A/N: I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the wonderful readers and reviewers, leonkennedy89, hodhod2011danger, Orel Havi and Shirahane Aikawa, for their love and support. You guys are awesome! :D

Chapter 6

(Kate's POV)

I covered my mouth, with the back on my hand, yawning out of the sleepiness, as I made my way down the stairs. I couldn't really get a good sleep because Lauren stayed over last night, and it tends to get a little noisy whenever she's around. And I wasn't really in a position to complain about it either. Leon's been so nice to help me out with the stalker ex issue last week, and compared to that, this was just a minor inconvenience. Even if it hadn't been like that, I couldn't just go and interrupt someone's private moments just because I was having trouble sleeping, especially when that someone is the person who signs my paychecks. It would not only be indecent and impolite but also ungrateful and super awkward.

As I stepped in the kitchen, I couldn't help but rub my eyes, feeling that I might be seeing things or something. It was Lauren, in just Leon's shirt and nothing more. She was going around and about the kitchen, opening and closing cupboards, humming a random tune and looking for something. After getting past the initial moment of shock, that she was actually doing something other than to order me around about doing her chores, I moved further in the kitchen.

"Need help?", I asked Lauren with a polite smile, since she clearly needed some help.
She turned to look back at me and let out a displeased huff, "Well I am going to prepare breakfast for Leon today, so I don't need your help", she said acting all superior.
"Umm okay but do you want me to tell you what is where", I offered my help once again.
"Yeah, you can do that. Where are the eggs?", she asked opening a cupboard.
"In the refrigerator", I told her and began to doubt her culinary skills.

And it was sooner than later that I came to know that my suspicions were right. Lauren not only had really poor culinary skills, but she didn't know Leon's preferences either. She burnt the toasts; undercooked the omelets, not to mention put too much pepper in it; put milk in Leon's coffee and added too much sugar to it.

I had initially thought that I won't really meddle with her cooking, because as days passed she hated me even more, but seeing her cook like this made me revolt against my initial thoughts. But nothing good came out of it, since she didn't hear a word I said and silenced me every time I tried to tell her, her mistake. In the end, everything was on the table and I could just pray that this food doesn't make Leon sick, because for all I know he loved Lauren so much that he'd even eat this breakfast, if one can call it that.

"All set", Lauren said plating two plates for herself and Leon, and keeping it on a small kitchen table. She looked really pleased with her cooking, "You don't say anything, I want it to be surprise!", she added to me in a strict tone of warning.
"Ms. Pryze this is just…", I began to tell her that it was all a really bad idea.
"I don't need your opinion, I am a better cook than you", she said and I barely held myself from slapping my face.

"Morning Ladies!", Leon greeted us, as he entered the kitchen.
"Good morning, sweetheart!", Lauren said in a very sweet tone and kissed Leon passionately.
"Shouldn't you get ready for work?", Leon asked her, noticing that she was wearing his shirt.
"It's Sunday, it's my off", she told him with a bright smile, "C'mon let's have breakfast", she pulled him to the set table.

They sat down and I watched Leon in horror, as he took a bite of that horrible meal, and his expression told me that he didn't like how it tasted. He swallowed it somehow and tried to wash it down with coffee, but he spit it out the moment he sipped it, "My god Kate, this is terrible", he said drinking water instead.
"I know, I am sorry!", I couldn't help be apologetic, feeling that somewhere I was at fault too, for letting Lauren cook however she wanted. It was my responsibility to cook breakfast and I should've protested better.
"Yeah this food is horrible! Are you trying to kill us with this terrible food?", Lauren said flaring in anger and Leon looked at her.
"I am sorry, I'll make it again", I moved to make breakfast again.
"No need, I think I'll take Lauren out for breakfast", Leon said drinking some more water.
"All happens for good. I'd go get ready", she said happily and raised herself from her seat.

Lauren moved to kiss Leon on cheek, and then hurried out of the kitchen. My eyes followed her as she made her way through the living room, in what seemed to be cheerful strides. Leon let out a sigh and I looked back at him a little nervously. He was looking at the meal and shook his head slightly. I really don't know if he was displeased with me, but I hoped that just this once he'd let it pass. I still didn't have enough money to live on my own and I still needed this job. It would have been easier to dodge this bullet if I told him the truth, but I didn't want to be the one to cause any sort of disturbances in his love life.

I was trying to think of some excuse or some well phrased plea, in case Leon has already decided to fire me, when he look to his side and called out to Shadow, "Shadow, here boy", he said giving the food to Shadow and even Shadow smelt and left it, "Thought so", Leon said pushing the plate aside. He stood up and walked to me and I braced myself for the scolding, "Next time please give me a warning!", he spoke in his usual monotone, but his words were definitely criticizing, "Her cooking is really terrible."

"How did you know?!", I asked him astonished, feeling relieved all of a sudden.
"First you cook a lot better than this, and second she didn't even touch her plate to say it tastes bad", he pointed at her plate, "Let her live under the impression that I believe you cooked this breakfast, alright?"
"Okay", I nodded in agreement. It was really not much of a big deal anyways.
"See you later then", he said spotting Lauren and I replied with a smile.

I watched him join Lauren and they kissed briefly, before heading out. I sighed in relief once again, getting rid of the sweat beads off my forehead. I didn't think that Leon would be this perceptive or observant. I would have been really in a great trouble if it was some other guy, but fortunately these two traits of his, did save me today.

I smiled down at Shadow feeling lucky. He barked once and jerked his head towards his food bowl. I apologized to him as well and moved to fill his bowl. I was so worried about Lauren preparing breakfast that I had totally forgotten about my other responsibilities. Shadow enjoyed his meal and I looked down at the toxic waste that Lauren had prepared, and without thinking twice I dumped it in the bin, before moving to prepare breakfast for myself.

(Leon's POV)

I unlocked the door and dragged my feet into the living room, loosening my holster. I was really tired and I didn't have any idea about the time, as I flopped on the couch. I removed my holster and it felt as if I had removed heavy weights off my shoulder. I unlaced my shoes and pulled my feet out of them. I felt hungry, but I was so tired that I decided to just relax for a moment. Shadow rested his head on my knee and I rubbed behind his ears with a smile.

I let out a tired sigh, leaning back on the couch and making myself a little more comfortable. I rested my head on the back of the couch, closing my eyes. It really felt great doing that. It was so quiet that I could hear the clock tick. I involuntarily listened to the rhythmic sounds of clock, whilst relaxing. My body felt a little light but my head felt heavy, and a blankness spread over my eyes.

(Kate's POV)

I stepped out of my room to get some water, and I noticed that Leon's room's door was wide open, meaning he still didn't return yet. I couldn't help but pity that guy, as I descended the steps. I rubbed my eyes to confirm if what I was seeing was true. Leon had passed out on couch, with Shadow settled at foot of it. His things were nothing less than a mess on the living room floor. I decided not to disturb his peaceful sleep and walked to the kitchen and pulled open the fridge door to get water, and couldn't help but notice that the dinner was untouched.

I filled the jug and walked back to the living room wondering how much tired Leon must be that he crashed on the couch. I climbed up the stairs and went to my room. As I was settling in my bed, I couldn't help but think that it must be cold on that couch. So I walked to Leon's room, gathered up his blanket and again walked down the stairs to him. I looked at his sleeping form a bit, shaking my head a little, as I sighed. I put the blanket on him and adjusted it so it covered his feet. Then I moved to adjust it over his shoulders when he grabbed and pulled me.

"Ah…", a gasp of surprise escaped my lips, as I landed hard on top of him and it woke him up. I looked up at him as I said, "I am sorry I…", I stopped in mid sentence, as my gaze fell on to his face. Our faces were really close, mere inches apart, not to mention I was completely on top of him, and there was just his blanket between us, which I was still holding on to. His eyes were so deep, and I felt as if he was communicating with them. I lifted myself off him a bit and my hair fell on his face, "I am sorry", I said pulling it away from his face, since it definitely must have went in his eyes.

(Leon's POV)

I couldn't seem to look away from Kate's face, I knew she was beautiful, but up close she was more beautiful. She looked away, maybe my gaze was making her uncomfortable, and we both tried to get up so that we could get out of this uncomfortable situation. But we rolled over and fell down, and off the couch, with me landing on top of her. I saved her head from hitting the floor by keeping my hand under it, but she was definitely crushed under my weight.

"I am sorry", it was my turn to apologize. I looked down at her; her eyes were closed, "Are you okay?", I asked her in concern.
"I am fine", she replied nodding and opened her eyes to look up at me, "You're heavy!"
"And you are lighter than the average woman of your size", I said to her trying to ease up the atmosphere and got off her.
"How do you know?", she asked sitting up as well.
"Lauren is not my first girlfriend", I told her, with a slight shake of my head.
"How many you had?", she asked the very unexpected question and I looked at her for one long moment before answering.
"Lost count", I replied letting out a tired sigh.

Kate didn't say anything, she was probably wondering if what I said was true. After a long silence, I stood up and gave my hand to her. She took it and I pulled her up effortlessly, "Thanks!", she said in soft voice.
"I was the reason you were down", I couldn't help but say.
"It was not your fault", she said and before I could say anything, she added, "Anyways it's late, we should head upstairs and sleep", she handed me my blanket.

I nodded and without any further words, we headed upstairs, with Kate leading the way. I saw her enter her room and close the door. I walked to my room and closed the door too. I took a quick shower, pulled on clean clothes and got on the bed to sleep. The sheets were washed and the bed felt warm, but something felt missing. I stared at the ceiling wondering what, but my mind felt too tired to ponder on that thought. I closed my eyes letting out a sigh and a pair of deep blue eyes flashed in my memory. I tried to remember which one of my girlfriends those beautiful eyes belonged to, and thinking about that put me to sleep.

A/N: Thanks for giving your time to this chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it (even though it was kind of short) and I apologize for the grammatical mistakes and typos that might have caused an inconvenience. Please feel free to let me know how it was. See you all next week, with another chapter. :D