-1Chapter Ten
Claire wrapped the towel more tightly around her damp body, her gaze on the man hastily redressing a few feet away. Leon had interrupted her bath in the best possible way, reminding her once again of the reason she had fallen so hard for him. She smiled to herself as she perched carefully on the edge of the bathtub. Leon caught her look, returning her smile even as he blushed, and she couldn't help but laugh.
"You're too much," she told him laughingly. "How can you blush after what we just did?"
Leon shrugged embarrassedly as he tucked his shirt in and reached for his boots. "Hey, I'm not the one who attacked you, Claire. I believe it was the other way around."
Her smile only widened. "At least, I didn't get your uniform all wet. I did let you take it off, remember?"
He sat on the small toilet and laced the boots, shooting her a look of fond exasperation. "I'm going to be late now, you know."
Claire's smile dimmed slightly at his words. "I know. It's just that--" She sighed heavily. "We've been fighting so much lately. I'm. . .I don't want to lose you, Leon."
Leon stilled, his gaze shooting to hers. He was shocked, not only by her words, but at the uncharacteristic uncertainty in her brilliant cerulean eyes. "You're not going to lose me, Claire," he told her intensely. "You and Sherry are my life. Don't you know that?"
She bit her bottom lip in a nervous gesture. "I've been hard to get along with lately," she said at length. "I don't know why I've been acting like this, but it's not how I usually am. I really do love you, Leon."
"I know you do, Claire." He quickly tied the laces and reached for her hand. He smoothed his thumb over her damp skin in a soothing gesture. "We've been through a lot, honey. It's been hard on all of us. As soon as we find your brother, we'll be able to get our bearings, and start building a life together. It's just going to take time."
Claire gripped his hand tightly, her gaze searching his intently. "You have the most beautiful eyes, Leon." He blushed again, ducking his head, and she reached out to brush his hair out of those bright blue eyes. "When I look into them, I feel like I can see my future."
His head came up swiftly. "You can, Claire."
He reached out and pulled her onto his lap, ignoring her surprised squeal. "I'm here for as long you want me," he murmured, closing his eyes as he laid his head against her chest. He felt her hands move through his hair and sighed contentedly. In a few moments, he'd ruin this by bringing up Billy and his offer. For now, it was enough to hold her, and know that she cared for him.
Claire hugged him tightly, brushing her lips over the crown of his head. He was so tense, she thought with a wince. He'd been working so hard to support them, to take care of them, that he hadn't been taking care of himself. He worked long hours to keep a roof over their heads, while she spent all of her time searching for Chris. She snapped at him whenever he spoke to her, and she hated it. Part of it was worry for Chris; She'd never gone this long without contact with him, and she was terrified that Umbrella would catch him in Europe and kill him.
Another part was guilt. She had money in the bank. Not much, but it would be enough to fly to Europe when she finally heard from her brother. Still, she should have given some of it to Leon. She should have helped him pay for their care, instead of hoarding it. Not that he'd censured her for it. Leon wasn't like that. But she knew damn good and well that she wasn't pulling her own weight here, and that really made her angry.
She was torn between her love for her big brother, and her love for Leon and Sherry. If something happened to Chris because she wasn't there to help him, she'd never forgive herself. But she was terrified of losing Leon, too. She knew that he loved her. He'd never even tried to hide it. But she knew that he had loved the other woman he'd met in Raccoon City, too.
Claire felt a rush of jealousy and quickly tamped it down. Leon didn't believe that he'd been in love with Ada Wong, but she could tell. She knew Leon well enough to know that, while he would mourn the loss of any human life, he wouldn't grieve as he had for Ada if he hadn't loved her. She hated that the other woman had been so important to him, even as a part of her was afraid that the only reason they were together was because Ada Wong was dead.
She made a rough sound and tightened her hold. Leon's arms tightened around her in return, and she pushed thoughts of the other woman aside. Leon was with her now. Even if Ada Wong were to somehow come back, she would find a way to keep him. She wouldn't let anyone separate them.
"Claire?"
"Yeah?" she questioned softly.
"I don't think we should stay here much longer."
Claire stiffened for a moment before sighing again. It was the same 'talk' they'd been having for the last week. He wanted to take Billy Coen up on his offer, and stay in that huge mansion. He was convinced that someone was watching them, and it was really wigging him out. She wasn't so sure that he wasn't just being paranoid, but after all they'd already been through, dismissing his fears outright hadn't been her smartest move.
"What if he's guilty?" she asked in a quiet voice.
Leon lifted his head slowly, his cherubic features solemn as he met her gaze. "I'll quit my job," he told her. "I'll stay with you guys twenty-four-seven, if that's what it'll take to make you feel secure."
Claire only nodded. "You really don't think he's guilty, do you?"
"No, I don't." Leon shook his head as he straightened, shifting her so that he could look at her more evenly. "The man who gave us money to eat when we were flat broke isn't a man who is capable of killing anyone. He's a nice guy, Claire. I think we can trust him."
She sighed again and nodded, unable to hide her reluctance. "All right," she said finally. "We'll go see him in the morning, after you get off work. I'll even apologize, if I have to."
Leon smiled at that, hugging her tightly as relief rushed through him. "Thank you, Claire," he said with gratitude.
Claire only hugged him in return before climbing off his lap. "Come on, you'd better get going," she said, grabbing his hands and hauling him to his feet. "I'll talk to Sherry while you're gone, so she's ready for the move."
She grasped the doorknob and he laid a hand over hers, stopping her. She looked over her shoulder, her beautiful blue eyes widened slightly with surprise. "What's wrong, Leon?"
"Nothing." Leon dipped his head and brushed his lips over hers, lingering at her appreciative moan. "I love you, Claire Redfield."
She smiled and kissed him deeply. "I love you too, Leon Kennedy."
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Joseph swung at the hanging punching bag before him, his red-gold eyes narrowed in anger. If he had been thinking rationally, he'd have been grateful that the large canvas bag was bolted to both the floor and the ceiling, making it hard for him to destroy it. As it was, all he could think about was Ada Wong, and the pictures she had so casually urged him to see. Images of Jill and Chris flashed through his mind, followed by Ada's gloating smile, and he hit the bag as hard as he could. It rocked violently but held, and he hit it again.
Damn her! he thought with a volatile mixture of rage and hurt. How could she do that to him? She had known how much seeing Jill with Chris would hurt him. He had told her all about the implosion of their relationship, and he knew she had understood. Yet she had purposely set it up so that he would know exactly how close the woman he loved had become with another man!
"Why?" Joseph muttered aloud, pounding on the bag for all he was worth. He hadn't pressed her for a change in their relationship. He had done nothing to make her question his loyalty to her. So why had she done something so damned cruel? What had he done to deserve that?
Moisture filled his eyes and he blinked rapidly to dispel it. He was not going to cry. He had come to terms with losing Jill after her 'death'. He had said his goodbyes to her, even if only in his heart. He still loved her--he probably always would--but they couldn't be together. It had been enough for him to know that she had survived Raccoon City's damnation. She would never again be a part of his life, and he had accepted that. So, why the hell had Ada rubbed salt in a still-open wound?!
Damn it.
Joseph felt her before he saw her. The hairs on the back of his neck stood straight up as his heartbeat doubled. His body hardened in a painful rush, every nerve ending screaming in primal recognition, and he gave the bag one last swing in retaliation. He found that, for the first time since meeting her, he didn't want to be around Ada Wong. He was no longer certain he could trust her.
He steadied the wildly swaying bag, keeping his face averted as he stilled it. "Get out," he ordered in a growl. "I don't want you here."
"I'm sure you don't." Ada watched him closely, sighing heavily as he refused to meet her gaze. "I have an explanation, Joseph."
"I'm sure you do," he returned mockingly, "but I don't want to hear it."
She frowned as she watched him grab a towel and swipe it over his heavily-muscled torso. His amber eyes were veiled, but even from here she could see the moisture clinging to his long lashes. This was what she had wanted to banish, she thought forcefully. His attachment to Jill Valentine and his former life couldn't continue if they were to achieve their goals. That was the reason she had left those photographs of Valentine and Redfield with Billy. She had wanted Joseph to see that that part of his life truly was over, and that his future rested with her and The Agency.
Unfortunately, she had overplayed her hand. If she hadn't known it before, she knew it now. Joseph might be a nearly unstoppable bioweapon, but he had retained his humanity. Unlike Wesker, who had never had one to begin with, Joseph had a soul.
He glanced her way, his expression forbidding, and she drew a deep breath. "I was trying to make a point," she began, only to be cut off.
"Like what?" he snapped caustically. "That you are all I have? I figured that one out already, lady."
Ada crossed her arms over her chest, the self-conscious gesture one she had never been able to break. "Yes," she answered at length. "I can give you any number of logical, honest explanations for my actions. But the simple truth is that I need to know that your loyalties lie only with me, not with Jill Valentine and S.T.A.R.S.."
Joseph uttered a choked laugh as he tossed the towel aside. "I'm here, aren't I?" he questioned with astonishing bitterness. "I've done everything you've asked of me. I train with you every day. I stay indoors, so that no one will see me. I put my feelings for Jill behind me weeks ago. I've put my feelings for you on the back burner, because I'm so damned scared of losing my place here."
"Joseph--"
"No." He approached with silent, graceful steps, his strikingly unusual eyes glinting in warning. "I didn't deserve that, Ada. I've done nothing wrong, nothing to make you question my devotion, either to you or our cause. If you wanted to know where my loyalties lied, you should have just asked. Ripping my heart out wasn't fucking necessary."
Ada gazed up at him, hiding her trepidation. She knew that Joseph wouldn't harm her physically, but she was scared none-the-less. She could barely admit to herself that she was afraid of this man's impact on her emotions, nevermind telling him. She was very much afraid that, for all of her experience in manipulating members of the 'stronger' sex, she was out of her element when it came to Joseph Frost.
Joseph's eyes narrowed at the fear that filled her sapphire eyes. "You're afraid of me," he stated with flat comprehension. She shook her head negatively in response, and he snorted as he turned away. "Bullshit, Ada. I've seen that look often enough since I. . .since that night in the Arklay Mountains. I know fear when I see it."
He laughed again, the sound completely lacking humor. "And here I thought I'd finally found someone who could accept me as I am. I should have known better."
"No, Joseph, that's not it." He shook his dark head and headed for the door, and she swiftly grabbed his arm to halt him. He stopped, his back to her, and she was fully aware that he could break her hold any time he wanted. No matter how strong she was now, she wouldn't be able to hold him if he truly wanted to walk away.
"It's not you that frightens me," she told him in a low, reluctant voice. "It's. . .me."
Joseph fought the urge to yank his arm away, fairly certain that any action on his part would end this confrontation in a violent way. "You've got my loyalty, Ada. I promise you that. So please," he entreated in roughly, "let me go."
Ada clung to him for a second longer before finally releasing him. "Perhaps, I handled this wrong, but I did what I had to do. You'll see that, in time."
He only nodded curtly and strode from the room, leaving her staring after him with dark eyes. He hadn't believed her, she thought with a sigh. He thought that she was like everyone else, that she feared him because he was different. He didn't understand all she been through in her quest to see Umbrella Incorporated completely decimated. Ozwell E. Spenser had destroyed her life. He had taken her parents, her future, and her place in the world away from her. He had killed the girl she had once been, and woman she hoped to become.
Victor understood. His own family had been destroyed by Spencer and Umbrella Inc.. To this day, she didn't know how he had discovered her true identity. He was the only other person alive who knew her full history with the Spencer family; Hunk's knowledge had died with him.
She pushed thoughts of the roughly charming mercenary aside. He had been both an ally and a friend, but he was gone. She had accepted it and forced herself to move on. Dwelling on it would only hurt her, and she'd had enough pain to last two lifetimes.
She turned her thoughts back to Victor, the one person who could actually help her make her dreams of vengeance come true. He had approached her two years ago, after first joining The Organization's board of directors, and offered her the deal of a lifetime. He would use his position within The Agency to undermine Umbrella, if she would use her own formidable skills outside of it. She had been skeptical at first, but once she had heard his own tale, she had understood his desire for revenge. It was the same as hers, after all.
Maybe, it was time to confide in Joseph. If she could make him understand exactly what was driving her, he might understand why she had gone to such lengths to ensure his loyalty. Perhaps, he would even be able to forgive her for hurting him as she had.
Ada raked a hand through her hair, and prayed that Joseph could be trusted with her secrets. If he ever turned on her, she have no choice but to kill him, and that was something she knew she could never do. In many ways, he was like her, lost and adrift in a world that had abandoned them. Neither could return to the lives they had once led. No matter how painful that might truth might be, it was simply the way that it was.
She followed his scent through the house, ignoring the revulsion that came from using her enhanced senses. They were a part of her now, whether she liked it or not. Like Joseph, she was determined to master the predator that the T-Virus had unleashed her. Anything else was simply unacceptable.
Ada came to the door of his suite, hesitating only a moment before stepping inside. She closed the door carefully behind her, her gaze trained on the man who sat before the wide bay window. His body tensed under her regard, the muscles in his back stiffening visibly, but he made no move to face her. She approached him slowly, her heels striking the hardwood floor. She winced as the noise echoed through her head but kept going. She had a tale to tell, and if she didn't do it now, she might never work up the courage again.
She positioned herself to the right of the window, leaned back against the wall and crossed her arms. She gazed blindly around the darkened room, her every sense focused on the man who had upset her world so completely. "My name is Lily Spencer," she said into the quiet. "Thirteen years ago, the founder of Umbrella Incorporated murdered my parents."
Joseph slanted a glance over his shoulder, his sensitive eyes locking on Ada's near-perfect profile. She continued to stare straight ahead, her husky voice devoid of all emotion as she spoke. "I was twelve. My Father worked for Umbrella. He was transferred to the London branch, and he simply disappeared. No trace of him was ever found."
Ada drew a deep breath and fought the impulse to turn towards him. "My mother was devastated, of course. My grandfather insisted that we move in with him, and naturally, Mother agreed. She wasn't able to take care of herself at the time, let alone me. He had a house full of servants who would be able to look after me until she pulled herself together."
She smiled to herself, but the gesture was sad. "That man made her life a living hell. He had never approved of my father's attachment to such a common woman. Mother was beautiful, but she wasn't one of 'their' kind. He took advantage of her grief, doing everything he could to add to it. Two months after the memorial service, my mother took her own life."
No wonder she never talked about herself, he thought with a wince. Aloud, he only said, "Why are you telling me this?"
Ada turned her head to meet his extraordinary gold-toned gaze. "That man was Ozwell E. Spencer," she said in lieu of answer. At his faint frown, she realized that he didn't recognize the name. "Ozwell Spenser--my grandfather--was one of the founding members of Umbrella. He is also the man who killed my parents and destroyed my life."
Joseph blinked as comprehension dawned. "I'm sorry," he said at length, his deep voice rich with compassion. "I can only imagine how hard that was for you."
She studied him closely, searching for signs of disgust. She saw none, and it shocked her. "Don't you understand what I just told you?" she asked, her sensual voice tinged with incredulity. "I'm a Spencer. I'm related to the man who hired Albert Wesker and ruined your life."
He only shrugged. "You don't choose your relatives, Ada."
Ada pushed away from the wall and took the two steps that separated them. "Are trying to tell me that you don't care?" she questioned with the first signs of anger. "My grandfather is ultimately responsible for your death, Joseph. That has to make you angry."
Joseph turned in his seat, his feet touching the floor as he stood to face her. "None of that is your fault," he told her in a gentle voice. He reached out slowly, giving her plenty of time to move away. When she didn't, he cradled her face in his hand and smiled crookedly. "At least now, I understand why you want my absolute loyalty."
"Do you?" she said, her tone utterly serious. "Can you truly understand why I hurt you the way that I did?"
He nodded, his gaze locked on hers. "I'm still mad as hell, but I understand, Ada."
She drew a deep, steadying breath. "Thank you, Joseph."
Joseph didn't answer. He merely smoothed his thumb over the high arch of her cheek and waited for her to pull away, as she always did when he got too close. Instead, she covered her hand with his and stepped closer. "Ada. . ." he swallowed hard as her slender, lushly-curved body brushed against his own. "What are you doing?"
She laid one graceful hand on his cheek, imitating him. "I'm seducing you, Joseph. I'd have thought that was obvious," she added with a touch of humor.
"But. . ." Her hand moved over his skin, her fingertips blazing a trail of fire to his lips, which parted under her skillful touch. "You said that you didn't want to get involved with me. Co-workers make bad lovers, remember?"
Her brilliant sapphire eyes darkened briefly. "This," she brushed her thumb over his firm bottom lip, "is what scares me, Joseph. Not you, but the effect that you have on me."
Joseph's gaze dropped to her lips of their own accord, his predatory instincts threatening to overpower him. It took every ounce of willpower he possessed to ignore his body's demands and jerk his eyes back to hers. "I would never purposely hurt you," he told her huskily. "You have to know that."
"I do." She watched his skin flush with excitement and trembled in response. "I want you, Joseph, but I'll never let you control me. If you can accept that, we can be lovers."
"Are you sure?" he asked hoarsely, an undertone of desperation coloring his words. "I don't want to control you, Ada. I just want. . ."
Joseph's voice trailed off as he searched for the words to explain the wild tumult of emotions she stirred within him. "I just want you," he told her with complete honesty. "I want the chance to be with you. You're my life now, Ada. You are all that I have."
Ada gazed up at him with gleaming sapphire eyes. "As much as I like hearing that, you shouldn't tell me such things, Joseph."
"Why not?" he questioned thickly. "It's nothing you don't already know."
"True." She couldn't suppress a pleased smile at his words. "Still, you give me a great deal of power over you when you say things like that."
"That doesn't matter, Ada." Joseph slid his arms around her waist and pulled her body flush against his. "You can have all the power over me that you want. But I have to warn you that once we start this, I'm not going to be able to stop. You have to be sure."
Ada tilted her head back as she pressed herself firmly against him. "And what makes you think I'd ask you to?" she drawled in a purr.
He bit back a moan as he voiced his greatest fear. "What if I do hurt you?" he asked quietly. "I haven't done this since-since. . ."
"I know." She slid her hands into his thick brown hair and smiled with renewed confidence. "I haven't either. I guess, we'll just have to trust one another. If you get too rough, I'll take control. You won't hurt me, Joseph. I promise you."
His red-gold eyes flashed wildly as fought for restraint. "How can you be so damned sure?"
"Because I trust you," Ada told him, realizing that it was the truth. Joseph Frost might be a very dangerous man, but never to her. "What about you, Joseph? Do you still trust me after what I did to you today? Can you?"
Joseph began to shake as his self-control began to desert him. "Yes," he all but growled. He groaned aloud as he felt her nails rake the sensitive skin at the nape of his neck. "God, Ada. . ."
She uttered a low, sensual laugh even as her body reacted violently to his. "Mmmmm, I think we should move this to--"
She laughed again as he swung her into his arms and headed straight for the bed. "A man after my own heart," she murmured as she pressed her lips to his sensitive skin just below his ear.
He jumped, a shudder running through the entire length of his body. Her wicked laughter rang in his ears as he tossed her on the big bed and quickly followed her down. Covering her body with his, he slanted his lips across hers, silencing her as the world around them disappeared in a fiery blaze.
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Carlos sat quietly in the corner, listening to Rebecca as she described the horrors she had encountered in the closed Umbrella Facility in the Arklay Mountains. Ever since their conversation the day he'd come here, she had been telling him stories like this, trying to make him understand why she loved Billy Coen. He'd taken her tales with a grain of salt at first, but he was beginning to believe that--maybe--the guy just might be innocent.
"So, this guy died ten years ago, then was brought back to life by his laboratory leeches?" he asked, interested despite himself.
Rebecca nodded earnestly. "While Dr. Marcus was telling us his story, he turned into an old man, then back into a young man again." She shivered at the memory, and the fear that accompanied it. "You should have seen Billy. He was terrified, but he didn't show it. He just stood there and told Marcus that he'd pay for what he'd done."
Carlos smiled encouragingly. "Then what happened?"
Jill frowned at him severely. "She might not want to talk about this, Carlos."
"I'm fine, Jill. Really," Rebecca assured her. She turned back to Carlos with a smile. "Dr. Marcus told us that he wasn't the one that was going to die, and then he changed into a giant leech and attacked us."
He shuddered as an image of Nemesis flashed through his mind. "I've been there, chica. Nemesis couldn't say more than S.T.A.R.S., but he was scary as hell."
"I'm glad I missed that," she said with another shiver. "Dr. Marcus and the Proto-Tyrant were enough for me."
Carlos nodded vigorously, understanding completely. "So, how'd you finally kill him?" he asked.
"Sunlight," Rebecca said softly. "We opened the hatch and exposed the Leech Queen to sunlight. That's why they stopped producing the original Progenitor strain, because the B.O.W.s couldn't used in daylight."
"I can see why they wouldn't want that," Carlos said, chuckling. "So, Count Marcus was killed by the dawn, huh?"
She laughed at the bad joke. "Well, Billy finished the queen off with a Magnum, but yes, pretty much."
He only grinned and shook his head. He liked Rebecca Chambers. What's more, he liked her as a friend. Weird, but true. He only hoped her boyfriend was as nice as she said, or he was going to get his ass kicked for his flirting someday.
"If you ever see him again, what are you going to do?"
"What do you mean?" she asked.
Carlos shrugged. "Would you run away with him, or stay here and fight?"
She frowned slightly. "I'd stay, of course. Billy would understand, Carlos. He'd want to fight with me."
If Coen was innocent, Carlos had his doubts about that. He'd spent three years in a military mental institution, been sentenced to death, and had nearly died in the Arklay Mountains once he'd finally escaped. If it had been him, he'd have run as far away as he could, from both America and Umbrella.
"Well, I hope I get to meet him someday," Carlos told her sincerely. "He really sounds like a great guy."
"Thanks, Carlos," she told him shyly.
He only smiled, thinking that she was even more innocent than Jill had said. Aloud, he only said, "I need to talk to Chris. I'll be back in a few."
"Carlos." Jill looked alarmed, and he rolled his eyes at her. "Give me some credit, Jill. I just want to talk to him about finding another H.Q. That's all."
Jill studied him for a long moment before allowing herself to relax. "Okay, then."
Carlos threw her a wink and sauntered across the small room, approaching Chris and Barry, who were deep in conversation. "Chris?" he said as he joined them. "Can we talk?"
Chris looked up from the report he was reading, one of the many files Jill had brought with her from Raccoon City, to find Carlos standing beside him. "Sure," he said slowly, tucking the file into his survival vest. "What can I do for you, Carlos?"
The younger man glanced at Barry apologetically before saying, "Alone?"
He frowned faintly even as he nodded. He led the other man to the empty hangar, his curiosity peaked. "What's this about, Carlos?"
"We need to move, Chris." Carlos leveled grave brown eyes on him. "Umbrella's probably been watching you since you got here. It's a miracle they haven't sent a team in to retrieve us, yet. We need to find another place to hide before that happens."
Chris only nodded. "I know," he said quietly. "I've been trying to find a way to get us more money. Unfortunately, everything I had was tied up in Raccoon City."
"Yeah, Jill said the same thing." The younger man shrugged, his too-pretty features taking on a self-conscious cast. "I've got a little money saved up. It's not much, only ten-thousand and change, but it'll help us rent a decent place for a while."
Chris blinked with shock. "Working for Umbrella paid that well?"
Carlos' eyes narrowed with hatred. "Si," he answered shortly. "So, what do you say, Capitan?"
Chris chose not to ask the obvious question. He didn't know Carlos Olivera well enough to invade his privacy like that. "Are you sure?" he asked at length. "That's a lot of money, Carlos."
"I'm a member of S.T.A.R.S. now, right?" At the older man's nod, Carlos relaxed and grinned. "Then, let's go find a bank. I, for one, am dying to eat something besides soup and crackers."
He laughed a little at that. "That sounds great." He hesitated before saying, "I know we didn't get off on the right foot, but thank you, Carlos."
"Forget it, Chris." Carlos shrugged embarrassedly. "I acted like a jerk, and I'm sorry for it. Just make Jill happy, and we'll call it even. Alright?"
Chris merely nodded gravely. He'd realized that Carlos was serious about Jill from the first, even if she hadn't. "I will, Carlos. I promise you that."
"Good." The younger man smiled, his expression turning smug. "Because if she ever wonders what she missed out on, I'll be more than happy to show her."
He observed the anger that flashed through the older man's eyes and laughed again. "Don't worry, Chris. I'm pretty sure that'll never happen."
Chris frowned darkly. He was never sure whether to take Carlos seriously or not. "Well, we'd better go discuss this with the others," he said, choosing not to respond. "Come on."
He turned to walk back up the stairs, smiling involuntarily as the other man's laugh rang through the air. "Little shit," he mumbled under his breath.
But it was uttered with fond exasperation. Carlos Olivera might have been an Umbrella employee, but he was nothing like the people who had employed him. If anything, he was like an overgrown child. Spoiled and fully confident in his ability to charm the adults around him. He could see why Jill had become so fond of him.
He entered the office to find Jill waiting for him, her classic features showing her concern. He shook his head, the smile still in place, as he dropped to the floor beside her. "You adopted a strange one, Valentine."
Jill grinned in relief. "Tell me about it," she returned jokingly. "If he's not flirting, he's not conscious. I told you you'd get used to him," she added in a murmur.
"So you did." Chris took her hand in his own, his cobalt eyes tender as they met hers. "He offered to share his savings with us, Jill."
She nodded, her honey-brown hair swaying with the motion. "He offered the day we arrived. He really wants to be a part of this, Chris."
"He is, babe." Chris leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Just don't let him talk you into earning him a beating, okay?"
Jill laughed at that. "Yeah, that's gonna happen," she drawled facetiously. "He's a little young for me, don't you think?"
"Hey, I heard that," Carlos declared as he plopped down across from them. "I'm not that young, chica. Just ask any of my ex's."
"You mean, they still speak to you?" she asked with mock shock.
"Ah, you wound me, Jill." He placed a hand over his heart dramatically. "If only you'd succumbed to my charms sooner. El Capitan here wouldn't have stood a chance, then."
Rebecca burst out laughing at his outrageous words. "You're going to get your butt kicked if you don't shut up, Carlos."
"Something tells me he's used to it, Becky." Barry took the only chair in the small room and moved it closer. He leaned forward, forearms on his knees, and met Chris's gaze. "What's up?"
"We need to find another H.Q., Barry."
The older man only nodded. "We need money for that, Chris."
"I know." Chris glanced at Carlos, who's grin had been replaced by a somber expression. "Carlos has offered to help us out with that."
"Si." Carlos nodded vigorously. "We should pick a bank outside of the city's limits to transfer the money. Umbrella will probably be notified the minute the clerk types in my name, and we don't want to lead them back here, just in case things don't work out. It's an off-shore account," he added in explanation, "so the government won't be involved. All we'll have to worry about is Umbrella sending a Special Forces unit for us."
"They wouldn't attack us in the bank, would they?" Rebecca asked with concern, thinking of all the innocent civilians who would be caught in the crossfire.
"No, that would be too public." Carlos shook his head negatively, ignoring his long bangs as they swayed with the movement. "They'll wait until we're on the road, away from the city. After what happened in Raccoon City, they'll want to keep as low a profile as possible."
"We're still a threat," Jill inserted flatly. "We know too much about their viral experiments. They won't let such an opportunity pass."
Barry thought of his family, safely ensconced in far-off Canada, and sighed to himself. "So," he asked quietly, "how do you want to do this, Chris?"
"Carlos and I will go into the bank," Chris answered immediately. "You, Jill, and Rebecca will be waiting outside. We'll do a thorough sweep of the area, and choose key strategic points to monitor the building. If anyone comes for us, we'll be ready."
"No." Jill set a hand on his arm, her blue-gray eyes steady on his, as she explained, "You're the best shot here, Chris. You're the only sniper among us. If anyone's qualified to cover the bank, it's you."
Chris frowned at that. "I'm in charge of Alpha Team, Jill. It's my responsibility to accompany Carlos and make sure nothing goes wrong."
"Jill is right," Barry told him. "You're the best shot we've got, and Carlos is already used to fighting with her. If it comes down to it, we'll all be a hellova lot safer with you covering their asses."
He fell silent, his frown deepening as he considered their words. He wasn't worried about Carlos' ability to protect Jill. He was a seasoned soldier, for all that he was young. And as for Jill, he knew no other woman who was capable of defending herself as well as his second-in-command. He was hesitating for no other reason than that he was scared of what might happen. After all they had gone through, he was terrified that something would happen to Jill. It was as simple as that.
"All right," he said at length. "Carlos, Jill will take you into the bank. Rebecca, Barry, and I will be waiting outside. You won't see us, but we'll be there. You go in, get the money as quickly as you can, and get out. We'll choose a predetermined escape route, and pick a rendezvous point, just in case we get separated."
He shot Jill an sidelong look. "Is that acceptable?"
She only smiled and inclined her head regally. He grasped her hand in his own and uttered a deep sigh. Now, all they had to was find a bank, withdraw the money, and hope no one got killed in the process. He glanced at Carlos, who was still in his U.B.C.S. uniform, and realized that they'd need some civilian clothing as well. No need to announce their presence to their pursuers by wearing their uniforms.
"We'll need civvies, too," he announced. "We can't run around France in our uniforms if we want to remain unnoticed. So, we should--"
"Hit the mall?" Rebecca asked with a grin.
Chris returned the smile even as he shuddered. "Just a small one," he said hastily. "I don't want to draw too much attention to our presence here."
Barry chuckled as the younger man's reaction. He had a wife and two daughters at home. He was used to shopping. "Well, let's get this over with, then," he said, rising to his feet. "I, for one, am looking forward to a real shower."
"Amen," Jill said softly. She looked down at the stained clothes she had worn for the last week and grimaced. "I can't wait to get out of this damn skirt!"
Carlos grinned at that. "I think you look ravishing, chica. There's just something about a woman in a mini-skirt that gets the blood pumping."
Chris grunted even as he silently agreed. Jill Valentine in a mini-skirt was certainly a sight to behold! Aloud, he said, "She looks just a good in combat gear, kid. I promise you that."
Jill looked at him with surprise, then shocked him by blushing. "Uh, thanks," she mumbled with embarrassment, then punched him in the arm as hard as she could as she recovered. "Don't be such a sexist pig, Redfield. You know how much I hate that shit."
He only smiled and rubbed the spot teasingly. "Damn, Valentine. That almost hurt!"
Her hazy eyes narrowed in warning, and he quickly raised him hands in surrender. "I give, Jill. I give."
"Smart man," she said before standing. She glanced at Rebecca, who was trying not to laugh as Carlos helped her to her feet. "You just have to know how to handle them, Rebecca. They all fall in line, eventually."
"Si," Carlos quipped, "we fall any way you like, so long as the payoff is worth it."
Barry shook his head even as he uttered a reluctant chuckle. God knew, it was the truth. It hadn't taken Nora long to whip him into shape. And Jill had been training Chris for more than five years, whether she realized it or not. With the closeness he'd observed between them this past week, he was pretty sure she'd already figured it out.
Rebecca laughed as she tugged her hand out of Carlos' lingering grasp. He only winked and released her, unaffected by the rejection. He was getting used to it, much to her relief. Even if she hadn't met Billy Coen, she wouldn't have been interested in Carlos Olivera. He was cute enough, but he was much too casual when it came to women. She didn't want to be a conquest. She wanted to be an equal.
Like with Chris and Jill, she thought with a pang of envy. They were a couple, but they were the best of friends, too. Chris treated her with a respect that was rare in a man with such a dominant personality. Her parents loved each other, but her dad was definitely head of their household. Her comrades were different, and their relationship was the example that she wanted to follow.
Chris was the last to stand, his midnight gaze sweeping over his unit as he did so. This was his family, he thought with a surge of emotion. He would do anything, fight anyone, to keep them safe. The best part was, he knew that they each felt the same. They truly were a family.
An image of Claire flashed through his mind, and he sighed quietly. He missed his baby sister, and he knew that she had to be worried sick about him. He'd sent her an email telling her that he was alright and not to worry, but he knew Claire too well. If she knew just what had happened to him, she would already be here, putting herself in danger to help keep him safe, and that he couldn't allow. He wanted her right where she was, safe and sound and studying her way through her freshman year of college, completely oblivious to what Umbrella had done--both to him and Raccoon City.
"Hey." He felt a hand on his arm and looked down to see Jill gazing at him with concern. "What is it?"
He shook his dark head and covered her hand with his. "I was just thinking about Claire," he admitted in a low voice. "I miss her, Jill."
"I know." Jill squeezed his hand reassuringly. "She's safe, Chris. That's what's important."
He nodded, his dark blue eyes somber. "That's what keeps me from emailing her and telling her everything," he said on a sigh. "I hate lying to her, but I don't want her involved in this."
"She'll be fine, Chris." Barry's deep voice was quiet as he spoke. "So long as we keep her in the dark, she'll never know just how close she came to losing you."
Carlos, who had been listening in bewilderment, asked, "Who's Claire?"
"My sister," Chris answered, frowning darkly as the younger man's eyes lit up. "Don't even think it, Olivera. I'd tear you limb from limb if you ever tried to--"
"Whoa, there!" Jill set her free hand on his chest, her expression stern. "Calm down, Chris. Claire's in another country, and even if she wasn't, she'd have no problem dealing with Carlos' flirting. You know that," she added with exasperation.
He drew a deep breath and reigned in his temper, inclining his head curtly. He did know that. He'd raised Claire to be strong. Much like Jill, she didn't take shit from anyone. If she were here, she'd have Carlos cowering in a corner, terrified of her temper. This was just another example of how unsettled his emotions still were. It didn't matter that nearly three months had passed since escaping the Spencer Mansion. He was still reeling from all that had happened. They all were.
"I'm sorry," he said at length, casting a crooked smile at the other man. "I'm a little protective of my baby sister."
Carlos only nodded, his own grief well-hidden, as he empathized. "I understand, Chris. Familia," he added simply.
Something about the way he said that word caught Jill's attention. She had assumed that Carlos didn't have any family, but only because he'd never mentioned it. He never talked about his past. She didn't know why he'd chosen to work for Umbrella, or even how he'd become a mercenary at such a young age. There was a lot they didn't know about Carlos, she realized with a jolt.
Carlos caught the speculative look she shot him and shook his head slightly. Jill gazed at him for a moment longer before turning her attention back to Chris, and he breathed a quiet sigh of relief. He knew that he'd have to come clean with his new comrades eventually, but he simply wasn't ready to talk about his past. There were some things, some secrets, that were better left unspoken. For now, this was one of them.
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Hunk sat cross-legged on the uncomfortably lumpy mattress, his laptop open on the bed before him. He'd reached Stoneville and checked into this dump an hour ago, using one of his many false I.D.'s to hide his trail. Umbrella would find him eventually--they always did--but not until he'd gotten a lead on his brother. With any luck, he'd be gone by the time they caught up with him again. And if not. . .
He shrugged as he waited impatiently for his contact to return his email. He'd already taken out two units of his former comrades. He'd be able to take care of any more sent his way. It was what he did. He was Death.
Hunk grinned at the melodramatic thought. It might be true, but he was still just a man. No black hood, no shiny scythe. Just combat armor and an arsenal of weapons. He was merely good enough to eliminate anyone they sent after him. He was the best. Period.
The laptop gave a muted chirp, informing him that he had a new message. He clicked on it, frowning faintly as he waited for the page to load. High-speed, my ass, he thought caustically. The message finally opened, and he read it with grimly. It was just as he'd thought; Umbrella had discovered his tie to Billy and tried to fake the kid's death to keep him in line. Once that had failed, they'd taken a contract out on him, as well as his brother.
Hunk whistled as he saw the seven-figure amount offered for his capture/death. Damn, he hadn't realized he worth so much! he thought with a laugh. Well, at least it explained why his former colleagues were risking certain death by coming after him. Two million was a big payday.
The amount for Billy was lower, but not by much, and there was a bonus if they were taken together. His former employers weren't taking any chances. They wanted Billy Coen dead, and they were using him to accomplish it.
"Goddamn morons," Hunk muttered to no one in particular. "The kid's Special Forces. No matter how many problems he's got, he's still good enough to dance circles around you jokers."
Of course, there was that little problem Billy had with taking lives. He sighed heavily. While Billy had the skills to take out anyone who came looking for him, Hunk didn't know if he would be able actually do so. The kid had been fucked up why that shit in Africa, there was no doubt about it. Ada had told him about the nightmares, how Billy would wake up in a cold sweat and wander the house at all hours.
Billy had done well enough on the Ecliptic Express and in the Arkham facility, but those had been B.O.W.s he was killing. The zombies might look like men, but as soon as they tried to take a bite out you, you pretty much knew they weren't human anymore. And then there was Raccoon. . .
It was something Hunk had tried not to think about. He had no way of knowing just what Billy had gone through in Raccoon City. The outbreak had been widespread, the whole town succumbing in a matter of hours. While there was a chance that Billy had seen what was happening and run before that, Hunk doubted it. The kid would have waited for word from either he or Ada before leaving the safe house, which meant that he'd probably had to shoot his way out of the doomed city. After what he had already been through, God only knew what kind of mental damage that had left him with.
Yeah, the kid's problems might just be serious enough to get them both killed, once they went on the run, and that was something he would have to put a stop to. If nothing else, he'd bully the kid into realizing that their lives depended on him being able to take those of others. He was still the older brother, damn it. That had to count for something.
Of course, there was Chambers, Hunk reminded himself. Billy had been awfully protective of that girl, even though he hadn't had any contact with her in the weeks since his escape. Once he discovered that Umbrella was watching her and her comrades, all bets would be off. Billy would be able to kill to keep her safe. Hunk was sure of it.
He'd hoped to find Billy, take him to France, and talk he and Chambers into going underground. He'd looked forward to becoming an uncle. But he knew his brother. After all Billy had been through, he wouldn't be able to let Umbrella's actions go. He'd stay with Chambers and S.T.A.R.S., and fight the good fight as long as could.
Which was why Hunk would fight with him. He wasn't going to let Umbrella kill his only family. If the kid wanted to fight, he'd right there beside him, taking out any assholes who tried to become between them. He'd make damned sure that Billy knew his big brother believed in him. He'd have the best back-up in the business, even if he didn't realize it.
Hunk had wondered many times if he should tell Billy who he really was. Mr. Death was a legend in their field, the boogieman of the armed forces and mercs alike. Billy would realize the truth it immediately. Hunk just wasn't sure of his reaction.
Which was why he hadn't come clean with him, Hunk thought with a sigh. He loved the kid, and he didn't want to disillusion any more than he already had. Discovering that he'd worked for Umbrella had been bad enough. Learning that his brother was the best eliminator in the business might be a little more than Billy Coen could take.
Hunk shut the laptop down and set it aside. There wasn't much he could do right now. He'd catch a few z's, search this one-horse town for his brother, and worry about the rest later. There'd be time enough in the weeks ahead to worry about introducing his kid brother to Death.
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Billy sat on the roof of the mansion, enjoying the feel of the wind as it ruffled his too-long hair. In his hands he held the pictures of Rebecca that Ada had given him. He had looked at them so often this past week that they were starting to show wear, but he couldn't make himself put them away. These small, glossy photographs were the only thing he had to keep himself going. They reminded him that he really did have a future, despite what the Marines had done to him.
Rebecca looks so happy, he thought with smile. It was obvious that she was being well-treated by her S.T.A.R.S. comrades, and he could well imagine how much fighting Umbrella meant to her. After all, instead of making her way to safety after they'd escaped Arkham, she had chosen to search for her comrades in what he now knew had been the Spenser Mansion. She had put herself in danger to save them, while he had thought of nothing more than saving his own ass.
He had wanted to go back and fight with her, but in the end, he had let his own sense of self-preservation stay his hand. Instead, he had made his way through the Arklay Mountains and met Joseph Frost.
Billy scrolled through the pictures, thinking of the odd turns his life had taken. When the M.P.'s had been attacked, the only thing on his mind had been escape. He still didn't know what had prompted him to enter the obviously ruined train. He'd been chastising himself for his stupidity even as he'd felt compelled to enter it. Now, he knew that it had been fate.
If he hadn't let his curiosity--and lack of ammunition--direct him to the Ecliptic Express, he would never have met Rebecca Chambers. He would have missed out an a dangerous, yet life-altering event. If he hadn't delayed his escape by cooperating with Rebecca, he wouldn't have met Joe, or ended up in Raccoon Hospital, where his brother finally found him. He would have been completely alone, and he probably would have been caught by the authorities and executed by now.
Yeah, Billy thought, he missed Rebecca, but at least, he was alive to see her again. Once Ada got the paperwork in order, he would actually have a future. Maybe, he'd even be able to have a real family.
The thought surprised him; he'd never thought about having kids before. His own family had been far from perfect, and he hadn't believed in love, let alone marriage. Not that he was ready to get married, but it was nice to know that he might have the chance to, someday.
It wouldn't be anytime soon, though. From everything Ada had told him, Rebecca and her teammates were dedicated to putting Umbrella Inc. out of business. Which was fine with him. After the things he'd seen in the Raccoon City, he was more than ready to help them any way he could. He only hoped that her comrades would accept him. After what he'd been convicted of, he wouldn't blame them if they didn't.
He spied movement up by the front gate and quickly stood up. He narrowed his eyes, as though that would help cover the vast distance. He could make out three figures, although he couldn't discern many details. One of the figures was shorter than the other two, and he smiled hugely as he spied two blond heads.
Leon, he thought as he hurried towards the access hatch. The kid had come back, and he'd brought Claire and Sherry with him, which meant that he'd finally talked her into leaving that flea-bag motel. Finally, he'd have more than Ada and Joseph's distracted company. Not that he didn't like hanging out with the two of them, but lately he'd begun to feel like a third wheel. It would be nice to have more normal people to hang out with.
Billy winced as he climbed down the ladder and rushed to open the gate. It wasn't because they'd been infected or anything, it was just that they were so focused on taking out this Wesker guy that they spoke of little else. While he didn't blame them for their feelings, it would be great to just shoot the shit with someone again.
He ran to the security console to the right of the mansion's front doors and hit a series of switches. He didn't bother to tell Ada that they were coming; he was sure that she already knew. He threw the doors open and forced himself to walk calmly down the long, winding drive. He found them a short distance from the open gate, looking nervous as they spotted him. He waved and threw them a smile, hoping that he and Claire could get along long enough to get them inside the house.
"Hey," he threw out in greeting, "welcome to Wayne Manor."
Leon laughed at the joke as he shook the other man's hand. "Thanks," he said in his driest voice. He released him and gestured towards the girls. "You remember Claire and Sherry?"
"Of course, I do." Billy shoved his hands in his back pockets as he nodded at them. "Good to see you, again."
Claire nodded in return, unable to hide the suspicion in her eyes. "You, too," was all she said in response.
"Hi, Billy," Sherry said shyly. "How are you?"
"I'm good, kid." Billy jerked his head towards the house. "Well, come on up. We've got food, if you guys are hungry."
Sherry watched her surrogate parents trade a glance and just sighed. "I am," she announced, marching up to Billy and taking his hand. For some reason, adults liked it when kids did that, and it tended to ease awkward situations. "So, you live in this big house?"
Billy couldn't quite hide his shock as she slipped her tiny hand into his. He stared down at her with wide cobalt eyes before shooting a nervous glance at Leon. The younger man was grinning at him, even as the woman beside him looked as stunned as he felt. He looked back down at Sherry, who was watching him with an expectant expression.
He cleared his throat and began to walk up the drive, casting furtive glances at the girl who walked so trustingly beside him. "Yeah," he answered at length, adding, "for now, anyway. I'll be moving on in a couple of months."
"Where will you go?" she asked soberly.
He shrugged, unsure of how much he should tell them. "My. . .a friend of mine is living in Europe. I thought I'd fly out there and spend some time with her."
"That sounds nice," the undersized twelve-year-old said wistfully. "I've always wanted to see Europe. It has such a rich history."
Billy nodded, raking his free hand through his hair. "My mother was into history," he said with a small smile. "She had a thing for Rome. She always wanted to visit the ruins there."
"They're supposed to be beautiful." Sherry's eyes widened as they approached the wide, tiered steps that led to the house. "I hadn't realized it was this big!"
He laughed at that. "It takes some getting used to, I know."
"How many rooms does it have?"
"Fifty-seven." Those big blue eyes widened even more, and he squeezed her hand. "Just stick to the east wing, and you won't get lost."
He climbed the stairs, releasing her hand as he led them through the still-open doors. He waited until they were inside to close them and re-set the security system. He turned back to them and gestured broadly. "The kitchen's this way."
Claire watched him closely as he led them through the bowels of the big house. He seemed perfectly at ease in the opulent mansion, despite his rough-edged appearance. Of course, he'd been living here for a while now, but still...
"This place belongs to your brother's girlfriend, right?"
"Lily's more of an ex, but yeah, it's hers." Billy took them into the kitchen and opened the fridge. "What are you hungry for?"
"Anything's fine, Billy." Leon took a seat on the same stool he'd used on his last visit. He folded his arms on the table before him, his expression turning somber. "We're here to take you up on your offer, Billy."
Billy pulled out the makings for sandwiches and set them on the table. "I figured," was all he said as he turned away. He grabbed a loaf of bread from the fancy breadbox, grabbed a knife, and set it beside them. "You guys are more than welcome here, Leon. Just stay out of the west wing. Lily's big on privacy, and that's where she spends most of her time."
"Okay." Leon reached for the food and hesitated. "Are you sure it's okay if we stay here? We don't want to intrude, but. . .I think someone's been watching us at the motel, and I'm worried about the girls."
Claire snorted, crossing her arms over her considerable chest. "I still think you're wrong about that, Leon." Her pretty features took on a stubborn cast. "I haven't seen anything out of the ordinary, and Sherry and I are always going to the library."
He only shrugged, unwilling to argue with her, and met Billy's gaze. "She's right," he admitted flatly. "I haven't seen anyone, but every time I opened the door, I could feel the eyes on us."
"I felt them, too." Sherry shuddered, rubbing her arms as though she were cold. "And they're still out there. I felt them while we were walking up here. It's creepy."
Billy's breath caught audibly. Had Umbrella found them already? he asked himself worriedly. He needed to tell Ada about this, and make sure that this place was truly safe--for them all.
"You'll be safe here," he assured them, hoping to God he could keep that promise. "Lily and Joe are big on security, so. . ." he let his voice trail off, suddenly wondering if he should've mentioned Joseph's presence here.
"Who's Joe?" Claire asked sharply, suspicion etched into her gamine features.
"Joe is. . .ah. . ." Billy shrugged and settled for what he was pretty sure was a portion of the truth. "Joe is Lily's new boyfriend. He's living here too, but he keeps to himself, so you probably won't see too much of him."
Leon only shook his head, his too-young features softening. "That must be awkward for you," he said with a small laugh.
Billy only shook his head, looking away as a very real grief spread through him. "Not really," he mumbled, adding, "Hunk never made it out of Raccoon, so. . ."
Crystal blue eyes widened dramatically. "Shit, Billy, I'm sorry."
"Yeah, so was I." He managed a tight smile and pushed away from the counter. "You guys go ahead and eat. I'll let Lily know you're here, and get your rooms ready. Do you need any help with your stuff?"
"No, we've got every we need right here." Claire patted the back-pack in her hands, then added, "I'm sorry about your brother. I can only imagine how hard this must be for you."
Billy bit back an angry retort, knowing that she was thinking of her own missing sibling, and that she was sincere in her sympathy. "Thanks," he muttered before leaving the room.
He made his way through the big house, hoping that Lily would be in her office. The last thing he wanted was to interrupt she and Joe if they were...busy. He didn't need that kind of mental damage, he thought with a pale grin. He had enough of his own already.
He knocked on the door to the study, relief filling him when she called for him to enter. She was sitting behind the massive desk, her beautiful Asian features showing both excitement and trepidation, as she gazed at a monitor. Joseph was sitting on the desk itself, his expression grim as he looked up. Billy wondered why, then silently chastised himself. He probably wasn't happy about having the guy Ada was in love with here, in what he considered his territory. Not that he blamed him, Billy thought as he stepped into the room. He wouldn't like it, either.
"Leon's here," he announced, obviously unnecessarily.
Ada only nodded, her expression becoming guarded. "You've put them in the east wing?" was all she said in response.
"They're in the kitchen now, eating, but yeah," he answered uncomfortably. "I told them that you and your, uh, boyfriend are big on privacy, and they said they'd stay out of the west wing."
"Good," she said simply, ignoring Joseph's scowl.
"There's something else." Billy closed the door and approached the desk, his navy eyes dark. "Leon's thinks that someone's been watching them. None of them have been approached, but he's convinced that they're under surveillance."
She drew a deep breath and immediately reached for the phone. "I'll look into it," she said, adding, "Thank you, Billy."
"Yeah, sure." He nodded at Joseph, who's red-gold eyes were flashing with temper. The other man returned the gesture curtly, his attention focused on Ada, and Billy slipped quietly out of the room. He really hoped that Ada could control the other man as well as she thought she could, or Leon was going to be in deep shit. He might have survived Raccoon City, but Joseph Frost was another thing altogether.