Author's Notes: I got way more mileage out of the Black Rebellion than I thought I would. Hooray for breakthroughs, I guess?

This is going to be the last chapter set in R1.


'Today's turning out to be a total mess,' Harley thought as she sat next to Nunnally in the Student Council clubhouse. Princess Euphemia's Special Zone had somehow turned into a bloodbath and, in response, the Black Knights had declared war on Princess Cornelia and attacked the Tokyo Settlement. The available members of the council had been keeping an eye on the news coverage, but it was becoming increasingly difficult as the Black Knights began taking over the broadcasting stations.

"Nunnally, did Lelouch tell you where he was going today?" Harley asked.

Nunnally shook her head. "He just said that there was something important he needed to do. He didn't tell me anything about what it was or where he went."

"I see," Harley replied. "I hope he hasn't been caught up in this mess."

Nunnally nodded. "So do I." She looked over at Harley, a small smile on her face. "You're worried for my brother, aren't you?"

"Of course," Harley replied. "Lelouch is a friend and I don't want to see anything happen to him." She quirked an eyebrow when Nunnally's smile widened. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Oh, it's nothing," Nunnally giggled. "It's just that ever since you came down with that fever, you and my brother seem to have become very fond of each other."

Harley laughed as well. "Well he did take care of me after I so gracefully passed out in front of you both. I guess it can't really be helped."

Nunnally was about to reply when a commotion sounded from the monitor Milly, Rivalz, and Shirley were focused on.

"What's going on?" Nunnally asked.

"That was the last broadcasting station," Milly replied. "They're all down."

Suddenly, the door to the clubroom was opened and three men rushed in, their uniforms distinguishing them as members of the Black Knights.

"Hands up and turn around!" one of the soldiers ordered. "The Black Knights control the school! All of you are now our hostages."

"Lower your guns!" Rivalz yelled, moving to stand in between the two groups.

"Huh?! That's a hell of a thing to say in this situation!" the same soldier commented.

"Rivalz...," Milly muttered, looking down at the boy in confusion.

"Come on. Let me be cool for once, okay?" Rivalz replied, looking back at Milly briefly before turning back toward the soldiers. "I'll protect everyone!"

"Is that a fact?!" the soldier yelled, raising his rifle and preparing to strike.

"Stop!" a new voice commanded, causing everyone to look toward the source.

'There's no way. I didn't think he'd show up here, of all places,' Harley thought, her cheeks heating up as her eyes landed on Zero. She also noticed that he was flanked by the red-haired soldier that had gotten her to safety during the hotel jacking.

"I expressly told you to avoid violence," Zero continued.

"Yeah, but you also told us this place was going to be our command center, didn't you?" the soldier replied.

"Your command center?!" Milly asked incredulously.

"Your academy is strategically useful for our purposes," Zero replied. "Therefore, we're turning it into a command center."

"We're in no position to refuse you," Milly conceded.

"I guarantee that none of you will be harmed," Zero assured her.

"Like we can believe you. You guys are at war with us Brittanians, remember?" Rivalz pointed out.

"Please, Rivalz, don't argue," the red-haired soldier replied as she stepped toward them. "Just do what he says." The soldier removed her visor and the group was shocked to see Kallen staring back at them.

"Kallen...," Shirley muttered, unable to say anything more.

"You were a Black Knight this whole time?" Harley asked.

"Well, well, there's a surprise around every corner," Milly said. "Do I have your word that no one gets hurt? Not only us, but any of the student body, faculty, or staff anywhere on the campus?"

"As long as nobody tries to leave the dorms or administrative offices, they ought to be fine," Kallen assured them.

"I want...I wanna know what you did to me!" Shirley demanded.

"Huh?" Kallen asked, blinking in confusion.

"I was so terrified, you have no idea," Shirley rambled. "Both of you did something to me. Tell me the truth. Didn't you?!"

Kallen's confused expression only deepened as Shirley continued. Zero, however, turned his attention to Harley.

"Harley Brevard, would you kindly come with me?" he asked. "I'd like to have a word with you."

"Hang on," Milly interjected. "You just promised that nobody was going to get hurt!"

"I can assure you that I have no intention of harming her," Zero insisted. "I just want to talk to her. However, I'm not going to force her to come with me." He turned back toward Harley, extending his hand to her. "The choice is yours, my dear Countess."

Harley nodded without any hesitation. "I'll go with you."

"Wait a second, Harley. Are you sure about this?" Rivalz asked.

"It's alright, Rivalz," Harley replied. "I know what I'm doing." 'No, I don't. I'm totally winging this.'


Lelouch couldn't have been more elated as he led Harley into one of the unoccupied rooms in the clubhouse. While his primary intention had been to secure the school in order to keep Nunnally, Harley, and the rest of his friends safe, he couldn't deny that he was eager to have another chance to interact with Harley as Zero. He'd been waiting for an opportunity to arise ever since he'd first learned of her crush on the masked terrorist and, judging by reaction upon seeing him again, the wait was going to be worth it.

"So what are you planning to do with me?" Harley asked. "Are you planning to use me as a political hostage like the group at the hotel?"

"Nothing of the sort," Lelouch replied. "I don't plan on using you as a hostage at all."

"Then why did you bring me in here?" Harley pressed.

"I wanted a little time alone with you," Lelouch answered honestly. "I missed you, Harley." He smirked as a bright red blush washed over Harley's face.

"You missed me? Really?" Harley asked, bringing her hands to her cheeks.

Lelouch nodded. "I haven't been able to stop thinking about you since I met you. You're a very rare woman, Harley." 'I'm not even lying to her.'

"It's a relief to hear you say that," Harley replied before rushing toward Lelouch and wrapping her arms around him. "Because I haven't been able to get you out of my head either, Zero. I've been following all the media coverage of you and the Black Knights, hoping to find a way to see you again."

"That's rather bold of you," Lelouch commented, his arms winding around Harley's waist and pulling her against his chest. "I can't imagine there are very many nobles that would publicly support me."

"I wouldn't exactly say 'publicly'," Harley corrected, nuzzling against Lelouch's chest. "While I don't think my dad cares one way or the other, I don't want my support for you and the Black Knights to cause him problems. I've only told one person about how I feel about you."

"Is that right?" Lelouch asked. "You must trust that person a great deal, then."

Harley chuckled. "Funny you should say that because, just a little bit ago, his sister commented that he and I seem to be growing more fond of each other."

"I see," Lelouch replied. "Do you think what she said is true?"

Harley shrugged. "I suppose so. He's a good friend of mine and he's helped me out quite a bit lately. I don't know what his thoughts concerning you are, but he's never judged me for feeling the way I do and he kept his promise to keep quiet about what I've told him."

"It sounds like he cares for you quite a bit," Lelouch commented, tightening his grip on Harley. "It's good that you have someone like that in your life. Make sure you stay close to that friend of yours; he can probably bring you more happiness than anyone else can." He paused for a moment before continuing. "I have to ask, though: why were you so dead-set on finding me again?"

Harley smiled up at him. "I wanted to thank you for saving me at the hotel."

Lelouch quirked an eyebrow behind his mask. "But you thanked me that day, didn't you?"

"I didn't thank you properly," Harley replied. "Granted, it's going to be a little difficult with your mask on, but I know you have to keep your identity secret."

Lelouch was about to ask Harley to elaborate, but the girl gently pressed her lips against his mask before he could get a word out. His eyes widened before he slid them closed and he leaned into Harley when he felt her arms wrap as far around his midsection as they could. He was more than a little disappointed when he felt Harley pull back.

'I'm not giving up a chance at those lips while I've got her ready and willing right in front of me,' he thought, wracking his brain for a solution before an idea popped into his head. "Harley, do you trust me?"

Harley sent him a confused expression, but nodded just the same.

"Good," Lelouch said, loosening the cravat around his neck. "If a kiss is what you want, a kiss is what you'll get. As you said, I'm unable to reveal my face to you, but it might be possible for me to remove my mask without showing myself."

"I'm not sure I'm following you, but if I get a kiss out of this, then I'm down," Harley agreed. "Just do what you gotta do."

"Very well," Lelouch replied, swiftly removing his cravat and tying it around Harley's eyes before removing his mask and setting it down nearby. He took a moment to appreciate that the object of his desire was standing before him blindfolded and eagerly awaiting his affection before stepping closer to her.

"You know, I never really pegged you as a guy who'd be into this sort of th-," Harley began, only to be cut off by a pair of lips pressing roughly against hers. She froze for a split second before she began moving her lips against his, bringing her hands up to gently cup the sides of his face. Her lack of experience made her feel slightly awkward, but any worries she had melted away when she felt him running his gloved fingers through her hair. 'So happy I decided to forego the ponytail today.'

'Finally! These sweet, beautiful lips are finally mine! Oh, she tastes even better than I dreamed she would!' Lelouch thought happily as his lips moved in time with Harley's. His heart swelled even further when he felt Harley tilt her head and part her lips. Her invitation was clear and he was more than happy to oblige her. His tongue pushed past Harley's lips and began an intimate, almost hypnotic, dance with hers. He let himself fall deeper and deeper into the kiss, only to jump when he felt Harley's hands drop from his face to his backside.

"Wh-What are you-?!" Lelouch asked, startled, as he pulled back from the kiss.

Harley laughed. "Oh come on. You're wearing ridiculously tight pants, Zero. What did you expect me to do?" She giggled and smiled before groping at him again. "You've got a remarkably firm tush, by the way."

Lelouch couldn't help but chuckle in return. "You never cease to surprise me, my sweet little lamb. However, I must insist that I return the favor." He lowered his hands from Harley's hair and brought them down to gently stroke at her backside. His smile only widened when Harley let out an excited squeal and pressed herself closer to him. He was about to lean in to kiss her again when a shrill ringing sound cut through the room. Lelouch sighed and reluctantly pulled away from Harley to answer the phone. "Yes?"

Ohgi's voice sounded from the other end. "Bad news, Zero. We've got a visual on the Lancelot. It's heading this way!"

"I figured he'd come," Lelouch replied. "I'll be there in a moment. Make sure the Gawain is ready." He hung up the phone before turning back to Harley, picking up his mask as he did so. "As much as it pains me to say it, I believe we're going to have to part ways for now, sweet lamb." He dropped another quick kiss onto her lips before resetting the mask.

"I figured as much," Harley replied. "Don't get killed, okay. I need you to come back to me so we can finish what we started here."

Lelouch chuckled again. "Remarkably straightforward of you, but I'd be lying if I said that I didn't echo the sentiment."

"Are you remasked?" Harley asked.

"I am," Lelouch confirmed.

"Am I correct in assuming that you want this back?" Harley asked as she untied and removed the cravat from her eyes, holding the cloth out to him.

"You hold onto it for now," Lelouch replied. "That cravat will seal my promise to you; I'll get it the next time we meet." He lifted his mask just enough to reveal his mouth and placed a gentle kiss to the back of Harley's hand, just as he had at the hotel. "Until next time, my lamb."

Harley nodded and tucked the cravat into her jacket, a red blush dusting her cheeks once again, as she followed Lelouch outside the room only to be met by two masked Black Knight soldiers.

"You two!" Lelouch ordered. "I want you to escort this girl back to her friends on the other side of the building. She knows where they are. Make sure that absolutely no harm comes to her; I will not be pleased if I find out anything to the contrary."

"Yes, sir!" the soldiers saluted before gesturing for Harley to follow them.

'Come back to me, Zero,' Harley thought, turning back to take one last glance at the masked man. 'I'll be waiting for you.'

'Stay safe, Harley,' Lelouch thought as he made his way outside. 'I'll get back to you and Nunnally as fast as I can. And when I do, I promise I'll tell you everything.'


Ending Notes: I'm going to be completely honest with you guys: I had Rihanna's 'Te Amo' set on repeat while I was writing this chapter and I was sorely tempted to just have Harley and Lelouch have sex. However, if I did, it would have ruined my plan to cockblock Lelouch as often as I can. Having Harley hang onto Zero's cravat is going become an amusing point after Lelouch has his memories rewritten as well; since he has no memory of being Zero, he's going to spend the next handful of chapters (until he gets his memory restored) jealous of himself.

I didn't really see much of a point in writing what happened after Harley went back to the Student Council room since it would have played out just like the episodes.

The chapters are going to get much fluffier from here and I'm really excited about that since fluff is my forte. I hope you guys are looking forward to it too!

As always, feedback and constructive criticism are more than welcome! Thank you all so much for reading! Geekinthepink, out!