To say Brian looked confused would be an understatement.  Then again, how often do two military personnel appear on your doorstep ready to whisk your petrified looking lover away.  Nodding glumly in a way that’s fitting for the moment, I usher them in before stalking to the bedroom.  In Brian’s dresser there is a drawer, the bottom one, which I asked for specially that locks.  I keep the key on a chain round my neck, no-one knows what’s in it nor do they dare ask.  
Brian’s followed me, of that I’m aware, he’s obviously seeking the answers that I’m not willing to give yet as I hastily unlock the drawer and tug it open.

My lover raises an eyebrow at the perfectly pressed and folded array of t-shirts in both black and white on one side of the deep drawer, on the other there are camouflage cargo pants.  I pull out a black t-shirt and a pair of pants, pulling them on.  The shirt is tight, is clings to my chest, the S.T.A.R.S emblem visible on it, the pants hang at my hips, baggy enough so I can run.

I’ll need to do a lot of that later.

Opening the wardrobe, I scrunch my nose up before there’s a tap on my shoulder.  Thinking it’s Brian, I spin around, ready to snap at him. Instead I find Chris Redfield, my ex S.T.A.R.S partner and mentor standing in front of me, my black army boots in his hand, “I thought you might want them back…” It’s times like these I’m glad I haven’t grown that much since the last incident I was called too.  I glance at myself in the mirror, my breathing shallow as I close my eyes, shaking my head slightly.

I know that I may never see Brian again.  I guess I’ve always known that…that I could never hide forever but I never knew I’d become so attached to someone that it would hurt so much.  First rule of being a S.T.A.R, don’t fall in love.  Makes me feel like a fucking Jedi.

I pause at the wardrobe, taking a shaky breath as I slide it open.  I’m thankful Brian never looks at my side of the wardrobe, how would I have explained the Teflon bullet-proof tactical vest hanging there?  As I lift it out, I barely acknowledge the fact Brian’s been watching me the whole time.  I’m fully dressed now, there’s only a few things missing, I know what they are, so do Chris and Jill.

And by the look of horror on Brian’s face, he does too.

Lifting the top compartment out the drawer, he gasps.  I know, I’m a shit for keeping concealed weapons hidden in his apartment but I couldn’t exactly say ‘Hey Brian, there’s a shotgun in your house’.  The holster belt hangs loosely off my hips as I holster a pistol on my right thigh.  There are small holders for vials on the belt, if I know Umbrella, then the T-Virus is involved.  Soon, eight little vials of the green anti-virus is housed in it, a bottle of haemostatic pills was also there.  

“Is Rebecca coming?” is all I manage to whisper as I stand at the top of the stairs to the bedroom. Rebecca was my teams field medic at Spencer, we’re the only Bravo team survivors.  Jill shakes her head, ”It’s just you, me, Chris and I think Claire’s meeting us”.  Claire’s Chris’ little sister, we grew up together along with Daphne, the daughter of an Umbrella scientist,  Doctor Chanders.  Jill and Chris, both kitted out in their uniforms (Jill’s still wearing that god dam hat!) rise to their feet.  Chris’ arms are folded over his chest, Jill’s hands are on her hips, “Are we ready Taylor?  Are you sure this is what you want?”

This is it, time to say goodbye to the farce…to the freak show I called life for the past year and a half but could I do it? Could I go back to the cold hearted asshole who was trigger happy and enjoyed putting bullets in heads, breaking into Umbrella buildings using methods previously only seen in Mission Impossible or hacking into computer files?

No, I didn’t really.  I was at school.  I had an amazing, non-conventional lover and great friends.  My mother had finally left my father and thus cut Umbrella out of her life and Daphne’s parents had done the same.  Everything was perfect.  Except I was still a wanted criminal.

Did I have any fucking choice in the matter? 

Shaking my head,  I leant forward to meet Brian’s lips, trying my best to hide the ushered tears as I rested my cheek against his chest, sniffling,  “Right.  I’ll be back before you know it. Don’t have too much fun without me okay stud?” I was trying to keep it light and, thought Brian hadn’t a clue as to what was going on, he realised that I might never come back, so he clung to me.

Yes ladies and gentlemen, Brian Kinney was clinging!

I ran my fingers through his hair as I pulled back, a sad smile on my lips, ”Now now Mr Kinney, I’ll see you around”, then I flashed him a sunshine smile and stepped away from him, saluting before walking out.  I would see him around, I’d make sure of it.  

Too bad I wasn’t aware of what hell I was getting myself into.