Epilogue: One year later

It took eleven months for the cure to sweep through the United States. Other parts of the world were still waiting for the cure to reach them. For the survivors of the convoy, Arcadia, and Washington DC, the best option was to start a new settlement. They found a place on the coast of the Pacific Northwest that had not been laid to waste by the virus. By unanimous decision, Claire Redfield was elected to be their leader.

Claire elected Carlos to be her righthand man. L.J. continued to work with Carlos, acting as security for him and Claire, and Mikey was part of their office staff. Chris was chosen to lead their small military, and he was assisted by Ada Wong and Leon S. Kennedy from the Washington DC survivors. Angie chose to join the medical field as a student, along with K-Mart.

As for Alice and Jill, they were given the task of starting a police force. It would be under Jill's direction, as Alice just wanted to be her support. So far, they had enlisted Luther West to join the department.

For the first time, Alice and Jill were able to host dinner for their friends in the house they had found abandoned and fixed up. Everyone was there, sitting around a big table and sharing a combination of rations they'd found and food their community had grown. It was a lovely evening filled with nothing but smiles and laughter.

"We should get going. We have to be at the hospital early in the morning," Angie said.

"That's right. First thing," K-Mart seconded.

Angie and K-Mart were roommates, and they lived just two houses down from Jill and Alice. They parted after sharing embraces, and that began the end of the evening. L.J. was next to go.

"Thanks for the grub, ladies. It was delicious, but I got me some hardasses for bosses that want me in the office by eight o'clock," he said as he bid them farewell.

Carlos and Claire rolled their eyes at that. Chris stood with a huff. "He forgot that I drove us here. I should go anyway. I have a meeting with Ada and Leon in the morning. They have some new recruits to run by me."

He left shortly after L.J. Claire checked the time and sighed. "This place won't run itself. I have a million things to do tomorrow too. Mikey wants to meet with me about a few new policies. Thanks for dinner. I'll host next time."

That left only Carlos with Alice and Jill. He offered to stay to help clean up the mess. Once the dishes were in the sink, they made some coffee. They didn't have to say much. Their silences were comfortable. Jill cleared their coffee cups and plates, leaving Carlos and Alice alone for a moment.

Carlos smiled at Alice. "You know, after everything that we've all been through, there's one thing that makes me happier than anything else."

"What's that?"

"The fact that you and Jill made it. I used to be jealous of her, but I see how the two of you are together. You two…the love you have…it's what all of us fought to save when the world ended. We couldn't have survived without you, and I don't think you'd be complete without each other. Don't ever let her go. I don't have to tell her to hold onto you. She's been enamored with you since day one. You're both very lucky."

Alice hugged Carlos. "Thank you for being a great friend to us both."

Jill walked in at that moment, but she only smirked. Carlos saw Jill and opened an arm to her. She joined the embrace. When it was over, Carlos headed to the door. "I'll leave you to your evening. Just don't stay up too late. You do have a police department to run."

"Goodnight, Carlos," Jill chimed.

Once he left, Jill and Alice had the house to themselves. Alice smirked at the mischievous expression on Jill's face. She held up a finger. "Don't say it."

"Say what?" Jill asked innocently.

"Don't play dumb with me, Jill Valentine. I know exactly what you're thinking."

"Do you?"

"I do."

Jill stepped towards Alice and took her by the hands. She leaned in for a kiss, yet she stopped just short of Alice's lips, whispering. "I call little spoon."

"See? I knew you were going to say that. I knew it."

"Then why didn't you call it first?"

"Maybe I want to be the big spoon."

They finally kissed and then prepared for bed. Alice held Jill against her, gently kissing the nape of her neck. They fell asleep, wrapped in each other. It was a peaceful sleep, the sort of slumber that would leave them feeling refreshed and ready to take on their new responsibilities.

It had been months since Alice had any nightmares. Now, the only nightmares Alice had were of what could have happened if she'd left Jill behind all those years ago. She hated to think of a world where she was alone and never knew the love she shared with Jill. Yet, that was a world that did not exist—except in those bad dreams.

And, whenever she woke, she merely had to look at the space beside her to see that Jill was right there…and always would be.

THE END