A/N: Funny story, um… This was originally part of the previous chapter in the chapter outline I made, but after writing chapter 10, I thought it was too long, so I split the summary in half. Then proceeded to write chapter 11. But then it came out too short (when I wrote the rough draft before the cleansing/editing/revising, it was barely over 700 words), and I was like: … Oh crap. So, uh… It's a half of a chapter. Which is true in word count if you consider the other chapters and their word count, so uh… Anways, I hope you enjoy this and I'm sorry that it's so rough and short.

Disclaimer: Code Geass is not my property.

A/N II: I know it says chapter 11, but it's really 10.5; trust me.

Chapter 10.5: The King

Sayoko quietly smiled as she watched her daughter play with Guinevere, the kitten she had been given for her 17th birthday. As she sewed the lace edging of Anya's dress, she contemplated the way to approach her husband on the subject of Alexei. He wouldn't be home until early tomorrow morning due to the storm buying her some time, but…

What to do, what to do…

Or rather, what to say?

Perhaps she should first take inventory of their family members.

Let's see…

There was Antonius and Cleopatra, Master Lelouch and Miss C.C.'s horses, along with James, Elizabeth, Victoria, and Edward. Then there was Guinevere the kitten… Now, as for the humans, there was herself, Anya, of course, her husband, Master Lelouch, Miss C.C., and Alexei…

Alexei.

As innocent as he was, Alexei was at the core of the problem. The explanation of the sudden appearance of the young man wasn't going to be very easy (or accepted very easily, for the matter). More so if Jeremiah were to find out the story their random addition to their family fist-fighting his beloved lord and master… Not that she was going to tell him; sometimes, there were things that were better swept under the carpet. For everyone's sake.

The pragmatic side of the super-maid surfaced, and she resolved to just be direct and practical about the issue. She would recount to him the story that Alexei had told her on the cart ride home before throwing her own two cents. Which was that she would like to welcome Alexei into the family. Jeremiah would, undoubtedly, want to know whether the secret existence of Master Lelouch would be threatened or made uncomfortable in any way, along with the raven-haired man's opinion on the affair, but… But he might just say yes.

He might.

Oh, it would be wonderful if Alexei could officially become one of theirs. Sayoko always believed that it was better for children to have a sibling whom they could turn to when they couldn't go to their parents, to have someone whom they could relate to that was within their tight circle of kinsmen. And with Alexei's appearance, her wish would be gran-

"Miss C2?"

Why was she in such a rush? The Japanese woman saw a shadow of hysteria on the immortal's face, which slightly alarmed her. Miss C.C. was always calm and collected. Always. What could have possibly happened that she would lose control of-

"I'm going out."

"But there's a thunderstorm coming in from the north, and there will probably be flash floods like last time. Perhaps you should-"

"It doesn't matter. I've faced worse."

"But it's much too dangerous to- Miss C2!"

But before Sayoko could rise from her seat (or even finish her sentence), the witch closed the door shut behind her and disappeared into the hazy murkiness of a violent summer storm on the brink of explosion…

. . .

Alexei looked over the rim of his cup at the raven-haired man sitting across from him. For the past five minutes, he had been on the receiving end of a nearly murderous glower. True, he had almost punched the living daylights out of him, but it wasn't as if he himself had walked away scot-free. And much to both their credit, they had been making an effort to work out their differences through conversation like the gentlemen that they had been born and (for the most part) raised as. So why was he glaring at him? He hadn't said anything offensive, so why was Lelouch scrutinizing him in such a judgmental, accusatory manner? Had he perhaps-

"… Alexei."

"Yes?"

The brooding immortal straightened up in his chair and crossed his legs before saying, "I need you to tell me something, and I need you to tell me the truth."

"What is it?"

There was a break in the somewhat stiff flow of words, and the young man's brow twitched out of irritation. What could he possibly ask that was so important? It was obvious that the question was the end result of the five minutes of scowling he had endured, and he had literally said that he needed the truth. So what was it? And why was he not saying it out loud?

"I can't read minds, Lelouch. Would you like to ask me whatever it is that you want to, or shall we move on to discuss the pros and cons of thoroughbreds?"

"… What's your opinion of C2?"

Mild surprise flitted across Alexei's face. That was what he wanted to know? What he thought of C.C.? He had thought that it might have been about his political views, or if he had ever been involved in the Black Rebellion (which he had), not… Not if he liked a woman. It was somewhat laughable; he had been expecting a much more grave, and serious subject, not…

Ah, but of course.

As he shifted in his seat and rested his head in his hand, the nobleman took note of the way his company was sitting. Tension. The hard gaze. The arms folded tightly across his chest.

He had only seen fragments of the witch and the warlock's relationship. Not enough to make assumptions of his own, but tiny bits and parts. And he knew that C.C. loved the man… But did Lelouch? Hmmm… Perhaps he could find out with a little probing…

"What's my opinion of C2? Well… She likes pizza, I know that. She also seems like a kind person, despite her denial of being generous. And she's also… Well, you know… You can't deny she has unparalleled class, a certain elegance that can't be found in other women… Not to mention a pretty face…"

As he trailed off, Alexei snuck a glance to assess the reaction he had provoked.

Ah ha.

He was genuinely impressed with the former emperor. He was skilled at the art of masking one's emotions, had an adeptness for hiding the thoughts that were indubitably flying with high speed in his head. Unfortunately, Lelouch wasn't good enough for him, he who had been bestowed an extraordinary talent for reading body language and divining the hearts of others.

The corners of his lips turned up into the subtlest of smiles.

So there were two lovebirds in the house…

Interesting.

Having fulfilled his desire for research, Alexei quickly went to work to defuse the ticking time bomb he had created.

"But," he said before taking a sip of the soothing rosehip tea. "I would never like her past that of a friend or acquaintance. I-"

There was a knock on the drawing room door, and the two men turned to look at Sayoko, who had entered.

"Excuse me, but… Master Lelouch, Alexei, could one of you please follow Miss C2?"

"C2? Where is she?" The immortal frowned. Just what kind of trouble did the woman get herself into now?

"She went out despite my warning that there was going to be a storm. I'm afraid that if she's out alone and the river floods, she'll-"

"I'll go," offered Alexei. "I know the area well, and-"

"I will. You don't know C2 as well as I do. Nor will she listen to you as much as she will to me."

Not that she listened to him in the first place.

"Are you sure? Do you even know where she is?"

"I have an idea," he replied. "Alexei."

"What is it?"

As he rose from his seat, Lelouch gave him long, calculating look before coldly saying in a low, threatening voice, "Don't touch her again" and walking away.

"Obviously," answered he. As the raven-haired man briskly left the warmth and security of the house to chase after the run-away witch, Alexei shook his head.

So he loved her… But did C.C. know? It didn't seem like it… Hmmm…"

"Anya?"

"Yes?"

His sister, who had been peering into the room out of curiosity to see what the big ruckus was about, returned to the doorway where she had been standing.

"I have a question…"

. . .

Catching her breath, C.C. slowed to a stop.

She was finally here. She had made it before the storm had begun. Before the river had stolen her comb away from her.

Inhaling deeply, she calmed herself down.

She was at the river, and she could see the hair comb sitting where it had fallen out of the saddlebag. All she had to do was pick it up and return home. She wouldn't lose his gift, and all would be well again.

Relief releasing the tension in her heart and body, she returned the ornament to its owner and turned to leave, when she jumped from shock. Looking down, she could see water lapping at her ankles. What…?

Much to her astonishment, the skies had opened up and torrents of rain sped down to the earth below. She had been so absorbed in the task of obtaining the comb that she hadn't noticed and-

Making a beeline for the nearest tree, the emerald-haired woman hitched the skirt of her dress up before clambering up into the safety of its branches. As she made her way up, she found herself thinking over how she could now see why Anya liked climbing up into trees so much. It was safe, and it gave her a vantage point over her surroundings.

Now that she was sitting on a tree limb far out of reach of the rising river, C.C. studied the precious hair comb cradled in her hand.

It wasn't the first comb she had ever owned.

Nor would it be the last.

But it was the first gift he had given her, and because it was the first gift he had ever given her, she refused to let it taken away from her. Unbeknownst to the giver, it was treasured, and cherished beyond that of a hair comb. Why? Because it wasn't just an commonplace accessory for hair. It showed her, reminded her, that there was someone in the vast world who cared for her. And though it wasn't the kind of love she wished for, it was a love nonetheless that had endowed her with the comb. A love that she hadn't known for so long.

As her thoughts wandered to the warlock, she heard his words echo in her head.

"… Do you think we'll be together fifty years from now? One hundred? One thousand?"

She wasn't sure whether they would be together five decades, ten decades, a hundred decades from now. She had never been with anyone who could live that long, with someone who could withstand the aging that was inevitable with passing time, who could evade the fragility of mortals in the way that she could. C.C. had never been with another immortal- No, that wasn't quite right. She had been with another like her before; she had known V.V., had she not? No, it was more like… It was more like she had never been with another immortal, or rather, another person that she desired to stay with. Or, if she ever had, she couldn't remember the last time she had hoped to be with another. Nor could she remember the last time she had felt the emotions she did whenever she was with him. Or the last time she had allowed her emotions to run free for the matter. She recalled the words she had told Alexei, that Lelouch was the one who had returned to her the desire to truly live, who she had grown to love. How he was the one she would always stand by, even if the will of the world was against him.

For as long as he would have her.

As much as she wished for it, it wasn't in her control. None of it was in her control. She had threatened to steal away one of his most valuable keepsakes, but would she really? If he were to pack his bags, if he were to leave her side, would she truly take it away? Of course not. If he yearned for separation, if what he wanted was to never see her again, then what could she possibly do to stop him? Nothing. Why? Because it was his choice, his decision, his desire. If his happiness depended on him not being with her, then, as she had said to Alexei, who was she to deny him his happiness?

But still…

C.C. didn't know the future. Though she had adopted the label of a witch, she was not. In essence, beneath every and any supernatural facet of her experiences and personality, of her person, she was just a woman, a human being. And just like every other human being, all she could do was live in the hope that at the end of the day, she would be happy. No matter what the murky future held for her.

And hope she would.

. . .

The witch sighed before leaning on the thick trunk of the tree. Would she have to stay up here all night long? The thought made the world seem bleak and dismal. It wasn't that it was her first time in this type of situation. On the contrary, she had lived through worse. But she was bored, not to mention hungry, cold, and lonely.

After two years of living with Lelouch, and then another two years living with four other people who generally liked her, she had (much to her alarm) grown used to being with others. It felt strange to be alone again, and it was eating at her. She didn't even have Cheese-kun, so she couldn't hug anyone for comfort or warmth (not that he would have helped much in the warmth department), but at least he…

"C… C2, I… I'm here. I'm here, I came… I came for you."

She stared at him with wide eyes, at the drenched figure who had mud painted up to his knees and had his hands on his knees as he doubled over, trying to desperately catch his breath.

"I'm… I'm here," he gasped. "I'm here."

She gave no response and made no movement. She was frozen; all she could do was drink in the mirage of the man who had chased after her in this awesome, terrifying demonstration of Nature's power.

As Lelouch straightened up, his hair sticking to his face and his clothes clinging to his thin frame, the smallest of smiles appeared on her lips as she realized that never before had she, in all her life, seen a more welcoming or beautiful sight than the gloriously soaked and muddy man standing underneath her tree.

A/N: So… I would say that it's not my best. But then I feel like I would get scolded for saying that (in a loving(?) way), so… I will just say: I hope you enjoyed it!

To: Guest, GravityTonttu, pinta575, KingOgnik, Ghibli Ninja, and AKOSI AGATAR

You guys really… I want you to know that, if I had been at the bottom of a sewer or something, like a really deep, dark, and gross hole in the ground, I want you to know that you guys pulled me out of there. You peeked in there with a flashlight and said: 'Hey, what are you doing in there? You don't belong in there, silly' and then pulled me up, and it just… I don't know what I would do without your kindness. Thank you so much. I know I say that a lot, but really, thank you.

To: renielle14

I'm so glad you liked the fast updates! It's spring break for me, so I've been writing like crazy to make up for that month I disappeared on the face of the World Wide Web. I hope you keep reading! It's nice to see regular readers, you know? Kind of feels like a family. Sort of. Like an Operation Orange family.

To: Fireminer and hand of asuryan

Thank you for pointing out the Hawaiian bun thing. I fixed it. And I know Alexei isn't like the other characters… After all, he's an OC, and purely created out of my imagination and thinking. But I genuinely like him, and I think that maybe other people do too. But I'm sorry if you don't really agree with me. But I do hope you continue reading Operation Orange.

To: 143Maid-sama and Oppaipotato

Thanks for favoriting!

To: CrystalSapphiremoon, CromwellCruiser, and Oppaipotato

Well, you guys decided to follow, so I'll try to update ASAP. Thanks!

To: GravityTonttu:

Very clever. I was wondering if anyone would catch that. But yes, the name Guinevere for Anya's kitten was intentional. Arthur got along famously with her, so I thought it would be funny if I named her own cat after King Arthur's wife. Also, the naming of Lelouch's horse and C.C.'s horse was also deliberate; Antonius was named after Marcus Antonius (Mark Antony) and Cleopatra (this should be obvious), two people who were once lovers (surprise~). The other horses on the farm were named after English monarchs whom I admire. There's a lot more to a name than you'd think, huh?