why you spoke with HR?"

"Not exactly. That's a private matter."

"Is it?" He asks and the glare behind his glasses makes her feel small.

"Yes. It is." He approaches her, taller than ever before and she's reminded of the way he looked in that photo, hunkered down and trying to discern her image as she destroyed his hard work.

"You know what you're playing at, don't you?"

"I'm not sure what you mean."

"Tell me where you were this weekend." He barks at her, reminiscent of the beast he helped to create.

"I was in my apartment, not that it's any of your business." She retaliates fiercely.

"You are my business." He says, voice low as he inches closer.

She backs up in response, "Don't you dare touch me-"

"You have far too much to lose to be threatening me." He reaches out his hand and grips her jaw. "If I were you, Jill, I'd be much more careful with whatever it is you're pursuing. It would be such a travesty to lose you."

She stays where she stands, caught between his hand and the wall, struck by the way she can nearly sense the fear in his voice. Maybe fear is the wrong word, unease is perhaps better, but it's palpable even when the air between them is silent.

"I know more than you think." He releases her like a bow string snapping back into place.

"I don't think you do." She dares to respond.

She can make out the faintest outline of his eyes this close up; part of her is startled that he even has eyes at all. Their fury is undeniable and the sheer, hot anger in her chest threatens to spark a fire to life.

"Infuriating, useless woman." He shakes his head before his hand is back on her neck.

His lips barely make contact with hers when she smacks him blindly; it's a better feeling than killing him. To watch the way Albert Wesker stumbles back, admonished, rejected, angry – the feeling within her is practically sinister, but she revels in it.

"Bitch." He mutters.

"This meeting is over." She turns towards the door, but his grasp takes her arms captive as he pulls her back into him.

"You mistake me for the kind of man who takes no for an answer." He rasps into her ear. "But I do admire that fire in you."

She starts to squirm in his grasp, desperate for any kind of opening to bolt from the office. Instead, she feels his teeth bite down just behind her ear. In her shocked state, she stalls. Is he really fucking biting her?

"Are you a vampire or what?" She asks, ripping her head from his grasp despite the searing pain she feels in her neck as she does so.

She feels the chuckle he responds with as he squeezes her tighter, "I am much more powerful and far more real than that, Jill."

"Let go of me." She demands, nearing the end of her rope.

"Is that really what you want?"

"Let me get back to work, so help me god." She jerks once more and, this time, he releases her.

"I'll get you someday and all of this-"

"Stop. Talking." She snarls, one hand on the doorknob and the other formed in a fist.

He laughs at her, a loud, awkward sound that she takes as her cue to rejoin the office. Rebecca is right beside the door as Jill storms out.

"Sorry, Rebecca… what's up?"

"Oh, I just had a question about these files." She looks nervous and Jill assumes it is the radiating anger.

"Of course, what is it?" Jill strides back over to Rebecca's desk and helps her with the documents in question.

Just as the lunch hour is approaching, with Jill still stationed beside Rebecca, Wesker finally emerges from his office once more.

"Rebecca, how are we doing?" He asks, nearly shocking the whole office to attention with his uncharacteristically friendly tone.

"Everything's great." She smiles brightly, so unassuming and devastatingly youthful. "Jill has been so helpful and everyone else has too."

"I'm glad." Wesker smirks before placing a far too rough hand on the back of Jill's neck. "She's one of our best, so I expected no less."

With that, he walks out of the office and the guys burst out laughing, Jill bites back her tears, but only Rebecca seems to notice.

"Wesker's playing favorites." Joseph chuckles.

"Of course he is. Don't forget he made Jill take off her top that one time." Brad snorts, standing up.

"He what?" Rebecca nearly whispers.

"Why don't you dumb fucks shut up for a minute, huh?" Barry asks, feigning disinterest but passing a concerned glance to Jill.

"Dad got mad at us." Forest snorts. "Enrico, are you gonna say something?"

"Nope." Enrico signs something on his desk before handing it to Jill.

"You guys going to lunch?" Chris asks, rising from his desk.

"I'm in." Edward jumps up.

"Me too." Forest and a few of the other guys get up.

"Jill? Rebecca?" Chris asks.

"I-… I have some stuff to catch up on." Jill says, not confident in her ability to keep her mouth shut about Wesker if she's not in the office.

"I really want to get a handle on this… but thank you." Rebecca nods.

"You sure?" Chris asks Jill a bit softer.

"Yes, go." Jill manages a tight laugh before he's gone with everyone else.

"Um… Jill?"

"Yeah?" Jill locks eyes with a suddenly worried Rebecca.

"What were they talking about?"

With a sigh, Jill puts her hand on Rebecca's shoulder.

"Wesker is a very creepy guy, alright? I'm not going to let anything happen to you, but make sure you're never alone with him. Okay?"

"He made you take off your shirt?" She asks in a hushed tone.

Jill is caught between telling her that the fuck has done worse to her or placating her fears.

"Yes," she says, "And that's why you need to make sure you're on top of it. The others will have your back. Make sure someone walks you to your car, always tell a few people where you're going. And, under no circumstances, do you go into his office alone."

"But you just-"

"I know." Jill closes her eyes and sighs. "Listen, I can handle myself, but I don't want anything happening to you."

Rebecca nods nervously.

"Don't be scared either. I've got your back."

"You're the best." Rebecca abruptly stands and hugs Jill tightly.

"Alright kiddo, we've got some work to do and then we'll grab lunch."

"Got it." She says, nodding sharply. Just then, the phone at Jill's desk rings. "Oh, can I see how you take calls?"

"Sure, come on." Jill chuckles, leading her to the desk and answering the phone in one swift motion. "STARS unit, Jill Valentine speaking."

"I'm so glad you've still got a job." Allen chuckles from the other end of the line.

Jill places the phone on her chest and looks at Rebecca, "It's a personal call, give me a minute."

Rebecca nods, but stays close by.

"What are you talking about?" Jill asks after glancing at Rebecca suspiciously.

"Just know there's another investigation going on in Raccoon that I also have a hand in."

"You cheating on me?" She chuckles.

"My whole job is investigating that fucking city, so no."

"What's up then?"

"Billy is on his way back as we speak… Let's just say someone won't be happy with how that worked out, and it isn't us."

"That's what I like to hear."

"So, what if I told you tomorrow or tonight, you'd be going back into hell?"

"What do you think?"

"I think you're crazy and that's what I like about you."

"Then sign me up."

"Great, I'll send one of my guys to get you set up. Good luck."

"Goodbye." She ends the call formally because she is in the office after all.

"Was that your boyfriend?" Rebecca asks with a sheepish smile.

"God no, old friend." Jill chuckles.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" Rebecca sounds like the teenager she is and Jill loves that about her.

"I do." She chuckles.

"Is it Chris?" Rebecca asks lightning fast.

"What the fuck?"

"I knew it! He's so cute and he's very attentive."

"Stop it." Jill rolls her eyes.

"You're blushing." She singsongs.

"Cut it out, we have work to do." Jill starts showing her some of the other facets of the office while they're alone.

"How long have you been dating?"

"A-… couple of months."

"Yeah?" She prods. "Does that make it serious?"

"I think serious means different things to us, but sure." Jill's pretty sure this is what having a younger sibling feels like. She's willing to say it isn't as bad as she'd imagined it'd be.

"Well, I'm glad. Maybe he can beat up Wesker for you next time he asks you to take off your shirt."

"He better, that's what boyfriends are for, aren't they?"

"Exactly! What's the point of having one if he won't beat something up for you?" Rebecca laughs.

The two of them man the office while the boys are off eating. It's likely the most productive the STARS office has ever been, a fact the two of them bring up before taking their own lunch.

By the end of the day, Jill's given the younger girl her personal phone number before walking her out, Chris following dutifully behind.

"I can't believe I get to work here." Rebecca says as they reach her car.

"We can't either." Jill tells her honestly.

"Thank you, thank you so much, Jill. I'll make you proud. I promise!" Rebecca leans in for a hug and Jill chuckles as she pats her back.

"I know you will. See you tomorrow."

"Bye… Bye Chris!" She waves enthusiastically, getting into her car.

"Some kid, huh?" Jill chuckles, heading towards her own car.

"Yeah, a little puppy, that one." Chris agrees. "Are you-"

"I'll see you at my place?" She cuts him off, unexpectedly nervous at the very thought of what happened in Wesker's office.

"Uh… yeah, of course."

"Good." She nods while climbing into her car, fingers drumming against the steering wheel as he hesitates to leave.

Once she's actually at her apartment, she tries to calm herself back down. Between Wesker and knowing that she's going to have to go back into another fucking murder castle, she feels like a mess. Not to mention Chris can only know about one of those things…

"Jill, what's going on?" Chris asks, walking into her apartment unannounced.

"I uh… What are you-"

"Don't start with me, tell me what Wesker did." He's got his hand firmly on the doorframe to the kitchen. For a split second, he looks so much like her father it scares the hell out of her.

"I'm fine-"

"I don't really care."

She rolls her eyes, hesitates for a moment, and then lifts up her hair to show him the dark bruise just behind her ear.

"What the fuck." Chris's hand replaces her own, holding back her hair as he observes the nearly broken skin. "Okay, I'm serious this time, he is a dead man."

"Chris stop." Jill takes his hands.

"No, no. Jill, have you seen what he's done to you-"

"You sound just like my dad, so stop it!" She shouts at him.

"What are you talking about?" Chris asks incredulously.

"You-… You sound like my dad… And I can't deal with that okay?"

"Jill-"

"Just, sit down… please?" He pauses, taking a second to nod his approval before sitting at the table.

"I-… I really should have told you this story sooner." She shakes her head and paces once around the kitchen before sitting in front of him. "You can't tell anyone about this, alright?"

"What's going on?"

She swallows thickly, "I never told you how my mom passed away, and… I really should have. I mean, you told me about your parents and you actually liked them, so it's only fair."

"You don't have to tell me anything." He reaches across the table and grabs her hand. "I told you that because I wanted to."

"I want to, I do." She claims, the memory of him explaining his mother's cancer and his father's subsequent suicide runs through her mind, how vulnerable he'd been and how easily he fell apart before her. She isn't certain that's what's about to happen, but if she doesn't speak with purpose, she may end up telling him something much more dangerous.

"I-… Where do I even start? Fuck." She shakes her head. "I loved my dad, like he was my rock and my number one fan kind of deal. Like he'd come home from twelve-hour work days and still come sit in my room and hang out with me for hours…

"He would have done anything for me. A couple of times, he even fought my mom for me. My mom and I had a pretty rocky relationship, which is my nice way of saying she was a bitch. God… she was so hard on me and I pushed back from time to time, so I guess we weren't dysfunctional, just on our guard around each other."

She looks at Chris. He still seems confused as to why she's telling him this, but he nods for her to continue.

"I'm not sure my parents ever loved each other. They weren't affectionate or even really happy together, but they didn't hate each other, or maybe that's just some kind of memory I made up because the truth is too hard to swallow.

"Either way… When I was seventeen – god I remember it so clearly – I heard them screaming at each other, so I went downstairs to make sure everything was okay." She closes her eyes, wonders if she should really be telling him this. It's too late to back out now, but there's so much to say in so few words.

Scooting a fraction of an inch closer she breathes out, "I watched my dad stab my mom fifteen times."

His face drops all of his composure into a blank slack-jawed stare. It takes a moment for him to come back to her. He's so far away in that instant, but he manages to look up at her, shaking his head ever so slightly.

"Oh, Jill." He sighs softly.

She lets out a breath like a laugh, "And he turns to me with this… incredibly sane, composed look, like it's just another day. Like he didn't have blood dripping off of his fingers, as he says to me, 'Jill… some women are bitches that need to be put down.' And I… I…"

Chris inches closer, still shocked and amazed by her words, "Jill-"

"I remember looking this man dead in the eye and still seeing my father and not knowing how that was possible. I knew it was stupid to talk back to the man with a bloody knife in his hand… but I couldn't help myself… And I told him, 'some women may be bitches but all men are monsters.'

"I remember he nodded and laughed, like actually laughed and said, 'I knew I raised you right for this world.' He walked into the kitchen to call the police after that and I went to my mom… And she was somehow still conscious, she didn't have any last words. I held her hand and she just kind of… faded I guess."

"I am… I'm so sorry."

She shakes her head, "I'm not telling you this so that you can feel sorry for me."

"I-"

"Please don't be a monster, Chris." It's the most sincere she's been in her whole life as she looks into his eyes. Maybe this is vulnerability, feeling so raw and empty that there is nothing that could stitch her back up. "I'm begging you."

He gets off his seat and kneels before her, "I promise you, I would never even entertain the idea of hurting you."

"Not just me Chris." She says, placing her hand on one side of his face, "Every time you talk about killing Wesker… it makes me think…"

"I'm sorry." He shakes his head as she slides down to the floor.

"I love you so much it scares the hell out of me." She admits as he pulls her in tight to his chest.

"I won't be like him… like either of them." He cradles her head in his hand before kissing her.

"Thank you." She breathes, kissing him back fiercely. It's inappropriate at best for them to start undressing on her kitchen floor (after admitting that her father is a murderer no less), but neither of them can manage to care enough to stop.

Until, of course, their work phones go off, startling them into a stupor. They've never been called in after hours before, but the second she checks her phone, she immediately understands. Time to bring down Umbrella then.

"I guess we'll finish this later." She says, pulling herself up off the ground.

"Yeah, I guess so."