So what is Human?

So what is Human?
Author(s): RaveEchidna and Techmage

Madison, or Madi to her friends fought back both a frown and yawn as se looked over the chart of her patient. The man was one of Doctor Rayes, and if the descriptions of the injuries were correct then that meant he was more then likely a survivor of the animal attacks. She could clearly remember what the man had looked like when he had come into the hospital. Even drugged he had been writhing in agony his back arching and fingers clawing at the gurney his legs still almost wooden in appearance.

Her eyes drifted to the door of his room, the fact he was so close to the nurse’s station meant that Rayes was deadly serious about placing the man on suicide watch. The frown she had been fighting appeared on her Cupid ’s bow lips. It was a good thing that she’d managed to snag the job away from Beth. The frown turned into what would have been a scowl on any one else’s face, on Madi’s it looked like she had just caught a whiff of something unpleasant. She still couldn’t understand how a woman like Beth kept her job, or managed to always seem to have a date lined up when their was work to be done.

“You think he’s dangerous?” The voice of Susan cut through her thoughts and made her look over at the older woman.

A bright smile parted Madi’s lips. “Nah, I can handle him.” She stretched a little as she walked around the counter. “I’m going to make sure he’s all right. Then I’ll get us coffee, I’ve got a feeling we’re both going to need it tonight. You’re stuck in maternity right?”

“Yeah, they’re so cute.” Susan practically gushed.

Madison rolled her violet eyes as she brushed past the woman as she made her way to the door. She hated dealing with anything under the age of reason, which in her mind was any one under the age of 14 that was one of the reasons she’d jumped to take on the suicide watch. She could handle adults even if she technically wasn’t one yet. The nineteen year old closed her eyes before looking over her shoulder to Susan when she saw the woman was tensing and preparing for trouble Madi sighed waving her away. The chart holding the man’s condition felt heavy in her hands. She placed it against her chest and braced her self to be the harbinger of bad news.

* * * * *

The dark haired man hadn’t been up that long but it had been more then long enough for him to grow tired of the bland what the fuck white colored walls of his recovery room. He had been pondering going back to sleep when she entered. The dark hazel eyes light up a little though it was clear that they were still partly hazy from the medications that they had given him during his surgery. A slightly lopsided grin tugged at the corners of his mouth.

Madi bit her lip as she moved over to the bed. She hopped that she wasn’t blushing and that her cheeks only felt warm. The man was muscular, in away that was too natural to be one of the gym bunny lot that dwelled within town. This man’s rugged looks were hard earned and even if she hadn’t seen the file something about the way he held himself screamed ‘military.’ She’d remembered seeing that he had been in the air force but no ranks had been listed. Even if he was handsome she doubted that she would ever have ever been able to talk to him outside of the hospital.

The man quirked an eyebrow, words weren’t needed with that kind of expression. He was wondering what the ‘sprightly’ nurse or resident was doing in the room. He could see the blush he knew the half drugged grin on his face became a full if somewhat short lived smile.

“G—glad to see you’re awake Mr. Redfield,” With out a rank she couldn’t think of what else to call him. She reached up and tucked one of the dark crimson streaks in her hair back behind her ear only to let out sound of exasperation when a blond lock fell to take its place. I should have pulled it back this morning. Giving up she turned her attention back to her patient. “How are you feeling sir? You’re not in any pain are you?”

“Just call me Chris. Mr. Redfield makes me feel old.” The man sighed; his voice was still a little hoarse from the drug-induced sleep he’d finally come out of. The kid, she couldn’t be any older then twenty at the most was a far better sight then he’d expected when he woke and realized that he was in a hospital. His only complaint would have been her lack of skill when it came to small talk, it really could use a work, or more likely a miracle. He tipped his head and narrowed his eyes to get a better look at her. He was till partly hazy from whatever cocktail of painkillers they had him on. She wasn’t a military medic; the streaked hair was enough evidence to rule that possibility out. Dully he noted to himself that she could sill be in med school. “I’m not an idiot” he swallowed hard he’d seen the crushing pity in her eyes even if it had only shown in the for a second, “How bad is it?” Chris never wanted any one to have that look for him; it was the look of some one that was dealing with a terminal case. As he watched her fiddle with her hair he was reminded of his sister, but the way her eyes moved in thought was pure Rebecca. He knew then she was trying to think of a way to answer him with out causing him any more pain. “Just be blunt about it. I can take it.” Chris was glad he sounded confidant he knew he sure as hell wasn’t.

Her hands fell to a rest at her sides nervous fingers still toyed with the chart as she bit back a growl of annoyance her hair was doing its best to drive her insane with the way it kept falling into her face. “I know that you’re not an idiot sir,” she took a deep breath as she chose her words carefully. “Dr. Rayes…did all that he could, considering he is one of the best within his field however there was too much.” She could feel her eyes start to burn maybe it would have been better if Beth had been the one to drop the bomb, at least then she would have been the one to come in after to help mend mans broken hope. “I’m sorry there was too much damage, you won’t be able to walk again.” Madison looked down wishing there was something more that could be done however, the man was lucky to be alive if his spine had been broken a fraction of an inch hirer chances were he would have either died on the spot or been totally paralyzed. Normally being the one to deliver the news didn’t affect her like it was this time.
This time it seemed so—so wrong.

Chris closed his eyes trying to allow the news a chance to sink in. It didn’t seem possible, he wanted to scream he wanted to lose his damned mind, but it was clear the Nurse was all ready upset. Damn her for looking like she could have been a blend of Becca and Claire, damn her for caring. He swallowed down his anger and pointless rage, things like this weren’t supposed to happen to him. He was Chris Fucking Redfield! He wanted it to be a lie to be some sort of sick joke. But he could tell by the look in her green eyes in the way she was standing that she wasn’t the type to be cruel. Her expression was open and filled with a youthful kindness that he always yelled at Leon for having. “I see,” he said simply after a moment. He hadn’t seen the paper work yet but he was sure he knew that it said. It would declare in bold lying type that he had been attacked and mauled by an animal. Animal wasn’t a strong enough term for that man. Monster was too vague. Demon was the only word that could ever fit that creature.
He had to be a demon sent directly from the lowest pits of hell. A demon wouldn’t care about the lives it destroyed and he doubted the man would ever lose sleep over he had done to Chris. After all what was one more ruined life to the thousands he’d ended in his relentless quest for power?

Her violet eyes shifted to the door making sure that she had closed it and that Susan wasn’t around to try and listen to their conversation. She liked the older woman but she knew that Susan was one of the worst gossips that the Hospital had. She let out a breath that she didn’t know she had been holding when she noticed that Susan was nowhere in sight the woman must have gone off on her rounds. Madison once again turned to the older man on the bed her even white teeth worried her lower lip. “It—” she paused long enough to rethink her line of questioning, “Sir I hope you don’t mind me asking this. I mean you don’t have to answer me if you don’t want to, but—It wasn’t and animal was it?” She shifted and set her shoulders so that she could stand her ground. She fought the urge to twist her hair once again. “Your wounds were wrong, I’ve worked with hunters that have come in from animal attacks.” She could taste a little blood from were a tooth had sunk into her tender lip. “The scratches on your back and chest, the pattern of bruising, and the stitches you needed…no animal could have done that.”

Chris schooled his face trying to keep the shock off of it. The kid was clearly bight and observant, maybe too observant. Chris looked up just in time to catch her eyes. His mind raced as it tried to figure out if she was just a cute and harmless little nurse or if that was just an act. He frowned and braced himself to bite the bullet. “Do you believe in monsters?” Both his expression and tone were deadly serious.

Madison held his gaze for a few moments before she gave a slight nod. Her eyes drifted back to the door again to check to make sure that Susan was still off on her rounds. She crept closer to the side of his bed her teeth still working on her lip. Chris could easily read her fear. “We—we’re not supposed to talk about it. The heads of the hospital keep telling us that we’re to tell every one that their have been animal attacks in the area and people are to stay away from the lake, especially at night. I’ve seen some of victims come in. Animals don’t behave that way they aren’t able to that kind of damage. A lot of the victims didn’t make it; Doctors said it was because of horrible secondary infections. The ones that have made it, insist that they were attacked by ghouls monsters or—” she lowered her head and her voice, “zombies.” The nurse rubbed her arm lightly her eyes drifted once again to the door. “And then there are the government types that have started to show up. They have the town under curfew, until they manage to catch the animals.”

Chris growled before he could stop himself. He remembered the lies that had been told in Raccoon. He remembered how long to took to recover any scraps of credibility after the news had painted him and his fellow S.T.A.R.S. members out to be worthless drug addict cowards. His dark eyes looked over the young nurse again; she all ready didn’t believe the lies that she had been ordered to tell everyone. A frown pulled at the edges of his mouth he wondered if she had told any one of her suspicions. He had a feeling she was keeping it to her self if her worried looks to the door were any indication; hell he might even be the first she had spoken to about her doubts. “Those attacks aren’t going to happen anymore.” He couldn’t help but smile as he watched her relax slightly. “We took care of it.” Chris cocked his head and gave her his best ‘I’ve got this shit taken care of smirk’ hoping it would help to settle her nerves. “The animals are dead.” He wanted that to be the full truth. But he knew that it wasn’t and smirk faded. “I wish I could say that this won’t happen any where else I wish that it was really over but one of the monsters got away.” His inner debate on weather he should give her the bastards name or not only lasted a moment. “His name is Albert Wesker.” Hatred dripped off name so thick he felt like he was downing in it. “He’s still alive he’s still out there some where.” He could see the fear in her eyes and his right hand clenched tight his short nails bit into his palm almost drawing blood. “It all started with him.”

Madison had been quite as Chris spoke, she tensed ready to hush him or change the subject if she saw or heard some one coming to the door. She could feel the start of a migraine as her brain staggered as it tried to absorb what he was telling her. Her eyes went wide with fear and her breath hitched at the mention of the name. Just the way it had been said with such hate and some of the placement of the stitches had her thoughts going down a very dark path. Worry started to chew its way through her heart; her patient might be in danger still. “Do you think he’d try to come after you and finish the job?” She could taste bile on the back of her tongue. “I mean—there’s a few Feds here, I could see if they could spare someone to keep a guard on your room.”

The man suddenly seemed some how smaller as he turned his head away. “If he wanted me dead I wouldn’t have made it this far.” A low growl escaped his lips. He could still feel the Tyrant’s hand on him the hot breath in his ear as his parting words were almost lovingly whispered into the soft shell, ‘It appears that you’ve outlived your usefulness, but then humans are such sort lived things. Pity, I had higher hopes, I have invested so much time in you dear Christopher.’ He closed his eyes ignoring the wetness that leaked from his eyes. He couldn’t let it end like this. He had to be the one to send that man back to the hell he was spawned from.

She bit her lip again and once more tasted blood it was pointless to wish she could do more that she could somehow help him. In truth there was so little she could do, and what she was able to assist with she was positive the man would fight her every step of the way if she did offer. When his face turned back to her she could see the faint misting of tears that were being stifled. She’d never seen a look of such deep betrayal in any ones eyes. “He was some one close wasn’t he?” She asked before she could stop herself. She placed a hand over her mouth and took a step back from him. Stupid you don’t ask things like that! He’s on watch you’re not supposed to bring up things that could make the depression deeper! “I—I’m sorry, it’s…that might be too personal you don’t have to answer it.” Forced her self to move closer, she’d caught the slight spike on the monitor, but she didn’t need the tech to know he was growing agitated. “Please, forget I asked, you need to be resting.” She winced when the words left her mouth, the man’s glare might as well cut her in half.

“Sorry.” He muttered he’d seen her wince and he felt his cheeks grow hot with shame. He’d let himself get lost in his own thoughts and made some one else suffer because he wasn’t able to suck it up and walk. Don’t you mean crawl?

Madison shook her head. “No, don’t be. It sounds like you need to get it off your chest” she, motioned for him to continue as she pulled the chair over to the bedside taking a seat. At least this way Chris wouldn’t have to keep looking up at her.

He sighed and tried to arrange his thoughts, Albert Wesker, the name was enough to make him snarl and his guts turn to ice. So much had happened so much that he’d never say. “He was my Captain back in Raccoon he was someone we all looked up too the way he handled everything so cool professionally. Under him S.T.A.R.S. became a unit to be proud to be part of he pushed all of us into being the best we could be.” Even after all this time the pain of the truth cut deeper then any wound he’d ever suffered. “But that was before we found out what he really was. A fucking Umbrella lap dog, he’d fed us all into hell only four of us made it out alive.”

Chris chuckled, all of that had happened what seven no ten years ago. She would have been in grade school. That thought alone made him feel like some fossil. She was just a kid; his mind flicked to the other ‘kid’ that had been pulled into the hellish games of Wesker. He watched her tuck one of the blond locks of hair out of her face only to have one of the red fall to take its place. The scowl she gave brought a weak smile to his face. She reminded him a lot of Becca in that moment. He hopped that what he’d said wouldn’t be enough to get her involved in the mess, it was all ready bad enough that so many lives were tangled in that bastard’s web.

Madison reached out her hand shaking as she touched his arm lightly, the tips of her fingers stroked down the toned skin. “I—I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories,” her lips parted but the half formed words died on the tip of her tongue, murdered by a knock on the door. She pulled her hand away quickly and pink dusted her checks.

He glanced up at the door feeling suddenly uneasy at the knock. Damn it get a hold of yourself Redfield it’s probably just one of the other nurses just making sure that the kid and you are all right. “It’s okay,” he whispered to her taking care to make sure his voice didn’t carry too far, “Just be careful, okay?”

She nodded a little too quickly; her nerves were clearly on high alert. “It’s probably just one of the orderlies brining you lunch.” Her nose wrinkled at the thought of the hospital’s food it was a wonder people didn’t die from food poisoning. “I’ll try to sneak in real food for your dinner. I’m not the best cook, but its better then the cafeteria here.” She turned and went to the door taking a deep breath thankful that the heat was fading on her cheeks.

The trio that filled the door way weren’t hospital staff. One of her golden eyebrows rose as she took in the appearance of the three of them. The woman to the left looked like she had stepped out of one of her nephews’ video games. Too bad she wasn’t one of the cute and harmless princess types, the for now nameless woman was dressed in an expensive looking perfectly tailored suit, mirrored shades hid her eyes her dark red hair had been pulled harshly back in a French twist to hide its length. The man in the middle, had light brownish hair that was rumpled and slightly greasy looking as if he’d just gotten out of bed or had forgotten to shower for the third day in a row. Though it was always hard to judge some ones body type in a lab coat he seemed to be on the thin almost scrawny side. Thick glasses magnified his dirt brown eyes. If he had a stethoscope instead of a brief case she would have thought he was a medical doctor. There was just something about the way doctors no matter what breed they were held themselves. The last figure was another man this one was younger looking then doctor, his hair was a light red brownish sandy color that was cut in an almost ‘emo’ style the right side a little longer then the left and it currently fell over partly hiding the bight glacier blue eye. He was dressed in black faded cargo jeans and an oddly sung looking black shirt that peeked out from under a suede jacket that backwoods cops in moves were fond of for some reason.

Madison shifted her eyes scanning the three she could feel the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. Out of the three the ‘cop’ felt the least dangerous. Her arms crossed over her chest the pose showing that she had no intention of backing down. She didn’t want that doctor to be alone with Chris something about the man seemed off. “Visiting hours are over, you’ll have to come back later. Mr. Redfield needs his rest.” She stated hoping that they would just go away.

It was the ‘cop’ that sighed and shook his head. “It’s okay, we really need to talk to him though and we can’t wait for tomorrow.” The unnamed ‘cop’ smiled to her it was a nice expression almost too pretty for a man’s face. He shot the woman in black an almost lethal glare when she made a movement. The woman who was probably a bodyguard grumbled and held up her hands. “Honestly we just need to talk to him.”

Madison shivered when she caught another glare from the ‘cop’ perhaps she’d made her danger level judgment too soon. “Right, but the bodyguard stays outside.” She huffed and leaned against the wall her arms still crossed.

The nameless guard slipped away from them to take her place by the door. Hidden eyes traced down the mostly empty and dimly lit hall. She took note that empty rooms dominated the wing they were in.

“Miss, understand that I am pressed for time and this is an important official matter.” The doctor stated his voice was almost too high and held a whiny undertone of some one that was used to getting his way.

She frowned, official maters meant government and she knew that if they pulled that card she couldn’t do anything. Her arms uncrossed and she pointed at the doctor. “Why can’t you wait until my patient has rested before you start to grilling him for answers?”

Chris blinked and pulled himself up carefully into a sitting position. He recognized one of the voices. He hadn’t seen boy, no man, fuck that boy in a while. “Leon?”

Leon laughed holding up his hands in mock exasperation, “Hey Chris, think you can call off your watch dog here before she bites?” The youthful ‘officer’ was doing his best to break the ice and lighten the mood and get the girl to ease up.

“Aw, you don’t have a drawl.” Madison sounded and looked somehow disappointed. As she looked back at Chris it seemed that he knew the ‘cop.’ From what she could tell they must have been on good terms because neither man seemed to be tense, if anything the young officer seemed to be happy to see the man. Just for a moment she could see the man with dog’s tail that was wagging.

“Miss, this really is a government affair,” The doctor’s sharp whine was calm but it was still jarring, and it didn’t take a genius to tell he was clearly upset with her being in the room. “And that means classified. You do understand that means you do not have clearance to be within the room.” If only he could hill the damned girl so he do as he pleased with Redfield for his plans. But they had Agent Kennedy with them, meaning he’d have to behave for now. He sighed and made a mental note to have his bodyguard ready to handle her if she got too nosey. Women will always prove to be a pain in my ass.

Chris grimaced hearing the doctor; the girl was only doing her job the man didn’t have to be such a dick about it. “O.R.E. stuff Leon?” He asked carefully, most of what remained of S.T.A.R.S. worked loosely with the agency and was often considered to be a bastard branch of the organization. He’d known Leon before the kid had become an agent and had worked with him enough times since to know the kid was damned good.

Leon stepped between the nurse and the doctor. Why do I always get to play peacekeeper? He smiled just a little hoping that the two would settle down. “Yeah, O.R.E.” It was so hard not to laugh at the girl that was trying to stare him down, though he knew that if she had a gun in her hands things might have been different. However at that moment she just looked like any other pissed off teenager that looked ready to explode into an unholy shrieking match with the doctor. Careful Leon this is like defusing a bomb one wrong word and it’s going to get ugly. He felt his smile falter he might as well treat her like an adult she was close enough to one. “Easy its okay we’re not going to hurt him.” He sighed letting his ‘cop face fall totally away and let his concern show. “He’s like a big brother to me.”

Her violet eyes narrowed and she shifted. She clearly didn’t trust them. “You really know them? Because if you don’t, they haven’t showed badges I can call security to get them out.” Madison turned back to look at Chris. Her eyes showed that she would trust her patient’s judgment. If Chris didn’t want to talk to them, she’d make sure they didn’t get another foot into the room.

Big brother…? Chris sighed nodding his head. “I know him its all right he’s telling the truth.” Chris doubted the kid’s ability to lie had improved; hell Chris had met five year olds that were better at lying then Leon. He kept his expression open and friendly until she turned away from him. The moment she did his eyes narrowed, he was sure this wasn’t going to be good.

Madison missed it, keeping her eyes on the two new men. “If you need anything, I’m the resident in charge pf this wing tonight okay? Just call the station.” She looked over her shoulder flashing Chris a small smile. Carefully she moved to the doorway motioning for the other two in. The ‘cop’ held back waiting outside long enough to make sure that she made it back to the counter. Once she was seated and turned to watch the doorway he ducked into the room. The woman in black pulled it shut with a loud slam. The cold smirk on her face made Madison shudder. So much for eavesdropping.

“Protective, isn’t she?” Leon shook his head. Most of the time when he ended up in any hospital environment he had nurses that were some kind of twisted gender confused hell spawn with lovely names like Gertrude and Olga. He wondered what Chris had done to ensure that he had a cute little waif to care for him.

Chris yawned he couldn’t help it he felt so exhausted. Leon had never been on suicide watch, the kid didn’t understand that hospitals often had a handful of soft cute little things that radiated life to keep the would be newspaper articles for doing anything drastic until they were discharged. “Maybe,” he yawned again, “at least she’s nice, hasn’t even tried to draw blood from me yet. You know I have no idea what her damn name is?”

“She’s cute too, in that innocent deer in the headlights kind of way.” Leon gave Chris a smile as he slid out of his jacket. He had a feeling that the woman outside of the door would behave herself, he was almost positive that she was the type that didn’t fell comfortable breathing unless she was ordered to do so. Thinking of her reminded him sharply of the business at hand and his smile faded. He only hoped that the girl didn’t try to start something with the doctor’s companion, he’d worked with people like her before sure they needed orders to breath but they sure as hell didn’t need them for random acts of malice.

The living stereotypical doctor/scientist walked into the room in a nervous shuffling stagger. His eyes behind the thick lenses were wide with awe as he moved closer to the bead. “I’m truly amazed that you’re alive.” He gushed while inwardly he really didn’t give a damn if the man had lived or not all that mattered was that Redfield behaved like a proper pawn and said yes to his proposition. He pulled odd his glasses, cleaning them with a cloth he pulled from one of the deep pockets of his lab coat pausing just for a moment squinting through them before putting them back on again. “Mr. Christopher Redfield, It’s an honor to meet a man such as you, really I’m Dr. Westley Barker.”

Chris growled, and wished badly for a cigarette. “No one likes a fucking kiss ass doctor. I know what my papers say and what I have done if I wanted some one pucker up and stick to my ass I’d pay a centerfold to do it you’re just not my type. So can the bullshit what do you want?”

Leon’s jacket landed in the chair the nurse had been using, “I told you he hates that kind of thing. Besides his ego doesn’t need to be fed any more the doctors say it’s obese.” He leaned against the wall crossing his arms staying alert while doing his best to look relaxed.

“Regardless Agent.” Westley snapped addressing Leon, his tone anything but friendly and it was heated. “I am impressed to see this man alive.” The doctor turned away from Leon his attention once again was on Chris his expression open and friendly. “As you are well aware I am sure, Redfield that the moment that any one within the Organization, or loosely associated with it is critically injured we are informed.” He took a breath stepping closer to the foot of the bed. He let go of the breath slowly, it amazed him that Leon Scott Kennedy was alive and becoming a growing problem to them, the man was an idiot. Still it made it easy to manipulate him. “This just happened to be in my backyard as it were.

The frown that had started to form on his face deepened faint age lines showed. It seemed that everyone knew his situation before him. He couldn’t hold back the flash of anger that spiked through him lighting his eyes with rage, “So what Doc? You got some miracle cure and you’re going to fix me?”

Leon shook his head and tried not wince away from the wrathful tone of Chris he’d only been on the wrong end of the other’s rage once. That was more then enough to let him know it was a bad place to be. He’d been informed roughly two hours ago to meet with the doctor and that he would be working as an extra guard. He’d found out twenty minutes after that they were going to be checking in on a patient that he knew personally. He hadn’t known it was Chris until they had arrived at the hospital. He still didn’t know what had happened to his friend. Leon tipped his head just a little to the side when he caught site of the chart the nurse must have forgotten in her hurry to leave the room. His eyes scanned over the documents that had been left as if on display. Lies, they had to be lies.

“Given a man of your chosen profession, the inability to walk would make things rather difficult. Wouldn’t it?” It seemed that Westley didn’t bother to pull punches. “In fact I think that it would be a crippling blow to your career wouldn’t it?” It took all of the man’s will power to keep amusement from showing in his voice or face

The fallen S.T.A.R.S. agent snarled low showing his teeth he was really starting to hate the doc.

“Fuck—” Leon tore his eyes away from the chart to look at Chris. “I didn’t know they just said you were injured. I just thought that you’d gotten shot again or broke an arm…something small.” He had tuned out most of the conversation between the Doctor and Chris it was probably personal. “Shit—man—I—” he wasn’t sure what to say about what he’d read, it was like being told Superman had Aids, “Sorry isn’t the right word…”

Chris snorted, while it was true that he loved the younger man like a younger brother there were times that Leon became that ‘special little brother’ that had been dropped too many times on his head as a baby. He chose to ignore the younger man for the time being and glared at the doctor. “And your point is doc?”

“It’s simple. I want you to take part in one of my studies. You see I have been given leave to take on a human subject for my personal variant of the T-virus. You of course know the regenerative properties, and the unfortunate drawbacks. But rest assured, the strain that I have created is far more stable then what you’ve encountered.” It was painfully clear the doctor took a great deal of pride in his work and was enthralled with the variation of the virus that he had given ‘life’ to. “If you allow yourself to be exposed to the virus, you would have a complete recovery.”

Leon stepped away from the wall and moved closer to Chris his eyes narrowed. “No way,” he shook his head, “I’m not letting you turn one of my friends into a lab rat.”

“The choice I am sad to say isn’t yours.” Westley huffed in exasperation, “I believe that it is his choice alone.” He was growing to hate the youthful agent, but he knew the young looking man was needed if he were going too keep up the appearance of a normal high ranking scientist within O.R.E. “Besides I treat all subjects with respect and care, and if my rats were able to talk I am sure they would sing my praises.”

Chris watched as Leon tossed his head about it reminded him of a spooked horse. “Chris you—can’t! I mean we’ve seen what the virus does…”

The older man turned away. He didn’t want either Leon or Westley to see the horror in his eyes. He had seen what the virus did he’d had to put one too many of his old friends to rest after they became infected. “I don’t want to be some mindless fucking zombie.”

Nervous hands raked though mousy brown hair. “The chances of you becoming a ‘mindless fucking zombie as you so colorfully put it are almost nil.” Westley stated he was fully confident that his virus wouldn’t result in a terminal infection, “Much like the chances of you ever walking again with out my treatment.”

Leon scowled, almost didn’t count in situations involving the possibility of becoming a mindless cannibalistic corpse that didn’t have enough decency to stay still and rot in peace. He almost hated the idea of Chris willing to subject himself to…he looked away it wasn’t his decision it was Chris’s call. Leon just hoped the other really thought this threw before he rushed into agreeing to anything. No matter what path the other chose he would stand at the older man’s side helping him as best as he could.

Chris looked away from them his eyes drifted to the window thinking. Well mind you and I have been at odds for fucking years but what do you think? We don’t have any thing like a normal skill set. He managed not to growl in frustration the Doctor was right, he had nothing to lose really, well other then his humanity. But if he let things stay the way they were he would be as good as dead. Being chained to a desk would kill him.

The doctor cleared his throat as he shifted on his feet. “I would love to give you all the time in the world to think this over, however that is not an option. I need to know within the hour Mr. Redfield, if it is not going to be then I will have to find another willing subject. I am sure that I will not be too hard to find someone with enough guts to the chance.” He loathed playing word games, but he needed the man.

Leon growled his stance shifting becoming protective. “Chris, we’ll find something else, anything’s go to be better…”

“And just what do you suggest if I might be so bold as to ask Agent?” The doctor sneered as he once again let his full attention fall on Leon. “Do you even know the first thing about spinal injuries? At Mr. Redfield’s age he should have started to seriously think about leaving the filed work to younger team members.” Westley paused long enough for what he was staying to have time to sink in. “His will to survive is the only reason I am here to offer him this. I have read his file; he’s not one to back down from any challenge.” He battled with him self to keep the smile from showing on his lips he knew that everything was perfectly worded. Westley knew that he was playing them, but it wasn’t his fault, Kennedy was playing right into his hands.

The younger man wanted to say more, but the doctor was right, He knew absolutely nothing on injuries other than they hurt, sometimes like hell.

Chris growled low; how dare that damned number crunching little cock bite say that! The man had struck low and hard blow. He knew he wasn’t as young as he used to be, that he was getting older. That didn’t mean he was useless in the field. He was—had been in excellent shape, and had been not only able to keep up with younger filed agents but he more often then not left them eating his dust. “If it’s my call, let Leon be something like my voice of reason. After all, I’m still trying to wake up, come to blows with all this shit…”

The doctor huffed and crossed his arms. He had in fact been expecting something like this. “Fine, what do you think then Agent?” He had time; he reminded himself he had more then enough time it was just a matter of how he wanted to spend the time. Being the baby sitter of one crippled S.T.A.R.S. member ranked just above finding out that his wife was not only alive but wanted passionate love made her on the list of things he never wanted to have happen or be forced to do ever.

Leon held up his hands a small frown on his face. He hated the idea of it, of being placed on the spot like that. If things had been different he would have shot Chris of his best angry glare. “You know I’m against it and you know why Chris. But since when have any of you ever really listened to me?” He sighed and ran a hand though his hair. “I’d say we try and see if we can figure something out. But then again you have the all mighty epic grudge thing going. I mean the man’s tried to kill you how many times?” He wised that he was helping but he knew each of his words were all ready sealing the other man’s fait He was trying to see it from all angles at once and it made his mind howl in pain. He didn’t like or trust the doctor’s intentions something was very wrong with that man but if it meant that Chris could walk again—

“I thought you were trying to talk me out of this Leon?” Chris shook his head a little too quickly and he felt his world tip wrongly on its axis he closed his eyes and made a mental note to have the pain killer dose cut back. “Put yourself in my place, what the fuck would you do? It’s not like I really have much of a choice.” He had a sinking feeling that no matter what he did he was going to lose.

The younger man leaned back, his head tipping red tinted sand hair slid from his eyes. He took a deep breath knowing that his words no matter how heart felt or carefully worded they were, were going to upset Chris. “Maybe it is time for you to let someone else go after him. I’m sure the others are just as qualified Chris. Then I wouldn’t be getting the phone calls from your sister, worried to death and wondering where you are. She wouldn’t be running off all over the world looking for you.”

Chris’s eyes narrowed in a deadly glared aimed at Leon, “What?” He growled and he noticed the younger man flinch even though he’d braced himself for the cold anger. “Or do you want to be the hero that finishes him?”

“You know you’re a better shot. Hell there are others that are better shots than I am. If I could though, I would take him out.” The younger man couldn’t meet Chris’s eyes. He didn’t want to see the rage or the hurt. Some times he wondered if it was the man’s hate for Wesker that kept him alive.

Ah, the ugly monster of envy has seems to have bit Mr. Redfield quite deeply. The doctor managed to bring up his hand to hide his smirk. “It’s not a game, and it’s not for the glory it’s personal with you, isn’t it?” Westley’s voice cut in his tone something close to awe, “you just don’t want anyone else hurt.” In away he was almost touched by the man’s weakness and valor he was so human.

“You have no idea why I have to be the one to put that bastard down.” The older man snarled low, his hands clenching in fists. “Personal doesn’t cover it.”

Westley now realized that once again his partner had been right in making sure that they brought Kennedy along. His eyes shifted over to the door before it opened, the nameless red headed woman slipped in to the room. A slight smile on her lips she’d been listening in on the conversation. She gave the faintest of nods saying nothing though she did offer up a thumbs up.

Leon shifted and made himself meet Chris with a glare of his own. “Can you hear your self? You’re willing to become infected just to what beat him? Since when did that become the only thing that mattered?”

Chris sighed and did his best to ‘throttle back’, Leon wasn’t really getting it, and it was more then personal with Wesker. “Just to beat him, you think that’s the only reason? That’s not it kid. I need too keep the others safe. You don’t think he’d go after Claire? I can’t let my sister go through that hell again. I never wanted her dragged into this in the first place!” He set his jaw; he had lost count of the times he’d waken on a cold sweat from nightmares where he would always fail to save her or Rebecca or all of the others. “You don’t know the man like I do…his little game with Ada in Spain was nothing compared to what he can do.”

The doctor had to fight back laughter; he knew all too well what the man Chris was talking about was like. He most definitely knew the man better then Redfield could ever imagine.

“You’re not the only one that has nightmares about what happened in Raccoon Chris. I’m just saying that you’re only one man. We all know he’s not human anymore, he probably never was, and no one person is a match for something like that alone.” Leon was doing his best to ignore the mention of ‘her’. This was in some way his fault he’d fucked up. Originally he’d been ordered to go on the mission, but at the last moment orders had shifted and he was requested to be elsewhere he should have said no he should have insisted that he go he should never have mentioned S.T.A.R.S.

“So you’re suggesting throwing all of us against him?” He swallowed hard, there was no ‘us’ now. “All of you?” He corrected himself, “And what I sit rotting in a fucking chair on the sidelines?”

Some times words weren’t needed both men looked at each other, knowing that a life like that was in so many ways a long and drawn out death. Leon sighed again and looked away.

“And ever think that maybe just maybe it’s going to take a monster to kill a monster?” Chris lowered his head it was a low thing to say to Leon he knew the other had been infected ever since the cruise incident. He set his jaw he’d been through so much, he’d gone so far to try and take the man down, it would all be for nothing if some one else did him in. “If I’m crippled I’m going to fade into nothing, I’ll be forgotten.”

Westley fought the urge to smile, the point had been made and Redfield was his instrument to play at will. It seemed the man would stop at nothing to go after Wesker. And I am the one to supply you your last chance.

Leon grimaced as he realized he’d pretty much helped Chris make a decision he didn’t like. “You shouldn’t have to become a monster though, you have family still. What will Claire say?” He didn’t expect an answer.

“Maybe I won’t become one. I mean what if Wesker is one because he always was one? I mean I’m pretty sure the man was never all that human.” Chris didn’t even want to think of his sister, of what she would think, or do all he knew was he didn’t want her to see him like this. “I mean its just going to be a powerful cold right? I mean you got one of the bugs and you bleed green under odd lighting.” Chris was trying to think on the brighter side, what he was planning scared him, but allowing Wesker to kill someone else because he’d been too scared to take the risk chilled him to the bone.

“Chris this isn’t the Cruise he’s talking about.” Leon’s voice was flat. He hated to be reminded.

Westley’s hand twitched the urge to slap both of them and inject Redfield was almost too strong. He didn’t have all the time in the world, he was positive that the sunshine laced nurse would be coming in at any moment to kick them out. His fingers feathered over the case with the syringe in it. He’d have to wait, and he loathed waiting, but for now he had to play by the rules. Once the man was his test subject, the rules would change.

“Yeah, right and the worst that could happen is that you start craving really rare meat.” Leon huffed blowing the red sand toned fringe of hair from his eyes.

Chris growled shifting. “Damn it Leon I know that’s not the worst!” He snapped and glared at the younger man. He suddenly felt really cold. “I know that better then you.”

Leon grumbled. “Okay fine, the stupid kid Agent will just shut up now before I swallow my other foot.” Once more he leaned against the wall crossing his arms.

Chris winced and his shoulders sank. “Leon, I don’t really see a choice where I don’t lose.” He was terrified, as he saw it his life had ended when Wesker had broken his back, now the only choice he had was if he decided to stay dead.

“I know. I can’t see one either—Chris if there was any other way—I’d be or Becca would be the one to think of it, or hell I could call an expert that might know something but Westley is the expert.” Leon felt like he had failed the man. Claire had always said her brother was too stubborn to die, and Chris was proving his kid sister right. As usual.

“Shit.” Chris growled defeated he turned to Westley, “Doc, where do I sign my life away?” He frowned the slight lines in his faced seemed to be deeper with the seriousness of his expression. “On one condition, that is if I turn into a zombie or some really fucked up creature…”

Westley offered over what he hopped was a reassuring smile. “We will see to it that you are dealt with before you harm anyone.”

A thick silence filled the room before it was shattered by Leon’s voice. “I’ll do it.” The agent uncrossed and then crossed his arms. “I wasn’t able to talk you out of this, so it’s only right if I become a monster to Claire too right?” He raked a hand through his hair letting out a heavy sigh. Things like this weren’t supposed to happen. They were the good guys!

Chris shook his head and looked at Leon. “I don’t think you could.” He gave the other a small grin. “After all she still talks to you after seeing you first thing in the morning.” His shoulders sank he could feel a burn of pain start to wash through him the painkillers were starting to wear off.

“You’ve seen worse, Valentine without her first cup of coffee.” Leon retorted, though it was clear by his tone he wasn’t really in the mood for jokes.

“Don’t remind me.” Chris shuddered his own heart wasn’t in the humor either. He was just trying not to think.

“I’ll have them in the morning for you to sign.” Westley said softly he could tell the man was starting to feel pain and he didn’t want him to sign while he was in distress. For the ruse to work he need Redfield to understand totally what he was committing himself to.

A knock on the door made Westley jump, it seemed like the pesky nurse had returned. “Okay you three, I think you’ve talked to him long enough my patient needs to rest.” Madison’s hands rested on her hips she wouldn’t take anything but obedience.

It was almost unheard of for Westley to agree with any woman, but even he had to agree with her. Redfield needed to rest. He nodded to her his agile mind trying to work out just how useful she could be. His bodyguard didn’t say a word as she slipped out of the room. “Are you Coming Kennedy?” He asked turning his back to the agent and the ‘Red Menace.’

“Yeah, give me a moment.” Leon waved the two off as the nurse came in with a tray. He slowly moved to grab his jacket, and let his gaze slide over to Chris and then nameless teen. The glace said it all he wanted to speak with her later, alone. He knew that Chris was in too deep he had been ever since he survived the Spencer estate, but the girl well she still had a chance to get out of it, and he’d do his best to get her out intact even though she might be one of the keys to keep Chris from losing it.

Madison took a step back a small nervous sound leaving her as the ‘cop’ past her. Her fears were quelled when she saw the small and genuinely kind smile on his lips. It took all her training to not smile back at him. Her eyes kept close watch as the trio left the room. The second they were out the door she made her way to the bed. “I’m sorry Chris, you’re really over due for this.” She moved with practiced ease and was about ready to slip something into his IV.

Chris snagged her wrist. “No, I’m okay for now, just a little longer.” He wasn’t ready to fall back into the drugged haze of artificial sleep.

She blinked and stood still. His hand was just around her wrist not hurting her but she could feel how strong the man was. She knew he could break her wrist with ease. Madi looked into his eyes, but she couldn’t do it for long his pain was too raw, the problem was not all of it was just physical. Even white teeth worried her bottom lip and she nodded. “I brought you something to eat too, but something tells me you’re not hungry.”

The wounded man shook his head. “Close the door.”

Madi set the needle down well out of his reach nodding once again as she moved to shut the door. She pushed the chair against the wall once again before she returned to his bedside. “You really should let me give you the sedative it will help to speed the healing process.”

Chris almost snarled at her he almost told her to fuck off that he was never going to heal, he was crippled and no amount of sedative was going to change that. Instead he nodded dully not bothering to stop her. “You know you never told me your name?”

“My name is Madison but call me Madi please?” She smiled brightly as she slipped the needle into the IV.

Another dull nod, “Madi, I guess I don’t have to tell you this but don’t tell anyone what we were talking about alright? And be careful around that doctor, I don’t want you to get hurt. I’m probably just being paranoid…”

She shivered so she wasn’t the only one that thought the man was off some how. “And the other two?” Mai glanced to the closed door suddenly wishing it were thicker.

“Leon’s okay really I trust him he’s sort of my little brother.” He replied he was about to ask her what she was doing when her hands slipped behind him to fluff his pillow. “If anything is out of place if anything is wrong go to him, he’ll keep you safe.”

“I’ll tread carefully, then.” She said with the faintest of grins. “I know you’re probably not that hungry but as your doctor for now I am ordering you to eat, Then you are to rest, in addition, you’re going to explain to me why it felt like I was breaking up a funeral.” She pointed to him. “You’re not dead, trust me, life’s not over yet.” She moved the tray so it rested in front of him and she folded herself into the chair.

“Don’t worry about me.” He grumbled and lifted the lid off the tray. One dark brow rose it was the signature expression of a pilot. He hadn’t been expecting clam chowder in the small town hospital.

“I read your file, so I know you don’t have any allergies, its not heavily seasoned so it shouldn’t upset your stomach. I hope you don’t mind clam chowder; it’s the only thing that I can really cook well. Susan was keeping an eye on things while I hijacked the kitchen. The cook’s not too happy with me about that.” She blushed a little. “She was going to just make you tomato soup, trust me her soups—I’d rather starve.”

“I thought that most hospitals used canned food?” He made it a question.

Madi nodded. “We do but she burns water in the microwave, and since you’re my only patient, I’ll be sneaking in real food for you, unless you want the standard chard offerings?” She toyed with the band of her watch not looking at him.

He tipped his head catching the ‘don’t ask’ tone in her voice. “Got ya, wait for you to bring something.”

She smiled biting back a yawn. “Yeah, I usually pull doubles, more so lately…”

Chris shook his head feeling sympathy for the girl, no Madi, “I’ll try to be a good patient then and let you relax.”

Madi shook her head, “I have class in half an hour, and I’ll be gone for a while. I won’t be back until three though.” Her green eyes shifted back to the clock on the wall. “Beth should be back soon to take over for me. She’s a bitch, but as long as you don’t breathe wrong or look her in the eyes, she’ll probably leave you alone. With luck you might sleep through it all, the stuff I gave you should hold out until I get back.”