XXV. Momentary Partner


"I imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain." — James Baldwin, 'The Fire Next Time'


March, 2012
Los Angeles, USA

Walking to Director King's office, Chris prepared himself for yet another dangerous battle with the infected. An outbreak was being cleared in a small town in Kansas. Wolf Team had already been dispatched and had done a good part of the work, leaving little for Alpha to clean up. However, there was still enough of the virus roaming around town that called for another team to come in and takeover where Wolf had left off, so Alpha was to be deployed immediately to finish the job.

The men of Chris's team were preparing in the armory when he was called for a visit from Lewis King. As he walked now to the director's office, Chris had an idea that it was about Art Sonoma, an agent on Alpha, who had called in absent due to family affairs, therefor Alpha was an agent short. Either King would push extra precaution on the mission or he'd offer an agent from another team to fill in for the open spot. It was, however, a shock when Chris entered Director King's office to see someone he wasn't expecting to see at all. Someone he was successful in avoiding for the most part for nearly three months.

A little less than ten minutes ago, Sheva had been called to Lewis King's office for extremely important matters. Before even getting to the vital topic, Lewis began apologizing for this short time notice and thanked her for being so punctual. When he told her to take a seat, he explained about Alpha's predicament with the absent agent and the teams immediate deploy to Kansas. Not completely knowing what the director was getting to, she made certain to listen close as he requested her skills and professionalism in the situation and asked if she'd fill in for Art Sonoma on Alpha. Instantly her mind went back and forth. This was of great importance and something she could do with ease. On the other hand, it was Chris's team and that only called for tension amongst herself and the captain. Piers would be with her, so she'd have someone to tough it out with. It all came down to the town in Kansas and the people that could still be saved that made her accept the mission.

As Lewis gave her the needed information quickly about the outbreak, the captain of Alpha had come into the office and now stood with an expression she could not read. Lewis was the first to break the silence, not having enough time to notice the hostility the two younger people had against each other.

"Ah, Captain Redfield, I was thinking you weren't going to make it," Lewis commented, shuffling through papers on his desk as his glasses slowly slid down his nose. "I have good news."

Closing the door behind him, Chris took two slow steps towards the large desk in the middle of the room as he kept his distance from Sheva, not wanting to provoke any conversation with her. "Make it quick," he muttered. "Alpha is leaving within minutes and I have to be on the jet."

"Understood. As you know Agent Sonoma is absent for this mission, leaving not only you more vulnerable with less men, but the team weak without the extra limb. To avoid unnecessary danger, Agent Alomar has been very gracious and will fill in for Sonoma for the mission."

Dread was the first thing to shoot through his body. An entire mission with Sheva by his side? Hardly a solution to the lack of Sonoma if he had any say. "Is there anyone else able to fill in for Sonoma?"

"Excuse me?" Sheva spoke her first words with a harsh hiss while glaring at Chris.

"Redfield, Alomar is more than capable to assist you in Kansas. You're extremely lucky she's offering her expertise."

"She hasn't been on a mission for more than four months. How do you know she's capable to go right back out there?" Chris questioned King.

"For your information, I remember everything I need to before going on a mission," Sheva spat, taking a step towards him. Maybe accepting the request was a bad idea. "Also, if you want to argue, look at me when you talk. Don't hide behind Lewis and go through him."

"I'm not hiding behind anyone," he finally looked at her when he spoke. "I just want to make sure King knows who he's sending out before anything's official. Maybe if you'd been on a mission lately than I wouldn't be second guessing his decision. I don't want any of my men getting hurt if they can avoid it."

"That's bull. If anyone's going to get hurt it'd be because of your temper. I'm good at what I do no matter how long it's been and you know it. So take your thumb out of your ass and accept the help," she retorted as her fingers curled slightly at her sides.

About to snap back, Lewis cut Chris off after what he had just seen transpire between the BSAA agent and captain. "What's wrong with you two? Since when did you two become such children," he scorned. He stood, stepping to stand in front of Sheva and Chris. "Redfield, Alomar is one of the best agents in the company and you know this. Alomar, it has been some time so I need to you be very alert. I trust you. I trust you both."

"King," Chris nearly growled his name.

"Look, Chris. Sheva is the only agent available to help you and your team. Wolf has just left Kansas and they're exhausted. Delta is on a mission with TerraSave in Ireland. At this moment that leaves Sheva, and she's a exceptional replacement. That is if you rather Agent Valentine assist you instead?"

Watching as Lewis crossed his arms over his chest and raised a brow at him, Chris knew Lewis wasn't giving him a choice. Everyone knew that Jill was in no state, mentally nor physically, to fight the infected or even hold a gun. It was more of a joke to include Jill in deliberation who to bring with him to Kansas. Holding back an angry sigh, Chris turned towards the exit with tense shoulders.

"Fine, Alomar is filling in for Sonoma," he grumbled. "Hurry up, we have to get going now."

Sheva gave Lewis one last glance before turning to follow Chris, holding back the need to scream. Keeping a few steps back, she watched the muscles in his back move underneath his usual skintight thermal shirt with every movement he made. It being nearly three months since New Year's Eve and the terrible incident of "the kiss" that happened between them, neither having the ability to forget or move on, Sheva was aware that he would be hesitant with her. In the time since the New Year, they had avoided each other with great distance. But it was around a month ago when Sheva tried to make an effort and commence conversation with him.

It was the way he'd look at her when she'd try to greet him that made her want to cower under a rock and stay there for days. He'd looked at her as if she was an idiot for even thinking to approach him, as if she was the last person on the earth he wanted to see. She'd say a word to him, cringe at the impatient sigh he'd give, and do her best to endure the glare that sent shivers up and down her spine. He wouldn't bother going to her to try and rekindle friendship so it left it up to her to save whatever was left. As time passed, though, it was becoming more and more clear that it was a lost cause. However, being a woman of great perseverance and a stubborn attitude, she'd keep trying until the day he talked to her without that look in his eye when she spoke to him.

"Are you going to be like this throughout the entire mission?" Sheva inquired, forcing a light voice to annoy him. She could see the tick in his jaw clench for a moment, then release.

"Just follow my orders and then we'll be done with this."

"Why are you being so rude?" she probed with slight desperation in her voice. She stopped when he did and studied as he turned around to look at her, actually showing some kindness to look her in the eye as he spoke.

"I'm in a hurry, Sheva," he declared, using the mission as an excuse.

She lowered her voice as she took a step closer, hoping to find civility with him. "Then why are you treating me so badly?"

His lips parted to speak but no words came. He was going to say something, he just didn't know what that something was. Shaking his head, he pushed the door open to the armory and waved her in. "Let's just get this done."

Right away, Piers took a moment to evaluate the scene. Sheva noticed him straightaway and strode towards him, a tight frown on her normally peaceful face. She gave him a quick smile and went to grabbing from the racks and shelves what she needed. Slipping on a holster, she checked her pistol to make sure the safety was on then holstered it, grabbing a box of ammo to load it later. An SMG, two first aid sprays, and an incendiary grenade, Sheva was ready before some of the last men were done preparing. She was turning towards the doors to the runway outside when Piers laid a hand on her shoulder.

"Wear this," he calmly stated, holding up a small Kevlar vest. "For me, at least."

Looking around in hopes that no one saw the affectionate way he grasped her shoulder, Sheva complied and slipped off her holster to buckle the vest on underneath. Once done, she thanked him and pulled her hair up into a ponytail.

"Is everything all right?" he queried. "I didn't expect you to fill in for Sonoma."

"Neither did I, but Lewis asked me and I couldn't decline, so here I am. And everything's fine. Just a little tense."

Glancing at Captain Redfield, Piers smirked and brought his gaze back to Sheva. "Maybe with you here, he won't be so tough on me."

"Oh, thanks," she sarcastically replied, actually agreeing with his claim. No doubt she was going to get the cold shoulder from Alpha's captain. There were people who needed rescue, she told herself. All she had to do was get through this and hope to be rewarded with respect from Chris.


The professionalism between Piers and Sheva was something to be thankful for. One of the many reasons why Chris was so against Sheva assisting him in the mission was the possibility she would be distracted by her boy toy or she'd distract Piers, ultimately ruining Alpha's chance of saving anyone who was still alive in the midst of the outbreak and perhaps harm the teams own safety. But to his disbelief, they kept their mouths shut and worked like the two trained agents they were. If anything, Chris was the one to suffer from Sheva's diverting presence as he'd catch glances of her from the corner of his eye whether it was to check the area and she was in eyesight or if she was stating something about the situation while he closed everyone out and listened to her only.

So far the outbreak was not as bad as he expected. They'd been surveying and neutralizing for nearly five hours and found no survivors. The viral outbreak was caused by the T-Virus at the hands of a maniac claiming revelation through contagion who was still being chased in another state. The T-Virus was nothing to scuff at. The pros—if they were any related to a virus—were it made the infected subject slow, walking to an almost crawl until they sensed living meat. They were easily killed with a bullet to the head and too far gone to have the slightest idea how to open a door or follow you after you distanced yourself far enough. That was until they gathered and formed a horde. That was one of the cons. They were dead idiots until they gathered into groups. Then mob mentality would be established amongst the infected, successfully forcing doors down and having enough tolerance and intelligence to follow the prey. And possibly the worst part was the fast spread of T. It spread like wildfire and within hours, an entire town could crumble with infection. T was no Uroboros or Las Plagas, but when in crowds, it could be just as dangerous.

As of now, no horde larger than nine or so zombies had crossed their path. It was growing to be tedious and soon discouraging. Five hours and no survivors; there was little optimism in that. Marco tried his best to lighten the team's spirits and cracked a few jokes here and there, gaining a chuckle once in a while. But even he lost hope of finding someone alive and well after what felt like going in circles around the town. It wasn't long until HQ radioed them in, calling for them to make it back to where they landed to be picked up and brought back to safe grounds.

Chris signaled for the team to turn back and retrace their footsteps until they got to the landing zone. He was moving forward when he realized Sheva hadn't joined the group and kept looking on down a deserted street with a faraway stare. He called to her but she gave no reply. The team had already made its way to the corner of the main street, moving fairly quick but in no frantic hurry.

"Sheva," Chris called her more urgently, trying to gain her attention and lead her back to the group, not wanting to be separated from the team. This time she turned to look at him with furrowed brows. "What is it?" he inquired, catching on to her skepticism.

Shaking her head as she walked to him, she sighed quietly in frustration. "I don't think we should be heading out so soon. There's gotta be some survivors somewhere. I know there is. I can feel it in my gut."

He began leading the way back to the team as he motioned for her to follow. "We've been out here all afternoon and the suns about to go down. HQ has been broadcasting security transmitions since last night and no one has responded. There's no one left."

"But there has to be," she pushed. "I know there is."

"How do you know?" he questioned over his shoulder, taking a quick glance at her thoughtful expression.

"I just do. This town is small but still big enough for some people to survive. Don't you trust me?"

She wouldn't like the answer to that, he thought. But his lost trust in her was for something far different then her gut instinct about survivors. He stopped to assure her of his own idea. "Sheva, if there were survivors then we'd have heard from them by now. But there hasn't been any sign of life anywhere. There are no survivors. I'm sorry."

He'd usually grasp her shoulder or stroke her arm to reinforce the reassurance, but he kept his hand to himself. He made no move to get closer as she nodded sadly and moved to walk alongside him. Silence fell upon them as they strode quickly, turning another corner to see Alpha up-a-ways. Chris sighed a breath of relief to know he and his team was safe and healthy.

"So do you take it back?" Sheva asked unexpectedly.

He gave her a look of uncertainty. "Take back what?"

Seeing the helicopter lowering to the landing zone, Sheva felt a pang of hesitation to know they were leaving the infected town and the possible unfound survivors. She looked to Chris to finish her statement, feeling a smirk grow on her lips. "That I wasn't prepared to go on a mission after four months. Do you take it back? I did good and you know it."

He thought for a while, chuckling at her audacity. "I'll give you a full report when I've gotten a shower and some sleep."

"Fair enough," she agreed, smiling while looking on as the team was loading onto the copter promptly. She and Chris were getting closer when she decided to say one more thing. "And thank you for dropping the attitude. I'm not going to thank you for treating me better, though. But I do thank you for letting whatever it was you had go."

Hearing static from his radio, Chris ignored HQ's fuzzy message and continued towards the helicopter. He knew his attitude was wrong and immature and the fact that his change in mood was so dramatic that it encouraged her to thank him for lightening up seemed to amplify the guilt he had for treating her badly. "Look, Sheva," he began, being too much of a coward to look her in the eye as he walked on. But he didn't continue his intended apology when he realized she was no longer by his side. She had stopped paces away as she cupped her hand over her ear piece to get a better sound with an expression on her face of discovery and fear.

Mimicking her position, he closed out everything and listened to the fuzzy message coming through his headset. It was as the message was spoken a second time when Sheva dropped the idea of leaving the infect town and quickly turned the direction they came from, speedily walking away from the copter. He could see her check the magazine in her handgun when he finally heard the message clearly:

If someone is out there, please help. There are two people still alive and we're in the Jimmy Carter Elementary School, Mrs. Armstrong's classroom. It's for the 1st graders. Please help, don't leave us here.

The voice sending the message was no doubt what pushed Sheva to hurry in finding these two survivors. The voice that sent the message was of a young boy, probably around the age of ten or so. Looking back at his already boarded and buckled team, all his men looked on at him as one, Piers, looked passed their captain at Sheva's retreating figure. Chris took the smallest second to make up his mind, pressing the small button on his headset and sent his own message to the team.

"There are two survivors left," he told them. "Alomar and I are going to find them. All of you go to base and have another chopper sent out here soon."

He could see from where he stood that everyone was unsure of his choice, but they all resounded "copy that" except for Piers. Trying to pull the straps off his shoulders, Piers got a personal message from the captain.

"Stay where you are, Nivans. Go back to base with the team. We'll make it back safe, just stay with the team." Chris hated the fact that he had to reassure Nivans that Sheva would make it back safely, but if it kept the young agent seated then that's what he'd do. Piers was sending a glare from the helicopter, still attempting to get off the aircraft. Chris growled under his breath and sent another message to Nivans. "Stay with the team, Piers. That's an order."

It was very visible to see the pissed off look on Piers' face, but the words Chris had spoken sunk in deep and made Piers obey. He got back to his seat next to Marco who was staring at him with a baffled expression. Not needing to feel his scorn any longer, Chris turned to where Sheva was heading. She was no longer in sight, so he took off running the direction he had seen her go in. To nearly miss out on saving survivors, a child at that, Chris cursed his self, but if Sheva had gotten hurt in the process to save them, then he wouldn't be able to live with himself and that he was certain.


Author's note: Apologies that this tension and anger between Sheva and Chris may seem so sudden. I don't mean for it to come across forced or premature. But seeing as this story is over 100k words, I feel I'm dragging it on so I'm trying to make it go a little faster. If the pacing suffers, I'll try to rearrange or work it out so it doesn't seem so wobbly in story progression.

HolleringHawk65: Jake is uh-mazing. Enough said. Haha, all RE men are… *drooling* Thanks, dear! Oh, and I started reading your story for Rebecca and Wesker! I'll get around to following and reviewing properly. It's a really good story! :)
CloroxTeaParty: Thanks so much! Oh, so phobia of love is a real thing? That's pretty sad. I wonder how common it is. Oh, I really like your username, by the way. :)
mrssherrymuller: I'm sorry to hear about your great grandma. My grandmother had it and passed away after battling it for a long time and now younger generations in my family are showing signs of it. It's a terrible disease. Apparently phobia of love is called philophobia. Your last boyfriend sounds like a dick to make you insecure about that. But you can't be afraid that someone will hurt you forever, but I understand. It's hard. My phobia is of commitment. Makes me shiver, I'll say that much!
Sheva Redfield: I hope you got my private message concerning your review. God bless and take care!
wolfspiritqueen: Right? Bad feelings going around as Sheva and Piers commit…

I wish there was some fancier way to say what's gonna happen in the next chapter to make it seem so much more exciting, but anyways. In the next chapter, it's mostly about Sheva and Chris getting to these two survivors. People get injured, hungry zombies, running for their lives… You know, the usual shindig. Oh, real quick: thank you for getting this story to over 200 reviews. It's the first time I've gotten over that second hundred mark and it's really exciting. So thank you!

-Sarai