Defining Lines

Sunlight filtered through the window blinds, casting slow-moving stripes across the floor as the morning crept further in. The coffee had done its job—Jasen was alert, mind processing a thousand moving pieces. But for a moment, his attention narrowed to the woman sipping from his favorite mug across the counter.

Jill.

Still in his shirt. Still looking at him like she belonged there.

Jasen stepped around the counter and leaned against it beside her, arms folded. "How'd you sleep?"

Jill gave him a sideways glance, her smile teasing. "Eventually."

Jasen chuckled, but then let the moment settle. "Can I ask you something?"

Jill raised a brow. "I'm listening."

"How do you feel about last night?"

She paused, wine-red lips wrapping around the edge of her mug. A faint blush colored her cheeks. She looked down into her coffee for a moment before answering.

"I didn't expect it to go that way," she said softly. "But I'd be lying if I said I didn't want it... and an even bigger liar if I said I didn't enjoy it."

Jasen smiled faintly, the corner of his mouth lifting. "Good. I feel the same."

He took a breath, choosing his next words carefully. "The reason I'm asking... I like being transparent. Especially when things get intimate. I need to know where I stand with the person I'm with, and I want them to know where they stand with me."

Jill set her mug down and turned to face him more fully. Her expression was unreadable for a moment. "So... do you have multiple partners? Not trying to intrude. Just asking."

Jasen shook his head. "No. You're the only woman I've made direct moves toward. The only one I've pursued."

Jill smiled at that—soft, genuine. "Same."

Jasen nodded slowly, stepping just a little closer. "We don't have to rush this. But if you want, we can be sexually exclusive... and romantically, until we both decide what this is. Either make it something official or walk away clean."

Jill studied him with those sharp blue eyes. There was fire behind them, but also caution. After a moment, she answered, "I like that. The first one."

Jasen tilted his head. "Yeah?"

"Yeah," she said with more confidence. "When we first met, I thought you were just some quiet, brooding guy with a mystery complex and good arms. But then you started showing up. Showing me who you were. You earned it. I've been thinking about you more than I wanted to admit."

Jasen grinned. "Glad I'm not the only one."

He stepped in close now, standing directly in front of her, just a breath away.

"One more question."

Jill tilted her chin up. "Yeah?"

He reached out, gently brushing his thumb across her cheek, then her lips. Her breath caught slightly, but she didn't look away.

His voice dropped low. "Bed... couch... or table?"

A slow smile curled across her face as she leaned into his touch.

"Table."

 The scent of breakfast still lingered faintly in the air, and for a brief moment, Jasen wished the moment could last longer. Jill stood by the door, back in her usual gear—jeans, boots, a black thermal shirt, and her jacket slung over her arm a subtle smile tugging at her lips.

"Thanks for last night, and this morning" she said softly.

Jasen stepped in, pulling her into a slow, firm hug. "Anytime."

They lingered for a moment, and then she kissed him—not rushed, not hesitant. Just right.

"See you later?" she asked as she pulled back.

"Count on it."

He watched her leave, the door clicking shut behind her. For a moment, silence returned to the apartment.

Until he looked down.

An envelope just slid under the door.

Jasen crouched, eyes narrowing as he picked it up. It was unmarked. He opened it immediately and scanned the contents inside.

Blueprints.

Two separate sets. One was detailed schematics for the Iron Serpents' warehouse compound—marked entries, guard rotations, storage levels, even ventilation shafts. The second? A partial layout of the Raccoon City sewer system and the Umbrella lab below it.

Jasen whistled under his breath. Ada.

He hadn't told her about the Serpents. Not directly. But this? She already knew. Knew his plan, and likely saw through the whole setup: using the gang's exposure to blow the doors open on Irons' corruption.

"Damn, you're good," he muttered, rubbing his jaw.

Jasen would grab her burner pone and make a call giving a location, time to meet up in the next hour. He slipped the documents into a manila folder and grabbed his jacket. There was one person he needed to talk to face-to-face.

The rendezvous was a park just outside city limits—quiet, fog-draped, and free of eyes. Jasen arrived first, scanning the area before taking a seat at the bench.

Barry arrived five minutes later in his truck, dressed in civvies but with the same alert edge he always carried. He approached with a thermos in one hand and a cautious smile.

"Was starting to think you changed your mind," Barry said, sitting beside him.

Jasen handed over the folder. "I got something from my contact. Iron Serpents. Full layout. Their entire operation—locations, schedules, soft entry points."

Barry opened the folder and skimmed through the first few pages. His brows lifted. "You weren't kidding. This is... impressive. Where'd you get it?"

"Don't ask. Safer for you that way."

"Fair enough."

Jasen continued, "I want to hit their storage site. Quiet. Get in, grab what I need, then vanish. Meanwhile, you set up a full STARS and RPD raid to come in loud and clean up. We make it look like your op caught them with their pants down."

Barry closed the folder and leaned back. "It'll make Irons look like he lost control of the city."

"That's the point. Once this leaks to the media, the public will demand a shakeup. Irons won't survive the fallout. And Wesker? He won't lift a finger to save him. He'll cut him loose to preserve his image."

"And what do you want out of the raid?"

"Two things: One, a window. I need ten minutes inside the Serpents' vault. No one interrupts. Two, the distraction has to feel natural. If they know it's coordinated, we lose the advantage."

Barry thought it over. "I can reroute a patrol unit to 'stumble' onto their route while they're making a drop. We'll call in STARS as backup. Make it look like a live bust."

"Perfect."

Barry reached into his coat and pulled out his own set of documents—photos, receipts, surveillance notes. "I've been watching their supply chain. They've got two runners that act as middlemen. Take them out of the picture, and the warehouse gets flooded with unguarded gear. We time it just right... you walk in unnoticed."

Jasen took the files, scanning the names and drop locations. "You sure they won't talk?"

"I'll handle it. You just stick to your role."

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of what they were planning hanging between them.

Barry finally spoke. "You think this is going to work?"

Jasen stood. "It has to. Because if it doesn't, there won't be a city left to save."

Barry nodded, rising beside him. "I'll make the calls. You keep me posted on your window. We move in one week."

They clasped hands briefly before parting ways.

The plan was set.

Now it was time to put everything into motion.