After collecting their luggage, Ada had told Leon to wait for her by the main exit of the airport. He watched her disappear into the crowd, leaving him to people watch for several minutes. Impatience quickly set in but was short lived as he saw her worm her way back through the masses of travelers.
"Our ride's here" she said, leading him out the automatic doors while he carried their luggage.
The two of them stepped out onto the sidewalk and were instantly bathed in the warm California sun. They watched as people came and went, ferried either on foot or by taxi or their own vehicles. A seemingly endless stretch of parking lot lay before them. They looked out at it, very similar to how one would look at a vast ocean before them. It was somewhat painful to look at. No matter which way he turned his head, the sun was bouncing off of every metal roof top and right at him. Even through the sunglasses the dull needles of pain pushed into his eyes and Leon looked over to Ada who stared strait ahead into the glittering, metal ocean. There was no sign of any rental car.
"So…where is it?" he asked in delayed curiosity, glancing left and right for signs of a vehicle.
No sooner had he said that when Ada tilted her head to the left, looking past Leon. He turned his head and watched as a brand new, black NISAN Versa drove up and stopped right in front of them. The valet, a blonde haired man about twenty two who was dressed in an airport vest and sunglasses, stepped out of the driver's side and greeted them with a large smile.
"Here you go folks" he said, tapping the roof of the car lightly. "Make sure you get where you're going in one piece alright" he said, popping the trunk for them.
The valet offered to get their luggage for them but Leon waved the man off. He walked to the rear of the car, lifted their belongings and deposited them into the trunk before shutting it. While this was going on, Ada met with the valet as he stepped back onto the sidewalk.
"Will do sweat-heart" Ada said, flirting with the young man and handing him a few bills as a tip.
She glanced back over to Leon who was watching it all from the rear of the car. Even under the shades, Ada could tell that he was staring daggers at her. The valet parker left and Leon walked around to the passenger's side of the vehicle. He glared at Ada while she unlocked the door from the driver's side.
When they were both buckled up and situated Leon cocked his head and asked in annoyance. "What the hell was that all about?"
"Ahhh. Jealous are we?" Ada crooned.
"Pfft…Please" he scoffed. "Over that?" he jerked his thumb back towards the valet.
"You know, you're a terrible liar Leon" Ada teased as she put the car into gear and started to drive down the lane that would lead out of the airport.
"I am not" he tried to defend himself.
"Really? Then why did it look like you were ready to tear that kid's throat out?" she asked, turning to look at him before focusing on the road again.
Leon sat in silence, looking at his feet while Ada chuckled.
"Ahahahahah, I knew it! You're jealous" she said with a small laugh, throwing her head back. Ada took her right hand off the wheel and reached over to Leon, rubbing his cheek. "You're cute when you're jealous. You know that?"
All Leon could do was shake his head and roll his eyes. She loved to mess with his head. Keep him running in circles. Then again, he must have liked it too. Otherwise why would he continue to walk into these little jokes of hers?
"Lighten up" she said, putting her hand back on the wheel. "It's just a little bit of fun. He wasn't my type anyway"
"Then why did you…"
"Hey" she shrugged. "You can take the girl out of California. But you can't take California out of the girl" she said as they pulled out onto the highway.
California itself hadn't changed much since Leon had last visited the state. As he and Ada drove down the streets of a busy metropolitan area, he noted everything that his senses took in. Palm tree, juice bar, palm tree, juice bar, salon, night club, tattoo parlor, designer clothing store, nail salon, spa, palm tree, surf shop, expensive car dealer ship, lavish houses in the background, plastic surgery clinic and a juice bar. In other words, California was just how MTV portrayed it. And it was just how Leon cared not to remember it by. But it was unavoidable. The most he could do was take the good with the bad, enjoying the scenery while trying to block out the falseness and consumerism that had overtaken the Pacific state.
Leon watched the landscape go by, leaning his elbow on the open window and letting his arm prop up his head. At times he would close his eyes and let the wind whip at his face, feeling peace and relief mix with the anxiousness and intrigue of what was to come. The idea of what he would experience when he met Ada's superiors tugged at his mind. It wasn't until Ada rolled up the windows that he snapped out of his daze. He looked over at her and she laughed slightly, taking some amusement in startling him out of his daydream. Leon returned the laugh and noticed that she had taken off her sunglasses, no longer needing them as clouds started to cover the sky. He did the same, pulling the shades off his head, folding them and tucking them away in the inside breast pocket of his jacket. The low light was a welcome release from the blinding sun that had been plaguing them throughout the day.
Ada had been willing to let him zone out and see a part of the country that he hadn't in a very long time. But she was getting tired of the silence that filled the car.
"How long has it been since you were last in California?" she asked, not taking her eyes off the road.
Leon had a brief flash of sitting in a military office two years ago. He had just gotten done with lunch and was driving back to his temporary home at the time when he had gotten a phone call. It was his boss at the time, asking him to turn around and come back. Leon had later learned that his good friend Jack Krauser had been in a helicopter accident and died. Of course, that had all been a lie. And Krauser was no longer a friend. But these were memories that he kept to himself.
" 'Bout two years" he answered, looking out at the people and shops they past by.
A pet store with a large window display caught his attention. A few young puppies were playing around. Jumping and nipping at each other. Leon even thought he could hear the animals making small barking noises. Or maybe he was just imagining it. For a brief moment, he remembered the dog that had assisted him in Spain and wondered if it was even still alive. It was certainly more resilient than the plagas infected canines that he had been forced to put down. Leon assumed the best regardless.
Ada noticed his attention was diverted from her again. She sought to correct that immediately.
"So, I've got a game we can play until we get to the hotel"
"A game?" he asked, sitting upright and cocking an eyebrow in surprise. "I'm not real big on games Ada"
"Oh, trust me, you'll like this one" she said, gripping the wheel a little tighter. "It'll help us get better… acquainted with each other" she purred, striking up his interest.
"Alright" he let up, giving his knuckles a good crack. "What type of game is it?"
"Favorite movie" she said, not missing a beat. It was more of a declarative statement than a question.
Familiarity graced Leon's consciousness as the rules and goals were laid out for her game.
"Ah, I see where this is going. Okay…uh…" he said, balling a fist and pressing it to his forehead in an attempt to dig through his memory. "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. You?"
"La Femme Nikita" Ada said, watching the road. "Favorite time of year"
"Summer" he answered, looking at the road ahead and then back to Ada to hear her response. "I'm not real big on being cold"
"Shame" she said. "I find winter to be somewhat romantic"
"Favorite food" Leon asked her, trying to change the subject quickly as well as unwilling to let her play the part of the inquirer.
"Pizza"
He gave his answer. "Kimchi"
The street light ahead of them turned red. Ada pressed on the break and the car came to a stop. The two of them lurched forward for a few seconds before falling back against their seats. For a few seconds, Leon thought his comment had touched a nerve with her. Almost like she had hit the break in response to his answer rather than the red light.
"Come on" she said in a tone that meant she didn't believe him.
"No really" Leon responded, trying to convince her. "I get cravings for Asian food all the time", he finished with a small, circular wave of his hand.
"Interesting" Ada thought as she checked her speedometer as well as the amount of gas that the car contained.
"Alright…favorite book" she said, as the light changed green again.
"War and peace" he answered.
"Pride and prejudice" she said, not bothering to let him ask, knowing the question would come any way.
The next few questions were a simple string that they answered, going back and forth amongst themselves. They each had a favorite color. Red for Ada and blue for Leon. He enjoyed tomato juice and she indulged in red wine. But it was the next question that made Ada re-think who she was journeying with.
"Favorite television show" she asked as she watched a gaggle of blonde teen girls walk down the sidewalk.
"Children these days" Ada thought with an inward sigh. "Don't they have anyone else to look up to besides Paris freaking Hilton?"
"Oprah. And a healthy dose of TLC" Leon answered, catching her off guard.
She threw him a look like he was crazy.
"You can't be serious", she said, almost annoyed.
"Totally. How do you think I learned to treat women so well?"
"Makes sense" she said with a shrug. There was always some logical reasoning to everything he said and did. Quite practical if one stopped to think about it.
"What about you?" Leon asked, pointing to her and inquiring about her TV habits.
"I don't watch a whole lot of television much anymore. When I do it's usually to catch up on the news around the world" she answered flatly.
"Wow" Leon said, disappointed. "You struck me as a Comedy Central type of girl"
"Of course I did" she said before giving him a light shove on his shoulder. "In your dreams, Leon"
The questions went on for another few minutes before they came to a startling conclusion. They were total opposites yet they both realized they had a love for jazz music. Strange how one little thing could find a way to unify them, strengthening their bond. Even if it was in the slightest of ways. After the time of Q and A was over, the car returned to silence as the two of them listened to the sounds of the road, the people and their own breathing. But it didn't take long for Ada to get fed up with the silence again.
"You know, being this quiet is kind of a turnoff" she said, looking over at him as he stared out the window.
"I'm just thinking. That's all" he answered in a dazed tone.
"About what? The meeting?"
He nodded.
"You need to learn how to take your mind off things that aren't of any concern to you at present. Take things as they come to you. Nothing, and I repeat, nothing bad is going to happen. We're going to go, have ourselves a nice little talk, join hands in stopping Wesker and everyone's going to leave the theatre smiling."
"I'm not worried about what's going to happen. Anxious is more like it. I'm just thinking about what we're going to discuss. That's all. Plus, it's just a little difficult trying to adjust to normality when my life has been anything but" he defended himself.
"I understand. But trust me. This is the one time that something isn't going to go to shit"
"And what about what's happening with me? Do your people really have answers for that?"
"We won't know until we talk to them about it. We'll leave that topic for last" she reassured him.
Human nature is an interesting thing. A person experiences so much in a lifetime that they are able to form beliefs and ideals about how the world should function. Sometimes these experiences are good, others bad. Either way, what a person goes through in their life forever shapes the rest of their existence, continuing to influence it in ever the most subconscious ways. The future remains shaky and uncertain. Some look at what lies ahead expectantly. Others never wish to meet it.
Apprehension is mixed with hope. Fear and doubt combine with one another, forcing to override the emotions and feelings that compel us to act on the curiosity that is ever a part of one's nature. Some run from destiny, unwilling to meet what they must. And still others, for reasons unknown, knowing full well what they will see, feel, hear and smell, run to it. Regardless of the danger that may be present. Such is the ever present paradox. And an intriguing one at that.
III
The car ride didn't last much longer. Leon spied the hotel almost instantly. It wasn't exactly difficult not to notice. A tall building, several hundred feet across and at least twenty five stories up loomed before them. It was more or less like any hotel that Leon had seen before. Similar white to pale yellow paint job, a central entrance where guests would come and go, and several windows with balconies signifying the many rooms that faced towards the street. It was a nice place, really. The hotel had to be, given the location that it resided in. Leon had to hand it to Ada. She sure had an eye for real estate.
After parking the rental car in a nearby parking structure to the hotel, Leon and Ada made their way to the front of the building, stepping through a revolving glass door and into the enormous lobby. The entire ground floor stretched out for about a hundred feet in every direction. If it wasn't for the giant fountain acting as a center piece for the lobby then the entire ground floor would have been nothing but dead space. It was the sort of elaborate and gaudy fountain that was in most of these types of hotels. In other words it was the form of a stone, naked mermaid holding an urn. The urn itself was the source of the water outpouring, creating a gentle trickling sound". As they passed it, Leon looked up at the figure and noted that she had a cloth wrapped around her eyes. Similar to the figure of "Justice" that would sit on a judge's desk. For a split second he was reminded of the statues in the R.P.D. building.
The floor was layered with sparkling green and grey marble, spanning the whole floor. The walls were some form of granite or cement. It was an odd choice, making the lobby seem more like the entrance to a prison than hotel. Thankfully the floor as well as some much needed tapestry gave the lobby some color. As the two of them neared the receptionist desk, Leon noted the several glass elevators that led up to the various floors of the hotel, their hallways overlooking the lobby.
Leon craned his neck up marveling at the height of the building and secretly wishing he wouldn't have to take a fall from such a great height. He continued to let his eyes wander, taking in everything. For he didn't know when he'd ever be in a place this nice ever again.
Ada reached the large receptionists desk first. A young girl, about eighteen with brown hair cut neck length and framing her face, was seated there and had been watching anxiously as they neared her, waiting to assist them.
"Hello" Ada said, smiling and placing and arm on the desk. "I have a room reserved under the name "Wong" she said to the young woman.
"Okay" the receptionist responded, letting her hands fly across the keyboard on the desk. She looked at the monitor that sat in front of her, scrolling through lists of names. Eventually she was able to zero in on the reservation.
"Ah, ha" she exclaimed. "Here we go. We have you on the 20th floor. Room 2009. Great view of the city. A large accommodating bathroom. And one king sized bed"
Leon eyed Ada in surprise. The receptionist noticed this, instantly understanding that the choice had been made without his consent.
"I…uh…hope this is what you…were looking for?" she said, trying to save face.
"No worries" Ada said before turning to Leon. "I'm sure we can make…something work" she purred in a sultry and sly tone, cupping his shoulder with a hand.
"Alright…then" the girl said, turning to the wall of key cards behind her and reaching for the one to their room. She turned back and handed it to Ada. "Enjoy your stay"
"Oh trust me" Ada said, taking the card and tugging at Leon's shirt, leading him. "We will"
She led Leon to the elevators, pressed a call button and stepped inside when the thick metal doors opened. They waited until the car doors had closed to speak to one another, Leon thankful that they were the only ones occupying it. He watched as she leaned against the metal rails that were welded into the glass. She propped herself up with both arms but allowed herself to slouch down, letting her legs fall forward a bit.
"Can't you ever play by the rules?" he said, leaning against the side of the car, poking fun at his companion.
"No" she said, shaking her head lightly. "I like being a bad girl" she ran her hand through her hair then stood up and moved close to Leon. She pressed up against him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "And I think part of you likes it too" she finished, taking a finger and tracing it around his muscled chest.
"Oh boy" Leon thought as he looked into her sparkling and cat-like eyes. "What am I going to do with this woman?"
III
The car stopped at the 20th floor, just like the receptionist said it would. Luckily, none of the other guests had gotten on the elevator as they rode it up. Leon enjoyed that they had a little bit of privacy in the confined space. With a pleasant "ding" sound, the metal doors opened up. They walked out and, with Leon still acting as the pack mule, quickly made their way down to their room through an endless hallway of doors.
With a flick of her wrist, Ada inserted the key card into the door reader and watched as the light changed from red to green, signaling its unlocking. They walked in where Leon set the bags down near the door and took in their surroundings. Ada immediately flopped down onto the bed and rolled over onto her stomach. She curled her legs up, letting them kick slowly in the air. Leon walked through the room, looking at the bed, the large 30" TV that sat motionless across from it, the dressers and even the bathroom. It was just a normal hotel room, nothing more and nothing less with a soft beige color for the walls that was easy on the eyes. Ada watched him, similar to how a cat watches its prey, as he neared the window shades and drew them open. Leon winced slightly, putting an arm up to shield his eyes as the light hit him. He was thankful for the receding cloud cover.
He looked out over the city as and marveled at all there was to see. The receptionist had been correct. The view was something else. It almost made him feel like a king, godly even. But he dismissed the thoughts and turned back to look at Ada, who smiled at him coyly.
"So" he said glancing at his watch. It was getting late in the afternoon. "We should get going if we want to speak with your people"
"Oh" Ada said with mock surprise. It was almost like she was waiting for the question to come out. "I guess I forgot to tell you. The meeting is tomorrow"
It was like she had done this on purpose. Like it was a way to play a very funny joke on him. Then again, it probably was on purpose.
"You could have told me about this earlier" he said.
He wasn't really upset. All he could do was tell himself that he should have seen this coming. It was just like Ada to leave him in the dark as long as possible.
"I could have" she said, sitting up. "But really. Where would the fun be in that?"
Leon sat down on the bed, the mattress sinking under his weight. He felt Ada come near him and put both her hands on his shoulders, caressing them slightly.
"All work and no play…" she started to say.
"Alright" he said, smiling at her playful nature. "What did you have in mind?"
Ada hopped off the bed and went to their luggage where she proceeded to open up her suit cases. She rummaged through them a bit before finding what she was looking for. She returned back to where Leon sat and handed him a folded black garment.
"Here, put this on" she said.
III
"And so I said ,"Your right hand comes off?" " Leon told Ada who let loose a small laugh of amusement.
"Come on, you really said that?" she asked before taking a sip of sparkling wine from her glass.
They had been sitting in the lavish Italian restaurant for little over two hours, enjoying each others company over a nice dinner of pasta and wine. There were many other people enjoying themselves in the low lit, crimson tapestry covered environment. A few of the tables were even lit by candle light for ambience. As it turned out, Ada had been through his closet and found his suit jacket, packing it away in her luggage just in case an opportunity like the one they were in at the moment presented itself. She wanted them to look nice for a night out. Leon had immediately accepted the invitation and got spruced up for her and only for her. Ada herself was wearing a beautiful, white oriental dress with embroidered gold butterflies that traveled down the left side. It was cut open at the side to allow one of her legs to poke through. Similar to the dress she wore in Spain. There was also a blue sash covering his bare, milky shoulders. As much as Leon thought she looked good in red, she looked absolutely stunning in white. It provided a contrast against her black hair, making it stand out and shine.
"Well, he walked into it. I mean he did say he was going to send his right hand after me" he winked at her.
"Clever"
"Hey, it helps to be a smartass sometimes. Throws the bad guys off kilter"
They took small bites of their meals, eating and smiling at each other before Ada was ready for more talk.
"So, why did you want to be a cop?" she said, patting her lips with a napkin.
"I don't know" Leon shrugged. "My dad did it. So did my uncle for that matter. Seemed to be one of those "like father like son" situations that you hear so much about"
"Where are your parents now?" she asked, looking out window towards the street.
"Somewhere in Pennsylvania. Living their lives I guess" Leon said, poking at his food with a fork.
"Do they know?" she asked vaguely
"Do they know what? About what I do?"
Ada nodded, curious as to what his home life was like nowadays.
Leon shook his head. "No, I think it's better if they don't have to worry. Besides, I'm an adult, I can take care of myself"
"Fair enough" she thought before moving onto her next question. "What was your childhood like?"
"The usual" he said, leaning back in his chair. "School, friends, hated math classes, liked to be outdoors a lot. I was a member of the baseball team for three years of high school"
"Any girlfriends?"
"Yeah, but none that could hold a candle to you" he said, making her blush. "I guess you have to be the age we're at now to really appreciate being in a relationship. Kids just don't understand that"
Ada looked at him like she expected him to say something else. He caught onto this and added. "I had a stamp collection too"
She chuckled and shook her head. He could be funny when he wanted to be.
"What about you? What was your life like back in the day?"
Ada was quiet for awhile before talking again. She picked at her food for a few seconds before answering.
"I had the same situation as you mostly. Loving parents and a younger brother. I went to a private school which I detested and moved onto collage after that"
"And let me guess. Both your parents were spies, met, fell in love and faked their deaths to move on and raise a family" he jested. "Fairy tale ending and all that?"
All Ada did was give him a sad look, her eyes softening. Leon watched her and attempted to alter the subject somewhat.
"How's your family doing now?"
"They….died in a…car accident. About a few years back" she said, uneasily.
"Aw, jeez" he thought, saddened at her predicament and wishing he hadn't brought up the subject.
He still had both his parents. And she had to go through the rest of her life without hers. How alone was she before she met him? How unloved and detached? Leon reached over the table and touched the top of her palm.
"I'm sorry" he said.
"It's…alright. I'm over it, moved on with my life" she said, masking her emotions.
He attempted to make her feel better, "Hey, that's something you never get over. And I'm here if there's anything you want to get off your chest. I know what its like to lose people Ada" he said, comforting her.
"So now he's an empathizer" she thought.
It was uncomfortably quiet for a long time as they stared at their food. Leon knew that he had struck a nerve with her that shouldn't have been touched. All he wanted was something to lighten the mood and make her feel better. Anything. Anything at all.
That's when he heard band of the restaurant change the tone of the music to something more low key and peaceful. Leon looked at the band and then at Ada before noticing and empty space in between the tables of fancy dressed people. The gears in his head started to turn. Leon knew how he could cheer her up.
"Come on" he said, grabbing her hand and startling her.
"What are you…" she started to ask as he led her to the small space.
Leon pulled her close to him, putting a hand around her waist and using his free hand to entangle with one of hers. Ada realized immediately what was happening and a look of subtle embarrassment flashed across her face. She started to move in synch with him as the music played. The pale skin of her face started to turn a rosy shade.
"Leon" she hissed. "People are staring at us!"
"Let 'em" he whispered into her. "Cause I want them to see you happy"
"I….don't….dance" she said, punctuating the words in a vain attempt to get her point across.
"First time for everything" he said, pulling her closer and moving the two of them in unison. "How about I follow your lead?" he offered, much to her chagrin.
Ada tried in vain to break away. It wasn't much of an attempt. As much as she wanted to save herself from embarrassment, she couldn't bring herself to pull away from Leon's arms. She found so much solace in them that she relented and inched herself closer to him, moving with him as opposed to letting him move the two of them. She had to admit that he was quite the charmer. It had been so long since she'd had the pleasure of dancing with a man, if only for the sake of dancing, happiness and pleasure. They waltzed together for some time, letting the music move them. It was almost as if Ada was in a trance. A trance that she could not wake from and wondered if she even wanted to. It was no matter. This was bliss for her. She put her head against Leon's chest, falling even farther into the dream that she had fashioned for them.
Then she woke up. The sounds of clapping bringing her back to reality. She pulled away from Leon slightly and looked up at him. He gave her a tired smile and looked toward the crowd of people around them. After a few seconds, Ada also turned her attention towards the guests seated at the tables. She blushed slightly, either out of humility of embarrassment at what Leon had suckered her into. But regardless, she was grateful that he had shown another side of himself as well as a good time.
"He really knows how to treat a woman right" she thought as she wrapped an arm around his waist and tugged him close while her wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
He wore black and she wore white. Total opposites, but each had come together in the most exquisite way during an excellent evening.
III
After a brief stroll along the beach to watch the sunset, Leon and Ada returned to their hotel room. One more night of rest was all that stood in the way of the meeting that lay before them. Ada had scampered off to the bathroom to prepare for bed, leaving Leon to wait in the bedroom. He stared out at the lightened cityscape, letting his thoughts wander while he listened to the traffic pass on the streets below.
A sound from the bathroom caught his attention and he looked back, noticing that the door was opened a crack. His interest peaked, Leon inched towards the door quietly and looked through the opening. What he saw confused him.
Clad only in flannel pajama bottoms and a black bra, Ada leaned against the wall of the bathroom, facing away from the door. She didn't see Leon and was nowhere near the mirror to see his reflection. But Leon saw her. More importantly, he saw the look of utter sadness on her face and the wound that she nursed, one hand wrapped around it and massaging it with slow, up and down motions.
It was an ugly red scar ran just under her ribs on her right side. He was reminded of the Birkin thing that had attacked them six years ago in Raccoon. But he couldn't be certain that this was the true source of the wound. Leon was able to see that the scar itself did not cause her any real pain. No, there was something else that was wrong, something internal and emotional that she was dealing with. It was also some conflict that she had not voiced. And it was very possible that it was eating her up inside.
"What is she hiding?" Leon thought forlornly.
How had he not noticed that till now?
"It was dark the last time you slept with her. She covered herself up. It's no wonder you missed the scar you idiot" he chastised himself internally.
It killed him to see her saddened. But he had to play this correctly. It would be terrible to talk to her about it now. Leon went and sat down on the bed before calling out to her.
"You okay in there?"
After a few seconds of silence he heard a "Yeah, just give me a minute"
Once said time frame was over, Ada strolled out of the bathroom wearing her pajama bottoms and was covered up with a lacy pajama top. She sat down on the bed next to him, brushing her hair a few times with her hand.
Figuring that there was no time like the present he said, "So, I gotta ask something. What did you mean when you said something about me changed you?"
She smiled, looking at the floor, "No one's ever stuck their neck out for me like you have. I've never known anyone who put their life on the line for me. It made me rethink a lot of things in my life. Made me appreciate more too"
"But I have to wonder. Why didn't you do what Wesker asked you to do?"
When she didn't answer, the realization slammed into him almost instantly. This whole time, ever since Spain, she had been trying to protect him. She had risked her life in order to save his. The mix of emotions overpowered Leon. He was so thankful and gracious that this wonderful creature cared enough for him. No, not enough. She cared more than he could ever understand. The least he could do was attempt to understand. Because really, he felt for her what she felt for him.
There was something nagging at Leon. This wasn't enough to bring her to tears. The wound on her side had healed. But the pain she was feeling was more internal. Something that was buried deep, covered up and sealed away. He had to know what was wrong. Leon wanted to know how he could fix whatever was broken with her.
"What's really bothering you?" he asked.
Her eyes widened for a brief second. She knew that he wasn't stupid. So there was no reason to try and dodge him on this one.
"You wouldn't understand" she said to him coldly, turning away from him.
Leon reached over and pulled her back to him gently, making her face him.
"I told you if there was anything you wanted to talk about that I was hear to listen. So try me"
Ada was silent for some time, mentally preparing herself for him. She was about to tell him something that she hadn't told anyone for a long time. Something that she thought she could forget and never have to face again. But Leon had opened a can of worms. There was no going back now.
Taking in a large breath she started with, "Do you… remember the Tokyo subway attacks of 95?" she asked uneasily.
Leon nodded, unsure of where the story would take her.
"I lied when I said my parents were killed in a car accident. Really, my parents and brother were….on the train when the sarin gas was released. While they weren't…killed initially, they were exposed to enough of the residual fumes to be effected by it"
"Oh my God" Leon thought, remaining silent at her plight, a knot winding itself in his gut.
He had read enough to know that sarin was deadly, and even being exposed to a little of it was enough to kill someone.
Ada continued, picking through her past and reliving the pain it brought her. "For several months….I…watched as the poison in their systems…ate away at them, killing them slowly. I watched and cried as they suffered in agony and pain, paralyzed, foaming at the mouth, convulsing, unable to breath. My mother. My father. Even my little brother. They….died. Slow horrible deaths"
It all became so clear to Leon.
"That's why you do what you do. The spying and stealing and viruses? This is all to get back at them, isn't it?" he said, placing a hand on hers "By bringing down the people who make bio weapons and viruses, you're getting revenge?"
"No, not revenge" she said. "Justice"
Ada clammed up after that statement, not willing to say anything else. Leon just watched her, melancholy at her predicament as well as feeling rage for what she had loss. It wasn't fair. It just wasn't fucking fair. Why did this beautiful woman have to be put through something so terrible that it altered who she had become?
"Why did you agree to help me?" she said abruptly, breaking the silence out of the blue.
"Because I love you" he said, before he even realized what had come out of his mouth.
"This is it Kennedy. Cat's out of the bag now"
"Love…me?" her voice cracked. "After everything I've done to you I don't deserve your love" she scoffed, ashamed, rubbing her arm.
"I know, but this is what I want" he said, wrapping his arms around her from behind. "What I want is us"
"How can you be so sure that I'm what you're looking for?" she said, craning her neck to look at him.
Leon didn't speak. He just broke away from her and tore off his shirt. Ada didn't understand what he was doing at first until Leon grabbed her hand gently and led it up to his left shoulder. That's when Ada noticed the ugly round scar. Leon's bullet wound from Raccoon City that he'd received, protecting her. Like her, he also had a war wound. He meant to say that they were the same. They stared into each other's eyes, seeking to lose themselves in the moment. Ada's were puffy and red as tears trickled down her cheeks, the mix of emotions flooding her system, like a tidal wave breaking through her.
"I'm sure…" Leon said, reaching over to touch her abdomen. She instantly knew that he was aware of her scar. "because we're so much alike. We hurt and feel the same. And….because" he tried to find the words, "There's something between us that I don't think we can let go of. That we don't want to let go of"
He looked away for a few seconds to think about his next sentence before he said. "And because it hurts like hell when you're not around"
Ada didn't have anything to say to that. It was all too much to take right now. Their love for each other as well as his willingness to save and forgive her. Why? Why did he have to be so perfect and sweet and caring? After everything she had put him through, he was willing to wipe the slate clean and just love her. It made her feel guilty and shameful. She didn't understand it, so her only defense was to give in to her tears.
Ada started to sob and Leon pulled her closer to him, pressing their bodies together. It wasn't sexual. The bond was him caring for her more than anything else. He was there for her. Leon hugged her close and stroked her hair, rocking her slowly back and forth as she cried in his arms, so sick with love and loss that it was all she could do. Her body jerked and twitched slightly as she cried into his chest. Then without warning, Leon leaned in close and started to sing softly into her ear, calming her as well as serenading her. Anything that would make her tears vanish.
I am a simple man
So I sing a simple song
I've never been so much in love
I never hurt so bad, at the same time
I am a simple man
And I play a simple tune
I wish that I could see you once again
From across the room
Like the first time
Just wanna hold you
Don't wanna hold you down
Hear what you're sayin
Spinnin my head around
And I can't make it alone.
The ending of the tale
Is the singing of the song
Make me proud to be your man
Only you can make me strong
Like the last time
Just wanna hold you
Don't wanna hold you down
Hear what you're sayin
Spinnin my head around
And I can't make it alone.
By the time he had finished the song, Ada's tears had all but dried up. She wiped her eyes with her hand and then kissed Leon, long and passionately on the lips. He was perfect and she was thankful that he was hers. He lifted her up, took away her sadness and made her feel human again. There was nothing more that she could have asked for. A night of turmoil for them ended with them in each other's arms, happy and blissful that they had each other. And with that, Ada found solace sharing the same bed with Leon once again, at peace because he had helped her confront and drive away her demons.
Author's note: Leon's song is "Simple Man" by Graham Nash. It's not something I came up with. Also, some of the dialogue references RE 4.