38. Leon

Claire had fallen asleep with her head resting against Leon. Hiwamura had told him that between the blood loss and the medication she'd given her, Claire would sleep deeply for several hours. It was the best for Claires; she needed rest, and the woman had issues when it came to sleeping. The only way that the Japanese doctor could come up with to ensure Claire would get any rest was by giving her a soft sedative.

He had seen Claire sleep before, but unlike other times, tonight, the woman seemed to be having a peaceful sleep. The drugs were working wonderfully. Claire didn't wake up when he lifted her and tucked her before leaving the room.

Hiwamura wanted to monitor Claire, so she would have to stay in the lab for the night. Leon decided to go back to the apartment to get changed and pick up some things while Claire slept. Leon rarely entered Claire's room since she'd moved in. He respected her privacy, so it would be the first time in weeks that he'd step into the room.

The room smelled of Claire's perfume, a mix of sweet peas and plumeria. The room was simple, but every detail made it clear who was occupying it. Biology books on the shelves, Virology books on the nightstand, note sheets on the desk, and lots of colored notes taped to the wall. Leon looked at the notes, but none of them seemed to make sense, and he assumed that Claire must be using some kind of code.

Leon would have stayed longer in the room if someone hadn't come knocking at his door. The person had turned out to be Helena, who stepped in and looked around.

"She is not here. Hiwamura wanted to keep an eye on her, so she'll spend the night in the lab. I came to shower and pick some things for her," Leon explained, closing the door.

"Is she okay?"

"For now. Apparently, the treatment they had originally been using lost its effectiveness."

"So her blood cells are…"

"Self-destructing ...yes."

"That's awful." Helena said, concerned, "any idea of what they can do to help her?"

"Nothing, for now. I guess I'll just keep an eye on her for future reference. This incident could happen again."

"Yeah, you made quite a fuss today." Helena said, tilting her head, "Gossip is already going around, you know?"

"Should I care?"

"I suppose not. It's not bad. I mean ..." Helena shrugged, "Leon, are you and Claire into something?"

Touché. He knew it'd be a matter of time for Helena to notice something off between them.

"Something?"

"You two have been acting a little strange. I thought I was imagining things but then after that reaction of yours today. Are you having some sort of affair with her?"

"Affair?" Leon snorted, "Last time I checked, I married her. I can't have an affair with my wife, can I?"

"So, you won't deny it. You are having something with her," Helena said, surprised, "Leon, you know that getting emotionally involved with a target is…"

"Dangerous and unprofessional? Yes. Weren't you trying to get me with her before?"

"Yes, I mean...if you mean it. I just don't want you to, well, mess up with her. She's a nice woman, and you two are good friends," Helena snorted "So, you are really…?"

" We are together, and yes. It is serious," Leon sighed, "I was slow, coming to terms with it, but I am sure. I like Claire."

"Who would have thought you were such a romantic, Leon?"

Leon scoffed.

"I can be romantic if I want to. At least, I don't need to act now..."

"Well, I guess you just need to be honest," Helena shrugged, "I guess, congrats, Leon. I assume she took it well."

"Yeah, she did, but let's not make a big deal of it. I need to be alive if I want to protect her…"

"You mean the brother?"

"Chris...will need his time to accept it, so let's leave that for when all this madness is over."

"Well, I'll keep your secret, Leon. I told you I like her, so as long as you're okay with it. I support it."

"Thanks?" Leon said, shaking his head, "Did you find anything about that package?"

"No...there was no one suspicious in the recording. I suppose they must have slipped it through the regular mail. You think those photos have something to do with her?"

"Yeah, the question is how. Let's hope Hunnigan managed to get something from them."

Helena sighed. She looked up to where Claire's room was and frowned in concern. Helena was a great friend and ally once you got her to trust you, and with the woman's past, it wasn't easy; but Claire and her charms had managed to earn the woman's affection, just like she always did.

"She really doesn't deserve all this shit…"

"Agree, but she's fine, and that's what matters."

"Yeah...well, then I'll leave you to look after your girl."

"Good night, Helena."

"Good night, Leon."

Leon walked to the elevator and pressed the button impatiently. Hunnigan wasn't one to do things one on one, so needless to say when the woman had requested to meet him personally, he had been slightly surprised.

The door of the elevator opened, and Leon found himself face to face with Hamill. The man grinned at him and stepped aside to give him space in the small cubicle.

"Sup, Kennedy?"

"Good morning, Hamill."

"You're alone today?"

"If you're looking for Clara, she stayed in the office to do some work."

"Now that's a weird picture these days. Is the lovebirds' phase coming to an end?"

"Not as far as I am concerned. Clara has been a little delicate of health. I didn't want to drag her here if it wasn't necessary."

"Hah...so the rumors were true. Mrs. Kennedy is indisposed…"

"I doubt any of those rumors are accurate."

"Really? Too bad, there I was hoping to become uncle Oswald…"

Uncle Oswald? So those were the rumors that Helena had mentioned. How on earth had they connected a bleeding Claire to pregnancy was completely out of his imagination.

"To begin with, Hammil. My kid wouldn't be calling you uncle," Leon said with a frown "and second, no. Clara isn't pregnant."

"Guess that will be a relief for your little fan club…"

"Yeah? Well, you can tell them that it's not because we're not trying."Leon smirked and stepped out of the lift.

Claire would probably kill him for saying that, especially when it was a lie, and he didn't want to think what Chris would do, but as those women seemed to be taking it against Claire, he should at least give her some support.

Hunnigan was waiting for him when he arrived. She was sitting in a small cubicle with a folder and a laptop.

"Hunnigan …" he greeted her as he entered the cubicle and closed the door.

"Leon, you finally made it."

"Sorry, someone just caught me in the elevator…"

" Let me guess, someone curious about yesterday's incident?"

"I don't suppose you've heard the rumors, have you?"

Hunnigan seemed amused at the comment.

"Well, if you ask me, I think you'll make great parents…"

Leon rolled his eyes. That was precisely why he hated to be in the office. Rumors and gossip were unbelievably fast to spread.

"Jokes aside. I found something among the pictures that will interest you."

Humming pulled out something from the folder and pushed it to him. It was a blank card with nothing but a scarlet kiss mark pressed against the paper. He didn't need a message to know that signature.

" I don't suppose Wong would be willing to provide us with more data regarding these photos?"

"Ada does whatever she wants. If she wants to

give us info she will if not, nothing will make her do it… " Leon replied, pushing the card back, "I can try to contact her, but usually it is her who finds me…"

He had a complicated relationship with Ada. They helped each other, were allies at times and enemies the next. He had harbored some sort of crush with her when. He was younger, but he'd grown, and he was content with what he had.

" She addressed the letter to Clara, though. Why Clara and not me?"

"Good question… Which is what worries me. Wong might know who Clara is…"

"And if she does… then whoever hired her does, too. Shit…"

"There's no proof that her cover has been compromised, but it's better if we are careful."

"Yeah, what about the photos?"

"I'm still at it. I was trying to identify the people in these photos, but so far, no luck."

" And the locket?"

"It is a regular piece of jewelry. The design is odd, but that's it," Hunnigan replied, " I don't understand her intentions by sending it to Clara."

"Who knows. I gave up trying to understand Ada a long time ago."

Hunnigan sighed and shook her head.

"Be careful, Leon. For all, we know she could be working for Mobius."

Deep down inside, Leon hoped she wasn't. No matter what, Ada was still someone he appreciated in one way or another. He didn't want to think that she could be helping the enemy get to Claire.

"That's what I wanted to show you. I could have just told you by the phone, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't the only one who suspected this was Wong's doing."

"Yeah, I'd have preferred to see it myself anyway. Thanks, Hunnigan."

" Sure. How's Clara, by the way? I mean about yesterday..."

"Much better, but she's still weak, and getting her to eat, is becoming a morning war."

"Hopefully, she'll recover her appetite soon. I suspect she needs those nutrients…"

"Yeah...so do I."

"Oh, another thing, Leon. This year's Christmas party…"

"What about it?"

"Your presence is expected…"

"I never go. Why would it be different this year?"

"The president requested your presence…" Hunnigan clarified.

Why wasn't he surprised about that?

"Well, it's not the first time she does."

"No, but unlike past times. This time you are in the city. It's not like you can skip it this time…"

Leon let out an irritated sigh.

"It's not like she needs me…"

"No...that's true, but she knows you're here, Leon, and I promise you she will try to have you there."

"No one has dropped the news on her?"

"About you, being taken?" Hunnigan laughed, " Even if so, she wouldn't believe it unless she sees it. Maybe you could persuade Clara to accompany you."

"Yeah, I don't know. I'll rather have her rest than drag her into a silly office party."

"Well, unless you want her to show up randomly at your door one of these days, you will have to consider going."

"She's the president...she can't do that…"

"You know, she totally could.."

"I'll think about it."

"Good. Send my greetings to Clara. Would you?"

"I will…"

To Leon's relief, the trip back to his office was much quieter compared to the trip up. He couldn't -however-ignore the constant looks that the rest of the staff gave him as he passed by. Hamill had done as expected, Leon thought with a smirk. He only hoped that DSO gossip would stay in the DSO office.

"I can't remember the last time I was around for a holiday…"

Leon heard Helena say. His hand was barely touching the doorknob, and their voices were barely audible. Leon made a mental note to soundproof the office when he had the chance.

"This might be the first time in ages that I'll be home for Christmas."

"I'm afraid you'll be stuck with me. I'm sorry you won't get to spend it with your family."

Claire was always thinking of everyone else. That was the first thing that had caught his attention the first time he'd met her in that fateful encounter in the gas station. Naturally, Claire didn't know about Helena's sister, which was a tragic story, but Helena had decided to let go of the past and work hard to repent for her mistakes. So far, she had proved loyal to her word.

"Right now, you might be the closest thing to family I have…" Helena chuckled, "I only had my sister, Deborah, and she died three years ago. I don't have anywhere else to be."

"Wait, Deborah Harper?"

Helena looked at her, confused.

"Yes, that was my sister's name."

"Did she study nursing at Elk Valley University, by any chance?"

Helena looked surprised.

"Yes, she was in her third year. Did you know my sister?"

"Yeah. I met her when I went to give a lecture about viral emergency protocols. She was interested in TerraSave, so I invited her to work with us for a while as an intern. She left suddenly one day."

Leon was surprised. Somehow, Claire always turned out to be the common point between everyone he knew. Chris, Jill, Barry, Sherry...everyone he knew, had met Claire at some point. Now, even Helena's sister.

"Deborah told me she was working with some humanitarian organization. She was excited, but then Simmons came and ..."

"Oh, I'm sorry...I didn't mean to…"

"It's alright, but I can't believe you knew her."

"I guess the world is a small place."

"You bet it is..."

"I don't think you have had too many happy Christmases in the last few years, have you?" she asked Claire, and the auburn-headed shrugged.

"Christmas has all been Midnight and me in the office for a while. My brother is usually too busy or on the other side of the continent."

"Sounds rough."

"It's okay. It had its magic. Lonely Christmases give you a chance to think. "

"This year's is bound to be different, huh? I wonder if Leon will be ready for that?"

"How come?"

"I have reasons to think his apartment will be the official spot for Christmas this year."

"Oh...well, I suppose…."

He hadn't thought about that, but he was surprised to realize that he found the idea excellent. Leon hadn't had a Christmas celebration since he'd joined the government, and he had been fleeing the official social gatherings that the organization did each year. He just didn't feel it. How could he be all joyous and merry when the world was being struck by terrorists everywhere?

"Who are you calling?"

"I'm texting Jill…"

"Jill? You mean Valentine?"

"The same one…"

"Why?"

"I have a favor to ask…"

"A favor?"

"It's been so long that I had forgotten how to feel festive, and you know, maybe I need a little Christmas spirit?"

"What? I don't think I'm getting it…"

"Chris is a grinch and knowing him, he's going to skip the whole thing and work like a bull…"

"How are you so sure?"

"I know him. I'm just asking Jill to set him into the mood for me."

"Set him into the mood?"

" Yep...basically, I'm just telling her to go into full "Santa helper" mode in my place. He's gonna be so annoyed. I should tell her to send me a picture…"

"You sound excited."

"Who would have guessed? I am excited!" she laughed.

Leon smiled. He was too distracted listening to Claire's laugh that he failed to notice the small blonde girl that had snuck on him. Sherry looked at him for a second before giggling.

"What's up with that face, Leon? Aren't you going in?"

Sherry's voice caught Leon by surprise, and the agent turned to look at her with shocked eyes. How and when did the girl snuck behind him?

"Very bad, agent Kennedy. What happened to the always alert rule?" Sherry teased him.

"Sherry...what are you doing here?"

"Just came to say hi to my dear sister-in-law."Sherry grinned.

"Sister-in-law ?"

"Hey...I'm your surrogate baby sister. That makes Clara my sister-in-law …"

Leon snorted and crossed his arms. He noticed a group of girls that were gathered in a corner staring at them.

"What are you two doing?"

Leon and Sherry turned around and found Claire staring at them from the door. She was obviously surprised to see them there and wondered why they hadn't gotten in.

"Clara!"Sherry said happily. The girl caught Claire's arm and locked it with her " how's my favorite sister-in-law doing?"

"Favorite? " Claire said, confused," Don't you need to have more than one to say you have a favorite, Sherry? "

"Nope, I don't."

"Don't mind her…" Helena chuckled. She then pointed to the group of girls that were sending poisonous looks at Claire "she's taunting them."

"Hey, it's not my fault that they're not good enough for Leon." Sherry pouted.

"Cute…" Helena laughed.

"Why don't we just… Go in? You know, before someone tries to throw a wicked eye." Claire said, trying to get into the office.

Leon chuckled and followed her inside. He could hear the mutters behind him, but he would deal with those some other time. Sherry was parroting about something that Leon wasn't paying attention to since his focus was on Claire.

She looked much better than in the morning. The makeup was disguising her usual paleness, but she looked much more energetic.

"You totally got to go, please, Leon. You need to take her."

"What?" Leon replied, suddenly falling into the conversation again.

"What's wrong with you today? It's unusual for you to be so distracted," Sherry said, frowning, " I was saying that Clara needs to come to the Christmas party."

"You mean the one from the office?"

"Yeah! It'd be fun…"

Leon let out a sigh. He looked at Claire, and she shrugged, giving him a tired smile. He wasn't fond of parties like that, but Hunnigan had told her the situation, and he considered his options. Now Sherry, too, wanted him to tag along.

"If Clara feels like it, we'll go." he finally answered.

Sherry let out a triumphant cry and turned to Claire. Leon could swear he was having a Deja vú; the young woman looked just like the child who had been trying to persuade them to get a puppy.

"Then that's decided…" Sherry said, " oh, we'll have to go shopping."

"What?" Claire groaned, "I don't think that's necessary. I'm sure there should be something I can wear in my wardrobe."

"Are you kidding me?" Sherry laughed, " please, Leon hasn't gone to one of those in centuries. Now he's going with his wife. We gotta send out a message…"

"Send out a message?" Leon asked, crossing his arms.

"Yeah… Well, nobody would believe the taken sign unless there's proof, right? "

" So that's what you were plotting. " Leon said, raising an eyebrow and ignoring Helen's snort.

If Sherry was enjoying their fake marriage, how would she react once she knew that so-called fake relationship had bloomed into a real one right under her nose?

" Sherry… " Claire said, shaking her head.

" Come on… I want to see her shine, besides, when was the last time we did something as normal as going shopping for a dress? "

Despite admitting that the young girl did have a point, Leon could see the dirty antics that Sherry was trying to pull at them. His immunity to her begging puppy eyes had improved with the years, but he knew that Claire wouldn't be able to resist those eyes.

"Ug… Fine ." Claire said, defeated, "but only if you get Leon's green light."

" I don't mind taking you shopping." Leon shrugged, "it's always comforting to do some normal things."

"Awesome! We can go this Saturday. How about that? Will you tag along, Helena?" the blonde woman said excitedly.

Leon looked at Helena. It would be safer if both of them were present. The look exchange was enough to let both know that they shared the same thought.

" Sure… I think I need a dress too. "

" Now, Sherry…. Leon said, taking a stern brother stance, " I doubt that you are here just to persuade us to go shopping."

"Well, no...not really. I came in to leave a report to Hopkins. Since I was around, well, I wanted to say hi."

"How considerate…" Leon said, walking behind his desk and sitting down next to Claire. He could see the screen of her laptop; it looked messy with all the windows she currently had open.

"Weren't you on a mission for a couple of weeks?" Helena asked.

"I was! I went tracking an old friend…"

"Really? And how did it go?" Claire asked.

"Just fine. I found him in the last place I could have thought of, but I fulfilled my objective, so it was a success."

"Well done, Sherry… "

"What can I say? I learned from the best."

" As long as you did not inherit his sassiness, that's fine," Claire chuckled.

" And there I thought you loved my sassiness."

"Only sometimes, super agent."

" If she got her sassiness from me, then the sarcasm came from you."

"You two realize you sound like Birkin's parents, don't you?" Helena laughed.

"I believe someone once said I should adopt her, so…I have the right to sound like one."

"And I'm married to him…" Claire shrugged, but everyone else knew the reason was far deeper than that.

"You can be my parents. I don't care…" Sherry chuckled.

"Sure, she doesn't care…" Helena laughed, "It's getting late, shouldn't we...leave?"

"Oh, yeah...I have some tests to run. You, young lady, behave." Claire said, ruffling with the girl's hair.

"Hey, I'm not a kid anymore…" Sherry giggled, " I'll see you on Saturday, then!"

Sherry hugged Claire and kissed Leon's cheek before walking out of the office like a happy girl. For someone who claimed that she wasn't a kid, she was certainly acting like one. Leon saw Claire pick up her things and push them inside her bag.

"I need to pick up something first, so I'll see you guys there. Don't get too distracted kissing each other while I'm gone, huh?"

Helena smirked at their faces and left the office, closing the door behind her. He noticed the flush in her face and chuckled. He shouldn't taunt her, but the opportunity was way too tempting to let it pass.

"You know, that's not a bad idea…" he said teasingly.

"You're not talking seriously, are you? We don't have time for this. We should get going. and…"

Before Claire could end her phrase, Leon had moved in to silence her with his lips. He sensed her initial shock, but after a few seconds, she put her arms around his neck and kissed him back.

"And there I thought you said we didn't have time for this?" he smirked.

"Shut up, Leon…"

"You don't have to come…" Claire said, brushing her hair, " I know how men hate shopping."

It was Saturday and they had agreed to meet up with Sherry in the shopping center before lunch. Claire's health had improved a lot; according to Hiwamura, they should at least be thankful that the T-Phobos gave Claire a faster rate of healing.

Leon was sitting on her bed, checking his mail. Hunnigan had sent him the security layout of the upcoming event, and he wanted to locate any possible security flaws.

" I took you shopping in Wales, and I enjoyed it. I don't see why it should be different this time."

"Seriously?" Claire laughed, putting down the brush and sitting on the bed by his side, "I'm sure you have better things to do than follow us around the mall, like...that, whatever that is."

"The layout of the place where the party is going to take place."

"And I thought I was paranoid…" she chuckled, resting her chin on his shoulder. Her loose hair brushed over his arm, and Leon smiled brushed them. She was getting used to wearing it down now, so she no longer complained about missing her patented ponytail.

"I might be getting some habits from you…" he smirked.

"Either way...if you prefer staying to do this. You don't have to come. I'll be pretty well protected with Helena and Sherry."

" You're not getting rid of me that easily, Claire," Leon replied, putting the laptop aside to kiss her, " Besides, Chris would never let me hear the end of it."

" I think he wouldn't let you hear the end of it if he knew you're in my room kissing me, either."

"He doesn't have to know that little detail…" he smirked, kissing her cheek, "Are you ready?"

"As I ́ will ever be, and you? Are you ready to be bored to death by three women buying clothes?"

"Who knows. Maybe I can help you in the changing rooms."

"Hah, you wish. Come on, handsome. We don't want to make Sherry impatient."

"Right…"

Helena was waiting for them in the parking lot, and judging for the smile she had, he knew the woman had to be plotting something.

"Hey, good morning. Someone is in a good mood, huh?" Helena said, nudging him with her elbow. She then whispered in a lower voice, "Makes you wonder what happened last night…"

Leon was starting to wonder if having Helena know about his relationship with Claire would eventually backfire him. Helena was supportive of it, and she liked Claire, so she had no objections about it, but she was having too much fun at his expense because of it.

"Very funny, Helena. Get in, or we'll be late."

"Hey, it's not my fault you were busy doing who knows what with your wife up there…" she smirked, getting into the passenger seat.

"Don't let Claire hear you."

She gave Leon a nudge and a smirk; the three got in the car headed to the mall. It was a cold day, there had been a small snowfall the night before, and the white snow covered the city, almost like a Christmas postcard. Leon had a flashback to his younger days, doing Christmas shopping with his family in his hometown with no zombies or terrorists to be worried about every minute.

The mall was full of people, which made Leon feel a little at the edge. He couldn't help but wonder if, among the crowd of "innocent" shoppers, there could be one of the members of Mobius. Maybe even the same one who had orchestrated the attack on BSAA. The agent automatically stepped closer to Claire and put him around her lower back. The gesture was not overlooked by Sherry, who giggled happily.

"What's wrong, Leon? " Claire asked, looking at him.

"Nothing…" he whispered, "Too many people. Just precaution…"

"Do I live surrounded by paranoids now?" Claire snorted.

"I would have thought you were used to it by now," Helena chuckled, "So dresses? Where do we start?"

"Can we not turn this into a mission, please?" Sherry said, rolling her eyes, "We are here for fun, so let's enjoy it…"

"I support that ?" Claire chuckled, " Even if you don't like dresses…"

"I've never seen you in one. At least I've got something to look forward to at that damn party."

"Why do you hate it so much? Is it that bad?"

"It's not the party he hates, but someone he's going to meet in there," Sherry said.

"Ex' girlfriend? Should I worry?"

"Depends. What do you mean by worry?" Helena smiled.

"Well, I can handle hordes of undead, but damn …crazy fangirls that hate my guts...not so sure."

"It is nothing that a good dress can't fix. Don't worry."

"Pardon me?"

"You know...a good dress, shock them all and show them that they had no chances against you. Oh, I know. We need to get you a short one. SHow out some legs…"

"What? Leon, what the hell have you been teaching this girl?" Claire said, feeling horrified.

"Me?"

"Come on...I bet Leon will agree. Claire has some legs after all, doesn't she, Leon?"

"Sherry...what the hell are you saying?"

Sherry laughed. They made their first stop, and Leon watched how Sherry was excitedly walking through the stalls pulling out dresses that she considered suitable for Claire. The woman had worried that he would be bored on their little shopping trip, but from what he saw, the one who was starting to get bored was Claire herself. Her love for Sherry was the only thing that made her endure that endless dress up game.

"Enjoying the view?" Helena said, elbowing him.

"Found your dress?"

"Let's say I did...Shouldn't you be rescuing your wife from your self proclaimed daughter?"

"Let them have fun. It's been a while since those two had a chance to enjoy each other's company…"

"Is it that, or you just enjoy her in all those dresses?"

"You enjoy using that to tease me, don't you?"

"Like I said, teasing you is a luxury, Leon. Of course, I must enjoy it while I can…" Helena smirked, crossing her arms over her chest, "I can take your teasing, just don't tease Claire…"

"I didn't intend to. It's funnier to tease you."

"I'm happy to entertain…"

"Holy shit, I'm sorry!"

Leon was on his feet as soon as he heard Claire's voice. Both he and Helena made their way to where she and Sherry were. Claire was kneeling on the floor, helping up a small blonde woman. He recognized the girl as Ms. Smith and judging by the scene. It seemed like Claire had bumped with the girl by accident and had thrown her to the ground.

"Are you alright?" she asked, pulling her up.

Leon approached them at a quick pace. Smith seemed slightly shocked to see them there, but she smiled, said it was alright, and hurried away in a rush, without another word.

"Okay...that wasn't weird at all…" Helena chuckled. Looking at the woman as she walked away like a terrified animal, "I've always thought Smith was weird, but that's over the top."

"I don't know...she's like...awkward…" Claire said, standing by Leon's side.

"Well, she works with Mercer 24/7…" Sherry observed, "I'd be edgy too…"

"Aren't you under Mercer's command as well?"

Sherry made an unamused look. After the fall of Derek Simmons, who had been Sherry's superior since her entrance to the Secret Service, she had been assigned to another supervisor. Leon would have preferred to have her closer, but the council had decided to assign her to Andrew Mercer.

"Exactly, I'm lucky I just have to hand in reports now and then, but can you imagine having to deal with that man every day?"

"He can't be that bad, can he?" Claire chuckled.

"Oh, you haven't had the pleasure of meeting Andrew Mercer. He's worse than Simmons," Helena said, shaking her head, "Thinking about it, maybe it is better if you don't. He hates Leon. I don't want to think about what he'd do to his wife."

"So he hates Leon?" Claire smiled, looking at him and grabbing his arm" Who could ever hate him, huh?"

"As I have a fan club, as you call, I've got a hater club as well…"

"Lucky for you that there are more fans than haters then…"

"Yeah, not that I mind. Found your dress?"

"I don't know...ask Sherry."

"Nah, I vote we keep looking, but how about getting some lunch first?"

"Not a bad idea…" Helena grinned, "God knows we should feed your wife...so what do you want to eat?"

However, Leon never heard the answer. A roar broke through the air. He heard screams and felt everything around them shake. The last thing he remembered was seeing the roof collapse and a curtain of dust wrapping them.