Claire was scared, scared and worried. Most of her worry, of course, was for Steve. Who knew what Alexia was doing to him or had, up till this point, done to him? She couldn't be sure how long it had been since they had tried to escape in the snow cat. In fact, the her memory surrounding the incident with the snow cat was still somewhat fuzzy.

She could clearly recall her and Steve making it to the snow cat. But only five minutes away, with the installation still in sight, something had slammed into them. After that everything was nothing more than a blur of motion as the snow cat rocked violently and tipped over. Their was a lot of shouting, from both her and Steve, and then she had blacked out.

When she woke up she was in the cell under the stairs, a few minutes after that Chris and Alex had shown up. Now, she was wandering around some kind of jailing area worried and alone. She had heard gunshots shortly after escaping the falling balcony and desperately hoped Chris and Alex were alright. Although she suspected whatever the two of them had been shooting at was in more trouble than Alex and Chris were. It was a comforting thought that someone as good as Alex was watching her brother's back.

Somehow the thought of Alex actually made Claire's fear ebb slightly. After all, Alex wasn't but a year or two older than her and like Claire, had survived Raccoon City. If Alex could stand up to whatever was wandering around this facility, so could she.

"Now, Steve, where…"

Claire's blood ran cold as a scream pierced the silent hallway. Without hesitating, she spun to the right and burst through a large steel door. A soft gasp escaped her lips. Sitting at the end of a long dark hallway was Steve. He was being held in a high backed chair by two crossed axes. Claire took a tentative step forward, foreboding running through her veins…Steve wasn't moving…

Chris stepped onto the catwalk, shivering at the cold air that brushed over his bare arms. When Alex had drug them to the mansion he had spotted the body trapped in the ice. At the time, it hadn't seemed important, but now that they were looking for an earring.

Moving quickly, Chris headed for a nearby crane booth. Presumably, at least he suspected anyway, the floor below this one was some kind of warehouse, just off the Loading Room they had cut through earlier. Though Chris couldn't figure out how the facility had gotten flooded. His best guess was it had happened early in the outbreak.

Working quickly, Chris liberated the body from the ice. It wasn't human anymore and from what Alex had said it was in fact the Ashford's father.

"And I thought Alex and Wesker had issues."

Chris shook his head and moved carefully across the ice. He could see an emerald earring hanging from one of the creature's ears. Grimacing, Chris gingerly pulled the earring loose and shoved it into his back pocket. Now all they needed was a ring.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Chris spun around and walked back in the direction of the door he had come through. He was halfway to the door, when a soft crunch made him slow to a stop. The soft crunch was quickly followed by a louder crunch. Already suspecting the source, Chris slowly turned, flipping the safety off the AK-47.

Just as Chris finished his turn, the creature slipped loose from it's bonds and slid to the ground.

"Shit…"

Chris backed away, knowing full well he didn't have enough ammo to take the thing down…not even close to enough ammo. The creature, formerly the Ashford's father Alexander, advanced rather swiftly toward its new found prey. Chris was still hastily backing up when the worst possible of things could have happened, he slipped.

He hit the ice hard, jarring his back. The creature growled, perhaps with glee over its prey's mistake. Suddenly a tentacle shot out, wrapping around Chris' upper right arm. Chris' mind whirled with ideas, until his eyes fell on the hole from which the creature had been pulled. The top eight inches may be ice but it appeared that below that mark it was all water.

"Ok buddy…let's see how well you swim…"

Chris tilted the gun toward the ice and pulled the trigger. Even with the creature's tentacle tightening on his arm and shutting off the blood, Chris managed to keep his aim at the monster's feet. The shots peppered the ice, spraying flecks of up onto the monster's legs. Just as the AK-47 clicked dry, the creature took a step forward.

There was a loud craaaak as the ice gave way and the creature slipped into the water below. Chris was ready to breath a sigh of relief, when he suddenly slid forward. He had forgotten about the tentacle still wrapped around his arm. If he didn't escape he and the monster both would be dying of hypothermia.

Chris grabbed for the combat knife on his belt, as he tried desperately to slow his progress toward the broken ice. Even if he didn't make it to the hole itself, his body weight would be more than enough to sink him if he got close to the weakened area. Just as he slid the knife from its sheath, the creature's tentacles burst from the water waving wildly.

"Sorry pal, you're going alone on this one."

Chris sliced through the tentacle just as the creature's resolve and strength gave out. Slowly it sank deeper into the freezing water as Chris got to his feet. The now empty AK-47 lay forgotten on the floor.

"I hope Alex is fairing better than I am."

Just as Chris' voice trailed off, the radio crackled to life.

"Good evening, little sister…"

Alex swatted at one of the thousand ants flying around the room. They were more of a nuisance really, than a real threat. But, given half a chance, Alex would have gone for a flamethrower and torched them to hell and back. However, she had more important things to be worrying about than the miniscule insects currently buzzing around her head, like finding Alfred's ring.

She had no idea where Chris had gone, but hoped he was trying to locate Nosferatu. In turn, finding him would find the earring they needed. Alex already suspected she knew where Alfred and his signet ring would be, Alexia's lab. However, on the off chance that some changes had been made, she had already checked out the eastern lab. The trip had earned her nothing more than a half empty Beretta.

Before she reached the door to the lab she spotted the blood smears on the hallway wall. Despite everything, her stomach tightened at the site of it. Taking a deep breath, she stepped through the automatic door into the lab itself. The blood trail continued past some lab equipment, up three evenly spaced steps, then abruptly ended with no body in sight.

"Now, isn't that odd?" Alex cocked her head, following the blood up the stairs to the small landing. "Massive amounts of blood usually equals dead or at least severely wounded body."

Alex turned from the blood to a nearby console. Her experience as a lab assistant at the Arklay Facility allowed her to actually understand the machine's readouts. Something had been in cryogenic status and had recently been revived. Given Alexia's miraculous rise from the dead, Alex was positive she had been the last occupant of said cryo-tube. Except the machine was telling her someone, or something, was currently residing in what should have been an empty tube.

"This just gets weirder and weirder."

Alex's fingers flicked expertly over the machine's buttons. A few seconds later there was a metallic click and a hiss of escaping air. Slowly she backed up a couple steps, flicking the safety off her Magnum. She had no idea what might be popping out of the tube now rising from the floor and had no desire to be caught off guard.

The tube clicked into place and the frosted glass slide aside. Alex actually let out a short squeak of surprise as a body tumbled out to land face first on the floor. She approached cautiously, making sure to keep the magnum trained on it just in case it decided to jump to its feet and try to rip her throat out. Once she got within two feet, she knew it wasn't going to be jumping anywhere…it was barley breathing.

"Alfred?"

Alex shoved the magnum behind her back and kneeled, gently rolling Alfred onto his back. He was a mess. There was a bullet wound to his stomach and his face was covered with small cuts and bruises. She also noted his right arm was bloody and his leg was bent at an odd angle. Carefully, she rocked his head back as he opened his eyes.

"Alexia." Alfred's voice was barley above a whisper as he reached up and touched her cheek. "You cut…yo…your hair…"

"Yes." Alex's voice was almost as quiet. "It was becoming bothersome."

"It…it's pretty…" Alfred coughed, a little blood dribbling down one corner of his mouth. "I'm tired…"

"Go to sleep Alfred." Alex's voice cracked. "You've done all that I required, rest now."

Alfred smiled up at Alex with pure adoration glistening in his eyes. Alex smiled back as Alfred's hand slipped from her cheek, landing on the floor with a muffled thump. Carefully she laid his head on the floor. She then slid his signet ring from his finger and slipped it into her front pocket, before carefully crossing his hands over his chest.

Alex leaned over him, gently kissing his forehead. She couldn't help feeling a tug of remorse and sadness. For several weeks, she had played the part of his sister. True it had been an act she had wholeheartedly believed in because of brainwashing and drugs. But, that did not diminish the fact that she had, deep down, cared for the man. In some way he had taken Albert's place, just as she herself had taken Alexia's.

She stood, heading back through the lab and the following ant room. Though she hated to admit it, Alex was torn between Albert and Chris. They were enemies, what had transpired between them at the mansion she couldn't be entirely be sure of. True, she had seen a video of Albert being repeatedly impaled by a Tyrant, but the only thing she had been allowed to hear of the tape was her brother's screaming voice as he died. Now Albert was alive and trying to kill Chris and Chris hated her brother with a passion.

Here she was in the middle, between the man who had raised her…her own blood, and the man she had developed feelings for…long before the 'Spencer Incident'.

Alex sighed heavily as the elevator came to a stop. She needed to radio Chris, tell him she had the ring and was waiting at the mansion. Despite her earlier outburst, she wasn't angry. Frustrated and tired, but not angry. She stepped through the large double doors, not noticing the door clipping her in the back as it shut.

"Good evening, little sister…"

Alex spun around, instinctively bringing the magnum up and pointing it toward the voice. What she didn't realize was that her radio was on, bumped when she walked through the door.

Albert was leaning against the wall behind the right hand door, his arms crossed and one leg cocked with the foot firmly planted against the mahogany wall board. He looked like a blonde James Dean in sunglasses and a black combat outfit. Alex didn't lower the gun.

"Cut the shit Albert."

Her tone was downright icy, which seemed to amuse her big brother. Slowly, like a cat waking up from a nap, Albert detached himself from the wall and circled her. She turned with him, the sites of the magnum firmly planted over his chest. She wasn't sure what he was planning, or whether or not she could actually shoot him. But, a show of weakness certainly wouldn't help her now.

Albert came to a stop, once again crossing his arms, and smiled benevolently at her. Alex was well aware that her back was now to the wall, not a position she was entirely comfortable with.

"Such language Aaron, I do not believe I brought you up to talk like that."

Alex's harsh laugh, so like Albert's, cut through the silent lobby.

"No, you only brought me up to be a killer." A cold cruel smile spread across her face. "But at least I've never betrayed anyone."

Alex's back hit the wall, the magnum falling to the floor as Albert grabbed her wrist. Ironically the only thing that had saved her from a nasty bump on the head was Albert's hand coming between it and the wall. Alex somehow managed not to look afraid, despite being terrified, because at that precise moment Albert tilted his head and let his sunglasses slide down to reveal his eyes. It wasn't the look of them that was causing her to become nervous, it was the look in them.

"Get off your high hoarse little sister. I do believe there is an Umbrella insignia missing from your uniform, not to mention you're keeping company with an ex-S.T.A.R.S. member."

Alex flinched as Albert pulled his right hand from behind her head and slipped her sunglasses off her face. Their eyes met and Alex had to fight to keep her own cobalt blue eyes locked on Albert's yellow ones. Somehow she managed not to jump as Albert dropped the hand to his side and snapped her sunglasses in two.

"Use Redfield to escape if you must, but remember…I plan on killing him with my own hands."

Alex had heard this tone before. He reserved it only for lecturing the morons under him and disciplining her when she had decided to do something stupid.

"Albert, I'm in no mood for one of your lectures and you have no right to tell me what to do." Alex's face turned grim and hard. "At least he didn't run when I shot Alexia…at least he…"

Albert's eyes widened for a fraction of a second and Alex realized that he didn't know she was the one who had fired the shot.

"You didn't think it was me did you? You just assumed it was Claire…" Alex actually laughed, shaking her head. "At least I tried to save your life…what have you done for me lately?"

"Stay out of the way Aaron, don't make me do something I will regret."

Before Alex could respond he was gone, his footsteps receding quickly. She let out a shaking breath and slid slowly down the wall into a sitting position. Her right arm gave a twinge as she drew her knees up and wrapped her arms around them.

"Choices…choices…"

Claire's hand was shaking as she reached out toward Steve. Just has her fingertips brushed his shoulder, his eyes flew open, looking wild and unfocused.

"Steve!"

"Claire…is that you?"

Claire nodded, glancing around for some way to release him from the chair. Soon enough she spotted a nearby button in the wall to her left. Moving swiftly, she walked over and pushed it. There was a metallic clank as the two axes shifted their positions and released Steve. Claire was by his side in a moment, catching him as he slumped forward.

"Claire…she did something…she…"

Suddenly Steve let out a high pitched scream, clutching his stomach. Claire glanced around wildly, wishing that Chris, or better yet, Alex were here. If anyone knew what was wrong with him, Claire was betting Alex did. Unfortunately she was on her own and Steve's spasms were getting worse.

"Claire…"

"Steve, don't worry, you'll be fine. I'll find Alex, she'll…"

"…run…"

"What?"

Steve looked up at her, his eyes glowing a harsh red. Claire involuntarily pulled back, letting out a squeak of surprise. She watched in horror as his face elongated and his skin turned a sickly shade of green. She backed up slowly as Steve stumbled out of his chair, his body snapping and cracking as it mutated into something far larger and more dangerous.

"…RUN…"

Claire spun around as the creature let out a long loud bellow of rage, grabbing one of the hefty axes that had formerly imprisoned it. Tears stung her eyes as Claire pumped her arms, racing for the steel door she had come through. Behind her she heard the thundering footfalls of what had formerly been Steve trailing after her.

Claire crashed full long into the door, grabbing for the handle like a mad woman. But the door wouldn't budge…it was locked. Claire slammed a fist into the door, then spun around as Steve crashed ever closer. Slowly she flicked the safety off the Glock Alex had thrown her, a tear running down her face.

"Steve…I'm sorry…"

But before Claire could pull the trigger a tentacle, far larger than the one that had taken out the balcony at the Mansion, crashed through the wall. Claire screamed and the Glock hit the floor as a second tentacle shot through the opposite side of the wall and wrapped around her waist. Claire screamed again as the tentacle tightened, threatening to crush her to death.

What Claire couldn't see was Steve come to a slow stop in front of her and the tentacles, a unusually thoughtful expression on his reptilian face. As she screamed out in pain a second time, a look of recognition crossed his face. He bellowed and swung the ax in a wide arc, cutting through the tentacle that held Claire aloft. She hit the floor, coughing, and glanced up at Steve and the remaining tentacle.

The tentacle swung toward him, crashing into his chest and slamming him against the far wall. Steve let out a roar of pain, as he used his last bit of strength to swing the ax. The ax connected with the base of the tentacle, chopping it off cleanly. The now lifeless tentacle hit the floor with a wet plop, unmoving.

Claire looked on in disbelief as Steve slid slowly down the wall, his body reverting back to its normal form. Slowly, she crawled over to him, touching his cheek gently. He opened his eyes, touching her hand as he spoke.

"I'm glad you're ok Claire." He murmured softly. "I'm sorry I scared you."

"It's ok Steve." Claire smiled, fighting back tears. "You did the right thing at the end."

"Yea…"

Claire let out a sob as Steve's eyes closed and his hand fell to the floor…

Chris only missed Wesker by a few seconds, though he wasn't aware just how close the two of them had come to bumping into each other. He slammed through the right door of the Mansion, out of breath and almost frantic. He had heard every word over the radio and then it had suddenly cut out. He didn't know if Wesker would harm Alex, but he wasn't entirely sure Wesker's ambition wouldn't outweigh brotherly love.

"Alex…Alexandra!"

"Over here…"

Chris spun around and found Alex sitting against the wall, her head resting on her drawn up knees. She looked tired and for the first time since he hand known her, young. Right now she looked almost childlike and Chris cursed Wesker for putting her in such a vulnerable state.

Carefully, he kneeled down in front of her and laid a hand on her shoulder. She lifted her head, her hair falling into her eyes. Gently, Chris brushed her hair aside. Smiling down at her, he held out a hand to help her to her feet. He wasn't going to tell her he knew what had happened between her and Wesker, that was a conversation better left for another time.