CHAPTER I
Never Safe to Presume
AUTHORS FOREWARD: Hey, this is a sequel to my story 'End of the World,' but I don't think you need to read it for this story. In this story I tried to delve more into the relationships of the Umbrella survivors rather then their battle against Umbrella itself, although there's plenty of that as well. I hope all is well for you out there. Always, Leah
Time was the most bizarre and unreal matter that Chris Redfield had ever dealt with.
It seemed like yesterday that he along with the rest of the Alpha team entered Spencer's mansion and first faced Umbrella's horrors, it seemed like yesterday that Chris rescued his sister from the Ashford's insane grasp, it seemed like yesterday when the group had infiltrated the facility that would lead to Chris being taken away from all the people that he loved, it seemed like yesterday that Jill and the others rescued him from Wesker and his doomed life as a mindless zombie. Everything seemed like it had just happened, but here he was a year and a half since it all began and to be completely honest Chris was just grateful that he along with everyone he cared about was still alive.
After their second escapades in North Carolina the group returned to Seattle. There they decided that everyone needed a break to gather themselves, and to enjoy some much need rest and relaxation.
Barry returned to his family, Rebecca went back to college, Carlos moved back down to California for a new start, Claire and Leon made a trip together to spend a few weeks with Sherry Birkin, and for awhile it was just Chris and Jill alone in their Seattle apartment.
Jill Valentine, words could not begin to describe how Chris felt for her. It was like she was apart of him that nothing else belonged to.
How she fought to find him, there is nothing that can compare to that kind of blind faith and devotion. Chris loved her for that, but still there was so much more.
Chris remembered the first night they were alone in the apartment. They were sleeping in separate rooms, and he had gone to his bedroom after a late night of watching T.V, but like many nights to follow he couldn't fall asleep. As he lay awake he could hear the sound of soft sobs coming from the room next store.
Getting up Chris walked over to Jill's bedroom, he didn't turn on the lights. Instead he just spoke gently into the pitch black room.
"Jill, are you alright?"
The only response he received was a sob.
"Jill?" He tried again, still no words came.
Not bothering to turn the lights on Chris maneuvered his way through the room until he found his way to Jill's bed. Crawling under the covers he could feel the heat coming from Jill's body, he could feel her body shake with silent sobs. Wrapping his arms around her Jill nestled up against his body. Chris loved the smell of her hair, and the feeling of her body against his own.
Kissing the top of her head gently Chris made one last attempt.
"Jill what is it?"
"Chris, I couldn't handle it if you left me again," she whispered bluntly "I know I have to be strong, I know that I can't back down, but I just don't know if I can handle it anymore."
Chris spun Jill around so they were facing each other, and even though it was too dark to really see Chris could feel her warm, golden eyes burning into his own.
"You will never loose me," he told as he took her hand and held it against his chest "I don't know what's going to happen, but you Jill Valentine will never loose me."
Jill leaned forward pressing her forehead against his own "Please keep that promise," she whispered.
Kissing her hand he whispered back "I'll never break it."
Chris spent the rest of the night with Jill in his arms.
When Claire and Leon returned from their trip to Atlanta, a whole new matter was added to Chris' growing list of concerns.
Leon Kennedy had assisted Claire on more then one occasion. It was Leon who was there with her in Raccoon; it was Leon who e-mailed Chris when Claire was on Rockford Island. Neither occasion was Chris there when his sister needed him the most. All in all Leon seemed like a pretty good guy, the question that came down to all who are involved was, was he with his sister?
Claire and Chris shared a lot of things, boyfriends and relationships; however, was never a topic that either cared to talk about with each other.
The two of them at times acted like a couple, and then at times they acted like just friends. Chris asked Jill about it once; she just smiled and told him to talk to Claire.
Giving up on his investigation into his sister's affairs Chris changed his focus and spent the next few days for any leads on Umbrella.
The company seemed to have downsized rapidly since North Carolina. The companies facilities were going down left and right, it seemed as if there campaign was making an impact, or Umbrella was going low key. Chris banked on the latter of the two.
From Leon's friends at the F.B.I the group heard that all Umbrella's listed facilities and warehouses had been inspected, and later cleared. Meaning they had to find Umbrella's nonlisted facilities and warehouses, a task easier said then done.
After countless hours of fruitless effort Chris was ready to give up and except that Umbrella had covered their tracks far too well when lady luck finally gave them an opening.
Leon's college roommate and now F.B.I agent Adam Skampa was actually the one to deliver them the information.
After one conversation with Adam Skampa Chris knew one thing, it was time to get everyone back together.
* * *
They all decided to meet in a restaurant in one of the suburbs outside of Seattle.
It had been almost two months since everyone had been together, and Leon for one was a little nervous about starting everything up again.
Leon truly did despise the biological weapons company, he hated umbrella with more hate then he thought he could ever possess. It was just that recently Leon had gotten the taste of what a normal life without Umbrella would be like, and it was then that Leon started to realize what he had been missing.
For a few weeks Leon lived the life of a family man. He and Claire lived with Sherry and her aunt for three weeks, and during those three weeks he Claire, and Sherry did all the things that you never thought crusaders against one of the world's biggest companies would do.
They went to museums, took walks in the park, and caught a few Atlanta Brave's games. To one who had grown to love the simpler things in life it was more then Leon at times prayed for, it was truly a dream.
Eventually the dream had to end and Claire persisted that they return to Seattle.
Claire was unable to let go of her hate for Umbrella. She had a drive in her that pushed her harder and harder, she is more passionate then any of the others. Leon knew she had her reasons; Raccoon, Sherry, Chris, Steve, even herself. Leon respected that he just wished he knew how much each reason weighed.
As much as the ex-cop at times wanted to he couldn't deny the feelings he had for Claire Redfield. He couldn't define them other then he knew that they were strong. Leon knew he admired her greatly, and cared for her even more, but did he love her? It was a question that he didn't know the answer to, and to be honest even a little afraid of it.
When comparing what he felt about Claire there was only one person that even came close to how Leon felt about her and that was Ada.
Over time it became easier to forget about the mysterious, beautiful women that unexpectedly entered his life. Leon did think of her from time to time, but at the end of every thought he just hoped that her soul rested in peace.
With all that was going on it was hard for Leon to even think about taking up the battle against Umbrella. When Adam came to him with his new information for a second Leon considered not sharing it with the others.
In the end, however, Leon knew what he had to do. This was a war, a war for not just the people he cared about, but the world. It was bigger then him, it was more important. He knew he would have to fight, but what was more important was that in the end he wanted to.
It was good seeing everyone after their time apart. They all had things going for them, but like Leon here they were. It was a nice feeling knowing he wasn't alone.
For the first hour or so the group spent the time catching up, but once the waiters had taken their dirty dishes it was time for them to get down to business.
In a voice lower then he usually spoke Chris began telling everyone all that he had been told by Adam.
"Guys we've been given, from Adam Skampa an agent at the F.B.I, the direct location of the plant where the T-virus was first created.
Leon watched as the jaws of all his friends dropped.
"Wh.where?" Rebecca stuttered.
"On the northern shores of Egypt."
If the jaws could drop any lower Leon was sure that at that moment they would have.
"Well that is defiantly one of the last places anyone would ever look." Barry said half jokingly, half dead serious.
"Are you sure it's still there?" Rebecca asked sensibly.
Chris nodded "That's what Mr. Skampa said. In fact were supposed to meet him in Cairo tomorrow night, that is if everyone agrees."
"Hey if it means that I get to see some pyramids then count me in," Carlos said a bright smile spread across his face.
Nobody objected to Carlos' comment, so the matter became settled.
They were going to Egypt.
* * *
"So is it safe for us to presume that everything is in order?" A curt, snobbish voice said through the phone.
"Everything is going as planned. You have nothing to worry about Mr. Ashford; you will get what you want."
"I could careless what you do with the rest of the scum; all I want are the Redfields."
"And you will get them," he told his employer confidently.
"Excellent."
"What about my compensation. When will I get the fruit for my efforts?"
"You will get paid as soon as I have what I want."
A smirk crawled onto the young mans face. "Then expect the Redfields shortly."
A high pitched laugh pierced through the phone. "Very well I'll be expecting results from you soon Mr. Skampa."
Adam didn't reply he just hung up the phone and grabbed his keys. He had a plane ride to catch.
Never Safe to Presume
AUTHORS FOREWARD: Hey, this is a sequel to my story 'End of the World,' but I don't think you need to read it for this story. In this story I tried to delve more into the relationships of the Umbrella survivors rather then their battle against Umbrella itself, although there's plenty of that as well. I hope all is well for you out there. Always, Leah
Time was the most bizarre and unreal matter that Chris Redfield had ever dealt with.
It seemed like yesterday that he along with the rest of the Alpha team entered Spencer's mansion and first faced Umbrella's horrors, it seemed like yesterday that Chris rescued his sister from the Ashford's insane grasp, it seemed like yesterday when the group had infiltrated the facility that would lead to Chris being taken away from all the people that he loved, it seemed like yesterday that Jill and the others rescued him from Wesker and his doomed life as a mindless zombie. Everything seemed like it had just happened, but here he was a year and a half since it all began and to be completely honest Chris was just grateful that he along with everyone he cared about was still alive.
After their second escapades in North Carolina the group returned to Seattle. There they decided that everyone needed a break to gather themselves, and to enjoy some much need rest and relaxation.
Barry returned to his family, Rebecca went back to college, Carlos moved back down to California for a new start, Claire and Leon made a trip together to spend a few weeks with Sherry Birkin, and for awhile it was just Chris and Jill alone in their Seattle apartment.
Jill Valentine, words could not begin to describe how Chris felt for her. It was like she was apart of him that nothing else belonged to.
How she fought to find him, there is nothing that can compare to that kind of blind faith and devotion. Chris loved her for that, but still there was so much more.
Chris remembered the first night they were alone in the apartment. They were sleeping in separate rooms, and he had gone to his bedroom after a late night of watching T.V, but like many nights to follow he couldn't fall asleep. As he lay awake he could hear the sound of soft sobs coming from the room next store.
Getting up Chris walked over to Jill's bedroom, he didn't turn on the lights. Instead he just spoke gently into the pitch black room.
"Jill, are you alright?"
The only response he received was a sob.
"Jill?" He tried again, still no words came.
Not bothering to turn the lights on Chris maneuvered his way through the room until he found his way to Jill's bed. Crawling under the covers he could feel the heat coming from Jill's body, he could feel her body shake with silent sobs. Wrapping his arms around her Jill nestled up against his body. Chris loved the smell of her hair, and the feeling of her body against his own.
Kissing the top of her head gently Chris made one last attempt.
"Jill what is it?"
"Chris, I couldn't handle it if you left me again," she whispered bluntly "I know I have to be strong, I know that I can't back down, but I just don't know if I can handle it anymore."
Chris spun Jill around so they were facing each other, and even though it was too dark to really see Chris could feel her warm, golden eyes burning into his own.
"You will never loose me," he told as he took her hand and held it against his chest "I don't know what's going to happen, but you Jill Valentine will never loose me."
Jill leaned forward pressing her forehead against his own "Please keep that promise," she whispered.
Kissing her hand he whispered back "I'll never break it."
Chris spent the rest of the night with Jill in his arms.
When Claire and Leon returned from their trip to Atlanta, a whole new matter was added to Chris' growing list of concerns.
Leon Kennedy had assisted Claire on more then one occasion. It was Leon who was there with her in Raccoon; it was Leon who e-mailed Chris when Claire was on Rockford Island. Neither occasion was Chris there when his sister needed him the most. All in all Leon seemed like a pretty good guy, the question that came down to all who are involved was, was he with his sister?
Claire and Chris shared a lot of things, boyfriends and relationships; however, was never a topic that either cared to talk about with each other.
The two of them at times acted like a couple, and then at times they acted like just friends. Chris asked Jill about it once; she just smiled and told him to talk to Claire.
Giving up on his investigation into his sister's affairs Chris changed his focus and spent the next few days for any leads on Umbrella.
The company seemed to have downsized rapidly since North Carolina. The companies facilities were going down left and right, it seemed as if there campaign was making an impact, or Umbrella was going low key. Chris banked on the latter of the two.
From Leon's friends at the F.B.I the group heard that all Umbrella's listed facilities and warehouses had been inspected, and later cleared. Meaning they had to find Umbrella's nonlisted facilities and warehouses, a task easier said then done.
After countless hours of fruitless effort Chris was ready to give up and except that Umbrella had covered their tracks far too well when lady luck finally gave them an opening.
Leon's college roommate and now F.B.I agent Adam Skampa was actually the one to deliver them the information.
After one conversation with Adam Skampa Chris knew one thing, it was time to get everyone back together.
* * *
They all decided to meet in a restaurant in one of the suburbs outside of Seattle.
It had been almost two months since everyone had been together, and Leon for one was a little nervous about starting everything up again.
Leon truly did despise the biological weapons company, he hated umbrella with more hate then he thought he could ever possess. It was just that recently Leon had gotten the taste of what a normal life without Umbrella would be like, and it was then that Leon started to realize what he had been missing.
For a few weeks Leon lived the life of a family man. He and Claire lived with Sherry and her aunt for three weeks, and during those three weeks he Claire, and Sherry did all the things that you never thought crusaders against one of the world's biggest companies would do.
They went to museums, took walks in the park, and caught a few Atlanta Brave's games. To one who had grown to love the simpler things in life it was more then Leon at times prayed for, it was truly a dream.
Eventually the dream had to end and Claire persisted that they return to Seattle.
Claire was unable to let go of her hate for Umbrella. She had a drive in her that pushed her harder and harder, she is more passionate then any of the others. Leon knew she had her reasons; Raccoon, Sherry, Chris, Steve, even herself. Leon respected that he just wished he knew how much each reason weighed.
As much as the ex-cop at times wanted to he couldn't deny the feelings he had for Claire Redfield. He couldn't define them other then he knew that they were strong. Leon knew he admired her greatly, and cared for her even more, but did he love her? It was a question that he didn't know the answer to, and to be honest even a little afraid of it.
When comparing what he felt about Claire there was only one person that even came close to how Leon felt about her and that was Ada.
Over time it became easier to forget about the mysterious, beautiful women that unexpectedly entered his life. Leon did think of her from time to time, but at the end of every thought he just hoped that her soul rested in peace.
With all that was going on it was hard for Leon to even think about taking up the battle against Umbrella. When Adam came to him with his new information for a second Leon considered not sharing it with the others.
In the end, however, Leon knew what he had to do. This was a war, a war for not just the people he cared about, but the world. It was bigger then him, it was more important. He knew he would have to fight, but what was more important was that in the end he wanted to.
It was good seeing everyone after their time apart. They all had things going for them, but like Leon here they were. It was a nice feeling knowing he wasn't alone.
For the first hour or so the group spent the time catching up, but once the waiters had taken their dirty dishes it was time for them to get down to business.
In a voice lower then he usually spoke Chris began telling everyone all that he had been told by Adam.
"Guys we've been given, from Adam Skampa an agent at the F.B.I, the direct location of the plant where the T-virus was first created.
Leon watched as the jaws of all his friends dropped.
"Wh.where?" Rebecca stuttered.
"On the northern shores of Egypt."
If the jaws could drop any lower Leon was sure that at that moment they would have.
"Well that is defiantly one of the last places anyone would ever look." Barry said half jokingly, half dead serious.
"Are you sure it's still there?" Rebecca asked sensibly.
Chris nodded "That's what Mr. Skampa said. In fact were supposed to meet him in Cairo tomorrow night, that is if everyone agrees."
"Hey if it means that I get to see some pyramids then count me in," Carlos said a bright smile spread across his face.
Nobody objected to Carlos' comment, so the matter became settled.
They were going to Egypt.
* * *
"So is it safe for us to presume that everything is in order?" A curt, snobbish voice said through the phone.
"Everything is going as planned. You have nothing to worry about Mr. Ashford; you will get what you want."
"I could careless what you do with the rest of the scum; all I want are the Redfields."
"And you will get them," he told his employer confidently.
"Excellent."
"What about my compensation. When will I get the fruit for my efforts?"
"You will get paid as soon as I have what I want."
A smirk crawled onto the young mans face. "Then expect the Redfields shortly."
A high pitched laugh pierced through the phone. "Very well I'll be expecting results from you soon Mr. Skampa."
Adam didn't reply he just hung up the phone and grabbed his keys. He had a plane ride to catch.