The characters from the game belong to Capcom. The OC's and story background belong to me.
A/N: I'm not english native speaker, so you might find some typos or grammar mistakes, I do apologize for that.
21st Century
BSAA HQ, Chris's Cabin
"I can't believe she was going to be your new secretary…"
Chris ignored his girlfriend's comment while he made himself comfortable on his chair and turned on the computer.
"You don't seem surprised" she exclaimed sitting on the chair before his desk
"Why should I be surprised?"
The woman gasped, "You knew that already…and you didn't tell me…"
"Kate is an employee just like everyone else…I don't see why I should reject her just because of your jealousy?"
"It's not just jealousy! There's something about her… and I can feel she's not who you think she is…just an employee"
"Do you have proof of that?"
The woman rolled her eyes in disappointment, "You don't get it!"
"Cathy…this is work environment, keep yourself professional. I don't want any intrigues between the two of you. If you have any proof that Kate is not a good employee is one thing, but if you only judge her for something she does in her private life outside work, it's not really my business and much less yours! So you'd better get used to see Kate in front of my door for the next months and we talking occasionally about work because that's the only thing that matters to me and the only thing that connects me to her – work! Understood?"
The woman inhaled deeply and after some contemplation, she nodded in agreement, "I'd better got to work too. See you later?"
"When we go home…"
"Alright" she smiled faintly and walked over to him and kissed him goodbye
When she opened the door, the side of her eye caught the young brunette working in the computer as if ignoring her as well.
She closed the door and inhaled. Passing by the desk, she turned her face to look at the sitting woman who did the same and only turned her eyes to stare back the jealousy agent.
Cathy felt a sudden pressure around her neck, probably caused by the words she had kept in her mouth. Words of warning for the young whore to stay away from her man!
Yet, no words were needed. Both women knew the other's thoughts.
As the jealousy agent walked away in annoyed steps, Katerina looked at the computer screen, trying to disguise her cynic smile.
Moments later, she stood up, knocked the door, and waited for the permission enter.
(*)
"Get in" Chris yelled as he typed his password in the computer's system. Watching the door open, "Ah, it's you Kate" he said with a sort of relief after thinking it could be Cathy
"Excuse me, sir" she said with a brief smile
He watched the young brunette and her gracious demeanor as she walked over his desk, "Is there any message for me?"
"No… I've been waiting to know how you like it"
"I like what?"
"How do you want me to do it…How to serve you…"
Chris made a face a bit confused
"The work…Instructions sir! Is there anything in particular you like about my skills in serving you properly?!"
"Ahh…" he laughed, "Ah, well…I like punctuality, first of all"
She laughed briefly, "Of course…I'm sorry about that. It won't happen again"
"Yeah… I like to know what awaits me when I come to the office and I keep myself always reachable when I'm in the HQ through the phone, so if you need my presence or let anyone where to find me, you can text me or call me."
"Understood. Anything else?"
He made a face contemplating, "I don't think so…but I have some questions for you. Please, take a seat" he said waving
"Alright…" she sat before him and crossed her legs
A vision that didn't escape him, but he disguised he didn't see her apparent bald south and pretended not to see her beautiful toned legs.
"You currently studying cosmetic management, right?"
"Yes I am. Last semester"
"Last semester…if I'm correct, usually the last semesters tend to be more demanding because of the thesis and internships to get the degree. How do you intend to conciliate your education and work?"
"It's an online course. I just need to login in whatever free time I have"
"Oh... I wish I had that option back in my days…" he laughed
"Come on, you talk as if it had been a very long time ago, as if you're a very old man… you're not that old, you look great!"
He laughed somewhat embarrassed, "Thank you for not finding me that old! But uhm…But it's true. When I graduated, I didn't have that online option. I had to divide myself in two for work and for school and that's cool technology has definitely changed that in a good way"
"True… I didn't know you had graduated… when did that happen?"
"When I was still in the air force. I finished high school when I was 17 and immediately I joined the military then I decided I wanted to have a graduation degree to get higher positions in my career."
"Did you always know you'd want to pursuit the military career?"
"Honestly? Not really! It more out of necessity than a real dream… but the moment I stepped in I wanted to be the best I could and give my all. So I never stopped studying. I did intern courses and learned a bit of everything. Specialized in the areas I really enjoyed."
"And in what did you graduate?"
"Engineering"
She made an overwhelmed expression, "Wow! That's a tough one! But I guess it suits you"
He grinned, "Yeah, it suited me very well in the military life…and it still serves very well actually"
She smiled, "I can see that. Your passion to be the best on field which is something I admire and so many others…"
"A passion I see in you too. I noticed you give your best in your tasks"
She smiled softly, "Thank you. I'm flattered to know someone like you noticed these qualities in me and has given me the opportunity to improve"
He smiled back, "Everyone deserves a chance"
"Thank you again!"
"You're welcome"
"By the way, there's something else I'd like to ask you"
"Sure!"
"As you know, I don't have a fixed time to leave work and you as my personal assistant will have often days that you'll have to stay longer, and as you depend on public transport and usually it's already late and dark…do you think it could be an obstacle for your studies or…?"
"Honestly I count on those extra hours, sir!"
"You do?"
"I do! Being in my last semester in college, there are extra expenses to conclude the course. My new current salary combined with the extra hours will guarantee that… and about being dark when we leave, that's the risk I'm ready to take. All opportunities have a dark side…and the self-defense course I took might be helpful…but I hope not!"
Chris inhaled, studying the girl's determination, "You don't have to worry about that… I forgot to mention that you'll have extra help for transportation if you need a cab and that won't be deducted from your salary. It's on us."
She smiled large, "Really?"
He nodded in confirmation, "Really!"
"Well, now I don't see any dark side besides dealing with the jealousy of your girlf…" immediately she covered her mouth, in embarrassment, "I'm sorry! I…I shouldn't have said that…" she spoke apologetic
He made a face, obviously he didn't like her inconvenient comment, yet, a truth.
"Now you're going to fire me…"
"Uhmm, not really…"
"No?"
"No. Actually that's another topic I wanted to talk to you"
"Okay…"
He let out a sigh, looking up as if thinking the right way and words to discuss the matter. He somewhat hoped Katerina hadn't noticed Cathy's behavior, but unfortunately, or fortunately…he didn't know yet the right answer…Katerina had noticed it and somehow it made easier for him to discuss the delicate subject.
"I liked that you respected her presence in my office, exactly in your first day in the job before I could instruct you in the things I like and need you to obey…"
She nodded listening attentively
"I already discussed with her your role in the organization and more specifically as my personal assistant… so I hope you two keep a respectful and a professional composure while inside the organization"
"Absolutely!"
BSAA Women's Restroom, A couple of weeks later
Cathy White had finished using the bathroom when she heard someone entering. She flushed the toilet and opened the cabin's door. She inhaled deeply and let out a heavy sign at the sight of the young secretary retouching her makeup.
The young brunette didn't disguise looking back at her through the mirror reflection.
Katerina passed the red lipstick while Cathy washed her hands. Both women exchanged hatred gazes from time to time.
Cathy walked to the hand drier and looked once again at the mirror.
A cynical smile formed on the young girl's face.
Cathy let out an annoyed sigh and left the bathroom in quick steps.
"Loser…" Katerina spoke in an audible tone for the other woman listen as she passed behind her
"Did you say something?"
"Do you want me to repeat it?"
Cathy let out an annoyed sigh and turned to face the younger employee, "What's your problem, girl?"
"I don't have any problem…don't know about you…" Katerina replied with a cynical shrug
"You're a problem!"
"If you say so…"
"I do say so! Your type doesn't fool me"
Kate lifted an eyebrow, "My type?"
"the slutty type"
Katerina laughed loud, "Ah, so that's your real problem? Dissatisfaction! I'm shocked to know from you that the great captain is not that great in the other field…" she spoke with sarcasm
"I can see how badly you want to know how great he is!"
Katerina rolled her eyes and kept her makeup into the necessaire and threatened to leave, "I shouldn't waste my beautiful time with losers like you. He told me that!"
Cathy blocked her way, "I won't waste any more time with you either, but I'll give you a warning… Stay away from my man!"
Katerina smiled with sarcasm, "Not gonna happen…I work with him!"
"Let's see for how long!"
"That's what I call high-esteem… only because the captain and founder of the organization is fucking the silly, boring and bland agent, the loser thinks she has some prestige against me!"
"What are you doing here after all Katerina? You don't have the profile to be in this place!"
"As far as I know, I'm a secretary and Chris Redfield's personal assistant..."
"You're exactly where you planned to be to confront me, to steal everything that is mine, my boyfriend, my peace, everything!"
Katerina's silence sounded like confirmation to the agent. "But you don't seem to know what I'm capable of yet."
"Let me guess... Could you slander me? To do anything to make me destitute of my new or any other position in the BSAA? Am I right?"
"You planned it all! It's all about this devilish plot, it's all about making everyone a puppet, everything to provoke me to see me doing what I've never done!"
"You're jealous because you see me as your rival. You know I am young, beautiful, childless, without commitment and I could provide so much pleasure to him! I'm funny! Joyful! Free! Everything that would not bore him! You know I can make him fall for me! While you'll be at home or away from him, I will always be there with him. Serving him, in that cabin! When it's late at night or when he wants me to be with him in there or anywhere, just the two of us, alone... the building will be practically empty and while you're going to martyr yourself imagining a thousand things about us and/or even calling him constantly and not always he will answer you. That will push your nerves wondering what we could be doing so he won't be answering your phone calls…The truth is that I could even seduce your boyfriend." Katerina coughed in disdain saying that word, "I could also be here just waiting for your separation, and then, in this case, I might one day become Chris's girlfriend Redfield, and even Mrs. Redfield... But I don't do any of that, I could, but I didn't do it. Yet… I just need to make just one move for him to notice me! And that drives you crazy... because he protects me, I'm the fragile party... and you? The annoying, insecure and boring girlfriend!"
"You are one of those who grows at the expense of the men you take to bed! Your only power is this!"
Katerina laughed cynically, "A power that drives you from the axes!"
"I know you want him!"
She laughed wryly, "Not really! I never wanted him. He's not even my type..."
"Liar! He's your type! For you to grow in life! Gold digger!"
"The only gold digger here is you who keeps on parading and thinking you're the best just because you "give" to him and everyone knows!"
"We love each other!"
"Hahahaha, what love is this? If he loves you so much, you'd be sure he would resist my charms!"
"Charms? You're a player! You use men at your leisure and you want to use him! And I will not let that happen! He doesn't need to suffer in your hands because he has gone through a lot to be suffering because of a bitch!"
"Ahhh the defendant of Bear Redfield! He is already big boy! He doesn't need a mommy to take the pains for him! He knows how to defend himself!"
"I'll give it to your face!" Cathy rose her hand
"I'm going to give it to him just to make you even angrier and show him you're not woman for him! And prove to him that he's going to be happy with me!"
"Ahh, the truth if finally showing out huh! You never fooled me!"
"Neither did you!"
Cathy tried to remain calm, and threatened to leave, but in a fit of fury, she returned and stick on the neck of the enemy. "I'm going to end your race, bitch!"
"Help, this woman is crazy!" Katerina yelled pushing the woman away
Cathy regained her control and let go of the brunette's neck before anyone could witness them.
Soon after, some agents entered the restroom and found Katerina catching her breathe.
Chris's Cabin
Chris couldn't disguise his upset expression. His reputation was being threated after his girlfriend's explosion. He couldn't disguise how disappointed he was. While the woman was clearly ashamed for her misbehavior.
"Why the hell did you do that Cathy? Attacking a coworker? I can't believe you did that to Kate!"
"I lost my mind Chris…I'm very sorry. I don't know what happened to me…All I know we were arguing and…I lost my temper…I tried to hold myself but…she knows how to disturb me…"
"You know the policies in this case!"
"I know…and I'm ready to accept it"
"I warned you to keep a respectful and professional posture while inside the organization! I won't warn you twice otherwise I'll request your relocation!"
"My relocation? She provokes me and I'm the one to be relocated?"
"You're the one who attacked her!"
"She insulted me!"
"Yet you crossed the physical line! You're an agent! You're supposed to keep your nerves under control! You just put your career in check!"
"I'm an agent, but I'm also a woman! I'm your girlfriend! I couldn't let her continue saying nasty things about you! About me!"
"Cathy…Kate is young! Impulsive! I noticed the way you act around her… you provoke her…"
"I can't believe you're defending her just because of her age! Are you sleeping with her or something?"
"You again saying that! No! Of course not!"
"So why do you protect her so much? Why can't you consider I'm not entirely wrong and believe me that she also provoked me?"
"I'm not protecting her!"
"You always protect her!"
"You always overreact about her!"
"So it's because of Piers… You take her side because of your pupil?"
"Geez, Cathy! I never said she's completely innocent! She will be punished too! But differently of you she has proof against you! So I'm telling you as superior coworker and someone who cares deeply about you, if you ever attack her again or anyone else here or outside, be ready for the real punishment! I don't want girls fighting over me! And I tell you that now as your boyfriend!"
"But that's what she's going to do…"
"Ignore her! Forget she exists!"
"How can I ignore her and forget her existence when she's always there in front of your door, or even in here with you until late of the night?"
"Deal with it! she's my assistant and she's very helpful in all the paperwork accumulated I need to work on...It's all about work and Only work!"
"You give her rides!"
"Of course I'll give her a ride home! I won' let her wait a bus alone late at night! Geez!"
"She can take a cab!"
"Yeah I agree she can take a cab, but I don't see anything wrong in giving her a ride if I'm driving to the same path? It's one less expense in the organization's budget…"
"The organization's budget…how about my patience's budget?"
He inhaled deeply, "I'll stop giving her rides then… but why can't you believe that I'm not into Kate!"
"It's not only the rides… but it's because you're changing…"
"I'm changing… Of course, I'm changing… You're changed too, but I'm growing tired of all the drama you start because of her! I thought you'd understand my job, understand me and take in account my sincerity but you don't even seem to be considerate about my honesty whenever I give her rides, I don't act behind your back… But it doesn't seem to be enough!"
"So what now, Christopher?"
"I don't know Cath…I feel like being forced to rethink things about us…"
"Are you considering breaking up with me just because of her?"
He shook his head in denial, "Not because of her, but because of your actions. I don't want to live a hell of a relationship just because of your jealousy! Now you see Kate as my lover and wish me to fire her, and then what guarantee I'd have you wouldn't find another 'lover' to me? I confess I never expected such action coming from you! I'm very disappointed!"
"So am I Chris! You should know better I'm not like that. I've never being this way, you call it jealousy, but what I feel is not jealousy… I don't like her. I never liked her. I know and I feel something about her that makes me mistrust her, but you're too blind to see that and it hurts me when you stand up for her and acts against me… I don't know if I'm ready for another disillusion either… so before we end up hurting each other even more and before you get even more full of doubts and I lose my temper with her again…I guess it's better we end here."
"Cath…"
"I want to preserve the good memories of us, Chris. I want to preserve the respect we can have…"
"I didn't want things to be this way…"
"Me neither! But I don't see another way… my spirit doesn't match hers and knowing she'll stay longer here…I prefer stepping away before I lose my job and ruin our careers."
He looked down. Surely, he was saddened. When they met, and while their relationship lasted, he did believe he could give a try for a relationship. Something he didn't do in a long time. He even got to be hopeless about relationships. That's why he preferred the no attachment rule. But he was the one ending up to get attached to her. That was something he couldn't explain. He had never felt something so strong for someone before. And here is the result for investing in a relationship. For trying to be in a relationship.
He failed.
Despite being heart broken, he couldn't demonstrate how broken he felt. He was a man. He was at work. He had to move on…
The pain could wait the alcohol and the loneliness later. For now, he was just the saddened Chris Redfield. The soldier. The rock.
"Is this a forever a goodbye or just a break?" he asked with a visible saddened tone
The woman fought her tears. Disappointed. Heartbroken. She had the hope until the very last second before that answer, that he'd try to fight harder. For them. For their relationship. Although, he looked resigned. Saddened but resigned about their end. Her broken expectation. He chose Kate – again.
"Let's see…" her throat was dry
Katerina left the BSAA Headquarters very pissed. She walked in heavy footsteps until the bus stop. The anger consuming her.
She took a different line than the usual and headed to her best friend's place. She needed to vent.
"What are you doing here this time of the day?" her friend Lucy asked checking her watch
"I need someone to talk to…"
"Where's Piers?"
"No idea! Can I come in?" Katerina spoke annoyed as she passed by the girl
"Sure, you're already in…"
"Are you alone?"
"Yes. What happened? did you fight with Piers again?"
"No!"
"Chris?"
Katerina rolled her eyes, "His bitch!"
"Cathy?"
"Yeah…the one…"
"Why?"
"Because she's a bitch! I got tired of her teasing and then she confronted me in the bathroom, so I couldn't really help it…you know I can't stand her and it was just a matter of time until that'd happen, so it happened today!"
The other female made faces while she listened to her friend's statement. She couldn't believe her ears. Well, actually she could. She knew how temperamental Katerina could be at times, especially when provoked. The problem sometimes she did feel provoked for the smallest things and tended to react like a furious volcano. Moreover, she was surprised that Katerina didn't get to that level even after Cathy's aggression. She never saw that coming. Maybe Kate was maturing…
"And you're going to do that?"
"Of course not! How can you think I'm going to "give that" to Chris?! I told you he's not my type! Large on top... good is when is big down... but that's another story if I really wanted to give it to him... which is not the case!"
Her friend rolled her eyes, "So why did you say that to her that you'd sleep with him if you have no intention of doing it?"
"Just to make her angry."
"Are not you afraid she'll tell him and it will affect you at work?"
"She won't say that to him! She's an insecure bitch! And if she mentions I deny everything and I still say made it out because of her jealousy"
The friend, knowing Kate for a long time, couldn't help the opportunity to poke her and see her reaction, "What if he's big down?"
Katerina made a silence to think, "I do not think so... he takes things to grow to that size and those things diminish down there! And even if that was not the case... no way I could have sex with him! There's something about him that keeps me from wanting this... it's weird. A mixture of feelings that pisses me off..."
"I've seen this movie before..."
"And it was not me!" Katerina played the fool
"Oh, I'm not sure, huh! I remember very well that once a brunette girl and I talked about men and she said that she would never have sex with someone who she didn't have attraction and today, this same girl fucks a much older guy and she says she feels disgust for him despite giving it to him for so many years…"
"It's different! This much older guy is fucking rich! And he's not that ugly... Many other girls would give everything to be in my place! And he does not even think about losing me! Which is something that is bound to happen sooner or later!"
"Chris is not ugly either!"
"But he pisses me off!"
"Hahaha, he pisses you off so much that all you talk about when you get home from work is him, how much you admire him, how different he proved to be from your first impressions on him, blablabla..."
"But I do admire him! As a hardworking person he is! But at the same time something about him pisses me off... I don't know what it is or how to explain that…"
"It might be jealousy..."
"What? Me? Jealous of him? Are you crazy? Why would I be jealous of him?"
"Oh I don't know... maybe because you like him and don't want to admit it..."
"I don't like him! But after what that bitch did, I feel like giving it to him just to tease her for real!"
"Revenge?"
"Maybe… she said he's great… and I heard the same from other girls he did…probably he's not all that!"
"What if he is? You already changed your first impressions about him…"
"No way I'll open my legs to him! He's not my type! I'll figure a way to revenge what she did to me or I'm not Katerina!"
BSAA HQ, Following Morning
Chris's Cabin
Katerina entered the cabin somewhat surprised to see Chris so early at work. Earlier than the usual.
He was sitting on his chair, looking out the window. He was visibly distant. So distant that he didn't even notice her presence near the desk.
"Chris…" she called him
He turned quickly with a serious demeanor. He looked the time on the computer screen, "Why are you here so early?"
"I came to deliver you this"
"What is this?" Chris asked puzzled
"My resignation letter"
"Resignation letter?"
"I can't do this job anymore, Chris…not after what happened…"
"I understand Kate, but…Kate you're doing such a great job!"
"No buts Chris…I can't face your girlfriend after that…I don't want to cause any more trouble…"
"I know but… You need it…"
"Yeah I need the money but it's for a price I can't afford…"
"I won' accept that letter!"
"Alright, so I'll deliver it to your superior…"
"He won't accept it either"
"Why not?"
"Because it's not necessary and no price to be paid…"
"What do you mean?"
He let out a sigh, "You won't have to deal with agent White anymore…she has been relocated"
"What?"
"And in name of the organization and for myself, humidly I apologize for the trouble you've been through…You'll be compensated for the humiliation…"
Katerina could not believe her ears and the sorrowful expression on the man before her. Somehow that broke her heart after all the commotion created and all the stupidity she thought or even might have said during the heat of the fight made her feel bad and ashamed of herself. His saddened expression made her feel the worst thing and he didn't deserve that.
Despite his usual reserved emotional nature, he did seem to have opened up a bit more during those weeks they worked together. She noticed he could be a good guy. He surely was a good man and did treat his coworkers like family. She never thought how friendly he could be behind all that serious demeanor.
She felt really bad now. She didn't exactly regret her sincerity during the fight with Cathy. But she regretted the repercussion on that man. It wasn't about her, nor Cathy. It was about him.
And here he was, proving to be a considerate man after all…
Chris Redfield was granting her something she didn't truly feel she deserved.
"I don't want any compensation…" she whispered
Chris's lips parted, but he was unable to speak as she continued her statement.
"I've already been compensated in having a boss like you. No money is better than that."
"Thank you Kate, but you need it…"
"Financially I know I need it, but it feels like a dirty money and I can't accept that…thank you anyways…"
He made a face…"Alright…"
The twenty four year old girl and the thirty-eight-year-old man exchanged gazes and remained like that for two or three seconds before the awkwardness took over them and brought them back to reality after a weird wave of sensations cored through their bodies and weird feelings hit them. Their hearts raced inside their chests.
She played with her hands, "Well, gotta back to work, right!"
He cleared his throat, "Uhm, no…you can take the day off"
"You sure?"
"Yeah…"
"Alright, but if you need me for anything, just let me know!"
"Okay"
The young brunette turned around and quickly moved back, "Uhm…by the way…I'm sorry for your situation with your girlfriend…"
"Thanks, don't worry about me…"
Chris watched the young woman leave. He needed to stay alone. He needed to work alone. He wanted to stay alone.
Cathy was no longer at his side. Kate couldn't stay at his side. At least, not that day.
Loneliness was his company.
The alcohol his consolation at night.
Thank you Pin and silver scropion for the reviews! :D
Sooo, a complete chapter only in the 21st! I didn't see it coming at all. However, they wanted to tell me their story, so I let them do it. I thought of cutting in some parts, but I had an afterthought and didn't think that would be that good because it's good to finish the arc at once.
In this arc, we saw how Christopher and Cathlyn's story ended in the previous chapter and until their reunion in the 21st, I thought it would be a long wait as I haven't finished the 18th tale, so I thought that you could forget details or not even pay attention to what's really going on and how some situations in the 21st are directly connected to an event of the 18th. So I thought it was best to conclude it all here, at least, Cathlyn and Christopher's part and Chris and Cathy tale, although don't think this is the end of their tale in the 21st! This was just a move to make the pause in Chris and Kate's initial closeness in the 21st, because when I get entirely in the 21st, we will see the after that.
So according to my plans, we won't see them in the same scene in the 21st in a considerate time from now.
However... I also am considering of working in both centuries simultaneously so you won't have to wait longer to really know how the story will be different when the 21st really comes.
We will see better how the past affected them and made who they are in the 21st, as Chris and Piers's personalities that we know, will be more evident, because I know Christopher and Pierce are quite different from the original characters of the game during the 18th, but it's that thing...they are different people in the previous life so that gives me more tools to build the triggers of their 21st personas.
(and I must say my brain currently is more inspired to write 21st scenes than the 18th lol)
Anyways...I think I'm babbling too much xD what matters is enjoying the story! xD
Stay tuned!