4. Dark

Lelouch's atmosphere was always dark, whenever she wasn't around.

Well, that's what Milly noted when Lelouch slumped into the student council room, with a dull expression on his face. Shirley had a bout of the flu, and since her disappearance, Lelouch had been considerably moodier.

Her eyes followed her foster brother as he sullenly picked up a pile of paperwork and began to fill it out mindlessly.

"Hey Lelouch, are you okay?" Rivalz asked, concerned.

Lelouch nodded mutely, and continued to rift between the stacks of paper.

"I bet it's because Shirley isn't here today," Milly interjected, hoping for a flustered response. To her surprise, he nodded again, not looking up.

He really is glum today, isn't he?

"So why don't you go visit her? I'm pretty sure that seeing her Darling Lulu would certainly brighten up her day!" she suggested cheerfully, still keeping a careful eye on Lelouch.

He eyed her warily before responding, "Shirley's mother said that she didn't want visitors."

At this, Milly's face dropped. "I see." She said bluntly.

Afterschool, instead of going home like she usually would, Milly had resolved to personally speed up Shirley's recovery process, and promptly barged into her house with a fruit basket and medicine.

She knocked on the door to her friend's room, "Shirley? Are you there?"

"Madame Prez… how'd you get in?" a weak voice responded.

Milly opened the door to see Shirley resting in her bed. She looked weak; fragile.

"Shirley! Are you okay?" she said at once, hurrying over to her friend's side.

"Yeah… I'm fine." Shirley replied.

"Here, I got some medicine for you." Milly opened up the container and gave Shirley some pills. She waved them away.

"No really, it's okay. I'm fine, really!" she dismissed. She sounded too… weak, to be fine, in Milly's opinion.

"Listen Shirley, you've been away for a week now. We really miss you at the Student Council, especially Lelouch. (at this, Shirley quickly became red) He's all depressed without you, and we all want you back as soon as possible. And besides, an extra dosage won't hurt, right? So…" she offered the pills to her again. "Please?"

Shirley smiled softly, and accepted the medication.

"So, how much do you miss Lelouch?" she spoke out.

"M-MADAMEEE PRESIIIDEENNTT!" Shirley yelled in alarm, almost jumping out of her bed.

She rolled her eyes, "You haven't seen him in a week. Aren't you sad?" she pestered.

"Yeah, I miss him a lot actually…" the orange hair'd girl replied, hugging her knees.

Instantly, Milly's expression softened.

"Oh Shirley, it's okay. You'll get better soon, promise. Milly Ashford always keeps her promises!" She struck a victory pose.

Shirley couldn't help but giggle at Milly's antics.

"Thanks, maybe I should rest up so I can come to school tomorrow." Shirley said, sinking back into the covers.

"Well, I guess that's my cue. See you tomorrow!" Milly waved goodbye as she left.

The next day, Shirley was the first to arrive at the Student Council room; Milly couldn't help but beam at her.

"Feeling better?" she asked.

"Yup, I'm feeling loads better!" Shirley chirped happily.

"It's because I reminded you of Lelouch, isn't it?" she smirked.

"MADAME PRESIDENT!"

At that moment, Lelouch entered the room.

"Shirley!" his mood instantly brightened.

"Oh, Hi Lelou!"

"Are you feeling better?" he asked, flashing a smile.

"Well then, I'll leave you two love birds alone~" Milly smirked, waltzing out of the room. "And Lelouch, wear a condom."

She couldn't help but laugh at Lelouch's protests and Shirley's red face, and finally left the room.

A/N: Has been a while, hasn't it? Well, my computer died. :/ So yeah. I'm glad I could finish this at least, my other fics… not so much. :3 Next chapter should be… interesting. Until then, see you soon!