A/N: This is my third story featuring Leon and it's purely a love story, not too much involvement with bio-organic warfare. I am re-uploading it with some changes that I hope make the story better and keep Leon more in character than the previous version. The OC is again named Kathleen (Kate), because I unfortunately was bad with names then and now it's more of signature kind of thing. Anyways I hope you enjoy this newer version of the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Resident Evil or any of its characters; they belong to Capcom.

Chapter 1

Leon showed his ID and authorization at the White House gate and the guards let him drive further into the White House. It had been more than a year since he had rescued Ashley and had been stationed at White House to serve as her bodyguard with a bunch of other agents. He parked his car at the usual spot that was under one of the balconies of White House. There was a separate parking but Leon fortunately had the privilege to park his car close to White House main building, and as he was getting out of his car his phone rang and he sighed seeing the number.

"Kennedy", Leon answered it in a monotone.
"You're required to escort President's Daughter today", Hunnigan informed him in her ever so professional tone.
"Really?! I had no clue", Leon stated sarcastically; he for some reason was getting tired of being around Ashley.
"She's waiting for you to join her. She's in the car parked at the alternate entrance to White House", Hunnigan told him being indifferent to his sarcasm.
"Now that's something new", Leon said a little surprised, for all he knew Ashley wasn't the type to keep it low; it doesn't matter if it was her voice or presence.
"One more important thing…", Hunnigan was saying but Leon disconnected in between knowing it be her usual advice to behave with the President's Daughter and he thought it would be better if Hunnigan preached that to the first daughter because since the time she was back she didn't let an opportunity to flirt and seduce him pass.

Leon made his way to the place and was really surprised to see that there was only a single car parked there. He inwardly thought of resigning if it turned out to be another one of Ashley's seducing plans. He had almost started to hate this job because of Ashley trying to hit on him, despite him denying her countless offers of doing 'overtime'. He sighed dragging his feet to the car and as he got closer he heard a man speaking.

"I was told to wait", Leon heard an elderly man say and then after a moment or two he spoke again, "I am afraid I can't do that", he spoke again. It seemed the man was talking on the phone, "Then we can't leave ma'am."

Leon opened the car door and heard a very feminine voice, "I hope he doesn't show up then", the voice was so low that he could barely hear it. He thought it was possibly because he was going deaf hearing to Ashley all day. He got in the side seat and turned to look in the back seat, and was more than shocked to not see Ashley there but another young and pretty woman, who was much shocked as to see him. He looked to his side to his mentor and senior agent, Keith Glenn Parker, who Leon had thought to be retired, "Mr. Parker, who is this?", the woman asked in bewilderment before Leon could ask him anything.
"He's your escorting officer just for today", Keith told her.
"I have you. I don't need him, send him back", the woman argued with him.
"Ma'am it's alright to have one or two people on your security, when you're leaving the White House", Keith said to her, "And besides I'll have someone to talk to as well."

The woman didn't say anything and Keith started the car when Leon realized that he was suppose to escort President's Daughter and she wasn't even here, "Wait aren't we forgetting something?", Leon asked Keith.
"No, not at all", Keith replied pushing the accelerator and gave him an I-will- explain-everything-to-you-later look.

Leon gave him an understanding nod and looked at the woman sitting in backseat through the rear view mirror. He couldn't help but wonder that Hunnigan was telling him about escorting President's Daughter but here he was escorting god-know-who but then again he didn't properly listen to Hunnigan, since he was in somewhat bad mood. He brought his mind back to work and was on guard and prepared himself for anything.

Once at the hotel, where the supposed press conference was held, Keith led the way with the woman walking besides him and Leon followed them both silently. Keith walked the woman to the very back and said, "This is the seat reserved for you ma'am."
"Please drop the honorifics", she said very softly and politely, taking the seat.
"My apologies, I forget that you don't like it", he said smiling, "I'll be back there if you need me", he pointed to the place, where Leon was standing, and the woman just gave him a nod of acknowledgement.

Keith made his way to Leon and Leon spoke, "Mr. Parker Sir…"
"No formalities Leon", Keith said slapping Leon's back like a father, "Just call me Keith."
"What is really going on here?", Leon asked him casually, "I thought I was supposed to escort Ashley."
"No", Keith said shaking his head, "She came with another group of agents, see", he pointed to the blonde sitting next to her father.
"Hunnigan told me to escort President's daughter", Leon told him confused.
"And you just did", Keith said in a matter-of-fact tone.

And they both turned their heads to look at the young woman, who was busy reading a book. Leon watched her lift her head to look at President, who asked her in signals if she was fine and she told him that she was fine with the arrangement. The President then looked to Leon and Keith, signaled them to take care of her. It didn't seem he cared any less for her as compared to Ashley but still Leon couldn't understand this difference of treatment.

"So she's the President's Daughter?!", Leon asked in confirmation as the woman turned back to her book.
"Yes and No", Keith replied in a professional tone keeping his voice low and Leon looked at him, "She's actually his niece but he raised her as his own and she is no less than Ashley for him."
"So why is she…", Leon again turned his head to look at her; while everyone tried to get the best seats, she was quietly sitting and reading her book.
"Not there with her father?", Keith completed Leon's question and he replied with a nod, "Well she doesn't like lime lights or crowds or having bodyguards."
"I see", Leon said in acknowledgement, still keeping his eyes on her, noticing her every move. She really intrigued him for some reason, "So you are her only bodyguard?"
"Unfortunately yes", Keith said with a sigh, "I was with her when she was just a kid but you see I am getting old and I'm no longer fit to be her bodyguard. I'll be retiring soon and both President's and my main concern was to find my replacement; someone who's elite enough to handle things single handedly. It was then I saw you with little miss and knew that you could be my replacement. So, I told the President about it and he agreed that you are more than fitting for this job of being Kathleen's bodyguard."

"So, Kathleen is that her name", Leon asked nodding his head towards her.
"Yes", Keith replied, "I guess you would gladly take up my place."
"What gives you that idea", Leon said with a slight laugh, for all he knew Ashley won't let up on him and he'd be stuck with her for as long as he's on protective detail.
"Well you haven't taken your eyes off her, since we began talking", Keith pointed out.

Leon realized that indeed he was blankly staring at the silent beauty, almost admiring her, "I was just keeping watch", he told Keith.
"Yeah that's what I meant", Keith said letting out a laugh, knowing his subordinate's flirty nature, "I didn't think you were staring at her, but if you were I'd like to remind you that we can't really love anybody in this job."
"And you definitely can't hit on President's daughter", Leon finally tore his eyes of Kathleen as he turned his head to the familiar voice.

"John? What are you doing here?", Leon asked him in a monotone.
"I am an agent as well", John reminded him and turned to look for someone in the crowd, "Red, he's over here!", he yelled to Claire.
And Claire hurried over to them, "Hey Leon!", she greeted him with a hug, "It's been so long!"
"Claire? What are you doing here?", Leon asked her a little surprised.
"Leon, the event is about bio-terrorism, so it's obvious that all anti-bioterrorism organizations are here", Claire said in an obvious tone.
"Oh yeah, almost forgot", Leon said as he remembered about it. He was so lost in his new subject that he forgot about it.

"You look really tired", Claire said reading him.
"Just a little", Leon told him with a weary smile, "Where is your brother?"
"Umm…", she looked at between the seat, "There with the BSAA Chief and Jill", she pointed out to them. Both he and Jill seemed serious and busy talking to the Chief of BSAA.
"I see almost everyone is here", Leon said recognizing the familiar faces of his allies against bioterrorism in the crowd.
"Yeah of course, it's an event for people like us", John said in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Uh Oh", Claire said and Leon looked at her, "Your girlfriend is heading this way. I should better leave."
"Hold on Red", John said stopping her, "If she says something, I'd punch her in guts", he joked.
"John", Claire said letting out a laugh as Leon's girlfriend, Angela Miller, joined them.

"Leon!", Angela greeted him with a wide smile and threw her arms around him, "I am glad to see you."
"Same here", Leon said pulling away from the hug.
"But what are you doing here at the back?", she asked in concern, "I was hoping you to show up with the President or his daughter."
"Well I…", Leon began but Keith coughed signaling him that he shouldn't mention anything about Kathleen to her, "I am on perimeter duty today", he lied monotonously.
"Oh I see", she asked and waited for a little, "Everything going well at work, right?"
"Nothing you should worry about", Leon assured her.
"Alright I'd head back then", she said kissing his cheek when she finally noticed Claire, "What is she doing here?"
"She's here for the event as well", John replied instead of Leon.

Angela shot immense amount of death glares at Claire before moving to kiss Leon on lips, "See you around, sweetie", she said seductively and headed her way not before she shot more dirty looks in Claire's direction.
"If she wasn't your girlfriend, I'd really toss her in trash", John said with nothing but contempt in his tone.
"John", Claire said nudging him, "He didn't mean it Leon", she added to Leon faking a glare at John.
"It's alright, Red", Leon said dismissively; he knew for sure that none of his friends really liked Angela and he wasn't really bothered about it, since he couldn't really force them to like her and it wasn't like Angela had a very accommodating and pleasing personality that everyone would like her.

"Oh it's starting, let's head back to our seats", Claire said as someone addressed the crowd, "See you later Leon!"
"Yeah later, kid", John said moving to leave as well and Leon just gave them a nod of acknowledgement.

The crowd settled soon and there was absolute silence before the speaker started addressing the crowd formally, telling about the purpose of their meet and introducing the guests of honor. All security personnel were busy keeping an eye for anything suspicious much like Leon and Keith.

"Kennedy, go and spend some time with Kathleen", Keith said after a while.
"What?", Leon said a little bewildered.
"If you want to be her bodyguard, it's better you get to know her otherwise she'd give you a slip and cost you your job", Keith told him and Leon didn't believe him, "I'm telling you the truth, she is really good at ditching attention", Leon let out a sigh, "The seat next to her is reserved for you, and she doesn't know about it", Keith added as Leon moved to join her.

Leon walked to Kathleen, keeping his eyes on her. Even though she was sitting at the back most rows, still somehow she stood out of the normal crowd that was present there. She didn't look at him as he stood next to her, so he cleared his throat and spoke, "Mind if I sit here?", he asked out of courtesy even though that seat was reserved for him. Kathleen looked up at him in a little surprise and shook her head before getting back to her book. Leon sat down next to her, "Thanks, so what's your name?", he asked her just so he could start a conversation.

"Kathleen", she replied speaking softly, not looking up from her book.

"I am Leon, Leon Scott Kennedy", Leon said in response, "It's nice to meet you", he added formally looking at her and she only nodded telling him the same. His attempt to start the conversation failed miserably but somehow he found observing her read was much more intriguing. He couldn't help but wonder where she had been this whole time and if she was in White House, how could he miss her, since he spend more time at White House then at his home, 'Why didn't the President ever mention her? Hell, why didn't Ashley ever mention that she has a beautiful cousin?!', Leon thought to himself. He watched her smile, as she read something in her novel, and felt himself smile. He wanted to talk to her but after spending some time with her, he knew that she was more fond of reading than talking, 'Why didn't John tell me about her?', he thought again, 'God, I'm really going crazy thinking about this quiet beauty.'

"Kathleen", Leon snapped out of his trance as Keith spoke these words from his other side and both, Leon and Kathleen, turned to look at him, "I think we should head back, it's going to be over soon. Your Uncle asked me to take you home before him."

Kathleen gave him a nod and collected her things. They rose from their seats and started to exit the place as someone was giving the closing speech, "Keith", Leon called his attention and the older guy looked at him, "Where does she live?", Leon asked in an undertone, so that Kathleen doesn't hear him, once he was sure that he hadn't seen Kathleen.
"At White House", Keith replied in an obvious tone.
"How come I haven't seen her then?", Leon couldn't help but say.
"Well that's odd, as far as I know you park your car right under her balcony", Keith said in an almost shocked tone, "But then maybe it's because she's very quiet that you didn't notice her. I mean she speaks so rarely that people often mistake her to be mute", he added being a little thoughtful.
"Is she like that from the beginning?", Leon couldn't help but ask.
"Yeah pretty much", Keith replied casually, "Don't be mistaken, it's not like she doesn't talk at all. She talks normally with her father, Ashley and me but she prefers to…"
"Read", Leon said it before Keith.

"You really are sharp", Keith said with a smile that told him that he was impressed with Leon, "As I expected you've grown as an agent!"
"So I have to look after her all alone?", Leon asked in confirmation.
"Sshh…", Keith hushed him even though he hadn't spoken out loud and then he realized that Kathleen was looking at them doubtfully, "Please Miss take a seat", Keith said to her and she got in the car without a word, "Leon, she doesn't know about me getting a replacement; if she learned that she'd throw you out like John."
"So, John was offered this job before me?", I couldn't help but ask.
"Well we hoped that he could partner you but his curiosity cost us", Keith replied, "And we are taking all the precautions so she accepts you as her bodyguard otherwise like I told you before she might cost you your job."
"Well that explains a few things", Leon said to no one in particular.
"Now let's head back", Keith said rounding off to driver's seat.

Leon took the side seat and he couldn't help but notice that Kathleen was again reading her book. Keith took the car off the parking and they drove in complete silence. After a while, Leon couldn't help but notice that they were being followed. He turned his head to Keith, who gave him a nod to tell him that he thinks the same too. Leon looked in the rear view mirror to check on Kathleen and she was looking at them, possibly she noticed their silent gestures.

"Something wrong?", She asked them.
"It's nothing", Keith said taking out his cell phone, shaking his head as Leon reached for his gun, "Shit! Leon!", he almost screamed seeing as two car came to their parallel but Leon was already moving to passenger seat, "Sir, we…", Keith was speaking on phone, when there was sound of a gunshot, as their pursuers shot Keith.
"Keith!", Kathleen screamed out in concern as the car swerved violently and Leon protected Kathleen.
"I am fine!", Keith managed out somehow and pushed the brakes, saving their car from getting crashed.
"Oh my god! Keith!", Kathleen said reaching out to him as Leon checked him as well.
Keith was shot in the shoulder, his wound was bleeding pretty badly, "Save…", he could only manage before he lost consciousness.
"Keith! Keith!", Kathleen said shaking him a little tears running down her face.

"Get out!", Leon looked outside the car, they were surrounded by gunmen, "I said get out", one of the gunmen shot at them and Leon held Kathleen's hardbound book to block the bullet.
"We are getting out, please don't hurt him", Kathleen said to them.
"Are you mad?", Leon couldn't help but say.
"They are here to take me, just let them take me", she said to him crying.
"Get out!", the gunman said again.
"Yes!", she responded terrified and reached for her side door.
"This side", Leon said to her and opened his side door, grabbing hold of her hand.

Leon stepped out of the car with one hand raised and other tightly holding on to Kathleen's. They were surrounded by gunmen from all the side, his best bet was to look for an opening and take out those men. He took a defensive stance in front of Kathleen, who was clearly horrified due to the situation. But he needed to better access the situation.

"What do you want?", Leon asked trying to count the men around him.
"The President's daughter of course", one of the men replied looking over Leon's shoulder at Kathleen.
"She's not the President's daughter", Leon told them and technically she wasn't.
"Don't try to fool us kid. We did our homework", another gunman said with a sly smile, "We know he has another daughter, a less guarded one. Now send her over!"

Leon didn't comply with his wish and he shot a random shot at Leon, who moved just in time to save himself. That opening gave him the time to withdraw his gun, he was the last wall standing between them and Kathleen, so naturally he had to protect her; it was not only his job but his duty as well. The gunmen laughed at his underhanded situation, and then from the corner of his eyes he noticed something. Now he knew he just had to buy time, since the backup was speeding over to them in cars, from both the ends of the road. Leon just had to keep the gunmen's eyes on them, so they don't notice the approaching cars.

"Didn't you hear me?", the gunman said again, "send the girl over!"
"Over my dead body!", Leon said making his grip tight on Kathleen's hand.
"You think you can stop us", the man replied with a laugh and then there was multiple sounds of car tires screeching on the road as the backup finally made it to them. It took all the gunmen by surprise.
"Take cover!", somebody yelled but Leon was already pushing Kathleen back in the car and shielded her with himself until the gunfire stopped.

"Kennedy, you alright?", Leon heard a familiar voice and looked up to find John. Both he and Kathleen exited the car once again and he noticed that there were too many agents and police officers serving as their back-up, "Yeah the President over-did it", John commented.
"Keith!", Kathleen ran to her old bodyguard's aid.
"We'll take care of him", Rebecca said to her warmly, "Are you hurt?", she asked her concerned and Kathleen shook her head.

"Kate!", The President left his security behind to meet her, "Are you alright?!"
"I am fine", she replied to her.
The President turned to Leon, "Kennedy, once again I am indebted to you for saving my daughter", he said gratefully.
"It's my duty", Leon said monotonously.
"Mr. President, we should move", one of the men from his security said.
"Kennedy, drive her home and keep close to my car", the President ordered Leon and then walked away instructing another agent to keep Ashley's car close to him as well.

Leon looked in the rear view mirror briefly just to check on Kathleen, sitting in the back seat. Unlike before she wasn't reading her book and seemed a little anxious. Her silence was different than before and for some reason Leon didn't like this silence that she was keeping around her, but it wasn't like he knew what could cheer her up. As he got in through the White House gates, his phone rang and he saw that Rebecca was calling him.

"Yes Becky", Leon answered the call.
"Hey we saved the old man Keith", Rebecca informed him, "He lost a lot of blood but he'd pull through. I thought I should let you know, since he was your mentor."
"Thanks, Becky! I really appreciate it", Leon said to her.
"I have more patients to see, so catch you later", she said and he hummed before disconnecting the call.

Leon again looked at the back seat, "Keith is alive!", he informed Kathleen and she raised her head to look at him, seemed like she was worried for the old guy, "He's in bad shape but he'd survive and…", he contemplated if he should say it or not, "he's going to retire. He's too old for looking after you and he almost died trying to keep you safe", he told her the harsh truth, pulling his car in front of the White House building.
"Everyone does", she spoke very softly getting out of the car.

Leon got out of the car and handed the keys to another agent, so he could take the car to White House garage. He watched Ashley asking Kathleen about her wellness and hugging her tightly, somehow they seemed close. Leon tore his eyes off the two women as he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked at the hand and then to the owner of the hand, the President himself.

"Let's talk in my office", The President said in businesslike manner and Leon gave him a nod. He walked to the President's office, with the first man himself walking by his side as the multiple agents greeted the President as they walked through the hallways. Once inside the office the President took his seat and Leon remained standing in front of his desk, "Please Kennedy take a seat", the President offered and Leon sat down, "I believe Keith already told you that you'd be replacing him."
"Yes, he did", Leon replied in a professional tone accompanied with a nod.

"So starting tomorrow, you're on her security", President more of ordered him.
"As you say, sir!", Leon replied but then he remembered something that Keith had told him, "But I guess you should conform it with Kathleen if she wants me on her security, since Keith suggested that she avoids us agents and that would put her in more danger."
"That's very true", The President agreed with him, "But I'll talk to her to accept you as her bodyguard; we really don't have too many options at hand."
"If so then I'll gladly accept being her bodyguard", Leon accepted the job.
"I'll give all the details to you after talking to Kathleen and ask Miss Hunnigan to pass it on to you", the President said, "Now you can leave", and Leon rose from his seat, "And once again thank you!", he added gratefully and Leon gave him a polite nod before exiting his office.

Leon sighed out of tiredness and then he spotted John waiting for him outside the President's office, "You're really lucky", John said walking to him.
"Why you say that?", Leon couldn't help but ask, his experience somehow made him feel opposite.
"Well you got the silent one now and she's the best you can get", John said with a mischievous smirk.
"What?!", Leon said out of confusion.
"Well I am referring to the duty", John said clearing his double meaning sentence, "She rarely leaves the White House and spends most of her time reading or locked up in her room. You don't really have to worry about her security since nobody is crazy enough to march in White House to attack."

And before Leon could reply, his phone rang and he saw that his girlfriend was calling, "Hello", He answered taking her call.
"Leon, I heard you were attacked", she literally screamed at the other end.
"I wasn't, the person I was escorting was", Leon corrected her.
"Yeah the same", she said uncaringly, "Let's go and celebrate your wellness in a five star restaurant", she more of ordered than suggested and before Leon could say anything, she added, "I won't take a no."
"Okay", Leon sighed in defeat.
"Okay so see you, bye bye", she said excitedly and hung up.

Leon looked at his phone and shook his head, "Let me guess, Angela?", John said in a tone of contempt.
"Yeah", Leon replied pocketing his phone as they resumed walking to their cars.
"You know she's a…", John began.
"I know", Leon responded with a sigh. Leon already knew that Angela was dating him for the money he earned, being one of the top US agents.
"Why don't you leave her?", John asked in an obvious tone.
"Maybe I love her", Leon shrugged; he really didn't know why he was bearing with her.
"Love?", John let out a laugh, "You have a weird taste in women, Kennedy. Can't you find a woman who is nice, beautiful and has a little bit of brain?"
"Then I would have to date three women", Leon couldn't help but comment and John roared into laughter as they reached the area, where they usually park their cars.
"Good one!", John said moving to his car and unlocking it, "So see you tomorrow then."
"Yeah", Leon just gave him a nod and watched him drive away in his car.

Leon lifted his head to the starlit sky, the event had taken most of their time today and even though he was heading back early, he really felt tired. He let out a sigh closing his eyes wishing for some miracle to happen, 'Just this once', he thought opening his eyes and what he saw was far more superior than any miracle. For the first time, he saw Kathleen at her balcony but she didn't notice him. The cold winds blew making her pull her shawl tighter on herself, as her hair danced with the wind. Leon felt his heart skip a beat; something in her was pulling Leon towards her, 'Is this love?', he asked himself and then laughed at his own thought looking away, 'Nah, there's no such thing as Love at first sight', he again looked up at the heavenly beauty, 'if there is then I'd definitely dump Angela and marry her', he again thought half jokingly and watched Kathleen move back inside. He tossed his thoughts aside, got in the car and headed for his home.

A/N: Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed the chapter and I sincerely apologize for any grammatical mistakes or typos.