Chapter 64: Fallout Management

When Rick heard Annette knock on the door, he immediately went to open it for her. Not even even saying ‘hello’, the brunette took a step forward to get inside when she noticed that Rick was indeed wearing nothing but a white lab coat. Dirtied at that. Nevertheless, she resumed her walk and passed him. A few feet in and the thick, primal and musky smell of sex attacked her senses.

“Oh, god.” Her hand went to her nose to cover it. “Did you have an orgy in here or what?”

Rick gave him an apologetic look. “Sorry about that, I didn’t think—” He shook his head, closing the door behind him. “Just my ex and I.”

Annette turned her head, her eyes widened either in horror, disbelief or interest. Perhaps a mix of all three.

“I’d rather not talk about—” Clothes, flung at his face, interrupted him. Grabbing them he went to the bathroom to get dressed quickly.

“I took the first thing I could find. With the outbreak most stores are closed.”

Rick’s answer could be heard through the bathroom’s door. “That’s alright! Thanks!”

Annette walked deeper inside the room, breathing through her mouth. The smell was even worse but somehow it aroused her a bit. The state of the bed, completely undone and multiple stains of what she (rightly) believed was sexual fluids didn’t help one bit.

She had spent the last fifteen years taking care of herself alone. William had been too busy with the G-virus’ development to do his husbandly duties and after his death Sherry and rebuilding their relationship had been a priority. She’d chose death before admitting it but she missed the touch of a man and Rick being quite the specimen had fuelled a few of the fantasies of her solo sessions ever since he visited her home for her daughter’s graduation. That he flirted with her unashamedly, even if it was more a joke than anything, and the state of the room, really made her think about taking him upon his offer one day.

At this point the only thing holding her back was Sherry’s well known crush on the man.

Said man, got out of the bathroom dressed with clothes a bit too small. A mistake on her part which she didn’t regret. Not when his well chiseled muscles were about to rip through everything.

His appearance didn’t push her to act emotionally however. Annette was a logical and pragmatic woman first and foremost and had her emotions on a tight leash. Wanting to get out of here as fast as possible before the smell got to her and her grip on her urges failed, she opened the conversation.

“You talked about a job offer?”

Rick nodded and went around her to reach the nightstand where he pocketed his cell phone. “Yes. When I visited you said you were bored with your teaching job. The BSAA needs someone with skills, competence and deep knowledge, so I thought—”

“That I would be perfect for the job.” She interrupted him, her mind imagining the possibilities.

“With Sherry gone, you don’t have to stay away from the work you want to do. Working at the BSAA is working for a good cause.”

Annette nodded, understanding his train of thoughts. “It would be the same subject but different from what I was doing in Nest. Sherry will like that. I finally get to do what I like without being judged for it or getting into trouble.”

“Yes. My Boss, the director, doesn’t know who you are. Only that you're former Umbrella and helped take them down after Raccoon City. He trusts me, so he’ll trust your intentions. To a point.” Rick warned her.

“Meaning he’ll keep an eye on what I’m doing.” She didn’t seem to mind and said as much. “That’s fair and acceptable.”

He gave her another warning. “It also means you’d be working with Raccoon City’s survivors. STARS members mostly.”

“I don’t care.” Annette’s answer sounded disinterested. “It would be their problems, not mine. Besides, they work in the field and I’d be working in a lab.”

“Not quite. There are two more. Barry Burton but he’s in the field too and Rebecca Chambers. Her… She’d be your only colleague in the lab.”

“Again I don’t care.” She shrugged. “What does the job entail exactly?”

“Study of viruses and other pathogens. Checking if every field agent is clean and in perfect health at their return from a mission where they got into contact with a B.O.W. Analyze samples, work on anti-viral agents, perhaps vaccines. Sometimes, you may have to go outside your lab to take some samples yourself but that’s rare.

Annette acknowledged what he told her with a nod. Her hand moved in a wave for him to continue. She knew he was keeping things from her. “Now the reasons why you are offering me the job. And no, Sherry is not an acceptable answer.”

Rick didn’t even bother doing anything else than giving her the blunt truth. “Rebecca Chambers and I have history. It’s already awkward being in the same room as her for a start and I’m not comfortable with her knowing about… what I am. You’re already aware, you’re moderately trustworthy not counting Sherry’s influence on you, and I haven't had sex with you. Yet.”

She gave him a blank face for the ‘yet’ part. The idea interested her however. Not just the possible sex part but everything. Teaching virology and bio engineering was a good pass time but most often than not, dull. Especially the part about grading papers. Working for the BSAA may finally satisfy her intellectual needs.

“I’ll think about it. Now can we go? I can’t stand the smell anymore.”

Rick had facial redaction to her demand and raised his arm, inviting her to lead the way. Not wasting time, Annette left the room, him in tow. They made a stop at the reception to give back the key and got inside her car. As he had expected, Claire had left with the SUV. Calling Annette had been the right choice.

She drove him back to the quarantine camp where Rick hoped he could find a ride back to Washington or to a city close to it. Luck was on his side as the one member of the STR who had accompanied Leon and Angela the previous day, had been outside for a smoke.

After thanking Annette and promising she’d get a call for the job, he talked with the guy who let him in, vouching for his identity. His situation explained and confirmed through a call that Rick was who he said he was, he was able to hitch a ride up to Philadelphia with some rangers going back to base. From there he took a train to Wilmington. A short twenty minute trip. When he got home, he immediately changed clothes for ones belonging to him. Those ones fit.

Taking his passport with him to use as ID, he went to his garage and chose to take his recently acquired motorbike instead of his car. A Harley Davidson Nightster released earlier in the year. Riding while holding Claire on her bike after Raccoon City had been a revelation and he fell in love with the brand and the vehicle. He never had the time to buy one when in the army, nor the money but he did now and when he saw the model on display in a store, he bought it on impulse.

His first stop was the bank. Reporting the loss of his credit cards to get new ones had taken some time but it was done. He was also able to get some cash from his account so he would be able to afford a living until then. The clerk had been understanding when Rick reported he lost the cards in the Harvardville Airport’s outbreak the previous day but that didn’t get him any favors.

The next thing he did was fill out more forms. One for a new ID card and one for a new driving license. Of course, it wasn’t in the same place. That would be too easy otherwise.

Finally Rick went to Baltimore to pay a visit to Jill. Coming uninvited was already rude but empty handed too was even worse. That was why he made a stop to buy some groceries. Steaks but also two bottles of Tequila. With French and Japanese origins, Jill somehow had a southerner’s taste.

He knocked on her door and it didn’t take long for her to come open the door. Surprised at the visit, she was about to ask what he was doing here when she saw his face. The last time he had that face was when Claire had broken up with him.

“Fucking Redfields.” She muttered in distaste. Taking the bag from his arms, knowing perfectly well what was inside without having to take a look, she invited him.

Jill knew she was in for a long comforting talk. Maybe not this evening but at the very least the next day.