It is evening when Claire finds herself in the midst of society's top class, clad in a gown too impractical for her liking, holding a still full glass of chardonnay. She pretends to enjoy the formal gathering, knowing it is for a greater good that she must now grovel at the feet of the wealthy. The notion of charming the wealthy into parting ways with their money has always left a bad taste in her mouth.

Moving amongst the crowds of the elite, Jill smiles and makes small talk, as Claire watches on feeling a twinge of jealousy. She cannot help but admire Valentine's ability to play the role of mediator. If only she were more capable at playing the game as the others did.

Really Dearheart, where would be the fun in that? Albert Wesker's phantom voice echoes in her thoughts. It had been two years since she last saw him in the B.S.A.A. labs of Queensland, Australia. The events surrounding Oroboros outbreak had long since been covered up, along with Albert Wesker's demise, or more exactly, Alex Wesker.

With bioterrorism an ever present threat, Claire was soon caught up in Terra-Save's and the B.S.A.A.'s latest and most ambitious mission. The vaccination of the general public against the Progenitor virus and its various strains. Rebecca Chambers was to oversee the project, but as neither organization had the vast funding or support required, there was little that she could do. Leaving the success of the formal dinner party of utmost importance to more than just Claire, or her fellow hosts.

'Clearly, it is not enough that everyone deserves the right to be protected against viral threats.' Rebecca's dry sarcasm draws Claire's attention, pulling her out of trouble thoughts. They are soon joined by Sheva, who breathes a sigh to Rebecca's words; while her fingers carefully fold a napkin into smaller triangles.

'Ms. Chambers, you know that is not the way of the world. If you want to appeal to their better nature, you will need to feed their vanity and egos first.' Sheva's words are met with silence. The truth behind Sheva's words fill Claire with a new sense of disgust.

The moment passes, with Rebecca grinning to the sight of a familiar face entering the banquet room. Claire does not recognize the young man in the pony-tail, who stands awkward in his well-pressed suit. Sheva leans in to question Rebecca, but the researcher is already excusing herself to join the man's side. They soon depart to the vast gardens where a quartet performs famous pieces written by late composers.

After some small talk Sheva too, parts ways with Claire. Ever dutiful, Alomar soon joins Jill in her mission to convince the rich and elite to help the less fortunate receive the inoculations they desperately need. Alone again, Claire watches in silence as the high-society intermingles with her fellow colleagues and co-workers.

'Now this is, indeed, a most unexpected sight. The self-righteous and pious Claire Redfield, reduced to begging from the rich to feed the poor.'

It is the man's soft, deep laughter, so familiar yet so unbelievably rare, that makes Claire's heart race. His name has not crossed her lips since that fateful morning in Australia. She is haunted by the feel of his fingers pressed against her own, his sharp words, and actions that never backed them. The truth had always been there, lurking just beneath the surface.

Claire struggles to maintain a façade of calm. When did she come to miss the man so much? Worse, what did it mean? Stepping back, Claire struggles to collect her thoughts as they scream in protest. This is not real it is a lie. This has to be a lie, but oh, it is not.

'Are you quite alright?' The stranger asks, forcing Claire attentions back to the present. It is enough to clear her thoughts, enabling her to actually look at the man standing before her. He looks nothing like Albert Wesker. His features are too soft, too old, and he lacks the commanding aura that hung about Albert's person. Relief overwhelms Claire, forcing her to bite back an untimely fit of giggles. The feeling is short-lived, for instinct tells her this man is a predator posing as innocent prey. It is his dark blue eyes that give him away. An ice and edge that could only belong to one man.

'Does it really matter if their motives are less than noble, if it means innocent lives can be saved?' Claire replied in cool tones. The man tilts his head in reply, as hint of a smirk plays on his lips. There are no more doubts to whom it is that she speaks. 'Forgive me, I don't believe we've been properly introduced. I'm Claire Redfield,' she says, recalling her manners, or more importantly, the game she must play.

'I am well aware of who you are,' Albert's preference not to use contractions in his speech elicits a hesitant smile from Claire. It is a subtle means of greeting, the sort only she would understand. It is no surprise that he was able to move among his enemies without ever raising a brow.

'You should not be here.' Claire hisses in warning. Albert is not troubled, in fact, he appears more amused by their strange reunion. She scans the room quickly with her eyes, noting the positions of her friends in the room. As expected, they are oblivious to the presence of a very dangerous enemy; an affirmation to Albert Wesker's very detailed and careful disguise. She breathes a sigh, for now, they are at liberty to freely speak.

'A pleasure to see you too, Dearheart,' Albert retorts. The smile he wears is subtle; more a smirk than anything else. It is oddly welcoming, though Claire loathes to admit it.

Whatever Albert Wesker's reason for being here, Claire knows it cannot be good. 'Don't get me wrong, the get up is brilliant. But, Albert, what are you doing here?' she asks.

'I have a business proposition. One that I believe you will find most interesting. A favour, for a favour, as it were.'

Wesker's offer is both intriguing and disconcerting. Only a fool would blindly accept such an arrangement with a man as dangerous as Albert Wesker. Despite her better judgment, Claire permits him to continue, knowing fully well it is a decision she is certain to soon regret. As expected, former Umbrella agent did not disappoint.

'Tell me Dearheart, have you ever heard of the t-Phobos virus?'

In a vast mansion on the island of Sushestvovanie, a lone woman stands before a very large painting atop of a grand stairwell. It is a life-sized portrait of what appears to be fraternal twins. The female is an exact replica of her.

'How the mighty have fallen,' she murmurs to the painted image of the male seated next to her portrait. 'While I stand strong, you lay dead and forgotten. No one will ever remember who you are, or your pathetic Oroboros virus. I am the phoenix, and you, my illustrious creator and brother, are nothing more than ashes in my wake.'

Activating her audio, Alexandra Wesker sends out a single encrypted message that reads:

Words have no power to impress the mind without the exquisite horror of their reality.

With a smile on her lips, she departs for the inner sanctum of her palace, knowing soon the world would learn the true meaning of fear and terror.

Author's Note: And that's all for now folks! This piece is evidence that even seemingly abandoned tales can come to life once more. I started it years ago, forgot about it for years only to return to it once more. To all those who stuck it out from beginning to end, I can only give my utmost thanks and gratitude. Your encouragement and support means the world to me. To all who hopped on board at a later point in time, you have my thanks and gratitude as well for taking the time to give this tale and its unusual premise a chance! You are all the best!

That being said...Off to begin part 2!

Naoko: Thank you so much for your kind words! I was considering leaving it at chapter 22, but it was my hope that the epilogue would serve as a gateway or peek into the Part 2 that I am working on! Thank you again for your lovely review! I hope this ending was equally enjoyable for you!

Daphne: I am so happy that my chapter was able to give you a nice break from the finales! I'm relieved those two scenes weren't awkward as I had feared. I really wanted to show that a line was being crossed, that their working relationship is no longer quite so simple, but I didn't want to lose sight of who they are either. So I'm glad that it came across in the right light.

Thank you so much again for your encouraging words and for your constant support! I hope that you enjoyed this epilogue and that you'll enjoy part 2!