If I can't get a Shirley ending, I'd be fine with an open ending. That's what fanfiction's for, after all. I'm not like the others who detest fanfiction, considering I'm a fanfic writer myself. Granted, I can only find a few LxS fics, and half of them were one-sided as it is.

That conversation is what made me think Shirley would be a good choice, for the same reason. I was kinda surprised that it wasn't the typical crush scenario. And it does seem like she's good emotional support for Lelouch. Plus, she's proven that this memory thing isn't infallible; she remembered being taught how to make origami from Nunnally, she just couldn't remember who. Which means her memories (as well as everyone else's) are merely repressed, and not rewritten over.

I'm rather glad that Shirley wasn't placed as a "useless" character in the first season, and while she seemed that way at the start, it seems she's gonna become a useful character once more.

Same here, I'd be ecstatic if she had a positive outcome with this. Chances are, like last time, her focus in the plot could extend more than one episode. Though I'm not sure I could survive such constant apprehension. As for my decision on Shirley, I suppose it was when she confessed to Suzaku after her argument with Kallen. I got my hopes up about then, I wasn't seeing any romantic potential between Lelouch and any of the other major female characters.

Also, after my hopes were dashed by the ending of episode 14, I felt hope again after Shirley found the letter and began to question again. I know that doesn't necessarily mean return of romance, but it DID give a chance that Shirley would remember again. And THEN there may be a return of the romantic potential.

Yeah, when Mao made his move on Shirley and things started spiraling out of control for her, I sorta felt like my fandom got shot all to hell, and Lelouch's command to have her forget felt a whole lot like the final nail in the coffin.

So I was surprised that in R2, Shirley had fallen for him all over again, and to me that looked like it had to mean something. As if Lelouch has always been an integral part to Shirley's existence. And episode 12's making me feel apprehensive when it concerns her. I don't want to feel my fandom die again. >_>

Oh, I don't mind. I don't hate him that much, I just have something against friends selling out friends, but each character has its strengths and weaknesses, after all. In some instances, he's better than Lelouch.

As for Shirley... I seem to root for the underdog when it comes to possible relationships.