Thanks for all the wonderful reviews and encouragement. Managed to whip this out during a break. As always if you have anything to suggest or what not, I'm all ears. Might be a bit slow updating on Friday cause my gram is in the hospital right now...anyway enjoy.
Needless to say after another brutally twenty minutes of waiting and almost another hour of picking up evidence, Chris Redfield and the rest of the SURGE and BSAA team managed to make it to Leon and Helena's location. With the threat of the B.O.W's stabilized and more controlled, the survivors were able to get out of the facility with no other casualties. As everyone was being escorted out of the facilities entryway, Leon carried Helena close to him bridal style as he could feel her giving soft weeps of breath on his neck while she slept. He looked down at her a few times as he could smell the metallic flavor of blood emitting from her mouth. Leon's heart sunk like a rock to a body of water as he tried his hardest to contain himself. He wasn't a religious type of man nor did he ever really have a full set of beliefs, but in this moment of scare and terror he felt for Helena's flickering life that was in his arms, he prayed to whatever was out there in the universe to bring her safely back to him. Not as a monster, but as his Helena.
He carried her all the way to the medical tent and was deeply upset when he was later shoved out of it. Leon struggled against a few of the SURGE members who kept on reassuring him Helena was going to be alright, and that he needed to stay back or risk getting infected himself. Leon knew the protocols and followed them to a T but his heart didn't want to see Helena as a threat as he tried one more time to barge through and see his beloved. This time Jake caught him and led him out peacefully as he looked on at the chaos going around them.
As he slowly started to sink inside, Leon shook his head while a familiar friend gently pat his shoulder. He looked up at Hunnigan's eyes with tears as he tried his hardest to keep his composure intact. Hunnigan began to lead him away from the area, but as he walked off with her he turned his head around and could see Helena from the tent with her eyes halfway open reaching out for him. Leon could feel himself glare as he quickly turned away from her eye sight; not wanting the pain of leaving her behind hurt him more.
"It's my fault she got hurt. If I just would have helped her fight off the one instead of focusing on the creature trying to eat my foot none of this would have happened."
Leon said bitterly under his breath as he took a seat near a bench and bowed his head. Hunnigan sighed and gently placed her hands on his shoulders while she lightly shook him.
"Leon you know better than anyone else that when it comes to bioterrorism, it isn't nobody's fault when people get hurt expect for the person responsible for this. I know there is no cure for T-768 but there is trial serums and I'm sure the medical staff is going to do everything they can to keep Helena stabilized. Don't lose hope right now."
Leon looked up at her and in a brief second, Hunnigan could remember Leon giving her that same despairing look when he was in the hospital after the Middle East mission years ago with Helena. She could remember the sorrow his face conveyed when he begged for the staff or anyone to tell him what had become of her. As she snapped out of her brief flash back she quickly gave Leon an embrace and he returned it back with a tight grip as he shut his eyes as hard as he could.
"Leon,"
Leon opened up his eyes and quickly got up from the bench as he made eye contact with Manuela. She was wearing a dress suit and had her hair back in a ponytail. It still stunned Leon to this day to see how much she had changed from being the young woman scared and defenseless in South America to now being the head of the CIA. Even her presence could make a man stop in their place and give her attention as he beauty and pride greatly shown within her cerulean eyes. In a way, her progress to becoming what she is now reminded Leon of Sherry and how much she changed. Hunnigan looked over at Manuela momentarily before deciding to go check up on Claire and the other survivors nearby who were being inspected by BSAA members, leaving Leon alone to himself. Leon glanced up and down at Manuela as she lightly smiled up at him.
"Everyone's changing so fast I've lost count."
He stated in a light toned voice as Manuela nodded with a grin.
"Sorry I couldn't make it to the wedding. I had the South American branch summit to attend in regards to my late father's work. I heard about what happened to Helena. I want to reassure you I'm going to do everything in my power to keep her alive."
"Thank you, Ms. Hidalgo."
Manuela let out a small chuckle and pat Leon on the shoulder as she shook her head.
"Leon, its Manuela. I may be your superior but given the circumstances of the past I don't see the reason why we should have formalities."
"Fair enough I guess."
"Getting back to business,"
Manuela paused as she motioned to Leon to look ahead. He could see that Markus was in cuffs and being dragged off into an escorting vehicle to be taken to the sub-branch unit on the other side of town where interrogations now took place. Some part of him grew sad as Claire tried reaching out for Markus but to no avail as she was blocked. In a way it reminded Leon of how he got thrown out from seeing Helena. As the car drove off with him, Claire stopped and bowed her head as her fists clenched up. Sherry came over to the red heads side and tried to reassure her but Claire snapped at the young blonde but not before storming off towards Leon's direction. Claire ran up to him so quick he didn't even have time to register the stinging sensation caused by her hand raised to his face. Leon looked on in sadness as he could see the fire in Claire's eyes.
"Markus wasn't the one who did it and you know it!"
"Claire—"
"After all he did for you and Helena, you're just going to sit back and watch him get taken? To think I put my faith in you!"
"Claire, that's enough of this nonsense!"
Claire turned her head around and faced the stern look of her brother who was standing but a few feet away. Even at this distance, Chris was intimidating to look upon especially in the eyes. Claire closed her eyes trying to get rid of her brother's cold stare, but out of frustration she groaned and marched off. Leon out of instinct began to walk over towards her, but his journey was cut short by Manuela who pushed her hand in front of his chest.
"She needs her space. I apologize for the trouble Leon; I should have told her we arrested Markus because of his ties to the suspect earlier on when the survivors came out."
Leon gave a puzzled look as his eyes glanced upon Chris.
"So did the team find out officially how this thing spread?"
Chris nodded as he shook his head with disgust.
"We had a local water specialist check out the contents of the food cart that was placed at the scene a half hour before everyone turned, just as you requested earlier on. After retrieving a few samples, we determined that both the T-826 strain and T-768 were mixed together in the bottled water given out to the faculty. Since it was odorless there was no way anyone would have suspected it. Also we verified Jonathan Clarkson's remains at the patient zero sight. He was a young recruit for the BSAA and just transferred here about two months ago."
Leon glared a bit as he clenched his fists with utter disgust and shame. To think someone would weasel their way into the work place like that, go forth and spread something so terrible such as the T-Virus to fellow men made his blood boil.
"What are his ties to Markus?"
Chris rubbed the back of his head as Manuela and Leon awaited an answer. He took in a sigh before responding to the two.
"Jonathan Clarkson is a ruse. His real name is Gregory Sinclair, Markus's half brother. We found this out based on some paper work on his person. It looked like he didn't have time to get rid of it though before we found him, considering the circumstances. I don't think the poor fool anticipated the virus concoction to be so potent. He probably thought the spread would be slow like the regular T-Virus we're use to. On some of the blood stained papers, he even charted an escape route. Everything seemed planned out, but there is something that could save Markus's hide though."
Leon let out a grimacing groan as he glared upon hearing the news.
"What might that be?"
"He was wearing a pretty good disguise. There was no way Markus probably could have told the difference between the Clarkson identify and that of his brother."
"It doesn't matter, they are still family and due to the ties these men share I'm still not convinced Markus is innocent."
Manuela and Chris looked at each other as they could see Leon focusing his watered eyes back to the tent where Helena was present. He let out a gentle sigh as he could feel his palms try to relax after putting pressure into his hands when he made fists earlier on. His eyes rapidly glanced around at the grass below his feet as Manuela began to speak up.
"I was going to send you and Chris to go interrogate Markus, but if you are feeling too emotionally unstable Leon then I can get Jake or someone else to look into it."
Leon quickly turned back to the pair in front of him, and gave them a somber look.
"No, I'll be able to do it. I promise there won't be any more unnecessary drama."
Manuela took in a big breath as she put her hands to her hips and stretched. After taking a moment to collect herself from the stress she had from this scenario, she then handed Leon some files she was carrying in her brief case about Markus. After the trio discussed what was going to happen next with the survivors and the clean up process to be rid of the contaminants plus B.O.W remains, Leon found himself traveling with Chris in one of the SURGE jeeps as they headed over to the other side of town to interview Markus and retrieve his side of the story. It seemed to pass on forever though as the road dragged on, then again to Leon everything seemed to be taking forever as he continued to contemplate about the plot behind all of the mess he and Helena got thrown into. After they drove for about sixteen minutes they finally reached the designated building and unbuckled as they got out of the vehicle.
Chris and Leon both traveled lightly as they approached the hallway of the interrogation rooms. Leon glanced around taken notice how extremely bright the lighting system was, and could even feel his eyes twitch out of irritation. It had been a long time since he had last been here, and Leon couldn't believe how unbearably bright everything was. Chris took notice of Leon's ever growing frustration and clapped his hands two times. Leon was taken aback when he saw the lighting became a bit dimmer as he looked up at Chris amused.
"You guys actually installed a clapper system?"
Chris shrugged a bit as he smirked.
"Hey, everyone got tired of the lights being too bright."
"Whatever works I guess."
The men's few seconds of humor was cut short when they finally made it to the oak wood door and opened up the knob slowly. The room was small and secluded, and within the room was the interrogation wing. Markus was sitting at the end of a petite desk rubbing the back of his hair several times while sighing uncontrollably. Chris and Leon looked at him through the glass, each man being thankful that Markus couldn't see anyone on the other side. One of the BSAA agents who was keeping an eye on Markus gave a brief nod of respect to Chris and he gestured one back. Chris studied Leon who was somewhat glaring at the nervous man behind the glass.
"Are you up for this?"
"Yeah, besides he might be more intimidated by you. I'll get him to talk."
Leon without hesitation opened up the small door and went inside casually. Markus looked up at Leon's eyes with sincerity as he shook his head and bowed. Leon propped up the nearest stool he could find and took a seat as he propped his elbows onto the table, his chin making contact with his hands as he folded them. Leon sighed a bit as he took in Markus's features.
"You're twitching your fingers quite a bit. Are you nervous?"
A brief sigh escaped the man's lips as he tried to dodge Leon's gaze.
"You could say that. I was thrown into hand cuffs and carried off here without hesitation. Any man would be nervous given the circumstances."
Leon closed his eyes momentarily and began to piece together the evidence Chris had laid out for him.
"I'm going to get right to the point. I don't want any bad blood between us for what happened in the meeting room back at HQ. I shouldn't have reacted so cruelly to you, but Markus you must tell me something: did you plan the whole attack?"
Markus's teeth clenched as he hit the desk with his fist.
"Just because I had ties with The Family doesn't mean I am anything like them! They were monsters! So were my own folks who were just benefactors, slaves!"
Leon braced himself as he could feel the anger radiate through Markus's words. He sighed and tried to think of another question that could potentially break the ice and thus counter the hostility.
"Alright, let's say I believe you. Did you have any other family that still does their bidding?"
"Like I told the agents when I was previously arrested, I have two brothers. One, my youngest is my step brother and I've done everything in my power not to get him mixed up with our families business, but within the last three years he's disappeared off somewhere. The second, my eldest brother Gernaro still is a benefactor of The Family or whatever is left of it. But I honestly don't know his whereabouts anymore since I broke off my bond with him a long time ago."
Leon nodded reassuringly as he got up from his seat and paced back and forth in the room, causing Markus to clench up a bit and cower.
"Seems rather convenient, don't you think?"
Markus rubbed his forehead as he adjusted his glasses, taking a moment to take them off as he pulled out a small tissue to clean the lenses.
"You couldn't possibly understand the implications I went through because of my folks and my siblings. I was groomed to be a lap dog for The Family, hell I was even assigned to help out Kent Withrow during his conquest though the idiot didn't deserve it."
Leon stopped in his tracks as he let the last part of Markus's sentence ring in his ear.
"You were jealous?"
"Some would say so. Yes, I guess I somewhat was. I thought I could run things better and maybe even change the government for the better and get Withrow's family out of power but because he showed guts and had exceptional charisma, he easily got to be head of the CIA. I knew though he was just as screwed up as Simmons was."
Leon came over to Markus and looked at him dead in the eyes as the man lightly jumped, taken aback by Leon's ever growing presence.
"That same charisma almost got my wife and I killed two years ago."
Markus gently applied his glasses back on while his hand trembled.
"I know this. I know he had his eyes dead set on destroying the both of you because of Simmons and his fiasco in Tall Oaks and god forbid China. I couldn't say much because it would have been my head at the time, so I told Ms Hidalgo a bit about it, then conveniently when you were arrested and Ms Harper—"
"Kennedy…her last name is Kennedy."
Leon said in a defensive tone. Markus merely nodded.
"Kennedy, right…look I meant it when I said so at the wedding, it is not my intention to hurt anyone."
"You said you didn't know the whereabouts of your younger brother, correct?"
Markus knew Leon wouldn't stand for excuses or petty apologies. He gulped and nodded in respect towards the bitter agent.
"The last I heard of him was about two years ago. He was somewhere in the Philippines and I assumed he was going there for a study since he is an anthropologist."
Leon took in a breath as he traveled to the door and knocked on it, swiftly the BSAA agent who was watching Markus earlier on handed Leon some documents. He quickly took the paper work and shut the door then traveled back to Markus. Leon gracefully took whipped out the photographs taken of Clarkson's corpse and tossed them to face the nerve wracking suspect. Markus picked up the photos one by one and inspected the gory scene before him. He could barely make out what any of this was other than flesh and organs accompanied by huge pools of blood. Leon didn't say anything but slowly allowed the powerful imagery to sneak into Markus's mind.
"What is all of this?"
"These are the remains of that suspect you told us about, the one BSAA agent whom you left in charge to deliver the viruses to you for further research."
"So he's dead,"
Markus threw down the photos with a flat thud and looked up at Leon.
"What's so relevant about these in regards to me, Kennedy?"
"Redfield and some of the other agents investigating the scene of the crime noticed some paper work on this agent. He is your step brother, Gregory."
Markus rapidly glanced at the photos yet again as he brought them close. His mouth lightly gaped as he could finally make out the small onyx ring that was on remnants of what appeared to be a hand. It was a gift he had given to him a long time ago, before Kent took power in the CIA. Markus had a tear stream down his face as the news sunk in and pierced his blood.
"No, no, no…I told him not to. I told him to stay out of this mess…why didn't he listen?"
Markus said while he had his head bowed, the sobbing grew worse as Leon perked up and caught on to the mumbling.
"Sinclair, tell me what mess was your brother getting into?"
"I-I can't say—"
"Cut the crap Markus! If you don't start speaking up and tell me what happened then the agency will have no choice but to put you on trial for this!"
Leon roared as he hit the table with a large thud, making Markus jump back like a scared child as he continued to have small streams of water snake their way down his deep green eyes.
"Alright! About a few months ago I was sent an email from a benefactor associated with my father. Since I am labeled a traitor to The Family for giving names, I was threatened with my very life but they gave me an offer to redeem myself and prove my loyalty. I was to take the virus samples T-826 and T-768 and unleash them into the faculty's water supply—"
"So you did commit the crime but you had your poor brother do it for you instead—"
"No! No! Let me explain myself! I'm in love with Claire, and I couldn't bring myself to do such a terrible thing especially not after seeing what those viruses could do after the China incident. If I didn't do it, I was going to be assassinated at some point, and I received an email just three weeks ago to the date they were coming for me because I over stepped the due date for the viral infection to take place. I was prepared to die, because of my pride and because I didn't want to be a monster in Claire's eyes. Before this all happened, I told my little brother about it while he was in the Philippines, I lied earlier the truth is me and him keep in contact at least once a month when were not busy. He told me and begged of me to let him commit the deed so that way I wouldn't have blood on my hands but I refused to let him be a part of my troubles. I never wanted to see him suffer because of bio-organic weapons…not like how it took away our father and others we loved. As for the emails I've mentioned, check it out if you don't believe me. It's all on my lap top."
By now at this point, Markus went from being a composed man to a giant festering mess of tears and angst. The death of his little brother broke whatever strength he had left inside of him as he lied his face down to the table and used his arms to shield himself. Leon was speechless, and even a little bit of himself was panged with guilt from the aggression he used upon him earlier. He shut his eyes tightly as he tried to get Markus's somber weeps out of his mind. Leon got up and rubbed the back of his head as he headed for the door.
"I'm really sorry for your loss. No one deserves to have their family die."
Markus looked up momentarily as he sniffed a bit.
"Leon, I honestly pray right now you will not go through what I am feeling now."
Leon froze for a moment as he started to think about Helena, also he couldn't help but take notice of some malice hiding in the back of Markus's throat when he said that. Though Markus's confession would definitely check out in his mind, he still couldn't help but feel like he was dealing with a snake disguised as a rat.
"Thanks."
It was the only thing Leon could mutter as he took his thoughts out of the room with himself. Chris watched as Leon came out of the room and started to head out towards the hallway, and he tried asking Leon to come back but he wouldn't even register the SURGE captain's voice. Chris caught up with Leon after a bit and stopped him from continuing to go on.
"Where are you going?"
Chris asked, feeling the exhaustion his body exhumed earlier on during the mission.
"I already received my answers so far. I'm going back to Helena. She needs me."
"Did that last part of the interview strike a nerve?"
Leon somewhat glared and shook his head.
"No, why do you ask?"
Chris glanced up and down at Leon, trying to read his body language. He could tell there was some hostility within him but Chris knew full well it wasn't directed at him. In the back of his mind, if Leon had the chance to, Chris could see him beating up Markus. Hell, even at this point Chris was even considering forbidding the man to come into contact with his sister until he could thoroughly check out Markus's story plus background. He turned his focus back to Leon who was now looking more sad than angry at this point.
"I can take care of the rest of the interview, but Leon I don't think they are going to let you go anywhere near Helena not until they know she can't spread the virus around. You know this as well as I, according to protocol there is to be no contact between someone who is infected until a forty eight hour window has passed."
Leon shook his head and shoved Chris out of the way only to be blocked once more.
"Listen to me; you're not being yourself right now. Leon you're letting your emotions warp your mind. I know Helena is everything to you but you have to put her aside right now and focus on the mission and tasks we have to accomplish."
"Put her aside? How the hell am I supposed to do that while she is infected with a T-Virus sample and could die, especially on my watch!?"
"Leon calm down—"
"Don't you or anyone tell me to calm down. I'm through with this."
Leon once more shoved Chris out of the way as he headed out the entrance of the building. Chris lightly jumped back a little sensing the power behind the door as Leon slammed it upon taking his leave. Chris sighed to himself and shook his head as he put his hands to hips and took in a big breath. He then saw Jill exiting another room nearby and she slowly came up to him, seeing the frustration within Chris's eyes as she gently tapped his shoulder.
"Hey, I head some commotion out here. Is everything alright?"
Chris shook his head.
"No. Leon's gone a bit off the deep end."
"Could you honestly blame him? I heard about what happened. I'd be the same if that happened to be you."
Chris gently took Jill's hand into his own and lightly kissed her skin.
"I'd never let anything like that happen to you."
Jill nodded, but then a thought occurred to her.
"I bet Leon told her the same thing, but you can't always keep your promises with this line of work that we have to deal with. Anything could happen, even things we try so hard to prevent."
Chris gave her words some deep consideration. He could recall all the times before when he told new recruits that he would never let anything bad happen to his men, but every so often two to three new BSAA or SURGE recruits would perish upon their first time in the field. Chris could recall the day he made that speech about sticking together before the China incident when Carla betrayed him, and how he lost Finn and Piers though he promised them both that no harm would come, especially on a first day. He sighed a bit as the memories from that time flooded his head while he slowly let go of Jill's hand. He bowed his head a bit in sorrow, thinking about the countless lives that t died on his watch. Now that he was thinking hard, he realized he had no room to talk when it came to yelling at Leon earlier to get his head back in the game. The agent even came to the realization had this been Jill or even his sister, he still wouldn't have any clue as to how to deal with those inflamed emotions.
"I got to head back to the interrogation room and deal with Sinclair more. Do you think you can check up on my sister for me?"
Jill nodded and smiled.
"Yeah, I can do that. What about Leon though? Do you want me to swing by at the facility and see how he is doing?"
"No, it would probably be best if he was left alone right now. Besides I don't want you or our unborn child near that place right now until things get cleaned up."
For the first time in a while, Jill felt proud of Chris that he was taking a stand and advocating for her safety in regards to their child. She gave Chris a quick pat on the back before leaving to return back to the room she was in as she was checking up on some survivors that were brought to the interrogation facility. Chris collected himself and went back to the room with Markus, hoping that things would get better as he continued to think about Jill, and how much his life would have been devastated if Leon and him were to trade places.
