Introduction!

Hi everyone who clicked on my story. Just a few words before we start.

I have never written a fanfiction before but have been an avid reader. The following idea invaded my brain and doesn't want to leave and after weeks of thinking about it I decided to write it down so it may leave me alone.

Please note, English is not my mother tongue and the last time I have written something akin to a story was at school and that's been a few years. I am more of a reader than a writer.

Constructive criticism is welcome, but I write this story mainly to get it out of my system. So if someone likes the idea and wants to write it better feel free but please tell me.

So, I think that's it. Enjoy!

Chapter one:

"Zero, join me and together we shall create a new future from within Britannia"

The sentence resonated through his mind, occupying it entirely. After the festival had to be broken up, he brought Nunnally back home and to bed, it had been an exciting day. Meeting Euphy, the announcement… It had taken a while but Nunnally was now fast asleep, even if it was relatively early. She had wanted to talk about the SAZ… but he said, that he wanted to think in peace about it before discussing it. She knew him well, so she didn't insist. She had even told him she would do the same, but he was sure her thoughts on the SAZ were far more innocent then his.

He had kept the rage he was feeling inside, caring for Nunnally first, but his control had snapped, he was pacing his room trying to think things through but it wasn't working. The rage was all consuming, he despised Euphemia at the moment. The SAZ could never work for various reasons and she had essentially destroyed the Black Knights without even trying! What did she understand anyway? She had no idea how the world worked! Her good heart was what made her his second favourite sister, but her naivety of the world especially Britannia would be her own downfall.

God, what should he do? He couldn't stop now, he had come so far! But he couldn't tackle this problem at the moment. His mind was consumed with rage and anger at her, but he didn't have much time to work on a solution.

His pacing was stopped when the door opened and CC walked in.

She was studying him with her normal expressionless face, taking him in before walking over to the bed and sitting on the edge.

They were staring at each other silently for a time.

"So... what will you do now?" And she asked the million dollar question! Of course!

He turned away from her, his shoulders slumping slightly as he folded his arms saying, " I don't know"

"Oh, that's a first."

He didn't say anything for a long time until CC decided to get the conversation going again.

"What runs through your genius mind right now? Normally you would have already thought about a few likely scenarios. This isn't like you at all, don't start becoming boring!"

She knew him well... He was still trying to organize his mind, but the rage was still coursing through him nearly making him tremble from the intensity of it. He had stopped pacing which had helped a bit but he was far from having a clear enough mind to strategize.

"Don't tell me you're giving up already, what's wrong with you? Your little sister announces to the world her good intentions and suddenly you lose all your fight?"

He snapped.

"Stop it CC! I can't concentrate! My mind is filled to the brim with rage I can't think straight and you're not helping!" He started to pace gain. Happy that his room was soundproof or his yelling would wake Nunnally and likely reveal many secrets.

CC silently watched him wearing a hole into the carpet for a few minutes.

"Maybe I can help?"

That again stopped him in his tracks "What do you mean?"

She stood up and stopped a few inches away from him.

"I may not possess your tactical and strategical genius. But I have lived for a long time and have seen a lot. Talk to me, tell me your thoughts, let me help you organize your mind. Let me help you calm you down so that you can do what has to be done."

She stared right into his eyes, appearance neutral like always, expressionless eyes gazing at him.

"Why?"

"I told you often enough. We're accomplices. Your goals become my goals. I help you in any way I can and will ensure your safety. You are not alone, I will always be at your side"

"You do realize that this is bigger than anything we've faced before? Everything will change now one way or another. This nearly destroys everything!"

"What is it that still stops you from trusting me fully?"

He jerked at that. She had seen through him again. Ever since the Mao incident and him renewing their contract they were closer. He trusted her more and stopped keeping her at arm's length. The thing she meant was a thought that he had after Mao. Maybe it was really time to talk about it.

"What would happen if a former contractor came to you, who would be able to fulfil you wish? Would you leave me? Is this wish of yours something that could interfere with my plans or my goals? I have accepted that you won't tell me, but it's difficult to incorporate you into long-term plans when I don't know what you want from me. And I don't want to rely on you too much if you decide to leave."

They were silent again, staring at each other. He had seen a slight widening of her eyes when he mentioned former contractors but apart from that she was as unmoved as ever. Which was disturbing because he had just opened up to her and he didn't like showing weakness. It was a gamble but he hoped that it would pay off. Suddenly she smirked at him "I see... so that's it. I can guarantee that my wish will not hinder you in any way. I should have known that that is your reason, someone like you who plans for everything... You really are something else."

She paused and he was certain that she would ignore his other question. She turned away from him and began to speak quietly, "There aren't as many contractors as you seem to believe. I'm picky, I don't give Geass to just anybody. And after Mao there isn't anybody left. " She looked at him again, examining him like she hadn't seen him for a long time. She seemed to be contemplating something.

Then she stretched out her hand, "I know otherwise you won't believe me... I hereby promise you to stay with you until the end, whichever end it will be, even if another comes who would grant my wish. Do you accept this as part of our contract?"

He couldn't hide his slight shock at that, that was more binding for her than before. But it did settle his last worries. It was time to surprise her as well. He clasped her hand, "I accept. And promise you that you will always have a place at my side, not only as my accomplice but someone I trust. A partner. I become your warlock as you are my witch. And together we will fulfil our wishes." And with that he pulled her to him and embraced her. She stiffened in his arms. He didn't know why and it didn't matter at the moment. She knew him well so she should know that he wasn't one for casual touching and liked to keep his space, so that this meant something. After a few awkward moments she relaxed and hugged him back.

They stayed like this for a time until she drew away slightly and looked at him with her smirk firmly in place "Are you falling in love with me Ice Prince of Ashford?"

He smirked back at her "Don't think to highly of it, witch" Then he let go of her and sat down on his bed, she took a seat next to him gazing at him through narrowed eyes.

"Are you calmer now? Can you think straight again? Are you ready to tackle our new problem?"

He didn't miss her use of 'our' "Yes but now my thoughts are racing. There is so much to think about. This SAZ will never work, it's a nice idea and fits Euphy but it's impossible to change years of darwinistic propaganda and education through this. Britannia will likely not let the SAZ succeed one way or another. Without knowing it she has crippled the Black Knights totally. It's disturbing that it's something like this which will make us fall. I'm damned either way, if I participate or not."

"Let's take small steps for now. Try not to think too much in the future or overanalyse it. What is it you wish to do?"

"I would prefer not participating. The SAZ is not something I can wholeheartedly agree with. It's a golden cage nothing more. It's like changing rusty handcuffs with golden ones."

"I agree. So you want to continue your rebellion"

"You know that"

"Lelouch, like you said. This situation is bigger than anything we encountered before, so you have to try to think differently about everything. What is your ultimate goal?"

He was puzzled by her question. What was she trying to do with this questioning?

"I want to find out who killed my mother and to create a kinder, gentler world for Nunnally"

"If you had to choose, which is more important. What could you give up?"

He still didn't understand what she wanted. These were his reasons for living and fighting and she knew that. But if he had to choose it would be easy and the way CC was smiling at him she knew it too and had a good reason for all of this. He was curious to see what she had in mind. He smiled back and answered her.