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Claire breathed in deeply. The air was so much fresher out here, even with the nastiness that still clung to their clothes. The three of them had tried hitchhiking for the past hour to no avail and now were seated under a tree next to a corn field. Sherry was fast asleep, using Leon's non-injured shoulder as a pillow as he held open a map and looked it over, his brow furrowed in concentration. The map had been found on the side of the road and Leon was pretty sure it confirmed what state they were in... although, it was difficult to be sure. That train had taken them a long ways...
Claire leaned a little closer to him. She was on his other side, examining the map with him and doing her best to resist leaning on his injured shoulder. If it wouldn't have hurt him, she would likely be dozing there just as Sherry was... or simply just cuddling against him for comfort. It had been a hell of a night and there was something about the rookie cop that Claire was absolutely drawn to. Maybe it was just some clinginess from their shared nightmare, or maybe it was because of how attractive he was. Maybe it was a little of both. Or something else entirely.
Whatever it was, Claire knew it would be hard to separate from him when it was time to go look for Chris.
Leon sighed softly then ran his hand over his face. He then turned to her and offered a weary smile. He looked exhausted and Claire supposed she did too. She smiled back then scooted closer to him, taking the map.
"You get a little rest," she whispered, trying not to wake Sherry. "I'll take over map duty."
Leon hesitated a beat then nodded and handed the crinkly map over. "Ok," he said before pointing at a section of the map. "But I think we're near this mountain range here. I'm just not sure which side." As Claire grabbed the map, her and Leon's fingers briefly touched. She felt a small bolt go through her at the touch and she caught a glimpse of Leon's eyes flicking up to hers. He pulled his hand back, a nervous smile now on his lips. "Sorry, I-" he said before shaking his head. "I'm really tired," he said, his cheeks now carrying a red hue to them.
Claire smiled back, fully aware that her own cheeks were blushing. "It's ok," she said. "I... that was." She looked down. "I think I'm tired too."
"Well, if you need to use someone as a pillow..."
"I don't want to hurt your arm..."
"Eh, I'll be fine. A gunshot wound can't keep me down. Barely even hurts," Leon said with a healthy amount of fake bravado.
"Right..." Claire said as she covered her lap with the slightly tattered map. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Which part?" Leon asked, his eyes tired but still carrying some humor to them. "The offer to use me as a pillow or that a gunshot wound won't keep me down?"
"Both," Claire teased then winked at him. "Now get yourself a little nap. Please."
He agreed and reclined a little more against the tree, his eyes lingering on Claire for a moment before he closed them. Claire turned her attention back to the map... but she couldn't help stealing a quick glance or two at the sleeping rookie cop.