So what is Human?

Leon sighed as he looked at Chris. He knew that he should say something. “Yeah, well it is kind of my fault. I mean, I wasn’t able to help you against your decision…” He ran a hand through his hair. “I didn’t call the others. I know they’d want to know, thought you wanted to do it.”



Chris sighed. This was one of those times where Leon reminded him that the kid was just a kid. “Don’t feel bad about it Leon. I really don’t have a choice. Not one that I’d feel comfortable taking at least.”



“You know someone has to tell them something.” Leon slouched more in his chair. “You know… Should be me in your place. They sent me elsewhere at the last moment.” He ran a hand through his hair, wishing he could trade places with Chris. After all, Chris was… well Chris. He shook his head. If the doctor was right, he’d make a full recovery.



“Should be, could be. Doesn’t really make it so.” Chris lowered his head.



Scowling with frustration Leon continued. “It’s not right though. I mean…” The younger man’s fist slammed into the back of the chair next to him, sending it skittering back a few feet until it hit the wall.



“Leon, nothing’s been right since the Spencer Estate.” He winced a little seeing the chair hit the wall. “Nothing is going to be right until after Wesker is dead and Umbrella’s really gone.” He looked up at the ceiling a moment. “If, if this doesn’t work, if it kills me. I need you to take command of the remaining S.T.A.R.S. And finish the job.”



Leon blinked, and then looked up at him. “Right, like they’ll listen to me. Chris, I wasn’t S.T.A.R.S. to start out. Now I’m with the feds. I know at least Jill thinks that’s worse than working for Umbrella.” He sighed. “It won’t kill you. I mean it can’t… You’re too stubborn right…”



“They would listen to you. Jill hates the Feds, but she trusts you.” Chris looked up. “But what have I always said?” He arched an eyebrow. “Hope for the best, plan for the worst and end up somewhere in the middle.”



“Yeah well, all the plans we’ve had…” He sighed. He couldn’t say it, but they both heard it; ‘have included you‘.



They heard the elevator and the soft steps letting them know that Madison was returning.



The teen had two cans of soda in hand as well as a pair of straws. She was shaking her head slightly as she neared them, biting her lip. “You can hear Beth and that doctor arguing from the nurse’s lounge. I snuck in there because the guy who fills the machines knows Susan’ll raise hell if she doesn’t have her coke.” She gave a small smile thankful for working with one pregnant woman at least. “I… don’t think they saw me at least. Most people tend not to around here.”



Chris glanced up worried. “What are they going on about?”



“I just caught bits of it. Something about moving a patient. Beth was saying she wanted someone out of the way. I have a feeling she meant me.” She cracked open Chris’s soda and held out one of the paper wrapped straws to him. “The doctor seemed adamant against it though.”



“Well that’s good; he took the straw since she looked like she was trying to just be nice. Madi walked behind him, sitting back down as he flashed Leon a look hoping she didn’t catch it. It was clear he was worried about her safety now.



“Maybe she’ll be lucky Chris,” He caught the girl fighting a yawn.



“Our luck is always bad.” He too caught her fighting not to doze off. Leon moved grabbing the can before she spilled it and set it to the side.



He chuckled a little, easing her down on the seat so she’d be more comfortable. When she didn’t wake, he covered her with his jacket. “You’re luck can’t be all that bad. You got the kid as your nurse instead of that other woman.”



Chris shook his head. “I’m also wondering about that nurse… She’s horrible with people if she’s working for the agency they need to have her retrained.”



“I don’t think the other one’s one of ours. If she is, we really should see who the hell hires medical staff. See about having her replaced with Madi here.” He moved closer to the older man so their conversation wouldn’t wake her.



He nodded, though Chris’s mind was elsewhere for a moment, walking down a path that the doctor and the nurse from hell worked for Umbrella. It was too far fetched. He shook his head to clear it. “I, need to tell them Leon. But I don’t know how.”



***



Leon sighed as he realized who Chris was talking about. “Who would you tell first though? I know it would take me a few days, but I might be able to get you and the kid out of here. We’d just have to hope that the doctor stayed by the book with everything.”



“Claire, she needs to know.” He was worried about telling her, knowing she’d come. It was the last thing he really wanted. Though, if the injection didn’t work, he was as good as dead, even with Madison’s help, he wouldn’t recover.



Leon sighed. “I have my cell with me. I, I thought about calling her, almost did after Madison left for her class since you were asleep.” He looked up. “I didn’t. Didn’t even tell her you’re in the hospital. Thought you’d want to tell her.”



Chris closed his eyes and nodded. He had no idea where his cell was. For all he knew he could have dropped it in the woods. “Thanks Leon.” He had hoped that Leon had given her the news though, would have spared him from talking to his sister.



“You want me to call? You know she’d grill me on where you’re at, and ask to talk to you.”



“I know, I know I wouldn’t be able to stop her from coming here either.” His brows knitted together. “She’s a little over protective.”



“Just like your nurse.” Leon ran a hand through his hair and sighed. “I’ll call her. Sounds like you’re not sure what to say. I’d rather have her bitch at me than at you for not being careful. You know that’s exactly how she’d word it too.”



“I can do it Leon. I just… well fuck I failed.” He was pissed at himself for it too. “The man wasn’t even supposed to be in the country.”



“You know how fucked intel can get. This was a big one.” The younger man slumped in his seat watching the two of them. The kid’s eyes moved a little, as she let out a low moan, as if remembering something unpleasant. He almost reached out to wake her, but stopped when she settled down again.



Chris took a deep breath and looked at the phone Leon held out to him. He could do this. “Just a little.” He reached out for the phone. “Just a little.”



“If you want to wait a little while, at least figure out what you’ll tell her.” It was clear Leon was thinking. Trying to figure out who he could call later to get Chris moved elsewhere, as well as bringing the kid with them. The nearest hospital to them was over a hundred miles away, and Leon wasn’t even sure it would be safe. “Half tempted to see if there’s a place we could rend out a while and have the kid take care of you until we can get to a safe house.”



“Well, that also depends on the treatment right? And I don’t know what it might do.” He glanced at her. If it went badly and he hurt her, he’d never forgive himself. Turning the phone over in his hands, he looked up. “I really can’t wait too long on this. The others are bound to get news eventually. And I haven’t checked in with them in… over a day.” Chris knew they must be worried, or expecting a phone call announcing his death by now. “The longer I hold this off, the worse it’s going to be.”



“Actually, three days. You were drugged up for two.” He nodded. “And it’s not like you haven’t pulled a disappearing act before.”



Chris looked up shocked. “That long?” He was getting better at keeping everyone informed, but Leon did have a point. “Still, I need to do this… I guess I just have to be honest with her. That currently I’m para…” He couldn’t say the word. It caught in his throat, as if saying it would make it permanent. “I can’t walk.”



Leon stayed quiet, not sure what to tell Chris.



Chris opened the phone and slowly dialed the number, almost hoping he got her voicemail.



Madison stirred a little in her sleep, curling up tighter, so that Leon’s jacket covered all but the messy bun she wore in her hair.



“Yeah it’s Claire…” There was a pause. “If you’re still on the line, probably means I’m out doing something. If this is Chris, you better leave a message ya big jerk. Love you, bai!”



He knew it was her mail and almost laughed. “Claire, it’s me.” He knew she sometimes screen her calls.



There was a fumble on the phone. “Yeah hold on Chris.” She grabbed the phone hitting the machine grumbling when it beeped at her. There was the sound of setting something heavy down. “What’s up?”



“I…” He took a breath. “I’m at the hospital.” He realized that he didn’t even know the name of it. “We managed to shut down the labs…”



Claire let out a heavy sigh. “Chris, how… how bad?”



He could tell she was bracing herself for the worst.



Madison opened her eyes and opened her mouth; Leon motioned for her to be quiet. She did so, sitting up. Glancing at her watch, she saw she had been asleep about an hour. She reached out to touch Chris’s arm lightly, letting him know she was there if he needed it.



“It’s pretty bad,” He said after a long pause, his free hand touching Madison’s to let her know he’d be okay. “Claire… I’m paralyzed.” He couldn’t hold it from her. The sting of his failure cut like a knife as tears welled in his eyes.



There was silence on the phone for a moment. “No…” There was a soft thud as if she had fallen against the wall. “Where… where are you? Chris, please I have to see you.”



“Claire, there’s a chance I might walk again.” He added after a moment, not really wanting to answer her yet.



“What do you mean? It’s a temporary thing?” Her voice made it clear she hoped that was the case. That all he needed was time to rest and heal and he’d be back to normal.”



Madison’s hand moved from his arm. However, she didn’t move from his side. Instead, she fixed the bun in her hair staying perfectly quiet. She noticed Leon stayed quiet as well.



“It’s a treatment. It’s risky.” He wasn’t going to tell her everything he didn’t want her to know. “It… It might just be the death of me.” He set his jaw. “But… I can’t live like this.”



“Damn it, tell me where you are. Chris, I need to see you.” Claire’s voice was near tears.



Madison stood, wrapping her arms around Chris. She remembered when she had found out about her brother’s condition. The depression had been the worst for her brother. She reached for the cell phone; she had caught the name, and knew he was talking to his sister.



“Chris, please, I’ll explain it the best I can okay? But we don’t need you tearing stitches. I’ve already kept you out of bed longer than I should.”



He nodded handing the phone over.



Madi frowned noting how cooperative he was being. She motioned to Leon to keep an eye on him as she walked off a little ways.



“Miss Redfield, right now… I don’t even know what the doctor’s planning, but I’m trying to keep his hopes up. I, I don’t know if it’s working.” She sighed. “Your brother’s as stubborn as mine is.” She glanced at Chris.



“Is he… really….”



“He is, but the doctor who took over his case said he’d make a full recovery, if it doesn’t kill him. I… I’ll be by him the whole time.” She responded then nodded rattling off the hospital. “There’s no airport into town, we’re a few hours by car from the nearest large city. Really, you blink and you miss the turn off.” She nodded again. “I’ll tell him and Mr. Kennedy, though if you start anything, I will have to have you removed from the grounds.” She caught Leon’s look and held up her hand to silence him a moment. “Yes ma’am… I’ll make sure to do that; we’ll see you in the morning then.”



Shit, she was coming. Chris swallowed hard as his hands shook. He didn’t want her to see him like that.



Madison hung up. She didn’t look at the older man yet. “I… I’m sorry Chris… Really, it’ll be okay. My… My brother didn’t want me to see him when he was in the hospital after the accident… After I was released, I, I snuck in to see him.” She looked down. “I’ll talk to her before we enter. I, She’s worried about you Chris. And, it’s easier with family nearby, to help every step of the way…” She lowered her head. “She did want me to hit both of you for not telling her sooner. Don’t worry, I wont.” She held out the phone and Leon took it. “She recognized your number on the caller ID.”



Leon muttered a ‘damn’ as he took the phone back.



“At least I’m not the only one suffering from her wrath.” Chris glanced at him.



“I was serious about telling her if she started anything, family or not, I will have her removed from the hospital. You don’t need her causing you more stress.” She looked up, her eyes showing she was dead serious. Her face then showed a little worry. “She’s not that much bigger than I am is she?” She wondered if she should have one of the security officers start following her around.



“Yeah, she won’t hit you though. I have a feeling she’ll put me in traction by the time she’s done with me.” Leon groaned pocketing his jacket.



“Claire’s not that bad.” Chris shook his head. “She’s just loud and she’ll be worried.”



She nodded. “I know she’s worried. I… I’ve been where she is now. I was a lot younger… But…” She looked at the floor. “When they wouldn’t let me see Mike after the plane… I snuck into his room. He… he threw a vase at me screaming at me to get out.” She rubbed an arm. “Please, don’t push her away. You both need each other right now…”



“Claire and I have been through a lot.” Chris looked down. “I don’t want her doing anything stupid.”



Leon thought a moment. “You know, Madison’s right, might be a good idea if she’s here.” He was looking at the kid. “I mean, I can’t be around all the time, and Madi? How many shifts have you worked without a real break?”



Madison didn’t look up. “Three… going on my forth.” She looked up. “But really, if he’s agreed to the treatment, there’s nothing I can do. It’s between him and the doctor. I’ve been around him long enough to know he’s of sound mind.”



“I did agree, I’m not going to stay like this… like some fucking invalid.” Chris barked. “This isn’t how I wanted her to see me. But now I don’t have a choice do I?” He growled at her, his hands flexing as his voice burned with anger. “She’s going to be worried out of her mind, and if she finds out what the treatment is… Leon she’s going to try to talk me out of it. She’d rather see me dead I think.”



He wanted to get up and throw something; even breaking something would be great. Instead, he threw his empty can, almost hitting Madison, who moved out of the way.



She had yelped when Chris had snapped, but after the can flew by her, she held her ground, closing her eyes a moment. “I… I’m sorry… I should have asked you first.” She didn’t look up, her whole body trembling as she spoke, fighting with every word not to break down.



The moment he saw her tremble he wished he could take it back. He looked away, paling as he looked at the floor. “It’s just… the last time she saw Dad alive, he was like this…”



She didn’t look up. “Wouldn’t you rather she saw you than you worry her? She… She was crying on the phone. I, I can tell she’s older than I am… and she doesn’t cry often does she?” The teen stayed her ground still, clearly fighting being upset. She’d blame it on the hours she had worked.



“I found him… Our father, two weeks after he came home. After we were starting to adjust to not having Mom… I was a junior in high school…” He swallowed hard. “I knew something wasn’t right when I walked into the kitchen.” He shook a little. “It takes real desperation to slit your own throat.”



Leon stayed quiet. He hadn’t heard Chris tell anyone this before. His hand went to land on his friend’s shoulder but he stilled it, thinking that Chris needed to get it out.



Madison looked up, tears in her eyes. She took the few steps closer to him and touched his arm lightly. “I… I’m sorry… I, guess both of us saw things as kids we shouldn’t have had to… Chris… I… You’re strong like my brother… I can’t see you doing something like that… Even if the doctor’s cure doesn’t work. Suicide’s a coward’s way out. You’re not a coward… I can tell and I’ve only been around you a few hours…”



“I didn’t think our father was either. But really, what the fuck good am I like this?” He wanted to be alone, but he wanted people near him. Chris had never felt so confused in his life. He was Chris fucking Redfield; things like this didn’t happen to him.



She frowned a little. “So far you’ve managed to make things interesting around here. I mean Beth’s taken to you already… Usually she waits a week before doing anything to my patients… And you’ve managed to get me to cry… and you’re still alive…” She huffed wiping her eyes, glad she didn’t wear makeup. “It’s getting late anyway… I have to get you back downstairs so I can give you your meds before the pain kicks in again.” She bit her lip, still not moving. She’d take care of him then go to the nurse’s lounge to break down. It was like reliving what had gone on with her brother twelve years ago.



“I’m just that good.” His voice was lacking his usual confidence. Even as he spoke, he looked up his eyes apologizing to her. He didn’t like seeing the tears in her eyes and vowed to make it up to her somehow.



Leon stepped up to her after shooting Chris a look, telling him it was okay. “Madison, it’s okay, both of you are tired. That’s all.”



She brushed Leon away. “No, I’m the one that should apologize. I, It’s just… I didn’t want it to be hard on them like it was for Mike and I… It… When I finally moved in with him, I was ten. He... He made me move in with him because he saw how the rest of the family was treating me. Mike also dropped everything to make sure I finished school.” She shook her head. “Forget it… He should get back to bed before they send a search party out for us.”



“They’d never find me.” He forced the joke, but it was a healthy way to cope with the trauma. “You’re brother sounds like an amazing guy.”



“Think… You could teach me how to hide then? They always seem to find me.” She nodded a little, smiling thinking about her older brother. “He is. And he can’t see how he managed to get a trophy wife like my sister in law. Though… she fell in love with him because of his personality.” She smiled a little.



“If it’s anything like yours, she’s a lucky woman.” He wasn’t trying to hit on her, he was just being honest. The girl had managed to keep him from going too crazy yet.



She bit her lip relaxing slightly, she really wasn’t mad at Chris, just frustrated.



Leon smiled a little. “So take it you two aren’t going to fight each other? How about I spare you cafeteria food. I’ll run out to get something. Any place that makes good food around here?”



“There’s a bar down the street that has good food. No I don’t go there to drink anything, but a coke now and then.” The food’s just that good.”



Given you have to deal with people like me a little rum in your coke might be a good thing now and then.” He chuckled, it was still a ghost of what he normally sounded like, but it was a little warmer and alive. “And Leon, you can’t win when you fight a lady.”



Madison blushed. “I’m not a lady… I mean…” She sighed slightly. Considering whom they worked with, she probably was the most pathetic woman they knew. “Could you get me one of their strogie cheese steaks Leon? Just the small one.” She smiled. “They’re what I go for instead of rum.” A hint of a smile crossed her lips. “Mike lets me drink when I don’t have to work the next day. I don’t even leave the house until it’s out of my system.” She grinned.



“Gotcha.” Leon caught the smile and chuckled. “Chris, I think you almost won the kid here.”



Chris blinked owlishly, not understanding what Leon was talking about. “What?”



Madi blushed more. “It’s nothing…” She unlocked the wheels and moved behind him hiding the glare she shot at Leon, who fought a laugh as he went to grab his jacket.



“Just commenting on how it looks like someone has a small crush that’s all.”



“Shut up Kennedy.” She retorted, a low growl to her voice.



“I’m just saying it as I see it.” He commented back.



Chris blushed, really… He looked like hell, and was crippled, who would ever find that attractive. He figured the kid was just being nice.



“I mean it shut up.” She scowled her tone clearly embarrassed. When they got to the elevator, Leon still gently ribbing her, she pushed Chris in and stood near him as Leon pushed the button to go back down to the floor Chris’s room was on. “I… Sorry I dozed off on you guys. Usually I don’t do that. Guess, the no doze isn’t working anymore.” She frowned.



Chris glanced at her worried. “How long have you been up?”



“Forty hours…” She blushed rubbing her arm again.



“Get some rest before you fall on your face.” Chris almost ordered her, though he managed to keep the order back. “I can deal with the bitch until you get back.”



She bit her lip again. “Really, I’m fine. It’s usually quiet here anyway, so I’ll grab a nap in the lounge. Wouldn’t be the first time. I have some homework to do anyway, and my nephews would just keep me from it.



Leon chuckled. “Yeah, she’s just like Chambers. Why do I have a feeling we’ll find her zonked out with her face in some text book?”



Chris nodded. “Because we just might.”



She scowled a little. “Oh keep that up and I’m making sure you only get water to drink until you’re out of here. Or sweet tea. And forget my clam chowder anymore.” She stomped her foot and tried to look mad, though it was hard to pull off the look with a smile on her face.



“Leon managed to bite back a laugh at the look. “Ooh better not get her mad Chris, I think she might mean it.”



“But I like sweet tea.” He pouted. Chris did like it, though normally he never said anything, because it reminded him of better days, before the incident in Raccoon. Forest used to make it.



She caught the tone Chris used and peeked over his shoulder. “Is that my true patient trying to peek through again? Or am I going to have to resort to drastic measures to get him back? Because the lifeless version is a little scary.”



“I think you’re mostly stuck with me.” He looked up at her, which was odd having to do so.



Madison grinned a little. “Yeah, I’ll have to resort to drastic measures.” She steadied herself on her toes leaning over him still, mischief in her eyes as she kissed the tip of his nose.



It was just a little peck, but still managed to turn him bright red.



Leon hadn’t been expecting that. Seeing the look on Chris’s face made him laugh leaning against the elevator wall. “Okay, that’s not fair; you really get the cute nurses. And you’re such an ass most of the time.” He smiled.



“Well it comes with the image; I’m the bad ass of the group.” He was trying to tone down his blush; she had really caught him off guard. “Besides, you’re the pretty boy. Aren’t you supposed to be emo?”



Madison grinned as she stood completely again. “Sorry, just… You’ve seen me blushing most of the day. I wanted to see you blush.” She tucked the evil locks out of her face again.



“Yeah, I do… Not do that often.” He flashed her a smirk. “Consider yourself lucky.”



“Yeah lucky I didn’t have a camera on me. Would have been something to show Jill and Becky.” Leon yelped at the glare Madison gave. “Okay, okay no cameras.”



She smiled brightly then covered her mouth to hide a yawn.



Chris shot her another worried look. “Promise me you’re going to take a nap soon.” He didn’t want to keep the girl up forever.



She nodded. “I’ll try.” She leaned against the wall. “Just… Guess I’m a little paranoid now with how the doc and Beth were talking… I promise I’ll try to sleep a few hours okay.” She looked at him, her eyes showing she was more worried about him than herself. “You won’t give Beth a reason to pick on you again will you? I… Don’t want her hurting you. Have a feeling your sister would get mad at me if you’re bruised because of her.”



“Nah, Claire would kill her not you. She’s very direct when it comes to anger.” He smiled to reassure her. “If you don’t feel safe in the hospital, maybe you should go home?”



“But if the people who put you here… are watching the place, wouldn’t they follow me thinking you told me something? My nephews are just kids, the oldest is four… His brother’s two. I don’t want them getting hurt.” She set her jaw.



“I could take you home, if we’re followed, we’d just come back here.” He thought maybe the kid was a little paranoid, but that had kept him alive the last couple of years, so he wasn’t going to say anything. “That way you’ll get there safely at least.” He glanced at Chris to see if it was a good idea.



“You might be on to something.” Chris had a bad feeling about the doctor too.



“If you think I should to home… I can get one of the security officers to take me. I know the two of you are friends… I’d, rather have someone here who he trusts to watch his back.” She was looking at Leon as she spoke.



“Well I guess I could still watch his back. Always could lying down with an arm behind me.” Chris said with a faint smirk that lasted only a moment.



Leon glanced at Chris as she giggled nervously. “I meant Mr. Kennedy watches your back…” She sighed. “I’ll just crash in the lounge. Not a big deal, this way I’m here if I’m needed.”



Leon nodded. “Up to you, but you are getting sleep, even if I have to handcuff you to a bed.”



“Yessir.” She snapped to attention giving a salute, of course proving with how she did it she had never really been in any armed services.



Chris shook his head. “Just like Rebecca.”