A/N: Hey all! Huge apologies for the super slow update, after lack of time and some technical difficulties I am finally able to produce my latest update. I know it must have been frustrating with the big question left unanswered from the last chapter (who is it at Leon's front door) but I assure that, and more will be answered in this update! I want to say a big thanks to everyone who takes the time to review and favorite/follow the story and also to those who just have simply been reading it, I am quite surprised at the traffic it has been pulling and I can only hope with this update that it will attract more fans.

I hope everyone enjoys the update, and thanks for reading.

I DO NOT OWN RESIDENT EVIL, THIS STORY IS PURELY FAN BASED.

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I stared blankly at the door for a moment, my mind racing at whom it could be. I figured it would be Ashley since she was practically the only person I ever socialized with on a regular basis, but then doubt clouded my mind knowing all too well that with how she felt toward me at the moment, the chances of her turning up at my door were very slim. I sighed lightly, not really feeling in the mood for company, and made my way to the door. I swung the door open slowly, my breath hitching slightly when I caught sight of the woman the other side of the doorframe.

"Claire!" I said with surprise.
The auburn haired woman smiled at me shyly; her smirk reminded me all too much of her Brother's.
"Hey, Leon. I'm sorry for showing up so unexpectedly." She said cheerily, her voice laced with both happiness and awkwardness.
I moved to the side of the doorway slightly, remembering my manners. "No, no. Please, come in." I insisted, a friendly smile appearing on my lips. She nodded demurely and uttered a 'thanks' before stepping past me. I couldn't help but inhale a deep waft of her perfume as she passed me, the scent alone made me want to follow her. We sat on the leather sofa in my living room, all the while I couldn't believe she was sitting here before me; I hadn't seen her for at least five years being that she had moved to Europe for work reasons. I couldn't help but notice how different Claire looked, she was much more womanly looking; she looked refined and put together. She wore a black pencil skirt with a powder pink button up blouse and some low heels; her face had some makeup on but not too much, just enough to look tasteful. She had been in Europe the whole time I was sent to Spain to find Ashley, that in fact she probably wasn't even aware of the events.
She broke the silence first, her eyes having trouble making contact with my own. "I really am sorry for just turning up at your door like this." She apologized. I shook my head, "Claire, don't apologize!" I chuckled lightly. Her green eyes glittered at me as she smiled.
"Well," She said, "We have a lot to talk about." A grin forming on her face. And so we talked for several hours. She told me of Europe and the various escapades she had been involved in whilst residing there, and I told her of Spain (I left out my rather unprofessional relationship details with Ashley) and how I was now serving as a bodyguard for the President's daughter. Claire took great interest in these details, telling me of how she couldn't believe how much our lives had changed since we had last seen each other. I had to admit, we had a lot of history together, none of which was really romantic in nature, but nonetheless we had been a big part of each other's lives. Our conversation came to a halt again, the only thing happening was she and I staring at each other. I cleared my throat and prepared to ask her something that had been pondering my mind since she had arrived at my apartment.
"If you don't mind me asking, how did you even know where to find me?" I asked curiously. Claire looked down with slight embarrassment, then back up at me. "I asked Chris; I wanted to see you while I'm taking some down time in the U.S."
I nodded with attentiveness. "How long will you be in the States for?" I questioned. I was glad to see her but the timing was all off, with everything that had happened with Ashley I had placed myself in quite the emotional slump. I think Claire sensed something was off because she instantly tried to make light conversation to try and make me smile. "Well, probably about two weeks, so don't worry; I won't be troubling you for too long!" She joked, her giggle was smooth and glassy. I shook my head lightly, "Oh, no. You're no trouble at all, Claire!" I reassured. She smiled at me, checking the time on her wrist watch as she did so.
"Oh my! It's five P.M already!" She gasped. It was hard to believe we had been sitting here talking for nearly five hours. Things with Claire seemed to flow so easily, which surprised me considering I hadn't seen her for such a long time. The conversation just didn't seem to end and when it did it wasn't uncomfortable. She looked at me for a moment; as though in thought and then spoke. "Leon, do you have any plans tonight?" She said with slight reservations in her tone. I shook my head lightly, "No, I don't. Why do you ask?"
Claire half smiled. "How would you feel about coming out to dinner with me?"
I took perhaps longer than I should have to respond to her question, but I couldn't stop my mind from thinking; even though it was just a dinner with an old friend, I just felt sour from everything that had happened last night. Claire was staring at me with hopeful eyes, I could see how much she wanted this, so I agreed and soon after we left to head to a local diner.

When we got to the venue Claire and I were seated at an intimate little table setting for two. The whole time I sat down I could feel Claire's eyes on me, I tried to look away from her but something inside me, a feeling of complete magnetism toward her made me bring my gaze back to her already awaiting green orbs. "I'm sorry if this is uncomfortable, being that you haven't seen me in years." She said with a half-smile. I felt a wave of compassion come over me at her words, I could see she felt like a burden on me, but she was far from right. I shook my head, "No, Claire, it's really nice to see you again." I smiled to add some gravity to my words. She looked away from me; her expression was unreadable.

Finally our meals arrived and so we began eating. One thing I liked about Claire was she wasn't afraid to devour a meal in front of a guy, she had this air about her that she could be dainty and one of the boys all at the same time, and I had to admit it was nice, it made hanging around her so easy. Back in our younger years Claire had been more boisterous, but now she had seemed to have calmed down a lot more. I knew she could tell something was bothering me by the way she was looking at me.
"Are you alright?" She said before taking another bite of her meal. I shrugged, "Nothing you should worry about, just some issues with a friend." I think she picked up on how the word sounded when I said 'friend' because her brows raised slightly. "A lady friend I'm guessing?" Claire half-smiled. I nodded once, "Well, yeah." I said, letting out a slight chuckle. "So, you're seeing someone?" She questioned, letting off a slightly saddened vibe to her tone. "No, no. She's just a friend." I clarified, although in my mind I wished Ashley were more than a friend.

We ate mostly in silence and by the time we had finished it was nearly 9 P.M. so we decided to call it a night being that it was a Sunday and I had to work the following morning. I paid the bill much to Claire's dismay and then we exchanged cell phone numbers so we could keep in further contact. When I finally arrived home after Claire and I had parted ways I couldn't help but feel how cold and isolated this apartment felt with only myself occupying it. Usually at this time of night Ashley and I would send text messages to each other before we went to sleep, mainly for my own piece of mind to know she was safe; even though another agent was on duty anyway. I plopped myself on my bed, the mattress made a soft thud as I did so. I picked up my cell phone, switching it on in vain, hoping there would be a text message from Ashley waiting there. My heart stopped for a moment when the screen read "1 unread message". Hastily I opened the text only to find it was from Claire.
She had written 'thanks for a great night, Leon.'
I smiled lightly at the message, my mind suddenly feeling cloudy and lethargic. 'Surely this couldn't be from the few beers at dinner' I thought, as I placed my phone on my bedside table and laid there trying my hardest to keep my eyes from falling closed. It was apparent I had minimal control because before I could even protest my eyes had shut and I was asleep; my mind finally at rest from the relentless conflict going on within it.

A/N: So that's all for this installment…I hope you all found it interesting somewhat. I know it wasn't very eventful, but just keep in mind this is the chapter that will introduce bigger and more interesting things into the story. I can assure you all there will be a lot more drama and such next time! Please take the time to drop a quick review to let me know your thoughts on the chapter/story. THANKS FOR READING :D