Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass.

Author Notes: Well, it was written in a hurry so it may not be the top notch quality but there are a few surprises if you do decide to read it. A bit of crack and hate-hate relationship between Suzaku and Lelouch. Student Council will be introduced in the next chapter.

Chapter 2: Episode 2

"The first episode was a hit." Suzaku Kururugi looked up as Kallen Kouzuki strolled in and sat on the sofa.

(Being one of the lead actors in the show had its privileges- a better furnished vanity van was just one of them)

"Why wouldn't it be? It has the best actors as its cast." Suzaku grinned but immediately scowled as he caught glimpse of Lelouch walking outside through his window.

Kallen followed Suzaku's gaze and sighed tiredly as she noticed Lelouch standing outside and talking with CC. "I really don't understand why you both hate each other." She commented lightly. "Maybe you could try to be friends with him."

Suzaku in return switched his glare to her. She just calmly stared back and raised an eyebrow. His glare faded away only to be replaced by a pout. Kallen smirked. When it came to intimidation he knew he could never win against her.

"Maybe you could try being friends with him." She repeated again for a good measure.

(She knew how thick headed Suzaku was and if repeating her sentence twice would get him to consider it then she was ready to do it)

"It's a better option instead of hating him at least." She continued staring at him with her icy blue eyes. She knew how to intimidate Suzaku if she wanted to.

"I don't hate him as such. It's just that he seems the personification of Britannians with their high and mighty actions and prideful attitude that it just irks me."

Now it was Kallen's turn to glare. "I think you are forgetting that I am a half Britannian Kururugi."

Suzaku gulped before smiling weakly. "I never meant to insult you. I just-"

A sharp rap. "The shot is ready."

Kallen pursued her lips and got up. "Leaving aside the characters in the series, you are the most bigoted, prejudiced git over here. Remember that." And with that she slammed the door shut on her way out. Suzaku sighed and leaned back. He didn't want to be prejudiced but it was hard to get rid of the ideas he had believed in since he was a child.

(It was partially enforced by his father and partially after meeting Lelouch vi Britannia whose 'high and mighty' attitude had irked him for years)

(Not that he was the one to talk with arrogance and pride spilling with every word he spoke)

But he really didn't know the reason he held on to his anger for so long. Or maybe he did.

(It involved a snide remark from Lelouch that included the word buffoon directed towards Suzaku when they had first met)

"Are you deaf or are you dead? Though I would prefer the second option the Director wouldn't be too happy if you turned up de before shooting the scene. So get off your ass and-"Suzaku slammed the door opened and glared at Lelouch who stood with his arms crossed across his chest and a bored expression etched to his face.

"Now that's better." And with that Lelouch walked away.

'Damn Kallen.' Suzaku thought furiously. He couldn't believe he was considering being friends with that bastard.

Hell would freeze over before he ever became friends with Lelouch vi Britannia.

Episode 2: The White Knight Awakens

Suzaku read through the script. "Well, looks like I was right about some's character being arrogant, demonic-"He quickly cut off as he stood up spluttering. Water dripped from his hair onto his forehead as he turned around and glared at the culprit.

"Oops. My bad." Lelouch smirked though there was anger in his eyes. The glass that had once held water was still dangerously tilted. It wasn't rocket science for anyone to figure out that it wasn't an accident. (But it occurred frequently enough for them to ignore it)

(Around them, people sighed shook their heads and continued to do their work)

(Some things would never change)

"You-"Suzaku began but was abruptly cut off (for the second time in 5 minutes) by the appearance of Kallen with CC.

"Hey boys, what's going on here?" Kallen asked lightly though none of the 'boys' missed the slight edge of warning in her tone. She very well what was happening but was oh-so-generously giving them a chance to deny it.

"Nothing. Just discussing about our roles." Lelouch gave a strained smile."Uh-huh." CC stared at Suzaku's wet hair intently. Suzaku noticed and began to fidget.

"Is something wrong?" Suzaku asked after a few minutes of awkward silence.

At that CC's grin widened and Lelouch automatically took a step back as he cursed that buffoon for asking her that question. (Not that it would have stopped her from voicing what she was thinking even if he hasn't asked her)

(Nothing good ever came out of CC grinning like a Cheshire cat. Though it mainly directed towards Suzaku Lelouch had no doubt that her comment wold somehow include him too.)

"I never knew you guys liked it wet and dirty."

(And he was proven right)

Kalen spluttered. Suzaku gaped. Lelouch turned red (with ager as well as embarrassment). Growling, he walked to her clamping a hand over her wrist dragged her away.

"What the fuck do you think you are doing?" He hissed.

"I just couldn't bear all the Unresolved Sexual Tension between both of you." Lelouch turned redder as CC raised her voice towards the end and people around began to snigger.

(He was sure that she wanted Suzaku to hear what she had said with the additional bonus of other people hearing too)

"Shut the hell up."

"Make me." CC smirked and flounced away, laughing all the while.

(And Lelouch woed the day he met her)

There was too much ketchup. Too. Much. Damn. Ketchup. He hated ketchup.

(It involved Schneizel, tomato ketchup and a long embarrassing story)

These dummies weren't French fries; he wanted to kindly inform the Director. But he guessed that with the amount of ketchup lathered on the dummies they resembled the fried potatoes more than they resembled humans.

The sickening red colour was making his stomach churn and he really didn't like ketchup.

Really.

"Lelouch." He looked to the side to see the Director looking at him with a smile.

(It would've been encouraging if Lelouch didn't see the tick as the Director tried to control his irritation)

(It was just plain scary)

"Is there a reason you aren't acting? We would like to complete the scene today if you please." Lelouch was thankful that it was a weekly episode as opposed to daily. He didn't think he could spend hours being coped up with the people he branded as lunatics.

"But there's too much ketchup." But then he himself was not completely sane.

The Director blinked. "Ketchup?"

Lelouch nodded furiously." I hate ketchup. Just the sight of it makes me sick."

The Director groaned and buried his face in his hands. At the rate they were going the episode would never be released.

"It's not ketchup, Lelouch. It's real blood." CC said.

"What?!" Lelouch spluttered.

The Director glared at CC harder. He could've made Lelouch agree to shoot with the ketchup (with a bit of threats) but since CC had lied about it being blood there was no way Lelouch would-

"Then it's fine." Lelouch grinned and gave thumbs up. "I'm ready to do the scene."

The Director merely gaped at the cheerful and relieved Lelouch as CC left. "You are welcome."

(And it was then that the Director very seriously began to question the sanity of his cast.)

"Hahaha!" Suzaku winced as he rubbed his ears. He knew many people who could be loud and had really cheerful (AKA ear splitting) laughter but this was on some other level.

"Lloyd! You are going to deafen the poor boy!" Suzaku liked Cecelie-san. She was sweet and kind and unlike most of the Britannians Suzaku had met.

(He kind of considered her like the elder sister he never had)

"Well, he has to get used to it if he is shooting with me." Lloyd himself was unlike any other Britannian Suzaku has ever met but he still didn't know if it was a good thing or a bad thing.

"Lloyd!" Cecelie hissed. "behave." Lloyd merely rolled his eyes, causing Cecelie to glare at him. But her glare quickly dissolved as she turned to Suzaku and gave him a smile.

"Since we are going to be working together we should all be friends. I bought some food." And, out of seemingly nowhere, she pulled tiffin filled with sandwiches.

Suzaku smiled before smiling hesitantly. "Thank you." He took a sandwich. She continued to grin at him until he took a bite of the sandwich. He immediately coughed.

"Oh my god! Are you alright? Is it-"she began panicking.

"It's amazing." Suzaku cut in his green eyes wide with wonder as he chewed on the sandwich. For some reason Cecelie thought of a lost puppy.

"Really?" she asked.

"Yes! It is simply-"he took another bite.

Cecelie merely grinned. He reminded her of her younger brother back in Britannia who always begged her to cook something or the other for him.

"So you have tasted Cecelie's cooking I see. Magnificent isn't it?" Lloyd came back with a lab coat on and his hands in pocket.

"Kururugi, strip!" The Director pointed a finger at Suzaku. Suzaku choked. Cecelie patted his back.

"W-what?" He blinked at the director.

The director sighed. "Your shirt. They have to wrap bandages around you for the next scene."

"Oh. I save that arrogant, pig headed, son of a-"

"Suzaku!" Cecelie admonished him.

"How could all the Royal Guards be dead? What happened here boy? And what is a Britannian student doing in a place like this? Are you deaf? Answer me or I'll- Answer me!"

The scene was going well. The Director was actually quite happy with the way the scene was progressing. They had finished up the so called 'Ketchup scene' perfectly and now it was time to introduce the next character.

As long as it was not Suzaku, Lelouch seemed to be able to keep his professional demeanour and tackle all the scenes assigned to him with finesse. (Most of the times at least)

So the scene was going good.

At least until Villeta had to step out of the Knightmare Frame.

Lelouch gaped and dropped his hands down. "You!" Villeta merely narrowed her eyes and snapped, "Don't act so surprised boy."

"Now what's wrong?" The Director groaned as he waved his hand at the cameras to stop shooting.

"Wh-why is she here? It was bad enough for you to put Kururugi in the cast but her too? Have you lost mind? You are fucking-"

"Complete that sentence in the way I think you are going to and I will make sure that the cross dressing festival is made into a scene."

"Brilliant." Lelouch concluded lamely.

Meanwhile Villeta looked unimpressed. "Believe me by, I'm no happier working with you but-"The look on her face suddenly turned starry. "If this is where my Jeremiah is there then this is where I will be!" She finished with a glare.

Lelouch gritted his teeth. "Jeremiah is engaged to Sayoko. Get that through your head." Lelouch snapped back.

"And you are to blame for that! Me and Jeremiah…. We were so happy- until you brat introduced him to that boyfriend stealing bit-"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence." Lelouch warned, his eyes narrowed dangerously. Sayoko was one person he would never let anyone insult (maybe Nunnally but his sweet little angel would never ever insult anyone let alone Sayoko)

(Of course no one ever tried to correct his viewpoint since they knew it would be of no use)

(Or more truthfully it would be futile plus they would have to deal with the demonic brat herself)

Sayoko was his and Nunnally's official babysitter for whenever they visited Japan (which was often surprisingly). She took them to all the places they wanted to go and was very patient with them. In turn he and Nunnally adored her.

(And he was actually telling the truth when he said that Nunnally would never talk against Sayoko)

(Nor would she let anyone else talk against her)

"Boyfriend stealer? The last thing I remember was Jeremiah breaking up with you long before they met and you continuing to stalk him like a psychopathic ex-girlfriend." Lelouch spat back.

Villeta's face paled.

"That-that's not true! He just needed time on his own and we promised to get back together later."

"Oh really?" Lelouch drawled. "Because I-"

"Is this discussion over yet?" A cool voice cut in. "Because I think I have allotted enough time for you both to amiably settle whatever conflict you have and continue with the scene." The Director smiled darkly at them. "Are you both with me?" A glance at each other led to a silent agreement to continue this 'discussion' later.

Psychopaths or not, neither of them were willing to face the wrath of an angry director.

"That was a great shot!" The Director smiled (for what felt lie the first time in days) as the scene was shot without any retakes. Now he thought about it both Kururugi and Lelouch vi Britannia were amazing actors; completely professional. At least until it came to one another. Then all professionalism disappears and they start to behave like child actors in need of constant supervision.

But the director had to admit that theirs was a pair that could bring the house down. (There was a kind of chemistry between them; the constant pull and push that was clear from the first episode itself)

(Maybe it was due to their hate-hate relationship r something else the Director could not pinpoint)

"That was amazing Suzaku. I never knew you could manage a Knightmare frame so proficiently. Cecelie complimented Suzaku as he got out of the cockpit.

Ruffling his hair he grinned sheepishly. "It was nothing great. Father made sure to train me in all forms of combat."

"Take a break before our next scene." The Director stepped in and advised lightly.

"What? Why? Can't we just get it over with?" Suzaku frowned in confusion. The Director sighed and thought about how to break the news.

"Because your next scene is going to be with none other than your best friend Lelouch vi Britannia himself." Lloyd shouted from some distance away. The Director glared at the exuberant man but he merely smiled back cheekily.

Meanwhile Suzaku had developed a tic. But he wisely kept his mouth shut.

The Director blinked n surprise. That was a first. Maybe Suzaku had finally learnt that it was no use complaining except wastage of precious time and energy or maybe even better he was actually scared of the Director-

"Is that green haired witch going to be there?" He asked.

(He was actually afraid- very, very afraid- of CC)

The Director sighed tiredly and shook his head. "No, it will be only you and Lelouch in Knightmare Frames. And a bungee jumping extra."

Suzaku looked relieved before a grin lit up his face. "We have to fight in Knightmare frames." The Director groaned at the malicious look on Suzaku's face. This was going to be one long scene.

"You and he aren't so different you know." CC commented.

Lelouch thought- not for the first time- about why in the world was he friends with CC when he had much more broader options. Options that would not end up with him suffering with acute embarrassment of tearing his hair off with frustration.

(But he knew that the reason he was friends with CC was because despite her irritating nature she understood him better than most of the people and he knew that she was his equal in intelligence and that made her all the more valuable)

(But he often debated if that was worth the torture she liked putting him through)

Lelouch turned to look at her lying on his sofa like she owned it (and a tic developed on his face) andnarrowed his eyes. "Don't you dare compare me with that imbecile meat headed-"

"I am comparing you with that imbecile meat headed idiot because you re one too." CC ignored the indignant look on Lelouch's face. "If you both would push aside that crappy prides of yours aside you actually do have a chance of being best friends outside the show too-"

CC stopped and raised an eyebrow at Lelouch as he started laughing. Loudly.

"Me and Kururugi being friends? That's only possible when hell freezes over." Lelouch grinned, unknowingly quoting Suzaku.

(Maybe it was just a sign of fate. Or destiny. Or something like that.)

(Or maybe it was just a coincidence)

(But most probable it was just a Suzalulu fan trying to spice up the moment)

"Well, maybe hell turning into an icy terrain is more possible than you think." CC got up gracefully and made her way out of the van with the Cheese-kun plushie in her hands.

Lelouch pursed his lips. He was a sensible person ruled by logic rather than emotion. But there were a few times where emotion overruled his common sense and cool headedness. Those times often involved ether Nunnally, sometimes Schneizel and almost always the ever insufferable Suzaku Kururugi.

(He wasn't even going to count CC. She bought out the most childish, petulant side of him that he didn't ever want to acknowledge)

He couldn't think of a reason why he hated he the boy so much.

No wait, actually he did.

(It all started with the punch Suzaku had given him when they met for the first time)

But he didn't understand why he had kept hold of the grudge for such a long time. It wasn't like they were children and-

"Oy Demon! Our shot is ready. Stop frolicking around with Pizza Girl and actually do some work instead of sitting on your ass and making other do all your work. You aren't in Britannia-"Lelouch slammed the door open and glared at the brown haired boy who had a smirk on his face.

"Oh here you are. No one else inside?" I guess Pizza Girl isn't putting out to you. Maybe she-"

"Suzaku, Lelouch! Get here. Now!"

Suzaku still smirking winked at Lelouch before walking away. Lelouch glared at his retreating figure with as much hatred he could gather hoping that glares could really kill. There was no way in hell he and Kururugi would ever be friends.

Hell would freeze over before he became friends with Suzaku Kururugi.

"Right. So have you both understood the scene perfectly?" The Director stared- glared- at the two actors.

"Yes sir!" They both replied in unison before proceeding to glare at each other. The Director merely sighed and shook his head. There were a few things that couldn't be helped. "Well then, go and take your positions."

A snigger distracted him and he turned to glare at the culprit who was smirking at the unintentional sexual innuendo. "I thought I informed you specifically that you are not needed here."

"I know I am not needed here. But I wanted to be here. How could I miss the show?"

"CC!" Lelouch spluttered as the other people present on the set quietly snickered. CC merely smirked and took a seat on-on his chair. The Director felt his patience wearing thin. "Go to your positions!" He yelled at the red faced duo who quickly scrambled towards their Knightmare Frames.

(Even the Director knew better than to fight with CC. There was nearly no one who could win with that woman)

They had decided to use the old abandoned city of Shinjuku which was well, abandoned because of a gas leak years ago. It was still rumoured to be dangerous but it took only one look from the Director for the protests from the casts to die down. There was no way he was going to spend money on building sets so early in the show.

So they were free to crash as many buildings as they liked. And after the first scene the Director was thankful he didn't build a set. He already felt oncoming headache thinking about all the times he would have had to rebuild it after these both were through.

"Kururugi, I thought I made it clear that Lelouch was supposed to escape? And why the hell did you ignore that woman who was falling from the roof?! You are supposed to save her!" The Director yelled into his mouthpiece. He could hear Suzaku wince at the volume but there was no way he could control his anger.

The scene was simple. Suzaku was supposed to chase Lelouch as he escaped but would get distracted by the woman falling from the roof cradling a baby (who was really just a bungee jumping artist with a doll in her hands) and Lelouch would make a successful escape.

But instead Suzaku had gone right ahead without even a glance at the woman who was falling and pinned Lelouch's Knightmare down. Luckily there were safety wires or the woman would most definitely be a goner.

"Is this is called as professionalism in Britannia? Pitiful!" And he also had to listen the bungee jumping artist criticize the lack of control he had over the brats. "This is not the way things go in European Union you know. People there are really serious-"The Director rubbed his head willing his headache to go away. She was ranting about how 'unprofessional' his lead actors were and how 'childish' it was of them to indulge in 'personal fights while on sets'. She went on to describe how they were supposed to 'put aside their feelings of hatred and become the character'. In short, by the end of her speech, the Director had a raging headache. After spending another half an hour convincing her to continue the shoot he went to have a talk with his two lead actors.

Who were still standing in the position they had been in when they got out of their frames and glaring at each other.

The Director could feel the tick on his face. "Are you two done?" His voice had gone quiet as he stared at them. It felt strangely satisfying to see them both finch together and turn their attention towards him. But it wasn't enough.

"Are you both happy that you offended that lady and embarrassed yourself with this display of unprofessionalism? I know that you both cannot stand each other nor are you both regular actors but the least you both could do is act like the adults you are supposed to be!" His voice rose by the end of the sentence and the people around were starting to shoot pitiful looks at Suzaku and Lelouch. That pissed him off even more. He deserved the pity not these brats who seemed to cause only trouble whenever they were in vincity of each other.

Suzaku and Lelouch on the other hand were starting to fidget guiltily. And damn if it didn't make him feel a bit better.

He sighed. "See, I am not going to comment on the rivalry you both have with each other but for once, just this one time, try to push that aside and actually work together." He looked at them with an eyebrow raised. "Do you think you both are capable of it?"

They shared a look before turning back to him and giving him their most bright smile. "Of course. We are terribly sorry for the trouble we caused." They intoned together and the Director blinked. Either it a very great coincidence or they had said it enough times together to get it perfectly in sync. He wouldn't be surprised. But it wasn't like he could do anything more. They were both extraordinary actors that he could not afford to lose no matter how much havoc they created on the set.

"Just get back to work." He sighed after one last glare.

He just hoped that things would go through more smoothly this time around.

Author Notes: More like a filler chapter but necessary. Next one will have more stuff going on along with the introductions of the rest of the cast.