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Ashley had been different once she came back. It was something everyone realized quickly.
She would startle at sudden noises like they were gunshots. She would panic at seemingly mundane things and would have nightmares that left her waking up screaming.
But there were other changes too, she'd come back with fire in her eyes and a determination they'd never seen. She changed her major going into political science with a minor in biology. All she'd said about it was she wanted to do something about bioweapons.
Her friends had been concerned at hearing that. Did she really need to get involved with that after everything she'd already been through?
Ashley had just set her shoulders, “Someone needs to do it and it's not going to be anyone who causes the issue, and the ones cleaning it up are busy.”
No one argued with her after that. Not when her eyes burned with determination and a simmering rage. Though that is to say they didn't overhear the argument with her father.
Ashley had started carrying a knife on her person anytime she could. If questioned on her capabilities with it, she'd just shrug.
“I've been taught by one of the best.”
‘One of the best’ they'd learned was her savior. Leon Kennedy, the one and only agent sent to save her life.
“Only one agent?” One her friends had asked.
Ashley had just laughed, her eyes sparkling. “He was more than enough.”
Ashley talked about Leon a lot actually. She'd talk about how despite the nightmarish situation he'd been so kind to her. How nothing ever seemed to slow him down no matter how hurt he got. She marveled over his quick thinking how it had saved them time and again.
They'd teased her for her obvious crush.
She'd blush but never deny it. “You'd be the same if you knew him.” She'd argued with a roll of her eyes. “Besides, he has someone else.” She didn't sound upset or disappointed. Clearly this had just become a fact of life and one she'd accepted easily.
Her friends had heard her and Leon talking on the phone many times. She'd call him at seemingly random and their conversations could range from mundane to extremely personal.
However, they never met the man. He never visited, but Ashley had admitted she'd met him a few more times. Usually when she was visiting her father, apparently Leon was a common sight in the White House. Even when he wasn't around her father told him when she was due to visit, and he'd pop his head in if he could spare the time.
A year later, not long after her 23rd birthday, she'd disappeared over the weekend. When questioned about it, she'd just smirked and nothing more. It took months before that got an answer though the theories had turned out to be much wilder than the reality.
It was a phone call on speaker Ashley had been chatting and catching up with Leon who apparently was on medical leave and bored out of his mind.
“You know we should go again next year, make it a tradition!” Ashley had proclaimed out of seemingly nowhere while they chatted about places Leon had been (and could talk about).
A groan answered her on the other end, “I made a fool out of myself. I'd prefer not to do it again.”
Ashley just giggled her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Oh come on, it was a lot of fun! And we never got in any trouble.”
“I thought we said we weren't going to talk about this.” He grumbled, but notably he wasn't arguing her point.
“Oh, they'll never say anything. Besides, I've gotten better at poker.”
One of the girls perked up as she put the pieces together.
“Wait hold on, you went to Vegas?!”
Ashley's grin was answer enough.
Leon chuckled. “Hell of a weekend.” He agreed.
“I want to go again. It'll be fun besides you had a great time. I mean there was that one hostess who had you weak at the knees.” Her voice lilted into a tease.
There was an answering grown.
“Shut up I was so damn plastered I th-” He cut himself off suddenly, “Never mind.” He spit far too quickly to be casual.
“Oh, don't start backtracking now I remember that conversation vividly. Something about pretending it was-”
“HEY! ZIP IT WE SAID WE WOULDN'T MENTION THAT!”
Ashley just cackled in delight.
The other girls all shared a glance.
It was only when they graduated did, they finally meet the man in question. Ashley had admitted he probably wouldn't make it but had invited him anyway. But apparently to everyone's surprise he showed up.
Ashley had found them in the crowd, her eyes wild as she'd half shouted.
“He's here, I saw him!”
She had led the way and sure enough the man they'd only seen in pictures was standing next to her father.
Ashley had launched herself at him without prompting and the man didn't even budge as he held her easily from where she wrapped herself around him.
“Hey baby eagle. Damn good job you're officially more educated than me.”
Ashley just laughed as she buried her face in his neck.
Eventually she let go and hugged her father who had just watched the two with a smile. Clearly there were no sour feelings about her relationship with the man.
The girls were left to simply take the man in. The one who'd they had heard so much about. He wasn't bigger than life or some kind of untouchable. He was simply just a man, and that perhaps was the most surreal thing.
Ashley after speaking with her father turned back to Leon who had been watching her with soft eyes.
“You know…Luis would be proud of you.”
Ashley had immediately started tearing up.
“Yeah?” She asked, her voice wobbling. That was a name they recognized, someone she had cried out for in nightmares. She never talked about him, simply said that he had been a friend.
Leon just offered her a smile. “Yeah, he wanted to make a difference. In the end even if he didn't, which I'd argue he did, he made sure you survived to be able to do it.”
Ashley couldn't help the soft sob that escaped her at that. She had just buried herself in his chest. Leon patted her on the back before he continued.
“He'd be so damn excited. The princess making a difference for her kingdom. You'll make us all proud kid.”
He leaned down and quietly added on.
“Ada also gave her regards.”
She laughed wetly into his chest before pulling back to give him a smile.
“I'll do my best.”
oO0Oo
Ashley Graham wasn't at all like her father that was the first thing many had thought upon meeting the woman. Where her father was deeply compassionate but firm.
Ashley wasn't afraid to ruffle feathers loudly and seemed ready to pick a fight without much prompting. She was still compassionate but not in the same way.
She didn't like making concessions and would prefer it all to get done the way she wanted it. But the government didn't work like that, and she wasn't a fan of it. That was something she learned quickly.
However, she seemed exceedingly knowledgeable. Much more than she should be. The lot of this was hidden from the public and yet she seemed to know…It wasn't her father that was telling her anything.
No one can figure out how she knew what she did, but she was firm in her desire to tear apart anything that was looking into bioweapons. She was on the frontlines of making legislation or sniffing out people who were breaking the laws she got through.
However, many of their questions were answered when her relation to Leon Kennedy was discovered. At first no one had realized, they hadn't put together that the Leon she talked about sometimes was THE Leon.
In retrospect that should have been obvious.
It had first been discovered when a few of her coworkers had been invited to lunch by her. They were supposed to discuss current legislation and try to figure out what amendments need to be made. Apparently, Ashley had also invited an ‘expert’ whatever that meant.
Well, the joke was on that apparently, because it wasn't five minutes after everyone was sat down did none other than Leon S. Kennedy walked in.
Ashley had jumped up and greeted him with a fierce hug.
“Leon, I'm so glad you could make it!”
The man just chuckled now saying at all from the force that had hit him. He simply ruffled Ashley's hair (much to her protest) and spoke.
“Course baby eagle I'm always happy to help.”
With that he was let back to the table, much to everyone's shock. And help he did as everyone explained all the possible issues and concerns they have. The man however seemingly had answers for everything. Every issue all but solved with a few words or a suggestions.
He made it sound so simple and when asked how he did it he'd just shrug.
“I have experience.”
No one could argue that. He also was able to pick out issues they hadn't even foreseen. Explained the loopholes or how it was asking too much and why. Never demeaning never holier than thou never anything. Just simple facts spoken from a deep well of wisdom that he seemingly had an abundance of.
By the time he had to take his leave they had much more than they ever could have dreamed. Ashley had simply given him a hug and told him to keep himself alive. Leon threw her a grin and said he could promise nothing before disappearing out the door.
From there no one questioned her expertise anymore, not when she had someone like him on speed dial. She may be the youngest of them all, but she was without question the most knowledgeable. And perhaps that was a good thing if the legislation was anything to go by.
More had gotten done in the next few years of her joining up than in all the years before her combined. Ashley Graham with a determined woman who wanted to make a difference and make a difference she did.
It also became clear to everyone that yes while she wasn't like her father. She was absolutely like Leon. That much was undeniable especially with the more time everyone spent around the man.
He showed up to events when he could at Ashley's request. And she was his shadow whenever he appeared, never falling but a few steps behind him. And as she ran for higher and higher offices Leon was always at her side throwing in his endorsement.
And he was far from the only one. Ashley had many endorsements from many notable people. Yet she never changed her goals, never got lofty enough to be out of reach. She simply remained resolute on helping stop the spread of bioterrorism.
And as she took her leave from the Congress floor no one blinked as she spoke to a woman outside, they didn't recognize. Everyone had long since got used to her talking to people they didn't recognize.
Ashley had simply requested a message to get passed on to Leon. The woman had simply nodded and took her leave.