"Wesker! Stop right there!"

Chris and Sheva had used the opportunity of the man's distraction to gain ground. Both had sprinted to the top of the staircase within seconds, weapons trained on their mutual enemy. Wesker turned towards them, annoyance splayed across his alabaster features as he shut off the communication device. Sneering at their feeble attempt to apprehend him, he waited, biding time. Sensitive ears had detected her before the others had even a chance to react. Jill's prominent figure spun into view, a flurry of devastating kicks dropping the female member of the partner duo.

Redfield aimed a powerful punch towards Valentine, but swung too wide. The blonde female caught his wrist mid air, and twisted her body into a flip whilst he was still within her grasp. Her long legs moved with the grace and speed of a dancer, as her body sent his completely off balance. Redfield crashed to the floor, her powerful boot pressing against the pressure point of his shoulder. Launching his body into a sideways position, Valentine twisted his arm sadistically, her teeth bared. The defenseless man cried out in pain as her move nearly dislocated his joint.

Wesker seemed dimly amused, a sneering smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"Now that your partner is here, I will leave you two to catch up.."

Jill hissed at Chris as he tried to free himself, not even attempting to answer the sadist's coy approach to their demise. Turning as much as could within her grasp, Redfield feverishly pleaded with his old friend.

"Don't do this! It's me, Chris! Jill...ahh...Jill Valentine!"

Blinking her eyes rapidly, thoughts invaded her mind in what felt like electric flashes. Pain...liquid...Jill...a woman with a needle. Her grip still strong , but was beginning to slip. She was Jill Valentine. A soft feminine voice filtered in from a recent memory, pushing her mind finally over that edge, that precipice.

'Be strong, Jill. Know that Chris is coming for you..'

Chris. Valentine. Wesker. Angelica. Chris.

Chris. Chris. Chris!

Backing away, Jill cradled her temples, crying out in pain and horror. The chemicals within her body were being destroyed, replaced by something.. Her control, her soul was returning, chasing away the darkness that Wesker had clouded her with for so long.. Her blood boiled, then ran cold.. All she knew was pain.

Stopping once more, Wesker raised a shocked eyebrow in surprise. Pulling out a personal control pad from his pocket, the man cocked his head at the readings the machine was portraying. His virus had never been known to be overcome at such an advanced stage. A new biochemical was present... Angelica..somehow he knew it was her doing. Growling, Wesker adjusted the bloodstream intake before replacing the portable computer.

"Interesting. Resistance at such an advanced stage. Commendable, yet futile."

Valentine had been a good body guard, but with the toxin he had just released from the parasite within her

would soon overload any human function. After she was done here with offing his problems, she would be a vegetable. It was time to cut losses and move on.. He couldn't hold onto the past any longer. He would spare Jill the only way he knew how. It wouldn't be painless but.. He had a bigger problem to deal with.. Gesturing in mock farewell, Wesker once more moved towards the awaiting elevator lift.

"Enjoy watching Jill suffer."

Stepping into the lift, the man in black began to be lost from view. Chris regained himself, bolting after him desperately. Alomar joined him, only to have the sliding doors shut in their faces swiftly. Turning around to face Jill, both knew he had just left them to be torn apart...

Valentine was upon her knees, clawing at the skin tight suit that encased about her neck. Ripping the material back, a bulbous growth pulsed at her neckline seemed part machine.. Part parasite. Writhing in agony, the woman drew herself into a crouch. Blind pain siphoned into rabid fury, her eyes flaming into pale ire. Redfield and Alomar circled carefully, trying to ascertain the situation they had been thrust into..

Jill could feel her control slipping into pain.. Anger.. A resolve of killing whatever was causing this. She would kill.. Kill.. kill..

Snarling and spitting like a bristling cat, Jill stood briefly. Her enhanced legs tightened, kicking off the ground in an earth shattering leap backwards. Surging off the top of the staircase, Jill Valentine landed below, growling in a predatory challenge on the floor below…

….

The daylight was fading fast, its shining rouge slipping over the water. The leftover Majini milled about below like mindless ants, stockpiling the bodies that had scattered across the deck during the earlier ordeal..Angelica dismissed all emotion from the dead below, she couldn't allow it to plague her mind. The freedom to feel, to think about all the people destroyed by their science.

By her science..

She cast a morbid glance to the loading dock, the glint of black leather reflected within her stare. Angelica's lip drew back into a frown, as she crept closer to the edge of her

perch. She had been waiting for him outside the main control room, watching from a crowsnest .Silently, she stepped off the ledge. The drop felt like flying, the familiar course of adrenaline rushing through her veins halting only when she landed. Walking down from the second solid landing, Angelica's boots planted themselves onto the plated grate that encircled the pilot's deck. Turning back to see the opposite's progress at the other deck, Angelica hissed between her teeth gently in disappointment .. and possible disgust.

Excella Gionne's sauntering form strode next to Wesker, both too far away to notice her movement. The former hated the woman, the evil facade of businesswoman that the Tricell operative wore irritated her to the very core. She had also read her files.. Her dirty secrets. This woman had even allowed children experiments..

Leveling her gaze, Angelica watched Wesker draw closer to his destination. His demeanor seemed to change as he passed under the very same overhang that she had only half of an hour before, his eyes narrowing before passing out of sight. Burrows smiled to herself, slipping into the outer room of the pilot's deck. She disappeared into the halls directed towards the main would head them off with time to spare.

Time was running short..

—-

He reveled in his victory, its taste curdling pleasantly at the back of his throat. Looking sideways at his business partner, Wesker's eyes shone bright in the disappearing light. Gionne seemed at perfect ease next to him, satisfied that both of their plans were going accordingly. He could see the wretched intent within her, the devious will to be his right hand creating a flawless sense of self confidence in the woman. If she only knew.. Wesker sauntered towards his means of escape, the giant tanker's archway looming ahead. Ruby eyes focused upon one of the upper decks in passing, trying to focus against the blinding rays of the sun.

A shadow seemed to move against the others, flickering with a shimmering light and moving quickly. Blinking his eyes, Wesker focused upon the spot once more. Nothing was there. Slightly unsettled, Wesker squeezed his gloved hands into tight fists. His resolute serenity was shifting into a hunter's keenness. Unfamiliar nervousness racked him silently, he still had a problem on the ship to deal with.. And it was tainting his revelry.

As he and Excella passed their morbid bodyguards into the shadows, Wesker could smell the familiar scent..of flowers...

—-

The parasite disintegrated upon being removed from its host, leaving nothing behind but a sticky residue and a mechanical casing which was quickly flung to the floor. Chris held Jill within his arms, cradling the weak woman's body to him like a precious porcelain doll. Both he and Sheva had played another game of cat and mouse, though this time, Jill had been the rodent. Alomar had managed to corner Valentine, and hold her by the arms until Redfield had arrived. His large hands pried the bulbous growth off roughly, praying that the long term effects would disappear once the unnatural thing was off her. It had taken several times of this, Jill's strength having thrown the pair off and ran for cover. With the help of his partner, finally they freed the woman from her mental prison.

Breathing heavily from the physical strain, Valentine looked up at Chris, her eyes glazed over with exhaustion.

"Chris..."

Shakily, she sighed in relief, finally being able to acknowledge her old friend and partner with her own thoughts, not someone else's. This was real.. She was finally free. Redfield clutched her tightly, his eyes searching her face for any signs of trauma or regression. She was so...real...right there , laying in his arms. Not a dream.. Mixed emotions misted at his dark eyes visibly.

"You alright?", he queried gently.

Fervent sadness clouded at Jill's features, the strength in her voice faltering, but rising slowly.

"I'm so sorry..."

Before letting her speak further, Redfield squeezed her shoulder's lovingly, his eyes exuding forgiveness.

"It's ok."

Turning her gaze to Alomar, Valentine welcomed the quiet woman into the had kept a respectful distance from the pair, now drew closer at Jill's beckon.

"You're , Sheva. Right? I..I couldn't control my actions, but God, I was aware. Please forgive me."

Sheva smiled softly at the other woman's words, a nurturing look of mercy washing over her gentle eyes. Forcefully, she acknowledged her, re-iterating the same words Chris had spoken seconds before, to make sure they sunk in. She held no malice here.. Only worry over Jill's well being. .

"It's alright."

Valentine nodded at the pair, finally understanding that they all were just glad that this part of the nightmare was over. Pushing up on Chris' arm, she leaned upon him for support for a mere moment before straightening up. Her breathing was more regular, but still heavy at times. Chris couldn't help but chuckle under his breath. Even after all this time she was still so strong...His best friend.

"Look, you have to leave me behind. I will be alright. You need to stop Wesker before it is too late."

Redfield was obviously adverse to the idea, stepping closer to her in this moment he had lost the blogger picture, completely focused on her.

"We can't, we have to make sure you are safe!"

Jill turned, her argumentative spirit finally regained as urgency flashed within her eyes. The blue orbs betrayed her desperation, as her cold fist balled against itself. Redfield had seen this many times before.. Years ago when chasing leads.. Doing police work with his longtime part. It was so good to see this.. Even if she was opposing him.

"If Wesker goes through with this, it could spread across the globe. Millions will die!"

Redfield stuttered, the realization he would have to go on without the woman he had fought so hard for, finally settled into the cold part of his mind. He had waited so long to see her once more, to feel her touch, hear her voice. . And now, he was going to have to leave the one he cared for...again. But he knew if he did not leave her.. He would put her at stake in the long run. Silently, Chris nodded, fighting the internal urge to forget his mission and take her home. But he would not let her suffering be in vain.. Sighing heavily, Chris moved slowly towards the lift doors.

Jill was left behind, sending a worried glance to her replacement. Alomar stayed silent, her soft, brown eyes offering quiet comfort to the frightened gaze that met hers. Whispering slowly, Valentine's determination creased at her brow, small lines of emotion showing upon her skin.

"Take care of him..."

Nodding in affirmation, Sheva began to walk after her partner. The woman had heard the words that Jill had left unsaid, their haunted fear running through her mind. She knew exactly what her mission was.. 'Take care of him...he means everything to me.'

The thought was shared in unison as the lift doors began to close upon her, Alomar never breaking her gaze from the other female until the doors did so for her. The mental answer came

almost as easily as breathing, her silent promise felt by her newfound friend.

'I will...if it means my life.'