Code Geass Heroes' Awakening: Stage 21 Part 1

9:00 a.m., Shibuya. Kallen began waking up in an awkward position. When she began moving, her entire body began hurting. At that point, she remembered what had happened the night before. She was in the middle of a battle, and was ambushed. Her Knightmare was blindsided and fell into a desolate part of Shibuya. During the fall, however, Kallen was moving in the cockpit as she fell, bumping into every corner of the cockpit which caused her to hit her head and pass out. She had been in pain without medical attention throughout the night, stuck in the Guren Mk. II. She needed to call someone for help, but didn't know who to trust. Then, the solution appeared before her. In her hand she held the business card of the only person who could help her: Alistair Wake.

Kallen: I can't- (grunts in pain) I can't call him, of all people. I have to do this, myself.

When Kallen said this, she began to reminisce about Alistair. She remembered all the time they spent together, as kids. She remembered his fighting ability, his kindness. She knew how lonely he was as a child when he lost his parents. But mostly, she remembered Alistair's smile. A smile that could not be forgotten. A smile that was, to Kallen, absolutely glorious. Alistair was the closest friend that she ever had, her best friend.

Kallen: (looking at her phone) What the hell am I saying? He lives to help people.

Kallen painfully dialed Alistair's cell phone number and waited as the pain worsened.

Kallen: (tearfully) Pick up. For the love of God, pick up.

Meanwhile, at Ashford Academy, Alistair was being annoyed by Rivalz and his shenanigans.

Rivalz: I mean, you at least agree with me on this, right?
Alistair: Rivalz, the amount of craps that I give about you and Milly ever since I met you is really low. So, I suggest you-.

Before Alistair could finish his sentence, his cell phone rang.

Alistair: (brings out cell phone) Consider yourself lucky, Rivalz. This might be a business call. (flips open phone and answers) Hello?
Voice: (tearfully) Alistair. Help me.

Alistair recognized the voice on the phone immediately. He knew it was Kallen. All sense of joking within Alistair dispersed from his mind.

Alistair: (serious tone) Where are you?
Kallen: I think I'm in Shibuya. Seems desolate. Can't miss me. Please hurry.
Alistair: Hang tight. I'm on my way. (hangs up)
Rivalz: Who was that?
Alistair: Rivalz, I have no time for your bullcrap right now. (facing Rivalz, menacing tone) You're drunk. Give me your keys. (activates Geass)

By using his Geass, Alistair successfully persuaded Rivalz into giving up his motorcycle keys.

Rivalz: Alright, man. Just make sure to bring it back, in one piece. (throws keys)
Alistair: (catches keys, normal tone) Thank you. Also, that is the most respectable thing I have ever heard come out of your mouth.

Alistair found Rivalz's motorcycle and set out for Shibuya. His worry for Kallen's well-being had increased during the drive. When he reached Shibuya, he looked for a building that could house a Knightmare Frame. Only one building fit the description that he sought. The building had a Guren Mk. II shaped hole in one of the walls. He walked inside the abandoned building, his black Desert Eagle in his left hand, and found the Guren lying face down. Alistair approached the wrecked Knightmare and knocked on the hull with his left hand. Immediately after he did that, the cockpit opened with Kallen still inside. The look on her face told the whole story to Alistair.

Alistair: You've seen better days.
Kallen: You think? (grunts in pain) Oh, God. My ribs.
Alistair: Just sit tight, Kallen. I'm gonna get you out of here. But first, you need to get down from there.

Before Kallen could act, however, a voice rang out from behind Alistair. The person behind the voice was not happy to see them.

Voice: Freeze! I am a soldier of the military! Put your hands in the air and drop the weapon!
Alistair: (not turning around) Japanese or Britannian?
Soldier: Britanian! Now, drop the weapon!

In acknowledgement of the soldier's answer, Alistair put the slide of his gun over his shoulder and shot the soldier. Immediately after the gunshot, all that could be heard in the abandoned building was a body thudding on the ground.

Alistair: (holstering Desert Eagle) Sorry about the interruption. (extends his arms) Just jump down and I'll catch you.
Kallen: I really don't have a choice, here. Give me a sec.

After agreeing to allow Alistair to help her, Kallen pushed herself upright and fell into Alistair's arms. She grunted with pain as she landed into the grasp of the mercenary benefactor.

Alistair: (looking down, smiling) How are you feeling?
Kallen: (looking at Alistair, smiling) To be honest, I'd rather have you kick my ass than deal with what I just went through.
Alistair: Why's that?
Kallen: You wouldn't break my bones, for one thing. Instead, you'd give me black eyes, bruises and a bloody nose. That, and...(blushes)...you're...really good-looking.
Alistair: Aww. And you're cute, just like your mom.
Kallen: Why the hell did you get curb stomped by every girl you asked out? You're a good person, through and through.
Alistair: Well, there was a thought that the girls I asked out were highly corrupt and utter jerkwads. Lifestyle adaptation isn't fun.
Kallen: I would honestly kiss you, even if you punch me in the stomach. I would...I would love you, you know?
Alistair: That's nice of you to say. But, I don't think my trauma would allow it since I've never had an intimate relationship. I'd probably break down and destroy everything in sight or pass out, forgetting that you even said that.
Kallen: (disappointed) Dammit.

As Alistair carried Kallen to the motorcycle, Kallen noticed the soldier that Alistair killed. When they passed the body, Kallen's eyes widened with amazement. She saw Alistair aim over his shoulder with his Desert Eagle and kill the soldier without turning around. What she saw as they passed was that the bullet wound was in the soldier's head. Alistair put Kallen in the side car of the motorcycle and covered her with his jacket.

Kallen: Are you taking me to Ashford?
Alistair: Nope. I'm taking you home.
Kallen: Why?
Alistair: That's the only other safe place I can think of. Also, I persuaded your step mom to be nicer to her family.
Kallen: That was you? (scoffs) You lovable bastard.

Alistair turned on the motorcycle and began to drive out of Shibuya. After a 16 minute drive, the pair arrived at the Stadtfeld household. Kallen's stepmother was surprised to see Kallen being carried by Alistair.

Ms. Stadtfeld: What happened?!
Alistair: She's hurt, bad. I'm taking her to her room and treating her.
Kallen: Wait, what?! You're a medic?!
Alistair: I've learned a lot of things, my ginger friend. And I get better with experience.
Kallen: But you know medical procedures?! I thought you were just a strategist! And an ass kicker!
Alistair: Apparently, life hasn't taught you that doctors have the tendency to kick ass. Just to put the record straight, I am also an author, chess grand master, comedian and I have an intellectual IQ of 146. Moral IQ, 500.
Kallen: (utterly surprised) Damn. Just...damn. I am...I am not gonna win against you.
Alistair: Don't worry about that right now. Instead, you should focus on your recovery.

Alistair took Kallen to her room, closed the door behind him and laid Kallen down on her bed.

Kallen: Home sweet home. Finally.
Alistair: The bright side is that you're alive.
Kallen: So, where are you gonna start?
Alistair: I believe you mentioned rib pain?
Kallen: Yeah. I think they're dislocated.
Alistair: I have an idea that will put them back, but it's gonna hurt like hell and you're probably not going to like it. And you may find the method...extremely awkward.

Kallen's stepmother walked by Kallen's room to see if she was alright, especially with Alistair in her room. Ms. Stadtfeld heard Kallen moaning from behind the door and was confused by it.

Ms. Stadtfeld: I'm not going to question that. I think I forgot to have my coffee. (walks away) Wait, his sex drive's in the negatives. What am I worried about?

Kallen was hurting slightly worse than she was before. Alistair's procedure was working, in a sense. Kallen's breathing was heavy and she was blushing uncontrollably, on Alistair's lap.

Kalling: (panting) You think...you can take it easy?
Alistair: Deal with the same spot twice, just to make you hurt more? Doubtful.
Kallen: (groans) How much longer will this take?
Alistair: Almost done. Give time.

Alistair motioned towards Kallen again and sweat fell off of her face as she reacted to Alistair's procedure.

Kallen: God! The one day I don't wear that special pilot uniform, my entire body gets busted up!
Alistair: You really shouldn't make me create a habit of having to bearhug your ribs back into place. (squeezes Kallen's ribs with his prosthetic arm)
Kallen: (groans) This is just unbearable. Just the cracking of my bones seals the deal.
Alistair: There. That was the last one. You can get off my lap, now. Shouldn't hurt too much to move.
Kallen: Thanks. (gets off Alistair's lap) You have a comfortable lap, to be honest.
Alistair: Thanks. Now we just need to bandage that area up. Can you handle that, or should I?
Kallen: I think you should. First aid kit's in the closet.
Alistair: On it.

Alistair opened the closet door as Kallen partially took off part her pilot outfit. On the floor of the closet, Alistair found an article of clothing that differed from the rest of the clothes.

Alistair: Hey, Kallen? Does your "special pilot uniform" happen to be a red, skin-tight suit with a life jacket?
Kallen: How do you know that?
Alistair: (shows suit to Kallen) I found it.
Kallen: It was in my closet? I looked everywhere except the closet!
Alistair: Make sure you put it somewhere that you can remember, alright?
Kallen: Yeah, that's a good point.

Alistair found the first aid kit and took the bandages out.

Alistair: Alright, Kallen. Spread your arms. Don't wanna accidentally wrap your arms in the process.

Kallen spread her arms outward from her sides and Alistair began wrapping the bandages around her ribs. Once Alistair finished, they both sat down on the bed.

Alistair: Seems like your near-descent to Hell didn't cause any other outside signs of damage. Consider yourself lucky that it was just your ribs that got hurt.
Kallen: Maybe I should have a locker here, so I don't forget the damn suit.
Alistair: You know, I actually like your hair in its current style. That combed down style doesn't really suit you.
Kallen: (smiles) That's nice of you to say. But I kinda need my combed down style as a disguise.
Alistair: You actually act like you're sickly to the entirety of the school? And they actually believe it? You remind me of my dad.
Kallen: Okay? That's a weird comparison. What about me reminds you of your dad?
Alistair: The acting bit.
Kallen: Why?
Alistair: You haven't read my autobiography, huh? I don't really blame you.
Kallen: I did read it. Your past was...a little sad.
Alistair: Plenty sad, Kallen. Plenty sad.
Kallen: Wait! I remember! Your dad was an actor.
Alistair: And Mom was the original female Ranger in the U.S. Army.
Kallen: And you're the only one who can channel the Celtic blood within you.
Alistair: Yeah. Plus, my life in the past was pretty lonely.
Kallen: Only to realize that you would become friends with the U.S. president after rescuing him. You are, without a doubt, the number one American badass.
Alistair: (laughs) Maybe. Just maybe.

Some time had passed as they continued talking and Kallen was ready to prove a point to Alistair. At the moment she was ready, she decided to act.

Kallen: Hey, Alistair?
Alistair: What's up?

Kallen put her hands on Alistair's shoulders and gently pinned Alistair to the bed and positioned herself over him.

Alistair: (surprised) Wha-? What are you-?
Kallen: (smiling) Remember when I said that I would love you?
Alistair: Look, if something's wrong, just tell me and-.

Alistair was unable to finish his sentence as his heart was slowly filling with joy. Tears were running down his eyes as it happened. Kallen had interrupted Alistair with her lips locking around his lower lip. She kissed him gently and with utmost passion. She finished and was still positioned over Alistair.

Kallen: I wasn't lying.
Alistair: (says nothing)
Kallen: So, how do you feel?
Alistair: That...was my first kiss, ever.
Kallen: Really? (chuckles) It was my first kiss, too.
Alistair: But...why? Why would you kiss me?
Kallen: You deserved it. You're always kind to me...at times. Other times, you knock some sense into me.
Alistair: You... You really love me?
Kallen: Yeah. First, there was the good looks, then everything that you stood for. What really set my feelings straight was this dream I had. You were being curb stomped by a girl you were trying to get to know, then I run on over and protect you. After I scare away your attacker, I kneel down to the ground and, well, offer to be your girlfriend. You're younger than you are now in the dream, mind you, like, age 10, and I'm just about that age. Naoto shows up later, and I tell him that I suggested to you that I be your girlfriend. He said that it was the kindest thing that I could do for you.
Alistair: Before you continue, could you please let me sit up?
Kallen: Yeah, telling stories like this isn't really comfortable. Now, if we were cuddling, that would be a different story.

Kallen sat down properly on the bed, letting Alistair sit up, as well.

Alistair: So, you mean to tell me that you're taking a page out of my book?
Kallen: Essentially. Alongside the fact that you like redheads. Scratch that, love redheads.
Alistair: Kallen, please.
Kallen: (teasingly) Come on. You know that it's true.
Alistair: Damn it, Milly.
Kallen: (normal tone) Everyone across the world knows that you're the leader of the Tokyo Mavericks. I bet your friend President Kimball knows, too. And every bad guy wants a piece of the Mavericks, just for the sake of the hit.
Alistair: Revenge is sweet, but only when chaos is the prize.
Kallen: Alistair. I honestly want to be your girlfriend. I love you. But, there's one thing you absolutely must do, before I can.
Alistair: What's that?
Kallen: Kiss me back.
Alistair: (surprised) What?!
Kallen: I was just a little bit wrong when I said it was my first kiss. You haven't kissed me, so...
Alistair: I...
Kallen: (holds Alistair's hand) How do you kiss?
Alistair: The way I would do it is...different.
Kallen: Show me how different it is.

Reluctantly, Alistair leaned towards Kallen and touched his forehead to hers, closing his eyes. Then, the left side of Alistair's nose touched the left side of Kallen's. At that moment, Alistair locked his lips around Kallen's lower lip and kissed her, as gently as she did to him. Once finished, Alistair opened his eyes to an enlightened Kallen.

Alistair: (blushing) How was that?
Kallen: In my honest opinion? Better than how I did it.
Alistair: (stops blushing) Really?
Kallen: In fact, I'm going to kiss just like you.
Alistair: Am I really that good?
Kallen: You know, if a girl just randomly kissed you on the lips, I'm pretty sure she would want you to have hope for love. And just for the kindness of it.
Alistair: I've...never experienced this before.
Kallen: Don't worry. I've got your back.
Alistair: You don't care if I'm the leader of the Tokyo Mavericks?
Kallen: I want to join the Tokyo Mavericks.
Alistair: I should probably warn you that Tamaki is in the Mavericks, as well.
Kallen: Whoa. So, that explains his new attitude.
Alistair: It's sort of a payment thing with Tamaki. He's gotta have cash on hand, if he's gonna live.
Kallen: He's become a badass. Tamaki has never been a badass in his whole life. You're the best thing that's ever happened to him.
Alistair: Well...
Kallen: You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. You're an amazing person.
Alistair: I get that a lot.
Kallen: You stopped the outbreak of a second Civil War, decimated two anarchistic armies, one of which was comprised entirely of cyborg corpses, who wanted nothing but war, without losing a single fight and you've managed to get the attention of every bad guy in the world. You are a paragon and you deserve a girlfriend who actually wants to love you.
Alistair: (sniffs) Thank you.
Kallen: Hey, hey, hey. (hugs Alistair) Don't cry, now.
Alistair: (tearing up) I'm just...so happy. After all these years.
Kallen: Shh. I'm here for you. I'm going to heal every single one of those broken hearts, bit by bit.
Alistair: Thank you. (hugs Kallen) Thank you, so much.
Kallen: You remember, right?
Alistair: Yeah. I remember. You, your mom, Naoto. All of it.
Kallen: I'm sorry about your parents.
Alistair: Don't be. It couldn't be controlled.
Kallen: You've been through so much, already. Let's stay like this, just a bit longer.
Alistair: (normal tone) There's something I've gotta do.
Kallen: (stops hugging, looks at Alistair) Are you under a time limit?
Alistair: No, but...
Kallen: Then, stay. It won't be long. Besides, I need my rest. I need some...sweet dreams, you know?
Alistair: (sighs) Yeah.
Kallen: It's for you, too. It's like...therapy.
Alistair: Alright. Promise me that you won't do anything that you'll regret, alright?
Kallen: My ribs hurt like shit. I wouldn't do that to you, even if I wanted to.
Alistair: Okay.

Alistair laid down on Kallen's bed, with Kallen in his arms. Alistair closed his eyes, and so did Kallen. As Alistair hugged Kallen, a pure smile appeared on his face, happy to have finally found love.

Kallen: I promise, Alistair. (grabs Alistair's prosthetic pinky finger with her left pinky) When the time comes... I'll marry you.