Graduation Day

Author's Note: It's Friday night, I don't have to be to work till midnight due to overtime so what's a guy to do? Update this story I figure. As usual, I own not one thing related to Resident Evil. Though if Capcom doesn't release RE5 soon I'm going to travel all the way to Japan to hold them hostage with a very large weapon lol. Here's chapter 10.

Chapter 10: A Kennedy and A Redfield

The sound of the slowly opening door apparently was enough to awake him because moments later Leon Kennedy was rubbing the sleep out of his eyes and looking at the smiling face of Ashley Graham. As usual she was the first one to greet him in the morning.

"Morning Ashley. What's up?" He asked as sat up. Ashley came to sit next to him on the bed still beaming at him for reasons Leon didn't know yet?

"Are you and Claire actually going to spend some alone time today?" she asked. Leon just grinned at her. That alone was enough for her to continue.

"Cause this morning when Sherry and I woke up Claire was downstairs happy as a bird. She even did her hair. Do you know what that means?" she teased. Leon played dumb.

"Is this the part where you tell me that she's doing all of this for me?"

"Of course it is. Sherry's interrogating Claire with similar questions as we speak." Leon let out half a laugh before smiling a little sadly at her.

"You know Ashley, just because me and Claire go out a few times doesn't mean that we'll be together or that we'll even work out. I appreciate the effort and all but…..". Before he could finished Leon was cut off and taken back but the sudden outburst from the 20 year old.

'

"Leon, will you Shut Up! Stop trying to make excuse to cheat yourself out of some happiness. You and Claire may not be hopelessly in love and all of that but I can see you two care about each other on more than just a friend basis. Even Jill has said something about it to me and Sherry. I just want you to enjoy yourself. Yeah, I know because of her boyfriend you two may never be a couple but don't let this opportunity to reconnect pass you by. This might be the start of something. You don't know." Leon looked at her his expression unreadable before finally muttering:

"Between you and Sherry I don't know who's the louder of the two." Ashley lightly hit him on the shoulder. "Thanks." He added a second later.

"No problem. Now Mr.Kennedy," she began using the horrible accent Salazar spoke in, "You will get up and get dressed and have some major fun with your friend. Me and Sherry are going to go do some shopping. We expect to hear a report when you get back. Okay?" With that she gave him one last smile before walking out the door leaving Leon in deep thought mode once again.

Not more than 6 months ago was he endanger of being decapitated in probably more than 40 different death scenarios, though some were even more gruesome than others. A week and a half ago he thought this part of his life was lost to him. A few days ago he and Sherry came to an understanding. And just last night he met up with the Bitch in the Red Dress yet again. And just a few minutes ago his conversation with Ashley made him realize that he had been lacking something in his life for some time now. A companion. More specifically Claire Redfield.

She had been apart of his life for 6 years albeit some of that time was long distanced and strained but still. After fighting side by side, raising Sherry together, and being there for each other time and time again he was now beginning to realize where all these non-platonic feelings were coming from. Even Claire herself admitted she felt something for him. That night after comforting Ashley, with Claire pressed up against the wall, his lips just a brush away from hers. Leon remembered the look of anxiety in her eyes. She was waiting for him to kiss her. Despite her words she wanted him. He could feel it. And hell, he wanted her. Taking a deep breath Leon put a hand on his head.

"This love thing is harder than anything I've ever done." He said silently to himself. As if the wind he blew her in, Claire was at his door wishing him a good morning.

"Morning Allyson. Looking forward to today?" He asked as he made room for her on his bed. Claire took the invitation and was soon laying next to him on his bed. Despite the fact he was shirtless, it looked like a somewhat causal scene. She smiled at him.

"Yeah, Sherry just had a very 'interesting' conversation with me." Leon smirked.

"Yeah, Ashley did with me too. Two very smart women there I tell you." Claire nodded. The look she gave him told Leon many things. The most important being Claire's apparently acknowledgement of the reasoning behind the conversations.

"So what do you wanna do? I mean something that we haven't already done a million times? She asked. Leon seemed to lay back in thought. He hadn't really thought about it either. Claire was always at work so it's not like they had a lot of time to hang out this last week anyway.

"Hmm? When's the last time you've played pool down at Marley's?" Claire gave him a look of sarcasm.

"When's the last time you hair was red Leon? And you know good and well, I'll embarrass your ass again. Just like last time." Leon scoffed in attempt to blow off her obvious jab.

"Okay, Claire, you do know I let you win that one time right? I mean you're good now, don't get me wrong. But you and Chris have no sense of patience and/or trigonometry." Claire used her left leg to hit him cause him to yelp in pain. "Damn Claire, injured agent here." He laughed lightly as he rubbed his leg.

"Well it's settled. We're going to finish this once and for all and I'm going to kick your ass Leon. Where do you want the footprint? Left cheek or right cheek?"

Upon looking at the look of seriousness on Claire's face Leon couldn't help but burst into laughter. Claire took the pillow from under his head and hit him with it.

"Okay, Okay, I give. I forgot how 'persuasive' you can be Claire? I like your hair by the way." Leon made sure he acknowledged it. Instead of her infamous ponytail Claire had gone and braided her hair. She almost looked like the 19 year old he first met rather than the 25 year old he was with now.

"Thank you. I figured it was time for a change you know?" She told him as she laid back on the bed and stared at the ceiling alongside him.

"Yeah, seems like everything's changing. Sherry's graduating in 3 days. You're about to be an aunt. And I'm a full time bodyguard for the President's daughter who has lived out one too many horror movies. Life's funny huh?"

"Yep."

The two of them continued to lay in silence for a few moments before Jill peaked her head in the door. She grinned at the two of them before telling them that her and Chris were leaving. Soon Claire was ironing her clothes and Leon was out the bed and in the shower feeling better than he had in months.

After eating some breakfast Claire and Leon had finally decided just to take a ride on Claire's bike to kill some time and possibly find something to do. Claire, being the stubborn person she was, wouldn't let Leon on the bike until he was fully padded with the helmet include which was a tad too small for him. He let his discomfort be known.

"Claire, I can't see out of this thing. It's too small." He whined as Claire tried to help him put it on. She gave a motherly look of disdain/amusement.

"You ever stop and think that maybe you just have a big head?" That earned her a dry laugh and a kick in the leg. She eventually got the helmet on but not without a little force. She gave him a cheeky smile as he groaned like a kid who had just found out his mama had outsmarted him. Wrapping his arms around her waist to hold on, Leon didn't realize it but Claire was blushing beet red as she revved up and pulled out of the driveway.

A few hours later

From walking at the park to some sight seeing to doing some shopping downtown Leon and Claire had made the best of their time together. Now they were finishing off their long overdue pool rematch. After some general conversation Leon tried his hardest not to bring Sean into the equation but his curiosity about how serious Claire was with him came into play somehow. He noticed how she tensed up a little at the mention of him. She took her shot before focusing her eyes back on him.

"You sure know how to bring up some great conversation topics Leon?" she muttered. He lowered his head slightly in embarrassment.

"Sorry. I know how awkward all this must be for you. It's just….Claire you know how things are between us. There are feelings." He glanced a little longer at his trajectory before taking his shot. Close but no sinker. Claire nodded.

"I know. I'd be lying if I tried to say there weren't. How long have you felt this way about me?" She asked quietly as she sat on the side of the billiard table. Leon clicked his tongue on the side of his mouth as if he really didn't want to say but in reality he really didn't know.

"A few weeks ago I guess. Hearing from you again it reminded me of how close we were. I missed it." Claire nodded.

"Me too. Unfortunately that ship has set sail. Me and Sean, we're comfortable with each other. He may not know me as well as you do but he's there for me. At this point in my life, I think that's what I need."

"You're right. He may be what you need." He replied. But the look in his eyes said different.

'Is he what you want?' He added silently in his head. Claire gave him a funny look before sighing to herself.

"Leon, I don't think I've ever told you this but I waited a long time for you." Leon gave her a surprised look. She regained her composure.

"To make a move damn it. I could have sworn back then you were going to. The flirting between us was something obvious. But I was scared that being a couple would damage our friendship beyond repair. For years you were there and then you weren't. So when you left, I decided I should move on too. And I have. But that doesn't mean, I still don't have those feelings for you. I just don't think I can act on them just yet. You being here has been great this past week even if things have been way off." Leon looked on as she brushed a stray strand of hair from her face. What a predicament these two were in? The gears in his head were churning though. Basically Claire was letting him know that there was still a chance even if she didn't flat out say it. He walked over to her and ushered her into a hug which she gratefully accepted.

"We should have had this conversation a long time ago huh?" He told her softly. She smirked playfully.

"Ya think? Anyway, we'll talk more about us later okay. You don't have that much time left here with us so let's make the most of it. Besides we still have to get with Chris and Jill about Sherry's car. Her aunt told us to let her know when so she can sign for it." Leon nodded in agreement.

"I was thinking about the party too. Maybe Ashley can stall Sherry while we set up everything. That way we won't look too suspicious."

"Yeah, that's a good idea. Bout time you start using your head Scott?" Claire joked. Leon rolled his eyes but grinned back at her just the same. His life was anything but normal. Soon he would be back to work and involved in more cliché government conspiracy plots than a Jerry Bruckheimer movie but he could deal with that. And he and Claire had got their feelings out in the open. Just the possibility of what could happen next between them was enough for him to give her a cheesy smile. When he banked the winning shot the smile only got wider.

Later that evening

After making Claire's loss miserable for a few more hours the two grabbed a bite to eat and were soon parked back in Claire's driveway. Tired as hell would be an understatement for the two. Walking to the phone, Claire checked the messages. One from Sherry and Ashley stating they would be staying the night at Sherry's aunt's house, and another from Carlos telling Claire that he and Rebecca would be in town soon and that he couldn't wait to see Leon. Claire couldn't help but smile as she yelled up the stair for Leon who was changing clothes.

"Hey Leon, Carlos and Becca are gonna be here in a day or two!" The loud thump upstairs was apparently Leon's response before poking his head around the corner.

"Yeah? Can't wait to see Rebecca and her Antonio Banderas. I'm still in shock that he hasn't knocked Rebecca up yet? Claire looked at him aghast.

"Leon!"

Leon just chuckled back at her. This was the most fun he'd had in a long time. At that Leon walked into the living room and flopped down on the couch before flicking on the remote. Claire came and sat next to him.

"What's on the tube?" She asked as she got comfortable. Leon just groaned.

"Nothing good. Oh, wait King of Queens." Turning the channel Leon smiled when he felt Claire's head fall on his shoulder. She was getting sleepy. He rearranged his arm so that he could move it around her. She graciously accepted. He could so get used to this. As Claire dozed off to sleep Leon soon followed.

Chris and Jill made there way inside about an hour later with some takeout but instead found the snoozing couple on the couch in front of them. Chris just looked at Jill who was smiling. Not wanting to disturb them, they put the food in the refrigerator and left locking the door behind them.

"Those two remind me of me and you." Jill said as she got in the car. Chris nodded.

"Hmm. But you weren't in a relationship at the time. I hope Claire doesn't get too attached. I don't think Leon can handle any more trauma after the story he told us about Spain." Jill regarded him thoughtfully.

"They'll be okay. Claire might be stubborn but she follows her heart. Guess that a trait all Redfields share." Chris smirked.

"You should know. You're one of us now. Plus that's my offspring you're having." Jill sighed playfully.

"Aw, I know."

Back in the house Claire and Leon were still asleep. For the first time in a long time the two of them were back to doing what they do best. Being there for each other. With each other.

Author's Note: Wow, I updated this thing. First off this chapter was different. At least to me it was. But I hope it was worth it. Ya'll know I'm a L/C fan to the fullest but that isn't the main focus of this story. But it's there. I hope I clarified a lot of things about the relationship between the two of them in this chapter cause that's what it was about. This story is almost drawing to a close. Thanks to everyone out there reading and following the story. Keep reading and sending me some feedback. It's like economics, the more you demand the more I supply. Oh yeah, this chapter goes out to my buddy Diddly Day, just cause she's that damn cool. Maybe you will update soon eh? Until next time. Hell Yeah!