This chapter is COMPLETELY different from the original. Upon re-reading my first draft (yikes), I realized I was falling in the damsel-in-distress trope way too much, which I didn't like, and it didn't make sense with the in-game Ashley. Well, it sort of made sense at the time because I was basing her on the old Ashley, but this time I'll only be focusing on the remake, which, frankly, is a major improvement. Goodbye old Ashley.

Also, I wanted to further explore hers and Leon's dynamic in a "normal" environment (hence this chapter), not to mention see a little more of the latter's life before delving back into the action. Hope you enjoy !

Chapter 2. Friends ?

When Leon S. Kennedy took the job of guarding the president's daughter, he hadn't realized that the deal would include waiting an hour in front of the tunnel that was her closet. Because it wasn't. He almost started to suspect she'd been kidnapped again – when Ashley finally stepped out, garbed in an entirely different outfit than the one she had attended college in. "Is this really necessary ?" He asked, eyeing her glittering, very short dress and high heels.

"Knowing the girls ? Absolutely. If we don't dress like we're going clubbing at the Knox, then we'll be underdressed."

He didn't ask what the Knox was – probably some fancy club she and her entourage frequented, instead frowning at her repeated use of the pronoun 'we'. "We ?" He replied, a question in his tone.

She arched a delicate brow above the other. "Yes, we. You're not going dressed like that, Mister." She pointed to his simple outfit of T-shirt and trousers. "Come on !" And before he had the chance to resist, she grabbed his hand and dragged him to his own room.

Which was situated a few feet away from her own, as a matter of fact. Leon had moved into the estate upon officially becoming her bodyguard. After all, being a bodyguard meant being with your charge at all times, during breakfast, college classes, on a picnic, and even at night. The last one wasn't exactly necessary if they stayed inside, since the president's estate had the country's best security – with guards patrolling at every hour, but still Leon was there as a precaution. Just in case. You never knew.

But thanks to that, he was also able hear every time she had a nightmare, which was often enough, and more than he wished on anyone – especially her. Leon, himself, wasn't a stranger to waking up drenched in sweat, reaching for his gun in brief moments of terror, before reality kicked back in. That's why he would always get up to shake her out of it, regardless that it was unprofessional.

He was well-aware that it wasn't his job to meddle in his charge's personal lives – but how could he not ? Especially when she screamed and he thought she was being attacked, only to find her thrashing in her own bed. Although some people in the D.S.O were akin to robots, unfeeling and straight to the point, Leon wasn't one of them and he wasn't sorry for it.

He blinked as she shoved black cargo pants in his face, followed by a t-shirt that looked identical to the one he was already wearing. Go figure. "Try those."

"I never wear these. They're too low."

"I'll be the judge of that." She said, crossing her arms. Had she always been this bossy ?

Sighing, he started lifting his shirt…and then paused, glancing at Ashley who was still standing there, watching him expectantly. He smirked. "You're gonna watch, or…?"

Her face flushed a bright red. "Sorry ! I wasn't – I didn't mean to –"

He chuckled, interrupting her spluttering. "I know, I'm just messing with you." Still red-faced, she spun on her heels so her back was to him.

"Done." Like he'd said, the pants were too damn low. But when Ashley turned around, her eyes dilated.

"They're perfect." She said, sounding a little breathy. Were they ? They hung low on his hips, not quite meeting the hem of his new shirt. It was shorter, and tight.

"Guess I'll take your word for it. Does that mean I'm ready ?"

"Not quite." She stepped closer to him, and he stilled as she encircled his neck with her arms. She leaned in – and for a heart-stopping second he thought she was going to kiss him, when a flash of metal caught his eye…a necklace. Get your head in the game, he scolded himself, and yet the only thing he found himself focusing on was the sweet scent of her perfume.

"There. Now you're ready to party."

He looked down at the long silver chain and the metallic object that hung from it, bumping past his chest. "This doesn't seem like something you'd wear."

"Ha ! You'd be surprised. I had a huge punk-metal phase back when I was seventeen. Thank God dad wasn't president yet. Can you imagine the scandal ?" She rolled her eyes at the thought. He could. Paparazzi were always hounding in at every opportunity, all the way from her college's entry point to the front gate of the president's estate, flashing their cameras along the reporters that shoved their microphones in your face. Even Leon's, though he never said anything. He'd grown to hate those types of people, and pitied anyone who had to deal with them their entire lives.

They got going. Ashley had asked her mother's permission before leaving, for good measure – but like she'd told him, the older woman was more than eager for her daughter to get out and have fun. He didn't know if that was the best of ideas, given the fact she was currently considered the hottest news after getting kidnapped and returning, and the streets weren't exactly safe for someone like her…he'd just have to pay extra attention to his surroundings tonight.

"We're not staying late." He declared as he drove past the estate's gates. He was glad the windows were tinted, as there were still a few people waiting for the opportune moment to catch a scoop. What they expected to find here besides people going in and out, he didn't know.

She looked at him imploringly. "Until midnight, at least."

"Ten."

"Ten-thirty ?" He glanced at her from the corner of his eyes. She fluttered her curled lashes at him.

He sighed. "Fine, but not a minute longer. Got it ?"

"Thanks Leon." She grinned.

But her excitement seemed to fade the closer they got to their destination, and by the time Leon was parking in the driveway – after checking in with the guards on security, she looked like she was going to be sick. "Ashley ? You okay ?"

"Yeah, I'm just a little nervous. I haven't been anywhere with so many people in…a while."

"We can go back, if you want ?"

She shook her head. "No, it's okay. I'll have to get out of my comfort zone sooner or later…might as well be now." She climbed out of the car before he could say anything else, and he followed in her footsteps.

It wasn't even dark yet, but the place was already packed with people dressed as she was. The house was one of those rich people houses you only saw from afar, with a fountain on the front. Cars were parked everywhere – on the grass, on the gravel, and from what he could see through the main entrance, the interior had been rearranged into a makeshift club, with disco balls, flashing lights, and of course, music that blasted your eardrums till you went deaf.

Ashley took the lead, walking in a straight line for the door, ignoring the people who were already starting to give her looks. Leon glared at them, and they quickly averted their gazes. Were people only capable of gossiping ?

"Ashley !" A group of girls squealed, all throwing their arms around his charge. He resisted the urge to separate them, reminding himself they were safe here, and these were Ashley's friends – well, fake friends, but still. The worst they could do was act like hypocrites.

"I'm so glad you came ! It's been too long since you hung out with us." Gushed one of the other girls. He knew all of them, of course. He'd had to do a tiresome background check on every single person in Ashley's circle of relationships. Part of the job.

"Hey Amy. Becky, Jess, and Stella. I'm glad I came." She replied, and though her smile was merely polite – Leon could see it in her eyes, the twinkle of excitement shining in those green irises. This used to be her world before it got turned upside down by Saddler.

"And this must be your bodyguard ?" Purred the one with the tan and sleek black hair. If he remembered correctly, she was Jess Montego, daughter of some hotshot millionaire. She had a series of scandals trailing behind her from sleeping with various notable people – or their husbands, but she didn't care, and her father had enough money to clean up her messes. Aside from her promiscuous reputation, she was harmless.

"Told you he was a hottie." Becky giggled from behind. Becky Grant, her mother was a politician in one of the President's parties.

"Becky !" Scolded the one whose face belonged to the name Amy Fairfax, the tamest one of the lot. Her father owned a hospital, whereas her mother was a renowned lawyer.

"Wanna dance with us ?" Said Stella, stepping forward to touch his arm. She was the party animal, the wildest one of them all. She was the daughter of some other rich family of new-money, no one considered really important to the public eye, which only gave her more leeway to act reckless.

He would stay away from all of them. "Actually, Ashley and I were going to get a drink. Right ?"

"Right. I'll see you guys later," She declared and strode away before anyone could think twice about it. Leon was right at her heel, of course.

She grabbed one of the fancy glasses – what happened to plain old red, plastic cups ? – and began chugging it's contents. "Whoa, hey ! Slow down."

She gasped when she drained the glass, needing to catch her breath. "See ? I told you. They only invited me because you're a novelty – not because they actually care about me."

And she looked so demoralized by that statement, Leon found himself saying something he never expected to. "Then dance with me."

That snapped her out of it. She looked as surprised as he felt by his own words. What had gotten into him ? "What ?"

Well, there was no turning back now. "Forget about them. You're here to have a good time, right ?" She nodded. "So let's have a good time." He offered his hand, and she took it almost at once.

The problem was, Leon S. Kennedy didn't know how to dance. And he turned into a plank as soon as they reached the dance floor – which Ashley seemed to find hilarious. "What are you doing ?" She asked, and her face lit up with laughter. There. That's how it should be.

But he wasn't doing anything. That was the point. He didn't know what to do, so he just stood there. "I'm afraid dancing isn't in my repertoire." He had to lean down to her level so she could hear what the hell he was saying. It was so noisy he could barely hear himself think, let alone speak.

She laughed even louder, throwing her head back, and he couldn't help the faint grin lifting the corners of his mouth. Her joy was infectious. "Just follow my lead," She said and tugged on his hands, pulling him to the center of the dance floor. Most people were too caught up in the rhythm to pay them any mind.

And talking about the rhythm, Ashley slid into it with ease, matching every beat with simple movements that made her incredibly hot.

Leon stopped the thought before it went any further. She's the president's daughter, and your goddamn charge, he reminded himself angrily. He was her bodyguard. She was the last person he wanted – and needed to get involved with…but he was also a man, and her a woman. A very beautiful, attractive woman, whose green eyes she kept on him at all times. Her head bobbed to the tempo, her hips swinging back and forth, and she threw her arms in the air, revealing more of that slender waist.

He didn't have to get involved with her. Right now, all he had to do was dance with her. Taking his cue from other men, he moved his head and upper torso, bobbing with the beat. At first he was stiff, but Ashley danced in his direction, and as she'd told him to do – he followed her lead.

Her back turned to him, so close they were almost touching, and his hands automatically found her waist. Together, they grinded to the rhythm under a glittering disco ball and lights that flashed electric blue and purple. He could tell she was already tipsy from that drink she'd practically inhaled – and yet Leon felt like he was also intoxicated…intoxicated by Ashley Graham's heady presence.

"Do you want something to drink ?" She shouted a few minutes later, pointing to the table of refreshments. He watched as a bead of sweat rolled down her temple, and Leon had to resist the impulse to wipe it away.

"Yeah, sure." He was thirsty.

She held his hand again as she led him through the cluster of dancing people. It seemed like Ashley was a 'touching' kind of person – and he definitely should have minded, given their respective positions and what that implied, but once again he succumbed to the moment and enjoyed the feel of her soft hand around his.

She grabbed two of the glasses and handed one to Leon. He scowled at the drink after only one sip. "There's vodka in this." And an awful lot of it. No wonder it had affected Ashley so fast, and she'd chugged the stuff.

She shrugged. "Of course, it's a Screwdriver."

He cocked a brow at her. "I have to drive us back, remember ?"

Clearly she'd forgotten, because her eyes went round at his words. "Oh, right. Come on, I think there's just soda over here." Again, she took his hand.

"You sure like holding hands." He commented with a smirk as he followed her lead, and her cheeks – all the way to her ears, turned a reddish pink. Just as expected.

She looked down at their linked hands as if noticing them for the first time, and quickly let go. "Sorry ! I guess I'm more drunk than I realized." She laughed, embarrassed.

But he reached for her hand again. "No, it's better this way, so we don't get separated." He explained. She'd gone off twice on her own already, just about losing herself in the crowd, so this made perfect sense…right ?

"Okay." She acquiesced compliantly, and Leon found himself grateful to have such a non-fussy charge. He couldn't imagine what guarding one of those other girls would be like…and talking about the devil, Becky and Stella Riviera arrived arm-in-arm, stopping in front of Ashley.

"Enjoying the party ?" Asked the latter, grinning through a mouthful of bubblegum lip gloss.

"Yeah, it's great. Just like old times."

Becky pouted. "It wouldn't be old times if you hadn't ditched us."

Leon frowned. He'd clearly seen the girls skirt around Ashley like she had some contagious disease. "What do you mean ?" She scoffed.

The girls exchanged uneasy glances. Stella was the one who spoke. "Well, I mean…after you… came back, you kind of ignored us, don't you think ?"

She gaped. " I ignored you ?" She repeated, her voice rising in pitch. "You were the ones who didn't want to have anything to do with me !"

"Well, you didn't want to come to any of our parties or sleepovers, or shopping trips !" Becky retorted. "It's not like we didn't try inviting you."

"I was kidnapped ! I was going to therapy – I still am, so excuse me if fucking partying, wasn't the first thing on my mind !" Ashley yelled in their faces, and Leon readied himself in case he needed to intervene. He rarely heard her curse, and the expletive sounded odd coming out of her mouth. People turned around, gathering to watch the unfolding drama.

"You're here now, aren't you ?" Stella snapped.

He expected more yelling, but Ashley's entire frame suddenly drooped, deflating. "Yeah, and it was a mistake coming here. Leon, we're leaving." She said quietly, but he'd heard her loud and clear.

She was sniffing by the time they were sliding their seatbelts on. "They're not worth it."

She rubbed her cheek, wiping off a stray tear. "Yeah, I know. These aren't sad tears – they're angry tears. I just…can't believe it. Were they always these selfish ?"

Leon started the car, and it came to life with a gentle thrum. "Sometimes you can't see a person's true nature until…well, until it's too late." Briefly, he recalled how Ada had manipulated him into getting what she wanted, and he'd fallen for her tricks like a lovesick puppy.

Ashley, who had been facing the window with her full body, now turned around to look at him, smiling. "Another inspirational quote ?"

He chuckled. "Like I said, I'm a –"

"– man of many layers ? Yeah, and full of surprises too. You danced pretty well out there," She grinned.

His mouth twitched into a half amused, half derisive smile. "You don't have to butter me up."

She chuckled. "Hey, I mean it."

A quietness descended upon them, one that seemed to fizzle with electricity. She was gazing at him through half-lidded eyes, and he couldn't help noting how the dying sunlight was touching her face and highlighting her cheeks, still moist from her previous tears. Her delicate lips were lifted into a faint smile, glistening subtly from the gloss she'd applied.

"Ashley ?" He said, in a voice that was deeper than it should've been. He cleared his throat.

"Yes ?"

"Forget about those girls." He said, tilting his head towards the house and the party inside. "You're better off without of them."

She nodded, looking down at her lap. "I know, it's just…they were the only friends I had."

He frowned at that. "That's not true. You have me."

Her head snapped up, green eyes blinking in surprise. "What ?"

"You heard me. I'm your friend, and I'm not giving up on you. I'll never ignore you, or ditch you. I know what you've been through – I get it, so just…lean on me." Warning alarms were going off in his head, but he ignored them. "I'm here."

"Thank you, Leon." She said, a small tremble to her voice.

He nodded. Pulling out the driveway, his heart was pounding in his chest. He had been seconds away from kissing Ashley Graham.

To be Continued…