Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass or its characters.
Rolo has been following Lelouch all day. He is not certain what occurred during the Black Knights attempt to kidnap the new viceroy of Area 11, but he is certain that they failed. Rolo now knows that Nunnally is the viceroy of Area 11. He wonders how Lelouch will react to the fact that his sister is now here. At the moment Lelouch has geassed an entire train car of people to leave him alone. Rolo decides to push Lelouch even further by changing all the television screens on the train to ones replaying Nunnally's speech from earlier in the day. This causes Lelouch to make a quick exit from the train. Rolo prepares to follow him even unto the ends of the world. Suddenly his phone rings. He looks down and notices that the number is from the OSI base underneath Ashford.
Rolo grudgingly answers the call, "Yes," he says.
"My, my, aren't we testy."
Rolo doesn't recognize the voice on the other line.
"Who is this?"
"Savmora Bright, Knight of Two."
Savmora rattles off his id number. The length and first few numbers are enough to convince Rolo.
"I am going to need your report on the subject, one Lelouch Lamperouge."
Rolo tries to keep up with Lelouch.
"Yes well you see. I am currently following the subject."
"Give me your location, and I will have one of my men continue the pursuit."
"But I am already following him."
"Does he appear to be doing anything that will lead us to CC? Have any of his recent actions given you any indication that he will make contact with any of the Black Knights?"
Rolo isn't sure whether or not to give Lelouch up.
"No."
"Very well tell me your location and return to Ashford. One of my men is nearby, and they have been informed of the nature of our mission."
Rolo tells Savmora his location but continues his pursuit of Lelouch. Within minutes someone comes up and taps him on the shoulder. He shows Rolo an OSI badge and signals for Rolo to a waiting car. Rolo looks over towards Lelouch one last time before getting in the car.
Kallen has been searching for Lelouch since the day the Black Knights failed to capture Nunnally. He hasn't been answering any of her calls. She is the only one who can come for him. The others don't know who he is and why Nunnally is so important to him. Of course CC is acting like well CC. She decides to go to Shinjuku because that is where Zero began after all. As she makes her way through the ruined ghetto, she begins to sort through her feelings about Zero/Lelouch. Are they the same person? Can he still be trusted? Is she in love with him, as CC claim?. She enters a building that is under construction and sees him sitting down in the distance. She approaches him. It is time to act.
"You came here after all, eh," Kallen says as she continues to walk towards Lelouch, "This is where Zero… where you started everything, " Kallen is now standing besides Lelouch, "Lelouch I have something, " She stops talking when she notices that he is moments away from injecting himself with refrain, "That's."
"Refrain. Kallen, you know about this too, don't you? You go back to the good old days."
"Don't joke about that!" Kallen screams as she pulls the refrain away from Lelouch and breaks it, "So what if you failed once. Just think of another plan to get her back. Command us like you always do. Command me to pilot a knightmare or search for some sort of bait. I'll listen to anything you say!" Kallen is crying as she says these words.
"I see. Then comfort me," Lelouch says as he stands up he moves towards Kallen looking her in the eyes, "That's something women can do, right?"
He place his left hand under her chin and moves in to kiss her. Kallen's eyes open wide as he gets closer. Her lips tremble in anticipation of the event. However just their lips touch, Kallen closes her eyes and slaps him.
"Snap out of it, Lelouch. You're Zero right now. You carry the responsibility for showing us a dream. Then keep you lie until the very end. This time perform Zero's act flawlessly!"
Lelouch is startled by Kallen's words. He watches her run away. His first instinct is to run after her, but he stops himself. As he watches Kallen run off, he turns his head a little ashamed of what he has done. He clenches his fist and decides to run after her. Once Kallen exits the building, she stops running. She turns back and is disappointed that he is not there. She decides to continue on without him.
"Kallen."
Kallen turns and sees Lelouch standing at the entrance of the building catching his breath. Despite the fact that she is almost crying, she can't help but laugh at the condition that Lelouch is in right now. Kallen walks over to Lelouch and grabs him by the shoulders.
"What is it, Lelouch?"
Lelouch turns away still feeling a little ashamed of what he did and tried to do.
"I have something to ask you, Lelouch."
He turns to face her. He is trembling as he asks, "What is it?"
"How do you feel about me, as Zero… as Lelouch?"
Lelouch is unsure how to answer that question. How does he feel about Kallen? How does he feel about anyone? For the past seven years his life has been filled with only thoughts about Nunnally and her safety. He certainly appreciates Kallen's efforts on his behalf. He offered to reveal his identity to her a number of times the year before, but he did so knowing that she would trust in him and refuse.
"Kallen, I don't know."
Kallen bites her lip.
"Is it because of CC?"
Lelouch shakes his head violently. The thought of loving the immortal witch slightly repulsed Lelouch, but only because he found her infuriating. Was it possible that he was developing feelings for her too? He certainly knew that he was feeling something for Kallen beyond admiration and trust. Then again could he leave it all behind. If Zero disappeared, would Nunnally be safe? Would Kallen accept that? No, she wouldn't. He still has no idea what the terms of his contract with CC are.
Kallen watches Lelouch thinking about her questions. Kallen closes her eyes and leans in towards Lelouch. She raises her face to his and kisses him. After the kiss Kallen walks away. She hopes that he will return. He still hasn't answered her question about what if anything he feels for her.
Lelouch sees walk away. This time he lets her go. There is still much he must figure out. Like how he is going to deal with the fact that Nunnally is now viceroy of Area 11. As he approaches the student council building fireworks begin to go off.
Savmora has been debriefing this Rolo. He knows to be careful because Rolo is here directly from the Geass Order. He has very little actual authority to interfere with an OSI operation. However he suspects that CC has been here recently, and he must get to her. As he contemplates his next move, several loud explosions can be heard above ground.
"What it that? Are we under attack?
They all run out to see what the commotion is.
Savmora sighs, "It is just fireworks," he looks over at Villetta, "What kind of school is this?"
As they are talking Rolo sees Lelouch walking towards the student council clubhouse and goes after him.
Jones asks, "Well then who does run this school?"
"The Ashford family."
Jones blinks and looks at Villetta.
"Did you say Ashford family?"
Savmora shakes his head. It isn't like Jones to miss a detail like that. This is Ashford Private Academy after all. While Savmora was interrogating that Rolo kid, Jones was supposed to be interrogating Villetta Nu. Savmora wonder just how much what kind of interrogating his old comrade did. Speaking Rolo where did the little bugger run off to. Savmora heads into the student council clubhouse where he believes Rolo is. Jones and Villetta follow after him. Once inside they hear two voices coming down the stairs. Jones pulls an indignant Savmora to the side. Jones stares after the two boys that are descending the stairs.
Jones mumbles, "He is alive."
Savmora looks over at his old friend as the two boys walk out of the building. Before he can say anything his phone begins to ring.
"Yes Jacob."
"My lord, Sir Guilford called and said that something is going on out in the bay. He mentioned that it could involve the Black Knights."
"Damn I though we would have more time. Let's move Jones. I must be there to observe the action. I hope that Kururugi doesn't do something foolish before I get there."
After saving the Black Knights and agreeing to join the Special Administrative Zone, Zero makes his way down onto the Black Knight's submarine. The other Black Knight leaders voice their displeasure in Zero's decision. Zero lets them know his true objective. When Zero enters his room. CC is sitting there holding pillow.
"So what now?"
Lelouch sighs as he removes his mask.
"I just told everyone what now."
"Yes but what are you really planning."
Before Lelouch can answer, Kallen enters the room. CC notices they way they are looking at each other.
"Lelouch about before."
Lelouch raises his hand to silence her.
"Forget about it Kallen," Lelouch stands up and kisses Kallen, "Your words saved me."
He puts his mask on and exits the room. CC stares after him and Kallen.
Savmora looks at the casualty report. How could this of happened? Was Kururugi this reckless? Was it the real Zero out there?
After Zero announces his intent to join the SAZ, Suzaku, Gino, and Anya pull back. Waiting for them there is Savmora who does not appear to be happy.
"Kururugi, what is going on here? You have really made a mess of things."
Suzaku is not pleased about being called out by Savmora. Gino and Anya offer to speak on his behalf.
"No, I will do this on my own."
Suzaku is left alone with Savmora.
Savmora begins, "I though you were better than this Suzaku. How many men are suffering because you rushed ahead?"
Suzaku scowls, "We all understand the risk of being out here. If there is a chance to get Zero and the Black Knights, we need to take it. Now I'm afraid that the opportunity is now lost."
Suzaku looks down. Savmora knows some of what happened from Guilford. He knows that Suzaku loved Euphemia much in the same manner that Guilford loves Cornelia. The loss of his princess devastated him as a knight but also as a man. Savmora takes a different tactic.
"Suzaku, we have all lost many things, but we cannot allow our emotions to get the best of us."
Suzaku nods because he knows that Savmora is correct. Nunnally wants to believe in Euphie's dream even if that means including Zero and the Black Knights.
"But I am afraid that I will have to remove you from command of the military here in Area 11."
Suzaku's eyes open wide and he glares at Savmora.
"I mean with your commitment to the Special Administrative Zone especially now that Zero is involved."
Suzaku sighs, "I suppose you have a point. I must keep an eye on Zero."
"Suzaku, we are the Knights of the Round. We are the personal knights of his majesty the emperor. He may call us away at any moment. Even I will only be slightly involved in the matter. I believe it would make more sense to allow Lord Guilford to have more of a role."
Suzaku looks down.
"Suzaku the dead are gone and can never come back. Even if you do catch Zero again, it will change nothing. Even if you found evidence that Zero was behind the massacre, no one would ever believe it. In the eyes of the world she will always have that reputation."
Savmora puts his hand on Suzaku's shoulder.
"She no longer needs you to look after her, but now your a Knight of the Round, a leader, an Icon to not only the military but to civilians. You need to look at the bigger picture Suzaku. You as a Knight of the Round are in charge of soldiers on the battlefield. Your commands can mean life or death to them. It is your responsibility to protect them because every time one of them dies a mother, husband, or wife will weep upon receiving the letter that no one wants to receive. So Suzaku your actions no longer effect just you but thousands of others. With the Speacial Zone maybe even more. Do you understand?"
Suzaku nods in agreement. Of course he must concentrate on the SAZ. Naturally the emperor can pull him out at anytime. If not for Zero's maneuver, the Black Knights would be custody. Even if Zero participates in the SAZ, the Black Knights would have been under guard. Area 11 would experience peace for the first time. Now who knows what will happen. Savmora leaves Suzaku to his thoughts. Gino and Anya are waiting for him.
"Don't worry I didn't punish him. I just reminded him of our duty is to serve the emperor."
Gino and Anya go to check up on Suzaku. Savmora stands there looking around. This appears to be much harder than he figured. Now he realizes why Princess Cornelia would always participate in an invasion and help put down rebellions, and then make her exit. Some people are just cut out to govern while others are not. Savmora wonders if Princess Euphemia if given a proper chance would have succeeded. As he stands there, he feels a delicate hand touch him.
"Anya, how are you doing?"
Anya takes a picture of him standing there. Savmora reaches for her phone. Anya attempts to pull it away from him but is unsuccessful. Savmora manages to get one picture of Anya before she takes it back. Anya erases the picture and slides over to Savmora.
"Stand here."
Savmora is used to her direct monotone manner. Anya puts her arm around Savmora and takes a picture of the two of them. She quickly releases the pose when Suzaku and Gino come over to them. Suzaku is too distracted to notice anything, but Gino sees a little smile on Anya's face.
Nunnally sits there alone enjoying the evening breeze. She imagines that she hears her brother laughing. More than anything she wants to hear his voice and feel his touch. She wonders why she is not allowed to see Milly, Shirley, and Rivalz. She spoke with Nina once and knows that Nina has been in touch with Milly. Even more perplexing is the fact that the creator of Suzaku's Lancelot is still engaged to Milly. Nunnally wonders if Suzaku is hiding anything from her or perhaps he is hiding everything from her.
Meanwhile elsewhere Lelouch is laughing at his latest plan. Yes he knows his opponent like no other. Only a foolish man leaves any part of his plan in the hands of his opponent, but Suzaku acting like Suzaku is the plan. Lelouch begins his preparations for his next move.
Author's note: I think that it is too early for anything to happen between Lelouch and Kallen, but the seed for that and others is planted.