I'd Sacrifice My Beating Heart Before I Lose You

As always, the title is a song lyric. Comes from If You Only Knew, by Shinedown.

Enjoy, and thanks to reviewers and feedback-ers! :D

Jill Valentine had never been so nervous in her whole life, she'd lived through school exams, and various failed job interviews, even visiting her first client. But nothing seemed to compare to this, preparing to go on a date for the first time in many years. Although she had only met the man recently, they had talked for so much it seemed like they had known each other for years. The minute she laid eyes on him she felt a strong bond between him. Yes, she found him attractive, but there was something else in the back of her mind, something else implying this person is different from everyone else, telling her this person is important. The mere touch of his hand gliding along her fingertips sent a million shivers down her spine.

Since the death of her father, love and friendship were both murdered by her job. She truly was a daddy's girl, and losing him demolished all belief that she could ever find a person she could confide in, like she once confided in him. Perhaps, it was the connection she felt to Chris which initiated the attraction, and subsequently her courageousness to abandon a client. She felt she could tell him anything, and he would listen. She did not want to mess things up with him.

Jill had inspected through what seemed to be her whole wardrobe assembly, yet no outfit seemed to work. Either too revealing, or not flattering at all, apparently finding a happy medium proved more difficult than she had believed.

Finally she came upon a dark blue dress in the corner of her wardrobe. She was puzzled, didn't recall where or when she had bought this, it was simple but nonetheless, elegant. She placed it on, and admired herself in the mirror, it fit nicely on her, hugged her curves and wasn't too over the top.

When she saw herself, it dawned on her. She moved to her bedside table and in the top drawer, tucked underneath several books and random sheets of paper, was a dusty photo. She drew it out and wiped away any dirt on it, revealing an old photo in pristine condition. A woman wearing the same dress was smiling brightly at the camera. She looked the spitting image of Jill, just slighty shorter, the woman was of course, Jill Valentine's mother Maria.

This was one of Jill's favourite photos of her. It was the photo Jill would speak to, asking her mother for advice, the one which would bring a smile to her face when she entered the room, and the one she would tightly hug as she silently cried herself to sleep. The photo was banished away once she took up her job. She felt ashamed in the eyes of her mother, and never wished for Maria to see the things she did.

She placed the photo back on the table, she no longer felt embarrassed, and she actually believed Chris could lead her away from this life of sin. Her dreams always did seem farfetched.

Chris pulled up to Jill's apartment block. The area was beautiful; the cherry blossom buds had just begun to open.

Chris got out of his car; he was wearing a smart shirt, and neat jeans. He glanced around the neighbouring houses, catching a slight glimpse of woman in a black jeep that appeared to be looking at him. He smiled at her, knowing neighbours were always nosy.

He rang Jill's bell, and awaited her arrival.

Jill opened the door slowly, she was still nervous about how she looked. She smiled when she caught his alluring green eyes, and walked out of the apartment closing the door.

He looked her up and down gasping slightly; she was even more angelic in the day light. She simply was breathtaking.

"You look...beautiful, Jill." He spoke, not quite knowing how to put into words just how amazing she looked.

Jill was touched, rarely did she get compliments, let alone sincere ones.

"Thank you. And so do you."

"Should we get going?"

Jill nodded in response, her smile not once faltering. He led her down through the apartment building, and into the car, opening the car door for her. She was taken aback by his actions. Most clients went as fast as they could, showed no signs of kindness, clearly out for one thing. But, without a doubt, Chris was not a client.

Chris had booked them a table at a respectable restaurant, The Blackstone. They got their seats beside the window, and Chris ordered Riesling wine for them.

"You're dress is lovely, Jill." He was still admiring her, capsulated by her fine features.

"It was my moms, actually." Her voice showed slight hesitation, and he sensed this. "Don't think I wear it as good as she did."

"What happened to her, if you don't mind me asking, of course?"

"Not at all. She died in childbirth, so I never met her." Chris' heart sank, he regretted asking. He didn't want to upset her at all. Jill quickly changed the subject, "What about you? Do you have family?"

"Yeah, got my baby sister." Chris smiled; he loved Claire to bits, and would always be proud of her.

"How old is she?"

"Nineteen. She's still at Uni, well I hope." Jill chuckled lightly. Her smile faded, as she gazed into his eyes. Suddenly she was overcome with guilt, his eyes were innocent, kind, yet she knew she would have to feed them lies.

Chris noticed her change in appearance, she looked almost sad.

"Hey, you okay?" Jill's heart sank. Why did he have to be so blooming nice all the time? If he was a bad person, it would have been so much easier for her, she could just walk away.

Her lips curved into a broad smile, and although her mouth conveyed happiness, her deep blue eyes told a different story. Chris didn't return the smile, he knew she was acting. He had done the same many times before. Smile and keep others happy, never let on you are hurting.

Jill sensed his concern and reached over, placing her delicate fingers on top of his much bigger hand, trying to reassure him, "I'm okay, honestly."

She played slightly with his hands, running her tender fingertips along his palm.

"I really like you, Chris." She flashed him an honest grin, which he didn't hesitate to return.

By the end of the meal, both were glancing out the window, watching the infrequent groups of people and cars passing. Chris stared at the cars parked, and one in particular caught his eye – a black jeep.

"Hmm, I could have sworn that jeep was outside your house. It's a small world." Chris mused.

Jill looked to the jeep. Sitting inside was a beautiful woman with short black hair, presumably from an oriental background. Jill instantaneously recognised her. She was a close 'acquaintance' of Jill's boss, Albert Wesker. Not much was known about the woman, few knew her name, and all anybody knew was that she knew more about the boss than everyone else. Jill knew the sight of her meant trouble, never would Wesker do the dirty work, she would be sent out instead. Jill started to believe she was spying on her. She remained focused on the mystery woman; the two finally made eye contact. Within seconds the woman had left, no trace at all.

"Hey Chris, can we get going? I'm kind of tired." Jill lied, but the sight of the woman sent shivers down her spine.

"Yeah sure, we'll just get the bill and head off."

"Thanks Chris. But you really didn't have to walk me up." Jill smiled sweetly at him, while standing at the front of her apartment door.

"It's no problem, I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"I really did," Every time she saw him, she still couldn't believe she had met such a great man, "Come here."

She pulled him into a more intimate hug then their last one. He snaked his arms around her waist, and planted a soft peck on her cheek. She smirked in response. As he pulled away from the embrace, she brought her hand to his face and lightly pulled his face closer to hers. Standing on her tip toes, she gently edged his head to hers, their lips barely touching. She was able to breathe in his sweet scent; cologne mixed with a slight musk of smoke, but not enough to overpower her. She brought up her lips to lightly collide with his. Chris was more than willing to enjoy the kiss, and brought his hands to her face, to give himself more control. The gentle kiss soon turned more romantic, and when they finally separated both parties wished they hadn't.

Chris beamed at Jill, not only was she beautiful, she was a good kisser.

"Thanks. And hopefully we can see each other soon." Jill said slightly more seductively than she had intended. Chris nodded in response, and watched as she slowly slipped into her apartment.

Jill switched on her living room light, and moved into the kitchen. She glanced along the bench, and something caught her eye, a piece of paper. Jill was confused, she hadn't left any paper. She carefully picked up the paper, and unfolded it to disclose a note, which read:

Hope you're feeling better after the sickness. Handsome man, I see, it would be shame if you were to choose him over the job. If I were you I'd let him go, we wouldn't want this to get messy now, would we?

The note ended with a red kiss mark. Jill was shocked, she was being followed, but how did she get in? Jill's heart sank as she read over the letter once more. They were on to her, it's over. What could she do, choose her wants over the safety of Chris? She wouldn't, she couldn't.

Jill didn't sleep the past nights. How could she? She had been blowing off Chris for three days, making up lame excuses. She couldn't bare it anymore. Either she tell him the complete truth, and have him leave her, or continue with him, in risk that they may get caught.

For once in her life, Jill put her selfish wants first. Wesker could shove it where the sun don't shine, she cared immensely about Chris, and wasn't willing to give that up just yet.

Jill invited Chris around to hers, in the hope that they wouldn't be seen in public, and maybe she could get away with it.

Chris arrived and embraced Jill in her apartment, planting a light kiss on her lips, to which she smiled in return. Each time he kissed her, Jill began to regret less and less her decision. A kiss from him, regardless of how small, could wash away all sorrow and worry.

"I'm glad you came, I'm sorry for being busy the last few days." Jill lied again; it seemed her lies could roll off the tongue easier each day.

"It's alright, and I'm happy that you invited me, it's a nice apartment." Chris smiled.

"I'll go get us some drinks, I'll be back." Jill slipped into the kitchen, while Chris took the opportunity to glance around her home.

He admired the various family photos, but began to notice they were all older ones. Jill didn't have any new photos, and none seemed to be ones with friends.

Jill returned from the kitchen, and gestured for Chris to sit on the sofa. She sat beside him, and smiled.

"You still look beautiful, Jill." Chris told her it every day, and planned to continue.

"You got to stop saying that, Chris. You're too charming." Jill replied smiling. She brought him into a kiss, holding his face. He replied by wrapping his hands around her slender waist. Jill was enjoying the kiss and she gently pressed Chris down on the sofa, trying to pin him beneath her.

Jill's phone vibrated on the coffee table, she opened her eyes slightly to glance over at it. Jill began to leave light pecks on Chris' jaw and moved down his neck. Jill took this opportunity to look at her phone, the name flashed up on the screen as Wesker. Her heart plummeted. She paused slightly, and her body tensed. Chris felt the change,

"Is everything okay?" Chris asked, he was concerned for her.

"Uh, yeah." Jill got a lump in her throat, "I just think we might be moving a bit fast, you know?"

"Yeah, that's fine." Chris replied shocked. He didn't really understand, she made all the moves on him. But it was her choice; if she wasn't ready then he would wait.

Jill mumbled a quiet apology and slipped into the bathroom, picking up her phone as she went.

She read her message, and had to stop her tears of fear from forming. Wesker had sent,

Are you going to get him to leave, or will I have to do it myself? Xxx

The kisses made Jill feel physically sick. She came out of the bathroom, pale with worry.

"Chris, I'm not feeling too well, could we do this some other time? I'm sorry." Jill asked politely.

"Yeah, are you sure you're okay? You do look pale." Chris began to worry over her.

"I'm fine, don't worry about me. Just need some sleep." She gave him a faint smile, and a light hug. He kissed her forehead, and left.

As Chris was walking down the stairs in the apartment block, he smiled politely to a tall blonde man walking past. The man didn't return the smile, and watched Chris walk away through dark sunglasses.

Jill's apartment door opened, and she believed Chris had left something. She looked to the door, her heart stopped.

A man wearing a black suit, sunglasses and blonde hair in perfect condition stepped in through the door, smirking.

"Wesker?" Jill spoke breathlessly, in shock by his presence.

"See you did what I asked. You're a good girl." He spoke in a smooth posh English accent, patronising her.

Jill stood up from the sofa, moving slightly further away from him.

"Why are you here?" She spoke quietly. Usually Jill had confidence, but among Wesker's presence she was like a deer caught in head lights. She couldn't speak, she was petrified, he gave off an aura of complete evil which scared her more than anything.

"So have you told him yet?" Wesker dismissed her question. She wasn't worthy to ask him a question, she was nothing to him.

"Leave, please" Jill tried to get her voice back. She was horrified that she actually had to plead with the man she despised so much.

"I'll take that as a no. How will he feel, when he finally finds out all you do is lie? You can't honestly believe a relationship can be built upon lies." A smirk appeared on his older features, he loved the control he had, seeing her squirm underneath his powerful words was like heaven to him. He truly was a god.

"Leave." Jill became more confident, her voice becoming more prominent.

"So have you stopped attending clients due to him?" He shook his head, "Silly, immature girl."

"It was a once off." Jill refused to make eye contact with him.

"I should hope so. So, he doesn't mind his lover being nothing more than a worthless whore?" Jill's eyes began to tear up, much to her chagrin. He spoke the truth, and that hurt her more than anything.

"Stop it!" Jill shouted at him, he was driving her to the point of insanity.

"Fiesty. No wonder the clients all love you." Wesker's smirk returned as he continued to tease Jill.

"Stop it!" She said once again to him. She stepped closer to him, shouting into his face.

"I bet your father is proud of you."

"Will you stop it?" Tears began to fall stream down her face. Wesker was voicing all the thoughts that she had been able to banish for so long. She brought her hands shakily to her face, trying to block out his words.

"I can't wait to see Chris' face, when you rip his little heart out by telling him the truth. He will be heartbroken." Wesker let out a low, sadistic chuckle.

Jill's hands continued tremble.

"You're a dirty prostitute." He spoke smoothly, each word penetrated Jill's soul.

In one fluid motion, Jill slapped him across him face. His glasses were knocked off and landed on her floor. Wesker growled in response.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." He turned to her; his eyes looked as though they flashed red.

He punched her hard across her face in return. Jill's world turned black, and she fell silently on the floor. Wesker's lips curved into vicious smile.

Reviews and feedback are greatly appreciated! :D

Artichoke,

x