Suzaku sat wondering how there weren't any marks or blemishes or holes in Rivalz from the palpable lavender colored laser beam focused on his face. Rivalz had taken the liberty of not only sitting next to Nunnally, but had essentially ignored everyone else in favor of the young lady. What served as the best source of enjoyment for Suzaku however, was how effective Rivalz had been in actually distracting the brunette woman. The amusement at such a coquettish display and especially from the oh soo apparent discomfort it caused a certain older brother, far outweighed any sadness.

Suzaku figured himself deserving of some indulgences too, and this night, this spectacle, was just too good to not enjoy, traditions be damned, those would still be there after. 'I love bubbles' Suzaku thought to his little earlier fantasy of immolating a certain individual, as he clandestinely eyed the same seething individual sitting at the head of the table.

Although when it came to his little sister, Lelouch was notoriously bad with masking his inner thoughts, so although Suzaku saw a mass of contempt being lobbied at his best friend, he also saw great concern which at certain times Lelouch's gaze would gush with… and that was somewhat… endearing to Suzaku. And he hated that, he would rather it be straight hatred, maybe from being a possessive, spoiled ass.

Rivalz however, true to his pure and innocent heart and mind, was oblivious to the razors being glared at him. Suzaku was very thankful for this, he might have been a bit possessive of his best mate as well, to the point he didn't want Rivalz's innocence to be corrupted. But Suzaku was still upset at how rude it was for this pretentious douche to be so obvious with his disdain, so when the time came, he happily asked for seconds on his dessert… twice.

"Well… with Mr. Sumeragi's sweet tooth quite satiated… I hope… I would like to take the time to thank you, Mr. Cardemonde, for accompanying us for dinner tonight and should we do it in the future, you are very welcome again. However, considering I have some classified items to speak about now, I would ask that privacy be granted to an extent?" Lelouch practically breathed the sentence out with the same breath from his pent sigh of relief.

"Ah, of course sir, I was informed in advanced and again, I am very grateful for your inclusion of me. I hope I was…" Rivalz shot a glance to Nunnally "adequate company." Nunally giggled. Lelouch glared. Suzaku was giddy. Everyone else seemed disinterested.

With Rivalz gone, Sayoko started hurriedly clearing the table in order for blueprints and other documents to be properly displayed. Without missing a beat, Suzaku promptly stood up and started helping Sayoko while mumbling something along the lines of "let me help, please." The gesture drew a side-glance from Lelouch. A non-scowl, although certainly not appreciative.

"Ok, well, introductions have been made but I may as well qualify them. Gino here is our very competent head of security for the company and our private household. Sayoko is a martial arts, master" Suzakus eyes widened.

"Oh master Vi Britannia, please, you're being too generous…" Sayoko was standing next to Lelouch, with her gaze to the ground.

"And you are being too humble… it's sickening, please desist. Also, pay close attention to the documents… you are… a valuable member of my party… " Lelouch said the last part in an almost hushed tone, so as to convey it to only the person next to him. It failed however, everyone heard it and it made Suzakus eyes bulge.

"Of course, sir, and… thank you" Sayoko's smiled curled at the edges.

"Ok, first officer, excuse me, Suzaku, could you please look over the blueprints for the ship, there is no date on them so I need to know if they are accurate and up-to-date. If not, please guide me to any and/or all changes." Lelouch slid the blueprints over to the all-to-anxious-to-get-this-over-with first officer.

The meeting had gone on for at least 45 minutes. A few things that Suzaku picked up were that Gino Wineberg was exceedingly competent in all matters regarding security, noting every exit and potential route, even taking into consideration which chambers could flood without irreparable damage in case an impromptu exit needed to be made. This struck Suzaku as very odd, it was good to be vigilant about attacks and the like but it seemed that Gino was taking it to a drastic extreme but Suzaku just chalked it up to his being thorough and possibly very anal about his work.

The second glaringly obvious thing he noted was that Lelouch Vi Britannia was a very shrewd individual. He seemed to be extremely gifted at strategy and tactics, so much so that he would ask questions that would seem completely out-of-context to laymen or even intelligent individuals, however, Suzaku just knew that there was a reason for every one of those questions and even though he couldn't understand what they currently were, he knew that they were there.

"Ok, so there are two panic rooms, here and here?" Lelouch gestured to seemingly empty spaces on the blueprints (purposefully meant to look like nothing).

"Yes, this one is obviously closer to you and Nunnally, so that would be the one you would use, unless you were dinning in the dinning room or lounging in the galley or sun room, then, you would go to this one right here." Suzaku and Lelouch were standing very close, both too involved in the document in front of them to really note how close they were. However, Lelouch noted a scent that he found absolutely mesmerizing. He pushed the olfactory-candy out of his mind.

"Hrm… and… the lifeboats are right across the galley?" 'Another weird question' Suzaku thought.

"Yes sir, there are lifeboats clearly marked right there and there" Suzaku could see the moment Lelouch was swept deep into concentration for a few seconds while staring at the blueprints. Lelouch, Suzaku noted, for some reason that he didn't want to admit to nor examine, that when Lelouch was deep in concentration, he would intermittently gnaw on his bottom lip.

A few minutes later, Lelouch dismissed everyone, pronouncing the word with emphasis while maintaining eye contact with Suzaku. Suzaku could feel himself start to rage and in his mind, he started already picking out which cushion he would beat up tonight. As he turned to leave, he heard a voice

"Suzaku… could you please hang back for a quick minute?" Suzaku inwardly seethed and picking up on the tension, Lelouch spoke up again quickly,

"It won't be but a few minutes, you have my word" 'Yea, like word of someone like you holds even one atomic mass of credibility'

"Yes, alright…"

Lelouch couldn't help but muse at how easily he could wind this boy up and he started quite enjoying it. Then he felt sick because it reminded him of the games Schneizel played. Lelouch couldn't help the familiar repulsion starting to rip through his body. His hands clenched and he tried to compose himself by closing his eyes, taking long calming breaths, and picturing his little sister.

"Lelouch…?" Lelouch thought he heard his name called somewhere in the distance.

"LELOUCH?" Lelouch's head snapped back and his eyes opened to a pair of beautiful emerald eyes. 'Oh… no…' Lelouch was mortified that he let himself have that type of reaction in front of someone.

"Yes…?" Lelouch tried as hard as he could to sound innocent but the word just came out sounding angry. He was angry, but not at the boy in front of him, he was angry at himself for allowing himself to break in front of someone.

"You… you just… kinda of seemed… are you ok?" Suzaku's curiosity peaked at the display.

"Excuse me…? I'm fine, I was just thinking of something" Lelouch dismissed the idea quickly in an attempt to completely disregard the existence of what just occurred.

"Ok so the reason I…" Lelouch started.

"Lelouch… are you SURE you're ok? You weren't just thinking or if you were, you were having an anxiety attack…"

"MR SUMERAGI, It is QUITE inappropriate for you to assume something AFTER I have clearly and concisely assuaged your… concerns … and I implore you to remember your place when addressing me, you have rather over-stepped your boundaries in the past and I let it slide but it is certainly not something you should take as encouragement to continue, with me, or others, lest you find yourself in possibly fatal harrowing situations."

Any potential attention and concern Suzaku had went out the window and he instead instantly just wanted to know the reason behind the mans issues so he could hedge himself against potential attacks or possibly even use them as ammo against this vile creature. And Suzaku realized two things. One that there was no way he would be able to draw out what that deep seeded issue was, tonight anyway, and two that whatever it was, was deeply affective to this man for him to have such a visceral reaction. Suzaku took a deep breath,

"I was just trying to show some concern, I apologize" the word "apologize" pretty much screamed FAKE. "What is the reason you kept me behind?" Lelouch immediately felt guilty for his outburst, he was clearly projecting the anger he felt towards himself, at the boy in front of him but he needed the topic shut-down, so he did it.

"Ok… well, ok… so first thing, thank you for coming tonight. It was helpful and gave me a few things to think about. Very productive night… efficient and effective… wouldn't you say, Suzaku?" Lelouch went back to trying to regain a bit of the amiable atmosphere while trying to salvage whatever tolerance the first officer and himself had built up, it was necessary for his plans.

"I don't need to hear your useless platitudes, you promised this would take but a minute and with your little… issue… and now this, it's far surpassed that and don't tell me my initial perception of you being a man who's word is worth the soot under soil was correct." Suzaku knew that he had again crossed that boundary line so far this time that if he looked back, the line would be but a dot. At that moment though, he didn't care. And from Lelouch's wide eyes and open mouthed reaction, Suzaku could tell that his words weren't completely devoid from evocation.

Suzaku turned on his heels about to leave, sure that he would be fired and sent on his way at the next port, or even shipped off on one of the lifeboats (if he was lucky), and he was willing accept that fate, so long as he didn't have to endure being around the giant prick for one more second. As he opened the door and was halfway out, he heard it… barely above a whisper.

"I'm sorry." Suzaku paused, for a brief second and in that time, he heard foot steps behind him getting louder. Without looking back, he started again and then felt a hand on his shoulder. He halted and looked at the hand, which still hadn't moved. He saw delicate, pale, long, soft hands that were absent of any markings of manual labor. And for a moment, Suzaku's stupid brain thought about what those soft hands would feel against his bare skin. Then Suzaku made a mental note to go find Kallen after this because this was clearly only and ONLY his hormones because he hadn't had sex in a long time. (obviously because he hated Lelouch). As he started to turn, the hand withdrew and instead was replaced with bright yet cold violet eyes. No sign of remorse shone through them but then again, Suzaku wasn't expecting anything different.

"I… I'm sorry, it… was wrong of me to respond to your concern, genuine or not, in the manner that I did… I hope you can accept my apology even though you don't seem to find much integrity in my words… I would like to assure you, however little that means to you, that I am indeed sorry." And Lelouch really was. He still had a moral barometer. He was constantly reminded of how to be the bigger person through watching his crippled little sister overcome her adversity time and time again. Although Lelouch's humility was severely lacking, he still knew when to step up and apologize, and this was one of those evident times. Rather than accept the apology or even offer one of his own, Suzaku chose to just re-start the conversation from where it left off before his tirade,

"Tonight was indeed productive… enlightening, enthralling, captivating, couldn't imagine a more scintillating night" Granted he was happy that Lelouch had apologized, that still didn't mean he couldn't try to push those violet eyes to possibly show some emotion (yes, anger). Besides, it wasn't as if wasn't uncalled for, besides, a part of him still suspected that Lelouch's apology was meant purely to placate the situation, rather than out of genuine remorse. For whatever reason, however, Suzaku did not mean to use so many prolifically romantic words.

"Well" Lelouch blushed and Suzaku's jaw dropped at the crimson color that he instantly enjoyed seeing creep onto the pale skin in front of him… "no matter how facetious you desire to be… I won't rescind any of my earlier statements, outburst and apology included because… at the least, what I said spurred you to use words like that…I.. I mean, what I mean to say is… that you have quite a decent grasp on language… to be able to recite so many synonyms without a thesaurus."

Suzaku tilted his head like a confused puppy and likewise, furrowed his brow in confusion and surprise at the totally capricious compliment. His brain stuttered for a few seconds before he regained himself.

"Uhm.. thank you, sir."

"Lelouch, remember?"

"heh.. right, I just forgot because" and as much as Suzaku didn't want to say the next part, he couldn't handle the dancing and tiptoe-ing around so he figured, considering he'd already tested, nay broken, shattered beyond repair, any boundaries around Lelouch he said it

"I'm tired… emotionally, being around you is emotionally draining, you confuse me as a person" He meant it. He went from feeling hatred and anger to concern and sympathy (to carnal desire? But he wasn't ready to admit that… hormones and lack of sex, remember?)

Suzakus answer seemed less shocking to Lelouch however and more accepting and that reaction was very shocking to Suzaku.

"I… get that. In all honesty, I don't know how to not manipulate and exploit situations and people so, just be glad that you only have to deal with the likes of me for a few months in your life and I can promise you that I will try to minimize the amount and… intensity of encounters." Suzaku REALLY didn't understand why what Lelouch was saying was slightly bothersome to him. The boy was pretty much acknowledging what Suzaku already knew AND he was offering up what Suzaku had been so desirous of but… still, it was different for him to hear the violet-eyed man say it himself… and with such a defeatist air. It was almost as if the man accepted his faults with penitence rather than critically analyzing and taking steps to change into be a better person. That was against human nature and Suzaku didn't like it. 'What made you like this?'

He even felt a slight twinge to help him but it certainly wasn't his place. He had another fleeting thought though, 'whose place is it then? I hope he has someone besides his sister' Before Suzaku could properly piece his thoughts enough to formulate what he wanted to say though, a voice interrupted those thoughts,

"So, getting down to it then, I need you draw me the most direct route from the pantry to the portside lifeboats and lastly, I need a keys, preferably a master key but if not, then keys to the doors I've marked on this copy of the ship schematics" And he pushed the paper into Suzakus hands. Suzakus mind was still reeling as he gave a cursory glance to make sure none of the designated areas were personal quarters and just as he was about to utter something.

"Well, it's late, you're free to leave, I'm very tired as well… I hope you have a more relaxing night after you depart here" 'from me'

"N..No, I didn't mean it like.."

"Suzaku, please, I completely understood what you meant, I'm sorry but if you don't mind.. I don't particularly want to return to that topic… give the keys and map to Gino, have a nice walk back to your quarters." Originally Lelouch was planning for the brunette to give him the keys and map directly, but in order to maintain his and Suzakus peace, he decided against it. It was obvious to Lelouch that something about the boy unhinged him, to the point where he let himself feel in front of him, and to feel the most guarded of his emotions. This boy was dangerous because Lelouch couldn't afford to feel comfortable in front of others, it was a huge liability. One he couldn't allow.

Suzaku took the hint but his brow was still furrowed in confusion and to someone unfamiliar to the fact that Suzaku's past held a guarded memory of him killing his own father, it might seem like he felt pity rather than empathy towards the raven-haired boy, but that was not the case. Suzaku walked back to his room in quiet contemplation. He was jolted out of it by the sight of Gino Wineberg sitting in the hallway in front of his door.

"Sir Wineberg… can I help you?"

"Please, just Gino, in public and privately"

"Ok…thank you, aren't the Winebergs of aristocratic class…?"

"Yes, but barely, I'm not into all that, I like working, gives me a sense of worth, you know?"

"I know, I know very well." Both boys smiled at each other.

"Good, so I have a message for you, please be very discrete with this, as soon as you read it, which should be done in the privacy of your quarters alone, please destroy it. If you have any questions, I'm available although, please do realize that I am just as you, a pawn" Gino reiterated the words Schneizel had so often spoken to him. At first Gino took offense, the Winebergs were of class, he should at least be likened to a higher order of chess piece. When he brought it up with Schneizel, he was met with a derisive

"You wish to be a knight? You're not unique enough. You want to be a bishop? You're not corrupt enough. You want to be a rook? You're not moral enough. King and queen? Forget it. However Mr. Wineberg, if I were to estimate, under me, I would suspect you could rise to the ranks of a bishop. Would you like that?" Gino caught on immediately, one, he needed to sleep with Schneizel, and two, he needed to be more corruptible for the man to take him seriously. So he did. Both. And he thoroughly enjoyed both.

Gino adored Schneizel, everything about him. He hid his adoration well however, a man of Schneizels caliber? He was sure the man could see through him as if he were made of glass. Gino hated how much Schneizel favored his little brother, favored his company, in bed and otherwise. However, Gino didn't particularly hate Lelouch either, he understood the dynamics of everyone's relationships and although he felt jealous, he would never act on it. But his loyalty (and heart) was sworn, solely and strictly to Schneizel El Britannia.

Suzaku was more than troubled at what had just transpired in the hallway. He took out the note and read it.

"Mr. Suzaku Kururugi (Or should I say Sumeragi…?)"

Suzaku's heart leapt, thumping as if it would beat its last beat…

"Don't worry, calm down, your secret is safe with me. Me being Schneizel El Britannia, i.e. 1st Heir and acting President of the East Britannia Trading Co. You have my word that I do not care of your subterfuge. I have contacted you as your boss for business relations. I have some precious cargo on your ship and will do any and everything to protect them. I am only writing you to remind you that you serve under me, you are my employee before anyone else's (captain included… Lelouch Vi Britannia included). I have no orders for you at this time however, know that my liaison is Gino Wineberg and should something arise, you will follow his orders, second to mine that is. Thank you. I hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip.

Schneizel El Britannia"