Disclaimer: Resident Evil and everything else associated with it belongs to Capcom. This story however, belongs to me.
Resident Evil: Armageddon
Part I- Prelude to Destruction
Chapter 2- Desperate Search
Written by: Striker
Jill sat on her bed. In her hands was a small picture. It had been taken around the beginning of May, before the "cannibal murders" had begun. In the picture were Jill and Chris. It was taken when the S.T.A.R.S. went to Raccoon City Park for a picnic one weekend. She sighed as she remembered the day. The weather was perfect. Clear, blue sky with a gentle breeze. The guys were playing football while she and Rebecca were busy setting the picnic table. The whole idea was Barry's. This outing was set up to welcome Rebecca who had joined a few days before. Barry always did things like this to make newcomers feel like part of the team. She remembered how Barry had done a similar thing when she joined. They had all gone camping. Then there was Chris. Barry had known Chris before and was the one that got Chris to sign up. For that the team went to Grady's Inn to celebrate, or in some cases to get smashed. Jill smiled as she remembered how nervous Chris was. He really seemed like he wasn't a people person. By the end of the night though, he had began to loosen up. By the time the picture had been taken, Chris seemed like he had been with the S.T.A.R.S. for years. The photo had been taken by a large fountain. Barry and Forest had ushered them over to it, Barry insisting that he had to get a picture of the "cute couple" and Forest spouting off some romantic gibberish.
"Those two were always on our backs. Chris and I should have gone on a date just to shut them up." Jill said to herself. "Only then we'd have to deal with their "theories" on what happened."
She smiled as she shook her head. Her gaze then returned to the picture. Chris had on one of his white T-shirts, she swore that was all he bought, a pair of light brown shorts, and a pair of white sneakers. She had on a red T-shirt with RPD written in blue on the front, a pair of denim shorts, a pair of hiking boots, and her favorite beret from her days as a Delta. They were standing together, with Chris on her right. Chris had his arm around her waist and she had her hand on his left shoulder, all at the request of Barry. Barry had always said the she and Chris belonged together. He had a way of slipping in hints that he knew she had feelings for Chris and vice versa.
"Maybe he's right."
Jill looked up at the mirror above the set of drawers in her hotel room, her smile slipping away. She had changed a lot since then. The events of the Spencer Mansion and the outbreak at Raccoon had taken their toll on her. Physically, she hadn't changed much. She still had her slender, well-toned figure, though she did put on a pound or two. Her hair she had dyed black and had let grow down to her shoulders. She claimed it was to hide her identity, stating the Umbrella would be looking for a woman with short, red hair, not a woman with long, black hair. In reality, it was her way of putting the past behind her. In her mind, the old Jill had died in Raccoon. The Jill that escaped was different. This Jill now had only one goal, to make Umbrella pay for its sins, no matter how long it took. She could tell by her eyes. In the photo, her bright, blue eyes were full of energy and happiness. Now her eyes had lost that brightness. They looked tired and full of sadness. Sadness over the death of her friends, for the lose of her home, for the hundreds of innocent people who died because of Umbrella's greed. But those weren't the only reasons. There was one, more important, reason.
Jill set down the picture. Standing up, she walked to the dresser and took her wallet. Opening it up, she pulled out a small wallet-size photo. As she looked at it, she sighed, one word passing her lips.
"Chris"
It was a picture only two people had seen. It was just like the one laying in its frame on her bed. The only difference was that in this one, Chris was looking at her, a wanting look on his face. Apparently, Barry had accidentally taken another picture of them. Chris thought that Barry had only taken one, and since the flash wasn't on, Chris didn't know until he had heard the shutter click. Chris had turned to look at her, and when he heard the camera, had snapped his head back. She had gone with Barry to get the pictures developed. When they came back, she and Barry saw this photo. Jill had it immediately made into a wallet-size picture and made Barry promise not to tell anyone about it.
"Chris, where are you?" Jill walked back over to the bed. She had been looking for Chris for three months now. She knew she had to find him. "Chris, we will be back together. And when that happens, we'll take out Umbrella together."
Suddenly there was a knock at her door. "Hey Jilly, it's Carlos."
"Wait a minute." Jill said as she shoved the picture into her pocket and stuffed the other one under the covers of her bed. "You can come in now."
The door opened and a Hispanic man walked in. He was clad in a black tank top and black pants. His messy, brown hair looked like it needed to get cut. He brushed a few strands from his eyes as he spoke. "I got some bad news for you, Jill."
"What's it about?"
"It's about your friend Chris."
Jill's heart sank. The two of them had been following Chris' trail, hoping that they would catch up with him. So far, they were in Paris. Carlos had just come back from asking around. He had hacked into Umbrella's computer system and learned that Umbrella had Chris under their eye in this city. On Jill's request, Carlos had been out all morning looking. Now he had to tell Jill what he found, and he knew she wouldn't like it.
"Give it to me" Jill said, ready for the worst.
"Well, I got good news and bad news. Good news is that Chris is probably still alive. The bad news is that we just missed him."
"By how much?" Jill was relieved to find out that Chris had just moved on before they got here and wasn't dead.
"The desk clerk at the hotel Chris was staying at said the he left about three weeks ago. He told me that Chris left to handle some "personal" problems. The guy said the Chris wouldn't tell him much, but boy, he said that amigo left in a hurry."
"That's funny. Didn't someone try to break into the Umbrella HQ around the same time?"
Carlos saw what Jill was getting at. "You don't think that it was Chris, do you Jilly?"
"No Carlos. It couldn't have been Chris. The person was caught. Besides, it was a woman."
Carlos felt his face getting red. "I guess your right."
Jill smiled at Carlos, who was embarrassed for jumping to conclusions. "Hey, don't feel so stupid, we all make mistakes."
Carlos looked at Jill and smiled. She had that way of making people feel better. He looked at the wall, which was covered with yellow, flowered wallpaper. He thought for a while before coming up with an idea. "Maybe this woman was a friend of his and he took off to save her."
"You think?"
Carlos turned to Jill. He picked up the slight jealous tone in her voice. "Maybe it was Rebecca. You did tell me that little senorita was like a sister to him." Carlos said, talking fast.
"I don't think so. None of us have heard from Rebecca for a long time. She vanished right after we returned from that damn mansion." Jill knew what Carlos was trying to do.
"Well, whoever she is, Chris probably knew her. Who knows how many allies Chris has by now."
"The only problem is," Jill said with a sigh, "that if Chris did know her, and if he did save her, he wouldn't have come back, not with Umbrella waiting for him."
"I guess now all we have to do is wait till one of Umbrella's labs gets blown up."
Jill looked back at Carlos with an inquisitive look. "Why?"
"Because," Carlos said grinning, "chances are it'll be Chris who did it."
Carlos winked, then turned to leave. He was almost out the door before Jill spoke.
"Thanks Carlos."
"No problem." Carlos began to leave, but stopped and turned. "Don't worry senorita, we'll find your friend. Can't be too many places he could be." With that said, he walked out, closing the door behind him.
Jill smiled as Carlos left. He was a great guy. The fact that he risked his own neck to get her the T-virus vaccine proved alone how much of a friend he was. The two had grown close during the past few months. In fact, she was almost as close to him as she was to Chris. That was the bad part. Sure she liked him, hell, she found him very hansom. She also knew he found her attractive. She had been gifted with a great body. Wherever she would go, guys would either stare or whistle at her. She also had a great mind too. She knew full well that most of those guy just wanted her for her looks. Carlos was different. He like her for who she was. He looked past her beauty and concentrated on her personality. In her life she knew of only one other man who did the same thing. Chris. She remembered the day they met. She had been sitting at her desk when Wesker called for everyone's attention. Barry had told her she'd get along great with Chris. Well, when Chris came in, Jill's jaw almost hit the floor. She had found him very attractive. Barry had noticed and told her Chris was to be her partner. That was how she had got to know Chris. He was different from the other guys. All the women in the RPD were practically fighting over him, but he just brushed them off. He was very shy at first, something Jill had found cute. Even as they became friends, Chris kept some things to himself. She also noticed that he had feelings for her. She did too, but didn't say anything for fear of scaring him off. However, he did tell her, whether he knew it or not, at the Spencer Estate. He covered her while they ran to the house, he rescued her in the basement even when the place was going to blow, and more importantly, he risked his life to save her from the Tyrant, suffering broken ribs in the process before blowing the Tyrant to bits. He also showed her he cared when he left. She could tell he was fighting back tears when he said goodbye. It took all her will to not tell him to stay.
'If only I did.' Jill thought, 'I wouldn't be looking for him. We'd be taking Umbrella down, together, like we said we would.'
Jill could feel the tears welling in her eyes. She pulled the covers of her bed back, retrieving the picture. She thought back to when she got it. She and Carlos had just escaped from Raccoon, with Barry's help. Barry had left to check on his family and find a new safe house for the group. The two of them then went to the last place she knew Chris was. When they arrived, the only things they found were Chris' knife and a puddle of blood. Jill was afraid that Chris was dead, but Carlos had found a note taped to the mirror in his room. It said that he was fine but couldn't stay. Carlos suggested that they take anything they could find in the hideout, as it might be useful. Jill had found the picture face down on the floor. The glass was broken, put the photo was fine. She remembered how she had waited until Carlos had left before shoving it into her bag.
Now as she stared at the picture, she knew she loved Chris, and would not rest until she found him. She also knew that Carlos was probably in love with her. The only thing she didn't know was how she would break the news that she wasn't in love with him.
Carlos entered his room. It was a few rooms down from Jill, but at least they were on the same floor. 'I wonder who this Chris guy is like? I wonder he'll get along with me? Will he even trust me?' Carlos knew of Chris' hatred for Umbrella all too well from both Jill and Barry. But Carlos wasn't Umbrella anymore. In his mind, he quit when he found out that he was just a pawn. He and his friends had been set up to act as test subjects, and the lying snake Nicholai was in on it the whole time. Carlos had found this out at the hospital while getting the vaccine for Jill. Nicholai had tried not only to shot him, but also like the coward he was, tried to blow him up with the whole building! Carlos hung his head as he remembered finding what was left of his friends lying in the streets. He would never forgive Nicholai for what happened at Raccoon. He couldn't wait for the day when he had Nicholai at gunpoint, to see the bastard sweat, to see the fear in his eyes, to hear him beg for his pathetic life. Then Carlos would smile and then...
"DAMMIT!"
Carlos slammed his hand on the dresser, causing everything on it to shake violently. Carlos had wanted to track Nicholai down right after he got out of Raccoon, but Jill asked him to help her find Chris.
"Jill."
Just saying her name calmed him down. He looked in his mirror. He used to fancy himself a ladies man. He claimed he could win any woman's' heart, and usually he did. All that changed when he was sent to Raccoon. It was there that he met Jill. At first, he found her attractive, and immediately began to work him "magic" on her. It seemed, however, that she was used to that kind of attention and kept shooting him down. He fondly remembered the one time he cradled her face in his hand, only to have her slap him across the face. He put his hand up to his right cheek, smiling as he remembered how much it stung. After that, he got to know her. He helped her out a number of times and the two became friends. In fact, he never could recall any time that he was more terrified than when Jill was infected by the Nemesis. Never in his life was he consumed by more hatred when he saw Jill fall, the nightmare standing over her like it was mocking her. He didn't know what came over him, all he knew was that he charged the Nemesis and didn't stop firing until it was dead. He never forgot how he felt when he carried her into the clock tower, or the thoughts going through his head as he headed for the hospital. The worst was when he gave Jill the vaccine. He watched her those three days, never leaving her side. He would never forget the very words he said.
"Jill, please don't die." Carlos closed his eyes, a tear falling down his face as he softly spoke those words. "But you didn't, did you?" Carlos opened his eyes, then wiped them with his hand.
He was relieved when Jill came to. He never felt happier when it seemed like she was cured completely. She had looked into his eyes with her deep blue ones and thanked him It was in that instant that he knew he fell for her.
After that, they had managed to get to Umbrella's factory and radio for help. If it wasn't for Jill's friend Barry, they would have been toast. As he had looked out the window, he heard Jill make her vow to take out Umbrella. She was right, they had gone to far. Making a virus of one thing, but to infect and then convince the government to annihilate an entire city with a nuclear missile was crossing the line.
After they had landed a few miles from what used to be Raccoon. Barry had left to see his family. Jill had filled him in on how Wesker had used Barry's family to blackmail him. This infuriated Carlos. The more he heard about Umbrella's acts, the more he hated them. He had wanted to begin taking the corporation apart starting with Nicholai, but Jill had told him that first they needed to find someone, and that man was Chris. So, for the last couple months, they had been playing bloodhound trying to find Chris.
"Senor, why the hell couldn't you stay in one place?"
Carlos had questioned Jill about the man. His first impression of that Chris was a coward. Why else would he leave his friends in Raccoon City and go to Europe? If he was such a good friend, why didn't he stay with Jill and be there for her? Why didn't HE come to rescue them instead of Barry? He also saw Chris as a potential rival for Jill's affections. Now it wasn't that he hated Chris, in was just that he didn't like how the guy had acted. Jill had soon answered all of his questions. First, she told him that it was the group's decision to split up. Jill had made the decision to stay in Raccoon City. She also told him that Chris wanted to go to Europe together, and how he almost came to breaking down when he said goodbye. She spoke very highly of him, and soon Carlos' view was changed. Carlos soon saw Chris as a loyal, trustworthy, brave, and determine man. He also saw Chris as someone who had a problem telling others how he felt. Lastly Carlos had come to see something else.
There was something in Jill's voice when she spoke of Chris. It was like she didn't have to find him, it was like she needed to find him. It was almost as if she would go through hell itself to find him. Carlos knew why. Jill didn't know it, but he saw her take that picture of her and Chris. He had seen her put it in her bag. She thought that he didn't notice, but he saw the writing on the wall. He knew she felt incomplete without Chris. He knew they had something. Sure, he and Jill had become as close as friends could be without becoming lovers, but that would be as close as they were going to get. He knew whom she really loved. She loved Chris.
Carlos looked at himself, recalling an old saying he had heard a long time ago. "Sometimes that best way to show someone you love them is to let them go." Carlos felt his eyes tear up as he made his promise. "When we do find Chris, I won't stand in the way."
It was nine when Jill knocked on Carlos' door.
"I'm almost ready" Carlos' voice was muffed by the thick, wooden doors.
"Fine." Jill was nervous. She had the right to be. She made up her mind, she was going to tell Carlos the truth. She had been practicing in front of the mirror for over an hour. She knew what she would say, the question was could she say it to Carlos without sending their relationship six feet under. 'Come on Jill, you'll have to tell him sooner or later' Jill's thoughts were ended as Carlos came out.
"Ready Jill?"
"Ready."
Jill and Carlos had decided to go out to a small street cafe Carlos had heard that Chris had frequently gone to before he spilt. Carlos had gotten the name, "The Fayle." Apparently, you could see the Eiffel Tower. It would be romantic, but it wasn't the time or the place for that kind of thing. They quickly got to the cafe and ordered. It was a while before one of them spoke.
"Carlos, there's something I have to tell you."
Carlos looked up from his dinner. "What is it?"
"It's about us. I know that in these past couple of weeks we've gotten to be really close. I, I feel that we have to talk about our relationship."
'Here it comes.' It didn't really surprise him. They would have this talk someday. He was just glad it would be tonight. "Go on."
"Well, I..."
BEEP BEEP BEEP
"Shit!" Jill grabbed her cell phone from her purse. This talk would have to wait. "Hello?"
"Hey Jill. How are you?" A gruff voice answered.
A smile spread across Jill's face as she instantly recognized who it was. "Hey Barry. I'm fine. I guess this means you found a new hideout."
"I sure did, and it's a beauty. Is Carlos there with you?"
"Yes he is. You just caught us in the middle of dinner."
"Oh yeah, I forgot. It's 3:30 here, so there it's..."
"9:30."
"Sorry. Tell me, where are you? Did you two find Chris yet? I'm getting worried."
Jill knew how Barry felt. He and Chris were old friends. Barry had found Chris while he was still a drifter. The two hit it off and soon after, Chris became a member of S.T.A.R.S. After Chris had left for Europe, Barry left for Canada with his wife and two girls. He planned to link up with Chris, but got sidetracked by personal matters. Barry had wanted to go with them to search for Chris, but he had the important job of finding someplace where they could meet up. For that reason he had given Jill a cell phone and his number so she could let him know when she found Chris.
"Well, right now we're in Paris. Chris was here , but he left a few weeks before we got here. We think he went to save the person who got caught breaking into Umbrella's main HQ."
"WHAT! What kind of idiot would try to sneak into Umbrella's headquarters?"
"I don't know, but she had to have a good reason. We also think that she was a friend of Chris."
"Then why would Chris send in someone alone?"
"Maybe he thought that one person could moved around undetected better than a whole group."
"Yeah, well, if he did go on a rescue mission, he should be back in town by now."
"Chances are he won't. Umbrella had him under surveillance. That's how we knew he was in this city."
"CHRIST! Now it'll take a miracle to find him. He could be anywhere. Hell, at this rate, it'll take a miracle for us to bring Umbrella down."
Jill knew Barry was right. How were they to stop Umbrella when they were still separated. "God, we shouldn't have split up."
"It's too late for that now. Don't worry, since I found our hideout, I'll start looking for Chris too. I'll check to see if Umbrella had any of their labs or facilities attacked within the last four weeks. If they did..."
"It's a sure bet Chris may be involved." Jill finished for him, "Carlos had the same idea."
Jill smiled at Carlos, who nodded back.
"OK Jill. I'll let you go. Call me if you find anything. I'll call if I find something on my end."
"I will. Bye Barry."
Jill hung up and put the phone back in her purse. "Well Carlos, looks like we have a new home when we find Chris." This was the first thing that had gone right all day.
Carlos looked at Jill, 'Time to get this over with.' "So Jill, what were you going to say?"
"Nothing, nothing at all." Jill replied. She then looked down and began to finish her salad. 'Damn you Jill, Damn you.'
The two got back to the hotel and went straight to their rooms. When they got to Carlos' room, he grabbed her arm.
"Jill, I have to say something."
'Oh no, not now,' Jill thought as she faced him. "What is it?"
"Us. Look, I know what you wanted to say at dinner. I understand."
Jill was shocked at this. "What do you mean you understand?"
"I know you love Chris. I know about the picture you have. I know everything Jill."
"Are you sure? You're not hurt by this?"
"I know you and Chris had something before this whole Umbrella thing happened. I just want you to know that I won't stand between you two. I just want you to be happy."
Carlos learned towards Jill and kissed her on the cheek. There were tears in her eyes as she spoke.
"Thank you Carlos. Thank you for saying this for me." She began to walk towards her room before she turned back to Carlos. "Don't worry Carlos. I'm sure you'll meet the right girl someday."
Carlos watched as Jill got to her room and waited until she got in before he spoke. "Your right Jill. There's only one problem, I already did." With that said, Carlos opened his door and walked in, pausing before he shut the door.
Author's Comments- Didn't see that coming, did you? This is my spin on the classic Chris, Jill, Carlos love triangle. I did this for several reasons. First, I'm a big fan of Chris-Jill stories. Second, I used a little common sense in this one. If you're looking for proof of this, it's in the story. Third, this little dynamic between Jill and Carlos will play a major role in the plot to come. Also I guessed the time zone thing and the cafe's name I made up. One more major thing. For continuity's sake, everything happening in the first six chapters of this part are happening at the same time.
In the next chapter, Leon and Sherry
run into a familiar face. Who is this person, and what have Leon and Sherry
been doing. Find out this and more in RE Armageddon: Part One, Chapter III-
Chance Meeting.