A/N: I am grateful to the readers, who took out time to read and the reviewers Grace and Mercenary Nemesis for leaving me a review of the last chapter. I'd also like to make a note that in this chap I've altered the canon plot of RE universe, so I'd like to apologize to the readers, who don't like this sort of plot.

Disclaimer: I don't own Resident Evil or its characters; they all are property of Capcom.


Chapter 29

(Kate's POV)

The voice of car engine told me Leon left and I couldn't help but turn to look at his car leaving. I felt something at my feet and I looked down to spot Shadow. He was really quiet that I almost didn't feel his presence and it only increased my anxiousness making me feel restless again. I looked back at Leon's car, that was pretty much like dot in a distance and then back at Shadow, who was sad. I dug in my purse to get my phone and called him immediately but he didn't pick up and my intuition was confirmed.

I unlocked the door and headed straight to the study where both his and mine notebooks were while I called John, Rachel picked up, "This is Rachel", she answered cheerfully.
"Rachel, I need to speak up with John fast", I spoke fast turning on my notebook.
"He said he was going to have drinks with the men", she told me.
'Shit!', I couldn't help but curse, it's definitely dangerous if they all are going.
"Don't tell me he is going on some mission", Rachel said in disbelief, her voice full of concern.
"Rachel, I'll talk to you later. I need to get things done", I said and disconnected; it was time for me to put my skills to use.

I hacked into the Agency system and it took me quite some time, then I tried to find if any mission was assigned to Leon but there were no records. I knew this would happen because if Agency had him on any Mission then I would have known it even before he himself or anybody. Next I hacked into BSAA's database and tried to find if they asked for Agency's assistance but it was not the case.

I was really feeling down now and that's when something struck my mind and I tried to get info on any mission assigned to Chris and that's when I hit jackpot. Both he and Jill were assigned to investigate the appearance of some guy name Albert Wesker. BSAA was trying to track him down for quite a while and they had a positive Intel that he's currently at some old man's estate, named Oswell E. Spencer.

That was all I needed to know and now I needed to track Leon, fast before he leaves. I got up from the chair pushing buttons on my phone at the same time rushing for the door as GPS started on my phone. When I pulled open the door surprisingly I found Leon standing there.

"I am coming with you", I only said and from his reaction or lack of it, it was evident that he was expecting it.
"Okay", he sighed in defeat and nodded, cutting any sort of argument. I moved ahead of him and then it came, a sharp blow on my head and I started to lose my consciousness , "I am sorry, honey", I heard Leon say as he grabbed me before I fell to the floor.
"Leon…", this was all I could manage out.

(Leon's POV)

"I am sorry…", I repeated holding her tight in my arms, "… but you can't come, it's for your own good", I hugged her tight, since it might be the last time I am seeing her. Luckily I decided to take u-turn just to see her one last time before I left, my that decision stopped her from taking any stupid decisions.

I lifted Kate up and carried her upstairs to the bedroom. I set her softly on the bed and covered her with a blanket and stared at her pretty face for a moment. I kissed her hand and said, "You'd be mad but I can't make you live the horrors that's killing me everyday", I bent down placed a kiss on her forehead. I got up by her side and started to move out, stopping just to see her from the door one last time before leaving.


(Leon's POV)

"You took time", Chris said when I showed up at the base.
"I forgot to take care of few things", I told him, "Anyways you're positive it's definitely Wesker this time."
"100 percent positive", he said and then told me the details and also that we might find Ada there.

Seven years back I cared about her, I loved her even though I knew she was working for the enemy. Every night as I slept I couldn't help but remember the time when she confessed her love to me saying she truly wanted to be with me. But now it all seemed like a joke, the reason being I didn't felt happy when she said that nor did I felt anything whenever I remembered it. At first I thought I wasn't happy because it were her dying words but when I knew that she was alive I didn't make me happy either. I felt betrayed, deceived and when I saw her in Spain, I was almost angry at her; despite the fact she helped me and saved my life. I don't know why she did that, all I know that she must have some ulterior motive, whatever that might be.

"Hey, you thinking about Ada?", Jill asked me and I nodded snapping away from my thoughts, "Did you tell Kate?"
"She knows", I answered.
"Good", Jill said smiling, "This might be the wrong time but I want to talk about her a bit. Now I know you hate listening anything concerning her but just think about your relationship for a bit and answer me, don't you think your relationship is stuck somewhere?"
"No, it progressing everyday", I replied, "When we first met we never argued, then we started arguing when we were alone, then we didn't care if anyone was there, slowly arguments we had turned into fights which sometimes ended only when one of us gets hurt, mostly Kate, because I have a habit of losing my calm but even then we talked but now we don't even talk cause we know it would eventually lead to an argument."

"This is not a joking matter Leon", Jill said seriously, "You would regret it, if you get divorced", she said somewhat angrily, "Kate is the best woman you can have for yourself. Nobody can understand you the way she does."
"Anyone can understand me in five years", I said to her.
"It's been seven years and since then it has become harder to understand you, I don't how Kate does it", Claire said joining the talk, trying to beat sense into me, "But I think you won't understand since she did say you were a little dense."

They would have said more but Chris called us to discuss the strategy since he was the last person who encountered Wesker. We shared little info, suggestion that would benefit us, the important thing being we were not to engage in fight with Wesker and avoid all BOWs, "Kiddo you would stay with John and Leon and search the garden area and keep clear the escape route while Jill, Billy and I will search inside the mansion. Leon is in command of your group listen to him and don't act on your own."

"Why does Leon gets to be the boss?", John whined joking.
"Because you would probably ask us to kill Wesker with our jokes", I said pulling him away, so that Redfield have their moment with each other, none of us knew if we would come back alive or not, "How… how was it when you told Rachel about it?"
"I didn't; I told her we are just going to have drinks", John replied checking his equipment.
"I am not talking about this Mission but that incident in whole", I made it clear to him.
"Oh", John said looking up in realization, "Well at first she didn't believe me, you know; thought I was joking with zombies are real and stuff", he replied smiling, "But then I told her seriously that no I wasn't and she believed. She sat there listening to me and when I was done she said what I was doing made her respect me even more and that she's scared but she knows I am keeping her away from the real horrors so it was fine. And she hugged me then we…"
"John!", I couldn't help but say as he switched to his usual self.
"Are you scared that Kate wouldn't believe you if you tell her about Raccoon, because if you are then you shouldn't worry you are so serious that if you'd tell anyone that Unicorns are real", John said.
"I am afraid that she would", I replied looking at him and John gave me a confused.
"Come on guys we are ready", Chris yelled and we headed out.


(Leon's POV)

The chopper dropped us off a few meters away from the mansion situated at the cliff top. Unexpectedly there were no security personnel and we didn't break a sweat sneaking in, as planned Claire, John and I took our position and secured the exit and waited for the rest of the team to return. Chris would keep us informed about what they were doing and kept checking our status regularly. Occasionally John would crack a joke or two and Claire would complain about her feet getting numb waiting for the rest.

After half an hour or so we heard glass breaking probably a window glass, "Redfield come in", I spoke in headset but no reply came and I immediately gave a red signal, "Redfield are you there, I repeat are you there", I repeated again as we moved to where supposedly the noise came.

When we reached the location we found Wesker standing looking down at Jill lying at his feet, his smile like a devil. This was the first time I was seeing him face to face. He noticed us, "Can you take care of them Ms. Wong I have other things to take care of", he said to Ada who just arrived at the scene.
"It would be a pleasure", she said smiling.

Wesker bent to get Jill but we all shot out of instinct, "Keep your hands off her", Claire growled in anger.
"Kennedy", Chris voice came from the headset, "Jill… she…"
"We know, she would be okay but we're in a tight situation here", I told him.
"Where are you?", Chris asked.
"North part of the mansion, under the window where she jumped out", I told him keeping my eyes on Wesker.
"I hate killing pests you know", Wesker said in a calm tone.
"Yeah you like experimenting on them", I tried to buy time, we can't fight Ada and Wesker when trying to save Jill.
"I love experimenting on them, don't worry after I defeat you, you all will have the pleasure of being the guinea pigs", he replied.

"Not so fast Wesker", Chris said appearing behind Wesker and he was distracted for a moment and that's when John released a few smoke bombs and we ran to get Jill.
"We managed to rescue Jill!", I informed Chris, "currently heading for the exit."
"Good, we'll join you in a bit", Chris said.

"Not so fast, Leon", Ada said appearing in front of us.
"Take care of Jill and don't come in between", I said to Claire and John and they did as they were told.
"She doesn't interest me anyways", Ada purred watching them leave, "Where's the bitch whose bullet you took?", she asked referring to our last encounter and Kate.
"She's standing right in front of me", I told her referring to the time I took a bullet for her.
"Uh… Come on Leon, don't get mad, I was just asking so that I could settle things with her", she said with all the bitterness she could muster.
"First you've to go through me", I said and with a flash we both pointed guns at each other.
"I will have my revenge, Leon", Ada made it clear to me.
"Like I said over my dead body", I said feeling protective about Kate.
"Would be a piece of cake", she said and shot.
"Leon!", both Claire and John yelled.


(Kate's POV)

"Leon!", I woke up screaming and panting, drenched in sweat in my bedroom. The sunlight filling the room told me that it was already morning. Shadow was sitting by side silently, "You're his dog after all", I couldn't help but say to him. He whined and kept his head on my lap as if asking me to forgive him.

I stroked his head since I couldn't do anything anymore now, he would have traveled really far by now. It could be possible that he might be returning or might have returned already but I couldn't help but feel restless, the thing I wanted, was to see him so I could fight with him, hit him hard because he had hit me, scold him for leaving me back and to have an argument or two just so I could know he was okay.

I don't know how much time I spent waiting for him sitting on the bed stroking Shadow rarely trying to take my mind off him, occasionally cursing him, frequently dropping ideas of calling him, missing his annoying yet much needed presence right now, wishing him with every possible luck with each breath and praying for his wellness with each heart beat.

Finally after hours of waiting, I decided to have shower and it took me really long to have my shower since I kept expecting Leon would come barge in any moment but he didn't and only after my body had absorbed enough water that I stepped out, accepting the fact that today will be the that he wouldn't interrupt my privacy. I sat in front of the mirror absent mindedly for a couple of minutes before picking up the hair drier and drying my hair leisurely and after that I again absent mindedly brushed my hair.

I didn't quite get the fact that why I can't live with Leon nor can I live without him. But one thing was clear I hated more staying without him than staying with him. How many times I restrained myself from calling him when I am on undercover mission and ask him if he was keeping the house alright, indirectly asking him if he was alright. I just couldn't seem to understand why I cared about him so much and why don't I tell him that I care for him, maybe saying that would lift up our relationship a bit. And that's when I heard a car and rushed out in balcony to see if Leon had returned but unfortunately it was just the same car model passing by.


(Leon's POV)

I drove back home trying to think of a story to tell Kate, as far as I know she would be really mad at me, 'Why wouldn't she be', I thought as I stopped at a signal. I looked at my watch it was 9:00 in the morning, she probably would have left for work but she would be mad alright.

I took a turn to get in the residential area where I lived and still I couldn't think of any plausible excuse. All the way back from the mansion, we were glad that nobody was critically injured. Jill was hurt pretty bad but she was tougher than we all thought, since she escaped with a couple of fractured ribs and nothing more. Ada escaped again with Wesker and she again almost killed me if not for Chris who had lunged at her and made her miss the shot otherwise I would have been a dead man right now. All I had to say is that all's well that ends well.

I parked the car on the driveway and stepped out and looked at my house, and wind blew my wet hair and I smelled of disinfectant. The first thing I am going to do is have bath with normal soap and water, then I might call Kate depending on my mood. I walked to the door and used my keys to get inside. And although I was sure there no one was at home, I kind of sneaked trying to make as less noise as possible. I closed the door softly and the moment I turned, Kate rushed in my arms and held me tight.

First of all I wasn't expecting her to stay back at home; second I was expecting her to scold me to death; and finally I was definitely not expecting her to run in my arms, hugging me tight making me smile, waking up the man inside me, which wanted her really bad. Without wasting any time and keeping aside the feeling of shock, I just thought of taking this chance to soothe the latent feelings I had for her for past five years.

I wrapped my arms around her welcoming her hug closing whatever gap was between us. I rested my head on her shoulder and again her sweet yet extremely provocative scent filled my nostrils, her scent was overpowering the disinfectant smell that I smelled off right now. And just when I was having the maximum pleasure she pulled away.

Kate looked at me with teary eyes, it was clear she was worried for me, I couldn't help but smile at her and then her one punch shook my jaw, "Didn't saw that coming", I commented grabbing hold of my jaw.
"What were you thinking when you left me behind?", she screamed at me.

(Kate's POV)

"Well… I wasn't thinking about the warm welcome I would get, when I get back", Leon replied smiling.
"Be serious", I said furiously wiping my tears.
"On one condition", he said walking towards the stairs.
"What?", I asked crossing my arms and raising my brows at him.
"It's a crazy day", he said surprised turning to look at me, "You sure you feeling alright Kate, sweetie?"
"Yeah I am alright Leon, honey", I mocked his flirty mood not hiding the fact I was still furious with him.

"Woah, I didn't know you too flirted", Leon said acting surprised; he very well knew that I knew every trick there is to flirting being an undercover Agent.
"If you are trying to get around the original talk then I must tell you, you are not doing a good job", I told him still furious at him.
"But when did we reach the original talk, I was just starting", he replied getting really close to me.
"Are you done?", I asked not a bit entertained by his acts, I pushed him really hard and he screamed not in disappointment or anything, it was genuine scream, a scream of pain, "Are you hurt?", I asked concerned.

"No", Leon replied but his eyes told me it was a lie.
"You're hurt", I said moving close.
"No, I am not", he replied as I tried to pull off his jacket.
"Let me see", I just said to him as we both struggled a bit, he tried to stay away and I tried to get close to him
"I am not hurt", he said still trying to run up the stairs, walking backwards.
"Then what's the problem if I take a look", I said to him and I don't have any idea how I slipped on one of the footings but before anything could happen to me Leon was there to hold me.

(Leon's POV)

"Are you okay?", I asked Kate and she didn't reply but kept looking at me and then I felt her hand on my chest as she felt the bandages over my shirt.
"Nothing happened huh?", she said sarcastically looking me straight in eye, "Thank god I slipped otherwise you weren't planning to tell me."
"You'd have come to know anyways", I replied trying to smile weakly.
"Am I that insignificant to you that you didn't even wanted to tell me that you're hurt", she asked me as tears again welled up in her eyes.
"I didn't want to tell you because you worry too much", I replied.
"I worry because you don't tell me anything", she reasoned, "You knocked me out and left, you're always getting hurt for some reason, you don't want to tell me about your missions that aren't even top secret or anything, everybody knows about you but me."
"But nobody understands me but you", I told her.

"You're making it harder for me to understand you", Kate told me, "You keep pulling away. I will break if you keep doing that."
"Then move closer and hold me", I literally begged her and she let me pull her in a tight hug. I gave myself to her, held her tight so I could feel her every breath and every heart beat. The first time we ever hugged I didn't want to let go because I didn't know and was almost sure that I won't get a chance like today. The stitches on my shoulder were burning but I didn't care as long as get to hug her, as if she knew that I was in pain she kissed the spot where I was hurt and gave herself to me.

"You are an idiot", Kate spoke softly.
"Romantic would be way better", I said smiling and she pulled away furious.
"Flirt", she corrected raising her brows.
"Really?", I asked and for some reason my gaze dropped down to her busts.
"And a pervert too", she said more furiously noticing that mere shift of my gaze.
"I would be pervert if I do this", I said and didn't give her time to think and quickly kissed her neck and she punched me out of reflex, "Oww…. I am hurt", I reminded
her.
"I am sorry", she apologized already rubbing the place where she hit me, "I didn't mean to hurt you."

(Kate's POV)

"It's okay, sweetheart", Leon said and just then somebody rang doorbell like mad.
"Twins", we both chorused knowing their typical behavior.
"Kate, open up!", Leslie yelled as I descended down the steps to get the door.
"I am coming", I yelled and opened the door a second later, "Gosh what's the rush?", I asked them.
"Nothing too much", they both chorused hugging me together; "We dropped by to have breakfast."
"I haven't got it ready yet", I told them moving towards the kitchen, "I was just beginning to prepare breakfast."
"We can wait", they both replied flopping on the couch turning on the TV.
"Okay", I said to them and then turned to Leon, "Just take a bath you smell horrible."

"When did you get the chance to smell him", Leslie asked curiously.
"Uh… that's a secret", I said playfully walking towards the kitchen and twins followed me and kept asking me about the non-existing secret, the whole time I was making breakfast.
"Fine don't tell us we'll ask Leon", Jessica said pouting.
"Ask me what?", Leon asked joining us on the breakfast table.
"What's the secret?", Leslie asked him and he thought for a bit.

"It wouldn't be a secret if I tell you", Leon replied and then both me and Leon where annoyed really hard before we tell them that we just hugged when Leon returned from work and they hooted and I went a bit furious with them and then twins and Leon decided to play some family game while I did the work around the house.

Leon might not want to tell me but I know he would tell me eventually, I just needed to wait till he opens up to me more. Lately I've been noticing a change of attitude in him. After four years of marriage he started listening to me, he tried hard to control his anger and was trying to be in my good books. We had found new ways to communicate, to pass on feelings besides arguing about everything.


A/N: Thanks for reading! I hope you liked the chapter. I am sorry, if you had any inconvenience due to any mistakes in the text.