Sorry about the delay, folks. I've been really busy lately. I hope you enjoy this chapter! ;)


Chris sat by the window and looked outside, staring at nothingness. He didn't care if it was raining or not. All he thought about was the conversation he'd had with Barry.

They needed him. There was a great possibility of a virus outbreak in a small town in Texas. Apparently, a new pharmaceutical company, which was believed to be an offspring of Tricell, was running some tests on local prisoners. The government was alerted and Barry was contacted immediately. The tests were meant to create a shot against any kind of biochemical virus. It would be a complete and non destroyable injection antibioterrorism, essentially. The victims were not responding well to the shots and escaped, after killing a handful of policemen. That could be really serious. Rebecca Chambers was working on the case, trying to create another vaccine to stop the infection, but Barry thought that killing the creatures would still be in the safe side. She had asked him to let her try at least and he had agreed. She had her reasons to believe that the company didn't have the best of intentions by creating the shot.

Chris was assigned to do the job along with Jessica Sherawat. The duo hadn't connected so well as partners four years before and had a couple of arguments and issues, but Barry thought she would be able to help him in this mission. Jessica had been researching on this company over the last two years and now she had the physical proof that they were doing something wrong.

He was leaving the next day, right after Sheva finish her moving. He couldn't sleep. How would he break her the news after she woke up in the morning?

Chris headed to bed, where she slept peacefully. He lay down by her side, pulling the covers up and stared at her for a long time. He felt a deep pain at the thought that his dream could be over, at least for a while. He knew Sheva was insecure about her decisions and that annoyed him a little. Hadn't he showed her he loved her enough? He knew deep inside that she was trying to protect his feelings and give him an option. But she was the only option he wanted. He was tired of all these years when all aspects of his life were related to his work.

He sighed at the thought that he would be spending at least a month away from that pretty figure by his side. That was his life, unfortunately.


Jill woke up early to visit the examination room, as scheduled. It surprised her that they hadn't found out what was going on with her yet. They were running a thousand X-rays on her head and heart, but they never cared to any other parts of her body. They feared she could still be a monster. She was given pills again and she pretended to swallow them, spitting them right after the nurse left. She wouldn't be taking any medication from them until she figured out what her next step would be.

She was glad she would be released later and would probably help Sheva to settle on her new place. Could she trust Sheva with her biggest secret? Well, maybe when Chris wasn't around.


Claire woke up with the sun light hitting the bedroom fully. Since when it's sunny in London?, she thought to herself.

It didn't take her long to realize where she was and who she was with. Leon's arms fell lazily over her stomach and he was behind her, his head rested against hers and his breathing hitting her skin lightly on her neck.

As she moved to face him, Leon woke up slowly, never releasing the grip of her arms. She smiled beautifully at him and he grinned slothfully.

'Morning.' He said in a low voice.

'Good morning.'

'Did you sleep well?'

She chuckled and kissed him lightly.

'Like I haven't slept in years.'

'Me too. We should have done that a long time ago.'

'No regrets now, Leon. Let's enjoy the present.'

'You're right.' He chortled. 'And the future.'

'The future?'

'Yes. Together.' He raised his body on his elbow and looked down to her, removing her hair of her face. 'Or you think one night stand is all I'm looking for?'

Claire gasped nervously. She felt her body freeze when he talked about their future.

'How are we going to…'

'We just will.' Leon interrupted her, silencing her by putting his finger on her lips and then kissing her intently. He looked at her for a long time and continued. 'I won't let this go again. Me and you. I'll do what I can to be with you.' He paused, swallowing his own thoughts. 'Because I love you.'

Claire could feel her heart pounding on her ears, as he took her hand.

'I realized that after I almost lost you in that car accident.' He told her.

'Err… Are you sure?' She asked.

'Yes, Claire. I know you might think it's too soon to tell you that. I don't want to scare you or force you into anything. I just needed to let it out.' He chuckled nervously.

Claire ran her fingers on his face. She let out a heavy sigh.

'Leon.'

'What?'

'I love you, too. For a long time. And I haven't stopped thinking about you since you left. I never confessed that to anyone, not even to myself. But there's no point in hiding now.' She sat down on the bed, making him rise as well. 'I'll do what I can to keep this going.' She smiled beautifully, as Leon cupped his hands on her face and pulled her to a delicate kiss.

'Yes, Claire, we'll find a way. For now, let's enjoy this bed.'

She giggled loudly as they sank underneath the covers.


Chris opened the door and found Sheva already awake, finishing packing and having her breakfast at the same time.

'Hey.' She said, smiling. 'Where did you go?'

'Out for a run.' He said, trying to avoid her gaze. 'It's a nice day out, it doesn't look like I'm in London.'

'Good. There's breakfast for you on the counter. I'm almost done here. Then we can go.'

'Okay. I'm taking a shower now.'

Chris walked to the bathroom and removed his shirt, trying to keep himself busy and gain courage to face her. He didn't come any close to her.

Sheva observed him and she knew what was going on. She could sense trouble. She heard him talk to Barry the night before, when she was half asleep. She was so tired that she didn't realize what it was about and went back to sleep, but the memory hit her mind early that morning when she woke up without him. Now she was almost sure that he was leaving. What else could justify his cold behavior?

The hot water was burning his skin and his mind was spinning. Sheva opened the shower curtain, forcing him to stare at her.

'What's going on?' Chris asked, surprised.

'I ask you. Walking past me without saying a word or looking me in the eye?'

Chris sighed. He was waiting for the best moment to tell her about it, but in fact there wouldn't be a good moment.

'Cat got your tongue?' She asked, fired up. 'Ok, Chris. Why can't you tell me you're leaving? I know you are. You just don't need to play games with me.'

Sheva shut the curtain fiercely and as she was leaving she felt his hand grabbing her wrist.

'Sheva, don't do that.'

She sighed defeated.

'Chris, you don't do that.'

'I'm leaving later tonight.'

'Ok.' She said trying to be calm. She didn't expect to be that early. 'You finish shower and help me pack, please. Then we'll take care of your things.'

She tried to move away from him, but he wouldn't let her go.

'Chris, please…' She begged, looking down.

'Now you look me in the eye.'

She took a deep breath and faced him.

'Have a shower with me, please.' He asked, trying to smile.

She was reluctant but little by little she got rid of her clothes and joined him.

Chris hugged her and she could feel his heavy hand squeezing her skin. He stared at her seriously and intently when he spoke.

'This is not the end.'

Sheva remained silent.

'I'll be back', he continued.

Sheva looked down and up again to meet his eyes.

'Chris. I love you. You know that. And I'm absolutely sure of what you feel for me. There's no doubt about that. But I can't do that to you. You'll be in the US for God only knows how long and I'm stuck here. You aren't paid enough to be flying back and forth to meet me and neither am I. I can't deprive you from a relationship, from a girlfriend when you're feeling lonely and I'm not around. I always…'

'Sheva,' he let her name out in a serious tone, 'don't do that. You know I am never looking to be in relationships anyway and I haven't been in one for a long time. I am going to figure out a way to have us closer.'

'What if you can't?'

'Then we'll make a choice. We don't have to do that now.'

'Are you sure, Chris? I don't want to force you…'

'I know what you're trying to do, Sheva.' He interrupted her again. 'Guess what? I'm not easy to break. I'll handle that just fine.' He took a deep breath. 'If you want to be with someone else someday, then you tell me and I promise I won't be mad at you. I'll let you go. But not before you give up on me.'

Sheva smiled at his naive remark.

'Chris… This isn't it. I don't think I'd ever want to be with someone else.' She sighed honestly.

'I don't either, Sheva. So, will you give us a chance?'

'Yes… but we have to find a way to get us close or I will let you go free.'

He laughed loudly at her statement, thinking of how caring and innocent she could be sometimes.

There was no way he could 'go free' and enjoy life without her. She was his life.


Leon and Claire joined Chris and Sheva at her new place in the afternoon, as Chris was getting ready to leave.

'Chris, I can't believe you're already going! I barely saw you.' Claire said in a very disappointed tone.

'I'm sorry, sis. I really don't want to go. I wish we could all stay here longer.' He affirmed, hugging Claire tight. 'You could have joined us yesterday. But apparently you were busy.' He said, giving a Leon a threatening glance.

Leon laughed at his comment.

'Come on, Chris. Claire and I needed to catch up.'

'Why not catching up here?'

'Chris, leave them alone.' Sheva retorted, bringing some refreshments to her guests.

'Well, I will, once I know what's going on.' He said defiantly, crossing his arms under his chest.

Claire smiled and put her hands up.

'Oh God. I just feel like I'm 14 years old and skipped class to make out with a boy in the car.'

Leon continued.

'He's got the right to know, Claire.' Leon faced Chris and continued. 'We are together now.'

'What do you mean together?' Chris asked as Sheva rolled her eyes up, impatient with his bossy attitude.

'We're a couple.'

Chris gasped.

'What the f*?'

Claire laughed and stood up close to Leon, holding him.

'We decided to give each other a chance, 'daddy'.' Claire said, mocking Chris. 'Leon and I had unsolved feelings and issues. We'll be living in different cities but we'll figure something out. That's what we do when we love, right?' Claire asked, facing Chris. Sheva knew that the comment was directed to them.

'Right…' Chris said, defeated. 'But look, son of a b*, you better walk the line with Claire. She's golden.'

'Why do you think I want her, Chris?' Leon said, kissing her forehead.

Sheva was truly happy for them. But she felt a pang of jealousy of their attitude. She wished she was like that, fearless and completely sure things would go fine. She walked to her room to put a blanket she had just bought on her bed.

As she entered the room, she felt emptiness crush her body. There were no memories of Chris there. His manly and mighty fragrance wasn't in the pillows.

As she sat down on bed, she heard Claire's voice at the door.

'Hey, Sheva. I love your place.'

'Thanks, Claire. It's way too small, but I'm not that big either.' She chuckled.

Claire walked in and sat on the bed with her.

'Sheva, I know how it feels. I'll be in the same situation in a couple of days. I don't want to let Leon go. But trust me, whatever will be, will be.'

Sheva smiled. She really liked Claire. She had that jovial sparkle in the eyes sometimes and she reminded her of Chris.

'You're right, Claire. I'm afraid, but I'll leave it on his hands.'

'No, Sheva. Don't do that. If he doesn't think that he is worth to fight for, he'll be the one to give up. You seem to be a tough girl when you want to be.'

'Not when I'm in love, apparently.' She laughed sarcastically.

'Well, now it's time to fight for him and be that tough girl he said you were. Stick to him, care for him the same way you did in Africa.'

'You're right.'

'Leon and I will be around a couple of days, please join us tomorrow for dinner. It'll be my pleasure… But now, we just stopped by to say goodbye. You have a couple of spare hours with Chris before he leaves…' She came closer to Sheva and whispered on her ears. 'Make them unforgettable.'

Claire gave a naughty wink and walked out of the room saying 'Leon, time to go see that play.'

Sheva smiled at the thought of Claire's words. She was right. She wanted to give Chris a choice and she would still do it. But she would really make those last hours get stuck in his mind forever.


'What exactly are you talking about, Miss …?'

'…Rogers.' Jill spoke. There was no way she would give her real name to that kind of doctor. 'What I'm saying is…' She paused, coughing. 'I have 'something' inside me.'

'Something? You mean a child?'

'Not sure. Maybe a monster.' She smiled, knowing that the doctor knew she could be crazy.

'Are you on medication?'

'Yes, but not strong ones. I was raped, doctor.'

'Oh.' He said, clicking his pen.

'But I was raped by a person who was doing a lot of experiments on himself. Something that I can't explain to you because it is government confidential. I just want you to examine me and see if the 'thing' is like a normal child or if you see something different about it.'

The doctor picked up the phone, never removing the gaze of hers.

'Miss Walters. Can you please help me with a patient?'


Chris stared out of the window from inside the airplane, even though he couldn't see anything. He was so lost in his own thoughts that didn't hear the flight attendant offering him something to drink. His thoughts were of Sheva. He couldn't forget the look in her eyes when Claire and Leon left. She was more confident and positive. He also couldn't forget the things she did on their last hour together.

'How long till you have to leave?' She had asked, walking towards him.

'Little less than two. Why?' He asked, surprised.

Sheva kissed Chris intently, hungrily. He was taken by surprise with her attitude. She seemed as giving and hot as when they first made love. They had passionate and wild sex, as if there was nothing holding them apart. He also couldn't forget her words, as she sat on top of him, her wavy hair covering half of her face. She said he was the person she loved the most in life and she would never give up on him. He sat down, letting her straddle her legs, and held her tight. He swore he would find a way to bring them back together. 'I trust you.' She said, as they fell into the deepness of their last minutes together.

Chris had his computer on even though he wasn't doing any work. He opened up one of the pictures of them together in London. It did hurt to see her and think she was so far away now. That soft mocha skin touching his, her sweet voice whispering on his ears, her warm lips melting on his… His eyes were damp after staring at the photo for a while. He shook his head and tried to get focused again. He couldn't remember the last time a woman made him want to cry. He was too tough and busy to deal with emotions. But it was all he wanted to do now. To be in his bed and let his emotions flow. But he had a job to do in Texas. After he was done, his job would be to find a way to bring her close.


Sheva walked back slowly to her flat. She was in no hurry to her new life, alone again. She had been so focused on getting Chris to the airport in time to his flight that she realized she hadn't even locked her door when they left.

When Sheva walked in the room, she found Jill sitting on her couch. Her eyes were red and her hands were clasped together.

'Jill?'

'Sorry, I knocked three times and the door was open. I saw Chris's itinerary on the table and figured you were both gone…'

'It's okay, Jill. What's going on?' Sheva rushed to the couch.

At Sheva's touch on her shoulder, Jill burst out crying, shaking and sobbing unstoppably.

'Easy, Jill. It's alright.' Sheva repeated over and over, holding her hands. 'Tell me what happened.'

'I'm pregnant.'

Sheva's eyes widened at her friend's response.

'What do you mean? You were locked all those years…' Sheva stopped talking, realizing it wasn't a normal situation. 'Did they make you pregnant? Were they running an experiment?'

'No. Wesker just f**ed me against my will. Simple like that.'

Sheva sighed and shook her head.

'Do you remember if he touched you?'

'Yes. I remember everything now.'

'Did you tell the doctors?'

'No!' Jill responded, standing up and walking around nervously. 'They don't know yet. I can't believe how clueless they can be. They keep running a thousand tests on me, but they haven't figured out yet. I'm almost 3 months…' She said, holding her belly. Then she looked fixedly at Sheva. 'They can't know about it, Sheva. Please, promise me you won't tell them.'

'Ok, I won't tell them. But how will you keep this secret? Your belly will show soon.'

'I don't know what to do yet. I went to an abortion doctor today and had him examine 'it'.'

Sheva couldn't speak. It was too much information on her at the same time.

'I wanted to know if there's something evil and wrong about it.'

'What is it?'

'There is nothing wrong with it, actually.'