The strong smell of antibiotics burned Piers's nose, jolting him awake. He blinked a few times, adjusting to the bright lights over his head. Where am I? He was laying on a bed, monitor screens attached to him, reveling his vital signs. He tried to get up and move, but was held down by something. Even though his neck was stiff, he still managed to raise his head, uncovering a very tired Redfield. She had fallen asleep while keeping watch over him.
"Claire?" His voice sounded hoarse and weak. Her eye fluttered, refusing to open completely due to lack of sleep. She rubbed her eyelids and yawned.
"Piers? Good to see that you finally decided to get up. You wouldn't believe how worried everyone's been." She stretched out as she spoke.
"Everyone? What happened?" He was still trying to piece together everything. Claire took his hand in her's, doing her best to set his mind at ease.
"I'll let Chris fill you in." She sat with him for a while longer, carrying on a normal conversation about her work. She stopped and got up when they both heard Chris's voice in the hallway. "I just want to let you know, I'm really glad you're okay." She stood there staring at the ground. He flashed her a bright smile, laughing slightly.
"Thanks. I'm kinda glad you were the first thing I saw when I woke up. You're very soft on the eyes." He expected her to blush or laugh, but she didn't. She kept switching her gaze from the ground to him, with a somber look on her face.
"Get better, Piers." She spoke before leaving the room. Immediately after she was gone, Chris appeared.
"Piers! Good to see you're awake." He grabbed the chair his sister was sitting in previously.
"How long have I been out? How's Corrie? What happened in New York?" His questions were coming out like rapid fire. He was getting so worked up, that his monitors started beeping, showing an increase in his heart rate.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Chill out. Don't over exert yourself. I can't answer all of your questions at once." Piers took a deep breath, bringing his heart rate back to normal. "I'm proud of you, you know. You saved Corrie's life. You fought to keep him safe instead of running off, leaving him to die. Not all men could say the same." He rested a hand on his shoulder. "Now, about his condition. He's awake, but still on bed rest. He fractured his skull. Broke his right leg, as well as, a couple of his ribs. The doctor said he just needs rest at this point. He can return to active duty in a few weeks. As for you," Piers felt all of Chris's attention shift to him. "You should be singing hallelujah. All you have a few cracked ribs and some cuts and bruises. They said it was ok for you to come back next week, but you have to take it easy during practice. It's okay though. The team will get you both back to normal in no time." Piers waved away his comments.
"I get it, but you didn't answer the question of how long I was out." Chris chewed on his lip, calculating the days up in his mind.
"Let's see. Today's Sunday, so about... three days." Piers shot up in his bed, instantly regretting it. He winced in pain. Chris sat up straight; hovering over him, concerned. "Hey, take it easy. The more you move around, the harder it's going to be for you to heal." He grabbed his side, lowering himself back down to lay on the bed gently.
"What happened with the mission? Did you ever find out where those creatures came from?" He asked Chris, waiting on the answers.
"After you were injured, John stayed behind to patch you and Corrie up. While he waited with you two for reinforcements, the rest of the team and I ventured into another part of the sewer. We found an underground facility that was crawling with all sorts of monsters. Of course, we managed to shut it down without anymore injures. The mission was a success, and the higher ups praised you for putting your life on the line for another. That's not an easy thing to accomplish on a first mission. I've been at this for years, and I've only gotten recognition for my mission in Africa." He wallowed in self pity for a moment, before Piers entered his input.
"I think they know how good you are; they just don't want it to go to your head." Chris rolled his eyes at him.
"Smart ass. No one asked for your opinion." They joked around with each other until a nurse came in to check on them.
"Five minutes until visitor hours are over." She warned them while tended to Piers. She looked around the room, clearly disappointed. "Did Ms. Redfield leave?" Chris nodded, causing the nurse to look even more discontent. "That's a shame." She directed her attention to Piers. "You have one amazing girlfriend. She's been here since you were admitted. Refused to leave your side until you woke up." She smiled at him before leaving to tend to her other patiences.
"She was here the whole time?" Chris seemed reluctant to answer.
"Yea.. She was really worried. Didn't even go home to sleep. I had to bring her food too. She just sat and talked to you like a lovesick puppy." He shook his head, thinking about how torn up his sister had been. "Well, I better get going. Don't want to piss off the faculty here again." Chris could see the question forming on Piers's lips and decided to cut him off. "Don't ask." He waved his hand in front of his face as if dismissing the whole potential conversation. "Goodnight, Piers." Chris closed the door behind him, leaving Piers alone in his empty hospital room.