I leaned my head back against the arm of the wingback chair, a fire crackled beside me in the hearth warming my bare feet which hung over the arm of the chair. The manor seemed as lonely now as it did when Chris and I were children living here. Now though, I didn't even have my older brother to annoy. It was just me alone in the large house.

I had gotten the call not long ago. Chris had been rescued from the middle of the ocean in an escape pod. He was badly wounded, passed out from the traumatic events he had survived. I don't really remember my initial reaction, but the BSAA base did let me have some time off to return to our manor and await his return. Just in time to celebrate the upcoming holiday at home, the first time in six years.

Soon I heard the door open and I head people making their way inside. Heavy footsteps resounded through the parlor. It couldn't possibly have only been my brother; there must be someone else with him. I sat up and swung my legs over, peeking up to see who else could possibly be with him.

Chris helped another man limp into the room. The man seemed to have multiple injuries and was not doing well. I quickly stood and helped my brother lay the man down on the couch. The man let out a sigh of relief and smiled gratefully up at the pair of us.

I then turned to my brother and slapped him across the face, leaving a red hand print on his cheek. My hand smarted from the slap, but I wouldn't show it, I was too upset with him at the current moment. The darkness inside me broiled, and I could feel it spiking my blood. I took a deep breath, calming myself.

"What the hell Sierra?!" Chris exclaimed, putting his hand to his face.

"Dammit, Chris! Don't EVER scare me like that again!" I shouted. Despite my best efforts, tears came to my eyes and Chris pulled me into his familiar bear hug. I squeezed my brother's waist as I cried into his chest.

"I thought I had lost you!" I said looking up into his face. A stray tear slipped from my eye and slid down my cheek.

"Chin up soldier, I am not going to abandon you," Chris replied, with a smile. I laughed and wiped away the few remaining tears that pooled in my eyes. I sent him a watery smile; it was the best I could manage.

"Women," the other man joked. I turned on my heel and glared at him, crossing my arms over my chest.

"And just who the hell are you?" I challenged, staring him down.

"Captain, your sister is just like you!" the man laughed. "And to answer your question, my name is Piers Nivens." My brows rose in shock, this must be the infamous, Piers Nivens. I had heard his tale of heroism, it was to him I owed him my thanks; it was only because of him that my brother was safe with us here now.

"I am sorry, I should not have acted so rudely," I replied almost immediately. The man laughed, brushing off my apology. I don't think he would have expected any other rash response from a Redfield.

"Chris, go ahead and rest up. I will prepare dinner for tonight," I said looking to my brother. To my observation, the planes of his face seemed sharper. I could see the years of service with BSAA etched into the lines of his countenance. Gray bags hung under his hazel eyes.

"Thanks Misty," Chris grinned, ruffling my hair, before taking the seat I had previously occupied. The use of my childhood nickname caused a smile to flit across my lips.

I prepared Chris' favorite dinner of chicken penne over steak, served with steamed vegetables and rice. I set three plates out, as well as a glass of wine for each of us. I set the meal before calling the men over to eat. Chris rose from his chair with a grunt before wrapping his arm around Piers' waist, helping his injured soldier up. Slowly they made their way into the dining room.

"Whoa, you are a fantastic cook!" Piers exclaimed as he took his first bite.

"When did you figure out how to make this?" Chris asked in shock.

"Can't rely on you to cook everything," I replied, laughing at both of them.

"You cook Captain?" Piers asked curiously.

"He's one of the best chefs I know," I replied. "He taught me everything I know." Chris merely nodded. I knew my brother would not fully answer that question. Chris had been forced to grow up fast and take care of me since I was very little. After I had been born my father's career had really taken off and had never been around for us. After this our mother had run off with another man from Italy, abandoning us to this large manor to take care of ourselves. He had only been thirteen then-too young to be forced into the throws of fatherhood, but he was.

"I never would have guessed," Piers said, taking another bite. Chris stared down his meat, refusing to meet his soldier's eye.

"Sierra, where have I heard of you before?" Piers asked me when the uncomfortable moment had passed.

"I don't know what you mean," I lied. I wasn't going to talk about what had happened while Chris had been away. I quickly finished the last few bites of my dinner before collecting my plate and hurrying into the kitchen.

"Sierra?" Chris asked, following me.

"Just, leave it," I replied angrily. Chris threw his hands into the air and backed off.

A few hours later I helped Chris take Piers upstairs so he could refresh himself with a hot shower. At the insistence of Chris I left them alone. Piers felt more comfortable having my brother around to help him shower; they had spent more time around each other during their missions, so I didn't really question it. I wasn't really too keen on helping him shower anyhow. So I escaped back down to the kitchen and cleaned up the dishes from dinner. It was tedious and I hated every moment of it, but I knew it had to be done.

"Sierra, can you please come back up here to help?" Chris shouted from the top of the stairs. I towel dried my hands and raced back up. Chris had one arm under Piers, supporting him. I slipped my arm around Piers' very toned and still damp torso, letting him use my weight to support himself. His warm skin against me caused my skin to rise in goose bumps. I couldn't help but notice the proximity between the two of us and I felt the heat rise to my face, I just hoped that neither man on my right would notice.

My brother and I helped the wounded soldier into a guest room, situated not far from Chris'. I slipped away from his side and pulled back the comforter. Chris led the other man to the edge of the bed and sat him down gently. Piers' struggled to lie down, but he finally managed. Once he was settled I pulled the comforter tight around him, blushing as my hand brushed along his side.

"Thank you," Piers smiled in his intoxicating way. His dazzling eyes followed me curiously as I pulled away quickly.

"Good night!" I said before exiting the room. I knew Piers had some questions for Chris, I could see it in his eyes. I shut the door quietly and stood outside in the hall curiously.

"Why was it so important to save me?" Piers asked almost so quietly I had trouble hearing him. I held my breath, I had heard this tale. My brother had nearly torn the BSAA apart trying to find a way to rescue Piers from the collapsed city beneath the water. Finally someone had listened and Sherry had gone in and found him on the scanner, the humanity in his body barely showing up. The C-virus had managed to be his salvation just as much as his downfall.

"Every soldier is important, Piers," Chris replied, just as softly.

"But, I can't even imagine the trouble you had to go to, to get me back, Captain," Piers said.

"That's not imperative, what is significant soldier, is that you are back, safe and sound," Chris replied. I shrugged; I didn't need to hear any more.

I was about to head to my own room for bed when I realized that I did not have any gifts for Piers for Christmas. I quickly went downstairs once more and scribbled a note for my brother before hopping into my jeep. It was a hard drive into town, the roads were frosty and after dark that could potentially become a real hazard.

I didn't really know what to get for the newcomer, but I knew anything at this point would be a big surprise for him. I picked out a thick scarf that could be used to replace Piers' old worn sniper scarf, stained from the main battles and missions he had survived. I also found a nice, black finish watch that seemed to fit his personality as well. I paid for the two gifts and left, hurrying home. Hopefully Piers would like the gifts I had chosen for him.

I walked to my own room, bags in hand. I would wrap the gifts later and put them under the tree when I had the chance. I set them in the back of my closet before changing into my pajamas. The emotions of the day spun through my mind as I curled up underneath my own comforter. Soon my eyes became heavy with sleep and I gave way to the shutting down of my body.