We Found Each Other in Hellish Times

by skullgamerscy

A take on Resident Evil The Final Chapter if everyone came back for the final with the Claire and Alice pairing. Including Alice Claire and Jill acting as mothers to K-Mart, Angie, and Becky. Can't think of a good summary at the moment but this is the gist of it. I will write a better summary later on when I think of how best to describe this. Until then hope you like the idea.

9. Chapter 9

There are times when she wonders if what is she is doing is the right thing. Not morally right. She hasn't cared about that for a long time. She wouldn't be able to do her job if she did care. No, when she thinks about whether she is doing something it comes down to whether is it the right thing for her. Will what she's doing come back to bite her or elevator her.

Only three people have ever made her question that. Wesker as her employer has put her into some fucked up situations and expected her to persevere. Sometimes, she wonders if she should find other employment because of the risks. But then again isn't the risk and the dangers of the job the fun part.

The second person is Leon. He was... different to other men she's met. He had the whole white knight routine down that would normally irate her. But something about him was different. His skills in combat impressed her. His natural ability to overcome any obstacle in his way took her by surprise. Now he's nowhere near as good as she is. Nor some of the people she's worked with. She doesn't know why but she's felt drawn to him from the start. He compromised her judgement. Made her risk the mission in order to help him. Wesker would kill her for it if he knew. Yet she did it.

And she didn't regret it.

The last person she would ever risk things for was Alice. Her student. Her... friend. A term she does not use lightly. But if she was to ever call someone her friend it would be Alice. Despite her best efforts, the seriously damaged woman made an impact on her life. They were equal in combat and mindset. She may have trained Alice to be an operative, but the woman had the skills long before she got involved.

It doesn't take a genius to figure out the woman was abused as a kid. The flinching every time her father came into view was a giveaway. The way she held herself and kept away from most people was a second one.

Not that any of that mattered to her. Many operatives grow up in households like that. Kind of what makes them hollow enough inside to be able to do this job.

But Alice was different. She wouldn't call it a protective instinct over Alice. But there was a bond between them. something she didn't have with other recruits she's trained. They understood each other and she did enjoy working with the other woman. And from that Ada would say that Alice is the only person within Umbrella she would trust. Because she knows that one of Alice's best and worst traits is loyalty.

Maybe that was why she was doing this. Alice has a tendency to get people to believe in her and stand by her. It's how she was able to gather so much support within the organisation. It was no secret that Issac and Prospero were doing something shady. But then again everything she does fits into that category so she isn't one to judge.

Yet Alicia and Alice stood against whatever was happening. It wasn't an open rebellion more of a feeling. Like the tension before the start of a war. A civil war between the two sides of red and white. Uneasy filtered through the higher officials of Umbrella. Sides were being drawn.

Until Raccoon City. That was the powder keg that started everything. She and the other operatives know that what happened in Raccoon City wasn't just an accident at the nuclear power plant. That the video put out by former Stars Member Jill Valentine and former Umbrella solider Carlos Olivera was real. The dead had risen and eaten people. Umbrella gunned down innocents and then nuked a city to cover it up.

No wonder Alice stood against it. For Ada, it was her testament that made it real. Alice is many things. But she wouldn't threaten everything her family has created if it wasn't real. The investigation into Alice's traitorous actions was brutal and ended up with blood split.

The purge as some operatives call it. The merciless murder and execution of anyone who showed more loyalty to Alice then Umbrella. They were killed alongside their family. A warning to everyone else as Umbrella started taking its steps towards their new world.

Ada barely made it through the investigation with her life. But it was Wesker speaking for her that got her a pass. Her loyalty to Umbrella was well known and she could easily brush off any ideas of a close friendship with Alice to others. Alice said it herself after all. She doesn't have friends just contacts.

But as the data sits in front of her, she knows that if anyone from Umbrella knew what she was doing she would be hunted and killed. Was Alice worth the risk.

Picking up the hard drive she guesses Alice is worth the risk. For some unknown reason, she is willing to risk everything to help her former student. On the drive is the location of where Dr Issacs and his team are experimenting with Alice in the Detroit facility. It also holds the key to obtaining level six authorisation and the location of a disabled tracked Umbrella SUV. Already stocked with weapons and outfits to pass through Umbrella security. Everything people would need in order to stage a rescue mission for Alice.

Locating the people to do that wasn't all that hard either. It would have been better if the purge didn't happen. More people to leak Alice's location and better hide her tracks but Ada isn't an amateur. There is nothing that could tie her to this. Some might suspect but nothing can be proven.

Jill Valentine seemed close to Alice. Their friendship is clear to see on the full tapes. Despite only just meeting each other they bonded quickly. Carlos as well but she would say Jill had the better chance of taking on the mission. Ada tracked them to a rundown apartment in Pittsburgh. Seems like they didn't stray far from Raccoon City.

Dropping the hard drive into an envelope she sneaks into said apartment building and locates their room. She leaves the hard drive outside the door before knocking loudly and quickly leaving. It's LJ who answers the door and finds the envelope with their names on it. He calls it out And Jill Valentine comes running to the door. But by the time the former police officer tries to do a sweep of the area, she is long gone.

Alice will be ok. They might not be fully trusting of all the information in there, but she knows they are desperate and would take the risk. Loyalty is both a strength and a weakness. This was just an example of both sides of the annoying trait.

---

"That is a lot of dogs," Chris mutters as the White Queen gives them a live satellite view of the area surrounding the Hive. The mission for attacking the facility is now well known among members of the tower but the reason for the invasion still remains a secret.

"Those are not dogs." Comes Alice's remark looking away from the screen screwing her eyes shut and pressing the bottom of her hand against her head just above her right eye. She winces which doesn't escape Claire's notice. Nor do Jill, Ethan and Sheva miss the action as all eyes look towards her worriedly.

She shouldn't be up and moving. Alice's powers might have grown since the last time Claire saw her use her abilities. But the collapsing not even an hour ago shows that Alice is not well. And that's not even considering the fact she passed out before and during the battle as well.

Leon however doesn't care about Alice's suffering. His eyes narrowing towards her. "What do you mean."

Slowly blinking Alice turns back to face him while Jill glares him down. "Look at the size of them. They are much bigger than the normal infected dogs we've come across." Claire can hear the pain in her voice as she talks.

"What does that mean." Leon pushes.

Jill is the one to jump in as Alice shuts her eyes again and leans forward on the table. "It means it could be any for legged BOW." The blonde supplies touching Alice's shoulder in an Are you ok gesture.

Angie pulls out a notebook filled with pictures of horrific monsters and she flicks to the animal section. "It could be one of six creatures. An Adjule, Cerberus, Colmillos, Eliminator, Fenrir or a Licker Beta" I'm sorry a what and what. What the fuck are those things.

Leon scoffs pushing off the table. "Great so we get to play with more viruses that we don't have a cure for."

Claire and Chris exchange a look. More viruses. How can there be more viruses. Isn't there just the T-Virus. The thing that started all of this. "What." When Chris sees that his sister is just in the dark is he asks the question on everyone in the tower's mind. "What do you mean more viruses."

Angie is the one to fill them in. "We have the Cerberus and Eliminator infected with the T-Virus, Colmillos Infected with the Las Plagas Virus, Licker Beta's are infected with the Uroboros Virus and the T-Virus. The Adjule was created from the Type 2 Plaga parasite and the Uroboros Virus. The Fenrir was caused by the T-Abyss Virus."

"I'm sorry what." Claire cuts in her eyes jumping from Alice, Angie, Leon, Ada and Jill. "Since when is there more than one virus." Claire knows she hasn't seen Alice and K-Mart for nine months. But how are there that many more viruses out there in that time. Have they always been there or is this a new development.

Alice tries to explain it to everyone from the tower group who is unaware all just how bad it really is out there. "When Umbrella decided to end the world, they had different ways of eliminating the global population. From what we can piece together different facilities wished to test their bioweapons on the population and study the effects."

"Which means Umbrella decided to test their fucked up creations on people to see what would happen." Jill adds on. "Different countries had to deal with different monsters making it harder for people to unite and share data because what we face here in America is vastly different to what is happening in places like Africa or Europe."

"Rip South America," K-Mart mutters earning a glare from both Alice and Jill. Who stands up straighter and quickly changes the subject. "If Mom, Mum and Uncle Chris hadn't saved us from Umbrella on the Arcadia we would have been used in these types of experiments."

Maybe it was a good thing for that ship to be destroyed after all.

"The people Issac had captured were set to be tested on," Crystal notes handing a data pad to Ada. Who looks over whatever is on it with annoyance before passing it to Jill and Alice. Who looks like she is seconds away from passing out.

"Thank god we saved them from that fate." She pauses taking in a deep shaky breath. "Janus should be able to figure out what it is we are dealing with." Alice manages to groan out before looking towards Ada. "Yeah, no sorry I'm out... I... I have to go lie down."

Leon is about to say something but is cut off by Albert Wesker. "Go. Rest and be ready." Alice does that two finger salute before dragging herself away. Everyone watches as she slowly departs. "Can someone make sure she doesn't get herself killed." He orders as Jill passes him the data pad.

Claire can see how Jill pipes up ready to volunteer but Claire is quicker. "I'll go." She doesn't wait for it to be approved or argued. She just takes off after Alice who hasn't gotten that far and is leaning heavily against a pillar. "Need a hand."

"Thank you." Alice allows Claire to wrap an arm around her waist and help her walk. Claire guides her towards her and Chris's designated bedroom which just so happens to be on the floor below them. "How are you feeling."

"Like my brain is trying to break out of my skull." Alice eventually replies as they make it to her room and Alice flops on to her bed. "Have I mentioned my life sucks."

A breath of laughter escapes Claire upon hearing that. "Once or twice."

"Well, I'm saying it again. My life fucking sucks." Alice drags herself over on the single mattress a little. "Lie with me." Sounding so much more fragile than she looks.

An invitation that Claire doesn't hesitate to accept kicking off her shoes and then removing Alice's before climbing on next to her. Alice curls around her and Claire can't help but feel some satisfaction at having Alice do this with her instead of Jill.

Would Alice have done this with Jill if the blonde got to her first.

"I love you. You know that right." Claire whispers into Alice's hair. "I know I haven't done anything right today, but I do love you."

"I know, Dorogoy," Alice mutters back. "Ya Terbya Lublu." (I Love you) Alice then nettles closer into Claire. Relief fills her. Even with her many mistakes Alice still loves and cares for her.

She can feel the heat coming off of Alice's body. Which is concerning. Alice doesn't feel the usual warm. Not like she should be. Claire is aware that Alice's body adapts to its surroundings. Her body heat going up in the cold and down in the heat. Yet now it's a warm day for July but not warm enough for Alice to feel this cold in comparison. She feels cooler than she was in the desert. Fuck that's not good.

Claire makes a mental note to keep an eye on Alice's temperature. It could just be a side effect from the blood loss and overuse of her powers which she knows is bound to happen. But still. She doesn't like it when Alice gets like this. Her body working overtime to repair the damage inside that it can't heat the body properly.

For now, she will make do with keeping Alice warm tugging up her discarded blanket around them making them all warm and cosy.

"This reminds me of the Arcadia." A soft laugh escapes Claire at the reminder.

The ship held over two hundred people but having enough rooms and beds for that many people was a different story. Before Umbrella came, they were starting to build their life together there. As they were the ones to liberate the ship and defeat Wesker Alice and Claire were assigned the Captain's quarters which was the only room that held a double bed and they didn't have to share the room or ensuite bathroom with anyone. They had their own shower and bed which they made full use of.

The first night they spent together was the desperate need or properly reacquainting themselves with each other. It was the first time they could actually have sex in a bed. The motels they stopped at were filthy and it was safer for their lungs to just spend the night in the hummer.

Now don't get her wrong she loved that hummer. It saved her and her people's lives enough times to be considered part of the family. But trying to have sex in it was nearly impossible. Especially when they had a teenage daughter living in the hummer with them.

What's worse is that K, sweet loveable K, never got the hint that she should spend the night somewhere else. Which is both great to know that K was unaware of her parent's sex life because the mortification Claire would have felt knowing that K-Mart knew what was happening would kill her. On the other hand, it meant she and Alice hardly got any nights alone together. And when they did they would have to convince Betty or Carlos to convince K to stay with them that night. The teasing she and Alice got for that was awful.

Most of their hooks occurred against walls in whatever rundown building they were scavenging. But that also meant people were lurking around. The apocalypse really made it hard to keep a decent sex life going.

But Alice has always been good at improvising. One night Alice stole one of the least filthy blankets from a motel and aired it out before sneaking away from camp with Claire. Carlos was on guard that night and Alice's abilities meant she could sense if anything came close to them or the group. Which allowed then the time to just be away from everyone and have some privacy. They had their own little fire to keep them warm and were able to stargaze. They ducked back into camp before everyone woke up and only LJ, Carlos and Betty knew they had left in the first place.

The prison was an upgrade in terms of beds. Especially since before that Claire was sleeping alone in the plane while Alice camped outside. Her memories were still too muddled for them to get back together during their travels. So, they slept separately. And even if they didn't there wasn't enough space in the plane for both of them and the idea of sleeping on the ground does not sound all that appealing.

But the prison had beds. They were single uncomfortable bunk beds. But beds. The first night in the prison they stayed in the same cell but on separate beds... for about the first hour before some of Claire's memories came back and she felt brave enough to crawl into Alice's bed. The groggy woman curled around her kissing her head before going back to sleep.

She isn't sure if Alice even realised what was happening when they shared the single bed, and it was just instinct taking over. But after that first night, they didn't sleep apart again. Not until the fall of Arcadia that is. So being able to lock the door and enjoy a bed was a luxury they hadn't been able to experience before, and they took advantage of that.

This bed is nowhere near as comfy or big as the one they shared on the ship but it's better then the front of the Hummer. "I know what you mean." She often wonders how life would have turned out if Umbrella didn't come for them.

What would life be like if the world didn't end. Would she still have Alice and K-Mart in her life. It's doubtful. And as bad as it sounds she wouldn't trade them for anything. It would be interesting though to imagine how they would have met in the old world. How she would have been able to catch the eye of a millionaire like Alice. Maybe they would run into each other at a bar and bond over their shared love of motorbikes. They date and then adopt a runaway teen. How life could have been different for them.

Maybe when this mission is over, they could explore settling down into everyday life together. Chris is overjoyed at the prospect of being an uncle. To not one but three girls. She on the other hand is more apprehensive then excited. Even before the end of the world, she knew she wanted to adopt kids. Wanted a big family and to keep kids out of the system that she and Chris almost fell into.

And the fact that Becky is a clone or deaf isn't what's making her anxious about the idea. Nor is it because of Angie or Becky themselves. She just doesn't know where she stands with them in that regards. From what she understands Angie and Becky are Jill's daughters. She doesn't want to step on any toes or cause issues between the kids. Hell, she doesn't know where she and Alice stand at the moment or where Alice and Jill stand with each other.

Fuck it's all a mess that she needs to untangle and sort out.

"You smell the same," Alice mumbles inhaling her scent. Now if it was anyone else who did that to her, she would be a little freaked out. But it's Alice. Alice who has superhuman senses and tends to be more animalistic in nature sometimes.

She remembers that Alice once described humans as smelling sweet and that infected smell like rotting musk. But she didn't know that Alice could pick up individual scents. "And what do I smell like."

"Safe."

Ok, Claire has no idea what she expected to hear but it certainly wasn't that. Safe. What does safe even smell like. Other than her. She wants to dig for more information but the drowsiness lingering in Alice's voice stops her from pushing for more. Her girlfriend is already dealing with enough without her badgering her with questions difficult to answer.

Instead, Claire wraps herself around Alice cocooning her in her embrace and pressing a small kiss to her head. "I am safe." Questions can come later. Right now, she just wants to enjoy the time she has with Alice before someone comes looking for them.

Because someone is bound to come looking for them. They never seem to be able to catch a break.

---

She's not freaking out. No, she's totally not freaking out at the moment. No sir she is the epitome of calm and relaxed right now. So what if Claire accidentally said I love you this morning. It was a slip of the tongue nothing more.

Hell Claire didn't even realise what she said until she noticed the way Alice froze at the words. The awkward silence that followed as Alice remained locked in her spot staring at Claire in disbelief until the words 'I'm going scavenging with Carlos and LJ' came out and she speedily walked away needing to escape the sudden pressure suffocating her in Claire's presence.

It was a surprise that took her off guard. She was not expecting that. And she's fine about it. Totally and utterly fine. It's not a big deal. Claire saying that and her walking away. No. it's normal... Claire gets it or should... She's fine. Both of them are fine and everything will be ok. She doesn't feel anxious at all.

Carlo's voice drags her from his mind. "What's going on with you." Or so she thought.

Internally she winces at his words. "What do you mean." She asks Carlos trying her best to act normal.

Carlos just gives blankly stares at her waiting for her to open up or something. But she remains silent ignoring his gaze. LJ is driving the van, and he is more amused then either of his two friends. "Alice," Carlos says slowly. "Something is bothering you."

Alice clicks her tongue not wanting to have this conversation with anyone. Everything is fine. "What do you mean."

Carlos looks down at her gun and then back at her. "I mean you have stripped and rebuilt your pistol twelve times in the span of twenty minutes." She has. Oh... she wasn't aware she was doing that. But it's fine. Everything is fine. "And you were weird with Claire this morning."

"Really weird." LJ pipes in before Alice could counterattack that argument. "Like super weird. Weirder then usual with you."

She thinks she was a perfectly normal about of weird. "I don't know what you mean."

"Is everything ok between the two of you," Carlos asks nervously.

Alice rolls her eyes. "Everything's fine. Everything's good."

Both LJ and Carlos look at her with disbelieving eyes. "Really."

"Yes... and I don't see how it's any of your business anyways." She snaps at her two nosy friends as she puts her gun back together again.

Carlos pushes the conversation even more when she clearly doesn't want to talk. Why can't people understand that and leave it alone. "Because we're friends. And we're worried about you."

"I appreciate it but everything's fine." If she says it enough times maybe it will be true.

Next to her, Carlos sighs and Alice braces herself for more of this pointless conversation. "Look Alice we're not Jill." Alice tenses up at the mention of her best friend. If they wanted her to open up bringing their missing friend into the talk is not the way to do it. "And we know we don't have the same bond you had with her. But we are still your friends, and we are here for you if you ever want to talk. You're not in it alone."

In the back of her mind, she imagines Jill being here with them. The former Stars officer wouldn't allow her to ignore what she was feeling. Jill was always surprisingly good at understanding her and getting her to talk. LJ started to call Jill the Alice whisperer which she took pride in.

But Jill isn't here. Angie either. No one knows where those two are and if they're ok. She appreciates what the guys are trying to do. But she is fine. She just needs time alone to think. "Thank you... But I'm still not talking about this with you guys."

"But you admit there is something wrong." Carlos tries once again.

Now she's getting annoyed and that passes over into her tone. "I wouldn't say wrong. Just something Claire did took me off guard and now I don't know what to do. I'm processing some things."

Carlos leans away from her realising he pushed too much on something he shouldn't have. "Well, the offer still stands."

Not wanting to tint the mood of the van she softens her voice. "Thanks, but if there's anyone, I think I should talk this through with its Claire." The last thing they need is dysfunction to happen among their usual rhythm when searching potentially dangerous locations.

"Fair enough." Finally, Carlos backs off allowing Alice to think.

Even if she wanted to talk to them about this highly personal issue she couldn't. They don't know her past. She only told Jill during her breakdown on the Ranch that first night. Jill was the only one she ever felt comfortable with to talk about everything that happened to her before Raccoon City. If she was here maybe she would talk to her.

But it doesn't change the fact that Claire said she loved her. That Claire was in love with her. HER. That doesn't make any sense. She's a freak. An Umbrella experiment gone wrong. A fuck tone of trauma buried behind bad coping methods. Claire knows this. Yet she still found a way to fall in love with Alice. But how... Why.

The rest of the scavenging miss goes about as well as one would expect. They found some supplies. Not even to make Claire stop worrying for a while but enough to keep their group going. The infected that they stumbled upon were no match for her. She cut down everything they stumbled across which helped to relieve some of her building tension and stress.

Arriving back at the convoy Alice hangs to the side waiting until Claire has sorted everything out before indicating that the two of them need to talk privately.

Claire heads over to one of the motel's abandoned rooms far enough away from everyone that they could hear if the two of them started screaming at each other. Not that Alice thought that would happen. But better safe than sorry. "You said you love me."

Claire shuts the door behind her before leaning back against it. "I did."

"Why."

The redhead blinks at her. "What do you mean why." Claire's eyes scrunch up at her and there is something in her voice that unsettles Alice.

Maybe the whole shouting thing wasn't so far-fetched after all. Quickly she tries to back up this conversation. She doesn't want to argue or cause drama. She's already struggling enough with this as it is. "Nothing forget it. it's not important."

Claire's eyes shut as she mutters a tired. "Alice."

She nods her head as she hops up from the dusty bed she was sitting on and tries to get to the door Claire is guarding. "No, it's stupid. I was just-

"I love you because you care." Claire interrupts blocking her from the door. "You care so much even when you try to hide it. You look for books for K-Mart to read. How much you love and adore her. You hide cigarettes away from everyone else so I can have them even giving them up for yourself because you know it will make me happy. How you make video dairies for your best friend in case you find her again. You work so hard to make sure everyone here is safe. From the infected and for you not being around. The way you teach, and mentor people amazes me. How the kids follow you around like ducklings and you entertain all of them telling them stories of your adventures."

Claire steps closer into Alice's personal space never breaking eye contact as she confesses everything she feels for Alice answering the one question that has alluded Alice all day.

"I love the way you help me share the burden, how you are always there for me backing me up and supporting me even when you disagree. I love that lopsided smile you get when amused. The smirk when you've won something or thought of something funny that will make me roll my eyes. I love your wit and humour. I love the way you look at me as if I'm the greatest thing to ever happen to you. Nothing but pure adoration and devotion in your eyes. Even now when you're scared and panicking you still look at me like I'm worth more than everything. I love how soft you allow yourself to be with me. How you let down your guard and let me in. How you open up about your past and your struggles. And I know Alice. I know me saying I love you throws you off guard. And I understand why you doubt it. The things you have had to endure make it like that. But Alice I'm not going anywhere any time soon. And whether you say it back or not I will still be with you because I want to be. Because I love you for who you are. Your abilities don't freak me out they just make you... You. And I love all of you."

Alice is stunned into silence.

"Only a few people have told me they love me," Alice admits. "Most of them have turned on me in vicious ways." It's the reason she has so many trust issues. Even before the end of the world, her trust in people was fickle at best. Despite the image she presented herself with to those around her she never let anyone in. Only a small selection of people she trusted enough to open her heart to.

Having already heard of her past in great and horrific detail Claire is well aware of these facts. "I know."

"My father turned me into a high end prostitute for Umbrella. He let men do things to me that made me want to be sick. He did many horrible things to me and Ethan." Claire was disgusted and outraged the first time Alice had split the dirty details of her past. Not at Alice of course but at the man who claimed to be her father.

Claire hates the emotional, physical and mental abuse Alice and Ethan endured. After explaining it to K-Mart to help the teen understand she wasn't alone Claire had asked for more details. Wanting to know the real Alice. Even all the dark and broken parts of her. Wanted to know how she could help and what she shouldn't do to cause Alice any discomfort.

"Issacs betrayed me and experimented on me. I was awake for most of his experiments. He heard me screaming and he did nothing to stop it. He pushed forward not caring about how I was withering in pain not even begging it to stop anymore but just to die. To stop all the pain." She rarely talks about her first time as an experiment. Only with Jill and Claire has she really opened up about being awake while they broke her bones to see how quickly they would heal.

As they cut her up not caring about how much she screamed as they tortured her. How they killed her over and over again in different ways to see how her body reacted. How Issac's stood there watching every step of the way.

"Lisa was the first person who I committed to in a relationship. But that love was conditional. Not fully on Lisa's part. She fell in love with the fake me. The front I put up in order to avoid my past. Lisa didn't know me. Not really. And I was terrified throughout that relationship that if she saw the real me, she would leave. And she did. When she found out who my father was, she left. Without a second thought or any regret. She didn't let me explain or talk about why I didn't tell her. She didn't care. She glimpsed at the dark and broke parts of me and ran away as fast as she could."

It was her first heartbreak. The first person she trusted outside of her family. She may not have fully opened herself up, but she was starting to. Lisa was the first person to peel back a few layers of the walls she built only to turn and run.

"When we met back up again at the Hive she was scared of me. Imagine that." The moment Lisa said that she almost staggered. The mere thought of Lisa thinking that awfully of her just because she didn't mention her who father was hit her hard. "But she later understood better as to why I lied. She apologised and then she died."

Suffocated in her office no doubt believing that Alice had betrayed her.

"Anna... I know she loved me. But I don't know if she loved the idea of me as well. She was Issac's student, and she was ambitious in making her way up the food chain. I mean I know she loved me. But when things got tough and strained between us because our opinions differed, she slept with someone else. Me and Spencer watched it on the camera. She didn't try to hide it she just did. She said she thought we were over, but I hate that she did that. Knowing that as soon as we break up she going to sleep with someone else."

Anna was the first girlfriend who understood what her family was like. The first to understand her trauma and was always so supportive of her. The strain in their relationship came to the deaths involved in the experimentation with the T-virus. It drove a wedge between them. One they never recovered from.

"I've lost my brother and Alicia. They were the only people I ever truly allowed myself to be open with. And now one might be dead and the other might have been involved with fucking with my body and the slaughter of my friends."

If Alicia was involved... She doesn't know if she would ever recover from that.

"I know. Alice." Claire replies knowing how difficult this whole thing is for her. But that's Claire. The Redhead seems to understand her even better then she understands herself. And Claire isn't angry with Alice for her reaction or lack of one. She knows the trauma she has overcome to make it this far and how those marks have left scars on her soul. "Which is why I don't expect you to say it back."

"I just..." Fuck why is this so hard. Alice stammers over her words trying to think how to explain all of this to her. Claire waits patiently for her to figure out her own words. "I don't want you to hurt me like everyone else." She whimpers out hating the weakness she is showing but trusting that Claire won't use that against her.

"I can't promise that at times it won't hurt. But I believe that you are worth any pain that might come." Claire nudges her head against Alice's.

"I don't want to cause pain to you either." That's the last thing she ever wants to cause. She's caused enough pain and misery in the world she doesn't want to taint Claire with any of that.

Claire sweetly smiles at her before lightly kissing her lips. "I know. For now, we're just us. And what we feel for each other."

Timidly she has to make sure Claire is sure. She doesn't want this lingering between them until it festers into something vile. "It really doesn't bother you if I don't say it back."

Claire weakly chuckles at this. "Of course not. If you ever feel comfortable saying it that's amazing. If not it's still amazing because I know you care for me. Your actions tell me that. I don't need the words to understand what we are to each other."

Her actions have always spoken louder than any words she could produce.

---

Claire isn't surprised when someone finally comes to get them. Their little reprieve from everything that is happening out there was bound to end at some point. Chris is the one to knock on the door calling that Wesker and Ada need to speak to Alice.

Her partner groans deeply into her chest before pressing a quick kiss to her lips and trudging herself up out of the bed to see what it is that the two Resistance leaders need her for. Claire could hear her muttering curses under her breath every step of the way.

Begrudgingly she follows after already missing the sanctuary of her bedroom with Alice. She watches Alice head over to chat with Ada and Wesker while Claire sits with K-mart, Becky and Angie. K-mart sits up straighter at her approach which takes away some of her confidence in approaching her daughter and... Stepdaughters.

Oh wow... She did not think that part through. If she and Alice remain together, then Angie and Becky are her stepdaughters. Holy fuck.

"Hi." Angie greets as she approaches. "We didn't get a chance to meet properly earlier. I'm Angela Ashford. But everyone calls me Angie."

"Claire Redfield." She greets back taking a seat opposite the three girls.

Angie nudges Becky with her shoulder who shyly waves towards her. "I'm Becky." The young girl says while signing towards her. But clinging to the older two blondes.

"It's nice to meet you both in person. Alice talked about you both a lot." In the desert Angie was a sore subject for Alice to talk about. The whereabouts of her child plaguing her. Never knowing if she was safe, captured or dead. Same with Jill. She knows that sometimes Alice debated leaving their convoy for a while to seek out an Umbrella facility in order to search it's databases for any information on the two but never could bring herself to do it.

The risks in attacking a facility and the attention it would draw to her, the convoy and the two girls wasn't worth the risk. Claire wonders if Alice regrets that now. Knowing what Jill and Angie's fates were does she blames herself for not acting sooner.

Who is she kidding. This is Alice. Of course she's blaming herself.

K-Mart signs something to Becky who sweetly smiles at her and relaxes a bit more around her. Angie just chuckles in response. "Mum likes to brag about the three of her. Mom does as well." It's a parent's pride to brag about their kids.

K-Mart looks away from at and more guilt fills her. A parent's pride to is to talk about their kids. Yet no one at the tower was aware K-mart existed until she and Alice showed up. Claire refused to talk about Alice and K-Mart to the people here. It hurt too much to think about never mind talking about them.

Just another thing she needs to apologize for and make up to K-mart for. An ever growing list it seems.

Angie looks between her and K-Mart sensing the tension between them. She looks worriedly towards K-mart who refuses to meet their eyes. "So how do you like the tower," Angie asks politely changing the subject.

"It's very different to the convoy," Claire admits. "I get along with most of the people here and they have useable bathrooms which is always a bonus." Access to fresh water was something they struggled with back in the desert. Showers were even rarer since they had such little water to spare. So, for the tower have access to it whenever you wish is wonderful. "But I do miss the convoy."

It was a hard way of life. The constant moving and scavenging for resources. Lack of food and water and dealing with the blazing sun of the desert during the day and freezing nights. But they were her people. Her friends and family. They all stuck together and pulled through whatever life could throw at them. She misses that. She misses them.

"I get that," Angie replies. "Before the outbreak Alice had us all hiding on her family Ranch. I loved it there. Especially the horse riding part."

"You got to ride a horse." Becky gasps out eye wide with awe.

"Yeah, Mum taught me how." Angie's face lights up at the memory. "There were a bunch of horses on the ranch. Alice had one as did Ethan. The one I kind of adopted was the youngest or the rideable. A black horse with a white stripe overing it's face and one white foot. He was called Mozart."

The name draws a smile from K-Mart. "I'm guessing Ethan named him."

Angie laughs. "Yep."

Curiously Claire asks, "What was Alice's horse called." She vaguely remembers Alice mention her family owned a horse ranch. At the time she just used that to joke about Alice being a rich girl. But she knows it was an important place for Alice and Ethan. That Alice had taken the Raccoon City crew there to hideout from Umbrella and the rising dead.

"Castagna," Angie replies slowly making sure her pronunciation was correct.

At this K-Mart bursts out laughing. "Really… Alice called her horse Chestnut."

Angie groans sinking back into her seat but seems highly amused by the situation. "Is that what castagna means."

K-Mart smiles brightly towards her sister. One of the first real smiles Claire has seen of K-Mart today. "Yeah." Claire herself can't help but let a small smile grace her lips at the simple name Alice picked for her horse in comparison to Ethan's pick.

Angie rolls her eyes. "Wow the difference in Uncle Ethans and Mum's naming."

Becky tugs on Angie's arm. "Can you help me draw them for Mommy." Claire feels her heart melt watching the three sisters. Especially Becky.

"Of course. There were nineteen horses on the ranch do you want to draw all of them." Angie asks.

Nineteen. When Alice said the ranch had horse, she was thinking two or three. Five tops. Not nineteen. No wonder Angie loved it there. What young girl doesn't love being surrounded by horses and being able to ride them whenever you want. Hell she's jealous. "Yes." Becky excitedly exclaims.

"Come on let's get you your colours," Angie says standing up and guiding Becky away them. But not before sending a pointed glare towards K-Mart.

Subtle.

Sitting across from her K-Mart shifts in place her right leg bouncing so quickly it looks like her leg is vibrating. Knowing full well that K won't be the one to start this conversation Claire begins saying sorry. "When I woke up here, I thought you were dead. That you and Alice were killed by Umbrella. And I kind of shut down. Not knowing how to cope losing my daughter and my girlfriend."

There have only been a few times in life when Claire has cried. Properly sobbing where you can't hold back the tears as everything inside you, all that pain, all that hurt overwhelmed them to the point that even standing becomes an unrenderable action.

The first time was when her parents died in car accident. One moment her parents were in her life, and they were planning a be party for when Chris got back from his deployment. The next she was at their funeral. It was so fast and unexpected. Turning her whole world upside down. She didn't know how to deal with that.

Chris was her rock during that time. He was granted emergency leave and helped her through those first few weeks of the new normal. Even just before the world ended, she hadn't gotten over what happened. There were still moments where something happened, and she found herself about to call her parents to tell them the news only to remember part way through the action and all that pain would come rushing back.

Losing members of her convoy ripped away parts of her. For nearly four years she met and looked after the people of her convoy. Learning about who they used to be and who they were now. Learning their likes and dislikes. Joking around the fire and mourning their friends together. They were her people her family. And she failed to keep all of them alive.

It sometimes seemed like a never ending stream of losing people in her life. As time passed those losses stacked up and their situation became more and more dire. The stress of keeping everyone alive and being the strong leader they needed became all too much for her.

Sometimes she just needed a night to break down and allow herself to feel everything she was trying to bury. She always did it when K-Mart was staying with someone else. She never wanted K to see her like that. Broken and desolate.

Alice saw it twice. Claire didn't have to hide it with Alice. Her partner slid into her life and helped her carry the burden of leading their group. Became her strongest protector against her own worries and frets. Her calm in the midst of the storm.

Alice said her mother once told her that storms were just a way of nature expressing itself. Which is why Alice came to love them. It's not surprising in that regard that Alice was able to withstand the storm inside of her on those nights. The mix of rage and sadness. Guilt and pressure pouring out of her and Alice being the one to hold her together wrapped in the safety of her embrace.

Alice was the reason for another time. When they escaped in the helicopter away from the desert and Umbrella but they were forced to leave Alice behind to face the herd and whatever horrors Umbrella had in store for her.

Claire was put into a lousy decision. Risk everyone under her protection, risk K-Mart in order to rescue Alice. It was one of the hardest decisions of her life but she and Alice had talked about this before. What to do if it ever came down to it. But she never thought she would actually have to do it.

Flying away while leaving Alice to her fate, most likely killed by either the horde of undead or Umbrella. Having to do that ripped her apart inside. To lose the person she came to love and rely on so heavily tore her to shreds inside but she couldn't stop. Her people needed to get somewhere safe. That first stop they made on the trip to Alaska she barely even realised she landed the helicopter and was giving orders to secure the area and search the place for anything useful.

No one argued with her or asked her any questions. They just did what she asked and made sure she was alone to let her process losing both Alice and Carlos in one swoop. Her partner and right hand man left behind in the desert.

She broke down in the helicopter praying to God that doesn't exist to protect Alice. To bring her back to her.

She tried not to think of all the ways Alice could have been killed. Instead, she told herself that with her powers Alice was practically unstoppable and she would follow them to Alaska. She just needs to wait for her to make the long journey and everything would be ok.

That night she comforted a distraught K-Mart who was feeling Alice and Carlos's loss as much as she was. She had to be the strong one once again. Even when it felt like she was breaking inside. K-Mart needed her more.

The first few weeks here she barely left her bed. Unable to face the reality of being here without Alice and K-Mart. Not even Chris could help her deal with the fallout of the Umbrella's attack on the Arcadia. She didn't know how to function without either of her girls in her life anymore. To handle the loss of all her people. People she spent years protecting and striving forward for. One moment she was happy and had everything she needed. The next she lost it all.

K still doesn't look at her keeping her gaze narrowed on the ground. But The bouncing of her knee has slowed down a little "I didn't want to talk about what happened. About you and Alice... I guess I thought if I talked about it then it would be real..." It was too much for her. Everything that happened was too much. She was drowning in pain, and nothing could help get rid of this empty hole inside of her. "That both of you were dead. And I... I couldn't admit that to myself... couldn't lose you like that. So, I just tried to push it behind me. If I didn't face it, then it couldn't hurt me." Her voice cracks a few times as she speaks forcing her to take a shuddering breath to stop herself from breaking down in front of K-Mart.

The blonde's own water filled eyes finally meet her own. The same pain reflected back at her. K-Mart and Alice didn't die. They were taken by Umbrella and suffered at their hand while not knowing what happened to her.

She takes a moment to try and regain control of her voice. "I may not have talked about you K. Or Alice. But that didn't mean I stopped loving you K. Nothing could ever change how I feel about you. You are my daughter. And I love you more then anything." She prays that K believes her.

K-Mart folds into herself more. Her knees coming up and her arms wrap around them making her look like a curled up ball. "For months all we could really think about was finding you and Uncle Chris again," K-Mart replies her voice just above a mumble so Claire can hear her. "We planned the attack on the New York Facility as Jill said that's where everyone was being taken and we thought you would be there... But you weren't. Everyone else from the convoy, from the ship. They were all there. Angie was there. But you and Chris weren't. All we knew was that you guys crashed on the way to New York. Somewhere in between California and Pennsylvania. We knew finding you would be near to impossible. We didn't even know if you were alive."

Claire nods to herself knowing where this conversation is going. And she's right. Everything K is saying is right. So, she remains quiet and lets K talk.

The teen's voice turns harsher, louder in comparison to her soft and quiet demure shown a few seconds ago. "But we never gave up on you. Never stopped looking. Using everything at our disposal to try and track you down." K-Mart eyes meet her and Claire can see the anger and pain shining so brightly in them. "And while we were doing that. You didn't even try to look for us. You just gave up and started to move on with your life. Hooked up with Doc and pretended we never existed. That we were just a bad memory."

"I'm sorry." She can't say it enough. Can't make up for her own lack of actions and how she has disappointed her own kid.

"I know you are." K fires back. "And I know you love us. But you just abandoned us. And I don't know if I can ever forgive that."

"K-Mart." She pleads. Despair dripping into her voice at the thought that this was something they could never get past.

"I don't want to be angry with you Mom." K cuts her off. A wave of sadness lingering in her voice. A sadness she caused in her own kid. "I really don't. But that's how I feel right now. I feel so angry and hurt by what you did. I love you, Mom. I just need some time."

Swallowing the lump in her throat Claire concedes this to K. If this is what K needs to work this with her then she can do that. Whatever she can to make K feel secure with her again she will do. Alice once told her people who suffered abuse struggle most with dealing with their own emotions. So used to pretending everything is ok or staying in survival mood that it's difficult to tell what they are feeling. they process things slower then others and tend to be more defensive on matters. they had to be. letting their guard down for a moment would only result in more pain. So if K needs time Claire will give her time. "I can understand that. And I want you to know that I'm not going anywhere. I won't let you be taken away from me again."

She can see the struggle taking place in K-Mart. The doubt surrounding her words and K-mart unsure whether to believe them or not. Her past experiences with parent figures lying, betraying and leaving her behind in full play. And Claire finds herself not minding. She understands why K is feeling this way. And will work on proving to K that she isn't lying or will let her down again.

A small smile appears on K's lips. "I know." K's gaze softens towards her slightly. "Can I have a hug."

The question is asked timidly and Claire leaps at the chance to comfort her daughter. "You never have to ask K." She reminds the blonde before taking her in her arms and holding her tight. K-Mart sinks into her burying herself in Claire's arms and hugging her back just as tightly.

It's not all perfect at the moment. But it's a start.

---

Death. Why is it everywhere she goes death always follows. The perfectly executed bodies of the Umbrella soldiers in the control room prove that what happened to open the three cell doors holding her Angel and K-Mart was no accident. Someone did this.

But who.

If this is where she thinks it is then someone breaking in, killing central control and taking control of the facility is no small task. Something she doesn't even think she could manage on her own. So, whoever pulled this off is extremely dangerous. Setting them free could be a sign of friendship or something more twisted.

"K-Mart stay close to me." The terrified blonde instantly moves to her side. Angel lingers a little further back keeping an eye on the door. The only thing separating them from what looked like hundreds of infected. She had managed to hold enough of them off until the doors opened and let them in. The question is who let them in.

Analysing the room she doesn't notice anyone nearby. But there has to be. Someone killed everyone in here and opened and shut the door. So, whoever did that is still lurking around.

The familiar sound of a secret department opening distracts her. That swooshing sound sounds from behind and Alice turns to watch in glee as an armoury of weapons comes up from the ground. Knowing her pistol is out of ammo she throws it off to the side making her way over to the guns.

Seems their little friend is still helping them out. Now only if they would reveal themselves.

K-Mart follows her lead grabbing a Glock 17 pistol while Angel takes an Ace 21 machine gun. Alice had just selected the knife knowing that it could be more effective than any gun and slides it into her boot. Another thing she wondered about. Whoever set them free got her old Umbrella operative hidden in her cell. They could have got her anything to wear like they did with K-Mart and Angel. But they didn't they picked this. Something she has worn hundreds of times and has saved her from certain on more than one occasion.

Hell, she once took a bullet to the chest for Ada on a mission and only lived because they hit the most protective part of her garment. The mark of the bullet still remains on this suit. So it's her old one. But how did someone manage to get this. Last she knew it was in the Spencer Mansion.

Just as she went to pick one of the Kriss Vectors she felt something move behind her. Her arm freezes halfway to grabbing the gun as she feels the cold barrel of a gun pressed into her back. Angel and K-Mart don't react too focused on what weapons they want to use to notice the sudden threat.

Torn between reaching for the gun and attacking whoever is behind her Alice quickly assumes that whoever is behind her killed everyone in this room before they could trigger a SOS which means they are fast with a gun. Very fast. So going for the gun in front of her would mean being gunned down before she could use it.

Option two it is.

Faster than a viper striking she spins around knocking the gun's aim to the side just outside of her body in case it goes off. She then pushes backwards on that arm propelling herself closer in an effort to rip the gun away from their grasp. But the other person is just as fast as she is and lets go of the gun in order to try and punch her.

Alice catches the discarded weapon with her left arm and swipes it across the other woman's front like a knife but she ducks under the attack and delivers a swift kick to Alice's armed hand with enough force to twist her body to the side.

Using that monument, she swaps the gun to her right hand and continues to spin all the way around looking to use the sleight of hand weapon swap to surprise the other person. But that doesn't happen as when she turns around, she is instantly greeted by another kick to her right arm flinging the weapon into the air and away from her. It is during this that Alice notices the familiar red dress and handstand kick she learned from one person.

Drawing the blade from her boot she rushes forward as the woman in front of catches the gun in her hands and turns back to face her. And is greeted by a knife placed across her throat. Alice feels the gun pressed into her heart. A stalemate has occurred.

"Don't." She warns as Ada Wong stands in front of her after all these years. Behind her, she senses K-Mart and Angel taking aim at Ada, but she keeps her focus on her former mentor. "Ada Wong. Operative for the Umbrella Corporation. One of Albert Wesker's top agents. Nice to see you, Ada." Sarcasm bites at her tone.

Not that Ada is bothered by that at all. Instead, she raises her chin up in defiance allowing Alice better access to her throat. "I don't work for Umbrella anymore. And neither does Albert Wesker."

"I don't care." She blatantly lies. She does care. Ada was her friend, her mentor, but she can't figure out if Ada is lying to her now or not. She hopes not. It would be nice to be reunited with a friend. One that isn't trying to kill her like Jill is.

Jill.

She saw the scarab on her chest. Jill hasn't turned against her but is being used against her will to bring Alice down. There is still a chance that she might be able to rescue Jill from Umbrella but getting close enough to remove that scarab will be difficult.

But she has to try. She refuses to lose someone else she cares about to Umbrella. Especially not Jill. Hasn't she lost enough to them already. Thoughts of Claire rush through her mind but she quickly pushes them away. Just because Claire isn't here doesn't mean she's dead. She can't be dead. She just can't be.

"You can kill her if you like but then you'll never get out of this place." Wesker pops up on the screen next to her. For fuck sakes how many times does she have to kill this fucker before it sticks.

"Wesker." She grits through her teeth pressing the blade roughly against Ada's throat.

Her former employer seems more amused then threatened by her display than anything else. "Now be a good girl and put down the blade." He mocks. Pissing Alice off even more as she turns and flings her knife into the screen shattering it and Wesker's presence. For all of a second before he's popping up again on another screen smiling smugly towards her. "Oh, and Alice. How nice to see you again."

She's going to kill him. She is going to kill him slowly and make sure there is nothing of him left for him to magically come back.

Ada's voice draws her back from the screen onto her. "Alice we are not your enemies here." That remains to be seen. As to prove her point Ada actives a security video of what happened here. A video she was not expecting to see. "I executed everyone in this control room. I enabled Wesker to hack the mainframe. We shut down the security systems. We let you out of that cell."

"Why." None of this makes any sense. Why are Ada and Wesker suddenly turning on Umbrella. They have been loyal for years. Even after the end of the world. So, what could have made them turn. And to turn both of them. In some ways, she could expect Ada to turn if it meant she had better chances of living but Umbrella is winning the war. They are the safest from the undead and no one can really pose them too much of a threat.

So, it would make more sense for them to remain with Umbrella not turn against them.

"We have to get you out of this facility," Wesker tells her what she can already figure out. But he's not answering why they need her help.

"So why do you want to help me." She asks again.

Wesker this time gives her a little more information. "We need you. The Human race faces extinction. Our only hope of survival is for us to work together to bring Umbrella down." Yet he's still not explaining why.

How could she even trust them if they weren't being upfront with her. Especially after the last time she saw them. "You tried to kill me."

Wesker laughs in that arrogant way he does that makes her want to punch him. "No, a clone of Albert Wesker tried to kill you. Unsuccessful as he was it did allow us to finally track where you were hiding." Why is everyone so obsessed with her. She was nowhere near this popular before the apocalypse so why is suddenly everyone constantly chasing after her.

The fact the Wesker she faced was a clone should be a bigger shock then it is. But after Vegas, she doubts many things could fully shock her anymore. In a way, it makes sense that it wasn't just her who they cloned. But how many people were cloned and are active today. Is there anyone else she needs to know about that have been cloned.

Ada stalks forward filling in more details that Wesker is leaving out. "Issacs, Prospero and Alicia Marcus hold dominion over Umbrella but it's the real version of Wesker holding all the cards. And he has his orders from the former two to stop at nothing until humanity is wiped out. Even with your help, we can't override the CEO's orders. But you know more about Umbrella then almost anyone. And you have the power to change the tide."

The business is technically split twenty five percent between them and then the board have votes as well. It was a deadlock between the two fractions for so long with Issacs being the deciding vote more often than not. But she lost her position after her treason in the Hive was discovered and Alicia doesn't have the power to stand against them alone.

Then the purge left her with no allies within Umbrella apart from Alicia but trying to get her help would only end in both their deaths.

She may not hold any power over the CEO position anymore, but she is still dangerous to the people on the board. Not to mention the fact she has taken out various facilities around the world. It would make sense to keep her somewhere they deem impossible to escape. "Is that why I'm being held in Prime."

Ada smirks towards her. So, she is in the Prime Facility. Nice to know but awful to be here. "Nice to see you're as sharp as ever Alice."

Nice to be working with Ada again. She's missed their old partnership. "How are we supposed to get out of here. No offence but even with you here Ada getting out would be near impossible. My father designed this place to be our most secure facility. And when we get out then what. We're in the middle of nowhere."

"Where are we," K-Mart asks looking between her, Ada and Wesker in fear. Right K has only heard stories and seen the aftermath of what Wesker did. The other Wesker. Cannibal Wesker. Angel looks just as interested in finding out where they are being held but is keeping quiet as he has no idea who Ada is nor Alice's involvement with Umbrella and Wesker.

"You're in the Prime Umbrella testing Facility." Wesker starts.

K-Mart eyes scrunch up at this. "It looked like China or something." It would be a safe guess but it was Tokyo, not China.

"What you saw was just a detailed recreation of Tokyo. Nothing more. It goes on for a few city blocks. That'd all." He explains further.

But K-Mart doesn't truly understand where they are. Or how any of this is possible. Not that she can blame the teen. She only knows what's happening because she was high up in Umbrella had has seen the creations they have before. She's never been to this facility before, but she's seen glimpses of it in reports and heard rumours. This was more her father's area then hers.

K-Mart shakes her head. "But we were outside. And there were people. Living people." The blonde argues looking towards her for guidance.

Ada steps forward first asking the questions to help K figure it out herself. "Where you. Saw the sky did you."

"It was night." She mutters glancing back to Alice for support.

Ada pushes a little more. "Stars. The moon."

K-Mart goes silent upon hearing this. she didn't see the sky, stars or the moon. Wesker buts in next. "The testing fall is three hundred feet high. The ceiling black. It's usually night in there. But isn't that when the monsters come out anyways."

"It was raining." K tries again her hand coming up to stroke through her wet hair as if to prove to herself that it was raining.

This time Alice is the one to answer. "Climate control. Wind, rain they can even make it snow if they want to." Anything is possible in this place. And the faster they get out of here the better. She really hopes Ada and Wesker have a plan because this is not the place like would like to try winging it.

Every dome is home to monsters and various other obstacles that could kill them. Never mind the hundred maybe thousands of Umbrella employees living here.

Angel steps forward looking to her and Ada. "Why build such a place."

She scoffs at hearing that. Why do Umbrella do anything. Power or wealth. It's all they care about. "Simple. Money." This place might have cost billions to build but the wealth it generated every time they developed a new biological weapon quickly turned a profit for the company.

Angel's eyes widen at this. "What."

"The Umbrella corporation deprived its primary income from the sale of viral weaponry. Something that's impossible to test in the real world." Apart from that time in Kijuju but neither she nor Sheva could prove that Umbrella was responsible for the massacre.

Alice can't help but add on to Wesker's words. "Without causing issues for Umbrella anyways." She can feel the amusement rolling off of Ada next to her. She really has missed working with the other woman.

Wesker continues monologing for K's and Angel's benefit. "They recreated the centre of New York. Simulated an outbreak and showed it to the Russians. Sold them the virus. They simulated an outbreak in Moscow and sold it to the Americans. An outbreak in Tokyo."

He pauses and Ada jumps in answering the unspoken question. "Sold it to the Chinese."

"An outbreak in China," Wesker says not missing a beat.

Alice replies this time walking over to stand next to K-Mart is who trying to take everything in. "Sold it to the Japanese." Alicia had made a similar statement before. Back when she was trying to get Alice's help to find out what Umbrella was doing under her nose.

"Exactly everyone had to have it. The Umbrella corporation developed a new arms race only this time it was biological rather than nuclear. Highly profitable and this is where it all happened. This is Umbrella's greatest creation. The belly of the beast."

Alice tries not to laugh at how dramatic Wesker is. She had forgotten about that aspect of him. It was his only redeeming trait. "So, what's the plan to get the hell out of here." It will take more then the four of them to make it out of here. Especially if they are being hunted by Jill and other Umbrella soldiers.

"Sunlight is up in less then a minute," Ada warns moving to activate the shutters on the windows.

Alice nudges K-Mart and Angel to take a closer look as Wesker fills them in on the one thing she truly hates about this place. "This facility is located in the Straits of Kamchatka. Northen Russia. The old Soviet Union built submarine pens here in the eighties. After the cold war ended the Umbrella Corporation expanded them and built the testing floor. No one has ever escaped from this facility."

"Ice." She hears K-Mart gasp in horror. Outside the reinforced window is nothing but ice and water trapping deep under the Russian Sea.

Of course, she was put in one of the only facilities underwater. Her fear of water makes this place a living hell for her. The perfect place to hold her.

"You'll need all the help you can get. So, I've arranged for a Strike Team to enter from the surface and assist you." That makes sense. They will need more people to try and escape this facility and having two teams working to meet in the middle and then escape out an already cleared path gives them the best chance of making it out of here.

But she does wonder who is a part of this strike team. Ada doesn't trust easily so whoever is on that team she must trust them to get the job done. She wouldn't have dared come here otherwise. She's very good at her job because she knows her limits. It's the first thing she taught Alice.

Never go into a situation, you can't win. To do so is just plain stupid.

Their path to freedom is shown on the screen and Alice doesn't like it. It's the best and quickest path out but they have to head through three simulations. All are homes to different monstrosities. They got lucky with Tokyo, and she doubts it will be that easy from here on out.

"The strike team has some friends of yours with them." Ada points out as Alice starts to collect what guns she wants to use. For a single moment, she thinks Claire and Chris are there. But she knows that's just wishful thinking. Ada would have told her right away if that was the case.

It would have been the fastest way to prove her allegiance and gain Alice's and K-Marts trust. So her not mentioning the Redfields outright means they aren't coming to rescue them. Either way, once they are out of here the first thing, she will do is hunt them down again.

She's done it before, and she can do it again.

But now she's trying to figure out who Ada has managed to find to be part of the strike team. Someone both of them trust and who in turn trusts or likes them enough to risk everything in breaking into the Prime Facility.

"Luthor West and Crystal Waters are working alongside Leon Kennedy."

"They're alive," Angel asks before her in disbelief. Even Alice is shocked at that announcement. The last she saw either of them was as they were trying to escape through the sewers. Chris had found a way down into one of the maintenance tunnels and she, Claire, Chris and Angel had jumped down so close to freedom. Crystal was about to jump when they were a noise from behind her and Luther. Both of them turned to face it and the next thing they knew was Luthor and Crystal screaming and a cave in happened blocking the hole.

With no way to get back to them or help them the four of them had stood there and called out. Looking for any sign of life from the two members of the prison gang. They eventually had to leave them behind thinking they had been killed.

The deaths of the two prison members weighed heavily on all of them but it had the strongest effect on Angel. Chris was their prisoner for four years, so they weren't all good friends and she and Claire only knew them for a week. Angel had known them for four years. Worked on building and securing the prison with them. Surviving day in and day out with them. They were his friends and in a single day four of them were dead and Bennett had turned on them.

Angel looks relieved and so happy knowing his friends were alive and coming to their aid.

K-Mart on the other hand looks confused. Unsurprisingly since the teen has never met the two of them. What does surprise her is the fact that Leon Kennedy is here. She figures that's why Ada felt confident enough with this mission and is trusting of the strike team members.

She heard a few rumours about the two of them back when she worked for Umbrella. Ada once came to her looking for information on him. She supplied what she could, and Ada never mentioned him again after that meeting.

Yet gossip still exists. Even within Umbrella Operatives and there was lots of gossip surrounding the two of them. One going as far as to stay Ada nearly destroyed her own mission in order to help him. Shooting Ada a look the Asian woman narrows her gaze at her. Oh, they are so going to be talking about this later. It's been forever since Alice has heard any juicy gossip.

And she wants to catch up with her mentor.

But first things first. "How am I supposed to trust you." It wouldn't be the first time Operatives have played both sides to achieve something. Hell, she's done it enough times to not fully trust why both Ada and Wesker are doing this.

The whole we need you to give up information on Umbrella thing isn't enough. For others yes. For them no. They have other plans for her. And she doesn't like not being in the know for that.

Ada doesn't look offended by her question. Instead, she hands her back the knife she had flung at Wesker. "Jill Valentine didn't just stumble upon your location and everything she would need to save you from Detroit. I supplied her with everything to save you."

Not that does take her off guard. She knew when Jill, Carlos LJ and Angie broke in and saved her they must have had help from someone on the inside. Jill confirmed this by telling her about the letter taped to the door. But this was after the purge and had no clue who would have risked everything for her.

At the time she assumed it was Alicia or Ethan who somehow managed to pull it off. She never suspected that it was actually Ada who put everything together and helped her. "Why."

Ada looks away from her as Wesker starts to glitch on the screen. "Because you're my friend."

---

Jill leans back on the railing staring up into the night sky. A sky that seems so much brighter and alive then she has ever seen it before. The stars shine so beautifully in comparison to the dull light they had before the city was destroyed and the dead started to walk.

Growing up in Raccoon City and then working for the Police she thought she had seen all of it. That she knew everything about her city. But being back here. To see the state it is in now. She doesn't recognize any of it. Not even the sky is the same.

Laughter from nearby draws her attention as she and Alice watch K-mart Becky and Angie all laughing together around one of the bonfires. Most of the others have already headed to bed. One last attempt to get some shuteye before they take on the Hive tomorrow.

The plan was established after Alice had left the meeting. Half of the army would be sent out to draw the enemies away from the city. They will take the Ospreys and destroy any tanks coming and then lead the dead in the opposite direction. Two Ospreys will remain here acting as guards for the settlement and the rest of the army.

Umbrella is bound to try and attack them to stop them from making it to the Hive and releasing the Anti-virus. So the Ospreys are there to face any incoming attacks from Umbrella. It will take them a few hours to get any support together allowing everyone to have a break and rest before setting off.

In the morning what is left of them will split into four groups. Group one will keep watch over the settlement. Group two and three will make their way through the dog things guarding the entrance to the Hive in the creator. Group two's job is to take down the anti-aircraft defences and guard the outside of the Hive while group three will infiltrate the compound from the front. The last group will sneak into the Arklay Mountains and use the other entrance to infiltrate the Hive from the back.

The two teams in the Hive will work to take down the inside defences and lock off any traps the Red Queen or Umbrella can use against them. From there they were to secure the Hive and search for Anti-Virus.

She expects to face heavy resistance inside the Hive along with having to face both Issac's and Wesker. She doesn't know how Issac managed to escape their trap, but she has no doubts that he ran back to the Hive, and they have been fortifying it for their incoming attack.

Everything is set and ready for tomorrow. All they have to do now is wait. Not something she is very good at. Hence why she left the little campfire where her girls were still chatting quietly to go and smoke at the edge of the tower with Alice.

Other members of their group have stayed with them for a bit before going off on their own. Ethan only recently left to put Rose to bed and Becky will need to go to sleep soon. It's already way past her bedtime. But given this might be the last night she has with Angie and Alice none of them are in a rush to cut it short.

Which is another reason why Jill needed a break from the cheerfulness of the kids. Angie and Alice could potentially die from the cure tomorrow. Ethan as well. The virus that lives in them could mean that when the cure is unleashed it will kill them as well.

Janus had told her it was highly unlikely that Angie would die. The clone of Alice said to her in a private video call that Angie wasn't infected with the virus. It's put into her to heal the damage in her body then the anti-virus destroys that giving her a few months before she needs another dosage.

So, the anti-virus should ignore her.

Alice and Ethan on the other hand. The two siblings are bonded with the virus on a cellular level. They have no idea if the cure will kill them or just strip them of their abilities like the clone of Wesker did in Japan to Alice.

They don't know what the cure is set to do so Ethan and Alice's fates are up in the air and she hates that. The anxiety about the whole situation is eating away at her and not even a cigarette can help calm her down.

Yet Alice seems so calm about it. The idea of dying tomorrow doesn't seem to faze her. It's annoying that Alice is so calm about her death while Jill is trying to not freak out about it. Surely it should be the other way around.

Alice takes a drag of their shared smoke looking towards Becky. "How many children of mine did they create just to experiment on and kill."

Accepting the smoke back from Alice she tries not to think about the awful things that happened in Prime. The things she played a part in whether she wanted to or not. "That is one question I never want the answer to." Too many. Far too many died in Umbrella sick experiments. Taking a deep puff she asks the next question. "What do you think our kid would have looked like," Jill asks looking towards Becky. During her time at the Prime Facility, she witnessed far more Alice deaths then she would have liked.

But to see Alice and whichever clone child of her they were using was worse. Umbrella had fifty basic models when it came to clones. Which meant from that fifty they were able to experiment with forty-nine other examples of DNA when mixed with Alice's.

From that mix clones of children were born. Each one being a different variant of DNA to play and learn from. Becky happens to be the female offspring of an Alice clone and a clone of Rain Ocampo. A perfect blend of two of Umbrella's best soldiers.

Having worked with a clone of Rain in the facility and knowing Alice so well she can see both women in Becky. It's Rain's skin tone, eyes and nose that she sees when watching Becky. But the hair mouth cheeks and chin is all Alice.

Umbrella did not clone her like other members of her security team so she never got a glimpse of what her and Alice's child might look like. Would he or she have her nose and eyes or would Alice's genes win that round. No doubt their kid's hair would have been dark both she and Alice naturally are. Would it be slightly wavery like Alice's is.

"They would have been perfect," Alice says in a hushed tone. "Did you want kids before all this happened."

"I don't know... I guess so." Having Angie K-Mart and Becky have given her a reason to keep on fighting in these trying times. Her sweet girls. She never planned on adopting the three of them but in a world like this nothing is expected anymore. "Back then all I cared about was being in the STARS. I guess if figured kids would come later." They did but not in the way she thought she would. "What about you."

Alice takes a drag giving her a moment to think over her answer. "Honestly... yeah I did. But I don't think I would have had any." The tinge of dejection in her voice is easy to pick up on.

"Your father." She doesn't have to ask why Alice didn't think she would have children. It was obvious.

Alice finishes the cigarette before dropping to the ground and crushing the embers out with her boot. "Yeah... I didn't trust myself... I could live with being the fun aunt." The more she hears about Alice's father the more she hates him.

"And now we have three kids." Jill pipes in trying to lighten the mood a little and stop Alice from thinking about that man.

A breathless laugh escapes Alice. "Three... You're claiming K as one of yours as well."

Jill looks over to where the three kids are all chatting with each other. "Yeah." The girls are a trio. Siblings despite not sharing any blood. The three of them are a packaged deal. One is more then happy to have in her life.

Alice's smile shines but she can see something else in it. something weary and unsure. Something is she trying to hide from her. Which is stupid. Alice should know by now that she can't hide anything from her. "I'm pretty sure Claire will fight you for that."

Jill's gaze shifts to one of the other bonfires where the Redfields are sitting with Angel, Crystal and a few other members of the tower. The way Claire has been glaring at her all night has not gone unnoticed. "She'll fight me anyways given the glare currently being shot my way."

She doesn't get what she's done to piss off the red head but the last thing she wants is to cause problems for Alice. The woman has enough on her plate as it is.

Alice rubs the back of her neck looking very embarrassed and shifting nervously next to her. "Yeah... Sorry about that. That's my fault... K's to for antagonising her but mostly mine."

Ok... That doesn't make any sense. It's the first day of their little family getting back together. Why aren't they all happy. "What's happening between you two. I would have thought the two of you would be attached at the hip right now not standing on opposite sides of the room to avoid each other."

She was more then ready to be on kid watch while Alice and Claire enjoyed the night together. But other then Claire dragging Alice off to her bedroom earlier she hasn't really seen them interact with each other.

Alice is quiet for a while, and it takes Jill staring her down to get Alice to talk. "She started a relationship with someone here... Doc... Now she's... I don't know what she is... I don't think she fully knows what's she doing either."

"Shut the fuck up." Jill staggers back as if her words had attacked her in some way. "What do you mean she's fucking someone else. It's been nine months. How the fuck has she moved on already."

Alice leans back on the metal railing turning her head up to the sky and closing her eyes. "I don't know Jill."

"No wonder K's pissed at her," Jill mutters more to herself then Alice.

Alice winces "You noticed that."

"Wonder Girl... everyone noticed that." Ethan had asked her if she knew anything going on but at the time she didn't. But she knew Angie and K-Mart were keeping a secret together. The hushed whispers sort of gave them away. And the way neither of them would meet her gaze after. She just thought it was... well she doesn't know what it was they were hiding but the girls are sensible enough to tell her or Alice if it's anything serious. If not, then they can keep it to themselves. She was a teenager once before so she gets wanting some privacy from your parents.

But to find out this is what they were keeping from her. That Alice's girlfriend is screwing a different bloke here and she is only just finding out. Fuck. Now she knows why Alice has been more reserved. She just figured it was because of her powers. Not that Claire was cheating on her.

Does it count as cheating... if it was her then yes, she would count it as cheating and be super pissed. Hell, she is super pissed. "I should beat her up for doing that to you."

"She didn't know I was alive." Alice jumps in so ready to defend Claire's action. Which only annoys her more.

"Just like how Anna didn't realise you hadn't broken up... Or how Lisa was in the right for breaking up with you without letting you explain why you didn't tell her who your father was after telling her he was a bastard you were trying to escape from..." Alice drops her head in defeat. "Stop making excuses to blame yourself for other people's fucked up decisions."

Alice always does this. Always finds a way to blame herself rather then others. Because her father instilled the worst type of mindset in his daughter where she doubts everything about herself so if something goes wrong it's her fault. No matter what the other person has done Alice will always take the blame and beat herself up over it.

And she hates that. Hates that she can't protect Alice from herself.

Alice sighs deeply. "I don't want to fight." Not with Jill and not with Claire. Alice hasn't got the energy for that. The tiredness is radiating off of her.

As much as she wants to fight it, she backs down. Fighting with Alice over this now will be like arguing at a brick wall and will only hurt Alice more in the long run. "Fine... that explains why you're not joined at the hip. But how come she trying to kill me with her glare."

What Alice explains is why K is annoyed and the distance between the three of them. But why does it seem like Claire has some vendetta against her. She didn't make Claire fuck this Doc guy. Nor make K-Mart angry at her. That was all her doing.

"K-Mart said something about how she wishes we would get back together in front of Claire," Alice admits chuckling to herself.

Confusion fills her at hearing this. "One. It's sweet that the kid has accepted me." It's nice to see just how much K-Mart has grown to accept her after the first few months of the oldest teen hating her guts. "But two she does know we were never together and I'm not into chicks... no matter how attractive they are." She jokingly lets her eyes roam up and down Alice's body.

Alice laughs losing some of her previous tension. The mood shifting to something much lighter and easy going. "Oh, I'm aware. Your rejection five years ago was almost as painful as Nemesis slamming me into a wall."

Now that's being overly dramatic. She didn't reject her because Alice was never interested in her in that way. She asked after something one of the guys said and Alice laughed it off saying she sees Jill as her best friend and that's it.

So why do Claire and K-Mart think they were together. A flashback of what happened when K walked in on her and Alice in New York and took in the way they were standing comes to mind. But it has to be more than that. "Why does she think we were together."

Alice shrugs clearly as confused as she is on the matter. "I don't know... Carlos and LJ used to joke about the two of us. What they said I don't know. And we are close... People can make assumptions."

People can make assumptions... oh god how many people think they are screwing. "Is it just K-Mart who thinks that."

"Angie and Becky think it as well according to K." Oh fuck. Not the kids. That's mortifying. "Claire definitely does so I'm guessing Chris does as well. Ethan and Sheva have suspected something between us, but I told them you were straight. They didn't believe it but accepted it." So basically, everyone around them thinks they are fucking... fantastic.

Wait... "I that why no one has tired flirt with me. They're scared to piss you off." Oh, that makes so much more sense. It was weird that out of the hundreds of people she had met not one of them had flirted with her. Especially the ones who have clearly been attracted to her.

Thank God it's that. She was really starting to worry there was something wrong with her.

Alice chuckles to herself that taunting smirk appearing on her lips. "Of course, that's the reason. Not your standoffish personality towards anyone outside of our little group."

"Wow... That was bitchy... Even for you." Jill shoots back trying her best to keep a monotone voice. Which breaks almost immediately and both women just start laughing together.

"I blame the never-ending headache." Alice jokes. With a hint of truth to her words. Jill has noticed that the headache Alice gets from using her powers has subsided. Alice tries her best to hide it but it's bothering her. Not that she will call her out on her on it. Alice has had to deal with so many headaches recently Jill just assumes that she is constantly nursing one.

"I blame your general personality." Fire back at Alice.

Alice places her hand over her heart acting pained. "Wow. Now who's being a bitch."

"A truthful bitch... who can kick your ass." That wipes the smirk off Alice's face. She will never live down the fact that Jill is the better fighter out of the two of them. And Jill will use every opportunity to annoy her with it.

Alice turns back to being serious. "Out of everyone in the resistance, you are the person I trust the most." She doesn't understand the sudden shift in their conversation but goes with it. Alice has a tendency to do this.

"Even more then Ethan."

"Ethan has to put Mia and Rose first. Just like how I put K-Mart, Angie Becky and you first. So yes, I trust you more than him." Alice quickly looks around. "Don't tell him I said that. He will be offended."

She nudges Alice's shoulder "I trust you the most as well."

"I should bloody well hope so... I'm the only person who you talk to." And just like that the joking atmosphere is back.

Jill shrugs. "I don't know Sheva seems pretty trustworthy." Out of everyone else on the council, Sheva is the only one Jill actually likes. Other than Ethan but he's family he doesn't count. Leon is a big no. And Ada... she has no idea if she likes Ada or even trusts her. Wesker is a no and the others she doesn't really care for getting to know outside of their work.

Alice's posture softens. "She is... I'm glad you two get along." Alice pauses taking a deep breath. "If I die tomorrow, I want you to take Becky."

Now she knows why Alice changed the subject. "We're not doing this whole Will and Final testament, Alice. You are going to be fine. You, Ethan and Angie." She doesn't want to think about that. Think about watching Alice die yet again.

"It's just a precaution," Alice replies taking hold of her hand. "I just need to say it... Just in case."

"I'll look after her," Jill promises hating this conversation.

Alice leans forward and presses a kiss to the side of her head. "I know. And I love you more for it." Don't cry. Don't cry. You can't break down now. Alice tugs on her hand slightly. "Come on we should make sure the three of them aren't planning something nefarious." Alice stands to walk away but hesitates. "Unless you need a minute."

Jill shakes her head banishing any negative emotions. "No, I'm good. I promise." She adds on seeing Alice's questioning gaze.

The two of them head back over to their girls and Jill meets Claire's gaze with her own glare. She will be having words with the red head soon

---

Jill is with Alice after another argument with Leon. The asshole loves trying to push all of Alice's buttons which pisses her off more than it does Alice. Ada watches and after Leon storms away turns to Alice.

"Nice to see you making friends."

Jill bristles seeing the other woman taunt Alice but remains quiet because she doesn't know Ada and Alice's relationship. Alice has always spoken highly of her and told her that Ada was the one to help Jill and Carlos pull off Detroit. So, she will give the woman the benefit of the doubt. "Oh, you know me. I make friends everywhere I go."

"Clearly." Comes Ada's unamused voice.

Alice doesn't seem bothered with how Ada is acting so she keeps watching. "Am I going to going to get an explanation as to how you two met," Alice asks looking in the direction Leon stalked off on.

"Wesker sent me to Spain to investigate something. Leon was sent by the American government. Our paths crossed." Jill blinks at Ada's words. Is that it. That's the whole story. That doesn't tell them anything they don't already know.

Alice rolls her eyes at Ada. "That was very helpful." Jill feels glad that she isn't the only one annoyed with Ada's lack of explanation.

"You worked with the man for two years. And I hardly got an intel on him from you." Ada responds not caring at all.

"We both worked for the Treasury Department. Not even on the same team. What I told you was all I knew. That's it." Alice states. She and Leon barely interacted back then so she isn't sure why Leon had this stick up his ass over Alice. The dark-haired woman not liking him after he tried to leave Becky behind to die is understandable. Leon holding a grudge with Alice over her disagreeing with him and leaving to rescue her daughter doesn't make sense.

It's like Leon goes out of his way to annoy and piss Alice off. Only it's never Alice who fights back it's always her jumping in before Alice could lose it on the blonde man. At this point, she's starting to think she's basically Alice's bodyguard against the man.

"So, it seems." Ada bows her head towards Alice. "Abernathy." Ada then turns to her but barely blinks an eye at her. "Security Chief Valentine." And with those parting words Ada takes off heading in the same direction Leon stormed off in. Jill has to refrain from following off after her. The woman knows full well why she hates being called Security Cheif Valentine yet she does it anyways.

"What a bitch." Alice laughs but doesn't argue with her. Instead, Alice grabs her arm and pulls her towards the training room. It's the only place the two of them can not have to worry about other people. Even back in their little apartment they are constantly worrying and festering over the kids. When outside of their apartment they have to play the role of leaders and commanders against the armies of the undead.

But the gym is the one place where they don't have to think about what others think or worry about what's happening outside. They can just spar with each other and have some fun. They are pretty equal with each other in terms of skill leading to most of their matches ending in a tie. Alice has to hold back a lot to make it fair since Wesker forcibly reinjected her with the T-virus and gave her back her abilities.

Unless blades are used. Alice is far more comfortable with a sword in hand then Jill is with her staff. But she still won the fight in Russia. Much to Alice's annoyance.

Their sparing goes the way it normally does. They joke and mess around with each other in between trading blows. Not anything that could actually hurt the other person. They're not that stupid. However, as time goes on Jill notices the way Alice's movements become more sloppy. Like she isn't really paying attention anymore.

Taking this opportunity Jill manages to off balance Alice and flip her onto the ground before pinning her by sitting on her waist and holding her arms down. Realistically she knows with Alice's improved strength she could easily shove her off but Alice just relaxes under her grip. "What's going through that head of yours Wonder Girl." Because something is clearly bothering her.

Alice sags into herself. "Nothing." Jill glares at her. "I just miss Claire is all."

Releasing Alice's hands, she gently brushes a few stary strands of hair off of Alice's face that were bothering her as she tries to blow them away. "We'll find her again Alice," Jill reassures her. "We have the White Queen scanning for her everywhere between here and LA. We are going to locate her soon."

"It's been seven months," Alice responds gloomily. "It's the longest we've ever been apart, and the last time were we apart Umbrella had caught her with a Scarab."

Jill doesn't let her go down that dark way of thinking. "But she escaped and survived on her own in the wilderness for months. She has Chris with her, and they will be fine. No doubt they are trying to find you and K just as much as we are looking for them"

"I guess."

"Well, I know so." She hops off of Alice and helps her up. "Now come on I'm here to spar not just beat you up."

Alice scoffs that playful fight coming back to light. "Oh, it is so on Star Girl."

"No powers." She warns knowing full well that Alice has cheated before