He is Real

Chapter 49

Warnings: (Can't find the lemon) gore, language

*Author's Note: Uhh, okay, this is pretty much all done, so, thanks for reading everyone, and I'm glad you stayed around to read all fifty chapters. I guess, if you want to stay in touch with me, there's the Devil May Cry one coming up, and I've got some accounts around the internet if you want to pm me and find out what.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You instantly pulled out of Leon's arms, rushing to your feet, forgetting every inch of pain that nagged your body. You searched towards the area you saw her last, her body still intact. She was lying on the ground, her eyes closed. You sucked in your breath. "Emily..." you whispered, and ran towards her with a limp, wincing, your body wanting to give out. But you continued on, your main priority was Emily, and only her. You rushed towards her, quickly kneeling down and pulling her onto your lap.

"Emily, honey, please speak to me," you said. Leon then approached behind you along with the others. You sniffed, holding your tears. "Emily...please...please wake up," you pleaded. Suddenly, tears began spilling out of your eyes as you clenched her tightly towards your body, your face nuzzled into her hair. Leon ran his hand down his face. Luis looked away, Jessica watching in complete shock. She couldn't be gone; she was only a child, an innocent child whom didn't deserve any of this, at all. You began to sob until you heard a light whimper, and the small body you held in your hands shift. You pulled your face away, your eyes wide as you watched Emily open her eyes lids.

"_________?" she said, lazily searching around the area, "where are we?" How was this possible? Emily would have been deceased along with the others. Is this what people would have called a miracle or a fluke? Emily looked into your face, a frown appearing on her lips. "Why are you crying?"

A smile forcefully tugged at the corner of your lips. "Emily, oh my god," you cradled her in your arms.

Emily scanned your profile, completely confused and frightened. "________! You're bleeding!" she shouted. She looked towards Leon, Luis and Jessica, lightly gasping. "What happened?"

"It's okay, Emily, every things fine now, we're all fine."

"But, you're all bleeding and dirty, wha--" Emily cut herself off with a squeak, holding her stomach tightly. She groaned.

"Emily? What's the matter? Are you okay?" you asked, holding her with a shaky grip. She let out a shallow grunt until letting out a loud cry.

"The parasite..." Luis spoke.

You turned your head to him. "What? What's wrong with her?"

"The parasite is doing something to her body," he replied slowly.

You turned back to Emily, holding her hand. She clenched it as if it were a life line. "It's going to be okay, Emily," you said, although you didn't necessarily believe your own words.

Slightly, she opened her eyes, tears spilling out and cascaded her cheeks. "It...It hurts," she choked out.

You turned to Luis desperately. "Is there anything we can do--" Emily let out another loud scream. Suddenly you could feel something move from beneath her stomach, making its way up. "The parasite...it's moving," you informed. Emily cried out again, a small trickle of blood spilling out of her mouth. Your eyebrows furrowed with worry. What could you do? A low whine was heard from behind you. You looked over your shoulder to see Pongo limping to your side. His eyes held sadness as he stared down Emily, licking her arm to give her comfort. "Pongo..." you whispered.

"Help! It hurts!" You shot your attention back to Emily, biting your bottom lip to try and hold in the tears, you couldn't stand seeing her like this. Nobody could. Jessica held her hand over her mouth, looking away a few times. Luis held her, as if holding her away from the terrible scene. Leon just stood there, as if frozen. He wanted desperately to help, to do anything. But as you expected, even the government agent hadn't had an idea of how to help her.

"Emily, hold onto my hand, try to squeeze all the pain away, can you do that?" you asked her. She gave no nod, only squeezed your hand in response, holding a death grip. The little girl began to sob, starting to cough out blood. You held her head up. Suddenly she began coughing loudly; beginning to choke on the large amount of blood making it's way up her throat. "Emily, stay with me, stay with me," you chanted, the hold she had on your hand growing limp. "Please, squeeze my hand...Emily..." A screech was then heard from within her throat making your eyes grow wide. Tentacles slithered through her mouth, a yellowish parasite making its way out.

"________!" Luis tried to warn. But he was too late. The parasite shot out of Emily's wide open mouth, blood flooded over it's squid like body. It jolted towards your face, forcing you to jump and land on your back. Its tentacles began wrapping around your head, trying to go inside your body through your mouth. You tightened your jaw shut, muffled screams heard from you as you tried to pry it off, your eyes pinched shut while hearing the parasites haunting screeches. Pongo began barking at the creature loudly.

"________, stay still," Leon ordered. You lowered your hands, your body beginning to shake as you waited for him.

Suddenly, you heard a gunshot, the parasite jumping away from your face. It's disgusting body bounced on the ground a few times before attempting to get up. Leon shot at it again and again before it lay limply on the ground, beginning to disintegrate. You slapped your hand over your mouth, trying to hold yourself from vomiting as you heart raced at a quick rhythm. Luis quickly went towards Emily's body, placing his fingers just below her jaw, feeling for a pulse. You heard him sigh with relief before Leon quickly came towards you. "You all right?" he asked. You nodded reluctantly as he slowly helped you up.

Luis lifted the Emily's body in his arms. "She's still alive," he announced.

"Thank God," Jessica and you said in unison.

Leon placed your arm around his neck, helping you stand. "C'mon, let's get out of here." Everyone nodded in agreement, following him as he walked down the forest, away from the burning town, catching the forest into the hot blaze. Suddenly, a familiar sound was heard above, the sound of blades cutting through the air. Everyone gazed up, recognizing a red helicopter. Your eyes lit up, Pongo barking and wagging his tail.

"They saw the fire!" you exclaimed. You began waving your free hand, trying to catch their attention. "Hey, over here!" you called. Everyone began doing the same thing. The helicopter looked to be holding something as it flew, it was in the shape of a bucket and you smiled brightly. It was water to be poured onto the fire. The helicopter dropped the water, circling around and lowering when it noticed all four of you shouting. Sirens could be heard in the distance, bringing your hopes up tenfold. Yes, we'll be just fine...

"How are you feeling?" Leon asked, sitting beside you on the edge of the helicopter, your feet daggling under you. You were rescued by the firefighters that had noticed the fire thirty minutes ago. Because the fire had started in such a remote place they were not able to get to it in time before Rivera had attacked. The helicopter flew you to an air base after the interesting conversation you had with the pilot about your situation and Leon being a government agent. You omitted the part about Rivera and the Las Plagas, they probably would have thought you were crazy anyways, but you were sure a great suspicion would erupt if you told them about the parasites, remembering how it was told on the news of the weird parasites found in so many fire cases around the country. Paramedics came and patched up all your wounds, Emily was getting a check up right now.

"I'm okay," you said with a smile, "just glad it's over." Leon lowered his gaze from you as he lost himself to his own thoughts. You cocked up a brow at him. "What's up?" you asked.

"The last thing Rivera said," he simply replied.

You placed your hand over top of his, giving him a reassuring grin. "Don't worry; she can't do anything to us. I'll be getting a ride back to Canada and you'll be going back to..." you trailed off, suddenly frowning. "America," you finished.

Leon placed his hand in yours, lacing both your fingers together. "Hey, it'll be just fine. We can write letters to each other, ya know, to try and keep in touch."

You averted your gaze to the ground. "Yeah, but...I know a lot of people who have said long distant relationships don't work."

Leon brought his hand to your chin, griping it and turning your face towards him. "We'll make it work, all right?" he said before leaning in and planting a tender kiss on your lips. You kept your eyes closed for a moment when he parted from you, a smile appearing on your face as you nodded.

"Emily's check up is done, she's doing just fine," a woman said as she stepped in. Some of the people in the air base, namely the paramedics knew how to speak English very well, although their accents still lingered. Emily came running from behind her, sprinting towards you.

"Hey, you," you greeted, jumping off of the helicopter and to your feet. She tackled your leg, grinning widely. "How are you doing, pumpkin?"

Emily giggled, a wide smile on her lips. "Much better. Look!" She lifted her shirt over her stomach, showing bandages going all around. When Emily was brought to the medics, they found many gashes across her stomach, probably because of the violent movement of the parasite that was inside her. You still wondered how the parasite was not able to die like the others when you had cut off Rivera's arm, but that question was going to be left for Luis, he should know. "Don't they look cool?" she exclaimed. Strange how a child would find bandages amusing. You hated having them on, they felt uncomfortable. You had a number of them, almost covering your whole body. "Pongo even got one, too. Pongo! Come here, boy!" she called to him, the dog barked, limping as he tried to run towards the three of you, his tail wagging from side to side. His front, right leg was bandaged neatly; another bandage around his stomach, the medic indicated that he had gotten a broken rib. Pongo licked your face then jumped on Leon, who began petting his head.

You laughed lightly and turned back to Emily, kneeling down in front of her. "Guess what?" you asked her.

She looked somewhat confused and excited. "What?"

"You're going to be able to go back home to your mommy and daddy," you said.

"Really?"

You nodded. "Soon."

She jumped up and wrapped you into hug. "But, that means I won't see you again..."

You wrapped your arms around her, weakly smiling. "Don't worry; I'll try visiting you if I can, maybe even call you to see how you're doing? What do you say?"

She nodded vigorously, pulling away from you. "Okay!"

"Now, I just have one more question for you, where is Jessica and Luis?"

"I think they're still getting bandaged up." You nodded and patted her head, standing right back up. Pongo went up to Emily, tugging on her sleeve to play. She immediately obliged giggling as she chased after Pongo.

"I've been wondering...you're going back to America, right? Where is Luis going?" you asked.

Leon walked to your side. "I'm not sure. All his friends...the villagers, were controlled by Saddler, remember? And his grandfather had passed on. He never said anything about where he was going next, he just agreed to help me investigate here in Portugal." He smirked. "But I might have an idea of where he's going."

You tilted your head to the side, wondering what he knew. "Where?" Leon didn't reply, only averted his gaze across the area, Luis walking over the pavement with Jessica held up in his arms bridle style. Jessica was giggling, trying to suppress her laughs as she told him to put her down, but Luis, being as playful as he is, continued to hold her. You grinned, knowing exactly what Leon meant. Luis seemed happier with Jessica then anywhere else. A smile spread on your face, knowing exactly where he might be going. "Hey, love birds!" you called to them, "over here!"

Luis looked up, grinning before making his way to the two of you. "There you amigos are, I didn't know you were already taken care of."

"Luis! Put me down!" Jessica said as a light blush formed across her cheeks as she folded her arms over her chest. Luis let out a chuckle and brought her to her feet. "Thank you," she said, rolling her eyes. "Anyway, you guys doing all right?" she asked Leon and you.

"Yeah, just some minor scratches," Leon replied.

Luis looked behind him, watching as Emily chased after Pongo, the dog barking happily. "I can see the little senorita is doing well."

"Yeah, she is...she has no memory of ever being controlled by the Las Plagas though...which reminds me. Luis, why didn't Emily's body die also along with the others who had the parasite?" you asked.

Luis brought a finger to his chin in thought. "Well, Rivera had said that Emily's body was too small to lay eggs in, si? The other people who were infected with the Las Plagas all had adult bodies; the parasites laid their eggs in them in order to fully control their body, making the people become like a parasite themselves. Emily didn't have that, so the parasite didn't have full control. And seeing as Rivera couldn't control the Las Plagas after you cut her arm, the parasite started taking its own orders and decided to go inside a stronger body."

"So, that's why it went after me."

Luis nodded. "But that's just a theory of course."

"Makes logical sense to me, either way." Suddenly, an incoming engine sound was heard. Everyone turned their head to the direction of the noise to find one of the private jets have arrived to bring Emily home. It would be just a matter of minutes until the other two come along. "Emily!" you called to her.

"Yes?" she asked, jogging to you with Pongo close behind.

"Your ride is here."

"Really?" she pouted. "I thought I was going to be able to stay with you longer."

"Aw, I'm sorry honey, but we had to call them earlier here before the storm comes." Leon had been the one to call in the private jets, instructed by the president that all of you take one for the ride home. The pilots though had informed that a storm was going to approach later in the day and that it would be safer to fly in now to pick you all up. At first you had thought that Emily was going to take the ride with Leon but she didn't live in the same State. The jet landed gracefully, pulling up near the helicopters. Once the jet had fully stopped all movement, the door opened, lowering down into a set of stairs as one of the pilots exited out.

"Leon, nice to see you again," he said.

Leon grinned, giving a nod. "Like wise, Stan."

Stan brought his hands to his hips, looking over everyone. "So, is the little one going home first?" You looked down towards Emily, tears beginning to fill her eyes.

"I'm going to miss all of you," she pouted. You smiled weakly.

"C'mon, give us all a good bye hug," Jessica suggested, opening her arms wide. Emily wrapped her in an embrace, soon after giving Luis a shy hug. She made her way to Leon whom kneeled down, wrapping his arms around her.

"Take care," he whispered to her and ruffled her hair.

She gave a weak smile to him and went to you. She practically jumped into your arms when you bent down. "I want Pongo to go with you," Emily whispered.

You pulled back, staring at her with confusion. "Why?"

"So you have him to remember me by. He's my present to you."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded her head and gave you another hug. "Promise to call me, okay?"

"Okay," you smiled.

She went towards Pongo, squeezing him as he licked her. "You be a good dog to _______, okay?" The dog barked.

Emily began making her way towards the pilot, waving to all of you. "Bye everyone! Bye Pongo!" The dog whined, pouting in his own doggy-like way as he watched her go.

"Bye," everyone said in unison as she took the pilots hand that walked her to the jet. Everyone watched as it drove, and lifted off the ground, taking Emily with it. A stray tear ran down your cheek as it disappeared from sight.

You brought your hand over top Pongo's head, rubbing it gently. Pongo let out a groan. "Yeah, I'm going to miss her, too," you agreed to him. As the jet had left, another one began to descend. You frowned, knowing this was your flight.

"So, Luis, you going to Canada with us?" you asked, trying to lighten the mood for you.

He grinned. "Jessica hasn't told you, has she?" You shook your head. "She asked me to move in with her, considering I have no where else to go because of Saddler."

"I'll come over more often then," you said.

"Sounds good. How about you, Leon? Going back home?" He nodded. "Then this is goodbye, I guess." Luis went to Leon, both went into an embrace. "Thanks for everything."

"Don't mention it." They both pulled apart, Jessica now replacing Luis.

"You better stay in touch," she remarked, making Leon laugh lightly.

"Don't worry, I will." Jessica nodded slowly, both parting.

Luis grabbed Jessica's hand. "Come on, amour, I think we should give these two some time alone."

Jessica agreed. "Take as long as you two need. C'mon Pongo." With that said, the couple and the dog strode towards the jet. Leon and you watched as they entered the aircraft.

Slowly, you turned to Leon, your arms folded behind you, a sad smile on your lips. "So, we're going to give this long distance relationship a shot?" you asked.

Leon grinned, pulling you in his arms. "I wouldn't have it any other way," he whispered, smashing his lips against yours.

You melted into his kiss, your tongues both dancing against one another's. Leon brought his hand to the back of your neck, deepening the kiss as you clenched on his shirt. Tears began spilling out of your eyes, running down your cheeks. For a moment or two you were in pure bliss until Leon and you parted. He hovered his lips over yours, staring deeply into your eyes as he leaned his forehead against yours, holding you tightly.

"I love you," he whispered, his breath breezing your lips.

"I love you, too," you replied. He gave you a quick kiss before he pulled back, brushing away your tears with his thumb.

You smiled softly.

Leon gazed at you for a moment before tilting his head to the side, making him look adorable. "Give me your number before you go?"

You let out a little laugh before nodding. "Of course. Pen and paper?"

Leon looked down, looking through his pockets. "I have a pen," he held it up.

You took it. "Your wrist will just have to do as paper then." Leon handed you his wrist and you began scribbling your number over his skin. "Don't wash it off until you get home, promise?"

"Promise," he smirked.

You handed his pen back, poking his chest with your finger. "Don't forget to call me either."

Leon chuckled. "I'd never," he replied, before suddenly dipping you, pushing his lips against you. You wrapped your arms around his neck as he held your weight, kissing him back. Leon slowly brought you straight up again, his hand linked with yours. "You better get going," he said regrettably.

You nodded. "This is goodbye, then..."

"Goodbye, sweetheart." You took one last look at Leon before slowly walking away, your fingers losing its grip with his.

You forced yourself not to look back; you knew it was just going to be harder for you to go. Sniffing back tears, you walked up the stairs into the inside of the jet, Jessica and Luis already had taken a seat together. Jessica gave you a look of sympathy and you tried to reassure her with a smile as you took a seat by the window. The door/stairs lifted up, closing and locking its self by automatic. Pongo jumped on the seat beside you, resting his head on your lap, looking as sad as you were. You rubbed his head and reluctantly looked out window. Leon stood there with his hands shoved in his pockets. You both locked gazes. He lifted a hand, waving goodbye. You soon did the same as the jet started slowly moving. You tried rubbing the tears away but more appeared and you just let them go. Pongo licked your hand in acknowledgement, and you gave him a sad smile.

"I'm sure we'll see him again..." you said, wrapping your arms around him, "I hope." The jet lifted up in the air, Leon's presence no longer there. You closed your eyes, taking a deep breath as you flew your way back to Canada.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Author's Note: This is actually chapter 49 and 50, according to DS, so the next chapter is just a bonus to this one. And, is it just me, or did DS use a lot of "Suddenly" and "Slowly" this chapter?