Disclaimers: I do not own anything out of Resident Evil. All of the contents belongs to Capcom.

Chapter XXII: By My Name

'It's Jake.' - Jake Muller

Raccoonia Castle

Time passed quickly since the Queen was gone - or at least to some people who paid no mind to the Queen - some counted every day she was gone.

Jill Valentine lost her status as the Queen's personal stewardess ever since Gabrielle was gone. Wesker took pity on her and he refused to demote her, claiming that she had done her duty well up until now. Instead, Wesker allowed her to remain in her position and everyone was to treat her as such like before. However, Jill must now too take on the same duty as Claire to maintain the Palace which the latter was elated for the extra help from her best friend.

Jake Wesker, for an instance. It was the thirtieth day since he first counted and throughout these days, few people notice the drastic change in him. Unlike most who thought that the Prince who waste the rest of his days drowning in ale, General Redfield and General Kennedy were pleasantly surprised that the Prince consulted them steadily; all for one purpose: To learn.

Economics, states of affair, the militia, diplomacy, even the interior of the Palace - anything involved politics and everything that his King father did. Jake was preparing for the day when he will be a part of the court, and he will be voicing his own opinion and the Senator had nothing to say about it.

There was a reason why Jake decided that he will find these two men to tutor him: Sherry.

It was her suggestion that he would start from them, convincing that these two Generals who be trustworthy enough: General Kennedy being her savior and General Redfield being the brother (in-law) of her savior, not to mention that both were good men.

Although there was still one problem that Jake still try to find a solution: about his and Sherry's relationship. They were being too discreet about their relationship that the others label them as ambiguous, they can't even hold hand in the vicinity of others. He knew that Sherry was still doubtful of them establishing their status - not that she doubted if Jake would be the right guy for her - she feared the impact of them being together, nothing will change the fact that she was a nobody and Jake was the future King of Raccoonia.

Sherry still couldn't get over the fact that there was a huge gap between them.

Tonight, it was his opportunity to change her point of view.

It was a night of another heavy rainstorm that Sherry hurdles herself away in her own bed. Tucking the sheets above her head and covered her ears so that it would drown out whatever noises outside. The occasional flashes made her cringed, and she cower herself under her pillow so that she couldn't see. It was cold and dark for her to handle.

In conjunction with the deafening crackles of the thunder, that was why Sherry couldn't hear at all the sound of her door opening and closing. She was frightened enough, more so when a hand grabbed her shoulder that Sherry curled herself even more, "W-Who's there?" She shrieked, hoping that the occupant next door could hear her. She tried to tear her arm away from the assailant.

"Shh... it's me, Supergirl."

The low whisper made Sherry's resistant ceased completely. She felt the sheet tugged away from her head so that she could see her surroundings, it was pitch-black, but she could make out his large build and his short hair. She had meant to ask why was he here in her room but Jake commanded her to scoot over in which she obliged.

Jake slid into the cover next to hers with Sherry with the woman gauging his next movement, until he pulled her in with him that her head made contact with his... bare chest. The hot skin sent flushes to her cheek and she tensed instantly when she realized that the Prince was naked up top.

"P-Prince..." Her words stuck in her throat. The heat was making her dizzy.

"Shut up, Sherry. I had no intention to leave and you're not going to stop me."

The next flash of lighting made her wince again and this time, Jake got her. He entwined his legs with her shorter ones and carefully slipped on arm over her waist and the other into her hair, shushing her quietly. Sherry surrendered, and she pressed her cheek close to his heart while her arms wound themselves around her shoulders. God he felt so wonderful.

"I hate being a Prince." His sudden statement made her eyes snapped open and she pulled away slightly. He didn't know if she could see his smiling but he stroked her hair as he continued, "Now I hate it even more."

"Why would you think like that, your Highness?" She asked.

He sighed softly, breath fanning her bangs and he kissed her there, "All because of you."

She had meant to say more but he kept her silenced by placing his finger over her lips.

"Don't you think it was what keeping us like this, Sherry? Nobody even know if we are an item... Heck, you never even had called me by my name even once."

"Prince, I—"

"It's Jake." He stated firmly, "Call me."

She shuddered, hands shaking behind his shoulder as she swallowed, "...J-Jake." She cursed herself for purring his name. But it made him happy that he smirked and ordered her to say it again, until she was comfortable doing so. So, she called him over and over again to the time when she finally get his name right without her word stuttered or her jaws tremble.

"Very good... Now I want you to call me that every time, is that clear?"

"But—"

"I will leave immediately if you refuse to obey."

He felt her tugging him, trying to held onto him, "No.. no, don't leave... Jake."

Who would?

Jake chuckled as he returned her embrace with the same force she applied to him and he pressed a fervent kiss to her forehead which made her shivered. But there was still one thing he intended to do... Jake leaned away slightly so he could get into eye level with Sherry. He knew she was trying to gauge his next movement and this time, he surprised her.

He pressed his lips on hers.

It was soft and gentle like feather, Jake subtly tasting her and was glad that she didn't push him away; instead she was returning the favor. Contemplating whether he should push past the line, his questions were answered when he felt her hot tongue licking at his bottom lips. He growled and rolled himself on top of her.

"I always wanted you to see me not as a Prince." He breathed once they pulled away for breaths, staring down onto her was breathtaking, "See me as a man, Sherry."

She placed both palms on the side of his cheeks and smiled, "I always see you as one. And you are a wonderful man, Jake. You are becoming the man everyone wants you to be. What I want you to be."

Sherry pulled him down for another kiss, shivers shot up her spine when she felt Jake's fingers lingered over her thin layer of clothing. "Jake..." Her eyes were alight with everything he wanted to see in her.

"Kiss me."

She woke up with a stir and realized promptly the empty cold spot beside her bed. The day was still dark but it had brightened slightly that she could see the blue out her pulled curtain. Her legs curled that her knees touched her chest... why did it seemed so cold this morning unlike any other day?

Sherry groggily sat up, the sheets falling off from her chest. Then she gasped when the chilly breeze assaulted her full front and that's when she realized that she was thoroughly exposed. She heard the door creaked and she squeaked, entering no other than Jake Wesker himself with a loppy grin on his face, still in his same attire last night without a cloth on top.

"Morning, Supergirl. Sleep well?" He smirked wryly, clearly enjoying his view.

Flustered, Sherry covered herself up to her chest with the blanket. Luckily the room was still not brightened or else he could see the redness coloring her face. She heard water splashes then, when she turned to look over what was happening, she finally noticed the little candles under the tin bathtub in the middle of her room and steam coming out from the tub.

Jake had made a bath for her.

"Pri—" His brow knitted disapprovingly. "J-Jake, you... shouldn't have done that... what if anyone sees you and they thought that I—"

Jake discarded the bucket by setting it aside and hovered to her bed, leaning forward and planting a soft kiss on her lips to silence her. The expression was priceless, "Relax, Supergirl, no one was around back then, it was only wee of the morning." He chuckled and kissed her again, "And I think it's time I prepare the bath for you today, since that was what you do everyday."

"I'm sorry for troubling you, Jake."

Nose scrunched, he huffed, "Nah, it wasn't a big deal drawing the water for me. I only need three trips and I am done. Two at a time." She smiled, it only made sense for him since he was so buffy and all. He could lift an adult horse no problem at all.

"So... umm... can you?" She gestured to her blankets, to show that she was indecent underneath and she needs Jake to turn away somewhere. The man frowned at her, eyeing at the offending piece of thread before glaring at her again.

"Who said you are going in alone?"

Her eyes widen.

"I'm sure it's big enough for two."

Raccoonia Castle

Sherry insisted that she will still be calling him by the usual 'Prince' and 'Your Highness' in the presence of others, although she did promised that she will oblige him to call him by his name whenever she find it suitable, as if, like last night. Jake made emphasis that if she didn't keep up with her promise, there will be consequences to pay.

So far, only a handful knew of their relationship was official: Piers Nivans being the first, then Jill Valentine, Claire Redfield Kennedy (from Jill), General Redifeld (from his sister), General Kennedy (from Chris) and a few of Sherry's close friends (courtesy of General Kennedy).

Jake and Sherry were on their way to see Chris again until Claire came up to them hastily.

"Prince... Lady Graham—"

Jake quirked an eyebrow. He thought that Ashley had left with with Simmons before the funeral. He hadn't seen her in a while that he had nearly forgotten her. Perhaps she had heard too about his and Sherry's establishment that she was too embarrassed to see him.

"She will be departing to Tall Oaks in the next hour. The Lady wishes to see you," she breathed, "and Sherry."

"Me?"

Claire ignored the interruption, "The Lady was supposed to stay a little while longer but she received a news from Tall Oaks that she have to return immediately. "

"Lord Simmons has passed last night. Die by fire in his own study."

They were equally shocked by the sudden news too, Derek Simmons was just having a ball in this very castle two weeks ago, and the next instant he was too gone. Sherry could imagine how the Harper sisters would rejoice to hear that the bastard had burnt to death.

So, they went over to the front castle where the castle gate is and there were horses and a few guards stood ready for Lady Graham, preparing to leave. Even from a distance, they could tell that Ashley was visibly saddened by the sudden passing of her godfather. Emily was standing next to her with a duffelbag of belongings.

When Jake came over to the orphan , she greeted him as usual but she was weary.

"You are going back home so soon?" He asked.

Ashley nodded with a sad smile, "Yes, Lord Simmons had passed and I must be there for him." She shrugged, "I thought... I wanted to say goodbye because I will not know if I can ever return to this Palace anymore."

"What do you mean, I thought you can come and go as you please?" Jake added.

Ashley shook her head solemnly, "That was because my godfather was Lord Simmons. And now that he was no more, I am sure that the House of Simmons will collapse without him. Need to find myself a place to stay when that time comes."

"What about your stepmother, that lady with short hair who always wears red?"

"You mean Ada Wong?" She sneered, "She left as soon as my father's body was recovered from the ashes."

Jake always hated Ashley's bratty nature, but now he couldn't but to feel sorry to hear that her family had now collapse with the lost of their pillar of strength, Lord Derek Simmons. Ashley Graham was the only one left in the House of Simmons, whom he was sure that she couldn't handle very well on her own, now that even that Wong lady had fled too.

"Hey," He said, softly, "if you need anything at all, you can just tell us."

"Thank you, your Highness... And Sherry?"

The aforementioned stuttered when the Lady suddenly called her name. Sherry had still her own hostility to Ashley after the incident they had in the Palace, hoping that she would forget it soon. To her relief, Ashley gave her a smile mirroring to the one she gave to Jake, "Take care of the Prince, okay?"

Their friendship might have stretched for a little while with all the dramas in between but it wasn't too late to always start one.

"Certainly."

King's Study, Afternoon

"I've heard that Simmons is dead." Empty as it sounded, even Krauser could sense the glee in the King's statement when Krauser went to visit him that noon, and to run an errand for the King too. Albert stared out to the lake through the glass and relished in the sight; the water seemed to sparkled now that the thorn inside him had been removed permanently.

His boots thudded as Albert walked to Krauser who had both his arms lifted, presenting a letter with a lipstick mark pressed onto the envelope - the name of the recipient was obviously himself.

Heard the news already, your Highness? Simmons is dead. He wasn't at all pleased with this little surprise you planned for him, not when he learned that Edonia will never be his, nor his life again. But I'll say that most of all he resented, was that the fact that I was never his, because he cursed his God for being cruel to him. Flattering.

As planned, Simmons died by succumbed to the venom you asked me to invent for him; sadistic if you ask me - to see him as his insides rot before his prominent death - but that will be double the payment. And to burn every documented archives in his study like you had insisted me no matter what? Well, your Majesty, triple of the payment won't be a trouble for you now, hmm?

I will meet with General Krauser again with the payment. He's pretty interesting the last time I've seen him at Simmons' last party...

Oh, I have delivered your last message to Simmons before his last seconds. He had a reply for you; 'Go to hell, Wesker.'

That will be all then. See you.

The letter ended with another lipstick mark.

"Do not play with fire, Simmons. You will only burn yourself." He echoed after, those were the words he wished that he could say to Simmons himself but having a woman to refer the message for him. Another dark laughter followed, it was as if to tell that Simmons Albert would be having the last laugh in the end.

Krauser bent his head further below for his eyes to avoid meeting with the King's sadist ones.

"Now, about Ada Wong..." Albert said as a matter of factly, "I supposed she deserved her reward after all. She'd delivered a wondrous job."

"But sir, your Majesty," Albert raised a brow at the hint of skepticism in Krauser, "Is she trustworthy enough to keep the secret?"

Albert didn't respond immediately, but the pause showed no reluctant in Wesker, "Ada Wong is no simple woman, Krauser. She knew what she is doing so the worry will be unnecessary. You are to deliver her reward just as requested." Without turning to look at the unsatisfied General, Wesker gave him a small nod of reassurance and added just for his sake, "If she showed any signs, you may eliminate her as you please."

It would be Albert's initial plan to do so to. Trying as she may to lay low, Ada Wong had her own infamy in the underworld of being a a vexing - yet unpredictable assassin who had a clean sweep of record having never to fail her assignment. Her alignment never stayed in one side, as Wong never pledge her service to anyone, never stayed in one place for long, never used the same method to accomplish her assassination.

Never would she decline a job given to her.

In other words, she was a threat to him sooner or later.

It's best if he will tie all the loosened knots together if he would ever get the supremacy he craved for.

The loyal knight gave a bow to his King and easily accepted his order.

"I shall see to it. Worry not, your Majesty."

Once the General was dismissed, leaving the King of Raccoonia alone in his study, Albert went over to his desk, bend his body down to where the bottom drawer is and searched through the contents - one piece old old, yellowing folded in half paper. There were no words in there, just a drawing that Albert seemed to held resentment for.

Red serpent.

"Your sacrifice is not in vain, my friend."

Courtyard, Afternoon

"I'm glad to see that you fare better, Jill."

She nodded slightly at the compliment, a smile adorned on her face. Jake and Sherry had decided to pay the late Queen's stewardess a visit after she had somewhat 'demoted' to what she was now, despite that the King stated that her status as one remain permanent. Jill had resorted herself to be cleaning with the regular maids although she knew her position the same as Claire Redfield. The ladies honored her as such.

"Well, your Highness, I am too glad to see that you too fare well. Especially with Sherry, your Highness. I suppose the two of you were official since last night?"

"Wait, Jill..." Sherry's face redden, "Y-You knew?"

The brunette snorted, she waved her hands dismissively, "Chris was escorting me back to my room last night and we happened to pass by your room... and we heard... noises."

Oh, the looks that Chris and Piers keep making to each other at the training that morning! And how they tried to avoid gazes with the pair at all times. No wonder Piers faltered so easily to Jake on the training, he was distracted! Sherry cupped her face in embarrassment and Jake was not disturbed at all, in fact, he was grinning back at Jill and nodded.

"Oh, Sherry. You have nothing to be ashamed about! We are all happy for the both of you." Jill giggled at the younger woman.

Just then, enter another bulky man that all knew well. Chris Redfield's armored boot went clunking down the wooden floor, amused by the whole situation. Sherry's already scarlet face brightened when Chris threw her and Jake a meaningful smile. "Having fun with the young lady I see." He commented gruffly, bowing to the Prince and he received a nod in reply.

"What brings you here, Redfield?"

The latter explained that he was there to visit Valentine too, in which the woman complained that the General had been spending too much time on her, it was already the fifth visit he had paid to her in that day. Jill insisted to the General already that she had already gotten over herself.

"I don't believe you." Chris countered, waving off Jill's insistence, "I will still be seeing you later on."

Jake smirked, "See that, Supergirl? We aren't the only lovebirds going on around here." He tugged Sherry by her arm and nudged her to the exit, "C'mon, let's get outta here. Seeing these two is enough to make us going all sappy."

After the two younger pair left, leaving only Redfield alone with Valentine, all the man could say is this.

"The Prince said that on purpose."

"I agree. He knew about us too already."

With a small smile, Chris leaned in and kissed Jill on her temple, "So how've you been, Jill?"

Kennedy's Residence, Night

General Leon Kennedy went nowhere for tonight. His wife insisted that he will not be leaving the house with the hail outside, winter is nearing that the weather turned bad recently. Leon had a coat on, sitting alone by the dining table while waiting for Claire to emerge from the kitchen with his supper. The lousy wind blistering on his window made sleeping difficult for the husband and wife.

Tonight was going to be a long night.

"You done yet, Claire?" He leaned back against his chair, tipped his head over to see the red-hair as the woman worked with the stove. He heard a huff in reply and he smirked, teasing off his wife was lots of fun.

That was until he heard heard a sharp bang upstairs where their room was.

Both stopped with what they were, Claire turned the stove off as her eyes trailed upward to the same direction where Leon had. He came to a stand, thumbed to the ceiling and ask for his leave, "Must be the hail blown the window off, I'll check it out."

"Alright. Make it fast, we don't want the rain to ruin the bed sheets."

He was already a few steps ahead when he gave is wife a reply. Taking two steps at a time to ascend the spiral staircase, the General made his way across the hall where his bedroom was. The door was open, and he remembered that it was always closed.

Leon was on the doorway when he froze over.

A dark silhouette sitting on his window. Short hair, feminine legs crossed over the frame as Leon draw his sword from his waist, shouting out his warning to whoever it was.

He fidgeted when the figure turned over so that her feet touched the carpet inside the room, she made no move to stand and to this point, Leon had no idea who it was intruding his house.

Assassin?

Shit, he need to warn Claire...

"Hello there, Sir Kennedy. We meet again."

A woman. It was a woman. However, Leon had not relaxed his vigilance and glared holes into her, the dark obscured his view from identifying the figure. He drawled when she finally landed her feet onto the carpet and came to a stand. Leon threatened her that he will attack but she ignored him, walking over to the corner where the candle is and lit it up.

Now he could see her face.

His stance slackened, "...Hey, you are Simmons' woman."

She smiled, her red lipstick shone on the dim candlelight, "It's Ada. Ada Wong." Casually she took a seat on the bed and crossed her legs sultrily again, "And by the way, I am not Simmons' woman, Sir Kennedy. Not ever."

Claire better not see this.

"Why are you here?" He demanded, praying that Claire will remain downstairs somehow.

"Just passing by." She replied nonchalantly, "And... to drop off a gift to you."

Per said, Ada pressed a package flat onto the table into what seemed to be a piece of paper. She gave it a small pat, beckoning Leon to accept the 'gift' but the man made it clear that he will not, unless she back away. So she did, Ada waved her hand casually at him as she returned to where she used to enter the house. Her legs dangled off the window, out to the rainy night and was ready to leave the place.

"Oh, before I forget..." her short hair swayed against the wind when she turned her head to him one last time, "Simmons' death wasn't an accident. It was foul play."

"...You are the one who murdered him?"

She smiled, tearing her eyes away from his and searched at the dark, "Yes and no. He died by my hands, yes. But it wasn't really my intention to want him... not to be alive anymore. Well, go on and open the gift I left you, I am sure you'll find something there."

At this point, Leon was more confused than to be alert to the mysterious intruder. She posed to threat to him, but she offered him information, "Why are you telling me all this?"

"Simply because I think you are cute." She winked.

And dropped down the building.

"Wait!"

Leon chased after her trail, peering down the window, Ada seemed to vanish like soot. There was no longer movements down the ground, nor any sign of where Ada headed towards to.

She was no simple woman. Chasing her would be pointless, he thought.

As dictated, Leon approached where the 'gift' where Ada left him and indeed it was only letters. Picking both up, one had a lipstick mark on the seal of the envelope, from Ada Wong herself, he assumed.

And the other...

"The king's handwriting..."

Meant for Derek C. Simmons, The King wrote it personally to the recently deceases powerhouse. It wasn't the recipient that made Leon aghast, but it was the date that made Leon all the more eager to reveal the content.

The date was at least twenty years ago.

Perhaps this was something to say why the King feared the House of Simmons?

He had heard footsteps ascending the stairs that Leon quickly hidden the letters behind his coat. Right at the moment after he had concealed the paper underneath him, Claire poked her head into the room with a questioning gaze, "Is something matter, my husband? I heard noises up here and you hadn't came down-"

He considered for a while. Claire shouldn't be troubled by matters like these, much less involved in it And he knew just one perfect person he should look to in this case.

Her brother.

Finally, with a gentle smile, Leon turned to his wife and kissed her.

"It was nothing."

A.N: I'm back! No more two fingers horror! XD Not fully okay but I'm okay to write again! Period.

Now, I am on full rush to catch up with this fic! It's been a week or so already since the last update so here it is. :) How's the Shake in this chapter appeals to you? And looks like we are closing in onto Albert's little secret. :)

So... RFF! :)

And dare I say again: I. AM. BACK.