A/N: Good evening. If you are reading this and thinking you're experiencing a Mandella effect, you are mostly correct. I am currently re-writing the entirety of Surety for better readability and more smooth descriptions; as I've aged, my writing had matured thus would be more preferable to know my stories are easier to digest. I was so technical back then, huh?

Anyways as always, I devote this 'companion' story to DreamScene's 'Ambivalence' as I would not be a writer without knowing of its existence.


The silence within that abandoned shopping center became truly daunting- the entire populace evacuated after an impromptu assault from an unexpected vendetta. The lack of noise was enough to wrack the mind and cause great discomfort; however this did not seem the case for the ecstatic Lelouch. Albeit some unfathomable mishaps, fortune began to favor him once again: Jeremiah Gottwald, the unyielding solider seeking retribution, swore his blind loyalty to the exalted prince after learning the truth behind the demise of Marianna vi Britannia; the Gefjun Disturber device proved rather successful towards disabling current generation Britannian mechanisms; the alliance between the Black Knights and the Chinese Federation continued to bolster and promised great benefits; even Lelouch was able to ensure the safety of Suzaku and Shirley despite the hazards. His ranks were drastically expanding and his arsenal became more advanced after each endeavor. Even if his queen piece, Kallen, was still held captive within the Britannian stronghold, this proved merely a pebble in his wake. Precedence proved that Lelouch will regain his queen again.

With such a track record Lelouch was on the brink of laughter during his stride through the deserted area. From the outside, this was odd for Lelouch to drop his guard so willingly amidst an open field, but he cared not to nitpick at this point; his victory was guaranteed. Only the echoes of his shoes clacking against tile reached his ears after ringing about endlessly.

Still, so suddenly and without warning, a dreadful feeling overtook the prince as he stopped at his feet. A fearsome chill surged past his spine that set his heart racing. The sensation as if a set of eyes carefully observed him afar came to mind as he took in his surroundings. Nauseation quickly replaced his glee as he realized his error, and then started to increase his pace.

His hand raced his pounding heart as he continued looking about. Something was not right, Lelouch was sure. He might have accidentally propelled himself into danger by his overconfidence. After all, he could not be sure Jeremiah might have had another trail him during his assault.

The heightened pace became a hasty sprint as Lelouch rushed down corridors and darted past coiling corners. He was desperate to find secure ground and regain his composure. Judging from store memory he neared the back exit where his reserves were stationed. His hand rustled through his pocket in search for his communicator. Not much time had passed since he separated from Jeremiah so reinforcement was possible, and Rolo should still be nearby. Between quick glances from his field of vision and the device's screen, Lelouch had little time to analyze his route. Before long, he found himself blinded by a curtain door, hesitant to dart through in case of a possible ambush within.

He eased a hand into the fabric to glimpse into the next area. Sure enough, he realized he would not have been alone. A petite silhouette came into view, leaned against the adjacent wall. Lelouch calmed his frantic breath as he surveyed the person. Considering the havoc from earlier and the barricades placed outside (handled under Geass-induced policemen), no one should remain at this place. Perhaps this was a bystander lost in the fray? Or could possibility dictate this was another assassin out for his life?

His hand was automatically producing an emergency message, ready to send the moment his position was revealed or the figure made a move. As Lelouch became calmer and focused, he realized that person was female. Could that be Viletta? Lelouch rejected that possibility- that person was confirmed stationed at Ashford just moments ago. Upon closer inspection, the woman as young in appearance- possibly teenager- and wore casual civilian clothes, thus allowed the prince to relax as he continued to survey. Alas because he was calmer, he spotted the one distinct appeal that described said person- long orange hair with intricate bread at the hem.

"It couldn't be="

Lelouch pressed forward and entered the room, although stayed distance a few meters away from Shirley. He noticed how her chest heaved in a panic as she stumbled forward. Something must have happened that caused her to separate from Suzaku.

"Shirley."

Lelouch called out as he slid the communicator in hand into its original pocket. Her name earned her attention as she turned around, and Lelouch caught the abrupt hint of distress on her face before it broke into a faint smile.

"Lelouch- Oh, I- I think I got lost," Shirley jested beneath a feeble chuckle. Lelouch smirked in distaste, not because of the obvious lie, but because of the returning sense of doom creeping around his nerves. First and foremost, he needed to get this girl out before she becomes involved once again in his affairs.

"Come on, we shouldn't be here. Thankfully I found you sooner than later." He offered his best false smile as he gently guided her by the wrist. "… You look rather pale as well; I'll escort you to the nurse once we get back to Ashford."

Lelouch did not give her time to retort as he pulled Shirley along, granted she offered no means of detest. The rushing pain of his heart may have been caused by the thought of holding her hand or by the foreshadowing sense of danger, but he gave such no thought. Nonetheless he could not discredit how that dread followed him along as they departed. Almost as if that fear had something to do with Shirley…

Since then, 16 hours passed. Lelouch had retired to his room after assuring Shirley was checked in. His tired eyes observed the patter of rain against his window, a continuous assault from the storm that accumulated earlier. He still could not sway that horrid feeling clouding his perception.

The travel to Ashford, the wait at the nurses' office, the escort he offered Shirley to her dormitory- the feeling persisted without end.

He could not pint the reason behind it all, even as he analyzed all the pieces. Why would it pertain to the brainwashed Shirley? After all, he finally managed to extract her from his personal war in earnest. Yet, the misgivings of that day seem to suggest she would be dragged back in. Lelouch was thankful that C.C. had taken this time to go elsewhere- should she had remained, he would be taunted endlessly about thinking of Shirley in this way. He ruffled his hair in the attempt to solve an abstract puzzle.

It must have been pure coincidence that Lelouch's eye met a figure moving slowly in the rain through the courtyard below. "Who could that possibly be? Like they are not aware of the rain," Lelouch dragged on with little concern. "Honestly I cannot understand some people-"

Then, his eyes shot open at the most obvious result. Greater concern found him rushing towards his door and out the hallway, not caring to bring an umbrella. He hurried through the corridors and stairways, the impending horror of hindsight cursed his ignorance. His mind realized why this happened by the time he arrived at the backdoor of the dormitory and entered the world of rain.

Lelouch's stressed body was immediately cooled off as the rain dowsed him; the relief from the torrent even eased his breathing. His quick pace became tremendously conservative as he approached the girl, currently sulking against the lamp pole overlooking the foundation. They were in plain center view of the windows surrounding the scenery, but he did not care.

His heart raced more and more as he drew near, a depressed frown etched on his face. She gave no response to his approaching figure, nor offered a threat to stay away. Could Lelouch find the right words to remedy her troubles? Lelouch did not know, but he theorized the reason for her woe. Lelouch cleared his throat just in time.

"Shirley…" The voice was more soft and melodic than he desired, wondering if that would even reach her beneath the heavy rain. His soft approach was imperative- he must abide to whatever she needed. Of course he was more than willing to obey such- after everything had done, that was the least he could do.

Again, Shirley offered no response, but her body shivered slightly in time. Lelouch bit down on his lip at the sight. A serious matter was at hand.

Lelouch moved forward once again, coming into close range of the girl. His hand motioned towards her jawline, the tips of his fingers tracing its smooth contour before they slipped through damp locks. His free thumb eased her chin upward so their eyes could meet. Lelouch needed eye contact to thoroughly analyze a person's thoughts. However, he could not bear the act upon seeing such darkened eyes, his gaze quick to drop to the alluring pout from her moist lips. The prolonged effect of water caused them to be more plump, and they glistened more so than he recalled before. Yes, his mind slipped into the memory of their first-

"Shirley," Lelouch repeated once more, a bit louder in hopes to awaken her. Look at me, his mind demanded though his lips refused to state. The unspoken command reached Shirley as she returned a glance. Never had Lelouch been so overwhelmed by the dark void of her eyes- those eyes that were so desperate for something.

In his stumble he felt her hands each up to capture his wrists, but then chose to glide along his forearms. The gentle sensation of her fingertips against cold skin caused him to shiver, though the two remained focused on one another. Her hands found his elbows, just the point she needed as leverage to pull Lelouch closer.

Temperature rose between the two despite the cold shower above. The shivers ceased as they awkwardly embraced themselves. Lelouch rested his forehead against hers, and his eyes closely examined the extent of her grimace. Her eyes may have strayed, but the proxy was just enough to pinpoint the symptoms: her cheeks sagged at a hint of restlessness, her complexion a faint pallor, and her once-cheerful smile dragged to the deepest depth of a frown. Does this imply that his Geass power was no longer in effect? Does she remember the horrors he caused upon her?

"I…" Shirley finally managed to spout during their silence. "I'll be fine."

Her words offered a clear discrepancy within the braved smile she bore to Lelouch. He refused to move aside or look aside from her gloomy demeanor. However, those contradicting eyes backed her words which pained him so. Shirley was indeed a strong person, daring to put up such a front. A sudden shiver distracted him as he looked down, taking note of her soaked apparel. Everything was drenched to the point her clothes clung to her physique. Thoughts derailed hastily as he became intoxicated by her sight. Subconsciously he licked his lips as though he had a thirst. Once his eyes returned back to her, he became engulfed in an unexpected development.

Shirley's grip tightened around his elbows, and her tugging momentum caused him to drift forward. Fate merged their lips as limbs clung to each other, each lip so moist that no friction dared to resist their ignored desire. He didn't need to claim this was an accident- gravity no inertia was to blame for this luscious sensation. His arms trembled as they coiled around Shirley's torso.

Oh, I think I understand now.

Their lips remained sealed for the longest time, as much as they could endure. Breathing seemed irrelevant and meaningless as they tightened their hold. The blend of despair and rain melted in his mouth along her taste.

This foreboding feeling… A very strong case of déjà vu…

Lelouch's mind did not dare to ponder why this exact same scene repeated itself in life- this same exact feeling and same exact downfall that brought the two together. The destined two continued to indulge one another within enraptured sorrow.