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Leon’s blue eyes scan the hall, finding a lack of enemies. He opens the door wider to allow Ashley in. After running from the dogs in the garden, they take a moment to breathe. The young blonde woman lets out a harsh cough.
“You okay?” He immediately asks her.
“Y-yeah.” She nods and replies quickly. His lips flatten into a frown, as another cough wracks her body.
“Hey, why don’t we take a break.” Leon offers, shocking the young woman.
“I’m fine, we should keep going,” she responds trying to brush it off.
“Well, I’m exhausted.” The blonde man places his hands on his hips. “Come on, let’s find somewhere to sit for a moment.” He gestures for her to follow him. They enter a room with plush red couches, it was quiet and there were only a few things around the place. Leon took a seat, Ashley following after him sitting beside him. He leans back and shuts his eyes letting himself relax, making sure to listen out for any footsteps.
“Hey, Leon.”
“Hmm?”
“How’d you get involved with all of this?” She asks curiously, the man’s eyes open and he gives her a confused look. “Being an agent and all this. I mean most people would find this stuff insane.” She points out to the man.
“It’s… a long story.” His eyes don’t quite meet the young woman’s.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to bring up anything sensitive.” Ashley looks down at her hands in her lap.
“It’s okay, about six years ago I was… recruited.” He struggled to find the right word. “I originally planned to be a police officer,” Leon adds his eyes drifting to the floor. “I wanted to help people.”
“Well, aren’t you still helping people?”
“This isn’t the type of mission I normally do.” He points out, but she shakes her head.
“I mean like you take care of threats against the US and all while looking cool.” She explains to the man. “Agent Kennedy has a nicer ring.” Leon lets out a soft chuckle.
“Yeah?”
“Oh yeah! Besides, you’re helping me, aren’t you?” She elbows him gently to which he winces. “Oh! Sorry! Are you okay!?” She immediately asks, examining him.
“I’m fine.” He laughs as the young woman looks at him nervously.
“Stop laughing! You could be hurt!” She snaps at him. He tries to wave her off but he stops to cough into his fist. “Leon…”
“I’m okay.” He reassures her through his
“Stop acting tough, you can count on me too.” She crosses her arms he sighs softly.
“I’m supposed to bring you home.”
“Well, I’m not going home alone.” She replies stubbornly.
“I believe that, come on.” He stands offering her a hand, which she takes and they head back into the grand hall of the castle.
Ashley woke her head clouded slightly, but the pain was gone. She looked at her arm to find her skin clear of any black veins, however, she realized someone was missing. A groan of pain catches her attention.
“Leon!” She yells as the man writhes in pain on the floor. His face and arms were covered in the black veins from the plagas. “Hold on!” She struggles to lift him. “Ugh, he’s so heavy.” She groans and stops before she gets his arm around her shoulder. After some effort, she manages to get him onto the chair. “Okay, now…” She was trying not to panic as Leon was passed out on the chair. She turns to the computer confused for a moment when she finds the right thing, the computer begins to target the plagas in his body. Nervously she accepts the request to purge it from his body that pops up. Leon groans in pain as the machine works on the parasite. She grabs his hand, her eyes filled with worry and concern. The machine stops and the computer beeps informing her of the success of ridding his body of the parasite. A smile forms on her face upon seeing that.
“Huh..?” She looks at Leon who begins to wake up. “Ashley? Did you do this?” He asks, looking at her curiously.
“Yeah, I told you I’m not going home alone.” She shrugs it off. Leon smiles softly looking at the young woman. He begins to stand from the chair only to be hugged by the blonde young woman. “I thought you weren’t going to make it.” She admits and he hugs her back.
“I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.” He reassures her before moving away. “Ready to go home?”
“More than ready.”
“Here to visit your father?” Patrick asks the blonde-haired woman.
“Kinda, I’ll visit him too.”
“Ashley?” A voice catches her attention. Her face lights up as she turns to the source.
“Leon!” She runs up to the agent hugging him, much to his shock. “I’ve missed you!” He laughs hugging her back.
“Missed you too Ash.” He pats her back. “What are you doing here?”
“Visiting my dad and you.” She answers with a smile. “Have you been taking care of yourself?”
“Yeah, no need to worry.”
“Don’t lie, I see the bags under your eyes.” Ashley immediately points out. “Is dad overworking you?”
“No, I’m okay Ashley.” He places a gentle hand on her shoulder.
“Alright… but I’m taking you out to dinner tonight.”
“You don’t-”
“Nope! See you at seven!” She calls before she heads off to find her father.
“Wow, I didn’t realize you and Ms. Graham were so close,” Patrick comments as they watch her head off. “I mean I knew you saved her.”
“I guess we just bonded.” Leon shrugs it off but doesn’t hide his smile at the idea of dinner.