Chapter 10 - Mission Accomplished

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Extremely long chapter. (I promise this is the only time you see such a long chapter from me. (hopefully)) You have been warned, fellas.

Update 12 - 4 - 24: This is NOT the only time you'll see such a long chapter...

Enjoy!

----

Sinfuls' Base

9:24 P.M

You walk back and forth inside the operating room, while your partners outside get everything prepared. Your hands rest on the sides of your waist, and your chest can be visibly seen pounding from the nervousness. Feeling the heavy weight of anxiety crushing your chest, you take deep and slow breaths to calm the uneasy sensation. Yet, you don't succeed.

Your first 'mission' is about to begin so abruptly, and outside of the bunker, you can't help but imagine the worst scenarios coming to life. When you accepted Chris's request, you believed that your role as their doctor would only be needed inside this operating room...not outside. So what will happen at Rosewood...is uncertain.

Glancing at your phone, the time appears to be 9:25 P.M., and the realization hits that your departure is nearing. So, making your way towards the desk beside the operation chair, you pull out an empty army backpack that you will fill with first-aid supplies. You pick up the piece of paper left by Chris and begin to check the supplies that are necessary for the backpack.

Breathe....just...breathe...this will go well. There's a whole team on your back.

"Alright, let's see," you whisper to yourself. "Scissors, tweezers, sterilized bandages, plasters, alcohol, adhesive tape, tourniquet, painkillers, sterile gloves- so much for only an investigation," placing the paper back on the table, you move to pack your kit. Hopefully, this backpack will prove unnecessary, and the mission will end without any incidents.

Soon enough, the sound of footsteps reaches your ears, yet your focus remains on gathering the needed supplies. Whoever it is, you allow them to approach, without turning around.

"What a quiet dedicated lady you are," a familiar voice that evidently belongs to Luis, breaks through the silence, giving you a teasing greeting. You turn around and see him. His hands resting on his belt, walking toward you with deliberate and gentle steps. Great, the last thing you want now is Luis's cheesy flirting.

"Hey, Luis," You greet him back, before turning your attention back to the haversack. Luis steps beside you, curiously peeking at your preparations.

"Getting ready for your first shift, eh?" He asks, a light smirk drawn on his face.

"Yeah, hah," you chuckle awkwardly. "I guess you could say that."

"And...are you nervous, señorita?"

"Well, not going to lie, but-" You pause, sighing. "I am a bit." 

Luis then scoffs playfully. "Don't worry, nothing will happen to you." He speaks, his voice filled with confidence.

"Really?" You raise a skeptical eyebrow. "How can you be so sure?" 

Luis leans closer.

"Don't tell anyone, but I am a prophet," He playfully whispers, before stepping back, letting out a chuckle. You subtly roll your eyes at his response. Kind of ridiculous to actually expect a serious answer from him. "And do you wanna know what else I can predict?"

"What?" you question, playing along.

"That... you will soon replace your current lover...with someone who is roaming the Sinfuls' base as we speak," he teases, clearly implying himself. You sigh, pointing at your backpack with your hand.

"Luis, that's good and all, but- I have to get ready," you say, trying to put an end to this conversation. You're not in the mood for all this. 

Luis nods firmly, glancing at the cluttered table.

"I see, I see. Disculpe," he says, elegantly slipping in the last Spanish word, before turning around. His attention suddenly is drawn to your desk as you return back to your task. Luis walks towards the desk and slowly opens the drawer. A momentary silence follows, his movements freezing as his gaze fixates on the now-empty drawer. He tilts his head to face your back, to question you.

"I had some important papers in here. Where'd they go?" Confusion furrows your brows as you turn around to figure out what he is talking about. When your eyes land on the specific drawer of your desk, memories of handing Leon the papers with the sex tips resurface, causing you to cringe internally. Jesus-...

"God...Are you talking about those magazine pa-" Your words cut short as realization hit you. He had some important-

Luis is searching for the pages- he printed those?!

Is he freaking serious?!

"These-...were yours?!" your eyes wide open, the shock evident in your face and voice. A mischievous smile rises on the corner of his lips as he closes the drawer.

"Ah, I see you had your peek, eh?" 

Luis...Luis can be the biggest pesterer that ever existed. You shake your head, resting the sterilized gloves on the table. You should have known that he would be behind something like this.

"Why the heck did you put that in my drawer?" you ask in disbelief.

"Well, your desk seemed to have quite some room for an extra item, so I took my chances." Bullshit. He did not put them there for that reason. He did it just to get a reaction out of you, and he succeeded. His papers had embarrassed you in front of Leon.

God..this memory will haunt you for life.

"So, which tip seemed to entertain you the most?" he asks, walking back up to you. Does he really think you would actually take the time to read shit like that?

"What? I didn't read it! I tossed it into the garbage!" You defensively respond. Luis gives out a disappointing chuckle.

"Such a shame." He shakes his head, sighing. "Well then..It's alright," he leans closer one more time. "I can always print out more." He says in a flirtatious tone, before making his way towards the exit of the room. "Good luck for tonight, eh?" he winks, before walking outside.

You sigh, returning to your job once again, contemplating how unwanted attention seemed to come from people you weren't interested in...goddamn it.

--

Luis steps out of the operating room, to find Carlos, Leon, and Chris being the only ones left inside the bunker as Piers and Claire have left with the security team at noon for the island. Hopefully, they will finally retrieve Saddler's corpse.

"Silence. My favorite." Luis sarcastically exclaims, catching the attention of the team. However, his comment gets no response, and the three men return their focus back on their preparations.

Luis rolls his eyes, letting his gaze eventually fall on Leon, who is leaning against the table, diligently cleaning his Desert Eagle. He then glances at Carlos, who is adjusting extra ammo magazines in the tactical vest on his upper body. Lastly, Chris's voice resonates as he chats with Piers through his earpiece. So no one really had time for Luis's playfulness.

"Well then, amigos- Since my presence is not welcomed, I will go back to my laboratory to finish up with the blood samples." He announces. Chris's eyes move to Luis, giving him a firm nod as he talks. "Need me anything, before I leave?" he asks the captain.

"Hold on, Piers-" Chris's eyes shift back to the biologist. "No Luis, you are free to go. I expect you to be back at the base at 11."

Luis nods, pulling out his lighter and toying with it as he walks towards the exit. Before he leaves, he turns around. "Good luck, señors," his playful demeanor disappears, replaced with concern and care. "Stay safe."

Carlos gives a soft nod as Leon continues to delicately stroke the barrel of his gun with a napkin, not even lifting his head up.

His mind is occupied enough, contemplating about the upcoming quest. An anonymous sender had sent a letter to the B.S.A.A building, indicating that the suitcase the team was right after, is at the location mentioned in the envelope. Leon can't help but question how can Chris actually trust that information. How can he be so sure that there's actually intel there?

The suspicions are eating Leon internally, while Carlos is finished gathering his supplies. Carlos looking over at Chris for a few moments, decides to approach him, his skepticism about the mission evident.

"Everything ready?" Chris asks once he notices Carlos's presence.

"Yeah, we wait for (y/n) to finish packing, and we are good to go." Chris nods, and at that moment, Carlos finds himself caught in internal conflict, unsure whether to voice his concerns to the leader. After a brief internal struggle, he decides to speak up. "Chris," he begins, resting his hands on the collar of his vest, "Listen-..You know I don't side with Piers on this subject but..why does she have to come with us?" Carlos inquires, genuinely curious. "We've survived much worse without any immediate medical assistance. You know her help won't be needed there. We can't endanger her life like this."

Chris nods, as his gaze leaves Carlos's figure for a few seconds. "I know we all survived worse, but now that we have our own doctor, it's better to be safe than sorry.." he pauses for a bit in thought. "Look, I want Piers to see her worth in the team," he admits, crossing his arms. "And I want her to familiarize herself with urgent situations that might happen outside the base. Her primary role will still be in the operating room."

"Yeah but- if you plan to do that...shouldn't she go under some training first before she joins us outside the base? How can you be so sure that nothing will happen to her, or to us at Rosewood?" he questions.

"Because I know that you and Leon are more than capable of handling the quest and keeping her safe. That is enough for me to trust you," Carlos remains unconvinced, yet a slight smile appears on his lips. "Either way, this is her chance to start from somewhere."

As Carlos and Chris exchange, Leon listens attentively, keeping his focus on the task. He remains silent the whole time, keeping any comments to himself.

Suddenly, the discussion cuts off almost immediately the moment (y/n) walks out, with a backpack supported over her shoulders.

"I am ready." She announces, making her way toward Chris. He nods as Leon puts his gun in his holster and Carlos grabs his rifle. The three team members gather together, ready to leave. Chris gives them a gentle nod.

"Good. The three of you are good to go. Your vehicle is outside right at the entrance of the building." he states. The three members of the team make their way toward the exit until Chris's voice stops them once again. "Remember: Stay low, discreet, and cautious," he then leans closer to give them one final warning. "Expect company.."

----

Footsteps approach a building. An unknown person enters and makes their way to a specific destination. Their steps gradually slow down the moment of (y/n)'s apartment is in their sight. Standing at the front door, they pull out their phone to glance at the time. A picture of them and her together appears on their phone screen.

A tiny box is held in their hands. Standing in silence, their fingers reach the button and ring the doorbell. No answer. Another ring echoes. Still, no answer.

"Just as I thought..."

----

9:32 P.M

You follow Leon and Carlos's steps as they lead the way outside the B.S.A.A building. Carlos is already geared up, wearing his tactical vest and carrying a haversack filled with ammunition, while Leon has his guns holstered. You, on the other hand, carry your backpack with the first-aid supplies resting on your shoulder, along with the anxiety in your chest.

Who could have blamed you for that? Any ordinary woman like you would shit herself internally when from one day you only watch scenes like this in movies to another, actually living them. Leon's reassurance, of course, makes it a bit better for you. Plus, he and Carlos give you the vibe that they are people of trust in situations like this...or in general too.

Lost in thought, you find your glare frozen on Leon's broad back as you walk behind him. Your eyes begin to travel down, taking in the details of his attire- the black military tactical belt hugging his hips, the gun leg holster secured to the right side of his clothed thigh, and the tactical gloves adoring his hands, spotlighting his strong and appealing arms. Why is he-...so attractive in literal tactical gear?

Without noticing, the three of you reach a black matte cargo van. It looks like this bad boy will be your travel buddy.

"I'll take the wheel," Carlos declares, breaking your eye contact with Leon's form. He pulls out his rifle and tosses it to Leon, who lifts his arm and catches the gun. His arm tenses and his muscles flex at the grasp, before lowering it. He gives Carlos a firm nod in response, letting his eyes rest on you for a brief second.

"Follow me," He instructs, gesturing for you to join him, as Carlos enters the driver's seat. You remain silent, yet obediently following Leon's lead. He stands by the side of the van and slides open the doors, tilting his head to signal for you to enter the trunk.

You follow his gesture and make your way inside. Leon joins you, placing Carlos's rifle on the corner, and takes from the side a bulletproof vest. "Take that off," he peacefully orders, teasing the strap of your backpack with his fingers, leaning closer to you.

"Oh, right," you take the backpack off of you, placing it on the ground, between your legs. Leon kneels right in front of you, pushing aside the haversack, and begins to peel the side straps of the vest, preparing to help you put it on since you are unaware of how to do it yourself.

Just then, his fingers make the very first contact with the exposed skin on your arms. Your stare meets and lingers on his masculine facial features as he is now almost close to you. His eyebrows are scrunched up, showing dedication to his task.

He guides your arms, helping you slip them through the sleeves of the vest. A second later, the sound of the van's engine coming to life fills your and Leon's ears, but your attention remains fixed on his face, especially on his intense gaze that is focused on your upper body.

Your stare slowly lowers to his lips for a brief moment, before moving back up to his busy eyes. You subtly lick your dry lips, as soon as you feel his hands move downward, attaching the left strap first on the side of your waist.

Due to your interest in Leon, your mind plays tricks on you, making every physical touch from him feel alluring. Worst thing is, you are aware of this effect he has on you, and can't stop it.

You take a deep breath, attempting to regain control of your emotions and reminding yourself of what awaits you, him, and Carlos.

"Why am I putting this on?" you ask, finally breaking the silence between the two of you. Leon's eyes meet yours for a few seconds.

"To ensure your safety. In case anything happens." He replies in his stern tone, attaching the other strap. He got a point...Why else would you be putting on the vest? He then pulls away, once he finishes. "Keep the backpack close," Leon suggests. You nod, leaning back against the van's interior wall.

Leon exits the trunk and closes the door, before moving to the passenger's seat. Carlos is focused on the GPS from the small tablet-like device, trying to spot the location. You look at them from the back, remaining seated.

Until,

"Bingo!" Carlos announces with a hint of pride in his tone. He zooms in on the screen, to have a better look. "There it is," Leon leans forward, taking the device into his hands.

"That's it?" he asks, raising an eyebrow. "That's in the middle of a forest," he concludes, his suspicions pique.

"Looks like it," Carlos says, fastening his seatbelt. Leon shakes his head in disbelief, giving the device back to Carlos. It seems that he wants to say something, yet he decides to stay silent. He knows something's up, but no one seems to listen to his doubts. "Get comfortable you two. It's a three-hour ride from here." you nod on your part, leaning back, and most importantly, trying to calm down. Leon and Carlos-well..Leon is here, so there's nothing for you to worry about...right? Like, the dude saved the President's daughter from the gates of literal hell alone.

----

In his office, the atmosphere is bustling. Once their sinister plans are ready to set in action, the guards open the door for the group's leader, escorting him toward the exit. However, his movement abruptly stops when the boss's voice echoes through the room.

"No matter what happens tonight, I want Kennedy in this office, by the end of all this. Understood?" The leader turns around, a puzzled expression on his face.

"What about the mercenary and the nurse?"

"Make sure to stop them if they try to go after him." he steps closer, "Kill them, if necessary..."

----

- 3 Hours Later -

12:45 A.M

The time is 12:45 A.M. The vehicle slowly stops, grasping fully your attention. Carlos kills the engine as Leon peers outside the window, monitoring the desolate area they had been challenged to visit.

"We're here, friends," The moment you hear Carlos's declare, you kneel right behind them, to catch a glimpse of the surroundings from the van's windows. Leon remains silent, unbuckling his seatbelt.

The place appears to be an actual forest. The entire scene resembled a terrifying horror movie, and the three of you seemed like the dumb protagonists, casually driving here to spend the night in this spooky forest.

"This looks...odd." you murmur, scanning the area from inside.

"Come on," Leon steps out of the vehicle, moving towards the side of the van. Carlos follows him, and Leon slides open the doors, grabbing Carlos's rifle. He hands it back to him, as Carlos pulls out a two-way radio and an earpiece from his tactical vest. He passes it to Leon, letting him once again kneel right in front of you.

He gently brushes aside a strand of your hair, tucking it behind your ear, before carefully placing and adjusting the earpiece into your ear. Carlos stands back, holding his rifle, eyeing the scene.

"Now, I want you to listen to me," Leon begins to speak in a low, almost hushed tone. He pulls his hands away from you but keeps the distance between your faces close. "Carlos and I will be out to scan the area for any threats and hopefully find the suitcase," he almost hesitates at the last sentence. You could sense that he knew deep down that there is no way the suitcase would be anywhere near this place. They already searched their asses off for a month now without success.

Receiving an envelope from an unidentified person about it is just too damn sketchy. But Chris gave the order, and you will have to follow it.

"So it might take us a while," Leon says, pausing for a second. "With the earpiece, you can contact me, Carlos, and Chris." he then places the two-way radio in your open palm. "You can also reach out only to Carlos with this." you look at him puzzled as he talks. Why do they prepare you like you will go to fight in a war?

Well...because you can't fight for shit...

"Wait-..I'm gonna be all alone here?" you ask, a hint of panic arises in your face once you realize that both will be leaving.

"It's for your safety, (y/n)," Carlos says, trying to reassure you that it's for your own good.

"But what if something happens-"

"Nothing will happen to you if you do as I say." Leon interrupts you, assuring your safety. His gaze suddenly becomes strict. "You will not leave this van, no matter what. You will keep the first-aid and the two-way on you the whole time. If you need me, press through the earpiece. Understood?" you nod at Leon's order, closing your palm tightly around the radio.

Leon turns his head to face Carlos before exiting the van.

"We will be back soon," Leon says, his tone showing uncertainty about what really awaits them, before closing the door of the van.

You can hear their footsteps growing fainter as the seconds pass until you check from the passenger's windows that you are left alone completely. Exhaling your anxiety through your nostrils, you remain seated behind the driver and passenger seats, trying not to let fear overwhelm you. You sight solace in the moonlight, allowing it to console you.

"Come on, it's not that hard..just...do as he said..." you whisper to yourself, trying to ease the dread that lingers within you, not wanting to leave.

The silence and the darkness that engulfs the van for the next two minutes, do not help the situation at all.

You hold your arms tightly, trying to wipe off the uneasiness. No matter what happens, you have the radio, the earpiece, and your backpack with the first aid. Leon and Carlos will be back..and you pray to god in one piece.

Slowly, closing your eyes, you try to think of a way to relax and sit patiently to wait for your partners to finish and return back to the van, so you can get the hell out of this place.

But things...do not seem to go as planned..

"You better not make another sound," your eyes suddenly wide open. Your body freezes, as you hear a man's low voice almost in a quiet, threatening tone saying as you feel a metal surface pressing against the back of your head.

Holy. Fucking. Shit.

----

"How many bodies did you retrieve?" Chris asks, his eyes pinned on the map of the island. Other papers, including maps and photos of the village and the island, are scattered around on the table of the main room inside the Sinfuls' base, as well as other documents.

"Only 28. The rest of them are charred." Piers responds through the earpiece. "We hope Saddler is one of them,"

Luis is sitting at the table, his eyes glued to the contents that are spread out, as he takes a puff of his cigarette. He observes the whole conversation as his mind wanders to Leon and Carlos. The feeling of concern fills his chest, yet he appears neutral around Chris.

"Okay, we'll discuss the rest when you get here. I expect you and Claire at the base at dawn. Keep me updated for anything."

"Roger." Chris places his hands on the table and sighs, bowing his head, facing the floor.

"Things are getting serious, eh?" Luis asks, his voice calming and gentle, yet the concern can be heard.

"I'm afraid so," he pauses, regaining his composure. "Let's hope Carlos and Leon will get something out in Rosewood."

----

12:59 A.M

Leon and Carlos' footsteps slow down as they catch sight of the abandoned and isolated neoclassical house. It towers them but is in extremely poor condition. The wind caresses the trees, and the only sounds are those of nocturnal insects. The cool air brushes against their faces and rustles their hair. Their guns are raised, scanning in all directions for potential threats.

Their movement stops as they stand right in front of the property, about 10 meters away from the entrance. Leon then places two of his fingers on his earpiece, lowering his Desert Eagle. "Chris. We are at 53. An abandoned house."

"Anyone in sight so far?"

"Negative," Leon replies.

"Okay. Stay alert. We'll maintain contact."

"What the hell is this place?" Carlos almost whispers, his glare darting on his surroundings on the left. Leon follows Carlos' footsteps, scanning to his right.

"Not one to spend your honeymoon," Leon dryly replies, attempting to lighten the mood. The echoing sound of crickets fills the air, causing Carlos to turn and look at him.

"Fits your joke," Carlos playfully taunts. Leon rolls his eyes, brushing off the comment.

The two men stand before the building, their eyes surveying the surroundings. Leon approaches the door and attempts to open it but fails.

"It's locked," Leon states, frustrated. "C'mon, give me a hand," he requests, leaning his upper body against the door. Carlos moves right beside him, and together they push forcefully, exerting all their strength to break the door down. Carlos and Leon groan, their efforts to break through the door becoming increasingly violent.

"We gotta kick it," Carlos suggests, a proposal Leon agrees with. They step back once more, and with one powerful, violent kick, break the doors open. A smirk of pride curls up on Carlos' lips with their success. They stand unmoving for a few seconds, peering inside.

"Ladies first," Carlos teases Leon, leading the way with his hand.

"What a gentleman," Leon sarcastically responds, stepping inside. The two men cautiously aim their weapons once more as they enter.

Carefully, they move further inside, as their guarded instincts keep them alert of any upcoming threats. The place is dimly lit, making it difficult for Carlos and Leon to see their surroundings clearly.

Leon pulls out a flashlight, cross-aiming it with his gun, while Carlos activates the flashlight attached to his rifle.

"Should we split up?" Carlos suggests. "It will buy us some time."

"Sounds like a plan. Let's stay in contact," Leon agrees as Carlos heads off to explore the first floor, while Leon begins his search on the ground floor.

Time ticks away, and the two men search diligently, but they find neither signs of life, nor any valuable information. How is this even possible?

Leon and Carlos' suspicions steadily grow. Alongside their mounting confusion, they meet again on the ground floor, right where they initially split up, close to the exit of the neoclassical house. Did they waste their time here? Who could play games like this with them? Why would they be led all the way here only to find not a single trace of the samples or the person behind the letter?

Was this..a trap?

"Anything from upstairs?" Leon inquires to break the silence, his eyes still scanning the area.

"Nothing at all," Carlos responds in surprise, lowering his rifle. "Whoever sent us here, is clearly fucking with us.." Leon remains quiet. He had done his best to shake off the sense of distrust, but as the events keep unfolding, it only develops within him.

Sighing, Leon nods towards the exit.

"Let's go-"

"Not so fast, gentlemen," suddenly, a commanding voice reverberates, grasping Leon and Carlos's attention. In the blink of an eye, they find themselves encircled by 7 armed men, their weapons pointed at them. Their gaze stiffens, surely not expecting such big company after them.

"Shit.." Carlos mutters under his breath, looking around him. This confirms Leon's earlier suspicions. They have walked straight into a deadly ambush.

With their backs pressed against each other, Leon and Carlos scan their surroundings, considering the imminent threat. The leader of the group steps forward, making his way toward the two Sinfuls.

"Leon S. Kennedy. What a pleasure to find you here. Not that I am surprised," The man greets him with a menacing smile. "I see you got company with you..didn't dare to come alone?"

"Who are you?" Leon inquires sternly, his eyebrows furrowing in cautiousness.

"Let's say, someone who wants a buy a suitcase, perhaps." the man hints, leaving Leon and Carlos momentarily speechless. Surprise marked on their faces. Was he the one who sent the letter? They deep down believed that Saddler was behind this. Who are they and how do they know about the suitcase-...or-..who else knows about the suitcase?

"Well, there's no store for that around here," Leon replies ironically, provoking a mocking laugh from the leader.

"You have a sense of humor, don't you?" the man sneers. "But I'm a direct man, so let's get straight to business, shall we?" he takes one step closer. "Look around you, mister Kennedy, we all are here for the same thing," his expression shifts to seriousness. "And we both know what that is," his gaze briefly turns from Leon to Carlos before returning to Leon. "With your cooperation, we will be able to retrieve the suitcase."

"And what are you going to do with the samples?" Carlos asks.

"That is not something for you to know about. Your job will be to follow the orders," the man coldly responds as he starts pacing back and forth in slow motion. "Come on. You need our help. Because," a smile creeps on his lips. "I have the location of the suitcase and know who is the owner." he declares with a voice filled with taunt. His steps abruptly stop, returning to face them again. "Do you?"

"Bullshit," Leon breathes hoarsely, simultaneously raising his gun along with the man. Carlos aims his rifle at one of the armed men, desperately thinking of an escape plan. Neither of them believe a word that came out of the man's mouth.

"Now this is not a very smart move, Mr. Kennedy," The man warns, his expression becoming threatening. "Because we are here to negotiate, not create...conflict."

"Is this your way of negotiation?" Carlos taunts, gesturing toward the armed men surrounding them. The tension in the room rises as no one lowers their weapons.

"Well, it is up to you. We can do this the easy way, to the hard way. Your choice." The leader declares, slowly shifting his gun aim from Leon to Carlos. Leon's temper flares. He has had enough of this man's attempted mind games, so he will put an end to this.

"I don't know about my partner, but I prefer to do this the hard way," Leon states firmly, and in one swift motion, he aims at the ceiling, firing at the chandelier. It crashes down, shattering into sharp glass chips, injuring their enemies.

"Looks like you've made your choice." the man utters with a dark, sinister tone, and the room erupts in gunfire.

Leon kicks over a nearby wooden table to create a shield as bullets begin to rain down upon them.

"Shit!" Carlos curses out as he takes cover behind a sturdy marble column, narrowly avoiding the sharp rounds.

Carlos instantly contacts Chris through his own earpiece, announcing they're getting attacked while Leon is staying hidden behind the desk. Fury fuels him at how easily they got themselves into this mess, thanks to Chris's leadership. They could have ignored this. It was more than obvious that things wouldn't escalate quickly, but no one would listen to Leon if he spoke up about his doubts. And yet, he is the one to pay the price.

His anger suddenly swifts to concern the moment realization hits him-remembering who is left behind at the van right now. Her. He ensured her safety, and he must prioritize her well-being.

Leon quickly places his fingers against his earpiece, attempting to contact her amidst the rapid gunfire. She has to leave the area before she gets dragged further into this goddamn mess. He starts calling out her name, hoping for a response.

"It's Leon! Can you hear me?!" No response from the other line. He sighs in despair before he mutters, "Shit!" His eyes dart to Carlos, who is returning fire at their attackers. A moment of silence ensues in the room and Leon finds the perfect opportunity to call to him.

"Carlos, call (y/n)! Tell her to get into the van and drive off!" Leon orders. Carlos nods firmly, pulling out his radio.

--

"(y/n)! They set us up!" Carlos's voice echoes urgently through the radio." Get in the driver's seat and get the hell out of the area! Leon and I will contact you once this-" his words suddenly cut off as the sound of gunfire fills your ears via the radio.

You sit frozen in the van. Your eyes are tacked on your earpiece lying on the ground, the radio is in the intruder's hands, and his gun is pointed directly at you.

Fear showers you. Your legs tremble, praying to god these are not your last moments alive. Chills run down your spine, hearing everything that's happening to Carlos and Leon through the device.

The intruder listens carefully to the radio before his eyes shift to you. Seconds pass, and his glare moves from your trembling figure onto your backpack, letting his curiosity pique. He bends down, dragging the bag closer and opening it. You remain unmoving, your eyes never leaving him for even a second.

A chuckle escapes the intruder's lips as he examines the contents of the backpack. "I see you came prepared." he taunts, tossing aside the bandages. "Fortunately, you won't be needing those tonight. Unless you decide to fight back." You don't reply to his comment, keeping your thoughts to yourself, knowing that any wrong move or word could be your fatal end.

You silently plead for Leon and Carlos to quickly come back...how the hell did you let yourself get into this mess...

--

"Leon, she's not responding!" Carlos urgently informs Leon, who remains crouched behind the table. The column against which Carlos had taken cover begins to crack, punctured with bullet holes, and chunks of it start to fall. Carlos grasps the first opportunity to slide beside Leon, sharing the shield behind the table and narrowly dodging the incoming rain of bullets.

"Damn it!" Leon snarls with his worry mounting dangerously.

 A short pause follows as the enemies continue their ongoing assault, firing at the windows and lights, creating a chaotic and panicked atmosphere. Fragments of glass rain down upon Leon and Carlos. Both men instinctively cover their heads for protection.

"Surrender, Kennedy! You don't have a choice!" the leader of the armed group shouts with arrogance.

"You go. I'll try to distract them." Carlos assures him. His voice shows determination, encouraging Leon to exit the building. Giving Carlos a firm nod, Leon looks left and right, searching for the safest route. Just then, without hesitation, he breaks through a nearby window, slipping out into the open.

Carlos leans back against the table, thinking of his next move, to follow Leon's trail. Suddenly, an idea strikes him, and he retrieves a smoke grenade from his tactical vest. He swiftly removes the lid with his teeth.

"Suck on this," He growls under his breath, before hurling the grenade toward their direction. The thick smoke quickly swallows the area, providing Carlos with the perfect opportunity to create a distraction and escape without killing anyone.

-

1:22 A.M

Leon jogs his way toward the van hastily. The silence is beyond dubious, so his steps gradually slow down as he gets closer.

His breaths come in short pants as he holsters his pistol, knowing that using it outside would only draw more attention after the gunfire he and Carlos had caused inside the lot.

"(y/n)?" he calls out, almost desperate to hear her voice. But there is no answer, only an unsettling silence that boosted further his concern.

He now stands right in front of the van's sliding door. As he is about to open it, Leon tilts his head to the side as he hears steps against the rocky ground approaching him from behind, making their presence palpable. Leon instinctively turns around, ready to defend himself. With quick reflexes, he dodges a knife attack from a man dressed similarly to the others inside the building, confirming that he is part of their group.

The attacker is taken aback by Leon's agility, but that does not stop him. He immediately recovers, swinging his blade to graze Leon's chest, but Leon quickly moves back, drawing his own knife in response. The intruder's efforts to immobilize Leon fail miserably as he skillfully blocks each attack.

Leon grabs the opportunity and by blocking the next attempt, he slices the man's forearm, forcing him to drop the knife. Taking advantage of the intruder's closeness, Leon swiftly disarms him, snatching the gun from his thigh holster and delivering a powerful strike to his head. The man's grip loosens, and he collapses on the ground, dizzy and on the verge of unconsciousness, as his eyes fixate on Leon's body.

"You go to sleep now," Leon almost whispers, as he reholsters his knife and tosses the gun on his stomach. He turns around to face the van's door once again. He feels a sense of relief that he had arrived just in time to prevent the intruder from confronting her...or so he thought.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Leon lets out a sigh of exhaustion before sliding open the van's door.

--

The doors open, revealing Leon's frozen gaze as he takes in the sight of you. The intruder holding you in place as he is sat right behind you, his arm wrapped around your neck, and the old steel of his gun pressed on the side of your head. Leon immediately draws his own gun from its holster, pointing it directly at the intruder. His eyes dart downwards to the earpiece and the radio on the ground.

"That's a foul move right there." the intruder taunts, drawing Leon's attention back to him. The man's voice is deadly serious as he tightens his hold on you. The tension in the air becomes suffocating, and Leon can see the fear in your eyes.

"You're not the first one to say that." Leon retorts. A brief moment of silence extends between them, each second feeling like an eternity. Your heart is pounding in your chest, fueled by adrenaline, as you struggle to control your quick and panicked breathing.

"You will be cooperative and follow the captain's orders, or else you will see your friend's brains splatter right in front of you," he declares, rocking you forcefully as he speaks, pressing the gun's barrel harder against your head. "Is that clear?" Leon's glare shifts from the intruder to you.

"Let her go," he says, cocking his gun slowly. "Now." the intruder's grip tightens around you, making it difficult for you to breathe.

Out of nowhere, the intruder's partner rises behind Leon, stumbling as he approaches. He lifts his rifle and strikes Leon on the back of his neck, but the blow isn't forceful enough to render Leon unconscious. Instead, Leon hisses in pain, lowering his pistol slightly. Before he can even turn around, the man grabs him from behind, immobilizing him.

Taking the opportunity, the intruder pushes you almost harshly aside and jerks out of the trunk, attempting to disarm Leon. Reacting with remarkable speed, Leon swings his leg and delivers a powerful kick to the intruder's stomach, causing him to stumble backward. This act enrages the intruder. He draws out his rifle, aiming it at Leon, but his partner collapses to the ground, dragging Leon down with him. Everything happened so fast, from one moment to the other, that Leon finds himself now literally sandwiched by the two enemies.

The man who was holding you captive back in the van, is now atop Leon, raising his weapon to strike, but Leon evades the attack at the last moment, causing the blow to land on his partner instead. Blood splatters from the man's mouth, leaving him unconscious.

"I will take you with me," The intruder roars, consumed by rage at this point at Leon's reflexes. Just then, he presses the side of his rifle harshly against Leon's neck, making it difficult for him to breathe. "Either alive or dead."

You try to process the chaotic events that unfold. Seeing Leon entangled in a desperate struggle, trying to break free, doesn't give you any time to think about your upcoming actions. Your gut only tells you to do one thing,

You jump out of the trunk, and wrap your arms around the intruder's neck from behind, forcefully pulling him away from Leon. Just moments ago, it was you in his clutches. How the tables have turned.

Choking on air, the intruder fights against your grasp, causing both of you to fall to the ground. The intruder's rage strengthens as he attempts to break free, but you hold on to him for dear life, determined to try and protect Leon.

Unexpectedly, he manages to lift you both up, shaking you violently in an attempt to dislodge you. With a sudden twist, he turns to face you, tightening his grip on the weapon's butt.

And just then,

Boom...in a flash, a burning pain shoots through your face, as if a lightning bolt has struck, cracking the bones of your nose. You groan in agony from the horrid sensation, falling back in the trunk, as tears of pain and discomfort well up in your eyes. Blood begins to flow out of your nostrils, rolling down to your forearm as you hold your nose.

Why the hell do they use their guns like it's fencing? You wish he just would shoot you instead at this point.

However, the distraction you had caused bought Leon the precious time he needed. He swiftly regains his footing and picks up his dusty pistol from the ground. As the intruder turns around, Leon acts without hesitation and shoots one of the man's knees. Just as the intruder starts to lose his balance and fall to his knees, Leon snatches the rifle from his hand. With a swift motion from behind, Leon pulls the intruder onto his chest, by pressing the side of the rifle against his neck, applying enough pressure to control him without cutting off his breathing entirely.

Eventually, due to the restricted oxygen, the intruder surrenders and passes out, collapsing into Leon's arms. Gently laying him down, he takes a moment to catch his breath, adjusting his holster and tucking his black t-shirt. The moment his eyes meet yours, his expression softens, and he walks up to you.

"You okay?" he asks, his eyes scanning your bleeding face. Does it look like you're okay? The tears from the sting of pain roll down your cheeks, your eyes shut, while the blood is dripping on the van's floor couldn't be a clearer answer. Unable to respond, you suddenly feel his gloved hands tenderly grasp yours, pulling them away to have a look at the damage. You open your eyes to see him a few inches away from you.

The greatest jumpscare you had in the past 23 years.

His eyes linger on the lower parts of your face for a few seconds. Then his expression contorts at the sight of your injured nose."I guess not," he remarks slightly concerned.

Definitely not the moment to kiss with the blood smeared all over your nose and lips.

"I think I cracked my nose." you quietly say, your voice breaking as you wince in pain

"Well, could have been worse," he responds, trying to sound cheerful as his sternness returns from the tone in his voice. He takes a rashing look at his surroundings, before focusing back on you. "Get in the van. We have to get Carlos and leave to get your nose treated. The sooner, the better." You nod at his order, as he assists you stepping back into the van. The pain is unbearable, and you can feel your nose throbbing from the impact.

You're gonna look like pure shit for the next few days...or even weeks.

"Guys!" Carlos pants, rushing toward you, his weapon in hand. Leon turns his head to see Carlos approaching the two of you. His alertness fades as soon as he notices your fucked up nose and the two unconscious soldiers on the dusty ground. "Damn, what the hell happened?" he asks.

"Not the time, Carlos," Leon replies curtly. Carlos nods quickly, resting the rifle inside the van.

"We have to leave, now! These fuckers are looking for us." he warns as he walks quickly towards the driver's seat. Leon closes the door from the side, leaving you alone, and makes his way to the passenger's seat.

Turning on the engine, Carlos steps on the gas pedal, and the squeaky sound of the wheels spinning on the hot ground reverberates. The team speeds away as fast as possible, evading any pursuit from the enemies.

You slowly take your backpack in your hands, taking out gauges in order to stop the bleeding from flowing further. Minutes pass in silence as the three of you remain in a state of slight shock, processing the encounter you just experienced.

"What the hell was that?..." Carlos exclaims, stunned. "Who were they?"

"I don't know...but as it looks like, we're not the only ones after the samples." Leon responds, his eyes pinned on the road and the concern consumes him. He briefly glances at you through the rearview mirror. "But first, we have to take care of (y/n)," he continues with a softer tone. "You alright? Does it hurt a lot?"

"Nah, don't worry. I'm okay," Liar, liar, pants on fire. You're so lost in pain, that you find it difficult to fully commit in the conversation, struggling to keep your eyes open.

You reach for a painkiller to ease the discomfort caused by your definitely fractured bone. All of this chaos unfolded in less than an hour. Unable to help it, questions start overfilling your mind at the way the events spread like that...who else knows about the samples? Chris assured you that only the team was aware of the suitcase and its contents. Why is everyone after it? What do they want to accomplish from retrieving that suitcase?

But above all, something that went unnoticed by Carlos and Leon lingers in your thoughts- why were these people specifically targeting Leon?...

So..Mission accomplished...or not?

----

The smoke gradually disbands, revealing a scene surrounded by temporary calmness. The relentless storm of gunfire stops, allowing a horrid aftermath silence to settle in the air. On the opposing side, there is no sign of movement or sound. The men slowly and cautiously begin to make their approach to the location where Leon and Carlos had sought shelter moments before the smoke engulfed their surroundings, making them invisible.

With each step, their pace slows in wariness and curiosity. As they arrive in front of the toppled and bullet-ridden table, a subtle smirk begins to surface on the lips of the group's leader, a hint of belief that they might have finally captured their arranged partner.

"Game over, Kennedy," he coos as he kicks the table aside with his boot. At that moment, his eyes widen as his men slowly lower their rifles.

There's no one there...only the lid from Carlos' grenade.

"Captain, two of our men were found unconscious outside of their parked van. They are in poor condition," a soldier reports, his voice filled with urgency, as he enters the building and hurries toward their group leader.

"Is their van there?" the leader asks, his eyes still on the lid. The soldier remains silent for a few seconds before finally answers with hesitation.

"No, sir."

"Shit!" He hisses, his jaw clenched. Gesturing with a swift motion of his hand, he signals his men to gather around and quit their search. "Call for the pilot. Bring medical assistance immediately."

"And what about Kennedy? If the boss finds out-"

"I will handle it," the leader interjects, cutting off the soldier mid-sentence as he strides purposefully toward him. "Destroy this building. Leave no trace behind," he commands, his gaze briefly fixating on the shattered entrance doors.

"The hard way it is, Mr. Kennedy."

----

- 4 Days Later -

Four days passed after the frightening incident back at Rosewood, and you don't even know where to begin. You find yourself at a loss as to where to begin processing everything that occurred in that horrific place. The way that you could get killed right on the spot, continues to shock you at the very least.

Doubts begin to creep into your mind- should you stay or quit the job? But then, there's Claire, Chris...Leon.

Speaking of him- you don't even know what to do with this man anymore. He seems to care, yet he also appears to not give a shit about you. His complexity adds another layer of difficulty as you try to match his moods and earn his trust. Maybe you should just-...focus on yourself.

On the other hand, you can't help but be captivated by him. The way he looks at you, the way he speaks, his demeanor- everything about him is mysteriously alluring. Not to mention when he once again helped you out.

Taking a deep breath to wipe away your thoughts, you reach the front door of the base. You are quite in the dark regarding the team's current progress and their plans after the events at Rosewood and the visit to the island.

Because these past four days were spent in the hospital, getting treatment for your cracked nose. The doctors informed you that it would take three weeks for your nose to fully heal, so you will walk around like a dumbass with a plaster cast around your healing bone. And you know what that means...

If Ava visits you during those three weeks...she's gonna make fun of your ass.

The doctors recommended rest, but here you are, placing your hand against the scanner to enter the bunker. Chris had arranged a meeting in the afternoon, and as a member of the team, you are needed to attend. The intent of the meeting is to discuss the events involving Piers and Claire on the island, as well as your own adventures with Leon and Carlos in Rosewood. Also, Chris may reveal the team's next moves.

The moment the doors slide open the only ones you see surprisingly is Chris and Piers. Their gazes shift toward you the moment you enter, but Piers quickly averts his eyes, focusing on the papers on the table. On the other hand, Chris greets you with a warm smile, both of them luckily not making a comment about the plaster on your nose.

Return Chris' kind gesture, you step inside. "Hello."

"(y/n), glad you're back with us." Chris welcomes you, approaching you slowly. "How is your nose healing? Did you go under the knife?"

"Sadly yes," you sigh through your slightly parted lips. "But luckily everything's over now, so..."

"Did your parents say anything about it?" Chris raises an eyebrow curiously. You shake your head.

"I uh..got treated somewhere else. I didn't want them to find out."

"I see,"

"And how long will it take for your nose to heal?" Piers adds, following you and Chris, now standing near the entrance.

"The doctors told me about three weeks," you reply, noticing a hint of irritation in Piers' expression as you mention the timeframe. However, given the mess you're currently dealing with...you really don't give a shit at the moment. You know your worth in the team and the importance of the work you are doing. Chris briefly glances at Piers, before turning back to you.

"Alright, you can head to the operation room. We'll call you once the rest of the team arrives, okay?" you nod in agreement, adjusting the purse on your shoulder, and making your way back inside. Just as you're about to enter, you overhear Piers whispering to Chris,

"We need to talk."

--

Five minutes later, Leon becomes the third member of the team to arrive for today's duty. He adjusts the collar of his jacket as he approaches the entrance of the Sinfuls' base. After placing his car keys aside in his pocket, he prepares to place his hand against the scanner, beside the door. However, faint murmuring from inside the bunker captures his attention. Intrigued, he furrows his eyebrows and leans forward, attempting to hear the conversation more clearly.

"Did you see her? If Leon wouldn't step in, she would be dead by now." Piers' voice hisses faintly from inside the bunker. "She was lucky enough to come back with just a broken nose."

"Piers-"

"Leon and Carlos were in a much more perilous situation and managed to escape unharmed," Piers interrupts, not giving the chance for Chris to talk. "She was inside the van, and still got attacked-"

"It wasn't her fault- You're comparing two completely different roles-"

"You are missing the point, Captain. "If she knew how to defend herself, we could have avoided this!" Piers raises his voice slightly. Leon remains silent, listening intently to the entire conversation. "She might have even disarmed the attacker and brought him in for questioning." There is a brief pause. ""Now we have to wait for such a long time, till she recovers.."

"Piers-"

"And as you said, time right now is our greatest enemy." Leon hears carefully, feeling quite vexed from what he's hearing, his eyes tacked on the grey floor."She's a lost case, Chris. I understand her skills as a surgeon, but she is not the one for this job. You have to understand."

"I am not firing her, Piers. My decision is final." Leon slowly pulls away, his mind filled with skepticism as he ponders the conversation he just overheard. Piers seems to be against having (y/n) on the team simply because she lacks self-defense skills. Really now?

Lost in thought for a few seconds, Leon finally decides to scan his hand against the door's scanner, revealing himself to the two men standing in front of him as the doors open.

Piers and Carlos' conversation cuts short immediately the moment they see Leon.

"Morning," Leon greets them sternly, walking past them and taking off his jacket.

"Good morning, Leon," Chris returns his greetings, trying to conceal the subject he and Piers were discussing. Leon places his jacket on his seat and adjusts his shoulder holster. Piers looks at Chris, leaning closer to him.

"Just think about it... That's all I'm asking," Piers whispers almost under his breath, making his way to the table to examine the documents. Chris remains motionless as Leon's gaze remains glued on the door of the operating room.

--

Your eyes are pinned on the new romance novel you started reading while waiting for the rest of the team to arrive. Sneaking in your books and reading them during breaks is far more preferable than being on your phone.

Besides, you haven't had much time to read lately, so now is the perfect chance.

Lost in the plot, you bring the written scenes to life with the help of your imagination, and enjoy the quietness that lingers inside the operating room. A quietness that doesn't last for long.

You hear a soft knock on the door, and your eyes immediately rise to see who it is, hoping not to get caught reading what you're reading. When you see who it is, your eyebrows shoot up in surprise, not expecting this particular person to enter.

"Leon?" your voice carries a sense of stunner. He closes the door behind him, as he moves closer, making his way toward you. Quickly closing the book and shoving it into your purse, you stand up from your chair. "Is everything okay?" you ask, still completely caught off guard. Leon entering your room can only mean two things: He either needs medical information or requires your services. So, you try to figure out which one it is.

"Hey," he greets you as he stands in front of you, crossing his arms and placing his palms against his chest under his armpits."How is your nose?" he asks you, as his gaze lowers to the plaster cast. Well damn...that was..unexpected.

"It's getting better. In three weeks, it will be like brand new," you reply with a slight jest, and Leon nods, maintaining his expressionless demeanor.

The stoic agent we all love.

"I see," A brief silence appears. You notice that Leon seems to be skeptical. Does he want to tell you something perhaps? Or is he just gonna...stand there?

"So, can I uh-..help you with something?" you ask, breaking the silence.

"Actually," Leon pauses, his eyes meeting yours. "I am here to talk to you about something," You narrow your eyebrows, confused. Leon wants to talk...is he okay? Does he have a fever? Did he hit his head or something? What the hell happened to him those four days you were missing?

"Of course. Sure, what is it?"

"Back at Rosewood, you did a good job, trying to disarm the attacker. Yet, you could have easily defeated him, if you were prepared correctly." 

You nod, trying to follow up with him. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that I can provide you with a few knife lessons to improve your skills and ensure that nothing like what happened in Rosewood is repeated," Okay...What? So..he wants to...train you?

"Are you..asking me to take..knife lessons?" you slowly ask.

"I am not asking you. I am announcing to you," he sternly corrects you. "It's primary to take knife lessons since you will be working with us for a while. That also means that you might encounter many situations like this back at Rosewood" Great...sooo, you will get diapers at this point, huh? "The lessons will also help you defend yourself from possible creeps." he subtly hints, implying the incident where he helped you with the man who followed you outside the bar that night-the very first time you met him.

"Okay.." you respond, understanding and now eager to see what these knife lessons with Leon will be like. One thing you hope for is that he won't be too hard on you.

"Good." He uncrosses his arms and makes his way toward the exit. Opening the door, he turns around to face you once more.

"Once you recover, we start training."

----

You are A REAL ONE if you managed to read all this. Hell, I needed a whole day to edit the chapter before posting it! XD

I apologize for the super duper delay to update! But I really hope you are not disappointed with the result and made the wait worth it!

Have a great and lovely day! Eat and drink water yall!