Author's Note: Hey all! Thanks so much for your lovely comments on the last chapter. I'm so overwhelmed, and so happy that you seem to be enjoying the story so far. This will be the first chapter from Leon's POV, and I'm pretty excited about it.

I've mentioned this before, but please do keep in mind this story will deal with cheating/infidelity (both emotional and physical). I know that's not everyone's cup of tea, which is exactly why I mentioned it in the notes of the very first chapter. So please, if you feel like the subject will be too heavy for you, it's most likely best not to read this story. I probably don't need to say this, but I'll say it anyway: I do not condone cheating in real life. Please don't confuse fiction with reality, or assume that the characters' actions reflect my own morals. This is just for entertainment purposes.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter, and Leon's perspective!

3

Her text is unexpected.

But it provides him with an instant distraction from the boring meeting as he unlocks his phone and opens their messages.

Are you coming to the press conference tonight?

His brows pinch in slight confusion, unsure what she means, until he remembers the text that Chris had sent him two days ago.

Right. Claire has a thing happening.

He'd meant to message back, inform Chris he won't be making it, but he'd been so caught up in work, it slipped his mind completely.

"Leon?" Sherry's voice is a whisper in his ear as she leans close to his chair. "Are you listening?"

"Uh, yeah…" Leon spares her a glance before looking back down at his phone. "Give me a sec."

"What is it?" Sherry asks.

"Just something I need to answer," Leon says. He gets up from his chair, alerting the rest of the agents at the table. "Excuse me for a minute," he says and, without so much as an elaboration or an apologetic look, leaves the conference room.

The hallway is, thankfully, empty, granting him the privacy he seeks. He walks over to the windows just across from the door and taps on Jill's name to open her contact info. His finger hovers over the call button for a moment before retreating.

He's been meaning to call her, to plan a get-together or something. But his job always had other plans for him. He hasn't seen her since that night in the hotel room. And it's been…

How long has it been? Three weeks? No. He checks the date on his phone. No, it's been four months.

Four whole months.

Leon opens their messages again to read through their last exchange. It was just over a month ago.

Wow. He's terrible at keeping track of time. Not that it's a surprise to anyone, especially not him.

But what in the world is he doing?

What is he thinking?

That night he spent with her was… it was something else. He kept thinking about it long after it was over. He still thinks about it, even now. Thinks about her. Been wanting to see her again, but every time they agreed on a date, something came up, either on his end or hers, and they ended up canceling one time after the other.

But it's been four whole months.

Jill Valentine is not the kind of woman who deserves to be kept waiting four whole months.

He curses himself under his breath as he rereads her text.

It's not like she's still waiting for him anyway. There's no way. She probably only texted him because he hadn't gotten back to Chris with his answer.

And so, it's only fair to disappoint her one last time.

Sorry. Won't be able to make it.

His chest is heavy when he presses send. He swallows a big lump that forms in his throat, stares at his screen, waiting for something, anything. Another text. Even if it's just a simple Okay.

It doesn't come.

Fair enough. He hasn't been the best at getting back to her anyway. Even if it was unintentional most of the time.

With a sigh, Leon stuffs his phone back in his pocket and turns around, about to head back to the room, only the door opens and the agents walk out one after the other. Sherry walks up to him.

"I see you guys didn't bother waiting for me," Leon says.

Sherry's head tilts to the side, giving him a look that says, really? You're one to complain?

"Sorry," he says. "It was just something I had to answer."

"Are you going to Claire's conference?" Sherry asks him. "I called her yesterday to tell her I can't come. I feel so bad."

Leon swallows. It pains him to even admit it. "Yeah. I can't make it, either. I'm headed out in an hour or so."

"Yeah, me too." Sherry frowns. "That sucks. It would have been nice if one of us could make it."

He hasn't seen Claire since the Alcatraz incident. She was actually the last person he said goodbye to before he left the BSAA building. She'd told him to call her, and he'd promised that he would, and then he broke his promise and didn't text or call her for four months. At least he managed to keep a bit more contact with Jill, but it's still not good enough.

"We could drive to see her sometime next week," Leon suggests. He doubts he'll be free next week, either, but he can't bear to see Sherry sad without trying to do something about it. "You and I."

Sherry smiles, nodding. "I'd love that."

"Maybe Jake could come too." Leon teases.

Sherry's cheeks turn into an adorable shade of pink. She huffs. "Right, so you two can tease him the whole time? I don't think so."

Leon chuckles. He gives Sherry a pat on the shoulder and a warm smile. "I gotta go. See you around."

"See ya!"

It's only when he's on his way back from the op, jumping into the helicopter, that it comes back to him.

That night in the hotel.

It's a ghost feeling of her skin in his hands, her weight on top of him, a vague flash of her pretty blue eyes, hidden behind messy strands of dark hair that have fallen on her face. Gorgeous. Beautiful. Even now, her memory takes his breath away, and he finds himself needing to suck in a gulp of air to clear his head. It only makes him dizzy. With longing. Desire. Desperation.

It was her who got out of bed that night, wiggled right out of his embrace to fetch her clothes from the floor.

Leon pushed himself up, using his elbows for support as he watched her. "So, you're the kinda woman who doesn't spend the night?" he said, a joke, but also an attempt to mask the unmistakable disappointment that crept into him.

Jill looked at him from over her bare shoulder while she slipped her underwear on. "And if I stay, then what?" she asked. "You're gonna marry me, pretty boy?"

A breath caught in his throat, and he forced it out in a chuckle. That was his only answer to that question. To her rejection, essentially. Because that was what it felt like then. That this would be a one-time deal, they'd shake on it and walk away.

"You were right, though, I'll give you that," she said as she clasped her bra behind her. "It was fun."

He huffs. Fun. "Right… yeah."

Was he even surprised? When was the last time a woman didn't walk out on him? They always did. One would think he would have learned his lesson after all this time. He was never taken seriously. Never approached with the intent for something more than a pastime. He could blame his looks, but he suspected his looks were the only thing that was getting him laid in the first place. Why else would anyone even consider hooking up with someone who basically had no life outside of his job?

Leon tried his best to shrug it off. He pulled the blanket over his bottom half as he sat up, watching her button her jeans. "Want me to call a cab for ya?"

Jill shook her head. "I got it. Thanks."

Great. So his utility already expired.

Jill walked over to the small mirror hanging by the wardrobe, running her fingers through her hair to fix it. She turned to him when she was done, their eyes held for a long, quiet second.

"I…" She started. Then she reached into her pocket and got out her phone, pressed her thumb to it, before she tossed it at him.

Thankfully he reacted quick and caught it.

"Put your number in," she said. "We can stay in touch… if you like."

Oh. He liked.

It took him only a heartbeat to register it in his mind. He'd thought she'd just walk out and leave him to embrace the cold that came with her absence. But now the heat was already rising in his body again, and he opened her contacts and typed in his number, saved it. Then he called his cell from hers. His phone rang from inside the pocket of his discarded jeans.

"Now we both have each other's numbers," he said before throwing the phone back to her.

She caught it, eyes looking down to scan the screen, a hint of a smile shaping her lips before she stuffed the phone into her pocket again. "Nice."

He nodded, smiling, somewhat relieved, somewhat excited about the aspect of seeing her again. About the idea that she even wanted to see him again.

"Alright," she said, walked over to him and stole a kiss from him that he wasn't prepared to return. "I'll see you around."

"Yeah," he said, but before he could pull her for another kiss, she was already walking away. "See you around."

And that was the last time he saw Jill Valentine.

Her text comes back to haunt him.

Maybe he was wrong.

Maybe she was still waiting for him.

Maybe she was longing for him just as much as he longed for her.

Maybe she thought about their night at the hotel as much as he thought about it.

And he let himself go down the spiral of maybes until regret was tearing his insides apart for having sent that text to her. For having turned her down yet again. And this time, more intentionally than before.

And then that look on Sherry's face flashes before him. The sadness in her eyes. The frown. It would have been nice if one of us could make it.

It's the last push he needs.

"Hey, John," Leon calls for the helicopter pilot, loud enough for him to hear through the whirring rotors.

"What's up?" John responds.

"I'm gonna need a favor," he says.

"You only need to ask."

He can't believe when the helicopter finally lands, and he's rushing down the stairs and to the elevator, hoping, praying he's not too late. Not so much to the conference, but to Jill. He asks for directions when he makes it to the ground floor, pushes past crowded hallways, until he spots the group of familiar faces. He scans them from the distance with anticipation, until his eyes land on her.

Thank God.

It's hard for him to slow down, walk at a casual pace, as he heads toward them. But he needs a little more time to prepare himself. It may have been wise of him to take a glance in the mirror, it hits him then. He probably looks like a mess. At the same time, that's not his biggest worry right now. No. Because the moment Jill's eyes catch his. All his worries disappear.

And he saves the best for last, walks to her after he's shaken hands with everyone else. He holds his hand out, and when she takes it, a jolt of excitement pulses through him. To be able to look into those lovely eyes of hers again. To be able to stand so close to her again. To able to admire the way she looks in a mini skirt up close. He can't help but brush his thumb over her hand, if only to communicate a touch of just how much he misses her. How happy he is to see her. And he can feel her shiver in reaction.

He lets go shortly after. Probably not a good idea to make eyes at each other while everyone is staring. Claire doesn't let him stare anyway. She's soon dragging him along with her while they head out to the parking lot. He doesn't mind. He absolutely needs a moment to catch a breath.

And he gets all the time he needs when he and Claire drive in one car and, fortunately or unfortunately, Jill and Chris in another.

"How have you been?" Claire asks him as she drives. She sounds chipper. Happy. He can't tell if it's because of his surprise visit, or because the conference went so well. Maybe it's both. "Looks like you've had a rough day."

Leon chuckles, inspecting the state of his clothes. There's a hole in his sleeve that he just now noticed and so he takes a moment to roll up both sleeves so as to hide the torn fabric. It's the best thing he can do for now without any spare clothes. "It all got better when I saw your face."

"Right, I'm sure." Claire scoffs. "You haven't texted or called in four months, mister."

"Sorry about that," he says, genuine. "I've been busy."

"I know," she says, smiling, understanding. Exactly like the Claire he knows. "We all have been. I'm glad you could make it, though. It means a lot."

"Anytime," he says, and swallows a gulp of guilt. Because he wasn't going to come.

They spend the rest of the ride catching up on what they've both been up to. And the ride is too short for them to go over all the details, so they cut it once they arrive at the restaurant. Chris and Jill park in an empty spot just across from them, and the four of them walk together inside.

Leon can't help but glance at Jill from the corner of his eye every now and then. And as long as his eyes aren't playing tricks on him, she's stealing glances too.

They sit at a table with a window view, Claire and Leon next to one another, Jill and Chris opposite to them, each one with a menu in hand, going over the options and chatting. Or well, mostly Chris and Claire are doing the chatting, and Leon chimes in with some comments here and there. Jill is quiet for the most part. Quieter than he remembers her being, actually. Once they've made their orders, they set the menus aside to keep chatting.

Until Jill pushes her chair back and gets up. "Excuse me. I need to use the bathroom."

"Sure," Chris tells her.

Leon watches her from the corner of his eye as she walks away, can't stop his gaze from tracing the way her skirt hugs her hips. But before he can get his fill of staring, she disappears around the corner. He generously throws some more comments into Claire's and Chris's conversation before shooting to his feet. "I'm gonna run to the bathroom quick, too, actually. Need to wash my hands and face at least before we start eating."

"Of course," Claire says. "Just make sure you don't spend ten hours in there to fix your hair."

Leon chuckles, gives her hair a ruffle then walks away. He doesn't go to the men's bathroom, though. No. He waits in the small hallway, eyes glued to the door of the women's bathroom, waiting, heart beating in his throat. And then it stops beating when the door opens and out walks Jill.

She freezes, her eyes widening. Her throat works up and down as she swallows. She steps to the side when a woman walks past to enter the bathroom, but Jill doesn't so much as move.

So Leon does.

"Hey." He walks to her. "Maybe I misunderstood. But I thought you were playing the good old 'meet me outside the bathrooms' game." It comes out as a joke, though he does hope that's exactly what she intended when she got up.

Her lips curl into a smile. Blue eyes scanning his face, settling somewhere low, before looking up to meet his eyes. "You said you weren't coming."

"I changed my mind." He steps closer. "Or, I guess… someone did."

Jill swallows, her back pressing to the wall behind her. Her eyes flick back and forth between his eyes and his mouth. As do his. And when there's an inch between them, Leon raises his hand to touch her face. His thumb instinctively brushes over her lips. He's instantly reminded of their taste from that night. Which was mostly coffee and cinnamon, but mixed in was her own, unique flavor. One he's been craving for the past… four months.

"I'm sorry I didn't call," he says, watching the way her eyes close briefly at his touch. "I wanted to. If you can believe that."

"No, I..." She nods, moving her head slightly to the side, away from his hand. "I believe it."

Leon lets his hand fall to his side. If she's upset with him, he more than understands. Although… he was hoping that coming here would somewhat make up for it.

"You…" she breathes, "seriously need to work on your communication." A pretty smile sits about her pretty lips.

Leon lets out a chuckle, nods in agreement, and then, in a smooth attempt to follow the advice she just gave him, he leans in, going straight for her mouth.

Something stops him before he makes it. Her hand on his chest.

Leon's eyes open to gaze into hers. There's something about the way she's looking at him, and it makes him pull back. "Sorry," he says. "Should've asked first."

She shakes her head. "Leon, I—I'm…" A frown forms on her face. Her struggle to come up with words doesn't go unnoticed for him. "I'm sorry, it's just… Chris and I are…" she says, and his stomach flips the second he catches on, his mind filling in the blanks before she even finishes her sentence. "We're together."

It takes him a second to process. Two. "You are?" Leon says in a flat voice, then forces out a laugh before his disappointment becomes too obvious. "Congratulations. Told you he'd ask if you gave him time."

"Yeah," Jill says. "You did."

"Sorry about that, I, uh…" Leon takes a cautious step back. "I didn't know."

"It's okay," she says. "How could you have known?"

Ouch.

"You're right. That one's on me."

"It's not," she says.

And just like that. His expectations shatter right before his eyes. And despite the short distance between them, he's never felt so far away from anyone in his life.

She's wrong.

It is on him.

He let her slip right from between his fingers.

And he lets her slip away again when she pushes past him with an apologetic smile, and all he can do is watch her back, until she's gone from his vision, and all that remains of her are ghost touches from their night in the hotel. Dancing over his body. A reminder of what he could have had for more than one night.

But he's probably a fool for even thinking it.

That he could have Jill Valentine for more than one night.

Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading, once again!

At this time, chapters 4 and 5 may be slightly on the shorter side, but the chapters after that will be longer. I don't usually aim for a specific word count with chapters, I just stop where it feels like a good stopping point, catering more to the flow and plot progression.

If you enjoyed this chapter, please let me know what you thought of it, and also if you enjoyed getting to see Leon's side of things, for a change.