She sat in the room and waited.

They had been counting the days before it happened. A week, a month, then two months passed. Then they agreed on tomorrow, at the same time hoping that every minute that passed would feel like a year. Life was a funny thing. When you wanted to throw it away, it clung to you tightly. And when you desperately wished to live, it flew away and left you behind.

She knew it was him before the door even opened. He knew she would be there waiting for him before he even entered the room. There existed some kind of understanding between them, even if their relationship was all but clear.

"C.C.," he called, tossing his hat aside and sitting next to her on the couch.

She didn't know what to say. "Lelouch," is all she managed to say, in order not to break down in tears or to freeze to an ice block.

They sat together in silence, their heads full of unspoken words. If only he would say something. Even if it's just to call her a witch. At least it would take this heavy atmosphere away. Else it was all too painful. She felt his hand reaching over, enclosing her hand in his. The warmth flowing from him was too painful to bear. She could feel the pool of tears building up in her eyes. She wanted to ask him to stop touching her. She didn't want to cry, not in front of him. At the same time she longed for his touch, especially because there would be no next time. Never again.

Nearly by force, he pulled her to his arms. She let out a little gasp as his arms wrapped around her, as the tears started to run down her cheeks. Then she started sobbing. Gently at first, and then uncontrollably. She didn't want this. This embrace felt so sweet, and yet it was so heartbreaking. It seemed to last forever before Lelouch slowly loosened his grip and gazed upon C.C.'s tearful face. He caressed her right cheek and wiped the tears away. And then he leaned over and gave her a kiss. Instinctively, C.C. put her arms around his shoulders and drew him close. She didn't even notice that he pushed her onto the couch. All she cared about for the moment was their lips and their entwined bodies.

Did he realize that their kisses were exchanged in the event of upcoming separations? This one too, will be one of them, she pondered sadly. But for the moment, she wanted to savor the sweet embrace. They were there right now, and it was their time to be together. Without any interruption. No Black Knights, no Zero, no Brittania. Right now, it didn't matter whether Japan was Japan or Area 11.

"If time had a form, I would use Geass on it," he told her when they were lying together, facing each other. "..so we can stay like this forever. Unchanging."

"Not caring about the rest of the world," C.C. added.

"Yes," Lelouch agreed.

And then she closed her eyes. And he did too.

When morning came and she opened her eyes, Lelouch was already gone. She got dressed and got out of the place. No one stopped her or questioned her.

She went inside the chapel and waited.