Don't Leave Me

--

Chris Redfield had offered Jill Valentine a night at his place, as he figured she probably wouldn't feel very safe in a house all by herself. Jill happily agreed, and she looked as though she was about to ask before he did.

--

Although Jill was in too much of a terrified state to admit it, Chris had a decent bachelor pad.

It was slightly larger than a studio apartment, with the living room connected to the kitchen and dining room. Down the hall was Chris's bedroom, and a spare room for when his sister would occasionally visit.

The living room was very modern, with white walls and grey chairs. A few professional photos of animals and landscapes covered a few of the walls. Jill shuddered slightly as she stared at a full-color photo of a grey, muscular wolf, whose eyes blazed a golden amber. Jill was always a bit of an animal person, but since the Mansion Incident, just a few hours ago, she had trouble just looking at a photo of one, for fear that is could come alive and tear her apart.

The kitchen looked very rustic, a small, country style with the old-fashion wood counters and mute, floral wallpaper. Jill gave a weak grin; and here she thought Chris's house would be overrun with naked photos of women from Playboy magazine! She blushed slightly at the thought; she never did know too many men intimately.

A small wooden table with oak chairs was nestled right on the border of the kitchen and the living room. That's where Chris currently sat, wringing his hands with an exhausted sigh.

“Well, that was...”, Chris was at a loss for what to say as he glanced over at Jill, who suddenly looked quite a pale green shade underneath the layer of sweat and grime on her pretty face.

“Whoa, hey, are you okay?”, he asked, sitting gently beside her on the grey couch. If she was gonna be sick, he'd needed to know so he could quickly move her to the bathroom.

“A little...queasy, that's all”, she murmured, clenching her fists weakly, as if trying to will the sickness to go away.

Frowning, Chris placed the back of his hand gently on her forehead, then moved it down to her neck, still slightly damp.

“You sure you're alright? Do you want something to settle your stomach?”, he inquired gently.

“Um...c-can I wash up, first?”, Jill moaned slightly, as if it took effort just to speak.

“Yes, of course”, Chris helped Jill to her feet, leading her into the bathroom.

--

The bathroom was fairly plain; blue tiled walls with a white toilet and a shower stall. A small wooden door led to a pantry on a wall as well. Small, but serviceable nonetheless.

Exhausted, Jill sat down on the cover of the toilet while Chris popped out to find her something to sleep in.

“Um...I did find a shirt and pants, but...I don't think you'd be too comfortable using my underwear”, Chris tried to make light of the situation, hoping Jill would just give him a break. It was embarrassing enough as it was, after all.

To his relief, she just gave a tired chuckle and weakly nodded.

“I don't think it'll kill me until I get home”, she responded. She tried to look nonchalant, but Chris knew she really loathed the idea of sleeping in underwear that was probably soaked through.

Chris fidgeted uncomfortably, trying to find some way to make her more comfortable.

“Uh, well, I do have a pack of boxers I never opened, he suddenly remembered, pulling them out from a pantry close by. I know it's awkward, but--”

“That-that's fine, Chris, thanks”, Jill gently raised her hand, sensing his deep embarrassment. His face blushing a violent shade of red, Chris ripped the package open and gave her a pair. Jill grinned. Whether it was a suggestive smirk or just plain gratitude, he couldn't tell.

“I'll, uh...leave you alone now. You gonna be alright?”

Jill gave him a small nod.

“Alright, call me if you need anything, or...uh...yeah. W-when you're...um...not naked.”

Chris felt a trickle of sweat creep down his already filthy neck, so he closed the door with a respectful nod.

--

After peeling off her grimy uniform, Jill stepped into the stall completely naked. Well, you'd have to, she thought, if you want to take a shower in the first place. Still, it felt odd, very awkward and a tad bit unnerving.

She knew Chris wouldn't try anything, hell, the poor guy was panicking as it was. She smiled gently; he looked so sweet when he was embarrassed. She wanted to pinch his cheeks, he looked so cute, but she mustered neither the strength nor the courage to do so.

She pulled the knob and the hot, refreshing water crashed upon her skin, washing the grime away. A small, black trail swirled down the drain, though Jill didn't see it or want to see it. Probably a little of both. She never felt so dirty in her entire life.

Jill never felt so frightened, paranoid, sick, and at the same time relieved in her entire life.

--

“You hungry or anything?”, Chris asked in the middle of closing his blinds, carefully following Jill's every movement.

“No, thanks, she responded quietly, curled up on one of the arms of the warm grey couch. Still a little sick to my stomach.”

“Oh, yeah, sorry, forgot about that, Chris grinned sheepishly, looking through the refrigerator for a flat Coke he'd prepared. Here you go. It doesn't taste great, but it'll make you feel better.”

“Thanks.”

Jill gratefully accepted the soda and gulped down half the glass, stopping short because she suddenly felt extremely ill.

“Whoa, don't chug it, Chris chuckled lightly, seating himself beside Jill, whose looked just about ready to heave. Just small sips 'till you feel better.”

“Yeah”, Jill blushed slightly, catching her breath and sipped the soda. She set the glass down on the coffee table before her and gave a sigh.

Chris observed his friend closely.

She smelled very fresh and clean; she must have found the raspberry shampoo, he grinned. Her face, although free of a slick of grime, still looked somewhat pale, though much less green than before. Her hair was still slightly wet, which only made her look even more gorgeous.

Under ordinary circumstances, he'd have gently poked fun at her choice of attire. She was clad in long pajama pants and an oversized t-shirt; a plain white tee that just slightly exposed her bare nipples, slightly erect from the cold.

Chris looked away respectfully and cleared his throat.

“I'm gonna hop in the shower. I won't be long.”

“Alright.”

Jill's voice didn't have that sexy, sensual undertone it normally did. It sounded terrified and wavering, like she was ready to cry, and it killed Chris to see her so distraught.

“Really, I won't be long”, he re-iterated gently, touching her upper arm gently to reassure her.

Jill just nodded and gave a weak smile.

--

Jill concentrated on the gentle patter of water against the tiled walls down the hall as her gazed drifted all over his small house. She could get used to this, under normal circumstances. Right now, though, it felt like heaven. And the fact that Chris was so eager to take her in really touched her heart.

She sighed heavily and took another few sips of the flat Coke with a small shudder. She hated the taste of flat soda, but she felt it begin to soothe her ailing stomach. And it was such a kind gesture.

Kind, like so many of her teammates, now incinerated in the fiery rubble of Spencer Manion.

Until Rebecca came along, Jill was the only female S.T.A.R.S. Officer. Surprisingly, she got on great from the start with the "All-Male Brigade". She smirked at the thought.

Then there was Barry, who she thanked God was safe and sound. He had a family to return to, and she knew that was his first and foremost priority.

Rebecca made it out as well, but not before suffering an emotional breakdown. The poor girl sobbed nearly the entire journey back to headquarters in Chris's lap, with Jill and Barry offering their support from his sides. When they finally reached the building, she had passed out from sheer exhaustion, both physical and mental, and was taken home by Barry. Taking pity on the young woman, he agreed to stay with her the night and then the next morning he'd head off to be home with his family.

“Poor girl”, Jill murmured aloud, curling into the warm grey couch even deeper. The kid was only eighteen years old; too young to have seen and endured half the shit she was put through. Jill thought to herself that she should probably pay the girl a visit; after all, she had no family in the region.

Then again, neither did Jill.

It was then she realized that, if Chris hadn't made it out, she'd be completly alone. Barry had planned ahead of time that he'd relocate his family. Brad wasn't much of a friend to her since he did leave them to be devoured by those zombie dogs. Rebecca was too distraught to be able to sympathize with Jill in the first place. It seemed as if only Chris came out of this with little to no emotional inconsistency.

Just then, Chris came out of the bathroom, fully clothed and smelling much better than before.

“Hey, you doin' okay?”, Chris asked softly.

--

To his surprise (and slight alarm), Jill ran from the couch and pressed her body as close as humanely possible to him, wrapping her arms around his chest.

I wasn't gone that long, Chris thought, but it was a good thing he didn't say it; Jill was trembling violently.

“Hey, what's the matter? Are you cold?”, he asked, gently holding her.

“N-no.”

“Then why are you shaking?”

“Chris...don't leave me alone, please”, she seemed to beg him as her voice began to shake as well.

“Okay, Jill, let's just sit down then”, Chris kindly whispered, leading her to the couch. She sat backwards into it and he joined shortly afterward. She immediately crawled up beside him, clinging to his chest like a terrified animal.

Chris looked even more surprised, but he wouldn't let it show. Jill was scared shitless, and she needed him.

“It's okay Jill, it's all over now”, he soothed gently, stroking her back, listening to her ragged breathing. He felt his heart sink as her breaths sounded more and more like sobs as he held onto her.

“I...wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you”, Jill whispered, nearing hysteria, though Chris could tell she was trying to control it.

“Hey, it's okay, he murmured back, gently tightening his grip. You saved my ass quite a few times, too. Listen, the point is we're both okay.”

He heard Jill sniffle as she brought her head up to face him. She knew he was right, and she thanked God many times in her mind for letting her escape with Chris. She gave a small, shuddering sigh.

“I know, but...I was so afraid I'd lose you.”

Jill blushed lightly after having said that. Fortunately, the lights were out, so Chris couldn't see the heat of infatuation in Jill's cheeks. He smiled gently.

“I was worried about you too, he murmured, gently brushing a lock of hair out of Jill's face. But you're here now, and we're together.”

This was possibly the worst time to be flirting with Jill when so many of their teammates had died horrible, painful deaths. The cheesiness of his words made him cringe.

Jill, however, didn't seem to mind especially, and focused on the man that was holding her close. She wrapped her arms around his neck and let her emotions go. She began to cry both for joy that he really was beside her, and for those who had been lost in that damned mansion. Tears of mixed emotions gently fell with tiny splashes onto Chris's shoulder.

“Hey, hey, it's okay, Jill”, he whispered, stroking her hair as she snuggled further. She gently sobbed into his shoulder.

“I know, just...don't leave me”, she sniffled, pausing for a moment to wipe her tears.

"I won't, I promise", Chris whispered gently, rubbing Jill's back lovingly.

--

After a few minutes, Jill was fast asleep from pure exhaustion. Her fists curled up onto Chris's chest like a slumbering cat. He smiled gently; her breathing was finally beginning to normalize. He visually traced her face; her eyes were shut lightly with small, wet trails tracing her cheeks.

“I'm not leaving you anytime soon”, Chris whispered as he gently pecked her cheek, tasting the salty remnants of tears. He brushed a stray tear lingering near her chin away. Giving a gentle sigh, Chris wrapped his arms around Jill's shoulders, feeling the heat of affection surge through him.

Soon, he fell asleep, clutching his best friend safe in his arms, determined to make sure that she was never alone again.