•Lighter Than Air•

•Chapter 11•

After some time, they had gotten Rebecca to calm down a little bit. Though, they were still playing a good cop bad cop situation. They decided they would go somewhere more private to talk. Though, to make sure Rebecca didn't leave them again. Leon got in the car with Rebecca as she led them to a local dock and beach. There weren't many people at that time of day. Claire followed behind them in her and Leon's rental car. They parked in the lot and headed out by the dock.

The sky was gray as if it was going to storm. That's why the beach area was so desolate. Rebecca sat between Leon and Claire on the dock. She was practically shaking with anxiety, clutching Billy's coat while she awaited her fate. Was this the end? Was she finally caught? Had she risked Billy's safety even more now? Her head was reeling with all of these terrifying thoughts. Did she really just end it for Billy? What would they do with him? They likely knew he was wanted. That's likely why they sent a government agent. That was what she thought, at least.

"Rebecca, we've been sent to find you. But, I've got a few questions of my own before we get into that." Leon started. "Like, what really happened the day you met Billy Coen? After the train?"

"How do I know I can trust you?" Rebecca asked, turning her head to look at him.

"Doesn't seem like you've got any other choice. You can trust me or deal with whatever my advisors order me to do." He told her.

She bit her lip, realizing she truly didn't have a choice. She let out a sigh. "It's not what they're saying happened. The people talking and making these articles don't have the full picture at all. If anything, they're making up something entirely new. They weren't there. They don't know what happened." Rebecca said. "I remember it, clear as day."

"Well then.. let us hear it. Don't worry. We're on your side, Rebecca." Claire told her, setting a hand on her shoulder.

"Well, first of all. I wasn't kidnapped and I'm not being held hostage." She said, glancing towards Claire. "You both are familiar with Umbrella Corporations, right?"

"Wish I could say we weren't." Leon mumbled. "We were in Raccoon City during the first outbreak just a few months after you."

"Well.. In that case. Billy Coen and I had found an Umbrella facility. We found some.. horrifying things to say the least. Umbrella had been inhumanly experimenting on innocent people...! Turning them into monsters... not only monsters, but bioweapons." She said, becoming visibly shaken at the thought.

"Sounds like Umbrella alright.." Leon nodded his head.

"Right. I couldn't possibly stay in S.T.A.R.S after I found that out. You know.. since S.T.A.R.S was funded by Umbrella." She breathed out, sighing as she looked down into the water of the lake. "I also found that Billy wasn't what my team had made him out to be. He wasn't a criminal at all. If anything, he was.. framed."

"Framed?" This peaked Claire's interest.

"Yes, framed. When he was a lieutenant in the war, he was the only one who obeyed the orders.. I mean. They were sent to a village. They thought they would find enemy troops, but no. Just innocent villagers they were ordered to kill. He was the only one who refused to do it. So, his team knocked him out with the butt of a rifle and framed him for the murders afterwards.." Rebecca said. "He's still got a scar from the indent of the rifle on his head."

Claire's eyes widened when she heard this. The convicted felon who was on death row for these actions was actually innocent? She couldn't believe it. She glanced towards Leon, who was just as shocked as her despite his unmoving face. He grit his teeth, seeming to realize there was a dilemma in their mission. He reached behind Rebecca to grab onto Claire's shoulder, looking at her, then at Rebecca. As if they were speaking some unspoken language

"This is more than we ever imagined.." Claire whispered.

"Doesn't surprise me that there's more to it. It's just like Chris said back at home." Leon was cut off by Rebecca's intrigue.

"Wait? Chris? Chris Redfield?" She asked, her eyes widening. "He was part of S.T.A.R.S when I started there! I heard he went to Spencer Mansion on a mission. They must have known about the attacks.. or, cannibalistic murders."

"Chris is my brother." Claire said. "He says he knew you." She glanced at Leon, then back at Rebecca. "Say, do you know where Billy Coen is..?" She asked.

Rebecca seemed relieved to know she wasn't with complete strangers. She had heard of Leon on the news recently.. he was commended by the president himself for saving his daughter. Although, Claire was the sibling of someone she trusted dearly back then. She smiled lightly. Her hand reached around her neck as she pulled the dog tags out from underneath her shirt. She had them hidden, but she always wore them despite.

"I do." She said, "I've been protecting him ever since we left the Arklay Mountains. I couldn't possibly just leave him behind to be ripped apart by the infected... nor could I let him go off on his own when people out there wanted him dead. He was unfairly accused. And I want to save him. He doesn't deserve the treatment he's gotten over the years.. We're actually.." she hesitated, clutching the dog tags. "We live together." She put it in the most simple way she could think of.

"Could you take us to him?" Claire quickly asked, hand tightening on her shoulder.

"I suppose I could.." Rebecca was hesitant.

"Well, like she said before. We're on your side. Maybe we can help you with clearing his name. Maybe we could give you both a shot at a normal life again." Leon assured her, giving a thin smile in her direction.

At that moment, Rebecca's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. After all these years. Was she finally going to be able to help her beloved partner? Her heart was racing, pounding against her chest like drums in a parade. A wide smile spread across her face as she gave a quick nod.

"You would really do that?" She asked.

"It's my job to serve and protect. That I coudes the wrongfully accused." Leon said.

"Thank you...! I really can't thank you enough! Yes.. I'd really appreciate your help if you're willing to give it. Especially if you're friends of Chris." Rebecca said.

"Perfect.. I'll see what we can do." Leon said.

"Yes.. but for now, I'd really like to speak with Billy. I want to get his side of the story.. Maybe, if we publish it.. We can start a debate all over the world. Get the ball rolling on clearing his name. If we put the story out there, someone's got to grasp it." Claire said. "So, leave it to me."

Rebecca smiled, giving a small nod. "Alright. I'll take you guys to him... Thank you again, so much for your help.."

"It's what any good person should do. Let's fix this and earn an innocent man's justice!"