A/N: I am very grateful to all the readers for taking out time to read, and the reviewers, Shirahane Aikawa and MascaraTearsBloodshotEyes, for leaving their encouraging reviews.

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

Chapter 2

Leon drove to his work really early, like usual. He suffered somewhat from insomnia and no matter what he did he still had nightmares from Raccoon and similar. It was only when he was dead tired, that he didn't have any nightmares. He parked the car at his usual spot, got out and locked it. Starting today he had to take on the job of being Kathleen's bodyguard and the moment he was reminded of her, he couldn't stop himself from looking up at her balcony, almost hoping to see her but she wasn't there. He was about to look away when he noticed her walking to the same spot, where he had seen her last night. She seemed to have been fresh out of bath, since her hair were still wet, which made her look more beautiful.

'What's happening to me?', Leon asked himself as he felt overwhelmed by an unknown feeling, 'I can't be falling in love, am I? No, I don't even know her but then what is this feeling?', his train of thoughts were interrupted as his phone rang, "Kennedy", he answered, finally taking his eyes off Kathleen.
"Leon, President wants to meet you", Ingrid informed.
"Yeah I'm on my way", he replied and looked up as he disconnected the call.

Leon half expected not to find Kathleen, when he looked up again, but contrarily she was still there and more surprisingly she was looking down at him. He felt a little happy inside and smiled up at her and to his astonishment she smiled back at him, a feeble smile but she did smile at him, and since he had to meet up with her father-like uncle, he decided to take her leave as he headed for the President's Office.

He knocked on the door and the President called him in; he gestured him to wait a little as he talked about something with his advisors. Once the advisors left the President turned to Leon, "I am sorry to keep you waiting Kennedy", he said to him adjusting some paper.
"I understand, sir", Leon said understandably.
"Well I called you to personally tell you that Kate declined to have you as her bodyguard", the President told him letting out a defeated sigh.
"Oh I see", Leon had a sinking feeling in his chest.
"Said she'd rather have a dog than a bodyguard", the President told Leon and the frustration was evident in his tone, "So, you have to be on Ashley's security like usual."
"It's no problem, sir", Leon said professionally and he couldn't really understand why was President telling him all this personally, he could just pass this information through Hunnigan.
The President again let out a sigh, "I wanted to personally apologize for the inconvenience it causes you", he said kindly.
"It's my job", Leon replied humbly.

"So, anyways you have to take place as Ashley's bodyguard from tomorrow, for today I guess Miss Hunnigan has some paperwork for you", the President said getting back to his work, "So you may leave now."
"Okay", Leon said rising from his chair and he didn't know what made him but he asked the President, "if you don't mind me asking, sir, who's going to be Kathleen's bodyguard?"
The President looked up at him and contemplated for a moment, "Well she doesn't have anyone now but since she did say she'd rather have a dog, so we assigned her a dog from White House's K-9 corps."
"I see", Leon said, "I'd like to take your leave then", he added and the President gave him a nod.

Leon exited the President's office and headed straight to the Hunnigan's office at White House administrative building; she had a lot of pending work for him. He took those files and got himself a temporary desk at White House, so he could complete his reports. Although paperwork wasn't exactly his idea of working, since it gave him severe headaches but some reports were meant for the President himself, so he prioritized those reports and spend his time working on them.

It was almost evening when Leon finished with his paper work, he looked at the time it was just a few minutes to 4:00PM in the evening. He collected all his paper and started to walk towards the President's office, while arranging them. He turned a corner and then another, not really aware of where he was heading. Then a bark startled him and he tripped over something. His report went flying in every direction as a Golden Labrador climbed on top of him to lick his face.

Leon couldn't help but frown and pushed the dog back, "Shadow!", he said faking an anger at his dog, who barked happily at seeing him, "What're you doing in the inner quarters and where is your handler?", he moved to gather his report, which already had Shadow's paw print on them, "Great! You ruined my work!", he spoke sarcastically.

"I am sorry", a sweet voice rang in the empty corridor and Leon looked up to find Kathleen walking up to him.
"Huh?", he couldn't understand why she was apologizing.
"I'll help you pick up the papers", she said starting to pick up his papers.
"It's fine!", Leon said stopping her by holding her hand and she looked at him, "I can do it by myself, you don't have to bother", he added taking the papers from her.
"It's no problem", she said in reply and helped him pick up his report.
"Thanks!", Leon said gratefully and gave her a courteous smile.
"I apologize again", she said mirroring his smile.

Before Leon could ask Kathleen, what she was apologizing about, Shadow tugged on his pants, making him look down at him. He barked excitedly as if asking Leon to play with him, "Not now Shadow, we are at work", Leon reminded his dog and Shadow barked at him showing him his disapproval, "Go find your handler and get back to your work", Leon commanded his pet but Shadow only huffed and sat down at their feet quietly. It was the first time when Shadow didn't listen to his command.

Leon let out a sigh looking at his pet, "He's angry at you", Leon turned his head to look at the soft spoken woman.
"Ah well…", Leon didn't really know what to say, "It's nothing. I should get going, your uncle must be waiting for this report", Kathleen just gave him a nod but Leon didn't move; he somehow felt rooted to the spot for some reason, "If you don't mind me asking, who is looking after you now", although President had told him that she didn't want any bodyguard but it was highly unlikely that President would keep her without security for long.
"Shadow", she replied pointing at his dog.

Leon was hit with one realization after another and finally understood, why she was apologizing; why Shadow was without his handler and why Shadow didn't listen to Leon. Shadow was looking after Kathleen and so he was doing that, "Oh…", Leon said in realization. Not really knowing what else to say, so he continued, "I'll head to your Uncle's office now", and Kathleen again nodded in acknowledgement.

Without further words Leon turned to head to President's office. He knocked once at the door to his office and the President called him inside. Leon walked to his desk and gave him the report, hoping that the President would ignore the faint paw prints on the reports. After getting the reports the President relieved him for the day, reminding him that he has to resume being Ashley's bodyguard from the next day and Leon just gave a nod before exiting his office.

Leon decided to take Shadow home, despite his girlfriend's disapproval, thinking that Shadow really missed him. The problem he faced was he didn't know where Shadow could be but he didn't have to search for him, since the moment Leon exited the White House building he spotted Kathleen, sitting under one of the garden gazebos, reading her book with Shadow lying next to her, resting his head on her lap.

Leon approached them and Shadow lifted his head and ran to greet him, making Kathleen look in his direction as well, "He's not causing trouble for you, is he?", he couldn't help but ask her. Shadow was a professional guard dog but still he wasn't very obedient of his handler; Leon was the only one who could actually control him.
"No", she shook her head slightly, "He's well behaved", she told him speaking softly like always, "he was just happy to see you in the hallway and that's the only time he left my side."
"I am glad to know that", Leon said relieved, "It be troublesome, if he misbehaved with you", he added subconsciously taking a seat by her side, petting Shadow and then he realized he was being over friendly with her, "I am sorry I shouldn't…"
"It's fine!", Kathleen said with a smile, "You want to take him home?", she asked Leon, as if she knew he was there to take Shadow back home.
"Uh… well it's fine I can wait", Leon told her and quickly added, "And I would leave of course, I know you're not fond of agents."
Kathleen stared at her book, "It's not like that", she spoke softly, "You take Shadow home, I'll go back inside, it's getting dark anyways."

Kathleen stood up and Leon followed her, "I see you are getting along well", they both heard a familiar voice and turned to spot President himself with a couple of his bodyguards.
"Uncle!", Kathleen exclaimed in surprise, as the President signaled his bodyguards to give him some privacy, "I didn't notice you."
"You were busy talking with Kennedy", he said looking from her to Leon and Leon didn't know if he crossed his line being friendly with Kathleen.
"I was just leaving", she said to him and moved to kiss his cheek, "see you at dinner", she added warmly before starting to move.
"Kate", he called after her and she turned to look back at him, "So, can I put Kennedy to look after you?", he asked her again.
She smiled, "Will you stop asking me that, if I say no?", she asked him raising her brows.
"Well, I think I'll keep trying", the President shrugged being persistent like a father.
"Do however you see it fit then", she smiled beautifully at the President.

"Kennedy is your bodyguard starting now", President said turning to look at Leon for his approval and Leon gave him a nod.
"But now he's dismissed, since I am heading up to my room", she said it more to Leon than to her dad-like uncle. She didn't say anything anymore and walked back to the White House.
Both President and Leon watched her leave and then President spoke, "You really have a way with women, Kennedy!"
"What, Sir?!", Leon couldn't help but say, although President wasn't that formal with him all the time but this took him by surprise.
"Talking to someone that much is very rare for her", the President turned to look at Leon tearing his eyes of his niece, "She must have noticed something different in you, to have talked to you that long", the President sighed out in relief, "But I am glad she did, it's such a relief now that you would be looking after her. I expect you to do a good job."
"I'll do my best to live up to your expectations, sir", Leon said being professional.
"But like Kate said starting from tomorrow, for now you're dismissed", President said keeping a hand on Leon's shoulder, before moving away.

Leon watched the President leave as his bodyguards escorted him back inside the White House. He looked down at his pet and couldn't help but feel lucky, from finally getting off the job of being Ashley's security and being Kathleen's bodyguard. She seemed much nicer among the pair of cousins. He started to walk towards his car with Shadow following at his heels and called up his handler to tell him that he'd be taking Shadow back home. Once he got off the call with Shadow's handler, he heard someone call his name, so he turned around to see who it was.

"Leon!", the blonde yelled once again in her high pitched voice as she almost ran to him, "You're going home?", Ashley asked him.
"Yeah", Leon replied and waited for her to catch her breath.
"So… you want to stay back and so some overtime?", she questioned him smiling seductively.
Leon restrained himself from rolling his eyes and couldn't help but think, 'Is this the reason she stopped me?'; she gave him an expectant look and Leon shook his head saying, "No", he declined her offer as politely as he could and before she could say anything he quickly added, "I'd like to take your leave, I am really very tired."

Not waiting for Ashley's response, Leon hurriedly walked away to his car, feeling a little annoyed about his encounter with Ashley. He threw those thoughts aside and unlocked his car from a distance. The roof of his convertible was off so Shadow jumped inside the car and Leon got in the driver seat. Just as he was about to put the keys in the ignition his phone rang. He looked at the screen and saw that it was Angela calling.

"Hello", Leon answered his phone.
"Hey baby", his girlfriend greeted him flirtatiously.
"Hey Angela", he greeted her yet again not knowing, how to respond to her and feeling tired all of a sudden.
Hearing Angela's name, Shadow started barking angrily, "Is that dog with you?", Angela asked him in a tone of surprise.
"Yeah, Shadow's with me", Leon told her the truth.
"You said you got rid of him", she said in a tone of disbelief and Shadow's barks increased in intensity.
"Well I just left him at the White House", Leon replied, "But I am bringing him back, he's better off with me than here."
"But I am allergic to dogs!", Angela reminded him, being totally dramatic about it.
"He's not going to stay at your place but at mine", Leon said with a weight in his voice.
"But he doesn't even like me", she said playing victim.
"Well you can try befriending him then", I suggested.
"Leon, I can't stay with that dog. It's your choice, either me or the dog", Angela said firmly, almost in a threatening tone.

Leon again let out a sigh; he knew that sooner or later it would come to this. He wanted Angela to be accommodating but she was very far away from that, she didn't like his friends, she didn't like his pet and they didn't like her back either. He knew he was just delaying the inevitable break-up but he didn't expect that it'll be about something as silly as this. He tried to choose his words wisely since there was no dilemma in his heart about his choice.

"If that's what you want then I'd choose Shadow", Leon said monotonously.
"What?!", Angela screamed out in astonishment, "You cannot break-up with me!"
"I am breaking up with you", Leon pressed on it and it offended Angela greatly and she started cursing Leon on the phone.

Leon just pulled away his phone of his ear; he could still hear Angela screaming words of insults before he hung up on her face. He kept the phone on the car's deck and again let out sigh. Shadow whined, making Leon look at him and his pet innocently tried to hide himself behind his paws. Leon couldn't help but let out an amused laugh at his dog's guilty face and ruffled the fur on his head. Leon knew, he made the right decision since Shadow was far more considerate and smarter than Angela.

As Leon turned the keys, Shadow looked up and barked once, pointing out to something and Leon looked up to see what he was looking at and saw Kathleen standing in her balcony. She was looking down at them, for how long he didn't know and he didn't really care either, but seeing her standing there he couldn't help but smile and wave her goodbye. And unexpectedly she waved him goodbye as well, as he took his car off the parking 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.