Fallen Grace

[Jeremy Hunter]

Eglantine Secure Communications Bunker, Seven Days before Fallen Grace

"The codes will be yours."
Lelouch sighs. He thinks back, to when he first learned that Adelaide had been taken from him...

Planet Nevers, Ciel Estate. Thirteen Days before Fallen Grace
Lelouch D'Aramis was heading towards Elria's home, hoping to find Adelaide there, when he ran into someone he had been curious to meet for a long time.
"Oh, Miss Estelle I presume?"
The blonde froze, turning. "Oui?"
"No need to attempt Gallic, I am well versed in Sirian." He smiles charmingly. "I am Baron Lelouch D'Aramis, a close friend of Miss Ciel."
"Oh. How do you do Baron." She curtsied, eyes to the ground.
"Do not stand on ceremony miss Estelle, you sleep with the Grande Marechal after all!"
"I am merely a servant carrying out my mistress' directions sir."
"As you wish...I have a matter I could use your help with."
"How may I be of service?" Izzy said, playing the dutiful servant. Because God knew that, if the man knew she was just playing the servant to stay out of trouble while she visited Elria and watched out for Nomad infection because she was not letting Rika around a second time, she'd probably get executed.
Lelouch held up a list and looked helpless. "Groceries."

After the grocery shopping, Lelouch opened the door to the small home he and Adelaide shared on Nevers. Izzy helped him carry in the bags. After they put everything away, Lelouch made some tea.
"So, Miss Estelle. You have made quite and impact on my fiance."
"Oh...crap...she's..." Izzy's face goes red. "Please forgive me."
"No, no, it is alright. The Ciel sisters are very, very...frisky."
"You think?! You do know what they do to me, right?"
Lelouch leans back, chuckling. "Yet, from a story or two Ade said...you're very...sub."
"Shut up." Izzy downs her tea. "May I go?"
"Why would you wish to go?"
"Uncomfortable sitting with Adel's fiance a few hours after...yeah."
"Mhm. Well. We're not getting mad about playing musical beds; the Ciel sisters are very, very convincing."
"Oh don't give me that Mister D'Aramis, you two just love their...assets."
"Yes, well, since Ade has taken you for a few drives, do I get a turn?"
"Blunt yet charming. No. Personal reasons. That, and my girlfriend defiantly wouldn't like me sleeping with a guy."
He laughs. "Such a feisty one." He stands. "Ade should be here in fifteen minutes. Always on the dot. Such an amazing memory."
Izzy pauses. "Something is wrong with Adel."
Lelouch frowns. "What the hell do you mean?"
"She messed up Elria's name, as well as mine, a few times while talking. The pauses she did seemed strained, like she was fighting to remember." Izzy looks at the wall. "Something was off. Revi sensed it too...Lelouch. Something bad."
"Like?"
"You wouldn't understand."
"Try me."
Izzy looked straight into Lelouch's purple eyes. "Alien beings called Nomads have indoctrinated your fiance using their mind-rape powers, causing her to be trapped n her own mind. She used what strength she had to fight back in very miniscule ways, which probably meant she is saving up her strength."
"...Believing that you are Elria and Adelaide's favorite plaything is more believable."
"Lulu, I am Elria and Adelaide's favorite plaything."
"Touche." He scowled. "I still do not believe you."
"Watch as she forgets your name."

Isabella Arienh Hunter-Archer Estelle gathered her things, bade Lelouch a good day, and left the man there, standing by the couch, tea cup in hand, the scowl played across his face.
The cup was dashed to the ground as Adelaide entered.
"Lawrenc- Lelouch!" She cried out. "What happened?"
Lelouch Gwenael D'Aramis looked at his fiance...and responded with "I'm fine. Dropped the cup."
"I'll get it Clean yourself up."

The moment the bathroom door closed, the Directeur of Naval Intelligence, Baron of Orleans, and Fiance to the Grande Marechal, began to weep silent tears.

But not for long.

Lelouch D'Aramis rushed over, threw the door open, and sprinted away. He managed to catch up to Izzy - barely.
"My house. Other end. Hide there."
Izzy glared. "Why the hell - "
"You do not know who knows that you can tell when someone is...turned."
Pausing, Izzy nodded, slipping the key from his pocket. "You come and see me when you think it's safe. And don't try anything; I sleep with a seven-inch serrated titanium assault knife."
Lelouch D'Aramis shook his head with a laugh, then returned to Adelaide, apologising and spinning some bullcrap story about leaving his key with Izzy by accident.

Eglantine Secure Communications Bunker, Seven Days before Fallen Grace
Lelouch looked back to Connors. "I have nothing to hide. But, no matter the outcome, the Eglantine must make it to the evacuation point and meet up with other separatist forces. There is someone very important to me...two people, very important to me, that I must ensure are safe. And, right now, they are not safe in Gallia."
Lelouch weighed his options. "I can either ask the Gaians...or you..." Lelouch crosses his arms. "President Connors. I have one last term to give you the codes." He scowled slightly. "Someone you trust, hell, someone who's good with kids would be excellent..." He sighs. "I need protection for Amelie Roux and my infant son, Rolo." Lelouch detaches from the console, stepping forward.

"I will give you patrol patterns, jump hole locations, and the communications frequencies. In return, your support, and the protection of Amelie Roux and Rolo D'Aramis, will be assured. is that acceptable?"
Lelouch then smiled slightly to deliver the trademark ending. "King to E2."

---

May you ever walk in the Light, Shizune.