Resident Evil: Tangled Web
By: PhantasmBabeIvory
Disclaimer: Don't own anyone except Elliott (and his family members), Amy, and Tyrant (the cat). Everyone else is the property of Capcom.
Author's Notes: I swear I came up with this idea back in mid-August, before Revelations 2 was even announced. Any similarity is purely coincidental. That aside, I will be re-uploading the previous chapters since some elements in this installment contradict what occurred previously. If you're confused about anything, feel free to ask questions.
Also, be sure to check out the poll on my profile page.
Chapter Four
Claire was downright agitated by how tense the mysterious email was making her the next morning. She hated being paranoid, but had chosen to heed the warning contained within. She kept checking inside her purse at every opportunity to confirm that her cellphone was still there. Starting at 9:30, she had it sitting in plain sight next to the computer on her office desk.
Despite feeling antsy, Claire forced herself to focus on the issue with the fundraiser. Even though she didn't know the CEO's preferences, she worked to put together a list of menu items that Excella may favor. Once that was accomplished, Claire saw that it was faxed to Tricell's office in Africa for approval.
As she was turning away from the fax machine, Claire looked down at her cell phone in her hand. She was starting to feel foolish at keeping it close by. Nothing fishy had yet occurred. She had to remind herself that it was still early in the day, and the email hadn't specified a time frame. The most she could determine was that the heading and message combined were suggesting that she place a call to her brother at a critical moment. Although, it could also easily mean one of the other three surviving, and trustworthy, S.T.A.R.S. members. The fifth survivor was the last person she'd dream of contacting. Not for the first time, she hated that the email had been so vague.
Claire wasn't aware that she was standing there staring at her phone so long until one of her co-workers, Amy, commented on it. "You look like you're waiting for it to ring."
"What?" Claire asked, looking up with a start. She quickly collected herself. "Um, no, it's not that." Deciding that she didn't wish to share her concerns with Amy, she latched on to the one viable cover story she had. "I met this guy yesterday... Barely hung out with him, but he gave me his number. I was trying to decide if I should call him."
If there was one thing that Amy loved, it was to gossip. "You're kidding! Where? How? What's his name?"
Feeling slightly flustered at getting bombarded with questions, Claire held up one hand to gesture for Amy to slow down. "His name's Elliott, and I ran into him while we were both shopping for gifts. We stopped for coffee afterwards. No big deal."
Amy looked skeptical. "It has to be a big deal if you're thinking of calling him!"
Claire kept a straight face even though she was mentally cursing herself. It was too late to tell the truth, even if she wanted to. It was better that Amy have stars in her eyes than worry, but Claire still hated that she'd painted herself into a corner. Nevertheless, she responded with a joke. "Don't start ringing wedding bells yet, Amy. I barely know anything about him."
Amy dialed it back a bit at that. "I'm sorry, but you can't blame me for getting excited. In the years I've known you, you've never seemed interested in dating, let alone meeting someone... Do you like him, at least?"
Claire was reluctant to admit it, but Elliott was definitely intriguing. The wry grin that formed on her face caused Amy to squeal in delight.
Amy spoke in an energetic tone. "Then you have to go for it! Otherwise, you'll always wonder if he could be the one!"
Claire hesitated, thinking of the two previous times she had gotten her hopes up. Neither of them had ended well. She had misgivings about taking another chance, but Amy's words left her speculating. "I'll think about it," she said, repeating it in a firmer tone when Amy pressed the issue. "For now, we have work to do." She informed Amy of the fax she'd just sent. "If you see a reply come through before I do, let me know."
By the time the office closed at 3pm, there was still no answer to the fax. Claire informed the staff that she would leave the fax machine on for the time being. When questioned, she said she would make a special trip back to the office around eight to look for a response.
It took her roughly twenty minutes to get back to her apartment. Once inside, Claire checked Tyrant's food and water. Neither was empty, so she decided to refill them later. Her cat didn't come to greet her, but she didn't expect him to. It was normal for Tyrant to be lazy. She decided to wrap the gift she'd purchased yesterday even though the baby shower was still almost a week away. That task only took ten minutes.
Claire set the present in the center drawer on her desk to ensure that Tyrant wouldn't get at it. Based on past experience, he tended to go nuts over the yarn or ribbon wrapped around such objects. Her eyes landed on Elliott's name and number as she was bending over. As she leaned back, she was temporarily unable to tear her gaze away. She was curious if a second date would be as interesting as the first.
After a long moment, she checked her watch. It was now 3:45. She had plenty of time to kill before she had to head back to the office. She thought about watching the remaining rental, but that would only take 100 minutes at most. She wasn't sure that she was in the mood for a movie anyway.
Before she could change her mind, Claire picked up her cell phone and punched in Elliott's number. She lightly gnawed at her lip when it rang once, twice. She swore that she would have lost her nerve if he hadn't picked up at the start of the third ring. "Hello?"
"Hi, Elliott," she said hesitantly. After a moment of silence, she added, "It's Claire."
"Hi!" he replied in an animated tone. "I'm glad to hear from you!"
Claire half smiled. "I was wondering if the offer still stands for another coffee run. Assuming you're free?"
"I will be in about an hour. Did you want to meet at the same place?"
She quickly decided that the previous location would be the simplest one for them to get together. "Sure. I'll see you there."
Claire was the first to arrive at the diner by five minutes. She was soon settled into a booth facing the entrance. When Elliott walked in, she released a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. It startled her once she realized that she'd been afraid he wouldn't show.
It didn't take him long to spot her. He walked over and seated himself across from her with a smile. Unlike yesterday, his hair was neatly slicked back, shining with either hair gel or mousse. The blue button-down shirt, black denim jeans, and bomber jacket he was dressed in added to the appeal.
Claire smiled back at him, leaning her head on one hand. "Well, don't you look handsome. What's the occasion?"
"I just came from my sister's baby shower," he answered. "Before you ask, she loved the book."
"I hope I didn't drag you away from that."
"Not at all. It was already winding down when you called." He paused, then said, "I forgot to ask when the party is for your co-worker."
"Six days from now." Claire looked up when the waiter approached their table, asking if he could take their order. Both she and Elliott requested the same coffees as yesterday. "What's your sister's name, by the way? The one who's expecting?"
"Katherine, with a k. She couldn't be more excited. She's hoping for a girl this time." He leaned back in his seat, stretching his arm out along the top of the booth. "How about your brother? Does he have any kids?"
Claire almost choked on her coffee at the concept. "I'm sorry," she said when she caught him staring at her with wide eyes. "If you knew anything about him, you would know that Chris Redfield does not fit in the same sentence with kids. He's not even seeing someone on a personal level, as far as I know. Early on, I thought there might be something between him and Jill. She's a soldier as well and has been Chris' partner for a long time. That never went anywhere, though." Claire hesitated. "I suppose that maybe his personal demons got in the way."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Elliott responded. "I can't imagine what it would be like, not having any nieces or nephews. Do you have any other brothers or sisters?"
Claire shook her head. "It's just Chris and I," she said quietly. She cleared her throat, sitting up straight. "Okay, on to a happier topic. Tell me more about your family."
"Well, let's see. I believe I told you that my father's a businessman. He owns and operates a furniture distribution center based in San Antonio. My mother used to work in advertising, retired now. Both of my brothers are set to take over the family business someday. Can't say I understand it, but it still disappointed my father that I chose a different path."
"Do you get along with your brothers and sisters?"
"Some more than others," Elliott answered. "Katherine and my younger sister, Lisette, are the ones I'm closest to. Probably because they're the only ones who live within driving range. The three of us try to get together for dinner at least once a month."
"Sounds like you have a very different life from mine."
"You speak as though that's a bad thing. If everyone were the same, the world would be a very boring place."
Claire discreetly pulled her cellphone from her purse, both to assure herself it was still there and to check the time. "You have a point. But, after the headache at work today, I'd gladly step into someone else's shoes."
"Oh, yeah? What happened?"
It didn't take Claire long to fill him in on the fundraiser and the unexpected guest. Elliott's first question was one that she had not considered. "You said that this Excella is bringing two bodyguards. Are they expecting to be fed?"
"God forbid!" Claire answered with an exasperated sigh. "It's going to be difficult enough to add one more plate to the menu on such short notice... Especially if there's still no answer to the fax at 8pm."
"I hope that there is." He was silent for a moment, then continued, "What's this CEO so worried about that she needs that much security? For a two-hour banquet, no less?"
"I wish I knew. But, as long as the kinks get ironed out and the event goes smoothly, I can't say I care."
Elliott finished the last of his coffee. "Maybe I could help out with that. How would you feel about a volunteer with some cooking expertise?"
By his tone, Claire was given the strong impression that he was referring to himself. "You cook as well?"
He chuckled. "The more you get to know me, the more you'll see I'm a man of many talents. Provided you're interested in spending more time together?"
Claire flashed him a giddy smile. She was totally loving this brand of flirting. "I might be," she teased.
"Then I'll have to make an extra effort to avoid disappointing you."
She mulled it over, weighing her options. "Okay," she said after a minute of silence. "I think I'll take you up on that."
(Author's notes - Claire gets abducted within the next chapter or two, but Wesker won't show up until a bit later. Stay tuned.)