A/N: I am extremely grateful to all the readers, who have been reading, following, liking and reviewing this story, for making this story a hit. I would also like to thank the reviewers, KenLalaLaura, hodhod2011danger, mlivington1432, adela and Julie909, for sharing their views about the previous chapter. It gives me immense pleasure to know that the story is really loved by you all.

Chapter 20

(Kate's POV)

I silenced the alarm clock that was sitting on my bedside table and stayed in the bed, feeling a little down. I hugged the pillow close; without Leon in this house, I felt a little purpose less. I could wake up whenever I want, eat whatever I want and whenever I want. I didn't have too much work to do either. Although he didn't spend too much time here but now that he was actually away I realized that he might have been physically absent but his presence never left. My work started with waking up in time so I could make breakfast for him, then serving it to him; after he left for work, I had to tidy his room and bathroom, which were always a mess for some reason. Then do his laundry and dishes, iron his clothes, make dinner for him, and do other stuff in between.

It seemed my whole life was revolving around his, since I started working here. I let out a sigh and pulled the blanket away. Although I majorly worked for Leon, but I shouldn't forget that I have responsibility to take care of Shadow in his absence as well. Shadow came and sniffed me, as I got off the bed. I wished him morning, and he barked enthusiastically, as if wishing me back. I went to the bathroom, had a quick shower, dressed myself in my home clothes and headed downstairs, with Shadow following closely behind me.

The first thing I did was to fill his bowl and he got eating his breakfast. I moved to fix breakfast for me and then the home phone rang. I moved to receive the call but nobody said anything from the other end; thinking that it must have disconnected, I set the receiver back. I prepared my breakfast and had it all alone; wondering if this is how it feels to be lonely. I was startled by the ringing of the home phone once again, and I looked from my empty plate to the phone.

I raised myself off the seat and answered the phone, "Hello?", I spoke in the phone and again I couldn't hear anything, "Hello? Is anyone there?", I asked once again and then I heard a dead tone. I looked at the phone, wondering if there was something wrong with it. I made a mental note to call up a technician to check it out. I kept the receiver back and heard a phone ring once again but this time it was my cell phone. I checked it and it was Claire calling, "Hey Claire!", I answered with a smile.

"Hey, what are you doing?", Claire asked me from the other end, in her usual cheerful tone.
"Nothing much", I answered her, moving to put my dirty dishes in the sink, "Were you the one calling on the home phone?", I asked her.
"No, I just called your cell phone", she answered, "Anything wrong?"
"Well I guess it's broken, I can't hear the caller at the other end", I told her the truth, "But never mind, how can I help you?"
"Well it's weekend and it's my off, want to go shopping?", Claire asked me getting straight to the point.
"Yeah, sure", I accepted her invitation; I was bored without Leon anyways.
"So, I'll pick you up in an hour?", she more of suggested.
"Yeah, see you then", I agreed to her plan.

With that Claire hung up the phone and I got busy washing the dishes. I did a few more minor works around the house, when I heard the doorbell ringing. I hurried to get the main door, as someone rang the door bell. Shadow started to growl, even before I could open the door to see who the visitor was. When I opened the door both the visitor and I were surprised to see each other that we didn't say anything for at least a minute. The visitor was none other than Leon's girlfriend, Lauren. Her shock soon turned into exasperation and she gave me a displeased look. It was hard to believe that this woman broke down in tears some ten days ago and begged me to quit the job to save her relationship.

"Leon's not home, he's on a business trip", I told Lauren breaking the ice.
"I know he's on the trip. I am his girlfriend", she said emphatically in an arrogant tone, "I am surprised to see that you're still here", she gave me an icy stare.
"It's temporary", I told her the absolute truth, "I'd be leaving once Leon returns from his trip. I've already talked to him about it."
"If you have already talked to him why haven't you left already", Lauren asked me annoyed.
"He didn't have anyone to look after Shadow so I decided to look after him", I told her and she glared at me, "Since he's not here I won't be really getting between you two", I added quickly.
Lauren sighed, "Oh well it's just a couple of days, I guess it wouldn't hurt", she said starting to leave, "I came here to clean the place but since you're here, I guess that won't be needed. I'll be leaving then."

I didn't say anything in response, more of I didn't have anything to say in reply. Lauren left and I closed the door behind her and got back to what I was doing. It had been 2 days since Leon had left for his trip and I was literally counting days in this place. And every day I felt a little more miserable, it felt something like I was going through a rough break up, and I didn't even know how long I can hold on now. I let out a sigh, hoping that a shopping spree with Claire would definitely cheer me up, at least it might distract me for a bit.

(Leon's POV)

My colleagues and I talked casually, as we waited for our breakfast at a restaurant. I guess breakfast was the only meal we could have peacefully, since after that there was no guarantee if we'll even get to have lunch and by the time we had dinner, we were too tired to even chew on to it. These protective detail missions were always so tightly scheduled that one barely got any time to breathe. We were always on high alert, senses strained and always on our toes, to tackle anything and everything, but for now we could relax a little.

Everyone laughed at John's impersonation of someone, and just then we spotted two servers bringing us our order. They set everything on the table and every one thanked them, as they pulled their plates closer to eat. I took a sip of my coffee, since nothing woke me up better than a hot steaming mug of black coffee. I almost cringed when I tasted the coffee, because it was a little sweeter than what I usually have; but I just couldn't really go making a fuss about it, so I kept my silence, and started with my breakfast.

"Man, I miss Kate", John whined, almost crying from my side, "And her handmade food, which is much better than anything these restaurants serve" And I agreed with him on this one.
"Who's Kate? Your girlfriend?", one of our colleagues asked him curiously.
"No, but I want her to be", he told them sadly, all a part of his usual act.
"Is she really a great cook?", another of our co-workers asked.
"One of the best I've ever met", John answered, "Isn't it right, Leon?", and I affirmed him, apparently my testimony was more reliable than his.
"Is she that good", one of the other agents asked in surprise.

"She is so good that I want her to marry me", John said out loud animatedly, turning to look at me.
"What?!", I asked him calmly.
"Ask her to marry me", he grabbed my arm and shook me wildly.
"I can't help you on this buddy", I told him, concentrating on my breakfast, "She already told you off multiple times", I reminded him.
"Why? Why won't she marry me", he again said dramatically like a love struck hopelessly romantic guy.
"Because you're a pain in neck", I stated the obvious fact and everyone laughed at that.

"It's unfair that you have her all to yourself", John whined more, crossing his arms.
"Dude, she won't bat an eye to you, if she's Kennedy's girlfriend", again one of the agents joked.
"She's just his housekeeper", John told him casually, "And she's single."
"Is she cute", one of the guys asked curiously.
"Yes, she is", John answered nodding.
"Forget about cute, is she hot?", another one asked John.

I shook my head slightly and couldn't help but smile, as Kate became the hot topic on the breakfast. Every agent here seemed curious and interested in her, even if they were dating or married. John was flooded with questions and I wasn't spared either, after all dating was hell in this line of job. Some remembered her from the time she visited my workplace and they all started to discuss how beautiful she was. It was a pretty normal reaction among guys to be curious about women, but I was slightly bothered with all this discussing, almost to the point of annoyance, possibly because I couldn't eat anything due them asking my opinion and confirmation on everything, since I spend comparatively more time with her.

When the discussions settled down, all the single men asked me to pass Kate's number to them but I denied, since it would be inappropriate to do so without her permission. I didn't want Kate to be bothered by these men suddenly popping up to date her, no matter how much of a nice guy they all are. And so I was asked to pass on their numbers to Kate instead. I couldn't help but slightly frown at them, mentally deciding that I am not going to pass any of their numbers to Kate.

It was then that my phone buzzed and I saw that I had received a text. I checked the text and it was from Lauren saying, 'I am really missing you. I wish you could be here with me. I love you!'
"Ah a text from your girlfriend, huh?", John teased, as he sneakily tried to read the text, "Let me see what she sent."

I immediately pulled my phone away from his sight and kept it back in my pocket, as someone else commented, "Man, look at you always surrounded by women."
I let out a laugh, "It's nothing like that", I shook my head a little, looking at my watch, "And we should all concentrate on eating rather than on women, we don't have too much time now", I changed the subject, since I didn't really want the conversation to head in the direction of my private life.

All men agreed with me and our conversations turned more trivial or work related, as we had our breakfast. Once we were done with the breakfast, we paid our tabs and headed out to get back to our work. As we exited the restaurant, John once again commented about missing Kate's cooking. I let out a laugh and told him that it was already the fourth day, so we were already past the half mark of our trip, to cheer him up.

(Leon's POV)

I used the electronic key to get into my hotel room. I turned on the lights of the room and closed the door behind me. I removed my jacket and threw it on the loveseat in the room. I emptied my pockets and sat on the bed removing my holster. I undid my shoes and relaxed a little, before getting up and moving to get my clothes while unbuttoning my shirt. I went in the bathroom to have a hot and relaxing shower, to release all day's tension of my muscles.

I put on my sleepwear and lied down on the bed, letting out a tired sigh. I reached to turn off the light, but grabbed my phone that was resting on the bedside table instead. I looked at the time; it was a little over 12:00 AM. It had been six days that I had been away from home but I didn't feel home sick. Somehow, staying at a hotel was very much similar to staying at home, where I just went back to eat and sleep. Leaving out a few minor details, hotel and home were very much similar to me in essence and yet for some reason I felt a little differently about my home now.

I again looked at my phone and realized that I had subconsciously scrolled down to Kate's name on my contact's list. I hadn't heard from her for past two days, since I was always too late to call her, but I hoped that Shadow wasn't causing too much trouble for her. I closed my eyes for a bit and was reminded of something. I opened my eyes and again looked at time; it was 12:20 AM.

"She must be sleeping", I muttered to myself staring at her contact number on my phone for some time. I took in a deep breath, as I made a video call to her, and sat up on my bed, keeping my back against the headboard of the bed to be comfortable.
I waited patiently for her to take the call, although there was a huge possibility that she was already fast asleep. After the first two rings, she took my call and her image appeared on my phone screen. It seemed like she was in her room, "Hey Leon", she smiled at me beautifully.
"Hey, did I wake you up?", I asked her hoping that I didn't disturb her sleep.
"No", she shook her head, "We were waiting for your call", she adjusted her phone camera a little so I could see Shadow by her side.
"Are you missing me?", I don't know why but I asked her, and that too in an almost flirty tone.
She frowned at me saying, "Leon!"

"I am sorry I forgot you didn't like me flirting", I apologized to her sincerely. I didn't even know why I was flirting with her; if someone asked me to back off I do so. It was not like me to 'forget' such things, "So how is it going there?"
"Everything is fine as it can be", Kate replied with a smile, petting Shadow.
"He's not troubling you, is he?", I asked looking from her to my dog by her side.
"No, not at all", she told me shaking her head in negative, "He's behaving perfectly. He misses you a lot though", she looked at him and he barked in confirmation whining a little, "He was desperately waiting for your call for past two days."
"Is that so?", I asked a little doubtfully, narrowing my eyes.
"Yeah he was", she said with a couple of nods, "He brought me my phone, if at all I left it somewhere, as if he wanted to make sure I take your call whenever you call. It was really very cute and adorable!"

"So one has to be cute and adorable to be on your bed, huh?", I was saying it before I realized I was flirting with her again. Kate didn't say anything but looked at me a little displeased and I cursed my habit of subconscious flirting, "So, anyways I called to give you a bad news", I changed the topic running a hand through my hair.
"What bad news?", she asked and her brows furrowed in concern.
"My trip has been extended a few more days", I told her the truth with a sigh of tiredness.
"How many?", she asked in a business like tone.
"Can't say it's indefinite", I told her with a shrug.
"Oh", she said in response and didn't really look pleased with the information.

"I am sorry", I felt like apologizing.
"Why are you sorry?", she asked sounding a little bewildered.
"Your plans got stuck because of me", I replied feeling bad about it.
"It's fine, I guess it won't be more than a couple of days", she said dismissively, "Besides it's not your fault", she let out a sigh. She looked sideways, "Anyways it's late, we should sleep", she looked back at me.
"Yeah", I agreed with her.
"Goodnight then", she wished me a little formally.
"Goodnight", I wished her back and my screen went blank, as she disconnected the call.

I ended the call on my end too and lied back down on the bed, keeping my phone back on the side table. I turned off the lights to make the room darker and pulled the blanket on myself. As I lied on my back staring up at the ceiling, I couldn't help but remember the recent turn of events in my life, the ones that I expected and the ones that took me by surprise. I again let out a sigh and tossed those thoughts out of my head; it was nothing new or worth bothering myself for, so I closed my eyes to get some sleep.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and I apologize for the typos and grammatical mistakes, which might have caused you trouble comprehending the context of the story. Just 3 more chapters are remaining, before this story concludes, so please feel free to comment about the chapter or the story. I'll see you all next week with a new chapter, till then take care!