Warning: Lewd stuff happens this chapter. Just a little.

Story: Quicken, Question, Quantify

Chapter Nine: Unexpected

"No one is so brave that he is not disturbed by something unexpected."

-Julius Caesar, 100BC – 44BC

July 18th, 1998 – New York City:

I half wanted to punch him for the deep chuckling still coming from the bathroom when I retreated out and slammed the door. I didn't even have a towel out here to dry myself off and I was still dripping on the carpet. I hated that he took all of this so lightly. I'd almost never heard him laugh more than a short moment and he'd been rolling all because I'd been having nightmares again. I hadn't meant to scream either…and he just acted like none of this mattered. I blushed when a knock came to the door, scrambling back into the bathroom for a towel. Doing my best to ignore Wesker, had he gone somewhere drinking? Why was he being like this? I slipped to the door after wrapping the towel.

"Hey, everything okay? We heard screaming." As if I wasn't already embarrassed enough today.

"I slipped and fell and I'm okay but I got scared." I remarked. "I'm really sorry."

"Oh, okay…" The guy looked nervous, glancing me over before heading away. I rolled my eyes and shut the door, leaning on it. Could anything else go wrong today? I almost would have rather been shot and be in the hospital.

"You want to clean up the mess you made?" Wesker exited the bathroom, he wasn't still laughing but there was a smirk on his face. He sat down to start taking his boots off. "I'd like to also get cleaned up at some point before we sleep."

"I wouldn't have made a mess if you hadn't come in to laugh at me." I retorted, still sour over it.

"I didn't come in to laugh at you." He retorted, setting the first boot next to him. "Though the day had just been so unexpected, I wasn't sure how to take it. You should however, not go sleeping in the bathtub."

"Yeah, a pervert might burst inside to peek at me." I snipped back at him, earning his attention. That moment of amber entering his gaze before he put the second boot next to the first. I swallowed a bit at the gaze, there was something about him staring at me that made my heart pick up its pace.

"There was little to see until you leapt free of the water to press against me, wet and naked." He pointed out; his voice maintained a semi-sarcastic but neutral tone…but the red illumination remained steady in his eyes as they drifted lower, scanning along my legs – most of which were visible below the towel. "Though I can't say I minded the view."

"As I said, pervert." I managed to not stutter but I knew I didn't have the conviction I'd wanted.

"Do you think so?" He didn't sound offended, if anything I think my accusations were amusing him more. He'd taken off his socks and walked toward me with bare feet. "What makes me fall under that?"

He approached and I backed a step immediately into the door. I was tempted a moment to open the door, to run. The man that approached me wasn't the same gentle creature that had carried me inside his home and introduced me to his dog. I wasn't sure how to answer him.

"A desire to glance over a beautiful woman?" He asked, eyes glancing me over in a way that made me realize just how little this towel really covered. "Not minding pressing my lips into such a woman…grazing my fingers across her flesh…pushing her against me…"

"Uh…" I still didn't know what to say and he'd gotten rather close now. I swallowed as he leaned near me. Was he going to kiss me again?

"I suppose then, I could be called a pervert." He whispered near my ear, reaching his hand down near mine and on the knob. "I'll get the food set up. You should go get ready and clean up."

I almost asked him what that meant but there was a knock at the door. I blinked at him, frowning. Had he done that one purpose? Was he teasing me? I scurried toward the bathroom, confused. My feelings were a little hurt. Was he just playing with me? Toying with my feelings now that he knew I was attracted to him. Then, he seemed interested as well, or he wouldn't have pulled me into his lap earlier…he wouldn't have moaned when we'd kissed.

I shook my head at that, nope. I did not want to think about it. The bathroom was a mess. I'd need to ask for more towels. I went to cleaning up the floor and letting the water out of the tub. I got dressed as the smell of food filtered into the bedroom. It smelled good so I hurried as best I could, heading out of the bathroom in the pajama's I'd gotten during our last stop somewhere for clothes. There was rice and curry set out on the table with naan bread, so I headed straight over. It smelled great.

"You will need to ask for more towels…" I said as I started dishing myself some food, he'd already done the same and started eating so I didn't think we were worried about ceremony. "Thank you for getting food."

"Thank you for cleaning up." He replied, keeping his habit of not really accepting any sort of appreciation. He was looking at his phone, reading something. He'd gotten into the habit of leaving his glasses off more when he knew it would just be us two. Was it a trust thing? He'd kept the lights low, so I wasn't sure if it was also still some sort of sensitivity. Either way, it was a nice change to never being able to see his face…well, it had been. Today I wasn't as sure. I wanted to know how he felt, but it also scared me a little.

This entire night scared me. I focused on my food as I thought. Now that some of the immediate embarrassment had passed and I wasn't being actively teased I could focus a bit more on what could be happening. I knew I was attracted to Wesker, even before tonight I'd found him handsome in a gruff way. Still, I didn't know him well. Was it only lust? Had my body just betrayed me finally since I'd been untouched so long? I didn't think I was that shallow, nor was I convinced it was the case here. Something about the transfusion of his blood had pulled forward my feelings, but it hadn't created them. I'd been coming to care for him at some level since he first found me and took me in.

Should I even feel guilty? It wasn't like Inuyasha had ever wanted me the way I did him…he'd never come close to looking at me the way I'd been looked at tonight. The way I'd been touched…held…kissed…

"Something on your mind?" Wesker's voice drew me from my thoughts. He'd just put his phone away.

"Yes, just trying to figure some things out." I said, less stressed about it now that I'd had time to think. I wasn't a child after all, I had to start dealing with my feelings like an adult. Even if I didn't fully understand them.

"Care to talk about it?" He sounded amused. Was he planning to tease me again? I wouldn't rise to it this time. We needed to be able to discuss this.

"I do, actually." I remarked, glad his brows raised slightly. "I know I can be bad about sharing but I want to change that. I want to discuss this…pull between us."

"Just discuss…" He looked me over, sipping at the water he had next to him. He was definitely trying to get under my skin.

"Yes." I insisted. For now, anyway…

"All right. What would you like to discuss? It's clear the transfusion did something today." He relented to my confirmation that I wanted to talk about it.

"Yes, I think so too…but I don't think it could just create something from nothing." I explained. "I think I cared about you before that. I hope it's the same for you."

He paused to think at the comment, still eating as we spoke. Even without his glasses it was difficult to read him in that moment. He finally nodded to me, "I think that's a logical conclusion."

"Then, it isn't something we should feel bad about. I mean…if it's what you want." I started confident but only now realized that he may not actually feel as strongly as me.

"What? Making out in a car for a few minutes?" He put down his fork and leaned back in his chair. "What are you looking for?"

"A relationship I guess." I frowned; I didn't think this is where the conversation would go. "I guess I should have thought about it more before just announcing I wanted to talk."

"I appreciate the frankness; I just didn't expect it from you." He returned. "I don't mind the idea…though I think it's an odd time considering we can't exactly approach this traditionally. I'm not exactly a romantic walk on the beach sort of guy."

"I know. I just felt like this was better defined though, even if it was just a little." I nodded at his comments, a little delighted he didn't turn me down. "And well, I don't think I was ever going to be interested in the guys that wanted that. I just ah…don't wanna jump into physical stuff too quickly. I'm still not really that familiar with it all."

"Practice makes perfect, I believe the phrase goes." He remarked, lifting back up his fork with a smug smile when I nearly choked on my own drink. "Though yes, I understand your hesitation if you can't remember to breath and swallow successfully at the mention."

"Ha, ha." I returned. "I mean it…today was…"

"Addictive?" He provided.

"Intense." I returned. "It was a lot at once. I've barely kissed anyone. I want to not just jump in immediately."

"You'll regret the hang up later." He commented. "But if you insist, I wouldn't force you."

"I don't think you would. I just want to cover my bases." I answered. Still trying to eat as I talked about this. "I…want this to work, I guess? I've never really dated someone though, and as you said. It's not traditional."

"We'll find what functions for us, or we won't." He returned. "Most people don't mesh with me well enough to seek anything beyond a physical relationship."

"But you want that…or at least to try that…with me?" I knew it was a direct question. He might not know himself.

"I am certain I'd like to try." He agreed and I smiled genuinely at the comment. This wasn't so hard, if you just got over the awkwardness and acted like an adult you could come to a proper conclusion. So, we were officially dating then? The idea was fun, but I didn't know what it meant in Wesker's case. Most people did the date thing, movies, walking together, other activities, meals. Then, we were sharing a meal right now. Though he was largely quiet, he'd taken to staring at me this time. His eyes shimmering slightly, still glimmering crimson. Was he largely just considering a physical relationship if that was what he'd had in the past?

I wasn't sure. I knew we had an early start, so overthinking wouldn't lend to rest. So, I finished eating and moved to clean up since he'd set the food out. I also wanted to throw it out in the hall so it wouldn't make the room smell overnight and grab him some towels. I slipped back inside, but he was already in the shower. Without a towel…was he trying to be difficult? Did I bring him one? I lingered near the bathroom door, hesitant…did I want him to come out of the shower without one?

That idea spurred me to enter the bathroom, doing my best to look away from the shower/tub combo. At least I knew where it was, so I wasn't gaping as I reached to set towels on the counter. He didn't say anything, which was a bit of a relief and I retreated again. I scowled at the lack of a couch, there was a chair and footstool combo, but it was so short that neither of us would be comfortable in it. That left us both in the bed. Ugh. Since he was busy, I spent the time to move around the pillows and set them up in such a way that some would be between us. The bed otherwise was large enough that we shouldn't have to be in each other's space. Then, he was bigger than me, so I guess he deserved more room. I climbed back on the bed to move the pillows over a little. He seemed to like to keep the bed tucked in from our trip so far, so I had to half climb beneath the sheet to get it placed where I wanted it.

"What are you doing?" His muffled voice made me freeze beneath the tight blanket. Had it taken me so long he'd finished up already?

"I'm separating our space on the bed." I said from under the covers, still getting the pillow right.

"It's uneven." He remarked, I felt him sit on the opposite side.

"You're on the wrong half." I remarked, scowling when he moved to climb beneath, keeping the sides tight. How was he even comfortable like that? "Hey…"

His feet ended up not far from my face, albeit on the other side of the pillow. I could smell the soap still fresh on his skin. I started backing up, but it took me a moment to shimmy myself free of the upside-down position. He was watching me curiously when I finally escaped and got a breath of air. He'd plugged his phone into the end table on his side of the bed and was just now setting down his sunglasses. I smiled awkwardly, a little surprised he was giving me a glance at his eyes since it was so rare. They were a pale grey-blue now, but I never knew when they might switch again…

"You could have just asked me to stay on my side…" He suggested, pushing the pillow I'd just placed so painstakingly back to the center. Half like I'd had it before second guessing. "Unless, you are more concerned about what you might do without the barrier in place."

"No…" I focused on fixing my hair, knowing I'd answered too quickly. "I just…thought it was best after…"

"We were so ready to enjoy each other earlier." He provided with a small grin that made me frown at him. I should have just torn up the entire bed. I didn't answer that, partly cause he wasn't wrong and partly cause I didn't know what to say. I tried to turn over away from him but moving when the bed was tucked in was tiring.

"How do you sleep like this?" I muttered, laying back flat instead of continuing to try to turn on my side. "It's so constricting."

"I don't do a lot of tossing and turning." He replied, turning off his lamp and closing his eyes. "You should try it sometime."

I shot him a scowl that was lost on him since he'd closed his eyes. I continued my battle to lay on my left side, eventually giving a small victory 'yay' before flipping my light off. It was going to be hard enough to relax knowing we shared a bed, I didn't want to face him with his smelling all great…not that turning over in the same spot had really removed the aroma of his soap. At least he didn't have his regular cologne on. I closed my eyes, the day busy enough that it took me much less time than expected to pass into unconsciousness.

"You can't." I stated, scowling. Not sure a moment if I was frowning at anything.

"There's no other escape."

The voice that surfaced seemed to come from within me, as though my mind was arguing with a voice alien of my own. I wasn't sure if I was speaking to myself aloud, or if I was thinking. It was difficult to tell. I knew I wanted to scream.

"You'll know what making a wish means, but without one…you'll be here for eternity. Are you willing to do that, for a boy who thinks you a replacement? For friends that only ever gave you the time of day because of your mystical abilities. Being a priestess is the only good you'll ever be to anyone."

"No." I sounded more resolute than I felt.

"No?"

"Never." I doubled down.

The laugh that curled into my head caused pain to spread like a mold through my nerves, along my skin. Until I cried out, again…and again…until my voice was hoarse from the screams. Until I lacked even a voice with which to utter any prayers, dark or otherwise."

I came to with a gasp, breathing heavily and flailing with the blanket to try to get it away from me…to get out of the grasp of that…that thing. To escape it. I screamed when my arms were suddenly held down, struggling against a hold that didn't budge.

"Kagome! Stop!" The deep baritone broke through the mania and I paused at the insistent command. I was still catching my breath, but I realized slowly that the grip I was trying to get away from wasn't real…that the warmth of the arms around me was nothing like the icy tentacles inside the jewel…I relaxed slightly as my brain caught up to the fact that I was safe. That I'd somehow gotten away from the jewel's grasp…though I wasn't sure of the cost. I thought I'd gotten out with the correct wish, but now I wasn't sure…

"Hey." His voice was near my ear, his breath warming my neck. "It was just a nightmare."

"Yeah…" I confirmed. Shivering despite myself at the memory of the void inside the jewel. "I'm okay now."

"Yes, everyone who wakes from a dream drenched in sweat and shivering is perfectly all right." He stated, pulling me a bit closer. "What was the nightmare?"

"It…" I hesitated. I hadn't really told him I was from another world. "It would be too long a story for tonight. Let's just say, I pissed off an ancient malignant thing and it emotionally beat me to near breaking."

"You are here, not there. Whatever it was, you were stronger. Now more so, you aren't alone." He murmured, his voice clearly still near sleep. I squeezed one of his arms, both were still curled around me and he'd tugged me so close I could only use his hard shoulder as a pillow. I could feel his chest moving against my back, but the warmth was hard to refuse. I hadn't wanted to get into a physical relationship too fast, but this was basically just cuddling right? I could handle that. I let myself fall back to sleep slowly, though I managed to escape the nightmares this time.

Instead there was a strange sensation on my skin, like a feather being drawn over my arms, then my side, my stomach, my legs. I muttered a small protest, still half asleep. Then warmth joined the feathers, hints of humidity trailing up my back, my shoulder, my neck. I became barely aware that I was being touched, it was pleasant. A lackadaisical craving for contact that enticed my mind away from the emptiness of sleep. Though, awareness came with a lack of ignorance that also made me wonder why this was happening, why there was a notable pressure against my lower back where I was against a very warm…Wesker! My eyes shot open and I couldn't manage to get up since the bed was still tucked, note: tucked beds are evil. He let out a tiny growl and pulled me tighter, the hand on my hips pressing me against his very difficult to miss erection. Was he still half asleep? I squeaked at the motion and pushed again trying to get away from him. Why was he so big anyway?

"Wesker." I muttered, not getting the volume I was hoping for. His hand snaked around my hip heading between my legs. "Wesker!"

What I lacked in volume the first time, I got double of the second time. I wasn't ready for that, and thankfully my second screech got him to wince awake. He blinked at me slowly, tired but annoyed, like a cat who'd just been pulled out of a lovely dream when it was about to catch the mouse. At least he just set his hand on my thigh, but it was still way too close to his goal before I'd gotten him to stop, I pushed it off. That earned me a raised brow.

"You were feeling me up in your sleep." I remarked, my voice hopefully as displeased as I wanted it to sound.

"Hmm?" He glanced down, though I was glad there was a blanket between us. "Was I?"

Did he not notice? The stick in my back told volumes as to how he felt now.

"Must be because you are irresistible." He remarked, kissing my shoulder again where I jumped at the attention.

"No more rooms with a single bed." I commented. "Will you let go so I can get up now?"

"If I'd rather keep you here?" He pushed himself closer still, his fingers drifting back around to my stomach, causing me to grab his hand. "You are a little high strung."

"You're hurting my back." I thought maybe if I drew attention to it, then he'd let me alone. He let out a small chuckle, but at least backed off. He took my hand to kiss it lightly, his eyes remained the pale blue grey I'd seen last night.

"Did you sleep better after the nightmare?" He asked, moving the subject along neatly.

"Uh, yes." I admitted. "Thank you, for that."

"Was it me?" He asked, honestly curious.

"I think so." I nodded. "It was the sentiment I needed, what you said."

He smiled back lightly. "Well, we need to go soon so I'll go get ready. You should get dressed."

Another kiss, this time a light peck on my lips and he was out of the bed. I'd forgotten he was shirtless under here. He went to the bathroom with his bag and I didn't realize I'd been watching him the entire time until the door closed. I kicked myself when I thought about it, I probably came off as a silly schoolgirl. Which, I sort of still was, but I should be old enough to talk about a guy's parts without getting embarrassed.

"You are a little high strung."

The echo of his words in my head were mocking. A little? I felt like I was balancing on a high wire every time he got too close. Doing my best to grasp what tiny, miniscule purchase I had before I fell. Nor was I sure I even had a net…once I made this leap, there wasn't coming back. If I really went there, I wouldn't want to go back to my time. I wouldn't want to leave another person if I…

If I felt for them the way I was starting to feel for Wesker. Maybe it had been a very bad idea to ask him to date. I sighed, not sure how to handle this. Then pushed myself out of the tucked covers, sending them a stuck-out tongue as I went to dress. As he'd said. We didn't really have much time before our trip today. I couldn't sit in bed second guessing my general existence and all choices I'd ever made during it. I shrugged on the vest he'd brought, a bit easier than the last few times. I was getting used to this after all.

When he returned he was the image of some sort of super F.B.I. agent. Black clothes and a trench over the top. Hair slicked back neatly without a single strand out of place. Sunglasses had returned to their usual position and he paused near me, nodding to the vest.

"Need help?" The question was innocent enough, and I nodded. Then I regretted it as he got closer to help tighten some of the vest's various fitting belts. He had his cologne on again, it was nice…

"So, we are flying out soon?" I realized his alarm had gone off when he was in the bathroom. That was common too though, he set alarms but often was awake before them. "Will we be okay?"

"Yes." He said it so easily, as though charging up and attacking a base possibly full of monsters with a madman was just an everyday occurrence. As if it were going to the store to pick up some eggs for breakfast tomorrow. How did he manage all that self-confidence? "If you're nervous, don't be. Whatever Birkin has, it won't be enough for you. He might have a sample of your blood, but he wouldn't be able to make any sort of virus immune to it in the short period he's possessed. Most of the time he's been running after all."

"Didn't he say he had his wife working on it?" I asked, putting on the boots he'd gotten me. They were a pain to get on and off, but they did secure my ankles, which I liked.

"His wife isn't skilled enough to manage it in the time allotted either. He's far more gifted than she is." Wesker might as well have just called her stupid. "He'll expect me, which is regrettable, but worse would be giving him more time."

"So…what about the samples he has?" I asked, following him out toward the car. I'd already let the front know we'd be leaving the card keys in the room and taking off. I'd paid in advance so it wasn't a problem really. "If what you were saying is right, couldn't he undo…whatever happened to you?"

"I've already been in contact with your blood." He explained, the lights flickering on the car to show he'd unlocked the doors. I moved to my side to get in and get on my seat belt as he did the same. "I admit, skin contact and blood contact are different factors, but all the more reason he can't keep such samples."

"Uh, shouldn't we know for sure?" I pressed. "I don't like the idea of wandering in and then our powerhouse just stops functioning cause the mad scientist stole my blood. If it's harmful to you, then I'd rather know than find out in the middle of storming an army."

"You want me to do that how exactly?" He frowned at me, backing out and starting us toward our destination. Not far from his previous description and judging that he often had a habit of finding motels not far from our eventual targets. "I can't exactly stab you with a syringe, pull out some blood and then inject myself with it."

"Why not?" I felt a tad annoyed at the expression he sent me. It was subtle enough, but I knew it was a quiet judgment as to my mental capacity. "I mean, you gave me a transfusion. You know how to safely do it."

He was silent, that was a good sign. I knew he was at least thinking about it instead of immediately dismissing it.

"I have some equipment in the hanger. I can at least see what separate blood samples do." He remarked, sounding annoyed suddenly. "I know it doesn't matter if it's on the skin. We'll see about the rest."

It was a lot of swift conversations and we were in a small hanger at the docks. A lot less security than I recalled from other flights. Then, this wasn't exactly commercial. He wasn't kidding about having equipment here. A back area of the hanger had a hidden panel that lead us into a small basement laboratory. What secrets didn't this man possess?

"Here, take this and get some blood on this slide." He handed me a small piece of glass and a knife. Pulling out a second slide and knife to do the same himself. How was he producing so many knives from nowhere? I complied, curious myself as to what he was doing. He looked at his sample, then mine. Then he picked up another screen, putting another drop on, checking it before holding it toward me. "Add yours."

I listened again to his instructions. Watching him curiously, but there wasn't a second microscope so I couldn't take a look, he'd taken up the space with the only one. He was watching the third slide critically, his eyes glancing to me and then back to the sample's he'd mixed.

"What? What is it?" I was more curious than a moment ago after the glance.

"You. Your blood can control the virus…" He mumbled.

"I thought we knew that already." I furrowed my brow at him. A little confused at what he was saying.

"I have more than the t-virus." He remarked, looking at the blood again. "It would work…in the right amount it would stabilize the viruses in any infected. No wonder Birkin had lost his mind over it. He'd only kept going on about it being possible…but this…"

He got quiet, clearly lost in thought about what this was. I was the key to making all of this work. I frowned more. "What do you mean, in the right amounts?"

"Well." He turned back from the slide to me. "In the case of the slide the blood is a fairly equal amount. I don't know what smaller amounts would do. I don't have the time to do that sort of test. I don't know if it would stick either. Generally, even a full transfusion only lasts a few weeks. But if it did…"

"Okay…well, that being creepy as hell aside. Are you in danger then? If it's a small amount would it hurt, you?" I didn't know what to think about all this.

"I don't know. Not if I'd already evened out the blood systems…" He was still half somewhere else. "I need to do my own research on this. Dammit Birkin, you even kept how useful it truly was to yourself."

"Uh, earth to Wesker." I tried, smiling awkwardly when he finally gave me his attention. "What does all this mean? Should I go alone?"

"The opposite, I'm not sure you should go at all." He stated, looking at me critically again. "You are probably the most valuable person on the planet. With you, people could use the viruses that have been developed to evolve without fear of unstable mutations…"

End Chapter

Well, there's that. As usual, Kagome sort of gets the short end but sort of doesn't. Lots of implications here as to stuff happening/semi-plotted in my head.

-Aura

To my reviewers:

Kanae1865 – Thanks. I find it interesting to switch back and forth.