Turn 3.5

After taking a moment to compose myself as Kallen checks her nails while smiling at her handiwork, we walk in to talk to Jerry.

He's not fucking happy.

"I don't know what you did, but you've ruined the Purists! Even if I can scapegoat Kewell as a traitor, our reputation is as ruined as Prince Clovis'!" he yells from the pillar he's tied to.

I take a seat on a chair someone left behind.

Thank fucking God ghosts don't exist in this world. Because Japan would be a necropolis with all the unquiet dead and grudges after the Second Pacific War.

How shall I play this...?

"Jeremiah Gottwald. Royal Guard of the Vi Britannia line. I promised you answers. You may sate your curiosity."

He blinks, then snarls at me. "What did you do to Prince Clovis? What's Code-R?!"

I bring out a file from my cloak. "As I said, I don't KNOW what the primary component of Code-R that Shinjuku was destroyed for was, but I have enough circumstantial evidence to make an educated guess."

I open to one of the pages. "Q-1, this may interest you, as well," I say as I hold it open for their perusal.

Kallen frowns as she looks it over, and then starts grinding her teeth at the report.

"You should have shot him more," she hisses at me.

I shrug. "The man tore his own face off. I think his death was fucked up enough."

Jerry isn't handling it well. The reports obviously don't explain anything about CC. But the picture they paint is pretty gruesome.

Human experimentation. Illegal medical research. Forced surgeries. Information regarding how long it takes someone to die of various causes. How much of someone's body can you destroy whilst still keeping them alive.

In hindsight, Kallen is probably right that I could have done more. Clovis was basically Mengele-lite. However, I don't approve of torture.

But the real kicker is, the thing that silences Gottwald from protesting, from claiming that it's a forgery?

Prince Clovis' signature and personal royal seal is on every page.

Along with the stamp 'Top Secret: Code-R personnel only.'

Hmm. Probably should mail this to Cornelia later.

"The 'poison gas' that was allegedly stolen from Clovis's research lab, was in fact the primary component of Code-R. The identity of which is absent from all the information scrounged from the G-1. No doubt for reasons of operational security," I say as I close the folder.

Jeremiah is having a bad night. The second royal whose service he was in, assassinated by a supposed terrorist. And then the prince he had been serving turns out to be someone that Unit 731 would have loved to have on their roster.

Japan is awesome, but they have so many issues around WW2 that they haven't dealt with. It wouldn't surprise me if the writers of Code Geass had snuck the idea of Code-R in as a shout-out to Japan's own behavior during the war.

Alright, he's suffered enough. Time to collect Orange-kun.

"I'm going to be blunt, Jeremiah. What would you do if Lelouch and Nunnally were still alive, and the ones who tried to kill them was Britannia?"

He struggles against the ropes as he rages at me.

"WHAT PROOF DO YOU HAVE?! I ONLY ALLOWED MYSELF TO BE CAPTURED SO I COULD DISCOVER THE TRUTH! BY WHAT RIGHT DO YOU QUESTION MY LOYALTY?!"

Oh he's going to feel so fucking baaaaaaad in a minute.

I'm going to enjoy this. I start chuckling, building up to a full laugh.

"Heh heh heh, hahahahahaha!"

I pull my helmet off with a flourish, revealing my iconic face.

"I have every right, Jeremiah Gottwald! For I am the one who holds your oath of allegiance, Lelouch vi Britannia himself!"

I school my features into a suitably royal gaze. Violet eyes boring into him.

And Jerry... acts pretty much as expected.

"No...It's impossible..." he says, falling to his knees in numb shock.

"Q-1, cut him loose."

Kallen slices the ropes off and leans against the pillar as Jeremiah Gottwald crawls to me.

"Your Highness, please, I beg of you, forgive me for—"

"It is not I you should be supplicating yourself before, I interrupt.

I look down at him. "Tell me, Gottwald, how many times have you killed innocent Japanese people?"

I like Jerry, but I need to make him understand just how badly he fucked up.

He flinches, then looks proudly at me, his eyes tearing up. "They killed you and Princess Nunnally! They killed the great hope of our empire. How could I not cut them down like the dogs they were?" he says going to one knee.

Thank god this room is far enough away that we can yell at each other. Concrete dampens the sound enough that none of this is getting out clearly.

Kallen meanwhile, looks like she's about to pitch a fit. Frankly, I don't blame her, but this isn't the time.

"You smug, self-centered, racist son of a bitch..." she snarls as she winds up a punch. "I'll show you a dog—!"

"Q-1! STOP!" I yell.

She pulls her punch a foot from Jerry's turquoise hair.

"But Zero, he—!"

I shake my head. "He has good reason to be angry. He's merely been aiming that anger at the wrong target."

I kneel to look him in the eye. "My father left us to die there. The Kururugi Shrine where we were staying was bombed. Suzaku is one of the only reasons we survived," I say with a flat tone.

It's a hard thing to watch someone's entire world fall away in an instant. This is the second time I've had to break someone tonight. Luckily, Jerry actually has this coming, so I don't feel nearly so bad about it.

"It was Britannia that tried to kill us. And it was Britannia that killed my mother."

I stand, looking down at him. "Emperor Charles zi Britannia has always been aware of the identity of my mother's killer. He discovered it shortly after her death."

I stand back and point an accusing finger at him. "And when I confronted him? He said mother was old news. He called Nunnally worthless!" I growl animalistically.

"He called me a corpse and declared that I had always been dead. We were exiled to Japan and stripped of our claims to the throne."

Despite the fact that I KNOW the truth about Marianne and how she isn't an innocent victim in all this, there's still a lot of suppressed anger whenever the subject comes up.

Which probably helps me on selling how upset I am.

Not sure how to deal with VV yet. The Geass Directorate is going to be a pain in the ass.

Oh right. Jeremiah is on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

I grab a piece of rebar holding it over my head. "Any last words?"

He sighs, and then looks up proudly. "All I have ever done was for the Vi Britannia line. I came to this country to find you and your sister. I stayed to avenge you."

He salutes with his hand over his heart. "All hail Lelouch. All hail Nunnally."

Perfect. NOW, he's ready.

I bring the rebar down...stopping just before hitting him.

I slowly tap it on his shoulder. He looks up in astonishment.

"Do you swear to become my sword and shield?" I say with an triumphant smile, the words echoing solemnly.

The look on his face is worth every bit of frustration I went through, planning this.

This is a man offered salvation by his own personal savior.

"Yes, Your Majesty," he says with profound gratitude.

I could have let him become the vengeance-obsessed madman of canon. I could have ensured he would become a cyborg and perhaps attain the Geass Canceler again.

But Jeremiah Gottwald is, and has always been, the epitome of loyalty and fealty. And I would not disgrace his loyalty so.

"Do you swear to fight in my name and pledge your loyalty to me?"

I tap his other shoulder.

"For eternity, Your Majesty!" he says reverently.

I've always been fond of Bushido and the samurai culture. Curious how Tohdoh, the Japanese samurai, had been a traitor in the original timeline, whilst the cyborg Britannian knight was the embodiment of Giri, the Japanese ideal of duty. Embodied by a man who was part of the nation that destroyed Japan.

The irony is delicious.

"Your dedication and steadfastness is recognized, Jeremiah Gottwald. Though you have much to atone for, I believe you regret your former course."

I lift the makeshift sword over my head. "Arise, Jeremiah Gottwald, Knight of Orange, and Knight of Honor for the Vi Britannia line."

I wish I had a talent for painting. Jerry's expression is of a man enraptured.

Looking at Kallen, she's in awe. Heh. See Kallen-chan? I can be serious when necessary.

I extend my hand to my knight, "Come, Orange. We have work to do."

He rises to his feet. "Yes, Your Majesty. Although...'Orange'?"

I shrug. "I remembered Nunnally used to call you that, because of your eyes and how you were from Florida."

Oh right. I didn't tell him. "Oh, and yes, my sister lives. She will be glad to see you again."

I hold out my hand to him. "Welcome to the winning side, Orange."

He returns the shake with a firm grip. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

I pull him into a quick man-hug and pat him on the back.

"You can call me Lelouch in private. The rest of the group doesn't know who I am yet, for the most part."

He salutes me swiftly. "Yes, Your Maje...err...Lelouch."

I sigh. "So I have good news and bad news. Which do you want first?"

He blinks at the unexpected question. "The good news...milord?"

I nod. "Right. Walk with me." I put the helmet back on and walk out the door.

We march past the resistance members watching askance.

Admittedly, nobody thought I could turn Gottwald that easily.

"I'll explain what I'm doing in a minute. If you hear anything, don't panic. It's all part of the plan," I call out as we walk past them.

We walk back to where Suzaku has been waiting. He seems a bit more relaxed now.

"Right. So here's what's going on. Orange, Suzaku is your get-out-of-suspicion free card."

I gesture for Suzaku to come over. "Suzaku, Jeremiah has something to say to you."

I nod at Jeremiah.

He bows and then offers his hand. "I apologize for framing you for my lord's actions."

Suzaku blinks. "Lelouch...what the hell..."

"Roll with it. Orange works for me now. He's one of my ex-guardsmen from back in Britannia," I shrug.

Suzaku tentatively shakes Jerry's hand. Both men understandably on edge after the events of today.

"Group hug!"

I pull Kallen and CC over as I wrap everyone up in a hug.

"There we go. Now for the bad news," I say as I let go.

I pull out my pistol. "In order to make this work, Suzaku is going to have to rush you back with him to his court-martial. To avoid suspicions, I'm unfortunately going to have to shoot both of you," I grimace beneath my mask.

"For what it's worth, sorry about this. And you're going to have to pretend to be vengeful against Zero for awhile, Orange."

Jerry salutes and nods solemnly. "I understand, my Lord. Where do you think I should be shot?"

Wow, didn't even hesitate. Props, Jerry.

"Leg shot for you, I think. And one at Suzaku's arm. Enough to hurt, bleed, and be obvious, but not enough to actually hamper his mobility. I'll avoid anything permanent."

He nods and takes out his cravat, balling it up so he can bite on it.

I am so sorry about this, Jeremiah.

I fire at his leg, hearing him grimace as the bullet goes cleanly through him.

I sigh. "Suzaku, your turn."

Suzaku takes a deep puff on the joint and then exhales.

"This is the second time I've taken a bullet for you in two days, Lelouch."

I chuckle ruefully, "I'll try not to let it keep happening." I take aim, "Sorry, Suzaku."

The bullet puts a hole through the meaty part of his upper bicep. But given how fucking Mao had 20-30 bullets in him and was still breathing and walking a short time later? They should be able to patch him up.

"Good luck, Suzaku. Make sure to act surprised when you get the verdict. Hang around outside a moment."

Suzaku tilts his head. "You really think I'll get acquitted that easily?"

I facepalm at the question.

"Kururugi, our 'evidence' was garbage. You would have never been convicted in any fair court. And after my Lord's public confession? It would be political suicide to put you on trial for regicide," Jeremiah grimaces as he makes a tourniquet for his leg.

Oh damn. I really should have thought of that. I tear off a piece of a nearby blanket and tie it around Suzaku's arm.

Pretty sure he can still catch Euphie one-handed. If not, well, he can at least break her fall.

"Alright, get going. Good luck, gentlemen."

Suzaku takes Jeremiah with his good arm as they limp to the door.

Ah. I knew I forgot something.

"One moment."

I walk over and take my mask off. "What is it, Lelouch?" Suzaku asks as he sees me smiling.

"Just forgot something important." I say as I kiss his cheek, caressing it with one hand. "For luck."

Aww, he's blushing.

"You be careful too," he says quietly.

I put my helmet back on, trying not to smirk.

"Time to go, Suzaku," I say cheerily as I give him a pat on the ass as he's leaving.

Orange...really wasn't expecting that. Nor, apparently, was Kallen. She's blushing as she tries not to look at me.

And CC...has apparently lost her self-composure and is giggling behind her sleeve.

"Oh dear god, that was hilarious. You really are interesting," she says as she sashays over to lean on me.

Kallen takes a deep breath to steady herself as she turns her head to look me in the mask.

"You still owe me answers. You can add 'her' to my list of questions."

I nod. She's right, but I'm not dealing with it tonight. CC is giving me a LOOK. And given her wandering hand behind my back, it's one I'm eager to return.

I put my arm around her waist as we turn to leave for Ashford Academy.

"Tomorrow, Kallen. Tomorrow," I say back to the redhead.

I stroke CC's chin as she leans into me. "CC and I, have... other plans tonight."

Kallen's blue eyes widen for a moment as CC grabs my ass in reciprocation. "Oh god..., there's two of them," she says in disbelief and exasperation, while smacking her palm onto her face.

"Tell Ohgi and the gang that Jeremiah Gottwald and Suzaku Kururugi now fight for Japan," I say as we walk out the building.

It's rather hard to keep my hands off her. But riding in a taxi, we don't really want to attract attention. So we settle for cuddling in the seat as I stroke her lime locks.

After a quick Geass on the driver to remember dropping off a noble at a brothel instead of us, we finally walk in the door.

Oh hey. There's Nunnally and Sayoko in the next room. "Before we start something neither of us wants to stop...again, I think it's time you met my sister. Because there's no way we can sneak past without saying hi."

CC smirks like a cat as she walks in. It is VERY hard not to grab her and run up the stairs back to my room.

Time to introduce the girlfriend.

"Hello, Nunnally," I say as I walk in and give her a hug. "Sorry I'm late. Do you know what happened with Suzaku?"

Nunna fidgets excitedly in her chair. "Big Brother! Someone saved Suzaku! Isn't that wonderful?!" she squeals.

I laugh quietly. "Well, I'm glad it all worked out. I'd like you to meet someone."

I gesture at CC to come over.

"Hello, Nunnally. I'm CC. Your brother made an arrangement with me so I'll be staying with you for awhile," she says as she takes Nunna's hand.

Nunnally scrunches her face up as she holds CC's hand. "How did you meet my brother?"

CC shrugs. "He helped me out of a situation. I'm contracted to him so he can grant my wish."

Oh yes, because that's not suspicious as hell. Great job, CC.

Nunnally gets a mischievous look on her face. "So does this mean you're big brother's fiancée?"

"I don't know. She's kind of a pain in the ass," I say with a cheeky grin.

CC turns to me with a frown. "Well, you're a crazy pervert with wandering hands."

Nunnally is gasping as we snipe at each other.

"Are we talking about me or you?" I say smoothly as I massage her shoulders.

CC gives me a sharp look at that. "I knew you were a smart-ass the moment we met."

I nuzzle her cheek. "And were you complaining?"

She laughs and kisses my cheek. "Of course not. I prefer interesting guys."

Nunnally is clasping her hands together and smiling. "It's like you two are married! So romantic!"

Sayoko has been trying not to smile the whole time. "Shall I prepare a guest room for Miss CC?" she says with a mock subservient tone.

Laying it on thick, huh, Sayoko? I raise an eyebrow at her as she winks.

I get the feeling she and Jerry are going to hit it off over drinks sometime.

"I think CC and I can manage in my room."

Nunnally is blushing and shaking her head with her hands on her cheeks at that. "Big brother, I'm not ready to be an aunt yet!" She says that, but she's clearly smiling and enjoying the byplay.

"I think someone needs to go to bed," I say as I lift Nunnally in my arms, walking to her room.

Damn, my arms are so weak. Luckily Nunnally is light.

I set her down on the bed.

"Nunna, I need to tell you something."

I hold her in my arms. She gets a serious look on her face. "You've been acting differently, Big Brother. What's going on?"

Yep, definitely related.

"I almost died a few days ago, Nunna. I had to reevaluate my life in light of that," I say quietly.

She stiffens and squeezes me tightly. "What happened?"

Shit. I know what Lelouch WOULD do. But...I can't. I can't lie to her.

"Let me brush your hair and I'll tell you what I can."

She looks me in the eyes, her eyelids shut as she frowns.

"What you can? Big Brother, what have you done?"

I start brushing her hair. "I can't tell you all of it now. But I will in the next day or two. But know this."

I hug her, my head on her slim shoulders. "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine," I sing to her.

It's perhaps one of the things that's unchanged from Lelouch and I merging. Nothing will hurt her. Nothing will make her suffer like she has.

"You make me happy when skies are grey."

But unlike Lelouch, I see that she's stronger than she seems. I want her to be honest again.

"You'll never know, dear, how much I love you."

She won't have to smile just for my sake anymore. I'll find a way to let her live for herself again.

"Please don't take my sunshine away," I finish singing.

I kiss her cheek. "I'll always be here for you, Nunnally. No matter how much I change, just remember your brother loves you."

Guess I really tugged on the heart strings. She's crying.

"Oh Big Brother! You...you...your heart isn't so cold anymore!"

She knew. She knew all this time. That Lelouch's heart was only open for her.

"I'll tell you the rest soon. Can you be satisfied with that for now, Nunnally?"

She nods as she holds onto me. "Yes, Big Brother. Thank you for being honest and opening your heart again."

Now she has me crying.

"And Big Brother?"

"Hmm?"

She puts two fingers on her cheek. "Make sure you have some condoms tonight. I'm definitely not ready to be an auntie," she says with a cat-like grin.

I fall back on the bed laughing as I stroke her hair.

"When did you stop being so innocent?"

"I'm a Vi Britannia. I haven't been innocent for a long time," she says with a tone too casual for the weight of those words.

It's settled. I can't lie to her. So that means...I have to tell her I'm Zero.

Perhaps she'll be angry enough to open her eyes.

Acceptable risk. She won't be happy, but it's time she stopped ignoring the world.

"Yes... you are. I'll tell you soon. Hopefully, Suzaku will come by to visit soon."

She squees in happiness.

After tucking her into bed and kissing her good night, I walk out to CC enjoying a cup of tea.

"She knows?"

I shake my head. "Not yet. But I promised to tell her soon."

She sips her tea as she considers my words.

"It might be easier to lie. You're playing a dangerous game bringing her into this."

"No," I say with finality as I sit down to sip my tea.

"I've failed her as a brother for seven years. I'm going to show her why her dream isn't an idle wish. And I'll help her be the person she could be in the future I saw."

Nunnally was always stronger than everyone thought. She just didn't want to face the world and the reality of the evil in it.

"Thank you for that, by the way. Nunnally could use more friends."

She blinks at my statement.

I hold her hand up and kiss the back of it. "And thank you for saving my life."

I wonder if Lelouch understood how much being nice to her completely flusters her. She's just looking at me in surprise.

"You're more than you were. The boy who saved me from Clovis's capture, he wasn't like this."

She cups my chin as she looks into my eyes.

"What did C's World really show you?"

Well, well. Seems she picked up how to read people over the years.

I close my eyes. I think my personal aversion to lying to people I cared about before, carried over to here.

Let's see how she handles a curveball.

"Possibility," I say as I open my eyes, an intensity there boring deep into her amber gaze.

"Another life, another time, another world. It showed me...,perspective," I say, enunciating the last word.

She looks deep into my eyes, then smiles softly.

"Interesting, indeed. That explains why you're so relaxed. The other life you saw, he was an older man, wasn't he?"

What the hell?! How did she?!

CC pats my cheek. "I can tell you're confused."

"I've been with many men, and many women, over the years."

She stands up and stretches, causing her uniform to move in interesting ways. Little minx wants my attention.

"I've gotten good at reading people. You don't carry yourself like a teenager, but like a man in his prime. There's a confidence about your feelings that boys have trouble with."

She kisses me softly. "And that," she says as she breaks the kiss, "is one of the reasons I like you."

I purr as I kiss her back. "I've always liked older women."

She frowns at that. "Isn't it rude to remark on a woman's age?"

I stand up and dip her, brushing her hair from her face.

"I mean that women, not girls, know what they want," I say as I kiss her with my ardor rising.

A cough from the side draws our attention to Sayoko.

"Perhaps you should take this to your room, Goshujin-sama? You might wake your sister otherwise," she says with an obsequious bow.

I pull CC up the stairway. "You can ask for my help on clean up, dinner, etc., for the inconvenience. Good night, Sayoko," I say as we walk up.

"I put in sound-dampening in your room," she says with a cheery smile as she waves good night.

Whatever I'm paying her, it obviously isn't enough.

The minute the door closes, CC jumps onto me, tackling me onto the bed.

"You really are a terrible man," she says sultrily.

I run my fingers through her hair. "What did I do this time?" I ask bemusedly.

She kisses my lips, grinding her hips against my crotch.

"Teasing me, enticing me. Never actually finishing though."

I smack her ass as I lick at her cheek.

"Says the woman who tried to play footsie with me at the table."

Like hell I wasn't going to notice that.

"Just shut up and fuck me, Lelouch," she says hungrily.

A short shuffle later and our respective garments are on the floor, and I'm on my back as CC straddles my face.

Queening is a fun position.

I flick her wet folds with my tongue as she lightly scratches my chest.

"Mmm. I knew you had a talented tongue," she chortles as I laugh, the sound muffled by her thighs.

"What can I say? I'm a cunning linguist," I say as I suck at her inviting cunt.

She lets out a sound between a laugh and a moan.

I squeeze her amazing ass as she grips my shaft. Deft touch, not too hard, not too light. It's pretty obvious she's better at this than I am. Though judging by the sounds, I believe she's enjoying herself.

A quick shift and her mouth is on my balls...and that bouncy ass in my face.

She pops a ball out of her mouth to look back and smirk.

"Kiss it," she orders.

Lady, you'd have to shoot me to stop me.

I kiss along her glutes, tongue sliding on her taint.

She arches her back as she gushes onto my face.

"First blood," I say cheekily.

She blushes as she resumes swallowing my ballsac. Which causes me to stiffen up and gasp.

If a woman has you by the balls, you're damn well giving her your full attention.

I kiss her puckered hole, fingering her.

"Oh yes! Kiss my 'perfect immortal ass'!" she says, part teasing, part begging.

The sounds on her end turn into a sucking sound accompanied by moans.

I whistle at her clit as I pant. No gag reflex. And I'm pretty hung. Impressive.

My breath quickens. A hummer? You devious little...

I spread her as I tongue her rosebud, prompting a shudder from her body.

I cry out as I thrust up and pump my semen into her mouth.

I lay back, catching my breathe.

Damn it! Too soon.

She crawls over to straddle me, her face flushed. Let's see how she handles this.

I sit up, wrapping her in my arms. I kiss her, tongue slipping in.

Her eyes go wide. She's definitely shocked at this part.

My tongue licks at the cream filling in her mouth as she deepens the kiss.

"Mmm. You really are a deviant," she says breathlessly.

I nuzzle her cheek as I run my hands down her back.

"Did you like it?"

She grabs my face and mashes her lips against me in response.

...I'll take that as a yes.

She lifts her hips up and slowly takes my cock into her wet folds.

"Ahhhh. Seven years too long," she says blissfully.

I pace myself, knowing Lelouch's stamina is still garbage right now.

Truthfully? All the teasing we've been doing to each other has left us rather frustrated.

CC clearly does kegels. Because most women would not be able to do tha-aaaat!

"Ahhhh!" I cry out.

I suckle on one of her perky nipples as I sit up.

Missionary is a pretty basic position for a reason. It's easy to do, and it lets you be face-to-face.

I suspect CC is being nice and not trying to do things my skinny body isn't ready for.

That, or she just wants to feel a nice fat cock inside her.

I kiss her deeply as we hold hands, connected at the crotch, and by our shared contract.

Lelouch fucked up a lot in the original timeline. Part of that was not trusting in people around him.

In some cases like the Black Knights? He was 100% correct. But in others like Nunnally and Kallen? I believe that led to his downfall.

We both cry out simultaneously as a mutual orgasm makes me see white for a moment.

I fall back, CC on top if me, clutching my chest.

"Was it worth waiting two days?" I say panting.

Her response is a cat-like smile and a purr.

"You definitely have potential. That mutual orgasm was very well-done," she says as she kisses my cheek.

"I might have one more round in me," I say as I nuzzle her neck.

She rolls over to my side, spreading her pussy with her fingers.

"Sideways this time. I think we've earned some relaxation, Mr. Revolutionary," she says batting her eyes at me.

I chuckle as I hug her while sliding my cock in slowly.

"I'm so glad I met you."

She kisses me briefly. "So am I."

Needless to say, neither of us are sleeping any time soon.

End of Turn.