Graduation Day
Author's Note: Wow, it's been a minute since I've even thought about writing this, but after the emails and the on-going support for my RE stories I figured I had to finish. And after playing RE2 again for nostalgia I got reinspired. Be warned I haven't written anything for RE in forever so if this chapter isn't up to par I apologize. But since both of my stories are almost done anyway, this and Feelings Perfect, I figure why not go ahead and finish them. So this is dedicated to all of the fans who made me get off my ass and update. This is a late new years gift for you. Enjoy.
Chapter 11-Life in Parallel
"Please?"
"There's got to be somebody else? What about Patricia? Jill? Rebecca?" Leon gave Claire a pleading look from across the bar as he sat down his glass of orange juice.
"Patricia's at work and Jill and Becca are out with Chris and Carlos catching up. And I can't take off any more days since I took off the weekend for Sherry's graduation. I just need you to take her to get her dress. I promised her I would but since I can't, I need you to fill in. You don't have to do anything just be supportive and nod if it looks good, shake your head if it doesn't." Claire told him as if it was that easy. Leon gave her a look. It wasn't that he minded taking Sherry to get her dress for her party, it was just that he didn't want to spend the day in a mall. Ashley and Sherry were also two young women who had no shame in spending time and money on clothes. Or flirting with men for that matter.
"Alright I'll do it. But you owe me, I was going to kick back today and catch up on some sleep till Carlos got back." Of course he gave in, Leon knew he was sap when it came to his girls. Claire beamed a grateful smile his way.
"Thanks a lot. I knew I could count on you Scott."
"Always. Now get out of here. Don't you have to be to work by eleven?" He reminded her as he tossed a look at the clock. Claire tossed a look back as well before suddenly jumping into panic mode.
"Shit! You're right. I gotta go. See you later okay. Don't let them get you too strung out." She tossed at him as she flashed him a smile once more before hugging him and running out of the door. Leon could only nod and return it as he watched her jet out of the door and jump into her car. It was baffling. After last night, it would have almost been safe to assume that maybe they were on to something they way they seem to fall back into old habits. But Leon knew better. And as much as he didn't want to admit it, this wasn't permanent and Claire truly seemed to be happy. Even if it wasn't with him, that's all he ever wanted for any of them. They had been through too much. It was best that he put the rest of his attention on Sherry and enjoy his last two days here. He had some things he needed to take care of back in D.C and Ashley needed to get ready for school again. Getting up and scraping off the leftovers from his plate he picked up the phone and dialed Sherry to inform her of the change of plans and hoped that she didn't yell in his ear after the fact.
Later that afternoon
Leon checked his surroundings with caution motioning for the two women in his care to make their way quickly across the aisle. And into the elevator. Ashley had handed him yet another bag to carry. Oh this was just turning out to be a great day. The best agent the U.S government had to offer was nothing more than a bag tote and there really wasn't much he could do about it.
"Why the long face Leon?" Sherry teased as she pressed the button to take them to the upper floor.
"This is the fourth store we've been in. I thought you only needed one dress. This is a brand new wardrobe." He chuckled as Sherry shot him a glare.
"I haven't found the right dress Leon." She told him with a mocking sneer.
"Oh get over it. You need to get out more anyway you hermit. You haven't shaved in days." Ashley shot back at him as she poked him on the cheek. His stubble was creeping slowly on his face. He rubbed it absentmindedly.
"That's the point of a vacation Ash."
"Speaking of that, when are you guys leaving?" Sherry asked as she started looking through some of the clothes on the rack. She still hadn't found the dress she wanted to wear for her graduation party yet and she wasn't leaving until she did.
"Sunday. The day after you graduate." Leon answered for her as he walked over to see what she was looking at. Sherry sighed a bit.
"That soon huh? I was hoping you two could have stayed longer. It seems like you just got here."
"Two weeks was all daddy would give him Sherry." Ashley added. She didn't want to leave either. This past week and a half had been the most fun she had had in a long time. And she and Sherry had become very close. She was definitely keeping in touch with her. Leon put a hand on Sherry's shoulder comfortably.
"Don't worry about it so much kid. I'm definitely keeping in touch this time and you can come see me anytime in D.C. Just call first because I might be on assignment. I'll leave all of my contact info with Claire."
"You better." Sherry replied back leaving no room for argument. The directness of it was so Claire-like Leon had to chuckle.
"Speaking of Claire, did you two talk?" Ashley asked a second later. Leon noticed the hopeful look on her face. She was hoping that they worked out something on their not a strictly platonic relationship. He really didn't want to burst her bubble but he could lie to her.
"I did. Me and Claire, whatever feelings we have for each other, we realized last night that we have to let them be. She's happy. I have to let her live her life. Who am I to try and ruin that? And as much as I hate to admit it, Sean's a decent guy." Sherry sighed deeply.
"I know. That's what makes it so frustrating when I look at the two of you. I guess your ship has set sailed. In that case, do me a favor and find some bimbo so I can say bad things about her and make myself feel better." Ashley laughed at Sherry's response so hard she almost knocked an item from the shelf.
"Sherry! That was awful." The 18 year old just shrugged. Well it was true. She had wanted Claire and Leon to realize their feelings since she was 14 years old. Even then she saw how happy they were. But she couldn't force Leon or Claire to do that. It had just now hit her that she had to grow up and move on with her life too just like they had. As soon as it caught her eye she instant yanked out a red dress that screamed at her.
"I like this." Ashley and Leon both looked at her and the dress before looking at each other. They both had the same person in mind. A.D.A.
"No." was their simultaneous reply. Sherry scrunched her face at them. Well damn.
"Sheesh okay. How about this one then?" She asked instead pulling out the aquamarine one that looked just like the red one. Ashley smiled brightly this time and Leon looked at it for a second before giving her a thumbs up. He liked it too. Sherry smiled.
"Perfect. I'm gonna go try it on. Make sure Leon doesn't wonder off will ya?" She told Ashley as she started heading towards the back. Leon chuckled to himself. Sherry was pistol. Ashley grabbed him by the arm playful and nodded to Sherry.
"You mister, aren't going anywhere. Sit." With that she pointed to the two chairs situated in the corner of the store. Leon didn't need to be told twice. His feet were hurting.
"Leon?" Ashley spoke up a few seconds later.
"Yeah?"
"I'm sorry I tried to push you into dealing with Claire." She admitted apologetically. And she was. She just hoped that Leon enjoyed the rest of his vacation worry free and that she hadn't been too much of a burden.
"You didn't push me Ashley. I needed to deal. I've pretty much done everything I set out to do here. I reconnected with Sherry, sorted out my feelings for Claire, and finally got some rest."
"So I wasn't too much of a burden?"
"Well, I didn't say that." Leon said so seriously if it wasn't for the slight smirk pinching his face Ashley would have totally believed him. Slapping his arm lightly she cried out.
"Jerk!" Leon only laughed harded.
"No, seriously you weren't. I actually enjoyed your company."
"Because you didn't have to spend your vacation rescuing me from those Ganado guys right?"
"That's right."
"What about boyfriends? Are they under your hit list too?" She asked with a smirk.
"Only if they treat you wrong or hurt you. That's Paragraph 57, line 42 in the bodyguard clause." He joked. Ashley could help but giggle. She'd seen Leon come out of his shell in the last few days more than ever.
"You're so full of it."
"I learned from the best. And his name is Chris Redfield. Ask Jill, she'll tell you the story sometime."
"You mean that time Chris yaked all over Jill's couch when she and Claire had went out and blamed it on the dog?" Sherry laughed from the dressing room door.
"That'd be the one. You look great in that dress Sherry." Ashley scoffed.
"Great? She looks hot! That's a keeper."
Looking herself over, Sherry stepped in front of the mirror and admired herself. She did look good. Okay her work here was done. She couldn't wait to show Claire.
"I think so too. Okay I'm gonna pack it up." With that Sherry head back to change.
"Finally." Leon let out jokingly as he sat up and prepared to stretch.
"Oh shut up! You know you enjoyed shopping with us today."
"Even if I did, don't tell Sherry that. She'd never let me live it down. It messes with my tough guy image."
Leon didn't notice Sherry laughing softly to herself from the dressing room door. She was going to miss him. She was just glad she was able to finally regain what they had lost. Best to make the most of the time they had left.
Later that evening
"Carlos, stop that!" The now 24 year old Rebecca Oliviera yelled at her goofy but good natured husband. Slapping his hand away from her Leon tapped his buddy on the shoulder.
"You know Rebecca has a mean left hook. Yet you still continue to play with fire." He joked as he counted up the money he had in his hand and contemplated his next move. Carlos just grinned back at the man.
"Eh, what can I say? I get off on it." At that Rebecca slapped the holy hell out of her husband making Sherry and Chris burst out laughing. Carlos abruptly shut up before grinning back at his wife. Rebecca smiled back with a faux smile before rolling her eyes.
Ashley was speechless. Jill and Leon, who had know it was coming the whole time, just shook their heads and gave each other an "I told you so" look. Looking back to Ashley, who was the banker Leon played his turn.
"I'll take place for $140. And since I own the whole street put two houses on it." Chris slammed his fist on the table knocking some of his pieces off.
"Damn it Leon, that's the third time you stopped me from buying the whole street!"
"You want to negotiate?"
"Over my dead body." Chris spat back. Leon missed this. Watching Chris get heated over something as trivial as Monopoly. Looking at the clock he noticed it was about 8:00. Claire should be home soon. Sherry's voice broke his thoughts.
"Okay, I see this game taking a turn for the worst. Carlos, how long are you guys in town for?" Jill asked as she slowly got up to stretch a bit. Chris abruptly stopped what he was doing to help her. He waited hand and foot on her and it showed.
"Til Tuesday. We're on vacation for the next week and a half but Becca wanted to see her folks too." He told her still rubbing his cheek. Chris chuckled to himself.
"In-laws."
"You said it."
"Didn't I just slap you?" Rebecca asked him confused he hadn't stopped while he was ahead.
"I've never been around people like you all before. This is very interesting." Ashley remarked as she again was just as surprised as her first day here. Carlos and Rebecca were interesting to say the least. Rebecca smiled back at her. Carlos smirked.
"Yeah, try finding out that your old friend is some government agent who also is a personal bodyguard for the president's daughter and he brings her with him on vacation and they're standing right in front of you. Now that's interesting. I could have sworn you were destined to lead of life of pushing pencils bro?"
"Life had other plans. After this year, I couldn't go back to doing anything else."
"I hear ya."
"What's up peeps? I'm home!" Claire jokingly yelled from the front door. Sherry immediately got up and began to bombard her with stories of the day as she made her way into the den.
"What's all this?" She asked before setting her eyes on the game board on the table.
"Are you guys serious? Sherry I told I told you to burn that game?"
"It was Leon's idea." Sherry shot back making Claire look at him.
"For old times sake."
"Yeah right. So what are we doing for dinner tonight because I'm not lifting a finger." Chris grabbed Claire's bag from her and kissed her lightly on the forehead.
"We wouldn't want to be federally indicted for poisoning the prez's daughter either sis. Ashley what do you feel like tonight?" She just giggled not being able to get it out. Sherry came and wrapped an arm around her friend.
"Chicken fingers. We want chicken fingers."
"That place on Thorton?" Leon asked.
"That's correct. Sound good?" Sherry asked as she looked around. Rebecca and Carlos shrugged. Chris nodded. Jill muttered a cool whatever. Claire and Leon looked at each other and smiled.
"Works for me." Ashley grabbed Sherry's attention.
"Chicken fingers?"
"Girl we gotta get you out more." Sherry told her before grabbing her hand and taking her upstairs to freshen up in Claire's room. Leon watched them go up the stairs and figured that they would be a while. Wanting to get some fresh air he let everyone know he was going outside on the porch. Claire watched him leave. Jill noticed this.
"Claire?"
"Yeah Jill?"
"Let's go out back for a sec. It's about Sherry's graduation present." Looking over at her brother, Claire noticed the look on his face. He didn't know what the hell this was about either.
"Okay?" Walking out to the back, Claire closed the sliding door and helped the very very pregnant Jill Redfield into one of the chairs.
"What's going on? You and Patricia have trouble getting the car?"
"No, the car's fine. I'm talking about Sherry's other graduation present."
"What other present?"
"Our secret agent friend in there?"
"Leon?"
"Claire I'm not your brother. Give me a little credit here. Me and Chris saw you two cuddled on the couch the other night. I know you and Sean are doing fine and you don't want to mess that up but I know that in that little Redfield head of yours you're at odds with your feelings for our friend in there. So I'm taking it upon myself to intervene and talk to you before you come to me three months later and blab it all to me while I'm doing the mother thing." Claire just stared at her before regaining her composure.
"Leon and I talked. We know where we stand. And we both know how much it sucks but we have to move on. He's not the same guy he once was and I'm not the same person I was."
"You keep telling yourself that. I might not say much but anybody can see it. You guys still have something. And as long as you both know that and are okay with it, I won't push it any more. As long as you are happy."
"I am happy. Sean's been a godsend and gives me something Leon couldn't possibly do now because of his work."
"What's that?"
"Stability. I don't have to worry about him dying everytime he goes to work or old ghost like A.D.A coming back to haunt him. He saw her in Spain and now she's working for Wesker. We've all left that life behind Jill. I don't want it back. And I love Sean. Sean loves me."
"Okay Claire. I believe you. I'm sorry I drilled you about it but I had to know how you felt. Leon's not going to talk to me and he only told Chris that he was falling for you all over again. You're my baby sister in-law, I'm going to look out for you."
"Thanks. I think I'll go talk to Leon for a sec."
"Thank you for saving me the effort of telling you." Jill told her thankfully. Claire just hugged her and helped her back up.
"That kid's going to drop like a sack of bricks."
"Shut up."
Walking back in through the house and out through the front door, Claire noticed Leon watching the neighbor's kids playing outside in the sprinkler. Daylight savings time was like a kid's summer gift. More daylight more playtime. The whole street looked so serene. It was nice. He remembered when he, Claire, and Sherry would sit out here and hang out. Sherry wouldn't even try to play with the other kids at first.
"Whatcha doing?"
"Oh hey Claire? Just thinking. Remember when we used to try to get Sherry to hang out with the other kids around here?"
"Yep. That was a challenge I tell you." She told him as she sat down next to him.
"She never wanted to leave unless one of us with her." Leon continued.
"Yeah especially after she got into that fight with Megan?"
"Megan? That little brat from down the street?"
"Yeah, they're the best of friends now."
"When did that happened?" Leon asked. As for as he knew, Sherry always spoke lowly of her.
"About 2 years ago. Sherry said that her boyfriend was using her and tried to help her out. She didn't believe her at first but after everything was said and done, Sherry was the one who was there for her. It was after you left."
"That sounds a lot like something you would do."
"What can I say? I rub off on people."
"Rub off? You raised her. You did a hell of job."
"What's all this 'you' stuff? I had help you know?" Claire shot back as she turned towards him. Leon chuckled to himself.
"I was just there for the beginning. You were there for the big moments."
"Leon, so were you. Sherry never forgot about you. Neither did the rest of us. You are family."
"I guess that's what makes the fact that I'm leaving in a couple of days even harder."
"What do you mean?" She asked concernly. Looking over at the kids playing Leon sighed to himself. He'd been thinking about it for a while now. Even before Spain.
"This. The normalcy. The serenity of life for of the average person. No biohazards, no terrorist plots, no debriefings. I'll never have it again. Let alone a normal relationship." Claire remained silent and looked back thoughtfully at him before wrapping an arm around him
"I'm sorry."
"Sorry for what? You didn't do anything?"
"I'm sorry for not waiting."
"I wouldn't expect you to. You shouldn't have to. Sean's good to you and you seem to love him. You're happy and that's all I ever wanted." Leon spoke aloud. Claire started to sniffle as the tears began to fall. She didn't know what to do. Everything was so clear before she spoke to Leon again after all these years. Not it wasn't so much anymore.
"Please don't cry Claire." She wiped her eyes and tried to recollect.
"I'm sorry. It's just I don't know what to do. I never thought these feelings would come back."
"Maybe they never left. That's what a friend of mine told me anyway."
"So you've confided in someone about me before?"
"Yeah. Her name's Ingrid Hunnigan. She's my M.O.S. Mission Operator Specialist. We're also newly found drinking partners."
"Sounds like you two are close?"
"I took her to dinner once. After Spain. She's made it very obvious that she's not giving me any chances." Leon told her with a slight laugh as he shook his head.
"You're just having all the luck aren't you Scott."
"I know right."
"Maybe things we'll work out later in the future. We'll just have to see where it takes us." Claire wondered outloud.
"I'll make sure I keep in touch and stay along for the ride then." Leon answered back.
"Sherry will love that. Me too."
"Me too." With that Leon looked down at his friend. Claire was a constant in his life. Rather it be romantically or otherwise he needed her. He would prefer the first choice though. Tentatively he pulled her closer to him and kissed her on the forehead just to let her know he respected her decision and her relationship.
"Let's go get the other shall we? You know how Sherry gets." Leon started. Claire straightened out her ponytail. She was grateful for Leon and how he was handling this. Now if only she could do the same without breaking down. She was going to have to talk to Jill again. Damn it. The two didn't even have time to open the door before Sherry yanked it open with Ashley grinning behind her.
"There you two are. Come on, I'm not getting any hungrier. Ashley's starving."
"Sorry." Ashley apologized as if she had interrupted something. Leon just offered her a smile as he noticed the others trailing behind them.
"Don't worry about it. You lovely ladies riding with me?" He asked looking over Claire, Ashley, and Sherry? The three of them nodded. Carlos scoffed.
"What? You're leaving me alone with my wife, Jill, and that blockhead?" He joked somewhat. Leon regarded him with a smirk.
"Yes." With that Leon started towards his car with Claire walking side by side with him and Ashley and Sherry grinning and chatting up each other the whole time. Carlos shook his head and grabbed Rebecca hand as she got into Chris's Tahoe.
"I wanna be just like Leon when I grow up." Jill looked over her seat back to the couple.
"And you married him because?" Chris started up the car with shitfaced grin. Rebecca smiled despite herself.
"I ask myself that everyday."
Author's Note: Okay there it is. I think I got like 2 more regular chapters to do and then I'll do an epilogue. I wanted to focus on Leon's relationships with Claire and Sherry. They both represent a part of him that Ashley's learning about on this trip and I thought it was a good parallel. Hence the title of the chapter. Again I thank everyone who has read and/or continued to follow this story. I said I would finish all of them and that's what I'll do. I hope it was worth the wait and I promise I won't take another 3 years to update. I think I'm inspired now. Reviews are always nice and might keep that inspiration going so yeah do that. Like right now. Until next time. Hell Yeah!