So what is Human?

Chris opened his mouth to say something, but no words would come. It was too hot, he wished they’d crack open a window. Breathing again he was sure he was breathing out steam, why weren’t they doing anything about it? How could they stand being in a room that was clearly in the deepest pit of Hell?

Barker looked at the two. “Is it alright if I take notes like I’m supposed to? I won’t touch him.”

Leon aimed the gun his way as he reached for his recorder. “It’s just my recorder, you’re not going to shoot me right?”

“Just the recorder.” Leon agreed, he heard Madison speaking softly with Chris, as if to calm him down, though her voice was tinted with her own fear.

“I’m sorry Chris… Please, stay with me okay? It’ll be okay…” She whispered brushing his hair off his face. Where the hell was Beth with the icepacks?

Barker pulled out the recorder, and graceful fingers clicked it on. “Subject is showing the same symptoms as lab animals. High temperature, possible delusions…”

Chris growled low in his throat, the fire was eating through him and there was no way to stop it. His fingers clawed at the bedding; unaware Madison was even there.

Leon glanced at Madison, warning the kid to be careful. He was listening to Barker, and knew he wasn’t going to like what happened.

Madison caught Chris’s hand in her much smaller one. “Chris, come on Chris, please… She’ll be back soon, we’ll cool you down.” Her free hand went back to stroking his face gently, hoping to calm him.

“I would advise you not to get your hand too close to his mouth. The T-R-virus can spread within the first forty-eight hours through saliva.” Barker muttered, his eyes on Chris. Leon forced himself not to shudder; he had never seen anyone so indifferent to someone else’s suffering.

Leon nodded to Madison. “You should get back, just to be on the safe side.”

Madison didn’t move. “I’m not leaving his side… I gave it to him, so if I get infected, I deserve the same fate.” She glared at Leon.

He then looked back at Barker. “After the two days, then what?”

“Then it’s past the point of contagion, unless someone gets a transfusion with his blood.” Barker smiled. “It’s not something easily spread. That was part of the problem Umbrella had with the T-virus.”

Madison winced as the hand around hers tightened painfully. Though she did her best not to cry out. She felt something snap in her hand and bit her lip tightly in order to stay silent. She didn’t want Leon to try to pry his hand off her, or to shoot Chris.

“How would you know that was the problem?” He kept his gun steady on the doctor.

“Please, you don’t think that I’ve had access to every bit of information the government has gathered on the T-virus.” Barker shifted his weight. “Clearly they weren’t able to handle the rapid spread of the illness that decimated Raccoon.”

Madison tried to get Chris to release her hand. “Damn it, where is Beth with the ice…” She squealed in pain as the hand tightened more, and she felt more snaps and his wrist twisted, snapping hers. “Chris! Let go, you’re hurting me…” She pounded on his arm with her free hand.

Took a few moments, but he did let go of her. He hadn’t even realized he had grabbed her hand. After swallowing a few times, he managed to speak. “It’s fucking hot…” His voice sounded like he wasn’t really there.

She pulled the broken hand close deciding not to blame him for it. “I know… We’re going to cool you down soon okay?” She glanced at Leon. “I know you want to play the tough cop at the moment, but we have to cool him down. In the bathroom there’s towels, get them wet with cold water.”

“And leave you alone with this jerk?” He had heard her squeal and watched her favor her hand.

“Won’t do any good if he’s able to walk but his mind’s fried.” She growled low.

“Do you have to yell?” Chris growled. “You’re all so loud?”

Barker nodded and muttered into his recorder.

Madison glared at Leon to go. It wasn’t like he’d be going far. Her hand was throbbing, but she did her best to ignore it for now. She really didn’t think she wanted any of the doctors looking at her hand yet. Not while Chris was still bound to the bed.

“I wonder what is keeping that woman…” Barker sighed. He had thought that Beth was a little more competent.

The woman in question walked in, her hands up as Jill held a gun to her.

“Chris…” The voice made Madison look up, it was his sister, and she hung her wounded hand at her side, wincing in pain. Wouldn’t do to let the sister know that her patient didn’t know his own strength now.

“Cl-Claire?” Chris blinked narrowing his eyes to try to see the two that had entered. Everything seemed hazy.

Leon moved to stop her. “Claire, it’s not safe…”

“Back off Leon, he’s my brother I don’t care…” She noted the bindings. “Why’s he tied down? I thought you guys said he couldn’t walk?”

Madison trembled slightly; everything about the woman let her know that Claire wasn’t someone she wanted against her. “He… Leon the cold towels please, before he burns up…”

“Even if he reaches a dangerous temperature it shouldn’t cause any true damage.” He looked to Jill and Beth. “You know… this is excessive.” He put down the recorder. “Is it alright if I show you my ID?”

Leon sighed letting Claire pastas he ducked into the bathroom to get the towels. “Keep an eye on them both Valentine, I don’t trust them… And don’t scare the kid too much, she’s trying to help.”

Jill nodded. “Right.” She looked at the doctor while shifting her stance to keep the gun trained on Beth. “You’ve got a lot of explaining to do doc.” She glanced at the blonde, who was doing her best not to shake like a leaf.

Madison leaned against the wall holding her hurt hand as she watched the others. “The… the doc said be careful about him spitting on you… He… He’s highly contagious for the next two days… Miss Redfield, I’m sorry, I… I didn’t have a choice…” She trembled, shock fully setting in on what she had done to Chris.

“Well the chances of you getting infected from spitting on you… Well let me put it this way, he bites you you’re going to be infected. If he licks your eyeball or any other soft wet tissue, you’re going to be infected.” Barker pulled out his ID offering it to Claire, watching the older sibling for any other change in his condition.

Chris was panting, as if each breath of air was a chore to even draw. Though he seemed to be trying to relax. He wanted to tell everyone he was feeling numb, but couldn’t find the air to speak. Madison moved to his side again, her hand was cool against his arm.

Claire glanced at her, her face softening for a moment hoping to calm the trembling girl’s nerves. She reached out and snagged the ID.

Madison stayed by the bed, but kept her hands away. She tried to move the fingers in the hand that Chris had squeezed and winced biting her lip to keep from screaming out. She knew something wasn’t right about it. The monitors made a noise that made her look up. His heart rate was starting to slow to a more acceptable rate. “Leon, hurry up will you…” She whispered gently touching his brow with her good hand. “It’s going to be alright Chris…”

“Hey can I lower my hands now?” Beth asked as she tapped her foot. She was starting to feel a little stupid with them up.

She and Jill moved slightly as Leon brushed by them with the wet towels.

“Lower them, and keep them at your side. Do anything funny…” Jill didn’t finish; she didn’t have to, the woman got the point. “Claire, what’s it say?”

Claire scowled a little. “It’s legit. He’s ORE.” She handed it back to him seeing the kid was wavering on her feet. “Leon, help the kid.” She stepped closer to Barker. “What the fuck did you give my brother?”

Leon had already caught Madison and was helping her into a seat. “Madi, Chris is going to need you okay? Hang in there, we’ll get you medical help soon alright?” He saw her hand was already swelling up and knew whatever had happened wasn’t good. Her wrist was at an awkward angle as well; telling him it was probably broken. “Sit tight okay? Don’t move around too much.”

Madison gave a weak nod, though she was still looking at Chris.

“It is my personal remake of the T-virus or the T-R, Tyrant Rage Virus.” Barker crossed his arms and leaned back against the wall. “It will restore his spine and the other damage he’s suffered.” The man looked entirely too pleased with himself. “It should have little to no physical traces.”

Claire growled. “Are you fucking insane? You know what the T did to Raccoon!” She glanced over to Jill a moment. “Leon how high is this guy on the ladder, cause Jill, sh…” She paused catching his next few words. “Little to no… Right, if there’s any change in him… you’re the first asshole I’m killing.”

Madison cringed hearing her words and hoped that Chris was right about his sister. Something told her she was on that shit list somewhere. Despite her hand, she got back up to try to help cover Chris with the towels.

Chris was staying still. “Claire, Stop Fucking Yelling.” He snapped making Madison jump back slightly with a whimper. “My head feels like it’s splitting apart.” At least he seemed to be mostly coherent, even if he sounded like he was on a really bad drug trip.

Barker pushed his glasses up his nose. “It’s not the T-Virus, it’s the T-R…”

Jill winced slightly; this was going to turn ugly real quick if Claire didn’t cool off.

Claire turned to say something to Chris, but stopped. The kid was dabbing at his brow with her good hand, it was clear with how the kid was trembling she wasn’t dealing with the situation real well. With a sigh she bit back her words. She wasn’t happy with things, even less with seeing her brother bound to the bed, but she knew her temper wasn’t helping.

Jill’s back went stiff as she felt something sharp press against her back.

“Hey Boss sorry I’m late, had some things to wrap up. You okay?” The voice was cold, but held a faint hint of warmth to it.

Barker gave a faint hint of a smile; Cole had the habit of showing up just when she was needed. “I’m fine. Just some people are gun happy. Others seem to think I have lost my mind.” He tossed his hands in the air. “I have been working on this virus ever since the first reports of Wesker’s own inhumanity reached the government.” He looked at Madison. “Looks like you’re in even deeper now.”

Madison bit her lip trembling still. She couldn’t see the woman behind Jill, but had the feeling it was the red head from before.

“Hand over the gun Valentine and go stand with the brat. Kennedy, I’ll have to ask you to disarm too, and slide the gun over here.” Cole’s voice hinted with glee.

Jill let forth a stream of curses that would have made both sailors blush, and truckers blanch. She lowered the gun, flicking on the safety and handed it back to the woman.

Madison trembled watching what was going on, though she tried to stay focused on Chris. At least his breathing was easier, though she noticed his eyes didn’t seem to be focusing. Part of her wondered if they were too late and part of his brain was already fried.

“You too sweet stuff, drop the gun and kick it over.” Cole took the safety off of Jill’s gun, using it to replace the knife she had been using. “And again sorry I was late boss. Though, got the transportation for our guest here.”

“Y-you fire that gun in here, you’ll kill all of us.” Madison spoke up, her voice low. “There’s too much oxygen in the air…” She hoped the red head was an idiot.

Chris heard Madison’s words. “Claire stop showing off your fucking balls.” Chris bit out his eyes focusing on the scared woman above him. “Leon, I’m alright.” He closed his eyes. “I did this to myself.” He was trying to take full responsibility for what had happened. He had never meant for her to get involved. The kid shouldn’t even be there.

Claire reluctantly gave up her gun. It was a Desert Eagle that Chris had given her for her birthday a year ago. She shook her head hearing Chris’s words. “Wha… no, you were depressed… they… they tricked you into this…” She still couldn’t believe he would do something so foolish.

Madison stayed quiet, tears dripping down her cheeks. She wasn’t sure if it was from the pain in her arm, or she was starting to completely lose it. A hand touched her shoulder and she brushed it off, not wanting to be babied. She shot Leon an ‘I’m sorry’ look as well.

“At least one of you is being reasonable.” Barker nodded.

“And what the fuck do you mean by that?” Claire glared at the doctor.

“You pulled guns. You endangered him by delaying things that would have dropped his temperature. Brain damage is hard to repair, even with the virus. He could have fried his brain you know.” Barker shook his head. “I haven’t lied to any of you, I am part of ORE. Meaning I am working for the government, just like you. We are still trying to clean up the mess left behind by Umbrella.”

Madison glared at the doctor. “And threatening kids helps clean it up how?” She whimpered low hoping no one had heard her. “There… are too many people in here… He needs his rest.” She hoped she sounded braver than she felt.

The red head’s gun went her way making her cringe against Leon. “You’re in no position to tell us what he needs brat.”

“Cole.” Barker’s tone had turned to ice. The red head yelped. “You need to set a cool example. She is right; he needs his rest. However, I need to observe his reactions.”

Jill was silent, her arms crossed over her chest. Chris had agreed to be infected… it didn’t sound possible, there had to have been a trick. The girl was hurt; Jill glanced at Beth and the doctor. She had a feeling Beth could hurt the kid; maybe that was why he agreed.

“Sorry boss.” Grinning to him she nodded. “Then I take it you want me to take them outside?” She backed up to give them room to leave before her.

Madison stayed her ground. “I… I’m not leaving.” She grabbed Chris’s hand with her good one. Even though she was in pain, she didn’t want the doctor near Chris.

“You miss, are going to get your hand looked at.” Barker shuddered slightly; hand injuries were something that always made him feel dizzy. “When you have had it checked out you can come back. Until then, one of the peanut gallery can stay in your stead.”

Leon looked at Claire, “You stay; I’ll make sure the kid’s taken care of.” He motioned for Madison to come to him. She stayed her ground; looking to Chris to see if he thought it was okay. Her hand hurt, but she wasn’t going to let her patient hurt more.

“Go on Madi, Leon will look after you. I’m a big boy I can look after myself.” He bit back a whimper as he felt something like a stab of pain from his hips. “It’ll be alright.”

Jill looked to Chris, her eyes showing how she couldn’t stand seeing him strapped down like that. She slipped out of the room first.

Madison gave a small nod, going around the bed to Leon’s side. She felt the man wrap an arm around her and fought breaking down.

Claire watched Jill leave, noting the sadness in the woman’s eyes. She knew that Jill still had feelings for her brother. She nodded to Leon. “I’ll be okay, get her taken care of okay? Have a feeling the big lug here’s not going to rest until he knows she’s okay.”

Cole waved the gun. “Come on pretty boy, brat, let’s let the sibs talk.” She motioned for them to pass him.

Barker took a seat, talking in a hushed voice into his recorder again.

Once the others were out of the room, Claire found she couldn’t say anything. She wanted to yell at Chris, but seeing him bound down, she knew she couldn’t. Setting her jaw, she took up his hand.

“Not a word.”

“Claire?” He tipped his head trying to see her.

She sighed and nodded. “I’m here Chris.” It was clear she was pissed, but she wasn’t going to bitch him out yet. No, first she’d deck Leon for letting her brother do something so stupid.

“My spine… Claire he severed it; snapped me like a toy.” Chris closed his eyes. “He wasn’t supposed to be here but he was…” He swallowed. Chris could feel tears burning at the corners of his eyes, but he wasn’t going to cry, not in front of Claire.

“Who?” She growled slightly, and then regretted it when she saw the look in his eyes. “I… Chris is that why you…”

“No it’s not because of him, not really. I can’t live the rest of my life in a damned chair. I thought about it Claire…. He just… He killed me if this doesn’t work…” Something wet slid over his cheek. Chris refused to believe it was a tear.

Claire had moved to brush the tear away, but froze, remembering what the doctor had said. “If… If it doesn’t... You idiot! You’d really leave me? Leave Jill?”

“What fucking good would I be, Claire?” He growled at her. “Tell me that?”

She bit her lip. Only one person in the world could really make her cry and damn it he was determined to make her lose it. “I… I don’t know… But… Damn it Chris! We’ve been trying so hard to stop those viruses, and you go around and…”

“Expose myself to one willingly. Pot and the kettle.”

She gave a small nod. “I don’t know if I should be pissed at you or not…”

Chris was going to say more but hissed as a sharp jolt of pain lashed through him. His back arched and one of his legs jerked hard on the restraints.

Claire yelped. “Chris? What’s going on?” She moved closer to him, hoping she could do something.

Barker whispered low. “That is a little better than I had estimated.” In truth he was shocked that the other was regenerating this fast. Maybe Redfield was a better subject for testing than he had first thought.

“Fuck are you saying Doc…” He was trying not to scream, but the sheer agony ripping through him was by far the most pain he had ever felt before.

“What’s going on with him? Claire growled looking at Barker, not understanding why the man wasn’t doing anything to stop the pain her brother was in. “It’s hurting him…” She touched Chris’s arm, having a feeling grabbing his hand was what had gotten the nurse hurt.

“Regeneration is taxing it hurts the first several times a person undergoes it until the brain can adjust to the feeling.” He pushed his glasses back up his nose.

“Give him something to ease it then. You’re the fucking doctor!”

Chris’s hands clawed at the bedding, shredding the sheets as if they were made of rice paper.

Claire watched and backed up a little. “Chris…”

“The problem is my dear, I have no idea what to give him you see? I don’t know what he’s already on.”

“Who else has been giving him drugs then?” Once she had said it she had a ‘duh’ moment, but couldn’t take it back.

“The hospital.” Barker rolled his eyes. He knew that the Redfield’s were stubborn, seemed stupidity might be another trait they shared. “I don’t want to have him OD.”

“Well get his chart.” She growled. “I don’t care about your fucking experiment, I don’t want my brother to suffer.

Chris snarled a little as his body shuddered. He was going to be strong. “Claire… I will be fine…” Part of him wanted to suffer. He deserved it for taking the coward’s way out. He had sold his humanity for a chance to walk again, for another chance to face Wesker.

Claire looked at her brother. “No, you’re not… Chris…” She had noticed the bed frame was bent from his struggles.

He jerked again, this time both legs moved hard enough to twist the frame beyond repair. The restraints gave a cry of protest before they were torn open. Chris watched wide-eyed.

Claire let out a small gasp and backed up more. “Chris Stop it!”

“He’s just getting feeling back in his limbs fits like that are normal. You do realize that right?” Barker asked. “Telling him to stop is like yelling at someone who has seizures.”

Claire shot the doctor a ‘Fuck you’ glare. Made her feel less scared of her brother for a moment though.

Chris was trying so hard to regain control over his body; that refused to want to listen to him at the moment. He was scared, but he knew Claire had to be terrified. He remembered her telling him about Steve turning into a monster. Chris hoped the doctor was right, that he wasn’t going to turn into some kind of freak creation.

Claire backed up more, falling into a seat as she remembered the red head too, and how he had turned into a monster. She shook her head, not wanting to say it, afraid she said it; it would be true for her brother.

Another tidal wave crashed into him as he tried to tell Claire not to worry, that he’d be all right. It was hard to breathe, each small gasp draining him more.

“Ah, I was wondering when he was going to hit this phase…” Barker remained perfectly calm.

“What’s happening?” Claire moved back to her brother’s side. “Chris… Come on Chris, you can’t let it win…”

“Let it win?” Barker asked standing. He started to her side making her tense. “What are you blathering on about woman?”

That was when the dull tone of a flat line filled the room. Chris’s heart had stopped.

“The true test… will be if he wakes again.” Barker raked his fingers through his hair.

Claire had seen enough dead bodies to know she was now looking at one. “No… NO! Bring him back! God Damn it Chris! Don’t you dare!”

***

Once they had slipped out of the room, Cole pulled Madison closer, grinning slightly as she held the gun to her head, stopping Leon from doing anything. “You two are going to behave and I won’t hurt his sweet little nurse. We’re all going to take a little trip so Beth here can take a look at her hand. Then we’ll see what happens.”

Madison froze. “No… Leon don’t let her…” The teen whimpered as she was handed over to Beth, who covered her mouth to keep her from screaming. Beth grabbed the girl’s broken arm making her give a muffled cry.

Leon tensed, but the gun went up his way. “Now, now pretty boy wouldn’t want me to have to shoot Valentine now would I? Boss wants you alive for some reason. You look like you’d be a pain in the ass to deal with though.” She motioned for all of them to head for one of the operating rooms.

“Got her under control Beth?”

“Yeah piece of cake.”

“Good, then I’ll take them up so they can’t interfere.” Cole grinned a little as she motioned for Jill to drop the blade she had picked up. “No knives for you Valentine.”

Madison was struggling to stay on her feet. Leon almost lunged for her when Beth shoved her to the gurney. The teen stumbled, falling to the floor beside it with a sharp cry.

“She’s already hurt, you don’t have to keep it up.” Jill caught Leon’s arm. Both watched Madison curl up into a ball around her broken arm. She was shivering.

“Madi…”

“Go… I… I’ll be okay.” She was trying to be brave at least. It was all Madison could do. Trying to get up she yelped as Beth pulled her to her feet again. Leon and Jill both didn’t like it, but there was nothing they could do about it.

Beth waited until the doors closed again before she smiled at Madison. “You want your arm dealt with you have to give me something.” Her hands moved, carefully pulling her scrub top out of her pants.

Madison whimpered trying to keep her away with her good hand.

“Stop, or I’ll let them see you nude. You want that?” Beth growled. Madison bit her lip and lowered her arm as Beth pulled the top up. “Thought so.” She smiled picking up a scalpel. Madison gave a sharp cry as the older woman nicked her, cutting away the soft lacy bra she wore. She lowered the girl’s shirt, not bothering to check to see how deep she had cut her.

Madison felt the blood trickle down between her breasts and closed her eyes fighting tears and a blush only to yelp when Beth’s hands probed into her pants. “No… please… Don’t…” She whimpered hating how much it sounded like begging.

The woman nicked her hip, removing the matching panties, stuffing both into her pocket she grinned at the girl. “Get on the table.”

Madison did so, not bothering to hide the tears now. She wanted someone to come in and get her out of there. But Leon wasn’t able to. She didn’t think she would be able to tell him what Beth had just done.

A needle brought her back to reality, as it pierced her skin making her cry out.

“See, told you she would be fine.” Cole’s voice came from above them, in the observation area. Madison didn’t look up. “Now, as for my little story.” Cole grinned, keeping the gun trained on the two. “You see, this morning my boss called, not Barker. My real boss, and he said he wanted a little example set for our little blonde princess down there.”

Madison shook her head; whatever Beth had given her was already starting to kick in. She tried to clear her head; she didn’t want to fall asleep with Beth there.

“Your nephews looked so cute tucked in their beds. Sweet little angels.” Madison opened her eyes as Cole held up something to the window. She recognized it as her youngest nephew’s baby blanket. “Whiskers wanted the message clear… guess it is.”

What made the teen pale was seeing the red stain on it. “No… Barker promised me I did what you wanted you’d leave them alone!” She cried out as Beth set her wrist and started wrapping it. Her world went black for a moment.

Madison woke, Leon gently touching her cheek. “Come on, let’s get you out of here. We’ll go get Claire and Chris…”

She clung to him with her good arm shivering as he lifted her up.

“Jill?”

“They’re not going to be moving for a while.” Jill came into view. Leon picked the trembling girl up as her beeper went off in her pocket.

“No…” She let Leon set her down and reached into the pocket for it. “No... nononono.” She bit her lip.

“What?”

“He’s flat lining.” She shoved everything else out of her head knowing she had to get to Chris. She missed seeing Jill have to grab the gurney she had been on. She ran for the elevator.

***

The door opened, Madison stumbling in, leaning against the wall, tears fell from her eyes as she moved turning off the machine. She didn’t say anything to Claire or Barker, other than to give the man a glare.

The doctor brought up his watch looking at it and tapping his foot. “If everything went right, he could wake up anytime within the hour.” He chuckled. “I wonder if this is how Jesus felt when he brought Lazarus back to life.”

“If he doesn’t wake up you’re dying as well.” Claire growled low. She hadn’t even noticed the girl had entered the room again.

“Miss Redfield, I went through all the proper channels for this. If he fails to wake and you in a petty act of revenge murder me you will be hunted down like a rabid animal and killed.” He leaned against the wall. “I doubt he would want that.”

Jill had caught up with Madison; she stayed in the doorway, silent, her eyes red and the tender skin around them puffy. The brunette was trying to stand tall. “Claire, if he dies you won’t have to kill the Doctor. I’ll fucking do it.” She couldn’t look at the twisted bed, or the body on it. It wasn’t her… no, Chris had never really been hers… Not really.

Madison bit her lip. “I… I have reason to put you away doctor. Your… your bodyguard… she killed my brother and his sons… the… The house…” She leaned more against the wall still fighting what Beth had given her. “Wasn’t… on your orders…” She closed her eyes shaking her head. “Someone she called Whiskers…” She needed to stay awake. Had Beth given her too much sedative?

“Claire, catch the kid, she’s about to pass out.” Leon said as he touched Jill’s shaking shoulders.

The doctor looked livid; what the hell had Cole and Wesker been thinking! “I see.” He shrugged. “Well if it is over my head what is it you want me to do? I didn’t intend for her family to die.” He ran his hand through his hair again and stepped away from the wall. “There is nothing I can do to change that.”

Claire moved, catching Madison as she fell. She carefully eased the girl to the floor, holding her close.

“For one, step away from Chris’s body.” Leon growled. He was already trying to figure out how to keep the local cops from talking to Madison yet. They’d have to get her out of there before the reporters found her. The kid needed some time to deal with the fact she had just lost her family. First, he’d get the doctor away from them. The cops were already on the way. “Jill, you and Claire have to move Chris… We don’t need the locals asking too many questions.”

The doctor moved away from Chris. He hadn’t been informed of a change in plans so he was doing his best to act human.

Jill nodded. “We need to be careful, you ready Claire?” She was worried; she really didn’t want to touch the cooling body; that would make his death all too real. She braced herself and moved to his other side, releasing the cuff on his wrist. “H-he’ll come back, he still has a job to do.” She hated how bitter her voice sounded.

“Yeah… what about her?” Claire motioned to the girl who shivered a little. “We can’t leave her here…” She nodded Jill. “Yeah he’s too stubborn to die… right.”

“I’ll take care of Madison.” Leon had picked up cuffs from the security office and now pulled them out of his pocket.

“So what do you plan to do with me?” Barker asked. He was taking this rather well, but then the man was a member of ORE… so it was understandable that he’d be almost inhumanly cool.

Jill and Claire both worked together getting Chris up. The man had always been heavy, all muscle, and since Africa, it seemed he had doubled in weight.

“Gash, I’m so glad I took after mom more.” Claire grumbled. “He weighs a ton.”

“You got the better looks at least.” Jill grinned at her as they both got him on his feet. The two muttered on as they left with Chris.

“Take him to the fifth floor, you’ll see when you get there.” He turned to Barker. “You’re joining Beth and the witch and waiting for the police to show up.”

“As you say,” He offered out his wrists. Barker was well trained at least. “No point reasoning with the likes of you.”

Barker walked with Leon down the hall, his head down slightly. “I am really sorry for the girl’s family. I never thought it would go that far.” He really could have cared less, but he had a part to play. Things would have been easier if he knew exactly what it was. Wesker’s little act had screwed things up. Oh Albert, I’m going to skin you later for this; he thought as he shook his head a little.

“Then why even involve her.” Leon growled low.

“She got herself involved deeper than I wanted, but by then it was too late.” He looked at Leon. “This came from over my head, I didn’t order it.” His eyes were wide, and a little misty; really the only reason he was on the verge of tears was from his frustration at the mess. It had been so perfect…”

“Then who did? Who do you take orders from?”

Cole saw the two from the window and backed up seeing the look on Birkin’s face. “Man… Kill me now, because I have a feeling he’ll make sure I suffer first…” She stepped back a little her back coming to the gurney before she stopped.

“I would tell you, but then you would have to be killed.” He stated simply. “That would be a waste of a perfectly good agent wouldn’t it? I’m not going to have anyone else killed.” He looked away.

Leon growled shoving Barker forward. “Pull the pipe out of the door. You’re waiting in there.” It hadn’t dawned on Leon that the operating room was probably a BAD idea… After all lots of sharp pointy objects…

He sighed and did as he was told. It was best to play along for now. When he saw Cole his eyes darkened. She had a lot of explaining to do.

Beth yelped stepping back against the far wall. She had seen the look that Barker had given Cole and decided staying quiet was best.

The trio heard the door lock behind him and Cole lowered her head rubbing at her wrist as she waited until it was clear Leon wasn’t listening.

Cole leaned against the wall. “Call came right after you left. Barker, he wanted a clear message.”

“Clear message?” He sneered “Oh that’s just perfect.” He kicked one of the trays sending it flying, where it broke hitting the wall leaving a dent in the plaster. It wasn’t an inhuman act, but it proved Barker was stronger than he looked.

Beth yelped backing into her corner more.

Cole growled low. “You know he orders I jump. If I don’t he…” She bit her lip. “I saw the kids sleeping… Barker I didn’t want to do it…”

“I know that, but that man…. Sometimes I wonder if he even thinks before he orders things.” He was twitching with anger. “But fine, you worked quickly at least? I’m sure they didn’t suffer.” He looked at Beth wondering how deep the woman was in their pocket or if she was going to be killed as well.

“I wouldn’t be that cruel to kids, I made sure they felt nothing.” She shook her head. “I have orders to take her out too… But would look wrong if I did it now.”

“You think?” He snapped at her making the red head stand a little straighter, as if expecting him to continue yelling at her. “So now we get someone else that falls into STARS?” He was pacing the room. “I should be observing what is happening to Redfield, not… locked up.”

Cole grinned. “We could always go grab the girl. I don’t know what Beth did to her, but she’s freaked, I’m sure she’d…”

“Oh no, he made this mess he can work it out his own damned self.” The comment wasn’t the persona Birkin had been playing it was all him.

Cole leaned against the gurney. “So we make or exit before the cops arrive?” Even though a smile hinted at her lips she was scared. She hated being locked up. “I’m tired of this game.”

William closed his eyes. “Not just yet; I think that ‘Whiskers’ hand hasn’t been fully played.”

Cole nodded with a sigh. “Fine… I’ll behave longer… I won’t like it though.” She looked up. “I missed the fun, he break the gurney?”

“Twisted and snapped it.” He smirked a little. “I think he would have done more, but he was showing remarkable control.”

Cole grinned. “Dam, and those things are supposed to be strong… Though he should have grabbed his sister as well. She told me he broke the brat’s hand in eight places just grabbing her.

William shuddered slightly. “Eight places… God…”

Beth nodded, keeping one hand in her pocket clenched tight around her trophies. “I wrapped her hand… But she’s going to need surgery to really fix it.” Beth grinned a little more. “Probably ruined her career as a doctor.” She ran her free hand through her hair. “I had to drug her to keep her from screaming while I set it. The hand and wrist were just snapped.”

Barker held up one of his hands, looking as if he couldn’t decide if he was going to faint or get sick. Cole reached out touching his shoulder.

“You’re the one that made the virus that made him a monster.” She sighed moving closer to him. “Birkin? You okay?” She whispered knowing Beth wouldn’t be able to hear her. Worry showed in her face, after all, Birkin was the only one that treated her kindly.

“I know that… I just… Well everyone has that one thing that makes, them a little sick and twitchy… Mine’s…” He swallowed, “Hand injuries.”

Cole nodded with a small sigh. “The brat’s still alive, that’s enough right? Even if she falls into STARS, they’re not going to be able to use her for a while. They’ll have to let her heal, then train her.”

He nodded. “At least she’ll be mostly useless for the time.”

Cole smirked. “Have a feeling she won’t want to leave his side, she’ll be a hindrance then. And now with her family dead… He might feel responsible for her…”

“Either that or he might accidentally kill her himself.” He shrugged. “I don’t know if any brain damage occurred from the fever or if any might have occurred from his death.” He slumped. “And it’s not like they’re letting me look over him.”

“Either way, his psyche will be broken.” She grinned. “He’ll come to us to fix it.”

“Well it will take time, if everything works the way it should…” He plopped down on the floor.

Cole knelt before him, ignoring the other woman for now. “It will work. You’ll see.” She smiled faintly, her eyes showing her usual half crazed look. “Whiskers will fix things right?”

He snorted. “If he can’t we’re going to be spending the next few nights in jail.”

Cole bit her lip. She had spent too many days in a cell. Fear showed in eyes as she took a deep breath. “He… he wouldn’t let me rot in another cell… He knows I’ll lose it… He… He doesn’t like it when I’m useless…”

“I never said rot, just a few days.” He didn’t like to be locked up either, but he wasn’t anywhere near as bad as Cole or Steve. In a way it was the perfect control for the two. He touched her arm. “It won’t be long. You know he needs me around or everything falls apart.”

She nodded closing her eyes, clearly trying to gain control over herself again. “Sorry… I didn’t mean to…” He patted her shoulder lightly.