AN: Again with the thank you to lioness78. She's an angel, or a devil. It depends on what your into. She's a gem to me!!!! Go! Read her stuff if you still haven't. The Goddess demands attention be given to her. Thankies for your attention here, too.

Billy recovered quickly from Wesker's presence and continued through the kitchen toward the guest room. He did pause, however, to look over breakfast with a satisfied grunt before going out of sight. Wesker kept his cool exterior, hoping Rebecca would not notice the continual twitching of his eye as she had a bad habit of stealing his sunglasses on a whim even though he chastised her every time she did. Though he hated it, he oddly let her get away with doing it.

"Are you ready to go?" He finally broke the silence.

"Let me grab my pouch." She ran down the hall, disappearing. Just as quickly, she returned to his side. "Ready!"

Wesker chuckled at her enthusiasm. "Let's go then." He started to lead her out when Billy returned clothed only in jeans, faded tight jeans. The ticking grew faster as Rebecca's cheeks grew extra rosy. Does he make a habit of this, I wonder. This will not do. She does not deserve such blatant disrespect for her innocence! Wesker knew something had to be done.

"See you later, Billy," Rebecca called as she rushed from the room and out of the house. Wesker glared a moment more before following. Yes, something has to be done.

His mind was quickly diverted as he caught sight of Rebecca blocking the path to his driver's door. "Rebecca, we can't leave if you don't move."

"I wanna drive," she told him with a large grin.

"Oh no. I'm driving. I don't do shotgun." He crossed his arms. "Now move or we stand here all day."

Rebecca started to pout. Wesker made no move or comment. Then, suddenly, she lunged forward and pulled off his sunglasses. He gritted his teeth and growled between them, "Chambers!"

"Yes," she asked innocently, putting the glasses on. "You have a ticking going on there. You should let me drive so your blood pressure doesn't rise any more." She grinned brightly.

Wesker sighed. He hated it. She was twisting him around her finger. "You remind me of Athena, you know that?" He thought he saw something flash through her eyes at that but was not sure what.

"Well, she is a good person." Rebecca held out her hand. "Keys for glasses."

"Is she?" Wesker smirked. Then, he picked her up and walked around the car. He opened the door, put her inside, took his glasses, and walked back around the jeep. He growled again at seeing that she had slid over into the driver's seat. "Chambers!"

"I want to drive!" She stuck out her bottom lip. "Please," she begged.

Wesker sighed again and pinched the bridge of his nose. He was not going to win. Give up while your ahead. He growled yet again and thrust the keys toward her. "Here! Drive!" He walked back around the jeep and got in, slamming the door. "Let's go."

Athena yawned as she walked out of the Raccoon City Library. She had been up late discussing Barry and Gunn with Chris, who ended up crashing on Wesker's couch. Her father had not looked happy when he dragged her from bed that morning. All that time and still no idea what to do. She hated it.

She had always been very close to Gunn. Chris had been close to Barry. Their current attitudes and actions hurt greatly, especially Gunn's toward Athena. She feared she would have to put in for his transfer from the team, leaving Terrell as second-in-command. He could do the job, she knew, but not for her. She knew that as well. She had been debating replacing him, too. He was not thinking straight anymore. Everyone thought she had not noticed, but she had. She had hoped ignoring the problem would deter him. Her efforts were not working. Things were going to get worse, too. The pit of her stomach told her that every time she was in the room with him and another male.

As she walked down the street, she began to observe the people around her to clear her mind from her own problems. Despite the 'closing' of the disappearances and deaths, very few children were outdoors. She caught sight of a few in fenced off yards, their mothers or fathers watching closely from the windows or out with them. Citizens eyed people the had know for years as though they were strangers. Strangers were given wide breadths. To Athena, the community was cold, dead like the zombies Umbrella had created. The zombies that had started this whole mess. However, instead of hunger and itching, they had fear and distrust. She understood but felt pity for them. Zombies or not, they were just specimens in the eyes of Umbrella. They were no better than lab rats. Umbrella must be stopped. Umbrella and anyone like them.

Outside the hardware store, about halfway between the library and Wesker's, Athena met the one man she did and did not want to face. Gunn stopped before her carrying a large brown bag. He had just stepped out of the store. They stood immobile, staring in surprise, weariness, and worry at one another. Neither knew what to say to the other. Gunn looked around for the best escape while Athena looked at the ground to give him the opportunity to flee. His frustrated sigh made her jerk her head up.

"This is stupid, lassie." He smiled as best as he could, which was not very well. "How 'ave ya been?"

"I'm fine, Gunn. Thank you for asking. How are you?" They sounded like they had not seen each other in decades and were not very close. Athena wanted away from the experience. She felt her heart breaking.

"I'm doin' okay." He glanced away. "Athena…" He trailed off. What was he suppose to say?

"I know, Gunn. I know." She looked back down. "I want… I need your help on this, Gunn. I need you to be there for me and the team." She felt a lump grow in her throat. "Gunn, I need you in my life and as a my second-in-command. I can't take this anymore." She could feel the tears starting to brim over.

Gunn looked at her and could feel his own heart clinching in his chest. He had to get away. What he and Barry had planned was a necessity for Athena and for everyone else. He could not back out because of this, but… Would she ever speak to him again if she found out? "I gotta go, lassie. We'll talk abou' this later, I promise." He walked away. He had to if he was to follow through.

Athena looked up as he left her standing there in tears. Something was wrong. So many things were wrong. Everyone gave her these feelings she could not shake. Foreboding. She was used to precognitive abrupt notions and feelings. Of all the ones she was getting off her friends, Gunn's scared her. She felt death. He and Barry were up to something deadly, she could sense. But, what could she do? She had to talk to Chris and her father.

Chris was busy fixing something to eat when a knock sounded on his door. He glanced at the clock and frowned. He had no idea who could be at his door. He was surprised to find a teary Athena. "Athena! What's wrong? Get in here." He pulled her inside and led her to a chair.

"I ran into Gunn." She sniffed, trying to calm down.

"Athena…" Chris did not know what to say. "You hungry?" He headed for the kitchen.

"Way to be sensitive, Redfield." She chuckled and followed him. "I could eat." She smiled when he beamed her a grin.

"Good. I was afraid I made too much, anyhow." He dished her up some pancakes and sausage. "Syrup?"

"Of course." She took the bottle he handed her and they sat down to breakfast.

Wesker was still unhappy having to ride as a passenger in his own vehicle. When his cell rang, he thought about ignoring it. However, Rebecca's glances made him give in. "Wesker."

"Ah, Mr. Wesker. This is an 'employee' of Umbrella. I am risking much by placing this call so I am going to be brief. I have information for you, information that will help bring the fall of the company if used right. I have reason to believe your hands are the right ones. Meet me at the old warehouse section of the city in forty-five minutes. Be there." The line went dead. He pulled the phone away from his ear and glared.

"Sir?" Rebecca glanced his way again.

"Don't call me that, Rebecca." He pocketed his phone. "Wesker, Al, Albert, but not Bert."

"Alright." She grinned great big. "What's wrong, Al?"

Wesker chuckled. "Nothing for you to worry about. When we get to the hotel, you go on up. I have an errand to run."

"Are you sure?" She could tell he was not telling her something.

"Yes."

"Alright." I have a phone call to make when I get to the hotel. She watched the road and said nothing to him. He would not be at all pleased by the direction of her thoughts. "Where are you going?"

"Don't worry about it."

"Just tell me in case someone asks." She gripped the wheel tightly. She had to know. Athena had to know.

"A warehouse near the outside of town. I need to pick something up. Now, drop it." He left no room for argument. She kept silent. At least she had somewhere to start.

Athena helped Chris do his dishes despite his protests. As they were finishing up, her cell rang. "Major Wesker," she answered. "Hello, Terrell." Chris noticed she sounded annoyed. He wondered why. He thought the two were like brother and sister. "I'm at Chris's… Yes, Redfield's. Is that a problem, Captain?" She rolled her eyes at whatever he said. "Put her on." She sat down. "Rebecca… Do you know where he was going? We'll pick you up." She hung up and pocketed the phone. "I need a ride. Can you oblige me?"

"Sure. Where we going?"

"The hotel to get Rebecca. Then, any warehouse near the outside of town."

"There several but they are all together." He grabbed his boots and keys. They made their way to the hotel quickly.

"How long ago did he leave?" Athena asked as soon as Rebecca was in the truck.

"Fifteen minutes at least."

"Let's go, Chris."

Wesker arrived in the destined area twenty minutes before he was suppose to. Of course, he had no idea exactly where to go amongst the warehouses. He double checked his sidearm before locking his jeep. He glanced around wondering where to start. Focusing his hearing, he decided he would start where he was and make his way through the whole area since nothing seemed out of place, yet.

About the time he was halfway through the area, Athena and the others arrived. She was livid when she stepped from Chris's truck to see that Terrell had followed them. She tried to stay calm. Now was not the time for her to lose her cool. She had to find her dad and see what was going on. "Stay here," she quietly told the rest of them. They started to protest but she motioned them silent. "I can better find him if no one else is moving around." Her voice was soft. She did not want him to know she or the others were there, yet.

Ten minutes later, she had not located him or anyone else. Then, she heard something. A very faint, muffled clicking noise. She also recognized the sound. Zeroing in on the noise, she realized it was near where the others were. She had to find her father and get to them. Wesker could easily take care of himself. The others were her first priority. She ran, full tilt, toward them. She quickly noticed her running had drawn her father's attention. He was heading her way. She slowed, slightly, to allow him to catch up.

"What are you… Chambers!" He growled softly. "They girl is going to be the death of me or I her."

"Worry about that later. Listen!" She put a hand over his mouth and met his eyes. He did not like her bossing him around, but the soft sound that hit his ears alerted him that he had more to worry about indeed. He nodded to her and they both ran as fast as they could.

They were moving very fast. In their hast, they did not realize the others had started to wonder around. Well, Chris and Rebecca had. Terrell knew better than to disobey such a direct order. He leaned against Chris truck waiting. He nearly jumped from his skin when Wesker and Athena seemed to materialize right before his eyes. "Dammit! Warn a guy next time!" He grabbed his chest as his heart had tried to leap from it.

"Where are the others?" Athena demanded.

"Went wondering around. I couldn't stop them."

"You mean you didn't try!" Athena screamed. "Stay were you are, Captain. We will discuss this later." She closed her eyes and focused. Someone was near the clicking noise. Without a word, she took off. Wesker only took a second to realize why and he was behind her. They froze upon seeing Rebecca struggling to free her foot from a trap. Wesker felt his heart clinch upon seeing the timer nearby. He recognized the bomb's design. None of them could stop it. Rebecca would die if no one did anything. She can't. I can't lose her! Lose her. Why did he care? Why had she started to mean so much to him? When? The timer continued to count down. Thirty seconds. Twenty-nine. Dammit! Don't just stand here! Save her! You need her! He sprang forward and grabbed the trap in his hands. He pried it open and grabbed her. He ran. Athena and everyone else were on their own. He had Rebecca and that was all that mattered at the moment. She was injured and could do nothing for herself.

Athena watched her father save Rebecca. She stood immobile a split second longer before turning to follow. She did not see the small wire running across the floor until netting fell on her. She knew in that instant, she was probably going to die. Her proximity to the bomb meant even her healing would never save her. When all hope was gone, she felt someone by her. She looked and there was Chris, knife in hand. "Get out, Redfield! You want to die!"

"No, that's why I'm saving your ass. Wesker will kill me if I don't." Chris started cutting at the net.

"He has what he needs. He saved her. Let me to die. You don't have time to save me!" She pleaded with him to go. "I'll never be able to rest if you die for me."

"Shut up! I am not leaving you." He grabbed her and swung her, net, and all into his arms. The net was no longer attached to anything so he ran with it all for the exit. As he barely cleared the door the bomb exploded. Chris and Athena flew a good twenty yards, landing in a heap. Neither moved.

Wesker held Rebecca to him as he and Terrell stood, watching. Athena should have been out. She had been closer to the door than he had. Where was she? Then, they saw Chris come running. He was carrying something. Wesker almost immediately knew it was Athena. Terrell soon did as well. Then, the whole warehouse blew. They were knocked back. Wesker saw his daughter and Redfield go flying. His heart clinched again. In expecting nothing, you should assume nothing. You should have made sure she was free to get out! He now owed Chris. He owed the younger man much.

As the building burned, Wesker sat Rebecca on the hood of Chris's truck before rushing to Chris and Athena. Chris had landed on her. He pulled them apart and checked pulses and breathing. They were alive. Athena groaned and tried to sit up, glaring when he would not allow her. Chris was out cold. Wesker patted his cheek, maybe a little too hard. The younger man rolled his head and opened his eyes to a slit. "You get the number of that semi?" He asked weakly.

Wesker and Athena chuckled. "I'm afraid not, Mr. Redfield. But, I do have a pretty good idea who is to blame."

Athena sat up with Terrell's help. Wesker glared at the man. "Who?" She asked.

"You do not want to hear…"

"Barry and Gunn." She sighed and fell against him. She hugged him to her and Wesker had no idea what to do. He wrapped his arms around her. When she started to cry, he stood and carried her toward Chris's truck. Rebecca looked eager to see what was going on when Wesker got there. She paled at seeing Athena crying. She feared the worse. Then, she saw Terrell reluctantly helping Chris. She let out a breath she had not realized she was holding. Everyone was alive. That meant something else was wrong. Pain would not make Athena cry like she was. What was going on?

Wesker placed Athena in Chris's truck, kissing her brow and cheek before pulling back. "Chris can take you back to the house or to his place. I need to see to Rebecca's ankle and fingers. Will you be okay?" She looked up and nodded. On impulse, Wesker kissed the end of her nose before closing the door to shut her in. He turned to Chris. "Take her home, Chris, or to your place. She needs a positive presence and this has been weighing on both of you. Thurlow, tell your people what has happened but don't mention any suspects. That's for me and Athena to take care of."

"Who are you to…" Terrell shut up as a hand clamped on his throat.

"I've been watching you," Wesker hissed lowly. "I don't like you. So, nothing keeps me from killing you. Do as your told and you'll live." He shoved the captain away and returned to Rebecca's side. He gently picked her up and started toward his jeep.

'He has what he needs.' "Wesker!" Chris hobbled after him. "You have to talk to Athena. She was ready to die in there. She thought… You need to, have to, talk to her." Chris's eyes held the full message. Wesker felt his gut twist as he nodded. He would do just that, later. She needed Redfield at the moment even if neither of them knew it. She needed Redfield as much as he needed Rebecca. Life depended on both for them.