Primary Gain

A/N: Thanks to everyone who gave their input on the last chapter...I'm not sure I'm going to be able to top such a positive response, but I'll do my best. Also, there's no need to apologize for long reviews. I love rambling too. Obviously.


Chapter Five

“I should kick your ass!” Kallen reached over, grabbed Gino’s ear and yanked. “You lied to me!”

The car swerved a little, earning a honk from someone in the fast lane and Gino winced, yelling, “Fine…but not right now!”

Kallen sat back with her arms crossed and glared bloody murder at the blonde. If Suzaku hadn’t been worried about other problems he might have felt a little sorry for Gino, but as things stood he was having a difficult time convincing himself not to reach out to Lelouch. The man seemed to be dozing, his eyes half-mast as he leaned back into his seat, his belt buckle very firmly not fastened
.
“Kallen, Weinberg belongs to me,” Lelouch murmured, “Don’t touch him.”

Kallen scowled, huffed, and turned her attention out the window. Gino beamed, tossing back a wide smile through the rearview mirror. Suzaku felt a little sick.

After a few more moments of monitoring the situation Lelouch closed his eyes and slipped into sleep.

“Are you alright back there?” Kallen asked quietly. Suzaku looked up to see that her brow was creased, her lips pressed into a worried frown. He shook his head after a long moment and she sighed, “Yeah, stupid question.”

Suzaku missed Lelouch and while watching the sleeping man Suzaku wondered if it was true, if Lelouch Lamperouge was really dead and only the prince was left. Somewhere deep down Suzaku knew he should be crying or reacting in some way but all he could do was lean against the door and watch Lelouch. The world had gone very quiet once the man had left the interrogation room and Suzaku had gone quiet too. There was nothing worth saying if he wasn’t saying it to Lelouch.

When he had watched them rip Lelouch’s office to pieces he had never imagined that they would make a point of bringing Lelouch to see. If Suzaku had known what was going to happen he would have boarded up the door himself, as it was he’d just decked Todoh when the man came to get a progress report. There wasn’t even a scrap of trash in Lelouch’s office, let alone bugs or cameras. He’d always kept the space neat and clean and welcoming. They’d ripped that comfort and all the good memories Suzaku had stored there into shreds.

The whole charade was madness, a frenzy brought on by the task force’s fear. If Lelouch had been guilty then they would have been justified for how he’d treated the man, but if he wasn’t…well, it was like Lelouch had said. The Britannians had the power to burn them all to the ground, and Lelouch’s vengeance was well-earned.

One thing Suzaku had managed to do, still numb from revelation but mostly coherent, was to find every recorded data from the disk, the pictures, and shred it all into bits. The only thing left of the crime was a flash drive that Suzaku kept close to his chest. The thing seemed to have the weight of iron, but Suzaku wasn’t afraid of being pulled down.

He had made a decision a few hours after Lelouch had left; Suzaku was going to kill Schneizer and that meant he had to keep the proof of why Schneizer deserved to die, if only to keep his own resolve strong.

It was impossible not to look at Lelouch and see that video. Thinking him a traitor, a betrayer, Suzaku had taken care to memorize every moment because he knew even the smallest detail could be the difference between imprisonment and freedom of a criminal. The two men hadn’t even seemed to be flesh and blood as Suzaku watched through a haze of disgust, just more evidence to dissect.

But now Suzaku looked at Lelouch and saw his slim, pale body curled up on a cold tile floor, his once-flawless skin covered in bruises and come. A walking crime scene.

Suzaku was going to torture Schneizer first. Then he was going to kill him.

Suzaku wondered if Lelouch still loved him, like he said he would, or if that part of Lelouch had died along with Lamperouge.

“Suzaku,” Kallen murmured softly, “You sleep too.”

It was a good idea, Suzaku decided. If he slept while Lelouch slept then they’d both be awake at the same time too. He doubted that Kallen was thinking down the same lines, but it didn’t matter. The car settled into silence as Gino made his way through the evening traffic and Suzaku closed his eyes, hoping that he wouldn’t dream.

***

Lelouch had told him not to speak unless spoken to and Suzaku was fully aware that he had almost no idea what was going on, so he obeyed. The house had been calm, quiet when they had all arrived but within a matter of minutes Lelouch had been plastered to the phone with the bank, his attorney, the hospital, and someone that he wasn’t very polite with at all but didn’t seem to care. When Lelouch had walked too close Suzaku had heard laughter from the speaker.

Whoever it was, Lelouch hung up on her.

“Witch,” He cursed, nevertheless opening the phone again when it rang shortly after, snapping, “What now?”

Then he went very still and Suzaku got to see a knight in action. Lelouch handed the phone over to Gino without saying another word, immediately leaving the room. Gino took a moment to swallow the rest of his dinner, clearly listening to the other line but not saying a word. Suzaku watched as the man’s semi-permanent smile began to close down into narrow, cold anger. It was the same look he’d had right before informing Lelouch that Bradley was a making a hasty exit.

“I’m afraid I must interrupt you, my Lord, before you say anything else. This is Sir Weinberg. I must also remind you that I serve the Emperor but I am honored to mediate this situation if you insist,” Gino’s knuckles went white and he leaned backwards, “I was on site for the incident. If you have more information then I would be happy to relay it to his Majesty with the rest of my report.”

There was a single tone as the phone went dead.

For the first time since he had heard about them Suzaku understood a glimpse of what it meant to be a knight.

Gino Weinberg, as odd as it seemed, helped police the Britannian Empire. A knight had enough power to chastise a prince while remaining under the guise of an eager helper.
Suzaku hoped that whoever had been on the other line had said something incriminating because Gino looked fully prepared to carry out his threat of informing Lelouch’s father.

“If you serve Charles, why are you helping Lelouch?” Suzaku seemed to startle the seriousness right out of Gino by speaking into the tense silence for the first time since they arrived.

Gino shrugged, smiled, and said, “I like Prince Lelouch.”

That made sense to Suzaku so he only nodded and sat back, watching idly as Kallen stuffed her face with the food that Lelouch’s maid had set out. He liked the woman, she’d taken one look at his face, poured him a drink and didn’t ask if he wanted dinner. Also, if what Kallen said was true Sayako was some kind of assassin or ninja or…things got a little vague as Suzaku got caught up wishing he had been around to see Lelouch holding his mother’s gun. He’d handled Todoh’s weapon as if he was an agent, not a civilian doctor, and that ease had sped the truth home in ways that the actual truth hadn’t. Lelouch was a prince. He’d given the order to paralyze a man without a single flinch and when Gino had complied with enthusiasm Lelouch hadn’t been the least bit surprised at the horrible sound of bone breaking.

“You like Prince Lelouch too,” Gino said, gazing at him a little oddly. “How many people have you killed?”

“Why?” Kallen looked up from her plate with sudden, intense over-protectiveness, holding her steak knife in the way it certainly wasn’t intended to be held. Gino’s smile quirked and he just shrugged again. 

“Just wondering.”

“Well you can just stop wondering that kind of shit right now,” Kallen ordered, “Don’t think I won’t get after you when Lamperouge isn’t looking.”

“Is that a threat?” Gino looked much too eager, leaning forward with a full-on grin. Kallen’s face screwed up, she flushed slightly, and Suzaku came to one horrible realization.

“God,” He groaned in exasperation, “Kallen-”

“What?!” The steak knife was brandished in his direction, “Don’t you ‘Kallen’ me, Suzaku-”

“Woah, hey-” Gino’s eyes widened and he put his hands up, “what-”

“You can’t possibly want to-”

“Mind your own business!” She snapped, flushing a little more, “He’s not a suspect, a victim or a superior. I can fuck him if I want!”

“Wait-” Gino started grinning again. “We’re having sex?”

Suzaku put his head in his hands and Kallen grumped, “Not right now, we’re not.”

Suzaku wanted to continue but just as he was about to open his mouth Lelouch walked by, snatched his cell phone off the table, and snapped, “No sex in the house,” before storming off. The front door slammed and Sayako fluttered into the silence, smiling brightly as she popped a clip of bullets into a submachine gun.

“Dessert?” She slipped the strap over her shoulder, “I have brownies, apple pie, and Lelouch-sama’s special strawberry cake.”

Suzaku could only stare, doing his best not to look at Kallen who had started holding her breath and biting her bottom lip hard while her face slowly turned bright red. She managed to shake her head, and Suzaku did the same.

“I’ll have the special strawberry cake,” Gino said eagerly, “and some milk if you have it, please.”

It was too much. After days of tension and very little sleep Suzaku was too emotionally strung not to make eye contact with Kallen, think ‘special strawberry cake’ and burst into hysterical laughter.

It was only when Lelouch came back inside saying, “I’ll call you back later,” and flipped the cell phone shut that Suzaku realized he had finally started crying.

***

“What makes you so special?” A low musical voice teased Suzaku out of sleep. Suzaku felt fingers idly brushing through his hair as he tried to convince his body to wake up, but sleep still pulled at him with a heavy hand and he had almost slipped back under when those soothing hands grabbed part of his bangs and yanked hard. Suzaku bolted awake to be met by a sly smile and odd bright eyes staring down in contemplation.

“What?” Suzaku tried to sit up and got pushed down again by a single slim hand. The woman sitting on the edge of the bed laughed at him, a low chuckle.

“You heard me,” She tilted her head, tickling Suzaku’s face with long smooth hair, “What makes you so special? I’ve known Lelouch since he was in diapers and I get the couch while you’re here snoring in his bed.”

The only thing that really made it through was, “This is Lelouch’s bed?”

“You’re very slow, aren’t you?” She made a face, a little frown. “It must be a pity thing then. The retard gets the soft bed…did Sayako have to dig out the plastic sheets for you?”

Suzaku sat up, putting a hand on his pounding head. “Who are you?”

“That’s my question,” She smiled again, not a particularly friendly thing, and shoved Suzaku onto his back again. “Who the hell are you and what are you doing here?”

“My name is Suzaku,” Suzaku scowled, “Stop touching me.”

“Oh, you’re Suzaku.” The woman’s mocking smile slipped into an equally devious grin, “I should have known you’d be handsome. Are you gay, pretty boy?”

“What?!” Suzaku bolted up to a sitting position, very unnerved by the woman’s coy smile as she looked him over, ending by staring Suzaku straight in the face. Then she rolled her eyes.

“Oh,” She sighed and leaned back, “Too bad.”

He finally managed to make it up and out from under the covers, not entirely surprised to be in his underwear, but more importantly out of the insane woman’s reach. She glanced up and down, gave a wink, and Suzaku found a convenient pile of clothes. He was in his backup casuals that he kept in his trunk (Also known as the ‘shit I slipped in blood’ outfit) and halfway out the door when the woman laughed, giving him a wave.

“Does this mean I get the bed now?”

Slamming the door behind himself Suzaku made his way towards the kitchen. Gino was at the table with another man, Lelouch, and a kid that looked like he was about to pass out. Lelouch looked his way, the barest shadow of a smile hinted on his face as he took in Suzaku’s scowl and said, “I see you’ve met CC. Have a seat.”

Gino nodded subtly and even though there were other empty chairs Suzaku went out of his way to sandwich the kid. He got a nod from the stranger, a tall man with striking amber eyes, but it was more of an acknowledgment than a greeting. He’d just woken up and was still a little bit foggy but he’d only had to look once to understand what was going on. With a single deep, frustrated sigh Suzaku sprawled back and propped an elbow on the back of the kid’s chair, peering down for a moment into his wide, far too sincere eyes.

Then Suzaku smiled, put out a hand, and asked, “How do you do?”

“I’m fine, thank you.” The kid took his hand a little hesitantly, “…how are you?”

“Oh, I’m okay,” Suzaku gave him a firm handshake, winked, and said, “But you look like you’re in the hot seat. What’re you,” Suzaku took a shot in the dark, as he glanced over to Lelouch’s predatorily intense stare, “dating his sister?”

The boy’s cheeks flushed a little, caught between answering the question and figuring out what to do with Suzaku’s hand, as he said, “Well…Nunnaly…I…”

“Hey, it’s cool. Say no more.” Suzaku finally let the kid go, using his other hand to pat him roughly on the shoulder as he gave an understanding leer, “What would the world be like without sisters, right?”

The kid went a little grey, looking across the table at Lelouch as he said, “Oh, no, I don’t-”

“Then you’re not dating his sister?” Suzaku began to squeeze the kid’s shoulder, and most carefully did not smile as he frowned, doing his best to peer suspiciously. “So it’s a platonic thing. No kissing, snuggling, hand-holding, late-night phone calls…”
The boy began to shake his head a little, caught in Suzaku’s stare as he muttered a decisive, “Um.”

“Suzaku,” Lelouch nodded to the boy, “This is Rolo.”

Under his hand Suzaku could feel the kid start to shift, tremble a little, as Lelouch narrowed his eyes into slits, and intoned, “He and Nunnaly are ‘just friends’.”

“So they just met?” Suzaku kept his grip on Rolo’s shoulder but addressed Lelouch whose ‘bad cop’ was just as impeccable as everything else he decided to do. Then again, Suzaku thought, he probably wasn’t playing.

“No,” Lelouch kept his eyes on Rolo, “They’ve known each other for a couple of months now. He escorts her to a variety of entertainments.”

Suzaku turned his attention back to Rolo and felt the entire room become heavy and thick with anticipation as Suzaku abandoned ‘Good Cop’ and asked, sternly, “Then if you’re not dating Nunnaly, Rolo, what is it that you’re trying to do with her?”
Rolo froze, not even breathing as he locked stares with Suzaku.

And there it was, Suzaku finally smirked as he caught the barest flash of ‘What the hell do I do now?’ in the boy’s eyes. Trapped.

“That’s my question.” Lelouch said, tilting his head a little to catch Rolo’s eyes. “A question I’d like you to answer right now Rolo, before these gentlemen get anxious with waiting. They have things to do.”

“I do dislike feeling anxious,” The stranger said, his voice cultured and smooth but low in an almost-growl.

“And I do have things to do,” Gino added, looking down with something that resembled an angry pout.

And Suzaku could see it, they were so close, the kid was just about to crack when a low whirring noise caught everyone’s attention. A wheelchair rounded the corner and Suzaku understood why Lelouch was being so protective with his sister, even despite Rolo’s inherent weirdness. Nunnaly was very thin, wheelchair-bound and blind but there was something about her that was delicately beautiful.

The perfect prey.

“Brother, I heard a new voice…is that our other guest?”

“Yes,” Lelouch looked exasperated and a little pissed, but his voice never showed the emotions, “Suzaku this is my sister, Nunnaly. Nunnaly, meet Special Agent Suzaku Kururugi.”

“Um, just Suzaku is fine.” Suzaku had to take his hand off of Rolo to take hold of Nunnaly’s offered palm. The girl covered his hand, cupping it between her own and her sweet, sunny smile faltered a little. Suzaku could only watch, sitting very still as her fingers began to trace his palm, brushing over every callous, following every line, until she finally smiled again, a little sadly, and softly said, “It’s wonderful to finally meet you.”

‘Finally’ implied that she’d been told of him before but Lelouch seemed to be surprised too, his eyes widening as he watched his sister curiously.

“It’s nice to meet you too, Nunnaly.” She didn’t release his hand so Suzaku didn’t pull it away, instead her grip tightened.

 “Maybe we can talk again later,” Her smile brightened a little, slightly mischievous, “Once you’re all done interrogating poor Rolo.”

Rolo laughed a little nervously, definitely intimidated, but when he looked over to Nunnaly his face seemed to transform. Life seemed to rush into his features and he leaned forward against the chair to mingle their fingers together. Suzaku exchanged a short glance with Lelouch, but one look was enough. Rolo might be hiding something but his affection, if not love, for Nunnaly was true. When the young woman had left the kitchen Rolo turned back to them all looking pale and miserable and resigned to his fate. Suzaku laughed, feeling a little fond.

“Hey Rolo…do you like cake?”

After a moment of wide-eyed staring Rolo nodded with the expression of someone who was desperately hoping they had given the right answer. Suzaku stood and nodded, catching the boy by the corner of his shirt to drag him out of the lion’s den and deeper into the kitchen towards Sayako’s refrigerator.

Suzaku Just barely heard that smooth, cultured voice laugh, and announce, “He’s good at that.”

Lelouch murmured something back, sounding wryly amused, but whatever he had said…no one laughed back.

***

It was almost midnight by the time Rolo left and the men at the table were still in deep discussion. Suzaku knew instinctively that beyond his help with the kid he wasn’t needed or really wanted there. Whatever they were planning was Britannian business, and so far in the game Special Agents were out. Instead Suzaku sat in the dimly lighted front room with Nunnaly who had trusted him to lift her to sit next to him on a comfortable leather couch. She was in the corner of the L-shaped furniture and very unlikely to fall off but Suzaku watched closely nonetheless.

“I feel things sometimes when I hold people’s hands,” Nunnaly interjected suddenly, quietly, “May I hold yours again Suzaku?”

Suzaku reached out after a moment’s hesitation, scooting a little closer so the Nunnaly wouldn’t have to stretch too far. She cupped his hand gently, but didn’t explore it as before.

“These last few weeks brother has been troubled, but not like before.” She was nearly whispering, “I convinced him to give me a hint why he was upset, I thought I might be able to help, and do you know what his answer was?”

Suzaku shook his head but despite his idiocy Nunnaly seemed to feel the movement.

“He said that he was trying to help someone that he respected, and that he wanted to make sure everything went right. There was sadness in his voice then, one he couldn’t hear, or that he was hiding from himself. But I hear these things even when brother tries to make sure that I don’t,” Her head tilted down, maybe in worry but Suzaku didn’t know here well enough to tell.

“Suzaku, my brother doesn’t respect anyone…I think that’s because he doesn’t trust anyone, not even me sometimes. So for him to say that, do you understand?”

“Yes,” Suzaku whispered, his fingers curling into her palm, “At least I think I do.”

“Brother makes sure that it’s hard to tell,” Nunnaly said with mischievous sympathy, “But the way he said that word…respect. His voice said one thing but I heard another. I know you know what I heard, Suzaku.”

What Suzaku didn’t want to do was remember that time, that promise, because in all likelihood the man who had made that promise was gone, dead. Nunnaly gripped his hand.

“He…” and damn if Suzaku wasn’t crying again, “He said ‘I’ll still love you after all
this,” He confessed in the barest of whispers, “But even though he meant it then, the way things are going-”

“That sadness I heard, Suzaku,” Nunnaly cut in with a same soft whisper, “It was loneliness. He’s been lonely for a very long time, but I think it was you that made him realize just how long.”

She started running her soft fingers down the lines of Suzaku’s palms, touching the pads, and cradling it to feel its weight and shape, before whispering, “Your hands reach out to hold, and your voice…I think you’re very lonely too, Suzaku. That’s how I knew when we met that you were the person Lelouch wanted to ‘respect’.”

Suzaku couldn’t speak, he could only bow his head and let cold tears drip down his face and disappear under his collar. He wondered if she could smell them.

“The question is, Suzaku, whether or not Brother was successful. Did he finally earn your love too?”

Suzaku thought for a long time. He thought of how a hug had meant so much when it was only a simple embrace, he thought about Lelouch’s concern, his risk of warning Suzaku of the Britannians. He thought of those persistent warnings, the near-pleas during the hated interrogation. Those words…I’ll still love you after all this…at the time it had made Suzaku ill and his reaction had produced bare disappointment on Lelouch’s face.

And then the final truth that had made Suzaku feel more shame and regret than he ever had with his father. He’d rather go through the trauma of killing that man again rather than relive the way Lelouch’s face had gone blank as he tonelessly revealed a tragedy. Suzaku had heard ‘brother’ and thought, ‘what sort of monster could hurt such a precious person in that way?’ and worse, ‘Why is it continuing to happen?’.”

But what was the worst out of all of these things was the moment Suzaku had been pushed away in Lelouch’s office, unable to give the single comfort of an understanding embrace in return. Being turned away by Lelouch once and knowing that it could very well happen again had left every good part of Suzaku smothered nearly to death.

Suzaku had one last chance, but he was so afraid-

“It’s alright,” Nunnaly whispered, reaching out gently until she managed to touch Suzaku’s face, to find the tears that had become searing, to carefully search until she could feel Suzaku’s heart. It was only then that Suzaku had realized he had fisted his hands, caught up in thought, and Nunnaly had been right there to feel them tremble. Did she know what had been happening between her two brothers? Was she an accomplice too? He hoped not, and desperately.

“You’ve saved a piece of him in you, I think.” The hand on his chest pulled away, “Even if he says he doesn’t, or tries to act like that piece has faded, you’ll still have that bond. Your loneliness is the same.”

It took a long time but Suzaku finally managed to compose himself, laughing roughly but genuinely as he cupped one of Nunnaly’s hands in his own.

“You should have been a psychologist too,” He teased, she blushed. “You and Lelouch…merciless.”

Nunnaly giggled and Suzaku smiled and from over his shoulder Lelouch asked, “My little sister, merciless?”

“In a good way, of course,” Suzaku added jauntily, but not turning around. Lelouch would read his face like a book the way they were both feeling.

“Of course,” Lelouch said dryly, reaching out as Nunnaly reached out and cradling her softly as he deposited her back into the wheelchair. It was a simple, practiced gesture and even if he was just the prince now and Lelouch Lamperouge was dead, there was a deep, familiar affection as Lelouch asked if Nunnaly want to go to bed.

Nunnaly said yes and Lelouch smiled and in that moment Suzaku saw undeniable love.

***

“I’m not going to leave.” Suzaku picked the sleep out of his eyes. Lelouch was moving around the room just a hair’s breadth from frantically as he threw clothing all over the bed. Apparently he started work early. The sun had just barely risen and they were both still in their pajamas when Lelouch had shaken Suzaku awake and said, “Leave the house and don’t ever come back.”

Lelouch didn’t reply, he just scowled and dumped a pile of shirts on Suzaku’s lap before diving into his closet for more.

“Did I snore or something?” Suzaku knew it was stupid to make light about the situation, Lelouch had always hated that during their sessions, but Suzaku really didn’t have any other recourse and he needed to get Lelouch talking. “Hog the covers?”

The strange girl named CC had gotten kicked out of the room on account of being annoying and Suzaku had been plopped back into Lelouch’s bed. He’d just about started to fall asleep when Lelouch had slipped under the covers and turned off the lamp without another word. Suzaku had gone to sleep wondering why they were sharing the same bed at the same time. Apparently Lelouch had decided to have Suzaku close at hand so that he could kick him out in the morning and get some work done early.

“You’re going to leave.” Lelouch dumped another pile of pants down and said, “And you’re not going to come back. That’s an order, not precursor to conversation.”

“Wow. An order.” Suzaku was not amused. “Go to hell.”

Lelouch’s eyes narrowed, but Suzaku cut him off before he had the chance to say something clever and biting.

“No one here has a problem with me being around,” Suzaku crossed his arms, “Right? The only person I’m not sure of is Sayako but she’s so busy cleaning guns and sharpening knives that I didn’t want to interrupt to ask.”

“I don’t want you here.” Lelouch leaned forward, his face blank and cool, “This isn’t your place and you’re not needed. Find somewhere else to be.”

Suzaku thought for a moment. Lelouch was having something of a mood swing, half distracted, and he was color-coordinating outfits like he was going to his own funeral. He’d been making phone calls all night the day before, setting something in order, and having a girl who responded to only letters in the house was too much of a coincidence to overlook when there was a man named VV at Charles’ side.

“You’re meeting with your father today.” Suzaku watched carefully enough that he saw the subtle widening of Lelouch’s eyes before he began to attend his task again.

“That’s none of your business.”

“You look good in dark colors.” Suzaku responded, digging through a pile of ties, “Do you really have to wear one of these when you’re just going to see your dad? It’s not a job interview.”

Lelouch didn’t say anything and Suzaku frowned.

“Or is it?” Suzaku tapped one of the three shirts Lelouch was staring at, and added, “Do you have to re-apply for citizenship or something?”

“That’s not a funny joke,” Lelouch started unbuttoning the shirt from the hanger, “And if I have to I’ll get Sayako to kick you out.”

“So, is Todoh giving you that army you asked for?” Suzaku sighed, either his day was about to go really, really right or absolutely incredibly wrong, “If he is you’re going to need a go-between and I’m pretty much the only person who doesn’t” Suzaku cut himself off before saying ‘hate you’, “have a problem with you being a prince.”

“Kallen doesn’t seem to mind,” Lelouch wasn’t making eye contact but Suzaku could feel the glare, “And I’d prefer to employ someone not emotionally entangled in the situation. You’re more trouble than you’re worth, Suzaku.”

Suzaku very carefully ignored the last bit of his statement, carefully remembering Nunnaly’s advice and hardening his heart against hurt and despair.

“Kallen doesn’t know when to keep her mouth shut, and by now she’s screwed Gino silly. Since you can’t use her you have to use me or you’ll be getting someone from the FBI who isn’t afraid to throw you on the chopping block the very first chance they get.”
Suzaku took a deep breath and stayed composed, “Todoh is smart enough to not fuck around but you can’t guarantee anyone else.”

“Then I’ll find someone to blackmail.” Lelouch put the shirt over his head, showing a flash of pale, pale skin. “I still don’t need you. Get out.”

“Alright,” Suzaku stood, pulled his pants on, shrugged into his shirt. He saw Lelouch looking at him strangely and smiled. “You don’t want me, that’s fine. But do you want to know what’s going to happen the second I walk out that door?”

Lelouch crossed his arms, glared fiercely, “If you think threatening suicide is-”
“I’m going to find Schneizer,” Suzaku said very clearly, very carefully, “And I’m going to kill him.”

Lelouch stayed very still and seemed to go pale, his eyes opening a little as his expression went blank.

“One shot in the back of his head,” Suzaku made a gun with his hand, shot an invisible man and dropped the smile, dead serious, “He won’t even know what hit him.”

Then, and Suzaku took no pleasure having to manipulate Lelouch in such a matter, Suzaku added, “You’ll never get a chance to win, Lelouch.”

After Lelouch had thrown up during the interrogation things had gone wildly out of control. Suzaku couldn’t quite pin down much of what Lelouch had said at the time, he was a little too busy trying to pin the guy down physically and people got strong when adrenalin was involved, but there was one thing he had been saying over and over again. It was a gamble but Suzaku was ready to take the risk. As a result Lelouch took two quick steps forward and backhanded Suzaku across the face. He looked furious, like he wanted to scream or hit Suzaku again or cry.

Suzaku grabbed his wrist when Lelouch brought his hand down again, but gently, and whispered, “I’m not leaving. Stop trying to make me leave.”

His face didn’t really hurt, but his heart-

“I need to be here to help you,” He pulled Lelouch a little closer, “You can’t make me go away. I won’t let you.”

There was a moment that Suzaku was very afraid. He recognized the look of hopelessness that came from being cornered in Lelouch’s eyes and knew that he’d gone too far or not far enough. Either way, Suzaku understood that Lelouch was about to use his last available defense or the first defense that came to mind. Suzaku had pushed him into a position where he might just do anyth-

Lelouch’s lips were softer than Suzaku would ever have guessed they would be and for some reason the man smelled like lavender.  The sudden brush of hair against his cheek was surprisingly smooth, like silk and Suzaku was so startled at the intimate touch that his body went on automatic; for a second Suzaku was kissing back.

It was after that second that Lelouch jerked away, his eyes wide, and he would have left, retreated, but Suzaku still had hold of his wrist and the man was stuck. Suzaku stared, mind blissfully blank while caught in some white-out exclamation of shock. Lelouch blushed, looking a little too surprised for someone who had been the one planting the kiss. Suzaku wasn’t surprised that he’d been the instigator but it was still very odd that Lelouch’s expression quickly turned into mortification when he had been the one in charge from the get-go. Then Suzaku had a revelation. Epiphany. Whatever.

Suzaku lifted one eyebrow and asked, “Is this the part where I run from the room screaming in horror?”

Lelouch looked caught in-between hitting him again and apologizing.

“Seriously,” Suzaku grinned, “The whole hormone-distraction thing works for Kallen, but she’s got a great rack.”

Suzaku couldn’t help it, he inspected Lelouch’s body with peering eyes and said, “You’re a little flat-chested to be trying-”

And that was how Suzaku Kururugi got into a slap fight with a furious and surprisingly accurate Lelouch Lamperouge. Despite a few defensive maneuvers Suzaku ended up with a few sore ribs, a stinging cheek, an aching jaw, and a Prince who stormed out looking only the barest bit mollified.

It could have ended worse.

***

Todoh didn’t seem surprised to find Suzaku sitting in the back seat with Lelouch, but Gino looked a little confused and Jeremiah, the new guy, kept staring into the review mirror like he was expecting Suzaku to make a war-cry and attack. They stopped briefly at Suzaku’s apartment so that he could change into something a little more respectable and then they were driving again. He was careful not to bug Lelouch who he guessed was still embarrassed but mostly furious that Suzaku had managed to get his own way despite Lelouch having superior intelligence and firepower.

In the silence Suzaku’s familiar melancholia began to settle in again but he found it wasn’t nearly as smothering as it had been before. He didn’t like throwing his weight around and he didn’t like that he was blackmailing Lelouch into keeping him nearby, but knowing that Lelouch wasn’t going to push him out the door anytime soon was like breathing a continual sigh of relief. The fact that this situation had come to be through a threat of homicide didn’t bother Suzaku at all.

Then he thought about the kiss for a little while.

Obviously it hadn’t been a sex thing. Lelouch had looked nearly as surprised as Suzaku when they separated (and Suzaku finally took the time to blush, remembering how his body had automatically responded positively while his mind had stalled), so the kiss had been a last-ditch effort. The real question was why Lelouch had chosen that particular defense…and then Suzaku remembered how Lelouch had said during the interrogation, ‘Though your absolute disgust well and truly noted’, right after his confession of love. It wasn’t much of a stretch that Lelouch might assume Suzaku would abandon him in horror after a very mild lip-lock when just words had affected Suzaku in such a negative way.

“I’m sorry.” Suzaku blurted, turning every head in the car. After a tense moment Lelouch sighed and gave in to the conversational foray. The rest of the car not so subtly turned away but they certainly didn’t cover their ears.

“For what.”Lelouch didn’t bother turning his head, he just continued to watch the scenery speed by.

Suzaku lowered his voice, saying, “Um…that time during the interrogation when I reacted in a really, really bad way.”

Suzaku normally would have waited until they had some sort of privacy to discuss the situation, but his mouth had somehow gotten hooked straight to his emotions.
Discretion was a little impossible. He blamed the honesty urge on Dr. Lamperouge and wondered if it was a proximity thing since he looked so much like Lelouch. Because they were the same person. Sort of.

Suzaku was starting to get really confused.

“You’re going to have to be more specific,” Lelouch finally turned towards him pressing his lips together in a sort of subtle mockery of a smile. Suzaku winced, but continued on, fisting the material of his pants.

“After you gave me that last warning, you said something.” Suzaku was worried by the way time seemed to pause, making Lelouch look unnaturally motionless, almost lifeless. “I never should have reacted like that. Ever. No matter what the situation was. I’m sorry.”

Suzaku exhaled, helpless when Lelouch didn’t relax and added in a whisper-

“I don’t know how to say how sorry I am.” Suzaku let his gaze drift away from those cold eyes, “I understand if you don’t-”

Just the thought of finishing his sentence cut through Suzaku and he got stuck, unable to force the rest out. He was being honest, he would understand if Lelouch never forgave him and took back his statement, but Suzaku hoped to god that his honesty wasn’t about to be tested. He finally looked up to see emotion in those violet eyes, though Suzaku couldn’t imagine which one or why it was there.

“Apology accepted,” Lelouch said bluntly, staring out the window, “Move on, Agent Kururugi.”

Suzaku smiled all the way to Virginia.

***

“You should probably wait in the car.” Gino said with an apologetic shrug, “It shouldn’t be too long, just a couple of-”

“No,” Lelouch got out when Jeremiah opened his door, “He’s the one who wanted to tag along. Let him have a taste of what he’s in for.”

They had finally come to a stop in the circle drive of a mansion. Suzaku wasn’t usually impressed by mansions, they were just really big houses after all, but his breath had caught a little when he looked up and understood the massive wealth of the Britannians. What loomed before them like some sleeping giant was what seemed to be a small castle. It wasn’t the sort of turret, moat, drawbridge kind of castle, but an enormous stone building that somehow managed to not look gaudy or pretentious but elegant and intimidating as hell.

Suzaku stumbled out of the back seat, nearly planting his face in the gravel because of his distraction. Only Gino’s hand managed to keep him upright. The man looked a little edgy, worried, and he glanced over his own shoulder furtively before maneuvering them into a position where no one could see.

“I don’t know what you did,” He said, almost whispering, “but I’ve never seen Prince Lelouch so pissed.”

Wincing, Suzaku admitted, “I maybe sort of-” and Gino clapped a hand over his mouth.

“What I don’t know won’t hurt you.” Gino exhaled in a burst and glanced over his shoulder again, “Look, I like you. I don’t know why, but I think you could fit in.”

Suzaku’s mouth opened but he only managed to gape a little, before whispering, “What the hell is that supposed to-”

“But all it takes is one mistake.” Gino looked very earnest, sincere and a little worried, “You’ll get slack because you’re not family, but-”

“Don’t speak unless you’re spoken to,” Suzaku sighed, realizing where the conversation was going, “Be polite. Suggestions aren’t suggestions, they’re orders. I was in the Air Force, Gino, I get it. I’m not human unless I’m treated like one and even then…I know my place.”

Gino sighed, looking like he was about to faint, “Thank god.”

They separated and Gino reached out, tugging at his clothes, smoothing invisible wrinkles or moving creases until Suzaku was a little worried that he was going to get the spit treatment. Luckily Gino’s mother-henning didn’t include well-meaning spit cleaning. Once he was done Suzaku watched as the man pulled himself together into his familiar sunny resolve. Gino gave a wide smile and patted Suzaku on the shoulder.

“Now all you have to do is not flinch.”

***

Whatever Suzaku had been expecting out of the Britannia/Lamperouge reunion it hadn’t been what actually happened. He only caught a glimpse as Gino escorted everyone out into the gardens but Suzaku was almost sure that what he saw was Charles Britannia, crime lord, pulling his son into a hug. All he could think was that by the way he had acted in the car Lelouch probably hadn’t been expecting it either.

“Eyes forward,” Gino muttered, and Suzaku did as he was told, blushing slightly at the fact that in less than two minutes he’d already broken the rules. He vowed that it would be the last time and congratulated himself heartily when he rounded the corner and managed to not even twitch in shock. Todoh was not so fortunate to have a last second coach and was unable to mask his surprise when they were met with the mocking stare of Cornelia Britannia and her very deadly second, the knight Guilford. Somehow they managed to look larger in real life than they had in any photo or recording.

Todoh and Suzaku were directed to a small table inside of a large gazebo, accompanied by a butler when Gino swerved off to bow in front of the Princess.  It was almost like being a small café. The man took their drink orders, put a small plate of treats between them and then disappeared while Suzaku looked at all of the empty tables.
There was one main table on a raised dais in the middle with a few small two-seaters orbiting around the sides.

The middle table was set with fine china and a small flower arrangement, delicate wineglasses to the side of four plates.

Suzaku guessed that those plates belonged to Charles, Lelouch, Todoh and Gino. He had the feeling that if Cornelia wasn’t already sitting with them she wasn’t going to be allowed in anytime soon, and for their endeavor Lelouch would need as much privacy as possible.

He wondered if Lelouch was going to be able to tell his father about what was really going on with Schneizer. It was doubtful, Suzaku knew that by years of dealing with abuse victims, but Lelouch had become unpredictable since shedding his last name for another. They received their drinks but Suzaku didn’t dare take a sip, remembering his manners. Todoh had nearly drained his glass by the time Suzaku caught a glimpse of figures coming up the pathway. The moment he confirmed that it was Charles leading the group Suzaku stood up tall and straight while keeping his eyes pointed away.

He knew that Charles had caught the movement because the press of the man’s gaze was a spine-tingling weight.

Todoh didn’t stand and Charles surely noted that too.

Gino followed shortly after and Suzaku did catch a little smirk on the man’s face.
Suzaku couldn’t tell if the knight was amused or approving. He and Lelouch stood by their respective chairs as Charles made his way around the table and sat. When he was settled he murmured, “Take your places.”

A heavy silence settled in the gazebo after they did what they were told, Suzaku being the last to take his chair in the acknowledgement that he wasn’t Britannian and he certainly wasn’t as high up the food chain as Todoh who was staring at him with cold, narrow eyes. It took a few moments of comfortable silence before Suzaku realized he was being watched again. With a dread similar to a horror-movie heroine Suzaku very carefully, very slowly looked over his shoulder to find that yes, Charles was looking at him with a considering stare. When the man’s attention shifted briefly to Todoh Suzaku very nearly sighed in relief.

Charles looked to his son, and said, “You may come to the table.”

Todoh finally stood, his muscles tensed in anger, and Charles said, “Not you, Todoh. The other one.”

There was always a moment in the middle of a firefight that Suzaku accepted that there was no retreat available, only advancement, and no matter if he was on the street or strapped into a jet a great calm descended over Suzaku at the realization. He became faster, stronger, more accurate, and entirely unafraid because the worst had already happened. It was with that calm that Suzaku stood and made his way to the empty seat. He didn’t hesitate, he didn’t overanalyze, and he wasn’t afraid.

Suzaku said, “Thank you, sir,” and took Todoh’s place at the table. Amazingly, despite being very close to looking at Charles face to face Suzaku was more comfortable than being at the little table. He understood that even if he wasn’t asked to comment he was allowed to listen. Lelouch made eye contact in a single hard stare.

“This is Special Agent Suzaku Kururugi, my Lord.” Lelouch’s eyes narrowed, “He’s part of Todoh’s task force.”

Suzaku very nearly glared back but he had caught Charles’ attention again with Lelouch’s cute and unnecessary addition. For a moment Suzaku was preparing to get kicked off of the property when one of Charles’ eyebrows twitched upwards.

“You’re rather young for such a large task, Agent Kururugi. Who is it that you’re assigned to?”

Suzaku swallowed, wondered if it was worth pissing off Charles to save his job, and answered, “Prince Clovis, sir.”

“And what do you think of my son Clovis?” There was no question, the man was amused, but Suzaku knew to tread lightly and chose his next step carefully. He took a few moments to think and said the first thing that inevitably came to mind when he thought of Clovis.

“I think he’s very lonely, sir.” Suzaku said quietly. He also thought that Clovis was vain and pathetic but he understood what it felt like to mask loneliness and how far a person might go to hide that weight, that weakness.

For a long time Charles said nothing, continuing to look at Suzaku face to face, but Suzaku was used to being stared at by blank violet eyes and didn’t flinch. Instead he wondered what the man was thinking, whether he was dissecting Suzaku’s statement as a leader or as a father. Despite his disgust for the crimes Clovis was involved in Suzaku hoped that it was the latter. He hoped that Charles was wondering if he’d neglected his son, not thinking that his loneliness was a security risk. Charles eyes’ narrowed.

“And Lelouch?”

Lelouch stiffened a little but he didn’t look Suzaku’s way. This time Suzaku didn’t have to think.

“He’s a person worth protecting,” Suzaku slid his eyes over and added, a little peeved, “No matter what he’s calling himself.”

And if looks could kill…but Charles startled them both out of their staring match by one low rumble, his lips quirked into a familiar smirk. Suzaku wasn’t surprised at all to be banished from the table with a curt, “Leave, boy, you’re distracting.”

So Suzaku stood, nodded his head in an abbreviated bow and wandered off into the gardens, wondering what it meant to make an Emperor sigh.

***

“I want to see you fight.” A brusque voice announced as Suzaku was cut off from the sunlight. Cornelia Britannia had a long shadow, and the fact that Guilford was standing next to her looking like a small tank didn’t help.

Suzaku pulled the sandwich he’d been eating out of his mouth and stared upwards, knowing that he looked exactly like a cornered rabbit, shiver and all. He waited for her to laugh, ending the bad joke, but Cornelia continued to stare down silently with a hand perched on her hip. The woman’s eyes were just as cold in person as they seemed on TV. The fact that she’d been on trial for murder at the time didn’t help Suzaku’s composure.

“…I don’t really want to fight.” Suzaku said, feeling very small. He almost expected Guilford to start cracking his knuckles but the man was just as cold as his mistress and his face didn’t show a single emotion. Cornelia, however, was smiling in a way that gave Suzaku shivers.

“Do I look like I care about what you want?”

Suzaku swallowed and managed, “Um. No.”

“Then get the hell up, shithead.” She nodded towards the manicured lawn, “And show me if you’ve got any balls.”

A little stupid part of Suzaku’s brain suggested that he settle the confrontation with a practical demonstration and then burst into hysterical laughter. Suzaku blushed.

Cornelia made a face, looking at him in some sort of sick fascination as she added, “That’s adorable.”

Suzaku just blushed harder.

Then she said, “Guilford, pick him up.”

“Alright. Fine.” Suzaku blurted, standing with his hands up as Guilford took a step forward. Heart pounding, mind racing, Suzaku shrugged off his jacket and pulled off his tie, scowling at the world in general as he prepared to let himself get smacked around by a Britannian for the second time in one day. There was no way he was going to hit Lelouch’s sister, estranged or not. Unfortunately while he was unbuttoning his work shirt Cornelia decided to sit, tossing Suzaku’s clothes into the rosebushes as he was left staring Guilford down.

“Shit,” Suzaku cursed under his breath, following the knight’s gesture out to the field. The man was a walking unfair advantage; Guilford was taller, weighed more, had a longer reach and was already dressed in clothing that would actually move with his body. He probably fought dirty too, and while Suzaku was glad that it didn’t look like weapons were going to get involved he realized that he’d been relying on his gun for far too long.

And the last thing Suzaku wanted was to get his ass handed to him by a suspect that was part of his own team’s FBI investigation.

Suzaku exhaled, thinking ‘Britannia vs. FBI, round one’ and Guilford, knight of Britannia, shot forward.

***

By the time the meeting in the gazebo was over and the rest of Lelouch’s group had made their way back towards the house Suzaku was bloody, bruised, and pretty sure that a few of his ribs were broken.

Guilford was turning purple.

Suzaku’s sense of fair play had evaporated after a near-blow to the crotch and he had started planning an end move that would establish the victor if not the better fighter. It took some slight of hand, acting, and downplaying his actual abilities but the very first second Suzaku was able he’d caught Guilford’s neck in the loop of his belt, shoved him to the ground and pulled tight, his knee planted firmly in the small of the man’s back. The knight had struggled for a few minutes, nearly dislodging Suzaku more than once. Suzaku just worked on cinching the belt until Guilford was forced to get practical about suffocating and was more concerned with getting his fingers between the belt and his neck than he was with fighting.

The appearance of Charles, Lelouch and Todoh wasn’t enough to make Suzaku let go. He was fully aware that Guilford was angry enough to maim him in front of company. What warned Suzaku was Cornelia. She was circling them, watching with sharp eyes instead of kicking Suzaku off of Guilford’s back. Cornelia was waiting for the knight to pull something.

What Guilford pulled was a knife, a switchblade specifically, and Suzaku saw it coming in plenty of time to throw himself out of the way, but that would have meant letting go of his grip of Guilford’s throat. Suzaku decided to end the war with words rather than blood, using a phrase that always made aggressive young men pause and consider their actions before pursuing an act of violence. He grabbed a handful of Guilford’s long hair and pulled hard. The magic words:

“Try it and I’ll break your fucking neck.” Suzaku hissed, “Give up, or I swear to god-”

The knife was dropped and Guilford went very still. He recognized the tenor of someone who was fully prepared to go through with his threat, and so did Cornelia, because she snapped, “That’s enough!”

Suzaku glared at her, giving Guilford enough slack to breathe but still holding tight as she nodded.

“The fight’s over,” She didn’t look nearly as amused as she had in the beginning, “I swear it.”

“I didn’t want to fight.” Suzaku tried to catch his breath, “You made me fight.”

“Yes, I did.” Cornelia glanced down to her knight, “You won’t be penalized, on my honor.”

With one enormous, grateful sigh Suzaku abandoned his grip on the belt and fell to his back on the grass, holding his chest and trying not to whimper as Guilford got on his knees and started coughing harshly, gasping for air. In the background there was a lot of noise, questions and exclamations of surprise that Cornelia ignored. Instead she marched over to tower over Suzaku, rolling her eyes before sighing deeply and saying, “Fine. You passed. You can be a knight.”

There was a long deep, pause that settled over the yard as Suzaku looked up dazedly, uncomprehending, and asked, “What?”

“I’m not going to say it twice, dipshit,” Cornelia scowled, “You heard me the first-”

And then her face went completely blank, her eyes widening a little as she stared down. Suzaku started to get an inkling of what was going on and would have laughed if he didn’t hurt so extensively. Instead he groaned in a mixture of frustration and disbelief.

“I’m not a Britannian!” Suzaku very nearly kicked her in the knee, “I’m with the FBI!”

Cornelia glanced over to Guilford, hunched over and hacking, and then back to him before crossing her arms with the barest bit of a blush.

“Whoops.”

Suzaku looked at her and went a little crazy but mostly homicidal as he tried to sit up.

“Whoops?!”

Cornelia cleared her throat and took a few steps back. After finally managing to get himself into a sitting position Suzaku was perfectly ready to continue yelling, getting his belt back and-

“Good cop!” A familiar voice snapped, the slightest tinge of panic lacing the tone. For a moment he didn’t understand, but comprehension dawned and Suzaku did what he always had to do after recovering from a killing urge.

Suzaku calmed, took a deep breath despite the pain, and smiled.

“…that’s a little creepy.” Cornelia said duly, renewing her look of disturbed fascination.

“Nnhg.” Suzaku managed, clutching his forehead. The adrenalin rush of anger had evaporated too quickly and the effects of a concussion raced to take up the space.
Good cop became trying-not-to-puke cop as he let his head hang between his knees, finally groaning as his body informed him that he’d just had a really nasty fight with a man who had an equally tenacious death-wish. There was slight movement and Suzaku looked up into Gino’s sickeningly sweet smile as the man held up his hand and said, “Follow my finger.”

“Get a little closer Weinberg,” Suzaku muttered through his teeth, “And I’ll show you exactly what you can do with your goddamned finger.”

Gino leaned back, more of a flinch really, and announced, “He’s fine.”

Suzaku cursed, got to his knees, started to stand…and promptly passed out.

***

“Does this hurt?” Suzaku flinched away from a pinch and the voice above him giggled, “How about this?”

“Ow,” Suzaku tried to slap the hand away and was sadly unsuccessful.

“How about this?”

“Ow!”

The voice giggled again and Suzaku started to open his eyes. He abandoned the attempt when he found that the light above him was far, far too bright.

“Are you going to vomit?”

Suzaku felt a hard jab to his abdomen and cursed.

“Don’t be a baby,” Another poke, “Does that hurt?”

“It all hurts!” Suzaku yelled wondering why he was having to repeat, “Stop touching me!” for the second time in two days.

“How about this?”

Suzaku yelled, surprised by the sudden sharp pain that broke through the dull ache and made consciousness excruciating. His fight or flight response kicked in and Suzaku’s eyes shot open despite the glare of an overhead lamp. A man with large round glasses made eye contact and grinned.

“That one’s broken!”

Suzaku sighed, finally realizing what was going on. The man hovering over him had a stethoscope around his neck and a white lab coat on, the only part of him that didn’t scream ‘doctor’ were the grease stains on his arms and shoulders. He smelled like gasoline.

“Humans are so finicky,” The man complained, continuing his prodding exploration, “Why bother fixing something that complains while you’re doing it? Also, skin.”

“Skin?” Suzaku repeated absently, looking around to discover the room was half doctor’s office and half garage. Most of the shelves held various auto parts, all pristine, shining silver, and boxes with medical warnings covered in black fingerprints.

“You have to spend all this time sewing it back together once you rip it apart, and then it just rips open again if you move wrong,” The man sighed, rifling through his cupboards, “It’s almost not worth the effort. Blood everywhere. ”

Looking around himself Suzaku made sure that there wasn’t actually blood everywhere.
He was covered liberally in bruises and a few scratches, but there were no gaping wounds, just a constant pain in his side and an ache in his head. Then he remembered why he was being subjected to the cold fingers of a strange man.

“Is Guilford okay?”

The doctor laughed, a mischievous chuckle, and said, “Fine. Wondering if he’s become a late model...Knight 3.5 versus Knight 4.0; the smaller, faster version with better graphics and easy use.”

Sadly, Suzaku was able to understand.

“Easy use?” He asked with a raised eyebrow, flinching as he got poked in the ribs again.

“4.0 responds to command prompts even when its processor is powered down.” There was a certain twinkle in the man’s eyes that Suzaku really didn’t like, “Entertaining and efficient!”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” A feeling of dread settled in, “Why entertaining?”

The doctor just giggled again in a strange, high pitch and shrugged as he grabbed a roll of bandages. Suzaku lifted his arms, wincing apologetically at the smell.

“Eh,” He shrugged again, beginning to wrap Suzaku’s ribs, “I’m used to noxious fumes.”

Suzaku rolled his eyes up at the ceiling and considered that he might be back out on the grass having one truly spectacular hallucination.

“I’m not a knight.” Suzaku muttered, frowning at the fluorescent light. The man looked up, eyes wide as he asked, “Oh?”

“Nope. It was just a big mistake. Cornelia thought I was someone else.”

A brief, sly expression flashed and then faded from the man’s face as he said, “Lady Cornelia is incapable of making big mistakes. Maybe little ones. Forgets to pay parking tickets, wears ugly lipstick, kicks puppies…only little things.”

“Right,” Suzaku winced, “Puppies. I’m pretty I wasn’t acting like a guy who wanted to be a knight. I really didn’t want to fight.”

The doctor looked into his eyes for a moment and the burst into hysterical laughter, completely ignoring Suzaku’s scowl with a wide grin.

“Goodness,” He raised his eyebrows, “I wonder what Sir Guilford would look like if you wanted to fight.”

Then he frowned, “Not that I want to be forced to mess with all those knives and blood.”

“Yeah,” Suzaku winced at the implication, “I get it. Blood.”

“Or maybe,” The man’s grin returned with a finger pointed upwards, “Or maybe I would have to work on the body at all!”

Suzaku let his head sag forward wondering, no, knowing that the man was probably right. He was forced upright again as the doctor finally started taping his ribs. The sudden pressure was immediately comforting, but it was still a little hard to breathe as the man continued on.

“I hope you want to fight all the time,” He said with that smile, “My job would be so much easier.”

Then he stiffened in sudden surprise and disappeared around a corner without a word. Suzaku was about to leave and find someone that would help him and not be insane about it, but the man appeared with an armful of clothes. He dropped them in Suzaku’s lap and pointed to a shower in the corner. After rifling through a few more drawers he was back to work leaning over a shining piece of machinery with a small screwdriver.

The clothing…Suzaku started to feel sick and a little faint again. Gino had changed into a different outfit just as they were about to leave DC and Suzaku had  stared at the odd white suit, more of coat really, covering a dark turtleneck that had odd gold designs at the neck. When he had gotten closer Suzaku could see the same embellishments behind one of his elbows that covered nearly his entire arm. Two delicate gold chains had hung from his chest. The sight had been weird at the time, but Suzaku had more on his mind and dismissed the clothing as another Britannian oddity.

Suzaku was looking down at that same outfit slung over his knees, drooping to one side from the weight of the hangers and looking exactly his size.

“Oh!” The Doctor exclaimed so loudly that Suzaku flinched back, his heart pounding as the man dug around in one of his deep pockets. What he found he tossed to Suzaku. The scroll was easy to catch but hard to look at; the red wax seal, imprinted by an oval object, a ring most likely, and the deep purple ribbon that held it all together seemed to scream a warning. When he finally got the nerve Suzaku broke the seal and rolled the parchment open. There were three sheets of paper inside. The first was a letter that Suzaku only read because he had caught Lelouch’s name in a glance.


Agent Kururugi,
Your FBI and Air Force records have been assessed and found to be impeccable. Your physical examination was just as impressive. After an interview with His Majesty and testimonials from Sir Weinberg and Sir Gottwald it has been decided that your devotion to the Britannian Empire is adequate and can be improved through time and trial. Due to the overall excellence you have displayed in every category a probationary period is unnecessary. You are hereby inducted as a Knight of Rounds, a Special Forces group devoted only to His Majesty, Emperor Charles.
Special Agent Suzaku Kururugi, you well henceforth be known as Sir Kururugi, Knight of Seven.
When you are finished reading the necessary documents included with this letter and are appropriately attired you will be met and taken to His Majesty’s reception hall. Prince Lelouch and his retinue have been dismissed, so you are on your own. This meeting will be a private ceremony in which you will receive authorization to be the hands and the mouth of His Majesty and entrusted with the power to enforce his will. You will be mentored by Sir Weinberg until he deems you competent in regards to the rules and regulations that accompany knighthood and an Honorary Britannian status.
Congratulations for earning this most esteemed and enviable position as one of His Majesty’s personal knights.
V.V.

Heart thrumming, hand shaking, mind blank in shock Suzaku turned to the next page.

Kururugi, my primary order to you will to be my son’s protector. As this is my will and you are my agent he cannot refuse you. You will become my go-between and therefore will have access to all information concerning Prince Lelouch’s blood feud with Prince Schneizer. My second order to you will to become Prince Lelouch’s weapon. Do not fight your instincts on this matter and have no mercy. You need not ask for permission before firing your weapon.
If there comes a time that you allow yourself to be claimed as a personal knight by another there will be no reprisal. Only if this person has been killed or exiled will you return to the Rounds.

There was no signature, but a signature wasn’t needed. Suzaku quickly flipped to the next page, his heart pounding as fear and excitement mingled. He hated Britannia, hated everything they did or might do, but to protect Lelouch with no fear of being pushed away he would do almost anything. Suzaku wouldn’t have to resort to bribery or threats or have to convince Lelouch that he was capable and willing to take up the slack, to do his dirty work. Suzaku wouldn’t have to fight Lelouch in order to protect Lelouch.

The next page was a legal document and Suzaku had to scan it a few times before realizing what he was being expected to sign; a non-disclosure agreement, requests for any information regarding his property titles, bank account numbers, social security number, and certain legal obligations all added up to one last demand.

“Do you have a pen?” Suzaku asked quietly. He was unsurprised to be offered a fountain pen immediately and a small clipboard. Quickly, before he could faint or change his mind, Suzaku initialed each demand and signed his name on the bottom line. The clipboard and paper were taken away, leaving Suzaku to stare at the uniform on his lap while thinking one phrase over and over again.

“It could be anyone,” Suzaku whispered, “…Suzaku Kururugi, Honorary Britannian.”

***

The ceremony went quickly. Suzaku was given a sword, a beautiful antique, and went to kneel before the Emperor, to offer it up. The gesture was symbolic, but Suzaku was still anxious when he felt the weight of the blade on his shoulders. When that part was finally finished and Suzaku was standing tall before Char- before his Emperor with the blade sheathed he was given one nod and a single assurance, “I understand and commend your devotion and bravery. Perhaps in time you will learn to respect Britannia and the people who reside within as much as I do.”

Then he was handed his real weapon…a gun.

Or more specifically a briefcase of guns, knives, and accouterments that at any other time Suzaku would have died to touch, but by accepting the primary weapon Suzaku was giving his destiny into the hands of a man he didn’t trust for the sake of a son who needed his help. Thinking of Lelouch Suzaku accepted the gun, bowing low before being dismissed without another word. The blonde, VV, had watched quietly from the door and he opened it to allow Suzaku through with a small smile on his pale face. On the other side of the door there was another blonde who wasn’t even close to being as composed.

The door shut, and Gino said, “I swear to god I didn’t know they were going to do this.”

“But you’re not exactly heartbroken, are you Gino?” Suzaku collapsed into a nearby chair and examined his new weapon, the modern-day equivalent of a knight’s sword. It was beautiful, a very light brushed silver color with a grip of some dark wood. The Knight’s emblem was there in delicate slopes of gold and on the barrel-

“Roman numerals for seven,” Gino smiled as Suzaku stared, “Semi-automatic, the clip carries fifteen bullets, and-”

Suzaku glared, “I get it, Gino.”

“Right,” Gino fidgeted a little, “Air Force. I remember…please don’t be mad at me.”

“I’m not angry, Gino,” Suzaku let his head fall back and closed his eyes, “I’m tired. I hurt. I just pledged allegiance to a man who stands for everything I’ve been fighting against for the last decade. There’s no room for angry.”

Gino’s enormous sigh of relief was a little amusing.

“Good. Great,” He gave a strained little chuckle, “I just kept having this mental image of you coming after me with a belt-”

Suzaku smiled, thinking ‘Knight 4.0’, and asked, “How is Guilford?”

 “He’s been silent on the subject…Lady Cornelia can’t seem to decide between being impressed and being furious. He’s top three in hand to hand combat, or was, and you made him surrender in front of his Majesty. They’re probably both a little embarrassed to tell the truth. Anyone who has a trial with Guilford is usually judged on how badly they lose.”

“Oh.” Suzaku felt a little better about his concussion and cracked ribs, “Well, that’s good I guess.”

“Better than good, Suzaku.” The tone of Gino’s voice made Suzaku open his eyes again, “It takes years, luck, and good connections to even get considered for just knighthood. The fact that you earned your place on the Rounds in a single day is going to make people either very nervous or very angry. You’re a complete unknown.”

There was something in Gino’s eyes that worried Suzaku. It was a little tinge of wary determination, maybe even a little fear, and the last thing Suzaku had ever wanted to do was make Gino afraid of him. The others, however…well, Suzaku wasn’t going to lose any sleep about making potential enemies wary through a good reputation.

“Thank you, Gino,” Suzaku deliberately looked him straight in the eyes and smiled, “I’m grateful for everything you’re doing to help.

Thankfully Gino’s smile turned sweet again, his eyes an untroubled blue, and he reached back to reveal a thick folder of papers. He opened it up and pulled out a credit card.

“No limit,” Gino said, handing it over. Then he flipped the page, “Knights don’t generally have apartments. Personal items are kept here for safekeeping. There are dedicated housing units everywhere you need to be, and your fingerprint will allow you access inside. There might be other knights there or you might be alone. Generally it’s more convienient to stay with a Britannian,” He looked up, shrugged, “Home cooking and human contact start becoming important. There are a lot of Britannians who keep spare bedrooms for knights who might happen along, but no Britannian is allowed to deny you access to their homes.”

That idea was startling but Gino continued on despite Suzaku’s expression of shock.

“Princes and Princesses don’t have to abide by these rules but they generally will. It’s good for them to be friendly with us because there’s always the possibility that we’ve been sent by his Highness. As a Knight of Rounds they cannot officially order you to do anything but you’re allowed to help out if you want.”

“So with Lelouch-”

“I like Prince Lelouch,” Gino shrugged, “His mother was a knight and he doesn’t get all formal, so I don’t have to act very formal either.”

“His mother was a knight?” Suzaku suddenly felt a little better about his new title. Lelouch liked knights. It was a step in the right direction.  Gino nodded and then promptly changed the subject.

“If I was staying at Prince Odysseus’s’ place I’d have to play all the etiquette rules or he’d get offended. With Prince Lelouch I just got plunked down for dinner and had a good time with you and Kallen and all the others. After a while you’ll find out how relieving that can be, just hanging out.”

Gino looked a little sad, a little wistful, and the next hour was spent going over protocol and various responsibilities, of which there were extensive notes. Suzaku had to learn how to be both a Britannian and a knight in a limited time frame. They went over certain code words and phrases that he would have to use with the police or other Britannians, and the general policy of dealing with the outside world.

“One phrase you cannot forget,” Gino stressed, “If your knighthood is ever questioned or someone is giving you trouble, you say ‘This is my place. This is where I belong’.”

They went through a few more drills until Gino was satisfied that Suzaku could manage to get along alone, though luckily he wouldn’t have to immediately. Charles had shown him some mercy and allowed Gino to continue to tag along. Still, it was nearly midnight before they got to the final step of Suzaku’s truncated induction to knighthood.

Transportation.

***

It turned out that the crazy doctor, who was not actually a doctor, had a name. Lloyd Asplund was a blood cousin to Charles and therefore titled Earl despite not owning a single piece of land. When he wasn’t freaking out concussed men he was in the garage doing ‘real work’. The man was a crazy, crazy genius. He and Gino got along great.

Suzaku and Lloyd got along great too as far as Lloyd was concerned, but Suzaku was still a little hesitant when it came to casual groping.

“Fighter pilot you say?”

“Uhm-”

“Three miles a day?”

“Just-”

“Martial arts?”

“Well-”

“Any major injuries?”

“No, I-”

“You’re more than adequate!”

Suzaku shifted awkwardly, scratched the back of his ear, and said, “Thanks?”

Lloyd had measured, prodded, pinched, and checked every reflex that Suzaku had before letting him get a word in edgewise. Suzaku was half-expecting to get his palm read when Lloyd grabbed his hand. Instead he was dragged to the middle of the garage where there was some hulking figure very dramatically draped in a pristine white sheet, a spotlight from above creating ominous shadows in the fabric.

“I was thinking a new model for a new model, right?”

“I suppose…” Suzaku looked over to see Gino grinning widely, just shrugging as Suzaku got dragged along.

“I don’t put any used parts inside my machines…why would I put used parts on top of it?”

Gino’s expression soured a little, as he asked, “Used parts?!”

“Knight 3.9!” Lloyd announced after giving Gino an assessing stare, “Current model!”

Then he grabbed Suzaku, stood him in place, muttering something about Beta testing, and revealed what was underneath the sheet in a flourish. Suzaku immediately understood why the Britannians hadn’t put Lloyd into some sort of hospital. In front of him was one of the most beautiful machines Suzaku had ever seen. He didn’t know much about motorcycles but he knew enough about engineering to spot the amount of time and persistence it had taken to create Lloyd’s newest ‘model’.

“I call it the Lancelot, for obvious reasons.” Lloyd grabbed Suzaku by the shoulder and yanked, “You know Lancelot, right?”

“Yeah, betrayed his king, ran off with his best friend’s wife-”

Suzaku wasn’t entirely sure what it meant to be stared at like he was being strange from the strangest man he’d ever met.

“-The white knight, right? Because it’s white.” Suzaku said, blushing, “And I’m a knight now, um-”

“Shiny packaging,” Lloyd stared at him suspiciously, “Masks the flaws from the uninformed consumers-”

“I have a concussion,” Suzaku snapped back, “It’s past midnight. All my fleshy bits are tired.” He was getting lightheaded with all the blushing and yelling, “I need to reboot or refuel or recharge or something!”

Gino didn’t even bother trying to suppress his laughter, but Lloyd stopped peering at Suzaku like he was trying to verify his authenticity.

“Just don’t blue screen,” Lloyd finally mumbled, pushing Suzaku onto the driver’s seat, “I hate that.”

Forty-five minutes later Suzaku and Gino were back on the highway racing each other on the empty back roads and highways. The moon was full and bright and for a moment everything was effortless. It was almost as if he was flying again, going faster than he should as he tried not to think of what was waiting for him at the end of the road. For a few hours Suzaku was nothing but speed and wind, his body thrumming along with the engine as he became part of the machine. He wasn’t an Agent, a Knight, or even a Kururugi. For a few hours Suzaku was just Suzaku and nothing but what he wanted to be; free.

Suzaku was free to be or become anyone…and when he finally stopped at a familiar two-story house Suzaku could only think that Dr. Lamperouge had been right.

Potential was a wonderful thing.


...
..
.