Under Normal Circumstances
My first story… ever. Set during Resident Evil 2 and 3's timelines, but if the Raccoon City Incident never happened. I'm all for the Leon/Claire
and Chris/Jill pairings, and I really think Capcom should start developing those more personal and intimate relationships between their characters.
I've read quite a few of the stories for the Leon/Claire pairing, so some of my ideas may seem similar to things previously written. I would like to give credit
to these writers for fueling my imagination. Thank you, and I love your work!
Well, hope you guys like it. Be nice to the rookie!
Chapter 1: Late on his first day…
Leon was sure he was going to be severely penalized for this, he thought, just making it into the Raccoon City limits at around 11:00 p.m. He had been driving for
around two hours now, after waking up to his former best friend from a drunken sleep on his porch. The bastard had slept with his bitch girlfriend the day they were all supposed to be celebrating his new entry level position at the well respected R. P. D. offices, which had sent him angrily to the nearby bar in an attempt to
leave it all in the back of his mind. It didn't work, but waking up to their faces after being drunk and unconscious for a few hours hadn't exactly been conducive to leaving them behind either. He now hoped being in a new place could be a fresh start for his hung-over self. So much for a loving, long-distance relationship…
He still had a bit of a drive ahead of him, a little less than an hour, so he cranked up the volume on his Jeep's radio, mellowing out to a "relaxing" song filled with heavy guitar riffs and lyrics about a guy who was being cheated on. "Funny, how the world works," he thought to himself, continuing to drive. A motorcycle, going about twenty miles above the speed limit, rocketed past him. He felt the slight urge to stop this person, but quickly dismissed it. He wasn't a cop yet, and he still had way too much on his mind at the moment, like Chief Irons' reaction when he arrived eight hours late on his first day. He had a feeling that "pursuing a speeding vehicle" wouldn't pan out as a good excuse for his misconduct.
Around 45 minutes later, Leon arrived at his destination. The R. P. D. police station, famous for it's unique architecture, was in full view. The gothic modernist style exuded an aura of refinement. It truly was a beautiful building. He walked through the open front gate and up to two sets of double doors. The inside was just as beautiful, if not more than, the outside. Fine woodworks decorated the doors, the railings, and the counters. a large statue of an angel greeted him just 20 feet from the entrance. He had a feeling he was going to like working here. Leon made his way up a shallow ramp on the left side of the statue, to the front desk. Distracted admiring the stained glass windows, he didn't notice that the man behind the desk had turned his attention from his paperwork to Leon for a few minutes already.
"Sir, may I help you?" the man asked, kindly. Leon, startled by the sudden break in silence, turned his attention over to the man.
"Um, yeah, sorry. Impressive building you guys have here." Leon said, still in a slight state of awe.
" Yeah, it's a great place. When I first got here, I did the same thing you are now. The rumors do not do it justice." The man said. He was a thin, well built individual, with dark ebony skin, short black hair, and light green eyes.
"Yeah, I noticed. What was your name?" Leon asked, hoping to make his first acquaintance here in Raccoon City.
"Marvin Branagh, at your service. Might I ask yours?"
"Leon Kennedy. I'm a new recruit from the Chicago PD"
"Ahhh, so you're the one I've been expecting since 7:00 o' clock?" Marvin said, a hint of laughter in his voice. Leon was VERY embarrassed.
"Yeah, sorry. There was a lot of drama going around just before I left that I had the prestigious honor of dealing with. So, am I totally screwed out of the job?" Leon asked, worried his fresh start might be cut terribly short. He had nowhere else to go.
"No, my friend. You should be fine, if you tell Irons and Wesker the truth. The only thing they both hate equally are liars. Irons is out for the night, but Wesker is probably still in. He always stays later than the others. You should talk to him. I'll take you there." Marvin said, standing up and walking around the curved desk.
"Thanks, Marvin, but who is Wesker, if I might ask?" Leon had never heard of a "Wesker" when he filled out his applicant paperwork, or when he called. The man seemed to have some authority, apparently.
"He's the head of the S.T.A.R.S. initiative. You have heard of S.T.A.R.S. , right?" Marvin asked, curious.
"No, No, I haven't… why?" Leon asked, nervous.
"Hmm, well, you'll find out." He said, laughing mischievously.
Ten minutes and a few teasing comments from Marvin later, Leon was standing out side the S.T.A.R.S. office. The large steel double doors looked like they could lead into an imposing fortress.
"Go on, Kennedy. You'll be fine. Wesker doesn't bite… hard." Marvin said, going into a somewhat tense laughing fit.
"Remind me to get you back for this, Marvin." Leon groaned, irritated and nervous.
"I'll head back downstairs. Let me know what he tells you when you come back down, ok?" Marvin replied, switching the humor out for a more serious tone.
"Right. See you down there." Leon answered, taking a deep breath. As Marvin rounded the corner, Leon opened the door. The room was dark, only lit by one desk lamp on the farthest left side. There was a desk, on which the lamp was set, that someone was obviously seated at. However, this person's chair was facing the wall opposite where Leon was now standing. He couldn't get a clear view of the person.
"Who is it?" a voice rang out, piercing the darkness. This man's voice gave him chills at first.
"My name is Leon Kennedy. I'm a new recruit hailing from the Chicago PD. I was told to come speak to you." Leon said, his voice wavering slightly.
"Ahhh, Mr. Kennedy. I'm very glad you could make it. Now, tell me; why are you over eight hours late for your scheduled reporting time? Just curious." This man's words and tone of voice felt as though they cut straight through Leon. He spoke softly, calmly, even. However, there was an edge. He spoke with a special type of snark and sarcasm, all the while being literal. And, as this man, this "Wesker," turned around to face Leon, the icing on the cake, the cherry on top of his horrible day, was revealed. The man was wearing sunglasses inside. In a practically pitch dark room, with only a dim desk lamp illuminating his surroundings.
"I had a bit of an incident with my now ex girlfriend and my now ex best friend. I got drunk, and passed out on his porch after finding out they were screwing each other the day I was supposed to leave, which I guess would be considered yesterday now. That's the truth, sir." Leon stated, matter of factly. Wesker leaned back in his office chair.
"Very well then, Mr. Kennedy. I appreciate the honesty, and, given the circumstances behind your excessive tardiness, I will allow you to keep the job you applied for. Welcome to the RPD family. I hope you know, however, this forgiveness may not be extended a second time." said Wesker, still speaking pompously, but losing the edge that Leon found so… nerve wracking. Leon inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank you, sir. I appreciate the kindness. I can guarantee you it will not happen again." Leon said. His hangover was catching up to him, as was his exhaustion.
"It is no major problem, Mr. Kennedy. You can go home for now, but you are expected to return at 7 a.m. on the dot." Wesker replied, in a more tired tone.
And that raised another problem back to Leon's immediate attention. He had nowhere to go in Raccoon City, at all.
"Ugh, damn it. Sir, I'm sorry to ask you for another favor, but I have nowhere to go in the city. Do you know anywhere I can stay for a while until I get an apartment?" Leon asked, cursing himself for not making prior arrangements. Wesker sighed.
"Well, I have a very simple, convenient solution for you Mr. Kennedy. You can sleep here. We have temporary quarters here, at the station, since it's so large. You do not have to pay any rent, and you can stay there until you get a place." Wesker said.
"Again, thank you, sir." Leon replied, yet again relieved.
"Perfectly fine, Mr. Kennedy. Just drop the sir." Wesker said, tiredly.