I must apologize to you Cody Smith! I am soooo very sorry it took so long to update!

I do not own Leon or Ashley or Matrix, they all belong to somebody else, simple and clean.

The rain came down in torrents. The sky rumbled with rage and lightning split the sky in two. In a remote village, torches lit up a small area, surrounding two drenched figures.

A villager staggered forward, only to fall prey to a bullet going through his head. The man holding the gun glared as he and his charge where surrounded. Gritting his teeth, the young man turned to the side and let off another round of shots. His icy eyes shone with desperation and, surprisingly, fear. He tossed his head to get the annoying sticking bangs out of his eyes and took a step back, making sure that the young woman behind him was safe and out of harm's way. Feeling a scared tug on his shirt had him clenching his teeth almost to breaking point. This was not how it was supposed to end.

The young woman behind him inched closer to him as they were enclosed by mindless villagers. She bit back a whimper as the villagers closed in and Leon pushed her back.

They were stuck. Surrounded. Enclosed.

It was over.

Ashley stole a glance at Leon's profile. His eyes were burning with hatred as he stared down the accursed people. He was ready to fight until the end. He was ready to fight until he couldn't anymore. He was ready to die. Ashley's amber eyes pooled with tears as Leon glared intently at the people, making sure they didn't get any closer. It was her fault he was here. Her fault that he faced his death. Ashley bit her lip as her tears mixed in with the rain.

Leon closed his eyes tightly as he was pushed back again. Every step back brought him and Ashley closer to the wall behind them. He couldn't help it though. He only had one more magazine. Only one more and then…. Leon stole a glance back and his eyes softened in pain as he watched Ashley stare in horror at the damn villagers. He was going to fail her.

He bit back a curse and bit his lip hard enough to draw blood. Of all missions to fail, he had to fail the one that meant the most. The one mission that involved a fragile young girl that had grown on him would be the one that he failed. He must've done something horrible in a past life or something.

Cocking his gun, Leon shot the nearest villager with a vengeance. He had no idea why the were just standing there but as long as they weren't getting any closer he had no problem with it. Hopefully, there would be enough time for him to think of a way to get Ashley out of there. Even if he was going down, there was no way he would let Ashley go down in a place like this. Just thinking of Ashley dying felt like a sledgehammer slamming him in the gut.

Keeping his eyes on the people, he half yelled, half whispered to Ashley.

"Ashley…"

Ashley started when she heard Leon's low voice over the rain. He was focused intently on the villagers and appeared to be thinking quickly. She watched as his mouth opened and slapped her hands over her ears as the ear splitting sound of a chainsaw started.

Leon didn't even try and stop the curse that escaped as the villagers parted and showed what they had been waiting for evidently. The mad woman with the chainsaw rushed forward and Leon aimed, shooting her in the head. A parasite exploded out of her neck and continued towards them and Leon pushed Ashley away from him as he continued to shoot at it.

Ashley hit the muddy ground and looked on in horror as Leon ran out of bullets, holstering his gun and pulling out his dagger. Her gut clenched and Ashley yelled out in worry as Leon dodged the parasites long reach. If he died, if Leon died here…

"Leon!"

Leon dodged out of the way of a long tentacle and sent his dagger flying at the things head. The dagger flew hard and embedded itself into the parasite. The woman's body fell to the ground, the chainsaw twirling around dangerously on the ground. The villager's got out of the chainsaws way and started towards Leon and Ashley again.

Leon hauled Ashley up by her elbow and shoved her behind him again. He was out of ideas. He was out of ammo. He was out of weapons to use. He was out of luck. Cursing, Leon clenched his fist and faced the villagers. He would fight them hand to hand if that was what it took. Just long enough for Ashley to get far away.

"Sweetheart…."

Ashley looked up at Leon through the haze of her tears and the rain. He looked resolved. He looked like he was ready for something. Ashley felt a knot grow in her stomach as she waited for him to continue.

"Sweetheart, when I rush at them, I want you to use that distraction and get as far away as possible, understand?"

Ashley stared at him in disbelief. She was not going to leave him. Not like this. She was not going to leave him to face those demons by himself. Even if she did get away, she wouldn't get far. Ashley smiled sadly and moved closer to Leon's back, placing her head against it and shaking her head. Her tears made a trail down her face and fused with the rain.

Leon's eyes softened as he felt the motion against his back. He had had a feeling that she was going to say no. Somewhere in the midst of his heart, he had hoped that she would disagree, even though he knew that it was selfish of him. It wasn't that he wanted her to be hurt… He just wanted her by his side and the thought of her out there alone scared him to his wits end. Even so…if she stayed, she would most likely get hurt in the fight. He had to do something…anything…

Leon's thoughts scattered as the remaining villagers rushed in on him. Adrenaline pumping, he prepared to make his final stand. They were not going to take him down easily.

A loud gunshot filled the air and Leon started with surprise. The nearest villager fell to the ground with no head and the remaining villagers soon followed. Ashley raised her head and looked up the wall to find herself staring at crystal blue eyes. He wore all black, except for the gray shirt that had probably been white once upon at time. The young man lowered his gun and leaned down, reaching his hand out to her.

To be truthful, when Leon turned around, he had expected to see Luis or Ada. The young man that was reaching down to Ashley was not who he had expected. He was young. His hair stuck to his forehead and he leaned down further, extending his left hand to them, his right holding a deadly looking Blacktail handgun.

"Come…quickly." His voice was low but it reached their ears easily.

Ashley raised her trembling hand to his before Leon grabbed her shoulder. She turned her head around and her amber eyes locked onto his cool blue eyes. His eyes stared a hole into her, warning her, cautioning her. Ashley turned back around and walked unsteadily forward. Her cold hands grabbed onto the strangers warm hands and he lifted her easily onto the wall. He steadied her on the narrow walkway and then lowered her onto the other side of it. Turning back around, the stranger watched as Leon hefted himself up. The stranger then nodded and jumped onto the ground.

Leon jumped and landed near Ashley in a crouch. Ashley rushed forward to him and placed her hands on his shoulder. Leon stood up and instinctively moved in front of Ashley. He was grateful towards the stranger but… He didn't know him and he would not risk Ashley's safety. Leon opened his mouth to thank the stranger but the stranger turned away. Looking over his shoulder, his crystal clear eyes focused on them and he opened his mouth to speak.

"Come with me…I know a safe spot." He didn't wait to see if they would follow, he just turned and left.

Leon frowned and wavered. He didn't know what to do. He shouldn't trust strangers but… It was dark out here and he was out of ammo. He turned around and gazed at Ashley. Her tired amber eyes looked back at him, trusting whatever decision he was going to make. He needed to get them both dry and safe. Nodding his head, he softly grabbed Ashley's hand and lead her to where the stranger was going.

Ashley closed her eyes and let Leon guide her. She was tired…so very tired. It felt like the fatigue had set into her bones permanently. She was drenched to the very bottom of her toes and she was drained emotionally. She just wanted to sleep. After all, she finally realized that no more rain was falling on her. She opened her eyes and looked around the small cave.

Leon gently led Ashley to a corner and set her down carefully. His eyes traced her fatigued face and settled on her dim amber eyes. They were distant, unfocused and Leon squashed down the fear rising in his stomach. He touched her cheek with the back side of his knuckles, brushing her wet hair out of her face.

"Ashley… Sweetheart."

Leon watched as her eyes focused on his face, her amber eyes registering him. He gave a small grin at her and watched as her dull amber eyes lightened and her pale lips twitched at the end. He smoothed down her hair and whispered to her.

"I'll be right back." He stood up and walked away, clenching his fists when he felt Ashley's hot gaze on his back, igniting feelings in him.

Leon walked up to stranger and sat down across from him. The young man didn't look up from cleaning his gun. Now that Leon looked closer, the young man had dark brown hair, not black like he had previously thought. He wandered what he was doing here but it wasn't like it was his business.

"Thank you…for helping us." Leon's soft strong voice whispered out.

The young man stopped and looked up at him. "You don't have to thank me." Afterwards, the young man resumed his cleaning.

Leon wasn't a talkative person, in fact, he was sometimes called antisocial because he rarely spoke. If he did speak, usually a sarcastic comment would come out and he would be called heartless. Either way, the stranger before him took the gold for all of that. The young man, he was quiet and didn't speak. Leon fidgeted and fought the desire to question him.

"What's your name?"

The man didn't look up and responded, "Give me your name and I'll give you mine."

Leon bit his lip and wandered if it was safe to give him his name.

"Ashley."

Leon looked up in surprise and watched as Ashley settled down next to him, her eyes trained on the stranger.

"My name's Ashley."

This time the man did look up and his eyes focused on Ashley.

"Matrix."

The two of them stared at each other for awhile and Leon felt a peculiar emotion in his chest stir. He gritted his teeth and started to speak when Matrix beat him to it.

"You two should get some rest, there's not much time left until the sun comes up."

Ashley nodded and stood up, her hand holding onto Leon's shirt even as her eyes trained on Matrix. A sliver of emotion went through her eyes and she blinked, her honey colored eyes empty once again. Leon turned towards Matrix and watched as he nodded at Ashley before he looked down to his gun again.

Leon stood up as the feeling in his chest expanded and he gritted his teeth. Did he miss something? Ashley pulled him towards a corner in the cave and sat down with a tired whimper. Leon's feeling disappeared as worry replaced it and he kneeled down next to her. Her eyes connected with his and she gave a weak smile before closing her eyes. Leon traced her drawn face and smoothed his hand down her cheek. He was going to get her out of this hell hole.

Leon turned and sat down next to her with his back against the wall and sighed. Now that he sat down, he could feel the bone aching fatigue settling in. Ashley head falling on his shoulder had a warm feeling blooming in his chest and the fatigue and cold faded away a bit. Feeling intent eyes on him, Leon opened his eyes to meet blue eyes almost identical to him.

Matrix continued to stare at Leon and Leon fought the urge to shift his eyes away. Matrix's eyes traced Leon's entire body and then settled on Ashley. Leon felt his hands clench reflexively. Matrix continued to stare at Ashley's face and then settled on Leon's eyes. Leon tried to keep the glare off his face but he was sure some of it was projecting. Matrix's eyes shifted at the two of them again and then his eyes lightened.

Matrix couldn't keep the small grin off his face as he stared at Leon's protective posture. The young girl would be fine. He had been worried at first, worried that the young man who had been protecting her wasn't strong enough but he had been wrong. Leon clearly felt a fierce protectiveness towards Ashley and Matrix was reassured. Returning his gaze down to his gun he spoke out into the dark.

"I'll keep watch."

Someone was shaking her awake and Ashley moaned as it moved her sore body. She pried her eyes open and met warm blue eyes, shadowed by dirty blond hair.

Leon couldn't keep the smile off his face when Ashley sleep muddled face twisted in confusion.

"It's time to move, sweetheart."

When Leon had gotten up that morning, Matrix had all ready disappeared. The only evidence that he had been there was the left behind food and ammo. Although Leon didn't like Matrix, he was grateful for the ammo. He needed it badly and was grateful he didn't have to go hunting for more.

Ashley bit her lip to keep the moan of pain to keep from escaping. She pulled herself up and stood on shaky legs. She took a deep breath and willed herself to be strong. Strong enough to make it through the day and strong enough to survive.

When Leon turned back around, he found himself staring into strong resolved amber eyes. Her lips were firm and even though her legs were trembling, she took steady steps to him. His body filled with pride and he held out his hand to her. Ashley was a survivor, she was going to be fine.

As Leon and Ashley left the safety of the caves, Leon felt her hand pulling and digging into the small of back. Her hand loosely held his shirt and he gave a small grin as he thought about how his shirt was probably stretched to the max at the back.

Ashley followed Leon faithfully and clung dutifully to his shirt. She wished they didn't have to leave the cave but they had to do what they had to to survive. She was eternally grateful to Matrix and hoped that he would be fine alone. For now though, she would have to focus on surviving and think and wish later.

Leon and Ashley slowly made their way across the countryside, side by side, and with each step that they took, both grew stronger in their resolve. They were going home, headed to safety.

Well, I hope you liked it Cody! I had a lot of fun typing of this! lol I hoped Matrix Jones was to your liking! And I apologize again for taking so long to update! I had writers block lol I am sooo very embarrased that you had to email me asking if I still wrote -;

Anways thanks for reading! Next request is by Sert! lol I'll try and get that one up as soon as possible heheh Stay tune for it!

Requests for Hopes:

1. Rescues her form the church ending at where they jump out the window. (Done) Proposed by: kelley28

2. Uses the machine to get the Las Plagas out. (Done) Proposed by: kelley 28

3. Leon has to shoot off the straps without killing Ashley. (Done) Proposed by: Kawaii Usagi Chan San

4. If Leon had said yes to Ashleys proposal of overtime. (Done) Proposed by: thecutiedisease and Kawaii Usagi Chan San

5. Where Ashley has to find her way back to Leon after he free's her, ending with a kiss. (Done) Proposed by: Gotta Dance 88

6. A kiss somewhere. (Done) Proposed by: AV

7. Follow up to Too Late, chapter 8 of Hopes. (Done) Proposed by: Kawaii Usagi Chan San and Misery's-Toll

8. Follow up of Leon fulfilling his promise to Ashley. (Done) Proposed by: Misery's-Toll

9. Ashley is jealous of Ada. (Done) Proposed by: LilyKat14

10. Leon is jealous of Ashley's connection with someone. (Done) Proposed by: LilyKat14

11. Original character, Matrix Jones, saves Leon and Ashley, after he leaves, and we could get a hint of their feelings for each other. (Done) Proposed by: Cody Smith

12. Follow up to Reunion, chapter 10 of Hopes. Proposed by: Sert

13. Ashley relieved upon finding out Leon didnt it the bottom of the trap door. Proposed by: Misery's-Toll

14. Leon finds out he was too late to save Ashley from ritual. Proposed by: KnightRogue

15. When Leon lets Ashley out of her cell. Proposed by: DRKSilent-Killer

16. After Leon kicks the "big cheese's" butt. Proposed by: DRKSilent-Killer

Dont forget to leave me review! Please! lol