Their Last Escape

by antihero276

Former S.T.A.R.S. Officer Jill Valentine unexpectedly meets U.S.S. Special Agent HUNK at the R.P.D., his extraction overridden. Pushed to their limits, they are forced to work together to survive. With only days to escape the T-Virus infested Raccoon City before it is destroyed, they are stalked inexorably from the shadows by a deadly Pursuer, intent on carrying out its mission.

51. Chapter 50: Reconciliation

Jinero: No, Excella would not join Blue Umbrella. I said she would donate to it when it is formed, as a way to get on HUNK's good side, attempt to manipulate him, and make herself look good to the world for supporting an anti bioweapons PMC. Makes Tricell look better, like a safe alternative to Umbrella, more moral in the public eye. She'd probably even donate to the B.S.A.A. She's a wealthy, powerful, cunning, femme fatale and a Director within Tricell with a great public image, knows the political games and importance of image. She is quite like Christine Henri, a number of parallels, but much more extreme, unstable and villainous. No genuine redeeming traits, just obsessed with Wesker, pleasing him, power and dominating the world, prepared to destroy it. A henchwoman on a high scale, really. Think Ava Lord from Sin City, for a close approximation of how I would depict Excella in my universe.

I know, I was just using HUNK as an example for how Jill wouldn't behave. Jill wouldn't slap her either, she's not a drama queen. I can only see her slapping one person eventually, Rebecca, for withholding from everyone the fact HUNK is still alive circa 2004 and that she was hiding him from Umbrella and the government without telling Jill, until his capture and ultimatum by the feds to save the President's daughter. Quite an understandable reason to lose it and slap someone she trusted and sees as a little sister, up to God knows what with the man she loves.

117: Long and slow paths can be worth taking. But nobody is guilty of the actions of another person, regardless of people's feelings on the matter, or blood relations. The Spencers who are not Oswell or Bella will indeed get a good deal of backlash for their crimes, unfairly so, because that's the way most people are. Petty and short sighted, emotion driven instead of logical. Wanting someone to scapegoat and blame, the most obvious target being family of a perpetrator. But in the years after Umbrella's collapse the public will have other more pressing targets to hate, like the many other bio tech companies and bio terrorist groups that swarm in to fill the Umbrella void.

evolution-500: Jill is different to HUNK, someone he can genuinely share with and be more himself. Someone he trusts. He realized that over the course of Raccoon City, and finds he can speak of things with her that he never has with anyone before.

The Comtesse is not an OC, as a matter of fact. Christine Henri/Henry wrote the orders for HUNK to acquire the G-Virus canonically, and a non canon version of her appears in a Japanese audio adventure about Ada. You can look into her on the Resident Evil wiki. Though I can see what you mean, in terms of me fleshing her out more, when in canon she exists solely in a note in the Nintendo 64 version of the original RE 2. I like doing that, taking an obscure aspect or 'character' from a universe and fleshing it out, making them someone, unlike Capcom... which is what I did with Bella, who only exists in the viral marketing for Operation Raccoon City, a name mentioned when a psychologist is interviewing HUNK, and notes the name is the only thing that gets an emotional reaction out of him. I took that and ran with it, leading to Lady Spencer. I took some aspects of Christine from the non canon audio adventure, and developed and elaborated on her further, and enjoyed doing so. That said thank you kindly, I'm glad you are enjoying her, she came out of left field for me in terms of enjoying writing her, came into her own through her interactions with HUNK, as I figured her out. Sometimes the character just takes a life of their own. If I do sequels to this one she will indeed feature more in the future.

They do indeed deserve a happy ending, but those can take a great deal to earn, sadly lol.

Echo Five: Can't really say who would voice or portray Richard "Dick" Valentine at this point... he sort of came together late in the story for me, still figuring him out. Probably somewhere in his late 40's to early 50's, smart and talented at what he does like Jill, but more roguish and outgoing in personality than her. Of direct French descent, so with a slight accent. A life long bad boy type, as a professional thief and con man, cunning. But more charismatic, emotional and warm about it than a cold, closely guarded introvert like HUNK, think a Robin Hood type or as TV Tropes calls the Lovable Rogue, a scoundrel. The life of the party, fun, but the sort of guy who was always going to end up in jail at some point lol. A womanizer before he met Jill's mother, and fell hard. Like Gambit from X-Men, perhaps? Yes... he seems closest of fictional characters I think are similar to Dick Valentine as I see him. Kind of fitting, since Jill has Jean Grey's voice xD. Jill takes more after her mother in personality, more balanced and 'everyman' type, subdued and thoughtful, though experienced of course, while she takes after her father more in looks. We'll see if you like my take on him. In a way he is also an older HUNK, there are parallels between the two, albeit a HUNK who has learned the error of his ways, two career criminals. Though with some Carlos and Chris to him as well.

By the end of 4 there will be people and things he despises more than Wesker, and Wesker/Red Umbrella will seem the least awful option. HUNK will be disillusioned with the world after the shit he dragged through in 4, coerced into heroism by the Feds, interrogated, probably tortured at Guantanamo, infected with a bioweapon as leverage to save Ashley, a government that is infested by a vindictive Simmons and The Family, as well as believing Jill has moved on and is better off without him anyways, has the B.S.A.A. and her friends, doesn't need him, will only drag her down. As well as not liking the U.N. and their red tape, if he joined the B.S.A.A. and still being resentful towards Lady Spencer for sacrificing herself in the story between Code Veronica and 4 and leaving him with few answers. All of it will pool up, stewing in it over the story, and lead to his decision. After a couple years or so of peace in hiding with Rebecca's help before his capture in 4, after the events of 4 he'll basically say "Fuck all this. There's no peace to be had for someone like me." Accept Ada's offer on Wesker's behalf and go back to the only thing he's certain he's good at. Being a U.S.S. Agent, assassin and thief in one. Red Umbrella being the only faction left for him to join and go back to how he was, reunite with Team Villain. 4 will be the antithesis to this story, where he starts off a better man and becomes more his old, bad self gradually, where in this one he starts off bad and becomes better than he was. Would be a sad, tragic story for sure, despite more humor and lightness in 4. Besides, Red Umbrella will have a vacancy he creates that he will decide to fill for the former, deceased occupant lol.

Akira-Hayama: Thank you kindly, the odd couples or characters interacting who never did was one of the things I enjoyed writing, interactions that didn't happen with Capcom... and will continue with Ada and GHOST in the next story lol and any others if I get around to them.

For sure, a sappy ending just wasn't in the cards for them. Wouldn't be true to either of their characters, and their being on opposite sides and having opposite personalities. How they feel doesn't undo the reality of the situation, unfortunately.

What he has with Jill is slower and more genuine, healthy, what he has with Christine is more passionate and about comfort... while being unhealthy lol. A villain ship, and really a sign that he never came to terms with Lady Spencer's abandonment, hence ending up with a pale imitation of her. Something familiar. Jill is different to him from either of them, and is genuinely interested in his wellbeing, not a selfishness both Bella and Christine had to them, using him, whether they meant to or not. The difference between two lady villains being with him, and one heroine being with him. Jill brought out the best of him, made him remember who he was, where Bella corrupted him steadily and Christine sort of has him in a stagnation.

Blonde Jill will still happen sadly lol the warning won't change much I think, Chris likely won't believe her when she tells him, doesn't trust HUNK's word, an Umbrella Agent. Wesker next pops up at Rockfort Island, crossing paths with Chris though, so HUNK will be proven right. As for blonde, masked, indoctrinated Jill, it'll happen, but would be presented under a different context, have more to it... and as for her hair, there's always hair dye at least lol. HUNK and Chris would not get along in the slightest when everything is out in the open, working together... though I think when they first meet on Rockfort Island in my adaptation of Code Veronica, HUNK wouldn't tell Chris who he is. Better to have an advantage, and study the Jill's partner first, gather intel. Plus he'll send Chris off to go chase after Wesker, Claire and Ashford, so they won't be around each other long at first. HUNK will have an island to reclaim from H.C.F. Priorities.

Thank you kindly, Richard Valentine sort of came late in the game for me, didn't plan on having him originally beyond some references. Hopefully you like what I do with him. And yes indeed, Mikhail earned some closure, and it helps some of HUNK's redemption, though that is a long ways off. Shows there's still good to him, someone that cares... though for now, sadly, the anti villain has to return. Complicated man.

Thank you very much lol never expected this story to reach a million words, but it sort of grew in the telling, to say the least. I won't be doing another of this size, thanks to figuring out my style of writing over the course of writing it, not needing to be as meticulous and plodding as I used to be. I sort of relaxed with my writing style, and it helps, so I can actually get things done.

Much appreciated, friend, we're getting close to the end, hope you like it.

kingalastor1: Her father is already dead and marriage is loveless, so it's not really about either. I think her feelings for him are genuinely on the level, as much as they can be for someone like her, but she also knows she can't marry him or have him all the time nor have kids with him. The class/social barriers, plus she's career driven, and he's the kind of man who isn't the settle down type, and she likes him for the way he is now. Her right hand man, paramour and personal assassin/agent. It's a strange relationship, but she mostly believes she's mostly achieved her goals, she's powerful in Umbrella and has HUNK, and Lady Spencer is seemingly out of the picture. So she's riding high, certain she has everything handled and will branch out, as you'll see in the epilogue, gaining ambition. She's in for quite a bit of pain and disappointment though, that's for sure. It's a similarity to HUNK's relationship with Lady Spencer, she couldn't marry him either, because an aristocrat doesn't wed a commoner/hired help. Regardless of what either might have wanted. HUNK definitely wanted her to divorce her husband and marry him when he was younger and naive, romantic, then it gradually progressed to his angry, bitter phase where he silently wanted to murder her husband and marry her, be a father. I'd say until she left for every birthday, or most of them, that was his wish, that she would leave her husband and marry HUNK... and towards the end the wishes were to murder her husband in increasingly creative, brutal ways, as his bloodlust grew over the years. Then she abandoned HUNK. Talk about a bucket of ice water in his face. If I ever get to reunite them, he is going to be silently fuming, holding it in at all costs as long as he can. The younger, emotional him returning. They would have it out the moment they got some privacy. Wouldn't surprise me if HUNK smashed a few objects. Very serious business to him. And part of why I knew I couldn't have her physically appear in the present of this first story. Too important and too soon.

Very true, and good summary of the matter. I don't expect we'll be getting back to the Resident Evil roots for their games anytime soon, sadly.

HUNK would join Red Umbrella when Ada offers it to him on Wesker's behalf. While yes joining Red Umbrella would be unnecessary after gaining a pardon, and joining the B.S.A.A. would be the right decision on the path of redemption, HUNK would be disillusioned and pissed off with the U.S. Government and the bullshit he went through surrounding the events of 4, being strong armed into heroism with a 'do this or be executed' ultimatum, infected with a bio or nanoweapon by Simmons to comply or die. Nor does he have any love for the U.N. and their red tape that would come with the B.S.A.A. I think HUNK would start slipping back into his old ways by the end of 4 and say 'Fuck it, this is the only thing I'm good at', leave behind the medal he earns from President Graham and leave America, go with Ada and GHOST to join Wesker, as the head of the new U.S.S. instead of an operative for the B.S.A.A. He will believe Jill has forgotten about him or moved on by then and doesn't need him anymore, that he can only bring her trouble now anyways, but really she just didn't know what happened, was away on a mission during 4 or deliberately kept out of the loop by the government, miscommunication and misunderstanding. Her eventually being informed of the truth by Rebecca confessing to her and arriving at HUNK's apartment too late, finding him gone already. Tragedy stuff. Though they would then be reunited the following year on opposite sides again, in a Revelations adaptation not long after, where Red Umbrella and the B.S.A.A. temporarily team up to fight Il Veltro and the H.C.F.

VONG: No conventional prison or orange jumpsuit is likely for HUNK, nor a lineup or mugshot. He's going to be taken directly to a military prison and informed off the record that he gets life in prison (or perhaps execution) or he accepts the deal to save Ashley for a pardon. No due process for HUNK, a man without an official record of existence as an American citizen. Ergo, no Constitutional Rights. Lady Spencer, the U.I.D. and their corrupt government contacts did too good a job erasing his past and existence, his true full name and identity, as Umbrella did the many orphans they take in for test subjects. They'll tell him he will be tried as a terrorist, it being post 9/11 and all. Not sure if he'll get the offer at a military base he is being held at on U.S. soil, or Guantanamo Bay. The latter intrigues me more. Maybe both, Guantanamo where he gets the offer he can't refuse, gets a haircut, fitted with a suit and sent on to the White House where he and Leon meet the President and President's family, and onward to an aircraft carrier bound for Spain, where he'll be kitted up, examined, and reunited with others, as well as infected with a control virus by Simmons (using Rebecca to administer it for extra cruelty) as well. Meanwhile Leon takes the more obvious way, a simple flight to Spain instead of a covert HUNK action movie infiltration lol, both meeting up in the field. I want to have a huge contrast between both men. HUNK in handcuffs, Leon not. I imagine both first meeting standing outside the President's office waiting to be let in... Leon POV for that chapter most likely, him just "Who the fuck is this guy?" HUNK unimpressed with everything. Haven't decided if he gets captured before Ashley is kidnapped or after, they located his location before hand and decide to go capture him then to strong arm him into saving her. I lean towards the latter. Either way, think Snake Plissken in his movies, but as an 80's Buddy Agent movie. The Feds will be especially heavy handed with him because of something he does to them in the Code Veronica adaptation, one of his missions, which will be alluded to in the epilogue of this story.

Rebecca meanwhile will get a more conventional federal custody, offered a pardon as well to assist on the rescue operation. Though will be told off the record by Adam Benford that if she doesn't cooperate they will go after her family full force as accessories, coerced into compliance. Benford is going to have quite the hatred of HUNK, as will Derek Simmons, advisor of Graham's in 4 and head of The Family, of course. HUNK will have the Colonel Roy Trautmann mentioned in this story (commanding officer of the Raccoon City Quarantine Zone) as the only authority in his corner though, his 80's action movie hype man: ("HUNK was Umbrella's best! The man can eat things that would make a billy goat puke! Slays giant mutated worms with his left hand, Tyrants with his right, in his sleep! Eats razor wire and green berets for breakfast and pisses napalm! If anyone can save poor Ashley, it's him, not Benford's effeminate golden boy." (Cue scowl from Benford) lol. The one who proposes the idea of 'recruiting' him to President Graham, where Benford wants Leon to Save Ashley alone and HUNK locked up somewhere the sun doesn't shine, and Simmons wants far worse for HUNK. Politics for you. President Graham, being a better father than he is a President, will insist on having both men save his daughter. There would be more humor to the story, lighter, but not an outright comedy, more of a balance of things. I can see NIGHTHAWK and QUARTERMASTER being press ganged into assisting on the operation as well. HUNK's old support team returning, some of it at least. Finding out HUNK is still alive. No Carla Radames though, by now working in a lab somewhere for Simmons, still thinking HUNK is dead, kept ignorant of this truth by Simmons, naturally. And can imagine lots of banter with HUNK, Ashley and Leon. Leon: "We need to get the hell out of here, let's move." Ashley: "We just need to contact my father, then we'll be ok!" HUNK: "Nuking Spain is not going to help us. Have to rely on ourselves now." Ah, such story potential. Gets the creative juices going.

Magd305TLC: I think as 4 goes on Ashley would be interested equally in HUNK and Leon, as a matter of fact lol much to both of their chagrin. A knight in shining armor in Leon's case, and the dangerous bad boy in HUNK's case. Best of both worlds for her. Her older twin sisters will be jealous xD. Thank you kindly, glad you're enjoying the story ;).

Salty76: Aw, there there, didn't mean to upset you. Although I'm always very flattered when my writing manages to make someone cry, moves them that much lol. It even got to me a bit writing it. Been a long emotional journey, especially for me, having all this in my head, the characters. Bittersweet for me and the characters, getting towards the end, as well as having to separate HUNK and Jill, for what will be quite a long time, going their separate ways. But there's always hope. I don't do downer endings and nihilism.

Terrrry: If I do a Code Veronica sequel and others, HUNK's weapon load out will indeed change and expand, especially depending on the situation/mission. His primary lethal weapon would be a modified G36 Assault Rifle with hundred round drum magazines, laser sight, silencer, scope and attached grenade launcher in the Code Veronica sequel, like the kind NULL's team were carrying, along with other different weapons. More advanced tech as well, gadgets and weapons from QUARTERMASTER. Faithful Matilda would remain his primary sidearm though, of course. The reason U.S.S. Alpha Team's weaponry in this story was more standard weaponry was because Operation: NESTWRECKER did not anticipate an outbreak. It was supposed to be a simple grab of Birkin and the G-Virus, the only potential threat being the facility's security, so little reason to bring in all the heavy artillery. But it all went horribly wrong instead. HUNK will not repeat that mistake again. I also wanted to have Jill be the one who goes through the most weapons for this story, being as it's primarily her story/game I was adapting.

bakaultima: Sadly, this adventure is nearly over, and yes HUNK ends it not in a good place. Bittersweetness for him and Jill. But all hope is not lost, and there might be other adventures. I don't want to make promises and then disappoint anyone, even if they will be disappointed if I don't write sequels anyways. We shall see what happens, definitely doing the Ada/Agent short story next, I do have my writing style figured out at last, and I am brainstorming ideas for a Code Veronica adaptation, but I also have other stories I need to work on as well.

Thank you all for the reviews, as ever. On with the show, the groundwork to the ending, and a certain other character I decided to add to the equation:

---

October 10th, 1998, 12:23PM

Prisoner Visitation Hall, Arklay State Penitentiary, Arklay County, United States

"Jilly... that really you under all that? Don't take this the wrong way, mon cher... you're a sight for your old man's sore eyes... but you've looked a bit healthier, I seem to remember. And when was the last time you saw some sun?"

"Yeah... it's really me, Dick. And it looks a lot worse than it feels right now, believe it or not. But I'm here, aren't I?"

Jill spoke back to him into the phone a touch grimly with a breath of resignation, removing her sunglasses carefully and tucking them into her pocket, as her father smiled back at her wryly from his seat. Though the concern there evident in his gaze. Even now, speaking to him again, hearing his voice, seeing him... it was difficult to believe she was really here, and it was really him. That she had survived, and had the chance to make this right again. Watching his tall, lithe figure arrive down the corridor from beyond the dividing glass between them, clad in that familiar blue prisoner jumpsuit he had worn the last time she had been in this hall. Moving down to what was probably the exact same visitation booth, five years later, and settling down in the chair across from her, holding the dark phone to his ear, as she did hers to her own. His trimmed but loose brown hair had a bit more grey in it than the last time she had seen him, bangs still a decent length, face a bit more lined as well, but he remained as good looking as ever for his age. His eyes... her eyes... were as pleased and life filled as they ever were. His smile his usual roguish one, the one he'd worn in better days. When they had done a job together as well. Pulled off some con. He looked better than the last time she had visited, at least, and no longer wore handcuffs for visitation. More content and relaxed. If anything, he was a bit more physically fit since then, likely all the time he could spend working out here consistently. Keeping honed, even if he couldn't perform any jobs behind bars. And he was clean shaven and as well groomed as one could be under his circumstances. Around them there were an array of other convicts in blue, green and orange jumpsuits, the green and orange ones handcuffed and shackled to different degrees, while the others in blue were not. They were with their families, friends and lawyers speaking to one another in other booths... and numerous guards standing watch on both sides of the divided hall, but mostly minding their own business.

Mostly.

She felt the stares of some of them, as she had from those she'd encountered along the way here. Limping her way to the front desk, signing in for her visit. Felt some of the family members, including children looking at her... heard them whispering... and she couldn't blame them. There was no disguising the many bandages nor the deep, ugly purple bruises, the swelling that was yet to go down. Standing out on her pale features. It would likely be awhile before any of it did anyways... and the aches and pains lingered, especially in her face, her reset nose... but had at least eased up somewhat, thanks to a bit of time and Rebecca's treatments. Her new clothing covering up most of her injuries... but not enough of them. Even then, she looked like she had just been brutally beaten... which wasn't far off from the truth. Jill had even been offered the infirmary, and had politely declined, assuring the front desk that she was fine. Once Barry had quietly informed them she was a former cop and co worker of his, had come from Raccoon City, they had gone out of their way to be generous and accommodating to her. Understanding, and not prying. Even without a badge she was still one of their own, as far as they were concerned, along with being a friend of Barry, with his connections at the penitentiary. A number of the corrections officers, guards and staff having lived there, or grown up in the city... lost friends and family in the outbreak. She had thanked Barry for that... and had been glad to come clean about her father to him, Rebecca and Carlos. Released more of the weight from herself. Some of it, at least. She hadn't told them the part where she had been a thief as well... his accomplice... had not wanted to make them culpable in the criminal knowledge. It wasn't a matter that she didn't think she could trust them, not in the least... she simply hadn't been comfortable in doing so. It had been different, with HUNK... as it was different with them. She hadn't told them about Wesker either, yet... there had been more than enough bad news so far... and it would be best if she dropped that bomb once they were reunited with Chris. At least he would likely have collected some good news by now to balance out her bad news.

She also didn't know how to begin talking about HUNK... explaining him to the others... especially to Chris. She doubted he was going to pleased in the slightest... and wasn't sure how much she should tell him about that. Knowing him as well as she did, she doubted he would believe the word of a U.S.S. Agent on Wesker being alive.

But... one problem at a time. One bridge to cross. She had enough to contend with.

The others had opted to give her the privacy she needed, remaining out in Barry's car through the visit. With their supplies and weapons. Jill had left her Samurai Edge behind with them, of course, it not being worth the hassle of bringing it in. Barry and Rebecca had been equally surprised and sympathetic to hear her father was a convict... but perhaps it had made sense to them now, how closed off and vague she had been about her past before. They hadn't asked too many questions, respecting her privacy. Carlos on the other hand had been quite impressed, making a few cracks about it... but not unkindly so. Asking some questions about what heists he had undertaken, if he had been a bank robber or not, like something out of the action movies he watched. More than a few of his jokes being about the movie Heat. And now here she was... after all this time. Five years. Before what had happened in Raccoon City she had been unsure if she would ever come back here, come see him again... set aside her grudge. Now... she had enough grudges to carry, more important and pressing ones... and her own father would not be among them. Not after she'd been given a second chance to get it right. Her father went on as smoothly as before in her ear through the phone.

"Yes... so you are. And I believe it. They need to fire the nurse that let you wander away from your hospital bed. Or the doctor that discharged you."

"Didn't go to a hospital. Hospitals mean questions. You know that."

"Learned from your old man, alright. Yes, true enough. I imagine the Feds are staking them all out around the state by now. For any of the other survivors turning up."

"Exactly."

"Still, it's not right. You should be taking it easy. Incidentally, happy belated birthday. Doubt it was the most fun of them. Would have wrapped you up some medical supplies as a present if I could have."

"Thank you. It's fine, really. I can manage it. It used to be worse. Had since the 1st to recuperate a bit, already have supplies and a skilled medic patching me up. Took some pain killers as well. Going to have plenty of scars to show for it, though."

"Well... face and bandages currently notwithstanding... you look like a million bucks. Got yourself a nice haircut since your last visit. And the face will heal with time. Hands and everything else too, from the look of it. Scars build character. Nice suit too... a hell of a lot better look than mine. I miss my fancy threads."

Richard Remy Valentine's low, faintly accented voice returned to his daughter, looking through the glass to the black suit jacket, black dress pants, burgundy shirt and black leather combat boots she wore with a smile, and then back to his prisoner jumpsuit with some evident disdain. She stifled the impulse to laugh, though couldn't repress the faint smile that found her lips. He had always been particular in his fashion tastes... even on a job... especially a con. Shaking her head slowly, she spoke into the phone again.

"Oh I don't know about that, Dick... blue has always been your color. Really brings out the eyes."

"You should talk, kiddo... not that the current color scheme doesn't look good on you. Dark and moody."

"And I just hope that's not the exact same jumpsuit you wore last time. Tell me you at least have more than one of them to change into. And that you've learned to do your own laundry."

"Funny girl. I see you've grown a sense of humor these past years. Mellowed out a little."

"No thanks to you... yes. Didn't have many other options, old man. Couldn't steal a personality or sense of humor. Had to learn to get along with others on my own. To relax a bit. Trust others. You never quite taught me that. The opposite really. Among other things you neglected to."

"Add it to my list of failures. No doubt you have one for me still, and it is plentiful, to have stayed away so long.", Dick returned with a low, tired breath, leaning back in his seat a bit. Visibly weary at the thought, though eyes not leaving hers. The wry curiosity there in them... as well as the concern. "What have you been doing with yourself since you stormed out of here? Keeping busy and out of trouble, I hope? The straight and narrow?"

"You could say that. Joined the army... then the R.P.D. The S.T.A.R.S. unit. Seemed like the thing to do."

"No... really? My little girl, a badass soldier and a cop? Who would have thought?"

"Certainly not me. Ex soldier and ex cop these days, if you hadn't noticed."

"I noticed. See no dog tags on you or a badge and uniform. And I've been following the papers, what I can get. Saw you were joining S.T.A.R.S. along with some others... but it said nothing about your military service. Also saw they had fired you, after the 'incident' in the mountains. Nevertheless, you'll figure out another career, knowing you. And the talents you got from both careers will help."

"Got that right. Have a few ideas what I'll be, next. Raccoon City settled it for me, already."

"Atta girl. What rank did you attain before leaving the army?"

"Specialist. Spent a couple years there... got the notice of Delta Force. An experimental military program let me in for a six month Operator Training Course. Wasn't made an actual operator, of course. For the best. Wouldn't have succeeded at the full training, and I made a better cop anyways than I do a soldier. Trained in a variety of useful things though, and did well enough. Excelled in bomb disposal... and lock picking. Naturally."

"Naturally. Well that's certainly you, isn't it? Specialist Valentine. Always were a quick learner. Hope you put what I did teach you to good use. Better uses."

"Yeah... I think I have. Bailed me out of more than a few tight corners."

Jill returned with a faint smile, considering it... all the times she'd made use of what he had taught her. Especially at the Spencer Mansion, where it had saved her life more than once. The plethora of puzzles and locks to deal with from the mad founder of the company. Though, more than that, she found a curiosity forming as well. Wondering how he had endured the past years, mostly cut off from the world. Drawing a breath and asking it of him at last.

"What about you? What have you been doing? How have you been?"

"Heh... what does it look like? Reading, working out, eating, sleeping. Watching the clock. Not much a man can do in here with my talents. Settled in well at least, adapted to the long term. When you're in prison, you learn to navigate this small world real quick. I'm a model prisoner too, apparently. Was informed by my lawyer awhile back I'll be up for parole by 2007, if I play my cards right. I fully intend to... always did. Don't plan on ending up like Brooks from Shawshank."

"The judge really threw the whole damn book at you, didn't he?", Jill remembered, jaw tightening at the memory of his hearing. How irritated the judge had been with him through the trial. How satisfied he had been to deliver the verdict, as tough a sentence as he possibly could. She couldn't say she didn't understand, given her father's record... but it still wasn't entirely right. And all she could do was sit there and listen, watch as her father took the fall for both of their crimes. Forcing herself not to stand up and tell the truth... for him. She still regretted that she had listened to him, and always would. "Either someone pissed in his cereal that morning, or you robbed him as well. Think you might have set a record there... most jail time for thefts."

"Wasn't a first time offender, Jilly. And I was a creative crook. Been around the block. The price of being the best at what you do... especially when that thing is crime. Though there were many days I think I should have ripped off that public thief of a judge. He's let violent felons off with lesser sentences. Would have been nice to teach him a lesson.", Dick chuckled tiredly under his breath grimly, looking about his surroundings. To the other prisoners on his side of the hall, and to the watchful guards around. Offering her a tired smile on his lined face and a knowing wink. "Not that my little girl neither calling, writing nor visiting helped matters with my being here. But I suppose I earned that just as much as I did the jail time."

"Yes... you did. Not going to bullshit you there.", She replied quietly, not willing to sugar coat it and let him off the hook entirely. Even now. Especially now, when truth mattered the most. All the same... she didn't feel the same deep anger that she had in the past. The resentment. Bigger things occupied her thoughts... to the point she almost wondered why she had held the grudge for so long. How small her world had been... before Umbrella. Before she had figured out how the world worked, and her place in it. "But... I try not to be as petty these days... and figured there were more important things now... than an old grudge. Everything has changed... it's like the entire damn world has gone upside down..."

Jill paused at that, uncertain how to proceed. What to tell him. How to approach it. She had let Carlos fill in the others on most of what had happened in Raccoon City. She had not been ready to talk about it all. Still wasn't sure that she was... or if she ever really would be. She could with HUNK... it had felt like they could tell anything to one another... but he was gone, now. She didn't know if her father would understand... but she had a promise to keep. And she needed to speak to someone... knowing the harm carrying it all alone would cause her in the long run.

"Yes. It certainly has. The television didn't say much, all through it. At least little I could trust. A number of the other prisoners and guards lost family members. They're glued to the local county news, waiting for the updated list of confirmed survivors from the military. It's pretty damn short, so far. Too short."

Her father took up the reins for her gradually, looking visibly saddened, tone growing more solemn. Pausing for a moment to gather himself, his own thoughts. The loss of his home must have hit him as hard as it had her. Where he had met her mother... where they had all been a happy family, once. All washed away, by time, corruption, a corporation and nuclear fire. It was still difficult to believe it had even happened, hoping it had only been a nightmare. Back at the motel she had often woken, thinking she was still in her apartment... thinking that she had only dreamed it all up. Sometimes she thought she woke before the city's outbreak, other times she thought she was waking before the Spencer Mansion. That she would be able to get up, check her mail, pass by her healthy and alive neighbors and report in to the R.P.D... to her friends and co workers. Only for the morning fog in her mind to gradually abate... and the pain reminding her it had been a fantasy... that this was the world she now lived in. Pain returned that continued to drive the message home, and keep her in reality. Despite the allure of dreams. She had started dreaming of it all... a hodgepodge of images and sounds... and especially of a mysterious man with grey eyes, his powerful, reassuring arms encompassing her in a clock tower courtyard, safe in the middle of hell with him. Content with him. She would give much for that feeling again... but it was not to be. All she had was the sensation of the tracking device, secured to her wrist. Well... that and the others. And her father now... again. Looking back at the concern in his eyes for her, as it was in his voice.

"When I heard what happened... I thought... well... I was certain that you were..."

He went silent again at that train of thought, visibly discomfited. She imagined then how it had been, the passing days with no word from her. Not knowing... and felt a pang of sympathy, reassuring him at once as best she could.

"I know, dad... I thought I would die many times through it. I should have died... but I made it though. Somehow... I did it..."

"Yes... you did. Thank God. What the hell happened in there? The news didn't say what it was exactly... but there were rumors. A Quarantine Zone... some kind of contamination. A radiation spill. Hazmat troops from the government under old Colonel Trautmann were being sent in and securing the zone. And then there were the stories about cannibals in the Arklay Mountains, back during the summer. Cannibals in the city. Some speculation of a cult at work. Had the feeling the papers and media were leaving things out, or just flat out bullshitting, as usual. What is the truth?"

Jill was silent at her father's curiosity... leaning back in her seat a bit... eyes leaving his through the glass. There was no fooling her father... he could spot deceit even from this prison, reading the paper. She remembered a number of his complaints on reporting and current events reading his paper over many a breakfast. She knew she could trust him with the truth... but knowing just as well how insane she was going to come off to sane people if they were listening in. She looked around to the others of the hall again, making sure they weren't watching, before leaning in closer to the phone and to her father, meeting his steady gaze. He leaned down into his phone as well with an understanding nod. When she spoke again, she did so more quietly, for his ears alone to hear. Letting the truth pour out at last in a torrent.

"It wasn't a radiation spill, cannibals or some cult at work... it was monsters, dad. Zombies. Dead people walking around, attacking the living, devouring them. Turning them into walking corpses as well. The people they killed got up and killed. Monsters grown in test tubes as well, lab experiments. Freaks. Like something out of a goddamn horror movie. Monsters in the streets outside my apartment... in my apartment building. People I knew and saw every day... people we both knew. I visited the old neighborhood during the outbreak... our house... you remember our neighbors? I saw them. The ones who hadn't fled boarded themselves in their homes or tried to eat me. I had to shoot Mr and Mrs Flanders in the head."

"Flanders was a zombie? Doubt I'd have noticed any difference. Poor bastard was already dead on the inside... was probably an improvement for Howard, after years of that nagging wife of his. I remember Norma was always snooping on us. Peeking over the fence, from the minute your mother and I moved in. Talking snidely behind our backs. Always did love her catty gossip, especially after you were born. Ace got her back for us at least, remember? Dug up her petunias. She must have had a field day at her knitting circle when I got busted."

"Dad, I'm not joking. I know how crazy it sounds... thought I was going crazy when I first saw them... but it's the truth. No bullshit."

"I believe you, Jilly. Really. I do. You wouldn't invent a story like that."

Dick murmured back into the phone as quietly as her... looking visibly troubled, despite his jokes and relapsing into fond memories of the old neighborhood. Similar to Carlos he had long seemed to tell them to help cope with a bad situation or topic, where words did not come easily. He was clearly disturbed by the revelation as she was just speaking about it again. But as curious as before, gripping the receiver more tightly, hand paling like his visage. But neither his eyes nor tone wavered.

"Go on. How did it happen? How did it play out?"

"There were viral outbreaks from their labs, courtesy of the Umbrella Corporation. Bioweapons they were testing. They call it the T-Virus... the Tyrant Virus. First it happened up in the Arklay Mountains, during the summer... at the Spencer Mansion. There was a facility beneath it, scientists creating them who were infected. Most of my friends and teammates were killed up there when we went to investigate the reported murders in the mountains... me and a few others made it out, managed to set off the self destruction sequence for the lab and contain the outbreak. Months later... it happened again in Raccoon City as well. Another facility Umbrella had hidden away beneath the city. That's why the government nuked the city, not just to contain it, but to cover it up. They were complicit as well... they knew. Have their own bioweapons program... are just as bad as Umbrella. Planned on getting their hands on a new virus one of Umbrella's top scientists was working on. Everything... just went to hell, over the course of a week. It happened so fast... too fast... the downfall."

"How the hell did you survive all that? An army of monsters? Much less the nuke?"

"I don't really know how I survived. Long, complicated story... stories... still trying to put all the pieces together... would take longer than we have here to get into it all step by step. But... after the Arklay Mountains... when we got back to the city... I tried to warn everyone. Me and the other survivors, my friends. Chris, Barry, Rebecca and Brad. Along with a small team of investigators we put together. Nobody listened to us... we were fired from the department by that scheming, dirty son of a bitch Chief Irons... him and Mayor Warren. They shut down the S.T.A.R.S. unit... permanently. Or at least until they could replace our asses... likely with people on the same payroll as them."

"So I read. The papers didn't state the reason for your dismissals, your unit's disbandment. As for Warren... amazing that socialist asshole got himself reelected to waste more tax payer money.", Dick replied with bitterness in his lined features and voice, far from the first time she'd heard her father complain about the career politician, and Raccoon City's other political figures. Some things never changed. Uttering a low sigh and rubbing his face tiredly, he rested his arm down on the side of the chair, fingers tapping along it absently as he went on with irritation. "With that shit eating grin on the billboards and some more friendly, false words? What the hell was wrong with the voters? Superficial idiots. Easily swindled by nicely spoken promises. Though I'm certain the votes were either rigged or his opponent in the race was controlled, bought and paid for opposition. Did he put up a gold statue of himself while I've been in here?"

"Not quite, but close. He set up a puzzle based locking mechanism for City Hall's main gates. Twelve assorted priceless jewels encrusted into its face. All on the tax payer's dime, of course. I'm sure his golden statue was first in line on the next set of directives, before the outbreak hit. They even had a former co worker and friend of mine who was still at the department, Marvin, searching for several that were stolen, in the midst of the outbreak. Mayoral priorities. Who gives a damn about a horde zombies eating his constituents, right?"

"Holy shit. I could have been rich in one night, with one visit to City Hall. Seriously, who couldn't unseat that mayor? The citizens would have been better off running the Mayor from Jaws against him. Then again, that was Warren already, wasn't it? Minus the anchor suit."

"It wasn't just him and Irons in on the corruption either, it was City Hall, all or most of them were on Umbrella's payroll. Enough of them. Same with various doctors and public figures, scientists. Damn near the entire press. Senator Tester is too, for that matter. Goes that high. I bet he's partying it up somewhere tropical right now, spinning up a good cover story. Didn't see him at any of the Capitol Hill press conferences or meetings. Mayor Warren fled first the moment the shit hit the fan. Bailed out before the military put up the Quarantine Zone and left his daughter Katherine behind to die with everyone else. Umbrella got its money worth with all the bribery."

"That public thief used his own family and useful idiot voters as a human shield. Threw them all under the bus. Who would have imagined it? Son of a bitch stole more over the years than I ever did in my prime. If I wanted to get away with thievery, I should have entered politics. Always was more a romantic and a risk taker, though. Earning what I did through risk... there is no risk in being corrupt in politics now. Not really. Not when so many are, just patting one another on the back. Escaping the repercussions. No justice in the world... especially not these days."

"No... there is some justice... not much of it, but some. They won't get away with it, if I have something to say about it. I gathered enough dirty laundry and evidence on numerous parties to see at least a little justice carried out. I hope so, anyways. Warren will pay for what he has done if it's the last thing I do. He won't escape the storm that's coming. I will find him. Just a matter of when. Tester as well."

"That's my girl. Never give up. Hope you can clean out some of the other criminals on Capitol Hill while you're at it. They had to know, must have been in on it. The President resigning is not good enough. His Vice President was just as bad. Watch that global warming grifter pardon everyone real quick... the only warming happening is all that hot air he spews. That neocon Governor Graham isn't much better. Talks a good talk, has a better reputation and image of family values than the previous pervert in chief did, and the public is eating it up, but he's probably a choke artist. Neck deep in that swamp anyways. If there's any justice, you have a much better chance of getting it than Graham does. Watch him get in in a landslide and do nothing about all this. Try to sweep it all under the rug and focus on the Middle East like his daddy. A soul and a hundred thousand American lives is a small price to pay for power to those elected criminals."

At the mention of them all, the many she had failed... Jill was silent on the phone for a time. Jaw tightening... feeling a helplessness just hearing it aloud, heart beating quicker. Knowing how small her actions had been in the scheme of things... how futile. Even if... when she tracked down Warren... saw some form of justice done... it wouldn't bring back the lost. Wouldn't undo the radioactive crater that was now her home. Nothing would. Umbrella and the government had already won. This battle, at least... the most important one perhaps. The most personal one to her. She felt the tears threatening again... the last thing her throbbing, sore face needed. But looking back at her father's silent, concerned gaze, she could not repress them for long. Letting them silently flow, trickle down her cheeks. What the hell was wrong with her, lately? She had thought the tears were gone forever, after the Arklay Mountains. Now they were back... and she hurt more than any of the injuries she'd sustained in Raccoon City. A wound in her being. Willing her voice to remain quiet and as controlled as possible... not to shake. Even as her hand resting down on her pant leg trembled. Letting out more of the poison that felt like it coursed in her veins.

"I... couldn't help them, dad. Nothing I did worked. I warned them... warned so many people. Pursued leads... stayed behind in the city while my friends rightly left weeks before. I was so certain I was close to a breakthrough, something to blow the lid off Umbrella. Irons had his goons watching me, following me. Then the T-Virus hit. I fought the monsters too... street by street. Tried to save people. There were too many of them... monsters in the streets... spreading, people dying by the hundreds every day... coming back to life. Mutating... becoming worse. The reservoir was contaminated with the virus, infecting countless more people. I told people it was going to happen... most of them said I was crazy. By the time anyone started listening to me... it was much too late. It was a massacre. Umbrella mercenaries were sent into the city as well, platoons of mercs, them and the R.P.D. Battled the horde that broke through the barricades on Main Street... they were wiped out. The Quarantine Zone was erected, the military surrounded us... but didn't push forward to retake the city. Held back support, like fucking cowards, on orders from the crooked politicians no doubt, while thousands of citizens were butchered and reanimated. They were even working along side Umbrella's special forces, maintaining the Quarantine Zone together. In bed together there as well. There was nothing I could do... I pitched in where I could over the course of the outbreak. Killed as many infected and mutations as I could manage. Even rescued a number of civilians, escorted them to safety at Raccoon High School... where a bunch of survivors were held up. Some of my former teachers as well. When I returned to check on them days later... they were all dead, or worse. The virus got in... maybe they saw a reanimated family member or friend and let them in... maybe one was hiding their infection. All I know is that it was a slaughterhouse. All I could do was wander through the bloody halls of my old school... and put down the same people I'd saved. Who had cried out with relief when I saved them hours or days before... and then were trying to eat me. Over seventy of them... men, women and children alike... I had to kill the ones who reanimated a second time. I don't even know how I made it back to my apartment, after... how I didn't turn my gun on myself..."

Her father watched her silently throughout her confession... leaning in a bit closer to the glass. Expression solemn. Helpless as well... perhaps wishing he could do more. It was enough that he was just here, listening, and cared... but she wished for more as well. She wished for HUNK... that she had been able to tell him all this, that they could have talked more about what they had done, what they had survived. She still didn't know much beyond the essentials of what had happened to him down in NEST. Maybe it was better that she didn't know... already carrying enough of her own horrors... but that didn't stop her curiosity. Dick gave her a bit of time to wipe aside her tears, to gather herself, before he spoke up quietly again in her ear. Soothing. Understanding.

"Hey... it's ok, Jilly. It's not your fault. I can already see how much you did, sacrificed. You tried. You did more than many of them deserved. Umbrella and the local crooks are to blame for all this... you were against the power of an entire city. One woman can't fight City Hall, much less a global corporation. I know that you did all that you could and then some."

Jill knew he was right, deep down, much as she didn't want to admit it. As she had known with HUNK's similar reassurances. The knowledge there was only so much she could have done... even with the allies she had made, it had been a no win scenario. It was of no comfort, though, made her feel helpless. But then... the truth rarely was a comfort. It was usually cold, and unkind... but it was real, at least, not another of the illusions Umbrella cast. Closing her eyes tightly, she willed the tears to gradually cease falling, wiping her face, in spite of the soreness the touch drew. Forcing herself to clear her thoughts, opening her eyes and going on once more.

"Yeah... I tried... I wasn't alone in the fight, though. Thank God. Wouldn't have survived the mountains or the city. There were other survivors. Three of them are waiting for me outside. We have plans... a plan... we're leaving the country for them. I can't tell you them all, for your own safety. Better you not know, right now. It's not just Umbrella... but Umbrella is going to pay for what they have done. Not letting them off the hook. We have some loose ends to tie up here in the States, first... before we go do that."

"Give your friends my best, when you get out of here.", Dick returned after a pause of consideration with a simple nod. Forgoing his curiosity, and supporting her instead. Much to her quiet relief. "And I understand. Never know who's listening in, these days. Just be careful when head out there and do this thing of yours. As much as you can be."

"I will..."

Jill returned quietly... pausing... remembering her conversation with HUNK on the phone... wishing her caution as well. She considered telling Dick about all the survivors... her friends... her partner. But the more she considered it, the more one particular man came to mind... someone she couldn't talk about yet to any of the others... but one perhaps she could to her father. One he might understand better than the other S.T.A.R.S. Already she did not look forward to telling them... especially Chris, all but certain of his understandable misgivings. The righteous hell she was likely to get. But she would cross that bridge when she got to it. For now... it was another weight... one she could entrust her father with. So she did exactly that, despite her hesitation.

"And... there was something else. One other person. A man... who helped me, in the city. Saved my life.. more than once. Wouldn't be here... if not for him."

"Oh? I'm all ears."

"A man from Umbrella... who was in the city on a mission. A soldier. But... not like the other employees of the company. He was... good to me. Fought by my side. I was infected by the T-Virus... another long story there... and he found the cure, just in time. Used it on me... instead of sharing it with the world like I asked him to. He was also the one who told me to come here and see you. Let you know I had made it out... and to mend this. I promised him that I would."

"I think I like him already.", Dick's familiar smile formed and deepened... the sight of it almost enough to make her reciprocate. Yet it vanished again when he saw it was a serious matter. "Go on, Jilly. Take your time."

"He's a... special forces agent of theirs... the best of the best... does their dirty laundry. Espionage. Assassinations. A veteran with the Umbrella Security Service. Secret agent man. Has a code name and everything. I've... never seen anyone move like him in battle, in a fight. Anyone as talented. If he were a bad guy... had wanted to harm me, kill me... I could not have stopped him. But he didn't."

"A spy, huh? Like James Bond?"

"Something like that. His code name is HUNK though, not numbers."

"Hunk?"

"Yes. All capitalized."

"Are you kidding me? Capitalized too? A bit egotistical a code name, wouldn't you say?"

"He didn't pick it. Didn't get a choice in the matter."

"I should hope not. Does he at least live up to the code name?"

"I think so."

"You think so?"

"Never fully saw him without his gas mask and helmet, dad. He was armored head to toe. But what I did see... well."

"I get the picture. Won't pry any further, there at least.", Dick wisely conceded with another trace of a wry, knowing smirk. She averted her eyes, lest her cheeks start burning crimson. Shaking his head slowly, her father went on again. "Who is this 'secret agent man' of yours? Tell me more. Or is that a secret too?"

"Much of him is. Walking mystery. Told me some things... though I doubt it was much compared to whatever he is holding back. Burdens he is carrying alone. But I've seen enough. Know enough. He's a man named John. Jack. His co workers have also nicknamed him the Grim Reaper, or Death."

"Ominous."

"Yeah... he certainly is surrounded by it... used to it... but he has a good heart... when he is able to show it. A good man... I'm sure of it... but one who works for evil people. And has done... a number of bad things, in the past. Troubled. I tried to get him out of the life at Umbrella... he doesn't want to be there... but he's too deeply ingrained in it. Been there too long, doing what he does. It's all he knows. He got involved... they got him involved early, straight out of an orphanage. Since he was a teenager. Like a cult indoctrination. Umbrella uses their orphanages for easy access to test subjects and recruits. That sick old bastard Spencer's own twisted daughter did it to him. Guess some things do run in the family."

Richard Valentine chewed over what she told him for a few moments, hand rising, rubbing his chin absently. As he did so, Jill felt a bit more of the weight released... saying it aloud. Speaking of the man of mystery. A man unlike any she had ever met... or seemed likely to meet again. It felt good to do so... but it didn't take away all the weight. The pain of it. Losing him, Never actually having a chance, compared the Umbrella. Compared to some supermodel doctor who got to walk away with him... fly away. Leaving her in the dust. And the pain of the phone call weighed on her just as much. And the cool metal device fastened to her wrist beneath its dark sleeve would remind her every moment. She had made sure of that. She could do no less to herself, if he was going to be wearing the dog tags she had given him. All they could do now was remember one another. Whatever happened to them, whatever they had to do or be... they would not be far from the other's thoughts, at least. At last Dick lowered his hand with a breath, nodding and looking back at her.

"Understandable. Most criminals don't just walk away from the life of crime willingly. Not really. Especially the ones who start that early. Inducted into gangs. I've seen it many times before. The relapse rate alone speaks volumes. Crime is addictive, a thrill, like a drug. Especially when you are rewarded for it, as he seems to have been."

"You walked away, for mom. Left that life behind for years. Guess I just wasn't enough for him. Good enough, like she was for you."

"Don't say that. Maybe I walked away for your mother... but I never really went away. Yuriko knew that as well. The temptation was always there. Carried it with me every day, struggled not to go back to it. It was the only thing I was good at... until I got myself caught. Why do you think I went back to that life as soon as she died? I tried not to and I failed. Now I'm paying for it... and trying again. And so is this soldier boy of yours. In his own way, his own hell. It's not you, it's him. His struggle to endure. What he's involved in... it sounds a hell of a lot worse and more complicated than any racket I was wrapped up in. He's basically in a prison gang. Or the mafia. Try to leave, and he's as good as dead. He needs to figure it out for himself. Find a way out of his dark place. You can't do it all for him. Can't save everyone. Like those people you tried to help in the city. Life will just happen. Things outside of your control. It's possible to make no mistakes, do all you can, and to still fail. That's not really failure though... it's just the human condition."

"Maybe... maybe you're right... but I need to try something. Can't just sit back, do nothing and hope for the best. I'm not wired that way. I need to try. Can't live with myself knowing that I didn't."

Jill muttered into the phone, as much to herself as to her father. Not for the first time since she'd turned it off, she had felt the desire to flip up the metal black and white umbrella emblem safety catch on the device he had given her. Push the button and wait. Make him come to her. Steal him away from Umbrella and flee their reach... take him into hiding until they were destroyed. U.I.D. be damned. The risk to him... to her team... and her promises to him were the only things keeping her from doing it. She knew the temptation would always be there. The challenge to resist it. Still... there was something reassuring about having it as much as it was a burden, feeling the metal... and the knowledge she had a last resort to reach him, one day, if all else failed. Mouth tightening slightly, she spoke up again, meeting her father's eyes.

"I tried to save him, help him... and don't plan on giving up on him. Like everyone else has. I'll find him again, one day... somehow. He needs me, wherever he is. Needs someone, at least. Who cares. Who... loves him..."

"Tsk tsk. Will wonders never cease? Never thought I'd live long enough to see you this hung up over a man.", Richard Valentine returned after a long pause and a whistle through the phone, tone growing louder, teasingly gloating. Matching the thoroughly pleased look crossing his lined face. Chuckling under his breath, though not in a mocking fashion. "And I recall warning you not to go chasing after dangerous men like me when you grew up, didn't I? Like mother, like daughter, huh Jilly? More than her, really... not even falling for a thief, skipped that and went straight to a corporate spy and assassin. Nothing but the best for my little girl."

"Shhh... dad, please...", Jill hissed into the phone, looking from him and around to the other visitors and convicts and guards, making sure nobody was listening in. Feeling the heat of embarrassment creep into her bruised cheeks and along her neck... the way the man in question had easily done to her, she recalled. Looking back through the glass with a shake of her head. "Not so loud. Knew I shouldn't have told you anything about him. And it's not like I went out of my way looking for him. He found me. Grabbed me in a stranglehold... I thought he was going to kill me, at first."

"Certainly one way to introduce yourself to a girl... his mama must not have taught him boundaries. Always preferred the charm approach myself. Catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Lucky him though, grabbing the right girl. No, really... I'm glad you did tell me. He sounds like a good guy... protecting you, having you finally come visit me to patch things up. Corporate killer aspect notwithstanding. But everyone has their flaws. Looks like he left a hell of an impression, at least."

"Yeah... he's something else, alright..."

"So... does this secret agent boyfriend of yours have good genes? When am I going to be a grandfather, then? Before or after I get out of here? The sacred Valentine bloodline must survive, after all. It is in dire need of securing and continuing. Tempus fugit, Jilly. Waits for nobody"

"One problem at a time, dad. Priorities."

Jill's blush deepened a little to match her bruises, as her father smiled broadly and unapologetically. Though she was certain part of it was teasing... there was genuine intent and wish, there. Given some of is advice the last time they had spoken. Him and Chris would have gotten along there, she was sure, her protective partner often pressuring his little sister Claire to find herself a decent man, marry, settle down and start a family, instead of continuing her often rebellious and occasionally juvenile delinquent ways. And the string of bad boyfriends she'd dated. More than once when she had visited Raccoon City Claire had complained to Jill about her brother, she had tried talking to Chris but he had been adamant on the matter. He had wanted to set her up with someone from the department, a good influence for a change... Jill had suggested the ever steadfast bachelor Kevin Ryman, but Chris had shot the idea down almost immediately. Saying he was too much older, and that he didn't want another hot shot player dating Claire, but someone who would stick around with her. Look out for her and make an honest woman of her. He had contemplated setting her up with one of the friendly young rookies of the department... but the Arklay Mountains had happened before he could set his match maker schemes in motion. And soon there had been higher priorities, even to him, putting the scheme on the back burner for the moment. She had tried dissuading him, at least... trying to patch things up between the brother and sister... but it was their particular family drama to deal with, not hers. She supposed Chris's concern had made sense, though, having to fulfill the role of a big brother and a father in one, after their parents deaths. The loss hadn't been any easier on them than the loss of Jill's mother had been on her and Dick. Jill had little doubt it would be long before her partner was playing match maker again. Some things never changed.

"There are more important things happening in the world right now than me needing to get knocked up, if you hadn't noticed."

"Oh very well, put it off for now. I'll bug you some more about it another time. Don't think I'm letting you off the hook though, young lady."

"God forbid. I should be so lucky..."

Her father laughed at that, thoroughly pleased with himself, and she couldn't resist a slight chuckle herself. Welcoming the warm feelings of amusement. Especially over the many unpleasant alternatives. The two Valentines were silent for a long moment, but it was a more relaxed, comfortable pause... not needed to be filled by words to each other. It had been a long time, too long since she had last shared such a moment with him. Usually it had been when they went out to breakfast together the morning after a job, at Emmy's Cafe or the nearby diner. Him dressed in his blue denim shirt and jeans, sipping his coffee over the newspaper... or playing with his deck of cards with his quick hands, lightly flirting with the occasional pretty young waitress, even some she had known at Raccoon High School, graduates and current attendees alike, much to her chagrin. Giggling as his accented voice worked the charm on them, showing them some card tricks, while she had all but hid under the menu. Pouring syrup on and eating her pancakes, rolling her eyes when he engaged with the waitresses shamelessly. He'd never missed an opportunity, in work or fun alike. There was a reason she hadn't brought many friends home. The few she'd had, anyways. When she'd tried to remind him of his age, he'd just flashed her that smile of his and shrugged unapologetically. She hadn't heard the end of it at school, when the older girls talked about her father, as taken in by him as any of his many easy marks over the years. Jill alone was the reason none of them found their wallets missing or the contents of their purses after meeting her father. She remembered how proud he had been of her, those times they'd gone out to dinner... and how much she had wanted to make him proud. Not questioning what he had been teaching her... what they had been doing, the ethics of it. She still felt shame over that... dirtying many of the fond memories she'd had with him. Though not all.

She remembered he would take some left overs each time with him, and feed them to Ace when they got home as a treat. He'd loved that dog as much as she had, part of the family, especially after her mother passed on. They had chosen him together. Losing him had been nearly as painful as losing her, one more connection to his wife and her mother, gone. But the words returned to her, gradually... and meeting his eyes, she spoke them to him quietly. Saying what needed to be. What she wished she had years ago... but had let her anger control her instead.

"Dick... I know a lot happened between us... enough material to make some shitty family drama movie out of... but I've had years to think it all over. And I wanted to say...", Jill started gradually, pausing, taking her time. The time she needed. Speaking words she had once thought she never would. "Look. We made a mess of things... and then some. Even if my mess was smaller than yours... I made my share of mistakes too. You were right about me finding another way. I knew it... but I held that grudge for years. And... well. I wish I hadn't."

"Wishing that things were different..."

"Does not make them so. ", Jill finished the phrase for him as he trailed off, remembering his old saying well enough... all of them. He had been a man with no shortage of knowledge he'd picked up in his time. Even now. "You're right. It's why I'm here, taking action instead. The point is... I... forgive you... dad."

There it was... as simply as that the weight of those words she had been carrying had finally been released. The silence on the phone returned. Though not for long.

"I don't deserve it... but I'm sure as hell not about to turn that down, Jilly. Another chance.", Dick murmured back into the phone... bowing his head a little. A pleased, slow smile touching his faintly lined face. Looking younger than he was in that moment. Relieved. Shutting his eyes tightly, before opening them again and looking back at her through the glass. "Thank you. I... wasn't a very good father. Didn't try hard enough. I was a better criminal. I thought I could be, when your mother was here. I never imagined losing her. Never prepared for it. The worst case scenario. After she died... I realized how much weight she was holding up in the marriage all along, compared to me. Still don't know what the hell she saw in me. Never will. You don't really know what or who you have... until they're gone."

She understood that lesson all too well. They both had learned it, the hard way. Everything they had taken for granted, never knowing it would vanish from their lives so abruptly. She thought of the agent's grey eye within the mask... the way it had looked at her before he had left her. The reluctance... the conflict. She hadn't even known the stranger who served her enemy for more than a day, in the time they had been conscious. And yet... here she was. Pining after him silently like some silly love struck teenage girl. A dangerous man who on one hand had delivered a bioweapon to Umbrella... and on the other had used a cure on her that could have saved the world. A man who left her conflicted. In Raccoon City she'd never thought ahead, that they would part ways... had forgotten the obvious. Or forced herself to. She had earned the blindsiding she had received. There had been no excuse for her ignorance, for hoping he would leave it all behind for her then. He had promised he would on the phone, if the day came where she pushed that button. She wanted to believe he would... that she could mean more to him than the company. But the truth was... she didn't know. All she could do was hope. As part of her hoped she never had to push that button and find out. Her jaw tightened a bit, keeping control of herself, keeping any fresh tears at bay as she went on.

"No... you don't. It can all be gone in a flash. But... we're still alive. That's something. We've still got each other, don't we?"

"Yes... we do. And I plan on doing better this time. Especially now that I have the chance to. Something to look forward to."

"That makes two of us, then."

On that note, she felt her face slowly and genuinely smile at her father, and watched him return it. Another comfortable silence where nothing was required of either of them. Where they understood one another perfectly... with no conflict to either of them. She glanced to her watch, seeing time tick away... and knew she had said what had to be already. That it was time to keep moving. If she didn't go now, will herself to move on to the next stage... she might never leave Arklay County again. With reluctance, she spoke again to her father quietly, meeting his blue eyes through the glass.

"I hate to leave so soon... now that I got here, finally did this... but I need to get going, dad. Keep moving. I can't settle into Arklay County long term, yet, not with the Feds skulking around. And not while Umbrella is still in the picture. Those plans of me and my friends.,. I need to set them into motion. Do what needs to be done. And make another stop before we leave the States. But I couldn't do that without seeing you again, first. Setting this right. No matter what happened... or what will happen... you're my father. And I love you."

"I understand. And I love you too. I should have shown it better. But... screw ups of mine or not, that's never changed. Not for an instant.", Richard Valentine vowed with another forlorn smile and a nod. As reluctant as she was to have to part ways again... but understanding. Likely knowing what she had to do... what she was going to do. "Go on then, Jilly. Run along. Don't be afraid out there. You're a Valentine... of course you'll succeed. Do what you have to... but make sure you survive this thing of yours. I would like to see you again. You'll be in my thoughts, in the meantime..."

"I will... dad. You'll be in mine as well."

"And give Umbrella and all the other crooks hell. For your mother, me and yourself. For everyone in Raccoon City. Our home."

"I will. And I'll be back to visit you again. I promise."

"I'll be holding you to that promise, then. Just..."

"Yes, dad?"

"Try not to vanish on me for another five years, huh? For your old man? Don't be a stranger. Don't think I could take it again."

Richard cracked her a wry smile at those words. Half joking, half serious, she was certain. She returned the smile with a nod of assurance. Speaking again, an answer that brought him visible relief.

"Don't worry. Wasn't planning on taking nearly that long, this time. I'll return as soon as I can. Tell you everything else that happened since I was gone. My time in the army. About my friends and team, my partner, Chris Redfield, and my cases. More about Umbrella... and about Jack."

"Good. No sense revealing all the juicy details in one visit. Always preferred the television format. Gives me something to look forward to. Won't have much to talk about if you give me all the spoilers up front."

He cracked another smile her way... but it gradually vanished. A solemness replacing it. Speaking up again after a pause.

"Your mother would be proud of you. As I am. I should have told you that a long time ago. Told you many things. Now I can try to set that right again. I wanted you to be better than me... you were... and are. Always have been, Jilly. For everything else I did... a life of mostly poor decisions... I'm glad I did something right in this world... in spite of myself. I had you. Now go on... and save the world. Be the hero I know you are. Don't let Raccoon City happen again."

"I won't, dad.", She vowed to her father quietly. Feeling her pulse quicken... the burden of responsibility. But shouldering it all the same. She could do no less than that,now. "I promise."

"World couldn't be in safer hands, then.", Her father replied with that roguish smile of his. "Until next time mon cher. Be seeing you around, Jilly."

"Not if I see you first, old man."

Her father laughed at that... and on that final, pleasant note, he hung up the phone, the line going dead in her ear... and slowly she did the same on her side. But instead of rising to leave right away, Dick lingered where he sat, leaning forward with that ever confident smile and pressing his roughened hand against the glass divider. On her side of the visiting booth, Jill reciprocated the action, pressing her bandaged, smaller hand against the glass between them... ignoring the throbbing in her palm, and she nodded very slightly, feeling herself return his genuine smile. Feeling a satisfaction and relief she could scarcely recall feeling towards her father... relief to have come to see him, to have shared what she had. The burden. To have started mending what had been torn apart. Their hands and held gaze lingered on a bit longer... before her father finally broke it, drawing his hand back and rising up from his seat, a nearby guard on his side moving in closer to escort him back to his cell. She watched her father be escorted down the corridor, casting her one last pleased look, until he was out of her view once more. Lingering where she was in her seat, Jill leaned back against it and drew a low, steadying breath. Slow breaths to recover herself, shutting her eyes. Realizing her heart was pounding. It all felt like it had been a dream, not real... but here she was. Five years later... she had finally done it. Even if under circumstances like these ones... it was better than nothing. She had done what she had come for... there was nothing left she could do here. Though there was one more destination that awaited them. She had to see it through now.

At last, opening her eyes, ignoring the somewhat dulled aching pain in her leg, still manageable, she rose up from her seat with a light grunt, turning and leaving the visitation booth. Walking slowly and carefully. Retrieving and slipping back on her sunglasses, before moving down the brightly lit hall and corridors beyond, passing the other visitors, families and guards along the way out. Ignoring the stares they cast her way. Not just ignoring them... not really feeling them anymore, the way she had on the way in with Barry. Her mind on far more important matters than how she looked, or the attention of strangers. Bound for the front entrance and the parking lot beyond, where the rest of her team awaited. Not looking at any of the windows or mirrors she passed along the way, not needing another reminder of what she looked like to the rest of the world.

It was done. She had set right what needed to be. Only one stop left on the road before Canada. A last stop only made possible by HUNK's call.

Perhaps she would have done this, visited her father, even if HUNK hadn't requested it of her... but it had been the thought that meant something to her. That mattered to her. The fact he had bothered to ask her to. Had cared enough to try... a far cry from the man she had met in the Raccoon Police Department. And definitely it was only because of him they could grant some measure of closure to Captain Mikhail's family, as she had promised to do for him at the end of his life. The U.S.S. Agent had used his power within the company for something good and decent... something right... to ensure she could keep that promise. She would not disappoint him, as she had failed, for the moment, to save him from the clutches of the company. Maybe it wasn't all as hopeless as it felt, even with him as deep in it as he was. She had thought the same between herself and her father, for a time... that it was hopeless... and here she was, after having finally set things right. Nobody knew the future, no matter how unlikely things looked in the present... some things just took longer than others. If she could do it, she knew HUNK could... and that he would, one day. Maybe it was her reconciliation with her father that was doing it... or maybe some of Carlos's optimism and faith was starting to rub off on her after all. Or maybe it was just the pain killers affecting her mind. Either way... it was a good, somewhat positive feeling... one where she could tentatively hope for the best... and those were few and far between, so she held on to it while it lasted as tightly as she could.

It was about all she could do, now. Near everything was out of her hands... but not everything. Not yet.

With that simple thing in mind, Jill passed through the entrance, back out into the cold wind and rain of the parking lot, the cool air and droplets welcome upon her face. She paused for a moment in the doorway, looking to the other survivors awaiting her in Barry's nearby car... her friends, her team. She saw their faces turn to her, looking through the rain soaked windows, breaking off from conversations and waving her to rejoin them and get underway once more.

Then, with a smile on her bruised features, she nodded, started forward through the rain, combat boots passing through the puddles, and let the doors of a part of her now resolved past swing shut behind her again.

---

I enjoyed writing Jill's father. Wasn't even going to originally, was going to skip this chapter, but thought it would be good pathos, more closure, and it was something that hasn't been done before, which is a big draw to writing something for me. The S.D. Perry version of him (the only version actually) was also in prison, but Jill never went to visit him, just thought about him now and again, so I figured I'd try my hand at depicting him in person physically, and their relationship. Another loose end I wanted to tie up for her character, as the overall protagonist of this story. Showing how Jill has developed and grown in a more heroic fashion than HUNK. Learned, and is trying to set things right. Letting go of her bitterness. Growing as a person and learning from her mistakes, instead of stewing in resentment as HUNK mostly does. She's making the most of being alive and her freedom, now. And es she is wearing her outfit from the Resident Evil 3 epilogue now lol. Setting aside the blue for now, taking some red and dark tones like her 'boyfriend'. Not that she's going villainous. Though oof, that year Dick is going to be paroled *shakes head* not going to be a good year for him, her 'boyfriend' or her partner.

And yes that was a reference to my favorite RE meme, the Sacred Redfield Bloodline and Chris's attempts to hook Claire up with a certain rookie cop lol. Him and Dick Valentine will get along if they meet.

Coming up next... the epilogue. Nearly there, folks. Been a hell of a ride, hard to believe we made it this far, but every journey has their ending. It was inevitable. Stick around.