Chp. 1 She's what?!
A very frantic and worried Nanoha burst through the hospital doors. "Where is she?! Where is Fate Harlaown?!" She yelled anxiously, causing visiting friends and family to glance at her with sympathy.
No answer. She grabbed the nearest nurse. "Where? Where is Fate?"
The nurse looked at her clueless.
She's of no use. Nanoha let her go and ran to the next nurse repeating her question, and even that nurse didn't know. Frustrated and teary eyed, she yelled again, her wail startling the whole room, echoing through the corridors, "DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE FATE HARLOAWN IS?"
She felt a light tap on her shoulder and hurriedly spun round, lines of worry on her face meeting the calm expression of the white coated doctor.
"Come with me," he said gently before walking down the corridor.
Without thinking, she followed him.
"Is she alright?" She had to know, even if it would hurt her. After all no one wants to hear that his or her loved one was hurt.
The doctor glanced beside him as they continued their brisk walk, his calm mask in place.
"For the most part."
Nanoha grabbed his shoulder, forcefully spinning him to face her, almost causing the poor man to lose his footing.
"What do you mean?! She's not dying is she?!"
"No. No. She's not."
Nanoha's hand slipped from his shoulder like dead weight, she almost fell to her knees from relief. Thank god.
They walked a little more before stopping in front of room 318.
The doctor turned to her. She glanced at him, patiently waiting for him to speak.
"Be gentle with her. The MRI came back showing damage to her frontal lobes." He looked at her seriously. "She'll have trouble with speech, some motor impairment, controlling her emotions, and impaired judgment. Basically her mentality is similar to a three-year-old."
"Does that mean she'll act like one?" Her face looked puzzled.
"For the most part."
Nanoha stood digesting all the information the doctor gave her. Her back fell against the closed door, the reality of the situation hitting her hard; right now she's no different than a baby.
The doctor saw her troubled form but couldn't do much about it. Breaking the news, no matter how painful, was his and every other doctor's burden. The rest was up to the patient and their family; how they would handle the situation and what they would do was entirely up to them. I can only wish her strength, he thought.
Her head down, and her voice subdued she asked one more question.
"What about her memory?"
"It's fine."
Nanoha nodded. At least she's not suffering from amnesia. Except she's practically three, a sarcastic voice added. Nanoha sighed, rubbing the tension from her forehead. I want to see her. I don't care if she's like a baby she's still alive, and I need to see her. Somewhere deep inside, Nanoha pulled out the strong and resolute person lying within her. She pushed off the door, standing confidently in front of the doctor, staring him straight in the eye.
"Thank you. I'm going to see her."
The doctor smiled, happy to see her newfound strength.
"Please do. I'll leave her in your care." He nodded to her and walked away.
Nanoha turned to face the door, took a deep breath, and turned the doorknob.
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A/N: Now that the stage is set. The next chapter will begin the story. Also a big hand to MarroTekatsu for betaing.
Hope you enjoyed it!