One Last Shot at Life…One Last Shot at Victory

Stage 5 "Innocent Days"

A/N: Heyy, for all of those who bared the horribleness that was chapter 4, I apologize. I really hated that chapter, but, I guess we all have those chapters, right? So, anyway, to all those who actually take the time to review, thank you. It's greatly appreciated. I won't ramble on as much as I did on chapter 4, so let me make this quick. All that's left on my author's notes agenda is a disclaimer, and here you go. Wait, that's a lie. After the disclaimer, there is a little bit more to address.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Code Geass or the characters. Bandai Entertainment does, I only own this plot and only wish that I owned Code Geass.

So, to finish this off, I got a review from 2stupid asking me when this fic takes place, and I had said that I would answer that question. So here's the answer: Sometime in Season 2 before the end. That's all I can say honestly, sorry for the vagueness.

Now, matter two, about my quickie one-shot. Yes, I have gotten chapter four posted, but that doesn't mean that I'm not going to post it. I will, I'm nearly done too. So expect my Code Geass one-shot by at least Monday, the latest will be at the end of this week.

So anyway, now that the news is done, a quick thanks to starfruit-22, very encouraging reviews from you! I always look forward to receiving them whenever I post a new

Stage 5 "Innocent Days"

"The Black Knights are really in the Chinese's debt, Xingke, there's no reason to be so modest." Zero stated coolly, his feet propped up on the Black Knight's meeting table. He was looking casually comfy, and Xingke, the man sitting across from him, looked slightly more serious.

"Yes, of course Zero. I do have a request for you though." Xingke said, leaning forward on the table, resting his chin on top of his folded hands.

Zero blinked, not that Xingke could see, so the commander decided to cock his head slightly to the right, letting Xingke know that he could continue. "And that would be?" He asked casually, his right index finger drawing little circles on the table.

Xingke nodded and cleared his throat. "Yes, well, the Chinese Federation and U.F.N have been having some trouble with the Britannian army recently."

The violet eyed commander pulled his feet off of the table and raised his head so he could see the Chinese man easier. "They always cause trouble." He mumbled.

The dark haired man smiled slightly. "Of course, they're Emperor is a greedy man. His intentions are horribly written too. But, that's irrelevant to this." Zero nodded lazily from across the table. Xingke cleared his throat softly and continued. "We, from the Chinese Federation were wondering if we could have some assistance when the time comes, Sir Zero."

Underneath the mask, Lelouch vi Britannia, the exiled eleventh prince of the Holy Empire of Britannia bit his lip. He couldn't find a reason why not. After all Xingke and the Chinese Federation were part of the reason that Lelouch was sitting where he was at this moment, he his teeth slid from his lower lip as he made his decision. It would be in the Order of the Black Knights best interest to comply with this request. "Of course, consider it done, Lord Xingke."

The older man nodded as he stood. "I believe I speak for all of the Chinese Federation when I say thank you, Sir Zero." He paused, watching Zero nodded. The younger man was still sitting lazily across from him. "Zero, does anyone, besides you, know who you really are."

Lelouch groaned from inside the mask. Why did everyone want to know who he was? His guess was trust issues. Why trust someone whose face you cannot see? It made perfect sense. "My Lord Xingke, if you promise to keep quiet, then I'll tell you." Xingke nodded in response. Lelouch's slender fingers gripped the mask from the outside, gently pulling it off his face, the back pulling up. The young man shook his hair out, once again so his bangs wouldn't stick so badly to his sweaty forehead. What could he say? It was hot in there.

The dark haired man gasped. "A- a child?" he whispered. Xingke's hand slid down to the sword resting at his side. He meant nothing hostile by it; he was only adjusting it at his hip. "And nonetheless the eleventh prince of the Britannian Empire…I must asked, Lelouch vi Britannia, why are you going against Britannia?"

Lelouch tossed the Zero mask onto the meeting table and sighed softly to himself. The answer was simple. To him at least. "My father, Charles zi Britannia, exiled my sister Nunally and I to Japan after our mother, Marianne the Flash, was assassinated. We were being used as political tools during the sakuradite conflict. Hostages to the Japanese Prime Minister…that man, Charles zi Britannia has no right to be called a father…or even a father figure."

Xingke stayed silent. His dark coloured eyes were cast downward at the floor and he was speechless. Completely speechless. In a way this kind of gave Xingke more reason to fight against the Britannian Empire. How could their Emperor do such horrible things to his children? It was inconceivable. "I'm very sorry to here that, sir." Xingke stuttered out. He turned to leave, his fingers still lingering at his sword. "And, once again, thank you for your acceptation of our request."

Lelouch nodded. "Yes, of course. The Black Knights couldn't refuse you. After all that you've done for us and our dream of a new world. You have helped us out greatly, it's only right that we returned the favour."

Xingke only nodded simply as he left the room. Lelouch sighed and plopped himself back into the chair he was originally sitting in. He laid his head gently down on the hard surface that was the table and started toying with the Zero mask. His head was throbbing. Honestly, Lelouch hated to deal with foreign affairs, and the funny thing was that the Chinese Federation was the easiest to deal with.

"Lelouch?" a soft voice asked from the now open door. Lelouch's head jolted up and he motioned for the person in the doorway to come in. Naturally, it was Kallen, holding reports. Only she and C.C called Lelouch by his actual name. It was kind of comforting for the prince. The red-headed pilot wandered over towards Lelouch and smiled slightly. "It looks like you were trying to take a nap." She giggled.

Lelouch only shrugged. "Kind of," he started, sighing softly as Kallen took one of his hands. "Foreign affairs and stuff tend to give me throbbing headaches." He closed his hand around Kallen's smaller one.

"Mmm," Kallen hummed softly, enjoying the feeling of Lelouch's hand around hers. "I'm sorry…I can get you some pain relievers if you'd like, or maybe some water?" She offered softly. The pilot pulled up the rolling chair that was next to Lelouch's and sat down in it. "Is something else bothering you, Lelouch?" She asked quietly.

Lelouch sighed quietly and laid his head back down on the table, his hand still holding Kallen's. "No, I'll be all right. There's no need to worry yourself over me."

The eighteen year old Knightmare pilot blinked and laid her head down next to her commanders. "All right, but Lelouch?" she received a quiet 'hmm?' for an answer. "It's my job to worry about you."

Zero huffed slightly. It wasn't even really a huff, more of an amused release of air that had some noise to it. He directed his lazy gaze at Kallen's livelier one. "Mm…if you want that job…but anyway, has Britannia followed us?"

Kallen blinked, trying to remember what Tohdoh had told her. "Uhm, they had started to pursue us, and then Suzaku ordered them to pull back. I'm surprised that they didn't try and get Ms. Nunally back…and she's asking for you Lelouch…" Kallen's grip tightened on Lelouch's hand. "Are you going to tell her that you're Zero?"

"No, that would only traumatize her…but I can't necessarily just walk in there and take off the mask. She would get suspicious." Lelouch muttered. "She doesn't know anything. Has Britannia kept her in the dark?"

"I'm guessing so; I mean she must know you're here if she's asking for you, right?" Kallen offered slowly. Their conversation made her wonder. Had Britannia told Nunally about Zero? Had they told her that her brother was the legendary terrorist? That he was Zero?

Lelouch growled something under his breath as he stood up, his hand still holding Kallen's. It was something along the lines of 'those dirty Britannians.' Lelouch looked at Kallen carefully, observing her facial expression carefully. "Kallen, will you go with me to see Nunally?"

Kallen blinked. She really wasn't expecting that from him. Really, Kallen expected Lelouch to want to reunite himself with his sister alone, but he asked her. Why? But, Kallen could not refuse Lelouch. The look in his eyes was telling her that it would comfort him if she was there. She nodded an affirmative towards her commander. "All right," she answered as she pushed herself out of her chair, so she was standing next to Lelouch, their fingers still intertwined, and both showed no signs of wanting to let go.

Lelouch, using his other hand, leaned over and gently grabbed Zero's mask, placing it back over his face, his hand dropping Kallen's. He, though, was secretly disappointed. "Let's go, Kallen."

The two walked out the door, side by side, both wishing that they could have their fingers intertwined, but that couldn't happen. The Black Knights could know nothing of the relationship between Zero and Kallen. More of, the relationship was between Lelouch and Kallen, but what was the difference?

The hallway extended down the main corridor and then branched off into different halls, each leading to a different room, such as sleeping quarters, meeting areas, and of course, interrogation rooms. Zero led Kallen to the door that detained the Viceroy Nunally. Lelouch glanced uneasily at Kallen, who took his hand and squeezed it reassuringly. Thank goodness none of the Knights were around to see that. Lelouch sighed softly and pulled the Zero mask off of his face as he entered the room, Kallen right behind him. The pilot that stood behind Zero made sure to lock the door with a password that only she and Zero would know so no one would interrupt them. She sauntered back up to Lelouch and took his hand again, realizing how nervous he probably was. Lelouch probably had nothing to say to Nunally. He couldn't just come out and say 'Hey, I'm Zero and your brother! I'm the reason for all of this shit!' It just couldn't be done.

Lelouch took a deep breath, his grip on Kallen's hand almost dangerous. He took a few steps forward and whispered, loud enough so Nunally could here. "Nunally, it's me, Lelouch. I'm here."

The crippled Viceroy seemed ecstatic, not yet noticing Lelouch's quiet, nervous, uncharacteristic attitude. "Lelouch, it's really you!" She exclaimed. "Oh, how are you?" She asked, wheeling her chair up to him, or where she thought he was. The younger sibling extended a hand to her older brother, who took it. He was now handless, each one occupied by someone's hand.

Lelouch's gaze was fixed on Nunally, and it held sadness. "I'm…I'm fine Nunally, and yourself?" He asked carefully. The hand that was in Kallen's gently pulled her forward, dragging her up to Lelouch's side. He bent down by Nunally, still dragging Kallen with him.

Nunally seemed thoughtful for a moment and finally, she spoke. "Lelouch, you're not alone, are you?" She stated easily. "Who else is with you?" This time she more of stated the question instead of asked it. It was a breathy kind of question, and it held some lightness to it, but Nunally meant business. Knowing Lelouch he would've wanted to see her alone, but why did he bring someone else with him? Was he nervous that she was a Britannian soldier in disguise?

Lelouch stayed quiet, not exactly wanting to answer the question that was presented to him. "Well, Nunally, this is my...uhm, this is Kallen Stadtfeld…she went to Ashford Private Academy with me…with us."

Nunally smiled slightly, "oh I see, so, Lelouch, is she your girlfriend?" The younger sibling asked, giggling. She had a feeling the Lelouch was as bright as a tomato.

The older of the two blushed slightly. "Well, uhm, I…" He stuttered. For once in his eighteen years of life, Lelouch vi Britannia was speechless. "I guess…" he grumbled quietly, making the girl, Kallen, kneeling next to him turn red in the cheeks.

Nunally smiled, but that smile soon faded when the ship rocked and a large crash was heard. "Lelouch," she gasped, "What's going on?" The blind girl was looking around, but all that she could see was darkness. After her mother's death all she could see was darkness.

Lelouch stood up and cursed under his breath, replacing the Zero mask back on his face. "Kallen, get a report from someone, anyone, I want to know who this is." Zero's ace pilot nodded an affirmative to her commanding officer and ran out the door. Lelouch grimaced as the Iceberg Ship rocked again. The rumbling of battle outside was almost deafening. "Nunally, I'll protect you…"

A/N: I'm…I'm SO HAPPY! I forgot to mention at the end of chapter four how many words were in that authors note…and there were 392 words. That's a lot. I'd love to extend a MAJOR thanks to all of you who are actually reviewing instead of just reading and keeping your opinions to yourselves. Thank you all! And I hope this was a better chapter than four…that chapter can go die. Haha, so, until chapter six, ja ne!

chapter! Thanks! Now, onto chapter 5.