**Two weeks later**

Annette rubbed at her temples as she paced down the corridor.

You'd think I remember how to get from A to B by now. Annette Gibbons, defeated by simple hallways. This is ridiculous..

If there were more people on this level, she wouldn't be afraid to ask for directions. Unlike the few other places in the upper level, these labs only had a skeleton staff. It made little sense for these many labs to go unused, but the facility was still quite new. It's likely just a matter of time. Hell, most of the doors she couldn't open with her clearance.

Stopping in mid-stride, Annette stared at the same emergency alarm that's she likely passed three times already. She fished around in the various pockets on her labcoat. Paper, yes.. extra change, yes.. The one time I could really use a marker.. This day gets better and better.

"After the fifth test, these results simply aren't getting us anywhere." Birkin grumbled as he rounded the left corner with clipboard in hand, fully absorbed in data crunching. "How the hell are we going to....." He stopped mid-sentence as he nearly collided into Annette, standing just by the corner he turned.

"Ahh... Hello, Mr. Birkin." Annette greeted as quickly as possible. According to the other scientists she had been teamed with, both Birkin and Wesker were quite important researchers dedicated to a heavily-classified project. It wasn't unknown that a few scientists were dismissed due to crossing their path. If she could deduce anything, it was likely Wesker.

"Ms. Gibbons! Pardon me, I just get so absorbed in all this that I forget where my feet have taken me." Birkin smiled sheepishly as he tucked his clipboard under his arm.

"Please, just call me Annette. Ms. Gibbons sounds so formal."

"Likewise. William is just fine."

The two exchanged almost at the same time, illiciting nervous laughter in the process.

"I was just on my way back to the main lab. Where were you heading?" William raked his free hand through his mess of hair, his most notable bad habit.

"Y.. yes, yes I just heading that way myself. Can I walk with you?"

William smiled broadly, bringing some life to his constantly exhausted appearance. "Certainly. Ready?"

"Ready." Annette returned the smile as she walked alongside Birkin. It was the first time that week she really felt good.

***

"Actually, would you like to stop off and get a coffee? I could really use a boost." William offered as they rounded closer to their destination.

Annette nodded, clearing her throat. "I feel quite parched myself and I haven't had my morning coffee yet. It'd kill two birds with one stone."

Without hesitation, William guided both of them in the direction of the small breakroom near the main lab. There wasn't a lot to it - a table with a few chairs with a well-stocked counter and refrigerator. It was rare to ever see the coffee pot not brewing a fresh pot everytime she found her way here.

"How do you take your coffee, Annette?" Birkin inquired.

"I..."

"One cream and two sugars."

It wasn't Annette who answered. Leaning against the wall opposite of the counter, Wesker held a black mug in one hand, the other tucked in his pants pocket. Black clothes. Black mug. I bet he drinks coffee black too. How did he know...?

Annette raised an eyebrow, but decided against asking how he knew. It was well-known that Wesker didn't like being questioned. It didn't mean she wouldn't say anything though - time to use politeness to her advantage.

"Watching over my drinking habits, sir?"

"Not particularly." It was as good of an answer as she'd get out of Wesker.

As William handed Annette her coffee, she gave him a warm smile as her fingers brushed past his. "Thanks, William."

"You're very welcome." Birkin stampered, turning back to fill his mug with little grace.

Wesker pushed off from the wall, taking his empty mug to the sink to clean in his own meticulous way. Annette sat down in the closest chair to the door as William sat across once his mug was ready, placing his clipboard down on the table.

Naturally, her eyes couldn't resist taking a quick peek at what was written: CONFIDENTAL - T-vir....

"Ms. Gibbons, your eyes are wandering where they shouldn't." Wesker spoke as he flipped over William's clipboard on his way to the door.

"You seem to watch me a lot." Annette cringed as she realized she actually spoke that thought outloud. Oh crap..

For the first time, Wesker managed to smirk at her expense.

"Careful what you wish for."

Before she could retort, Wesker had already stepped out. Annette leaned back in her chair, turning her confused stare over to William.

"That's just the way he is for as long as I've known him."

"Yeah. You've said that before. I can assume you two have worked together for a while?"

"We've been a team for about six years, ever since we met at the Umbrella Management Training Facility."

Annette narrowed her blue eyes, doing a bit of math. I assumed they were close to my age. Did they really start that young? Perhaps they're older?

William's shoulders seemed to slump a tad after the long pause. "Do I look that old?"

"Not at all. You always look very tired every time I see you. Please take care of yourself." She stated as she moved to stand, chair sliding out somewhat noisily. "I better get going before I miss out on the secondary tests with Steve and Henry. We've really made some progress over the past week."

William rose at the same time, taking both mugs to put in the sink to clean later. Annette shot him another pleasant smile, her ponytail swaying joyfully behind her as she made her exit.

"Perhaps I should." Birkin rubbed a hand over his pale face, feeling strangely self-conscious.