*A/N: Hey there guys, sorry it's been so long. University stuff, you know... This chapter is going to be a relaxed one. After the angst in the last few chapters, and the reappearance of Carlos, it's been rough. The end is near though, and I wanted to break the angst a little bit before bringing about the apocalypse again... I was listening to the song 'Invincible' by Tinie Tempah ft. Kelly Rowland and it sort of just stuck with this chapter.
This dirty bird is dedicated to Yuukicross5 and Bhernandez02897.
Hope you enjoy, and please remember to review before you leave.
#I don't own anything, promise O.o#
*NB: Anything written in Italics is the thoughts of said character.
Chapter 16
Alice continued staring out of the window as they moved slowly through the abandoned city. Alice knew it was abandoned because the undead had moved on to where the living where, leaving only a few of them out and about in the city, obviously painting the town red. No pun intended. She should have noticed it sooner. The hordes of undead weren't in the city in large numbers anymore, proving that the facility they came looking for was either very deep underground, or not in this city. The latter seemed to be the case. Leon had dropped a few expletives a mile back. The facility was located outside the city, and they were going to be heading to it as soon as they possibly could.
Problem is it was getting dark. Leon told both Alice and Chris that he despises travelling in the dark. Despise is the most accurate word her mind could formulate at the moment. He said something to the effect of: "I am NOT driving this piece of shit in the dark. We don't know what's out there, and I like seeing what I'm shooting at, so shut the fuck up and look for a place we can squat at for the night!" Yeah, something to that effect.
So that's what Chris was doing. Scouring over the buildings as they drove by, slowly, almost like gangsters. All that was missing was loud music and an obnoxiously bouncing car. Alice sighed and ran a hand through her hair. Her fingers snagged a clump of dried blood at the back of her head. Alice pulled her hand away quickly, not wanting to get into another argument with Chris about the origin of the blood. She was way beyond the point of caring whose it was and where it came from.
Her mind however continually went back to Carlos. Fake Carlos to be more precise. His words rung in her ears, almost like he'd yelled them in her ears seconds ago. "I don't have much time Alice. You need to listen to me. I know you are trying to save the world, but you aren't going to win this one. I'm alive, I'm here. I want you with me."
He's dead. She saw him hit the ground. She put bullets in his chest. He was not wearing a vest, she noted that early on during their exchange. Easy target. Umbrella knew she would shoot him, but sent him anyway. Why though? To taunt her? To make her think back about the time she spent with him, the way she nearly killed him too when she killed Angie? Sadistic bastards those lot.
"I have a question for you Alice." Carlos said calmly. "You were cloned, you used your clones to break into the Tokyo facility, you trained your clones, and not to mention the fact that you DIED in the blast just outside Raccoon City. Isaacs brought you back by using the cells he was able to save. He cloned you. You might be the original clone Alice, but you're still a clone. I'm the first clone made from his DNA, so I'm like you, just version 0.5 of the original. Judgy much?"
Alice snapped out of her self-induced trance and grabbed the headrest of the driver's seat, causing Leon to jump slightly.
"I shot him, square in the chest. I killed him; I saw blood slipping past his lips. I killed him. How the fuck did he get back up?" Alice demanded, looking at the side of Chris' head.
"I don't know Alice. To be honest, Leon and I were a little busy trying to keep you alive to notice anything else." Chris replied venomously. He didn't however think he would receive the toned down version of Alice's wrath. From out of nowhere, Alice pulled a knife and slit Chris' cheek open. Leon yelped in panic and Chris flew to the door, clutching his cheek.
"WHAT THE FUCK ALICE?" Chris yelled as he tried to stop the bleeding. Alice scooted closer and pulled his hand away. The wound had already started healing when Alice ran her nimble fingers over the wound.
"That's how they did it." Alice whispered. Leon was looking increasingly green around the edges and panicked. Alice ran her fingers across Chris' cheek again and smiled. Both men were clearly confused as hell. Just before Chris opened his mouth, Alice started speaking, answering the question that was sure to be on the tip of his tongue.
"They used the serum I gave you. They must have injected Carlos with it. I don't think they have all that much technology left, so they're trying to keep their assets alive, and doing so would mean using my blood. I swear if we turned back now, all those agents would be gone. Not because of the undead eating them, but because they all got up and left, they fucking walked out." Alice huffed and slouched back into her seat. Both Leon and Chris seemed to be contemplating this, when Chris spoke up.
"You could have just said so you know. You didn't need to cut me. Words do work better than violence Alice." Chris mumbled the last part and rubbed his cheek. Alice grinned and scooted closer to the driver's seat, whispering just loud enough for both men to clearly hear her words.
"Where's the fun in that? I like making Leon squirm." Alice grinned again and sat back again. Chris burst out laughing when he saw Leon's face. The poor man's eyes were bugged out and he was breathing rather quickly. The green edges around his face were quickly replaced by white. His knuckles were white from gripping the steering wheel tightly.
"ALICE! What the hell is wrong with you woman? I nearly crashed when you fucking cut Redfield. Not that it wouldn't improve his ugly mug, but do that again and I'm pulling over and throwing your ass out, no matter how hot it is!" Leon yelled. This caused Chris to laugh even louder, the crinkles around his eyes deepening. Alice grinned again and gave a little chuckle, Chris however stopped laughing abruptly.
"Did you just say Alice has a hot ass?" Chris asked. Alice could see his anger rising as he turned his entire body toward Leon. The man seemed to be getting smaller and smaller, pushing his shoulders up and stiffening his spine. The obvious tension in the car about Alice's ass was enough to make her burst out laughing, clutching her stomach. Both men looked at her in bewilderment.
Alice knew that they needed a little humor in their lives at that moment, and she wasn't going to let any of it go to waste. They would be killing her soon, and she would be damned if she went out without a laugh in her throat and a smile on her lips.
"You know you're crazy right?" Leon said which caused Alice to laugh even louder. Leon just shook his head and pointed toward a two story building. A French name was sprawled across it, indicating it was residential. Hell, Alice didn't know what it said; she dropped French as soon as she could. Leon did the translating for her, and that's how they knew it was a residential building.
Wiping the tears from her eyes, Alice jumped out of the car as soon as it stopped. She was ignoring the protest of her limbs and the ache in her muscles as she moved to the trunk to retrieve a few weapons and clear the building for them. Both men would be on her heels soon enough. They had made some secret pact with their eyes not to let her out of their sight until they reached the facility. As soon as Alice reached the door she heard Chris say something to Leon.
"She's got an amazing laugh. Oh, and say anything about her ass again, and I'll shoot you myself."
~*~*~*ReSiDeNt eViL*~*~*~
The sun set about an hour ago. Chris tasked himself with the task of helping Alice get cleaned up. So that's where they were right now, in the bathroom of the apartment they were staying in for the night. Alice was propped up on the sink and Chris was standing between her legs, washrag in hand. He finished cleaning the wounds on her legs and arms, and was now mo0ving on to the ones located on her chest and face. The apartment had running water and just about enough electricity to cook food without being noticed.
Alice had protested greatly at first, but Chris was adamant. He wanted to help her get cleaned up. No doubt getting his time in with me before the whole dying thing. Alice shook her head when Chris started wiping her cheek. Chris tried to continue and Alice swatted his hands away.
"I want to take a shower and get cleaned up. After that you can play nurse with me okay?" Alice said quietly. She was so afraid of disturbing this new found equilibrium that she was afraid of even speaking in her normal voice. Chris protested again and Alice shook her head fiercely.
"I'm not gonna die if I take a shower, I swear." Alice chuckled quietly.
"No, I know you're not. But… I just…" Chris sighed and ran a hand over his face. He looked tired. Alice hooked her legs around his hips and pulled him closer to her, taking is face in her hands.
"Don't do this to me." Alice whispered. "You knew the plan when we started this. Please, don't do this to me." Chris stiffened immediately.
"Don't do what Alice?" His voice took on a cold edge. "Yeah, I knew the plan; I just didn't figure I'd have fallen for you so quickly. I get that when you suggested we sleep together, you were joking. But since then, it's all I could think about. And when I kissed you… I just don't want to lose someone else." Chris finished in a soft voice. Alice bowed her head and ran her nose along Chris' cheek.
"I know. I have to do this. I have to do this for you, Leon, Claire, K-Mart… I want this all to end, so that you could all live normal lives again an-" Chris cut Alice's speech off.
"You have such a huge hero complex Alice. No one asked you to do this. I didn't ask you to die for me. I would never do that. I'd rather live in this hellhole of an earth we have, than lose anyone else. Especially you!" Chris all but yelled.
"Chris-" Alice started, but Chris cut her off again, stepping back from her.
"No, now it's your turn to listen Alice. I'm not letting you die tomorrow. You won't die, because I won't let you, you got that?" Chris huffed and started pacing in the small bathroom until Alice grabbed his arm, pulling him to her again. She knew there was no fighting with him now, but he would help her tomorrow. He promised her. He wasn't one to go back on a promise, and Alice knew that. He did feel something for her, but they couldn't let that get in her way. She had a job to do. They both knew that…
"Okay." Alice whispered. "Okay."
Chris moved closer to her again, burying his face in her shoulder. Alice ran her hands across his back and rested her head against Chris'. She was still just a girl underneath all the 'I'm going to kill you, grrr' attitude she carried around. She was still just a girl, and couldn't get it over her heart to ruin this moment with the ugly truth. She was just a girl, and tonight, she would be a girl. One last night of being a girl. No thoughts about Carlos, zombies or imminent death. Not tonight. Alice pulled Chris' head up and kissed his cheek gently before whispering.
"I wanna take a shower. Wait outside for me, okay?" Chris merely nodded and sighed. He pulled his head from her shoulder and moved to the door. Chris put his hand on the door handle, but turned to Alice slightly.
"You know Alice, underneath the bad-ass attitude you're a person too. No one expects you to do this. You're just a girl. And I'm pretty sure Carlos fell in love with the girl in you, and not the killing machine you hide in there." Chris said quietly before leaving the room. Alice bit her lip and nodded silently to herself.
Sliding off of the sink slowly, Alice turned the water on in the small shower. The previous owner left all of the toiletries. Alice refused to let her mind go to the dark place when she imagined where the previous owner was while Alice was using this particular shower. She just turned her brain off for a little while, peeling off her clothes and stepping under the spray. The water wasn't as cold as she had imagined it would be. The geezer seemed to regulate the water at a steady lukewarm temperature, and Alice couldn't have been more thankful for anything in that exact moment.
Turning her neck, Alice let the water fall on her neck. Feeling herself relax was amazing. She hadn't been able to fully relax for years now. This was truly heaven sent. Alice washed her hair, making sure to get out all of the blood. She also washed her entire body, twice. When the water turned cold, Alice turned the water off and stepped out of the shower and grabbed the nearest towel .it was a little dusty, but Alice simply turned it around and dried herself off. Alice put on her dirty clothes and towel dried her hair quickly. She couldn't chance a look in the mirror. She didn't even want to know what her face looked like.
Alice had a problem. A big problem. Reality just smacked her in the face. Chris said he's in love with her. Not good. Not good at all. Why on earth does she have to be the one caught between two men? Granted, the one man was dead, but his clone was up and running around, telling her he wants her. Ugh, nothing in life comes easy, nothing at all. Alice sighed and ran her fingers though her damp hair. Her hair had gotten longer. Difficult to think that it's been a month since they left Arcadia. A month. A whole month where she was surrounded by Chris, that stupid dog and Leon. Alice rubbed her arms and grinned a little. He thinks I have an amazing laugh. Brushing her hair back from her face, Alice grinned to herself. Being normal was certainly gonna be fun. Even if it doesn't last, it's so much more than she could have hoped for…
~*~*~*ReSiDeNt eViL*~*~*~
Food. That was all Leon could talk about. He wanted food, and appointed Alice as the woman and tasked her with making the food. She did send him a death glare and her fingers hovered over a few knives they had placed on the counter. Leon backed up and yelled at Chris, saying he should control his woman. Chris' chest swelled a little and his eyes narrowed. Long story short, Leon ran off into another part of the house to escape the wrath of the T-virus enhanced crazy people.
"You should stop scaring him." Alice said as she pulled the last of their food out of the duffle bag. Chris scoffed and reached over Alice to get a few bowls. He was making the noodles over the stove, as Leon insisted they stay away from the microwave. Chris wanted to ask why, but Alice stomped on his foot, silencing him immediately.
"I'm not scaring him. He should learn his place." Chris replied gruffly.
"His place?" Alice asked, chuckling.
"Yeah. He acts like a woman sometimes, no offence."
"None taken." Alice replied, hopping onto the counter next to the stove.
"Be careful." Chris said and pointed to Alice's legs as they were close to the stove. "He's got no problem shooting people and baddies, but he screams like a little girl when there's blood in close proximity. He won't drive at night and is afraid of the microwave." Chris grumbled. Alice grinned and nodded.
"Maybe he can't see that well at night. And he does have a point though; I also like to see where the baddies are coming from." Alice leaned over the stove to check on the noodles, afraid that Chris might burn them, but got promptly pushed back.
"You're gonna burn." Chris said, pushing Alice away a little more.
"No, I'm not. And I don't want you burning dinner either." Alice huffed and swatted his hand away. Chris only chuckled.
"Shoo." Chris said, pointing at Alice's hands. Neither of them noticed Leon's arrival.
"You're like an old domesticated couple. Chris cooking dinner and Alice looking over his shoulder. Ah, domestic bliss. I'd be careful though Alice, in a few years you won't be able to get on the counter, your artificial hip won't allow it." Leon chuckled, and Chris openly grinned. Alice however, wasn't as open to his comment and quickly took the steak knife next to her and hurled it at Leon, hitting the wall next to his right hip. Leon jumped and gave a little squeal.
"Watch it old man. My artificial hip might hinder my walking ability, but not my throwing ability." Alice said with an evil grin. Chris' laugh boomed throughout the kitchen as Leon stalked off, mumbling something about checking the perimeter.
"And you say I scare him."
Alice grinned and wormed her foot across Chris' thigh, pulling him toward her. He settled between her legs again, mimicking the position they were in, in the bathroom. Chris' hands rested on Alice's thighs and he smiled.
"He's right you know, this is all very domesticated." Alice chuckled softly and snaked her arm around Chris' neck, pulling him closer to her.
"So it seems…" Alice pressed her lips to Chris' gently. She could feel him smile against her lips. Chris hands migrated to the countertop, placing them adjacent to Alice's hips. Alice ran her fingers over the nape of Chris' neck, darting her tongue out to tease his lips apart. Chris responded eagerly and took control, sliding his tongue into Alice's mouth instead. Chris pulled back quickly and grabbed the hand Alice was snaking toward the pot. Alice grinned sneakily.
"You're good." Chris grinned and stepped back from Alice, swatting her legs away.
"No matter how good that was, or how alluring your legs are, you are not messing with the food tonight madam." Chris said in his serious voice. "Now, get the bowls, foods ready." Alice chuckled and pulled the bowls closer to her, propping one next to her and two on her lap.
"You're gonna burn." Chris said for the umpteenth time, swatting her hands away again.
~*~*~*ReSiDeNt eViL*~*~*~
All three of them were reclining in the lounge, sitting on dusty chairs. Leon and Alice stopped arguing long enough to eat. Now it was Chris and Leon's turn. Alice had no idea what they were talking about, seeing as she tuned them out at least half an hour ago. Alice stifled a yawn and rubbed her eyes. The next moment Chris was pulling her hand, looking down at her.
"Leon's taking the first watch, we should get to bed." Chris pulled on her hand again and Alice reluctantly stood up. Her feet were cold, and she pretty much fell asleep as soon as she finished eating. Alice let Chris pull her to her feet.
"Night Leon." Alice mumbled and followed Chris up the stairs.
"Night kiddies, don't wake the neighbors okay?" Leon called back and Alice stiffened. Chris only chuckled and pulled on her hand again.
"He's gonna get shot before the end of the night." Alice mumbled.
"Yeah, but whose gonna clean up the mess then?" Chris said over his shoulder. Alice only scoffed.
"I'll kill him and then bring him back to clean up the mess." Chris chuckled lightly.
"You're a woman of many talents Alice, but not even you could do that." Alice grinned and yanked Chris back, her grin intensifying at his startled expression. Alice took the opportunity to push him against the wall, stepping impossibly close to him.
"You never know." Alice whispered against Chris' lips and moved the missing inch closer, locking her lips to his. Repeating her actions from earlier, Alice slid her hand over Chris' neck and moved her leg between his. She could feel him smile against her lips. Alice ran her fingers over the nape of Chris' neck, darting her tongue out to tease his lips apart. Chris responded eagerly and took control, sliding his tongue into Alice's mouth again. Alice moaned softly, causing Chris' hands to move to her hips and on to her ass. Alice pulled back to catch her breath and grinned.
"Guess Leon said something that struck a chord with you." Chris grinned and ducked his head again, kissing Alice breathless. Grabbing her ass again, Chris pulled Alice up, letting her wrap her legs around his waist before he pushed her into the wall he had been occupying minutes before. Alice pulled back and bit her bottom lip trying to regulate her breathing again.
"Not here." She whispered.
~*~*~*ReSiDeNt eViL*~*~*~
Alice woke some time later staring at the ceiling. A heavy arm was draped across her middle. Turning her head, Alice looked at a sleeping Chris. He was on his stomach, his arm haphazardly flung across her. Alice noted the many scars that littered his back and arms. Some of them were fresh, made by her of course. Alice grinned when she thought about what they had done just a few hours earlier.
They had barged into the room, but Chris closed the door quietly then backed Alice up against it almost immediately. He kissed her with more passion than she had experienced in a very long while. Alive managed to unzip his jacket and push it off his arms, before she practically ripped his shirt off. Chris pulled off her tight black shirt and the tank top she was wearing underneath, in one go.
The look on his face was priceless when he saw that she wasn't wearing a bra. In his defense he did pay them a whole lot of respect, after he flung her on the bed and took her shorts off. Alice made quick work of his pants and boots as well. After two orgasms, Alice was about to marry Chris, she even admitted it to him, to which he chuckled and said it was his job to marry her. The rest of the night and early morning hours were lost in a bout of moans, groans, sweat and rustling bed sheets.
Alice smiled warmly at Chris and slipped from under his arm quietly. She pulled her clothes on and ran her fingers through her unruly hair. Alice crept toward the dresser in the room and quietly pulled it open. Alice located a pair of socks and crept to the door, slipping out quietly. She had snagged Chris' jacket and pulled it on. Hobbling down the hall, Alice pulled the socks onto her feet and stepped into the living room where Leon was sitting with his gun aiming out of the window.
"Hey." She whispered. Leon looked back and gave her a half smile before looking back out of the sight. Alice sat on the sofa nearest to Leon, which coincidently had a view of the hall. She could see Chris if he came looking for her.
"Can't sleep?" Leon asked in a whisper.
"Just woke up. Guess I've gotten so used to sleeping two hours a night that I can't sleep longer."Alice replied, tucking her feet closer to her legs. Leon sighed and looked back to Alice. He sat back in his chair and rubbed his eyes tiredly.
"You should get some sleep, I'll take watch." Alice offered. She knew he would refuse, but it was worth a try though.
"Nah, I'm just worried you know." Alice frowned and cocked her head to the side, silently telling Leon to continue.
"I'm worried that if you do this and it doesn't work what then? You'll be gone, leaving me to deal with Chris. And you know how prissy he can get. It' just… I don't know how to go back to life… life before all of this. I think I might have been scarred for life." Leon chuckled quietly.
"I'm scared." Alice said quietly. Leon looked over at her and nodded.
"I'm scared to do this. I mean, I have died before, but I didn't know I was gonna die, I mean I knew, I jumped in front of a metal rod, so I knew I was gonna die, it just didn't have time to ferment like this. And I hate what Chris is doing." Alice finished in a whisper. Leon gave her a questioning look.
"I'm afraid, because now I know what I'm leaving behind. Don't get me wrong, I'm still going through with it, it's just, now it's harder. When he said he's coming with me, I knew I wouldn't be able to just draw my blood out and expect him to go 'Well, it's been fun, see ya!'." Leon chuckled again and Alice gave him a small smile.
"I knew it was gonna be hard, just didn't bet on it being this hard." Alice whispered, looking down the hallway. Leon sighed and nodded, but before he could move back into his watching spot, Alice spoke again.
"Take care of him for me? Please?" Alice asked, looking Leon square in the eyes. Leon gulped, his eyes nearly jumping out of their sockets.
"He trusts you, and you always call him out on his bullshit. Please, just take care of him for me." Leon gulped again.
Alice bit her lip and looked at her hands, her nails digging into her flesh as she waited patiently for an answer. Leon sighed and cleared his throat, causing Alice to look up at him.
"Okay." Leon whispered and turned back in his seat, angling his gun again and looking out of the sight. Alice nodded and stood up. She contemplated saying thank you, but who wants to be thanked for agreeing to look after someone when you're dead. Yeah, sure, people get asked that a lot, in the event that a death may occur, not going to occur in less than eight hours. Alice shook her head and headed back down the hall. Slipping through the door and shrugging Chris' jacket off, Alice crept into bed again. She smiled softly and reached out to touch the half mooned cuts on Chris' shoulders. As soon as she touched them, Chris' head turned toward her and he pulled her closer. Alice couldn't believe they were snuggling. Alice, snuggling? Hah!
"I'm gonna die today." Alice whispered.
"I know." Chris replied.
~*~*~*ReSiDeNt eViL*~*~*~
Phew, that was one long assed chapter. Hope you guys enjoyed it. It is the longest chapter in the story, but from here on out, they will be getting longer. The end is near, yikes… trust me, the ending isn't what you think it will be :P
Please drop me a review before you leave…