So Piers' plan was for me to sit among all the other soldiers and show myself only when he would give me a sign. I tried to argue but he said that Chris is unpredictable right now and he might do something to me. And Piers didn't want to risk it. So I was sitting at the table that was in the furthest corner of the bar. It was a small bar, not my type really. Most people would just come here to get drunk. By the bar sat Piers with the food he ordered (the food was there because we didn't want to look suspicious, just sitting in a bar with no drinks or food; you could see a few bottles on our table as well) and next to him was Chris. He was already drunk and was still drinking. He emptied his glass.
- Another round. – He said loudly to the woman behind the bar. Piers was right; Chris looked like shit. The woman reluctantly opened the bottle. I could see that Piers murmured something to Chris, but he didn't pay much attention to the young soldier. The bartender poured half of Chris' glass.
- Fill her up! – Chris ordered.
- You've had enough. – The woman answered with a Slavish accent.
- Listen, sweetheart. - Chris said grabbing the bottle form the woman's hands. *Oh, God. Chris.* I thought as I watched everything with slight disgust. – You're here to pour drinks and look pretty, so how about you shut your mouth?
Chris filled up his glass, but the woman grabbed and splashed the contents of the glass on Chris' face. Piers was watching carefully, waiting for an opportunity to cut into the conversation. The woman's reaction didn't really surprise me. I mean seriously, Chris really crossed the line there.
- How about you get the hell out of my bar?! – The woman yelled at the older soldier. Chris took a few steps back, still with the bottle in his hands and drunk as hell.
- Nowhere to go. – He murmured walking away from the bar. He obviously had no intention of leaving, because a bald man stood in front of him and told him something in a foreign language. Chris didn't pay any attention and walked past the man hitting his shoulder. The man turned around.
- I said she asked you to leave. – The man said grabbing Chris' shoulder, but the soldier quickly grabbed him and slammed him into a table.
- Chris. – I said barely audibly standing up, but one of the soldiers that was by my side, grabbed me by the hand and pulled me back down on my chair. I watched in horror as Chris swung the bottle back and was ready to smash it into the bald man's head. That wasn't the same man that saved me from Rockfort Island. No. In front of me stood someone else, someone, whom I've never seen before.
Before Chris could hit the man with the bottle, Piers grabbed his arm. Chris snapped his head towards Piers, angry look on his face.
- Never thought I'd find Chris Redfield wasting away in a shithole like this. – Piers told him seriously. Chris freed his arm form Piers' hold and sat down at the table that was beside him.
- Who the hell are you? – Chris slurred. Piers grabbed a chair and sat in front of Chris.
- Piers… - He said. – Piers Nivans.
- Never heard o'ya. – Chris slurred not even looking at the sniper.
- How about this? – Piers took out his phone and showed something in it to Chris. – You heard of this?
- What is that? – Chris asked looking at the phone.
- You really don't remember anything, do you? Bioterrorism.
- Bio… - Chris started and then grabbed his head. Piers motioned for me to come to him. I did as I was told and took a seat next to Piers'. Chris looked suspiciously at me.
- What about her? – Piers asked. – Do you remember her? – Chris laughed a bit as his drunken eyes looked at me.
- I'm sure I'd remember a pretty face like that. – He slurred.
- Jesus. – I murmured furiously as I ran a hand through my hair. Piers looked sadly at me.
- That voice. – Chris spoke eyeing me. Piers and I looked at him. – You're… You're Minnie. – My eyes widened.
- You remember me? – I asked hopefully.
- Sorry, no. – He slurred again. – I remember the name that's it. I have absolutely no idea who in the hell are you. – He said looking away from us.
- You can't hide from your past Chris. – Piers said. – No matter where you go or what you do. – By the look on Chris' face you could easily say that was starting to panic.
- Who are you? – He asked, panic clear in his voice. – What is this?
- OK… - Piers said calmly. – You don't remember me? – He started tapping on his phone. I saw photos and names of the soldiers who died in Edonia appear on the screen. But one name made my heart skip a beat. *Finn McCauley*. – Well, how about them? – Piers asked as he showed the photos to Chris. The older man turned his gaze away. – Look! – Piers ordered. – I said look! – Piers slammed his fist at the table, stood up from his chair and shoved the phone in front of Chris' face.
- Piers. – I said, trying to calm him down.
- Those were your men! – Piers continued, ignoring me. At least now Chris was paying attention to him. – Men who died under your command! You owe it to them to remember, Chris! – I grabbed Piers' hand in order to make him calm down. – If you walk away now then this was all for nothing!
- Enough! – Chris yelled as he pushed Piers' phone away from his face.
- Piers, that's enough! – I yelled as I yanked him down by the hand on his chair.
- Damn it! – Piers said disappointed. – 6 months of searching for you and this is what I find! – He knocked down an empty bottle that was on the table.
Piers looked away furious and I kept looking straight into Chris, sadness visible in my eyes. *He doesn't remember anything.* I thought. *I can't believe that I will lose him so easily.* Chris looked at me and Piers, then narrowed his eyes looking at the BSAA logo sewed onto Piers' jacket sleeve.
- BSAA… - Chris whispered. Piers turned his head and looked at Chris.
- Yeah. – I said smiling a bit.
- It's where you belong. – Piers added. – Everyone's waiting.
- Everyone? – Chris asked confused. Piers turned his head a bit to the side and motioned for the soldiers to show themselves. The next moment almost all of the men dressed casually stood up from their tables and walked to our table.
- We're taking you back, Captain. – Piers said. – One way or another.
Chris looked suspiciously at us, but agreed to come along.
When we were leaving the bar, I heard Piers talking to other soldiers about what should they do now. I walked closer to them.
- We have to sober him up. – I pointed out. – I mean look at him. He can barely walk straight and he's slurring. We should let him sleep it off through the night. He'll be as good as new in the morning, trust me. – I looked at Chris leaning at a wall and something caught my eye. – Is that a bottle in his hand?
I approached him and saw the glass container filled with booze in his hand. I extended my hand.
- You're not taking it with you, Chris. – I said. – Give it to me.
- What? – He slurred at me. By now Piers was standing by my side.
- I said give me the bottle, Chris. – I repeated.
- No! It's mine!
- Stop acting like a child, Chris. Give it! – I yanked the bottle from out of his grasp and poured its contents on the ground. – Let's just get him to the hotel. – I murmured as Piers took a hold of his swirling Captain and we made our way to the hotel that we were staying in.
Since there were no empty rooms, Piers agreed to stay with Chris in his room. The other soldiers went to their rooms and now it was only me, Chris and Piers standing in front of the door to Piers' room. The sniper was keeping his Captain steady. Piers put a hand into his pocket, fished out a key and threw it to me.
- Unlock the door, Minnie. – He asked. I nodded and did as I was told.
- Yeah, pretty face, open it. – Chris slurred. I turned to look at him, my eyes wide. I was ready to say something back, but then I noticed Piers who was trying to hide a smile.
- What's so funny… pup? – I threw him a smug look and continued with my work. *The damn lock won't open.*
- You have to hand it to him, - Piers said, not even a little bit phased by what I've said earlier, – even in this condition, he has good taste in women.
I froze a bit at what he said, but luckily the door unlocked and I could let them both in, pretending I didn't hear what he said. Piers helped Chris in and sat him down on a chair by the small table that was in the room. I followed behind them quietly. *I've waited for this moment for 6 fucking months and yet he doesn't even recognize me.* I thought sadly.
- I'll make the bed, and you'll be able to go to sleep. – Piers said making the bed.
- Where will you sleep? – I asked him.
- I'll sleep on the floor or in the chair. – He answered me. – Hey, I'm a soldier; I'm used to sleeping anywhere.
- I'm not going to bed until I finish this. – I heard Chris say and when I turned to him I saw him take a bottle from out of his jacket filled with some sort of liquid. Obviously it wasn't lemonade.
- I thought you got rid of that bottle. – Piers said as he stood in front of Chris.
- That's another one. – Chris slurred. – You think one bottle is enough for me?
- Come on, Chris. – Piers said walking closer to him. – Let's get you to bed.
- I told you I'm not going until I finish this! – Chris slammed his fist onto the table.
- Oh, God. – I said. – Whatever, let him drink it. It's not like one bottle will make a difference here. – I added, Piers just shrugged and walked away from the table.
- And I want you to keep me company, pretty face. – Chris slurred again.
- What?! – Piers and I said in unison.
- I want her to keep me company. – He pointed at me.
- I don't think that's a good idea. – Piers said standing in front of me protectively.
- I will not start drinking until she joins me. – Chris slurred stubbornly. Before anyone could say anything, I stepped into the conversation.
- You know what? Fine. – I said as I moved closer to the table. – I'll keep you company, but when this bottle is empty you will go to sleep. – I said annoyed and Chris just nodded.
- Are you sure about this? – Piers murmured to my ear. I shivered a bit and remembered what happened in this same room about an hour ago. I took a deep breath.
- Don't worry, I've been through high school, I know what it means to drink. – I said as I sat by the table in front of Chris. Piers brought two glasses and Chris filled them up.
I have to be honest. Yes, I know what it means drinking alcohol. In my high school years I went to almost all parties, I drank a lot of alcohol there and I usually was the last one standing in the party. I was and am a pretty good drinker. But then I was drinking with people who were my age. And Chris… He's more than 2 times older than me and he's 3 times bigger than me. I drank with Chris once, and let's just say my evening ended hugging the toilet. But now Chris is already drunk so maybe I stand a chance of keeping up with him.
I grabbed the filled glass and drank it all up just like Chris did. The moment I swallowed the booze I knew this evening won't be a calm one. It was vodka and every time I would drink vodka, I would always do something stupid.
PIERS' POV.
I didn't like the idea that Minnie was drinking. I already had one drunk on my hands, I didn't need another one. But deep inside, I knew that this wasn't the only reason. I wanted to protect her from harm, that's why I didn't want her seeing Chris the way he is now. I didn't want her feeling hurt. I know I have developed some sort of feelings for the girl that's sitting right in front of me and is trying to out drink my Captain. I still wasn't quite sure what those feeling were, but I knew they were more than just between comrades or brother and sister. Over the 6 months that I was searching for Chris, there was another person that would pop into my head. I was more anxious than I should have been writing an e-mail to her, reporting about our search results. And then there was the day when we finally found Chris and I called her. Before hearing her voice everything seemed to be fine. But when she said the first words (even though she sounded annoyed) I then understood how much I actually missed her. And of course there is the… event that happened some time ago in this exact room. I don't know what the fuck happened to me. I mean, I have a mission that I have to complete no matter what. And yet I've let myself get carried away, but at that moment I didn't really care.
A loud thud brought me back to reality. Minnie slammed her glass on the table.
- Done! – She announced rather loudly. I looked at the table and saw the already empty bottle of booze. Chris had his elbow on the table and his head was leaning against his hand. He was barely awake. – I held my end of the bargain, Chris. Now got to bed. – Minnie leaned against the back of her chair.
Chris mumbled something that couldn't be understood, so I just walked up to him. I took his arm and helped him up. He was so drunk that he could barely stand on his feet, so I almost had to carry him to the bed.
When the Captain was finally in the bed and started snoring loudly, I walked up to Minnie who was still sitting on the chair.
- How are you feeling? – I asked, looking straight into her eyes.
- I'm fine. – She smiled at me. Her eyes were a bit bleary, but that was the only thing that showed that she had been drinking. She wasn't slurring, wasn't making any uncoordinated moves. *She must be a heavy drinker.* I thought. – I think I should go. We have a difficult day tomorrow.
I nodded, not really wanting her to leave. She quickly stood up from the chair but immediately fell back down on it, her head in her hands. I kneeled next to her.
- What's wrong? – I asked concerned. She held her head for a few moments and then she started falling from the chair into my direction. I caught her and looked at her. – Minnie, what's going on?
- Oooooh, nothing. – She slurred. – I think the alcohol is finally taking an effect on me. – She giggled like a little girl. – I knew I shouldn't have moved from that chair.
She was drunk as hell. *There goes the heavy drinker theory.* I thought sarcastically.
- Come on. – I said holding her tightly. – Let's get you to your room. You need to rest. – I literally pulled her up from the floor and she dug her nails into my jacket.
- I'm dizzy, Piers. – She whined. – Don't make quick moves. – I couldn't help but laugh at this.
- Sorry. – I steadied her on her feet and started leading her to the door.
- Don't walk so fast, Piers, I'm dizzy. – She whined again. I let her out the door.
- You do whine a lot. – I murmured as I closed the door to my room behind my back.
- What did you say?! – She quickly turned her drunken emerald eyes at me.
- Nothing. – I smiled and led her to her room.
- No. I heard you say something! – She was talking louder than necessary. – Tell me!
- Minnie, be quiet. – I clasped my hand over her mouth gently. – You'll wake the whole hotel up.
- Then tell me, Piers. – She whispered when I removed my hand from her mouth.
- Nothing. – I repeated just as quietly.
- Tell me or I will yell. – She said pouting her lips. She looked like a child but nevertheless cute.
- OK. I said that you'll have a huge hangover tomorrow. - I lied.
- Oh, don't worry. – She replied happily. – No matter how much I drink, I will remember everything the next morning and won't have a hangover. I just don't have hangovers. Simple as that. – She giggled. I just smiled as we reached the door to her room.
- Where's the key, Minnie? – I asked, holding her in front of me.
- The key? – She slurred. – Oh, the key to the door. – She giggled again. This evening was really testing my patience. She looked around. – I don't have it, Piers. – She said matter-of-factly. I just sighed.
- OK, then we'll do it my way. – I said and I propped her against the wall. I searched the front and back pockets of her jeans. Only then I noticed how nicely the fabric clung to her body. The jeans brought out her hips and legs beautifully, and the blouse pointed out her slim waist and breasts. If the situation was any different I wouldn't take my eyes off her perfect body and beautiful face. Even though she was drunk and could barely stand on her feet, she still looked like a goddess. *That's enough, Piers.* I snapped myself out of my fantasy. I had a job to do, so I had to focus on it.
I felt the key in one of her front jeans' pockets and took it out.
- You stay still. – I said as I steadied her against the wall once again. – I'll unlock the door and you'll be able to go to sleep.
She just nodded, her head bent down, eyes closed. This day took a lot of energy from her and the drinking match with Chris didn't help at all. I started unlocking the door, but the lock wouldn't budge. *They should really do something about these jamming locks.* I thought as I tried to open the door.
- Piers. – I heard Minnie murmur quietly.
- Yeah? – I asked, still busy with the lock.
- Piers. – She said again.
- Just a minute, Minnie.
- Piers, I'm falling.
*What the…?* I thought as I turned to Minnie. And there she was, sliding against the wall to the side. I caught her before she could hit the ground. By now she almost wasn't capable of standing on her own (that's what happens when you're tired and drunk at the same time), so I had to hold her with one arm and try to open the jammed door with the other.
- I'm tired, Piers. – She mumbled so quietly that it was almost impossible to hear.
- Just a little bit longer. – I told her as the door finally opened.
Since Minnie had lost her ability to walk, I picked her up bridal style and carried into her room, closing the door behind me. I put her gently on the bed and took off her shoes. I pulled the covers over her when her eyes snapped open, horror filling them.
- What's wrong? – I asked a bit concerned.
She quickly sat up in bed and sat still for a few moments. *Maybe she dreamed of something.* I thought as I put my hands on her shoulders and tried to lay her down. She just pushed my hands away, shaking her head a bit.
- I get nauseous when I lay down. – She said breathing heavily.
- OK. You want to go to the bathroom in case you get nauseous again? – I asked looking at her. She just shook her head.
- I'll be fine as long as I don't lie down. – I smiled at her. Even though her eyes were still dazed and she still slurred a bit, but it looked like she was starting to regain control of what she says and does. As I was turning around to leave, the girl grabbed my hand. – Could you stay with me until I fall asleep?
- What? – I laughed a bit, because I really didn't expect to hear these words from Minnie Sledge.
- Could you stay with me until I fall asleep? It's easier for me to fall asleep when someone is with me. – She slurred a bit.
- Sure, no problem. – I said as I sat down on the bed beside her. I could feel fatigue consume my body, but the thought of staying here kept me going.
- Thank you, Piers. – She said as she leaned against the back of the bed with her eyes closed.
- You know. – I pointed out. – While I was taking you to your room, you called me by my name more times than during all the time we've spent in Edonia. Do I have to get you drunk every time I want you to call me by my name?
- Don't be ridiculous. – She laughed. – It's not that I want to offend you by calling you a pup. Well, at the beginning, yes I must confess, I wanted to offend you. But after some time I got used to you, and I didn't have anything against you.
- Then why do you keep doing it?
- Because I like teasing you. – She giggled.
- What?! – My eyes almost popped out of their orbits when she said that.
- Yeah. Whenever I tease you, you get that look on your face…
- Annoyance. – I explained the look she was talking about.
- Not really. – She said seriously. – At first it maybe was annoyance, but then it changed to something else. It was annoyance mixed with something. And you look so cute when you have that grimace on your face. – She giggled again. *Is this girl serious?* I couldn't understand if this was a joke or not.
She sat up once again, but this time she came closer to me.
- I acted like a bitch at first, I know. But I just want you to know that I never really hated you. To be honest, I like being with you and I wanted to apologize. – She looked up at me with puppy dog eyes. I couldn't help but laugh a bit at how embarrassed she looked.
- Come here, you. – I said as I draped my arm over her shoulders and pulled her closer to me. – Everything's fine. You have nothing to apologize for, Minnie. – I felt her small arms snake around me and hug me back.
To be honest only one thought ran through my mind over and over again. *I like being with you.* This made me happy. Really. Even if these were the words spoken when she was drunk, but you know what they say: sober thoughts, drunken words.
- When this is over… - She said still holding me tightly, but her voice showed that she was dozing off to sleep. - … maybe we could… meet in a… nicer place.
I looked down at her and smiled. She was asleep, her head against my chest and her arms still around me. I gently laid her down on the bed and pulled the covers over her.
- Anytime, beautiful. – I whispered.
- Thank you, Piers. – With that she grabbed the collar of my shirt and pulled me closer to her. In a second our lips connected and I could feel the taste of vodka on her lips. As much as I would have liked to continue this, I knew I couldn't because I didn't want to take advantage of her. I gently moved away from her lips.
- Don't do something you might regret in the morning, Minnie. – I said gently.
- I… won't. – And with that she fell asleep. I quietly left the room. Tomorrow is going to be one hell of a day.
And here's Chapter 10. I hope you didn't get too bored waiting for this chapter. Sorry if I took too long to post it, but I only have 2 hours a day to write my story. BUT don't start making the wrong conclusions just yet. The story is finished, I only have it in my notebook, so all I need to do is type the story to my cpmuter and then post it here. So you can be assured that I WILL finish this story ^_^ Also, I want to thank EVERYONE who reviewed my story ^_^ I hope you liked the chapter and will continue reading my creations ^_^ And as always I'm looking forward to your reviews and opinions and see you all next time ^_^