Thicker than Water

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Alex Chambers stood on the helicopter landing pad his fingers pressed to his forehead to block out the morning sun. He was dancing from one foot to the other, unable to hide his excitement.
"I see them!" He shouted back to his mother, who was standing near the entrance with a medical team. None of them knew what kind of shape their heroes would return to them in but Alex didn't seem to care. Already he was hopping up and down waving at the chopper as it drew closer. He cheered when Chris Redfield waved to him and repeated the action when Jill Valentine did the same. But as the helicopter touched down his smile began to fade. Not everyone he'd hoped to see was stepping out.
"What happened?" Rebecca Chambers soon came to stand beside her son, her lips set in a thin line as she looked from Chris to Jill. "Where is Parker?" She'd done her best to keep herself from saying this man's name first but she couldn't seem to help herself. "Where's Jessica?" She added, hoping this would make for a decent cover up.

"at least I never fucked another woman while she slept in my bed." Chris groaned, rolling onto his side.
"take it outside, Parker." Rebecca said darkly shoving a bag in his hands. "my son is doing his homework."

Parker simply stared at Rebecca. My son. She made her point quite vividly. "Becca... Please..." He knew she was beyond his pleading the moment he looked into her eyes.

"actually it's Rebecca I came for." Chris groaned again, shoving to his feet. "you started it."
Rebecca sighed, refusing to loOk at Parker. She felt utterly betrayed. "fine I'll meet you at the labs."

"And what about Alex?" Parker retorted, dropping the bag she had handed him to the floor. "You'll leave him here alone after everything that has happened?"

"no one said that." Rebecca said softly. "this is your home. We will be leaving together so you no longer feel the need to go elsewhere to have sex." she added. "can we have a ride Chris?"

"No... You go with Chris. I can take Alex to school in the morning. Please, Rebecca..." He knew how much he was pleading with her, but he had to. "I fucked up, I know that. But please... Just give me one more night with... Your son."

"that's all you're going to say?" she asked crossing her arms over her chest. Already her nose was red which always heralded tears. "nothing else?"

"Rebecca, what can I say?" Parker asked honestly. "I love you, that will never change. I messed things up, I know that. I did from the moment it happened, but it was over a year ago. I'm not saying its an excuse..." He sighed heavily and ran his fingers through his hair. 1He didn't now what he was trying to say, so how could he expect Rebecca to?

"you did what I said you could there is nothing wrong with that." Rebecca sighed. " take care of Alex and I will call you when I know something." that said she left with Chris without even saying goodbye.

Parker didn't disturb Alex. He sat in the kitchen, staring down into a glass he had filled with scotch, yet hadn't taken a single sip of. he was rather confused, evident by the look on his face right then.

It was well after midnight when Rebecca finally called. Alex hadn't even come out of his room. He'd fallen asleep on the computer, his head on the keyboard.
"Parker...I guess I'll need you to watch Alex a little bit longer. I've been asked to go to Africa." She said when she heard his rasping voice.

"Africa?!" Parker hissed. "What the hell has Chris talked you into now?!" He demanded.

"I can't talk about it but...it has to be done." Rebecca answered softly, playing with a paper clip on her desk. "Will you make sure Alex gets to his games? He's got a doctor's appointment on Friday...don't let them take blood...and take care of yourself. Okay?"

"Has to be done?" Parker asked darkly. "Would it 'have to be done', if it was anyone but Him asking?"

"Jill saved my son, Parker. I owe her my life for that. And if that's what it takes then so be it. It has nothing to do with Chris." Rebecca answered, sniffling ever so slightly. "I feel like I owe you an apology for the way I acted earlier. I had no right to get angry with you for something I told you to do. You finally looked out for yourself for once. Good for you." She added gently. "I'll call when I can. All right?"

"No... I never should have done it." Parker breathed. "I... Was weak, and that isn't the kind of man you deserved to be your husband." He added. "I should be the one going to Africa, not you."

"This is the kind of thing I've been dying to do for years. Everyone else gets to do all the fun stuff. There's no bad guys on this one. Just working with a pharmaceutical company that funds some of our missions." Rebecca said, an almost lightness to her voice. "Not to mention I know that Alex will be safe with you. You've always been his rock. I can't think of anyone better..." She stopped, listening to someone on her end of the phone. "I have to go." She said after a moment. "Tell Alex I love him, okay?"

"I love you too." Parker breathed. "I'll keep him safe until you get back, that much I can promise." He added, wishing he really could take Rebecca's place. Once the call ended, Parker downed the entire glass he had been staring at, then poured himself another.

Six months later, Parker would find himself in the place that Chris had been in. There was a BSAA agent standing at his door, telling him that Rebecca was missing.
Alex stared at the man at the front door, sure his legs wouldn't hold him up any longer. He'd been through this before but there was something to this one. This was worse than truly knowing his mother was gone.

"How can she be missing?!" Parker demanded. "She was working for Tricell! She was supposed to be safe!" he could feel his rage beginning to bubble, knowing he was going to hit the agent who had brought the news if he didn't turn away now. Aside from that, he knew it wasn't what Alex needed to see.

"We lost contact with the scientists over a week ago." The agent tried to explain, backing away as if he knew what Parker was going to do. "The camp is still in place but everyone who worked there is just...gone." He added, swallowing hard. "Chris Redfield told me to tell you he'd be over later this afternoon to talk to you. And.." He paused, backing away further. "If you don't answer he'll bring Jessica."

"How the hell is she involved in all of this?" Parker's fists were balled up as he tried to calm himself. Rebecca was just missing. It had only been a week...

"I'm just the messenger." The man whispered, already having a hand on his car. "I don't know anything else."

Parker was back inside, the door slamming in his wake. He looked down at Alex, not knowing what to say to the boy. "Don't worry, kiddo." He managed to breathe. "I'll get her back, you'll see."

Alex couldn't do anything but nod. "But...if you go...does that mean I get to go with you?" He asked hopefully, moving to open the door even though Chris hadn't yet knocked on it.
"Parker, I'm heading to Africa on a mission. Rebecca found some info for me about Jill and I'll going to follow up on it. The leaves you as acting liason in my place." Chris said, not seeming surprised that Alex had opened the door for him.

Parker narrowed his eyes at Chris, slamming him up against the wall beside the door. "It's your fault she's missing!" He snarled. "And you don't even care! You used her!" It was a sorry sight to see the proud Italian do close to tears.

"It sucks, doesn't it?" Chris hissed. "When someone does something to hurt the one you care about?"
"Dad...mom wouldn't want you to hurt Chris." Alex said softly, trying to grab hold of Parker's wrist.

Parker looked down at the small hand trying to pull him away. "You're right..." He breathed, closing his eyes and taking in a deep breath. "But Alex... I can't take you with me when I go looking for her. If something happened to you..." He knelt down to be at eye level with his son. "Keeping you safe was the last promise I made to your mom."

"Then you can't go." Alex said firmly. "If you're gone too then how are you keeping your promise?" He asked his eyes locked with the other man's. "I won't let you leave me behind."

"There's a boarding school nearby... They could keep you safe when I'm not here." Parker replied. "It wouldn't be forever... Just until I bring your mom home."