Resident Evil: Dawn of Uroboros Chapter XXII: Symbiosis, a resident evil fanfic

Author's Note: People, believe it, this is an update. Finally! First I had a situation with school (which is over xD) and now I'm fighting with one I have at home, so I barely have had time to touch this story. Nevertheless, it's here and with the same things as before. Let's make a recap:

Thanks to the side-effects of the virus and his reluctance to take the serum, Chris is starting to develop a split personality that acts as a sidekick, a dark sidekick that is like an advisor to his actions: it's his counterpart, all Chris has been suppressing and it's coming back to bite him in the ass. At the same time, he realizes all that has been going on between Jill and Wesker, and he's about to set things straight with Jill... not in a pleasant way. He doubts his nature and his persona, and there's only one way he can make it stop.

Warning: this chapter has no set point of view during the second fragment, so all the characters' thoughts are heard. I want no criticism for this, since its an essential thing to do.

Disclaimer: I do not own Resident Evil or any of its characters.

XXII

Symbiosis

A lonely whisper in your ear
Saying the things you don't want to hear
With a breath, you hear him say
On this night, you will die this way

Leon had literally frozen in his spot when he'd opened the door to Claire's apartment.

With a mild expression of surprise -contrary to what he really felt inside- he'd stared at the living room: almost everything was sprawled over the floor, clearly indicating signs of struggle, and that's what Leon hadn't liked a single bit. Also, contrary to what he had and hadn't expected, Claire wasn't there, a fact which would've had him worked up if he wasn't for his knack to keep a cool head. What had him more worried than usual were the spatters of blood across the centre of her rug, but what else could he have in mind? Whoever had come and taken her sure had been meticulous, all the mess in the living room aside: there was nothing else he could have as clue to her current location.

Leon headed over to her phone and checked the list of received calls, going over it carefully so as to have the tiniest hint, even where there wouldn't be. After checking it out, he came up with nothing. Alright, this was getting frustrated whether there was room to admit it or not. There was no-one else he could contact save for Hunnigan, who was still working along with him, and she barely knew about Claire. There wasn't Jill nor... Chris who, according to Jill, had passed away a month ago... not Rebecca either, since -as far as Leon knew- hadn't kept in touch with Claire recently. Returning the phone to its place, Leon sighed.

Where could he keep looking?

As if on cue to his question, his cell phone started buzzing in his pocket. Who could it be, Leon didn't know, and looking at the screen didn't help much: private number. Whoever it was, Leon was already distrustful.

"Hello?" he spoke, instinctively taking his hand to the pager resting inside his pocket.

"Leon? Leon, is that you?"

Leon's eyes grew wider. "...Claire?"

"Thank God I could catch you!" she exclaimed on the other side. A wave of relief washed over him: that was undoubtedly Claire's voice. "You don't know how glad I am to hear you..."

"Claire, where are you?" Leon asked back, not waiting a heart's beat. "Are you okay? I'm at your place; it's a complete mess! What happened?"

"Never a dull moment, huh?" Claire teased, easing the tension. "You wouldn't believe where I am, Leon. A few miles off your position, under Brooklyn Bridge... but under."

The second emphasis left Leon confused, but he didn't push farther: conversations over the phone weren't too safe, and only God knew if whoever had captured her -if that had been the case- was still looking for her.

"Brooklyn?" he echoed, nevertheless baffled by her words. "You're safe, right?"

"Safer than ever, fortunately," Claire replied, her tone telling Leon she was smiling; he knew that tone of hers too well. "Listen, when can you get here? You've got a lot of catching up to do, so do I, and it's not too safe to talk over the phone..."

Leon nodded. "Fine, I'll see what I can do to get there as soon as I can."

"Okay. Meet you at the airport? We can get there with no problems."

"We?" Leon echoed again as fished out his keys, which also had the ones to Claire's place, and started locking the door before leaving. "Who's with you?"

"Shush, you. You'll find out when you get here."

"Okay, as funny as always," Leon shot back, his tone a bit lighter than before. "I'll give you a ring once I'm there; let's see how much I take. Take care and be careful."

"Sure thing. You be safe too."

It was then that Claire hung up. Now all Leon needed to do was contact Hunnigan... and wait.

It was time to face the truth.

With her gut clenched and arms almost tingling with uneasiness, Jill made her way towards Chris' room. She wasn't one to lose her cool very easily, but something told her that the matter Chris wanted to talk about was important, even... personal. If it was what she expected, she could start bracing herself for a bumpy ride. Along the way, one of Sherry's co-workers, Zoe, told her Wesker had something he wanted to talk about with her but Jill didn't heed Zoe's words; if she went and saw him before speaking with Chris, words wouldn't flow like the sands of an hourglass were meant to.

Once in front of Chris' door, she knocked on the door once but no answer... not directly. Jill leaned against the door, trying to make out if someone was talking, but she found it impossible. Then, she rapped thrice. "Chris? Chris, can I come in?"

Silence; then, Chris' typical whistle to say 'yes'. Hesitant, she made her way inside the room. Uneasiness greeted her, tension did too, all accompanied by a stone silence. She found Chris sitting at the foot of his bed, on the floor, knees flexed and gaze seemingly lost. The same moment she flinched to move, Chris' head snapped towards her and his gaze met hers. Jill couldn't help growing stiff.

I've become used to his gaze, but now it's unnerving. He's not the same, but God forbid.

For a long moment they remained silent. Jill remained at the door, debating whether to get closer to him or not; one movement could prove the wrong thoughts, and she didn't need that to happen. She intended to follow Chris' gaze to see where he was looking but his eyes didn't move from her face. What she did notice was how his brow had twitched: a scowl not achieved.

"You reek of him," Chris suddenly said. "You spend a lot of time with him, don't you?" he then asked with a face of disgust. Jill didn't reply, stayed mute and in her place, and kept a close eye on him. Chris was mad at her, and now she understood why.

"What's that you wanted to talk about?" she asked at last, taking some steps towards him. Chris cocked an eyebrow, his eyes ablaze with indignation and anger.

"You and what you're keeping up," he replied, his tone harsh, angry. "His scent is too strong on you; you've been close to him... and 'close', haven't you? Wouldn't surprise me, actually." That last sentence was full of disdain, rejection, hate. Jill's stomach knotted in uneasiness: Wesker himself had an idea of what was going on with her and her 'interests', but it'd be all new to Chris. How to explain? No, how to explain without lying?

As his arm circled her shoulders, his lips gently touched her temple, a gesture she didn't appreciate as much as she would've wanted to. He had obviously noticed her hesitation and asked, "What's wrong?"

"I'm... uneasy. You know why, right?"

"I do. You don't know what it is to lie until you lie to someone close to you, do you? He doesn't have to know and consider this: it'd work on our benefit."

"But sooner or later he'll find out."

"The truth is cruel and hurts, but no more than a lie. If you want to tell him, go ahead and do so."

"What about you?"

"About me? Nothing. I myself don't have a choice in the matter: it's you who should tell him." She was still hesitant, even though she knew nothing would happen between them both. "I know of your interests and I know you don't plan on choosing, but that requires that you tread with care. One false step and it's all gone."

"But haven't all my steps been false since the moment I saw you again?"

"Perhaps they've been. If you tell him, it'll be painful; that's more than obvious. Though if something happens, have this in mind: it's because it was meant to be. I don't believe in fate and you shouldn't either, but maybe things tend to happen for a cause. I've learnt to see things another way so I tell you this: don't be afraid of the effect. If you confront it, that'll be the cause and then it'll have another effect, better or worse. We just have to wait."

"How to lie without lying?"

Without lying, as simple as that: the only solution.

As Chris stood up, Jill posed, "What if I was?"

She didn't change her expression when she saw Chris stare at her intently, eyes going wide and a grin in disbelief appearing on his face. "Then you're insane."

Jill crossed her arms out of instinct. "Well, let me tell you: I am getting close, not as 'close' as you think I am getting," she snapped, defiant. First lie on the way.

And oh, how Chris had noticed it. Did Jill think he was stupid? No matter how much he wanted to talk, he already knew what was going on and it had been thanks to his intuition, his instincts, his capability to read Jill Valentine like an open book.

She's LYING, she's lying! Don't you see it? But just wait for a few moments, drag this along and toy with her; let her know of your thoughts, of all you've never said and then... tell her, tell her you knew. Trickher into believing she's hit home, control her, manipulate her.

Chris shook his head, a dark chuckle acting as the prelude of his words. "I already thought you were insane, Jill, but this just borders the ridiculous. Are you out of your goddamned mind? What are you trying to prove with that? I mean, I just can't believe it!"

"Don't you dare make any assump-"

"Assumptions?" Chris bellowed, sweeping the air in front of him with a quick movement of his arm.

YES! Keep going like this!

My God, what's happening?

Jill was too taken aback: Chris would be one to argue some other time, but his tone never reached the intensity which it had right now. "For Hell's sake, this is hysterical. Why? Why are you doing this? You're-you're betraying my trust in you! What about all he did to you, huh? Wasn't HE the one who hurt you and ME the one who helped you pull through? What the hell's gotten into you!"

See? You healed her wounds but she's opening yours again. It's time you hurt her, it's TIME!

"I know what you both did with me; don't think I'm oblivious to that!" Jill snapped, raising her voice, but Chris couldn't believe her... because he didn't even want to.

So if she's not oblivious to it, then why is she doing this to you? Poor little one... now give her what she's asking for!

"Then you know what?" Chris snapped back. "Either it's me or you're completely ignoring what I did for you. What's this of turning to him now? Every single wound will be opened again; you, and even I, complained about how much they made us hurt and ache inside. Hell, it's not just about me, but about you! Do you honestly think that bastard will be able to heal them again?"

"I haven't forgotten what you did for me; how many times did I thank you for it?" Jill said, keeping her tone as convincing as she could. "But he's also helping me, Chris; I can't lie to you: he is truly helping me."

"What if he's truly manipulating you?" Chris asked, unrelenting.

It's not like you're going to avoid doing that too, aren't you?

Chris, if you only understood...

"He would've done it a long time ago, and I know he did it many times before," Jill agreed, lowering her head. "Chris, Wesker's changed; I know that."

"Considering what happened, think of it as TBI; there's nothing sincere or genuine behind his words and actions," Chris shot back, seething. "No matter what, he's always been pretending. Sooner or later he'll hurt you again, no matter how close he seems to be to you."

What-what is he admitting? Did he know already?

Oooh, your tongue is slipping but no matter. You did throw the undertone there, so good job.

"You still doubt me?" she breathed out in disbelief. "So you just determine people's character by how they act with you?"

"Why is it always me, for fuck's sake?" he shouted. "Hasn't it all been the same with you? Please, Jill, be rational! Has he really changed you that much?"

"He hasn't done anything to me, I have!" Jill insisted, gesturing at herself with a hand. "With or without him around, I have been the one to change myself. Why do you always think it's influence?"

Now make her see... Make her see you care and then hurt her.

But Chris didn't say anything out of instinct or anger, but because of genuine concern and affection. No matter what happened, what he did or said, Jill would keep drifting away from him... and he was jealous. "Stay away from him or you'll suffer again. Changed or unchanged, he's still our enemy."

"Our enemy, huh?" Jill scoffed. "You might want to consider our partnership till the end, Chris, but he's not my enemy anymore, never mind what you say. The fact that you're stupidly single-minded doesn't give you the right to say what I have to do! I'm not someone you can control. I can take perfect care of myself; I know what I'm doing!" Even Jill herself couldn't believe the tone with which she was speaking: low and menacing, too defiant.

Only God knew where the argument would end.

Chris hastily shook his head as well as his hands in a sign of refusal. Jill, at the same time, felt that sooner or later she'd lose control on her temper. It seemed like she wasn't talking to Chris Redfield.

I have to understand his reasons, though he's taking it out of scale! This is not like him!

Ring around the rosie... and here we go again.

"It's not about- wait: me, single-minded? HA! That's just great, really. Well, being like that has helped me to keep my facts straight, not change my mindset at the slightest prompt. Unlike you, I still can see things like they are!"

"So you're just going to stereotype him? Call him a psychopath?"

"Didn't you tell me of all the things he did to you while he had you prisoner?" Chris asked Jill, his tone surprisingly calm this time. "Didn't you let me know of all the pain and the suffering he put you through? How do you know he's not scheming to do it again? It doesn't matter what he does, says or feels: he hurts people one way or another."

"I know I did that... but he also cared for me," Jill replied, her voice almost breaking. "And I told you!"

"Cared for you because it was in his interest, Jill, or didn't you see that?"

The remark hit home.

He's also right about that, but I just can't agree with him anymore. Chris has got his vision of Wesker, I've got mine, and they're too different. I can't... convince him of anything else. If this is going where I think it will, then I might just as well tell him and get it over with. As long as he doesn't know, both he and I will be hurting and we'll eventually collapse... and I can't let that happen.

"Chris, now it's time for me to ask: didn't you also tell me you'd try to see Wesker as a different person? Why didn't you try?" Jill inquired, getting closer to him. "I know he won't be the same when you are around, but I can assure you he's not like before. If I am indeed getting close to him, it's all because he opened up to me just like you did a long time ago."

I'm hurting him, but this will be better than a white lie.

She's hurting you, but you don't want to lose her. Though will you allow your enemy to take her away from you? Because that's what he's doing. Through pain you won't get her back, that's for sure, but she'll understand sooner or later.

Chris looked away, breaking the eye contact Jill had tried so hard to maintain.

"I-I can't believe you're doing this to me, Jill, I just can't."

"If you say you still can see things straight, then why is it me the only one who's still at ease when Wesker's around? Don't you think I might've, you know, changed a bit?" Jill said, shrugging at the end. "Can't you just get another idea of who I am?"

Chris was desperately trying to find heads and tails to the situation. Jill's words were making him consider, but his hate towards Wesker wasn't making things any easier. He feared she'd be hurt again but her stubbornness also complicated things. What else could he do?

"What do you want me to say?" Chris asked, undeterred. "He almost killed you, killed me, killed my sister! Hell, he murdered our teammates! I can't believe you're going to overlook that."

"Chris, we're are all sinners; there are no sinners and saints with distinctions here," Jill piped up, changing back to an apprehensive and defiant stance. "You haven't even tried to do what I've done and you think you know everything about him?"

"Actions say more than words, Jill, or so it goes," he told her. "I'm not speaking about actions with a particular person, but actions in general. To me, and initially to you too, he proved himself to be a monster, a heartless manipulator that cared only for himself."

"I know all of that!" Jill felt like she couldn't hold herself back anymore and stomped a foot against the floor. "Do you think I'm an amnesiac? But people change, Chris; he can even change, too! He's shown me that he's different, that he has and hasn't got a reason to be like he is! And I..."

And now, for some reason, Jill felt unable to go on talking. Unconsciously, she focused on the beating of her heart, too strong against her ears and her temples, and sensed her breathing escalating. Sudden hesitation gripped her, rendered her mute, and she stared at Chris in apprehension.

He can't know, he can't know, he can't know, he-

"You what?" came his sudden question which interrupted her train of thought. Jill swallowed, about to speak, but then came the unimaginable.

And this is when you and me both come in.

To Chris' delight and Jill's shock, he smiled at her almost laughing. Jill couldn't avoid gasping at the gesture, her hands trembling, and only when Chris' smile vanish did she feel like crying. Then, when his question came, she was mute.

"It's all because you love him, don't you?"

Time seemed to stop.

His voice came indifferent, cold, neutral and wicked, an all too different tone from the one he'd been speaking with until now. It was simply different in unexplainable ways. As she expected, Jill couldn't bring herself to say anything and only stared at him as fear invaded her.

"It's true that I might be blinded by my hate," Chris said calmly, a dangerous glint in his eyes, "but if you're defending him like you would've defended me, it's because you love him... right, Jill?"

As soon as Chris was done speaking, he rushed forwards as a faint black blur and Jill suddenly found herself against the wall, Chris' hand threatening to close its grip around her throat. Once more, Jill was afraid of him and his presence, which sent chills and waves of panic down her spine that rendered her unable to move. His piercing gaze met her own and tears finally left her eyes as she didn't hold back a pained sob, one that wracked her body with agony.

"Hey, hey," he called, brushing some strands off Jill's forehead. Those affectionate gestures had transformed into macabre ones, senseless gestures that didn't prove anything, and Jill knew that perfectly. A half-choked whimper escaped her lips when he laid his hand on her cheek and his fingers stroked her tears away. Jill feared him, this time more than any other one, because she knew Chris merely had to flinch to have her meet her demise... but he wouldn't do that, would he?

"Please don't," she managed to whisper, "don't-"

"Don't say anything," Chris interrupted her, leaving his fingers on her lips to silence her. Jill found it hard to maintain eye contact mostly because of her flowing tears. She couldn't tell why she was so afraid, but the point was that she felt that fear taking over her most basic of functions. "Just tell me this: tell me everything between us wasn't a lie."

A lie? Since when had it all been a lie? Jill didn't even know herself; it had all been so real since the beginning that she'd thought it had been true. She gave out a shaky breath, her voice quaking, and tried not to move. "I... Nothing was a lie, I swear!" she told him, but Chris only lowered his head as a response. He was in disbelief, she knew, unable to accept what she'd just said. "Chris, please-"

All of a sudden, he chuckled, the sound more high-pitched than usual. "Why so scared? I can tell he's been this close; if he's been like this and I have too, then why are you shaking like a leaf?" Jill couldn't guess what was so funny to him and as such, she remained silent. "Jill?"

"Let me go," she commanded, but her voice didn't come as strong as she wanted it to.

"You're slowly replacing me, aren't you?" he then asked, his eyes fixed upon hers, and Jill quickly shook her head.

"No! Don't you dare believe that!" she insisted. "I still love you; I wouldn't push you away!" She didn't even think she'd sounded convincing because of her shaky voice, and Chris didn't look up. "You have to-"

Once more she fell silent when his fingers, lithe and slow, dried the tears off her cheeks and eyes, his golden ones finally glancing up at her and seemingly trying to drill a hole into her skull. Though her breathing was still forced and shallow, her tears stopped flowing and her eyes met his again; Jill tried to find answers in them, but she received none. His right hand never left her throat, his grip never slackened, no words left his lips. Jill felt compelled to close her eyes, to keep his presence away, but she just complied with her mind's first wish; then it all was dark.

All of a sudden, something soft fell upon her mouth very gently; one more kiss to add to their list. No matter what the circumstances, Jill couldn't help herself: she didn't hesitate to return his kiss with nothing more than love, all the affection he thought he hadn't received. Without giving her time to breathe, he kissed her harder, taking her face in his hands and pulling her closer to him. On the contrary to what her mind expected to feel, there were no gentle strokes or caresses; all he wanted to say, it was his mouth which told her. Coming to her senses, Jill pulled away, sensing how unwilling Chris was to do so.

"Why-why are you doing this?" she asked, her voice a mere whisper. Instead of replying, Chris laid another chaste kiss upon her lips, one during which she felt daggers in her heart, and he said,

"Because I still love you with all my strength, and because I don't want to lose you."

That wasn't too much of a lie, was it? Trust me, she's not someone you can rely on anymore.

""You won't lose me, Chris," she told him, running a hand through his hair, "I promise; please, I'm being honest." But the more they stared at each other, the more she doubted he'd heed her words.

Please, please, listen to me...

Then, to her increasing desperation, Chris slowly stepped away from her.

"I don't believe that lie."

"CHRIS!"

In a blur, he was gone, the only sound audible the door's. As soon as her instincts kicked in, she stormed out outside the room, calling for him until nothing more than silence greeted her as an answer. She looked in all directions, not knowing which way to take, then finally decided to take the first corridor to her left. Jill didn't run: she dashed up the hall in a mad sprint in hopes of finding him before he was completely gone, though for a moment she wondered... how would he leave the building without anyone knowing? He still had to be around, didn't he? It was a time for questions, but for answers.

But no matter how many halls she visited and looked through, she didn't find him. The whole complex was a maze of halls -she couldn't blame it-, and there was no way of knowing where Chris was. If she could've only been faster...

No time to blame myself; I have to find him!

Tears threatened to spill again, but she dried them off and kept looking, undeterred. The more she looked though, the more convinced she became of his absence, the more afraid she became of the single fact that he'd left, and that he wouldn't be coming back. Jill, after minutes of endless searching, eventually leaned against a wall to catch her breath, somehow confusing the tears she was shedding with the beads of sweat that trickled down her face; either way, they did the same: leaving her face a slate full of damp streaks.

"He can't be gone..." she told herself. "No, no..."

"But sooner or later he'll find out."

"The truth is cruel and hurts, but no more than a lie. If you want to tell him, go ahead and do so."

"What about you?"

"About me? Nothing. I myself don't have a choice in the matter: it's you who should tell him." She was still hesitant, even though she knew nothing would happen between them both.

"I know of your interests and I know you don't plan on choosing, but that requires that you tread with care. One false step and it's all gone."

"But haven't all my steps been false since the moment I saw you again?"

"How to lie without lying?"

Jill started walking to her room. For a moment, her mind suggested she mourned another lost friend, but she refused to do so, harboring what little hope she could. Chris had to come back, she knew he would... Maybe it was another senseless hunch, perhaps pointless since it was obvious his return would never happen and that she was merely trying to tell herself a false truth. Without leads, without the necessary energy to run after him, searching for Chris would be equally pointless; there was nothing to do so far. Another suggestion came: why not ask someone if they had seen him? Yet another task without a good result: people would know of Chris' absence. Jill knew they'd be aware of it sooner or later, but it was best to avoid a commotion now; she wouldn't be able to bear with it.

It hadn't been a long time since the last time she had felt this way but raw despair was gnawing at her without relent. She fought back a wave of nausea as she leaned against the wall for support, cold sweat moistening her whole body. All of a sudden her vision blurred, and the last thing she felt was pain.

You're a handful, you know that? I can't believe you're doing this.

"Neither can I, that I assure you," he replied out of instinct, "but I guess you still don't know much about my 'other side', to put it like that?"

At all. The more you show, the more I'll learn though.

"That's something I never doubted."

You're getting used to my being here, it seems. Are you sure you don't want to fight me anymore?

Chris shook his head. "Not after what happened, actually. It's odd, but I can't explain it. Now leave me alone unless I want to seem like I'm crazy."

A small, derisive chuckle, and then the voice fell silent.

The wind picked up speed and strength, but Chris didn't feel cold at all in spite of sitting hundred and thirty feet over East River. After his 'talk' with Jill, he'd successfully sneaked out of the complex with nobody to stop him or tell someone else; having his special abilities also gave him the upper hand almost in every stealth situation. He wasn't one to blow his own horn, yet he had to admit he felt superior, not as powerless as before.

Is that what you call it? Sounds odd to use the same terms as him...

Yeah, that's what you call it: power. Something you've lacked all this time because you're too much of a modest soul. Isn't it time to be a bit selfish, for Hell's sake? Stop being the charitable man; think about yourself for a moment. They say power corrupts people, but I myself find it exceptionally sweet. Don't you?

Chris didn't know what to say. It all clashed with his beliefs, yet hadn't this conscience kicked them away, shattered them to pieces? He sighed, shook his head and stared up at the star-strewn sky. He didn't know for how long he'd been gone; not that he had to know... He wasn't coming back. He knew he was destroying Jill's hopes, but he couldn't face her, not this time. He blinked several times, his gaze lost and unfocused, with nothing more than apathy gnawing at his insides.

This is all my fault. It happened back in Pennsylvania, I was careless. If I had been more careful, none of this would've happened.

What are you looking for, self-pity? You won't get any consolation coming from me, that's for sure.

"It's all because of this wretched virus, this... thing coursing through me," Chris shot back, opening and closing his fists. It was there, the inevitable sense of rage and self-disdain. He hated being like he was, he hated himself like there was no tomorrow, he hated not being normal... and it was all his fault.

Careful here, you're getting nervous.

But Chris couldn't help it. Panic attacks came to him every time he thought about himself and there was no way to keep them at bay, not unless he resorted to hurting himself just to focus on the pain and escape the panic, the fear, the loathing. Eventually he calmed down, biting on his lip with almost the strength of a shark. With much care and precaution, Chris started planning his next course of action, but where to go from there? For all the people that knew him, save for Jill and the rest, he was a mere ghost, a mere memory: there was no-one he could rely on now save for himself.

You also got me. I can help you think; I'm not stupid, after all, neither are you.

"I can't go to anyone now. I should've thought of this."

C'mon, take situations as they come; it's not that bad to improvise, the voice said with humor. I got an improvisation for you, if you're up for suggestions.

Chris felt intrigued at the proposition but he was still reluctant. If he had barely trusted himself throughout his life, how could he trust an entity within himself that had been with him for such a short time? Confusion was inevitable; he didn't know what to think anymore.

"Alright," Chris sighed. "Tell me. I'm all ears."

Let's make a recap first: you want to kill Wesker, you want to stop Marco, you want to be normal again, you want power... I think that's all. Now listen carefully: you have to go to Marco.

The voice's words were like a rock to Chris. In dismay, he shook his head. "Impossible, I'm not seeking help from that bastard. Look at what he did to my sister! He almost killed her!"

Dawh, and here I thought I had an idea. Try and see beyond people's appearances: Marco wants to get rid of Wesker too. Also, you know he received Uroboros from that failed attempt to thwart the deal in Penn, so he must've done some research on it. Use him to your advantage, though be advised: he'll use you too.

"I admit we have that common goal, but the rest is different," Chris shot back, crossing his arms. "Besides, he's not going to welcome me with open arms."

What about this 'business' he had to do? What about the second part of the deal Sherry and the others failed to notice? I myself don't know of Marco's intentions about this, but you have to give it a try. He has everything you need, you have everything he needs; it's symbiosis. You can't do it without him, he can't do it without you. He knows you've been awfully close to Wesker -and not in the way you'll surely scold me for- so you give him the advantage. At the same time, if you make him the offer of synthesizing the cure for you, you'll get back to normal. Everything has its counterpart, remember that.

Chris measured his words with a teaspoon. Everything was true, from the first to the last syllable, but resent was far from erasable. The horror and the pain he'd felt when he'd seen Claire in such a beaten-up state was not something he'd forget easily, and especially with Marco around him. But the voice was right. Chris himself had never been a manipulator -at least not with people- but this was his only choice to set things right. At the same time, he'd be betraying everyone and their trust on him.

Think about myself... I can't do it; I can't betray everyone.

Your honor and pride keep you from doing that. There's always time to go back.

"I can't go back, it's too late, not unless I want to have a bullet between my eyes or a hand through my chest," Chris snapped in frustration. Silence ensued, then,

Alright, then let's do this: allow me to care about the negotiations. You sit back and watch.

"-the hell are you saying?" In that moment, Chris wished he had a face to look at. "Wha-what am I doing listening to you?"

You ignorant fool, you would just get in the way! Besides, Marco would notice how much you've changed if I take care of this. You're a goddamn open book; he'd see your hesitation coming miles away! And THAT would really fuck up everything we have planned.

"I'm not part of your plans."

To say that was a mistake. The voice's tone changed and became cold, menacing, deadly.

Then if you're not with me, you're against me. And I swear I can torture you to extents you can't imagine. You wouldn't like that, would you?

Certainly he wouldn't, but that black-and-white thinking didn't sit well with him. Chris took a few moments to think; it was not a decision to be made right off the bat. If there was something risky about it was trying to side with Marco and actually get what he was looking for, since Marco was far from trust-worthy when it came to strangers. Nevertheless, it seemed the man would never refuse an offer than would suit his interests, and kind of an upper hand was not knowing what his plans were so far. It was true he had manipulated every event in Africa so that Chris came out alive, so as to test him, but what about Claire? Were his intentions related to Chris' future offer of partnership? Was he actually trying to lure him?

Think about it. You'll betray your friends, but the closest one to you betrayed you first and LIED about it. I think Jill's someone that's found her place inside your little worn heart, so didn't it hurt more than anything else? It's an eye for an eye; moreover, it has its advantages for you and for me, and for everyone else if I may add. You're not alone in this, you can make it. You can go back in time, in a way.

"I won't go back in another," Chris uttered.

That might be true, but your obsession is about to spike and climb up to unimaginable levels.

"Obsession? What are you talking about?"

Weren't you obsessed about finding and killing Wesker that you forgot about everyone else? You dragged people alone sometimes, no matter if they wanted to go or not. They cared about you, but you refused to listen. Your revenge was still a hot dish; you should've waited. Nevertheless, look where it all got you. This time though you have everything you need in your reach, you just have to go and get it. Work along with Marco and both of you will find a way to kill Wesker. You'd hurt Jill's heart, maybe even break it to pieces, but that's what she deserves, right? She wouldn't have... 'befriended' him if she truly cared about you, if she truly held you close.

Make your choice: yes or no. But I think you know which to pick; you've known since the very beginning. You shouldn't be afraid of the outcome; just go with the flow, don't fight the current. For once, let yourself go.

Indeed, Chris knew which one to pick. This was his chance to be human again and to accomplish his objectives.

Power doesn't corrupt people, it just grants them the chance to do whatever they want. You have it now, and you can use it.

A sudden headache assailed Chris' head, leaving him with the feeling of not knowing where he was anymore or who he was. Lost, disoriented and confused, he tried to make sense of the mess his thoughts had suddenly become; try as he might, no avail. The pain increased, so did his fear, until nothing more than kind darkness took him in and dragged him into unconsciousness.

You HAVE to use it.

A/N: End of chapter, and things are getting screwed here: Leon is on his way to meet Claire (and per ende, Sherry), Chris and Jill have argued (and quite heatedly) and he's considering joining Marco out of a suggestion. But there in the end, when Chris fell unconscious... what do you think that happened? What do you think that will happen in the next? Will Chris change his mind or will he keep on going?

I promise I'll have the next one up as soon as I can; bear with my slowness xD

Reviews are appreciated!^^