•Lighter Than Air•

•Chapter 14•

After that, the four of them began shooting their video. Leon held the camera on Billy and Rebecca while they were sitting on the couch. They made sure their relationship would be obvious to viewers. Billy sat calmly, hands folded in front of him While Rebecca wrapped her arm around one of his. She had a look of pure determination on her face.. It was obvious to Claire and Leon that she cared deeply for Billy, hence why they didn't question her story for a moment.

Meanwhile, Claire was sitting across from them in a chair, off to a slight angle so the camera could pick up on all three of them. During the interview, Claire would ask questions about how the both of them met, what they found during their time on the train, what they found in the Umbrella Facility. She asked more questions about what happened after the matter. Rebecca would answer and talk about how she was never forced into  anything and how everything she chose to do... she felt it was right.

The video would end on a positive note. Once the camera was off, Claire got up and took the camera in her hands. She looked over the footage they got and commended Leon for his work as cameraman. After that, Rebecca and Billy went over it with her. When they figured out what they needed to and decided the film was ready, Claire gave them a thumbs up. After it all, they would be ready for the video to be posted. All that needed to happen now was for Claire to write her article.

"This is perfect. We'll gain publicity and you guys will have more people on your side before you know it!" Claire chirped.

Billy glanced towards Rebecca, lifting his arm and wrapping it around her waist as he pressed a kiss against her temple. Claire's words made his heart jump. For once, he had hope in what was going to happen. He had not only Claire and Leon to thank, but Rebecca for taking that risk. He already knew he owed his life to her, based on his own thoughts. Whether Rebecca agreed with that statement or not.

"We really appreciate your help, Claire. Thank you." He told her.

Rebecca looked up at Billy, her heart warmed by his subtle motion of thanks towards her. She leaned against his side, both of her arms wrapping around him in a less subtle form of affection. Her head was leaned up against the side of his chest, humming while she got closer to him. She could feel Billy's grip tighten on her all as she watched his face. She immediately picked up on the slight smile forming on his lips. That one smile she had never stopped loving from the very beginning.

"It's no problem. But, Leon and I should be getting out of your hair now. It's getting late. Ain't that right, Leon?" The burgundy haired girl asked, looking towards her partner.

Leon lifted his head, his arms crossed while he looked at her. "Yeah, you're right about that." He glanced towards Rebecca and Billy. "It was nice to finally meet the both of you."

"Pleasure meeting you too, Leon." Rebecca responded, followed by a nod from Billy.

"We'll alert you when Claire finishes the article. For now, lay low as you normally would." Leon told them, moving and taking Claire's hand in his.

"You have our numbers. We'll be waiting." Rebecca responded.

Then, Leon and Claire would leave the cabin with their camera and all. Closing the door behind them, they walked out to their rental car. Claire tried to move to the driver's seat, but Leon's hand was still firmly around hers. Raising an eyebrow, Claire turned to face Leon. As if she was asking why he wasn't letting go of her at that moment. Right then was when Leon pulled her into a hug, his arms wound tightly around her.

"Huh? Leon? What's gotten into you?" Claire asked, slowly wrapping her arms around him in return.

"You know I love you, right?" Leon asked suddenly.

"Of course I do. What's going on? Why do you ask?" She asked, rubbing gentle circles on his back while he clung to her.

"Listen, I know we don't always agree on things, but I see every effort you're making. I know you're doing everything in your power in order to help these people. I know that you just want to see justice be served in this world. We may take different approaches on these things, but I love you, Claire. I love your determination and I love every bit of empathy you've given this cruel world." Leon spilled his thoughts to her in one big sitting.

Claire wasn't fully sure how to react for a moment. Leon wasn't always open with the way he felt. She knew he had been going through a rough time between missions too. She hardly knew anything of what happened in his last mission. Aside from the snippets she had whenever he called home to check in on her and Sherry. Her grip on him became more firm as she pressed a kiss to his temple, hand resting between his shoulder blades.

"Don't worry, Leon. I know. It's only natural for us not to agree all the time.. I mean. Isn't that what makes us human? We disagree. We fight. But, we always come right back to each other. We could meet under the worst circumstances and still make it through each time." She moved her hands and gripped either one of his shoulders. "I love you too, okay? Let's head back to the house."

"Yeah.. let's head back." Leon paused for a moment. "Wait. One more thing."

"What is it?"

Leon's hands reached forward and cupped either side of Claire's face. She had already seemed to realize what he was trying to do before he even did it. Claire's arms wrapped around his neck while she leaned closer to him... the both of them met in the middle for a gentle kiss. Their lips fit together like puzzle pieces and for a moment, time would stop. Despite them being together for so long, every kiss still felt like their first. Though, soon they would pull apart.

"Alright. Now we can head home." Leon gave Claire a slight smile before pulling away from her.

Claire laughed, shaking her head. "You are something else, Kennedy.."

"You know you love it." He said, heading and getting in the passenger's seat.

"Yeah yeah, I know, I know." She said, getting into the driver's side and starting up the car.

Then, they would be on their merry way back to the home away from home. It wasn't where they felt rested, but it was where they needed to be for the time on the mission. They knew that fact quite well at that point however. Claire headed down the overgrown path and they started their long journey back to the house. Even then, they would still have work to do when they returned. Knowing Claire, she would be the one to neglect her sleep. Which Leon would nag her for later, but it was all worth it in the end. They were determined to solve this case for good, even better than initially planned.