Holiday Party pt. 2

Announcements: Due to some confusion, I took down the Rainy Day chapter. It is the next chapter and will be posted up once again. As always please enjoy.

"Please tell me you got laid!" Alexia questioned, barging into Emma's room.

"Close the door, I'm half naked!" Emma shouted, tugging her top on as quickly as possible. "And if you must know, no I did not."

"B-but I set it all up, that was…... What did you do to ruined it!"

Alexia's bottom lip jutted out, as she pouted at the still open door. She did this often, and only when she didn't get her way, giving Emma the feeling that Wesker indulged the adult woman far too often. The dull burn of last night's embarrassment colored Emma's cheeks again, as images of her nearly kissing Wesker passed her mind's eye. What on earth was she thinking? Her fingers rubbed the back of her neck, as she looked at anything else. Alexia had the annoying habit of looking at a person and knowing what they wanted to keep secret, one of the many reasons Wesker worked with his little sister.

"Something happened, spill!" The blond demanded, nearly lunging over the dining room table.

"N-Nothing happened, now leave me alone, I have a long and hard day ahead." Emma barked.

"Fine, but you'll spill the precious beans!" Maniacal laughter echoed in the room. "Before I leave though, I was thinking, you did most of the work into this party, and I was wondering if you would share the evenings kick off speech with me."

"Sure, I am unsure of what I'd say, but I can do that."

"Great, see you tonight!"

The halls echoed with silence as Emma cautiously walked through the deserted area. A new creation for the Umbrella Corporation kept most of the staff busy, which sparked another grateful glow to Doctor Vaughn from Emma. Without his help, she wouldn't be getting the chance to expedite her escape so easily. The sound of footsteps alerted her to the guards rounding the corner, giving her just enough time to duck into a hall closet. Her gut screaming to hightail it back to her room, so she could continue getting ready for the party. Hearing the gentle thrums of the guard's steps fade into the background, she breathed a heavy sigh to calm her, fraying by the moment, nerves.

"You are two yards away, just go there and do what you need to do." She hummed, peaking from the cracked door. "Ok, go."

Emma rounded the corner of the hall, taking in a deep breath as she did so. It wasn't until she was halfway to the door that she heard Wesker's heavy steps echo down the hall. Her eyes snapped up in a mild panic, a cocky smirk touch his lips when their eyes met. On instinct Emma passed the communications office forcing a bright smile to her features. Normally he would just walk past, maybe a "Good Morning," would pass between them, or maybe a slight nod, but not today.

"Aren't you supposed to be getting ready for the Gala tonight?" He hummed, resting a heavy hand onto her shoulder.

"Yes," she replied, nibbling her bottom lip.

"Then why are you here?"

"I-I'm a bit nervous," she purred, running her fingers through her hair. "Alexia wants to share her speech, since we both worked on the party, and I have nothing prepared." Considering the situation, this wasn't a bad lie. "I-I needed to clear my mind, so I thought a stroll around the compound would help."

"Ah, I see." Wesker half chuckled, turning so he too was facing the direction she was headed. "Alexia is long winded, meaning by the time they get to you, everyone would be comatose." He took a few steps, urging her to follow. "Keep it short and sweet, you'll do fine."

"I planned on thanking the small shops and the performing troop, for participating in our parties."

"That's good, you could even leave it at that if you wanted."

"I'm not sure if you read my files in the B.S.A.A," she hummed, glancing to the sleek floors. "But it says that I don't do well in public situations. In fact, I'm pretty sure they mention the fainting incident."

A light dusting of a blush danced across her cheeks at the memory. There had been an incident in Russia, during a reconnaissance mission where two Russian officials had died, during a B.S.A.A and Umbrella conflict. Both the American and Russian Government demanded a hearing to get an accurate account of what happened from Leon's and Ada's perspective. Since Emma was their Navigational Technician, this meant she too was called to the hearing. During her three and half hour interview, Emma had locked her knees from nervousness, and ended up passing out in the middle of it all. It was all so embarrassing, but ended up being the spark of her and Leon's relationship

"I was at the hearing." Wesker smiled, side glancing at Emma. "That's when you piqued my interest."

Emma brows knitted together, as the weight of his words settled in. The Russia episode had happened well over two years ago, leaving a six-month gap between the hearing and the kidnappings. It was plausible that this was an important event which sparked the Nav-tech abductions, but if he had an interest in her, then why wait a year and a half to take her? Unless, it had something to do with the conflict, her mind offered.

"Wesker," her voice wavered, as her body stopped in the middle of the halls.

"Yes, Emma?" He mused, stopping beside her.

"You said I had information you needed, but after the 'interviewing process,' you never asking me anything else." She swallowed hard. "Is what you need to know information I got from what happened there?"

"You finally understand what I need." He chuckled, resting his back against the wall.

"Does it have to deal with the codes I procured, to stop the missile launches?"

"Close, but not what I'm looking for." His guiding hand, on her waist, pushed her to his office, "You had mentioned a series of blueprints you'd found during your search for the codes."

Her brows creased again, she did remember finding the blueprints, but they seemed to be for a set of buildings nothing more or less. What would he want with those? Reaching his office, Wesker opened the door and escorted her to the small sitting station. Crossing his legs as he sat, Wesker thrummed his fingers against the leather armchair, waiting patiently for her to say something.

"I found blueprints to buildings, and two or three machines." Her throat no longer feeling quite as dry. "I don't remember anything being too important."

"What were the machines?"

"One seemed like a voice activated elevator that cleans off any bacterial surroundings," she breathed, sitting onto his leather couch. "Another looked like a giant air ventilation system. The last one was a series of chambers with reinforced steel."

"You mentioned you have a photographic memory when it comes to maps and such, could you possibly draw out the plans for all three?"

"Yes, what exactly am I drawing out for you?"

Wesker smiled, standing again and went to his desk where a set of papers rested. Emma stretched her body, still in the sitting position, trying to get a good look at what he had there. He leaned over, grabbing the light blue paper and a white pencil. When the papers were dropped in front of her, she quickly got to drawing the series of blueprints.

"Umbrella Corp. and Russia had a contractual deal, which thanks to the B.S.A.A's tampering, our contract was broken. You stumbled over the blueprints for our new experimental stations. Those are a series of attachments that are going to help us maintain our newest strains of the T-virus."

"So, Russian scientist redacted their end of the bargain, and my nosing around made me valuable?" Emma hummed, "Then why wait a year and a half to take me?"

"I couldn't alert the B.S.A.A to what I was looking for, so I made sure I was the only one who knew what information I was searching."

Emma hummed, her fingers keeping true to the outlines she remembered. When she was finished, she sat back to see what she had drawn out. It wasn't the perfection she remembered, but her specialty wasn't drawing, so her lines weren't as straight as they should have been. Her teeth pulled at her bottom lip, as she handed him the pages. Wesker took them, quietly scrutinizing them as if they were going to answer all his problems, before going back to his desk. He called one of the engineers to his office, leaving a silent air between the two.

He hadn't dismissed her, but he now leaned against his desk silently reading the information she wrote out for him. Should she stay? She wondered, slowly sliding from the chair. It was disappointing that she didn't manage to call Chris or Leon, but it was factored into the plan that she may not be able to make it the first time. There were two other times that she would be able to slip away tonight, if she missed those then she was out of luck for a while.

"Here are the plans for our new containment rooms, be sure to start that after the party." He breathed, tossing the pages to his men.

Both Engineers looked over the plans, ignoring the dark-haired woman on the couch. Emma couldn't read Russian, speaking it was a little better, but she definitely remembered the symbols on the pages. When she presented it to her bosses in the B.S.A.A they told her to forget what she'd seen during her hacking for information, lest she start a full war between the United States and Russia. She did what she was told, as best she could, by never speaking about it again until this point. The two men nodded, confirming that these were indeed plausible plans, before exiting the room.

"Good work Emma." Wesker hummed, gently stroking her face. "You've given me exactly what I needed to complete my plans. Now you should go get ready for tonight's party."

Emma shivered as his fingers lightly stroked her face, already she could feel the effects of his touch. She swallowed hard, as she nuzzled her face into his hand, embracing the warmth he provided. His fingers swooped back, tangling themselves into her hair, drawing her to the edge of her seat. An amused chuckle leaving his lips, noticing the look of shock on her face.

"You have about an hour to get ready, kitten." He hummed, breathing in the faint honey smell of her shampoo. "I'll escort you to your room."

With that said, he pulled away from her and stood to his full towering height. Emma followed his lead, slight shocks of embarrassment touching her cheeks. If this were only a series of residual adolescent crushes, then why haven't they gone away? She wondered, as they walked through the quiet halls. Was there something more to their relationship, did she really develop feelings for the monster that is Wesker? She'd be home soon, and she'd worry about it during that time. For right now, she needed to worry about getting to the com station tonight, without being noticed.

"Thank you," Emma breathed once they reached her room. "For everything really."

"No, thank you. I'll see you at the Gala tonight." Wesker paused, smiling down at her. "I know you must be worried about your place here in Umbrella, but you've been a great help. As long as you stay here loyally, I can promise Leon and Chris's safety when I can control the situation."

Her breath came out in a slow exhale when the doors closed. That was a close one, she thought as images of what could have happened passed through her thoughts. She'd be more careful next time, or at least that's what she told herself. It was hard predicting if this was a test, but she had to keep trying to get home. If not for her sake, then for the sake of Benton and her loved ones. With this time ruined, Emma started getting ready. She didn't want to do anything too fancy for tonight, she could only handle one fancy night a year, and yesterday took that cake. Instead she braided her long tresses, giving her a clean look, with simple make up.

"Wesker wishes that you wear the red dress he got you." Alexia breathed, walking into the room with a pale green dress.

"What red dress?"

"The one I brought you silly."

Sure, enough there was the lacy red dress Emma was looking at on their first field trip out, dangling from the blonde's hand. It was shorter than she'd expected to wear, but it did give off a steady elegance that fit the Gala. Emma rolled her bottom lip with her teeth, before taking the dress carefully. This dress was too expensive, but Wesker gets, what Wesker wants.

"So, if you guys didn't have sex, what happened?" Alexia purred, waiting for any word to leave the dark-haired woman.

"If I tell you, will you promise to stop talking about it?" Emma sighed, disappearing into the bathroom.

"Yes, though I can't promise indefinitely."

"I nearly kissed him."

If Emma had said anything afterward, Alexia wouldn't have known, almost instantly a squeal of excitement left the blond. Embarrassment touched Emma's cheeks, she felt foolish for saying it out loud, and for her actions. What did Wesker think of her lapse of judgment? He a said nothing about it earlier, was it because he still found it so amusing? She groaned, hearing the inner conversation she was having, there were more important things to focus on. If things worked out, she wouldn't have to worry about this…. Relationship…... any longer. That is, if it even counted as one.

"I knew it, I knew it, I KNEW IT…." Alexia paused, a moment, her finger tapping her jaw. "Though, there was that one moment I was 95 percent sure he was gay."

"You…. Thought Wesker was gay?" Emma chuckled, pulling her clothes from her body. "That seems bellow you."

"Hush woman," Alexia giggled, prancing around the room. "Aw, you look cute…. Not ravishing like yesterday, but cute."

"Thanks." Emma rolled her eyes.

"Let's go!"

The ball room roared with chatter, this party wasn't just for workers, it was for all of those who were invested in Umbrella. Investors from all over the world came here, for the elegant food, events, and for reassurance all is going well. Wesker and the other bigwigs would be busy, entertaining and keeping the companies bread and butter happy. This would give Emma more than enough time to slip out and send a message, but first, the speech. Alexia cleared her throat, as she neared the podium, one could tell from the soft movements that this was her element.

"Ladies and gentlemen," she started, her voice demand attention. "Investors and employees, we at Umbrella Corporation thank each and every one of you for your loyalty, hard work, vision, and most importantly your money." all the investors chuckled. "Tonight, is a symbol of your trust in the future, and the future of this beautiful company that strives for perfection. As tradition, we will have viewings of what we are working on, on the things your money is helping to fund, but tonight is also about getting to know your investments and those who are investing in your talents. Now, as much as I would love to take credit for tonight's beautiful set up and planning, I must share much of that with Ms. Emma Singh." Alexia purred, holding and arm out for Emma, applause tearing through the room.

"G-Good evening." Emma breathed shakily. "and thank you for your support. Um, tonight is thanks to the hard work of The Decoration Company and Zuni's Catering, as well as the hard work between Alexia and myself. Please enjoy."

Alexia smiled, taking Emma's fingers into her own, as they walked off stage with applause. The dark-haired woman breathed a deep sigh, her heart thumping so violently against her ribs. Large crowed always seemed to do this to her. Nausea shook her stomach, telling Emma what may happen if she didn't calm down soon.

"You did great," Alexia chortled, shaking her companions hand reassuringly. "Now, all you have to do, is be your charming self. Oh, excuse me, I must greet the Russian ambassador. Unless you'd like to come?"

"N-no, I-I would like to settle my stomach first."

"Fair enough."

Emma ran her cool fingers across her warm brow, her eyes darting around the room. No one was paying attention to her, maybe a sign to rush out. A slow breath left her lips, as she nonchalantly strolled to the door. If anyone where to ask, she'd simply say her stomach felt queasy, and she was heading to the infirmary. After all, it was completely a lie. All movement stopped, when a strong hand gently pulled back on her wrist. The icy chill of panic shot through her, as her body turned to face whomever caught her. Did they know what she was doing? The thought passed through her mind, just as she was met with Wesker's beautiful face. His sunglasses neatly tucked into his breast pocket.

"W-Wesker," she exhaled, with a slight shake.

"You did great," He smiled, moving his hand up her arm slowly. "Short and sweet."

"Thanks, I'm just glad I didn't faint."

The sweetest smile touched her lips, as her eyes drew to the light touch, until his fingers stopped to rest onto her shoulders. Emma swallowed hard, already feeling the warmth pool through her body. She smiled, lightly touching his fingers, the low thrumming of nausea slowly ebbing away.

"Yes, that is a victory," he smiled, his thumb playing with her collarbone. "Now, where were you just going?"

"I was feeling nauseous, and thought it'd be best if I visited the infirmary."

"I can walk you there."

"What about your investors?' Emma half chuckled, a low panic shuffling inside of her. "Don't you think they are more important?"

"Well, I wanted to dance with you." He breathed lightly touching her cheek. "They can wait, after all I spend most of my time conversing with them over the phone."

"I'm actually starting to feel less nauseous." She hummed quietly.

"Do you feel well enough to dance?"

A breathless chuckle exited Emma, her eyes locking onto his. The question was innocent enough, and truth be told she could afford a dance or two, before leaving. Emma nodded, wishing now mare than ever that she'd left her hair out in soft curls, this way she could at least hide her bright red face. Wesker smiled as his large hand pressed against her lower back, guiding her to the dance floor. She'd never been to a Gala before, and wasn't sure if this was what they were like across the board. Wesker's fingers pulled her flush against his body, before starting to waltz. Emma's eyes flashed to her feet, she'd never danced to a waltz before, and found herself slightly stumbling as they went along.

"You've never waltzed before?" He questioned, an amused smile touching his features.

"Never really thought I'd have to learn." She hummed, finally starting to predict his moments.

Her eyes danced around the room, stopping when they met with the good doctors. Panic registering in his eyes for a moment, watching Emma and Wesker twirling along the floor. She was sure that the doctor wasn't a part of any plot in tricking her, especially now, watching as he followed their movements anxiously. Their eyes met, and she did her best to try and calm his nerves, if anyone noticed, that could be the end of everything. Vaughn nodded, before returning to a calmer conversation, with someone who seemed to be an investor. Wesker's fingers slid farther down her back, barely resting against her bottom, drawing her attention back to him. Emma's teeth pulled at her bottom lip, before she glanced into his now golden eyes.

"About last night." She started, discomfort pitting itself into her stomach.

"There's nothing to say," Wesker dismissed her excuse almost instantly. "We'll leave that as it was, until a later time."

Something over Emma's shoulder called for Wesker's attention effectively stopping the dance in its tracks. Emma followed his blue glare, wondering what was going on. Standing in the center of the arch way, was a tall red haired woman with piercing brown eyes and a gorgeous silver dress. Her dark tresses were pulled into a rose shaped bun at the side of her head with soft curls of hair waterfalling down her shoulder. Whomever she was, she was the most breathtaking female Emma had ever seen.

"Duty calls," Wesker sighed, taking a large step away from Emma. "Relax and enjoy the evening.

With his dismissal, Wesker crossed the still very active dance hall towards the woman. Emma took a moment to watch their conversation, it seemed relaxed almost as if one was speaking to an old lover. Emma huffed, before she too exited the dance floor, something akin to jealously flooding her senses. It was easy to see that there was something not so plutonic going on between the two, and she resented it. The woman looked so much like a model, why wouldn't any man choose her? Emma thought, as she discreetly made her way to one of the side exits. Her thoughts distracted her from, noticing the kind doctor appearing beside her.

"Are you alright?" He asked, resting his hand on her waist. "He didn't harm you, did he?"

"No, I am fine." Emma half yelped, "Do you know who that woman is?"

"She's the leader of the Irish branch, I think her name is Mira O'Connor." He paused, glancing to the two. "This is the perfect time for you to sneak out. Go now."

Vaughn side stepped, placing him in front of her. None of the guards were paying attention to them, but he did so just in case. Taking the hint, Emma slipped through the archway, and hurried down the abandoned halls. Last time she was too slow, but she didn't want to rush head first into a dangerous situation. With the information they needed out, if she was caught there was no doubt that it would be a death sentence. She rounded the corner to the com station again, the edges of her skirt splaying out to the side before falling back into place. Feedback from the P.A. was the only thing that stopped her from her goal. Alexia's cool voice crackled, as she announced the unveiling of the new strand of T-virus will be starting soon in the observatory.

"Ok, half way to freedom, five minutes."

Emma pushed through the door, happy to see that none of the communications people were there. She had no lie to give them, if they were still here. Her fingers locked the door behind her, before she put in the B.S.A.A.'s frequency. There was quite a bit of static, but she could clearly hear Leon's voice. Tears brimmed her lids, as she pulled the small mic to her lips. What to say? She wondered.

"Leon," her voice waivered. "Leon it's Emma."

"Emma, are you ok?" he asked.

She nodded, before she could stop herself. "I'm fine, alive. I don't have much time, I'm somewhere in central Africa."

Emma couldn't say much more, when the door flew open, revealing both Wesker and the red-haired woman. Leon's voice repeated her name, panic consuming the sound more and more until Wesker tore the wires from the consol. His eyes flash a dark gold color, as they bore into her soul. How did he know she was there? She wondered, as a yelp of fear drew from her lips, when his fingers tossed her out of the room. Pain radiated through her body, hitting the thick walls of the compound, then sliding down to the floor. Ms. O'Connor's smile chiseled itself into Emma's memory, as two guards pulled her to her feet. There was nothing Emma could say to defend her actions, so instead, she allowed herself to be dragged to her room. Where once again, she was placed under lock and key.

"Stupid, stupid girl." She hummed, sensing that this was a test, one she'd failed critically.

"I would agree," the cool accented voice of Mira echoed through the quiet. "Don't be frightened girl, Wesker sent me to check up on you." Her smile faltered momentarily. "If it were up to me, you would have been the t-virus test subject, but you've foxed yourself out of that punishment."

Emma remained quiet, Leon knew about where she was, and would push for the B.S.A.A to find her. There was still hope, even if that hope killed her here and now. If she were a smarter person, she would fear for her life, but there was still some faith that Wesker wouldn't kill her. With no reaction, Ms. O'Connor grew unamused with abusing the small girl on the floor, and instead turned to walk from the room.

"I will enjoy watching him tear you apart." She hummed, walking all the way from the room.

Emma was alone again, and would be for another handful of hours. It was nearly midnight when Wesker walked into the room, disappointment edging the rage in his eyes when he looked at her. His body stiffly sat in one of her dining chairs, waiting for her to say anything at all.

"You've disappointed me." He growled, thrumming his fingers onto the table. "Have I not provided everything you need?"

"I needed to go home." Emma shot back, quietly.

A horrifying chuckle left Wesker's lips, as his fingers tangled into her hair. "What did you say to them?"

"Wesker please." Her voice tightened, as fear sank in.

"Please what?" he breathed, yanking her to her knees. "Please don't kill me? Don't do this?"

"Please don't hurt them." Emma sobbed, wrapping her fingers around his wrist. "I'll stay, I'll do whatever you need, just don't hurt Leon or Chris."

"You're begging for their lives?" he chuckled, as if disbelieving his ears. "Your life is being threatened, but it's theirs you are defending. You are unbelievable."

His free hand gently massaged his temples, as he tossed her back into the bookcase. All of her air hissed out of her mouth, when both her head and back made contact with the thick wood. Emma's sight fogged as she rested her throbbing head onto the cool ground, everything feeling far too heavy to lift. Warmth slid down the side of her head, pooling on the concrete floor as she tried to catch her breath. It wasn't surprising that she'd have a head wound, but what is jarring is the amount of blood that oozed down the side of her face. Emma groaned, rolling to her back, she needed to escape this situation, maybe anger Wesker enough so that he wouldn't want to see her for accouple of days.

Her shoes were thrown across the floor, allowing her one less thing to worry about, as she pushed herself to her knees. Wesker's words falling on deaf ears, her mind too focused on getting out. Emma winced, as her nails scratched the wooden shelves, before it tipped completely forward. The sounds of books falling echoed through the room, as she pushed herself to her feet, and rushed to the door. Everyone knew Wesker had inhuman speeds, but she'd hopped that he'd be distracted long enough so that she could exit the room.

She was halfway down the halls, by the time she'd noticed Wesker was not in tow. Concern radiated through her thoughts, as she pushed forward to the elevators. Escape now, worry later. She repeated, each time the icy fingers of fear chilled her. Had she killed Wesker? Was he bleeding out on the floor? Her thoughts raced at a thousand miles per hour as she waited for the elevator doors to open again. Emma was no killer, if it turned out she'd killed Wesker she wouldn't be able to coup with it. An alarm blared through the compound, shuttering the elevator to a stop. Either Wesker regained consciousness or someone found him on her floor, her hear hopping for the former option.

"Okay, you're trapped in an elevator, with an enraged Wesker prowling around." She hummed, as her fingers wiped away the river of blood. "First things first, get out of the damned elevator."

Emma breathed in a deep sigh, as her fingers pressed along the sides of the elevator. Normally there were emergency hatches, many were placed on the top of the carriages, but some placed them off the side. A metallic scraping sound echoed in the elevator, when she'd pushed the side paneling out. The shard of metal clanked as it fell down the long system, half of the work was done, as she slid her body onto the concrete slab nearby. Thank whatever celestial being that she wasn't particularly afraid of heights. Her feet slid across the slab, as she reached for the other elevators cores. The carriage of these cords was two or so stories down, giving her more than enough time to jump to the sides, if need be.

Her hands burned, as she shimmied up the riveted cords. More blood slipped from her, as the cord cut into her palms, she was glad that she'd left the elevator when, it started going up again. They would find the empty carriage, before noticing the missing panel. She knew they weren't stupid enough to miss the paneling, but she'd hope that they would. When she reached the first subfloor, Emma was exhausted, and ready to surrender. Her arms were burning and weak, her throbbing headache now turned into a nauseating pulse, where any sudden movement prompted her stomach to heave. This wasn't a good sign at all.

"Keep moving." She purred, crawling to the elevator doors.

"Where would you go?" Wesker's voice echoed through the shaft.

"W-Wesker?"

"Yes, dear, it's me." He sighed, pushing his hand in front of her face. "You've avoided us well, now it's time to take your punishment."

"Punishment," Mira snorted, "She deserves death, or have you gone weak?"

"Erin, escort our guest to her plane." Wesker growled, gripping Emma by her upper arm. "Make sure she gets on it."

Emma groaned, as Wesker jolted her through the doors, and onto solid ground. The movement immediately voiding her stomach of any food. She definitely had a mild concussion, base from the blackening edges of sight. Wesker dragged her through the halls, ignoring her stumbling and pleas to slow down. He was in no mood to deal with this, and for her to have done this with Ms. O'Connor around. There will be hell to pay, but for now, he should worry about getting out of the compound, now that their position has been compromised.