Summary: It should have just been a regular morning for Chris Redfield. He should have been just heading out for his usual every day job. So why did he wake up to find a certain puppy eared male in his bed?

Pairing: Nivanfield

Author's note: Sorry for the delay. Work's been killing me with two hands this month. x.x But I am finished though I didn't expect this chapter to get...well...you'll find out when you read it. XD Enjoy.

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My Pet Peeve 12

Sleeping was a hard thing to do when your mind was plagued by the last sentence you heard before bed. "I think I might love you too." It was not something he was ready to hear and pretty much remained the only thing on his mind the last five or six hours. So he honestly had no idea when he fell asleep. It had to be some time after the alcohol fully left his system which required a few trips to the john.

His internal clock told him it was late morning by the time he woke up…or maybe a little after since his alarm clock was flashing 12pm at him. The strange thing was that when he sat up looking for an empty bed, he was surprised to see Piers still lying there. He was even more surprised at the fact that Piers hadn't crawled down to sleep with him last night. The tail lay limp against the bed, Piers's limbs tangled in the sheets like he'd had an uncomfortable night's sleep. Even though they'd bought clothes for him, he was still wearing one of Chris's large t-shirts as nightwear. He was going to have to find a way to get the Semi comfortable with wearing pants.

Piers turned his head to face him on the pillow before wincing, his eyes clenching shut before they opened up slowly. He looked like he had the world's worst hangover though his eyes seemed to focus unclearly ahead of him. He didn't try to move or get up, his eyes starting to adjust before they focused on Chris. The older man stared back swallowing slightly, feeling the words from last night being repeated in his head. What did he say? Did he ask Piers about it? No, it wasn't like Piers even knew he heard it since he thought he was asleep. Did Piers even remember saying them? He'd been drunk last night.

"I'll get you some water," Chris said clearing his throat of the roughness of just waking up. Pushing out from his floor palette he left the room and headed down to get a cup of water. Claire and Leon were already awake, looking just as much like grumpy zombies as he did. This was usually the rare time that he got to see Leon not all beautified to perfection. The two sat at the bar counter each with a cup of water sitting in front of them. Neither acknowledged him more than to grunt in regret before nursing the drinks and pretending that the world didn't hate them by giving them a monster hangover. Maybe because Chris was used to drinking much harder stuff than this that he wasn't bothered as much except for the horrid taste in his mouth. Maybe if they hadn't been drunk they would have thought about drinking more water to help alleviate the problem of hangovers.

"Where's the pup?" Leon asked dark rings under his eyes from the lack of good sleep.

"Suffering in bed with a hangover," Chris said walking over and patting Claire's back when she pressed her forehead down against the cool counter to relieve some of the pain. "How long have you guys been up?"

"Not that long ago." Leon lifted up the glass of water holding it against his forehead grateful for the cooling effect it gave him. "By the way, you're probably going to want to mop your floor later."

"You threw up?"

"That was me," the face pressed into the table said. "And I am…never drinking again." She said this every time they got drunk from their games. It'd be only a matter of time until she was plotting out the next lay out outfits and shots.

"We'll I'll make us all something light to eat once I check up on Piers." The quiet hum was all he needed to know they'd heard him before he was heading back up the stairs again. As he came into the room and found the hazel eyes peeking up at him from under the pillow that had been pulled over the Semi's head, he started to remember his words again. Was Piers really in love with him? Could he have been thinking about something else or even just so drunk he didn't know what he was saying? Did he even remember saying them? His eyes didn't show any indication of it at all just that he was feeling the pain of a throbbing headache.

Chris sat the water down on the counter and reached down to help Piers sit up before he held the drink out to him. "The alcohol made your body lose a lot of water," Chris said watching the other tilt the cup back drinking the contents. "This should help you feel better in a little while." Piers must have been thirsty because the cup was empty in seconds. He handed the cup back to Chris before flopping back on the bed and seeming to regret his actions when he winced clenching his eyes shut.

"This is stupid," Piers said draping his arm over his eyes. "I'm never drinking anything like that again."

Chris couldn't help smiling at those familiar words that he'd heard from the others not moments before. "If it helps any, Claire and Leon are looking just as miserable."

Piers chuckled slightly at the words. "Knowing that he feels like crap too does help some." Chris stared down at his plushy lips, his tongue licking at his own to wet them. They looked far too kissable, far too irresistible in his eyes. Did men usually have such sexy looking lips? Had he noticed these lips on Piers before? Did he only start noticing them now after what Piers said? Did he notice them before? Why was he having these thoughts and urges about the much younger male? He hadn't felt this way since Wesker…and a part of that thought scared me.

"You ok, Chris?" He blinked refocusing on Piers finding the eyes with specks of gold and green staring up at him worriedly. The ears flickered drawing his attention to them and he started to reach up to touch them before he clenched his hand shut to avoid following his body's desire.

"Yeah," he said in response to the question, slowly standing to his feet again. "I'm going to make us some breakfast. Try to get some rest in the meantime." Piers's mouth opened like he wanted to say something further but instead he closed it frowning as he nodded his head instead. Smiling, Chris pulled the blanket back over Piers watching the Semi cover his face with the pillow again before he left the room, ignoring the fact that his heart was beating a lot faster than usual. Just a little bit of puppy love, a crush. He'd grow out of it. And if Piers did actually say those words last night, he'd definitely change his mind once he'd been around Chris long enough. They always did.

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Piers never did come down for breakfast. Against Claire's suggestions that he let Piers rest, Chris headed back upstairs once two hours had passed. He carried crackers and fresh water up the steps not wanting to take the chance that Piers was feeling sick. It reminded him of the first time that Piers had stayed in his home eating crackers and tuna while making smart comments about there being no steak or spoons.

The door was cracked and he slid inside staring at the lump on the bed that appeared to be still asleep. Really? It was two in the afternoon now, was he really still sleep? But then this was his first time ever drinking as far as Chris knew. It must have taken a real hit for someone not used to drinking at all. Chris moved quietly placing the crackers and water on the nightstand and turned to leave until the grip on his shirt stopped him. Piers was holding on to it, his head resting in the bend of his arm as he continued to sleep like nothing happened, the sheets kicked off till both his legs were exposed. The ears flickered and Chris found himself smiling as he reached down to pet him. He really was like a puppy in a way.

Chris's fingers rubbed behind Piers's human ears and the sound that came out made his hand freeze. A moan. That had definitely been a moan. Had he hit one of Piers's pleasure spots by accident? He did it again testing it out, his finger touching the sensitive skin behind Piers's ear. Piers's eyes twitched, his mouth opening again to moan softly before he bit his lips shifting and curling in on himself more as his hands went between his legs. It sent a shiver down Chris's body to see the reaction, his hand starting to slide down along Piers's neck.

"Wesker…"

Chris stopped cold dead before he recoiled his hand back staring down at the slumbering Semi like he'd just been slapped in the face. That…that couldn't have been right. The name that should have come out of those lips should have been his. But…why Wesker? Why, of all people, did Wesker's name slip free? Was it part of a suppressed memory? Did it mean the two had known each other? From the reaction, they must have been close…a little too close. His old love interest and his new crush. To think they may have been together. But Piers had just said, not even 24 hours ago, that he loved him right? Or that he thought he loved him at least. Could he have been so drunk he got Chris confused with Wesker? Then did Chris really ever say those words to Piers?

"Chris?"

Chris turned around finding the Semi's hazel eyes staring at him, confused, sleepy, and with what appeared to be a bit of worry. He'd sat up some, Chris's mind having been too preoccupied to register the sound of shifting sheets. Even though his mind was boggling over what was just said not even two minutes ago, he forced a smile to his face. "How are you feeling?" The questions in his head were still rapidly beating at his brain demanding answers but for now he would have to ignore them and save them for later.

Piers frowned testing the waters as he slowly sat up. There was no pain swimming in his exotic eyes that Chris found himself looking away from quickly as he busied himself with looking around the room. Maybe he should think about cleaning it up a bit later.

"Are you hungry?" As if on cue, Piers's stomach grumbled loudly enough to let him know. He saw the embarrassed look on Piers's face and couldn't help laughing as he headed for the door. "I'll put something on for you to eat. In the meantime see if you can handle some of the crackers first."

"Thanks." Piers made his efforts to get out of the bed but Chris was already heading out the door. There was no reason to stress himself out. If Piers really did know Wesker in his past, then Chris would have to wait for his memories to fully reawaken to find out. Downstairs Leon and Claire were lounging around on the couch. He could feel Leon's eyes following him all the way into the kitchen before his partner decided to join him.

"How's the pup doing?"

"Starving," Chris said looking for something that wouldn't upset Piers's stomach. Piers didn't look like he was feeling as sick as before but something like a steak dinner could be a little much. Still he didn't want to seem cheap by making chicken and noodle soup even if it was helpful against queasy stomachs…most times. A sandwich maybe?

"You ok?"

"Hm?" Chris paused in his search of deli meat in the refrigerator to look back at Leon, confusion evident on his face. "What are you talking about? I'm fine."

"That look you had on your face when you came down sure didn't look fine." Chris scowled at him grabbing the turkey meat from the fridge and closing it moving to the counter. He paused seeing Leon leaning on the counter in his way of getting to the bread and frowned at the other male.

"Move."

"Not until you answer my question. What happened?"

"Nothing happened."

"Something happened or you wouldn't be getting this agitated right now."

"….." Leon stared into his chocolate eyes defiantly. Chris tried to glare back at him but the affectionate sound of Wesker's name being whispered from Piers's lips tripped him up enough to look away. The sound of feet heading down the steps let him know that Piers was up and moving around. "…I…I'll tell you about it tomorrow on the way to TRICELL."

Leon didn't seem convinced at first but as the two of them heard the feet making their way to the kitchen, he relented giving only a nod before he walked by and gave Chris a quick pat on the shoulder. Chris glanced over his shoulder noticing the curious look that Piers gave Leon on his way out of the kitchen before a small frown appeared on his lips and he sent accusing eyes in Chris's direction.

"Is something wrong?" he asked already starting to head his way over.

"Nothing," Chris responded turning around and grabbing the bread from the breadbox placing two slices down on a plate. "Anything you want on your sandwich? Just be careful you don't make yourself sick. Claire already blew chunks this morning. I don't want to have to clean up two places."

"Hey!"

"Just meat is good," Piers said coming close beside him making him tense up a moment as he glanced over at him. He was suddenly reminded of his multiple forced choices in costumes last night. Chris could remember the two costumes vividly well. Honestly, he was glad he was so preoccupied last night with what Piers said to get a chance to think about the two outfits. Otherwise, he was sure Monstro would have showed up.

The sandwich was created quickly with the addition of just meat on it. He was nice enough to cut the sandwich in half before handing the plate to the Semi trying not to flinch when the other's fingers brushed his. The words popped into his mind again from last night and he found himself looking down staring into the Semi's eyes before he cleared his throat slipping past the younger male. "Eat up." He left his words there heading to the living room not missing the feeling of eyes burning into his back. Coward. Why was he being such a coward about this?

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They'd avoided each other the rest of the day. No, it was more like Chris avoided Piers all the way up until night came again and he fell asleep. Without the use of booze, Chris once again found the Semi sleeping beside him upon waking up. Except this time instead of taking advantage of it by staring down at the Semi, he'd carefully eased himself out of his makeshift bed and into a much needed shower. Because, despite the fact that Piers once again whispered out Wesker's name, Chris felt like he needed to get rid of the ugly monster known as Monstro.

He was heading to TRICELL now, glad that Claire was here to take Piers to BSAA headquarters. He needed to be looked after even if he didn't believe it himself. He'd already left instructions for Marco to watch over the young recruit. Even if Piers could probably excel in a fight against the rest of Alpha Team, he still had a lot of training to go through as far was discipline. For instance, learning to call Chris by rank was the first thing to learn right alongside respect for his superiors. At least he wasn't trying to glare Leon into the dirt.

Speaking of Leon, he could feel the other's eyes staring at him from the passenger seat. He remembered his promise from yesterday to explain what was on his mind and found himself giving a sigh of defeat as he finally spoke. "You still want to know what happened, huh?"

"What, were you hoping that I'd forget?"

"Yeah."

"Well…I hope you haven't forgotten that I do worry about your wellbeing." He leaned back in the seat closing his eyes as he tilted his head back like he was going to take a nap. "The same for Claire and probably for the pup too." He frowned a little before he leaned in closer starting to stare at Chris again. "What happened when you went to check up on the pup?"

"At least try to call him Piers," Chris said frowning. But he kept speaking anyway not really looking for clarity at the moment. "Remember the day Piers was acting weird?"

"…That's every day."

"Just shut up and listen," He said shaking his head. "It was the day you said Monstro must have scared him." He looked ahead slowing as he came up on the red light. "…I found out the night before that I told Piers I might love him."

"What?!"

"I-I didn't know I did it!" Chris yelled out quickly looking over at him. "I…maybe in my sleep I guess I said it." He looked at the road again seeing the light change once more and eased off the breaks starting to move forward again. "The night we got drunk and went to bed, Piers came over and told me he might love me too."

"…And what did you say back to him?"

Here Chris blushed glad he was driving so he didn't have to look at the man. "I…I was pretending to be sleep at the time so…." He sighed sure that Leon had a lifted eyebrow looking at him. "But that's not the problem. Yesterday morning he…when I went to check in on him I was…" Geez, how did he explain something like that? Just admit to being a creepy molester? "…Checking to make sure he wasn't feeling sick when he ended up saying Wesker's name. And…the way he said it wasn't…normal."

"…What did you do to the pup?"

"I didn't do anything to him!" Chris yelled out glaring at Leon before quickly turning his eyes to the road again glowering in frustration. "He just…the only thing I did was pat his head like usual and he…he said it." Well it was close enough to the truth anyway. Though he was pretty sure that Leon didn't buy it. "I can't help thinking that there's something there…that maybe he and Wesker were…." He fell silent there not really wanting to think about it.

He'd done well this past year of not thinking about the older man. Chris was slowly moving past the fact that Wesker was dead even if he was fully determined to find his murderer. The fact that Piers had shown up with subtle signs that he may have known Wesker as at least an acquaintance…or more couldn't have been a coincidence. Maybe he needed to work harder on getting Piers to regain his memories. Maybe Wesker's death was the reason for why Piers couldn't remember his past, some sort of trauma to the brain or something. Either, way he'd get to the bottom of it and seal this problem away once and for all.

"We're here," Chris said pulling into the parking lot of the TRICELL building. Leon had been silent since Chris had last spoken. He might have been thinking about what all Chris said over the course of their short ride, but now a glance at him showed completely focused eyes set on the mission ahead. Ricardo Irving. TRICELL. These two things would lead them to the answers they were looking for. Someone was trying to kidnap Semi for some sick experiments and murder. They needed to find this person and put a stop to it. There was no telling what other things this place could be doing or hiding. He wondered if these were the same people that had attacked them in the parking garage. The people they had killed didn't have any identifying features besides looking like wannabe thugs meeting up for a shootout. But thugs didn't have snipers…at least not as far as he knew. And not as skilled as that either.

He was pretty sure they were surprised to see that they had their very own skilled sniper as well. Granted he would have preferred Piers not being brought out in public at all considering that Semi seemed to be getting targeted a lot lately.

"Hopefully this will be quick," Leon said getting out of the car already wearing his lab coat. Chris followed him out wearing his own white coat and only paused to slip on the fake glasses before the two of them started moving towards the building, Chris tossing the car keys to Leon who easily reached up and caught them in one smooth motion.

"We're aiming for the elevator," Chris said quietly to him. "We'll have to do something to not look so suspicious until he arrives."

"Like not hang inside of the elevator like creepy stalkers?" Leon asked smirking as he said the words. It helped Chris to calm down making him smile at the little joke.

"Yeah," he said responding as he opened the door. "Let's just try to be as inconspicuous as possible."

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Ricardo Irving was a much bigger loudmouth than Chris had been expecting. Honestly, how had he not noticed the guy at BSAA? He was busy heading for the elevator, a brief case in hand as he paused loudly mouthing off at a couple of scientists standing in the vicinity before continuing on. All the scientists, minus the two of them, were quick to leave the area including the ones that had just been provoked.

Chris had heard a small rumor since his time back within the TRICELL building. Mainly the fact that Irving didn't always take the elevator alone. Sometimes there were guys with dark hoodies and shades that joined him. And in a couple of rare cases, other scientists would be forced to join him as well only to never return. It was assumed that they were fired since there was usually some form of argument and a threat of termination before they entered.

Today, Ricardo came along with two guys in hoodies. The look he gave to Chris and Leon upon seeing them still standing there showed frustration and maybe a mild case of amusement. Guess they were supposed to leave when the others did. Well this was a good opportunity to see what Ricardo could do.

"You two," Ricardo said his voice sounding nasally like he was talking through his nostrils while having an accent like he was from Brooklyn. It was almost hard to explain but it was like he had a hard time breathing so his voice would come out almost squeaky at times. "What are you doing still here?"

"Working, sir," Leon said first being the easier of the two of them at talking to their enemies…well at least without punching them in the face first.

"You must be new here," Ricardo said slowly, his jagged stare visible as he stared up at them with a slightly gaped mouth. "What are your names?"

"Jon Stewart," Leon said not even batting an eye at the lie.

"Robert Bakery," Chris said refusing to let the lie shine through his eyes. He was normally not the type to lie easily, but something like this, something that was really nothing more than a mission made it easy to do if it meant taking down something threatening.

"Jon…Robert." A small smirk appeared on Ricardo's lips not looking the least bit kind as he turned around heading for the elevator. "Since you're new you'll be of some use in helping with my experiments." Considering the guy dressed like he was part of the mafia, the last thing Chris could imagine was the guy having any real involvement with science. Exactly what was he planning to do? The two guys in hoodies moved behind them giving a shove to indicate they start walking too. "Sorry I can't give you an option."

"We're scientists," Leon said smiling. "Our lives are devoted to experimenting."

"Then enjoying the free ride in the Irving Express!" As the elevator doors closed behind them, Ricardo took out the elevator key placing it inside a panel on the side and turning it sending the elevator travelling downwards at top speed. Leon glanced up at Chris at that moment, his face blank though Chris could easily read what the other was thinking. This was a little too easy for it to be a coincidence. Still they were where they wanted to be and hadn't had to bother with breaking their disguise and physically beating Ricardo up to get the key.

If it wasn't the slow descent, the soft ding of the elevator doors opening up was enough to let them know their destination had been reached. "Welcome to Irving's humble abode!" Ricardo pushed past them starting to walk as he led the way down the narrow halls. Once again the two guys behind them pushed them out forcing Chris to have to restrain himself from reaching out and decking the guys in the eye. The walls, ceiling, and floor of the hallway were completely see-through made of a clear material that had to be sturdy for people to even trust walking on it.

The sight of fish swimming by let him know that the part of the structure they were going to was made completely underwater. It was like being in an aquarium. The Alpha Team Leader wondered for a moment what Piers would have thought of it. No, he was sure the other would be too focused on the man up ahead to actually care about something like this.

At the end of the hallway was a door that led into what appeared to be a rather large, underwater facility that he was pretty sure even the BSAA didn't know about. Ricardo used a keycard at the door, only pausing to administer an eye test and a fingerprint scan before the door beeped and they were admitted in. Chris glanced at Leon. There wasn't any need to go any further into the enemy's territory, not when they had no idea what it was they were walking into.

"This is as far as we go, Ricardo Irving." Chris pulled his gun out quickly pointing it at the short statured man the same time Leon turned pulling two guns from his hips pointing them both at the hooded men. Ricardo didn't even look phased, his stare almost taunting before he laughed out mercilessly.

"You think you have me cornered like a rat, huh?" He laughed again, Chris not losing his focus on him even though his actions seemed odd. He should have been quaking in his boots or at least looking a little bit like his plans hadn't worked out. But this man looked like he was on a field trip that was becoming the best day ever. "You have no idea who you're dealing with Mr. Bakery." His droopy eyes turned mischievous as he took a deliberate step back despite Chris's steady aim on him.

"Don't move."

"Is there something you're afraid of…Mr. Redfield?"

The gun wavered, Chris's eyes blinking slowly as he stared at the man feeling the shock. "…What?"

"You heard me correctly, Chris Redfield," Ricardo said sneering at him smugly. "Did you think I wouldn't know it was you? I worked for BSAA dumb dumb!"

"We've never met," Chris said keeping his eyes trained on him. "You wouldn't know me."

"Correction," Ricardo said stepping back again as someone stepped in front of him. Chris saw the danger before he had the time to react, his gun coming up a second too short as a shot was fired at him and he felt a string in his chest. "It's you who doesn't know me." He felt his vision swimming, his eyes flickering down to the dart sticking out of his chest before he fell backwards hearing Leon yelling his name. From his area on the ground he could see Leon struggling to fight back, saw the dart shoot into Leon's back stopping him before his own consciousness left him to the sound of Ricardo's annoying chortle.

TBC…

I think this means I'm gonna have to push out the next chapter update a lot sooner if I can. XD But it'll have to be after another story update I'm seriously behind on. Oh and Tera...I also blame the online Tera game for my delays. x.x I blame it's pretty graphics and freeness.