Thank you so much to Writer's Anonymous for being my faithful beta reader. Enjoy!

Chapter 9

October – November 1980

"Our lease renewal comes up at the end of this year," Albert told William as they sat down at their usual table in the dining hall corner. It was Thursday, which meant the cafeteria was serving spaghetti with meatballs and it was the only day both boys never missed lunch.

"It's really been two years?" William sat down hard. He dropped the tray and moved closer to Albert. "I can't believe how fast time has gone by."

"Ever heard of personal space?" Albert scooted a bit away. He knew William liked to scoot as close to Albert as possible in the hopes that Victoria would take the open space and sit next to the younger boy.

"Just making sure Victoria has some room as well," William said simply. "I'm trying to be polite."

Albert rolled his eyes. "Anyway, I was thinking about getting a place off site."

"Like in Raccoon City?" William asked around the half-chewed meatball in his mouth.

"Something like that."

Johnson walked up to the table, his tray loaded up with pasta and garlic bread. "May I join you boys?"

"Sure," Albert motioned to the open spot next to William. The younger scientist shot him a death glare but Albert pretended not to notice.

"Thank you," Johnson said, taking his place in the open space next to William. Once he was settled, he looked at both boys. "What's new in the life of Practical Al and Scholarly Will?"

"Do people still use those names?" Albert sighed.

"Not to your faces," Johnson replied slyly. He dipped his garlic bread into the pasta sauce. "I really do appreciate spaghetti Thursday."

"Don't we all," Albert took a bite of pasta. Once he finished he cocked his head to the side. "Mark, do you know of any good apartments or lofts in Raccoon City?"

"A few, why?"

"Our lease is up in December," Albert explained. "I was thinking about moving off campus."

"I don't think we should though," William interjected. "I think living so close to the labs keeps us focused on our work."

Albert rolled his eyes. "That's all you care about…"

"I think it would be beneficial to your health to move off," Johnson said to William firmly. "You don't want to get burnt out before your time."

William looked offended by Johnson's concern. "But…I want people to take me seriously."

"You've done more then enough to prove that you can survive here," Johnson pointed out. "Most of us live in Raccoon City or have property there. No one would think less of you because of it."

"Maybe."

"You might talk to Doctor Adey," Johnson said thoughtfully. "I think she and Boufford are going to be moving in together. From what I recall, her apartment is on 3rd Ave so it should be pretty nice."

"I'll keep that in mind," Albert said.

"You should probably invest in a car as well. Public transportation isn't very reliable when you have to get here at all hours of the day and night."

Albert gave Johnson a smirk. "And let Will drive it? I think not."

Johnson chuckled. "Well that is for the two of you to decide yourselves."

The door swung open and slammed against the wall loudly. Burnside ran into the cafeteria looked around, found William and Albert and just short of sprinted towards them.

"Doctors?" He was breathing so heavily that Albert was worried he was going to hyperventilate.

"Yes?" Albert took off his sunglasses. "Something wrong, David?"

"Mywifeishavingachild," Burnside blurted out.

Albert and William exchanged glances. "Sorry?"

"My…wife," Burnside punctuated each word with a deep breath. "Karen…is…having…a…child."

William stared at the red haired man blankly. "Like a baby?"

Burnside's eyes widened and he nodded his head slowly. "Yeah…a baby…"

"Congratulations!" Johnson stood up. He walked over and clapped Burnside on the back. "Is this your first?"

"Yes," Burnside breathed. The color was starting to slowly return to his face. "I don't know what to do. Oh god…I don't know how to raise a child."

"That is not a problem," Johnson smiled at Burnside kindly. "Trust me. The moment you see your firstborn, everything falls into place. You'll know what to do."

"Apparently that didn't work out for my father," William muttered to Albert.

"Or Alex," Albert took a forkful of pasta. "Although that could be the fact that I was adopted. Perhaps this feeling is only comes if it is your biological child."

"Again, my father proves that theory false," William shook his spoon at Albert.

"What happened with your father?" Burnside asked quickly. His eyes still had not returned to their proper size but they now looked terrified.

Johnson shot William a look but knowing William's inability to understand most social situations, Albert quickly cut in. "Oh, typical rebellious teenage stuff. Teenager wants to be free on their own and their father attempts to regain dominance over their child's decisions."

Burnside made a face that clearly showed Albert's input was not at all helpful.

Johnson shook his head in defeat. "When is she due?"

"Uh…I think," Burnside gulped. "She said she was about eight weeks along. So I guess…May of next year?"

"See?" Johnson gave Burnside the reassuring smile that Albert had come to recognize and appreciate. This smile was something Albert felt he needed to master. When people were panicking, they always turned to Johnson because of that smile. Somehow, it made people—Albert included—believe that things would be ok. Manipulating people's emotions that way was one of the reasons Johnson was considered such a good Chief Researcher. Plenty of time to learn how to be a father."

Burnside nodded, still clearly unconvinced about his parental abilities but his breathing and eye size had returned to normal. "I am going to take the rest of the day as a personal day."

"That's fine," Albert told Burnside. "Just make sure the records are ready and in our box for tomorrow's touch base."

Burnside nodded. "Good day." The reddish brown haired man once again sprinted out of the dining hall. As he passed, he almost bumped into Victoria who was going in the opposite direction, entering the dining hall. She took a moment to watch him then headed over to the buffet table to collect her food.

"This is why I never want children," William said. He scooted a little closer to Albert. "It turns you into a freak of nature."

"But only if done correctly," Johnson remarked as he sat back down next to William. The younger scientist huffed but Johnson didn't seem to notice. "When my Vanessa and Annette were born, let me tell you, I was crazy about them. Truly, parenthood…"

Albert stopped paying attention. His eyes were following Victoria under the protection of his dark shades.

Victoria must have left her lab coat downstairs and Albert was entirely grateful. The shapeless garment didn't do any justice to her figure. He enjoyed being able to see the dip in her waist before her body curved outward to her hips. Shaded blue eyes followed the line of her hip that disappeared into her black skirt that swayed enticingly around her knees as she glided along the buffet table, down her pale legs to the Mary-Jane heels she always wore. Though they weren't very high at all—Albert guessed they were at most an inch and a half—the heels did wonders for her pale but smooth legs.

He wondered what it would be like to run his hands up and down her legs, feeling the softness of the skin of her thighs…

Albert realized he felt warmth pooling around his groin area and closed his eyes. He flexed his thigh muscles but the heat did not go away. Fuck.

"What's up with Burnside?" Victoria asked. She was now standing at the edge of the table.

Albert avoided eye contact, hoping for once in his time here at Arklay that she would sit next to William and not him.

"Karen's pregnant," Johnson told her. "It's their first."

"That was quick," Victoria sat down next to Albert, unaware that doing so made the scientist freeze and his heart beat faster. Fuck.

"Didn't they get married like a month or two ago?"

Johnson shrugged. "These things happen."

Victoria also shrugged then reached into her skirt pocket. As she was rifling through her pocket, her hand brushed Albert's thigh. The small contact felt like electricity even though it was through her skirt and his pants. Albert leaned his head forward to hide the color in his cheeks from the embarrassment of the bulge in his pants.

Finally, she pulled out a crinkled piece of paper and handed it to Johnson. "Look at this."

Johnson took a moment to read it. "Why is he coming here?" Johnson asked passing it on to Albert. "Albert?"

Albert took the paper but didn't look up. "Yes?"

"Are you ok?" William asked.

Albert raised his head slowly. Using every ounce of willpower he had, he kept his face straight and emotionless as possible. "I just think I got a bad meatball."

"Do you need to go back to your room?" Victoria asked gently, putting her hand on his back and shifting her body so that she was more or less directed to him. This movement caused her knee to press up against his.

"Let me just read the memo," Albert said tersely, pulling away from her.

"Alright," Victoria also pulled a bit away from him. "Sure, go ahead."

Albert pressed his lips into a line and turned his gaze to the piece of paper.

10-17-1980

Alexander will be touring Arklay with his children, a son and daughter, in mid November. Prepare accordingly.

OES

Albert finished reading the memo three times and passed it on to William. Focusing on something else was what he needed to do. "Alexander?"

"You know who the Ashfords are, right?" Johnson asked them both.

"Yeah," William answered. "Edward Ashford, head of the Ashford family, helped with the foundation of Umbrella. He and Spencer were the main financiers for the company."

Albert rolled his eyes. He didn't think he would ever get used to William showing off his knowledge. "Why would they be coming here?"

"Alexander, Edward's son, used to be a scientist here at Umbrella," Johnson explained. "He wasn't the brightest bulb in the Ashford clan. Rumor had it he had some secret project where he was attempting to manipulate human genetics so that you could essentially design a child."

"Did anything come of it?" Albert asked, leaning forward. This was exactly the type of thing he needed to get rid of his current problem besides the fact that he was interested in human genetics. Speeding up evolution and creating a generation that was not susceptible to current human weaknesses was something that Albert had always been interested in.

"That's where things get a little interesting," Johnson explained. "Now none of this is confirmed but I have always thought he tested on Alfred and Alexia. They were born around the time that Alexander was told to desist and they've always been a little…off."

"The son and daughter?" William cocked his head to the side. "He did his experiments on his own children?"

"That's what most people seem to think," Johnson replied. "But having one of the more well known scientists experimenting on human genetics is bad for PR so Spencer tried to hush everything up and you know how people's imaginations go when they don't have solid answers."

"Indeed," Albert took another bite of his pasta but continued to look straight ahead. Out of the corner of his eye he could tell Victoria was still glancing over at him. He hated that she had caused a physical response in him. He should be more in control then that.

"Well I'm finished," William announced. He wiped his pasta stained mouth on the sleeve of his lab coat. "Albert, you ready?"

Albert glanced down at his lap. Even though the bulge in his lap was mostly gone by this point, he didn't want to risk it. "I'll be another moment."

"Suit yourself," William stood up slowly, looking between Victoria and Albert. "Mark, do you mind then, if we go over some of the Trevor specimen results?"

"Sure thing," Johnson put down his fork and also rose from the table. "I'll see you both downstairs."

Johnson and William chatted as they exited the dining hall.

Victoria and Albert sat in silence together, neither one looking at the other.

She cleared her throat, expectantly. "I'm sorry about –"

"It's fine." Albert still didn't look at her.

"I think I'll go too," Victoria said after moments of silence between them. She moved quickly, causing the skirt to swirl around her in the way that drove Albert's hormones wild. "I'll see you later."

Albert turned as she started to walk away but stopped. He wanted to call out to her and…he didn't know what exactly he would do if he stopped her from leaving. Apologize? No, he didn't apologize to anyone.

Instead, he mentally kicked himself and watched her gorgeous legs as she walked out of the dining hall alone.

Fuck.

Albert knocked on the door to Dr. Margaret Adey's office. "Doctor Adey? May I speak to you?"

"Just a moment!" Her voice yelled from the other side of the door.

Albert waited and leaned his ear to the door. Behind it, he could hear lots of rustling and rapid movement. He pulled away once he heard her approaching.

"Doctor Wesker," Adey said, pulling open the door. She held it open slightly, keeping her body partially hidden behind the door. "What can I help you with?"

"I needed to ask you about an apartment," Albert said, stepping by her. "Doctor Johnson said you…"

Albert stopped talking when his eyes fell onto Dr. Stanley Boufford still buttoning up his shirt with a hint of lipstick smeared across his face in the corner of Adey's office. He turned around to look at Dr. Adey. Her blouse was not tucked into her skirt properly and Albert could see that it was pushed up higher around her legs then she normally wore it.

"Oh, I…" Albert turned away from her and back to Dr. Boufford.

"Hi, Doctor Wesker," Boufford said casually, fixing up his black hair so that it didn't look like Adey had been running her fingers through it.

"Uh, hello," Albert felt awkward and disgusted at the same time. "Sorry, I'll come back another time…"

"Oh, don't worry," Dr. Adey closed the door behind her. "We were just finishing up. What about the apartment?"

"Well, my lease for the on site dormitories is up come December," Albert explained, wishing he had his sunglasses. It was easier to control his obvious discomfort when he knew his eyes were sheilded. He looked around the room, wondering if he should sit but deciding against sitting on any surface they might have been…using…recently. "We…or well, I…we… were looking for a place to stay. Mark told me that you were possibly ending your lease?"

"Yes," Dr. Adey sat down in her chair. "Stan and I will be moving into his apartment."

"Congratulations," Albert said the first thing that came to mind. "Would you please give your landlord my contact information?"

"Of course," Dr. Adey nodded. "Just the number here at Arklay?"

"Yes," Albert turned towards the door. "I'll let you two get back to…your work."

Dr. Boufford snickered. "We will."

Albert pulled the door open.

"Dr. Wesker!" Dr. Adey stopped him. "Will it be just you or is Miss Adler going to be moving in with you as well?"

Albert bristled, color rising in his cheeks. Did she really just ask him that? "No." He slammed the door shut behind him.

Agreeing to do the T-Virus project with her was a mistake. He should never have agreed to it. He should have known this is what would have happened. His feelings for her started out as a competition between him and William. He should have never agreed to it. To the time they spent alone in her side office and the extra hours they have been putting in. He should have never agreed to it.

And yet…

Albert sighed heavily. He and William were sitting in their dorm room, enjoying the last few moments of relaxation before heading off to bed. William was at his desk, still pouring over notes. Albert had a book open in his lap but he hadn't turned the page in over twenty minutes. He just kept thinking about her.

It was a cycle for him. He liked how being around her made him feel. He could tell her things and knew she wouldn't obsess over them. She got him to talk about what was going on inside his head and never breathed a word of anything he said to anyone else. Even though he liked the constant competition from William, it was nice to not have to compete with her. It was just easy to be in her company.

Yet, he hated it. He hated that she made him feel this way, vulnerable. He hated her for being warm and gentle and kind to him, when all the women in his life prior to his time here at Arklay had been nothing but cold and distant. He wanted her to be that way so he didn't feel these things he was currently feeling. He wanted to push her away but at the same time, the idea made him sick to his stomach.

"Al?"

Albert blinked his thoughts away.

William turned around and faced his older counterpart.

"What?"

"Is something wrong?" William asked gently. "You seem…off."

"I don't think anyone would say I was ever particularly on," Albert shifted his weight.

"Obviously," William turned his chair around, making it clear that 100% of his attention was on Albert. "But, you seem…distracted...as of late."

"Distracted?" Albert snapped. He knew getting defensive at William's suggestion would only confirm it in his partner's eyes but for some reason it didn't stop him.

"Well," William cocked his head to the side. "The progress you've been making on your web spinners hasn't really been coming along…"

"Are you trying to say something about my performance here?" Albert demanded harshly.

"I'm just worried about you," William backpedaled, raising up his hands in defeat. "I am not trying to say you aren't fit for your position, I just…I don't know. You're my best friend here and I come to you with all my problems but you never come to me with yours. I think something is bothering you but I can't even begin to figure out what."

"That's because I don't have problems," Albert's voice still spitting venom at the younger boy.

William made a face as if Albert had slapped him. "Sorry."

Albert slammed his book shut and placed it on his nightstand. He pulled the covers up on his bed and crawled into them. "Whatever."

The next few weeks passed by quickly as everyone prepared their projects for the arrival of Alexander Ashford and his children.

Despite their best efforts, everyone's projects seemed to fail. William's half human half-lizard projects could never survive longer then a few hours. Dr. Adey and Dr. Boufford's sharks killed each other and then died themselves, making accurate results impossible. Robert still had not managed to reconfigure the T-Virus so that the plants she was using would incorporate the T-Virus into their DNA. Berg's Dobermans started dying outright to any exposure to the T-Virus. The frog, fly, and chimpanzee projects also seemed to be stalling.

Progress on the web spinners wasn't any better. Albert's conflicted feelings were making working with Victoria difficult. The cycle of wanting to be as close to her as possible and wanting to push her away was almost impossible for him to control. These emotions were so strong that they slipped though his mask more often then he wanted.

Things between her and William seemed to be just fine. Though William still had a crush on her, he was far more concerned about perfecting his project. It made their relationship improve significantly now that she wasn't always trying to brush off his awkward attempts at flirting. And now he was losing to William, once again.

Albert and William walked down to breakfast one morning in November only to realize that neither Johnson nor Victoria were there waiting for them like they usually were. The two also did not show up once the meal was over.

"I wonder where Johnson is," William said to no one in particular as the two bused their dishes.

"I wouldn't know," Albert took his sunglasses off and placed them in his coat pocket. "Do you need to speak to him?"

"No," William said. "I just wanted to know if he knew where Victoria was."

Albert grunted in reply. He was curious as to where she was. Part of him was glad that she felt something that he couldn't quite identify. Sadness that she wouldn't be in today?

These thoughts consumed him as the two blonds made their way to the labs. Albert went straight to Victoria's office to see if maybe she was there but instead he found Johnson.

"Good morning, Al," Johnson smiled when the blond scientist walked in.

"Good morning," Albert replied, glancing around the office as if it might have some clue as to Victoria's whereabouts.

"She said she was going to be late," Johnson told him, reading his thoughts perfectly.

Albert raised an eyebrow. "Why didn't she leave word with William or I?"

"She was having a little trouble this morning," Johnson answered carefully. He continued to set up the lab station for Albert.

"What kind of trouble?" A note of concern made its way into Albert's usually monotone voice.

"It's the six year mark," Johnson stopped organizing the room and looked at Albert, dead on. "Though she is very strong, she's had trouble on this particular day."

Albert pushed his lips into a thin line. He did remember Victoria taking off the last two Novembers that he was here. It was the only time she ever requested off. "The day she was assaulted."

Johnson nodded his head. "I suggested that she take the time to herself but she insisted that she come in to keep her mind off things."

"She's a professional," Albert said thoughtfully.

"That she is," Johnson said, still not moving. "Will you be able to keep yourself in check today?"

"Excuse me?"

Johnson sighed heavily and approached Albert. He put a hand on his shoulder, the way a father would do so when he was disappointed in his son. "I know you are struggling with your feelings for her—"

"I don't have feelings for her," Albert interrupted, his cheeks flushing.

Johnson held up his other hand to stop him. "Al, I'm not judging you on that. Crushes are normal part of the human experience."

"But, I don't—"

"Stop," Johnson's voice was firm. "Whatever is going on between the two of you is affecting your productivity. You do not work well when one day you are distracted by her and the next day you are striking out at her."

Albert opened his mouth to say something but Johnson cut him off.

"You aren't any better at hiding your feelings then William is."

The blond scientist glared at him but again didn't say anything. He was not going to admit to anything.

"You need to accept that your urges are normal," Johnson squeezed his shoulder. "You are only human, you know. Stop holding yourself to a standard that is beyond that."

"Ok," Albert didn't know what else to say. Johnson was right. As he always was. However, it still wasn't a confession of feelings. Just an acknowledgement of his recent behavioral problems.

"Good," Johnson took a step back from him. "Now I realize you don't want this mentioned, but you need to control your behavior. No one here cares about what Margaret or Stan do because they still get their work done. I am only mentioning this because you both are clearly lagging in your progress."

Albert nodded his head. "I will."

"Good," Johnson repeated. He began lying out the last few pieces of equipment. "There, that should get you until she gets here."

"Thanks," Albert said. "For more then just the set up."

Johnson smiled warmly at him. "Of course."

Victoria arrived to work about an hour later. After dodging William's questions, she walked into her side office and put on her lab coat. She didn't acknowledge Albert's presence save for a curt nod in his direction. Immediately, she went to work.

Albert leaned over the test specimen and measured them under the microscope. "Specimen 45-C has increased in size by almost five millimeters."

"Alright," Victoria said quietly, she made a mark in her notebook.

"And Specimen 45-D has increased by 10 millimeters," Albert moved the microscope over the next one. He looked through the small metal tube and measured the next one.

"Got it." Another mark was made in her notebook.

Albert looked up from the microscope and eyed her. From the outside, she looked like a normal woman, with no problems besides a very taxing job. He wondered about the pain she was hiding behind her mask, the one that she showed to everyone besides Johnson, and to some extent, him.

"Al?"

Albert blinked. Victoria was looking up at him, eyebrow raised. "Are you going to continue?"

Albert was once again at a loss for words. "Yes."

"Well?"

Albert cleared his throat. On impulse, he reached out across the table and grabbed her hand. He gave it a tight squeeze in an attempt to send her some kind of message. He hoped it came off as reassuring or comforting.

She seemed startled by the gesture but gave him a sad smile. "Thanks."

The Ashford family arrived mid-November as the memo from Spencer had stated. They arrived on a cold morning, in a private helicopter. Spencer did not seem to make as big of a deal of their arrival as he did with Alex's visit.

Albert could easily recognize Alexander as he entered the lobby due to the similarity between the man and the portrait in Spencer's office. Alexander had the trademark Ashford blonde hair and pure blue eyes. He clearly over dressed for the visit to the lab in his tuxedo type suit and silver vest. On the lapel of his tuxedo jacket was a gold broach with a large diamond. Behind him were two small children, about the age of 9. Both were dressed in dark school type uniforms.

"Alexander," Spencer smiled his trademark predatory smile. "So good to see you." The sarcasm in Spencer's voice was so obvious, even William could detect it.

"Likewise," Alexander couldn't entirely hide the discomfort he had in being in Spencer's presence.

Spencer bent down a bit, getting a closer look at the two children. "And is this Umbrella's bright future?"

"Indeed, Ozwell," Alexander made a grand gesture of presenting the small girl that stood about a half a step behind him. "May I present my daughter, Alexia."

Alexia stepped forward. She moved so gently that it looked more like she was floating then walking. The small girl had long golden hair that hung far down her back. Her skin looked to be that of porcelain and she had fierce clear blue eyes. She wore a black choker with a blood red stone that rested in a silver setting.

"Hello." Her voice was high, too high to be normal.

"Alexia," Alexander motioned to the other scientists. "This is Chief Researcher William Birkin and Chief Researcher Albert Wesker."

"How do you do?" The small girl's eyes studied each of the chief researchers in turn. Her eyes had the critical gaze of a skilled scientist.

"Fine," Albert answered.

"Good," William said at the same time.

"And this is my son," Alexander pushed the boy forward.

The young boy was quite literally, the male version of Alexia. He had the same golden locks that was kept back formally and the same flawless, pale skin. Like his twin, the boy had clear blue eyes however his lacked the intensity that Alexia's held. Instead, his eyes were softer, more in wonder at the world around him. "I'm Alfred."

Albert grunted in reply and William said nothing.

"Alexia will be the continuation of the Ashford line of this facility," Spencer explained.

"That is the goal," Alexander said, smiling awkwardly.

"Now, Alexia, would you be interested in a small tour of the labs with Dr. Birkin and Dr. Wesker while Alfred waits here?" Spencer asked her.

"Of course," Alexia answered, looking excited for the first time since entering the facility.

"But, A-Alexia!" Alfred whined, crestfallen. He reached out to hug his sister but Alexia swatted his hands away.

"Not now, brother," Alexia snapped. "Do you want to embarrass me?"

Alfred stepped back quickly, as if recoiling from a burn, and collected himself. He hung his head as color started to fill his otherwise porcelain skin. "No, A-A-Alexia. I'm sorry."

"As you should be," his twin chastised him, crossing her arms over her chest.

William and Albert exchanged glances.

Spencer cleared his throat impatiently. "Everything alright?"

"Of course, Mr. Spencer," Alexia said, turning away from her still distraught looking brother. "Nothing to worry about."

"Perfect," Spencer's signature predatory smile stretched across his face. "Alfred, why don't you go to the library and amuse yourself."

Alfred nodded his head but did not look at spencer.

The rest of the group started off but Spencer paused suddenly. "Alexander, go with him. What we have here in Arklay will be far beyond your capabilities."

Alexander's pale skin flushed red. He opened his mouth as if to say something but then thought better of it. Instead, he bowed slightly and replied, "as you wish."

Spencer smiled and started the tour once more.

Arklay and all of their employees were in top form for the Ashford visit. Everyone had neat reports though few tangible results. Despite most of the experiments still being in theory rather then in reality, Alexia seemed to listen to every detail with rapt attention. Though she showed little outward emotion, she could rarely control her excitement with each new experiment and report she read.

The tour lasted roughly two hours before everyone either headed to dinner in the cafeteria or to home. Spencer took the Ashfords to a private dinner in his rooms upstairs. After that, they left by way of helicopter to England.

"I can't believe Alexia!" William exclaimed once he and Albert retired to their room for the night. "She truly belongs here to Umbrella. She's so sharp and she understood almost everything we put in front of her!"

Albert nodded his head. "Yes, it seems whatever Alexander did to her ended up being beneficial."

William chuckled and flopped down onto his bed, not caring to remove anything, not even his dirty lab coat. "I wonder if it is really true. Can you imagine it? Creating a superior breed of human, with higher intellectual and physical capabilities."

Albert kicked off his shoes and stripped to his underwear. "It would be something. I think it would be somewhat unfortunate though."

"Why is that?" By this time, William had removed his shoes but he still had not removed any of his clothes. He pulled the covers up to his chest. "I would love to be credited with speeding up natural selection."

"I suppose it would be unfortunate that we would never be a part of such a superior race," Albert explained, more to himself them to William. He removed his glasses and pulled his pajama shirt over his head. "As fun as it would be to create, I rather relish being smarter then most of the general population. But at the same time, it is also a burden to be different then most. You and I are examples of that."

William made a noise that sounded like he agreed. "Yeah, I suppose so."

Albert finished getting ready for bed and then turned off the light.

"I'm still looking forward to having Alexia work for Umbrella when she is old enough," William's voice said in the darkness. "I know she'll have great ideas to collaborate on. She also seems sadistic enough to go for the more…sensitive…experiments. I don't know how Alfred would fare here though."

"I don't either," Albert said, thinking about how overjoyed the little boy was once the tour was over and the twins were reunited. After that, Alfred had not left Alexia's side. He seemed to need his sister near him to be able to function properly. The bond between them was absolutely unlike anything Albert had ever seen with a brother and sister pair. It seemed almost like obsession on Alfred's part.

"Oh well," William mumbled, sounding sleepy. "Alexia will be great. She'll be just like me, starting the company at sixteen and everyone will say that she was the next William Birkin."

Hope you all enjoyed this update :) I love the Ashfords so I had to bring them in for a bit! Please continue to follow and review. Each one is so wonderful and mean everything! Until next time 3