The Truth it fell So Heavy, like a Hammer through the Room

Title comes from Lesson Learned by Ray LaMontagne. I adore that song!

Hope you all enjoyed Christmas! I know I did, but I can see a muffin top forming with all the blooming food...

Within minutes another gunshot ran clear, echoing through the neighbouring buildings and penetrating every soul which heard it.

The silence was broken, the police at the entrance began to frantically move, they equipped themselves and some barged through the doors while others aimed their weapons at the entrance.

Silence fell once again as each person awaited the opening of those doors, and for it to bring them hope and peace to see that their friend, brother, sister, lover would come out alive.

The doors opened and those officers who ran in, shoved out once more. Several paramedics hurried on the scene, some entering the building, others helping those who had exited.

Jill caught sight of red; she stood on her tiptoes in an attempt to see past the bustling people. A tall man wearing a red bandana stumbled out of the building, clutching onto an officer. He looked shaken up, but she saw no visible physical damage.

Another man stepped out holding a limp form gently in his arms. Jill pushed closer to gain a better sight, her jaw dropped,

"Chris?" She whispered. The man who stepped out was definitely Chris, and the figure in his arms appeared to be Sheva. Chris's face was bloody, red stains splattered over his shirt, but Sheva was so much worse. Her entire top was stained deep red, and not once did she move.

Jill ripped the police tape, and ran amidst the people to gain better sight. A paramedic walked over to Chris, and carefully plucked the injured woman from his arms. He was reluctant to let her go, and not once was his eyes removed from her body. She was carried away silently in an ambulance.

Chris looked around, trying to absorb the scene. People were cheering and crying, various officers patted his back. But he didn't deserve it, he couldn't understand how he was getting so much applause when Sheva was seriously injured. He was almost angry at the people's happiness. Chris was the picture of a broken man.

His eyes were drawn to another woman. Within a second of their eyes meeting, the woman lunged herself into his awaiting arms. Jill began to clutch onto his neck and back for dear life. She needed to feel him, to feel he was real, he was really here with her and she wasn't just dreaming.

With slight hesitation, Chris closed his eyes and wrapped his arms round her waist. He missed her, he missed holding her, her touch, her smell, her everything. She was an angel and he was finally in heaven, but something was holding him back. He couldn't completely give in to her. He hadn't forgotten their argument, forgotten that she was holding something from him. He couldn't trust her, and it broke his heart.

"I'm glad you're okay. I was so worried." Jill breathed hastily into his ear, once again she was on the verge of tears. She clutched his shoulder, and whispered the forbidden words she had felt for so long, "I love you."

The words tugged on Chris's heart strings he brought his hand up and stoked her hair, yet he refused to return it.

Love was verboten, the one thing you don't do in a job like Jill's is fall in love. But she couldn't help herself, she needed him to know. She began to leave soft pecks on his cheek, each one showing him how much she loved him. She gradually moved towards his lips, and grasping his face, she brought him in to a long desired kiss.

Jill didn't like publically showing her relationship, but she felt she had too. She thought she'd lost him, she needed to tell him, show him how much he really meant to her. Besides, she didn't care about the surrounding people, for her it was just Chris and herself.

Chris placed his hands on her shoulders and lightly pushed her off him. He would love to kiss her perfect lips forever, confess his love, and run away happily together. But he couldn't. It was a ridiculous notion, he was still dwelling on their argument, and until he knew the truth he couldn't fall for her advances.

Jill was hurt by his action, but she brushed it off. He had just been in a life changing situation, she didn't want to push him.

"I have to see if Sheva is okay." Chris choked out, his throat dry. Jill was pricked slightly with jealously. The first words he spoke to her were about a different woman. But again she had to push it aside. She didn't know what happened and Sheva was hurt, he had every right to worry.

"Okay. I'll come with you." Jill suggested.

"You don't have to do that, Jill." Chris didn't want to force her, and honestly he felt he needed some time away from her. Time to recollect his thoughts on everything.

"It's okay," She grasped his hand, "I want too. And it means I can drive us." Chris gave in and nodded. It made sense he didn't feel like driving anyway, he was still shook up. Jill walked him towards her car, keeping her hand on his shaky arm. She glanced over her shoulder and saw more paramedics. A filled body bag, resting on a stretcher was taken out of the RPD. She shuddered at the sight, but didn't say a word to Chris.

It took roughly an hour to reach Raccoon Hospital from the RPD. Chris hadn't spoken a word since entering the car. He stared blindly at the various cars that passed and the occasional trees in the distance. He didn't know what to do. Everything seemed to pile up at the same time. He was worried about Sheva but he was also concerned about his relationship with Jill. He yearned for the truth from Jill, but another part of him didn't want it. He wished he could just move on and be happy with her. He was confused, he needed Sheva but he also needed Jill.

Jill glanced over to the oddly quiet Chris. He was biting his nails, again. He had done so since they left. She was worried about him, she felt his pain. She reached over and placed her hand comfortingly on his leg,

"What happened, Chris?" Her question brought him out of his daze. He broke his gaze from the distance and turned to face her, reliving the situation.

"Let her go, let's not do something you'll regret." Chris spoke calmly, and attempted to resolve the situation.

"Let me out of the cell." The man behind the bars demanded, continuing to aim at Chris and Joseph.

"I can't do that, Mr Hanson." Joseph replied, his voice as soothing as Chris's

"Let's just talk this out." Chris piped up.

"Let's stop trying to be a hero and get the goddamn key before I blow her brains out!" He yelled, raising the gun up to Sheva's head. Chris wasn't going to push him, he was unarmed and presumed Joseph was too. Chris nodded over to Joseph who walked carefully over to the far side of the room to obtain the keys.

A young officer walked past the small window in the door and smiled at Joseph. He shook his head, and mouthed 'help'. The smile on the young man's face was quickly washed away.

"Hurry up!" George shouted from his cell. Joseph immediately dropped the keys to buy some time. By reaching down to collect them it gave the officer a chance to catch sight of the gun. The officer left, and almost instantly the alarm was raised and the RPD evacuated.

Joseph opened the cell and George let go of Sheva. He pointed for the three of them to be seated. Each one obeyed and sat against the cells bars. He walked slowly up to the doors which lead out of the cell block. After fiddling with the keys he found the correct one and locked both exits.

The remaining inmates watched from their cells, they stayed quiet. Some tried to hide at the back corners, while others watched intently as the scene unfolded.

"You aren't going to get away with this. You might as well give in before things become worse." Chris said to him. He wasn't trying to be the brave and cocky one, he aimed to threaten the man in the hopes he would give up.

"Everyone knows don't they?" George asked Chris.

"I presume so. It's just a matter of time until they come get you." Chris could sense the man's weakness. He could tell he was beginning to worry, and Chris wanted to emphasis and toy with his fears.

Chris stayed inscrutable, but Sheva wasn't faring as well. The situation was getting to her. She began to become agitated and impatient.

"I didn't want this. I shouldn't be here." George began to plead. A droplet of sweat appeared on his forehead. And Chris noticed this, he was close to breaking point and Chris took it as their only opportunity to get out. He decided to remain silent, hoping that George would have time to think and come to his senses.

"Then let us out! Let us out!" Sheva screamed at him. She stood shakily up, she couldn't take it anymore, she needed out. It had just become too much for her. She began to tremble and completely loose her composure.

"I can't believe I've done this," George too became unsettled. The realisation of his actions obviously kicking in. Chris looked up to Sheva, she looked pale and sick. He needed to calm her, he could tell they were close to getting out, but if she became hysterical who knows what the lunatic would do.

"I've had enough." Sheva ran for the door, Chris attempted to stop her, but she persevered on.

"Let me out! Dear God, let me out!" She continued to scream. Fear was riddling her, she needed out.

"Someone shut her up!" George yelled. He started to lose his stability. Chris stood up and went to Sheva. He hushed her and held her shoulders, but she fought against him and continued to shout.

"Please!" George had well and truly lost it. Sweat beads formed and trickled down his face, his hand shook vigorously. He brought his hands up to his face, trying to drown out her complaints.

"Stop!" He shrieked. In one fluid motion, he flew his arm around pointing the gun towards her. A gunshot pierced their ears, swiftly followed by Sheva's cries of pain. The bullet penetrated her left shoulder, tearing through her tender flesh.

"I didn't mean too...Oh God..." George started panicking. A mixture of tears and sweat formed a puddle at his feet, while on the other side of the corridor Sheva's blood did the same.

Chris instinctively fell beside Sheva, holding her upright. He ripped the bottom of his shirt, and tightly wrapped in around the wound trying to apply pressure to curb the bleeding. She drifted in and out of consciousness.

"Is she going to be okay?"George asked, falling to his knees.

"She will be, but needs medical attention." Chris said calmly.

George broke down, and placed the gun to his head.

"Hey, don't do that." Joseph spoke up approaching the shattered man on the floor.

"I killed her." He sobbed, tears flowing from his bloodshot eyes.

"She'll be okay. Come on." Joseph swallowed his fears, and held his hand out to the man hoping he would give up the gun.

"I'm sorry," He looked up at Joseph, closed his eyes, and pulled the trigger.

"Chris. I am so sorry, that must have been terrifying." Jill whispered squeezing his hand.

"Yeah..."

Chris and Jill were directed through the dull hospital corridors to Sheva's bed. Chris hadn't stepped foot in a hospital since his parent's death. He never wished too ever again. Hospitals brought nothing but bad news. And the last time he was here, it definitely was tragic news and he didn't wish to hear the same about Sheva.

Chris glanced around the corner and into her room. It broke his heart seeing her attached to various tubes and monitors. But she was peaceful, she looked calm and happy. She was clean, no blood, no tears, just tranquillity.

"Go on, I'll wait." Jill encouraged him to enter, and gave his hand a light squeeze.

"How're you feeling?" Chris asked, sitting himself down beside Sheva.

"I've been better." She replied weakly. He picked up her hand, and planted a soft kiss on the back of it.

"I'm glad you're okay. I was worried."

Jill heard what he said, the exact words she spoke to him. She felt hurt, thought maybe his feelings for Sheva were more than she believed. Jill left their presence.

"I see you and Jill are back together. That's good." Sheva said smiling. Although part of her wasn't so happy.

"I don't know if we're back, I haven't got the truth out of her yet." Chris said quietly.

"So that would be why you have a pained expression," Sheva teased. Chris chuckled lightly.

"Or it could be that my friend is in hospital." Sheva smiled.

"I'm going to be okay. The pain medication is making me very happy." Sheva said, and Chris smiled in return, "You should go talk to her. I would say she isn't well pleased that you're spending so much time with me. Just like you aren't pleased when she texts other men."

Chris was surprised. Sheva was right. He had no right to get angry with Jill, when she probably felt the same sting of jealously he did.

"Yeah, but you're sick. I seriously doubt those men are on their death beds."

"I'm not on my death bed either. Go talk to her, Chris. I know you want too. Besides I'm tired."

"Okay," Chris sighed and gave in to Sheva's wants.

Chris met up with Jill and led her to a quiet table at the back of the hospital cafeteria. He bit his bottom lip and then sighed slightly.

"Will you tell me the truth, please Jill."He pleaded to her. He needed to know, and he was ready to hear it, no matter how heart breaking it may be.

Jill couldn't hide from it anymore. She nodded lightly, and reached over to place her hand delicately on his.

"You have to understand. I hate this, just as much as you will." Jill began. Chris nodded silently, and remained staring into her enticing eyes.

"When my dad died, I lost everything, and I fell apart." She paused quickly, holding back her tears. She was finding it hard to pick suitable words to break his heart with. Chris remained quiet and listened intently to every word she spoke.

"So I went to my father's friend, Albert Wesker." Chris was shocked; he furrowed his eyebrows, but stayed unvoiced.

"And he got me a job..." Jill said with hesitation, eyes beginning to fill.

"I thought you didn't have a job?" Chris asked. She shook her head, and covered her face. He was confused, it wasn't the revelation he expected. He thought she would confess her love, and tell him she cheated, not go into information about a job.

"I do. God...I don't know how to say this..." She sighed and began to break down. Chris clasped her hand tightly, encouraging her to continue. "I'm... an escort. But I don't like it."

Jill didn't know how to tell him it; she tried to find the nicest possible way. Chris was stunned, the woman he loved was a prostitute, a whore. He couldn't come to terms with that.

"So what? Wesker's a pimp?" He asked in disbelief.

"No, not exactly. I'm not a prostitute. I don't sell myself on the streets."

"But it's still sex for money, right?" He asked already knowing the answer. She nodded reluctantly, her tears finally beginning to flow.

"I don't believe this." He whispered. He wasn't angry, he wasn't annoyed, not even jealous, he was just hurt and embarrassed.

"But you got to believe me. I've never cheated on you. I refused to go to clients when I met you, and I walked out on the one I was supposed to have today." Chris did believe her, he could tell her words were truthful. But he still couldn't take it.

"You've changed my life. You gave me hope, Chris. I really do love you." She begged with him. She had to let him know how much he had done.

Chris's heart sank. His heart told him to forgive her, get over it, and tell her he felt the same. His head told him otherwise.

"If you don't like it, then why do you do it?"

"I don't have a choice. I can't leave; you saw what he did to me. If I tried to leave...I don't know what he would do." She buried her face in her hands, and continued, "I'm sorry Chris, I should never have got you involved."

"Involved with what?" Chris asked soothingly.

"All of it. Wesker, me, everything. I shouldn't have fallen for you because now...now I've just made things worse." Jill whimpered. She felt guilty and ashamed. It was bad enough her hurting, but never did she want to break Chris's heart. And she knew she should have ended it before it became so serious, but she couldn't help herself.

Chris didn't speak. He was still trying to get to grips with her job. He couldn't believe it, nor did he want too. The thought of it made him sick.

Without any unwillingness, Chris wiped away her flowing tears. He didn't agree with her job, but he still cared for her, it wouldn't change his feeling towards her. And never did he wish to see her upset.

"I'm the same person, Chris. My job doesn't change who I am. And I know you don't agree with it, I don't either, but that doesn't change our feelings. I know that I love you and no job can alter or destroy my feelings for you." Jill choked out her words. He kept his hands delicately on her sensitive face.

"I know, but I just have to think...about us. This has come at a really bad time, Jill, what with everything that has happened. I don't know how to take it. I don't how I'll cope with you, with your job. The betrayal, the jealously...I don't think I could cope." Chris said, and immediately he regretted his words. Jill wasn't surprised, his reaction was understandable and she followed where he was coming from.

Jill stared deeply into his green orbs and she felt even worse. He was so innocent and kind, yet she had found a way to rip him apart. She spontaneously broke into a fit of tears. She didn't usually cry, she was a strong woman, but he was able to bring her to tears.

He reached over and clutched her hands close to his chest.

"I'm not saying it's over, okay? I just need a break. I have to clear my head, sort things out. I'm sorry Jill." He apologised, although he didn't know why. It was an unnecessary apology yet he felt it had to be said. He hated seeing her broken up like that, but he couldn't stay with her.

Jill looked up and nodded solemnly towards him, various tear tracks making their way tenderly down her face.

Chris gingerly planted a kiss on her forehead, and brought her into a long embrace. The two finally broke, and parted their separate ways.

Really didn't like this chapter, found it basically impossible to put onto paper what I wanted too. I couldn't get it out right, and I apologise.

The long awaited conversation is here! Though it's a bit of a buzzkill because we waited so long for it, and then when it came it isn't exactly good :S

I apologise for Sheva, I think I well and truly raped her character, but in my defence I don't really like her so I find it very hard to write for her. Also, I apologise for it being so dreary at the moment. Everyone's miserable and crying, but it'll become happy soon.

Review, s'il vous plaît.

Artichoke,

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