Disclaimer: I don't own anything associated with Resident Evil. The song I use is titled "Tomorrow", and it belongs to Avril Lavigne. It is track number seven on her debut C.D. "Let Go". I do however own the story.

Aftermath of Destruction

Chapter One: Tomorrow

It was loud, so loud in the hospital. Doctors and nurses bustling around with patients in tow, others in the waiting room moaning in agony, or whispering soothing words.

Claire Redfield hated hospitals. The last time she'd been, her parents hadn't returned. She guessed it was some form of being traumatized, but whatever it was, she despised them. Her anxiety was growing, and the only person she'd seen since they'd arrived was Leon Kennedy. Claire was eternally grateful he was okay, receiving only six stitches and a broken wrist. He retained some other minor cuts and scrapes, but other than that, he was fine. They had sewn the cut his stomach, and put a cast on him, which covered most of his hand, leaving only his fingers showing, and running to just below the elbow. Claire herself had been given a cast, which like Leon's, left only her fingers free. Only hers ended at her armpit, causing great discomfort.

Leon Kennedy walked up behind Claire, hugging her from behind. Together they stood, waiting anxiously for a doctor or a nurse to report. He rubbed her stomach softly, and used his good arm to caress her neck. They were soothing motions, and Claire relaxed slightly to his touch.

"They'll be okay." Leon reassured.

And I wanna believe you

When you tell me that it'll be okay

Yeah, I try to believe you

But I don't

As soon as Claire turned to face him, mouth ready to reply, a doctor walked up.

"Claire Redfield?" He asked, deep voice rumbling out. He was fairly tall, standing a couple of inches above Leon. Claire estimated him to be in his thirties, and very arrogant.

"Yes." She replied, stepping in front of Leon.

"Your brother is Christopher Redfield?" He asked, impatience present in his tone.

"Is he okay?" She interjected.

The doctor ignored Claire's question, looked at his clipboard. "Has your brother ever broken or damaged his ribs before?"

"I don't…I don't know." She stammered.

"Well, you're his sister, shouldn't you know?" The doctor retorted.

"Y-you would have to ask Rebecca Chambers, Jill Valentine, or Barry Burton. T-they might know." Claire was feeling very uncomfortable. The doctor was trying to make her feel guilty, and with what she'd just been through, it wasn't hard to do.

"Rebecca Chambers is sleeping, Jillian Valentine is in surgery, as is Barry Burton." The doctor rattled agitatedly. "Would Carlos Oliveira know?"

"No, I don't think so." Claire answered, steadying her voice.

The doctor sighed. "Do you know anything?"

Leon had stood back long enough. "Hey back off. She was in college for a year or so, she doesn't know everything about her brother." Leon said sternly, stepping between Claire and the doctor. "And she knows a hell of a lot more than you."

"And who are you? Are you related?" The doctor asked, glaring at Leon.

"I'm her boyfriend." He answered, returning the venomous stare.

The doctor smirked haughtily. "Then I suggest you don't spout off too much. This waiting room is for family of patients only. You shouldn't be telling me my amount of knowledge compared to your girlfriend's, you should be thanking me for not having you removed from here."

Claire glanced at Leon, who clenched his jaw shut. He took another step toward the doctor, who backed away quickly.

"No, you should be thanking us. We just saved the every fucking person in this room-in this universe." Leon stopped and added more quietly, "And not one person knows it. So while you stand here and tell us to be thankful, you should really stop and think. Our friends-our family- are in there because of you."

The doctor looked at him confused, but quickly regained his composure. "Well, I don't know what pain killers you are on sir, but-" The doctor stopped as Leon's free fist began to tremble. He turned his attention back to Claire. "Has your brother-"

Leon interrupted, "I believe my girlfriend asked you a question."

The doctor looked at a seething Leon, and then looked back at Claire, who was waiting patiently. "What was your question ma'am?"

"Is my brother okay?" She repeated.

"He hasn't regained consciousness yet. The cut in his head had been opened too long, and we couldn't sew anything up. We just sterilized the area, and bandaged it. The bullet in his shoulder was fairly easy to remove, and luckily it missed the joint." The doctor paused, looking at the young, worried couple. "His ribs are what we're worried about. It appears he re-broke ribs that were never fully healed. The lasting injury could possibly cause a permanent effect."

"What kind of permanent effect?" Claire asked softly.

"Don't know yet. A few possibilities would be slight pain during strenuous activity, or worse constant pain. Then again, we can't see very well in the X-ray, so he may be fine. The main reason we're worried is because they, or something else, are causing problems with his breathing. He's not inhaling in a smooth fashion, causing his heart to work harder. In his weakened condition, it could be fatal." The doctor explained with a little bit of sincerity in his voice.

Claire crashed into Leon. "What about the others?" The question was muffled by Leon's shoulder.

The doctor looked at Leon with a sympathetic look. "Rebecca Chambers is recovering from a minor concussion, the wound from where the bullet grazed her side needed a few stitches. Other than that, she's fine and resting. Carlos Oliveira's bullet to the arm was removed, and he has a knee brace for his strain. Jillian Valentine had a slight fracture in her shin, she's in surgery having a bullet removed from her abdomen. Barry Burton is also in surgery; we're putting the bone back in place. Anymore questions?"

Leon nodded, suddenly remembering the grotesque scene back at the facility where he and Chris had nearly lost their minds. "Was Jill pregnant? Her and Chris were worried about-"

The doctor shook his head. "Surgeons would have detected a pregnancy." He then turned on his heel, and brisk through the Intensive Care Unit doors.

Leon swallowed and hugged Claire tight as she sobbed. He began to rethink his words. The chances of Chris dying were greater, and his mind wouldn't let him think the best of things. "They'll be okay" seemed so contradicting now.

When you say that it's gonna be

It always turns out to be a different way

I try to believe you

Not today…

The waiting room was now empty. All patients had been ushered in, and all relatives were gone. The couple stood in the middle of the room, watched only by on-call receptionists.

Claire stopped crying, and just basked in the warmth of Leon. Conflicting emotions were brewing in both their bodies. Claire knew Leon was doing his best to be strong for her, but inside, he was shattering piece by piece. The silence was good though, she didn't want to hear soothing words that may eventually prove false, and Leon understood that. She looked up at him, wanting so badly to believe his previous statement though. He watched the doors to the ICU momentarily, before looking down. Wiping the straggling tears away from her cheeks with the pads of his thumbs, Leon pushed stray strands of Claire's damp hair behind her ear, and met her trembling lips. They absorbed themselves in the gentle kiss, wanting to forget everything. They pulled back, a mutually feeling guilty for wanting to succumb themselves to passion, while their family was suffering. The two had gotten off easy, and the fact was building on their conscience.

Was there something they could have done? Something one of them could change to salvage the pain from the others?

No. They couldn't change anything now. What happened, happened for a reason. Yet, the guilt still lingered on their minds.

I don't know how I feel

Tomorrow, tomorrow

I don't know what to say

Tomorrow, tomorrow

Is a different day

Claire bit her lip, and swallowed the cry erupting. She couldn't stop the small noise that escaped from her throat though. Leon looked down with concern. He could only see the top of her head. Her ponytail had gone awry, and he stroked his hand through it, loosening it even more. He could feel her chest colliding with his, as her breathing quickened.

"It's not your fault. There's nothing anyone could have done." Leon spoke softly, leaning over so his mouth was equivalent to her ear. "The only one to blame is Umbrella, and we destroyed them. We've got all the proof we need to expose them, so everyone knows what they've put us through."

Claire sighed. "Nobody is going to know what they've put us through. Yeah, a lot of people know what death feels like, but do they know what it feels like to kill death? Everytime I close my eyes, I…I see that thing, and I can't help but remember my mother. How many people come face-to-face with a mother that's been dead for close ten years?"

Leon faltered, not knowing what to do. "No one."

"Exactly. These people are gonna pity us, and then go on with their lives, thanking God it didn't happen them." Claire hissed.

"It could have if we didn't stop them." Leon retorted.

"But it didn't. Hell I'm surprised I'm not in therapy right now."

Leon shook his head. "You're stronger than that. You don't need a damn shrink to help you. You've got me, Jill, Carlos, Rebecca and-"

"Chris? No I don't have Chris. I've probably lost my brother. I wouldn't be surprised, he's my only blood relative, why not take him away?" Claire yelled, on the brink of tears.

"You've got Chris. Hell, Sherry's been through this." Leon replied, gripping Claire's hand.

Claire's thoughts flitted to the teenager, thinking of the nightmare she'd been through. "I just-I want…"

"What do you want?" Leon murmured.

"I want to be alone for a little while." Claire let go of Leon's hand, and stepped through the exit, leaving Leon to decide whether to chase after her, or to respect her wishes.

It's always been up to you

It's turning around it's up to me

I'm gonna do what I have to do

Just don't

In the end, Leon finally strode over to the exit door. He pushed it open softly, peering out. It was still dark, and the cold night air met him. He looked ahead, and saw Claire sitting on the curb ten feet away, watching the city. She wasn't crying, just staring out. He stepped back inside, silently shutting the door. He stepped back inside, silently shutting the door.

'I'll go out there in a few minutes. It's awfully cold.' He wagered in his head. He stayed planted by the door, in case she came back in before he went out. Maybe being alone was the best thing for her. She'd definitely been through a lot, and was still facing hardship. Her brother was fighting for his life, and she was right. If he lost the battle, she'd be the only remaining Redfield. Leon wanted her with him though, he felt so empty when she wasn't around.

Marriage popped into his head.

He already had her brother's blessing…

'It wouldn't be right now though.' He thought. 'Marriage is a huge thing, and there's enough going on right now. At the celebration party maybe, like Chris said.' He let himself drift into a faux scene, where the group was all together, rejoicing in the fact that they'd destroyed Umbrella. 'Maybe the guys and me could do it all together. Chris wanted to propose to Jill, but Carlos and Becca haven't known each other that long.' Then a bitter thought entered his mind. 'Maybe Chris doesn't survive.'

He shook his head, ridding himself quickly of the thought. Too many 'Maybes'. Chris would make it. If he didn't, Jill and Claire would be literally broken.

'Maybe I should just quit thinking.' He quickly ceased his 'Maybes'.

Glancing up at the clock, he realized Claire had been gone for a good ten minutes. Again he wagered whether or not to get her. She wanted to be alone, and Leon knew he'd give her anything she wanted.

Give me a little time

Leave me alone a little while

Maybe it's not too late

Not today…

Fifteen minutes later, Claire still hadn't returned. Worry got the better of Leon, and he pushed through the exit. Claire was still there, watching the city, only her posture had changed. She was holding her arms, shivering slightly. Leon stood still though.

"I said I wanted to be alone."

"Yeah, but you didn't say you wanted to freeze." He replied, now walking toward her. He stepped off the curb, standing in front of her. "Come on Claire, you're gonna get sick."

"Leave me alone." She scolded once again, standing up and walking down the sidewalk.

Leon removed the green scrub shirt they'd given him, and began jogging after Claire. "Here."

"Why are you giving me this?"

"Because, it's freezing out here."

"If I take this, will you leave me alone?"

"No, but I'd rather me freeze than you." He answered.

"Leon, put the shirt back on."

"Not unless you come back with me."

"Can't you just go?"

Leon grabbed her by the good arm. "No. Because I worry about you, and if something were to happen to you, I couldn't forgive myself for it."

"But I need to be alone. Just let me go back and sit where I was. I'll come back when I've sorted things out." Claire headed back where she was before, throwing the shirt at Leon.

He sighed, pulling the shirt over his numb body, and began to walk toward the door. He paused, and watched as the tears began.

I don't know how I feel

Tomorrow, tomorrow

I don't know what to say

Tomorrow, tomorrow

Is a different day

Despite her wishes, Leon ran over to her, and pulled her up into his embrace. She tried pushing away from him, to which he held closer.

"I don't know what to do or-" She sobbed.

He held her while she cried, and while tears began warming his numb cheeks because of her pain. Claire didn't want to breakdown. The Redfields were the ones who generally held strong, but Chris had broken easily. Claire began crying harder at the mere thought of her brother. If he didn't make it, what would she do? How could she handle it? Chris had always been there, doing everything he could to support her. When their parents died, he'd taken full responsibility for her, but he had never tried to be their father. Chris knew it wasn't right, and he played the older brother role quite well. It was then, when Claire began to get older and understand things better that she knew she was lucky to have an older brother like Chris. He was always very protective of them, especially as they went from orphanage to foster home. They always seemed not to fit in with the "American Dream" type family. Chris was more rebellious, and Claire followed suit, listening to punk music, wearing baggy clothes, which drastically clashed with their foster siblings who wore khakis and polo shirts, and listened to manufactured artists. She found herself thinking of the situations they always seemed to be in, and how they'd always been punished.

'We really got it this time didn't we bro?'

"Do you still want to be alone?" Leon shook her from her thoughts.

"Please don't leave." She whispered, tightening her hold.

"I'm never leaving." He replied.

Hey yeah yeah

Hey yeah yeah

And I know I'm not ready

Hey yeah yeah

Hey yeah yeah

Maybe tomorrow

The bitter air was beginning to get to the couple, who hadn't budged, or said a word for that matter, in twenty minutes. Claire shook, wishing they could go back to the house for some thicker clothes, but nothing was tearing her away from the hospital. Leon guided them into the waiting room, and to a small bench seat. He sat down, and Claire curled up against his chest, her head nestled into his neck. She didn't sleep though, just rested. Gazing down, his frown deepened as he saw her grieving face. She was in pain, pain he couldn't even begin to imagine unless something had actually happened to Claire…

Again he shook his head, discarding the thought.

But they were inevitable, and the thought kept coming to the point where he thought he would go insane. They shook him to his very soul, to the point where he thought he would have a breakdown. What he felt when he found out Ada had supposedly died, was unexplainable. He'd felt saddened because of the human life lost, but a strange sense of no remorse followed.

'Bitch is getting what she deserves.' Leon thought again.

Claire stirred, and again he shuddered from the thought of her dying. If the situation back at the facility had turned out true though…

~ * * ~

Jill Valentine's eyes slowly opened, and it took her a moment to realize where she was. Her mouth was incredibly dry, and her saliva stung her throat as she swallowed. She tried to sit up, and then felt the stabbing pain in her abdomen. Casting her weary eyes downward, she saw the white cast around her leg. Jill groaned, and looked around. The door to her room was slightly ajar, and she could see a young woman in a nurse's uniform heading toward her room.

"Good morning Jill." She greeted cheerily.

The perkiness in her voice almost gave Jill a headache. "Yeah, what time is it?"

The woman giggled, and looked at her watch. "Well, actually it's around 6:00 AM."

Jill struggled to remember what time it was when they had gotten in the van. She knew it was between 4:00 AM and 5:00 AM when they finally got to the hospital right after Chris…

"Chris!" She gasped.

"Excuse me?" The nurse asked.

"Do you know the condition of Chris Redfield?"

The nurse glanced down at her clipboard. "He's not on my route." She began checking the IVs and other machines hooked to Jill.

Jill thought back to the least injured. Claire hadn't been shot. "What about Claire Redfield?"

"She was released about an hour ago."

"Well can you see if she's in the waiting room?"

"It's not visiting hours. Only relatives can see you." The nurse argued.

Jill thought quickly. "I'm married to her brother, Chris Redfield, so she's my sister-in-law."

The nurse looked at Jill. "I suppose I could tell her on my way to the break room."

"Thank you." Jill said as the nurse gave her two pills. She unwillingly swallowed the capsules, but savored the taste of the water against her parched throat.

"I'll be back before the doctor comes in." With that said, the nurse left the room. She brisk toward the waiting room. It was her break from a very long shift, and she was craving something to eat. As she entered the waiting room, Claire Redfield, and a man she assumed was a boyfriend, jolted from their seats. "Jill Valentine was asking for her." She pointed at Claire. Before she could say anything further, the duo was through the doors. "Oh well." She mumbled. "I'm on break."

~ * * ~

Claire and Leon sprinted down the halls, quickly checking the names by the doors. Leon caught Claire's shirt when found the door reading Valentine, J. He jerked the door open, and together they stepped into the darkness.

Jill strained to see who had entered, and saw Claire's face. "Claire!"

Claire pushed passed Leon, who closed the door quietly. She reached the side of Jill's bed, and leaned down, giving her a strong hug. The two women pulled out of the embrace on the verge of tears. Leon pulled the chair in the corner of Jill's room up closer to the bed. He sat down slowly, trying to concentrate on their conversation.

"How is he?" Jill asked, fear intertwined in the tone.

Claire shook her head. "They said he was still u-unconscious. His head couldn't be sewn up, and his shoulder was dislocated. They got the bullet out, but his r-ribs…" She trailed off, more tears falling from her already red eyes. "His ribs…they…he can't breathe. God Jill, they said something is causing him to be unable to breathe right. His heart is working harder, and he could die."

Jill cried out, sobbing along with Claire. Leon felt more than a little uncomfortable in their presence. He swept an uninjured hand through his hair. "They also said that his ribs may not be the cause. They can't see well in the X-ray, so his ribs could be fine. There's a chance there won't be any permanent damage." He paused. "He'll be okay though." He repeated. He stood up from his chair, remembering his thoughts from earlier, and walked toward Jill's bed. Claire and Jill looked at him, and he forced a grin. "After all, he is a Redfield isn't he?"

And I wanna believe you

When you tell me that it'll be okay

I try to believe you

Not today…

With Leon's words on their minds, Claire and Jill showed a mutual look. There was still a doubt lingering in the caverns of their minds, but for now, they were going to believe Leon, because if they had no faith, there would be nothing for them to hope for. Claire squeezed Leon's hand, and nodded, a smile coming to her lips.

A grin broke across Jill's features. "That he is."

Tomorrow it may change…

~ * * ~

Author's Note: Finally, I got this out. It would have been posted sooner, but my computer screwed the file up, so I had to retype everything. I hope this story is going to be as good as the first, if not better. As I said, songs are going to be incorporated into this one, and I thought "Tomorrow" fit perfectly. The final paragraphs didn't turn out like I wanted, but I hope it was okay. Now school starts tomorrow, so I need to go to bed and get back on schedule. Then again, like Dale said, "Schedule? Never heard of one." Thanks for being a fellow insomniac and sitting up with me Dale. The updates may not be as frequent with hell-erm excuse me-school starting back up, but I'll do my best. Please read and review, thanks!