-RESIDENT EVIL IS IN THE PROPERTY OF CAPCOM-

XIII. Part II

"Tiffany," I heard a faint voice calling out my name, trying to take me back to my senses.

I never felt so sleepy and tired in my entire life. It's like it has been ages since I completely feel myself again.

I groaned once I felt someone shaking my body. "Go away," I grunted then tried to turn away.

There was a brief silence then followed by a chuckle. And I realized that I talked.

I can finally talk.

My eyes shot open at the realization and I jolted my body away from whoever who was holding me.

I pulled out a Handgun from the holster on my thigh and pointed the red laser at Leon's chest.

Leon.

Leon shot his hands up as a sign of surrender, his eyes were calm.

"Calm down, Tiffa," Leon said softly then slowly reached out to gently get the gun from me.

"L-Leon?" I stuttered. Then I remembered that I blacked out. "What happened?" My neck suddenly stung and I held it. "Oh, my neck," I complained.

Leon's eyes softened and scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah, well, sorry about that. I had to do it."

I groaned and tried to stand up and stumbled to which Leon held me, helping me balance on my feet.

"Where's Krauser?" I asked once I checked on my surroundings. We are no longer in the ruins area. The place looks more like a battlefield right now.

I looked into Leon's eyes and he shook his head with a sigh. Krauser was dead? Really? I mean, Krauser was an excellent soldier in my short time of observation but damn, Leon killed him that easily?

Leon, who seem to read my mind, suddenly let out a short laugh. "Oh believe me Tiffa, it was one hell of a fight." He muttered amused then he released me gently from his grasp.

I felt the remorse dripping at the edge of his voice. I somehow knew they had a past.

"Krauser used to be a good guy. I don't know what made him who he was-"

Leon's sentence was cut midway when his radio buzzed off. He looked at me and I nodded.

He pulled out the radio and went straight to speaker. I hesitated whether to look at Saddler's face and join Leon shutting him off. Leon must have noticed because he gave me a supportive nod to which I returned. I looked at the screen which had a clear view of Saddler's face who was smirking smugly. "So it seems you killed Krauser too. How should I return my appreciation?"

Leon snorted. "What are you talking about? I thought he was with you." He said, irritation dripping from his voice.

Saddler raised an eyebrow, mock confused. "What are you talking about?" He returned the question. "Did you really think I'd trust an American? To tell you the truth, I was contemplating how to get rid of him. But thanks to you, that's no longer necessary." As if reflex action, my fist curled into a tight ball and my jaw tightened.

"You were just using him right from the start."

"You ruthless bastard." I spat out.

Leon and I replied in unison that made us glance at each other.

Saddler's smirk stretched. "Oh, I must hand it to you two... You demonstrated a bit of promise by killing Krauser. When your assimilation with Las Plagas is complete, I'll have you serve as my guard." Then he looked at me. "And you as my assistant."

I rolled my eyes then let Leon do the talking. "Unfortunately we would have to decline your generous offer." Leon looked at me with a smirk to which I returned.

"We have prior engagements." I stated as if I enjoyed rubbing it on his face.

"Hmph. Enjoy your smart-mouthing while you can." Call ended.

It was hard to look tough than I thought. The truth is I'm scared to death.

"So," I cleared my throat. "What now?"

Leon pulled out his Blacktail and checked his ammo. "There are no change of plans." He declared, his eyes focused on the clip of magazine.

I nodded. "Our top priority is to get Ashley back." I recited to which Leon nodded back.

"Let's move." Leon beckoned and took the lead.

"Wait," I stopped him. Leon turned around and raised an eyebrow as a question. I reached out my hand. "My gun, sir? You gonna make me storm in the battlefield without a weapon?" I asked and raised an eyebrow, imitating him.

Leon rolled his eyes and handed my Handgun back. "Actually, you are more prepared than me." Leon remarked and started walking forward again.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I walked beside him. Leon gestured towards my attire which made me grimace. "Oh, shut up. The bastard made me wear it. It's not even comfortable." I whined, squinting my eyes towards the way.

"Tiffany," Leon's voice changed into authority. He was serious this time. "There's something out there."

I nodded and we ran for cover. Leon took on the left side while I took the right. We took a peek at the way succeeding. "Damn," I heard Leon mumble. 'Damn' was not the right expression for what we are seeing right now. It's absolutely impossible for us to get pass through an army of Militias and their dangerous weapons. Well, I guess the word 'dangerous' was an understatement.

I heard a noise from above and my eyes widened in bewilderment.

"Hey, it's about time." Leon stated, his hand on his ear, smiling at the chopper above us.

Leon looked at me and smiled to which I took the time to return. "Is it help?" I asked the obvious.

Leon nodded. "Take cover."

I looked back at the chopper that was trying to put a huge tank down. When it hit the ground, a few Militias were crushed. The ground shook like an instant earthquake for a brief moment and it followed by continuous gun fires. I just watched in awe as the Militias get shot to death and how the tank exploded, leaving a huge fire in its place and complete destruction.

Leon got out of his cover and I followed. The area was swept clean. "Now that's what I call backup." Leon complimented.

"The name's Mike. If you're looking for firepower, you have come to the right place." Mike, the pilot of the chopper, introduced via radio.

Leon looked at me. "Let's move." He took the lead and I followed.

A Militia with a Gatling gun started to fire at us and we took cover inside a small tent, a box of shotgun shells inside. Leon pulled out his Semi-Auto Rifle and waited for the firing to stop. He quickly shot the Militia and it led to Mike to target on the Gatling gun.

"Take cover!" Mike ordered through the radio as he started to shoot on the Gatling gun then followed by a rocket launcher.

We proceeded to move forward then a horde of Militias started to come out, charging towards us with their weapons.

I pointed the red laser of my Handgun on the Militias flail and fired, making him drop his weapon. I fired at his face, making him whine and writhe in pain. I took that as an opportunity to perform a roundhouse kick on his stomach, making him touch the ground with the impact of my foot.

"Take cover!" Leon exclaimed as a Militia prepared to launch a rocket launcher at us. Leon already took cover and I fired at the rocket launcher, making it explode towards the horde.

"Oh yeah! God damn scumbags!" I heard Mike yell over the radio just as he just destroyed a Gatling gun, making access towards the succeeding way.

Leon took the lead while I followed, taking the stairs and shooting down a sturdy lock and kicking the metal door down.

The area was clear, a box of handgun ammo and a green herb was only lying on the corner and Leon snatched it. On our left was a closed metal door and beside it was a switch that blinked red.

I got into position while Leon flicked the switch, making it blink green and as a cue, the door slid open.

When we were out, we saw a huge guy holding a Gatling gun and fired at our direction. We backed away, crouching down and hiding.

There were two Militias descending the flight of stairs at the distance and Leon fired at the red gas barrel, killing them instantly.

Leon faced me, his face impassive yet determined. "Here," He handed me his Semi-Auto Rifle. I gave him a confused look but I accepted the Rifle anyway. There must be a crazy plan running through his crazy mind. Typical.

"What are you planning?" I asked him as I checked the gun for the remaining shots. Twelve shots left.

"I'll distract him," He pointed his finger at the Gatling man. "You take the shots."

I nodded without hesitation. "Okay," I agreed. "But be careful."

Leon gave me a smirk and held out three fingers. "On three,"

I watched Leon's fingers carefully as they descend as if it was in slow motion and after the final finger, he sprinted out without warning. I started to hear the sound of Gatling gun again as the bullets trail behind Leon. I stood up from my crouching position and peeked on the scope, firing at the Gatling man's chest. He let out a whine and stumbled to his feet and I fired three succeeding shots but then I stopped. I felt a presence behind me.

I turned on my heels and saw two Militias ready to launch their weapons at me. I gasped but then dodged in time and switched to my Handgun and fought back.

When I looked back to where I'm sure the Gatling man stood, I saw Leon. How the hell did he end up in there? The Gatling man lies on the floor, presumably dead.

Leon pulled down a lever and a gate opened by the end of the area. He jumped down and waited for me as I run towards him.

"You okay?" Leon asked me just as I was finished catching my breath.

I nodded. "Yeah, just had to deal with business back there."

"Can you still move?"

"I can still keep up." I said, determined even though I was already tired. "The battle hasn't even started yet."

Leon smirked and entered the opened gate and I followed. The gate automatically closed and all of the Militias with Gatling guns in the area started to target us.

We ran forward and crouched for cover and we just let Mike return fire for us. When the Gatling gun ceased, we ran to the opening on our left and quickly climbed the ladder. There a Militia stood holding a dynamite, his back facing us. I looked at Leon and he pointed his red laser on the Militia's dynamite and fired, dying without warning and notice.

Another Militia with Gatling gun fired when he saw us and we crouched, the metal wall getting hit instead of us.

I returned fire without Leon's permission and before he could shove me down, I hit the Militia on the head, killing him.

"Ow, what's the matter with you?" I groaned as he practically gave me a harsh shove and I fell to the ground with Leon glaring at me slightly.

"I was just about to ask you the same thing," he said, annoyance dripping from his voice. "Are you trying to die on me?"

Realizing the result of my actions, I sat beside him and sighed. "I'm sorry," I mutter with my head down. "I just wanted to help."

I heard him sigh and I looked at him from my eyelashes. "Don't do that again," He muttered then stood up.

I stood up as well, remembering once again, my sister.

"Why are you so reckless?" Steff practically yelled at me. "You could've got yourself killed!"

"Can't you see?" I reasoned out, raising the volume of my voice equal to hers. "The little girl was alone. She needed help!"

"But we can't risk our lives just for a single life!" Steff retorted. "Your life," She emphasized the final word. "God, mom and dad are gone. We don't even know if they are still alive. Call me selfish, but Tiffany, I don't want to lose you, too."

You didn't lose me, Steff. You never did. I lost you. And you are never coming back.