A/N: I don't own anyone but Alex (But she'll claim she owns Chris and Piers) the others are owned by Capcom…..DAMN YOU CAPCOM!
This is more like a group of drabbles because we need to get the drama mill grinding!
It had been three days…
Three agonizingly long days since Alex arrived at the B.S.A.A. Three painful days of waiting and sitting awake by Chris's bedside. Sleep had eluded her but then again she didn't expect it to grace her with is healing presence. Refusals to leave his side was the answer Josh Claire and Piers received when the simple mention of rest was addressed.
"No," she gripped the hand tighter. "I promised him I wouldn't leave his side."
"Alex," Claire scooted a chair alongside her friend. She gathered a hand within hers though Alex stayed focused on Chris. "Why don't you take a shower? I brought you some clean clothes."
"I don't want to." What part of she wasn't leaving him did they not understand?
"Just because you don't want to doesn't mean you won't get to."
"He's gonna wake up," she announced. "When he wakes up and I'm not there what's gonna happen huh?"
"Alex," Piers came around the other side. "The doctor said it will take time for him to wake up. They're withdrawing the amount gradually remember? She told us it would take time."
"I-I just want him to wake up," she started rubbing her cheek up and down the slack hand.
"And he will but we have to let the doctors do their jobs," Josh was behind Alex with his hands supportively on her shoulders. "Chris is a tough guy. He's gonna make it."
"We'll stay here so you can take a shower." Piers smiled with a strained curling of his lips.
"I'll go grab food," Josh was already taking off for the cafeteria. He knew everyone was needing a refill of food and coffee but didn't come out and say it.
"Alex, take a shower," Claire spoke in a harder tone. "You haven't moved and you'll feel better."
"Alex listen to Claire," Piers begged his friend. "Look, the bathroom is right there and you can leave the door open so you can hear everything. We won't look."
"No…." She drawled. Piers looked to Claire who nodded in kind.
"If you don't go, we'll call that nurse back in here."
"You wouldn't," she showed her lips in a nasty snarl. One that made Claire and Piers recoil.
"We will," Claire continued. "Piers why don't you go get her?"
"Fine," Alex shot her hand up. "I'll go. But if he wakes up I want to know. I don't care if I'm showering or not."
"We promise," Claire gave a genuine warm smile. "Now get moving."
Alex's brow furrowed in part anger and part frustration. She knew they would call that fucking nurse back in here too. Her lips were pressing to the top of Chris's hand, staying firm against the dry layer of skin for several moments.
"I'll be back," she whispered. "Just keep coming back to us please?"
Alex pushed backwards then up from the chair, letting her hand hold Chris until she was far enough away that her fingers unwound from his. She sulked the entire way to the bathroom, cursing Piers and Claire for their efforts. The door swung shut but didn't close completely. Moments later the sounds of water pelting the wall could be heard.
"You really weren't going to bring that horrid woman back in here were you?" Claire raised an eyebrow to Piers whose face seemed to be crumpled in pain.
"No," the marksman shuddered. "She put me off and I can tolerate most people."
"Good, because Alex would've killed her."
Piers had a half hearted smile at the image dancing in his head.
"Knock knock," Dr. Teague stepped in. "I wanted to see how Chris was doing."
"The machines have been pretty steady," Piers offered up.
"Good," the doctor spoke in her crisp but pleasing British accent. "The cat scan showed his body, especially his mind, is responding positively to the decrease in barbitals. We reduced the dosage to 75 percent three days ago and we are looking to lighten the strength to 60 percent tomorrow. With head injuries such as the ones Chris sustained in Edonia, we can't just shock his body back."
"As long as he wakes up," Claire was holding her brother's hand.
"As long as his body continues to respond in the manner we hope for that won't be an issue."
"Thanks Doc," Piers felt a little bit better inside. He knew his captain was fierce, tough in battle. Imagining the B.S.A.A. without Captain Chris Redfield was imagining the sky without the sun. It just wasn't allowed to happen.
"I'm gonna run these in the bathroom," Claire held the neatly folded pile in her hands. "Alex will want to hear the good news."
"Right," Piers nodded and turned to the unconscious form of his leader. "Captain, you better wake up. Alex is a mess. She didn't move for three days and we had to strong arm her into taking a shower. Josh is worried but he tries to be our cheerleader in a manner of speaking. They said the memorial service will be in a week. It's ironic how they're going to have coffins that hold nothing."
Piers snorted bitterly at his remark.
"Alex wants to hunt down Ada Wong but she won't listen to us. Not even Claire can convince her to let the vendetta go. The B.S.A.A. is doing all they can to find her but she's vanished off the map."
He wanted to say more but the quiet thumping of tennis shoes halted his tongue. Claire returned with empty hands and a deep tired expression lining her eyes.
"I'm gonna go find Josh. I need to keep myself from thinking about everything."
"Sure," Piers nodded. "I'll stay here with Chris and Alex."
"Alright," she leaned over kissing her brother on the cheek. "If he wakes up call me."
"Of course," he waved the cell in his hand. "You're on the top of the speed dial."
Piers set the device back down on the table and resumed watch over his captain. It was difficult to digest the view laid out before him: Chris Redfield, weak and vulnerable in a hospital bed in London. Where the long sleeved charcoal B.S.A.A. uniform had once been now only bare skin with the flimsy gown that struggled to cover the broad shoulders and tight chest was present. The blanket was drawn to his waist as the gown went slightly higher than expected. An IV line was hooked in like a tentacle in his hand, delivering life sustaining fluids to an otherwise depleted body. A second line carried the potent medication which restrained his mind from harming itself.
"He looks so fragile."
Piers shot his head up to see Alex hovering in the doorway. Her arm held the bundle of soiled clothes as she wore the crisp olive shirt and slightly fitted jeans. Her eyes dimmed as they trailed Chris, exposing the deep running torment she fought to keep concealed.
"It's like I'm looking at a porcelain doll."
She discarded the crumpled pile on the chair and rounded the bed.
"He's always the strong one. He went through so much with Umbrella and what they did to him…..To us."
Piers slid over allowing her to reclaim her position against the bed.
"Was Umbrella part of this too?" Alex's demeanor shifted to a dark hateful manner.
"No," Piers shook his head. His feet propelled him to where she sat, taking the shaking woman in his stable arms. "It was neo-Umbrella."
"Neo-Umbrella?" Alex repeated.
"We don't know what it is but it sounds like elements of Umbrella have reemerged."
"No rest for the weary," she laughed with bitterness.
"Don't think that," Piers gripped her chin carefully in his fingers. "Don't think that we won't have a day where bioterrorism is eradicated."
"I would like to think that," Alex admired his glints of optimism. "You sound like Finn."
"Well Finn wouldn't want you to give up."
"Well Finn's dead!" Alex tore from his hold. "He's dead!"
"But if he was standing here right now, he would tell you to keep fighting. He wouldn't let you drag yourself down into this fucked up mess you're creating for yourself! Do you want that?!"
"You have no idea the hell I have been through," Alex bristled with anger raging violently in her eyes. Her tongue froze before spilling anything more. Piers had crossed an invisible boundary but what he wasn't certain of. Alex had been evasive in regards to Umbrella and Wesker. He didn't want to intrude but his curiosity had nearly consumed him on more than one instance. The young marksman was aware of Chris's connections to Umbrella and its deceased researcher Albert Wesker but Alex wasn't so forth coming. Clearly something had occurred that she refused to address.
"Alex," Piers raised his hand in a non threatening sign as Alex felt the fibers in her shoulders and neck tense and contract in a primitive reaction. The air grew thick as Alex continued to stare down the younger man.
"Whoa," Josh cut the tension in the room with his calming presence. "Time out both of you."
Claire hurried in with a sack of sandwiches in her hand. Her eyes caught the frightened animal gleam in Alex's eyes as she stood against the wall and leapt into action.
"Alex," Claire set the bag aside. "Alex it's alright. Whatever Piers said he didn't want to upset you."
"No, I didn't mean to upset her."
"Piers come out with me man," Josh pushed a cup of coffee in his hand and ushered him back out into the hall.
"Damn it! What the Hell is wrong with these damned lights!? This is the second set we've lost in three days!"
The sounds of the maintenance crew hollering over lighting breaking yet once again as the two stepped out into the hall.
"Alex, it's alright."
"He has no idea….." Her lip quivered triggering the stinging deluge.
"No he doesn't," Claire shook her head sympathetically.
"No idea….."
"I know," Claire was cautious in her steps as she extended her arms out. "And no one should have to go through that either."
The younger Redfield slowly closed the space between as though she was facing a scared animal. In a sad way Alex was like a caged animal: Scared, angry, and confused. She had been a prisoner of her mind and continued to fight the demons that haunted her.
"Why does this keep happening to us?" Her voice deflated to a shaky whisper.
"I don't know Alex," Claire caught her friend in a tight embrace. "I don't know."
"I didn't mean to get Alex upset," Piers was slumped over in the wretched chair. The lumbar portion stabbed his back, the opposite of its original intent.
"I know Piers," Josh could see how agitated the confrontation had made the marksman. "But she's got a lot to work through. Alex saw those guys as her brothers just like you and Chris did. For her it was losing a large part of her family."
"I just wanted her to see."
"And your intentions were honest we get that. But Alex has been through a lot. She's seen and endured about as much as any one of us in the B.S.A.A. Hell, back to when Raccoon City was was a giant clusterfuck."
"I knew she was from Raccoon City."
"Well that's how she met Jill. She was holed up in the church in the clock tower with Jill and Carlos Olivera."
"Well I knew that," Piers took a small but thoughtful sip of coffee.
"I know you care about her but she needs to weave through this shit her way."
"It's hard seeing her sitting there like that though."
"No one knows that better than Claire. If it wasn't for her, Alex would probably be in a psych ward somewhere."
"I didn't know that," Piers muttered in his cup.
"It's alright man," Josh patted the center of his back. "But now you know some of the person that is Alex. When she's ready, she'll open up more. But for now just be there for her. When she falls on your shoulder, let her."
"I already am," Piers looked sadly at the open door. Claire had succeeded in subduing Alex and now she was in the chair. The same position as before.
Alex lifted her head upward to where Piers was sitting across the way. She could feel the weight of his guilt consumed eyes, detecting the turmoil swirling in his heart and mind. It was like a Licker had barreled down on her like a linebacker for the Packers. Her entire body was set ablaze with the absorption of his emotions, pricking her body like millions of miniscule knives carving into her flesh.
She quickly averted her stare away as the nausea settled in the bottom of her stomach.
"What we have a problem with the wiring in this bloody place?!"
A doctor hollered from down the hall. Josh and Piers craned their necks around and over, noticing the lighting as it flickered then died. Maybe they did have issues with the wiring. Ever since they had arrived it had been nonstop issues with lights throughout the damned building.
I really fucked up…..I hurt her when all I wanted to do was make her understand…..
Piers glanced up at the flat screen positioned on the wall. The volume was high enough for them to hear. It was the CNN International channel that was blaring across the screen. It was the channel of choice for most of the B.S.A.A. units outside of the States. Right now the main story was the ongoing war in Edonia. Though they were gone from the area, the war had raged on without them. The B.S.A.A. had successfully contained parts of the region, exterminating the B.O.W.s that crossed their paths. The rebels were being turned back; well rather the ones not infected were being rounded up and taken out like cattle.
Bastards deserve it!
Piers silently mused as he continued sipping his coffee. Josh was checking on a call he had received from Sheva. Together they sat in a comfortable silence.
One week later….
"So how much more can they decrease it?"
Alex continued drumming her finger tips across Chris's hand. The amount he was receiving was standing at 50 percent barbital. She didn't have to be told he was fighting in the recesses of his broken but determined body. The x-rays and scans showed the damage was continuously being mended by cell and tissue alike. The good news was he was out of the danger zone and his status had been upgraded from serious to critical. While everyone was relieved at the prognosis, Alex cringed. She wanted to hear stable but swallowed back the bitter pill she had been given by the medical staff. Claire knew she was upset as she too had hoped her brother would've been upgraded to stable; but critical was better than serious in this case.
"They said if he continues to improve they'll decrease to 40 percent. At that point he may be able to hear us."
"Claire, he does hear us. He just can't respond that's all," Alex rested her chin on the metal bar. Her hand toyed with his as she hoped the stimulation would perhaps trigger a reactive response.
"Claire," Piers stepped inside the room. He rubbed his neck uncomfortably while he shuffled a foot back and forth. "Can I talk to Alex for a minute?"
"It's okay," the raven haired woman called over her shoulder. "I need to talk to him."
"Okay," she sighed. "I'll go bother Josh for a bit."
Piers waited until she was out of earshot before speaking up. "Alex, I'm sorry –"
"Don't start," Alex released Chris's hand and shot up. "It's me who needs to apologize. I lost control and I snapped at you."
"No," he shook his head. There was no way she was taking all of the blame. "I should've been more considerate."
"I know you were trying to talk sense into me," she looked everywhere but at him. Shame dictated her movements as she shoved her hands deep in her pockets. "And you didn't deserve to be treated like that. So let's just leave it as we both rattled one another's nerves and be good with it."
"Alright," Piers acquiesced. Alex lifted her head for the first time since he stepped in meeting his forgiving look. They briefly traded an awkward glance before Alex jerked around and resumed her watch.
"Hey Piers," Alex turned but kept her hand locked in Chris's, "Thanks….For everything."
"Alex," he sat alongside her. "You don't need to thank me."
He paused to rub his neck yet again. She observed this action when he was nervous but remained moot on the matter.
"When I showed up that first day in Ashville, you didn't hesitate to make me feel welcome. I didn't know anyone but Chris."
"You didn't see Finn when he showed up. He looked like he was lost." Alex wiped the corner of her eye. "I called him my little brother because I didn't have any siblings."
"I know I was harsh about bringing him up."
"No, you didn't step out of line. I wouldn't have wanted Finn to see me like that. I feel like I let him down acting like that."
"No," Piers shook his head, "You didn't let him down. You're holding it together a lot better than some."
"Well it's been a long road for Chris and me. We both grew thick skins over the years; made us tougher and stronger."
"I can see it," Piers quietly admitted.
"Thanks," she dodged her head and focused back on Chris. "When Chris wakes up and we go home, I know he's going to struggle and fight to understand what happened."
"We'll be there for him – All of us."
2 weeks later…..
Alex had developed the habit of sleeping in Chris's bed now that he was improving. She always pushed up on the railing with her head on the crook of his shoulder, mindful of the tubing and pads of the monitors. Piers had slipped a blanket between the rolling rods and her body allowing her to obtain a better night's sleep. Chris was now at 30 percent barbital infusion which renewed everyone's hopes and anticipations. But Alex had been the most anxious.
With Chris recovering it would be best to put off their wedding until he was 100 percent. While they had not really set a date, they both agreed after he got back from Edonia they would begin planning or just say screw it and head to the courthouse. It was alright; she could wait. Alex could wait a little longer. The important thing was to get Chris home.
They had been at the hospital for nearly three weeks now but no one took notice. The medical staff had been progressive but slow in bringing Chris out of the coma. Every so often his finger would twitch causing Alex to become elated with false hopes. When she asked Dr. Teague about it the woman was kind in letting her down.
"Alex that is an involuntary action but it can be taken as a good sign. The barbital had numbed his mind, preventing such reflexes but this is what we want to see. Think of it as his body's way of saying he's coming around."
She kept telling herself that over and over like she was teaching herself a new language. The pale clammy appearance that had been dominant across Chris's face and skin had eroded away, allowing the vigor of life to return. The stubble had grown thicker but Alex had grown to love the look on him. But of course he would shave it off once he woke up. She slipped her phone out and snapped a quick picture. The grin crept up her face as she stared lovingly at the image on her screen.
"Well, you're 80 percent of way there," she slipped the phone in her bag and climbed onto the bed. She pressed her face against the crook of his neck, breathing in his scent. The sterile specks of hospital fractured the deep musky ribbons. "The doc said your injuries were getting better."
The deep rhythmic rise and fall of his chest was the answer she received.
"Honestly, I'm hoping they wake you up soon. This waiting and watching has been so hard for all of us."
The beeping of the monitor echoed overhead as though it was sharing her sentiment. Alex stroked the top of his hand, wondering if he could feel her touch. She liked to think he could and maybe he did.
Piers watched the unfolding scene from the doorway. There had been a shift in Alex's attitude ever since they decreased the dosage to 20 percent. She was eating more and willing to spend a little more time away from the room; though it was in short bursts of 10 minutes it was better than seeing her despondent and detached from the group. The light flush had resumed in her cheeks, increasing her vigor. He couldn't but help to smile. Seeing her lifted from the wallow of despair was uplifting to his own spirit.
"I see someone's looking better," Josh whispered from behind.
"You have no idea how good it is to see her smiling."
"Piers," Josh took a deep breath, "You better be speaking for all of us."
"I am," he quipped and nodded.
"You can come in you know," Alex quietly beckoned. "Hovering in the doorway is rude."
"Oh, I uh didn't want to intrude."
"Piers," Alex sat up. "Chris is your captain. If you want to come in then do so. Josh Claire and Jill have been in and out as has Leon."
"Leon….." Piers raised an eyebrow.
"He's an old friend of mine and Chris's. He helped Claire get out of Raccoon City after the Outbreak."
"Oh right, that Leon."
"Yes that Leon," she sighed.
Piers shook off the sudden stab of envy. Why was he worried over him? Leon wasn't a threat to any of them.
The younger man took the vacant chair, deciding to stay as another day came to a long dreary close.
A week and a half later…
Everyone was crowded in Chris's room. Anxious eyes were cast upon the woman who was cutting off the flow of barbital. It had been determined it was time to let Chris wake up. The trachea tube had been removed and replaced with an oxygen mask to allow a powerful flow for his body and mind. Now they were playing the waiting game as there was no set timeframe in which he would awaken. The mind was a strange animal. When it was ready it would trigger the reaction that would bring Chris back to them.
Alex was perched on the chair now, gripping Piers' hand as it had slipped over her shoulder. Claire was positioned on her other side as she held the opposite hand.
"Now when Chris awakens we will have to get another look for the extent of damage. Remember, when he was in a coma his brain was dormant which only allowed us to obtain preliminary readings."
"Will he remember us?"
Dr. Teague looked to Claire who held her eyes level with the good doctor's. The younger woman was demanding the truth with those sharp rings.
"I cannot answer that truthfully Miss Redfield. Some wake up without missing a single beat while others….." She paused before continuing knowing this was something every family loathed hearing. "While others lose parts of their memories or large tracts. Sometimes memories are regained quickly while other cases it can take weeks, months, or years."
"No," Alex sharply shook her head. "No, that will NOT happen. Chris is stronger than that. He doesn't give up."
"It's alright Alex," Claire rubbed her hand.
"Chris has a strong body which will help in metabolizing the barbital and getting it through his system."
"And he is going to wake up." Piers felt his fingers pressing into her shoulder.
72 hours after…..
Alex was pacing in circles. Chris had shown no sign of response….yet.
Leon had been called away which everyone understood. As much as he wanted to stay, the government was summoning him once again.
"Call me!"
Claire promised she would call Leon the moment Chris woke up. Alex had watched the pair interact, catching a small exchange between them. She hoped Leon wasn't stringing her along as she wouldn't hesitate to drop kick his ass; agent or not. But then again…..
"Anything?" Josh returned with more coffee and breakfast.
"No," Alex kept her furious stride, taking on the posture of an expectant parent then distraught fiancé.
"Alex, he'll wake up. That barbital was pretty hard shit. Doc said it could put a bull elephant out."
"Josh," she whined. "Do you really have to say that?"
"Sorry," he brushed his hand over his face. "But this hasn't been easy for any of us."
"I know," she sighed and stopped pacing. "We've been here for weeks now. But if I have to wait another several more then so be it. If it means him waking up and coming back to us then so be it."
"You have some serious patience girl," the agent grinned with affection.
"After everything we went through, it only hardened my resolve Josh."
"Mmmmmm…"
Alex froze and jerked her head towards the bed. Had she heard what she thought was…..
"Nnnnnggghhhhh…"
"Chris!" She rushed the bed, pressing his hand between hers. Josh watched as the condensation thickened on the inside of the oxygen mask. "Josh get the others!"
He nearly stumbled over his booted feet while shouting everyone's names at the top of his lungs.
"Chris," Alex repeated his name between kisses to his hand. She watched with hope as his eyelids fluttered open showing off those rich chocolate rings she longed to see. Recognition trickled in as they blinked and rolled to the right, focusing on the rich strands of midnight.
"Lllllleexxxxiiiii…"
"Yep that's right Chris," Alex couldn't keep herself restrained. She grabbed his other hand and flattened it along her cheek. His fingers stretched, remembering the soft warmth. The thundering of boots and shoes rumbled as Josh led the group back in. Doctor Teague pushed her way through catching the first glimpse of her patient coherent.
"Well," she said with a grin of relief. "This is a huge step. Christopher can you hear me?" She began recording his vitals and examining him over.
"Yes," he groaned. His throat was raw and scratchy from the ghost of the tube that had chaffed his trachea for several weeks strong. It was agony to swallow. "W-Where am I?"
His eyes scanned around the room, looking at the anxious faces of family and friends.
"You're in London," Dr. Teague was crisp in her answer. "The B.S.A.A. to be precise."
"W-W-Where's Piers…."
"I'm right here Captain," the young marksman circumvented the bed.
"Piers, what happened?"
"Chris, you were hurt. Your head smacked the concrete and you lost consciousness."
"How long….."
"Four weeks," Chris narrowed his eyes at his subordinate.
"Christopher, you were placed in a medically induced coma. You suffered a serious head injury. We still need to assess you."
Chris remained silent. He was struggling to recall Edonia. Bits and pieces flashed like strobe lights but nothing was clear. Faces were hazy and distorted, taunting the debilitated man.
"Chris," Alex squeezed his hand. "Chris…."
He blinked again and turned his head on the oversized pillow. He knew those jewels of ice. He knew that rich fan of raven. He knew that voice. It made him feel safe.
"Alex," he whispered and forced a feeble smile.
"Yep," she nodded with tears streaming down her cheeks and neck. "You're back…."
Chris closed his eyes. His mind started spinning out of control. Bits of color and shapes occupied his vision. He so desperately wanted to reach out and grip one of those fragment shards but they were just beyond his reach.
Despite the warmth and love surrounding him like comfortable blanket, Chris felt cold and dead on the inside.
Now we can begin the angsty goodness and bring Piers/Alex together as Chris goes on his pub crawl
