Chapter 19: The Devil You Know

It was your typical exam room found in the average medical clinic: a sink, weight scales, medical advertisements, an examination table, and a couple of chairs. A calendar depicting puppies and kittens hung on the wall with other drab decorations.

Ada sighed in boredom, one leg crossed over the other, her heel bouncing on the tiled floor. She had lost track of time of how long she'd been locked in here.

She was surprised earlier. The Colonel himself had tapped on her window, and, afterward, brought her here, the same clinic Roth and Bennett had retreated to. She didn't even get to bring her coffee. How rude.

Thinking back, Ada chided herself for not being more careful with Sergei. Apparently, her fake updates to keep him off track only worked for so long before he became wise to her. But she wasn't worried...yet.

Right now, Sergei was likely trying to make her lose her nerve. And, well, that wasn't going to happen.

If anything, she was more curious now. Sergei in cahoots with Roth and Bennett? They were threats to Umbrella. They had bought and sold crucial research to rival companies. There was more to this, that's for sure. Sergei was many things, but a traitor to Umbrella and Spencer wasn't one of them.

It was so obvious. Albert Wesker. There was nothing else it could be.

The door finally opened. Ada sat up straighter just as Sergei's large form came through the doorway, shutting the door behind him. She didn't like the twinkle in his eye, the curl of his lip, looking at her as though she was a cornered mouse, and he the triumphant cat.

Ada crossed her arms, honey-brown eyes challenging him, red lips quirking. "Let me guess, an incoming, boring monologue on why I'm here and how I'm in trouble? All ears, Colonel."

He remained standing, attempting to intimidate her. It didn't work. "I asked if this would be a conflict of interest for you, Ms. Wong, didn't I? And here you are, helping Wesker."

Ada covered her mouth with her palm to hide an apathetic yawn. "So? I looked into the allegations, and there's no evidence that Albert was behind any of this. None I could find, anyway. And then he approached me to help take out Roth, who is, last I checked, a threat to Umbrella, and has the stolen research in his possession currently. Yet, here you are playing buddy-buddy with him. Now that is a conflict of interest, Sergei."

"Mr. Roth and his associate are in the same boat as you, Ms. Wong, I assure you. They've come to the end of the line in their dealings, but I have one final purpose for them. You went against my orders, Lord Spencer's orders, and lied about it."

"That's quite the accusation, Colonel. But it will hold no bearing. Albert is just doing his job and so am I."

Honestly, now she was getting a little annoyed by all of this. What was Sergei trying to pull here?

Sergei chuckled. "Maybe not currently. But it will. I chose you specifically to look into Wesker, knowing you would go along with him."

Uh-oh. Ada suddenly had a bad feeling about this.

"Wesker is manipulating most of this. Stopping Mr. Roth to "save" the stolen research is just a ruse. Just like all his other dealings behind Umbrella's back. I've never had anything concrete to indict him, but now I will catch him in the act. Mr. Roth and Mr. Bennett are just the bait, don't you see?"

"Wow," Ada shook her head. "I think...I think you're just a little too into Albert? A little too obsessed? Look, I'm sorry he and William wouldn't let you be BFFs with them, play with their toys, or let you help them push other kids down on the playground, but come on? A bit much?"

Sergei glared at her, a single hand forming a mallet of a fist. "Then there is you, Ms. Wong. My own suspicions of you...working for someone else. Spying on Umbrella. Never enough proof to bring to Lord Spencer. But, if I catch Wesker in the act, then it will give me the jurisdiction to look further into you."

Oh boy. This is not good.

She was feeling the pressure a little bit now, but didn't show it. In fact, she gave the Colonel the most skeptical smile she could pass off as genuine. "I hate to burst your bubble, but with me not calling in updates to Albert, he'll know something is up, and he won't bite whatever you have on this ridiculous hook."

Sergei shrugged. "Maybe. More than likely, he'll think Mr. Roth captured you. And if he plans on any dealings with him against Umbrella's interests, he'll bite regardless. Besides, I have one last loose end that will help me wrap this all up by Christmas."

Shit...Claire!

Ada chose her words carefully. "She doesn't know anything outside of witnessing Albert kill someone. It's better to let him use her and dispose of her than you getting involved and risking exposing Umbrella."

"Is that why you didn't eliminate her after I asked you to?"

"Yes. And I'm sure Lord Spencer would agree with me."

"Perhaps he would," the Colonel acknowledged with a nod. "But it doesn't matter now. Henceforth, I am taking over this investigation. You are to remain in custody until it is resolved. If you have nothing to hide then you have nothing to worry about."

Oh, I've got plenty to hide…

"Don't I get a phone call?"

The Colonel snorted. "No. I am done with your tricks, Ms. Wong. I'll be back when this is all over."

This was bad. Very bad. Claire was in danger. Albert was in trouble. And Ada had no way to warn them. In the end, she would be in hot water too once all was said and done. She glared at Sergei's back as he gave her one last haughty sneer and left the room.

Ada closed her eyes, inhaling deeply, exhaling slowly. She swore she wouldn't put herself in this situation ever again, not since the Organization, not since Albert. Yet here she was, through no fault of her own, just unforeseen circumstances. No backdoors. Cornered and trapped. Worst of all, her fate hinged on the Devil himself. And the Devil was currently distracted by his new consort.

Oh, Claire…we're about to find out if you're everything Albert thinks you are…

She was definitely special to him. Ada only hoped she was special enough.

Claire hadn't felt this helpless since Wesker caught her after witnessing him murdering a man. No, since she was a child and was informed of her parents' accident! Her home, her safe haven, once believed impregnable, now lay invaded and violated by these intruders.

Despite hearing about Aaron Roth the most, she knew the least about him. Everything Wesker had been conspiring was to get to him, and yet, he looked the most harmless of them all. But she had learned quite early in all of this that no one was ever as they seemed.

Stephan Bennett, still squirming from a freshly broken nose and finger, was Roth's business partner. The animosity in his eyes and sheer violence toward her indicated he was still fuming from the humiliation at the hotel.

Then there was Sergei Vladmir, some kind of colonel for some kind of military, one associated with the Umbrella Corporation, although she wasn't sure how. He was easily one of the biggest men Claire had ever seen in her life. He was either here to kill her like Wesker claimed or arrest her. Either way, her day just got considerably worse.

Claire wasn't stupid. She made the connection in moments. The three men before her all shared one thing in common: They were enemies with Albert Wesker. And she had been helping him. That made her position in all of this quite obvious, unwilling or not.

Sergei's fake pleasantries still hung in the air, awaiting her answer. Claire may have stopped fighting physically, but her mind kept thinking. Plotting.

Though the Colonel addressed his injured companion, he never took his eyes off Claire. "Mr. Bennett, you didn't take my warning into consideration, and now you are paying the consequences. You've underestimated Ms. Redfield one too many times, haven't you?"

A broken arm may have been the worst thing he got from their last encounter, thanks to Wesker, but his face bore several cuts from Claire's well-aimed wine bottle. The beat-up asshole didn't say anything, lips drawn back in a snarl clutching his busted nose.

"You assholes do know this place is being monitored by my very own neighborhood watch detail, right?"

"They're currently switching out," Bennett growled. He looked like he was crying, but it was only because of the swelling. Claire was pleased to know his face would look even uglier after the swelling and bruising.

Her own head hurt from the attack, and she was certain she was bleeding from the same cut from the party. The same one Wesker had tended to at his house. It would have to wait though.

"There's an old saying from my mother country, Ms. Redfield," Sergei declared. "If you are afraid of the wolves, stay out of the forest. But you've never feared wolves, have you? You've ventured the dark forest that is life fearlessly ever since your parents met a tragic end. Until, not long ago, when you came face-to-face with the one wolf other wolves fear."

Claire tensed. He knew about her parents? Between that and knowing where she lived, there was no telling what else he knew about her. "What do you want from me?"

The Colonel held up his hand, hushing Bennett before he could add his own off-color suggestion. His friendly smile seemed contradictory to his intimidating form and scarred face. "Just your help, moya ledi."

Sergei motioned to the mercenary holding Claire, and he instantly let her go. Claire rubbed her limbs, shooting the man a glare. He didn't move away, ready to grab her again if she did anything reckless.

Claire looked between the three men, guarded, pissed, and a little daunted. "Help how?"

The three men were looking at her in different ways. Bennett's was pure hatred. Sergei's cordial front hinted at something much more perfidious. Roth, though, his quiet observance of her felt mostly of curiosity and that bothered her the most.

"This wolf...he's not feared for being the biggest or even the meanest. He's feared for his cunning. It makes him far more dangerous than an entire pack. He's sunk his teeth into you, hasn't he, Ms. Redfield? He's making you do things you don't want to do, and if you do not do them, you and your brother will be hurt...or worse, da?"

Claire didn't say anything, suddenly feeling a bit despondent now.

"It is my duty to protect civilians like you when it comes to wolves like Albert Wesker. For a long time now, I've tried to bring him down, but he is not an easy beast to outwit." Sergei waited, gauging her reaction, and continued. "Even these two lowlives aren't free from their consequences in this conspiracy. They will be locked up. But they have agreed to help me take down the Big Bad Wolf in exchange for a lighter punishment. Fortunately for you, Ms. Redfield, you're in a position where you can also help me. And if you help me capture Wesker, you and your brother will be safe, will be free. I give you my word. After all, you are only an innocent hostage in this situation."

She remained silent. Usually, when something sounded too good to be true...it was.

Sergei didn't break his respectful, amiable front. His deep blue eyes held a wicked gleam, his fake smile only shadowing a ruthless nature.

"I commend your fighting spirit, doing what's necessary to keep you and your brother alive. Your captor has killed many people, as you've seen. He will continue to do so unless you help me stop him once and for all."

When Claire still didn't say anything, Sergei frowned. "Did you know he and Birkin once had a mentor? James Marcus. He was a good man, an honorable man. Raised them like his own sons. They killed him in cold blood as recompense, after everything he did for them."

William had told her about Marcus before. He left out the details of how he had died though…She thought maybe it had been old age…silly her.

Her stomach churned. She hated that she was hurt by this news, even though she wasn't surprised Wesker and William would do such a thing.

"There was a girl much like you."

Claire whipped her head to Roth, heart skyrocketing. Roth acknowledged her surprised stare, but remained composed. "Anezka Muller was her name. She had an...intimate relationship with Wesker. The work she did could've helped hundreds of thousands. Wesker controlled her, just like he controls everyone. One day she just...vanished. Never to be seen or heard from again. Her work was left behind. No one knows what happened and no one ever will. He's a very dangerous man, Ms. Redfield. He can do this to you. He can do this to anyone. You'd be saving many lives helping us stop his reign."

It wasn't the first time she had heard about Wesker's former lover, but it was the first time she had heard her name. Claire wondered how much of it was true and how much of it they were bending to get her help. But did it honestly matter? It could be partially true or completely true, they still had a point. Wesker was dangerous and needed to be stopped.

"All I ask is for some information that will help us capture him. Something that would expose him. Does he have something else planned to use you for? Anything at all. It's a small exchange that could buy you your safety and freedom, Ms. Redfield. I cannot protect you if you will not help me," the Colonel coaxed.

This was it. Frozen, mind racing, Claire had to decide right now. She had to choose between two evils at the risk of everything.

If she chose Sergei, Wesker would be stopped. It was something she had wanted since she first got into this plight. Maybe he would keep his word and let her and Chris go free. It was the logical choice. It was the moral choice.

But why was it the harder choice?!

Her feelings for Wesker aside, she knew the risks. At this point, she knew Wesker well enough to know that he was always several steps ahead of everyone else. If she chose Sergei and Wesker still managed to outwit them all, he would undoubtedly kill her. But that wasn't what bothered her.

She initially couldn't believe it when it dawned on her, and it manifested as a mix of nausea and a strange affection she couldn't describe. She trusted Wesker more. His feelings for her were dangerous, toxic even. But it assured her that Wesker wouldn't let anything happen to her or Chris, even if it was out of selfishness.

Claire couldn't trust Sergei as far as she could throw him. It was so easy to see they were just tricking her into helping capture Wesker and then she would be taken out as a loose end. But she couldn't deny the possibility that maybe, just maybe, it could turn out okay.

In the end, it reminded her of how small of an ant she was in this giant spider web of conspiracy. Whatever Wesker was doing, whatever Sergei, Roth, and Bennett were involved in, whatever the Umbrella Corporation had to do with it, it was much bigger than she had previously thought.

"Well?"

Claire took a deep breath, a little shaky, but mind made up. "Okay…I-I want to help. It's just as you said. He controls me. He's blackmailing me to do things or he'll kill me and my brother. I fear for our lives. I've done everything he said to keep my brother safe and oblivious to this whole thing."

Her "scared, innocent college girl" act was reinforced by the real strain of this whole ordeal. If it was any other circumstances, she would've patted herself on the back. But she didn't overplay it, knowing they were too smart for that, instead, making it look as though Sergei's persuasion had worked.

Pleased yet guarded, Sergei dipped his head. "I assure you, I will stop him. Tell me all you know."

Her mind raced. Thinking. Stalling. Probably not the greatest plan, but she didn't have much to work with here.

"He doesn't tell me much. I saw him kill that guy and it's been nothing but a nightmare since then. I...stole some things for him. I don't know what they were."

"What does he have planned next for you?"

"I-I don't know, I swear. He said something about meeting with Roth. He has something that Wesker wants. I'm afraid he's going to use me as bait or something," she made up.

"Do you know where he plans this meeting?" Sergei asked, scrutinizing her.

Claire shook her head, rubbing her arms.

"Oh, this is a load of shit," Bennett hissed, letting go of his broken nose. The swelling had stopped the bleeding, and now he sounded like he had a bad cold. "She's in on it! She's just playing scared and innocent! I bet she's Wesker's squeeze! That's been the talk!"

Sergei and Roth glared at him. Sergei picked the smaller man up by his shirt with just one hand, lifting him as though he weighed only a few pounds. "It doesn't matter what you think. I will not -"

"Colonel!" Another mercenary with a heavy Russian accent appeared in the kitchen, having come from the back door like the others. "We have confirmation of Wesker's scout heading this way. ETA 5 minutes!"

Claire never thought she'd be so happy for Wesker's spy to actually spy on her!

Sergei growled in annoyance and dropped Bennett. He ordered them to get out. Bennett fixed his shirt, although there was no point from the blood stains caused by his nose. He gave Claire one last glower and stormed out, followed by the mercenary that had confined her earlier. Roth lingered, studying Claire closely, still curious, pondering something, almost as though he had something to say. After he left, only she and Sergei remained.

"If you come with me, we can finish our discussion and I will guarantee you and your brother's safety, Ms. Redfield."

His stare was harder now, his tone more serious. She wondered if Sergei's true purpose for this little "meet and greet" wasn't just to get her to rat out Wesker, but convince her to come with him under such a guise. When really, he'd dispose of her or blackmail her himself.

Claire didn't move an inch, staying calm. "Wouldn't be a good idea. I'm already running late to meet my brother for lunch. Wesker is expecting me. He keeps close tabs on me...as you can see. He'll know something's wrong if I don't show up."

The towering colonel's initial look of displeasure quickly shifted to a dark chuckle and a shake of his head. "You're a clever girl, aren't you? I understand your mistrust in me, but unfortunately, your time is running out and I am your only ally capable of saving you and your brother."

When she didn't answer, he sighed. "This isn't over, Ms. Redfield. I will be back. I highly recommend you keep this our little secret. After all…I have my men keeping a close eye on your brother, for his protection, of course. If Wesker were to find out of my involvement, well…bad things may happen."

You piece of shit!

Claire dropped her act in a single hard glare. One corner of his lips quirked smugly and he turned his back on her to leave. He paused just before the kitchen, looking over his shoulder at her one last time.

"I see what Wesker sees in you, Ms. Redfield. A tigress. And what does a tigress have to fear from forests and wolves?"

Then he was gone. Claire stood in the empty living room, reflecting over what just happened. There were no signs they had even been here now after all that, save for one small splotch of blood on the hardwood floor. Except…

Claire scooped up the folded piece of paper on the floor. It had fallen out of Bennett's pocket in their scuffle. She unfurled it, wondering what it could be and hoping it was something she could use. It looked to be a print out of an email.

Aaron Roth, I received an update from our trusted contact in Raccoon City regarding new research for purchase. More importantly, he has data on the new T-ALOS Project. This will not be handled by one of your agents, you must do the exchange in person. No excuses. I will be sending with you a new partner, an associate of ours from Sheena Island. He will have a copy of this message with his own orders. After all business is finalized, transportation out of the city will be arranged.

See you soon.

Christine Henry

Her brows furrowed. T-ALOS? What's that? Who's Christine Henry?

It only gave her more questions, despite all the information presented. Claire sighed, folding the paper and stuffing it in her pocket. She had a much bigger problem on her hands right now.

She cleaned up the blood and checked her head in the bathroom. Not good. She was bleeding. It would be more noticeable now. Claire cleaned and patched it as best as she could and was out the door to go meet Chris.

The drive to the Raccoon Police Department seemed torturously long. Claire needed a plan, like now, and racked her brain the entire way.

Her day no longer consisted of simply driving to her brother's workplace and picking him up for lunch in his own truck. Now she had to do something she didn't think she'd ever have to do. Funny how that seemed to be the trend lately.

Claire would have to find some way to talk to Wesker. In private. In the middle of public. That was quite risky. If caught, it could draw Chris's suspicion and further endanger them. Besides, after what happened at Wesker's house and how they parted when he dropped her off, Claire had no idea how Wesker would react to her. Her goal had been to piss him off and she accomplished that much.

Piss him off and be done with it, right? No more affair and maybe actually try and stop him, right? But here you are, choosing him instead of the fucking scary ass colonel!

Who knows. After what happened with Sergei, there was a chance Wesker would dispose of her because of the risks, whether he wanted to or not. Shitty choices in a shitty situation, and there was no other way to say it.

Claire had been so stressed from her encounter with Sergei, now that the adrenaline had died down, she was sure they had bruised a few ribs. She hid it as best as she could.

Next thing she knew as her brain frantically schemed, she was in front of the STARS office door. Claire drew in a deep, shaky breath, wiping her palms on her pants, ignoring the ache in her ribs. She felt a little sick but kept herself together. A quick glance at her wristwatch told her she was a little late. Hopefully Chris wasn't in a hurry to leave for lunch as she tried to find some way to get Wesker alone. Or at the very least give him some sort of message that Sergei was closing in.

That's if he wasn't locked away in his office or if he was even here in the first place…

Here goes nothing…

She grabbed the doorknob and stepped inside.

The first thing Claire noticed was the chatter. Not loud. Not overly serious. Mostly casual talk amongst the crew. Claire immediately glanced to her left. Wesker's office door was ajar but no one was inside.

Chris and Jill were at their computers, discussing something that involved an open folder between them, probably a case. Barry and Forest were near the armory looking over an MP5.

"Uh-oh, there's Trouble!" Barry announced just as Claire caught sight of Wesker.

He was sitting over at the communications console next to Richard. Except while Richard faced the panel, working with big headphones on, Wesker was turned towards the STARS desks, talking with Edward and Brad nearby.

Though he wore his sunglasses, they locked eyes immediately. She felt it. There wasn't much of a reaction from him from what she could tell. He continued his conversation while the rest of the team swarmed her.

"Claire! There you are! I thought maybe you went to lunch without me!" Her brother said.

He went to hug her but Forest squeezed in and spun her around in his arms. "Hey, there's my girl!" Pain shot through her ribs and she winced, biting her tongue.

Forest sat her down. "I know you ain't been avoiding me of all people, right? I mean, we're getting married one of these days."

"In your fucking dreams, Forest," Claire laughed, shoving him away playfully. It was all in good fun. She knew Forest was just teasing her. If anything, he thought of her as his little sister too, but enjoyed riling up Chris.

"Yeah, over my dead body, now scoot," Chris grumbled and shoved his friend aside to hug Claire.

"It's gonna happen. You, me, a beachside wedding. Honeymooning in Albuquerque. Like eleven kids."

Jill made the motion of pretending to gag and it made Claire snicker.

"Eleven now?" Claire shook her head.

"Well, we adopt Vickers and Frost because they're completely hopeless without parental supervision."

"Hey!" Brad whined.

Edward, grinning, looked lost. "Why Albuquerque?"

"I have no idea, for the BBQ, maybe? Sounds like a good spot. Don't you think so, baby?"

"You can do better, Claire," Barry joined, smacking Forest upside the head.

"Way better," Jill added.

Before Claire could banter back, Chris grabbed her arm, suddenly concerned. "Hey, what happened to your head?"

Shit. Right…Focus, Claire!

"Oh, I didn't tell you? Bumped my head while babysitting. They have weird cabinets."

Seriously? That's all you could come up with?

Her brain had been more focused on a way to get Wesker alone…

Chris didn't look convinced but reluctantly let it go with a short nod. He returned to his desk and sat down. "Just let me finish up this paperwork and we can head out."

"Okay," she mumbled, and passed a side glance to Wesker.

For whatever reason, he looked even more displeased than when she first walked into the office. Great. This was going to be a disaster.

Forest gently clapped her arm, concern replacing his earlier playfulness, and went back to work with Barry. Claire pulled up a chair near Jill's desk, her mind going a million miles a minute on how she was going to do this. She risked another side glance to Wesker. He had resumed his discussion with Brad and Edward, something to do with the STARS helicopters, Brad taking notes diligently, until Richard removed one headphone and got his attention.

She didn't have much time. She had to get Wesker alone. The problem was there was no reason for them to interact, alone especially, despite her brazenness confronting him about Chris's hours when they first met. If spotted, it would only draw unwanted attention.

If only it could've been as simple as asking him to step out for a word. But no, never was she that lucky.

Claire watched Jill typing on her computer and then it hit her! Please work!

"So, um, Jill. You play classical music on piano, right?"

"Sure, all kinds."

Yes!

This was it. Claire took a deep breath. She was about to bet her life and her brother's life that her obsessed lover would have his eyes and ears on her discreetly, like at the Christmas party. Because this was her only shot.

"I had this bullshit report on Rachmaninoff last semester. I could've really used your help!"

Jill looked away from her monitor with a soft smile. "Ah, melodicism. There's something beautiful about it."

Chris chuckled beside her. The guys jabbed at each other, watching Jill come out of badass mode long enough to remind them of her softer side.

"All I ever knew about classical music came from Bugs Bunny," Forest said behind them.

Edward shook his head. "That doesn't surprise me!"

Brad grimaced. "Dude, that's not something to brag about."

"In all fairness, at least cartoons were a great gateway to the classics," Jill agreed. "Beethoven's 7th, Ride of the Valkyries, Sonata quasi una Fantasia. Great stuff." The way she said it was like she tasted every syllable.

Seizing upon the excitement of the group, Claire leaned into her story even more, praying that she was right about the obsession of the quiet STARS Captain as he had his head slightly cocked listening to Richard. "Yeah, I was never really into too much of that, but something about Sergei Rachmaninoff really captured me. Really tested what I know about everything, uh, about classics, that is..."

She braved another look. He was watching her. Surely he had heard and read between the lines? But there was no reaction, none she could tell. And she quite honestly didn't know where else to go from here.

"Oh, I'm sure," Jill answered, snapping Claire back to reality. "Rachmaninoff was one of the best pianists of all time. Next time, I'd be happy to help."

"Thanks, Jill."

"Wait, aren't you majoring in sociology? Or was it engineering? What does classical music have to do with either of those?" Forest asked.

Claire panicked a little underneath, but kept calm. "It was to examine the effects of music on social life in the 20th century or some bullshit."

"Okay, well," Chris said as he got out of his chair and pulled on his coat. "I'm ready if you are, Sis."

No!

Claire glanced at Wesker again. "Um, I need to use the restroom first!"

Come on, Wesker!

Chris sighed. "Fine, I have to swing by the library first anyway. Give me the keys and I'll warm up the truck. Don't take forever, okay?"

"I won't!"

All Wesker did was roll his neck. Dammit, work with me here! Claire frantically tried to think of something as she dug for the keys, only for the STARS Captain to nonchalantly get up and stroll right out of the office without saying a word. Richard looked confused for a moment then shrugged and went back to work.

Claire said goodbye to Jill, Barry, and the others and stepped out with Chris. He went left for the library and she went right towards the showers, restrooms, and stairs.

Claire beelined for the upstairs restrooms across from the locker room near the vending machines, although she wasn't sure what good it would do. She didn't even know where Wesker went. For all she knew, he went to lunch himself. Still, she needed a moment to compose herself before joining Chris.

She only passed one officer on her way to the restrooms, and he hardly glanced at her. Claire turned the corner, saw the door, and as she closed in to grab the handle, she was seized from behind and yanked through another door.

Claire swung, still on edge from what had happened at home. Her fist, aimed for her attacker's face, connected with a shielding forearm instead. It was Wesker! She let out a giant breath of relief. He had pulled her into a small storage room and bolted the door behind them.

Their eyes locked once again, although now he wasn't wearing shades. For a long moment, it was quiet, tense, even a little awkward. There were obviously mixed feelings between them currently, but that wasn't what mattered now. She had succeeded in getting him alone. And now she had to follow through with the rest.

"What. Happened?" Wesker demanded.

He was probably the angriest she had seen him yet, considering his quite impressive talent of being able to keep cool and calm no matter the pressure. Despite this, Claire wasn't afraid. It wasn't directed at her, she knew that somehow.

All the frustration and dread she had felt cornered in her own home quickly resurfaced, and it was like her lungs were full of hot air. She glared at him. After all, wasn't it all his fault? "They attacked me. In my own fucking home! Roth and Bennett. Broke that asshole Bennett's nose and finger but Sergei was there. With them! He wanted to know what I knew about you. About this whole damn thing! Put on a whole act and speech that he was there to help me and save me from you."

"And what did you tell him?" His tone was cold, barely repressing his anger. Anger that had boiled up even more after her story.

Of course that was all he was worried about! Claire wanted to unload on him, wanted to strangle him. Despite this being uncharted territory with Wesker, despite not knowing what this new behavior could lead him to do, she still held her ground.

Her tongue got the better of her though. "Oh, you know. I just gave him vague answers like you do with me, dear heart! Then stalled until your spy showed up and they bailed. But not without Sergei warning he'd be back and low-key threatening Chris's life if I spoke any of it to you!"

Claire groaned in frustration, kicking a nearby crate full of old museum decorations. She put her hands to her face, sickened. Wesker wasn't the only one to blame here. She did this, too. She did this to Chris…by getting intimately involved with the man in front of her.

A strong grip constricted her arm and jerked her forward. Was this it? Was Wesker going to kill her now that she had become a liability? She could only imagine how he would do it. A quick snap of her slim neck. Perhaps he would choke her. He was sadistic like that.

His hand brushed her hair, right near the gash. Claire didn't realize how tense she was until she relaxed in his arms a little as he checked the cut over.

"Make sure you clean and cover this. I'm surprised they were bold enough to hit you in the head if they were aiming for subtlety."

Claire looked at him. He was still mad, but it was completely buried now. And still, it wasn't directed at her. Was she finally getting better at reading him?

"Actually, I, um, used my head to break Bennett's nose."

Wesker sighed. "Of course you did."

Then she felt his hand skim under her shirt and lift it up, exposing her skin. Claire broke away from him, yanking her shirt back down. She glared at him, although the slight cock of his head and the odd look on his face that could only be concern left her a little confused. It didn't last long though before a smirk curled on his lips.

He closed in again. "Why darling, you think I'd take you in a dusty old storage room? I have standards. You should know that by now."

Claire blushed but didn't bite her tongue. "Standards?! Don't make me laugh!"

He backed her into a wall. "Honestly dear heart, I'd rather make you scream. And you can take that in any context as you'd like." When she couldn't answer, face burning, he motioned to her shirt. "Now let me see it."

Claire bit her tongue this time and raised her shirt. She looked herself. There was slight marbling on her ribs from bruises. She had hidden the pain quite well, not even Chris had noticed. Wesker really was that in tune with her. Her body, anyway…Perhaps her mind, too. But she wasn't sure Wesker knew how to be in tune with someone's heart.

She pulled her shirt down. It was nothing. She'd had way worse. Bennett got the worst of it. She made sure of that!

Wesker caressed her side, and that combined with the ferocity in his steel blue eyes left her a little weak in the knees.

"You said you broke his nose and a finger?" he whispered in her ear. "An admirable start, seeing as I will be breaking every single bone in his body."

"And what about Sergei and Roth?" Claire asked, quickly changing the subject to keep the lightning in her stomach from getting out of control.

Wesker pondered it. "They'll require a different approach. More finesse. Strategy. And thanks to your little tip-off, I can prepare accordingly." He peered at her thoughtfully. "You never cease to impress me, dear heart. Through all of this. That act you cooked up on the spot with Jill to surreptitiously gain my attention…exemplary. I am curious, however. You had your chance to extirpate me. I miscalculated the extent of Sergei's involvement in this, an oversight I will not repeat going forward. He could've been your way out. Tell me, why didn't you take it?"

Claire was quiet for a long moment. "I admit it was tempting, but I knew he was full of shit, and would've disposed of us afterward." No, that wasn't quite it. "I…trust you more…And maybe…I was hoping you'd be a man of your word…at least with me." After another tense, silent moment, she sighed. "You're right. You are the lesser of two evils."

He was the devil she knew. And yet she knew him so little.

She pulled out the note Bennett dropped. She hesitated, but soon offered it out to him. Wesker slowly took it, their fingers brushing. Claire held her breath as the corrupt STARS Captain read over the note.

His wolfish smirk validated that Sergei was telling the truth on one thing, at least.

Wesker folded the note and slipped it into his vest pocket, and she soon realized the hold he had on her had tightened even more. "Let me tell you something, Claire. I don't believe in good or evil. It's all subjective. However, I am what the world deems evil. I may seem like the lesser evil in short sight. But in the grand scheme of things, I will always be the greater evil." He stroked her hair. It roiled many mixed feelings within her. "Roth and Bennett are pawns on a chessboard, just like nearly everyone else to me. Sergei is an obstacle, a threat. You might've just given me an opening for dominion over him. And for that, I thank you."

Wait, what? Did she…Did she just hear right? Did Albert Wesker just seriously tell her thank you?! She had no idea how to react to that. She stared at him in disbelief, but quickly shook it off and glared at him.

"Nice to hear that you thank your pawns sometimes." She said it with bite. After all, his declaration had her second guessing if she had made the right choice siding with him over Sergei.

"You're no pawn," he said matter-of-factly. "You were in the beginning…nevertheless the right pawn can become a queen."

"Is that what I am to you?" she boldly asked.

Claire could tell she caught him off guard a little, and he debated whether to express his true feelings on the matter or not.

"...Perhaps."

She wasn't surprised by his answer…or lack thereof. She sighed, tired, aggravated. She was ready to leave. "Well, perhaps, I should get back to Chris…before he thinks something happened."

Wesker nodded but didn't move out of her way. "I need you to do one thing if you wish to keep Chris safe until I've dealt with Sergei and Roth."

"What?"

"Tell him you might have to babysit one last time…for a few hours."

Claire didn't like the sound of that, or the weight the words carried. Did Wesker plan on using her once more?

"Okay…"

She had no choice. This was all for Chris and his safety…She was ready for this to be over. But now she wondered if it would ever truly end…

Wesker stepped aside. Claire took two steps towards the door. Just two, before it hit her, probably from the uncertainty still swimming in her chest. She took a deep breath, looking Wesker in the eye. "Sergei and Roth told me about James Marcus. They told me about Anezka Muller, too."

He flinched. Wesker flinched. She almost couldn't continue what she wanted to say. "Did you really kill the man that raised you like a son? Did you really make Anezka disappear? Am I next?"

He had threatened it in the beginning…

"Anna left me," he snarled. "I did nothing to her." Well, this was different, not the usual detachment he normally displayed when talking about his past at all. This was anger. Yet, not just anger. No, there was also a deep bitterness and resentment here. If there were any leftover feelings, Claire sure couldn't sense them. She wondered what really happened.

Wesker calmed himself, swallowing his irritation. "I did kill Marcus. I made sure he bled out as slowly as possible. William and I watched him die. I'm sure they failed to mention what atrocities that man put us through. Failed to mention that Anezka had full control of her decision to leave. They said just enough to try and persuade you to their side."

We went through absolute hell together. William had told her just days ago.

She was grateful for his honesty, no matter how sour it was. And yet, it only enforced her feelings that Wesker was a man-made monster, not a naturally born one.

Claire had so many conflicted emotions rampaging within her, she didn't even know how to respond. She settled with not speaking at all, only nodding. She then slipped by him and went for the door.

When her hand fell on the handle, she was surprised to see his hand lay over hers, preventing her from opening the door.

"You were right."

What the hell? First he thanks me, now this? Dear, diary! She stared at him, and then slowly regained her composure. "...About what?"

She had a fairly certain idea of what it was…she just wanted to hear him admit it.

Wesker glared at her. In different circumstances, she might've thought it was cute. He obviously was displeased about having to explain himself.

"Don't play dumb, dear heart. It's unbecoming of you."

She glared right back, even if she felt she had to crane her neck. "Not playing dumb. I just want to hear you say it."

He reacted exactly like she thought he would once openly challenged. He smirked, the quick clench of one fist the only giveaway of his initial annoyance. His hand left hers, pressing firmly on the door as if to entrap her in the overly large closest and keep her from escaping him. Claire prayed no one passing by in the hallway outside could hear them…

"In the car," he elaborated.

Claire nodded confidently. "About you complicating this. I know I was right. I'm glad you finally admitted it."

Wesker chuckled in a way that made the hair on the back of her neck and arms stand straight up. "Careful, my dear," he warned. "I can uncomplicate matters just as easily. Be grateful I allowed such a fault solely for you."

He just threatened her and called her special to him in the same answer. What a weird fucking day.

Wesker removed his hand from the door. "Chris is waiting. You better catch up…before I decide to lower my standards for the day."

Claire couldn't stop a lopsided smile. There was a type of playfulness that Wesker reserved solely for her that was both flirtatious and witty. She only now realized how much she actually enjoyed it…She left quickly and quietly…before she lowered her standards as well.

After Claire left, Wesker returned to the STARS headquarters and locked himself in his office, completely ignoring a question that Vickers had asked as soon as he stepped through the door. Did he slam the door in the Alpha pilot's face? He wasn't sure, nor did he care. His mind was too busy circulating more important matters.

His willpower strained over the fury seething beneath his skin. With fists clenched, jaw ticking, he thought over what Claire had informed him.

Sergei Vladmir.

Ada was supposed to keep him at bay, yet Wesker had underestimated the Colonel's wits. Ada's disappearance made sense now. And thanks to Claire's warning, he could easily see what Sergei was after: A short alliance with Roth solely for the purpose of setting Wesker up. To the Colonel, Roth was the smaller fish. And on that, at least, they could agree.

Wesker considered how much Sergei knew at this point. Wesker may have truly been doing his job killing Crawford and Finley to contain the research breach, but it wasn't without his own motives. He had gained control of Crawford's main contact for information. It was only after Finley sold the stolen research to Aaron Roth that Wesker decided to further manipulate the circumstances to his advantage. All to finally gain control over Roth and his expansive network. Bard, Lowery, and Mueller were only bonuses in this affair.

His true motives were being kept even from William. His partner was under the impression that their goal was to take out Roth and retrieve the stolen research, part of which contained information on William's prized G-Virus. Even Ada knew more than he did at this stage.

Sergei didn't find out anything from Ada. It was in Wesker and Ada's best interests that they looked out for each other to preserve themselves. Their relationship may have been complicated but their alliance wasn't.

He also didn't pull anything from Claire. She had her chance to give Sergei what he needed to get the upper hand and she didn't. She impeded, she lied, she fought. He would never admit it, but he was grateful to her.

He was also indebted to her for what she was able to give him. The advantage over Sergei and the means to emerge with all the spoils…including her.

Sergei didn't have enough to pin this all on him. That's why he was using Roth and remaining in the shadows, waiting for Wesker to be caught in the act. He might've succeeded too…had it not been for Claire.

He would surely return the favor. Those who had touched her, harmed her, and threatened her would pay dearly. Sergei and Roth would be punished. Bennett would suffer.

Wesker sat down in his chair, scowling, disregarding the cluttered paperwork on his desk, and the STARS logo screensaver on his monitor. There was a bright sticky pad note on a file in Jill's distinct handwriting. "Don't be a Grinch this year, Captain! :P Christmas Party at Barry's house this weekend!"

He withdrew the folded printout and peered at it thoughtfully.

Unfortunately, he had no choice but to gamble Claire. Sergei would likely take her since she didn't fall for his act, and Wesker would have no choice but to let him. He could've warned her, but if she was prepared, the Colonel would likely know they had spoken. Better for her to think he could pull her for one last mission. Meanwhile, the babysitting ruse would keep Chris from nosing about.

The likelihood of Sergei harming Claire was slim. Not until he had won, anyway. But unbeknownst to the Colonel, he would fall just short of conquest. Conquest that would be purloined by Wesker.

Until then, he now had the means and the time to get everything set up, all thanks to Claire's clever warning and the powerful little gift she had given him. A predatory smile surfaced on his lips as he idly rubbed the email printout between his fingers. All he had to do was make a few phone calls…

Despite the anger that still ran through his blood like an electric current, he also felt the calm before the kill, the thrill of supremacy and certain victory. The prize was subjugation, his favorite prize of all.

It had happened so fast, Claire hardly had time to retaliate. Now a musty bag was over her head and her wrists were bound tightly behind her. She didn't blame her captors for taking that precaution after what had happened. Though they were professionals that had swooped in out of nowhere, it didn't prevent her from stabbing one asshole in the ribs when he grabbed her by surprise. She kicked his buddy in the face real hard before the bag was slung over her head, too. She might've beat her own personal record of breaking assholes' noses in a single day.

A convincing threat that her brother would meet an "accident" if she didn't cooperate told her exactly who was behind this. She had no choice but to let them stuff her in a vehicle, a cargo van was her guess.

So now she was being driven somewhere. There were at least three of them, not including whoever was driving the vehicle. The one she had stabbed groaned nearby, and another mentioned they couldn't pull the knife out without him bleeding to death.

Claire remained calm. She had no idea where she was being taken, but she knew exactly who she was being taken to. To put it mildly, her day had been total shit.

She didn't even get to fully enjoy her lunch date with Chris. He got called in on an emergency and had to take the truck. Claire finished her meal alone, walked to the Clock Tower Plaza to look at the lights and Christmas tree, and took some time to think while watching the river on the bridge. She hailed a cab afterward for home. That's when she was jumped.

Sergei did say he would be back, but Claire had somehow hoped it had been a bluff. Thinking about it, she couldn't help but wonder if Wesker knew this would happen. Perhaps that's why he had her tell Chris another babysitting lie. Or maybe he had a plan that involved her and now she wouldn't be around. There was no way to know for sure, but her gut feeling was on the former. Wesker might've just wagered her like one of his chess pieces.

Maybe she was just a pawn after all. Casual players tended not to risk their queens. Then again, Wesker was a Grandmaster of the game. And Grandmasters had been known to make such a sacrifice to secure a checkmate. So how could she be certain either way?

The van stopped. The ignition was cut. Then the back doors were pulled open, allowing some light to filter through the threads of the bag. Cold air seeped inside as one mercenary asked her to stand.

I guess none of it matters now. It was the end of the road for her…

She was taken from the van into a building. Claire listened for any clues, anything that could give her an idea where she was since she couldn't see or smell. But that all soon changed when the bag was suddenly plucked from her head.

Claire took a deep breath of fresh air, looking around. She didn't know if it was from all the movies she had watched, but she was expecting some sort of dark, questionable warehouse. That's not where she was, though. Going by the architecture and set up, she was certain it was some kind of medical center, or the back rooms of one anyway, particularly an employee lounge. That was confusing in itself. Even more confusing was the fact that it was in the middle of the afternoon on a Wednesday and there were no employees. Somehow, she felt it being Christmas Eve had nothing to do with it.

When her eyes fell on the familiar towering figure in the room, it no longer mattered. Claire was presented to Sergei like a captured prize. Another mercenary approached the Colonel and they had a short, quiet exchange.

Bennett was off to the side, sitting on a couch, rubbing his arm cast. His hateful glare was unwavering, but Claire could only smile to herself from his miserable form. His face was bruised and cut, a large bandage was taped over his nose. Roth soon joined them, entering the lounge through a different doorway than Claire. He joined Bennett's side. She barely noticed his troubled countenance towards his partner and Sergei before he composed himself and fixed his gaze on her. It was his same interested, curious stare from before, only now it seemed more intense.

"It seems even I have underestimated you, Ms. Redfield," Sergei admitted after the mercenary stepped away.

"I only defended myself," Claire growled. "They got what was coming."

He snorted. "I'm not talking about that."

Claire didn't like the sound of that. "I have no idea what you're talking about then."

Sergei scowled. "I gave you a chance, Ms. Redfield. A chance to free yourself from your captor. I knew you were helping him for some ridiculous hope that he would actually let you go, but, after a little digging, I've learned you are in bed with him…and I do not mean that figuratively."

She was going to be sick. She opened her mouth to argue, to explain herself, but there was nothing she could say. She couldn't claim he had forced her, that wasn't Wesker's style. He took gratification in the craft of seduction as Claire knew all too well.

She didn't yield to them. "So? That doesn't mean I'm helping him. I still want out of this."

"You're helping him with something, alright," Bennett taunted. He was lucky she was being restrained.

"Enough, Stephan," Roth warned.

"Why? The bitch is nothing but trouble. How do we know she hasn't warned Wesker already?"

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Claire snapped. "How the hell am I gonna warn him in the middle of the fucking police station when I'm going to lunch with my brother?"

Sergei approached Claire, stopping just in front of her, the closest she had ever been to him. "A valid point, and perhaps you are being honest. However, I do feel it is in my best interest to keep you detained until I have resolved this matter. Do not worry, Ms. Redfield, you'll be safe and secure. Mr. Roth will be chaperoning you from here. I highly suggest you do as he says, for your brother's sake."

Shit! This was going south in a hurry. Claire glared at him, not intimidated. "No more good cop act, huh?"

Sergei shrugged, faintly smirking. "You were too clever for that. Not all is lost, however. After I have settled this, we can discuss your fate. Your options depend on your compliance."

The mercenaries grabbed her arms, preparing to haul her away. "Let me go, you fuckers!"

She considered reminding Sergei that if anything happened to her, Wesker would know something was wrong, and so would Chris for that matter. But, why waste her breath? Sergei's mind was made up. His intentions were quite clear. Claire was in deep trouble. There was a great possibility she would never see Chris again, and knowing that destroyed her.

"It's nothing personal, Ms. Redfield. Just precautions because of the true nature of your relationship with Albert Wesker. Though, really, I'm doing you a favor." Sergei turned to leave, but stopped short, passing her a patronizing frown. "It's okay to befriend the wolf so long as you keep your axe ready. The wolf can be a great lover…until he grows hungry."

A/N: Hey there! Sorry for the long wait on this new chapter! I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season! Here's to a fortunate and happy 2022 for all! :D

So much happened in this chapter! And there's still so much to come in these final chapters as everything wraps up! :3 I'm sad there was no William in this chapter, but don't worry, he will be back next chapter (with a surprise guest! ;))

Thank you to all my readers still sticking around to see this to the end! I appreciate you so much! Let me know what your thoughts are, hehe!

Be kind, be safe, and see you next chapter! :)