CHAPTER I
Gone Again
Chris sneaked down the hall, carefully taking each patient step. Upon reaching the intersection of the hallway he came to a stop. Double checking that the coast was clear Chris turned back towards the hall and waved his comrades through.
Just as slowly and carefully as Chris had been Jill, Claire, Barry and Carlos paced their way down the long hallway.
Their journey to this point had been an incredible one. Sacrifices had been made, and decisions had been declared all of which had been leading up to this very day.
Chris had spent a lot of time traveling round Europe gathering information on Umbrella. Ever since the mansion incident the former S.T.A.R.S unit had been working nonstop to put an end to the world's number one unknown enemy.
His time in Europe was well spent obtaining valuable information about Umbrella's evil corporation, but the day when he received the e-mail from Leon Kennedy was when Chris felt his very earth come crashing to an end.
He never meant to get Claire involved in any of this, even though Chris should have known better; it truly was his last wish.
Chris rescued Claire and together they escaped to Paris. They spent a few quiet months there before the action broke out again.
Returning his attention back to the mission Chris waited for his team to join him. He made a hand signal for everyone to move forward and turn left. Chris waited for everyone to pass him before he continued now bringing up the rear of the group.
Swiftly Barry now led the way down the hall followed closely by Claire and Carlos. Jill staggered behind for a second giving him an affectionate soft pinch on them arm before following the other's suit.
If there was one larger regret for Chris then letting his sister get involved in this mess it would be leaving Jill behind in Raccoon.
A couple days after the mansion incident Jill, Rebecca and himself all met at Barry's to discuss what they would do next.
Rebecca said she wanted to take care of something's out of town. Chris thought she just wanted to get away from it all; he didn't blame her in the least. God, she was only eighteen anyone else her age would have cracked from the get go, but Rebecca stuck through it. Chris admired her greatly for that.
As far as the rest of them went Barry wanted to stay and take care of his family. Jill was supposed to come with Chris to Europe, but at the last minute they decided they needed somewhere to stay behind and gather information. Immediately Chris wanted to reject the idea, but it was Jill's decision so he didn't say anything. A decision which turned out to be one of the worst in his life.
The T-virus broke out in Raccoon, and Jill had a hellish time trying to escape. She was even infected with the G-virus and would have died if her knight in shining armor, Carlos Oliveria, hadn't come along.
They helped each other escape after a little help form Barry. The three had been together ever since.
Chris didn't quite understand Jill and Carlos' relationship, but whatever it was it made him unbearable jealous.
Chris knew he had feelings for Jill. He couldn't quite define them, but he knew they were strong. In the end Chris just wished he was there when Jill needed him the most.
The group had now come to another end of a hallway only this time a steel door stood in front of them. Barry turned around to look at him after a go-ahead nod Barry opened the heavy door.
Going through the door the five of them had come upon an old library. Book shelves ran eight feet high with every inch of them filled. Strategically the five of them spread across the library to explore.
It was only two weeks ago that Chris and Claire had met up with Jill and the others.
Up until Rockfort Prison and the Antarctic Chris had been staying in touch with Barry they had decided back at Barry's apartment to all meet up in Paris the exact location, however, was never decided.
When Chris had tried contacting Barry he was unsuccessful and would be for another two horrible months. It wasn't until a fluke encounter that Chris met up with them again.
Claire had been working at a little café down from their apartment making ends meat. She was pretty fluent in French, Chris who didn't know anything about the culture usually stayed at home.
One night when Claire had been working the familiar figure of Mr. Barry Burton came into the café. Claire not sure if it was really Barry, it been a long time since she seen him last, studied Barry from across the restaurant. She still wasn't even sure until he called out her name.
Along with Barry were Jill and Carlos, who Claire had never met before. Once finished with her shift Claire brought the trio back to their apartment.
It was quite the reunion. It had been a long time since he had seen his S.T.A.R.S teammates. When he first saw Jill he couldn't take his eyes off of her. His heart just started to flutter uncontrollably.
Jill had run to Chris wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. They had stayed in that embrace until Jill broke away to introduce Carlos. Chris didn't know what to make of the Hispanic man then, and he didn't know what to make of him now. It really didn't matter Carlos was now in both his and Jill's lives for good.
Carlos was studying one of the books in the library when Jill comes walking over to him. Chris turned his attention away from the book immediately after seeing Jill approaching him.
"What do you make of all this?" She asked him.
"I don't know it's all too familiar."
"I agree," Jill told him. "That's what frightens me." The terror that came through her voice couldn't be denied.
Chris looked at Jill her eyes focusing on his own. Finding the courage form somewhere unknown Chris took her hand. "Nothings going to happen Jill were all here together that's better then I can say for any of are other situations."
"Oh Chris," She wailed softly so only he could hear. "What.what if we get separated again somehow? I just don't think I can handle that again."
Despite himself Chris smiled, it felt so good to know she cared that much. Still holding her hand Chris told her.
"Jill if that ever happens I'll search for you to the end of the world."
"But"-
"And back again." Chris told her firmly before she could get the rest of her sentence out.
Jill smiled at him the one that made him weak all over. Going on her tip toes Jill reached up and gave him a kiss on the cheek. On her way back down their eyes connected. There was a glowing sparkle in Jill's eyes. Her eyes had always sparkled, but this time it was different.
"Chris."She started, but never got any further because a sudden growl was heard throughout the room. Immediately everyone tensed up gripping their weapons tightly. Chris was holding his doubled barreled shot gun so tightly that sweat startled dripping from his hands. The growl was heard again. Chris watched as everyone's eyes grew big. None of them would ever mistake that sound. It could only be one thing.
"A hunter." He heard Jill whisper.
As soon as the words escaped her mouth Chris heard of claws against tile. As the noise grew louder and louder Chris looked at everyone nervously.
"Run!" He yelled just as there was a bang against the library door. The sound of a heavy body ramming against the door kept repeating as the five of them scurried across the library exciting through the other side.
They were all running down the halls blindly with their guns the only thing guiding them. Nobody stopped until they were forced to. Just as they came to another dead end with steel doors as their only exit two hunters drop down from the ceiling.
Chris wasted no time as he fired off two shots at each of the hunters. Carlos added a few blasts from his assault rifle for good measure.
After they hastily entered through the steel door Chris couldn't believe what he saw as he entered.
* * *
Jill's heart was doing overtime; the fast pace nonstop adrenaline was going to lead her to an early heart attack.
They had just shot down the two hunters and had entered through another steel door. Jill was sure she was going to have her heart attack right there and then.
They were in a small plane room littered with chairs. The chairs were all facing a large window that was on looking a laboratory.
Jill stood there not believing her own eyes there right in front of them the god damn scientist hard at work on the freaking viruses! Once realizing this everyone dropped down below the window hoping none of the scientist saw them. On their stomachs they discussed strategies.
"This is our golden opportunity!" Chris exclaimed. "We can finally get the proof we need to bring these guys down for good and what better proof then the actual god damn virus itself."
"Hey I agree with you amigo, but how do you plan on getting the virus out?" Carlos asked raising a very good question. "It's not like there just going to hand it to us."
Chris laid there silently as Barry spoke up.
"Let's go through the window take the element of surprise. We can have us fellas hold those bastard scientist at gunpoint while you ladies raid around for the viruses. We'll be out of there in three minutes."
What Barry was purposing was rash and could easily result in severe consequences. It was pretty much ludicrous.which probably explains why they all agreed to do it.
On the count of three Barry was to throw one of the chairs against the window. From there the guys were to lead the way with Claire and Jill closely following.
The plan was going perfectly on three Barry threw a chair against the window the glass broke evenly. The guys stepped through the window catching all the scientist off-guard. Once every one of them were on the floor and their hands over their heads was when the girls stepped in.
They quickly started going through the scientists labs. It took a few minutes before Jill finally found what she was looking for.
In with a stack of vials marked viruses. Jill grabbed the one that was marked 'T-virus'. She held the vile up triumphantly and called out to the others.
"I got it."
There was a quick cheer. Instinctively Jill turned to Chris who was smiling at her.it was that moment when they first heard it. The one thing that could really ruin their victory, the one thing that Jill couldn't believe they forgot.the hunters.
There wasn't even time to react. From the window that Barry had broken only a mere three minutes ago came four hunters, all of which had this fierce hunger in their eyes.
One of them jumped on Chris colliding its body with his. She watched in horror as Chris sailed across the room landing on a table covered in vials. The table split in half and splintered all across the room.
Jill started to run desperately to him, but half way there she was cut-off by another hunter. Not holding her gun Jill made a quick move for her hoister, but she wasn't quick enough. The hunter made a slash at her hitting Jill's hand that held the virus. Jill grabbed her bleeding wrist as the vile flew into the air and landed on the floor spilling its contents all over the ground.
Despite loosing the vile it did give her the time to grab her gun from her hoister. She fired six shots then took a bit of guilty pleasure in watching the hunter spasm. However, the pleasure was short lived because almost instantly Chris flashed into her mind.
She continued her dash to his fallen body when a rapid group of shots were fired. Jill felt them buzz pass her head, she quickly turned around.
The laboratory wasn't just filled with her group, the scientist, and the hunters anymore. People in black uniforms had suddenly swarmed into the room. Their rifles pointed and ready.
With three rifles pointed on her alone Jill froze in her place with her hands up, but her eyes never leaving Chris' body which was still lying on the broken table lifelessly.
"Down on your knees!" One of the men in black yelled.
Jill regrettably obeyed. God why hasn't Chris moved yet? She wondered nervously as her knees touched the hard concrete floor.
With both scientist and S.T.A.R.S members on their knees Jill was starting to see little hope of getting out of this one. She soon cursed herself. If there was one thing Jill learned through this whole damn charade was that you can never give up hope, it's the one weapon you have that your enemies don't.
As it turned out hope ironically worked out.
Just as the black uniformed bastards started kicking them to move that familiar growl was heard again. The hunters where coming again.
Taking their rifles off them no one wasted the opportunity. Everyone got up and started moving for their whole in the window, Jill ran to Chris.
Breathe had stopped coming to Jill's lungs upon seeing Chris. His body lied there limp, and his eyes were closed tightly, not a muscle was moving.
She ran to kneel down by him feeling warm tears forming in her eyes.
"Chris, come on Chris." She whispered. When there was no response Jill instinctively felt his pulse .thank god it was still there.
The firing was starting up again. Jill could hear her name being called by the others, but there was no way in hell she was leaving Chris.
"Come on Chris." She cried lifting up his heavy arm and wrapping it around her tired shoulders. She had only carried him a few feet when she felt the explosion.
She didn't know where it came from all Jill knew was the far left wall of the laboratory was taken out, and that her body flew in one direction while Chris' flew in another.
From there everything happened so fast. As Jill started to slowly sit up she saw that the whole room was starting to shake, dead hunters were everywhere and the men in black uniforms could be seen trying to savage anything they could from the laboratory. She looked away from all the chaos and started searching desperately for Chris.
Jill let out a cry of relief when she saw him slowly getting up from his spot on the ground.
"Chris!" She yelled over to him, god how she wished she had never of done that.
Calling out his name drew the attention of the men in black. She heard one of them say to his comrades.
"Let's bring him along; maybe the boss won't be as upset if we had some compensation."
The others seemed to have agreed with him because they started to pursue Chris.
Getting up fast Jill forgot the shooting pain that was coming from her right leg and started to run towards Chris. Fate was against her that day because the moment she started running the room stopped shaking, and started to violently rumble. Pieces of the ceiling were falling down everywhere.
Jill threw a desperate look towards Chris, the men in black now had their arms on him and Chris looked like he was in no condition to put up a struggle. Their eyes connected for what seemed like forever, but really was only a few seconds.
The right wall had now collapsed blocking any chance Jill had to getting to Chris. Her eye's never left Chris' until the men had taken him out of sight.
Jill started to frantically pick up the fallen debris. This just couldn't be happening, not after all that time apart, not after they had finally reunited.
Jill barely noticed that the building was coming apart until she felt a firm hand on her shoulder. At first she thought it was Chris, but reality soon hit her as soon as she heard Carlos' thick accent.
"Come on Chica, this place ain't gonna last much longer."
"But.but.Chris." Jill protested as tears ran down her cheek.
"Where is he?" Carlos asked confused.
"Those bastards in black took him."
Carlos looked at her with deep sympathy. Using a gentle soothing voice he said to her.
"Then he's gone Jill, but if we don't get out of her right now were never going to get the chance to find him."
Jill looked around, things were defiantly going to start coming down any minute, but she just couldn't get herself to leave Chris.
"God Jill we got to leave now!" Carlos yelled his voice now very impatient.
In her mind she knew she had to leave, but her heart just wouldn't let her go. Finally Carlos took the initiative. Picking Jill up by her waist Carlos lifted her up over his shoulders. Not putting up a fight Jill let Carlos carry her out the room. He didn't drop her until they were back in the hallway.
Neither said a word they just ran like hell. The place was coming apart around them, but nobody did anything except run. Jill wasn't even conscious of her actions until they were outside the laboratory. They had only gotten a few yards when the blow of the building exploding lifted them off their feet and flew them yards away.
Landing on the dirt she felt her shoulder scrape against the gravel. Gritting her teeth against the pain Jill looked up at the one time building. Nothing was left. Absolutely nothing.
"Chris." She whimpered to herself as the events of what had taken place in the last thirty minutes were finally falling into place.
Jill heard footsteps behind her she turned around only to see Barry, Carlos and Claire standing there somberly. Claire was having a steady stream of tears rolling down her cheek.
Getting up from the ground Jill walked over to Claire. She took her by the shoulders so the only focus they had was each other.
"He's alive Claire, and were going to find him." Claire nodded wiping the tears from her face.
The two hugged tightly. Claire had courage that Jill could only dream about. When they hugged Jill could feel some of that courage feed into her.
They were going to find Chris, they had to because there was no way that Jill was going to loose him again. She do whatever it took, even if it meant she had to go to the end of the world and back again.
Gone Again
Chris sneaked down the hall, carefully taking each patient step. Upon reaching the intersection of the hallway he came to a stop. Double checking that the coast was clear Chris turned back towards the hall and waved his comrades through.
Just as slowly and carefully as Chris had been Jill, Claire, Barry and Carlos paced their way down the long hallway.
Their journey to this point had been an incredible one. Sacrifices had been made, and decisions had been declared all of which had been leading up to this very day.
Chris had spent a lot of time traveling round Europe gathering information on Umbrella. Ever since the mansion incident the former S.T.A.R.S unit had been working nonstop to put an end to the world's number one unknown enemy.
His time in Europe was well spent obtaining valuable information about Umbrella's evil corporation, but the day when he received the e-mail from Leon Kennedy was when Chris felt his very earth come crashing to an end.
He never meant to get Claire involved in any of this, even though Chris should have known better; it truly was his last wish.
Chris rescued Claire and together they escaped to Paris. They spent a few quiet months there before the action broke out again.
Returning his attention back to the mission Chris waited for his team to join him. He made a hand signal for everyone to move forward and turn left. Chris waited for everyone to pass him before he continued now bringing up the rear of the group.
Swiftly Barry now led the way down the hall followed closely by Claire and Carlos. Jill staggered behind for a second giving him an affectionate soft pinch on them arm before following the other's suit.
If there was one larger regret for Chris then letting his sister get involved in this mess it would be leaving Jill behind in Raccoon.
A couple days after the mansion incident Jill, Rebecca and himself all met at Barry's to discuss what they would do next.
Rebecca said she wanted to take care of something's out of town. Chris thought she just wanted to get away from it all; he didn't blame her in the least. God, she was only eighteen anyone else her age would have cracked from the get go, but Rebecca stuck through it. Chris admired her greatly for that.
As far as the rest of them went Barry wanted to stay and take care of his family. Jill was supposed to come with Chris to Europe, but at the last minute they decided they needed somewhere to stay behind and gather information. Immediately Chris wanted to reject the idea, but it was Jill's decision so he didn't say anything. A decision which turned out to be one of the worst in his life.
The T-virus broke out in Raccoon, and Jill had a hellish time trying to escape. She was even infected with the G-virus and would have died if her knight in shining armor, Carlos Oliveria, hadn't come along.
They helped each other escape after a little help form Barry. The three had been together ever since.
Chris didn't quite understand Jill and Carlos' relationship, but whatever it was it made him unbearable jealous.
Chris knew he had feelings for Jill. He couldn't quite define them, but he knew they were strong. In the end Chris just wished he was there when Jill needed him the most.
The group had now come to another end of a hallway only this time a steel door stood in front of them. Barry turned around to look at him after a go-ahead nod Barry opened the heavy door.
Going through the door the five of them had come upon an old library. Book shelves ran eight feet high with every inch of them filled. Strategically the five of them spread across the library to explore.
It was only two weeks ago that Chris and Claire had met up with Jill and the others.
Up until Rockfort Prison and the Antarctic Chris had been staying in touch with Barry they had decided back at Barry's apartment to all meet up in Paris the exact location, however, was never decided.
When Chris had tried contacting Barry he was unsuccessful and would be for another two horrible months. It wasn't until a fluke encounter that Chris met up with them again.
Claire had been working at a little café down from their apartment making ends meat. She was pretty fluent in French, Chris who didn't know anything about the culture usually stayed at home.
One night when Claire had been working the familiar figure of Mr. Barry Burton came into the café. Claire not sure if it was really Barry, it been a long time since she seen him last, studied Barry from across the restaurant. She still wasn't even sure until he called out her name.
Along with Barry were Jill and Carlos, who Claire had never met before. Once finished with her shift Claire brought the trio back to their apartment.
It was quite the reunion. It had been a long time since he had seen his S.T.A.R.S teammates. When he first saw Jill he couldn't take his eyes off of her. His heart just started to flutter uncontrollably.
Jill had run to Chris wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. They had stayed in that embrace until Jill broke away to introduce Carlos. Chris didn't know what to make of the Hispanic man then, and he didn't know what to make of him now. It really didn't matter Carlos was now in both his and Jill's lives for good.
Carlos was studying one of the books in the library when Jill comes walking over to him. Chris turned his attention away from the book immediately after seeing Jill approaching him.
"What do you make of all this?" She asked him.
"I don't know it's all too familiar."
"I agree," Jill told him. "That's what frightens me." The terror that came through her voice couldn't be denied.
Chris looked at Jill her eyes focusing on his own. Finding the courage form somewhere unknown Chris took her hand. "Nothings going to happen Jill were all here together that's better then I can say for any of are other situations."
"Oh Chris," She wailed softly so only he could hear. "What.what if we get separated again somehow? I just don't think I can handle that again."
Despite himself Chris smiled, it felt so good to know she cared that much. Still holding her hand Chris told her.
"Jill if that ever happens I'll search for you to the end of the world."
"But"-
"And back again." Chris told her firmly before she could get the rest of her sentence out.
Jill smiled at him the one that made him weak all over. Going on her tip toes Jill reached up and gave him a kiss on the cheek. On her way back down their eyes connected. There was a glowing sparkle in Jill's eyes. Her eyes had always sparkled, but this time it was different.
"Chris."She started, but never got any further because a sudden growl was heard throughout the room. Immediately everyone tensed up gripping their weapons tightly. Chris was holding his doubled barreled shot gun so tightly that sweat startled dripping from his hands. The growl was heard again. Chris watched as everyone's eyes grew big. None of them would ever mistake that sound. It could only be one thing.
"A hunter." He heard Jill whisper.
As soon as the words escaped her mouth Chris heard of claws against tile. As the noise grew louder and louder Chris looked at everyone nervously.
"Run!" He yelled just as there was a bang against the library door. The sound of a heavy body ramming against the door kept repeating as the five of them scurried across the library exciting through the other side.
They were all running down the halls blindly with their guns the only thing guiding them. Nobody stopped until they were forced to. Just as they came to another dead end with steel doors as their only exit two hunters drop down from the ceiling.
Chris wasted no time as he fired off two shots at each of the hunters. Carlos added a few blasts from his assault rifle for good measure.
After they hastily entered through the steel door Chris couldn't believe what he saw as he entered.
* * *
Jill's heart was doing overtime; the fast pace nonstop adrenaline was going to lead her to an early heart attack.
They had just shot down the two hunters and had entered through another steel door. Jill was sure she was going to have her heart attack right there and then.
They were in a small plane room littered with chairs. The chairs were all facing a large window that was on looking a laboratory.
Jill stood there not believing her own eyes there right in front of them the god damn scientist hard at work on the freaking viruses! Once realizing this everyone dropped down below the window hoping none of the scientist saw them. On their stomachs they discussed strategies.
"This is our golden opportunity!" Chris exclaimed. "We can finally get the proof we need to bring these guys down for good and what better proof then the actual god damn virus itself."
"Hey I agree with you amigo, but how do you plan on getting the virus out?" Carlos asked raising a very good question. "It's not like there just going to hand it to us."
Chris laid there silently as Barry spoke up.
"Let's go through the window take the element of surprise. We can have us fellas hold those bastard scientist at gunpoint while you ladies raid around for the viruses. We'll be out of there in three minutes."
What Barry was purposing was rash and could easily result in severe consequences. It was pretty much ludicrous.which probably explains why they all agreed to do it.
On the count of three Barry was to throw one of the chairs against the window. From there the guys were to lead the way with Claire and Jill closely following.
The plan was going perfectly on three Barry threw a chair against the window the glass broke evenly. The guys stepped through the window catching all the scientist off-guard. Once every one of them were on the floor and their hands over their heads was when the girls stepped in.
They quickly started going through the scientists labs. It took a few minutes before Jill finally found what she was looking for.
In with a stack of vials marked viruses. Jill grabbed the one that was marked 'T-virus'. She held the vile up triumphantly and called out to the others.
"I got it."
There was a quick cheer. Instinctively Jill turned to Chris who was smiling at her.it was that moment when they first heard it. The one thing that could really ruin their victory, the one thing that Jill couldn't believe they forgot.the hunters.
There wasn't even time to react. From the window that Barry had broken only a mere three minutes ago came four hunters, all of which had this fierce hunger in their eyes.
One of them jumped on Chris colliding its body with his. She watched in horror as Chris sailed across the room landing on a table covered in vials. The table split in half and splintered all across the room.
Jill started to run desperately to him, but half way there she was cut-off by another hunter. Not holding her gun Jill made a quick move for her hoister, but she wasn't quick enough. The hunter made a slash at her hitting Jill's hand that held the virus. Jill grabbed her bleeding wrist as the vile flew into the air and landed on the floor spilling its contents all over the ground.
Despite loosing the vile it did give her the time to grab her gun from her hoister. She fired six shots then took a bit of guilty pleasure in watching the hunter spasm. However, the pleasure was short lived because almost instantly Chris flashed into her mind.
She continued her dash to his fallen body when a rapid group of shots were fired. Jill felt them buzz pass her head, she quickly turned around.
The laboratory wasn't just filled with her group, the scientist, and the hunters anymore. People in black uniforms had suddenly swarmed into the room. Their rifles pointed and ready.
With three rifles pointed on her alone Jill froze in her place with her hands up, but her eyes never leaving Chris' body which was still lying on the broken table lifelessly.
"Down on your knees!" One of the men in black yelled.
Jill regrettably obeyed. God why hasn't Chris moved yet? She wondered nervously as her knees touched the hard concrete floor.
With both scientist and S.T.A.R.S members on their knees Jill was starting to see little hope of getting out of this one. She soon cursed herself. If there was one thing Jill learned through this whole damn charade was that you can never give up hope, it's the one weapon you have that your enemies don't.
As it turned out hope ironically worked out.
Just as the black uniformed bastards started kicking them to move that familiar growl was heard again. The hunters where coming again.
Taking their rifles off them no one wasted the opportunity. Everyone got up and started moving for their whole in the window, Jill ran to Chris.
Breathe had stopped coming to Jill's lungs upon seeing Chris. His body lied there limp, and his eyes were closed tightly, not a muscle was moving.
She ran to kneel down by him feeling warm tears forming in her eyes.
"Chris, come on Chris." She whispered. When there was no response Jill instinctively felt his pulse .thank god it was still there.
The firing was starting up again. Jill could hear her name being called by the others, but there was no way in hell she was leaving Chris.
"Come on Chris." She cried lifting up his heavy arm and wrapping it around her tired shoulders. She had only carried him a few feet when she felt the explosion.
She didn't know where it came from all Jill knew was the far left wall of the laboratory was taken out, and that her body flew in one direction while Chris' flew in another.
From there everything happened so fast. As Jill started to slowly sit up she saw that the whole room was starting to shake, dead hunters were everywhere and the men in black uniforms could be seen trying to savage anything they could from the laboratory. She looked away from all the chaos and started searching desperately for Chris.
Jill let out a cry of relief when she saw him slowly getting up from his spot on the ground.
"Chris!" She yelled over to him, god how she wished she had never of done that.
Calling out his name drew the attention of the men in black. She heard one of them say to his comrades.
"Let's bring him along; maybe the boss won't be as upset if we had some compensation."
The others seemed to have agreed with him because they started to pursue Chris.
Getting up fast Jill forgot the shooting pain that was coming from her right leg and started to run towards Chris. Fate was against her that day because the moment she started running the room stopped shaking, and started to violently rumble. Pieces of the ceiling were falling down everywhere.
Jill threw a desperate look towards Chris, the men in black now had their arms on him and Chris looked like he was in no condition to put up a struggle. Their eyes connected for what seemed like forever, but really was only a few seconds.
The right wall had now collapsed blocking any chance Jill had to getting to Chris. Her eye's never left Chris' until the men had taken him out of sight.
Jill started to frantically pick up the fallen debris. This just couldn't be happening, not after all that time apart, not after they had finally reunited.
Jill barely noticed that the building was coming apart until she felt a firm hand on her shoulder. At first she thought it was Chris, but reality soon hit her as soon as she heard Carlos' thick accent.
"Come on Chica, this place ain't gonna last much longer."
"But.but.Chris." Jill protested as tears ran down her cheek.
"Where is he?" Carlos asked confused.
"Those bastards in black took him."
Carlos looked at her with deep sympathy. Using a gentle soothing voice he said to her.
"Then he's gone Jill, but if we don't get out of her right now were never going to get the chance to find him."
Jill looked around, things were defiantly going to start coming down any minute, but she just couldn't get herself to leave Chris.
"God Jill we got to leave now!" Carlos yelled his voice now very impatient.
In her mind she knew she had to leave, but her heart just wouldn't let her go. Finally Carlos took the initiative. Picking Jill up by her waist Carlos lifted her up over his shoulders. Not putting up a fight Jill let Carlos carry her out the room. He didn't drop her until they were back in the hallway.
Neither said a word they just ran like hell. The place was coming apart around them, but nobody did anything except run. Jill wasn't even conscious of her actions until they were outside the laboratory. They had only gotten a few yards when the blow of the building exploding lifted them off their feet and flew them yards away.
Landing on the dirt she felt her shoulder scrape against the gravel. Gritting her teeth against the pain Jill looked up at the one time building. Nothing was left. Absolutely nothing.
"Chris." She whimpered to herself as the events of what had taken place in the last thirty minutes were finally falling into place.
Jill heard footsteps behind her she turned around only to see Barry, Carlos and Claire standing there somberly. Claire was having a steady stream of tears rolling down her cheek.
Getting up from the ground Jill walked over to Claire. She took her by the shoulders so the only focus they had was each other.
"He's alive Claire, and were going to find him." Claire nodded wiping the tears from her face.
The two hugged tightly. Claire had courage that Jill could only dream about. When they hugged Jill could feel some of that courage feed into her.
They were going to find Chris, they had to because there was no way that Jill was going to loose him again. She do whatever it took, even if it meant she had to go to the end of the world and back again.
