Collab with my sis: Claire Sherry Redfield

Work never ended for the BSAA. However, after the events in China, things started to slow down a little for them all.

"That looks interesting," Barry smiled at what he saw upon the computer, grabbing Jill's attention after she'd done talking with Jessica and Rebecca.

"What's interesting?" she asked while walking over with her coffee.

"A Christmas cruise," he gestured to the advertisement.

"I've had my share of cruises," she now shuddered at the thought.

"Ah, the mission aboard the Zenobia." He nodded in acknowledgement.

Jill just shrugged as she placed her coffee upon his desk. She then leaned over to look at the pictures and info.

"So is it just you and Cathy off on a romantic Christmas break?" she then asked, turning to look at him.

"Christmas break for the whole family," he informed her. "Moira and I've been bonding more lately and this should bring us even closer as a family."

"Sounds wonderful," Jill smiled warmly as she straightened up. " I know you'll have a lovely time. "

"So, what about you and Rachael?" he now turned to ask her as she sat at her own desk.

"Not sure what we're doing?" she shrugged. "Stay at home Christmas."

"Get out. Get away. Do something romantic, just the two of you." He told her as he headed for the coffee machine. "Go to Europe. Go on a cruise like us."

Jill gave it some thought before typing away on the computer for any good get away holidays for Christmas. Eventually she found one, quickly booking the pair in she then headed for home.

"Well, I'll see you after the holiday." She smiled as she grabbed her coat before giving him a hug. "Merry Christmas, Barry."

"Merry Christmas to you too, Jill. Have fun," he smiled as he waved her off.

As she headed for the door while zipping up her coat, she ended up bumping into someone or much rather they bumped into her.

"Sorry," they both said in unson.

"Jill!"

"Chris!"

"Heading home?" he asked.

She nodded. "Just been talking Christmas plans with Barry."

"Doing anything good?" he asked.

"Maybe take Rachael on a cruise ship?" she shrugged.

"That sounds wonderful, hope it's clear of oozes." He chuckled.

"Don't even joke," she laughed lightly herself.

He shook his head going a little more serious again.

"Guess I'll not see you at the party then?" he now asked.

"Party?" she questioned.

"Yeah, Leon told me they're having a get together Christmas party. The BSAA's been invited to join in."

"I'll give it a miss, I told Rachael I'd be home hours ago."

"Happy holidays," he smiled at her as she headed out.

"Have fun at the party," she waved.

Once in her car, she headed for home.

"Come on," she groaned as the lights turned red on her.

She couldn't help but glance at the clock. She knew for sure she should have been back hours ago, but she'd got so caught up in a conversation with Rebecca and Jessica, then Barry's cruise had distracted her.

"Guess I'll have to make it up to her tonight," she sighed heavily as the lights finally changed. " About time. "

Eventually she was pulling into the car park to the apartment blocks, locking up she headed to her apartment.

"Rach, I'm home!" she greeted as she walked in.

Silence greeted her in response as she slipped off her coat.

"Rach?" she called out again as she checked the living room.

The lamp was on with a blanket thrown over the settee.

"Shit," Jill sighed now heading to the bedroom.

Opening the door she wasn't at all surprised to find Rachael sound asleep, snuggly under the covers. Taking a seat on the bed she slipped her boots off, followed by her clothes to which she replaced with her pj's.

She then slipped under the covers with her, snuggling up right beside her girlfriend. Her hand now resting on the others abdomen.

"Sorry I'm late," she whispered as Rachael stirred. "Do you want to...

"No, you're cold," Rachael responded grumpily.

"Sorry," Jill apologised again, shifting herself away from the other woman.

Rachael gave a sleepy groan as Jill slipped away to warm up first.

"I didn't say for you to move, did I?" she frowned as she turned over.

Jill rolled her eyes as Rachael now moved over to snuggle up to her.

"I wouldn't want you catching a cold for Christmas," she warned her.

Jill rested her head against the younger woman's, her cold hand coming up to move Rachael's fringe aside to see the others woman's eyes were once again closed. She still couldn't understand how she hid such beautiful features behind a think layer of hair.

"I have a surprise for you this Christmas," Jill smiled as Rachael opened her eyes to look at her.

"Oh?" she questioned.

"It's a surprise," Jill reminded her.

"One small hint," Rachael pressed her.

"No," was the only response she was getting from the woman.

"Don't make me force it from you," the younger blonde now warned as she straddled her to then lean down to kiss her. "Cause I'm quite good at that."

"Oh, I know quite well. But you won't this time," Jill smiled as Rachael gave her a devilish smile.

xXx

"Hey, Chris." Leon greeted handing him a non alcoholic beer.

"Thanks," Chris smiled, popping the cap to then take a swig.

As the party took off with everyone getting wild with the music blaring in the background, Leon and Chris started a conversation, asking each other what their plans for Christmas was.

"Been with any more younger women?" Leon asked.

Chris shook his head, Jill and her big mouth.

"Hey, better younger than older." He jabbed back.

"Ada's only two years older than me."

"Yeah, Jill's age." Chris nodded. "So you and Ada are really making a go of things?

Leon nodded. "She's been acting a little strange though lately."

"More than usual?" Chris asked with a look.

"Not like that, she's just...moody."

"Not getting enough in the bedroom, huh?" Chris asked playfully.

Leon shook his head. "I can't even cuddle her."

Chris looked taken aback as he just tapped his friend on the shoulder in sympathy.

"What about taking her on a cruise for Christmas?" Chris suggested with a shrug. "Might bring back the spark."

Leon thought about it for a while, maybe a cruise would be the best thing to spice up their relationship once more. What could it hurt?

"Sorry," someone slurred at having bumped into Chris.

"Sherry?" he asked dumbfounded at turning to see her.

"Chris!" she perked up in surprise, saying his name louder than she actually expected.

"I don't think Claire's going to be too pleased with you being in that state," he frowned.

"What state?" she asked, also falling over into Helena. "Sorry."

"You're drunk," Helena pushed her, sending her right into Leon, who luckily caught her.

"She isn't the only one," he frowned.

"I'm not drunk," Helena scowled at him, hands on her hips.

Leon sighed as he shook his head.

"I think we should get these two home," Chris frowned.

"Hunnigan," Leon called out to the woman, who was not as drunk as the two younger women. "We're heading out, we've got these two to take back."

Hunnigan laughed at the pair, but acknowledged him anyway. "Happy holidays!"

"Same to you too," Leon smiled at her before grabbing hold of Helena who'd grabbed another drink.

Chris took Sherry by the arm to lead her out too.

"You won't tell Claire, will you?" she asked before turning with a giggle as Helena threw up beside them.

"No, you can stay at my place tonight. You can tell her yourself."

Sherry turned to Helena now, who was currently being held up by Leon with her arm over his shoulders.

"She's so gone," she laughed with a hiccup.

Once outside Leon and Chris parted ways. Sherry was much more talkative until Chris finally got her into the spare room, in which she dropped down onto the bed to then doze off. He took off her shoes for her and laid a blanket over her for the night.

Helena on the other hand was coming and going while on the drive home.

"Does Carla know about the party?"

Helena shrugged, she was more interested in sleeping than answering his dumb questions.

"Will she be up at this time?"

Another shrug.

"Do you know anything?" he asked her.

"I don't know," Helena groaned as she leaned over a little.

"You gonna be sick?" he asked.

Before he could get an answer he was already pulling over to then get out and open the door for her.

"Feeling better?" he then asked as she wiped her mouth with her hand.

She gave a nod and he was free to climb back into the car to drive her back. Once he was at the pairs home, he parked up, leaving Helena in the car while he went and knocked on the door.

He heard the key in the lock before the door opened and there stood Carla in her silk nightdress and gown.

"Sorry it's late," he apologised. "Did she tell you about the party at work?"

"She did," Carla frowned as she looked to Helena in the car. "She's drunk isn't she?"

Leon nodded.

"Bring her in," she sighed.

Leon headed back to the car to bring Helena into the house.

"She can sleep on the couch tonight," she pointed.

"I wanna sleep with you," Helena whined.

"You stink of booze," Carla scolded her.

Leon quickly slipped out, leaving the pair to sort out their problems on their own, after all he had Ada to contend with.

Upon heading home, he found the apartment to be quiet and dark. Making his way through their home as quietly as possible without turning on all the lights. He knew for a start it was a bad idea, as he ended up standing on a few cat toys and even stubbed his toe in which he had to mouth a few choice words. Finally he was out of his clothes and slipping into bed, which both cats weren't exactly pleased about what with the sudden disturbance.

Come morning Ada would scold him on his lateness. For now he'd just get a good night's sleep and accept his fate come morning.

xXx

"Morning," Sherry greeted cheerfully with a stretch as she met Chris in the kitchen.

"You're awfully cheerful this morning to say you drank so much last night," he looked to her suspiciously.

"Yeah, I, uh, my body heals rapidly." She went on to explain to him. "My body bonded with the virus, so any injury I receive gets healed or any illnesses and such never stay around for long."

"So no hangover?" he asked.

She shook her head.

"Coffee?" he still asked none the less.

She nodded with a smile.

"Guess Claire won't have to know after all," he thought as he handed her the mug.

Sherry just grinned.

"Well then let me know when you're ready, I'll drop you off."

xXx

Leon had explained to Ada why he'd been so late returning home that night and thankfully she'd accepted and let it slide. He must have caught her on a good day, thankfully. Now sipping at his coffee, his phone alerted him of a message.

Thanks for dropping me off home

It was Helena, so he text her back.

No problem. How's things with Carla?

Don't ask

That bad?

Bad as in how do I rectify this?

Chris gave me the idea of going on a cruise ship this Christmas break to hopefully spice up our marriage. Why don't you and Carla get away somewhere for the holiday? Might do your relationship good?

... You and Ada having problems too?

A little he replied, not wanting to go into it fully.

Well I think a break might do me good. Thanks again, Leon :)

He put his mobile down as Ada walked into the kitchen to grab her cup of coffee.

"Trouble?" she asked.

He shrugged. "Carla's not too happy with Helena at the moment."

She couldn't help but smile at this now, making Leon stand to head over to her, placing his hands on her hips as he leaned in to kiss her.

"Leon," she smacked him lightly.

"Sorry," he apologised as she set her mug down on the worktop.

She allowed him to kiss her again.

"I've missed this," he told her softly.

"I know," she sighed in return. "It's just that things are moving fast and..."

Leon nodded. "It's a lot to take in I know."

"I love you, Leon."

"But?"

"Just give me time to adjust. I've not been feeling like myself lately and..."

"If there's anything wrong..."

"Leon," she smiled. "You're so adorable."

He shook his head at the compliment with a huff of 'thanks' as he took up his coffee again. Things would work out for the pair given time or the truth.

xXx

It was still hard to get over the fact that Claire was going out with Alex, especially as she looked up at the large manor house that seemed so much like Simmons' but a lot more elegant.

"Tell Claire I'll see her when I can," Chris called out to her before she nodded and shut the car door.

Heading up to the large front doors, one opened to reveal a man.

"Miss Birkin," he gestured her in.

She followed him on until he stopped at a set of double doors to then knock. Once he was given permission he opened the door to let them know of Sherry's arrival. Claire was quick on her feet to come hug the younger woman.

"Ready for Christmas?" she asked as Alex poured them drinks.

Sherry nodded.

"Drink?" Alex asked until noticing Stuart standing in the doorway. "Ah, dinners ready. Any gossip you have may be shared over the dinner table."

That stopped the pair from the start of their conversation as Alex drank back the drink she'd just poured.

"So did you have a good night yesterday?" Claire asked intrigued as they all sat down to eat.

"I did. Helena and I got absolutely drunk," Sherry blurted out before quickly covering her mouth, once she'd realised what she'd just said.

"So where did you stay?" the redhead asked more concerned.

"I stayed over at Chris' house," she told her.

"I'll be sure to have a word with him."

"Claire give the girl a break, she's young. Let her enjoy life a bit," Alex told her straight while grabbing the bottle of wine next to her. "Care for more?"

"Please," Sherry smiled as she held her glass up just to get a glare from Claire. "I'm really glad you finally introduced us, Alex seems really nice."

"I'm glad you like her. You can date her then, can't you."

"Sorry sweetie, but I don't date blondes." Alex smirked.

"Speaking of dating. Did you know there's trouble in paradise for Ada and Leon?" Sherry now brought up after hearing it from Chris.

"I thought everything was going alright for them."

"Apparently not. Chris said he'd recommended to Leon about going on a cruise. Said it might spice their relationship up."

"Maybe you and I should go on one," Sherry nudged the redhead.

Claire's face lit up once she realised what the young girl was trying to tell her. "Maybe."

"I don't think a cruise will help them," Alex bluntly stated.

Claire frowned deeply at her.

"You know you're the iceberg that sank the Titanc."

Alex just gave her a smug smile in response.

"I don't get it. What do you mean by spicing up their relationship?" Natalia now interrupted at having been listening to their conversation .

"Wait while you start dating, then you'll know. But only once they have my approval of course," Alex warned, before taking a sip of wine.

Claire shook her head, but caught sight of the blondes smile. She couldn't be angry all the time with her.