Resident Evil Series Fan Fiction ❯ Uncontrolled Exposure ❯ Chapter 13

Revelations & Affection

Chaosia looked around the crowded bar, trying not to grumble as more and more people poured through the doors of O' Flanagan's. She knew it was lunchtime but seriously how many people actually wanted to eat at a bar? Well other than her brother that is. She craned her neck, trying to see over the other patrons as they crowded around the bar and the front door; the sheer number of patrons and her lack of height making the endeavor all but pointless.

But just as she was going to sink back into the old booth and pout she saw a flash of dark hair and heard her brother's voice. She stretched again, pushing out of her seat for a second to wave as her brother pushed through the throngs of people.

“Bastian!”

He turned, his eyes scanning the room before they locked on her; his lips tugging into a tired grin as he moved to join her. But it was only when he was about three steps away that she realized he wasn't tired . . . he was nervous. And when he moved to sink into place beside her she saw why. Oh she was going to murder him and have Connors help her dispose of the body! Because there behind her idiot of a brother was the last person she ever wanted to see.

Captain Albert Wesker.

Or better known as the drunken pervert extraordinaire.

She turned, glaring at Bastian as Wesker sank into the booth across from her; tossing his light jacket aside before he reached for a menu. Acting for all the world like he wasn't intruding on something private. She opened her mouth to speak when Bastian's look stopped her, the same pleading face he'd used a million times over the tramp in Atlanta firmly in place. The one that begged and commanded her to behave all at once.

She narrowed her eyes and he nodded his bottom lip puckering slightly before she gave a long suffering sigh; deciding to play nice. Just this once. But as she reached to get her own menu Wesker spoke, making her head whip back to her brother hard enough that her neck actually hurt. Oh she really was going to kill him.

“Your brother said you had news to share, Dear Heart. Please by all means do not let my presence stop you.”

Bastian fidgeted before giving her a sheepish grin, rubbing the back of his neck as she turned from him.

“Yeah . . . uh-what did you want to tell me?”

She crossed her arms, the simple action causing the material of her dress to pull taut around her chest and shoulders; exposing just the tiniest bit of the black lace at the top of her bra. She sighed, closing her eyes. Why had she decided to wear this damn thing to begin with . . . oh wait, she'd needed t look professional for the interview and the black dress had been perfect. The double lapel pencil dress was tailored to hug her curves while the soft rounded shoulder and military epaulettes with painted buttons made it a bit less formal-exactly what she'd needed for a summer interview in the middle of a heat wave. Too bad it didn't want to stay in place now that she'd sat down.

She rolled her eyes trying not groan aloud as she shifted in her seat. But as she went to move-to covertly readjust herself she noticed that Wesker had tugged his sunglasses off. And that his eyes weren't as focused on the menu as they were her chest.

She glared, moving her heeled foot under the table and catching him in the shin; the sound making Bastian jump just as Wesker yelped. Her brother turned to her while Wesker glared, his face falling into an absolutely dangerous expression as he spoke. But she didn't care. He'd acted like a total ass most of the time he'd been at her home on the lake-volleying between trying to be smooth and being a manipulative jerk with a few nice, vulnerable moments sprinkled on top just to irritate her even more. She wasn't happy he was here at her lunch with her brother but she had intended to play nice . . . until she'd caught him looking down her damn dress like some fucking idiot.

“Why must you insist on striking me every time we meet?”

She shrugged her voice saccharine and smooth she gave him a pointed look; her lips tugging into a smug smile all on their own. She hadn't told Bastian or Khail what had happened between them the last night at the lake. There hadn't been a point. They'd both been far too drunk and far too stupid to truly be held accountable for their actions-even though she knew that she was taking herself more into consideration than she was him.

Because she wasn't about to admit-even to herself-that she might've actually instigated everything on purpose just to see what he'd do. Or that she'd thoroughly enjoyed it. Nope. No way.

“Why must you be a perverse egotistical ass every time we meet?”

_________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________

Wesker glared at Chaosia, his eyes narrowing as she smirked at him. But he couldn't really be too upset. She had caught him looking . . . even if it hadn't been intentional. He closed his eyes, trying to gather himself as Bastian worked to keep peace between them. Though if he'd known exactly what had occurred-what Chaosia was referring to-then he doubted the man would be so quick to jump to his aide.

Suddenly he was back at the lake, standing in her bedroom a few hours before dawn; the two arguing over his treatment of her before. And though now he could admit he'd been far too inebriated to attempt conversation-hell anything with the damned woman at the time he'd been adamant about getting her to see his way.

Which is why as soon as the others had passed out he'd marched right back up the steps and pushed into her bedroom. Uncaring that he'd walked in on her as she'd been stepping out of her bathroom, wrapped only in a tiny towel. And completely unconcerned with just how bad of an idea his plan had been.

She'd glared at him and told him to get out, to leave her alone and he'd just stepped closer. His voice taunting as he'd fired back at her.

“No I think not. We are going to finish our discussion. Why do you seem intent to fawn over him? Over any of them? You've barely spared me a passing glance since Redfield returned. Yet you are resolute in your objection to your brother-how did you put it? Ah yes fucking his sister.”

She'd snorted, turning from him as she moved to her dresser; tugging out a long black dress shirt-that judging from the length had once belonged to one of her brothers- and pulled it over her head. Whipping the towel out from under the shirt and tossing it in the hamper before she'd rounded on him. Her eyes weren't as clouded as they'd been before but it was still easy to see she'd been intoxicated at one point-and was probably more than slight buzzed, to quote Chris. Especially since he'd spotted the now empty crystal decanter atop her dresser.

“What does it matter, Captain? What and who I do are none of your business. Besides I would think you had more oh-so-important things to worry about in your life. Why do you care if I'm nicer to Chris than I am you? I tried to be pleasant and you turned out to be a manipulative, petty fuck. One who just had to turn things to your advantage even when they didn't really benefit you! Has your life been that fucking pathetic, that empty that you can't just allow things to run their course around you?! Do you have to control everything? God I'm neurotic and even I can let the little shit slide!”

He'd blinked, stunned but she'd continued. And her words had made him grow angrier by the moment. God she'd better be ten sheets to the wind or Bastian's sister was going to turn up missing-her body washing up in the river with no fingers or teeth after he gifted her to William as a new test subject.

“If you'd wanted to see what I was working on you could've asked. You could've just showed interest and I would've told you. Gladly since Bastian doesn't like to do anything with viruses these days. They all remind him too much of her! But oh no. You had to be a bigshot and throw your weight around, try and blackmail me to keep the advantage. I mean Christ, how bad does your life suck that you don't even know how to deal with normal fucking people? Other than the whores, sluts and married women my brother insists you bed out of boredom and apathy.”

He'd snapped at her, his voice dropping low before he'd been able to stop himself. But even as he seethed down at her he'd never contemplated that putting himself that close to her would be dangerous.

“I have a life, Dear Heart. A very lucrative and productive one. But what of yours? Outside of this house and whatever pitiful seconds your brothers throw at you what do you do? Work? Drink? You've consumed more alcohol than any woman I've ever seen in the past few days.”

She glared, her eyes going colder than he'd ever seen them as she stretched to her tiptoes. And Wesker hadn't been able to help but inhale deeply. She was wearing some damnably sweet perfume, her scent wrapping around comfortingly him even as her words had worked to tear him to pieces.

“What does my life have to do with you, Albert Wesker? Hm? You've made it more than clear-since the first day you got here- that I'm beneath your notice so do not lecture me on how to behave. Like you'd know anyway-all you deal with are empty minded little fawns; lambs to the slaughter that want to be sacrificed to God's gift; the magnificent Dr. Wesker, Captain of STARS.”

He'd smirked down at her, seeing the opportunity to bring her ego down a few notches. It wasn't like she was correct in her assumptions about his knowledge of women . . . hell, he'd been with plenty-some of the best society and propriety had to offer. But the seemingly meaningless sex was one of the perks of being who he was; of holding his position within both Umbrella and the ruse he infiltrated within the RPD. As well as a tool at his disposal should he chose to utilize it-even against her. And she was insane to think otherwise. If he wanted her panting on that bed, the only thing stopping him would be Bastian's direct request-that he be serious about his intentions if he ever bedded her.

But if she didn't cease with this new found defiance-this sheer fire then even that wasn't going to influence his decision. He would fuck her just to break her, to prove he could and would control her; the same as he could any other person alive.

“And I wager that it consumes you alive, doesn't it? Knowing that those women can have me however they chose; as often as I chose. While you're stuck here by yourself. I would wager you've never been bedded by a true man, Dear Heart. Much less one like me. But you are correct. I cannot tell you how to behave. I have no inkling of how scared little girls are supposed to act-“

The next thing he'd known her lips were sealed over his own, her mouth moving feverishly over his while one of her hands traced ever so lightly down his chest. The other wound its way into his tresses, parting the thick blonde waves as her fingers moved through them. For the first two seconds he was sure he'd had some sort of stroke, that all of this was some sort of reaction to the copious amounts of alcohol in his system. And then she'd leaned into him just a bit further, her teeth nipping at his lips as she moaned to him. His hands had started roving and his mouth matched her pace then, meeting her with equal fervor as he'd tugged her closer to himself. When she parted her lips, his tongue was there; eager to taste her. When she went to withdraw, he moved to follow her. And when she pulled his bottom lip between hers, scraping it ever so slightly with her blunt little teeth as she eased back onto flat feet he hadn't been able to stop the little shiver and deep groan she drew from him. Or that his eyes were still lidded as she leaned in, nipping his jaw hard.

“Never doubt for a second, Captain Wesker that I couldn't have or do anything I wanted. I just don't want anything to do with you. But you are right about one thing. I wouldn't know what to do with a man like you. I mean do you even know how to make a woman- a real woman and not one of your little flings cum?”

He blinked, shocked as she stepped away and turned for the door, pulling the baggy tee shirt just a bit straighter as she smirked up at him condescendingly. Wesker had known then he'd miscalculated-severely. Even though he'd only half listened to her brother's ramblings he had still assumed-with her own awkwardness and her seemingly antisocial sunny disposition that she was damn near virginal. Apparently-from both her kiss and her whispered, mocking words he'd been mistaken.

“I didn't think so. Let me let you in on a little secret, Dear heart. I can . . . when you want to learn maybe I'll teach you. Otherwise keep your hands and your eyes to yourself.”

And with that, she turned on her heel; trying to leave the bedroom before he'd caught her. They'd fallen into bed after that, a flurry of mouths and limbs as they'd gotten as close as they could. Only to wake up the next morning sore, disoriented and-as soon as they'd regained enough of their sense-bickering and fighting; both of them equally mortified beyond belief.

Not to mention what he could remember had left him fighting with himself and staying in cold showers for the entire week they'd been back.

He shook himself, sighing as Bastian's words jarred him back to the present. Apparently he'd missed something reminiscing. Something important from the way his friend was grinning idiotically, practically beaming like some proud parent.

“Well hell Chaosia! That's great! Guess that means you're actually going to stay in Raccoon for a while huh? Are you going to resign your lease for the townhouse or are you going to look for a permanent spot?”

Chaosia shrugged, smiling at her brother as she blushed; her earlier ire seemingly gone as her brother motioned for the bartender. Waving something small and rectangular in his hand as he did so.

“I'll probably just resign for now, Bastian. I have plenty of time to worry about houses. Besides . . . I don't want to think about moving right now. Owning the lake house is enough. What are you doing?”

He grinned, turning and sliding the rectangle-a key card and ID badge on a clip-across the table to Wesker; still grinning from ear to ear. Wesker picked it up, looking over the badge before looking to Chaosia. This was her access card for the morgue as well as her ID, a new picture perfectly placed above a new title.

One she hadn't had a week before.

“This deserves a drink! And I plan to get us one. Al, don't even think about refusing.”

He raised a brow before nodding, extending it back to her with a grin. But as she went to accept it his fingers brushed against hers, her eyes shooting up to lock with his. The light blue green went wide before they narrowed, her lips tugging into a thin as she glared at him; moving to draw back from the contact. He however didn't allow her to, settling his free hand over hers; keeping her within his grasp as he spoke.

“I am impressed Dear heart. I hadn't thought you would succeed this quickly . . . Congratulations. I assume you accepted the position then?”

She nodded, her face softening even though her eyes retained some of their edge. She went to pull away again, his fingers keeping her shackled to the table; causing her to sigh in exasperation before she growled.

“Oh for the love of-would you let me go now, Captain? Or do you just get off on manhandling me?”

His face fell dangerously blank before he shrugged, his tone bored as he cut his eyes towards the bar. Bastian was busy talking, his natural exuberance and social personality working in his favor as the bartender nodded; pouring three large shots of something terribly dark. Oh God what was he going to push down his throat now?

“Do you honestly wish to know?”

Chaosia turned, her eyes landing on her brother as she groaned; shaking her head.

“No, the last night at the lake left me with more than I ever wanted to know. Oh dear God didn't he drink enough last weekend?”

Wesker snorted, his ire with the woman momentarily dissipating as he shrugged his brows. He moved his fingers, absentmindedly caressing the side of hers as he spoke.

“Apparently not . . . does he always drink like this?”

Chaosia was still for a moment before shaking her head, her eyes tracking her brother as he talked and laughed; downing one of the shots before the barkeep filled it back up with a wink.

“No, he didn't used to. Actually before he left Atlanta he barely drank at all-I was the one that he and Khail always threatened to send to AA. But now . . . now he drinks more than I do.”

She glanced back to him, her bottom lip between her teeth as she sighed. His eyes narrowed slightly, taking in the signs of her distress. And he was barely aware that his fingers hold tightened around her for a few scant seconds before she turned her eyes back to Bastian. Her voice became smaller, softer as she seemed to sag; looking worriedly after her laughing sibling.

“I worry about him . . .”

“He is an adult, Chaosia. I am sure he is aware of his limits.”

She turned back, raising a brow at him before her lips tugged into a devious little smirk; her eyes twinkling mischievously. Almost maliciously.

“Just not others, right? Tell me, Captain. Just how shitfaced were you when you acted like an ass?”

He snorted, his eyes narrowing again as she chuckled. But he couldn't force the same irritation that had come so naturally before. He just didn't understand why.

“None of your concern. Though it seems that when I'm `shitfaced' is the only time you willing brave my presence. Is my company really so unenjoyable?”

She shrugged, giving him a pointed look before sliding her hand from beneath his; her voice still distant but nowhere near as cold as it had been before. Something that he took as a sign of improvement. Since she was the new Medical Examiner it wouldn't do for her to hate him completely-seeing as in he'd actually have to deal with her office for STARS cases as well as trying to ensure Connors didn't overstep her bounds.

“I wouldn't know, Captain. Because other than the small conversation your first night and our revising session I haven't spent any time in your company.”

He raised a brow, his lips tying to tilt into a smirk as he drawled to her.

“Oh really? And who pray tell have you spent time with then if not myself?”

“Well I had to deal with this narcissistic ass that liked to push people around and act like a complete jerk. He even got mad at me for trying to apologize to someone for my own bad attitude towards their friends and sister.”

Wesker stilled, knowing exactly what she was talking about. He'd had no idea that her private quiet conversation had actually been her apologizing. And suddenly her attitude-or lack of tolerance for his made sense. He sighed, resting his elbows on the table as he linked his fingers together; resting his chin on his hands.

“My . . . sounds positively dreadful. How did you ever survive?”

She rolled her eyes, giving him a reprimanding look before shaking her head. But she took his sarcasm as it was intended instead of being offended, merely looking to him in exasperation.

“By dousing my brain in alcohol apparently. And we all saw how wonderful that went.”

Wesker chuckled, glancing to Bastian as he finally pushed away from the bar; moving to the table with the shots balanced precariously in his fingers, weaving between the steadily growing crowd. He eased back into his seat, his eyes roaming over her face before he dipped his chin to her. What he was about to do was unprecedented but he needed to. If he didn't then all of his attempts to have the girl accredited would be pointless.

Besides, it might not be so bad to have her actually tolerate him. She was proving to be far different from most of the women he associated with of his own freewill. No wonder her brothers were insane.

“I apologize then, Dear heart. For subjecting you to such taxing circumstances.”

Chaosia shrugged, looking to Bastian before groaning. She glanced back to him, shaking her head with a smirk as she turned to her brother; her voice rising as she teased him.

“Don't worry, Captain. No one was on their best behavior so we'll call it even. Water under the bridge as it were. What in the hell is this, sot?”

Bastian grinned, sliding both of them the shot. Correction: the dark, sludgy shot that positively reeked. Wesker looked up to Chaosia as she curled her nose at the brew, her plump lips turned up in a grimace as she picked the drink up. She held it out, eying it skeptically when absolutely no light penetrated the dark liquid. Her brother however was undeterred, picking his own back up and raising it; the volume of his voice increasing as he laughed.

“Just shut up and drink it, brat. It won't kill you. To Raccoon City's new assistant Medical Examiner and viral pathologist.”

Wesker and Chaosia shared a look before knocking back the drink, both visibly cringing at the bitter taste as Bastian sank back into the booth. Acting like he'd just consumed water instead of whatever foul creation he'd forced down their throats. Chaosia sputtered, covering her mouth as Wesker fought to keep his gag reflex under control.

“Oh c'mon! It wasn't that bad! Now hurry up and pick something to eat. We still have to drop by the morgue before we go back to work.”

Chaosia turned, her eyes suspicious as narrowed them; cutting her gaze over the table top to him. Wesker however nodded, giving her a deadpan look as he answered her unvoiced question.

“He's right. Apparently Chief Irons wanted me to formally meet the new Assistant Medical Examiner before returning to today's meetings. Something about how Connors barely lets him in the door without threatening to-“

“Bag and tag him. Yeah. She's not his biggest fan by any means. But you've already met me, Captain.”

He grinned, shrugging his brows as the waitress came to take their order; handing each of them tall glasses of ice water while they waited.

“Ah yes. But not officially. Doctor Shaw.”

He turned, handing the waitress his menu before shrugging again; giving her a smirk. She flouted, crossing her arms as she sighed; shaking her head tiredly.

“Why are you doing this to me? I accepted your apology what else do you want?”

He looked her over, his smirk falling for a second before returning; his thoughts turning from Irons decree to Spencer's. To fully integrate himself within as much as he could; to build and utilize the relationships around him to ensure his success. He nodded to her, feeling nowhere near as repentant as he sounded. Because he was sure-with how everything was working between them-that he would eventually get to reap the benefits of forging a relationship with her.

Even if it turned out to be professionally.

“Orders are orders, Dear heart. Orders are orders.”

_________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________