Author Note: Continuation to Secrets and Flies that starts Three months after the end of the last one. Love, betrayal, suspense and action are on the menu for this story as we watch our favourite band of Umbrella renegades give it there all to hopefully bring a final end to there hellish lifestyle once and for all. To do that, assistance will be required from some, unconventional characters.

I do not own the characters & this will be very different from any RE movie (to date) and/ or video game plot (to date)

Please read & review as you wish!

B

Updated 2021-June-28: Updating so it is aligned with the latest updates from Secrets & Flies :)

Calm Before the Storm

- 2 -

Claire kissed the nape of her neck, not wanting to go to war just yet. She could hear Alice moaned, welcoming the intimacy, something they both craved for the past three months. Claire guided Alice back to the bed, wanting to remove every inch of her clothing to reveal the creamy skin hidden underneath. Suddenly Alice went rigid, something flashing in the pupils. Claire thought she was imagining things, but it almost resembled the red Umbrella Corporation logo.

Claire backed away from Alice, "W-What did they do to you?" she asked, suddenly afraid.

"They're coming Claire." Alice stated, her voice sounding almost robotic.

"You're scaring me, what happened to you?"

Alice ignored Claire's perfectly reasonable question and stood once more. In the soft light of the room, Claire could see the road map of bruises and scars on Alice' arms. Most were old, healed and scared, but some where fresh. One in particular caught Claire's attention. She grabbed Alice's left hand, turning her wrist. Six perfectly round red circles in a large flower shape were imprinted on her skin.

"What's this?" Claire demanded.

Alice pulled her hand away with a scowl, "When they get here, they'll stop at nothing to bring us down."

"Stop deflecting and tell me what happened."

Alice ignored her, making a move for the door. Claire stood her ground, eyeing the outfit her lover was wearing. It was a black, sleeveless jumpsuit with the Umbrella logo embossed above the left breast. It was skin tight, neoprene texture Great for sneaking around undetected in the dark, but not for blending with those aboard the Arcadia.

"Move Claire," Alice asked, narrowing her eyes.

"If they catch you wearing that, you're as good as dead." Claire remarked.

"What do you mean?" Alice quipped.

"A lot has changed since you left," Claire explained, grabbing a large overcoat with a hood from the back of the door, "Here," she said tossing it at Alice, "Put this on, at least until I get you to the bridge."

"You can't be serious,"

Claire nodded, "I am. If you want to have a chance to save us, I need to keep you alive long enough to do so."

Alice knew there was something Claire wasn't telling her, but for the sake of time she complied, pulling the overcoat over her body. Claire quickly put on her combat boots, opening her stateroom door slowly. She scanned the hall to make sure the coast was clear. Alice flipped up the hood on the overcoat, concealing her face just as Claire closed the door.

"Before we go, tell me where you've been for the past three months."

Alice sighed, "Please Claire, there isn't much time."

Claire folded her arms over her chest, "You did it, didn't you?"

"Claire, please,"

"Say it! Tell me you broke our promise!"

"Yes, I did."

Claire closed her eyes, controlling her anger, "Just tell me you're not..." she paused, a tear tracing her left cheek, "...one of them."

Alice wiped Claire's cheek with her finger, cupping her chin, "I'm not Claire, I promise. Everything I've done and will do, it's all for us, for our survival."

Claire eyes iced with anger, "What do you think all of us on the Arcadia have been doing for the past fifteen months! What do you think kept me and my convoy alive in the Nevada desert, or you and Jill in Raccoon City, or Angie in the jungles of Mexico. Survival's the only thing we have!"

"We need to go, now!" Alice snapped.

"Stop! Stop acting like a robot and tell me what happened! You owe me that much."

Alice pursed her lips, folding her arms across her chest, "If you want to know where I was Claire, then take me to the bridge."

Claire wiped her eyes, opening her door and guiding Alice to the bridge. It was the only thing she could do.

T.B.C