Story warnings, pairings and such in previous chapters.

Disclaimer: Capcom owns all the characters and concepts from Resident Evil. Any new people, and the SI are mine so don't steal them, thanks.

AN: Sorry that it's taken so long. Hope you enjoy this and please review! Btw, this might be kinda confusing, the writing style, at least that's what I think. So sorry for that. Now go on and read!

Italics thoughts bold emphasis

AND INTO DREAMS; COME CLOSER, COME NEAR

Chapter 4: A day at the mall

How do I get myself into these messes? What did I ever do to deserve this? Have I not already paid my price battling creatures of the night? Fighting for truth, justice, for what is right? How is it then that I managed to end up here? God I hate shopping! Leon found himself thinking as Sherry dragged him from one store to the next. This never ends! How many stores can there be? Yet to him it seemed that there was a never ending amount of the hellish shops. He could practically hear his credit card screaming to be cut in half, and the credit company people with happy smiles on their faces. At least if the cashiers were anything to go by. Every time Sherry and he stepped in to a store there seemed to be someone there ready to help them buy things. They're like frikkin' vultures! Or sharks smelling the blood, or well, the money the second you step through the door. He felt his feet complaining once again. How do girls do this all day long? And Leon was no slouch, he exercised regularly and went for a run every day.

"Sherry? Sherry? Sher?" At the hated nickname he finally got her attention.

"Leeeeooonnn… I've told you a thousand times not to call me that!" She made a Humph! sound and he had to smile, she sure was adorable when she was all whiny.

"Well how am I supposed to get you out from shop-a-mania? The glint in your eyes is kinda scary you know…"

Sherry giggled then before punching him in the arm. "haha, funny."

"but seriously, how much more do you need? I saw, and felt, all he bags you brought home from your aunt." He still felt achy from carrying all her bags.

"Well old man, if you can't handle it then fine. Go somewhere to rest those old bones of yours. Just hand over your credit card before you go. I can't believe you won't let me get one of my own anyway! I'm so old enough you know. And don't you think giving me the look is going to work forever, I'm way too responsible to not get one. Plus this is so your own fault for not taking me shopping immediately when I got home. I've got two weeks of shopping to make up for."

"Alright, alright! I get your point. I'm going to regret this later, but fine, take it. And don't you go calling me old, little girl." Quickly the card was grabbed from his hand while Sherry stuck out her tongue at him.

"Thanks Leon, I'll call you when I'm done. Bye!" and then she was running of somewhere to make a huge dent in his bank account. I've got to learn to say no to that girl. And maybe she should get that credit card, right after she gets a job to pay for it that is. He had to smile though, she sure was growing up. At fifteen she certainly was different from the shy little girl he had met in Raccoon City. It seemed like so long ago now. Better not to dwell on those memories. He would always cherish the memories of Sherry and Ada from that place, it was just the rest that he was eager to forget. Enough of that, finally I get a break and what do I do but stand and whine about things long past. Plus Sherry's sixteenth birthday was right around the corner and this seemed like a great opportunity to get her one of those things she had been ogling that he'd refused to get for her.

"Leon? Hey Leon, wait up!" Leon stopped and turned around. A somewhat familiar looking reddish-brunette was calling his name. She sure is beautiful. Surprised and slightly guilty of the thought he tried to place from where he knew this woman.

"Hi! Wow, imagine bumping in to you like this." He was still at a loss at who the young woman was – wait! Could this be the girl from the…club?

Uh-oh, she's expecting me to say something.

"Umm.. hi." She gave him a funny look at first, but it was instantly changed into a smile.

"You don't remember me do you?" God what's her name! I'm sure she told me.

"Cr… Cl…" It was something with a C, he was sure he knew it.

"Claire. I'm Claire." She was still smiling, probably at the flush that had showed up when Leon struggled to remember her name.

"Right, of course. I'm sorry." And he really was, how could he have forgotten someone like her?

"Hey think nothing of it. I have a crappy name-memory so I totally get it. So… Look, I never really got to thank you back then. You really helped me out. Are you in a hurry?"

"no, not really…"

"Great! Can I like buy you a coffee or something? I feel really stupid for just running off back then, did I even thank you?" Just calm down girl, you're scaring the poor guy! It was true, her knight-not-in-shining-armour-but-looking-mighty-fine-anyway that she had not expected to ever see again was standing right in front of her looking kind of confused at the moment. He had been appearing in her dreams for the past weeks and now that he was really here in front of her, in the flesh, she was really hoping to get to know him better.

While Claire was having these panicked thoughts Leon was having a hard time believing he was actually talking to the enticing woman. He hadn't really thought about that night all that much alcohol can do that to you but now it was all coming back in detail. Very vivid detail. And while he was starting to feel very guilty about the thoughts he was having something, a memory of that night, popped into his head.

"Has that creep been bothering you again?" She seemed surprised at the question, but then looked sort of pleased. He does remember me!

"Steve? No, he hasn't shown up since then. I think you really scared him off." Leon gave a satisfied nod at the information. Creeps like that should be put away.

"How about that coffee? Or tee?" she gave a slight grin "or maybe it's hot chocolate?"

He smiled back at her. "Coffee would be nice."

End chapter four.

To be continued…
I just read the beginning of this fic and I'm kinda embarrassed, oh well. And yes, I do realise that Claire is kinda OOC but I don't really care right now… but I will try to get her back to normal, someday.

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Looking for a beta for this fic, toread it before it's posted, check that it'skeeping with the storyline andcheck for spelling and grammar would be great.so if you feel interested, drop me a line. there's really nothing to it.

Thanks to everyone that has reviewed! (If I forgot to reply to you review, tell me and I'll get right to it!) Love you guys! You have no idea how many times you've saved my day. Btw, could use a little saving right now. Hint, hint. ;)