Revelations

Leon S. Kennedy

I couldn't believe my ears, what Clair just asked was unsual. To be trained as an agent by the Division of Security Operations? Her main objective was never to fight directly in the war, but to lessen the consequences of such, why would she want to do the opposite? Why didn't she tell me about it? The petition took me aback as much as Adam, I knew that because as soon as Claire spoke those words, the president and I looked at each other, oblivious to what was happening.

—You petition sounds a bit off, Miss Claire. By any chance, do you want to be part of our team in the division? —Adam asked, but I doubted she would answer positively to that.

—I'm not sure about that, Mr, President, but I don't discard that option. My job has always been that of a rescuer, but after all the events I went through, I feel like I need to something more than I have done already. I've seen Leon's work and it's extraordinary. I want to have the same skills —Claire said, looking at me briefly.

Adam adjusted his glasses.

—I know your story with Leon, and to be honest, I'll be delighted if you could officially work with him in the division. We need more experienced people with bioterrorism with us, but —he made a brief pause, as if he were thinking for the correct words to say what he wanted to say — there's an inconvenient, and I don't want to sound rude to you.

—Go on —she said.

—Our program to recruit candidates establishes that any aspiring member interested in joining our division, should be at least 21 years old at the beginning of the process, since we will require his or her services for another 20 years, the training is hard to begin for people older than that age. It is a matter of body resistance.

Claire smiled, as if she found funny Adam's comment.

—I understand your point, Mr. President, but if you indeed have heard about me from Leon, then you'll know I'm not that ignorant when it comes to self-defense skills and use of weapos. My brother, one of the founder members of the B.S.A.A. taught a lot when I was younger, so I can defend myself. And if that was not enough, my experiences in outbreaks situations forced me to learn in battle. I'm sure that Leon, who is the prime chief of the division, can find a way to adapt the program to my situation, right?

Claire stared at me, her beautiful turquoise eyes were begging me, she wanted me to back up her decision. I hesitated, though; I didn't believe she wanted to change the path of her life. I never mentioned her name in all the interrogations I was put through so they couldn't not find her, I feared the government would want to force to work with them when her objectives were different —finding her brother was one of them —. And I did right, the job she chose to do was perfect for her, and she had an amazing performance in it. Why would she want to suddenly change from recue to fight? I couldn't imagine her doing any other thing, let alone now that TerraSave needed her the most.

I saw her moving her lips, muttering some words.

"Please…"

And those silent words were enough to disarm me.

—I think…we can create a specific program for her. I could oversee it myself, Adam. She's already good, she might even skip some steps in the process —I told the president.

Adam looked at me, then turned his gaze at Claire, as if he was suspicious of certain complicity between us.

Just work business…

—Is that the only petition you have, Miss Redfield? —Adam asked.

—Yes Mr. President, that's all I need for now —she replied with an amazing self-confidence.

—Then, this can proceed as you wish. If Leon says he can do something, I believe him. I would be very pleased to have you as an agent in training, and I'll be even more pleased if you decided to stay with us.

—We'll see about that, Mr. Benford —she said.

—All right, Miss Claire, I shall get going, I need to modify our agreement. We will wait for you in the capital city as soon as you get discharged. It was a real pleasure to meet you —he reached out his hand.

—It was a real pleasure to meet you too — Claire shook his hand.

I walked Adam to the entrance, the other two agents were ready to go.

—Adam, would you mind if I don't go with you to the airport? I want to stay here to clarify some issues with Claire now that you've accepted her request —I said.

—I won't mind Leon, don't worry, I can handle myself with all the media down there with my two agents. You do what you need to do, and don't forget to inform me of any important news —he placed his hand on my shoulder and petted me.

—Of course.

The agents close the door one Adam left the room. I turned myself to Claire only to see her sat on the couch near the big window, her elbows on her knees, as a teenager waiting in the headmaster's office, expecting to be grounded by her parents once they arrived at school. Did she believe I was mad at her for this sudden decision? Was she getting ready for an intense discussion? If she was, then she needed to change the perception she had of me, or I should be more aware of the image I'm projecting to others.

I walked towards her and sat right beside, really close, just like we've been doing these past days. Physical contact between us was becoming a lot common. We kept quiet for a few seconds, until it was me who broke the silence.

—So? Are you going to explain to me the reason behind your sudden request? —I asked, trying to not sound mad.

Claire smiled shyly.

That gesture looked cute on her.

—Aren't you angry at me? I didn't tell you anything about that —I could see her cheeks blush.

—Of course I'm not, it's just it took me aback. Out of all things you could ask for, this one was not on my mental list. Are you really considering becoming an agent for the government? You're doing a great job as a rescuer— I said, I still didn't believe Claire would want to change the path of her life.

She sighed deeply.

—Thank you Leon, but I think being a rescuer is not enough for me now. I talked to Barry yesterday, and he said some words that kept me thinking all night: "let's get stronger, and then let's go looking for Moira to save her from any harm". Get stronger, it is something I didn't think about before, and strength was what I lack to save Moira —she said in a sad voice.

—There are things that are out of our hands, Claire. We should not blame ourselves for that —I clarified.

—I know, but I couldn't help but think that if I had been more skillful, I could have brought her with me. Then I remember you — she stared at me —. You have always accomplished your missions in spite of the hardships, and the risk you go through, is greater than the one I could get in.

—I've had losses in my job, and I regret all and each one of them —I confess, and the image of a dying Luis Sera, Mike's chopper being blown up, and a mutated JD came to my mind.

—But your main objective has been intact in all those missions. Mine was to take care of Moira and I couldn't do it. I don't want that to happen to anyone who decides to follow me —she stated.

—Would you quit your job in TerraSave to become an active agent for the government? —I asked.

—I just say it was an option, not that I will do it right away. I need to see how I perform in that matter, then I'll male my choice between changing the path of my life, or staying the way I am. Something tells me that the merge of TerraSave with the B.S.A.A. will have positive outcomes, maybe they will not need me anymore. I needed a backup plan in case it happens that way, so, I guessed that getting a benefit from my time in Washington would be okay. It was a sudden decision, I know, but I can get discharged in any moment and I wanted to have all planned —she said.

Yesterday, in her rehabilitation therapy, the personnel told us that Claire could get discharged in any moment, due to the great improvement she had done so far. It could get us by surprise, even at midnight. I could understand the feeling of uncertainty if there wasn't a plan B for her,

—I get your point, and if you want to try something else in your life, I'll help you, even though I still think the path you're following now is the correct one for you. I'm keeping my word to Adam and I will adapt the program according to your needs. After all, I promised you I'd be glad to teach you anything you wanted, and if this is want you want, be my guest.

Then, she gave me the most candid smile I've ever seen on her face.

My heart beat just like when I discovered something nicely new. Fast and excited.

—Words won't be enough to say how much I'm grateful to you. You're such a role model, now I understand why Sherry is training to become an active agent like you —she placed her hand on my knee.

In other circumstances, I'd be so excited for her touch that I would have loved her hand to find its way to my crotch, but what she had mentioned made a noise in my head, similar to the sound of a gong.

—What do you mean Sherry is training to become a government agent? —I honestly sounded so oblivious to that fact, my ignorance of the matter was genuine. Claire removed her hand from my knee, as if she had touched something hot.

—Exactly what I said. Wait…didn't she tell you? —she asked, fearing she might just screwed up something.

—She only told me that they have accepted to free her in exchange of her services as a worker. She didn't specify what kind of job. I assumed it was something like an administrative assistant —due to the all the traveling she does —, because I said several times that I would like her to be away from all bioterrorism issues —I noticed the disappointment in my voice.

—Oh, Leon. I didn't know you weren't aware of that. Sherry has been training to become an agent since two years, it won't be long enough when she gets officially assigned, that's why she's going back and forth, she wants to show her skills to fight and protect, just like you —she said, as if trying to avoid anger to take over me.

I wasn't angry, maybe I was a bit, but not enough to be furious. I just couldn't understand why Sherry didn't tell me back then, she made me think she was finally living a normal life, away from all that caused her fear so many years ago.

I ran a hand through my hair.

—Leon…—Claire whispered.

—I always wanted you two to move on, without having to fight for your lives endlessly, and now I'm having you both as colleagues in this risky job, well, at least Sherry will, the one I less wanted to be involved in this —I confessed.

Suddenly, Claire grabbed my hand with both of her hands, it was the first time she did that to me. I was so surprised that my anger started evaporating like boiling water. I stared at her, she looked like she wanted to tell me something important.

—Well, if it makes you feel better, neither Sherry nor I mind at all to spend a lot of time with you —her comment made was kind of funny that it made me smile —, but, seriously, I think she kept this from you because she was afraid of your reaction. In fact, I didn't agree at first, but in the end, I accepted, I was so eager to see her free, at last. Would you have rather seen her locked up more time than seeing her traveling around the world?

I had to admit she had a point there. I always despised the way she was treated, like an experimental animal, locked up and only interacting when it was time for test. At some point, I wanted to see her walking freely whenever she liked, free from any bioterrorist maniac chasing after her.

—See? Just like my current situation, the choice she made was the only and the best one she could make. I think one of the purposes in her life is to prevent any more kids to experience what she had to go through in Raccoon City, and this is her way to do so. It's the same reason you have, you fight for your past, don't you?

—Yeah, I guess you're right. Saving lives is also one of her purposes, you know? She got it from you. We both are her role models, we're like her parents.

As soon as I spoke those words, I wanted them back in my mouth. Only I could have insinuate we had a daughter in common, I was afraid Claire would misunderstand it, or feel ashamed by it. I saw her smile more, though.

—I know, she has told me that and I feel honored, and as her "parents", don't you think we should support her in anything she decides to do? —he caressed the palm of my hand she was holding.

That sole gesture made my anger vanish, with no intention of coming back.

—Of course, she's an adult person, after all — I said.

—Then let's do that. I think it's better if you don't tell Sherry you know what's she's doing, yet, let her be the one to tell you, when she's ready. I'm sure she does want to give you a surprise —she asked.

—All right, I don't know anything until she decides to tell me —I said with a smile.

I looked down to our hands, her fingers were so thin —she hadn't gained her normal weight yet —, and yet they were able to change the emotions within me. I thought it would be really nice if I had her hands on mine all the time.

With a mother like Claire, who wouldn't want to be the father who raised her children?

o-o-o-o-o

Claire Redfield

Tomorrow will be the day I moved to Washington to begin with the tests, and my training as an agent. It was early in the morning, but I started packing my clothes in two big suitcases, I had to take enough with me since I'll be there for an unknown time, for a woman, clothes would never be enough to pack.

The day after the visit of the president, the doctors decided to release me from the hospital, the thought I had improved enough to keep on my normal life, I only had to do some exercise and eat well to fully recover my normal weight and complexion. We weren't that surprise about the discharge, we were aware it could happen in any minute. I called Chris and he was so happy about it. He and Leon took me to my apartment, which I missed like crazy while I was hospitalized. I was finally back at my home, everything was as I leave it when I attend the event in TerraSave, my brother told me he came from time to time to check everything was on its place, and keep it cleaned.

I received some calls from other co-workers of TerraSave —I got another cellphone, mine was taken away when we were kidnapped —,they wanted to know how I was, what had happened to us, and all the stuff the executive directives hid from them. Of course I couldn't tell them anything more, after the visit of Adam Benford, the government released an "official" statement: the only survivor of the incident suffered from amnesia and didn't remember certain things, just that she was taken to an island in the Baltic Sea, and almost all the hijacked people died due to an infection by a virus —they omitted I still had it inside me —, but that there was a high chance that more survivors were left there, so the U.S. and Russia will work together to find the location of the island.

TerraSave accepted to become a subsidiary for the B.S.A.A., two days ago, the executives from both sides signed the accords for this new alliance. Workers from both organizations had been informed of what would happened after the sign, in fact, my brother asked me to visit B.S.A.A. headquarters to introduce me to his team, so they realize the importance of this merging.

My visit was somehow interesting, I could hear the soldiers whisper things like "look how hot she is", "I didn't know the captain had a sister who is nothing like him", "I would work with her forever". Those comments started to overwhelm me a bit, until Chris' lieutenant, Piers Nivans, scolded them. Piers was really compromised with his work, in spite of his short age.

Today, I received a mail from him, he was apologizing for the attitude of his teammates, he explained that they rarely have chances to work with pretty women, and since I was the sister of their amazing captain Chris Redfield, they thought they would see someone of his build —I guessed they thought they'd meet a female mastodon or something —, but they were excited about my visit because they had heard a lot about me. At the end, Piers said he wished for us to work together again and to talk every now and then, even if our paths might not cross often.

I chose not to tell my brother about my decision to be trained as an agent for the government, and that I might change the path of my work life, I was pretty sure he would complain, since the merge of TerraSave with the B.S.A.A. was made because of me. I hoped that after certain time of both organizations working together, Chris won't mind the fact I changed job. I just wished for this new alliance to be successful.

I sat on the bed of my room —I missed it so much—, there were small piles of blouses, jeans and underwear around me, ready to be packed. I took my new cellphone, it would be rude from me if I didn't reply Piers mail.

Hello, Piers!

Don't worry about what happened with your teammates during my visit, if I were in their place, I would have also expected to meet another mastodon like my brother, and I would have felt nervous to find out that I was so wrong, and then act like your comrades did. Anyway, I always welcome any compliment ;)

I'm so proud to know that you admire Chris so much, I do too, and yes, he does treat like family any person he cares about and feels some sort of responsibility for.

And of course I would love to work with you again, but I'll be busy these next months and I must focus on what I have to do now, meanwhile, keep doing the great job you're doing, and support TerraSave as much as you can, it is important to me.

If you wish to keep in contact with me, feel free to do so, I will try and reply to you ASAP.

Good luck on your mission!

Claire Redfield

PS. All pictures of Chris when he was younger are at his house, he doesn't let me have any of them, I have to go to his apartment if I want to take a look at them. Sorry!

I clicked on "send" and waited for the process to finalize. Then I laid down on the mattress, I lifted my left arm to see the hour on my watch, it was 11:00 AM. Leon told me he would come over at 2:00 PM to help me pack and take me to have lunch afterwards. He asked me yesterday, he said he didn't want us to go without showing me one of those shops near the hospital, where he used to have lunch or dinner while I was unconscious. In fact, that was something I asked for one night he went to visit me.

It might sound ridiculous, but I was kind of excited with the idea of having lunch with Leon. It would be the first time I met him in a place that had nothing to do with bioterrorism, and somewhere we would not have to talk about it.

A more normal place…

I got up, I could start getting ready, a nice shower would help.

I had a bathroom inside my room, a small one, just for me. I entered, untied my hair and started unbuttoning my blouse. I suddenly lifted my gaze and meet my reflection on the mirror over the bathroom sink. I stared at myself.

I was about to make an important change in my life, I felt I wasn't the same Claire from two months ago. A lot of things happened to me in a really short time, and they forced me to make overnight choices. Somehow, the reflection I was seeing didn't match the new person I feel I was. I had this hunch that I had to do something about it.

Then I knew it. I took one of my long reddish-brown hair locks between my index and thumb.

—I think I have time to do one more change — I said loudly.

o-o-o-o-o

Leon S. Kennedy

—It's open! — I heard Claire's voice at the other side of the door.

It was exactly 2:00 PM, I told Claire I would come over to help her pack , and do some cleaning, since she would be away for an indeterminate time. After that, we would have lunch together to one of the shops I used to visit near the hospital when she was in comma. I thought it would be the correct thing to do, since she asked me for that one night, and since we didn't know how long she will be away from home —or if she would come back at all — I decided to go before going to Washington.

We would finally meet in a more normal place, I was so interested to how the situation developed.

I opened the door and entered. There was nobody in the living room, so I guess she was in her bedroom. I knew where it was, she showed me the way the first time we came with her brother, after her discharge from the hospital.

The door to her bedroom was half opened, so I knocked.

—Come in —she answered.

I opened it fully.

—Hello, I hope it isn't too soo…

I stopped right away, I felt as if my feet were stuck on the floor with magnets, my arms felt heavy. For a moment, I thought I got the wrong room. I even thought I got the wrong apartment!

My eyes were seeing a woman, packing some clothes in a big suitcase, but that person didn't look like the Claire I knew, at least not the one I saw hours ago. My long time friend had a beautiful, long, reddish-brown hair, and the woman before me had it short, a lot over de shoulders, she even looked younger.

The woman stared at me. I recognized those turquoise eyes, and that candid smile she had given me these past days.

That woman was indeed Claire Redfield, but her new look shocked me, and not because it didn't suit her, quite the opposite actually. More than ten years seeing her with a ponytail, and now it just untied and shorter. It was shocking, simply because she looked fucking good, that new haircut made her face looked so fine, delicate, like a piece of porcelain one should be careful to hold.

She had a brightness of a mature and feminine attractiveness.

—What's wrong Leon? You look like you've seen a ghost —she said, smirking.

I've seen an angel fallen from Heaven, actually.

—It's just that, your…—I made a gesture with my hand over my shoulder.

—Oh, my hair. Yes. I came back from the beauty salon an hour ago. I thought another change would not be that bad. It was sad to say goodbye to my longtime locks, I must look radically different now, right? —she asked me.

—Yes, you look…

—Older? I knew it —she interrupted me.

—Prettier —I clarified.

—Oh, well…thank you —she said shyly —. You came to help me packing? —she asked, pointing the piles of clothes on her bed. I nodded —. All right, you can start by putting those inside that suitcase in the floor.

I did as she said, but I was feeling like robot following orders, my mind could only think of Claire's new look. For brief moments, my eyes fixed on her, as though my pupils were attracted to her. I just hoped Claire didn't feel my gazes on her.

Suddenly, the fact that we both were in her room began to mess up my mind. I could just stop doing what I was doing, get close to her, grab her face in my hands, kiss her passionately and do what I had been fantasy to do on her bed.

—What's wrong Leon? —she questioned, and I realized I had indeed stopped my task, asi if I was about to do exactly what I just imagined.

Shit, I need a time out. NOW.

—Ehm…I was wondering if I could use your bathroom —that was the closest thing I had to meditate.

—Sure —she said.

I left on the mattress the pile of clothes I was holding and headed towards the W.C. I closed the door behind me, approached the sink, opened the faucet and washed my face, like trying to remove something from it.

I took a look to my reflection on the mirror over the sink, and I realized there was indeed something I wanted to removed, but it was impossible to wipe it away. The thing was clear on my face, I had seen it before, I could recognize it.

My face showed my new born attraction to Claire.

All those fantasies I had with her, were not only caused by my need to satisfy my lack of sexual activity these two months.

I liked Claire. As a woman.

What I just discovered were genuine feelings from a man to a woman, the kind of feelings than made a guy want to cross the barrier of friendship to go beyond with a girl.

I took a few steps back and threw my head back on the wall. I closed my eyes, and then I wondered if , after that sudden revelation, it was a good idea to ask Claire to live with me.

A smirk appeared on my lips.

It's the best fucking idea you've ever had. How many chances do you get to live together with the girl you like? A lot of interesting things could happen during this time.

Years of failed and successful experiences with women have made me accept my casanova personality traits that sprouted as soon as I realized I liked someone. Claire would not be the exception. And what follows revelations like these ones is to get down to work and hit on the woman.

And I had a marvelous way to start.

I took my cell phone from my pocket, unlocked the screen and dialed the direct line to the president. It was a line I should use only for personal matters with Adam, those not related to work, and this one of those matters.

—Leon? —Adam's voice answered — It is weird of you to use this direct line. What do you need?

—Adam, do you remember your offer of a presidential breakfast in compensation for throwing me into a civil war in Europe? Well, I want to take it. And let it be breakfast for two.

o-o-o-o-o

F* yeah! I'm finally back for the anniversary of the story in English! Thank you for being patient this past year.

So, we finally have one of the most wanted moments of the story! And I also wanted to show the change in Claire's character that made her cut off her hair.

I was so inspired to write this chapter, in both English and Spanish, not only for what I just mentioned but also for something else. Let me explain: I bottled myself up reading Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, and during all the book I couldn't help but thinking that could be the mediocre story of Leon if he ended up with Ada. I cannot explain to you how mediocre is the male character of the novel, during all the plot, and mostly in the end of the book, it reminded me of "the part of me I can't let go" that Leon said in RE4. To top it off, the main female character is named Amy…three letters…like Ada…pretending to be something she isn't, all for her convenience.

Aghh..it was so frustrating imagining Leon's life like that, that I just hurried up and a type my beautiful love story with Leon and Claire xD.

Aside from those crazy thoughts of mine, the novel is pretty good, I recommend it to you. There is a movie with Ben Hottie Affleck (where you can see his manhood briefly 8D) as good as the book, since the author herself wrote the screenplay. I recommend you both, but more the book, since all the character's thoughts are described, and they will make you jump from empathy to hate, and vice versa. This story describes perfectly the mediocrity of a man who falls in love with appearances, and how and extremely smart woman can take advantage of that (don't let that happen to Leon, Capcom!).

If you're a fan of Resident Evil/Cleon , dislike Aeon, and you have read the book or watched the movie, you might have thought the same as I did. Did you?

Anyway, you know if you like the story, please follow and favorite it, but more importantly, leave a review, that would help me a lot to continue.

Til next time!