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The story is nearly done. Every thread, both in terms of plot and emotion, will be gently tied as our surviving heroes readjust to being fully in their world again.

And where could they go from here...?
---

RESIDENT EVIL X SILENT HILL: JUDGMENT DAY

written by Charles W.S.,
inspired by Ygure

Chapter 61:

"THE LONGEST WEEKEND -- FINISH"

--1--

Activity at the forward operating base had high energy as men and women moved to execute their assigned duties, most going into Black Falls or just returning from recovery and rescue operations that were still ongoing in Black Falls...the process was hoped more than expected to take another few damn weeks at least. In spite of this great activity, two figures were moving quietly to a helipad where a UH-60 blacker than night was ready and waiting to fly. The two women heard a strong voice call behind them, "Regina! Rain!" The operators turned and saw Chris Redfield and Leon S. Kennedy moving to them briskly...they reached the women and Leon said with a positive smile, "We were hoping we'd catch you before you left!"

Rain sighed impatiently and told the President's man, "Woulda been better if you didn't. We'd rather leave quietly. Nothing personal, but it's just our thing!"

Regina, the younger commando's beloved mentor, gently said, "After everything that's happened, we can make an exception." The redhead asked them warmly, "How can we help you?"

Chris began, "Everyone else is getting ready to go, but..." A brief, emotional pause from the big man. "We just wanted to say thank you."

Leon nodded and told the women, "It was an honor to work with you both."

Both operators were genuinely affected and Regina nodded deeply as she said in turn, "Thank you."

Rain said much more quietly, "It was great working with you too, even though...well...things got real damn shitty."

Leon almost laughed and grunted, "Yeah. Maybe...we'll see you both again one day?"

With an aloof tone, Regina said, "That's not likely, Agent Kennedy. Actually, you should hope we'll never see each other again."

Both men were surprised and Chris asked, "Why?"

With a knowing smile, she told them, "Because it'll mean the shit hit the fan again in an epic way." She then told Chris much more softly, "Give Jill all of my respect, please."

Chris nodded and responded, "I will, Regina. Thank you both again." An awkward beat later...both women turned to move to the chopper, but the BSAA Captain made them stop when he suddenly said, "I'm curious to ask something, Regina!"

Regina shrugged and told him, "Depends on what you have to ask."

"Well...I'm sure Leon is curious, too...is it all right to ask your real names? What we know you by are your callsigns, but after everything that happened..."

Leon nodded and said warmly, "We'd be honored to at least know you both on a first name basis."

The operators exchanged a knowing look...and Rain said with a grin, "You already do, guys!"

Both dudes blinked and Chris asked, "What?"

"Those are our first names. Honest."

Leon frowned and managed, "I don't get it...?"

Regina told the men, "Me and Rain work in covert operations, where subterfuge and deception are absolutely necessary for survival. That means those we go up against are usually cowardly, distrusting, and deceptive scum. When it comes to dealing with the likes of them, we don't worry about using our real names because the last thing people like them would expect...is total honesty!"

Both men really laughed with these remarkable ladies for a bright moment...and Leon asked Regina, "You really got involved with two situations that involved time-space displacement??"

The redhead gazed back at Chris and clarified, "Well, once I went somewhere partially displaced by a different time period of our world. The other crisis was...a little more complicated than that. I'm seriously not allowed to tell you anything more. Even if I was, I'm sure you both wouldn't believe me if I told you what I ran into on both occasions."

With an open mind, Chris urged gently, "Try us, Regina."

Regina really smiled in an enigmatic way and said with finality, "Sorry. You still don't have the security clearance!" The redhead nodded deeply and told the heroes, "Take care!"

Rain told the guys warmly, "Catch you later!" These two extraordinary females quietly turned and kept going to the helicopter waiting for them...

...and they left Chris and Leon with a lot to wonder about. Chris remarked, "I'm kind of disappointed."

Leon said, "I'm not. We probably wouldn't have believed her anyway!" The President's man looked fully at his old friend and fellow survivor. "You seem better, Chris." He meant relative to the troubled state the Captain was in and provoked so much worry in his younger sister. God, that wasn't long ago...but it felt so much longer after everything they endured.

Chris told him with quiet emotion, "Honestly...I'm trying to be, Leon. I need to be better in the memory of those we've left behind." Like Anne. And Piers. And so many more who willingly gave everything. The man said with much more power, "More importantly, I need to for those who are still here."

Leon noticed something his periphery and looked...he and Chris saw the valkyrie Jill Valentine approach, a singularly gorgeous sight. Leon said with a knowing, gentle tone, "And for those we love?"

Chris smiled gratefully at his eternal partner as she drew closer and answered, "For them most of all, my friend." Leon gently parted from Chris and moved past Jill to go in the other direction.

Jill reached Chris and took his big hands in both of hers...she looked up into his eyes and purred, "Hi, mister. What distracted you and Leon??"

Chris told his lady, "We heard Regina and Rain were leaving and wanted to see 'em off."

Suddenly crestfallen, Jill groaned, "Dammit. I wanted to say goodbye to them!"

"I'm sure they wanted that too, but they had to go. Regina asked me to give you her love, if that means anything."

Jill beamed up at him. "It means everything. I get why they had to leave. Duty can really suck sometimes...!"

Chris nodded. "But only sometimes." Not far away, the two saw the helicopter lift off from the distant helipad...Jill looked, and she saw the redhead and her go-getter protegee, and they were both waving to her. The valkyrie felt her soul lift so as she waved back, wishing them both the absolute best.

As the Black Hawk departed, Leon approached a sight who absolutely warmed his soul...Helena Harper, who had changed into a new set of clothes since they returned to base. The beauty as statuesque as a virtual Venus gently closed the distance with Leon, and they stopped before one another intimately close. Leon asked, "Everyone getting geared up and ready to go?"

Helena answered, "Yeah, but everyone can't help but talk to each other about...everything that happened. I know we're all relieved that Cheryl has nothing to worry about." With a skewed smile, she added, "Also, Rebecca's been running up to everybody and giving them her love."

Leon chuckled. "That girl can be pretty distracting!"

"She's amazing, Leon...and she's so damn lucky to have Cheryl." Her lovely face took a more serious set. "If it wasn't for her and you...I..."

"Hey." Leon gently laid his hands comfortingly on his lover's shoulders. "Don't dwell on past regrets again. Please?"

Helena's expression softened instantly feeling Leon's love, and all he felt could only be mirrored by everything in her heart and soul. She managed, "I won't, Leon. I'll always honor my sister and Adam Benford by looking forward. Giving my best." The lady drew really, really close then. "And loving you."

Leon's strong arms sweetly moved to embrace his lady, and he asked very quietly, "So you wouldn't mind making a commitment to me?"

Helena smiled as she held him in turn and said with a solemn voice, "Just as long as you don't mind the idea of us being together forever in this world...and then another."

The President's man nodded. "I couldn't mind. In fact, forever wouldn't be long enough." His face dipped close, and without hesitation, the couple kissed for a long, warm, incredible time in spite of the humdrum all around them. It seemed to only get better and better with each spectacular moment...

...until with a rush, they had to stop their kiss. If only to catch their breaths as their hearts beat so fast! Helena sighed and hummed, "Mmmmmm...kissing you for real is so much better...!"

With a naughty tone, the dude offered, "Let's see what else we can do...after we have dinner tonight." Helena couldn't have forgotten Leon offered that long ago. Happily, proudly, eagerly, she nodded.

Then a new voice coughed, "Ah-hem!" Both looked to the source, and it was Ingrid Hunnigan -- her expression was priceless as she looked at them with pure amusement.

The couple awkwardly separated -- but only a little! -- from one another as Leon said, "Hi, Hunnigan! Um...!"

Ingrid approached warmly as she declared, "Relax, lovebirds! I really needed more time to talk to you both. I'm so damn relieved you and most everybody came out of this all right." She reached her old friend Helena and her expression became a bit more troubled. "And...and there's so much I never got to say to you before. I-I had no idea how, and..."

Helena moved closer to her friend and told her, "It's all right, Ingrid. Listen. Leon gave me that note from Debbie." Ingrid looked at Leon with pure surprise...his expression was warm, but not even nearly as adoring as Helena's as she continued, "I do understand why you both couldn't simply show it to me. If I had seen it sooner..." A sad, mournful pause. "...I'm not sure if that would have helped so much...!"

Ingrid lifted a trembling hand to take off her signature glasses...her face flooded with emotion so primal, and she looked like she was going to cry. She told her dear friend tenderly, "You did just lose Deborah. But...that's no excuse for keeping a damned thing from you. I..." Ingrid finally said with pure regret, "I'm really, really sorry!"

Helena drew very close to the comms officer and reassured with a hushed tone, "Please don't be, Ingrid. I love you, too. You are my dearest friend...and that will last forever." The lady moved close and took Ingrid into her arms. Both women embraced desperately, adoringly as Leon watched with the biggest smile ever on his handsome face.

--2--

Much further away in the base. Kathy Burton was really getting to talk to Cheryl Mason for the first time. The stunning wife of a certain police chief said sweetly, "I'm really glad to meet you, Cheryl."

Cheryl told her in turn, "It's an honor, Kathy." The sorceress looked to one side, where her lover Rebecca Chambers and Barry Burton were speaking a distance away in private conversation, too. Cheryl began, "I've got to say, your husband is...is...!" She really wanted to try to find the right words to express the overwhelming impression the big man gave to her (and most anybody else he met!)...

...and with a knowing grin, Kathy purred with adoration, "Yes, he is. That's why I love my big teddy bear!"

Barry and Rebecca were really focused on one another as they talked...Barry said, "I hope you and Cheryl will get to have some time together after all of this...?"

Becca told him with a winning tone, "We totally will! Chris said I don't have to go back to work for a few days." With a quieter tone, the pixie said, "I'm really glad for that because Cheryl does want to take me somewhere. We'll be going soon, but I have to give everyone my love first!"

The big bear nodded. "It's still hard to believe what your girlfriend can do...even after everything we've seen." A quiet beat later, his brow knitted. "Rebecca, I..."

Becca's eyebrows perked and she asked, "What??" Barry didn't say anything right away. "C'mon, Barry. Tell me what you're thinking!"

Barry finally managed, "I'm thinking of a lot of things. I'm thinking of Natalia."

Becca exhaled, "Oh...!" Natalia, a virtually fearless survivor herself, was in a coma at this moment, in a strangely persistent REM state. Rebecca couldn't even imagine how her family must have felt.

Frowning deeply, the bear growled quietly, "I was wondering...would it be possible if...?" He gave a disgusted sigh. "I'm sorry, I'm being silly."

"What? Don't get me worked up and just say what you want to! Please??"

Barry looked into the pixie's big loving eyes, and he relented...but slowly. "The best scientists at the BSAA haven't been able to help Natalia. Heck, even you and Christine are at a loss. One of the stranger things I've seen Cheryl do is go into Helena's dreams to save her. Hell, she took Leon with her! I-is there the slightest chance that..." Another uncomfortable pause. "Maybe Cheryl could look into Natalia's dreams to help her somehow...?"

Rebecca immediately understood, and her reaction definitely wasn't negative...she said with surprise, "That's honestly a great idea. Heck, we've been out of luck trying to help Natalia every other way! I can ask Cheryl right now -- !"

"W-wait!" He looked to the sorceress, who was talking to Kathy a distance away. His expression softened as he said quietly, "We really don't need to ask Cheryl's help yet. You never know, we might not have to trouble her...!"

Rebecca assured, "I know Cheryl wouldn't call it any trouble at all. Heck, she just saved our world. Maybe she can help your daughter."

Barry nodded. "Still, you two oughtta take a little time for yourselves first. After everything we've been through, Cheryl needs that the most." Rebecca pouted with doubt, but the bear gently rumbled, "Unless anything major happens, I'll call you in a week. You know Natalia...isn't going anywhere, anyway. And I'll need a little time to run this idea by Kathy, Moira and Polly, too." He sighed again. "I've got to wonder if they'll believe a blasted word I'd have to tell them...!"

Becca shrugged and told him, "Well if they don't, me and Claire and Leon and Helena and whoever else can help set 'em straight! Okay?"

Barry smiled warmly. "Okay...and thanks!"

--3--

In one of the tents, three women were there by themselves. Christine Yamata, a specialist for the BSAA, asked, "You're sure about this?"

Claire Redfield answered, "Yeah, I'm sure. I simply hate the idea of bothering you and Rebecca." Close by, Claire's supergirl Sherry Birkin looked at them both adoringly.

Christine really smiled, "You're not being a bother, and I get why you'd want to take this precaution. I totally believe whatever has developed in you, it's as benign as Natalia Burton's paranormal senses." She really thought of that incredible girl and said with a burst of worry, "God, I want to believe she'll be all right...!"

Sherry said warmly, "Don't lose faith she will be. Please."

Christine nodded and said to the auburn haired angel, "Anyway, the Genesis didn't react to you any differently than it did before, the same as Sherry and Jill. That means you couldn't have gone through any changes that really matter." She readied a long needle, and the lady stressed once again, "There's nothing requiring you to do this anyway. Hell, the government has known better than to order folks to get vaccinated after the recent epidemic!"

Claire answered softly, "I know. I just feel the need to be sure."

"I'm completely sure when the tests come back in a few days...I'll be running those tests personally on my own time...you will be okay."

Claire nodded as she offered a slender arm. Christine gently swabbed a part of her skin with alcohol. The angel asked quietly, "And nobody else will know?"

Christine smiled with a bit of benevolent conspiracy and purred, "This will be between the four of us and Chris...no one else will know, Claire." The angel really wanted this to be kept quiet. Just to be on the safe side.

Claire smiled fondly at the virologist and said, "Thank you." Christine gently inserted the long needle into the angel's skin to draw blood into a small tube she'd quietly take back to BSAA Headquarters in Washington. It didn't hurt at all.

Minutes later, Claire and Sherry left the tent and were under the bright promising Sun. Sherry told her lover positively, "I'm sure you'll be all right, too. I...I do understand why you want to be careful."

Claire sighed and said, "That's been the story of our lives, hasn't it? Learning to be careful. Learning to survive. And learning both the hard way."

Sherry asked with a touch of humor, "Is there any other way?"

Claire grinned. "I wish!" The lady gently stopped, and her supergirl stopped with her. Claire stared into space as she really looked back upon her amazing life. "All I've ever wanted was...normalcy, Sherry. Some kind of peace." She looked down and finally said, "That's what we all want, but...others want to deny us of that." She thought of Gwen and Bea and far, far too many more in Black Falls the angel she wished she could have protected...but they were lost forever.

Sherry gazed at her true love with total empathy. The supergirl said softly, "Yes. That's why we're both agents serving different causes for the same pure reason. We both know that peace is something we have to earn..." Claire really got a glimpse of the warrior soul in Sherry's sky blue eyes as she finished, "...and fight for when we need to."

The angel looked upon her adored one and sighed, "God, I can't wait to get you all to myself."

Sherry moved very close and kissed her lover's lips with eternal sweetness. "Me, neither." For better or worse, now definitely wouldn't have been the right time to really express all they felt for each other. Not with so damn many people around.

Claire reluctantly looked from Sherry's beautiful face...and saw Elza Walker a distance away leaning against a fence post. The girl who loved motocross was looking into space with a thoughtful gaze. Claire nodded toward Elza, and together, the couple moved to the girl. Claire called warmly, "Elza!"

Surprised from her reverie, Elza looked at them both and greeted, "Hey, you two! How are you doing?"

Sherry answered, "We're good! What about you?"

The couple reached Elza, who said much more uncertainly, "I'm all right, but...after everything that's happened, I..." The girl frowned. "I've been thinking about lots. Before all of this, my biggest ambition was to be huge in motocross. I still want that, but now it feels so...small." She looked downward. "Human monsters are bad enough, but after being in Limbo and Hell kind of-sort of...being threatened by demons..."

Claire nodded and said with care, "I'm sure you're feeling all of the things I did...after a really bad night in Raccoon City."

Elza finally managed thickly, "I'm not sure what to do with my life now. I can't just live it for myself anymore. Not knowing there are the worst of people and things out there."

Sherry slowly moved to draw close to Elza...and the supergirl told her, "I'm not going to tell you what you should do. Nobody has the right to do that. All I can say is...do what me and Claire did. Live your life according to what you know to be just and right. You'll know what to do."

Elza looked back at Sherry for a troubled couple of beats and said thinly, "I need time to figure that out."

Claire told her with knowledge, "That's not an overnight thing, girl."

Sherry nodded and said with positive feeling, "I know you will figure it out, just like me and Claire did."

Elza really smiled and managed gratefully, "Thanks...! S-so uh, what're you two gonna do next?"

Claire was so much affectionately closer to her supergirl then as she told the girl, "Sherry will have some time off. So will I. We're going to go to my family's ranch in Colorado to...simply be for a while. Give ourselves a vacation."

Even a blind man would have seen HOW close Claire and Sherry were. A naughty curve formed in the smile on Elza's face as she purred, "A vacation, yeah...but will you two get any rest...?"

Sherry couldn't help herself -- she looked at Claire with a devious glint in her eye and informed Elza, "That's not likely!" Claire instantly blushed in a heavenly way.

Elza grunted, "Uh-huh!"

After a wonderfully awkward moment, Claire really looked upon Elza and asked, "You can come with us, if you want?"

Elza blinked with shock! "A-are you serious?"

As Sherry listened with a positive smile, Claire told Elza, "It's a big ranch and the family has a big home smack in the middle of it. We'd have plenty of room for a house guest. And there's lots of open space there if you want the time to think about things...?"

Astonished by the angel's generosity, Elza managed, "I...I-I don't know what to say..."

Claire's expression became a bit firmer as she continued: "You ought to know before you decide that you'll be expected to do your fair share. There's lots to do on a ranch, and if you want to stay? You've got to earn it!"

With a huge smile, Elza nearly exclaimed, "Shit, that's no problem at all! Are we really talking cowgirl and cowboy stuff??"

"Yeah, but it's not as exciting as Hollywood makes it out to be."

With total agreement, the girl who loved motocross enthusiastically said, "That's okay! Just as long as you don't mind me learning as I go...I mean, the only kind of ranch I've seen before now is dressing!...but I'm in!"

The couple laughed brightly with Elza -- Claire said, "Okay!"

Elza's expression softened as she looked at these new, true friends and fellow survivors. She said much more softly, "I hope you don't mind my curiosity, but...when did you two first meet, anyhow? I get the impression it's been for a while...?"

Sherry answered with pride, "Me and Claire met 15 years ago, Elza."

Elza was really surprised then and blurted, "THAT long ago???"

Claire almost cringed and said, "Saying it that way makes me feel old."

Sherry asked lightly, "You, too?"

Elza went, "Ulp! S-sorry!"

Claire laughed again and said warmly, "It's all right!"

A bit more serious, Sherry told the girl who loved motocross, "Elza, I really mean it when I say this. You're a lot like Claire."

Surprised and humbled in that sweet moment, Elza asked, "F-for real...?"

Claire nodded and said to the girl gently, "You do remind me of...who I used to be, Elza. Back when I was a lot younger...!"

--4--

Mortal time slowly moved, and everyone could feel it as they readjusted to this relative peace...Karena LesProux and Caroline Floyd had paired off from most everyone. They were speaking very quietly to each other. In spite of the activity all around them, they were both serene and really at peace as they opened themselves slowly, gradually, yet with true care for one another.

Chris could only wonder what those ladies were talking about as he and Jill ambled not far away...these longtime partners were really taking stock in all of their blessings, and they weren't the only ones. They saw Barry and Kathy were spending some most meaningful time to hold each other. Really cherishing this peace while they had it...and praying it would last.

Chris thought of this long war he had fought, impelled by equal parts righteous anger and useless guilt, for so damned long. In a way he couldn't after Edonia and then China, he really saw himself and how committed he had been to battling the idiotic, often terrifying scourge of bio-terrorism since the Mansion Incident. He looked back on all of the battles he won...those he lost...and how it was all threatening to burn him out and use him up. And he knew if that happened, he wouldn't have some kind of nightmare creatures or foolish corporations to blame.

The Captain slowly came to a stop as he really looked into himself. Jill, his partner, his one and only, gently stopped with him as she held his hand. She looked at her man, and for that moment, she really could see the emotional and spiritual exhaustion reflected in his eyes. The valkyrie completely understood. How long could you stay on the battlefield until you lost all of the energy to fight?

Chris finally said reluctantly, "Jill...you needed some time to step back from all of this." The man looked at her, and real acceptance was in his weary eyes. "I need that, too. We both need a damned break. We owe that to ourselves and everyone else."

So tired, so grateful, his partner murmured, "Yes."

Chris slowly sat down at a bench as he really felt his age...Jill tenderly sat on his lap and wrapped a comforting arm around his broad shoulders. "The only thing is, this is all I've known for...so long. If you asked me to do anything else, I..." An uncomfortable beat. "I wouldn't know what to do."

Jill told her partner the absolute truth. "I wouldn't, either."

"That doesn't change the fact we both need to step back...just for a while. Just for the sake of taking a break." He sighed heavily. "I'm not getting any damned younger, either."

With an adoring smile, Jill urged, "Hey, careful...!"

"Barry told me that not long ago, and I can't deny reality. I can only be the first one in and the last one out for...so long. Maybe...I can put in for a promotion away from the field." He sighed heavily. "The thought of a desk job is so...boring, though!"

Jill shrugged. "You can rise high enough where you'll have a say in what missions you'll take, Chris. Rank's got privilege."

"I still always disliked the idea of that. Leading rather than doing. In the field, I always knew I was making a difference."

"You still can. We both can, even if we're stuck with desk jobs. We helped found the BSAA, after all."

Really getting himself used to the idea of stepping back -- but not completely stepping away -- from this fight, Chris smiled a little. "We're not the only fighters in this cause. I don't just mean our organization. There are groups like Claire's TerraSave...they really need to become a full fledged private military company. They can't keep going they way they have been on charity. Not when it comes to the things they fight against."

Jill nodded. "I think they finally have a stable leadership again. I'm surprised Claire never wanted to be its leader. She'd qualify."

"Yeah, but she's always believed in being out there to solve problems with her own hands, too." Chris frowned a bit. "And there's that other company fighting bio-terror. Blue Umbrella."

Jill frowned a lot harder. "I'm not sure about them, Chris...!" Blue Umbrella was a PMC comprised of 'private contractors', men and women who had once served the Umbrella Corporation's UBCS. 'Guilt by association' was often a pure illusion, though. Just look at the example of Carlos Oliveira. When their employers suffered disgrace and then a LOT of arrests and prison time, they found themselves out of a job...but that didn't mean they couldn't be without a purpose. Considering their own healthy amount of military experience and expertise, these contractors reorganized into what appeared to be an altruistic organization that was now being contracted by the U.S. government, among others, to counter the worst kind of threats in this strange and scary new world.

Jill had her doubts about them...Chris did too, if only because they had Umbrella in their damn name. His brow knitted as he told Jill, "I've been hearing more and more positive things about them from people we both trust, Jill. I'm sure the government has a lot of eyes watching them, too. I should take some time to look into Blue Umbrella for myself, just to be sure what kind of people are serving it..."

Jill felt her partner's posture relax so as he finally said, "...but that can wait." Chris really looked at the lady and asked doubtfully, "I'm not being selfish...am I?"

The lady answered, "We both know you're not. You need to take a break. We both do."

"I have been carrying so much...weight that might never go away."

She whispered, "You can always...drop that weight. Leave it behind."

Chris told her the truth. "I'll only do that on the day I really am too old for this shit." The veteran reached into himself, and he easily found that strength which was always in his heart and soul. His expression became more certain as he swore, "That's not going to be for a damn long time."

His partner Jill, a true fighter, understood that, too. She absolutely loved him for it. The lady said with an inviting tone, "For the time being, let's figure out what to do during our break..." Her gorgeous face drew very close to his as her voice dropped to a loving murmur. "...and what we can do with each other." He smiled too as the partners held each other so close.

Over thirty yards away, as she stood close to her own lover, Rebecca looked at Chris and Jill and wanted to gush over them both again with hugs...but she already told them she'd be going soon and gave them so much love, she was sure they'd be sick of it by now. (The incredible girl didn't have to worry over such a thing, naturally.) Sheva Alomar gently approached Cheryl and Becca then...to say her own fond farewell for now. The pixie looked at Sheva with adoration and told her, "I will be back in Washington in a few days."

Sheva nodded and asked, "Is it all right to ask what you'll both be doing...?"

Becca looked at her sorceress fondly...Cheryl told the warrior quietly, "I wanted to take Becca somewhere to show her something. It's...private."

Sheva loved and respected them both too much to be anything more than curious. She looked fully at Rebecca and urged softly, "Don't take as much time as you need. Take as much time as you want while you can. Live every moment like it's your last. That's what this experience taught me more than anything."

Cheryl could only smile as Becca nodded deeply and said, "It taught me a lot, too." A most thoughtful pause. "Sheva. Please tell Jill that...I'm not so worried about being in the field anymore. I do want to be there for all of you when the worst happens, but only then. My place really is in the labs. I know that now."

Sheva's gorgeous eyes reflected true relief...she said with care, "I don't have to ask why you changed your mind, dear friend."

The pixie nodded. "I wish things had been different in the past. I always will. But I've got to accept those things weren't up to me. There were some things I couldn't help."

The warrior born in Africa said thickly, "That's something I needed to learn, too." She thought of her long deceased parents. Her tribe that no longer existed. Long ago she had to learn to let such things go. She had a different and in so many ways better life as an American now. As a warrior with a cause worth fighting for.

Rebecca looked at the warrior with big doe eyes and tentatively asked, "But...the future is a different story, right?? That's up to me."

Sheva drew close, kissed the pixie on her cheek, and purred, "What the future brings...is up to all of us."

Rebecca smiled so adorably from ear to ear as she nodded, hope and love pulsing so bright in her glorious heart. The pixie said gently, "I will see you later!"

"I know." Sheva looked at the sorceress who saved them all...and told her needfully, "Give Rebecca all of the love, Cheryl."

With a quiet smile, the woman from Silent Hill said with feeling, "Oh...I will. Thank you." The lovers left quietly with very few outside of those who loved them both noticing. They had said their farewells to everyone else they needed to.

They reached the fringe of the FOB, where many vehicles were parked. One was Cheryl's Ford. Not far away, a squad car identifying it as belonging to the Brahms Police Deparment sat waiting, too. Close to this cruiser were four more extraordinary people. Cybil Bennett. Douglas Cartland. And Alex and Elle Shepherd. The lovers went to these four and their goodbyes were very quiet...not much was said...not much had to be as so much love and respect was given between them. They all knew the meaning of what it meant to endure Hell...they bonded so elementally through that trial...and they had grown and become stronger for it.

Although...Rebecca glomped Douglas for so long, the P.I. got to wondering if the pixie would ever let him go! Tenderly, eventually, she did...which he regretted. It concluded with Cybil kissing the daughter of her heart and lovingly urging, "Find your happiness, baby." Cheryl was too full of emotion to tell the lady it was all right. She already had. With Rebecca.

Cybil got in to sit behind the wheel of her cruiser as Alex and Elle got into the back to sit together. Douglas opened his door on the passenger side, but tipped his hat to the lovers before he climbed in. Moments later, the squad car pulled out and drove away. Cheryl and Rebecca looked at each other for a sweet moment and took their time moving to her Ford. They got in...

...and Becca asked, "You're sure you want to do this?"

The sorceress nodded and told her true love, "Yes. I need to be there at least one more time. To be sure. It'll take at least five hours to get there..."

"That's okay," the sweetie said with care. "I'll be spending all of that time with you." Rebecca leaned lovingly into the sorceress. She promised with a whisper, "I'll spend eternity with you."

Cheryl's emotions were virtually palpable in the air as she started the Ford's engine and then put it in gear...the big sedan slowly eased out of the outer perimeter of this forward operating base and left Black Falls in the rearview mirror.

It was just after noon and Cheryl and Rebecca still had a ways to travel as they began their drive, taking a course east-northeast on the highway. They almost would have followed Cybil's cruiser, but the couple weren't going to the same destination as their friends. They were still going east-northeast...

...to Maine...

...and to Silent Hill.

TO BE CONCLUDED
---
You read that right at the very end. There's one more chapter to go.

You will see the sweet and solemn finish to this story soon when Cheryl and Becca go to visit Silent Hill...for the LAST time!

Now to give credit for the models I used in the art above...there's a lot of credit to give, too!

XNALara created by Dusan Pavlicek; XPS by Dusan and XNAaraL

Models:

Helena Harper by !

Ingrid Hunnigan, Barry Burton, Jill Valentine, and Chris Redfield by !

Leon S. Kennedy by !

Rebecca Chambers and Elle Shepherd by !

Claire Redfield by !

Sherry Birkin by !

Elza Walker by !

Sheva Alomar by !

Cheryl Mason is again a combo of elements thanks to , lady-jill-valentine and !

Cybil Bennett by corporacion08!

Alex Shepherd by !

Douglas Cartland by !

Cheryl's Ford by !

Scenery by !

Description
The story is nearly done. Every thread, both in terms of plot and emotion, will be gently tied as our surviving heroes readjust to being fully in their world again.

And where could they go from here...?
---

RESIDENT EVIL X SILENT HILL: JUDGMENT DAY

written by Charles W.S.,
inspired by Ygure

Chapter 61:

"THE LONGEST WEEKEND -- FINISH"

--1--

Activity at the forward operating base had high energy as men and women moved to execute their assigned duties, most going into Black Falls or just returning from recovery and rescue operations that were still ongoing in Black Falls...the process was hoped more than expected to take another few damn weeks at least. In spite of this great activity, two figures were moving quietly to a helipad where a UH-60 blacker than night was ready and waiting to fly. The two women heard a strong voice call behind them, "Regina! Rain!" The operators turned and saw Chris Redfield and Leon S. Kennedy moving to them briskly...they reached the women and Leon said with a positive smile, "We were hoping we'd catch you before you left!"

Rain sighed impatiently and told the President's man, "Woulda been better if you didn't. We'd rather leave quietly. Nothing personal, but it's just our thing!"

Regina, the younger commando's beloved mentor, gently said, "After everything that's happened, we can make an exception." The redhead asked them warmly, "How can we help you?"

Chris began, "Everyone else is getting ready to go, but..." A brief, emotional pause from the big man. "We just wanted to say thank you."

Leon nodded and told the women, "It was an honor to work with you both."

Both operators were genuinely affected and Regina nodded deeply as she said in turn, "Thank you."

Rain said much more quietly, "It was great working with you too, even though...well...things got real damn shitty."

Leon almost laughed and grunted, "Yeah. Maybe...we'll see you both again one day?"

With an aloof tone, Regina said, "That's not likely, Agent Kennedy. Actually, you should hope we'll never see each other again."

Both men were surprised and Chris asked, "Why?"

With a knowing smile, she told them, "Because it'll mean the shit hit the fan again in an epic way." She then told Chris much more softly, "Give Jill all of my respect, please."

Chris nodded and responded, "I will, Regina. Thank you both again." An awkward beat later...both women turned to move to the chopper, but the BSAA Captain made them stop when he suddenly said, "I'm curious to ask something, Regina!"

Regina shrugged and told him, "Depends on what you have to ask."

"Well...I'm sure Leon is curious, too...is it all right to ask your real names? What we know you by are your callsigns, but after everything that happened..."

Leon nodded and said warmly, "We'd be honored to at least know you both on a first name basis."

The operators exchanged a knowing look...and Rain said with a grin, "You already do, guys!"

Both dudes blinked and Chris asked, "What?"

"Those are our first names. Honest."

Leon frowned and managed, "I don't get it...?"

Regina told the men, "Me and Rain work in covert operations, where subterfuge and deception are absolutely necessary for survival. That means those we go up against are usually cowardly, distrusting, and deceptive scum. When it comes to dealing with the likes of them, we don't worry about using our real names because the last thing people like them would expect...is total honesty!"

Both men really laughed with these remarkable ladies for a bright moment...and Leon asked Regina, "You really got involved with two situations that involved time-space displacement??"

The redhead gazed back at Chris and clarified, "Well, once I went somewhere partially displaced by a different time period of our world. The other crisis was...a little more complicated than that. I'm seriously not allowed to tell you anything more. Even if I was, I'm sure you both wouldn't believe me if I told you what I ran into on both occasions."

With an open mind, Chris urged gently, "Try us, Regina."

Regina really smiled in an enigmatic way and said with finality, "Sorry. You still don't have the security clearance!" The redhead nodded deeply and told the heroes, "Take care!"

Rain told the guys warmly, "Catch you later!" These two extraordinary females quietly turned and kept going to the helicopter waiting for them...

...and they left Chris and Leon with a lot to wonder about. Chris remarked, "I'm kind of disappointed."

Leon said, "I'm not. We probably wouldn't have believed her anyway!" The President's man looked fully at his old friend and fellow survivor. "You seem better, Chris." He meant relative to the troubled state the Captain was in and provoked so much worry in his younger sister. God, that wasn't long ago...but it felt so much longer after everything they endured.

Chris told him with quiet emotion, "Honestly...I'm trying to be, Leon. I need to be better in the memory of those we've left behind." Like Anne. And Piers. And so many more who willingly gave everything. The man said with much more power, "More importantly, I need to for those who are still here."

Leon noticed something his periphery and looked...he and Chris saw the valkyrie Jill Valentine approach, a singularly gorgeous sight. Leon said with a knowing, gentle tone, "And for those we love?"

Chris smiled gratefully at his eternal partner as she drew closer and answered, "For them most of all, my friend." Leon gently parted from Chris and moved past Jill to go in the other direction.

Jill reached Chris and took his big hands in both of hers...she looked up into his eyes and purred, "Hi, mister. What distracted you and Leon??"

Chris told his lady, "We heard Regina and Rain were leaving and wanted to see 'em off."

Suddenly crestfallen, Jill groaned, "Dammit. I wanted to say goodbye to them!"

"I'm sure they wanted that too, but they had to go. Regina asked me to give you her love, if that means anything."

Jill beamed up at him. "It means everything. I get why they had to leave. Duty can really suck sometimes...!"

Chris nodded. "But only sometimes." Not far away, the two saw the helicopter lift off from the distant helipad...Jill looked, and she saw the redhead and her go-getter protegee, and they were both waving to her. The valkyrie felt her soul lift so as she waved back, wishing them both the absolute best.

As the Black Hawk departed, Leon approached a sight who absolutely warmed his soul...Helena Harper, who had changed into a new set of clothes since they returned to base. The beauty as statuesque as a virtual Venus gently closed the distance with Leon, and they stopped before one another intimately close. Leon asked, "Everyone getting geared up and ready to go?"

Helena answered, "Yeah, but everyone can't help but talk to each other about...everything that happened. I know we're all relieved that Cheryl has nothing to worry about." With a skewed smile, she added, "Also, Rebecca's been running up to everybody and giving them her love."

Leon chuckled. "That girl can be pretty distracting!"

"She's amazing, Leon...and she's so damn lucky to have Cheryl." Her lovely face took a more serious set. "If it wasn't for her and you...I..."

"Hey." Leon gently laid his hands comfortingly on his lover's shoulders. "Don't dwell on past regrets again. Please?"

Helena's expression softened instantly feeling Leon's love, and all he felt could only be mirrored by everything in her heart and soul. She managed, "I won't, Leon. I'll always honor my sister and Adam Benford by looking forward. Giving my best." The lady drew really, really close then. "And loving you."

Leon's strong arms sweetly moved to embrace his lady, and he asked very quietly, "So you wouldn't mind making a commitment to me?"

Helena smiled as she held him in turn and said with a solemn voice, "Just as long as you don't mind the idea of us being together forever in this world...and then another."

The President's man nodded. "I couldn't mind. In fact, forever wouldn't be long enough." His face dipped close, and without hesitation, the couple kissed for a long, warm, incredible time in spite of the humdrum all around them. It seemed to only get better and better with each spectacular moment...

...until with a rush, they had to stop their kiss. If only to catch their breaths as their hearts beat so fast! Helena sighed and hummed, "Mmmmmm...kissing you for real is so much better...!"

With a naughty tone, the dude offered, "Let's see what else we can do...after we have dinner tonight." Helena couldn't have forgotten Leon offered that long ago. Happily, proudly, eagerly, she nodded.

Then a new voice coughed, "Ah-hem!" Both looked to the source, and it was Ingrid Hunnigan -- her expression was priceless as she looked at them with pure amusement.

The couple awkwardly separated -- but only a little! -- from one another as Leon said, "Hi, Hunnigan! Um...!"

Ingrid approached warmly as she declared, "Relax, lovebirds! I really needed more time to talk to you both. I'm so damn relieved you and most everybody came out of this all right." She reached her old friend Helena and her expression became a bit more troubled. "And...and there's so much I never got to say to you before. I-I had no idea how, and..."

Helena moved closer to her friend and told her, "It's all right, Ingrid. Listen. Leon gave me that note from Debbie." Ingrid looked at Leon with pure surprise...his expression was warm, but not even nearly as adoring as Helena's as she continued, "I do understand why you both couldn't simply show it to me. If I had seen it sooner..." A sad, mournful pause. "...I'm not sure if that would have helped so much...!"

Ingrid lifted a trembling hand to take off her signature glasses...her face flooded with emotion so primal, and she looked like she was going to cry. She told her dear friend tenderly, "You did just lose Deborah. But...that's no excuse for keeping a damned thing from you. I..." Ingrid finally said with pure regret, "I'm really, really sorry!"

Helena drew very close to the comms officer and reassured with a hushed tone, "Please don't be, Ingrid. I love you, too. You are my dearest friend...and that will last forever." The lady moved close and took Ingrid into her arms. Both women embraced desperately, adoringly as Leon watched with the biggest smile ever on his handsome face.

--2--

Much further away in the base. Kathy Burton was really getting to talk to Cheryl Mason for the first time. The stunning wife of a certain police chief said sweetly, "I'm really glad to meet you, Cheryl."

Cheryl told her in turn, "It's an honor, Kathy." The sorceress looked to one side, where her lover Rebecca Chambers and Barry Burton were speaking a distance away in private conversation, too. Cheryl began, "I've got to say, your husband is...is...!" She really wanted to try to find the right words to express the overwhelming impression the big man gave to her (and most anybody else he met!)...

...and with a knowing grin, Kathy purred with adoration, "Yes, he is. That's why I love my big teddy bear!"

Barry and Rebecca were really focused on one another as they talked...Barry said, "I hope you and Cheryl will get to have some time together after all of this...?"

Becca told him with a winning tone, "We totally will! Chris said I don't have to go back to work for a few days." With a quieter tone, the pixie said, "I'm really glad for that because Cheryl does want to take me somewhere. We'll be going soon, but I have to give everyone my love first!"

The big bear nodded. "It's still hard to believe what your girlfriend can do...even after everything we've seen." A quiet beat later, his brow knitted. "Rebecca, I..."

Becca's eyebrows perked and she asked, "What??" Barry didn't say anything right away. "C'mon, Barry. Tell me what you're thinking!"

Barry finally managed, "I'm thinking of a lot of things. I'm thinking of Natalia."

Becca exhaled, "Oh...!" Natalia, a virtually fearless survivor herself, was in a coma at this moment, in a strangely persistent REM state. Rebecca couldn't even imagine how her family must have felt.

Frowning deeply, the bear growled quietly, "I was wondering...would it be possible if...?" He gave a disgusted sigh. "I'm sorry, I'm being silly."

"What? Don't get me worked up and just say what you want to! Please??"

Barry looked into the pixie's big loving eyes, and he relented...but slowly. "The best scientists at the BSAA haven't been able to help Natalia. Heck, even you and Christine are at a loss. One of the stranger things I've seen Cheryl do is go into Helena's dreams to save her. Hell, she took Leon with her! I-is there the slightest chance that..." Another uncomfortable pause. "Maybe Cheryl could look into Natalia's dreams to help her somehow...?"

Rebecca immediately understood, and her reaction definitely wasn't negative...she said with surprise, "That's honestly a great idea. Heck, we've been out of luck trying to help Natalia every other way! I can ask Cheryl right now -- !"

"W-wait!" He looked to the sorceress, who was talking to Kathy a distance away. His expression softened as he said quietly, "We really don't need to ask Cheryl's help yet. You never know, we might not have to trouble her...!"

Rebecca assured, "I know Cheryl wouldn't call it any trouble at all. Heck, she just saved our world. Maybe she can help your daughter."

Barry nodded. "Still, you two oughtta take a little time for yourselves first. After everything we've been through, Cheryl needs that the most." Rebecca pouted with doubt, but the bear gently rumbled, "Unless anything major happens, I'll call you in a week. You know Natalia...isn't going anywhere, anyway. And I'll need a little time to run this idea by Kathy, Moira and Polly, too." He sighed again. "I've got to wonder if they'll believe a blasted word I'd have to tell them...!"

Becca shrugged and told him, "Well if they don't, me and Claire and Leon and Helena and whoever else can help set 'em straight! Okay?"

Barry smiled warmly. "Okay...and thanks!"

--3--

In one of the tents, three women were there by themselves. Christine Yamata, a specialist for the BSAA, asked, "You're sure about this?"

Claire Redfield answered, "Yeah, I'm sure. I simply hate the idea of bothering you and Rebecca." Close by, Claire's supergirl Sherry Birkin looked at them both adoringly.

Christine really smiled, "You're not being a bother, and I get why you'd want to take this precaution. I totally believe whatever has developed in you, it's as benign as Natalia Burton's paranormal senses." She really thought of that incredible girl and said with a burst of worry, "God, I want to believe she'll be all right...!"

Sherry said warmly, "Don't lose faith she will be. Please."

Christine nodded and said to the auburn haired angel, "Anyway, the Genesis didn't react to you any differently than it did before, the same as Sherry and Jill. That means you couldn't have gone through any changes that really matter." She readied a long needle, and the lady stressed once again, "There's nothing requiring you to do this anyway. Hell, the government has known better than to order folks to get vaccinated after the recent epidemic!"

Claire answered softly, "I know. I just feel the need to be sure."

"I'm completely sure when the tests come back in a few days...I'll be running those tests personally on my own time...you will be okay."

Claire nodded as she offered a slender arm. Christine gently swabbed a part of her skin with alcohol. The angel asked quietly, "And nobody else will know?"

Christine smiled with a bit of benevolent conspiracy and purred, "This will be between the four of us and Chris...no one else will know, Claire." The angel really wanted this to be kept quiet. Just to be on the safe side.

Claire smiled fondly at the virologist and said, "Thank you." Christine gently inserted the long needle into the angel's skin to draw blood into a small tube she'd quietly take back to BSAA Headquarters in Washington. It didn't hurt at all.

Minutes later, Claire and Sherry left the tent and were under the bright promising Sun. Sherry told her lover positively, "I'm sure you'll be all right, too. I...I do understand why you want to be careful."

Claire sighed and said, "That's been the story of our lives, hasn't it? Learning to be careful. Learning to survive. And learning both the hard way."

Sherry asked with a touch of humor, "Is there any other way?"

Claire grinned. "I wish!" The lady gently stopped, and her supergirl stopped with her. Claire stared into space as she really looked back upon her amazing life. "All I've ever wanted was...normalcy, Sherry. Some kind of peace." She looked down and finally said, "That's what we all want, but...others want to deny us of that." She thought of Gwen and Bea and far, far too many more in Black Falls the angel she wished she could have protected...but they were lost forever.

Sherry gazed at her true love with total empathy. The supergirl said softly, "Yes. That's why we're both agents serving different causes for the same pure reason. We both know that peace is something we have to earn..." Claire really got a glimpse of the warrior soul in Sherry's sky blue eyes as she finished, "...and fight for when we need to."

The angel looked upon her adored one and sighed, "God, I can't wait to get you all to myself."

Sherry moved very close and kissed her lover's lips with eternal sweetness. "Me, neither." For better or worse, now definitely wouldn't have been the right time to really express all they felt for each other. Not with so damn many people around.

Claire reluctantly looked from Sherry's beautiful face...and saw Elza Walker a distance away leaning against a fence post. The girl who loved motocross was looking into space with a thoughtful gaze. Claire nodded toward Elza, and together, the couple moved to the girl. Claire called warmly, "Elza!"

Surprised from her reverie, Elza looked at them both and greeted, "Hey, you two! How are you doing?"

Sherry answered, "We're good! What about you?"

The couple reached Elza, who said much more uncertainly, "I'm all right, but...after everything that's happened, I..." The girl frowned. "I've been thinking about lots. Before all of this, my biggest ambition was to be huge in motocross. I still want that, but now it feels so...small." She looked downward. "Human monsters are bad enough, but after being in Limbo and Hell kind of-sort of...being threatened by demons..."

Claire nodded and said with care, "I'm sure you're feeling all of the things I did...after a really bad night in Raccoon City."

Elza finally managed thickly, "I'm not sure what to do with my life now. I can't just live it for myself anymore. Not knowing there are the worst of people and things out there."

Sherry slowly moved to draw close to Elza...and the supergirl told her, "I'm not going to tell you what you should do. Nobody has the right to do that. All I can say is...do what me and Claire did. Live your life according to what you know to be just and right. You'll know what to do."

Elza looked back at Sherry for a troubled couple of beats and said thinly, "I need time to figure that out."

Claire told her with knowledge, "That's not an overnight thing, girl."

Sherry nodded and said with positive feeling, "I know you will figure it out, just like me and Claire did."

Elza really smiled and managed gratefully, "Thanks...! S-so uh, what're you two gonna do next?"

Claire was so much affectionately closer to her supergirl then as she told the girl, "Sherry will have some time off. So will I. We're going to go to my family's ranch in Colorado to...simply be for a while. Give ourselves a vacation."

Even a blind man would have seen HOW close Claire and Sherry were. A naughty curve formed in the smile on Elza's face as she purred, "A vacation, yeah...but will you two get any rest...?"

Sherry couldn't help herself -- she looked at Claire with a devious glint in her eye and informed Elza, "That's not likely!" Claire instantly blushed in a heavenly way.

Elza grunted, "Uh-huh!"

After a wonderfully awkward moment, Claire really looked upon Elza and asked, "You can come with us, if you want?"

Elza blinked with shock! "A-are you serious?"

As Sherry listened with a positive smile, Claire told Elza, "It's a big ranch and the family has a big home smack in the middle of it. We'd have plenty of room for a house guest. And there's lots of open space there if you want the time to think about things...?"

Astonished by the angel's generosity, Elza managed, "I...I-I don't know what to say..."

Claire's expression became a bit firmer as she continued: "You ought to know before you decide that you'll be expected to do your fair share. There's lots to do on a ranch, and if you want to stay? You've got to earn it!"

With a huge smile, Elza nearly exclaimed, "Shit, that's no problem at all! Are we really talking cowgirl and cowboy stuff??"

"Yeah, but it's not as exciting as Hollywood makes it out to be."

With total agreement, the girl who loved motocross enthusiastically said, "That's okay! Just as long as you don't mind me learning as I go...I mean, the only kind of ranch I've seen before now is dressing!...but I'm in!"

The couple laughed brightly with Elza -- Claire said, "Okay!"

Elza's expression softened as she looked at these new, true friends and fellow survivors. She said much more softly, "I hope you don't mind my curiosity, but...when did you two first meet, anyhow? I get the impression it's been for a while...?"

Sherry answered with pride, "Me and Claire met 15 years ago, Elza."

Elza was really surprised then and blurted, "THAT long ago???"

Claire almost cringed and said, "Saying it that way makes me feel old."

Sherry asked lightly, "You, too?"

Elza went, "Ulp! S-sorry!"

Claire laughed again and said warmly, "It's all right!"

A bit more serious, Sherry told the girl who loved motocross, "Elza, I really mean it when I say this. You're a lot like Claire."

Surprised and humbled in that sweet moment, Elza asked, "F-for real...?"

Claire nodded and said to the girl gently, "You do remind me of...who I used to be, Elza. Back when I was a lot younger...!"

--4--

Mortal time slowly moved, and everyone could feel it as they readjusted to this relative peace...Karena LesProux and Caroline Floyd had paired off from most everyone. They were speaking very quietly to each other. In spite of the activity all around them, they were both serene and really at peace as they opened themselves slowly, gradually, yet with true care for one another.

Chris could only wonder what those ladies were talking about as he and Jill ambled not far away...these longtime partners were really taking stock in all of their blessings, and they weren't the only ones. They saw Barry and Kathy were spending some most meaningful time to hold each other. Really cherishing this peace while they had it...and praying it would last.

Chris thought of this long war he had fought, impelled by equal parts righteous anger and useless guilt, for so damned long. In a way he couldn't after Edonia and then China, he really saw himself and how committed he had been to battling the idiotic, often terrifying scourge of bio-terrorism since the Mansion Incident. He looked back on all of the battles he won...those he lost...and how it was all threatening to burn him out and use him up. And he knew if that happened, he wouldn't have some kind of nightmare creatures or foolish corporations to blame.

The Captain slowly came to a stop as he really looked into himself. Jill, his partner, his one and only, gently stopped with him as she held his hand. She looked at her man, and for that moment, she really could see the emotional and spiritual exhaustion reflected in his eyes. The valkyrie completely understood. How long could you stay on the battlefield until you lost all of the energy to fight?

Chris finally said reluctantly, "Jill...you needed some time to step back from all of this." The man looked at her, and real acceptance was in his weary eyes. "I need that, too. We both need a damned break. We owe that to ourselves and everyone else."

So tired, so grateful, his partner murmured, "Yes."

Chris slowly sat down at a bench as he really felt his age...Jill tenderly sat on his lap and wrapped a comforting arm around his broad shoulders. "The only thing is, this is all I've known for...so long. If you asked me to do anything else, I..." An uncomfortable beat. "I wouldn't know what to do."

Jill told her partner the absolute truth. "I wouldn't, either."

"That doesn't change the fact we both need to step back...just for a while. Just for the sake of taking a break." He sighed heavily. "I'm not getting any damned younger, either."

With an adoring smile, Jill urged, "Hey, careful...!"

"Barry told me that not long ago, and I can't deny reality. I can only be the first one in and the last one out for...so long. Maybe...I can put in for a promotion away from the field." He sighed heavily. "The thought of a desk job is so...boring, though!"

Jill shrugged. "You can rise high enough where you'll have a say in what missions you'll take, Chris. Rank's got privilege."

"I still always disliked the idea of that. Leading rather than doing. In the field, I always knew I was making a difference."

"You still can. We both can, even if we're stuck with desk jobs. We helped found the BSAA, after all."

Really getting himself used to the idea of stepping back -- but not completely stepping away -- from this fight, Chris smiled a little. "We're not the only fighters in this cause. I don't just mean our organization. There are groups like Claire's TerraSave...they really need to become a full fledged private military company. They can't keep going they way they have been on charity. Not when it comes to the things they fight against."

Jill nodded. "I think they finally have a stable leadership again. I'm surprised Claire never wanted to be its leader. She'd qualify."

"Yeah, but she's always believed in being out there to solve problems with her own hands, too." Chris frowned a bit. "And there's that other company fighting bio-terror. Blue Umbrella."

Jill frowned a lot harder. "I'm not sure about them, Chris...!" Blue Umbrella was a PMC comprised of 'private contractors', men and women who had once served the Umbrella Corporation's UBCS. 'Guilt by association' was often a pure illusion, though. Just look at the example of Carlos Oliveira. When their employers suffered disgrace and then a LOT of arrests and prison time, they found themselves out of a job...but that didn't mean they couldn't be without a purpose. Considering their own healthy amount of military experience and expertise, these contractors reorganized into what appeared to be an altruistic organization that was now being contracted by the U.S. government, among others, to counter the worst kind of threats in this strange and scary new world.

Jill had her doubts about them...Chris did too, if only because they had Umbrella in their damn name. His brow knitted as he told Jill, "I've been hearing more and more positive things about them from people we both trust, Jill. I'm sure the government has a lot of eyes watching them, too. I should take some time to look into Blue Umbrella for myself, just to be sure what kind of people are serving it..."

Jill felt her partner's posture relax so as he finally said, "...but that can wait." Chris really looked at the lady and asked doubtfully, "I'm not being selfish...am I?"

The lady answered, "We both know you're not. You need to take a break. We both do."

"I have been carrying so much...weight that might never go away."

She whispered, "You can always...drop that weight. Leave it behind."

Chris told her the truth. "I'll only do that on the day I really am too old for this shit." The veteran reached into himself, and he easily found that strength which was always in his heart and soul. His expression became more certain as he swore, "That's not going to be for a damn long time."

His partner Jill, a true fighter, understood that, too. She absolutely loved him for it. The lady said with an inviting tone, "For the time being, let's figure out what to do during our break..." Her gorgeous face drew very close to his as her voice dropped to a loving murmur. "...and what we can do with each other." He smiled too as the partners held each other so close.

Over thirty yards away, as she stood close to her own lover, Rebecca looked at Chris and Jill and wanted to gush over them both again with hugs...but she already told them she'd be going soon and gave them so much love, she was sure they'd be sick of it by now. (The incredible girl didn't have to worry over such a thing, naturally.) Sheva Alomar gently approached Cheryl and Becca then...to say her own fond farewell for now. The pixie looked at Sheva with adoration and told her, "I will be back in Washington in a few days."

Sheva nodded and asked, "Is it all right to ask what you'll both be doing...?"

Becca looked at her sorceress fondly...Cheryl told the warrior quietly, "I wanted to take Becca somewhere to show her something. It's...private."

Sheva loved and respected them both too much to be anything more than curious. She looked fully at Rebecca and urged softly, "Don't take as much time as you need. Take as much time as you want while you can. Live every moment like it's your last. That's what this experience taught me more than anything."

Cheryl could only smile as Becca nodded deeply and said, "It taught me a lot, too." A most thoughtful pause. "Sheva. Please tell Jill that...I'm not so worried about being in the field anymore. I do want to be there for all of you when the worst happens, but only then. My place really is in the labs. I know that now."

Sheva's gorgeous eyes reflected true relief...she said with care, "I don't have to ask why you changed your mind, dear friend."

The pixie nodded. "I wish things had been different in the past. I always will. But I've got to accept those things weren't up to me. There were some things I couldn't help."

The warrior born in Africa said thickly, "That's something I needed to learn, too." She thought of her long deceased parents. Her tribe that no longer existed. Long ago she had to learn to let such things go. She had a different and in so many ways better life as an American now. As a warrior with a cause worth fighting for.

Rebecca looked at the warrior with big doe eyes and tentatively asked, "But...the future is a different story, right?? That's up to me."

Sheva drew close, kissed the pixie on her cheek, and purred, "What the future brings...is up to all of us."

Rebecca smiled so adorably from ear to ear as she nodded, hope and love pulsing so bright in her glorious heart. The pixie said gently, "I will see you later!"

"I know." Sheva looked at the sorceress who saved them all...and told her needfully, "Give Rebecca all of the love, Cheryl."

With a quiet smile, the woman from Silent Hill said with feeling, "Oh...I will. Thank you." The lovers left quietly with very few outside of those who loved them both noticing. They had said their farewells to everyone else they needed to.

They reached the fringe of the FOB, where many vehicles were parked. One was Cheryl's Ford. Not far away, a squad car identifying it as belonging to the Brahms Police Deparment sat waiting, too. Close to this cruiser were four more extraordinary people. Cybil Bennett. Douglas Cartland. And Alex and Elle Shepherd. The lovers went to these four and their goodbyes were very quiet...not much was said...not much had to be as so much love and respect was given between them. They all knew the meaning of what it meant to endure Hell...they bonded so elementally through that trial...and they had grown and become stronger for it.

Although...Rebecca glomped Douglas for so long, the P.I. got to wondering if the pixie would ever let him go! Tenderly, eventually, she did...which he regretted. It concluded with Cybil kissing the daughter of her heart and lovingly urging, "Find your happiness, baby." Cheryl was too full of emotion to tell the lady it was all right. She already had. With Rebecca.

Cybil got in to sit behind the wheel of her cruiser as Alex and Elle got into the back to sit together. Douglas opened his door on the passenger side, but tipped his hat to the lovers before he climbed in. Moments later, the squad car pulled out and drove away. Cheryl and Rebecca looked at each other for a sweet moment and took their time moving to her Ford. They got in...

...and Becca asked, "You're sure you want to do this?"

The sorceress nodded and told her true love, "Yes. I need to be there at least one more time. To be sure. It'll take at least five hours to get there..."

"That's okay," the sweetie said with care. "I'll be spending all of that time with you." Rebecca leaned lovingly into the sorceress. She promised with a whisper, "I'll spend eternity with you."

Cheryl's emotions were virtually palpable in the air as she started the Ford's engine and then put it in gear...the big sedan slowly eased out of the outer perimeter of this forward operating base and left Black Falls in the rearview mirror.

It was just after noon and Cheryl and Rebecca still had a ways to travel as they began their drive, taking a course east-northeast on the highway. They almost would have followed Cybil's cruiser, but the couple weren't going to the same destination as their friends. They were still going east-northeast...

...to Maine...

...and to Silent Hill.

TO BE CONCLUDED
---
You read that right at the very end. There's one more chapter to go.

You will see the sweet and solemn finish to this story soon when Cheryl and Becca go to visit Silent Hill...for the LAST time!

Now to give credit for the models I used in the art above...there's a lot of credit to give, too!

XNALara created by Dusan Pavlicek; XPS by Dusan and XNAaraL

Models:

Helena Harper by !

Ingrid Hunnigan, Barry Burton, Jill Valentine, and Chris Redfield by !

Leon S. Kennedy by !

Rebecca Chambers and Elle Shepherd by !

Claire Redfield by !

Sherry Birkin by !

Elza Walker by !

Sheva Alomar by !

Cheryl Mason is again a combo of elements thanks to , lady-jill-valentine and !

Cybil Bennett by corporacion08!

Alex Shepherd by !

Douglas Cartland by !

Cheryl's Ford by !

Scenery by !