The characters from the game belong to Capcom. The OC's and story background belong to me.
Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

A/N: I'm not English native speaker, so you might find some typos or grammar mistakes, I do apologize for that.

Flashback

Invisible to her physical eyes, Christopher watched Katarina enter the land. Old, vulnerable and apathetic. She wore an old black dress and there was no longer the sparkle she had in her youth or when she was Katherine.

Katarina was defeated and eagerly awaiting her death.

Every day she read his letters and spent the day at her favorite place, the barn!

It was as if her spirit could feel Christopher's energy in there and on several occasions he tried to get noticed by her and hit the wood - the famous crackling.

But it was only in the last days of life that Katarina finally got to see the spirit of her beloved.

"Chris..."

"Kat..."

"Is it really you?"

"I think so I am me..." he teased

She fell kneeling right in the center of the place.

"Are you looking for redemption Katarina?"

"Yes!"

"Me too..."

"Is it true what you wrote?"

"If it was not, do you think I'd be here all this time?"

"I thought you hated me..."

"I hate myself... not you..."

"I cannot believe..."

"You don't trust me?"

"I do not trust myself..."

"Then we have a problem of trust..."

"And how do we figure this out?"

"With pardon and one more encounter"

"I am not ready for this encounter... look at me... I am devastated"

"So am I..."

"We failed..."

"Yes... we failed..."

(*)

The scenario changed from the old wooden barn to a modern room. Chris was standing at a corridor near an open door while he watched young Katarina setting her belongings into a chest of drawers inside the room.

"I know I've been an ass, but we don't need to stay in different rooms…"

"Of course we do! You yourself said we're not fully committed yet" the brunette replied

He noticed the change in her accent to one similar to his instead of the heavy French accent she used to have, "I didn't say that. I said we're taking it slow, re-knowing each other…"

"What's the difference? For me 'taking it slow' means you keep your freedom during my pregnancy for obvious reasons…"

"If I have a freedom you do too…"

She rolled her eyes, "Awesome! A freedom I can't use!" she snapped irritated

"Kate…" he entered the room trying to stop the pointless argument

"Stay out! This is my room, this is my space! We'll only share rooms the day we're fully committed to each other

"Please… listen to me"

"Out. And I listen to you"

"I'm not leaving anywhere, this is my apartment!"

"Fine! so I leave" she said passing by him

He held her by the wrist, "Stop being a brat!" he snapped

She turned to him and stared him still irritated

"Please…" he said easing down his tone

"Let go of me"

He obeyed, releasing her smoothly, "Please, listen to me…"

She moved her foot and crossed her arms over her chest as she stared him with a whiny face.

"I don't want that freedom you keep saying…"

"But I know it's going to be a long wait for you…"

"A worthy wait!"

"I don't believe you"

"Why not?"

"You don't believe they're yours"

"I do believe they're mine! I was just angry when I said those things…"

"But those things hurt me!"

"Babe, please…let's put an end at this mismatch. It's not leading us anywhere…"

"But your doubts hurt me a lot! They make me feel that everything I've done to prove my love for you was worthless…"

"That's how I feel about your mistrust on me…"

"You have given me reasons for that"

"When? I never cheated on you!"

"But you betrayed me when you listened to Vlad's bullshit and didn't even consider giving me the benefit of doubt to explain you my reasons"

"I've admitted I made I that mistake"

"You took too long for that, and then you told me bullshit about the twin's paternity"

"I just admitted again I've been an ass to you…I'm really sorry for that"

"I will apologize you for the twin's sake and for loving you, but it takes time to rebuild a broken trust…"

"It does…"

"And I can't act like I'm not hurt anymore and that's why I grant you your freedom if you want to use it, while I decide if I'll give up on you or not…till there, we'll sleep in separate rooms"

Letting out a sigh, Chris nodded in agreement and looked at the small belly bump where the twins were growing each day.

He left her room with a disappointed look and headed to his'. He closed the door. Saddened, he touched his pants pocket and took the engagement ring he had given her when he proposed to her.

A tear cored down his face as he stared the shiny object as he remembered their good times, and how his inner darkness let the bad stuff to ruin so quickly what they were starting to build.

Alone, when no one was watching, he let his shit come out in form of tears, and tried to bottle them up through every sip of wine he drank from the bottle he kept in the minibar in his bedroom.

He so wished he could be able to show her or maybe if Katarina was able to see through him without him saying it how much he suffered for that distance between them.

End of Flashback

Chris woke up with a start and looked to the sides realizing it was just a dream. He sat at the bed and looked out the window to the barn, recalling the first scenario of his dream. He frowned leaving out a heavy sigh. It looked to real to be just a dream.

The first shy rays of sun lights were starting to rise and the palette of colors in the sky switching from purple to navy blue, and the early birds starting to chirp in the woods.

He continued staring the barn as minutes passed by and the sun rose up from the mountains surrounding the area.

Could it be just a dream? He wondered.

He stood up from the bed and opened the room's door, remaining standing in the hallway as he stared the closed doors in the corridor.

"I use them as galleries"

He recalled the redhead's words, then he walked towards the last door at the end of the corridor, near the staircase that led to the attic.

"Maddy's Gallery" he read the note on the door

Slowly he opened the door and turned on the lights.

His eyes widened and his lips parted in shock as he stared the paintings of people on the walls and several flashes of memory filled his head making him recognize the people: his six children and some of his grandchildren.

He felt his body heavy while his head seemed to swirl into a vortex of several movies. He raised his trembling hands to his head as he failed to keep his balance and knelt violently to the ground, making a loud noise onto the wooden floor, which made Angelina to wake.

In a matter of seconds Angelina reached the room and she was startled with the growling man.

"Chris…" she touched his shoulder in preoccupation but he pushed her away making her lose her balance and fall onto her butt

"Get away from me!"

"Chris! it's me! Angely… Snap out of it!"

"Shut up witch! I know you're not Angelique, she's dead!"

"My name is Angelina…"

"I don't know you!"

"You do know me! You saved me from dead-alive creatures about 3 years ago"

"Dead-alive creatures?" he repeated remembering the Arthena's incident due to the Walker brothers' experiments

"Yes, the dead-alive creatures…"

Chris raised his head looking at the paintings and one in particular caught his attention "Henry…" he whispered

Flashback

It was daylight, Christopher was at the table in the living room while writing letters to send to his children who no longer lived with him and already lived in other houses with their own families.

"Daddy, Daddy!"

He heard the screams of Melissa, his youngest 12-year-old daughter, approaching the house.

"What happened Mel?" He replied

"Hurry! Henry..." she spoke catching her breath

"What about him?"

"He got hurt!"

"Again?" He asked getting up quickly

"Hurry dad, he's bleeding a lot!"

"Where is he?"

"In there" she pointed to the barn

Without thinking twice, Christopher rushed to the location, and as he entered, he saw little Henry, holding his wrist all bloodied, and a machete full of blood on the floor near him.

"What happened, son?" He asked worried, taking a handkerchief out of his pocket

"I cut myself" the boy replied coolly

"How?"

"I wanted to make a test…"

"Test what, son?! Look at you!"

"I'm fine, dad..."

Christopher knelt down and looked better at his son's wrist and could not believe his eyes. Or rather, in what he didn't see! The boy's pulse was perfectly unmarked.

"Are you lying to me as your mother did?" He said in shock and irritated at the same time

(*)

As time passed, Henry became an adult and remained very attached to his father, and they both had some hobbies in common such as going out to hunt, or training.

Of all the children, Henry was the only one who kept close to his father in the everyday, even more than Oliver. Henry was the son most attached to his father and never questioned his father at all.

They both had a very special connection.

One day, he was helping his father with the barn reform.

Christopher no longer had all the physical vigor of youth; after all, he was almost 60 years old. But in spite of his old age and increasingly weakened health, he was still active in what he could and always had the help and support of Henry for everything - his most special son.

But it was during the reform of the barn that an accident happened and a wooden slat struck Henry in the chest.

"Henry!" Christopher shouted desperately seeing his impaled son

Henry was agonizing with the pain of the object crossing his chest, but even with the pain, he held the batter and in a quick movement, he pulled it out. The lung had been pierced and a huge amount of blood spurted from him as he agonized on the floor.

Christopher was desperate not knowing what to do.

"Dad..." he whispered before closing his eyes

Christopher bent over his son's body, weeping. He could not believe that happened before his eyes. He could not believe he would have to bury another child of his. He'd have to bury his special son.

While Christopher was in tears, he didn't realize that Henry's wound was healing. It took a few minutes, but Henry slowly regained consciousness in his father's arms.

"Dad..." he whispered through the weeping of the old man who immediately ceased upon hearing his voice

"Henry..."

"Sorry to have made you cry so long, but I'm getting better..."

"Oh my God, Henry!"

(*)

Years passed, Christopher aged as Henry remained the same in young looks, although his skin showed more evidences of Henry's specialty.

Henry had always been as white as his mother Katarina, but his sensitivity to the sun and lights starting to affect him more and more. He had to cover his skin with long sleeves and pants, and hats. Something was changing in him and his skin getting paler as the time passed.

The last time Christopher had seen his youngest and special son was one day before his death.

The old man was leaving his bedroom in Arthena's house with the help of Lionel and headed to the dark room across the hallway. He knew Henry didn't like to see all those paintings of his mother.

The pale man was sitting at the desk when he saw his father entering the room.

"Is there anything I can do for you?" the pale man asked standing up

"I want to talk to you"

Young Lionel left them alone after helping Christopher sit on the bed.

"Listen to me very attentively, I won't be able to repeat it again as Mrs. Death is very close to me"

"You say that everyday and you're still here…"

"But I mean it this time, I can feel it"

"Alright…"

"I know you don't like listening about your mother but you have to. This time you have to! She's still alive, in prison, all alone and only god knows for how long. She won't have anyone else but Lionel to count on as I know she can't count on you for anything. I know you blame her for being the way you are, for being so special…"

"I'm not special, I'm a freak!"

"Call it whatever you want, but…"

"But nothing! She's not the only one in prison, I'm imprisoned too! I can't have a life this way! The sun hurts! If I cut my members off, they get restored! I can't die because this fucking body's regeneration! And it's all her fault! She cursed me!"

"She loves you, she wished for you!"

"I hate her! I'll never forgive her for all she did! You yourself taught us and all the inhabitants that she's evil! Why now are you telling me otherwise?"

"Because I was wrong! I was angry with her"

"She's a murderer! She doesn't deserve mercy!"

"She's your mother"

"She's a witch!"

"Henry…she's having the same fate as you…she's locked in her youth and in that cell…"

"She's not. She wasn't born this way! I told you to cut her neck off, to stab her heart when you had the stupid idea of visiting her so you could be sure she's not like me! She can die! She can get away after all the crap she did, while me? I'm sentenced forever!"

"I'm sorry…" Christopher felt affected by Henry's anger

"Don't say that…"

"I wished you too Henry…You're a part of me too and I never thought things would be this way…"

Despite his anger, his father's tears affected him. He had always been the example to be followed. He had always been his mentor. His best friend. His shelter.

"You don't have to be sorry, you were bewitched…"

"Henry, my son…my dear son…she never wished that for you either…"

"Yet she's the one to blame…If you can forgive her, it's up to you. But me, I don't forgive her at all!"

"You know she could watch out for you when I'm gone…"

"I'll live my way when you're gone…by the way, you know there's still that option for you to prolong your life and continue watching out for me…"

"Son…if that were the order of life, I'd gladly continue living with you…but that's not how things are supposed to be…"

"I know…I'm the exception"

"Son…I'm sure one day you'll meet Mrs. Death too, but I believe that you're special for a reason…"

"It's damnation!"

"Maybe you're special because you're the only one who can protect the Black Herb, or do you want anyone else sharing that fate and suffering as you? You know there are some people that still try to enter the cave to see if the herb is really extinguished…"

"I don't wish that condemnation for anyone but Katarina O'Gregon. She's the one who started it all!"

"You should blame the Walker brothers. They were the ones using it for bad purposes"

"And they got what they deserved! They were killed by their own stupidity!"

Christopher let out a heavy sigh and placed his hand on his chest. It hurt. His son's bitterness hurt him.

Henry was irreducible. He was as stubborn as he himself was. He didn't insist on that subject anymore. He knew his son too well and anticipated what he really wanted to say in a letter he wrote for him, but only at the right time Henry would have access to it.

They continued talking about other things. Christopher Reed was only saying goodbye to his special son.

End of Flashback

"Where's Kat?"

"Chris…I told you…"

He stepped closed to her and stared her irritated, "Where's Katarina?"

"I told you she's dead!"

"You're lying!" he yelled

"I'm not! You can see her grave near the barn!"

Immediately, Chris rushed to the barn and Angelina followed him, desperate without really knowing how to handle him.

In that early morning, the snaps on the wood were louder than ever, while Chris dig the snow with his own bare hands.

Angelina watched him concerned. Her legs were shaking, her heart racing intensely inside her chest. She had never seen that man so angered, and so desperate. Not even Angelique had ever mentioned such a behavior on Christopher Reed back in the day.

Her heart ached seeing him that way. When she first heard Chris had awoken thinking he was Christopher Reed, she thought she'd have a second chance with him somehow as she was so attached to Angelique's diaries, but she had never realized how much Reed could have changed since her death in the past – she didn't read Christopher's diaries -, but now she witnessed how much changed that man was.

It hurt her that not even for a moment he ever mentioned their son Oliver – she didn't know father and son had got more distant as the ginger boy grew older -, again another info she lacked the knowledge or for not had read Christopher's diaries nor since Mr. Lionel never gave her such details, or maybe because she never really bothered to ask such questions.

Now she realized that this wouldn't be her time again. They already did have their time at some point in the past when Kate/Kat wasn't in their way. They did have many good moments in that instance, and it was evident that it seemed Christopher or even Chris Redfield lacked that knowledge and didn't seem willing to recall that instance, as he was attached to Kate since the 14th century. His inner soul wanted and craved to live what they started that century.

And in tears as she watched the disturbed man desperate at the realization of his beloved one's grave made her even more hurt for trying to be so selfish in separating them, or for keeping them separated – just like she did as Angeline in the 14th century.

His tears were her desperation when Angeline learned about Christian and Katherine's deaths in the river. After remorse, Angeline did raise their twins – Henry and Melissa. As Angelique she did try not to stay in their way, but she did have his son Olly, which made him often visit them and turn them into a secret, which triggered Katarina's final outburst that led to the tragedy everybody knew.

Angelique's silence ignited Katarina's fury. It wasn't just Katarina who had failed keeping her insecurity planted when she was Katherine. It was Angelique's silence allied to Christopher's that turned Katarina into the evil figure she was not.

Both Angeline and Angelique had acted behind the brunette's back somehow. They could've had tried talking to her. Obviously she'd have an outburst, but the truth is always more dignifying than the secret.

Chris in sobs, rushed around the property and found the old cemetery where his, Angelique's and some other relative's graves was.

He couldn't believe it. He yelled in despair struggling with his own personas. Struggling with all those disturbing memories – Christian's, Reed's and Redfield's.

Angelina, was unable to get his attention as he ran to a more distant spot of the land and found the old graves of Christian and Katherine, and sobbed lying on top of it.

Disturbed and broken hearted, Angelina took her cell phone and searched for Piers' name.

Yana's Apartment, Bohma

Piers and a few BSAA agents were still in Bohma as they searched for new on Chris's whereabouts, but nothing in a week since the information that Chris was seen in the Lake property.

Piers did observe the property but afar during the week, but it always proved to be fruitless as he had only seen Angelina leaving or entering the land.

He and Yana were talking in the living room, while their son was playing on the ground with his toys.

"I don't know anywhere else to look for him…It seems that he has disappeared like magic!"

"That's impossible"

"I know!"

"Someone must be hiding him"

"The only person I know who could do that is Angelina…or maybe Jerry but Jerry did prove Chris wasn't there"

"So only option available is Angelina…But why would she do that?"

"Because of her feelings for him!"

"Still doesn't make sense, Piers. If she really cares about him she'd want the best for him and not keep him away from any treatment…"

"I don't know Ginger…I hate to think she's involved in Chris' disappearance if she's not hiding him in her house and to make things worse Kate is on her way to Bohma!"

"A desperate partner takes desperate decisions…"

"And her despair affects me"

"Why? I thought you had gotten over your feelings for her"

"I did get over her! The problem is her rivalry with Angelina. If Kate suspects Angelina is behind all this I'm sure she won't diplomatic as I was. Kate's madness has no boundaries when the subject is Angelina and out of control I have no doubts that she could invade the land in the search for Chris! If they don't get into a fight again…with or without the invasion"

"So don't let Kate go there"

"Easy said than done! Kate's madness is worse than any B.O.W. I've ever seen!"

"What an exaggeration!"

"You know I'm not exaggerating."

Yana laughed, "Yeah, I know. I so know!"

"Her jealousy keeps her blind, or maybe turns her into a furious bull aiming the red fabric…"

"Which is Angelina…very interesting analogy"

Piers chuckled, "I didn't really mean that but uhm…"

"I know and don't worry, I won't tell anyone!"

Piers cell phone rang. He made a face as he saw Kate's name on the screen.

The conversation wasn't long, Kate only called to inform she had arrived at the airport and wanted to know where to find him.

"I have to go. I'm going to pick her at the airport" he said to Yana as he rose up from the couch and stepped closer to Kyan to take him in his arms and say goodbye to him

"Okay, keep me posted and be careful with Kate's madness!" Yana replied standing up

"I will!" he smiled briefly at her and delivered Kyan to her before heading to the door

Again he stroked his son's head delicately and gave him another goodbye kiss on his cheek.

The gypsy redhead watched from the window the father of her son leave and disappear among the buildings as he drove to the airport. She always liked his visits that sadly weren't so often as she'd prefer, but she understood his complicated routine between work and his two families.

She knew he was committed to Eliza and knew the blonde was carrying Piers' first daughter into her womb. She did respect their relationship, but she still had some blues once or another about their own relationship, and Kyan was what was left of their brief and intense romance.

Sometimes she did wonder if young soldier had completely gotten over her as once or another she had caught him looking at her differently for brief seconds and always disguised if he noticed she had caught him.

Not that she was willing to be a home breaker and not that she expected that, she wasn't, but she was sure she wouldn't reject him if he ever got single again.

Lake House

Angelina kept her cell phone as she noticed Chris standing up from the grave and wiped his tears.

"Chris…" she said stepping closer to him

"I'm going to meet Kate"

"You can't go anywhere"

"You're no one to tell me what I can or what I can't"

"The…"

"You should be ashamed for being such a bad sister!"

"What?"

"Don't play the fool, you knew Kate and I were planning to get married. I know you spread those bad rumors about her and told your parents about us so we were separated…Kate only trusted you and look what you did! You let her be punished when she's pregnant!"

"Chris…I…"

"Shut up!"

"I'm sorry…" she apologized noticing it was Christian taking over Chris's memories

"I'm not the one you should apologize to! I thought you were different but I was wrong! I was so wrong!"

"Please Chris…listen to me"

"I don't want to listen to you. No one is going to separate me from Kate, not even you! May God have mercy on your soul because I don't!" he shouted before running towards the gate and left the land

Angelina ran after him calling his name, but he ignored her completely. She tried to follow him as much she could, but Redfield's physical condition was way better than hers and she soon felt her limitation and stopped running after him. She yelled for people to stop him, but Redfield was too strong to be stopped by the scared population as he pushed some who tried to stop him. Still catching her breathe she took her cell phone and quickly called Piers.

"Piers, I'm sorry…I lost Chris…"

"What?"

"Please, hurry. I'm near the Central Plaza"

While she waited, Angelina continued asking people about Chris. A young woman told her she had seen a man with Chris' description entering a cab.

About thirty minutes later, Piers and Kate arrived at the plaza. Angelina was sitting on a bench crying and trembling nervously.

Upon seeing the redhead, Kate's blood boiled. Piers grabbed hold of her wrist, noticing the brunette's furious expression.

"Damn liar! I knew you were involved in his disappearance!" Kate yelled trying to set her free from the young soldier's hand

"I'm sorry…"

"Damn bitch!"

"Kate, stop it" Piers tried to calm her down still struggling with her

"Let go of me Piers!" Kate yelled furiously

"I won't! Everyone's watching"

"Fuck everyone! That damn bitch was keeping my man away from me and now he's nowhere to be found!"

"It's not like that!" Angelina protested

"Shut up bitch! I always knew you were lying about Chris' whereabouts, I know you!"

"He asked me!"

"He's not in condition to ask anything and you knew it! But you're the opportunist bitch type that saw the chance to keep him away from me!"

"It's not like that…"

"Admit it Angelina! Admit once in your life that you wanted to separate Chris from me! that you wanted him only for you!"

"Girls, keep the dirty laundry for later, now we have to focus on finding Chris!" Piers shouted

The girls immediately consented with his words and stopped arguing.

"You can let go of me Piers" Kate said with a calmer tone

"I'm not falling for that Kate, sorry, but I'm not willing for another catfight"

"I won't attack her!" she spoke "besides my hands are craving for that!" she thought

"Sorry, but I won't take the risk"

Kate rolled her eyes, letting out a heavy and irritated sigh.

From the middle of the crowd watching them, a middle-aged man approached them. A man that for a minute they thought was slim and older version of Chris, "I saw the man you're looking for heading to the north, but be careful. Since November of last year the dam is going through a reformation as a part of it crashed due to the river's level elevation after non-seasoning heavy rains, and since then the route of the river that passed the Forbidden Cave has been filled again"

"Thank you sir" Piers said

Kate felt a torpor listening to the man that seemed so familiar to her, and a very bad feeling hit her.

"I know where he's going…" she whispered as some tears cored down her face

Angelina and Piers looked at her, "Where's going?" Piers asked

"To the old cottage in Old Arthena…"

The three of them finally realized the mysterious man had disappeared, and without taking longer, they entered the car and Piers drove quickly in the direction of Old Arthena.

As they reached the city's boarder, Kate placed her hands over her heart level as she felt a strong pain. Her heart was pulsating so quickly that she could feel the beats in her neck. Her hands sweating cold, "Chris…" she whispered under a very bad feeling as they noticed a crowd at the boarder's gate.

They left the car, but Kate evidently showed signs she couldn't walk properly as an intense anguish seemed to squeeze her chest very tight. Her mouth and throat going dry, and a strong headache hit her.

Piers asked why all that crowd was doing there.

"The dam ruptured, and part of the water filled the old river and the old waterfall of Arthena that crossed Christopher Reed's land"

"Oh my god…" Angelina whispered starting to have a bad feeling as well

"A security of the land said the new owner had just arrived at the land and he was…"

Kate's ears went deaf, as her legs failed to keep her standing. She no longer could hear or see anything while she choked and sobbed in despair as if a movie rolled in her head upon hearing the woman's testimony.

Angelina who was close to Kate tried to aid her and prevent the brunette to go through an abrupt fall, though the two we kneeling to the ground.

The two old rivals embraced each other sharing the same pain. The two old rivals cried on each other – like sisters.

Piers was too shocked to have an immediate reaction upon hearing the news.

And at the same time at the Lake Property the barn crashed completely.

Thank you McTamale for the review!

Tell me your thoughts on the chapter so I can improve on the next ones.

Stay Tuned!