Chapter 7: A moment of relief, or is it?

Author's note: I got this one up fast, anyway, its probably the chapter most Steve/Claire fans are waiting for, but I could be wrong. Anyway, I'll update every weekend. Sorry for any grammar/spelling mistakes.

Disclaimer: Alright, you know this, and I know this! *bangs head on keyboard*

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At first she thought the figure was Wesker, but he didn't have a gun. At second she thought it was Alexia, but she wouldn't save her. Her heart filled with hope at the last thought: Steve?

The figure approached, and from what she could guess, made sure the thing was dead.

"Claire?" It said in such an innocent tone, it made her feel like someone just hit her in the head.

"W-who are you?" She asked waiting... and waiting....

"Claire......." It said again dragging on.

Claire froze for a moment, at first she was not sure, but this person was not here to hurt her. At least she thought.

"Steve is that you.?" She spoke into the darkness.

Then pulled the switch for the one swinging lantern above head to come on. It flickered a second, then flashed.

There in front of her was a so familiar red head, with green eyes staring back at her.

"Steve?" She managed to ask, but the next thing she knew she had flung herself into his arms.

Steve looked rather shocked at first, but then hugged her back (much similar to when she jumped off the plane he he)

Claire eventually broke away.

"Didn't you die?" She asked, after thinking for a moment if she should.

"They healed me, and took the veronica virus out." He muttered to low for her to hear.

Then something rang in her head. From so many mouths of crying, and thinking about it. So many years when she just wanted to whisper in his what appeared to be 'lifeless' body, and maybe he could hear. Now he was in front of her, and she could tell him everything she wanted to, but she just didn't know how to say it.

Steve as well seemed to be holding back on something.

"What's wrong?" She asked placing a hand on his arm.

He looked in another direction. "I'm sorry Claire." He said with his strange way of say sorry.

Claire looked taken aback.

"For what." She moved closer to him, and also having to look up.

"I'm sorry for hurting you....I'm sorry for not being able to keep my promise....." He dripped on a rather long list.

Then brushed her hand off.

"Steve! I don't care about those things! Please don't leave me now!" She begged.

Steve looked into her eyes, and a moment past. Can't describe the expression they had on their face.

"Ah... saying sorry? Well WDK4496, and MFD2872 I guess I'm sorry for this!" A voice called out.

Claire didn't even have a second to think, only knew that Steve had pushed her out of the way, and something very hard, she wasn't sure what, knocked her in the back of the head.

Then there was silence......

Claire awoke on a cold solid surface. There were bright lights blinding her eyes, and there were leather straps holding her there.

"Steve?" She asked the nothingness.

Instead of that sweet voice of Steve's she heard a rather evil cackle.

Trying to open her eyes, to adjust to the light, she could just make out one figure standing before her.

"Miss, WDK4496 Redfield is awake!" Sounded like a man around her age, perhaps a scientist.

"Right, agent W you can leave now, check on MFD2872 Burnside, he might awaken soon too. I'll take care of it here. Oh, and once MFD2872 wakes, report to Alexia that her prisoners are awake, and ready."

Claire stuttered at that name, until her vision returned to her.

In front of her stood a women with short black hair, and a scientific coat. She had brown eyes, and was holding a needle.

"Nice that you've woke." She hissed, starting over at Claire.

Claire kept her eyes locked on the floor.

"This is mercury, poison you know. I'd suggest you not to cause any trouble or I might just feel like knocking the whole bottle on you." She laughed again.

"Shut up! What have you done with Steve?" Claire demanded to know.

"Steve?" The women echoed. "Oh- Burnside. Forget about him, I'd worry about yourself if I were you. Your the one that Alexia hates. For messing up her plains, killing her brother, somewhat destroying her until the virus could rebuild her, freeing her father, then destroying her specimen, giving the enemy the virus.... must I go on." She sighed, and turned over to the desk.

Putting the needle down she pulled out a combat knife, and slipped it into Claire's pocket. Claire looked at her in shock.

"Hey, me working for Alexia, doesn't mean I have to like her." She defended herself, and returned behind the desk.

Claire sat there watching her for a moment longer, until the door slid open, and a familiar blond women stepped in.

Claire gulped, and watched her calmly walk over.

There was this sick little twisted smile pasted on her face.

"Having fun?" She asked in this creepy tone.

Claire made no effort to answer, and brought up a different subject.

"What have you done to Steve?" Alexia narrowed her eyes.

"Oh nothing yet, but I plain to do something to you. You see dear Claire, your mere existing had proved to be a thorn in my plains. At first I was outraged by this, but now I have better plains for you."

Claire could see the scientist watching in the back, a look of pity on her face.

Then suddenly piped up.

"Ms. Ashford, there was a explosion on the left wing, I think its MSD6377 searching for the virus." She said.

Alexia expression turned to pissed, and said "Right, I'll be back, watch them..." With that, she retreated to the sliding door, and disappeared.

The women waited until she was sure Alexia was gone, then got up from her seat.

Then pulled out another combat knife.

"Opps, I dropped the knife, and the rope slipped, then you somehow kicked me, and got away." The scientist said, which left Claire puzzled.

Then even more to her surprise, cut the ropes.

"Get off of this island in 40 hours kid. You don't want to be here when that clock hits zero."

Claire now was shocked, puzzled, and speechless, but without asking any directions took off.