Disclaimer: I do not own the Resident Evil series or the characters, I am just a fan who likes to write the kind of stories I like to read. This chapter has run away with itself a little bit and has turned out longer than I would have liked, but I hope it makes sense and you enjoy it. As always, any constructive comments appreciated!!!
Chapter 8 Invisible wounds
The helicopter lurched, jerking the passengers awkwardly from side to side.
''Carlos! What's going on!'' Chris shouted towards the cockpit, his voice barely audible. Bullets could still be heard ricocheting off the helicopter's external armour plating. Fortunately, none of them seemed to hit their intended target - the rotors - and they were quickly flying out of range.
''Sorry about that.'' Carlos shouted back. ''I'm just trying to get us out of here as quickly as possible.''
Claire was attending to the small wound on Leon's head, apparently oblivious to the wayward movement of the helicopter. He winced as she dripped iodine on the gash.
''When I saw that explosion, I thought we'd lost you.'' she said, avoiding eye contact and pressing the dressing down securely on his forehead. ''What happened back there?''
''That's what happens when you let a guy in the kitchen. Ouch!'' he jerked away from Claire as she tore the plaster away from his head, annoyed at his flippant remark.
''That's not funny Leon. Seriously.'' she scolded as she reapplied the dressing.
''We had some company, and it seemed to be the only way to get rid of them.'' Leon said, suddenly serious.
''So who were the guys firing at the helicopter? Chris and I didn't see anyone on the way to the rendezvous point.''
Leon shrugged. ''We came across them on the way out of the facility. They were hiding in the tree line, some sort of ambush. We managed to out run them though.''
He then turned to look at Elisabeth. Elisabeth was sitting on one of the crudely padded benches that ran the length of the passenger compartment, grasping the canvas netting on the walls so hard that her fingers were white. Each time the helicopter lurched she felt nauseous, and she had to swallow hard to prevent herself from being sick. Leon noted how uncomfortable she looked. He still couldn't understand this woman. In his mind, he kept replaying the incident in the lab - the way that she effortlessly bypassed the security system and gained access to the server, the way that she sneaked up behind that soldier and broke his neck. The way she was able to run back through the forest and keep up with him, seemingly without too much effort. She was no ordinary scientist.
''You're still going to need a couple of stitches.'' Claire's voice broke his chain of thought.
''Thanks.'' Leon responded, pressing down the dressing on his head with his left hand.
''Okay, it looks like we're in the clear. We should be back at HQ within an hour.'' Carlos shouted over his shoulder.
The helicopter steadied, and Elisabeth tentatively released her grip on the canvas netting. She knelt down next to Jill who was lying on a canvas stretcher tied to the metallic grille floor. She felt for Jill's pulse and looked at her eyes, gently pushing back her eyelids. She turned to look at Chris.
''She's infected.'' Chris said without looking up.
''She was…'' Elisabeth began.
''She was?'' his head snapped up. ''What do you mean?''
' Elisabeth seemed puzzled. 'She's been given the antivirus. I don't understand why, but it looks like they wanted to cure her. See - look at her eyes.''
Chris did as instructed and gasped. Less than thirty minutes ago, her eyes had been pink. Now they were closer to their natural blue-grey colour with pink speckles disseminated throughout the irises.
''What's happening to her?''
Elisabeth looked at the drip and sac of blue fluid. ''The antivirus is working, it's inhibiting the virus.''
''How do you know?''
''Her eyes. The red or pink colouration of the iris reflects a build-up of proteins that are by-products of DNA replication. There probably isn't enough of the antivirus here to destroy it though. We need more.''
''Can you make some more?'' Chris asked.
''Yes - I can synthesise some more with this….'' she pointed to one of the metallic vials attached to her belt. ''But you've got to give me access to your labs.''
''You can have anything you need.'' he replied swiftly. Chris's eyes darkened and almost seemed to disappear into the recesses of their sockets. ''Have you tested the antivirus?''
''Yes. Well, not really.'' she began. ''I never tested it on a human subject.''
Chris shook his head, rubbing his forehead with his hand. Claire looked at Leon; her worry was reflected in his face.
''I have to be honest and say it worked in less than fifty percent of subjects. Primates, mainly. It seems that in most cases, the effects of the Lazarus gene are irreversible, but Jill's responding and that's a good sign.'' She tried to sound enthusiastic.
''The Lazarus gene?''
''I designed it - my virus - it inserts itself into the host's DNA modifies the genome…''
''…and promotes rapid replication and enhanced cell regeneration. Yeah, I've heard this before. '' Chris replied. ''But you also said it was unstable.''
''Yes. Once the gene becomes active, it's not always able to regulate itself.''
''So it leads to mutation.''
''Eventually. As well as mental deterioration.''
''In what way?''
''Early on, recipients of the virus showed enhanced mental capabilities, increased awareness, reflexes, even strength.…you name it. But over time, many subjects showed an increasing lack of behavioural control and they descended into psychosis. The psychosis increased each time the gene was activated.''
''You mean every time someone gets hurt and heals themselves, they go crazy?'' Leon asked.
''In simple terms, that could happen, yes.''
''So those soldiers we encountered back there - they were infected by this virus, it had altered their genetic make-up. That's why this was useless.'' Leon held up his handgun and tossed it onto the floor. ''Great.''
''They're nearly impossible to kill.'' Claire interrupted. ''I shot them in the head. They got back up. If I didn't know any better, they seemed to find it amusing.'' Claire added, shivering at the thought.
''They can be killed.'' Elisabeth said. ''You have to burn them. Destroy the cells.''
''What was really going on back there? Where was everybody?'' Chris looked straight into Elisabeth's eyes. ''This was supposed to be a fully functioning research facility, but it seemed to be lacking staff.''
''We found the staff.'' Elisabeth said quietly.
''Where? What were they doing?''
She just looked at him blankly. ''They were…they were…'' she stuttered, seemingly unable to put together the right words.
''They were dead, Chris.'' Leon interjected. '' All of them.''
''How?''
''It looked like an execution. They must have been gathered in the kitchen and…'' Leon felt nauseous as his thoughts were directed back towards the torn and twisted corpses that were stacked like a macabre sculpture in the freezer. ''Someone, something, took a lot of pleasure out of killing those people.''
''A new bio-organic weapon?'' Claire asked, her eyes widening.
''I don't think so.'' Leon shook his head. ''Certainly not like the ones we've seen before. They've always been mindless, indiscriminate killers - ferocious but with no evidence of motive or intelligence. These people were rounded up like cattle, taken to that freezer and then slaughtered. The only incident I've heard of that can be compared to this is….''
''Mexico.'' Chris said solemnly. He looked down and breathed in heavily. He was taken back momentarily to the small Mexican border town in 2002. He'd gone there on a rescue mission to find an abducted diplomat, but what he and his team found would haunt them forever. He remembered walking along the dusty main street, through the square, and towards the ramshackle church with the faded, peeling white paint. The town was littered with corpses - most decapitated - all of them virtually enveloped by a moving blanket of black flies. There was no sign of life in the town except for the punctuated ringing of the church bell. Chris remembered walking along the uneven path towards the church, small clouds of dust appearing with every footstep. He remembered standing at the church doors, breathing heavily, his chest filled with an escapable sense of dread. The doors were held fast by a thick metal chain that he had to shoot to break. When he finally pushed the doors open with his gun, he had heaved and retreated, vomiting as he leaned against the outer wall of the church for support. The stench of putrid, rotting flesh was imprinted on his clothes; the image of at least a hundred rotting, desecrated corpses stacked in the middle of the church was burned into his eyes.
''What about those soldiers who chased us? They were definitely not human, not anymore - could they have done it? Could they have killed those people?'' Claire asked, glancing at Chris and then Elisabeth. She knew from the look on his face that he was thinking about the Mexico incident.
Chris also looked at Elisabeth. ''Could they?'' he demanded.
She shrugged her shoulders. ''It's possible.''
''How many of them are there?''
''How many what?''
Chris clenched his fists in frustration. Why wouldn't she give him a straight answer?
''Test subjects, super soldiers, whatever you want to call them!''
''They moved into Phase Two six months ago.''
''Phase Two?''
''Phase One was research and experimentation. I was in charge of that. Phase Two was the application and deployment. I told them it wasn't ready.'' She closed her eyes and looked down.
''Six months.'' Chris said quietly shaking his head. He sat down on the grille floor, his back supported against the cold metal wall of the passenger compartment. ''There could be hundreds of them.''
Chris turned his attention back to Jill. He had never seen her look so pale or lifeless. What if the antivirus didn't work? Would she go mad like those soldiers? Would he have to kill her? For now, as much as he hated it, he knew that Jill's life was not in his hands.
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They had been in the air for a little over an hour when they started their descent. They had made it back to the S.T.A.R.S headquarters without further incident, although the tension in the passenger compartment of the helicopter was palpable.
Rebecca Chambers, accompanied by two medics with a metal gurney, was standing outside the old boarding school building, now the S.T.A.R.S headquarters, watching the helicopter descend. It was pitch black outside, the only visible light was emitted from the helicopter itself and a few landing lights arranged as a vague circle on what was previously a grass hockey pitch. Rebecca's reddish brown hair became dishevelled from the up-drafts caused by the helicopter as it finally landed. She made no effort to tidy it - all of her attention was focussed on the passenger door. She looked anxious as she unconsciously rubbed her hands together and swallowed hard.
The metal ramp descended from the helicopter and the passenger door slid open. Chris was the first to emerge. He immediately saw Rebecca and the two medics standing a few metres in front of him. He walked down the ramp with Jill held firmly in his arms. He then gently placed her on the waiting gurney. Rebecca examined her and nodded to the medics who promptly proceeded to push Jill towards the medical wing, the entrance of which was situated a few metres away from the make-shift helipad.
''Chris, General Keller called. He wanted you to contact him as soon as you returned.'' Rebecca seemed almost apologetic when she spoke, but Chris didn't seem to hear her words. His eyes followed Jill as she and the two medics disappeared into the building. Chris started to follow, but Rebecca put her hand on his shoulder. He stopped.
''Chris.'' She said gently. ''Let me help her, there's nothing more you can do for her right now. You have to talk to Keller.''
Chris turned his head to look at Rebecca. He then looked back towards the entrance.
''Chris.'' Rebecca repeated, more firmly this time. ''Let me do my job. Please.''
Chris relented. ''Okay, but when I'm done speaking to the general, I'm coming to the medical wing.''
''That's fine. I'll see you later.''
Chris turned and walked away across the lawn in a different direction.
''By the way,'' Rebecca shouted after him. ''He didn't sound too happy. Be nice, okay?''
Chris merely grunted as he disappeared into the darkness.
Carlos, Leon, Claire and Elisabeth then proceeded down the ramp.
''Anyone hurt?'' Rebecca enquired. She then saw Leon's bandaged head. ''What happened?''
''It's fine.'' Leon said, casually dismissing her with his hand. ''I banged my head. I was a bit groggy at first, but now I'm okay. Claire sorted me out.''
Claire blushed.
''Let me see.'' Rebecca demanded. Leon stood in front of her and she inspected the wound he'd sustained in the explosion earlier that evening. ''That's going to need a couple of stitches I'm afraid, but I'm sure you can handle it.'' She grinned. ''Just go to suture room, I'll send someone across in a minute to sort you out. I've got to go and look after Jill now.''
Leon nodded as Rebecca turned around and began to walk away in the direction the medics had taken Jill a few moments earlier. She turned sharply, mid-stride.
''You.'' She pointed to Elisabeth. ''Come with me. Tell me everything.''
Elisabeth glanced quickly at Leon and Claire before she followed Rebecca.
''I hope she was telling us the truth Leon.'' Claire half whispered as the two women disappeared into the building in front of them. They were suddenly bathed in light from the building's interior when the door opened. She could see Elisabeth talking animatedly while Rebecca nodded her head.
''We'll find out soon enough.'' he replied, as he put his arm around her shoulder and squeezed gently. ''I don't know about you, but I need to eat. How about I make us something?''
Claire wasn't particularly hungry right then, but she didn't want to be alone. There were just too many questions in her head at the moment, and she knew she wasn't going to be able to sleep. She needed to know if Jill really was going to make it, if she was still the friend and colleague she had known all these years.
''Sure, that sound's good.''
''Let's go then.'' Leon replied.
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Chris entered his office and sat down at his desk while simultaneously opening his laptop. After a few moments, a window opened on the screen with the moving image of a mature, distinguished looking man, wearing a black military uniform decorated with the ribbons of numerous medals. He was scowling, his furrowed grey brows almost touching in the middle.
''General Keller.'' Chris said, nodding.
''Chris, what were you thinking?'' He had a deep gravely voice that was the product of years of smoking. ''You risked the lives of your crew, you risked damage to military property…''
''I was retrieving a member of S.T.A.R.S….'' Chris began to raise his voice in a mixture of anger and incredulity.
''You weren't given authorisation for this mission. S.T.A.R.S isn't your personal army Chris.''
''You were the one that told me that you never leave a man behind.'' Chris said accusingly. ''Just before you had me discharged from the air force for doing just that!'' he added. He was unconsciously clenching his fists so tight that his nails dug into his palms. His face was burning red and he could feel his heart rate quickening. It was a long time ago, but some wrongs can't be forgotten.
''That's history Chris. The rules were different. You know I had no choice but to do that.''
''You put me in charge of this team General. You either let me be in charge and do things my way or….''
''Or what exactly?'' General Keller's eyes narrowed, but then the expression on his face softened. ''Look, I understand that Jill Valentine is a close friend of yours, but there are greater things at steak here. You cannot risk exposing yourselves. The greatest weapon we have is anonymity.''
''I know sir.'' Chris said through clenched teeth.
''If the senate find out where a huge chunk of the defence budget is going, we'll be cut off, shut down, finished. Then there'll be no one strong enough to fight these people.''
''You haven't asked how Jill is. Sir.''
''No, I haven't. And it's not because I don't care, but you know as well as I do that she wouldn't have wanted you to take the risks you've been taking recently.'' He sighed heavily. ''I just hope it was worth it.''
''We managed to retrieve data from the facility's server. It should provide plenty of evidence for you get a court order to search the facility and…''
''It's too late Chris.''
''What do you mean?''
''It's gone.''
''Gone?''
''Destroyed in some kind of gas explosion about twenty minutes ago. There's going to be nothing left. I'm afraid the data you have is all but worthless. We can't link it to the facility.''
Chris sat back in his chair and covered his face with his hands. They had covered their tracks. Again. Another failed mission. No, he told himself, this wasn't a failure. He had got Jill back. He felt that it was his failure on that fateful mission six months ago that had allowed her to be captured. It was his fault that she was lying in the hospital wing right now. Everyone around him seemed to get hurt. Maybe he would be better working alone after all….
General Keller interrupted Chris from his stupor.
''I understand why you did what you did Chris, but it mustn't happen again, not without my authorisation. ''
''You know I can't promise you that General.''
''I know. I know you better than you know yourself. I want you to go through the data you retrieved and see if you can find anything useful. I'm looking for names. We need to find the main players, and we need to catch them in the act. I've suspected for a long time that members of the senate have things to hide. I need to know who they are.''
''Yes sir.''
''One more thing.''
''Yes General?''
''Get some sleep. You look awful. People make mistakes when they're tired.''
''Will do sir.''
The screen went blank and Chris closed the laptop. He felt so tired - physically and emotionally - and he fought to keep his eyes open. He stood up from behind his desk and walked across his spartan office towards the door. Reaching for the door handle, he glanced at the picture of his old S.T.A.R.S comrades on the wall. He knew he had to get some sleep, but there were things he had to do first.
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Chris walked stridently down the corridors towards the medical wing, his head bowed in deep thought. He felt angry about his conversation with General Keller. Keller didn't seem to understand the bond that the S.T.A.R.S had developed. They were a team first, an individual second. Preservation of the team, and its members, was paramount.
The general was their unofficial link to the government. It was he who had approached Chris a few years earlier with the proposition of re-establishing an elite team to combat the unique threat imposed by Umbrella and several comparable organisations that were beginning to emerge. Albert Wesker, once Chris's superior officer and now his nemesis, had gone to ground within one of these organisations. Prior to Chris's re-introduction with Keller, he had been working for a secret government organisation that specialised in hostage rescue. Although they had a chequered history, Keller understood that not only did Chris posses the physical and mental aptitude to select and lead a new team, but he also had the experience. Chris had lived through the horror.
The only way that Keller could convince Chris to assemble and lead a team was to give him near total autonomy. Chris knew who he wanted on the team straight away - starting with Jill, his closest friend and colleague. He personally selected every member of the team; the lives of every single of them had been affected by Umbrella in some way. Most of them had lost friends or family, every one of them now resolute in their commitment to the downfall of Umbrella and any organisation that followed in Umbrella's wake.
Chris passed several S.T.A.R.S members on his way to the medical wing. Some of them were on patrol, wearing the standard black uniform; others were off duty and wearing their civilian clothes. All of them nodded politely in his direction as he passed. The lights were dimmed and the corridors, normally brilliant white during daylight hours, were grey and enveloped by shadow.
There were two armed guards stationed at the entrance to the medical wing. They stood upright when they noticed Chris approaching from the far end of the corridor.
''Don't let anyone in without Class 1 level clearance.'' Chris said to one of the guards as he pushed open the entrance. ''No exceptions.'' He added over his shoulder.
''Yes sir.'' they replied in unison.
Chris walked along the main corridor towards a waiting room that was furnished with a number of chairs and a small pile of magazines spread messily on a knee-high coffee table. He had never been in there before, and he cringed when he saw the dated embossed flowery wallpaper that adorned the walls. Rebecca and Elisabeth were sat facing each other, in deep conversation. Chris cleared his throat in order to attract their attention.
''Chris.'' Rebecca looked up when he came into sight. ''Why don't we go and talk in my office.'' She stood up and placed her hand on his back, guiding him out of the waiting room and into a small examination room a few metres further along the corridor.
''So.'' he began. ''Tell me the worst.''
Rebecca smiled. ''I think she's going to be fine. Really.'' She tried to alleviate the look of disbelief on Chris's face. ''She's been heavily sedated. Likely side effects are going to disorientation, weakness, lethargy and maybe some memory loss.''
''But what about the infection?''
''I'm in the process of doing a complete DNA analysis, but I think the antivirus is working. There's no evidence of mutation. Everything's normal; brain-function, hearth, lungs - she's completely healthy. Perhaps she's even healthier than she was when she had her last check up.''
''Are you sure?''
''Absolutely. She should regain consciousness within a day or two, maybe even earlier.''
Chris leaned against the wall and let out a huge sigh of relief. He had expected the worse, despite what Elisabeth had said in the helicopter. Still, he couldn't understand why the group that had abducted Jill had chosen to infect her and then cure her.
''Do you trust her?'' he said, looking up at Rebecca. ''Elisabeth. Has she told you everything?''
''I believe everything she has told me with regards to the virus is true. It's pretty amazing what she's managed to achieve when you think about it.''
''What?'' Chris's eyes widened. He forgot sometimes that although a competent soldier, Rebecca's real strength's lay with medicine and the sciences. Her near-genius intellect sometimes unnerved him.
''Don't get me wrong Chris, what they've done to Jill is inexcusable. But just imagine the implications! If this was developed properly - legitimately - we could probably cure most disease in the next twenty years.''
''Yeah - or we could have a population of psychos!''
''Yes.'' she said sadly. ''Which is why we have to find out who is behind this, fast. The virus and antivirus can be synthesised quickly. If they went into wholesale production six months ago, there's no telling how many people may be infected by now.''
''That's what worries me Rebecca. There could already be an army out there.''
''Anyway, there's nothing we can do about it right now.''
Chris nodded. ''I want to stay with Jill tonight. She needs to see a friendly face when she wakes up. She's going to be confused.''
''Sure, I'll take you to her. Follow me.''
She stood up and led Chris back out into the corridor and towards the room at the far end. She entered first. Jill was lying in a bed pushed against the far wall. It was dark, although Jill was bathed in a weak light emitted from a small table lamp sat on a cabinet situated to the left side of the bed. Chris walked across to the foot of the bed and looked at her. She seemed to look peaceful now. It was almost as if she knew she was out of danger.
''Okay, I'm off. Buzz me if you need anything.'' Rebecca smiled at Chris and made for the door. ''I know you're sick of me saying this, but you really should get some sleep. Take this chance while you can.''
He nodded. Chris noticed a small armchair in the corner of the room. He grimaced as he realised it was going to be his bed for the night. With some effort, he dragged it closer to the bed. It was heavy - it had a sturdy wooden frame and was upholstered with a light blue fabric.
Rebecca left the room and returned a few seconds later with a blanket and pillows tucked under her arms. She tossed them across to Chris.
''That chair's not very comfortable'' she sympathised. ''Maybe these will help.''
''Thanks Rebecca. Will you do me a favour?''
''Sure. What?''
''Can you tell Elisabeth she can have that spare room in the east wing if she wants it?''
''Are you sure?''
''She can't stay in the cells forever. I don't think she's going anywhere tonight, but make sure someone keeps an eye on her tracker, just in case. Let me know if she goes anywhere she shouldn't. And make sure she doesn't get access to the server.''
Rebecca nodded. ''Okay. Well, goodnight Chris. I'll see you in the morning.'' With that, she left the room.
Chris sat in the chair, arranging the pillow behind his neck. He shifted uncomfortably. He looked across at Jill and stared at her for a while, looking for evidence of something different. Something wrong. The colour was returning to her cheeks, and her lips were now pink. Her eyes were twitching rapidly - she must have been dreaming. He hoped it was a nice dream. He then reached for his handgun. Checking that it was fully loaded, he put the safety catch on and then put it back in its holster. He sunk back into the chair, his tense muscles resisting his will to relax.
He wrapped the blanket around his body, but he still couldn't get comfortable. He sighed and resigned himself to another restless night with no sleep. Standing slowly, he pulled the chair closer to Jill's bedside; the high pitched screech of the legs rubbing against the linoleum floor pierced the silence of the room. He then sat down and leant forward so that his head was resting on the cool cotton sheets of Jill's bed, his face was just next to her hand. Then sleep finally took him.
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Claire yawned and stretched her arms. ''How much longer are you going to be?''
''Patience.'' Leon said as he turned and winked at Claire who was perched on a stool by the large stainless table in the kitchen. She was swinging her legs like an impatient child. Leon was standing at the large gas stove in the kitchen, stirring something that was sizzling in a frying pan. He had small beads of perspiration on his brow from the heat generated by the stove, and every so often he wiped them away.
Leon then proceeded to turn off the gas at the knob, and divided the sizzling, steaming contents of the frying pan onto two plates. He placed one of the plates in front of Claire who looked up at him appreciatively.
''There you go. Crisis averted. You won't be going to bed hungry tonight.'' He smiled, and then sat down opposite her.
Claire tentatively took a spoonful of the food served up in front of her. She chewed it slowly at first, carefully tasting it. ''Mmmm. This is good - certainly better than last time.'' She nodded and swallowed. ''Looks like you've finally learned how to do a stir-fry. I'm impressed.''
''Well thank you very much.'' he replied with mock sarcasm. ''Glad you like it.'' He then began to eat. He realised that Claire was being a little over-generous with her opinion of his cooking - the chicken was over cooked and it was a little salty - but it was certainly an improvement on previous attempts. His previous attempts at 'proper cooking' usually ended up in the bin and he would dine on toast or scavenge the remains of other people's meals in the refrigerator.
They sat and ate without talking, only looking up from their plates every so often and grinning at each other. When Claire had finished eating, she placed down her fork and took a large gulp of water. ''I don't feel tired at all. I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight.'' she said, running her finger up and down the glass sat on the table in front of her.
''I know what you mean. I'm always pretty wired after a mission. I might go for a run or something, see if I can get rid of some of this energy.''
It was difficult for Claire to reconcile the fact that only four hours ago, they had just finished their mission briefing and were about to get into the helicopter. How things had changed in such a short time! They had retrieved Jill and she was going to be okay. She knew she should be euphoric - Jill was like a sister to her, but instead she felt uneasy. Something was wrong, she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was, but something was out of place.
''Do you think Jill's going to be alright?'' she asked Leon, the sudden seriousness of her tone surprising him. He reached across and gently put his hand on hers.
''Yes, Jill's going to be alright.'' He looked at her and could tell she was troubled by something. ''Claire, what's wrong?''
She sighed. ''I don't know. We've got Jill back - I know we should be happy but…''
''You're worried that there's something wrong with her? You know, Rebecca seems to think she'll be fine - and Rebecca is never wrong.'' he smiled.
''I know. I'm just being silly. I guess I'm on a bit of a downer after all that excitement.'' She said, trying to convince herself.
Leon squeezed her hand. ''Everything's going to be alright, Jill's going to be alright. I promise.''
Leon had unconsciously turned over Claire's hand on the table and his fingers were delicately tracing its shape. They looked at each other but said nothing in a silent agreement. Claire could feel the pulse of her heart through her chest and down into her stomach. Leon stood up slowly and moved to stand behind her. He gently guided her red hair behind her ears and began to massage her shoulders. Claire then stood up and Leon leaned towards her, close enough so that she could feel his breath on the back of her neck. His hands took hers then moved upwards, first tracing the length of her arms, then gently moving around her shoulders and down her back, finally coming to rest around her waist. He nuzzled into her neck.
''Leon…'' she murmured.
He turned her around and moved his face close to hers, their noses almost touching. Then the kitchen doors swung open and Carlos walked in. Claire moved away from Leon and coughed nervously. Carlos looked at them both, embarrassed, knowing that he had walked in on something that was about to happen.
Leon looked at Claire, slightly confused. She edged further away from him, and proceeded to clear up the empty plates on the table.
''Errr…I'll see you tomorrow Claire.'' Leon then turned to face Carlos. ''Hey Carlos.'' He slapped him on the shoulder. ''Nice flying. We couldn't have done it without you.'' He then left the kitchen before Carlos had the opportunity to respond.
Claire and Carlos watched Leon disappear through the door. Carlos walked across to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of beer.
''Drink?'' he asked, hopefully breaking was becoming a slightly uncomfortable silence.
''Why not.''
Carlos removed the bottle tops and handed one to Claire.
''Why do you guys keep pretending?'' he said as he sat down on the stool that was occupied by Leon a few minutes ago.
''What?'' she asked, laughing nervously.
''That you two are not together. You know something…'' he leaned across the table so his face was only a few inches from hers. ''If I had found the girl of my dreams, I would be shouting from the rooftops.'' He laughed and sat back down, taking a gulp of beer. He ran his hand through his hair.
''It just doesn't seem right, what with the way things are.'' Claire said almost apologetically.
''What things? This sounds like an excuse to me.''
''Oh, I don't know Carlos. This place, this job…..'' She gathered her red hair and tied it back in a loose ponytail. ''There's just too much to risk. If I had something…someone to lose, maybe I wouldn't be able to do my job anymore.''
''The time is never going to be right Claire. There's always going to be something getting in your way. That's just the way it is for us. When you get the chance, you have to take it.''
She stared at her bottle of beer that she had set down on the table in front of her. ''So what about you Carlos? Anyone special I don't know about?'' she asked, eager to change the conversation.
''How am I supposed to meet anyone doing this job?'' he joked. ''I think I'm too late. I missed my chance.'' His eyes looked down for a moment.
''You know, Chris didn't mean to be so rude to you before. It's just they way he is when Jill's concerned.''
''I know, I won't hold it against him. He can be a pretty intense guy.''
''He's passionate about his job. He would be same for any of us.''
''I know he would.''
They finished their drinks in silence.
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The S.T.A.R.S guard showed Elisabeth to her new room. He opened the door and flicked on the light. It was a little shabby, but there were clean sheets on the bed and clean towels in the bathroom. It was certainly a step up from the cell she had spent the last couple of nights in.
''Just so you remember, we know where you are and what you're doing at all times. Don't try anything.'' the guard snarled. She could sense his hatred of her.
Elisabeth nodded obediently. The guard snorted and closed the door.
When she was sure that the guard had gone, she pulled the folder from underneath her kevlar vest, and stared at it for a moment. She couldn't understand why, but she felt afraid of what she was going to read. She threw the folder onto the bed.
She progressed into the small en-suite bathroom and showered. The water in the bottom of the shower was filthy - she was covered with dirt and soot. When she got out of the shower a few minutes later, the bathroom was filled with steam and condensation had covered the small mirror situated over the wash basin.
She wrapped a large bath towel around her and padded back into the bedroom. She sat on the bed and picked up the folder, turning it over and over, examining the cover, identifying and re-identifying flaws and cracks in the thin cardboard. She placed it back down on her bed, stood up and turned to walk away, but she stopped mid-stride. The power this half-inch thick wad of printed paper had over her was enormous. She picked it up from the bed, but still she couldn't open it and spill the contents. There was a strange empty feeling in her stomach. Her heartbeat was getting faster, the pounding became deafening in her ears. She was afraid of the secrets that folder was going to make her confront.
With a deep breath, she cracked the seal. She pulled out the papers and began to read.