I apologize profusely for not being very consistent with chapters. However I will be trying to keep updating this for as long as I can as I do really enjoy writing this story.

Now, onwards with the chapter! I do not own Code Geass.

Upon Cornelia's arrival back aboard the G-1 they had immediately begun to arduous task of a full withdraw from the Ghetto. While most were in the dark about what truely happened within the chaple, Cornelia was quick to fill in both Dalton and Guilford as to what happened and what she had experienced.

"My Lady, while I know what His Highness had done was unforgivable, at least let me bring in Zero. He not only had killed a Prince of the Realm, he had assaulted not only yourself, he had made a direct threat to Princess Euphemia." Guilford argued, his brow furrowed with concern. Dalton on the other hand had begun to process everything that had happened. While yes, his peer was making an excellent point(One he thoroughly agreed with), He was looking for the bigger picture. 'Why had Zero shown her this? Why even bring it to her attention?' The general closed his eyes as he thought, 'Why not put a bullet between her eyes? Her Highness was a conqueror responsible for the deaths of thousands. And why threaten Princess Euphemia? Why not have her assassinated?'

None of this was making sense, now that the smoke had cleared and Dalton had taken a step back. He had received his report from Lieutenant Reyes, and that had baffled him further. Princess Euphemia had simply been dodging her guard all morning, only to later be found by Private Kururugi, as she was attempting to explore the settlement. What had happened between her losing her guard, and Kururugi finding her is unknown.

Suddenly, Dalton realized Guilford had piped down, and now there were two pairs of eyes on him. "Dalton, what are your thought's on this Zero manner?" Cornelia asked, Dalton knew she would listen to his council closely. After thinking for a moment again, he shrugged, "To be honest, Your Highness, I am unsure what to make of him, while yes he is a brilliant leader and tactician. Though I don't undertsand his motive, his reasoning behind his actions." Dalton finished with a small bow, "If I may, Your Highness. If I was Zero, you wouldn't be alive right now."

Cornelia sat back in her chair with a sigh. She had been running through the reason herself, coming to the same conclusion as Dalton had. "Increase security around the Administration building, and increase the guard for anyone with any importance around here. I do not want another incident like today's, is that understood?" As she finished, both of her knights had snapped to attention offering their salute as well as a quick affirmative.

However, now Cornelia had to deal with the paperwork involved with increasing security. Much to her own dismay, Euphemia had opted out of her share of the work by beginning her own work to replace the corrupt officials that filled the Viceroy's cabinet. So while Euphemia played reformer, Cornelia was stuck with some of the worst paperwork she had done since the capture of Area 10, a feat in and of itself.

A few hours in and Cornelia had barely dented the stack. Deciding she needed to take a small break and focus on a less daunting task, she picked up the folder of potential candidates for Euphemia's personal knight. While se had wanted to push this off until at least the Japan Liberation Front had been demolished, she could no longer afford that luxury. Getting Euphie to choose one however was a different matter.

Though before Cornelia could begin again, she was interrupted by a knock at the door. 'Curious, Dalton or Guilford know to come in as they please..' After another brisk knock, she granted her guest permission. She was pleasently surprised when Intel Officer Lieutenant Reyes had entered her office, a small black breifcase in tow.

"Your Highness," Reyes offered a crisp salute, the princess dismissing it with a nod as he placed the briefcase on an uncluttered spot on her desk, "General Dalton had requested you receive a copy of my report. I am of understanding that he briefed you on it?"

Cornelia nodded, taking the forms from him, "He had, though I doubt it was as thorough as the full report. Have you figured out how Zero got such a good picture of Euphemia?"

The Lieutenant shook his head, "No, Your Highness, as far as I can tell, it would have been during on one of her excursions," He then pointed towards the picture, "this was done with an incredibly high focus camera, my estimates put the cameraman at anywhere from twenty to forty feet away, far enough for Her Highness to not notice, though the shot to still be clear" He then pointed towards the background, "Notice the skyline here, while I'm unsure as to which, I believe it to be one of the Ghetto's. I can figure it out, but it would be a couple days as I myself am unfamiliar with Area Eleven."

Cornelia nodded as Reyes pointed out each of his observations. While she had first picked him up during the Middle Eastern Campaign, she would be lying to say she had her doubts. Hell, she'd be lying to say she wanted to ship him back to the homeland immediately. Though with much patience and much coersion from her Knights, she allowed him to stay. The result's were frightening, He had not only been able to provide an accurate analysis of the enemy fortifications, he was also a decent Devicer. While she felt she still could have taken Area 18, she doubt that she'd have done so with as few casualties as she did if not for him.

After a few more minutes of asking him questions, he had departed and Cornelia got back towards her work, unaware of a listening ear.

Kallen looked up from her magazine, the cover portraying Zero in all his pomp and grandeur, as the man himself walked into the room. Currently they were situated in their mobile command base he had acquired. "How'd it go?" Kallen asked, a tinge of worry in her voice. Lelouch had kept her in the dark as to what he had talked about with Cornelia. Luckily though from how he was walking, he seemed perfectly fine if not a little tired.

Lelouch slowly removed the helmet, sliding down the black cloth covering his mouth, "Better than expected, all things considering. I managed to bring the remainder of the Yamato Alliance into our fold, meanwhile the seeds of doubt have been planted while their commanders have been rattled. I honestly doubt Cornelia will make a move against Zero quite yet, buying us sometime to breath while she bolsters their security."

Kallen smirked as she pulled up her leg, resting her chin against it, "Congratulations on a job well done, though I don't understand something..." Lelouch motioned for her to continue, "How come you didn't deploy me? I understand the strategic advantages to keeping me hidden, though it would have been a cinch with me there, or Suzaku," she paused for a moment, her voice minutely quieter as she continued, "You do trust us right?"

Lelouch smiled softly, his eyes coming to rest on his mask, "I trust all of you, inexplicably so. However Suzaku couldn't assist in this matter as to remain undetected, and well..." There was a moment of pause, the princes eyes searching for something but finding nothing. With a sigh he continued, "I didn't wanted you to get hurt, Cornelia is a skilled fighter, and while I know your brilliant when it comes to Knightmare combat, I didn't want to take that risk, not while I can avoid it anyways.." Kallen's eyes were wide, she hadn't expected this amount of sensitivity from the Demon Emperor. It was heart warming to say the least.

"And well, I hadn't expected you to enjoy the cloak and dagger of Britannian politics, not since Babel Tower anyways." Lelouch now had a wide smirk on his face, as the redhead's turned a deep pink as she avoided his gaze, "Don't remind me.." was all she could squeak out. There was a small font of laughter from the noirette that served to only deepen her blush, "Oh don't be like that, Kallen, I though you looked quite enthralling in that bunny outfit." A startled gasp was his only response, Kallen's face choosing to deepen a few more shades of red as Lelouch moved to his desk, sitting down with a content sigh.

It took a few moments for Kallen to regain her composure, "A-anyways, are you sure using Euphemia was a good idea? I can't imagine goody two shoes being too keen on it." Lelouch had by now made himself comfortable, or at least as much as he allowed himself, his hands steepled in his lap, "It was actually his idea. While I wanted to avoid it, he had convinced me of the merits and advantages it granted me. While before Cornelia felt like I couldn't harm anyone else of the Imperial family, she now has an understanding I can strike from anywhere, regardless of my actual intentions. On top of this, it would also push Cornelia and Euphie to look for a knight."

"And that would have Suzaku in a position he held before?" Kallen inquired, receiving a small nod. Lelouch continued, "In the meanwhile, we will have to help elevate Suzaku's position if we are to take full advantage of the authority that comes with it." Kallen frowned at this, while yes she could see the advantages of having someone as high up as he would be, she couldn't stomach the thought of how many of their forces he would have to kill to get there. "I know what your thinking, Kallen," Lelouch stated, his voice quiet and thoughtful, "I will make sure his rise will be as painless as possible, though you know as well as I that live combat holds no bars in it's unpredictability."

Kallen sighed at this, her eyes shifting to the floor as her mind processed what will happen in the future. She hadn't even noticed that Lelouch had gotten up and made his way to her side. It was only when he had cupped her cheek with his gloved hand that she realized where he was, and how close they were. She was about to say something as the prince gently pressed his lips against hers, her body tensing up at the sudden contact. After a couple moments, she relaxed and returned it with intrest. She had lost track of time as they remained like that, each of them battling for dominance over the other before suddenly he had reluctantly pulled away, much to her displeasure. She was about to say something before a knock came from the door, startling both of them and after a couple of seconds, Kallen was back in her chair and Lelouch had redonned his disguise before granting their guest permission.

Ohgi entered the room, already wearing the basic Black Knight's uniform, "Uh.. Zero.." He started, before looking at the swollen lip, slightly out of breath Kallen, then to the much more out of breath Zero, "What had happened in here?" Zero waved his hand dismissing it before requesting the brunette to continue, "They've made their move."

Zero nodded, "Prepare everyone to move out!"

I apologize for the short chapter, but not much I could do unless this thing ended up long than the entirety of the story so far. The next part will be out soon, as I mainly just broke down one chapter to two.

R&R Welcome!