Chapter 2: Collapse

For a moment, the world seemed to stop turning. It was this chilling, surreal hesitation that had Chris frozen in step. He didn't notice Dustin as he came around to stand at Chris's side. He didn't notice the two armed BSAA soldiers in the room watching intently either.

Chris couldn't breathe, and he was in the process of trying to cope with what was happening around him. He remembered the crash-landing in Africa in the volcano. He remembered the swarming lava and the rockets he and Sheva fired. Why was Wesker still alive? How? Chris could not fathom how it was possible, and was now wishing he would wake from this nightmare.

"Chris?" Dustin whispered.

Wesker stood up slowly, his fingers reaching up to take the sunglasses off. He pocketed them in his jacket pocket. Wesker was clean, not a scratch or a burn on him. He wore new, expensive clothes, a black jacket, white button-up shirt, black slacks, and black boots.

"Chris Redfield?" Wesker asked, his tone simple.

No matter how unthreatening Wesker's voice had just sounded, as soon as the first syllable of his name slipped from Wesker's mouth and Chris recognized the voice, he completely snapped.

He lunged forward, yelling out in fury. Wesker didn't flinch as both BSAA soldiers grabbed Chris. Chris battled against their hold, his yells filling the room. Dustin came in between him and Wesker, his attention on Chris as he tried to calm him.

"Chris! Chris, calm down!"

"Let me go!" Chris shouted, giving the two good sized men holding him a good workout.

"Okay, let's get him out," Dustin said, nodding to the two soldiers.

Chris glared furiously at Wesker. There was something different about his nemesis's eyes, but he was too crazed to notice. Wesker slightly cocked his head in interest as they dragged him out of the interrogation room.

"You bastard! I will kill you!" Chris yelled before they slammed the door shut behind them.

"Get back in there," Dustin sighed, nodding his head toward the interrogation room for the soldiers. They dipped their heads and went back through the door.

Chris paced outside in the hallway, his lungs painful with his sharp intake of air. He ran his fingers through his short, dark hair, tearing at the ends in frustration. Dustin stayed quiet for a moment, letting his comrade vent. Chris shot for the door, Dustin yelling after him. The door to the interrogation room was locked, and Chris pounded his fists into it with wrath, to the point that his knuckles busted and blood was seeping.

"Hey! Knock it off! Chris, listen to me!" Dustin yelled.

Chris half-collapsed against the door, cursing every word in the book. The door just down from them opened, and Wentworth stepped out. Chris knew he was in shock only because he was half-crying, half-angry, and definitely feeling sick.

"Chris, in here," Wentworth ordered.

It took all of Chris's effort to get back onto his feet straight. He walked with Dustin into the mirror room. Barry was in the dim-lit room. His face was as white as a ghost, bringing out the red in his hair and beard as he stared through the mirror into the interrogation room. Barry was in the far corner of the room, looking as if he was going to vomit, or maybe even faint. Wentworth seemed so calm. Chris couldn't understand why the director was so impassive about Wesker still being alive. Wentworth nodded at a chair.

"Take a seat."

"No," Chris growled, walking over to the mirror.

On the other side of the mirror, Wesker had sit back down in his chair, leaning back to get comfortable. The BSAA soldiers in the room with him did not ask any questions, they just stayed quiet in their positions.

"How can this happen?! I saw him die right in front of me!" Chris snarled.

Wentworth let out a long, tired sigh. He rubbed his eyes long and hard, as if he had been exhausted for days. "Look, I know this isn't easy, Chris, but you need to listen to what I have to say."

"Okay, shoot so I can go kill him," Chris growled, his eyes not leaving Wesker.

"It's not going to be so easy," Dustin heaved.

"Dustin, let me do the talking," Wentworth put in. Chris finally tore his eyes away from the calm Wesker, focusing on his dearly respected director and friend. Wentworth thought for a moment, trying to gather words. "Chris…we have been interrogating him for eighteen hours straight. He doesn't remember anything hardly, save for his name, regular knowledge, and a few blurry names and occasions."

"That's bullshit. He's leading you on!"

"We had the doctors test him. Not only is the virus within his body gone, but his brain scans show a case of amnesia. Dr. Thacker said that his chances of remembering everything was about 12%. However, Dr. Thacker also said it might be easier for him to remember some things over others, like locations and some people."

Chris shook his head, not wanting to believe any of this. Barry was quiet in the corner, and he seemed reluctant to believe Wentworth as well.

"That has to be wrong. He is tricking us some way. Any moment he is going to kill all of us."

"Are you so sure?" Wentworth inquired.

"What do you mean by that?!"

Wentworth heaved a sigh, again rubbing his eyes. "Chris, I am really at a loss right now. As it stands, Albert Wesker is a ghost. We have no proof of him doing anything. Not in Raccoon City, not in Spain, not on Rockfort Island, and not even in Africa. The only reason why BSAA has been searching for him is because it is solely upon your guys' knowledge of his crimes."

"You're not serious," Barry snapped. "There has to be something on file that we have on him!"

"I told you three years ago that he was the one who took Jill away from me! He was the one who killed Ozwell E. Spencer!" Chris argued, pointing at Wesker through the thick, one sided mirror.

"I know this seems unfair to all of you, but I must follow the law. Wesker is innocent until proven guilty. I can no longer hold him here. If he wishes to leave, he will."

Chris was appalled by Wentworth's words. It was like he was stabbed in the chest by a knife. He gawked at the director for a moment, and noticed the same look on Barry's face.

"You can't do that! He has killed thousands of innocent lives! He worked with Umbrella and Tricell!"

"Yeah, Leon Kennedy heard rumors of him doing business with Corporation S!" Barry added.

Wentworth shook his head, his facial features grim. "All I have is your word on that. I trust all of you with my heart and soul, but it just isn't enough to bring forth. You need evidence, and so far there has been none proven. If Wesker is truly as intelligent as you say he is, then there is no doubt in my mind that he easily kept himself in the dark."

"This is bullshit, Wentworth, and you know it! What about all the pain and suffering we had to go through? Is that not enough for you to understand what he has done to us? To our lives?"

"I'm sorry, I'm truly sorry, Chris. But there is just no way to handle him now. Not only does he have no memory, there are no signs of the virus within his body. He has the normal strength and speed of any other human, his eyes are normal colored."

"That's nothing. He will remember," Chris seethed.

"A little less than 12% isn't likely, Chris."

"Yeah, well, it sure as hell is possible, don't you think?"

Wentworth heaved another stressed sigh. He took a step toward Chris. Chris could do nothing but watch as Wesker leaned back in his chair, popping his neck and yawning. The casual behavior irked Chris deep to the bone.

"I know what you are thinking, Chris. You are unallowed to hurt him…none of you are. He is innocent until we can find some way to prove otherwise. If you assault him that will just get you or anybody else in trouble. Not only will you be prosecuted, but the organization will suffer as well. I am not saying this because I want to. I am only trying to protect you."

"This can't be real," Chris hissed, looking down at his bloodied knuckles. He sighed, wishing he would just wake up. The pain in his busted knuckles was too real, however, and Chris knew he was standing in a real-life nightmare.

"Chris, there is one option we have."

His heart jumped to his throat, and immediately Chris faced Wentworth. Barry perked up as well. Chris saw Dustin look away, and felt as if the younger man was unsure about Wentworth's proposal.

"Yeah? Name it."

"Since Wesker has hardly any memory, he is trying to recall things. He thinks you are his only way in helping him remember, because you was the first person he remembered when he came to. Take this opportunity to help him."

"No way!" Chris snapped.

"Just wait," sighed Wentworth, putting up his hand to calm Chris. "Help him remember some things. Prove that he did horrible crimes. Help him remember where Sherry is located, so we can find her, and add that to evidence. If he can just manage to remember just a little bit, it just may be enough to get him where we want him."

If Sherry is even still alive…Chris swallowed hard. He looked at Barry, catching his old friend's eyes. Barry didn't like it. Hell, Chris didn't like it either, but they had no other option…

He shook his head hard. "I can't…I can't…not with Jill. If she sees him again, she may never heal." His eyes burned as he remembered Jill with her struggle to heal. It hurt him to the core. "My first priority is Jill. Nothing else."

"That's fine. I understand," Wentworth stated, nodding. "However, if you won't help him, then he will leave. We will never find Sherry, and he will never be proven guilty. If that is the route we run, then he will either live as a normal human being with his past nothing but a blur…or that little 12% chance just may be his luck."

Chris glared at his director and friend. Wentworth was just putting it forward as it was going to happen, he couldn't help that. To Chris, he felt as if he was being shoved aside. He knew he had to understand where Wentworth was coming from. It was just so hard.

"And that's not all," Dustin put in, stepping forward. "Even though you were the first he remembered, he also had another person in mind to find. If you don't help him, then he will go to this other person, one we know all too well as a player in this game, and also one that may help him remember everything."

"Yeah?" Chris growled. "Who's that?"

"Ada Wong," Wentworth sighed. "She is…illusive, but she is out there, and if Wesker has worked with her before, then there is no chance we can take with them getting together."

"Shit," Chris cursed.

"I know this is rough, Chris," Wentworth murmured.

"Rough?! You think this is rough?!" Chris barked, slamming his fist on the table and breaking back open the cuts on his knuckles. "Rough is an understatement!"

They were all silent. Chris brooded in the corner, his sharp eyes on Wesker. He could tell that Wesker was getting impatient. There was no doubt in Chris's mind that his nemesis would leave soon. He was talking quite normally with the two BSAA soldiers, and they talked right back. It just didn't seem right. Even Wesker's blue-grey eyes were strange. Chris hadn't seen Wesker's normal eye color since back before the Mansion Incident.

Chris rubbed his neck, thoroughly upset, tired, and distressed. He turned slowly to the director, sighing long and hard. "Okay, even if I was to help him, I can't just bring him home…especially with Jill and my sister. I don't want them in any part with this. Isn't there some way we can arrange for him to stay here, and I can come every morning or something?"

"Well, that is something you are going to have to discuss with Wesker. He has the right to stay wherever he wants. If you don't want him at your house, which I completely understand, then he may just get a hotel. If you help him that is. If not, I am sure he will be on his way to finding Ada Wong. But whatever you decide, this facility and anywhere else you see fit in helping you, is where you will want to work with him."

Chris thought long and hard, struggling intensely with the decision. Barry rose in the corner, looking from him to Wentworth. He shook his head light, rubbing his beard nervously. "Wait a minute, there has to be something on file for evidence. Are you so sure, Wentworth?"

The director nodded. "Yes. I double checked."

"Chris, didn't Leon tell us and Claire that it was Wesker who broke into the Agency's building, killed twenty-three people, and took Sherry? That was back like nine years ago, right? How can that be passed up?"

Chris sighed. "That can't count. The Agency's monitoring and alarm system was hacked and shut down…probably by Wesker. Leon arrived at the scene afterwards. The only reason he knows it was Wesker was because Ada told him in Spain. Even though all of us had heard rumors that it was Wesker from other sources, Ada confirmed it for us back then."

"Then we need to get Ada to confess to the BSAA," Barry growled, even though he knew the replies he was going to get from them.

"As simple as that may sound, Barry, Ada Wong has remained evasive since the beginning. And with her being wanted in six countries, I don't think she is going to willingly come forward."

Barry heaved a sigh, sitting down and lowering his head. Chris could understand where his old friend was coming from. He was trying to avoid the possibility of helping Wesker. Chris sighed, "It was a good try, Barry."

"So, how about it, Chris?" Wentworth asked.

Chris closed his eyes hard, knowing that their eyes were on him. He just couldn't understand how this could happen. He couldn't understand how this could fall on him. What about Jill? What about his sister? What were they going to think after they found out that he failed? He couldn't keep this a secret from them forever. They would find out quickly, he knew.

He heaved a long, exasperated sigh. "Let's go make a deal with the devil."

Barry snorted beside him, getting to his feet. Chris followed him. Wentworth dipped his head at him. The director nodded at Dustin and they headed out of the mirror room to head into the interrogation room.

"What if he doesn't remember?" Chris asked softly as they came to the door.

Wentworth glanced over at him and he knocked on the door. They heard the lock unclick, yet they hesitated to step inside. "I don't know."

They stepped into the interrogation room. Barry and Dustin kept to the side, near the door. Chris walked over to the table, Wentworth at his side. Wesker stood up to greet them, dipping his head slightly before he sat back down. Chris reluctantly took the chair across from him. For a moment they stayed silent, the tension in the room like that of a thunderstorm. Chris was surprised when Wesker started off.

"I am able to gather that you and I were not on the best of terms before my amnesia. I can tell that it takes much control for you to sit here before me. If I am a threat or liability to you, then I will leave. I can seek out this Ada Wong."

"Cut the crap," sighed Chris, taking controlled breaths. "I will help you, but by no means for your benefit. You will probably not be able to find Ada Wong anyways."

"Go on," Wesker said, nodding.

"You will have a better chance remembering with me because of our history. And what hear about Ada Wong, she will most likely play you along…unless your relationship with her was different."

Wesker slightly shrugged, his strange blue-gray eyes calm. "I wouldn't know."

"Of course you wouldn't," Chris growled, rubbing the back of his head. His eyes became sharp as he glared at Wesker. "Now, listen closely to what I have to say, because I'm not going to repeat myself. I will help you. You will not come near my sister or the woman that I love that you destroyed from inside for three years straight. We will meet here or, if I wish, elsewhere for our sessions. You can stay in a hotel until we can manage to get you to retain your memory. I'm sure my generous director here will cover the hotel for you."

He received a glare from Wentworth. Chris fell silent for a moment, trying to think if there was anything he missed. Wesker was listening contently, unfazed by Chris's tone, but definitely taking it in. It was weird sitting here. Wesker's temperament, for the most part, had remained the same. He was calm and quiet, calculating and collected. There was no sadistic smile or evil laugh. It seemed as though the psychopathic traits had all disappeared, but Chris wasn't going to let his guard slip for a moment.

"It is only going to be you and me in the sessions, so you better get used to it. Any questions?" Chris sighed.

Wesker shook his head. "No. I understand everything and I thank you."

Chris bit his tongue hard. "Don't thank me just yet."

"Mr. Miller?"

Chris turned to look up at his director. Apparently, Wentworth was carrying a walky-talky on him. The woman's voice was soft, and came from the little gizmo. He took it off of his waistline and brought it up to his mouth. "Yes, Hannah?"

"Jill Valentine and Claire Redfield came here to see you and Chris. I went ahead and sent them your way, is that alright?"

Wentworth grimaced. "Yeah, it's fine. We will meet them out in the hall. Thanks, Hannah."

As soon as Chris heard their names, his heart leaped. He didn't want them seeing Wesker, not now. His wide eyes locked with Wentworth, and his old friend immediately understood. He nodded for the door. Barry was already leaving. Chris gave one last look at Wesker, who seemed curious.

"We start tomorrow morning. Be here at nine," Chris muttered, then left his chair to follow Barry out. As he slipped by Wentworth, he whispered more words. "Please don't let him leave until I get them out of here."

Chris came out into the hallway, practically running into Barry. He made sure the door was closed, and by this time they saw Claire and Jill walking their way. Chris smiled upon seeing them. Jill's hair was no longer blonde, but her natural looking brunette self. To Chris, it helped him heal himself…seeing her look more like herself.

"What are you two doing here?" Chris asked, trying to sound calm.

"We just came to see what was going on," Claire answered, giving him her 'what's your problem' face.

Jill was looking all over, as if she was somewhere new. "It's been a long time since I've been here."

"There's nothing really going on. Why don't we just go? Wentworth is busy anyways. You two can come back later," Barry put in. Chris sent him a silent thank you.

"Barry, you too? What is going on? You two look as if you've seen a ghost.

If only you knew how ironic those words are…

"Well, something has to be going on. Why else would you two be in this section of HQ?" Jill asked, folding her arms.

"Look, let's just go and I will explain later, okay?" Chris sighed.

The girls gave him confused looks. They exchanged glances to one another. Before Chris and Barry could usher them on, the door to the interrogation room opened. Dustin came out first, opening the door completely and letting Wentworth out. As soon as Wesker stepped out behind him, it was all over.

It took Claire a moment before realization dawned on her horrified face. It took Jill no time at all to register who it was. Her face paled, and she immediately started to back away. The worst thing for Chris, however, was to see that dark fear rise in her eyes. Tears were already streaming down her face as she cried "no" over and over and over again.

Chris moved for her, knowing she was collapsing into shock…

A/N: I meant to post this chapter yesterday but the site was down and wouldn't let me upload any chapters. I am glad that it is fixed, because I was really wanting to post this chapter, lol. Okay, so poor Chris is struggling on the inside, and Jill and Claire now know Wesker is still alive. Poor Jill...Anyways, hope this is starting to sound interesting lol. I think I am going to have fun writing this...well...I already am! Hope it wasn't that bad of a cliffhanger! Chapter 3 is in a working process! Hope all of you enjoyed this chapter! Thanks for reading and reviewing! XD