A/N: I don't own anyone but Alex (But will tell you she owns Chris and Piers) as the rest belong to Capcom….BASTARDS!

I am horrible…..The setting at the party is going to be festive and fun and the angst blizzard will blow in…..


"She hasn't moved since you put her in there."

Josh stretched his arms above his head as Piers paused in the doorway. "I don't know what that nurse gave her but she's been out for almost 36 hours."

"She needs the rest," Piers kept his eyes on the sleeping figure. "Jill said she didn't sleep after getting the phone call."

Piers didn't let his watchful stare leave his captain or her. Another scan was due that day and perhaps Chris could wake up. His hand slipped in his pocket, pulling out the small box in his hand. He had found it before being deployed to Edonia. Chris had thought it was generous of him but Piers simply stated it was his way of saying thanks for making him fell welcome in their circle. The pendant was about the size of a nickel, crafted in sterling silver with the Celtic creature carved against the solid back. The woman had explained it meant all life was interconnected which he found fitting in an odd way.

"Whatcha got there Piers?" Josh came up from behind and spotted the item clutched in his hand.

"Something for Alex," he answered in a heavy tone. "Just a way to say thanks."

"That's cool," Josh backed off. "I'm sure she will like it."

"I hope so," Piers nodded. "Maybe it will help cheer her up a little."

Josh said nothing as he went in search of coffee; real coffee not that cheap watered down piss at the pop station that was passed as coffee either. Piers remained in the doorway, keeping vigil over the occupants.


Ashville, North Carolina…..Three days ago….

The TV had been assimilated with the same drab wretched Christmas specials that were aired the year before and the year before that and so on.

Alex flipped off It's A Wonderful Life which was in its 10th airing for the day. The snow had tapered off leaving behind a thick blanket of white. It was deceptive for Alex as the beauty and innocence of the scenery where a cruel contrast to what transpired a half a world away. She wasn't sure if Chris would be able to call as she knew these missions were unpredictable to say the least. But she was thankful that any other calls had not come through. Those were the worst. She had been at B.S.A.A. when widowers and widows arrived. Some carried small children while others arrived with parents or siblings of the fallen agent. Jill and Chris would be the ones to break the news to these grief stricken men and women, watching their faces crumple as reality would sink in. Her heart went out to everyone who had made the ultimate sacrifice.

Her eyes wandered over to the clock that was perched on the wall. Its hands touched the five and seven.

"Great," she moaned. Claire wouldn't be over until 10. Her gift for the younger Redfield was on the table, wrapped in solid green paper. The plan was to head to B.S.A.A. and visit Jill as she was alone over the holiday as well. Alex dragged the blanket over her head, blocking the hands of the clock as they stared from across the room.

"Alex….wake up." Claire stood over her sleeping friend. "Hey it's 10 in the morning sleepy head."

Alex poked her head from the dark confines to have the beaming face of the younger Redfield shining bright like the sun.

"Wake up sleepy head. Come on, you need to get up!"

"Sure why not," she discarded the blanket and swung her legs over. The scent of Arabica wafted from the kitchen to the living room.

"The meal is at noon! Get moving!" Alex flipped Claire the finger before turning into the bathroom.

The snow returned.

A steady swirl raced along the hood and top of the car as Claire drove them both towards the B.S.A.A. They decided to wait until meeting up with Jill to open gifts as they were family but not in the traditional sense. Yet again normal wasn't in any of their vocabulary; not any more.

Alex continued gazing out the window, thinking of better times. One winter Chris had gotten the insane idea to take her skating at the pond by the apartment complex.

"I can't do this!"

"Yes you can! Think of it as rollerblading but with blades."

"Okay…..But if I break anything I'll kick your ass Chris Redfield."

"I won't let you go."

A thin smile crossed her lips as she recalled how Chris had kept his arm around her waist in a protective manner, going slow at first until she was breaking free and skating with confidence. That had been after the Mansion. Alex had stayed locked up in the apartment, afraid to step outside even the secure balcony that was above street level. The children's laughter had an affect over her, cracking the shell that she had created. She had felt her soul break free that day.

"Okay we're here," Claire killed the engine. "Looks like Barry and Leon showed up."

"Are you okay with him being here?" Alex grabbed the bag from the back.

"Yeah," Claire nodded with slight tension.

"Hey," Alex turned her around. "If he makes you uncomfortable, just say the word."

"I'll be fine Alex," she smiled back. "You're friends with him and I know you see him as family."

"Family or not I won't stand for trouble."

"Thanks," Claire's smile widened. The snow sprinkled overhead, painting their heads and hair with peppery flakes of white.

"Claire, Alex!" Jill waved from across the room. "You two made it! Barry is pacing around the kitchen with that look in his eyes and Jeff and Marco are about to spar over bean dip."

"We have the solution," Claire produced the tray of cookies and fudge while Alex pulled the homemade donuts from the bottom.

"Thank goodness," Jill grabbed the sweets and rushed to the kitchen that was off the main room. The increase in bodies warmed the space quickly shunning the cold that knocked on the windows. Alex looked around seeing the B.S.A.A. staff downing cider or coffee with one holding mistletoe overhead.

"Hi Alex," a quiet voice greeted her. She turned to see Leon standing before her. He was rubbing his neck in an awkward manner as he looked at the floor as though he felt like he was intruding. She knew why he was averting her eyes. He had seen Claire and was stabbed with guilt the second his eyes met hers. Leon didn't feel like he belonged there but Jill invited him and Claire was alright with it.

"Leon hi," she squatted down the rose up forcing him to lift his head upright.

"I uh brought you something," he held the small bag out. "I also have something for Claire and Jill too."

"You didn't have to," Alex began to protest.

"No," he shook his head refusing to accept it back. "You have been a good friend even with what happened with Claire and me. You helped us out. I don't think I will ever be able to thank you enough."

"I know you're still into Ada and all….."

"I'm not sure what is going on with her. I told her how I felt and she wanted to see me but now I don't know. It's like something's up. She's been evading me so I don't know."

"Well I'll be nice and not say anything. But get your ass over to the table and get something to eat before Jeff, Marco, and Barry make it vanish."

"Alright," he sighed and headed for the food.

"What was that about?" Jill approached after Leon departed. Her eyes screamed with curiosity.

"He's being Leon," Alex smiled. "But I think he loves Claire."

"Wow where did that come from?"

"I could just see it in his eyes and how he was afraid to go near her. He also brought you both something."

"He didn't have to do that," Jill took the small bag from Alex's outstretched hand.

"That's what I said. So….how much longer till the food gets here? I didn't eat anything this morning."

"If you get over to the table you might be able to fight off Jeff and Barry." The two mentioned agents were circling one another as they hovered over the cookies at the end. The lean predatory stares made Alex think twice. This was not going to end well.

"And lose two fingers in the process." Jill laughed at her friend's pessimism.

"The dinner will be coming in about 10 minutes. Wait, there's the caterer."

"Hey everyone the food's here!" Barry hollered over everyone else's voices. Marco looked away long enough for Jeff to swipe the last chocolate chip cookie off the plate and in his waiting mouth. The caterer rolled the cart in, loaded with a turkey, ham, potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, yeast rolls, and of course dessert. Salad made its way to the table as did cranberry sauce and fresh vegetables and stuffing.

"I think I'm gonna let the animals go first," Alex stood back as trio of Barry, Jeff, and Marco dove in. The rest fell in line as there plenty in the gluttonous feast.

"I'm shocked anyone would be willing to make all of this on Christmas." Claire savored the turkey which was fork tender and moist.

"They do it every year," Jill shrugged. "And besides they get compensated generously for their efforts."

Alex felt her phone buzzing and pulled it out of her coat. The number was a B.S.A.A. line and her heart raced as her fingers fumbled with the screen.

"Hello….."

"Alex…"

"Piers hey," Alex was slightly confused. Why was Piers calling her? "Merry Christmas."

Piers didn't say anything as he struggled with what to say. How within the last 24 hours he watched the squad succumbing to the C-virus. How the thing that had been Finn attacked Chris without hesitation, slamming his body around like a dog did with a toy. How Chris was in London, fighting for his life after the back and top of his head bounced violently to the ground after being hurled like trash.

"Piers…." Alex called his name thinking the connection was going out. "Piers….."

"Alex….Something happened in Edonia….."

"What? What happened? Is Chris alright?" Her voice strained and shot up several octaves as everyone stopped and was listening intently. Alex felt her nerves lose control allowing her hands to shake as her head began to pound.

"He's in London…..He got hurt….bad….."

"How bad? What about Finn? Ben? Carl?"

"I'm sorry Alex…..they didn't make it…." Piers felt the burning tears stinging his eyes and face. "You need to get to London."

"No," she choked the word out. "No, that can't be….There has to be a mistake!"

"I wish it was Alex. But I saw them die…"

"Did…."

"No," he knew what she was about to ask. "Alex, I'm going to London today to join Chris. He won't be alone. Josh is on his way too."

"Why….." she whispered and dropped her phone. Claire swooped it up and put it to her ear.

"Piers, how is my brother? Please you have to tell us!"

"I don't know much Claire. God I'm sorry…..They lifted him out and flew him to London. No one would tell me anything."

"It's not your fault," she slowly cracked. "The bastards aren't telling you anything."

"I'll be in London later and I can find out more. But HQ wants me…..They want to know what happened for the fucking millionth time. May I speak to Alex?"

"Yeah," Claire passed the phone back as she openly wept. Leon was immediately by her side, wrapping his arms around her letting Claire cry on his shoulder.

"Alex, there's a flight leaving in two days from New York. It was all I could get."

"But…but what about Claire? She's his sister. She needs to be there with him too."

"I'll take care of it," Leon offered. Jill flashed a grateful smile at his gesture through her own glistening tears. She felt helpless as Chris was half a world away, lying in a cold hospital bed.

"Alex…..I wish there was something I could say or do….." Desperation climbed through the phone.

"You've done enough Piers," Alex wiped her eyes but it was of futile effort. "Thank you."

"I'll see you soon Alex…."

Piers hung up and dropped his head in his hands. He felt like he had personally smashed Chris's head against that wall. He knew right now, at that moment, the B.S.A.A. was falling into shock, anger, and grief. The service for the rest of Alpha had not been determined pending contact of next of kin. He waited in the terminal in Berlin, seeing the happy wretched faces of families, lovers, and friends as they celebrated the holiday. Right now Alex and Claire along with the rest of the B.S.A.A. was in mourning. God how he hated the smiling cheery faces! Don't they know what was sacrificed so they could live another holiday in ignorance!? To stuff their faces and shop like mindless zombies without some fucking bio-weapon being dispersed?!

He grabbed his duffel bag and stormed off, earning a few strange stares from other travelers. Piers wanted to be alone.


London…..Present….

Alex groaned and opened her eyes feeling the weight of her limbs as she clumsily rolled off the edge of the bed, almost collapsing to the cold unforgiving tile below. Her head was swimming forcing her eyes to focus in and out on the man on the opposite bed.

"Chris," she leaned on the sturdy bed, clutching it with a ferocious grip as she made her way to him. Alex pushed off the rail and to the table, shaking the slightly wobbly furnishing with her demanding push. Her sight slowly returned as she tripped over the leg of the chair and landed across his chest. A few strands swept over her face but she hastily pulled them back, wanting to see him.

"Oh god," she covered her quivering lips with an equally shaking hand. "What did that bitch do to you?"

His head was partially cloaked in gauze and tape, protecting the large gashes that had ripped his scalp apart. Portions of his hair were gone, shaved where the bandages were plastered. Alex reached out, lightly caressing the side of his face, shocked at how cool it felt beneath her hand. If it wasn't for the steady rhythm of the monitor behind her, Alex would've mistaken Chris for being dead. His breathing was light as his face was void of all emotion or expression.

"Chris," she laid her head upon his chest, closing her eyes as she focused on the faint but detectable beating of his heart. "Chris please wake up. I'm here now. You don't have to be afraid. I'm here now."

Alex slipped her head up his chest, letting it rest at the crook of his neck. The faint puffs of breath warmed her cheek. Her hand carefully crept up the opposite side of his neck, hoping he could feel the warmth of her touch. His face was dotted with the cascading shower of her tears. They rolled down the side of his face and vanished into the sheet below.

"Excuse me Miss Koch," an apologetic voice announced her name. Alex didn't lift her head as the sounds of flats clipped across the floor in short small strides. "I'm Dr. Cassie Teague. I wanted to talk to you about Chris."

"If it isn't about Chris waking up then I don't want to hear it." Alex was irritable not wanting to hear it.

"It's very important actually," the woman held the chart across her chest. "We need to discuss his injuries and arrangements."

"What do you mean arrangements!?" Alex shot up getting in the older woman's face. "He's not dead! He's not on fucking life support! He's breathing on his own goddamnit! LOOK!"

Dr. Teague took a deep breath for her years in the medical field had brought patience where anger would have reigned. Alex's face grew bright red as her anger controlled her thoughts and actions.

"Yes he is…."

"Then unless you're coming to tell me that he is going to be waking up then go!"

"Alex!" Piers and Josh burst through the door. "Alex stop."

"NO! She wants to talk about arrangements! Chris isn't dead!"

"Perhaps I should return later," Dr. Teague started to go and Josh followed her out into the hall. The corridor was partially dimmed as several lights had cracked and shattered. Josh didn't think too much of it as he stood face to face with the doctor.

"Mr. Stone, Chris is responding slowly to the treatment. The coma has allowed for the vessels in his brain to shrink to a level where we may look at lightening the state he is in."

"Meaning….." Josh wanted to hear the words.

"If Chris continues to improve at this rate and if the scan can verify such, we can begin to wake him up. But also understand that he can also experience a relapse which has occurred before. I don't want anyone to get their hopes up but right now we are moving in the right direction."

"Hey I'm sorry about Alex acting like that. She's….."

"I understand," she smiled warmly. "It's the Christmas gift no one wants to receive."

"Thanks," Josh turned around to see Piers holding a sobbing Alex in his arms. His hand was moving up then down in slow soothing strokes. He couldn't see Piers' face as it was down against the top of her shoulder. His heart went out to her, knowing she had a long painful road ahead of her. It was like seeing Chris when Jill had been declared dead after the mansion.

"I want that bitch dead!" Alex wailed against Piers.

"They're looking for her Alex. I promise we'll find her and make her pay."

"I knew she wasn't any good! The moment I found out she worked for that fucking bastard Wesker! I warned Leon about her!"

"Hey," Piers pulled back cupping her face with his hands. The angry lines marked her puffy eyes as the trails of tears streaked her cheeks and neck. "I know you're hurting. We're all hurting right now. I know you saw Finn as a little brother and you lost him. We all lost him."

"I can't lose Chris too," Alex was feeling helpless and lost. "Look at him Piers…"

Piers forced himself to look at Chris. He could feel himself returning to the cycle of pain, rage, and hopelessness that had coursed through him since he left Edonia. The slip of Alex's arms made him return his attention to her. She opened the pocket of her bag, retrieving the medallion she wanted to give him when he came home. Her eyes welled up as she ran a finger over the shiny icon.

"I was going to give him this when he came home. It's the patron saint of police and the armed forces."

Alex unhooked the clasp before leaning over and fastening it around Chris's neck.

"Maybe St. Michael will be kind and let him wake up."

Alex pressed her forehead to Chris's while holding his face tenderly in her arms. She tilted her head letting her lips connect with his.

"Please God or whatever god is listening, let him wake up. Please….."

Piers felt as if he was intruding on an intimate moment and slipped from the room unnoticed.

"Hey Piers," Josh was standing with coffee in his hands. "Got the good stuff."

"Thanks," he took a tiny sip and felt the tip of his tongue get scorched. It was richer than the watery crap in the coffee pot across the way.

"The doc said Chris was starting to respond to the treatment. If he keeps getting better they are gonna look at hopefully waking him up."

"Really?" Hope lit his voice and eyes.

"Yeah but she also warned that he could have a relapse which was why she said not to get our hopes up."

"I hope the captain wakes up," Piers wondered if Chris did wake up, would he remember anything? What would he remember? Would he be the same as before? Or would he become someone different? What was going to happen with the B.S.A.A.?

So many questions but no answers for any of them.

A few hours later Piers poked his head in to the room. Alex was stretched out alongside Chris with her body using the metal rail for support. Even in sleep she was considerate of his situation. Her arm was draped in a protective manner across his mid section as her head was nuzzled on his shoulder. Piers couldn't but help to smile at the sadly touching scene. He snatched the blanket off the other bed and drew it over her. She was so devoted to the Captain that it had made his own heart ache. He had heard Claire and Jill discuss the iron will and persistence she wielded where Chris was concerned. It was love that kept them together even when physically apart by continent and ocean.

He smiled down knowing she had found some solace in the guise of slumber. A few loose strands brushed across her face to which he pushed back behind her ear. Piers hoped Chris would pull through, everyone needed him. She needed him.

"Goodnight," he whispered. Piers leaned over kissing her forehead like he had before. His hand closed around hers in a short squeeze. He knew she was strong but this could break her.


Unknown location...

The woman in the blue dress paced furiously around the lab, waiting for confirmation. The Edonia test runs had been beautiful. The subjects that were foolish enough to imbibe it, believing her claims it was an energy supplement, mutated as she theorized. Neo-Umbrella had eaten up her report, unable to contain their excitement over the data. The second run on those B.S.A.A. soldiers had been a last minute decision but her expectations had been exceeded. The time from infection to mutation had been exponential in terms of replication and domination. But the look on Chris Redfield's face had been priceless. Oh how she wished she had captured the moment! The panic stricken look in his eyes while his little lapdog looked on while the man, what was his name, Finn, struggled for the outreached hand.

Her phone rang and she looked down at the id.

"Finally," she snipped and answered. "Well….What did you find out?"

"Confirmation is 100%. It is her."

"Excellent," she slowed her hurried stride. "Where is she now?"

"London; she arrived yesterday. Chris Redfield was transported there."

"Damn it," she growled under her breath. The target was under tight security! There was no way to obtain her with all the B.S.A.A. swarming.

"What do we do now?"

"Just stay close," she instructed then hung up. Just then her phone rang again. The number listed made her irritable as she punched talk.

"You failed in obtaining the target."

The voice hissed like a serpent through the line.

"The B.S.A.A. is all over her! Not to mention the police and damn military in the area!"

"No matter as another opportunity will present itself to us. Edonia was but the first as there will be more. Our chance will come. What of the other one?"

"Who Jake Mueller? That little obnoxious bitch Birkin and he almost got away but we have them at the Kiev location."

The chuckle resonated like a thunderous wave.

"At least you succeeded somewhere. I suppose a short commandment is in order?"

"Don't patronize me," she snarled.

"Of course not. But I want the results from Mueller and Birkin. We are too close to allow failure to happen!"

The connection went cold. She slammed her phone shut and pulled up the photo that satellite had snapped of the target.

"My my my," she rested her chin on the top her hand. "I can see why he wanted you."

The black and white image of Alex and Claire was crisp even as the imagery was captured from the abyss.

"Too bad for you," the woman sighed with mocked sympathy. "You're body will serve a greater purpose."