•Thicker Than Blood•

•Chapter 13•

The next morning, Leon woke up to be there for Sherry while she got ready for school. As established, he would become her alarm clock and wake her up so she could get up and get ready. Then, he returned downstairs to make her breakfast while she prepared herself for school. Sherry got dressed into a sweater and skinny jeans. She wrapped her usual necktie around her throat and adjusted her headband before heading downstairs to Leon.

"Morning, Leon! Where's Claire?" Sherry asked.

"I'm letting her sleep in since she didn't seem to get any last night." Leon said, despite only being able to get around two hours of sleep with his work schedule. Usually he'd be asleep when Sherry was waking up.

"You know, that's really cute." She pulled out her chair, sitting at the dining room table.

"What makes you say that?" Leon put some pancakes on a plate, putting butter and syrup on them before setting the plate in front of Sherry.

"Don't you normally get home around 3:30? It's 5:30 now. You risked your own sleep for hers?" Sherry picked up her fork and took a bite of her pancakes.

Leon raised his eyebrow at her, going to the fridge and grabbing some cranberry juice. While he was pouring it, he gave her statement some thought. Wasn't that something anyone would do for someone they cared about? He was sure that Claire would have done the same thing for him if the situation called for it.

"I can always nap later. She needs it more than I do right now." Leon set the cup of juice next to Sherry's plate, going and grabbing his coffee mug shortly after.

"Are you sure you don't just like her? Genevieve even thinks that is the case and she barely even knows who you are."

"Like I said, she needed it more than I did. I found a lead on where her brother might be and she was researching all night to try and pinpoint his location." Leon explained.

"You finally found a lead on Chris?"

"Correct. He was going to investigate an Umbrella facility in Europe. His location hasn't been updated in around five months."

"You found this information for her, didn't you?"

"Of course, why wouldn't I? I'd do just about anything to help her out. Chris means the world to her. You know that."

Sherry rested her cheek in the palm of her hand. A smile reached her face while she leaned against it. Leon sat at the table with her, coffee cup in hand. She seemed to be waiting for him to realize exactly what he just said. Though, he seemed to think nothing of it. Sherry reached out and patted Leon's arm.

"You realize that isn't something you do for just anyone, right?"

Those words weighed down on him like a pile of bricks. He had to stop and think for just a moment. Wouldn't he have done it for anyone? Why would it make Claire special? They had survived a zombie outbreak together, of course she would be important. Though, it seemed Sherry had seen something in it that he hadn't yet. Leon hesitated, but ultimately shook his head.

"We've gone through hell and back together, Sherry. You included. I'd do anything for both of you. I'm going to do all I can to protect you. I couldn't stand to see any of you hurt." He stood up, taking their empty dishes and referring them to the sink.

"You mean to tell me you don't feel anything even slightly stronger for Claire?" Sherry was still persistent.

"What do you mean, stronger?"

"Well. Do you imagine her being in your life forever? Are you scared that when she finds her brother, she's going to leave? You won't see her nearly as much as you do now." Sherry pointed that out.

Leon's heart dropped. The thought hadn't even begun to cross his mind. The thought of Claire leaving when everything was sorted out... almost hurt. He didn't want her to leave. She was the closest thing he had to comfort since he branched off on his own. To him, they had built a life together. They moved into a home. Take care of a kid. What would it be like once all of that was gone? We're they destined to grow apart?

Was that what Sherry meant? Did he really harbor feelings for Claire? She was right. He looked down at the smaller girl, reaching out and setting his hand on her head. His hair dropped down in front of his face, covering one of his eyes in a solemn manner. He had no idea what he would have done without the both of him. No idea what he was going to do when they finally went separate ways.

"You both are my family now. I'd do anything for you guys. You both mean the world to me. We got through it all together and built something right here. We've got a bond that can never be broken. Not everyone goes through something we do. Whether we're related by blood or not, you and Claire are my family. The family I will protect."

Sherry smiled up at him. "You should tell her."

"Maybe if the right time comes along." Leon stood up straight and glanced at the clock.

"Speaking on time... we have to head out so we can get you to school. Come along." Leon headed over to the door.

Sherry couldn't help but smile in this situation. She had known they would be destined for one another since the very beginning. No one seems that close to someone they just met if something wasn't meant to happen. They fit together like puzzle pieces from the first time she saw them interact. She never would have guessed they only met the previous night from how they were acting.

It seemed as though they knew each other forever! Though, that clearly wasn't the case. Perhaps it was a soul mate or twin flame situation? Sherry didn't have a real clue, but the speculation was always fun! Quickly, she ran up the stairs and grabbed her book bag. She made sure she had all her materials before booking it back to the front door and following Leon out to the truck. Very much excited to tell her new friend about their discovery.