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 extremely long update. X.x I won't lie, I got lazy. But I did struggle a bit with this chapter before getting it just right. Then I got sick for two weeks and then visiting family came along right after. DX It's been an off month. But I hope you guys enjoy the update.

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My Pet Peeve 15

Inside the graveyard there were a scattering of people here and there giving their last words of the day to their deceased family before heading in for the night. It was like second nature for Chris to head down the path leading to his parents and stopping in front of the two headstones before kneeling down to place flowers down on each plot.

He didn't want to take too long, though he spent a moment talking to his parents, telling them about how he'd been doing. He told them about Claire and Leon. How everyone was doing well even though Leon was currently missing with no indication of how he was faring. He told them about how better he himself had gotten. He was better. And he told them that it was thanks to Piers. He started talking more about the Semi, how easily he got frustrated or how happy he would get from a simple praise. How overprotective he could get, especially when he was around the others.

Then he frowned thinking about Piers, thinking about Wesker. It wasn't something he wanted to tell them about, it wasn't even something he wanted to think about. But he had to for the sole fact that Wesker had taken his best friend from him and threaten to take his life. So far, Piers hadn't fully gained his memories back. But what would happen once he did? Would he end up betraying Chris too? He didn't want to think about it.

"I have to go," he said to the air around him staring at the graves as he fondly brushed a finger over them. "I'll be back to visit soon. With Leon and Claire. And I'll bring Piers here as well." He hoped to bring Piers here. That was if Piers didn't turn on him and become his enemy. Damn how he did not want to think about that.

He remembered what Piers had said to him before he left. He'd find something here, something that Wesker had hidden for him to find. Frankly, he hadn't a clue what he was looking for or even where. Did it even have anything to do with finding Wesker at all?

His phone rang as soon as he stood, his eyes looking at the caller ID seeing that it was his home number making him frown before he answered. Was something wrong at the house? Something with Piers?

"Hello?"

"Chris."

"Piers?"

"….Arklay Mountains…."

"What?"

"To the Arklay…Mountains." He sounded like he was in pain from remembering this new thing. "You have to go…there…."

Chris blinked before his eyes automatically turned to look at the Arklay Mountains peeking up over the graveyard so close in appearance than to where it really was. He hadn't found any more clues in the photo album and really suspected that the photo did nothing more than figure more of Piers's memories. Piers…was it just a trigger for Piers's memories?

"You're doing ok," Chris said smiling into the phone. "Just relax and get some rest. Don't overdo it."

"But Chris…nngh…" It made his heart ache not to be there with him right now. He knew the Semi was trying his hardest to help him. But it meant having to suffer through the pains of remembering a past probably best left forgotten. If he could, he'd take the pain from him and absorb it into his own body.

"Lie down and rest," Chris said putting more command in his voice because he knew Piers wouldn't argue with him then. "That's an order."

"…Yes sir." He could hear the faint sound of frustration in Piers's voice but this was for his own good. What if he ended up getting sick from all the headaches? He had to feel horrible from all the pain, right? Besides, a part of Chris wanted to delay Piers's memories returning for as long as possible. Because he was afraid of what he'd remember. Because he didn't want to feel like he was being abandoned again.

"Good," Chris said before a smile lifted to his face. "I'll be home soon, so don't worry."

"…Chris?"

The questioning sound in Piers's voice made Chris tense up suspiciously. "Yeah?"

"…Do you…maybe like…" He paused, seemed to hesitate before he quickly abandoned what he was going to say. "Never mind. It's nothing important."

"Piers?"

"I'll see you soon, ok?" He hung up right after not giving Chris time to even say goodbye. It was a weird reaction, one that had Chris frowning before he hung up the phone placing it in his pocket as he headed to the car. What had he been about to ask him? Did he maybe like...who? What? He didn't know. It wasn't enough information to process anything. Starting up the car, he pushed the thought behind him as he headed off to the Arklay Mountains. It was something he'd have to worry about later, maybe some time after he found Leon. But with Piers quickly regaining more and more of his memories, would he ever have the chance to find out? Well whatever it was that he was supposed to find at the gravesite, he'd worry about it after he went to the mountain.

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It didn't take as long as he thought to get to the Arklay Mountains. The closed sign at the entrance acted as a deterrent to visitors and made traffic completely nonexistent. Now that he thought about it, there had been recent cases of disappearances occurring in the area. People had been disappearing for months now, all leading to this place. But no one knew the answer and no one dared to venture further since the last two investigation ended with the whole team missing.

BSAA was set to come here within the next few weeks, but right now he had no time to wait. He had less than 48 hours now to find Wesker and Leon. Waiting for BSAA to argue and fight over whether saving an agent took priority over their set mission wasn't something he was willing to wait out. Not to mention if BSAA knew what had happened, they'd probably confine him to headquarters. And if they found out what Piers's tie in to the whole case might be…he wasn't willing to think about that right now.

He got out of the car, heading to the trunk where the weapons were. No one was around, none of the park rangers or the cleanup crew. Even the cops were avoiding this place. He'd heard rumors of beast coming down to kill and eat people. He'd also heard of a secret militia that controlled the area and killed anyone who ventured too far into their private territory. Either one of them could be true. He was going to have to be careful and take some of his best equipment with him. At least Piers could return to BSAA and let them know what happened if he didn't make it out of this alive. As long as he didn't remember anything else, they'd keep him safe.

Opening the trunk, he pulled away the hidden coverings on the sides, looking at his selection of weapons. What all did he want to take with him? He was going to take a few flash grenades of course. They'd provide good distraction once it was time to escape. What else? Definitely hand grenades, granted depending on what he was fighting it could be overkill. His combat knife was already tucked safely behind his back along with his nine-oh-nine handgun tailored to his taste.

Besides extra ammo, the only other thing he loaded himself with was a protective vest that he pulled over his head to cover his chest, and an assault rifle that he strapped to his back for quick access. Then just to be on the safe side, he had his BSAA badge with him in case there just so happened to be some cops hanging around the area. Granted, he doubted he'd really need it with how abandoned this place was.

He was just about to close down the trunk when a car pulled up, the lights blinding him as he lifted up his hand to protect his eyes. He heard doors open and close, his mind processing what to say if these were cops before the voice stopped him dead.

"You weren't planning on going without me, were you?"

"Piers?" The headlights shut off leaving him blinded for a second before his eyes met up with the cocky smirk staring back at him. As Piers started walking towards him, Claire came out from the driver's side walking towards him as well.

"We got worried about you being out here by yourself," Claire said smiling at him. "Besides, Piers said he'd come even if he had to drag himself here."

"It's dangerous," Chris said frowning at the both of them.

"I'm the only one going with you," Piers said stepping forward defiantly. "Claire and I already discussed the plan. If we don't contact her by morning, she's going to call BSAA and let them know what's happening."

"Neither one of you are going with me," Chris said glaring at them both. So many reasons. There were so many reasons, so many what ifs that made him want to turn Piers away. Claire stepped forward to protest but Piers stopped her, holding a hand up as he stared at Chris not even fazed by his glare.

"Right now, you need me," Piers said stepping closer. Whatever discomfort he'd felt in the past around Chris was pushed to the side in place of the more real need to go with the Captain no matter what. "Do you even have a clue about where you're going? If you waste too much time, Leon will die. Hell, you'll probably just get lost and starve to death."

"I'll be fine." Chris turned away to go close the trunk. "I've brought enough provision to last me a few days at least."

"I know these mountains better than anyone else here," Piers said stopping Chris in his tracks. Chris glanced back at him frowning a little at the words. It meant that Piers remembered something else. How much of his memories had he gotten back? Realistically enough, Chris was afraid to know.

"…How much do you know?" Chris asked looking back at him.

Piers hesitated for a moment, seeming surprised by the question before he pushed his chin out clenching his jaws. "I know enough," he said staring at Chris before he looked away eyes traveling back towards the mountains. "I was raised in these mountains. It's where I learned to hunt, to shoot…to kill." The eyes travelled back down to Chris's before he looked down at his feet. "I still don't remember everything exactly…but I do at least know where I'm going here. I can lead us there, to that place. I'm sure it has to be where Leon is." That place?

To Chris, the situation was much more than just being lead in the right direction. He had to worry about Piers getting his memories back, had to worry whether the return of Piers's memories meant they became either friends or enemies. And so far with the way that Wesker was, he had a good guess as to what side Piers would pick. But then he remembered the first time he met the guy, how he looked like he'd been starving, how he had nothing but the white gown for clothing. His wrist and ankles, his neck, the markings that were a sign of captivity.

None of the markings were gone, just more faint than normal. Of course it was hard to tell now with everything covered up. This was the person that Wesker was asking him to bring in exchange for Leon. For what reason? Was it because they had been companions? Lovers? Was it more to it? Was Piers one of his captives he wanted back? He hadn't wanted to bring Piers along. He didn't want to use him as a bargaining tool. Why did Wesker want Piers? What was it that was so special about him?

He didn't have any answers to these questions, but he did know one thing. He had to save Leon. And in order to do that, he'd need all the help he could get. Because even if he did make it through the forest to the location Wesker was waiting at, there was no guarantee he'd find it within the amount of times given to him. He'd heard of many people getting lost on this mountain. The further in a person went, the less likely they'd make it back without some kind of guide to help them. In fact, it was up to a certain point that hikers weren't allowed to go because so many people had gotten lost and never returned. That included those sent out to try and rescue them. It was a mystery and had become something of a myth that might be related to the missing persons report.

"Fine," Chris said sighing giving in against his better judgment. "Suit up with some weapons." Piers's eyes shot up to his before he showed that very cocky smirk he did whenever he got the edge over Leon. "I'll only let you come along if you promise to follow my orders." Because he didn't want him to get hurt. Because he wanted to protect him in the best way possible. And because somewhere deep down he knew that Piers would do anything to protect the people close to him. He could only hope he'd be one of those people by the end of this journey instead of Wesker.

"Yes sir. I swear you won't regret it, Captain." He didn't think hearing the other call him captain again would still give him so many chills. But the way he said it, the way he looked at him when the word rolled off his lips like he knew the effect it would have on Chris didn't make it any better.

Piers walked over to the trunk of the car surveying some things before pulling free some of the items himself. Chris could only stare, watching how naturally he picked up the weapons, how easily his finger grazed over the trigger of the sniper rifle that he strapped to his back. It reminded him of when Piers showed him what he could do back at BSAA, how easily he moved while shooting target after target with easy headshots from the sniper rifle. Piers didn't need any more training. He was already a fully trained soldier. He was used to this. He'd said as much just moments ago. He was trained to kill. How many had he probably already killed before his memories were locked away?

Chris sighed turning his head away quickly, not missing the worried look on Claire's face. She didn't know everything about Piers. She didn't know what his relationship with Wesker was. She didn't know that Piers had probably killed a man or two before he surfaced in Chris's home. She didn't know how his eyes and his personality seemed to change a little when he held a weapon in his hands.

But then again, neither did Chris. Just how much did he really know about the Semi? Would he end up having to watch his back once Piers fully remembered who and what he was? Would Piers betray him and ultimately doom Leon to his death because of his returning memories?

"Head back to the house," Chris said turning to Claire. "If we don't contact you by tomorrow morning, contact the BSAA and alert them to what happened."

"That's too long," she said quickly in protest. "By then it's possible you'd be dead."

"Fine," he said frowning and glancing at Piers catching the other staring at the both of them in confusion. "Three hours at the least. We need time to find Leon before BSAA comes breaking down the doors and scaring the bad guys into killing him."

"Ok." She nodded her head. "I'm keeping my phone on. If you find it's safe, send me a text to let me know you're ok."

"Got it." She stared at him for a moment before she rushed forward hugging him tight making him tense up at the sudden show of affection.

"Come back safe, ok bro?" She smiled stepping back hesitantly before she looked at Piers. "And you too. Make sure to keep my stupid, big brother out of trouble and bring everyone back safe."

"I'll protect him with my life," he said, the weight of his words feeling heavy on Chris's chest. That was only if Piers didn't betray him. And even if he didn't, the idea of Piers dying for Chris was not something he wanted to think about. Betrayal or not, Chris wasn't going to let Piers die if he could avoid it. Because despite everything, he was still a member of Alpha Team. Dying was not an option. Because he would not have a repeat of what happened to Wesker, not this time.

"Captain." The voice calling out his title drew his focus to Piers, the other standing in front of him staring at him before the smallest smile appeared on Piers's face as he held his clenched hand out to him. "Let's go take care of Wesker and save Leon." The small smile served to push away the worry eating away at him as he found himself nodding in response feeling lighter inside as he reached out pushing his closed fist against Piers's.

"Right." He'd worry about the small things later. Saving Leon and defeating Wesker was their main agenda right now. "Let's go." He reached up out of reflex, rubbing behind Piers's ears, watching the desirable lips grow bigger with a cocky twist to them as the Semi grinned at him. There were a lot of things he wanted to do to him right at the moment, things he wanted to express that he'd been keeping suppressed since he learned about his desires. But he forced himself to move, looking up from the confused eyes as he pulled his hand away turning to look towards the mountain.

"It's this way, right?" He pointed, using his words and his body to distract him from the fact that he'd come close to leaning down and just kissing the Semi. Damn, he had it bad. He didn't even look back to wave Claire off, only hearing Claire call after them to be careful before they were disappearing into the darkness of the forest.

He stumbled slightly in the darkness, not at all keen on using any light here if there were enemies or worse roaming about. Whether he was going the right way or not, he wasn't sure. But since Piers never really said anything otherwise, he assumed he was going right. Though, Piers was being even quieter than usual. Maybe from the situation they were having right now? That was his guess anyway.

"This way," Piers said grabbing him by the wrist tugging him in a whole different direction. Chris blinked at the strength of the pull, his eyes focusing in the darkness on the two flickering ears on top of Piers's head. Where did Semi even come from anyway? He couldn't remember them being around when he was a kid. So then were they just a mutated breed of human that was starting the next evolution of their species? Was it an experiment done on humans that combined human and animal DNA into one? What exactly was a Semi?

"We're getting close," Piers said breaking his chain of thought as he followed behind the Semi. How long had they been walking for? He wasn't sure, but by the burn he was feeling in his calves, they'd been walking a good while now. An hour maybe at the least?

"How do you know?"

"I told you, I've been here before," Piers said glancing back at him. "We're close up to where the mansion and laboratory are."

"What mansion?"

"The Spencer mansion." Piers crouched down beside a nearby tree, looking around before he turned his focus on Chris, his eyes seeming to glow in the darkness. He talked in a low voice, as if to avoid being heard by anyone in the vicinity. It put Chris on extra alert, his senses reaching out to hear or see anything that might be around. The silence was deadening. When exactly did they stop hearing the sounds of animals in the forest? Not a cricket or bird chirped in the darkness. It was like sound didn't exist which made him happy that he could at least hear Piers's voice to know they weren't in some strange soundless void. But it also made things feel even more eerie.

"Spencer mansion…" Spencer…the name sounded too familiar to him. Why was that name coming up now?

"…It's owned by Oswell E. Spencer. He's the founder of the Umbrella Corporation alongside Edward Ashford and James Marcus." He winced rubbing at his head, one eye closing though he kept his focus on Chris. "It seems like…I'm remembering more the more I stay around this place." Chris frowned. He wasn't sure what was worse to him, the fact that Umbrella really did have a hand in this whole situation all along, or the fact that Piers was starting to remember things at an alarming rate. How long before Piers started changing on him?

"Let's…keep moving." Make it quick. If he could make this go by quickly, maybe he could get Piers out of there before he fully remembered everything.

"Captain?" Chris didn't give him the chance to ask questions, standing and walking past him moving forward. It took a moment before he felt the other's presence behind him. Skillful, quiet. He couldn't hear a single footfall from the younger male. Were all Semi this quiet when they walked? Or was it because of his training? Had his training been branded into his brain so much that things happened out of reflex? "Captain, watch out!"

He was pushed to the ground before he could react, the sound of something going thunk in the tree behind him made him look up quickly. Piers was still lying on top of him, his eyes focused into the darkness around him as his ears flickered rapidly. "We gotta run. I'm sure they know we're here now."

"They?" Piers didn't let him think on it hard as he stood pulling Chris to his feet before he was running, holding onto Chris's hand to pull him along. Enemies? Were there enemies here? He glanced to the side catching sight of a shadow moving with them before a shot from Piers's gun eliminated the threat as the shadow stumbled over. More shadows took its place, shooting at them from the sounds of it as Chris could hear the bullets whizzing past his ear. If it wasn't for how fast Piers was running, he was sure he'd be shot by now. He was holding his own gun in his hand now, aiming and firing hitting one of the shadows. It wasn't as good as Piers's previous headshot, but it was effective enough. Yet still more of the things were showing up. What the hell was going on so suddenly?

"There!" A small shack up ahead. It wasn't much but it'd be better than running around in the open. There was a lock on the door to prevent anyone from going inside but Piers didn't ever pause as he slammed the butt of his gun down into the lock breaking it solidly before he went inside pulling Chris in with him. The door was shut, the two of them using a long desk on the nearest wall to barricade the door.

It was even darker in here than it'd been when they were outside. There were no windows to help illuminate the room but it was safe enough for Chris to use the flashlight on his gun to shine some light around. Piers was breathing hard, his ear pressed against the door of the shack as he listened. There wasn't any sound of movement, nothing to indicate if their pursuers were still after them. It sure felt like they were sitting ducks right now. Hell, what was stopping the enemy from just shooting the place full of holes and killing them? Or was there something stopping them from doing that?

"Captain, come here." Chris looked towards the voice finding the Semi kneeled down over an opened hatched in the floor. He lifted a brow and walked over to where the Semi was, before kneeling down beside him and shining his flashlight down into the opened space. There was a ladder leading down, but he couldn't see the bottom to determine just how far down it went.

"Where does this lead?"

"I don't really remember but I think it leads to our destination," Piers said frowning. "Right now we don't have much choice but to use it. Not unless you want to risk going back outside. I'm sure they're out there waiting." No. It was better take the risk than to go back out where he knew danger was waiting for them.

"Just stay close," Chris said taking the plunge as he moved working his way down the ladder. He didn't know what kind of traps they might be falling into, but he was determined still to keep Piers safe, even if the other had already been the one doing the saving so far. The way down the ladder felt far too long to him. By the time he reached the bottom he was rotating his arms to relieve the tense muscles as he looked up. How far down were they? He was sure it was far enough that had he just jumped down the hole blindly, he'd have broken every bone in his body.

Piers dropped down beside him, ears flickering as he froze listening for any threats before Chris saw him visibly relax. He looked over at Chris, the flashlight in Chris's hand enough to let Chris see the sparkle in the Semi's eyes before the golden, green hues turned away from him.

"We have to be careful," Piers said looking down the dark tunnel. "I'm not sure why but I think there was something else down here." He started walking, Chris not hesitating to follow along beside him, glancing over at the eyes staring straight ahead. How much was he remembering? How much longer before he remembered everything? He didn't know how long they'd have to walk for, but he'd keep an eye out for whatever threat Piers felt like was here. Because he had a feeling by the quickness the Semi's tail was flickering and how the ears flattened down that even if Piers didn't remember what was down here, it must have been something terrible to put his guard up so strongly.

TBC…