AUTHOR'S NOTES: Okay, how easy writing depressing things is for me concerns me sometimes lmao. Also, writing short stories comes so easily to me, yet sitting and planning a long story just doesn't pan out well. So this will be a short one! Also, this was inspired by an "Imagine Your OTP" prompt, They have some great prompts to get your creative juices flowing! Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy this story. I always appreciate reviews!

Enjoy!

"Keep going! Move! Move!"

Leon S. Kennedy shouted to his redheaded companion as she glanced back at him with nervous blue eyes, her arms pumping desperately for speed. She continued to bolt down the long hallway and Leon followed, their heavy footsteps muted below his heartbeat. He was used to his missions not exactly going to plan, but this was something else. Not only was the Neo-Umbrella compound they were investigating teeming with the virus, they'd also just opened a door to the Staff Mess Hall only to have a good portion of the undead staff stumble out after them. Most were in the late stages of decay and if the sheer terror of their hungry hands reaching for them wasn't enough to get them moving, the smell certainly was.

Come on. Come on.

He knew almost every door along the corridor was locked and they were running out of space and time. Namely space, he thought with an inward sigh, certain he could almost feel the hands of their assailants reaching for him. A chill crept up his back.

"Leon! The Quiet Room!" Claire yelled back at him, her voice sounding distant in comparison to the gnashing teeth behind them. It was a room they'd come across that seemed to be some sort of resting area for the staff. Perhaps for long shifts. Either way, it was the only unlocked door nearby and their best shot for any semblance of safety.

Claire Redfield burst into the Quiet Room, waiting only long enough for Leon to run in before slamming the door shut. As soon as the door closed she could hear the bodies of the undead crashing desperately against it. After double and triple checking that the door's latch was locked, she turned to look at Leon.

"Well," she chuckled softly, "We're not zombie food."

Leon's gaze was serious. It always amazed her how different he was when he was in his "Super Secret Agent" mode. She caught his eyes soften momentarily, but it was just that, "True. But we're at a dead end. And that door won't hold forever."

She suppressed a grin and leaned back against the door, letting her gaze trail upwards. There on the wall to her right was a large vent set just below where the wall met the ceiling. It wasn't very large, but Claire was a small woman who barely broke 5"4'.

Leon looking up at the vent and the concept clicked instantly. He actually smirked that lopsided smirk of his, shaking his head, "I don't give you nearly enough credit, Red."

Shrugging, Claire pushed away from the door and moved closer to the vent, "Well, my plan isn't the greatest, but it's something..." she trailed off as she tried to put her thoughts together, "The vents are bound to lead all over the place, obviously, and if I can get out I can distract our mob away from the door, somehow. They've always been a little one-track-minded, yeah?"

Leon nodded, suddenly realizing how uncomfortable he was feeling. There was a growing knot in his stomach and he shifted his weight to his other foot. Claire was looking pleased with herself, which did help to amuse him, although it didn't quell the anxiety.

Hey. Claire is a perfectly capable woman. More than perfectly capable. Don't sell her short.

She was propped up onto her tip-toes and eying the vent, her long and slender fingers trailing against the cool metal. Despite the heavy feeling, he managed to smile. Claire was an incredible woman. Tough, spunky, funny and stubborn as all Hell. She was a force to be reckoned with. Raccoon City had changed his life in more ways than he could say- the introduction of Claire Redfield being one of those ways.

"Ace?"

Leon blinked a couple times, "What?"

Claire was smiling with her hands on her hips, "Gonna give me a boost or what? You're losing your edge, Super Secret Agent."

The knot in his stomach twinged. As if on queue the sturdy door shook and Leon raised his handgun instinctively towards it. The door was holding, but it wouldn't forever. It was surprising how strong the infected could be.

"Let's do this." Claire's bright blue eyes had darkened and she looked ready to go. Leon nodded and moved under the vent, readying his hands to give the petite redhead a boost. Just as she stepped in front of him, he lowered his hands. He didn't mean to. Something felt so wrong, "Claire, are you sure?"

Claire was caught off guard by Leon's question, unsure of what to do but blink up at him. The way he looked at her was unsettling, his usually steely gaze filled with... was that worry?

"Leon?" She leaned a little closer, looking at him curiously.

He looked away and sighed. Opening his mouth to speak, he promptly shut it as if rethinking his words. Looking at her once again, he spoke, "We don't know exactly how many hostiles are out there aside from an ass-ton. I can't say I feel comfortable sending you out there to be the bait."

Leon...

Claire's lips curled into a smile, her hand reaching to grab his. She had grown too used to the all-business side of Leon while on mission, this softer side of him throwing her off her game. It was so strange.

But nice, she thought to herself, hoping she wasn't doing something ridiculous like blushing. Giving his hand a reassuring squeeze, she shrugged, "Hey, it's not like it's my fist rodeo, hm? Besides, your fat ass isn't going to fit in that vent, Ace."

It was his turn to be caught off guard and he laughed, "Yeah, ye-"

He was cut off by another heart-stopping bang on the door. They both turned to look at it, completely thrown from their moment. The door was visibly shaking and it was clear the door was holding even poorer than they assumed. Claire turned back to Leon and offered him a half-smile and tried to pretend she wasn't a little terrified- for the both of them, "I have to go now."

Leon didn't say a thing and Claire let go of his hand. She wasn't sure what possessed her, moving in close and wrapping her arms around her friend's torso in a tight embrace. It was true that she'd been through a Hell of a lot- it just never got easier. She was scared. It didn't matter to her, though, because there was no other choice. Leon was hugging her back and showing no signs of letting go when Claire sighed and pulled away, mentally pumping herself up for the task at hand.

Back to his stoic, on mission self, Leon nodded curtly and readied his hands to boost her up. Claire looked at him one last time, studying his handsome, carefully masked features and offered him one more smile, "Stay safe, Ace."

AUTHOR'S NOTES: This story was only supposed to be short and sweet, but it's been going on longer than I expected. I'm assuming it'll be two chapters long in total. The next chapter will be up in the next day or two!