So it's been a long time since I was able to actually write anything for this story. Not only was I planning my wedding, but my now husband, lost his job and I haven't had the time to worry about writing. Sorry, that's life :-P So after more then 6 months, he finally has a job again and the stress is off my back and imagine-- the 2nd day after he started his new job, I started to feel the urge to write more of this story! BTW-I was very unhappy with RE5... But that's just me… sorry the ending sucked.

On with the story! Please enjoy it and send me a REVIEW TO KEEP ME GOING!!!! Thank you very much ^_^

-Luky

…

Chapter Ten

…

The Green Eyed Monster

…

…

…

He was pissed.

Placing his hands on his lean hips he straightened. He'd been in this stuffy room for hours it felt like and he wasn't feeling any better then he had when he'd gotten to the facility where the fugitive, as they called him, was being held. He'd come here to personally interrogate the bastard about what he was doing in Ashley's apartment at night, holding her down and bleeding on her. Thinking about it made another roll of anger wash over him.

Scratch that-- he hadn't felt good since he woke up that morning and seeing Ashley all cozy and friendly with Seth had made him feel like an angry, half starved animal that was caged-- and feral.

He hadn't even thought about it until then but it did occur to him that despite Ashley having said she "loved him" on the beach, didn't mean it wasn't just a delirious hallucination brought on by exhaustion and stress. Hell, he'd seen enough of that kind of mumbling to last him a lifetime-- what made him think she really meant it? She probably had no idea that she'd said it anyway. And she was just a kid; her perceptions of "love" could be nothing more then

'Why the hell do I care anyway-- she's just an assignment that I have for the next couple of months until everything cools down. When she's all better I'll be reassigned…' he thought to himself. Gritting his teeth he swung his foot into a chair and cursed when it crushed his toe. He didn't know why but the thought of being reassigned both reassured and distressed him.

Try as he might, the dark voice in his head whispered back at him-- his conscious telling him that she was just an assignment-- an "assignment" that he'd made out with like a 16 year old boy and fantasized about sleeping with more then once. He tried to stuff the voice back down but it refused to be stifled. The little green monster was burning through him as he thought of Ashley having dinner with Seth-- his mind revolting against in as soon as it entered into his head.

But she had seemed right at home with him in her apartment-- he had to be honest; it had made him feel really uncomfortable and angry. Hearing anyone trying to talk to Ashley or to try to take her out, made his blood boil. Staring down at the man below him he couldn't help but let his anger radiate from his voice as he stood over him, powerfully poised to strike him if he made even a twitch in the wrong direction.

"So tell me…" he breathed heavy, eyeing the man with hatred that would make someone's insides curl, "what you were doing at her apartment again?" his eyes glared into the man below him, who was cowered against the wall. He'd only been in here for half of an hour but the man was speechless. He'd come in, pissed off and angry from that morning. It was a shame he'd been told to interrogate Rick Reynolds personally for what he'd done.

He'd rushed over to Ashley's place, knowing damn well that Seth had spent the night. He knew what it was like to watch over a woman like Ashley. He'd been tempted so many times and he'd barely known her for a week when he had been ready to crawl into bed and soothe away all her screams and fears. It pained him not to trust his friend but the urge still reigned in his reason and filled with need to kick some ass.

They were very compatible, he thought uncomfortably as he relished in the thought before remembering that he had left the apartment and was up until the wee hours in the morning at a bar, drinking away the night when he knew damn well that he was living right next to the woman he was supposed to protect. It was some kind of sick shit to put them so close together-- the only two apartments on the damn floor and it's his and hers? What kind of game were they playing-- He didn't have to live right next door to protect her, or perhaps there were other reasons.

Scoffing, he scratched his head as he remembered stumbling into the condo in the wee hours of the morning.

"Somebody's been out to a party tonight? Care to let me know what you've been doing, Leo?"

"Shut up, Seth…" he'd grumbled, only slightly drunk. He wasn't much of a drinker but he'd felt the urge and the bar had been filled with tons of beautiful, half naked woman who would do anything they could to take his mind off of his problems. It wasn't something he was proud of, but he'd been through hell-- and now he was stuck with one of the easiest things to covet in the world-- a woman.

"Need some help there, partner?" he said with a smile, walking over to him and helping him up with one arm wrapped around his shoulders. He didn't want to accept the help but he let it go, he was more willing to take help from him then the hooker who had tried to follow him home, "you smell like a sleazy woman-- been visiting the strip club my friend? I think I see some run-off airbrush on your pants…"

He ignored him- he always was giving him a hard time. He just wanted to get home, back to his apartment where he could try to sleep in peace without having to wake in the middle of the night to Ashley's screams. He didn't know if he could take it right now and all he wanted to do was pass out on his and forget his troubles.

"Damn it Seth, shut your mouth fur once? Why do you always have to keep running and digging at people? It gets frustrating after awhile to have your brain picked at-- I get enough of that…" he muttered as they've got to the door. Seth waved something above the eye hole and the door clicked open-- and the two of them crossed the threshold into the empty apartment.

"Not much for aesthetics are you, Leon?" he asked sarcastically, admiring the boring decorating scheme and setting the man on the bed. He watched as the man sat, his knees bent and his head in his hands. He groaned loudly, and Seth watched him, a bemused expression on his face as he began to speak.

"I just don't know Seth… I can't be around that girl-- I'll lose all my self control and I just can't do it. I won't fail another woman again. I can't… You cant imagine how hard it was in Spain to be with her-- to have to look at her… and she's screaming… screaming in her sleep for YOU… screaming for you to wake her up-- to save her from god knows what that she's cooked up in her mind…"

"There's nothing but to wake her up to face a different nightmare. A different horror… Something real and horrifying that no girl should ever have to see, let alone someone like Ashley…" he trailed off as Seth sat down next to him.

Putting a comforting hand on his shoulder he felt his friend be silent for the first time. He was thinking… Thinking of how to respond to what he had said. It had been so hard-- and drinking for the first time in months had seemingly loosened his tongue in ways it never usually was. He felt the urge to scream as he heard her again in his ear-- a memory from the past-- crying out for help.

"I just… can't shake it man…" he sighed, feeling broken as memories flashed before his eyes. Even the weight of Seth's hand on his shoulder was not enough to weigh him down to earth and he was so unaccustomed to the floating sensation that the alcohol had given him that he felt like he was sliding off the bed, regardless of the fact that he was completely stationary.

"The sound of her while she's dreaming?" he asked quietly.

"You heard her didn't you? She screams… and doesn't stop and there is nothing anyone can do but shake her until she stops or..."

'…hold her close…'

Seth nodded, his brow furrowed. He'd heard. Leon knew he had to of heard her. The sheer fact that he wasn't opening his mouth and rambling proved how serious those dreams appeared to be. Part of him was happy she was in therapy over it, good god, sometimes he wondered if he needed to be. The utter fear in her voice as she screamed in the night was enough to make any man's blood run cold. He had felt it many times; he knew what it was like to see a woman in pain, needing protection from her own mind-- but being unable to help her.

"I just… don't know how to react to a woman who needs protecting when I can't do it. How can I protect her from herself..?"

…

He blinked from the memory and again turned to the man below him who was looking at him, confused and uncertain of what to say to the man who seemed in another world. He reached down and grabbing the man by the collar, again addressed his anger and frustration by spitting into his face angrily, "Tell me damn you! What the hell do you think you were doing with the president's daughter?!"

The man below him appeared scared to tears, his nose busted and the blood still smeared across his handsome features but for some reason, Leon wasn't buying it. He was hiding something and he was going to get it out of him. They hadn't taken any precautions with him. A quick run of his information they found on him pulled up a detailed list of everything that was on him. He was 27, his age and a reporter for Entertainment Tonight who'd been fired for not reporting in for more then 3 months when he'd been stuck in quarantine. Looking at him, he barely recognized him as the man he'd elbowed in the face on the beach that day but he had to ask why he'd been there. If he recalled, not very often American reporters had full gear with them while vacationing on a beach to catch a glimpse of a story.

'Damn reporters…'

"I'm sorry-- I was just-- I just-- I just… "he mumbled and Leon punched him again in the stomach, satisfied to let his anger out on the man. He didn't feel any pity. He grabbed him by his wounded arm that had been bandaged and made the man scream in pain. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to scare the little bitch-- you've ruined me whole li--"

He stopped as Leon planted another fist against his teeth, effectively silencing him. He groaned in pain and slid down against the wall.

"Don't you EVER refer to her as a bitch around me you scum bag! You like to beat on women? Just you wait… I'm going to send you to one of the nuttiest, scummiest prisons in this entire country for what you've done!" and he kicked him, hard in the ribs. He tried to contain his anger but he was frustrated-- and couldn't help himself.

He had his hands on Ashley. He'd hurt her. He'd tried to pin her on the bed to do what in God's name, he didn't want to know. Thinking about it made him plant his fist right against his eye causing him to yelp like a beat dog and scuttle away from him

Seeing red, he turned away. If he wasn't careful, he'd just as well kill the man for what he had done to Ashley. Mercilessly killing anyone who had dared to hurt her seemed like a good idea at the moment but he needed information, and he wasn't much for wasting bullets on bastards like this one. He wasn't much for killing-- but he was effectively trained in it and he couldn't help the profession he had chosen.

Turning away from the man he walked towards the table and sitting on it, addressed him again, "You just wanted a story? Did you just want a story and you had to get it out of her? What the hell were you thinking? Assault the president's daughter? Didn't you learn the first time!?" he yelled as the man sunk lower against the wall, bleeding from his mouth and a cut above his eye.

Just as he was ready to get up and pounce again the door slid open with the mechanical whir of machine links twisting to reveal Seth walking in, calm as day, smoking a cigarette and humming to himself. The man watched the other and shouted to him, "are you going to help me-- this guys going to kill me! I want my fucking lawyer!"

Seth nodded to Leon and despite his earlier anger he nodded back to him before turning to look at the man. Seth inhaled deeply, sighing heavy and relishing in the taste of the drag-- enjoying the slow burn it made as it coursed through his lungs. He looked at the man with a half smile on his face before turning to see Leon, barely sweating and breathing heavy with anger. He was surprised at the cold look he gave him but he ignored it for the moment, instead choosing to toy with their new prey.

"Well we've got our very own little weasel here, buddy…" he lazily said, taking another hit from his cigarette and watching the man shudder in response to hearing he was a friend of the man assaulting him. "But what I want to know is… what we need to do with him now?"

Leon gave him an eye and scoffed turning away from the both of them. He felt like Seth was a brother he'd never had-- but right now, he didn't even want to see him, or Ashley-- or this scumbag. Seth distantly was aware of his strange behavior but ignored it, "so what I'd like to know is what he was planning on getting from Ashley. I mean-- never mind what a beautiful woman she is…" he trailed off.

Leon stiffened despite himself. Seth took notice.

"…but if you were interested in going public with her story-- how in the world could you possibly believe the government would ever let you post that story. You wouldn't have even been able to put a conspiracy blog up without us knowing it. So tell me why you did it and who you work for; before we send you to a tiny cell with a very, VERY lonely cell mate."

He walked closer to the man, lazily puffing on his cigarette as he spoke. The man was trying to sink lower against the wall as he did but as Seth came closer to him he put a mask of anger on his face that was easy to see through. Weak men like him were only strong against people like Ashley-- people who couldn't protect themselves. Like Seth's father had been. He knew he didn't like the man, long before he'd even gotten into this room.

Seth leaned closer to his face and the man reared back quickly and pushing forward, spat straight into his eye. Seth didn't so much as blink in surprise as Leon jumped smoothly from the table and came around the side of him as he carefully wiped at his face where blood and saliva dripped.

"Well now…" he said as he reached over and wiped in on the front of his bloodied shirt.

"Seth…" Leon's voice was a warning to him even as he knew that he was easily able to contain his rage-- not like him.

"You like to beat on woman and spit on men? I'd like to see you try THAT… in prison…" he said softly, with a lace of malice in his voice as he took one last drag on his cigarette and carefully reaching over, pressed the glowing amber against the mans eyelid. The man screamed as Seth buried it against his sizzling flesh, blowing the smoke in his face as he did so. The man cried out, tears pouring from his eyes as he began to sob theatrically.

Leon watched in mute satisfaction and said, "It doesn't matter where you think your going-- any remaining relatives will be notified of your crimes against America and will be told of where you are being held. Until then, enjoy your time in federal prison." He shrugged as Seth straightened, laughed softly and turned to leave. Leon felt the urge to kick him again but he ignored it-- he was going to get enough of a greeting in prison when the rumor of him raping a girl circulated the prison.

As they head towards the door he spoke again, his voice hoarse, blood dripping along his lips and cheeks from his freshly broken nose as he sputtered, "Send me to prison. I'll let everyone with visitation rights know just how scared Ashley was… I think it's interesting…" he started as both men turned to hear him speak, "how she reacted to my… assault."

Seth watched Leon's jaw twitch with anger and uncertainty. Had he done something else? Had he hurt her more then they knew? What exactly happened to Ashley that made him so confident of his position against them? What "reaction" did she have?

"You'd think she'd had a bad experience from the way she reacted to my touch. If you stick me in a cell by myself and don't restrict my visitors then I won't tell a soul about what happened. Otherwise I'll use my now limited but still powerful connections to make sure that everyone knows about what happened to her-- about your little beach story… and about how the government lied about her whereabouts all this time…"

"Or we could just kill you." Seth said matter-of-factly, as if he were discussing dinner with a friend. Rick's face rippled in horror at the sheer honesty he saw in Seth's facial expression.

Leon felt sickness at the man swarm his senses as he thought just how many connections he'd have. And in a prison there would be no secrets. No matter what prison they put him in, they were always allowed mail correspondence and if they already couldn't afford to protect Ashley with a full arsenal of men as he thought she should be-- then there would be no to have all the personae needed to screen all the letters that went out of a prison, no matter how small it was-- or remote.

"One word… Reynolds…" he swore, feeling the urge to smack him again on the other eye to give him a complete raccoon eye look to go with his other charming new features, "…one word and that's it for you. We'll make sure you disappear. Hell-- your career is already finished and your life is over. What's the sense of ending it? You've got your single cell but your visitation is zero-- and no mail correspondence. The only thing you get is an attorney and that won't do you much good with the charges we're going to stick you with."

The men watched as Rick started to laugh, blood dripping into his mouth causing him to cough hard, only to start laughing again. Waving his hand in front of him, he huddled closer to the floor as he said, "you've got a deal boys-- You won't have to worry about me ever again…"

They left him there, twitching on the floor and clutching his face and laughing. The whole thing made them feel like they'd broken him but despite it-- it seemed like he'd made out with more then they had. Maybe they'd been rough on him but both men had wanted to do much worse, for Ashley's sake. No girl in the world should have to deal with that kind of fear… and a man who abused a woman for whatever reason, no matter how severe the abuse, was a damn coward and deserved an ass kicking from someone-- especially if that girl didn't have any brothers or a father to do it for them. Plus, a single cell was the biggest thing he'd get from them-- they still had showers together….

Walking down the corridor, Leon was silent. He was still feeling pretty angry and beating on Rick hadn't made him feel any better about what he'd seen that morning. He wasn't willing to speak right now and it seemed that despite his never-ending lack of topics, Seth was silent too-- if only for a moment.

"What a scumbag." he spat as he pulled out another cigarette and lit it.

"Damn right. That bastard is going away for a long, long time and it's a good thing his mother doesn't speaks to him otherwise this could have been a much bigger issue to deal with…" he said, trailing off.

"What a winner! I bet he drank too. Isn't it so easy to hate a man? Jeez, you did a number of him Leon-- I'm proud! You wouldn't have done that before you'd gone to Spain." he said as they walked.

Leon didn't hesitate. He hated how Seth could so easily bring up something so awful and make it sound so light hearted. Such a shame you couldn't really do it for something like Spain. "Yeah well, things like that change people. It's hard to be who I was after you see something like that."

"So that means Ashley changed too, right?" he asked, giving him the bait.

"I…" Leon started, giving Seth a dirty look form the corner of his eye, "yes. She changed too I'm sure."

They turned a corner and saw a few military personal who saluted as they walked past. They both saluted back quickly and continued, stepping into the final clearance room. Pulling out their name tags they swiped them in front of the door and putting both hands against the wall spoke into it.

"Alpha"

"Bravo"

The door opened into what looked like a closet. Stepping into it, they opened the door, pulling open the door and stepping out into a deserted hallway. They closed the door to the broom closet and kept walking forward towards the front entrance to the building.

"Why are you so edgy my friend, strippers didn't help you out at all last night?" he asked with a smirk. A momentary lapse of judgment it seemed-- but he couldn't miss out on the opportunity to tease him about it. Leon had his fair share of sarcasm but he had been a little more uptight then ever before lately-- he was starting to think he was no fun underneath all the brooding and anger.

"Damn it Seth, that's not funny. I didn't go there for that-- it was the nearest bar and… well…" he remembered the way she felt as he kissed her and a momentary flare of lust caused him to stop. He didn't want to think about the way her sweet body had felt so good against his-- and not in a platonic way as he had before-- this was basic need and the thought made his insides twist with something he couldn't name-- guilt, perhaps… for taking advantage, and letting what seemed like a physical need overcome his desire for another… Seth stopped too, a few steps forward to turn and look back at him.

Considering his words carefully he said, "There's other things between the two of us that is hard to explain. I couldn't put some things in my briefing. Some things are to remain private." he started, realizing that this was probably the only man he could safely tell this next information too and wanting badly to get it off his chest.

"You mean with Ashley?"

"Yes. Things happened when your on a mission, especially with a girl-- and I'm still all shook up about it. I feel like a scumbag-- worse then that asshole Rick…" he said motion with his thumb towards the building behind them. "I feel like I've taken advantage of her wrongly without real feeling it…"

"But while we were there-- there was an operative unit that was there working against me, the faction detailed in my briefing that was trying to recreate umbrella. It just so happens that the operative who managed to get the T-virus from me was Ada. Ada Wong." he heaved a sigh, expecting his friend to blow up on him.

He was simply silent, biting his lip as he put his hands on his hips and looked out against the city. He scanned the people and the cars that were driving on the street in front of the disguised military building. People that were so unsuspecting. These people that were so happy and so miserable in their lives-- lives they could call their own.

"Damn it, Leon…" he spat, real anger evident in his voice as he addressed the sullen man behind him, "you let something go because of a woman?" It was the only the second time he had seen Seth visibly angry. He had turned to him and grabbing him by the shirt shook him.

"God damn it-- she had a gun to my fucking head you ass! What was I supposed to do, let her blow up the island with my dead body on it and Ashley's too?! If I hadn't nobody would have lived through this and the government wouldn't have had any idea about it!" he yelled, smacking his hands away.

"Don't give me that shit-- you did it for Ada!" Seth hissed angrily.

Leon couldn't deny how he'd felt when he'd seen her dangling on the rope, knocked out right before he fought Salazar. He could save her from that problem, it was his first priority when he'd seen her hanging, not like she ever needed his protection anyway. She was a cunning woman who did want she needed to for her job and didn't give any pause for things like emotions. Not since Raccoon city. And there had been moments. He knew she still had feelings for him. She was trapped as being a spy-- he had to get her out of that business.

"Damn it Leon, it's not time for La La fucking land! Did you hear me? You let a spy take a dangerous virus away from us to use as a potential biological weapon against innocent people like Ashley and others!"

"Shut up Seth-- it's easy for you! You didn't have to watch her die in your dreams night after night!" he yelled, letting too much of himself show but he couldn't help it, "Knowing damn well each time there's nothing you can do to change the outcome-- she was going to die no matter what you do and there's nothing you can do about it! How would you feel if you woke up and realized she was still alive?! How would you feel knowing you had watched her die over and over again in your dreams for nothing?!" he yelled, grabbing him by the shirt and shaking him roughly.

"Are you so sure I don't understand how you feel, friend?" Seth asked softly, his eyes narrowed into dangerous slits that just begged for a challenge. Leon bit his tongue, realizing what he had just said and mentally berated himself as the words reverberated in his mind.

"I'm sorry Leon… but it's been six years… it's time to get past that."

"Well that's easy for you to say." he spat, turning and walking away from him.

"It isn't EASY for me. I can see there are other things more important than your past but you've got to respect my position too. You have to get over it Leon, there is a girl who is bright as day who needs your help more then Ada ever will. You've got to stop living with your ghosts and move the fuck on."

Leon froze, remembering Ashley after an instant. He'd forgotten about her… if only for a moment.

"Your telling ME, about moving on? She doesn't need me anymore anyway, Seth. I brought her home-- mission complete. Plus she seemed to get along real well with you-- maybe you should consider being her bodyguard instead of me." he said bitterly, not realizing he'd said it like that. Despite himself, the image of Ashley happy and running towards him was sweet-- but when the image changed to her running to Seth it made his blood boil.

"Leon."

He heard the soft tone and he turned to look at his friend whose hands were spread out on either side.

"I know it's hard to let go of your ghosts-- but you're not the same man from then-- and I'm sure Ada isn't either. I know it's easier to love a woman with a gun-- but it's a sick pleasure to like it when she puts the gun against your head." Leon scoffed, hating him for being so obvious.

"You make it sound so simple Seth. Forget your feelings for one woman and run to another? I can't do something like that." he said turning and walking towards his car.

Seth watched him go and shouted, "Why not? The ladies are easy and I do it all the time!"

He didn't respond so he yelled back, angry again, "She needs someone Leon and if you keep pushing her away-- she's going to run to someone else and you'll be left in the dust. Don't you ever blame anyone else for pushing her away but yourself!"

He kept walking, seemingly ignoring him.

"You know damn well how she feels you cold bastard! If she were crying out for me in her sleep I would have left the memory of Beth in an instant to save her from that misery-- and she would have wanted that-- and you want it too-- you just push her away because you're a fearful bastard!!!" he yelled, his own heart clutching desperately as he fought with his own composure.

Watching him get to his car and open it, jumping in with ease, Seth looked down at his cigarette that had burnt out while they'd been talking. Giving a grunt of frustration he dropped it on the ground and smearing it against the sidewalk before pulling out another and lighting it-- watching Leon swerve into the oncoming traffic to get out of the spot and barrel away.

His hands shook a little as he lit his cigarette and breathing in deeply, felt the warmth flood his chest, circulating the nicotine and relieving his pounding headache. As he started to feel the affects of the nicotine circulate through his system he felt a familiar feeling wash over him, the feeling of being watch. Not changing the direction he surveyed the entire surrounding area with his peripherals not seeing anything. Shrugging he relented. He wasn't mistaken but he let it go-- there was no way to safely figure out who it was that was watching him without making it obvious.

"You can run all you want, but your running in circles my friend." he said to himself before turning and walking towards his own car. He distantly wondered if he'd said that out loud for the benefit of someone else or if he really did just like talking to himself. Regardless he had to go pick up Ashley from the Doctors, after all. He'd be glad when he could get back to his own mission.

…

From a nearby building someone peered through the binoculars at the building that the two men had just walked out of. They'd been waiting for such a long time for Leon to walk into the building but they had been surprised to see the presidents personal bodyguard walk out too. Leon was the target but it was definitely interesting to see that the president was more interested in his daughter's safety this time around.

It had been so easy to get to her the first time but now that everyone was on their toes from Spain it would be much more difficult. They'd have to set up a surveillance on the two on them to make sure nobody got to the before someone else did. Rather, there was a source that had just opened up that had some valuable information on Ashley that they'd be utilizing soon.

The person sat back as it watched Leon get into his car and drive away and then watched as the President's bodyguard seemed to light a cigarette peacefully. They sat back and thoughtfully fingered the camouflage binocular sides, thinking about how they would achieve they're goal as quickly, and as efficiently possible. The thoughts made them excited for action even though there was to be no action soon. Soon they'd be flying to Washington to have a little visit.

…

…

…

So what did you think?! Basically… Leon is tortured with Jealousy between Ashley and anyone, but he can't let go of his feelings towards Ada… his first love who he let die. I mean, honestly think on how that had to weigh on a man like Leon. Hopefully I had made this as realistic as possible for everyone. I have to say I absolutely love Seth, almost as much as Leon, in later chapters he becomes incredibly interesting and a fun plot twist kind of character ^_^ Hope you enjoyed this!

I'm really looking for a reliable proofreader for this. Grammar is not my forte :-) Thanks everyone!

Please REVIEW AND TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK SO FAR!!!

-Luky