Sorry for the longer than intended wait.

Not a whole else lot I need to say. Basic Disclaimers, thank you to my reviewers, and we're off!

Oh, and the chapter name was inspired by Lelouch's monologue at the end of episode 19 of R2.


Lelouch sat in his bed, legs pulled up toward his chest. And he just stared. Stared blankly at the wall in front of him, eyes drained of all color. His lip would twitch from time to time and he would blink even less regularly, but beyond those simple actions he didn't dare move. He feared that were he to move he would shatter into a million pieces.

Like his heart nearly had when V.V. hung up.

That had been six hours ago at least, Lelouch figured. He didn't really care. C.C. had done well in the negotiations and he had already read what Xingke had left for him; Lelouch would have Area 11, and it's stores of Sakuradite would be cut off from Britannia. This would certainly hit the superpower hard, were it to come together. The twenty percent promised to the Chinese Federation and their subsequent union was of no consequence to Lelouch, and the other nations would get the courage to join his war if Area 11 fell.

But what was nearly within the palm of his hand suddenly felt so far away. Area 11 was near, and he had everything set for it's liberation. But whenever things truly looked up for Lelouch Lamperouge, there was always someone waiting to kick him down again. It was a deadly cycle he'd never escaped, and he couldn't help but wonder if he ever would.

"Everyone..." Lelouch whispered quietly, surprised he didn't feel the familiar clenching of his heart when he brought that thought to mind. It was a thought that threatened to tear him apart from the inside out. And hard as he tried, that wasn't a feeling he could tuck away in the now overflowing closet of emotions that was Zero's mask. Knowing that, he had left everything to Xingke and demanded he be left alone, his only lingering company being C.C. and her quiet humming as she casually read some pop idol magazine of some sort.

Lelouch really didn't want to ask why she felt celebrity life and the like was an interesting topic while they were on a ship that had just pulled in from cutting a bloody swath through the Chinese Federation.

"Lelouch, you're staring," Lelouch promptly noticed that his eyes had broken their trance-like state to look at C.C. and he smirked almost involuntarily. He leaned forward and gave her covered body a once over and C.C. laughed – not that annoying and slightly seductive chuckle; a full out laugh. She watched the raven haired teen from the corner of her eye for a moment longer before returning to a particularly interesting article on skin care.

More interesting than watching Lelouch sulk and brood, anyway.

"You didn't sound like you were complaining," C.C.'s change in attitude toward her partner had done much more than make people assume things – some of which Lelouch was glad he couldn't remember – and make them a little more friendly toward each other. His shyness toward women faded quite quickly. When that dawned on the witch she immediately began taking to a far more subtle means of teasing; namely, casual seduction on a regular basis. Lelouch had grown to treat this no differently than he had their constant bickering, and often found himself reciprocating her playful banter.

Like now. C.C. rolled her eyes to his response, and there was that chuckle, the chuckle that was the undeniable icing to the cake of it all, "I wasn't." And she winked for emphasis, relishing in the furious blush she got out of Lelouch. The thought crossed her mind that the others would be more than surprised to see Lelouch's uncharacteristic behaviour in her company, and the amusement that would come from seeing such an exchange was growing more and more enticing.

That was why she was just ecstatic to hear a knock on the door at that particular moment. Giving Lelouch a look that was more than effective at keeping his eyes on her, she said, "Come in." Before Lelouch could recover Suzaku walked in, more than a little surprised to see the look in Lelouch's eyes as he stared at C.C. as if Suzaku weren't there. But Suzaku was there, and Lelouch coughed nervously as he looked at Suzaku.

"Yes?"

"Xingke told me that C.C. had said you'd want to talk to me," Suzaku replied, eyeing Lelouch hesitantly. C.C. chuckled before returning to her magazine, leaving Lelouch alone in a matter he was still trying to grasp. When it dawned on him, he sighed heavily. He had indeed been thinking along the same lines, but actually doing it would be difficult. Suzaku tapped his foot rather impatiently; Lelouch figured he would have much rather being with Rakshata at the moment.

Lelouch knew Suzaku would be pleased with the request Lelouch had put in to begin modifications on the Lancelot. But that was hardly the issue at hand.

"Sit," he gestured toward his chair, making no move to leave his bed. Suzaku did so, raising an eyebrow. "Now, I..." he paused. Did he really want to do this? It was something he could get away with lying about, he figured. Nobody needed to know. But at the same time, he needed to escape the lies he'd been making. He frowned, "You're not going to like what I have to say."

"I thought so."

"Do you remember what I said to you that day, on the roof at Ashford?" Lelouch asked, smiling gently at the memory.

Suzaku joined him in reminiscence, "I remember. You said something about a power people wouldn't believe existed, that the Emperor has. And that you knew about it." Realization dawned on Suzaku, and he looked at Lelouch pointedly, "Do you...?"

Lelouch's hand swept over his eye and when he moved it, Geass was flaring in it's depths. Suzaku gasped loudly as Lelouch said, "Geass. A mighty power few would believe existed. It manifests itself in many forms – I know of two others – but mine is just as unique as any."

"Your's..." Suzaku stared dumbfounded, terrified by the sigil in Lelouch's eye. He wanted to say Lelouch was mad, that such a thing was something out of a fairytale. But that demonic eye was all the proof he needed.

"The Power of Absolute Obedience," Lelouch said, trace amounts of pride in his voice. "The ability to give any order I desire, no matter how displeasing to the recipient."

Suzaku felt a pit growing in the depths of his stomach, "You didn't..."

"I have never used it on an ally. If I am to rule this world, I need honest subordinates, not brainwashed goons. Jeremiah is an exception, but the case was rather peculiar for him," Lelouch explained, understanding Suzaku's worries completely.

"Shinjuku," it was no more than a breath, but Suzaku understood immediately. "That's how you got his Sutherland."

"Correct. This power is a blessing. It has given me the power to start all of this. I have used it sparingly so far, but the time will come when my Geass will be vital. In that regard, it is a more potent weapon than any technology we get our hands on.

"But at the same time, its a curse. It's a lonely thing. I've lost many of my friends through Geass, and it will only continue to get worse. But I have made a vow to C.C., that I would overcome that loneliness. That I would master Geass and keep that which I hold dear to me."

"C.C.?"

"I gave him this power," C.C. interjected. "And he will fulfill my desire in the end."

Suzaku looked to Lelouch for elaboration, but he just shrugged. "I'm telling you this, Suzaku, because I can no longer keep it a secret. There are others who have Geass, and other immortals – like C.C. - who are under my father's control."

"And what does that matter?" Suzaku asked.

"The one who gave my father Geass, V.V., is here in the Chinese Federation, I believe. In a place called the Geass Directorate. We have to find him, and eliminate him."

"Do you wish to destroy this... Geass Directorate?" Suzaku asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I want to make it a dominion of the Order of the Black Knights. I want to harness Geass and use it's power. But I also want to protect Geass' existance. It is not something that should be widely known," Lelouch explained. His eyes dropped slightly and he sighed, knowing Suzaku could see right through him at that moment.

"There's more to it," and Lelouch knew he couldn't hide it from Suzaku any longer.

"V.V., he..." Lelouch took a breath, calming his nerves. "He has them. Our friends. Milly, Shirley, Rivalz, Nina... all of them."

Suzaku gaped. And then he made a curious, grunt-like noise. Then he gaped again. And then his eyes went wide in understanding astonishment. "...You."

"What?"

"You hate this world so much, you got involved in it like this! You didn't think about anyone but yourself! I've looked past your means – I admit that there is some necessity to them. But now our friends are prisoners of some immortal who's out to get you! And do you even care?!" Suzaku glared daggers at Lelouch, not in the least surprised about his sudden urge to tear Lelouch apart to satisfy his bitter mood.

"Of course I care!" Lelouch snapped, glaring back. "They're our friends, Suzaku. But if I put them first, the people who believe in me to give them what I've promised – a better world – will suffer. The world is suffering, and it's more selfish of me to put my friends before all of them." Lelouch's eyes softened the moment Suzaku's did, both mentally whispering apologies to one another. "I didn't think my father would target our friends to get to me. But now that he has, we have to save them."

"We shouldn't go alone, Lelouch. You're finally being honest with those who believe in you. The others need to be told about this."

"Absolutely not. You're understanding, Suzaku, but I can't expect them to believe me if I tell them I have never used such a power to sway them. Loyalty will be shaken, and everything will fall apart. We can't afford to let that happen."

o--o

"Impressive work as always, Rakshata. How long will we be expecting for the upgrades to be made?" Lelouch eyed the reports he had just received with great interest, every now and then glancing over to the side of his laptop screen where Rakshata's face was, pipe held tightly between her lips.

"The changes are little more than upgrades on the Lancelot's current technology and a new paint job. Give us a week to put the finishing touches on the new weapons, and a few days with the Frame itself, I'd say," she tapped a finger to her cheek as she thought, making sure there was nothing she had overlooked. "I have to admit, the Lancelot is a fine Knightmare Frame. Making upgrades for it is a difficult thing to do."

"I agree," Lelouch nodded, smiling. "And what of the Han-Shu and... that? That project was passed on to you as well, right?"

"Correct!" she replied cheerfully, grinning. "The first ten have already been completed, and they will be ready for full mass production by the end of the month. We've been putting them through test runs and have found several bugs that have eluded us so far, but it's coming together. And that has already been completed."

"Good work. Send your next report to Xingke; if it's anything important have him forward it to me. I have things I need to do for now, if you don't mind." Rakshata nodded, and then Lelouch hastily closed his laptop and sat back in his seat. "C.C., do you have any idea where it is?"

"It changes location everytime a new head it is declared," she replied, sauntering over to him and resting her chin atop his head, gazing down at his raven hair. "As for where it is now, I couldn't fathom."

Lelouch sighed; he certainly wasn't pleased with that. "We'll have to find it soon. I won't invade Area 11 with my friends in captivity."

Smiling, C.C. ran her hands down his arms soothingly as she lowered her head toward his ear, whispering huskily, "You're still too emotional, boy."

Lelouch gulped, closing his eyes, "I'm aloud to be emotional in personal matters, I think."

"Except Suzaku is pressuring you to make this a matter that involves Ogi and the others, is he not? Would it still be a personal matter then?"

Lelouch, much to his dismay, hadn't really thought about that. He wracked his brain for a moment, pondering, before he decided on his answer. He flipped open his laptop again, and within a few moments a communication channel with the command center had been opened, and Xingke's face appeared. "Send Suzaku in, Xingke." The older man nodded, and the laptop was closed again.

"You're playing a dangerous game, keeping Suzaku so close, Lelouch," C.C. moved her hands from their resting positions near his wrists and clasped them together around his neck, her breath still assaulting the back of his neck and ear.

Lelouch couldn't help but laugh at her words, "You're the one with your arms around my neck, witch."

"I'm playing a game I can win, though," and she nipped at his ear to emphasize her point, laughing as he gasped sharply. "I'm not one of the chess games you're so good at, Lelouch."

"Sometimes I wish you were," Lelouch admitted with a chuckle. "They're far easier to understand and control."

Suzaku entered into yet another rather compromising situation, this time actually feeling his cheeks heat up, more or less due to the fact that the first thing he'd seen was C.C. taking another nip at her partner's ear, taking far too much amusement in his reactions. She looked up rather innocently as she saw Suzaku, and drew away from Lelouch, "I'll leave you two to your business," and she returned to her bed, falling onto it and curling up.

"Lelouch..."

"Pay it no heed," Lelouch waved a hand dismissively, willing away his blush with every bit of his mental capacity. "I called you here to work out what we're going to do with the Black Knights."

Suzaku raised an eyebrow, "Meaning?" Despite the change of topic, he couldn't help his mind drifting back to what he saw. He now knew that C.C. was more than another subordinate, but for all intents and purposes that's the role she played. And seeing Lelouch having such a relationship with a subordinate was more than a little strange to Suzaku, he had to admit.

"You're adverse to acting while keeping the Order in the dark, but we can't tell them the truth," Lelouch explained.

"And why can we not, Lelouch? Surely your power has flaws that you can use to convince them."

"The only flaw I can use is that they'd have a lapse of memory during the time they were under the influence of Geass. Geass leaves them completely unaware of what happens while it's active," Lelouch pondered, and he couldn't help but wonder if that would actually be sufficient to convince them. It probably would, after all they'd already been through. If they could trust him as a prince, surely trusting him with such a power with proof of not having used it on them would keep them on his side...

"So let's do that, then," Suzaku concluded, smiling. Lelouch knew he wouldn't get out of it then.

o--o

Schneizel smirked as he looked at Lloyd. Despite all they had lost to Lelouch, they were already in the works of picking themselves up again. Lloyd's eyes reflecting gleeful understanding that told Schneizel he had the same thing in mind that his prince had. His smirk turned into a grin that matched Lloyd's, their eyes conveying all the words they needed to say. There was only one thing that needed saying, they told each other with their eyes, and the both said it together, "Operation Muhon will work on a new stage."

Cecile smiled as they said that, "Where?"

Schneizel's eyes didn't leave Lloyd's, "I've already got it all ready. Kanon, make sure we've gathered our remnants. The Avalon is retreating from the Chinese Federation. My brother can have this stage; we'll face him once and for all on our new stage."

o--o

The Hogosha's meeting room was styled in a way not unlike a conference chamber. Chairs occupied the near entirety of the bland room, and at the far side was a stage with a podium, and behind it were two chairs on either side. It was seldom used, as the commanders of the Anti-Britannian Front rarely needed to meet with their soldiers in such a manner, but it was still a helpful room for when it's use was necessary.

Like today. The room was buzzing with excitement as soldiers, mechanics and anyone else filed into the room from any of it's three doorways – along the south, east and west walls respectively, all the while keeping their eyes intently fixed on their leader standing at the podium, C.C. seated behind him on one side and Suzaku seated behind him on the other. With the exception of those two, everyone – even Xingke – was directed to the seats that rested before the podium. Those without seats were left to stand in the massive room that could nearly bring most rooms in the Britannia Palace to shame.

The room was large enough to seat nearly everyone, but that was one of it's only selling points. It was painted a white with a small blue tint, and it had embroidery of a darker blue lining the center of the walls in a wavy pattern, going over and under a golden line. The podium was the only other contrast to the bland room, sporting a dark red coating and the Order of the Black Knights symbol on the side that faced the crowd.

"We have come far," Lelouch started suddenly, his voice sullen and lacking it's usual authorativity. "We have fought many battles and overcome many trials, and finally the time to restore Japan to it's former glory is upon us!" Many people cheered, and Suzaku had to wave a silencing hand so Lelouch could continue, "But before we declare war and attack Area 11, a new threat has appeared here in the Chinese Federation," there were low murmurs as people questioned each other about what meant.

In much the same tone, which had earned him several bewildered looks since his speech began, Lelouch continued, "Strange powers few people know exist have become a part of this war, and if we are to overcome Britannia we must harness it's strength! The power to manipulate your enemy is a mystifying power indeed, and Charles Di Britannia has control of such a power. I do not know what his is capable of, but here in the Chinese Federation is a hidden sanctuary, where people with such powers reside. This place must become our own if we are to even the odds, because as it stands this sanctuary is under the control of Charles Di Britannia."

"What are you getting at, Lelouch?" Xingke asked from his seat in the center of the front row, raising an eyebrow.

"You can't honestly expect us to believe such nonsense," Nagisa remarked, seated right behind Xingke.

"And why should you not?" Lelouch smirked when Nagisa gaped. "You need look no further than me for proof, as I too have this power."

Xingke smiled slightly, "This is why C.C. is here, right?"

"For all intents, she's a capable pilot and a good strategist and diplomat. Truly not a burden, to be sure." Lelouch looked back at C.C., who responded with by staring straight into his eyes with a mischievous glint, winking. Lelouch gulped as he turned back to the crowd, "But yes, she supplied me with this power."

Xingke continued, "And what is this power, exactly?"

Lelouch and Suzaku had decided that this part would sound better coming from someone other than Lelouch, and so Suzaku stood up and walked forward, taking his place at the podium as Lelouch stepped to the side. Xingke and many others eyed him strangely, but Suzaku ignored it, "The power of Geass. A strange power that manifests itself in many different ways, depending on..."

Noticing Suzaku's failure to remember everything he had said, Lelouch leaned in, "Depending on the nature of the contract you make."

Xingke was no less confused, "Contract?"

Lelouch was a little skeptical about revealing so much, but he continued regardless, "I made a contract with C.C. to acquire this power, and my desire was to use it to carry out this rebellion. And so, the power I acquired befits the role I needed it to play nicely."

"And... this power is?"

"The Power of Absolute Obedience," Suzaku answered. Xingke gaped, understanding immediately.

"It seems you understand, Xingke," Lelouch remarked, with no small amount of amusement in his voice. "Yes, it is the power to give an order that someone is forced to carry out."

Todo stood up, fearing the worst, "You..."

"Have only used this power on the enemy. You need not worry, Todo."

Todo seemed satisfied in believing Lelouch's word, and sat down again. In tandem with his seating Nagisa stood, pointing a finger at him and waving it, "How can we trust that you're telling the truth? You certainly haven't had problems lying to us in the past."

Lelouch could hardly dispute that, unfortunately. Offering a small smile, he said, "If I used it on you, you'd know because when it's used, what you do under it's influence is forgotten afterwards. Just leaves a huge hole in your memory."

Karen piped up, "Then... me? At Ashford that day... you..."

"Used it on you to confirm you were the Glasgow pilot I saw in Shinjuku, yes."

"And Jeremiah's fall from grace..." Ogi continued.

"... Is my fault, yes."

Xingke seemed satisfied, "You haven't used it to manipulate us at any point in time?" Lelouch shook his head, "Then there is no problem in overlooking you having used it on Karen."

Lelouch nodded thankfully, "Then we will remain on standby while I continue to investigate into the location of the Geass Directorate." He sighed deeply, pleased to have gotten through that without incident. "If you have further questions, now is the --"

The only thing the crowd could do was flinch as his words dissolved into a deafening scream.

Suzaku stared at his friend in horror as he collapsed to the ground, throwing his hands over his eyes as he screamed, "Lelouch?!" Out of the corner of his eye he saw C.C. fall next, whimpering quietly as she held both eyes. "C.C.?!"

Lelouch reached up and gripped tightly onto the podium, using it to support him as he tried to stand. It took a few tries but he managed to reach his feet around the same time that C.C. did, both gasping and panting heavily. "I'm... okay..." he collapsed over the podium as he caught his breath, willing away the stinging sensation in his eyes.

As soon as Lelouch had regained his composure, Suzaku gasped, "Lelouch... why..."

Lelouch looked over at him, raising an eyebrow. Suzaku pointed fearfully at him, "Your... Geass..."

"My Geass?"

"It's in... both eyes!"

o--o

The first thing he felt... was pain. Lots of it.

The silky sheets above and beneath him felt nothing short of heavenly as he relaxed, relishing in the comfort he'd seldom gotten of late. He wondered for a brief moment if he was in heaven, but as he opened his eyes and saw the bland ceiling above, he knew he was certainly not in heaven. The Hogosha was far from being heaven, for that matter.

No, Jeremiah Gottward was definitely still alive.

"Ah, you're awake," Jeremiah's gaze drifted to the side where a doctor was sitting, covered in a black substitute for a standard lab coat. He went back and forth from the bed Jeremiah was laying on – which he now realized was the Infirmary – and a computer screen, reading whatever came up. "Your wounds are still severe, and to be honest I'm surprised you are awake."

"That isn't important," Jeremiah responded, weakly waving a hand dismissively. "But what... happened, exactly?"

"You took a hit from the Shen-Hu's Baryon cannon. You were protected well enough, but your Frame was destroyed and you were badly wounded," the doctor responded, not bothering to look up from the computer screen.

Jeremiah was satisfied regardless, slumping back and allowing his eyes to drift to a close. He hissed in pain as the doctor lifted the bandage and pressed something – something cold and metallic, he thought – against a wound on his arm. The discomfort faded quickly, but the wound continued to pulse with pain for several minutes before he managed to reach over and place the bandage over it again. That was one wound he knew not to touch in the future.

"Oh, your phone rang a while ago. Lord Lelouch made a strict rule out of not touching any of your personal belongings, but I felt I should tell you, sir." Jeremiah nodded, and with great difficulty reached into his pocket and fished out his phone. He opened it and the '1 missed call' message displayed itself, followed by a name he didn't expect to see.

Villeta.

He waved a beckoning hand to the doctor who hastened to his side, his eyes showing delicate concern. Jeremiah said, "Can you leave the room for a..." He scanned the room to make sure that he was the only patient, and then continued, "Minute? I need to make a call."

The doctor nodded and left, leaving Jeremiah as he returned the call his new enemy had so kindly given him. It rang twice before a strained voice, heavy with sleep and exhaustion said, "Jeremiah..." There was a lot of scrambling on the other end before the voice came back, this time much louder, "Jeremiah!"

"Villeta," he returned the gesture, nodding to himself.

"So you are still alive," Villeta mused thoughtfully. Any disdain Jeremiah had expected to hear wasn't there, to his surprise.

"I'm still needed," Jeremiah responded, his voice heavy with the determination he felt whenever the thought crossed his mind.

"More than your country needs you? You'd betray Britannia to overcome a failure of nearly a decade ago? You were high in the ranks of the Britannian military! You had the makings of a Knight of Rounds! But you gave it all up for a prince who would see the rest of his family dead."

"I am Orange now, Villeta. My loyalty is to Marianne's bloodline. I served Her Highness during her lifetime, and now I shall serve her children. I care not what future generations – or this generation – thinks of me for it." He could almost see the scowl cross Villeta's face as he said that, but he didn't care.

"Can you be sure those are even your words, Jeremiah?" Villeta asked, suspiciously.

"... What?"

"Lelouch has Geass. Do you know what that is?"

Jeremiah was curious, "No."

"His Geass is the power of Absolute Obedience, the power to give any order to anyone. It strips the target of their free will, and forces them to bend to his will," Villeta explained. Jeremiah couldn't deny the worry that built inside him at that moment. Villeta continued, "For all you know, your loyalty to Lelouch and Nunnally could be an order he gave you!"

Jeremiah refused to be swayed without speaking with Lelouch, however, and so he replied, "While that may be true, I will not comment until I hear the truth from Lord Lelouch."

"But, Jeremiah..."

"Oh, and Villeta?"

"What?"

"Lord Lelouch has no hatred toward anyone but his father. But they heartlessly declared him dead seven years ago." Villeta gasped on the other end, but it was almost a mocking gasp. She knew this, he realized, but she clearly hadn't thought about it in such a manner. "Lord Lelouch is in the right in this world."

Jeremiah hung up before Villeta could put in a word edgewise. The door opened a few moments later to reveal Lelouch carrying a tray of food that he settled on a bedside table before pulling over a chair and sitting next to Jeremiah's bed, looking at him softly. "Your Highness --"

"-- Just Lelouch, Jeremiah. I no longer see myself as a prince." Jeremiah nodded meekly, only then getting a good look at Lelouch's eyes and, by extension, the red sigils blazing in both of them. Dumbfounded, Jeremiah remained silent as Lelouch continued, "Are you okay?"

"Better than you seem to be, Your Hi... Lord Lelouch." Lelouch chuckled thoughtfully at that. It was a bitter laugh, one showing a knowing indifference and a complete disdain all at once.

"My eyes no longer ache. You are worse off than I," Lelouch said at last, rubbing his chin between his thumb and fore finger as he scanned Jeremiah's body. "But you're far better than you looked when you were brought in here."

"What is that... in your eyes?" Jeremiah couldn't help gaping as he got a closer, more intent look. The blazing red that had silenced him the moment he saw it, the shape of a bird in mid-flight... it was terrifying, in it's own way. "Is that... what Villeta said?"

"Villeta?" Lelouch repeated, surprised. But then, if Villeta was aware of Geass, then... "Yes, it is."

"Then you can control people... Absolute Obedience..." Jeremiah relaxed against the bed, refusing to further meet Lelouch's eyes. Not only was the sight terrifying to him, but it was a truth in what Villeta had said. Was he being controlled? Were his decisions his own? "Did you... on me?"

"I did," Lelouch responded immediately. Jeremiah clenched his eyes shut, only opening them again when Lelouch said, "In Shinjuku. To get your Sutherland."

"Is that true?" Jeremiah tried to sit upright again, but his body screamed protest. He could feel the little energy he had to draw from fading, but he willed himself to stay awake, willed himself to remain strong until he heard a conclusive answer.

Lelouch could sense his worry and frowned, "It is true, Jeremiah." He stood up, pulling the sheets over Jeremiah again. "We'll take care of everything. Rest." And with that, Jeremiah's body relaxed completely, his breath evening out as sleep reclaimed him. Lelouch smiled at the sight, "I can't lose my mother's protector."

o--o

"Sir!" The door to Lelouch's room flew open as Tamaki charged in, Diethard right behind him, "A strange golden Knightmare Frame is approaching from the sky, and it's pilot is requesting permission to dock. He claims to be a friendly," Diethard continued thoughtfully, staring at Lelouch through the mask that once again covered his face.

"I see." Lelouch stood up, heading toward the doorway. Diethard and Tamaki made way for him, and Lelouch continued, "Tell them to allow the Frame to dock, but restrain it immediately after." Diethard nodded eagerly, and the two ran off down the hall to relay the orders. Lelouch continued at a leisurely pace, taking the time to consider what this messenger – if that was what the pilot was – could want. Given that it was flying it was surely a Britannian Frame, which could only mean it came from Schneizel. Unless...

Lelouch walked into the hangar briskly, his dark figure drawing nearly all eyes to him immediately. The first thing he saw was the golden Knightmare Frame that looked distinctly like the Lancelot, although it was missing many parts. First and foremost was that it's armaments closely resembled that of the Gloucester, meaning it was an incomplete Frame. In front of it was several Black Knights restraining a boy younger than Lelouch himself, with piercing violet eyes much like Lelouch's own and short brown hair.

The most striking feature was the lack of emotion on the boy's face. He wasn't concerned in the least. In fact, he could have gotten out of that situation had he wanted to.

"Release him," Lelouch ordered as he reached the boy, pulling him to his feet gently as soon as the arms that restrained him were removed. "You're young, though I shouldn't be talking." The boy's face showed no change in emotion, and he didn't so much as blink when Lelouch chuckled. "What brings you here, then?"

The boy didn't answer. Instead, his left eye glowed with Geass' sigil as everything but Lelouch and himself froze. As Lelouch gaped, he said, "I want to speak with you in private, Lelouch Vi Britannia."

Lelouch composed himself, chuckling, "Since you have Geass, you work for V.V. I take it?" When it became evident that the boy wasn't going to answer Lelouch turned around and walked away. Behind him his footsteps were mirrored as the boy followed, and they'd crossed half the expanse of the hangar before people were moving again. Several people around him gaped, but Lelouch ignored them, saying simply, "He has Geass."

It was the boy's turn to be surprised as Lelouch said that. 'Lord V.V. said he was a liar. So why do they...?'

As soon as they had reached Lelouch's room, the boy had him by the collar of his uniform and pressed against a wall. "You, Lelouch Vi Britannia," he said calmly, his voice just as emotionless as his expressions. "You must die."

"Must I?" Lelouch brought one hand to rest at the base of the boy's throat, applying no pressure. "And why is that?"

"You are in Lord V.V.'s way," the boy responded, finally showing just a little bit of hatred. "Therefore, you must die."

"I see." Lelouch pressed in on the boy's throat lightly, smirking beneath his mask. "Then kill me."

Lelouch was released ever so slightly as the boy gaped, taking a step back in momentary shock. "You..."

"And you don't want to kill me, do you?" Lelouch grinned when he saw the flicker of hesitation on the boy's face, "If you truly wanted to, you could have already by freezing me as you froze them. You are the perfect assassin," Lelouch was released completely as the boy stumbled back, uncertainty now clearly visible on his face. "But then, that is why V.V. has you around, right? To be an assassin that he can use as a tool?"

"I'm not a tool!" the boy snapped suddenly, his eyes blazing with rage. He composed himself when he realized he was losing his cool, saying, "I choose to do this. I want to do this. It's the only way I can live."

"People like us, with Geass, live in a different time. But you're still a child. You can still have a normal life."

The boy suddenly lunged at Lelouch, picking him up by the collar again and ramming his knee into Lelouch's stomach. Lelouch gasped as the air escaped his lungs, and the boy scowled, "What do you know?! You're a child too! And look what you're doing! You --"

"-- I'm doing what I need to do," Lelouch finished shakily. "You don't need to kill so heartlessly though. You can have a normal life, you..." Lelouch sighed, loosening the mask on his face and pulling it away from him, "You don't need to be my enemy."

The boy released Lelouch immediately, backing up until he had reached the far wall before crumpling to the floor, sobbing. Lelouch stood looming over him, looking down at the boy with an unexpected pity. Between sobs, the boy said, "Why... why are you... V.V. told me you were... a liar..."

Lelouch chuckled as he lowered himself to one knee, cupping the boy's cheek in his hand, "I am a liar. I've told more lies than I can count. But I'm making amends, and I'm trying to lead an honest life. The same life you could have."

As the boy opened his eyes, he looked up at Lelouch hopefully, "I could...?"

Lelouch nodded, "What is it you want?"

That answer came without a moment's hesitation, "A family."

"Then I will give you a family. I will not show mercy if you are my enemy, but I don't think you want to be, do you?"

He shook his head, smiling weakly, "I'm Rolo."

"It's nice to meet you then," Lelouch stood and pulled Rolo to his feet, adding, "Rolo Lamperouge." The warm smile that graced Lelouch's features afterwards were anything but calming with the Geass flaring in his eyes, but Rolo couldn't care less at that point. He threw himself at Lelouch, wrapping the older boy in a hug and sobbing. Lelouch returned the hug.

"I will show you to the... Geass Directorate."


Okay, so we have another case of ending before I intended, and the reasoning this time is the same. Next chapter will be fun to write, and the chapter 17 or 18 should mark the beginning of the invasion of Area 11 (which will not be cut down to a large scale conflict in the Tokyo Settlement as it has been in both of the Black Rebellions in the anime). So if you are like me and disliked the jump from small operations in season one to a massive battle and from invading to coast of Area 11 to suddenly attacking Tokyo in R2, well then you've got something to look forward to.

And once again, what do you guys think will happen next? The basics are self-explanatory enough, but I'm asking more for the detailed side of things. If you have any guesses, feel free to voice them.