Work Text:
(Chris POV before RE4)
“Sir? There is some lady trying to contact you over the line.”
Chris looked up at the younger man who had hesitantly came into the supply room that made up his makeshift office. He’d just come back from a mission to take down a Bioweapon supplier linked to Umbrella, he was tired, bruised, and honestly pretty annoyed. He’d just wanted a break, finish his report, maybe get lunch with Jill and Carlos. He liked the guy, he did, and he was happy Jill had found someone to rely on; but it was hard to be around him too. Carlos reminded him a lot of Leon, who had vanished completely. Sherry too. Claire had tried for months to find them, Jill too once they had their operation running, but whatever those Government men had done to them was covered up so well even their persistent digging found nothing.
And Chris still tried, even six years later.
“What does she want?” Chris sighed instead of throwing something. Instead of being pissed off at someone who was just trying to be helpful. Too many had died already trying to get this place organized and into something bigger.
“I’m not sure, she just said she’d only speak to Agent Chris Redfield.”
“Tell her I’m unavailable.”
“She’s called every day this week.”
That gave Chris pause. Why would someone be so persistent to reach him specifically? It seemed suspicious, but if she was this persistent then it would either be something important- another breakout, an anonymous call?- or something stupid considering everyone here was well aware Chris did not have time for flings nor was he interested. He set his pen down.
“Fine, transfer it in here and I’ll answer the line.” He sighed, glancing at the phone on the wall in the room. Not the best setup but considering this base was meant to be temporary until something more consistent was built it was as private as he could get. It was a far cry better than their last location, and had taken a lot of yelling and political input to get here.
“Yes sir.” The man saluted and backed out of sight, not a minute passing before the phone rang insistently. Chris stood.
“This better be important, I’m busy.” Chris answered in a low growl, not afraid to be blunt. He’d blame it on exhaustion.
“About time I was able to get in touch, Redfield. Look, I'll keep this short. We need to talk, and soon.” A woman said sternly, voice calm but authoritative. She seemed like a woman used to dealing with someone else’s bullshit. “The call was a courtesy to make sure you were there. Give me an hour and I’ll be outside. Don’t miss it.”
She didn’t even give him a chance to reply before she had hung up. He huffed, slamming the phone back down a bit harder than strictly necessary. Seriously, what the hell? He didn’t recognize the voice, and he didn’t really care about it either. He’d gotten wind of a new location using a mutated G-virus strain and needed to prep that squad as soon as possible. Jill was going to handle the political meetings this month, so he had time to run the field a few more times before he would have to make another appearance. Between him and Jill, they had been cracking down on the loose ends Umbrella had left behind years ago. After what happened, nearly two years later, Claire called him in the middle of the night and told him she was done looking for the MIA, but that she wanted to destroy everything those responsible stood for; he had agreed. It had been the wake up he needed. He’d been in the field from day one of reuniting with Jill and her new companion, kept logs of who had associates or even a hint of possibly that the ties led to Umbrella. He had no way to know that the government that had taken away his life then was Umbrella or not, and he’d take down whoever he needed to find out.
At some point, Chris had become popular, and yet the haunted feeling that had stuck with him since Arklay was…gone. He regretted never telling Leon what he had known, why he had come back instead of being in hiding still like Jill. He’d had the chance to get taken down more than once with his face plastered at the head of the teams, and they had just… turned their eyes. Like something had taken the bounty away, and it definitely hadn’t been the less-than-legal way he’d been slowly destroying facilities that manufactured or held bioweapons. No, something-or someone- had cleared his name, or fought like hell to keep him out. Whoever had been coming after him, now knew he was untouchable. He had his suspicions, unwilling to give up, but without proof…six years was a long time to keep hoping for things to change.
Seriously, he was too tired to deal with this shit today. The memories, the regrets. He sat back down at the desk, focusing on writing the report and ignoring everything else. Jill eventually stepped in, settling easily on the other side of the desk to write her own paper, still wearing her vest just like Chris was. When on base, they were in gear. Simple, standard. Ready for anything. Carlos trailing in was enough for him to look up, since the man had a tray of coffees and had sat one in front of Chris as well.
“Thanks.” Chris gruffed, perked up a bit more. Jill chuckled.
“Wow, so Carlos can get your mood to lighten just with a coffee but my presence isn’t enough?” She teased with a grin, Carlos snickering.
“You didn’t have coffee.” He challenged, Carlos pumping his fist in victory as he sat on a nearby supply crate.
“He likes me more Valentine!” Carlos told her confidently, smirking at her when she threw a pen at his head with startling accuracy. He dodged it but still looked a bit ruffled.
“Don’t throw shit in my office. What are you, twelve?” Chris teased her. They all knew he didn’t give a shit what they did in his space. That easy calm settled in his shoulders with their presence. Just having Jill here helped, settled the uncomfortable restlessness. The loneliness. Made the guilt less prominent in his head.
“Why are you all broody anyways? I thought we were going for lunch?” Carlos inquired, Chris sighing heavily.
“Some woman has been calling persistently. I took the call and she basically said she’d be here soon and hung up. Not really sure what the hell it was about.” He told them, Carlos frowning in a near identical expression to Jill’s. They really were perfect, and it stung a bit, but he was happy they had found their soulmate. He still wasn’t entirely sure if it was only platonic, or if there was something deeper they hid from everyone else, but that wasn’t his business considering.
“Weird. Want me to try and trace it?” Carlos offered, and Chris shrugged. Wouldn’t make a difference now, but still the other man got up to try, leaving him alone with Jill.
“I think that’s the most you’ve directly acknowledged him in the last few months. Is he really that bad?” Jill asked softly. Chris gave her a look but relented. She knew a lot of it anyway.
“He reminds me of Leon.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah. Same humor, energetic. It’s been six years since he disappeared off the face of the earth and yet I just…” Chris trailed off, unsure what to say. That he missed the Rookie? He barely knew him. That he regretted leaving them alone? They couldn’t not in that case. Sure he could have brought them with himself and Claire but it would have raised more suspicion. He had a suspicion Leon hadn’t told them Chris was there, or that he’d left already. He was smart like that. Something had happened, and the government had left Chris alone for some reason after. Whatever Leon had agreed too, or been forced into, had saved his ass. He wasn’t about to let that go, to just leave things alone and not claw at the edges of the cage hoping for a crack to form that he can take advantage of.
“I know you cared about him a lot, but six years and you’re still looking for him? That’s not just a best friend. Even Claire gave up, we know that.” Jill told him patiently, Chris wincing. “You loved him.”
“Could it really be love if we’d known each other for less than a day, Valentine?” Chris argued. It was weak. “I don’t know. But Carlos just acts like he did and sometimes I can’t handle it as well. He’s a good guy, really. I don’t hate him like I tried to have everyone think.”
“We know that. And so does Carlos. It’s why he still includes you. We can see how hurt you are, even if we can’t find the wound.” She admitted softly, looking up as Carlos walked in, looking uncomfortable. Jill and Chris both stiffened. “What’s wrong?”
“So uh, there is an unmarked black van outside, parked between the cameras by the wall of the building. Looks like a government vehicle.” Carlos informed them. “A woman just called too, told us to tell you she was here and that you were expecting her. Heavily encrypted phone, tracking was impossible to get any information from it.. We got a few guards posted up just in case.”
“She actually showed up?” Chris mumbled, glancing at Jill.
“Guess you have to go see what she wants if she is serious. Could be anything, could be an agent tipping us about something big. Could be an attempt on your life. Only one of those worries me.” Jill told him with a shrug. She acted uncaring, and Chris even huffed and cracked a smile at her playful words, but he saw the glitter of discomfort in her sharp eyes. The way her eyes flicked to the handgun on his thigh was more than obvious to him. If this was finally it, he wouldn’t go down without making a hell of a lot of noise first.
“Wanna wait by the door then?” Chris asked them both, getting two nods. He stood up, patting Carlos on the shoulder as he walked by to the man’s surprise. He really had to get over the hurt didn’t he? He could do better.
Carlos and Jill waited in the hallway, letting Chris go out the heavy door solo. Sure enough, a dark van, blacked out completely, was waiting for him across the alleyway. At the sight of him, a woman stepped out and around the back, nodding at him as he came close to the passenger door, staying back a few yards from the hood. He examined her, just as he knew she was examining him.
“What do you want.”
“No offense, but I’m not the only one here to validate who you are. Appearance wise, you meet Chris Redfield’s appearance as I was given.” She said firmly, Chris unable to completely prevent the scrunch in his face in confusion as she opened the back door on the passenger side. He didn’t even have a second to question her before he was shot right back to Raccoon City, Eyes aimed down the barrel of his rifle at a woman and a young man, flanked by a perked-ear Doberman.
The Doberman that got out of the car was agile, lean and healthy with a glossy coat and bright eyes. She had froze when she spotted him, gold eyes wide as her reddish toned nose twitched. Chris could practically see the moment she recognized him, as she let out an absolute wail and charged him with her ears drooped and stumped tail wagging aggressively. He dropped to his knees to catch her, holding her close while she whined and howled and squirmed desperately. She was older now, gray flecking her muzzle and new scars on her body he didn’t remember, but he would recognize her anywhere. How could he not, when she belonged to a man he was still fighting for years later?
“Mercy. Holy shit.” Chris rasped, nearly wailing himself at this point as she tried to climb into his chest to be as close as possible. He didn’t even scold her for licking his face and chin. She seemed just as excited to see him as he was to see her, even if it hurt. He glanced up at the woman, who was smiling softly at them.
“Leon said she’d recognize you anywhere. It’s why she’s with me and not him. He knew you were a man of facts, physical proof.”
“Leon…he’s alive?” Chris whispered, watching the woman’s face fall and turn carefully neutral before sighing and looking around. He instantly recognized why she was being so hesitant, reserved. Whatever she was about to tell him would get her in some deep shit.
“He is. He works for USSTRATCOM. Was recruited about six years ago alongside his partner, K-9 Mercy.” The woman said softly. “Call me Hunnigan. I’m his assigned handler, and while I’m not supposed to be here or tell you any of this, I made a promise to a stubborn blond who has done nothing but harass me since I was assigned to him. I don’t break my promises, even if it could get me in a heap of trouble.”
“Jesus. I know, girl, shhh. I’m glad to see you too, brave pup.” Chris whispered to Mercy when she let out another cry the second he stopped petting her. Six years. Leon had been forced to recruit, he just knew that, which meant Sherry was also likely in their hold. Mercy was like a balm to a broken heart, proving they had made it together. “You kept him safe, didn’t you?”
“She bit a superior at least twice. And somehow didn’t end up euthanized, despite her less-than-normal history. She’s a soldier herself at this point, her own breed of bioweapon they call her. Leon fought tooth and nail to keep her out of their programs, out of their hands.” Hunnigan said quietly. “And before you ask, Yes, Sherry is also alive and well. Turning eighteen in a few months.”
“Leon really must have bothered you to tell me this.”
“Oh he did. Daily. Sent me reports of your successful missions, kept a close eye on you. Had me reporting when you were back stateside.” She grinned. “Don’t think I’m not aware of your attempts to hack my network as well. He couldn’t come find you himself, but he never forgot. Never let me forget either. Leon doesn’t do things half-assed, not normally. Not when he had something to fight for.”
And fuck if that didn’t sting. It was the last nail in the coffin that set the floodworks free. Chris let out an ugly sob into Mercy’s scruff, the Doberman standing firm now that she had calmed, steady and protective. He didn’t care what Hunnigan thought about him right now, especially knowing Leon had been keeping an eye on him all these years. He’d never let go either. Hunnigan stepped closer, despite Mercy’s low growl.
“I’m not here to hurt him, Mercy.” She scolded softly. “I know you’re protecting him too. Chris? She’s not the only reason I’m here.”
Chris took a few steadying breaths, finally looking back up. Mercy even smelled like that vanilla and gunpowder scent he’d used to smell on Leon and never told the other man he’d noticed. Hunnigan had a soft smile on her face, completely non-judgmental. He wiped his face anyway, refusing to stand up even if his bad knee was aching from this position. It never had healed all the way from when he’d landed wrong running from the facility six years ago, a reminder of what he had and lost. Now, he’d found half of it; the pain no longer mattered.
“Leon made a decision during a mission Mercy didn’t participate in. She stays with me of course, she’s assigned as my “pet” when he’s on a mission she can’t join in on, especially now that she’s aging. No one else knows about this, aside from me and Leon, and the registry.” Hunnigan said slowly, moving back to the car, to the passenger seat. Mercy stepped away from Chris slowly, looking back at him as if to make sure he was still there. Chris stood with a wince as the woman opened the door, curious. Hunnigan grabbed something, and Chris blinked in surprise when she walked around the door holding a puppy. Doberman, red coated, and identical to Mercy except male. Bright eyes turned to Chris with a curious sniff, ears docked already and healing based on the taped up mess on his head. Mercy sniffed the pup with interest as he was put down, immediately nudging the pup to her side to trot herself back over to Chris to sit beside him.
The pup followed, putting cautious paws on Chris’s leg to stare up at him. Curious, guarded, uncertain but unwilling to show it.
“Mercy has one litter on record, not for the higher-ups’ attempts. They’ve been trying to breed her for years for some kind of Anti-Bioweapon canine and Leon fights them every time. He’s not been officially registered yet since he’s alone, and Leon keeps calling him a little gambler. He raised him. He’s about 5 months old.” She told him, Chris hesitantly leaning down to pet the puppy who was more comfortable and growling playfully at Mercy around his legs. The older Doberman seemed excited to show off her pup, especially to Chris, who was still shell-shocked about the whole thing. “She’s never let anyone interact with him but myself, Leon, and now you.”
“When you said you made Leon a promise…” Chris asked slowly, Hunnigan smiling sadly.
“Leon told me from day one he knew who the pup was going too when we found out it was a single pup. He’s already registered to your name, just need to submit a name for him. I’ll send it to you on a secured line you can reach me with.”
“Fucking Hell, Rookie.” Chris rasped wetly. How could he refuse? He couldn’t take care of a dog, not with his line of work, but Carlos rarely went on missions and acted as their control unit from base. Carlos also had a senior german shepherd at home that they all knew about since he never shut up about his “old lady back home” needing her dinner. “Okay.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t fight more, but he said you wouldn’t.” Hunnigan admitted with a soft laugh. “And Chris? Check his collar when we leave, okay?”
“Yeah, but wait. You’re leaving now?” Chris asked, a bit desperate even as he had about picked up the puppy. He stood back up to meet Hunnigan’s regretful expression.
“I’m not here legally. I have to go back very soon. And unfortunately, Mercy has to come with me.” She said softly. Chris felt that burn in his chest again, the one where it felt like a loss. He knew now she was alive, and so was Leon and Sherry, but seeing her get taken away again hurt more somehow to see it happen. “I’ve been fighting to get Leon more freedom, slow process as that has been. Right now, I need you to wait and be patient. He will find you the second the leash is loosened, we both know that.”
“I know.” He whispered, crouching down to pet Mercy’s ears with both hands and pressing their foreheads together. The Doberman made a happy groan, content. “You take care of him, Mercy. For me.”
Mercy growled low, like a promise as she licked his nose. He sputtered in fake disgust, watching her light up with smug pride as he smiled shakily at her and let her go. In a moment of impulse, he pulled a patch off his vest, one that had his last name on it. It was small print, less than two inches long and an inch thick, and stuck it to the Velcro on Mercy’s collar. Hunnigan said nothing, but gave him a hard nod. She’d make sure no one removed it but Leon. He scooped up the puppy, Hunnigan whistling sharply as he straightened. The Doberman moved forwards before pausing, as if realizing suddenly that her owners were separating. She turned to Chris, wise eyes flicking between his and her pup’s before barking once and leaping into the passenger seat without looking back. Like she had just ensured Chris was going to be okay without her. His eyes burned as Hunnigan closed the door.
“Take care of him.” Chris managed, sounding as close to tears as he probably looked. Hunnigan paused with her door open. “Both of them.”
“I will do my best.” She promised. “Make sure to update your field photo so Leon can see you got him. His hacking has gotten better with my help, and he stalks your reports like a love-sick criminal”
And with that, Hunnigan closed the door and drove away while he stood there chucking darkly. His phone pinged a second later, which he ignored while holding the pup to his chest. It whined in confusion, but didn’t squirm when Chris finally brought himself to move away from his spot. He was covered in brown and orange fur, and honestly it didn’t bother him. It wouldn’t bother him. He’d miss it once it washed off his gear, knowing who it had belonged to.
The door opened when he kicked it with his boot, Carlos’s eyes widening in surprise when he saw the puppy first, Jill looking equally as startled as Chris barged past them both silently, straight back to his mock office with them tailing him. Only once the door was shut did he let the pup down to explore, immediately sniffing Carlos and Jill as if determining them as friendlies. He seemed to like Carlos a bit more, likely smelling the other dog on his gear.
“What the fuck, Chris.” Jill stated finally, watching him with concern as he just stared numbly at the puppy. Carlos was petting him, unsure, as if he wasn’t really allowed.
“Leon is alive. Sherry. Mercy.” Chris rasped, voice wrecked. “And he sent his handler to deliver a puppy he had raised. Mercy’s only puppy.”
“Holy shit.” Carlos whispered, staring at the pup. He’d told them about Mercy, of course. So to see her offspring, knowing she was alive after six years of silence, was still shocking to them too. “Her only pup? How the hell did he manage that? Those cards of fate must have done a helluva job there.”
“He works for the government, doesn’t he?” Jill questioned, getting a nod.
“USSTRATCOM.”
“Fuck. Okay. At least I know what to look for now. I’m guessing his handler knew I tried to get access too.”
“She did. Apparently she got tired of us looking for him- and Leon harassing her about me- and she finally brought me the pup as a promise.” Chris chuckled, seeing the soft look in Jill’s eyes. She knew this was harder than Chris was letting them see. The pup coming back to his side, front paws balanced on his thigh was enough to break the tough guy facade he had, sobbing once more while Jill and Carlos both rushed to his side to force him into a group hug. He couldn’t even be bothered to feel humiliated, he deserved some tears after this long.
“He’s gonna need a caretaker when I’m in the field.” Chris rasped when he’d gathered himself, looking at Carlos who startled. “I know I’ve not been as friendly as I should have, but you’re the only one I trust with him.”
“I’d be honored. And I know. Jill said before she thought I probably reminded you of someone you knew since it was only when I joked around you seemed to close off to me. I ain’t offended.” Carlos told him, nodding.
“I’ll tell him later.” Jill said softly, looking at the pup who Chris scooped up once he had wiped his face dry, a soft smile on his face as he stared at the pup who stared right back. He heard Jill take the photo, chuckling softly. “I’m so going to add that to your file on the database later. If Leon is watching it, he will see it.”
“That’s actually what she said to do too.” Chris admitted, grinning tiredly.
“So, has he got a name yet?” Carlos asked with a grin, poking at the pup playfully, getting a stumpy wiggle and a playful growl in response.
“Nah, Leon left the registry open. His handler is gonna send me the papers to submit. Said Leon kept calling him a gambler though. Your comment about fate dealing cards isn’t wrong.” Chris said quietly, eyeing the pup who had his little teeth bared at Carlos’s hand that quickly and gently tapped his nose again. The little snarling bark was not as threatening as the pup meant it to be, clearly enjoying the play. “How about Gambit?”
“I like it. Fits the theme.” Carlos started with a laugh, pulling his phone out. “Gonna have to get some supplies ordered. Give me a bit and I’ll have it brought here. I’ll get the stuff I use for Lady.”
“Thanks.”
“Anytime Redfield! Jill, send that picture to Claire, I got an idea.”
Sure enough, between Jill and Carlos and the rest of the facility, Gambit was trotting leashed to his side a few hours later, sharp eyes already guarded and posture settled into an easy confidence as if he knew he ran the place at Chris’s side. He attended his first meeting that night, barking whenever Chris’s tone turned frustrated as if reinforcing it. Carlos got a picture of Chris holding the pup up in a tactical harness way too big for him, plenty of time to grow into it, and the photo on his file digitally was changed to him standing in full gear, rifle across his chest and Gambit at his side looking up at him even if he was absolutely tiny compared to him in the photo. Jill even slapped in an encrypted file in his records, only accessible by a few people, or someone who knew how to get what he wanted.
It took a while for Chris to take off his collar, finding a folded note with coordinates. It had two different handwritings, one he recognized as Leon’s having written the coordinates, and the other saying “you know this is classified, but fine. Only for emergencies.” A quick check to the email Hunnigan had used earlier had also sent a hidden link inside the words regarding registry, hidden in small text in the bottom that just had L.S.K and an attached file. It was mission notes for something in Spain coming up in a few days. He didn’t see much other than to be in the country with a comm unit, and that Hunnigan would reach out if she could to reunite them once the mission was done.
That was enough for him to get Jill in his office.
Chris sat on his couch, Gambit sprawled across his legs asleep even if he was trying to use his laptop. Carlos had given him a bite sleeve and Gambit had refused to return it, so the stupid thing was beside him on the couch too. He typed in the name on the computer, Jill pinging him privately to check the file on his record. He frowned, moving to look, before he noticed a singular picture Carlos and Jill hadn’t added. It was a picture of Mercy, panting happily with the “REDFIELD” patch on her collar as the only one, a hand holding the handle to show it off. A distinctly male hand. Chris grinned with a soft laugh at the scribbled note stuck to her collar that said “just ONE, Kennedy” in feminine swirls likely having belonged to Hunnigan. He felt a bit less alone, uploading the link to Gambit’s registration papers too. Just so Leon could see it later. He had to pack soon, since Hunnigan was clearly hoping to play matchmaker, and he couldn’t say he wasn’t all for it. She might even become his favorite government official if she can just give them an hour together, just long enough for Chris to make sure he was okay, that he was real. It all felt fake, right now, even with the photo and seeing Mercy, and Gambit snoring between his knees. He sighed, closing the laptop after one last glance at the canine registry page.
“Deal the Cards: Gambit”
Male, Red.
Doberman- Standard
Owner/Handler- Chris Redfield, Leon S. Kennedy
Dam- Vicious Doughnut: Mercy
Owner/ Handler- Leon S. Kennedy