After hours of diving through digital hell, Jasen sat back at his desk, the last rays of light stretching across the apartment like fingers pulling him toward rest. But one envelope remained—sealed, untouched, marked with a simple Umbrella logo in the corner.
He slit it open.
Inside were several folded papers, dense with typed information. The first sheet listed override codes—string sequences, biometric ID keys, and access authorizations, all linked to the underground sewer lab beneath Raccoon City. Each door had its own ID number, and someone had highlighted a route in red ink, a winding path that moved past auxiliary storage halls and unlisted access tunnels.
The next page? Personnel schedules. Scientists, guards, lab techs.
Most names meant little to Jasen. But one stuck out immediately:
W. Birkin - Head Virologist. A. Birkin - Assistant Virologist.
And then, scribbled in a neat side note:
S. Birkin - Raccoon Elementary. Pickup schedule: 3:15 PM, M-F
Jasen leaned back, hand rubbing his jaw.
"Goddamn, Ada..."
It was terrifying how deep her reach went.
She hadn't just mapped the route to the heart of Umbrella's most secret research facility. She handed him the skeleton key to walk right in. And if he timed it right, he could even make contact with the Birkins—potentially even Sherry—outside of guarded parameters.
He closed the folder carefully, folded the documents back in place, and tucked them away in his safe. Ada Wong was dangerous. Not just because of her skills, but because of what she knew. And
what she could uncover in just days.
He shut the laptop and stood, exhaustion pulling at his muscles.
Just as he was preparing to crash, the burner phone vibrated against his counter.
He checked the number. Barry.
"Yeah," Jasen answered, voice low.
"Hey. Just checking in. Thought you'd want an update," Barry said. He sounded tired, but upbeat. "Everything's going smooth so far. Irons is in federal custody. FBI's already started the formal investigation into his actions and the department's leadership structure."
Jasen rubbed his temple. "And how bad is it?"
"Worse than expected," Barry admitted. "But... the way it went down? The evidence we gave them, the fact it came from the inside—it made a difference. I pulled a few favors, and Marvin's been working with the agents directly. Word is, the Bureau's not planning to drag this out. Marvin's already being considered as interim chief."
Jasen let out a breath. "Good. Marvin's solid."
"Exactly what I said. Everyone respects him. He keeps calm. And most importantly, he doesn't have skeletons hanging in his locker."
There was a beat of silence.
"Things at the station are... weird," Barry said slowly. "A lot of people are shocked. Some thought Irons was a jerk, sure. But this? This deep? It's rattled them."
Jasen nodded to himself. "I won't be surprised if Jill calls or shows up."
Barry laughed. "Yeah, no kidding. You two aren't exactly subtle, you know."
Jasen said nothing, just smirked to himself.
"Alright," Barry said, voice softening. "Just wanted to keep you informed. I'll call again when I know more. Get some rest. You earned it."
"Thanks, Barry. Later."
The call ended.
Not even five minutes later, his regular phone buzzed.
Jill.
He picked up, trying to fight back the smile in his voice. "Hey."
"Hey... I know it's early Can I come by later? Just to talk. Or sit. Or whatever."
Jasen leaned against the wall, the tension of the day finally draining from his shoulders. "Anytime. Door's open."
"I'll bring coffee. And maybe breakfast ."
"Then you better bring two coffees."
She laughed softly, warm and genuine.
They ended the call with a simple "See you soon."
Jasen finally allowed himself to move to the bedroom, collapsing onto the mattress with a weight that only came from surviving.
The room went quiet.
And for the first time in weeks, he let himself sleep with a sense of forward momentum.
He was nowhere near done.
But today?
He had made a major leap forward.
The knock came just as sunlight began peeking through the blinds.
Jasen stirred beneath the covers, eyes blinking open. The digital clock on the nightstand blinked 10:03 a.m.
Another knock.
He rose, pulling on a T-shirt and sweats before walking barefoot to the door. He opened it to find Jill standing there, wind-swept and smiling, two hot coffee cups in one hand and a brown paper bag in the other.
"I brought peace offerings," she said, holding them up. "From the best café in Raccoon. I know the owner."
Jasen gave her a slow smile. "That explains the confidence. Come in."
She stepped past him, the scent of strong roast and buttered toast following her. Jasen closed the door behind her.
They exchanged a look—both a little tired, both still processing everything from the last few days.
"You look like you only got four hours of sleep," Jill said with a grin.
"Says the woman who probably got three."
"Touché."
They settled at the kitchen table. Jasen put on a mellow jazz playlist from his stereo, letting the warm brass tones fill the background.
Jill placed the bag on the table and unpacked two breakfast sandwiches, a small container of fruit, and the coffees.
Jasen took a sip and raised a brow. "Okay... this is the good stuff."
"Told you."
They ate in a calm silence for a few moments before Jill spoke again, her tone shifting softer.
"Hey... about the other night. Canceling our first date. I'm sorry."
Jasen shook his head. "Jill, we're both in this crazy city doing dangerous work. We'll have plenty of time to go out. But anywhere we are together? That's a date."
She smiled, that small, sincere smile she rarely let show. "You're sweet."
She leaned in and kissed him gently.
They lingered close afterward, hands brushing as they sipped more coffee.
Then Jill sighed and leaned back, eyes on the ceiling.
"These last 48 hours... insane doesn't even cut it. First the raid. Then the chief being arrested. Half the station walking around like they're in a fog."
Jasen studied her quietly. "You okay?"
She looked at him for a long moment, then nodded. "Not the firefights. Or the shootouts. I can deal with that. That part of me's solid. But Irons? What we found out about him? That's what gets to me."
She looked down at her coffee. Her voice tightened.
"They say he killed women. Multiple. And the things he did to their bodies... we never knew. We trusted him. And all that time, he was using his badge to cover up monsters inside himself."
She shook her head, her hands clenched slightly around her cup.
Jasen said nothing. He simply reached out and placed a hand gently over hers.
She looked up, surprised for a second, then smiled faintly.
"Thanks," she said softly.
They finished breakfast in quiet understanding.
Afterward, Jill followed him back to the bedroom, both needing the comfort of rest. She slipped out of her clothes with the natural grace of someone who no longer needed to perform or pretend.
Wearing only her blue bottoms and one of Jasen's loose shirts, she climbed into bed beside him.
He held her close, her back against his chest, his arm draped protectively around her waist.
Within minutes, both were asleep, wrapped in warmth not just from blankets, but from something far rarer in their world:
Trust.
And peace, however brief it would last.