Chapter 13

Impressions

(Present Day)

As Leon made his way into the diner he chuckled to himself that she would have chosen such a place to meet. It reminded him of his very first memory of Claire Redfield. His first impression was that of a scared defenseless teenager. Boy was he wrong. He knew when he gave her the browning 9mm and saw her chamber a round like it was natural, he knew he was smitten.

Leon made sure he had enough time to shower and change. He deemed himself acceptable in his Levis and military inspired short sleeve shirt. He ran his hands through his chestnut brown hair and sprayed on some cologne for good measure. He was wearing his favorite leather jacket, a birthday gift from Claire. If he knew Redfield like he did, she was already there waiting for him in her usual attire; jeans, boots and a graphic shirt. Her hair pulled in a usual pony tail.

Which was why he was dumbfounded when he realized that the beautiful woman waving to him from the back of the diner was Claire.

Claire's auburn hair was swept in a loose ponytail to the side. She was dressed in a ruffled tank underneath a scoop neck shirt that showed off her demure décolletage. The colors of her clothing complimented her blue eyes nicely. The dark blue pencil skirt she wore hugged her every curve. She wore heels that added height to her petite frame and elongated her legs.

She smiled warmly as she greeted him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close to her. He loved her hugs. Instinctively he wrapped his arms around her waist drawing her close. It took all his will power to keep from not letting go. He was careful not to show any kind of hint of enjoyment and satisfaction from touching her. The government taught him how to hide his emotions; this was business after-all. But for some reason, Leon's serious and professional manner melted away under Claire's charm and warmth. She had a way of doing that to him.

"Good to see you too, Claire."

Claire sat at the table at the back of the diner. She checked herself on her compact. She regretted not wearing her usual attire but she felt a change was in order. It's not as if this is a date she thought to herself but she should at least look presentable—this was a historic moment after all, both of them finally meeting under normal circumstances.

Seeing Leon walking toward her in the diner, she felt her heart tug a little. In front of her was the same man she saw in Harvardville; the serious, calculating, self-assured Leon S Kennedy, government agent. He looked unapproachable, not at all, like the idealistic tentative rookie cop she remembered from Raccoon City who was always smiling always-cracking jokes and lame one-liners. Yet Claire knew Leon was more vulnerable than his guard and apparent aloofness would lead others to believe.

She couldn't help but drool just a little; Leon still had his boyish good lucks not to mention a nice physique that got more toned each time she saw him. When he hugged her, she felt herself beginning to melt. His body was familiar to her and it was natural for her just conform her body to his. It was nice to be held in big strong arms.

Claire blushed as she finally let him go. "Good to see you, Leon"

There was an awkward pause before Leon broke the silence. He raised his eyebrow as he looked at her up and down, "Are you getting fluffy on me Redfield?"

Claire playfully slapped his arm. Leon winced from the pain; he noticed he wasn't the only one who had been working out.

"Shut-up Kennedy, I haven't done laundry in awhile!" she lied