II.

Maybe the third time's the charm.

That is what Kallen thinks, arched in the Guren's cockpit as the Knightmare frame stands poised, its giant claw ominous and threatening, looming before the Emperor of Britannia.

She has turned against him twice before, this boy, this man named Lelouch who is now standing, alone and defenseless against her.

This time it will be the last.

His face is a blank mask, still as handsome and cold and regal as ever as he looks up at her (the Geass cannot affect her while she is up there) and Kallen's eyes are burning but her fingers wrap tightly around the controls and she says goodbye.

But Lelouch doesn't move.

And neither does she.

Sometimes the heart forgets, but the body still remembers, they say.

Kallen cannot move, and she doesn't know why.

Or maybe, in her heart she does.

It is because Lelouch is Zero and Zero is Lelouch, and Lelouch has asked her (asked, and not commanded her) to live.

And to kill him would make that last, precious request impossible to fulfill.

-FIN-


(This was based on the episode preview for R2's Turn 24, in case any of you are wondering. The episode has since been released but I haven't had the chance to see it yet.)