Suzaku pulled at Lelouch's collar, forcing the smaller body closer, relishing in the familiar frame that pushed against him. "Suzaku… someone might come and see you." His voice was breathless as he finally pulled away and it made Suzaku shudder as he took Lelouch's lips again in a hungry kiss.

"You'll be late for your meeting." Suzaku finally said pulling away, resting Zero's mask on its position on his face.

"You're the one who started molesting me," Lelouch laughed smugly, fixing his coat and running long fingers through his bangs. "And aren't you the one who has a meeting to attend with the Empress?"

'Zero' made a low growl in his throat, wishing he could just take Lelouch back to his room and stay there for the rest of the day. "Yes and she's probably wondering where I am about now…"

Lelouch walked slowly out of their hiding place, his cheeks still flushed from their earlier action. "Zero…"

"Hm? What is it?" 'Zero' moved after the younger man, fixing his gloves as he walked.

"Today I'm-"

"Sir Zero!" Schneizel's loud voice came from down the hallway and the two figures turned to meet him. "Zero… I've been searching for you. Empress Nunnally is awaiting you."

'Zero' nodded, making his way with Schneizel. "Yes, I'm sorry. I was talking with Count Girouard here. I apologize."

Schneizel made a quick bow to the Count, following 'Zero' down the hallway as he spoke on the matters at hand.

Andre watched with dark eyes as the two figures walked away, deciding he didn't feel like going to his meeting any longer.

'Zero' entered the Empress' office moments later and she greeted him with a small smile. "I had begun to worry what had become of you."

"I'm sorry your majesty." 'Zero' made a bow and closed the door completely behind him, leaving the two alone.

"Suzaku, I've wanted to ask you something."

"Your majesty please."

"We're alone, there is no problems with me calling you that." Disappointment flashed across her face as her stood up slowly, 'Zero' walking to the front of her desk.

"What is it that you would like to speak to me about?"

"Andre Girouard."

"Andre?" 'Zero' was glad that his mask was able to hide the surprised written across his face.

"Yes." Nunnally took a long breath before looking up to meet his face again. "For my own sake I've decided to ignore it, but lately I've started to worry. It's no secret that you spend much free time with this boy, and that's partly what makes me bring this up."

"I'm not sure I understand."

"You think he looks like Lelouch, don't you?"

"I- I…" He shuddered, and it gave him away.

Nunnally walked around the desk, standing beside 'Zero' who towered over her. "I didn't think it was anything when I first met him after he asked for a position in the court. I didn't want to think anything of it, mostly for my own sake, because I knew it would only bring me heartache."

She looked down and he didn't know if he should say something to comfort her.

"I think the other people of the court who still even remember my brother and think they see similarities; they have decided it would be best not to bring it up. And I agree, nothing good can come out of remembering my brother's past…"

"What does this have anything to do with me and spending time with him?"

"You're trying to replace my brother, aren't you Suzaku? You think that boy is him don't you? His… reincarnation?" He looked down at her and finally noticed she was holding his hand.

He pulled away sharply, taking a few steps closer to the center of the room. "You shouldn't do that to people…"

"Suzaku please!" He could hear her voice crack. Why was she so upset? "That boy isn't Lelouch and he never will be. You can't force him to be someone that is already gone from this world! He'll never know who my brother really was, no matter what things you tell him. How are you being fair?"

"Fair? I don't see how I'm being unfair. I've done nothing wrong."

"You're lying to yourself Suzaku!"

"I told you, stop calling me that name."

"Yet you have him call you that, don't you?"

"Your majesty, is there anything else that needs to be discussed?"

Nunnally remained standing, her head low, hands shaking. "No, there is nothing else; Zero." She finally addressed him, defeated.

"Then I will come see you later. There are plans for your trip to northern Europe next week." He closed the door slowly behind him, sure he heard her cries from behind the thick wood.