La-da-dee-da….Okay, I can't sing, so what. Hehehe… I apologize if you thought that last update was a new chapter. I purposely titled it like that cause I wanted you to think it was a new chapter. I know it was mean, but I thought it would be funny. Anyways, it also took me forever because, okay this is for real, I had and still have major computer problems. My Apple laptop has been dropped one too many times and the Ethernet plug came loose from the motherboard and something is wrong with the dial up so I couldn't get into the internet. Since I couldn't get online, I didn't think to write. Then, since I cannot live with out the internet, I went digging in my closet for my other laptop that was broken too. Hehehe…this one has been dropped as well and the power jack broke. I bought a new power jack and had my brother in law solder it and yay! It works…not really. If the plug isn't set right, it'll short and the laptop will shut off. Sheesh, how sad am I? Anyhoo, I complained to my parents, and yay! I'm shopping for a new laptop. NO, I don't have it yet, cause I'm very picky and am still looking. Okay, I'm not clumsy and just drop my laptops at every chance I get. My dog was the one who did most of the dropping. He likes to run around and he gets tangled in the wires and BOOM! NOOOOO. Yah. Anyways, I was also reading through some of the chapters (to tell you the truth, I think I've only gone through two) and fixing the mistakes I could find because a friend of mine wants it printed out and signed, go figure. And since I'm almost done with this fic. I thought I'd start re-reading…anyhoo, um, I take it back, this isn't going to be the last chapter, oops, stupid me. I really don't know…maybe I'll have two more up, but again, don't quote me on that. Jeez. Okay enjoy…
Chapter 18: Broken Contact
From Chris' apartment, the both of them made their way into the lobby as Joseph, Richard, Brad, Jill and Jackson entered. Rebecca opted not to follow because she wanted a goodnight's rest for tomorrow's mission.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" Chris asked.
"What are you two doing down here!" Joseph questioned.
"I asked you first." Chris said.
"Well, if you must know, we came to disturb you two in the middle of your love making." Joseph laughed.
"I don't know why I'm here." Jill included.
"A little too late for that don't you think boys?" Melissa asked.
"Well, we just thought we'd come by considering the Bravo team is going to into mission in a couple of hours and I might never see you again." Richard said.
"Hey, don't you fucking talk like that." Chris said in an extremely strict tone.
"Yah, Rich." Jill backed Chris.
"I was kidding." Richard said.
"Well that wasn't a funny joke." Brad said.
"Okay, I'm sorry." Richard said.
"We're going out. Are you coming?" Joseph asked.
"Yah. Mel?" Chris asked.
"I can't. I have a lot of stuff to do tomorrow. And I do have to wake up early."
"Yah…" Chris said.
"I'll see you…" She smiled sympathetically to Chris. "Bye everyone…I'm really glad to have gotten to know you." She said and left for her car.
"Bye…Mel." Chris said.
All was quiet when Joseph decided to say something. "Jeez, she made it seem like she's never going to see you or us again. I mean, she's only going home, right?" Joseph said.
"Yeah, home." Chris said as he decided not to tell of their break up right just yet.
"Jill, I'm kind of tired. You want to just go home?" Jackson asked.
"Um…Actually, you can go. I'm going to hang out with the guys. Pre-mission tradition, right Joe?" Jill said.
Jackson had an irritated look on his face but when he looked up and saw the four guys eyeing him, his expression immediately changed. "Okay well, just don't stay up too late, love you." He said and kissed her on the cheek.
"Me too." Jill responded. He then gave her this look but didn't say anything and just left the lobby.
"I swear that guy irks me." Richard said.
"If you don't already know, I'm standing right here." Jill said. Chris and Brad started to laugh.
"So Ms. Valentine, why opt to hang out with us? Um, never mind. I would rather hang out with us then to go home with that guy." Joseph laughed.
"I'm still right here! Why do you hate him so? I mean, he's a good looking guy, he's… really sweet…I don't get it."
"Yeah I don't get it either. Well, let's get going!" Richard said and started for the door, "Movie starts in twenty minutes."
"And with my driving, we could get there in eight." Chris said.
"Okay, sounds like a plan." Joseph said and tossed Chris his keys.
"By the by, what movie are we seeing anyways?" Chris asked as they walked to Joseph's car.
"Um, Wicked Dwellers: Day of Reckoning." Joseph said.
"Hmm, didn't that movie get one and a half stars? Ebert said that there was no story and it was just a horrible movie." Chris said.
"Yeah, and so what? You gonna watch everything that Ebert rates five stars? Well if you do, I suggest you check out a chick flick rather than this action/adventure slash horror then." Joseph lashed out.
"I was just saying. I mean, I don't want to waste eight bucks on movie that's trash." Chris said.
"No, it's actually a good movie. There maybe no story but the movie was just all around fun. At least that's what Kevin said." Brad said, "Besides, Hue does a fine job portraying Trillan St. Patrick. She is smoking." He laughed.
"Hmm…are you guys going for the movie or to just gawk at Hue?" Jill asked in disgust.
"It doesn't hurt to gawk at Hue whilst we watch the movie." Chris said.
"God, you really are a Neanderthal."
"Hate to tell you but I'm from Minnesota, South Neanderthal." Chris smirked and got into the car while the guys chuckled. Jill shook her head and got into the back seat with Richard and Brad.
-After the Movie-
"Pretty good movie if you ask me." Joseph said as they exited the theater.
"Yah…I found it highly enjoyable. B.J. was hilarious." Richard laughed.
"Yeah. So anyone hungry?" Chris asked.
"You're always hungry." Jill said.
"Why, am I not allowed to be hungry?" Chris asked.
"I didn't say that."
"Hey! I think I'm hungry too!" Richard piped in.
"Same here." Brad said.
"I have no objections." Joseph said.
"Okay, so then where are we going to eat at 1:37 in the morning?" Jill asked.
"How about Grill 13? It's just next door." Chris said.
"That's fine with me." Richard.
"Definitely." Joseph said. All five of them exited the theater and walked next door to Grill 13. Once inside, they strolled towards the back and took up a booth. "So what are you all going to eat?" Joseph asked.
"I don't know. Maybe after we take a look at the menu we'll have an idea." Jill said.
"Ooo, you're a feisty one." Joseph teased.
"Don't you ever shut up?" Jill asked.
"Um, I don't know how."
"I'll be…" Jill began but got cut off from the waitress.
"Hi! Are you all ready to order?" She asked.
"Um…I think so..." Chris said.
"I'm ready." Brad and Richard said.
"Yeah, I guess we're all ready to order…Jill?" Joseph asked.
"I'm ready…I'll have the Chicken Caesar Salad with a glass of water please." Jill said.
"Oh god…women and their need to be skinny." Joseph said.
"I'll have the same, but with a Pepsi please." Chris said.
"What! You too? You should not hang out with her!" Joseph said.
"Claire wants me to eat healthy." Chris said.
"Eat healthy yes, but starve yourself? That's not exactly healthy now is it?" Joseph said as Brad and Richard placed their order.
"I'm not starving myself. I am going to eat if you don't already know." Chris said as Jill smiled from behind her menu.
"Forget it. I'll have the lobster special with a Sam Adams." Joseph said as he handed the waitress the menu.
"Thank you. I'll be back with your drinks." She said and walked away.
"So Rich, nervous about tomorrow?" Chris asked.
"Yeah. I'm always nervous before a mission, but once I'm into it, goes away. Sort of like pre-mission jitters." He laughed.
"Yeah, I get that too." Chris said.
"Really? Mister high and mighty, you get pre-mission jitters?" Joseph asked in amazement.
"I'm only human. I mean…I really get worried for the safety of my team…my team is my family and I constantly worry about them." Chris said as the waitress served their drinks.
"So you don't care what happens to you…then?" Jill asked.
"Hmm…I don't care as much…after all, I don't have that much to lose."
"Oh don't give me that! You have Claire, and you are the only one she has. If she loses you, she loses a whole lot." Jill said.
"Yah but she knows that my job requires me to risk my life." He said.
"Yes, but that doesn't mean you can't care for the safety of your life either." She said.
"I don't make it a point to. If I constantly worry about me getting hurt, I won't be able to carry out my mission." Chris said.
"You know, when these two squabble like this, I feel like I don't exist." Joseph whispered to Richard and Brad.
"Yah." The both of them said.
"Here you go…" The waitress said as she served their food. "Enjoy your meal."
"Thank you." Brad and Jill said.
-After their Meal-
After eating their meal in 'peace,' Chris decided to take care of the bill with no objections from the others except for Jill.
"Here." Jill said as she handed Chris ten bucks.
"No, it's alright." Chris said.
"No, please." She insisted.
"Jill, keep it. Use it to buy something pretty or…something." Chris said as Jill gave him a face.
"Sheesh, if neither of you want it, I'll take it. I could use some gas money."
"There, give it to Joe since we're using his car." Chris said.
"Might as well. Here dork." Jill handed him the ten bucks.
"Thank you Miss Valentine." Joseph said as he accepted the bill.
"Alright, let's get going. Unlike you four, I have a mission tomorrow." Richard said.
"Hey, nobody said you had to come with us. This was sort of an Alpha thing." Brad joked.
"Sure, whatever you say old man." Richard joked as well.
"Okay let's just go, I'm tired." Chris said as they exited Grill 13, "Here, I'm not driving anymore. There's no rush." He said as he tossed the keys to the owner.
"Thank you." Joseph said and unarmed his car.
"Shotgun." Brad called out.
"It's all yours, as long as I get a window." Richard said
"Same here." Chris said
"Hey, what if I want a window seat?"
"You're smaller. You'll fit better sitting bitch." Chris said as Richard nodded his head.
"Shit, you don't have to start calling people names you know." Jill said as they all piled into the car.
"Huh?"
"Don't 'huh' me, Chris."
"Huh? I mean, what the hell are you talking about?"
"You called me a bitch." She said.
"Like that's anything new." Joseph said as the others agreed with him.
"When?" Chris asked.
"Just earlier…you said 'you're smaller, you'll fit better sitting bitch.' Is that like my Indian name now or what? You know, sort of like Sitting Bull or something."
Chris and the others immediately started to laugh. "Jill, sitting bitch is a term we use when you have to sit in the middle. Like if I were sitting in the middle instead of you, I would be sitting bitch. It's just an expression. Sort of like Shotgun." Chris said.
"Well now, don't I feel stupid?" Jill said as she adjusted herself to get comfortable.
Once all in the car, Joseph started it up and headed to Chris' place first. On the way there, they noticed a traffic stop at this hour. "What the hell is going on? Traffic at 3:55 in the morning?" Joseph said as he stopped.
"Looks like an accident. Hope no one is badly injured." Richard said.
"Brad, get out of the car and check what's up." Chris said.
"You get out." Brad said.
"Fine." Chris said and exited the car. He walked pretty far until he saw a familiar face.
"Redfield? What are you doing here? We didn't call for back up."
"Hey Tom, I just came from a movie and a very late dinner with Joe, Rich, Brad and Jill. What's going on?"
"Oh, there was a burglary that ended up in a car chase and then the guy wrecked and the car blew up. The surrounding cars and buildings caught fire and it's spreading quickly because of the wind. Fire department has been here since 1:00 trying to contain the fire. They have it under control…"
"Okay Krupke, no need to get into details with me at this hour. I'll probably find out more tomorrow anyway. So how much longer till they let us through?" Chris said.
"Thirty minutes or so."
"Okay. I'll see you later Tom." Chris said and shook his hand and headed back to the car.
"So what's going on?" Joseph asked.
"Fire. We might be here for thirty minutes or so, so you might as well just turn off the car and conserve gas."
"This sucks! I hate that this is the only way into were everybody lives. They should have more than one way!"
"They do. This is just the only way with cars." Brad said.
"Don't start with me." Joseph said.
"I'm just saying." Brad said.
-10 Minutes Later-
"Huh…how much longer? I want to go home to my bed." Jill said.
"To your bed and not the husband?"
"What husband?" Jill laughed.
"Huh…and here I thought you were going to marry the guy." Joseph said.
"Maybe I will, maybe I won't." Jill said.
"Well, I hope you do and I hope you have all the little Jack and Jill's you desire."
"Sounds like a plan." Jill said.
"Hey Chris, you want to play a game?" Richard asked.
"I want to play to." Brad said.
"Okay, hmm…you know the name game right?" Richard asked.
"Is that the one when you start off with a famous name and then you continue on by saying another name that starts with the first letter of their last name?" Chris asked as Joseph and Jill continued to argue.
"Yeah, that's the one. You know that one Brad?"
"Yeah."
"Okay, you start off, then me, then Chris."
"Okay…um…Julia Roberts." Brad started.
"Yeah, and after you have all your Jack and Jill's, I hope you get fat!" Joseph said.
"Yeah, and while I'm fat and have my Jack and Jill's and the man that I love, you'll still be a stupid bachelor being turned down by every woman, including transvestites!" Jill said.
"Hmm…Rachel Green." Richard said.
"Gene Hackman." Chris said.
"Heather Graham" Brad said.
"George Clooney" Richard said.
"Yeah, but you'll be constantly telling yourself that you love him cause we all know you that you're in love with someone else who probably doesn't feel the same way."
"Enough!" Chris had enough. "What the hell has gotten into the both of you?"
"Jeez Chris, we were only joking." Joseph said.
"Yah. You're so touchy this eve…morning." Jill said.
"Ah, forget it. I think I'm just low on my nicotine. Excuse me while I replenish it." Chris said as he reached in his pocket and pulled out his smokes. As he opened the door and stepped out, Jill managed to grab his pack.
"Sorry…but there is no such thing as replenishing your nicotine crave on my watch."
Jill said as she reached for the door and closed it.
"Good going." Brad said from the front.
"Ha, ha. You're very slick considering you were once a…never mind. Just quit clowning and hand them over before I get mad." Chris said.
"Don't give it to him." Richard said.
"Who says I'm going to?" Jill said as she waved the pack in the air.
"Gimme!" Chris yelled as he lunged through the window for the pack in Jill's hand. She immediately passed it to Joseph.
"JOE!" She yelled to make sure he knew it was coming.
"Oh, come on." Chris whined. "Okay, fun's over, hand it over Joe." Chris said as he reached for it in Joseph's hand through the front window.
"Rich!" Joseph called as he threw it to the back.
"Rich, you know how very badly I can hurt you right?" Chris said.
"Uh, yeah…here Jill." Richard handed her the pack.
"Oh great, give it to Jill who's right next to Chris…who we're trying to keep the cigarettes away from!" Joseph said.
"Okay, you idiots had your fun…hand it over honey." Chris said in a mild tone.
"No." Jill stated firmly.
"Jill, please, I'm not in the mood and it's too early in the morning."
"If you want it, come and get it." Jill said as she waved it about.
"You asked for it." Chris said as he opened the door to get his prize. Jill noticed that Chris was so set on retrieving his cigarettes and not wanting to give them up, she shoved it down her shirt, seeing that she had no other options.
"Ooh."The guys said while holding their hands to their mouths.
"Damn it, Jill! I am not reaching down your shirt! GIVE IT NOW!" Chris yelled in frustration. "I'm 25! I don't have to be going through with this anymore!"
"You know you want to Chris and don't lie Jill, but I bet you wouldn't mind." Joseph laughed. Chris turned and smacked Joseph in the back of the head causing him to stop laughing.
"Excuse me, but I am currently off the market, so don't you talk to me like that."
"Just shut up and hand it over already before I kill you!" Chris yelled.
"Jeez, you're so weak you know that. How are you supposed to quit if you get so frustrated easily?" She asked.
"Trust me…this is not easy considering the situation I'm in." Chris said as he slouched in his seat.
"Well, like I said, if you want it, come and get it." She smiled.
"Well, since you put yourself in that situation, and you are gesturing me to get it, I guess I will take that offer." Chris said as he started to advance towards her. "So, which side do you rather me take? From your waist up or neck down?"
"Hmm…let me…here Rich!" Jill quickly grabbed the cigarettes and handed it back to Richard, who shoved it down his pants.
"Hey Chris, if you want it, come and get it." Richard said as they all began to laugh.
"Man, you can keep that pack." Chris said in defeat and began chewing his nails out of habit.
"Well, looks like traffic is starting to move." Joseph said.
"Thank god! Take me home…"
"Country road…"Joseph began to sing as he started up his car.
"…To a place…" Jill took over.
"… West Virginia" Richard sang.
"…Mountain Mama." Brad took his turn
"Shut up! I'm sitting next to the most annoying woman…"
"Awe, I think you're really sweet too, Chris." Jill said as she pinched his cheek. Chris smacked her hand out of the way and sneered at her.
"…You take away the current love of my life and then you try to sing me to death. Can you please, at least on the way to my place, JUST SHUT THE HELL UP?"
"I like it when Chris is starved for nicotine." Jill said. "He's so irritable."
"When will this end?" Chris whined.
"Well, as long as you're still smoking…I'd say…never." Jill said.
"Why? I mean, I don't live with you, I don't ride in your car, let alone drive the damn thing, and we don't hang out that often. Why do you care if I smoke or not?"
"I'm just looking out for you health." Jill said.
"I think I'm old enough to know what's good for my health. I know smoking is a dirty habit, but for Christ sakes, let me have my dirty habit. Besides, I think you should be more concerned with Jackie's health rather than mine, don't you think?"
"You're my friend and I think I'm entitled to look out for you... wait…Jack doesn't smoke."
"Oh-ho-ho-ho." Joseph fake laughed as Richard scoffed.
"He smokes?" Jill asked.
"Yeah he does…just not the kind Chris smokes." Richard said.
"How do you know that?" Jill asked.
"We have our sources." Brad said.
"What does he smoke?" She asked.
"Either or." Joseph said.
"But he only does it like once a month, right?" Jill asked questionably.
"If you think so." Richard said.
"Shit the guy's a druggie isn't he?"
"Don't forget a dealer too." Brad said.
"So why the hell isn't he behind bars!"
"He always comes out clean." Joseph said.
"Man-o-man." Jill said sadly. "Chris, did you know about this?"
"Didn't have a clue." He said with honesty.
"Of course he doesn't. He just moved here and this case is almost two years old." Brad said.
"So why did you tell me to be more concerned with his health?" Jill asked.
"Well, he is your boyfriend isn't he? You should be nagging him, not me." Chris said.
"Oh…I see. Well, if I'm ever missing, I probably broke up with him and he didn't take it too well, so he killed me and chopped up my body to bits and pieces and will probably save me for some special dinner or something."
"Gross Jill." Brad said.
"What! People are crazy like that." Jill said.
"Yeah I know, but did you have to get into full details? Here I thought you were just going to say he kidnapped you, but no, you resort to cannibalism. You're totally sick." Richard said.
"Well, this isn't a perfect world filled with candies and butterflies." Jill said.
"I didn't say so." Richard said.
"Dude, I know I'm a cop and all, but that shit freaks me out. And he can catch me totally off guard and…"
"Nothing's going to happen to you if he knows what's good for him, regardless if he has friends in high places." Chris said.
"See? You hear that, your partner has your back." Joseph said as he stifled a laugh.
"Okay, so you three knew he was a dealer and user and you made me go out with him?" Jill asked.
"Uh, er…well, we didn't know right away." Joseph said.
"Yah, we just thought he was really weird looking and suspicious so Brad, Joe and I decided to do some digging. Chris Jr. was…was on trial for some major importation of …you know what but he did, but he didn't get charge."
"We think he paid the jury or something." Brad said.
"Great. Thanks for the last minute info…Let me give you a sneak peak on how I'm going to break up with him." Jill said. She then held her fingers in sort of a gun position. "Hey Jackson" She began as she pointed to an invisible Jackson in front of her. "I'm sorry, but I don't think this is going to work out. Now if you just stay where you are while I go home, no one will have to get hurt."
"Sounds good. Let me know when the real deal is." Joseph said.
"You know, this really isn't funny. I'm freaking scared here. I don't even want to go home." Jill said.
"You're the one who's making jokes and if you don't want to go home, stay at Chris'. I'm pretty sure he wouldn't mind housing you."
"Why my place?" Chris asked.
"Because we're on the way there. Not only that, I would have to take a detour to Pine View to drop her off and then I'd have to get back on Llan Valley to where the three of us live. And Windward Way is closer than Pine View."
"Do what you want. I just want to go to sleep." Chris said.
"You say it like you're hugely disappointed, but deep down you're probably jumping for joy, am I right?" Richard asked as Chris gave him an expressionless reaction.
"So you okay with that Miss Valentine?" Joseph asked. She didn't respond. "Jill?" He called her name, but still no response. He then adjusted his rearview mirror so that Jill was in view and he found her asleep. "Sheesh, we just stop talking for a minute and that girl is asleep."
"Women…go figure." Chris said. Suddenly, he felt weight upon his left shoulder. He looked and found Jill's head resting comfortably on it. He stared at the crown of her head and then pushed her head towards Richard's side. Richard eyed Chris and he eyed him back. Richard took his turn and pushed Jill's head towards Chris's side. "What the hell are you doing?"Chris said through gritted teeth.
"What are you doing? She's tired, let her sleep." Richard whispered.
"I'm tired, you don't see me sleeping on her shoulder." Chris whispered.
"Forget it. It's not fun talking to you when you're craving and when it's this early in the morning." Richard said.
"Hey, is Jill really asleep?" Joseph asked.
"Um, lemme check." Chris said and pushed her head and let if fall back down. He did it once more when he decided that she was in fact asleep. "Yah, she's asleep. What's the deal?"
"Nothing…" Joseph said.
"Oh hey, do you think that we should tell Jill that we were just lying?" Brad asked as Joseph began to laugh.
"What? What did you just say?" Chris asked.
"We were just pulling Jill's leg about Jack being a druggie." Richard laughed.
"That's just wrong. You know, if she's happy with this guy, let her be."
"Hmm, that sounds kind of wrong coming out your mouth." Joseph said.
"Think what you want but you better tell her. If you don't, I will anyways." Chris said.
"No! Not yet…" Richard said.
"This could get really bad. Just tell her." Chris said.
"Just wait. Don't worry, we'll tell her, not now though." Joseph said.
"Yah, we did a background check anyways, just for fun. We do this to everybody." Richard said.
"Even Melissa?" Chris asked and the three of the nodded, "What'd it say?" He asked curiously.
"Well, she has a heavy foot and has gotten quite a few tickets and had a couple of cars impounded, and I won't say anymore because it's not my business." Brad said as Joseph pulled into Chris' place.
"Smart thing you said all night." Chris said as he tried to wake up Jill.
"Hey Chris, now that we're at your place, can we just crash here?" Joseph said.
"What? No. Besides, aren't you a little too old for sleepovers?" Chris asked.
"Come on, you wouldn't want me to drive home in this state, would you?" Joseph asked.
"Yeah, I'm also going to need all the rest I can get before my mission." Richard joked.
"Yeah, I can take Claire's room, Jill can sleep with you and these two can take the living room." Joseph joked.
"Kiss your ass." Chris said as he got out of the car.
"All right, later Chris." Joseph said as he put his car in gear.
"You weren't serious about crashing here?" Chris asked.
"No, were you?" Richard asked
"Oh my god, can we finish this conversation already? I want to sleep." Jill woke for a second to speak when all of a sudden her cell phone rang. "Hello?"She answered, "Jack. Yeah I am. You were just there? Oh, I just got home. Okay…me too, bye…" Jill said and hung up. "Hey Joe, can we wrap this up? I really have to go home."
"Yeah, we wouldn't want Jackson to kill you." Joseph joked.
"Oh for heaven sakes, Jill, these guys were just pulling your leg. Jackie-O isn't a dealer or a user. They made it up to freak you out."
"Idiot, didn't we say to wait?" Joseph said.
"Yeah you did, but the girl thinks her boyfriend might kill her. She maybe one hell of a cop, but she's still just a woman." Chris said and headed into his building.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Jill asked but Chris was already in his building. "Damn it."
"Okay, next stop, Jill's." Joseph said, "And before you say anything, we're sorry and we already ran a background check to prove he's a normal guy, fit for you…I guess."
"Whatever, I don't want to hear it. You guys are so annoying, it's not funny anymore. Just take me home."
"Us, Jill, us." Richard said. Jill shook her head. Joseph pulled out of Chris' place and proceeded to drop everyone else home.
-The Next Day, 24 July 1998-
Chris lay in bed and stared up at the ceiling. It was 7:27 and he had been lying on his bed since he got home and hasn't gone to sleep yet. He ran his hands through his hair and turned to his side, desperate to catch some z's. As he slowly drifted to sleep, the sound of his telephone ringing woke him right up. He got up and went to answer the phone. "Hello?"
"Hey, you said something last night that bugged me and I can't wait till later for an answer. What the hell did you mean by that?"
"Jill? You know, I haven't slept yet so do you think you can call back like, never?"
"No, I need an answer."
"Okay." Chris said and hung up his phone, pulled the plug out and trotted back to his room.
-Jill's Place-
"Hello? Chris! Damn." She cursed and redialed. She let it ring and ring and ring when she realized that he had unplugged his phone. "Idiot." She said and headed towards her kitchen to pour a cup of coffee. On her way there, her phone rang. "Yeah, calling to apologize eh?" Jill said as she backtracked to her phone. "Hello?"
"Jill? Hey it's Barry. We have a meeting and it's important you be here. It's about Bravo's mission tonight."
"Okay. Sure, I'll be there."
"But hey, do you know what's up with Chris? I tried calling but no one's answering."
"Yeah, I think he un-hooked his phone."
"What is he stupid? He's an officer on call. How the hell are we supposed to get a hold of him?"
"Well, he hasn't gone to sleep yet and I called. I guess he didn't want to be bothered with questions."
"I don't even want to know what you two are arguing about this time."
"We're not arguing about anything. He said something this morning that bugged me, but you know me, I'm easily bugged by him."
"Yeah well, I guess I'll call his cell phone."
"It's okay Barry, I'll save you the trouble." Jill offered.
"Thanks Jill. I still need to get a hold of Joseph, Brad and Richard. See you at the office." Barry hung up.
"Okay now why didn't think of calling his cell in the first place?" Jill thought to herself as she dialed his cell phone.
-Chris'-
"Okay! I give up!" Chris yelled from his bed and got up to answer his cell phone that ceased to stop ringing. "What?"
"Sheesh, no good morning?"
"Valentine, I haven't slept yet, there's nothing good about it. Whatever you have to say to me better be worth it."
"Oh it is. There's an unscheduled meeting that is about to go down in 0800 hours and we need to be there a-sap."
"Are you going to be there as well?" Chris joked.
"For you, I will." She joked.
"Whatever you say Valentine." Chris said and hung up his phone.
"Sheesh, no good morning and certainly no goodbye. He really is grouchy. And why did he keep…never mind, he has his reasons." Jill said to herself. She then collected her things and proceeded to the station.
---
After Chris got off the phone with Jill, he immediately rushed to the shower and took a quick cold bath to wake him up, not that he was asleep anyways. He quickly got dressed, slapped on a backwards cap and put out fresh water and food for Boo, who, in his opinion, had a sad face when he walked out the door. As Chris neared the elevator, he immediately turned around. He opened the door, grabbed Boo's leash and Boo himself and carried him out with him. "Sorry, I know I haven't been giving you much attention." Chris told Boo as they rode the elevator down. Once at the parking lot area, Chris made Boo do his business and when he was all done, he zipped him snuggly in his jacket. He then straddled his bike, started it up and rode off to work. While in his jacket, Boo was well behaved, which really made Chris feel like he wasn't carrying extra weight. Upon arriving at the station, Joseph, Richard, Forest, Rebecca and Jill were just parking their cars. The five of them then got out of their parked cars and walked towards the building together while engaging in small talk.
"How're you feeling Forest?" Richard asked him.
"Great, why do you ask?"
"You were really hammered last night. Are you sure no bad hangover today?" Joseph said.
"No, just a minor headache. I took these pills this morning that helps reduce that hangover feeling thing. And I can certainly say for sure that they are working."
"That's great Forest." Rebecca said.
"You're a bad drunk." Jill said.
"What? I don't even come close to Chris." Forest said as they neared Chris.
"Is that so?" Jill asked the others as she eyed Chris.
"Valentine." Chris said as he put Boo on the ground.
"Yes?" She asked.
"Nothing, I'm just acknowledging your existence." Chris smirked.
"What's with all the bad blood this morning?" Joseph asked.
"Ooo, puppy!" Rebecca exclaimed, "Can I hold him?" She asked Chris without knowing she had changed the subject.
"Sure go ahead." Chris said as they all walked into the lobby.
"I swear, that fountain freaks me out every time I walk in. It never fails." Forest said.
"Really? I think it's a gorgeous piece of art." Jill said as they headed towards the conference room.
"I concur. That goddess is one piece of ass." Joseph said.
"Dude, her ass is marble." Richard said.
"Art is beautiful." Joseph said as all six of them entered the conference room and took their seats.
"Okay, now that everyone is…bark…What the hell was that? Chambers, are you barking at me?" Wesker asked.
"Um, no sir, it was Boo." Rebecca said.
"Who?" Wesker asked.
"Boo, Chris' puppy, Captain." She said.
"Redfield, why the hell did you bring your dog to work?" Wesker asked.
"I didn't want to leave him alone. Just think of it as me bringing my child to work because I couldn't find a sitter." Chris said.
"I don't care, I just don't want to be interrupted." Wesker said.
"Yes sir." Chris said.
"But before we get into the important matters…Redfield, who did you conceive your 'child' with?" Wesker smirked.
"Oh, I got him from Kevin." Chris answered.
"Ah, the product of a gay couple." Wesker laughed.
"I'm not gay, not that I have any problems with them." Chris said.
"No, I get it. That explains why you kissed a guy." Joseph said and caused everyone to laugh including Wesker.
"I didn't kiss a guy! I was just making reference about her kiss not feeling at all like any other woman I've kissed." He said as he accidentally pointed to Forest.
"You and Forest kissed?" Kenneth asked.
"NO!" Forest exclaimed.
"What?" Chris asked then looked to his right to see Forest sitting there. He turned to his left and found Jill sitting there. "I meant her!"
"Yeah I kissed him. The worst experience ever." Jill admitted.
"Oh really? So what was your deal going for a second round, huh?" Chris asked.
"I was giving you more experience."
"You fucken liar." Chris chuckled.
"Whatever, just come out of the closet already." Jill said.
"I told you I'm not gay. I did go out with Melissa, she's a girl."
"She's smoking…but you were never touchy-feely with her." Joseph said.
"I tend to keep that behind closed doors." Chris said.
"Sure" Joseph said.
"Are you all finished now?" Wesker asked.
"Yes." Everyone answered.
"Okay, now to the important matters. As all of you know, a string of bizarre murders have been popping up and we have a lead up at Arklay Mansion. Apparently a cult is hiding out there and tonight, the Bravo team is going in to investigate while the Alpha's are on call for any back up emergencies."
"Hey Captain, how will we be going in? Brad isn't going to fly us in is he?" Richard asked.
"Good question Aiken, but no. Brad will not fly you in. Marini, if you please." Wesker gestured for him to open the doors. Enrico opened the doors and called in two guys. "I'm pretty sure some of you remember these two hooligans."
"Shit on me! Edward Dewey and Kevin Dooley, how you guys been?" Joseph stood up and greeted them.
"Training was a bitch." Edward said.
"Yeah, it's good to be back." Kevin said.
"Okay, you can get reacquainted later, take your seats. Anyways, the show goes down at eight. Bravo team, be ready by seven. I know we won't need the Alpha team but you guys should be ready in case of an emergency. But before I dismiss you all, the Raccoon City Times is doing an article about S.T.A.R.S. and I need you to suit up and be at the helipad in 10, okay, get out of here and Rebecca, stash the dog somewhere. Now you may go."
All of them headed for the locker rooms. Once they were suited and equipped, they headed for the helipad while Rebecca stashed Boo under her desk and made sure he wasn't able to get loose.
"So I see we got two new people while we were gone." Edward said.
"Yeah, and women for that matter. That's exactly what we need, dedicated, strong women in the force." Kevin said.
"We actually got three members." Joseph said.
"Really? Who's the third?" Edward asked.
"Chris Redfield." Joseph said.
"Um, he came in just before we went off for training idiot." Edward said.
"Yeah, I came in a week before they left." Chris said.
"See, he remembers. And here I thought we had an invisible member." Kevin said.
"Oh, how rude of us…Jill, Rebecca, this is Kevin and Edward, they're part of the Bravo team." Richard said.
"Hi." Rebecca and Jill greeted.
"Oh hey, what are you all doing for lunch?" Barry interrupted.
"Nothing…" Some answered while others said they didn't know.
"Okay well, Cathy wants us to be at our house for lunch."
"All of us?" Brad asked.
"Yeah, it's Polly's birthday and she wants us over, this was a last minute thing. Don't worry, there won't be any clowns, Chris." Barry smiled.
"Don't joke, clowns are scary." Chris shuddered. "But I'll be there."
"Yeah." Everyone answered as they stepped out to the helipad. It wasn't long until their interview was done and they all went their separate ways before heading to Barry's house for lunch.
-Noon at Barry's backyard-
"So Jill, how do you like it here so far?" Edward asked.
"Well, it's nothing like back home, but I'm really starting to like this place." She said.
"Hey Jill, tell them how you and Chris met!" Joseph said excitedly and having heard his name said, Chris turned to see what they were talking about. From her peripheral vision, she saw Chris turn, so she turned to him and with out saying a word, Chris knew she was going to ask if he didn't mind.
"I'll leave that up to you." Chris said and continued to talk with Enrico, Kenneth and Barry about the Samurai Edge from Kendo. Jill turned her way and proceeded to tell them the story.
-30 minutes later-
"So this story is actually real? Sounds like something out of a movie." Kevin said
"Yah, it seemed that way to me too." Jill laughed
"Hey uncle Chris, can I have your puppy? It can be my present!" Polly shouted as she passed between Jill and the others.
Chris smiled and before he spoke, Barry cut in. "Polly, I thought you wanted a kitty?"
"Yes daddy, but uncle Chris' puppy is way cute and I want one." Polly said as Jill and the others watched on.
"If I get you one do you promise that you will take care of it even when it gets as big as you?" Barry told his daughter.
"Smile you three." Cathy said as she held a camera up to capture the moment. The three of them paused for a picture and continued on while Cathy went bombarding people with pictures.
"This puppy gets as big as me!" Polly asked. Just as Chris was going to say that it doesn't, Barry stared him down and he backed off.
"Well of course it does. Just like little girls, puppies have to grow up too." Barry said.
"But I thought that it stays a puppy forever. Never mind daddy, I don't want a puppy anymore, or a kitty. I don't want them to grow as big as me." Polly said and ran off for cake.
"Polly is funny." Chris smiled.
"Yeah, she's weird sometimes. She definitely gets it from her mother." Barry said.
"Whatever you say Barry. But anyway, I haven't slept at all yet and I think I'm going to call it a day." Chris said.
"You haven't slept yet? What the hell are you doing here then?" Barry asked.
"I didn't want to be rude and not accept your invitation." He said.
"Well you could at least said something so I could tell you to go home to sleep."
"No it's alright, really. I'll see you later though." Chris said and walked towards Rebecca to retrieve his dog.
"Are you leaving already Chris?" He nodded. "Would it be okay with you if I held on to Boo for a while and drop him to your place before I go to work?"
"Thanks Becca, I'd love for you to hold on to him for a while. Just make sure to call before you come by. Bye." Chris said and proceeded to the back gate.
"Chris!" Jill yelled from where she was. "Wait, I need to ask you a question." Chris stopped in his tracks and waited for her to come to him. "Excuse me." Jill said and got up to meet him. "Are you leaving already?" She asked.
"Yeah, I'm hoping to catch some z's so make this quick. Every second counts Valentine."
"Right. Um…"
"Say cheese!" Cathy surprised them with her camera. The two of them turned to face her and put on a smile. "Thank you. Carry on." She smiled and left for more pictures.
"Crap, I forgot what I was going to say."
"Well, if you forgot, I'm going to go. But if some miracle, you suddenly figure it out, please don't call me, because I won't answer." Chris said and left the party.
Jill walked back to the guys and sat down. She was now annoyed by everything and wanted to leave as well. "You know what, I'm just gonna go now. I'll see you guys later and it was nice meeting you both." Jill said to Kevin and Edward. She gathered her things and left to find Barry to tell him she was leaving.
- 7:53 P.M.-
The Bravo team was all geared up and about to take off, while the Alpha team was in the office doing their regular work.
"I don't know about you, but I'm kind of nervous of for the Bravo team." Brad said.
"Yeah, I'm with you buddy." Chris said as he scattered some papers on his desk.
"Hey, check this out. The Times just dropped it by." Barry said as he pulled out a photo from a yellow envelope.
"Wow, that's a really nice shot." Jill referred to the group photo in front of the helicopter.
"Yeah, but I still think they did a banged up job by putting me next to you." Chris joked.
"Why? Is it because they'd focus more on me?" She smiled as Barry taped it on the picture on the wall.
"It might just be that Valentine." Chris smiled.
"I think I'm going to die." Joseph said.
"Don't you think that's a bit extreme?" Brad asked.
"No." Joseph said.
"I'm going to get something to eat. Do any of you want anything?" Jill asked.
"No." Joseph and Chris answered while Barry shook his head.
"Okay, don't say I didn't ask." Jill said as she left the office to find a vending machine somewhere.
"Hey Chris, what's up." Joseph said.
"Nothing." Chris looked at him weird.
"How's Melissa? You didn't bring her to Barry's house." Joseph said.
"Uh, hmm…"
"What's wrong? Ah ha, you two broke up. That explains what she said last night." Joseph put the pieces together.
"Keep it down. No one knows and I prefer to keep it that way." Chris said.
"Yah sure, but what happened…wait a second."
"Joe, slow down." Chris said as he watched Joseph put the puzzle together.
"You two broke up because she knew you were…"
"Ssshhh."
"You do." He whispered with a big smile plastered on his face and a finger pointing towards Chris, "You…"
"So what's going on?" Jill entered. Joseph turned with his finger still sticking out and a smile still on his face. "You look kinda creepy if you don't already know." Joseph chuckled.
"Stop it already." Chris said.
"Hey Joe, check this out." Brad called to him.
"What's up?" Joseph asked.
"The fax came in." Brad said.
"Let me see." Joseph said, "Well what do you know."
"Is that about Jack?" Jill asked.
"Don't you mean Jackson?"
"Shut up Chris."
"Hey, I'm just enforcing your rule, Valentine. But I prefer Jackie…it really has a nice ring to it."
"Here Jill, lover-boy is a loser." Joseph handed her the paper.
"Yah, he has no record. Even I have one." Brad said.
"Is that so?" Jill asked.
"The bar fight?" Joseph referred to the one that happened a year ago.
"Yeah." Brad said.
"Hmm, I guess I can rest easy now." Jill said sarcastically as she tossed the paper into the bin.
- 10:37 P.M.-
"Barry, has the Bravo team checked in yet?" Chris asked.
"No, not yet." Barry said as he waited by the radio.
"Something's not right about this. Bravo team is never late to report." Chris said.
"Suit up!" Wesker barged into the office, frightening everyone.
"Why what's going on?" Brad asked frantically.
"Something's wrong. It's been an hour and the Bravo team still hasn't check in" Wesker said.
"Damn, I knew something wasn't right." Chris said.
"Base, come in base. This is the Bravo team."
"Bravo team, go ahead." Barry answered.
"We're…"
"Richard? Rich, what's going on?" Barry asked but there was no response. "Rich?"
"That settles it. Something is definitely wrong, suit up and be up at the helipad in 10. GO!" Wesker ordered.
"This is shit. We better be going there for nothing." Chris said as he ran out of the office.
"God, I hope the Bravo team's okay." Jill said as she followed Chris out the door and to the armory with Joseph, Brad and Barry in tow.
"Of course they're going to be okay." Joseph said as they strapped on their bulletproof vests.
"Yeah, I'm sure they're just going to tell us they need batteries for their radio." Barry said as he collected all the ammo and weapons.
Once they were suited up, they rushed to the helipad where Brad and Wesker waited. "All right, get in! Let's go!" Wesker yelled. Barry and Chris loaded the equipment as Jill and Joseph got in. Once all in, Brad took off and headed to aid the Bravo team.
"Hey wait, does anyone have the Energizer batteries?" Joseph joked.
"Aw crap. Brad turn around." Chris chuckled as Brad wore a confused expression.
"What the hell are you two clowns talking about! This is could be serious and the Bravo team could be in a real pickle." Wesker said.
"Yeah, but we're hoping that's all they're going to need." Chris said.
-An Hour Later above Arklay Forest-
"Chris you haven't found it yet?" Brad asked.
"No. Not yet Brad."
"Look Chris!" Jill pointed to a dark patch in the forest. Brad shined the light over the remains of what looked like the Bravo helicopter.
"Take us down." Wesker ordered. Brad landed on a clearing not far from the crash site and before they exited the chopper, Wesker gave them instructions. "Joseph, you and Jill search the helicopter and check for survivors. Barry, Chris, Brad and I will search the perimeter. Okay let's move."
"But Captain, don't you think someone should stay in the chopper just in case we need a quick evac?" Brad asked as his nervousness kicked in from the site of the crash.
"Fine, Brad you can stay. Let's move!" Wesker ordered and opened the hatch. As everyone jumped out, Chris held Jill behind.
"What's up?" She whispered.
"Jill, I'm not going to be your partner this time and I just…"
"Don't worry Chris, I'll take care of myself. But promise me you'll do the same?"
"I was going to say to watch out for Joe." He joked.
"I'll do that too." She smiled and jumped off the chopper.
"Ready Jill?" Joseph asked.
"As I'll ever be." She said.
"Let's go." Joseph said. "Oh hey Chris, watch yourself out there."
"You know I always do." Chris said. The two teams split up and went their separate ways in search of the Bravo team.
-10 minutes Later-
"Chris, find anything yet?" Wesker asked.
"Nope, nothing yet." He said.
"Wesker, Chris, I think I found something. I think…it's, it's a gun." Barry said as he bent down to pick up the shiny thing embedded in the grass. "Oh god." Barry exclaimed as he saw the hand still attached to it.
"What the fuck! What the hell is going on?" Chris was furious and confused. He knew that one of his friends were dead.
"Son of bitch. This cannot be good." Wesker said. "Jill?" He radioed, "How's it going on your side?"
"Um, we're nearing the helicopter now, but we haven't seen anything yet." She radioed back.
"Okay, well we found a gun with a hand attached to it. We don't know who it belongs to, but we know someone is dead." Wesker informed.
"Oh my god." She paused, "Well, I'll let you know if we find anything in the chopper." Jill told him.
"Aaahhh." Joseph yelled from inside the helicopter.
"Joseph, what is it?" Jill ran into the helicopter to back him up.
"It's Kevin…" He said with a shaken voice. Jill clasped her mouth as she saw what remained of Kevin, whom she just met that very day. "Come on, we have to keep moving. There's nothing we could do now but find the others."
"You're right." She said as she composed herself. They exited the chopper and decided to look around the chopper for clues. Jill went ahead with her gun ready for action. Joseph followed behind her when he heard crunching of the leaves and a growl of some sort. He turned towards the direction of sound ready to fire at his attacker. He looked, but nothing appeared to be there. Relieved that there was nothing, he turned and continued on. All of a sudden, a dog came out from know where and charged him down before he could even defend himself. He was on the ground, screaming and kicking as the dogs mauled at him. Jill fired her gun, desperately trying to save him. She was extremely shocked by the sight before her. Her clip was now empty, but she kept on pulling the trigger. Joseph was dead and she couldn't believe her eyes: mans best friend had just killed her partner. She stood, staring at these dogs that appeared to be rotting. She now realized that she had been spotted by the rotting corpse of a dog.. She wanted to run, but she was paralyzed by fear. Suddenly, these monster dogs stopped mauling on Joseph's body and stared her down. She gained little movement in her feet and as the dog came running for her, she backed up and tripped on a tree root. As she sat on the floor, helpless and waiting for her impending doom, a gunshot suddenly rang in her ears. She felt blood splash on her face and was suddenly lifted off the ground. "Come on." Chris yelled as he picked her up and guided her towards safety.
The sound of the helicopter's propellers suddenly filled the air. The helicopter was in the sky and flying away. "Hey Brad!" Chris yelled, "Where the hell's he going?" Their only chance of escaping was now gone. The two of them kept on running. But where to? They had no clue. They both turned and Chris found himself in front of a charging dog. Seeing he had no options, he put his arm up, but then the dog was blasted out of the way.
"Chris, this way!" Wesker yelled for him to follow. The four of them were running as fast as they could, occasionally shooting at the monster dogs. They continued running until a mansion came in view.
"Head for that mansion!" Chris yelled to Jill as he urged her to continue running. The four of them made it into the mansion, safe behind the doors from the killer dogs. They were utterly exhausted and took the time to catch their breaths.
"What is this place?" Barry looked around.
"Not quite your ordinary house, that's for sure." Wesker said.
"Hey Wesker, where's Chris?" Jill noticed that Chris was nowhere in sight. But how could that be, he was right behind her. She turned around and headed for the entrance.
"Jill no. You don't want to go back out there." Wesker stated firmly.
"But we've got to find…" Jill was cut short by the sound of a gunshot.
"What was that?" Barry asked.
"Chris?" Wesker stated a possibility.
"No." Jill was worried.
"Jill, go and investigate." Wesker ordered.
"I'm going with her. Chris and I go way back." Barry said.
"All right you two go. I'll stay and secure this area. Stay sharp." Wesker said. Barry and Jill entered the door to their left, hoping to find Chris or a surviving Bravo member.
The Alpha team had entered the mansion in hopes of safety, yet little did they know about the horrors that resided within. Each one would have to struggle in order to survive the dangers. This night would be the longest night they ever had.
So this is the end of this chapter…Maybe the next one will be the last? It could be, I don't know…But before I upload the LAST chapter, I might re-upload all the other chapters…edited and such and such. That's a might. It's 30 pages long, sort of an apology and also because when I got towards the end, I couldn't stop. I didn't re-read it so sorry for the grammatical errors. Wicked Dwellers? WTF! Never mind, that's stupid, I ran out of ideas somewhere along the lines of writing this chapter. So, Grill 13? Anyone figure that out? It's the restaurant in RE: 3 where Jill meets Carlos and if you choose to, she blows it up when Nemesis pops up. Hehehe…ring a bell yet? Hmm…anyways…I hate Well, I don't actually hate it, it's just, WHERE ARE ALL THE OTHER CHRIS/JILL FICS! In fact, where the hell are the OG's? Sheesh, I don't think I'll write a sequel just yet…this place is totally dying…Er…okay I'm going to watch Mulan and Aladdin so…bye…Happy Holidays!