Title: Resident Kennedy
Summary: Following Leon's return from Europe after having rescued Ashley. All he wants is peace and quiet, but Leon can expect no such thing...
Rating: PG-13

A/N: I just typed. No backtracking or spell check. Please forgive the errors!

Chapter 1 - Uninvited Guest

Leon turned off the jetski and waited. He'd gotten a call from Hunnigan saying a chopper would be at their coordinants shortly. Ashley was being somewhat of a bother. She was being very smitten with him and that manifested itself in the form of trying to see if he was ticklish or not. Leon wasn't super ticklish, but he didn't appreciate the sudden jolt to his nervous system every time she jabbed her fingers in his neck or under his arms. The first time that happened, Leon let out a loud yelp and nearly toppled the jetski on it's side. Ashley couldn't stop laughing at him.

'Great way to thank the person who saved you,' Leon mentally grumbled.

The whirring of chopper blades pulled him out of his thoughts. He was so glad to see the military aircraft. He hadn't hardly eaten in the last 48 hours and he desperately needed a shower. He smelled like dirt, sweat, and blood. Not to mention a week's worth of sleep and maybe some medical attention; his left shoulder ached fiercely.

The response team lowered a rope ladder down to them. Leon motioned for Ashley to go first, to that she gave him a stern look.

"Eyes down, mister," she scolded and pulled her skirt a little lower before climbing the ladder.

Leon looked around awkwardly at the expanse of the ocean. The last thing he needed was her father thinking he was anything less than respectful. That'd be liable to cost him his job.

"Your turn, Mr. Kennedy!" The man who lowered the ladder yelled down to him.

Leon climbed into the chopper and took a seat next to Ashley, who was still giving him a look.

"I didn't see anything," he said quietly and raised his hands in a defensive manner.

Ashley let out a small laugh and patted his arm. "It's fine, Leon. I know you're a gentleman."

Leon couldn't help but smile at that. "Yeah, well, not on weekends."

Ashley turned red. "What's that supposed to mean?!"

Leon chuckled and reclined in his seat, throwing an arm over his eyes. "It means, gimme some cash and I'll make it rain."

Ashley squeaked, "Oooh, you!" and tried to slap him upside the head.

Leon laughed and raised his arms over his head to protect himself. "Ow, ow! Damn it, I was just kidding!"

*

They arrived in D.C. where they were promptly greeted by the President.

"Daddy!" Ashley squealed, almost tearfully, and hugged her father.

The President hugged his daughter tightly, relieved to have his only child home safe. "Good work, Kennedy. I'll see to it you are handsomely rewarded."

Leon nodded and smiled at that statement and their heartwarming reunion. "Thank you, sir."

"Go home for now and rest. I wanna see you in my office first thing tomorrow morning," the President said with authority in his voice.

Leon didn't bother to complain or argue. He was more than happy to rest after constantly running, being shot at, and jumping down off high ledges. His left ankle might be sprained.

"Yes, sir, Mr. President." Leon casually saluted him and went to go find his car.

After all the excitement he couldn't remember where he parked... or where his keys were for than matter.

He patted his back pockets... "Shit."

"Mr. Kennedy!" A young woman with long hair ran up to him. She smiled shyly and handed him his keys.

Ah. Yes. He'd left them with the White House staff. Glad he didn't lose them in Ganado country.

"Thank you." Leon said to her, grateful, and smiled back. She trotted back to her post and he got in his car to leave.

'Cute girl,' he thought, 'I should ask her out sometime...'

*

Leon pulled into the driveway of his lovely, modern two story home. He lived there alone, but it was roomy and peaceful and more enjoyable than the apartment he'd lived in previously.

Leon unlock the front door with his keys. As soon as he stepped in the doorway, his holster was the first thing to come off. He was so worn out he just dropped it on the floor and let it land wherever it may.

"I need a super hot shower." Leon climbed the stairs to his bedroom to grab a fresh pair of clean, comfortable clothes before heading down he hall to the bathroom. The burning water was almost painful, but it soothed his aching muscles. All in all, he'd say that was a pretty successful mission. He just wished the original evac chopper hadn't been shot down. That would have made the mission alot shorter and less strenuous.

After a while, Leon reluctantly pulled himself from the shower when the water started to run cold. He put on a bluish grey shirt and some black sweat pants after drying himself and his hair.

He let out a contented sigh as he descended the stairs and made his way to the kitchen. He was so glad to be home! Finally he could let his guard down-

*CRASH*

The noise came from his walk-in pantry. Leon moved swiftly back into the living room to retrieve the gun out of his holster. Once again, he moved like a special ops agent; feet light and gun raised. His heart was racing as he pushed the pantry door open to investigate. He flicked the light on and moved the red laser sight around the small room.

Down on the ground were containers and glass jars shattered and strewn about. Some metal cookware that had been stored on the top shelf was also knocked down. On one of the middle shelves, there was a sack of cashews that was seemingly ripped open and... moving.

Leon let out a breath and lowered his gun. 'I gotta talk to someone about PTSD,' he thought. Leon looked in the bag. "Hey!" he shouted and reached in, grabbing a small critter by the scruff of it's neck. It made a loud indignant meow of protest.

Leon held up what turned out to be a cat in front of his face. It looked terrified and wide eyed, with a little cashew sticking out of it's mouth.

"All right, buddy. What's the big idea? You can't just raid someone's pantry and vandalise the place and startle people to death!" Leon said rather annoyed.

The little critter just blinked at him and the cashew fell out of it's mouth.

"Well, what do you have to say for yourself?!" Leon demanded, rhetorically, as he looked upon this frightened little creature.

The critter blinked once more and opened it's little mouth. "I'm sorry."

Leon's jaw dropped...