Trust

{Author’s Note: This week’s chapter is dedicated to Big Ralf. It takes place during Code Geass episode 1.18. The music suggestion is “Variation on Pachelbel’s Canon” by George Winston.

A reminder to anyone who has reviewed any of my stories: check my blog if you want my response! The entry in question will probably be dated soon after you posted your review. I’d love to be able to respond directly on the site, but sadly that’s impossible. My blog is linked prominently in my profile. Just click my name at the top of the page. ^_^

Further notes at the end. Enjoy, and please provide feedback! RATE and/or REVIEW, please!}


There he is, Kallen thought as she slipped through the crowd of fellow students. Her finger stroked the switch concealed on her coin purse, waiting for the right moment to extend the combat knife inside. Kallen kept her gaze on the brown hair of her target, visible above the crowd. I can’t allow him to stand in Zero’s way any longer, she vowed. Suzaku Kururugi, now you die.

The crowd was growing denser as she approached Suzaku. Bodies buffeted her. Kallen kept a tight grip on her pouch. Lelouch pushed past her. Must be some crisis, she thought absently. I’m glad I didn’t get stuck organizing this like he and Rivalz did. The thought fled from her mind as Suzaku came into full view. Kallen’s mind went into overdrive, calculating the best direction and angle to—huh?

There was something in her hand. That’s weird. Kallen paused and unclenched her fist. A sheet of notepaper was crumpled inside. How on earth did that get there? She wondered.

Normally Kallen would have completed the task at hand first, but she was so bemused that she slipped her pouch into the pocket of her blazer. Ignoring the pushing of the crowd around her, she unfolded the wad of paper and smoothed it out a bit. Kallen recognized the ornate, precise handwriting instantly.

“Leave Kururugi alone. On the roof. Now.”

Zero’s writing! There was no mistaking it.

“Hi, Kallen. What’s that?”

Kallen’s eyes went wide as she looked up to see Suzaku smiling at her. She instantly crumpled the note in her fist once more. “Oh, nothing,” she replied, forcing an answering smile to her face. Suzaku was just standing there, completely open to attack. It would be so easy to—no. There was no question in Kallen’s mind as to the authenticity of the note. “I just wanted to congratulate you,” she continued cheerily, swallowing the growl of frustration that was struggling to escape her throat.

Kallen endured Suzaku’s thanks and slipped away as fast as politeness would allow. Damn it all, she fumed as she shoved her way back through the crowd towards the exit. That Britannian lapdog has nearly killed Zero several times! Why in Enma’s name won’t he let me kill the bastard?

How the hell had Zero gotten that note to her, anyway? Somebody must have slipped it to her in the bustle. Another Knight? I don’t think anyone else here at the Academy is a member. Zero himself, then? But how? Everyone Kallen had seen was a student. Not just by uniform; she had recognized each of them. Zero has a talent for disappearing, but even he can’t turn invisible, Kallen mused as she walked rapidly down the hall towards the stairs. She was heading to the roof, of course. Zero commands, and I obey, she thought wryly.

Kallen thought hard about it all the way up the stairs, but couldn’t even imagine how Zero had managed it. And asking him would be pointless, she knew. He had so many tricks and secrets, even from her. That’s part of why I love him, but—grrr! He’s so freaking mysterious!

*****

The roof access door barely managed to stay on its hinges as Kallen kicked it open. She stalked out onto the roof and looked around. Nobody. Great. First he tells me not to help him, now he’s going to make me wait. Fine, then.

Kallen walked out to the railing and looked out over the Ashford Academy campus. So beautiful. So perfectly manicured and maintained. So fake and reeking with the stench of Britannian arrogance. I hate this place, she thought to herself. I loathe every minute I have to spend here. The sound of a pistol uncocking turned Kallen’s head in an instant.

“That was quick,” Zero told her approvingly, slipping the gun back into his tunic. He jumped lightly off the stairwell roof.

Kallen turned around and started towards Zero. “What’s the idea?” she asked angrily. “Am I not allowed to protect you or something?”

“I never thought my top Knight could ever be such an idiot,” Zero replied acidly as he landed and straightened to his full height.

“What?!” Kallen halted unconsciously. “I try to help you and you insult me?”

“I will NOT let my right hand throw herself away in a petty gesture!” Zero shouted, flinging an arm dramatically out to the side. “Did you really believe you could murder Kururugi in front of hundreds of people and escape?”

Kallen was taken aback. “I—I didn’t really think—”

“No, you didn’t,” Zero told her forcefully as he moved closer. “Yes, you might have killed him. But even if you had succeeded, you would now be dead or in Britannian custody.” Zero paused as he stopped before his stunned subordinate, his mask almost touching her nose. “Do you have any idea how much I rely on you, Kallen? Do you have the faintest conception of how critical you are to my success?”

Kallen was genuinely intimidated for the first time in years. She gulped. “No…” she whispered. “I’m just a pilot… you could replace me easily.”

Zero dropped his head, shaking it emphatically. “No. You are quite possibly the most talented knightmare pilot in the world, Kallen. And more than that, I rely on your competence and your faithfulness. Of all the Black Knights, you are the one person I can trust to do the right thing no matter what happens. I don’t call you my right hand for nothing.” Zero looked up again and laid a hand on Kallen’s shoulder. “I need you beside me, Kallen,” he added softly. “It’s as simple as that.”

The abrupt transitions from anger to fear to this strange, tingly sensation left Kallen a bit dazed. “I’m sorry, Zero,” she told him sincerely, laying a hand on the ‘cheek’ of his mask. “I was only trying to protect you.

“I know that,” Zero answered, a bit of warmth tingeing his tone. “But next time think things through instead of acting on blind impulse.” He gave Kallen’s shoulder a strong squeeze and stepped back, breaking her touch on his helmet. “We will deal with Sir Suzaku in due course,” Zero added coldly.

Kallen nodded. “Yes, sir. So how did you get that note into my hand, anyway?” she asked with a soft smile.

Zero folded his arms across his chest. “Sore wa himitsu desu,” he replied with a smirk in his voice.

“Just for that, I’m going to figure out how you did it,” Kallen replied with a challenging smile. “I know none of the other Knights were there,” she continued thoughtfully. “So that means you probably slipped it to me yourself. Now I just have to figure out which of the guys who bumped into me is you!”

A quiet sigh escaped Zero’s mask. “Kallen, drop it. Please.”

She shook her head slightly. “No way! You owe me one guess for teasing me, alright?” Kallen had no idea why she felt so playful all of a sudden. It wasn’t like her. Nonetheless, she was determined to figure this problem out. Kallen rubbed her chin and cast her mind back. Okay, that kid Eric had bumped into her… and Alastair… Lelouch… William…

Wait a minute! Lelouch! He had nearly run her down on his way past. And it was just after that that she had noticed the note in her hand. Lelouch… the one who she initially thought was Zero, before that incident with the shower. Was I right all along? Kallen wondered. She pictured Lelouch’s voice in her mind, then Zero’s. It—it really might be him! I’m not sure exactly what that mask does to filter Zero’s voice, so it’s hard to be sure. Could it be that Zero’s been under my nose this whole time?

“Lelouch?” Kallen asked softly. “Are you Lelouch Lamperouge?”

Zero’s entire body tensed for a moment. Kallen watched as he forced himself back to calmness. He said nothing, merely stared at her like a statue.

“It is you, isn’t it?” she continued, her voice dropping to a whisper. Still no reaction at all. “Zero, please answer me. Yes or no… that’s all I ask.” Nothing. “Please? For me?”

Another long moment passed before Kallen heard the long hiss of Zero exhaling. He raised a hand to cover the front of his helmet—a gesture of resignation? One of his fingers moved, tapping a disguised switch near his ear. The back segments retracted. Kallen recognized the sound from their encounter after Narita. Zero took firmer hold of his mask and pulled it away from his face.

There was no mistaking those violet eyes or that unruly mass of black hair. Then Zero pulled the black covering from his lower face. I was right! Kallen thought. He is Lelouch! However, his posture and expression were as different from those of the Lelouch she knew as one could conceive. The Lelouch Lamperouge that Kallen knew was a slouch, a cool guy, content to slide through life with as little effort as possible. The Lelouch standing before her radiated purpose, determination, and power. What a performance, Kallen thought. He’s fooled me—fooled everyone—for such a long time. What a man!

Kallen stepped forward, a soft feminine smile touching the corners of her mouth. “I should have known,” she whispered. Speaking louder would have ruined the moment.

Lelouch just looked back at her like a statue, his face perfectly blank. Kallen knew she should be intimidated by that look, but she wasn’t. When she looked at Lelouch, she didn’t see a terrorist, or a saviour, or any of the other things others would see when they looked at Zero. Kallen just saw the face of the man she loved.

Kallen wanted to touch him, to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. So she did, reaching up and laying a hand against his cheek. Lelouch sighed and pressed back against Kallen’s hand. She felt the warmth smoothness of his shaven cheek. It wasn’t a dream after all.

They just stood there for many minutes, eyes locked and bodies unmoving. Finally, Kallen parted her lips. “I love you,” she whispered, the words nearly sticking in her throat.

I’m acting like some vapid movie character, Kallen snarled at herself mentally. But she meant what she said. Oh, how she meant it. Lelouch—Zero—had given her so much. He had given her power, given her a place. The power to fight Britannia and help make this screwed-up world right again. A place in history, on the side of right and justice. A place at his right hand. Zero had given Kallen what she’d wanted most ever since she could remember—a chance to make a difference in the world. How can I not love him for that? She thought.

Lelouch was trying to speak, but apparently having a hard time as well. “I love you too,” he replied, his voice slightly hoarse. He stepped forward and swept Kallen into a hug.

Kallen responded eagerly, slipping her arms beneath Zero’s cape. She rested her cheek against his tunic, squeezing him as tightly as she could. Zero’s grip tightened in response. His chin came to rest on her head. The two warriors hugged each other fiercely. No words were spoken; they weren’t needed. Soon it was difficult to breathe, but neither was willing to let go.

The beating of Zero’s heart carried clearly to Kallen through his clothing. So soothing. She let her eyes flutter closed. I never thought I was the romantic type, Kallen thought with a tiny smile. But this… is nice. I could get used to it.

Neither of them ever knew—or cared—how long that feeling of suspended time actually lasted. It was shattered completely by the sound of the roof access door opening.

Lelouch instantly whipped his mask back on, pushing Kallen away and pointing to the railing at the end of the roof. She nodded and used the momentum he’d given her to easily vault it. Looking back, Kallen saw Zero turn, deliberately flaring his cape out to prevent the newcomer from seeing her. Then her feet hit the sloping tiles of the roof and she had to focus all her attention on sliding. Not an easy thing to do in her school shoes.

Back on the roof, Zero had produced his pistol and levelled it at the petrified student in the doorway. Summoning his most menacing body language, Lelouch made a great show of drawing the hammer back. “Leave.” She left.

Kallen stuck her legs out straight, meaning to catch the gutter with the raised heels of her shoes. Her left foot hit first and broke cleanly through the thin slate. Kallen swallowed a scream. Then her right shoe hit and caught fast. She let her leg fold, absorbing the momentum. No three-story plunge into the shrubbery for me today. Whew.

Well, shit, Zero thought as he re-stowed his pistol. Time for a fast getaway. I need to change and get back to the party before the police arrive. He turned and ran towards the far corner of the roof deck, hopping the rail and walking the roof ridge of the hall’s west wing. If I return before the panic starts, nobody should realize I was gone. I hope Kallen does likewise.

Kallen had reached the same conclusion, although at the moment climbing down this particular drainpipe was occupying the bulk of her attention. She made it down with only a few small cuts on her hands, and immediately re-entered the building by the small side door nearby.

Zero stopped at the appropriate point and let himself slide down the roof. He caught himself on the gutter somewhat more gracefully than Kallen had, then dropped smoothly onto the windowsill below. One tricky window-opening later and he was in his bedroom. Three minutes later Zero’s accoutrements were hidden safely away and Lelouch Lamperouge slipped back into the crowded ballroom.

No police, no screaming, no panic, Kallen noted incredulously as she headed for the sideboard. I guess the cops aren’t here yet. Or perhaps whoever it was thought nobody would believe he saw Zero on the roof. Man, that was close. I need a drink. Her hand bumped somebody else’s as she reached for a glass of water.

Lelouch was surprised to find himself gazing into Kallen’s beautiful blue eyes once more. The two shared the briefest of looks. Then they each took a glass and headed in opposite directions.


{More Author’s Note: Many thanks this week to my friend and roommate, LK, who made a couple of suggestions that improved this chapter immensely before I even started writing it.

Enma is the Japanese name for Yama, the ruler of the underworld in Buddhist mythology. He’s vaguely analogous to Satan in the Judeo-Christian tradition. It’s not important in any case. I just wanted to add a bit of Japanese flavor to Kallen’s dialogue.

What does “Sore wa himitsu desu” mean, you ask? That is a secret. ;)

If you were confused, this chapter is a direct modification of the party scene in episode 1.18. So this both fits with canon and doesn’t. I’m trying to follow the show’s plot as closely as I can with this story, because it makes things a bit more fun.

This week’s alpha readers: AnimeFreak859, JG, and LK.

See you next week! Same Angel time, same Angel channel!}