Resident Evil Series Fan Fiction ❯ Taller Than God ❯ Chapter 10 ( Chapter 4 )

 

Chapter X

 

“A Question of Lust”

 

Fragile

 

Like a baby in your arms

 

Be gentle with me

 

I'd never willingly

 

Do you harm

 

 

Apologies

 

Are all you seem to get from me

 

But just like a child

 

You make me smile

 

When you care for me

 

And you know….

 

 

 

It's a question of lust

 

It's a question of trust

 

It's a question of not letting what we've built up

 

Crumble to dust

 

It is all of these things and more

 

That keep us together

 

 

My weaknesses

 

You know each and every one(it frightens me)

 

 

Kiss me goodbye

 

When I'm on my own

 

But you know that I'd

 

Rather be home

-Depeche Mode, The Singles 86>98

 

 

 

The room was thick with tension and emotions were running rapid. Barry knew he wasn't prepared for this one, but what choice was there? He entered the room, standing in the center. Wesker choose a corner and his beloved stood as near to him as she dared.

Barry began “Well, I'm going to be blunt here, if ya all don't mind.” He looked to Asherah; she nodded her head in conformation. Wesker only glanced up briefly at her, and returned to his stoic disposition. “Just what the hell is going on between you two?” he continued. Wesker looked indignantly away from him to the wall. Asherah could only manage a brief look at the man her heart loved, and then quickly back to the sanctuary of the floor boards, where her vision had begun to cloud over once again. “Wesker!? What are you doing to this poor girl!!?” Barry shouted when seeing Asherah's current state.

- “My personal life is not a matter of discussion, Barry. Remember who you're addressing!!” Wesker said, refusing to put on trial his love for Asherah.

- “Yes, Captain Wesker. I guess it doesn't matter who you hurt as long as you get what you want! Even her… the woman you love, is a sacrifice to your ambitions. Look at what you're doing to her!!” Wesker looked to the only person that ever gave him peace, well, the only peace that he could know. He instantly hated himself with one glance at that beautiful face. Her head hung down, her raven hair covering her face, feeling the heat of his eyes on her. She knew as soon as she looked at her Wesker, that she would give herself away completely.

Wesker had to use all of his will power to not reach out and wipe the tears away from her watering, ruby eyes. He reached his hand out towards her, but quickly withdrew it, becoming conscious of himself “You don't know anything, Barry, and I intend to keep it that way. Now, leave us and I'll talk with the girl.”

- “So that's the way it is, Wesker? Fine, I'll go, but if you mistreat that girl I'll come after you myself.” Barry said while pointing directly at Asherah. I know he's protecting her, but what from? Must be bad, if Wesker's acting like this…he usually never lets his emotions get the best of him… Asherah just blushed in response to Barry's regard for her. She was doing all she could to be strong in front of them, even while being deathly afraid of what was to come as soon as Barry left.

Barry went to the door, offering mentally all his courage and guidance to Asherah as he closed the door behind him. Wesker waited until he heard the click of the lock to look over at his beloved. What can I possibly say to her? I can't tell the truth… Asherah, I'm struggling to protect you, can't you see that? This is tearing me up inside, no matter how much I try to fight it. I want you to know the truth about me, about everything, but I'd rather die then lose you to them… “Asherah…I-

-“Don't, you don't have to say another word…I…understand…” Asherah made for the door, but before she could turn the knob, Wesker caught her in his arms.

- “No, you don't.” He whispered hotly in her ear. He turned her to face him, lifted her face to his lips, and placed a single, innocent kiss on her mouth. She raised her hand up, and scratched her head.

-“Ok…so maybe I don't.” she said with a nervous giggle. “Tell me, Albert, what's bothering you. I love you, you can always confide in me.”

Wesker pulled away from her comforting embrace, and turned his back towards her. His face had become dark. “Asherah…I…want to…so badly…but…this…I can't, I can't share with you. It's for your own protection, try to understand! I won't let anything happen to you!!” He grabbed her into another sweet embrace, and tipped his head to whisper once more in her ear. “I'd die without you…”

Asherah conceded to his warm, securing arms. “My love, I wish you'd tell me what's troubling you. You're beginning to scare me…all I want is to help.”

This time, Wesker was the one with the tears in his eyes. For the first time in my life, I wish Umbrella never would have come to me. I wish…I wish I could be a normal man, for you, for us. Then I…I wouldn't hesitate to take you from all this and make you my wife. You'd be mine forever… Wesker brought his beloved closer to him. “Asherah, my Asherah, I know.” He said as he took her mouth.

Suddenly, the door flew open with Chris standing in the light of the hall and Barry practically restraining him from behind. “Chris! I thought I told ya!! You can't just-

They both stood silenced, mouths agape at the sight of the two lovers. Wesker and Asherah parted as soon as they realized they had an audience. “Chris…” was all Asherah could manage, with a sympathetic look. Chris had the feeling of utter disdain plastered on his features as he addressed Wesker, “Well, I hate to break up this touching Kodak moment, but Captain Wesker has a phone call in the main office.”

Wesker moved past Asherah to the doorway, he nodded his head towards her as if to say “I love you.”, and then turned his attention back towards the hall. Chris gave a death stare as Wesker passed. Wesker only gave a slight, cold smirk, “Remember your place, Redfield.” Chris sighed indignantly, as if he could spit at Wesker's remark. Before he turned to follow Wesker, he looked back in the room and shook his head at Asherah in disgust. Barry standing there observing the whole scene, let Chris brush roughly past him and entered the room. He went to a melancholy looking Asherah, and wrapped his arms around the poor girl, “Don't worry honey, it will all be alright.”

***************************************************************** *****

 

Wesker stared at the red, flashing light on the telephone, and was filled with an inexplicable sense of dread when he thought of who could be on the other end. He hesitantly picked up the receiver, “Captain Wesker.” An all too familiar voice cackled at him on the other end, “Is that what you're called these days? It feels like years since we last spoke, Dear Albert.”

-“Alfred Ashford!”

-“Only name I've got but then, I didn't sell out either.”

Wesker could feel the heat of anger rise to his face, “You dare to assume what I've been through!!?”

-“Now, now, let's not get flustered. You should remember to never talk down to one higher up then you. Or have you forgotten all that Umbrella has so generously taught you already? Well, I suppose I'll just have to remind you…” Asherah entered the room, and grew worried when she saw the look of pure distress covering her lover's face. “Wesker? Is everything ok?” He nodded his head in response to tell her he was alright.

-“Who's the owner of that lovely voice, Albert?”

Oh no…Wesker thought. He had heard her? “It's no one.” he said with a low, protective growl.

-“I see, well I do hope to meet her when I come to call upon you tomorrow. Ever since my lovely Alexia passed away….Well, I'm sure you won't mind making an introduction for little old me, especially when it's a direct order from your official. Goodbye for now, Albert.”

Wesker stood motionless for a few moments, squeezing the receiver tightly in his anger that his knuckles began to turn white. What am I going to do? I'd rather kill the worthless leech before I even allowed him to breathe a word to my Asherah!! With his head swimming, he slammed down the phone so hard, he thought it would shatter. Asherah ran to his side, and embraced him from behind. “Albert, what is it!?” He quickly turned around, and wildly returned her arms' request. “Asherah, I love you. I'll never let anything harm you, do you hear!?” He squeezed her tighter to him than he ever had before.

-“I know. I love you too…”

 

Unbeknownst to the couple, two pairs of eyes were intently watching them. “Don't you think this is a little cruel Rebecca?” Claire whispered to her friend. “Nah, we're only concerned for poor Asie…Even Jill's in on this, how cruel and invadie can it really be?”

-“You have the power of justification, Bec, I'll give you that.”

-“Aw, thanks! Okay, so when Wesker leaves, we pounce!”

-“Alright, but I still don't feel right about this…”

-“Well, hurry up and get over it because he's going.”

 

Wesker bent down and kissed his love, “I have to go place a very important phone call. I'll come for you later, is that alright?” Asherah nodded her head, “Of course it is.” Wesker turned to go back, slowly releasing Asherah's hand as he left. She had distress cloaking over every feature on her beautiful face as her eyes followed after him. What is going on with him? I wish he would tell me! First this and now Chris hates me… I don't know how much more I can handle. What is it that Wesker is trying to protect me from any- Then, a disembodied voice, sounding eerily like Rebecca broke through the din of Asherah's thoughts. -“Now!” “What the- Asherah gasped. Rebecca and Claire flew out of their hiding place, swiftly grabbed Asherah by each arm, and dragged her to her and Rebecca's room.

***************************************************************** *******

 

Wesker once again seeked the sanctuary of his room, all the while absorbing the implications of his conversation with Alfred Ashford on the way there. I refuse to even let him breathe near her! I'll never hand my Asherah over to him, no matter the ramifications! Wesker picked up the phone, and dialed the number of the only person he knew to turn to.

- “Hello, Umbrella research facility, how can I help you?”

- “Annette?”

- “Wesker? Is that you?”

-“Yes, I…I need to speak to William immediately.”

-“Sure thing, I'll go get him. Just a second…” Annette crossed the lab, to where her husband was so dutifully hunched over a pile of research files at his desk. “Honey?”

- “Huh? Oh, Annette, what is it darling?”

- “It's Wesker, seems to be another emergency. I could feel his tension from here with the way he sounded.” Birkin nodded knowingly, and picked up the phone sitting next to him. “So, Ashford finally decided to pay you a call too I take it?”

-“So you could tell?”

- “I'm good like that. You sound terrible, I know he's insane but-

- “He wants to see Asherah.” Birkin perked right up at the disturbing news, and swirled around in his wheeled chair. “What!?”

- “I know. What am I going to do?”

-“Wow, I'm incredibly honored that you keep turning to me for advice, though now's not the time for praise I'm sure…”

-“Not really, Birkin.” Wesker said with his tone plainly indicating his raising level of frustration.

-“Okay, okay, calm down Wes. Jesus… I'll come down tonight so I'll be there with you when Alfred comes to visit. Don't worry about the girl, we'll think of something.”

-“Good. I'll be waiting for your arrival.”

- “Oh, and Wesker?”

- “Yes?”

- “Can I meet her?”

- “Ah…fine.”

- “Great, I've been wanting to see the woman that set cold-hearted Wesker into such a spin…oh...um….”

-“Its fine, Birkin. I know that's what people think of me…and they should think that. Goodbye, I'll be on the helipad.”

- “Alright, goodbye my friend.”

Wesker hung up the phone, I wonder if that's what everybody really does think of me…I wonder if, if that's what Asherah thought of me…Not that I could blame anyone, before her I was cruel. I didn't believe in anything, least of which love…Wesker punched his fists on the polished wood of the table, “I won't let her be taken from me!!”

***************************************************************** *******

 

Back in Asherah's and Rebecca's room, the scene had grown slightly more chaotic. Rebecca and Claire entered the room, still keeping a firm grasp on Asherah. Jill was standing on the other side of the door, perched against a wall, when she saw Asherah being manhandled into her presence. “Girls, I thought you promised you would bring her here in a civilized manner…” Jill said shaking her head.

- “Sorry, Jill,” Claire said, “You know Bec, she loves the aggressive, over-the-top approach to life's little situations.”

-“Yes she does.” answered Asherah highly annoyed. “Can you please unhand me now?” Both the girls released her at the same time, while nervously glancing at Asherah and one another in response, to see if Asherah was truly as angry with them as she seemed. And these are supposed to be my closet friends…Asherah thought to herself. She shook her head, “I'm assuming there's a good reason for my kidnapping?”

- “Of course, Asie!” Rebecca said optimistically with a raised finger. “You know we only kidnap with care!” Jill sighed, “The reason we brought you here, as forceful as it may have been”, she said shooting a glance at both Rebecca and Claire, “is that we're all concerned for you.”

-“Guys, I really appreciate this, really, but I'm fine. I know what I'm getting myself into…” Asherah looked down solemnly, Yeah, right. I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing; maybe that's what's been bothering him. Could it be that I was…bad? Maybe he doesn't want to be with me anymore, and is just being nice about it? No, no! He said, he said, he loved me…

Jill broke the silence, as she strode over to Asherah, and passed a comforting hand across her forehead. “Asherah, remember the talk I had with you?” Asherah blushed at the mention of it, “I don't think I could ever forget it.”

-“Yes, well, this is exactly what I was referring to.”

- “Asherah, look, we're your nearest and dearest. We just don't want you getting hurt…”Claire said.

-“Yeah, As! It's no secret that Wesker is a not so nice man, and we'd hate to see you get your heart broken.” Rebecca chimed in.

-“I'm touched by you all looking out for me but I'm okay. Don't worry, I can handle myself. Now I just need to walk around and clear my head a little, is that alright?” Claire nodded, “Of course, Asherah, but if you need anything, we're all here for you.”

-“I know.” Asherah said as she began to leave. Jill stood by the door as she walked out, “Be careful, Asherah, there's some cruel things in this world that you're not aware of yet.” Asherah stopped for a moment after hearing this, and then sadly looked over to Jill as she left her friends. I wonder what she meant by that…

***************************************************************** **********************

 

Birkin followed Wesker to his room. When he entered, his eyes managed to fall upon the unmade bed. Wesker followed Birkin's stare, and rushed over to pull up the sheets just enough to cover the slightly visible reddish tint left on his sheets from the night before. Both men blushed at the sight, “Ah, I see.” was all Birkin could manage.

- “Yes, well…I…” said a very red Wesker.

- “Ha, I never thought it was possible for you to become so flustered, Wes.”

- “Are we going to talk about formulating a plan, or my private affairs?”

- “Don't worry; we are going to come up with something.” Birkin said while obviously thinking about the latter subject. “I'm sorry, Wes, I just can't get past it, a virgin? I never knew you could be so gentle…well, I guess it makes sense; you're not exactly Casanova-

- “Birkin!! Could we please turn our attention to saving the woman I love!!!?” Wesker roared, nearly shaking the walls.

-“Jesus Christ, I'm sorry. I'll go with you to confront Ashford; tell him something, I'm not sure what yet.” Birkin looked up at Wesker disapprovingly, “You know you should have never gotten together with her. You knew the danger it would bring to the both of you, especially Asherah.”

-“I know, William.”

-“Well, now it's too late to turn back, and she's involved. I'll do my best to keep her off of Umbrella's radar, certainly doesn't help that you've managed to attract Alfred's attention.”

- “What would you like me to do?”

- “I'd tell you to stop seeing her, but I know you won't listen. Right now, I'd say the best thing for you to do is protect her from this as much as you possibly can.” Wesker looked Birkin directly in the eye, with the one of the most serious expressions he had ever produced, “You know I will.”

- “I know. Now, can I at least meet this incredible young woman who's transformed the great Wesker as we know him?”

- “I suppose that's only fair. I'll go get her.”

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Wesker knocked on the infamous door of Rebecca and his beloved's room. “Hell-, oh it's you...” Rebecca answered coldly. Jill jumped up from her seat, cutting out anything else Rebecca may have said, while Claire gave a strong glare from behind them both. “Oh, Sir, um, can we help you with something?” Wesker surveyed his unwelcoming audience before speaking “Ah, yes, Jill; is Asherah here?” Rebecca perked up, “Yeah, I bet you-

Claire quickly ran over and covered Rebecca's mouth, “Um, sorry Wes; she's not here.” Wesker flinched at this, becoming worried. “Well, do you know where she is?” he asked anyone that might answer. Rebecca broke free of her restraints, “Yeah, she said she needed to walk for a bit. Why don't you try finding her for once?” Both Jill and Claire sighed, shaking their heads, “I'm sure she didn't go far, Captain Wesker.” Jill said, trying to smooth things over.

- “Yes, thank you Jill.” He turned to leave, “Oh, and Rebecca?”

- “What?”

- “You'd do well to remember to address me in the same respectful manner as Valentine.” With that, Wesker left in pursuit of his Asherah. Rebecca stuck her tongue out at his back as he disappeared down the hall.

***************************************************************** **********************

 

Asherah walked further and further down the hall, all her thoughts seemed to contradict themselves. When she finally looked around herself, she stopped dead in her tracks. She realized she was down near Chris's room, and he was ever so conveniently in it. He had spotted her, or in actuality it was more glowering than anything else. Oh God, what now? She continued on, to afraid to stop and attempt a conversation with him in any sense. Chris emerged from his room as she began on her way, preventing her getaway.

- “Asherah!” He practically spat her name at her, as if the pronunciation of it was enough to make him ill. She turned around at the violent use of it, and mustered as much courage as her will allowed for. “Chris, look, I already know how you feel-

-“No! Stop right there! You have no fucking idea about how I feel!!”

-“Chris, I…”

- “Don't you even dare say anything! Him? Out of all the people; do you even love him or did you just want to know how it felt to fuck the boss!?”

Wesker appeared behind Chris, grabbed his shoulder roughly to turn him around, and delivered a swift blow. It all happened so fast, Asherah could barely process it. Chris got up and held his bleeding nose, “Ha, at least now I know you love her. I still would have been better for her and you know it, Wesker.” Chris walked past the two, as Wesker rushed to embrace his angel.