A/N: I am extremely thankful to all the readers and reviewers, mlivingston1432, KenLalaLaura, adela, Roguasashin and the anonymous reviewer, for their support and encouragement.

Chapter 22

(Leon's POV)

I felt super tired and almost struggled to keep my eyes open, as I made my way to the kitchen. I wasn't able to sleep properly last night because my nightmares kept me awake and disturbed all night. Usually when I am tired I don't have nightmares, but last night it wasn't the case and despite being extremely tired the nightmares came to haunt me. And they couldn't get any more twisted. Every time I thought I came across an ally, they turned into one of those hideous monsters and tried to kill me. I shook my head, not wanting to really think about that nightmare anymore.

When I entered the kitchen, I saw John talking to Kate, "So you're really quitting?", he asked Kate in surprise.
"Yeah I am", Kate confirmed it with a nod and then she noticed me, "Good morning!", she wished me with a smile.
"Good Morning!", I wished her back wearily, taking a seat next to John. I noticed an old woman standing next to Kate, smiling at me.
"Allow me to introduce her", Kate said, noticing that I was slightly puzzled by the old lady's presence, "She's Mrs. Audrey Smith. She can do all the household chores and she cooks like a pro. Her husband owned a small pet shelter so she's experienced with pets as well, and since she is a retired nurse, she even knows first aid and can give you medical assistance if need be."

"Why are you telling me all this?", I asked her bewildered about such a long introduction.
"Well while you were away, Claire and I took the liberty of getting you a new housekeeper", Kate explained with a smile, "And Mrs. Smith turned out to be perfect…", Kate hadn't completed her sentence when Shadow started to bark very loudly and angrily at the old woman.
"Shadow!", I called out his name in warning and he quieted down, "I am sorry but as you can see my dog doesn't really like you, so I really can't employ you to look after him", I added to the woman politely, "I apologize for all the trouble."
"It's alright Mr. Kennedy, I understand. Kathleen already told me that you'll make the final decision of my employment", Mrs. Smith smiled at me understandably.
"I am sorry to have called you this early for nothing", Kate apologized to the lady.
"It's no problem my dear", the old woman said to her with a smile, "Now I would like to take your leave."
"Let me show you to the door", Kate said and the two women left the kitchen.

I sighed looking down at my untouched breakfast and as I made a move to cut my omelet, John nudged me, "You're really letting her go?", he asked me in an extremely surprised tone.
"Well she wants to quit, I can't stop her", I told him the undeniable truth.
"I'd miss her food", John whined, as Kate stepped back in the kitchen, "Hey if you can't marry me, then at least agree to work for me?", he added to her.
Kate let out a laugh, "No, I am quitting this housekeeper job for good", she replied getting herself a plate of breakfast and sitting down to eat with us.

I shook my head slightly, concentrating on my breakfast and ignoring John's rant about how he'd miss Kate's cooking. I cut my omelet and put it in my mouth. And once it was in my mouth, I felt like spitting it out. It wasn't because it tasted terrible or something; to be honest it tasted good but it was very different from what I was used to, and this sudden change of flavor caused my taste buds to choke on it. I kept a hand on my mouth, so as not to spit it out and quickly drank coffee to push it down my throat.

"What's wrong?", John asked me in a tone of amusement, snickering a little.
"You didn't cook this, right?", I asked Kate, feeling annoyed for some reason.
"Mrs. Smith did", she replied innocently, "Is it not good?", she asked looking at my plate.
"It's different", I said pushing my plate away, losing my appetite all of sudden.
"Should I make you something else?", Kate asked me in a concerned tone.
"Cheese omelets and French toasts", my tongue worked faster than my mind, 'Didn't I lose my appetite just now?', I asked myself, as I watched Kate moving to prepare what I had asked her for breakfast.

John asked Kate to make some for him too and she agreed with a smile. John again complained about how he'd miss her cooking and now I could relate to what he was saying. I always knew she cooked very tasty food but it's only now that I realized I really liked the food she made. Whenever Lauren made me eat outside, I couldn't eat much; I thought it was because of my general dislike for restaurant food, from always eating out in a restaurant, but now that I ate someone else's homemade cooking I could say that I was more fond of Kate's handmade food.

"Here", Kate said putting the freshly prepared omelets and toast in front of us, "Enjoy it while you can because once I am gone, nobody would serve you breakfast like this."
"You really want to leave, don't you?", I asked her with a forced smile.
"Of course I do", she replied with a nod, "Today is my last day because tomorrow I'll be leaving!"

I didn't have any words to say to her, but I knew it for sure that this particular morning I didn't feel right, when she talked about leaving. It came as a surprise when she told me she wanted to quit the very first time and the second time wasn't really any different. I always knew that she won't be working for me forever, but this all just seemed too sudden, and I wasn't really prepared for it. I guess I wasn't really fond of saying goodbyes to people.

(Leon's POV)

I really couldn't focus on work today, not that I had my complete dedication, whenever I had to deal with paper work, but today I found it extremely difficult to concentrate on this report. I was a person that was more suited to field jobs than desk jobs, and today I really felt exhausted due to the lack of sleep. I sighed, leaning back on my chair and looked sideways to the big window. I don't know why, but I raised myself off the chair and walked to it. As I stared at the city, I couldn't help but feel relaxed.

I was glad Kate pointed out this beautiful scenery to me. I was grateful to her for so many things. She stayed longer than she wanted to, and that to just because I had to leave city for work. She even went to the extent of finding me another housekeeper. She really deeply cared about me and knew that it would really be troublesome for me once she leaves. Before her, I didn't really think about these things; but after experiencing how nice it all was, it would be a little bothersome to go back to that old routine. I guess I should try and seek for another housekeeper as well, or maybe make Shadow get along with the one Kate got and hope for the best.

"Hey", I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked back to see John, "Something bothering you?"
"Not really", I shook my head, "I was just thinking how inconvenient it all would be, once Kate leaves. No breakfast, no dinner, no clean bed, no one to look after Shadow, no one to wish me morning with a bright smile and no one to pull a blanket on me when I'll accidentally fall asleep on the couch."
"Is that your way of saying you would miss her", John asked me in a confused tone.
I looked at him in deep shock; I hadn't even realized it myself that I would really miss her, "Yeah", I replied in a very low tone, thinking about my own obliviousness.

"Well you should really let her know", John said slapping my back, "She'd be really happy to know, and who knows she might change her mind?", he added with a shrug. I hummed in response, thinking about what he said to me, wondering if it was really enough to make her stay. She had her own life goals and ambitions, and I wasn't really sure she would want to stay a housekeeper all her life. I knew she was very desperate for a source of income when she came to work for me, but now it wasn't really the case. She could work at a much better place for a much better salary. I don't see why she would want to work for me, "C'mon let's go meet them", John's voice pulled me away from my thoughts.

"Meet who?", I asked him, as he half dragged me out of the office.
"Claire and Kate, who else?", John said in an obvious tone, "We haven't seen Claire for two weeks now."
"Oh yeah", I said in realization and followed him.

We took the elevator down to the basement parking and I drove to the café, where we were supposed to meet the women. Claire was already waiting for us but there was no sign of Kate. Claire waved, when she spotted us, and we made our way to the table. She stood up to give us a warm friendly hug, as we greeted each other.

"You seem like you didn't get enough sleep", Claire said reading me as always, as we took our seats.
"Nightmares!", I kept my explanation short and was reminded of that horrible dream.
"Oh sorry", Claire said sympathetically.
"Kate's not here?", John asked her and I looked at her as well.
"Well she should be here by now", Claire said dialing Kate's number, "She's not even picking my call."
I felt my heart beat pace up, "For how long she's not answering your calls?", I asked Claire.
"Umm… maybe 10-15 minutes", Claire replied with a shrug.

I didn't think twice before standing up from my chair and turning to head for my car to go look for Kate. But before I could even take a step away from the table, I spotted Kate making her way to us, with her usually bright smile. I felt relieved, more than relieved actually, to see her well. Claire yelled to her and she waved back to let her know that she had seen us. Shadow ran to me and I petted him once, still keeping my eyes on Kate, as she walked past people to join us.

"Sorry, did I make you guys wait long?", Kate asked joining us with an apologetic smile.
"Oh it's fine but why weren't you answering your phone", Claire asked her, as we both took our seats.
"Oh well I forgot it at home", she replied to her casually.
"But still you took a lot of time to get here", John asked her in matter-of-fact tone.
"Well I had to take care of some personal stuff so I can leave", she replied to him and it irked me a little bit.

"Oh I see", John said in realization, "I'd really miss you when you'd be gone."
"Me or my cooking?", Kate asked him raising her brows.
"Well that too but I'd miss you for sure", he replied being very serious.
"Aww… that's really sweet", Kate responded with a smile.
"I'll miss you too", Claire said to her, "But you'll be in the same city, so we'll keep visiting each other", she spoke very demandingly.

"Ah well I am moving to Michigan", Kate said and from everyone's expression on the table it seemed I wasn't the only one who was surprised to know that, "I have a friend there, who said I could work in his clinic."
"And you're telling us now?!", Claire asked her in shock.
"I am sorry but I forgot to mention it", Kate said in an apologetic tone.
Claire let out a sigh, "Oh well at least keep calling", she said to Kate expectantly.
"Well I won't have a cell phone or a home phone connection for some time", Kate made an excuse once again.
"Huh? What do you mean?", Claire asked her bewildered.
"Oh well Leon bought me my current cell phone, so of course when I leave it would get passed on to his new housekeeper. And to keep my expenses low I won't be getting a connection anytime soon", she explained and again I felt a little annoyed.

"You can keep the cell phone", I told her speaking straight to the point.
"Oh but we made a deal when you got it that it'll be only for the time I am working for you", Kate argued with me.
"It's fine; just forget about that stupid deal. You can keep the cell phone", I said to her dismissively.
"I only took that phone on the condition that when I leave, I leave that phone behind", she reminded me and once again the thought of her leaving aggravated me, because it was reminding me of my nightmare.
"Kate, I said it's fine you can keep it!", I repeated putting a weight on my voice.
"No, I'd just leave it behind whether you like it or not", she disagreed with me.
"If you want to leave just leave!", I raised my voice at her, as my nightmare rolled into a movie in my head.

Kate, she was there in my nightmare. After running and fighting through a lot of people that turned into BOWs, I ran into Kate. I was beat and hurt, and almost dying, when she came to my rescue. She was the only one who didn't turn into a BOW, and helped me. She tended to my wounds and saved me. But before I could even thank her, she was impaled by a BOW and I couldn't even protect her in the sorry state I was. She died and left me alone in that god forsaken nightmare. My despair at the moment was so unbearable that it woke me up and I couldn't fall asleep after that.

My heartbeat elevated, as I lived that nightmare once again in my head. It was the first time that I was so vividly reminded of my nightmare. Kate was looking at me surprised, then her expressions softened and eyes moistened as if she was hurt. I felt like a jerk for almost shouting at her over such a silly thing.

"Leon, are you alright?", Kate asked, looking at me with a deep concern in her eyes.
"I'm sorry I shouldn't have yelled", I apologized to her, "But I'd appreciate it if you could keep that cell phone, as a farewell gift?"
"I can't", she said to me with a shake of her head, "I respect your feelings but I can't accept that."
"It's almost like you don't want to be in contact with us", John said to her with a pout.
"It's not like that", Kate said to him, again shaking her head in negative, "Besides I guess you guys will be busier than me."
"We'll always have time for you", Claire said to her, "Right guys?", she asked us, looking our way.
"Yes of course", John agreed with her and I just nodded.

Kate smiled at that, and Claire very strictly told her that whenever she gets a phone she is supposed to call Claire and pass on her number. It seemed Claire wanted to make sure Kate doesn't drift away too much. When it came to keeping in touch Claire was really good at it. No matter where she was or what she was doing, she could always make time for her friends. If it wasn't for her, we would've just been friends for namesake, since I hardly ever remember to call my friends and stay updated about their lives.

Our chats turned to more trivial matters, and being in the company of my friends made me forget about the terrible dream full of BOWs. Like always, we had our lunch together, enjoying each other's company, but clearly there was something missing; we lacked our usual vibe. John wasn't really into cracking jokes that much, Claire also lacked her usual cheerfulness, Kate wasn't talking much either and I just felt really tired to even be here. On the outside we were acting normal but on inside maybe we all were really upset that Kate would be leaving tomorrow.

(Leon's POV)

The lights were already out when I returned home, which meant that Kate was already fast asleep. I just had to deal with paperwork and could've been home earlier but even then, I don't know what made me stay back to write those boring reports, when my body was screaming out of tiredness. It's just that I felt like avoiding Kate, maybe because if I talked to her then our conversation possibly would have gotten to her 'leaving part' and I might have lost my calm once again. I hadn't slept properly and it wasn't easy to keep check of one's emotion in such a state, and I'd really hate if Kate sees me in a negative light, for all I know maybe she already does.

I made my way to the living room, removing my jacket and just letting it drop on the floor. I loosened my holster and relaxed on the couch for a bit. I didn't feel hungry but I wanted to eat the dinner, just because I didn't want Kate's efforts to go in vain. I let out a sigh, closed my already strained eyes and lied down on the couch. All I have been doing the whole day is just thinking about Kate and I just couldn't figure out why I have been thinking about her or why I just can't stop thinking about her. It was all really frustrating and tiring at the same time, so tiring that if it were a sedative it could have put an elephant to sleep.

(Kate's POV)

I made my way down the stairs to get some water, when I noticed that Leon was again sleeping on the couch. I smiled and shook my head in disbelief. I climbed back up and walked to his room to retrieve his blanket. I walked back to him and set his blanket on one of side chairs, and very carefully moved to remove Leon's shoes off his feet. Having done this a lot, I literally considered myself an expert in doing this without waking him up, considering the fact that he was a very light sleeper. I threw his blanket up on him and tucked him in well.

I moved to the kitchen and got myself a glass of water. And then I filled a jug with water, walked back to Leon and set the jug and a glass on the coffee table, in case he wakes up to nightmare. I stooped next to him and admired his sleeping face; he really looked both cute and hot when he was sleeping. I raised my hand to run it through his hair but the fear of waking him up, made me freeze for a bit. Very slowly and very cautiously I reached out to his hair, running a hand through it just once.

"Have a good sleep!", I whispered to him, "And sweet dreams!", I stood up and turned to head back to my room; when something made me stop and I turned to look back at Leon. I again walked back and crouched next to him, "Leon, are you asleep?", I asked him a really stupid question, feeling overwhelmed with my feelings. He didn't even move and I knew he was fast asleep, "There's something I need to tell you", I spoke to him in a very soft voice, which was barely audible, "I guess I won't be able to keep this in for all my life, so it's better if I tell you", I felt tears stream down my face and I wiped them away with my hand. "I love you!", I finally let it out my chest, "I really, really… really love you! I know I am crazy to think this way about you but I couldn't help…", I tried hard not to cry out loud otherwise it would definitely wake him up, "… falling in love with you", I covered my mouth with the back of my hand to muffle the sounds of my sobs, "I just…", I really felt at short of words to express my feelings, "I love you!", I repeated it once again. I don't know what overtook me and I bent and placed a soft kiss on his forehead, "Sleep well!"

With those last words, I raised myself to stand, feeling a little disoriented from the overflowing emotions. I felt weak and in need for comfort. I wiped my tears once again but they just wouldn't stop. I walked backwards for a bit, before slowly turning and walking away from the person I loved the most. My feet felt heavy, as they dragged my weight up to my bedroom. I lied on my bed and shut my eyes tight; waiting for my tears to stop, for this pain in my heart to go away and for this seemingly long night to end.

A/N: Thanks for reading! As the story draws towards its closure, I hope it was worth your time and you've enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed it bringing it up to you. I apologize for all the grammatical mistakes and typos that might have been a bother during your read. Just one more chapter to go, before this story ends, so feel free to drop in your views about the story so far or the above chapter. I'll see you all next week with the last chapter, take care and have a great time!