Titanium

St. Petersburg, Russia.

It's been five days since I came to Russia after being informed about the finding of Claire shipwrecking in the Baltic Sea. When I arrived at the hospital in St. Petersburg where she was going to be moved, I met Barry Burton, consultant for the B.S.A.A. and the one in charge of the investigation about the assault to TerraSave from that side. His daughter was one of the victims.

Unfortunately for him, there was no news of any other survivor. And it's been like that since then.

Claire had gone through surgery due to a rib fracture that ended up un a lung collapse. The surgery was a success, the invasion to her body was minimal. They even had removed the tube that helped her breathe. Doctors said her condition was improving.

Then why was she still unconscious? Claire was still lying on the bed as if she were just sleeping. If her prognostic was positive, why didn't she wake up? Doctor Kozachenko said that every patient responded in a different way to this kind of traumatisms. But still I couldn't understand why Claire was recovering in everything but that.

There were definitely medical issues that remained a mystery.

Meanwhile, Barry and I were taking turns to stand a guard in her room. The poor man came all of a sudden he didn't even look for a place to stay. I offered him to share the hotel room that the American Consulate got for me. It was their treat anyway.

He accepted, in fact, he did not really have any other choice. We didn't know how longer we were going to stay in Russia, so we better had a fixed place to settle.

It was my turn that moment, there had to be someone inside to call medical personnel in case Claire woke up. And also to keep her down to earth, she might be confused. We only left the room when the nurses came to take care of the needs she couldn't handle at the moment, like the cleanliness. They should come soon.

I was sitting on the couch, with my eyes closed. It was hard to find something to distract myself while standing guard. I did not have this issue a few days ago because I was writing the report about Claire for the government and the B.S.A.A., with all the details we knew so far, including her current health status. They still have not contacted Chris Redfield, so, if he made an unannounced return to New York, he will learn both the assault and rescue news at the same time.

I sent the report last night, I was told that the president would give me a reply with new instructions. The news about a survivor of the TerraSave incident were already released nationwide, so it was necessary to make another move to calm the fear caused by it.

For the time being, the American Consulate in St. Petersburg was in charge of all the medical expenses.

I heard the door being opened, I slowly opened my eyes to know who it was and I saw Doctor Kozachenko coming in.

I sat up from my seat.

—How are you doing Mr. Kennedy? — that became our casual greeting these past days.

—Same as always doctor— I answered while heading towards him and reaching out my hand. He shook it—. With an annoying backache and numb ass. The couch is comfortable, but using it for a long period of time is tiresome.

The doctor smirked.

—I understand your struggling Mr. Kennedy. We make sure all the relatives and acquaintances of the inpatients feel comfortable, but there is always some kind of wear out when it comes to taking care of the ill. I'd die to have one of those couches in the Emergency Room, we do have a bad time there.

At least you're safe inside, and not out there fighting strange creatures infected with dangerous viruses spread by bioterrorist who get crazier every time.

I thought.

—Have you seen any movement from the patient yet? —he asked me while checking the vital signs on the screen of the device Claire was connected to.

—Not one, not even a reflex—I said.

—I see— he took out a torch from his robe and checked her pupillary reflexes.

—Doctor, I don't understand. If Claire's is healing why isn't she waking up? You said there is no brain damage either. It's hard for me to get the reason behind her unconsciousness— I wanted to know, medical mysteries disconcerted me.

The doctor turned to face me.

—Even though they very rare, there are registered cases about people that fall into a state similar to the coma without brain damage on the cortex, after a traumatism. The explanation for it has more to do with Psychology than Medicine. The person stays in that state to recover from an emotional trauma. Some analysts says it's like a defense mechanism; the mind shuts down in order to avoid facing the painful event that is threatening to disturb the ordinary life of the patient. Similar to repression in vigil— he said.

—So, in other words, it's like Claire doesn't want to wake up?

—Yeah,at least not yet. She will eventually.

What could have happened in that island so that Claire feared facing reality? Was it too much for her leaving behind a young girl she was supposed to take care of?

Knowing how compassive she was with the younger was, probably yes. Maybe Claire felt she failed in her job as a rescuer.

If she didn't want to wake up to avoid those memories...

—Will she remember everything once she regain consciousness? — the doubt sprout suddenly.

—That is up to her. Some patients wake up remembering everything, some others have a lack in their memories, but they recover them as time goes by. Only a small percentage presents total amnesia. If Miss Redfield has a strong mind, she will keep her memories intact.

I felt kind of relief hearing those words. Of course Claire had a strong mind! She did not survive all those incidents just out of luck. The latest proof of that is that the virus inside her body didn't activate. She knew how to control her emotions to not surrender to fear.

I was confident she will come back to us soon.

Because you're made of titanium.

I told myself while staring at her.

—The positive side of this is that her constant rest is helping her to heal the rib fracture— he commented.

I heard the door opened again, I turned around and saw the nurses coming in to take care of Claire needs.

—Time for us to leave for a brief time Mr. Kennedy— he told me and I nodded.

We left the room to let the nurses do their job. When I closed the door behind me I felt a vibration inside the pocket of my jeans, followed by a ring.

I took out my cellphone and noticed the name "I. Hunnigan" on the screen. I slided the unlock button to the "answer call" icon. I excused myself to the doctor and walk away a bit.

—Kennedy here, what's up?

—Hi,Leon. The president wants to talk to you so he asked me to do the phone connection to keep the conversation safe. Are you alone? —She asked.

—Yes, I am. You can pass the call— I said. It was weird for Adam to call me personally, Hunnigan was the one in charge of giving me new instructions.

I guessed it was something really important.

—Leon, it's Adam— I suddenly heard the president's voice.

—What's up Adam? Why the personal call?

—We told you you'd get a reply from the president after we read the report about your friend— he said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

I was aware of that, I just did not expect it so soon, and not directly from him.

—Yes Adam, I just didn't expect it directly from you. Hunnigan always gives me your messages—I told him.

—That's correct Leon. But I took the liberty to do so in order to clarify any doubt you have regarding the decision we made.

—What's that decision? — I was intrigued.

—National security advisor Derek C. Simmons and I gathered to read the report about Claire Redfield, and we talk about our next move. We decided that Miss Redfield must be taken back to the US as soon as possible.

—What? But she's still unconscious. Why the rush? —I wasn't getting the reason behind that choice.

—I know Leon. But if it's true that there is a new kind of virus inside her body then we have to act. Her kidnappers could be looking for her, and we fear that it could lead to another terrorist attack. This might affect our alliance with Russia to keep the provisional government in Easter Slave Republic. Things there are still getting back to normal— he explained calmly.

I got his point. Only a few days ago the conflict within that country reached its end. If we took the risk it would be very complicate.

Also, I really had not thought about the chance of the kidnappers looking for Claire. If she got some important information, then it made sense the terrorist wanted her back.

—I understand Adam. But we still don't know what happened to the other victims— I pointed out.

—I've instructed the embassy and consulate to insist the Russian government to keep looking for other survivors in the coordinates where Miss Redfield was found. Any abnormal find near that spot should be reported to us. They are aware of how important is to find that place, we don't know what kind of dangerous experiments they're performing at this very moment. I'm sure when your friend wakes up, she will give us information to support the search. We need her safe for that.

—Got it, just give me a couple of days. Where are we taking her?

—Back to New York, at NYU Langone Medical Center. We'll send a private jet with all the medical personnel and equipment to take care of Miss Redfield during the flight. Leon, you keep an eye on her until she regains conscious and is able to tell us the details of what happened that night— he ordered.

Well, I wasn't planning to do anything else either. I wanted answers as much as everyone involved in the case.

—Regarding the bracelet you mentioned, there will be a case in the jet. Put it inside, once the aircraft gets back to Washington, our research team will try to download and analyze any information it has recorded inside. The data could help us to decide our next move.

—Roger, Mr. President—when he played his role as my boss,I just had to play mine as a subordinate.

—Lastly, if Mr. Barry Burton from the B.S.A.A. wants to come back, he is welcome to join the flight.

—Thank you Adam. I'm sure he'll accept. After all, we can't do anything else here with our current information— I said.

—Excellent. We'll send the transfer request through the consulate. You take care of the rest.

—I will sir. Agent Kennedy out—I clicked on the finish call button.

There was nothing else for me to do but to follow the orders given. We had to take Claire back to the United States to protect her from the terrorist that might be looking for her. I thought it was a very good reason; we can't go forward in the investigation without her. Besides, she will be surrounded by people who worried about her.

Maybe Barry would be reluctant to get back, we didn't know anything of the other victims. We couldn't be sure if there'd be any news about them, at least not until Claire helped us.

And that seemed to take a bit longer.

It's up to Claire when she feels ready to face the reality.

With no more thoughts, I unlocked my cellphone again a dialed the number Barry gave me to contact him.

The dial tone didn't last long.

—Hello? —Barry's voice was heard at the other side.

—Hey Barry. Listen carefully, we have new instructions.

o-o-o-o-o

Three days later…

New York, USA.

We were back to American land. There were no incidents during the flight. I arranged Claire's transfer from St. Petersburg to New York with no complication, everything was easier with the help of the American Consulate request. I just had to sign some papers.

Barry accepted to go back with us. Contrary to what I believed at first, he agreed with the decision taken.

"I got it. We must protect Claire, she's our only reliable source now. Without her, we can't go forward. It's better to have her in a place where she can be safe where those of us who know her can watch over her.

As soon as we learn where that damn island is, we're coming back to settle up with the bastards who did this.

Besides,the trip is free. I don't think I have enough bucks to stay and travel whenever I want. I also need to tell my family about this, even though it's not what we wanted to hear."

He told me when we talked on phone. He wanted to return to Canada as soon as Claire was completely settled in the new hospital. They guy didn't want to leave his family any longer.

We landed several hours ago, we immediately headed to NYU Langone Medical Center with an ambulance and vehicle property of the government to custody Claire. It was kind of antractouous, there were some reporters who wanted to know the health status of the only survivor found after the assault to TerraSave.

Well, we also need to inform TerraSave, they were still in a chaos without their CEO and so many unanswered questions.

A few hours after we moved Claire to her new room, Barry received a call from the B.S.S.A. headquarters. Chris Redfield had come back from his mission in Asia, oblivious to anything related to the incident.

"I'm going to the B.S.S.A., someone has to hold back Chris when he learns everything that happened while he was away. When he's calmed down, we'll come to the hospital. He will want to see his sister".

And that's why I was waiting for Chris' arrival to Claire's room, which was as comfortable as the one in St. Petersburg. Maybe a little bit more, there was this huge window with a sight of the city. We were on one of the highest floors of the hospital, so the view was panoramic.

It was getting dark, so only the lights of the city could be seen. I was sitting on one of the two couches in the room, beside a small desk, near the window. Claire's bed was right between me and the door.

I was a bit sleepy, this sudden changes of time always knocked me out, except when I had to start a mission as soon as I reached my destination.

Just when I was about to give in to sleep, I heard someone knocked the door. I startled, shook my head and stood up. I saw the door being opened and a short haired man, with a bit of beard, and very,very sturdy came in. He looked at Claire and then stared at me.

This was not how I remembered Chris Redfield. Did he take steroids? It was either that or motivation at the gym was not a problem for him.

—Leon S. Kennedy, it's been a while—he said, heading towards me and reaching out his hand.

I shook his hands. The feeling of knowing each other for a longer time than we really have popped up like the first time we met.

—I agree Chris.

He released my hand and went to Claire's side. He placed his hands on the edge of the bed and bent down to look at his sister closely. I saw worrisome, but also, frustration.

I was sure of that because I noticed how he clenched his fist on the sheet.

—Barry told me everything. Shit, I'd never imagined I would come across something like this after a mission— he said clinching his jaw.

—It was something so sudden for everyone Chris. I also learnt about it just when I came back from a mission too. Not really easy to digest— I assured him.

—I was told you're in charge of the investigation from the government side—he looked at me—,I know about your suspects and I agree with them. Not a single clue of the traitor?

—Nothing. I can't piece things together. Only Claire can helps there now, when she wakes up.

—And when will that happen? —he asked, turning his gaze towards Claire again. I saw sadness on his face.

—When she feels ready to face what has happened. Leaving behind a young girl she was supposed to take care of must have been such an emotional impact for her, knowing how compassive she is. We don't know what else she had to endure there either— I explain myself.

Chris sighted deeply before stroking his sister forehead. He bent straight and walked towards one of the couches and sat down. He fixed his eyes on the floor and scratched his nape.

—It's in situations like this when I regret being neglecting to her years ago. If I had only told her where I was or what was my job about, she would not have gone looking for me and ended up in Raccoon City where she got involved in all this. I did it because I thought that was the best way to keep her away from danger, but it turns out I did exactly the opposite.

—Those who want to create chaos with B.O.W.s are the only responsible for this —I clarify—. We all are victims: you, me, Claire, Barry…the only difference is that we choose to fight back. Besides, if Claire had not gone looking for you, I'd have died that night.

Chris rised his gaze and frowned out of confusion.

—It is true you could've prevented Claire from going to Raccoon City. But I was destined to be there. If I survived, it was thanks to her help, if I had not come across your sister, I'd have been eaten by zombies, or shoot myself in the head to end that nightmare.

The older Redfield stared at me.

—And I don't think you were neglecting to her. You trained her so that she could defense herself when you were not around, and that's what has kept her alive all this time. You shielded your sister with titanium without realizing it.

Chris stayed quiet for a brief moment and then smirked.

—I see why my sister trusts you so much. Thanks Leon, she's also alive thanks to you help— he told me.

I smirked too.

—I'm confident she'll come back to us in no time — Chris stated firmly as he stood up from his seat— we can only continue the investigation as much as we can and give our support to Claire, she should know she's not facing this alone.

I nodded to his statement.

—That's right. As a chief operative of the Division of Security Operations I will watch over her. It's a direct order. So you're seeing me around for a while.

—Got it. I trust you too Leon. We can make a good collaboration in spite of the restrictions the government has with the B.S.S.A.

—I agree—I said.

Chris walked towards me and reached out his hand again, as if he wanted to seal the implicit promise between us. We were both worried about Claire, and we wanted answers to all our questions regarding the case.

I shook his hand firmly, like the first time we met, some years ago.

Come back to us soon,Claire. We'll help you go through this hardship.

o-o-o-o-o

Finally,here's the new chapter!

Chris made its appearece. The feeling of camaraderie between him and Leon emergerd again. If you don't know what I'm talking about,read the files of RE6 xD.

Unlike some other authors, I don't think Chris is that overprotective with Claire,not when she is already 32 years old e.e. I think he knows how to give her some space no matter how worried he might be. I could see that in one of the archvies of RE REV 2.

Just like Leon, I also thought Chris took steroids when I saw the pictures of RE5 xD (who didn't',anyway?).

I ain't giving any spoilers, but starting next chapter, there will be different POV in the narration of the fic.

And remember this is a romance/angst themed fiction, so there won't be really any action scenes, or missions. I go more for the psychological part (since I'm a licensed psychologist! The only action in this fic will be that Leon and Claire have with each other..

Ooops! xD

If you're liking it, please follow and favorite it, and also leave a review ^^. Don't forget to share it with other Cleon fans!

Til next time!