Graduation Day

Author's Note: Hmm. For less than 1000 words I think that last chapter had a pretty good turn so like I said before I'll put up another chapter. Honestly, I don't quite know where this is going so we're all in for a ride here. Anyways this is chapter 2.

Chapter 2- The Sister You Never Wanted But Got Stuck With Anyway

"Leon! Daddy says you can come in now."

With a nod and a cocky grin plastered on his face, Leon made his way through the double doors into the Oval Office. Ashley smiled as she closed the door behind him and followed.

"Good Afternoon Leon." President Graham addressed as he presented Leon with an offer to sit. Leon did so and replied likewise.

"Afternoon President Graham. I take it you were informed of my request." Leon could see Ashley from the corner of his eye. She was sitting in a chair on the other side of the room intent on listening to the conversation. One thing Leon learned first hand about Ashley was that she was indeed daddy's little girl. And President Graham had no problem acknowledging that. Sitting up in his chair Leon prepared to hear the President's statement.

"Yes, I was. According to what you told the secretary, you are requesting a two week vacation to attend a graduation. Is that correct?" Leon nodded in response. President Graham continued.

"Well Leon, I have no problem with you taking a break after what you did for Ashley and I, Lord knows you deserve it." At that, Ashley smirked at her father's attempt at a thank you. Leon too smirked. Wasn't it kind of obvious he needed some kind of reward?

"However, I must ask. Do you really need a two week vacation? We could definitely use you around here. And if I recall you said that you didn't have much in the way of close family. Can a week not suffice?" Leon smiled. Here was the President of the United States asking, not practically begging, Leon Kennedy to return as soon as possible to be of service. Leon pondered over the question a minute before replying.

"Mr. President, I'm sorry but I'm afraid I'll need atleast two weeks off. I have some issues to take care of. The people I'm going to visit are the closest I have to a family, and I need to right some wrongs." President Graham sat back in his chair as he reviewed Leon's request but Ashley decided to just make the decision for him.

"Aw, Dad just let him go already? Can't you see he has a life too?" Leon grinned at her and she winked back at him. President Graham sighed and reluctantly agreed.

"All right you can stay for 2 weeks. Just two. I'm sorry Kennedy but you're just too valuable to get rid off, even if it's just temporarily." At that, the President broke into a fit of laughter. Ashley rolled her eyes at her father's goofiness while Leon just sat in silence. President Graham soon realized the situation and shut up. He began to compose himself.

"Well, ahem. Leon, you're dismissed. You're officially off. Have fun and stay safe." Leon stood up and shook his hand.

"Thank you President Graham." Ashley walked up to her dad and kissed him on the cheek. "I'm going out. Bye dad." He hugged her as she left out the door. Leon followed her out.

As Leon made his way to his car he could hear Ashley calling for him from behind.

"Leon! Leon, hold on damn you!" Leon turned to see the tired woman behind him. Apparently she must have been chasing him for about 4 or 5 minutes. Leon blew the thought off as he chuckled.

"Sorry Ashley what is it?"

"I was wondering…." Ashley started stilling trying to catch her breath. "I was wondering whose graduation where you going to." Leon gave her a look. That was not what he was expecting.

"A friend of mine. She's practically a little sister to me. Well, she was. I kinda lost touch with her." Ashley lowered her head as if she was affected by his grief.

"Well, why?" She asked. Leon chuckled as he continued to open up his car door. He could see a little of Sherry in her. Hell, come to think about it he hadn't seen Sherry since she was about 14. A lot can happen in 4 years.

"You sure are curious. Tell you what, if you want you can come to this café with me and I'll tell you all about it." At that, Ashley's emerald eyes grew with excitement.

"Sure! I'd love to." As Leon started the car up he opened the door for Ashley to get in. She grinned as Leon turned on the cd player. A uptempo jazz selection started to play.

"I didn't take you a jazz listener Leon. You look like you would listen to something alittle more…..aggressive." Leon shook his head.

"Nope, I'm actually an introvert kinda guy. I'll take tranquility over excitement anyday." With that, he pulled out of the parking lot and made his was to a small café a few blocks away. Hopefully, President Graham wouldn't get any ideas. Especially since Leon was officially off duty.

At the Café

"Get me two gyros Mickey."

"That's got to be Leon. Always coming up here barking out orders. Heh, two gyros coming up."

Situated at a booth next to the front window were Leon and Ashley. Leon noticed how nervous she looked. For one thing, she kept looking around as if she was afraid someone might try to rob her or something. Leon figured that she didn't get out that much. Well, get out like any normal person would.

"Whoa Ashley calm down. I know this place is different but trust me these are good people. You don't have to be so nervous." Leon told her as he attempted to make her feel a little more at home. Ashley seemed to get the ideas as she stopped looking around and instead looked directly at Leon.

"Okay, Leon. Tell me about those people you're going to see." Leon sighed and took a sip from his soda as he got comfortable.

"Well, the graduation I'm attending is for a girl named Sherry. And those people I told about. Well, they help me expose the Umbrella Corporation. I was apart of that resistance they had on t.v a few years back." Ashley's eyes widened. She didn't know too much about Leon except that he was one of the best agents the government had to offer.

"Anyway, after that was done I spent some time living with Sherry and Claire until I was able to start training for the agency. Leon concluded. Ashley gave him a look.

"Claire? Is she like your girlfriend or something?" Ashley asked with a smirk on her face. She was curious to what kind of woman could woo Leon Kennedy. She already knew of Ada and Leon had made it pretty clear he was no longer romantically interested in her. Leon took a deep sigh and took another sip from his drink. Ashley motioned for him to go on.

"Well?"

"I'll say it like this. Claire's not my girlfriend but we're not totally just friends either. Actually I spoke to her for the first time in about a year yesterday morning. Why you jealous?" Leon asked. Ashley slapped him on the wrist.

"What? No! You're cute and all but you're like the big brother I never had. I wouldn't want to date you." Leon's smirk burst into a genuine laugh. Ashley smirked herself.

"You know. You're liked the sister I never wanted but got stuck with anyway. I'm glad you don't want to date me." Ashley laughed at that comment and returned to her serious demeanor.

"So are you gonna like try to let Claire know how you feel?" She asked genuinely concerned. Leon shook his head.

"Honestly, I don't even know exactly how I feel yet. But before I even worry about that I'm definitely going to reconcile with Sherry. That's my ultimate goal for this trip." Ashley nodded. Suddenly an idea popped into Leon's head.

"Hey Ashley, are you still on vacation?" She nodded slowly not knowing what he was thinking. Leon grinned.

"Do you want to come with me and meet the gang. I'm sure you could use a real vacation." Ashley seemed to think it over and finally broke into a huge smile.

"Yeah, I'd love to as long as daddy approves. He still sees me as his little 7 year old girl doing ballet." Leon chuckled.

"Don't worry about that. I'm sure he won't mind. I'm your bodyguard remember. Oh, food's here." At that moment, their order had just arrived. Leon started to dig in while Ashley closed her eyes and took a chance.

"Hey, this is good." Leon was stuffing his face as he nodded.

"The best. Now hurry up and eat. I gotta make some plans. Claire's supposed to send me a letter about the trip." Ashley just nodded as she continued to eat her gyro.

After eating his food Leon leaned back in the booth and started to think of all that had happened in the past few days. He had to admit he missed his friends with a passion. But, it seems that he gained another little sister in the process and he was determined not to severe this bond like he did with the other. Perhaps the greatest mission in his life would be winning back the love he once had from Sherry Birkin. And maybe figuring out his feelings for Claire Redfield too.

Author's Note: To all that reviewed I send out many thanks. Thanks to your reviews I got inspired enough to put up another chapter. Well, thanks to you and the fact that I'm playing RE4 on Professional mode which is to say the least: The Shit! Okay, now I ask of you. Please continue to review the story and let me know how I'm doing. If I get another good response I just might get up 1 or 2 more chapters before I go back to school. Hell Yeah!