XIII. Piece Of Cake
'No one understands me quite like you, through all the shadowy corners of me.' — 'Falling In Love At A Coffee Shop' by Landon Pigg
Lagos, Nigeria
March, 2009
It took eleven days to gain enough confidence to face him. Since they had escaped the volcano that was now Albert Wesker's grave, Sheva had done her best to avoid him. Whether it was busying herself with work, writing the report on the Kijuju mission or something silly like cleaning her home from top to bottom; she'd do her best to keep her mind off Chris. But she realized as she kept repeating words in the report and cleaning something twice that all she could really do was think about him.
The longer she kept from going to the hospital the more guilt built inside her. She truly wanted to see how Jill was doing and her state of health, also how the children were doing at the hospital. She'd usually visit them weekly and spend a good amount of time with them, but now that he was in the building where the children were, she became absent from her weekly visits. But as the days went by, the more ridiculous she felt. He was just one man and nothing was going on between them. The only reason he was here was for Jill and he had no connections or ties to her or Africa. So why was she acting so stubborn?
Because she couldn't deny the fire in her veins, pumping a million miles per minute. She'd think about him more times than not. And every time she did, her body would melt in the most delicious ways. At first, she completely regarded this feeling as body exhaustion from the mission, and then as days passed, she'd blame it on her monthly cycle. But when that never started, she knew it was time to stop the delusions. She liked him. Okay, there. She admitted it. But that's all she admitted. She simply told herself that this was a simple (yet affective) crush.
When Josh had come by her place on Friday, he told her all about Jill's current health and that Esther Bethel had arranged for her to be flown over to America for further detox. And that meant that Chris was going with her. When Josh asked if she had gone to visit Jill yet and she told him no, he lectured her and told her it was her duty as a friend to see her. Being under Josh's parental scrutiny, she surrendered and told him she would the next day. And today was that day. She had dragged her feet to get into her car and drive to the hospital. But once she had gussied herself to a degree that if she went any further, she'd look overdone in her opinion, she got into her car and drove to the hospital.
So here she was, walking through the halls of Lagoon Hospital and finding her way to Jill's room. She stood outside the door for a second, considering running away and just sending a 'get well soon' card to Jill. But when Grace walked out and smiled brightly at her, she decided against escaping so not to look like a weirdo running through the halls to find the exit. Taking an inward deep breath, she swept her hair behind her shoulders and walked into the room.
Almost immediately, she saw him at the west side of the room, looking out the window with a thoughtful gaze. She thought about saying hello or asking how he was, but when she parted her lips to speak, her throat went dry and no words wanted to come out. Opting to just say quiet and go to Jill's bedside, that's exactly what she did.
Jill's face was sad. Despite being asleep, Sheva could see the stress and depression settling into her soft features. Even though she was hopped up on crazy juice with the device on her chest, she looked semi healthier when she was trying to kill Sheva. But now, as she slept, Sheva could see change happening to her. Without really thinking that she was speaking, her voice filled the silence in the room, making her presence known.
"How is she doing?" she inquired, her eyes going to him with surprise that she had managed to utter words with a dry throat.
She felt like she was boneless as he turned and she saw a small glint of happiness when he looked in her eyes. As he walked to her slowly and tentatively, she wished she could have taken away all the times she had been rude to him. When she had avoided him or shied away from his touch despite wanting to feel his skin against her own. And a part of her wished that she had never met him so that this heat in her body would go away and she could just live life without him haunting her thoughts every so often.
She had come and he couldn't be more elated. It was like wishing for something you really wanted and miraculously, it appeared. And she had. He walked to her slowly, not sure if she'd run off and by the look on her face, it almost seemed like she'd faint. Studying her appearance, he decided she looked beautiful in casual clothing. She wore a pale yellow sleeveless blouse with khaki colored shorts that he could only imagine how much more amazing (if that was possible) she looked when she turned around. Her hair was down and wavy to her shoulders, light makeup played on her face that only enhanced her beauty that much more, and she looked to have a shy look in her wonderful hazel eyes.
It came out of his mouth before he could stop it. "You look beautiful," he murmured to her as he stood close enough to her by Jill's bed. He forced back a huge grin when she blushed and looked to the floor in modesty. He considered that to be a major accomplishment to get such a reaction from her.
"Thank you," she mumbled as she touched her fingertips to her cheeks to feel how hot they were. Daring to look up, she repeated her question concerning Jill's state of health.
"Better, I guess," he shrugged, looking to the unconscious Jill. It was selfish, he knew, but he didn't really want to talk about Jill right now. He just wanted to talk to Sheva and ask her about herself. "Are you doing all right? I haven't seen you since we got out of Kijuju."
She shivered when he said the town's name. It brought back horrible memories that she rather not have. "Yes, I'm fine. Just been trying to keep busy. I can't sleep without nightmares coming to me about…you know."
Without thinking, he brought his hand up and stroked her shoulder. "I know. They'll go away in time. But you're all right? There's nothing you wanted to talk about?"
She wasn't sure if he was hinting at something. Like that she hadn't come to see Jill at all or her cold attitude towards him the past few times they talked. She shook her head, not really thinking this was the time or place to talk about it. Before he left for America, she'd ask him about his real reasoning for coming to Africa; if it was for Jill or the people that were suffering here. She looked to him and saw the tired expression that decorated his handsome face.
"You look tired," she stated, placing her hand on his arm that was still connected to her shoulder.
Chuckling weakly, he nodded and pulled his arm away slightly until her hand slid to his and he held her hand in his own. "I haven't gotten much sleep since we got back. I don't know, I just close my eyes and then I wake up thirty minutes later and I can't get back to sleep."
As he brought his other hand to their linked ones, she felt frozen as he ran his fingers on her wrist. "You should go to base and sleep there. The beds aren't great but I imagine they're better than the chairs here."
He stopped for a second as he thought. "I don't want to leave Jill alone. In case she wakes up. She might freak out if I'm not here."
She felt like she was iron being burnt. The outside didn't change but inside it boiled and begged the shape to move. She was sure she was going to melt into a steamy puddle when he grabbed her other hand and held it in his, now holding both her hands. "I can stay with her," she insisted. "I'll stay here all night until you come back and then you can take over again. Just so you can rest."
He was surprised by her offer. But then he remembered that she was a selfless person. He learned this over and over again during the mission whether it was when she went against orders for him to continue on with him or when she was willing to sacrifice herself to kill Wesker. She was almost too selfless to the point that he wished she would care more for her wellbeing.
The idea of leaving the vulnerable Jill left him uneasy, but if there was anyone right now he trusted her with, it was Sheva. He really was exhausted and hated the idea that he looked tired in front of the African beauty while she looked stunning and bright. Going back in forth in his mind, he took her up on her offer. That way he'd be awake enough to get some alone time with Sheva once he got back.
"Are you sure?" he had to ask. When she nodded he squeezed her hands. "Thanks. I'll be back right away in the morning, I promise."
He followed, still holding one of her hands, as she led him to the door. Before she opened the door, she looked up at him and thought for a moment. "Do you think I could talk to you tomorrow?"
Slightly nervous about what she wanted to talk about, he nodded. "Is it something bad?"
"Just something I wanted to ask you about."
He thought of the possible questions she wanted to ask and he wasn't sure if it was a good thing or bad. She hadn't directly answered his question about it being bad, but he trusted her to know that it was important. When she was about to grab the door handle, he grasped her arms, gently massaging the muscles and trailed his hands up to her shoulders. If he was nervous that she'd stop him, then he had no reason to be when her eyes closed slowly and she relaxed in his touch. His own eyelids felt heavy when she rested her small hands on his chest as his hands went to her shoulder blades then to her back.
"You like that?" He didn't know what was wrong with him, but the question slipped past his lips before he could even think about it. It was obviously a sexual question, but he knew she liked what he was doing by her soft expression. And when she whimpered a 'mhm' to him, he could feel himself harden.
Maybe it was his hands on her as he pressed his fingertips into her skin. It just all felt so good that she wasn't sure what was happening. When she felt him pulling her closer and felt her body press up against his, she opened her eyes abruptly and stepped back. Trying to clear her thoughts, she ran a hand through her hair. She apologized.
"I'm sorry. I don't know what I was doing. You should go get some sleep."
When she looked up to him, she wanted to frown when she saw the disappointed look on his face. He looked hurt, too. He just nodded and grabbed the handle, but feeling bad that she had pulled away from him so rapidly, she stopped him before he could open the door. Not completely sure what she was doing, she stepped on her tiptoes and put a hand to the side of his face to bring him closer. She pecked his cheek and then released him, standing flat on her feet and blushing at the ground to hide her shy face.
She's so cute, Chris thought as he gazed at her. She was knotting her fingers together and smiling at the ground. He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and opened the door before calling to her. "I'll see you in the morning, Shev."
"See you," she whispered as the door was closing. She wasn't sure why she kissed his cheek, but she couldn't deny the feeling that it just felt right. It pushed her to wonder what it'd be like to kiss his neck and even his chest. And of course, she imagined what it'd be like to kiss his lips. Biting her lower lip, she turned to see the sleeping Jill and couldn't stop the frown. She felt guilty. She shouldn't have done that and certainly not with Jill unconscious and unknowing to what was happening.
Grabbing a seat and sitting by Jill's bedside, she knew that no matter how right it might have felt to peck Chris's cheek, it wasn't right on a moral standard. She went too far and that was the farthest she'd go, because one—she didn't know this man very well. Two—he was involved with this sleeping woman that she sat by and didn't want to be the home wrecker. And three—she couldn't let herself fall for someone that could leave her like everyone else did.
Los Angeles, USA
November, 2011
One heel clicked repeatedly on the pavement as she sat nervously on the park bench. Jill's eyes roamed the grassy area and little kids running around, impatiently waiting for a certain someone. As she looked to her watch, she heard a little cry of a child and looked to see a little blonde girl had fallen off a swing and a woman that looked to be her mother was rushing to her. The little girl hugged her mom as she looked at the scrape on her knee. When the mother kissed the booboo and the blonde girl smiled widely, Jill found the smile to be contagious and a small grin forming on her lips.
"You always wanted kids," a voice suddenly spoke beside her.
Jill jumped a little, snapping her head to the right to see Carlos sitting next to her. "You're late," she stated, trying to fight the tingles on her skin as he smiled at her.
"Remember when we'd go to the beach and there'd always be kids running around? You'd always say that you wanted one in the future," he reminisced about their part.
Memories filled her mind as he painted the picture for her. It was such a long time ago but she could remember it so well. He'd be lying on his beach towel with sunglasses resting on his nose as the sun bathed him. She'd be holding a book in her hand, peeking at him and her sight zooming in on his face and body. Then she'd look to where kids were with their parents, running around and heading for the shore with floaties around their waist. She's smile every time as the children waddled to the water with their parent high on their tail. That same smile rose to her lips as she remembered.
"I remember," she whispered.
Carlos gazed at the woman beside him, feeling calm with her presence. "I miss that," he admitted, aware that she might back pedal. But she didn't.
"I do, too," she confessed almost inaudibly.
Without thought, his hand was tucking hair behind her ear and his thumb trailing along the line of her jaw. She melted in his hands, unconsciously leaning to him. But he stopped her, not wanting her to regret anything. It was a process, but he wanted to take things slow for her. It's what she needed. Stroking her shoulder, he stood and nodded to the left.
"You ready? Let's go grab something to eat. We need to put some meat on those bones."
She rolled her eyes, but stood and walked with him. Despite the fact that her weight loss was unintentional, she was insecure about it and especially around Carl. It may have been years since they were together, but she always wanted to look good for him. She wanted him to want her, like she did for him.
The jetlag wasn't so bad anymore. Now Sheva's body was going from hot to cold as her heart beat fast and her walk had an uneven hop to it. Brushing her teeth, Fat Marvin sat on the counter, checking out his own reflection. And as she washed her mouth out with water, she was looking at her reflection as well, staring at her hair. Hand grabbing an elastic, she stopped, letting her hair fall to her shoulders in dark brown waves. She liked the way she looked with her hair down. And so did Claire apparently.
"What do you think, Marv?" she pulled her hair up and then let it fall back down. The only response she got was a slow blink from the cat. "You're a lot of help, you know that?"
As he let out a small meow, the doorbell echoed throughout the mostly empty home. Her heart did a backflip when the bell sounded, already knowing who it was. Stealing on last glance at the mirror, she cursed Claire and went to answer the door.
Chris looked tired. As Sheva allowed him in, she could see he was thinking about something and from the looks of it, it wasn't pleasant. Thanking him, she asked if he was alright. Like a drone, he nodded and followed her as she went to the paint cans.
"Is something wrong?" she inquired, watching him open the paint. The cloth was already set out and the tools were ready, now it was just time to color the walls with a sage green. He shook his head, gaining a quiet sigh of annoyance from Sheva. "What is it, Chris?"
"Nothing, Sheva. I promise," he claimed, looking up at her. Noticing her hesitant expression, he offered a smile that he forced but hoped it didn't show. She simply nodded and began drenching a sponge roller into the paint.
As Chris was about to do the same, he felt something brush up against him. A sound of irritation passed his lips as he looked down at Fat Marvin rubbing up against him. Sheva giggled, trying to stifle it but couldn't as Chris tried to scoot the cat away, but Marvin would come right back.
"He's in love with you," she claimed, putting her strength into the painting.
"Well, it's not mutual," he muttered, shooing Fat Marvin away. "Go away, fattso."
Sheva gasped and if Marv could, he'd do the same. She was about to speak when Chris stopped her.
"Not the fluffy crap. Go away, cat."
"His names Marvin and he just likes you," Sheva explained for the kitty cat. She pointed at the open boxes near the kitchen and spoke to Marvin. "Go play over there, Marv."
Fat Marvin followed the direction of her finger and once to the boxes, he jumped inside and began playing ninja in the cardboard. Chris sighed as if relieved to be free of the harassment of Fat Marvin. The mood seemed to have lifted as he began to paint alongside Sheva, his negative mood lessening. He didn't intend to be so mopey when he arrived, but all he could seem to think about was Jill out with Carlos. Of course Jill didn't say that she was going to see Carlos, but he had an idea.
"You wanna talk about it?" Sheva murmured, looking at him.
Surprised that she asked, he shook his head again. He wasn't in the mood to talk about Jill right now.
"What? The gas prices got you down?" she humorously questioned.
He actually chuckled. "No, that's not it."
"So what is it?" As he was about to refuse, she interrupted him. "Don't shake your head again. Something's on your mind and since I opened up to you yesterday, it's your turn."
Why did she have to be so stubborn sometimes? He didn't move his gaze from his hand. "Maybe I don't want to open up."
Tired of the back and forth, she went with a gentler approach. "Just tell me about it, Chris. I won't think less of you if you open up."
It wasn't until she said it that he realized that he was afraid to open up to her because he didn't want her to see him vulnerable. It was a place he was unfamiliar with and chose not to go near, but she was pushing him to open up. To let it out and speak aloud.
"It's not that easy, Shev."
"Sure it is," she chirped. "Deep breath and talk. Piece of cake. That's what Americans say, right?"
"Yeah, that's what we say," he mumbled. He didn't want to talk, but he could feel her eyes on him and he knew that she was waiting. He wasn't a man to make anyone wait, so he talked. "It's Jill."
"Oh," she simply said. "Did something happen?" What could have happened that made him so down? Re-dipping the roller in paint, she waited patiently for his reply.
He was quiet for some time, focusing on the wall in front of him. Well, now was a better time than any to talk about it. "I think she's sneaking around to see someone."
Her hand didn't stop moving, but her heart froze. Thoughts of what Jill had told her about Carlos flooded her mind, fearing that Chris already knew Jill's secret. "What makes you think that?" she asked in monotone.
"I don't think it was until recently that she started meeting this person, but I got the hint last week. I don't know what to think about it. She left this morning and I'm pretty sure it was to meet the guy."
"What guy?" She was pushing it, but she wanted to know how much Chris knew.
"Carlos Oliveira."
Shit. He knew what was going on. Mentally she was freaking out that he knew and that Jill was caught, and ultimately that she was stuck in the middle. Wasn't coming to America for bigger and brighter things? Well she was off to a poor start to get caught into the web of someone else's relationship.
"Who's that?" she queried, falsely curious. She was astounded by what he had to say.
"You know who it is, Sheva. I'm sure Jill told you all about him, right?"
Her roller stopped and stayed still against the wall as she looked to him with furrowed brows. "Only a little." That was the truth. All Jill told her was basics and how she loved Carlos.
"I'm sure she told you how much she loved him and left me for him," he spoke lowly, not meeting her gaze.
"Some of it, yeah."
He nodded instead of shaking his head. When she asked more about it, he thought that maybe it was time he did open up and talk to someone. Sheva was being generous and offering a voluntary ear. Claire worried too much about him, Rebecca would baby him, all his guy friends wouldn't be used to an open Chris. So that left Sheva, and of all people at this moment she was the best and worst person to open up to. A selfless girl that helped and helped but never asked for anything in return, but also someone he had opened up to before but was pushed out when it was her turn. It was time he opened up. It was time he opened up about his crumbling relationship with Jill.
Authors note: It's okay, Chris. Just admit it. Gas prices got me down, too.
HolleringHawk65: They do! And I hate that he left her in Africa! D:
Mss. KB: Oh, thank you dear, I'm glad to hear from you. I hope you're doing well! Oh my, you thought the memory of their "break up" was sad, wait till you read that flashback! I didn't cry while writing it, but I was so sad. :( I think Chris would make a good dad, right? Thank you Karina, stay fabulous! :)
Sheva Redfield: Oh, I'm so glad you liked it! Haha, Chris might be a little scared of babies. Maybe just a little. I think most older brother look at their newborn sisters like were vegetables and they hate us at first. :P When I was born, all my brothers and sisters wanted was to go back to trick or treating. Those darn siblings, right? :) Chris was kinda of a jerk, but with his past with Sheva, it's kinda fair. You'll see! God bless, XOXO :)
wolfspiritqueen: I'm always excited to post another chapter! Well, I'll just have to check that movie out. :) Haha, I wish it was affection that they were confessing to one another. But the next chapter will be good. :)
JustSomeGirl17: I was yelling for Sheva and Chris to get it on the entirety of RE5! I hope your hand feels better. :) Arrivederci, sweet marzipan!
borismortys: It's funny that you mentioned that, because Chris side of the story of his and Jill's history will be revealed in the next chapter. I'm excited for the next one!
Lollipop Lolli: Well, if you ever do celebrate Thanksgiving, get ready to add on a few pounds. :P I bet you that that poll will crash because so many people will be voting on it! I think I want a squeal to The Last of Us. What about you?
toby7400: Haha, either Chris and Jill need couples therapy, or it's time to call it quits. I'm rooting for the latter. The f-ing will come soon. ;) Thank you, my favorite parts to write are the dialogue scenes. I'm excited for the next chapter because it's really Chris's time for honesty.
Fujisawa Loser: You're reviews are like my thought process. I love it. :)
In the next chapter, Chris opens up to Sheva and we get to hear his side of the story about his past with Jill. We also learn something important that Jill never revealed to Sheva and I must admit that it's pretty significant. As for the flashback, we get Jill's perspective on what happened while under Wesker's wing.
-Sarai
