25th Of July, 2014

1200hrs

United Kingdom.

In the archaic and historical city of London, it was a beautiful and warm afternoon that was like any other during the course of the summer season with a cool front sweeping throughout the land.

Be it tourists or civilians, all were out to take in the day. Families walked together, so did young and old couples alike, some shopping within the malls while others were wining and dining in the many restaurants throughout the city. Even tourists were by no means short of having fun, countless groups being led by their tour guides and taking photos of London's landmarks that were aplenty. The most recent being the enormous headquarters of the BSAA erected in the year of 2005, built in the heart of the city where many stopped to take in its towering presence that stood as a powerful symbol against bio-terrorism. Indeed, it was like any other normal summer day for all of those in Her Majesty's Kingdom, the people filling the bustling streets as they proceeded with their daily tasks, as for a pair of the most distinguished agents the BSAA had to offer from South America and West Africa, the luxury of enjoying such a day is one Carlos Oliveira and Sheva Alomar started off by joining their former boss at his home in the countryside hills of London, the home of the longed retired Director of the BSAA, Clive R. O'Brian.

There they are in O'Brian's backyard around a small, round table, the now adviser of the BSAA wearing the same clothes with the exception of his jacket he no longer wore once retiring. Seated across Clive is Sheva wearing her usual outfit while Carlos is donning the same uniform of the UBCS with the exception of the infamous Umbrella emblem replaced long ago by the South American branch insignia that he proudly wears and continues to do so for nine years, and through that time, many friends were met and made, such as the friendship he shared with the Sheva and the man that accepted him into the BSAA with no hesitation whatsoever in spite of his Umbrella background. Hence, Clive and Sheva laughing away at the many stories, the many events Carlos shared about the BSAA that has moved on since the director's retirement several years ago, and it was days like this that reminded them why they chose to fight against bioterrorism, to have days of peace and bliss where there wasn't a care in the world, where the trio enjoyed drinks of their own on this rich-filled, sunny afternoon.

"So from what you've told me…, "Clive began with a firm chuckle, "Nothing's changed around headquarters, has it, you two?"

"Nope. Nothing at all." Sheva sighed out with a smile, followed by Carlos. "Like she said, nothing's really changed. Chris and Jill are still the professionals they are. Leon still getting the ladies. Rebecca is still the voice for each medical division. Josh is still running the show in Africa. Parker is making a name for himself in the European branch. Barry and his family visit headquarters from time-to-time, so does Claire. And Sheva here is still commanding as ever."

"Guilty as charged." Sheva quipped.

Clive has another round of laughter and raises a porcelain teacup to take a quick sip of the rich English tea, while in turn, Carlos and Sheva also take sips from theirs. Afterwards, Clive settled the cup upon the table and replied to his good friends whose company and funny attitude in Carlos was a rarity in the BSAA, and one that Clive always enjoyed, yet, would worry him if Sheva was not there to keep him grounded. "It's good to hear things are still like how I remember them. I'm afraid to even think how headquarters would look if Sheva wasn't there to hold your hand. Since I'm on the topic, does he still sleep through briefings and still goes around headquarters putting up flyers, Sheva?"

The innocent look Carlos sends Sheva's way is one that has her giggling warmly, but she still reveals all. "Oh, how right you are, Clive. Why, just the other day, in fact, there was a flyer demanding unisex shower rooms, and we both know who could only be behind such a thing."

Shocked was an understatement to the look on Clive's face, releasing what was a laugh of disbelief. "Tell me it isn't so, Carlos? Did you really propose that idea?"

As expected from the womanizer, Carlos shows a sly grin. "Come on now, we're all responsible adults here. Not teenagers. Plus, it will create chemistry between us. That's a benefit we need in today's workplace if you ask me."

Clive went on laughing the moment Sheva attacked Carlos with a playful smack against his shoulder. "The only 'chemistry' you want to have, Carlos, is one that takes place in cheap motel rooms."

"And that's wrong?" Carlos further teased, only to earn a violent tug of the earlobe from Sheva. "Ow! Okay! Alright, alright, already! I'll stop putting up the flyers! Those things are as good as gone! Now let go!"

"Good boy." is all Sheva said.

She released her furious grip, much to his relief of rubbing his throbbing ear, and through it all, Clive laughed wholeheartedly at the way they behaved. Afterwards, he is quick to notice that all were out of a tea. "Seems like we all need refill. Give me a moment."

Before Clive could get up, Carlos had beat him to it and quickly gathered their respective cups. "Sit your butt back down, Clive. I'll go inside and serve us another round."

"Thank you for the kind offering, Carlos, but you and Sheva are my guests, and I insist."

"Well, you can insists all you want 'cause I'm still heading inside. Now sit your butt back down before I send you to a nursery home, old man."

To that joke, Clive simply shook his head and gave Carlos a brush of the shoulder as he passed him, both men laughing once again prior to Clive shouting out instructions to his friend. "The kettle should be on your left when you enter the kitchen! So keep a lookout!"

"Don't worry! I know where it is! I'll keep away from the fine china!" Carlos replied back, and off he went inside Clive's home through the back patio.

This left only Clive and Sheva, to which he is first to speak, "Looks like Carlos is still the same Carlos we all know and love."

Sheva's all-too weary sigh said it all, but she did so with a smile that Clive saw to be bright and true. "Tell me about it. Carlos is still Carlos. No difference there."

"I have to disagree with you on that, Sheva. I see a difference." Clive flatly stated, leaving Sheva baffled enough to blink her eyes.

"What difference are you speaking of, Clive?"

Before Clive goes on to explain, his smile turns into more of a smirk. "I speak of you and Carlos."

"Of us?"

"Yes. You see, Sheva, in the beginning when Chris and Jill introduced you to him, you couldn't stand the sight of the guy because of his constant flirting. I even remember there were times where you refused to work with him under any circumstance. Then there's the jokes and the teasing. In the past, you would tell him to shut up on the spot. Now, though, it's entirely different. Carlos has you smiling and laughing it up. You even joked right along with him. Whatever it was that's changed your relationship with Carlos, I'm glad. As a former director that never had the honor to work with you both, it still puts a smile on my face to see you two happy and finally coming along together. It's really no surprise either, seeing since you both bear a similar past. You both were without parents as young children and joined anti-government movements at an early age, but I still wonder what changed. What brought you two to grow closer?"

It was a question that had Sheva's cheeks lighting up like a pair of burning suns, and one she knew the answer to, but even so, Sheva plays dumb while blushing immensely. "I… I do not what you're implying, Clive. Yes. We did not get along, but things change with time. We are making strides."

Clive doesn't believe her for the slightest for he knew the answer himself. Once he brings it out, there was no beating around the bush, his smirk gone and replaced by a serious approach. "Things do change with time. There's no doubt about that, Sheva, but did it also have to do with Chris and Jill's wedding?"

Of course it did. The marriage and the loss of Chris had everything to do with it, but Sheva still stood her ground. She keeps silent, refusing to confirm that her unrequited love for the BSAA's best in Chris Redfield was the reason that brought her and Carlos closer, but through each other, they continued to move on after the wedding. Since then, each became a pillar of support for the other. There were even seen at times throughout headquarters smiling and laughing together by other agents that couldn't help but to smile themselves at how the two crushed hearts progressed onward by feeding off each other, which led to rumors hinting of a possible relationship between them. Indeed, they were just rumors, but who's to say their blossoming friendship could not grow into something greater, something more special liked their friends hoped there would be? Regardless of which, their friendship has come a long way since being introduced, that much was certain, and when Sheva thought of this, she knew she couldn't sustain the façade any longer.

With her head hung low, Sheva reveals all, "You're… you're right, Clive. Things have taken a turn in another direction since the wedding in ways I never expected. We've grown into best of friends. We've helped one another. And when it's just us, we entirely forget the wedding ever occurred, but we remain happy for our friends. Carlos will tell you this himself. He'll tell you that we hold no anger towards Chris and Jill for following their hearts. All Carlos and I could do was to move on and wish them well, and it wasn't until the day when Carlos brought supplies to Kijuju that I began to feel something deeper for him, more than just a partners, but I needn't tell you this because I've heard of the rumors myself. I've seen the stares we our given when we are together in public. Everyone thinks of us as lovers, do they not, Clive? And so do you."

"…" Clive doesn't say a word, which was an answer in itself that yes, he was well aware of the rumors, of the stories regarding Carlos and Sheva being seen together.

Sheva would go on in neither confirming nor denying the rumors as she finally raised her head to firmly face Clive's eyes, only saying, "I love Jill. I love Chris. I love them both. But the day I lost Chris to Jill was the same day I lost the ability to love another person. I made an oath to myself, to pledge my love to the BSAA, to Africa and to the world I'm protecting. Nothing else will step between that."

"And what of Carlos?"

Her eyes close shut for a brief moment, "I… I don't know, Clive… I just do not know if what I'm feel for him is love or simply just wanting someone to replace Chris. Do not get me wrong, I cherish his friendship. I cherish what he and I have grown into, but I cannot say whether it is love I feel for him. Not now… not when I'm lost as I am."

By what she said alone was a declaration that Clive was disappointed to hear. Not only for Sheva's sake, but for Carlos as well. "I'm sorry for bringing up such a topic, Sheva, but who knows? Maybe one day, you will meet somebody and settle down when you choose to call it quits. You deserve it."

Sheva sheds a small smile, which lasts until she looks back down to her lap without a word being said of how she truly felt for Carlos, and just as she thought of him, Carlos had returned. "Deserve what exactly?"

Clive, along with Sheva, were stunned by his sudden voice that the two turned to him with stunned expressions on their faces while Carlos, himself, stood clueless with all three cups full of tea. Then just like that, a flushed Sheva gets up and timidly creates a story to excuse herself. "P-Pardon me, Clive, but may I use your restroom?"

"Sure, go ah—

"Thank you! Be back soon!" Sheva didn't wait for a response as she brushes past Carlos in such a haste that he nearly dropped their tea. "H-Hey! Jesus. What's with her?"

Clive kept what he and Sheva discussed between them while taking his cup of tea. "Don't know. I'm just as lost as you are."

Carlos suspiciously eyed Clive for a brief moment as he watched the man take a drink. When Clive was done, he returned Carlos' suspicious gaze with a confused one. "What? Why are you looking at me like that for?"

"You brought them up, didn't you? You were talking about Chris and Jill."

Carlos read through Clive like a book, but the former director didn't crumble. As a matter of fact, he chuckled. "I have no clue what you're talking about. We were just reminiscing about old times. That's all."

"Yeeeah… sure." Carlos didn't believe, but neither did he press the issue any further, much to Clive's thankfulness.

Carlos first settles his and Sheva's tea over the table before settling down himself in his chair. "So. You two were reminiscing huh? Do you miss it at all, Clive? You know, being retired and all."

Taking a deep and relaxing breath of air, Clive didn't hold back. "I miss those times. It tends to get boring not being with you all. Wish I had a few years left in me back then, but it was a good time to step down. I was no longer needed with Chris, you and everyone else there to keep the BSAA up and running, but I miss everything about it. To put it more accurately, it feels like being homesick, but I know the house is safe."

Carlos humbly smiled, "Well, if it means anything because this is coming yours truly, we miss you too, Clive."

The former Director released a small, yet, grateful chuckle. "Are you joking with me here, Carlos?"

"No jokes." Carlos flatly said, "We miss you running the show. Since your retirement, not a single director has come close to how you treated the men and women serving the BSAA, how you treated all of us. You knew everyone by their names. You took the time to always visit the wounded. You looked us in the eye when you spoke, Clive, and didn't lie to us, on and off the field. You didn't sugarcoat anything. You have the respect of any agent out there because we weren't just agents to you. We were friends, we were partners, we were people with lives too, and I'll tell you this, there hasn't been and might never be another boss, another director like you that I'd risk my neck for."

The look on Clive's face said it all, shocked at not only the words, but also in the serious manner in which Carlos spoke that was rare of him, and just like that, Clive snapped out of his stunned daze with a firm smile. "Now what am I supposed to say that, huh, Carlos?"

"You don't have to say a thing. Just let me be the first to read your novel when it's done. Deal?"

"Heh. I still got ways to go till it's finished, but it's a deal, Carlos."

The former director and his once agent smile strongly together, and out of the blue, Carlos' green smartphone starts to vibrate over the table. Carlos is quick to swipe the phone into his right hand in a timid haste, but Clive was able to catch a glimpse of the caller's ID along with the picture displayed, and couldn't help but shed a smirk. What he saw was the name 'Chica' with a picture of Carlos embracing a smiling Jill Valentine from behind, both arms encircled around her shoulders while her head reclined back against the crook of his neck. It was a heartwarming picture that depicted the level of their friendship, a friendship that Clive knew for himself just how strong and vibrant it was between the two who survived the hell that was Raccoon City, but why Carlos had yet to answer his phone, Clive knew all too well.

"You gonna answer that, Carlos?"

"Huh?" Carlos blinked at him, earning a chuckle from his former boss. "I said, are you going to answer the call? It's Jill, right?"

Carlos did not respond, but only looks back down to the phone continuing to vibrate in his hand, observing him and Jill happy as they were in the picture that was taken a year before her marriage to Chris, and he did not answer her call. Thus, the phone stops vibrating, and Carlos sets it over the table without a word being said, just a sigh that Clive took as one of defeat. Carlos refused to answer the woman whom introduced them, a woman that now belonged to one man and one man only, and that man was the world's hero in Chris Redfield. Jealousy was already within Carlos, this, everyone knew as much since the day he slowly started to drift apart from both Chris and Jill, and there was no question that they all felt for him like they felt for Sheva. Clive, included, is one those that felt deeply for the pair whose love went unrequited, and so he does his best to console his friend, both oblivious of the fact that Sheva was overhearing them from her position behind the sliding patio door.

"Since you and Sheva didn't attend their wedding, has anyone told you that there was an hour delay?"

That got Carlos attention in a swift instant, yet, did not say a thing in letting Clive further speak, "Jill didn't come out to the altar on time. We all wondered what was happening till Claire, Rebecca, and Kathy went to go see what the holdup was. Later we come to find out that Jill was crying."

"Crying?" Carlos was in disbelief of the news, more so Sheva who remained in hiding.

Clive, however, merely nods, "Yes. She was crying for the fact that you and Sheva weren't part of the hundreds present at the wedding. Jill even contemplated the idea of rescheduling the wedding. So did Chris, but you of all people, Carlos, should know how strong Jill can be. She proceeded with the wedding and walked down that aisle with a flushed face. Now I mean it when I say this is that I completely understand why you and Sheva didn't attend, we all understand, but Jill wanted Sheva there. She wanted you there too, Carlos. Jill just wanted her closest friends to be there on a day that was supposed to be the happiest of her life, but it was a half-empty feeling without you both there. What you did was wrong and selfish, and you know what? Jill wasn't mad. She's just that type of person. She understood how you felt for her, and how Sheva felt for Chris. There was no grudge from Jill. Period."

Knowing he was now responsible for ruining Jill's special day, knowing he acted out of selfishness brought Carlos to despise himself for inflicting such sadness to the woman that changed his life, to the woman he loved and still does, but what was he to say? Carlos made this clear to Clive, "Look, I'm sorry for what I did, but what I can do? It's too late to apologize or even tell Jill how I really feel about her. All I will be doing is making the situation awkward. I don't wanna end up being some elephant in the room or some third wheel when I can just stay away and let it be."

"But, Carlos, do you really plan on ignoring Chris and especially Jill for the rest of your life?"

"N-No, I'm not saying that, it's just… look—it's complicated, all right?"

"How so? Just how is it complicated?"

"I don't wanna' talk about this, alright, Clive? It's none of your business anyway so just drop it already."

The manner in which Carlos replied out of frustration had no effect on the man who was once his boss. Therefore, Clive wasn't going to give up as he persists, "You're wrong, Carlos. When the situation involves my friends not talking with one another, then you better believe it is my business. What happened to the way you all smiled and laughed together, huh? There was nothing that could step between you, Jill, Chris and Sheva. There was absolutely nothing or no one that can break you four apart, and now here we are, the four of you resembling immature teenagers in some love quarrel. Shouldn't you be happy for them? Shouldn't you be happy for Jill?"

"Of course I'm happy for her!" Carlos let out a sudden shout, and with it came his right hand slamming down over the table, causing the teacups to rattle.

Carlos's outburst still has no effect on the former director, except for Sheva who released a breathless gasp, but Clive could see it in Carlos' eyes, he could see the jealousy within Carlos' eyes that fiercely burned, but, saddened as he spoke remorsefully and softly, "I'm… I'm sorry, Clive. It's just I am happy for Jill. I really am. I just wish I was the one waiting for her at the altar, but saying that, I know Chris will be there for her and make Jill happier than I ever could, and that's fine by me, knowing she's happy and safe with him. So believe me when I say this, Clive, that of all the battles I've been through, this is one I didn't mind losing. I wanted to win Jill, no doubt about it, but losing her to Chris is something I can't be angry at. Jealous? Oh yeah, you better believe I'm jealous, but do I hate him? Never… because he'll be there for her, and I'll be happy knowing she's happy."

Once Carlos finished, there was a silence so deafening that the only sounds were that of the gentle wind blowing and the birds singing as they soared through the clear blue skies. In this stretch of silence, Clive thought of something, anything to say to his friend, but Carlos soon rose from his chair in a sign that he was concluding his visit. Sure enough, Carlos was indeed done, stashing away his smartphone into his pocket along and sheds his last words, "Listen—um, thanks for the tea, Clive. It's always fun catching up with you. It really is. I'll stop by again next month like usual. Take care, amigo."

Off Carlos went, turning to exit Clive's backyard, but then at long last came Sheva's voice calling out. "Carlos, wait!"

It was here that Clive would witness just how much Carlos and Sheva had grown close, staying his seat as watches the scene unfold before him, the scene of the saddened West African stopping right in front of the South American. "Are—why are you leaving, Carlos?"

Seeing Sheva sad was always something Carlos could not stand to see, thus, he looked off to the side and down to the blades of grass dancing to the gentle wind. "There's stuff I gotta' take care of, Sheva."

"You're lying." Sheva countered, "I can always tell when you're lying."

Carlos turns back to Sheva, gazing at her with a hardened look. "Maybe it's because I never liked lying to friends in the first place."

Suddenly, and shockingly, Carlos feels his hands being taken in by Sheva's and is left speechless. "Neither do I, Carlos. I never been one to lie to friends, but please, if there really are things that need your attention, then let me help you."

The more Carlos looked into her saddened eyes, the more she held onto his hands, then the more he couldn't keep silent any longer, but he would not reveal what concerned him just yet as he would simply state the errand he had to accomplish, "All right. You can help me, but we got to hurry. Leon and Claire should be arriving any moment now at the airport and I promised them both that I'll lend them ride to headquarters. Let's go."

A beaming smile was back on Sheva's lips. "Yes. Let us go meet our friends."

Carlos was glad, happy to see Sheva contented and sprinting back to Clive, speaking her farewells while gathering her purse and slinging it around her right shoulder. "Thank you, Clive, for welcoming us again. It is always pleasure. Goodbye, and do take care of yourself."

"Likewise, Sheva." Spoke the former director, who also smiled as he said one last thing that had Sheva stopping in her tracks. "Oh, and do take care of Carlos while you're at it since you're the only one he listens to. Have fun."

By the time the stunned and blushing Sheva turns back to Clive, she sees him silently retreat into his home without another word being said. Carlos, meanwhile, approached Sheva with a confused look. "What did he say?"

"Nothing!" Sheva blurted out in the midst of turning to Carlos in a flash, to which he flinched back in fright with both arms raised as a shield.

That is how their monthly visit to Clive's home ended, and next would come two people whom Sheva happily exclaimed to Carlos as friends… dear friends to the both of them.