A/N: This chapter starts the second half of this little story. The "R2", so to speak. The plot will see a certain shift of focus. This chapter has an adult content warning.

Disclaimer: Alfred: "Mr. Penguin does not own Code Geass. He only owns the characters and elements created for this story."

Astrid Weinberg wore a solemn expression as she flied the Vincent Aether straight ahead. The weight of her decision still pulsed heavy in her heart. She felt cold and faint. Flying was difficult. It was a lucky thing that the fighting had died down a bit by this point. Allied units would set their sties on her, but after a simple transmission to a nearby soldier of no importance, the word was spread to let her pass. The path to Vortigern was fairly clear after that.

Astrid still couldn't shake it from her mind. Two months had passed since she last saw the pale, trembling girl sitting next to her. Over those two months, she had learned to depend on her gradually building friendship with Chiharu Ohgi. That woman had shown her, her enemy, a strange sort of kindness and laid-back familiarity. Astrid had just shot that precious friend in the back with intent to kill.

She was honestly questioning why at that point. She loved the frazzled girl sitting next to her. Or she did, starting six years ago. She wasn't sure anymore. The last two months had made so much uncertain. At this point, she was far more sure of her friendship with Chiharu than she was of her love with Ava. But Ava had come for her personally. That single sentiment had been the push she needed to make such a horrifying decision. She shot Chiharu, possibly killed her, because Astrid was desperate to talk to the girl sitting next to her.

That said, Astrid couldn't find anything to say. The words were frozen in her throat as she flew the Vincent Aether. So she remained silent. She didn't say a word the whole way back. She flew the Vincent Aether straight into Vortigern. She didn't head for the military base but for the Imperial castle instead. The knightmare came to a stop just inside the gates. The hatch opened. She jumped down, helping Ava down afterward. The warmth of her hand eased Astrid's tumultuous heart, if only slightly.

The two entered the castle slowly. Apparently, Ava had already told all her personal guards and servants, still at the castle, she would be leaving, for hardly one of them looked at the two of them as Ava led Astrid through the castle. Astrid didn't recognize where the girl was leading her at first. In fact, it didn't hit her at all until she was standing surrounded by beautiful flowers.

"W-why?" asked Astrid simply, choking on the word.

"This is the most private place in the entire castle," said Ava, looking down. Astrid closed her eyes.

"That's not what I want to know, Ava," she said in a low voice.

Ava began to cry. Her eyes teared up and then it just started to pour out. She looked so fragile. "I don't… I don't even know where to start…."

"I want to know everything. I must know everything,' Astrid spoke coldly. "As much as I want to embrace you and say everything is all right, I can't. I can't, Ava, not until I know why."

"I was told you were dead," said Ava. "I know that's hardly an excuse. I know It's a horrible, selfish thing, but I… I-I gave up. I lost hope. Without you… none of it seemed worth it anymore."

"You're right, Ava, that is selfish. You're dreams are bigger than just me," Astrid spoke harshly, causing the other to cry more.

"It's not something I'll ever achieve forgiveness for. From you, from everyone else I let down, from myself. Even so… I want you to know… it is something I regret with all my heart," said Ava in a wrought emotional voice.

Astrid didn't respond for a while. She just stared at the other coldly. Then she spoke. It was in a low, solemn vice, "I want you to tell me everything still, Ava. Don't spare any details. If I honestly mean so much to you, that shouldn't be too much to ask, right?"

Ava closed her eyes. "Of course not. I'll… I'll tell you everything, Astrid. Even if there is nothing in it of which I am proud."

Astrid gave a very short nod and stared ahead, eager to hear the tale.

---

Gino Weinberg wore a content expression as he walked through the enemy base. The battle was over. Absolution had fallen. Their leader, a shadow from the past, Jeremiah Gottwald, had been captured when Cross was recovered. Every one of their custom units had been defeated in combat. Their regular forces had been routinely crushed. New Pendragon had been liberated. Their base had been taken.

Nunnally vi Britannia was apprehended fairly swiftly as well. Anya Alstreim, a woman whom Gino had known all too well had also been taken and identified as a leader of the group. Most of the other custom pilots had escaped capture, but without leadership, a royal heir, a base of operations and a force to command, Absolution was done. All that was left was freeing the prisoners.

"Lord Weinberg," a voice started. Young Margaret Enneagram kneeled in front of him. He smiled and motioned her to stand.

"Yes, Margaret?" he asked.

"Our troops have secured three more of the enemies high officers," said the girl.

"You don't say?" Gino started. "Where are these three?"

"Right here," said Margaret. She then gave a short call. "Bring them in, guys."

Three Britannian soldiers entered the room quietly, each one pushing along a handcuffed woman in front of him. Each of these women was wearing a colored mask.

"You didn't unmask them yourself, Margaret?" Gino started, tilting her head.

"You're the head knight, Lord Weinberg. I thought I'd save you the pleasure," the young girl said with a confident nod.

"Well, I suppose I do like surprises," Gino laughed. He stared down the three bound women. He walked toward the one furthest to the right, wearing a blue mask. "Let's see what's behind mask number one."

With that, Gino saw the first woman unmasked. He recognized her immediately. It was another ghost of the past.

"Of course it'd be you. Who else could simplify Energy Wings for mass production then their inventor herself?" Gino smirked wryly as he looked a weary Cecile Croomy in the eye. She looked shaken and defeated.

"Wasn't he your friend… Suzaku?" the woman asked, her voice a low whisper.

Gino didn't respond to it. He had nothing to say. He moved to the woman in the middle. Her mask was red. It came off just as easily. Again, she was just as easily recognizable, even if Gino hadn't known her quite as well personally.

"I'd honestly have expected more destructive weapons from the inventor of F.L.E.I.J.A.," said Gino as Nina Einstein glared at him hatefully as if he had betrayed them all. Perhaps he had. But as he had told Kallen Kozuki in their fight, this was his place. He couldn't waver. He would fight for his family. It's all he could do, even if he would face judgment for it.

"I have nothing to say to you," the woman said as Gino looked at her. Gino shrugged and move to the final woman, this one wearing a golden mask.

He unmasked her, freeing a familiar mane of golden blonde hair. He frowned. He knew this face too. He was surprised to see it here. He was honestly a little saddened that this woman would get tangled up in this. Her lively spirit deserved the chance to thrive on the outside.

"You've certainly become rather distinguished, Gino," Milly Ashford said with a playful smile despite her situation.

"I'm sorry…" Gino said in a low voice, shaking his head before turning from her. He nodded to the soldiers behind the prisoners, motioning for them to leave with their captives. He looked at Margaret. "Which of the enemy leaders haven't we recovered?"

"Adding these three to Gottwald and Alstreim and subtracting the masks from the lineup known to be dead, we're only missing the woman in the white mask," said Margaret rigidly.

"I see," said Gino, nodding. "With just one leader, Absolution won't continue. Likely that woman and the other remaining members will defect and join up with the Japanese forces."

"Right," said Margaret.

Another knight then entered the room. It was Hildegarde Waldstein. She spoke in a strict voice, kneeling as well. "Lord Weinberg."

"Yes, Hildegarde? What do you have to report?" asked Gino, looking at the girl.

"I have a full report of the battle," said Waldstein. "And news that the prisoners have been secured."

"My daughter?" Gino asked, perhaps selfishly.

"You didn't hear? She's already made it safely back to the castle," said Hildegarde with a nod.

"I'm pleased to hear that," said Gino, smiling. "I heard that we defeated every custom unit and secured two enemy leaders. What are the details beyond that?"

"Victory was not so clear cut as you might think. Defeat of five of our enemies custom units was only possible due to an inexplicable intervention by the EU's Four Champions," said Hildegarde in a solemn voice.

"That is surprising. But unexpected assistance from your allies is never a bad thing, right? The important thing is we won," the Knight of One said, closing his eyes. Knowing that it was more complicated, but ignoring the fact

"Lord Darlton was killed. Cross was severely wounded," said Hildegarde, her voice heavy.

"I see. That is a shame. Claudio was a good soldier and above all decent man. He will be missed," said Gino, giving a low sigh.

"Confirmed dead is one enemy general. A woman of the Chinese Federation, Zhou Xianglin," the Knight of Four added with a nod.

"We're all disappearing to make way for this new generation, it seems…" Gino said under his breath. "I wonder which of us will go first, Kallen…"

"Lord Weinberg?" Hildegarde started, likely not hearing him, but noticing his troubled expression.

"Oh, nothing," he sighed loudly. "Can I count on you two to take care of things here? I have somewhere else I want to be… while I still can." The last bit was said under his breath.

"Understood, sir!" Margaret said in a strong voice, with a beaming smile. "Please, go see Astrid. Give her my regards."

"Thank you, Margaret. I will," the Knight of One said. He turned around and prepared ot make his exit.

---

"I see," Astrid said, her voice parsed and tense. Ava stared at her, shaky and fearful.

She had told Astrid everything. She spared no detail. Whether it was on Richter or refrain, she said only the truth. As she said it, she cried. She cried more that day then she thought was possible. She was guilty. She was a low, horrible person. She didn't deserve this girl's love. Astrid shot that woman, and so many others for her sake. She didn't deserve it. She couldn't help but think that as the girl stared at her with sharp, unblinking eyes.

"As a child still, you snuck aboard a plane to another country with the intent to save your mother. Where did all that strength go, Ava?" asked Astrid, her voice cold and unfeeling.

"Six years ago… you aren't the only one who was changed…" said Ava, her eyes downcast.

"What do you mean?" asked the other.

"I devoted myself entirely to making you better. I needed something to get my mind off mother… and the guilt was so incredible that it felt an obligation. I think from then on, I relied on you. Your smile was my strength. It's light was what kept me from the darkness and pushed me forward," Ava said, shaking a little, but finding a clearer voice.

"You can't go on without me, then?" Astrid asked, closing her eyes.

"I-I… I don't think I can…" Ava admitted, feeling particularly pathetic.

"Fair enough," said Astrid in a crisp voice. "But I can live without you, Ava, You must realize that always."

"Y-yeah," Ava choked, not wanting to hear such a thing be said.

"I can never approve of what you've done without me," said Astrid. "But right now, the girl who, despite being the Empress of Britannia, let herself into the enemy base to save me is beautiful enough for me to still say that I love her and I want to stay by her side."

"Astrid--!" Ava froze up. Her eyes met Astrid's. They widened with surprise as Astrid bent forward and placed a very soft kiss on her lips.

"I love you, Ava. I do. But please don't ever take that for granted," said Astrid as their lips parted. "I'll stay with you, but not unconditionally."

"Astrid! Please, whatever you want," Ava started, her heart beating at rapid. "Just give the word and I will find Richter Novak and see him hanged."

"That man deserves the worst. I've always despised him, since our first meeting. But I know you don't blame him for anything. I know you don't want to see him killed, even after all that's happened. I respect that," said Astrid, closing her eyes.

"Then what--?" Ava started.

"I still want to fight, Ava. Please let me," Astrid said, with cold resolution.

"But Astrid--!" Ava started, not wanting to put the other in danger again.

"Ava," the girl said simply, her eyes doing the talking. Ava closed hers in recognition.

"I understand. You have to fight. You're my knight after all," said Ava in a low voice.

"Please promise me that if I do die, you will remain strong for me. Please swear to me that unbreakable oath. Please give me at least that assurance that this won't happen again," said Astrid, sternly.

Ava didn't say anything for a while. It was a hard thing to promise and truly mean. Ava didn't like lying. If she was going to promise this she wanted to truly mean it. After moments of Astrid's intense stare, she found the courage inside of her. She looked the girl in the eye and spoke. "I promise you, Astrid. Even if I lose you, I will never let this happen again."

"Good," said Astrid. "I also want you to promise that you will never resort to the cruel tactics Richter employed yourself. Massacre, genocide, I don't want the love of someone who sets off such things," the blonde said in a strong voice. "And you can't hide from it like you did with the conquest of Japan either. You know the people you command. You know what they'll do."

"I understand, Astrid. I wish for a clean war, where only those who have chosen to fight for their country meet their end. I cannot promise no one uninvolved will ever die, but I can say I will never order attacks on innocents. Life is precious. I'm not the only one who has someone they love…" said Ava, her thoughts resting with Hildegarde Waldstein and her words of several days past. It was easier for her to make this promise.

"I'm glad," Astrid finally smiled. "But there's one final condition, I must give, Ava."

"Yes, Astrid. Anything," Ava said, shaking.

"If I ever see a vial of refrain slip between your fingers I'm leaving you. No questions asked," Astrid said simply, shaking her head, deadly serious.

"Understood," said Ava with a resolute nod.

"Now. You are not the only one with things she must confess to. There are a few things I want you to understand. Please listen," said Astrid in a quiet voice, still staring the other down.

"Of course," Ava said, smiling, ready to listen to whatever her beloved had to tell her.

---

Sayoko Gottwald wore a heavy expression. Her mask had been discarded. She had no choice. Absolution was done. The battle had been a complete rout. Her husband, Anya, the other three, they had all been taken captive along with Empress Nunnally. She was lucky to have escaped herself. They had only narrowly missed taking her as well. It had taken all of her quick reflexes to get past the enemies as they filled the base.

Now she was in a small hotel room in a town a safe distance from New Pendragon. Three other Absolution survivors were there with her: her own daughter, Amelia, Miya Ashford and Cynthia Moore. No one was physically injured, but the emotional damage looked heavy. That is, unless you were Miya Ashford. That girl still wore a wide smile.

"Hmm, so where do we go from here?" asked Miya, tilting her head.

"We join up with Japan obviously. We already have connections with them," said Amelia, her voice low. "Right, mother?"

"I wonder…" Sayoko spoke. "Together, the four of us make an efficient unit. Operating independently for a while may not prove a poor decision."

"To what aim?" asked Cynthia, head tilted.

"We're going to free father?" asked Amelia, smirking.

"Not exactly," said Sayoko. "The four of us are very well trained at one thing."

"Taking lives," said Cynthia, her voice heavy.

"You want the four of us to infiltrate Vortigern and poise an assassination attempt?" Amelia started, shocked.

"I've always held it as being the most direct way of silencing this matter. Your father is the one who insisted that advancing through war would be more efficient once the first attempt fell through."

"Our names and faces are known to them. We could never get close enough," said Amelia, looking down.

"Names are but labels. Disguising the face is a simple matter. You should know as much, my daughter," said Sayoko in a resolute way. "I once successfully convinced hundreds I was a man for many days. You could easily do the same if you had to."

"Eh, yeah… right. I guess so," said Amelia.

"Yeah. You two are super well trained assassins and everything, but me and Cynthia just have our Absolution training. Where do we fit in?" asked Miya.

"Your stamina and Cynthia's eyes both make you very valuable pieces. If you allow it, I'd like to make use of you two as well," said Sayoko, her voice rigid.

"I'm cool with it, but the Empress and most of her closest friends know me personally. Even with a disguise, I doubt I can get all that close," Miya said, with a half smirk.

"You will provide auxiliary support then," said Sayoko.

"Cool, I can do that! I think…" the girl said brightly.

"And me?" asked Cynthia, her voice low.

"Your skill is as a sniper. It will likely be you who pulls the trigger that takes the Empress' life," said Sayoko, nodding sternly.

"Understood. I will comply," said Cynthia in a soft voice, closing her eyes.

"Then let us begin the planning immediately," said Sayoko, closing her eyes.

"Right!" the other three replied in unison.

---

Astrid cleared her throat. She had just finished telling Ava of the previous two months. She told her she was in on their bait and trap. She told her that she was planning on joining them if anything less than what happened had happened. She told her exactly what Chiharu Ohgi, the girl she had shot, had meant to her. Then she was done talking and just looked ahead.

"I can't blame you for any of that, Astrid. I would have betrayed me sooner," said Ava, her voice low and sad. "Your friend deserves more apology than I could ever hope to receive."

"Even so, it's something you needed to know," said Astrid, closing her eyes.

"Thank you for telling me then," said Ava, smiling very softly. Astrid liked seeing her smile. She wanted the pathetic Ava li Britannia to disappear.

"I love you, Ava. I will keep no secrets from you," said Astrid, her voice soft and sincere.

"And I will strive to always do the same. I love you Astrid, with my entire being," said Ava, her voice delicate. Astrid placed a second kiss on her lips, this one longer, more passionate, less brittle.

"I'm glad. Despite everything… I missed you horribly… I really did…" Finally Astrid let her own fragile emotions show. The icy front she had put up crumbled and her eyes became teary. She let Ava embrace her.

"Starting tomorrow, Astrid. You will no longer be the Knight of Nine," said Ava, her voice low and quiet.

"What? But Ava, you said I could keep fighting," Astrid started, confused by the statement.

"Yes. And I meant it. But you are no longer a Knight of the Rounds. From tomorrow onward, you will have a new position," said Ava, her voice emotional, passionate.

"Ava--" Astrid started, her heart feeling warm. "What is my new position?"

"You will be my personal knight. You will be the sword and shield of Empress Ava li Britannia," said Ava, a warmth and sincerity in her voice.

"A-Ava…" Astrid choked up. "Should you really do that… the implications of such a title are rather obvious. People will start to talk about us."

"I don't care. I'm the Empress. What right do my subjects have to to judge me? Thanks to Richter Novak, a lot of them probably fear me anyway," Ava said in a quiet voice.

"You really know what to say to win back my favor, don't you, Ava?" Astrid said with a light giggle.

"I love you, Astrid. I wish to fulfill that wish you expressed to me just before you left," said Ava, shaking her head.

"Thank you," said Astrid. She kissed Ava fully as the two embraced. It lasted a long time. It felt beautiful. All of Astrid's doubts about whether she could trust Ava, about whether she could love Ava, seemed to disappear in the warmth of her embrace, in the passion behind her lips.

When they split apart, both were silent for a while. They just stared at one another, transfixed in each other's love. Ava eventually spoke. "This isn't fair, is it? Me keeping you to myself, me ignoring the battle I started…"

"We should go to the throne room, then?" Astrid started, head tilted.

"Yeah," Ava said with a smile. The two left the flower garden hand in hand.

---

Richter Novak wore a stern expression on his face as he navigated the streets of Vortigern, not really sure where he was headed. He was currently staying with Jackie in a manor her parents had bought on the edges of town. It was a comfortable house, but life there was stagnant. Richter had felt power and power had been ripped from him. Even in marrying a princess he remained doubtful he would ever achieve that level of power again.

These thoughts stayed with him as he wandered. Jackie was not the heir. That is what Ava li Britannia had said. Richter still didn't understand it, but he didn't question it. There was no clear window for Richter to climb through now. He was stuck. After ruling a country, his previous dreams of having the most powerful pizza empire now seemed juvenile. He had a clear desire but no way to reach it anymore.

"You certainly seem troubled, my good sir," a voice spoke to him. It was high and nasally. Richter turned to see a man beside him. He jumped. The man was fairly normal looking, about thirty, dark hair, glasses, and normal street clothes. He was however holding a large, strange, warped wooden stick.

"Yes, and I'd appreciate being left alone," said Richter, stepping ahead. The man ran ahead and stepped in front of him and pointed his stick at Richter's chest. He smiled creepily. There was something very strange about this man.

"But if I left you alone, how would you be blessed?" asked the strange man, tilting his head.

"Excuse me, please step out of my way, sir," Richter said, not waiting to deal with such a person.

"Power is what you covet is it not? Why should I step away when I offer such power?" asked the man. Richter's eyes widened. What was this?

"Who are you?!" Richter demanded.

"A servant of the immortal stream of time, a humble hunter mystic beasts, Philip Malden Xander" said the man.

"You're insane," Richter said dismissively.

"You're quite right, I've been told so many times at least," said the man, Philip, twirling his warped staff in his hand several times. "But what of it, Richter Novak?"

Richter's eyes widened again. "How do you know me?!"

"I was sent to find you," Philip said. "The one I serve has a deal to make of you."

"Who do you serve?!" Richter demanded.

"The scion of the last unicorn," Philip said with a wide smile. Richter shook his head. He didn't know what to make of this man.

"Fool. If you are going to speak in such terms, I see no reason to listen," said Richter, coldly, irritated.

"Ah, but she has power. She has a means to the very thing you desire. She wishes to speak with you," said Philip, his voice quiet, his stick poking at Richter's chest with each sentence.

"Then why doesn't she speak to me herself? Why must she hide behind some babbling psycho?" asked Richter curtly, glaring, pushing the staff off.

"She is rather busy. Yes, very busy. With the blood of the holy unicorn pulsing through her veins, her power is in short supply. So she sent me, her loyal servant, to find you," said Philip his voice dark and heavy, punctuated by overwrought nods.

"Well, I'm afraid I'm not interested in such things. I don't believe in the power you or this woman have to offer me," said Richter, narrowing his eyes.

"Really now? What reason have you to deny my power? Magic courses through my veins! I am a wizard!" the man declared proudly, thrusting his staff into the air. Richter tried to ignore the passersby staring at them.

"I've had enough of this. Please leave my sight and don't ever app--" Richter started. Mid-sentence something changed. Something strange occurred. The world seemed to slow down to a crawl around Richter. The people passing by were hardly moving. Even the birds in the sky were moving along at a down right deliberate pace. Richter couldn't do anything but move at the same slowed down pace himself. It was surreal.

Philip spoke to him. His lips moved slowly and sounds came out but Richter couldn't make out the words. They were too slow. They were indecipherable. Richter's mind, the one thing working at normal was filled with shock and fear, but even his eyes took time to reflect this.

Then this changed. It changed entirely. Richter thought things had returned to normal at first, but it was soon apparent they hadn't. Philip was talking, but all Richter heard was fast, high pitched jumble of noises. He looked around. His head moved faster than he wanted it to. People were moving like they were running. He could even see the clouds in the sky fly by swiftly and disappear over the horizon.

Then, finally things returned to normal. Richter's eyes focused on the man in front of him. This man was a Geass user.

"How much time has passed, since you first activated your 'magic'?" Richter snorted.

"Twenty one minutes," said Philip with a smile. "Twenty with your world flying past, one with it crawling by slow."

"And yet each phase seemed as long as the other," Richter said, impressed. "Your unicorn lady, she has a power like this too?"

"Oh no, my power is but a simple magic trick next to the sorcery she can weave," Philip said humbly.

"Very well, if that's the case, I'll meet with her," said Richter.

"Of course you will," said Philip, grinning and twirling his staff.

"Where do I go?" asked Richter, not liking the other's tone, but now intrigued.

"To collect your princess. She wishes to meet her as well," said Philip, with a short laugh.

"Very well, I suppose I will comply then," said Richter, closing his eyes.

As he headed back to the manor, the strange man following behind him, he had renewed hope. Geass was a powerful force. If this woman's Geass was as strong as this man claimed, perhaps she was a worthy ally and could get him what he desired. He held onto the hope that he could.

---

Ava wore a soft smile on her face as she retook her throne, Astrid still at her side, their hands intertwined. Noticing her entrance, a servant approached her.

She spoke, "Empress, the Knight of One, just arrived with a full report of the completed battle."

Ava smiled fully and clenched her beloved knight's hand. "Please, let him in," she said.

"Right away," the servant woman responded and left.

Ava let go of Astrid's hand when the man appeared. Astrid's smile widened and she ran forward. Her father opened his arms and took her into an embrace. His eyes teared up as he held her. It was beautiful. Ava smiled as she saw the display of the limitless love between parent and child.

"We thought we had lost you forever, Astrid… You don't know how hard that was for your mother," said Gino, his voice low and broken. It rather obviously hadn't been much easier for him.

"I'm so happy to see you again… I missed you and mom so much…" said Astrid warmly.

Ava continued to watch the tender moment and smile. She didn't dare interrupt. Eventually the scene ended on its own. Astrid pulled back and smiled at her father. She spoke. "Give Ava your report, father. I'm sure she's curious about everything that's happened."

"Of course," said Gino, stepping toward the throne. He looked at Ava. He spoke, "Astrid's return is not the only victory of the day."

"I see. It was but a flash in my memory, but I recall seeing more of our units active on the battle field as we flew through it. I'm not surprised," said Ava, partly under her breath.

"What was that? You flew through the battlefield, Empress?" asked Gino, shocked.

"Ava infiltrated Absolution's base to rescue me, father," said Astrid in a gentle voice. Gino's eyes widened.

"You accompanied that mercenary?" he said with surprise. "Where is she, by the way?"

"Megami Subarashii breached her contract and stayed with the enemy. Astrid and I were able to escape without her," said Ava, looking down.

"You certainly are a reckless Empress, taking things into your own hands," said Gino. "But I suppose I owe you my thanks for that."

"It's Astrid who got us out of there. There's little I did myself," said Ava, humbly.

"Yet my daughter wouldn't be here right now if it weren't for your actions," said Gino. "For that, you deserve my thanks."

"You're very welcome, Lord Weinberg," said Ava, closing her eyes and smiling.

"But anyway, I suppose you'll want the report," said Gino, giving a soft sigh.

"You said it was a victory, but no victory comes without cost," said Ava. "how many of my knights fell in battle?"

"One," said Gino. Ava was surprised by the low number.

"The name?" she asked quietly, somberly.

"It was the Knight of Five, Claudio," said Gino, his voice heavy.

Ava looked down. That man had always spoke of dying for her. The fact that her restored happiness came at the cost of his life, didn't sit well with her even if she knew the man would have wanted it that way himself. Deaths were always hard on her and this was no exception.

"I see. I'm sorry to hear that," said Ava, heaviness in her heart. "But for only one of our Rounds to lose his life in such a fight, it seems hardly feasible."

"Well there is a baffling little detail to this fight that lent to that," said Gino, nodding.

"What is that, sir?" asked Ava.

"We received aid from the EU's champions," said Gino.

"The EU? Odd… I made no request for assistance," said Ava. "I can't see what stake that man would have in this fight, yet he deployed his dogs…"

"Well, as a result we secured a complete victory over Absolution," said Gino. "For that, do we have right to complain?"

"Nemesio is certainly up to something here. We can't ignore that, even if today we enjoy our victory," said Ava, nodding. "So, New Pendragon was retaken?"

"It was. And all but one of the Absolution's masked leaders were secured and taken captive," said the Knight of One in a serious fashion. "As was the former Empress."

"You really meant it when you said 'complete', I suppose," Ava gave a laugh. "But the Japanese and Federation forces have regained their strength, I've heard. Even with this rousing victory, there's still a war to be fought."

"I suppose so," said Gino in a low voice.

"The other prisoners they held, I trust they are safe now?" asked Ava.

"They are," the man replied. Ava smiled.

"Anything else you have to report?" she asked.

"Nothing pressing. Full details are being compiled for you to look over," Gino said in a low voice.

"Good. In that case, you can take the rest of the day off, Lord Weinberg. Take your daughter home to see your wife," Ava said in a kind voice.

"Thank you," the man said. Ava stood.

"I'll see you again soon, Astrid," she said. The blonde took a step toward her. They embraced.

"Yes. You certainly will," Astrid said softly. She then placed an all too brief kiss on Ava's cheek, causing it to redden. Gino stared a little and smiled awkwardly, but didn't say anything.

---

Alfred Selwyn wore his typical oversized grin as he stared at the girl in front of him. She was rather lovely, even locked inside a massive fluid filled tube with instruments sticking into her body at several spots. She had come a long way from when Alfred had first seen her, but still was far from perfectly recovered.

"Now try and move your hand, girl," he instructed as he looked at her.

The girl didn't reply. She did however open and close her mechanical left hand perfectly. Alfred nodded. His mechanisms were in working order it seemed.

"Just like the others, this looks like it will be a perfect success, Miss Amarantha," said Alfred in a low voice.

"Thank you, Alfred. I wouldn't have this young beauty were it not for you," said Deifilia Amarantha, moving away from the two male patients in similar tubes and toward the girl.

"I doubt saving her would be out of your power, Miss Amarantha. You stole my retched life from the jaws of hell, if you don't recall," said Alfred with a sharp laugh.

"But restoring a lost limb is much easier with your science, and your enhancements only further her use to me. She wouldn't have been so obedient with my power alone either. With my understanding of the human mind, if I tried to tamper with hers, it's likely I would have destroyed it," said Deifilia, sighing.

"I suppose that much is true. These three will be made into true super soldiers, far outshining the first such specimen I worked on, Jeremiah Gottwald," said Alfred with a soft chuckle. "And of course, the drugs I'm administering them will act as a mental block, forcibly shutting out their existing memories and making them nothing but subservient to your will."

"You really are a genius, Alfred. I was right to save your life back then. It would have been a shame if Zero's Black Knights had really silenced your fine mind that day twenty years ago," said Deifilia with a smirk.

"I'm eternally grateful to you, Miss Amarantha," Alfred smiled again.

"What can I say, Alfred? I just have an inherently caring nature," said Deifilia. "And it was Eldridge who led me to that blood soaked hell that day."

"Of course. And your Sage deserves my thanks as well," said Alfred, with a nod. "But I am curious about these children. Have you found their names yet?"

"We recovered the names of those two but not this girl," said Deifilia, still looking at the girl.

"It might be better to just give them all new names. They won't be living as themselves anymore, you realize," said Alfred, closing his eye.

"Perhaps… but rather I think, why change them? I've already taken their bodies and their free will. Can't I at least let them keep their names?" asked Deifilia with a shrug.

"An interesting manner to phrase it, Miss Amarantha," said Alfred, giving another eerie laugh. "So what are the names then?"

Deifilia stepped toward the larger man, fairly young, but quite tall and muscular with steady eyes. "This young man's name is Bernard Farris. Information Naida has obtained for me from both Britannian and Absolution records indicate that he was a very new recruit to Absolution. He swore himself to their cause immediately after the Knight of Eight burnt his home town to the ground, killing his family and everyone he knew. He showed promise, but was captured by a team led by the Knight of Six during his first fight."

"Do you get some sort of pleasure out of knowing such things, Miss Amarantha?" asked Alfred, curious.

"No, my friend, it isn't like that. I merely wish to know about those I let close to me. If I am going to take care of them properly don't they deserve as much?" Deifilia smirked softly.

"So what of the second one then?" asked Alfred, laughing in defeat. He glanced at the second young man, this more small and wiry with sharp eyes and a grim smirk ingrained on his face.

"This one is called Lyall Gavin. He had been with Absolution since they first made themselves known to the world. He is the first son of a wealthy noble family in adamant support of our dear Empress. While a member of the group, he was disagreeable and at ends with his superiors. He was captured several months into the conflict by the Knight of Five's forces," said Deifilia in a soft voice.

"Sounds like some spoiled brat who joined Absolution just to rebel," Alfred gave a hard laugh.

"I suppose that is the obvious conclusion," sighed Deifilia. "But this girl… It really is a shame about her. If I had just had a prisoner number I would have access to her no doubt lovely name."

"It won't be the first time you've assigned a name to a young girl," said Alfred, sighing lightly.

"Ah, my dearest Ashlynn. When I picked that dazed child up, when I ran into her by chance, still haunted by ghosts of days long past, I had no choice. She had no name left to give," said the woman, a reflective sadness in her eyes.

"Neither does this child," said Alfred, nodding.

"Then I suppose I have no choice," said Deifilia. "This child shall be called Marcella. Marcella Belita."

"Interesting choice considering she's clearly of Japanese descent," Alfred commented.

"My understanding of that language is rudimentary at best, I'm afraid. This will suffice for now," said Deifilia beaming proudly at the child she had renamed.

"It's a fine name. She'll wear it proudly for you, I'm sure. She'll have little choice in the matter," said Alfred with a wry smile and a laugh.

"Yes," the woman nodded and smiled at the young Marcella.

---

Astrid wore a smile on her face as she softly knocked on the door to the castle study. Meeting with her mother had left her feeling very warm inside. She felt bad for leaving so promptly, after only seven hours, but she couldn't help it. She wanted to be here more.

"Yes, who's there?" Ava's voice called out softly.

"It's me, Ava," Astrid responded as she slowly opened the door.

"Astrid? Why are you back here?" asked Ava recognizing her voice immediately. "Shouldn't you spend the rest of the day with your mother?"

"Probably, I should," responded Astrid in a low voice as she entered the room; Ava was studying what looked like a full battle report. "But I couldn't stop thinking about you. I wanted to be with you most. I guess you're not the only one who can be a little selfish."

"I'm surprised. I honestly thought it'd take more time for you to warm up to me so much again," said Ava, looking straight at the girl.

"Even as I was losing hope, I never completely gave up on you, Ava. I love you that much. And you were nothing but honest with me today; I may not like what has happened, but I still like you, Ava," said Astrid in a soft voice.

"Astrid. I'm blessed to have you. I'm blessed to have anyone," said Ava, her voice becoming low.

Silence fell as Astrid walked toward her beloved. She wanted to refute the claim, but she still could not agree with how Ava had handled herself without her in the slightest. Instead she looked down at the desk in front of the girl.

"Battle details?" asked Astrid.

"Yes. It was a low casualty fight for the Rounds, but we still lost many soldiers. Civilian casualties were nor avoided entirely either. All in all, more blood was spilled on our side here then in any battle of this war so far," said Ava, her voice grim.

"But you won, Ava." said Astrid. "Those soldiers died bringing you victory. They died because they believe in your strength."

"I hope you're right, Astrid," said Ava giving a sigh.

"So, what's happened since I left?" asked Astrid after a brief pause, tilting her head.

"Not a lot. I only just received this report. I've seen almost no one," said Ava, shaking her head slightly.

"I see. Well, anything else interesting in there?" asked Astrid looking at the stack of documents.

"The identities of the leaders we've apprehended," said Ava, averting her eyes slightly.

"I see. Were they familiar names?" asked Astrid, closing her own eyes.

"Yeah," said Ava. "Their leader, the man in the Orange Mask, he is exactly who I had suspected since that assassin was captured and identified; Jeremiah Gottwald, known collaborator of Lelouch vi Britannia."

"I see," Astrid replied blankly, trying not to think about what her friend Amelia was going through.

"Other than that we had a former Knight of the Rounds who had went missing and was presumed dead and the former assistant head of our research wing," Ava said, and then with a little hesitance she added. "And Miya Ashford's parents."

"Miya…" Astrid said looking down. Miya and her were never particularly close during their school years together. They acknowledged each other, but Astrid had remained reserved from the girl for the most part. Ava on the other hand had counted the energetic girl as a dear friend, even if she would have likely denied it. Despite their somewhat passive relationship, Miya, now with Absolution, had visited Astrid infrequently during the last two months.

"She was with them, wasn't she?" asked Ava. "The report seems to indicate as much. It says she fought with Margaret this morning."

"She fought Margaret?" Astrid started, this kind of depressing her. Margaret's relationship with Miya was something of a parallel of Ava's with the girl, except perhaps even more open.

"Yes," Ava replied.

"That must have been hard for Margaret," said Astrid. "Miya seemed serious and committed whenever we spoke."

"It paid off for her. Margaret made a clean escape and found an important role on foot in helping secure the city, but she lost that fight," said Ava, her voice heavy.

"So what happened to Miya?" asked Astrid, looking down.

"Her unit was caught in a blast from Moore's machine. Her ejected cockpit was found, but it was empty. She survived it seems," said Ava, smirking softly.

"I see. I'm glad," said Astrid quietly. After a moment's pause, she then changed the topic of conversation slightly. "What are you going to do to the enemy leaders you've captured?'

"That's something of a dilemma for me," said Ava. "I can't let them off easy for this, but I can't bring myself to sign a one of them to their death."

"Perhaps it's best that way," said Astrid.

"Yeah…" Ava spoke quietly, smiling. Astrid smiled back at her. Silence fell for a long time as their eyes met and locked.

"Ava…" Astrid started in a meek voice.

"Yes, Astrid?" asked the Empress.

"Could I stay with you tonight?" Astrid asked, a blush gracing her pale white cheeks.

Ava blinked. "What was that, Astrid?" she asked tentatively.

"I want you to let me sleep in your bed with you tonight," said Astrid, her voice very soft and subtle.

"Astrid--! That's…" Ava stammered. "Are you sure?"

"I want you to hold me. I want you to show me the depth of your love," said Astrid, he face red. Ava turned completely flush as well.

"A-Astrid… shouldn't we wait a little…? I mean we only just were reunited," Ava started, clearly flustered, shaking her head.

"You may have spent two months thinking I was dead, but I spent two months clinging to the memory of our first kiss, of those beautiful words you said to me before I left for battle that day," said Astrid in a serious voice, her eyes becoming intense.

"I-I see… if you say it like that… I'd be happy to… t-to… let you sleep with me," said Ava shyly, squirming about cutely. Astrid couldn't hold back a giggle, even knowing it would only redden Ava's cheeks.

"I'm happy… Thank you, Ava…" Astrid said in a low, gentle coo.

---

Hiromi Tohdoh was furious. Absolution had been defeated. The Japanese and Chinese Federation forces allied with them had likewise been defeated. General Zhou was dead. The Guren had been destroyed, along with every other custom machine they had. And on top of everything else, Hiromi's best friend, even if she hadn't treated her as such of late, was in critical condition, doubtful to make a complete recovery.

The only lucky thing was that the custom unit pilots had all escaped the Britannian dominated hell alive. Hiromi, General Kozuki and her daughters, and Chaowei had all wormed their way to safety and were able to contact an escaping transporter ship. Chiharu had already been on that ship. Apparently, with the care it took to load Chiharu safely onboard, the ship only narrowly managed an escape, and it was at the cost of three of Absolution's Masks, who were being restrained just as it departed.

Hiromi was angry. What's more she felt sick. She had given her all in her fight against Hildegarde Waldstein, but had only managed a draw. Now there was this situation with Chiharu. Compounding everything by a factor of one thousand was the very sight of the woman pacing outside the room in which Chiharu was being treated. Hiromi had thus far restrained herself, but it was becoming impossible. No. It was impossible now. Hiromi couldn't stand it anymore.

"A disgusting traitor like you has a lot of nerve walking around here without restraints," Hiromi said, scowling bitterly, catching the woman's attention.

"There's not a lot I can say to that, Hiromi. I'm certainly a betrayer," said the insufferable nameless mercenary woman. This woman, in her arrogance, called herself "Megami", but Hiromi could never use that name. This was no goddess, not by any stretch of the word.

"You're the lowest human being I've ever encountered. A disgusting creature that cares only for itself. I don't know where you get off even thinking you're welcome here," said Hiromi, nothing but hate in her eyes.

"Sure. I agree with every word," the woman replied, putting her hands behind her head and closing her eyes.

"Don't brush me off like that, you bitch!" Hiromi shouted, clenching her fist and moving toward the woman.

"Easy. I'm in no mood to fight you today, Hiromi," said the woman, glancing toward Chiharu's door.

"It's your fault you know," Hiromi laughed. "You were there. You could have protected her. No one would give damn if you got filled with bullets."

"You're right. I could have done more for Chiharu. But I froze. I was conflicted. I made a mistake. I realize that," said the woman, closing her eyes.

"How can you speak so simply when, in all likelihood, Chiharu will never walk again because of this?" Hiromi started in a low, caustic roar.

"What do you want from me?!" the woman was finally showing a fragile sort of emotion. "I can't deny it! I can't hide from what's happened and wish it away!"

"I just want you to understand how low you really are," Hiromi said in pure contempt.

"I'm sorry, but I already know that better than anyone," said the woman, returning to a more quiet, but somehow shaky voice.

"We allowed you into our force as a mercenary and yet you sold yourself to the enemy as if it was nothing. You fought against us as if it was nothing and did nothing for the sake of imprisoned girl's like Yasuko whom you knew. Now this is how you come back to us? What a horrible joke," Hiromi spat with low-burning anger, glaring hard at the mercenary.

"What could I do for Yasuko? She was happy there," the woman said. Hiromi's eyes widened.

"What did you say?" she challenged. "Why would my sister be happy as an enemy captive?!"

"She was loved," the woman said, smiling. "The bond between her and that knight was one of the most pure, beautiful things I had ever seen."

Hiromi's rage exploded at these words. Her fist moved on a clear trajectory. She savored the feel as it slammed against the woman's cheek bone, sending her flying to the floor. Hiromi felt like kicking her afterward but instead scowled down at her and attacked with words.

"Fuck you!" she shouted furiously. "Don't ever talk to me again, don't ever look at me again, and don't ever let me see you again, or I swear on every inch of my being that I will kill you."

"Heh, might save me a lot of trouble," the woman said. Hiromi kicked her hard in the stomach and then left.

She felt a bit better.

---

Ava's chest felt tight. Her heart was beating rapidly. Her face was probably entirely red. She couldn't bring herself to look at Astrid. Still, she walked with the girl back to her room, their hands joined. Ava was so lost in her anticipation that she didn't notice when their path was obstructed by a certain woman.

"My, my, if it isn't little Astrid," the witch, D.D., sneered. "I wonder where the two of you could be off to together, hand in hand, at this hour…"

"Stand aside, witch, I don't have time for you," Ava said in a wobbly voice.

"Oh, I understand, I wouldn't be happy if someone was standing in the way of my hours of delicious reunion sex," D.D. said with a snide laugh.

"If you understand, then move out of the way," Astrid said boldly. Ava blushed; Astrid was pretty much admitting it.

"Oho, how cute," D.D. said smirking in satisfaction. "I only wish I could join in…"

"Well, you can't, so go away," Astrid snapped coldly. D.D. laughed hard this time.

"Whatever you say, kid," she said. "I saved her for you, you know, but I may want a taste eventually…"

"Come near Ava and I'll hurt you," said Astrid in a serious voice.

D.D. giggled again and stepped aside. "Whatever you say, girl. Have fun."

Her embarrassment only compounded now, Astrid led Ava the remaining lengths to her room. The room seemed strangely large Ava's legs felt weak. She wanted to sit down. Astrid led her to the bed. This only made things worse.

"That woman, her bluntness isn't good for you," Astrid said, a little frustrated.

"A-Astrid…" Ava said, not sure what else she could say.

"But tonight isn't about her. Tonight is about this," said Astrid as she sat down next to Ava, an arm wrapping around her. Ava looked up. Their lips met quietly.

Ava gave a quiet moan as the kiss ended just as quickly as it had begun. She looked in Astrid's eyes. "I love you," was all she could say. It was all she knew at the moment.

"And I love you," Astrid replied with a short giggle. Then she kissed her again. This kiss was a lot bolder. Ava almost gasped. Astrid's tongue left her mouth and licked softly at her lips. It was inviting. Ava knew what to do. She freed her own tongue and let it meet the other. It felt warm, and intense. Astrid only made it more intense. She held Ava tightly and let her tongue dart about Ava's mouth fully. The heat was so intense Ava felt like she would melt.

Then the kiss broke. Astrid stared at Ava expectantly. Ava knew what the girl wanted. She had changed out of the unfamiliar Absolution clothes and into her typical white Empress' garb hours ago. Now it was time to remove that as well. She started the long process of pulling of the intricate garb, starting with the attached cape. As she fumbled with the intricate jacket, she began to wonder if maybe she shouldn't start dressing more simply. If her and Astrid were going to do this a lot it might save some time.

Eventually, Ava worked her way down to her expensive, lacy black lingerie. She felt so vulnerable. Astrid's hand joining hers and guiding her back to the bed did a lot to ease her. Astrid's lips and tongue meeting her own did even more.

"You're so beautiful, Ava…" Astrid said in a low, sensual sigh as a long kiss broke. She then began to kiss Ava's neck as a hand went to Ava's exposed stomach.

Ava moaned loudly. The feel of it all was so intense. When Astrid's hands slipped up to her chest, she thought she'd go mad. Astrid smirked softly as she puled away from Ava's neck. Their eyes met followed quickly by their lips and then their tongues. Astrid's hands then wrapped around her, finding the clasp to her bra. Another long kiss broke, and with it Ava's chest was exposed.

She shivered at the sensation of the cool air on her tender flesh. She felt even weaker as Astrid's eyes stared at her with a foreign lust. Her heart jumped as the girl's hands brushed against the soft white flesh, clenching it tenderly. Ava could hardly believe this was happening, but it was. Astrid's mouth joined to hers again, as the girl's fingers twirled around her rapidly hardening nipples.

Ava broke this kiss to give a sharp moan at a slight pinch. Astrid giggled softly and bent forward, laying Ava down atop the bed. Crawling over her lover, Astrid placed another kiss at Ava's neck and trailed downward from there. Ava's whole body quivered as the girl reached her bust and placed kisses all along it before taking her right nipple into the warmth of her mouth.

A shaper moan sounded from Ava's lips, followed by a short gasp as she felt Astrid's tongue, hot atop her sensitive flesh. Astrid sucked and nibbled very softly at her chest, but as soft as it as it was maddening. A wealth of unbelievable sensations were sweeping over the young Empress as she held the girl to her chest.

Astrid's head bobbed back and over to Ava's other sizable breast. She kissed the soft mound hotly before rolling her tongue across nipple. Ava gave a loud, involuntary moan as that tongue doubled back three more times, coating the hard nub in a saliva. Ava tense as Astrid's hand then came to a rest atop her outer thigh. Was she ready for this? She didn't know, she just knew that she wanted to submit. She wanted Astrid to touch her. She held Astrid to her and relaxed her body as invitingly as she could.

Astrid's hand wavered deliberately down Ava's outer thigh and then up across her inner thigh. Ava gave a hard moan as she prepared for it. Astrid's lips momentarily let go of Ava's chest as her hand made contact, rubbing at the lacy fabric that covered Ava's most guarded parts. Ava could feel that fabric sticking to her. She couldn't rationalize where all the moisture had come from. It made her feel even more embarrassed, but it made Astrid smile.

Astrid pulled up and placed a long, tongue-filled kiss at Ava's mouth as the hand continued to pressure Ava's sex through what now felt like a cloth prison. The sensation was so strong it was mind-numbing. Ava knew it would only get stronger though. She welcomed that. She wanted to feel everything. She wanted to take in all of Astrid's love.

Astrid seemed to recognize her lover's readiness. She pulled back and straddled down Ava's body. Her hands found the hem of Ava's panties. They were removed in what seemed like hardly a seconds time. Ava tightened up again as anxiety hit her, but pleasure won out. She spread her legs slowly but fully, expiring everything to her beloved's sight.

Astrid bent forward quietly, smiling as she did. Her hand slipped up Ava's thigh again. Everything almost exploded just from the first contact of Astrid's finger gently moving across her exposed sex. Ava moaned loudly and eagerly, wanting to feel more. Astrid bent further down and her smile deepened. Her mouth opened to free her tongue. The gap between that tongue and Ava's most sensitive flesh was steadily reduced to zero.

The beautiful blonde kept things gentle and easy at first. Her tongue moved at a deliberate pace through Ava's heated slit. It was white-hot, but Ava could stand it. She could retain her sanity through the incessant rolling waves of pleasure. But Astrid didn't keep things so light very long.

Her tongue began to move more rapidly, flying up and down the sensitive opening, darting up at Ava's clit and all around inside her. Ava couldn't control herself through this. She writhed about and kicked her leg involuntarily. Then a sharp sensation shot through her and it all exploded out. In only a matter of seconds Astrid had pushed her over the edge. Her body shuddered as a massive orgasm overtook her.

Astrid gave a soft giggle as she pulled back, but she didn't say anything. Instead she straddled up over her lover and kissed her deeply. Ava reveled in the kiss. Her own taste on Astrid's lips whet her appetite. As they kissed, Ava rolled over on the bed, forcing Astrid down beneath her. Astrid giggled agin and gave her brightest smile.

"I want to make you feel good now, Astrid," Ava said, just under her breath.

"Please do, Ava," said the girl, sitting up. She had dressed herself in very simple clothes upon returning to her home. Her blouse and skirt came off effortlessly compared to Ava's attire, revealing a small, delicate body and pure, pale white flesh.

"Beautiful…" Ava whispered.

"I'm pleased you think so…" Astrid sighed, hardly phased as she received her lover's stares. She then reached behind and undid her simple white cotton bra herself.

Astrid's bust was quite slight in comparison to Ava's own, but that did not make it any less beautiful. The soft flesh was inviting. Ava couldn't help but be drawn to touch it. She did. Her fingers brushed very tentatively at Astrid's chest, only moving with great hesitation to one of the girl's already perfectly erect nipples. Once she did touch there, she didn't stop. She rolled the hardened nub between her thumb and finger gently, applying just a little more pressure as time passed.

Her hand still at the girl's right breast, Ava bent in to plant a kiss at the left. One kiss turned into several, each radiating toward the center. Then, she did what Astrid had done to her. Her tongue stretched out and rolled gently over Astrid's nipple. Astrid gave a low, pleasured coo as Ava began to move her tongue more swiftly. A short moan came as Ava took the hard nub fully into her mouth and sucked on it softly, still rolling her tongue across it inside.

Ava moved to provide the same attention to Astrid's other breast. She showered it with warm affection. Astrid's hand reached down and joined with hers. It was warm. Then that hand slipped up and guided Ava's. It guided it straight to the girl's inner thigh. Astrid was trying to push things along. Ava wanted to oblige her love. It was not without hesitation, but, as her tongue still massaged the flesh of the girl's breast, her fingers quivered slowly upward to feel Astrid's panties. When they finally reached that target, Ava was greeted with an incredible heat, an impossible dampness. It was enough to get her to pull away from Astrid's cute chest and refocus downward.

Astrid was already pulling off her panties. She pulled them all the way down her beautiful legs and tossed them aside before spreading her legs boldly for Ava, no signs of the once shy girl showing at all. Ava stared ahead transfixed. She could now see everything, every part of the beautiful girl she loved. She didn't deserve her. She knew she didn't. But here she was, offering her body to Ava. She couldn't refuse, not when she needed Astrid so much.

She bent forward quietly, lust overtaking her for a moment. If for once that night, she didn't show hesitation; she just bent in and let her tongue brush against the sopping wet flesh, tasting it. Ava reveled in the taste. She ran her tongue through the girl's slit, enjoying the warmth it radiated and the naughty squelching sounds her tongue made coursing through it. She couldn't stop. Astrid was moaning in pleasure. Her hands went to the back of Ava's head and brushed through her hair, only furthering Ava's desire.

Ava lost herself then. The lust was too great. She wanted nothing more than to make Astrid feel as good as possible. Her tongue went wild. It moved faster than she would have thought it could without becoming exhausted. She presented every inch of that beautiful slit with as much tongue as possible, but eventually set herself at attacking the girl's engorged clit, as this seemed to prompt the strongest, cutest moans.

Astrid moaned and moaned as Ava furthered her efforts. Her hands at Ava's head pushed down needfully. Ava tried her best to fulfill expectations, and kept pace. Astrid's leg kicked out and she gave a short cry. Then several spasms came and a long sustained moan before her body finally relaxed. Ava pulled away and licked her lips. She stared down at her lover and crawled over her, embracing her, kissing her mouth.

They kissed deeply for what seemed like forever. Astrid seemed very pleased by Ava's efforts, as it was rather apparent she was trying her best to reward them in the kiss. The embrace was tight to the point of being suffocating, but Ava like it that way. She wanted Astrid as close to her as possible.

As they were embracing, Astrid's knee raised up suddenly between Ava's legs. Ava broke the kiss to give a high moan as it brushed again her already deeply excited again sex. Astrid giggled and then moved her legs around a little while pushing Ava back. Ava's eyes widened as she understood the plan. She had hardly recognized such a thing as possible before, but now she wanted it. Astrid continued pushing her body down Ava's split legs until there was contact.

Both girls moaned high as Astrid's warm, moist sex made first contact against Ava's own. The sensation was incredible. Then Astrid began to move. It was mind-numbing. The girl made thrust after thrust, her body moving up and down, grooving hard against Ava. Each motion brought a moan from both girls. It was intoxicating. Ava, in deep lust, began to move herself.

Each girl gave thrust after thrust in harmony, finding a clear pattern. The slippery, wet surfaces rubbed against one another easily, providing a beautiful friction that made Ava's entire body shake in delight. She quickened her pace. Astrid swiftness to keep up. Soon they were both panting and moaning. Ava could feel herself start to really sweat at the exertion, but she didn't slow down. Neither did Astrid.

The room was filled with the sounds of heavy breaths, high girlish moans and the slippery sound of wet flesh on wetter flesh. Ava could feel all the combined sensations welling up inside her as an overwhelming pleasure. It was too much. She couldn't take it anymore. One hard push by Astrid set her off and she gave a cry, before her body shook and tightened through pleasure overwhelming. She was so caught up in that, she hardly noticed Astrid behaving similarly, her own cry seemingly having set the girl off on the path to her own powerful climax.

Both girls fell backwards, their bodies relaxing. A minute passed before Astrid straightened herself up on the bed next to Ava and took the girl into an embrace. Ava kissed her lover softly, gently and looked into her eyes. Neither said anything. They both just giggled gleefully. They were happy. If nothing else worked out, their love would always be enough.

---

Megami Subarashii gave a sigh. Her jaw hurt. She deserved the pain. Hiromi was right to hate her. She didn't really like herself all that much at the moment. She was low. She had betrayed Ava's expectations and allowed Chiharu to get shot. Her indecision had led to what was probably a mistake. If she had restrained Chiharu then, like Ava asked, Astrid wouldn't have had to shoot her. It was that simple, but Megami hadn't been able to do anything. She had just let it happen.

Admittedly, she couldn't have known that Astrid was a girl resourceful enough to find a gun while still technically an enemy prisoner, but would Megami really have felt any better if it had been Ava's blood she had seen back then? She knew the answer without having to think about it. It caused her to curse herself.

The medics had succeeded in bringing Chiharu to a stable condition but Megami had yet to see her. They weren't allowing her any visitors until the morning. Megami couldn't rightly wait for that, so she had slipped in. She stared down at the girl, sleeping peacefully, looking herself. It pained her heart thinking about the pain this girl must be feeling.

"M-Megami…" Chiharu, apparently not asleep, started, her eyes opening.

"Chiharu, you should rest… we'll talk later… when you've had more time to get better," said Megami, her voice quiet.

"But I'm not going to get better… right?" Chiharu said, her voice heavy with a latent fear. "I can't move anything below my waist… stuff like that doesn't just go away…."

"You will get better, Chiharu. I swear it," Megami said clenching her fist.

"M-Megami…?" Chiharu started, her voice weak and feeble.

"I don't want to… I really don't want to…. but I have no choice. To fix this… there's no choice," said Megami.

"Megami? W-what are you--?" Chiharu started, appearing so fragile in Megami's eyes.

"I'm taking you, Chiharu. As soon as you can be moved I'm taking you to someone who can fix you," said Megami, closing her eyes, clenching her fist and swallowing the last of her pride.

"I'm not sure anyone can help me… this is…" Chiharu teared up, her hands were trembling under the bed sheets.

"I know someone who can help, Chiharu, and I'm not just saying that to give you hope. I never wanted to rely on her again… but…" Megami started. "But for now, get some rest, okay?"

"B-but--" Chiharu spoke up, clearly wanting to argue the hopelessness of her situation more. Instead she gave a nod. "Okay, Megami. Good night..."

Thanks to strong medication, the girl was fast asleep before Megami had even left the room.

Megami sighed as she emerged into the ship corridor. She really didn't want to go back, but it was her only choice. She needed to correct her mistake. She needed a miracle to do that. Despite the name she had chosen, she was no goddess. It would take a real goddess to grant this miracle.

A/N: End chapter. Yay! 27 chapters after confessing to Ava, Astrid finally got her to have sex with her. Fun. Their multipart reunion was the overall focus of this chapter. Their relationship has changed considerably. Astrid no longer has a shred of shyness when dealign with Ava and has actually become rather dominant in the relationship, while Ava is humble and just grateful to have Astrid's love at all. But, the scenes in between provided some interesting setup. Absolution is defeated and most of its leaders taken prisoner. The four remaining key members, led by Sayoko, have set their sights on Ava for assassination. Richter was approached by Philip with intents of brining him and Deifilia together. Speaking of whom, she now has renamed Yasuko who she has on path to become brainwashed super cyborg; sounds like fun. Hiromi displayed her intense hatred for Megami rather clearly, but she won't have to tolerate Megami long if the latter really intends to whisk the paralyzed Chiharu away as soon as possible.

Anyway, it was overall fun. Hope you liked it. As for the poll I ran last week, I'm still yet to reach a definitive decision but I'm getting there. I have two couples in mind made up of characters listed as poll choices, but I've yet to narrow it to one or the other or just decided firmly to go with both. Amelia and Margaret are really doing best at the moment but Hiromi, Xuemei and Eilith all have a strong showing as well. I'm going to leave voting open a while longer, as I'm not at a solid decision quite yet. This has however made me curious about what the results of the massive character poll will be when I eventually do it.

I couldn't mange an extra in a timely fashion again, hough not without trying. I even told daiki-kasho I was doing one, but inspiration died completely after an hour of staring blankly at a page while feeling stupid started and now think I'd rather just post this then sit around and wait for it again. Sorry. I'll try and get better with these things in the future.

Items to be added to the info page with the next update:

Bernard Farris

Lyall Gavin

Marcella Belita