A/N Any feedback welcome. All mistakes are mine, I edit and edit, but I am sure there are still a lot of mistakes. I apologize in advance. Enjoy

CHAPTER 5

Claire was in the garage working on modifying their latest collection of vehicles in preparation for future supply runs when she was handed official orders from Wesker. She read over the document and there was to be a meeting scheduled. Claire felt sudden dread, anytime there was a meeting it usually meant bad news. Claire set down her tools and asked Hugh, one of her mechanics, to finish up. She wanted to talk to Wesker before the meeting later that night.

Claire walked up to the oval office and as expected the guard stopped her. "Do you have an appointment?" Slightly miffed at the situation before her, "No."

The guard unhooked his radio and spoke. After a beat, the guard nodded. "Come with me." The guard then opened the door for Claire and escorted her to the Oval Office. "What's your name kid?" "Victor, sir" They stood outside the oval office and Victor knocked on the door. "Sir, Commander Redfield is here to see you."

A buzz could be heard as the door unlocked. Claire walked through the door, "This is new?" Wesker turned around in his chair eyes glowing. "Yes, as of recently we had an unforgettable visit from Agent Abernathy and Agent Valentine. Because of them measures have been taken." Pointing out the office was under repairs.

Claire defensively crossed her arms over her chest, she didn't like Alice's name coming out of Wesker's lips. After no one spoke, Wesker finally asked, "What do you need Commander Redfield that couldn't wait until tonight?"

Claire uncrossed her arms and walked over to Wesker's desk. "Whatever it is you're about to plan, I want to be on Alice's team."

Wesker pretended to mull it over, his gaze drifting for a moment. "Very, well," Wesker said finally. Claire blinked expecting to be more of an argument, "Wait what?"

"I agree with you Miss Redfield. Now if you don't mind, I have more pressing matters to attend to," he said, waving his hand dismissively. "You are dismissed commander," he added, his tone final.

Chris and Jill were watching the recruits' run laps around the gymnasium. Not one recruit was able to land a finger on Jill, much to her disappointment.

"You could have gone easy on them," Chris said, feeling a little bit of sympathy for the recruits. Some had to leave because they were vomiting.

"Does the undead go easy?" Jill retorted, crossing her arms defensively.

"Touché. Well, maybe we should call it a day?" Chris looked at his watch clipped around his belt. "We still need them ready for tonight's shift."

"You're growing soft on me, Redfield?" Jill smirked.

Chris chuckled at Jill's banter. "No, just... I don't want to die on my watch tonight."

"Hmm... well, I guess we can call it since it is your ass on the wall and not mine tonight."

Jill uncrossed her arms and stepped away from Chris to gather the recruits.

"Alright, listen up!" The recruits stopped running, breathless and dripping with sweat. "You are done for today. You can thank Commander Redfield over here since you have wall duty tonight. You are dismissed." The recruits would have cheered if they could, but instead, they gathered themselves and left the gym, tired. As the recruits filed out, a black woman entered the gym with a recruit behind her carrying files. Jill grunted at the sight of more work heading towards her. She looked over to Chris to complain but saw him smiling broadly at the black woman approaching them. Chris met up with the woman halfway. "Agent Alomar, to what do we owe the pleasure?"

Agent Alomar, with her thick West African accent, smiled and greeted Chris and Jill. "I've come with news and wanted to see how the recruits were doing." She handed Jill more files that were added to her earlier pile.

"I hope this wasn't the good news," Jill said in annoyance.

Agent Alomar laughed at Jill's sarcasm. "No, that news will be delivered by President Wesker. There's a meeting later for all agents and commanders. You are expected to be there."

Chris blinked in surprise. "The last time we had one of those it was to get Alice."

"You would be correct."

"Well, are you going to tell us what it is about?" Jill asked in exasperation.

"I don't even know. However, that is not why I am here. Agent Valentine, you have a new batch of recruits that signed up today. You are to meet them here at 0600 at the urgency of President Wesker.

Jill frowned at the word urgency.

"Those files will fill you in. Someone you may even know signed up today." Sheva winked at Chris and nodded to Jill as she and her recruit walked out of the gym.

Chris smiled bashfully as Sheva walked out. Jill noticed and scoffed at Chris. "You never change."

Chris looked at Jill. "Jealous?"

Jill laughed. "Of you? Nah, you wouldn't even have a chance."

Chris cleared his throat at the sudden threat, and Jill chuckled at his response. "Don't worry, you're not-so-subtle secret is safe with me, and she isn't exactly my type."

Chris smiled mischievously. "What is your type?"

Jill didn't respond. She took her files with her and walked out of the gym to find an office to prepare for tomorrow's recruits.

Jill went to find an empty room or someone who could direct her to a place to put all of her stuff and take a shower. She was wandering aimlessly and was about to relent talking to a recruit when she saw Ada talking to one of the recruits.

"Ada!"

Ada turned around at being called by her first name, ready to admonish whomever it was. "Agent Valentine?"

Jill skipped formalities, "Hey, I need an office or a room or something," Jill said, holding up her files to emphasize her point. Jill scanned Ada and decided tease the agent. "Wow you clean up well, almost didn't think it was you without your heels" Jill stared at Ada's 'Casual attire' of a red shirt and brown cargo pants and boots.

Ada regarded her, ignoring the jab at her state of dress. "You can use mine. I use the office as storage anyway."

"Okay, and where would this be? Care to show me?"

Ada didn't really have the time to play hostess, but she figured she would this one time. "Very well. Follow me."

-/-

Alice was with the more seasoned recruits, killing a wave of undead with sporadic axemen making their way to the wall. Most of the recruits just watched Alice kill the waves coming at them without having to waste any ammunition. It was both comforting and scary to have someone of that much power around them.

Alice figured this was the first of many that were on their way at Rain's command—or was it the Red Queen's command? Either way, she thought she might get her answers at tonight's meeting. She really disliked Wesker's plan and wondered if it was a trap to lure her away from her friends and Becky. Who would care for Becky? Jill would, Alice thought. However, a meeting would be pointless if Wesker was just going to kill everyone. He might as well have her there too. Or was it to make the killing easier since humans were easier to deal with? Then why reinfect me?

Too much introspective was distracting Alice, and killing was no longer the diversion she was looking for. Alice then focused her rage on a single target and took it out on the axe man approaching her location. The single blast took out several undead along with him, leaving a small crater in its wake. Alice knelt from the exertion it took. She was breathing heavy as beads of sweat dripping from her body. She felt a coppery smelling wetness trickling from her nose and wiped it away.

"Whoa, who pissed on your breakfast this morning?" Chris's joking voice came up from behind Alice. His smile changed to concern noticing the blood as he went to help Alice up. "Jesus Alice! Are you alright?"

Alice's vision was blurry, but she could focus enough to look at Chris as she stood up. "Yeah."

Chris regarded Alice. He knew she could overexert herself and wished she would respect her limits or have someone to watch her back.

Alice went to wipe her brow, but her headache was becoming too blinding for her vision. She knew what was going to happen next. Before she could say anything, Chris was able to catch her in time.

Alice blinked away at her grogginess and felt refreshed. A moment of panic set in as she saw the familiar white walls and smelled the sterile environment, causing her heart rate to spike. Familiar hands grabbed hers, and Alice realized Claire was sitting by her side, waiting for her to wake up. Alice calmed down, and her heart started to steady.

Alice swallowed thickly. "May I get some water?"

Claire nodded, relieved that Alice was okay. "Yeah, I will be right back and send a doctor over."

Alice wondered how long she had been out. The last time she passed out, she was out for a few days. She mildly panicked that she had missed the meeting when Claire arrived back with a doctor.

"Agent Abernathy, you gave us quite the scare." The doctor began to check her vitals.

Alice drank the water greedily, avoiding Claire's stare for the moment. "How long was I out for?"

"Three hours."

"That's it?"

"What do you mean, 'that's it?!'"

"I mean, I just expected..."

"To be out for days like you used to when you used too much energy. Alice, you are not invincible," Claire reprimanded, her own heart rate rising.

Alice bowed her head, not wanting to argue. Anger crossed Claire's features, she knew she was upset, despite her glare having the intensity of a thousand suns. She didn't mean to pass out; she was just tired of fighting all the time and worrying about her friends and family. Despite having the T-Virus again, things were easier in some ways and harder in others, keeping everyone alive was one of them. Alice would have kept self-berating, if the doctor had not arrived.

"You are going to be okay, Agent Abernathy. Your healing abilities are exceptionally fast. I will sign your discharge papers, and you are free to go." The doctor handed the assistant Agent Abernathy's paperwork to be filed as they walked away.

Claire's eyes softened. "You can't be so hard on yourself anymore. You have Becky to look after now. Please promise me to keep that in mind the next time you throw a tantrum."

Alice reddened at Claire knowing the reason why she had overextended herself. Alice gathered herself as she got up. Claire waited by her side in case she needed any help and wanted an excuse to touch. Alice sensed Claire calming down and grabbed Claire's hand and squeezed for emphasis. "I promise."

They walked out of the infirmary together, hand in hand. "How did you find me?"

Claire laughed nervously. "I was going to look for you to see if you wanted to have lunch. That's when I saw Chris carrying you to the infirmary."

"Oh, I will have to thank him then." Alice smiled appreciatively.

"I guess," Claire said dismissively.

Alice peeked at Claire at her tone change. She heard Claire's heart spike, but it wasn't out of excitement. It was more of... anger? Jealousy, maybe?

Alice smirked to herself.

"We have time before the meeting. Do you want to grab something to eat?" Claire asked hopefully.

"I would actually like to see Becky if you don't mind."

Claire dropped their hands, trying to hide her disappointment. "Sure, okay. I guess I will see you at the meeting then?"

"Or you could come with me?" Alice smiled, grabbing Claire's hand again.

Claire kept her head down, hoping her hair was hiding her blush at Alice's directness in grabbing her hand and the invitation to get Becky.

"I'd like that."

Leon was overseeing teaching recruits' hand to hand combat when he spotted Ada near the gymnasium door. Ada pointed her head in the direction to follow her. Leon waved his hand in acknowledgement.

"Recruits fall in." Leon announced. The recruits lined up awaiting instruction. These were the more experienced recruits, too much of the approval of Leon, not a lot of hand holding was necessary. Leon scanned the room, "Lieutenant Krop"

"Yes sir" Krop stepped forward.

"You're in charge, I am stepping away."

"Yes sir" Lieutenant Krop saluted.

Leon walked in the direction where Ada left. He found himself outside near the rooftop balcony that oversaw what was left of Lincoln memorial. Leon sighed at the sight and smell of the undead, he would never get used to it. He dug out a cigarette from his pocket and lit it. Distracting himself from the smell and stress.

"Aren't we dying fast enough?" Ada came out from behind wherever she was coming from. Leon exhaled, "Cute, it's like you almost care?" Ada smirked at that. Leon took another drag and then exhaled. "So, not that I don't enjoy the view," he eyed Ada. "But tell me why we are here?"

Ada stepped forward close enough to make Leon gulp audibly. "It's about Wesker." Leon chuckled humorlessly finishing the remnants and flicking the cigarette off to the side. "What about him?"

Ada stepped back to gauge Leon earnestly, "What I am about to tell you stays between us, unless I say otherwise." Leon turned serious and nodded.

"We are running low on supplies, and I have put in several requests for supplies runs all have been denied. That is not the suspicious part. We are starting to have people missing"

"What do you mean missing? Are they leaving the ground without permission?"

Ada shook her head, "No, they are reporting to the infirmary and then they just disappear after being discharged."

"Houdini disappear or not reporting in disappear?" Leon asked as he grabbed another cigarette from his pocket. He was running low on his pack and promised it would be his last one for the day.

"Is there a difference? This reeks of Wesker. I want Alice involved, but with our history," Ada smirked "I wanted to get your opinion on it first." Leon scanned the documents and then looked up. "Get Alice in on this. I think you're right. This has Wesker's fingerprints."

Jill sighed; Ada wasn't lying about keeping the office as storage. There were chairs and desks in the office that were littered with paperwork that Ada obviously ignored. Jill wondered if she could do the same. However, her sense of duty and wanting to make up for her earlier actions were more important. Jill reached toward her chest, feeling the crevices left from where the scarab once was. She finished cleaning off her desk and somewhat organized the room to make it an actual workspace. Looking at the time, she figured she could get a little bit of work done. Jill sat down and went ahead to go over her files. She opened the first file and saw a picture of a familiar blonde.

Jill put her hands to her head, trying desperately to rub off an oncoming headache. "Fucking hell. You have got to be shitting me."

Alice left Becky with K-Mart, ignoring for now the orange piece of material around K-Mart's arm. Claire had to sign off some paperwork and said she would catch up with her at the meeting.

On the way to the Oval Office, Alice caught up with Jill, and they started walking together. Jill didn't say anything other than nodding to Alice. Sensing something was off, Alice put her hand on Jill shoulder signaling her to stop. "Hey, is everything okay?" They stopped walking, and Jill's jaw started to clench. Debating on whether to tell Alice what happened the last time she was in Wesker's office, she decided against it for now. "Do you trust him?"

Alice caught the hesitation from Jill but answered, "I don't."

"But you trust me?"

"I do." Alice said without any hesitation.

Jill had mixed feelings about Alice's decision to save her. She looked up at Alice, "I thought you would say 'Give him a chance or something, sentimental"

Alice smirked. "First, there is nothing sentimental when it comes to Wesker. The man's a sociopath. Also, I'm more complex than everyone thinks."

Jill laughed. "Hmm is that so? You saving me is saying otherwise."

Alice shrugged in response.

Jill grew serious, "Never let anyone tell you your humanity is a weakness."

Alice felt a tightness in her throat, blinking away tears. She didn't respond; instead, she just smiled shyly. Feeling better with Alice's support, Jill nodded towards the direction of the meeting. "And just so you know, it's because of you that I have to go to this fucking meeting."

Alice laughed at that. "Come on, let's get this over with."