I know…I know…this story hasn't been updated in a VERY VERY long time. I was struggling hardcore with it and then when I figured out what I wanted to do it was the gumption to do it that I lacked. However, this chapter finally came into fruition. I know it's a bit short, but if I don't give you something soon I'm sure there will be a revolt and I don't want that.

So, without further ado, here is Chapter Three!

~BlainexKurtxLovex

As the intruder came around the corner Lulu felt a small bubble of laughter begin to rise in her throat. She couldn't believe who was standing before her with an angry scowl and a twitching eyebrow. All she could do was straighten her stance and smile at the trespasser in the most relieved way possible.

The only thing that wasn't as comforting was the small hand-gun the girl was holding.

"He deserves way more than to be knocked out," Kallen hissed.

"It's good to see you, Kallen," Lulu stated.

"We need to go. Grab any stuff you actually need and let's get the hell out of here."

"Are you giving me orders?" Lulu scoffed.

Kallen shook her head, "A very strong suggestion, Zero."

"And the gun?"

"A ruse in case the camera's come back on before we get out of the room and back to the Gurren."

Lulu smiled again before grabbing a small suitcase from the closet to her right. She put in a few changes of clothes and then grabbed the diaper bag next to the door. Lulu filled it to the brim with everything Rhiannon would need. Diapers, bottles, clothes, baby food, a breast pump, her favorite blanket, and her favorite toys.

"You aren't seriously thinking about bringing the kid, Zero," Kallen spat. "We'll already have a target on our backs and bringing the baby will…"

"I'm not leaving her with Suzaku," Lulu interrupted. "She may be our child, but she is my daughter. She is coming with us whether it's dangerous or not."

"You're not thinking this through…. You can't be…."

"It will look suspicious if I don't take her and suspicious if I do. Either way there is no other viable option."

That shut Kallen up long enough for Lulu to go into the nursery and wrap Rhiannon up in a few extra blankets and to grab her coat along with some shoes. Lulu knew the child would outgrow them eventually, but they would have to do for now.

As Lulu exited the nursery, Rhiannon opened her eyes and her face scrunched up as if she was going to cry. Lulu cooed at her to get her attention and whispered for her to stay quiet. The child immediately closed her eyes and returned to sleep.

Lulu didn't know why Rhiannon seemed to listen to her commands. Lulu knew that she wasn't using Geass since once it was used on a person it could never be used again, but Rhiannon always did exactly what Lulu asked or ordered her too. Lulu knew that Suzaku had also begun to notice, but shrugged it off as a simple mother-daughter connection. She would have to ask C.C. about it when Lulu saw her next.

Once Lulu was sure she had everything she turned to Kallen and nodded. Kallen had already replaced her wig and her face distorter. She took the diaper bag from Lulu and threw it over her shoulder.

They exited the room, by stepping over Suzaku's unconscious form. Lulu gave him a quick pitying look and wondered what state he would be in when he realized that they were missing. Would he remember anything? Would he wonder if she had regained her memories? Or would he assume that she had been kidnapped to force his and the Emperor's hand?

Lulu didn't know what her next move was just yet. She needed to talk to C.C. before moving forward. Right now, she needed to focus on getting herself and Rhiannon out of the palace without getting caught.

Kallen stepped out of the room with her gun pointed at Lulu. In return, Lulu tried to look grave just in case they ran into anyone along the way to the rendezvous point. She was sure that anyone that they ran into would be shot by Kallen long before they would be able to attack or call for back-up, but Lulu wouldn't take any chances. She was too close to freedom to mess it up, especially after all the apparent trouble C.C. and Kallen had gone through to retrieve her.

"Are you going to tell me how you managed to get inside the palace and to my rooms so easily?" Lulu inquired. "Or do I have to guess?"

"C.C. will explain when she sees you. Right now, is not the time," Kallen replied.

Her now green eyes were focused on every turn and every shadow. She was looking for any possible dangers and hindrances to their escape. Lulu decided to stay quiet and let Kallen do what she needed to. If anyone could get her out of here it was Kallen.

They walked in silence for a little while longer. The gun was still pointed at her, but Lulu could see that they were almost to the Knightmare docking bay. Lulu really wanted to ask how they had gotten Kallen's Gurren anywhere near the palace, but stayed quiet despite her curiosity. She knew that Suzaku would wake up eventually and the first thing he would do was raise the alarm and come looking for her.

"Stop right there," a calm voice, a voice she recognized, said from behind them.

"Shit…" Kallen whispered.

"Drop your gun and step away from the princess," Rolo ordered.

Kallen grabbed Lulu by the shoulder and placed the gun to her head. Lulu tried to look terrified, but one look at Rolo told her that he didn't believe the situation. His eyes were calculating and deadly, but there was a hint of fear in his rose-colored eyes.

"You aren't going to shoot her," he stated. "You need her alive."

"Kallen, put the gun away," Lulu ordered.

Silence followed her order, but Lulu didn't let it phase her. She stepped calmly out of Kallen's hold and walked to stand before Rolo. He was looking at her as if she had grown an extra head. His gun was pointed at her chest, but Lulu didn't even give it a second thought.

"Come with us, Rolo."

His eyes widened in confusion. "What?"

"Come with me. You're the only one that sees my suffering, Rolo. I'm suffocating here with Suzaku and my father. I can't breathe under their watchful gazes, but you already knew that," Lulu stated.

Rolo's eyes softened as he listened to her words. Lulu knew that Rolo loved her. The younger boy may not be her biological brother, but he loved her as a sister. She had concluded this when she had tried to take the cellphone charm, the one meant for Nunnally, from him. The devastation in Rolo's eyes solidified her theory that he cared about her enough to overlook her lapses in behavior lately.

Her sister's replacement could come in handy if she could get him to cooperate. All Lulu needed was for him to come with them or cover her escape. She just had to manipulate his emotions and he would fall before her feet like a sacrificial pawn.

"You're leaving of your own volition," he concluded.

Lulu nodded. "This woman came to my rooms and demanded I pack. I saw it as my way out of this hell. I can't stay here anymore to be used as a pawn by my own father and my husband. You don't have to either, Rolo."

"I can't. They'll kill us all."

"That can't kill you if they can't catch you. I've seen you fly a Knightmare, Rolo. You're just as skilled, if not more skilled, than Suzaku. With you by my side we can get out of here together."

Rolo was weighing his options. Her father had given him a place to live and work. He had used him for years if Lulu concluded correctly otherwise he never would have agreed to play undercover spy for him. Lulu had seen his bloodlust on the battlefield. His bloodthirstiness was almost as strong as his tenderness towards Rhiannon.

"Rhiannon needs her uncle. I need you, Rolo. I can't do this alone." Lulu moved forward to wrap her free arm tightly around the boy. The barrel of the gun was digging into her chest away from the child, but within moments it disappeared.

Rolo dropped the gun and wrapped his arms around her just as tightly. His face was buried in her shoulder and Lulu was pretty sure he was holding back tears. Lulu pulled away and smiled at him lovingly.

"Only you can save us now, Rolo. Only you can protect Rhiannon and I from my father and Suzaku."

Rolo pulled away and bent down to pick his gun back up. He let it hang by his side and gave her a small smile. "I know you've been different…distant. I didn't mind too much since I knew with everything that happened after Rhiannon was born that Suzaku was tightening his hold on you. It pissed me off, but I couldn't do anything accept play my part. I'll help you in any way I can."

"That is all I ask, Rolo, and more than I deserve," Lulu replied.

Rolo nodded and the three of them again moved towards the exit. It was only a few minutes before they all heard the scream of an alarm.

Her absence had been noticed. Suzaku had awoken. There wasn't much time left.

"We need to move. Now!" Kallen hissed.

Lulu agreed and the three started to run down the hall. However, it didn't last long. Lulu could hear the guards gaining on them which meant that some of the cameras must have come back on. Her father, Suzaku, and all the guards would catch them and it would all be for naught.

"Kallen, you need to go," Lulu ordered. "They'll take you prisoner and I can't allow that. You have to get out otherwise there will be no one to try again."

"I'm not leaving you. I can't," Kallen argued. "I'd rather be taken prisoner than leave you here."

"That's an order, Kallen. Get out of here," Lulu commanded. Kallen hissed out a sigh before dropping the diaper bag, nodding, and taking off. Lulu turned to Rolo and gave him a small smile. "You have to make it look like you just saved me from the kidnapper. We have to convince them, Rolo."

"But, we were so close. You were almost free," Rolo replied.

"I know, but we'll try again."

"Lulu!" Suzaku's voice rang out down the hall. "Lulu!"

"She's here, Knight Kururugi!" Rolo yelled back. "I got her!"

Lulu moved to lean against the wall with Rhiannon pressed tightly against her breast and forced tears to well in her eyes. Rolo came over to rest a hand on her shoulder and whisper soothing words to her.

"Rolo!" Suzaku shouted. "Rolo, please tell me she's okay."

Suzaku was at her other side with a look of relief on his face. Lulu looked up at the sound of his voice and threw herself into his arms while still being mindful of the sleeping baby in her arms. She made herself shake as he pulled her in tight and Lulu could do nothing more than hold on.

"She's shaken, but otherwise fine," Rolo answered.

"Did you see who the kidnapper was?"

"Yes, but I don't think that was her real face. She had to have been using a facial distorter. It's the only think I can think of."

Lulu felt Suzaku nod as he replied, "Yeah, I think you're right about that."

Lulu closed her eyes and prayed that Kallen had gotten away. No one else needed to be trapped here. No one else should have to suffer through Suzaku's company. Lulu could handle it, but Kallen…Kallen was too wild…too angry at the everyone who had wronged her. The fact that she was willing to still follow Lulu even after her betrayal on Kamine Island was a mystery to her or maybe Lulu was just a means to an end.

"Sir!" a guard yelled from behind Suzaku. Lulu opened her eyes and a small gasp escaped her throat. "We caught the kidnapper."

Kallen had several guns pointed at her person with her hands tied behind her back. She hadn't made it and now there was no one to get her out. There was no one left, besides C.C. But, how long until the witch came to rescue both her and her knight? How long would they both have to suffer at the hands of their enemy?

Suzaku pulled away and leaned Lulu back against the wall. He stood and approached Kallen. Lulu could sense the anger, but knew her husband hid it well behind a calm mask. He raised his hand and pulled the distorter for her face.

"Zero's Ace," he sneered. "You attempted to kidnap a princess of the crown and my wife, do you deny it?

"No," she spat. "I do not deny it. I came to save her from you."

"My wife is perfectly safe and of no use to you. Why you and the Black Knights have decided to focus your attentions on her is beyond me, but it ends now. You will be taken to the holding cells where you can do no more damage to both my wife and child's safety."

Kallen smiled, "You know you wife is invaluable to my cause. If I don't come for her someone else will and when they do not only will Zero be released, but so will I."

"My wife is not Zero," Suzaku replied calmly. "She never has been and never will be. It is best that you remember that. I give you this knowledge out of courtesy for our past friendship."

"Whatever you say, Suzaku," Kallen spat. "Whatever you say."

"Take her to a holding cell. I will deal with her later. Right now, I need to focus on my wife." Suzaku turned around a crouched low in front of her. He held out a hand to her and gave a small reassuring smile. "Can you stand?"

Lulu nodded and took his hand so he could pull her up from the floor. Lulu kept her eyes downcast as Suzaku wrapped a tight arm around her waist and placed the other on her shoulder. His grip was firm and Lulu tried to keep from flinching. Suzaku was more than angry he was furious and it would take all her skill to keep him from figuring out she had left of her own volition.

"Rolo, I want you to oversee Kallen's transfer. Report when you are finished."

Rolo nodded, "Yes, sir."

Rolo left with the other guards and Suzaku led Lulu back to their rooms. She kept silent and hoped that everything would go smoothly. There was no guarantee that he would believe a word she said. After the iron grip he had had on her since C.C.'s appearance he would be doubting her and her words more than ever before. She's was gambling with her secret at this point. She sent up a prayer to any higher being that was listening to aid her, but she knew none would come. They hadn't come when she had needed them on Kamine Island and they weren't coming now.

Once they reached their room, Suzaku suggested that she place Rhiannon down and shut the door. If she woke they would hear it over the baby monitor. Lulu only nodded and did as she was bid. There was no point in fighting with him when his anger was only hanging on by a thread. It would only anger him more and Lulu was already wary of the fight that was brewing.

Lulu kissed the top of her daughter's head before laying her down in her crib. The child didn't do much except move an arm at her new sleeping arrangement. Lulu smiled at her once more before leaving the room and shutting the door behind her. She faced her husband with wide eyes and waited for the oncoming storm.

"What happened, Lulu, after Kallen knocked me out?" Suzaku demanded. "And I want the truth. No lies. No contrived stories. The exact truth."

Lulu took a deep breath. "I heard you hit the floor and I immediately jumped out of bed to put myself between Rhiannon and the attacker. I tried to think of the best way to get the upper hand, but even I knew that without you conscious that my effort would be for not. When that woman came around the corner with the gun I knew there wasn't much I could do except comply." Lulu waited to see if he would interrupt her and when he didn't Lulu continued. "She ordered me to grab the baby and anything the two of us would need. She said to be fast since she didn't know when you would regain consciousness."

Suzaku's eyes were hard and calculating as he looked for any hole in her story. The normally bright emerald green was a deep forest green now. There was no mercy in his eyes. No warmth or compassion. Lulu knew she would have a hard time keeping him from detecting any lies.

"She led me out of the room with the baby and held the gun to my back. I tried to ask her what she wanted, but she only answered that it wasn't important at the moment. I remember her from the attack the other day so I could only assume she was from the Black Knights." Lulu took a few steps forward hoping that, with a smaller distance between them, that he would lose the hard look in his eyes. "Then we ran into Rolo and she held me hostage. I told him I didn't want him in danger. That he had to let me go so I could keep him safe. He waited a little before running after us."

Lulu took a deep breath. She hoped he was buying it. The story wasn't too far-fetched and as close to the truth as she could possible get without telling the real truth. He couldn't know that she left of her own volition. He would turn her in to her father without a backwards glance. He had done it before and Lulu was positive he would do it again. There was also the option that he would believe her even though he wasn't sure and then keep her locked in their apartments until the end of time.

"Go on, Lulu, you're not finished," Suzaku prompted.

"Then we heard the alarm," Lulu continued, "I knew you had to be coming, but with the gun still pointed at me there was no other option. I followed the woman's orders to run…to keep moving. Then Rolo caught up with us and the woman decided it wasn't worth the effort and fled until the guards captured her."

Suzaku nodded his head, but Lulu could still see the skepticism in his eyes. He didn't believe a word of it. Lulu tried not to let her disappointment show. It wouldn't help her cause any and Suzaku would notice it right away. Lulu decided to bypass him and head for the bathroom. She needed a shower after the mad dash she had made. The physical exertion was beyond her even on a good day. The fact that she had both a baby and a bag didn't help matters much.

"So that's the truth?" Suzaku inquired. "That's your story?"

Lulu turned around the stare at him. She forced her face into a look of confusion. "What other story would there be?"

Suzaku still hadn't turned to face her, but she could see the tension in his shoulders. He was about to snap. She could both see and feel the tension about to break. Lulu could only brace herself as much as possible before he spun around.

"The one where you went willingly," Suzaku growled.

Just as she thought, Suzaku turned on his heel and pressed her tightly up against the wall. Lulu barely kept her head from hitting the hard surface, but Suzaku didn't seem to care much. He was beyond reason now.

"What are you on about?" Lulu demanded in a hushed tone. "I told you the truth."

"The hell you did, Lulu," Suzaku hissed, "You've been lying to me since you were attacked in the hospital room. I didn't want to believe it…I couldn't prove it before, but I can now."

Lulu rolled her eyes, "How? I was kidnapped, Suzaku. I was forced to comply. What part of that isn't getting through to you?"

"Kallen," Suzaku answered. "She wouldn't have returned to kidnap you, at the risk of herself, if you hadn't regained your memories. Her and C.C. are too careful for that. There were too many risks."

"Memories? What are you talking about? The only memories I have are from Ashford, our engagement, the wedding, and everything leading up till now. I don't have any other memories, Suzaku."

"I don't believe that. You remember and you're hiding it from me. I know you are. You've been different…distant…unaffectionate…. You won't let me even touch you without pulling away at any contact. There is something more going on. You're hiding it, but not well enough, Lulu."

"Suzaku, you're crazy," Lulu accused. There was a dangerous gleam in Suzaku's eyes and Lulu was fearful of what he might do next. "You have lost all reason. I think that woman knocked you in the head too hard and it rattled something loose. Now release me this instant."

When Suzaku didn't move to release her. Lulu started to fight. It made her queasy to do so as it drudged up memories of when this whole farce began, but she tried to not let it show. He would sense the change. He would catch onto her panic and it would be all over. He would win and Lulu couldn't let that happen.

"Suzaku, that's an order."

"I'm sorry, princess," Suzaku hissed, "I can't comply with your order."

Lulu stopped struggling to glare at him. "And why the hell not?"

"Because," he began. He caged her between his arms and pressed his body close to hers. "You need to be punished for lying to your husband."

A shiver ran down her spine at his words. The look in his eyes caused her stomach to clench in apprehension. She knew her eyes were wide in fear, but she couldn't force it down. He looked feral…wild…dangerous and although before this entire mess Lulu would have found it sexy, now it only frightened her. Whatever "punishment" he had planned couldn't be good. He would take too much pleasure in breaking her resistance down.

That's a wrap for this chapter! Hopefully, the next chapter enters my mind faster than this one did. No promises…just hope.

I want to thank all of you again for your love and support for this story. It means the world to me and even if you think it doesn't just remember it is because of all of you that I haven't discontinued this story already and left you all with a incomplete series.

So, your comments, favs, and follows DO matter.

Have a great weekend!

~BlainexKurtxLovex