Chapter 20: Friendly Feud

Ada couldn't even look at John as they sat there together eating breakfast. Was she ashamed? She didn't know. She kept telling herself that she was a horrible person for what she did to John while he was away. How many times had she slept with Wesker already? It seemed that first night together had triggered something within Ada. She slept with Wesker a few more times before John was even flown home from New York. She felt horrible, but deep down she wasn't affected by it. Ada knew that she was by far more attracted to Albert Wesker, and he was leading her astray like the serpent did to Eve. Ada knew she was going to have to watch Albert. He would take any chance to destroy John. He would take any chance to take her even more.

But that's what you want…isn't it?

"Ada? Is something the matter?" John asked. "You have been quiet ever since I got back early this morning."

Ada tried to smile, but her lips didn't move. The funny thing was, she knew John was coming back early in the morning, yet she still stayed with Wesker. He left before John came in…they had planned it.

So stop being a coward and break it to him. You want to be with Wesker. John won't be so broken if you tell him directly over if he finds out…or if Wesker tells him…

"John I…I need to tell you something," Ada stated. Why did it hurt so much? She was never one to stress about her actions. What was done was done. She no longer had those feelings for John. However, she feared the worst from Wesker. She wanted to keep it a secret from John, knowing that if she and Wesker eventually went their own ways, she would still have John.

"What is it, honey?" John asked, looking concerned. He gave her his full attention.

Ada just couldn't understand. John was everything she wanted. A man who wanted to settle down and have children, marriage, all that she wanted when she was ready to give up on her career. He was handsome, smart, and so good to her. He cared for her emotionally and physically.

What was it about Albert Wesker that made her want to give John up? Sure, Wesker was handsome, extremely intelligent, silver-tongued, calculating, and manipulative; the list could on and on. But she knew Wesker was not the kind of man who was going to settle down. Not ever. And Ada wasn't sure if he could care for her like John did. She would always have to be vigilant in the back of her mind, knowing that Wesker was quite the serpent.

"I…wasn't able to find out who killed Dr. Marcus," she said, lowering her eyes. She just couldn't do this to John…to herself.

John shook his head, looking almost relieved. "Hey, don't worry about it. You sound so depressed about it…I thought you were going to admit something." He slightly chuckled. "Look, it will all be figured out."

Ada smiled weakly, knowing she should feel like a terrible person, but strangely she didn't. "Yeah, I know."

Wesker went down to the labs, Night trotting beside him. He had been strangely distracted all day. At the S.T.A.R.S office the Alpha Team was confused by his behavior, but Wesker was himself. He didn't figure it was because John was back. John was nothing to him, and he knew he had Ada in his pocket. Something else was nagging at him. Wesker didn't know if it was HCF, or the recent Marcus assassination. Either way, he wasn't staying down here for long. He was just coming to pick up a few things, including William, who was supposed to be in the labs under the city tonight.

Passing researchers moved out of Wesker and Night's way. The Doberman sniffed around curiously, cropped ears pointing forward in interest. The dog was intimidating to those who passed by, especially the ones who worked with the infected dogs.

Wesker and Night slipped into the laboratory. William jumped as the doors slid open, and he dove on top of his papers. Night went straight to Wesker's partner, sniffing him curiously.

"That wasn't suspicious at all," Wesker stated nonchalantly.

"I'm sorry, you just surprised me is all," William heaved. "These documents are extremely confidential! I'm taking them underground."

"Really? What for?"

"A secret strand of G I am developing."

"How is that going?" Wesker chuckled.

"You should see the rat I tested."

"Where at?"

"I'll show you as soon as I find him," William chuckled, scratching his head. "Took out an entire dungeon wall though. It was pretty awesome." Wesker opened his mouth but William cut him off. "No worries! The virus isn't stable so it isn't able to spread. The rat is probably already dead…probably...maybe…"

The Doberman took a hold of William's pants with his jaws and started to tug. William yelped, grabbing his papers and hopping along as the dog tugged at him. "Alright, alright! I'm coming."

"See? Night knows we are on a time limit as well," Wesker chuckled, turning so they could exit.

The men and dog started heading for the exit of the labs below the Spencer estate. Rounding a corner, they bumped into John, who looked just as surprised to see them. Wesker clenched his jaw hard. He didn't understand why he wanted to kill John. He wasn't jealous of John, yet he hated him. Why should he be jealous of John when Ada was as good as his? William's smile fell, and he glanced from John to Wesker. Night must have sensed his owner's negative tension, for the Doberman bared his teeth to snarl.

John took a step back from the dog, worried for a moment as Night growled lowly from his throat. Wesker cleared his throat after relaxing from his tension towards John. "Night, easy. He is a friend."

The Doberman snorted contemptuously, but stopped growling. He licked his lips a few times and then remained still, eyes not leaving from the nervous John. John looked from the large, lithe dog to Wesker.

"Isn't he a rather large dog to not be having a leash?" John inquired.

Wesker smiled slyly. "Don't worry so much, John. I have complete control over this dog." As if to prove his point, Wesker said something in German. Night immediately lowered his head, backing up to sit down next to Wesker. The dog would not look at John. "There. Feel better?"

John didn't look any better; instead he slightly shook his head. "Are you two not distraught over Marcus?"

"Things happen," William sighed. "It's sad, but we have to move on."

John slightly glared at them. "Did you two have alibis?"

"I was at home with my loving wife," William answered.

"I was with Ada," Wesker stated coolly.

William snickered loudly, trying not to grin but failing profusely. John glared even harder at Wesker, but Wesker was not done yet.

"Are you trying to put the blame on us, John? If I were you, I would watch my words," Wesker warned, snapping his fingers. Night immediately came forth, snarling once more. John didn't say anymore, and stood there watching the growling Doberman. "That is what I thought. Come on William. Night, heel."

The three of them slipped past John, who watched them head up to the elevators to leave the mansion. John gritted his teeth, feeling angry with them and himself and stalking off.

Ada leaned on the railing on the second floor balcony of the mansion. She figured watching the sunset could keep her mind busy. She was trying to avoid not only John, but Wesker, and Spencer as well. She hadn't seen Wesker since he left really early this morning. She could see his black BMW parked down in the lot, close to John's Cadillac. She had no idea why Wesker was here, but did not seek him out to find the answer.

She heard laughing that was all too familiar to her. Looking down from the balcony, she could see William heading out towards the lot. Wesker and Night were with him. Ada was curious, but stayed quiet as she watched them get into the sleek BMW and drive off, heading for Raccoon City.

It was then that she realized exactly how cold it was out on the balcony. The wind was crispy, and the leaves were starting to fall faster than ever. The autumn colors were slowly fading. Winter was coming up fast. Ada couldn't believe how fast the year had sped by. She was dreading winter. Ada wasn't much for the cold, the ice, the snow. But deep down, it wasn't really the cold season that was bothering her so much. It was the fact that she was wondering how long she could keep up Wesker's little game and be able to hide it from John.

It was long after winter came in that the first snow blanketed Raccoon City. Wesker was at his desk in the S.T.A.R.S office deep in thought. Some of the Alpha members came in a little late due to the road conditions, but Wesker hardly cared and didn't write anyone up. Jill was the last to come in, being a half an hour late and walking in just as Wesker was in the middle of a briefing. Wesker kept the speech going even as she walked through the office to join Chris by her desk.

The whole day dragged by to the point that Wesker was getting a headache. Once Enrico and the rest of Bravo started to show up, Wesker was able to leave. He and William were working at the Spencer Mansion tonight, only because one of the lower scientists accidentally mixed two chemicals together that caused poisonous smog to form. If Wesker remembered correctly, it would take two days for the gas to evaporate. William had joked, saying it was one way to get rid of the sewer rats and insects down there.

Even though it had been a month since James Marcus's assassination, it seemed as though the researchers of Arklay were still uneasy to the thought of another attack. Of course Wesker could only snort at this. The rest of the staff were basically fools in his opinion, wasting away like guinea pigs in their own right.

Wesker made his way down the trails of the estate's property, making his way towards the old graveyard in the back. The icy air bit at his skin, but he kept himself warm for the most part with his black jacket. His breaths came out in steamy puffs that quickly slipped away. Wesker never understood himself for continuing to walk this route, even after his father's death.

He made his way over to his mother's gravestone, standing over it and peering down at the engraving that was hardly eligible anymore. As a child, Wesker's father Andric dragged him along on the first snow of every winter to visit Andrea's grave. Even after Wesker killed Andric, he still continued to come on his own accord, without knowing why himself. He felt nothing for the mother he never knew. He simply regarded her as the woman that gave birth to him, and died in the process. But there was something that always led him here in the winter, something that not even Wesker wanted to understand.

For almost an hour he stood out in the cold, staring down at the gravestone deep in thought. He said nothing aloud, did not weep or smile, nor did he acknowledge the meaning behind the engraving on the stone, he just stood there. The day slowly started to dim, and now that the days were shorter, Wesker's schedule became even tighter. Sighing, he turned to head back to the mansion, knowing that he should be down in the labs with William. His boots crunched along the snow in each step, and Wesker was able to notice how the Arklay Forest was turned into a winter wonderland in the previous snowstorm.

As Wesker made his way down to the labs, he crossed paths with Ada and John. Wesker clenched his jaw, hardly giving them a second glance as he passed. He saw Ada glance away as he approached and passed, while John watched him closely. He could feel their eyes on his back even as he passed them and headed for his laboratory.

William popped his head up to see who entered. He smiled softly at Wesker, but didn't say anything. Wesker shrugged it off and went to work. Strangely, in the hours to come, William stayed quiet the whole time. Wesker then remembered that William always got quiet on the first snow, knowing that Wesker would always go to his mother's grave. To Wesker, it was just like any other day, except for this pull to take a walk to the cemetery. Wesker was sure William felt that it was a healing day for Wesker, and so was quiet to let his friend carry on in peace. In the years they had endured together, Wesker could never understand William at times. William annoyed the hell out of him at times, but when William was this quiet, it just wasn't right to Wesker.

"Alright, you can drop the solemn act, Will."

"What? I'm not being solemn."

"Yes, you are. It's the first snow, remember? You always get quiet."

"I am just trying to give you your space," William snorted, as he dissected the monkey on the table.

"I don't need space. I'm not mourning her, you know," Wesker replied, looking over his shoulder to glare at his partner.

He saw William clench his jaw, and this made Wesker grow curious. Did he just strike a nerve on his old friend? "Don't you think you should?"

"Why?"

"Because that woman gave her life to give you yours," William snapped, turning around.

Wesker slightly cocked his head, but his features didn't flinch from William's outburst. "And your point is?"

"My point is that woman gave birth to you and died from it. If you aren't going there to mourn her then why even go?"

Wesker was quiet for a long moment, taking in William's words as his partner glared at him. "It is a habit from Andric."

"Don't use your father as an excuse! You never did before!"

Just as Wesker started to chuckle did he feel a sharp pain to the side of his face. Surprised, Wesker glared at William, realizing that his partner had decked him in the face and was still holding up his fist. William's eyes slightly widened, and he looked from his fist to Wesker. A tense moment passed, and then in a blink of an eye the two were fist fighting.

William had no chance against Wesker's martial arts skill. However, the brilliant researcher was tougher and quicker than what Wesker gave him credit for. Wesker slung William around, slamming him against another table and making all of the glass containers fall and shatter. William slammed a fist into Wesker's chest, and just when Wesker was about to punch his partner in the face again, the automatic doors slung open, and they heard someone clear their throat.

"Are we fighting like children?" Spencer snorted, glaring at them with Ada at his side. Ada looked surprised seeing Wesker and William in their predicament. William's lip was busted and one eye was starting to swell and darken. Wesker's cheek was a little puffed up but that was it.

Wesker immediately let William go. Birkin let himself lower just a little, as if trying to hide from the founder of Umbrella. The old man rubbed his temple, thoroughly annoyed as he leaned on his cane.

"What is going on?" he growled.

"Well, really it's...uhh, really it is nothing. We were just...ahh…we were…" William fumbled.

"We just had a small disagreement. We are fine now. Right?" Wesker said, slapping William a little too hard on purpose on the shoulder.

"Ack! Yep! We are like brothers! It gives us every reason to fight and then be fine with each other minutes after we kick each other's ass!" William chuckled.

"Whatever," Spencer grumbled. "I need to see both of you in my study room in fifteen minutes."

He turned and then left. Ada watched him go, but then decided to stay. She walked over to the two friends. Wesker was straightening his cuffs on his jacket, while William poked his swelling eye and then cried about it.

"What in the world are you two quarrelling about?" Ada asked.

"William decided to see if he could test my patience," Wesker snorted, glancing over at his partner.

"My eye is swelling shut! How in the hell am I supposed to see with only one eye? And plus I look like a damn piñata!" William snarled, still poking his eye.

"What does Spencer want to see us about?" Wesker asked.

"Something about Marcus. I have to go too, but he wouldn't tell me anything," Ada answered.

"What am I going to tell Annette?" William asked, coming over to them.

"Tell her that I beat the shit out of you," Wesker snorted. "You started it, so why are you complaining?"

"Well, I couldn't help it. I lost my temper and I cannot stand you sometimes."

"The feeling is mutual," Wesker answered coolly.

Ada rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "If you two boys are done, can we please get our asses to our loving boss and see what he wants?"

"Wesker started it," William huffed.

Wesker heaved a sigh, heading out before the other two. Ada was second behind him, while William was last as he complained about his swelling black eye. They reached Spencer's study room and entered, where they stood around the founder of Umbrella. Ozwell E. Spencer took a moment to look in between them. He shook his head at William.

"You look like shit, William."

"Thank you, sir."

Spencer glanced down to some papers on his desk, his fingers laced together as they sat calmly on that same desk. "Albert, on that night that you and William assassinated James…were there any complications except for Ada's apparent involvement?"

"No Lord Spencer," Wesker answered coolly.

"Why are you asking?" Ada asked.

"James' prized leeches are gone. The security cameras didn't catch anything, and there were hardly any signs left. Those leeches are valuable as you know because they contain special strands of the Progenitor Virus and T-Virus. Now the good thing is that the Training Facility is contained all around, so if an outbreak was to occur, it could be easily fixed."

"Wait a minute. I see where this is going! You want us to hunt down the leeches, right?"

"How perceptive of you, William."

"Why us? What did we do to deserve this grunt work?" William snorted.

"Relax. I just need you three to supervise the Training Facility for a few days. The researchers there will be handling the leeches. The three of you will be in charge for the process, and if something is to go wrong…well…I suggest following Albert's way of thinking."

"Which means disposing bodies over the sewer," William snorted.

"Exactly," Spencer stated, smiling.

Ada glanced over at Wesker, noticing the tiny smirk he had on his face and the strange glint of the light that passed over his sunglasses.

"But what about-"

"Annette will be taking over your research for those days down in your section with a few of your researchers," Spencer interrupted, knowing what William was going to ask about.

"So, when do we start?" Ada inquired, knowing that their shifts were about over for the night, even though that didn't really matter when it came to Spencer's demands.

"Tomorrow. Right now I just have a few agents over there to see if they can find out anymore on how the leeches got out. The three of you are dismissed for the night."

Wesker, William, and Ada dipped their heads and stepped out of the study room. For a moment they were quiet, and then they headed for the main hall of the mansion. Wesker glanced over to William, whose eye was now completely swelled shut and purple.

"Do I need to drop you off at home? I didn't see your Lexus out there," Wesker asked.

"Thanks, but Annette is coming to pick me up."

"I'm surprised the two of you can even stand to be walking next to each other after that scuffle you two had," Ada chuckled.

"Ehh, this isn't the only time we have fist fought," William sighed, poking his eyeball again.

"You two never cease to amuse me," Ada said, smiling.

By the time they reached the main hall, Annette was already there talking to another female researcher. Just as Annette turned to greet them, her eyes widened upon seeing William's puffy, black eye. She glared at her husband, heaving an aggravated sigh.

"What the hell happened to you, William?"

William pointed directly at Wesker. "He did it…on purpose."

"Which means you deserved it, now let's go. We have an early start tomorrow."

"What do you mean I deserved it?" William growled. Annette gave him a look, and her husband sighed. "Fine. Let's go."

William and Annette said good night to Wesker and Ada, who were left to stand alone in the middle of the main hall. They faced each other. They hadn't spoken much with each other in the weeks that John had been back. Ada was somewhat relieved about her busy schedule. It got her mind away on what she did to John earlier in the month. Though now she stood in the same predicament before Wesker now. Ada found herself not really caring for John as much as she thought she did, at least with Wesker around.

"Did you have fun beating up William?"

Wesker smirked. "He is much tougher than he looks. He can handle it."

"I guess so."

"No John tonight?"

Ada shook her head. "Nope. He left early tonight so I stayed behind."

"Well then you might as well stay with me."

Ada gave him a look. "Yeah, are you going to take me to the police station with you in the morning as well?"

"I don't work at the precinct tomorrow," Wesker answered, smirking a little.

A slow smile creeped onto Ada's beautiful face. "Oh, I see where this is going."

"Do you, dear heart?" Wesker inquired, cocking his head slightly with a sly smile.

Ada started walking for the front doors of the mansion, her hips swaying a little in her walk. She looked over her shoulder, her eyes landing on Wesker. "Are you driving?"

Wesker smirked, following Ada out of the door.

A/N: Sorry for the delayed chapter and sorry for it being kinda short lol! I meant to make this one so much longer, but thought that it would be better if I half it lol. This story is getting closer and closer to its ending as well. I think there is only going to be five chapters left! Lol, I know I am horrible...I couldn't help but to make Wesker and William have a fist fight...poor William and his black eye...boys will be boys I guess! XD Thanks for reading and reviewing everyone! And thanks for being patient! :)