Our Moonlit Reunion

Rebecca Chambers took a moment to inhale the crisp, cool night air, a waft of life in the otherwise chilly month of February.

She was seated on a two-person bench in the middle of Central Park, clad in a blue goose-down jacket and white mittens, admiring the the moon's creamy glow as it spread across her young face. She was now twenty-one, and yet, such a gorgeous woman was still single.

She spent every Valentine's Day like this; sitting underneath the nocturnal sky. At the stroke of twelve, she'd leave her post and head home, alone for yet another year.

Rebecca wasn't the seclusive type, oh no. She was known throughout New York City as a friendly and kind doctor, loved by pediatric patients and their parents alike. “Dr. Chambers”, as she came to be known, was especially known for her escapades in taking down Umbrella, the pharmaceutical-turned biological weapons company, bent on the enslavement of the human race via a malignant virus. She was revered, praised, loved...everything she ever wanted.

Still, she felt empty without that certain someone in her life.

--

She'd met him on the Ecliptic Express, the train to Hell, so to speak. He was an ex-marine, a convict, wanted for the deaths of twenty-three innocent lives. Never for a moment did she think that this rough-around-the-edges “murderer” would be her partner in the Arklay Mansion.

As they delved deeper into Arklay's dark secrets and biological weapons, she began to realize that this man beside her wasn't capable of wanton murder. His deep blue eyes, though set back into his sullen face, seemed to glow when he looked at her. His hardened features seemed to soften in her presence. Hell, he'd even cracked a smile or two for her; not a wicked or teasingly malicious smile, but a kind and warm one. One that showed her how he liked having her by his side in this nightmarish place. She was his comfort, and he was hers.

Their parting at the hilltop overlooking the Spencer Mansion proved to be difficult for both of them.

After they assured themselves that this was all real and that they both made it out, Rebecca walked over to the convict, ripping his dog tag clean off his neck. He gave a surprised grunt and rose to his feet, eying Rebecca suspiciously.

She read the tag: Coen, Billy, 2nd Lieutenant, Blood Type A, Atheist.

“I guess it's time to say goodbye, she said softly, slowly fastening the tag around her own neck. Officially, Lieutenant Coen is dead.”

“Dead?, he scoffed, almost playfully. Yeah, just a zombie now...”

He turned around, afraid to let Rebecca see the rising dismay in his eyes. He'd have to leave, leave her at this moment and probably never see her again.

After he gathered his wits anew, he turned to see Rebecca firm in her place in spite of the tears shimmering in her luminous grey eyes. She offered a solemn salute, which he returned duly.

After Rebecca had dropped her hand and set off, Billy cracked a smile; a wistful, appreciative one to match the true gratitude he felt in his heart.

“Thank you, Rebecca”, he whispered quietly, offering her a thumbs-up gesture. He rubbed the nape of his neck, where Rebecca had yanked his tag off. He was sure it would sting later, but he was a free man now.

The only thing he regretted was letting her go.

--

Rebecca sighed at this memory. Throughout their travels in that cursed mansion, they were inseparable, and when they were split by some unfortunate means, they'd reunited, relived beyond all belief that they were still alive. All they had was each other.

Now, Billy was gone, hopefully out of trouble somewhere, far from harm's reach. Still, anywhere away from her was too far away. God, she missed him, missed that cocky grin, that winding tattoo crawling up his right arm, and his gentle eyes. Somehow, she knew he had eyes for no one else but her.

Well, she hoped, anyway.

She checked her watch; 11:56 P.M. She had to head back soon. She would be alone...again.

Alone...a familiar, yet unpleasant, empty feeling she lived with every day, especially this one. A lover's day. A day for only you and your beloved.

Rebecca gave a soft sniffle, whether from the sudden cold breeze that whipped by her or the rush of emotion in her chest, she wasn't sure. Tears began to cloud her vision as well.

“Get a grip, Rebecca, it's just the wind”, she said to herself. She never got emotional like this before over a guy, why start now? It's just...stupid. It won't solve anything.

But it sure as Hell made her feel better.

She knew the wind wasn't causing the sobs to slowly escape her notice. Her tears began to overflow, silently pouring down her cheeks as she let herself cry, letting her face fall into her outstretched hands. Her shoulders quivered with her soft sobs, a truly heartbreaking sight for any passer-by.

From a few feet away, a figure watched this beautiful young woman grieve her heart out all alone for a few minutes. Finally...

“Miss? Are you alright?”

A deep, gentle male voice made Rebecca's head jerk upwards with a gasp.

“Hey, it's okay, I'm not gonna hurt you. I just heard someone crying and was worried.”

“Oh, Rebecca replied, wiping her eyes hastily. No, I-I'm fine.”

The figure stepped forward slightly, and Rebecca noticed his face was obscured by a hood.

“May I?”, he pointed to the bench.

“Yes, of course”, Rebeca scuttled aside so the man could sit beside her. She didn't want to be alone right now.

“It's dangerous for you to be alone out here, especially at night”, the man gently stated as he sat beside Rebecca.

Despite his slow, predicable movements, she couldn't help but finger the knife hidden in her coat pocket. He seemed to notice this, as he flipped his hood back, revealing a familiar set of facial features, and a gentle grin.

“Easy there, I'm not a zombie or anything.”

Rebecca's teary eyes widened; the disembodied voice had an owner after all. The owner she'd longed for. The owner she needed, she loved.

“Billy?”

The man nodded enthusiastically. It had to be. Slicked back brown hair, gruff voice, and the cerulean blue eyes she'd only dreamed she'd see again.

“Oh my God!”

With a small sob, Rebecca wrapped her arms around Billy's torso, pressing her face deep into his hooded sweatshirt. Billy exhaled sharply from the impact of Rebecca's head against his body, but soon regained his wits and hugged her tight.

“I've really missed you, Rebecca”, he murmured, his voice warm and soothing. He stroked the thick brown locks of Rebecca's pin-straight hair gently, rocking her slowly in the bench as she cried softly in his arms.

“Shh, it's okay...I'm right here, I'm right here”, Billy whispered, genuinely perturbed to hear Rebecca cry. Just a few moments ago, she was weeping her loneliness. Now she was so happy that he was back in her life, she'd began to cry anew, this time shedding tears of intense joy.

“You're back...I-I can't believe y-you're back...God, I've m-missed you...”

Billy just smiled, savoring the warmth given off by the woman before him, the woman he cared so much for, he loved. He gave Rebecca a few minutes to cry the rest of her tears before he pulled away, gently bringing her face to face his own.

He reached into his back pants pocket, revealing a stark white handkerchief. Unfolding it, he carefully wiped Rebecca's tear-soaked cheeks, dabbing at the little crystalline water droplets like an open wound. He stuffed the kerchief into his front hoodie pocket and gently kissed the girl's lips, salty with the remainders of her grief, as well as her elation.

When they broke apart for the first time, he gave a low whisper.

“Happy Valentine's Day.”