Trust

Trust
A Code Geass fan fiction story
Written by Archangel
Edited by Comixgal

Chapter 9 – Captured

{Author’s Note: The first part of this chapter takes place in the immediate wake of episode 2.11, and the second part takes place several days later. It is dedicated to MPlantz. The music suggestion is “Longing-Love (short version)” by George Winston. Further notes at the end. Enjoy, and please provide feedback! RATE and/or REVIEW, please!}

It was a wonder that Zero’s mask wasn’t melted by the expression it concealed. If anything, Shirley’s little discourse on love and his subsequent refusal to force the Empress into marriage had only heightened the masked man’s fury. Damn me! Damn Suzaku! God damn Britannia to hell! He raged to himself, looking at his communications and logistics expert. “Diethard. We cannot afford to lose Kallen. Find out where she’s being held. I don’t care if it’s in Tokyo, in the Britannian Homeland, or on the moon. FIND HER.”

The man’s startled acknowledgement brushed through Zero’s consciousness as he stalked away, cloak billowing like a thundercloud. Apparently the boiling anger had carried into his voice, he thought as the door of his quarters hissed shut behind him. No matter. After an order like that, Diethard would have the Black Knights’ agents searching as far and as fast as possible. In fact, he was probably already sending out messages. Slightly insane, Diethard, but exceptionally useful. Zero snapped on the comm and gave the same order to Viletta Nu back in Area 11. As his ‘tame’ member of OSI, she had at least as good a chance of success as Diethard. And with that, Zero had done everything he could to help Kallen for the moment.

At least two dozen other matters needed his attention, but Zero couldn’t bring himself to even think about them as he cut the connection. Oh Kallen, he thought over and over again, forgive me! He ripped off the infamous mask. Lelouch Vi Britannia’s violet eyes threatened to shatter the mirror on the wall in the instant before he turned away. If only I’d… I should have… Because of me, because of my orders, Kallen is… hell and damnation! I won’t… I’m not going to… well, I guess I am, Lelouch thought as he felt the first drops of moisture escape his eyelids. There was no noise, no shaking, only the tears—feeling like acid as they rolled down his cheeks.

“DAMN IT!” Lelouch didn’t remember raising his right fist. Suddenly it was filling a respectable dent in the metal wall of his quarters. Then the pain washed up his arm—a sharp stab followed by a rolling throb. Lelouch closed his eyes and savored it. The pain sharpened things a bit, made them more real. A part of him still expected Kallen to walk into his quarters and demand to know what the hell he was doing to his hand. I have to accept this before I can deal with it properly, Lelouch told himself. He punched the steel wall again. And again. Anger drained into every dent his gloved fist left behind.

As the blind rage wore off, Lelouch felt massive bruises blooming. His hand would be nearly useless for a day or two. No broken bones, though. How remarkable; either his body was stronger than he’d thought or the wall was weaker. Whatever. Lelouch knew he had to *think* again. He would need all his mental faculties if he wanted to recover Kallen—not to mention crushing Britannia. And for sure he wasn’t getting anything done by crying like a little kid.

Striding into the tiny attached bathroom, Lelouch filled the sink to its brim and thrust his face into it. The shock of ice-cold water cleared his head. He had done all he could about Kallen for the moment. If she saw me dropping everything just to moon over her she’d give me a black eye, Lelouch thought with a fractional smile. He washed the tearstains from his face and let the water out of the sink, then entrenched himself at his desk.

The man known as Zero held a single, burning thought in the back of his mind as he read reports, issued orders, and assessed opportunities: I will get you back, Shin-Gan. By my eternal soul, I swear it.

*****

Kallen woke with a low moan. There was no time in this place, no darkness. She had no idea how long she had slept, or how long she’d been in this cell. She seemed to be sleeping a lot lately, though. The battle and all had kept her awake well enough, but for a few days beforehand Kallen had had trouble keeping her eyes open for some reason. Weird, but whatever. There was food sitting in front of the door slot. Her stomach told her that the food came with rigid regularity, but as to the exact interval between meals she had no idea.

However long she’d been confined here, Kallen knew it was getting to her. Was she going crazy? She hadn’t seen a single human face since the door had sealed. Bare concrete and a toilet. Not even a window. The term for this was solitary confinement, and it was psychological torture. It was strange that she hadn’t been tortured more directly, though, or even questioned. Suzaku’s doing, no doubt. Kallen didn’t even spare the energy for a mental curse as she began eating.

The goop was actually pretty tasty, even if it looked like some alien’s puke. Whatever it actually was, it was nutritious enough. Kallen considered another mental rant against Suzaku, Britannia, herself, or just the world in general. Nah. What was the point? She didn’t know where the fault lay, exactly, and at this point she didn’t care. She’d had those bursts of fury quite frequently at first. After those rages had come the despair. Kallen had held herself and shaken with silent, tearless sobs. Mainly missing Zero. Lelouch. Her Lelouch. God in Heaven, how she missed him.

But now the despair had faded to an ache in her chest, leaving Kallen mainly… bored. And sleepy. She had quickly turned to exercise; tired or not, she couldn’t let herself go soft. Finished eating, she dropped the spoon into the empty bowl, set it back in front of the slot, and stood. Jumping jacks. One, two, three…

As she moved, Kallen let her mind drift. As usual, it quickly settled on her memories of Lelouch. She didn’t blame him for her capture. She remembered the situation perfectly, and he had done exactly the right things. She also knew that he wouldn’t see it that way. There would be time to set him straight after he rescued her. Thoughts of rescue led Kallen to fantasies of afterwards. Her cheeks heated as she remembered Lelouch’s beautiful eyes, his warm touch. She felt a burning between her legs, a strong urge to touch herself. She firmly shoved it aside; there *had* to be cameras in here, and there was no way in hell Kallen was going to let Brit jailors watch her masturbate.

Fifty-four, fifty-five, fifty—oh God! Kallen barely got to her knees before she emptied her stomach into the toilet. That’s so weird, she thought, panting and wiping her mouth with a bit of toilet paper. I didn’t feel sick. I still don’t, not really. I’d think the food was bad, but I’m not sure that stuff *can* go bad. She shrugged and flushed. Whatever.

Push-ups. One. Ow! Two. Oww! Kallen perched herself up on the balls of her feet, frowning. It hurt when her breasts brushed the ground! The hell? Slipping a hand inside the white prison garb, she felt gingerly. And winced—her nipples were sensitive, somewhat swollen. What in Satan’s underwear drawer is happening to me? she wondered. It’s almost as if I’m—

Kallen Kouzuki sat down very hard. It couldn’t be. She could count the number of chances they’d had to make love on her fingers. But they’d never given a thought to—and if it was—if she was—the possibility set Kallen’s mind awash with joy. Her hands settled instinctively on her stomach. Protectively. Up until now, all the Black Knights had managed to do was destroy, for the most part. She didn’t doubt the necessity for a moment, but she had long looked forward to being able to build, to create, to make something new and good. If she and Lelouch had managed to create a new life… it was all Kallen could do not to squeal with joy.

It was very far from certain, of course. She wouldn’t be certain until she heard it from a doctor or felt it kick. She decided on the spot to act as if it was true; why take chances? And it would give her something to focus on in this hellhole, something to center herself.

With a faint smile, Kallen gazed up at the unpainted concrete ceiling and wondered whether it would be a girl or a boy.

{More Author’s Note: I would be remiss if I did not mention that this chapter was indirectly inspired by Platinumsabr’s review; the basic idea of writing Lelouch and Kallen missing each other occurred to me as I was responding on my LJ. The pregnancy thing occurred to me later. Still, I owe Platinumsabr a thank-you. :)

Speaking of which, I expect you’re all asking: is Kallen really pregnant? That’s for me to know and you to wonder about. Okay, seriously, what do you think the answer is, folks? What could be more joyful for a young couple? Yes, she’s really pregnant. Duh. And no worries about losing the baby. Do you really think I’d bring it up and yank the rug out from under her? I’m not cruel like that. ^^

Now, with that out of the way, it’s *VOTE TIME*! You, the readers, will decide whether the baby is a boy or a girl! You can vote in three ways: via review here on AFF.net, by leaving a comment on my LiveJournal, or by shooting me an email. Limit one vote per person, so I must insist that you attach your name/screen-name to the vote in some form. Anonymous votes will, regrettably, have to be discarded. You have between now and the time I post Trust Ch11 to vote. I can’t tell you specifically when that will be, so I suggest you do it right now. ;)

I already have both a boy’s name and a girl’s name in mind, but feel free to make suggestions if you feel so inclined.

My knowledge of the symptoms of early pregnancy stems entirely from basic medical literature: anemia, swollen nipples, and (of course) morning sickness. If any of it is inaccurate, I can only apologize and remind you that (contrary to apparent popular belief) I’m male, and that furthermore I am not a doctor. Judging by what I read, Kallen should be fine for combat and so forth until her third trimester, when she starts to get really big.

What will Lelouch’s reaction be when he finds out, you ask? Sore wa himitsu desu. For real this time. ;)

See you next chapter! Some Angel time, same Angel channel!}