A/N: Hey there! Life was hard but I recovered and got back (to update ;). This website helped me a lot, it's really useful if you're interested in writing novels and stuff: How-to-write-a-book-now
Thank you for all the support ;)
Chapter Eight:
Chris pressed her warm chest against his, his fingers going over Jill's silky strands, dark hair scattered on her collarbone. The sound of their calm breaths echoed through the room, mingling in one warm breath, going up to their heart again.
"I know it's awkward." Jill laughed under her breath,
"Not at all," Chris brushed away a strand, "Wanna hit the hay?"
"Only if Wesker doesn't rip my heart again," she chuckled playfully,
"I'll beat that bastard to a pulp if he draws close a single inch," he clenched his jaw tightly, keeping hold of Jill, her soft frame brushing against him.
"Chris, can you stay here?" Jill whispered, the warmth of her lips caressing his ears, just inches away.
"Whatever makes you content." Chris laughed softly.
"I'm content all along." Jill smiled as her gentle fingertips traced the way behind his neck, sliding down to his muscled chest, tenderly pulling away.
She lied down on her creamy white bed, facing Chris.
Chris settled on a dark wooden chair, staring at Jill in the dim light.
"Want me to read you a bedtime story?" Chris asked in a serious tone.
"Chris, I'm not a child!" Jill laughed wholeheartedly.
"Or I can make you count the sheep."
"Chris!"
Chris continued to laugh, until her smoky eyelids felt heavy, fluttering shut. He wanted to help her in any possible way to make sure she would overcome that damned PTSD. Shadows of the broken vase slithered on the floor, as if they were alive black cobras, threatening to haunt Jill. Everything was scary at some point, it was completely up to you how to get over it. Heavy with thoughts, his eyes drifted off, closing on the sight of his special partner.
The next morning, they got up hastily to the sound of the disturbing alarms, drinking coffee and driving to the BSAA headquarters in Chris' fabulous silver-gray car. The tall building stood ahead, tanned marble glimmering under the morning sunlight.
The polished stone corridors gleamed as usual when Chris and Jill walked through them.
"Morning," a tall man appeared from behind a column, "Jill, Chris" his hand twisted with theirs into a firm handshake, lingering on Jill's forearm before letting go.
"Morning, Edward." Jill smiled back warmly, having known him for a while. His dark almond eyes searched her face, sharp but attractive.
"I'm so sorry I couldn't attend your party, I was hoping to make up for it." Edward scratched the back of his neck, his smile pulling the curtains from his even white teeth.
Chris tapped him on the shoulder," Take it easy pal, she'd be better off without dumb rookie SOAs like you,"
The three laughed at his joke.
"Chris, for all I know Edward isn't just a dumb rookie," her eyes darted back to Edward,
"If he wasn't there, I'd be bored to death during the aggravating BSAA tests after my arrival. He certainly knows how to paint the town red." Jill said kindly, nudging Edward in the arm with her elbow.
"That's right. I know what Miss Valentine went through. Those rigorous tests are terrible." His lips pulled into another innocent smile, but he quickly shook his head, having just remembered something.
"Sir, a woman named Jade Michelin requests to meet you in the courtyard. She claims to hold extremely reliable intel."
Chris eyed Edward for a moment, his eyes shifting between him and Jill. Jill's inquisitive eyes stared at Chris, before Edward snatched her attention,
"Agent Valentine, you and agent Redfield were asked to meet other members in the office ASAP, concerning the intercepted data files…"
"Got it," Jill nodded, turning towards Chris,
"Don't take too long. I bet it's really important."
Chris nodded as the two parted ways, Jill and Edward vanishing into the endless corridors.
Chris rushed downstairs, as if chased by a chainsaw majini, rushing to the enclosed yard whose natural pond sprayed water on the moist morning air, the smell of newly pruned green grass, nostalgic and fresh, flying over the court.
His eyes spotted her, the ever unforgettable face. She was there near the fountain, her glossy blonde hair neat and combed, curling on her shoulders, swaying in the breeze like her strapless red dress. The bright blue eyes stayed avid, not so different from the water behind her, her intellectual posture looked as if she mentally counted each step Chris made towards her. Chris always thought she would make a perfect fashion model. Time didn't seem to affect her. Even after eleven years. She hadn't changed.
"Jade," Chris called reluctantly, slowing his pace when he approached her.
"Chris, long time no see." Jade brushed some dust off Chris' shoulder, moving up to caress his cheekbone.
Chris brought her hand down,
"You wanted to see me, what's this info you're bragging about?"
"God Chris," her polished fingernails travelled through her fair hair, "can you stop being so paranoid? If it wasn't top-secret and if you didn't matter to me, I sure as hell wouldn't come here!"
"I'm in a hurry, get straight to the point." Chris crossed his arms.
"I know him, the one behind hacking the BSAA data files,"
"There's no need for your approval, and to let you know, we've already got there. Besides, how I can I trust the validity of your claims? How can I know it's not a waste of time or even better, a set-up? "Chris asked accusingly, checking his watch.
"I've never betrayed you Chris," she stepped back swallowing hard, "and you never learned your lesson." Water brimmed to the top of her eyes.
"The only person I could trust this with was you," her voice trailed off.
"Sorry," Chris averted his eyes, staring at the floor beneath him, "what info can you provide us with?"
"In fact, what I say is well-grounded. They kept me there as a test subject, "she almost spat the word "I'm terribly lucky to have endured so far."
His eyes widened for a moment,
"Have you reported this? Are you sure you're all right?"
"Nothing to worry about. I was under quarantine for a month or so and yeah, there's no virus in my blood. And I have no real proof to hold them accountable yet, which is why I turned to you." Jade clasped her hands tightly in her lap, rocking back and forth on her black stiletto heels. Chris landed his critical eyes on her, wondering if her body was similar to Jill in terms of resisting the infectious viruses.
"Who are they?" Chris asked, now attentive to what she said.
"As I was saying," she tucked a strand of golden hair behind her ear, "So far, your comrades have discovered where the hacking took place, but I doubt if they can really find the big mastermind behind it… and behind further acts. I know him, not much but just enough to lead your team to the predator." she sat on the white marble edge of the fountain, running her hand through water bubbles.
"The guy has a say on the black market, making a fortune out of new BOWs," she stopped to straighten the plates of her soft skirt, "his fucking name's Robert Wetmore, his main hideout somewhere in the southern shantytowns of Springford."
Springford…
Jade got up from her place, "that's all I have for now. You'll see me again if anything new leaks,"
"Thank you," Chris said flatly, accompanying her to the exit, soon returning to the tower.
For a second, Chris thought he felt the heavy weight of Jill's sky blue eyes on him from behind the glass panes, upstairs. When he looked up again, it was gone. He decided to join the others right away.
A/N: Now we have two new original characters here! I wanted to make the first scene really intimate but thought it's a bit soon yet. Here's the answer to your beautiful reviews:
Dear Redfield Claire: So kind of you dear ;)
Dear Frozenheart7: Jealousy is a cute element of stories;)
Dear Sally: Hope you enjoyed this one!
Dear Aj101010: Brilliant guess, I hope you have a really really great time.
Dear 1sotope: I hope reading this was worthwhile ;)
Dear abcacb1221: Yeah she must hurry! So tough for her! Oh!
Dear wilburforcemoney: It's all insane! I mean everyone's insane! Yeah, Jade makes people keep guessing! Also thanks a million! I hope you had a fantastic new year too.
Dear gabrielaacx: Thank you dear! I try my best not to abandon it! Valenfield is a strange but cute couple!
