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.

"Innocence…innocence… it was the first thing to be taken from my hands when I got power. How painful is to remember… oh the grief! They say "the way they died, is the way they are remembered"… is that really true? A woman fits into many attributes in life, and she is someone else in every moment. She becomes a child, a woman, a mother and, if she is a beloved, intelligent servant of God, then she even become an Empress, a Queen.

I saw and lived through all of those, thank God. I tasted them all. But what capacity shall I be remembered as? What attribute shall describe me? What will they say about me centuries later? An innocent girl who fell in love with a simple knight, and who was torn away from her name? A powerful, charitable regent who gave the kingdoms valid heirs, kept the tent of the state standing, and kept the bellies of thousands people full in her foundation? Or…a cruel woman, who for the sake of her wishes went crazy for her own ambition and didn't even spare her own loved ones?"

Sitting on his desk, Mr. Lionel read a couple of old letters written by Katarina on her final days. He sighed. Alone, in the middle of the night, sleepless, his mind constantly returned to old days.

Days of a young man, a young prince, who succeeded the most influent families of Bohma. A young man with a very special blood.

Days of conflict, between the duty and the compassion.

The young prince walked the rock-made, dark corridors, only illuminated by torches on the walls.

He turned the only corner and faced a narrow corridor even darker. At the bottom, a single chamber illuminated by torches.

He inhaled gaining courage to give the first step on the dirty ground, full of dust, abandoned by the time. Nearly cold due to the winter winds coming from few windows across the place.

So silent. Only winter winds could be heard, and his own footsteps, besides the noises of clashing metal.

Back to the present, Mr. Lionel sighed heavily. Where could he find her this time? Would he be granted to find her and pass on his last message? Try to fix the damage made?

Despite everyone's thoughts that he had all the answers. That was untrue. He didn't have that specific answer.

Could she really draw her destiny and fix the past on her own?

Then he remembered his pupil's statement: "I hate her". A strong statement. Those words spoken by Angelina caused his a big concern. How could he deal with that? More and more he felt he was failing with his mission… or maybe that wasn't his mission…just a burden he inflicted on himself and made him believe there was a mission. A burden that made him take all the necessary measures to prolong his lifespan…all in vain.

Christopher had become a skeptical man. Alongside Pierce. Angelina kept hatred in her heart. He had no clue on Katarina's whereabouts.

Their destiny's paths had never been so distant and so close since the 18th century. Distant because they didn't seem to bond as they did in the past, with exception of Christopher and Pierce. Well, a bond that had been reinforced in the 19th century when they were born as siblings.

And also Angelina…

Their once angelical love seemed to have become nothing more than just…fondness. Probably because of their fraternal bond in the 19th century as well.

Maybe they weren't mean to be as he thought…

Maybe nothing was like he imagined.

Maybe he wasn't meant to be their mentor.

Maybe they didn't need him as he thought.

Maybe it was about time to finally let go…

Let go of the history.

Let go of Bohma.

Let go of them.

Set himself free…

BSAA, Locker Room, Morning

Two girls were talking after their training, when one of them waited other agents leave so she could start the dirty talk with her friend.

"My friend, I think you were right"

"About what?"

"About those two..."

"Who?"

"The gold digger and the... captain," she whispered in the last word.

"Ahh, really?"

She nodded, "I think they... I think you were right when you said that after the fight, it was strange just one of them had been punished... I think you were right... the fight was for a big fish and he chose the younger one…"

"As in?"

"Yesterday I stayed until a little later to compensate for the time I left for my appointment with the doctor and when I was in the car about to leave, I saw them in the parking lot and I got watching them until I saw them getting into his car."

"Really?"

"Yes! And now I just went into the director's office, when I turned the corner I saw he was coming to his cabin and he grinning at her as he passed by her desk. He also said something and she immediately followed him into his cabin and closed the door"

"Oh really…" the other one made a contemplative expression

"There's something is going on between those two…"

"I don't doubt it... I had heard that sometimes they leave together... and she always stays after the normal work shift. Greta was not like that, and now that apparently he and Cathy broke up, their closeness has become more evident..."

"True... It does not make any sense Cathy had that outbreak for no reason at all! She has always been a very controlled, polite person, not to mention she is a trained agent! It wouldn't be for nothing or petty reason that she would cause such a scandal"
"I guess she got some evidence of their affair, and he as a superior protected the "cute one" and punished only Cathy…shame on him!"

"The "cute one" is the smart type! She just wants the best. She started with his pupil and now she got the captain... but she won't stop there. She will only use him as her trampoline... the day she picks up a superior to him, she'll drop him without a second thought!"

"I agree with you... she and the pupil broke up and it's strange that he has gone away for so long after that..."

"Maybe his 'mission' was actually a punishment or something like that..."

"The truth is that the captain chose wrong!"

"Well... actually he always liked the younger ones! Much younger! His latest official and public girlfriend was a girl from the tech department a few years ago."

"Really?"

"Yep... her name was Laura."

"He likes young…how old was she?"

"She was 19 when they came out publicly, but there was already evidence that they had been together for some time prior"

"And did it last?"

"Yes, they broke up in 2009 and that's when she left the BSAA. I remember once Laura said that they were already together for 3 years and she joined us when she was 17 and soon after she was turned 18 in 2005... So if they were together for 3 years in 2008, it means they started dating shortly after she joined and no one noticed…"

"I guess he has a thing for coworkers…"

"Probably…"

"Yet he also seems to be the type that when he dates, he stays a long time with that same person..."

"Yeah, he stays long enough until he meets a much younger chick!"

"A young chick named Katerina..."

"By coincidence, she's the same age as Laura, but Laura was the opposite of her! She gave no attention to other men! She wasn't smiley, much less smiley to other men, she didn't show off her body, she didn't wiggle to walk and she did wear panties!"

The other one laughed.

Piers, hidden, listened to gossip girls. Not that it was his habit listening to other people's conversations, but the place chosen by the girls to distill the poison gave him no other choice if he didn't want to be seen. But it might not have been a bad idea to hear the gossips about Katerina. A lot had happened in his absence.

Apparently, Katerina had moved on. He was not surprised, after all, they were not committed and neither of them owed exclusivity to each other, but...
He needed to figure out the situation. It was strange the thought that his superior, after so many distancing from Katerina, now they seemed to be "sharing" the same woman.

He waited the gossipers return to their posts, and it gave him time to recover from disturbing thoughts and headed to the cabin of no other than Chris Redfield.

He spotted her from afar, leaving the cabin and heading to her desk. His heart raced seeing her figure.

Despite the months apart, seeing her still caused him something he couldn't exactly tell what it is. They hadn't been exclusive, nor committed, but the thought of his superior and friend could be doing her bothered him.

He felt angry with himself for feeling those sentiments. He didn't own her. He hadn't been capable to define his real feelings for her.

At the same time he felt attracted, he repelled her. At the same time he missed her, he wanted distance from her. He didn't really want her back, but he also didn't want to see her with…Chris…

He inhaled and walked the corridor, not losing sight of her as she worked in the computer without taking notice of his approaching presence.

"Good morning" he greeted her as he stopped in front of her desk

"Good mor…Piers…" she looked up in a light scare as she recognized him

"Kate…"

"You're back!" she smiled

"Yeah…and I can see you have been promoted in my absence…to Chris's personal assistant…"

She made a face, "Not exactly…it's temporary. I'll return to my old post when Greta returns…"

"I doubt it"

"Why do you think so?"

"You're too good for a setback…you're talented and I'm sure other people will notice that on you…" he gave a shrug, "Chris did…"

She gasped, "He needed someone. He didn't chose me…"

That moment, the telephone started buzzing. He made a gesture to have permission to get in the cabin, with her permission as she knew Chris was alone, he entered, greeted his superior, closed the door, and sat on the chair before his boss' desk.

"How was the course?" Chris asked in friendly manner

"It was good… I think is important to keep ourselves updated with so much technology."

"I agree"

"So how are things here?" he made a brief pause, "Cathy?"

Chris looked briefly to the side, "The same…Got some paper work and training personnel…the usual"

"Things are not the same… I could see you chose Kate…"

Chris raised an eyebrow as he stared his second-in-command before him, as he waited a better formulation of the sentence

"For Greta's vacancy… I saw Kate at the entrance…"

"Ah yeah…that changed…she's doing a good job so far"

"What about Cathy? I wonder she's not much fond of it…"

"Cathy has been relocated…" Chris replied not entering in personal details

Piers pretended surprise, "Why?"

"She had a bad conduct and it was the best for all parties… I had already warned her to keep composure, which is part of the professional ethics. She was "lucky" she wasn't suspended or even fired, I managed to intervene for her as I didn't think she deserved to lose her job for a misconduct…so she had been adverted and then relocated to another office."

"Maybe she had good reasons…"

"It doesn't justify attacking someone"

"What? She attacked someone?"

"She did."

"I didn't know that"

"It happened two weeks ago or so…"

"Who did she attack?"

"Kate"

"Ah…Now I understood everything…"

Chris made a face confirming Piers' suspicions

"I wonder Cathy had objections when you chose Kate for the job"

"I didn't chose her. Cathy had no power to decide the candidates for the vacancy. Kate got it due to her competence"

"I'm sure she's very competent…" Piers said with a slight sarcasm remembering the gossipers talk, and also his nightstands with the young brunette

Chris didn't get the sarcasm his workmate had been referring to, "She is! Everyone deserves a chance and Kate got hers… And that's why Cathy committed a big mistake by attacking her, especially inside the work place!"

Piers made a face. He didn't oppose Chris' arguments completely, yet he had his own reservations, "And Kate?"

"What about her?"

"She's still here…"

"No punishment deserved, but I did talk to her about the incident… She was the victim."

In impulse, Piers gasped a little. He knew Kate well enough to not see her as a complete victim. He knew Kate wasn't the type to simply remain with her mouth shut, no, she wasn't like that. She was capable of provoking to bite back. He also remembered the bitter comments she made in some occasions about the agent. In one or two occasions, he even had thought Kate was actually jealous of Cathy.

Flashback

One day, Piers and Kate were having lunch at the food hall when the young soldier noticed his superior alongside his girlfriend coming in. He observed the couple who had recently came out publicly.

"Cathy is really doing good to Chris. I don't know him for so long, but I heard the things he came through, and the period prior to her… He really looks happy now, and he deserves it" he commented with the young brunette before him having her meal

Katerina took a sip of her juice and only moved her eyes to the side in the couple's direction. It was evident her not so friendly gaze staring them, "Some great men do seem to get conformed to average women, but it's because they haven't taken better…"

"You think Cathy is average?"

"Did I mention her name?"

"You said that while you stared them…"

"I was just randomly looking around. No offense…"

"You always look randomly when they're around."

"Someone is jealous…"

"Apparently…it happens it's not me…"

"What did you say?"

"Nothing…I was just randomly thinking loud"

She rolled her eyes and inhaled deeply.

End of Flashback

Had Chris surrendered to Katerina's enchantment too? It wasn't any pleasant the thought those two could've been intimate after all the cold waters Chris maintained to keep Kate distant. Yet, things seemed to be developing between them since the day of the ride when Kate injured her ankle.

Piers learned about that from Cathy, and both shared the same feelings of reprobation. Especially Cathy who had never been capable to disguise her animosity for Kate.

Chris had been in Kate's condo more than once. According to the gossipers.
Kate worked until late, and left alongside Chris. Something that wasn't a habit of Greta. According to the gossipers, yet a true fact about Greta. He recalled very well that she usually left work by 6PM.

Chris defended Kate against his own girlfriend, and it wasn't just a gossip. He confirmed that now.

"So you broke up with Cathy because of Kate?"

"I didn't break up with her because of Kate, but she did break up with me because of Kate…she couldn't handle her jealousy, and neither did I…so I guess it was the best for us."

Piers remained in silence. "He preferred Kate over all" he thought. Maybe it would be the best for him to let that go. His boss and his ex-affair having some history wasn't his business.
At least, he learned it with some anticipation before getting in contact with the brunette again. Sinking in all the reprobation, it would be the best for him to move on too. Just like everyone else involved in that tale.

He wasn't the type to let his feelings rule him.

A trait that suited the job.

Soldier ought to keep the reason above all things.

Later That Day

After spending the day nearly distracted after seeing Piers back, Katerina was distant. His attitude towards her was different. She could feel it. When he left Chris' cabin, he only said a goodbye to her. A cold goodbye as he passed by her desk. The Piers that had entered the office, was different from the Piers that left it.

Facing the computer screen that was turned off, she didn't realize the time had passed. Her shift was over, yet, due to the habit, she remained at work waiting for Chris to leave.

Impatient since Piers' cold attitude, she decided to enter her boss' cabin to inform him she was leaving. Maybe she could still catch Piers at the end of his shift.

"Sir?" she spoke politely as she stood in the middle of the room, watching Chris arranging his desk

"Wait a second…I'm finishing here so we can leave"

She made a face surprised he was leaving earlier than usual, "Hum…actually, I won't need the ride today"

"Are you sure? I'm already leaving"

"Yeah…I have some stuff to do before leaving…"

"Alright, so see you tomorrow. Be careful walking alone to the bus stop this time of the night"

"Don't worry. I'll be fine. Drive safely"

The pair left the office together and headed to the elevator's hall. Chris took his cellphone and dialed to someone.

Katerina didn't intend to pay attention, but she wasn't deaf either and while they waited for the elevator, she played with her phone as she waited for Piers' reply for her message. A reply she was waiting all day long. She hated feeling ignored.

And speaking about Piers, her ears listened to Chris talking to someone on phone. No one less than Piers himself.

"Are you still in the building?" Chris asked and immediately made a disappointed face, "Oh, you left earlier, so we talk tomorrow…"

Deception took over the brunette. Her plan to go after Piers had been ruined. And she had just declined Chris' ride, but that didn't mean she could try to talk to him and get back in her word as he was still there at her side. She waited him disconnect.

"Hm…Chris…" she spoke with a reluctant tone

"Yes" he turned to her

"I'm sorry to ask that, but is the ride still up?"

He gave a shrug, "Yeah…sure. Don't you have stuff to do anymore?"

She laughed awkwardly, "Yeah, I did, but I'll do it tomorrow because I forgot a detail to accomplish it…"

"I see"

The elevator arrived, and the doors opened. The pair stepped in and remained in silence. Chris greeted some other coworkers that were in the cabin.

Kate only observed, yet distant in her mind. Piers' attitude hurt her. She knew he was ignoring her. She wasn't stupid.

At the garage, she followed Chris as the usual while the other coworkers headed to their cars as well.

She wish she had a car too…

She entered the passengers' side as the usual. For about a month that was her routine after work. Chris had demonstrated concern and pity for her always leaving work on foot to the bus stop. Initially, he dropped her by the bus stop nearby the HQ, despite his concern of her staying there alone waiting for a miraculous bus to pass. As days they left work way later after the last bus passed by there, he proposed to drop her in another bus stop, or the bus terminal, which had more people depending on his direction after work. Although in some occasions, he gave her a ride home.

He turned on the radio, comfortable in her presence, yet in a low volume to not disturb their usual conversation.

"Are you in a hurry to get home?" he asked

"No, why?"

"Do you mind if we stop by a diner. Today I'm starving and there's nothing home to eat. I forgot to do the groceries"

She laughed – men, she thought, "It's alright. I'm hungry too…actually I'm thirsty"

"Alright, so let's eat…do you have any preference?"

"No, I eat everything"

He grinned, "What about pizza? Do you eat carbs?"

"Yeah, gotta keep the hotness in shape!"

He laughed.

Kate had sense of humor. He liked that about her. Her bubbly side. In nearly two months working close daily, he got to know her more. She was smart, disciplined, ambitious and had sense of humor. He loved her sense of responsibility and commitment with work. She did more than just her tasks. His paperwork got more organized and didn't cumulate much since she started working for him. Whatever she could, she solved for him. She had initiative. He liked how impeccable her desk and even his office were now.

Greta was organized and clean, but Kate…She was a neat freak.

His opposite.

He could tell that from their homes' perspective. He entered her condo once, while his own place was only organized because of his absence and the help of Eliza. Although, when he was home, he tried to keep organization as much he could. Especially now as a single man. He was clean about his uniform and work related stuff, and his own hygiene. He was organized for work, but comparing his home to Kate's, surely he lived in a mess when there wasn't cleaning day.

He also loved the coffee Kate prepared to him daily. She knew exactly his taste and she always made sure to make things his way. He almost felt spoiled by her care to serve him. She was the best secretary he ever had.

Instead of eating in the car, they decided to enter the diner. While they waited their order, Kate headed to the women's restroom to wash her hands and reinforce her makeup. She had a thing with her hands and she hated feeling them dirty.

On her way back to their table, from afar, she noticed a woman looking at Chris from her table alongside her friend. Chris was oblivious to their presence trying to get his attention, while he played with his phone.

Bothered by their behavior, Katerina passed by their desk staring them with a serious expression, and instead of taking the seat in front of him, she sat by his side and smiled to him, and he smiled back. Kate made sure to give another serious stare at the women who disguised their embarrassed gazes.

Chris could smell her scent and mentally he approved it, he also didn't mind her sitting at his side. Watching a comedy video a contact had sent to him, he showed it to Kate. They laughed together.

The pair did have a good time in their hangout, and then Chris drove her home.

"Thank you for bringing me home and for the good time. It was good leaving the routine." She said smiling

"Yeah, it was fun."

"See you tomorrow then."

"Yeah, tomorrow back to routine"

She nodded in agreement, "Drive safely, Chris. Have a good night"

"Good night Kate, sleep well"

Chris waited Katerina enter the building out of protection, and then drove away.

Katerina entered the elevator's cabin, pressed the button to her floor and then looked her reflection in the mirror. She smiled. An unconscious smile.

She had a good. A good evening.

She entered her apartment, and found weird the lights turned on. She thought Lucy was home. then, she headed to the bedroom.

"Lu…" she had a scare when she saw the figure staring her – Douglas.

"Is this time to get home? It's almost 9PM! What the hell were you doing until now?"

"Working"

"Working?"

"Yeah, my boss is a workaholic"

"So you were with him until now?"

"And other people too. It was a meeting" she lied partially. It was true there were other people and it happened to be an improvised friendly meeting between her and Chris. Yet, she didn't really need to get in details. Half of truth was enough.

"Ah…the infamous late meetings…"

"I'm going to shower and then sleep. I'm tired. I need to get early to work tomorrow"

Douglas held her by the wrist, "You shower quickly. I'm stressed and need you to calm me down, then you can sleep"

Katerina released from him, feeling the urge to cry. Cry in anger. She hated when Douglas did that and showed up out of the blue, without warning. She hated even more how he treated her, as if his sex slave.

She wondered how long she could stand that. More and more she felt dirty and disgusted of that man's touches.

After the forced sex, she showered again and in silence, she cried, while the middle-aged man slept profoundly.

Thank you Pin and silver scropion for the reviews! :D

Thank you Lilty-kun, Atreus Froothduun for the follows and favorite :D

I'm sorry I'm taking longer to update. I'm studying a lot lately in my new course and my brain has been drained :(

We've come to a point that I will show more of the 21st century and glimpses or shorter moments of the 18th as we are already in time of the transition chapters.

Stay Tuned!