Guardian

Chapter 38

A/N: Careful, pretty long author's note to come. Please do read.

First of all I would like to thank all of you, my dear readers, for sticking with me and this story for as far as you have. It meanse so much to me that I was able to entertain you, make you laugh and frown throughout the developement of this story I have called Guardian. As I've warned you countlessly, this story may not go towards the path you all think it may and this implies that it may not satisfy your needs in terms of the plot and ships. I do know that some of you have been frustrated by the way I portray the characters and some of you might be even bored with what's happening. I understand, this story has occasionally been slow and even boring, content less. But I do know that it has also touched some of you in a certain way, and that I am proud of.

A user has expressed his/her worries due to the fact that Ada Wong has been out of character lately and that she feared that the obvious outcome of the story may lead to Leon leaving his family behind. I most probably lost this reader with my 2 previous chapter. This was something I expected and I do apologize I wasn't able to do something about it. I've had this story in my mind for the longest time and I would like to keep the essence of that story without altering too much of it. So Yamiga as I've already said, thank you and my sincerest apologies if you aren't able to feel much more out of my story. I do try my best to keep Ada in line and she is an extremely difficult character to portray. One of the goals of this fic was to add humanity into her since we only get to see the cocky, cunning, playful and sensually woman she is in the games. And as shown in the old games, mostly in her epilogue, she did have a soft side which I wanted to put up.

In what concerns Leon, I can't say much or it'll spoil everything. Would he leave his family? I'd let you be the judge of that through my writing and the chapters to follow. For some of you who really do want to continue reading this fic despite all the deceptions, hang in there. And maybe, maybe you'll find the answers you need.
As for those who seemed to deceived to continue, once again I send out my apologies equally to everyone. I've been telling myself that I will tear people's expectations apart with what's in store, I've worried about it countless of times. You see, writing is the only form of self-confidence I have and at times, I dog et selfish. If you do wish to stop reading, I wouldn't stop you nor would I try to convince you of sticking around. It's all your choice.

I do ask my readers to express their deception like Yamiga has (I'm thankful for it), it helps me build the story and fix it along with keeping its true primitive form. Don't hesitate on telling me if you think I'm taking the character's personality to a completely different and inadequate level.

Do enjoy this chapter and wait for the next, I assure you something new will be born.

With love,

Author.

Leon felt hurt, the type of pain that he knew he deserved. A few moments ago, he saw her walk out the door as if she walked out of him because of some irrational proposal. This made him flinch even more as he realized that it could be interpreted in that very way. The kiss was relieving just like in his dreams, it was a sign of reassurance that she was there and she wouldn't leave. At least, that's how he wanted to convince himself or her lingering touch. But he couldn't help but notice how all in all, it left him feeling cold and hollow.

"And who's to blame for that?" He asked himself, hanging his head with his eyes towards his shoes.
Me. I can't even blame her for this one. Shit.

A grown man, a father and husband runs after another woman for almost over a decade. To some people it may seem like an ill-natured joke, but to him… It was just a matter of not being able to decide about how he really wanted things with her. He married the woman who bore the title of his wife out of love and he saw something within her that Ada Wong wouldn't be able to give him, not even in a millions years. Leon swore he would never fail like he had with the spy, his failure had been kicking his ass ever since day one in Raccoon City and he knew he wouldn't be able to take more than what has been biting him at the back of his head.

Is this what regret really felt like? Or was it fear? Fear to hurt those he cared for, to hurt his son, and to hurt himself? He wasn't clearly sure and he wasn't ready to be sure about it since he knew the realization of one of those things would lead to the abandon of the rest. Leon's self-torment was beyond what he'd realized up to now and he eventually found himself, well, blaming himself for being the so-called inner Samaritan he was. Way to go Kennedy. He mocked his persona disgustingly.

He made his way back to his son's room, hoping she wouldn't be there. And she wasn't.

"Daddy?" The little voice cried freshly.

"Hey kiddo. Sleep well?"

"Yeah! I had this dream with everyone in it." Leon smiled at his boy's chirp and sat down beside him at the border of the bed, elbows on his knees and arms swaying to the ground.

"Really? Must be one heck of a dream James."

"You, Mommy, Angel and I were in it!" He said, crawling to his father's lap.
"And the best part was that Mommy and Angel were really nice to each other and you were happy!" Leon's mouth opened but no words escaped.
"Can we all live like that? Please Daddy?"

Agent Kennedy sighed and said "James, we can't always have what we want. But, we can make the
best out of what we have." He ruffled the boy's golden locks and laughed inwardly seeing his child pout with no satisfaction.
"Why don't you go visit Mommy later? I'm sure she'll be happy to see you."

"Okay…" James' pout remained on his lips. The effect of Leon's actions between the two women was obvious on his only son and his regret sky-rocketed within mere seconds. How had James developed so much affection for Ada? Was it because she filled in the gaps we've created as parents through our arguments and worries? Have we neglected him this much? A nosy voice hit Leon behind his head. Way to go Sherlock, it said.

Taking his boy in an embrace, he took both of themselves out, in to the hall, and began making their way to his wife's room only to be interrupted by an unfamiliar face within the facility.

"Agent Kennedy, Sir Stirling and Sir Donnovan have sent me for you. They require your presence in the armory immediately. Miss Wong and Agent Harper are to join you shortly." The agent was young and quite adequate for his post in the government. He was spotlessly clean to a point where it blinded Leon's teal eyes. As a response to the young man's request, Scott Kennedy simply nodded before looking at the young Kennedy in his arms.
"If you'd like, I shall escort the little one to his mother's perimeter. I do assume it is best to leave him there." The man's calculating mind was baffling.

"Right." The ashen haired agent said, handing out his son to the expressionless agent. "I'll see you later James." He jogged his way out of their sight, impatient to spend a the little time he could save with Lisa and the boy.