Chapter 4: Now or never.

A week later

It was early afternoon and Leon was in Hunnigan's office.

-I don't understand what all this is about... not a single attack, no threats... nothing. Said Léon, walking in circles around the room.

-According to my research, the men who attacked you are all Russian nationals, with a more or less long criminal record, apparently they worked all for a militia called the Wagner group. They working simply for the highest bidders, both that you have'money you can theymander nno matter what. But you know all this if you have read my report... On the other hand, I discovered something else very interesting. I did extensive research on one of the men found dead after the attack on the speaker, named Dimitri Gorbachev. It was a 35-year-old man, missing for three years in the United States. He had a fake passport to cross the border. His real name is Thibault Jones. After his death someone apparently tried to erase all traces of the existence of this man and all the others. This isn't so surprising if you don't take into account that this man was originally an American national and worked in national security until three years ago, when he was reported missing. According to what people say about him, he was a man of faith who would not harm anyone. He wasn't a good fighter.

-Yet all the men present were very well trained. Leon replied, seeming to be in deep thought, he was now sitting in front of the woman's desk.

-That's the problem, this man, who had everything to succeed, suddenly disappeared and was found highly trained with a Russian militia of the years later. Don't you find that strange? He was about to move up in rank just days after his disappearance. At the time, the investigation leaned more towards a kidnapping… Leon suddenly felt a stab of guilt for having killed this man who was perhaps present against his will.

-So someone kidnapped a man working in national security to force him to work with a Russian militia? Probably to have confidential information. But why did you send him into the field?... Probably to get rid of him... the people who commissioned this mission knew it would be a failure...Léon placed one hand under his chin

-If we were trying to get rid of him, something must have changed. I contacted his family who had no news from him, even his son, now ten years old, has never been contacted by his father, he lives in Washington. I found it strange that he didn't even try to contact them even though they were in the same city. LThe woman continued to work on her computer while Léon got up.

-Someone must have threatened him for his silence... But what does a Russian militia have to do with national security?

-I do not know yet. But you should stay on your guard. I will discuss this with the national security advisor. You should go home and rest. It's been a long week. Said the woman while stretching for a long time.

-They didn't try to kill me, that's enough to change my week. Hunnigan smiled at him as Leon left the room. He had produced a detailed report on the two attacks. He had mentioned the presence of Ada Wong at the scene. His boss hadn't been particularly surprised. He had read his reports on Pennamastam, Racoon City, Spain. Tall Oaks and Lanshiang. Every time Léon was caught up in a bioterrorist case, this woman was not far away. He had neglected to tell them that he had spent the night with her. He hadn't heard from the woman since she left the hotel. He didn't know what she had done, but in any case no one had attempted on his life since. Truth be told, he couldn't wait to meet her tonight. He smiled slightly at the thought of seeing her again in calmer circumstances.

The evening comes

It was a little before eight o'clock and Léon had just parked two blocks from the nightclub. He got out of the car and started walking towards the nightclub. He was careful not to be followed. These skills were sharp enough to let him know he had no one after him. The agent was dressed in loose black jeans, a white t-shirt and a black leather jacket. On his belt was a 9mm handgun well hidden behind his back and covered by his jacket. He had his DSO card with him in case security was ever a problem for him. He walked for about fifteen minutes before arriving at the nightclub. Finally he passed through security without incident, which was almost worrying for the security of the company. But whatever. Well now I know I won't be able to find her, so I'll wait for her to find me. The man went to sit at the bar.

-A Whiskey please. Once the drink was placed in front of him, he looked around. But he saw nothing. He looked at his watch, it was five past eight. Suddenly a pair of arms encircled his waist.

-I see that you are still alive but are you already bored my darling? A voice whispered softly in his ear.

-Absolutely not, I was only trying to see if big Ada could be late. The woman remained behind him, her arms around him, Léon did not turn around to look at her.

-A little, but I had no trouble spotting a handsome guy like you. His voice was soft and so intoxicating. Léon could melt against her. I'll have a mojito. She said to the waiter. She sat next to the agent. She was dressed in a red cocktail dress with the entire right part of the dress black, on top she wore a black vest and a small scarf that reminded her a little of the one from Racoon City.

-How are you ? He asked him sincerely worried, looking at his right leg. He could see under his slightly thick black tights the presence of a white bandage.

-Not so bad, better since you've been here. She looked into his eyes, smiling softly. The man could almost have blushed at the remark. Once the drink arrives. She grabbed it and took a sip. Your week has been calm, right?

-A little too calm. What did you do ? Léon also took a sip of his drink. No one could listen to them with the music so loud and they were at the very end of the counter, far from the crowd and the waiters.

-Let's say that I nipped the problem in the bud. She crossed her legs, looking at her glass. I managed to intercept the position of the men who attacked your apartment and I figured I owed them a little courtesy call. But this will only postpone the problem. Leon sighed audibly.

-I know that you are perfectly capable, but I still wonder how you manage to face men armed to the teeth, alone and injured. Ada put a finger to her lips.

-Don't ask questions, it's my job after all, I've been doing this since before you even entered the police academy. She seemed to have a sad look at the moment.

-There is…

-No self-pity. That's life. Look, I managed to trace it back to S, I didn't find much but I know that the man is of American nationality, that he is currently not in the United States and that he seems to have a bioweapons connection... That's all I have for now. But I don't know why, I have a bad feeling. This man, S. He reminds me of someone…

-Who is that ? Ada's gaze was dark.

-An old acquaintance. But he's dead so it can't be him. She sipped her mojito. Look, from what I've managed to find, you seem to be okay for a few weeks. But stay on your guard, it is difficult to distinguish your ally from your enemy.

-And you Ada, are you my ally or my enemy? Léon looked her straight in the eyes.

-Wesker being dead, being currently without an employer…. She paused, gently shaking her drink in her hand in a circle. I want to answer you, ally. She then drank the last sip of her cocktail and then got up. I would mind if you died anyway. The man looked at her slightly surprised.

-Because you couldn't use me anymore, could you? Ada looked at him, but she seemed slightly hurt by the sentence.

-Is that what you think of me? The woman wasn't wearing her usual smile at that moment. Do you think I only want to use you?

-At least that's what you've done since we've known each other. Leon frowned, slightly angry.

-Look… I regret that it happened like that… I… there isn't a day when I don't regret some of my choices. And using you is part of it. I got away from it all today. If I'm here in Washington it's because of you... She slowly inhaled a breath. I want our relationship to change. I don't just want it to be a profit relationship. I spent so much time alone doing mission after mission. I was coveted, in demand... But now I want that to change. I came to help you Léon, For catch up on all this. If I take my time to help you it is not by profile. I really don't want you to die. She grabbed her purse and placed it on her shoulder, she placed a bill on the counter to pay for the two drinks and got ready. has leave without a word. Léon then grabbed her wrist abruptly so she wouldn't run away again. He turned her to face him and, without a word, he asked his lips on hers. The woman was so surprised that she did not react to the kiss. Leon kept his grip on her wrist as he pulled away from her. He didn't really know why he did that, but it was the time, if he didn't act, she was going to disappear like smoke again, maybe he'll never see her again.

-Things can still change Ada. But you have to want it. The mercenary looked at him without a word. She looked away and clenched her fists. Ada, I care about you too... I... all this time you have never left my mind, and today, you are here in front of me, you have no chains holding you back, you are free to do your own choices! So Ada… what do you want?… Because I… I care about you…. Léon felt so relieved of a weight. He had finally said to her these few words which weighed so heavily on his heart. She opened her mouth but no words came out. Where was the confident woman, never hesitant? Leon was the only one who could put her in this state. She knew she loved him. She meant everything she told him in Racoon at the time, unfortunately her job didn't allow her to have connections with anyone, much less a government agent. She closed her lips in a thin line and jerked her wrist from his grip.

-Do you really think something could happen between us?! I... I have several arrest warrants on my head, I am wanted by two countries. You Léon have a stable life, a stable job. It will never work! The woman quickly turned around and walked out of the nightclub. Once outside, she headed towards a quiet street where she knew there was no surveillance camera. She closed her eyes and let the cool winter air caress her face. Suddenly she heard footsteps behind her. Ada turned to face Leon. He approached her, grabbed her hand and placed something inside. The woman looked down and looked at what he had given her. She gasped in surprise, it was the compact she had left for him on the plane in China.

-I swore to myself that I would return it to you the next time I saw you. She says nothing and runs her finger along the edges of the butterfly. Ada.. what do you want? I don't ask what you can, but what you want... He grabbed both of her hands in his, both of their breaths could be seen in the cold winter air. She was surprisingly calm and let himself be carried away by him.

-I do not have the right. I don't have the right to tell you, I don't have the right to want something. After everything I have done in my life I have no right to ask for happiness. She gently moved both of her hands away from his. After everything I've done to you, I have no right to ask you anything. Leon clenched his fist.

-Don't you think it's selfish to choose Ada for me?! You say you have no right to ask me anything, but have you really thought of me in all of this? What I can want... Why do you think that even today I'm single. I… My heart is yours, it has been since Racoon. I will never stop waiting for you Ada… and I think you will too-

-Leon. She stopped him. Give me time to think about it okay...I...I need time to sort things out. I listened to you and I heard you. But I need some time to think. She didn't want to tell him, but what he said resonated within her, awakening a desire she thought she had buried. After all. Maybe she could have the right to happiness with him. But how ? She needed to think about it. Give me this time and you will have your answer, okay?

-Take all the time you need Ada, it's been so many years already. I can still wait. She handed him the powder compact.

-I'll pick it up next time I come, okay? He grabbed the item and nodded. She smiled softly at him and turned around. Take care of yourself.

-Be careful too. He watched her go, smiling himself, then turned to go towards his car. As he walked away he noticed a paper in his pocket, the man looked at it, it was all the information she had collected. He smiled and put the paper away before continuing on his way.

~To be continued~

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