Chris woke up on his own bed this time. Wesker seemed sad to see him leave but Chris reassured him that they would spend plenty of time together during and after work. So with a quick peck on his captain's lips, Chris left.

The soldier looked at his cell phone hopefully. Claire still hadn't responded. He put it away with a sigh, not feeling eager to look at it anymore. Claire was really going to drawl this out, wasn't she? She must be planning on making Chris feel really, really sorry before forgiving him.

He got up and got ready for work without another thought. He would try again later today. Maybe by then Claire would be ready to talk. He hoped she would hear him out and see that Wesker was no threat whatsoever.

A little while later, he was at the office, finishing up the rest of that damn test he had. Out of the corner of his eye, he noted that Jill seemed to have a little more discomfort than yesterday. Every so often, she would place her hand on her shoulder. She seemed to do this without thinking, for she often recovered and dropped her hand in case anyone saw.

Chris did see. And he noticed that Wesker was looking his direction in concern. So he must have seen too.

It was then that Chris realized that no one on the team knew about them being together. Chris didn't know if he should tell them or not, since he wasn't sure what Wesker wanted to do. He decided to ask about it later. For now, it was nearing lunch and Jill was in the locker room.

"Hey," Chris greeted her.

Jill nodded back to show she acknowledged him, though her slight wincing made Chris realize that even that much movement aggravated her shoulder.

"It seems to be bothering you more than normal."

Jill frowned at this. She was caught.

"Like I said. It's just a scratch. I'll be good in no time."

"The doctors say that?"

"Of course," Jill laughed it off, though Chris could feel a defensive air about the way she responded, "I'm more than ready to get these stitches off. It sucks not being able to go out doing rounds."

Chris hadn't much of an opportunity to do so either. He knew more than anything how painful it was to spend the entire day doing nothing but paperwork. Still, he was concerned for his friend.

"It's not like it's a paper cut. Are you sure you're alright?"

His concern seemed to irk Jill. Great, now he had two women angry at him. She let out a sigh and her expression-thankfully-softened.

"Thanks for worrying but I'm alright. I promise you. I'm heading out to lunch. Would you like to come?"

In all honesty, Chris had been planning on skipping lunch. It was something he would call a 'good eating' day where he didn't stuff his face with junk food. On some days he was tired of working off all the calories he ate just to avoid getting fat, so these 'good days' consisted of a high fiber or high protein breakfast, no lunch and a humble dinner.

However, now that Jill offered, Chris couldn't say no. He would feel better about sticking close to her, in case something happened and complications required her to take a trip to the hospital. Damn, he was a worry wort.

"Sure, Jill. Do you like Sonic?"

She nodded with a smile. Chris nearly jumped when Wesker came out of nowhere, he didn't even hear any footsteps. That man could be too stealthy when he wanted to be.

"What are you two up to?"

"We were going to get lunch together," Jill said.

There was a smirk on his captain's face. Before Chris could ask what's up, Wesker swooped in for a kiss. The soldier heard Jill gasp in surprise, while he blushed madly. Why did he always lose his cool over something so simple as kissing Wesker?

When Wesker withdrew, he looked at Jill.

"Alright. Just bring my boyfriend back safely."

With that, he left, leaving Chris at the mercy of Jill's silent gawking.

xxxxx

They took his truck, which Jill didn't seem to mind. Since Chris was still determined to call this a 'good day' he got himself a grilled chicken sandwich without the mayo and a diet soda. He hated the artificial sweetness but he liked it better than plain water. He hated sacrifices sometimes. He didn't even get a side this time.

Jill seemed to have even less, getting a small portion of chicken strips without sauce or any drink at all, along with a small salad and no dressing. No dressing? How the hell did she manage the will to eat that?

"So how long have you two been together?" Jill finally asked. Chris had been expecting this question. He took another sip of his less than delicious drink.

"He asked me out on my second day. We had a drink at this bar and became official after that."

Chris decided she didn't need to know anything about what happened that night, though he had the strange feeling that she wouldn't mind hearing the details. He never thought about it before but were some women turned on by the idea of two men together in the same way that some straight guys liked lesbianism? If there was, Chris had a feeling Jill would be one of those women.

The lock pick gave him a knowing smile.

"I was wondering which one of you was going to crack first, though I had a feeling that it would be Wesker."

"What do you mean?" Chris asked curiously.

"Well, I never seen him look at anyone the way he did the other day. I knew that you had him pretty tongue tied, even though he tried to act cool about it. I'm glad one of you decided to break or else you guys would've both just continued the same charade I've seen all throughout high school. You know the one. Where the two teens are obviously hot for each other but would never admit it."

Chris let out a laugh. He thought he was the only one who looked like a lovestruck doofus that day. How did he miss the interest in his captain's eyes if Jill saw it?

Well, maybe she was more in tuned to people's emotions than he was. After all, Barry still had no idea what was going on between Wesker and Chris. And Chris didn't know what the other members thought.

"I'm glad he did too. I actually thought that he wanted to be friends when he first asked me out," he admitted.

The two finished eating. When they returned, they found that Enrico and Forest were both gone. Wesker was talking through the transmitter.

"No wounded?" he asked.

"Everyone living there got out safely. The fire department just arrived. God, I feel sorry for all these people without a home."

Chris and Jill frowned and looked at Barry for an explanation.

"Some apartments went up in flames. Apparently not an inch is livable there now. It's on the news."

"Do they know the source?" Jill asked, immediately in professional mode.

"We found evidence it was deliberate."

"An arsonist?" Chris gaped. How people could be so cruel, he would never know. His phone suddenly buzzed in his pocket. Figuring he wasn't clocked in yet, he took a look and found Claire was the one calling him. Odd. She should know he was at work. Not that he was complaining but why was she calling now.

"Claire?" he asked.

"Chris! Tell me your at work."

"Calm down. Of course I am. What's wrong?" he asked.

"Oh," Claire sounded sick, "You don't know yet, do you?"

"What do you-" Chris stopped mid sentence as he put the pieces together. It couldn't be. No.

"I heard it on my radio while I was leaving class. Your apartment is on fire. There's no way it can be saved."

"My apartment…" now Chris was the one who felt sick. Sure, he didn't have much belongings that were no doubt burned to a crisp but at least he had a home before. What was he going to do now?

"Chris, where are you going to go?"

Claire lived in the dorms. There was no way they would let her take him in. Of course, there should be many other people in the same situation. They were going to have to find a homeless shelter to get back on their feet.

Could Chris do that? It seemed like he had no other choice. He felt Jill's hand on his shoulder.

"Your apartment?" she repeated what he said, "You mean…"

"Chris?" Wesker's voice startled him out of his thoughts.

The man was glancing at him in concern. Chris must have appeared devastated to all the people in the room. He felt so numb he couldn't even feel the phone in his hands.

"My home…"

"What?" Wesker looked back at his transmitter and frowned.

Jill turned to their captain who looked lost about why Chris looked so sad. She withdrew her hand from Chris's shoulder and Barry's hand took her place.

"I think those were his apartments."

The captain's shades directed themselves toward Chris. The elder Redfield saw his reflection in them and could tell now why everyone was so worried.

"Come here, Chris," Wesker ordered.

Barry let go of his shoulder so that Chris could leave. He followed Wesker almost without a thought. He recovered by the time they found a private room. Things sucked but he needed to stop feeling sorry for himself. Self pity never solved anything, he told himself.

Wesker sat down on his chair but not before insisting Chris take a seat himself.

"Those were your apartments?" he asked.

"Yes. My sister called me. I'm still in shock, I guess but I know-"

"Chris," Wesker stopped him there, "If you need a place to stay, you can come live in my place. I take it that your sister can't take you in."

Chris was worried that Wesker would offer this. It made him look and feel so helpless, especially after Wesker did so much for him already. But could he really decline out of pride?

"My sister lives in the dorms. Albert, I'm glad for all your help but-"

"No buts," his captain said in his sternest voice, "I can't let you decline this offer. Chris, we're together now, so it only makes sense that we move in together, right?"

So soon? Granted, his home was burned down but-

No buts. Maybe Wesker was right. Why should Chris stay at some homeless shelter when Wesker was offering him a place to stay? The shelter would no doubt be packed with people who had no other option now, so Chris would be taking advantage of them by adding to the count when there was no need.

Besides, it didn't have to be permanent. Once Chris got back on his feet, he could think about getting another place. Wesker would understand. And who knows? He might like living with his captain that that wouldn't be an issue.

Finally, Chris managed a smile, though a bit of a pained one since the loss of his home still burned in his chest.

"Thank you, Albert. For everything. You have no idea how wonderful you are to me."

It was a gushy speech but a sincere one that Chris just had to voice. Wesker smiled, taking off his shades and kissing Chris fully on the mouth. It was their most passionate kiss yet.

xxxxxx

"He did what?"

"Of course," Chris tried not to sound defensive, "Don't be like that Claire. What was he suppose to do?"

A pause.

"Look, Chris. I'm sorry if I'm getting carried away with my worrying. I guess in this circumstance it's perfectly reasonable."

Finally Claire was starting to see his point of view. Chris breathed out a sigh of relief.

"But you will tell me the moment he starts acting weird, right?"

The sigh of relief almost turned into a sigh of frustration but Chris managed to will it not to. Claire was not going to give this us. But she was at least willing to give Wesker a chance, which was more than she was willing to grant yesterday. Time to reassure her.

"I promise, sis. If he acts like a freak, which I'm telling you now he won't, you'll be the first to know. And I'll be gone for good. Don't worry about it, okay?"

"Alright. Thank you," she said gratefully.

With a polite adieu, Chris ended his call. Wesker was running on the treadmill, going at a speed of seven with no trouble of all, even though he's been at this for almost an hour. He stopped it and glanced at Chris, a bead of sweat forming his brow. Chris almost felt sorry for the poor machine.

"You seem to work your exercise equipment more than it does with you," observed the elder Redfield.

Wesker took a big gulp of his water bottle before responding.

"I actually broke one down once, if you can believe it."

"Would you be at all surprise if I told you I did? I think you're better at cardio than me," Chris sounded a bit jealous. He didn't mean to but it caused Wesker to smile.

The captain wrapped the towel around his shoulder. Chris saw that his flushed face from the extreme workout somehow made him look even more fuckable. He was so ready to take Wesker soon, instead of the other way around. As much as they've been fucking, Chris had yet to top.

Maybe Wesker had a problem with letting his lovers control him but Chris was going to gain his trust. The Redfield soldier knew that he could seduce Wesker to help him with that.

Of course, there was always a chance he was reading too much into it. Chris realized that it could all be circumstantial. Maybe the next time they had sex, Chris could pose the suggestion.

Wesker moved out toward the door.

"I'm going to shower. I hope you'll be in this room by the time I get back."

Chris arched an eyebrow.

"Why?"

Wesker smirked at him.

"Because you somehow look even more fuckable when you're on my couch."

Strange that he was thinking so similarly to what Chris was just imagining. The soldier laughed it off, brushing off the uneasy feeling that Wesker might not have been entirely joking with his command.

Wesker left and Chris shook his head. Now Claire was starting to make him paranoid. Chris refused to let any more of these uneasy thoughts enter his head. Wesker was a good man, he knew that for a fact.

Chris liked being called fuckable, so he decided to reward Wesker by humoring him. He could stay on this couch if it resulted in some good sex. Chris flicked on the tv for a while.

Wesker's phone had ill timing, ringing while he was showering. As a man who did business with Umbrella, he was used to carrying it around everywhere. He paused his bathing to answer.

"Sir, we got another sample. This one looks promising."

Wesker didn't know who the guy's name was on the phone, just that he was one of the scientists that were going to fall in their own experiment one day. Not that he needed to know that.

The news gave him an ounce of hope, though he didn't let it rise too high in case this would be another failure.

"How do you know this might work?" he asked.

"We obeyed your instructions and injected a simple houseplant with it. Within two days, the plant was able to move on its own and grew three times in size. We found that it can quickly devour rats with its vines."

"Its vines?" Wesker repeated.

"For some reason, it started using its vines as its main attack. Not only do they act like tentacles and wrap around the target but the ends also have tiny mouths with sharp teeth. The plant actually eats like it was part of the animal kingdom."

This was exceptional news. What Wesker wanted most of all was to have bioweaponry so advanced that a mere houseplant could turn into a weapon of mass destruction. If it had that effect on something as harmless as that, Wesker could only imagine the power he would have once injected with the drug.

Still, this might be another failure. There had been so many attempts on this drug that just ended miserably. Some plants tripled in size but didn't do anything else, though some of the more tender-hearted and weak scientists thought that might help increase crop size and help with world hunger. Wesker had scoffed when he heard that. Then there were drugs that manage to give the plants the ability to move on it's own accord like it was a feeling animal, though it couldn't fight at all. This was the best news he had heard so far.

"I see. I'm interested in checking it out."

"Can you come over soon? We fear that this thing will keep growing if we don't burn it soon."

Wesker sighed. He supposed that was a reasonable request, especially considering he himself wanted to be there as soon as possible. The only problem was Chris, whom he had planned on comforting for the remainder of the night. The Redfield would understand if he told him this was important, of course but Wesker was hoping to get him used to his captain as a means of emotional support. Speaking of which, he needed to check to see if that arsonist was silenced yet. He couldn't have gotten too far.

"I'll be there tonight. Twenty-one hundred hours."

"Yessir," the man sounded both grateful and intimidated.

Wesker hung up. That would give him an hour to be with Chris, so all was not lost. He went back where he left his lover, happy to see him right where he left him. Chris was typing something on his phone when Wesker came in with nothing but a towel. The boy's jaw dropped as he saw the water from the shower dripping from Wesker's hair.

"Hey, there you are," said Chris, trying to act cool.

Wesker took a seat by him, ignoring the tv and instead aiming for a kiss. Chris didn't seem nearly as eager as usual, so he withdrew with a frown.

"What's wrong?"

Chris looked down in thought. Wesker guessed it was his loss home. However, he was shocked what came out of Chris's mouth next.

"My sister got upset again."

Oh, right. He had forgotten about Claire. Wesker was hoping that she was at least on board with the idea. There was nothing she could do to prevent Chris from moving in with him. Was there? Surely not.

"She doesn't trust me to let you move in?" Wesker asked with his best hurt voice.

Bingo. Chris melted at the question, frowning in guilt and looking up at his captain as a plea for understanding.

"I'm sorry, Albert. She's still pretty shocked about the whole thing. She wants me to be safe. I would do anything to make her realize that you're the best thing for me."

Wesker so wanted to kiss him for that remark but he knew that would be ill timing. He had to feign pity at this moment in order to keep Chris happy.

"I'm the one who should be the one to prove myself to her. I don't want you to worry about moving in with me. We can all get together and talk some time if we need to."

Chris smiled and brought his lips on Wesker's brow. Now, he was in a kissing mood, Wesker gave a mental smirk. They kissed each other.

Wesker pulled away, looking sad.

"I got a call. They want to meet me for classified matters. I'll be gone in about an hour."

"This late?" Chris asked with a frown.

"I'm sorry, Chris. I tried to tell them no but my superiors-"

"I understand," Chris smiled, "Got to keep them happy, I guess. Just be back soon. I know you're captain Albert Wesker but don't be too reckless."

"Of course not. And the same goes for you, Chris. I won't be gone long."

xxxxx

After his captain left, Chris sighed and looked at his text. Claire pleaded with him to meet her, tonight. It was late, true but the loss of his home really made her want to check up on him. If school and work hadn't been in the way, they would have met a lot sooner. Chris told her he would meet her at IHOP at 11:30. It was a good thing a place that delicious was opened and Chris had given up on his 'good day.' After today, all he wanted was a late night snack full of carbs and sugar.

He made it there in good time, ten minutes early actually. And yet, Claire was still there before him. The way she was sitting tensed up with her legs swinging back and forward told Chris that she was beyond worried at this point. She looked up and immediately pulled him in for a hug.

"Chris, I'm so sorry."

"Everything's alright, sis. I'm alright," he whispered seriously.

"Please sit down."

They took their seats and ordered coffee. Chris merely pretended to look at the menu, not missing the feeling of his sister's eyes on him. He snuck a glance and was captured by the distraught look on her face. He knew better than to stall this for too long.

"I know you're scared," he began, "That I'm going to get into trouble somehow. Hell, you've been like this ever since I got my first job."

"Most people's first jobs was something like retail. Not the police," Claire said a bit bitterly.

"But you handle all those motorcycles and you know how I feel about my little sis driving like mad on something that dangerous."

"I guess. But I'm not in any gang."

To her credit, Chris really did ask her that at one point. But give him a break! That was when she was 15 and driving all around those things without a permit, he felt obligated to ask her that.

"I'm just letting you know that I know what it's like being worried. At the same time, I want you to trust Wesker."

She opened her mouth but then closed it, leaving whatever she was going to say a mystery. But she didn't need to voice it. Chris could tell by the way she looked that she was still not supporting his decisions.

"And please trust me," he added.

Now she seemed shock, like the idea never occurred not to. Chris took in her questioning glance and set out to explain.

"Trust me, Claire, to know what I'm doing. And trust me to let you know the moment something goes wrong. Can you do that?"

There was a pause, only broken by the waitress bringing their coffee and taking their orders. Claire's shoulders lowered in either defeat or relief, Chris hoped it was the latter.

"Okay," she said finally.

xxxxx

Wesker found that the plant was exactly as the scientists described. It ended up eating the skin of someone's arm, so they had to take him to the hospital. The scientist was screaming that he was never working for Umbrella again after this. Stupid fool. He had sent himself to his own grave saying that. Wesker was sure by now that the scientist realized the ambulance was a set up.

In the end, it was Wesker who battled the monster plant, though it took several shot gun bullets to defeat it. He smirked and ordered step two. They would see what the drug would do to spiders. But the scientists seemed really scared to do so. They couldn't afford to lose more lives than needed, especially when Wesker wasn't sure if this drug was perfected or not yet, so he bribed them with a promise of a bonus. This seemed to get them going. Sacrifices must be made, after all.

As he was driving back, Wesker had a strange thought about that plant. They named the project Plant 41 and it was a great weapon compared to the others. Yet for some reason, it oddly reminded Wesker of those weird Japanese porn that had fetishes for tentacles and it got him thinking to (not so shockingly) think of Chris. It was a stimulating thought to imagine Chris dealing with a plant like that. But instead of wanting to eat him, the plant used his tentacles in a much more sexually satisfying way. Wesker felt his erection hardening. What a sight it would be to see. If he was ever lucky enough to have the drug altered like that, he wouldn't mind seeing Chris play with it. A recording of the act would be nice to.

Wesker smirked. Yes, he was an evil man and he knew it. Soon Chris would know it too. But one thing at a time. He got out of his car and paused when he noticed something was amiss. Chris's truck was gone. On the alert, Wesker texted his lover, praying to god that he didn't catch on and ran off.

Thirty minutes later and Chris didn't reply. Wesker looked at the clock that was nearing one in the morning. Did something tip of Chris? What was he going to do now? Wesker didn't like to admit it but he couldn't stand the thought of Chris leaving him.

He was pulled out of his thoughts by car lights pulling into his driveway. Wesker sighed in relief when he saw through his window that it was Chris, though said relief quickly turned into anger. As hard as it was to control his temper last time, this moment felt five hundred times more impossible.

"Hey," Chris greeted, pausing immediately when he saw the glare on Wesker's face.

"Where were you?" Wesker asked hard.

"Claire wanted to talk. I'm sorry, I should have told you."

Wesker wanted to scream at him and punch him but he saw Chris backed up. Now was not quite the time. He had to ease Chris into this mindset of being dominated.

Still, this couldn't go unpunished. Time for emotional manipulation.

"I was so worried. After your house burned down, I thought-" he trailed off deliberately.

Just like magic, Chris took the bait.

"You thought what?"

Wesker cursed. It was a good thing he was actually pissed off or his acting wouldn't be nearly as convincing.

"I thought the arsonist was after you."

Bingo, guilt shown on Chris's face as he thought about how worried Wesker must have been to find him gone without any explanation. Chris came in for a hug to comfort Wesker.

"I'm sorry, Albert. I had no idea you thought that I was in trouble. What made you think that?"

Wesker's head scrambled for a purchase. It didn't take him long to find one.

"S.T.A.R.S. has made a name for itself. I thought if any criminal knew where one lived, they would attack the place."

The effect on his pseudo theory had better results than he imagined. Chris was now looking painstruck at the thought that he might have been the reason all the residents lost their homes. Wesker faked shocked and shook his head.

"I didn't mean it like that. I just-"

"Do you really think that's possible?" Chris asked.

This emotional torture would be a perfect punishment. Wesker praised himself for thinking up this lie. Time to drill the message in. Wesker brought his hands to Chris's shoulders.

"I'm sorry. S.T.A.R.S. have many enemies as you know. I shouldn't have told you what I was thinking. But ever since I found out it was your place, I thought that maybe someone was after you. And maybe I'm just being irrational but when I saw you gone, I feared the worst. I thought something terrible had happened to you, Chris."

Another hug made its way around Wesker's torso. This was no doubt the best way to put Chris in his place, right now at least. Soon, Wesker could use more direct and less subtle measures to have his every whim met.

Chris kissed him, apologies spewing out of his tender mouth. Wesker relished the words, kissing all of the unshed tears away. They turned that night into their most passionate yet.

xxx

Months later, Chris didn't know how or why but he was still with Wesker. One day it struck him like lightning. Wesker was an ass. More than that, he was borderline controlling. Chris realized that he had been scared before but now the man's constant eye was getting on his nerves.

They started having fights, usually ignited by the fact that Chris wanted to be away from Wesker for a while. Wesker managed to make him stay through reasoning or guilt. One day, Chris left anyway and came back to a drunken Wesker, who punched him for his defiance. Wesker didn't recall the memory the next day and demanded to know who gave Chris the black eye.

For some reason, Chris made up a story. Maybe it was because Wesker was so loving when he worried and tended to his wounds. Chris liked hearing him vow that he would destroy the guy who hurt Chris. The irony of it all shouldn't have been funny to Chris but what the hell he laughed anyway. Why not. It wasn't like he wasn't use to this kind of behavior.

Maybe that was why Claire wanted to protect him. Chris had broken his promise and still had not told her about what was going on. He couldn't. He wanted to be proven wrong. He couldn't believe that the Wesker he had fallen for never existed.

So he stayed with Wesker, hoping that the man from his dreams would return.