Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass, and that suits me perfectly.

Warnings: Strong Language

Ah, I would've updated this last week, but my sister loves to hang around me. I find it impossible to write, or draw with someone looking over my shoulder D:

Anyways, I won't ramble much longer. Hopefully you guys will like this chapter. Your responses are very encouraging. Also I'd like to give a special thanks to aristicats11. You really boosted my ego :D

Suzaku's P.O.V.

I gazed down, and saw Lelouch wince in pain. His eyes slowly fluttered open, and he looks around the room, probably taking in his surroundings. I suppose it would be quite a shock to wake up in a hospital. Last time he was awake he was dying on a cold rainy sidewalk. Why did he wait outside in the storm? The idiot should've walked into one of the shops nearby. At least he's awake now though…

His expression changes to one of surprise when he looks at me and C.C.

"Lelouch…" I call to him softly. It's so good to see him awake again. I smile, and bring him close to me in a tight embrace.

C.C. sighs next to me. I'm still annoyed that she's stuck around. I won't let Lelouch accept her code. Even if it's what he wants.

"I'm so glad that you're finally awake…you don't know how long I've been waiting. You gave us quite the scare Lelouch…we thought you were a goner."

"Where's Rolo?" he asks weakly.

His words make me uneasy.

The assassin? He wants to know where the assassin is? Lelouch should know better than anyone that he's dead. Good riddance too. That kid was creepy. Why would Lelouch bring him up? Just how strong was the bond Lulu formed with his fake brother?

"I'm a failure. I can't even succeed in killing myself!" I hear him cry out in frustration.

What the hell? He really was trying to commit suicide? Did I hear him right? I pull back a little so I can see his face. He looks so depressed, as if waking up wasn't something he wanted.

Did he really want to die? Why would he want to die?

Suddenly I realize that the boy in front of me is not the same Lelouch I knew from before. Obviously he'd changed, we both had, but this is something I'd never imagine. The Lelouch I had known as a kid was happy despite all the hardships life had thrown at him. He was independent, arrogant, and proud. This Lelouch on the other hand…I don't really know where to begin. Why would he give up? Sure, his goals are unrealistic, and he's going about this all wrong. None of his traits are that of a quitter though. He was never a quitter.

I don't know what to tell him. He's like a stranger to me. This boy before me hardly looks like the cold heartless killer I thought he'd become. It's as though his strong defense was broken. Has Lelouch always been this vulnerable deep down? Lelouch…you don't have to hide from me.

"Why couldn't I just die…" he says tiredly. Quiet sobs wreck his body, and he moves his hands to cover his face. "It should've been easy. It's not like anyone wants me alive anyway."

I gasp, and glance at C.C. Her expression is one of pain. I guess she didn't know about his intentions either.

"Lelouch…" I say calmly trying to get his attention. He seems to be in his own little world.

"Get the hell away from me!" he yells trying to shove me away from him, but I strengthen my hold on him.

"You're just an illusion. The real Suzaku wouldn't give a damn if I was dying or not. He wouldn't be here!" he cries loudly. The sadness in his voice is unbearable.

An illusion? Does he really find it that hard to believe I'd be here for him? I guess he thought our friendship was one-sided. I can't blame him I guess. If I were looking at it from afar I would have to say it's been awhile since I've done anything friendly. All I've done is set him up, and collect the rewards…Shit! How can he still consider me a friend? I haven't been friendly with him since I found out he was Zero. Lelouch has been sheltering the guise of Zero for awhile now…he didn't involve any of us perhaps to keep us safe? But then why did he kill Euphie? She's his sister, he had to have felt something.

If it wasn't for that stupid Geass of his! If he didn't have a Geass she wouldn't be dead. Did Euphie know about it? She willingly walked into a room alone with him. Did she love him that much that she'd be so reckless?

There was a time when I loved him that much too. When I'd blindly follow him into the jaws of the beast. What good would that do now though? He's going down the path of destruction. He discards people as soon as he's done with them. I almost lost it when I found out the truth behind the masked terrorist. How could he have hidden his mask from me so well? As his best friend I'm suppose to know everything about him. I'm suppose to show him the right way. I should know whether or not he's dying.

I look away from him ashamed. Instead of trying to fix him, I've been acting selfishly out of revenge. Is it even something Euphemia would've wanted?

It occurs to me just how close Lelouch was to joining Euphemia. The thought makes my heart clench uncomfortably.

He's right. A few weeks ago I probably wouldn't have came to his side…not right away anyways. It pains me just thinking about it. He was so close to death, if this had been two weeks ago I might've been slightly relieved to know Euphie's murderer was dead. Lelouch could be laying dead here, and I was really close to not knowing. If I hadn't of decided to show up when I did…

"We're real," C.C. spoke up monotonously. "and Rolo's been dead for awhile now."

Lelouch turns to face her. He's given up trying to remove me from his side. He must've realized it was futile.

The look on his face is exhausted. He looks at her sadly.

"And what brings you here witch? What do you want from me this time?"

She seemed to have a witty response ready, but frowned and kept quiet instead. It appears even she knows not to kick someone when they're down. Lelouch is vulnerable right now.

Something about the way he said, 'What do you want from me this time?' bothers me. It's like Lelouch expects people to only want him for what he can do for them, and not because he's good company.

My suspicions are confirmed with his next statement.

"I know you don't care for me witch," he pauses and glances at me. "You don't care either. If you guys want something from me I'm going to have to apologize in advance. I'm sorry, but I won't be able to fulfill your requests. You may as well leave…staying will only be a waste of time."

"Lelouch, you called me here. You wanted to tell me something right?" I'm not leaving you Lelouch. Especially not now.

His eyes widen in surprise, and he nods slowly. He turns to C.C. and asks her to step out for awhile. He must know C.C.'s not about to leave his side either.

She hesitates before slowly walking out of the room.

Lelouch watches her leave. After awhile he turns to face me, an unreadable expression on his face.

"Suzaku," he pauses to briefly to examine me. "I know you didn't come here to hear me out. Let's cut the pointless chatter, and head to the root of the matter. What is it you came to tell me? What do you want?"

"Huh? Lelouch I did come to hear you out…although there is also something I have to ask of you."

He laughs humorously. "I knew it. You-"

"Please listen to me before you say no!" I quickly add before he can interrupt again.

He regards me warily, but hesitantly nods nonetheless.

"If it's about the Black Knights I can't do anything about it. They're no longer under my command."

He sounds really down. I feel like I'm walking on egg shells.

"No it's not about the Black Knights…they're going to be dealt with soon enough anyway," I finish offhandedly.

"What? What's going to happen to them?" Lelouch cries out alarmed. His wide eyes search mine for an answer.

I can't believe he's still worried about those terrorists. Even after they discarded him so easily. Does he feel responsible, because he's the one that started all of this?

"Lelouch, don't worry about them," I say calmly. "They get what's coming to them. It's good you're not with them anymore, even if it wasn't entirely by choice. Without you to lead them they're making reckless mistakes. Xingke and Ougi lead, but Xingke's dying. Ougi is probably a good leader, but he can't really compare to you in intelligence."

I wave my left hand to dismiss the topic. I don't want to think about those guys right now.

"Anyways Lelouch, that's not why I'm here. Nunnally wants to see you. She asked me if I could somehow reach you, so she can meet with you. She misses you Lelouch."

I missed you too, but I can't exactly tell you that can I? You'd probably get mad, and tell me to stop sounding gay again (it happened before in a sound episode), or you might not believe me. I guess you did send all those letters…I'm sorry I didn't come to your side sooner. How was I suppose to know you'd do something like this when not even C.C. knew? Just because I didn't come see you doesn't mean I didn't miss you Lulu…

He scoffed and turned away from me. "Really? Nunnally asked for me, and you actually came? I thought for sure you'd tell her how horrible I am, and convince her I'm not worth the effort…You were right Suzaku. My existence is a mistake," he finished weakly.

I winced. I did say that didn't I? Even if he did kill Euphie, I'm sure she wouldn't want her brother to feel this way.

What should I do Euphemia? How can I save Lelouch from himself?

"Lelouch, you are worth the effort. Nunnally's your sister, she's going to love you even if anyone tells her otherwise. I'm sorry for what I said that day. You're not a mistake. You've just made some bad choices."

He stays quiet for some time. Just looking out the window. For a second I wonder if he even heard me. I reach over and grasp his jaw lightly. I turn his face towards me, and he looks up at me blankly. His eyes, they look so…dead.

"Lulu," I start, not really knowing how to put this. "Why do you want to die? You know that people care for you right? I care for you. If anything were to happen to you…I don't know what I'd do," my heart fills with dread at the mere thought of it. "I'm not going to lie. I thought I wanted to see you dead, but that's not it at all. It's your Geass I can't stand. Whatever you do, you can't accept C.C.'s code. You're my most important person Lelouch, and it will only make you suffer."

Before I truly realize what I'm doing, I've closed the distance between us. I let my lips descend onto his, and trap him in a deep kiss. I can't really explain it. The feeling to do it overwhelmed me. I can only hope this won't scare him. Truth be told I've harbored romantic feelings for Lelouch since way before I knew he was Zero. Perhaps that's why I couldn't bring myself to truly hate him despite everything he'd done, but it's not like he'd like me back anyways…

I'm suddenly reminded of the first time I ever told anyone. The only time actually. The day I confessed it to Euphemia.

'I approve!' she had responded elatedly, clasping her hands in joy. "But only if you really mean it, and promise to watch over him Suzaku. No matter what, because Lelouch means a lot to me.'

'Of course I'll watch over him Euphie, and I really mean it. I love Lulu, of that I'm certain.'

'I hope you're right…' she finished forlornly.

It was strange at the time, I'd never really realized why she had said that. Is it possible that she had already known Zero's identity? Did she want me to help Lelouch, even from back then? She had given it her best effort.

Snapping out of my thoughts, I'm pleasantly surprised to feel Lulu tentatively respond back. His movement is shy, but at least it's there. Maybe I have a chance with him after all?

Don't worry Euphie. I promised to watch over him, and it's time I do. I'm not letting C.C. ruin him anymore than she already has.

Author's Note: I'm sorry guys, this one came out short. I'll try to make the next one long to make up for it x.x I meant to update sooner, but it's like I said before. People get in my way D: Also I've been playing a bit of Red Dead Redemption. That games awesome.

Irrelevant side note: Because I'm fearing the destruction of all my files, I uploaded a bunch of my favorite pictures I found while browsing the net onto my imageshack. If any of you want to browse around, I'll put the link on my profile. About 90% of them are of Code Geass. (I did not put my whole collection on there, but it's mainly just the really good ones.)

Anyways, review if you have time~

Thank you for reading :)