A/N: I'd like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the readers and reviewers, mlivingston1432, KenLalaLaura, Elisona Wesker, hodhod2011danger and Shirahane Aikawa, for your all love, support and encouragement to the story.

Chapter 12

(Kate's POV)

I was just finished with preparing breakfast, when I heard the sounds of footsteps on the kitchen floor. I turned back to spot Claire walking in the kitchen. She wished me morning cheerfully and I greeted her back with a smile, pouring her a cup of coffee. It was her last day here in DC and it was supposed to be an off day of work for her, but she was dressed very formally to stay back home.

"You have to go to work?", I asked her casually, offering her coffee, as she took a seat.
"Yeah they called me last evening and said if I was still in DC, they need to discuss something very important with me", she replied sipping her coffee.
"Oh I see!", I said turning back and starting to plate the breakfast. Leon might be coming down for breakfast any minute now.

"Good Morning, guys!", I heard him say, as he stepped in the kitchen, and that too just after I thought of him.
"Good morning!", Claire said wishing him cheerfully.
"Good…", I was saying, as I turned to serve them breakfast, when I lost my words and voice at sight of Leon, "Morning!", I managed to complete my sentence setting the plates in front of him and Claire.
"Nice jacket Leon!", Claire complimented him, looking sideways at me, since he was wearing the jacket that I had gifted him last night.
"Kate got it for me, isn't it great?", he spoke really casually about it, as I settled to have breakfast with them as well.
"Yeah it is", Claire agreed with him, as I sipped my coffee to avoid her teasing gaze, "Anything presented with love is great!", she added and it made me spit out my coffee in surprise.

Both Leon and Claire looked at me in surprise, and then Claire broke into a fits of laughter, while Leon gave me a look of bewilderment, "Are you alright?", he asked me in a concerned tone.
"Yeah… I was just…", I looked at Claire, who was still laughing at me, "Please stop laughing at me!", I couldn't help but say to her embarrassed.
"I am sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel bad", Claire said apologizing but she had a wide smile on her face.

Leon didn't ask me anything and didn't even bother to comment. He and Claire had some conversation over the breakfast, but I kept my silence. I was really filled with conflicting feelings, when I saw Leon wearing the jacket I got for him. My heart was trying to jump to cloud nine but I tried to keep it grounded, by telling it that it was nothing unusual. It wasn't like he'd keep the jacket in a showcase; sooner or later he would've worn it. But I allowed myself to be happy about the fact that he was looking really cool and appealing in that jacket.

They both raised themselves off their seat, once they were finished with their breakfast. Leon offered to drop Claire to her work, and she gladly accepted it. Like always, Leon asked me to take care of his home and Shadow, which I only replied with an assuring nod. And then they both left to be at their work.

(Leon's POV)

I looked at my watch it was about 6:50 PM. As we had planned yesterday morning, we were all supposed to go for my late birthday party and Claire's see off party; at least it was supposed to be that. But when I returned in the evening she informed me that Terrasave was offering her a better position in their DC branch and she had decided to accept the position, and so this party became my late birthday party and Claire's promotion celebration. So, here I was waiting for Claire and Kate to get ready. We were supposed to leave by 7:00 PM, but of course with two women it was somewhat impossible.

I was all ready and tried to while away my time by watching TV, when I heard footsteps in the outer corridor. I lifted my eyes to the door entrance, as Kate entered through the living room door. She was wearing a pretty, light pink colored, knee length dress and looked very different from the way I used to see her. Her hair was down, usually she had it in a bun or braided, and it was the first time I noticed that it was pretty long, almost reaching down to her waist. It was really refreshing to see her this way, she looked really cute.

Kate smiled at me apologetically, "I am sorry for the delay", she said to me. Shadow barked at her and she looked down at him, "Oh I forgot to fill your bowl", with that she hurried to the kitchen.

I watched Shadow follow Kate to the kitchen, wagging his tail happily. I looked at my watch it was 7:03 PM. I shook my head in disbelief at the fact that Kate apologized for making me wait for 3 minutes. She probably got ready by 7:00 PM, considering that it might have taken her a minute or so to get down. She was possibly the only woman I know that got ready on time. Then again she has always been so humble that she even apologizes when it isn't her mistake. I couldn't help but smile a little at her modesty.

"What are you smiling about?", Claire asked from my side and I looked at her. She was wearing a red halter neck top with a black skirt. Her hair like usual was tied in a ponytail, "We can go once Kate comes down."
"She's already ready", I told her and Kate walked back to the living room.
"Hey you're looking really great!", Kate said spotting Claire, "It's a nice a contrast from your casual look."

(Kate's POV)

"You are looking gorgeous too", Claire said and then she turned to Leon, "Isn't she, Leon?"
Claire gave me a teasing smirk and I gave her friendly glare, "Yeah", Leon said, of course he wouldn't say I am looking bad, out of basic human consideration, "Shall we get going?"
"Yeah", Claire agreed and we started to leave.

Shadow whined a little, as we started to move out, and even though it wasn't necessary, Leon bent down and assured him that we'd be back home soon so as to calm him down. I locked the door while Leon got his car off the driveway. I took the backseat and Claire occupied the side seat. Leon drove to Lauren's apartment and we talked a little through the drive. Once there Leon parked his car in front of her building and called her up.

"I am here to pick you up", He informed her on the phone, "I can't, Claire and Kate are with me", he replied and waited for her to respond, "Okay we're waiting in the car, so hurry up."
"What happened?", Claire asked him.
"She needs 10 minutes to get ready", Leon replied with a sigh.

The three of us waited for Lauren talking to each other, and then our talks died down. Claire looked at her watch since it was almost half an hour, since we were waiting for Lauren, and it was getting really boring now. I was starting to feel hungry already and hoped my stomach won't embarrass me. The three of us tried to be patient, but Leon was really patient about it.

"How long is she going to take?", Claire said looking at her watch again.
"Well it's usual for her", Leon informed very casually, not even bothering to look at his watch, as if he knew there was still time for her to show up.
"I am hungry", Claire complained.
"Yeah me too", I couldn't help but agree with her.
"Why don't you go and bring her down", Claire suggested him, "John must have been already there."
"Well I am supposed to call him once we leave here because I predicted this might happen", Leon told her and opened his side door; "Anyways I'll go and get her."
"Yeah, I'll take the backseat, she might not like me taking her place", Claire said getting out too, as Leon started to move inside the building.

(Leon's POV)

I barely took a few steps towards the building, when I spotted Lauren cat walking out of the building. She was wearing a midnight blue dress. The dress was extremely sexy; it fitted her body well, had deep neckline and hung a little above her knees. Her hair was styled beautifully and she looked tempting in every way, that all the men were giving her a second look. She looked pretty pleased with such a treatment. She smiled seductively at me and moved to kiss me.

I complimented her with a smile and led her back to the car. I got the door for her, before rounding off to the driver seat. I called John to inform him that we were finally leaving for the restaurant. Luckily I had made a reservation for 8:00 PM, foreseeing that Lauren would delay us for sure. Lauren was the only one to talk, as we drove to restaurant. I could hear Kate and Claire talk among themselves, but Lauren was the only one talking to me, and she made sure she don't give an opening to Claire so she could talk to me.

When we reached the restaurant, John was already waiting for us there. He complimented both Claire and Kate. Lauren didn't fail to get attention here as well. The host showed us to our table and we had a good time having our dinner and celebrating, except the time when Lauren came to know that Claire got promoted and will be moving to DC. However, she calmed down when Claire told her that she would get a place of her own instead of crashing at my place, now that she has to live and work here in DC.

After dinner, I paid the bill and we all walked out of the restaurant. Claire pulled on her jacket, Kate pulled on her shawl and I put my coat around Lauren's shoulders, because she didn't seem to be carrying anything warm. We had to wait a little till the valets got us our cars. John bade us goodbyes and headed his own way. And I dropped Lauren back home and walked her back to her apartment, since it was pretty late at night. She wanted me to stay but since I had Claire and Kate with me, I saw it fit to decline her offer, even though when I really wanted to stay back and spend the night with her. So, I walked back to the car and drove back home, with Claire and Kate.

(Kate's POV)

I unlocked the door and the three of us entered the house feeling really tired. Shadow came to welcome us happily and we gave him a pat on his head. Leon's phone rang, as I moved to check Shadow's food and water bowls. Claire informed us that she was going to sleep and wished us good night and we wished her back. I filled his water bowl, even though it was half full, and then headed up to my room. As I walked through the living room, where Leon was having a conversation on his phone; he got off the call and sighed.

"What happened?", I asked him casually.
"Nothing much", he replied as we both made our way up the stairs, "They asked me report earlier to work tomorrow and that means you have to get up early too."
"No problem", I said to him, "By what time you need breakfast?"
"Around 6:00 AM, I have to report by 7:00 AM", he told me as we moved to our respective rooms.
"Okay I'd get it done", I said opening my room door, "Good night then!"
"You too", he said getting in his room and closing the door.

I got in my room and changed out of my dress and into my nightwear. I brushed my hair, staring absentmindedly at my image in the mirror. Every time I looked in the mirror I felt a little empty inside, well in a manner of speaking my heart wasn't with me. I just wanted to fall out of this love as soon as possible. It all seemed so ironic, that I wanted to stop loving Leon but I couldn't even stop myself from thinking about him.

I let out my concerns with a heavy sigh and kept my hairbrush down. I didn't have time to think about my love life now, since I have to wake up early tomorrow. I couldn't let this unexpected love to get in the way of my responsibilities. I turned off the light and made myself comfortable on the bed, so I could easily drift off to sleep.

(Leon's POV)

I thanked Kate, as she served me breakfast with a bright smile. She poured me coffee and then moved to do other things. I wondered why she wasn't having her breakfast with me like always, and after watching her work in the kitchen for a bit I couldn't help but ask, "You're not having breakfast?"

"I'll have it later with Claire", she replied not looking at me.
"I see", I said in response, not really knowing what else to say.
"But I guess I can have my coffee with you", she said sitting down in front of me with her coffee cup, "I need some coffee to wake me up", she added with an evident tiredness in her voice.
"I am sorry that you had to wake you up this early for me", I apologized feeling a little regretful. Given the fact that she had to prepare breakfast and all, she must have been woken up at 5:00AM in the morning.
"It's nothing! It's my job after all", she said casually sipping her coffee, "If I won't do it then who else would."

"Maybe my wife, if I get married in future", I joked with her.
"Then I won't really be here", Kate said to me with a smile.
"You would be, if I married you", I said with a smile as well, and her expressions changed abruptly.
"Did you just flirt with me?", she asked in a surprised tone, totally taken aback.
"Well I didn't mean to offend you", I told her. The last thing I wanted was to make her feel uncomfortable, "It was almost a reflex kind of thing."
"I see", she raised one of her brows at me, "You flirt as a reflex often?", she asked me with a friendly smile.

"All the time", it was Claire who replied before me, "Talk about all the time he got in trouble with that habit of his."
"Why? What happened?", Kate gave me a curious look.
"A lot of misunderstandings", I replied remembering some of those incidences, "My girlfriends thought I was trying to hit on their friends; some men thought I was hitting on their girlfriends or wives; and some women took me too seriously and wanted to date, when I had no such intentions."
Kate laughed and Claire joined her, "I can only imagine it all in my head and I just know it must have been funny", she said between her laughs.
"Believe me it was!", Claire told her laughing as well.

"Now I have to go to work", I said wiping my mouth on a napkin, "Sorry I couldn't take you to the airport", I added to Claire. Although she was transferred here but she decided to get back to her place, so she could move in with her things here before she takes up work here in DC.
"I understand, you don't have to worry about it", she said and moved to hug me.
"Have a safe trip", I wished her with a smile.
"And you have a good day!", she wished me back.
"Have a good day!", Kate wished me as well, as I stepped out to head to work.

(Kate's POV)

I turned to look at Claire and she was smiling at me broadly, it was obvious that she was very happy. I asked her what it was about and she just shook her head, so I got myself busy in serving her breakfast, but she continued to give me that, something like, a victory smile. I served her breakfast and sat down to have it with her. I tried to concentrate on my breakfast, but her smile was a little distracting.

"What?!", I couldn't help but ask her again, feeling a little annoyed, but she didn't say anything, "Claire?"
"He flirted with you!", Claire said, clapping joyously.
"So what, it's a reflexive thing for him, isn't it?", I tried to keep myself grounded, "And you said it yourself. It has no meaning, even he said he flirted with women, whom he had no intentions of dating or anything."
"Yeah, but don't you see the difference?", Claire asked me and I kept my silence. It really came as a shock when he flirted with me and I felt happy, but I shouldn't forget what I am really here for and that Leon already has a girlfriend, "He didn't flirt with you before, going by his nature he should have already but he didn't. He flirted with you just now…"
"Claire, please I don't want to be this way. I want to fall out of this love and you are really not helping me", I said to her and pushed my plate away, losing my appetite all of a sudden.

Claire sighed but didn't say anything, and continued to eat her breakfast. After a little while, we resumed our better moods and talked, but we didn't really talk on the subject of my love life. John showed up some time later and we said goodbyes to Claire for the time being. I wished her a safe flight and she gave me a parting hug, before leaving for airport with John.

I sighed watching her leave. Although, we had our differences about expressing my feelings to Leon, but these past few days she really helped me to vent out. She had really become a great friend in such a short span of time that we spent together. And now that she's gone I really feared, if I could keep my feelings bottled up for long. But then again I had her number and she would be back soon, so maybe I just have to hold out for a few more days. I just wished to be cured of this unexpected love and the pain that it brought along with it.

(Leon's POV)

I woke up with a start drenched in cold sweat and my breath short. It was dark and very uncomfortably quiet. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness I was relieved to see the white ceiling of my living room. I had again passed out on the couch and just had one of those stupid nightmares.

"Are you alright?", I heard a voice and looked sideways to Kate, kneeling down next to me. My heart was still beating fast and the scenes of nightmare still fresh in my mind sealed my voice, "Leon?", she called out to me and gave me a concerned look.
"I am fine!", I told her sitting up and running a hand in my hair.
"You don't sound too well. Are you having a fever", she said touching my forehead, "Did you have a nightmare?", she asked and her hand slid from my forehead to my cheek, and for a brief moment I wanted to just lean in her palm.
"It's nothing", I told her pulling her hand away, but I just couldn't let go of her hand. Holding on to her hand was somehow comforting at the moment.

Kate's nervous gaze shifted from my face to my hand that was holding on to her hand tight. My brain was asking it to let go of her hand, but as if my hand had a mind of its own, it kept its grip firm on her hand. I just hoped that she doesn't misunderstand me. She again looked back at me but her gaze was warm and kind. She kept her free hand over mine and smiled at me.

"It'll be alright", Kate said comforting me, "I am here!", she smiled at me.
I looked in her eyes and it helped me to calm down, "Thanks!", I said finally letting go of her hand.
"It's my pleasure", she smiled up at me once again, "Let's head up to our rooms and sleep now", she added standing up, "Or do you want me to heat up dinner for you?"
"I'd sleep. I am not that hungry", I replied, standing up as well.

Kate gave me a nod and picked up a blanket; she was probably putting a blanket on me like the last time, when I woke up from the nightmare. We climbed up the stairs, with her leading the way. When we reached the hallway that led to our rooms, she handed me the blanket and wished me good night. I watched her move to her room, as I stood at the door to my room. I don't really know what I was expecting, but I was waiting for something. I saw Kate stop at her door and after a long minute she turned slowly to face me.

"If you need anything, just wake me up alright", Kate said with an evident line of concern on her face, "Sleep well and sweet dreams!"
"You too", I wished her back.

Kate returned back to her room and closed the door behind her. I let out a sigh of disbelief, as I entered my room as well, even after years my past haunted me. It was both funny and pathetic that I was still scared of these things, by now I should be used to it; but well at least I was more resourceful on field than in dreams. I shook my head, letting out a laugh at my own thoughts, and threw the blanket, that I was holding, on to the bed. I moved to wardrobe to get my sleepwear, headed to the bathroom for a quick shower and then lied down on the bed to get some sleep.

A/N: Thanks for taking out your time and giving this chapter a read, I hope you all enjoyed it. I apologize for all the typos and grammatical mistakes that might have been troublesome in understanding the context. I'll be glad to hear your thoughts on the chapter, so please feel free to share your views. My next update might be delayed; so see you all next time, have a great day!