A/N: This is a very peripheral story and like most of my work it's a romance story, featuring Leon and my OC. It's written in first person and more fast-paced than my previous stories. I am not really confident with this story, so I just hope that it's not that boring. I'll be updating every week on Tuesdays/Wednesday (depending on the country). Lastly, I want to thank my friends Mercenary Nemesis and Shirahane Aikawa for suggesting me names of certain characters but of course my OC is still called Kate.

Disclaimer: I don't own Resident Evil or any of the featured characters, they all belong to Capcom.

Chapter 1

(Leon's POV)

I woke up with a start by the sounds of doorbell ringing. It took me a moment to realize I was in the living room, still in my working gear. I had crashed on the couch last night because I was too tired to walk up to my room. I sat up slowly, my body was sore and ached like hell from sleeping on the not so comfortable couch. I shielded my eyes from the sunlight that entered through the big window in the living room. I looked at my watch and sighed in relief since there was still time for me to get to work in time.

My attention was again drawn by the person ringing the doorbell, since now they had started to bang on the door as well. I stood up and dragged myself to the door, with my dog at my feet, letting out a tired yawn. I pulled open the front door to find a very angry redhead, glaring up at me.

"You forgot!?", Claire said raising her brows in disbelief.
"Sorry Red", I couldn't help but say rubbing my eyes, which found the sun still a little too bright.
"Again?", she said dragging her bag in the house.
"You know my work", I said and she looked back at me.
"You know this is the point where I can't argue with you", she said and gave me a warm hug, "How you've been?", she asked me with an even warmer smile.
"Same as always", I replied shrugging, "You?", I asked her back with a friendly smile.
"I am great! Thank god I have less hectic schedule than you, though I have to travel a lot", Claire said as she climbed up the stairs to keep her luggage in the usual guest room that she occupies whenever she's in DC.

We talked a little and then I headed for my room, after all I had to head for work. I took a quick cold shower to wake me up properly, and got down. I moved to the kitchen where my dog was waiting patiently by his food bowl. I filled his food bowls and patted him once before walking back to the living room where I heard Claire cursing under her breath about something.

"Hey Red I am heading for work", I informed her, grabbing my car keys.
"What about breakfast?", she asked very much like a concerned mother, as I walked past her.
"Well you're familiar with the place, make yourself home", I said to her opening the front door.
"I am talking about you, you idiot!", she said bumping into something, "This place is a mess!", she complained once again.
I couldn't help but let out a laugh, "I don't have time for breakfast", I told her and then added, "Sorry for the mess, I'd clean it all tomorrow since I have off."
"Okay then, have a good day", she wished me.
"You too", I wished her back before heading to work.

(Leon's POV)

Claire and I tiredly flopped on the couch, and laughed out heartily at that. She had been helping me to tidy my place a bit. I was glad that she was around otherwise it would have taken me a lot of time to do this on my own. But after hours of efforts, my house did seem much better organized at the moment. I just closed my eyes and relaxed. I was supposed to be resting and getting rid of the work stress but I had to take care of these issues on my off days, which just made it all very tiring and not that different from my work days.

"So you have to clean this place on your off days huh?", Claire spoke from my side.
"What other option do I have?", I couldn't help but question back, "Other days I am either too busy or too tired to even move."
"Your girlfriend helps you around, doesn't she?", she asked.
"She tried to once and then she went on commenting about how she hates dogs and Shadow took it personally", I told her remembering the incident.
Claire let out a laugh, "Well her fault, she called him a dog", Claire said laughing and Shadow barked in agreement.

I felt something soft nudge against my knee and I opened my eyes to look at Shadow. He whined a little, "I am fine", I told him, messing the fur on his head.
Claire raised her arms above her head and stretched, "Ah… I am hungry!", she said getting off the couch, "Let's go grab some lunch. It's your treat; since I helped you clean the place."
"Sure", I said raising myself from the couch as well, "Where do you want to go?"
"I just want to eat, it's fine as long as they have hygienically prepared food on the menu", she said getting her jacket.

I took my jacket as well and drove her to an outside café, since they are a little lax about pets. We placed our order and talked casually till the waitress got us our lunch. She served us and wished us to enjoy our meal and smiled at me, which I returned out of courtesy.

"Eating at a restaurant is so convenient", Claire commented eating her steak, "You just have to sit and wait for your meal."
"Yeah true!", I agreed with her cutting my meat as well.
We both took a bite of our meal and Claire all of a sudden rammed the table getting everyone's attention, "I got it!", she said a little excited.
"Got what?", I asked a little confused.
"Why don't you get a housekeeper cum caretaker? She'd clean, cook and can even take care of your house as well as Shadow for you", she spoke her idea really fast and Shadow gave an enthusiastic bark.
I thought about it chewing my food, "Hmm… not a bad idea", I considered her suggestion.
"So how about we check out some agencies after lunch and hire a maid", she asked with a smile and I gave her nod.

Once we finished our lunch, we headed from one agency to another in search for a housekeeper cum caretaker, but we couldn't really find anyone that would agree to the duties and responsibilities as per my requirement. Some just agreed to clean while others just agreed to cook, and ones that were fine with doing both didn't agree to look after Shadow. And the golden rule to exist in my house unharmed was either to be in Shadow's good books or hope that I was around to save them from him, and since I won't really be around the latter one was not really an option at hand.

"That was really a total waste of time and effort", Claire said as we walked out of the last agency that we knew.
"Tell me about it", I couldn't help but totally agree with her on this one.
"Don't be so dramatic, I have another idea to get you a housekeeper", Claire said with a smile and a determined look on her face.
"And what is that?", I asked her, I wasn't really hopeful about this whole housekeeper/caretaker deal anymore.
"Well we'd put a classified ad in the paper and I am sure some freelancer would turn up for the job", Claire replied confidently.
"I am not sure if that's really a good idea", I said skeptically.
"Oh c'mon just put it up for a day and who knows maybe you'd get lucky", Claire said in an encouraging tone.
I sighed in defeat, "Alright, let's give this a try as well", I decided to just go along with it.

We went to a local newspaper and Claire put up the said advertisement. The editor who was in charge of printing such advertisements, suggested us not to put up the thing about taking care of Shadow, saying it was a little too much, but for me it was similar to asking to take care of my kids, so we went along with it anyway.

(Leon's POV)

I drove back home after personally seeing off Claire at the airport, and although I was returning earlier than usual I still felt a little exhausted. The ad we put up did get me some people that wanted to work as the caretaker, but they all tried to convince me to either take Shadow off their responsibility or to decrease their pay by sending him to some dog house everyday or similar. Some people even had the nerve to suggest me to give him away and tried to make me see how it was a better solution than what I was seeking for.

I knew it would be more convenient for me to give up Shadow for adoption or something similar, but he has been with me for some 3-4 years, when I first found him as an abandoned puppy, near the rundown apartment where I used to live. I didn't want Shadow to go back to the conditions I found him in and hence it was important for this potential housekeeper or caretaker, to not only cook and clean but also look after him.

I pulled my car at the driveway and got out of my car, when I noticed a woman sitting on the porch steps. I tried to recognize her face if I knew her or we dated sometime in the past, but my memory didn't bring up anything about her. She stood up as I walked towards her. She looked as much confused as I was to see her.

"Can I help you?", I asked her finally, as I approached her.
"Leon S. Kennedy?", she questioned and I nodded, "You put the ad in the paper for a job of caretaker, I came for that job."
"Let's talk inside then", I invited her inside the house.
"Yeah sure", she smiled formally.

I unlocked the door and Shadow came running to greet me. I patted his head once and invited the lady further inside, "Have a seat", I said, "I'd brew some coffee for you."
"It's fine you don't have to", she said waving her hand in No.
"Okay then so let's just skip to business. I hope you read the requirements of the job", I said being straightforward about the matter at hand.
"Yes. I can cook, clean and do all odd jobs around the house", she said confidently.
"You have to take care of my pet too", I reminded her nodding my head towards Shadow, "Do you have any experience with pets?"
"Ah No", she replied shaking her head, "But I know I can handle it."

I couldn't help but sigh, the one person that agreed to look after Shadow was inexperienced with pets, "I am sorry but for your own safety, I can't hire you", I told her keeping it simple and straight.
"Mr. Kennedy I really need this job", she said emphasizing on every word.
"I am sorry", I said shaking my head in negative.
"Oh okay then", she said standing up and not contesting my decision too much, "Thanks anyways. Hope you get the caretaker you're looking for", she gave me her hand.

I looked down at her hand before taking it. Her hand was really soft and delicate, that for a moment I got the feeling if I gripped it too tight I might hurt her, and for some strange reason it gave off a caring warmth. We shook hands briefly and she let go of mine but somehow it felt really odd leaving her hand, I could hold on to it forever. She smiled once again at me but it wasn't like the smile I was so used to get from the women, it was different and almost sad. She started to leave when Shadow barked and ran after her. He grabbed the hem of her dress and she stopped to look at him. He gave her a bark and sat near her feet wagging his tail and she looked at me for some explanation.

I was more than shocked to see Shadow's such behavior and that too towards a complete stranger. I looked up at her, she still had a puzzled expression on her face and was waiting for me to say something to her, "He wants you to stay", I said walking to her.
"You're giving me the job?", Kate asked in confirmation, raising her brows in shock and I nodded, "Oh thank you!", she almost hugged me but stopped herself at the right moment, "I am really grateful!", she stated overjoyed from the news. She bent down and petted Shadow, and surprisingly he welcomed her touch and didn't chase her down the street.

"So let's talk about your responsibilities then", I said recovering from the surprises that Shadow was throwing at me today.
"Yeah sure", she smiled standing up.
"Well you have to take care of cooking and cleaning that includes laundry", I made it clear to her.
"No problem", she replied accepting the jobs.
"You have to feed and bathe Shadow. I'd take him for walk; you probably won't be able to handle him", I told her considering the extreme hostility he showed towards everybody he came across, "Let me give you a tour of the house", she nodded and followed, "You've already seen the living room. This is the kitchen. I want breakfast around 7:00 AM sometimes it's even earlier but I'd let you know. You don't have to be worried about lunch but yeah dinners you have to prepare."
"Okay got it", she nodded in agreement.
"That door leads to basement, washing machine is there so that's where you'd do laundry", I told her and then we walked back to the living room and headed upstairs, "My bedroom and other 3 guest rooms", I pointed it out to her, "I did post about providing accommodation but it's fine if you want to leave by night..."

"Well I don't have a place to live currently and I needed a source of income, so that's the major reason I came here", she said checking out the rooms.
"Then make yourself comfortable", I said and she looked back at me and smiled beautifully.
"Other rooms are too big for me, I'd take one at the end of the hallway", she informed me.
"Fine by me", I told her monotonously, "So get your things by tomorrow, I mean start from tomorrow", I said as we descended down the stairs, "The sooner the better", I muttered under my breath.

"So how about I start now?", the woman asked seemed like she heard me. I couldn't help but be a bit suspicious about her being an assassin or more probably a con artist, "Well Mr. Kennedy, my old landlord threw me out of the house that I had rented, so I don't have any place to go. I used to work as a teacher before but I had to leave my job due to certain circumstances and now I have no source of income to pay the rent, that's the main reason I came here because you were offering a great salary and accommodation as well", she explained her situation.
"What about your savings?", I asked her doubtfully.
"Whatever savings I had went in the motel bills and food, for past months. And whatever I have or had wasn't enough to rent a decent place", she replied and it didn't seem like she was lying.

"Okay then, get your stuff and start now", I told her believing her story for now, "Now don't tell me that's all the things you have", I said eyeing her handbag.
She laughed, "No, Mr. Kennedy. You probably didn't notice but I left my bag on your porch."
"Okay", I said and she moved out to get her bag, which seemed a little too big for her, so I had to help her carry it to her room, "Thank you!", she thanked me.
"It's okay", I said indifferently and she looked at me for a whole minute.
"You look tired", she stated more than asked. I was a bit taken aback by that, "Shall I make you coffee?" I nodded and she moved to the kitchen and I followed, "Well where's the coffee?", she asked.
"In that cupboard", I said pointing it out to her.
"Thanks", she said with a faint smile, "I'll get acquainted to this place soon."

I just hummed in acknowledgement. She didn't say anything and I just observed her work her way through the kitchen for a bit before heading back to the living area. I settled on the couch comfortably and turned on the TV. I surfed through the channels to look for something to watch and stopped at the news channel. And listened to what was happening around the world.

"Here's your coffee", I was pulled away from watching TV when Kate offered me coffee.
"How do you know I prefer black coffee", I asked her noticing she made black coffee without me asking her to.
"I just figured", she replied, "You don't seem the type who would like milk in their coffee. You seem the workaholic type."
"What makes you think that?", I couldn't help but ask, often people accused me of being one but she only knew me for a few minutes and claimed that I was a workaholic.
"Well figuring from the time you head to work, the way this place looks and the way you look kind of spells it out, Mr. Kennedy", she explained looking around.

"Call me Leon", I told her and then realized I didn't know her name, "And you're?"
"Oh right, I didn't tell you my name", she slapped her head, "I am Kathleen", she introduced herself with a smile.
"Kathleen what?", I asked her for her last name.
"I don't have a last name", she told me with a shake of her head, "It's just Kathleen, Kate for short."
"I see", I just said sipping the coffee. It was odd for her to not have last name but I guess it wasn't that unusual either but it made her seem more suspicious somehow.
"I should probably see what I can do for dinner tonight", she said in a casual tone.

I just nodded and she headed back in the kitchen. I again occupied myself with the TV whilst she prepared dinner. I just surfed through the channels and stopped at the comedy central to get some laughs, which was interrupted by Hunnigan's call updating me about my schedule for tomorrow. When I was done with call, the aroma of delicious meal reached my nostrils and I looked towards the dining table, where Kate was setting up the dinner, "Dinner's ready, Mr. Kennedy", she called. I moved to the dining table and sat at my usual seat, "I hope you enjoy your meal and I am sorry, there was nothing much in the kitchen, that's why I made pasta."
"That's fine", I said as she served me food and just then Shadow barked.
"I haven't forgotten about you, c'mon I'll fill your bowl too", she said and Shadow followed her in the kitchen.

A few minutes later she walked back and filled me a glass of water, "Do you need something else Mr. Kennedy?", she asked.
"No", I replied, "You can have your dinner too", I told her.
"I'll have dinner once you are finished", she said acting very formally.
"Don't be formal. Although you work for me but let's just drop these unnecessary formalities. You can have your dinner with me", I said as humbly as I could.
She smiled, "That's very kind, Mr. Kennedy", she was saying.

"Call me Leon", I cut in between, reminding her once again.
"You are a very nice person, Leon", she said taking a seat on the dining table, "So how about we get to know each other casually?", she asked and I gave her a nod, "You live here all alone?"
"Yes", I kept my reply short; besides I didn't even know what to add to the information either.
"What about your parents?", she asked me again.
"Dead", I again replied with just one word.
"Oh I am sorry", she said sympathetically, "And no siblings either?", I nodded in agreement and she didn't ask any more questions.

"What about your parents?", I asked her back, her questions about my parents made me realize that she could always go back to her parents if she was having a financially unstable time.
"Oh I grew up in a foster home", she replied in a casual tone, "My mother did not want me."
"What about your dad?", I couldn't help but ask.
"My mother never enlisted him", she told me not looking up and I realized this was probably the reason why she didn't have a last name.

I didn't know what more to say to her or what more we could talk about. She didn't say anything either, and our conversation died down. We ate in silence but I didn't mind it, after long hours of working I appreciated this silence and such peaceful moments were very much welcomed in my life. After the dinner, Kate cleaned up and I took Shadow for a night walk. When I returned Kate and I wished each other good night, and headed to our respective rooms.

I took a hot shower to wash the dirt and release tension off my tired muscles. I set the alarm for the next morning before lying down on my bed. Shadow jumped up on the bed and lied next to me. I ruffled the fur on his head and he wagged his tail happily. I closed my eyes to sleep and it wasn't hard to come by since I was already exhausted beyond human levels.

A/N: Thanks for taking time to check out my new story! I regret if you had any inconvenience in understanding the context due to some grammatical mistake or typos, I try my best to eliminate as much as I can. I'd appreciate if you could leave some valuable feedback, so I can improve.