(Part 2 Prologue)

Claire has tracked down the location of her brother and has set out to the Umbrella headquarters in Paris to find him. (The events of Resident Evil: Code Veronica take place.) During her time on Rockfort Island, she finds herself feeling guilty for gaining feelings for her companion, Steve Burnside, when she still believes she is destined to be with Leon. It gets her questioning wither or not she really cares for either of them or if it is just due to all the heightened adrenaline during both incidences. By the end of her escape from Alfred Ashford and his sister, Steve is killed after confessing his love to her and she has to leave him behind in order to escape with her brother. She and Chris make it to an airplane and fly back to America.

(January 27th, 1999)

Claire steps into her apartment and allows her bags to fall from her arms to the floor without care. She is so exhausted and her muscles ache from head to toe. She wants nothing more than to be greeted by the loving arms of Sherry and Leon then head right into a hot bath. Chris having returned to his post along side Jill Valentine, Claire feels a bit abandoned by him once again. At least now she knows he is safe.

"Sherry? Leon? I'm home!" She hollers down the hall toward the living room. When she receives no answer she makes her way deeper into the room and hollers again, "Sherry? Leon? Is anybody home?" Still no answer.

She heads towards Sherry's bedroom to check up on her only to find a hand written note taped on her door. She recognizes Leon's handwriting and reads it right away.

Dear Claire,

Sorry to have to leave you on such short notice, but my team at the A.U.P.I. called and requested I meet with them as soon as possible. As for Sherry, she is being watched during my absence by some people I know at STRATCOM. We both miss you so much and have prayed for you to come home safe every night during dinner time. Sherry told me to mention that she has something to give you. A kind of welcome home gift. I will do my best to have both of us home as soon as I'm done with work.

-Leon

With no one around to welcome her home Claire feels more alone than ever. She has just survived another Umbrella outbreak, lost someone she cared for, shoved to the side by her brother, and now she has to bare being home by herself. Some tears escape her eyes but she quickly wipes them away then makes her way to the bathroom.

She fills the tub to the brim with bubbles then climbs in to try and relax. The sound of the water pouring into the tub helps to take her mind away from all the thoughts fighting to cause her to break down. She asks herself, 'What is the point of putting myself in danger if in the end I have no one to come home to? Does anyone even care that I'm is alive?' She knows obviously that they do but still her mind continues to make her question all these kinds of things. Such as her relationship with Leon. 'Does he really care about me or was it really just a spur of the moment that we ended up together? Could we ever have a future together? He is so dedicated to his duties as an officer and I hate to admit that I can't see us ever growing old together, or having children, not even getting married.' The life they were trying to have before she left made her feel like their was a chance but in reality she knows it was all just an illusion that was keeping her from seeing the harsh reality. Life goes on with or without you and unless you choose to leave everyone you once knew behind, and pursue your soul mate, you will only be clinging to an idea. Four adults living four different lives can not make a family. No matter how much they might want it to be.

She pushes the thoughts from her mind and focuses on relaxing her muscles. She starts with her toes, then her feet, her legs, up, up, up until she is thinking about the ones behind her eyes. Now feeling even more exhausted, she picks herself up from the bath and dries herself off. She slips on a silk night gown and makes her way to her room. As soon as her head hits the fluffy lump of cotton she is out cold. Her mind is so tired she has a dreamless sleep all throughout the night.

The next morning Claire wakes up to the sound of the front door being opened then closed. Her eyes still sticky from sleep, she looks to the clock and sees that it is nearly noon. She has not slept in this long since the night of the outbreak. Suddenly she realizes that if someone has entered the apartment so easily they had to have a key. She sits herself up and jumps out of bed at the thought that it has to be Leon. She hurries out into the hall and makes her way towards the front door. She becomes ecstatic when she notices a blond man, wearing a blue shirt, and a bulletproof vest standing near the front door.

"Oh, Leon! It is so good to see-"

She stops in her tracks when she realizes the person standing before her is not Leon but in fact Wesker. A strike of fear freezes her in place to the point where she can no longer feel her feet. She tries with all her might to regain control but seeing the large, superhuman, narcissist in the place she is suppose to feel safe is too much for her mind to bare. He has caught her in a position where she has no way of defending herself. Even if she did have a gun or a knife it is not like it would make much of a difference anyway, but it would at least give her something to fight him with.

"Wesker," her voice trembles. "What are you doing here?"

He smirks at her through his dark sunglasses and she can swear for just a millisecond she sees his red eyes light up from behind them.

"I figured now that you and Chris have been reunited that I could catch him visiting you, so I came by to just have a little chat with him," he says in a calm smug tone as if they are all old friends.

"Well Chris isn't here. So you can just get out!" She demands.

"How rude. And here I thought at least the misses would be more upstanding. Unlike her brother," he mocks.

"You need to leave right now or I'll-"

Before she even has a chance to blink Wesker runs at her, grabs her by the neck, and pins her against the far wall. The motion of him picking her up and slamming her back knocks the wind out of her while at the same time he chokes her just enough so she can barley breath.

"You'll what?" He growls. "Scream? Call the cops?"

Her hands pull at his arms to try to free herself but she is no match against the man who is nearly twice as heavy as she is. She can feel herself slipping towards unconsciousness but she tries with all her might to stay awake. Who knows what he might do to her once she is out.

"Please, Wesker. I didn't want to be a part of any of this," she gags.

"Well it is far too late for that."

He leans in close to her and places his lips up against her ear. He breaths in her sent like that of a predator then lets out a soft moan. Claire can't believe the way he is acting. Her brother's rival coming onto her like a complete creep. 'What does he want? What is he going to do to me?' She isn't sure she wants to know the answer.

"Now let me think. Which do you think your brother would find most heartbreaking? I could just simply kill you... but I don't see the fun in that. I could cripple you, there by making your life harder and more miserable. I could turn you. Oh how sweet it would be to watch dear old Chris come to visit his loving sister only to find that you no longer have any idea who he is and try to bite his face off," he laughs. "Or..." His voice becomes deeper as he looks down at her legs then back up to her eyes. "... I could have a little action while I'm here."

He slips his hand under her nightgown and slides his ruff, callused, fingers all the way up her left thigh. Claire's body trembles with terror. If he means what she thinks he means then how far is he planning to take it? Does he just want to touch her or will other parts of his body join in? He could end up doing whatever he wants unless she can come up with a way to make him let her go. Tears swell up in her eyes as she starts to lose any hope of getting through this encounter alive.

"You're disgusting," she blurts out unable to think of anything that could describe him better.

"What did you say to me you little bitch?"

He tightens his grip on her, choking her further.

She struggles to take a breath to speak again, "You're nothing but a pig. A disgusting, lab, pig."

He growls at her, "How about we see if you'll still have such a smart mouth while there's a foot of cock inserted into your ass?"

He begins unfastening his pants. Claire laughs causing him to stop and become confused by her reaction. She looks at him with fierce eyes and gritted teeth.

"Were you born a tripod or did Umbrella have to grow you a third leg?" She laughs again.

"Keep pushing me and see what happens."

She looks at him smugly, unfazed by his threat. "Do whatever you want. In the end my brother is going to fuck you up so bad you're going to wish you killed him when you had the chance."

He huffs at her annoyed but then laughs and gives her a smug smile back. "You know what? I think I am going to go with one of my other options."

He re-zips his pants then pulls out a syringe from his side pocket and holds it up to her face. It is very large and filled with some kind of purple mixture. Claire wants so badly to cry out but she knows that would be giving him exactly what he wants.

"What do you say we test out one of my new concoctions?"

He takes the syringe into his fist and thrusts his hand down toward her thigh. She feels a sharp pain strike her all the way down to the bone. Unable to control herself, she cries out. Within seconds she feels herself slipping into unconsciousness. The last thing she sees before passing out is Wesker leaning into her and giving her a peck on the cheek. His laughter rings through her ears and the world around her becomes nothing but blackness.

In a panic, Claire springs herself awake and immediately sits herself upright to prepare herself to run as soon as she knows which direction the front door is in. Disoriented, she finds herself being held in position by someone who has taken hold of her upper arms. Through her groggy eyes all she can see is the silhouette of a blond male in a blue shirt.

"Let go of me!" She demands still thinking it has to be Wesker.

"Hey, hey, hey," a familiar, tender, voice hushes her. "It's okay. You're okay."

As her vision returns bit by bit she realizes who is actually sitting at her side.

"Leon?" She asks still unsure if it is really him or if perhaps this is just some strange hallucination.

"Yeah, it's me. Who did you think I was?"

Her voice shudders as she continues to feel on edge, "W-Wesker! He's here!" She swallows hard trying to catch her breath. "H-He's here and he attacked me!" She checks her surroundings frantically for any sign of his presence.

"Claire, you need to calm down. You were just having a bad dream. There is no one is here but us," Leon explains.

"No!" She insists. "Wesker was here a-and he was looking for my brother!"

He holds up his palms still trying to keep her calm. "Alright, I believe you. Just please, take a deep breath and explain to me what you think happened."

Tears fill her eyes. She places her fingers over the area where she felt the syringe pierce her leg, but she finds nothing. No wound, not even a bruise.

"I don't understand," she cries. "He was right there." She points to the floor near the wall to her right. "He pinned me right up against that wall and injected something into my leg."

Leon gives her leg a look over but her skin is as smooth as can be.

"Claire, there is nothing."

She continues to cry unable to shake the cold feeling creeping through her veins. "But he... but he..."

Leon wraps his arms around her and holds her tight against his chest. Even though she is upset it makes him feel happy to be so close to her for the first time in a month.

He tries to comfort her by brushing his fingers through her hair but she continues to shiver uncontrollably. "It's okay. I'm sure it felt real to you but it's over now."

Claire takes a moment to appreciate the feeling of his muscles wrapped around her to help calm her nerves. Even through his uniform he feels so warm. She leans her head against his wanting to feel his soft cheek against hers. Before they can take things further however, she pulls away from him and wipes her face with her arm.

"So what's going on with you? How is it you're home all of a sudden? I would think the A.U.P.I. would have run you ragged," she asks.

He chuckles, "Oh believe me, they're trying to. In fact I just got back a few days ago from my mission on Sheena Island."

"How did it go?"

"Pretty much the same shit as Raccoon City. A bastard by the name of Goldmen was using prisoners for t-virus experiments. The place was crawling with what they called 'hunters.' It's a miracle I got out alive."

Claire's heart flutters with both happiness and worry. "I'm so glad you made it back home. I had no idea you were in just as much trouble as I was. I wish I could have been around to help you."

"I could say the same thing to you. I know you wanted to go at it alone, but every day that we were apart I found myself worrying about you more and more. I guess at least now I understand how you felt about your brother. I'm only glad I was able to contact him and let him know where you were."

"Thanks for that by the way. I don't think I would have made it home in one piece if he hadn't come to save me." Suddenly she realizes that Sherry isn't with him. "So I take it you haven't picked up Sherry from your friends yet?"

"Oh... no. As soon as I heard you were back I rushed right home. I was planning on picking her up after meeting up with you."

"Great. Let's get to it then."

She hops up off the couch and hurries to her room to get dressed. Within minutes she is set and ready to go. Practically dragging Leon out the door behind her, they hope into her car quickly to drive to Sherry's location.

On the ride over to the STRATCOM office they chat about what they've been up to over the last couple months and make light of the dangers they have experienced. Eventually their laughter dies down and things become awkwardly quiet. Claire struggles to start up another conversation but then decides to get their mind back on the task at hand.

"So how was it taking care of Sherry by yourself?" She asks.

"Oh... she is a dream. If all children were like her I wouldn't mind having a whole flock of them, but sadly I know that isn't reality."

Claire laughs, "I'm sure one of the main reasons you feel that way is because she was already well past the diaper stage."

He cringes, "Huh, yeah. No doubt about that. Seriously though, she is pretty awesome. Every day that you have been gone she has set up a calendar, kind of like a diary, where she has written notes about what has happened in our lives, so that when you finally came home, you could catch up and it would be like you never left."

Claire smiles. "That's very sweet. I can't wait to just wrap her in my arms and give her a big hug. Gosh, it has felt like forever since I've seen her. I haven't even heard her voice since I left that day. At least with you I was able to hear you over the phone from time to time. I bet she has grown so much."

They pull into the parking lot of the office building then hop and skip their way inside. They step up to the registration desk and are greeted by a woman who is typing away on her computer.

"Can I help you," she asks.

Claire speaks up first, "Yes. My name is Redfield. I'm here to pick up my daughter, Sherry Birkin."

She does a search on her computer but comes up with no results. "Mrs. Redfield you say? I don't have anyone listed under that name."

Leon steps up to the counter. "Then surely you will have me in one of those files. My name is Leon Kennedy. I just got back from a reconnaissance for you guys."

The receptionist does a little more digging and after a moment the computer dings successfully finding a result. "Ah yes, Mr. Kennedy. We have been expecting you." She picks up her phone and punches in an extension. "Sir, he is here to see you," she says vaguely then hangs up. "The director will be out in a moment. He wishes to speak to you."

Leon and Claire look to each other confused.

"The Director? What does he want?" Leon wonders.

After a moment the director enters the hall to greet them. "Mr. Kennedy, will you come with me please?"

He looks to Claire again. "Sir, this is Claire Redfield. Is it okay if she comes along?"

"Oh, Mrs. Redfield. You're Chris's sister isn't that right?"

"Yeah, that's right. But how did you-"

"I've heard a lot about you two. Your brother is an upstanding citizen just like Mr. Kennedy here. I expect many great things from him in the future. But enough about that. You two are here to pick up Ms. Birkin is that correct?"

"That's right," Claire answers excitedly.

"Well there is a problem with that. Please step into my office and I'll fill you in." He presents them the door.

"A problem? What could he mean?" Claire asks Leon.

"I have no idea. But we better hear him out," he replies.

They step into the office and sit down in the two chairs in front of the director's desk. He sits down in front of them then crosses his fingers together as if he is about to drop a timeshare on them.

"What is this about?" Leon asks bluntly.

"It's like this... our team and I have come to realize just how special Sherry really is. It was no secret that she had been exposed to the G-virus just as the two of you were but both of you failed to mention that her exposure to the virus was a bit more extreme than everyone elses." Leon and Claire look to each other again scared that their secret has been exposed. "She is a carrier meaning we could learn a lot about how her body has reacted to the virus and possibly one day even come up with a vaccine."

Claire becomes angry, "What are you talking about? Sherry is not some kind of lab rat for you to poke and prod at! She is just a little girl and she deserves to be raised in a home where people love her!"

He snaps back at her, "Mrs. Redfield I advice you keep a subtle tone! The fact of the matter is that neither you or Mr. Kennedy have any authority over Sherry. You are not her parents, you are not even legal guardians, which means that with both her parents deceased her life falls under the responsibility of the state. As it so happens, the government has decided that she is now under our guidance."

Leon stands up from his chair frustrated. "That's bullshit! I asked you people to watch over Sherry! Not to hand her over to a bunch of people in white coats!"

"Calm yourself Mr. Kennedy. If you continue to cause a scene I will have no choice but to report you."

"Mother fuckers," he grumbles as he kicks over a nearby trashcan then rests his head against the wall in shame. "This is all my fault. I can't ever do anything right."

Claire turns her attention back to the director. "Please sir. Isn't there anything we can do to change the government's mind? Someone we can contact or even a social worker?"

"I'm afraid not Mrs. Redfield. As much as I hate to tell you this given the duty your family has served to our country, you're still only second class citizens. Even I don't have such authority to do anything. I'm sorry, but you're most likely never going to see Sherry again."

Claire tries to hold herself together as she struggles to think of something more she can say, but soon reality sets in and she bursts into tears.

"Thank you for your time," she says through a tight voice as she calmly stands up and walks out of the room.

Leon is quick to follow after her. He walks beside her trying to think of what he could possibly say to ease her sorrow. "I'm so sorry, Claire. I didn't mean for any of this to happen."

She wipes her face to rid her cheeks of it's salty texture but more tears just take its place. "I don't want to talk about it right now. I just want to go back home."

Not wanting to upset her further he just agrees, "Okay."

Leon takes the wheel for the trip back. Neither of them utter a single word to each other the entire way. Claire just stares out the passenger window still contemplating hard on how things have gotten to this point. She starts to blame herself. 'If I had never left then Sherry would have never been sent to those people in the first place,' but then she thinks better of it. 'I had to help my brother. There was just no other way around it.'

Leon can tell she is struggling with her thoughts. He tries again and again to think of something to say to her, but each time he is about to part his lips he silences himself. He decides it is best to wait to tell her what has been eating away at him until they get home.

Stepping through the front door, Claire immediately makes her way down the hall towards the bedroom. Leon shuts and locks the door behind them.

"Can I make you something?" He asks.

She turns back to him but keeps her head low. "No, I um... I think I'm just gonna go to bed. I didn't get much sleep last night and with everything that's happened I just..." her focus trails off.

Leon can tell she is forcing back her tears again.

"Claire?" He asks concerned.

She perks up as if snapping herself out of a trance. "Oh, uh... it's nothing. Don't worry about me." She steps into the bedroom without another word and closes the door behind her.

Almost immediately Leon can hear her begin to sob. A pin prick strikes him in the heart. He never knows what to do in these kinds of situations. 'Should I just let her be? I mean I should go talk to her, but is now really the right time?'

He heads to the kitchen and grabs them both a hot mug of tea. He then makes his way to the bedroom and hears Claire crying into her pillow.

"I'm so sorry, Sherry. Promise me you'll stay safe." Leon knocks on the door softly. "Come in," she says while wiping her face.

He steps into the room to find her sitting upright in the bed. Her hair has fallen to her shoulders and she has stripped down to her underwear. She looks more vulnerable than he has ever seen her before. He approaches her slowly then hands her one of the mugs.

"Thank you," she says softly as she takes it from him.

He takes a seat next to her and they both sit quietly for a moment while gulping down their tea. Surprisingly they find that the warmth does help to make them feel better. If only in the slightest.

Leon looks to her eyes and waits until she is looking back at his. His eyes are so fierce, so determined. They remind her of how he looked that night at the police department.

"I promise you, I am gonna work day in and day out to find a way to get her back," he says reassuringly.

She shakes her head, "Leon, it's too late. The US government knows who she is now. There is no way they would ever just let her live a normal life. She is too much of a risk and I feel like the more we push the matter, the more we'll make it worse. At least with them she'll be safe, which is more than I can say for us."

"I don't believe that. She is only a child. She deserves to be taken care of by the people who love her. Not by some government program."

She sighs, "I get it. But for now can we at least just try to take solace in the fact that we're all alive? With everything that's happened I really need to just put my mind at ease or I feel like I might give out."

"You're right. We all have been through a lot lately and it seems like the more we try to help, the more of a mess everything becomes. But that doesn't mean I'm gonna stop fighting."

"And I wouldn't want you to. I just... can't... right now."

They look at each other longingly. So much time keeps passing them by and at this rate they feel like they'll never find any time to spend together as just a normal family. Nervously Leon places his hand over Claire's wanting to let her know that he'll always be around to protect her.

"I've missed you," he admits.

"I've missed you too," Claire responds with a smile.

Leon leans in while closing his eyes to give her a kiss, but she turns her face away denying him. He can sense right away that something is wrong but he can't understand why she would refuse him. She takes a last big drink of her tea then sets the mug down on the side table. He copies her movements then waits patiently for her to explain herself.

She clears her throat. "I have something I need to tell you. A confession of sorts."

"What is it?"

She takes in a deep breath then lets it out slowly. She looks to the floor feeling ashamed of herself. "Back on the island, I met a young man by the name of Steve Burnside. He was a bit obnoxious but in many ways he reminded me of you." She looks back to him with a bit of a glow in her eyes. "He was brave, daring, and pron to getting himself into trouble," she chuckles. "I found myself falling head over heals for him even though all I wanted to think about was finding my brother and coming home to you. It made me question our relationship and what I want it to represent. Unfortunately I still haven't really come up with an answer, but after he died it became clearer to me than ever that I needed to really appreciate the people in my life and what little time I might have left with them. Mainly meaning you and Sherry, but it has got me thinking that maybe what we have isn't enough. There is something missing in my life and I'm not sure what it is I should even be looking for." She shakes her head unsure of herself. "I hope all this wont make you think less of me."

"Of course not. In fact I feel I owe you the same exact confession. You know how I told you about that woman I helped, Ada?" Claire nods while impatiently awaiting for him to continue. "Well she and I sorta... kissed." His heart sinks to his stomach worried he might have just made a mistake by telling her.

"You two kissed? The same night you and I-"

"To be fair she kissed me," Leon says quickly, worried that if he doesn't get that fact out right away Claire will reel back and punch him square in the nose. "I never would have made the first move, but that doesn't excuse the feelings I gained for her after that. I want to say I'm sorry but I can't. It's just how I felt at the time."

"But wait. Didn't you say she fell to her death?"

He nods his head in shame still feeling it was his fault. "Yeah."

"I'm so sorry, Leon. I had no idea. I wish you would have told me sooner."

He turns away from her. His expression turns sorrowful. "It doesn't mater now. She's gone and there was nothing I could do to save her." He hangs his head. "I'm such a failure."

"I know how you feel." Leon turns back to her realizing her voice has become tighter. "It's the same with Steve. Wesker taunted me about his death and told me he was going to use his body to extract the T-Veronica virus from his corpse. I only hope he really passed on after he confessed his love to me so that he didn't feel any more pain."

More tears slip out but she quickly wipes them away.

"I'm sorry, Claire. I wish I could have been there to help both of you."

She shakes her head again. "It's like you said, none of that matters now. What matters is what we do for our future and I've come to realize that I can't see my future... without you."

His heart flutters feeling overjoyed to hear her say that.

"Oh, Claire!" He wraps his arms around her and she immediately returns the gesture. He begins to cry feeling so many emotions bubbling to the surface. "I feel the same way about you." His bottom lip trembles. "I want to do everything I can to help us become a real family."

"I know you do, and I'm sure some day you will."

He pulls back from their embrace to look at her once again. He finds her so incredibly beautiful both in body and in spirit. He's not sure what he's done to get so lucky but just being in her presence fills his heart with comfort.

"I promise that I am going to do everything in my power to never fail you again. You might find me crazy for saying this, but I think I'm in love with you."

"That does sound pretty crazy," she teases.

"Shut up," he chuckles embarrassed.

She cups her hands under his jawline and leans closer to him.

"I love you too, Leon."

Their lips connect and immediately a rush of energy flows through them. The sensation brings them back to that passionate night at the police station but it is different this time. The area around them is calm. There is nothing and no one around to interrupt them. They can take their time, but going against that fact, they are quick to lift their tops up over their heads. Their naked chests press against one another and for the first time in months they find a sense of belonging. Unable to get enough of each other's sweet taste they vigorously press their tongues together over and over. Moans escape their throats as they lose control of their bodies. Some even come out as more of a whine. Their hearts ache wondering why they ever stopped doing these things in the first place.

Claire guides Leon into laying down on his back. They hold each other close as their body temperatures rise higher and higher and in no time the room becomes stuffy. Eventually Claire manages to pull herself away from his lips and kisses down his chest to the waist of his pants. She slips her fingers into the band of his underwear and cleanly yanks everything off him in one swift motion. Leon's cock springs up right in front of her face. Blushing hard he struggles not to cover himself and turns his face away from her. As his cock twitches again and again Claire admires how quickly he has become fully erect and gives his shaft a few quick pecks before pulling off her own underwear.

Leon swallows hard. "Claire I...I want to tell you that I haven't done this since-"

"Since our last time," she finishes for him. "I know. I haven't either, and to tell you the truth I couldn't be happier."

As she climbs on top of him he forces himself to turn back to her.

"I just wish I had a better understanding of what I am doing. Of all the training I've been offered in my life, this is one area I am still a rookie in."

She hushes him then climbs over him to nibble on his bottom lip. "It's fine. I find it attractive to know that the skills you gain in this area are all based on my needs and not anyone elses."

She takes his cock into her hands and lifts it so that she is able to position herself onto it. It only takes a couple tiny sways of her hips for the head to prod open her entrance then guide the rest of his shaft all the way inside. Having forgotten just how perfect they both fit against one another they lose control of their senses immediately. A tingling numbness spreads to their fingers and toes as their pleasure becomes pinpointed around their pelvises. Wanting the heat to subside, Claire wastes no time in using her leg muscles to lift and settle herself over his length again and again.

He closes his eyes tightly as his face becomes flushed red. She admires how innocent he looks and even though she is just as inexperienced as he is, she feels a sense of power as if she is corrupting him. Leon is such a focused, no nonsense, kind of guy and yet she is able to cause his hard exterior to melt away just by touching him.

As she continues to thrust, feeling his base massaging her clit, she leans forward and kisses at his neck and collarbone until he finds his own way into re-opening his eyes and pulling her into a deep kiss. They lose their breath as they moan into each other's mouths. Unable to keep up with the pace of their thrusts, Claire moves away from the kiss and instead rests her forehead against his.

Feeling her already close to climaxing, Leon cups his hands under her butt and holds her tightly to keep his thrusts from bouncing her out of rhythm. Her moans become tiny bursts of heated breath. Her insides tighten and quiver over his length egging him to hold himself back until he is sure she has reached her peak.

"Leon, I can't... I can't..." she whimpers.

"It's alright. You don't have to hold back."

A few more pumps is all it takes then her body becomes stiff. Every muscle in her legs and back force her to stay pressed up as hard as she can against his pelvis. She feels him erupt inside her then the pulse of his shaft massages her walls as his hands massage her butt-cheeks. They both struggle to catch their breath and Claire's body eventually returns to a relaxed state.

Leon just looks up at her in awe. Her breasts bounce before him ever so slightly with each deep breath she takes. He shifts his position so that he can take her left nipple into his mouth. Claire chuckles, her breasts now feel so sensitive and he is rolling his tongue over them. She realizes he has yet to become soft and before long he continues to thrust up against her.

"Again? I don't know if I can take it," she admits.

"We can take it slow this time."

He lifts her up ever so slightly only to settle her back down on top of him. Now in a lotus position he is able to wrap his arms around her and feel her breasts pressed against his pecks. She is so warm, so soft, and compared to him feels like she weighs hardly anything at all. His hands remain cupped over her butt as he thrusts in little pulses into her already soaked pussy. He can feel their mixture of juices drip down over his balls and more continue to flow each time the corona of his cock pulls back from her cervix.

Claire's face is flushed red. He can see that she is already so exhausted but he can't resist her any longer. This is how things are meant to be and how neither of them could admit to it before is a mystery. Was it because they felt too young or is it because of the pressures of society weighing down on them that morally they should never even had sex before marriage? But none of that should truly matter. Love is all that matters and neither of them have witnessed more passion from any other couple, whither real or fictional, than the two of them are sharing right now. So then what is it? What is causing their love to feel so taboo? That they should put aside their own needs for the sake of others?

Leon studies the glow on Claire's face. She looks even more beautiful than ever and he didn't think that was possible. Her eyes are shut tightly, her puffy slips slightly a gape as she struggles to catch her breath, her pale skin clashes hard with the flush of her cheeks. She just looks so happy and it is all due to how good he is making her feel deep inside. He never wants this moment to fade. He wishes with all his might that he can stay with her, like this, forever.

"Claire I-" his heart flutters causing an ache to cut himself off.

She opens her eyes to look at him. "Yes? What is it?"

He bites his tongue. There is something he wants to ask her with every fiber of his being but he is afraid she will find it ridiculous. She stares into him still waiting for an answer. Instead he just places his hand on the back of her head and takes her deep into his mouth. They kiss vigorously unable to get close enough to calm the ache that builds stronger and stronger inside their chests. Still unable to hold himself back, his thrusts become quicker and faster and he doesn't stop until they both are crying to the heavens, praying that the ache will cease if only for a little while. Claire falls to his chest and he wraps his arms around her holding her against himself. He breaths in the scent of her hair wanting to absorb every last detail of their time together.

Claire caresses the tips of her fingers against his pecks admiring his masculine form. She can't imagine how much training he has had to endure to maintain such a body mass and yet it is all hers to enjoy. She feels his cock pulse a few more times before becoming limp and slipping out of her. Knowing a part of him is still inside of her makes her feel complete somehow and she wonders if he realizes just how special she feels because of it.

He rubs his hands over her back causing her to moan again. She can hear his heart skip a beat each time she does so. She finds it amazing how much he truly cares for her. She looks up at him and gives him a soft peck on the lips before rolling onto her side and snuggling up beside him. He brushes the hair out of her face and once again studies it. Within seconds she is fast asleep with her head resting against his shoulder. He pulls the sheet up from the foot of the bed and drapes it over them. He wraps his arm around her and for the first time in a long time he is able to allow the rest of the world to escape his thoughts and all that matters is her.

(Part 2 Epilogue)

After being only able to spend the next few days together, both of them are called away from home on separate missions. Terrorist attacks have been reported all across the country and with them both being highly involved with previous outbreaks they are at the top of the military and medical groups call in lists. Leon gains a status upgrade as a special agent for STRATCOM and Claire is recruited into TerraSave.