CHAPTER 2
Tales of Faith and Guilt
Claire never liked planes much. She preferred the open road with her bike. She liked being in control of where she was going, but since Umbrella entered her life Claire's motorcycle riding days became a thing of the past, and her destination was always decided for her.
Staring out the window Claire couldn't help but wonder what they were all getting into now. She wanted to stop Umbrella more then anything, it became more then just something she had to do, it had become who she was.
Despite her devotion to stop the evil corporation Claire still desperately missed her former life. She missed riding her motorcycle, she missed her friends, and she missed college.
Actually Claire often thought about her friends back in college. She just left them one day saying that she was going to go see her brother, and she never came back. She wondered what they thought when she didn't return, how much they missed her.
She actually had a boyfriend back in college, Will. They had only been dating for a couple of weeks, but she still thought of him from time to time.
Turning away from the window Claire looked over at Leon just as he happened to be glancing at her. Their eyes met and Leon smiled.
On the other hand there was a positive side to this whole Umbrella ordeal. If none of this had ever happened Claire would have never of met all the amazing people that she now fought beside. She would have never of met Sherry.she would have never of met Leon.
She watched as Leon's eyelids started to drift, and waited as his head gradually started to fall onto Claire's shoulder where it stayed.
Claire ran her fingers affectionately through his wavy blond hair. There was so much to say about Leon Kennedy, too much actually. Claire couldn't even begin to sort out what she was feeling.
Leon was her friend; there would never be a doubt about that. Was he more was the question, and to be honest Claire wasn't sure what she felt for Leon. Claire felt more for him then she had for any other man in her life, spare Chris. That, however, could be attributed to all they had been through together.
Giving into a deep sigh Claire continued her gaze out the window. She was started to doze off when the plane's loudspeakers came on.
"Attention all passengers, we will be landing in fifteen minutes. Please return to your seats and buckle your seatbelts."
Yawning Claire turned to Leon and gave him a small shake.
"Hey Leon get up the planes landing," when he didn't respond Claire tried again "Come Leon you big oaf, it's time to get up."
Slowly Leon's eyes started to open. With a goofy smile on his face Leon rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
"Why are you smiling?" Claire asked curiously.
"Oh.I was just remembering the dream I was having."
"What was your dream about?"
Leon smiled, but didn't say anything.
"Oh, since when did you become so shy?"
"Hey I'm entitled to a little privacy."
Claire grins "Fair enough, but next time I have a dream I won't be telling you about it."
"Let me thank you in advance then."
Giving him a playful push Claire mutters 'asswhole,' under her breath and then turned back to the window.
A short time later the plane landed. The group, along with all the other passengers, filed out of the plane.
Claire was next to Leon walking out of the terminal when a good natured voice called out her companion's name.
A very good looking man in his mid-twenties was waiting at the end of the terminal. He had jet black hair that was long enough to have slicked back to behind his ears. His eyes were a dark majestic color, and had a strong jaw line that went well with his distinguished face. The man's body resembled Leon's in many ways, long, lean and muscular. Instantly without a need of a word Claire knew he had to be Adam Skampa.
Running up to Adam Leon gave his old college roommate a hug. When the men parted Leon took the opportunity to introduce Claire.
"Adam, I would like you to meet Claire Redfield."
Turning away from his buddy Adam looked at Claire and smiled. "Leon said you were pretty Miss Redfield. But I don't think his words did you justice."
"You can just call me Claire." Claire told him, she could feel herself blushing.
After Leon introduced Adam to everyone else the group all climbed into their rented cars, and drove to the hotel that Adam was staying at.
Claire rode in the car with Adam, Leon and Barry. As Adam kept instructing Leon where to turn to get to the hotel Claire found herself constantly sneaking glances at him.
One time Barry caught and in a low whisper said.
"I don't think this is the time to be getting a crush kiddo."
Claire glared at him "Thanks Chris," She snapped sarcastically.
"Hey I didn't mean to offend you Claire," Barry said his voice still in a whisper "I just wanted to remind you."
Looking away from her brother's long time friend Claire enjoyed the rest of the car ride looking out the window. A task easier said then done with two gorgeous guys sitting right in front of her, but Claire put in a valiant effort.
When they arrived at the hotel everyone grabbed their bags and proceeded into the lobby.
It was so surreal being in Egypt. It didn't feel like we were in another country, the hotel was decorated very glitzy and didn't look like anything that you find in the states. Still Claire didn't feel like she wondered far from her door.
Claire ended up bunking will Jill and Rebecca. Her brother was sharing a room with Barry and Carlos, and Leon was going to stay with Adam who already had a room.
As the girls were unpacking they did what all girls did when they are together, they gossiped about boys.
It was actually Rebecca who started it. She was tossing some of her under garments into a drawl when she asked them.
"Do you guys think that Adam is cute or what?"
Claire didn't say anything as Jill laughed.
"Oh come on Claire," Rebecca pestered "You don't think he's cute at all."
"I didn't say he wasn't cute," Claire told her friend "I believe I didn't say anything."
"Well somebody is edgy today," said Jill throwing the rest of her things in the drawl and shutting it firmly.
"I am not. I just didn't know what to say that's all."
"I don't know about that. A Redfield with nothing to say is pretty rare. Don't you agree Jill?" Rebecca teased.
"On this one I would have to agree," Jill answered moving towards the door "Come on you two let's head over to Chris' room. I think everyone wants to get the details of the next mission right away."
After a long sigh Claire followed her two friends out of the room. When they arrived in Chris' room they found everyone there, that was everyone except Adam.
Joining Carlos on the couch Rebecca called over to Leon who was busy reading the Cairo newspaper.
"Hey Leon where's your friend?"
"He was taking a shower when I left," putting down the newspaper Leon turned to her "Hey Claire would you go tell him to hurry up, we should probably get started."
"Me?" she said off guard "Why don't you go get him?"
"I want to finish this paper." He answered "Anyway it's not that big of deal. He's only two rooms down."
Not able to think of an excuse not to Claire left the room. Arriving at Adam's room she knocked on the door. There was no answer; trying again she got the same result. Hesitantly she turned the handle, when the door opened Claire walked carefully into the room.
"Adam," she called, not respecting a response.
"Yeah," answered a voice.
The door to the bathroom suddenly opened and hot steam entered the hotel room. Then wrapped in nothing but a clean white towel came Adam. Claire knew right then and there that she was in trouble.
* * *
For Adam nothing was ever safe, nobody ever had your back, and danger was always around the corner. Just three years with the F.B.I had taught him that. However, letting all negative things rest aside there was one thing that Adam knew for certain that was true. Claire Redfield was beautiful.
Adam had never understood why Leon had gone so far out of his way for this girl. After finally seeing her Adam at last had his answer.
It was needless to say that when Claire was standing there with him in nothing but his towel hot surges of physical emotions were flowing through him. Self control, luckily, was always one of his stronger points. He told Claire to hold on a minute, and then went back into the bathroom to put on his cloths.
Adam knew that any relationship with Claire Redfield would completely ruin everything. He couldn't let his emotions nor his hormones get in the way. And no matter what he absolutely couldn't let his guilt get the better of him. He made it this far, he wasn't going to stop now.
When he was dressed and ready Adam and Claire went and joined the others. Everyone was waiting patiently for them. They all had determined 'let's get this started,' looks in their eyes. Adam knew immediately that everything was going as plan.
Once he had everyone surrounding him Adam began to go over his plan of action.
"Umbrella's facility is just on the outside of Cairo. Not more then forty-five minutes away. The place is old and shouldn't be that well guarded. Frankly I don't think we'll have any trouble getting in."
"Why do you say that?" Jill asked.
"Well I don't think there's much there. The only thing, and the reason I brought this to Leon's attention, is umbrella should keep documents and maybe even samples of Umbrella's early experiments with the T- virus. Which would be enough for you to finally get the federal government to commit to an official investigation."
"Adam, if the F.B.I isn't officially involved in this case how did you get all this information?" Barry asked a trace of skepticism could be heard in the big man's voice that made Adam feel uneasy.
"Ever since Leon came to me I've been kinda having my own underground investigation. It was only by chance that I came across an article that mentioned Umbrella's facility when I was working on another case."
Barry didn't say anything, which didn't reassure Adam.
Everybody agreed to get ready and meet back down in the lobby in fifteen minutes. Adam went back to his room, when he was all set he made his way back down to the lobby. Already there was Claire, Leon, Barry and Chris. The four of them were all wrapped in conversation. Standing behind a large vase Adam listened in.
"Leon, don't you find it at all suspicious that suddenly your friend Adam finds out that Umbrella has a facility in Cairo?"
"No, I don't Barry," Leon said defensively "Adam was my college roommate, he's a F.B.I agent now, and most importantly he's my friend. I see no reason not to trust him."
Adam could feel that tinge of guilt as Leon spoke up for him.
"Don't you guys get that vibe from him? Like something's off?" Chris asked his eyes narrow.
Claire shook her head "I don't get that feeling at all guys. He's trying to help us; he's trying to help the world. I don't think there's anything more to it."
"Well in any case keep both your eyes open," Chris told his sister before walking away with Barry. Leon lingered around a little longer, and whispered something in Claire's ear before leaving her to join the others.
Adam was going to take the opportunity and sneak away back up the staircase, bur before he got the chance Claire turned around and her eyes locked with his own.
Caught Adam moved away from the vase with his hands playfully in the air.
"Did you hear all that?" Claire asked.
"Yeah.I didn't mean to, I just kinda got absorbed into it."
She sighed "I wouldn't take it too personally; Chris has always been suspicious of everything. It's in his blood, and now with all that has happened.you can't really blame him."
"I don't," Adam said honestly "He's just doing his job and I'm doing the same."
Claire nodded "Well we better get going; we both have jobs to do."
With a smiled Claire left to catch up with the others. For a moment Adam had to stand there, he had to fight that moment so his conscious wouldn't get the better of him.
* * *
Leaning against the window Jill couldn't fight the nervous feeling that had started churning in her stomach, and as they traveled closer to their destination the feeling worked its way all the way to her throat.
They hadn't been on a mission since they rescued Chris. Now as they traveled everything seemed to be going too fast for Jill.
Looking in the back of the van she spotted Chris checking all their weapons.
His spiky hair was getting long, almost shaggy. It was starting to reach his steel blue eyes that Jill loved so much. She just couldn't loose him, not again, not ever again.
When the van stopped and Adam yelled to everyone that they had arrived Jill found herself starting to shake. She wasn't afraid about risking her own life, with growing up with a cat burglar as a father your life was always at risk, but watching Chris hand out weapons to the people she loved most in the world.it scared her more then anything ever had.
Jill was the last to get her weapon. Chris handed her a standard shotgun and a 9mm. As he handed the guns to her their eyes locked. Jill shaking started going into double time until it reached the point where she had no control over it.
Taking her to the side of the van where the others couldn't see them Chris started to gently rub her shoulder.
"What is it?" He asked.
"I can't loose you again Chris," she blurted out "I can't loose any of you."
"Your not going to loose anyone. Not if we all stay alert and ready." Chris said calmly, resting his forehead on top of her own.
"It's just this mission, it doesn't feel right."
Taking her hand Chris placed their hands over his heart.
"Nothings predictable, in any given mission something could happen, but then again something could happen when you're just walking down the street. You just have to have faith in the people around you when those things do happen that they'll be right by your side."
Looking into his eyes Jill nodded and whispered. "I have faith in you Chris."
The two share a quick passionate kiss before joining back with the others.
Jill was still feeling shaky about the mission, but Chris was right. Sometimes you just have to have faith in the people around you.
Going on that faith that she held deeply for her comrades Jill joined the others as they started to make their way toward the facility.
AUTHORS NOTE: Well there's my second chapter. Thank you all for reading. In this chapter I was hoping to show how the battle against Umbrella has changed all their lives and what kind of people they are becoming because of that. I hope everyone out there had a great holidays.
Always,
Leah
Tales of Faith and Guilt
Claire never liked planes much. She preferred the open road with her bike. She liked being in control of where she was going, but since Umbrella entered her life Claire's motorcycle riding days became a thing of the past, and her destination was always decided for her.
Staring out the window Claire couldn't help but wonder what they were all getting into now. She wanted to stop Umbrella more then anything, it became more then just something she had to do, it had become who she was.
Despite her devotion to stop the evil corporation Claire still desperately missed her former life. She missed riding her motorcycle, she missed her friends, and she missed college.
Actually Claire often thought about her friends back in college. She just left them one day saying that she was going to go see her brother, and she never came back. She wondered what they thought when she didn't return, how much they missed her.
She actually had a boyfriend back in college, Will. They had only been dating for a couple of weeks, but she still thought of him from time to time.
Turning away from the window Claire looked over at Leon just as he happened to be glancing at her. Their eyes met and Leon smiled.
On the other hand there was a positive side to this whole Umbrella ordeal. If none of this had ever happened Claire would have never of met all the amazing people that she now fought beside. She would have never of met Sherry.she would have never of met Leon.
She watched as Leon's eyelids started to drift, and waited as his head gradually started to fall onto Claire's shoulder where it stayed.
Claire ran her fingers affectionately through his wavy blond hair. There was so much to say about Leon Kennedy, too much actually. Claire couldn't even begin to sort out what she was feeling.
Leon was her friend; there would never be a doubt about that. Was he more was the question, and to be honest Claire wasn't sure what she felt for Leon. Claire felt more for him then she had for any other man in her life, spare Chris. That, however, could be attributed to all they had been through together.
Giving into a deep sigh Claire continued her gaze out the window. She was started to doze off when the plane's loudspeakers came on.
"Attention all passengers, we will be landing in fifteen minutes. Please return to your seats and buckle your seatbelts."
Yawning Claire turned to Leon and gave him a small shake.
"Hey Leon get up the planes landing," when he didn't respond Claire tried again "Come Leon you big oaf, it's time to get up."
Slowly Leon's eyes started to open. With a goofy smile on his face Leon rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
"Why are you smiling?" Claire asked curiously.
"Oh.I was just remembering the dream I was having."
"What was your dream about?"
Leon smiled, but didn't say anything.
"Oh, since when did you become so shy?"
"Hey I'm entitled to a little privacy."
Claire grins "Fair enough, but next time I have a dream I won't be telling you about it."
"Let me thank you in advance then."
Giving him a playful push Claire mutters 'asswhole,' under her breath and then turned back to the window.
A short time later the plane landed. The group, along with all the other passengers, filed out of the plane.
Claire was next to Leon walking out of the terminal when a good natured voice called out her companion's name.
A very good looking man in his mid-twenties was waiting at the end of the terminal. He had jet black hair that was long enough to have slicked back to behind his ears. His eyes were a dark majestic color, and had a strong jaw line that went well with his distinguished face. The man's body resembled Leon's in many ways, long, lean and muscular. Instantly without a need of a word Claire knew he had to be Adam Skampa.
Running up to Adam Leon gave his old college roommate a hug. When the men parted Leon took the opportunity to introduce Claire.
"Adam, I would like you to meet Claire Redfield."
Turning away from his buddy Adam looked at Claire and smiled. "Leon said you were pretty Miss Redfield. But I don't think his words did you justice."
"You can just call me Claire." Claire told him, she could feel herself blushing.
After Leon introduced Adam to everyone else the group all climbed into their rented cars, and drove to the hotel that Adam was staying at.
Claire rode in the car with Adam, Leon and Barry. As Adam kept instructing Leon where to turn to get to the hotel Claire found herself constantly sneaking glances at him.
One time Barry caught and in a low whisper said.
"I don't think this is the time to be getting a crush kiddo."
Claire glared at him "Thanks Chris," She snapped sarcastically.
"Hey I didn't mean to offend you Claire," Barry said his voice still in a whisper "I just wanted to remind you."
Looking away from her brother's long time friend Claire enjoyed the rest of the car ride looking out the window. A task easier said then done with two gorgeous guys sitting right in front of her, but Claire put in a valiant effort.
When they arrived at the hotel everyone grabbed their bags and proceeded into the lobby.
It was so surreal being in Egypt. It didn't feel like we were in another country, the hotel was decorated very glitzy and didn't look like anything that you find in the states. Still Claire didn't feel like she wondered far from her door.
Claire ended up bunking will Jill and Rebecca. Her brother was sharing a room with Barry and Carlos, and Leon was going to stay with Adam who already had a room.
As the girls were unpacking they did what all girls did when they are together, they gossiped about boys.
It was actually Rebecca who started it. She was tossing some of her under garments into a drawl when she asked them.
"Do you guys think that Adam is cute or what?"
Claire didn't say anything as Jill laughed.
"Oh come on Claire," Rebecca pestered "You don't think he's cute at all."
"I didn't say he wasn't cute," Claire told her friend "I believe I didn't say anything."
"Well somebody is edgy today," said Jill throwing the rest of her things in the drawl and shutting it firmly.
"I am not. I just didn't know what to say that's all."
"I don't know about that. A Redfield with nothing to say is pretty rare. Don't you agree Jill?" Rebecca teased.
"On this one I would have to agree," Jill answered moving towards the door "Come on you two let's head over to Chris' room. I think everyone wants to get the details of the next mission right away."
After a long sigh Claire followed her two friends out of the room. When they arrived in Chris' room they found everyone there, that was everyone except Adam.
Joining Carlos on the couch Rebecca called over to Leon who was busy reading the Cairo newspaper.
"Hey Leon where's your friend?"
"He was taking a shower when I left," putting down the newspaper Leon turned to her "Hey Claire would you go tell him to hurry up, we should probably get started."
"Me?" she said off guard "Why don't you go get him?"
"I want to finish this paper." He answered "Anyway it's not that big of deal. He's only two rooms down."
Not able to think of an excuse not to Claire left the room. Arriving at Adam's room she knocked on the door. There was no answer; trying again she got the same result. Hesitantly she turned the handle, when the door opened Claire walked carefully into the room.
"Adam," she called, not respecting a response.
"Yeah," answered a voice.
The door to the bathroom suddenly opened and hot steam entered the hotel room. Then wrapped in nothing but a clean white towel came Adam. Claire knew right then and there that she was in trouble.
* * *
For Adam nothing was ever safe, nobody ever had your back, and danger was always around the corner. Just three years with the F.B.I had taught him that. However, letting all negative things rest aside there was one thing that Adam knew for certain that was true. Claire Redfield was beautiful.
Adam had never understood why Leon had gone so far out of his way for this girl. After finally seeing her Adam at last had his answer.
It was needless to say that when Claire was standing there with him in nothing but his towel hot surges of physical emotions were flowing through him. Self control, luckily, was always one of his stronger points. He told Claire to hold on a minute, and then went back into the bathroom to put on his cloths.
Adam knew that any relationship with Claire Redfield would completely ruin everything. He couldn't let his emotions nor his hormones get in the way. And no matter what he absolutely couldn't let his guilt get the better of him. He made it this far, he wasn't going to stop now.
When he was dressed and ready Adam and Claire went and joined the others. Everyone was waiting patiently for them. They all had determined 'let's get this started,' looks in their eyes. Adam knew immediately that everything was going as plan.
Once he had everyone surrounding him Adam began to go over his plan of action.
"Umbrella's facility is just on the outside of Cairo. Not more then forty-five minutes away. The place is old and shouldn't be that well guarded. Frankly I don't think we'll have any trouble getting in."
"Why do you say that?" Jill asked.
"Well I don't think there's much there. The only thing, and the reason I brought this to Leon's attention, is umbrella should keep documents and maybe even samples of Umbrella's early experiments with the T- virus. Which would be enough for you to finally get the federal government to commit to an official investigation."
"Adam, if the F.B.I isn't officially involved in this case how did you get all this information?" Barry asked a trace of skepticism could be heard in the big man's voice that made Adam feel uneasy.
"Ever since Leon came to me I've been kinda having my own underground investigation. It was only by chance that I came across an article that mentioned Umbrella's facility when I was working on another case."
Barry didn't say anything, which didn't reassure Adam.
Everybody agreed to get ready and meet back down in the lobby in fifteen minutes. Adam went back to his room, when he was all set he made his way back down to the lobby. Already there was Claire, Leon, Barry and Chris. The four of them were all wrapped in conversation. Standing behind a large vase Adam listened in.
"Leon, don't you find it at all suspicious that suddenly your friend Adam finds out that Umbrella has a facility in Cairo?"
"No, I don't Barry," Leon said defensively "Adam was my college roommate, he's a F.B.I agent now, and most importantly he's my friend. I see no reason not to trust him."
Adam could feel that tinge of guilt as Leon spoke up for him.
"Don't you guys get that vibe from him? Like something's off?" Chris asked his eyes narrow.
Claire shook her head "I don't get that feeling at all guys. He's trying to help us; he's trying to help the world. I don't think there's anything more to it."
"Well in any case keep both your eyes open," Chris told his sister before walking away with Barry. Leon lingered around a little longer, and whispered something in Claire's ear before leaving her to join the others.
Adam was going to take the opportunity and sneak away back up the staircase, bur before he got the chance Claire turned around and her eyes locked with his own.
Caught Adam moved away from the vase with his hands playfully in the air.
"Did you hear all that?" Claire asked.
"Yeah.I didn't mean to, I just kinda got absorbed into it."
She sighed "I wouldn't take it too personally; Chris has always been suspicious of everything. It's in his blood, and now with all that has happened.you can't really blame him."
"I don't," Adam said honestly "He's just doing his job and I'm doing the same."
Claire nodded "Well we better get going; we both have jobs to do."
With a smiled Claire left to catch up with the others. For a moment Adam had to stand there, he had to fight that moment so his conscious wouldn't get the better of him.
* * *
Leaning against the window Jill couldn't fight the nervous feeling that had started churning in her stomach, and as they traveled closer to their destination the feeling worked its way all the way to her throat.
They hadn't been on a mission since they rescued Chris. Now as they traveled everything seemed to be going too fast for Jill.
Looking in the back of the van she spotted Chris checking all their weapons.
His spiky hair was getting long, almost shaggy. It was starting to reach his steel blue eyes that Jill loved so much. She just couldn't loose him, not again, not ever again.
When the van stopped and Adam yelled to everyone that they had arrived Jill found herself starting to shake. She wasn't afraid about risking her own life, with growing up with a cat burglar as a father your life was always at risk, but watching Chris hand out weapons to the people she loved most in the world.it scared her more then anything ever had.
Jill was the last to get her weapon. Chris handed her a standard shotgun and a 9mm. As he handed the guns to her their eyes locked. Jill shaking started going into double time until it reached the point where she had no control over it.
Taking her to the side of the van where the others couldn't see them Chris started to gently rub her shoulder.
"What is it?" He asked.
"I can't loose you again Chris," she blurted out "I can't loose any of you."
"Your not going to loose anyone. Not if we all stay alert and ready." Chris said calmly, resting his forehead on top of her own.
"It's just this mission, it doesn't feel right."
Taking her hand Chris placed their hands over his heart.
"Nothings predictable, in any given mission something could happen, but then again something could happen when you're just walking down the street. You just have to have faith in the people around you when those things do happen that they'll be right by your side."
Looking into his eyes Jill nodded and whispered. "I have faith in you Chris."
The two share a quick passionate kiss before joining back with the others.
Jill was still feeling shaky about the mission, but Chris was right. Sometimes you just have to have faith in the people around you.
Going on that faith that she held deeply for her comrades Jill joined the others as they started to make their way toward the facility.
AUTHORS NOTE: Well there's my second chapter. Thank you all for reading. In this chapter I was hoping to show how the battle against Umbrella has changed all their lives and what kind of people they are becoming because of that. I hope everyone out there had a great holidays.
Always,
Leah