Next chapter is out baby !! I'm actually really happy with this one, writing it was really fun - and it's way longer than the others, so you guys will have extra to read ! Enjoy OvO

P.S The comments are so sweet, I can't even, thank you so so so much =']


Chapter 7. Together

I'm not here for your dad.

Leon knew he was taking too long in the shower, but he hoped Ashley would be asleep by the time he came out. Standing under the steaming-hot water, he felt…agitated, and he didn't understand why.

The next time Ashley woke up – a few hours later, it was to the smell of food. Blinking the sleep away from her eyes, she rolled onto her stomach and peered at the kitchen where Leon was standing.

Ashley never thought the day would come when she saw Leon Kennedy, her savior and bodyguard, wearing an apron, of all things. She grinned widely and clamped a hand over her mouth – trying to stifle her laugh, unsuccessfully.

Leon looked up in surprise, and the view was just made funnier as he was in the middle of moving sunny-side-up eggs from the pan to the plates, a wooden spatula in his left hand. He looked so…homely. "Well, look who's awake." He smiled. "And just in time, too."

He was about to bring her a plate, but Ashley quickly said, "Wait ! I'll come over." Before he had time to protest, she stood up – wincing at her aching muscles, and walked to the kitchen bar.

"You okay ?" He asked as she took a seat on one of the stools.

"Yeah. It just feels like I've been brawling all night, but I feel pretty good." He chuckled, handing her a plate full of food before taking a seat beside her. "I never took you for a cook," Ashley added, looking at the perfect eggs he'd made.

He snorted. "I'm really not. I actually burned four eggs before I got these ones right."

She laughed out loud. "Oh my god, I wish I could've seen that !"

"Yeah, and you can keep wishing 'cause it's not happening." He said, narrowing his eyes at her, and she snickered. Was it her, or did it seem like Leon was gradually opening up, becoming more and more playful with her ?

She took a mouthful of the eggs, with a bite of crispy toast…and as soon as the soft and crunchy textures touched her tongue, Ashley realized she was starving. She tried not to gobble up all her food with Leon right next to her, but it was hard not to.

"Sorry, I forgot to ask if you wanted anything to drink. There's water or milk, if you want ?" He asked, watching her from the corner of his eyes – probably wondering if she was going to choke on something.

Ashley wiped her mouth, embarrassed. "Um, water please." She didn't miss the tiny smile across his lips, and blushed.

As he passed her a tall glass of fresh, cool water, he said, "So, I'm thinking you should stay here for a while."

Ashley almost dropped the damn thing. " What ?" Her eyes widened. His brows lifted as the glass wobbled precariously in her hand, but didn't comment on it.

"I don't trust the D.S.O right now, and it's not safe for you to return to your father's estate." And there was also her new 'condition' to think about. While Leon had theorized she couldn't be controlled by another 'Saddler', there's no saying what Ashley could do and couldn't do. But actually living with him ? "Sticking with me is your best shot, but…it's up to you." He continued, oblivious to Ashley's thoughts.

She'd already sort of lived with him when they were at her dad's house, but that was a different, separate circumstance. It was more of a professional setting, but here…? This was his place, with no nagging mom or other bodyguards doing their rounds – they would be completely alone, this time. "…okay." Ashley eventually responded, heart racing at the implications of her agreement. She averted her gaze and stuffed her mouth with another chunk of toast.

Leon exhaled at her response; the plan was now in motion. He sat back down, and the two finished their meal in silence.

Ashley wouldn't look at Leon since he made that offer, and he wondered if she was that displeased by it…by having to spend time with him in such close quarters. They were alone, after all. No government, D.S.O, or the threat of Saddler and his Ganados…including a certain woman in red. It was just them.

He, himself, didn't know how to feel about that. He definitely didn't mind having her around, but something else was bothering him, and he couldn't quite figure out what.

Ashley cleared her throat, and having finished her food, turned to Leon with a shy smile; that was unlike her. It could happen once in a while – at least from what he'd seen, but she wasn't really a timid girl. "Thanks for the meal."

"Don't mention it."

Turning to him, she asked, "So, um…what's the plan ?"

"Keeping a low profile, first of all. It wouldn't help anyone if the paparazzi caught you with me and made our photos into the front pages of some sleazy gossip magazine." He could already see the headlines; President's daughter caught eloping with her bodyguard ?! Mystery man seducing the President's Daughter ? She nodded, in agreement. "The next thing to do is wait."

"Wait ?" She repeated, looking at Leon with her big, doe eyes.

He nodded. "Let's see what the D.S.O does. They'll eventually say something, send us a message, but until then we have to be on our guard. I'm also waiting for your father's call – he is my employer, after all."

"Got it. Keep a low profile and wait. Sounds easy enough."

In theory, yeah. But anything could happen.

After that little conversation, Ashley hopped into the shower. He could hear her hum through the streaming water – and sometimes even laugh, for whatever reason. She clearly found something funny, in there, though he couldn't imagine what. Either way, Leon found himself smiling at the cheerful sound.

With that being said, he was standing guard over the window with the best view – repeatedly glancing through it for any suspicious activity. Leon didn't think someone would come after them, but the possibility still existed. Besides…Derek Simmons' face kept showing up in Leon's head. He had a bad feeling about that guy.

"Hey, Leon ?" Ashley suddenly called out, pulling him out of his thoughts.

"Yeah ?"

"Um, I realized I don't actually have any spare clothes."

Oh. He'd totally forgotten about that . "Wait a sec, I'll find something in my closet !"

That's what he said, but Leon wasn't even sure he had any clothes left here. Most of them were at the President's residence, but…as he opened his closet, he breathed a relieved sigh. There wasn't much, a few t-shirts and trousers, as well as boxers, but they would do for the next couple days. He grabbed one of each and walked back to the bathroom door.

Knocking, he said, "It's gonna be a little big, but it should be comfortable enough."

The door opened a smidge, and the smell of his own washing products intermingled with Ashley's own scent wafted into his face. "Thanks." She replied, slipping a wet arm out to grab the outfit from his hands.

There it was again, that agitation. "You're welcome," He muttered, answering automatically. It's almost like he was nervous…but he wasn't. Why would he be – or need to be ?

It's not like they were under threat. He didn't have any injuries, and Ashley seemed to be feeling a whole lot better. So what ?

The door then opened, and Ashley nearly walked into him. Leon had been standing like an idiot by the door, so distracted by his own confusion that he'd forgotten to return to the window, where he ought to have been – standing guard. He looked down at the girl, whose blonde hair had turned dark with the water. It made her green eyes stand out even more, but it wasn't that that had caught Leon's attention.

His clothes fit oddly well on Ashley's delicate frame, despite being oversized. Black suited her. "How do I look ?" She grinned, twirling in front of him.

Cute. "Like you need clothes that are actually your size."

chuckled, making her pout. "Which is why you're going to order some online."

"Um, I'd love to but I don't have my wallet with me."

Leon shook his head. "Don't worry, I'll get them for you."

Ashley's eyes lit up at that. "Wait, really ?"

"Sure." He was definitely getting paid enough money – and it's not like he used it much, other than to pay his bills, groceries once in a while, and a bottle of whiskey. "Just make sure to get something that doesn't attract attention."

"Got it."

"Oh, and get anything else you might need to. We don't know how long this is going to last."

Leon was being awfully nice to Ashley. Taking care of her when she was unconscious, calming her down when she had a panic attack, making her food, and now buying her clothes. Did bodyguards ever go to such lengths for their protégée? She didn't think so.

She had butterflies in her stomach when he handed her a laptop, when she remembered something. "Oh, did you look up Derek Simmons ?" . "No, unfortunately. I searched all over the internet, but it's like he's invisible…or someone's protecting him."

"So he has high connections." Ashley said, more a statement than a question, sitting down on the couch.

"Definitely. But the D.S.O has files on everyone they employ – including Derek Simmons, I imagine. At least, we're gonna have to hope that whatever 'influence' on the outside, doesn't reach that far."

"And how do we find out ?"

"I have a colleague – Hunnigan. She's the one who led me to you in Spain, actually."

"Oh…it's safe to assume she's good at tracking people, then." Ashley smirked.

One of the corners of Leon's mouth lifted, reflecting her expression. "Exactly. I'm gonna call her – I'll be right back." And with that, he disappeared into the bedroom.

Ashley flipped the laptop open and turned it on. There was no password, so she went straight to the browser and amazon, where she typed in, "sweatshirt". When Leon said to get something that didn't attract attention, she imagined something like a gray or black sweatshirt…she already missed the bright orange she often liked to wear, but whatever. If paparazzi and the like were keeping an eye out for her, they'd recognize her immediately in her usual outfits.

"Something inconspicuous…" She mumbled, adding a couple of caps, socks, sweaters,

shorts, and skirts – all in muted colors, and of course underwear. It was embarrassing enough that she was wearing one of Leon's boxers, regardless that they were brand new. She felt the heat rising from her neck to her ears at the thought, and was immensely thankful that he wasn't in the room.

Now that she was done with the clothes, she ordered anything that she could think of, that she would and could need within the following days – like a toothbrush, hair brush, razors, tampons just in case, her own shampoo and conditioner. What else…oh, shoes ! She loved her boots, but they'd look with weird with her new wardrobe. She added a pair of sandals and sneakers to the cart.

She could hear Leon's muffled voice coming from the other room, talking on the phone, and part of her wanted to eavesdrop…but she knew he'd tell her everything as soon as he was done, so she sat tight. That is, until a knock coming from the front door made her flinch.

Had they come to take her again ? Leon came back at the same time as she stood up, saying, "I'll call you back, Hunnigan." And threw the flip phone on the couch. In one of his hands was a pistol.

What is he doing ?! She thought, eyeing the firearm in alarm. Was he actually going to go against the organization he was loyal to – for her ?

Signaling her to be quiet, he crept to the front door and spied through the keyhole. Whatever he saw, it made his brows furrow like he was perplexed. The knock sounded again, and this time he opened the door. "Mr. Thompson !" He exclaimed in a surprised tone.

What ?

What was he doing here ? One of the known donators of the D.S.O was standing on Leon's doorstep in a trench coat, holding his signature black cane.

"Well, aren't you going to invite me in, Mr. Kennedy ?" Jested the older man, and Leon snapped out of his surprise.

"Sure," He said, even though he wasn't entirely comfortable with it. Stepping aside, he let the man come in and closed the door behind him.

"I know you !" Ashley suddenly blurted out, eyes round as she looked at the invitee. "You're a politician. I've seen you with my father."

"Ah, I'm honored you remember me, Ms. Graham. Indeed, my name is Xavier Thompson, and I've come on behalf of your father and the D.S.O."

Before they continued the discussion, the group sat down, Mr. Thompson in an armchair, and Leon and Ashley next to each other on the couch.

"My dad sent you ? Why ?"

"For two reasons," He said, lifting his gloved fingers in a peace sign. "While you and the rest of the world may not know this, I've been close friends with Graham for quite a long time; he trusts me, and this matter requires discretion." When did it not ? As the president's daughter, Ashley's life had always been dependent on secrecy – always hiding things from the public eye, unimportant details to confidential information, and that certainly hadn't changed after she'd been kidnapped. On the contrary.

"Is that why he still hasn't called me ?" Said Leon, eyes narrowed in obvious suspicion. But the political man didn't seem particularly worried, or even offended.

"The president's a very busy man." He responded vaguely.

"Too busy to check on his kidnapped daughter, apparently…" Ashley muttered mostly to herself, staring bitterly to the side.

"Be that as it may, he sent me to pass along a message to you both – but before I do that, let me first give you my sincerest apologies from the D.S.O."

"Why didn't they send an actual employee – or better yet, one of the higher-ups to apologize ?"

"That's not for me to say – but Mr. Kennedy, here's a bit of advice from an old man who's gotten burned from getting too close to the fire; if I were you, I wouldn't antagonize my employer so much, because right now, you're in hot waters with that stunt you pulled." Was he threatening him ? No, Leon thought. Mr. Thompson was merely stating facts – which he was well-aware of. Even with the president's protection at his back, Leon knew what he'd done for Ashley would eventually come to bite him in the ass, one way or another.

"How can I trust the D.S.O again, after what they've done to me ?" Asked Ashley, a troubled expression on her face. Flawless as it was now – not a scratch on it, you wouldn't think she was being tortured into a slow death just the day before.

"It's true that the D.S.O made a mistake, but you must understand this; Derek Simmons has friends in high places."

"But my father –"

"Your father is just one man, Ms. Graham, and the government is made of many more like him."

"But why would Simmons have politicians at his back – what has he promised them ?" Leon interrupted before their conversation turned into an argument.

"That's what we're trying to find out, including the president. It's for that reason that we need your help," Xavier Thompson explained, gazing at Leon and Ashley like the world now rested on their shoulders.

"No way ! That's not happening." Said Leon after Mr. Thompson had explained their individual roles to trap Derek Simmons – Ashley's role. "She's not going back there." He stood up, unexpectedly heated about this, and part of her warmed at his reaction.

I can't believe I'm considering this. Ashley dug her fingernails into the skin of her arm, distracting herself from the sick feeling of nausea. "Where does the D.S.O stand in this ?" She asked, quieter than she wanted, but still calm.

"With your father, Ms. Graham. The government cannot take action without tangible proof, and the D.S.O won't take action until they know what Derek Simmons is really capable of – and what he wants with you, specifically."

Leon crossed his arms, still standing - though he was somewhat mollified by Ashley's own calm demeanor. "Why was he put in charge of Ashley's case if he's such a suspicious individual ?"

Mr. Thompson slowly shook his head. "Like I said, friends in high places. And not only that, but nearly as soon as Ms. Graham was returned home, he took an uncanny interest in the las Plagas – to the point where he made fascinating experiments on the parasite's DNA, and when it was discovered that you were still affected, the D.S.O made the mistake of deeming that man as the most qualified to help you." He added. "And that might not be entirely untrue, still."

Ashley glanced at her bodyguard, who'd turned around to mutter unintelligible curses under his breath.

"…how ?"

"The D.S.O are aware of the situation now, and will be keeping an eye on you as you play your part – along with your bodyguard, and your father and the men by his side will be ready to intervene when the time is right. So what say you, Ms. Graham ?"

Can I think about it ? Is what she'd responded, before the politician excused himself from the apartment. While he hadn't given Ashley a time limit, she knew it was going to be soon.

"You know you don't have to do this, right ?" Leon was still standing – hands balled into fists, but he'd taken a step closer to her.

Ashley looked at his perpetually tired face, smiling sadly. "But do I really ?"

"You don't owe any of them anything."

"That man might be the only person who can help me with my condition, though – who really understands it."

"Ashley, listen to –" Leon sat back down, when his sentence got cut off, and his eyes widened.

Without thinking, Ashley had reached forward – her finger pressed against his parted lips. "No, you listen to me. I'm tired of being afraid, Leon. Of running, not knowing what monster is going to come after me, or what's waiting around the corner. I want that to change."

He grabbed her wrist, removing her hand, and yet he didn't let go either. "Putting yourself in more danger won't make the fear go away. Trust me, I would know."

He's afraid too.

"The thing is, Leon…I want to trust Mr. Thompson's words, and my dad – and whoever else is backing them up. I want to give the D.S.O another chance. But most importantly…I trust you. And I'm not saying that because I'm counting on you to save me every time I'm in a pickle – I'm saying…I want us to work together . To try together."

Somewhere in her speech, Ashley's heart had begun racing. The entire time, Leon's eyes had been staring straight into her own – fiercely unwavering. Had he always been this…intense ? Ashley was disappointed when his hold on her wrist loosened, his hand falling away.

"Okay." He said, strangely soft. His fingers brushed a strand of her hair, and Ashley stopped breathing – in a totally different way than before.

To be continued…