The relationship between Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine is an infuriating one for many fans, myself included. It's so painfully obvious yet understated at the same time, there's no real clue as to whether there really is anything going on, how long it could have been going on for, or whether these two are just a touchy-feely couple. They were the first real RE coupling, so why to this day (10 years later) are we still guessing?

Let's look back at Classic, where it all began (in every sense of the word). Most of the hints lie in Chris' scenario. In the opening movie Chris tells Jill to "run for that house" and then that's about it until the end of the game (which probably isn't that long, depending on how good you are at it). One of the strongest hints, and probably the first real one, comes when Chris saves Jill from Wesker's cell. Provided you don't chat with Jill beforehand (meaning you don't go through the locked door until right before you save her) you get a lovely big-pixely hug between the pair, and Chris holds onto Jill's face while her hands fall to his waist. Awfully cute considering they just look like big blocks ;)

Then comes the now classic ending. Jill rests her head on Chris' shoulder and grabs the inside of his thigh, while he covers her hand with his. Certainly more friendly then I think two partners would normally act (Rebecca doesn't get any nookie...). By this point it's pretty clear this was the games intended 'romance' (which actually seems pretty in-depth considering the time it came out in). It's subtle in a 'smack you over the head with it' kind of manner.

Resident Evil 2 comes and goes, but Chris and Jill get another proper 'mention' in RE3. Not only is Jill on her way to meet him in Europe, but Jill's diary reveals a few interesting tidbits about the gap between RE1 and RE3. With Chris succumbing to his obsession to stop Umbrella, Jill is the one person he keeps a smile and a wink for. Which one might consider a bit unnerving, as he had just previously punched a guy's lights out in front of her. But the love remains :p

Jill presumably meets up with Chris in Europe and he shows up in CV not long later, but neither Jill nor the relationship is mentioned. We do however get a revisit of things with Resident Evil Remake, which again strongly hints at a more-than-just-friends nature between them. Chris this time around saves a stunned Jill from the dogs, and even almost sacrifices himself to let her get away. The hug remains at the end, this time full of awkwardness and poignancy that's almost physically palpable. It's almost a crime the two didn't share a kiss right then and there. There's also a moment where, if you see Jill before releasing her from jail, Chris gives such a look of anger it's almost terrifying, especially when you realise he's been rather emotionless the entire time. And of course the head on the shoulder ending remains, adorably cute in its Remade glory.

It's undeniable that there's something between the two that is more than just friends, even with the rather small amount of evidence it's still overwhelming. The pair have a unique understanding and bond that none of the other characters in the games share. The feelings are unspoken, introspective, much like the characters themselves. There appears to be no need for a physical, spoken declaration of love (or lust), the pair simply understand each other and that's that. Which must be nice for them, sure, but annoying as hell for their fans.

So many questions remain. Are the pair actually a couple in the regular sense of the word? If so for how long? Many guides lead us to believe that the Alpha Unit hadn't actually been together all that long before the Spencer Mansion incident. If so, the pair sure are moving at an extremely fast pace for team members who have just met. Or if nothing happened before the mansion, did it afterwards? Why would Chris, already pretty damn close with Barry, single out Jill as the one person to keep him sane and share some fun with, the one person to share the most important information he could ever come across with? Barry and Rebecca went through the same things they did, and he's arguably spent more time with both of them than Jill.

Or does the fact these two do appear to have a shared understanding with each other mean nothing has happened (yet)? It certainly wouldn't have appeared to be the right time after the Spencer Mansion incident, with a public to inform and Umbrella to take down. Chris' obsessive nature surely wouldn't have left much time for any romancing of partners. Or would it? He invited Jill around to his house in the early hours of the morning to show her research. Research he easily could have shown her the next day or even earlier that night.

At this point in time most of the relationship lies in speculation of what could have happened, based on the small (but powerful) bits of evidence we've already been given. Considering further relationships that followed (Leon/Ada, Claire/Steve), should Chris appear in RE5 might we finally get an answer? One can hope, because as Remake showed it's not a relationship that's been forgotten about. On the contrary, it seemed a revival, a reminder of what was and what may come.