Chapter Thirteen

Fiddling with the strange set of keys, Brad leaned to look out of his window. The young man had decided to park somewhere inconspicuous….well at least he thought so. Behind a large supply truck that was loading various desks and furniture from the facility was the still limousine, the keys still in the engine. Vickers tapped his foot against the gas pedal, praying above all hopes that the young woman he was helping wasn't involved in something that would potentially cause him to be fired…..or….arrested? Taking off the annoying chauffeur hat, Vickers ran his fingers through his hair. As he looked out the foggy window, the young man suddenly slid low in his seat. A jet black sports car whizzed into the parking lot across the way, fishtailing deftly into a vacant spot. A man in a black suit moved out of the driver's seat, accompanied by a younger male with shaggy brown hair.

Brad felt his breath hitch in fear as he looked at the driver, the other man slipping on a pair of silver sheened sunglasses. Who wore sunglasses at night? Peering above the rim of the window, Vickers felt his breath return as they moved off. Why were there more people coming back to the facility so early? What had his customer gotten herself into?

…

Trent inwardly cried as the woman's hand in which he was holding crushed his own. Annette was being as gracious as possible considering her water had just broken in front of several hundred people and her husband was missing, but the damn woman was refusing to give his limb any blood flow. Coaching her into a steady breathing pace, the man began to wonder if this favor was ever going to be repaid or not….

"Oh god, where is Will?" Annette Birkin groaned, throwing her head back in laborious pain. Sweat had beaded upon her pale brow, matting the once perfectly quaffed hair. Mascara was running down her cheeks as the woman began to cry softly, partially due to imminent birth, and partially due to her missing spouse. Trent attempted to stroke the woman's head, soothingly speaking to her. "Perhaps he had some last minute business to take care of. I've sent Lisa to get Spencer." Annette nearly jumped had it not been for the immobilizing pain in her torso. Shaking her head vehemently, the young woman trembled. "Oh dear god…Spencer can't see me like this…are you insane? I need Will..were is Will…"

"See you like what, my dear? Oh my…" Lisa had returned the two corporate gods in tow. Ashford still clung to his wine glass, an aristocratic eyebrow raised in distain at the blatant display of human pain before him. Spencer seemed more dignified, straightening his jacket as he leaned down to deal with the situation. "When were you due, Mrs. Birkin?" Heaving as she tried to speak with what dignity she had left, the young woman breathed deeply. "I'm not due for two more weeks…" Taking her pulse, Ozwell seemed to feign a shocked portrayal of surprise. "Oh, my dear, you should be on bed rest! No wonder you've been thrown into premature labor. But I am afraid the nearest hospital is in Raccoon itself. It would take an hour just to procure a transport for you.." At this the woman writhed, another fierce contraction forcing her calm exterior to wash away like sand on a beach. "An hour? Why can't we use a limo….oh….god…"

Trent's face went red as she squeezed his hand, his eyes bulging ever so slightly. The woman seemed exaughsted, let alone even trying to get her up and walking down those dreaded stairs…."Annette..Annette listen to me…I don't want to risk you moving or falling down those stairs.." Spencer smiled smugly as Trent desperately tried to calm the pregnant female. Moaning wretchedly, she inclined her head back up to Ashford and Spencer. "Where is my husband…do you know where he went?" Ashford took a languid sip of his wine, tittering gently. "Ah yes, he had some unfinished business we sent him to deal with. Won't be but a small jot though…should be coming back along any minute now." Balling her fist at his brash, uncaring demeanor, Annette spat between clenched teeth. "You bastards, it's Christmas Eve and you made him work? Now he'll miss the birth of his ….ahhhhh…"

Lisa knelt down, using her handkerchief to mop daintily at the other woman's head. Looking back at Trent, she shook her own, gently rubbing Annette's hand as she writhed once more. "We don't have any other option….She can't hold out…" Trent nodded as he unstuck his hand from the clutching Annette. Leaning the woman back in a halfway position, he sympathetically sighed. "Lisa, get me all the ice you can handle and a set of clean gloves. Find them anywhere..kitchen staff..medical cabinet….anywhere. Spencer, please get me all the cloth napkins and a large table cloth were no one has sat. And Ashford…" The higher up look abashed that his name had been spoken, raising an eyebrow in a look of rudeness. Trent straightened himself as he stood eye to eye with the man, his teeth grit. "Ashford, make yourself useful and hold the woman's hand while she gives birth…I have a child to deliver…" The other man stuttered, not able to formulate words properly in surprise. Trent nudged the man's shoulder, pushing him down to Annette's level. "You heard me, sir….. I have a baby to deliver…and it's going to take Everyone's help…."

…

Fricken men.

Ada Wong slammed down her golden clutch angrily to her desk, pacing the office with a furious gait. She had just been about to walk out the door after the enormous project e had given her was completed, and now she had to stay and make sure that an intruder didn't fiddle with his things? She wasn't even his assistant anymore… and she had been looking forward to pleasing him tonight with her dress…The woman had painstakingly chosen a ruby red number, a slit almost to the thigh on each leg. Her short, dark hair had been cut pixie style, curling outward ever so slightly. Gold dust faintly hinted about her eyes and cheeks, the sensual scent of exotic perfume heavily applied. And now she had to waste all of it…

But she would never say no to him…never could. He was the one person who had shown her anything akin to kindness when first coming to the company, and now she was indebted to him for that. He had stolen her away from her former employer…in more ways than one. And ever since she had wanted to find out his reasons…the person beneath the hard, merciless exterior. Ada had hoped that would be tonight….tonight when she discovered everything that lay beneath.

Crossing her tan legs across one another, the receptionist drummed her sparkling nails against the desk. Wesker must be insane…no one ever messed about at night other than the janitors….

A creak of wood made the woman snap her head up, her almond eyes narrowing. Once again Wesker wasn't wrong….he was never wrong.

"Ada?"

…

"Ada? What are you doing here so late?"

Angelica felt her stomach drop out when she saw the female. What was her assistant doing in Wesker's office? The younger woman narrowed her eyes as she vacated the desk chair, folding her hands behind her back. "I could ask you the same thing, Miss Burrows." Angelica narrowed her own eyes at the comment. Only Wesker refused to acknowledge her as a fellow scientist…had he gotten his hooks in this woman as well? Man, he did get around… "Dr. Burrows, Miss Wong. I don't answer to you. And I ask you again, why are you here in Wesker's office?" Circling the round desk, Ada snorted in response. Angelica could tell by her body language that something was off…it was almost like watching a toy monkey wind up to spring. "I am no longer on your service as of today, Miss Burrows. I was transferred back once the mansion facility was complete. It also means that you will have your precious Trevor back. So…me? I belong here anytime I wish. It doesn't answer why you are trespassing in my employer's office."

Angelica took a step backwards; bracing herself for something she knew not what. Time…time was running out and now this little girl was going to be the linchpin in all her plans now. Even if she did make it back, Ada would certainly tell Wesker of the files she had taken…seeing is if she could even get them now. "Look, Wesker took some files from me that weren't his…I need them back." Ada cocked her head to the side, shaking her head in unacceptance. "I'm sorry, Miss Burrows, but all files within this office Stay..in this office." Angelica took a deep breath, taking a determined step forwards. Ada met her midway, and despite the woman being head and shoulders smaller than she, she looked ferociously intimidating. Azure eyes burned dangerously as they stared down at their adversary. "Get out of my way, Ada." Cobalt magnificence sparkled in amusement as a stern hand clamped down on Angelica's white arm.

"I can't do that, Angelica."

…

Marcus took the last stack of papers, smoothing out the pages as he slipped them into the remaining briefcase. All other files had been destroyed through the shredder, electronic copies moved to a series of floppy disks that he was storing in a carry on. Okani had said within the next half hour he was coming to collect Marcus himself, in order to protect all the data personally. The assistant had been more than relieved, having heard of the various dangers that the task posed. Humming to himself as he wiped the last megabyte off the hard drive of his personal terminal, James sighed. A new world was going to be ahead of him, one full of conquest and glory. Glancing over to the clear canister of leeches, the elderly man winced. He hated having to leave them behind.. Leaning down to stare at them face level, Marcus spoke kindly to the wormy looking creatures. "Ahh if only I could take you with the rest. But don't you worry, everything has a reason and I will make many more of your brothers and sisters.."

"Take, James? Where do you think you will be going?"

Marcus snapped up at the sound of the voice, his eyes wide. Wesker and William stood in the open doorway, guns drawn and aimed. The speaker had been the former, a cruel look of intent splaying across his mouth. James shook his head in disbelief. This couldn't be happening...they weren't supposed to be here… Stepping into the center of the room, Marcus eyed both men carefully. "Haven't you heard, gentlemen? I've been…released of my services…" Birkin was the first to cross the threshold, his clear eyes narrowed. Despite the fact of his intimidating glare, Marcus could see his hand shake gently as he gripped his weapon. "What we have heard, Marcus, was that you had betrayed the company, selling off our hard worked secrets one by one… Looks like those rumors were true." Marcus straightened at the accusation, his eyes peering above his high cheek bones. Even in his old age the man had a youthful fearlessness, anger fueling it minute by minute. "Perhaps after the initial betrayal. And what are you expecting to do? Kill me before the transaction is complete?" Wesker's eyes seemed to glow from behind the aviator glasses when he withdrew them. Cocking his head to the side, the young man raised his gun higher. A sadistic smile spread across his mouth, even making his partner in crime wish to shudder from its frigid glance.

"Yes."