The characters from the game belong to Capcom. The OC's and story background belong to me.
Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

A/N: I'm not English native speaker, so you might find some typos or grammar mistakes, I do apologize for that.

"All you leave!" the Duke yelled at the handmaidens and then took hold of both the door handles and pushed it open with as violently as he had before. He stepped inside the woman's bedchamber, too angry to bother about common courtesy. His eyes instantly darted over to the sole figure in the room that seemed to have slightly startled at his sudden appearance.

Katarina let out a bored sigh and rolled her eyes at the Duke, just the sight of the man was enough to ignite her repulsiveness. If it wasn't for her public punishment and the agreement her father and the repulsive man had, she would have never tolerated to be in the same place as him. She tried to ignore his presence and got to admiring herself in the mirror. She put on a golden necklace, which had her family's heirloom, as the Duke closed the distance between them.

"We need to talk", the man tried to civil and control his anger.

The brown haired woman looked at the duke through the mirror, "I am busy", was the only thing she said, grabbing her perfume and spraying it on herself.

"This can't wait", the duke told her, curling his fingers into a fists.

"Do I look like I care", Katarina spoke in a carefree tone moving away from him, towards her bed, "Now get out of my chamber. I need to rest", she spoke with an evident tone of contempt.

"I am not going anywhere", the Duke raised his voice at her and she shot an angry look at him as well, "Are you spraying perfume to meet him behind my back?"

She gasped, "What?"

"That scumbag… Your lover… I need to know if you're having an affair with Pierce Northman."

"That is just another stupid rumor!", the woman response with weight on her voice and shook her head.

"You're my fiancée!", the man said stepping really close to her, "I cannot tolerate more of these stupid rumors! Are you sleeping with him?", he questioned.

Katarina could stop herself from shooting him a disgusted look, "Get out of my chamber!", was the only thing she said to him, before making an attempt to move away from the man, who was extremely repulsive.

The Duke grabbed hold of her arm, "Answer me!", he demanded stopping her from moving.

"Leave me!", she screamed angrily, revolted to having been touched by him.

"I am not leaving without an answer!", he pressed on knowing the answer.

"So what if I did?", Katarina spoke acidly, finally able to jerk her arm off his grip.

"What does he have that I don't?", the noble man asked feeling dejected.

"Everything!", she replied coldly pushing him away, "Now get the hell out, before I call the guards of the palace!"

The Duke was left standing there feeling both humiliated and rejected, while Katarina stood near the bed without an expression on her face. She gave him another disgusted glance and tried to shoo him away like he was some beggar on the street or even worse, a trash a dog had eaten. He spared her a glance, before dragging his feet all the way back to the door, and she told him to close the door on his way out.

He grabbed both the handles of the door, knowing completely well that there was only one way to get what he wanted and it would be by taking it forcefully. He shut the doors and locked it from inside, determined to get what he deserved and to make Pierce feel powerless when he heard the news about him and Katarina and to feel the taste he could do nothing against a Duke as he himself was a close friend of the King's.

Katarina watched the Duke locking the door from inside, and she couldn't help but ask him what he was trying to do out of confusion, as he backtracked back to her bed. She could see a fire raging in his eyes, as undid the buttons of his coat. Before she could understand anything, he was grabbing hold of her shoulders, pushing her down on the mattress with an immense force and climbed on top of her.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?", Katarina asked not keeping the annoyance off her tone, as the duke kept her pinned down with his weight.

"Getting what I want", the duke said leaning in closer to her face.

"Get off of me!", she tried to push him away and hit him to let her go but he didn't ceased.

The Duke didn't listen to her and took hold both in one of his hands while his other hand ran wild, feeling the soft curves of her body. Katarina screamed and struggled, trying to get herself lose but felt somewhat helpless against the man, who was twice her size.

Just as the man leaned in to capture her lips, she managed to release one of her hands from his grip. She instinctively slapped the duke, putting all her strength in that one slap that the sound of it echoed in the room. The duke sat up straight and she thought that he would give up now but the next moment he grinded his jaws and pulled out his belt.

He tried to grab both of her arms and tied her up, but Katarina knew if she let that happen then she wouldn't be able to save herself. She reached out to whatever she could grab off her bedside table and threw it on to her attacker. He moved to dodge that projectile and she got the chance to push him off herself.

Katarina hurriedly crawled off the bed and made a run to save herself. She hurriedly unlocked the door and rushed out the room, calling for help. She looked over her shoulder whilst running to see the Duke following her and she knew he could catch up to her anytime. She tried to run to the entrance hall of the palace, where she thought there were guards and servants that could help her. But just as she reached the top of the stairs, the duke got hold of her.

The brunette struggled, shouting out for help and trying herself to release but this time his grip was even tighter. She hit him, pushed him back and pulled away from him, as if they were playing tug or war. She didn't realize when they both lost their footing and fell from the top of the stairs. She reflexively screamed out of pain, as they both rolled down the stairs together, finally crashing at the bottom of the stairs.

Katarina pulled herself from the Duke and looked down at his limp form, while his blood formed a pool around his head.

Her expression in complete shock as she looked up to see Pierce coming to her way with a perplexed expression

"Kat?"

"It was an accident!" she whispered

"Help! Somebody help!"

Chris woke up with Kate's screams and immediately rushed to her aid after turning on the lights.

"Kate!" he called her while she still kept her eyes closed

"Let go of me!" she yelled trying to push him as she still kept her eyes closed in despair

"Kate!" he called her louder

She sobbed still locked in the nightmare, "It was an accident…" she spoke with a French-like accent

"Kate, wake up!" he said shaking her a bit

"It was…" she finally opened her eyes sobbing

"It was just a nightmare, Kate" he said comfortingly

She hid her face on the pillow, and cried harder. With his hand on her shoulder, he could feel her trembling body. Soon after he heard knocks on the door.

"Is everything all right here?" asked the assistant with concern

"Yes. She only had a nightmare and got scared"

"I'll get a glass of water for her"

Kate was too affected by the dream. It was as if she could feel all the sensations so vividly. The man's touch. The girl's despair. She couldn't forget the image of the man's dead body and his open eyes staring her.

She just couldn't recollect.

Chris, touched by her broken emotional state, laid by her side to give her a secure sensation. To comfort her. She hid her face on his chest like a scared little girl. He embraced her to assure her everything would be fine. That he wouldn't leave her side.

They fell asleep in each other's arms.

Mr. Lionel watched them looking through the wall with his special ability. Using the few energy left for him. he knew his final day was coming, and the image of Chris comforting Kate gave him more hope that this time the end wouldn't be so tragic, which caused him a relief. Unfortunately, he wouldn't witness that but perhaps he was never meant to witness it.

Looking through the window, he stared the lake and the small lights floating around. Then he saw two shining points heading to the house. He watched it to see where they would go. As they passed the living room, two specific portraits moved on the wall as they headed to Chris and Kate's bedroom. One light stayed at Chris's side and the other at Kate's side.

Lionel smiled recognizing their energies.

He looked at the barn and saw his partner still standing next to it. It was their mission to make amends with those souls.

And slowly the ground for their return was being prepared.

There was an inevitable fate.

Edonia, Early Morning, Angelina's House

"My love, are you on the obsessive mode again?" asked George as he noticed the sun still rising and his girlfriend in the studio – painting.

She giggled, "I need to finish these paintings. It's a two part work."

"You have worked on it almost nonstop. Liv needs your attention too"

"I know, and that's why I'm working on it so I can finish it fast and get my routine back"

George stared the painting. He could see the backs of a couple holding hands. They faces slightly turned to stare each other, "Who are they?" he asked

"I don't know. I only saw them in a recent dream and I can't stop thinking about it"

"And where is the other part?" he asked

"It's in the other canvas. There's only the drawing"

George stepped closer and saw the same couple frontal version. The same pose, still holding hands and staring each other. The details was their arms. Each carried something.

Before he could ask what they were carrying, they heard their daughter crying. They exchanged gazes and knowing how focused Angelina was in her work, he went to check the little redhead girl as he had that day off.

Bohma, Lake House

In the morning, Kate still wrapped in Chris' arms, woke up with the sounds of the birds outside their bedroom window and a weird and sudden feeling of love washed over her as she remembered the events of the night before and that she had awoken from time to time, his arms had been firmly wrapped around her and she had happily remained there, "This really could be the guy I'm with forever. Dare I even think…no, no! What the hell are you thinking Kate!" she shook her head and rolled over

It's then that she realized it's over.

He was awake. He was tense.

"Good morning" he said, his words catching in his throat
Translation: "We crossed the line again and I need to get the fuck out of here"

"Good morning…" she replied avoiding eye contact with the realization she had slept with her boss – and not literally speaking. They did sleep together – only slept.

There was a disturbing silence between them.

"We should get going…" she said sweetly
translation: "Please don't make me feel horrible about what I did last night"

"Yeah. There's work to be done" he replied sitting up

The awkwardness that had crept between them.

"Ah…thank you and I'm sorry…" she said breaking the ice, and finally noticed the sucking mark on his neck

"No problem… are you better now?" he asked standing up

"Yeah…thanks to you…"

"No problem…"

They left the bedroom and met Mr. Lionel's assistant who told them the old man was still sleeping but they could have breakfast if they wanted.

"Thank you for the hospitality and thank Lionel for us"

"You're welcome and I'll tell him your message. Have a safe trip"

The couple left the land and headed to the train station. They talked only the necessary as both were back to their shells of professionalism despite each had enjoyed the sensation of sleeping together.

Secretly Chris liked having Kate in his arms. He liked her scent and the feeling of providing her security. And how perfectly her body fit against his. However, the new day had come, and they had to get back to their routine. It was good leaving Bohma and its strange magical atmosphere that made him feel things his mind constantly disapproved in his usual routine.

Kate closed her eyes in distress when the train passed the Bridge of Hope.

Chris watched her. His mind told him to remain still. But his heart made his hand hold her grip.

Kate opened her eyes feeling his warm touch. She couldn't tell what frightened her more, the bridge or his sudden touch.

"Relax, nothing will happen. I'm here with you" he said with a comforting tone as the awkwardness atmosphere was eased

Her eyes got teary, but she didn't allow the tears to fall. It was a simple gesture and words, but so comforting.

She knew he was a respectful touchy man. He had that rock around him, but he still had kindness and respectful manners when he wanted. A rarity he didn't show to any.

"You know…I was thinking of teaching you how to swim when we go back home" he commented

"What? Why?"

"Don't you think it's important to overcome your fear?"

"Yeah, but you don't have to do this…"

"Why not? It's my job teaching recruits many techniques…training them…"

"Ah, so I should face it as a training…working training?"

"Well, if that serves you to say yes…so yeah…it's your mission to learn how to swim"

"Will you fire me if I decline?"

He laughed, "That's a petty reason to fire anyone, but… I thought you had said you wanted to progress professionally… you know you can make a career in the BSAA, all you have to do is the internal courses apply for the vacancies, but to progress you have to be more complete than the others, be more skilled…"

"And swimming is a skill I don't have, the fear gets me limited, so my chances to progress get diminished…"

"Yeah"

"And you're the guy that wants me to progress…"

"Yeah. You have that trait. All you need is an opportunity"

"And you're giving me that…by teaching me how to swim…"

"Yeah, and it's for free!"

She laughed, "You know I prefer the self-defense course"

"I can teach you that too"

"Is it me or are you turning me into your recruit?"

He laughed, "I didn't think that way, but…if you see that way, so I guess I can take harder on you as I know you have the profile"

"I'll think about it" she replied

He didn't let go of her hand as they crossed the bridge. Actually, he didn't let go of her hand until they arrived at their final destination.

Edonia

She felt the coldness on her skin as he released her hand when they arrived at the station in Edonia. Their hotel was nearby, so they walked until there.

Chris headed to the room he shared with Piers and Kate to the room she shared with Janet. Both rooms in the same floor.

Later at night, Kate was lying in her bed posting some pictures of their trip to Bohma in her social networks. Pictures of the town. Pictures of her with Piers and Chris during the festival. She smiled when she searched the gallery and found a selfie of her and Chris. She didn't remember what made them take that picture together, but she liked it. It has become one of her favorites – if not the favorite. She never thought how photogenic that serious captain could be.

She received a message from Lucy – finally.

"I'm sorry for the late reply, but I was super busy these days because of the promotion. So I just read your message about screwing up. What happened?"

Kate knew her friend was still online, and after the storm had passed, she wasn't sure if she wanted to discuss that with her friend and listen to her 'I told you so'. Lucy was a good friend and the true type. Her sincerity sometimes bothered her, but she knew Lucy always had the best of intentions with her advices and lectures. Lucy seemed to know her better than anyone – and probably better than herself.

"Never mind…it's past now. I already solved it"

"I see, and when will you return?"

"Hopefully the day after tomorrow"

"Oh…I see"

"Will you be home to shelter me?"

"I won't. My parents aren't home and I'm in a training trip that will last two more weeks"

"Great!"

"I'm sorry, but I thought you would stay in Chris' apartment for two weeks. Wasn't it the deal?"

"Yeah, but those two weeks we have spent here in this trip!"

"Can't you talk to him to reconsider it?"

Kate bit her lips. She feared it somehow. For the way things were going between them, she wondered if they would cross the line again, and maybe go further. Probably that happened only because of Bohma's weird atmosphere.
She also remembered Lionel had given her some money, but the idea of staying in shelter wasn't so pleasing. She was in a crossroads.

"I don't know… but I guess I don't have any other option, right?"

"Well, you have another option…"

"Go back to Douglas? No way!"

"No...the other option..."

"That is totally out of question! I sleep with Chris again but I'll never sleep with Douglas ever again!"

"What? Are you sleeping with your boss?"

Kate groaned loud as she sit up on the bed, a loud groan that got Janet's attention. The brunette apologized for disturbing the roommate's sleep, "No!"

"So why did you say again?"

Kate exhaled heavily. The subject she wanted to avoid was brought to the table for her own fault, "It's because we slept together last night, but only slept of sleep, and not slept of sex…at least the sex wasn't last night…"

"What? Did you have sex with Chris?"

"No!"

"You just said it! Is that the subject of the screw up message?"

Kate scratched her head in distress, "Yes…" she replied with a rolling eye emoji as she rolled her eyes as well

"Tell me more! I need details!"

"No details…I don't remember it"

"What?"

"I was drunk…we were drunk… and so something happened"

"How do you know that happened…and with him?"

"Because I still have the marks on my skin…and he admitted it. Initially he only admitted we had only kissed, but then I questioned him and he said it was more than just a kiss…and for me more than just a kiss is sex"

"Or make out…"

"I doubt I'd stop only in the make out!"

"True that" her friend replied with laughing emoji

"And today I saw the sucking mark on his neck too…a habit I usually have…"

"And he said no sex but more than a kiss? Something is not fitting the puzzle"

"I agree, but I have decided to stop thinking about it"

"And then last night you slept together? Do you remember why?"

"Yeah. We were sharing the same bedroom in a friend's house and I had a nightmare, so he got worried and came to comfort me"

"I see…so he cares about you"

"Yeah he does…and he even wants to teach me things to progress at work"

"I see…so you're dating your 'not your type' boss? I just knew it would happen!"

"I'm not dating my boss!"

"But now he's your type!"

Kate bit her lips and exhaled in defeat, "He's not that bad when taking a closer look…"

"Yeah, very close you got! Too bad you don't remember how good and big he is…as it's important to you right?"

Kate could sense the sarcasm in her friend's words, "It's not as important as knowing how to use it!"

"He's a juicer, right? They say it affects it…"

"I don't know if he's a juicer. I know he trains a lot at the gym or at work… I haven't seen him taking anything…"

"Well, juicer or not juicer maybe he failed…"

Kate made a face. His failure could be an explanation for his awkwardness and all that silence about it. Failing at that moment was surely embarrassing.

"Maybe you're right. It makes sense despite the rumor I had heard about him…"

"Rumors are just rumors"

It was already late at night. Chris was sleepless and checked his phone. He replied the messages of Claire, Barry and Jill's. He was about to close the chatting app when he saw Angelina's icon online. They started chatting.

"Are you still in Bohma?"

"No. I'm back to Edonia"

"How long will you stay in town?"

"I'm leaving the day after tomorrow"

"Oh…too bad"

"Why?"

"Because I was wondering if we could see again before you leave, but currently I'm working on a very important project that is taking all my time that even my comprehensive boyfriend is not liking my dedication"

"What project?"

"It's a double painting"

"Cool! I'm sure it will be a fantastic work!"

"Thank you. Would you like to see it?"

"What? A spoiler?"

"Yeah, I don't mind showing it to you"

"Sure"

"Wait a minute. I'll take some pictures and send you"

Chris patiently waited. He didn't mind about the late hours. He simply loved spending his time with Angelina, even if it was through online chat. Talking to her was easy, very easy. Despite all the hobbies they had in common such as enjoying camping, travelling and other things, he felt comfortable with her. She didn't judge him and didn't mind listening to his work talking, actually he liked her excitement listening to his missions tales. She always showed interest in whatever he had to tell. She was a curious person. They knew for a little time, but it felt like they knew for ages. He kept it to himself, and despite not knowing her so called boyfriend and father of her daughter, Chris felt like that man encaged her lovely birdy spirit – and she rarely mentioned him in their conversations.

Since they met in the previous year, he felt attracted for her. And when he learned about her boyfriend was a cold water thrown at him. Then both were committed to other people, but now he was free. Unfortunately she wasn't.

At times he could be mistaken, but sometimes he had the impression their attraction was mutual from her side too.

It would be so easy dating her, opening up to her. Loving her.

Angelina was easy to deal.

While with Katerina things were always complicated when not work related.

It was inevitable for him to compare those two women whom had a strong effect on him.

Angelina amused him. Katerina intrigued him.

Maybe it was the strange aura of Bohma and Edonia's. Maybe it was his solitude hitting him.

He focused at work as much he could…but at times his mind made him wonder how it would be like getting involved with one of them – and both of them not exactly at the same time!

For now, he didn't have to choose who would be the first as Angelina was taken.

And Katerina…

It was complicated!

Somewhere

A blonde-brown eyed man, looks in his late 20's was sitting on his desk, in his office at Fleury Lab. He took a break from working in his report and entered his social network. He scrolled the posts in his timeline until a particular one caught his attention.

He raised his eyebrows with interest. He clicked all the pictures. There were no captions. However, captions weren't needed, especially in the last one.

"So is this the guy that whore is banging now? I wonder what my father will say when he sees that!"

He downloaded the picture in his cellphone with a mischievous expression.

Dennis Fleury was his name.

.

.

Aka Fleming

Thank you Pin for the review! :D

I can't believe I got to write this chapter in 5hrs! I thought there was not having updates until the next week, but the spirit of inspiration came to me and I got this done!

My current routine has changed significantly so I'm not having as much time (and pc with internet) to write. I have to divide myself with so many things and education that I barely have time to breathe! lol

But I won't stop writing! :D

Stay tuned!