All of You

Welcome Back, Cap

I awoke in Chris' room. I guess it was because the bathroom was right beside. I went in and washed my face. Jesus, I did look pretty horrible. My hair was dishevelled, and my eye bags got even darker. I still couldn't wrap my head around the fact that I was gone for six months since Edonia. Where the hell had I been, and how did I end up back here? Something was definitely wrong, and I knew it had to be connected to my nightmares somehow. I quickly washed up and changed into my jeans and tank top. I had wasted six months letting the traitor run around in Alpha Team.

I exited the bathroom and saw several files scattered on Chris' table. I've never seen them before, so I decided to take a quick look at them. It couldn't hurt to do some fact-checking when Captain's not around. After flipping through a few of them, I came to realise that it was the files of the members of Alpha Team. I skipped past the members I lost in Edonia and went right to the others. I came across another file, this time in another writing which I assumed was Piers'. Apparently, Alpha Three only came back five months ago. The team consisting of Brett, Alex, Jenson and David were cut off from contact in Edonia for a whole month. They were only found after David managed to get in contact with Echo Team to get out of Edonia. That was highly suspicious, and I bet that one of them had something to do with my absence. Suddenly, I heard shuffling outside the door. I quickly closed the files just in time before the door opened.

"Riley, you're awake. How are you feeling?" Piers asked.

"I'm good," I replied. "How long was I out?"

"Two days."

I sighed, running my hand through my hair. "Damn," I cursed under my breath.

"We're going back to Eastern Europe. We found Chris. So grab some food then head out and meet me in the hangar," Piers commanded, turning around to leave the room.

"Are you going to continue to be an asshole to me?" I asked, and he stopped in his tracks.

Piers turned around, frowning at me. "What did you say?"

"You heard me, Lieutenant. Are you like this on all missions? Was the Piers Nivans I knew before just a façade?" I questioned, walking towards him. "I thought I knew you, Piers. Tell me, are you just another power hungry-"

"No," he answered immediately, cutting me off. "That's not me. Look, I'm sorry if I offended you in Edonia-"

"If? Really, Piers?" I grumbled, crossing my arms. "I'm just trying to do my job as a BSAA soldier. I'm not asking for people to like me. I'm here because of my responsibility."

"I get that, Riley and I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let my emotions get in the way. I was just..." he spoke, but he trailed off, looking away from me.

"What?"

"I was worried for Christ's sake."

"Worried about what?"

"I was worried about you!" he yelled back at me.

I was stumped. "Why the hell were you worried about me? Have you not seen me fight? ...Or was it because of my affiliations with Jake?"

"Look, I was worried I'd lose you in Edonia," Piers answered, avoiding my questions. "I know what you're going to say; you're tough and you can handle yourself, but you kept ignoring my orders and Chris'. I'm sorry I couldn't help but be worried about you."

"By being an asshole? That's your way of showing worry?"

He sighed. "Riley, I'm sorry. What else can I say?"

I went up to him and gave him a brief hug. His body stiffened from my sudden hug, but he soon relaxed and hugged me back. "I'm sorry," I said quietly, pushing myself away from him. "Let's go get Chris back."

—

29th June 2013

All of us were scattered around the bar. We entered in groups to make it less suspicious. Piers and I entered together posing as a couple. Chris was already at the counter and he was visibly drunk. Despite that, he asked for another round. He didn't seem to notice us. I felt Piers tugging gently on my arm as he nodded at Chris. We went straight towards the counter where Piers sat right beside him and ordered a steak. I sat on Piers' left, ordering whatever Chris was having. The bartender fetched me a glass and filled it up to the brim. I almost coughed it out when the liquid burned my throat. Chris was drinking really hard liquor, even worse than what Leon was usually having. My mind drifted off to Leon, but I forced myself to stay focus on the objective. Piers' steak came and he starting eating it, eyeing Chris once in a while.

"Hard to find a good steak around here. Not like back home," Piers casually spoke.

Chris didn't even bother to look at Piers. He rudely ordered the bartender to fill his glass, but she told him to get out of her bar. I was slightly surprised at Chris' words. I never imagined him as the violent drunk. When Alex got up from his seat and told Chris to leave, Chris pushed him aside and almost bashed his head on the table with a bottle. Piers was quick enough to grab hold of Chris' hand.

"Never thought I'd find Chris Redfield wasting away in a shithole like this."

"Who the hell are you?" Chris grumbled, shaking Piers' hand off of him. He sat on a nearby chair and buried his face in his hands.

"Piers. Piers Nivans," Piers replied, taking a seat right in front of Chris. By this time, I had made my way towards them and sat beside Piers. "And this is Riley Hunter."

"Never heard of the both of ya."

Piers took out his phone and shoved it in Chris' face. "How about this? You heard of this?"

"What's that?"

"You really don't remember anything, do you? Bioterrorism."

"Bio...?"

"Chris, please," I started carefully, addressing him in a soft voice. "You can't hide from your past, no matter where you go or what you do."

"Who are you two? What is this?"

"Okay, you don't remember us? Well, how about them?" Piers asked, his voice impatient and the total opposite of mine. "Look. I said look! Those were your men, men who died under your command! You owe it to them to remember, Chris! If you walk away now, then this was all for nothing!"

"Enough!" Chris yelled, batting the phone away.

"Damn it. Six months of searching for you, and this is what I find?" Piers groaned, leaning back into his chair.

"Chris..." I mumbled, not know what to say next.

He took a long look at both Piers and me before setting his eyes on Piers' sleeve. "BSAA..."

Piers sat up in his chair. "Yeah. It's where you belong. Everyone's waiting."

"Everyone?"

At this, everyone else from Alpha Team got up from their seats. Chris looked around in surprise.

"Captain, we need you," I said, standing up as well.

"We're taking you back, Captain. One way or another."