Chris counted the bills thrust in his hand. Not bad for a night of watching some rich guy's coked up kid. All he had to do was let the kid snort, drink and fuck whatever she wanted and make sure she returned home in one piece. It wasn't his hardest job but a few unwarranted advances by some would be suitors made the evening harder than what it should've been. Still, he had enough to keep the shoddy roof over his head for another month and keep the alcohol flowing when he wasn't asleep. The patrons and bartender had started to call him "the stray dog" and was always behind on paying his bar tab. Worst customer ever, the bartender would bemoan.

After paying the hotel owner, he dragged his tired body up the stairs, needing a shower and sleep. A few splatters of blood stained his coat and sweater, mementos from those assholes in the bar. Peeling away the clothing until he stood naked in the center of the room, Chris made his way to the narrow bathroom.

He stood under the water until it went turned to ice, feeling something clawing at the back of his mind. Something trying to break free from the massive wall his mind had erected. Ever since that dream with the woman, the one who called him Chris, his sleep became haunted with more of these visions. He wanted to blame it on the vodka and whiskey.

You have to remember! Remember everything, Chris. Remember me...

Chris would awaken after, drenched in a cold sweat. How he yearned for this ghost to be gone but, a part of him refused to allow this exorcism to occur. He cursed this tiny shard of his being, wanting to be free of this torment. Shaking his head, he stepped out, wrapping the scratchy towel around his waist. Droplets beaded across his skin and hair as he swiped the steam from the mirror. The image that greeted him startled Chris: A younger man with spiked dark hair and cutting eyes. He was clad in an uniform, military perhaps. Some kind of insignia on the left arm which was blurred. His youthful features hardened as he stared back.

"You have to remember."

"Who the fuck are you?!" He gripped the sides of the sink, knuckles turning white as his hold tightened.

The man said nothing as he vanished, Chris' reflection replacing the specter. The Saint Christopher's medallion dangling from his neck. His fingers absently toyed with it. He couldn't remember where he had gotten it or who gave it to him, but, something told him to never take it off. That it held a yet to be discovered significance. He continued this for several minutes more, subconsciously hoping it would unearth a buried memory.

He needed a drink to forget this latest incident.

"You haven't touched your food."

"Not hungry," Alex shrugged, pushing the plate aside. "Maybe I'll be hungry later. It happens sometimes. I'll get it to go," she motioned for the server and asked for a box, hoping it would stop Piers from inquiring any further. The pair decided their next move would be to go to Montenegro or Serbia. Piers followed up with multiple BSAA outlets in the region, only to come up empty handed. Rumors came and went but nothing solid. Crispin stayed true to his word and kept them updated as best he could. Currently, he was dealing with the outbreak in France as it had spread to the suburbs of Paris. Goddamn C-virus was popping up. It had Ada's stench all over it.

Each report, each headline, wore them down even further. One outbreak would be extinguished, another sprouted up. Alex didn't dare let her mind trek down that dark trail. The one which lead to the unfathomable. No, she would expel the thought from her mind. Chris was still alive. If anyone asked, her response was she could just feel it.

"Hey," Piers stretched out alongside her, taking a hand in his. Alex opened her eyes, the T-Virus suppressing the pain in the back of her skull. She rolled to her side, facing the marksman. He spied the wincing and grimacing as she rubbed her temple.

"Headache," she sighed. "Only good thing about the T-Virus is I don't get sick and injuries heal fast, even the critical ones. Trouble is, I'm not immune to the simple afflictions like headaches."

His other hand traced up and down her arm. Alex lay there, letting the sensations relax her. She sighed heavily, tired in her body mind and heart.

"Where do we go from here? Shit, Piers, we nearly crossed the Rubicon."

"I don't know. The only thing I know is we keep looking."

The light strokes continued, neither one unsure of what to say to the other. They were going into their fourth month of searching now.

The scenery changed from medieval urban landscapes to rich emerald blankets of alpine forests. Piers watched from the corner of his eye as Alex stared absently out the window. They rolled the dice and decided to try Montenegro. The air was crisp but cool as they arrived in the small mountain town. The clouds gathered, signaling snow was on the way despite it being April. Piers went to get their room, leaving her to her thoughts. Alex scanned the ancient buildings, noting how they would fit perfectly in a Bram Stoker novel. The drive had been silent, tense as Alex stared out the window, watching the scenery as they crossed into the nation of Montenegro. It was beautiful, the coast that is. It would be somewhere she could easily see her and Chris taking a trip on.

Her body abruptly tensed, senses on edge.

"Fuck," she muttered, checking the Beretta before leaping from the car. Letting her internal instincts guide her, Alex darted down a side alley. Remembering what Chris had taught her, she stayed low, weapon pointed down but ready to strike. The snow was picking up in intensity as she paused at the corner, slowly peering around. Nothing. Only the howling of the wind and swirling ribbons of white greeted her. Her stomach churned and hands shook, whatever it was was close. Her keen hearing heard nothing, yet. She couldn't determine how many only that at least one was in the vicinity. She swept her eyes in a methodic fashion, white everywhere, hindering her vision.

Slowly, she crept away, retreating back to towards the car. She got halfway when the beating of wings caused to freeze. It was then the Mesec appeared.

"Shit," she swore and opened fire. The flying mutation easily dodged the bullets, the ear piercing screech shattering the silence. Wings of a bird with single deadly claws curved into perfect daggers, the Mesec sized up its prey below. Alex remembered seeing these ugly fuckers during one of the newscasts from Edonia. Goddamn things could rip a full grown man to shreds. The trajectory on this thing made it difficult for Alex to get a good shot off. Its skin thick with tendons protruding along dual legs that ended in two sets of triple talon claws. Alex sprinted from the square, leading it away from any people, including Piers. Hopefully, the townspeople were smart enough to stay indoors at the first sounds of trouble. She wanted its sole attention on her.

"Come and get me, mother fucker," she snarled and darted behind some crates, narrowly avoiding its swoop attack. The cracking the splintering of wood took the brunt, a few larger splinters smacking her back and head. Alex tucked and rolled, frantic for anything that could provide cover. The Mesec climbed higher in the air, preparing for another assault.

"Alex!"

Piers, hearing the gunfire, had raced to her location, seeing the BOW hovering above. The Mesec spotted the newcomer, its focus turning to him. The marksman took aim, squeezing a few rounds before diving for the street. Alex rushed to her feet, firing to keep it at bay, determined to reach her partner before fugly could. Three of the bullets struck a wing, angering it as several pinons exploded into minuscule fragments and floated to the earth. It dove for Alex, floundering with its one good wing, talons out, ready to strike. Piers hopped up, taking aim but was tackled with Alex taking the brunt of its rage. She screamed in agony as it sunk the razor sharp hooks into the center of her back. The ripping of flesh and the inhuman screams coming from her own lips played like a sadistic song upon her ears. The Mesec dug further in, nails brushing one another the deeper they embedded themselves.

"NO!" Piers emptied his weapon, hitting the head and chest. Alex fired wildly behind her, her vision blurring from the pain. The Mesec wasn't giving, instead its hold only intensifying, predatory instinct dictating its behavior. It tried to take off, finding the weight of its victim and injured wing kept it grounded. Still, it flopped and floundered, razor sharp beak ripping the delicate area between her shoulder blades. Alex's screams haunted Piers' hearing as he continued to shoot.

The sudden yells coming from all around caused Piers to look up. Several of the villagers assaulted the Mesec, attacking with pipes, pitchforks and guns. The BOW howled and screeched as each stab, shot and blow weakened its hold. Alex felt the pressure lightening up as the orgy of weapons, anger and blood continued. The Mesec snarled and lunged but the villagers avoided the single claws. One helped Piers to his feet, handing him a pipe. He went for the head, recalling his experiences in Edonia. Blow after blow came, crushing the head of the creature. One of the villagers pulled Alex away, the hold on her released as the mob delivered the death blow.

With a final shriek, the Mesec collapsed in the town square, spraying some with a fine mist of crimson.

"Stand back!" Piers warned as the corpse started to bubble and disintegrate. A foul stench filled the air as the black liquid mass froze in pristine white. Several villagers vomited in response as others covered their mouths and noses.

Alex fought to get to her hands and knees, feeling torn skin and muscle mending. The deep throbbing of her wounds showing no sign of relenting. That's what she hate about the healing process: She could feel every cell heal, reunite, intertwine and twist back together. She felt violently ill and vomited on the street, only bile coming up.

"Alex," Piers rushed to her side. She was trembling but coherent. The back of her coat and shirt beneath were tattered, exposing muscle, tendon and skin to the cold. Blood streaked what bit of fabric had not been victim to the B.O.W. Peeks of bone weren't missed by his eyes.

"That fucking hurt," she groaned and grit her teeth. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes, cooling against the freezing air. Her hands balled into a set of fists, fists so tight her fingers were digging through the gloves.

"We need to get you out of here," Piers collected his injured companion, arm securing her waist, feeling her arm curling around his. He didn't hear the sobs escaping her lips on account of the wind.

"How bad is it? Be honest, Piers."

Piers examined the 6 perfect marks that marred her back and jagged tear where the beak had started to rip into her. The deepest injuries were the first to heal with the layers of muscle following suit. At least he couldn't see the grayish pearl peeking through anymore.

"Not like earlier. The bleeding stopped and the muscle is closing up."

Alex groaned and buried her face in the pillow. Piers had been careful in cleaning her wounds. He apologized for any pain he inflicted which she dismissed as part of the process. Piers couldn't help but to be in awe and shock at how fast her body was regenerating.

"I can get you something for the pain."

"Won't do anything. My body would burn it up in minutes. I have to ride it out. But, I'll be fine in an hour or so. Just have to let it run its course. Could try some ice to numb everything. "

Piers let her rest. He pulled a blanket over her body, which had only been clad in a pair of his shorts. Taking her hand, he squeezed it tight before planting a kiss in her palm. The BSAA would be arriving in a few hours to investigate this BOW assault. It had to be Ada's doing. Neo-Umbrella had its vile tentacles in every part of the world. When would this end?

It was dusk when there was a knock on the door. Piers had Alex's Beretta as he padded to the door. A quick look through the peep hole cast aside his apprehensions.

"How is she?" Jettingham rushed in, agitated by this latest development.

"Still asleep but healing."

The BSAA operative dropped in the chair by the bed, pulling back the blanket to find seven angry scars marking Alex's back.

"The DNA from the remains confirmed it was the same type of Mesec that was used in Edonia. Damn it. Fucker did a number on her," the older man felt his anger surface. Had she not been through enough with Wesker, Chris taking off and now this!?

"Alex put her ass on the line for me, knowing she could be severely injured or worse. She tried leading it away, to prevent anyone from getting hurt."

Crispin looked up and shook his head. "Piers, after everything she went through, the last thing she wants to see is anyone she cares about getting hurt or killed. Look, she didn't want you going alone to look for Chris not just because she wants him home but also, she was worried about you. See, she cares about you. A LOT. I know, it's not something new to hear that. She told me what happened in Slovakia."

The young marksman averted his eyes from the older man's, shame filling his veins. Crispin shook his head and took a seat beside him.

"I'm not going to judge, Piers, if that's what you're worried about. You two have been working closely to find Chris. Emotions surfaced. You're going to have to navigate this; both of you. And when you do find Chris -"

"She's in love with Chris. When we find him, I don't want to be in the way. But I'll be there for them. I want her to be happy, even if it's not me."

Crispin nodded, hearing the pain in his words. "We're going to be in town for a little bit longer wrapping up our investigation. Some of the guys and I will be at the local watering hold if you want to join and you don't have to drink. I don't think Alex is going anywhere. Sounds like that Mesec really wiped her out. Besides, she's a crack shot. Chris taught her a lot after she came home from being Wesker's little toy. She's resilient."

"Holy shit, look who it is!" Quint leapt from his seat nearly knocking it back. A wide surprised grin crossed his face as he spotted the marksman making his way through the crowd.

"Quint?" Piers extended a hand which was caught in a tight shake. "You're on his team?"

"Who, the Captain? Yeah, I got reassigned after seeing you two in Slovakia. How is Alex? Jesus Christ, I heard what that Tweety reject did to her. Any luck finding Chris?"

"Sleeping and healing. Damn Mesec took a lot out of her. Don't worry, she's going to be okay. Figured she needed a little rest after the rather eventful day. And nothing solid yet. Croatia was a total bust."

"Shit," Quint took a drink. "We gotta find him and not just for Alex's sake."

"I know, Quint. Who knows if Neo-Umbrella is trying to find him too. I wouldn't put it past Ada to try and find him first."

Crispin checked his phone, a new message from DC asking for an update on the BOW situation. They had to find out where the Mesec came from and who released it. It was definitely going to take more than a day to solve this. Before they left, he would stop to see how Alex was doing.

Piers returned to the room, expecting to see Alex on the bed but heard the shower running. At least she was awake and moving. A good sign. He sat down, pulling up the well worn and marked map. He felt they were getting closer to finding Chris. It was bittersweet feeling. Finding Chris would mean an end to this prolonged nightmare. Finding Chris would mean the closeness, the intimacy shared with her ends. No, he couldn't be selfish. She was never his to begin with.

"You okay?" Piers was snapped from his thoughts. Alex eased down beside him. She looked healthier, the deathly pale hue vanquished, replaced with a robust flush.

"Yeah," he waved her concerns aside. "How are you doing?"

"Better after sleeping and a shower. Pretty sure everything's healed up now."

"The BSAA are handling things. Sounds like they'll be sticking around for a bit. The Mesec was the same kind used in Edonia."

"Has to be Ada's doing. Bitch won't stop until we're dead." Her hand sought his, needing comfort. "So, where do we go to next?"

Before he could answer, the light rapping on the door interrupted them. Alex rose, curious as to who their unexpected guest was. Piers stood ready, weapon armed. He watched as tight, tense shoulders quickly melted to relaxed calm ones as the identity of their caller came to light.

"Stand down," she shook her head and opened the door. "It's only Crispin."

"Yeah, it's only Crispin," said man flashed a grin. "Well, look at you, up and walking. What? You didn't think I wouldn't stop to see ya after the exciting day you had?"

"I wouldn't exactly call it exciting," Alex gestured for him to enter. "Fucker destroyed my favorite shirt and coat."

"The team's going to be sticking around a little longer as HQ wants us to try and pinpoint the source of the BOW. Intel indicates there may be facility somewhere close by. And, you two are the talk around the tavern."

Alex and Piers traded looks.

"What do you mean?" The younger man raised an eyebrow.

"What you two did, saving the town, keeping it from becoming another Edonia. Yeah, they have internet and TV here."

"We may be on a mission to find Chris, but taking out BOWs along the way is just a side quest," Alex took a sip of tea, realizing it went cold. "Great way to purge the stress and anger too."

A week later, the team found the facility.

It had been abandoned.

The only thing left were the Mesecs waiting to be deployed. All in bio containment tanks, awaiting to be awakened and dispatched to cause chaos and death. All were quickly dispatched of What documents remained were quickly collected to be analyzed. But it was what lay within that disheveled stack of printouts and data, that caught the team's attention.

Piers reviewed the map, marking the towns they visited. Looked like Serbia was next. The nations which formed the old Yugoslavia state made perfect sense. All seen conflict which were the perfect conditions for B.O.W.s to be used in, not to mention the hideaway villages with their ancient structures and medieval feel. These were excellent places to hide when not wanting to be found.

His phone went off and he saw it was Crispin calling.

"Crispin, what'd you find?"

"Whoever was there ditched the place leaving B.O.W.s in tanks and data all over. But, Piers, that's not the concerning part."

"What do you mean?" What could be worse than finding B.O.W.s?

"Some of the files had photos; photos of you and Alex. Looks like they were taken over the last several months. The most recent photo was just...shit, this photo was earlier this week. It was when that Mesec attacked Alex."

"Shit," the marksman cursed. Neo-Umbrella was trailing them.

"Have you seen anyone suspicious? Anyone that didn't look like they belonged or were following either of you?"

"No, we've been careful. Been using cash where possible and using out of the way places to stay in."

"HQ is gonna want to know about this. This isn't an official mission as you two are on your own with finding Chris but, this is still pretty damn serious. We'll continue to monitor chatter and intel will keep us posted. You two please be careful and keep your asses down."

"Will do," Piers ended the call. Neo-Umbrella was hoping they would lead them right to Chris. As he sat there, a horrid thought crossed his mind. What if Neo-Umbrella was after Alex? Her body had assimilated the with the T-Virus bestowing her with multiple enhanced capabilities without the mutations or dis figuration. It made perfect sense! Neo-Umbrella would want to know what made her tick, use her blood to create stronger powerful B.O.W.s and do what god knows what else with her.

"Jettingham."

"It's Piers. Neo-Umbrella is after Alex."

"I came up with the same conclusion. Shit. And HQ won't provide any additional backup.. Neo-Umbrella is waiting to make their move. That Mesec must've been sent to disable her so she could be captured but you and the entire village showed up. And back in London, when those Ja'vo showed up. Someone dispatched them to get her."

"Alex isn't going to stop or let this deter her."

"Keep communications minimal including emails and phone calls back home. Look, I know this will be hard but I can let Jill know what's going on. I wonder if there's a leak somewhere. I mean, how would they know where to find you?"

"Let DC know too. He has some connections outside BSAA that could help and get a hold of Agent Leon S. Kennedy at the DSO."

"Got it. Piers, please look after one another out there. Alex is convinced he's still alive. She told me, she can feel it. She won't give up until she finds him alive or dead."

Jettingham ended the call with Piers, his first call to Jill. His second call to DC.

Okay gang, we're about 2 chapters from these two finding Chris. I originally had them giving in to their feelings, but, decided to keep the tension thick.