Chapter VI
Ending Roots
Back at the bottom floor of the F.B.I everyone was gathered around the small office's table.
Though sadness strongly remained for the fallen Kennel, there was a positive mood in the room. A swing in the pendulum, which up to this point, had only been swinging hopelessly.
The meeting began with Assistant Director Williams addressing the entire group.
"You all should be proud; today is the pinnacle of everything that we've all worked so hard for"
"And lost so much in the process," Jamie muttered bitterly, as she did her eye's caught Chris'.
Since the mission Chris hadn't spoken to Jamie, he tried calling her once but she never returned the gesture. A lot was gained that day, but just as Jamie said so much had been lost.
"What we did that day was huge on even the largest scales," continued Williams, penetrating through Chris' thoughts. "And at last we've gained the weapon that we've needed most," Williams paused dramatically. "The F.B.I's support."
The whole room stared at each other; Chris could feel all his friends' eyes upon him. He knew William's announcement left them all with only one question.
"Where does that leave us?" He asked the Assistant Director.
"Well Mr. Redfield," Williams addressed him formally. "That leaves you wherever you want to be left. You can either continue the fight and join us at the F.B.I, or you can back away now knowing that you're leaving the cause in good hands."
"It's our choice?" Jill asked, her voice was drowned in enthusiasm.
"That's the idea Ms. Valentine," Williams said flatly. "Either way we understand, you just have to let us know."
Chris looked around at his comrades expecting to see them all nodding to fight, to his disbelief nobody was nodding.
He looked back up at the Assistant Director. "I think we need some time."
"That's more then okay," Williams told them. "We all will be upstairs if you need us."
After a slight nod Williams left the office, he was followed by the others. Both Chris and Jamie locked glances until she left the room. When they were gone Chris turned back to his friends.
"What do you think?"
The group looked around at each other, then back up at him. It was Barry who at last broke the rising silence.
"I think this is a great opportunity that the F.B.I is giving us."
"A great opportunity for what?" Chris asked curiously.
Barry looked around the group before slowly answering. "An opportunity to get out of this mess."
"This mess?" Chris repeated aghast. "We've been in this mess for over five years, I think this isn't just some mess, this is our mess. Don't you think it's our responsibility to clean it up?"
"I think we've done our part," Jill spoke up. "I think it's time that we pass on the broom."
Chris threw his hands up in the air. "I can't believe this, do all you guys feel this way?"
Standing there in disbelief he watched five heads slowly start to nod.
"Chris, you have to understand that we've all given up so much of our lives." Barry tried to reason with him "I have a family that I hardly see. Jesus, I missed my daughters growing up for this cause. If I have half the chance to go home to them, well that's not much of a choice for me. It's a certainty."
Chris had to look away; he could feel the pain of guilt pound in his heart. Barry had every right to return to his family; Chris had no right to take that opportunity from him. But the others...how could they all just give up?
Not ready to face them again he stormed out of the office. He had reached the elevator when he heard Jill call out his name, turning around he watched her run up to him. Chris felt a large part of his heart ache as Jill reached him; her eyes were staring up at him pleadingly
"Chris," she spoke hesitantly. "You have to understand how everyone is feeling."
"Oh I understand," Chris yelled, he couldn't help feeling angry. "I understand all too well...everyone is giving up."
As soon as he said the words all emotions inside of Chris collapsed. In a defeated tone he stared directly into Jill's empathetic gaze and asked her.
"Do you want to give up?"
Her gaze stayed on his, her expression remained saddened, but there was something behind Jill's golden eyes that flickered.
"Chris, I think we've done everything that was in our human capacity against Umbrella, and now...well maybe it's just time to pass on the torch."
Chris stared at her; his throat had suddenly become dry.
"Think about it Chris," she pleaded with him. "Barry has a family he desperately wants to go home to, Claire is starting a family of her own. I mean you can't possibly want to miss that?"
Still remaining silent, Chris watched helplessly as Jill started to break down.
"And what about us Chris? When do we get to start a life together? Don't you want any of that?"
He stared at her, wanting nothing more then to simply take Jill in his arms. Yet, something was holding him back.
"I can't start my life until I know that Umbrella is finished," he told her quietly.
"Well, I guess we want different things then," Jill said, her voice was half indignant and half on the verge of tears.
"Jill," he said, but he couldn't think of anything to add after that. Jill stared at him expectantly, but when he remained silent she shook her head.
"I guess we've said everything that needs to be said," Jill said coldly before turning around.
Chris watched until Jill's figure slipped back into the office, he then proceeded into the elevator more lost and confused then he ever been in this damn war against Umbrella.
Shortly after Chris' departure everyone followed his suit, each under the same impression. Their battle against Umbrella was over.
The first thing that Leon wanted to do was call Claire and tell her the news. That thought, however, quickly diminished.
The last conversation Leon had with Claire had been an argument. He hadn't even meant to bring the conversation up, but somehow he had, much to his regret.
-
The group once again was waiting to depart to D.C. and once again they were all waiting for Leon.
He didn't mean to keep them waiting, but something inside of him needed to talk to Claire before they left. He had hardly spoken to her since their return from their last mission and he just wanted to make sure that she was alright.
With a great amount of hesitation Leon lightly knocked on Claire's door. A faint 'come in' echoed from inside the room.
Walking into the room Leon found Claire standing next to Grace's crib, slowly rocking it. Her eye's briefly glanced up at him as Leon entered before they returned back to her daughter.
After a couple of careful steps Leon was standing next to Claire, he stared up at her sorrowful eyes with so much regret. He just wanted all the pain to go away.
A few silence filled moments passed by, biting the bullet Leon decided to be the first to speak.
"Were heading out now."
"Alright," she told him, her voice was so dead.
"Uh, I guess I just wanted to say goodbye."
"Alright," she repeated. The emotion that usually boiled through Claire's veins seemed to no longer exist. And Leon hated that he knew exactly why.
Steve Burnside.
A man that she had only known for a brief period of time, the man who even dead seemed to own her heart.
The thought rotated over and over in Leon's head until, with no control of his own, the single thought blurted out of his stupid mouth.
"There's no getting him back Claire."
At this she turned to him "What?"
"Steve...he's, he's not coming back."
Her eyes had almost become deadly as Claire glared daggers at him.
"I'm sorry, I...I just hate seeing you this way." He tried to sound sympathetic and comforting, but with every passing second her eyes became narrower and narrower.
A cold, bitter silence over took them until at last Claire spoke.
"How dare you talk to me like I don't know that," her every word was sharp and poisonous
"I...I..."
"You think you're coming from the right place," she went on. "But all you did was come here and corner me. What the hell were you expecting me to say?"
It was Leon's turn to go silent.
"I think you should go Leon," Claire told him coldly.
Nodding Leon began to leave, tempting one last glance at Claire as he did so, but it didn't matter. Her back was already turned to him.
-
Looking back at the conversation Leon's heart was filled with guilt and sadness.
The office was now empty, spare for him.
Leon was all alone.
Staring at the empty chairs Leon had to wonder, the war against Umbrella may be coming to a close, but what will they be left with in the end? Maybe in the end, after all the pain, Umbrella might still take away what they held most dear; each other.
As the lonely silence continued to fill the room Leon couldn't help but think maybe his theory was right. Maybe this was the end.
AUTHORS NOTE:
Well, another day another chapter. I just want to give a thanks to everyone out there who took the time to read the chapter. It means a lot to me. Hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving.
Always,
Leah
