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“You have a high school reunion coming up.”
Leon blinked, went to speak, stopped himself, then turned to look at Ada who had just come through the front door.
“What?” Not the most elegant response, but his brain was still playing catch-up.
“You have a high school reunion coming up.”
It didn't make any more sense the second time she said it. “What?” He felt like a broken record.
She sighed as she walked over to stand in front of him like proximity might help any of this make more sense. Jokes on her the closer she got the less he was paying attention.
“What part of this are you not understanding?”
“All of it.” He admitted with a shrug as he leaned back into the couch and looked up at her.
She sighed like she couldn't believe he wasn't just reading her mind. Privately he thought that sometimes she didn't seem to understand he wasn't omniscient.
“I have a job.”
Okay this feels unrelated.
“And it just so happens to line up with someone being brought as a plus one to your high school reunion.”
Ahhh, there was the connection.
“You could have led with that.” He points out blandly.
She just glared down at him, and he gave her the most earnest smile he could manage in return.
“So you want me to go and bring you as my plus one.” He concluded.
“Exactly.”
Frankly he hadn't even heard about this supposed reunion, but he's not surprised Ada knew of it. He'd honestly never considered going back to his hometown, not after everything. He dropped off the map after Racoon and ever since his work has been kept secret from the majority of the world.
“What's the job?”
Ada smiles, taking the agreement to help for what it is, “My target is a part of some shell operation for a biotech engineering firm or at least that's what I've been told. The woman, Skylar, is in town to meet with an interested party and wants to use the reunion as a way to justify her presence in the equivalent of pretty much nowhere.”
“And the goal is what exactly?”
“Well personally I'd like the information myself and the identity of whoever was interested.”
Leon honestly couldn't find too many issues of that
“How do we justify being there?” He questioned because frankly that was the most unbelievable part of it all.
Ada scoffed at him like she couldn't believe he'd ask that of all things. “Those people aren't going to ask questions Leon.” She put a hand on her hip as she looked down her nose at him. “You got curious and figured it was about time for it so you went looking and found the dates.”
He didn't argue she was right, sometimes he forgot that not everyone had to think like them. Everyone didn't expect espionage and lies around every corner where being able to identify if someone's story lined up as it should could save hundreds of thousands of lives.
“Well what days do I need to take off because if I don't tell Hunnigan and just disappear she'll string me up outside the office as an example.”
Ada let out a low huff of amusement but dutifully gave him the dates. Leon shot Hunnigan a text right after explaining he had a lead he needed to check on.
Hunigan didn't ask about how he got this lead, she already knew, and she never did like it. But one couldn't argue with the results when it netted them something important more times than not.
Hunnigan just gave him the ok and told him to be safe and not do anything stupid. He made her no promises because they both knew his luck.
“So, what's our cover and Is there any way this woman would recognize us?”
Ada finally sat down next to him. “Well, the best lie is mostly the truth. You do government contact work and I'm freelance. There is also no reason we should be recognizable, I'm doubtful she's high enough in the ranks to know about us.”
He hummed, “So who's she a plus one to?”
“Brandon Monroe.”
The name rang a bell but he couldn't quite place it, and he told her as much. She just sighed, “Well we can figure it out.”
He doesn't doubt they can.
They end up booking a hotel close enough to the school where it's being held and preparing for the night. He has a gun concealed under his black leather jacket and enough ammo in the hidden inner pockets to take down a small hoard of infected.
Ada was in her usually expensive attire this time being a suit vest getup. Leon knows she's packing a similar arsenal though he isn't quite too sure where on her person.
It may seem like over preparing to some, but they weren't about to take any chances.
Arriving at the school feels a bit like a gut punch. Frankly he's all but skipped town the second he graduated going straight to the academy. It's not that he hated the town or its people, but because he'd been so excited to do some good in the world.
He'd been young and so hopefully, yet only a few years later he'd be dragging into a living hell that haunts him to this day.
Ada notices his pause and gives him a questioning look, he just waves her off as he gets out of the car. He offers out his arm and Ada blinks at him for a moment before taking it. They're playing an act tonight, not that it's much of one in the first place, but still.
Walking inside Leon feels a wave of nostalgia wash over him. It's funny it's been twenty years, and he knows he could still navigate around perfectly. They make their way to the gym when a few women sit behind a fold out table.
He recognizes one of them immediately, Maisie, she'd been a cheerleader and the girl all the boys wanted to be with. She's still beautiful, age having done her no disservice. The other woman’s name tag read Leah, who also rang as familiar.
The two women look up and greet them and he's pleased to note they gaped slightly eyeing him up in particular. “Hi!” Maisie greets them, her eyes curious as she squints at him as she tried to place him.
He supposed he'd changed quite a lot since they'd last seen each other. “Leon Kennedy.” He offers and both of their eyes blow wide in surprise.
“Leon?! Where have you been?”
He just shrugs, “Around, I know I kind of dropped off the face of the earth, but life's been weird.”
They nodded sympathetically. He doesn't dare react, just celebrates internally they didn't question anything more. He's set the base of their characters for tonight. He's said a lot without saying anything while getting ahead of the questioning. Sure it's just two people, but he's sure they're the ones running it.
He quickly writes his name on the sticker and puts it on as the attention finally turns to Ada.
“And you are?” Leah asks.
Ada just gives them a smile and Leon is silently pleased he can read it as fake. “Ada, I'm Leon's fiancé.” She flashed the ring she had on.
It's the cover they usually fell back on considering it was mostly true. Throughout the years their cover had evolved from just partners to fiancé's. It raised less eyebrows considering their age, and every time Leon tried as best to ignore the feelings that stirred in him.
“Oh…How did he manage that?” Leah asked amused.
Leon huffed a breath through his nose, “Dumb luck and my boyish charm.”
Ada rolls her eyes but doesn't deny it. With that and a bit more small talk they were in the gym. Leon put an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close.
“How are we doing this?” He asked lowly into her ear as they took in the room of people.
She grabbed his hand and started dragging him towards where the refreshments table was set up. “Like any other missions, blend in and wait for the target.”
Leon grumbled as he fell in step behind her, “Yeah but people know me here this sucks Ada.”
She just shot him an unimpressed glance.
Leon wisely shut his mouth and grabbed a drink, not alcoholic which fucking sucked but the night was young someone may still spike it.
It didn't take long before curious glances turned into people approaching. Some familiar, some not so much. He just prepared himself to field off the questions he knew were coming.
Ada just watched on in amusement, clearly enjoying herself.
“No way…Leon?”
He took a breath and turned. It took him a second to recognize the man, Jacob, an old friend he'd spent a lot of time with.
“Hey Jacob, long time no see.” He greeted with a smile.
“DUDE! What the hell happened to you?! You just disappeared on us, we couldn't find any trace of you.
He sighed lightly, “It's complicated a lot happened life hit you know?” It was so much of a non-answer it was nearly comical.
Jacob saw through it immediately and Leon cursed himself silently. If only it was someone who hadn't known him so well.
“Bull, you've never broken a promise willingly, you're not that kind of person. What happened to you?”
Leon could feel Ada's stare.
He sighed then and slumped a bit in on himself. “I honestly wish I could tell you. Look your right, but I genuinely can't give you the whole story hell even half is out of the question. Everything went to shit not long after high school and it's been a mess since.”
Jacob stared at him for a long moment before nodding, “You're not losing contact with me again. I don't give a shit if I get only one text a year. I was worried sick.” He pulled out his phone expectantly.
Leon chuckled at that God he'd forgotten what it was like to have normal friends and did the same. Ada seemed to approve as she made her way over to hang off his shoulder. Jacob blinked dumbly at her, and Leon nearly laughed. God did he get it Ada was something else.
“This is Ada, my fiancé.” Leon offered with a look that was definitely a lot smugger than he intended. Oh well he loved being able to say that even if it wasn't exactly true….at least not yet.
“Well, it's nice to meet you. I have known this idiot since elementary.”
“Oh? Any embarrassing stories?” She asked immediately and Leon was already mourning his peace of mind.
Jacob just smiled wolfishly, “Oh I have plenty.”
From there they collected a small group of people and Leon was surprised to realize he was actually enjoying himself. Ada too seemed to be relishing in all the blackmail material she was gathering at an alarming pace.
Eventually the target of the night made an appearance, and Leon and Ada did their best to subtly corral their growing group into absorbing the two. It worked better than intended one of the people knowing Brandon and all but pulling him into the little pow wow.
Leon shot Ada a glance who seemed utterly delighted at how well this was going. But who knows how long it would stay like this knowing their luck…well.
Ada carefully directed the conversation around to work. And soon everyone was expecting what they'd been doing for the past few years.
Brandon traveled a lot because of consulting, and Leon jumped in quickly after he finished.
“So Skylar right?” The woman nodded. “Since your husband's all over the place what do you do I mean I can't be easy. I know the feeling Ada travels a lot being freelance.” He bumped Ada’s shoulder with his own.
“I hate that I don't get to see her all the time. Granted I'm not exactly stationary myself, but that honestly helps. What do you do to deal with it?”
There self-depreciating and a touch woe is me. And the perfect opportunity to talk about herself. You couldn't say he'd learned nothing from Ada.
Hook line and sinker she took it.
“Well I'm a similar case myself. I travel but it's more for sales than anything else. I'm trying to make a name for myself so I can make my way up and hopefully have to travel less.”
“What about you?” Jacob pressed back his attention on Leon.
He shrugged, “Well everyone knows I wanted to be a cop. Not much came for it sadly after that I was pulled into military adjacent things thanks to my time and accomplishments at the academy. Now I do government contact work, most of which I can't legally talk about.” He shrugged lightly.
Attention then went to Ada, “Private contracting we met on the job.” She didn't elaborate further.
It circled around before Leon took control of the conversation before it could veer off topic totally.
“So Skylar what do you sell exactly? I know Brandon is IT, but what about you?”
Skylar blinked a bit dumbly before spitting out an answer that couldn't have been a bigger red flag.
“Pharmaceutical.”
Leon nodded along however, “Like over the counter stuff or new experimental stuff? Or just a bit of everything. You have to excuse me, I don't know much about it.”
“It's uhh a bit of everything but mostly experimental stuff that just got out of trial runs.”
“Huh neat.”
“What about you?” Skylar asked sounding a touch suspicious.
Shit ok well fair enough.
“I mean it when I say there isn't much stuff I can talk about. NDA’s and the government go hand in hand even and especially when it's unnecessary.”
That got quite a few laughs, and Skylar relaxed marginally. It looked like he would be able to get any more information anytime soon without causing issues. So, he opted out of directing any more conversation and joined in with the casual stuff once more.
Ada danced around questions directed at her with much more grace, and it didn't take long before people started breaking off to go into other groups as food was brought out.
“She's flighty.” Leon grumbled lowly as he took a seat next to Ada.
“Yes and that's not a good sign.”
“What are we going to do?”
Ada considered for a moment, “Maybe if I could draw her away?”
Leon scoffed, “You don't sound convinced yourself. No way she trusts you enough for that. She's dubious of me that alone puts you in her bad books I'm sure.”
Ada didn't disagree, just took a bite of her food. “Your friend, do you think Jacob could help?”
Leon considered for a moment, “She'd have no reason to follow him anywhere it would be weird.”
Another moment of deliberation. “We could pull a fire alarm and just grab her.” Ada offered.
“Put that on the back burner.” Leon agreed. God only knew it wasn't the worst option they had.
They never get that chance of course because their luck is shit. Leon had approached Brandon in hopes to be able to get some better rapport with him. However, it didn't take ten minutes of them talking and an admittedly suspicious move on Leon's end.
He'd been free adjusting his hidden holster, not that he was going to use it but….
Skylar had started thoroughly, and Leon knew everything was about to go wrong when she went for her pocketbook.
She was shaking and she pulled out a vile that had Leon's hair standing on end. She then pulled out a gun and pointed it straight at him.
Leon could care less about the gun his eyes homed in on the vile. If that dropped… well, they were going to have a much bigger issue on their hands. One he couldn't ensure the casualty rate of.
He heard the gasps in frightful noises coming from all around him as the others reacted to the escalation and sight.
Jacob, who was watching off to the side, looked a second away from jumping in. Leon had a moment to realize he was far too close to everyone he’d prefer for the gun not to be pointed in the crowd's direction. He tentatively took a few steps to the side which was followed easily by the gun.
He offered his hands up in surrender, bringing them out to his sides in a show of peace. Though his eyes never strayed from the vial that was shaking in her grasp, the woman was terrified and that did not bode well.
“Skylar, what are you doing?” He asked calmly.
“I-IM NOT STUPID! YOU'RE HERE FOR ME.”
“What are you talking about? I didn't even know who you were before tonight put the gun down, this is unnecessary.”
She sneered, “NO! You're you-” she made a frustrated sound then tried again, “You're here for me! You know somehow, I don't know how, but you're trying to kill me! I'M NOT GOING TO LET YOU!”
Leon blinked then sighed. Playing dumb wasn't the answer here, she was far too on edge for that.
“The goal was to never kill you. Just figure out what exactly you're selling. Pulling a gun is unwarranted.”
“WHO DO YOU WORK FOR? A COMPETITOR?!”
Brandon steps forward now hands out and placating. “Skylar what are you doing, put the gun down. What the hell is going on?”
Leon almost pitied him, the poor guy had no idea who he'd married. Skyler turns the gun to him, “NO! HE'S TRYING TO KILL ME DON'T YOU SEE IT?! HE'S HERE TO TAKE OUT HIS COMPETITION!”
“Nothing of the sort, I didn't know I was even going to come here until a few days ago.” He was stalling now waiting for Ada who he hadn't spotted yet.
Skyler's attention snapped back to him, her gun going back to aim at his chest. Her hands shaking worse now.
“WHO SENT YOU!”
“No one, I was offered to come along for a cover ironically.” He figured truth was his best friend.
“WHAT?!” She screeched before suddenly she was frantically looking around at the crowd. “WHERE THE FUCK IS THAT BITCH YOU'RE WITH?!”
Another gun cocked and suddenly Ada walked out of the shadows behind Skylar. Her heels clicking in the suddenly silent room, Ada walked forward until her gun pressed into the back of the other woman's head.
Brandon made a distressed noise starting forward but stopped as he thought better of it. The rest of the watching crowd somehow got quieter as Ada spoke.
“I would watch your next move. I promise you I'll sleep just fine after putting a bullet through your skull.”
The woman was shaking even more now. Clearly, she hasn't thought this through. She truly was a low rank and it showed.
Leon took the opportunity approaching quickly and grabbed the vile in her one hand and twisted the gun out of her other.
“You don't know what that is!” Skylar hissed her eyes wild.
Leon just chuckled, “Oh I do. It's kind of my job. Mind telling me what strand it is though, or is this something new? Actually, forget that I don't trust you, Ada?
He brought his attention back up and past her to Ada who was wrenching the woman's arms down to restrain her. She eyed the vile Leon held up and after a moment answered.
“That's abyss but it's probably a custom stand. After all, if you have the right connections you can get the normal strand.”
Skylar startled, clearly Ada was right not that he'd ever doubt her knowledge. She dealt with the concentrates more than he did, he was more of the aftermath guy.
“Always the encyclopedia.” He chuckled.
He took a few more steps forward until he was towering over the woman. “Now we have some questions for you, but we're not going to torment anyone else here. So, you're going to come with us ok?”
He normally wouldn't care about a secondary location, but he wasn't too keen on having to deal with the inevitable backlash of this. So, mitigating it as much as he could was the goal. Besides they wouldn't go far, but she didn't need to know that either.
He took over for Ada handing her the vile to keep a hold of as he started walking the woman out.
“Ada, get my phone and call Hunnigan.” He requested.
Ada chuckled and did as requested, digging in his jacket and pulling up Hunnigan's number.
A second later she had it on speaker as Leon started talking, “We have a situation but it's dealt with. I don't know if a team is necessary, but we apprehended a seller of T-abyss and have the vile. Got a lot of witnesses, but no casualties. You can ping my location.” A beat as he looks around at the crowd watching on in shock and disbelief.
“You're going to need a lot of NDA’s.” He tacks on.
A sigh answers him, “Understood. A small crew will be dispatched. Are you staying on location?”
“Negative, still need to identify the buyer and supplying company. Figured it was best to do that away from listening ears.”
He knew she'd get what he wasn't saying she always did.
“Understood, damn you for always having an eventful time, you make my job hard.”
Leon just huffs, “You wouldn't have me any other way, Kennedy out.”
With that Ada hung up the phone.
“W-who are you?” Skyler asked, voice small and terrified.
“I used to be STRARCOM but now I'm DSO. Semi-recent change of course.” Leon all but purred.
The way she went ghost white was satisfying. “But you…”
“Oh, this isn't even my case. I wasn't lying, I'm here off the clock.”
“Leon, hun.” Ada warned.
Skylar looked between the two confused. “Who-”
Ada cut her off, “No one important.”
It couldn't have been more of an obvious lie, but it was the only answer that would be given. Brandon moved forward then and met them.
Leon sighed lowly, “Brandon you should stay here, you're going to have lots of questions to be answering.”
“No! She's my wife. I deserve answers and you both clearly know what's going on.”
Ada eyed him for a moment then shrugged. Leon nodded, “Ok then come on.”
With that they left, being her outside and around to the back of the school. Ada leaned against the building as Leon kept her from running.
“Who do you work for? A new front of Tricell, another umbrella offshoot?” Leon questioned.
“They'll kill me if I tell you.” Skylar hissed desperately.
Ada stepped forward then and glared at the woman, “I'll kill you.”
“Or.” Leon cut in, easily falling into the good cop roll. “You can just give us names and I'll be the one handling you. And I promise you from experience you'd prefer that. Ada is…effective.”
Brandon looked like he wanted to step in but the glare Leon leveled at him had him remaining uninvolved. Then the fearful look he shot at Ada made something in the back of his brain hum.
Skylar was shaking violently against him now as she warred with herself. “Y-you don't understand…they're everywhere, nowhere would be safe from them.”
Ada pulled out her gun once more and fired it into the wall beside the woman. Leon doesn't flinch as it embedded a few inches next to him, but the woman is his grasp sure did.
The gun remained pointed in her direction though not exactly at her, but the intention was clear.
“THE CONNECTIONS!”
Ada paused and tilted her head before meeting Leon's eyes. He could read the caution there, she knew who Skyler was talking about and it wasn't good.
“They'll kill me. They have pull everywhere, you can't keep me safe.”
“Why help them? You can't get mad at the consequences after you've already joined them.” Leon chided. He didn't bother trying to correct her, the caution in Ada’s eyes said that she was right.
“I-I didn't know until it was too late.”
Leon doubted that but it wasn't the point of the conversation, admittedly he had just been curious.
“Who are you supplying to?” Ada demanded.
Skyler, utterly defeated, gives them the information easily. Ada holstered her gun once more and nodded at Leon who released her arms but kept a grip on her shoulder.
“You'll be brought in and questioned further. You're in the custody of the DSO as of now.” Leon informed her.
He offered out his hand to Ada who reluctantly handed over the vile. “Meet me at the car?”
She rolled her eyes, “Of course handsome our job isn't done yet.” She traced a finger across his jaw with a smirk before disappearing.
Skylar and Brandon looked between them lost. Leon didn't comment on it. They could decide how much of an act they thought this was and how much was real.
Leon just walked the two back around to the newly arrived team and handed off Skylar with a quick explanation. They took her without question and soon Brandon was surrounded.
Leon took the opportunity to escape, not wanting to answer questions about who he’d been working with. That was Hunnigan's issue, not his, at least not right now.
He checked his phone on the way and nearly cackled at the text he saw.
Jacob: Dude what the fuck?