"Sorry to keep you waiting." Kirk - RE5

To say Ashley was now a wreck is putting it mildly. Visions of all her close friends, now borderline family and loved ones over the years she had spent as the president's daughter had appeared together in the same place one final time... only for them to be slaughtered before her own eyes.

Light mist sprayed over them from machines on the walls to sanitize them. This spray we her eyes even more, but snapped her back into this unfortunate nightmare of a reality

There was a brief alarm as they heard the undead banging against the door subside. Ashley just managed to glance at a red diagram of a human body with an arm highlighted bwfore the screen went green and the final door began unlocking.

Now it was Ashley who was worried about Leon. He seemed more nervous than back in Europe, but she couldn't figure out why. She almost had ahold of his hand when he jumped.

"S-sorry Ashley." He stuttered.

...Leon never stuttered...

"Are you alright Leon?" Ashley asked concerned, bringing back bad memories.

"...Yeah" he said calmly as she smiled back and looked away back at the door.

"I sure hope so." He muttered under his breath.

The second door opened and they looked through the room. A refrigerator, oven, pan, boxes of food, small table, wooden chairs and a traditional-lookong item storage box could be seen. The two quickly collapsed in their chairs and tried coming to grips with what the hell just happened and figure out what to do next. Light gas masks could be seen in the corner, and so they both took one.

"I'm going back out, looking for a way out." Leon said. He was almost out the door like it was no big dead when Ashley's hand blocked the automated doors from closing like i was nothing there.

"I'm going with you." Ashley replied confidently. A little surprised, Leon shook his head. "No."

"I'm not a kid anymore Leon! I've been preparing every day in case something like this ever happened again. I don't want to be sitting around useless anymore. I can take care of myself, and you! Just the same as you take care yourself and me."

Leon began to pace and talk aloud."Rescue isn't an option most likely; they'll be disinfecting and questioning forever with this being a restricted zone, and there is only enough food for a few days in here.

At this they both checked their phones to see no service, only to discover the main line hotspot was likely destroyed with the power. "There's no way to get in touch with each other, if we are separated." No internet or wi-fi seemed available for their phones or the hideout computer either. This was in no possible way that this was an accident or a cheap attack; a trained professional terrorist with access to bio organic weapons did this, killing all these people for whatever reason.

"Neither one of us could afford to stay here even if we wanted to." Ashley added. "I know how the government works; as soon as they can they'll probably want to either ditch and quarantine or nuke this place. We both have to get out of here now! Together... or well never survive all this alone."

Leon sighed deeply and continued pace thinking morally for the longest time. "OK, you are right." Leon said reluctantly, as Ashley's stressed face began to perk up... as much as it could under these circumstances.

"Now listen to me," Leon began. "You're still my responsibility, alright? No buts! It's my job to get you out of here, so you need to do exactly as I say, alright? If I say run, you run. If I say hide, you hide. If I say shoot it, you shoot whatever... or whoever it is. Finally, if I say go, to leave me and save yourself...

"Leon!" Ashley said.

"PROMISE ME Ashley!"

Ashley just stood there again, starting to cry just a little bit, but holding back tears and being tough.

"We don't know what this virus does or can do. I won't have you risking your life for me if I get infected."

"But what if I..." Ashley was interrupted by Leon, placing his finger over her lips, looking down, unwilling to consider the possibility of the worst case situation, tearing up a little bit himself. Leon soon regained his composure, confidently wrapping it up with "Finally, and most of all,... Don't give up! We have both trained for it. I know how strong you've become! Never give up, ok?

We can do this! Never. give. up."

"You promise?" Ashley asked.

Leon held her shoulders and nodded, causing ashley to blush.

Leon gave Ashley his knife to use and defend herself with along with her gun she found.

"Don't you need a melee weapon Leon?" Ashley asked.

Leon raised his wrist and examined like he was looking for the time on his watch. Then slowly he lowered it back down to his side and shook his head no.

Leon heard Ashley get situated to go back outside. He paused only once more, but muttered under his breath. "I think I might be a weapon."

The two survivors prepared to leave with both hands on the door's hand scanners, waiting for confirmation from the other to start.

"Leon" Ashley said as he prepared to open the door, turning on his headset set to Ashley's frequency. He turned himself around and Ashley continued "What about my dad? And Ada? AND CLAIRE!?"

"We can't worry about them tight now." Leon replied "Right now the only people we can count on to protect us are ourselves. The same goes for Ada and Claire, and they know it. Besides, the secret service and their training will help them and any others that may have survived...

...as long as the new president is safe." Leon paused "It'll take awhile for the helicopter to take off for Air Force One from here. As long as they aren't screened for takeoff... unless there is a clear and present danger to POTUS... the building and all of Camp David should be safe from any air strikes."

Ashley still didn't look convinced at his Secret Service mumbo jumbo.

Leon now faced her reassuringly and smiled as best he could. "We'll worry about that when the time comes, but they'll be protected too with the secret service and training."

Leon thought aloud, "It'll take some time before Air Force One is screened to take of. We'll make it."

He turned back around as Ashley asked "Are you sure?" Turning his neck back to her, he replied

"Absolutely. Now, are you ready."

Ashley replies confidently "Yes."

"Alright." Leon smirked, loading his pistol once more. "Let's go."

Hey guys! Thank you all SO much for your patience with me finishing this next chapter. I will try to update my next one sooner like my double entry a chapter or two ago.

I took a longtime deciding whether or not to work in a new part of the atoey pertaining to one of the origional RE4 (3.5) concepts, plus I've just been overhwlemed lately with life. At least it certainy feels that way.

(Let me know if you figure out what I'm going for by that and whethwr or not you approve.)

Anyway, as always a big thanks to all my readers and those who have favorited and are currently following, and a BIG thanks to InuSBfan87 for this story's first review. I am really glad I went back and reworked this story, and you are the reasons why. Howefully I continue to keep doing the fans and readers justice! :)