My name is Claire Redfield.
Younger sister of Chris Redfield.
I'm a survivor of the Raccoon City incident (1998).
Also a proud member of the human rights organization, Terra Save.
“Go on ahead, bud. Glasses’re above the sink.”
Forest laid his head back and was about to close his eyes until he heard Leon’s voice ask him if he was alright. Truth was, he wasn’t. His body had almost completely shut down on him no more than half an hour ago. But now wasn’t really the time to bring that up. Leon and Claire both needed their rest, as did he.
“I’m good. Just feelin’ a little beat up. Just need some sleep, I guess.”
He gently stroked Bear’s belly as the little pup slept up against him. Dogs had always taken to him really easily, leading to his mother jokingly calling him “The Dog Whisperer” when he was a small child. It didn’t matter whether it was a tiny chihuahua or a huge, vicious pit bull, dogs just seemed to love Forest.
“Got some stuff I gotta bring ta tha lab in the next day’r so. But it can wait. Y’all need yer rest. We’ll figure out what we’re gonna do in the mornin’.”
As he saw Leon walk into the kitchen, Forest was suddenly overcome with a very strong feeling of exhaustion. His eyelids felt like they weighed a ton and his body felt like it almost melted into the couch. He soon fell into a deep sleep. Even he couldn’t anticipate the dreams to come.
When Leon had left the room, Claire sat there in silence as she looked down at the towel. She wanted to cry, because she knew he was right, but she was right too. No matter if he was thrown into being an Agent, his life was changing now, and he needed to start thinking about that. About the choices he makes. She understood he was trying to get something that would be helpful for them both, but it almost killed him. The thought of what would of happened had she not of shown up to help, made Claire feel sick. She took a breath in and out before she got up from the bed. Setting he towel down on the dresser, Claire opened the door and went downstairs to join Leon and Forest.
As she got downstairs, she noticed Leon talking to Forest to make sure he was ok. Claire began to worry about her friends health. He did look really sick, but maybe he was just exhausted. Today was really rough on him so it only made sense he would look like hell. As Forest fell asleep, Claire grabbed Leon by the hand to pull him away. “Let him rest. He’ll be fine” Claire whispered before walking up the stairs with Leon behind her.
(Source: agentleonskennedy)
Not much, how have you been Carlos?
I’m getting curious what gender our baby is…
Kinda want a girl. But also a boy. Hmm. Don’t want twins though.So I’m curious Leon. What happens if I do have twins? You just won’t want them? *glares*
I didn’t mean it like that. Of course I want them. I just think it could be more stressful for us both.
Don’t try to save your ass on this one -.-
The only ass I’m trying to save is yours. I will shut up. Was just speaking my mind.
Speaking your mind isn’t always a good thing.
I’m getting curious what gender our baby is…
Kinda want a girl. But also a boy. Hmm. Don’t want twins though.So I’m curious Leon. What happens if I do have twins? You just won’t want them? *glares*
I didn’t mean it like that. Of course I want them. I just think it could be more stressful for us both.
Don’t try to save your ass on this one -.-
I’m getting curious what gender our baby is…
Kinda want a girl. But also a boy. Hmm. Don’t want twins though.
So I’m curious Leon. What happens if I do have twins? You just won’t want them? *glares*
Minutes seemed like hours as Forest laid back on the couch trying to rest, but still just found himself staring at the ceiling. Bear had jumped onto the couch with him and snugged up under one of his arms, while JJ was on the floor right next to his other arm.
The seizure or convusion that he had just gone through had done more than hurt him. It had…….scared him. More than anything else in his life thus far. And that was saying a lot. Between the Ecliptic Express, the Umbrella Training Center, the Spencer Estate and all the horrifying creatures and experiments that had happened there, even having his brush with Death itself.
Maybe it was because he understood what had happened there, in those places. He understood what happened to him. These convulsions were foreign, they were confusing, he wasn’t able to comprehend what was happening to his body.
Despite his confusion, he had been able to mark the exact time that the convusion had hit him, so if it happened again he would be able to gauge how much time there was between them. Hopefully it wouldn’t come to that, though.
“Keep Leon an’ Claire safe,” the Southern man thought to himself before looking at the sleeping dogs and smiling, giving them both soft pets. ”Gotta keep them safe.”
Claire didn’t want to argue with him. She understood how worried he was for not only her health, but the baby’s too. She wanted to also be careful for the baby inside her, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t help Leon and Forest right now. Claire took her hand from him and looked away. “I hear you Leon, but you both need me. I’ll be fine, I promise.” Claire then looked back at him and saw the worry in his eyes. “You know no matter what, I’m not going to sit back and let yourself get killed. Back in Raccoon City, you and me made a promise to each other.” Claire took a deep breath before continuing. “We’re partners, and we will be there if one of us is in trouble.” She held the towel in her hands, and looked down at it on her lap. She started to remember that day in Raccoon City when her and Leon made that promise. It was like yesterday to her that they went through all that hell.
“I know you have a job to do Leon, but you signed up for another job too. To be a husband and father.” As she sat there beside him, she grew quiet for a moment. She hoped he would understand. “If anything happened to you, I’d be in pieces as well.” Claire didn’t want to make him feel as though he had to choose which life to live, but maybe he had to? As much as she respects what he does, she knew this life he was living couldn’t go on forever. “I know when I get far in to this pregnancy, I won’t be able to help you like I can now. It scares me to think about it.”
(Source: agentleonskennedy)
As JJ and Bear played in the living room, Forest walked over to where Leon and Claire were standing. He put a hand on Leon’s shoulder and looked him dead in the eyes.
“Brother, don’t gimme none’a that ‘everything’s fine’ crap. I hate ta take that tone with ya. I love ya both dearly, but ya don’t seem ta wanna let anyone help. Yer sick, kid. Yer poisoned and ya gotta find a way ta get that shit flushed outta yer system. Now ya said those pills’ll have ya set fer a few hours, why don’t ya take those few hours ta rest up? My bedroom’s upstairs, second door on the right. You an’ Claire can sleep there, I’ll stay down here with the pups. Bear probably ain’t had nothin’ ta eat fer a while, so I’ll fix him up some food.”
Forest gently ushered them towards the stairs, giving them a light, playful push.
“Go on, git!” he said with a chuckle.
Once they were up the stairs, Forest wandered into the kitchen and whistled quietly, drawing JJ to him, Bear closely behind. He grabbed a small bowl out of the cupboard and set it next to JJ’s larger food dish. Taking the bag of dog food, he filled both dishes and set the bag under the kitchen counter, watching as JJ took right to eating out of the large dish. Bear took a few moments to sniff the food before digging in himself. Forest smiled in spite of how he felt.
He leaned against the counter, pulling up the left side of his shirt and looking at the bandaged spot on his side where he had been grazed by that bullet. It seemed as though the wound had managed to clot somewhat, as the bleeding had slowed considerably, if not stopped. As he let his shirt back down, he was suddenly struck by a crippling pain in his chest. His vision blacked out and he doubled over against the sink. Letting out three or four racking, heaving coughs, he felt liquid spray out of his mouth with each cough. It wasn’t saliva. Could it be blood? It wouldn’t surprise him one bit.
After what seemed like an eternity, the pain passed and his vision slowly returned. He took as many deep breaths as he could until his breathing and heart rate returned to normal. He looked down into the sink and almost immediately vomited.
The liquid that he had coughed up was pitch black. Darker than old motor oil or even soot. It was splattered all over the inside of the sink.
“What the fuck……..the fuck’s happenin’ ta me?” Forest wondered to himself as he turned the water on and cleaned the dark liquid out of the sink. But before he washed the last bits of it away, he had an idea. He jogged downstairs to his basement and over to his work bench. He found a couple of evidence tubes, used for DNA testing that he had left from work. He also grabbed a cotton swab out of the same drawer.
When he got back upstairs, he swabbed a bit of the liquid from the inside of the sink and stuck the cotton swab into the tube, sealing it shut and placing it in his pocket before rinsing out the rest of the sink. Maybe someone in the lab at the precinct could tell him what this stuff was.
Before Claire could object to Forest, he had already hurried them off to go upstairs. Once her and Leon were both upstairs in the room, she closed the door behind them and made Leon sit on the bed. “You need more rest than I do.” she told him as she started to take off his shoes and place his feet up. Leon was sweating, which worried Claire dearly that he might be getting even worse. “Hold on. Don’t get up.” She went outside into the hall and into the bathroom to get a towel. When she came back in the bedroom, she began to wipe Leon’s forehead gently. She hoped he would try to sleep while he could. Claire then sat down beside him and began to rub his cheek with her thumb. It hurt her to see him this way. She wished she could do more to help him. And not just Leon, but help Forest too. Both of them were in really bad situations right now, and they needed all the help they could get. Even if they weren’t the type to show it.
(Source: agentleonskennedy)
Forest just looked at Leon, amazed that he was even standing after that seizure he just had. What the Hell was that? Something similar had happened when they were still in Paris.
“Yeah, we’ll get back soon enough. We really oughtta get ya checked out, Leon. That wasn’t normal, whatever it was. C’mon, let’s go.”
They were still about half an hour out from Forest’s place, so the storm would be on them before they got back. He opened the door and pushed the seat forward for Leon and Bear, then pushed it back once they were both in so Claire could get in the car. He jogged around to the driver’s side and got in the car, starting it up and pulling out of the parking lot.
The remainder of the trip home was relatively quiet, apart from the small chatter between the three and the occasional squeak from Bear. Forest found himself wondering whether Bear would get along with JJ, his Rottweiler. JJ loved any other dogs, so he wasn’t worried. If anything, JJ would take to Bear like a little brother, him being a much larger dog.
It was almost a downpour when Forest pulled his car into the driveway, complete with thunder and lightning. Hopefully the power wasn’t out. Forest hated having to start up his generator, as it was a huge fuel hog. He turned to Leon and Claire as he shut the car off.
“Y’all stay here ‘til I get the door unlocked. Don’t want ya gettin’ stuck out in the rain,” he said with a smirk. ”Leon, ya can leave the guns an’ such in the trunk fer now, don’t worry ‘bout ‘em,” he told Leon before he quickly grabbed his keys and got out of the car. At least the temperature was warm. Forest didn’t mind the rain at all, only when it was cold.
He got up to the front door and quickly unlocked it, looking back and motioning for Leon and Claire to come in. JJ was up to the door in a heartbeat, licking and nudging Forest’s hand. He smiled and roughly pet the dog’s head and back while he waited for Claire and Leon.
As Claire sat in the car with Leon, she looked back at him and turned to face him in her seat. “You really need to go see a doctor. But I know you won’t.” Claire’s voice had a disappointed tone as she turned back in her seat to see what Forest was doing. The rain was coming down and the thunder was starting to roar. When Forest gave them the ok to come inside the house, Claire opened her car door and walked with Leon inside. She hoped he would be fine while they stayed here. As she stepped inside the house, she noticed how it was rather clean. She really wasn’t expecting the place to be, considering when she started to remember how Leon’s house looked when she went to visit him before. “Nice place Forest. You have a girlfriend who keeps it tidy?” Claire smiled jokingly to him. She then noticed Forest’s dog JJ. Claire wasn’t a fan of Rottweiler, since Umbrella had their share of them along with the dobermans. But JJ seemed really nice, which put her worries at ease.
(Source: agentleonskennedy)
Forest pulled into the parking lot of a Burger King, parking to car and opening the door.
“Think I’d rather just go inside, sat down too much on the plane,” Forest said to Claire as Leon got out of the car.
“C’mon Claire, ya probably know Leon’s appetite better than me…………an’ I mean that in terms’a food o’course,” he joked to her, nudging her side with his elbow.
Forest held to door open for Claire, taking a look across the parking lot to where Leon was playing with Bear. He smiled as he walked into the restaurant. Stepping up to the counter with Claire, he waited for her to order her food.
“Never thought it was gonna be this easy,” Forest thought to himself. ”Got ourselves some ammo ta do some damage ta Umbrella an’ we got away just ‘bout without incident.”
After Claire had ordered food for her and Leon, Forest put a hand on her shoulder.
“I got it, sweetheart. It’s on me.”
He turned to the man behind the counter and nodded.
“I’ll have a number 5, large with a Sprite.”
He walked to the register and paid for all the food, turning to Claire and exhaling, putting his arm around her shoulder and hugging her close to him. He was exhausted and relieved all at the same time. Their mission had taken its toll on his body.
After Claire had ordered the food, she felt Forest put his arm around her. She began to smile at his caring affection he was showing. She could tell he was happy to be alive, and not just him but her and Leon as well. She was happy about it too. Forest was also very tired, and she couldn’t blame him. “Food, and then some sleep” she told him nodding before they had got back to Leon. “I probably went over board with the food. I wasn’t sure how hungry you were.” She handed over two big hamburgers with fries and a drink. Before Claire began to eat her food, she gave Bear a fry so he would stop begging.
After they had eaten their food, Claire started noticing dark clouds coming their way. It was going to storm soon, which meant they had to hurry home. She didn’t want them to be driving in nasty weather. “We should get going. Those dark clouds don’t look like they are going away.” She was really anxious to get to a place so she could rest and not worry anymore. Some peace and quiet is what she wanted badly right now.
(Source: agentleonskennedy)
Forest shook his head as he stepped off the plane with Leon and Claire, his gun bag over his shoulder, chuckling at how adorable the two of them were together. They were like a couple of high school sweethearts, minus all the drama and bullshit.
“Sorry, Kennedy. Can’t let anyone drive my car. I promise I’ll take it easy this time ‘round. We ain’t in no hurry, anyway. In fact, why don’t we stop fer some food on the way back? I’m famished, brother.”
He nodded at one of the men who greeted them as he tossed Forest his keys.
“Not a scratch, right?” he said, patting the man on the shoulder as he walked over to his Camaro. As he opened the door and popped the trunk, he turned around and motioned to the trunk for Leon and Claire.
“Y’all can put yer gear in here. Leon, hope ya don’t mind sittin’ in the back. The pregnant woman kinda takes priority here,” Forest said as he pushed the seat forward so Leon could get in the car.
Claire smiled and thanked Forest before getting in the front seat. She liked the fact he was a sweet southern gentleman. As she got settled inside the car, she looked back at Leon with the puppy on his lap. “You two behave back there” she teased before giving Leon a wink. Claire’s stomach then began to growl. She was feeling really hungry and knew her pregnancy was demanding food like crazy. Her belly was starting to grow, and she dreaded it. At least she could still fit in her jeans, for now. She then placed her hands over her little baby bump, and sighed with a smile.
As they drove to a place to go eat, Claire noticed Leon was looking uncomfortable as though something was on his mind. “Everything ok?” she asked him, turning in her seat to face him. Her eyes then noticed the puppy had finally gone to sleep by his side. It was sleeping so peacefully without a care in the world. She knew once they got him home, he would be excited about playing with Cheeto.
(Source: agentleonskennedy)
“I’m sure they got a wi-fi signal ya can use, but why don’t ya just use the computer at my place? The signal’s secure an’ Umbrella’s gonna be too busy cleanin’ up in Paris ta deal with us.”
Forest sat forward, continuing to pet the little puppy. He was more than happy to accommodate the two of them.
“Leon’s car’s still at my house anyway. Ya both can stay there while we run through the data.”
The plane touched down on the runway back in Albuquerque, the sun shining on the asphalt. As it came to a stop, Forest could see his Camaro still parked in the spot he left it in. He stood up, stretching his legs, the puppy in his arms. Walking over to Claire, he handed the puppy to her, smiling.
“Y’all got a name fer him yet?”
Staying at Forest’s place might be a good idea. “We’ll think about it.” She looked over at Leon to see what he thought. She rather they didn’t stay for too long, considering they might attract attention if they all three were together. Once they arrive in Albuquerque, Claire took the puppy from Forest and held it close to her chest. “Bear” Claire said looking at the puppy. She knew it wasn’t much of a proper name for a dog, but he did look like a little bear cub to her. “It’s probably a silly name, but I think it suits him just fine” she said looking at Forest with a smile.
(Source: agentleonskennedy)
Forest leaned his head back and closed his eyes as the plane took off from the runway. He hadn’t realized just how tired he was until he fell asleep soon after takeoff. For the first time in what felt like a lifetime, Forest’s dreams were actually pleasant. Maybe it was because they had finally dealt a significant blow against Umbrella, maybe it was because he’d found a female who showed interest in him, he couldn’t be sure. He also couldn’t be sure how long he had slept.
Suddenly, he felt small bits of warmth on his cheek, slowly stirring him awake. He opened his eyes, looking right into the eyes of the little husky pup that Leon had rescued. Smiling tiredly, he pet the dog’s head and behind its ears, giving it a kiss. The puppy had climbed onto his lap with its front paws on his chest. He looked over to Leon and Claire.
“Wonder how much longer we got ‘fore we land,” he thought to himself as he continued to pet the little husky.
On the plane ride home, Claire looked out the window as Forest and Leon were resting in their seats. They had been through a long day, so she didn’t want to disturb them. As she looked at the clouds passing, and the ocean below them, she saw the sun begin to rise. The light sparkled on the water like crystals below. Claire sighed at the beautiful sight, and started thinking about her wedding. She still didn’t have a ring on her finger, but knew soon Leon would get one for her when he could. Claire honestly didn’t care much about having a ring, or a wedding. She was fine with how things were now with her and Leon. But marrying him would make her just as happy.
The thought of calling him her husband, made her smile. She then looked over to him beside her, sleeping peacefully. Her eyes looked down and saw he was still holding her hand. It was as though he was making sure she was with him, and wouldn’t leave. Claire smiled and squeezed his hand gently, making sure not to wake him up. Her focus then switched over to the puppy that had jumped on Forest who was now awake. “Good morning” Claire spoke quietly over to him with a smile. “I think he likes you” she said as the puppy looked happy on Forest’s lap. It was nice to see Forest was feeling better now. “I think we’re almost home.”
(Source: agentleonskennedy)
Forest felt his ears burn as Claire gave him a kiss on his cheek. He gave her shoulder a soft squeeze, nodding.
“Oh you know I will, Claire. ’Specially if y’all got an open bar,” he said, chuckling.
The car ride back to the airport was pretty much a blur, as h’d slept most of the way. Interpol’s medic had cleaned his wound and stitched him up, so he was out of the woods. Once at the airport, Forest sat up as slowly as he could. He saw Leon holding the little husky pup and smiled wide. He gave the little dog a pat on the head and went to get out of the car. The medic helped him around to the passenger’s door where Officer Lemeiux was. The window rolled down and she leaned out, extending her hand.
“Mr. Spe…..Forest…..Leon, Claire, it’s been a pleasure working with you. I don’t know why you had to do whatever it was you did, but I hope you found what you were looking for. We’ll take care of the local athuorities, not to worry.”
Forest nodded and shook her hand. She had a firm, yet gentle grip. Very professional, and still lady-like. He turned to Claire and Leon as Officer Lemeiux bid them farewell.
“Go on ta tha plane, y’all. I’ll be there in a flash.”
Once they were heading back, Forest leaned down to the window of the car.
“Sorry ‘bout the blood in the back seat. Ya can bill me if ya like,” he joked. ”But seriously Jean, ya ever find yerself in the States, ya can just-“
He was cut off by Jean leaning out and planting a soft kiss on his lips. Holding it for a moment, she backed away a bit and gave him a sly smile.
“I’ll know who to call. Take care, Forest.”
She winked as the window rolled up and the car pulled away. Forest straightened his vest and adjusted the strap of his gear bag before heading to the plane. He walked up the steps with a big smile on his face and into the cabin, where he took a seat. Forest took a deep breath and exhaled, reclining his seat.
“Women…they never fail ta surprise me. Alright kids, so what do we do from here?”
Claire got out with Leon, and stood by him while Forest was being attended to. Seeing how happy Forest was, made Claire feel less worried about him. She hadn’t seen or heard from him in so long. It was nice to see him again, and alive. Claire then looked over at the puppy who was licking at her arm. Her hand scratched behind it’s ears gently to comfort it. “I wonder what we can call it” she said to Leon with a smile. Maybe Leon had already picked out a name for it though, which would be fine with her. She just hoped the puppy would get along with Cheeto.
Claire’s mind soon began to think about the trip home. She wondered if Forest would be flying back with the two of them. Before she could answer Forest, her eyes quickly looked up at Leon. “How are you feeling?” she asked, seeing how exhausted he looked. She would always worry about his health no matter what. Leon was so stubborn at times, he never cared to get medical treatment when she told him to. He rather worry about her instead of himself.
(Source: agentleonskennedy)
