First of all, I apologize for the long wait ! In truth, I almost didn't write this chapter, intending to just drop the story because I'm a perfectionist and every mistake bothers me, but almost every day I see new people following and favorite-ing, and that pushed me to keep writing – so thank you for that ! All the supportive comments and info provided really helped me, too.

But also…who else is super excited about the resident evil 4 remake ?! I'm gonna take a wild guess and say that's the reason so many people are suddenly taking a notice to my story, and the Leon x Ashley pairing :P


Chapter 4. Metamorphosis

Ashley couldn't tell how many hours had passed, just that she'd been here for some time. Seconds seemed to slow in this stagnant yet clinical room, and even though she had tried her best to stay alert, her eyes had other ideas – beginning to close of their own accord…that is, until a strange noise startled her awake, sounding like a hatch coming undone.

The door opened, making Ashley scramble to her feet – not knowing what to expect. Just in case she had to make a run for it, she backed up as far as she could within the narrow space, until her heels touched the wall. Better safe than sorry, she thought, mentally preparing herself. Not that she'd be able to do much, but you never knew.

Two people walked in – a young woman and man, both wearing pristine white coats akin to that of doctors and scientists. "Who are you ?" She asked, trying not to reveal the faint tremble in her voice.

"It's okay, Ashley – can I call you Ashley ? My name is Emily Stanford, and this is James Shepherd. I hope our subordinates weren't too rough in bringing you here."

"Where is here, exactly ?"

"An underground science laboratory of the D.S.O. I'm so sorry, but we had to lie about where we were taking you in case you panicked, and had an…unfavorable reaction."

Ashley scoffed, crossing her arms. So much for not panicking. "What do you mean, an 'unfavorable' reaction ? What's happening to me ?"

This time, the man took a step forward, taking charge of the conversation. "When the Las Plagas parasite was purged from your body, a trace of its DNA remained. It didn't take hold with Mr. Kennedy, simply fading away, but with you…it seems to have merged with your own DNA, and become something else."

She might be a danger to others, their 'subordinate' had said. Is that what he'd meant ? Ashley felt like she'd transformed into a block of ice – she couldn't feel anything besides a desolate cold. "I thought this was over…the machine was supposed to work !"

"The machine created by Luis Sera was flawed. It worked on Mr. Kennedy, but only partially on you – which is why you've been brought here, so that we may study your situation in a safe and contained environment, away from anyone you might potentially harm."

She had so many questions, but Ashley decided to go with the most important one. "Does that mean I might…become, one of those things ?" She tried to swallow, but a thick lump had formed in her throat. A series of images flashed in her mind, that of every monster she had ever seen – most of them ghastly in their appearance, and even more so in their uncontrollable urge to kill.

"That's what we're here to find out." Emily piped in with a smile. "Don't worry, you're in capable hands. But first things first. I'd like to do some tests, if that's okay ?"

She nodded, and allowed the woman to guide her back to the cot-like bed, where they both sat down. Ever since Ashley had returned from Spain, she'd known something was wrong with her. She'd never been able to pinpoint what, exactly, and had simply dismissed the ominous feeling, along with her many recurring nightmares.

But she'd seen this happening, becoming one of those red-eyed, ghoulish Ganados – or something worse. That's what her nightmares were always about. Not falling prey to the Los Illuminados, but others falling prey to her…like when Saddler had manipulated her into stabbing Leon with his own knife, using her body like a puppet.

"Do the Los Illuminados still have power over me ? Can they control me ?" Her heart was pounding at the mere thought.

Even though Ashley was looking at James for answers, it was Emily who replied, "So far, we've deduced your condition is somewhat different than the Ganados – as the parasite that inhabited your body is in fact dead, but until we're absolutely sure nothing's going to happen, it's safer for everyone if you stay here."

"So far ?" Ashley repeated, eyebrows drawing into a frown. "How long have you known about this ?"

Emily pursed her lips uncertainly, then looked at her coworker for help. "Ms. Graham, I won't beat around the bush. It's been known for quite a while that a remnant of the Plaga was discovered in your system. We've been conducting tests on your samples ever since, but I'll be honest with you; little progress was made, and so we require your cooperation to further understand your condition."

Ashley stood up at this, baffled by this new information and borderline furious. "So let me get this straight…for weeks you've known about my condition, as you call it, and you haven't said anything – and all this time, I could've hurt someone but you only took action now ? Why ?"

"We had to be sure before we took action on the president's daughter – but that being the case, we've still been keeping an eye on you through your appointments at the medical facility." Responded James, indifferent to Ashley's growing suspicion.

"But…I don't get it. What's changed, then ?"

"What's changed, Ms. Graham, is your body."

Ashley's muscles tensed as he said this, and that familiar feeling of dread returned. "…what does that mean ?"

Emily gave her a sympathizing look. "Put simply, from what we've witnessed…your body is changing, Ashley. It's morphing, and we don't know whether that's good or bad."

"We brought you here in order to stop this change – or at the very least contain it, but for that we'll need your cooperation." James continued. "Do we have it ?"

A few hours ago, she would've said yes. But now..."What does that entail ? What will I have to do ? Live here ?" Ashley looked at the room and its few necessities – if you could even call them that, with unconcealed distaste.

"Among other things. It's a necessary precaution, Ms. Graham. This chamber will keep you contained if you should ever lose control, and give us the time we need to find a solution."

Ashley didn't like this 'James Shepherd'. Every time he spoke, he sounded indifferent to the point of callousness, sometimes even irritation – like she was too slow for his taste, or unreasonable in questioning the situation.

She had a bad feeling about this. Most of their statements had made sense, and yet she felt like something about this situation wasn't right. Ever since the ordeal with the Los Illuminados, she'd ignored the signs her body had given her – the dreams, the little clues that something was different about her, dismissing them either as part of her post-traumatic disorder, or even paranoia…look where that's led. Tricked and lied to – and she wasn't sure that this time, with all of their reassurances, would be any different.

No, this time she would pay attention to her gut feeling. And right now, it was telling her to leave. "Let me out."

"Ashley, we only –"

"– want to help me ? Sorry, but I don't trust you. You could've said something – or whoever's actually pulling the strings, but instead they chose to keep this a secret until now…because I'm the president's daughter ? That's the lamest excuse I've ever heard. The D.S.O would've notified my father first and foremost because he's the president – instead of suddenly spiriting his daughter away with no warning, under the pretense of an emergency. Something's wrong, and you know it."

Emily's friendly face had turned stiff with each word Ashley uttered. "It's true we've made a mistake – but that's all it was ! An honest misunderstanding. We really do have your best interests in mind." She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes, which were tight with anxiety.

"I don't believe that. And now," Ashley added, facing James head-on. "I want out of this cell. Now."

The man sighed, and the room seemed to drop a couple of degrees colder. "I'm sorry to hear that, because it'll make this infinitely harder."

Before Ashley could react, round vents opened in the walls, and white smoke filtered into the room. Emily and James whipped out masks from their pockets, watching as Ashley ran to the door – fists pounding on the flat surface, but it was no use; it wasn't budging.

"No…what are you…doing…" Were her last words as she dropped to her knees, her vision darkening.

"Only what we've been told to do, Ms. Graham."

It was an understatement to say that Leon was getting impatient. He was restless in his worry for Ashley, and as a result, he was now glaring at the redhead behind the desk – even though it wasn't her fault that adding him to the system was taking that long. Protocol's protocol, he told himself, which might have helped in a different situation – should've helped now, but the thought of Ashley, curled up in a ball and afraid…"Is it done yet ?" He couldn't help asking again, drumming his fingers across the shiny surface.

"No, Agent Kennedy. And asking the same question repeatedly won't make it go any faster." The woman snapped, looking up from her glasses to give him a withering look.

"…sorry." He muttered, and went to lean against the nearest wall. Why was this happening ? The things Ashley had gone through – it was supposed to end when he brought her home. She was supposed to lead a normal life, away from the horrors he had to deal with in his day-to-day workplace. That's what he wanted for her, and that's what she deserved…he firmly believed that.

Just as he sighed, the red-headed worker stood up and walked to him. He pondered for a second what was more frightening – her or bloodthirsty monsters, when she handed him a card…security clearance, with a picture of his face on the sleek plastic. Finally. "Thanks. Now what ?"

"Follow me."

She led him through a series of doors and hallways, the first ones hidden in plain sight of the public. But it wasn't long before they turned to more intricate passageways, and all that just to reach one elevator. When they stepped inside, Alice – he'd seen the name on her tag, pressed the last button, which had no number or symbol. Going down, the doors slid open at their desired destination, and that's when he heard it; the distant screams of a girl.

It was Ashley's voice. Fury took over Leon.

To be Continued…


Sorry if anyone was expecting lovey-dovey interactions between Leon and Ashley, I promise we're getting there ! I just had to get this despicable chapter out of the way, it took me so long to write it because it was so uninspiring -_-


SPOILERS ABOUT THE REMAKE GAME ARE MENTIONED DOWN BELOW, PROCEED WITH CAUTION OR SKIP.

So my impatient self decided to look at the ending of the remake, and...of course they changed the overtime line to Ashley actually asking Leon to be a part of her "detail". If I'd waited a little longer, I could've used that instead of having her father ask Leon to protect Ashley, but anyways...I love both games, the original and the remake, and so I'll be using bits and pieces of both in my fanfiction of the aftermath.