Disclaimer: Own nothing

A/N: My very first RE fanfic. I just got into it after watching a Let's Play through and just like a yaoi fangirl decided this needed to happen. I apologize for any mistakes in advanced.

Also, despite the whole mansion incident being originally set in 1998, I wanted to have it at present day 2015, so I adjusted the years accordingly.

By the way, I intend to follow the rules properly and keep this strictly M rating, so any actual yaoi scene will either only be suggested or glossed over. Thank you for understanding.

His trademark sunglasses had more use than most people who knew him could ever assume. One advantage was that interest could cross his eyes without anyone noticing. Which was why he could keep a straight face as he read through the files and spotted a name that did spark some interest.

Chris Redfield,

New member of S.T.A.R.S. Hired yesterday. Excellent marksman. Born May 7, 1990. Has difficulty with authority. Request to send him to Wesker's squad.

The "difficulty with authority" would turn most captains off but not Wesker. As a matter of fact, it excited him to think some young kid would try to question him constantly. Either Redfield would prove that he was as good with arguing as he was with gunslinging or Wesker would easily humiliate him and put him in his place. Either way, he needed a new member and he knew that this Redfield and Barry were friends.

He looked at the no one who gave him the files.

"Tell them that I would be glad to have a new member."

The intern nodded nervously, grabbed the papers and left the room. Wesker didn't know why he had that effect on newbies. Perhaps his fame had spread and now people assume he would shoot them in a second.

Not that he cared. He didn't need his charisma unless dealing with someone who was actually important. Soon, with Umbrella's help, Wesker wouldn't even need his charisma much either. Redfield would get into his squad just in time to witness that day.

xxx

Chris was shocked that Captain Wesker agreed to have him on his team so easily. He knew that his skills were impressive at such a young age but he also thought that with his past stubborn streak he wouldn't get anyone willing to be his captain. He even retired from the police force because he couldn't deal with his superiors, or rather, they couldn't deal with him.

Now the 23 year old was in his new locker, fiddling with a lock. He was sure he knew the code but so far he couldn't get the damn thing open. Just before he got frustrated, a hand came up by his and unlocked it before he could blink. Surprised, he noted the woman right by him. She was offering a pretty smile so he offered one back.

"I assumed that I was supposed to be the only one who knew the code to my own locker," he began.

"It's a bit easy for me to unlock things. That's mostly why I'm here. Jill Valentine."

"Chris Redfield," introduced the male, "You don't use your powers to steal, right?"

"I'm not going to invade your locker for no reason. I just thought you needed a hand. I heard a lot about you from Barry."

"Where is he?"

Jill was the first face he found in this office area. It was pretty sparse of people when he went back to the locker room. He thought he would at least encounter Wesker by now but it seemed like everyone was at lunch or something.

The Valentine lockpick motioned toward a door that Chris had seen before.

"Through that place is where we do our paperwork."

Chris cringed. Paperwork made him want to hurl more than him eating his own terrible cooking.

"And Barry's there now? He wasn't when I entered three minutes ago."

"We both just got back from lunch."

"So you guys were at lunch."

Jill started walking so he followed. He managed to place his crap in his locker by now anyway.

"We weren't expecting you for a few hours anyway."

She opened the door and Chris got a chance to see Barry sitting by a computer. There was another guy in the room too. Barry's eyes sparkled when he saw his old coworker.

"Hey, Redfield," the gruff man stood up, "I know you'll like this place better than the Air Force."

"How are you so sure?" Chris couldn't help but ask. He looked questionably at the stranger, hoping to be introduced but Barry didn't noticed immediately.

"Well, try to talk back to Wesker like you did with Smith and you sure as hell won't be bored."

"Is he so scary?"

Before Barry could answer, the stranger spoke up.

"Nice to meet you, Redfield. I'm Enrico. I see you've already met Jill."

Chris managed a smile now that he could associate this face with a name. He turned to look at Jill for a quick second before looking back at him.

"She helped me get to my locker."

"She's the only one that can open the damn things. I need her help everyday," Enrico muttered.

Jill showed Chris his desk, where he would have to no doubt spend hours doing paperwork. He only hoped he would get enough action to pay for it. He sighed as he saw that he already had some things to fill out, mostly stupid tests they gave to every newbie.

"You're not scared, are you?" Jill asked.

"Of this," Chris motioned at the stacks of pages that could amount to an encyclopedia, "This doesn't have shit on the SAT."

"We took one of those tests during our time at the force too," Barry added, "I honestly don't know what the point of it is. Maybe just to give us something to do as a newbie."

"Incorrect, Barry," a new voice came into the picture.

Chris set down the papers when he saw the looming presence enter the room. He nearly felt his jaw go slack. The blonde man coming up to him was wearing shades yet they couldn't hide the deviously handsome face underneath there. Chris had a feeling that this man was used to turning heads every time he entered a room.

He couldn't tell for sure but he assumed the man was inspecting him very closely, as if he was a car buyer looking for the slightest flaw on the deal. Chris stood patiently and let himself be examined from head to toe.

Finally, the man decided to take off his shades, revealing dazzling green eyes that took Chris's breath away.

"Greetings, Mr. Redfield. You're early. I'm Albert Wesker."

The blonde brought out a hand and with as much cool as he could muster Chris took it. The shake was strong and firm as Chris had expected of the captain. Jill spoke up.

"There's not much to do right now other than survey the area."

The S.T.A.R.S. team was like an elite police force, so Chris would assume it was something similar to his first career when he was 17. People had gave him hell for being so young and cocksure of himself but he had a feeling that this attractive captain in front of him would appreciate him trying to rebel.

And yet Chris almost wanted to make this guy's job easy and just be a good, obedient soldier. Call him shallow but the handsome man already had an effect on him.

"So why don't you take him around, Jill?" Wesker suggested, "We'll stand by."

And it looked like Wesker was already trying to get rid of him anyway. Chris tried not to feel too dejected like a heartsick teenager.

xxx

"So it does get more entertaining, right?" Chris asked after an hour of driving by with nothing going on.

"That eager to get shot at?"

"If it will cure the boredom."

"Damn, you're just like a little kid," Jill said half humorlessly.

"I guess. A lot of people have told me that anyway."

Jill suddenly turned to look at him. Chris noted that she seemed serious all of the sudden, so he put down his coffee container before staring back.

"What?"

"You know that Wesker seemed to be really interested in you. But I can't help but think you're even more interested in him."

Chris nearly flushed in embarrassment. How was he that easy to read? Could everyone tell what he was thinking at the office earlier? Good God, could Wesker tell? Because if so, Chris could always pull out his gun and just shoot himself right now rather than be anymore humiliated.

His look of horror produced a giggle from his new partner.

"It's alright. Everyone thinks he's handsome. I'd totally date him if I didn't know he was gay."

"You're really that sure?" damn that hope that slipped through his voice!

"I have a hunch. I've lockedpicked his desk once or twice and found evidence at least."

Now, Chris was skeptical. He arched his dark eyebrows.

"And he didn't get onto you for that?"

"Of course he did," Jill exclaimed, suddenly excited, "The man gave me such hell that I never did it again. He's usually pretty cool headed but get him pissed and you'll feel ten inches tall. I couldn't even look him in the eye for days after that incident."

Chris laughed and hoped she wouldn't assume it was at her expense. He was just amazed that a handsome guy like Wesker could be so scary when mad, especially to this female cop that must knock out men twice her size for a living if the situation required it.

Fortunately, the woman realized that his laugh was out of an attempt at good humor. She shared a laugh with him.

"So, you probably have more of a chance than I do."

"Who said anything about chances? He's handsome but I'm not going to ask him to a date at the movies anytime soon," Chris laughed.

"And if he asked you out, what would you say?"

Her question was answered with a guilty and embarrassed silence. She shared a knowing look with her partner.

The tension for Chris was gracefully broken by the intercom. Jill answered it and Chris was taking back to his days as a cop.

"Valentine. Redfield. We just got a call about an armed man at the drug store by Elm street and Maine. 5'8. Caucasian. Wearing a baseball hat."

"On our way," Jill placed the speaker away.

It looked like he was going to get his action on the first day. Maybe Barry was right about Chris liking this job better. That was quick.

The sirens blared as they made their way quickly to said store. Walgreens of all things. Who was holding up a Walgreens? Chris and Jill got out and found that the phone call was no fib. A man with a shaky hold had a barrette he was pointing at them. He told himself he shouldn't be excited and seeing the scared faces of innocents helped convince him of that just a tad easier, but he still couldn't help but feel this was what he wanted.

Probably out of the mentality of being a S.T.A.R.S. member longer, Jill made it so that she was inbetween Chris and the armed man. Chris could already guess now why the man chose to rob Walgreens. The man looked like he was utterly mad and nothing short of expensive pills would take care of the voices that must have been in his head.

"Stop!" the man said, trying to sound commanding but failing miserably.

"Drop your weapon," Jill ordered with a much more convincing tone.

"I'll shoot."

Chris decided to speak up after this threat.

"Please drop your weapon. Come quietly." Despite common belief people get from movies that tactic actually did work on occasion.

But it seemed like the crazed man wasn't going to do as Chris suggested. He was more concerned with Jill since she was not only closer but closing the distance.

"Back off, bitch! I'll shoot!"

"Please drop your-" before Chris could repeat his request civilly, a shot fired.

Screams ignited from some of the crowd while Jill had her arm around the thug's throat. Chris knew that though she had been fast, she didn't dodge in time to be completely unharmed. There was a bit of blood oozing out her shoulder but it didn't look like anything serious.

He went and helped, pinning him down while Jill inspected herself. She took exactly three seconds before coming to the conclusion that she was okay and reported this over the intercom.

"Are you okay?" Chris asked after Wesker's voice assured the two they were on the way.

'Nothing I can't handle. It's Wesker I'm worried about."

The convict had stopped struggling at this point, making it easier for Chris to speak normally. He tried to ignore the witnesses staring.

"Why?"

His question was answered a bit later. When the reinforcements came and everyone was away from sight of the public, Wesker freaked out. He demanded Barry to take Jill to the hospital immediately. Chris now felt small, just like Jill said, when Wesker glared at him for a short second.

Chris knew Jill getting hurt was his fault. And Wesker knew that too. The action that Chris wanted so much turned to a disaster already because his partner got hurt. Chris waited long after his shift was over at the hospital.

Wesker had glared at him. Jill was hurt. That was one hell of a first day. He must have fallen asleep on the chair at the waiting room because the last time he looked at the clock it was five and when he reopened them three hours had passed.

He stretched his arms and went up the desk. The lady by him was middle aged and a tad overweight.

"Will Jill Valentine be able to be seen soon?"

The woman looked at him. She picked up the phone to talk to the doctors.

"They finished stitching her up. She's awake now if you want to see her."

The woman told him the room number and he left with a quick thank-you. He was at the door before it opened by itself and revealed Jill standing strong.

"What-"

Jill walked out of the room like nothing was wrong, pulling up her jacket in the process.

"Hey Chris. I didn't know you were here. I'm going to convince them to let me check out."

"You were shot at."

"I have like, two stitches. It's not a big deal."

"Not a big deal," Chris repeated like it might be easier for him to believe if he did so.

Jill turned to him, giving him such a glance that he shut up.

"Like you wouldn't do the same thing in my position."

"Wesker was really worried."

"I know. But now he's worried everyone for a simple scratch."

It was true, now that Chris thought of it, that although he had been concerned for Jill he wasn't completely worried until Wesker got upset. Getting shot was always to be expected but Chris could tell by what he saw yesterday that the bullet merely scrapped her.

"He was really upset. What will he say if you just waltz in the office like nobody's business?" Chris asked.

Jill smiled when she realized that he wasn't going to use force to stop her.

"I guess we'll find out."

The hospital even agreed it was okay for her to leave but whether because they thought she would be fine or they were intimidated by her was unclear to Chris. They made their way to the office via Chris's truck.

Reaction was immediate upon entering the office. Barry was drinking his early morning coffee that he set down. Enrico and another person turned to stare at the two newcomers and Wesker jumped out of his seat.

"What are you doing?" he sounded upset though oddly not surprised.

"You knew I'd be here," Jill said with a wave.

"I was hoping Redfield would deter you."

That shook Chris to the core as he looked as his captain. Wesker kept his focus on Jill and wasn't looking in his direction. Out of all the superiors Chris had disappointed, Wesker was the only one that made him feel like a complete failure.

Jill sat on her desk.

"Barry couldn't keep me out. Much less a newbie."

Chris wanted to speak up. Something kept him silent, though. He knew this wasn't anything about him, much less a personal attack on his part. Still, the fact that he disappointed Wesker hurt more than it should.

"Coming in the day after you got shot. Honestly woman. Well, if you're going to be that way then do some work on the incident yesterday. We have quite a bit to fill out now that that asshole decided to set up a heist at a pharmacy. Redfield, I believe you have some testing to do."

"Sir," Chris stated with a straight face, making sure not to betray any emotion. He went to his desk.

The testing part was only a bit of a challenge. The questioning was nothing compared to having a gun aimed your direction. But the chore was time consuming and the hours ticked by without Chris making so much as a dent. He got up from his chair only to use the toilet or get a drink but otherwise stayed in place. He didn't even dare to speak to the others. Jill wouldn't have gotten shot if he had done something different. Anything different.

A hand on his shoulder pulled his mind out of testing mode. Barry smiled at him. At least he didn't make him feel like a failure.

"Hey. Want to have lunch?"

Chris noticed that Jill and Enrico were still working and Wesker was gone. It felt easier to breathe knowing this, so Chris stood up to face his friend at eye level.

"Sure. I didn't bring my own so I'm going to head to that Sonic close by."

"That was exactly where I was headed too. Let's take my car."

Chris smiled, feeling better than he had since yesterday. Barry and he were waiting on their order when Barry decided to mention the ordeal.

"Look, we all knew that Jill was going to be here anyway. That's why we didn't bother to show up at the hospital. Don't let the captain's words get to you."

Dammit, why was he so easy to read? Chris must have had writing on his heads that wrote out his thoughts or some shit for everyone to know exactly what was going on in his mind.

"But he is right. I could've tried to stop her, I guess."

"Knowing it wouldn't get anywhere," Barry shook his head, "He's only giving you hell to toughen you up. And don't tell Jill I said this but Wesker hates seeing women get shot. I think he finds it as much of a sin as shooting a kid."

"He hates it more than seeing a man get shot then?"

"As much as this sounds impoliticly correct, I think so. Of course, he's worried when other people get shot too. When Enrico got a bullet wound he was pissed off at the shooter. But it always seemed that seeing Jill get shot grated on his nerves just a tad more. Maybe he has a thing for her?"

Then Jill would've been wrong about Wesker's sexuality. Maybe he liked her and she didn't realize this at all. It was possible. Chris didn't think Jill would lie to him about Wesker's sexuality, so she must have misunderstood whatever she found locked away in his desk.

And why would Jill tell her theory to him before telling Barry? It's obvious his friend had no inkling that Wesker might be gay. Was she trying to give him hope?

They got their food and started eating.

"I guess I can understand," Chris said at least inbetween bites of his fries, "It's probably in guys' nature to worry a little more about women."

"Maybe. At any rate, don't let Wesker said get you upset. How's the testing coming along?"

"Nowhere near done," Chris sighed.

"It's a lot. You probably won't finish it all today anyway. I still have the impression that test is only to give newbies shit to do."

"The captain seems to disagree with you there."

"He's supposed to. He's the captain."

They finished the rest of their meal quickly and got back to the office in record time. Wesker was there by the time they got back but the captain didn't glance at them when they entered. Chris had an uneasy feeling about facing him and he didn't dare to say anything. He saw that Jill was still working diligently away at her table.

There was so much else he wanted to do besides go back to that damn test but it couldn't be avoided. With great reluctance, Chris went back. Maybe he could count this as punishment for letting Jill get hurt.

The hours ticked by before Barry informed him that it was time to go. Chris pulled away from his work and followed his friend to the locker room.

"Uh oh," he said out loud to no one in particular.

His cell phone had been in the locker since yesterday. Chris must have been in such a hurry to get to the hospital that he forgot it. He already knew why it was beeping. One look confirmed it: twenty-one missed calls. Oh boy.

"Hey Claire," he said once he called back.

"Chris! What the hell man. You said you were going to call after work. I thought you went in yesterday. What took so damn long?"

"Sorry, Claire. I got held up. We had to deal with a perp on my first day and one of my new partners was sent to the ER. Just a scratch but we were all still worried about her. How's school?"

His little sister paused for a moment, though her nagging and worry made Chris wondered if she thought she was the elder sibling sometimes.

"It's fine. What happened to your partner?"

"The man was armed and he didn't fight fair. But is it okay if we don't talk about it? I think this is all my fault."

"Oh…okay. Just don't go moping and feeling bad for yourself and eating a tub of ice cream when you get home, okay?"

"I only did that once," he laughed and the rest of the conversation was pleasant. The phone ended when Chris realized that the rest of his coworkers must have already left. Even Jill. He was hoping to talk to her just to get in one last reassurance that she was going to be okay.

He put his phone away and nearly jumped up when a voice suddenly spoke.

"Redfield."

He turned around with wide eyes to see that his captain had appeared out of nowhere and was now right behind him. How did he manage to do that without Chris noticing? He never known anyone with that much stealth before.

The man's expression was unreadable and the shades made it especially hard for Chris to tell what his captain was thinking. He straightened his stance to greet his commanding officer.

"Sir," he responded dutifully.

"We're off duty, Redfield. No need for formality now. Call me Wesker."

Going on a name basis, even if it was his last name, seemed too personal for Chris. But he was happy to hear it.

"Yes, Wesker. I was just getting ready to leave," he still felt terrible about Jill.

"If you don't mind me asking, who were you talking to just now?"

"My sister, Claire."

Was it his imagination or did Wesker seemed…relieved at the mention of the word sister? Chris pulled out the rest of his things.

"She worries a lot and I told her I would call after my first day. She got pissed when I forgot."

"How's the testing going?"

Chris decided to answer honestly.

"Long and boring."

"At least there's no risk of you getting shot."

That killed the mood immediately. Wesker had the incredible ability to make him feel like a terrible man with just that remark. Any other person could blatantly accuse him of something and Chris wouldn't care what he thought.

Maybe Chris was even more shallow of a person than he realized?

"What happened yesterday-" Chris was about to take all the blame when Wesker interrupted him.

"Was an unfortunate accident. There was nothing you could've done."

Did that mean that Wesker no longer blamed him? Chris still believed that if he had done something else, maybe if he was the one inbetween Jill and the shooter, then this wouldn't have happened.

Wesker noted that Chris didn't seem to agree with him.

"Hey. You shouldn't blame yourself. I was just pissed that some loser decided to shoot Jill is all."

Chris nodded silently because he couldn't trust his voice. When a silence came forward, he decided to break it anyway.

"I'm still sorry about what happened, Wesker."

"We all are. But we all know that we are all at risk doing this job. And we can't protect everyone all the time."

Was that advice for Chris or was Wesker trying to convince himself this? When Chris looked at his captain, he saw a man so worried for his crew that he would do anything to protect them. He must be extra protective of Jill, if what Barry had told Chris was true.

"I understand, sir," Chris said, forgetting about Wesker's preferred title after hours, "I'll see you tomorrow then. And hopefully get that testing done."

"Eager to leave?"

The sudden question took Chris aback. He was unsure of how to respond and it took him a second to recover.

"Well I-"

Wesker chuckled with a reassuring hand on Chris's shoulder.

"I'm just messing with you, Redfield. It's past time to leave anyway. You better hurry home before your girlfriend starts worrying about you next."

This produced a half smile from Chris.

"I don't have a girlfriend."

"I see," Wesker paused, "Boyfriend then?"

Chris shook his head.

"That's closer to my area but I don't have a boyfriend either. I'm still single."

Now Wesker was staring at him in utter disbelief. It was as if Chris was trying to sell him electric wash cloths.

"A good looking man like you is still single? How can that be?"

The tone sounded serious, like no flattery was intended but Wesker was instead saying exactly what he thought. Chris felt his face flush red as this fine specimen complimented him this way. Now his half smile evolved into a wide spread grin.

"Been too busy with work to find the time to date. But thanks for the compliment."

Wesker nodded. He withdrew his hand and backed away in order to give Chris room to leave.

"You'll find someone special soon. And I'm sorry you had such a shaky first day on the job. Let me know if you need anything."

"Thanks."

Chris hated to leave because he wanted to continue talking to Wesker but he knew that he had been dismissed. Wesker seemed like he was going to stay behind at the office and although he was curious, Chris didn't bother to ask why.

He was on his way out the door when Wesker suddenly called out.

"Redfield."

Chris turned to his captain's direction and was shocked to see that Wesker seemed almost nervous. About what, he couldn't fathom. Rumors about Wesker's bravery in the face of danger were plentiful so the idea that he even knew how to look nervous sent Chris over the edge.

It also made him look kind of cute. Bad thoughts, Chris. Bad thoughts. The big scary captain would not want his crew to think of him as cute.

What came out of Wesker's mouth surprised Chris more than the look of anxiety on his face.

"Don't go running after dates too quickly."

Before Chris could ask what Wesker was getting at, the blonde haired man left the room.

xxx

Wesker wanted to bang his own head opened. What the hell happened in that locker room? He was ready to either ask Redfield out or let him go so that this weird stirring in his chest would go away but he didn't think that he would make a total fool of himself.

When he saw Redfield's face, he immediately felt infatuated with the cute boyish face. And seeing Redfield's not too subtle appreciative glances his direction made Wesker's heart swell up in joy. He had figured out yesterday that he wanted Redfield to himself but was then faced with a problem. Risking himself getting attached to one of his members he was going to have killed was no good, especially when Umbrella was almost ready to get some battle results.

So Wesker decided to either have a casual fling with Redfield or send him off to someone else. Because as long as Redfield was on the market, Wesker would want to make a purchase. After finding out Redfield was single, he decided to go with plan B and advise the boy to find himself a lover.

Yet something happened in those few seconds that Redfield started walking away from him. Wesker felt his heart ache and burn in anger simultaneously as he thought about someone else fucking the young cadet. If he didn't claim Redfield, someone else would share his bed. Someone else would kiss those lips. And Wesker felt unusually angry at the idea. So much so that he actually contradicted himself in front of the newbie.

He wasn't surprised when Chris looked at him in shock. He was happy that the newbie left without questioning him further. Wesker was now in the office alone, instinctively looking in the direction of Chris's desk.

Tomorrow he would redeem himself. Wesker wasn't used to looking like an idiot since he was always able to keep up his image before Redfield came. Wesker had no trouble acting like the angry and caring captain toward Jill's injury yet the moment Wesker was alone with Redfield, he fucked everything up. How did that happen?

But regrets solved nothing so he shook his head of anymore unwanted thoughts. It was obvious that Redfield was interested, so he would ask him out tomorrow. Hopefully by tomorrow night Redfield would help him out with that nagging problem he had inside his trousers.