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Grace had come to the event only because Leon said he was coming, and by coming he explained he was being dragged there against his will. She'd decided she'd join him in suffering so maybe it would make him feel a bit better.
It was some FBI DSO event with the hopes of making better interagency relationships. Leon thought it was stupid and Grace was inclined to agree with him. It wasn't like they really overlapped, and besides that the work the DSO did was extremely hush hush. More so than even the FBI’s work which would be impressive if it wasn't horrifying.
She'd arrived a while ago and had been keeping to herself. It wasn't like she had many friends in the FBI. She also wasn't terribly inclined to recount what she'd experienced with Leon despite the numerous questions from her colleagues. And regrettably she was a popular figure now because of everything that had happened.
Thankfully, she didn't have to wait long before Leon arrived. It was almost funny she hadn't realized it was him at first. Her attention had only been drawn because of the mass of people who walked over or turned to look. She'd spotted him through the growing crowd, the familiar scowl made him easy to identify.
She made her way over weaving through everyone before finally making her way to him. He was flanked by two women, she recognized Sherry immediately, but the other one she couldn't place.
Leon seemed to be considering fleeing, and Grace couldn't blame him. She called his name and he jerked towards her before he smiled. She also spotted visible relief and was silently proud she was the cause.
“Grace.”
Grace stepped up next to him and let him pull her into a hug. She only melted slightly. Sue her, Leon gave the best hugs. It was probably because in his arms was truly one of the only places in the world that was completely safe.
Once he pulled back she let herself get a good look at him finally. It was a more formal event so everyone was dressed up and Leon was no exception.
He had on a lighter blue suit and dress pants with a white button shirt with the first button undone. He looked good matching well with Sherry's white pants suit and the other woman's own grey one.
Leon gestured to the woman in grey, “You know I'm glad you came because I was hoping to introduce you to Hunnigan.”
The woman nodded and gave her a smile.
“She's the one usually on coms and has been keeping me alive for a few decades.”
Grace feels her eyebrows raise as she eyes the woman, “T-that's a hard job, how do you put up with him?”
“Hey!” Leon protested.
Hunnigan just laughed, her dark eyes sparkling under her glasses. “Oh he doesn't get away with anything when he's on my time. He knows better.”
Grace liked her already.
“Oh come on, you love me.” Leon needled as he leaned into her.
Hunnigan just raised a brow as she side eyed him. “You're the reason I'm going grey.”
Leon opened and closed his mouth a few times before deciding he was better off not retorting. A wise decision Grace surmised as she saw Sherry muffling laughter with a hand.
The group made their way to the bar. Grace noticed the envious glances from the others and tried not to laugh. It was no secret Leon was a popular figure even if the man didn’t want to be. Once sat down, he was informed by Hunnigan he was only getting a few drinks.
“You're here to talk to people I don't need you passed out in a corner.”
“I don't want to talk to people.” Leon groused.
Hunnigan got a drink of her own and told the bartender to put it on Leon's tab before she got up. She patted Leon on the shoulder before speaking once more.
“Suck it up Kennedy you're a big boy. Keep an eye on your phone. I'm going to do rounds now and I'll tell you when I need you.” With that she was off into the crowd.
Grace looks at Sherry who just shrugs, “She runs a tight ship. I guess it comes with the territory of founding the DSO.”
Leon protested, “We both did that.”
Sherry pats his head condescendingly, “Yes but we know who's really in charge.”
Leon didn't argue, just ordered a drink of his own.
The three of them talked and caught up over the next hour. Leon was happy to hear how Emily was doing, and in return Grace was happy to hear Leon had been keeping himself alive. Sherry was back on the field, and she had a fiancé Grace hadn't known about.
Sherry just shrugged and admitted it was complicated. Leon had chuckled and the woman had just raised an eyebrow back in challenge.
“You would know huh?”
Grace looked at Leon in turn intrigued. She'd seen the ring but also saw he didn't always have it on, like tonight.
“Yeah similar case, guess it runs in the family.” Leon offered with a knowing grin.
“C-complicated relationships?” Grace nudged seeing how much she'd be told. God only knew she'd learned Leon was a private man mostly because of his work. His and Sherry’s.
“Mercenaries.” Leon corrected lightly.
Grace nearly choked on her drink.
Sherry rolled her eyes but Leon's grin sharpened. “What can I say they have a certain type of appeal.”
“Oh my God shut up Leon, not all of us had a personal mercenary that followed them around since they were twenty-one. Also, you forgot about Jill.”
Leon scoffed, “I said family, she's all but my big sister.”
Grace felt her eyebrows try to crawl off her face as she did the math. “Racoon?”
“Sure, just like Jill, and Sherry is the outlier having met hers in Edonia. Ever since they've been thick as thieves. Can't say the same for me but we have it worked out now.”
Sherry snorted, “Don't I know it. I still shudder to think of you moping because she'd disappeared on you again.”
Leon frowned into his glass, “Like I said complicated. But hey now it's as official as it can be considered I’d be charged with treason, and the fact she doesn't legally exist as who I know her as.”
Grace feels so informed. This conversation has truly opened up another side of these people she'd never considered existed.
Leon is stopped from saying anything more as his phone buzzes, and he drops his head on the bar top. Grace has a feeling she knows who it is.
“Well that's my cue ladies, don't cause too much trouble while I'm gone.” He warns before he's off into the crowd that parts for him with ease.
Grace is happy to stay next to Sherry, and even better she's left alone because of it. The older woman had a glare that cowed most and Grace recognized it as a Leon mannerism. The woman herself seemed popular, but no one dared approach. Sherry explained when she'd asked that no one wanted to take a chance at getting on Leon's bad side.
“They all know I'm his daughter. Makes me popular, well along with my healing, but it also means no one is really willing to risk upsetting me. It's useful.”
Grace guessed it was. But it also came with risks though Sherry was clearly more than capable of handling herself. They walked around for the next chunk of time as they people watched.
Sherry explained some of the drama at the DSO and who some of the bad actors were. And Grace did the same in return. Honestly, it was more fun than she'd thought it would be. But most things were with good company and a drink.
Sherry just took an offered champagne glass when a woman appeared next to them dressed in a silk red waistcoat with coattails on top of a low-cut black shirt and a pin skirt. Her black hair streaked with gray was chin length and side swept.
All to say she was stunning.
Sherry all but stumbled over herself as she gaped at the woman.
“Ada, this is bold even for you.”
The woman, Ada, just chuckled. “Please these people have no idea they won't look twice. You know better than most the best hiding spot is right under their noses.”
Sherry huffed lightly but didn't disagree, “You're still very recognizable.” It wasn't really an argument, more of an acknowledgment.
Ada nodded, “And yet I wouldn't be stupid enough to come to something like this.”
Grace was lost but putting together the pieces quickly.
Sherry hummed, “True, you came to see Leon in the suit then?”
Ada scoffed, “I could have him wear that whenever I wanted.”
Sherry sipped her drink and just raised a brow.
Ada conceded, “That might have been one of the reasons.”
Grace finally spoke, “Y-you're his wife.”
Ada smiles at her, and the expression was a touch too shark-like for comfort. “Yes, and you're Grace Ashcroft. I've been meaning to thank you, and I reluctantly have to admit I do owe you one now.”
Sherry blinked shocked at that, “Grace I'd note that down that's no small thing.”
Grace wanted to deny it and refuse the offer, but the look Sherry gave her warned otherwise. She was very aware that the full weight of this was beyond her, but clearly it was something big.
“I don't s-see a need but thank you I'll keep it in mind.”
Ada nodded minutely, a pleased gleam in her dark knowing eyes.
“Where is he anyway?” Sherry asked.
Grace wanted to scoff, as if the woman who had just appeared would know that.
“Second floor right side a room in. He's talking to a higher up FBI officer, Gibson, the man is partly in charge of the national terrorism sector.”
Grace blinked stunned while Sherry just nodded along without question. Grace realized she had greatly underestimated this woman.
“So, you're with us for now?” Sherry questioned.
Ada shrugged lightly. “He shouldn't be much longer. I know he'll make a break for it as soon as Hunnigan gives him an inch.”
Sherry chuckled, “Fair enough.”
Ada didn't say much else but did answer Sherry when she asked if Ada knew what her fiancé was up to.
“Little Wesker?”
Sherry rolled her eyes at the epithet, and Grace thought it rang as distantly familiar.
“Last I heard he's elbow deep in a situation in Slovakia. There are many rumors to be said about that area, but from what I know there are some functioning labs that people are trying to hide.”
Sherry hummed, “I thought as much he's had me dig up some stuff for him, but he won't tell me much else over unsecure lines.”
“Probably for the best.” Ada agreed easily.
“What about our ex-umbrella worker?”
Grace jerked slightly ex-umbrella? Jesus, what all did she not know?
“Carlos is in the Congo last I heard. Don't know what he's chasing and haven't asked, though interestingly he did ask for a few of my trackers.”
“Oh, so the few you haven't stuck on Leon?” Sherry queried.
Ada rolled her eyes, “He hasn't gotten a tracker in a long time. Well, I guess if you don't count the one in the bear.”
“The one that he brings everywhere with him?” Sherry pushed.
“Perhaps.” She responded casually.
“I'm honestly surprised you haven't chipped him.”
Ada hummed, “I've considered it.”
Grace is truly unsure what to make of the conversation and feels exceedingly out of her depth. But before she can really chew on the whole thing Leon appears and then subsequently freezes.
His attention is solely on Ada who just raises an eyebrow at him.
He's moving a second later and goes to kiss her but is held off by a hand on his chest. “Woah boy we have an audience and you draw attention.”
He honest to God whined. “But Ada.”
“You know I'm right we can't be drawing attention to my presence.”
Leon slumped doing an impressive kick puppy act that had Grace feeling bad for him. Though she reasoned he was going home to her in just a few hours.
Before they could continue on, Hunnigan walked up behind him. She spotted Ada, and the utter exasperation that contorted her face had Grace chuckling. Clearly, Hunnigan was well aware of the two and their relationship.
“I'm impressed at your audacity Ada but why are you here?”
“Some connections.”
Grace didn't like the implications of that at all. She'd known the whole government was corrupt. Had known that objectively for a long time, and then the Connections stuff with Zeno made it even more clear.
But the idea that just a singular mercenary had seemingly multiple connections in an event as small as this?
Hunnigan sighed, “You're lucky I trust you and respect Leon enough not to run you out.”
“You respect me?” Leon asked, leaning close to her with a shit eating grin.
Hunnigan eyed him, “Regrettably.”
Leon all but preened, “I need someone to document this, make it into a mug or something.”
Ada chuckled lightly as did Sherry and Grace. While Hunnigan rolled her eyes.
“Well it's been nice, but I have things to do.” Ada excused herself.
Before she could make it too far Leon grabbed her hand. She looked back and raised a brow. He didn't say anything, just gave her a soft smile and squeezed her hand.
She rolled her eyes, but the slight blush was telling.
“Sap.” Sherry accused as soon as Ada disappeared into the crowd.
“Yeah and? She's the love of my life.” Leon was unapologetic and the lovesick smile he had was endearing.
“I'm still unsure how you managed it but at least she's doing net positive things now.” Hunnigan grumbled.
Leon turned to her at that, “Speaking of, is there any way to take her off the kill on sight list? I've only ever had to threaten one agent, but I'm not exactly a fan of holding a 12 gauge to one of our people's heads.”
Grace blinked wide eyes between the three of them. There was so much she didn't know, and it was honestly a bit overwhelming.
“There is little to no proof of her beneficial actions. She's careful nothing is ever traced back to her. Just because the three of us know what she's up to doesn't mean anything in the grand scheme of things.”
Leon sighs and doesn't argue.
“How much longer are we stuck here?” Sherry asked.
Grace checked her watch, “Three more hours.”
The lot of them groaned.
“Hunnigan can I get another drink?”
“No. You're suffering like the rest of us Kennedy.”
Grace shook her head exasperated and prepared herself for the next few hours.