Chapter Text
Knock knock knock
“Come in!” Rebecca shouted from her desk, promptly standing when she saw who it was. None other than Sherry Birkin, the one who she had been waiting for. “Took you long enough,” She said, retrieving a clipboard with the results of some tests they had run on Sherry following her time in China.
“I’m sorry, traffic! You know how it goes!” Sherry groaned, walking over to her.
Rebecca shook her head disapprovingly at the excuse and looked over the papers, “Traffic, that's what they all say.” She murmured.
Sherry smiled at her remark and peeked at the chart, though it made no real sense to her, “Am I gonna make it?”
“I think you’ll live.” She quipped, “There’s nothing unusual here, and no traces of the C-Virus, like you asked about. I don't think you have anything to be concerned about, but let me know right away if you notice anything strange.”
Sherry sighed a breath of relief, “Thank goodness, I’ve been so worried about that.”
Rebecca smiled and nodded, “I’m glad that’s a weight off your shoulders. Um, I was thinking though… When I was going over your file earlier, you're certainly a very fascinating person, at least from a doctor's perspective. Your ability to heal injuries that would otherwise kill anyone else definitely makes you an incredible asset to the U.S. government. But that's what worries me most, you're not an asset, Sherry, you're a person.” She spoke earnestly, pausing for a moment to set aside the charts.
Sherry didn't respond, which was fine, Rebecca had more to say, so she continued on.
“If no one has told you before, I want to tell you now. If you ever decide you want to change your path in life and leave this all behind; if you do the thing that many of us wish we could do and go back to normalcy. That isn't failing, or quitting, or giving up. That's being strong.”
Sherry smiled softly and reached out to take Rebecca’s hands, “Thank you, I’ll keep that with me. But, I can't help but feel like you were telling me what you needed to hear. Or maybe a younger you?”
The brunette chuckled, “Yeah, sometimes I wish somebody would've just told me to give up altogether. I probably would've.” She shook her head, “No, probably not. I’m too committed, we all are. For everyone we've lost. Everyone’s lost so many friends, colleagues, but there's usually someone in particular keeping you in the fight.” She continued, her eyes drifting over Sherry’s shoulder to her desk where Billy’s dog tags laid.
“Who are you doing it for, Rebecca?” Sherry asked.
“Just an old… friend.” She answered, looking back over, “I’m still hopeful he didn't die in Raccoon City, but I’ll never know.”
Sherry smirked slightly, “Friend? Must've been a pretty good friend if he keeps you going after all this time.”
Rebecca pulled away her hands to cross her arms, her cheeks becoming faintly red, “Well, we didn't know each other for very long. But, he did have a lasting impression.”
The blonde scoffed, “Oh, I know all about that, go on.”
Rebecca smiled, recalling being told about a certain Jake Muller from Chris. “Maybe some secrets should just stay secrets. I really haven't told anyone before.”
“Even better reason to tell me. I’m sure some part of you wants to get it off your chest.”
“There’s not much to tell, honestly. When I think back to it… I feel like I’m holding onto such fleeting memories.” She started tentatively, “It was my first mission. I was supposed to be looking for him, and instead he found me. And even though I was told he was a horrible criminal, I covered for him, I lied on his behalf. I didn't want him to disappear. Maybe because at the time I was scared of the situation I was in and having a strong man to keep me company made me feel better. But it didn't stay that simple.”
Sherry listened attentively, nodding in understanding but not interrupting.
“You know how they say you can fall in love with someone very quickly when you both experience the same traumatic thing?” Rebecca asked, almost rhetorically.
“Do they say that? Guess I haven't heard that one.”
“Maybe I made it up to console myself. Or to explain why I feel this way.” Rebecca continued, “I don't always remember the things that happened back then but I remember every detail about him, I can see him clear as day in my mind, like it was yesterday. When I dream of him, I wake up thinking he’s there because his voice is exactly the same.”
Sherry had a look of pity on her face. It was to be expected. A tale of pining over a man you knew for less than a day years ago? It is pitiful, Rebecca knew this already, why else keep it a secret for all this time.
“Rebecca…” Sherry spoke her name, breaking the lingering silence.
“Yes?”
“What happened? How did it end?”
“We went our separate ways. I let him go and I went to try to find the rest of my team in… that mansion.” She said, walking over to her desk before gingerly picking up the dog tags, “This is what he left me, and from then on, Billy Coen was dead to the world. To everyone but me.” She turned back to Sherry, eyes glued to the objects in hand.
“He could still be out there. Have you tried looking for him?” Sherry asked.
Rebecca glanced back up at her, “I did, at first, or at least tried to. I got out of Raccoon City pretty quick after that, and I assume Billy did too, but wherever I went I kept my eye out for him. For years, I watched for him; in the streets, in stores, anywhere.” She told her, “I guess I was really hoping he’d find me again, but he never did.”
God it was a miserable secret, she should've kept it one. Sherry’s face told her everything she needed to know; she didn't need to voice her thoughts because it was written so plainly in her expression. It was as if she was listening to some doomed romance story, she nearly looked like she might cry.
Before the blonde woman had the chance to speak her condolences for the long-lost-love, Rebecca cut her off, “It’s okay, Sherry. I’m fine. Believe me.” She said, “I miss him, of course I do. But I know he's not going to appear out of thin air, and I’m not going to just run into him on the street.”
Sherry frowned slightly, “I know, but I want to say it can happen. I want to be positive.”
“I understand, so do I, but it just isn't possible. There's no way to know if he even made it out.”
Sherry paused for a moment before perking up, “If there was a way, would you… want someone to find him? I know someone who might be able to.”
“Hm? Counting on that Jake Muller to find a dead man? Technically speaking, he's got a different identity for sure.” The brunette said, “But I don't know, it feels… intrusive. I barely knew him, it's not my place to send someone on a manhunt for him just because I can't get over some feelings that I honestly shouldn't even have.”
“Don't say that! You feel this way for a reason, feelings don't last this long and mean nothing, Rebecca.”
Rebecca sighed, “Okay, would I… mind if he showed up at my doorstep one day? No, I’ve thought of it many times. If he just showed up in my life and said, ‘here I am, I feel the same way, let's make up for lost time’, I’d be thrilled. But, that's… not gonna happen.” She laughed softly at herself.
Now it was Sherry who was sighing, “If he’s alive, he can be found. And now I’m involved, I want to see this through.” Suddenly, she pulled Rebecca into a quick hug, “Thank you for your wise words, I won't forget them. Goodbye for now.”
And just as quick as she had let go, she left Rebecca’s office, leaving her slightly shaken up and confused.
Sherry, on the other hand, was on a mission to fix Rebecca’s love life.