Chapter VII

"Countdown Begins…"

July 12th, 2012/ 6:35 P.M (South America Time Zone)

Location- BSAA South American Headquarters: Cafeteria

-Leon S. Kennedy-

Every citizen had evacuated their homes, and their current one was now inside the headquarters. The cafeteria was filled, as were other areas throughout the massive H.Q. The medical section became under heavy duress at the numbers of injured civilians. With no more room available, Leon had to take control of a B.S.A.A branch under his own command, and he was successful.

Leon directed the rest of the wounded to the cafeteria in a orderly fashion, where Rebecca had her team tending to the ones already inside. Quickly, Rebecca structured her plan and commanded two of her best to assist the entering public. Leon brushed the sweat off his forehead, leaning back into the wall and began to watch doctors and nurses lay out patients on the tables, trying their best to make them comfortable.

The agent sighed at the lack of resources and the painful groans coming from the wounded. These sounds filled the area, and Leon walked by each table, his sincere eyes examining each patient, all suffering from bullet wounds to bruises and scars. He halted at a certain one seeing the doctors struggling to save the life of a young male teenager. A bullet that hit a main artery over his right thigh.

The beeping of the medical alarm was dwindling down as the lifeline began to reduce into small lines. The table was quickly swarmed by medical doctors, all surrounding it to do their own part in the process. Leon could not see past them, but he needed no vision to the situation turning bad when they had to call upon Rebecca's help.

She her head name and poked the shoulder of her nearest assistant. Both brushed past the silent Leon who watched everything unfold. The medical equipment being rolled in, then the various incision tools, and finally some blood splattering onto the floor once the process began.

The flat-line sounded out, and Leon closed his eyes, his hearing now picking the desperate orders of Rebecca's voice. With the frantic minutes passing, the flat-line sound was still there. Leon opened his eyes at the time to catch the teary-eyed Rebecca pulling the sheet over the boy's entire body, her outfit stained in blood as it was the same on her left cheek.

Though her determination was there, ordering her mournful assistants to continue helping anyone who needed, young and old, good and bad. They displayed her leadership in also helping wounded hostiles, which Leon's infuriating eyes were on.

Rebecca hesitated when reaching a injured hostile sitting away from the rest in a corner. The man was in serious pain, and not one medical personnel was assisting him. Rebecca sighed at the stubbornness of her own team but yet couldn't blame them. She sighed and approached the wounded man, kneeling in front of him that only made him inch back.

And then suddenly, Rebecca was shoved away slightly onto her backside. She looked up to find a furious Leon clutching the man's, who was beyond afraid and groaned out his pain shooting up his legs when the agent forcefully hauled the man up. Rebecca got back onto her feet and followed Leon who dragged the hostile to the table that held the passing teenager. All these actions were gathering the attention of others, some nurses and doctors were staring at seeing the world-famous agent become berserk.

"Leon, what are you doing?!" Rebecca shouted and continued her pursuit. "You have to stop this!!" He refused to stop.

They reached the table. Leon swiped the sheet off the teen. Rebecca then, could only watch Leon sent a critical stomp to the back of the hostile's injured leg, sending him into a screaming fit and onto his knees. Rebecca shouted again. "Stop this right now, Leon!!"

Leon's fingers went entrenched into the hostile's hair, pulling him up to stare at the teenager's face. The man stared sadly at the pale youthful face while Leon growled into his ear. "Are you the one who shot this kid?!?!"

He only stuttered, sweating and crying heavily as he buried his face in his palms under Leon's threat. The agent pulled the hair of the hostile once more to force his eyes onto the dead youth. Rebecca tried for the third time, approaching Leon's left side. "Leon, enough of this!!"

Leon supplied her a glare. "You know Portuguese, don't you?!"

Rebecca gave a hesitant nod. "Y-Yes, but, Leon, you need to--

"Ask this piece of shit if he's the one who shot this kid?!" Leon demanded out-loud, everyone still silently looking on while attending to their patients.

Rebecca stepped forward. "It doesn't make a difference if it was him, Leon! You have to let him go! He needs medical treatment!"

Leon countered. "It makes all the difference, Rebecca!" He gripped the Desert Eagle hanging off his shoulder strap and placed the end of it against the man's head.

Rebecca's eyes widened while every medical personnel stopped, even the citizens were watching in shock. And to show it were a variety of parents covering their children eyes. Every single person watched at how Leon cocked back the slide of the weapon his hands, and how he released it for that clicking sound…to which the hostile began to cry out his pray.

Leon's eyes alleviated from it's anger in watching the man beg for forgiveness. The redness developing on the rims surrounding Leon's pale blue eyes showed the rage, but also the sadness he felt when he scanned the room. Frightened children watching him point a weapon at a person, the stern faces of their fathers and the concerned faces of their mothers.

The Desert Eagle lowered little by little. Leon glanced to Rebecca, watching her mouth the words 'Put the gun away."

Leon stared at the weapon in his hands, the modified magnum he had been holding since he was a R.P.D officer.

Then, a familiar female voice sounded out behind him. "Are you going to force me to report this to the agency?" Leon blinked when turning around to see Ingrid Hunnigan standing by Billy Coen. Ingrid continued. "Or can I assume that the renowned agent will regain his senses?"

Leon holstered his weapon, giving a deep breath for air to rid himself of the anger. Rebecca spoke a few words to other assistants to help the hostile away and to aid his wounds. Both she and Leon were joined by Ingrid and Billy, in which Rebecca made constant eye-contact with Billy.

Ingrid extended a highly-classified file to Leon. "We have a crisis approaching us…"

He grabbed it and read it shortly thereafter. The trio of Ingrid, Rebecca and Billy watched Leon's eyes widened. He read the words carefully… "President Graham has approved the bacillus-strike program. All U.S personnel are to evacuate the region immediately within five hours."

Billy ran a hand through his black hair. "I'm glad you said that low enough for only us to hear, Mr. Agent." They glanced at Billy walking away. "We should talk about this where there's more privacy, right, princess?"

Coen took his exit in letting the door close behind him. Leon stashed the file away in his right pocket as the U.S agent followed the former U.S. marine.

Rebecca followed as well, but Ingrid grasped Rebecca's right wrist. She looked back at the smirking Hunnigan. "What's this 'princess' thing about, Rebecca?"

Rebecca Chambers sighed to the ceiling…

July 12th, 2012/ 6:49 P.M (South America Time Zone)

Location- Tricell Facility: Outskirts

-Steve Burnside-

As it was with the Leon, Steve also had to remove his jacket in the same way of having it slung over his right shoulder as he and Ada continued to tread through the long-lasting and grueling forest. They were successful in finding a way out of the facility, but Steve still kept Carlos' safety in his mind, also the secrets held within the facility. But his heart continued it's search for Claire…

The fatigued suddenly hit him. Steve stopped, hunching over in bending his knees where he placed his hands over. Ada, however, kept on with her pace as Steve gave a grunt of frustration. The weakness in his thighs prevented him to raise his right leg up, which tripped over a log that sent Steve to fall face-first over the grassy knoll.

Stopping her steps, Ada grinned when she turn to see Steve brushing leaves of different colors off his clothes. He heard her chuckle, and Steve snapped his head up in seeing Ada covering her laugh. Steve did not stand for it.

Steve gazed upwards at her as Ada went on with her smirk downwards at him. "Did I somehow upset you, boy?" She yelled down to him...

Ada's answer was Steve giving his great effort to get up the hill. He achieved it, but was now positioned on all fours in front of Ada Wong, breathing for air. When he accomplished that, Steve rose to his feet, staring at Ada with his annoyed expression. "My name is not--

"Boy?" The spy cut him off and was greeted with a fed-up Burnside.

"Listen, lady. I have no idea who you are or what your purpose is, but we have to turn back! There is someone who needs help fast!" Steve ended in pointing his index finger at her face. "And you're not helping one bit, lady!"

Ada didn't like the action of his finger directly close to her face, and so she drew her Blacktail handgun, aiming it under the chin of the stunned Steve. "First of all, that is no way for a man to speak to a woman." He gave a nervous chuckle. "And second, boy…" Ada holstered her sidearm. "…my name is Ada…Ada Wong."

She turned with a smirk and continued walking, though Steve ran up a few steps to block her path with his arms spread out. Ada stopped to observe Steve clearing his throat prior to speaking. "Look, Ada, there is someone inside the facility that needs our help. His name is--

"Carlos Oliveira, right?" Ada placed a hand over her right hip.

Confused, Steve nodded in rubbing his chin. "Uh, yeah, but how did you know?"

Ada shook her head. "I had no knowledge of you or Carlos being experimented on. I was merely on a espionage reconnaissance mission to seek any information regarding the last existing vials of the T-Chimera virus and T-Veronica. Unfortunately, the viruses were already utilized. But while in the facility, I was able to gather other information explaining the destruction of this region. Which is why we're headed to the B.S.A.A South American Headquarters to warn them..."

Steve produce a grave face for all those situations coming all at once. But he did think of the virus he knew well. "T-Veronica…The Ashford family line…Alexia…and Alfred."

Ada paid no attention to the sadness over Steve's face, but she did share more of her info. "Yes. At the time, I was working for Albert Wesker, and you couldn't imagine how ecstatic he was in finding the sister of Chris Redfield imprisoned within Rockfort Island."

Hearing that name made Steve regain his anger, wanting so badly to find her. On the verge of asking, Steve was cut off by Ada going first…her own anger showing. "Do not ask me if I know where to find Redfield's sister, because I don't." Steve sighed…

Ada maintained their true discussion. "Now, about the viruses and my intentions." She gained Steve's solemn attention at this point. "B-T is no Albert Wesker. But with Wesker and other Umbrella geniuses such as James Marcus, William Birkin and Ozwell Spencer leaving behind their works for others to follow, it was only a matter of time B-T would get his hands on the files."

Steve crossed his arms. "What does all this have to do to me?! Are these old farts seeking some retirement plan or something?!"

Ada had to laugh at that. "Not quite." She settled down, crossing her arms over her waist. "B-T was once the administrator of the U.B.C.S, which was controlled by the late Sergei Vladimir. When Umbrella crumbled, so did B-T's existence. Revenge is the source that propels B-T to send our world into it's end. However Carlos Oliveira…and you, Steve Burnside hold the keys to preventing that."

Steve blinked till eventually coming to grasp the situation, in which he began laughing. Ada watched the bending of his legs, still laughing at the top of his lungs as he grasped his knees. After it was done, Steve gave a few last chuckles, but it quickly stopped at seeing the anger Ada held.

Steve wiped the smiled off his face. "Um, sorry about that. It's just…hard to believe, y'know?"

Now calm, Ada spoke. "I can't blame you. But I'm sure you agree with me that you being alive is hard to believe as well, is it not?"

She had a point, but Steve caught something mysterious in her comment. "Wait…how did you know…I was supposedly dead?"

Ada developed the sadness to be over her eyes. "There is a man I know who works for the U.S government. He is… 'close' to this woman you're searching for…he is close to Redfield's sister…"

Steve lowered his head. "Oh…" He began to wonder if Claire moved on without him.

Suddenly, Steve focused on the viruses. "You said Carlos and I hold the keys. What do you mean by that, Ada?"

The spy had also ridded herself of the sadness for the agent. "To put it in layman terms. B-T injected you with the T-Veronica virus. Carlos was injected with the T-Chimera virus…a virus that has yet to work properly. T-Veronica has already proven it's abilities with the preservation of Alexia Ashford, as it did yet again with you, Burnside."

Ada sighed, moving to the nearest tree in where she place her right hand ontop. She looked up to the crown of trees as she went on. "But the T-Chimera virus is supposed to be that of an experimental hybridization program, which compares itself to the Progenitor virus…a virus that requires a human with rare capacity to handle it's powers. Is Carlos a chosen one like Wesker? I cannot answer that question for myself as of this moment, but I do know that I can't let B-T destroy this world. I will not stand by and let him become a threat to the world as Wesker did in Africa…"

"This whole thing…" Ada heard Steve begin. She turned from the tree, leaning her back against it while crossing her arms once more, observing Steve with his head still lowered as he continued. "This whole thing is crazy, Ada…"

Ada approached him. Her footsteps crushing the leaves underneath. Steve glanced up to see a faint smile. "What…?" Steve asked while he rubbed his left cheek against his knuckles. "Do I have something on my face?"

Her smile grew, but kept serious. "There is nothing of the sort. But there might possibly be a way to contact Redfield's sister..."

Steve became sincere as he could. "Please, tell me? How can I reach her?" Ada's smirk reappeared…and it made Steve sigh. "Alright. What do I have to do to make you tell me, Ada…?"

The spy smiled. "If you were not paying attention before….I did mention how the vials containing each virus were the last ones on earth. I need to fill my quota, but with no virus to turn over puts me in a desperate situation." She drew a syringe from the side pack attached to her thigh.

Steve cringed at the sight. Ada showed that smirk of hers. "I need some of your blood, Steve. The T-Veronica virus is circulating inside you. After I'm done with you then Carlos will be next…"

Another nervous chuckle escaped Steve as he backed away slowly with his hands waving in front of him. "Come on now, Ada. There has to be better ways of getting you a sample."

Ada shook her head, approaching the terrified Steve, who tried again to save his own back. "How about a…a urine sample?! Or even a semen sample?!"

The words that he thought would save him were his ultimate end.

Ada closed her eyes, her eyebrows twitched to show her annoyance just before she sent a kick to Steve's chest, causing him to roll back down the hill.

At the foot of it, his body came to a tumbling end. He glanced up, making several leaves fall off his head. Steve saw Ada with both hands on her hips. Her eyes fiery as can be. "My god! Do you think before you speak, boy?!"

Steve scratched his head with his finger. "Well, I-uh…umm--

Frustrated, Ada turned but did not walk off yet. "By the way, it's not the 1990's anymore." Steve gasped… "It is the year 2012" Ada finished it off.

Steve stared down at the palm of his hands. "2012? It's been fourteen years?! But…I haven't changed at all…"

July 12th, 2012/ 7:24 P.M (South America Time Zone)

Location- B.S.A.A South American Headquarters: Briefing Room

-Leon S. Kennedy-

"President, sir, please give us more time to handle this situation!" Billy turned away from the window in hearing Leon shout into his cell. " I assure you we can handle this! Call off the strike!"

The agent was currently pacing back and forth slowly. As of right now, he used the back of his lower waist to lean against the main desk, which Ingrid was currently sitting on with her legs crossed, and her eyes concerned for Leon shouting at the president of all people.

With Ingrid in that posture, Billy gazed up Ingrid's soft legs till it stopped at the edge of her black skirt. Coming within reach of Ingrid from behind was Billy, but he stopped at a object slapping across the back of his head.

"Ow…" Billy rubbed the spot and rotated to see an angry Rebecca Chambers holding a rolled-up notebook.

Rebecca lifted up the notebook in preparation for another smack at Billy who was carefully pacing back.

However it all stopped in hearing Leon shout yet again. "But, Mr. President, you cannot turn this region into another Raccoon City! It will not fix anything! It will only bring a flood of questions and criticism from the media and the entire world! Please, give us more time and i assure you we wil--

The dial tone initiated, and Leon shouted even louder. "Mr. President?!" No answer but the constant dial tone. Leon sighed, closing the cover of his cell. He ran a hand through his pale blonde hair in frustration. After it, he gazed towards Ingrid. "I couldn't convince him…"

Ingrid sighed as well, adjusting her glasses when moving herself off the desk to approach Leon. "You have no reason to feel liable for this, Leon…"

"If you don't mind me saying something here?" They all gazed at Billy Coen in hearing him.

Leon was first to respond. "Yeah, go ahead…"Billy first took a glance to Rebecca, seeing her with the back to him and arms crossed…still holding the rolled-up notebook.

He gave a little grin and returned back to the agent and his trusty analyst. "Before I left Europe for this place, I was contacted by the B.S.A.A European branch who had knowledge of the situation over here and were well aware of a upcoming bacillus-strike."

A little anger grew inside Leon. "So, Europe waits till the last moment to do something, huh?" Leon scoffed. "Just like Europe…"

Ingrid heaved a sigh at Leon's comment. Billy only smiled. "Hey, man. I'm not part of their branch. I'm simply a freelancer…a consultant. If you have any personal problems with Europeans, I suggest you take it up with someone else cause' I'm the wrong guy. But the U.S. has done nothing but approach the situation with explosives, so you can't gloat, my american comrade..."

Leon nodded in defeat. "You're right…my own government resorts to those things as if it was their plan all along." The agent solemnly shook his head. "I take back what I said about Europe. After all, their own operatives saved this headquarters from being ambushed…"

"Which is what I was going to explain…" Billy began. "The strike will eventually come, and so the next thing to do will be getting everybody out of here."

Ingrid glanced out the nearest window in looking out to the lengthy heliport. "With only two helicopters? I don't think we're gonna be able to cut it in time. We have five hours…tops."

Billy gently chuckled. "That's where our Europe friends come into focus…" Leon and Ingrid blinked, as did the quiet Rebecca, who peeked over her shoulder to see the trio.

Billy proceeded back to his plan with a huge grin implanted across his lips. "It should be about any minute now…"

Ingrid and Leon watched Billy take a look at his watch…he then snapped his fingers. "There…"

Suddenly, the sounds made by the propellers of helicopters were resonating throughout the headquarters. "Leon, take a look at this!" Ingrid shouted, still by the window as she waved her hand for Leon to come see what her eyes were watching.

He did and ran to her side. Leon's jaw slightly dropped, staring at the cavalry of helicopters differing from the UH-60 Blackhawks and the heavily-armed Apaches. But not to be left out were the undersized medic helicopters. Billy then sent a strong tap against the agent's back.

He looked behind him to see Billy smirking. "What do you think of your Europe now?"

The agent half-chuckled and half-scoff, shaking his head at himself being wrong. "I should be thanking them, which I will be doing right now…" Leon said with a smile before giving his analyst a firm expression. "Follow me, Ingrid…"

He left to walk to the door as the puzzled Ingrid caught up to him. "What are we going to do?"

Leon paused in the midst of opening the door. "We're going to direct the civilians to the choppers. When done with that, we need to find some way back to Carlos and Sheva. Once we have them, I'm going to give it one more shot to convince the President otherwise…"

Ingrid replied softly. "But it won't work. This is the President's last year in office. He will not be easily convinced, Leon…"

Before exiting, Leon gave her a smirk. "I won't be calling the President…I'll be calling his daughter…."

Ingrid sighed for the third time. "A brilliant idea to get Ashley involved…"

The duo representing the U.S. agency took their departure.

-Billy Coen-

"I guess that situation is handled." He said while slipping his hands inside the pockets of his pants. Then his eyes showed that he was missing something. "Did I even introduce myself to them?"

With a turn, Billy was hit hard when Rebecca swung the notebook to fly at Bill's face. He merely took it, letting the notebook slide comically off his face. It hit the floor with a splat, and Billy was able to see Rebecca motioning to choke him, but groaned out her frustration when she couldn't go through with it. "I can't believe you!!"

Billy rubbed the front of his face as Rebecca went on a rampage using words. "I can't believe how you can just involve yourself in this plan! Leon is a agent and Ingrid is his analyst! They could both dig up your background in a snap! You're lucky introductions were not performed because your name is not cleared! I could lose my job, thank you very much! I could just…smack you right now!!"

Silence came in for the first few seconds after Rebecca's tirade. Billy smiled at the way Rebecca finished with her back to him and her chin held high. Her arms were crossed, but Billy walked up to her from behind in order to lay his hands on her arms. She quickly stiffened and was glad for her current position secluding her blush.

Billy played his usual role in uplifting her. "You shouldn't be yelling like that. You also shouldn't be angry…it will only develop wrinkles, Princess…"

Rebecca kept her firm stance. Billy tried again, though serious this time around. "Rebecca, let me tell you what I've been doing with the years that passed…"

She turned around, and Billy kept his hands on her arms. Rebecca sighed to the ground, giving a small nod before faintly smiling up at him. "Please, tell me everything?"

July 12th, 2012/ 7:45 P.M (South America Time Zone)

Location- Tricell Facility: Treatment Center

-Carlos Oliveira-

It was just as Sheva had hoped for. Their friendship blossoming into lovers that only made their teamwork much superior to others, and the first to be experienced on were BOWs ranging to Hunters to Lickers. Regardless of the lack of space in a corridor, the pair defeated the monstrous creatures within a matter of seconds and without having the need of reloading.

When done, Carlos knelt down by the licker he handled. His gaze going up it's body till stopping on the bullet holes he inflicted. The discharged blood was not red but of the same auburn orange dwelling inside Carlos' veins. "It's the same here too. The BOWs that invade the favela…they don't bleed this color…so why these? Why are these the same as the T-Chimera?!".

Carlos settled in his thoughts until coming to think of several conclusions for a cure. He thought back to his night in the Raccoon City Hospital, producing a cure for Jill through means of a vaccine base and medium base, which needed to be prepared by a certain medical equipment.

Carlos closed his eyes, knowing the T-Chimera virus infecting him was ten year's older than the T-virus that had infected Jill. Not only has the production changed in the way viruses are made , but also the medical equipment.

Carlos kept hope for him but entirely for Sheva, and she knelt beside him this moment. "You find anything, Carlos?" She glanced to the side of his face.

The South American Operative opened his eyes to take a glimpse to his right in seeing a smile over the lips that belonged to the West African Operative. It also brought a smile to glow over his lips. "I found zilch, except for a trophy I might add to my collection." He referred to the dead licker in rubbing the muzzle of his SIGPRO handgun against the fiend's head.

Sheva placed an affectionate touch in placing her left hand over his right knee. She was deeply comfortable with their newfound bond and did not mind expressing it. Sheva leant into his side to use her right hand to lower his handgun. "You speak of trophies, as in hunting…am I right?"

Carlos holstered his handgun. "Yeah, why do you ask?" He asked softly.

Sheva brought her right hand from his handgun to trace the fingers delicately over her tribal collar. Her smile dimmed, but it still possessed sheer happiness. "My father used to take me to hunting when I was a little girl. I do not have the weapon on me right now, but I'am experienced with a Bow, and I handled that weapon to take down my very first prey."

Carlos stood up, and Sheva glanced up at him to see his right hand awaiting hers. She smiled kindly and grabbed it, standing upright along his side. The former merc then thought of his conversation with Josh. "He told me to mention to you that I also used a Bow. It was a favorite weapon of mine during my days in guerilla warfare…"

Sheva already knew who that 'he' was, and needed to cover her joyful chuckle against her right hand in finding out something in common, their favorite weapon. "I can only suspect this 'he' person as Josh. He would speak of me in such a high way." She then latched onto Carlos' arm, who went red in the face.

He stared down at that beautiful smirk he couldn't get of enough.

Sheva spoke… "Out of my junior group, I was the only one to ace the archery class. I did not fail in hitting one bull's-eye. Josh however, decided to dispute a certain target that I missed by an inch…he won the battle but I won war…."

Carlos laughed along with her, both were starting to walk down the hall while relinquishing their sidearms for their heavy firearms. Carlos with his UMP45, and Sheva along with her AK-47.

After a long walk down the corridor, the pair found themselves within a barren lobby. Carlos entered the area first, his submachine gun aiming to the unoccupied and messy reception desk, finding files scattered across over the floor. The several computers were smashed into, and the various waiting chairs were all tipped over.

Carlos waved his hand over his shoulder, signaling the safety sign to Sheva. "It's all clear…"

Sheva made her entrance, and didn't bother equipping her weapon, merely having the AK resting on her back. She drew near Carlos side and crossed her arms with a grin showing. "Did I not inform you that I can handle my own? And what eva' happened to 'ladies first', hm? "

Carlos sighed, but yet happily. He reclined his submachine gun against his shoulder in countering her small grin with one of his. "Come on, Sheva. Now, what kind of gentleman would I be if I let all those dangerous monsters surround you? Surely, a woman such as yourself will yell help…" He sarcastically said, knowing full-well Sheva has defeated them with ease.

Sheva heard his sarcasm and cupped his chin seductively, shaking it slowly. "Oh, poor little me. Then all I should do is hope that my strong and brave Carlos Oliveira will come swoop me into his arms and take me far away to safety."

Carlos shyly smiled, a blush appearing. "Haha…well…yeah…"

Sheva leant forward, quitting the sarcasm with a honest light kiss. Carlos had closed his eyes for that small second till reopening to see Sheva releasing his chin, but it was the seriousness her eyes held in which he concentrated on. "Really, Carlos…I can fight…I can handle these monsters. So, please…the next room we come across…we enter it togetha', agree?"

Oliveira hesitated to agree…he wanted to keep her safe more than he ever wanted to with Jill. With enough delaying, Carlos nodded in the end. "Agree, Sheva…" She smiled, and Carlos started off the search.

"Alright then, I'll check the area behind the desk…" He pointed in that direction, a small path leading to iron double doors behind the receptionist desk. "I'll go and take a peek through the doors and see what's on the other side."

Sheva slung her AK to the front and gripped it in both her hands. "I'll check the right and the left corridors of this lobby." Sheva faced the right path. "I'll begin with the right…"

Carlos lowered his UMP from resting against his shoulders to now in both hands. "Let's move out…"

She nodded and took one step before Carlos grasped her wrist. Sheva glanced down at her wrist, then up to Carlos. "What is it?"

He looked away before saying what he wanted to say dearly. He chose simples words instead of the one he had planned. "Be careful…" Releasing her wrist, Carlos walked off to his task, leaving Sheva to become concerned.

-Sheva Alomar-

Taking a step to him, Sheva decided it was best to focus on the task, and so, she retreated back to her corridor but not without giving one more look to Carlos. Now focused, Sheva took her aim to the right corridor and saw rows of files attached to the white medical bulletin board, it was a quick dead-end.

Quickly, Sheva turned back to cross the lobby and now headed inside the left corridor. She took her aim like before and advanced to the door at the far end of the hall. The door contained a small window and Sheva took a glimpse through it to find a flight of stairs leading up, and from her position, Sheva could see the door at the top. The door was labeled…'Biohazard Treatment'.

Sheva gave a bright laugh before settling down to a sincere smile in finding their destination that held the cure. "Carlos, I found the room!! Come see!" She continued to stare up at the door.

But seconds passed without a reply from Carlos. Sheva retraced back and turned the corner into the lobby. Her eyes shot wide in finding Carlos on his right knee, and watching his left hand grip his right forearm.

"Carlos!" Like she did when finding him before, she ran to his side and knelt beside him. Then her hands came to rest on the upper part of his back which was vastly trembling. "Is it the virus?!"

Carlos struggled, but he managed to give her nod. Sheva leaned ahead to grasp his right forearm, but he swiped it back viciously away from her. She instantly gasped as he moved back to his own painful shell.

His back was still to her, not wanting the one he loves most to see him like this…so vulnerable…"S-Sheva…I can feel…the virus…taking over. We're…never going to find this cure in time…"

With her hands finding his shaking back again, Sheva leaned upward to rest her chin on his right shoulder, a smile over her lips that distributed the good news. "Carlos, you gave up hope once, and you cannot give up hope again. Because hope has come through for us. I discovered a room that will hold the key to curing you. It's only a flight of stairs and we are there."

He managed yet another nod.

"Now, let's be on our way…"Sheva wrapped both arms around his right, and stood up while assisting Carlos to his feet.

And once they were up, Carlos softly and slowly removed his arm from Sheva's safety grip, who now worried, though Carlos presented her a thankful smile. "Don't worry, Sheva. I can walk on my own now…"

Sheva declined. "But I very much prefer if you would let me--

"It's alright…" Carlos' left hand caught her cheek. Sheva made a great effort to hold back her blush, but it appeared when he stroked the upper part of her cheek with his thumb. "Lead the way to the room, Sheva…"

The still flushed Sheva tripped over her words. "Y-Yes. I-It's this way…"

Sheva pressed on back to the corridor, though stayed in pace with Carlos. He limped his way down the passage, his right hand moving the along the wall to carry his weight. Under his struggle to walk, Carlos was unaware of Sheva troubled gaze glancing at him…and it was like this till they reached the stairs, where Carlos had finally asked for help, much to Sheva's delight.

After their climb, the pair now stood in front of the door. Sheva let loose of Carlos, both gripping their weapons before heading inside. They gazed at each other, seeing the determination and will deep within themselves to get this done.

With that, Sheva gripped the metallic door lever, pulling it and hauling the door open.

Carlos rushed in with a new burst of energy, and right behind him was Sheva. Their cautious entrance was perfect, but it was all for nothing when finding no danger in the area.

Lowering their own weapons together, Sheva and Carlos studied the treatment room. The structure was a simple circular platform ahead of them with a set of computers to each side.

On the platform was a single bed and a large medical equipment, which was no good to them, but it was the medical equipment passed the bed that they can use to develop a virus. Empty vials were assorted atop a long white desk, as were tools to mix the fluids and the equipment to finalize the completion of it.

Sheva and Carlos walked around the bed to get to the desk. At their arrival, Sheva slung the AK behind her, then giving Carlos a smile. "So, where do we start?"

Puzzled, Carlos only blinked his eyes…and that look made Sheva sigh. "Please tell me you have not failed to remember the cure you had acquired for Jill?"

A shaky laugh came from Carlos. "It's been over ten years, Sheva. Besides, I had help from medical files and other resources." He paused and took a glance at the desk. "And I see no files around here…except for the equipment…"

Sheva nodded and on the verge of searching the area, however a well-known voice spoke out…

"It's so nice to see you two working together despite the inevitable end to this region…"

Carlos and Sheva turned around, their weapons aiming at Captain Thiago, who was also aiming his own weapon at the pair…a powerful gatling gun. The gray massive package of ammunition hung on his back as he walked to the BSAA operatives. "I take it you both are looking for the cure to the Chimera virus…"

Carlos took a step forward, but stopped in seeing Sheva taking the front for the both of them. He watched on at Sheva's fury. "You have no right to be within the B.S.A.A! A traitor who betrays his/her own homeland such as you does not deserve to be breathing the same air as us! The only good deed you can do now is tell us anything about the cure!"

Thiago chuckled, gazing to Sheva then to Carlos and finally back to Sheva. Thiago released his gatling gun for a moment to dig into his right pocket. There, he pulled out vial with gleaming blue substance inside.

"This is the cure to the virus that infects Carlos. B-T has given me the only copy of the cure…if you wish to obtain it, then you have to take it by force…" Thiago finished sternly.

Sheva did not mind the task. In fact, she replaced her AK for the close combat dagger. "Do not mind me if I make this personal!" She rushed forward, even with Carlos yelling for name did not stop her.

Thiago started up the rotating of the gatling gun, and once doing that, he unleashed a flurry of bullets that passed by the rushing Sheva. Thiago panicked as he still kept his weapon working, but the end of the gatling gun began to show the overheating smoke.

Suddenly, his weapon stopped, and Sheva was already there, placing her dagger against his neck. "Hand the cure over…"

Thiago swallowed nervously, wondering how it ended so easily. He dropped his heavy weapon to hit the floor, he then extended the vial to Sheva. The West African took it cautiously.

With the cure in her possession, Sheva turned to toss the vial over to the approaching Carlos. He caught it safely in both palms, then he heard Sheva speak. "It's time to make our exit now…"

They smiled at one another, but when they returned to gaze at Thiago…they found him laying on the floor…dead with a gunshot through his head.

By the deceased body Thiago's , there stood B-T with the USP.45 handgun aimed against the forehead of Sheva, she cringed at seeing the dark muzzle in front of her. B-T only smirked.

"Sheva!" Carlos yelled at the smirking man. Carlos then focused on Sheva, who kept her dagger held high while B-T had the advantage of having a gun pressed to her head.

B-T laughed his usual demonic one. "What a tight spot you are in, Carlos! Ms. Alomar obtains the cure, but yet, it seems you will be losing her…"

Sheva's eyes couldn't burn anymore further, and it was the same with Carlos as well. But, either way, he still responded to B-T's comment. "Please…let her go, B-T. She has nothing to do with your plan…"

Sheva looked over her shoulder at Carlos. "I handled Wesker!" Sheva then turned back to B-T. "I can definitely handle this pathetic excuse for a being!" That's when Sheva lunged forward, directing a slash across B-T' stomach, but missed when he vanished. He reappeared behind her and set free one single bullet that penetrated through Sheva's right shoulder.

She cried out her pain and anguish as she fell to the ground. Through the torment, she heard Carlos' voice shouting her name. She managed to turned around while still sprawled out on the floor, and her blurry vision picked up Carlos rushing to her…B-T was gone…

At his arrival, Carlos cradled Sheva's upper body and his eyes searched the bullet wound that developed dark purple fluids from the original color of blood. It was infected, and Carlos thought back to B-T's words consisting of the bullet rounds he had within his handgun and Carlos now knew what he meant by it. Bullets that can cause infection..

Now alarmed, Carlos dug into his left pocket over his black tactical vest to pull out his remaining first-aid spray can. He applied it to the wound, but it failed to even cause a small change. Frustrated, Carlos threw the can away and adjusted Sheva more comfortably and closely. The situation was getting worse and worse.

Sheva coughed up blood to splatter across Carlos' left cheek, who was now panicking beyond all resolve. Carlos searched around the treatment area again, but it still wouldn't do any good without a cure…and that's when his face softened. He looked in his left hand that held Sheva's body up, and spotted the vial…the only cure…their only hope.

Both were infected, and there was only one cure to use. But Carlos did not hesitate in giving his only hope for Sheva. She was now rendered unconscious…

Carlos closed his eyes… "You were right, Sheva. Hope does come through in the end…but…not for me. You…deserve to live, Sheva. Not someone like me. I failed to keep my word to Josh. I failed in keeping you safe. I failed in keeping my promise…".

Carlos halted briefly to raise the vial to Sheva's lips, letting the blue substance to flow into her system. She stirred, and Carlos faintly smiled knowing it was just results Jill had shown in Raccoon City.

Sheva's eyes fluttered open, seeing the smile on his face made her smile. "So…my strong…and my brave…Carlos Oliveira…rescued me after…all…"

Carlos expressed a gentle chuckle. "I told you so." She chuckled, but it was stopped when she moaned out her pain. Carlos instantly became worried. "Hey, take it easy. A bullet wound is no joke."

Sheva replied with a nod. "Yes. The pain…is unbearable. But…I do not want to slow you down or hold you back…"

Carlos shook his head at that. "You won't…"

Sheva inspected her wound with her own eyes, then glanced up to Carlos. "What do you mean I won't? I…can barely even turn or pick up my dagger. As of right now…I'm useless and--ahh! Carlos?!"

She was cut off by Carlos picking her up into his arms. He smiled down at the heavily flushed Sheva Alomar. "I always wanted to be a hero who saves that hot woman at the end." Carlos could only share the truth with a laugh…

She did not have the energy to laugh, but did do her usual smirk just him…and only for him. "Hm, when we make it out…perhaps I should give you a reward. If…you know what I mean by that, Carlos…"

He did. And Carlos began the way out of the facility, though…Sheva had to ask…

"Carlos…?" Sheva said his name softly.

"Yeah, Sheva?" He asked while never stopping his steps.

"The cure….did it work on you, Carlos? And what of B-T?"

His steps stopped. Carlos gazed down at her with a smile. "B-T disappeared before I could do anything. As for the cure, of course it worked. I'm feeling all better…" He lied for the second time…in order to keep her content. "But I'm glad you're better, Sheva.".

Sheva brightly smiled, letting out small chuckles of joy. "Good. We did our job. All…we have…to do is escape…"

Carlos couldn't tell whether it was exhaustion or the bullet wound, but her eyes were closed, and Carlos decided it was best for her to get some rest. "You'll be with the others in no time, Sheva. I promise you this…and I will not let anything break this promise.".