Disclaimer: Any reference to Resident Evil game belongs to Capcom
"Caramel macchiato for Rebecca"
The young professor smiled as she gladly takes the cup from the barista, checking to see if it has the whipped cream and chocolate chips she specifically requested before walking out of the café. Early autumn felt like the perfect time to take a walk. Sure it was only during her vacant time and she needs to go back to the University after half an hour or so. Still, her favorite caffeine drink should be fully appreciated along with nature.
Like the changing colors of autumn leaves, it has been a habit of her to reflect on how much she has changed over the years. Juggling between being an advisor of an anti-bioterrorist security force, namely BSAA, and a University professor seemed unimaginable at first but she managed to balance it. However recently, she barely believes how demanding her jobs has been. It's like the world never runs out of evil people who wants to "change the world for the better" and it's becoming a norm in the society.
"Does a professor like you ever stop thinking deeply, dollface?"
She gasped and stopped in her tracks, all too familiar with the voice behind her. She turned around and gaped at the tall and muscular man.
"Billy?"
"From Arklay. Yes, that's my last name now." He chuckled and raised his own cup of Americano but Rebecca wrapped her arms around him. He smiled and sighed in joy as he pats her back. She pulled away, careful not to drop both of their coffee and scanned him from head to toe.
Billy Coen aged well like wine. Despite wearing an obviously worn out brown pants and gray checkered black shirt, he looks dashing. His hair is still the same style but it's trimmed shorter. Half of his face is covered by his beard which looks like an inch or two long. He looks like a cowboy on a business trip. She suddenly had the urge to go back to the University and grab her lab coat just so she can give out some senior level aura as well.
He gestured towards the empty bench near the park. The view of the nature is almost parallel to the green grass and sunrays at Arklay Mountains, the place where they last saw each other before going their separate ways after the train incident. After 6 years, when the bio-terrorist incident at the City of Terragrigia happened, they coincidentally crossed-paths. Billy kept close tabs on anything that might be related to their unfortunate encounter back at 1998. Same as the Raccoon City incident, the media and Govt. are bending the truth once again during the Terragrigia panic so previous second Lieutenant Coen check the place himself. It's been two weeks since the initial attack, when he reached the borders but he knows that he can't get any closer nor can attempt to save anyone without risking his identity. But he doesn't regret the long drive because he got to reunite with Rebecca.
"Glad you are not in the frontline of war anymore?" He asked before taking a seat next to her.
"I guess. Still caught in the middle though. I already accepted the fact I will be indirectly involved with occasional outbreaks." She exhaled deeply before sipping her drink. "You didn't send me a postcard last year."
He rubs fingers on his jaw, caught red handed. "That's why I decided to just visit you in person. It's not that difficult. Young professor in a prestigious University with vast knowledge in virology. Your profile is very impressive not to get attention. Besides, you visit the same café and order the same thing almost every day. This is the third time I saw you order that dessert this week."
The former medic scrunched her face. It's no surprise Billy knows where to go and what to do. Truthfully, without his help back in Arklay Mountains she wouldn't have survived that Ecliptic Express train wreck. Back during the Terragrigia Panic, it was luck that she found him. They were able to exchange contacts and from there on, they exchange emails or even letters and post cards just to be safe. After all, Billy is a wanted criminal. Shamelessly framed by his former commander during the war but still a wanted criminal. She made a choice for him. Covered up for him and lied. Proclaimed Billy Coen officially dead after that Arklay Mountains incident. It must be the responsibility of returning the favor after he saved her multiple times that made her decide to commit something illegal for him. Plenty of things were not investigated since that incident happened, it was even swept under the rug once following outbreaks like Raccoon City popped up.
Billy watched her rub her fingers on her temple as he drinks his coffee. "How are you holding up here?"
"I think I should be the one asking you that question." She quickly rebutted.
"I've been busy with my tiny farm and sometimes I get hired as a bouncer at bars. That's why I wasn't able to send you a postcard last year. Your turn." He gives her a light nudge in attempt to somehow put her at ease.
She scoffed at how swift he gave her a simple update. Carefree but not careless with his life. She is happy for him for living a quiet and somehow peaceful life. It crossed her mind why she wouldn't just run away with him right there and then. Before she could fully image how her life would feel like, a list of reasons flooded her mind why she shouldn't do it.
"These bio-terrorism attacks are starting to be more prominent and its putting me under pressure now more than ever." She looks at him and gets a bit taken back as he looks back at her. His sight was fixated on her, urging her to continue. "There is always someone who thinks they are making the world a better place by killing people. You know Chris, right? I told you about him before. He is at Singapore now, trying to contain an outbreak at a University. Imagine that. A school full of innocent students."
Billy knows he is not good with words. Scooting closer to her, he placed his arm over her shoulder. Feeling a small pain in his chest, he sighed. He witnessed her faced unimaginable horrors at such a young age. He knew how unprepared she was back then but looking at her now, he could never be prouder at what kind of a woman she become. She is no longer a lost young girl stuck in a warzone and confused, she has a firm path ahead of her.
Rebecca took a gulp of the rest of her drink. Sure she is at the back-end of war, in the background handling preventive measures and creating possible cure by the means of research. It's not only physical and mental but also emotionally exhausting as well. It's been made clear to her that the war is not over the moment they get the bad guys. She let herself lean on Billy and even shuts her eyes. A rare borrowed time where she can be as dormant as she wants to be with someone. Not on the run, not being chased, not cramming.
Still no word from both of them even as minutes has passed. Just two people engrossed in each other's presence. It's hard to believe that not too long ago, she was so adamant in arresting him the moment she saw him in that train. That in middle of a crisis they would bicker throughout their entire journey to survive pass the train wreck.
Billy treasured the trust and respect she gave him. He never asked for it, not sure what he did for him to earn it. It was willingly given to him, an escaped prisoner who just got lucky during a transfer accident. He wonders if she would treat him the same if he never told her about the previous mistreatment that happened to him. If he just went on his own way and left her alone in that train wreck, would there be a soft spot for him in her heart that would made her decide to let him go on his own way?
The presence of time eventually kicked in Rebecca's mind and slowly pulled herself away from his comforting arms. "Anyway, I guess I need to go back." She glanced at him and got a nod in return. "But I'm free this weekend. I can tour you around the city. Less crowded places of course." She said in her usual cheerful voice but the expression on his face didn't reflect the same enthusiasm.
"I'm leaving on Friday. I'm sorry."
"No, it's fine." She quickly cut him off and her reflex made her stood up. "I understand. I know this won't be the last time we'll see each other again. Just . . . don't forget your postcard anymore" She told him while somehow avoiding eye contact. Somehow it's better for her to look at the beautiful view rather than the gorgeous man in front of her. She sincerely wants to ask him to stay or even convince him to settle nearby her but she knows it's a long shot.
He got up on his feet with a small smile. If he only has the courage and selfishness to accept her offer, he knows he will gladly enjoy her company. But he knows his limit and it's not a risk he is willing to take. It's never an option to put her in danger. Even though it's inevitable not to be a target in her line of job, he doesn't want to be the one of the reason to put her in a bad spot. "What will happen if I forget it again?"
"I'll be really upset it happens again and I won't talk to you anymore. I might even report you to the authorities." They both chuckled at her remark.
He admires the consideration she gives him, from the moment they separated at Arklay Mountains and up until now. He couldn't only hope that she will soon have the same, even more care than what she extends not only to him but to others as well. Regardless if it will come from him or other people, as long as she will soon get it one day.
Billy was about to salute but he halted just before his hand reached his forehead. "Wait, that's not accurate anymore because it's not Officer Chambers anymore. Am I right, dollface?" He grinned just as she shakes her head with a shy smile. He misses this girl. He at least owes her a proper goodbye. No matter how subtle his approach is towards her, he wants to remember their last moments in detail and for a long time. Who knows when they can see each other again? He lifts up her hand. Holding onto her fingertips, he softly pressed his lips on the back of her hand. "Professor Chambers. Go on and continue saving the world."
That was the last thing he said before walking away. She could only hold up her hand and make a thumbs-up in his direction as she utters a thank you.
I noticed there aren't a lot of Billy and Rebecca material. I know most of us misses Billy because we don't know where he is at or how he is doing. It was very nice of Capcom to give us an update about Rebecca when they released Vendetta but I think plenty of of us wants to know what happened to Billy. Out of all the characters in the franchise I think he is one of those who left with a huge cliffhanger. At least Outbreak characters had a short epilogue by the end of the game. I hope that one day Capcom will mention Billy in one of their articles or give him a short cameo. Anyway, I hope you fellas enjoy this short one shot. I'm looking forward to write more Resident Evil in future. Drop your reviews if you have some. Thanks.