Resident Evil: Tangled Web

By: PhantasmBabeIvory

Author's Notes: Happy Halloween, everyone! I hope a new chapter proves to be a good enough treat!

I'm sorry it's been so long since the last update, but this is a chapter that I really struggled with. It went through quite a few drafts and revisions to get it just right. And while I planned for it to be longer and have some extra scenes to take place a couple months later, I feel those can wait until the next installment.

Thanks to everyone who's stuck with me. I hope you enjoy what's to come.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

November 28th, 2007

If there was one thing Claire absolutely adored about Elliott, it was his knack to pull off something unexpected without her knowledge. She drifted into the kitchen early in the morning only to stop short at the sight of a cake sitting on the counter that hadn't been there the night before.

The frosted words caught her even more off guard. She turned to look at Elliott with a start when he casually walked into the kitchen after her. "Happy Anniversary?" she asked incredulously. "Are you kidding me?"

He shrugged. "Seemed appropriate." He walked closer and wrapped his arms around her. "It might be hard to recall in light of everything we've been through, but… It was exactly one year ago today that we first met, Redfield."

Claire blinked. "How on Earth do you remember that?"

"Good memory."

She laughed. "And a frighteningly good one at that… Next thing you'll be telling me is you managed to wrangle a gift for today."

"Come on, Redfield, this is me we're talking about. Wouldn't want to disappoint you by not giving you a present." He brushed her hair back and planted a kiss on her shoulder. "But that can wait. What would you like for breakfast?"

"Maybe some more of those pancakes you make with flour and cornmeal. And surprise me with whatever fruit or spice you decide to throw in the mix," she said with a giddy smile.

"I love that you're so easy to satisfy," he said as he released her and moved over to the cabinets. "Should make all of our anniversaries a breeze."

Claire resisted the urge to smack him, seated herself on one of the stools, and watched him mix the batter. "You better not call the day we were first locked in here as one of our milestones."

"Wouldn't dream of it." He grabbed a can of pineapple tidbits from the pantry and stepped close to whisper in her ear. "That's reserved for the day we reunite with our loved ones."

She remained silent while he cooked breakfast. By the time a plate of steaming pineapple pancakes drizzled with coconut syrup was placed in front of her, Claire's mouth was positively watering. "Katherine must be an excellent chef if she taught you so many fantastic recipes. I can't wait to meet your big sis," she said before taking a bite.

"Praising her food is a sure way to earn points. She'll love you, Redfield… I just hope I live up to your brother's standards."

Claire giggled. "Of course you will. You've worked wonders for helping me stay sane over the past year, after all… Chris is sure to appreciate you for that alone."

Elliott hesitated. "Thanks for saying that… Now let's eat up before our food gets cold."

They were nearly finished with their meal when a knock sounded at the door. They didn't have to turn to look when it clicked open seconds later to know it was Raymond.

"Sorry to interrupt," Raymond said as he wheeled in a cart holding provisions for the next month.

Elliott cleared his throat. "This is a switch. You're usually not here until the afternoon."

Raymond took a step back and crossed his arms. "Boss asked me to come early to deliver a message. He'd like to see both of you in the conference room at 10," he said dryly.

Claire's eyes narrowed. "Tell him no. We already made plans today."

"Wouldn't advise that. He'll come to you if he has to… Before you object, he said to say it can't wait. It regards something that's been weighing on him the past several months."

"And he just had to wait until a day where it was inconvenient for us," Elliott said sarcastically.

Raymond's gaze darted to the cake. "You can hardly fault him for not knowing the significance of this date. And I don't see him rescheduling even if he is made aware."

Claire flinched. "If you know Wesker's that callous, how can you work for him?"

"I have my reasons," he said with a shrug as he moved to set the supply boxes on the coffee table. "So does Jessica… And honestly, he's better than the backstabbers we were previously employed with."

"I find that hard to believe," she said.

He shrugged again and wheeled the cart back to the door. "Then I suggest you ask your brother about Morgan Lansdale and Clive O'Brien when you see him again. And tell him thanks from me and Jess for removing them from power."

Claire was so caught off guard by this last statement and its implications that she couldn't speak. She didn't recognize either of the names that Raymond had dropped, but that hardly mattered. Has Chris had contact with Wesker's lackeys? If so, why didn't he tell me?

Raymond was gone by the time she came to her senses. She pushed her plate away, having lost her appetite.

"I'm guessing by your expression that you didn't know," Elliott said quietly as he grasped her hand.

She shook her head. "You learn something new every day… I sincerely believed that my brother's affiliation with the bad guys was limited to Wesker himself." She paused. "It would have helped to have some advance knowledge about the people who abducted us. I don't understand why Chris wouldn't have…"

"Maybe he couldn't," Elliott said. "You told me once that he's not allowed to share classified info with you."

"Maybe." She leaned back, sighed, and forced herself to focus on a more pressing matter. "Any guesses on what Wesker wants this time?"

"Something positive, I hope. We'll find out soon enough." He chuckled and added, "Wouldn't it be ironic if he tells us he finally has the vaccine he's been so bent on manufacturing?"

She cracked a smile. "In your dreams, Elliott."

What Claire hated more than being forced into a meeting with Wesker was not being told that Dr. Yamata would be present. She hesitated at the sight of the scientist seated patiently at the table.

Wesker gestured to the chairs opposite his colleague. "If you'll have a seat, we can get started."

"Do we get to know why you had us come here?" Elliott asked.

"Primarily because it's past time we were all truthful with each other, Mr. Gregory." Wesker paused. "My apologies for interrupting a special occasion. I'll try to keep this as short as possible so you may get back to your celebration."

Claire sighed as she and Elliott seated themselves. Stay calm, she told herself. This will go better if you hold your temper in check. "Honesty would be a nice change," she said peacefully.

Wesker half smiled and said, "Particularly if it makes it clear where we stand… Would you say I've been more than fair to both of you in the time you've been here, Miss Redfield?"

She hesitated and thought, That's an odd way to start the conversation, but okay. She shifted in her seat. "I'll agree that you've been pretty accommodating for a bad guy."

Claire regretted the words as soon as they left her. But it was reassuring that Wesker's expression didn't change.

He leaned forward and folded his hands on the table. "How nice that I've been upgraded from 'devil' to 'bad guy.' I'd like to think that's a sign you're more at ease in my company."

Something about the statement unsettled her though she couldn't figure out why. "Don't make too much of it. Elliott and I are still leaving once you have your vaccine."

Wesker frowned. "I'm very disappointed to hear that, dearheart." He was silent for a moment. "I had strongly hoped you wouldn't think me to be foolish."

Claire exchanged a nervous glance with her boyfriend. "What…" she started to say.

"I believe you meant to say you're leaving before I manufacture the vaccine. Or did you really think I wasn't perceptive enough to recognize when I'm being lied to?"

Her breath caught in her throat and she was sure her face turned white. Impossible! He can't know about RogueChild!

Wesker's calm demeanor chilled her even more. "Your thoughts betray you, Miss Redfield. And confirm what I already knew to some degree. It's almost amusing that you and Mr. Gregory thought you were disguising your words and actions so well these past several months… Do enlighten on how you planned to get out of this compound without my consent."

She didn't know whether to be on edge or relieved that he hadn't figured out everything. She blurted out, "You're dumber than you look if you think I owe you an answer to that."

Before she realized he'd moved, Wesker's hand was on her back and she was pressed uncomfortably against the tabletop. Claire grunted and futilely tried to free herself. She saw Elliott start to get up out of the corner of her eye, but Dr. Yamata gestured for him to stay put with the pistol she held.

Stupid, stupid, stupid! Claire thought wildly. You should know better than to antagonize the devil, you impulsive idiot!

"Just so we're clear, I will not allow you to insult me more than you already have," Wesker said in a conversational tone that infuriated her even more. "I've been more than generous since our arrangement was sabotaged. Granted you favors that I otherwise would not have, such as allowing you to see Mr. Burnside."

She turned her head to look at him. "You're insane if you think any of that makes up for what a monster you are."

Wesker smirked. "I thank you for your honesty. But we still have a long way to go to clear the air… You have no idea how much I hoped the rage you felt toward me would dissipate, dearheart."

Claire started to feel a knot in her lower back. She shifted to try to ease it, but moving just added greatly to her discomfort. "Feel free to keep holding me down if you want to see how angry I'll get," she wheezed.

He chuckled and withdrew his hand. "If you're anything like your brother, I imagine I know just how hot-headed you are, Miss Redfield." He casually walked around the table and sat back down. "Regardless, it is time we come to an understanding. That being said, I encourage you – both of you - to speak your mind to your heart's content."

As Dr. Yamata put the gun away, Elliott said, "To what end? Do you think this will actually make us side with you?"

"I merely seek to eliminate some of the tension between us before it festers more. What better way to do so than by allowing the two of you to vent?"

Claire crossed her arms. "You have no right to ask this of us!" she spat out.

"We are well past the point where I would abide by your wishes, dearheart. I'm prepared to keep you here all day if necessary, but I imagine you'll want to get this over with so you and Mr. Gregory may have time for yourselves."

"Congratulations on hitting a new low," she said after a brief silence. "You just made me hate you a little more."

"And yet I was starting to win you over before it all went so wrong. I'm inclined to think that your feelings are clouding your judgment, Miss Redfield. You've become so hung up on the past ways I've wronged you that you won't even consider the opportunities I'm offering."

"Don't you dare try to spin this in your favor!"

"I'm doing no such thing, Miss Redfield. You forget I didn't have to promise to return you to normal in exchange for getting what I want."

Dr. Yamata leaned forward and cleared her throat. "I've reasoned that perhaps you hope that someone in the world you left behind may be able to formulate a cure for you, dear. But such a thing is highly unlikely… You have the leading experts on the G-Virus right here in front of you. Your best chance at reversing the infection lies with us." She looked at Elliott. "The same goes for the T-Virus."

Claire felt like she was going to be sick. Of all the valid points presented by Wesker and his team, this one nauseated her the most. She buried her face in her hands and thought, There should be a rule against the villains being right about so much. Why the fuck is Wesker trying so hard to be a quasi-good guy about all this?

She jumped when Elliott began to rub her back. She looked at her boyfriend with wide eyes, but couldn't say anything before he spoke.

"That's bullshit. There are other organizations out there researching treatments for these viruses. Claire's told me as much." Elliott said.

"If you think about it, Mr. Gregory, you'll realize how very weak that argument is." Wesker adjusted his shades and leaned forward. "Allow me to be more forthcoming so you may have a better understanding of who holds the best cards… During my employment with Umbrella, I worked closely alongside the leading researcher and developer of the viruses which you and Miss Redfield were contaminated with. A scientist who shared notes with me on a regular basis… I very much doubt you can name anyone else who has the depth of knowledge that I do."

Claire took a deep calming breath. "That'd be all well and good if you weren't hoarding it all for yourself," she challenged. "You could share what you know with the world if you wanted."

Wesker smirked. "Not quite so simple as you make it sound, dearheart. We both know there are certain military organizations that will never trust the word of someone who's been labeled as a bio-terrorist. Your dear brother saw to that."

"So you're not even going to try," she said bitterly.

He raised an eyebrow. "What makes you assume I haven't?"

She was silent for several seconds. "There is no way you'll make me believe that," she said quietly. "Chris is far from the only person who opposes you."

"But he did contribute greatly to the world's opinion of me, dearheart. Even you cannot deny that."

Claire looked down, a lump forming in her throat. She closed her eyes and very much hated herself when she murmured, "No, I can't."

Wesker paused. "I suspected that your brother might have blinded you to the full truth. So allow me to offer some food for thought… I played my own part in ensuring Umbrella's downfall. Oswell Spencer's regime would not have folded if not for my influence."

Elliott snorted derisively and crossed his arms. "Someone's got a high opinion of himself," he mocked.

"With good reason, Mr. Gregory. Who do you think infiltrated one of Umbrella's last remaining secret facilities, obtained hard evidence of their illicit activities, and handed that evidence over to the media?"

Elliott's eyes narrowed. "I've gotten to know you well enough to know you're anything but selfless. What's your game?"

"I seek to rebuild Umbrella as the company it should have been. A business dedicated to the betterment of mankind… In a perfect world, I would have been able to do so with little opposition." Wesker leaned back with a slight grimace. "Fate unfortunately does not always deal the hands we prefer. Otherwise I would not be forced to make small calculated strides toward my ultimate goal."

Claire shivered, almost afraid to voice the foremost question on her mind. "You have to know I'd share this with Chris when I see him again. Why are you telling me all this?"

"If you believe it would make any shred of difference in the long run, feel free to relay my plans to your dear brother."

"You're deluded if you think you'll possibly win."

"Confident, more like," he corrected. "The only thing that can defeat power, Miss Redfield, is more power. And I hold an unparalleled amount."

Claire wondered how much she was testing him when she said, "Right. And that's why you've been hiding in the shadows for almost a decade."

One corner of his mouth lifted in a smirk. "The point of this meeting is not to examine my motives. I'd rather talk about yours… You can start by sharing how you saw your escape attempt playing out if it were successful."

With a surge of anger, she thought, Two can play this game. "If you don't want to talk about what goes on in your head, I don't see why I should."

Wesker leaned back. "Very well. Then allow me. It may do you well to hear the truth instead of whatever fantasy you've concocted."

Claire hesitated and felt a chill. She wasn't sure she wanted to hear Wesker's version of the truth, but what choice did she have? Easy, Redfield. Don't show him that he's getting to you. She put on her bravest face and said, "Why not? I could use a good laugh."

"Pity that you think there's anything humorous about this… How I see this playing out is that you'll contact Chris at the first opportunity and get him to come for you. However happy your reunion might be, it will sour when you reveal that you and Mr. Gregory are infected. It may well kill your dear brother to realize he has to give you up to a government-manned science facility. But he won't have a choice. If he tries to protect you from that, it will result in his own imprisonment."

Though she'd not considered what her situation would mean for Chris, she said, "You're not telling me anything I don't already know."

"I very much doubt that, dearheart. I know you well enough to recognize you tend not to look at things from every angle… In either case, your brother is bound to experience even more distress when he sees how much testing you'll be subjected to. He's so protective of you that he'll inevitably cross a line by intervening." Wesker paused. "That aside, the top officials in the B.S.A.A. likely would not want to employ someone whose family member has been compromised… No matter which way you slice it, Chris' life will take a turn for the worse if you leave here uncured."

Elliott crossed his arms. "I don't buy it. You have no love for Chris Redfield. You've even said so yourself on several occasions. So why would you care about doing him a huge favor? Or Claire and me, for that matter?"

"My offer to cure you both has little to do with Chris… Miss Redfield is helping me to achieve something I would never have been able to attain otherwise. It's only fair that I return the courtesy," Wesker said smoothly. "As far as you're concerned, Mr. Gregory, it's a matter of correcting a wrong that never should have happened in the first place."

Claire's hands were clenched so tight her nails were digging into her palms. She tried to keep her voice calm, but anger still crept in. "You can stop now. You've made your point."

Wesker nodded after a few seconds. "I believe I've given you more than enough to think about." He paused to adjust his sunglasses. "But before you go, let me say I hope you don't let your hatred blind you to what's best for you and your loved ones, dearheart. I'd hate to see you ruin more than just your own life."

Before Claire could stop herself, she leapt to her feet, raised her hand, and leaned across the table. She recoiled and fear coursed through her when the sound of a slap resonated around her. She gnawed at her lip and half-expected that Wesker would retaliate even though he'd allowed her to hit him.

When she felt Elliott grasp her arm, she nearly jumped out of her skin. Her boyfriend looked scared shitless when she glanced at him. The tension spiked further when she heard a soft snarl from Wesker.

"Consider yourself lucky I'm feeling charitable, Miss Redfield," Wesker said, his hands laid flat against the table. She shivered at the menacing undertone in his voice. "It's not often I grant someone such a means of catharsis." He stood and turned his back to them. "You're free to return to your quarters."

She was so dazed that Elliott had to guide her from the room. Neither of them said a word during the walk back to their apartment. Claire didn't know about her boyfriend, but her mind was frantically trying to write off Wesker's many claims as bullshit.

The sight of the anniversary cake on the kitchen counter caused her to burst into tears. I completely forgot that Elliott baked this so we could celebrate, she thought. I feel bad that I don't feel like eating right now.

Elliott placed one hand on her shoulder and wordlessly handed her a Kleenex box. As she dabbed at her eyes, Claire sniffled and said, "Not gonna ask me if I'm okay?"

He shook his head. "Don't have to. I know you're not."

A sob caught in her throat. "God, I don't even know why I'm crying." She hesitated, then said, "This is not how I wanted today to go."

"Same here. It wasn't fair of the son of a bitch to blindside us," Elliott answered. He pulled her close and cupped one hand behind her head after a second of silence. "I wish I had a way to make it better, Redfield."

She let out a deep breath and forced herself to focus. "You… You said you had a surprise gift for me. Something to mark the occasion."

He sighed. "Now's hardly the time. It might only make you feel worse." After a pause, he added, "What Wesker said…"

"He's wrong. He has to be wrong," Claire blurted out. "He can't know how our story will play out if…"

She sobbed again when Elliott quietly shushed her. He started to stroke her hair in a comforting gesture and said, "Or maybe we've been kidding ourselves by thinking that breaking out of this place will be a vast improvement… There's no guarantee that any government facility will even let me see my family, let alone tell them I'm alive."

"What if we go to your family first?"

Elliott laughed ironically. "With what means? It's not like we've been earning a steady income… And if we did find a way, what then? Expect them to harbor us?" He paused. "My supply of serum would be gone in no time whether we make it or not."

She dabbed at her eyes with the Kleenex again, then blew her nose. "It's not fair that our best chance lies with a psychopath. I think what I hate most is not knowing when he'll let us go. For all we know, it could take years before he figures out a way to cure both of us. I just… I want this to be over."

He pulled back and the sympathetic look in his eyes almost elicited another sob from her. Hesitantly, he said, "I don't know if there's anything I could say to make you feel better, Redfield. But I'd like to try, if you'll let me."

With a deep sigh, she nodded. "If anyone can cheer me up, it's you," she said quietly.

Elliott took a step back and grasped her hands. "In private then… No one gets to hear what we say to each other."

For a second, a smile pulled at Claire's lips. She followed his lead into the bathroom and watched him shut the door. She didn't know what she expected, but was surprised when her boyfriend made a beeline for the tub and turned the knob for the hot water on all the way.

She didn't have to be a genius to recognize that the rush of water would better drown out the sound of their voices. "Good thinking."

Elliott shrugged. "I try." He settled on the floor with his back against the tub and resumed stroking her hair when she curled up against him. "No pressure, Redfield. We can talk about whatever you want."

Claire wiped her eyes. "Not sure I know where to start… I don't think I've ever felt so lost before."

"You're still you. That hasn't changed just because you took a serious hit," Elliott said. He chuckled and added, "And at least you got to dish one out yourself… You think Wesker is walking around right now with a bright red handprint on his face?"

She snickered at the mental image. "Probably not if he heals as quickly as I do."

He grinned slyly. "Eh, let's just pretend he is then. Would serve him right to get taken down a notch." When she started to cry again, Elliott leaned slightly to the right to grab a towel. "Shit, Redfield, I'm sorry. I'm not trying to make you feel worse."

She dried her eyes. "Good way to avoid that is to stop talking about Wesker."

"Fair enough." He hesitated for a couple seconds, then blurted out, "If I didn't know I was in love with you before, I sure would now… You still look beautiful even with puffy eyes and a snot nose."

Claire burst out laughing while self-consciously blowing her nose. "You're a terrible charmer. But I love you anyway."

"Which is a sure sign that we'll get through this. And maybe today can still be salvaged." He tilted her face toward his and pressed his lips against hers. "Happy anniversary, Redfield."

She parroted the sentiment back at him, then added, "I hope it's the only anniversary we have to celebrate in this place."

"Same here. And who knows – maybe by this time next year, we'll have two milestones to celebrate."

Unsure what that meant, she shook her head. "Like what?"

Elliott cleared his throat and looked slightly nervous. "It's related to the gift I planned to offer you… That is, if you're willing to accept it under such shoddy conditions."

She blinked and shifted to face him. "Kill me with curiosity, why don't you?" she teased.

He half smiled. "Wouldn't want to do that. I'd much rather spend the rest of my life with you."

The implication of his words and the inflection behind them took her breath away. She almost didn't dare speak. "Elliott?" she said with a tremor in her voice.

"Sorry I kind of spoiled the surprise, but at least I can work a little tradition into it." He repositioned so that he was down on one knee. "Marry me, Claire."