A/N: Well I bet you all thought I left this story to die, correct? WRONG!

Welcome to the wonderful world of a sailor in the navy, where work sucks, and you do a whole lot of sailing, and don't get a lot of writing time in.

That being said, I'm heading on vacation back to Ontario, starting Saturday, so you might get a few small things, like stuff for By the People, For the People, or the new Girls Und Panzer fic I'm currently working on.

I'll probably also work on this thing a little bit.

This chapter is shorter than I wished, but it introduces a lot of big stuff for the coming chapters, so that in itself should be great, and it really doesn't feel rushed to me.

So please, enjoy chapter 20.

And remember to review. Literally, authors live on reviews.

Tales from Pendragon

It still seemed to be novel to me, what with a few eyelash batterings, a couple of light touches on the arm, and the fact that being a Knight of the Round, could get a table, at easily the swankiest restaurant on St. Darwin St, with no reservation, and not even calling ahead.

"Wow, this place is amazing" I muttered, shifting my chair slightly closer to the table I was sharing with Nonette, and glancing around.

We already had a bottle of red wine, with two glasses, and a basket of freshly baked rolls and butter on the table, all of which had been brought not even a minute after we had sat down.

"This is where I go for all celebrations, or just when I want a night out" Nonette replied lazily, looking over the table at me, before pouring us both a glass of wine.

"Amazing none the less" I stated, as we both picked up our glasses and gently clinked them together "Just like the time I've spent in the company of you."

Nonette at least had the presence of mind to blush at that, and I grinned slightly, taking another sip of my wine.

"I already know that you've got a silver tongue, and I got a small preview of what it can do" she replied, putting on a smirk of her own "I look forward to seeing what it can do tonight in my bedroom."

"Oh?" I questioned, hiking an eyebrow "And what makes you think you'll be getting me in your room tonight?"

"Just call it a hunch" Nonette replied in a low tone, leaning slightly towards me.

It was at that exact moment that our waitress showed up, giving the both of us menus, and shooting me a dirty look, to which I just smirked back.

You sure know how to make friends, don't you?" she chided, opening her menu.

"Hey, I didn't say or do anything" I defended, looking over the many food options that stood before me.

I eventually decided on the smoked salmon with rice and carrots, while Nonette ordered the pork loin with a side of mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables.

The waitress returned, taking our orders and promising a quick and timely delivery of the food, before she left, leaving Nonette and I to talk.

"So…" I trailed off, grabbing my glass and gently swirling the red liquid around inside of it.

"Still can't tell me what you and Nellie were doing other than traveling around the world?" she queried, flashing a smile that started to make my heart melt.

"No, sorry" I replied, giving an apologetic look and furrowing my eyebrows "I wish I could tell you, I really do…but I can't."

"Don't worry about it. I totally understand" she stated, picking up her silverware and glass, before coming to sit in the chair beside me rather than the one across from me.

We continued talking for another few minutes, which ran down the time it took for our food to get to our table.

We both dug in with gusto and soon enough, we were stealing from each other's plate.

"Y'know" she said around a mouthful of my salmon "We actually could pass for a normal couple. Just from how we look right now."

"Really?" I questioned, hiking a brow as I swallowed some pork "But think about it. Would you really want normalcy to what you've got now?"

She looked deep in thought for a few seconds before the usual carefree grin spread onto her face.

"Nope" Nonette replied, popping the p at the end "I'm glad with what I've got right now."

As if to prove her point, she gave my thigh a gentle squeeze, before turning her attention back to the food in front of her.

As soon as the meals were gone, dessert was eaten, and the bill paid (by me, of course) we returned to Nonette's villa, and we found Cornelia there, waiting for us.

We hadn't run into her when we got back from the palace to change, so we wrote it off to the fact that she was probably asleep again, which was no matter.

This time, she was awake, and looking at the two of us with a calculating expression.

"Cornelia" I greeted cordially, my eyes playing over her facial expression, looking for any hint of what was going on, but finding none.

"I saw you got your commendation today, and I wish I could've been there with you" she finally said, standing up and walking towards us.

"That might've ruined a few carefully laid plans" I stated, still watching her face.

"I know" Cornelia sighed, before opening her arms and beckoning me into a hug "But I wanted to say congratulations on getting it."

"Hey, it was thanks to your recommendation that I did. It was thanks to everyone that put me in for it" I said, nuzzling into her shoulder.

"He did great Nellie. You would've been proud of him" Nonette chimed in from behind me.

"I am proud of him. I'm as proud as can be of him" Cornelia replied, squeezing me just a little bit tighter.

We stayed like that for a moment, before Cornelia released me and looked over my shoulder at Nonette.

"I already know what you're planning tonight, and I'm not asking, I'm telling, treat him properly" she stated, her voice as cold as ice.

"Don't worry Nellie" Nonette said with conviction "I'll treat him like a prince, so long as he returns the favor."

"Trust me, he will" Cornelia replied, chuckling a little bit, before her face turned sombre "Haven't you heard the news?"

"News? What news?" I asked, wary of this.

If it had Cornelia on edge, then it was something to worry about.

"Zero's back. He attacked Babel Tower in Tokyo and then dropped it on the Viceroy there, General Calares, before making his escape to the Chinese Federation Consulate.

"Then he announced of his new nation, the United States of Japan (USJ). Same motive as before, free Area 11 from Britannian rule" she finished, looking at me.

Both Cornelia and I knew who Zero was in actuality, but Nonette didn't, so we kept it quiet around her.

"How the hell is this possible. I know we saw him get away...but...I dunno" I muttered, hanging my head.

"Don't worry about it for now" Cornelia said "You two just go and enjoy your night. Everything will turn out fine."

"Good. We'll see you later then" Nonette mused, waving as Cornelia turned and walked away down the hall.

"You just want her gone so you can have your wicked way with me, is that it?" I questioned, my eyes dancing with mirth.

"Something like that" she replied, grabbing my hand and pulling me off into a side room, which turned out to be another sitting room.

Nonette sauntered over to the bar, pulling out two glasses and placing them on the top as I leaned on the other side, watching her.

"Fix you a drink?" she questioned, her voice soothing and low.

"Gin, if you've got it. Two shots over ice with sprite to fill the rest" I said, grinning at her slightly.

"Double gin and sprite, you've got it" she replied, pulling out two bottles and a tray of ice cubes.

Without the aid of a shot glass, she easily poured the proper measure of gin into the glass and filled the rest with pop, adding the ice.

Pouring rum and coke into the other glass, over ice as well, she handed me mine and walked around the other side to a couch.

Sitting down and patting the spot beside her, I followed over, and sat next to her on the couch, close enough that our legs were slightly touching.

"I want to thank you for dinner" I said after a moment, clearing my throat and looking over at her.

"Thank me?" she asked, her mouth pulling into her usual smirk "You're the one who paid."

"I know, but you're the one who took me there" I replied, sipping my drink slightly "I probably never would've gone if it wasn't for you."

She smiled, and swirled her drink before speaking, "So, what's on the chopping block for tomorrow?"

"Well" I replied, furrowing my eyebrows and drawing my mouth into a taut line "I'm going to say that a visit to Euphemia is in order, as well as heading to the memorial for Monica, and I'll probably be going shopping for a present, cause Cornelia's birthday is in ten days."

"Right" Nonette said flatly "I totally didn't forget about that."

I couldn't help but smirk and poke her in the side, hearing a squawk of protest in return.

"You totally did" I stated, chuckling deeply.

"Fine" she replied, rolling her eyes and sighing "I forgot, but I'll get a gift soon...and if I'm not mistaken, your birthday is coming up soon, isn't it?"

"Yeah" I simply said, tugging at the collar of my dress shirt slightly "The 20th. I'll be turning twenty.

"Add into that this whole debacle with Zero coming back, and by next year I'll be turning thirty."

"Don't worry about Zero. Forget about him while you're on vacation here. It'll all work out, trust me" Nonette said, patting my thigh in reassurance.

"How can I forget about Zero!?" I all but shouted, startling Nonette and causing her to jump.

Standing up, my drink forgotten on the coffee table, I began pacing back and forth in the study, my hands clasped behind my back and a look of intense concentration on my face.

"That rat bastard has been hounding me through nearly every battle I've taken part in, and when I think he's gone for good, and life starts to get better, he comes back and starts another revolution for 'justice.'" I stated, growling slightly due to the amount of anger in my system.

"He's been a prime target for months, then disappears after the Battle for Tokyo. Goes to ground for months, and now, he's back, trying to do the same thing that nearly got Euphie killed and killed countless Britannians and Elevens alike" I seethed, still pacing, making wild gestures with my hands "It's all his fault, and he has the gall to not look the least bit ashamed at what he's done."

I stopped pacing and sat back down beside Nonette, running my fingers through my hair and letting a sigh of frustration out.

We sat in silence for a minute, before Nonette leaned over and wrapped an arm around my shoulders, laying her head in the crook of my neck.

Again, she didn't say a word for a few minutes, the only sound being my heavy breathing, and Nonette's light breathing.

"You know, I understand what you mean, but I don't know what to tell you" she said softly "I just want you to forget about him for now. Please, forget about Zero while you're here. For my and Euphie's sake, at least."

I kept my hardened face, but it gradually softened.

"That was a dirty trick" I chuckled, kissing her on the cheek "Using Euphemia's happiness, and yours, against me. Not fair."

"I'm not known for being fair" she replied, her usual grin coming to her face "Now get over here."

With that, she took her arm from around my shoulders, and grabbed the lapels of my shirt, pulling my mouth to hers in a searing kiss.

She melded in a few seconds later, with one of her hands winding around my neck, while the other was flat against my chest, lightly scratching me.

My hands, were not stagnant either.

One came to rest in her hair, raking my fingers through her champagne locks, and the other slid down her lower back, coming to rest on her bottom, cupping it, before lifting her and setting her on my lap.

Again, she let out another small squeak, breaking her lips away from mine for only a second before coming back in for another kiss.

Our bodies pressed together, and even through the many layers of fabric separating us, I could just feel the tips of her already hardening nipples very gently poking me in the chest.

She shifted her position until she was straddling my lap, our bodies not becoming separated at all, and especially not our mouths.

Our tongues continued to intertwine, with her giving off slight moans or small mewls whenever her crotch shifted against my rapidly hardening length.

Each movement she made, was like a jolt of electricity flowing through my body, giving me a completely new sensation that I loved.

I could feel the heat radiating from her body, as she pushed herself as closely as she could to me, and that's when the layers started to come off.

Her cape was discarded in a ball on the floor, and my vest joined the small, but growing pile, as our kisses became more heated, and our hands continued to wander more.

"C'mon" Nonette said, breathless, her voice just above a whisper "This room adjoins to my chambers, let's take this somewhere more…private."

I smirked against her neck as I gently sucked on her pulse point, feeling the racing of her heart right below, as she arched her neck back to give me easier access.

"Took the words right outta my mouth" I muttered, moving to get up as she wrapped her legs around my lower back, the heels of her boots digging in and causing me to wince.

"Carry me?" she asked innocently, looking into my eyes much like a child looks at a puppy, causing me to chuckle deeply.

"Of course, anything for you" I said, walking over as she started undoing the buttons of my shirt with one hand, and holding on to the other.

"I'll make this a night you won't forget" she said, as I opened the door.

"Well…I'm always up for a good challenge" I replied, my tone low and husky with desire as I closed the door behind us.

January 4th, 2018 A.T.B. 8:26am

I groaned, rolling slightly as I could feel the sun in my eyes, blazing away and shouting silently for me to get up.

The memories of the night before came rushing back like a tidal wave, and I could feel the goofy grin breaking out on my face as I yawned and shifted a bit, snuggling deeper into the plethora of blankets.

Only then did I realize I was naked below the sheets, and that I had Nonette curled protectively around one side, her head in the crook of my neck, and her arms wrapped around my torso.

I could also, now that I was actually thinking about it, feel her already hardened nipples pressing into my side, causing an involuntary shiver to shoot up my spine.

"It's too early to be up" I heard her say, her voice heavy with sleep as she attempted to crack open an eye, but failed "Go back to bed."

I couldn't stop the laugh that rumbled up, as I ran my fingers through her hair, with her letting me go so I could get up and begin picking up my clothes from the floor to put in a hamper in my guest room, and slip into a clean suit.

Roughly 30 minutes later

"Ah" I said, taking a deep breath, smelling the clean fabric of the suit and the scent of the bodywash that I had just finished using.

"Truly, there's nothing more refreshing than a good night's sleep, a hot shower, and clean clothes" I thought with a smirk, before walking out of the room and towards the dining hall.

I already knew Nonette would still be asleep, considering when she was with us in Area 11, she hardly showed up before 11 unless something important was going on.

Pushing open the door to the modestly sized hall, I took a seat at the table, waiting for a passing servant to come along, pour a cup of tea, and then take my breakfast order to the kitchen.

All was accomplished in the span of two minutes, and they were kind enough to bring along a copy of The Pendragon Times with them, giving it to me, and getting a smile and a thank you in return.

Just how the day was starting, minus waking up in bed with Nonette, was making me feel nostalgic about the days I had spent in Area 11, crowed around the dining room table with Darlton, Guilford, Cornelia, and Euphie, sharing a laugh, or just enjoying the company of each other while we talked about politics or current events.

Those days though, were long gone, I presumed, as breakfast was put down in front of me and became the main focus of my attention.

Before long, the food had disappeared, the dishes whisked away to be cleaned, and I was left there with a chilly cup of tea, and a completed newspaper.

I couldn't hold the sigh in as I stood from the table, pushing the chair in once I was clear, and then made my way out of the dining room and into the well decorated villa, my pace slow and measured as I thought about what today would bring.

Euphemia.

The very name brought a chill to my skin, the hair on my arms raising as if the very mention of her name was a curse, a blight on my memory.

That wasn't the case.

What was the case, was that I had been the one to oversee the dispatch of the guards, and therefore I was the one who was ultimately at fault for allowing Zero to perform an assassination attempt.

It wasn't that I wanted the SAZ to fail. I knew it would in the long run. If my own world history had taught me anything, it's that nations subjugated to a higher ruling power would never be on equal ground to the conquerors, they could get close (Honorary Citizenship) but they would never be on equal footing.

I chose not to dwell on that anymore, considering I would need to be on my A-game when I actually went over there with Cornelia, and that I was honestly excited to see her again.

She was my pseudo little sister after all, and I hadn't seen her for a very long time.

Soon enough, I found myself alone in Nonette's library, and I was frankly amazed at the massive and diverse selection of books that she had in the collection.

There was everything from history to romance, fantasy to adventure and everything in between.

"I died and went to heaven" I muttered, walking over to a shelf and pulling a random book out, before plopping down into a plush chair and opening the book to the first page.

I was far too engrossed in the book to even register that someone else had entered the room, until they pushed the book slightly down with a finger.

"Nonette said I'd probably find you in here" Cornelia mused, her eyes glinting with mischief as she sat down in the chair across from me.

"Huh" I said, looking at my watch and realizing I had been sitting there reading for four hours "Didn't know I was that into this book. Feels like I just picked it up."

"I truly know that feeling as well, getting lost in a good book for several hours, but we have something much more important to attend to" she stated, and at once, I could detect the shift in her voice, from nearly nostalgic, to commanding, as I nodded my head and got up.

"I know, I know. I've been both dreading this, and looking forward to it" I mused, placing the book down on the table before walking to the door that led out, to which I nearly bumped into Nonette.

"Aw look at you. Falling all over me just to get another taste eh?" she purred, eyes roaming my appearance, and obviously I passed her test as she just nodded and began walking to the front doors.

All I could do was let out a few good natured grumbles at that as we all fell into line, walking out into the sunshine and towards the car that was idling out front, clearly waiting for us.

The ride over was nearly silent, a nervous air descending onto the car, mostly on Cornelia and myself while Nonette looked totally at ease with the current situation surrounding her.

All too soon for my liking, we had passed through the gates of the Violet Villa, home of Empress Felicity li Britannia, and her two daughters, Cornelia, and Euphemia li Britannia.

Swallowing, and gently tugging at the fabric around my tie, Cornelia slapped my wrist down.

"Stop messing with it. We should've just worn our uniforms" she muttered "It wouldn't have looked out of place at all."

"I know" I mused as the car glided to a stop at the foot of the stairs to the palace.

The door was opened for us, and we all exited the car, neither Cornelia nor myself clamouring to enter the structure that loomed before us.

Dare I say…. that Cornelia was nervous?

"Well, might as well get on with this" I said, inflecting a cheery attitude as I joined hands with the two of them and started walking towards the doors.

Knocking on the tall double doors, they were opened a second later by a guard in a uniform that I remembered quite well from my time in Area 11.

"What's your business being here?" he asked briskly, seeing how quickly he could get rid of us.

"Major Andrew Dixon, Knight of Nine Nonette Enneagram, and Princess Cornelia li Britannia, here to visit Euphemia li Britannia" I informed him, a hint of a smirk on my face as I rhymed off the names to him.

He looked puzzled for a moment, before opening the door to us and stepping aside, allowing the three of us to enter the huge mansion.

"Shall I inform Princess Euphemia that she has visitors?" he questioned, falling back into the role of a servant and guard.

"No" Nonette said first "We'd rather make it a surprise. Do you know where she is right now?"

"If I'm correct, her highness will be in her private study right around now. I could lead you there if you wish" he began, before Cornelia held her hand up.

"Thanks, but we'll be able to find it" she informed him, before the three of us walked away, Cornelia leading the way down the maze of twisting halls and corridors.

I couldn't tell whether I was full of excitement or trepidation about seeing Euphie once again, but knowing me, it was probably a healthy mix of the two.

"You two, stay out here, I'll go inside first and call for you after" Cornelia instructed, pointing at both Nonette and myself in turn, before quietly going inside the room that was in front of us.

"Soo…what now?" I asked, rocking back on my heels slightly and clasping my hands in front of me.

"Hallway make out session?" Nonette suggested, a sultry tone present as she hiked an eyebrow.

"As tempting as that sounds, I'm afraid I want to keep myself looking somewhat presentable right now" I said after a moment of thought, which it was really difficult to say no to her suggestion, which in turn caused her to pout.

Before long, the door opened and Cornelia beckoned us inside the study, where there was a certain someone waiting on the couch.

All I heard, was the shout of "ANDREW!" and then saw a big blur of pink moving through the air before I was tackled to the ground, a familiar head of pink hair snuggling into my chest as I was literally hugged within an inch of my life.

"It's…good to…see…you too…Euphie" I managed to wheeze out, before the young princess blushed and loosened her grip, allowing my lungs to expand once again.

She started talking a mile a minute, and I couldn't understand a darn thing as I stood up and held my hands up.

"Slow down, and repeat please" I said, after Euphemia had stopped talking and was looking at me with her full attention.

"Sorry" she said, smiling "It's just I haven't seen you for so long, and I'm so surprised you're here, and so happy that you're alright."

"Well hopefully, we'll be around for a few months of vacation. Cornelia and I are ahead on the project that we're working on" I said, fixing my tie.

She looked like she was going to ask about what it was, but a small hand gesture from Cornelia cut off her question before she was even able to get a word out.

"Well…what can you tell me about?" Euphie asked, sitting down in a chair.

I thought for a moment, then felt a rush of a plan to keep her occupied for quite some time.

With a small smile on my face, I said "How about I tell you, how I met the Emperor?"

Her face automatically took on a surprised look, as she asked "You met our father? Why?"

"Well…it's kinda a long story" I said, rubbing the back of my neck.

"Oh it's no matter, we've got a few months, like you said earlier" Euphie replied, taking my hand and leading me over to a sofa before looking at me expectantly.

Blocking out the snickers from both Cornelia and Nonette at the fact that Major Andrew Dixon, veteran of many battles, and somewhat skilled Knightmare combatant, was able to be ordered around by a young woman, I began telling her about the day before, the first day back in the city.

One hour later

"And that's the extent of my time in Pendragon" I stated, leaning back "I won't lie, this place is way cooler than any cities I had back in my time."

Euphemia was about to respond, but the ringing of a phone cut her of, and in a second, I realized it was mine.

I'd recognize a rendition of Megalovania anywhere, especially the smooth jazz version I used as my ringtone.

"Excuse me, I'll only be a minute" I said, smiling sheepishly, before quickly stepping out and pulling the infernal device out of my pocket.

Looking at the number on the screen, I could honestly say that I didn't recognize it, but I knew one thing, the area code, was 81 3.

The code, for Tokyo, in Area 11.

"Major Andrew Dixon, and who may I ask is calling?" I queried, a pleasant tone masking my annoyance at being pulled away in the middle of something that I thought was very important and quite near and dear to me.

"Andrew! Finally, I got ahold of you!" a breathless, and obviously weary voice at the other end said, much inflection present in the tone "I've been looking for months!"

The voice on the other side was eerily familiar, but I wasn't sure so I ventured a guess.

"Lord Guilford?" I questioned, drawing out the name a little bit.

"Yes it's me you dolt! Now listen, we've been getting a lot of radio traffic from an unknown source, with fleeting mention of your name. It's all been very recent, in the last day or two. Where are you?" he asked, fear creeping into the older man's voice slightly.

"Where am I?" I queried incredulously "Why, Pendragon! Probably the safest place for me. With the Emperor being right there, and all the not deployed Knights of the Round."

The line was quiet for a moment, to the point where I actually wondered if we had been cut-off, before Guilford stated, his voice dead serious "Andrew, you need to get out of there. You're in danger."

"Danger? Of what?" I couldn't help but ask, looking around to see if anyone was eavesdropping on the conversation.

"I don't know, but all this stuff about you can't be good. Just do me a favour, and get out of there, as fast as you can. Bring nobody with you" he said, and with that, the line disconnected and all that was there was the harsh dial tone of the phone.

I couldn't help but pull the phone away, and look at it with confusion and hesitance at what was just said as my brain processed all the information that I had just been slammed with.

Obviously, someone was taking a vested interest in me, which was something I didn't want, especially while on the hunt for geass.

I mean, who really looked for a dead man?

Granted, I resurfaced yesterday when getting my award, but that shouldn't have meant much to anyone.

Who cared about a nobody officer from Area 11 who popped back up in Pendragon?

However, me being me, I took the information seriously.

"Shit. This is bad. I need to get out of here without anyone noticing me. I need to tell Cornelia, Euphie, and Nonette that I've gotta go underground and…" I thought, as the door I had walked out only a moment before opened to reveal Nonette's smiling face.

"Everything alright out here?" she asked, her own smile falling when she saw my troubled expression, deep in thought.

"No it's not" I muttered, walking towards her and back into the room.

"Alright, I need to leave" I stated, without any preamble or warning "I need to go underground and disappear for awhile."

The shocked expressions on their faces would've been hilarious, had this actually been a joke.

"You're…. you're kidding, right?" Cornelia stuttered out, but my face didn't change.

"That call I took was from Guilford. He somehow found me, and told me that there's been a lot of radio chatter concerning me in the past day, so when I got my award. Someone's looking for me. Actively hunting I would say" I explained, beginning to pace like I always did when nervous.

There was silence in the room for a moment as the information sank in to all the respective parties there, before Nonette burst out with a should of "That's bullshit!"

"Crude, but an adequate way of putting it" I agreed, with Cornelia and Euphie nodding in agreeance "I need to go. On my own. I don't want any of you implicated with me. They obviously just want me, and I have a better chance of getting away by myself."

Of course, the arguments and protests erupted from the women all at once, and I simply held up a hand until there was silence for me to talk.

"This is non-negotiable. I'm doing this for all your protection, and if something happens, I have full confidence in you that you'll get me back, or avenge me should the worst come to happen" I stated, before smirking and pulling my blazer to the side, revealing my ever present revolver in the shoulder holster "And besides, I won't go down without a fight, you can be damn sure of that."

There was a solemn silence, and it seemed that the three of them had accepted what I said, and Euphemia was the first to rush forward, capturing me in a terrific hug.

"I just got you back, and now I'm losing you again" she whispered, her voice breaking slightly as I could feel tears begin to slide down the cheek that was pressed against my face.

"Don't cry Euphie. I'll be back" I muttered, rubbing the younger princesses back, feeling as her small cries became full blown sobs.

"I'll always come back for you. You're my younger sister after all" I cooed, turning my head and giving her a peck on the cheek before releasing her and turning to Nonette.

"I wish we had more time" I said with resignation, to which she nodded, before capturing me in a hug just as fierce as Euphemia's was."

"Me too" she whispered, and that was all that was said.

We stayed like that for a moment, before her lips took mine, and we let out a sweet parting kiss.

I put on a sad smile for her, and she flashed a small one in return before I turned to the final person in the room.

"Well…I guess this is it" Cornelia muttered, stepping towards me.

I hardly noticed it, but Euphemia and Nonette had headed into an adjoining room in order to give us a little bit of privacy.

"Don't say goodbye" I whispered, looking down at the floor "Say whatever you want, just not goodbye."

"Then we'll leave it at a see you later" she whispered, her voice slightly breaking as she tilted my chin up "I know you're set on protecting us, but just remember, that you're never alone. You've always got allies. Me, Nonette, Euphie, and Guilford will always be standing at your side, no matter what.

"You may not be from our world, but you managed to capture several hearts, my own included, as you've traveled, and made countless friends. Yes, some have passed on, but what matters is that you still have their memory, and you won't be forgetting them anytime soon, so we'll leave it at a see you later."

"I love you" I breathed "I love you so goddamn much."

"And I love you" she replied, a watery smile coming to her face "I think that dream you had, might actually be a dream come true."

And with that point out in the air, before my brain could really process it and dig too deeply into it, our lips were pressed against one another, pouring all the passion and love we had for each other into a single kiss.

Though, it's difficult to put that much passion and lust and whatnot into a single kiss, we tried damn hard to do it, in the short time that we had together.

"Remember" I said after we broke apart "See you later."

Cornelia said nothing, but gave a small wave as I took a deep breath and walked out the door of the study.

The halls were quiet, and my footsteps muffled as I wiped the purple lipstick off my mouth, reaching the main doors far too quickly for my liking.

The same guard we had encountered on the way in was standing rigidly at attention beside the door.

"You've concluded your business sir?" he asked, tone pleasant.

I said nothing, other than glaring pointedly at him before reefing the door open and slamming it behind me, the pent up anger in my system finally bubbling to the surface in one go.

Walking briskly down the ornate pathway, I could easily feel the eyes of the three ladies that I had left behind on me, peering from a window somewhere in the massive palace.

The men at the end of the way opened the massive gates, allowing me passage through and out into the city once again.

However, this time, instead of simply minding my own business, with a plan to go somewhere, all my senses had been heightened to the point where it was a pain just to keep glancing at every shadow.

Avoiding an alleyway because…well…because if you're gonna die, it's usually in an alley.

At least that's what a lot of movies show.

I had a single destination in mind.

The Pendragon Railway terminal.

The plan? Simple. Buy a railway ticket to somewhere far away, probably Area 2, and try to shake the pursuers that I had picked up.

But as the saying goes, No Battle Plan Ever Survives Contact with the Enemy.

I made it to the station without incident, easy enough.

But it was what happened after I bought my ticket that really set things in motion, and not for the better.

What had once been a crowded railway station had suddenly gotten very quiet, and very empty.

"What the hell?" was all I thought, before a sharp pain came crashing down inside my head and I sprawled on the concrete of the platform.

"The target is secure, requesting extraction back to base" I heard a female voice say, the same voice that had been on the phone the day before, the next thing I knew, my body was being picked up, and then it all went black.

Date and Time: Unknown

Location: Unknown

I woke up, a shooting pain in my skull, and something very hard and flat underneath me, and I couldn't help but rub my head as I sat up, a new set of stars exploding behind my vision as I made it vertical.

"Jesus. Did anyone get the number on the bus that ran me over?" I groaned, still holding my head "That, or I drank way too much last night."

A deep laugh met the statement that I had just made, thought it was somewhat obscure, like it sounded sorta fuzzy.

Opening my eyes, I found myself in a cell, probably around ten feet by ten feet, with a stone floor and a piece of plexiglas between myself and a bald and rather rotund man.

"Who the fuck are you?" I asked, a grimace coming to my face as another bolt of pain flashed through my head.

"General Bartley Asprius, and I would watch your tone when addressing me Major" he said haughtily, as if he had already won.

"Like hell I will" I spat back, venom in my tone "You captured me, and judging by the uniform, you're a Britannian General, but you ain't a General I'm gonna recognize, you damn traitor."

"Now see here" he began, before he was cut off by another voice.

"Bartley, what's going on?" it queried, sounding bored but causing the man in front of me to stiffen.

"Nothing Director V.V. I'm just seeing to our…new guest" Bartley said, pulling out a handkerchief and wiping the sweat off his brow.

"Guest? More like prisoner" I thought with disgust, as the fat General took a step back and a new person came in front of the cell.

In his place, was what appeared to be a child.

Long blond hair, a black cravat, a black cape with a purple interior, and a full white suit with lines of gold and blue was what he was clad in as he laid an appraising eye on me.

"And you are…?" I asked, waiting impatiently for an answer.

Obviously, he saw the need to answer, as he smiled a little and said "My name is V.V. Director V.V. to you though. Or just Director.

"We've been looking for you for quite some time Andrew Dixon. After C.C. gave her report to Marianne, about her contractor encountering someone immune to Geass, you became somewhat of a hot topic of discussion for Charles and myself, so the best course of action for our plan is to keep you out of the way."

None of that really made any sense to me, not in the slightest, so I simply sat there with a puzzled expression present on my face, but the child paid it no mind as he walked away from the cell I was standing in, Bartley trailing close behind him as they started talking about something I couldn't hear.

"Son of a bitch" I muttered, sitting back down on the hard bed, my thoughts racing at attempting to formulate some sort of escape plan, but drawing up blank every time.

Before I remembered something.

Reaching into the confines of my suit, I easily produced the trusty revolver that had served me well throughout the career that I had taken in the Britannian military.

I couldn't help but smirk as I opened cylinder and looked in, spying all six sections still having their ammunition inside, I chuckled darkly as I thought about the surprise they would get when I was let out of the cell.

Taking the Director hostage and negotiating an escape would be simple enough now that I knew they were too stupid to even search a prisoner for weapons.

I quickly quieted down, and put my weapon back in the holster, fixing my suit so it didn't look out of place, as I heard the footsteps of someone approaching me in my new 'home.'

Placing an impassive look on my face, I glanced towards the new person who had stopped in front of my cell, and promptly, passed right back out once again.

An Undetermined Amount of Time later…Still in the same cell…

Again, I came around slowly, my head buzzing at what I had seen, and how to make sense of it, because none of it seemed possible.

Then I remembered that I had been transferred between dimensions, so nothing seemed impossible now that I actually thought about it.

But still, what I was seeing shouldn't have been possible in the slightest.

Not at all.

"Andrew, it's good to see you again. I've been looking for you, and tried to get ahold of you the other day, but you rejected my call. It's good to see you again" the same female voice, from the call at Nonette's villa, and from the train station said.

I couldn't say anything, other than nod my head as the woman walked inside the cell and sat on the bed next to me.

"Needless to say, I missed you" she whispered, smiling as she looked at me.

I could only breathe one word as this woman looked at me, just a single word, but it made all the difference in the world.

"Monica."

And then her lips were set on mine, an unbridled amount of passion flowing between two people.