Skyla sat up in the tree listening to music on her phone replying to an email from Kayla. Jill walked by, she stopped when she saw Skyla and stared.
"I haven't seen you up there in ages," Jill said to her.
Skyla looked down at her and smirked.
"I needed somewhere to think and clear my mind," Skyla said.
She pulled ear headphones out and put her phone away and jumped down.
"You and Piers are still not talking?" Jill asked.
Skyla's head dropped, and she stared at the ground.
"Actually I wanted to talk to you about something, what does Chris know about my past?" Skyla asked trying to change the subject.
"Just the information you have given us, your brother was killed in a bioweapon attack and was neutralized by a sniper who in turn saved you. Why?" Jill responded.
"No reason," Skyla smiled she started walking towards the building.
"Skyla what happened with Piers? You both have been acting weird," Jill asked.
Skyla turned to Jill and stared at her for a second considering confiding in her but faked a smile and shook her head, she didn't want to burden her before she and Chris left for vacation. She turned and went inside leaving Jill standing there confused. Skyla walked to her bunk and climbed up and put her headphones back in and turned the music back on and closed her eyes. Jill walked down the hallway towards her room thinking about the conversation she had with Skyla. When she opened the door, she found Chris sitting on the couch.
"Hey," She said to him.
"Something wrong?" Chris asked.
"I ran into Skyla on the way here and had a weird conversation with her," Jill said approaching the couch.
"Want to tell me about it?" Chris asked.
"She asked me if you knew the extent of her background before joining the BSAA. But it was afterward, it was like she wanted to tell me something, or confide in me and decided against it like she couldn't trust me," Jill replied sounding hurt about the last bit.
"I doubt it was that. I think she just has a hard time sharing what she is thinking," Chris replied.
"You and her are a lot alike aren't you," Jill said laying her head on his shoulder.
"What are you talking about?" Chris asked looking down at her.
"Nothing, have you talked to Piers yet?" Jill asked.
"Yeah, he knows his responsibilities while we are away," Chris replied.
Piers walked past the rookie's bunks to see Skyla lying in her bed. He stopped and stared at her debating if he should go in and talk to her. It was as if she could feel him watching her, Skyla opened her eyes and sat up and stared at him. She sighed and pulled out her headphones.
"You just going to stand there and stare at me?" Skyla asked jokingly.
Piers shook his head and walked off angrily.
"Piers," Skyla called after him.
She jumped off the bed and walked after him catching up to him quickly.
"Piers," She said again quietly.
"What?" He replied hotly.
"Forget it, I'm sorry even bothered," Skyla said turning and started walking towards her bunk.
"Shit, Skyla wait," Piers said.
She stopped but didn't turn around. Piers walked up to her, walking around to face her. She kept her head down refusing to look at him.
"I'm sorry," he said to her.
Skyla took a little step towards him but refused to look at him still.
"You have nothing to be sorry for, I'm the jerk. I'm sorry Piers," Skyla replied.
"Skyla," Piers said her name quietly.
"I'll see you later," Skyla said taking a step past him.
Piers reached out and caught her wrist as she walked by. She stopped and looked up at him giving him a sad smile. She slid her wrist out of his grasp but grabbed his hand with hers giving it a reassuring squeeze before she walked away. Memories from a couple days prior came flooding back to her; They had just arrived back at BSAA compound from his parents' house, Piers had his arm around her, they were walking towards the rookie's bunks.
'While Chris and Jill are away, I'm going to need a second in command, will you be my person?' Piers asked her.
Skyla stopped and looked up at him.
'Piers that's not a good idea, ask some else,' Skyla said starting to walk again.
'Why? You are amazing in combat, and with weapons. If we have to go on a mission for any reason you are the one person I truly trust to have my back.' Piers replied.
Skyla frowned, stopped again she turned to face him and stared.
'You know exactly why I am declining this.I'll have your back either way. Ask Cowboy, Finn or Keaton, I'm not doing it,' Skyla replied walking away from him.
They had not spoken until now.
"Have dinner with me tonight?" Piers asked before she had a chance to walk off.
"You still want me around?" Skyla asked.
"How can you even ask that?" Piers asked.
Skyla bowed her head again feeling guilty for making him ask that kind of question.
"I'm sorry, of course, I will have dinner with you tonight," Skyla replied.
A week had passed since then, Jill and Chris left for their vacation the during that week, and Piers had taken over as of nine o'clock the night they had left. Skyla had gone to the bunks much to Piers protest.
Piers glared at the four males that stood in front of him it was 0350, training was supposed to start at 0400, and there had been no sign of Skyla at breakfast either. It was his first real day taking over as stand-in Captain while Chris and Jill took a three-week vacation to celebrate the fact they had become engaged during Christmas. Piers tapped his foot impatiently and looked over at the door.
"Nivans she's your girlfriend shouldn't you be keeping tabs on her? Besides if you're so worried, maybe you should go check on her," Ryan said to him with a smirk on his face.
"Shut your trap," Piers glared at him.
It was 0357 and Skyla was still not there coming through the door, Piers huffed.
"Start warm-up exercises I am going to see what is keeping her," Piers said walking towards the door.
"You mean you're going to go make out with her?" Ryan egged on standing still.
Piers whipped around, he was already in a lousy mood and Ryan being a prick was not helping things.
"You just bought everyone two extra hours of training," Piers smirked at him.
Finn and Cowboy groaned and turned and glared at Ryan while groans and snarls filled the room as Piers turned and made his way out of the door.
"What are you waiting for get started," Piers commanded standing at the training room doors.
"I'll be back, don't screw around," he glared at the four males before walking out.
Piers walked towards the bunks and stood there glaring when he got there. He could make out a form lying in bed, he shook his head and walked towards Skyla knowing it was her. He was pissed, of all the days for her to decide to stay in bed this was not the day. When Piers got to the Alpha bunks he heard Skyla's phone going off, he sighed and marched over to her bunk. When he got to her bed, his features softened for a second when he saw her sleeping form; she was lying on her stomach with the pillow long ways and under her and her arm wrapped around it. Then he remembered the task at hand and shook her kind of hard.
"Skyla," Piers said roughly.
"MMM," Skyla said burying her face in the pillow for a second.
Piers rolled his eyes and huffed, thinking she was going to give him issues. Skyla turned her face towards him and slowly opened her eyes. They were red, but she gave him and a small smile, with a little gasp she reached up and grabbed her phone and looked at the time.
"Fuck! I'm so sorry Piers! I didn't even hear this damn thing going off," Skyla said looking apologetic.
Piers stared at her concerned; Skyla pulled the blanket up slightly under his gaze.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Skyla asked.
"You're really pale, are you feeling okay?" Piers asked.
"I'm freezing actually, I barely slept last night," Skyla replied pulling the blanket up over her tighter.
Piers put his hand on her forehead and then cheeks.
"You're burning up, lay back down I'm going to get back to the team. Get some sleep if you're not feeling any better when everyone is done with training I want you in the infirmary," Piers told her.
Skyla put her head on his shoulder.
"Piers I should train," Skyla said sleepily.
"You can't even keep your head up," Piers said to her.
"I've got to try," Skyla said attempting to sit up.
"As temporary Captain, I am ordering you to stay in bed," Piers told her.
Skyla managed to lift her head up enough to glare at him, she started to sway, and Piers sighed and grabbed her shoulders to steady her and laid her down."
Get some rest," he told her.
Skyla had already closed her eyes and nodded. Piers walked out and back to the training room. When he got back, he got a couple glares and whispers, but he started his own training. Finn was the only one brave enough to approach him.
"Sir? Is everything alright with Skyla?" Finn asked.
Piers took a moment to stare at him before he sighed and stopped his training.
"She's sick," Piers replied resuming with his training.
After training was over Piers went back to the bunks to find Skyla still asleep, he sighed and gently ran his hand over her exposed cheek. Her eyes fluttered open at the contact, and Piers smirked at her.
"What are you smiling at?" She asked.
"It's funny how you wake up so easily for me now," He replied pulling his hand back.
"Well when you're not a total douche," Skyla said.
"Touché, how are you feeling?" Piers replied looking down at her.
"A lot better, how did your first day as captain go?" Skyla replied.
"Not terrible," Piers said looking away.
"I'm sure you were great," Skyla reassured him.
Piers looked over at her he stared at her for a moment and nodded. Skyla swung her legs over the bed and jumped down.
"Where are you going?" Piers asked.
"I've been sweating and sick, I feel disgusting, so I am going to go shower then I'm stripping this bed and going to get something to eat," Skyla replied.
"Once you're done come find me, I might be doing paperwork, but I want an update on how your feeling," Piers said walking towards the entrance.
"Am I going to likely find you in Chris' office or in your room?" Skyla asked.
"I think I am going to be in Chris' office," Piers smirked at her and walked off.
Skyla shook her head, she couldn't figure out what had gotten into him. Skyla pulled the sheets and blankets off the bed, she tossed them into the hamper and put clean linens on her bed, she then grabbed things for her shower. After her shower, she headed to the cafeteria getting a small meal to ensure she could hold it down. She made her way to Chris' office; when she got there, she knocked. She didn't get an answer, so she peeked in and saw Piers looks very frustrated at over some paperwork.
"Something the matter?" Skyla asked.
Piers waved her in as he looked over the paperwork shaking his head.
"What is it?" Skyla asked slightly amused.
"I think Chris might have looked at the dates wrong when the recruits were coming in," Piers replied looking at the calendar on the desk.
"Why?" Skyla asked.
"They are coming in tomorrow," Piers replied.
"What does that mean for you?" Skyla asked.
"Not sure, I am going to email, Chris. Hopefully, he will get back to me in the morning about what to do. You guys were supposed to be in a different set of bunks and maybe have rankings by now," Piers replied opening his laptop.
"Am I distracting you?" Skyla asked.
"No, you asking me this stuff is helping put me on a path on what to do," Piers replied sitting back waiting for the laptop to boot up.
"Have you eaten yet?" Skyla asked.
"Yeah, I ate before I checked on you. How are you feeling now?" Piers replied.
Skyla shrugged not really knowing what to say. Piers stared at her for a moment then looked down at the computer and started typing. Skyla stood and headed towards the door. Piers looked up at her.
"Bored already?" Piers asked.
"I was going to head to the armory and work on my sharpshooting," Skyla replied.
"So that's a yes," Piers replied.
"No, but it's something I haven't had time for here lately. If you get done with this soon come join me," Skyla replied.
Piers smirked and nodded, continuing to type the email to Chris. He sent the email to Chris, he finished the rest of the paperwork he needed to do. He yawned and stretched and looked at his phone and realized how late it was.
[Are you still at the armory?] Piers sent a text to Skyla.
[No I just lied down.] She replied.
[Damn I was going to see if you wanted to hang out for a little bit.] Piers replied.
[Piers it's 21:00 you have us training at 0400, I love you, but I am going to kill you.] Skyla replied.
[Fine, see you at training.] Piers replied.
The next morning at 0400 everyone arrived to be sent to prepare for the recruits arrival.
[Hey kiddo, I heard we are getting our new rookies today. Are you arriving today as well?] Skyla sent a text to Kayla.
[Yeah, will I see you?] Kayla sent a reply.
[I'll make sure I make time to see you kiddo.] Skyla replied.
The recruits started arriving at around 1100, Piers was darting around nervously because he hadn't heard from Chris. Skyla tried her best to calm him, but he would snap at her then when he realized what he did apologize profusely. Piers sent Cowboy and Finn to bring the Alpha team recruits into the Alpha training hall.
"Shit, I forgot the roster with their names," Piers said looking around for a tablet.
"I'll go get it, where did you leave it?" Skyla asked.
"In Chris' office, you're amazing you know that?" Piers called as she started towards the door.
Skyla winked and walked out of the training room. She quickly walked to Chris' office and found the tablet sitting on the desk and grabbed it and walked back towards the hall. She turned and walked into the room walking towards Piers.
"Lieutenant Nivans, here's the tablet," Skyla said handing him the tablet.
Piers turned and smiled at her. Their eyes locked for a minute and lingered causing Skyla to blush. Skyla froze when she saw the new recruits and swallowed hard a lump that was forming in the back of her throat.
'This can't be happening,' Skyla thought to herself as she locked eyes with a set of blue ones.
She turned on her heel and quickly ran from the training hall. She ran until she hit a solid figure, she looked up to see Chris staring at her.
"Where are you off to in such a hurry?" Chris asked.
Skyla stared at Chris before sidestepping around the Captain. She quickly walked towards the entrance of the BSAA, she dropped to her knees and closed her eyes. A hand clasped around her shoulder, Skyla's left hand clenched into a fist, and she turned to make contact before thinking. Luckily the person she swung on had quick reflexes and was ready for her strike. Chris stared at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Is everything okay? You're on edge," Chris asked concerned.
"Sorry Captain," Skyla said pulling back her hand.
"You didn't answer my question," Chris replied.
"It's nothing Captain," Skyla replied sidestepping him once more and walking towards a trail.Piers stared at the set of new recruits and shook his head; he wasn't impressed with Chris' selection this time. Chris walked in looking troubled and stared off at the group.
"Captain? Is everything okay? What are you doing back so soon?" Piers asked.
"What? Oh right, welcome to Alpha. I want you to think of us your second family," Chris started with his typical speech.After Chris was done addressing the new recruits, he turned towards the door.
"Captain is there something wrong? You didn't answer my question, and you seem like you were distracted back there," Piers said as he came up beside him.
"I rushed back when I got your email. But Skyla ran into me when I was on my way here to talk to the recruits, when I asked her where she was going so fast she just walked around me and ran off. I followed her to see if she was okay. I called out to her, it was like she didn't hear me call her, I touched her shoulder, and she swung at me then walked off towards the old trail," Chris explained.
"Do you want me deal with her or deal with the new recruits?" Piers asked.
"I'll deal with the recruits go check on her," Chris replied.
Piers nodded and took off in a fast walk towards the entrance. He pulled out his phone and dialed Skyla's number.
"The subscriber you are trying to reach is unavailable," the automated voice played.
"What the hell?" Piers asked ending the call.
Piers walked outside and headed towards the trail that Chris said he saw her head towards. He didn't get very far into the path before he found Skyla's phone smashed next to a tree.
"That explains the message," Piers sighed picking up her phone.
He walked for a while before he decided it was a lost cause. He turned and walked back to the compound. When he entered, he found Kayla leaning against the wall.
"What are you doing up here?" Piers asked.
"I was looking for my sister, what are you doing," Kayla replied.
"Same," Piers replied.
"You're looking for your sister? I didn't know you had a sister," Kayla replied with a smirk.
Piers gave her a look and showed her the phone. Kayla looked at the broken object with concern then back to Piers.
"What?" Piers asked.
"Is there anywhere I can talk to Captain Redfield in private?" Kayla asked.
"I am sure he would meet you in his office, is there something I should know?" Piers asked.
"This is something Skyla should really tell you not me, but I want to make Captain Redfield aware I think it's pretty important," Kayla replied.
Piers nodded, he waved for Kayla to follow him. They walked to the rookie bunks for Alpha, when they got there, Kayla stood off to the side out of sight. Piers stared at her but went in and spoke quietly to Chris, Piers stayed behind for a few minutes with the rookies to make sure they were oriented. Chris walked out and waved for Kayla to follow him. They stopped outside of his office; Chris turned to face Kayla but opened the door gesturing for her to have a seat inside.
"Piers said you need to talk to me in private, what's up?" Chris asked.
"There's someone you recruited into alpha, he's dangerous, and you're going to have issues with when it comes to Skyla," Kayla said.
"What are you talking about?"
"Elijah Miller sir," Kayla replied.
"What about him?" Chris asked sitting down.
"Our fathers were researchers for Umbrella until you brought them down, then they moved on to other honest companies. However, our parents were fairly well off and believed in the political bullshit of well breeding. My father basically contracted out Skyla out to Elijah's parent's for her to marry him. They were engaged up until the night of the outbreak of my brother's death. Elijah was abusive towards my sister, and Skyla had called my brother to come help her get away because she had broken it off," Kayla explained.
"That explains her reaction earlier," Chris replied leaning back in his seat.
"Has she seen him?" Kayla asked sitting upright in her seat.
"I don't know for sure," Chris replied.
Piers made his way back to his room; it had started raining while the new rookies had begun making their way to the cafeteria. He wasn't sure what to do about Skyla, the one thing she never did was go anywhere without her phone, and here she had smashed it, and now it was raining, and she was nowhere to be found. He opened his room door to see Skyla sitting on his bed soaking wet.
"Skyla?" Piers asked.
She looked up at him with a blank stare; he walked over to her and bent down on his knees to look her in the eyes.
"Where have you been?" He asked.
"The woods," Skyla replied.
Piers went to put his hands on her shoulders, and she flinched, he frowned, but he could tell her skin was cold.
"Your freezing, go get in the shower and warm up, and I'll get you some dry clothes," Piers said.
Skyla nodded and slowly got up and made her way to the bathroom. When he heard the water start, he pulled out his phone.
"Chris, Skyla is back. I found her sitting on my bed soaking wet, and she seems out of it. No, not really. Okay, of course," Piers said hanging up.
He walked over to his dresser and grabbed some of her clothes; without her knowing it he had been taking clothes out of her bag anytime, she had spent the night so that if she did sleepover and didn't bring a bag, she had something. He walked to the bathroom and knocked, she opened the door wrapped in a towel and smiled gratefully at him.
"Thanks," she said to him.
"Are you okay?" He asked concerned.
"Yeah," she nodded and slipping behind the door to get dressed.
Piers sighed and walked back into the main part of his room and sat on his bed. Skyla emerged a few minutes later drying her hair with a towel.
"What's going on?" Piers asked.
Skyla sighed and sat beside him, she pursed her lips contemplating what to say to him.
"I've been trying to process on how to tell you this for a while. Honestly, I was hoping not to ever have to bring it up, but I guess I have no choice now," Skyla replied.
"Skyla?" Piers asked worriedly.
"The main reason why I was so hesitant about getting into a relationship with you is just before the BSAA I was into a let's say not such a great relationship. My parents arranged for me to be engaged to a guy from a really young age because of his parent's wealth. It was supposed to be a great match, but the guy was a prick, to say the least. I had ended it the night of the bio-weapon attack and my brother was had come to get me, rescue me actually," She sat there staring at the floor.
Piers gently placed his hand on her thigh; Skyla grabbed his hand clutching it instinctively before relaxing and laying her hand on his remembering who it was.
"What is it?" Piers asked.
"He's here; he's in Alpha as a rookie," Skyla replied.