Disclaimer: I do not own Resident Evil.

A/N: Chapter title is from Cher!


Claire awoke tired and more than a little cranky. Despite how angry she had been she'd managed to resist yelling at K-Mart. It had taken a while to get her sister cleaned up and put to bed, not to mention mopping up the mess on her floor. Then the redhead had forced herself to get up every hour and check on the teenager to make sure she was still alright.

Claire wasn't sure what she was going to do with the blonde yet, but the annoyed older sister part of herself hoped K-Mart would have a wicked hangover to teach her a lesson.

Alice's words kept ringing through her head and she was struggling to find a balance between her anger and disappointment with K-Mart and her relief that her sister hadn't done anything really stupid while in her intoxicated state.

Claire's insides twisted with guilt as her thoughts shifted to Alice. Her girlfriend had only been trying to help and Claire had snapped at her and all but kicked her out. She had been justifiably angry with K-Mart but there was no excuse for the way she had treated Alice. It was her and Alice's first fight and she hadn't handled it well at all. Alice had warned her not to say something she'd regret to K-Mart and the redhead had done exactly that to the person she should have been thanking. Alice's past was still a mystery to Claire but she knew the blonde's mother had been an alcoholic. And yet, with a few choice words Claire had undermined all the pain Alice must have felt during that time.

Feeling absolutely disgusted with herself Claire knew what she needed to do. Apologize. Apologize profusely and hope Alice wasn't too mad at her. She liked Alice a lot and would probably never forgive herself if she let words slipped out because of her temper ruin their relationship.

The redhead was nursing a cup of coffee at the kitchen counter when a dishevelled looking K-Mart appeared in the doorway of her bedroom.

"Is it safe to come out? Or are you going to kill me?" The teenager asked meekly.

"I thought about it." Claire replied. She set aside her mug and motioned her sister to join her at the counter. "We need to talk K-Mart."

"I know what you're going to say and you're right Claire. Last night I was stupid and irresponsible and I'm sorry. I'll accept whatever punishment you want to give me." The young blonde looked at her sister with pleading eyes. "Just please don't hate me. I honestly didn't mean for it to get out of control."

"I could never hate you K." She pulled her sister into a bone crushing hug. "When I saw you passed out I was so scared. I just want to know why you did it."

K-Mart, who had started to cry, just shook her head. "Honestly, I don't even know. It just sort of happened. Everyone else was drinking and I felt pressured. I was only going to have one, but then it turned into another one and another one. I didn't even realize I was drunk until Angie found me. She insisted we leave right away as soon as she noticed how wasted I was so please don't be mad at her."

Claire nodded slowly. "And Alice?"

K-Mart shrugged. "It must have been my idea to call her for a ride, but I don't really remember that part of the night very well."

"You didn't think to call me?"

"Claire can you imagine calling yourself and saying you were drunk? I was terrified! I actually can't believe you're being so calm about this right now!"

"Then you must not remember how angry I was last night. But Alice warned me not to say anything I might regret later, and reminded me that what was most important was that you were home safe."

The tears had stopped and a small half smile appeared on the teen's face. "Well then I owe her a big thanks for more than just the ride home. Where is she?" K-Mart looked around the apartment as if the older blonde would suddenly appear. "Did she already leave this morning?"

"She left last night," Claire shifted uncomfortably. "I may have... ah taken my anger out on her and said a couple of things I wish I could take back."

"Claire!" K-Mart shouted in disbelief. "Are you going to apologize?"

"Of course I am! I've been trying to get a hold of her all morning but she's not answering any of my texts or voice mails." The redhead was starting to get nervous, not certain of how angry Alice might be with her.

"You need to go find her this instant!" K-Mart demanded.

"Better watch what you say K, I'm still thinking about punishing you." Claire warned, not liking her little sister telling her what to do, especially when it was obvious. The redhead had been feeling guilty since Alice had left and K-Mart was not helping.

K-Mart backed off a little. "Sorry, I just would feel really responsible if you guys broke up because of me."

"We're not breaking up K," Claire replied with more certainty than she felt. She slid off her chair and headed towards the door, cellphone clutched tightly in her hand. "I'm going for a walk. I'll be back later." She gave the teenager the best attempt at a smile she could muster. "Everything with me and Alice will be alright K, I promise." And as she left the apartment, Claire hoped her words would turn out to be true.


Claire wandered the streets for hours, well into the afternoon. She didn't have a destination in mind, prefering to let her feet choose the path. It was relaxing to simply clear her head and absorb the sights and sounds of the city. She found herself appreciating the beauty of it all, something she attributed to Alice as she briefly recalled their second date. The thought was fleeting though as the simultaneous ringing and buzzing of her phone caught her attention.

Claire was sure she looked like a crazy person as she hastily tried to retrieve the device from her pocket, relieved that Alice was finally calling her back. Her eagerness subsided as swiftly as it came when she noticed it was Betty's name flashing across the screen.

"Hey Betty," Claire answered hoping the nurse's call would bring some insight on how angry her girlfriend was with her.

"Good afternoon Claire," Betty greeted jovially. "How is the kid doing?"

"K-Mart is fine. She's more than a little hungover but that's what you get for drinking too much."

"You reckon she learned her lesson?"

"Absolutely." Claire replied with certainty. K-Mart may be annoying but she was good at not making the same mistake twice.

"That's good." Betty paused. "I hope it's okay that Alice told me what happened. She showed up at the hospital in the middle of my shift and actually wanted to talk. Trust me when I say that's never happened before."

Somehow that only made Claire feel worse. If she upset Alice to the point where she purposely sought out Betty to discuss feelings than it must be serious.

"How mad is she?" Claire asked tentatively, not sure she even wanted to know the answer.

"Mad?" Claire could hear the nurse scoff on the other end of the line. "Claire we're talking about Alice, she doesn't get mad."

"She... she's not angry with me for last night?"

"Hell no," Betty replied. "From what she told me she thinks you're pissed off at her."

Claire threw herself onto the nearest bench, but her leg continued to bounce in agitation. "I was upset and frustrated with K and I took it out on Alice." The redhead's stomach dropped as she recalled the things she'd said.

"I see. Well Alice didn't give me the details but she thinks she fucked up. She's worried she blew it with you."

"No I'm the one who fucked up. She was being thoughtful and amazing and I threw it in her face." Claire sighed. "She has every right to be angry with me. I've been trying to reach her all day but she won't call me back. What should I do Betty?"

"Her phone is off Claire. Alice is still at the hospital, she probably doesn't even know you called."

Claired checked her watch, it was almost three o'clock. "Why is she there? It's the middle of the day, did she pick up an extra shift?"

"No, this is her regular shift.." Betty trailed off. "Did she not tell you about the changes?"

Now Claire really was confused. "No. What are you talking about?"

"You should let Alice tell you. Her shift is done at three, I'm sure she'll call you as soon as she's done."

"Yeah, thanks Betty. You're a good friend."

After ending the call, she noticed the time was 2:58. Claire looked at her surroundings. She wasn't too far from the hospital and she wasn't sure if she could wait to see if Alice would call. So with different apologies running through her head Claire quickly began walking, hoping she really hadn't fucked things up beyond repair.


Checking the time as she jogged into the hospital parking lot Claire hoped she wasn't too late to catch Alice before she left. It was after three but Alice didn't strike her as the kind of person who bolted from work as soon as their shift was over. Fortunately Alice's truck wasn't too difficult to spot despite the size of the parking lot and the redhead quickly made her way over.

Her timing turned out to be perfect as she saw Alice approaching from the opposite direction. Upon noticing her girlfriend, a confused smile appeared on the blonde's face. "Claire? What are you doing here?"

"Uh, hey." Claire inwardly groaned at her flat greeting. "I was kind of in the area and Betty told me you were here, I've been trying to reach you."

Alice pulled out her phone, realizing it was off. "Oh, sorry. I usually keep it off during work." A small grin appeared on her face as all of the redhead's messages came bursting through at once when she turned it back on. "You weren't kidding. Eight texts and four missed calls."

Claire could feel her normally pale skin burn with embarassment. "I guess one message would have been enough. I just really wanted to talk to you."

The blonde leaned against the side of her truck. "Well I'm here now. You have my full attention."

Claire found herself a little caught off guard, even though this was what she wanted. For some reason she hadn't thought Alice would be so cooperative. She knew that if it had been her in the blonde's place, she would not be so willing to listen. She took a deep breath and hoped Alice would forgive her. "I'm sorry Alice. I shouldn't have snapped at you last night. You were looking out for K and you didn't deserve the way I treated you."

She looked at the blonde expectantly and when Alice didn't respond right away Claire grew increasingly anxious. "I just feel so stupid Alice," she confessed. "You have been nothing but amazing with K-Mart since you met her and last night I was ungrateful and controlling." She paused again but Alice just continued to stare at her. "But I want you to know I really am grateful. The relationship you've built up with K is more than I could have ever hoped for. It means a lot to me that she has someone to talk to who I can trust truly has her best interest at heart."

The blonde's continued silence made Claire feel as though she would rip off her own skin if Alice didn't say something soon. Eventually Claire couldn't take the tension anymore and pleaded. "Please say something Alice."

"You're not mad at me anymore?"

"No! I was never really angry with you Alice." Claire sighed. "I was so mad at K-Mart and I took it out on you, which I know was wrong but I'm just so obnoxiously stubborn sometimes." She bit her lower lip between her teeth nervously. "Can you forgive me?"

This time Alice replied right away. "Of course I forgive you Claire." She pulled the redhead into a hug and Claire immediately felt a weight lift off of her and sank into her girlfriend's embrace in relief. "I'm sorry too."

At that Claire stepped back enough to look at the other woman in confusion. "What do you have to be sorry for? I'm the one who went crazy last night."

"I wouldn't go as far as crazy, but you were right about something. I shouldn't have tried to tell you how to parent K-Mart. She's your sister and I had no right interferring."

"You weren't," Claire was quick to interject. "You actually stopped me from making a big mistake. Last night I was so disappointed and frustrated and angry with her. If I had dealt with her in that mind frame the only thing it would have done is push us away from each other. But I talked to her this morning when I was calm and listened to her. K-Mart knows she made a mistake and I have to trust that she learned something from it. You were right Alice. I can't expect her not to fuck up now and then, she's just a kid." Claire frowned in thought, "and God knows I've made enough mistakes of my own that I shouldn't be so quick to judge."

Alice squeezed the redhead gently. "No one is perfect Claire. Besides," she grinned "I don't think I would like you as much if you didn't go a little crazy now and then."

Smiling for the first time that day, Claire leaned in kissing Alice firmly on the lips. "Thank you. You're kind of amazing Alice Abernathy." She then kissed the blonde's cheek as Alice flushed at the compliment. Claire meant every word, knowing it took a strong person to forgive.

"Well someone who can apologize and mean it is a pretty amazing person too," Alice said as if she had been able to read Claire's thoughts.

Recognizing how corny the pair of them must have looked at the moment, Claire couldn't help but to smile goofily at the blonde. Feeling a soft hand cup her chin Claire's happiness only escalated as Alice pulled her in for another kiss. It wasn't long before the pair was making out against the side of Alice's truck.

However Claire was quick to pull away as a sudden thought struck her. "You'll tell me if it gets to be too much right? I know K-Mart comes to you a lot for help, and while I really appreciate you taking on that role I don't want you to feel obligated..."

"Hey," Alice interrupted her girlfriend's ramblings. "Claire it's okay, I don't mind. Really," she assured. "K-Mart is allowed to call me whenever she needs to for anything, no questions asked. So as long as you don't feel like I'm overstepping then I'm glad to help her with anything I can."

"Okay, as long as you're sure." Alice nodded. "Because I know how imposing K can be and we've only been dating a couple of months so it's not like I'm expecting anything from you..."

"Claire," Alice interrupted again. "Trust me, we are on the same page."

Smiling sheepishly, the redhead nodded. "Can I just say one more time that I'm sorry. I just really want to make that clear."

"I know you are. If you weren't you wouldn't be here, and you wouldn't have left me eight messages." She smiled. "You and me, we are okay. I just really want to make that clear. Alright?"

"Yeah," Claire sighed, finally feeling like things between them were back to normal.

"Good," Alice breathed, leaning in again. "Now shut up and kiss me, we weren't finished making up yet."

And Claire did just that, eager to wipe the cocky smirk off her girlfriend's face. But when a thought struck her she quickly pulled away again, causing Alice to groan in frustration.

"Alice, what are you doing here? Betty said you stopped by to talk to her in the middle of the night, and then when I just spoke to her she told me you were still here. I thought you weren't working those extra shifts anymore?"

"I'm not, I mean they aren't extra shifts. I uh, requested to have my scheduling changed to the day shift. So you know, no more midnights for me..." Alice stared at the ground as she spoke and was absently tracing the fingers of Claire's right hand as the words fell out of her mouth. Claire was sure the blonde didn't even realize she was doing it, which caused her to smile again.

"Why? I thought you liked working nights?"

"I do, I mean...I did like it. I just felt like it was time to make a change. I was going to tell you last night but got kind of distracted."

"How long have you been working days?"

"Not long, a couple of weeks." She shrugged like it wasn't a big deal. "It just made the most sense. I really like spending time with you Claire," she looked at the redhead with a smirk, "when you're not being crazy that is..." Alice squeezed her hand when Claire's cheeks began to match the colour of her hair. "...and this way I was hoping we would be able to spend even more of it together."

Claire stared at her girlfriend long and hard. "You're not doing this because of me right? I mean, if I made it seem like I wanted you to switch.."

"You didn't. I could tell that you didn't like it on the nights I had to cut our dates short to go to work but I knew you would never say anything. But trust me, on those nights work was the last place I wanted to go. I didn't do it because of you, I did it for the both of us. So as long as you're okay with us spending a little more time together I think having a normal sleep and work schedule will be worth it."

"Oh believe me, I am definitely okay with it." Claire murmured as she hugged Alice tightly and burried her face in her girlfriend's neck. She didn't bring it up but she could tell this was a huge deal for the blonde. Alice, the woman she could barely talk into agreeing to go on a date, was now willing to make a major change in her daily life, to better their relationship. "In fact," she pulled back to make eye contact, "lets start right now. I don't know about you but I haven't eaten all day and I am starving. I'd really like to buy my girlfriend uh," she paused considering the time. "A super late lunch? Or an extremely early dinner? Whatever you want to call it."

Alice grinned as she opened the passenger side door for Claire. "Let's call it a date."