Resident Evil: Phoenix by Red Hope

Chapter 12

Chris Redfield swung the chair around then positioned it in the middle of the small quarters. "Sit," he ordered.

Jill suspiciously eyed her former S.T.A.R.S. partner.

Chris placed his hands on his hips. "Just trust me."

Jill canted her head, folded her arms, and looked from Chris to the chair and back to Chris. "Aaalright," she drew out. She dropped her arms, strolled up to the chair, spun on her boots, and casually sat down.

Chris shifted behind his friend and reached to his rear waist.

"Don't I even get a cape?"

"Do I get a tip?" Chris challenged.

Jill smirked but didn't reply. She then heard the two sharp blades being tested in the air above her head.

Chris was confident the scissors were comfortable in his skilled hand. He freed a brush from his left back pocket and handed it to Jill. "Brush your hair while I get the clips."

Jill retrieved the brush and seriously wondered about her choice. Yet she did what she was asked and worked all the knots from her long, damp hair.

Chris hooked several clips to his left short sleeve then stole a minute to assess Jill's hair. He wasn't a beautician by any means, but he'd done enough barbering as a young man in his hometown.

Jill set the brush in her lap then ordered, "Let's do this."

Chris smirked then started by carefully arranging Jill's hair before he cut it. He already called up an old mental picture of Jill's hair from years ago. He kept that image in his mind as he prepared Jill's hair. He started cutting but fell into an old habit like he was at the barber shop again.

"So are you really sure about this mission?"

Jill sighed and crossed her legs. "I'm not sure of anything anymore." She shifted her arms onto the chair. "I'm scared for Claire."

Chris hesitated, but he continued cutting Jill's hair. "So am I."

"I don't understand why you're not going," Jill softly confessed.

Chris had already considered Claire's decisions and understood his sister's thoughts. "She knows Luther can lead while she's gone." He shifted to the right and took another lock of golden hair. "But she doesn't trust Luther to wait for you four to return."

Jill puckered her lips. She had to admit that Chris would make damn sure that the Arcadia didn't set sail prematurely. Her thoughts went back to Claire's decision to go on the risky mission. "She could seriously be killed, Chris."

Chris heavily sighed and lowered the scissors from Jill's head. "Please don't remind me." He continued his task. "If I thought I could stop her, I would."

"She doesn't have any training for this kind of thing," Jill hotly stated. "Leon at least has plenty of training from the police academy." She tried staying still for Chris's sake. She rubbed her face then whispered, "I can't believe Alice is letting her." Like others, she thought Alice would have kept Claire from going on the mission.

"I don't think Alice had much say in the matter either," Chris honestly explained. He recalled this morning's first meeting when everybody left the wheelhouse so that Claire and Alice could work out an argument. He shifted around the chair more and continued cutting Jill's front and side.

Jill was baffled how Claire managed to talk Alice, of all people, into letting her join the suicidal mission. She nearly shook her head but instead just went quiet.

Chris tossed a few blond locks to the floor then straightened up and assessed the styling so far. "You think you and Alice can make it there and back without another fight?"

Jill grinned, devilishly at the security officer. "That's what Claire is there for." She enjoyed Chris's low laugh so she further joked, "She'll keep us separated like a couple of kids."

Chris chuckled, but he was actually glad to hear the joking from his friend. He shifted in front of her and worked on cleaning up the funky bangs. He become serious and challenged, "How long are you going to stay angry at her?"

"As long as it takes to feel better," Jill mocked.

Chris drew back and seriously studied his former partner. "She's a good person, Jill." He continued cutting the golden hair. "I'm guessing too she saved your ass a few times in Raccoon City during the outbreak." He knew he was right when Jill didn't throw out a snide reply or rebuke his claims.

"You know," Jill softly started, "I can get over her shooting Angie and me." She clenched her jaw for a beat then amazingly admitted, "It wasn't her fault."

Chris straightened up after tossing more blond hair to the floor. He was now on Jill's left side, but he oddly stared at his friend. "Then what's the stick up your ass about?"

Jill tilted her head and peered up at the security officer. She and Chris had always gotten along well since high school thanks to the fact they were both blunt to each other. She liked his honesty that she discovered in him once they started talking after classes. Jill was thankful to have him back in her life again.

"She never came for us," Jill bitterly whispered.

Chris frowned at Jill's dark features that confessed years of biting pain from being left in Umbrella's torturous labs.

"We escaped Raccoon City just before the nuke went off," Jill explained to her friend. "We were in a helicopter and didn't make it far enough before the explosion sent us crashing to the ground. Angie almost took some shrapnel to the chest, but Alice took it instead."

Chris imagined the events from all those years ago. He murmured, "What happened then?"

"We crashed," Jill simply answered. "We all made it except for Alice... she was dead." She swallowed down the awful memories of dragging Alice's lifeless carcass out of the debris. "Carlos thought if we left her there that Umbrella would somehow save her. He was right too."

Chris had heard this guy's name once or twice before from Claire. But he hadn't asked much about Carlos. He would have to at some point.

"They took Alice and reanimated her within weeks," Jill told. "Carlos, Angie, LJ, and I put a plan together to get her out of the facility. It worked, and we rescued her from Umbrella... but we didn't know about the chip in her head."

Chris knew the rest of the story from there. He shook his head and took a step closer until Jill spoke again.

"We came for her... but she didn't come for us," Jill murmured. She bowed her head then stared at the wood floor past her feet.

Chris furrowed his eyebrows. "How could she have known you were alive?"

Jill sharply looked up at her friend. "We didn't know Alice would be brought back... but we checked," she snapped. "She fucking went into hiding, Chris and shut out the world when it needed her the most." She was becoming angry again. "Where was she when Angie, a kid, was being tortured thanks to her fucking cousin's orders?"

Chris crossed his muscular arms, but the scissor's closed blades poked out from under his arm.

"Angie believed that Alice would come for us... she clung to it every damn minute." Jill closed her eyes and recalled Angie's promises at the beginning. Even when they were separated, Angie insisted that Alice would save them. But it would not come true.

Jill slowly opened her eyes after she quieted the memories. She flexed her jaw, which had been clenched so tightly. "She came for Claire though," she angrily whispered.

Chris wished he could have been there for Jill, during and after the outbreak. He shouldn't have taken the transfer to Los Angeles. He took a step closer then squatted down beside his friend. "I'm sorry, Jill." He placed his left hand over his friend's fist in her lap.

Jill met her friend's gaze and for the first time since her capture she heard an apology. Chris's simple words were so powerful that they cut through her and pierced her emotions. She suddenly bent forward as a wave crashed over her and forced her to cry after five years of hollowness. She whimpered in pain and clung to her knees for support.

Chris quickly shifted closer after he dropped the scissors to the floor. He managed a sure arm across Jill's lower back. He found pale fingers tangling into his left hand and gripped hard. He held Jill while she wept from her past, her pain, and losses. Chris had heard that Jill had broken down once before when they were kids, but he wasn't there for her. Now he understood what his sister meant when Claire's heart broke and was repaired with Jill's pieces.

Several minutes passed before Jill's sobs quieted into a few whimpers then followed by gulps of air. She regained her strength and carefully sat up in the chair. She wiped away her tears and blinked against the burn in her eyes.

Chris brushed away a few of his own tears before Jill saw them. He cleared his throat and softly asked, "You okay?"

Jill touched her friend's bristly cheek and sadly smiled. "Yeah." She leaned towards him and lightly kissed his flushed lips. "Thank you," she murmured then straightened up. She admired the shy smile he had now.

Chris hastily collected the scissors and reminded, "We're not done yet." He stood up and continued his cutting after he assessed where he'd left off. He also renewed the conversation but on a safer topic. He talked about the past when they were kids and things were a lot easier.

Jill easily fell into the discussions about their days in high school then later at the academy. She and Chris recalled several stories about each other and also Claire. Before she knew it, Jill realized that Chris was done cutting and styling her hair. She didn't waste a beat and went directly to the head where the only mirror was located in her quarters.

Chris casually followed behind and leaned against the doorframe.

Jill stood there, fooling with her hair, and carefully evaluating Chris's skill.

The security officer watched Jill, but slowly a grin spread across his lips because Jill was smiling.

Jill ran her fingers through her now short hair. She missed her hairstyle from back in 2004. But Chris had done a perfect job of recreating it with only his barbershop skills. She turned her happy features to her friend.

Chris nodded at Jill's acceptance, yet he teased, "Just don't ask me to dye it black." He didn't have any color or highlighting experience to speak of and wasn't keen on learning now.

Jill chuckled and looked back at her reflection. "I always wanted to be a blond." She toyed with her long bangs and brushed them to the side. "I should be careful what I wish for."

Chris straightened up and decided to clean the mess in the quarters. Jill helped him and soon he was saying goodnight to his friend. He received a warm hug and thank you from Jill on his way out. He promised he'd have breakfast with her in the morning and told her not to be up late. Jill brushed him off but planned to see him at the galley.

Jill quickly prepared for bed after taking a quick shower. After brushing her damp hair, she heard a gentle knock at the door. A brief déjà-vu from last night came to her, but she knew it wasn't Alice at the door. She carefully opened the door and gave a thin smile to Claire.

"From one Redfield to another," Jill tormented. She welcomed the leader into her room.

"Chris was here?" Claire guessed.

Jill nodded and shut the door. She noted all the items in Claire's arms. "What's up, RC?"

"Got some stuff for you." Claire took it to the bed and set the clothes down. "You'll need 'em for the mission, I figure." She set each individual item down on the bed. "You'll have to let me know if something doesn't fit."

Jill was thumbing through the items and kept bobbing her head. "It looks good." She noted it was all rugged items to hold up during the mission. She then furrowed her eyebrows at Claire. "Boots?"

Claire sighed and explained, "You need to come down and try some on." She put her hands on her hips. "I didn't feel like carrying different ones up."

Jill silently agreed but considered their supplies for the mission. "Tomorrow we're going over the plans?"

"All day," Claire insisted. She looked from the clothes to her friend. "You and Alice need to work together on this."

Jill couldn't hide her displeasure, but she gave a curt nod. "Alright."

"Listen," Claire started, "you're both after the same thing." She gently grasped her friend's arm. "We hit Umbrella and hopefully get Angie out of there."

"It won't be that simple, Claire." Jill faced the leader.

"Let's try to keep it that simple," Claire argued. She released Jill and started to the door. It was late already, and she needed to meet with Alice shortly. Jill was right behind her. "Nice haircut by the way."

Jill grinned. She got the door for her friend and leaned against it after opening it. "Chris did a nice job huh?"

Claire mirrored the grin and looked at the older woman. "Yeah... he did." She recalled how much Jill favored the shorter hair, especially during training at the academy. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Jill nodded and stood there as Claire left. "Thanks, RC," she called to her friend.

"Welcome," Claire's voice echoed back. She continued down the hall after she heard Jill's door shut. Claire walked at a fast pace because she didn't want to be late. However, she figured Alice would call her on the radio if there was any concern. On her journey, she passed a few survivors as well as security members. She greeted everybody too, but continued further below in the ship.

Claire finally made it to an entrance for the main stairwell. However, the door swung open and Leon Kennedy appeared. Claire stepped away from the door and allowed Leon out of the stairwell.

"Hey, Claire," Leon politely greeted.

"How are ya, Leon?" Claire remained cordial despite her skin started to crawl. She was sure her eyes gave her away.

Leon decided he had the leader's candid attention now so he offered, "I'm sorry for my rude remark this morning at the meeting."

Claire brushed it off, but she was still angry about his virus remark. "Don't mention it." She really didn't want him to discuss it again. She didn't need him tempting her protective streak over Alice because it wouldn't be healthy for him.

"I didn't mean to offend anybody," Leon persisted. He placed his hands on his hips and continued the conversation. "I just think to protect humans we have to wipe out the virus... completely." He had a displeased look at such a notion. "How else are we going to survive?"

Claire grounded her teeth but managed, "I think that's a matter of opinion."

Leon sighed and dropped his hands to his side. "Well, maybe you're just not seeing it right... I mean your opinion is being badly influenced."

"What?" Claire challenged. Her tone had dropped to a dangerous level.

Leon shook his head and reminded, "You are friends with Alice." His lips thinned as he considered another aspect. "I'm sure she's influencing your decisions as a leader." He started frowning and added, "It's becoming rather obvious lately."

Claire stepped into Leon's space and sharply asked, "Are you saying I can't lead these people?"

"No, but I think you're not making the best decisions for these people because of Alice's influence." Leon canted his head and stared, curiously at the leader. "I've been told you're a lesbian too."

Claire couldn't restrain the eruption that took control of her. She snarled and jumped forward with her hands coming at Leon. She felt fully empowered when she lifted Leon off his feet.

Leon suddenly lost his orientation as he was spun around in a one-eighty then harshly slammed against the steel wall. All the air was knocked from his lungs then his head was cracked against the wall. He regained his equilibrium after a heavy inhale, but he discovered stormy blue eyes that held murder in them.

Claire wrenched her fists tighter in Leon's navy shirt. She jammed her right knee between his legs and kept him locked against the wall. "Let me explain something to you, Leon," she growled. She leaned until her brim nearly touched his forehead. "There are over two thousand human lives in my hands." She jerked him hard against the wall. "They are my people, and I do not need any small minded bigots on my ship stirring up trouble." Claire paused and allowed her words to sink into his head. "If you become a problem, I will put you back on that infested island where I found you."

Leon nearly grabbed Claire's wrists until he realized it'd be a mistake. He tried calming his heart, but Claire's startling strength and fire did frighten him.

Claire received a distinct alert of her partner's arrival around the bend, behind her back. She didn't have to see or hear Alice to know of her presence. But she focused on Leon. "Second," Claire dangerously continued, "if you ever directly or indirectly threaten," she emphasized, "my partner again then I'll do far worse than what that T-virus will do to you." She then darkly smiled at him and drew out, "Are we clear now?"

Leon only managed a weak nod then Claire dumped him on the floor. He struggled to his feet after getting over his shock. He'd definitely underestimated Claire as a fighter. But he decided to stand his ground and straightened out his back. He wondered now just how badly Alice had warped Claire's mind.

Claire didn't back down and stood at the ready in case Leon tried anything. She welcomed the excuse to beat the stupidity out of him. But the nearly silent footfall behind her told her that he wasn't that idiotic after all. She smirked that Alice decided to make herself known to Leon.

Leon's grey eyes flickered from the leader to the hybrid, who had arrived like a ghost. He noted the revolver in Alice's right hand. He didn't doubt that any threatening move would end his life. So he took a step back from the pair.

Claire also took a step back, closer to her partner. She could sense that Alice was walking the edge between being human and being a predator. She went to Alice more for Leon's sake so he could enjoy another day.

Leon dragged his boots a few more times until he was yards away from the pair. He then cautiously turned and started down the hallway. He briefly closed his eyes as he continued his escape from the dangerous pair. He waited to see if his thunderous heart would be silenced by Alice's bullet. But to his amazement it didn't happen.

Alice waited until Leon Kennedy rounded the corner then she put her revolver away. She gazed down at her partner, who was breathing hard.

"Explain to me again why I saved his ass?" Claire murmured to her friend.

Alice clasped her partner's tense shoulders. "Because he's human."

Claire twisted her head around and gazed at Alice sidelong. "Can I get picky about who I save?"

Alice sighed and squeezed her friend's shoulders. She wasn't honestly sure after what she heard Claire said to Leon. She didn't catch what garbage fell out of Leon's mouth, but she knew it had to be bad for Claire to react violently.

"I can take care of him, Claire," Alice softly offered.

The leader shook her head at Alice's silent proposition to remove or even murder Leon Kennedy. She and Alice were not like that or like Umbrella. She went to the stairwell door. "We need all the help we can get. Maybe he'll come around now."

Alice darkly glanced back at Leon's direction but she followed the leader. "Are you sure that's help?" She let the door slam behind her.

"He's an asshole," Claire agreed. "But he'll be useful on this mission." She had to admit that Leon had the right training and skill for their mission.

Alice started down the steps with Claire ahead of her. At first, she hadn't understood why Claire wanted Leon Kennedy to go with them on the mission. Then Claire had whispered an old quote to her about one keeping their friends close, and their enemies closer. Alice planned to stay very close to Leon Kennedy after today's incidents.

"How'd it go with K-Mart?" Claire asked.

Alice sighed and honestly replied, "It went alright."

"She's upset," Claire concluded. She brushed back loose hair behind her right ear.

Alice couldn't deny it. "She wants to go too."

Claire rounded the platform to the next set of steps, but she waited for her friend to come to her side. "That's exactly why I wanted you to talk to her." She groused and insisted, "She doesn't listen to me."

Alice raised an eyebrow but went down the steps. "She listens to you," she argued. K-Mart had only put up a small fight before giving into Alice's wishes. There just wasn't any way that Claire and Alice would allow K-Mart to go to Houston with them. Alice could barely deal with Claire going on the mission.

"She listens when I get pissed off," the leader amended. "She looks up to you." She glanced at her partner. "I figured it go over better if you handled it."

Alice understood her friend's line of thought. She just wasn't the greatest at talking, like she use to be. There were times that she felt communication was her weakest point. She seriously considered how smart it was to get involved with Claire if she couldn't properly communicate with Claire. But slowly, that concern faded away because she found that talking to Claire was relatively easy.

Claire finally came to the last platform and opened the door for them. She wanted to quickly go over the inventory of weapons with Alice so they could make their plans tomorrow. She also planned to spend tomorrow afternoon preparing the V-22. She needed to make sure that Umbrella couldn't track them during their flight to Houston. If everything was prepared by Wednesday afternoon then they would depart the Arcadia and fly east.

Claire guided her partner to the container that held an assortment of weapons. She fished out a set of keys that Chris gave her, and she found the right one. She unlocked it and started opening one door.

Alice grabbed the other door and pushed it. She entered the pitch black container after she spotted a few lamps strung from the ceiling.

"Alice," Claire called. She couldn't see a damn thing. She put her keys away and grabbed her small, tactical flashlight. She switched it on while she entered the dark container.

"Right here," Alice's voice drifted from the center of the container. She had her arms stretched up at the lamp.

Claire kept the light's beam on the lamp until Alice had it on. She then noted one on her right so she fooled with it.

Alice went to the last one at the end and turned it on too. She then took in all the weapons neatly organized in the container. Slowly her head started bobbing and a smirk formed over her full lips.

Claire was impressed too. She hadn't been in the container and only heard about it through Chris. "I don't even know what half this shit is," she murmured.

Alice chuckled at her friend. She knew each and every weapon and what they were capable of in the right hands. "I guess you'll have to stick to your Glocks."

Claire put away her flashlight and picked up a shotgun style weapon that sat in a gun rack.

"That's a M1919 Browning," Alice educated. She approached her partner. "It's thirty caliber medium machinegun built back in the 40s for War World II."

Claire quickly put the machinegun down and looked at her partner. "Fabulous." She caught Alice's grin, and she couldn't help returning it. "So, should we take inventory of what we should probably take?" She put her hands on her hip and scanned the assortment of firepower in their possession.

Alice was studying the weapons and taking a mental inventory. "No." She folded her arms. "I'll remember." She slowly walked down between the two long tables of endless guns, blades, and finally explosives. She was mostly interested in the grenades and bombs.

Claire noticed her friend's heightened interest in the explosives. She considered their options to blow up the Houston facility. "I wonder if the Houston facility has that same bomb that Wesker likes to set off."

Alice was studying a black, sleek grenade in her hand, but she carefully returned it to its home beside the others. "We'll have to remember to ask Jill tomorrow."

Claire made the mental note. "If we could detonate it then that place will be wiped off the Earth."

"So will we," Alice murmured. She looked at Claire and reminded, "There's not much time set on those bombs."

"Unless we get the remote," Claire argued.

Alice shook her head because it was just too much trouble. "We're better off setting a few bombs around it to denote it."

Claire hadn't considered that route.

Alice turned on her heels and studied the opposite table. Her hands traveled over the weapons as she recorded each one to memory. But she paused and grinned at a particular gun under her fingertips.

Claire folded her arms and tilted her head after her partner picked up the large gun.

Alice easily held the gatling gun. "It's a M134 gatling gun." She flashed an evil smile at her partner. "It fires four thousand rounds per minute." She patted it. "It's nicknamed the minigun."

Claire had a dubious stare and challenged, "There's nothing mini about it."

Alice chuckled and shifted it in her hands. She was obviously becoming attached to it. "It's my color, right?"

Claire laughed, more in surprise than at the joke. "You can't seriously think we should take that thing?"

Alice eyed the dangerous piece of machinery. She then looked at her partner. "No?" She studied the gatling gun some more. "It sure would drop some zombies in a hurry."

"That would have been nice back in the prison," Claire joked.

Alice softly hummed, but she put the gatling gun back down on the table. She patted it once more then started turning off the lamps.

Claire was convinced that her partner would take the gatling gun. She could only imagine what the ammunition for the thing looked like too. She stepped out of the container once the lights were off then sealed it with Alice's help. She reset the lock, but paused because Alice was directly behind her.

Alice placed her hands on her partner's hips. "Need any help?" Her voice was playful and heavy.

Claire grinned and dropped the padlock after setting it. "No, got it." She faced her partner and found her back pressed against the container doors. "Did all those guns get you turned on?" she teased.

Alice chuckled and decided to go with the game. She huskily drew out, "No, but you and that Browning did."

Claire laughed this time and tilted her head back until she felt cold steel behind her. "So should I dress only in my Glocks for you?" She smirked at her partner's lusty grin. She caressed Alice's warm lips with her fingertips.

"You do know how to excite a girl," Alice bantered.

Claire gave a low laugh and faintly shook her head. "Maybe not every girl." She now rocked onto the front of her boots and stretched up as she tilted her head. She shut her eyes once Alice's lips touched hers. "Just excite my partner," she breathed against Alice's lips.

Alice wasn't sure which of her hearts quickened first or if not both together. She only knew that energy excited her stomach thanks to Claire's last words. She drew Claire against her body and encouraged the kiss further. She moaned once her tongue met Claire's in a dangerous dance that left them breathless and blood wired alive.

Claire pressed her palms against her partner's muscular stomach. She bit her bottom lip and fought against her want for Alice. After this morning, she decided she was going to make Alice want it more than being scared of the unknown. Claire expected the sexual experience to be different with Alice because Alice wasn't human, but Claire wasn't scared of it like Alice.

"We should go," Claire murmured. She internally struggled to step out of her partner's arms. "It is dark and cold down here." She contained her surfacing smirk at seeing Alice's confusion.

Alice allowed her partner to slip by her. She turned on her heels and found Claire's hand held out to her.

Claire felt her partner's hand slip into hers so she turned and continued to the exit. She kept her arm at her back as Alice trailed behind her. She could detect her partner's bewilderment about what happened moments ago. Claire fought down the chuckles that bubbled up.

"Claire?" Alice softly tempted.

The leader paused in front of the door for the stairwell that was lit by a pale white light. She turned her head sidelong. "Hmmm?" She squeezed Alice's hand.

Alice placed her free hand against the door and leaned over her partner. "Don't think I don't know what you're up to." Her quick mind was gathering the pieces.

Claire slightly turned and had on her best innocent look. "What?" She had a deep furrow under her brim. "I'm tired... and want to get to bed." She shrugged then grabbed the worn doorhandle. She opened the door after her partner released it.

Alice stared hard at her friend's calm features once they were in the stairwell. She didn't comment and climbed up the steps with Claire.

The leader had a brief yawn after getting up a few steps. She played with her ball cap and fooled with her hair. She lazily put her cap on, but had it on a tilt.

Alice snatched the hat off the leader and tried it on for once. "You have a small head," she tormented. She wasn't about to adjust the ball cap unless she wanted to sleep on the floor tonight.

"Well I got a few bigger things on me," Claire smartly fired off. She grabbed for her hat, but Alice took it away. She grumbled but continued onto the next set of steps.

Alice put on the hat backwards this time. "Is this my color?"

"White definitely isn't your color," Claire answered.

"White?" Alice laughed and argued, "It's grey with all this dirt."

"Hey!" Claire growled. "I like it dirty." But Alice's evil smile made her flush brightly. She realized exactly how it sounded to Alice's ears. She ascended the last step and didn't expect Alice's quick movements once they were on the next platform. Claire gasped in shock once she was shoved against the wall on her left. She was pinned to it by Alice's larger body.

"I like it dirty too," Alice breathed in Claire's ear. She started softly biting on her partner's ear then nipped at it when Claire's nails tried digging into her back. Alice's hands roamed from Claire's thighs to plump cheeks that filled Alice's hands. "Mmmm."

Claire sucked in a breath when Alice's hands cupped her ass for the first time. She swore that Alice was holding her up now because her knees were weakening.

"You do have other... bigger attributes," Alice murmured into her partner's shell ear.

Claire swallowed down a moan after Alice's words quaked against her chest. She threaded her left hand into Alice's jet black hair and tipped the hat's brim up accidently. She then swore that Alice was about to heft her up because of the increased pressure under her ass. But it all swiftly disappeared when Alice's hands were gone.

Alice straightened up after she forced down her blood's demands. It was incredibly difficult to ward off Claire's alluring scent from Alice's blood's natural attraction. She reached behind, retrieved the hat, and returned it to Claire's head. She yanked the brim down and huskily stated, "Two can play your game."

Claire slumped against the wall after Alice peeled off of her. She would have swatted Alice if she'd had the strength to do it.

Alice stood there with pounding hearts that were two times louder in her ears. She stared at Claire's weakened state and realized just how much they affected each other. She cleared her throat then held out her right hand to Claire. "Come on... partner."

Claire shot a mock glower at Alice for the smart comment. She then inhaled deeply and took her friend's offered hand. She was grateful for the help but managed to regain her composure before she continued up the steps.

Alice kept her partner's hand but laced their fingers together. She received a brief squeeze from Claire. They didn't say anything the rest of the way back to their quarters, both completely fighting for control over their attractions.

Shortly they crawled into bed and were exhausted mostly from little sleep last night. Claire sighed happily once she was comfortable under the cool bedsheets. She remained on her back, closed her eyes, and considered tomorrow's workload to get ready for the mission. She opened her eyes after Alice shut off the nightstand's light. Claire heard metal touching wood after Alice set her gun down.

Alice rolled onto her side and faced her friend. She studied the leader's now calm profile. "Dinar for your thoughts?"

Claire's train of thought completely crashed after her friend's question. A twinge of confusion shined in her eyes when she turned her head to Alice. "Dinar?"

Alice half shrugged and explained, "It was Ancient Roman currency."

Claire grinned once she realized Alice was using her history background. "You like ancient history?"

"Yes." Alice considered her college education and further back to her broken childhood. "More so the Greco-Roman history." She focused on her friend's face. "You know how you pretend what you're gonna be when you grow up?" She caught Claire's small nod. "I wanted to be an archeologist."

Claire's smile shined brightly in the darkness of the room. "I guess Forensics Science isn't that far from it."

"Distant cousins," Alice agreed. She then curiously studied her partner. "What did you want to be when you grew up?"

Claire became shy and cleared her throat. She looked at the ceiling then murmured, "A fighter pilot." Alice's chuckle made her blush, but she shrugged and admitted, "I just loved Top Gun."

Alice laughed but thoroughly enjoyed hearing about her partner's childhood. She smiled and complimented, "You're an excellent pilot." Curiosity came over her, and she checked, "Where did you learn to fly rotorcrafts?"

"My father initially," Claire answered. "But I took formal lessons later and earned my private rotorcraft ticket in a year." She was met her partner's gaze. "I started taking some single-engine instructions just before the world went to Hell." She now grinned and teased, "But I can't land a plane on a prison rooftop."

Alice smirked and bolstered, "That takes years of mastery."

Claire rolled her eyes at her friend's joke. She seriously asked, "How many hours do you have down?" She was convinced her partner was once licensed for a single-engine land airplane.

"Before I lost my logbook..." Alice could only guess because she'd lost some memories including her history as a pilot. "Probably over two thousand hours... I think."

Claire's eyebrows hiked up. "How old were you when you were licensed?"

Alice tried retrieving the memory and after a moment, she murmured, "Eighteen or nineteen, I think."

"Your grandmother made you fly?" Claire teased.

Alice chuckled and actually nodded. "She said it'd give me confidence... she was right." She tugged the bed cover over her shoulder. "My grandmother was a private pilot too." She sighed contently and realized she was tired.

"She must have meant a lot to you," Claire softly realized. From what she gathered, Alice's grandmother raised Alice and most likely instilled many things in Alice.

"Mmmm." Alice was starting to drift off but murmured, "Her name was Alice."

Claire sadly smiled, reached over, and lightly touched her partner's cheek. "Sleep well."

Alice raised her head up and muttered, "Come 'ere." She drew Claire into her arms, which made her sigh contently.

Claire had shifted onto her side and pressed her back into Alice's warm body. She readjusted the blankets over them then settled in for the night. She found Alice's hand slipping under her shirt and resting over her stomach. This was the best part of her day.

Alice was awake first, like normal. She and Claire hadn't moved at all during the night. She was surprised by how exhausted they were that they hadn't broken their position. She felt Claire stir about twenty minutes later.

Claire stretched a little then slumped into Alice's body again. She murmured that they should get ready because there was so much to do. She didn't look forward to getting the mission's details worked out, but she fully supported her partner's desire to rescue Angie Ashford.

It didn't take long for the blood partners to get showered and changed into recently cleaned clothes. They decided on breakfast first despite they'd lost some appetite due to today's plans. They were greeted by Luther, who was leaving the galley. He indicated that Jill and Chris were at a table. He figured they would want to visit with them.

Claire and Alice gathered some food then did join Chris and Jill. Claire was surprised that Jill didn't shoot invisible daggers at Alice, but she was glad too. Chris insisted that he join in on the plans to take down the Houston facility. Claire readily agreed and was pleased that he wanted to help them. She also wanted him there to mediate any possible hostility towards Leon Kennedy. Claire wasn't sure she trusted herself after last night's experience.

Indeed the preparations for tomorrow's possible mission were all day, and it wore out everybody on the small team. There were a few times that Claire was convinced that Alice was going to take off Leon's head. She then knew that she had bigger problems than Alice and Jill's abrasive relationship. Jill disliked how Alice and Leon constantly argued during the planning, but she noticed how Leon antagonized Alice at every possible second. Amazingly Jill realized that Leon's attitude was getting on her nerves too.

Chris finally opted to take Leon to the supply containers so they could organize food, extra clothes, and camping gear. He could tell the women needed the break from Leon before he found himself in a pool of his own blood.

Jill was able to continue discussing what she knew about the facility in Houston. She was impressed by Alice's clear understanding of the facility. She wondered if the Houston facility was modeled after the Hive. Or perhaps Alice had once been there and toured it during her employment. Jill didn't forget that Alice had once been the security operative for Raccoon City facility.

By late afternoon, Claire decided they'd done enough planning for the mission. She wanted to check out the V-22 and prepare it for the journey. She told Jill to take a break and advised Alice to handle the weapons that the team would need. She was confident that Alice could easily arm each individual for the mission. Claire handed off the key for the armory container then left her partner's side.

Claire spent over an hour preparing the Osprey. She checked the fuel and concluded it would get them there and back safely. Yet she still familiarized herself with a few old sectionals in the cockpit. She highlighted several airports on the way where they could possibly land and search for jet fuel. She couldn't help being safe than sorry.

Claire played with the onboard systems again. She wanted to figure out if Umbrella could track them if she turned on the electrical system. She crawled under the dashboard and started investigating the wires for the GPS system. Maybe if she snipped the GPS wires then they would be safe, but she'd have to fully rely on visual flight rules to get them there.

"Anything interesting under there?"

Claire hastily came out from under the dash after she heard her partner's voice. But she paid for it and slammed her head on the dash. "Shit," she cursed.

Alice quickly regretted trying to sneak up on her friend. She came over and knelt next to the leader. "Let me see."

"I'm fine," Claire brushed off. Yet Alice's sure hands were checking the back of her head. She softly moaned after a warm burn soaked up the onset of a headache. She let out a relieved sigh and peered up at her partner. "What was that?"

"I don't know," Alice admitted. "But you feel better?"

"Yeah... thanks." Claire rubbed the back of her head after Alice lowered her hands. She was amazed it was fine now. She looked back at the dash and explained, "I'm trying to figure out if Umbrella can track the Osprey."

Alice sighed and argued, "Wesker was tracking us with satellites when we were in the Yak-52."

Claire frowned and placed her hands on her knee. "I just rather not make it too easy for them."

Alice understood so she reached under the dash and clutched a bundle of wires. She muttered, "Give me a minute."

Claire was confused by what Alice planned to do, but she waited it out. Then the GPS's lit screen caught her attention so she glanced at it. Next she heard the electrical system whine to life so she looked at her partner, who had glowing blue eyes. Most likely Alice was somehow powering the helicopter's electrical system.

Alice released the wires then her eyes faded back to green. "I shorted out the GPS and killed a few other devices." She brushed her hands together and added, "The autopilot won't be any good."

Claire wasn't bothered by that since she preferred to fly the bird herself. "Thanks." She stood and exited the cockpit.

Alice shifted in front of her partner and decided now was the best time to bring up what'd been on her mind today. She'd kept it to herself until she had a chance to talk to Claire alone.

The leader went serious once she sensed her partner's worries. She met Alice's honey-green eyes and murmured, "What is it?"

"I want you to do something for me," Alice softly insisted.

Claire canted her head but kept her full attention on Alice. "Alright... I'm listening."

"The antivirus," Alice quietly started, "I want you to take enough with you for a dosage. You have to put it into a protective tube." She watched her partner's intrigued features. "You need to keep it hidden on you at all times. The others can't know you have it."

Claire considered her partner's idea and muttered, "You want it just for me."

"It's the only insurance we have in case you're infected." Alice stepped into her partner's space and insisted, "Please do this for me."

Claire took a deep breath and considered it. She agreed it was a good precaution, and she wanted to honor Alice's wishes since she'd pushed Alice into letting her go. "Alright." She nodded once. "I'll get a needle from the case and a tube from Helen."

"Thank you," Alice sincerely breathed out. She was relieved too.

Claire had a faint smile at her friend's worry over her. She shifted gears though and asked how it went with organizing the weapons for the mission. She was pleased that Alice had gotten everything prepared and bumped into Chris on her way to the White Rooms. He'd mentioned that he and Leon had all the supplies ready too.

Alice and Claire left the hangar and decided they needed to relieve some stress after today's preparations. Claire opted to practice more combat on the deck before dinner would be served. She wasn't disappointed when Alice taught her several styles of kicks and new defense techniques. The two hour practice had worn out Claire, and she was grateful for it. She hoped she could sleep tonight despite what tomorrow meant for them. She and Alice did a cool down then retreated to their quarters for quick showers.

At dinner, Claire found it difficult to eat at all. She forced herself to eat since she would need the energy for tomorrow. She played with her food a few times and caught Alice doing the same thing. Claire also accounted for the lack of conversation between them. It didn't put her on edge like it would have when she first met Alice. Instead she and Alice were trading worry through their bond.

Claire mentioned that she was going to take care of a few things. Alice only nodded and said goodbye when Claire left the table. Alice's amber-green eyes followed Claire out the galley's door. She sadly smiled to herself after she considered how far she and Claire had come since the first days in Nevada. Alice wouldn't trade it for anything.

But nearby movements made Alice peer up from her plate and there was Luther West. She offered him a warm smile and kicked out the chair to her right.

Luther took the silent invite, lowered his plate, and dropped a brown, worn pouch in front of Alice's plate.

Alice arched an eyebrow after she heard the distinct sound of coins. She traded a knowing grin with Luther then picked up the heavy sack. "Where in the world do you get these?" She swore that he was more resourceful than her about finding quarters. She jerked open the pouch and peered inside to confirm the coins.

"I can't reveal my sources," Luther teased. He was already diving into his vegetables. He then indicated the pouch with a flick of his chin. "I figured they'd be good luck coins for your mission."

"Thanks," Alice sincerely offered. She set the coin pouch off to the side. She now had something to do tonight while she waited for Claire to come back to their quarters.

"Is everything ready for tomorrow?" Luther checked.

"Almost." Alice picked up her glass and drank the last of the water. She set the glass down but toyed with it.

Luther nodded and picked up his knife. He cut at his pork chop while he spoke further. "How'd it go with Leon?"

Alice rolled her eyes at Luther.

Luther kept shaking his head because he knew exactly what Alice's expression meant. "Why the Hell does Claire want to take him?" he muttered. He didn't want anybody overhearing them.

"She wants to keep an eye on him," Alice explained.

Luther frowned slightly, but he tried his first piece of the pork. He wasn't surprised how salty it was since it'd been dried meat. "Hopefully he's not your downfall on the mission."

Alice set her glass down and honestly stated, "If he becomes a problem then I'll resolve it my way."

Luther paused and lifted his dark eyes up to Alice. He didn't expect such a cold and dark promise from his friend. He didn't doubt how serious the situation was for Leon Kennedy. "I don't think Claire would..."

Alice didn't look at Luther and continued staring at the empty glass. "I know." She finally shifted her attention to Luther. "But I will do what she can't do."

Luther huffed and pierced another pork morsel. "No wonder you two attract each other." He popped the meat into his mouth.

Alice raised an eyebrow at him, but she didn't comment back. She instead changed the conversation and asked him if he felt comfortable leading the Arcadia until they returned from Houston.

Luther bobbed his head and honestly replied, "I think I got it." He tried some of his mixed vegetables. "I'm not quite sure I have Claire's flare."

Alice grinned at his joke. "Chris will help."

Luther heartedly agreed and was glad for Chris's support. He then softly checked, "You really think it'll only take a week?"

Alice seriously considered the mission's plans and expectations. She shrugged and replied, "More or less." She imagined the worst case scenario, which would be losing the V-22 as a mode of transportation. "Maybe three weeks if we somehow lose the Osprey."

Luther kept that as a mental note. He couldn't let the survivors wait forever for the rescue team to return from Houston. He ate more of his meal in silence, but his mind was racing about the rescue mission. He nervously peered across at Alice. "Claire must..."

Alice slightly narrowed her eyes at Luther's hesitant tone. She then smelled a faint hint of fear floating off him. She tried not letting his fear entertain her senses. "What is it, Luther?" she drew out in her best gentle tone.

Luther had reformulated his words and more daringly tempted, "Claire must care a lot about you to go with you instead of staying here on the Arcadia." He briefly recalled how Alice nearly went after Leon Kennedy for being too outspoken. He wondered if he'd done the same. But to his surprise, Alice smirked at him.

"It's something like that," Alice replied in her heavy voice. She decided she wanted to get back to her quarters. "I'll see ya tomorrow, Luther." She took her dirty dishes and the coins. "Thanks for feeding my hobby." She winked at him then disappeared from the table.

Luther twisted his head around and briefly watched Alice before he went back to his meal. He grinned, shook his head, and concluded that Alice would remain a mystery to him.

Alice soon returned to the quiet quarters and actually had a hint of loneliness now that she was alone. She'd grown too use to Claire at her side. She fiddled with her hair then started getting her supplies to make the quarter bullets. After twenty or more minutes into it, Alice paused before wrapping another roll of quarters. She stared at the front door and sensed that Claire was nearby. She refocused on her task and carefully rolled the stack of quarters.

Claire entered the quarters and instantly removed her radio, which she shut off and put on the charger. She looked worn out but came over to the table and flopped into the chair. But she stretched out her right leg, unzip a small pocket, and retrieved a metal tube. She set it on the table near Alice's orderly stacks of quarters.

Alice noted the tube from the corner of her eye, but she finished rolling the quarter bullet. She set the rolled coins beside the other three completed ones. She then picked up the metal tube, unscrewed the cap, and allowed the needle to slide out. Instantly the bright green aura filled Alice's eyes.

"Is that enough?" Claire checked.

"Yes." Alice tucked the needle back into the protective tube. "It just has to be administered right away." She handed the tube back to her partner. It was a relief to see it.

Claire received the antivirus, popped out of the chair, and went to the dresser. She tucked the tube away in the top drawer where it'd be safe until tomorrow. She reclaimed her chair and curiously watched her partner's quarter ritual.

"You didn't use any last time," the leader pointed out.

Alice had a distant grin but remained focused on rolling a new bullet. "You can never have too many," she murmured.

Claire chuckled but studied the twenty-one unwrapped stacks. She noted the gunpowder and paper used to make actually shotgun bullets. She reached over and picked up the Leatherman that Alice used to wrench off the bullet from the top of the case. "Nice Leatherman." She turned it in her hands a few times then set it down.

Alice was pouring a bullet's gunpowder into a shotgun shell's base. Briefly her eyes flickered to Claire then back to her pouring.

Claire could tell her partner was highly engrossed in her ritual. Amusement started rising up from the bottom of her stomach. She then shifted her interest to the simple stacks of quarters that were neatly in formation and prepared to be turned into shotgun bullets. Claire couldn't help herself and removed half the quarters off the closest stack. She neatly set the six quarters away from the group.

Alice was pushing a rolled stack of quarters into a shotgun shell base. But she faltered once Claire messed up her ritual. "Claire," she fairly warned.

Claire was separating another stack into two yet murmured, "Hmmm?" She decided to count a stack by dropping one quarter at a time on top of the other. "How did you get into this?" Next she investigated exactly which quarters were for what state. However, her wrist was suddenly latched onto by Alice. Claire's head snapped to the right and met her partner's stern features.

"I ran out of bullets briefly," Alice explained, "so I substituted for quarters."

Claire slowly dropped the three quarters in her fingertips. "Ah." She withdrew her hand after deciding that her tease had gone far enough. "But you had gunpowder," she curiously noted.

Alice fixed the two disturbed stacks and repositioned them in the lines correctly. "Bullets for a handgun I didn't have on me."

The leader bobbed her head and now shifted her interests to the neatly organized bullets. She inwardly smirked and targeted the bullets next. Claire started moving the bullets on the table so that they were in no apparent formation.

Alice suddenly slammed the completed quarter shotgun shell beside the others. Her dark glare was first on her disheveled bullets and lifted to Claire. "Do you have nothing better to do?"

Claire had a bullet in her fingers and tapped a standing bullet with it. "No... not really." She warmly smiled at her irritated partner. "This is fun." Her smile shifted into a grin. "Watching you, I mean."

"Is that what you're doing," Alice dangerously drew out. She knew exactly what Claire was trying to do. For several beats, she held Claire's eyes until a falling bullet's rattling drew her attention down to it.

Claire puckered her lips and stared at the fallen bullet too. She cleared her throat then gingerly set the bullet in her hand back down. "Well... I think I may go visit with K-Mart." She hastily pulled her arm away before Alice tried something again. Claire stood up, but was a bit clumsy when she pushed the chair in and caused all of Alice's bullets to fall down.

Alice gritted her teeth and her hooded eyes locked on Claire. She'd gone from irritated to mad now.

Claire smiled, shyly and softly offered, "Sorry about that." She started to the door for an escape. She thankfully made it to the door, jerked it open, and flashed another sweet smile at Alice.

Alice stood up to her full height and locked her fiery glare on her partner.

"I'll... catch ya later," Claire politely said then darted out before her friend had any chance to say or do a thing. She leaned against the door after she shut it. She let out a relieved breath then chuckled at her partner's expression. God it'd been too damn hard for Claire not to tease her partner.

Claire pushed off the door after biting her bottom lip. She wondered what Alice would do later to make her pay for it. She had several ideas, but nothing would probably compare to what Alice would really do. Claire had such a smug look until suddenly somebody grabbed her from behind and roughly threw her against the wall.

Claire was convinced it was Leon Kennedy and attempted a yell until hungry lips locked over hers. She gasped once she realized it was Alice, and Claire never sensed Alice sneaking up on her. She must have been too wrapped up in her thoughts to detect her silent partner.

Alice pressed slightly harder against Claire's smaller body. She growled after the kiss and slid her hands under Claire's ass. She did exactly what she wanted to do last night so badly.

Claire inhaled sharply when Alice suddenly lifted her off the floor. She found herself eye level with her partner again and strong hands holding her up. Claire instinctively latched her thighs around her partner's waist.

Alice had an evil smirk on her face and huskily stated, "It's later." She ducked under her partner's hat and started a feverish kiss that stole Claire's thoughts.

Claire rested her forehead against her partner's after the heavy kiss. She felt her ball cap nearly lift off her head. But she didn't care and twisted her fingers into midnight hair. "Alice," she hoarsely attempted.

Alice was struggling again with the fire in her blood. It was beginning to hurt Alice anytime she fought against her natural pull to Claire. She swore she'd be strong, but her blood made her suffer in reaction. She released a low growl and held back from kissing Claire again.

Claire took a deep breath and lightly brushed her lips across Alice's, yet she felt Alice's pain filter to her. She caressed her partner's flushed cheek and murmured, "Stop trying to control it." She continued touching her lips across Alice's full ones. But she pulled away slightly and sadly whispered, "Tonight might be our only chance to be together."

Alice whimpered after her partner's truthful words. For a moment, she affectionately nuzzled her partner because it hurt more to think about one of them dying during the rescue mission. However, it was very realistic, and Alice silently promised she would quickly follow her partner into death if Fate took Claire from her.

Claire sighed in relief when Alice's lips covered hers again. She tasted her partner's fading resolve and then Claire's heart nervously sped up. She'd been with several people in the past, but Claire didn't have the emotional connection like she did with Alice. Nor was she sure what to expect from their blood bond once Alice would take her. Her brief wild thoughts were quieted when Alice pulled her off the wall.

Alice adjusted one arm to go around her partner's lower back for support. She continued with the soft kiss on the short return to the jarred door to their quarters. She gently kicked the door open but didn't so quietly slam it shut with her boot from behind.

Claire was excited by her partner's strength to continue holding her up. But what surprised her was when Alice placed her on the edge of the table and swiftly swiped all the items for the bullet ritual off the table. The cling and ching of change and bullets echoed loudly in the room until the last rolling quarter fell onto its side next to the dresser.

Alice pushed her partner further back onto the table and continued kissing Claire without any restraint. She was encouraged by Claire's tantalizing tongue and further wakened her blood. She withdrew from the kisses and inhaled deeply, which overloaded her with Claire's attractive scent. Alice was convinced that Claire's blood was giving off an even more potent scent that set Alice's blood on fire. She let out a low growl and a burn rose behind her eyes.

Claire admired her partner's fire blue eyes. She didn't feel fear or uncertainty but only imagined the beauty that would come over them tonight. She leaned in and renewed their kissing. Claire then felt her ball cap disappearing, but she didn't care anymore about it tonight.

Alice had managed to gently toss the ball cap onto her vacated chair. She refocused on the kisses, and electric shocked her after Claire bit her lip. She dug her nails into her partner's firm ass but used her freehand to start removing Claire's red vest.

Quickly Claire found her vest and tank top gone. She'd only been this exposed to Alice, who had been plainly turned on last time. Claire gasped when Alice's nails suddenly tracked down her sides and called her blood to the surface. She briefly considered whether that was one of Alice's viruses encouraging her to do it. But Claire's thoughts were cut off when fast hands were undoing her jeans' button.

Alice forced the zipper down then she didn't hesitate to press her fingers past Claire's soft underwear. She grounded her teeth after her fingers were coated and told her everything she needed to know about Claire's excitement.

"Jesus," Claire hissed and clawed the back of her partner's neck. She clenched her teeth after slender fingers withdrew from her folds. But she was left breathless and quite wanting thanks to Alice's hasty exit. She peered up into blue eyes and swallowed hard. Claire was about to learn what it meant to have a hybrid for a lover.

Alice had a wide smirk at her partner's shaken expression. She placed her hands on Claire's upper thighs and whispered, "After tonight, you won't want to be with anybody else except me."

Claire breathed deeply then quietly confessed, "I already know." She traced her partner's chiseled features.

Alice's smirk grew deeper, and she drew her nails down her partner's legs. She listened to Claire's blood getting louder around them. It called out to Alice and made her wild. She had to hear more and be closer to Claire. Alice jerked Claire back against her body and lifted Claire off the table. She carried her partner to the waiting bed, but she crushed one finished quarter bullet under her boot's heel.

Claire was gently placed on the bed, but she separated from her partner. She wanted the single nightstand lamp off because she knew it'd encourage Alice further. It'd also allow Alice's blue eyes to be bright, which Claire loved since blue was her favorite color.

Just after switching the lamp off, Claire felt her partner surround all around her from behind. Strong arms encircled her waist and drew her into Alice's hot body. Claire moaned when her blood sensed Alice's blood. She shut her eyes then soft lips touched her shoulders just next to her bra strap. She reached back and threaded her fingers into Alice's black hair.

Alice drew her partner backwards until they were seated together. She started slowly moving her hands over Claire's stomach and still kissed her way around Claire's upper back.

Claire moaned from the amazing sensation. Her blood continued rising in her skin and made her lean back into Alice. She'd never experienced such a sensation each time Alice's dancing fingertips sung to her blood. She tilted her head once Alice's magnetic lips drew her blood from her heart to her neck. But her kisses shifted into bites, which tingled Claire's blood in that spot.

"Alice," Claire pleaded. But sex only felt like half of what she really needed to satisfy her blood. She trusted Alice to take care of her tonight and even teach her what was so different. She turned her head sidelong and pulled Alice in for a kiss. She moaned against her partner's lips and whimpered after she saw Alice's blue eyes shining against Claire's glistening skin.

Alice shifted and lowered her partner onto the bed. She was moving slow because they had all night together. She would save the desperate roughness for later and planned to show Claire what their bond would give them during sex. Alice wasn't human anymore and being with Claire was the moment that Alice was at peace with the viruses. Alice could be all that the viruses made her, and she was a dominating creature sharing it with her mate.

Claire had handed off her leadership role as soon as Alice had removed her ball cap. She entrusted her exposed emotions and attractive blood to her partner. She discovered her trust was perfectly placed after Alice removed all her clothes. Claire had originally imagined several scenarios for the first time with Alice, but they were weak compared to how it even started out. Every touch turned her blood higher and strengthened their bond. Claire remembered pleasure during sex, but tonight it was something very different for her. She was surely being worshipped by Alice. Then when Alice was finally inside of her, she felt like she was the one in Alice. There was no barrier any longer that separated them and their bonded blood.

Continued.