Hiya! Here's a new Code Geass fic from me. I gotta admit, with all the CG I've been devouring lately, I've really come to love the KallenXLelouch pairing, with C.C. coming in a close second. This fic… probably won't be huge, less than ten chapters definitely, unless something weird happens. ;) I've got the next chapter done already, and I'll post that when I feel like it.

Disclaimer that I don't own Code Geass is typed here…

In Plain Sight

Chapter One

Zero was dead. The Black Knights had announced it, the word had gone out to the entire world. The Japanese mourned their hero, other countries under the thumb of Britannia mourned what the man had represented. It was a demoralising blow, one that had the potential to cripple rebellions the world over.

And yet, that didn't happen. Instead, people were inspired to continue their rebellions, some of the more extreme versions even changing their policies to fit more in what Zero had the Black Knights become as allies of Justice. Zero's status as a symbol for hope remained strong throughout the oppressed Britannian Areas.

Lelouch Lamperouge, also known as vi Britannia, and sometimes Zero, snorted in a mix of mild amusement and disgust at the news report on the television before him. It had been three weeks since he'd returned to Ashford Academy after banishing his mother and father to C's world. There was no word as of yet about the Emperor's death, and he suspected that, until the question of succession was sorted, that it wouldn't be.

There had been a part of Lelouch that had been tempted to go to Pendragon, use his geass to take over, and change the Empire by force. But that plan had been scuttled when Suzaku had shot him, right where Lelouch had shot Euphie all that time ago. He'd died. Died. And he'd come back to life to the sight of C.C. weeping over him, no sign of Suzaku in the area.

Pretty quickly, Lelouch and C.C. had figured out that he'd somehow gained his father's Code. But alongside that, he'd lost his geass as well. The loss was a massive blow, especially now with the fact that he had few allies left. After contacting Jeremiah, the three of them had agreed that it would be best for him to get back to Tokyo, to continue to play as Lelouch Lamperouge awhile longer until they could get their bearings.

So here he was now. Lelouch had reported his 'brother' Rollo missing, even though he knew no one was going to find him. No one in the school had any reason to be suspicious of him. Well, no one except Kallen, but she wasn't here, off with the Black Knights, unable to return thanks to Suzaku outing her as one.

The room the OSI had set up to spy on him was deserted, stripped of any sign that they'd been there. No doubt they thought he was dead, all things considered. Sayoko had also returned, defeated and grief stricken that she hadn't been able to locate Nunnally before the FLEIJA had been fired.

Nunnally…

Lelouch clenched his fists at the thought of his sister being dead. Taking deep breaths, he forced himself to calm down, reigning in his temper. He'd not dealt well with his grief, occasionally lashing out at people. They, of course, thought he was reacting this way because of Rollo. Milly and Rivalz always made sure to come by to check on him, and he appreciated it, even if it was for his fake sibling.

Sighing, Lelouch stood and headed out of the living room of the Ashford guest house. He had class to get to, he couldn't afford to miss any right now.

"I'm heading off to class now!" he called out to Sayoko as he left.

"See you when you return, Master Lelouch," the ninja-maid said as she saw him off.

Lelouch made his way along the path that led to the school buildings, headed for the one with the classes for the final year students. He met up with Rivalz along the way, and chatted about random things until they reached their classroom.

"Man, it feels weird with it just being the two of us here," Rivalz said. "Milly's graduated and working for a news station. Nina's graduated and working for the government. Suzaku's off in the military full time now, and Kallen! I can't believe that she was one of Zero's people!"

"It's strange to think about," Lelouch agreed. "After all, we just knew her as the sickly Stadtfeld heiress. I guess it was all just a front, so she could avoid suspicion."

"Do you think she'll come back now?" Rivalz asked. "Y'know, since the Black Knights are officially a part of the UFN security force now, meaning they're legit instead of terrorists. I know that there's still a lot of unrest going on, but… It would be kinda nice to have someone else from the old school council around, instead of just the two of us."

"I guess," Lelouch said, not entirely sure he agreed with that.

After all, if Kallen came back, she'd see him alive, and would probably try to kill him.

Halfway through their first period, and the teacher was droning on about some battle the Empire had in the seventeen hundreds, when the door opened. Lelouch was too busy staring out the window to pay any attention, thus he missed the teacher informing the class of the new arrival. It was only when Rivalz threw some scrunched up paper at him that he paid attention, and when he did, he silently cursed his friend for jinxing him. Right there in front of the class stood Kallen, all done up in her school uniform and smiling at them.

Well, at least until her gaze landed on Lelouch, then her eyes widened and she scowled.

So what did you think? Review please!