Sitting on that plane, and flying away without Jake Muller was the hardest thing I have ever done. It is my biggest regret. I should have forced him to come with me. Begged, pleaded. Receiving that text made my heart flutter with hope. Although it wasn't the response I had hoped, it proved to my heart that there was hope. Hope that when I got off the plane in the states you would be there…waiting for me.

At least part of what I said to you that day sunk in. For fifty American dollars, the world had a new hope. A way to combat the deadly viral outbreak .

I don't understand why you didn't come with me. I probably never will. I laid my heart on the line. I confessed that I loved you. I will forever remember that moment with a knot in my chest. You turned your head and smirked. Laughed. I can't quite remember you words, I don't think that I want to. You turned from me, from my feelings. From any chance, we may have had together.

A month has passed since everyone's hellish nightmares ended. A type of calm washed over the public that Sherry knew would pass and the world would return to the materialistic ways that seemed so far off.

Her work had come to a halt for the time being. She was put on a temporary leave for her mental health. Not that anything was wrong with her, but more so she could cope. So the doctors said. Many involved were granted a temporary leave, many like Chris and Leon fought against it. They kept fighting the good fight. Each with their own reasons.

Sherry didn't feel like going to work, so the leave was a great excuse not to go. She wanted the peace and quiet. A chance to focus on happier things. To move on and figure out how she needed to deal with things. Raccoon surfaced in her mind again. Her father, her mother. Even after "dealing" and trying to cope so many times, it still managed to wiggle itself back into her mind. It probably always would. Just as the most recent episode of bio-terrorism had, and probably always would.

Sitting in her living room, she put her feet up on her coffee table and listened to the news ramble on about the weather forecast for the next few days. They predicted sunshine and nice temperatures. It would do herself good to get out of the house. Back into the world that she fought so hard to protect and save next to Jake.

Growling she got up and went to the kitchen. Damn him. Damn him to hell, for plaguing her thoughts like this.

"You helped me live and learn Jake Muller." Sherry murmured to herself as she grabbed a plate from the cupboard.

%%%%%

"I should have never left it that way." Jake sighed before taking his shot in one hit. Setting the glass down, he ran a hand through his hair.

"I should kick your ass for it too." The brown haired male said as he finished his drink. Leon was not pleased, but he knew if he did take his anger out on him that Sherry would not be so forgiving. "You have to tell her you are here."

"The stupidest thing is I don't even care for money anymore." He ordered another shot. "I haven't worried about it since I left. I still have the fifty that I was paid for my blood." He grasped his wallet in his back pocket. It was burning a hole in his pocket. Slamming the shot down he turned to Leon, "I'm more worried about actually giving it to a good cause. I have done the best thing a human being can ever do and I still feel like there is more I have to do." He scoffed. This was ridiculous.

"Welcome to the good fight." Leon laughed harder than he had in a while as he placed his hand on Jakes shoulder. "It never stops and there is always something you can do."

"That sounds tiring." The younger male sighed downing yet another shot.

"You better slow down there partner. You've got plans today."

Sighing heavily, Jake could feel the booze taking its effect on him. "I sober fast enough. Don't worry; I'll talk to her today." He managed to say without slurring.

"Good. Because if you don't I will." He smirked and put his trademark leather jacket on. "I'll call you later Jake." Leon said before exiting the bar. 'That girl is gonna fuck him up good once he shows his face.' His smirk grew. Jake deserved everything that Sherry could throw at him. Leaving the way that he did, he had seen enough of what it had done to the blonde. Maybe it was fatherly instincts that did not quite belong, but he felt that it fell upon him to make sure that she was alright.

Leon's mind threw him back to Raccoon city. That city. The job he survived. The people he met. If not for that hellish day, he never would have met Claire Redfield, or Sherry Birkin.

When Claire was around Sherry, she was very protective. Naturally loving and caring. The way she took care of Sherry and fought for her like the girl was her own child was selfless of the younger Redfield. The mother instincts showed and Sherry welcomed it. Even though she had her own parents, Leon could not be bothered to let them have that title at all. William was a nut job, and Annette… just worried about her research until she was to far up shit creek with no paddle and realized that there was going to be a mortality rate that she was going to be involved in. He knew that she loved her parents as much as she could. However, she deserved better. Leon may not have been there for her all the time, but he watched over her and cared for her like a dad. It was the closest thing he could see to a father in Sherry's life. A title he would live up to the best he could in his own way.

"God knows I don't have much competition…" He sighed as he crossed the street to a small coffee shop. "Time to sober up, I keep thinking like this I might end up marrying someone and settling down for real kids. Damn booze."

%%%%%

Chris looked out across the water. How long had he searched

Days?

Weeks?

It wasn't like he had to hurry up and end the search. He had fought to go back to work. To live up to his partners wishes and keep going in the BSAA. Leon had made some calls into some friends and made sure that Chris was given time off, no matter how much he was to fight.

It took everything he had not to start another fist fight with the man. The way Leon explained it to him made sense but angered him at the same time.

Leon had sat down at a table next to his in the bar. Told him that he shouldn't lose hope and to keep searching. After that point he had lost all reasonable thought caught up in his mind. Replaying those last few moments. He was only able to hear the last part.

"After you have had some time, and know what you are going to do with a level head, you'll be more than welcome back. I didn't know Piers, and I am not claiming to..but don't you think that you would owe your partner the best that you have since you have decided to keep fighting? The only way you are going to accomplish that, is to figure out how you want to do that in the most responsible way. After that its gloves off and welcome back Chris Redfield." Leon said as he stared at Chris. The emotions that he got from that mans looks alone explained that he needed time. You didn't need to be a shrink to know that.

Bringing himself back to reality, Chris sighed. He knew where he wanted to be. Where he needed to be. "But how do I get there?" he whispered, clutching the bloody badge, as he watched the waves to continue to roll.

"I'm sorry…"

%%%%%

Helena traced the face of her sister. Pictures and memories were all that remained. All that there would ever be now. "Damn you Simmons…" With said male being dead and gone, most would think that things would go back to normal. However for the most part of everyday life seemed to be getting back on track, her mind wouldn't and couldn't get past the hurdle of her sister. It had been months since the anti-virus had came along and saved many a life. Her chest ached every time she remembered the lives it couldn't save. Including her sisters, she thought as she furiously wiped her tears away. All those people who died or were already infected by the time the anti-virus was found, nothing could be done for them. They were just lost, to the ebb of time, to the stupid virus that was created in the first place.

Shaking her head to try and clear her thoughts, Helena turned and headed for the kitchen. She needed a drink and quick, before her consciousness tried to drown her in sorrow. Throwing open the cabinet she clutched a glass and unveiled her booze stash. This called for something good, something damn good.

Thank you all for reading and reviewing. Even more thanks for sticking with me as I figure out the editing on .

I promise I am making strides to get the hang of this!