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.

A/N: Contais Sexual Language (but the smut I removed in this published version)

BSAA Headquarters

"I'm going out for lunch with Lucy"

He made a face, "Okay…" he said with a tone of disappointment

Studying his reaction she replied, "Why that face?"

"Nothing…"

"There is something!"

He laughed, "Nothing to worry… it's just that I thought we would have lunch together…" he stepped close to her and pulled her to him as he started planting kisses on her neck, "I'm really hungry…" he said in between kisses, feeling a bit breathless

His beard caused her shivers, immediately turning her on.

"I think I want the couch time now"

"Mmm, that so? She laced her fingers behind his neck, holding him close

"I do" he said putting his hand between her legs. His fingers travelling between her inner thighs seductively as he it reached up that very spot

She bit her lips enjoying the touch, "I never thought you'd want to have a meal by this time of the day…"

"Everyone from this story take lunch break by this time…giving us one hour of extra work…" he said playing with her wetness

She stepped back gazing him with a naughty expression, "Lucy can wait…I'll lock the door anyways just for precaution…don't want to ruin your impeccable reputation…"

He closed the blinds.

They kissed. Soft. Sweet. Paced. That day Kate didn't have lipstick on and probably that habit would become more often as blurred makeup could turn their extra activities in.

He groaned and held her tight, "Fuck, I need you"

"Then take me"

Chris' mouth captured hers, and this time the kiss wasn't gentle. His tongue swept against hers, possessive, demanding, and urgent. She moaned against him, entranced by the feel of his lips on her as he was pulling her backward until the couch. His hands were lifting her skirt.

[...]

"Now you have permission to recharge the batteries for later…" he said with a naughty expression as he held her close and kissed her

She smiled sassily, "You should do the same" she kissed him back before leaving the cabin.

The rock and the water were addicted to each other. Addicted to their sex. Addicted to their bodies. Addicted to Passion. Eros Love.

Restaurant

"Sorry I'm late…" Kate said greeting her friend with a kiss on the cheek before sitting on the seat in front of her

The brunette shrugged, "I didn't wait much…only half an hour" she said with sarcasm

"Don't blame me. Blame my boyfriend"

"Boyfriend? Are you and Piers finally settled?"

Kate chuckled, "No Piers, he's past!"

"So who is the new bait?"

"Don't say that about him. I'm not like that anymore…"

"You were until Piers…"

"Just forget it. I really am not like that anymore…my new boyfriend is a totally different thing…almost like a sexy fairytale!"

Lucy laughed, "Someone is really in love huh!"

Kate smiled proudly, "I am! It's not easy to admit that, but I am!"

"So who is the prince charming?"

Kate bit her lips in distress. She knew Lucy would bug her about the man's identity and tell her the usual "I told you so".

Lucy reading through Kate's mystery and so many years of friendship made her almost read the green-eyed girl's thoughts, "No way…I knew this would happen! It took longer than I expected, but I so knew this would happen!"

"Enough with the 'I told you so'" Kate said rolling her eyes

"It's never enough when you're so stubborn!"

"Chris is more stubborn than me!"

Lucy laughed loud, "Right! Now it has become a competition?"

"Not a competition. It's the truth. It's because of him 'this' took so long to happen"

"Not so long…just a month according to my math since you sent me the message of the night of the festival…"

"A long month without proper banging! At least he's compensating the long wait and has showed to be as sexual as I am! And I thought Piers was the best p* eater and fucker, but I only thought that because I hadn't banged Chris!"

Lucy laughed, "So that final act finally happened?"

"It did! I'm still recovering from last night and…"

"The delay…yeah, I just figured it"

"Yeah!" Kate couldn't stop smiling

A heartily smile. A smile that not even Lucy had seen on her before. She could tell Kate was really happy – and satisfied.

"Not even when I had my first time I got so sore like I am now…dang! It really feels like my complacent hymen has been broken at last…it even bled a little."

Lucy made a face, "Really? So you finally got the stick you so dreamed of?"

"I did…and it even surpassed my dreams expectations"

"I see, and for how long have you been dating?"

Kate checked her watch, "8 hours. We banged last night but only this morning he proposed a relationship"

"I see…so congratulation sis! Seeing you so happy makes me happy too!"

"Thank you sis…I know you told me many times about me and the signs…and I finally decided to follow your advices"

"Yeah, and that's the irony. The guy that wasn't your type is the one that is making you shine"

"Right! I can barely contain all this I'm feeling…it's even scary if I stop to think about it…so much happened in a year but it feels so much like ages have passed…"

"I never saw you this happy…so I can tell it's really been ages! You're not wrong feeling this way"

"Right! You see, you always have the best words!"

"I don't know him…"

"Yet!" Kate interrupted her

"Yeah…I don't know him but from all you have told me about him. I really wish you guys can work it. He seems to be a good guy and willing to help you make your dreams come true, different of repulsive Douglas…"

"Don't even repeat that name again. I don't want to lose my glow remembering that evil…" Kate said making the cross sign, "And you're absolutely right. Chris wants the best for me and he has proved it. I don't want to disappoint him and screw this up…it feels like I'm having a deadline this time and…I can't fail!"

"So don't you think is about time to be honest with him? With yourself? You know you cannot ignore your past the way you're doing. You know lies come to light and if Chris is so righteous, isn't it better you telling him the truth now that is starting instead of later and be too late to fix things?"

Kate looked down in distress, "You really know how to blow out my light…"

"I'm not blowing it out. I'm telling you this to make it glow even more…you can't start a serious relationship with such a lie"

"I don't know if I can go back in that…"

"You should try for your own welfare…before other people do it and for the message you sent me, Dennis seems willing to do that"

"I know…I hope Chris is not so righteous about truths then…I don't want to lose him for my own past stupidity…"

"Well, if he doesn't take your honesty in account, so I guess that means he's not all that either, but a vain guy that won't deserve the effort to work on the relationship you're building…"

"It's not vain from his part if he does it but sensitive…he has been through a lot and his trust ability has been shaken abruptly by others…"

"You're really in love with him to say that…seeing things from his perspective…"

Kate giggled, "I'm really holding myself to not say I love him so soon!"

"Say it! Don't be afraid of your feelings and his reaction to it. He lives dangerously and you know…anything can happen and then you'll only live with the regret for keeping it to yourself…but don't expect him to say it back"

"You know me too well to know I've always been so scared of my own feelings at times…I can't talk to him about this but I can with you, but…remember the woman in black I used to see in my dreams since I was a kid?"

"Yes I do. You could see her face that was always blurred"

"Exactly…now I see her face!"

"And how does she look like? Do you know her?"

"Physically she's beautiful, and you do know her as well"

"Do I?"

Kate nodded in confirmation.

"Who is she then?"

"Myself…" Kate said spooked

"What? This doesn't make any sense!"

"It doesn't and it gets worse…"

Lucy chuckled, "What do you mean?"

"She has a name…and lately I can't stop thinking about her…"

"Who?"

Reluctant, Kate inhaled and let out a long sigh, "Katarina…O'Gregon"

"Katarina O'Gregon, the one you said you saw portraits at the art museum?"

"The one and only!"

"That's crazy! I think you're just relating to her…"

"Maybe…but…what if is there any chance that past lives really exist and I'm her reincarnation?"

"I don't know…I don't doubt it but…I made a quick research on her and…I don't see you have something in common with her…"

"What if I tell you her descendant gave me all her diaries and I could relate to her testimonies until now…especially her story with Christopher Reed…my inner side so relates to them!"

Lucy made a concerned face and held her friend's hand on the table, "Kate…you need to stop this"

"Stop what?"

"Relating to Katarina…you have been doing this since the museum…"

"I'm not doing anything wrong! I'm learning her story, seeing her side. Don't historians do that?"

"Kate, I'm not saying for you to stop the curiosity, but…can't you realize you're connecting yourself to her? Seeing her as the answer for your dreams? You did that to the fisher man!"

"And I wasn't wrong! Chris has the same dreams and I never told him about mine!"

"Kate…even if is true…what difference does it make in your life?"

Katerina let out a sigh thoughtful, "Take her a good inspiration…people do that with artists, etc…"

"Isn't she the one who killed an innocent pregnant woman?"

"Katarina was more than just that assassination. She had flaws and made mistakes, that was probably her biggest one, although I have seen people making more atrocities than she did and they're not perceived as villains as she is…it's unfair!"

"So what? Do you want to be the savior of Katarina's reputation?"

"Maybe…that's a good idea I haven't thought until now"

Lucy rolled her eyes. She knew her friend long enough to know she wouldn't let go of that bone. The truth was she couldn't really judge it. She preferred to remain neutral about that matter as she didn't know Katarina and Kate had her free will to make her own decisions.

BSAA

Piers was leaving the shooting range when he spotted Chris standing near the gate.

"It's good to see you're improving your skills. You really made great shots" Chris said breaking the ice

"Thank you sir. I try my best"

"I know you do"

"So, is there anything else would you like to point out?"

"No…but I want to talk to you about something else…"

The young soldier sensed there was something in his superior's lines and immediately his mind could only name only one subject for such a mysterious tone: Kate.

"Alright…" he replied keeping his guess to himself

They walked in a slow pace back to the headquarters.

"Look…There's no easier way to say this, but I wanted to anticipate before the rumors start spreading…Kate and I are dating"

Piers swallowed looking briefly to another direction, "Weren't you already?"

"No, and you know that"

Piers chuckled, "I can't be sure of what I know as my eyes have seen more than the gossipers."

"There was nothing in what you have seen. I always respected your relationship with her"

"No offense, Chris. There was never a relationship and…and you know that. I appreciate your consideration but you didn't need to give me an explanation of who you are dating now. Not my business"

"I know but I did it for our partnership. You work in my team and I wanted to come clean before people talk trash when they learn Kate and I are official now"

"With all the respect, you already live together. There's nothing else to make a big fuzz anymore"

"Still…I just wanted you to know from me"

"Thank you for your honesty, Sir… Is there anything else would you like to share?"

"In personal level no, but I do about work"

"Okay…"

"Did you read the flash drive Lionel left for you?"

"I did and I left the sample he gave me of the black herb at the lab. They're studying it"

"Good…I was thinking about paying a visit at the location it grows. The books say the cavern was destroyed, but…Lionel has kept processed stuff, I don't think the sample he gave you was the last one produced"

"You believe there's a bigger storage"

"I do, and I believe there's still production even if in a smaller scale. For his benefit and now that he's dead…we can't be sure who's dealing with it"

"True"

"And for that, I want you to lead the investigation and report to me"

Piers chuckled, "Me?"

"Yes, you. Any objection?"

"No! I only thought you'd lead the way as always…"

"You're my second in command and I trust your skills. It's about time you start opening your wings and show me what you got"

"I will do that, Sir and I won't disappoint you!"

Piers wasn't aware of Chris' real intentions, but the former S.T.A.R.S. member and the legendary Christopher Redfield was digging his departure from the field.

Thirteen years have passed since Raccoon incident. Thirteen years focused on the war against the bioterrorism. Thirteen years spent on fields. Aging. Not living, basically only surviving.

That was not the life that captain had imagined for himself. Not that he had a planned life before that event, but he never imagined to be fighting against such creatures and turn that fight into his living. The max he had thought he'd be fighting was dirty dealers, crime kings and those sorts. Nothing like zombies and b.

Thirteen years later he was still there, after losing so many people in Raccoon. In the bioterrorism.

He was getting tired of that.

He was aging.

He lost Jill – his usual partner and best friend - for a few years and that shook him in a way he still felt it sometimes, especially when he paid visits at her in the lab of the BSAA. His close friend that used to be a vivid woman and strong-willed was now a lab rat. A shadow of the great fighter she used to be.

Then he almost lost his sister a few times - his precious sister. A part of himself. That always shook him hard and the last time, he got really worried. She was infected with the T-Phobos and still had it in her body. The way she was found when rescued after the island almost crashed him. He never thought his little sister – the main one he always had to protect – would stay at such condition.

Bioterrorism was draining his life. His friends. His family. His sanity.

40's were approaching. Maybe he was just having a mid-age crisis. Maybe he was just tired and needed a good vacation. Real entertainment. He didn't like therapy and only visited a shrink when he was ordered to.

He didn't know how long he could continue doing that.

More and more he thought about retirement.

But…

Would retirement make a difference in the hole he often felt in his chest?

(*)

Back to his cabin, Chris sat on his chair and rested his back as he turned to stare out the window. The camp. The training soldiers.

He turned the chair again to the desk. On the table there was a frame. A frame of Claire. He unlocked one drawer and took another frame from it. A frame of him holding a fish when he was in his twenties.

That was a good day. He missed that fresh life style. He worked hard, but played harder. He felt he lived. He had a good and normal life.

He was also more temperamental and exploded easily – just like Piers.

Thinking better, maturation had made something good for him, especially about superiors. He always had problems with authority since he thought he was a person. Losing his parents only made it worse.

But he made through it. They did. He and Claire made it.

Although he felt more lonely now than before. he became more selective as well, especially about female companions.

Until he met Kate. A girl he would never choose freely and ended up choosing. Irony of life.

He was still uncertain of his feelings for her. He had no doubts about the attraction he felt for her, but…something didn't seem to fit.

She was a nice girl and a good company – and fucker – but something was missing. Mismatch.

If life was simpler and it was given him the option to choose, he surely would choose Angelina as she matched that guy he missed about himself, or maybe he would still have doubts after experimenting Kate's sex appeal.

He frowned. Sometimes he felt bad thinking of her in such a sexual way. She obviously was more than just a good fuck, but he didn't seem to be able to separate that trait from her personality.

That's why life wasn't any simpler. There was always space for doubts.

He turned on the computer screen and started googling camping locations as he recalled Eliza's words.

Nothing else but himself stopped him to connect with that guy from the picture. That would be the encounter of the "old" young Chris and the older Chris.

The search was interrupted by the call of his chief from the human resources asking him to go to his cabin for a conversation.

Preoccupation put him anxious and the heavy conscience of the lunch break haunted him.

That girl was really driving him crazy, and he couldn't really blame her. He was the one who started it all…

Inhaling deeply and sweating cold, Chris Redfield kept his composure. He was ready to be scolded. He deserved it. Being one of the founding members didn't give him the right to fuck in the office during the shift – not even after it.

He entered the cabin and sat on the seat before the desk of the man watching him with a serious demeanor. They greeted politely.

"The reason I called is to talk about your personal assistant miss Katerina…"

Chris swallowed at the mention of her name due to being anxious and a part of him embarrassed for what they had done.

"And the return of your old personal assistant Greta"

"Alright"

"As you may be aware, Greta will return to work next week and Katerina will take back her old position at the reception"

Chris disguised it but he had forgotten that deadline, "Yeah, I know"

"I will have this conversation with Katerina as well, but I wanted your opinion first so I can make a better decision after I talk to her"

"Sure, what would you like to know?"

"Her skills, her conduct, how has been her progress, do you have observations to point out? Are you satisfied with her work?"

Chris cleared his throat, it was time to separate the boyfriend from the boss, "I'm very satisfied with her work. I can say she was beyond my expectations in organizing things and solving matters with or without my presence. I have nothing to complain about her conduct…"

"I'm sorry to interrupt but you can say that even about the argument she had with Agent White?"

"Yes. That argument was a personal matter between me and Agent White, despite it happened inside work, it had nothing to do about it and the proper measures were taken for both parties"

"Continue"

"About Kate's skills…she has many talents. She has a great communication skill, writing, she's very attentive and knows how to work in team when necessary. She's good dealing with people. She learns fast and she's almost a perfectionist about her work. She learns from her mistakes and she achieve better positions as she's very engaged with work and ascension."

"So are you saying that if she's indicated to do an internal test for a vacancy in the administrative area, do you think she can deal with it if she passes?"

"I do. She's highly efficient. She just needs opportunities"

"I see…" the man said and cleared his throat, "Now I'd like to ask you a personal question but that has relation with work, so I'll really appreciate your honesty on the subject"

"Okay…"

"What's the status of your personal relationship with Miss Katerina?"

Not the first time Chris had to give explanation about dating a coworker. He knew that question would be made as per the rumors.

"Inside work, she's just my personal assistant and coworker"

"And outside?"

"It doesn't matter"

"That depends. As you may know we don't have a policy against romantic relationship between employees as long as it doesn't affect their work or that won't cause any inconveniency inside the organization. I just mentioned the inside commotion Miss Katerina had with Miss White, both women were related to you and as is of everyone's knowledge you had a public romantic relationship with Miss White at that time"

"Like I said, it was solved at the time. Both received proper penalties for their misconduct"

"So you deny any romantic involvement with Miss Katerina despite the evident close relationship you have as is of my knowledge that she lives with you?"

Chris smirked, "With all the respect Sir, but this is not your business or the organization's. whatever I do outside those gates is my own business and surely that doesn't affect my job and my contribution for the organization. I have a long history that proves that. You cannot judge the long years I'm here, working nonstop, only because of one single event that was much of a big deal. Nobody here is perfect. In eight my personal life never affected anyone here"

"I'm not questioning your reputation"

"If feels like you are!"

"I just want to know if all the things you said are words of a boss or of a boyfriend's"

"Obviously it was a boss' words. I will repeat myself, from those in, Katerina and I are just coworkers! If any inconvenient like that happens again, you'll have all the right to take your measurements on whoever does it, and I'm not saying it just for me and her, I'm speaking generally about everyone"

"I understand Mr. Redfield and I apologize for making you feel questioned on your reputation, it was not my intention. It's unquestionable the contribution you have given to the BSAA and to the world. All I wanted to know you have told me and you may inform Miss Katerina about the new vacancy she might apply if she's interested"

Chris' Cabin

Chris returned to his cabin and walked the corridors with an annoyed expression. Katerina hadn't returned from the lunch break. He opened the door and made a stop as he saw a female sitting on the couch.

"Claire!" he said in surprise

"If the mountain doesn't go to Muhammad, Muhammad goes to the mountain"

He chuckled as they greeted with a hug.

"How's everything going?" she asked as they sat headed to his desk

"Basically the same. You?"

The short haired redhead studied her brother's expressions. He clearly seemed pissed, "I guess I got you on a bad time"

"You'll never be on a bad time, sis. I'm glad you're here"

"Yeah, it's been a while"

"Is it a quick visit or are you staying longer in town?"

"It's a quick visit, but why not visit my favorite brother?"

He giggled, "Do you have another?" he said jokingly

"I hope not" she replied with a smile

"Good! I'd hate to share your attention more than I already do"

She laughed.

"So, why are you here?"

"I came to ask you to know if I have permission to visit a friend"

"What friend? Piers? You know where his cabin is…"

She rolled her eyes, "No, not Piers. He's not a friend…"

"I hope he's not a boyfriend either"

She laughed, "What?"

"I'm just kidding. He's a good guy. He's one of the few – I guess only one – I wouldn't mind you having something…"

She chuckled, "Sorry. Not gonna happen! I'm not into younger guys"

He smirked, "Right!"

"You silly bear!"

"Who's the friend you want to visit?"

"Jill! Isn't it obvious?"

"Oh…right…but you know I'm not the guy for you to ask permission to see her…it's not my department"

"Yeah, but you know everyone and the one responsible to allow visits for her"

"And you want to use my influence to do that?"

"Of course, I guess my protective brother would like to see me happy…"

"The sister's emotional blackmail power."

"Yeah, it's good to use that sometimes. You pay her visits, right?"

"Yeah, but I work here"

"So, is that a yes?"

He chuckled making a face. He would never say no to that request.

She continued studying him, "You're not really going to tell me what happened, will you?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't try to mislead. I know you all my life! I can tell by only looking at you or by your voice tone when you're not in a good day"

"My day was awesome!"

"Until you returned to the cabin now…if I'm not the bad time, something happened that hit your nerves"

"You won't stop the pressure, will you?"

She shook her head with a sassy expression, "You know I won't"

He let out a long sigh, "You know how much I hate when someone comes to me from the corners, trying to obtain some info…come on, if you want to say something, say it to my face! And that's what just happened with a superior…"

"Oh, the old story of arguing with superiors…some habits never get old!"

He shrugged, "You're not here to talk about me, are you?"

"Now I am…what was the reason for the argument?"

That moment they heard knocks on the door and Chris gave permission for the person to open the door. It was Kate. She couldn't disguise the freezing when she spotted the female Redfield looking back at her.

"I'm sorry to interrupt and about my delay… I just…wanted to inform you I'm already back. If you need anything…"

"No problem and I want to talk to you later"

"Alright…" Kate replied

"Oh no, if you have to talk you can do it now. i don't want to bother your work" Claire said

"No. we talk home" he replied

"Okay… Do you want anything, a snack or something? Coffee?"

"No, I'm fine. Do you want to eat anything or drink?" he said and turned to Claire

"No, I'm fine."

"So… may I return to my desk?"

"Yeah, but uh…before you leave, I want to introduce you. Claire this is Kate, and Kate…this my sister"

Kate made a face with a sort of relief, "Oh, your sister… Hi! My name is Katerina but everyone calls me Kate. Nice to meet you!"

"Nice to meet you too, Kate"

Kate looked at Chris, waiting for his guidance.

"You can leave. We all talk better later"

"Alright…" Kate said heading to the door and closing it

Claire immediately turned her face to him, "Home? Am I missing something here?"

"Didn't you want to know the reason of my argument?"

"I'm not following you brother…"

"Kate…she's the reason of the argument"

Claire made a face, squeezing her memory, "Kate…the one Cathy…"

"Yeah, the one and only, Kate"

Claire frowned processing things. She already had a bad impression on Kate from the time Cathy vented with her about the situation with the new secretary and Kate's intimate relationship with Piers. And now finally getting to know Kate in person, she felt some disturbing feeling.

"So you cheated on Cathy?"

"No I didn't!"

"Isn't Kate the one Piers was having something?"

Chris let out a sigh, "Yeah"

"And now you and her…"

"Yeah, your new sister-in-law"

Claire didn't know how to react.

"I know it's complicated but…"

"You don't have to give me explanation about your personal life. It's a complicated background, but…if she makes you happy…so be happy…"

"Thanks…and I do hope you two get along. I know you adored Cathy, but Kate is cool. For now you have this impression on her for knowing partly the complicated background"

"Let's see…but why didn't you introduce her as your girlfriend when she was here? If I were her I'd get pissed at you for that omission if you two have an official relationship"

"She knows the rules at work and we are at work. And like I was telling you, she's the reason of my 'warm' conversation with the superior… You know gossipers… and as she lives with me for almost two months…"

"Two months? And you never told me anything?"

"it's not what you and everyone else think…it started as a charity and as we grew closer feelings started coming…but only after Cathy and I broke up…although people don't see it that way… the only truth is that Kate and I only started dating this morning. Before that, there was nothing. No cheating. No relationship. No intimacy – uh…except in one night in Bohma – but it wasn't serious…"

Claire gave a shrug, "Okay…"

"Yeah and that's what I want to talk to her at home…I think it's better not confirmation our relationship for the public yet"

"I see. Besides, it's too recent…there's a lot in game, right?"

"Yeah!"

Claire kept her reservations to herself. She didn't want to take bad judgments on the new girl in her brother's life. Hopefully the bad impressions she had on the brunette were only due to not really know her and not an alarm of her intuition.

Thank you Pin, Xaori and scropion for the reviews! :D