And here we go...After multiple nations and a few close calls...
The bar was quiet; save for the locals who frequented the little watering hole. A few new faces had taken up a nearby table, merely nodding to the patrons already there before taking their seats. The bartender wiped the warped wood down, having poured "the stray dog" another round. The air thick with cigarette smoke which surrounded him as he took a long hard drag before smashing it into the ash tray. He was indifferent towards the younger man a few seats down, dining on a steak.
"Hard to find a good steak around here," the spiky hair brunette attempted to make conversation. "Not like back home."
Chris grunted and downed the last bit of vodka, slamming the glass back down on the counter. He took a quick look at him: An olive green jacket of some kind with the sleeves rolled up. A plain white shirt peeking through the partially zipped front.
"Another round."
The bartender shook her head but didn't deny him drink. However, she only gave him half, which he was less than pleased about. He looked down incredulously. What the fuck was this!?
"Filler up!" He waved the glass.
"You've had enough." Chris didn't realize he was being watched.
"Listen, sweetheart," he snatched the bottle and topped off the glass, "Your job is to look pretty and pour drinks. So how about you shut your mouth and pour?"
The spiky haired man continued slicing and eating, internally disgusted by the scene playing out. Before Chris could take a drink, a smaller hand snatched the glass. The abrupt splash of vodka to his face temporarily stunned him.
"How about you get the HELL out of my bar?!" She coldly demanded.
"Got nowhere to go," Chris collected the bottle and staggered from his seat. The younger man stayed seated, fingers linked as his peripheral caught the older man heading for the door. The hurried steps of a local patron caught up to Chris who gripped his shoulder. At first, he spoke in his native tongue but realized the stray dog didn't understand him.
"The lady asked you to leave."
Bad move by the local as Chris spun around, slamming the poor man to a table. One hand pinning him to the splintered wood as the other spun the bottle around, poised to strike. Before he could make his assault, something kept his arm mid air. Chris snarled and spun around, angered at whoever stopped him. When he was done with that bastard on the table, he was going to show whoever...
"You," The pressure in his arm increased. Standing before him was the woman from his dreams. Glacial blue locked with shocked chocolate.
"What the HELL is wrong with you!?" She snarled, snatching the bottle from his hand. Chris stumbled back, falling into a rickety chair.
"You..." Was all he could say. "It's you..."
The hardened stare softened slightly. The spiky haired man soon joined her, both taking seats across from him.
"Who the Hell are you?" His eyes trained on the man.
"Piers...Piers Nivans," Piers hoped his name would jog the man's memory. "Do you know who I am?"
Chris shook his head. "Never heard of ya."
"What about her?" Piers gestured to his companion. Chris looked at her, taking a long hard look. It was her. The woman who flooded his dreams. Flashes struck his mind. Images of her, causing him to wince in pain and press the heel of his hand to his forehead. Bright short visions like a movie spliced together.
"Do you know who she is?"
"Never met her either."
"Alex," she spoke up. "My name is Alex." It dawned on her. The tearing in her chest felt as if a hot knife had ripped into her heart. "He doesn't remember, Piers," Chris watched Alex fight the surging pain rushing in. Her jaw clenched and hands curled into tight fists. What the fuck was going on here?
"Well, how about this," Piers pulled out his phone then thrust it in Chris' face. The older man studied the photo. It was from Edonia. The baffled expression answered his question.
"What is that?"
"Bioterrorism, Chris."
"Bio..." Another stab of searing light pierced his sight. This time, images of men in uniforms, writhing in agony, reaching out for him. "What the Hell is that?"
"Don't remember? Then how about them!?" Piers retrieved a series of photos, casting them in Chris' face. Chris blinked and tried to look away but he wasn't getting off that easy.
"DAMN IT LOOK!" This time, it was Alex. She shot up, slamming her hands on the table, causing everyone to stop and stare. "LOOK. AT. THEM!"
The patrons watched with interest. So, the stray dog had owners.
"Those were your men! They died under your command! You owe it to them to remember!Their names were Ben, Carl, Andy and Finn. Men who were loyal to you!"
The flashing images of the deceased soldiers got to Chris. He looked away, refusing to cast his eyes on them. Guilt. Guilt was rushing in. Guilt over what?!
"ENOUGH!" He shoved Piers back, refusing to the subjected to any further bullshit from these two.
"Shit," Alex shook her head in anguish. "Six months of searching for you. Six months of dive bars and taverns. Six months of dead fucking ends. And this is what we find! A drunk sad shadow of the man we know and respect. A pathetic shell of the man I fell in love with. You're not Chris. No, you're an impostor."
Chris shook his head, forcing himself to sit up and face them both. He spotted the ring on her finger. His head tilted, that sensation of something furiously clawing to the surface. He knew that ring.
"Chris, it's perfect! She won't care about the size. All that matters is it came from you."
"Alexandra..." Alex perked up. "Your name is Alexandra Meredith Koch."
"That's right," she nodded.
"We met at a bar...You got drunk..."
"And you helped me to the bathroom."
"Yeah, you were...pretty hungover the next day. I took you home and stayed the night."
"Hey, Chris, Chris Redfield, you can stay in my bed with me..."
Piers watched, seeing the familiarity returning. Chris then turned to him, seeing the patch on his sleeve. His lips spelled each letter like a child learning to sound out a word.
"B.S.A.A..."
"That's right, Captain," the younger man nodded. "We've been waiting for you."
"We?"
The scooting of chairs and shuffling of feet made Chris look up and behind the pair. Jettingham, DC, Marco, Jeff, and Quint created a half circle around them.
"It's time to come back, Captain," Jettingham crossed his arms.
"You're needed," DC spoke up.
"It's not the same without you," Marco shook his head.
"Not that Jettingham is a bad leader or anything," Jettingham cast a look at Jeff who played innocent. "What?" Cripsin rolled his eyes.
"Looking for you was like looking for the Holy Grail," Quint couldn't let the movie reference be passed up.
Chris sat, unsure of what else to say. Alex rose and rounded the table. She offered a hand.
"Do you trust me?"
He reached out, taking her left hand. His finger traced the tiny silver band and meager stone. Alex watched his larger hand cover hers. Chris hung his head, shame surging through like tsunami.
"I left you," he whispered. "I abandoned you."
"And I searched for you. We never stopped."
Alex knelt down, forcing him to meet her eyes. "Chris, it's time to come home."
Her voice softer, just above a whisper. The cutting edge from her eyes gone, rounding into pools of tenderness.
He simply nodded, letting her lead him away.
The flight to Paris felt like an eternity. Chris fell asleep, using Alex to curl up against. Piers observed the fierceness in his hold. Alex couldn't sleep. She had been on the phone with Claire and Jill, keeping them updated. Claire wanted to kick her brother's ass for pulling this stunt. Jill, after getting through the initial anger and echoing Claire's sentiment, expressed elation.
"You should get some sleep," Alex noticed the dark circles ringing Piers' normally bright eyes.
"I don't sleep great on planes," he sighed.
"It feels strange," she peered down, running her fingers through Chris' short dark hair. He had showered and put on some of the clothes she packed. "We spent six months searching, chasing a mirage. But now, it just feels odd not driving through some former Soviet republic or Slavic nation right now. It had been our normal for so long."
"Does feel different," the marksman agreed. "Was nice not sleeping alone."
"Sorry if I kicked you."
Piers snorted. "I guess I can forgive you."
"I forgive him," she admitted. "After everything that happened, everything I went through, we went through, I forgave him the day he left. I didn't know it until now. Pain is powerful. It can mask all other emotions and thoughts."
Her fingers continued to absently card through his hair.
"At least he remembered you."
"Somewhere, deep inside, he never forgot. It was hidden behind a veil. All those memories are just hidden. Dr. Teague told me sometimes, memories can be temporarily submerged and it just takes something: a person, word, scent, sound or even color to unearth those memories. Maybe all the drinking was his coping mechanism for what happened."
"Piers..." Chris groaned and stirred in Alex's lap.
"Captain?"
Chris didn't respond. He was dreaming, perhaps of a better time with Alpha Team. At least, that's what Piers hoped. The marksman watched as Alex leaned back and closed her eyes, exhaustion winning over.
Chris dropped his bag as Alex locked the door. A part of her expected to turn around and see Piers standing there.
No, that's not happening anymore. Chris is back.
"You okay?" She placed her bag on the luggage rack.
"Yeah, just tired. Damn jet lag," he turned and faced her. His chapped hands covered her face. "I can't believe you looked for me."
"What do you mean?" She tilted her head.
"That day in January, I made the choice to leave. Yet, you still came for me. You and Piers searched for me; got DC and Jettingham to help."
"You don't think you deserved to be found. You're wrong, Chris. You have people who love you; people who care about you."
Alex grabbed his face, bringing him down to her waiting lips. She put everything she had behind it, all her love, pain, passion and anger.
"I love you. That never changed. It will never change."
His hands grabbed her face, pulling them closer together until their foreheads and noses came to rest against one another. The stench of tobacco and alcohol gone. The long forgotten scents of musk and earth taking their rightful place. He felt his lips pressing over hers, sending jolts across every nerve throughout his body. Chris briefly pulled back but returned with heated fury. His burning lips consumed her, starting at her jawline. Alex tilted her head back, wielding control over to him. The hurried hungry nips and bites marked her neck but would vanish as fast as they appeared. Chris tugged at her shirt, the offensive garment had to go, craving more of the sweet heated flesh. Alex stepped back, pulling it up and over her head, offering more for him to savor. Her chest heaved as she stood there. His large hands teased and caressed, exploring more of his beautiful gift.
"So perfect," he growled as his fingers unfastened each hook one by one. Her hand dared to cup the growing bulge in his jeans. A tiny smile ghosted across her lips at the sharp thrust of his hips into her palm.
The abrupt rush of air caught Alex off guard. She yelped at her body being spun around, encased his Chris' arms. The softness of the comforter brushed across her sensitive skin as he gently lay her on the bed. The massive wall of muscled covered her body, keeping her still.
"Mine," the possessive whisper danced across her ears, sending shivers down her spine. Her nipples hardened in response; perfect buds for him to suckle and fondle. Chris's mouth attacked, suckling and licking each breast. Alex gasped and arched her back, hands running though his short dark hair.
"Keep going," she groaned. "Please, Chris..."
The invisible path of kisses and bites mapped lower down her abs, pausing at the hemline of her jeans. Alex watched, lust lighting her eyes as he unfastened the button then drew down the zipper in an excruciatingly slow manner. Jet black cotton peered between, beckoning him in. His hands gripped the waistband, tugging and guiding the form fitting material down her legs and to the floor. She shot up, grabbing at his shirt, yanking it up. Chris chuckled and peeled it away, returning his attention to the last bit of clothing on her body. His index finger massaged on the outside of the panties, feeling the dampness collecting. The pad of his finger rubbed and teased, watching her writhe on the bed.
His fingers gathered the elastic, nudging her to raise her hips. Alex obeyed, eyes never leaving his as she lay bare on the bed, unwrapped and all his. Only his. Chris dropped to knees, licking his lips at the wavering ripples of muscle in her inner thighs. Her arousal evident with the thick ribbons that tantalized his senses. He had to taste her.
He watched her legs go wider, inviting him to sample the sweet nectar. Two fingers slowly breached her body. Chris withdrew, pressing his fingertips along the receptive walls, feeling them grow slicker in response to his touch. He wanted to go slow, drink in this vision beneath him.
"Fuck, you feel amazing," Chris breathed. "Gonna take my time with you. Take you properly."
Her heart raced, skin ablaze as he increased his thrusts. The pad of his thumb circled around her swollen clit, pulling the spring inside tighter. Her hips rocked in sync with his hand, eyes closed as she hurled toward the edge. Chris grinned, watching her fuck herself faster on his fingers. He leaned in, letting his lips brush across the shell of her ear.
"Don't fight it, Lexi, I want you to come for me," the tip of his tongue traced the outside of the sensitive skin.
Alex felt her muscles lock, and lower body snap. Her high pitched cries and moans were music to his ears. Chris could only groan at the crushing of soft wet flesh against his thick digits.
"So fucking beautiful," his voice echoed in her ear. "You should see yourself."
Alex continued to ride each crest, tears pricking the corners of her eyes. Each pulse slower than the previous, her mind returning to her body. Chris gently withdrew his fingers, her slick hole still clenched. He devoured the essence that coated his fingers, savoring each drop. Alex's eyes fluttered open, following her lover as he feasted. His tongue running around each digit, catching each precious bit. Before she could utter any word, Chris rolled to his side, taking her lips in a sweet kiss. The tangy hints of her orgasm tingled across her tongue. Her hands shot out, unfastening the button and tugging down the zipper.
"Someone wants it," he rose, stripping the pants and boxers away. Alex watched this little show, his thick cock curled up, pearly drops crowned the tip. The image of him filling her with it only reignited her hunger. Chris dipped down on the mattress, hovering over her.
"What?" She smiled coyly.
"Nothing," he shook his head and lowered his muscular frame. "I am going to go slow," he breathed across her skin. Her legs instinctively locked around his waist as Chris made good on his word. More moans and gasps filled the room as he pushed inside inch by inch. Alex swore she was going to cum right then and there but held back. They lay there, bodies getting reacquainted with one another. She took him so beautifully, perfectly.
"I love you," he whispered and started to thrust his hips. He'd pull out, leaving the head buried before sliding back in. The tip rubbing against the sensitive gathering buried deep inside. Alex couldn't form any words. Each syllable dying on her tongue as their bodies came together. It had been too long for Chris. He remembered many nights he would stroke himself, thinking of Alex after those dreams, before he remembered her. It was never enough.
He felt it. The coiling at the base of his cock, fanning into each ball. He wasn't going to last much longer. And the way his lover's body was reacting, she wasn't going to either. The wetness surrounded his cock, pulsing of her walls only milked his body to the precipice. Her quiet drawn out moans signaled her end.
"Fuck, Lexi," Chris panted, his body acting on its own accord, rutting violently like a animal in rut.
"Need to feel you," she gasped. The tightening now unbearable. A few most thrusts...
Alex's lips formed a perfect O, her voice gone silent as the second crest washed over her. Every muscle in her body locked, only the perfect slick walls kissing the rigid prick were moving. Chris quickly joined, the first wave spilling inside. His body wasn't done. Several waves flooded, some seeping out onto the blanket. His cock softened, withdrawing from her body. Chris caught his breath, rolling onto his side, bringing Alex with him. The couple spent several moments, basking in the afterglow. Hands mindlessly running along sweat laced skin, lips tasting sweat and salt.
"I love you too," she whispered. Alex curled up against Chris, his arm draping over her. The deep rhythmic breathing told him she had fallen asleep. Chris took a moment to peer down, seeing how much at peace she was.
"I'm not leaving you again," he declared.
The soothing jets cascaded over as the lovers shared a shower. Chris lathered Alex's body, running his hands across and over each bit of skin. How long had it been since they shared such an intimate act? Alex lifted her arms, reveling in how attentive he was. His touch was gentle, mindful of the tender area between her legs.
"My turn," she grabbed the soap. Chris couldn't but help to groan at the feathery touches. Her fingers sweeping over the massive tower of muscle; over every scar, each one she could recall where and how each one came to be. The caresses continued, dipping down the wall of ripples that made his abs, then traverse along the sculpted legs and tight ass, avoiding the semi-hard erection. The rippling planes of his back wavered against her touch. All the hard hours of training and fighting had crafted this immaculate form.
Chris spun around, the thick ribbons streaming down his body. He draped his arms around Alex's waist, drawing her in. His swollen lips eager to reclaim hers. His cock grew harder as her hips ground against him, drawing a growl for her efforts. Alex only grinned into his mouth, victorious as Chris pushed back, rubbing his rigid prick between the overstimulated folds. He carried on with this sweet torment a few moments more before spinning her around and pressing her to the cool granite wall. The welcomed intrusion drew a long groan as he steadily pushed in and up until his hips were flush with her ass.
Their fingers linked tight, bodies lost in the erotic dance. This time, Chris went harder and faster, wanting to hear those delicious screams.
"Chris!" He bit into the back of her neck, just enough to leave a mark but not draw blood. His hands slid down, curling into the meaty parts of her hips. Alex pushed her ass out, changing the angle his cock was striking the sweet spot within. Fuck, he felt amazing.
"That's it, Lexi, cum for me," Chris threw his head back, the fluttering of her body sending him over. His body and mind tumbled into ecstasy as he claimed his lover a second time. Alex felt her legs get weak, knees start to buckle. Chris felt her start to shake and drew her backwards into his body. He held her tight, afraid she'll be lost to him again.
His arms created a protective circle as they nestled beneath the covers. Alex missed this; she missed them, these moments. Through the darkness, her hand reached out, coming to rest on the side of his face. He was there, she reassured herself. Everything that happened, had been real. Once her mind understood, Alex felt her body begin to relax and drift towards slumber's open arms. Chris wasn't far behind, his own anxieties quelled.