A/N: Thanks for all the reads and support!

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

Chapter 32

(Leon's POV)

I woke up really slowly; it was one of those rare times when I wasn't woken up by a phone call or a nightmare. And as my senses came back, I heard two people talking very softly and formally, one of the voices I immediately recognized as Kate's. She was the one who knocked me out again and because of that I'd have to give a number of explanations at work. I let out a sigh and took some time staring at the white ceiling of the room before sitting up and pulling aside the curtains that were hiding me. The woman along with Kate, her patient probably, gave me a surprised look but Kate didn't react at all but simply continued with her medical consultation.

"Uh… excuse me", the woman said to Kate and she stopped to listen to her, "There's a man behind you."
"Don't mind him, he's my patient", Kate said to her dismissively, "you got whatever I said?"
"Yes", the patient nodded.
"That's it then", she told her, "If the problem persists please visit me again."
"Yes, thank you doctor!", the woman said standing up and left the room.
"No more patients", Kate said over the phone.

Kate turned in her swivel chair to look at me with a broad smile on her face. I couldn't help but give her an annoyed expression but her smile didn't falter as she lifted herself off the chair and walked to me, "How're you feeling?", she asked putting on her stethoscope.
"You did it again", I couldn't help but say frowning, as she checked my vitals.
"That doesn't answer my question", she said looking up at me.
We stared at each other intensely in disagreement, "I am fine!", I said giving up with a sigh of defeat.
"Glad to know", she said with a smile and I gave her a serious look, "Relax! I called Hunnigan on your behalf and told her all about the situation, taking full responsibility for your absence", she moved away, "so it be me who would be getting in trouble and not you."
"And I am supposed to feel good about that?", I questioned her and she turned to look at me.
"Awww… Leon cares about me. I am touched", she said keeping a hand over her heart.
"It's not funny!", I said to her seriously, "You didn't have to do it."
"Leon, don't you feel a lot better now? And Isn't your arm much better now?", she said reasoning with me and I didn't say anything because yeah what she was saying was true.
"Thanks!", I said, no matter what she did, she was thinking in my best interests.
"You're welcome!", she said and released her hair of the bun she was fashioning this whole time, and it got me a bit distracted as I watched her silks unroll, fall and rest on one of her shoulders.

I looked away calming down my heart, which paced up a little by witnessing that. I searched for my shoes and busied myself with pulling them on, while Kate moved around her desk collecting and organizing her stuff, "Where's my jacket and phone?", I asked looking up at her, once I was done with my shoes.
"Here", she said holding it out to me and I took it off her hands. I pocketed my phone and tried to pull my jacket on, "I'd help you", Kate said noticing that I was having a bit of a trouble with it.

And as she was helping me with it, the room door opened and a guy entered the room saying, "Hey babe, ready to go?", and he froze for a moment seeing me standing very close to Kate.
"Yeah all ready", she said smiling the smile that I hadn't seen on her before, a fake one, as she moved to grab her bag.
"I see your friend is awake now", he said moving further.
"Oh yeah I totally forgot", Kate said slapping her head, "Leon, this is Mike, my boyfriend. And Mike, this is Leon, my best friend", she introduced us and I felt proud and sad at the same time because she introduced me as her friend.
"So we finally meet", Mike said walking to me and holding out his hand.
"Nice to meet you", I said shaking his hand.
"Same here", he said with a plastic smile and then turned to look at Kate, "So shall we all get going?"
"Yeah", Kate said as he walked to her and we all walked out of the clinic area.

Kate and Mike walked ahead and I walked a little further behind them. Mike was having a conversation with Kate and I didn't feel like getting in between them. I stopped at the reception to pay the bills and hoped that they'd go on ahead so that I wouldn't have to tag along with them because I felt too much out of place with them. But unfortunately they both stopped, not that far from the reception desk, as Kate tried to look for something in her handbag.

"What happened?", I heard Mike asking her.
"I think I forgot my phone at the clinic", she said searching for it in her bag.
"Let's go get it then", Mike said smiling.
"No, you wait. I'd get it on my own", she said letting out a sigh and hurried back.

I paid the hospital bill and waited for the receptionist to hand me the bill, "You are really popular with women, huh?", Mike commented moving to my side.
"Why do you say that?", I couldn't help but ask.
"Well…", he discreetly shook his head at the receptionist, who was a little fidgety as she handed me the bill and asked me to sign the copy that the hospital keeps for record.
"It happens sometimes", I could only say and moved away from the reception.
"Yeah well I am more or less in the same boat so it happens with me as well", Mike told with a sense of pride, "But I am loyal to Kate of course", he added in an obvious tone.
"You better be", I didn't realized it myself but it came out as a warning.
"Yeah otherwise her brother would definitely hunt me down", he said with a laugh, maybe the lack of modulation in my tone didn't make my sentence sound as threat.
"Yeah he definitely will and her sister too", I said seriously.
"So she wasn't kidding?", he asked looking at me.
"Claire is more protective than Chris is", I told him the truth, "So you better not mess around with Kate."

"She told me you know her siblings before you knew her but it seem you and Kate know each other for very long", it was more of a question, as he waited for a reply and looked a little bothered.
"I know her for a couple of months", I told him; time is relative depending from person to person, so I couldn't say if it was long or short.
"Just a couple of months?!", he said in a tone of relief, smiling victoriously, "I always use to think why she didn't mention you before, if you were such a good friend but now I know. I have known her for years you see", he disguised his emotions very well.
"I see", I said in response.

"But still you're her best friend", Mike said and it seemed he cleverly weaved the conversation to be at this point in conversation, "She tells you things and all, right?", he asked and I wasn't sure what he was getting at. He looked in the direction of clinic to check for Kate but she wasn't there so he continued, "I like her very much and I've never felt like this with any other woman", he paused and I don't know if he was expecting me to say something but I didn't know what exactly to say at this point, "Kate's always been special to me and I think… you see I was thinking if I have a chance…", he stopped abruptly in his speech.

"What are you guys talking about?", Kate asked approaching us and I realized whatever it was Mike didn't want to talk about it in Kate's presence.
And before I could say anything Mike spoke, "Nothing much just talking how popular Leon is with women."
"Ah I see", Kate said and it felt she was a little doubtful about his answer, "So let's not stand here at the entrance ", she added starting to move.
"Let me drop you home", Mike said offering a ride to Kate as we descended the steps leading to the hospital reception.
"No, its fine. I'll take a cab home", Kate declined his offer, "You don't bother yourself, your place is opposite of my home."
"Oh come on its no bother, you're my girlfriend and its not always that we have same shifts", Mike said to her persistently.
"Oh alright then", she said giving in to his wishes.

"Leon, you have a car?", Mike asked me all of a sudden as we all headed to the parking.
"Yeah I do", I replied with a slight nod.
"Oh shucks!", he faked a disappointed tone, "I would have loved to give you a ride, that way we could get to know each other a little more, after all you're Kate's best friend. By the way where do you live?"
"He lives a couple blocks away from my place", Kate answered Mike and this time he didn't have to fake a disappointed expression.
"Oh I see, but well the three of us can hang out together sometime", Mike said suggestively looking back at me, but it was obvious he didn't mean it.
"Yeah sure", I replied positively although I didn't mean it either.

(Kate's POV)

I don't know what was with Mike today, he was exceptionally chatty. He was telling and re-telling me things and for the first time in my life I just wanted him to shut up. I briefly looked at Leon, who was following us closely behind without a word and I couldn't help but feel bad for him that he had to listen to Mike's babble. Although Mike wasn't talking or telling anything to Leon but Leon can't really shut his ears to the unnecessary things Mike was saying pretty loudly for the moment and since the parking was silent, his voice sounded even louder than usual. Also it seemed that Mike and Leon had parked their cars somewhere in the same area, otherwise Leon would have definitely headed his own way.

"That dog is barking like crazy", Mike said pointing out a dog that was locked in a car and kept barking at us, "No doubt why its owner left it and thank god its locked inside the car", and as Mike was finished with what he was saying the dog jumped out of the window and ran in our direction, "Oh shit!", Mike panicked and took a few steps back and Leon stepped forward, right next to me, as the dog stopped right in front of us. Leon and I both bent down to pat Shadow, who was really excited to see us.

"You left Shadow in the car again?", I asked stroking Shadow, who was trying to lick Leon's face, "You should have told me."
"Well you knocked me out before that", he replied trying to calm down Shadow.
"You know this dog?!", Mike asked from somewhere behind us and I turned to look at him.
"Ah yeah, he's Leon's pet", I told him as both, Leon and I, stood up.
"I see", Mike said terrified of Shadow.
"Well my car's here", Leon said to me, "I'll be taking your leave then."
"Yeah take care then", I said to him smiling.
"Yeah, you too", he said to me with a poker face, "Come Shadow", he beckoned his dog and they headed to Leon's car.

"You have some weird friends", Mike said to me as we started to walk to his car.
"He's a really nice guy once you get to know him", I said to him. I couldn't blame Mike for saying that since I was no different when I had met Leon for the very first time.
"But his dog looked really dangerous", Mike said exaggerating.
I let out a laugh, "Come on he's the cutest thing ever", I said and felt a tug on my dress and looked down to see Shadow holding on to the hem of my dress.
"Oh my god!", Mike leapt away from me in fear, as Shadow growled at him.

"Shadow!", Leon called him, "Come here boy!"
"Go he's calling you", I said to Shadow and he shook his head and pulled on my dress.
"Bad dog! Bad dog!", Mike said trying to shoo him away and Shadow started barking at him.
"Shadow!", Leon yelled out to him strictly.
"Go!", I said to Shadow as well but he just kept barking at Mike, which scared him to hell.

"I am really sorry about this", Leon said apologetically hurrying to us, "Let's go Shadow!", he tried to pull Shadow by his collar but he grabbed the hem of my dress again, "Let go! She can't come with us", Leon said to him.
"He wants me to go with you?", I asked Leon feeling a mix of emotions but he didn't reply and looked away.
Shadow again started barking at Mike angrily, "Go with them!", Mike yelled in fear and both, Leon and I, looked at him.
"Are you sure?", I asked him in confirmation and I don't know why but I felt happy.
"Yeah, yeah it's fine", he said and Shadow stopped barking, "Whatever makes this dog stop barking."
"Mike, its fine! Shadow won't hurt you", I told him the fact, I didn't want him to take any decisions that would cause trouble in our relationship later.
"Its fine, Kate", Mike said to me, "Just go with Leon. I don't mind."
"Okay then", I said in response looking at Leon, whose silence was more than enough to tell me that he'd give me a ride back home.
"My car is further ahead, so I should be going now", Mike said to me.
"Drive safe and take care!", I wished him well.
"You too take care", he said and hurried over to where his car was.

"What a guy?!", Leon muttered pretty much monotonously but what I believed to be in his tone of disbelief.
"You said something?", I asked him wanting him to elaborate on what he was saying but he just shook his head in negative, "Shall we get going then?"
"Yeah", he said in response as we both started towards his car with Shadow leading the way, his aggressiveness and stubbornness gone the moment Mike allowed me to head home with Leon.

Leon unlocked the car, letting Shadow in and getting in himself as I got in the car too, "Put on seatbelts sweetheart!", he said and I looked at him in surprise, and his expression immediately told me he was already regretting what he said, "It was just a slip of tongue."
"I know", I couldn't help but say a bit sadly putting on seatbelt trying not to make an eye contact.

It felt like just about yesterday that he could use all those endearments without making the situation awkward, and now all we had was some form of friendship and this dull silence between us. As Leon drove me home I couldn't help but think that even though we called each other very good friends, it wasn't like it used to be since we barely talked now. It wasn't anything like before, when we were more free and open with each other, and could share almost anything. But now something or the other make the situation almost awkward and we get enveloped in this uncomfortable and unwanted silence.

"I am sorry about Shadow's behavior", Leon said breaking the silence and I looked at him.
"Its fine", I said with a weak smile.
"He really scared your boyfriend and I hope it doesn't causes any trouble between you two", he said concerned.
"No it won't", I assured him, "Besides he has this… sort of phobia of dogs, after his own dog bit him, so I guess he overreacted back there too", I told him.
"Ah I see", Leon said understandably.

"I am also sorry about his behavior", I took the opportunity to apologize as well.
"No problem, Shadow was pretty scary back there", Leon said dismissively.
"I am not talking about that", I said to him and he looked at me briefly.
"I don't know what you are talking about then?", Leon said acting oblivious.
"You know what I am talking about", I said reading through his modesty.
"I don't", he said shrugging a bit.
"I am sorry about Mike's part hostile, part awkward, part unfriendly, part friendly and totally weird behavior towards you", I spelt it out clearly to him.
"It's alright", Leon said with a weak smile, "I can understand his situation, you're a beautiful woman and it's natural for him to be a little insecure when you have male best friends."
"Thanks for understanding", I smiled feeling more at ease.

(Leon's POV)

"It's nothing", I said shaking my head and I don't know how to ask but I thought it be better to be straightforward about it, "He treating you right?"
"Yeah he is", Kate said nodding, "he loves and cares for me a lot."
"Good to know", I said half smiling. I was happy to know that but it just meant she was getting farther and farther away.
"So you got yourself a girlfriend", Kate asked me casually.
I shook my head in negative, "You know I am too busy for such stuff", I told her concentrating on the road as we entered our residential area.
"Yeah", she said sounding a bit sad, "I wish you weren't so busy sometimes", she paused for a maybe a second or two, "I miss you!", she added and her words were so sincere that I could the feel the weight of her feelings.
"Me too", I said it reflexively before I realized it, "But I can't really help it, with my line of work."
"I understand", Kate said looking away as I pulled in front of her home.

"We are here", I said looking from her house to her.
"Thanks for giving me a ride", Kate said releasing the seatbelt.
"It's no problem", I told her that it's nothing.
"You want to come in? Jill and Chris will be happy to see you and you haven't met Sam yet", she invited me in.
"No I have to take care of a few things, so maybe some other time", I declined her offer.
"I understand", she said nodding, "thanks again", she added getting out.

I watched her as she slowly made her way to head inside. I didn't feel well leaving her like that, my heart ached watching her move away. Even though it was something I chose for both of us but it wasn't really doing me any good. I looked ahead letting out a tired sigh and turned the keys bringing the engine to life, when I heard her voice.

"Leon!", Kate called out my name and I looked at her as she hurried back, "I totally forgot to tell you Hunnigan asked me tell you to call her when you wake up."
"I would have called her anyways", I told her.
"Okay, sorry to keep you then", she said standing straight.
"It's okay", I just said, "I'll be going now", Kate nodded with a smile and I put my foot on the gas and headed for my home. I couldn't help but look into my rear view mirror and saw that Kate stood there for a bit before she moved inside.

(Kate's POV)

I unlocked the door and as I stepped inside, Chris almost ran to welcome me. I couldn't help but give him an awkward-cum-suspicious look; he was getting childish day by day, Sam was more mature than him at this point, when he didn't say anything I couldn't help but ask, "What?!"
"Tell me that Mike hasn't bought a new car", he asked me enthusiastically.
"No he hasn't ", I replied not understanding why he was asking me this of all things.
"And he wasn't borrowing someone else's car?", he asked and I finally caught the drift of the conversation.
"No it wasn't him but...", I tried to tell him.
"Yes!", he punched the air happily cutting me in between, "and that wasn't any of your female friends?"
"Chris listen to me…", I didn't answer his question so that he listens.
"Was it or was it not?", he asked me again not letting me speak.
"No it wasn't", I answered and he didn't let me speak again as he spun me around.
"Then who dropped you home now?", he asked me happily.

"It was Leon!", I told him feeling annoyed by his immaturity.
"Kennedy! That's great news!", he exclaimed excitedly and before I could say anything he continued, "And finally confirm that you're not dating Mike anymore", Chris said happily, very hopeful about it.
"No, I am still dating Mike!", I told him and his shoulders drooped down in disappointment, "Leon and I met at the hospital and he was just dropping me home."
"You killed my happy mood", Chris said reverting back to normal.
"Well you didn't let me explain before, so the blame for your disappointment lies in you", I couldn't help but say as I ascended the stairs, "And Mike is a nice guy, it'll be easy for me if you get along with him."
"That won't ever happen", Chris yelled to me as I reached the top of the stairs.

I walked into my room, closed the door leaning back on it and sighed out of distress. I just wished things to be a little better. I always knew Chris wouldn't approve of Mike or ever grow to like him. It's just that he was getting used to Mike's presence as the time passed but I couldn't say that Chris has grown to like Mike even a bit. And on the other hand, Mike was growing insecure little by little as each day passed. There wasn't a day when Mike didn't doubt me much like there wasn't a day when Chris didn't hope that Mike and I broke up. And now having Leon in the scene made it even worse with both Chris's hope and Mike's insecurities about future break up. I just wanted things to work out and work out well because the relationship with Mike was getting stressful for me and I could see the storm rise up in the distance.

A/N: Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I apologize for any typos or grammatical mistakes.