DISCLAIMER: Code Geass and all its characters belong to Sunrise, Inc.

This fanfic is inspired by A Question for a Traitor by Anonymous Author in AO3

This particular installment is between K and a T rating, but since the original was an M, I used that rating as basis.

Dear Lelouch,

If you're reading this, then something must have happened to me, and I wasn't able to give you the answer you've been seeking.

In the time we spent together, I've gradually come to decide that you deserve to have your answer, but I really needed you to ask the right questions, first.

The questions you've asked me were only for facts -- for you to get to know me. What I needed you to ask were questions that would let you better understand me

But first, a confession:

That night, when you barged drunk into my room, I saw the scars on your back.

I've told no one -- you can rest assured of that. In hindsight, you have been doing everything you can to avoid letting anyone see your back, even Milly, who was your friend from long before we met.

I have been puzzling out where those scars fit in the whole picture of you. Was it because you were afraid of judgment? Or was there something -- or someone -- you were trying to protect?

If the latter were the case, then you and I have this in common. The reason I fight Britannia is to protect my people. The people of Japan are my people, whom Britannia bled dry. I fought to take back what was unjustly taken from them.

As the last surviving member of my resistance group, I had, at first, lost all hope and lived on but with my spirit dead. With Marianne's help, I was able to regain my sense of self, and along with that, a new perspective. I could use your use of me to improve the lives of my people. It still surprises me that you so easily agreed to become Viceroy of Area 11, but more than anything, I hope you were sincere, fluke as that was to your reputation as the Demon.

At first I had agreed to pilot for you, if only to take down Britannia's best and brightest a few notches. By doing so, I could believe I was still fighting the Britannia that oppressed my people -- that I was somehow still fighting for them.

But then I look back to that time that I met Fonstein, and saw how you reacted to him and his ilk. Terrified as I was, you too were terrified. You were forced to do something you did not wish to do, just to maintain that facade of the obedient son of the emperor. Nothing at all different from my people who wished to become honorary Britannians.

Except you weren't a Number, but a prince of the realm! If even its prince suffers under this system, then Britannia must fall. You became one more reason for me to fight. If I could protect you--another of Britannia's victims-- then I would not be fighting against my ideals.

My greatest wish for now would be to see you overcome all this, with or without my help.

When I came to you that night, it was real. It probably wasn't love, but I did offer myself willingly, because I have learned to care for you.

Live well, Lelouch.

K.K.

P.S. I would still very much like to hear about your scars. When youu're finally ready, whisper to me in the wind. Maybe I can get to haunt your tormentor for the rest of their life.

-.o.O.o.-

Lelouch gingerly folded and replaced Kallen's parting letter in the pocket close to his heart.

It had been three full months since he last saw her. Bruised. Bleeding. Broken. Struggling to breathe. All because she aimed to protect her betrayer. Against his strongest desires, he had let her go, trusting Lord Mintz and Shirley to see her safely home to her family.

So she would live.

Milly's misguided attempt to put him in line had involved obtaining a pardon for Kallen behind his back, effectively removing her from his protection. Letting her go was the only way to ensure her life. Since the staged fire that declared her death as Kallen Kozuki, he had transferred to Area 11, and requested the turnover of the Viceroyalty to him. A ball was to be hosted after the formal transition. As guest of honor he would be required to attend, and be seen in public. More than his perceived inconvenience of the event, though, his mind was now occupied by the letter on his desk.

A personal request from Lord Stadtfeld.

He had once rejected an alliance proposed by the man. At the time, Kallen had been the price. This time, the letter offered congratulations on his new position as Viceroy, as well as a private tour of his holdings in Area 11.

He had half the mind to decline the invitation this time as well. However, with the information made available to him as Viceroy, he had learned that the man's businesses had fostered good will between Britannians and Elevens alike. For the sake of his promise to Kallen, he would learn what he can from this man, and improve the life of her people.

-.o.O.o.-

"She woke up a month ago," Lord Stadtfeld explained, "with no memory of events between her finishing Ashford Academy until her coma."

He went on , "We came up with the story that she met an accident on her way to visit me in the Homeland, and that she had been comatose the whole time until she woke up. Shirley was a great aid in her recovery, being a familiar face from her academy days."

"Why are you telling me this?" he finally asked the man, while watching the said girls have tea in the gazebo ahead of them, unaware yet of their presence.

"We have reached a sort of stalemate in her recovery. Given the information available, I believe she needs to meet you again.

"Now," the man went on after Lelouch's continued silence, "we don't know how she'd react to seeing you. This is why I asked you to come in less extravagant attire; better that you did not come in your full regalia as the Demon. Perhaps she'll show no recognition, or her memories will come flooding back. As her father, I'm hoping for the former, but still hope for some improvement in her condition after you spend time together.

"If she gets worse," he went to conclude, "then we will go as far away from you and your family's reach as humanly possible."

"And so I ask you, Lelouch," he now turned to face the youth, "what is it that you wish for my daughter?"

What could he say, he thought. His whole being was trembling since she came into view, and Lord Stadtfeld's -- her father's -- statements did nothing to settle his nerves. Dare he? Should he turn back now and pretend he never saw her? Content. Smiling. ALIVE!

Guilt and longing were fighting for dominance within him. It was his own fault that she was in condition, wasn't it? Getting close to her would only put her back at risk.

"I don't want her hurt," he blurted out, "I've done enough."

"Yes, you have," the older man agreed. "But now," he went on, grabbing hold of the younger man's shoulders, "I'm offering you a chance to help her heal."

Help her... heal?

At Lelouch's confused stare, he continued, "The Kallen in that gazebo is not my daughter as I knew her. That is the persona she used to keep her activities as a resistance member secret. Her true spirit -- her true heart -- has yet to resurface. Sadly, all who she knew in that life are already dead. You, on the other hand, represent her life after them." Lelouch winced reminded that he was the cause of much of the torment she experienced.

"I believe you are the key to bringing her back."

Lelouch scoffed as his expression turned into a sneer. "You bring her greatest tormentor here to remind her of her suffering? Shouldn't you be content with watching her enjoy her afternoon tea?"

"You're right," Stadtfeld agreed, releasing his hold, "I should. I am well aware that this could be my second chance to be a proper father to her. However, I am also witness to her own frustrations with her memory loss. More than once, I caught her hand absentmindedly resting on her throat. More than once she wondered why she sheds tears when her gaze lingered at the direction of the ghettoes."

The older man heaved a heavy sigh. "I love my daughter, Lelouch," he said, emphasizing his role as master of his house, "If I had my way, I would have gathered all my allies and destroyed you to rescue her from that collar you gave her. Even when you have willingly released her, I would have chosen to keep you from even hearing of her, again.

"However, as I said, I love my daughter, and whatever helps her to get better, I will not turn away. Which brings us to the greatest reason for justifying this gamble,"

"Though she has no memories of her ordeals in her waking moments, Shirley claims, especially on nights when she relapsed into a fever, she calls for you in her sleep."

A.N.

Aaaand that's all I have written down so far. There are a whole series of events I have in mind, but after re-reading the original fic, I thought they won't fit the original theme anymore, but yeah, I wrote this to hopefully get my writing mojo back.

Maybe if I get permission from the author to continue this as an AU of their work, I'll post more.

Most of this was already written before the latest chapter (car, fountain) was posted, so I hadn't taken Nunnally into consideration.

As always, feedback is appreciated.

~ryder77