So for the sake of the story I've given Sherry a full birthday; April 16th, 1986, which puts her as her age of 12 in RE2 and makes her 21 in this story. Thank you to those who have favorited the story; Wowdeshal and AllLiesEnd as well as the new follow Wowdeshal!

AllLiesEnd; Funnily enough I was reading a Sociology book when I discovered that specific part and it kind of just fit. And yes, study, study hard! Glad it made ya laugh haha!

Before we start the chapter I just wanted to say something I found oddly amusing; so I had a set outline of certain events and how they were supposed to go. As I've been writing the newer chapters I realized I did certain things sooner than I had originally planned and some in far different ways than I had originally wanted them to be done. With that said I'm not upset with the difference, I'm actually stoked. It gives me more play room with other things.

I'm already about to wrap up chapter 11 (that's how far ahead I am now). Chapters 1-5 are around 4k words but the rest are over 5k (counting the beautiful lyrics), steadily getting longer. If there's anything you think I should clarify more on or you want to see more in particular of just let me know! Just be like "GIVE ME MORE LEON!" or something, idk. Haha!

I also plan to bring in various other Resident Evil characters such as Rebecca as one example, but I don't know when or where they will appear so eyes peeled.

I also just now realized something funny. I gave Sherry April 16th birthday and part of chapter 11 an event starts on Sherry's birthday and I was like WAIT IDEAS MUST.. DO.. so I'm literally just over here giggling evilly. I'm still open to the idea of a discord server for those interested.~ Just gotta let me know if interested. Enough of my rambling, enjoy the story!

The starting song lyrics are from Nevermind by Jacob Lee.

Keep me awake, and perhaps we will find a place where we belong

All that we know is left in the world that we haven't explored

'Cause we don't wanna leave our sheets

And grow old like we should

Wondering where it will lead

Whilst feeling misunderstood

So wake up, and realize how lucky you are

And breathe another breath and feel us

Walk with you as you walk alone

Oh, but never mind

I released the sigh I had been holding in for hours. Every moment listening to briefings and unnecessary meetings was another moment I wasn't out there, finding information, being useful in the manner I wanted to be. I lifted my pack of smokes, having taken on the habit some years prior and couldn't find the motivation or desire to end it. So I shook out a cigarette and tossed down the pack onto the bench beside me outside of my latest tirade of time wasted. I carefully lit it, cupping the small flame before tossing the lighter down as well. I leaned against the railing of the balcony before exhaling a sharp bout of smoke, watching it trickle upward as it faded.

Shit had gone to hell a few months ago. The last message I had gotten from Chris Redfield had been brief and devoid of anything regarding an explanation of how. It merely read; Wesker killed Jill at Spencer Estate raid. Take care of Claire.

I had then conveyed that message to Claire, who equally didn't take the news well. Chris had gone to the shadows and Claire was slipping into being an alcoholic. I couldn't get through to her and so had given her the space she obviously wanted more than company.

I couldn't blame her, though, and was grieving in my own way perhaps for such an amazingly strong-willed survivor. While I hadn't formed a proper bond of friendship with the brunette Jill had quickly become a celebrity due to her being a S.T.A.R.S. survivor and far, far more. She was someone I strongly admired and now, in the loss she left behind, I silently grieved the fighter she had been.

Unlike the others in our survivors group I didn't share a hatred for Albert Wesker, one of the men responsible for so much death and destruction. I had heard the stories of the Arklay Facility, Raccoon City and Rockfort Island, but those weren't accounts I had experienced. I also knew people who had gone over to the egomaniac's side, aka Jack Krauser, a man I had worked with briefly.

I also remember a brief moment when I'd dropped off Sherry Birkin at the government facility when she had said Uncle Albert will come get me. From my understanding her father William and mother Annette both had worked alongside Albert Wesker and were reportedly close during their time together. So it didn't take a genius to surmise just who she meant with that statement when I reflected on it.

I rubbed my hand against my chin, a light stubble growing in that I'd need to tend to. God I hated shaving. It was a hassle and sometimes time consuming.

I noticed my cigarette was burning out and so I took one last puff before crushing it against the railing and flicking it into the ashtray bin.

I had another meeting in ten minutes and I wanted a soda before I had to go in.

After being shown the remnant of Steve Burnside, a fond man I had met briefly during my stint at Rockfort Island, thank you Umbrella, I had asked to be returned to my room. Wesker had obliged but unlike in our prior conversations there wasn't any biting edge or amused sarcasm. I think he understood the gravity of how I felt in regards to this despite having zero sympathy for me or for Steve. I suppose I could also understand that since he hadn't been friends with Steve and watched him mutate into a monster and try to murder you.

Wesker left me alone and I think I wanted that now more than ever. I was starting to become conflicted. I could see the grey was going to blur my mindset of black and white and it led to the moral confusion and emotional turmoil. In many regards I had been wrong in my assumptions to the great Albert Wesker. After my initial meeting with him in Rockfort versus when I had met him in the S.T.A.R.S. office to now when he was present.. they all countered each other.

During Raccoon City I had visited once, at Christmas time one year, and it had been heavily snowing. There was a Christmas party at Chris' work and he invited me. I had met all of Alpha and Bravo with the exception of Barry (I already knew Barry though), Forest Speyer (he was down in the Philippines for a vacation) and Rebecca Chambers (who was overseas in Europe visiting family). I had been introduced to Albert Wesker, the infamous captain he always rambled on about, with his arm slung across my shoulder. I had seen the people Chris admired, such as Barry, and this was different. The way he idolized Wesker had been a whole other level of admiration.

Wesker had been pleasant, albeit distant. He had shook my hand with such a firm grip that was surprisingly still gentle and had smiled a distracted smile. "The ever lovely Claire Redfield." He had said. "All Christopher seems to talk about is you, I feel as if I already know you and we just met."

I had given a bashful smile and laughed, "I hope good things."

He had smiled and the rest of the evening had been a blur of partying, presents and laughter.

I had met the man again under extreme circumstances. By then the Arklay Lab and Raccoon City had happened, the latter event having changed my entire world as I had managed to survive it, with help from those like Leon S. Kennedy. It had been three months since Raccoon City and I had been trying to shove it behind me like a bad day but nightmares weren't so easy to overcome.

After Raccoon City I was searching for Chris, as I recall, for he had been missing since his deployment into the region with the mansion. My search led me upon information regarding an Umbrella-owned Paris facility and so I went in the hopes of reuniting with my brother. What I found, however, was a whirlwind of activities that left me disturbed on several levels.

I had been captured by hired soldiers, managed to escape but was caught by Rodrigo Juan Raval, who I came to know was an Umbrella military commander. I was shipped to Rockfort Island, a remote facility in the South Pacific Ocean formerly used to train Umbrella's paramilitary and camp to house enemies and traitors to the company.

I remember being interrogated, imprisoned and rendered unconscious. As time passed the island became a hotbed for chaos due to the explosions happening all over it. I woke up to those sounds and managed to make my escape using the air raid, which ended up wiping out most of the island inhabitants, damaging structures and leaking the T-Virus and various B.O.W.s.

So now, after having just survived Raccoon City it was rinse and repeat, I had to survive an island rather than a city infested with the undead, various mutated monsters and idiots with guns. That was how I met Steve Burnside, another inmate who had been kept on the island. Through our joint escape effort we stumbled upon the rather eccentric Alfred and his warped twin Alexia Ashford who wanted to use us for their own amusement. We managed to get off the island, ending up in Antarctica at the Umbrella base there of all places.

God, that place made the blizzards from my childhood feel like a warm breeze.

Steve managed to wound Alfred while I put down the mutated father of theirs, Alexander Ashford. Gross. Let me just say I hate tentacles with a passion and it was renewed when the revived Alexia attacked us as we tried to leave on a snowmobile.

Unbeknownst to me while this was going on Leon had discovered my capture and managed to get ahold of Chris, who was immediately on his way. From Chris' side of the story I learned he had arrived to square off against Wesker, who was very well alive after having been impaled by the Tyrant at the Arklay Facility.

We were able to be reunited, even under stressful circumstances, though at the time it was overshadowed by Steve saving me from a tentacle and dying in the process. My brother was able to put down Alexia for good.. but that's when he showed up. The new and improved Albert Wesker, my second encounter with him. I remember the feel of his boot against my shoulder, pressing me down into grated metal before Chris got him to attack him instead. Right before Wesker took off he made the statement that he was taking Steve's body back for research.

I thought he had said that to get under my skin. Now I knew he had been serious, given what lay beneath this building.

A knock jarred me from my thoughts as I moved to the living room to see who it was. Wesker wasn't much for the matter of privacy and merely entered into the living room area. If I was not decent he'd wait there rather than intrude further. At least he was somewhat of a gentleman.

Who I found on the other side of the door made a wide grin spread across my face. The soft slate blue eyes were as kind as I remember and warm, she sported a short head of blonde locks with a slight wave to the strands. She wore a lab coat over a beautiful floral blouse and grey skirt that ended at her knees with boots that went to just below the knees.

"You are here! Uncle Albert had said you were here but I got so busy with work I didn't realize how much time had passed." She gushed and seemed to be squirming where she stood as if struggling between politely standing and tackling me. She gave up the struggle, however, and threw her arms around my neck and clung to me. I hugged her with a chuckle and patted her back.

"It's wonderful to see you, Sherry, I've missed you so much, I'm glad you're well from the looks of it."

She pulled away to inspect me for a moment before grinning. "You too! Oh, oh, since you're here you need to actually meet my dad- not as a.. yeah.. but as he truly is!" She seemed insanely excited and it was infectious so I found myself nodding in agreement.

"I'd like that."

She paused as a thought clicked in her mind. "How's.. Leon been? Since he works for the government Uncle Albert and dad says I can't communicate with him but I always wonder what he's up to."

"He's been fine, swamped with work." I said, thinking of the man in question. I might have shoved him away in my sorrow over the loss of Jill. I should text him to inform him that Jill was fine- I froze. I hadn't paid my phone bill. Oh gosh they must have thought I had abandoned work! I made a mental note to pay my phone bill and check any texts I had missed in the meantime.

I was brought back to the girl standing before me- no, not girl, woman. She had been 12 when we had met during Raccoon City but considering the years that had passed she was roughly 21 and some change. Wesker had mentioned her being holed up in a lab and so that begged the question; "Did you further your education after Raccoon?"

Sherry's face lit up then. "Yes! Uncle Albert seemed intent to let me follow in his specific footprints, I was adamant about learning the things he had gone into but dad stressed how I should expand my horizons. So I took some other science courses to appease him, even botany, surprisingly." She gave a chuckle. "Did you know that petals are actually extremely useful?"

I blinked, tilting my head in encouragement for her to elaborate if she desired to.

"Most people use flower petals for things like skin care products, recipes, bath bombs and more. But did you know that, for example, rose petals are mildly sedative, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and anti-parasitic? They're a great supportive tonic for the heart and great for lowering cholesterol. That's just one flower. There are thousands of types."

I blinked again. Well. You learn something new every day, I suppose.

"That's all fascinating, Sherry, I'm proud of you!" I tried to sound as cheerful as I could muster but I knew I hadn't succeeded when I watched her smile melt away.

"You're just saying that to placate me." She sniffled, folding her arms, acting the entirety of the child that I had met so long ago.

"I had hoped you would have gone in a different direction." I conceded, exhaling softly.

"Well I didn't come here to discuss my chosen fields and your opinion on them." She straightened. "Uncle Albert suggested I take time away from the labs and what better way than a girl's day. I need to change first and that will give you the chance to meet my dad. Two birds, one stone, as they say."

I nodded my head, feeling a slight whiplash from her flippant mannerisms but equated it to being the daughter of a mad scientist and god child to an even bigger one.

So I quickly changed into something more comfy, tossing on some blue jeans, a beige blouse and pulled my hair back into a neat ponytail, letting some strands stay loose to frame my face.

I wasn't sure what I was supposed to feel. While I had already expressed my open concerns regarding Claire Redfield's presence I had no personal issues with her. Hell, I owed her everything I am. She had protected my daughter from the monster I had become and for that I was eternally grateful.

So I was conflicted by wanting her gone for security reasons and yet wanting to treat her in the only way I knew how to properly show gratitude; parties and gifts. Annette had once said I had a flair for theatrics and so parties hosted by me back then, though small they were, had always been a blast.

I smiled fondly at the memories I cherished of my beloved, wishing that she could be here too, to see the woman our little Sherry had grown to be. I was such a proud father.

I was wiping down the kitchen table when the women in question both stepped over the threshold and startled me. I stood straight and gave a warm smile to the infamous redhead.

"I see Sherry had brought you to meet me. Thank you Sherry. I was planning to meet you on my own time but my work keeps me at a loss for a moment."

"It's ok, I understand Mr. Birkin." Claire said gently.

"Please, no, just call me William, or Will if you prefer. Either is fine. The woman that saved my daughter can be on familiar terms with me, I insist."

She smiled back. She stepped to me and stuck out her hand and I shook it, beaming a little wider at her genuine warmth.

Sherry had always spoken highly of Claire and I could now see up close the alluring and charming aura she had. She was like the warm sun on a cool day.

"Claire then, since you insisted." She chuckled.

"I'm going to change, I'll let you two talk!" Sherry slipped off into her connected bedroom, in her haste slamming the door. I heard a squeak with a grumbled apology from beyond the wood.

I turned my attention back to Claire, studying her.

"Al's mentioned you're here due to the other woman's condition."

Her brows furrowed for a second before recognition filtered through. "Al? Oh you mean Wesker. Yes, I'm here until Jill can return home."

I breathed a sigh of relief. "I hope she wakes up soon. Comas are hard. Just remember when she does she has a bit of memory loss, Al said.. so you'll need to reassure her and go from there."

I could see her lips pursing before she carefully nodded. Well, at least she was intelligent unlike the stories I'd heard about tunnel-vision Christopher.

"Sherry mentioned girls night in her text, do you two have a plan?" I inquired curiously. I wasn't always privy to the decisions my rather eccentric daughter could be driven to make. She was unlike her deceased mother and I for we were very straight forward and work driven. She was the latter but not the former; she showed traits polar to her parentage. She almost reminded me at times of my own mother who had been a spry woman in life.

Claire shook her head. "All I knew was Sherry wanted to change and I was supposed to meet you." I could tell she wanted to say more and so I offered her an encouraging smile.

"Say whatever is on your mind, my dear, don't be shy or worried about this old man's feelings. Believe me, if I can handle Al for all his quirks and brutal words I can handle anyone else." I snorted. This seemed to give her the motivation to speak her mind.

Good, that would keep her spirits always in check in any ordeal.

"Do you ever regret helping to make the viruses?"

Her question had thrown me off. I expected some snark about Sherry, perhaps even about my deceased wife.. not about my life's work and the semantics behind it all.

"No." I didn't hesitate to answer.

"How come? It's killed so many people, destroyed so many areas and left those who survived with nightmares and scars." I could see the confusion on her face.

I carefully lifted a finger and turned. I poured myself a cup of coffee and seated myself on the couch in the living room. She sat across from me and seemed to be gauging how I would answer her.

"Guns were made to defend oneself." I started, using a comparison. "Yet people use them to murder, to hurt, to destroy lives and families. Viruses are much like guns, they are only bad if abused and unmonitored. The flaws of the past when Spencer ran Umbrella is different from the fruits blooming under Albert and I's efforts. I won't promise sunshine and rainbows but what happened in the past was due to those in charge abusing what they had. Albert and I will never allow such blatant misuse of something we helped to create be the cause of any other city being wiped away."

I carefully had to explain this because while this was true it was only half of the truth. That, however, was the half that wasn't for me to reveal. I'm sure Al would tend to his half of our joint reality.

I didn't want anyone else to suffer as I had because of what I had developed. I wanted to use the viruses to help ailments such as dementia, cancer, against diseases and more, perhaps even prolong one's life. Albert just wanted the power that bolstered him and I couldn't fault him. They were two sides of the same coin.

She seemed to be mentally chewing on my answer.

"Claire, let me tell you a story."

She pressed her fingertips together as she leaned forward, curiosity on her face.

"A long time ago in a dark dingy lab sterilized with a cleaner that smelled like old lemons.. there were two men. One of them prided himself as a guardian, the other a champion. The guardian wanted their work to serve as a means to transcend. Yes, the foolish guardian had been lulled into the delusions of those above him. The champion, however, spoke of how wrong the world was but it could be fixed. The sheep didn't have to die alone, miserable, succumb to illness or gradually degrading. Their roles eventually shifted back and forth over time.. but back then there was this mentality."

I heaved a sigh, closing my eyes as I recalled those times almost fondly. "I was an idiot for believing in Spencer's ideals and being swayed by the man himself. I realized when I lost Annette and almost lost Sherry too to my own mistakes and choices that I had been foolish. Albert was more of a voice of reason back then. He grounded me in many ways.. and so now I return that favor to him. I ground him to what is really worth it. Albert gave me the chance to fix my mistakes and have a second chance with Sherry."

Claire nodded, understanding my desire to connect with and be there for my daughter where in the past I had failed to do so. Her smile now was a sad one.

"I used to equate the former Umbrella with wolves. There's an old poem connected to that mindset. The wolf has eyes for prey. The cow has eyes for hay. One of them is a killer. The other is a buffet. But now? I view Umbrella as a star. Do you not find yourself searching for the north star at times to orient your direction? Aren't wishes done upon a star?"

I clicked my tongue, nodding to myself as I considered my own words.

"So what you're saying is.. you want to be above others?" She appeared genuinely confused.

I chuckled, shaking my head after taking a sip of my coffee. "Not above but as a means to provide guidance to the lost and treatment to the sick."

"You two are trying to be different, aren't you?" Her eyes had widened and she appeared shocked. "Forgive me if I seem rude, it's just.." She pursed her lips. "It's hard to separate the past and the stories I've heard of how rotten Wesker is. Is he genuinely trying to help the world?"

I nodded enthusiastically. "Al never wanted to kill unnecessarily. I'm not saying he's not ruthless, that is part of his nature, but when comparing him to Spencer's crimes his are far, far less. Spencer killed without reason and to further his own goal of becoming a god, even abusing children in the process. Al kills when he has to and those he chooses to kill are removed for a reason."

"Murder is still murder." She coldly said.

"We have a difference in view. Killing innocents is murder, killing the corrupted or wrong isn't in my eyes. Do you not agree to a serial killer being condemned to death? I know quite a few gentle people who agree with removing the sex member to a rapist."

"You have a point there. But they should still be sent through the justice system-"

"A corrupted system held by corrupt politicians and personal agendas?" I questioned and I could see the gears turning as she knew I was right. "Please, Claire.. all I'm asking is to give us a chance to show you things are different, that we have good intentions with what we're doing."

How could I say no? He was offering me the idea to see the truth that they both claimed. I had always known that pieces didn't align in the grand scheme of things but would I get the chance to see the full picture?

I couldn't find any reason to disagree. If they said things were different and the truth was there to see through my own eyes of course I'd take it.

"Mr. Bir- I mean William, sorry, I'm used to formality. If what you're saying is the truth I'd be happy to see it, to be proven wrong. But just because I'm giving it a chance doesn't mean the others will. They have far stronger feelings against Umbrella, against Wesker personally. I don't want to also get caught in the middle of their feud incidentally because I choose to see grey. I hope you understand."

He gave a Cheshire smile. "My dear.. I'm honored to be able to change a perspective. No one can force you to be anything but who you choose to be."

"Thanks. It was lovely talking to you. We'll have to do it again." I could hear Sherry finishing up and so it was time to head out. I moved to stand and so did he, shaking hands as he walked me towards the door.

"I'd like that." He beamed just as Sherry rounded her father and practically drug me out the door. "Have a good evening!" He called after us.

I gave a half wave before letting Sherry direct us along.

"Where are we going first?"

"Le Tressel." I wasn't sure what or where that was so I merely smiled and let myself be taken for the adventure that I'm sure was in store for us both.

First view is Leon S. Kennedy, then it shifts to Claire Redfield, then William Birkin, then back to Claire again. I hope you enjoyed all the little details. c: