Chapter Seventeen

There was silence as the group became airborne, and then Bruce turned to Rebecca and gave her a wry smile. "Hey, Rebecca, tell me something," he drawled.

"Huh?" Rebecca looked over at him.

McGivern smiled. "How come every time I do a favor for you, it always involves me having to be an asshole?"

Edwin who had been sitting quietly and gazing down at his lap, glanced up a bit and looked at the pair sitting across from he and Billy under lowered lashes as they spoke. "Because you've got a natural talent for it?" She offered.

"I think you won, this time."

Rebecca sighed. "I know."

"Hope it's worth it to you."

Rebecca nodded. "If this hunch pays off, then it's absolutely worth it."

The medic found himself beginning to frown slightly as he listened and chanced a look at Billy out of the corner of his eye, trying to gauge if the Marine was listening as well. Billy was, although only partially, his eyes closed. He was slouching in his seat, seemingly bored, but it was easy for someone who knew him well and was paying attention to see that he wasn't comfortable.

Edwin raised his head, his dark eyes settling on the young woman across from him, the look almost accusatory before he dropped them down to his lap again. Guess Duke was right... he thought to himself. God... what if we're on our way to Billy's execution? The medic's hand trembled slightly at the thought and he clenched it into a fist.

"Well, the big boss says he'll have a facility set up for us, hopefully by tonight," Bruce went on, smiling a bit.

Rebecca blinked. "So soon?"

Bruce nodded. "He's been working on it ever since you sent us the info after your arrival back from Lakeview."

Lifeline closed his eyes, half wishing that he couldn't hear Rebecca and McGivern as they spoke. He couldn't help but feel that all the hell that they and the others had been through inside Lakeview was somehow being belittled. He found himself feeling a bit sick to his stomach, thinking that the mission to the asylum had been nothing more than a set up to a means of taking custody of Billy. Rebecca relaxed and smiled a little. "Good. Then I think it's safe to clue in the guys as to what's going on?"

"I think you'd better. We won't have time to tell 'em once we touch down."

Edwin raised his dark head at Rebecca's words, looking at the pair sitting across from him. "Tell us what?" he asked, his tone sounding bitter. "That all your concern for Bil... for Devil Dog was nothing but a sham?" The medic turned his gaze on Rebecca.

McGivern glared at the medic. "Hey, now, you watch your mouth. She--"

Reaching out, Rebecca touched Bruce's arm. "No, it's okay," She said. "He's got every right to be angry."

"What the hell's going on, Becca?" Billy asked, tone low.

"She's been feeding information to STRATCOM the whole time, " Lifeline answered before Rebecca had a chance to respond. "Its all been some kind of set up, to get you into their hands." The medic shifted his gaze to McGivern. "Although I still can't figure out why they waited until now to demand custody. But if I had to guess, I'd say it was because they wanted to study the parasite and its assimilation... study you like some lab rat in a cage."

McGivern started to stand up, but Rebecca grabbed his arm and yanked him back down hard, before standing up herself, his astonishment at having been so man-handled by the woman keeping him in his seat as she leveled a glare on Lifeline. "You're not even going to give me a goddamned chance to explain, are you?" She snapped. "Dammit, Lifeline, I did all this for you!"

"Me?" Edwin asked as he rose to his feet as well. "I'm sorry Rebecca," he said, shaking his dark head as he looked at the young woman; "but I fail to see how you came to that conclusion."

Billy and McGivern could do little more than watch in amazement as Rebecca crossed the plane, and glared up at Edwin. "They weren't going to let Billy off that base for treatment. You know that as well as I do. I saved you the trouble of going over Duke's head. I painted myself as the bad guy. I'm the one who got Billy out. With Bruce's help and the help of my superiors, we're going to get him treated." She snapped, tears in her eyes as she spoke, anger mingling with sadness. "I kept you from having to take any heat for pushing your superiors," she went on, then her tone dropped low enough so that only Edwin could hear her. "I kept them from having to question just why you wanted so badly to risk everything for one man." She stepped back away from him. "I did it for a friend... I thought I was doing it for two." Without waiting for a single reply, she stormed up to the front of the jet, leaving Bruce and Billy starting in shock at her departing back, her body language speaking more loudly than her words had.

Lifeline stood stone still, his dark eyes sliding closed as Rebecca moved past him. The medic stayed like that for several long moments before he opened his eyes, the chocolate brown orbs glistening. Swallowing, he started away from the others, his back straight, in the opposite direction that Rebecca had taken, towards the back of the plane where the galley and bathroom were located. McGivern looked at Billy. "Are they always like that?"

The Marine offered him a weak smile. "It's been a stressful time..." he said. "But...that was all true then? She pulled all this just to get me outta there?"

McGivern nodded. "I think she called in every favor she had to do it, too."

Reaching the small kitchen galley, Edwin let out a long breath, his shoulders shaking as he put his palms flat on the counter and hung his head. The medic was angry. Angry at Rebecca for keeping her plan a secret, angry at Duke for being so hard-headed, but mostly angry at himself for not giving Rebecca the benefit of the doubt. It was very rare that Lifeline ever let his temper get away with him, although over the past few months since the discovery of the parasite within Billy, it seemed to be happening more often; and he didn't like that at all.

"I'll be right back," Billy said, standing up.

McGivern nodded. "Just...don't tell anybody I let you up, okay?" The Marine nodded, and headed after Edwin.

The medic was still standing there at the counter, his shoulders continuing to tremble slightly, his dark eyes closed, his glasses resting on the countertop. Billy slipped into the room, pulling the divider door closed, and slid his arms around the other man. "Edwin," He murmured, very softly.

Edwin's eyes squeezed tighter as he felt the Marine's arms go around him. "I – I don't know how much longer I can do this," he whispered, his voice quivering as he spoke, a few stray tears escaping from the corners of his eyes. "I don't like what it's doing to me."

"I know," Billy whispered, tightening his hold on the medic. "I know...it'll be over soon..."

"She – she was just trying to protect us... our relationship..."

Billy closed his eyes. "I know... Duke was being too bull-headed, so she took matters into her own hands..."

The medic sniffed. "I don't know what they plan to do," he said softly, turning in the other man's embrace so that he could look at the Marine, his arms sliding around Billy. "But I hope to God it works," Edwin's voice quivered as a new surge of tears clouded his eyes. "I – I don't think I could take it if it didn't." The medic bent his dark head, pressing his face against Billy's shoulder.

"It'll work," Billy whispered, holding Edwin tightly against him. "It's got to work."

Lifeline lifted his head, his tear-filled eyes looking at the Marine for a moment before he leaned in and pressed his lips to Billy's. With a soft sound, the Marine returned the kiss, closing his eyes against his own sudden tears, his arms tensing around the other man. Edwin bunched up the fabric of Billy's shirt in his hands as the kiss became more forceful, bordering on desperate. It had been so long since the two of them had been together, even just to kiss, let alone anything else; and Edwin wanted nothing more at that moment than to feel even just a small part of that closeness while he could.

Billy didn't seem to mind, and indeed, seemed to share his thoughts, returning that kiss just as desperately, one hand gliding up Edwin's back as he pressed close. A small sound escaped from Lifeline, the medic tilting his head a bit, sealing their mouths together even more tightly. Billy's lips parted at that, a soft sound escaping him. Edwin's tongue slipped between his lover's parted lips, plunging into the warm recesses of Billy's mouth as it sought out its like. One hand let go of the Marine's shirt as the medic's arm slid up Billy's back, his fingers sliding into the dark locks at the back of the Marine's head.

A small shiver went through Billy at that, the kiss more than welcome and the familiar touch enough to ease away some of his tension. The pain receded completely for a time, and for those few moments, it was easy to forget where they were and why.

Their tongues dueling with one another, Edwin's fingers gently combed through Billy's hair as he pressed himself closer to the Marine. It was Billy who finally broke the kiss, gasping softly for breath as he laid his forehead against Edwin's shoulder. Lifeline sniffed, trying to push back the last vestiages of tears as he held Billy close, his fingers stilling as he cupped the back of the Marine's dark head. "When this is all over," he whispered. "We'll go away, just the two of us. Somewhere nice and quiet... find a place down on a beach somewhere... right on the ocean..."

"Take some time for us," Billy agreed with a nod, then looked up and smiled. "Robby can come on the next trip."

Edwin mustered up a faint shaky smile for Billy. "We'll sit on the beach... fish... drink beer..." The medic's hand slid from the back of Billy's head and around to cup the side of the Marine's face. "Billy...I..." Lifeline's dark eyes welled with tears once again as he faltered, wanting to tell the other man how he felt, yet not being able to gather the courage to do so, feeling in some way that saying it would be almost like saying goodbye, and he wouldn't allow himself to do that.

Billy reached up, covering Edwin's hand with his own, and smiled faintly. "I know..." he said softly.

Several fresh tear drops fell from the medic's eyes as he looked at the Marine for a few moments before leaning in to press his lips against Billy's once more, the touch soft and gentle with none of his earlier urgency. Returning the kiss just as lightly, Billy reached up and brushed the tears away.

Edwin pulled back after a few moments, breaking the kiss. Bending his head down a bit, he touched his forehead to Billy's without loosening his hold on the other man. "We'd better head back out there soon," Billy whispered softly, brushing Edwin's cheek with his fingers again.

"In a few minutes," Lifeline said softly as he leaned into the soft touch a bit. "Its not like we can go anywhere unless we want to jump out of the plane. Who knows if...no, when we'll get another chance to be alone," Edwin went on as he looked at the Marine. "Can't blame a guy for wanting to take advantage it while he can."

Billy smiled just a little. "When," He clarified. "And no, I can't."

Lifeline found himself smiling faintly in return, the first true genuine one he had managed in some time.

Once they finally touched down, Rebecca and the others were met by several STRATCOM agents. The foremost, a sunstreaked blond with steel blue eyes, stepped forward and smiled a bit. "Welcome to our humble abode, lady and gentlemen," he said. "Hope the ride wasn't too unpleasant."

Edwin looked at the blonde man a bit warily, something about the man's slightly condesending attitude putting the medic on his guard. "Save the pleasantries, Leon," Rebecca snapped, brushing past the man and walking off. "They'll be a wasted effort, I assure you."

Leon Kennedy blinked, then looked at the three remaining men. "What the hell's wrong with her?"

Lifeline suddenly found something interesting on the ground to focus his attention on as a soft faint blush crept over his face. "It's been a long day, Kennedy," McGivern replied wearily. "Have we got rooms for our guests?"

Kennedy nodded. "Yeah. But I'm supposed to bring Coen with me, so the docs can start doing all the preliminary work," he said.

Edwin's attention snapped back to the blonde man. "I'm going with him," the medic said.

There was a brief glance between Kennedy and McGivern, and McGivern nodded; Leon smiled. "Sure, okay. C'mon, then, guys."

Lifeline spared Bruce a glance before moving to join the blonde man. McGivern fell into step behind them, following along quietly. Edwin walked quietly alongside Billy, the pair of them having said little after returning to the main seating of area of the plane before it had landed, both of them sporting red-rimmed eyes. If McGivern had any thoughts on what might have transpired between them, he kept them to himself, merely glancing up at the pair as they took their seats again across from him. Rebecca had said nothing at all to any of them, remaining in the cockpit of the jet until they had finally touched down. Billy looked a little worried, but hadn't remarked on it.

As they walked along, McGivern eventually circled around the two of them, speaking quietly with Kennedy as they headed toward the base's Infirmary. Lifeline's eyes watched the two STRATCOM agents, beginning to feel a bit apprehensive about what he and Billy might be walking into, as they still had no idea just what Rebecca had planned for the Marine. Kennedy finally nodded and smiled a bit, and McGivern returned the nod and headed down the hallway away from them. "If there's anything I can do to make your stay here more comfortable," Kennedy said. "Let me know. Contrary to what you may have been led to believe, you guys are our guests."

"How long is this... treatment going to take?" Billy asked.

Kennedy glanced back and shrugged a shoulder. "I don't know too much about the procedure itself. But I know the infirmary's been pretty excited about it, which says good things."

"Or that they've got a new toy to play with," Edwin murmured to himself.

"Our infirmary folks are doctors, Sir, not scientists," came the reply, Kennedy's tone crisp, though not quite icy. "If this treatment helps the Lieutenant, then maybe it can be used to help victims of other infestations, other parasites and infections." There was an almost haunted look in the young man's eyes, and he looked away from the two of them abruptly.

Edwin shivered involuntarily, recalling the two Tyrant creatures that he had encountered after first meeting Billy. The Marine was the one who spoke next, his tone soft. "You were involved with the situation in Spain," He said softly. "With the rescue of the president's daughter?"

Kennedy nodded, but said nothing. Lifeline stopped. "You were the one who rescued her?"

The other two men stopped as well, looking back. Kennedy nodded again. "That's right," he said. "There were parasites involved, creatures called plagas. It's possible to cure them, but the Spanish government won't let go of the technology, even in the face of potential infestations here in the States. So we've been racking our brains on this end, trying to come up with another suitable treatment. If this works on the Lieutenant... it might work on the people who've been infested with those as well."

Lifeline fell silent for a few moments, mulling over a few things, as he followed Kennedy. The more he thought, the more some very ugly things came to mind. "Jesus Christ..." he murmured to himself.

"Needless to say," Kennedy said. "We want this to work as much as you do."

The medic glanced over at Billy for a moment before turning to look at Leon Kennedy's back. Billy's expression was unreadable, the man clearly lost in thought as he stared at Kennedy's back as well. The agent didn't look back at them, merely headed through the Infirmary, toward the ward that was set aside for them. Lifeline glanced around a bit as they made their way through the Infirmary, finding himself impressed by some of the equipment that he saw. The facility was state of the art, judging by what he could see, bounds above the facility at Joe Headquarters. Kennedy glanced back, and smiled a bit. "Impressive, isn't it?" He said softly.

"Nice to know my tax dollars are hard at work," the medic replied.

"We've been very lucky to get the funding we have," Leon said. "When Umbrella disappeared off the map, the government tried to get rid of us completely. Nobody guessed they'd just merged into other shady companies."

"Or were backed by a world-wide terrorist network," Edwin added, glancing at Billy once again.

"Exactly. So they were going to disband our task force until you and the Lieutenant discovered the connection with Cobra."

The medic nodded his head silently. Billy was thoughtful. "So... my unit was supposed to replace this organization?"

Kennedy shook his head. "Not quite. From what I've been made to understand, you're essentially acting as STRATCOM's military branch."

"Wait a minute," Edwin said, stopping once again. "You mean the Joes are associated with you?"

Leon considered that. "Not quite. The Lieutenant's unit will eventually have full access to our contacts, information and such. In return, we have access to this one military branch when the need is great enough."

"In the long run, it benefits both groups," Billy finished. "You get the firepower you need, even though you're a civilian operation."

The blond man nodded. "And you get the benefit of our databanks, intel, and field agents."

Lifeline looked from Leon to Billy. "You knew about this?" he asked the Marine.

Billy shook his head. "In the abstract. It explains why Homeland Security ordered my unit set up so quickly," He replied softly.

"That does make sense." Edwin agreed. "But what about Rebecca? She told us she worked for the CDC."

"She does. She's a liason of sorts, and works for us and them."

Billy nodded, and started to reply again, before a sudden flash of pain brought him to his knees with a gasp. "Billy!" Lifeline's eyes widened a bit and he rushed to the other brunette's side

Leon took an involuntary step backwards from the two men, managing to catch himself before his hand went for his gun. Billy was gritting his teeth, his eyes closed tightly. A cry went up from one of the other infirmary medics, and the room exploded into action, several of the STRATCOM medics moving closer, but hesitating briefly, waiting for orders from the man already attending to him. Kneeling down, Edwin slipped his arm around Billy's shoulders. "Billy?" he called out to the other man softly.

"God... that's getting... old..." Billy hissed softly as the wave of pain receded.

"Are you alright?" the medic asked, his brown eyes full of concern as he looked at the Marine.

"Am now," Billy said with a nod. "For the moment..."

Edwin nodded, giving the other man's shoulder a slight squeeze before sliding his arm away and offering his hand to Billy as he started to rise to his feet. Billy took the hand and rose slowly, becoming suddenly very aware of the many eyes on them. When it was clear the potential threat had passed, the others turned back to their assorted tasks, although they would glance now and again at the Marine. The looks they gave the two men weren't suspicious, but genuinely concerned. Edwin, however, was still watching Billy, waiting for the Marine to move first. Billy glanced over at Edwin, and offered a weak, weary smile, before following after Leon, who beckoned them to follow with a tilt of his head.

The next several hours seemed to drag by. Billy received a full physical by one of the STRATCOM physicians, overseen by Rebecca. Billy also underwent all the "treatment simulations" that were necessary, spending more time in a CT scanner than was really comfortable for him. There were some concerns raised as to the fact that the Marine's agitation would need to somehow be curbed, but they promised to try and have a solution by the next morning. By the time they were done prepping Billy for his first treatment the next day, the Marine was tired, edgy, and desperately craving a smoke. Which was odd, he considered, since he hadn't smoked since his initial quarantine.

When Billy and Edwin finally exited the STRATCOM medical wing, Rebecca had already disappeared, and Leon was waiting to escort them to their rooms. He assured both men that it wasn't a security issue, so much as making sure they were able to actually find their rooms in the sprawling complex.

The two followed Leon, the blonde man leading first Billy and then Lifeline to their respective rooms, which incidentally turned out to be on the same floor and separated by only a few hallways. While Kennedy waited, Edwin gave the Marine's shoulder a slight squeeze, murmuring that he would be back and that Billy should try to get some rest. The two had stood quietly for a few moments, framed in the doorway of Billy's assigned room, their eyes locked before the medic had turned away.

The room that Leon had shown Lifeline to was small and rather spartan, much like the barracks back at Joe Headquarters. Once the door had been shut firmly behind him, Edwin had dropped down onto the bed and hung his head with a weary sigh. The STRATCOM medical staff, while being civil and polite, had treated the medic as nothing more than a observer, their attention focused on Billy and the tests that they needed to run. Rebecca had appeared to be too busy to have given much attention to Edwin, either, although perhaps that was due to the blow up that the two of them had had on the plane hours earlier. The young woman had said nothing to him since then, only nodding her head slightly at him when she had entered the lab before setting to work with the rest of the staff.

It was perhaps half an hour later when there was a knock on Edwin's door, the medic rising to his feet and shuffling over to open it. On the otherside was a young blonde woman dressed in a navy pantsuit with a covered tray in her hands – dinner for their guest, she informed Lifeline as she stepped around him and into the room before placing the tray on the nightstand next to bed. With a small smile, she moved past him once more and out the door, turning slightly to remind him that if he needed anything all he had to do was pick up the phone.

Food was the last thing that Lifeline had on his mind, yet that didn't stop him from lifting the lid from the tray to see what it contained. The smells of pot roast with mashed potatoes and gravy wafted up to assail his nose before he replaced the cover, his stomach roiling a bit at the thought of food. Pushing his glasses up on his forehead, Edwin rubbed at his eyes with his fingertips as he made his way into the attached bathroom, turning on the cold tap. Taking his glasses off, he splashed a few handfuls of water on his face and patted it dry. Resettling his glasses he, he looked at himself in the mirror for a moment before leaving the towel on the vanity and making his way back out to the other room and the door.

Retracing his steps, Edwin made his way back to Billy's room, the medic pausing for a moment in front of the beige door before knocking softly. There was no verbal reply, only the sound of a bed creaking softly and then heavy, slow footsteps before the door opened and Billy looked wearily out. When he saw who his company was, however, he smiled a bit and beckoned Edwin to come in. "Sorry," the medic apologized as he stepped past Billy and into the room. "I didn't mean to wake you up."

"You didn't," Billy said. "I'm too wound up to sleep." He closed the door as Edwin passed. Lifeline stopped just behind the other man, turning around to face the Marine. Billy raked a hand through his hair, leaning back against the closed door. "Mind if I be bluntly honest with you?"

Edwin's dark brows crooked together a bit, his head titling to the side a bit as he shook his head. "I always want you to be honest with me," he said softly.

The Marine looked up, not quite meeting Edwin's eyes. "... I don't think I've ever been this scared in my whole fucking life."

"Billy," the medic whispered the other man's name as he closed the small distance between them, his hand going out to cup the Marine's cheek. Billy's eyes closed at the touch, and he swallowed hard. The pad of Lifeline's thumb brushed over Billy's cheekbone. "C'mere," he said softly as he slipped his other arm around the blue eyed man and pulled him closer. Billy went into the embrace gratefully, wrapping his arms around Edwin tightly.

The medic quietly held his lover, his hand sliding from Billy's face as he wound his other arm around the Marine. "It's okay... " he murmured softly his hand sliding up to the middle of Billy's back, lightly rubbing circles over it like one would to comfort a child.

"Edwin... if anything goes wrong..." Billy said softly, not looking up. "You... still remember where my will's at, right?"

"Billy..." Lifeline started to protest, not quite ready to have this conversation with the other man just yet.

"Look, I know you don't wanna talk about this..." Billy looked up. "I don't want to, either... but we don't know what's going to happen tomorrow..."

Edwin squeezed his eyes shut for a moment before nodding his head slowly. "Yes," he said softly. "I remember."

"It's up to date..." Billy said softly. "I want my dress blues... and I want my son to have my flag. I talked to my sisters when I joined the Joes, and they agree..." A lump formed in Lifeline's throat, leaving him to nod mutely. "Just in case," Billy whispered softly, tightening his hold on the medic. "This is just in case..."

Edwin swallowed and closed his eyes as he held the other man in his embrace. 'Don't lose it, Lifeline...' he said to himself. 'You have to keep it together for him...'

Billy looked up after a moment. "Edwin..." he said softly.

The medic's chocolate brown eyes opened, settling on the other man, all his feelings for Billy reflected in their dark depths. Leaning up, Billy pressed his lips firmly to Edwin's, his arms tightening again. Lifeline met the kiss just as eagerly, his hand still on the middle of the Marine's back, his other arm tightly around Billy's waist. Billy broke the kiss a few moments later, and smiled faintly. "... Can you come lay with me for awhile?" he asked softly. "It might help me try to sleep...

"Anything for you," the medic answered softly, mustering up a faint smile for the Marine. "You know that."

"Thank you..." Billy replied, forcing a faint smile to his own lips.

Edwin's hand slipped from the other man's back as he brought it up and ran the tips of his fingers over Billy's lips. That softened the Marine's smile, and it grew a little, becoming more genuine. The medic ran the pad of his thumb over the Marine's stubbled jaw before leaning in the press a soft quick kiss to Billy's lips. Releasing his hold on the blue eyed man, Lifeline started to pull away from his lover's embrace. "C'mon soldier boy," he said smiling a bit as well as he reached for Billy's hand and started to pull him towards the bed.

Once they were lying together, it didn't take Billy very long to fall asleep, clearly comforted to have his lover nearby. It seemed like an eternity since Edwin had laid with him last. The two of them were facing one another, the Marine curled up against the medic's chest, Edwin's arms wrapped around the other man.

Edwin pressed a soft kiss to the top of his lover's head. "I love you..." he whispered, his cocoa brown eyes glistening as he shifted his hold a bit and reached to lace his fingers with Billy's. Closing his eyes, he quietly held the Marine, all the while fighting against the thought that this might be the last time that he did so. As he lay there, he became more aware of sounds in the hallway, of people ocassionally passing by Billy's room. Although he didn't want to leave his lover, he also didn't want for someone to accidently enter the room and find them together. Pressing another kiss to the Marine's hair, he reluctantly released Billy's hand before slowly pulling away and quietly sliding from the bed.