Holy crap, it's been a good six months since the last chapter. Sorry guys. I thought I'd have time to write in between class and work. I didn't count on Accounting taking up so much of my time. It takes a butt-ton of studying though. So, in between Accouting homework, a five page research paper, an informative speech and work, I have found some time to write. I updated my other CSI: Miami story, and remembered this one.

BTW, thanks to you guys who wished me luck on finals. I actually did fairly well.

Chapter 12

Retirement didn't sound so bad right about now. He would most certainly consider it. At least then he wouldn't have to worry about old man stalkers with an inhuman libidos. Or insane hordes of inhuman minions. Least of all, he wouldn't have the ever constant feeling of guilt and shame. These emotions hadn't left him since his encounter with Saddler. Guilt becuase he had let himself be captured by Saddler and let Ashley be carried away. Shame because...well, that was obvious. He was being a damned man-whore!

Leon was trying his best to piece his situation together, to try and find some solution to the growing problem. He'd lost Ashley, slept with the enemy, made out with the mysterious and untrustworthy Ada, he was low on ammunition and the damned merchant for some reason didn't sell any! His mission was for shit. It had taken the worst possible turn. Saddler had gained the upper hand, Leon admitted. He had taken it right out from under him.

And what the hell did he mean, 'redemption'? Did he mean redemption fro losing Ashley? He had to find her?

Leon recalled Saddler's words. "You still have a mission to complete, don't you, Leon? Think of this as a chance to redeem yourself. Then, perhaps during our next encounter, you will have a nicer time."

Leon snorted. Did he actually expect Leon to go another round with him? The man was so confusing, always speaking in riddles. Redemption. What a load. The only thing he was guilty of was losing Ashley, but he full well intended to get her back.

As soon as he found her.

"I knew Saddler was a pig, but I didn't know he was that kind of pig."

Leon sighed irritably. He knew that voice. Smooth as silk but dangerous.

"What do you want now Ada? Another make-out session?" He asked, turning around to face her.

She chuckled. "I don't know, now that I know where your mouth has been." She walked over to him, walking with the fluid grace only she could achieve. She could be beautiful if she wasn't such a coniving bit-

"I actually am here to offer you some more help." She said. "I know you lost Ashley again because Saddler attacked you. He's in your mind, Leon. The Plagas are linking you together."

"I know that." Leon said, rolling his eyes.

Ada frowned. "How juvenille. Do you want to know where she is or not?"

Leon advanced on her, closing in on her space. "I want to know how you always seem to know her location."

Ada smirked. "I'm actually good at my job. I'm not led astray by an old man's attempt at mental seduction."

"No, you're just led astray by money and american agents."

She turned her head. "Fine. I admit, I was somewhat...careless before."

"Somewhat?" Leon asked, arching a brow. "You're just as manipulative as the old man. The only difference is you keep your clothes on."

Ada glared at him, then smiled. "Whatever. Look, Saddler is going to be moving Ashley out of the castle soon. He's going to move her to an island. You need to intercept her before he does, or the situation will get much worse. We're talking more forces and a hell of a lot more firepower in his hand."

Leon groaned. "Damnit!"

Ada reached out and slid her delicate fingers up his arm. "I read about these marks in Sera's research files. Do you want to know what they are?"

"Are you actually giving up free information? Feeling sympathetic?"

"Maybe." She up into his eyes. "Do you want to know or not?"

Leon sighed. "Yes, I do."

"It's poison."

"What?" He exclaimed, yanking his arm away.

"Calm down Leon," Ada tried to soothe, touching his shoulder. "It's not fatal."

He took a deep breath. "What is it then?"

"Well, according to Sera, it's similar to when your bit by a poisonous insect. The poison travels through the bloodstream until it reaches the heart. Only this particular poison in injected through the back of the neck. It travels down the back, up the arms and to the heart."

"The back of the neck?"

She nodded. "Do you remember feeling any pain at anytime on your neck. I know about the scar, but do you remember?"

Leon thought back...

Leon walked past the puddle of blood. As Leon pondered the puddle and who it's owner was, the back of his neck began to tingle. He reached up and felt it, then yanked his hand away. The back of his neck felt so hot! Like it was burning!

He felt it again, rubbing it senselessly, trying to figure out what was happening. He stumbled down the hall, his vision blurring.

"I do. It was right before you found me in the hall. It just started burning suddenly. And then I passed out."

Ada nodded, remembering as well. "Yes, that was when you first discovered them. They looked like black bands around your wrists. I'm not sure how he did it, but Saddler had the poison administered then."

Leon swallowed. "What happens when it reaches my heart?"

Ada bit her lip. "I'm not sure, Sera's notes were unclear. But I will look into it. Until then, find Ashley and try to get the hell out of here."

Ada patted his cheek and strode past him. "She's in tower on the north side. Salazar has her." She tossed over her shoulder.

Leon watched as she shot her grapple gun out of a window and was gone. In a breif moment of humor, her was reminded of Spiderman. He shook the thought from his head. He better turn around and head for the north tower. If what Ada said was true, he was looking at a seriously small time-frame.

Yeah, I know. Short, too short. Too long between updates. I'm an awful person for taking six months. On the good side, I found an awesome new song you guys should listen to.

Utada Hikaru - Show me love (not a dream)