"Leon?" Leon hadn't realized that he had gone quiet with memories for some time. Hearing Ashley's voice made him shake himself mentally, looking back over at Ashley.

"How did you find out about her?" He asked anxiously.

Ashley smiled. "So, you do know who she is?" This aggervated Leon somewhat but didn't let it show. He wanted to know as soon as possible what information Ashley may have about his long, lost companion. Before Leon could ask for more details, Ashley continued.

"My father had some files out about you on his desk while he was out. I saw your name and well, curiousity gets the best of me - ya' know? Anyways, I saw something about Claire and Sherry..Birkin, I think? All I saw were the names. My dad came back into his office so I had to close it." Leon deflated. That was it? Of course he knew that they would be somewhere scattered into his file. The government knew what had happened in September of 1998 - Raccoon City. They knew every little detail that could get their greedy hands on. False hope had overcomed him when he heard Claire's name. Perhaps Ashley had wrote down Claire's personal information. Possibly where she was living now-a-days.

"Oh, so you just wanted to know more about them?" Leon's voice turned bland.

"Well, actually, yes and no. Ashley held onto her purse but hesitated opening it. With a sigh of annoyance, Ashley turned her eyes over to the two body guards who stood like statues. "Do you mind if I talk with Mr. Kennedy in privacy?" Without answer, they exited the house. Ashley raised a brow and looked back to Leon, "Well that was easy enough." Leon smiled weakily.

"What was I doing - oh yes!" Ashley slung her purse into her lap and unzipped it. She began piling personal items onto his house such as a compact, lip gloss, a wallet, and some random papers. Finally she came across what she was digging for and snatched it out. "Here you go!" She reached over to Leon and handed it to him.

Leon took the envelope into his hand. It was rather thick for just a regular letter and knew that other items were contained inside. On the front, Leon's name was written in neat cursive - obviously Ashley's handwriting.

"Oh, for me? You shouldn't have." Leon joked, pressing his hand against his chest like a flattered woman who was just complimented. Ashley giggled, her eyes squinting slightly. Leon had to admit, she had blossomed nicely since he saved her in Europe. Then she was nothing but a mission that he had to complete. Save the girl. Get her home. He never saw her as an attraction. Yet now, she had grown since then and was showing more maturity.

What are you thinking? Leon mentally slapped himself and opened the envelope. Inside was some sort of Formal inventation and a piece of paper that was folded up. The inventation was to Ashley's 21st Birthday Party that would be held in the White House. It was dated a week from now and printed at the very bottom was RSVP.

"I didn't know your birthday was so soon." Leon said. He looked back up at Ashley who was now sitting on the edge of the couch. Leon glanced behind her to watch Roger walk into the back then focused back on Ashley.

"I really want you to be there, Leon. My father does too. So, will you be there?" Ashley smiled her brightest. Her eyes were begging and even if Leon had the idea of rejecting the invite he wouldn't have been able to. Her eyes sparkled and grew large as she bit at her bottom lip. Leon couldn't help the smile that appeared on his face.

"You can count on me, Miss Graham." Ashley let out a squeal and leaped from her seat, hugging Leon's neck. Leon hugged her back, surprised the guards hadn't barged in with guns aimed. Thinking about it more, they had probably grown use to Ashley and her excitement.

"That's great! I'm so happy!" She let go and kneeled infront of Leon's seat, her hands on his knees. "I also had another question."

"What's that?" He asked, curious.

Ashley grinned and leaned up just enough for her whisper to be heard clearly. "Wanna' take me out for my first drink? I know my father will trust me with just you." Leon sat back, his smile stapled on his face.

"Ashley... I.."

"Pleeeease Leon? C'mon, I'll be old enough!" Ashley begged.

Leon sat up in his seat, rubbing his chin with his index finger and thumb. "Hmm, I don't know Ashley.."

"Please?!" Ashley had her fingers laced together and had positioned herself on her knees.

He couldn't tease any longer. "Fine, fine. I'll take you. I wouldn't trust you with anyone else anyway."

"Yes!" Ashley jumped up and sat back on the couch. Leon had momentarily forgot Ashley mentioning Claire. Until she told him to open the other piece of paper.

Unfolding that paper he read aloud what was scribbled onto it.

"Claire Redfield. Works at Sunnyside Resort in Florida. Somewhere in the Panhandle, not sure where exactly. Hopefully this helps you find your friend. Signed, Ashley."

Leon's face turned serious as he turned to look at Ashley. "Ashley..how'd.." He had under estimated Ashley. A lot.

"Don't worry about it. I was going to use it against you if you didn't want to come to my Party or take me out." She grinned. Leon narrowed his eyes, smirking. "You're a brat."

"No, Leon. I'm a spoiled brat that knows how to get my way." She corrected him. "I also knew you might want to, you know, drop by and say hi to her one day. Unless, you know.. you aren't as good of friends as I assumed."

"It's not that we're not friends. It's just, well, I haven't seen her in nearly five years now." Leon seemed ashamed with himself as his voice drifted. Had it really been that long? It sure hadn't seemed like it but the more he thought about it he knew it had been that long.

"Why so long?" Ashley asked. Leon thought about that question and agreed with himself that it was a very good one indeed. One he didn't quite know the answer too. After escaping out of Raccoon City alive, Claire and Leon kept contact for a little over a year. They were good friends and if you saw one of them, you saw the other. Leon had been there to help Claire with Sherry until a relative of her's was found and took custody of her. The Government eventually had caught wiff of Leon's determination and strength to survive through the town overrunned of rotten-flesh and blood-stained teeth. After already talking to him right after the incident, they were able to reach him again and offered him a job he couldn't resist. So, without much of a warning, he had to leave his humble town her shared with Claire and off to work he went. Claire would still write and call for the first few months. Slowly, the letters grew shorter and then phone calls were rare. Eventually, all connections were lost. Leon felt guilty about this for some time but let it escape his mind as his job overflowed his memories and was able to push them out completely. Until today.

"I'm really not sure, Ashley. I guess we just went our seperate ways." He told her honestly. Ashley nodded, not knowing what else to ask at the moment. She could tell that his mood had changed at the thoughts of Claire. Not wanting to be rude she didn't pester him with anymore personal questions.

"So, I can trust you to be at my party next week?" She reminded him. Leon snapped out of his own thoughts and nodded almost immediatly. "Yes, I'll be there."

"Good. You can only show up if you have a present, though!" Ashley pointed and Leon caught the small wink she gave him.

"Gotchya'."

Suddenly, for Leon, his vacation was growing to be a tight schedule and full of surprises.

AN: There's Chapter Two for ya'! Please R&R! C'mon guys, I need your input! Chapter Three will hopefully be up within the next few days.