Disclaimer : I do not now, nor will I ever own the Resident Evil franchise. That right belongs to Capcom. This story is purely for entertainment purposes.

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Chapter 2 : Should I Stay Or Should I Go

"As when you first told me you were gone,
So long ago, but I still held on,
Through all the emotions that I had to take,
And that's the truth, and here's the worst yet..."

The woman in red remained quiet and indifferent to Leon's request. If the agent wanted to talk, then he was going to have to work for it and make the first move. However, he made no such attempt and opted to instead gaze at her, starting at her black high heels and working his way up, until his deep blues locked with her jade eyes. Usually Ada could read Leon like an open book, but at the moment, his eyes portrayed a conflicted man. She couldn't tell if he was angry, relieved, happy, heartbroken, or any combination of the four. When Leon took a cautious step forward, Ada found herself doing the same thing, only backwards. Her instincts told her to bolt, but she didn't know the layout of the building that they were standing in.

This is what happens if you don't carefully plot out every little detail of your mission. You knew that eventually you'd have to show yourself to him, but now wasn't the time. You should have found the perfect place, and memorized every escape route. You should have known that place like the back of your hand. But no...

Ada's teeth gritted uncomfortably, but she realized that her brain was right. If she would have listened to her brain, instead of her heart, Leon wouldn't be standing in front of her right now, probably thinking of a plethora of questions that she wouldn't be able to answer. Or couldn't.

First off, just relax. You haven't seen each other in six years, and back in Raccoon, emotions were running high...to say the least. Just remember to stay calm, cool, and collected at all times, and everything will be fine. It's all about control. You can still...-

"Ada." Leon spoke softly, snapping her out of her thoughts. She brought her eyes to his again, not even aware of the fact that she was staring at the floor.

"It's been a while." he continued, apparently searching for the right choice of words. What do you say to someone that you haven't seen in six years? Someone who was believed to have died in their last encounter? Someone who he fell in love with throughout the course of one night? Who he was still in love with...

"Six years to be exact." Ada agreed, nonchalantly leaning against an old, dusty table. Leon nodded wearily, still feeling the effects of running for his life from the chainsaw man.

"I guess it's true then." he started, looking at the ground. However, before his gaze managed to land on the old creaky floorboards, Ada saw the look in his eyes. It was a look that she wasn't familiar with. It was that of disappointment. The look in his eyes caused more pain to radiate throughout the spy than a Tyrant ever could.

"True?" was all Ada could think to ask. Leon brought his gaze from the floor, staring intently at the raven-haired woman. His features were now etched with mental pain, which was a look that Ada was unfortunately used to. However, that didn't mean that she enjoyed seeing it.

"About you and Wesker...working together." he clarified solemnly.

Dammit...I knew this was going to happen.

"Look Leon, I really don't have time to be interrogated at the moment. As you so bluntly reminded me, I have a mission to get back to." Ada stated coldly, turning her back on the government agent. She began walking away, until she felt a firm grip on her shoulder, halting her progress immediately.

"Let me go." she growled in response. She probably surprised herself more than she did Leon, who instantly released his hold on the assassin's shoulder blade.

"Not without some answers." Leon argued, crossing his arms in front of his chest. Ada exhaled sharply, spinning around to face the man who had haunted her dreams for the past six years.

"Very well, but make it quick. Also, the type of question that you ask will determine whether or not you get your answer." she calmly replied, regaining her composure rather quickly. The blonde man looked taken back by her answer, as he was clearly not expecting her cooperation so easily.

"Come on Leon, I don't have all day. You were all primed a couple of seconds ago to ask...-" the woman in red began, but was abruptly cut off by the man who stood in front of her.

"How many questions do I get to ask?" he inquired, taking a seat at the old dusty table, which was the only major piece of furniture used to decorate the small room. He motioned for Ada to sit as well, and after rolling her eyes in annoyance, she obliged.

"Let's say five. And yes, the question that you just asked counted. So that brings you down to four. Remember to choose wisely Leon, because if I decide not to answer a question, it still counts as well." the Eurasian beauty proclaimed. Leon didn't argue, most likely because he had never gotten the chance to ask her many questions before, let alone four in a row.

"Okay then. What have you been doing for the past six years?" he probed, propping his elbow on the dirty wooden table top, and resting his chin on his fist. Ada smiled, and lightly sighed at his words. She should have known that particular question would have been brought up.

"I've been killing people for money. Have you forgotten the details of my job so quickly?" the raven-haired woman purred in response. Leon scowled, obviously not pleased with the line of work that Ada was involved in, or that answer.

"You wanted honesty, right? Well, you're getting it." she continued, breaking her eyes from the government agent to look around the tiny room, as if she was bored. In reality, she just wanted Leon to hurry and use his other three questions so she could leave. If the circumstances were different however, Ada would have found the situation to actually be pleasant. Even if it did feel like an interrogation, just talking with Leon made her feel like a normal person. It just felt...right. Ada wanted nothing more than to be completely truthful to the man who sat across from her. But sometimes things don't always work out. As a matter of fact, it seemed like things never worked out for the woman in red. There were so many things that she wanted to do. She wanted to be absolutely honest with Leon. She wanted to tell him how much she cared for him. She wanted to open herself up to him. But most of all, she wanted to love him. But when you're stuck between a rock and a hard place, choices have to be made. Ada had to choose over what was more important. Want...or need. There were certain things that she positively needed to do.

"Okay, I suppose I brought that one on myself. Anyway...after Raccoon City. I want to know why you never bothered to contact me. Don't you think that I would have wanted to know that information? Instead of having to find out by grainy, black and white photos, and vague reports?" Leon queried, snapping the spy out of her thoughts for the second time that day.

"It was for your own good Leon. I didn't want you...I mean...I didn't want anything to happen. Let's just say it would have been bad for both of us. Our well-being was at stake. I'm sorry that your suspicions had to be confirmed the way that they were, but you have to understand something about me. There are reasons that I don't want people getting too close to me. And besides, you knew back in Raccoon City that I survived. Remember me tossing that rocket launcher your way?" Ada offered, noticing that Leon had changed his resting position. Both of his elbows were now on the table, and his each of his fingertips were pressed together, fanning out his fingers, while he supported the weight of his head with his index fingers, which were tucked under his bottom lip. He brought his gaze from the top of the weathered wood, which he was staring at thoughtfully, back to Ada's eyes. Leon gave a small nod, signifying that he remembered the events of that night quite well.

"You have two questions left Leon. Be thankful that I'm feeling nice today, so I didn't count that last set of questions as two." she remarked, awaiting Leon's response.

"Yeah...okay. You said that our well-being was at stake, but you also said that you don't want people getting close to you. If that's the case, why are you concerned with my well-being?" he asked, his intense eyes scrutinizing every little detail about the assassin's face. So, when Ada flinched ever so slightly, he noticed.

"Hmm...fair question. Well, just because my work requires that I do some pretty...heartless deeds, it doesn't mean that I have lost the ability to...care for people." she answered, dropping her eyes to the old, wooden surface.

"But you said that you don't like allowing people to get close to you." Leon pointed out, leaning back against the rickety chair.

"I know what I said, but that doesn't mean that I can't care for people from a dist..." Ada trailed off, realizing what she almost blurted out. She closed her eyes, allowing a soft sigh to escape her lips. There wasn't a doubt in her mind that Leon had caught what she meant.

"Last question...make it fast, will you?" Ada stated softly, not bothering to meet the blonde man's eyes again. It felt like an eternity for Leon to ask his final question, which could only have meant one thing to the woman in red.

This is not going to be good...

"Back in Raccoon City...I've found myself wondering this for quite some time. But you're the only person who can answer it." he began, hoping that Ada would bring her eyes back up to his, so that they could lock. But, when that didn't happen, he continued.

"...Did you mean it? When you said...when you told me that...you loved me?" Leon finished, swallowing thickly.

I meant every word...

Ada's insides pleaded with her to scream those words at the top of her lungs, and admit what she'd been desperately trying to deny for six years. But she couldn't do that. She knew deep down that if she opened up to Leon and told him the truth, that it would compromise the mission. And no matter how much Ada wanted to drop the mission at that point, there was no way that would ever happen. The repercussions would be too great, and neither her, nor Leon would be able to handle the outcome. Wesker's power was simply too influential on people. Not that he was any real concern to the spy. It was her Organization that she was worried about. Who they were, and what they did had to remain a secret to everybody, especially Leon. And no matter what, Ada couldn't stray from her ultimate goal.

Even if it means hurting the one person that I care about more than myself...

But she couldn't bring herself to lie. Not this time. Not when everything was riding on that one question. However, jeopardizing her mission wasn't an option either. Ada felt as if her head might explode with all of the pressure that was placed on her, as she struggled to find a suitable answer.

"Leon, I...I...pass." Ada finally replied, standing up to leave the small room for the second time.

"Ada!" Leon called out, just as she was about to walk out of the room, and enter the unfamiliar part of the building. His words stopped the woman in red in her tracks, and even though Ada wanted to leave as soon as possible, she thought that hearing the agent out was the least that she could do.

"I don't even care that you dodged one of the most important questions. Because I've got something else that I really need to ask you. But, I'd really like an answer for this one." the blonde man announced. With another sigh, Ada turned to meet his eyes again.

"You're out of questions Leon." she mumbled, finally locking eyes with the ex-cop.

"Yeah, I know...but please hear me out." he requested desperately.

"I can't promise anything." she responded, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Okay, that's fine too. But listen to what I have to say before you make your final judgement. I think we need to stick together while we're here." Leon suggested, taking a discreet step towards the raven-haired woman. Ada simply raised her eyebrow at his proposition.

"You can't be serious Leon." she challenged, not moving, even as he took another step forward.

"Look Ada...in case you haven't noticed, this isn't Raccoon City. And those things out there, aren't zombies. They're worse. Much, much worse." the government agent informed, finally closing the distance between them to a mere two feet.

"How so?" Ada scoffed, remembering the undead inhabitants of the city that was doomed from the start of the outbreak.

"Well, for one thing, they aren't stupid. Tricking them isn't going to be as easy as zombies. Add that onto the fact that they're almost as fast as us, and they can use weapons. I mean, for God's sake, I was almost killed by a chainsaw. Had you not been looking out for me...well, I don't care to think about what would have happened." Leon admitted, staring at the bland wall to his left.

"And because of all that, you think we should team up? Look Leon, I'm a big girl, and I don't need anybody to...-" the assassin's sentence was cut off by an eager Leon.

"Ada, I know better than anybody that you are perfectly capable of taking care of yourself. But I'm saying that it won't hurt to have somebody watching your back." he insisted stubbornly. Ada raised her eyebrows in suspicion at the blonde man's words, but thought deeply about their meaning.

"Are you asking me to trust you? And do you think that you can trust me?" the spy asked curiously, genuinely interested in Leon's response.

Of course he doesn't trust you...after everything that you've put him through, he has every reason in the world to distrust you.

"Look, all I know is when it comes to that time. You know, when we're cornered or surrounded? I know that there's nobody in the world that I can depend on more. We've been in those types of situations before, remember?" the agent inquired. Ada couldn't argue with him there. Back in the sewers of Raccoon City, there had been a time just like the situation that Leon had described. They had been trapped, surrounded and outnumbered by at least seven zombies. Ada remembered quite well the urgency of the situation. It was the only time in her life that she actually felt like she was part of a cohesive team. She recalled standing back-to-back with the then rookie cop, covering his rear, as he did the same. Ada elicited the memory of her gun clicking, proclaiming that it was out of ammo, and feeling Leon's strong hands slide another magazine into her grasp, as if acting on foresight. They fought for their very right to survive six years ago, and they manged to do just that. As a matter of fact, if it wasn't for each other, neither Ada nor Leon would have survived that fateful night. If it wasn't for Ada's sacrifice to the Tyrant called "Mr. X", then Leon would have been killed on the spot. And even though he wasn't aware, it was the thoughts and feelings for the blonde cop that kept Ada going when she regained consciousness, pushing her to escape the abhorrent city of Raccoon.

"Okay, you have a point, I'll give you that. And it probably would make both of our jobs easier. But, if Wesker found out, there would be consequences...for both of us. That's why we can't be seen together. He'll probably already be upset with me for revealing myself to you." Ada admitted thoughtfully, dreading the verbal abuse that would occur if her actions were discovered.

"Wesker isn't here Ada. So he doesn't know what we're dealing with, does he? If he wants your...mission to go so smoothly, he needs you alive. The way I see it, we have a 50-50 shot of making it out alive separately. But together, that number increases. We have nothing to lose, and everything to gain." Leon persisted relentlessly. Ada sighed, beginning to think that arguing with the government agent was futile. He had plenty of valid points to be made. Their survival rate would only increase, risk of injury was less, and even if one of them were to be injured, at least they could help treat each others wounds. And Wesker really had no way of finding out that they were together, unless Leon had happened to talk while she was on her PDA. Not to mention the fact that Ada missed the bond that they shared while in each others company. So, she couldn't help but wonder why she was still trying to push Leon away.

Come on, you know why. You're afraid. It's as simple as that. You're afraid that Leon will get too close, and you'll have to break his heart...again. Or maybe you're afraid because you hate how he makes you feel. Vulnerable, terrified, and dependent on him...something that you've never had to deal with before. But you can't run forever...you have to make a choice right now...

"You know that it will only be temporary, right? We'll eventually have to go our separate ways." Ada stated, finally bending to Leon's request.

"We'll deal with that when the time comes." Leon agreed, nodding in confirmation.

"Very well. Are you ready to go then?" she questioned, opening the door that led to the unfamiliar part of the building. The blonde man yawned, leaning against the wall adjacent to the wooden entrance way.

"We don't even have time for a quick rest?" he quipped, one side of his lips curling up into a rougishly lopsided grin.

"If you'd rather stay behind while I go ahead, be my guest." the spy replied, taking a step into the new room, which was even smaller than the first. It didn't take long for Leon to enter the room as well, shutting the door softly behind him.

"I remember you used to laugh at my jokes." the agent pointed out, drawing Ada's attention.

"Excuse me?" she answered, pretending not to hear what the ex-cop had said.

"Back in Raccoon, I mean. When did you get wound up so tight?" Leon teased, searching the small room for an exit, or whatever would lead the pair closer to their destination.

"Well this isn't Raccoon, remember?" Ada purred, pulling a dirty rope from the floor. A trap door, hidden by months of dust groaned in protest before finally opening, spewing particles of the fine matter into the air which scattered and dissipated, prompting the government agent to cough a couple of times in response.

"Yeah, well...it sure as hell is reminiscent." the blonde man admitted, looking down into the hole that the hidden entrance led to. Spotting a ladder, Leon grabbed the cold steel in hands, and descended into the darkness, trusting the spy who loved him to follow.

It sure is handsome...

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Okay...not much of...well, anything going on this chapter. Just talking...I know, boring. I apologize for that, but if I would have included everything that I originally wanted to include in this chapter...well, it'd probably be 20,000 words long or something...okay, that's a gross overestimation...I get it...XD

Umm...oh yeah, the lyrics at the beginning are from the song I.R.S. by Guns N' Roses...I swear I'm addicted to Chinese Democracy!!

Anyway, the stage is set. Leon and Ada have decided to team up as a result of them meeting hours and hours before schedule. How else will the story we all know differ, as a by-product of one simple change? That's the whole point of this story after all. I wanted to explore what would change had Leon and Ada met in the village. And if you'll continue to read despite this boring chapter, you'll find out. Hasta luego my fantastic readers/reviewers, and I am sorry for the ultra, uber, hella late update...whoa, that rhymed...XD