With RE 8 events on the horizon, it's time to wrap up the little subplot that has been going on lol. For those that have been patiently waiting for Maurice to get his. You're welcome, and this chapter is for you. Love you all thanks for sticking around for 40 chapters of this x'D You're all amazing and I appreciate all the support!

Song Suggestion: Jealous (Ain't With It) by Chromeo

Disclaimer: I own nothing CapCom Plz don't hurt me ovq/

Auto Beta Publishing's 37th Annual Company Cookout!

Sunday, August 2nd from 11:30 AM to 3 pm

Join us for our annual catered cookout.

Fun for the whole family!

Face painting, bouncy houses, and games for the kids

Beer, Raffles, and Contests for the adults

Vegetarian options available on request

.

Emma looked at the flyer again before checking over her outfit again a simple cold shoulder sundress with sandals and the same floppy hat from the beach trip last year. She smiled and gives a nod of approval before locking up her apartment and heading over to Chris's apartment.

"Heya, ready to head out?" She asks after opening the door.

"Just about," Chris says while he finishes Writing on a piece of paper which he folds up and brings with him as he heads over to the counter to grab his keys and places both items into his pocket. "Okay, now I'm ready," he says as he walks over to join her in the hallway and gives her a peck. "I'll drive if you navigate."

Emma chuckles a bit at that but nods "alright, I'll repeat the instructions that Siri has already said." She agrees and they head out.

It took a bit of driving but the two arrive around noon to find that the company rented out a few pavilions at a park along with the open fields between them to set up other activities. The field seemed to be well divided between the 'for the kids' section and the 'for employees' section. It looked like a pretty standard corporate event. There were bounce houses face paint and small colorful booths with simple games like ring toss and the like for the kids. A large stage was set up where a live band was playing cover music, a dunk tank among other usual event gimmes but there was one unusual addition. what looked like three or four portable batting cages made of chainlink fencing were lined up at the far end of the field with scratched-up wooden bullseye targets set up at the far end of each.

"They always have to have some sort of trendy gimmick at these events," Emma says amused as a small smile crosses her lips "You know your job is boring when the event planner thinks that free beer isn't enough to get people to show up." She says while a playful grin as Chris chuckles and shakes his head.

"You sure you don't want to give it a try? they might still have a few blank waivers," Chris asks as he fishes the paper from before out of his pocket.

"Nah, that's just not my cup of tea. I'll go with you and see how you do though. I think that first prize for the throwing contest is some sort of gift card," She says in response and waved that off. "Did you want to do that first? It seems like that has the shorter line at the moment, compared to the food and drinks."

"Eh, Might as well. I'm not hungry yet anyway," he says with a shrug and walks with her to get in line.

"Fair enough, you usually eat a late lunch right?" Emma asks as a small talk subject to pass the time.

"Yeah, it just breaks up the day a bit better since I have drills in the afternoon usually," He replies as they continue waiting only for his phone to go off. he pulls it out and checks to find a message from Ethan.

[Ethan] Meet Rosemary Winters

[Ethan] -img file of Mia holding a tiny newborn-

"Huh, figured that would be any day now." Chris says aloud which got Emma's attention.

"What's up?" Emma asks curiously.

Hm. Was he able to talk about this? this was technically his personal phone so Ethan was sending this to Chris not Alpha as a BSAA report... should be fine so long as he doesn't say it's work-related or give any additional info... With that, he shows Emma the phone. "A friend of mine just sent a text is all."

"Awww tiny baby," Emma cooed upon seeing the picture. "That's such great news, and everyone's healthy?" She asks as Chris takes the phone back to look at the picture. he wasn't really sure what part of the picture earned that kind of reaction from Emma. The newborn looked more like a blood-stained raisin to him.

"He hasn't said as much but it seems so," Chris says with a shrug.

The two continued to chat and after a good 10 minutes or so they made a decent amount of progress through the line. The pair eventually catches the eye of one of the co-workers that were assisting with tracking the scores for the contest while the outside company they hired for set up focused on giving safety instructions. Maurice smiles before noticing that Emma was walking alongside some guy he didn't recognize. maybe he's from a different department? he shakes the thought from his mind before looking to one of the other volunteers. "hey I'm going to take 5 real quick." he says and they nod.

"sure man just get back when you can okay," they say and shift to cover for him for the requested time.

"It'll just be a few minutes." he affirms before going to leave. "thanks"

Emma eventually noticed movement from the corner of her eye to see Marice walking over. and cue the internal screaming. No nope this is fine it isn't the office he's not your boss right now.

"Em hey, good to see you," Maurice says as he walks over end eventually stops in front of the two. "Honestly you're just the person I was hoping to see. I got my hands a bit tied right now, could you grab me a beer real quick?" he asks with a smile as he felt oh so clever. He'd get a drink without having to leave his post and it would get her away from whoever the potential show-off next to her was.

And the internal screaming returned as she fought back the feeling of her eye wanting to twitch. The Bullshit has now left the office. Ugh, he was a volunteer at the moment though and the lines were long. "Fine. I'll be right back. Chris do you want anything?" she asks though it was pretty easy for Chris to pick up on her irritation.

"No I'm fine" Chris says with a concerned and slightly confused expression as he looks from Emma to, whoever this guy was.

"I'll be back" eventually. she was getting herself a drink too. with that, she walks off.

Maurice gives a short chuckle waiting a bit to make sure Emma was out of earshot "Ah office wives, they're cute." he says with a slight smile "Hate to watch her go but love to watch her leave am I right?" he asks while gently nudging Chris with his elbow and speaking what Chris hoped was a joking tone.

Whoooa not okay. The he- "What?" Chris asks shortly as the line moved forward slightly. Who the shit was this and why was he trying to pull some 'territory marking' bull with Emma in front of him? Easy, calm collected, maybe this guy just thinks that Emma is married? you know a wife who works at an offi-

Maurice moved forward to wait with Chris since he was asked a question, "hm? oh, office wives. you know a female co-worker that goes and cleans up after you at the office, gets your coffee and takes care of your files and shit." Maurice explains, assuming that Chris just didn't know what the term meant which was, partially accurate. "What department are you in? I can help you find one." Maurice offers in another silent message of 'back off' at Chris. again they both move forward a few steps.

Ha. no. no-no. That. "I don't work for this company. I'm here with Emma. I'm her boyfriend." He usually didn't say as much since the term seemed almost childish to him for some reason but he'd make an exception. "How do you two know each other?" Chris asked though mentally he translated that to 'how much trouble will I get in if I knock your lights out?'

That seemed to surprise the manager but he brushed it off rather quickly. "Aahh, so you're the mysterious boyfriend. Haha, hey good to meet ya, no hard feelings yeah?" he says offering a hand "Names Marice Abner, I'm her boss" So he'd be in a lot of trouble if he punched this guy. great. Chris accepts the offered hand but puts a bit more force into it than he meant to. "Well since you're here guess we can work out custody then. I get her in the mornings and you get her in the evenings?"

Chris forces out a laugh through gritted teeth. This asshole. deep breath. If you deck this guy then that'll just make a scene and cost Emma her job. Instead, he put an arm over Maurice's shoulder. "Walk with me," he says and keeps the guy in line with him as they continue moving through the line. "Emma's too kind for her own good sometimes. She's been getting your coffee?" he asks trying to keep an even tone.

"Yeah, She can be a bit forgetful, half the time she doesn't remember to put the cream and sugar, into the coffee, but hey we're all busy and she does a decent job with my paperwork so," he shrugs while remaining painfully unaware of the level of stupid he was being.

"Now I'm sure you think it's real clever of you to pull rank on her to make her do all that. You're her boss. It's your choice to be that asshole at the office," Chris says with a forced smile. "but if I find out you ever set a finger on her outside of a handshake, we're going to have a problem." he says as he gives Maurice a not so gentle pat "Hows that for custody?"

"R-" Maruice clears his throat "Right. Totally."

"We're on the same page then?" Chris asks as he lets go of Maurice.

"Absolutely," He nods quickly.

"Good," Chris replies shortly since it seemed boundaries had been accepted.

"Sir it's your turn, Do you have your waiver?" one of the hired workers asks, and the other volunteer waves to Maurice.

"Hey you're back. good timing. It's my turn for a break." they say as they offer Maurice the clipboard back while the employed guild goes over the basics with Chris. "Do they still have Ribs left?"

"Not sure, didn't make it to the line," Maurice replies as he accepts the clipboard. "good luck man."

"Thanks," the other volunteer says and with that, they head out.

"Alright and that about covers the basics, you get 2 practice throws and 3 for scoring," the worker explains before stepping back.

Thump. it was a bit off the side. Chris retrieves it, adjusts his stance, and tries again. Thump. Better it hit the second of the 3 rings.

"alright good practice. Now for scored throws." the worker says and nods to Maurice to make sure he's recording, and the man nods back.

Thump. the ax hit the center. he walked down to retrieve it. Thump. once more in the same place. he retrieved it once more. Thum-Crack! and. the plyboard split in half due to the little bit of extra oomph behind the last throw which hit the same place as the first two hits.

"Um. wow uh, impressive but. I think that kinda means you're disqualified since you broke the equipment..." the worker says with a slight frown as they go to collect the axe.

Maurice went a bit pale upon seeing the broken target. "so what was it that you do again? a personal trainer or" he asks as he writes down the 3 bullseyes with a disqualified marker next to it and writes down that the equipment was broken.

Chris gives a short laugh. he hated that question usually but for right now he'd work with it. "let's go with this, if a dead body shows up, I'm the first person they call." Technically accurate. it's just the dead body was usually undead.

Maurice gives a nervous laugh as it finally sunk in how much trouble he was in. "Cool," he manages to eek out. Chris waits nearby since Emma was likely going to come back to this location. it took another 15 minutes but she eventually walked over carrying a plate of food in one hand and two beer bottles in the other.

"Hey, how'd it go?" Emma asks with a hint of disappointment that she didn't make it back in time to watch.

Chris walks over and gives her a quick kiss. "Might have accidentally broke the target. I'll take that," he says as he accepts the extra beer in her hand that he assumed was for Maurice before looking to him. "You have legs. walk."

"W- I um okay?" Emma says confused as Chris put an arm around her "Bye?" she says to Maurice as they walk away.

"You are very upset, what happened?" Emma asks though she had a feeling it probably involved her boss somehow considering the beer snatch.

"Had a little chat with your boss," Chris admits with a grumpy expression as he lead them to a less populated section of the gathering. "Not sure if you're aware since he waited until you were gone to say anything but apparently he thinks you're his 'office wife' and likes your ass."

"Oh gosh, I was worried about that. he's very," Emma pauses to try and think of a polite way to say it. "friendly?"

"Doesn't understand boundaries," Chris corrects and Emma nods.

"It's. Yeah. Guys like that happen. I'm used to it," Emma says with a slight frown.

She's used to it? "If he tries anything, you tell me," Chris says with a stern expression which causes Emma to force a neutral expression and squint her eyes slightly as she remembered Maruice's offer for drinks after hours. "He already tried something," Chris said more than asks.

"He asked me out for drinks on my birthday. I told him no and left" Emma explains with a sigh. "There's a company email that goes out every week so I couldn't tell if he was trying to just be the cool boss or"

"He was trying to get you drunk," He says with a frown. Heavens above he loved her but she was dense sometimes.

"Well," Emma winces further while looking away. I mean knowing what she knows now, probably.

Chris goes to turn right back around and Emma catches his arm "Chris,"

"He's a piece of shit," he says with a slight scowl as he faces Emma.

"You're not wrong," She says with a frown, "I didn't know it was that bad but now I do. If it continues I'll go to HR but I need to keep this job if we're going to move in together."

he grumbles a bit at that, he hated that she wasn't wrong. She accepted this job because she wanted to stay. Because of him. He knew that but that guy's attitude was grating.

Emma could feel him relax slightly. "Hopefully it doesn't come to it but if he tries anything, I'll put that training you've been giving me to good use and kick the crap out of him then let you know and you can do the same. deal?"

"...deal" he begrudgingly replies before giving her a peck. "and you're not getting his coffee anymore."

"Absolutely not doing that anymore, and I'll avoid being alone around him, now that I know this is a genuine issue. He'd been using meetings as an excuse," She explains before returning the peck. "I love you"

"Love you too," he says clearly still a bit grumpy but much calmer than before.

"This place is pretty boring. there a much better barbeque place in town." she offers before bobbing her head a bit. "Wanna ditch?"

He gives a short chuckle as a slight smile forms at the corner of his mouth. "Sure. I think I'd like that."

Emma ditches the plate she was holding before she shifts her hold from his arm to his hand and walks with him away.

.

Come Monday Emma went to work and to her great joy she was never asked to get a cup of coffee or put away files and instead was given proper work projects.

Tadah Chris to the rescue hehe is there a lot more 'convenient coincidences' than usual with this chapter? yes and It a love/hate relationship all writers have but we're going with it cause it's fun and it made me giggle. Next chapter will be one more fluffy chapter before we start getting into the meat of RE8. anyone else excited? =v= cause I'm excited.

Review Responses:

Guest1995 - ye things are def looking up for now XD I promise a bit more cutes after this at the least