CHAPTER 6
Suddenly Surreal
The guys had all gone grocery shopping, and the ladies of the house were enjoying the peace and quiet the house had whenever the boys were gone.
The three of them were sitting around the kitchen table, all with a raspberry tea in their hands.
"Wouldn't it be great if things were this calm all the time?" Rebecca joked
"Maybe we should lock the doors and never let the boys back in?" Claire added, they all giggled.
After the laughter had died down, Jill, who was carefully taking a sip of her tea, asked her. "So Claire, tell us what's going on between you and Adam?"
"What do you mean?" Claire responded, spewing a mouthful of tea onto the table, she watched both Jill and Rebecca give her skeptical glances.
Since Claire had been rescued her emotions had been running on tight ropes. They had become so blinding that she couldn't run away from them, they blocked everywhere she had to go. And despite having all the people that she cared about most in the world being under the same roof, there really was no one that she could talk to. Jill and Rebecca were great, but their relationship had its limits. She had her brother, but Chris always became so protective. He had a tendency of skipping the friend part of their relationship and going directly to the older brother. There was always Leon; she would always have her sweet Leon. The problem there was a lot of her unknown emotions were boiling because of him. Consequently he became the last person that she could talk to. Both Barry and Carlos were kind, but neither she felt a strong enough tie to. The only other person in the house that she would dare talk to was Adam.
It would be a flat out lie if Claire would say that she wasn't attracted to Adam. Hell, she never found herself so attracted to someone her entire life. He was so easy to talk to; everything always became simpler with him around. And despite herself Claire found herself spending more and more time with the young F.B.I agent.
All the while when she was with Adam she could never stop thinking about Leon, and as if she didn't need it thoughts of Steve continually kept drifting into her head, creating one big triangle of men that Claire never asked to be a part of.
"Claire, earth to Claire," Rebecca's voice called her back to reality.
"Are you alright?" Jill asked she was laughing with an uneasy concern.
Claire didn't say anything, an unexpected urge had suddenly taken over her body, quickly she put her hands over her mouth and made a mad dash to the bathroom.
After throwing up Claire went to the sink to splash her face with water. This was the third morning that she had thrown up. Everything was getting to her Claire knew that, she just didn't think it was to the point where she would actually become sick over it.
Wiping a towel over her face the sound of the boys coming home destroyed whatever hopes of peace Claire was hoping to receive.
Leaving the bathroom Claire joined everyone in the kitchen. Jill and Rebecca were both looking at her nervously, but thankfully they didn't say anything. When their worried eyes at last moved from hers they all looked up at Chris. Locking eyes with her brother for only a mere second Claire immediately knew that something was up.
"There's been a report of an outbreak," Chris said at last breaking the growing silence.
"Wh...what?" She stammered, in the way that only the news of Umbrella could make her. "Where, how?"
"In town we heard of several people going to the hospital, there was newscast about several people suddenly having their skin decaying. Obviously we looked into the matter and found that three people were admitted into a residential hospital just on the outside of Cairo. Apparently there was an accident where the three worked."-
"Let me guess," Jill said sarcastically.
"I think very little guessing needs to be involved here," Chris replied cynically "The three worked at a warehouse that is owned by Umbrella, and through a lucky chance encounter with a former employee of the warehouse we know exactly where it is. We leave in fifteen minutes. If we act fast enough we might be able to get there before Umbrella once again cleans up all the evidence."
Everyone dismissed from each other. Claire was heading to her room to get ready when she felt a firm hand grab her shoulder. Being turned around, Claire found herself face to face with her brother.
"Claire," he said hesitantly "I don't know if you should come with us?"
"What are you talking about?" Claire asked Chris exasperated.
"What I'm talking about?" Chris repeated scornfully "we still don't know what was done to you and I just think we should play it safe. I want to prevent anything worse from happening to you."
"Chris I'll be fine. I'm just as capable as the others on going on this mission."
"Claire," Chris begged, but she wasn't going to hear it.
"Chris, just let me get ready."
With a great amount of hesitation Chris stepped aside. He knew by now how strong Claire's stubbornness could be, after all she did get it from him.
In fifteen minutes everybody was piled in their rented dodge van. Barry taking the driver's seat started the engine, as the vehicle roared to life Chris threw one last hopeful glance at her.
"I'm fine," she mouthed to him. With a regrettable nod Chris turned back to the front of the van. He remained silent for the rest of the ride, not bothering her once, but that didn't mean Claire didn't bother herself.
Chris wasn't the only one nagging on her. Something inside of her was saying that same warnings that her brother was, and just like to Chris she kept telling herself that she would be fine. Only were Chris eventually left her alone, whatever it was inside of her did not.
* * *
Traveling to investigate their new lead Leon couldn't help but to keep throwing worried glances over in Claire's direction. He was simply concerned.
She hadn't been herself ever since they rescued her from Alfred's estate, though he realized that she had been through quite an ordeal he just wish she would talk to him about it.
He was told that she had talked to Rebecca and even Adam, but to him she was like a stone.
They traveled in the van in complete silence. Normally, even when they knew they were driving into danger, there were at least a couple of conversations going to in the vehicle, but not this time. The only noise was the hum of the engine and the whisper of their anxious breathes.
Honestly Leon did not feel good about this mission at all. He had a feeling that everyone's silence meant that they were feeling the same way.
Two hours later they had reached their destination. Barry pulled the van to the side of the road; a dark forest surrounded them on both sides. Inching the vehicle to a halt Barry parked the van.
Everyone started to pile out of the van. As he was getting out Leon glanced once again over at Claire. She didn't look good, her face was extremely pale, he could see shades of green reflect from her cheeks. Small rings of sweat were forming on the side of her face, and her eyes looked dazed. Grabbing her arm so she couldn't get away Leon told her.
"Claire, I really think you should stay in the van."
"Okay Leon if you 'really' think so," she retorted mockingly.
"Claire your not well," Leon tried to reason with her, but Claire wouldn't hear it.
"Who the hell do you think you are Leon?! Now get your god damn hands off of me."
Obediently Leon let go of Claire's arm, and watched as she angrily hopped out of the van slamming the door so hard that Leon could feel the vehicle shake. With a great amount of uncertainty Leon joined the others as they gathered by the hood of the van.
They had to go through the forest to arrive at the compound. It wasn't a far jaunt, but everyone was prepared for the worst. Nobody was keen on traveling through a dark forest that were right on the outskirts of an Umbrella compound.
While Leon's ears were tuned for the slightest move of a shrub, he kept his eyes focused on Claire.
At first she was fine, but it wasn't long before her pace started to slow and her body began to shake as if it was cold. Leon threw a nervous glance at Chris who was staring back at him. The two men gave subtle nods to each other; Chris made the first move to talk to his sister. His actions were too late.
All Leon could do was gasp as Claire fainted to the dirt of the forest, for one moment everyone stood completely still. No one expected her to collapse in the way that she did, that was everyone spare Leon; he didn't waste a moment in running to her side.
She was out cold; he took her in his arms and instinctively felt for her pulse. It was far more horrifying then he ever imagines to see Claire lying lifelessly. Gently Leon picked her up; cradling her in his arms he carried her back to the van. Nobody said a word, they just followed.
The whole way to the nearest hospital Leon held onto one of Claire's clammy hands. He felt that if he let go of her, even for one second, he would loose her. Inside his head Leon felt foolish, even still not once did he let go.
Barry pulled into the emergency parking lot. After a cell phone call medics were there and waiting, they took her immediately out of the van, put her onto a stretcher and rushed her into the hospital.
After that there was nothing anybody could do but wait.
It was so surreal sitting in the waiting room. For Leon it was weird watching others wait anxiously in their own ways.
Chris' eyes never left the waiting room doors, he kept watching for a doctor to come out, Jill stood nervously next to Chris. Her eyes, normally calm and collective, portrayed a women burden with worry. Rebecca was reading a medical magazine vigorously; they were a diversion that Leon envied. Carlos just sat in his seat with his elbows resting on his knees, his eyes focused only on the plain white wall that was in front of him. Barry, who appeared the least apprehensive, sat back in his chair. He just waited for everything to unfold. Adam, to Leon, was the most surprising. He was sitting back in his chair with his head buried in his hands. Leon didn't know why his friends reaction bothered him, it just did.
Within fifteen minutes a doctor had come into the waiting room. As soon as the doctor entered the room Chris was up from his chair and inches away from his face.
"Are one of you the family members?" the doctor asked.
"Yes," Chris answered immediately, his head was shaking vigorously up and down. "Is she alright?"
"She's fine," the doctor said reassuringly. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, a relief which the doctor cut short. "But if you could still join me in my office for a moment."
Chris and the doctor left the waiting room together. Leon desperately wanted to join them, he wanted to be right there knowing what was going on, but all he was was a friend and friends had to wait in the waiting room.
Barry, who somehow always had a sense about how someone was feeling, approached Leon.
"She knows your there for her Leon."
"What?"
A kind grin spread across the older man's face "I'm just telling you that she knows."
"I don't know what you're talking about Barry," Leon said, playing his naïve card.
Barry gave Leon a knowing look, a look that only the ex-S.W.A.T member could give. Looking away Leon continued to wait there impatiently.
When at last Chris came back to the waiting room his face was pale and his expression was dead. At the mere sight of him Leon could feel his heart start to race and his stomach tie into a knot.
In a tone that couldn't be defined by words Chris finally spoke. Leon was expecting the worst, instead he got what he least expected.
"Claire's pregnant."
AUTHORS NOTE:
I hope I surprised at least some people out there.
Always,
Leah
Suddenly Surreal
The guys had all gone grocery shopping, and the ladies of the house were enjoying the peace and quiet the house had whenever the boys were gone.
The three of them were sitting around the kitchen table, all with a raspberry tea in their hands.
"Wouldn't it be great if things were this calm all the time?" Rebecca joked
"Maybe we should lock the doors and never let the boys back in?" Claire added, they all giggled.
After the laughter had died down, Jill, who was carefully taking a sip of her tea, asked her. "So Claire, tell us what's going on between you and Adam?"
"What do you mean?" Claire responded, spewing a mouthful of tea onto the table, she watched both Jill and Rebecca give her skeptical glances.
Since Claire had been rescued her emotions had been running on tight ropes. They had become so blinding that she couldn't run away from them, they blocked everywhere she had to go. And despite having all the people that she cared about most in the world being under the same roof, there really was no one that she could talk to. Jill and Rebecca were great, but their relationship had its limits. She had her brother, but Chris always became so protective. He had a tendency of skipping the friend part of their relationship and going directly to the older brother. There was always Leon; she would always have her sweet Leon. The problem there was a lot of her unknown emotions were boiling because of him. Consequently he became the last person that she could talk to. Both Barry and Carlos were kind, but neither she felt a strong enough tie to. The only other person in the house that she would dare talk to was Adam.
It would be a flat out lie if Claire would say that she wasn't attracted to Adam. Hell, she never found herself so attracted to someone her entire life. He was so easy to talk to; everything always became simpler with him around. And despite herself Claire found herself spending more and more time with the young F.B.I agent.
All the while when she was with Adam she could never stop thinking about Leon, and as if she didn't need it thoughts of Steve continually kept drifting into her head, creating one big triangle of men that Claire never asked to be a part of.
"Claire, earth to Claire," Rebecca's voice called her back to reality.
"Are you alright?" Jill asked she was laughing with an uneasy concern.
Claire didn't say anything, an unexpected urge had suddenly taken over her body, quickly she put her hands over her mouth and made a mad dash to the bathroom.
After throwing up Claire went to the sink to splash her face with water. This was the third morning that she had thrown up. Everything was getting to her Claire knew that, she just didn't think it was to the point where she would actually become sick over it.
Wiping a towel over her face the sound of the boys coming home destroyed whatever hopes of peace Claire was hoping to receive.
Leaving the bathroom Claire joined everyone in the kitchen. Jill and Rebecca were both looking at her nervously, but thankfully they didn't say anything. When their worried eyes at last moved from hers they all looked up at Chris. Locking eyes with her brother for only a mere second Claire immediately knew that something was up.
"There's been a report of an outbreak," Chris said at last breaking the growing silence.
"Wh...what?" She stammered, in the way that only the news of Umbrella could make her. "Where, how?"
"In town we heard of several people going to the hospital, there was newscast about several people suddenly having their skin decaying. Obviously we looked into the matter and found that three people were admitted into a residential hospital just on the outside of Cairo. Apparently there was an accident where the three worked."-
"Let me guess," Jill said sarcastically.
"I think very little guessing needs to be involved here," Chris replied cynically "The three worked at a warehouse that is owned by Umbrella, and through a lucky chance encounter with a former employee of the warehouse we know exactly where it is. We leave in fifteen minutes. If we act fast enough we might be able to get there before Umbrella once again cleans up all the evidence."
Everyone dismissed from each other. Claire was heading to her room to get ready when she felt a firm hand grab her shoulder. Being turned around, Claire found herself face to face with her brother.
"Claire," he said hesitantly "I don't know if you should come with us?"
"What are you talking about?" Claire asked Chris exasperated.
"What I'm talking about?" Chris repeated scornfully "we still don't know what was done to you and I just think we should play it safe. I want to prevent anything worse from happening to you."
"Chris I'll be fine. I'm just as capable as the others on going on this mission."
"Claire," Chris begged, but she wasn't going to hear it.
"Chris, just let me get ready."
With a great amount of hesitation Chris stepped aside. He knew by now how strong Claire's stubbornness could be, after all she did get it from him.
In fifteen minutes everybody was piled in their rented dodge van. Barry taking the driver's seat started the engine, as the vehicle roared to life Chris threw one last hopeful glance at her.
"I'm fine," she mouthed to him. With a regrettable nod Chris turned back to the front of the van. He remained silent for the rest of the ride, not bothering her once, but that didn't mean Claire didn't bother herself.
Chris wasn't the only one nagging on her. Something inside of her was saying that same warnings that her brother was, and just like to Chris she kept telling herself that she would be fine. Only were Chris eventually left her alone, whatever it was inside of her did not.
* * *
Traveling to investigate their new lead Leon couldn't help but to keep throwing worried glances over in Claire's direction. He was simply concerned.
She hadn't been herself ever since they rescued her from Alfred's estate, though he realized that she had been through quite an ordeal he just wish she would talk to him about it.
He was told that she had talked to Rebecca and even Adam, but to him she was like a stone.
They traveled in the van in complete silence. Normally, even when they knew they were driving into danger, there were at least a couple of conversations going to in the vehicle, but not this time. The only noise was the hum of the engine and the whisper of their anxious breathes.
Honestly Leon did not feel good about this mission at all. He had a feeling that everyone's silence meant that they were feeling the same way.
Two hours later they had reached their destination. Barry pulled the van to the side of the road; a dark forest surrounded them on both sides. Inching the vehicle to a halt Barry parked the van.
Everyone started to pile out of the van. As he was getting out Leon glanced once again over at Claire. She didn't look good, her face was extremely pale, he could see shades of green reflect from her cheeks. Small rings of sweat were forming on the side of her face, and her eyes looked dazed. Grabbing her arm so she couldn't get away Leon told her.
"Claire, I really think you should stay in the van."
"Okay Leon if you 'really' think so," she retorted mockingly.
"Claire your not well," Leon tried to reason with her, but Claire wouldn't hear it.
"Who the hell do you think you are Leon?! Now get your god damn hands off of me."
Obediently Leon let go of Claire's arm, and watched as she angrily hopped out of the van slamming the door so hard that Leon could feel the vehicle shake. With a great amount of uncertainty Leon joined the others as they gathered by the hood of the van.
They had to go through the forest to arrive at the compound. It wasn't a far jaunt, but everyone was prepared for the worst. Nobody was keen on traveling through a dark forest that were right on the outskirts of an Umbrella compound.
While Leon's ears were tuned for the slightest move of a shrub, he kept his eyes focused on Claire.
At first she was fine, but it wasn't long before her pace started to slow and her body began to shake as if it was cold. Leon threw a nervous glance at Chris who was staring back at him. The two men gave subtle nods to each other; Chris made the first move to talk to his sister. His actions were too late.
All Leon could do was gasp as Claire fainted to the dirt of the forest, for one moment everyone stood completely still. No one expected her to collapse in the way that she did, that was everyone spare Leon; he didn't waste a moment in running to her side.
She was out cold; he took her in his arms and instinctively felt for her pulse. It was far more horrifying then he ever imagines to see Claire lying lifelessly. Gently Leon picked her up; cradling her in his arms he carried her back to the van. Nobody said a word, they just followed.
The whole way to the nearest hospital Leon held onto one of Claire's clammy hands. He felt that if he let go of her, even for one second, he would loose her. Inside his head Leon felt foolish, even still not once did he let go.
Barry pulled into the emergency parking lot. After a cell phone call medics were there and waiting, they took her immediately out of the van, put her onto a stretcher and rushed her into the hospital.
After that there was nothing anybody could do but wait.
It was so surreal sitting in the waiting room. For Leon it was weird watching others wait anxiously in their own ways.
Chris' eyes never left the waiting room doors, he kept watching for a doctor to come out, Jill stood nervously next to Chris. Her eyes, normally calm and collective, portrayed a women burden with worry. Rebecca was reading a medical magazine vigorously; they were a diversion that Leon envied. Carlos just sat in his seat with his elbows resting on his knees, his eyes focused only on the plain white wall that was in front of him. Barry, who appeared the least apprehensive, sat back in his chair. He just waited for everything to unfold. Adam, to Leon, was the most surprising. He was sitting back in his chair with his head buried in his hands. Leon didn't know why his friends reaction bothered him, it just did.
Within fifteen minutes a doctor had come into the waiting room. As soon as the doctor entered the room Chris was up from his chair and inches away from his face.
"Are one of you the family members?" the doctor asked.
"Yes," Chris answered immediately, his head was shaking vigorously up and down. "Is she alright?"
"She's fine," the doctor said reassuringly. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, a relief which the doctor cut short. "But if you could still join me in my office for a moment."
Chris and the doctor left the waiting room together. Leon desperately wanted to join them, he wanted to be right there knowing what was going on, but all he was was a friend and friends had to wait in the waiting room.
Barry, who somehow always had a sense about how someone was feeling, approached Leon.
"She knows your there for her Leon."
"What?"
A kind grin spread across the older man's face "I'm just telling you that she knows."
"I don't know what you're talking about Barry," Leon said, playing his naïve card.
Barry gave Leon a knowing look, a look that only the ex-S.W.A.T member could give. Looking away Leon continued to wait there impatiently.
When at last Chris came back to the waiting room his face was pale and his expression was dead. At the mere sight of him Leon could feel his heart start to race and his stomach tie into a knot.
In a tone that couldn't be defined by words Chris finally spoke. Leon was expecting the worst, instead he got what he least expected.
"Claire's pregnant."
AUTHORS NOTE:
I hope I surprised at least some people out there.
Always,
Leah