"What were you thinking?"

Kallen's voice was devoid of emotion as she stared at the ebony-haired man in front of her. He shook his head before grabbing her hand and pulling her to the house. She complied, the shock from his former question still shaking her body. Lelouch felt her tremble against him as he grasped her hand and pulled her back into the sanctuary of her house. Pushing open the doors , he gently led her up to her room, peeking into the room that the twins were sleeping on their way there. His two children slept peacefully as they curled up to each other. He stopped outside Kallen's room, waiting for her to push him away and slam her door once she got in. However, she leaned against the wall, her cerulean eyes diverted to the ground at her feet. Seeing that she wasn't going to resist, he led her into her room and seated her on her bed.

Seeing her towel on a chair, Lelouch took it and began drying her hair gently. His action was halted by a pair of battle-roughened hands and he lowered his head to meet questioning azure eyes. Kallen's hands still trembled slightly as she looked up into the eyes of the man that she had loved and followed blindly, even though he was behind a mask that time.

"What made you think that?" Her voice shook slightly like her body as she forced herself to meet the mesmerising eyes of the man that had charmed her eight years ago. Lelouch pressed his forehead against hers and closed his eyes, his hands dropping the towel to run his fingers through her aburn tresses. Kallen was taken aback by his actions but her hands moved to thread their way into Lelouch's raven locks. She closed her eyes in turn, inhaling his scent deeply, calming down with every breath. It had been some time since they had indulged in each other's company like this.

"What made me think like that?" Lelouch whispered, his breath against her lips. The realization of how close they were dawned on Kallen suddenly. As she moved her hands to Lelouch's chest to push him off, he grabbed her wrists and forced her down on the bed, pressing his forehead against her shoulder. Kallen was suddenly rendered helpless, once again vulnerable to the man that she swore to forget. That familar sensation of him seeking comfort in her arms again was too much for her too bear.

"Forgive me, Kallen..." Lelouch whispered into her shoulder, "However, please let stay like this for a while..." Kallen stared ahead before asking, "Why me, Lelouch? Of all people-?" She was silenced by the brushing of Lelouch's lips on her neck. He trailed down to her collarbone before resting his head on her shoulder. The redhead sighed before twitching her fingers to stroke his hair as Lelouch released her wrists to wrap his arms around her. Kallen melded herself to Lelouch as he slipped her arms around her waist, pulling her closer. He rolled down onto her bed, pulling her into the warmth of his arms. Kallen sighed as he stayed where he was, her arms holding him close as well.

"Tell me, did Schenizel try courting you at first?" Lelouch asked. Kallen giggled softly as he asked her that question. He loosened his embrace slightly so that he could look at Kallen, his Q-1. "And may I ask why Mr Married Zero is asking me all these questions?" Kallen shot back at him. Lelouch looked at her in surprise, rendered speechless for the moment. Kallen giggled again, softly before her face turned serious and her hand against his chest turned still.

"You are a married man Lelouch, not only are you a prince of Britannia, you are also the saviour of all the Areas. You are an influential person, why come looking for me at a time like this? You have Shirley, your children and your family that still loves you although you've rebelled against them. Aren't you satisfied?" Kallen's questions came tumbling out one after another. Lelouch tightened his arms around her before whispering so softly that she could barely hear him.

"It's because that I don't have you, that's why I am not satisfied."

Kallen froze at those words. Lelouch pulled her closer to him, his breath tickling her neck. "I want you back in my life so badly, Kallen. I really need you back, I don't think I can actually go on..." His voice broke down as Kallen felt his warm tears falling down her neck. She had never seen him so helpless, so broken down. Her arms went around his neck automatically, comforting him. He pulled away from her, his tears streaming down his cheeks, the amethyst eyes were just like that day...

"Just like I thought, you came here after all, eh?"

He was sitting on a steel beam, he didn't hear her approach and his head jerked up to look at her. She slowly walked towards him, looking around the ghetto that slowly being rebuilt. "This was where everything started with you, this was where Zero was born, where you gave us hope..." Her voice trailed off as she registered the object held in his hand.

"Lelouch...that is..."

"Yes, it's Refrain."

She had flinched back at the name of the drug, the drug that had made her mother so broken down...and yet he was here ready to inject that...vulgar thing into his veins. Just because he couldn't get his sister back? That wasn't Zero...

"You can go back to the good ol' days with it, don't you know? You should know this better than anyone else, Kallen."

The shock had subsided in her, replacing it with an anger that she had never felt before. Immediately, she grabbed the vial and syringe from him, flinging them to the ground, breaking the vial upon impact. Looking desperately into his face, she screamed, "So what if you can't get her back? Devise another plan then! What do you want me to do? Be a bait, pilot a Knightmare, fight for you? Just tell me what you need me to do!" She had just screamed all of it into his face, not wanting to see him like this...

"Then, comfort me."

His voice was sultry and sad as he said those three words. Slowly, he stood up and walked towards her, seeming to be so tall. As he loomed over her and carressed her cheek, her feet seemed to be glued to the floor and she could only look up at him. "That's something women can do right?" His breath was hot on her face as he leaned in closer, his lips nearly touching her trembling ones...

A slap echoed through the ghetto.

He turned back to her, his hand rising up to touch the cheek that was slowly turning red from her slap, a most bewildered expression on his face. "Snap out of it Lelouch! If that's the case, just keep lying to the very end. Perform Zero's act...flawlessly!" The helpless look slowly went out of his eyes, replaced by the look that she knew too well. The scene was still too much for her too bear. Turning on heel, she ran straight out of the ghetto, not turning back when she heard his footsteps after her.

Kallen stared into the plum eyes of Lelouch vi Britannia. No, she couldn't get hurt like last time. But here he was, asking her to be part of his life again, and she was so vulnerable to his charm... Placing her finger on his Geass contact, she gently removed it, placing it on the bedside table before taking his face in her hands.

"I'll be here for you tonight. I'm not going anywhere, I'm all yours for tonight, Lelouch." She whispered. His hand traced down her waist to her thighs, the other cupping her cheek, the amethyst eyes roaming her face as he moved closer to her. His lips touched hers gently before kissing her passionately, his hands moving up and down her body. For once, she obliged to him, returning his searing kisses and letting him have her. Just before th blissful oblivation started, he whispered in her ear softly.

"Thank you, Q-1"

Well...this is it. Sorry, but no lemon, but I was sorta crying when I wrote this, thanks to inspiration from charredfeathers and miyako-dono34. I really should NEVER try writing lemon...

Just a little briefing here, cause most of you are confused as I never explained things properly...(damn me!) Euphie never became vice-viceroy and they triumphed after defeating the emperor. Clovis was the only casuality, otherwise it follows the anime plot. Zero's identity was revealed after things were taken care of. The royal family knows and also the inner circle of the Black Knights. Kallen went to university to study law while being funded by Britannia due to her status as a Knight of Round. Lelouch married Shirley and had two children...The rest will be revealed later...I'M SO TIRED!

-砕け散った夢わ私信じての奇跡-