Hi it's been a LONG time since I've updated this story; last update was roughly 11-09-21 and I was like 'man I want to actually finish some of those fanfics I was writing'. I have trouble finishing stuff I write since I'm so creatively active it's hard for me to focus on one thing at a time. So here we go! Back to trying to get this fanfic written out. It may not go the way I originally had planned but we'll see! I had several other chapters written so I'm going to post those and then work on the one I didn't and then add new ones. :D Enjoy!
The starting song lyrics are from Oblivion by Dirty Palm.
When the lights go down I see hell in you but you don't care, no
You don't care, no, you'd just rather watch me fall
From a quarter mile, I can see you at the call
Think about it, or I won't tell you what I saw
When you break it off, you'll see who had it all, you had it all
You said you wanted to fall into Oblivion
Forget about the world we're living in, fall into Oblivion
I'm going in!
Claire, Sherry, William, HUNK, Krauser and I shared a Christmas together this year. It was strange.
It was the first time that Claire had seen HUNK without his mask while under the codename HUNK so it was a shock for her to realize he was Arthur, that pleasant man she saw from time to time.
Of everyone Sherry, Claire and William were the only ones who really got presents for the little group we had. We had our party at William and Sherry's suite and it had been rather relaxing. HUNK and Sherry kept arguing over the story she was retelling of the events in regards to Isaac Spencer. Krauser was two glasses deep into the stash of William's German beer. Claire and William were in the kitchen preparing food and sweets. Halfway through her story Sherry shrieked and rushed into the kitchen when she heard a timer go off, yanking from the oven a slightly overdone cake.
Soon we were eating a big spread of seasonal delicacies and the girls were giggling while the men told jokes or stories. After eating the presents were opened. Claire got William a set of kitchen knives since some of his were missing as well as new oven mitts. For Sherry she got some books the girl had been after. For HUNK a new tactical knife. For Krauser two gift cards to two big stores since she hadn't known what to get the man.
William's gift list was much simpler; money for Sherry, a new gun for HUNK to replace one he had lost during the warehouse mission, a box of some fine Italian trinkets for Krauser and for myself he got me a new watch. For Claire he got her a letter that said your real present will be delivered in a month, custom made makes it worth the wait. Of course he refused to spoil what he had commissioned but promised she would love it.
Sherry got everyone new articles of clothing; shades and a black jacket for me, some trousers and a dress shirt for her father, a silvery gold dress for Claire, a new red beret for Krauser and a new set of holsters for HUNK to compliment the gun William had gotten him.
I relaxed on the sofa, a glass of bourbon between bare fingers as I studied the news flashing across the TV. They were saying this winter was one of the worst in five years for the region and the island did have more snow than the prior years. It had forced all the residents indoors. When the electricity had been knocked out the backup generators kicked in, supplying the entire island with power.
I took a sip of my drink, turning my head to see Claire flopping down beside me onto the couch. She pulled her feet up into the couch and half leaned into my right side. I adjusted my arm, wrapping it around her to pull her closer.
It was no secret among my people that the redhead was dear to me.
She curled into my side, giving a deep yawn. I had kept her up for a week doing less than appropriate activities and I could tell she was at the point she needed sleep. I needed rest as well but I would wait a little longer.
Sherry bounced into the room with two cups of hot cocoa, handing one to Claire while sitting down into a chair with the second for herself. I put down my empty glass onto the little table beside me while Claire leisurely drank her cocoa.
"Cocoa during winter is only the best thing. I'm not a fan of eggnog." Despite the fact it was hot given the steam she downed it like it was water.
Sherry gave me a knowing smile and sipped gently at her cocoa, blowing on it to cool it down quicker.
Claire shifted beside me before pulling out a grey box and placing it onto my lap. I eyed it and then her, questioning what it was silently.
"Open it."
HUNK, Krauser and William were joining us now in the living room area, taking various couches or chairs and merely relaxing with a drink in hand.
I carefully pried open the lid before pulling out a wrapped package and opening it as well. What fell into my hand was not what I was expecting.
"I tried to think really hard about what to get you. Something practical, something useful or that you'd keep." She explained her reasoning.
Inside was a custom coin. One side had the Umbrella logo pressed into it while the other had the S.T.A.R.S. logo. It was about the size of a half dollar US coin and the ridged edges were black.
I blinked, flicking my gaze back to her. "How thoughtful."
"I know that despite what happened you still look back to your days as the S.T.A.R.S. captain fondly. So it made sense to have some aspect of your past as well as present engraved into it." She said with a smile.
"I shall cherish it."
That admission caused her to nuzzle deeper into my side with a content sigh.
The rest of Christmas night had passed and I was carrying Claire to her room. She was still half awake but becoming more and more groggy. I placed her into her bed and she stretched, yawning.
"I have a present for you." I said, taking from inside my coat a black box. I placed it gently into her lifted hand and she pulled it down to open it.
Inside was a beautiful ring with a set of rubies placed around a small cut diamond. It wasn't anything extreme or overly pricey but I had spent a couple thousand on it give or take.
She lifted her left hand and held out the ring in the other. "Put it on me?" She asked softly.
I complied and took the ring, sliding it onto her ring finger with ease. It fit because I had known her finger size when I was looking for a gift.
"Is this your way of proposing?" She asked with a sleepy but cheeky grin.
"No." I responded honestly. Proposing was the farthest thing from my mind but the ring had just been a simple gift she could wear or keep. "A ring wouldn't be how I'd propose."
She started to pout a little at my words and I chuckled.
"Aren't you exhausted?" She asked genuinely with concern in her voice. "Come, come." She scooted over and patted the spot she had been in, ushering me into the bed.
"If my lady desires." I began to strip off the excess clothing, allowing them to become a little bundle on the floor beside the bed before climbing into bed. Rather than merely take the given spot I got on top of her and started to peel her out of her clothes as well.
She pulled me closer, soft little moans escaping her as she dug her nails into my now exposed back. I merely grunted, savoring every moment I had with her.
She was like water to a parched man in a desert and rather than devour her I took my time, tending to her needs first before my own.
She sighed happily, nestled back into my chest with my arms wound around her, holding her close. I pulled the covers over us and relaxed where I lay.
"Hey Albert?" Her uttering my given name would take some getting used to but I allowed her to use it rather than my surname.
"Mm?"
She turned her head, giving my nearest cheek a tender kiss before nuzzling into my chest again, pulling my right hand close to her face to brush little kisses against my knuckles.
I merely linked our hands together and let her show the affection she felt in that moment.
It was odd to have a Redfield in my arms. Once I might have strangled her in my performance but now I regretted having caused her injury or potential trauma. I decided then and there to kiss every scar and kill any demons she faced.
"I'm still shocked that you're attached. You didn't really seem the type to develop any kind of feelings towards another aside from what you have with those like Sherry, William and the ones you keep under your employ like Jack and Arthur."
"Very little interests me outside of my respective fields and functions. While I am a man who furthers his own knowledge I have kept many of my human characteristics. Such as my fascination with a certain redhead."
She turned her head, brow furrowed from what one I could see.
"That implies your interest dates before your infection."
"Fascination, Dear Heart. I was fascinated by you when we met both at Raccoon City and Rockfort Island. Any interest beyond curiosity and amusement didn't start until I found you in a bar drinking your troubles away."
She winced in my arms. "Yeah.. sorry. I was kind of a dick."
I laughed softly into her ear, giving her neck a gentle kiss. "It's in the past and I'd much rather focus on the present."
She turned in my arms and burrowed into my chest. "You still didn't answer my question."
"You haven't asked one." I said teasingly.
She scowled and ran her finger along my jawline. "What interests you about me? Like.. I'm not all that smart. I'm not a scientist or a doctor. I'm not a supermodel. You could literally have any woman I bet."
I gave her an intense look then. "Your heart, Claire."
"My heart?" She questioned, confused. "Is that why you call me Dear Heart?"
"Your versatility. Your ability to remain true to yourself despite what outwardly you face. Many people in similar situations became dark, riddled with traumas and gave in to their darker sides. Some commit suicide or end up in an asylum. I have been exactly as I have always been due to how I was part of Umbrella from an early age." I paused, considering my words.
I prided myself on being honest with her.
"Dear Heart.. I want to offer you something but I am not sure if it's a time in which you would accept it."
She arched her brow as she had been fiddling with my tousled hair. Her gaze was searching every inch of my own expression, curiosity in her ocean orbs.
"When you're ready I want you to be part of my world, not just as a.." I paused, searching for the right word. "Not just as my woman but as a figure. Once the virus is at that stage to be safely utilized to counter detrimental and terminal illnesses and diseases the world will become a different place."
"I'll think about it." She said softly, giving my cheek a kiss before burrowing into my chest and exhaling softly. "Goodnight Albert."
"Goodnight Claire."
December drew to a close as January came in. William's gift to Claire was delivered, a custom red Harley bike. I wasn't all that familiar with the specific brand but she had spent days shining about it, even riding it around the island.
A few months have passed. Winter came and went. Claire seemed more withdrawn during February and March but when April rolled around she had almost an extra pep to her step. Perhaps spring being present drew her out like a changing caterpillar.
April 16th.
"Am I even allowed to live here?" Claire asked with a scowl. Today was a day designated for her monthly blood work to make sure everything was in order. She had approached me earlier that morning and said she felt weird so I planned to run all the tests I could.
I didn't look at her, assuming it was a rather rhetorical question.
"I mean, isn't this island for Umbrella people and their respective family members?" She made a hand gesture almost like a half wave.
I set her with a blank stare, watching her eyes study mine before she frowned.
"Right, dumb question considering who I'm dating."
Indeed, Dear Heart.
"Though I'm thinking about returning to work. I've been reading emails my boss sent me regarding a string of strange events that's been going on in a little area called New Hather, on the east coast of the US." I arched a brow at her. "She says she wants me to investigate it."
New Hather.. I recognized that name but couldn't quite put a finger on why it rang in my head. Was it associated with anyone I knew?
"I could pay you far better."
"Albert, it's not about the money. I like the work I do for TerraSave." She gave a sigh as we entered the lab and she took her respective seat on the edge of the table, rolling up her sleeves. "Plus it'd give me the chance to track down both my brother and Jill, reconnect with Leon, update them on the fact that hey, I'm here, I've not left them."
I pointedly didn't comment, merely flicked the end of the syringe before drawing blood. I put it into the machine and set to work on jotting down her vitals. She lifted her shirt and I clinically took her heart rate, temperature and a few smaller things.
My machine beeped at me and Claire furrowed her brows. "It's never done that before."
I read everything it said, soaking it in before carefully turning to her.
"Have you been sick lately?"
She tilted her head before nodding. "I just thought I had eaten something my body didn't like."
"Dear Heart, we do not get sick easily." I reminded her of an earlier comment I had made while teaching her about our shared infection.
She made a face to show her confusion before gesturing a finger at the machine. "What's it saying?"
"That you're pregnant."
How was that possible? I thought I was sterile. I thought he was infertile. Could we even have children? Would they come out as a child or an infected creature because of the virus? I began to panic.
"I can take care of it." He moved toward me, reaching toward a cabinet where he kept various medicines and syringes of liquids.
Before I realized what I was doing I was scooting back on the table, lifting a hand to my stomach and palming it gently, glaring at him.
"No! What if they're capable of actually being a child?"
He countered me. "What if it isn't a child but a creature? What if it mutates?" I could tell he was posing those questions to himself as well as to me.
"If it's not human-" I flinched at the word. "I mean if they don't have scales or abnormalities will you terminate it?"
"If this child poses any threat to you or has any complications I will do what is necessary. Your survival will come first, Claire." He paused, placing the syringe back into the cabinet. "Are you wishing to carry it to term?"
That was a good question. Was I ready to be a mom? Could I be one? Having a child wasn't just a simple thing. It was another life to care for. Then there was also another issue to consider. This child would be half me, half Albert. The father. Chris would freak. He was already going to freak out over a slew of other things, but a child in the mix?
But I already knew the child's safety would end up coming before my own once they were born.
Would they be a girl?
A boy?
Healthy?
Any deformities? Complications?
Would they be infected like both their parents?
Or be born a normal human like their mother had recently been and their father originally was?
Would the virus in my own body kill the child like they were a threat? Or would it nurture and protect it as an extension of my body?
I had too many questions.
"I've always wanted to be a mother. I didn't expect it to be one so soon.. or ever now that I'm infected." I exhaled shakily. "If the child is a child I want it." But that poised another question. "What about you? Do you even want children?"
He seemed to be musing mentally over the prospect. I'm sure a man of his ambitious nature had never factored in having kids with anyone. Did he even want to give this a chance?
"I have no qualms with this so long as you understand the risks. If the child is a threat to their mother I will remove it. I don't even know if you can carry it to term or whether your body will reject or kill it."
I glanced down to my stomach. I wasn't showing at all but I knew inside of me a life was starting to grow.
He walked over with a tube of gel and began to apply it to my stomach after removing his gloves. I held my shirt up as he worked. He did his magic with the equipment he needed and soon he was showing me a screen that looked grainy but was really an unclear ultrasound.
"Judging from its current growth I'd put it's progress at around three weeks." It was hard to see the baby and from what could be seen it didn't look out of the ordinary. No tail, claws, horns, abnormalities. "We will need to monitor you closely."
Just then his phone rang. He was about to ignore it before thinking better of it. Judging by who it was he instantly accepted it and pressed it to his ear.
"Report."
He paused, listening to the rapid voice. My enhanced hearing and his close proximity allowed me to hear the voice though I didn't recognize it.
"Sir there's a really big issue." The caller sounded like a mix between British and French. "There's reports of an outbreak in a city called New Hather. Shall I deploy my men to investigate and neutralize?"
At that name he and I exchanged glances. The place where my work wanted me to also check out. It wasn't a coincidence.
"Deploy both your two teams as well as Lunar. I will be following along with HUNK and Linul."
"Sir!"
Albert put his phone up before studying my concerned expression.
"It seems there are no coincidences, Dear Heart. Do you still plan to go to that city with a potential outbreak occurring?" He asked me, unguarded red eyes locked with my own blue.
"Yes, if I can help even one person I need to go."
"Then I will supply you with equipment necessary and we shall go together."
I moved to stand but he grabbed my wrist, halting me.
"Dear Heart, you must be careful. If anyone discovers that you are infected things will get complicated. If you are captured it could prove difficult for me to retrieve you. Do not trust anyone, even those under my employ."
I nodded my head before giving him a kiss on his jaw. "Of course. I'll keep my behavior and temper in check."
He gave a half smile before leading me up from the lab to an armory on sublevel 2. The room was massive with thick concrete walls and reinforced steel doors. The walls were lined with shelves and notches for weapons to rest on.
There was quite the variety ranging from submachine guns to assault to pistols or rifles. I even noticed an antitank rifle tucked into a corner.
He passed me a pistol after checking it was in perfect working condition and four magazine clips for it. I slid them into my pocket just as he was retrieving a secondary pistol for himself. I knew he already had his custom Beretta, it was usually on his person at any given time or close by such as when he was resting.
He grabbed some ammo as I was grabbing a few grenades and a belt to attach to my waist with pouches. I stuff them into a pouch along with the ammo I had been given, some smoke grenades and a taser.
I was already kind of a living weapon but going into an infected area full of monsters and armed personnel with nothing would be insanely suspicious so a gun was necessary.
Normally I wasn't an overly sentimental type but I noticed a lever-action pump shotgun that was silver and black. I pulled it down, grabbed ammo and slung it across my back.
Albert looked me up and down before giving me a stern look. "Claire, I need you to call me if anything happens. I don't care if it's miniscule. If there are any complications, if you get injured, are cornered, if you see anything suspicious or too much for you to handle."
I nodded my head before he carefully drew me in as if I were fragile and gave me a passionate kiss, his fingers ghosting my chin with the barest of a touch.
He pulled back and turned, sliding his glasses back over his eyes. I followed him upstairs and outside towards the designated helicopter landing area where HUNK and Linul were waiting for us. HUNK was fully decked out in his combat gear with various weapons on his person, gasmask concealing his face.
Much as he always was, Linul didn't wear outward gear in terms of protection but I had come to know the man's casual clothes had been lined inside with kevlar. His short chestnut hair that had once been lengthy was cut and spiked with a black undertone to it.
We all boarded the helicopter and Linul sat beside me. Albert sat across from me with HUNK beside him. Balto, the pilot, confirmed the coordinates before we lifted off.
Linul nudged my leg with his finger, giving me a half smile that seemed sad and distant yet happy. "I be sorreh, missus."
I arched a brow at him. Last I checked he didn't have much to be sorry about, especially toward me. I quite liked the man from the few times I'd socialized with him. He hadn't been at the Christmas party but I'd seen him around since then.
I gave him a smile back, mine full of warmth. "For?"
"M'scuffle at the ware'ouses. If'n I had'n been unfacused he'n hurt ya." He was apologizing for the fact I got hurt?
I patted his hand and gave a laugh. "Linul, don't be sorry. Albert told me he killed him." At the mention of his name Albert glanced over to us, having been going over the limited mission details with HUNK, giving me a look from behind his shades.
"Yes'n, bot stale." He seemed to be struggling with something else but he decided not to speak further on that particular subject or Isaac. "I 'ope I'm nut overstapin' bon'ries, missus, I unda'sand you'n bay goin' 'lone?"
I nodded, getting the gist of his question.
"Indeed, Linul. You and HUNK are going to be dealing with any infected and getting survivors to safety. Lunar, Omega and Trempt are going to be backup for us on the ground. Miss Redfield is a TerraSave member so she will be performing her work function." I could feel Albert locking eyes with me. "My own function will be discovering the source and acting accordingly. Our primary focus is containment, termination of threats and the survival of the locals." He flicked his gaze to HUNK, who nodded.
"Unda'stood, sir." Linul said with a low rumble of a chuckle. He pulled out his katana from the sheath and began to clean the already polished steel of the blade.
I eyed the deadly blade for I knew in his hands it was an efficient and precise extension of his body. The man had once showed me a few of his skills with the weapon and it left me very appreciative that he wasn't someone I was fighting.
I focused my attention on the low conversation Albert and HUNK were having. They had concluded mission specs and had turned now to more intricate details such as where to take survivors, who might have caused the leak, motives, those kinds of questions.
I furrowed my brows, heaving a sigh before staring out the window close by, watching the clouds shifting across the sky.
A storm was rolling in and I hoped this would be over before it started.
Another nudge drew my attention to Linul, who was handing me something. A little metal object like a ball. "If'n ya get stressed."
"Thanks." A stress ball. How lovely. I smiled and pocketed it. If I had known now what that ball actually was I would have chucked it out a window.
The rest of the trip wasn't noteworthy and relatively just tense as we prepared ourselves for what we would find. The helicopter was landing atop a hospital building and the four of us hopped out. Yeah, this city was definitely a hotbed. It reminded me of Raccoon City as I stared down into the street from the side.
Burning vehicles and buildings, debris, stumbling forms that clearly weren't survivors but victims.
"Alright, let's move out." Albert's voice said after the helicopter was lifting away. I turned to see him, HUNK and Linul grouping up as they moved toward the door.
Albert paused in the doorway, turning to peer at me. I jogged over and gave him a quick hug and a kiss goodbye. "Be safe."
"Remember what I said, Claire. You have my number." With a nod he was gone, descending the stairwell and off to find the source.
I moved to one side, peering over to see a fire escape and glanced around, double checking that I was indeed alone before jumping over and making my own way down. As I hit the ground I was already withdrawing the pistol Albert had given me.
I made a mental realization of how quickly things changed from saying Wesker to Albert and how feelings had changed as well.
The scents hit me first, the smell of smoke and the infected creatures that were close by. I took off at a sprint, not too fast of course. Albert had stressed when out in the open to try to conceal my powers as much as possible. I had to consciously remind myself to do things like a normal human would, restrain myself far too often. So it was more of a jog with some pep to my step.
I turned the corner from the alley that led into a street, taking stock of the state of the area. I didn't see signs of living people, just lots of clearly infected people staggering around. For the most part they ignored me unless they saw me but I wasn't being loud. Those that got too close I merely sidestepped, not daring to use my gun unless necessary. I wasn't here for cleanup.
I pulled out my phone and dialed my employer, informing them that it was indeed an outbreak. They were already in the process of dispatching when I called and thus bid me to be careful.
I slid away my phone, my blue eyes scanning the area. My senses were overloaded but I had been training hard to overcome the influx of scents and sounds. I picked apart each one, taking note of what they reminded me of. Oil, gasoline, smoke, cologne, body odor, some kind of array of flowers, gunpowder-
Gunpowder?
I headed in the direction it was coming from. The scent got stronger but so did the scent of infection. It was coming from inside a building and I slipped inside the half open door to find a pile of bodies and cases of spent ammunition littered across the floor. The building itself was a bar that had been severely wrecked recently and my eyes scanned it for any threats. Finding none, I went back outside, my hearing picking up the sound of crying. It was faint but close and so I jogged toward it. I rounded several buildings and empty cars, coming to an alley.
Behind a moved dumpster the sound was louder. I carefully half climbed it, peering to find a young girl huddled between two trash cans. She was thin with straight strawberry blonde hair pulled back into a low ponytail. She had brown doe eyes and a dusting of makeup to brighten her tan skin.
"Miss, are you hurt?"
At the sound of my voice she lifted her eyes, wide red-tinged eyes showing her distress. "N-no."
"Can you tell me what happened?"
She got to her feet and scampered closer, fear prominent on her face.
"The hospital got a ton of sick people, whatever it is spread from there. My mom.. I watched her bite my dad and then he was turning into whatever these creatures are and he tried to bite me but I got out before he could."
"They're zombies." I explained, studying her widening eyes.
"Like from horror movies?"
I nodded, glancing behind me.
"That's fucked up." She made a look of disgust before noticing the pistol clutched in my free hand and the shotgun slung across my back. "Are you like.. a soldier?"
I wasn't dressed like a soldier, that's for sure. I had a simple button up flannel that wasn't buttoned with a grey tank top beneath and jeans hugging my waist. I shook my head at her, chuckling. "I work for TerraSave, my name is Claire Redfield."
"I'm Allison. Allison Ashford."
First view is Wesker's, then to Claire.
