(Chapter 7)

Rebecca stared, and smiled at him. They hadn't seen each other in years. Slowely, Billy walked towards her, and they shook hands. He was half expecting a large hug, for they had quite taken to each other back in the mansion. However, she had probably moved on by now, and gotten married. He couldn't blame her; she can't hold onto somebody who she hadn't seen for 4 years.

"How was your vacation?" She asked.

"Great! I stayed in a 5-star hotel, made lots of friends, and ate at some of the best resturaunts around..." He answered, sarcastically. "Ah, what a shame to have to come back to the real world." He added, dryly.

She chuckled. Her laugh, however, seemed older than what a girl her age's laugh should sound like. It sounded sad, as if she had been through many hard times. Then he remembered that she had. Not one, but two terrifying encounters with the undead. At 18, not to mention.

She welcomed him inside her office (now being a higher rank, she had her own office), and offered him some chicken she had made. He wanted to refuse, not being one to rely on others, but his hunger took over. He tore into it, messily licking the bones dry. Rebecca silently watched as he finished the ispection of each bone, and set the plate aside. He blushed silently at this terrible display of manners. "Thank you." he mumbled, sheepishly.

"You're very welcome, Mr. Coen." She blinked, watching him with curiosity. He was hardly human anymore. His hair was long, and unkept. He had a slight beard that was brown and prickly. "I'm not sure if I did the right thing, clearing your name, and bringing you back into th real world." She saw his puzzled, and offened look and immeadiatly realized the mistake of her words. "I'm sorry... That's not what I meant," She apologized.

"What I meant, is that it's going to be hard to start over. Everything you ever owned, here, is gone. The only possesions you own are the clothes on your back, and whatever's in your pockets."

"Seven bucks..." Billy said, yet again. "That's exactly what Dale said."

"Mmm hmm..." She nodded her head. "I have here a hundred dollars for you, that I want you to have." She held it out for him to take. Billy stood up, and reached out. Halfway there, however, he dropped his hand to his side.

"I'm sure I'll be able to get along fine. I started in this world with nothing... You've done enough for me already..."He stared at the ground. He realized that his clothes were still blood-stained.

She stepped up towards him, slowely. "Please, Billy..." She was still holding it toward him. "What if I had you do something for me? It would be like pay, then..."

Billy looked up. "What do you mean?"

She shushed him, and set the money on the table, as she stepped closer to him. She wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders, and pushed a button on a stero behind him. Slow dance music started to play, and they both started to dance. She closed her eyes as they gently rocked back and forth, holding each other.

Billy was taken aback. He did not expect this from her, who he hadn't seen in 4 years. He wasn't complaining, however. He held her tight, as they danced, smiling. He remembered back in the mansion when they had fought side-by-side, but this was a whole new side of her.

Eventually the music slowed, and stopped. They kept dancing a few moments after, and finally, they stopped. He looked up, into her eyes, and slowely and gently moved in. Their lips touched, and they began to kiss, slowly, enjoying it, both of them. After a few moments, she pulled back, and lay her head on his chest. "Best money I've ever spent..." She finally let go of him, and straightened her dress. "I'm sorry..." she said again. "I shouldn't have done... I'm sure you don't... Not after all these yea-"

She was inturrupted as Billy kissed her again as he held her fragile body. He couldn't believe the welcoming he had gotten! Eventually, Rebecca broke the kiss again. "Billy, we can't..." She said with remorse. Billy knew she was right, but he couldn't help himself. She was so beautiful.

They both managed to calm their beating hearts, and separated. Billy took the money off of the table. "Thanks, Rebecca. For everything." She waved goodbye, and watched as he left her office. She wished she had never teased herself...

Billy, heart sunk, walked away from the S.T.A.R.S. building. He had tucked the $100 in his back pocket, with the seven, and headed into town, to find his sister's apartment. Oh, how he had enjoyed that, just a few moments before.


Okay, I'm going to start commenting. I always have liked getting the authors' oppinions on their work...

Anyway, I never even planned for this to be a romance story, nor even have romance in it. Somehow, though, love fuond it's place in my story. I feel somewhat girly for this part, but whatever...

Thanks a lot to all the readers who have commented, and thank also to those who only read. However, I do LOVE getting comments, so please, feel free.

And for the guys who are like "Bleh! Where are the killing sprees!?!" I'm sorry. This scene wasn't even supposed to happen, yet it did. Hard-core Resident Evil action should resume in another chapter or two. Bear with me:-)