Claire:

I watched him return to the table, with that half smile plastered on his face.

I wonder what happened? What did the woman have to say? Leon would never tell me, not here anyway.. Maybe when we were alone.

"Are you guys ready to head out"? Chris said looking at all of us.

Leon nodded slowly, looking at me for a long second afterward. Something in his eyes.. It was muted by that other thing but I could still see it. Leon was upset.. Or maybe not. Maybe he was just thinking about something. I'm gonna have to force him to tell me sooner.

"Okay". Chris rose to his feet as Jill did the same, smoothing out her dress. I watched as Chris dropped his hand on her waist as she smirked up at him.

I jumped up, hurrying to Leon's side as we started walking. He kept his eyes averted for a moment, but I knew eventually he'd have to look at me. I stared up at him intent on making him look at me so I'd know what happened. Finally he looked at me, smiling warmly as his hand fell around my waist, pulling me close to him.

'What's up"? I mouthed as he shook his head. 'Tell me'. I mouthed as he pulled me even closer.

I saw his lips contort to form the word 'Later'. Then he grinned an lifted his arm over my shoulder.

Oh well.. No point in pressing him. He wasn't going to budge.

I lifted my hand slowly, wrapping it around his waist as I leaned into his shoulder. I found that soft spot between his neck and his shoulder, and let myself relax. I allowed myself to be led by Leon as I shut my eyes. I knew that Chris could be giving us dirty looks, but really I could care less..

I opened my eyes a few minutes later, looking up at Leon.

He smiled down at me as we reached the car. I opened the door and waited for Jill and Chris to get in before I sat down. As Leon climbed in next to me, I saw his expression falter. Then it went blank.

Leon:

I drove back in a fog, not even realizing anyone was in the car. It was only when we arrived at Chris' and Claire's house, did I bring myself out of it.

"Thanks for driving Kennedy". Chris said dropping his hand onto my shoulder as he stepped out.

"Yes thank you Leon". Jill said kissing my cheek lightly before gliding away.

I nodded, watching Claire walk around the car toward me. She floated toward me, brushing her fingers through her hair.

"Do you want to have a drink"? Chris said looking at me as Claire stopped at my side.

"I'm feeling a little tired.. I'm sorry. Thanks though". I said as Chris shrugged.

"Alright.. See you later Leon". He said walking toward the house as Jill followed.

"Night Leon.. Thanks again". Jill said waving toward me as they passed through the front door.

Now there was Claire.. She was going to ask me what was wrong for sure.. Truthfully nothing was wrong with our night. But I knew something was wrong else where. There had to be something going on. There was no way this perfect life could go on much longer.

"Leon". She whispered looking at me strongly.

Okay. Now would be my opportunity. I reached toward her, pressing my lips against hers firmly. I could feel her hesitate, like she was going to argue, but she didn't. She relented and melted against me. "Are you sure every thing's okay"? She muttered against my lips as she looked up at me.

"Of course." I leaned back, stroking my finger across her cheek. "I promise.. I'll see you tomorrow".

"Okay". she said softly, her eyes locking on mine. "You better.. You owe me for leaving me with these two".

"Course.." I watched her turn away, floating gracefully up the steps. She stopped at the door, whirling around toward me quickly. "Remember Leon". She said before disappearing through the door. I walked back to my car, falling into the seat and starting the engine. As I pulled away down the road, I felt cold and empty.. Most likely because Claire wasn't with me. That had to be the reason.

Leon:

The next morning I woke up slowly lifting myself from the bed. My first instinct was to call Hennigan and force her to tell me what was happening. But that quickly faded as I felt the urge to call Claire.

She needed an explanation for my distance last night. And now way would she have believed my flimsy excuse.

I sighed slowly, brushing my fingers up into my hairline.

Maybe nothing was happening. Would it really be so hard to let myself believe that I could actually be happy? That I could live this life, with Claire and Chris, and Jill? Maybe we can become close friends rather than four strangers brought together by unspeakable tragedy. Maybe I could get a normal job. Go back to being a cop and tackle drug dealers and drunks rather than mutated snarling monsters. Yeah.. That was what I had wanted all along. Before Raccoon city.

I could hear Chris' voice in my ears, and it was screaming at me about 'Putting things into perspective'. Why did that seem to resonate so much with me?

Because this situation should be putting things into perspective. Making things clear like what Africa did for Jill and Chris. But instead it just made me confused and anxious.

Maybe I should just disregard all doubts and just go with what was happening.

I mean truly I have no obligation to go back to work.. Things were calmer now, at least Chris thought so. He said after what happened in Africa, things might be getting better. But could they? Would I really never be needed by the government again? Could I go into seclusion just like Hennigan had wanted? Get married perhaps? Still it sounds too good to be true.

I stared down at the mattress, brushing my hand over the sheet.

Time goes by so quickly.. Especially in our lives. Maybe thinking and waiting would only make things worse.

I jumped out of bed, pulling my jacket over my shoulders. I hurried to the door, whipping my keys off the counter and curling it in my hand.