A/N: I'm excited for this chapter. This one is going to be humorous too toward the end, maybe even more so than the last one. You'll see why shortly.

Disclaimer: Too excited to write one right now.

Chapter 36

Thanksgiving Part 3

About ten minutes earlier

Rolo P.O.V.

Information.

That's what I need out of Ami Anderson…if that's even her real name.

I've yet to ask a question though and that fact bothers me. For the past five minutes we've been walking along the campus in silence.

My hand is still holding hers. I'm not sure why I haven't pulled away yet. Maybe it's because this girl resembles the woman who saved me so many years ago…the woman who I just found out is really alive and well, though there's no way to tell where she is at this point.

Glancing down at her, I notice that she's staring up at the now black sky.

"Um…Ami…" I trailed off, unsure of why I was suddenly feeling…what is this feeling? Nervousness?

"Yes?"

I swallow the lump in my throat. "I never thanked you properly for saving my life last week."

Ami's gaze locked with mine. "You don't have to thank me Rolo. Besides, right now I'm just grateful to be away from the madness that was going on inside the house."

"Yeah," I replied, feeling a blush rising on my face. "Come on Rolo, get it together. You need information on Rei. Focus. Get the information and kill her."

"Plus, I like being able to see the stars in the sky," Ami continued, shaking me from my thoughts. "I haven't been able to really look at them in a long time."

"Why not?" I asked. Inwardly I berated myself for asking such a useless question, but something about Ami was…intriguing.

"My life has been a little complicated lately," she replied, turning her gaze back toward the stars. "The sudden move from the homeland, the disappearance of Rei's grandpa, Chad's death, and so many other things…it wasn't long ago that I was in the hospital you know."

I didn't know, but I pretended to.

"My mother is a doctor and some of her colleagues worked at the hospital I stayed at," she continued. "When she found out I was here instead of in the homeland…you see…she thought I left on a trip to Greece for school…so when she found out I was here…"

"Did she yell at you?"

Ami nodded. "We had an argument once she arrived at the hospital. She took some shifts there to keep an eye on me. But then…"

"Then what?"

"There was a shooting at the hospital during the Black Rebellion," Ami replied. "I managed to escape, but I don't know what happened to her."

"That's strange," I thought, stopping as we reached the front of the campus. "Do you think she's dead?"

Ami stayed silent for a long moment. Her gaze turned toward the ground.

"I…I don't know."

Something deep inside me told me to give her hand a gentle squeeze. I did so and a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. Her gaze shifted toward our entwined hands.

"Rolo, tell me…" she began, "why did you bring me out here? I know it wasn't just to thank me."

"She's intuitive."

"Guess you caught me," I told her. Maybe instead of just getting information, I should use her to get closer to Rei. The question is how to do so.

There was silence between us for a long moment as I contemplated my next move. Ami waited patiently without saying anything, but her eyes were still asking questions of me.

"I wanted to ask you…"

Meanwhile

Lita P.O.V.

"This place is a mess."

"It was fun though."

I paused in scrubbing the carpet to get a good look at Suzaku. He sat at the table with his right arm resting on it. His emerald eyes were locked on the scraps of casserole lingering on his left hand. There was a small, serene smile on his face.

"Suzaku…why did you come back?"

He gasped and locked his gaze on me, but by that time I had already gone back to scrubbing.

"What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean," I replied, pausing again. "This place…it was Euphemia that picked this school for you right? After you were acquitted of Clovis's murder?"

Suzaku sighed. "Yes. She was."

"Then why?" I asked again, forcing myself to work and talk at the same time. "Doesn't this school remind you of her…of the pain? It can't be easy for you…knowing that the person that killed her…"

"Don't say it," Suzaku cut in. "I understand what you mean. So Rei told you why I'm here then?"

"She told Serena and Ami as well," I told him. "We are her best friends. What do you expect?"

"Betrayal."

My hand ceased to move once again, but this time I didn't intend to pick up where I left off. Instead, I rose to my feet and faced him, determined to make something clear to him.

"You can't assume that all friendships end that way!" I snarled, slapping my hand on the table in front of him. "We'd never hurt Rei on purpose nor would we ever abandon her or sell her out. We're a team bound by a sacred oath to protect. That's not something any of us are going to back out of."

"You asked for my opinion Lita," he replied, barely lifting his gaze from his hand. "I gave it."

His reasoning cooled my temper, but I still felt offended. "Suzaku…just because Lelouch…"

"Don't," he cut in again. "It's difficult to even be in his presence, let alone talk about him when he's not around. I'm only here to keep an eye on things and to protect the residents of Area 11."

My shoulders sagged a bit. "Fine, I understand now." Turning away, I kneeled back on the floor, returning to work yet again.

"Besides Lita, you and the others are bound by a sacred oath right? You couldn't break it…even if you wanted to."

I refused to answer, choosing instead to keep scrubbing. With an effort, I sprayed more carpet stain remover on the carpet or area rug rather since it didn't cover the entire floor. Most of the cleaning would include moping up the hardwood on the outskirts of the room. For that I'll need…

"Then again, that didn't stop Rei from breaking hers."

I paused again. "What do you mean?"

"She told him didn't she…about her real identity before he lost his memories?" he asked. "Isn't that breaking the sacred oath? Didn't you all swear not to tell anyone your secret. After all, knowledge of your powers getting out could bring danger to the people you hold dear."

I clutched the washcloth in my hand tighter. "And your point?"

"The point is that no friendship is perfect Lita," Suzaku stated. "Betrayal is imminent."

"You're right that no friendship is perfect," I replied, sighing as I did. "I've fought with my friends before and sometimes we make each other angry. Sometimes I can't stand them, but at the end of the day, we're still a team. They're my family and nothing can change that. And I know that I can always depend on them because they have my best interest at heart. That's what real friends are."

"And what of your actual family Lita?" he questioned, bitterness etched in his tone. "What about them?"

I went back to scrubbing as I spoke. "My parents died a long time ago in a plane crash. My friends are my family. Before I met them though, I had to do everything by myself. I had to face the world alone."

"Lita…I didn't…"

"I know you didn't," I interrupted, inclining my head so I could see him. "It's okay Suzaku. Things are different now. I have four sisters I can depend on through thick in thin no matter what life throws our way. We may not be related, but blood has never really mattered to me anyway."

"Four? Aren't there only four of you?"

I laughed at his puzzled expression. "No. Our friend Mina went to America…excuse me, Area 1, before Rei hightailed it here. When she left, her father had been diagnosed with a nearly terminal brain tumor. We haven't had contact with her since she left, but I get the feeling she'll come back someday." I turned away. "Anyway, the five of us make up our team, so we've been one short for a long while."

"I understand…um Lita?"

"What now?" I asked, digging the washcloth into the carpet. "If you keep talking to me I won't be able to finish."

"I'm sorry, but it's important. It's about…the Celestial Knights."

In another area of the student council clubhouse

Rei P.O.V.

The automated doors to the student council room open. The room is dark and there's no sign of Rolo or Ami anywhere.

"Think they're in one of the back rooms in here Rivalz?" I asked, stepping into the room with my companion close behind.

"I don't think they'd hide out in here…though…"

There was an odd tone to his voice. "Though what?" I asked, turning to face him. There was an evident blush on his face. Despite it being dark I could see the red on his face clearly.

I raised an eyebrow. "Rivalz, are you alright?"

The automated doors closed behind him as he fully entered the room. Now that the doors had closed I could barely see him.

He stepped forward, a serious look in his eyes. "Rei…there's something I want to say to you."

"Oh, no, not this again," I thought, taking a step backward. "Rivalz, is this really a good time?"

"It may be the only time I have to tell you," he replied, placing his hands on my shoulders. Almost immediately I'm reminded of D.D. and that creep from the alley, but I don't let it show…not yet.

"Rivalz, everyone will be expecting us back soon," I told him, slowly backing out of his grip. With measured calmness I walked toward one of the back rooms. "Now help me look so we can leave."

For a long moment there's silence in the room as I twist the knob on the first door. This must be a storage…

Arms suddenly lock around my shoulders. The gesture is a gentle one, but my body tenses anyway. I didn't like where this was going.

"Rivalz…"

He interrupts me by turning me around. My back presses into the wall next to the open door. The look in Rivalz's eyes is filled with intense longing.

Not good. Definitely not good. This is colossally bad! Bad! Bad! Bad!

I know Rivalz wouldn't rape me, but after the last two attempts by those dirty creeps…I didn't want to take any chances on anyone and especially with someone I wasn't particularly attracted to.

Guess this is the price you pay for leading someone on.

"Rei please listen to me," he pleads, staring into my eyes so deeply I don't know what to do but I know that I have to do something and do it right now.

"Uh…Rivalz…I don't know if this…"

"Just hear me out," he cut in, his hands barely tightening on my shoulders. "I want you to know the truth."

"The truth…about what?" I questioned, hoping that keeping him talking would buy me some time to come up with a plan to escape.

"Rei, I don't know any other way to tell you, accept to do this…"

Rivalz begins to lean in, his eyes closing by slow degrees. My heart starts pounding. I have to bite down on my tongue to keep myself from screaming. Now is definitely the time to push him away or let him know that I'm really not interested in kissing him.

Then again, maybe I should let Rivalz kiss me. Maybe that would stop the dreams of kissing Lelouch from floating around in my head. He has Shirley and I could learn to accept Rivalz, he's a great guy…so…it might not be so bad.

But as he leans closer my body tenses. His eyes are completely closed now as his hands reach up to cup my face. His lips are only a few inches away from mine and I don't want them to make contact.

"RING!"

Rivalz stops and it's not a second later that he opens his eyes and takes my phone from out of the pocket of my black pinstriped blazer, which had been stained with remnants of the potato salad.

"What is it?" he asked.

I held back a sigh of relief.

"No…Milly it's not like that…did you find them or not?"

He moved further away from me as Milly spoke on the other end of the phone.

"Okay. We'll meet you there in a minute." He turned toward me. "Milly and Serena found them. They're in front of the school."

"Together?" I asked, my voice sounding breathless.

Rivalz nodded before handing me my phone. "You should call Lelouch. Tell him and Shirley the good news."

Rivalz isn't usually sarcastic in nature, but I'm sure that the disappointment of not being able to kiss me has upset him. My cell phone saved me. With a small smile on my face I dial for Lelouch.

In the upstairs area of Lelouch's house

A few minutes earlier

Shirley P.O.V.

"Well, they're not in Rolo's room," Lelouch stated with a sigh, "and I doubt they'd be in my room…"

"We should check just to make sure," I told him, clenching my hands to my sides. This is it. This is the moment where I finally make my move.

I don't think Rei is trying to win Lelouch's heart. I don't think Lelouch is trying to fall for her either. However, those two have major chemistry. They're comfortable around each other and without realizing it they constantly flirt with one another.

I'm not a fan of it.

Something has to be done to ensure that Lelouch won't fall for her. I don't know Lelouch as well as I'd like to. For that reason, I don't know what he's inclined to do at any point or time. What I can see is how he looks at Rei and how she looks at him sometimes. Those two have a connection, a connection that needs to be severed here and now.

A blush is rising on my face, but swallowing my fear, I follow Lelouch into his room. Glancing around, I note that it's neat and tidy aside from a shirt laying on the back of his desk chair. There's an open book lying on the covers of his bed, signifying that maybe he'd been reading before we had arrived.

"Well, they aren't here," Lelouch said after a moment. He shrugged his shoulders and turned to face me. Even covered in scraps of food, he was insanely handsome. It should be a crime for anyone to look that good.

A small laugh falls from my lips as I'm reminded of the time Milly instigated that cross dressers ball. Lelouch had been vehement about not dressing up, but once he had…well you could say that I lost my self confidence as a girl.

"What's so funny?" he asked, blinking at me in confusion.

I shook my head. "Nothing Lulu. I was just thinking that Rei was right, you do look like a kid with all that food covering you."

He let out a soft chuckle. "Oh, are you going to tease me too now Shirley?"

Boldly I took another step toward him. Lifting my hand, I wiped my index finger across his cheek, which had been clad with a giant glob of casserole. An instant later, I pluck the bit of food into my mouth, savoring the chicken flavor. "It's still tasty."

Lelouch smirked. "You know, you've got casserole on your cheek too."

The blush that had been on my face darkened. "There is?"

"Yeah," he answered, leaning forward. "Let me take care of it…"

"RING!"

A vein was ready to pop out of my head. "Seriously! Now of all times."

Lelouch pulled back from me and reached into his coat pocket. His eyes scanned the caller I.D. on his phone. "It's Rei."

Another vein is ready to pop out of my head. "I can't believe this. My moment ruined…by my competition!"

"Did you find them?" Lelouch questioned. He gave a nod. "Okay, we'll meet you there." After shutting his phone he took a hold of my hand. "Let's go Shirley. They're in the front courtyard of the main campus building."

"Why on Earth would Rolo and Ami be there?" I asked, still a bit sore for losing my opportunity.

"Not sure," Lelouch replied, "though I have a hunch."

Back to the main courtyard

Ami P.O.V.

"So what do you say Ami?"

I blinked once, twice, three times. I blinked a fourth time to ensure that I was actually awake and in the present.

"Rolo, would you mind running that by me again?" I asked, completely frazzled. "I'm not sure if I heard you right."

He smiled shyly. "I said I wanted to ask if you'd mind going on a date with me."

I thought that was what he said, but my brain is not computing correctly. To be blunt, it's a frazzled mess now thanks to this simple request Rolo has made.

If I were a normal girl and Rolo were a normal boy, then there wouldn't be much of a problem, but that's not the case here. I am the senshi of ice and Rolo is a spy for Britannia's operation of secret intelligence. We are enemies.

So imagine my confusion over his proposal. I can think of only one reason for why he would do this. He wants information out of me on Rei and maybe on the Celestial Knights. That's if he suspects us anyway.

To him, refusing this offer will imply that I have something to hide. He's got me cornered whether he knows it or not. Still, if he wanted information, why didn't he ask me here when he had plenty of opportunity to do so?

This is a dangerous situation, but I have to take it. There's a possibility that I may be able to claim some information out of him. If I can get close to him, the probability of getting easier access to the O.S.I. facility will be higher. Maybe then, Rei will be able to get accurate information regarding her brother and Nunnally as well.

"Sure," I told him. "I'd like that."

He blinked in surprise. "Really? You would?"

I nodded. "Yes. It sounds like it would be enjoyable." Inwardly I cringed at my choice of words. If I'm going to convince Rolo that I'm not part of the Sailor Scouts or the Celestial Knights, I'm going to have to act more casual.

"Great…so is there anywhere in particular that you want to go?" Rolo asked.

The question hadn't been expected, but I was able to come up with a adequate answer after a moment. "I've heard that Clovisland is a nice place to go. The Christmas season has started, so I imagine that it'll be nice…"

"And we can tag along to chaperone!"

Oh, dear. Please don't let that be who I think it is.

I inclined my gaze backward only to be met by the sight of Milly Ashford and Serena. Both of them were smiling deviously. In another life, the two of them could have been sisters. Thank the stars that it didn't come to pass in this lifetime.

"Serena, Milly…" I began, a blush rising on my face, "how long have you two been watching us."

Milly lifted up her cell-phone. "Long enough for me to collect video footage for my blog. This'll be perfect for the psychology club's analysis on male/female dating."

"Madame President, that's not…"

"Don't worry Rolo," Serena cut in, "Milly's joking." She inclined her gaze up toward the student council president. "Right?"

"Sure, sure."

I didn't believe the girl for a second.

"In any case, we were wondering what had happened to you two," Serena continued. "I guess the food fight got a little out of control, huh?"

"Definitely," I replied, scowling a little. "I didn't appreciate my casserole getting flung all about the room Serena."

The future queen giggled nervously. "Sorry about that. Rei and I got carried away."

"Yeah, after you started it." Rei's voice cut in. Her silhouette appeared from a little ways off. Rivalz was close behind, but he did not look happy whereas Rei was a ray of bright sunshine.

Serena sighed. "Actually, you started it Rei."

My expression probably deadpanned. Rolo sighed from behind me.

"What?" Serena questioned, fixing her sapphire gaze on us. "At least I'm not trying to set up a date in secret."

Rei's ray of sunshine attitude faded as soon as the words fell from Serena's mouth. I know Serena was just teasing me, but to Rei, Rolo was a real threat to us. He was the enemy after all. Even so, Serena has always believed that anyone can change. She must think that there's a possibility that Rolo could actually be a good person underneath his shady job description.

I'm not sure if I can agree with that mindset yet, but I want to find out for sure.

"We're going out on a date," I stated, smiling timidly. "Right Rolo?"

A blush colored Rolo's cheeks. "Uh…yeah."

"I see," Rei replied, a smirk on her face now. There's going to be an interrogation waiting for me when we get back to the mansion. I can't say that I'm looking forward to it.

"There they are!"

The others glanced back as Lelouch and Shirley approached, hand in hand. Rei abruptly turned back toward me, her gaze suddenly distant.

Milly smiled at them. "Took you guys long enough to get here. You missed a great show."

"Huh?" Shirley questioned. "What do you mean prez?"

In the next second, Milly was striding toward me and Rolo. She laced an arm over my shoulders and another over Rolo's. "These two shy lovebirds are dating now."

Rolo's blush darkened. "Milly…I just asked Ami on a simple outing. We're not…"

"All good things come in due time," Milly interrupted, smirking at Lelouch. "Looks like your brother is finally exuding some of your charm."

Lelouch groaned audibly at Milly's choice of words. "Rolo, when exactly were you going to tell me about this?"

"Well, I was going to this morning but…"

"Come on Lula, who Rolo decides to date is his business," Rei cut in, placing her hands on her hips. "Besides, you should be worried about how your going to make up this night to Shirley. Milly told me that you two haven't been going out as much. How do you expect anything to blossom out of that."

Rivalz's lips tugged upward in a smile. "I couldn't agree more."

Rei didn't audibly respond to Rivalz, but her eyes reflected that she hadn't intended for this result.

"He's my brother," Lelouch replied, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "Of course it's my business. And why are you concerned about me and Shirley? It's not like you've gone on any dates with Rivalz."

Rei let out an exasperated sigh. "You idiot! I just got out of the hospital last week! Do you expect me to feel up to going out on the fly like that?"

"Well, you're out and about now aren't you? You seemed pretty energetic when you were slamming casserole into my face."

"That was different. I was angry at you. You were being a colossal jerk."

"And you were being an immature brat!"

"IMMATURE!"

"YEAH! IMMATURE!"

Well, at least some things never change around here.

A/N: And that ends this chapter everybody. It wasn't as humorous as I would've liked, but I enjoyed writing it. Stay tuned. More action is coming. From here on out, this story is going to start moving in a faster pace, which means more time skips. Be prepared.