Here's to the lioness. I hope I get some purrs for this one! Without her I would be knotted up and lost. She's the best. Life would be dull without her. Here's to lioness78! She's been waiting for this for some time.

Rebecca closed the door with a sigh. She had a hard time convincing Athena and Chris she would be alright alone with Wesker and Billy. Coen was still out cold and Wesker was seemingly coming slowly out of his fever. She shut off most of the lights and made her way to Wesker's room. He was barely conscious as she fixed his blankets and made sure he was set for the night. "I'll be on the couch if you need anything, Al." She kissed his forehead.

"I need you," he responded without thinking. He was mostly asleep, his healing returning to him. He figured he would be recovered by morning though he doubted the others would believe, especially Athena and Rebecca.

Rebecca was bewildered by his words. She left his room in a haze. He needed her. What did that mean? Calm down, Rebecca. It can't mean what you think it means. He's delirious from the fever. It's the fever talking. She made her way to the couch, turning off the other lights on her way, and got comfortable, or rather tried, to sleep. Sleep came hard for her as she kept having thoughts of Wesker and ways he could need her, ways she wanted him to need her.

About two hours before dawn, Billy came to. His head was killing him. He staggered to his feet before shuffling into the living room. He saw Rebecca sleeping there on the couch. She was still wearing Wesker's shirt and looked so beautiful in the light streaming in from outside. He stood behind the couch and stared down at her. He had the perfect opportunity right before him but he had no right. She did not want him, and he could not say he actually felt anything but lust for her. She deserved better than him. But Wesker? He touched her face as he thought about how hard it was going to be to get her to forgive him, to get them all to forgive him.

"Coen, I would remove your hand." Wesker, dressed in sweat pants and a t-shirt, appeared from the shadows. Billy took an involuntary step back. Wesker advanced on him and without any indication of his intent, he hit him dead on in the face. Billy fell like a sack of bricks. The thud his body made as it hit the floor woke Rebecca.

She looked up at Wesker blankly a moment before who was standing there registered. "What are you doing out of bed?" She threw back the throw she had over her and was immediately on her feet. "You should still be in bed!" She put her hands on her hips and glared at him.

"Rebecca…"

"Don't 'Rebecca' me, Albert Wesker! You. In bed. Now!" She took his arm.

"Didn't we already do this once?" He asked as she struggled to pull him to his room.

"Yes, dammit. Now come on." She pulled at him some more. He was reminded of a child pulling on her father's arm.

She's younger than your own daughter. What do you expect! He shook his head and pulled his arm from her. He then crossed it with the other over his chest. "I'm fine, Rebecca. I don't need to be in bed."

She crossed her arms to match his, but instead of glaring she pouted. He rolled his eyes. He was getting used to her ways. "Please, just for me." She pouted up at him for some time before he had enough.

"Fine!" He threw up his hands and started for his bedroom. She followed to make sure he made it there and stayed. He got in the bed and pulled the covers up over him. She watched a moment more before turning to return to the couch. "The couch is much too uncomfortable for you to sleep on, Rebecca. Besides, I would prefer you where Coen can't get to you. Stay in here. Please."

She blushed and looked at him as though he was crazy. "I… In your bed?"

"Yes, it is plenty large enough for both of us. Get over here." He flipped part of the covers back for her. She hesitantly made her way over and climbed in beside him. "I won't assault you, Rebecca." He smirked at her with an unfamiliar glint in his eyes. "That is, if you don't want me to." He chuckled and turned his back to her, which she was thankful for as she turned a bright red. She slid under the covers and prayed for morning when she could escape. Only problem, she felt so safe she was asleep before she knew she was even falling into slumber.

Athena stretched as she woke, realizing Chris was not where he was suppose to be. She sat up quickly and looked around. "Chris?" She got out of bed and pulled on her robe. "Chris, where are you?" She searched the entire house, between trips to the toilet, before discovering his truck was gone. She angrily strode into the kitchen to discover she had overlooked a note on the table.

Athena-

Sorry I'm gone this morning, but I have something to take care of. I'll be back so we can go for that ultrasound.

Love,

Chris

He had used the word again. Reading it was even better than hearing it. She had a hard copy of the fact that he loved her. She held the note to her chest and smiled, her anger forgotten. She had to shower and dress so she would be ready to leave when he got back. However, one thought plagued her. Where did he have to go and to do what? For Chris's sake, he was lucky she did not know what he was up to. She would not be pleased by his actions.

Chris parked his truck and walked into the hotel with determination. He had a Marine captain to have words with. When he got to the suite, Demetrius was sipping a cup of coffee as Elizabeth yawned and nodded at him. He nodded to both of them. "Where is Thurlow? I need to talk to him." The two Marines shared a glance before Elizabeth shrugged. Demetrius jerked his head toward Terrell's room. Chris nodded. "Tell Patrick to call when he wants us to meet him at the hospital." They both nodded as Chris strode into Terrell's room without knocking.

Terrell was sprawled across his bed asleep. Chris smirked and jerked the asleep man to his feet, pinning him to the wall. Terry came awake in an instant and tried to fight his assaulter. He froze at meeting Chris heated gaze. "You are to stay away from Athena unless you can act civilized in her presence. I don't want you harming her or our child. Is that clear? One more misstep, Thurlow, and Wesker or I one will have your ass six feet under." Chris pressed his forearm against Terrell's windpipe. "Do you understand me?"

Terry nodded. Chris let go and he fell to the floor in a heap. He looked up at the S.T.A.R.S officer with hate in his eyes. "You'll regret all of this, Redfield."

"I'll never regret a thing Athena and I have or will have. I may, in time, regret not killing you. We shall see. I hope not. Your attitude hurts Athena, as would your death." Chris turned and strode from the room, the suite, and the hotel. He had a pregnant woman to get back to.

Wesker was up and about before Rebecca. When she woke to discover she had slept so long, she felt the need to curse the man. Where has he gotten to now? She got out of the bed to discover her clothes on the end of the bed. She shook her head as a grin graced her face. He was unbelievable. She dressed and went on the hunt. Her search was short lived as she found him in the kitchen. "You're out of bed again," she needlessly informed him.

"I am very well aware of that," he retorted. She rolled her eyes and sat down at the table. He smirked at her. "Did you have fun nursing me back to health? I seem to recall something to do with a bathtub."

Rebecca went so red he wondered if she was breathing. She finally spoke with a strained voice. "Y… you remember what happened while you were fevered?" She was panic-stricken at the thought.

"Hmmm. Yes, I remember everything, I believe. The fever seemed to take over but I was still inside fighting to get out. It was like watching from the eyes of another person's body. I don't remember what happened while I was unconscious but while I was conscious, it is all up here." He tapped the side of his head. "Is that a problem?" He asked with an impish smirk. She cleared her throat and shook her head but the blush did not leave.

Everything! Does that mean everything he said as well? God, I hope not. She could not meet his eyes. She was flabbergasted. What was she going to do? What was going to happen now?

Chris was breathing hard as he returned to Rebecca's house. He walked in to see the bathroom door closed. He heard a retching sound and felt his own stomach turn. Athena must have tried to eat something that did not agree with her or a smell set her off. She had said something to him about shopping for clothes, too, as the ones she had were chaffing her skin would not fit once she began to show. He hoped he would survive the experience. Shopping was not his forte at all, and the few times he had went with Claire had set him against it even more.

Athena came out of the bathroom. She looked flushed from the exertion of regurgitating anything her stomach could shove up her throat. He smiled at her to gage her mood. She had not really had mood swings, but Chris knew she would be likely to have them. He was frightened by that prospect as she could be very volatile while in control. He hated to think what she would do when her mood took control of her.

He took her in his arms as she leaned against him. "You okay?" He rested his chin upon her head. She nodded and hugged him back. "Patrick hasn't called?" She shook her head. "Did you eat before getting sick?" She nodded once more. He sighed and tightened his arms. "You want to go to your dad's to see how everyone is, or do you want to wait here for Patrick to call?"

Athena pulled back slightly and looked up at him. "We can wait here. We'll go over there when we have some more information. Where have you been?" She searched his eyes. "Why do I have a feeling you don't want me to know the answer?"

"Athena…"

"Chris, we can't have secrets. You know that."

He sighed in defeat. "I don't want to keep secrets, Athena, but this was something that was coming. I had to make sure you and the baby would not have any problems from…"

"Terrell," she finished for him. Her eyes narrowed before she walked away from him.

"He had to be put in his place," Chris defended himself.

"Dammit, Chris! I told you I don't need protected." She hugged herself.

"Athena, I told you that you'll have to get used to it. I am not going to chance anything happening to you or our child. I…"

Athena sighed and slumped. "I know. I'm just not used to someone feeling the need to protect me. I've always protected myself. I've never needed anyone before. But… I need you." She looked at him with such a look of loss. He moved to her and took her back into his embrace. She leaned against him as they stood in silence.

Wesker was aware of Billy's approach long before the ex-Marine came into the living room where he and Rebecca sat. She had not let Wesker out of her sight. He watched Coen closely as the younger man approached Rebecca. The medic tensed slightly as he did this. Wesker tensed as well, edging closer to the edge of the chair so he could pounce if need be. Coen ignored him and squatted down by Rebecca.

"Rebecca, I know this is going to sound cliché, just a bunch of words; but I want you to know that I am truly sorry for yesterday, for everything that has happened since Athena brought me here. I never meant to upset you or overstep any bounds. I don't know what came over me. I really am sorry." He searched her eyes for any sign she knew he was being honest.

Rebecca glanced to Wesker, who did not look amused. She sighed and nodded. "I forgive you, Billy, but you can't do anything like that ever again." She leaned forward and hugged him. When she pulled away, she noticed Wesker's eye doing its ticking again. She thought she heard a low growl coming from his direction as well.

"Al, you and I need to talk. Privately." She stood and waited for him to do the same. He glowered at a Coen a moment more. Soon as he was on his feet, Rebecca had his arm yet again pulling him toward his bedroom. She obviously wanted no chance of an interruption. He wondered what was so important.

Chris watched as Athena hung up her phone. She turned to him. "Patrick said to meet him at the hospital soon as we can. He's on his way there." She pocketed the phone and took the hand he offered her. They walked out to his truck and Chris opened the door for her. She good naturedly glared at him before climbing inside. She was nervous about what she may find out from Patrick.

The ride to the hospital was short. She was apprehensive about getting out of the truck. Chris opened the door and watched the way she seemed to be reluctant. "Everything will be fine, Love."

"But… Chris, I'm a freak. The virus…"

"You are not a freak. Now, come on. Let's go see what is going on inside here." He placed his hand over he abdomen. "No matter what Patrick says, I am here with you and the baby through thick and thin." She sniffed and nodded. He helped her from the truck and held her hand as they walked inside.

Patrick met the couple as they walked through the door. "This way." He led them down a few halls and up an elevator to the fourth floor. He led them to an examining room and had Athena lay down and pull up her shirt. He then spread jelly across her stomach and turned on the ultrasound machine. Chris and Athena watched as a black and white image appeared on the screen. "There he or she is." Patrick moved the sensor around. "Hmmm. Looks like the baby is developing about three times as fast as normal." He looked around some more. "I would say he or she will be born in about three months. Might want to keep a low profile to keep questions to a minimum." He glanced up and nearly dropped the sensor.

Athena was gazing at the monitor with tears rolling down her cheeks. Chris wore a huge grin. He noticed Patrick looking at him. He met the doctor's eyes and Patrick glanced at Athena. Chris quickly began wiping away her tears. "You okay, Love?" She nodded. He leaned down and kissed her gently. "Something isn't it? Our child is right there on that screen."

"Our child," she repeated with the sound of awe. She met his eyes and he kissed her again. Patrick felt out of place. He cleared his throat and stood.

"I believe we are done with the ultrasound. If you want, I can tell you about your father." He wiped the jelly off Athena's abdomen. She sat up and nodded.

A question came to her before he could start in about Wesker, though. "Doc, when will I start showing?"

"About the fourth or fifth week I imagine you will really be showing. Each month will be a trimester." She nodded and motioned for him to go on about her dad. "He had some sort of bacteria in his system that the t-virus was having a fight with. I don't know how he contracted it or how it was able to put up any kind of stand against the virus. I think Umbrella may have been experimenting. Somehow they either planned for him to inject himself and laced the injection he gave himself or they got the bacteria in contact with him in some other way to see how his natural abilities held up against it. All is speculation at the moment. I'll have to talk with him to see what he thinks and have Rebecca's help with the bacteria. I don't even know how to classify this strain. I'm at a loss." Athena looked at him sadly. She hoped everything was going to be alright for her father.

"Alright, Rebecca, what did you wish to discuss?" Wesker sat down on his bed and watched as she began to pace the room. She had something on her mind.

"You don't need to get all fatherly with me when I am around another man. You aren't my father."

"Trust me, I know," he mumbled. She did not hear him and kept talking.

"You aren't my boyfriend eith…" She trailed off as she realized what she had said. He raised a brow at the blush she wore yet again.

"I am aware of that, too. I am too old for something that simple." He stood and walked to her. She looked up at him.

"Do you really need me?" She blurted out.

Wesker had a vague idea why she was asking. "The team needs you. You are an important asset." He placed a hand on her cheek. "Do you want me to need you?" He looked into her eyes. Her breath and heartbeat quickened. "Is that why you were so red when you attended me while I was sick? Is that why you put yourself through all that embarrassment and trouble?" She nodded against his hand. He smiled. "Then I need you, Rebecca. I need you more than anything else." He bent his head down and lightly touched their lips together.

Rebecca froze for a moment before leaning into the kiss. He intensified it slightly. Soon, he coaxed her lips open and met her tongue with his. His arms wound around her as she gripped his shirt tightly. He kissed her more passionately the longer their lips were together. She moaned as he moved his mouth to her jaw and around to her ear. "Are you sure?" He stopped and breathed lightly on her ear.

"God, yes. I've been dreaming about it." She blinked as he pulled back to meet her eyes.

"You, too? Well then, let's take this over to the bed." He swung her up into his arms. She put her arms around his neck, and when he placed her on the bed she did not let go. She pulled his mouth down to hers. He kissed her long and hard before pulling away to remove his clothes. She watched enraptured by the sight. She had seen him naked, undressed him herself, but something about the way he moved as he pulled the cloth from his body was so hot.

Wesker watched her watch him. He grew hard by her gaze alone. She wanted him. The heat in her eyes burned a fire in his veins that he had only felt once before, and he did not believe it had been as hot as it was now. He crawled onto the bed beside her once he was fully unclothed. He began taking her clothes off next. They kissed and fondled as he oh so slowly went about the task. Eventually, they were both naked and pressed firmly together.

"What do you want, Rebecca? Tell me and it is yours." He smoothed back her hair.

"I want to be yours and only yours," she answered breathlessly. He nodded and suckled at her neck, marking her as his. He positioned himself between her thighs but did not push inside. As he moved the suckling to her breasts, he gently pushed one then two fingers inside her. She was tight and wet. He spread her with his fingers making her mewl. He loved the sound. He could take it no longer and straightened to meet her lips. As their lips locked, he slid inside her. She whimpered slightly as he neared her virginity. Then, with one hard thrust, he breached her and she was his. She threw back her head, mouth open in a silent scream. He kissed her neck, face, shoulders, and ears to calm her down. He continued to thrust to ease the pain to pleasure. He soon succeeded. Rebecca began to thrust back and they both were soon careening over the edge. Wesker held her to him tightly as she clung to him. The were asleep in each others arms before they knew they were falling there.

Athena and Chris walked into Wesker's house shortly after the ultrasound. Athena needed to talk to her father about Ohio and the bacteria. She saw Billy watching television in the living room. "Chris, love, get me some water, please." He nodded, glared at Coen, and left the room. "Where is Rebecca?"

"She and your dad had something to talk about. They are in his room, I think."

"Come on, let's go get them. I need to speak with them." She took Billy's arm as he stood. "Back to yourself, I see."

"Yeah, about that, I'm sorry. I never meant to be like that. I don't know…"

"Don't worry about it. Let's just go get them and get it over with." He nodded and they headed off for Wesker's room unaware of what awaited them behind the door.