Chapter 1: The Angel Points To the Left Shore

Authors Note: I hope you enjoy this Fan Fic. It's not my first, but I love Code Geass enough to contribute to the fans. I seriously don't know how to edit so when it changes I'm going with line breaks.

2nd Note: Charles is around 39 to 40 and looks significantly younger, you could find what I mean on Code Geass Wiki

Disclaimer: I don't own Code Geass

Based On A True Story

Lelouch Lamperouge drove through the hectic streets of Manhattan in his red Lexus after having finally purchased his mother's Christmas gift. It had been many hectic hours of searching the malls through hordes of last minute shoppers but he had finally found it. This caring son had purchased his mother a beautiful silver necklace that held her birthstone. After the long venture he had found himself held hostage right in the middle of Time Square by a sea of yellow.

The young man sighed and ran his fingers through his long raven colored hair, then took a peek in his mirror and saw his own violet eyes. A light stream of rain drops pelted the roof of his car and his heavy breathing had begun to fog up the windows. Lelouch had thought he had tortured himself enough from the cold of winter and flicked on the heater to defog the windows. As the outside finally reappeared from the veil of his own breath; he could see the foot traffic moving along, making look foolish as they strolled happily on the sidewalks.

Lelouch saw the smiles on their faces and put on his own grin. In a few more days the next party was going to start; one that was wilder.

"You're listening to 104.3 The Seam-your station for the hottest hip hop and R&B 24-7 365," said the hyped up radio DJ as a modern Christmas carol played in the background. "Now don't be disturbed by tomorrow-cuz in just a few more days we chime in 2014!"

"Yeah that's right Mark-hey lets drop the stories of the day hahaha!" Jacboi, the co-host, laughed, "Listen how cheap this is, 'You can save 90% the day AFTER Christmas'...how you ask? Well you go into the nearest store and buy up all the wrapping paper and decorations you can-HAH! Man that's cheap!"

Lelouch laughed right along with the pair of DJs and pulled out his cellphone to check his texts, and saw that he was sent a picture from his friend Dylan who lived in Queens. It was one his own drawings now turned into skin art.

"That's nothing Jacob-when I was a kid my father went outside and stole the ribbons from the trashcans! Hell my brother climbed a light post to snatch the city's decorations!" Mark burst into laughter and went down through his list. "Okay here's something else-hehe-stop making that face Jacob; in Mayaguez Puerto Rico a man ran down the street in a Suit carrying a sack."

"Okay-okay? What Santa bring the kids?" Jacboi asked trying to calm himself.

"Police stopped him inside a pool-and inside his sack, get this, they found 50 pounds of marijuana," Mark snickered, "And what was even worse was he said, 'Hey you cops want a gift?'"

Lelouch snickered once more at one his favorite radio station's antics as he sent a text back.

"Damn-what happened to him?"

"Well Jacob he was thrown into jail, but the kids saw…now the kids are right now…reportedly surrounding the jail thinking Santa is locked up for good," Mark sighed with a lighter tone, "Moving on-we got this out of a Cincinnati Walmart-now apparently two women were fighting over a doll and it got so violent they had to call in a SWAT team."

"What the fu-"Lelouch was about to say as he lifted his head up from the screen of his phone when the DJ interrupted again.

"Don't ask-just don't ask," Mark sighed and flicked his next story, "This next story just boggles the mind too Jacob-local boys from Vegas do a smash and grab at a Best Buy…now that alone is just messed up."

"What they do?" Jacobi questioned.

"They robbed the display models...I repeat the DISPLAY MODELS!" Mark laughed, "They took a line of phones, TVs, laptops, that were only display models…FAKE display models!"

"This is just getting stupider-haha, how'd they find out they weren't real?"

"They…stayed at the store…trying to use them. They tore cords that were in their packages and-literally set up their own living room in the store!" Mark laughed like mad, "Cops came and found them beating each other up."

"Okay we're gonna take a break! This is 104.3.! Nuff nonsense Mark"

The traffic had finally moved on with the go ahead of a green light. Lelouch saw that a police car was parked across the street and quickly dropped his phone on the floor. The last thing he needed was a ticket, less his funds be diminished and his own present lost. After pushing the gas pedal, and flicking the signal, he turned left to get away from the life of Time Square. The light ticking sound of the green arrow vanished the moment he got onto the next street.

"Shit," Lelouch sneered and picked up his phone from the floor, then quickly sifted through his contact list to call home. "Come on mom pick up…please! I got something for you."

His mother didn't answer the phone and he sighed. Flicking his signal again, Lelouch came to a stop and turned into a five story parking lot. After being confronted with the security gate; he pushed the button above the mirror and watched it roll open. There were a number of other cars already parked in three rows, some of which even Lelouch admired as he parked his own. He took his keys out of the ignition and the sound of their jangling quickly faded after he'd stuffed them into his pocket. He opened the driver's door and was quickly overwhelmed with a trough of cold air. Almost instantly Lelouch grit his teeth and snatched the blue plush box, being careful not to damage the beautiful white ribbon, and tucked his coat under his arm.

The car made its natural "Beep" just as Lelouch pushed the button on the plastic elevator keypad. As the floor moved beneath him; Lelouch felt that his long night was near its end, especially with the yawns he fought back. The "Ding" of the elevator brought him into the, even warmer, white hallway of the high class Nelver Apartments where he and his mother lived. One older couple waved to the nice young man just as they entered the elevator to leave.

Lelouch looked around at more of the decorations of his neighbors and unlocked the front door and finally set down his mother's gift on the entertainment center next to the TV. After a few moments of resting on the couch; he had slipped off his tank top and walked to glass wall (window) that overlooked the streets. Lelouch folded his arms across his bare chest and admired the streams of endless red and white lights from the streets below that shone through his own reflection. His eyes were drawn away to another reflection in the window; the angel atop the white Christmas tree he and his mother had since his childhood. The TV flashed on with the click of just one button and the first thing displayed was an early morning weather report.

"Looks like we do have a chance at a white Christmas folks!" cheered the weather man who sported a red Santa hat, "This sleet should be snow pretty soon-be sure to bundle up!"

Marianne Chantal blessed herself with the sign of the cross using holy water as she exited her church's midnight mass. Waving goodbye to her friends; she stepped out into the light snow fall. She was a simple woman, a church goer, and a single mother who raised her only son in the big city. Marianne had always loved Lelouch, from the day he was born and was there for every important moment a parent should be in their child's life. Her lover Charles was not around the day she gave birth, because he'd run off many months before. Marianne was hurt and if she was asked; the single mother would express their bad blood, even after almost two decades apart. The only shard of respect she gave for her former lover was that she gave Lelouch his father's last name-"Lamperouge."

"Mary wait!" Her friend Lenora waved to her, "I wanted to say goodbye!" The girl wiped her eyes but looked up as she heard Marianne's sigh.

"Don't worry Lenora-we're both heading off somewhere better; new faces, new friends," Marianne tried to console her companion.

"I know…I'll be honest I'm sorry for you Mary," Lenora cried and wiped away a cold tear, "Remember you still have Lelouch."

"He's my responsibility…it's why I chose the new job after all," Marianne laughed and walked down the now snowy steps of the church, "We'll still have conference calls-it's not like you won't see my face again, maybe we can get together over the summer."

"When do you start packing?" her friend asked and followed her down the steps, "I mean-Lelouch has to get ready too right?"

"I need to tell him when I get home," Marianne said and stopped just in front of her car and looked at the snow that built up on its roof and windows, "I hope he'll take it alright-cya around Lenora."

"I guess I'll hear from you later-remember to bless the house Mary," Lenora said upsettingly and gave one final wave farewell.

Inside of her car Marianne checked the time and saw that it was now Christmas day, and wondered just how her son was doing at home.

It was nearly two in the morning when Lelouch heard a knock at the door. He'd taken a shower and changed into his sweat pants and black t-shirt to wear around the house. After tip-toeing along the plush carpet at a quick pace, with a glass of tea in hand, he looked out the little peek hole to see who was knocking as he always did. His mother's smiling face made him a bit happier than he was the day before. Lelouch quickly set down the warm cup of tea to let in his mother.

"Merry Christmas Lelouch," Marianne said happily and embraced Lelouch in her arms and gave him a light kiss on his cheek, "I have your present right here."

"Thanks mom-I got yours today too," he quickly back tracked to snatch up the plush case and shyly whipped away the red lipstick that she had gotten on his cheek. His mother's smile widened as she saw how eagerly Lelouch ran back to her. "Here mom-I had to fight a few old ladies for it behind the counter but I got it," he snickered and placed it right in her hands.

Her eyes lit up when he opened the case for her. The necklace's small stone caught her eyes that instantly started to water.

"It's beautiful Lelouch," Marianne whimpered as she sat down on the couch near the tree, "It looks very cute too."

"It has your birth stone-it's why I bought it," Lelouch murmured and sat down Indian style in front of her.

"Here I got you a few things you wanted Lelouch," she handed him a red ruby gift bag, "I hope you like them."

The boy looked at the little card that hung from the handle and read the pretty cursive hand writing, 'I Love You Lelouch.' Inside he found: a new sketchbook, a pair of ear phones, a new set of sun glasses for Spring, and one white scarf. Before he could lift his head up to thank his mother; she pulled one small present from the light pool of gifts surrounding the tree. Lelouch did manage to smirk and pulled one out for her as well.

After a few minutes of exchanging gifts and sharing hugs; Lelouch ended up with: a new tablet, a set of new clothes, and new pair of shoes. He had gotten his mother two new dresses and set of perfume.

Marianne stared at her son as he finished taking off the last bits of wrapping paper that still stuck to his gift. She loved seeing his smile, that hadn't changed since he was a kid. Those fond memories of sharing the Christmas holiday with Lelouch flooded back to her. Back then her mother and father lived close enough to share it with her, but those days were gone.

"Lelouch I have a surprise for you," Marianne said to him as he had carried the small trashcan in his hands, "We're…going to."

"What is it mom? We're going to what?" Lelouch questioned and began tossing in the torn wrappings.

"We're going to…move," she struggled to say and watched his happy expression diminish, "Not just down the street…or the next burro…somewhere far." Lelouch frowned at her words and set aside the full trashcan.

"Where and why then?" He asked displeasingly and stood up. Lelouch couldn't see that her smile had turned to a look of surprise because his hair had cloaked his vision.

"Lelouch please...don't make this difficult-I got a promotion…a few of us did," Marianne tried to give her best reason, "It pays better and we get to have a house…not an apartment."

Lelouch put his hand to his face, and Marianne could have sworn that she heard a small growl. She knew all too well that it was just one of the signs of Lelouch being angry.

"You might not be upset if you know where it is we're going," his mother tried to console him with her tender voice, "We're moving to Los Angeles Lelouch."

Almost instantly his hand was back at his side, having been shocked by the location of their new home. Lelouch had always wanted to go to the city because of his passions for the arts and California itself was a nice place compared to New York's cold climate.

"You always talked about going to UCLA Lelouch…I'm as surprised as you are that the CEO decided to send me there," Marianne laughed lightly and hugged her bewildered son who was lost in thought.

"Well-what about all of our stuff?" Lelouch asked and broke the hug, "I mean…there are so many things you haven't told me yet!"

"Sit down we'll go over everything, alright?" His mother urged him to relax and led him to the kitchen table.

Marianne stood at the stove and lifted the stainless steel tea kettle with her hand and tilted it so that a steady stream of her favorite drink could fill a cup. Lelouch sat down looking at his phone's Google Maps app, with a zoom in on the next city he'd soon be in. The surreal feelings he held didn't want to diminish, and it didn't help that he was looking at pictures of the new house.

"It's nice huh…you can see the whole city from the hills," Marianne said as she set her tea cup on the glass table.

"How much is the-" Lelouch tried to ask a question but was quickly cut off by his mother's sweet voice.

"$1,500 or so a month for mortgage; don't worry this job pays well, and there's more time off for me."

"Mom I've got a lot of investments around here," Lelouch sighed and started to fiddle with his new shoes, "I draw for Dylan's shop…I fix what I can on a messed up car…even though I'm not the best mechanic on the block." He tapped and dragged his fingers over the table; leaving behind a trail of prints. "I have friends here…and I've got to admit I'm gonna miss this place."

"Lelouch-dear," his mother sighed deeply, "I know exactly how you feel…I'm gonna miss where I've always hung out with my friends, and I'm going to miss them very much." She wiped her eyes and continued to speak knowing that it was part of moving on, "You've got to accept changes in life-that's what your grandma and grandpa told me."

"Yeah I know-shit happens, at least it hasn't happened to us a lot," Lelouch snickered and looked up at the ceiling light that illuminated the kitchen, "Is there any catch to all of this?"

"Well no not really; we leave New Year's morning," she answered back, "We just need to get packed and the movers will do the rest-but…"

"'But' what?" Lelouch asked puzzlingly, "What's wrong?"

"We have to sell our cars-we can't take them on the plane…and the movers don't do that," Marianne said depressingly, "So I hope you can find a buyer…will get new ones on the West Coast."

"To hell with that; I'm not going to give up my car…I barely finished paying it off," he sneered and quickly plucked his phone up, "Siri give me directions from New York, New York to Los Angeles California."

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" His mother yelled at him as she weakly reached for his Iphone over her steamy tea cup, "Please Lelouch-you've never driven outside of the state before, and there are a lot of rugged roads."

"You could trust me mom; besides I really don't want to have to owe you one later," Lelouch laughed with confidence. "I can drive through the interstates no problem."

"But Lelouch that's a long time on the road…we're not talking about just a few hours here; it will take a few days-how can you be out there on your own."

"Look I have the address and the time; trust me on this; I can get there," He tried to calm Marianne down as best as he could.

"Oh…alright," Marianne struggled with the decision, "But if you can't do it just sell the car where you're at and get to the nearest airport...take it to LAX and I'll come for you."

"That won't happen mom-believe me," Lelouch snickered and wandered to his room, "Okay?"

"If you say so hun," Marianne lifted herself out of her seat and walked passed him to her room, "Get some rest and will work out some more things in the morning…okay dear?" She saw the strong nod he gave her and laughed just as he shut his door closed.

Some time had passed since the two had went to their rooms for rest. Lelouch stood in the darkness of his room with only a little illumination from the lights of the outside skyscrapers. The only sound that filled the bed room was the sound of him undressing. He had stripped himself to his bare skin, then turned on the light and dimmed it with the turn of a switch. Lelouch breathed in a large amount of air and exhaled lightly in order to relax. His person easily fit into the new pair of pants his mother had given to him, and the nice shirt that hung on a hanger in the closet went together with it perfectly. Putting on the new pair of shades, and after finally lacing the new shoes, he stood in front of the mirror to pose.

Lelouch was satisfied with the outfite: then checked his wallet, nabbed his car keys, and took a look at the digital alarm clock that read '3:01.' He sneered, picked up a red book from the array of others on a shelf and made a move for the door. Lelouch was startled by an eerie noise caused by the refrigerator filling the ice maker, but he didn't let that bother him. The boy adjusted his jacket and collared shirt as he strolled through the hallway. With each step towards the front door the brighter the lights of the Christmas tree were for him. Lelouch looked around the lit room, fixed the shades on the brim of his nose, and walked out of the apartment.

Marianne walked out of her room cloaked in a blue night gown, having heard the sound of the front door close. The concerned mother peered inside her son's room and saw that he was nowhere to be found. Her gifts laid on the sheets of his king sized bed, but some were missing. Stepping into the room; Marianne was poked by pieces of plastic that pierced her white cotton stitched socks. She brought the pieces into the living room where the Christmas lights shone enough so that she could see what they were. They were the tags of Lelouch's new clothes; looking around the apartment one more time was saddening, because he had wandered off. Marianne's eyes teared up at the sight and the now lamenting mother quickly pulled the plug from the tree and wandered back to bed in the dark.