Chapter Text
Ring Ring
Ring, ring, why don't you give me a call?
Ring, ring, the happiest sound of them all
Ring, ring, I stare at the phone on the wall
And I sit all alone impatiently
Won't you please understand the need in me
So, ring, ring, why don't you give me a call?
——Ring Ring （ABBA, 1973）
LEON’S POV
“Major Krauser? What are you doing here?”
The theater was in chaos. Someone kidnapped a young woman and hid her in the Racoon City’s theater the day when Wesker Dance Company left. The whole city was trapped in nervousness,
Some time ago…
“The kidnapper requires a policeman inside. What should we do?” An operator asked Marvin.
“Strange. Generally, criminals prefer females.” Marvin frowned, “This’s a tricky one.”
“Excuse me, sir.” Leon stepped forward, “let me be the one to face him. I’m more familiar with this place than everyone else.”
“You?” Marvin stared at him.
“Yes, me.” Leon met his eyes unwaveringly, “Just give me the micro device and tell him Officer Kennedy will be his negotiator.”
“Your courage is appreciated, but promise me not to do anything reckless.” Marvin signed, giving an interphone into his hands, “Bring both of you back safe. If anything, let us know through the device.”
“Yes, sir!”
Leon entered the building that he had been observing for days, quickly inspecting the inside.
What a luxurious place. Suits Ada.
“I see you coming, rookie!” A low but threatening voice came abruptly from the acoustic facility above his head.
“Meet me backstage. I’ve cleared this sissy place and leave it just for us men!”
Why, is it so obvious that I’m new to this career?
Leon looked up in question.
Better listen to him. Just make sure the victim’s safety,
“I’ve heard you.” Leon answered loudly.
He is watching me through the monitoring system.
Leon clenched his fists, walking towards the backstage area under the guidance of signs along the way.
Leon wasn’t as anxious as he expected. On the contrary, he found himself strangely at ease because he was stepping on the same routes as Ada once did.
“Uncle Sam at least did one thing good to have sent you here, rookie.” A familiar figure appeared at the end of corridor.
“Major Krauser? What are you doing here? Did you do all of this?” Leon asked in astonishment, hardly believing what he saw.
“You haven’t changed a bit since last time I’ve trained you. No progress at all. “Krauser snickered, toying with a dagger in his hand.
“Why did you do this? You must have lost your mind.” Leon signed, putting up his hands, “No weapons. It’s just me. Is the victim unharmed?”
“You think I’m so stupid to tell everything?” Krauser sneered, “Not until you defeat me, rookie.”
Krauser brought the dagger up, the same position he always did when he trained Leon back in the academy.
“Roger. Let me show you what I’ve learned these years.” Leon prepared for the battle.
“You know nothing about all thins corruption even now!” Krauser dashed towards him, “Soldiers are pawns. Once used, they’ll be abandoned. One day you, as a policeman, will be one of them!”
“You keep spitting bullshit. Is that the reason why you kidnapped an innocent woman?” Leon gritted his teeth, defensing Krauser’s attack with his arms.
The dagger was only a few inches away from his throat.
“Witness my power!” Krauser barked as he increased his strength, “I can see right through you while you, pretty boy, are too blind to have relied on those blue eyes of yours.”
“If this is the power you’ve got, I must ask for a refund.” Leon gripped firmly on those wrists, desperately trying to find a way to fight back.
Since this mad man was overly focusing on bragging about this power, he must have some kind of weakness.
Like, the back of his body.
“Nice try, rookie.” Krauser smiled, “Bit it was just a childish trick. Now prepare to die!”
At this moment, a slim figure appeared at the end of the corridor.
Leon widened his eyes in but he didn’t make a sound.
Is that the victim?
Before Krauser’s dagger dashed forward, something solid hit the back of his head. Without precaution, Krauser’s awareness went blank instantly as his eyes rolled up and fell down to the ground with a thud.
“Hurry!” The girl ran to Leon, grabbing his wrist along the way, “I know the fastest way out.”
“You thought you can escape me.” Krauser hissed, crawling on the ground, “But you’ll never leave this place alive.”
Heavy breaths echoed around the dark corridors. The rookie and the young woman ran through the labyrinth-like theater.
“It’s me. We’re safe. I’ve got her.” Leon managed to speak to his microphone.
“Be careful, Leon. We found signs of bombs near the exit.”
“Which one?”
Leon’s sweat dropped down his forehead as the girl pointed to a door.
“That one, quick!”
“Wait a sec!” Leon caught her elbow and shoved her behind him.
“Leon, watch out!” The microphone cried out to him.
Too late. Leon pushed the girl away with his last strength. His consciousness was lost as a strong wave of heat hit him hard.
……
“Ohhh look at our big hero…”
Who is… talking to me…?
“What a vigorous, masculine body you’ve got…”
What’s in the air…? So smelly…
“Good morning…or should I say…Good afternoon, Officer Kennedy.”
Giddily, Leon opened his eyes, only to see a dark gray face with a toothy grin.
He frowned, looking away.
“I’m Victor Gideon, your physician.” The man changed an angle, moving even closer, “Don’t avoid me. We can talk.”
“When was the last time you brushed your teeth?” Leon painfully grimaced, struggling to endure the ache all over his body.
What’s more, the smell of this creepy man’s mouth was hurting him twice.
The doctor was obviously unpleasant at his comment. He stepped back towards his working table.
“How heartless you are to judge a dedicated doctor who just saved you from injuries!” Doctor Gideon whined.
“How is the victim?”
“Graham Dance Company’s heiress is fine by herself.” He turned to face Leon with a mysterious smile.
“I’m very surprised by your survival from the bomb. Your limbs are well-kept. It’s just your back that takes the hardest damage.”
“Gods that’s why my back hurts so much…” The rookie moaned.
“Anyway, let’s begin your investigation before everybody outside meets our big hero…”
“Hey don’t you get close to me without covering your mouth!”
………
“Thank you for agreeing on working overtime, Leon.” Ashley Graham smiled as they entered the theater once again, “I can’t do this without you.”
“Nah, you are very brave, too.” Leon said as he followed.
After days of rest and facing the buzzling from medias, Leon was praised and worshipped everywhere around the city. His fee became way too better.
“There’s one thing I’m curious about.” Leon asked as he scanned the landscape, “What exactly did you throw at Krauser?”
“A pointe shoe. A new one without breaking in.” She explained, “He hid me in that dressing room with a wall of pointe shoes storage. I was observing from behind and when he was obsessed with talking nonsense, I threw it at him.”
“Apparently, he knows nothing about dancers.” She smirked, “I’ll show a pair to you some time.”
“Impressive…” Leon murmured as Ada’s dancing figure floating on his mind.
“So, you dancers must endure a lot before stepping on stage.” He asked, “But you are Graham’s daughter, this path can be easier for you, yes?”
They talked as they walked through the corridors where the kidnap happened. Ashley seemed to become a little nervous but she stayed calm as much as she could.
“You mean the career as a dancer?” Ashley slowed her pace, “Yes, maybe.”
In front of them was the entrance to the main stage.
“But that’s not my ultimate goal.” She moved in to inspect the conditions of this stage.
“I’m going to be the art director of our dancing company. So being a dancer is just step one.” She kept her back straight, “Watching the theater in advance before the performance is also one of my work contents. Even that thing…happened…”
She was implying the kidnapping.
Leon smiled:” You dancers never fail to impress me.”
“You know some other dancers?”
“Yeah, a few of them.” He thought about Ada and Luis.
“Maybe you indeed have some ties with dancing.” She beamed at him, “Let’s go check the rehearsal hall, shall we?”
???’S POV
This is the place where she practiced Swan Lake.
This is the place where he watched her dancing.
They have shared such an endearing moment here.
To the gentle sound of the Dying Swan, she danced.
No makeups. No tutu dress.
Just a simple blue leotard with a red scarf around her neck.
Pointe shoes moving, tapping. Arms waving up and down.
She was drowning in the music.
Until the sound of steps interrupted her performance.
“Ada?”
Startled, she came to a halt as she looked up to see a blond man and a young woman standing at the entrance.
Isn’t that the man who saved the Graham girl?
“You were late for the bus so you have to stay here?” The man grinned at her, almost stepping inside.
“Hey, you should at least take off your shoes before entering a dancing room.” The young woman nudged his elbow.
“Oh, sorry about that.” He moved backwards, but the dancer was already offended by his behaviors.
Sensing the awkwardness in the air, the man began to ask the dancer:” Excuse me, but you are looking unwell. What happened?”
The dancer in blue stared at him in silence as if observing something. Her eyes were cold and emotionless.
Music of the Dying Swan died out.
Frowning, the dancer turned away and began to pack up her things. She strode to the exit without looking back.
The man reached his hand to her but stopped himself halfway as if realizing something. He then stayed at his place.
However, the dancer didn’t just leave for good. She was curious about these two people.
Sneaking a few steps away, she hid herself in the shadow, listening to their conversation.
“I think I may have mistaken her for someone else… She can’t be here right now.”
“Did you take her for Ada Wong?”
“Wha…How did you…?”
“You spoke of her name. Also, the Dying Swan is the very work that made her super famous in dancing circle. You must have known her well.”
“……”
“They look almost identical. I once met her in a Gala. No wonder you greet the wrong person. I almost made the mistake, too.”
The dancer widened her eyes in shock as her body trembled uncontrollably.
The bag in her hand was dropped down on the ground as she slumped to the ground in despair.
HOW COULD SOME OUTSIDER LIKE HIM KNOW HER SO MUCH?
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE BEHIND SIMMONS?
ADA WONG...
ADA WONG!!!
ADA’S POV
She was waiting for Leon’s call the night when the news came to her.
The television was silent, but on the screen was a shocking title:
Rookie Officer Saves Hostage in Racoon City Theater Abduction, Hit by Explosive Device — Now in Hospital Care
The host’s mouth opened and closed. Photos of the theater were flickering.
No, that can’t be him. It’s too soon...!
Worries was haunting her during the next days. Ada desperately trying to hide her daunted face while searching for any information about the case in Racoon City Theater. Leon’s call never came.
Maybe he doesn’t find the message in the key chain? Maybe he is just busy with his job?
In the morning light, Ada was having breakfast when the newspaper dropped. She came to alert as she received it and read the headlines:
Safe Hospital Exit: Hero Accepts Media Interviews
Her face melt into relief as she returned to the table, carefully reading the news.
Leon’s photos were all over the first page, hitting her hard.
His whole name, his smile, his police uniform. That’s undoubtedly the rookie officer, Leon Scott Kennedy!
She chuckled at his “Scott”.
Such a cute middle name he has.
Her chest was filled with proud and happiness. Her choice of man was excellent. Tears of relief almost dropped from the corner of her eyes.
Ada hugged the newspaper into her chest with a wide smile.
Her Leon is safe and sound, which meant everything to her.
Morning class, rehearsal, performance. She felt herself lighter, more flexible than ever. During the day, she secretly listened to all the talkings and gossips about the kidnap case, about Officer Kennedy.
Why, rookie, you’ve become famous!
As a result, in the end of the day, she learned about almost everything about him.
To 9pm, Ada stood beside the telephone, waiting for his call.
It’s alright he didn’t have the chance to call me these days. But if there’s still no call tonight, I doubt whether he’ll have the opportunity to see me again.
Thinking about this, the excitement scattered as she sighed.
A few minutes later, the ringing sound broke the silence, filling the dull apartment with brightness.
“Hello, this is Ada Wong.” She smiled victoriously but tried her best to sound as calm and casual as possible,
“Hey Ada. It’s me, Leon Kennedy.”
On the other side of the telephone, a familiar male sound made her heart flutter with fondness.
“I’ve found the information you put in that little bear. I’m sorry to have called you so late but some accident happened here so I didn’t have the chance to touch the phone privately until now. I know you are disappointed but believe me, I...”
“Oh, Leon S. Kennedy! Our hero, the star of Racoon City!” She mocked, “Everybody is talking about this and I can’t be more proud of you.”
“Thanks but...hey, I didn’t remember telling you my middle name!” He exclaimed.
“But newspapers told me all about you.” She let out a hearty laugh, “Our rookie has become so famous, our Scott.”
“Oh, that’s true though. My fee has become way too better after this.” He stopped for a while, “But my feelings for you is still the same. That won’t change.”
“Leon...” Her eyes softened as her fingers began to play with telephone wires, “I heard you were injured by a bomb. Is everything ok now? Do you feel aches anywhere on your body?”
“Speaking of the devil!” He moaned, “It’s worse than it seems. Except the back, everywhere hurts. If only you can have a look, that will make me feel better. God damn it that Krauser is insane!”
“You know the kidnapper?”
“He used to be the instructor back in my academy. He said he did this in revenge for his comrades. But I don’t think that has anything to do with the Graham’s heiress.”
“I know that Graham girl as well.” She said, “You saved the future star of Ballet, I can say that.”
“Talking about Ballet. How are you doing, Ada? Are you performing these days?”
“We are preparing for Giselle in the next month. In the Christmas season, we’ll be performing Nutcracker and Swan Lake.”
“Luis is still your dance partner?”
“By now, yes, but...” Ada lowered her voice, “The director had made another dancer called Simon to be my partner in Giselle, so I practice with him as well.”
“You sound worried. Does the change affects you?”
“Very much. I didn’t know about Simon and Luis wasn’t happy about it either. This is so sudden that neither of us knows the reason of it. It requires more time and energy to cope with Simon.”
They fell into a moment of silence.
“Hey Ada.” Leon spoke first, “You know I’m always here for you.”
“I know.” The corner of her mouth curved upward.
“I’ll try for a chance to watch your performance during Christmas. Whatever it takes, I’ll find a way to you.”
Ada’s chest warmed up at his words. But she wasn’t hurried to answer him.
“Though we can’t see each other in person, we can still keep in touch with telephone, right?”
“Yes but...” She paused, “I can’t always be around the telephone at this time every day. I may be practicing or rehearsing or...”
“It’s ok, Ada. If you need me, just call me or write to me, or just leave me a voice message. I’ll reply to them. I’m more than ready to.”
If she could see his face right now, she would give him a chef kiss on the cheek.
“Don’t give so many promises all at once, Officer Kennedy.” She smirked.
“You can’t get rid of me that easy, Ada.” He chuckled.