A/N: I actually have this whole folder of one-shots on my computer... And this is one of them. I actually wrote this a while ago, but anyways... I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: Code Geass is not my property.

The Emperor went to the hangar; taking a deep breath, he thought of what he would have to do at the United Federation of Nations conference. Right now, he was the beloved monarch of justice, and in just a few hours, he would be the most hated person in the world, having betrayed everyone. He had once said, "To defeat evil, I will became an even greater evil." Now his words would become true to the point of no return. He wouldn't even allow himself to look back anymore; there was no point.

Boarding the private jet, he found C2 inside, staring out of the window while hugging her large yellow doll, earned thanks to his money and her penchant for pizza. As the door closed and he took a seat, he opened his book and began to read. The journey was taken in silence until she asked, "Do you feel no sorrow from having to turn into the most hated person in the world?"

"Why should I, when it's a small sacrifice to pay for a better world? For Nunnally's world? Besides… You and I, C2… We have always been on the outside, watching, not participating. I don't believe that I'll feel like I'm missing anything in particular."

"Such a coldhearted man…"

"Thanks to that attribute, I've made it this far, haven't I?"

She smiled and hugged Cheese-kun even tighter. She had told Suzaku that she had deserted her humanity a long time ago. She had. But ever since she had officially met Lelouch, and had gotten to know him better and understand him, she felt the humanity return to her. As gradual as it was, it was coming back to her, and she wasn't sure whether she wanted to curse or thank the boy. She snuck a glance towards him; he, who would focus all hatred on himself, he who had borne and still bears the heavy sins for his actions, he who would sacrifice his name, his face, his everything for a peaceful world, for a world that would embrace both the weak and the strong and treat them equally, he who had agreed to hand in his life for Nunnally's world, was sitting quietly and reading a book. It almost seemed laughable. How could he be so calm? Perhaps he wasn't actually reading, perhaps he was struggling with himself to resign to the end of the long, bloody path he had chosen, perhaps-

"What is it, C2?"

"It's nothing you need to know."

"As stubborn as always."

"Of course. That's why-"

"That's why you're C2."

"You know."

"How could I forget? You're my accomplice, my partner. The person who understood me, my motives, my actions, my thinking. You are my only equal."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"During the time when the 98th Emperor locked away my true memories and replaced them with false ones, I felt anger at him, but also at myself. How could I forget Nunnally? How could I forget what Britannia did to myself, to my mother and to my sister? And how could I forget C2?"

He looked up from his book and stared at her. He repeated, "Yes…. How could I have forgotten you?"

"The power of the kings cannot be disobeyed."

"But it can. Euphemia nearly did. I did, with your help. It can be broken."

"Lelouch, if you're about to become sentimental, I'd rather you do it-"

"Thank you, C2. No. Thank you. *********. For all you've done for me."

At the sudden use of her true name, her eyes widened, and Lelouch smiled in amusement while returning to his reading. Her surprised expression soon melted into one of quiet happiness and the emerald-haired woman said after a while, "You're welcome." Lelouch showed no sign of hearing, but they both knew that he acknowledged her reply. Hiding her small smile, she rested her head on the large doll and returned to window-gazing.

. . .

On the large screen in front of the two seats, a message appeared.

"15 minutes until arrival in Japanese airspace."

"We're nearly there." commented C2.

"So we are."

She heard a page turn and debated whether or not to ask him. Scolding herself, she asked, 'Why are you so hesitant? What have you to fear from him?' Not changing her line of vision from the window, she asked, "Lelouch, are you really sure about this? Bringing only me and a few SPs…"

Continuing his light reading, he answered, "We are the ones doing the requesting, saying that we want to participate in democracy."

At his reply, she turned to him, amused. Smiling, she said, "Oh?"

"We all love democracy, don't we?" he looked towards her, also entertained by their inside joke. The moment passed however, and soon, although she hated to admit it, worry settled in. Once again, she tried to decide whether to say what was on her mind. What was wrong with her? How un-C2 could she be?

"What is it? What's on your mind?" at this point, the Emperor closed his book. A reply came, not from the witch, but from the screen. The jet's automated pilot flashed a message, "2 minutes until arrival of destination."

The witch said nothing, and he sighed and said, "If you have something on your mind, I wish you would speak now, or forever hold your peace, as I'm about to go and disrupt some peace."

He rose from his seat and straightened his robes. As he passed by her, he paused momentarily and put a hand on her shoulder wordlessly. She looked up at him and he returned her gaze. Walking away, he pressed the button for the door, waiting for the door to open and allowing him to disembark, when he heard footsteps. Smiling, he turned around and asked, "What is it that you-"

C2 rushed to him before it was too late. Walking quickly to him, she reached up and pulled him down. Lelouch stumbled backwards and pressed the button for the door again, closing it. He couldn't allow for the media to catch sight of the Emperor of Britannia kissing someone; it would be a scandal and a hindrance to his plans.

All the same however, he wrapped his arms around her and returned the kiss. When they broke apart, he looked down at her and questioned, "Is this what you wanted to tell me?"

"Be careful. Even though it's a surprise attack, it's still dangerous."

"You're just saying that because keeping me alive is priority for you."

"Yes, to fulfill our contract. That's how it was at first."

"That's how it was? How is it now?"

"I've turned more human than I have been the past few centuries because of you, Lelouch."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I love you."

He stared at her in surprise and she continued, "So be careful. It's dangerous work, destroying the world's trust and admiration for you."

"Don't be condescending towards me. I know what I'm doing."

"I know. It's a reminder. A reminder that there are still people who care about you. So be careful."

He pressed the button for the door again as C2 backed away from him, out of sight from the public. Before stepping off, he turned back and said, "C2."

"What is it?"

"Congratulations. Your wish has come true, after all that you endured and suffered."

"My wish?"

"I love you."

Amidst cheering from the watching crowd, the Emperor stepped foot onto Japanese land. The door to the jet closed behind him and he smile and waved to the throng of spectators. He thought of what had just happened inside of the private jet of the Emperor and his smile became wider.

'Yes… For even tyrants and kings, destroyers and those who reshape the world grow weary and need a companion who will stay by their side and understand them and love them. Yes…. Thank you, C2, for being my companion.'