* The Following Story Contains: Mature Situations.

* Resident Evil & Cannon Characters (c) CAPCOM

* Any OC's Within 'Help Me' (c) AngelicSenpai

* Disclaimer: Song lyrics will be in some chapters as well *

* Enjoy!

Chapter Four: Promises

All Leon could hear was his heavy breathing and the popping sounds of a cut electrical cord. He looked around confused before his stomach felt as if it fell to the ground. The room around him was familiar and left a bitter taste in his mouth. He looked at the fire around the city buildings and the groans of the undead echoed throughout his ears. His heart pounded relentlessly against his chest. He looked down at his bloody R.P.D. uniform and his world around him crashed. Why was he here again? He couldn't escape this hell no matter how hard he tried.

There was no escape.

The cold of the gun in his hands made his body shiver. He did not want this anymore. His eyes closed for a moment until there was a loud snapping to his right. His body responded quickly as he aimed his gun toward the sound.

There stood T-00 Tyrant stood.

Leon's entire body froze as the massive B.O.W stood in front of him. The terror radius this monster illuminated was terrifying. With every loud powerful footstep this monster took, Leon felt his body failing to respond. His eyes closed as the powerful footsteps came to a stop in front of him. He waited for the impact but there was nothing waiting for him. He opened his eyes to see himself standing in the laboratory in Raccoon City. He winced in pain and looked down at the bandaged wound on his shoulder. He remembered very quickly as he staggered down the archway. The very gunshot that he took for Ada when a woman tried to shoot at her. Trying to brush off the pain until he heard the booming noise of a gunshot.

He turned around on the heel of his foot to see Ada falling over the side of the railing. On impulse he plunged himself forward to grab onto her hand to catch her. A load echoing groan escaped his teeth.

"Leon...!"

His heart felt as if it stopped when he heard that familiar voice. That wasn't Ada at all he was holding on to.

It was Rose.

What the hell is going on?

Leon tried to pull Rose up by her right arm but his grasp was failing. Her eyes looked into his as she gave him a weary smile before her hand slipped from his. His body froze as her body fell into the darkness.

God dammit.

Leon slammed his hand against the railing as she closed his eyes to scream out in anger. His eyes slowly opened to see the castle from Europe, Cultists walking around with loud murmuring chants. Leon looked down at the ground with a frustrated groan.

No.

Not again.

I don't want to see it again.

He heard a door behind him creek open and his stomach dropped down to the floor. His entire body trembled in terror because he knew he was going to see Luis die in front of him again. With a hesitant breath, Leon slowly turned his body around but he was shocked to see Rose opening the door and not Luis.

"N-no..." Leon breathed.

No, please.

"Stay back!"

Leon clenched onto his head and began to scream on the top of his lungs. He did not want to watch Rose die like Luis. Not another person needs to die the way he did. His body gave up on him causing him to fall to the ground. The air from his lungs began to fail him the longer he screamed.

Leon's eyes opened in a blind panic. His chest heaved with loud uneven breaths and his heart raced. He clenched onto the blanket as he tried to compose himself. A guilty conscience had been flooding his mind for a while now. Granted it was his own fault for his actions. Leon didn't know what to do or say after that night with Rose. She was so nice to him and so welcoming. He still stayed over at her home until she fell asleep but he left as soon as she was out. The pit of regret had sunk in his stomach since that night. He did not regret their time together, it was that he left without saying anything.

He did not have the courage to send her a message since then but she did a few times. Leon stared at his cell phone while his finger hovered over the blank message screen. His mind was rattled with anxiety and he could not come up with anything to say to her. Every time he went to send Rose a message he would just stare at the screen.

He hasn't talked to Rose for about 2 weeks now.

Leon bit his lip in frustration before setting his phone down on his dresser. His fingers ran through his head before he clenched onto it with a loud groan. There was a soft jingle from his phone and he looked at it with an anxious sigh.

I am so fucking pathetic.

Leon grabbed his car keys with a glare and stormed out of the front door. He knew he needed answers and he knew the only person who knew anything would be Kevin. His mind was whirling around with questions and internally he was struggling with himself. He bit his bottom lip as he stepped into his car, thinking to himself. Everything in this body told him that he was in the wrong but his conscience was so fueled by confusion that he did not know what to do. He continued to drive out to Kevin's house, he needed answers and it was eating him alive.

Once he reached the house, he parked the car and turned off the engine. His hands gripped the steering wheel with a loud sigh before stepping out of the car. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Kevin opening the front door and waved at him.

Kevin called out with a grin. "Wow, you never come to MY house."

"I need to talk to you about something important." Leon glared.

"Oh, alright. What do you need?" Kevin asked as Leon walked into his living room. "Something happened between Rose and I."

"Is it good or bad?"

Leon glared at Kevin as he saw across from the room. "Why didn't you tell me about her past? That she was a member of the R.P.D.?"

Kevin's smile quickly faded after Leon's question. He looked as though he got punched in the gut. He ran his fingers through his hair before letting out a long sigh, Leon was growing impatient.

"It's not my story to tell, Leon."

"Well, it damn as sure is now. I found her old badge when I was in her home." Leon growled and threw his hands in the air. "I fucked her, Kevin."

Kevin's face grew red with a smirk. "Oh my god..."

"Shut up! I... I didn't know what I was getting into. I just acted on impulse." Leon began to panic.

"Leon, calm down." Kevin insisted.

"I slept with this woman only to find out she was in the Raccoon Police Department back then." Leon slammed his fist against the counter. "I had an episode when I saw the badge. On impulse I fucking pushed her to the ground."

"I'm sure she knows you didn't mean to intentionally hurt her."

Leon looked down to the floor. "I'm so confused Kevin. I don't know what to do. When I was with her my mind was somewhere else. I felt at ease with her and that's when my hunger for her was so intense. I selfishly acted on my desire and I took advantage of her kindness."

"Have you talked to her since that night?"

His gut wrenched, "I... I have not."

"How long ago was that night?" Kevin frowned. "Like about 2 weeks ago?"

"More or less."

Kevin's hand smacked his forehead with a grunt. "Are you stupid? You fucked Rose and then ghosted the poor woman?"

"N-no! I just don't know what to do. I'm killing myself here."

Leon's phone began to ring in the other room and his heart skipped a beat. He looked over at Kevin for a moment before walking back to the bedroom. He took his phone in his hand to see that Ashley was calling him and he let out a relieved sigh.

"You do know you need to talk to her sooner or later?"

All the anger escaped Leon's body and he was filled with self pity. He knew very well that he was in the wrong in how he was acting.

"I just don't know what to do. I'm a fucked up individual." Leon sighs.

Kevin let out a chuckle, "Leon..."

"I just don't know how to fix this or fix myself. I feel like I'm drowning inside my head. My judgement is clouded. My heart feels extremely heavy."

"Well, how do you feel about Rose?"

Leon paused for a moment to replay that question in his head. "I felt at peace with her until I saw the ID but she made me feel calm. I wanted to be around her. It was almost intoxicating but I just wanted her attention more. I feel like a teenage boy. So stupid."

"It's not stupid. You have a crush." Kevin raised his coffee cup. "And you are kinda fucking that up. Just a bit."

"Thanks..."

Talking with Kevin made him feel a little bit more calm than he did walking in. He took a deep breath before looking back at his phone. He quickly flipped through his contacts and his thumb hovered over Rose's name. "Is she working at the bar tonight?"

"She works at the bar every Monday, Wednesday and Friday," Kevin looked down at his phone. "And today is Friday so yeah she'll be there."

"Perfect. I'll be on my way then." Leon turns to head toward the door.

"Good luck."

{ *** }

Leon shoved his car keys into his pocket before opening the door to the bar. The lights were low but he could make out the people inside. He took a deep breath as he made his way toward the middle of the dance floor. People were standing in front waiting for the band to start their music. Leon bit his lip as he squinted his eyes to see Rose on stage. She was wearing a white tank top with tight black leggings that hugged her curves. Her platinum hair lays down her back and her makeup was smokey with a red lip.

That same red shade from that night.

She was holding onto the microphone with her eyes to the ground. There was no usual smile on her face, only a flat expression. John nudged her arm for a moment and it looked like she came out of her daze. However, the smile on her face wasn't right. That was a forced smile and Leon knew that better than anyone. Leon looked over to John for a brief moment and they happened to lock eyes. John's expression turned cold in an instant before he looked back at Rose. She looked at John with a confused expression but John shook his head with a frown.

Slowly the music began to hum through the speakers as John's guitar and the drummer began.

Rose's eyes stared blankly off to the crowd.

"Guess it's true. I'm not good at a one night stand." Rose moved the mic closer to her lips as she closed her eyes. "But I still need love cause I'm just human."

"These nights never seem to go to plan."

Her eyes locked with his.

"I don't want you to leave, will you hold my hand?"

Leon watched Rose's facial expressions as she sang and something in his gut told him something wasn't right.

The feeling in his stomach knotted tightly.

"Oh, won't you stay with me? 'Cause you're all I need."

The look in her eyes was anger.

"This ain't love, It's clear to see." Rose's voice had more power in her singing tonight. "But darling, stay with me."

Leon looked back into her eyes with a pit in his stomach. Those fierce eyes were nothing to bat an eye at. She was angry with him and he knew damn well she should be. He clenched his fists with a gulp as she moved around while the music hummed.

"Why am I so emotional?"

He could see her body trembling as she was singing. Every note she sang out was more powerful than the last. Leon felt as if he could not breathe. His heart raced against his chest as he watched her on stage.

He fucked up.

He knew that.

"No, it's not a good look, gain some self control." her eyes closed as she continued. "And deep down I know this never works but you could lay with me."

"So it doesn't hurt..."

"Oh, won't you stay with me? 'Cause you're all I need." Her voice echoed throughout the bar, the audience watched her with an awe. Leon could not keep his eyes off her.

"This ain't love, It's clear to see."

"But darling..."

She looked back down at Leon, her eyes never leaving his, not even for a second. With all the people in the bar it felt as if Rose was only singing for Leon.

"Stay with me."

Rose placed the microphone back on its stand before thanking the crowd. She gave a bow before turning her attention toward Leon. They looked at one another for a moment before she turned away to walk to the back of the stage.

Leon bit his lip before moving past the crowd of people to get out. He needed to talk to her before she was gone. Before he could reach the backstage door, John was standing in front of the open door with a glare. With a sigh Leon stopped in front of him as he crossed his arms.

Not this shit again.

"Hey, can you let Rose know I'm here. I'd like to talk to her." Leon asked.

"No, Rose needs to rest her vocals for the next few songs. Maybe some other time." John slammed his hand against the doorway so Leon could not walk past.

"Hmm, I'd like to talk to Rose if you don't mind." Leon's voice was more stern.

"Yeah, she doesn't want to see you right now."

Leon glared at John. "Oh? Is that Rose talking or your pride?"

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me, Johnathon."

"Listen here, pretty boy, Rose doesn't need you here bugging her." John snapped.

"Again, that is for Rose to aren't her keeper."

John grabbed onto the collar of Leon's shirt to shove him. Leon didn't fight back but all he could do was chuckle. That chuckle made John even angrier. "Listen here asshole-"

"HEY!" a voice boomed from behind John. Leon looked over to see the drummer standing behind John. "Get a hold of yourself, John. Be professional."

"Right." John aggressively shoved Leon away from him before storming off past the drummer.

"You good?" he asked. "I've never introduced myself, I'm Luke. You are Leon, correct?"

"Yeah. Can you do me a favor?"

"You want me to get Rose? I do think she is doing something in the back but I can tell her you came." Luke apologized. "She will be off in an hour though if you want to come back."

Leon looked down in disappointment and nodded his head. "Thank you."

He turned around on the heel of his foot and began making his way down the crowd to the front door.

"Yeah, I'm alright." Leon replied as he fixed his shirt.

{ * * * }

Leon drove down to the nearest florist and rushed over toward the door. His heart was pounding harder and faster in his ears as he picked out a bouquet of red roses. He didn't want to talk to anyone in the store besides checking out. Once everything was over and done with Leon walked back over to his care with a quickened pace. Leon opened the door to his car before stepping out. He looked back over at the flowers on the passenger side of his car. Hopefully these flowers can make up for him being an asshole. His stomach knotted as he stepped out of his car. The drive back to the house was silent but his thoughts were racing.

What if she doesn't accept the flowers?
What if she doesn't listen to his apology.

He wouldn't blame her if she ignored him.

He shook his head as he parked his car. For a moment he sat there with his thoughts before pulling the keys out the ignition. His plan was to stay in the house for a bit and go back to the bar to catch Rose before she leaves.

Good plan.

Leon opened the driver side door as his heart pounded against his chest. The soft crinkle of the plastic around the flowers echoed through Leon's ears while his heart skipped a beat. Rose was standing in front of his house door. She had her back toward him while he stood there dumbfounded.

"R-Rose...?"

Rose turns her head to look over at him.

Something wasn't right.

Her eyes were red as if she was crying before.

"Hey, Leon."

"I was just on my way to go see you." Leon responded with a whisper. "I was trying to catch you before you left the bar."

"Oh? I guess I beat you to it." she gave him a smile.

"Y-yeah."

"Can I come in?" she tilted her head with a smile.

"O-of course." Leon stepped to the side as Rose made her way through the door.

Rose thanked him before setting her purse down on his kitchen table. She turned back to him with a weary smile. "I don't mean to be rude by showing up unannounced. I thought I should come over so we can finally talk."

"I wanted to talk to you too."

"So, that night we had together." she fidgeted with her fingers. "Did I do something wrong?"

Leon's heart sank. "What?"

"Well, we had a good time together or so I thought. I never do things like that with anyone, y'know?" her face grew flustered.

"Neither do I. I kind of threw myself on you and I apologize for that. It was wrong of me to do that." Leon rubbed the back of his neck.

"Don't apologize. I don't regret it at all. I was just surprised to see you gone in the morning and you haven't messaged me back. I..."

He didn't know what to say and he could see the hurt in her eyes.

"Rose, I am sorry that I left things the way that I did. I didn't mean to hurt you. I just don't know how to process certain things right now." Leon tried to reach out for her hand but she slapped it away with a glare.

"Explain." she was stern but her eyes were on the ground. "I want to understand, please."

"Rose..."

"I suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. That is why I had an episode both times at the bar and one in your apartment. There's things that trigger my memories and I don't know how to handle my emotions or surroundings."

"Is that why you pushed me to the ground?"

Leon looked away embarrassed. "Y-yeah, I didn't do it on purpose. I was having an episode. I know that's no excuse for my actions. I would never do anything to hurt you."

Rose looked at him with a concerned expression. "How long have you been suffering from this?"

"For about 2 years now. It's a long story that I do not wish to get into as of right now." Leon looked down at the flowers in his hand and the plastic crinkled under his skin.

"Thank you for telling me. I won't push you to give me more information. I respect your privacy."

"Here. I got these for you as an apology for my actions. I hope you can forgive me for being stupid." Leon handed over the bouquet of roses toward her and she took the roses in her arm with a shocked expression.

"I'm so relieved." she whispered.

"Pardon?"

"I thought you were disgusted at my body." A tear slid down her cheek as she gave him a weary smile.

What...?

Leon's entire body froze as soon as the words slipped through her mouth. "Of course not! Why would you ever think that?"

"No one ever stays till morning."

The look on Rose's face made Leon feel horrible.

Without a second thought, Leon quickly stepped forward to wrap his arms around her to pull her into a tight embrace. She held him back as she began to cry against his chest. His lips collided with hers taking her by surprise. The crinkle of the plastic hit the floor while Leon continued to kiss Rose passionately. She slowly began to return the kiss as he held onto her waist.

"I am not put off by your body." Leon said between their kisses. "If anything, you are beautiful regardless."

Rose sniffled as his hands gently caressed her shoulders. "If I didn't think so I wouldn't have wanted to be around you. Its not about sex either. I just like being around you, Rose."

"I like being with you as well." she sniffled with a soft chuckle.

"Look, I am a moron sometimes. I can own up to my mistakes." Leon cupped her face and looked into her eyes. "Can you ever forgive me?"

Rose shook her head. "Y-yeah. I forgive you but I need time."

He nods his head in agreement. "I completely understand."

Leon picked Rose up and carried her back to the bedroom. He gently laid her down before kissing her lips again. Rose's arm wrapped around Leon's neck as she kissed back passionately. His hands gently caressed her sides before pulling his lips away from hers.

"We need to know more about one another." she whispered as she wiped her cheek.

Leon rests his forehead against hers. "I know I sound stupid because we've only known each other for a short amount of time. I can't promise much but I'm willing to try my best for you."

"Leon..."

He looks up at her with a smile. "I just want to take things slow."

"I think we may have skipped that when we had sex." she raised an eyebrow.

His face flustered. "I... I know but I don't want to screw things up again."

"I understand."

Leon pulls her into a kiss, a slow and short one. "I want you. I want to know everything about you. I want you to know everything about me but I need time. Will you wait for me?"

"I..." she closes her eyes with a sniffle. "I would love that."

He gently wiped the tear off her cheek before giving her a smile. "No more tears okay?"

"No more secrets."