A/N: Well.. school is done for the summer :DDD ah but I start again in a couple weeks *sobs* but for now kekeke, here's the next chapter :D

Lelouch: About time you got back…*mumbles the disclaimer*

Kari: *shoots glares at Lelouch* Shut it big mouth! *hiss*

Linamae: Karichan-senpai only owns me, Z.Z., the Rosen and Sorale :D Please R&R


Linamae sighed inside her Infinity mask as Z.Z. trailed her from behind, "Z.Z. I need you to get back to Sorale, I'll take care of C.C. alright?" she turned toward him, making him stop abruptly.

Z.Z. stared at her for a few moments, contemplating her words before letting out a deep sigh, "Alright…but…please…promise me she'll be alright…" his expression twisted into one of concern.

Infinity nodded at him with determination, placing a hand on his shoulder, "I promise…I'll make sure she's fine…"

Z.Z. paused before nodding once more and hesitantly walking away. Linamae's shoulders sagged in exasperation before she headed for Zero's private quarters.

"No wait! I was kidding!" Linamae looked up as the doors slid open to reveal C.C. about to slip her top off before she fell to the ground, shielding her head from Lelouch's approaching form.

"I'm sorry! Please don't beat me hard again!" C.C. squealed.

Linamae stepped into the room, removing her mask before turning to Lelouch in confusion, "I-It's not what it looks like!" he turned to Linamae in defense.

Linamae sighed before walking toward C.C. and starting to gently console the frightened girl, 'So…she really has lost her memories…' Linamae kneeled next to C.C. and placed a gentle hand on said witch's shoulder.

C.C. turned to her, "M-Mistress…"

Linamae smiled gently at her, "It's alright…we're not here to hurt you…"

C.C. paused unsurely before nodding, "Y-Yes mistress…thank you…"

A beeping sound from the screen behind Lelouch interrupted the conversation, startling C.C. and making her crawl away from the two teenagers in alarm, "Master Lelouch" a familiar voice called as Linamae stared after C.C.

"Yes Jeremiah" Lelouch answered, "What is it?"

"Forgive my interruption my lord, but…an important matter calls for yours and Lady Linamae's attentions in the prisoner's brig"

Linamae stood up in response, "Very well Jeremiah…" Linamae responded, slipping on her mask.

"We'll be there shortly" Lelouch called before the communications cut off.

Lelouch slipped on his mask and left the room, Linamae following after, but not before taking one last look at C.C., "Stay here alright..? We'll be back soon…" she spoke gently to the green haired girl hiding behind the couch.

C.C. immediately straightened up, "Y-Yes mam!"

Linamae sighed once more before following after Lelouch, letting the door slide shut behind her. They both made their way to where Jeremiah had requested; upon entering, their gazes fell upon a familiar violet-haired figure, tied up in a chair, with Jeremiah bowing on one knee by the door to welcome them.

"So…you got her out of there…inside of the Southerland's cockpit…" Linamae spoke once the doors slid shut and as she took off her mask, Lelouch mirroring her actions.

"Please forgive me…" Jeremiah explained, "you ordered me to destroy them all but…killing a member of the Britannian royal family was just-"

"Forget it" Lelouch declared.

"Uh.." Jeremiah flinched.

"Lelouch means to say…" Linamae turned to Jeremiah, then gave a slight glare to Lelouch, making him chuckle.

"Rather I should say…well done…" Lelouch smirked, not taking his eyes off of Cornelia.

"Tell me Lelouch…what is it you are seeking within that accursed power" Cornelia growled, scowling as she glared at her half brother.

"What am I seeking..?" Lelouch scowled back at his sister, "I'm seeking to save a sister that I adore…" he smoothly explained.

Cornelia flinched, anger rising as she seethed, "How dare you!" she growled.

"And…a woman that I love…" he spoke, much gentler now as he took Linamae's hand, still not taking his eyes off of Cornelia.

Linamae breathed down the blush creeping up her neck as she also continued to stare at the older girl that she had grown to love as her own sister, "Speaking of…Linamae, what of you? Why have you taken to terrorism? You are to be the future Empress of Japan! Why have you-"

"Because I've something to fight for!" Linamae glared, "…to regain Japan…to make the ones I love happy once more…" her eyes visibly saddened, "Even if it means…sacrifices must be made…" she felt Lelouch's hand clench hers, "For a peaceful world…for justice to be served…I will stay by Lelouch's side to acquire the peace that those I love will be able to live in in the future…" her voice shook as she continued glaring at Cornelia.


Zero followed Infinity into his private quarters, both slipping off their masks as the door closed. Linamae sat on the couch where C.C. had been hiding behind, her shoulders sagging as she sighed. Lelouch walked over after a moment and took her into his arms, both of them staying silent and just holding one another, the green haired girl staring at them in curiosity from the couch across from the couple.

After a moment, Linamae gently pushed Lelouch away to look at the green haired girl, "C.C…." she called, making the woman sit up.

"Y-Yes!"

Linamae smiled and stood up, "I have something for you…" she walked toward the door with her mask on and disappeared for a minute before returning with a cart, a silver cover on top of it, "You must be hungry by now" she smiled as she once again removed her mask.

Lelouch turned from smiling at Linamae to smile at C.C., "It's called pizza" he smiled as Linamae removed the cover to reveal said food, still steaming hot. Lelouch walked over and took the pan before walking toward C.C., "We really wanted you to have some…so we asked Sukiyama to help us out" Lelouch explained as Linamae took a seat back on the couch that they had occupied a moment ago. She smiled gently as she watched Lelouch interact with his immortal, allowing her to eat the pizza.

'The United Federation of Nations…' her smile slowly disappeared as she dove deep into her thoughts, 'I can't bring up Sorale now…Lelouch is going through too much as it is…' her eyes drifted to the frightened C.C. '…and I promised Z.Z. that I would take care of C.C. while he's taking care of Sorale. There's too many things going on at once now…Z.Z.'s wish...Suzaku as the Black Knights' enemy…Nunnally in danger of the emperor…Kallen's capture…' she shook her head, her eyes shut tightly.


Linamae turned to C.C. as Lelouch spoke on the phone, "Hey…don't leave this room alright?" she smiled.

C.C. looked up from the magazine she was reading as Lelouch finished his call, removing his contact and slipping on his mask, "Uh…ok…and so…later" C.C. responded hesitantly, hunching her shoulders as she meekly smiled back.

"Later?" Linamae tilted her head.

"I mean see you later…" C.C. sighed.

Linamae blinked before smiling once more, "Right…we're off then" she nodded, slipping her own mask on before following Lelouch out the doors.

The two masked figures walked down the hallways, headed to the U.F.N. Charter Ratification Ceremony Site, "Lina…" Lelouch spoke so that only she could hear by his side.

Linamae turned her head to him, "Hm?"

"When this is all over…" Lelouch started, "…there's something…we need to talk about…"

Linamae's eyes widened as she came to a halt, "W-What…?" she spoke as calmly as possible.

Lelouch stopped as well, turning back to her as he had continued walking, "Its…about your status…"

Linamae's shoulders lowered in relief, 'I thought it was about Sorale…' "M-My status?"

Lelouch nodded, "As…Empress of Japan…if it wasn't for all that's happened…you would be representing Japan in the U.F.N….but…"

"Lelouch…" she walked up to him and enlaced their fingers together, "I'm…going to renounce my title…as Empress of Japan…"

Lelouch's eyes widened, "W-What?! Why?! Lina you can't-"

"I can…" she shook her head to silence him, "I can renounce it Lelouch…Kaguya is fully capable of being the Empress of Japan…" she lowered her head, "Even without my original geass Lelouch, I know where your plans are headed…the next Empress of Japan could never be together with the status that you're aiming for…" she smiled sadly in her mask, "I don't want the responsibility or the burden of such a position either way, but…to be without you Lelouch…would be an unbearable sacrifice…" she paused, sadly looking up at him from inside her mask, "I don't think…I would ever be able to live with that…without you…I know…" she let out an unamused laugh, "I'm being selfish…but I'm human…I want to be selfish…just for this one thing…just for you…" she whispered the last part as she wrapped her arms around Lelouch's neck, "So please…don't deny me with this…please let me make this sacrifice…"

"Lina…" Lelouch whispered in a pained voice, his long arms wrapping tightly around her slender waist, "…as you wish…my love…" he cracked a smile, "I too will be selfish just this once…" he pulled her back, "I'm warning you…even if you take back what you said, even if you decide to take back your status as the next empress…I won't let you" he smirked.

Linamae let out a soft laugh, "What a selfish prince…"

Lelouch laughed as well, "Well then…doesn't that make us a selfish couple?"

Linamae laughed again, "Yeah…it seems we are…" she paused, "Lelouch? There's something I need to talk to you about-"

"The ceremony will begin shortly. All leaders please report to the site" a sudden announcement made Linamae jump.

Lelouch turned to her, "Tell me when we get back alright?" he gently took her hand once more, leading her down the hallway.

Linamae sighed softly, allowing him to lead her away, 'I hope there will be time later…and that things won't be so chaotic…'


Linamae followed the dazed Lelouch into his quarters, also being as shocked as he was from the Emperor's return. C.C. immediately ran behind the couch and Linamae turned to her, "C.C….would you mind…giving us a minute?" she asked with a small smile.

C.C. blinked before nodding, "Y-Yes mistress" she responded before quickly running behind a bookshelf into a slightly separated room.

Linamae watched him tense as he removed his mask, letting his hand clutching it fall to his side. Linamae sighed gently before walking over, "Lelouch…" she called reaching to place a hand on his shoulder, "Lelouch…it's alright…we'll figure a way out of-"

"Be quiet!" Lelouch lashed out, slapped Linamae's hand away from him, causing her to stumble back and fall onto the floor in shock, "Uh!" he stared down at her in shock, as she had also fallen down the small flight of stairs below her, causing her to bump into the low table where the pizza plate had been, "L-Lina!" he dropped his mask and rushed to her side, helping her sit up, "I-I'm sorry! I-"

"It's alright…" she sat up, smiling at him once more, "Don't worry…I'm alright" she placed a hand on his cheek.

"Lina…" his eyes shook as he stared at her before he lowered his head in shame, "I'm so sorry…" his shoulders started shaking as his head hung lower.

Linamae softened as she watched him before she took his head into her arms, allowing him to wrap his arms around her, "It's alright…I know what you're going through…we must save Nunnally…at any cost…" she whispered, stroking his head as he tightened his hold around her, "I'm alright Lelouch…I'm not hurt…" she lightly chuckled.

"…not on the outside…but…on the inside…I've hurt you…haven't I…?" he spoke muffled against her.

Linamae exhaled, "It's alright Lelouch…you haven't hurt me on the inside either…I understand…but you on the other hand…the pain inside of you…I'll help you heal it…I'll be here for you…as Linamae…as your girl…as your friend…"

Lelouch held her tighter, 'That's right…a friend is always there…'

"Lelouch…I'll stand by your side…even with…Suzaku…" she whispered hesitantly.

Lelouch paused before pulling back, "Lina…"

She shook her head before reaching into his shirt and pulling out his phone. She quickly dialed Suzaku's number and handed it back to Lelouch, nodding in determination. Lelouch paused before taking the phone and walking toward the control room connected to his quarters.

'And so…it begins…' Linamae turned away from him and slipped off her cape, folding it on the table and gathering hers and Lelouch's masks.

Soon Lelouch ended the phone call and turned to Linamae who only stared at the two masks sitting on the table in front of her. Lelouch walked over calmly before sitting down beside her, "…Lina…don't reveal yourself to your brother. Don't reveal yourself to anyone" he spoke once more before she could reply, "That is my condition for you sacrificing your status as empress…do not reveal your identity or your geass to anyone…especially Suzaku…"

Linamae stared at him for a moment, her brows pressed up in worry before she sighed and nodded, "Alright…it's a deal…"


A/N: ahaha sorry I got lazy and didn't wanna type up the scenes in this episode :P but I hope you guys enjoyed the bunch of LelouNamae Fluff kekeke~ R&R :D