I don't really understand what happened after the start of the launch because I don't really remember it clearly. All I knew was that I had to save Piers. So I pushed Chris aside and banged on the door of the pod with my fist. Differently from Chris' efforts, after my hit the pod door was split in half, letting me get out of it with Chris not too behind, right before the pod launched. I hit Piers and he flew straight into a wall, making impact with it. I felt a firm hand rest on my shoulder.

- Minnie, calm down. – Chris said. – Don't lose control. – Then I understood that the virus in my blood took over.

- I know how we can save him. – I said running to the next pod and setting it to launch after 1 minute.

The pod's door opened and Chris carried an unconscious Piers into the pod. I followed after them and the pod launched. I looked over the small window when we were launched into water and saw the same giant B.O.W. coming after us.

- Not this time, bastard. – I said as the whole facility blew up, destroying the monster with it.

It was only a matter of minutes while we reached the surface and opened the pod door to let in some fresh air. Piers was lying unconscious next to us.

- Hold this. – I said handing Chris the vial with Jake's blood. I grabbed Chris' knife and cut my arm in order to get a blood flow.

- What the fuck… - Chris started, but I cut him off.

- Not now, Chris, please. – My plea sounded like a child's who was ready to cry, but it kept Chris quiet.

I took the vial from Chris, opened it and held it next to my arm so that my blood would flow into the vial. Once my blood connected with Jake's, the red liquid turned into a slightly purple color.

- It's Muller's blood. – I explained. – It should work as an antidote for me because of my blood. So I figured that if I mix our bloods, maybe it would help Piers.

Chris didn't say a thing. He just watched me take out the syringe and fill it with the liquid. I unbuttoned Piers' vest and shirt and stuck the needle straight into his heart and injected him with the liquid.

A few moments passed and we saw how Piers' arm and face returned to normal. Instead of the mutated arm was a normal human arm and the defected face once again held the beautiful scowl in its features. But the sniper still didn't move. I put my fingers to his neck searching for a pulse and when I didn't find it, I broke down into sobs and cries. I felt two strong arms wrap themselves around me in a comforting matter.

- You did everything you could. – Chris whispered in my ear, caressing my head as he held me tightly in his embrace.

- No, I didn't! – I cried into his chest. – There had to be something else that could have been done! I had to do it! He died because of me!

I kept sobbing into Chris' chest and he kept comforting me, when I heard a sharp inhale of air. I quickly turned around and saw probably the most wonderful view in my life. Piers' eyes fluttered open. Slowly, he sat up and looked around confused.

- Minnie? Captain? What happ…. – Before he could finish, I flung myself to him, wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. This time, tears of happiness were pouring from my eyes.

- Piers! Oh my God, you're alive! I thought I lost you! Piers, I'm so sorry for what happened and I'm so glad that you're OK! – I kept ranting and crying into his chest.

- You had us worried, soldier. – Chris said with a smile on his face.

- I don't understand what happened. – Piers said, carefully wrapping his arms around my waist. – Minnie, why are you crying?

- Because I'm glad that you're alive, you stupid bastard! – I pulled away from him rubbing my tears away, but still staying close enough so that Piers could keep his arms around me. – You deserve a good punch to that face of yours for doing something like that! And why the fuck are you laughing when I am yelling at you?! – All this time Piers was chuckling at me, with an amused grimace and a smile on his face.

- OK, kids, that's enough. – Chris finally spoke up. – The chopper's coming to pick us up. Even though you look fine, Piers, we still need to run a few tests just to be sure. And as for you… - Chris looked at me, grabbed my cut arm and put a tourniquet on the cut. - …we need to bandage you up properly before you lose any more blood.

- Only a few minutes passed and I heard the blades of the chopper. This was the sound of a finished mission. Now, I could relax and finally go home. The helicopter stopped above us and lowered the ladder. I was the first to climb onto them, then it was Piers and finally – Chris.

- Nice to see that the three of you are alright. – The pilot said once all of us were onboard and he flew the aircraft straight to HQ.

Chris talked with the pilot, while Piers and I just sat down next to each other, exhausted. I closed my eyes and was drifting to sleep, when I felt something vibrate in my pocket. I took out my cell-phone (I have no idea how it still works after all the water and other shit) and saw a familiar caller's ID.

- Now isn't a good time, Kyle. – I said into the receiver. I saw Piers shoot me a suspicious glare and tense up.

- Oh yeah? – The young man on the other line answered cockily. – I'm pretty sure you'll want to hear this. I talked to the professors like you asked. It looked like they didn't buy my story I told them about you. But, nonetheless, they agreed to let you defend your thesis on the last day.

- And which day that might be? – I asked.

- Wednesday.

- And today is?

- Monday.

- I won't make it in time!

- I can come pick you up. Where are you?

- China.

- What the fuck are you doing in China?

- Look, Kyle, you have to do something about this.

- Minnie, you know that I'm your friend and I would do anything to help you. But this time they got suspicious about you. They won't change their mind.

- Shit. OK, thanks, Kyle, I'll try my best. See ya soon, sunshine. – I muttered as I closed my phone and buried my head in my hands.

- You're still hanging around that Olivera boy? – Chris asked annoyed as he sat down in front of me.

- If not for that "Olivera boy", I would have been kicked out of the University God knows how long ago. – I answered. – I know that you don't like his brother, Chris. I mean, hell, I can't stand being around Carlos as well. But Kyle is different. He almost never sees his brother, so he doesn't have that attitude that Carlos has. Besides, he's been looking out for me when I go out on missions.

- So what's the problem then? – Chris asked as if he didn't hear a single word I just said.

- Can you get me back home until Wednesday?

- Is it that important? – Chris questioned me.

- I have to defend my thesis on Wednesday.

- You'll be there. – Chris said simply, brushing his hand over his hair. I smiled, leaned against the wall of the chopper and fell asleep.

PIERS' POV.

*Who the fuck is Kyle?* That was the only thought running through my mind. Maybe it was her boyfriend? But then what happened in the hotel… Was she just leading me on all this time? I mean, after what happened in the hotel it looked as if she felt something for me. Or maybe it was just my imagination? But she saved my life in the underwater facility and when I woke up she was so happy… Maybe she was just happy because there wouldn't be another person's death on her conscience? Yeah, that's probably it. I'm just her comrade, a colleague, nothing more. *God! Why did I have to start liking her so much?!*

- Piers? – Chris spoke.

- Yes, Captain?

- After all the formalities back in HQ, I want you to take at least a few days off. You've earned it.

- Thank you, Captain. But I don't think I will take that offer. - *Work will help me keep my mind off of her.*

- I thought you'd say that. – Captain laughed a bit. – Then there's something I want you to do. I'll put Minnie on a chopper to get her home. She'll be in place early on Wednesday morning. If the tests show that you're fine, I want you to go with her.

- What?! - *Is he serious?!*

- She doesn't have a driver's license and she'll need to get to places fast. You're the best driver I know. It will also be like a small vacation to you, as it seems that you two started getting along just fine. I would do it myself, but there will be hell of a lot of paperwork to work out.

- Yes, sir. – I said reluctantly.

I didn't want to go, but I wanted even less to explain myself as to why I refused to go. This way it would just be easier. I'll just drive her to wherever she needs to go and then I'll get back to normal work. I sighed and leaned my head against the wall. I turned my head to the side to look at the small black-haired girl sleeping peacefully next to me. *What have you done with me, Minnie Sledge?*

Hey, guys! Sorry for the long wait, but here's a new chapter ^_^ I just want to tell you that this ISN'T the final chapter, so please stick around for other chapters ^_^ Enjoy and please review