After one month since the end from the last mission things are going in the right way: Jill's health has been improving time after time, her physical wounds are healed and the last exams results showed nothing bad. Chris just started again to work full-time at the BSAA office after his mind recovered. Their new romantic relationship has been helping them a lot as well, every moment spent together deepened their feelings and their closeness, they let themselves go with their kisses, cuddles, touches discovering each other more and more. Both minds and bodies soothed by those affection gestures, an effective medicine. At work he arrived with his mission's report ready, helped by her too, witnessing the knowledge gathered on the battlefield with the whole world. Unfortunately nightmares still haunt them: painful nights in tears and panic attacks didn't go away with a few psychotherapy sessions but they're always there for each other when they need it. Kisses to wipe tears, loving words, cuddles when they hate themselves or want to end their lives just to forget the trauma. There's no need to rush things, pain is part of the healing process. They have nothing more to prove to the world, they're learning to do things at their own pace even if its slower than their expectations. Chris takes his breaks at work when he feels bad, he just goes upstairs near her side crying his heart out. Jill knows that she can call him anytime if she needs a shoulder to cry on as well. Two misunderstood people helping each other in an evil world, escaping in their safe place. Nevertheless, everything goes much better. Jill didn't need any heavy monitoring anymore, boredom still kills her since Chris is not with her often anymore but at least she can move more freely without feeling any physical pain anymore. Whe she's not busy in being examinated she watches TV or uses her laptop to entertain herself or to write her reports whenever she feels to and she also emailed some people to tell them how she is. One of these is her beloved friend and coworker Barry, Chris told her about how bad he felt after her assumed death, she also knew about his problems with his daughter Moira, Jill wrote to him how sorry she feels for having caused him grief and also gave him advices for trying to make peace with Moira. Rehab is about to start soon and she's pretty relieved by the news, it's unbearable to be locked in the medical facility doing nothing funny. Chris tries to make her feel the less lonely and bored as possible, he brought her anything to keep her comfortable in that room that became her home: most of her clothes, make up, comics, laptop, whatever she needs. Most of the nights they are together like from the first day, he misses his home comfort but they need each other the most and that's everything they ask. Every moment together became precious and not granted anymore.

5 PM, end of the work day.
Chris usually goes to her right after, so he does once again.
He knocks on the door and he enters her room. Jill looks completely apathetic, without even saying hi to him. He walks forward to sit on the empty space of her bed. She sighs looking at him, Chris hugs her but she's not hugging him back and, instead, she just hides her face on his chest. That's bad to see.
"Hey, I'm here. Feel free to cry if you need to." His voice is soothing but she doesn't feel any better.
"And what do I change if I cry again? It solves nothing. It's worthless."
"You're almost there, don't give up close to the finish line."
"I'm close but I'm not there yet. I'm sick and tired of everything."
He just hugs her more tightly.
"I love you." He whispers.
"I feel nothing. I'm sorry." Jill burst into tears, sobbing in guilt.
Chris knows that is not true, it's just her warped perception of the things.
"You are stronger than this. It happens to me too. It's terryfying to feel dead inside."
"I'm so sorry for everything I'm causing you."
"Calm down. You are causing me nothing but good. You can go though this."
He lets her laying down and he hugs her softly.
"Chris, at least you are here."
"I'm always with you."
Jill tries to calm down between his arms for a while, feeling his fingers brushing her hair.
"I love you too."
He smiles after hearing her words.
"Thanks for saying that, Jill."
"I feel guilty."
"I know, same here. Don't listen to those voices inside you head."
"Today I'm not able to ignore those. I keep hearing to end my..."
"Sssh, everything is going well. We are winning this battle together." He cradles her.
"Tell me you are right."
"I am. Relax now, we're safe."
Jill lets herself gently swing by his arms, she knows how hard he tries to help her every single time and she does appreciate it.
Chris feels terrible looking at her like that, his anxiety gets triggered too. One of the two must remain strong for the other.
She's slowly calming down as the sun completely set outside of the window. The golden sun light is already gone.
He flips laying on his back with Jill on top of him, she's completely squeezed by his hug.
"Chris! Too tight." Jill faintly laughs.
He does otherwise, the grip strenghtens even more.
"If this makes you laugh then I'll squeeze you more and more."
"I feel better. Please, let me go."
Chris lays her down and he has a good idea: he tickles her.
She laughs loudly, the side of her neck and her belly are tickled. He laughs as well.
"Chris! Stop right now!" Jill kicks him and pushes his hands away from her. He tries to oppose her sneaking his hands without being hitted but she's too fast.
She climbs on him, kissing his lips repeatedly. His hands are posed on her back, her hands grab his cheeks. He lets himself go for a moment under her care.
His eyes are closed, she cuddles him and rests her head on his chest. Their breaths are in synch. Her hands gently caressing him, it's her way to thank him.
"What do you feel, super Jill?"
"Mmh...I'm glad we're closer than ever."
"Are you ok?"
"I feel better than before."
"That relieves me. I love you so much."
"I love you too, you are my everything Chris."
They cuddle for some time in silence, just hearing each other's breath. The focus is on their hands touching the other. Her hair tickling him, the feeling of his Greek god physique, his marble-like hard muscles under her skin. Both feeling safe. His scent, her scent. Only if moments like that could be preserved like a picture, without an actual image but just the feeling. Every second counts, every detail too. They completely surrender themselves to the other one.
The door is knocked waking them up from their thoughts, the dinner is ready and is left outside from the nurse. He goes to bring the food in. Once both seated they eat their steak with french fries, one of their favorite comfort foods. The eat seated next to each other, he cuts her steak to feed her and she does the same with him. It's just a silly way to show affection, they are able to catch a smile from the other. She takes one french fry biting it from one side making him bite the other edge, once they reach the middle part of it their lips meet. Jill sees his eyes looking down showing his shyness that comes out when it comes to these romantic things, he's not unconfortable but rather not used to. Not that she's used to feel romantic gestures from others, she's a little shy as well but slightly less than him. Romanticism wasn't part of their lives since the last month, everything is new but their gestures come naturally. They finish their meal, Chris lifts her on her feet and covers her with a light coat over her light blue tracksuit. Hand in hand, they sneak out of her room going upstairs to the rooftop. Every city light looks like a little dot, the green cross pharmacy's sign, loads of people walking by, cars running down the streets, all of those shops, fast food restaurants, the city never stops and it's fascinating to see. Spring arrived but the temperature is still quite low, the cold wind is blowing and Chris hugs her from behind to keep her warm. They just stare what's on the outside.
"Look how cool is to be on top of the world."
"It's cool, it's amazing." She answers smiling.
Chris takes a cigarette and lights it with a customized lighter.
"I know it's bad but..."
"Let me try it too."
He puts the cigarette in her mouth to let her smoke a little bit, just ten seconds and he puts it back in his mouth. She exhales the smoke right away.
"It's a light one, even though I shouldn't anyway. You shouldn't too. You had to inhale oxygen until last week."
"You're still smoking near me, what are you talking about?" Jill punches him to joke and both laugh.
"I see Jill Valentine is back in town." He kicks her ankles while she still punches him. A little funny battle.
"Oh well...almost!" Jill goes to hug him and kisses his neck.
"I still cannot believe..." He takes her hands.
"Yeah, my fault." Her head close to his heart while being held tight.
"Don't even dare to say that. I mean, you were allegedly dead and then I found you alive. It wasn't easy to accept your absence, my greatest friend wasn't there with me anymore and after two years I finally accepted it. I always knew you were still alive though, I kept believing in it and... you know the story. Now we are a romantic couple, It's the best thing in my last ten years but, you know, too many things happened in one month."
"I know, my dear Chris."
"Come on Jill, let's go back to your room."
The two do what he said, then they prepare to sleep and wear their pajamas. Chris lays on her bed while she's on him being hugged.
"I'll let you sleep on my bed since it's more comfortable."
"Jill it's okay on the armchair, don't worry."
"Come on, you deserve to rest well."
"Sure?"
"Of course, but first I want to spend some time with you."
Jill kisses him, her hands touching his cheeks, his neck, his shoulders and then down to his abs. His hands go up and down her back, until her butt. They would love to go a little bit more further but they're both so tired. Jill gives him the good night kiss and goes to sleep on the armchair.
"Good night, I love you.
"I love you too."

Some noises wake her up, Chris is struggling to breath while in his sleep. He's having a nightmare for sure. Jill tries to wake him up gently by cuddling him. Chris opens his eyes looking at her in relief while catching breath.
"Jill? Oh God..."
"What happened?"
"I've just dreamt to be choked to death."
"It's over now Chris, I'm with you." She hugs and cuddles him.
"It was him."
"I know, I know." Her kisses reach his forehead to calm him down.
"It was terrible."
"Don't worry, I'll stay near you until you fall asleep again. You'll dream something beautiful soon."
Jill comforts him by staying by his side. Cuddles, kisses, she whispers to him how much she loves him, that he's safe, all the love words she has for him. They fall asleep both on the bed, still hugging.