Trust

She didn’t believe them at first. It was just some kind of sick joke, a jab at her past and everything she had screwed up. Just a cruel reminder of the lost. But there she was. A ghost from her past. A phantom she owed everything but feared she’d never have the chance to repay anything to.

“You know, when the name Morgan Gray dropped in some of the latest reports, I wasn’t sure what to believe.” Nevada’s expression was a hard one, yet the tone of her voice was shaken, almost unsure as she spoke. “I thought they were yanking my chain for a while.”

It wasn’t hard for Nevada to see the confusion on Morgan’s face as she spoke. She couldn’t have been surprised, however. It had been, what, a decade? Still, something lingered for the both of them. A cold memory both seemed to struggle to touch.

“You remember me, maybe? Racoon city.” Nevada began, taking a cautious few steps as she spoke, waiting for a reaction, a word, anything really. “I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t you know. Sometimes these things are easier to forget. Not to mention I was a child back then.”

A child. The child. Escape method turned to actual familial bond. “Nevada…?” there was a level of hesitation in Morgan’s voice as she spoke, a level of almost denial. Was it possible, after so long, to finally meet again, like this? It felt almost ironic in a sense. The rush of memories from Racoon City were powerful and unpleasant, yet the results of which were not all bad.

Still, no level of denial or hesitation could keep the relief off of Nevada’s face forever. Despite the pain they had endured so long ago, the struggles which forced or continued each down their respective paths, it was nice to think that bond formed so long ago could still hold for so long.

“It’s been too long,” Nevada’s hesitation suddenly seemed to subside as she made way to embrace her former savior, “It’s nice to see you again.”

“I can honestly say I never thought this is where I’d find you again,” A small smile made its way to Morgans face as she returned the embrace for a moment, both pulling back with relief on their faces, “But it’s nice to see a friendly face.”

“Yeah, I can’t imagine you’ve had the most welcoming time here.” Nevada’s face gave way to one of sympathy. Sure Morgan might have done good things for the BSAA already, yet some people couldn’t let the worst of the past live in the past.

Morgan simply shook her head, an almost unnoticeable shrug reach her shoulders as she spoke, “Can’t say I’m all that surprised. Still made it though, whether people like it or not.”

Nevada fell silent for a moment, considering her facts as she did. She wasn’t surprised at the unwelcome wagon honestly. It was hard to trust a former Umbrella Agent suddenly showing up and trusting them to have the BSAA’s best interests at heart. Yet, here she was. She had rightfully proved herself, yet there was still this unfair elephant in the room. Yet Nevada wouldn’t help but wonder…

Nevada felt around at her belt for a moment before unlatching her holster and pulling her sidearm. She was careful, aware of the wariness on Morgan’s face as she did. “ Do you remember this?” Nevada asked fairly plainly, examining the gun as she did, not giving Morgan a moment to respond before continuing. “You gave it to me after you took that zombie bite in Racoon City for me 10 years ago. Told me to shoot should anything… happen.” Nevada’s gaze found its way back up to Morgan, a soft and almost melancholy look in her eyes as she did. “You didn’t have to do that. You didn’t even know me. I as just some rich mans kid. But you did. You cared.”

Morgan scoffed in disbelief as she looked at the gun in Nevada’s hand. “I can’t believe you kept that thing…” It was almost… sweet in a way. The sentiment of the gesture was a strange one, yet powerful all the same. In such an unpleasant time, two people of different worlds found trust in one another. A trust that spanned years by this point.

“I did everything for me back then. And I don’t know if you need to hear this now, but I’m going to say it anyway.” Nevada holstered the gun once more, placing a firm hand on Morgan’s shoulder as she did, “I trust you, even if the others don’t. And I believe you’ll only do great things here.” Nevada’s words were heavy, but the concern and compassion behind them were unwavering. They both knew that their time in the BSAA would be a long haul. But at least it was one they would never find themselves going through alone.