: The Trip – Part 5 :


Chris wasn't surprised in the least when he walked into Micheal's Bar, only to find the man quickly approaching him and enveloping him in a hug. Micheal was good people, he had just turned 40, had a 5 year old son, a lovely wife and a Bar that was running relatively well. The bar tonight didn't have many people, one or two patrons sitting on stools watching a baseball game, while another was playing darts. In other words, the bar was all for STARS tonight.

"How long's it been Chris!" Micheal bellowed as he whacked him on the back, to which Chris nudged him in his chest, making both men laugh.

"Too long man, too long! Hows Jenn and Liam?"

"Perfect man perfect, no complaints on my end!" Micheal laughed as he ushered Chris and a few of the other STARS that had just walked in over to the bar. "And hows the recruitment trip going this year guys?"

Barry, Joseph, Brad, Edward, Richard, Forest and Chris did a small sigh, and Barry was the one to speak up first. "Well, its going." he said with a soft chuckle. When Micheal quirked an eyebrow, Joseph and Barry began to explain the story together. As the story went on, Micheal's expression went from amusement, to shock, to sympathy, to a little proud of the kid that stood up for them.

"The kid sounds like a hero." Micheal chuckled as he pulled seven bottles of Heineken out of his fridge and lined them up in front of the men, quickly waving off any money toe men offered. The first round was always free at Micheal's. "How come you assholes didn't take the poor guy out with you tonight?"

"He's bringing the women." Forest chuckled as he sipped on his beer. Before Micheal could ask, Chris held up a hand and explained. "Jill's.. mascara or something was off and she told us to go on here without her, of course the other girls didn't want to leave without her, and since Leon has his own car, he stayed back for them."

All of the men, including Chris, each quickly did a whip like motion with their hands, hissing 'Whatshhhh', bursting out laughing immediately after. Although Chris did falter after a minute or two of laughing, thinking of the position Leon was in.

Sure, Chris didn't like strange men around Jill, but that wasn't what was making him feel a little uneasy. He seemed like a good guy. He was training to be a full fledged cop, and from what Chris had read of his record, he was squeaky clean. No reprimands, no failed exams and was in perfect shape and health. He was sure that Claire at least had a crush on him, and from Chris' perspective, it was painfully obvious that Leon had a crush on her. Well, at least if she dates Leon, her dating STARS wont be an issue anymore.

But still, was Leon as good as he looked, or was he all words and no actions? Tonight, he hoped he would get an answer to that.


"Take a left here." Jill directed to Leon as he sped down the now bustling streets of Victory city, with both of them, Rebecca and Claire in tow. Leon shook his head and continued straight. "There's parking up near the community market. Don't worry, the walk wont be too bad." Leon said with a winning smirk that seemed to be working its mojo on Rebecca and Jill as they laughed along.

Truth be told, Claire was just ecstatic to be out of the hotel and going out. The black party dress she wore had been calling to her like a siren song since being originally packed away, and she felt a smile tug at her lips as she smoothed out wrinkles in the fabric on her lap. When Leon saw her in it, she swore she saw a blush cross his cheeks, but she couldn't be sure.

Suddenly the car was plunged into darkness as the street lights were replaced with the concrete walls of the parking complex. Within no time - and more of Jill's direction - a nice space was found on the second floor, and with an elevator ride down, and a pretty short walk along the bustling streets of Victory City, they'd made it to the Bar.

The minute the group had walked in, Claire couldn't help but notice how quickly Jill flocked in to sit beside Chris, and how fast Leon was to get a grand tally of high-fives from the STARS.

Looks like Leon's the star of the show tonight. Claire thought with a small smile as he walked back over to her with a fairly satisfied smirk on his face.

"Is that all it takes to get some respect from STARS?" Leon chuckled as he came close to Claire and lead her to the bar, where they both took seats at the end.

"When you stand up to Wesker and live to tell the tale, I think its enough to gain respect from anyone!" Claire bellowed over the loud jukebox that Brad had just got going with some AC/DC. Of course it was Chris' favourite song so the group of STARS were practically screaming the words and air guitaring the hell out of it.

Leon joined in for good fun, not before signalling for Micheal to get them both a beer. Claire was smiling like an idiot as the whole group bellowed out the chorus. It was shaping up to be a perfect night as the group got to cut loose, especially after a dreadful morning. Sipping her beer, she relished both the taste and the moment as she watched Leon and Chris dramatically high five at the end of the song and laughing like hyenas.

When Leon finally came down from his laughing high and his breathing returned to normal, Claire shot him a 'really?' look with a smirk until he met her gaze. Leon shrugged lazily and laughed as he took a swig from his own bottle. "What can I say? you brothers pretty cool!"

Claire giggled slightly. "A guy that gets along with my family and has great hair, perfect." she said slightly sarcastically to mask her general approval at this nice turn of events with Leon.

"With your family?" he asked with interest, setting down the bottle and turning to Claire. "I've only met Chris." he shot her that brain melting smirk that stained her cheeks. Clearing her throat before that happened, she fiddled with the counter on the table, smiling as she spoke, if only to make him feel less awkward for bringing it up. "Chris is my family." she said simply, hoping Leon would catch her drift.

Judging from his expression growing just a little darker, he clearly had. Deciding that this mood change was clearly her fault, she straightened and took a sip from his bottle, gaining her a confused look from him as she went about with her distraction. "Oh sorry, was this yours?" she laughed as she held the bottle out of his reach. His smile returned as he took hers and tipped the bottle back as he drank, attempting to drink all hers before she could get it back.

Claire gaped and took his challenge on, tipping his drink back. It wasn't long before Chris came rushing over and starting yelling "chug, chug, chug!" until all the STARS joined, and it was game on.

Either Leon's a shit drinker or he let me win. Claire thought triumphantly as she slammed the bottle back on the counter empty, as Leon's eyes watched it slightly wide, with still about a quarter of the bottle to go. Or I'm just that damn good.

"I'm afraid that's game Kennedy!" Claire bellowed to the group and him before burping pretty unexpectedly, prompting her cheeks to stain red for an entirely other reason than Leon making her giggly. The group instantly erupted in laughter, but when Leon answered her with a pretty loud belch of his own, she couldn't help but laugh at him. Damn, I'm really falling for this guy huh..

After a fantastic night of drinking, darts and a couple more sing-a-longs though, the STARS were now huddled around 2 tables, eating peanuts, having drinks and chatting among themselves. Not Claire and Leon though. They hadn't left the bar all night and were now quizzing each other about their worst dates.

"Okay so... I'd say my worst date was.." Claire drew out the 'was' as she tried to recall the time of year. "Last December, some guy took me to McDonalds for our 2 month anniversary."

Leon nearly spat out his drink as he tried to contain his laughing, but Claire waved her hand to signal she wasn't even finished. "Worst part? he didn't even show. Asshole forgot!" she said with a shrug and a smirk.

"Oh man, that's bad!" Leon said in between his laughing. "My worst was my first date, like a couple years back. I go to the girls house to pick her up right? I pull up and the dad starts screaming at me because it was a school night."

Claire burst out laughing instantly. "How old were you, and how old was she?!"

"Relax Miss STARS assistant! I was 19 and she was 17." he stated as he watched her laugh. She had the cutest high pitched giggle he'd ever heard, and all night he'd been trying to make her laugh just to hear it again and again.

After a few moments silence, Leon cleared his throat. "So do you want to go to Colloseum? Should be pretty good now considering its.." Leon lazily checked a clock in the corner. "12:51 PM."

Claire smiled and was about to answer hell yes when Wesker's curfew rang in her ear. "Shit!" Claire cursed as she say that the clock did in fact, read 12:51.

"Whats wrong?" Leon asked, looking slightly worried that she'd have to go.

"Shit.. I have to be back at the hotel by 1 am.. shit I better go!" Claire said, putting all of her regret into her facial expression as she bit her lip and reluctantly stood. "God this sucks, I was having a great time!" Claire moaned as she stood, slightly more drunk than she expected as she wobbled in place. Leon's arms shot straight out to steady her, meaning to grab her wrists but when she moved her hands to fix her hair, he ended up grabbing her hips.

Blushing deeply, they both pulled away as fast as they'd touched. "Sorry!" they both muttered instantaneously. "God.. I'm so sorry Leon but I really do have to go!"

Fuck, Leon or my brother can't drive me back, they're both incredibly drunk. Seeing no other option, and sighing heavily, Claire looked to Leon and shot him an apologetic smile. "Could you maybe Call Wesker for me off Micheal's phone? I have to run back to the car and grab the bag my clothes are in for tomorrow.."

Leon looked pretty bummed that she was going, but nodded. "Alright, I'll call him while you're gone." he said with a smile. God he was perfect!

"Great thank you! I'll be right back!" she said excitedly as she jogged out the door, determined not to be more than 5 minutes. She definitely wanted more time with Leon.

She went exactly the way they'd come, and when she crossed a familiar alley, she saw the car park in sight.

She should of been more cautious. She should of been more careful when she realized how dark the street was. How empty it was. But she was too accustomed to the pretty friendly streets of Raccoon. That was her grave mistake.

Before she could act, or think, or scream, the fucker had covered her mouth and dragged her down an even darker and dead end alley. She kicked and screamed against his sweaty palm, but that only made his grip tighten and hurt a whole lot more. Fuck!

When the man had thrown her against the concrete wall, she could see he was huge. A huge chest, and rippling muscles up and down his arms and his piercing blue eyes that were terrifyingly reflecting the moon light. He had a terrifying smirk in place, but its purpose was to scare her, but instead, it suddenly pissed her off.

As Claire slowly stood and flattened her back against the wall, attempting to be as far away from this asshole as possible. She felt an odd sensation of.. confidence against the man, strangely enough. "What the hell do you want?" Claire growled as she shuffled to the right, seeing a possible opening.

The man chuckled at her attempt to wiggle her way out of this, and mockingly paced. "A little fun, sweet heart."

"Fun, huh?" Claire growled as her eyes searched the ground for something. Come on this alleys a few feet away from a bar, wheres the shards of glass! But lady luck was obviously smiling down on her as she spotted a bottle in a garbage can, hand broken to boot. Aha! Nice and sharp..

The plan. Grab the bottle, hit him with it, hard enough to get by him, and run like hell to the bar! Now all she had to do was wait for an opening.

Of course, in her distracted moment of coming up with the plan, the man closed to space between them with startling speed and had Claire pinned to the wall in no time. Instantly, the air left her lungs and she felt that confidence bleed away.

The man fumbled with her dress, trying to pull it up and get her panties off she realized. The gravity of this realization set in fast. Hes.. hes trying to rape me!

Growling, she dug her nails into his shoulders, but id did nothing to hinder him, much to her surprise. "You so much as scream, little girl.." She felt something sharp and cold press against her thigh. "and I wont hesitate to jam it right in."

Humiliated was as good a word as any for how she felt right now. humiliated and.. powerless. At the realization of being powerless, Claire instantly shoved him back, just enough to gain footing, and when he had stumbled a few inches beck, she grabbed hold of the top of the wall, placed both her feet on his chest and kicked out so hard that she heard the man gasp before hitting the ground.

She had two, maybe three seconds before the man recovered and came at her with that knife with only one intention. This was her chance to dash back to the bar, but something had been awoken in her, and she couldn't leave. That bubbling confidence hadn't been put out, it had set an even bigger fire in her that she now needed to feed.

Leaning down to him, she surprised herself when her hands curled around his shirt and roughly pulled him up. Even his eyes went wide as she held him up with no problem.

"This how you get off? Raping defenseless girls?" she growled, feeling herself growing more and more.. excited. "Answer me!" she roared in his face. When he said nothing and simply watched her, she lowered him slightly and violently threw him against the adjacent wall. She faltered ever so slightly when she heard the snap of bone - or bones - but it didn't stop her from marching over there and placing her heel on his chest so he wouldn't dare stand.

Blood was spewing from his nose, or his mouth, or both. He was groaning quietly in pain but still, that damn arrogant smirk remained on his god damn face. The smug prick.

"Well aren't you precious." the man spat. Feeling more confused than anything, she still decided to land an incredibly hard punch to his ribs, thoroughly enjoying the rush of this. She wound her fist up again but it never connected.

"Dear heart." a voice from behind her spoke, and instantly she froze.

Craning her neck, it was Wesker who was holding her arm. She didn't struggle against him, but wanted to when he gaped at her. For what reason she wasn't sure. "This guy just tried to rape me!" she defended

Wesker gave the man in pain a passing glance and helped her up. "And I see you've thoroughly punished him." he remarked.

"He deserves to be locked in a cell!" she shouted at him before Wesker pulled her away, highly unimpressed with how oddly physically aggressive she was acting right now. How unusual for her.

"Come now Claire, I'll send an officer on patrol here to arrest him, we must be going to bed, you've had quite a night i'm sure."


The car ride back was silent, and as they walked into the suite room, the silence was even worse. As the adrenaline left her, the realization came. I almost beat a man to death. Her hands were covered in the evidence, and she felt panic take over here. "I swear to god, I've never acted like that towards anyone or anything in my life." she whispered to Wesker, frantically trying to explain herself in the hopes that Wesker didn't consider her a monster.

Wesker wet a piece of cloth and handed it to her to clean her hands of the deed, and a glass of water. Clearing his throat, he gestured for her to sit on the couch as he paced the floor for some time, awaiting her to clean her hands. Claire spent way longer than it took, but she was still so confused and scared over her actions that it took her much longer. Wesker made no move to hurry her along or scold her. He just stood there watching.

When she finished, he began. "I am about to tell you something.. most likely unexpected. Can I ask that you be silent until I finish? When I do, you may ask me what you like."

Claire nodded slowly without meeting his gaze, too ashamed to do it right now as she ran the night over in her mind.

"Claire, you're infected with an experimental virus."

My ears are ringing. Was her first thought. How the fuck does he know that?! Her second.

"What?" she squeaked as she met his gaze, waiting for the punchline of his cruel joke. He met her squarely. No arrogant smirk. He was serious.

Wesker cleared his throat, and Claire sunk just a little deeper into the couch she was on.

"I work part time at an Umbrella pharmacy outside of Raccoon. My current job doesn't pay much and I want to have the money to begin saving for my future. I have always had an interest in virus' especially, and I'd consider myself quite skilled with both being able to recognize them, and being able to treat them."

Wesker paused for a moment, seeing Claire's vacant eyes as she absorbed the information quietly, but as he had asked, she was silent, so he continued.

"When you were at the hospital, a fellow pharmacist who works there, Doctor Birkin, kindly shared your blood work with me, and it was there that I found an extremely harmful and deadly virus in your blood stream. Most likely from that rabid dog. Naturally I didn't want you to die, so with a virus that I'd been studying with Doctor Birkin - a virus we had been developing to cure cancer.." Wesker nearly had to stop himself from smiling at how much bullshit he was dealing up and Claire was eating up, but it passed. "We decided that it was your only hope."

Claire's mouth was completely dry, and looking down at her hands she saw them shaking violently. "I... I-I nearly died? W... That.." I felt like i was choking on the air as I tried to process all this. "Did the virus.. what did.. does it do to me?"

"That," Wesker continued. "Is currently being investigated. So far, you've made a full recovery. Your immune system is better than its ever been, and you heal miraculously and swiftly from physical injury. Much faster than any human being, but from what I've seen tonight, when you're angry or frustrated, you turn physically aggressive." he stated in a very professional tone. Like that of a doctor speaking to her. Weird that it was Captain Wesker.

"Will I die?" She immediately asked, now feeling terrified that if this presumed aggression got worse. I'd be like a dog with rabies that'd need to be put down. I swallowed nervously as he cleaned his shades on his shirt.

"No, you've made it well passed the time for a given virus to develop and destroy you from the inside, your system is clearly accepting it. You're perfectly healthy and, as long as your aggression does not dip outside of being an answer to someone else threatening you, and if it is reasonably contained, you'll be fine."

Claire hated that damned if in his sentence. She felt scared. She felt like all her movements were now make or break. Like one silly curse word at spilled milk and Wesker would be there with a lasso and shot gun. Both Chris and her had inherited their fathers quick temper, so that wouldn't bode well in the future.

She nodded in understand and when Wesker felt she had fully absorbed all he'd said, he held out his hand to help her up. He knew this couldn't of been easy, and he hadn't even mentioned that this information couldn't leave her, but she looked too wounded to be told anymore. He needed to be gentle and caring with her right now. It was the least she deserved.

Claire took his hand tentatively, afraid that if she stood up too fast, she'd shatter into a million pieces. She didn't feel 'new and improved', she felt like she was a mutant. Remembering her first glimpse at her abilities as she shrugged off the bandage and saw her skin instantly heal itself. No, she would never be the same again. She was tainted. Will I ever have a normal life? If Chris.. or anyone found out.. would I be killed? locked away? experimented on?

One thing was for sure. Wesker knew, and he didn't treat her any differently. In fact, as she met his gaze, he looked down at her with something akin to sympathy..

That pained look in his eyes.. like he was trying to be as supportive as possible. It broke her.

She couldn't control the shaking that took her over, and in an instant, she was clinging to Wesker for dear life. She buried her face into his chest and didn't control her sobbing for a minute. She needed a moment of weakness. Just one moment.

Taken aback by her outburst, he could only look down at her with surprise, but realized that this must be harder to absorb for someone like her, even if she didn't realize yet what a benefit it was. Awkwardly, he wrapped one arm around her shoulders and rubbed her back. He would give her this moment. He knew in the back of his mind that this was a giant leap towards getting her to trust, and even love him, but what was strange was he didn't care.

He just.. wanted her to stop crying right now.

After around 3 minutes, Claire pulled back and gasped for air as her sobbing came to a halt. Wesker held her arms and rubbed some circles into her skin as she calmed down, her cheeks now staining red for probably the 800th time that night as she realized what she'd done.

"Wesker, I'm so-"

"Shhh.." Wesker soothed, taking her hand gently and leading her to the bedroom. As she gently sat down on her bed, Wesker leaned down to cup her cheek. "I'll get you some tea, then you need your rest." Wesker whispered as he pulled away.

But Claire didn't let him. She instantly halted him in his tracks as she reached up to place her hand on his on her cheek. Wesker's eyes widened a fraction as he felt Claire's lips against his. Sweet, cherry lip gloss met his velvety smooth lips, and for a few seconds, the world froze. Suddenly he felt his heart speed up and felt the utter need to take Claire right there and then, but he needed to control himself.

When she gently licked his bottom lip, silently asking him to open his lips for her, he pulled back. "Not tonight dear heart, you desperately need rest.." he whispered as he strained to get his breathing back to normal. A simple kiss had actually made his heart hammer against his chest and his breathing speed up. There's no way that that's normal.. I need to get a sample of her blood.. this can't be me.

"Can I.. " Claire whispered softly in his ear as he regained coherent thinking. "Can I just stay in your bed with you tonight? Please.. Please don't make me sleep alone tonight.." Claire begged. She realized it was a little pathetic, but she wasn't even able to sleep alone on stormy nights. She'd always climb into Chris' bed, and since he wasn't around..

Before the reality of the situation hit her like a truck, Wesker pressed a soft kiss to her lips and nodded. "Of course."

Claire and Wesker prepared for bed in silence. When he slipped into the bathroom, she put on a pair of shorts and a hoody and slipped in first. She felt like her heart was going to break out of her damn rib cage and run out the door. Where had that courage come from.. ? There was no way Claire would have ever kissed Wesker herself. There was no way. Had she imagined leaning in first? definitely.. no, Wesker had kissed her first. She sighed as Wesker walked back out of the bathroom, shirtless and in a pair of tight sweat pants.

When Claire felt the matress dip, she felt a pang of regret for asking, but felt it melt away as Wesker surprisingly brought her into his arms. He must of sensed how scared and confused she was, because she figured Wesker wasn't the type to treat someone so tenderly. She took this rare opportunity and ran with it regardless.

"Sleep, Claire." Wesker gently coaxed her to rest of head on his soft and smooth and chest. She didn't protest in the least. It had been too long a night. It wasn't long before Wesker's rhythmic breathing soothed her to into a well needed, and dreamless sleep.

Wesker waited for Claire to slip fully into sleep, and gently rubbed her shoulder.

How strange.. was his last thought as he let himself fall asleep for the first time in days.


I'M FINISHED SCHOOL FOREVER WOOP WOOP!

I'll be updating way more regularly now! YAY FOR MY OBSESSION WITH CLESKER !

So the ball is finally rolling. Finally being the key word right? Don't worry! Plenty more juice details to come kekekekek ! Stick around my lovelies, this journeys only just beginning.

REVIEWS-

SherlocksDoctor: Yeah! I gotta make them all goofs because I'm sure they're all goofs both at and outside work! Poor Wesker!

Tenebrarum: I think one of Wesker's biggest hobbies is tormenting people!

roseimagine: Well I certainly hope the tail end of this chapter made you happy then! Looks like the competition is level right not! Or not, who knows? Oh wait... I do.. HEHEHEHEHEHE

Lennartz-L02: Will do broski!

ArchVengence: Ohhhhh sneaky sneaky! I may or may not have something planned for that little Oliviera bit! you'll just have to wait and see kekekeke

Charlyn Rose: Hey welcome! I hope my story goes down well!

MOONLIGHT SHADOW HUNTRESS: Your three reviews made me squeal with happiness AH GOSH ! Stick around! its gonna be a bumpy ride!

And thank you so much to the 2 guests! you all ROCK!