To Protect A/N: This is based off the manga version of the events. There isn't much difference, you can follow along if you haven't read the manga, but there were some key things that made the manga better for the fic - namely, I haven't seen all of this part of the series, and the manga left a couple more scenes blank for me to play with.

Zechs blinked as his eyes readjusted to the lower lighting, absently brushing some dried blood from his wrist. The metal stairs he was climbing echoed in the empty base.

"Where would she be?" Zechs asked himself out loud. The oppressive silence was beginning to irritate him. Thank God there were no vermin here - too cold. It was the South Pole, after all.

The closest dormitory wing to the hangar was old, one of the first parts of the base built. Everything else had been tacked on to make it the state-of-the-art OZ military installation it was now; or at least, the empty OZ installation. Apparently they had followed his orders and evacuated. Of course, he knew Noin wouldn't have, and would still be in the godforsaken base.

The third door, picked at random, opened easily, and he stepped in to look around. She was asleep on one of the small beds the various quarters were equipped with. Her uniform was neatly folded on a chair nearby - she was in civilian clothing.

"Noin, wake up," he said softly, sitting down next to her. Zechs pulled off his mask quietly, leaving it on the floor. He never did like that thing, but was only free to take it off with Noin. "It's me."

"Zechs." She sat upright, trying to wake up. "You're okay."

"In a manner of speaking." Zechs smiled as he saw the concern in her eyes at the quip. "I'm alright. But you shouldn't be here."

She shrugged. "Just because you outrank me doesn't mean I'll always follow orders. Besides, you took care of the battalion, the danger's nonexistent."

"I'm presumed dead now, Noin. Even Treize will say that. You can't be here, or people will start to question you. At the moment I have to return to the Cinq Kingdom."

Noin frowned. "Why are you 'presumed dead?' I knew you weren't, wouldn't others? And the Cinq Kingdom…?"

"Treize…" he sighed, halting in his hesitance to tell her. It would only make her distrust the General of OZ further. "It's complicated, but I promise I'll tell you later. You have to get back to the colonies."

She frowned. "I'll go with you. I don't want to go back to OZ - it would be easier if I just deserted now."

"You can't." Zechs shook his head firmly, placing his hand over hers. "Not now; it would be too dangerous for you."

Noin gave him a scathing look, and he flinched internally. He hated it when she did that. "I'm not afraid, Milliardo."

For once, he didn't correct her usage of his birth name. He knew why she was using it.

"I know you're not. But I am, that you'll end up dead for something you had no part in. Just listen to me for once." Zechs tightened his grip on her hand, making sure she was paying attention. She blinked, but reluctantly acquiesced with a nod. He was relieved - normally Noin would have been more difficult than this.

"Get into uniform," Zechs instructed quietly. "I'll bring you to the closest space port. If anyone asks you what happened to me, make sure you say you don't know. Don't say anything to make them suspicious about you, Noin. Stay safe."

He only wanted to protect her.

Well, what did you think?