CHAPTER XI
Unclear Horizons
He had told Barry and the others to get out of the building, and though it was with great reluctance, the three of them all obeyed his request. Leon, however, wasn't about to follow his own advice. He waited around the entrance, not prepared to leave until he was with Chris and Jill.
Time that would normally drag by seemed to pass him with lightning speed. His eyes were constantly darting around the large entrance hall, his ears tuned for the echo of footsteps.
Leon's hopes near vanished when the woman, whose voice would forever haunt his nightmares, said in her infamous tone.
"Two-minutes till self-destruction."
With a regrettable realization that Leon had to get out of there, he began to back paddle towards the door. It was at that time, when the clock ticked near its end, that two figures emerged heroically into view.
They were at a slight limp, but none the less running towards Leon with such a fierce determination that he would almost claim it as near impossible.
Leon quickly ran towards the pair, merging himself between Jill who had no pants and Chris who was wearing no shirt. Together they hurried towards the exit without a single word exchanged.
Making it outside they ran with every last drop of energy that they possessed. They had reached a few meters away from the building when a warm blaze of heat collided with their backs, telling them that the explosion hit.
The power of it swept Leon, along with Chris and Jill, right from the ground and flew them several yards ahead.
Landing harshly on the soil Leon had to take a moment to catch his breath, when he did Leon instinctively looked over at Chris and Jill to make sure they were alright. The three of them locked gazes, each making sure that the other was alright, and then simultaneously, they turned to the burning building. They watched the flames with silent amazement.
In a voice full of so many emotions that it almost became inaudible Chris said to them.
"I can't believe it's over."
Not saying so much as a word, Leon only prayed that he was right.
"So it's over for you guys?" Jamie asked as they walked along the Seattle's office halls.
"Well, in a manner of speaking I suppose it is," he told her through a heavy sigh. "Though, if I've learned anything, 'over' is a word too finely carved. In this world nothing is ever over."
"I guess repercussions are everywhere," she added to his line of thinking. "But if I've learned anything it's that you have to remain optimistic."
"Agreed," Chris said his tone lighter then before.
In silence, they walked downstairs to the garage. During those speechless moments Chris thought about Jamie, and the position that she now found herself in.
After their narrow escape, from what Chris later learned to be Spencer's private laboratory base, the group was quick to accuse Assistant Director William's for his part in Umbrella's ploys.
With an investigation into the Assistant Director's conspiracies, his team was broken up. And while Beck and Kyle had decided to stay with the F.B.I, Jamie had not.
Reaching the destination of his van, Chris stopped next to the driver's side door. He and Jamie faced each other, in an attempt to break the awkwardness that was before them Chris had to ask her.
"What are you going to do now?"
Jamie shrugged indifferently. "My future is pretty foggy right now, but hey, what else is new?"
"So no knowing what's next?"
"Afraid not," she answered him with a half-smile. "But that's not necessarily a bad thing."
Nodding, Chris was about to give his farewell when he caught Jamie staring deep into his eyes, she then asked him.
"What about you Chris? Any big plans in your new future?"
At this Chris found himself grinning. "Who said anything about new? I have everything right now that's going to make me happy."
"Jill," Jamie said, her voice distinctively subdued.
Catching his mistake Chris tried to fix it, Jamie, however, beat him to the punch.
"Goodbye Chris," she said somberly, leaning on her tiptoes Jamie gave his forehead a gentle kiss. "May both our futures be bright."
Chris could only give a small smile and nod, as Jamie gave him only the slightest of waves before walking away. He watched as her figure slipped into the distance. And though it didn't have the qualities of an optimistic goodbye, it was a fitting one.
Which, in their case, was the best thing that either of them could offer.
They were in the same room, they were side by side, but for all the emotions and feelings that were running through her, Claire couldn't express a one of them.
After the group returned home Claire had realized how close her nightmare was to becoming true, suddenly everything was in a different view. Now every moment with Leon was another opportunity that Claire couldn't commit to.
That exact moment being another perfect example.
There Leon was, holding Grace with such love and care. All Claire wanted to do was tell him how she loved him. Yet, for all the courage that Claire Redfield possessed she couldn't express that one simple act.
While trying to gather the courage Claire knew was in her, Leon, though unknown to her at the time, was trying to do the same.
Catching her completely off-guard, Leon had broken the silence that so commonly came between them, and said to her. "Claire, there's something I have to tell you."
His honest statement sent the flood gates open in Claire, and before he could say what he was going to tell her, Claire told him what she needed to tell him.
"Leon," Once she said his name all the words that had been locked up inside of her came out in a rapid fire. "I love you. I know that so much has happened and I've probably been nothing but confusing to you. But I love you, I love you so much."
When Claire was finished all she could do was catch her breath and stare yearningly at Leon, waiting for his reaction.
At first all Leon did was stare at her, wide eyed and shocked, but a realization slowly took over his expression. In one fast, unexpected moment Leon leaned towards Claire and kissed her.
It was soft and reserved at first, but by the time they pulled away both parties were breathing heavily.
Staring deep into Leon's big, brown eyes, she asked the question that started the moment that they now found themselves in.
"What were you going to tell me?"
Leon's first reaction to the question was a grimace; he took a moment to stare at her long and good. At the end of that moment, however, his expression softened and he said to her.
"That I love you too."
Capping off a moment not to be forgotten, Claire and Leon kissed again. There lips touched so softly and perfectly, as if they should have united a long time ago. This time when they parted, both Claire and Leon looked down at Grace and then back up at each other.
In real life stories there are rarely any happy beginnings and even fewer endings, but for Claire and Leon, at that moment they had both. They both new there should never be any promises for the future, but for them, they were simply grateful for the promise of a future. Especially of one together.
The park was beautiful at night, everything had a glow. The tree's leaves glistened from the moonlight, the grass was all freshly cut, its scent wavered throughout the area. It was the type of scenery that leaves you absolutely breathless, but only if you take the time to appreciate it.
Well now, Jill was finally taking the time, She sat alone on the open grass field, not a soul was around. It was just Jill, the night's cool breeze and rustling sound of grass.
Letting the surrounding ease her soul, Jill had just closed her eyes when one man's voice broke the night's silence.
"There you are," said Chris, joining her on the grass. In return Jill gave him a small smile.
She knew where Chris was coming from, and though she was over the kiss, some pain still remained. In truth, the pain really didn't have anything to do with Jamie at all. The pain came from knowing that her and Chris's days together might be numbered. The though was heart wrenching, but something at the same time Jill knew she had to come to terms with. Along with so many other things.
Umbrella was no more; the war that they have been fighting for the past five years was over. Now the bond that had connected her and Chris for all that time no longer existed, and though Jill loved Chris so much, she wasn't sure if that was enough for him.
"You're a tough lady to find, you know that?" His teasing tone was so welcoming.
"Well, on a night like this I couldn't resist."
"One can hardly blame you," he said, Jill could feel him sweep his arm around her and for an instant her body became tense. A reaction that Chris did not miss.
"Is something wrong Jill? Chris asked with nothing, but concern.
"No," she tried to lie casually.
"Alright," Chris said, Jill knew he could see right through her.
Before silence could engulf them Jill bit her bottom lip and asked him "So, how was Jamie?"
"We said our goodbyes; I think she has some tough roads in front of her, but who doesn't?"
Jill nodded; it was the only response she could come up with.
They were on the edge of another silence when this time Chris saved them. "Jill, I know something's up. If it's about Jamie I swear"-
She stopped him right there "It's not about Jamie."
"Then what is it?" He asked, his voice cracking at the end.
"Chris," just saying his name Jill knew how nervous she sounded, but digging deep she continued. "Do you still want to do this?"
"Do what?" Chris questioned, honestly confused.
"Us, I mean our lives are no longer going to be ripped with excitement. Things are going to settle down now, and I'm not quite sure you want that."
Chris took a moment to think about his answer, when he was ready he gentle took hold of both her hands, and with a subtle grin he began to speak.
"Jill, if settling down means being with you then I'm absolutely ready for that. Am I worried about things down the road, of course, but at the end of the day it really doesn't matter. I'm with you, and through rain or shine, that's all that's important to me."
His corny sentiments was exactly what Jill needed to hear. In one uncontrolled action Jill threw her arms around Chris, who clung back onto her tightly.
"I love you, Chris," she whispered into his ear.
"I love you too," he whispered back.
There and then the two of them clung to each other. It was right there and then that Jill realized that everything she could ever be looking for was right in her arms.
Umbrella had taken so much from all of them, but in the midst of a residence of evil, love flourished. Within the corporation's demise a light came through, a light made of sure will, a light that couldn't be denied. And when the devil wasn't looking both forces took their swing, and despite all the odds the forces came through. Bringing a sight that was truly one to behold.
The End
AUTHORS NOTE: Well that's it. I'm finally finished. My 'world' series has come to its unenviable end. It's taken me three stories and two years, but here I am. I do have plans for another trilogy that will connect with this one (think Star Wars,) but that won't be even started for awhile. Until then I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who supported my stories. Because I always truly appreciate it.
So; Shakahnna, Pinquicha, blood lover, Kararoke Risa, The Magnificent Kiwi, Dan Helsing, Dale, Zanger, jp33, Resident roach code metallica, scoobysnax1, MrsBillyCoen. Thanks. A special thanks to REsurvivor, Chris Redfield Fan, tek, and ktdid.
And a very special thank you to Shaman-Taka.
Once again I want to give my gratitude to you all. Your comments were always my finish line. And I thank you for that.
Hoping that all always stays well,
Leah
