Rapid Fire | LEON S. KENNEDY

Epilogue

"I'm not going to lie to you," Grays' hand shot out before you could sign the paper. "These training regimens. They're designed for men. I don't doubt your capabilities, but this might be tough on you, darlin'."

You nodded, signaling for him to keep going.

"You're the only female in your unit," he leaned back in his chair. "I can move you to an easier one, but you and Kennedy would be separated."

"No."

"Hm?"

You looked up at him, gripping the pen in your hand.

"I've been told my whole life I can't do things because I'm a woman. I was belittled by male officers during my time at the Raccoon City police academy, worked in a male-dominated industry, and even faced creatures that targeted women. Leon is one of the few men in this world who doesn't make me feel inferior or insecure. I will stay with him."

Grays sighed, rubbing his tired eyes.

"Well... the least I can do is get you your own room. All the other boys will bunk up, but you'll be by yourself."

"That'd be nice," you smiled.

"But the locker room situation..." Grays began.

"It's fine. I'm not worried about it."

Grays chuckled, shaking his head as you signed the paper.

<•>

"C'mon, Stripes!" A soldier called. "You're gonna miss the fireworks!"

Coming up at the end of 1999, you could feel yourself bubble with excitement. Some people had rumored the world would end when the clock struck midnight, but as far as you were concerned, that had already happened.

There was still snow outside, and a few of the boys had gone out of their way to shovel it from the concrete patio outside the barracks so it would be safe to light fireworks.

Last year's celebrations had been a flop. Birthdays weren't even acknowledged, Christmas dinner had been your baked Mac and cheese casserole, along with some Hawaiian rolls, and New Years had led to a lot of disciplinary referrals. But, you had taken it upon yourself as the only woman in the unit to patch that up. This year, everyone got a cupcake for birthdays, flavor being requested by the lucky person, Christmas dinner had been a rousing success that everyone helped out with, and New Years had been requested with a formal letter to your higher-ups, who allowed you to fire some fireworks, so long as Charlie Grays was overseeing the event.

You adjusted your neon pink "2000" sunglasses, before pulling your camouflage winter jacket over your arms. It matched with your army-green sweater underneath, and your camo pants — all of which had been provided when you had first joined the program.

You grabbed a pink and gold noisemaker off your dresser, before exiting your room and locking the door behind you. You clambered down the stairs to the community living room, and spotted Grays himself.

"Hey, Stripes," he smiled.

It was no secret that you were Sergeant Major Grays' favorite soldier. You were a strong woman, one he often compared to his late daughter, and took it easy on you when he could. He more than often used you as an example when others failed to complete a given task, and sometimes even bailed Leon out of trouble if you batted your eyelashes right.

"Hi, Grays," you smiled back. "Excited?"

"Yep."

He was wearing a cheap, plastic gold bow tie, and it was clear that someone had glitterbombed him.