Chapter Text
2013
Everything has been a whirlwind since late October. Returning to the United States means hours of debriefing. Especially since Leon S. Kennedy was declared dead during his last mission, there was a lot of explaining to do. Ingrid Hunnigan, Leon’s field support, found herself in a long debriefing session as well. With their stories aligned, evidence turned in, and the true culprit dead, the Division of Security Operations (DSO) found it was necessary to clean up and move on. No need to drag it out and draw attention.
After leaving their debrief at the Pentagon, Leon and Ingrid head to the company car and drive back to the DSO. Leon leans his head against the headrest and stares out the window. The Potomac River comes into view as they go over a bridge. He’d rather be driving. Something to keep his mind from wandering.
Suddenly he hears Ingrid, “So…what’s on your mind?”
Leon looks over to her. He shakes his head and tries to play it off, “Uh, nothing.”
Ingrid doesn’t pry, though the concern on her face is evident. Their partnership is full of trust and understanding. There is a line that was drawn to not let their feelings interfere with the job.
She contemplates making a confession. She squirms slightly in her seat, not breaking eye contact.
She slowly nods, acknowledging his response.
“What?” Leon asks, furrowing his eyebrows.
She fidgets with her fingers in her lap, turning the thought around in her mind trying to decide, and sighs deeply.
“Never mind.” She looks away.
Leon turns to look out the window again, not pushing further. If she has something to say, she will.
Ingrid will have to make that call sooner or later. She looks out the window as familiar buildings pass by.
She bites her lip as she remembers the lie she had to tell a friend to keep Leon safe. Telling the truth might unravel something, but she can’t keep the lie up. She hopes Leon handles the situation with care.
……
The past 14 years have been a blur for Leon. So many missions, so many lives lost.
Circumstances have always prevented him from making his own choices and leading the life he had once wanted. That last real choice he made was becoming a police officer and moving to Raccoon City…and look at where that brought him. He’s given up trying to shape his personal life to anything that doesn’t involve training, researching, and missions. Relaxation is sprinkled here and there, only for the necessity of needing it to recover from injuries.
The silence filling the car is deafening. His eyelids become heavy, so he straightens up.
They finally arrive at the DSO and make their way to their desks.
Ingrid exchanges small pleasantries with her coworkers, while Leon keeps his eyes forward.
He passes coworkers who step out of his way. A few avoid eye contact.
As Leon sits down at his desk, he replays everything that’s happened since October. All the memories begin to create a black hole in his mind. He looks around his desk. Everything looks the same. He looks up to see everyone is busy doing something, but he doesn’t know where to begin.
He picks up a pen and starts idly playing with it. Holding one tip of the pen between his thumb and index finger, tapping the other end to his desk, then sliding his fingers down its length and flipping the pen over. He keeps doing this over and over, trying his best to distract himself. He hears distant laughter from co-workers having a conversation and he realizes that he’s wasting time, he should probably get to writing the reports on everything that’s happened. When he tries to log into his computer, his access is denied.
Confusion fills his mind – did he forget his password? Nope. He leans his head back as he rolls his eyes and lets out a frustrated sigh.
He gets up and slowly starts making his way to the I.T. department. Once he is there, the trip turns out to be fruitless. His account and permissions were deactivated due to his “death.” Ingrid will have to submit a request to have all his access reinstated. For that to happen, the request will need to go through a few people to get approved. Resigned, Leon drags himself to Ingrid’s office.
As he arrives at her doorway, Leon can hear her having a conversation.
“...Don’t…don’t do that…No, I get it…” she notices Leon looking at her. She straightens up, swivels her chair to face away from him, and cups her hand over her mouth as she speaks into her cellphone. “Hey, listen, I have to go. Yes…okay…again, I’m sorry, but…” she sighs, “okay, talk to you soon.”
Leon is slightly intrigued by this exchange and raises an eyebrow questionably when Ingrid meets him again. She gives him a hard stare and he knows better than to ask so he fills her in on his current predicament instead.
“Go home. Rest up. You haven’t been home since when…October?”
Leon thinks on it for a moment, puts his hands in his pants pockets and lets out a heavy sigh, “September, actually,” he replies.
Ingrid looks him in the eyes, “Go. Home.”
He gives her a simple nod and turns on his heel, out the door. Going home sounds better than staying in the office. At least at home, he can have a drink, shower, and maybe take a nap.
He makes it to the parking garage. Finds his black Ducati XDiavel and heads straight home. Going at a slower speed that he’d like, he finds himself trying to get past the traffic that is starting to build.
Luckily, he finds a parking spot on the street close to the front of his apartment building.
As he starts walking on the sidewalk, he pulls out his personal cellphone and holds down the power button. Somehow, the thing starts to turn on, even though he cannot remember the last time he charged it.
He looks up and notices a familiar blonde looking up at his apartment building. He freezes, his mind slowly recognizing her.
Her hair is longer, her facial features still the same, just…more mature.
She bites her bottom lip and takes a deep breath in and out. She notices someone is staring at her, so turns her head and meets his eyes. Recognition also dawns on her.
Leon stiffens. He should leave. He doesn’t.
Their eyes gaze intently at each other. There is something in her eyes that he can’t quite grasp.
Leon’s mind is readying his body to bolt, but she flashes her sweet smile. That damn smile.
As if seeing him brought her back to life, Ashley makes her way over to him.
Completely locked in place, Leon simply watches as she stands right in front of him.
Leon swallows nervously.
……
She puts her hands inside her coat pockets, “Hello there, stranger,” she says in a mimicking tone of someone they knew long ago, a teasing smile on her face.
Leon exhales sharply through his nose, a snort escaping before he can stop it. He doesn’t laugh, but the amusement in his eyes gives him away. “Ashley Graham,” he responds. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
His body still feels stiff, his mind unsure, but none of this is noticed by Ashley.
At this, Ashley’s cheeks turn pink. She looks down at her feet and she sways back and forth, thinking about how to explain why she’s standing outside Leon’s apartment after…how many years has it been? Four…FOUR?! The regret starts to build inside her again, along with a lump in her throat. Leon notices her nervousness which, in turn, confuses him. He crosses his arms.
In a quiet tone, almost a whisper, as she still struggles to look up at him, Ashley explains, “I…uh…I heard you died and…I…umm…” She closes her eyes, takes a deep breath in and out. After a moment, she looks into his steel blue eyes with a newfound strength. He looks back into her green eyes, full of pain, anger, regret, and gentleness.
“I heard you died. I mourned you.” Her face looks pained, her voice shakes a little.
She closes her eyes again and presses the palms of her hands into them. “And then, today, out of the blue, I hear that you are alive.” She looks around, biting her bottom lip. “I left work. I didn’t even tell anybody I was leaving. I just made my way here…I’ve been standing here…” she cringes at her confession. She needs to compose herself. After so many years, she can’t let the first thing Leon see is her cry.
Leon had asked her for space. And space she gave him. She waited for an opportune time to be able to see him again. Maybe fate would allow their paths to cross again. But when she heard he had died during a mission, her world came tumbling down.
After years of fighting the urge to call, she had finally caved, but was sent directly to voicemail. She didn’t leave a message. She wanted to talk to him, so she figured she would keep trying.
The next day brought horrifying news. Having the miracle to stand in front of him again was more than anything she could have conjured up in her dreams. She won’t allow this moment to pass her again. Leon is too important for her to forget or stay away.
Leon watches as she struggles to continue speaking. Still unable to meet his gaze.
He never thought his fake death would affect anyone. Definitely not Ashley.
Leon looks around uncomfortably, but finds her looking at him again.
At Leon’s silence, Ashley continues, letting out a sigh in defeat. “I just…felt so stupid. Waiting to see you again. I kept myself away thinking that if fate would have it, we’d cross paths again.”
She makes a face and shakes her head. “Silly and childish, really,” she says sadly.
Her face softens. “I wanted to reach out, but I promised you I wouldn’t cross the boundaries you set.” Her eyes fill up with sadness.
Leon is speechless, listening to her, unsure of what to say, and what to make of what she was saying…she…she missed him?
“I’ve had 3 months to live in regret and “what ifs.” Completely ashamed and frustrated that I did not reach out to you.” She’s talking fast now and waving her hands around. “I should have just texted or called every once in a while to check-in…even if you didn’t answer. You could have at least known that I have never forgotten you. That you could still count on me...” She covers her face with both her hands to make herself stop.
She puts her hands down and hangs her head low. “I want to be a friend to you…”
To push her point even further, she straightens up, lifts her chin, and with determination in her eyes she takes a step forward, “Well, fuck fate and your incessant belief that you are better off alone.”
Leon’s eyebrows move slightly upwards, just barely giving away his surprise at her statement. The silence between them is thick, Leon looks at her as she looks back at him. She moves slightly, trying to keep her ground.
Leon isn’t sure if he is supposed to say something…the best he can come up with is “So…?”
“So…” Ashley continues, her hands now balled into fists at her side, “You and I will be going out for coffee, to catch up, to sit in silence, whatever, at least once a month…if you’re in town.” She quickly adds. “We should spend time together, you know? Like friends are supposed to. Still have the same number?”
Leon slowly nods an affirmative. Slightly stunned, still confused, and a bit amused by all this.
“Okay…” Ashley looks around again and shakes her hands open and rolls her shoulders back. “Well, I know you are probably extremely exhausted and want to go rest…so, I’ll text you tomorrow and we can set something up. I saw a coffee shop just down the block, we can meet there. Make it easier for you.”
Make it easier for me…?
“Okay…well…I’m glad to see that you are in one piece…and not dead…” This makes her falter once more…her eyes begin to glisten and she swallows hard
“You’re not dead…” her breathing shakes both in relief and sadness that it all had to come to this. She frowns slightly, “I’ll go now. I’ll see you soon?”
Leon doesn’t respond, but tilts his head a bit.
The thought that she has been so distraught over him makes him feel…things. After all he said to push her away, she still wants to be friends. It would have been easier if she had just shown up and slapped him across the face.
Still standing like a statue, Ashley only nods, accepting his silence, and starts to turn away with her head hanging low. At this, Leon’s heart gives him a tug.
“I’m free now,” he blurts out to both his and her surprise.
She quickly turns her head around, “Really!?” She said that a little louder than she meant to and she cringes at her lack of decorum. Could you BE more obvious, Ash?
Leon thinks over his next few words. Guess there’s no backing out now…
He shifts from one foot to the other “...yeah…my apartment isn’t going anywhere. I just have a question.”
“Yeah?”
“You’re buying, right?”
…
As if Leon would let her pay for anything. He allowed her to order first and after saying his order, he stood between the register and Ashley, completely blocking the way. With her credit card still in her hand, Ashley playfully smacks him on the arm with her card, “Really? I thought I was inviting you.”
Leon shrugs.
They make their way to a table in the corner of the coffee shop. There is a lull in the place from the lack of people. Which makes both of them feel more comfortable. Neither one of them likes being around crowds.
They sit in silence looking around, casting glances at each other, but neither one of them wants to speak first.
Leon has his chair pushed back from the table, learning forward, forearms resting on his thighs, hands loosely interlocked. Cool. Contained.
Ashley is scooted all the way up, back straight, with her hands and arms resting on the table. Her fingers nervously tapping away at the surface.
“So…” they both start at the same time. Ashley covers her mouth with her hand and giggles. Leon nods a go ahead to Ashley, for her to speak first.
“How have you been?” Ashley flinches at her dumb question.
Since October, she’d woken up with the thought that he was long gone. Seeing him again is bringing up a lot of memories, conversations, and she is having a hard time focusing on what to say. Her right leg is bouncing up and down rapidly.
She would be perfectly fine just sitting together with him, like they are, taking in the sight of him. His hair, the same as always. Brown. A bit darker than she remembers, but it still falls perfectly across his forehead, framing his face. She’s always tried to catch a glimpse of his blue eyes hiding underneath when she can. His black leather jacket, over his black collared shirt, and gray jeans. His stubble is fuller than she’s ever seen it before. His eyes look exhausted. She frowns slightly. He should be resting.
Leon stares at her for a moment. She looks as pretty as ever. Contrasting his muted colors, Ashley is wearing a green, plaid peacoat that suits her so well. Compliments her green eyes. She has the coat unbuttoned to reveal a white turtle neck shirt. Her denim jeans are a lighter blue with a brown belt that match her brown shoes and purse.
As the silence between them grows, they both realize at the same time they’ve been awkwardly staring at each other. Ashley shifts uncomfortably in her chair.
Leon clears his throat and sits up straight and looks around the room and answers, “Fine.”
Ashley wants to crawl under the table. Her face is starting to burn. “Uh…what were you gonna say earlier?”
Leon looks at her again and a light smile creeps across his face, but his eyes turn a bit gloomy. “I heard congratulations are in order.”
Ashley tilts her head to the side and gives him a look of confusion.
He looks away, not wanting to say it out loud. He leans back and crosses his arms. “I heard you got engaged.”
“Oh…OH! THAT.” She lets out an awkward laugh and lifts up her left hand to wiggle a ringless finger. “Didn’t make it down the aisle.” She rolls her eyes and shrugs.
“Oh…I’m sorry…”
She shakes her head immediately. “Don’t be. I’m not.” She says confidently. “He and I were…” she pauses. “Not right.”
“You? Not right for someone?” Leon asks in disbelief.
She shrugs, “He said, and I quote, ‘You’re not what I’m looking for and it’s time we stopped pretending.’”
Leon winces slightly.
“Ouch…”
“He wasn’t what I wanted either, so, it’s fine. It worked out for the better.”
Leon is hurt for her as she looks down at her hands. He feels protective of her as he sees the part she doesn’t say.
He shouldn’t ask, but does anyway.
“Then why say yes?”
She looks up at him with an amused look on her face. “Politics.” She puts her hands under chin and smiles innocently, “American royalty, remember?” She rolls her eyes as she lets her hands back on the table.
“Right,” he nods and lets out a sigh.
“He wants to be president one day. Mommy thought having ‘America’s Darling’ by his side would make him look good.”
She scrunches up her face.
“Like some fairytale.”
“Mmmm…those don’t ever end well.”
She slowly nods her head in agreement, “Exactly.”
“...and how did your dad feel about this?”
Ashley hesitates. “He…he…” She looks down and braces herself, “He thought if someone was willing to marry me and take care of me, it was a win. It would be better than me ending up alone.” She looks up at him with sadness in her eyes and shrugs again. “I hadn’t really dated anyone.” She pauses for a moment. “He was happy because he thought I was happy. I guess he’s worried I’ll be alone forever and never settle down.”
“I don’t think so.” They look each other in the eyes.
“Really?”
“No way. You’ll find someone who appreciates you and values what you bring to the table.”
She smirks. “And, what may I ask, do I bring to the table?” she says in the playful tone he knows too well. She is leaning forward on the table now, her chin resting on her hand.
He lets out an amused chuckle and shifts in his chair. “Grace, kindness, warmth…”
He straightens his back and looks away, “...and you’re still good company.”
This makes her break out that lovely smile of hers again and a tinge of pink spreads across her cheeks.
They hear “Leon! Ashley!” from the barista.
As Ashley makes to stand up to get her coffee, Leon waves at her with his hand for her to stay seated. He goes for their drinks.
All she can do is stare at his back. She still feels the same. Even after all these years. Wherever Leon is, it is the safest place to be. Her heart aches.
He returns, setting Ashley’s drink in front of her. She takes off her jacket draping it over the chair. Leon does the same and sits down.
He clears his throat.
“So…what about them Red Sox?”
She pauses, looks at him for a moment and lets out a genuine laugh.
“Seriously?”
He shrugs. Deadpan.
“It’s important.”
She shakes her head and smiles into her cup.
“I’ve missed you.”
Leon doesn’t respond, but he keeps his eyes on her.
Their conversation becomes more lighthearted.
The only thing that anyone else can hear as they come and go is their low chuckles. They talk in a hushed tone to one another, about everything and nothing at all.
They both slowly lean in a little closer to each other. Neither realizes this.
Their hands resting near their cups. Their hands are almost touching, but not quite.
They lose track of time.
…
Leon and Ashley realize that the coffee shop has been empty for a while, the workers are starting to clean up, and they take this as their hint to leave. As they step outside, they realize the sun is starting to set.
“You know, I should be the one walking you home.” Leon says as he takes a look at their surroundings.
Ashley scoffs. “We’d be walking for a while. Don’t worry. I parked my car right over there.” She points to a brand new 2013 blue Volkswagen Beetle Convertible.
Leon stops and chuckles. Ashley stops a few steps ahead of him and looks back at him, “What?”
“Could you have picked the most conspicuous car imaginable? In a sea of black sedans and SUVs in this city, that sticks out like a sore thumb! Plus, a convertible? Doesn’t seem very safe.”
“Ha! Says the man who rides around in a motorcycle.”
She crosses her arms and shifts back on one leg. “Tell me, Leon, did you wear a helmet on the way here?” Leon rolls his eyes in an exaggerated annoyed expression. “Yeah, didn’t think so,” she says in a playful tone.
They start walking again and she explains, “It’s a Christmas present to myself. I wanted a Volkswagen Beetle when I first got my license at 16, but dad wouldn’t allow it.”
She shakes her head, “You know, being the governor and all at the time.” She says mockingly. “He couldn’t have his little girl driving around all by herself…especially in a car like that.”
Leon almost blurts Yeah, because you would have been easily followed and tracked. Easy to kidnap…but he caught himself because she had been riding an “inconspicuous” car with her detail when…
“So…” Leon’s thoughts stop, as Ashley continues with her explanation, “my mom bought me one of those Barbie Volkswagen beetles that they had just released at the time.” She looks over at Leon, who gives her a questioning look.
“I didn’t play with Barbies anymore,” she adds quickly, “but she said to consider it a placeholder until she bought me the actual car once dad was done being a governor. But…” She shrugs and looks away from him.
Ashley does not talk about her mother with just anyone. If Leon is remembering the Graham family timeline correctly, this means that Ashley’s mother, Lauren, had given her the toy car shortly before…
Ashley is looking into the distance, “She had one of the staff members go out and get it for me.” Leon isn’t sure if she’s talking to him anymore. “She was already bed ridden when that happened. She was gone a month after.” She sighs and turns back around giving him a sad smile.
They arrive at the front of Leon’s building. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have poked fun…” Leon awkwardly trails off.
Ashley gives him another sad grin. “You’re right. That is not a sensible car for me. I wanted to live out my teenage dreams, now that I’m an adult and not in the public eye so much.” She shrugs, “Do it now before I turn 30 and become a grandma.”
“Hey, now. Being 30 isn’t so bad.” Leon, being well into his mid-thirties, jokingly takes a slight offense.
A warm smile spreads across her face. “It was wonderful catching up with you, Leon.” She says his name so sweetly. She still looks at him with that twinkle in her eyes, fluttering her lashes at him slightly, and her smile…gosh when is her smile not going to punch him in the gut?
“Yeah. It was nice. Here let me walk you to your car.”
“Nope.” She puts a palm up to stop him. “I’m a big girl. YOU go upstairs and get some rest. I already took up way more time than I intended.”
“Regret spending time with me?”
At this, Ashley’s face turns serious and her tone firm, “Never.” Leon is slightly taken aback.
“G’night,” she walks away before he can respond.
“Night.” Leon says in a low tone.
He goes up the steps to the apartment building’s front entrance, but he turns and watches as Ashley gets into her car, turns it on, and starts to pull away. She lightly honks the horn and waves goodbye with Leon giving her a slight nod of his head in return.
When he enters his apartment, Leon throws himself face down on his couch and lets the exhaustion finally take over. As he lays there, everything comes tumbling down on top of him at once.
His evening gone, the only light in his apartment comes from the street outside. Leon feels the quiet becoming its usual oppressor. Too tired to do anything else, Leon sits up, kicks off his shoes, takes off his jacket, and makes his way to a familiar kitchen cabinet. He may not make an effort to keep his pantry stocked with much, but he always makes sure to have a bottle of his favorite bourbon on hand after his missions.
He takes a glass and makes his way back to the couch. He pours himself a generous amount and gulps it down. For someone who isn’t used to it, drinking bourbon this fast may feel a bit intense. The warmth of it feels more like an uncomfortable burn. But for Leon, he no longer drinks it for the taste or the sensation of it going down. He wants to sleep.
He pours a second glass and leans all the way back on the couch, allowing the first glass to start relaxing his muscles. As he sits, he feels the warmth of his drink within his chest, he feels his arms and back start to loosen, and he knows it won’t be long before he starts to drift. He can handle his alcohol, but tonight, it seems his body is ready to rest after the chaos the last few months have been.
Leon’s mind brings her back. She was here. With him. She wants to see him more. Leon still isn’t sure it is a good idea, but a small smile spreads across his face as he recalls snippets of their conversation.
The way the sunset made her hair glow as the light came through the windows.
Her giggles at his stupid one liners. She’s the only one that ever found them funny.
And her eyes…the way she looks at him when he speaks…or doesn’t. They’re filled with a quiet intensity that both thrills and scares him.
And with the memories of her face as she looked at him, listening to his every word, he falls asleep. His second glass, forgotten in his hand.