Resident Evil: Phoenix by Red Hope

Chapter 11

Claire shifted uncomfortably in the hard, wood chair then adjusted the Glock in her lap. She softly sighed but looked at K-Mart, who slept soundly in the bed. At least somebody was sleeping well tonight.

After her one-sided argument with Alice, Claire checked on a few things in the ship and read over the daily reports. Then she retired to K-Mart's quarters for the night, but so far it was a long night. She suspected it was nearly three in the morning and sleep still eluded Claire. It wasn't any surprise since her thoughts were on Alice. Plus attempting to sleep in a desk chair wasn't exactly relaxing for anybody.

K-Mart hadn't asked too much, but she knew enough that Claire wasn't happy with Alice right now. She'd given as much support as Claire would allow her. K-Mart also offered her roommate's bed because she suspected her roommate, Erica, may not return tonight from the hospital. Yet, Claire argued that Erica may still return and took the desk chair.

Claire spread her legs slightly then dropped her head against the wall again. She reached up and tugged her white hat's brim over her face. She squeezed the Glock's grip then fought to go to sleep again. It was fairly useless, and she grumbled at her situation. Briefly she entertained the idea of going to her quarters, but she just wasn't ready to face her partner.

After a throaty sigh, Claire dropped her head forward and folded her arms with the Glock now tucked under her right leg. She planned to have a better night's rest tomorrow, come Hell or high water. Just as Claire's ramped thoughts slowed, a low pain surfaced in her upper, center chest. Claire inhaled deeply yet it didn't recede and actually grew in strength.

Claire lifted her head and breathed deeper in hopes it'd subdue the pain. But it kept coming and started frightening her. She focused better on it and realized her body was receiving it through her weakened bond with Alice. Her internal alarms sent her body into a frenzy.

Claire scooped up her handgun and silently bolted from the chair. She was only thinking clearly enough to leave the room without waking up her sister. She took a careful second to quietly close the door, but she raced down the hallway. Every fiber in her told her that the sharp ache in her chest was really Alice's pain. Claire didn't think her legs could carry her fast enough.

The run to her quarters had taken at least three minutes, and the pain had intensified. Claire went from being worried to scared by the time she made it to the closed door. She shoved her way into the quarters and instantly her eyes settled on the empty bed. But the bathroom's light caught her attention next.

"Alice?" she called in panic. She noted Alice's revolver on the nightstand, and Alice wouldn't leave without it. Claire raced through the bathroom's open door. She nearly toppled over Alice, who was on her hands and knees on the floor.

Alice gave a low cry and continued clutching her chest with her left hand. Years ago she remembered this same wrenching pain in Raccoon City after she escaped the hospital.

Claire was distraught but tossed her gun into the sink then dropped beside her partner's side. "What's going on?" She touched Alice's covered shoulder, but she instantly felt the intense heat coming through Alice's shirt. "Jesus."

Alice grounded her teeth against another scream. She was soaked in sweat and bright red in the face like she was being choked. Claire's sudden presence gave her the only comfort while her chest continued tearing apart from the inside.

Claire had no idea how to help and hesitantly touched her friend. "What can I do?" She felt as helpless as Alice.

Alice shook her head once then she couldn't contain her next low scream. All her great strength was taken from her, and she collapsed onto her right side next to Claire.

"Oh my god," Claire breathed. She reached around her partner's waist. "God, please," she gasped. She feared that Alice could be dying.

Alice pressed her back into Claire's knees and quickly grabbed Claire's nearest hand. She held on as the piercing blaze continued targeting her chest. She shut her eyes and rode out the wave in hopes she'd survive it. This was worse than the last time.

Claire curled over her partner and held her tightly. She gently touched her face against Alice's temple. She barely held down tears and focused on comforting her partner. Claire waited it out until the weight on her chest began to pull away. Then her ears filled with the sounds of Alice gasping for air.

Alice sucked in another large breath now that the flames receded from her chest. She loosened her grip on Claire's hand and became limp against the floor. This time was definitely far worse than anything she'd experienced in the past five years since the virus first entered her body.

Claire sat up but carefully lifted Alice and pulled her into her body after she had her legs on either side of Alice. She gently drew Alice in closer until Alice's back molded into her. Claire watched how her partner slumped against her.

Alice dropped her head on her friend's shoulder and shut her eyes again. She touched her forehead and wiped the moisture away. There was still a dull ache in her chest, and she was quite weak from the experience.

"I'm sorry," Claire murmured into her partner's hair. She adjusted her arms around Alice's stomach. "I should have been here."

Alice shook her head, but she didn't have the energy yet to speak. She went through the last experience alone. She hadn't expected Claire to come for her, especially so quickly.

Claire reached for Alice's face and pulled away a few damp strands from Alice's cheek. She tilted her head to the side and had a better look at her friend's profile. "Almost gone?"

Alice nodded and placed her hand on Claire's propped up knee. She cleared her throat and murmured, "I started thinking I was..." She hesitated and turned her head away so a cough could pass through her. Alice turned her features towards Claire again. "I was being punished for hurting you." She gave a weak grin.

Claire shook her head then argued, "I said I'd put you through the haul... not give you a heart attack."

"I rather be put through the haul at this rate," Alice murmured.

Claire finally smirked and teased, "I can arrange that."

Alice gently squeezed her partner's knee. But she didn't discredit Claire's earlier promise about what would happen if she broke Claire's trust again. She'd learned her lesson, thick headed or not.

"Can you get up?" Claire softly checked. She wanted to move Alice into the bed.

Alice decided it was worth a try. She started getting her boots under her and lifting up, but she found her knees nearly useless. "Shit," she cursed under her breath. But she didn't topple because Claire had her.

"I gotcha," Claire promised. She helped her friend up further. "Come 'ere." She directed her partner to the sink only a few feet away. She grabbed her Glock with her left hand and put it away in her waistband. "Can you make it?" She shifted her right arm across her partner's back.

Alice hesitantly studied the distance to the bed. She couldn't handle more than two steps, yet she made an attempt. But her first step nearly took her down except for Claire's support.

"Alright," Claire murmured, "time for Plan B." She steered her friend back to the sink. "Hold onto the sink for a second."

Alice wasn't sure what her friend had in mind, but she grabbed the ledge. Before she could figure out anything, Claire was lifting her up into her arms. "Claire..." She faltered now that she was perfectly in her partner's strong arms.

Claire grinned at her friend's surprised glance up. "You're lighter than you look." She easily carried her partner out of the head and to the bedside.

"You know how to flatter a girl," Alice teased.

Claire chuckled but focused on lowering Alice into the untouched bed. "I see you've slept as well as I have tonight."

Alice rolled her eyes but got onto the bed. She inhaled deeply but started for her shirt so she could get out of her damp clothes.

Claire caught her friend's hands and decided she'd do it.

"Claire," Alice fought, "I'm not paralyzed."

Claire sighed dramatically but still pushed Alice's hands away from her stomach. "You need to quit being an old mule before I go back to K-Mart's room." She peered under her brim and smartly added, "Then you can do it all your damn self."

Alice became defeated and lowered back onto her elbows. She decided not to do anything unless instructed otherwise. "Yes, my queen," she mocked.

Claire had a faint grin at Alice's resignation. "An old mule can learn new tricks." She was pulling Alice's unbuckled belt free. She stole a look at her friend, whose eyes had turned back to a sea green. Claire set the belt aside then sat down near Alice's knees. She started unlacing the boots.

"You really scared me there," Claire whispered. She wanted to know what happened to her friend.

Alice sighed and rubbed her face with her right hand then returned her arm under her body. "It's the virus," she murmured.

Claire hesitated before continuing to remove Alice's footwear. "Which virus?"

Alice shook her head because she wasn't sure. "I'm mutating." Again she found concerned blue eyes on her. "This happened to me before."

Claire was displeased but took Alice's boots and belt over to the dresser. "How did you mutate last time?"

Alice couldn't properly explain it because she didn't understand it fully. But she did her best after gathering her thoughts. "It was something internal last time." She watched Claire's back in the low light from the bathroom. "Something in my body changed from the T-virus." She lowered her eyes to her lap. "But that was in my arms... legs..."

The leader returned with Alice's folded sleepwear in hand. "This was in your chest," she whispered. She set the clothes aside then helped her partner sit up and get changed for bed. "Jill said the mutations don't stop with the G-virus."

Alice shook her head but slipped out of her top and took her tank top from Claire. "But it's hard to say what the two viruses will do together."

Claire silently agreed with her partner. "Create something totally else," she guessed aloud.

"Probably," Alice muttered. "Maybe only certain effects of each virus will make themselves apparent."

Claire helped her friend take her dark jeans off. "It's no use speculating." She grabbed Alice's flannel bottoms. "We're just going to have to keep our eyes on this thing."

Alice nodded and sat up enough to pull her pants on right.

The leader took her partner's worn clothes and placed them on top of the dresser for later. She suspected Alice would rewear them again before washing them. "So far your telekinesis is stronger."

"Psionic powers too," Alice checked off.

"Blue eyes," Claire chimed in. She was taking off her accessories like her belt, gun, VHF radio, and hat.

"Superior strength," Alice added to the list.

Claire partially turned and argued, "Didn't you have that from the T-virus?"

Alice half shrugged then swung her legs back on the bed. "Yes, but I think it's stronger."

"Mmmm." Claire went back to getting ready for bed. "Accelerated healing and telepathy."

"The healing is faster now," Alice noted aloud. She was resting in the bed with her hands under her head. "The telepathy is new."

Claire was mentally counting but asked, "Anything else?"

"I can lay golden eggs," Alice joked.

Claire smirked despite her back was to Alice. "A lot of good that does us now," she teased. She turned her head sidelong, which revealed her grin.

Alice chuckled but enjoyed her partner's amusement.

Claire took off her top and lazily folded it before putting it on the dresser. She took her clothes and strolled towards the bathroom.

Alice thought cotton was in her mouth once she had her first glimpse of Claire simply in her jeans and bra. Her green eyes were locked on Claire's casual stroll to the bathroom.

"You're also more..." Claire paused a yard away from the open bathroom. She glowed in the soft light, and her blue eyes brightened when she tilted her head. "Animal-like."

Alice parted her lips some, but she was lost on a reply.

Claire slipped into the bathroom and mostly closed the door but left a crack open.

Alice stared up at the ceiling and seriously considered her partner's observation. She couldn't argue that she was a wolf on the hunt when she was in San Diego. She felt good and in her prime when she fought the undead and Goliath. It excited her blood and wired her instincts into full power. She'd actually rather enjoyed it. Her thoughts derailed when her partner came out of the bathroom.

Claire switched off the light then slowly made her way around the bed. She took her side after setting her Glock on the nightstand. She didn't really need it because Alice was more than capable of taking care of them. But she still slept better knowing it was near, it was an old habit after five years.

"How do you feel?" Claire murmured once she was settled under the bedsheets with her partner.

"Better." Alice remained on her back like normal. But she found a strong arm coming across her stomach.

Claire shifted onto her stomach once she was beside her partner. She didn't plan to sleep on Alice like normal after what'd happened tonight in the bathroom. She figured one night somewhat separated wouldn't hurt them.

Alice sensed her friend's breathing was gradually slowing, but she couldn't help rousing her friend. "Claire?"

"Mmmm?" Claire was obviously worn out from today. Yet she warded off sleep for Alice's sake. "Yeah?" She turned her head around so she could see her partner's face.

"None of those things bother you," Alice observed.

Claire took a second to understand what her partner was saying to her. There wasn't any moment that Claire was bothered by her friend's powers or bonded blood. She bit back a yawn and murmured, "No." She shifted her right arm under her pillow. She made light of it by teasing, "I always had a soft spot for superhero chicks."

Alice rolled her eyes but a thin smile pulled at her full lips. "Let me guess Supergirl was your favorite."

Claire smirked at her partner and slowly opened eyes. "Somethin' about those tights, ya know." She watched Alice's smile go devilish. "I specifically loved the Matrix version of Supergirl from the post-Crisis reboot back in the 80s."

Alice blinked once then turned her head to her partner. "What?" Her brow was deeply furrowed.

Claire laughed and decided explaining the comics to her friend wasn't worth it. She simply explained, "Her powers were telekinesis, psionic blasts, super-strength, invisibility, invulnerability, super-speed, and shapeshifting."

Alice quickly determined that her partner had indeed read the comics at a younger age. "Wow, Claire."

Claire chuckled and proudly stated, "I had my nerd moments."

"Apparently you still do," Alice muttered under her breath. She grunted though when Claire squeezed her stomach hard. She flashed a grin at her partner. "Sorry I don't shape shift."

Claire gave a large sigh as if disappointed and shut her eyes. "That's alright... this whole blood bonding thingy makes up for it."

"You say that now," Alice softly teased.

Claire chuckled and verbally poked her friend back. "I know. It'll probably be worse than marriage."

Alice shook her head despite she was amused by her partner. "You agreed last night," she playfully reminded.

Claire looked at her partner and took it more seriously, but for Alice's benefit. "I'd do it again and again." She silently yawned and turned her face briefly into her pillow.

Alice softly hummed at her friend's loyalty to her. That made her think about what she'd done earlier tonight with Jill. The guilt resurfaced and flooded her, badly. She prepared to talk to Claire after she'd thought hard about it all night. But her words crashed because Claire spoke first.

"Let's not talk about it tonight," Claire gently ordered. She knew exactly what was on her partner's mind thanks to their rekindled bond. "We can in the morning."

Alice relented because her partner was right. It was already rather late, and they both needed the rest. She was in fact keeping Claire awake, but she appreciated that Claire had come to her when she was hurting. "Thank you," she softly offered in her husky voice.

Claire smiled into the pillow. "Anytime, Alice." She added a gentle squeeze to her partner's stomach. She felt better despite what'd happened between her and Alice tonight. They'd work it out in the morning then move on from it.

Alice easily fell asleep after Claire dozed off first. She slept rather heavily until she was harshly jolted awake by Claire's low cry. She was distraught to find her partner having another nightmare. She had a sense of how ugly it was thanks to their bond, but she quickly woke Claire up from it.

Claire sat up some and swallowed a few deep breathes before falling back into the bed. She rested her hand on her forehead until her racing heart slowed down. "Wesker," she murmured and turned her head to Alice after she lowered her arm. "He's still alive."

Alice was on her side and propped up. She shook her head and gingerly touched her partner's burning forearm. "We saw him blow up, Claire."

Claire licked her dry lips and argued, "That doesn't change the fact that he's still alive."

Alice stiffened at Claire's words that mirrored what she'd said about Matt Addison after he'd been twisted into the Nemesis. "Claire..."

The leader sighed and looked away from her friend. "We were fighting him in a desert." She swallowed hard then whispered, "He's alive... I know it, but I hope I'm damn wrong."

Alice hoped so too. She reached over and drew Claire into her body.

Claire curled up against her partner, who was being protective even against her nightmares. She shifted onto her side and pressed her back into Alice. She didn't worry the dream anymore and instead tried sleeping a bit longer before dawn.

Alice stayed awake for awhile but eventually slept another two hours. She and Wesker had survived the plane crash in Japan. She shouldn't be anymore surprised he'd make it out of the explosion. She silently cursed his name. Next time, she would make damn sure he didn't come back.

Claire stirred awake just after nine o'clock. Somehow she'd found her way on top of Alice last night. She was nestled against her partner's side and had her head tucked under Alice's chin. She hummed when Alice ran a hand over her back under her tank top.

"Sleep better?"

Claire smiled at her partner's rumble voice. She loved how it transferred into her and vibrated her chest. "Yes." She shifted her head slightly lower and pressed the side of her head against Alice's chest. "You?"

"Oh yeah." Alice stretched some, and it felt great. But Claire's sudden stiffness made her go still. "What-"

"Sssh," Claire gently ordered. She lifted her head and placed her right ear over the left side of Alice's chest. She carefully listened and couldn't believe it. "What the..." She quickly shifted her ear over to the right side.

Alice was lost and waited for the leader's explanation.

Claire finally raised her head and settled her confusion on Alice. "You have..." She watched Alice's eyebrow arc up at her. "You have two heartbeats."

Alice's breath hitched, and she sat up slightly until Claire grabbed her hand.

"Feel it." Claire directed her partner's hand to each location.

Alice could clearly discern the different hearts' beats that work together. She understood what'd happened last night.

Claire was on her right side and peered up at her friend. "You didn't have this before." She'd rested her head on Alice's chest prior nights and didn't pick up on it.

"No," Alice murmured.

"It's the mutation from last night," Claire concluded. She couldn't believe it and wondered why the G-virus caused this. But there weren't any scientific answers for them.

Alice tilted head back further and warded off the dark anger.

Claire frowned at her partner's emotions. She cupped Alice's cheek and murmured, "We'll get through this."

Alice shut her eyes and struggled with staying calm but her voice slightly trembled. "And what will you do... if I start having tentacles like Wesker?" She already had the glowing eyes like Wesker, but her eyes weren't cat like.

Claire pictured it and a few smart remarks came to mind, but she restrained herself easily. She stayed neutral and replied, "I'll worry about it if it happens."

Alice understood her partner wanted to take it a step at a time. She let out a strangled breath and brought her arms around Claire. The feel of Claire's solid body against hers helped to anchor her again. She opened her eyes and carefully studied Claire. "Why?"

Claire shook her head at the obscure question.

"Why do you stay?" Alice whispered.

Claire realized what was going through Alice's mind. She could go down a list on why, but she simply replied, "I believe in you."

"And I hurt you last night," Alice argued. She didn't expect Claire to stay close to her after what'd happened last night with Jill.

Claire shifted off her partner now that the discussion returned to last night's fight. "Yeah... you did." She couldn't argue the obvious. "But I thought about it last night." She placed her hand on Alice's warm stomach. "I'm being too hard on you."

Alice was stunned by Claire's words and stared warily at her partner. "Claire..."

"When did you seriously have a friend you were close to?" Claire countered. "Any relationship with somebody?" She saw Alice wasn't going to really reply to the obvious. "Probably since the outbreak if not longer... from what I've learned about you."

Alice glanced away until Claire spoke again.

"I know you had to be traveling alone for years after the outbreak." Claire watched her friend's faraway stare. "You did what you want... didn't answer to anybody." She shrugged and argued, "I have to recognize that I'm probably the only person you've been close to in a real long time."

Alice silently agreed that she wasn't use to answering to anybody. However, she felt it didn't give her the leeway to go behind Claire's back. She'd poorly reacted to her upset about Angie Ashford and her past.

"Just... try not to do that again," Claire murmured. She found concerned green eyes back on her. "We are a team." She shrugged and assured, "I would have confronted Jill with you."

"You're right... about all of it," Alice agreed. But she wasn't happy with herself by any means. She was thankful that Claire was understanding and forgave her.

Claire sensed her partner's turmoil still. She knew only time would wear it away. She tenderly kissed Alice's temple and murmured, "Come on." She wanted to get moving and figure out what time to do the meeting with Jill and everybody else.

Alice shifted out of bed and took a quick shower after last night's experience. She felt revived and didn't notice any pain or leftover ache from the mutation. She set aside her thoughts about the G-virus and mutation before it ruined her mood.

Claire was nearly ready to go after Alice come out of the head. She and Alice shortly left and grabbed their VHF radios. They went directly to the galley where they were joined by K-Mart and Chris for breakfast. K-Mart nearly asked Claire what'd happened last night after K-Mart discovered her sister gone. But she withheld her question because she was unsure whether or not Chris knew about it. It would just have to wait until later.

At the table, Claire mentioned a meeting in the late morning, which Chris agreed to. He promised further he'd let Luther, Jill, and Leon know about it. With that in mind, Chris finished his breakfast quickly and departed from the group.

K-Mart tapped her fork on her nearly empty plate then looked between her sister and Alice. "You guys have had a lot of meetings."

Alice was done her breakfast, except for her orange juice. She crossed her arms on the table and held her silence.

Claire softly sighed but quietly explained, "We're deciding where to go from here."

"To Alaska?" K-Mart guessed. She looked from Claire to Alice, who wouldn't meet her gaze.

"We're not sure yet," Claire honestly confessed.

K-Mart gave a huge breath then played with her French toast stick. "I wish I was in the meeting."

Claire shook her head because she didn't wish the stress on anybody, especially her sister.

"Claire, I'm not a kid," K-Mart fought.

The leader frowned at her sister, but she was cut off before she could say a word.

"It's not about that," Alice gently explained to the young woman. She finally looked at K-Mart. "Claire is trying to keep you away from having the responsibilities on your shoulders." She watched K-Mart's changing expression. "You'll lose a lot more sleep when you have these peoples' lives in your hands."

K-Mart was troubled by Alice's explanation. She wanted to be at her sister's side, but she agreed that making decisions for over two thousand people was very scary. She already slept restlessly if she thought about the infection and Umbrella out there.

Claire felt her sister understood now. She appreciated Alice handling it because she was sure her explanation may sound like an excuse to K-Mart's ears. But since it came from Alice, then K-Mart would let it go, hopefully.

"We should start your studies again." Claire hoped the change of topic would be good.

K-Mart slumped back into her seat. "Why?" She slightly relented though. "I mean I get studying English and Math." She shook her head and argued, "But learning history is dumb when humans are nearly extinct anyway."

"Hey," Alice warned. "History is very important." She flashed a dark glower at the young woman. "I wish I could remember my own." She leaned against her arms on the table. "I was a history minor in college."

K-Mart blinked and stared in awe at Alice. She didn't expect that tidbit, and she lowered her arms to her lap. "What was your major?"

Alice smirked and simply answered, "Forensics Science."

"Really?" Claire was quite intrigued.

Alice dipped her head, but she could tell both of them were curious to hear more. She drummed her fingers once then gave in to them. "I was planning to join the Raccoon City crime lab after I did five years at Umbrella." Her lips turned down though. "But the money was good at Umbrella."

Claire tilted her head and toyed with her brim in the worn spot. "I could see you as a cop."

K-Mart chuckled and teased her sister. "Tall, dark, and in uniform... totally hot."

The leader glared at K-Mart.

K-Mart had a grin but looked at Alice. "I watched CSI all the time."

Alice slightly narrowed her eyes until she realized K-Mart was talking about a television show. Now a small smirk pulled at her lips.

"Law and Order SVU was way better," Claire fought with her sister.

"Ooooh let me guess," K-Mart poked, "Olivia Benson was your cream puff."

Claire suddenly threw her balled up napkin at her sister.

K-Mart barely ducked out of the way and softly laughed at getting her sister's goad. "You probably loved those Fast & Furious movies, I bet."

Alice leaned back and enjoyed the show.

"Those movies are exceedingly better than your Harry Potter hang up," Claire tormented.

K-Mart rolled her eyes but became serious. "It sucks we'll never get to see the rest of the movies from the books." It nearly depressed her.

Claire shook her head and teased, "Horrible." But her grin shifted into a deep smirk. "I guess you'll just have to read the books now."

"Ha," K-Mart grumbled. She then looked at the silent one in the group. "You liked Harry Potter, right?"

Alice shrugged and honestly replied, "I didn't have time for movies."

K-Mart was stunned and quickly looked at Claire. "We should fly to the nearest Wal-mart and raid it of all the DVD movies we can then have a movie night with Alice."

Claire could think of more fun things to do with Alice at night. She bit back her evil grin, but her eyes darkened a shade.

Alice sharpened her stare on Claire because immediately she was flooded by Claire's desires. She cleared her throat in hopes it'd refocus them both. "Next raid, K-Mart," she promised.

K-Mart chuckled, but she didn't expect anything either. She then noticed the flush on her sister's cheeks. She looked at Alice, who was staring intently at Claire. K-Mart slotted her eyes at the pair and wondered what was happening between them. It was almost like they were talking but no words were audible, to her.

Claire bit her bottom lip for a second then mentioned, "We should get moving, Alice."

Alice straightened up suddenly. She took her plate then grabbed up Claire's too.

Claire loved how Alice moved in fluent motion. She picked up her glass of apple juice and smiled at her sister. "Catch ya later, K."

K-Mart sat there dumbfounded when Alice and Claire just left her there. "What the Hell?" She watched the pair hastily exit the galley. She then shook her head and tried understanding what'd happened just a minute ago.

Claire was first out into the hallway, but she needed a quick hiding spot with Alice. She reached back and clasped her partner's warm hand. She shoved through a single bathroom's metal door and drew Alice in with her. She noted the motion light lit up the small room.

Alice barely made it into the bathroom when she was thrown back against the door. She had a brief gasp of air before Claire's lips smashed against hers. She drew Claire against her and tangled her long fingers in Claire's soft, red hair. Alice released a low growl after her partner pulled away for air. She cupped Claire's cheek and dove under the hat's brim for another heated kiss.

Claire loved how her blood encouraged her partner's primal instincts. But she pushed Alice back against the door then went for Alice's neck. She tasted the burning skin under her tongue, and the spice excited Claire's senses. She bit the side of Alice's neck and received a throaty growl in return.

Alice drew her nails across Claire's lower back. She had a bright blue ring around her pupils, but she closed her eyes and dropped her head against the door. She attempted holding down her raw hunger for her partner. Alice found it more difficult as Claire's hot lips traveled across her skin.

"Claire," Alice softly warned her partner. She was facing the edge.

But Claire had lost most of her focus, and she struggled for a hair of it. She lifted her lips to her partner's ear and argued Alice's thin resistance. "We're already bonded through blood."

Alice groaned when another wave of Claire's passion flooded her through the bond. "I don't know." Her voice sounded like thunder between them. She struggled with her blood's need to be with Claire. It was far stronger than anything she'd faced, especially compared to a human's sexual desire.

Claire knew she could win her partner over after enough assurance, but the stalled moment had cleared some of her mind. She rocked onto her tiptoes and continued kissing her partner. She coaxed her partner out of her shell with each kiss. She could feel Alice getting closer and closer.

Alice let out another low rumble. She sucked in a growl through her clenched teeth and finally looked at her partner.

Claire felt a shock travel through her stomach at seeing the blue glow in her partner's eyes. She nearly spoke a few simple words that would surely win Alice over. She parted her lips, but her voice came out quite manly.

"I got the meeting setup for in fifteen minutes."

Instantly the blue in Alice's eyes faded away, and she was jarred by hearing Chris's voice booming in the bathroom thanks to their radios.

"Shit," Claire cursed. She covered her frightened heart after she thought Chris was in the bathroom with them. She glanced over her shoulder just in case, but it was only them. She ripped her radio off her hip but turned the volume down some.

"I heard ya, Chris." Claire fought to keep the annoyance out of her response. "We'll see you in fifteen."

"Great. See ya, little sister."

Claire rolled her eyes at her brother's tease. She hadn't heard that in quite awhile, and she couldn't hide the smallest of smiles. She shook her head and peered up at her partner. "We'll continue this... discussion later," she promised.

Alice grinned and didn't say anything that her bond didn't already tell Claire. She peeled off the door and decided on a light kiss to Claire's soft lips.

Claire had a grin but reached behind Alice and pulled on the door.

Alice stepped out of the way then followed her partner out of the bathroom. She pulled up short only because Claire had suddenly stopped a few steps into the hallway. She followed her partner's embarrassed glance to K-Mart, who had just exited the galley.

K-Mart stood there with her hands on her hips. She eyed her guilty sister then studied Alice, who was stoic.

"We better get to that meeting," Claire informed Alice.

Alice held back a laugh, but the amusement was apparent in her words. "Right behind you, my queen." She gave a nod to K-Mart. "See ya later, K." She took two wide steps and caught up to her moving partner.

K-Mart continued shaking her head at the pair. She definitely knew something was up with those two. She'd have to corner Claire at some point in the future, very near future.

Claire let out a low breath once she and Alice rounded a corner. "I feel like a kid."

Alice clamped down on a smart remark, but her eyes gave her away.

Claire pointed at her friend. "I don't want to hear it." She slammed into the stairwell's door and forced it open.

Alice revealed a dark grin and questioned, "Just how long do you think you can hide this?"

Claire was climbing the steps alongside her partner. "You mean this or that?"

Alice considered what 'this' or 'that' was until she realized her partner meant the blood bond when it came to a 'that'. She shook her head and raised a very important question, to her at least. "Why are we calling the other night 'that' and... earlier in the bathroom as 'this'?"

Claire sighed and reminded, "You don't know how thin these steel walls are." She believed everybody was listening to them.

Alice rolled her eyes and rounded the stairwell to the next set. "Nobody cares about what's going on between us... whether it's this or that."

"Please," Claire muttered. "Humans are nosy by nature, and I'm their leader."

"Ship Gossip," Alice conceded.

Claire smirked but opened the next door for them. "But back to your question... I figure not long."

"We kind of make it apparent," Alice agreed.

Claire crinkled her nose at her friend. She pulled her white hat's brim over her features then opened the wheelhouse door.

Alice followed her partner into the empty wheelhouse. But they weren't alone for long when Luther arrived first. Alice greeted that former star and noted how Claire only nodded at him. She finally decided that Claire was edgy with Luther because he seemed to like Alice. It took a lot of self control not to smirk, and Alice merely bit the inside of her mouth.

Claire warmly greeted her brother then welcomed Leon and Jill next. She instantly saw how Jill and Alice sized each other up. She also wasn't surprised by Alice coming to her side. Claire noted Jill's instant annoyance about it. She inwardly sighed but decided to get the meeting started rather than allow an undercurrent of tension build up further.

"So our biggest problem right now is Umbrella," Claire started. She folded her arms and leaned against the table. "How are we going to keep these people safe from Umbrella?" She searched her comrades' faces and saw varying degrees of concern. "I think at the start of this outbreak it wasn't an issue. Umbrella didn't care about survivors but now..." She sighed and her face darkened a lot. "Now they need humans for experiments."

"What experiments?" Leon posed. He looked at his former partner for an answer.

Jill glanced at the leader first and received a faint nod of approval. She briefly looked at Leon before addressing the entire group. "Umbrella has competition from an unnamed competitor, who is breaking into the market of bio-organic weapons."

"Who are they?" Luther brought up.

Jill shook her head. "Nobody really knows." She frowned and continued explaining what's learned during her stint at Umbrella. "Umbrella and the Organization are competing to develop the perfect bio-organic weapon from a stable virus."

"For what reason?" Luther fought. His ire started seeping into his voice. "It's not like there's anybody out there to buy any of this bio-organic shit."

"You'd be surprised," Jill argued. She folded her arms and studied Luther West, who she'd only met briefly in the hospital the other day. "There are some governments still active and rich people that haven't been infected." She sighed and added, "Plus I think it's just a pissing match in some ways. Umbrella can't handle being outmatched by anybody."

Alice softly grunted her agreement about Umbrella's god-like attitude.

"Do you think Umbrella would be desperate enough to use their own people to carry on the experiments?" Claire felt she already had her answer after Alfred Ashford allowed experiments on his cousin.

Jill nodded at the leader.

Claire was disgusted but not surprised. She took that into consideration and posed, "Maybe we can use that to our advantage."

Chris peered down at his sister's thoughtful features. "What are you thinking?"

Claire met her brother's stare. "If we setup strong enough defenses then maybe Umbrella will go looking someplace else than to us."

"It's possible," Alice softly agreed. But she started shaking her head and argued, "It'll only work for so long though."

"They will come for you," Jill emphasized.

Claire clenched her hand and fought, "But it could be enough time to prepare... to be better organized for-"

"War?" Luther finished. He was clearly against the idea. "I counted like over twenty helicopters when they attacked the ship." He saw nobody argued his estimate. "You can't tell me they don't have way more fire power than that."

Claire narrowed her eyes and fought, "We have to make a stand or-"

"With what?" Luther hotly shot off. He held out his hand at Alice next to the leader. "No offense or anything..." He lowered his hand. "But not even Alice can protect us forever."

"Thanks, Luther," Alice complained. She had a raised eyebrow directed at him.

"I'm sorry," Luther offered to Alice, yet he didn't sound sincere. "But even with all your magic moves, you can't keep over two thousand people safe at every turn."

"He does have a point," Jill chimed in next. "We have to weaken them before taking a stand."

"Weaken them how?" Leon debated. "With our highly trained armed forces?" He didn't believe for a second that the survivors could defeat Umbrella forces.

Jill glared at her former partner. "It's better to have an offensive plan than hide."

"It is up to us to take out Umbrella," Leon agreed. "But it's going to cost a lot."

"I think preparing a defense is better," Luther fought next.

"We can train these people to fight," Jill retaliated to Luther. She read Luther's growing annoyance and wanted to poke him further.

"How can we fight the virus?" Luther bitterly debated.

"We have to scrub this virus from the face of the Earth," Leon fiercely stated to Luther. He fisted his hands on the table and strongly enforced, "All of it has to be scrubbed away." His hooded eyes sharply switched over to Alice after his last words.

Alice's offensive instincts immediately woke up, and she grounded her teeth. She curled her right hand into a fist while her right boot softly scraped over the floor. A growl started crawling up her throat, and she prepared to lunge across the table for her new enemy. But a sure grip on her left arm made her snap out of it before she made the grizzly mistake. She blinked away the predatory gloss from her eyes.

Claire barely managed her sensible manners after Leon's menacing threat sent to her partner. She struggled to sooth her partner before it was too late. But she hotly yelled, "Enough!" She was on edge thanks to the arguing, Leon's statement, and Alice's animal-like reaction. She had bright blue eyes and a strangled tone when she stated, "I think I've heard enough."

Alice let out a taut breath, but her darkened eyes never left Leon Kennedy. She struggled against her desire to take him out. She couldn't recall the last time she'd been so singled out and threatened by somebody.

Claire thought she was holding back a wild lion. But she showed her trust in Alice by letting go and was grateful when Alice shifted to her side. Some of the thick air dissipated, but it certainly changed now thanks to Leon Kennedy's obvious opinion about the virus.

Chris made the first attempt at renewing the meeting. He bowed his head some and murmured, "How far is Hawaii again?"

"Like two thousand five hundred miles," Claire answered her brother. She took a calming breath.

"And how far can a V-22 go with ferry tanks?"

"Two thousand two hundred," Claire softly answered. She followed her brother's thinking and explained, "The likely hood that a V-22 with ferry tanks could make it to Hawaii is super slim to nothing."

"So they'll come by ship, most likely," Chris decided aloud. "We could patrol the waters around Hawaii."

"There's most likely armaments still left in Pearl Harbor," Alice softly reminded Claire. "There's an air force base and naval yard there."

Claire was starting to see the appeal for Hawaii. It could be a safe haven from Umbrella if they prepared right. And if they were even smarter then it could become a base of operations for humans. She returned to the present and focused on Jill.

"All those V-22s came from the Houston facility?"

Jill dipped her head in agreement. "The Houston facility is a major base of military operations for Umbrella." She caught a glint in Claire's eyes, and it worried her.

"Have you made your plans yet, Jill?" Claire checked. She didn't have to look at Alice to know that Alice was definitely intrigued now.

Jill Valentine glanced from Alice's inquisitive eyes to Claire and replied, "I am going back."

"What?" Leon grabbed Jill's arm and stared worriedly at her. "Going back to Umbrella?"

Jill frowned and shook her head. "I've got a friend locked up in Umbrella." She hoped her former partner would understand her choices. "I have to get her out of there."

Leon was confused but decided to ask Jill more about it later when they could talk alone. He let go and looked at the surface table's black screen. His mind was moving so quickly that it was starting a headache.

Alice narrowed her eyes slightly at Leon, but she locked stares with Jill. "I will go with you," she stated. She didn't consider the ramifications until after she made her offer.

Jill parted her lips to protest until she caught Claire's movements.

Claire folded her arms and put all her weight onto her right foot. She inhaled deeply then grinned up at Alice, who had worried eyes.

Alice's stomach twisted when her partner grinned at her. She expected Claire to be mad and certainly not smirking at her.

"Perfect," Claire breathed out. She quickly looked at Jill Valentine. "We will form a team and kill two birds with one stone."

Jill become stunned too and breathlessly snapped, "What?"

The leader silently chuckled but the mirth was clearly in her eyes. "We can rescue Angie and take out the Houston facility in one shot." She puckered her lips some. "I think it'll delay and hurt Umbrella... for awhile."

"A team?" Jill softly started. "A team of what... who?" She couldn't fathom a covert team coming from the Arcadia that could handle such a dangerous mission.

Alice's mind had been reeling wildly for the passing minutes until the conversation filtered back to her. Then it harshly struck her exactly what Claire planned to do. Without warning, she fiercely slammed her right fist onto the table and growled at Claire, "No!" She caused nearly everybody to jump in fright.

Claire clenched her jaw and stared at her partner's white knuckles on the table. Gradually her sky blue eyes traveled up to her partner's dark features. She locked horns with Alice through their bond.

"You are not," Alice snarled, "going on this mission." Every ounce of her blood boiled at the mere thought of Claire, her blood partner, facing Umbrella head-on at one of their major military facilities.

Jill and Chris both opened their mouths, but they fell short on words after realizing the invisible battle of wills between Claire and Alice. Chris doubted that Alice really understood what she was up against when it came to Claire. However, he suspected eventually Alice would learn exactly who was Claire Redfield. Chris decided that Alice was goddamn lucky to have Claire's loyalty.

Claire's heavy breathes matched her partner's. Then all around her the air started charging up, and she watched the blue developing in Alice's eyes. It wasn't a scare tactic that would work on her. Instead, she turned her head towards the others and softly ordered, "We'll continue this meeting later... at two o'clock."

The members merely nodded then quickly hurried out of the wheelhouse. Chris entertained the idea of staying nearby for Claire's sake. But he did trust Alice and knew the pair needed the privacy. He forced his legs to carry him down the hall to the stairwell.

Claire waited until all the footfall was gone then she focused on Alice's hot features. She calmly warned, "I don't want to go over this again... after we discussed this morning that we're a team."

Alice had a locked jaw, and it took great strength for her to keep the growls down in her stomach. But her voice had grown deeper and laced with anger. "I don't care." She leaned closer to Claire. "You're not going."

Claire leaned her hip against the table, just near Alice's fist. She lifted her chin so that her eyes were better visible under her brim. In her best civil tone, she clearly stated, "I am going with you." She wasn't surprised when Alice's eyes flared electric blue. But her attention was briefly drawn away by the loose items rising up into the air in the wheelhouse.

Alice's fist was nearly pure white. She snarled from deep in her throat then suddenly walked away from Claire and approached the ship's wheel. She barely acknowledged various things, like the VHF microphone, seats, and pencils, floating in the air. She loudly declared, "You could be killed." Alice swiftly spun around and released all the items from her hold. "Or worse!"

Claire silently agreed that there were worse things than dying, especially these days. She glimpsed at a few things falling back into their homes. But she focused on Alice and argued, "So could you." She shook her head and reminded, "You're not invincible."

"What is there left to be done to me?" Alice fought, bitterly.

Claire pushed off the table and carefully approached her partner. "Take your soul," she sadly whispered.

Alice's shoulders slumped down at Claire's insightful words. The brightness in her eyes slightly dulled away.

"I'm not going to sit on this ship and pray that you come back to me," Claire informed her friend. She came within a few inches of Alice, who was still breathing hard.

Alice shook her head, but her ire was dying down. "These people need you, Claire."

"And so do you," Claire argued. She canted her head and studied her partner's now hesitant features. "I can be replaced as a leader."

"Claire," Alice softly fought. Now her eyes were a worried green again.

Claire had long ago made her choice after she realized what Jill's plans were last night. She knew exactly how Alice would respond to Jill's plans and in turn Claire made her choice. Without question, Claire would become nothing if her blood partner wasn't at her side. She wouldn't be any good to her people if she lost Alice.

"We made choices the other night, Alice." Claire seriously held her partner's stare. "We accepted certain commitments when we bonded together. You know this," she whispered at the end.

"But that doesn't mean my past mistakes have to get you killed," Alice bitterly argued.

Claire appreciated how Alice wanted to correct her past despite it wasn't truly her mistake. She was upset by the weight on Alice's shoulders. "What'll really kill me is if we're separated."

Alice had nothing to say to the truth of it. She bowed her head and thought about some way to stop Claire, but Alice only saw how badly it would hurt Claire and even their bond. She felt a gentle hand cup her cheek and tilted her head back up.

"We do this together," Claire softly insisted to her partner.

Alice saw too many ways Claire could be killed or taken from her. But she held down her fears and instead whispered, "Together." She found Claire in her space, and Alice slipped her arms around Claire's waist.

Claire hooked her hands behind Alice's neck and drew Alice's head down. She brushed her cheek against Alice's brow and let out a sigh. Gradually her eyelids slid shut, and she started to calm down after the ugly argument. She murmured, "I hate fighting with you."

Alice disliked it too, but she decided they were learning each other. "Because you win all the time?"

Claire smiled and chuckled. She was glad Alice's joke lightened the mood. "At least you recognize that so soon."

"But that hasn't seemed to soak into my head yet because I keep arguing with you anyway," Alice bantered. Finally all the tension was gone now that they were teasing. She'd noticed they were teasing more often too, and it was nice.

"You'll get it figured out," Claire promised. She tilted her head and tangled her fingers into Alice's black hair. She finally had Alice's lips and shared an apology for the fight in the slow kiss. But after the kiss, she saw the seriousness in Alice's eyes so she waited for Alice's pending words.

"Just promise me you won't do anything crazy?" Alice insisted.

Claire tried staying serious too, but there was some amusement in her eyes. "You know I won't do anything as crazy as you."

Alice dramatically sighed yet still smirked at Claire's unspoken reference to Alice's landing on the prison rooftop. She lowered her head until she could nuzzle Claire's warm neck.

Claire quietly cleared her throat then honestly promised, "I'll be careful." She sensed her partner's relief, and she didn't need to say more.

"Thank you," Alice murmured into her friend's skin. She brushed her lips over Claire's pulse point, which caused Alice's lips to burn. She could lightly taste Claire's sweetness, and it caused her to softly moan. Yet Alice clamped down on her blood's fire.

Claire caught the quick shifts in her partner. She quietly asked, "What are you scared of?"

Alice sighed and forced her head up from Claire's neck. She honestly confessed, "What this new virus is doing to me." She had a frown pulling at her lips. "I've had sex enough in the past to know what to expect of myself. But this all..."

Claire slightly narrowed her eyes while her partner gathered her thoughts.

"It's all different now," Alice breathed out. "For humans it's about pleasure."

Claire couldn't argue the simplicity of Alice's assessment, but she was curious then what it meant for Alice. "And for you, what is it?"

Alice stared at her partner then shook her head. "I don't know."

"Ah," Claire murmured in realization. "That's what scares you." She mimicked Alice's raised eyebrow technique and asked, "Have you been with anybody since you've bonded with the T-virus?" She immediately had her answer when Alice's cheeks were painted in pink.

"No," Alice quietly confessed. "I didn't find the time in between the lab needles, shooting, and hermit crabbing from humans."

Claire had a faint grin at her partner's playful yet rumble tone. She rehooked her hands behind Alice's neck and softly hummed. "You could have asked in Nevada," she teased.

Alice smirked and poked, "Such an accommodating convoy leader."

Claire chuckled then gently pulled on Alice's neck. "I have a soft spot for tall, dark women."

Alice's smirk went devilish. She bowed her head and murmured, "Lucky for me." She started under Claire's brim but came up short when she didn't find Claire's lips. She drew back in surprise and saw a bewildered look on Claire. "What?"

Claire leaned back after sliding her hands to Alice's shoulders. She clung tightly and tilted to one side. She kept oddly studying her friend.

Alice was befuddled by Claire's twisted features. "Do I have a third eye or somethin'?"

Claire swatted her friend's shoulder then her brow deeply furrowed. "I think... you're..." She started bobbing her head and stated, "You're taller."

Alice released Claire and seriously considered her height.

"Like by a few inches, I think." Claire tried gauging it, but her friend shot her a suspicious look. "I'm serious." She lowered her hands to Alice's hips then stood with her back straight. "Usually we're like eye to eye, almost." She shook her head. "Now I'm looking at your throat."

Alice hadn't considered it until Claire pointed it out, but she was able to look over Claire's head now. "You're shrinking," she debated and grinned.

"How tall are you?" the leader challenged. She then corrected, "Were."

Alice folded her arms and replied, "Five foot and eight inches."

"I'm five foot seven." Claire canted her head and argued, "You're pushing Chris's height."

"What is he?"

Claire racked her memory, and it took a bit thanks to the last of the P30's troubles. She finally answered, "I think six or six one."

"That's four or five inches." Alice didn't believe it, and it showed on her face.

Claire admitted the boots gave Alice half an inch, but so did her own. She knelt down and yanked on Alice's pant leg. "I know damn well the base of these jeans covered your boots." She stood up and informed, "They're way too short now."

The hybrid glanced down at her jeans and sighed at how they were shorter. They were actually somewhat silly looking too. "It's another mutation."

Claire shook her head after brushing back a stray red lock. "It must have happened last night."

"Probably," Alice distantly murmured. She kept staring at her pant leg.

The leader touched her friend's arm and promised, "I'll find you some new jeans." She then curiously checked, "Your boots fit alright still?"

"Yeah." Alice shrugged but did consider it. "They're not any tighter."

Claire nodded. She made a mental note to take care of Alice's clothing issue. She could swap out the regular jeans for long ones from the supplies. It was an easy fix. She shifted gears then nodded at the door. "Come on."

Alice followed her partner out the door. But she mulled over the newest mutation along with her second heart. She wondered what else the G-virus had in store for her. She set aside her thoughts and focused on Claire, who remained at her side through it all. Alice couldn't control a smile after she looked at her partner.

Claire must have sensed it because she mirrored back Alice's smile. She was relieved that she and Alice came to an understanding about the new mission. Claire didn't look forward to it, but she wasn't scared only because Alice would protect her. Otherwise going against the Umbrella Corporation with only a few handguns wasn't good for any human's health. Now she needed to do plenty of careful preparing with Alice and Jill for it to work out right. Then hopefully Umbrella would get a taste of their own medicine.

Continued.