A/N: Here's an early update, since I got tired of waiting for my next scheduled day. Thanks for your support, views and visits.

Disclaimer: I don't own Resident Evil or any of its characters; they belong to Capcom.

Chapter 20

(Jill's POV)

Chris and I sat in the living room with his arm around me, watching a movie and eating popcorn, occasionally commenting a thing or two about the movie or actors. It had been a week since Kate left for her conference and things were a little boring without Claire and Kate, since I couldn't really talk about girly stuff or go shopping with Chris. But still he was taking care of me and had even taken off of work so he could be by me, in case its an emergency and I need him. All of his efforts really made me feel loved, not to mention the times when we sat discussing about our baby, anticipating who would it turn out to be like more him or me or planning its future together.

The phone ring made us tear our eyes off the TV screen and I looked at Chris as he checked who was calling him, "It's Kate", he told me happily.
"Put it on speaker", I said muting the TV as he answered the call.
"Hello!", he said cheerfully.
"Hey bro! How's it going? How's Jill?", she asked in her ever so cheerful tone.
"We are fine!", I replied before Chris could even open his mouth, "How are you doing?"
"I am good too, all ready to head back home", she told us sounding excited.
"We'll be waiting for you", Chris said to her jovially, "Are you sure, that you don't want us to come and receive you at the airport?"
"No, its fine", Kate replied sounding casual, "Besides doesn't Jill have her appointment with the Doctor?"
"Yeah, I have but I can always re-schedule it", I told her being serious about it.
"You don't have to", Kate said, "I'll be fine, its not the first time."
"Yeah but we feel bad to leave you unattended like that", I told her feeling bad about it already.
"Hey doctor's appointment is more important", Kate said sounding serious.
"But…", Chris tried to say something.
"No ifs or buts… baby's health is important", Kate interrupted in between.

"But you are important to us too", I told her the truth, "And we really wanted to welcome you properly."
"I am coming home, so welcome me back at home", Kate said plainly.
"We just don't want you getting lost or something because of our negligence", Chris spoke out his fears.
"Aww… that's so sweet bro", Kate said sweetly as I put my hand on his shoulder comforting him, "But seriously you don't have to worry about a thing and besides Leon said that he'll come to receive me."
"He did?!", both of us chorused in surprise.
"Yeah", Kate told us affirmatively.
"You're not lying so that we won't worry right?", Chris asked her in confirmation.
Kate laughed and replied, "No, I am not. He's really coming; at least that's what he said."
"Your flight lands at 11:00 AM or 11:00 PM?", I couldn't help but ask.
"It's 11:00 AM but Leon said he'd manage it somehow and come to receive me", Kate told us and her tone was very different, it sounded as if she was really hopeful about it, "So you guys don't have to worry about it, alright?"
"Oh okay then", I said agreeing with her looking at Chris, who had the same blank expression that I was probably fashioning as well.
"Now I have to go, heading for the airport", she told us sounding in a rush.
"Yeah, have a safe flight!", we both wished her.
"Thanks! You two too take care of yourself and my to-be niece/nephew as well", she wished us back and then we disconnected.

We both sat in silence thinking about the information that Kate passed down to us. We both know Kennedy was a busy bee and to take time out to receive Kate at the airport, it really sounded unbelievable and exciting at the same time. We looked at each other as if mentally discussing it; dropping and then again picking up the thought of calling Leon and asking him about it, because for all we know Kate could be lying so that we don't worry about it. Chris finally looked at his phone and my eyes followed his gaze and then my heartbeat rose as I saw him calling Kennedy.

(Chris's POV)

"Put it on speaker", Jill said to me once again and anyone could read the exhilaration in her eyes.
We both sat waiting for Kennedy to answer the call and when it was down to its last ring he answered it, "Kennedy", his voice was as monotonous as I remembered.
"Its Chris", I told him.
"How can I help you?", he asked me.
"Are you picking up Kate tomorrow from airport?", I asked him being straight to the point.
"Yeah I am", he said with a puzzled voice, which made me think he was covering up for Kate, "You've got a problem with that?", he asked me and that made me realize he was not covering up but it was more like 'you-are-being-overprotective' kind of voice.
"No, I don't have problem with that. I just wanted to confirm because we won't be there to receive her since Jill has an appointment with her doctor", I explained looking at Jill, who was biting her lower lip anxiously, probably hoping that Kennedy doesn't backs out because we called him, "So I just wanted to confirm that you're getting Kate right?"
"Don't be worried Redfield, I am picking her up. Her flight lands at 11:00 AM and I promise that after all the formalities she'd be home by 1:00 PM or 2:00 PM", Leon reassured me.
"I trust you", I said to him and Jill clapped in happiness.
"Glad to know that", he said, "Now I've have to go."
"Yeah okay", I said and we hung up.

I sighed out of relief and Jill threw her arms around me, happy about this new development. For a moment I thought he'd back out thinking I was bothered about him fetching Kate at the airport but I was glad that he didn't. I didn't know what Kate saw in him or how he fell for Kate but I knew somehow they both fit together, as if they were made for each other. I just wished that they both realize their true feelings for each other.

(Leon's POV)

I drove as fast as I could through the traffic it was just 10 minutes to 11:00 AM, even after my prior intimation Hunnigan messed up my schedule but I managed to go through it somehow. I parked my car and ran to the airport, got an airport pass and exactly at 11:00 AM I was at the terminal where Kate's flight would land. The announcement was made and within next few moments, people from the flight started to show up but I couldn't find Kate in the crowd. My heart sped up as I felt a bit excited to see her after so long.

"Leon!", Kate yelled as I spotted her. She almost ran and hugged me, hugged me tight. I held her as close to myself as I could, as if she wasn't just my friend. We held on to each other for a considerably long period and then pulled away feeling a little embarrassed and awkward at the same time, "How are you?", she asked me resuming her smile.

"I am good", I told her returning the smile.
"He looks better in real life", a woman said and Kate looked back at her.
"They are my colleagues, I told you about", she told me, "This is Sophie and Linda, you've seen her before."
"No", I told her being honest and tried hard to remember where I had seen Linda.
"She was with me, when I was leaving", Kate told me, as if reading my mind.
"Oh, didn't notice", I said and added, "was in a hurry you see."
"So you have a girlfriend, huh?", Sophie asked checking me out.
"I have?", I repeated confused and Kate nudged me clearing her throat, "Yeah I have a girlfriend", I played along with Kate's lie.
"Why you ask? I told you he has a girlfriend", Kate said with a slight frown.
"Well it's been a week and he might have had a breakup", Sophie said, "But sad he hasn't", she sighed.
"Anyways we should get on with all the formalities", Kate said and then we all headed to get over with it. It took about one more hour, after which we said goodbyes to Kate's friends before heading home.

"So tell me more about this girlfriend of mine?", I asked her smiling as I drove her home.
"Uh…. Well you see they wanted to date you and I thought…", Kate struggled for words.
"What?", I asked her.
"I thought you wouldn't want the trouble", she told me.
"Why? I mean I could do with a girlfriend", I told her.
"Well I just thought they were… you know… not your type", she said doubtfully, "Were they?"
I looked at her as we stopped at a signal and she seemed a bit anxious, "No, they weren't", I replied and she smiled.
"Yeah so that's why I told them that you were taken", she told me happily, "If you change your mind however, we can tell them you are single again and I think they might be still up to date you."
"Sounds good", I couldn't help but say.

(Kate's POV)

I looked at Leon there was something very different about him today. There was a certain glow on his face as if, "You look happy?!", I just blurted out what I had in my mind.
Leon looked briefly at me with a smile then resumed to concentrate on the traffic ahead, "I am happy", he affirmed it.
"Some special news?", I asked him, "you got promoted or something?"
He shook his ahead, "I don't think I can be promoted further more", he said with a laugh, "Unless I decide to switch careers."
"Tell me what's making you this happy", I asked him curiously turning in my seat to look at him.
"It's something", he replied tilting his head to one side with an air of mystery.
"Or is it someone?", I asked him raising my brows.
"Maybe", he replied and smiled even more.
"C'mon tell me", I asked slapping his arm, "I am your friend right?"
"That's why I am happy", he said and I didn't get it.
"We have been on friendly terms for very long and now you're happy about it?!", I couldn't help but say.
"Well now you are back so I am happy that now we could hang out or something", he said and nothing that he was saying was making sense.
"When was the last time we hung out?", I asked him, I couldn't seem to remember. It was always like we crossed paths when we were out and ended up spending some quality time together.
"Well we can now", he kind of suggested and I couldn't help but think if he was asking me on a date or something, "Of course if you…"
"Do you even have time to… you know… 'hang out'?", I asked him.
"I can make some time, it's not impossible", he said casually.
"Leon, are you feeling alright?", I asked him not believing what he was saying, "You are talking about ditching work again?"

"I am fine", Leon replied as we finally reached our destination, "Here we are", he said as we both got out of the car and he helped with luggage. Chris and Jill came out to meet me, there was no two thoughts that they were waiting for me, probably their heads pressed against the window, well at least Chris must be like that. They thanked Leon and invited him for lunch, which he declined, saying, "Sorry I have to head back to work."

"Okay no problem", Chris said waving his hand, "Thanks again!"
"No problem", he said, "Take care you guys, see you later!", he said his goodbyes and we saw him off before heading inside.

(Kate's POV)

"Oh my god!", Jill exclaimed sitting up. We were in my bedroom, it was night time and I had just told her about the conversation I had with Leon in the car as we both lied down to sleep, of course on a really casual note, "He asked you out?"
"You think so?", I asked her sounding skeptic sitting up too.
"I am sure of it", she sounded a bit excited, "What did you say?"
"Well I told you, we reached home and then with you two welcoming me I didn't get the chance to reply. Besides, he just suggested that we can hang out; it's not same as asking me out. You are over thinking it", I said lying back down.
"Maybe but that thought is pretty exciting", Jill said joining me, "Just imagine you and Leon; Leon and you, a cute couple loving and caring for each other."
"What I'd like to imagine is Chris's shocked face if Leon and I started dating", I said with a laugh.

Jill coughed, "Well it be a shock to him but you know he might accept him in the end like he accepted Eric", she said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Well why are we thinking this", I said it more to myself than to Jill, "We are just good friends."
"It doesn't take much time to be more than friends", Jill teased me.
"I have to work tomorrow and you should sleep too, staying up late is not good for the baby", I said turning to my other side, cutting off this topic.
"Yeah, goodnight then", Jill said.
"Goodnight", I said and closed my eyes.

The moment I closed my eyes Leon's face swam in front of my eyes and I opened my eyes with a start. Even though I asked Jill not to discuss this but I couldn't help but think about it myself. And not long after that I started thinking about all the time I spent with Leon, our long talks, our making fun of each other and our bond as friends. We came close in matter of just few months even though we started on a wrong foot. I smiled thinking about the first time I met him, I never thought I'd be seeing him again and he probably thought the same and now I am here thinking if he asked me out or not. I kept those thoughts aside thinking I'd know sooner or later what he actually meant.

A/N: Thanks for reading! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I sincerely apologize if you had any inconvenience whilst reading due to any mistakes or typos in the context. Also I request you to check out the story I wrote with my bestest friend Shirahane Aikawa, it's called Undercover.