And Then She Grew Wings

_+++++Leon Scott Kennedy+++++_

Leon Kennedy was in shock, hence a normalcy in procedure didn't dawn on his mind due to the intimacy of the moment; but when it occurred to him he rushed two fingers on her carotid artery. His own heart already quickened now skipped a beat when he got a pulse, faint but there. The man sprung on his feet groaning, his shoulder was sore, his feet hurt and he was tired; but he'd walk with her in his arms until he'd drop dead if he had to. With a severe face, Leon hurried around the burning carcass and made his way down the cement rubbles, hang on Dark Angel, we're both getting out of here. His right boot slipped on a rock so he almost tripped but regained balance, wincing under his injury. I swear you're going to tell me your name.

Determined, he walked as fast as he could, past the tunnel with eyes cast on the horizon hoping to locate a car, a city, any sign of civilization. He eventually saw something in the sky that was coming his way; neither chopper nor plane, something much faster and meant to destroy. The missile flew over his head and towards Raccoon City. He stood there staring, couldn't believe this was about to happen, and then saw the orange mushroom, afterwards it turned to gray fumes as the sound of the blast arrived to him.

«...They destroyed what little proof was left... They're powerful enough, sufficiently ready to go to such lengths... All those people...and almost got her...» Kennedy felt anger swell inside despite how exhausted he was, bearing a fierce expression he then vowed to bring Umbrella down. He didn't stare at the fumes lifting some more in the sky but turned his back on it now filled with new-found resolve. His body was damaged but they wouldn't break his mind, and then he'd break them. Leon made her jump in his arms to replace her closer and kept walking fast, his muscles begged for him to stop but he didn't. Couldn't save anyone, I'm going to make sure you survive this...He didn't dare halt only to take her pulse, every seconds counted. At least she isn't bleeding anymore but her life's in danger still.

Leon had a vague idea how long his struggle lasted before he located a sign indicating he was closing in on the nearby city. When he saw a car appearing over a hill, he laid her down on the grass; both to free his arms but also because he feared the driver wouldn't stop if they saw a stranger holding a body. He stood clear in the middle of the road moving his healthy arm through the air; unfortunately he didn't have his armored uniform on which could have provided further incentive. The car was approaching fast and Leon feared it would speed past him once the driver would notice he had blood on him, but it started slowing down when the driver spotted him. The sound of the engine made it seem like mechanical purring as the dark-purple vehicle stopped near. A sport car, just my luck!

The driver's window was already down so Leon didn't waste any second and prompted his badge up, «Emergency situation, I need you to drive us back to the closest hospital. » Good thing it didn't fall off somewhere! She called it my good fortune, huh? Not implausible it seems.

The civilian glanced at the emblem then at the man's dirty appearance, «What...? », looking puzzled, but Leon was already opening the rear door before he sprinted back towards the woman and brought her along. With his hand under her knees he seated her then hurried in himself. The driver's eyes became round, «Holy shit, what happened to her?! »

«Drive back to where you came from right now. », he rested her backside on his legs.

«B-but there's an hospital in Raccoo-»

Leon darted eyes back up «The city's closed down, now drive! ». 'Closed down' was the shortest and simplest choice of words perfect for a situation like this, presently he didn't have time to deal with explanations or reassuring this civilian. The car turned around and Kennedy added, «I'm sure you've always dreamed to go way over the speed limit; well now's your chance. », meanwhile he checked her pulse and sighed heavily when he got one. With a cop on board the driver didn't have to fear being arrested, if they were pursued by a fellow officer then Leon could always show his badge and explain the situation. He looked her over; the leg that had been bruised was the one she had removed tissue from to stop his shoulder from bleeding before replacing it with clean bandages; aside from cuts and bruises it was in much better condition than her bloody arm. Well he had done everything that he could for that limb. The driver peeked in the rearview mirror but fortunately kept his mouth shut, the roaring of the motor was the only thing they listened to.

He looked at her face noticing a tear had rolled down her own cheek, having left a clean trail through the dirt. This means something as I doubt this woman cries often... The left side was showing claw marks but nothing too deep risking an infection. Upon that word his eyes rounded up, the virus! If it spreads by contact and not just saliva then what if...his heart that had merely started to slow down now sped back up, if he managed to get her to a hospital in time then they still wouldn't be able to do a single thing if she'd been infected; and she'd turn... into one of those things. Then what...? Would I need to shoot her...?

Leon couldn't bear the thought so he hoped the virus didn't get into her system. He knew the symptoms thus removed his glove and put his wrist on the woman's forehead to take her temperature, she was relatively cold. He paused a palm near her injury and underneath her t-shirt to reach her skin; no burning sensation there either. It took some of the tension off him physically and mentally, hoping he wasn't being deceived again like they had been more than once with the Tyrant.

The car's tires screeched into a curve then kept straight again, Leon darted his eyes on the rushing scenery, «How far yet? »

«At this speed, I'd say twenty minutes or so. »

That wasn't something he liked to hear. DAMN IT! In five minutes she might be dead! He felt like punching the backseat hard but instead took hold of the seat's frame and squeezed sturdily. I can't believe she'd survive all this only to die so close from being saved...! His clenched jaws hurt but he couldn't let go, it would seem the pressure wouldn't leave him just yet. They engaged into another curve and Leon uncurled his hands in order to keep her steady over him, he'd glance nervously between the windows and her face; hoping to see her lids twitch or hear the woman moan in her sleep. Anything to indicate she was still with him, to give him a bit of hope. But she was dead silent, only by putting his index and middle finger on her throat could he be reassured her heart still beat. He then recalled how they kept joking despite the tension between them, and especially within her; telling himself that if she had truly wanted it, then she could have just so easily avoided him entirely. And even maybe she could have shot me to spare herself the annoyance...But instead the mystery woman joked a bit, and even kept by his side no matter what she said...

He coiled a brown lock behind her ear. Still giving me the mute treatment, huh...

He got taken out of his thoughts by the driver's voice, «Sir? There's a barrage of police right ahead. It wasn't there when I came through here earlier. »

Leon vaguely noticed how odd it was to be given the 'sir' status right now, frowning as they slowed down while approaching the police line and their flashing lights. Could they already know? He then had the bad feeling that maybe, those cops, were with Umbrella. Remembering all the treachery the company was capable of, the secrecy and the power in their hands; Kennedy wondered how far their strings extended. Or someone did hear my radio signal, that or I'm getting paranoid, or it's the lack of rest talking. «I'll talk to them. », the car stopped and Leon rushed out showing his badge, «Officer Leon Kennedy from the RPD, I have a wounded that is in dire need of medical attention; let me through! »

The policewoman stared at his badge, then him, for a second he thought she wouldn't let them through so his mind raced. If they really are under Umbrella's thumb then that means they'll make sure we aren't infected and keep us here, or worse... Then she looked to her right and nodded for her subordinates to remove the barriers, then said «Drive safely. » Leon ran back to the car and they were off, apparently their job was to make sure no one went towards Raccoon, period.

The civilian glanced at him, «What was that all about, officer? »

Hell, it's not like Kennedy could do anything else right now, besides it's also unlikely that Umbrella could completely conceal an entire city being wiped off the map, or erase every trace of their involvement in this incident...could they? «A large-scale virus infection occurred in Raccoon and at dawn a missile sanitized the city. No doubt the news will cover the rest of the details soon enough. »

«...You serious...? »

No doubt? Then why do I feel like we'll be wronged again? Just like the S.T.A.R.S. members were once they shared the truth, only to be ridiculed and lose their jobs...and then the rest happened. Could it repeat somewhere else too? How many so-called pharmaceutical products and laboratories does Umbrella have in this country? What about elsewhere...? Leon shut his eyes hard, he was tired and this sort of nebulous thinking where there was exponentially more questions than answers only drained him more. He looked down; right now I'll concentrate on her. At least that was simple enough compared to everything else, even if she's complicated; but hey, I like riddles too... Then he thought about his jeep and his apartment, his new job, everything he owned was gone. The only tangible thing remaining was this woman; she'd taken a part of him so if she died... What would be left of Leon then but his fury against Umbrella?

X+++++++++X

When they reached the hospital, her severe condition allowed her to be taken care of right away; even if Leon couldn't provide them with her name and blood type or any ID cards whatsoever. A nurse took care of his injury but afterwards she couldn't get him to leave the corridor since he wanted to remain close to the surgical room, he couldn't step in there so he watched through the small window in the door instead. He'd been seated in that car for the past minutes so now he forced himself to keep an eye on her; they plugged her to machines, cleaned her wound before sowing it into a stump. Thirty minutes or so later they came out and directed him to her room along the way, the surgeon woman reassured him she'd come to soon enough now.

She also asked him who he was to her and Kennedy had to say he's a friend so that the nurse could write that down on the woman's clipboard resting at the base of the bed. Since his partner wasn't awake but he was falling asleep, he went to the bathroom connected to the room and washed his hands then his face. Afterward a nurse entered with water and clean towels but Leon stepped in, «I can do that, thanks. », she nodded and left.

But before going through with the motion he looked at her, recalling the way she had pulled on his neck to deepen their kiss; the way Leon felt now he wondered if that's also how she did when she had taken care of him once unconscious. He plunged the towel in the bowl; no doubt she wouldn't feel comfortable being so harmless plus washed by someone else. But I dare hope I'm more than that now. He placed the wet towel on her forearm and started removing the layers of dirt; calm, concentrating on this minor task which was so easy for a change.

When he neared her collar bones he felt heat spread through him. He didn't peek at portions he felt he didn't need to, even if he recalled how badly they had wanted each other back there; it's just that he would never abuse of anyone's weakness to get what he wanted, so her being unconscious was similar. He just did this respectfully, although still craving to touch her further. She's safe now; we'll have plenty of time later to deepen that intimacy...that filled his being with warmth once more. Hopefully she'll still feel the same as well.

Before he wiped the traces off her face he stared at the trail the tear had left, and perhaps she'll allow me to make her cry of joy...make her laugh and let me protect her some more... He finished washing her then seated near the bed, as he looked over her a multitude of things swirled in his mind. How they'd leave this place since his Jeep had blown up with the entire city, what they would do in life then, and so forth... among all that he collapsed from fatigue. He dreamt of how, the night before, he had ended his relationship with his ex. How he had drank most of the night to blur the feeling of emptiness that wanted to swallow him; until he woke late the next day consequently arriving behind schedule in Raccoon City. Afterwards came many horrible things decimating people, a tall black demon chasing him, and her dying at the hands of abominable creatures. He'd complain in his sleep, his front lay across the hospital bed and his head resting near her left arm.

That's how she found him when she came to.

_+++LSK++++_

I don't know how it happened but my consciousness was still there, I was thinking. So does it mean I'm out of my body? No, that came next; the feeling of heaviness and me resting on my back. The phantom presence of my right arm despite knowing it was gone... My eyes became wet under my lids, all my skills, now over... Hard to be efficient in hacking and combat, shooting with one goddamn arm. Where's Leon?! I lifted my lids as my ears directed me towards a faint moan to my left, and there he was, alive. The gathering tears rolled down my cheeks, we're in a hospital, somehow he must have dragged me to one...in his injured embrace, tired body and mind... he did this for me...and because he loves me. I moved my hand on his hair softly not wanting to wake him since he deserved the sleep. I watched him as I thought about the future that lay ahead of us now...

Maybe I'll get arrested, can I live with him, what am I to do now being almost useless...? And what about Umbrella...? Plenty of things nagging at me, my body was damaged but my brain were still the same, it wouldn't stop. An hour later a nurse came by offering us food; when she checked my bandage and asked how I felt it didn't even made Leon stir. I asked her to stop by later with a plate for him since I wanted to leave him alone, so I ate my serving of food and it felt great to eat something warm. Well, I mostly ate with my hand because trying to hold the spoon in my inexperienced limb was harder than it seemed. It took me longer to empty my plate, but I wasn't in a hurry anyway.

Afterwards I kept staring out the window at my right and him, alternating between the two; felt regret for every cold things I had told him. No sense dwelling on that I guess. So I summoned what had occurred last when we had hold unto each other as if we could have just lost the other to a gust of wind or something. How his lips felt on mine, his body and how I wanted more. During my mind wanderings, the nurse came back with a warm plateau for my visitor; right then I shook Leon awake because he needed to eat something far more reinvigorating than dried food. When he leveled his lids and saw me awake he straightened himself, his face lighting up right away, «How are you feeling? », taking my hand.

It made me smile, his mere sight and voice made me smile. I didn't know I had that in me... «Alright; thanks to my Blue Angel... And how are you feeling? »

He gave me a warm expression, his eyes shining, «Better now. I was afraid you'd die before I made it here, or had been infected. »

«Congratulations, Mr. Kennedy; you saved someone. »

I read a bit of deception in his visage, no doubt he still felt unsatisfied with saving so few; I touched his cheek and chin, «It was a tough event and you came unprepared for it, unimaginable odds; you still should feel alright, you're not Superman. »

He managed to grin, «I guess, I was being too naïve...after all I'm a rookie straight out of idealism-school. »

«Not anymore. I'm really glad you're safe; it's good to hear your voice... »

«You sure you're not suffering from fever? You didn't give in compliments before. »

«That was before. I admit I'm a bit surprised, I thought you'd handcuff me to the bed or have the authorities summoned. »

His expression changed, «...I... it crossed my mind, but I really couldn't do it... »

He must have been balancing things back and forth in his mind, weighting everything and no doubt his cop spirit and thirst for justice had made matters much more complicated. «But, I also thought to chain you to the bed in case you'd think of escaping while I slept, giving your tendency to run away. »

I smirked, we searched each other's eyes, then he gathered the courage, «I've been thinking... about us. Is it stupid to imagine we can have a future together...? »

«Can you live with the things I've done, and the things I might do still? »

«I've thought about that as well... and after what happened to Raccoon and knowing there are even darker things in this world than I already knew; I know I have to toughen up myself, get realistic... stop being such an idealist, and accept that there are people like you, neither black nor white, who can still be good within. So... I guess what I'm trying to say is...»

I placed my index on his lips, «Shh... Come over here and kiss me. »

He smirked, «That I can do. »

We did so, slower this time since there was no emergency anymore; we played with our tongues and savored each other plainly. Once done, I advised him to eat to regain strength.

«So, where the fuck are we? »

He chuckled, «Had forgotten your way of behaving for a moment since presently you're so gentle. », he told me everything while he ate here and there. I merely lay back and listened to his voice, watched him as he masticated the food and the way his adam apple moved when he drank. It was nice to just savor these simple things for once. Is this my future...? Can I 'behave' a bit for his sake? Am I really a suitable partner for him?

...Am I finished...

He lay the fork down in the plate, «I still can't entirely fathom the fact that they blew the whole city. »

«Perhaps that's merely the tip of the iceberg... Hey, come over and lay beside me. »

«Might be a good policewoman yourself since you like giving orders so much. »

«I know you must want to lie down by now. », I felt like tapping the right side to welcome him but remembered my limb was gone, evidently that'll take some getting used to...

I watched him as he walked around the bed, liking the way he moved and in that moment didn't restrain myself from looking at his ass. As he lay down I said, «By the way, you've got a nice behind, among other things. »

He mostly lay on his left side, left leg straight but his right bent, laying his forearm on it; I noticed then he must have removed his dirty boots hours ago when he had waited. Without saying anything or feeling ashamed, I snug myself against his chest, eyes resting on the rest of him and glancing about. His cotton shirt still reeked a bit but I had smelled worse by now. His right arm moved from his knee and embraced my side as he laid his chin on top of my head; I listened to his heartbeat and soft breaths, feeling relatively secure. Not something I'm used to, or have given to anyone... And I think he imagined that as well. I breathed him in before saying, «...July Ruisseau...»

«Hm? »

«Twenty seven years old, blood type AB+, height 5'7", weight...well, haven't checked in a long while. »

He laughed softly; again, it was one of the nicest things I have ever heard... I embraced his waist and slid my hand under his shirt, caressing his lower back lovingly.

«I should actually create a silver plaque like a commemorative inscription since I doubt you'll ever repeat it to me again. »

«No need, I'll take my knife and carve it in your chest. »

«Now now, behave. »

«Or what? You're going to spank me? »

He whispered with his voice appealingly warm, «You know, I just might... »

I grinned, now we're talking. «Looking forward to it, handsome. », and cupped a side of his ass that I could reach, «But you're wrong if you think I won't go all hot on you too... »

He cleared his throat and I looked up at him, it was just as I expected seeing the rosy tint across his face. «I see we both like that idea. », and kissed him again. My hand revolved around his waist before ascending on his stomach, slowly so I could feel his small abs and then his chest. I rubbed my palm there a few seconds, then cupped his right side before brushing my thumb on his nipple. He was so soft yet manly, as if he's been made to match my tastes. We departed our mouths and I whispered, «Eatable...»

Leon exhaled through his mouth, trying to keep control over himself, «We're going to do this here and now? »

«Not the whole thing but just a bit... however I'll stop if you ask me to. »

He locked his mouth on mine and forced his tongue inside with renewed passion, clear enough. Being this young and blushing when I invoke more intimate things, it was no surprise he reacted quickly to my care; my hand pulled from underneath his shirt and went to his belt. I broke the kiss, «You're going to have to help me with that though. »

He unbuckled it, undid a button and unzipped his pants; since I knew my hand to be cold I said, «Sorry for that but it'll warm up soon enough. », and slid it in his underwear, hearing his sharp intake of breath. I smirked realizing he was shaven, now that's even more to my liking. He was already erect when I started working on him, not one to have an obsession with genital sizes I didn't bother measuring its length; all that mattered was to give this loving gentleman affectionate handling. The elastic band in his underwear was a small bother though, from the way we were positioned it dug in my skin with each movements; but giving where we are I didn't want to expose more of him to the outside eyes. Meanwhile I kissed his neck once and trailed the tip of my tongue on his skin.

He enjoyed my care and I every noises he made, every breaths; and my dark inner being taking pleasure in having him under my control like this, although it wasn't born out of malice. Eventually he started to move in my hand by thrusting his hips. I let his excitement take over until he came, bending his front even more over me while moaning close to my ear. I grinned; alright his laughter comes in second position after that pure hotness he just gave me. I milked his cock with his seeds a bit before stopping, him breathing fast; then I pulled my limb free and reached for a Kleenex at my left. Placing it flat on the bed I wiped my hand on it then fumbled the tissue into a ball then tossed it in the wastebasket, when I turned around he took my chin and repaid me in deep kissing. Once we separated he held his belt and went to the bathroom to wash himself. I imagined having his soft self all over me, his rigid member rubbing against my belly while we'd kiss, him touching me before we'd make one. Warmth spread in between my thigh some more but that'd have to wait.

The nurse came in to remove the empty plate asking if it had been satisfying, smiling to myself about what just had happened I said, «Without a doubt. When do you think I can leave? »

«Doctor said she'd come see you in a moment. », and she left.

When Leon came back out he was even more radiant than before, having heard the nurse's answer he simply sat back on the chair and leaned forward placing both elbows on his knees. He looked at me with hungry eyes, «Don't think you'll escape your fate so easily, once we're out of here I'm gonna eat you whole. »

I simply gazed back at him with similar crushing waves in my eyes.