Chapter 21: It's Time

Author's note: So, I have a love-hate relationship with this chapter. I had begun to write the first third of it and I just hated it and ultimately I stopped writing this story because of this damn chapter! Anyways, after probably a week (I'm not kidding, I usually write nearly every day!) and writing a lot of other stuff, I got back to this and finished it. In the end I'm still not sure how I feel about it but I'm just happy to finish this chapter and post it! Hope you all like it :).

To Sheva Redfield: Hi there! Sorry that I couldn't update the night of Saturday. But like I said before, I'm starting to catch up with what I've already written and I need to go a steady pace with these :). For me, it seems like these updating days are coming faster and faster! I'm happy that Jill and Shev are still friends as well! I hope you like the chapter and what happens in it :D.
To Justsomegirl17: Those two are really good to listen to at moments of need! Haha. Aw, Jill and Josh, cuteness! They're names are so alike :P. Arrivederci, my dearest!
To Sivan IXXX: I do remember that spaghetti monster! It scared the crap out of me as a kid! I would have been appropriate for Jill to turn into that monster though. Hahaha. And maybe we do see…SYMPTOMS!
To Fujisawa Loser: I'm glad Josh didn't die either. I was reading on RE wiki that Capcom was going to kill him off, but then the co-op system was introduced and they needed Josh to fill in gaps. So he lived! When he showed up in the warehouse it was really suspicious! Why the hell was he the only who lived? I'd like to see him and lot of other people in RE7. But who knows? Hope you like the chapter!

Much love and thanks to you guys, Sarai.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the RE characters mentioned in this story. Capcom does. (Lucky b*tches :P)

Sheva walked through her apartment's front door and locked it behind her. She took her shoes off and left them in their usual spot, walked into the kitchen and noticed that Chris ate the dinner she had made for him. She heard the shower running and guessed that Chris was in there. She was tired after her get together with Jill and wanted a bed to cuddle up in and sleep the night through.

The sun had fallen and now left was a dark city, illuminated by artificial light from the ever bright advertisements in New York City. She started stripping her clothing as she walked to her bedroom, ending up in her underwear. She threw the clothing in a small bin by her bedroom door and walked to the bed and jumped into it. She noticed Sophie laying on the edge of the head board above her. The cat stared down at Sheva, watching her curiously.

Sheva pulled the blankets around her and held onto one of the fluffy pillows, almost as if she was strangling it. She noted that the bed smelt like Chris's aroma and she loved it. She could feel herself shutting down and welcoming the idea of sleep.

She thought about her time out with Jill. She had given Jill Josh's number and she hoped it didn't scare Jill. Even more, she hoped Josh wouldn't scold her for trying to play matchmaker. She wanted Josh to be happy and she knew that Jill could do that for him. And Josh would be so good for Jill. She needed someone gentle and patient and Josh was that kind of person.

Sheva was falling asleep quickly but forced her eyes open when she heard the shower turn off. She held onto the pillow tighter, getting more comfortable. She thought if she should tell Chris about what Jill had said or if Jill should be the one to talk to him. Sheva decided to think about it tomorrow and just rest tonight.

Chris was drying his short brown hair with a towel and walked into the bedroom. He saw a small figure under the covers, clutching onto a pillow. He felt a smile on his lips when he saw her steadily breathing and clutching onto a pillow. He threw the towel to the side and crawled onto the bed. He could hear her giggle and he quickly wrapped his arms her tiny frame. He cuddled up behind her and kissed the top of her shoulder, leading kisses to her neck.

She gracefully managed to turn over in his tight embrace and looked in his eyes. She raised her hand and caressed his cheek. She traced small circles on his jawline and then combed her fingers through his hair, studying his face. He grabbed her hand and pulled it to his lips.

"Did you have a good time?" he asked while kissing her palm and fingers.

Sheva smiled sensually. "Very good. I went to have a drink with Jill."

He gently placed her hand back on his cheek and pulled her closer. She started to pet his hair and trace her fingers on his ears and temples. He closed his eyes, loving the feeling over her soft touch. "How is she?"

"She's good. I think she's a little tired. The BSAA is starting to give her more work and I don't think she could be happier."

Chris nodded slightly, making sure not to push her small hand off him. "Sheva, I was going to ask Claire, but I just need to know. Jill and I aren't together anymore, right?"

Sheva decided that she be the one to tell Chris about his current relationship status with Jill. "No, you two aren't together anymore."

Chris smiled and sighed in relief. "Good."

Sheva wrapped her arms around his neck and nestled her face onto his chest. His heartbeats were lulling her to sleep but she opened her eyes when he asked her another question.

"Shev, why does the BSAA want to see me so badly?"

She looked up to him, "You heard? To be honest, I don't know…Piers can't tell me anything over the phone, so I have to meet up with him sometime soon."

"Who is Piers?"

Sheva sighed and rested her cheek against his chest again, "He is your BSAA partner. He was with you on your mission in Edonia. He was actually asked first to go look for you, but he passed the mission onto me. He said I was the only one who could get you back."

Chris chuckled, "He was right. I don't think I would have given him the time of day."

"Well, you weren't exactly the most welcoming to me the first day, you know," she said with a smirked on her face.

"But I still let you in."

She wrapped her arms around him tighter, "Yeah, you did."

It was quiet for a moment. Chris wasn't sure if Sheva was still awake but he needed to tell her something. "Sheva?"

"Hmm?" She sounded so sleepy.

"I want to talk with Piers—to the BSAA."

Sheva slowly sat up and looked down at him, "Are you sure?"

He held her hand that was resting on her lap. "It's time."

She lay back down and cuddled up next to him. "I'll be with you the whole time."

It had taken a long time for Chris to fall asleep. Sheva had fallen asleep quickly and held onto him through the night. He had thought about what was to happen to him and how things would play out with the BSAA. He wasn't looking forward to talking to whoever this Piers guy was, but he had to trust him if Sheva did.

He kind of had an idea what they were going to tell him. They were probably going to tell him that he needed to come back and get back to work immediately. He knew that he had a job to do and he had a responsibility. He was ready to face his past and the challenges that came along with it. He had Sheva with him now and he knew she wasn't going anywhere.

After a while longer he had managed to get sleepy. He was about to close his eyes when he noticed a small feline above him. He could see Sophie on the head board staring down at him and watching for his next move.

"Go to sleep, Sophie," he said kindly to the small kitten.

As if she could understand him, she rested her head between her front paws and closed her eyes. She was fast asleep and soon Chris followed her lead.

When he awoke the next morning, he could hear humming coming from the kitchen. He slowly sat up and looked around the room. Sheva wasn't in the bed and Sophie was gone too. He got up and walked to the kitchen. Sheva was at the stove, humming a lullaby as she swayed back and forth slowly.

Sophie was playing at her feet, trying to catch them before they'd rise off the ground. But being so small, she'd miss and claw at air. Sheva looked down and giggled at the small cat.

"Good morning," Chris said in a sleepy voice.

Sheva turned around and looked at him with a bright smile on her lips that made her eyes glow. "Good morning. Did you sleep well?"

He nodded, too tired to say anything and leaned against the counter top, watching as she pushed around eggs and bacon in a frying pan. She continued to hum and sway slightly and Sophie going back at work with her feet.

"I don't know if you're hungry, but I made some breakfast," she said while pulling plates out of the cabinet. She looked down at Sophie and pet her soft fur, "And your breakfast is right over there, little lady."

Sophie stared at Sheva for a moment, and then slowly turned her gaze to the bowl of food, filled to the brim. She happily trotted to her food and ate at it slowly.

"You spoil that cat, you know," he said as she walked passed him to the small table with two chairs next to the windows overlooking streets of New York.

"Someone's got to!" she said cheerfully.

She placed the two plates full of food on the table and sat down in one of the seats. He followed right behind her and sat across from her, watching her as she took small portions of eggs into her mouth.

"Are you gonna eat?" she said with her mouth full, giving him an inquisitive look.

"Didn't your mom teach you not to eat with your mouth full?" he asked good-humoredly.

Sheva swallowed her food and giggled, "She's the one who did it in the first place!"

He laughed with her and started to eat his own food. They talked about anything and everything. She told him more about her memories with her mom and dad. He spoke about his memories of his childhood; fortunately he remembered most of his childhood. He remembered his parents died when he was young and he took care of Claire after that.

Sheva admired his love and need to protect Claire. She had always noticed how close the two were and how protective he was of her. She remembered when Claire would talk about Leon to her in front of Chris; he'd get all moody and whiney. It was cute, she always thought.

Before they headed out the apartment to go to the BSAA office, they decided they wanted to unpack all their things. As Sheva was putting her cloths away in her dresser, she felt pain in her stomach. Like nausea or something. She placed a hand on her stomach and stood still for a moment. She guessed that maybe she hadn't cooked the eggs or bacon through completely.

"Are you alright?" Chris asked looking at her with concern in his eyes.

Sheva stood up straight and smiled at him. "Yeah, I'm perfectly fine. Did you finish packing?"

Chris stared at her for a moment, not sure if he believed her. He closed his empty suitcase and placed it by the door. "All done. Are you sure you're okay?"

She waved her hand at him, "Don't worry, I'm completely fine. Just my stomach hurts a little, that's all."

He watched her and cocked his head, "Do you want to go to the doctor?"

"Chris, I'm fine, really. I should be starting my period soon, they're just cramps."

Chris made a face and laughed, "To much information, Shev."

She laughed, "Get used to it. If you're gonna live here, then you'll hear about these things all the time."

"So, are you asking me to move in with you now?"

Sheva was surprised by his question. She was caught off guard but nonetheless knew her answer. She smiled at him and got down on her knees, looking at him. "Oh, Christopher Redfield, my love, will you move in with me? Pretty please?"

He looked down at her as she batted her eyelashes him. "Well, if you ask that way, I guess so," he said nonchalantly, playing with her.

She placed her hands over her heart and shut her eyes tightly, "Oh, thank the heavens, he said yes!"

He laughed at her sarcasm and watched as she stood. He waited for her to walk over to him and when she did, he hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead. "I love you."

She giggled and hugged him back. "Well, if you put it that way," she said in a playful tone, "I love you, too."

Sheva finished unpacking and slipped indigo colored flats. She grabbed her keys that lay on her bed stand. "You ready?" she asked Chris who was already standing by the door.

Chris nodded and held his hand out for her, "Let's go."

They stepped outside and called for a taxi. Sheva gave him the BSAA address and the man driving nodded and started the meter to track the miles he drove. Sheva sat close to Chris as he held his arm around her, gazing out the window. The man driving had a thick Brooklyn accent and talked a lot. He would take his eyes off the road and look back at Sheva, trying to make small talk with her.

She politely talked back to him but she was nervous of his driving; the way he'd jerk to a stop and swerve around other cars and pedestrians on the road. Chris, on the other hand, was growing annoyed with the driver. He was flirting with Sheva and with him right there next to her. He was about to shout at him to do his job and just drive, but then they pulled to a stop in front of a big official-looking building.

"We're at your destination, my lady," the driver said as he stared at Sheva. She could feel his eyes roam over her chest.

Chris opened the door angrily and pulled Sheva with him. He left the cab door open and strode off quickly.

"Wait, Chris! I have to pay him!" she said walking next to him as he held her hand tightly.

"The douchebag will get someone else's money later. He'll deal."

They both could hear the taxi driver yelling at them to come back and pay, but he didn't bother to get out of his cab and follow them. He probably had dealt with this a few times. Soon they were out of ear shot and now at the doors of the BSAA.

Chris had loosened his grip on Sheva's hand and she could feel the blood rushing back to her palm and fingers. She was, to say the least, surprised by his attitude. She appreciated his protectiveness of her, but she wasn't too fond of the territorial feeling she was getting.

"What was that about?" she asked as they stepped inside.

He looked in her eyes, "I didn't like the way he was talking or looking at you."

Sheva pulled him to the side of the lobby to get somewhere more discreet. "You didn't need to pull me out of the cab, though. And the man deserved to be paid for his job."

Chris was irritated, but he understood where she was coming from. "I'm sorry. He was just annoying the shit out of me."

She squeezed his hand in hers, "It's alright. He was really annoying though."

Chris chuckled and looked around the BSAA lobby. "Well, where do we go?"

She pointed to a hallway with plenty of doors on the walls. "We go that way. We need to speak with Piers; he can tell us what's going on."

He nodded and followed her lead as she walked down the hallway, passing doors. She stopped about half way down the hallway and knocked on a door that had 'Piers Nivans: BSAA Operative' in white bold font written on the door.

"Come in," a voice was heard through the wooden door.

Sheva held onto Chris's hand and opened the door. Before she opened it fully, she peeked through the door and said a few hushed words. She looked back at Chris and smiled, and then she opened the door fully. The two walked into the quant, uniform office.

A young man, who looked to be in his mid-20's stood behind a desk. He looked at Chris and smiled at him friendlily. He walked around his desk and stood in front of his two guests.

He held out his hand for Chris to shake, "It's good to see you Captain."

Author's note: Piers! Yay! Hahaha, I really like Piers, if you can't tell :). I'm so happy I get to include him in the story that's not over the phone.

In the next chapter, Piers gets stern with Chris about his choices and questions Sheva about her relationship with Chris. Chris runs into a familiar face and Shev starts to feel more…'illness'. Ooooh :D!

See you lovely peoples on Wednesday! Sarai.