Disclaimer: I do not own RE.

Hey guys! Glad to see we have a few new readers, hope you all enjoy this next chap and remember, your reviews really do keep me going.

TanuSherry: I hope things get better for you, my friend and I'm so glad that my story makes you smile. That makes me smile.

MOONLIGHT SHADOW HUNTRESS: no, I love you.

tvrs01001: If you've read the top AN in the first chapter, you will see the disclaimer that this story is an AU. Claire, in this storyline is 23. Sorry for the confusion but I hope you can continue to read and review :)

Chapter 5: Before The Storm

"We should have sent units in when we received word of the first killings." Wesker voiced. The office was crowded with the Alpha and Bravo team members who were being briefed by Wesker and Enrico. A total of five full-grown humans were the victims of the mysterious killer of Pennington Woods. Wesker had decided late last night that enough was enough, they had to put a stop to this. This job had become more than serious for him over the course of the months despite the fact that he didn't really care for it in the first place. Wesker was practically forced into this anyways and the very thought of police work and justice made him cringe. However, the months spent at the RPD had grown on him as did the members of his team. Each of them had a different way of expressing their statuses and Wesker found it quite odd that he found amusement in their every day antics. He was fond of them in a leadership kind of way.

"The more time we waste here is just setting up for more disaster. Irons has confirmed our investigation and it'll start bright and early tomorrow. Bravo, we're heading in first for a local sweep. Alpha will be on the ground for backup." Enrico tapped his pen against his clipboard, the eyes of the two teams wandered to the floor. Danger seeping into the corners of the room.

"Any questions?" Wesker boomed.

Chris, who had been quiet all morning, raised his hand. "I don't know what we're looking for so how do we prepare, sir? You can't just send us up there blind." He crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair awaiting the response of his captain. "You're sending us on a suicide mission."

Wesker clenched his jaw, his cobalt blue hues flashing. It was the first time Chris had opened his mouth today and Wesker was already annoyed with his tone. He had been this way since the day he met him. He constantly questioned Wesker's way of up-keeping his team and surly mocked him behind his back, that he was sure of. But Wesker couldn't blame him. He was a kid. Young and reckless, kicked out of the Air Force, and thrust into taking care of his sister who was just as reckless as him. Chris was, no doubt, an absolute pain in the ass but Wesker was grateful of his service.

"I realize that we have no actual conformation on the culprits of these murders so I ask that all of you tread with the thought that it could be anything." Wesker's voice was a low and baritone bite. "I will not, nor cannot inform you of the dangers in those woods. You'll all just have to see for yourselves." He turned his back and strode into his office, slamming the door per usual. This meeting was over.

XXXXX

William chewed on his pen as he documented the MA-39's decaying progress. The dogs snapped their rotted jaws and gnawed at the steel bars of their cages as he walked by. He would flinch, for he had become quite a timid man working here. Each of the dogs were set to be released into the woods tonight, as the RPD would send S.T.A.R.S. tomorrow morning. Wesker was still unaware of this and a part of William wanted to tell him. He would surly be punished if Spencer found out but he might as well be saving his friends life. These dogs, as "dismantled" as they were, were ferocious creatures that hunted like wolves. In packs. Coordinated patterns that brought down their prey with little to no fight. William wasn't sure if Spencer was to be informing Wesker of this or if he was going to continue to keep it from him. Whatever the old bat was planning, William didn't like. Everything Wesker did always interfered with what Spencer wanted to do and vice versa, they were like to children fighting over the same toy.

Without warning, the doors to the lab swung open and Wesker walked in still dressed in his uniform. William glanced at the clock on the wall and was confused as to why his friend was here at such an unusual hour.

"What are you doing here, Al?" He asked skeptically. "It's one in the afternoon."

He removed the sunglasses from his face and tucked them into a pocket, rubbing his hands over his eyes. "I gave the briefing today."

"Oh…" William looked down at the ground, nervous about his current situation. "So you're really gonna go through with it? What we talked about?"

Wesker was silent for a moment, his back to William. "Yes." He spoke quietly. "I have to."

"I'll tell Spencer then." William frowned. His friend was ready to abandon ship. Their plan was simple yet laced with a backstabbing. The dogs were Spencer's idea, release them into the woods to attract the attention of the police, lure them into the woods, and gather test data on their current experiments. However, the catch was that people had to die. Cops were being sent to the chopping block all for the sake of research. In the beginning, all was well seeing that Wesker cared little for his band of misfits yet, as time went by, he grew quite fond of them.

"It's them, you know…" William said softly, nodding his head to the multiple cages pushed together, snapping and decaying dobermans inside. "Killing everyone out there."

"I figured as much." Wesker deadpanned. "Nice of you to tell me now." His words cut through William like ice. He was genuinely angry for the fact that he was looped out of this one.

"Spencer told me not to tell." Williams voice trembled slightly. He sounded like a child called out on a secret, tattling to his friend.

Wesker slammed his fist on the table, making the younger man jump, breath caught in his throat. "What did we talk about, William?" He shouted. "I don't care if that man threatens you with a knife to your throat, you are supposed to tell me everything and anything he says to you. Are we clear?"

"Crystal." William managed to choke out. Wesker wasn't meaning to be threatening, it was the exact opposite in fact. He was looking out for his friend, something that William never really had before. Wesker had always felt like an older brother, protecting William from bullies and in this case, Spencer was that bully. "I'll have your virus ready tonight."

Wesker was already leaving, heading to Spencer's office in attempt to have a civilized conversation with him. He pushed open the door without knocking, Spencer was at his desk, jotting down something useless he was sure.

"Come in." Spencer greeted. "I suspect this is about the dogs?"

"Why wasn't I informed about this? You caused me a lot of wasted time. A lot of your time, actually." Wesker was seething under his naturally cool exterior.

"I thought it best to keep you out of it, Albert. Not everything that transpires here has to be your concern. William was just fine taking care of it on his own." Spencer did not even bother to look up from his papers.

"William needs a constant watchful eye on him otherwise he'll get himself killed. He's smart, Spencer he really is, but the man can hardly hold a scalpel without getting nauseous in five minutes." Wesker stood his ground, his fists clenched, nails digging into his palms.

"Are you saying that William needs you?" Spencer laughed.

Wesker's jaw clenched but he remained as calm as he could, breathing through his nose. "Yes." He voiced. "William… he needs me."

"This is downright pathetic, Albert." Spencer shook his head. "You were supposed to be detached. You were supposed to be a cog in my machine." His hand slammed down upon his desk and he stood before his creation.

"I have always been unlike your other children, Spencer." Wesker said quietly. His past just beyond the corners of this room. Creeping into his thoughts so harshly, he hated speaking of such matters.

"Yet I thought you were the one." Spencer argued. "I might as well have turned to your brother."

"Alex is dead." Wesker growled. "I watched him die."

"You never resolved what happened to your brother!" Spencer shouted. "You cannot be certain! You would be a fool to unconcern him."

"He's dead." Wesker seethed. "And I'm sorry that I can no longer be of use to you." Wesker turned away from Spencer then, his silent resignation floating in the air like a fog. He was no longer a part of that machine.

XXXXX

"I have to lead Alpha in tomorrow if things get bad." Wesker spoke from the bed.

Claire was in the bathroom washing her face, the door wide open and the steam from her shower radiating throughout the room. She stopped for a moment to harbor his words but continued with her routine.

"Are you expecting things to get bad?" She asked before splashing her face with water.

"I'm not sure what to think about this situation as a whole, to be honest." Wesker tossed his papers onto the nightstand just as Claire was exiting the bathroom in a baggy t-shirt, hair down and still damp from her shower.

"You do what you have to do, Albert." She said softly.

She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, holding it there for a moment, as if it was goodbye. She laid her head down on the pillow and closed her eyes, listening for the sound of his movement. Wesker leaned over and turned off the lamp, settling down into the bed for his last night with her. It would be a quiet one… he wished to enjoy the sound of her heart in the silence, something to remind him that he too, was human. This would be the last time.

"That's the last of em." Alex said with a gun in his hand, blood smeared across his face. "A little sad to see them go don't you think?"

"Quite." Wesker muttered.

"Say…" Alex began. "You aren't too fond of this are you?"

"I can't say that I am." Wesker said softly. "Killing our kind… it feels wrong."

Alex grabbed Wesker by his collar and pointed the gun to his temple. Wesker clenched slightly, a reaction that was subtle yet Alex could sense his fear. "This is what Spencer asked us to do. So why don't you grow up and do what Father says?"

"He is not our father." Wesker managed to ground out. "Our father was killed. Spencer is just his shit replacement."

Alex threw his younger brother on the ground and pinned him there, knees digging into his ribs. Alex held the gun to Wesker's face and smiled wickedly. "Say you're sorry."

Wesker managed to keep his breathing to a minimum. "No."

"Alexander." A voice broke the intensity of the room where the remaining Wesker Children lie dead. Spencer came through the doorway, arms crossed behind his back per usual. "Put that thing away before you hurt your brother."

Alex seemed reluctant at first, he had the kill in his eyes but he abided by Spencer's request. Wesker scrambled to his feet, lean yet frail body already beginning to bruise. His solid blue hues watched as two men flanked Spencer, hidden by the dark of the room. He and Alex were whispering back and forth, a young Wesker was sure it was on topic of him. He watched as Alex handed the gun to Spencer who eyed for a moment as if it was a thing of beauty.

"You two have caused me plenty of trouble, yet…" He ran his fingers down the barrel of the weapon and smiled to himself. "I love you so." He raised the gun and a shot rang out like thunder. Alex's body collapsed on the ground and the two men carried him away without a word. Spencer stuffed the gun into his belt and smiled to Wesker who stood bewildered, covered in his brothers blood.

"Come now, Albert. It's time."

XXXXX

The sun wasn't even up, yet the birds chimed through the signal of morning. Wesker put on his uniform quietly and pulled his gun from the nightstand. He ran his thumb over the engraving and admired the weapon for a brief moment, reminding him of his dream that last night. He put the gun into its holster and closed his eyes, breathing in the faint scent of the home he shared with Claire Redfield. It was one of the last times he would be able to relish in this feeling. His eyes wandered to the bed where she slept and a lump formed in his throat. He knelt onto the bed, the mattress sinking under his weight, and he kissed Claire on the forehead softly. She stirred under him and her eyes fluttered open, a smile cracking on her weary face.

"You do what you have to do." She whispered, smiling again.

Wesker nodded and swallowed that lump. "I will." His eyes softened at the very sight of Claire. She was amazing, such beauty laced in roughness but a roughness that was slowly chipped away. Nothing was missing and nothing could be taken away. She was perfect.

His lips met hers and she held his face in her hands. Their foreheads touched and Wesker moved a strand of hair away from her eyes, pushing it behind her ear.

"Come back to me, you hear?" Claire said urgently, gripping his shoulders tightly.

"I will always come back to you." He muttered. "Always."

Claire smiled again, softer however, for her sudden sadness was reaching her. "Good."

Wesker stood and headed for the bedroom door. He did not look back, he couldn't. Checking his watch on his way out the front door, he slid into his car, the quiet of the early morning soothing his nerves. Nerves that he thought he would never have to face. He started the car and backed out of the driveway and onto the road, watching the house disappear in the rearview mirror. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, greatly focused on the next twelves hours of this day… this final day. The road to the labs were long and winding, they always made William carsick he said but to Wesker they were roads that he thought he would ride along for the rest of his days. However, that machine was starting to break down and erode. As the sun broke the horizon, a fleeting sense of tranquility harbored within him, he was at ease yet strained. These were his final days on earth… such a calm feeling. Wesker almost felt honored to be apart of this yet, remembered who had burdened him in the first place. He would, however, have to admit that he would probably be on the streets if it weren't for Spencer. He taught him how to read people as if they were books, taught him how to turn one dollar into five overnight, taught him how to believe in the act of creation. And he was right. Wesker was just a cog in his machine, born for a purpose, sold like a slave, and trained like an assassin. The world was a terrifying place, Spencer had once said that to him. It was true, it was. Like the jaws of a lion, it was filled with sharp teeth, blood, bacteria, and a force that could bite down in any second. Luxury was a given but not an immediate option, Wesker had to force himself into it.

The lab came into view and his parking spot was vacant, Williams was not. Wesker sighed as he exited the car. Did the man ever sleep? The parking lot was shrouded in dawn, the melancholy blue and orange of the sky sweltered in slowly. The halls were cool and white, soulless. The employees that passed by were like ghosts, moving through the halls languidly, silently. No one looked at him, they were afraid of eye contact, always have been. He was not unlike any other man that worked here. He was the best and one would only dare to question him. His boots echoed against the walls, he could his breath shortening for time was creeping away. The glass doors to his lab swung open and he saw William hunched over his desk as usual.

He turned around to face him, eyes bloodshot and hair mused. "It's ready." He said quietly. Fishing into the fridge, he handed Wesker a small syringe that housed an off-purple liquid.

"Fill me in." Wesker asked calmly.

"You need to inject yourself one hour prior to termination otherwise, the effects could change drastically. I know it's going to be hard to estimate but as long as you get it close you should be fine."

He watched Wesker hide the syringe in a pocket on his vest. "Thank you." He said softly. "Is that all?"

William nodded, it was silent for a moment until Wesker pulled an envelope from another pocket, handing it to William. "Give this to Claire tomorrow." He asked. "All I ask is that you see to it that it gets to her hands."

"I can do that."

William responded. The two friends were silent again but William rushed in for a hug that surprised Wesker as they always did. His friend gripped him tightly, holding him there on solid ground. He stood back and his eyes were welling with tears that Wesker never thought he would see.

"Godspeed, Albert." He muttered.

XXXXX

The drive from the lab was just the same as the drive from home. Bitter. No sweetness within it. He had abandoned his girl and now he had abandoned his friend. However, these seemingly cruel measures were crucial in the grand scheme of things. The city was busy already, six in the morning and the life couldn't be livelier. People on their way to work, students on their way to school, joggers making their way through the parks. It was at this moment that the universe seemed to slow down, Wesker watched carefully, examining every person at his will. Hugging, kissing, waving goodbye. All of these tiny and meaningless things struck a deep chord in his brain, an emotion that he had felt so long ago… grief. He knew each and every one of their fates as he looked upon them today. He knew that they were destined to become apart of the city that was bound from the beginning. They were unaware that death crept behind them, out from under their beds, from insides of closets, and from the deepest corners of each mind. Nightmares were slowly becoming a reality and not a single soul knew.

Everyone at the station treated him the same as in the labs. No eye contact. They were frightened of his exterior, cold and seemingly unforgiving, or so the rumor was. He didn't stand by the stand by the water cooler and socialize, he didn't greet the receptionist every morning. He was just Wesker, absolutely stoic. By the time he reached the Alpha office, the only one present was Jill, she was usually here first anyways. They had a larger connection than anyone else in the station. Jill understood Wesker in a way that only Claire understood him. He was quiet and reserved however a total brute when it came to it. She and Wesker connected on an different emotional level than anyone else, it wasn't love nor was it admiration. Simply put, Wesker and Jill identified with each other because of abuse. They understood what it was like to be an emotionally abused child and a physically abused child. It was a sub level of awareness that they could remain silent about.

Wesker strode into his office and Jill could sense his tension, something wasn't right. She fished his mug from the cupboard in the break room, the large black lettering that spelled out "#1 CAPTAIN". She chuckled to herself as the mug was a running joke in the office. They had gotten for him when he joined and to this day, he still drank his coffee from it. She filled the mug with his favorite drink, black just the way he liked it and made her way to his door, knocking lightly.

"Come in." He boomed.

This was their morning routine that hadn't changed in three years. She would bring him coffee every morning, ask about his night, and move on with her day. She set the mug down on his desk and Wesker thanked her quietly, moving it towards his keyboard.

"Are you alright, cap?" She started. "You seem a little off today."

Wesker chuckled and took a sip from his drink. "You'd be the only one to notice." He said. "No, Jill." Wesker continued, "I'm just fine."

She didn't take his answer for an answer at all but left it at that, he clearly wasn't in the mood to be prodded at. Never was.

The hour passed, as did another. The office soon filled with the remainder of the team, working diligently on reports and keeping in touch with Bravo team who had left for Pennington two hours ago. They were calling in every thirty minutes, making sure that their messages were jotted down onto a large overall case file. It was around nine in the morning and Wesker had been through his eighth cup of coffee, feeling nothing from it. He could feel the slight weight of the syringe in his breast pocket… that weight soon felt like a ton. It was boring down on his conscience more than anything right now. It was either his lifeline or his death bell for it was simply experimental and the likelihood of the end results was 50/50. Or so William said. However, Wesker trusted his friend, he had to. No more guilty conscience… it had to be rid of.

Just then, Brad burst through his door, panting and holding a sheet of paper. "Sir!" He shouted, out of breath. "We've just lost contact with Bravo Team."

A/N: That's it for this chap! Hope you guys enjoyed :) stay tuned!