Washington D.C
Friday September 17th 2004
18:15 (American Time)
"I see."
Leon blinked. He had been holding his breath for an answer, but if that was all he was going to get, he knew he had no chance of leaving here any time soon. The President simply stayed where he was standing, in his statuesque manner that meant he was thinking of how best to word disappointment.
Leon knew he was in deep shit.
"Sir I – "
"Kennedy."
Leon stepped back and clasped his hands behind him. "Sir?"
A sigh. "I have listened to your explanation, and am full aware of the seriousness of your current situation."
Leon sighed in relief,
"However,"
Then shut him up again.
"As you know, your first assignment is to protect my daughter, and put her welfare before your own, or any other's."
Leon resisted the urge to step forward and make a very vocal protest to that. But instead, he safely settled for digging the toes of his boots into the President's plush carpet to restrain himself.
"And as that contract still stands, I feel Ashley needs protecting more than ever in the wake of recent events. So I am afraid your services are still called upon and will be until this whole matter is fully resolved. My daughter has come to depend on you Leon."
'First name terms now huh? Next you'll be telling me I'm the son you never had. Jesus…'
During his period of thought, Leon failed to notice the President turn to face him, and lost his chance to hide his rather obvious frustration. Even his fists were clenched by now.
And when he eventually looked up, it was like looking straight down the laser of a sniper rifle.
Definitely in deep shit…'
"It seems clear to me Kennedy, that you have forgotten – "
'My place? Yeah looks like it. Just hand my ass to me on a resignation slip so I can get out of here already…'
" – the terms of your contract."
'Close enough'
Already preparing himself for an early exit, Leon was reaching into his pocket for his soon to be expired access cards, when he caught sight of something that stopped him dead.
The President was smiling?
Leon blinked. Now he was really confused. Letting his arms relax, he held his hands up in a surrender gesture and admitted his defeat. "Okay Sir, I really don't know where you are going with this conversation anymore. Can we just get this over with? I know I'm out."
"Well yes, yes you are Kennedy. I am glad we can come to an amicable conclusion."
The agent's expression now showed he clearly had not been expecting that after all.
A laugh sounded again from the more mature man. "Leon please, do you really think me that much of an unreasonable man? The terms of your contract I am referring to are those which grant you leave upon the successful completion of this mission."
It took one whole silent minute for this information to sink in.
Then another just to make sure.
"…So you're letting me go back?"
The older man smiled genuinely and nodded, his rounded figure standing proudly in the presence of his most favoured and reliable agent.
"And you can have all the assistance you require. On one condition though Kennedy. That you say goodbye to my daughter before she falls through the door there."
"Excuse m -?" Leon was interrupted by the sound of a surprised gasp from behind the door. Instantly turning to face it, he relaxed with a small smile when he realised he recognised the voice.
"No problem Sir." He replied, nodding to President Graham before quickly striding across the room to the door before Ashley could fully run away from embarrassment.
For the first time that day, Leon Kennedy smiled.
'I'm on my way Claire'
Author's Notes: I know this isn't much to be going on with, but I felt this part should stand on its own. It fits well as a lone chapter. Sorry it's been so long guys, and a load of your will want me shot because this meagre update is not CloTi related - but hold it! I'm working on everything at once, so everything is coming along slow, but if I fixate on one thing, then the others will never get done because I'll lose track of them. So keep with me here. Hi to Gordon if you're reading, sorry I haven't checked out your art in a while, you on the other hand are allowed to shoot me.
And a nice shout out to Christian Wei by the way. Let's get writing!
Xx Jessie xX
