Duty Continues

RESIDENT EVIL AND ITS CHARACTERS ARE OWNED BY CAPCOM.
NO MONEY WAS MADE, I WROTE THIS PURELY AS A FUN CHALLENGE.
PLEASE DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE NOT A CLAIRE/LEON FAN.


(A/N: A big thank you to my friend .
As much as the idea of the fanfic was something that I had brewing in my head,when she and I were brainstorming ideas about a "balcony" illustration, and despite all of the troubles she went through when putting it together, it turned out to be the setting that worked the best to fit the idea in. Thank you heaps girl, you're a champ!)


Duty Continues. By NessaJayn ©2013, Sep 23rd.

Leon sighed softly as he viewed the scene before him, as he was on duty protecting the new President. Ever since his friend and boss, President Benford had fallen at the treacherous hands of his National Security Advisor, the job of guarding the President at such grand, black-tie events just didn't feel the same.

With another sigh, he checked his watch as he walked out on to the balcony to breathe in the cool air and gaze at the stars. At least he had three things on his side that would make the evening more bearable to endure.
He did not have to wear black-tie.
His shift in guarding the President was over, and he and the First Lady were now being guarded by another agent.
And most importantly, he had his wife Claire by his side. Not just as a date for the evening, but to provide an extra set of eyes and ears as he did his job protecting the President.

The last one made Leon smile as he sent a quick phone message to his wife to let her know where she would be able to find him once his time on duty for the evening was over. As much as Leon had to be on duty for half of the evening, he wanted to have his wife work with him. The special agent couldn't believe how stunning Claire could look in bottle-green. He also noticed how the bell sleeves of her gown could conceal “equipment” when strapped around her arms. Claire had admitted to Leon that she had felt robbed of her chance to work with her beloved special agent when they reconnected and survived the horrors at Harvadville Airport. Deep down, Leon felt the same. Since he was going to be on guard duty to the President at the evenings Ball, he wanted to have Claire work with him providing a civilians pair of sharp eyes and ears. As the now off duty special agent leaned against the balcony, his mind began to wander as he gazed out at the evening view as he waited for Claire. A familiar feminine voice filled his body with relief.

“There your are!” Claire's voice was unmistakeable to Leon and caused him to smile as she walked out on to balcony to join her beloved husband.

“You're late! What took you so long?!” Leon asked with a grin after their quick kiss.

“Would you believe there was a long line at the ladies bathroom?!” Claire giggled as she reached for his hand as he leaned back against the balcony railing.
His wife's quick whit and her presence made Leon grin even more as he gazed at her appearance greedily. But as much as Leon had a grin on his face, his eyes held a sad look to them that didn't go unnoticed by Claire.

“What's wrong?” Claire asked softly as she gripped Leon's hand a little tighter. A soft sigh escaped his lips as his eyes focused on her pendant.

“Events like this just don't feel the same.” Leon said sadly, as he gestured with his other hand that he meant having to be on guard and address someone else as 'Mr. President'. Claire knew how much Benford's demise had affected her husband, even long after being officially pardoned and cleared of treason. She could see that he was still having to get used to a new President in the White House.

“Don't get me wrong Claire. Adam could not have chosen a better man to be his Vice-President in his government. They shared a lot of the same views and wanted to do so much for the benefit of the country. It just angers me that we had to lose a good President that way.”

Leon's confession was laced with a heavy heart, Claire immediately flung her arms around him in comfort. Leon felt even more grateful that his wife was with him as he felt her bury her face in his chest as his arms curled around her.

“Did I ever tell you how President Benford had made a decision to reveal the truth about Raccoon City?” Leon asked softly into Claire's hair. Her head immediately lifted up from his chest with an obvious look of surprise and slight fear.

“What were your thoughts on that?” Claire hesitantly asked as she reached up to cup his cheek.

“Honestly Claire, I was in two minds. As much as I had to support whatever decision Benford made about it, in the back of my mind all I could think of was your safety as a civilian, since Sherry and I both work for the government.” Leon said with a sigh as he viewed the scene before him briefly before he returned his eyes to Claire.

“Do you think this President will make that announcement?” Claire asked with a tinge of fear in her voice.

“Honestly Claire, I don't know. Benford's reason for wanting to reveal the truth was that Neo-Umbrella's madness had stretched far across the world and felt we needed help from the US main allies to contain the madness.”  Leon found it hard to confess with a lump in his throat.

“But obviously Simmons didn't see it that way.” Claire quickly added as Leon nodded his head sadly in agreement. She couldn't resist the urge to kiss away her husband's sadness. “Let's not think about that right now sweetheart. And if the truth about Raccoon City does get revealed, we will cross that bridge when it comes. More importantly, no amount of media or political spin will ever change the fact that we survived that nightmare. But for now Leon, let's enjoy ourselves for the rest of the evening since you're off duty.”

“You're right as always Claire. I'm so glad you came tonight. But let's enjoy the evening out here by ourselves for a while. It's too crowded in there for me right now.” Leon said with clear relief in his voice as he hugged Claire tightly.

“Definitely!” Claire giggled in agreement as she buried her face in his shoulder. Leon could not believe how much lighter he felt to get those earlier feelings off his chest as he held his incredible wife and kissed her deeply in gratitude.

“Thank you Claire.” Leon said with an incredible smile.

“Glad I could help.” Claire answered, as she turned her gaze to the clear, starry night sky, and with a smile Leon did the same.


The End.
A/N: I hope you liked it.