A/N: Thanks for reading the story thus far, it means a lot to me. I am extremely thankful to Mercenary Nemesis for reviewing the last chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own Resident Evil or any of the appearing character; they all belong to Capcom.

Chapter 16

(Kate's POV)

My phone buzzed and I looked at it, it was Chris. He asked me to hurry up and I told him that I was already on my way. It was already after midnight everything was wrapped up now and the party was over, just one thing was left to do and that was to see off the newlyweds at the airport, as they were leaving for their honeymoon. So, we all were back to that lavish cottage Claire's in-laws owned. I changed into something casual and was headed back to the living room, where Claire and Eric were saying goodbyes to friends and family.

"Kiddo", Claire said spotting me and moved to hug me, "Will miss you."
"Don't miss me and enjoy your honeymoon", I said to her smiling.
"Leon", she said to him and gave him a hug too and maybe mumbled something.
"I will, don't worry", he replied to whatever Claire asked of him.
"Come on you guys are getting late", Chris yelled over the hustle bustle, "Kennedy, you are coming right?"
"Yeah", he replied and we moved out.

As usual Leon drove me to the airport and there was another round of goodbyes. Once the couple walked inside area restricted to passengers we all headed back for the cottage. I looked at Leon, "You look tired", I said to him, "you shouldn't have come with us to the airport."
"Claire is my best friend", Leon said, "and besides you are more tired than I am."
"That I am but I am happy all went well and without any trouble. Of course they left me out at LA but well you found me, so guess everything's fine now", I said to him smiling, "I can sleep peacefully."
"And dream of Joseph", Leon added to the sentence and that made me jab him hard.
"I don't like Joseph and like it or not you have to help me out of this Joseph scenario", I told him being emphatic about it.
"In what way do you think I can help you?", he asked me monotonously, "Walk up to Chris and tell him that, hey Kate doesn't like Joseph so don't get her married to him, you can do that yourself."

"I already did that, he just wants me to give him time", I told him rolling my eyes.
"You know, he's right. You are judging the guy way too fast", Leon said in a carefree tone, "take time to know him you know."
"He's not my type", I couldn't help but say.
"So what is your type again?", Leon asked looking at me and I glared at them, "Strong, smart, sensible and something like that right?"
"Okay fine, don't help me", I said annoyed at him, "I'd figure out something. I'd even run away if I have to, I earn enough to support myself. I'd go hiding until Joseph gets married."
Leon broke out laughing at that, "Kate that's childish."
"Maybe, but it's the only way out", I told him as we reached the cottage.

(Leon's POV)

"Kate", I called out to her as she exited the car and stomped back in the cottage. There was a car honk so I had to move my car to parking area. I got out of the car after parking it and joined Chris as we walked back.
"It was a big day", he yawned and stretched a bit.
"Yeah and you guys managed it perfectly", I told him smiling.
"Well have to go through it again I guess", he said with a tone mixed with disappointment and sadness.
"It's still time Redfield, she hasn't found her guy yet", I tried to cheer him up.
"Well I have a guy in consideration", he said smiling at me, "he'd be perfect for her."
At that I was reminded of the conversation Kate and I were having, "Ah… about that", I weighed my options if I should meddle in Redfields' matter or not but then Kate is important to me and before I could say anything Chris spoke.
"So what you thought about it huh?", he asked as if remembering something.
"About what?", I asked puzzled.
"We talked that day and you said you'd think about it…", he tried to remind me but seeing that he was not doing good job he said, "Convincing Kate for the guy… what you say?"

And again before I could say anything Kate, who came out of nowhere spoke, "So this is what it's all about?", she almost yelled at me, "You are my friend and… and…", she looked at her brother at the loss of words, "Conspiring with the enemy…", she said looking at her brother.
"No… I…", I began but I was cut off again by Chris this time.
"Wait Kiddo… I am an enemy?", he asked her and Kate just huffed.
"Well truth be told, you are bro… for wanting me to do the thing I don't want to…", she said to Chris and he just gave her a puzzled look because she spoke so fast that I doubt he got what she was trying to say. Kate took a deep breath, "The thing is I don't wanna marry Joseph and you should know better why is that", she ended with a pained voice and then she walked to me, "I thought I could count on you… anytime, anyplace", with that she walked away.
"Kate", I again called after her but she ignored me again.

I looked at Redfield, he looked a bit sad too, "I just wanted best for my girl", he mumbled to me.
"Chris", I said and he looked at me, "She doesn't want a guy like Joseph. Sure Joseph is a well accomplished Agent. He can give her everything; a house, a car, clothes, jewelry; but we both know she doesn't want that. She just wants a guy to love her, the one she could love back and again we both know Joseph is not the guy", I told Chris and he nodded, "And about that convincing her for the guy stuff. I think I can't do that."
"But why?", Chris asked.
"I could tell you but then I have to kill you", I laughed it off since it was more like if he knew the reason he'd kill me for loving his sister.
"Nice one dude", he said between the laugh, "I know you are loyal friend to Kate. So, anyways see you tomorrow. Good Night."
"Yeah Good Night", I said and headed for my room.

(Jill's POV)

I got in the bedroom and took off all my jewelry and then moved to the bathroom to freshen up and change into my nightwear. When I walked back in the bedroom, I noticed that Chris wasn't back from the parking yet. I decided to go look for him since we had an early flight in the morning plus it doesn't take this much time to park the car. Just as I was beginning to head out the bedroom door opened and Chris walked in with a huge grin on his face that I couldn't help but notice.

"What took you so long?", I asked him.
"I was having a chat with Kennedy", he replied moving to the cupboard to get his clothes.
"About what?", I asked getting on the bed.
"You know stuff", he smiled about something.
"What stuff?", I asked as he walked in the shower to change. I waited and thought about what he talked with Kennedy that he is so happy about, till he returned, "What stuff?", I asked him again once he showed up.
"Kennedy loves Kate", He said excitedly.
"So?", I asked puzzled, it was not that much of a secret.
"I confirmed it", he said, "I asked him to help me out to convince her for the guy and obviously Kate had already told him about Joseph so he thought I was talking about Joseph and he asked me to drop that idea because Kate doesn't like it", he finished excited.
"So what? He could say that as a friend", I said lying down switching off the lights.

"No, words don't matter", Chris spoke lying down beside me, "feelings do. I know he's the right guy for my girl. I never liked any guy my sisters dated but I like Kennedy."
"Is that because he is a good guy or because he lives a few blocks away?", I couldn't help but ask as we cuddled.
He gave it a thought and replied, "The latter."
"I knew it", I said smiling for my husband things were black and white, "Let's sleep we've a flight to catch in the morning."
"Yeah Goodnight", he said placing a kiss on my head and I wished him goodnight too.

(Kate's POV)

I walked out of the bathroom drying my hair on the towel. I looked at the time it was still 2-3 hours before the flight. My bag was lying open on the bed, since I was packing my clothes before heading for the shower. I put my clothes in the bag and the other stuff that was lying around in that room. I moved towards the dressing table but the cool breeze made me walk to the balcony instead. The weather was great and the wind was calm and soothing. I closed my eyes as I welcomed the breeze to play with my wet hair and then an unexpected noise startled me. I looked around it was nothing, there was nobody there. I ignored it and casually leaned on the balcony railing looking down and what I saw made me scream. It was Leon hanging from my balcony.

"What are you doing?", I asked him getting all panicky.
"Climbing", he replied, really casually for the moment.
"It's the second floor", I told him looking around for some rope or anything.
"I have to talk to you", he said to me still climbing up to me and he slipped.
"Leon!", I really screamed out loud this time.
"Phew it was a close call", I heard him mutter.
"You get on this side of railing this instant", I said to him, grabbing hold of his hand in case he slips again.
"Okay", he said jumping over the railing on to the balcony and I sighed out of relief.
"What the hell where you thinking climbing two floors like that?", I couldn't help but scold him.
"Actually it's just one floor", he replied, "my rooms on first floor."
"Use stairs next time", I said to him.
"Well it's not my hobby to climb people's balcony. If you had answered my calls or opened your door for me, I wouldn't have to climb your balcony", he replied.
"What calls?", I asked him puzzled.
"I have been calling you for past half an hour, also knocking at your room door and you didn't reply", he told me.
"I was in the shower", I said checking my phone and indeed there were a couple of missed calls from him.
"Well how am I supposed to know", he said throwing his arms wide, "I thought you were mad at me because of last night."

"Why would I be mad at you", I said to Leon and this time he gave me a puzzled look, "I know you sided me, I overheard that conversation too", Chris and Leon didn't really know that I didn't actually leave but stood there listening to them, thinking that if I knew their plan maybe it be good for me but instead I just heard Leon taking my side and realizing how well he understands me, "I am sorry, I said too much."
"It's okay, it was a stupid misunderstanding anyways", Leon said smiling and I couldn't help but mirror him.

"So you're done with your packing?", I asked him resuming my work.
"Yeah all done", he replied as I turned on the hair dryer.
"So you'd be driving back in your car?", I asked him since he brought his car.
"No, I made arrangements so it can be carried back to DC", he told me.
"Oh that's good, now I'll have someone to entertain me during the flight time", I couldn't help but say happily.
"Same here", he replied and just then there was a knock at the room door.

"Kiddo, come on its time let's go", it was Chris.
"Coming bro", I replied getting up and opening the room door.
"Hurry up, you do know it takes time in the security checks and stuff", he said to me and then his gaze drifted to Leon, "Leon, give a hand with her luggage, she packs more than she can lift", with that he left.
"I don't", I called after him and then turned to Leon he was giving me an amused look, "I don't", I said to him too. I checked my things one more time if I was forgetting something and zipped it close and before I could say anything Leon lifted it up, "You don't have to do this", I said to him.
"Chris asked me to, plus it is pretty heavy for you", he replied walking out.
"I can handle it, just give me that", I said following him and tried to take my bag from him.
"Have you lifted it before?", he asked me.
"No", I replied, "but that doesn't matter I know I can handle it."
"You probably can't even move it", he said laughing a bit.
"Now I am more into taking that bag and proving it to you that I can do it", I said a bit annoyed.
"Okay, you can try", he said and held it so I could take it from him.

I held the bag and it was pretty light, "See", I said proudly and then Leon let go of the bag and its actual weight pulled me down with it.
"See", Leon repeated what I said and before I could say anything he took my bad and descended down the stairs. I followed him, "I'd just go get my bag and Shadow", he said when we reached the first floor and I just nodded. He left me for a few minutes and came back with bag and Shadow running in front of him barking happily. I bent down and stroked him while Leon walked up to us, "He sure loves you", Leon said and I looked at him. I thought he'd say more or it was something that I expected but all he said was, "You coming?", that too descending the stairs and the weird thing was that I was too lost to notice it.

When we got down we found Claire's in-laws were saying their goodbyes to Chris and Jill; and seeing us they moved to us wishing us a safe journey and stuff. And Eric's dad got into talking with Leon about something. They were just standing next to me but for some stupid reason I couldn't make out what was the conversation about. I walked away from them but my eyes were glued to Leon noticing his every moment, his laugh, the glow on his face, even the slightest movements of his head in response to the conversation.

"What are you looking at?", I almost jumped in surprise when Jill asked this question.
"Um… I was…", I couldn't come up with an answer and I looked from her to Leon which made her follow my eye movements.
"Kennedy?", she said with a tone mixed with amusement and shock as if saying of all the people you're looking at Kennedy.
"What?", it was Leon who replied.
"Nothing", I almost panicked.
"She said Kennedy", Leon said referring to Jill.

(Jill's POV)

"No, it's not you", Kate said really fast looking from him to me.
"Then?", Leon asked puzzled looking from her to me as if asking who else is Kennedy here.
"C'mon we are getting late", she said and hurried off.
"What's gotten into her?", Leon muttered.
"You…", I kind of blurted out and he looked at me surprised, "You know she's right, we are getting late", I said covering up.

We walked out and spotted Kate with Chris. It looked like, she was having a talk more of a disagreement with Chris about something and when Chris saw us, he walked to us, "Chris?!", Kate called after him.
"Hey, thanks I'd take it from here", Chris said taking Kate's bag, "Take Kate with you as always, we have too much luggage."
"No problem", Leon said smiling.
"So see you at airport then", Chris said as Kate walked to us.
"Yeah", Leon said and I just gave them a wave.

"We really have too much luggage?", I asked Chris.
"Of course not honey", he replied getting in the driver's seat.
"Then why you said that to Kennedy and her?", I asked him getting myself in too.
"Kate said she wants to tag along with us but well its better if she tags along with Kennedy", Chris said starting the engine.
"I can't believe you are saying this about Kiddo", I couldn't help but say with an evident surprise in my tone.
"He's the best guy among our circles, don't tell Claire but he's better than Eric. Kate would be happy with him.", Chris smiled genuinely not taking his eyes of the road.

For Chris to say something like that is a big thing. He never ever approved of his sisters having boyfriends. There were many times when Claire and Kate would tell me how he beat up their boyfriends and sometimes even their male friends. He was an overprotective brother; there were no two thoughts about it. He only wanted what was best for the family and if he approved of Leon for Kate, he must have seen something in him.

A/N: Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I apologize if you found the context confusing, due to any mistakes.