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Chapter 2: Lack Of Insight

The sound of the wind outside kept Wesker awake. There was a storm rolling through the city and the constant battering of trees against windows, rain pelting the glass, thunder crashing in the sky, and wind howling through the streets, stressed his sleeping. Claire was pressed against his chest, not stirring like she usually would during a storm. Thunder made her anxious, she had told him once that when she was a kid, she got caught outside in a serve storm, and since then, thunder has caused her anxiety to rise quite quickly. For Wesker, however, he found some kind of tranquility in the noises, aside from them keeping him awake, it somehow reminded him of a simpler time.

His phone rang on the nightstand and he groaned in annoyance. He quietly pushed himself away from Claire, tucking the comforter around her, he snatched the phone from the table and padded out into the hallway.

"William do you have any idea what time it is?" Wesker growled.

"Says the guy who's awake!" William shot back.

"What do you want" Wesker asked quietly but with a sharp quip.

"You're gonna like this," Will chided. "I've been busting my butt to produce something for Spencer but instead, I found out where we went wrong."

"Do go on." Wesker mused.

"We know that intelligence is key when it comes to infection rate, we want them to be able to be controlled right?"

"Please tell me something I don't know otherwise I'll go back to bed, William." Wesker commanded.

"NE-a." William said flatly. "That's what we were missing the whole time, Al!

"We've already tested NE-a on the Trevor girl, William and much to my disdain, she just wont die."

"See that's where this get's interesting. Lisa is a very special case, she has that marker in her blood that allows her cells to adapt to T and NE-a right? So what if we were to extract her blood and put it towards the creation of something new? Something much more powerful…"

Wesker pondered for a moment. William was right, they hadn't dared try to extract blood from Lisa for she was much too dangerous to approach. However, he had a very odd feeling as to where this was going. If Williams hypothesis was correct, they could develop a much more powerful virus, thus achieving what they were employed for, and getting Spencer off their backs for a while. What the two lacked in funding, they made up for in their efficiency to recycle resources.

"If we combine T with NE-a, we could produce not only a new strand of virus, but one that will exceed the power of anything we've ever created. Enhanced intelligence, susceptibility to suggestion."

"We're basically jacking T to preform like it should have three years ago. Albert I think this is our break."

"What about compatibility?"

"Statistics are gonna be up in the air until we can create and sustain hosts. I estimate we'll need about 100 to test the stats on."

"That can be arranged." Wesker responded.

"This is great! We can finally get to work! I'll let Spencer know of our plans."

Wesker thought for a moment of telling Spencer. He could very well shut the whole thing down as soon as he catches wind of the two dangerous compounds being collided together to make something even more dangerous. However, like William said, this was the break that they, more so the company, needed.

"Very well," Wesker approved. "However, I want you to leave out the fact that we're combining the two for now. All he needs to know is that we're rebooting NE-a type for a new regiment of testing."

"Gotchya." William agreed. "Oh by the way, speaking of Spencer, he asked to see you as soon as possible. Don't know what he wants but, he asked to see just you."

Wesker could feel a shot of anxiety run through him like a spear of ice. Spencer's request was either good or bad. No in between. He demanded unspeakable things at times and Wesker could only dream to fulfill them. He had been here from the start and Wesker vividly remembers a younger Spencer in his childhood. He was, at least back then, a "family friend" of his fathers. Years later, he learned that Spencer was watching him in his child years, making sure that he was sent to the right schools, made the right choices, and surrounded himself with the right people. Life was tailored for him by his Spencer and his father. It didn't get any more psychotic than that. It wasn't until he was graduating college, did Wesker realize that Mr. Spencer had become an odd and disturbing frequent in his life. The scales had finally fallen from his eyes after his parents died in a mysterious home invasion, conveniently when Wesker himself wasn't present. The supposed suspect was never found and Spencer insisted he take the young man under his wing. Years later, Wesker felt tied town to Umbrella. Obligated to do his work. He just couldn't escape it on time.

"Al? You still there?"

Wesker snapped himself from his memories. "Yes. Tell him I'll be there in an hour." And he hung up.

He leaned against the wall, pressing the phone to his forehead in silent frustration. He looked back into his bedroom where Claire was still sleeping soundly. Blue eyes softened simply at the view he was graced with. It was one of the first times in his life that anything meant everything to him and that everything was Claire. He promised himself that he would keep her safe, away from Umbrella best he could. But now, as the days grew longer and the patience of Spencer grew shorter, he had begun to see that promise slip right through his fingers.

Wesker silently approached the bed and knelt down onto the mattress, making it creak. He leaned in, placing a kiss on Claire's temple. He held that kiss there, closing his eyes in a somewhat pained way as if this was his kiss goodbye.

She did not stir as he left the room with his work clothes in hand.

XXXXX

"Your performance is lacking, Albert." Spencer spoke lowly, gazing out his window and into the storm.

"You aren't allowing us enough time, Spencer." Wesker retorted lowly so as not to speak against him.

Spencer chuckled, arms folded behind his back. He turned to face his protege, the man who would carry out his legacy. "I've given you and William months. Years to complete your research! I don't understand how two of my brightest scientists can putz around for so long."

"It's not us." Wesker barked. "It is the things you ask us to do."

"Surly my demands cannot be that difficult to fulfill?"

"We've tried to allow ourselves enough time to complete what you've asked but it just simply wont work, Spencer. You need to understand that we are only two men working towards unbelievable feats."

Spencer paused for a moment, pondering on what to say to his number 13 next. "I understand where William is coming from, what with his family and all, but you? What do you possibly have that could distract you so?"

Wesker froze, thoughts of Claire immediately arose in his mind. Spencer, on the other hand, was as calm as the dead. Wesker had to bite back the urge to say something Spencer didn't already know.

"I don't want to have to do this to you again, Albert."

Spencer smirked to himself in the dark of the room. He walked around Wesker, like a predator stalking his prey. The younger man, though much bigger than him, still radiated fear after his words.

"Your parents were hard enough to kill, my boy, and I would hate to see you lose someone else to your incompetence. You are my number one, my star. Without you, I would have nothing and you would have nothing without me." Spencer kept rounding him. "She will be eliminated if I don't get what I want in due time."

"Don't…" Wesker growled. He bristled at the words coming from Spencer's mouth. He knew. He knew about Claire. How stupid could Wesker be? He promised to keep her away from this and now, that promise had been shattered into a million tiny pieces.

"You are under no obligation to threaten me, Albert. She is a distraction. Why can't you see past this?"

Wesker clenched his fists. "Stay away from her."

"Or what?" Spencer gloated.

He was right. There was no 'or what". Wesker would simply bluff his way out of this one.

"Or I will kill anyone you attempt to send." His anger boiled over, fingernails digging into his palms, breaking the skin.

Spencer smiled wicked. "You best send her on her way, Albert. Or you will regret ever meeting the poor girl."

The old man turned away from him again, watching out his window once more. "One month." He began. "I am allowing you one more month for you and William to produce something worth my while. Otherwise," Spencer's voice dropped menacingly low. "I will dispose of Miss Redfield and Williams family. See to it that you relay my proposition to Dr. Birkin."

XXXXX

Wesker sped back home way over the speed limit. His hands gripped the steering wheel so tight that he thought it might break at any moment. He had changed into his uniform before he headed back just incase he woke Claire. Coming to a screeching halt in the driveway, Wesker slammed the car door shut. He shoved the key into the lock, swung the door open, and with a roar, tossed his keys into the living room, successfully shattering a lamp on impact.

A few seconds later, Claire came rushing down the stairs, eyes still heavy with sleep.

"Albert what the hell?" She shouted as his form became visible. She flipped on the light, noticing the shards of glass from the lamp.

Wesker turned around, running his hands over his face. "I'm sorry, dearheart…" He muttered. "I'm just oddly frustrated right now." He lied. He lied to her all the time and he hated it.

She noticed that the front door was wide open, he almost broke it from its hinges. "When did you leave?"

He checked his watch. "Around 2. Emergency call." He walked up to her and much to her surprise, he wrapped his arms around he waist and pulled her in for a tight hug that seemed more loving than it usually was. He buried his face into the crook of her neck and clutched her shirt in his hands as though he though he might drown without his grip.

"Albert…" Claire ran a hand through his hair. "Are you ok?"

He didn't respond, Claire wouldn't make him. She held him there, against her tightly until she took his hands in hers and brought him back to bed.

XXXXX

Claire picked at her salad as the events from last night still hung about her brain. Her and Wesker were at a little cafe a few blocks down from the station. She came in during his lunch hour and dragged him here. She insisted that he get some fresh air.

The sun was radiating against her, attributing another form of beauty to her red hair. Her blue blouse and khaki skinny jeans popped against Wesker's blue and black of his uniform. She looked up at him and smiled warmly, Wesker returned it.

"Are you gonna tell me about last night?" She asked as she took a bite of her salad.

Wesker leaned back in his chair and took a sip of his beer. "I just had a rough call, that's all."

"Someone die?" Claire chimed.

"No."

"Then what?"

Wesker clenched his jaw. He was angry because he couldn't tell her the real reason behind his episode. He kept feeding her lie after lie just to save his own ass. "Claire it really doesn't matter anymore, does it?"

She tossed her hair behind her shoulder. "Well when you come home and start smashing shit for no reason, I get worried about your mental health."

Wesker tapped his temple. "I'm just fine up here, dearheart."

Clair leaned in and grabbed one of his hands. "Then what is it?"

Wesker's brows knitted and he sighed. "I can't tell you. I just can't."

Claire frowned and shook her head. "Why the hell not?"

He sighed again. "Drop it." Wesker deadpanned. "Please."

Claire shot up from he seat and grabbed her bag. "Well until you're ready to tell me, don't bother coming home tonight." She seethed.

And with that, a very angry Claire Redfield was gone.

Wesker shook his head and tossed some money down on the table. He started walking back to the station, fuming at himself for not being able to steer Claire away from his real intentions. Right now, it was fight or flight and he preferred not to fight with her. But, he digressed, she would have to find out one way or another and he preferred he tell her. Claire was very headstrong, it was something she was born with. Her morals were tested everyday, more so now after she and Wesker began seeing each other.

They tested each others patience on a daily basis. Claire would prod at his private life, something that he dreaded talking about, and Wesker would just quip her with lashing sarcasm that drove her insane. They were polar opposites but someone once told him that those were the kind of people that got along the best in the end. And it was true. After they peeled one another back, Claire discovered that Wesker wasn't as cold as she thought. He was a gentleman, perfectly capable of sweeping her off her feet. And Wesker discovered that Claire, underneath all that sass and dirty looks, she was fragile, perfectly capable of being shattered.

Claire needed to feel Wesker in every way possible and he felt very protective of her. He nearly crushed another mans skull simply for grabbing her shoulder at the bar. Once he touched her hand for the first time the day he met her, she was to be his.

And Claire loved him.

It had been a reasonable amount of months, four to be exact, that they had been dating. Claire didn't like to label them as 'boyfriend and girlfriend', she always said she didn't like the sound of it. Wesker was fine with that, he simply called Claire his.

After getting back to the station, Wesker brushed off the greetings of everyone he passed, making his way back to the Alpha Office. He stormed right through the room, gaining the eyes of his team members, and slammed the door to his office shut.

Chris rose a brown eyebrow and winced. "Wonder what's up his ass."

"He just got back from lunch with Claire didn't he?" Barry chimed.

Chris' eyes widened and he fumbled for his phone. "Fuck I totally forgot about that…"

"I'm sure it's not about that, Chris." Jill reassured.

Chris dialed his sister and put the phone to his ear. "It better not be."

XXXXX

It was late when Wesker finally finished work at the station. They had been dead for the rest of the day. He unlocked his car and threw his backpack in the passenger seat. He sat there, in the dark for a moment, sighing. He wasn't going to the lab tonight, he had to fix things with Claire first. Starting the car, Wesker backed out of his parking spot and began the drive home.

Once he arrived, he noticed that the lights were off in the house. It was pretty late. He checked his watch.

12:55 AM

Claire was most likely asleep. Unlocking the door, he set his things down quietly and ascended the staircase. The door to their bedroom was closed and he pushed it open slowly.

"Are you coming back to explain?" Claire asked in the dark. Wesker's eyes adjusted to the darkness as he saw Claire lying on the bed, curled up in the comforter.

"Yes." Wesker said softly. He walked over to the bed and sat down, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

Tears began to well in her blue eyes and she let the fall from them. "Is there someone else, Albert?" She choked on her words as if she had been wanting to speak them all day.

Wesker's mind began to fill frantically with what to say. He took her face in her hands and wiped the tears from her cheeks.

"No." He breathed. "God no, Claire." His words were laced with hurt, something that he found strikingly odd. In a way, he was hurt at the fact that she thought that of all things, he was cheating on her.

"I would never, ever do that to you." Wesker kissed her lips. "You mean so much to me, dearheart."

"Then what is it, Albert?" She sat up, wiping the rest of her tears away with the back of her hand like a child.

"I've been trying to avoid this very issue." He started. "But I can't hide this from you anymore."

Claire nodded, as if she was allowing him to speak.

"I've been lying to you since the day I met you." His words fell on her ears like a crashing waterfall. "I'm not the man I've been saying I am."

Claire looked stung, like he was made of poison. "Then who are you?" She ground out through frustration and tears.

"I'm still Wesker, dearheart but—"

Without a second thought, Claire's hand lashed out and struck him across the face. Wesker clenched his jaw, resisting the urge to get up and leave the room.

"Please let me finish."

Claire dislocated eye contact with him.

"I've been working with a company called Umbrella. I'm sure you've heard of them."

"The pharmaceutical company?" Claire muttered.

Wesker nodded. "Yes. But I've been working under a ruse at the RPD. I was sent there to collect intel, compile data on trained combatants, and instill their trust."

"For what?"

"Research."

"Research for what, Albert?" She demanded.

"I'm a virologist at Umbrella. Hired to create biological weapons that could have the potential to destroy a human population within hours."

"So you're a fucking terrorist?" Claire shouted. "A terrorist and a liar!"

Wesker shook his head. "No, I am a scientist."

"Albert you just said you were creating viruses that could wipe out a human population. That's terrorism!"

He grabbed her wrists, forcing her to look at him. "I didn't want to rope you into this, Claire. I really didn't but I knew I couldn't get away with sneaking around for much longer. This is something that I've been doing for a very long time and I have no intentions of stopping. I was born into this, believe it or not, and much to my disdain, I can't get out of it."

"So you're just a company slave." Claire hissed.

Wesker pinned her against the bed, making Claire yelp.

"Far from it." He snapped.

"Get off of me." Claire growled.

Wesker did not comply. He bore his solid and harsh blue eyes into her own. Claire did not break eye contact wit him, he breath coming in short pants. She was royally pissed.

"Albert." Claire warned.

"I'm not done." Wesker chided. "Understand that this is what I've been doing for over ten years. I had no intentions of leading you into this and I have no intentions of harming you because you know."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Claire faltered, he voice breaking in fear.

"All of this is highly confidential. I am not to speak of what I do there to anyone but my boss and my colleagues. However, I've found it quite hard, obviously, to keep this from you so I am telling you now. Claire, you cannot speak a word about any of this to anyone. Not Chris, not Jill… anyone. Do you understand?"

Claire did not need to be told twice. The pure action of his commanding voice convinced her that he was telling the truth, for he had no reason to lie anyway.

Wesker released her and sat on the edge of the bed. "You have to promise to keep this between us."

"I promise, Albert."

"Thank you."

Claire sat next to him, her anger boiling down.

"Why didn't you tell me about this before?"

"It is an ugly subject, Claire." Wesker said quietly. "Umbrella has been steering my life for a very long time."

"Is… is that what happened to your parents?" Claire murmured. She knew that his past was a very touchy subject, something that he dreaded talking about. She did not dare tread on the matter of his parents but she just needed to know.

"Yes." He said softly. "They were killed by Umbrella so as to move me away from my emotional distractions."

Claire did not speak, she only watched him clench his fists in his lap.

"They have been molding me since the day I was born. Watching and waiting… I was raised under their eye, making sure that I received the best education, surrounded myself with the best peers, and pursued the right career. Everything that I have ever done was for Umbrella."

"Why can't you get away?"

Wesker shook his head and chuckled. "Because they'll find me. It's a disgusting cycle of greed and ignorance… and I can't stand it."

"You're not a bad person, Albert." Claire muttered. She leaned against his shoulder, closing her eyes.

"Not yet." He said under his breath. She didn't hear him as he stroked her auburn hair. Claire quickly fell asleep to the sound of Wesker's hammering heartbeat and the ticking of his watch.

A/N: Leave a review! It really helps me out :)