Chapter 14 - A Rookie's Place

----

You and Leon stand just outside the interrogation room, observing the suspect through the two-way mirror. Your eyes are fixed on the person you're about to question, who is a possible murderer. Yes, an actual killer. It's your first interrogation, and Leon just made sure to make you question a man that probably was the one that slit a man's throat, instead of interrogating a thief or someone less...harmful.

"Okay, rookie," Leon's hand rests on your shoulder. You shift your gaze to it before looking back at him. "First interrogation. I want you to put on act everything I taught you. Remember, without a confession, we can't do anything." He speaks firmly, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. You nod nervously, your hands hanging behind your back. "Show him you have the upper hand, and make him fear you."

"Got it." You answer, trying to show determination, when in reality...you're shitting rocks from nervousness.

"'Got it' my ass," Leon removes his hand from your shoulder. "You're shaking like a fucking fish that got out of the sea. Is this how you are going to protect the community?"

Sighing, you let your arms fall loosely. "No, Leon,"

"It's Detective Kennedy to you, rookie," he corrects you, the sternness apparent. "Now get in, and make the suspect confess his crime." You give a hesitant nod, before making your way towards the room.

Finally, you slowly push open the door, and the suspect's eyes fixate on your entrance. Walking in, and closing the door from behind you, feeling the anxiety conquering your whole body. The suspect seems to be in his early twenties, with a chilling appearance, and you can't help but feel intimidated in his presence.

You clear your throat as you walk towards the table. The suspect's eyes do not leave you for a single second. Glancing at the two-way mirror, you only see your reflection, but you can sense Leon eyeing every single movement you make through the glass.

Sitting across from the handcuffed suspect, you take out a notepad and pen, ready to use it. You clear your throat awkwardly, your body language already betraying your unease.

"Alright," you begin, your voice wavering slightly as you look down at your notepad, ready to write down information. "Um..I-..want you to tell me where you were on the evening of September 22nd." The suspect smirks, hearing your hesitation. Instead of responding, he tilts his head, seemingly intrigued by your behavior.

Leon watching from behind the two-way mirror, raises an eyebrow in confusion. He remains stoic, his hands clenched on the desk as he observes your performance.

You take a deep breath, trying to regain your composure as you glance at the empty page of your notepad before focusing on the suspect. Sitting across from a possible serial killer sends literal chills down your spine. You just- feel like he's gonna slash your throat any second, even though you're safe. 

All you want to do right now is get the fuck out of here and let Leon take over instead.

"Do I need to ask you again? Where. Were. You? Tell me, now." You repeat, trying to sound more threatening. "I'm waiting." The suspect maintains his silence. He doesn't appear to be the slightest bit scared by you. He rather appears to be amused by your attempts to be intimidating.

His handcuffed hands rest on his lap, and he continues to look at you with an unsettling gaze. Breaking eye contact with him, you clear your throat once again.

"Do you need some water, miss?" He suddenly speaks. His voice is low and raspy as if he started smoking when he got out of his mom's womb. You give him a look of disgust, not even trying to hide it. "You look like you've seen a ghost. Wet that pretty little throat of yours." He adds, glancing down at your neck. You instinctively hold your neck, recalling that the victim was killed by having his throat slit. Leon being a witness to your fear, shakes his head in disapproval. His sharp gaze pierces you behind the two-way mirror as you continue your 'interrogation.'

Suddenly, the suspect leans forward, making you jump lightly. You feel threatened by his action, thinking that he will attack you, and subconsciously push yourself backward, grabbing your notepad. Stumbling to your feet, you rush toward the exit. Leaving the room, you close the door and lean against it to ensure the suspect won't follow.

Once you're outside, you slowly pivot, and see Leon standing about a meter away from you. From his expression, you can tell that he is far from pleased with the progress you've made, which is none.

"Can I ask you something, rookie?" He asks, his tone calm.

"Yes...?" you reply hesitantly. Leon takes a few seconds to reply, his arms slowly crossing over his chest.

"What is this shit?" He finally asks in incredulity. You close your eyes and take a deep breath.

"I'm sorry, Leon—"

"Detective Kennedy," he interjects.

"Alright, yes, Detective Kennedy," you say, trying to regain composure. "I just- I can't do this," you admit, pausing and glancing at the suspect. "This guy right there looks...spooky. The way he looked at me was weird. As if he's some- cannibal."

"He looks spooky? Cannibal?"  Leon repeats, his eyebrows furrowed in annoyance. "What the fuck do you think he's going to do? Break free from the handcuffs and eat you?" he asks mockingly. "Get your ass back in the interrogation room and question the suspect." He demands, his severity not abandoning him. "How the fuck did someone so insecure like you became a police officer?"

Not wanting to engage in a verbal fight, you fix your posture and take a deep breath. Placing your hand on the doorknob, you slowly re-entered the room, capturing the suspect's attention once more.

"Back with a new approach?" he taunts playfully. "Let me guess, you're going for good cop, bad cop?" Your fear and anxiety return, but you summon the strength and confidence to continue, wanting to prove your worth to Leon.

You walk back to the table and sit down on your seat. Overlooking his attempts to taunt you, you put on a stern expression, determined now to get the information you seek.

"You need to tell me what happened to Piers Nivans, or else you're not getting away with this," you threaten him, hoping to make him take your questioning more seriously. "Where were you on the 22nd of September?" He looks at you in silence, taking in your appearance, until his eyes meet yours once again.

"With your mother," he slowly responds with a mocking smile on his face. Leaning closer, his smile fades and gets replaced by a menacing glare. "You get yourself into some real dark shit. If you want to stay alive, walk out now." He warns. His tone is sharp, and his words are filled with certainty, sending chills of fright down your spine.

"Officer (l/n), you're needed on the phone. Please step outside for a moment," Leon's voice comes through the speakers in the interrogation room. Inhaling, you try to shake off the suspect's warning and stand up once again from your seat.

Walking back outside for the second time, you close the door behind you. As you turn around, you see Leon approaching you. He crosses his arms, his gaze scanning your form. You stand still, attempting to maintain a professional demeanor. His eyes return to your face, and a faint smirk tugs on his lips.

"This has to be...the worst interrogation I've ever seen in my entire career," he firmly says, his smirk disappearing in an instant. "Were the officers at the academy high when they passed you?"

"But, Leon—" you begin, only to be interrupted by his scoff.

"It's embarrassing to even be here," he pauses, stepping closer to you. "You're nothing but just one insecure wanna-be officer, who doesn't know how to protect herself. All this training, for nothing."

God damn...he became a second Piers out of nowhere..

Suddenly, you can't hold back any longer. Frustration and emotions surge over you, and you snap,

"You know, the only reason I decided to stay is because of Chris and you, and this is how you treat me?" His irritation fades, replaced with curiosity.

"Why the hell would you stay for me, rookie?" 

"Because I have feelings for you, yet your ass makes sure to push me away in any way possible!" You finally snap at him, shutting him up with your words. "From the moment I set foot in that base, you—" Frustration cuts your words short, and you are left in an awkward silence. You desperately want to be heard by Leon, to make him understand how you feel. "Just let me get closer to you for fuck sake!"

For a moment, the room is silent, and your eyes remain locked on Leon's. It was indeed an uncomfortable moment, but you felt a sense of relief as if a heavy weight had been lifted from your shoulders.

Finally, Leon sighs in response and shakes his head.

"I already taught you the tactics, (y/n)," he interjects, changing completely the subject of your conversation. He steps closer to you. "In order to make him confess, you have to grab him into a chokehold."

Huh?

"I'm sorry..wait, wait, wait. I just told you I like you and this is all you have to—" Before you can even finish your question, Leon swiftly turns you around and locks his arm around your neck, applying pressure that forces you to gasp for breath. Your body presses against his chest, and you eject a painful groan as panic surges through you.

What the fuck is going on?

----

A yawn escapes Carlos's mouth as his fingers tap away on the keyboard of his laptop. The clock nears 12, finding himself absorbed in his work in the main room. However, the tranquility soon shatters as the doors slide open. His attention shifts towards the entrance, where Leon walks in, becoming his company.

"You're back," Carlos greets him, returning his focus to the screen. The rhythmic clicking of the keyboard is the only sound resonating in the empty base. 

"Looks like it," Leon removes his jacket and hangs it on his chair. "Any progress?" he asks, diverting his attention to Carlos's work.

"Not yet," Carlos' replies, his eyes still fixed on the screen. "But we are getting somewhere, I hope." Leon nods slowly, his gaze momentarily shifting to the closed door of the operating room. He casts a quick glance at Carlos before returning his attention to the door, deciding to head in that direction.

"She's not here." Carlos's voice halts Leon's steps, making him turn around to face him.

"Huh?"

"(y/n)," he clarifies, looking up to meet Leon's gaze. "Weren't you going to the operating room?"

"Yeah," Leon acknowledges, a bit surprised that (y/n) isn't still present at this time. "Did Claire go to get her?"

"I don't think so."

"Do you know when she's coming?" He asks, walking slowly back to Carlos.

"No. Why're you asking?" 

"I just wanted her to check on my stitches, that's all." Leon lies, concealing his true intentions.

"Speaking of it, how is your hand?" Carlos asks, gesturing with his eyes toward Leon's gauzed hand.

"It's getting better," Leon sighs lightly, his gaze drifting to his palm. "It still needs time."

"That's good, but how did you even get a cut like that in the first place—?"

Right before Leon can respond, their conversation is abruptly cut short as Chris and Claire enter the base. Chris moves with purposeful yet quiet steps towards the two partners.

"Leon, the General got in touch with your agency. They need you there," Chris informs him, with Claire following closely behind. Leon was taken aback by the sudden news since his only mission from his agency was to assist Chris with the capture of the samples.

"What for?"

"I'm not aware. He didn't get into details." Chris replies. Leon nods, grabbing his jacket from the chair.

"Story of my life," he mumbles to himself as he walks out of the base, slipping his jacket on. The doors close behind him, leaving Chris and Claire alone with Carlos.

"So, what do we do now?" Claire inquires, resting her hands on her hips.

"Alright, Piers will be back in five minutes. Luis is on his way.." Chris mutters to himself, glancing at the operating room. "I'll go and check on (y/n). We need to see if she discovered something about Saddler so far."

"She's not here," Carlos repeats, causing Claire and Chris to exchange concerned glances.

"Still?" Chris looks genuinely surprised.

"Maybe she's on her way." Claire comments. 

"Let's hope so." Chris's attention soon hovers to his phone that begins to ring. Glancing at the incoming call, he raises an eyebrow before answering it. "Hello?" He comes to a pause, his expression revealing little about the caller's identity. Claire keeps her eyes fixed on her older brother as he speaks on the phone. "Okay, what time?... I am free now... Alright, I'll be there in a bit." He ends the call and adjusts the collar of his coat.

"Who was it?" Claire asks when Chris pockets his phone.

"Uh, Luis," he replies, making his way back to the exit. "I'll have to go for a bit. I won't take long."

"Okay. I'll text (y/n) to see where she is." Claire says. Chris nods before hastily leaving the base.

----

You jolt awake to the buzzing sound of your phone, which rests beside your head. Great. The radiation you've soaked during the night is something you avoid imagining for the moment. 

You rub your eyes before opening them, staring up at your bedroom ceiling. Stretching your body, you gradually come to the realization that you are in your bedroom, not in the interrogation room from your strange dream. The training session with Leon the previous day seemed to have left its impact on you, as the dream had been an incredibly vivid extension of it.

However, a part of you can't help but feel disappointed that this was all just—a realistic illusion. It felt strangely satisfying to have expressed your feelings to Leon, even if it was only in a dream. The tangled web of emotions within you begins to take over your life because instead of getting over him, which is your main task, he ends up being the only thing you think about, to the point of now seeing him in your sleep.

And surely working with him everyday is making things worse. But since you accepted to stay in the team, you have to fucking focus. Especially now, that your help is playing a crucial part to the mission.

Glancing around your room, you realize you are still in the clothes you had worn yesterday. Leon's report is scattered on your bed, along with the papers about the parasite. On the floor next to the nightstand is your notebook with your notes. A vocal yawn escapes your throat as you wearily reach for your notebook. Your gaze then falls upon your phone, which was the source of the earlier buzzing. You see a notification from Claire:

Claire: You okay? Where are you? 

Your confusion at Claire's text quickly transforms into realization when you check the time. Your eyes widen in alarm. It was 11:35 A.M.

You had overslept...

"Ssshit!" You mutter in panic, storming out of bed and rushing to your closet to change clothes. It seems you fell asleep without setting an alarm. But you were so tired yesterday, you didn't even notice how fast you drifted to sleep.

In your haste, you select the first available top and bottom from your closet and quickly dress. Returning to your bed, you gather all the papers, documents, and Leon's report, praying that nothing has been lost or damaged or else Piers will cut your ass in half, that's for sure.

You grab your backpack from the side of your bedroom door and stuff the papers and documents inside, ensuring they are safe and secure. Without wasting any more time, you snatch your car keys and hurry toward the exit of your home.

Hopefully, no one else noticed your absence.

----

The hospital bustles with activity as people come and go, the constant beep of monitors providing an unpleasant symphony in the background. The antiseptic scent of sterilium pervades the air. Amongst the chaos, Chris Redfield's presence doesn't go unnoticed. His towering figure, and stern demeanor, elicit glances from nurses and doctors alike as he navigates the noisy hallways.

While he makes his way towards the office, thoughts continue to swirl in his mind. The urgency of Vector's call and the request for an immediate meeting left Chris with an unsettling feeling. A part of him can't help but foresee that this gathering will not bring good news.

Reaching the door, he gives it a polite knock before entering. To his surprise, he finds both Vector and Vera waiting inside. He offers them a warm smile, but the tension in the room is palpable, and he quickly realizes that this meeting holds serious importance.

"Vector, Vera, it's good to see you both here," Chris greets them, though he notices the lack of reciprocation in their expressions as he does.

"Hello, Chris," Vector replies, his fingers interlocked as he leans forward on his desk. "I'm glad you made it. Please, have a seat." Chris complies, sitting down in the offered chair. Vera joins him, her demeanor more somber than usual. "I assume you wonder why I called you here for,"

"If I can be completely honest, your call caught me by surprise." Vector nods. "But I'm here, and I'm listening. What's this all about?"

Vector and Vera exchange glances before Vector speaks again. "Let's not beat around the bush, Chris. I think a part of you knows exactly why I called this meeting." 

Silence fills the room for a few seconds. Chris's eyes dart from Vera back to Vector. "We found out about (y/n)'s surgery." Chris lowers his head for a moment, his disappointment evident. He should have known that the truth would surface eventually. It's been more than a month since the incident, after all. 

"We want the truth, Chris. How did our daughter break her nose?" Vera asks, leaning closer. "The doctor who operated her said the damage was severe."

More than 20 years of friendship. Their bond of trust was built through his parents' relationship with them. He knows he has to be honest. After all, he promised them both. He gazes at Vera for a moment and then turns his attention back to Vector. After a few moments of contemplation, Chris nods.

"Alright," he finally concedes. "I'll tell you everything you need to know."

----

A gentle knock echoes through the Director General's office, prompting him to sit upright in his chair and adjust the collar of his blazer.

"Enter," he says. The door swings open, guided by the guards, gradually revealing Leon standing in the doorway. He remains still, his gaze fixed on the General. "Mr. Kennedy, please enter," the General welcomes him, with a firm and professional tone in his voice. 

"You have asked to see me?" Leon inquires, approaching the General's desk.

"I did, yes," the General pauses, gesturing to the chair on the other side of the desk. "Please, have a seat."

Leon nods, taking a seat, and making himself comfortable as he leans on the armchair. The guards remain stationed a few meters away, standing sentinel by the door. 

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" Leon's curiosity is evident as he waits for the reason behind this urgent meeting.

The General remains silent for a moment, his fingers tracing his chin as he appraises Leon with an intense gaze. Then, he opens the drawer beside him and pulls out four audio tapes. Leon's interest deepens as he watches the General insert the first tape into a nearby radio and press play.

Seconds later, the first audio recording begins with the familiar crackling sounds of a radio transmission.

"Unit 2, what's your status?"

"Dispatch, Officer Davis. We're inside the forest. Nothing in sight so far." 

"Copy that, proceed with caution, and keep us updated."

A brief pause follows, and the next audio begins to play.

"Dispatch, this is Officer Davis! We need backup! We are under attack!" Leon remains motionless, listening attentively to the tapes.

"Copy Unit 2, please provide your current location." The background noise included growling sounds and a man's screams. Leon's brows furrow.

"What the fuck—!"

"Officer Davis, please provide the current location." The dispatcher's voice crackles before the audio clip comes to an end, and the General replaces it with another tape. Leon remains silent, his attention entirely focused on the unfolding events in the recordings.

"Dispatch, this is Unit 7-Delta-1. We're now on location at Vinderline, ready to initiate the search for Unit 1-Bravo-1 and 2," 

"Copy that. Proceed with caution and provide updates as needed. We'll coordinate with other units,"

Once more...a short pause. Until—

"Detla-2, what is your status?" The dispatcher's voice crackles through the audio, accompanied by agonized screams and splashing sounds. "Delta-2, do you copy?"

The final audio comes to an end. Leon's eyes dart from the radio back to the General. The curiosity can be seen in his eyes. 

"The last tape arrived today this morning," the General states, taking out the last tape from the radio. "It's the fourth patrol that did not return to its department, and 12 officers gone mysteriously missing," he puts his hands in his pockets, returning to the table. Leon's eyes follow his every step. His brow furrows once again as he processes the bizarre situation.

"Could it be an abduction in exchange for classified information?" Leon inquires. Although the screams and the growling seemed to not match Leon's speculations. 

"I do not believe so," the general responds. "After careful analysis of the audio tapes, we suspect that something beyond the ordinary is at play, something that threatens not only the citizens but also the law enforcement agencies."

Leon can feel every emotion in his face fading quickly. The last thing he would want after what happened back at Raccoon City and the Island is another incident with zombies, Ganados, or anything similar to that.

"I will need you to investigate the location," the General instructs. "I've already spoken to the Vinderline police department's chief, who's expecting you. He'll provide you with further details about the missing patrols. Two officers will accompany you to provide assistance during the investigation. The drive should take roughly an hour from here." He sits back down on his chair. "You will have to be extremely careful."

Leon's gaze drifts away from the General, as memories of past horrors begin to resurface. The screams, the terror, and the countless innocent lives lost in Raccoon City. An incident that will haunt and follow him for the rest of his life.

Leon adjusts his tactical gloves and rises from his seat, his gaze unwavering as he turns his attention back to the General. A strong sense of determination drives him to resolve this issue before it even starts.

"Consider it done."

----

Gasping for breath, you finally reach the base's door. With a palm pressed gently against the scanner, the doors slide open. As you see Piers, Carlos, and Claire, you immediately cease your panting, refusing to embarrass yourself even though you are internally begging for air.

"There you are," Claire says, approaching you. "What happened? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I am fine," you reply, trying your best to mask your panting ."I was just studying the report almost all night. I fell asleep without setting an alarm, and well- I overslept." Piers' ears perk at your explanation and joins the conversation.

"Don't worry, luckily, we didn't have anyone needing medical care," Claire reassures you.

"Do you have any updates on your task?" he asks, interjecting into the conversation. "Did you conclude anything from Leon's report?"

"I've gathered some information, but it's still too early to reach a specific result." You reply with a professional tone. Piers nods with his concern actually being seen in his eyes.

"Alright, once you're finished, please share your analysis with the team. We are running out of time." You nod in agreement, watching Piers leaving you and Claire to your conversation.

"Do you want me to bring you coffee or something?" Claire offers.

"No, no, thank you, Claire. I'll go and continue with the documents." You decline kindly and Claire nods, giving you a reassuring smile. 

As you are about to leave, you glance around and notice that Leon is surprisingly absent from the main room. "Uhm- where are the others?" 

"Chris is with Luis, and Leon was called urgently to his agency," Claire explains. A pang of disappointment begins to wash over you after hearing that Leon likely won't be around today. However, you have more important topics to focus on at the moment than Leon's absence.

Even if he would be around, you two would probably barely talk. "So, yeah, I guess today we'll be a bit split up."

"Ah, I see," You clear your throat. "Anyways uh, I'm getting to the operating room, to continue with the research." Claire nods, and you make your way towards the room. Before entering, you exchange greetings with Carlos and then step into the operating room, fully determined to complete the task you were given as soon as possible.

----

7:47 P.M

The car's engine hums steadily as the landscape outside rolls by. The radio provides a soft background of music, and the police officers' chatter fills the car, but Leon remains distant and lost in his thoughts. He is sat in the backseat, an observer rather than a participant in their conversation.

The officers' conversation soon pauses for a brief moment as one of them steals a glance at Leon. They're both taken aback by how quiet he has been throughout the entire ride. It's as if, for a moment, they had forgotten he was even in the car with them. Their eyes meet, exchanging unspoken words before they shift their focus back to him.

"So, you're a fellow officer or something?" the driver asks, his eyes meeting Leon's figure in the rearview mirror. Leon's attention, previously captivated by the uncanny nature, outside of the Vinderline's city, breaks, and meets the officers.

"You could say that," he responds, his tone subdued, which it leads to a momentary silence.

"You seem like a rookie to me." the driver continues, and both officers chuckled at his own comment. Leon let out an almost inaudible scoff, choosing to ignore their misjudgment.

If they only knew what he has been through.

"Well, the chief sent him, so we can't complain, can we?" the other officer chimes in, giving a smug look to his partner on the wheel. "Maybe he will surprise us." 

Leon remains quiet, before his eyes land on one of the officers, pulling out another donut from the box that is rested on his lap.

"So the coffee and donuts were not just a myth, huh?" Leon says.

"Not only not a myth, but it's a tradition." The driver laughs, taking a bite from his donut. "Want one?" Leon gestures with his hand, declining the offer.

"Ah, are you the one to make a difference?" the officer in the passenger's seat teases.

"I'm trying my best." Leon quips, eliciting more laughter from the officers.

"You're still a young guy. You'll eventually follow suit,"

Leon simply shrugs his shoulders, returning his attention to the passing scenery outside the car window. 

The ride continues silently. The officers finish their snacks and coffee, while Leon rests his head against his fist, watching the sunset painting the sky in shades of orange. His thoughts occasionally drift back to the ongoing investigation, but in the back of his head, he can't kick off the thought of (y/n). He is desperate to learn the results about Saddler, and today, he didn't get to see her at all back at the base, heightening his curiosity.

Soon, the patrol car arrives at its destination. The vehicle pulls over at the side of the road, signaling the beginning of their investigation. The officers exit the car, wiping crumbs and remnants of their food from their uniforms. Leon follows, closing the back door behind him. One of the officers reaches for his radio to report their arrival.

"Dispatch, this is Unit 6, Officer Trayor. We have arrived at Vinderline. We will proceed with the investigation," he reports in a professional tone.

"Copy that. Keep us updated."  The dispatcher responds through the radio.

"Roger." Officer Trayor acknowledges before putting the radio aside. He adjusts his tactical belt and places his hands on his hips. "Alright, it will be best if we split up. That way, we will finish quicker."

"I don't think that's a good idea. It would be better if we stick together." Leon suggests for everyone's safety...especially the officers. "There are already four patrol cars—"

"Listen, kid," Trayor steps closer to Leon, his gaze stern and challenging as he looks up at him. "I am a commander for 15 years. Who are you, trying to tell me that I don't know how to do my job?" Leon remains composed, unaffected by Trayor's attempt at intimidation. "You're the new one here, so you follow my lead. Got it?" Leon gives a firm nod, choosing to stay silent, and not betray his cover.

Officer Trayor turns to his partner. "Gary, you go with the rookie over here. I'll go the other way. Keep your radio attached, so we can communicate." Gary nods, turning later to Leon.

"Let's go." 

----

Setting down your pen, you massage your head, feeling drained. Your eyes sting, and a light headache begins to settle in. The evening begins to fade, giving away to the moon's radiant light, yet you haven't fully finished your analysis. But give up on your research now. The weight of responsibility presses down on your shoulders because once your results are set, the team will have to act accordingly. So, there is no room for mistakes and distractions. 

Though you have already reached your conclusion, you need to be absolutely certain before sharing it with the team. Especially with Leon, who had asked to be the first to hear the results.

Checking the time, you decide to stand up from your chair and stretch your tired body. But you can't stay away for long. You feel compelled to return to your work, despite the exhaustion. So once you settle back down on your chair, you continue where you were left off. Just then, a soft knock comes from the door.

"Come in," you say, not looking up from your notes. You are so engrossed in your work that you don't even bother to see who was visiting. 

You hear steps slowly approaching, until suddenly- a beautiful red rose appears right in front of you. Your eyes widen and you freeze, your pen hovering above your notebook. Turning your head slowly to the side, you see Luis standing right beside you, looking down on you with a charming smile.

"For the pretty nurse," he smoothly says, offering you the rose. Lowering your pen, you swivel with your chair to face him, reaching out to accept the gift. You can't help but feel-

Flattered.

"For me?" you ask, stunned by his gesture, feeling your the blood rushing through your veins, turning your cheeks to a light shade of red. Luis smirks, adjusting his stance.

"Mhm~. I saw that rose, and I immediately said to myself: Esto se parece mucho a (y/n). (This looks just like (y/n).)" 

"Huh?" You blink. Luis chuckles.

"My apologies," he leans closer. "What I said is, this beautiful rose looks just like you." 

You clear your throat, your fingers gently tracing the leaves of the flower. "I..I am very flattered, thank you, Luis." You stutter slightly, since well...as sad as it might sound, you never had a man treat you like this before, offering a single flower and being so- charmingly cheesy.

Because nowadays, such gestures are often considered cringy.

"I am only speaking facts, señorita." Luis's smirk softens into a warm smile as he leans against your desk, taking a discreet peek at your work. "I see you took Chris's task pretty seriously, eh?"

"Uhm, yeah," you reply quietly, clutching the rose delicately in your hands and following his gaze. "I'm almost done,..I mean- I believe I am." Luis nods.

"And, what's your conclusion?"

"I prefer to share it with the whole team directly." You say. Luis chuckles.

"Alright then. I'm down for surprises," he gets off from the desk and rests his hands on his belt. "I will be waiting for your captivating speech," he teases before making his way towards the exit. Resting his hand on the doorknob, he turns back to look at you for a moment. "And after this mission, I would love to become the reason you will break up with your boyfriend." He winks before he exits.

As the door closes behind him, you sigh and gaze at the rose. Luis had thought of you when he saw it, but when you look at it, you can't help but think of Leon. Something that you start to believe it's beyond your powers to stop.

----

Leon's steps move with caution, his boots pressing lightly on the dry leaves strewn across the forest ground, creating subtle but startling cracking sounds that echo through the woods. Behind him, Officer Gary follows, mirroring Leon's watchful approach. Their flashlights pierce the darkness, beams of white light slicing through the night as they sweep left and right, revealing the gnarled roots of the trees.

The minutes pass. Leon's instincts remain on high alert, his senses heightened as he observes every detail of his surroundings. The beam of his flashlight scans their path meticulously as he counts each step, making sure not to miss any potential threat.

Then, a sudden crackle penetrates the silence, emanating from Gary's radio, seeking a response.

"Gary, it's Paul." Officer Trayor's voice crackles from the other end. "Found anything?"

"Nothing so far." Gary responds while keeping a close eye on Leon's cautious progress.

"Alright. Stay vigilant. We will stay in touch."

"Roger." Leon ignores their conversation, remaining focused on his surroundings as they continue their investigation in silence.

However, their peaceful exploration soon comes to an end as the forest suddenly erupts with the unmistakable sound of gunshots echoing in the distance, followed by piercing screams.

"What the fuck?" Gary exclaims and Leon swings his flashlight toward the source of the noise. "What was that?"

"I don't know, but something tells me we need to regroup," Leon suggests. Gary nods, and they hurry to find Officer Trayor, their steps quickening in response before the situation escalates further.

Leon and Gary walk through the eerie forest, their steps heading toward the exit, yet still some distance away. Suddenly, a loud clacking sound echoes through the night, followed by a grunt. Leon turns around to find Gary's leg trapped in a leg-hold.

"Shit!" Gary curses, his teeth clenched as he grimaces from the burning pain in his ankle. Leon quickly secures his flashlight on his tactical belt and kneels down, drawing his knife from its holster to free Gary from the trap.

"Stay still," Leon instructs, his voice calm and steady as he begins working to release the mechanism. Gary winces but nods, his attention on his injured leg. As Leon carefully works on the trap, Gary's gaze shifts upward, causing his eyes to widen.

"Watch out!" He shouts. Leon turns his head and reacts instantly, rolling out of the way just in time to avoid a deadly machete strike from an unknown attacker. 

The attacker mutters Spanish words as he raises his machete, aiming for a fatal blow.

Leon springs back to his feet, dodging the blade with skillful precision. In a swift motion, he grabs the attacker's arm, twisting it and forcing the man closer. With that, Leon plunges his knife into the man's throat, causing him to drop his weapon.

The intruder falls lifeless to the ground, and Leon immediately turns his attention back to Gary, who has his gun drawn but had not fired this whole time to assist Leon.

"So much for helping me.." Leon mumbles to himself as he approaches the officer.

"Good job, rook—" Gary's words abruptly cut short as his throat is suddenly slashed from behind. Blood sprays and flows down as he slowly crumples to the ground, revealing a woman covered in mud and dried blood. Leon's eyes widen in alarm as he takes a step backward.

"Who are you?" his gun aimed at the mysterious woman who steadily advances towards him. Leon moves backward cautiously, his finger resting on the trigger. "Stop right there!"

The woman ignores his commands and instead, she swings at him with her knife. Leon swiftly sidesteps the attack, narrowly avoiding the deadly blade. In response, he switches his gun with his knife, preferring a close encounter.

"El lord, Saddler..." She mutters, her intent clear—to kill Leon. Leon, fully aware of the danger, dodges her attacks and delivers a fatal blow, driving the blade of his knife through her skull. The woman collapses to the forest floor lifeless, leaving Leon surrounded by corpses.

Panting heavily, he regains his footing and picks up his flashlight. As he illuminates the lifeless forms of his attackers, his eyebrows furrow in disbelief.

This is no longer the government's job..but the team's.

"Shit.." Leon hisses, his breathing slow and heavy as he wipes the blood on his jeans before sheathing his knife back in its holster. Steadying his breathing, he reaches for his earpiece. Seconds pass, until he gets a response from one of the members of the team. "Luis, it's Leon. Do you copy?"

"Si, señor. What's the issue?"

"I need you to come by to the location I will give you. It's urgent," he pauses, glancing at the dead bodies. "Keep the team out of this. For now at least."

"Alright. I'll be on my way. Give me the location."

----

Letting out a weary sigh, you close your notebook, the report, and all the other materials related to your investigation. You are finally ready to announce the results of your final analysis. It is hard to believe, but you have finally completed your task. After nearly 26 hours of meticulous work on Leon's report, you did it.

No wonder you are a qualified 'surgeon' at the age of 23...

Your pride leaves you, as you realize that you have to report to the team and deliver news that won't be easy for them to hear. What matters is that you know your analysis might shed light on their path forward with the mission, and you will stay by their side.

And you hope Piers will recognize your dedication and the value you actually bring to the team...

Standing up from your chair, you make your way toward the exit of the operating room. Your heart is pounding with a mix of anxiety and uncertainty. Stepping outside, you had hoped to share the results with Leon first, but instead, you only face his absence, while the rest of the members are focused on their tasks.

It's so weird to not see Leon amongst the team today at all. It's like- you miss him. For fuck sake. You hate that you like him.

Your eye catches Chris, who is deep in conversation with Claire. Even though Leon is not here, you have to tell the rest of the team. You quickly push those thoughts aside, and start approaching the Redfields, knowing you have a duty to fulfill. The moment you loom to their direction, both of them immediately stop talking, their eyes turn to you.

"Chris, Claire.." you begin before you slowly hand the report to Chris. His eyes widen slightly, indicating that he understood your unspoken message.

"...You got them?" he asks.

"Yes," Chris wastes no time, walking over to the table where Carlos and Piers are stationed. Claire follows closely behind. "Everyone take a seat. (y/n) has the results." With his instruction, Piers and Carlos swiftly settle themselves around the table.

Before you know it, the entire team is gathered, and all eyes are on you. With the notebook clutched tightly against your chest, you took a deep breath, ready to reveal the results of your analysis.

"We are all ears, (y/n)," Chris states, his voice firm, ready to hear the outcome of your research.

----

The back door of the ambulance closes with a heavy thud, leaving Leon leaning against the patrol car, silently observing the tragic outcome that had befallen the two officers. One of the medics takes the driver's seat while the other approaches Leon.

"Are you sure you won't need any backup?"

"I got it under control," Leon reassures. His tone is unwaveringly professional.

With a simple nod, the medics retreat back into the ambulance. Moments later, the vehicle pulls away, leaving Leon standing alone. As it gradually disappears from sight, he takes a deep breath, contemplating the situation.

"That was indeed a long trip, Panzo," a familiar voice greets Leon, causing him to turn around. Luis gets out of his car, his posture relaxed. Leon quickly approaches him. "So, what are we doing here in this romantic and cozy forest, eh?"

"You'll see," Leon says, taking out of the patrol car a flashlight and handing it to Luis. "Follow me,"

--

You clear your throat as you slowly open your notebook, where you have written a detailed summary of Leon's fight against Saddler and the effects of the parasite. The team's attention is precisely focused on you, waiting in anticipation for your analysis.

"In Leon's report, Saddler was first shot multiple times in various parts of his body," you begin. "However, the main damage happened on the yellow core, which was basically the parasite's 'heart.' As the Plaga had fully taken control of him, by distorting his body into an almost monstrous form, it developed a stronger influence on him. The bullets did no damage to him. When Leon stabbed the core and attempted to make it explode, it only injured Saddler, causing the epicenter to leak. The membrane in the heart proved to be too tough to break. So, after that, Saddler eventually collapsed into the sea, and since he dodged the explosion..." You state in summary. The members exchange brief glances, before looking back to you, as you close your notebook. Just then, Piers leans forward.

"So, what's your final conclusion of the analysis?" he asks, leading it to a brief silence.

--

Luis and Leon proceed cautiously toward their destination, each step deliberate and measured. Their guns remain holstered but ready for immediate use. Their footfalls cease as they reach their intended spot, and Luis's eyes widen in shock at the sight in front of them, causing him to lower his flashlight.

--

"My final conclusion is that...Osmund Saddler is in fact alive."

-- 

"Oye, joder...Ganados..."

----

I wanted to combine this with the next chapter, but it would be extremely long! But goodie news whoop whoop! The next chapter is already almost ready, and it will be up way sooner!

Have a great and lovely day! <3 <3