A/N: 2nd Chapter, here we go! I had it started, then decided it needed to be redone/had a very strange dream that sent me in this direction. In case anyone was wondering, anything italicized are the private thoughts of that character. I tried not to get overly medical, but I did have to put some stuff in, as it will definitely play a part later! Hope people enjoy! Disclaimer: I do not own anything MGLN related.

Music: Of Monsters and Men- Lakehouse, Youngblood Hawke- Dreams

2. Hurry Up and Wait

Nanoha pulled her coat a little tighter around her body as she walked up the street to Hayate's house. It came in handy that they had lived close to each other since they had been kids, and she offered to drive them today. There was a slight chill in the morning air. Early spring could be cold, but she wasn't regretting her decision to wear a skirt. One must make a good impression on the first day. For today, she had decided on an azure blue pencil skirt ending slightly above her knees and a cream colored blouse. A brilliant red pendent hung around her neck, a good luck charm she had carried with her since she was a child. She almost had worn her hair down, but then in a last minute decision pulled it into her signature side pony-tail. A little make-up to highlight her eyes and she was as ready as she could be. Though I could have probably left the hair down to help cover my neck, as she shivered slightly. Ohh well.

She rounded the last corner and noticed the sky starting to light up, the dark indigo of night starting to turn into various shades of orange, red and gold. The last stars hung on and Nanoha was suddenly struck by how beautiful it was. I hope the things I do can come close to as inspiring as this sunrise, she thought to herself suddenly. Butterflies started dancing in her stomach, and she was glad that Hayate was going to be there with her.

Nanoha met Hayate as she was sitting on the front steps of her house. "Hey lady!" Hayate jumped up and threw her arms around Nanoha's neck. "Geeze it's too early for your groping!" Nanoha pushed the brunette girl off. "Ohh come on, this is exciting! I'm going to stalk…..err….see the hottest girl in the city, present company excluded of course, and then go practice actual, real medicine. On live people! With my best friend too, this day could not be better." Hayate was bouncing as she walked, usual wide grin in place. Nanoha pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed, "I can't believe your cousins didn't convince the hospital board to not hire you."

Hayate turned to pout at her friend. "Ohh come on, you know I'm smarter than I look. And they know I have talent too". "Sheesh, alright, alright, I was just kidding." "Meanie!" Hayate jumped on Nanoha again, making Nanoha blush as she got a little….handsy. "Erm, Hayate we ARE in public, besides the fact that I'm not barking up THAT tree…HANDS! "Tee hee, you know I can't help myself, you look good this morning. A beauty rivaling that amazing sunrise. And besides, I have my sights set on someone else, as you well know." Hayate walked over to her car and unlocked the doors with a press of a button and winked at Nanoha. "Come on, you getting in?"

Shaking her head, Nanoha climbed into the car, wondering how her friend had turned into such a pervert. Her parents died when she was young, leaving her with a sizeable bank account and in the care of her cousins, the Wolkenritter's. Shamal was the Head of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Chief of the Surgical ICU and her younger sister Vita was up and coming in the Neurosurgery program. Carim Gracia, one of the top authorities in genetic research and a leading biochemist was a good family friend and usually around when she wasn't traveling the world. They always tried to be good role models, and were nowhere near as touchy feely as Nanoha's parents (still acting like teenagers, almost 30 years later). While this explained Hayate's career choice and to a good extent Nanoha's herself, her blunt, flirty and overall perverted personality was a lot harder to explain. Nanoha signed, It takes all kinds I guess. Though when it came down to it, Hayate was a kind and loyal friend, someone that you wanted to guard your back when the shit hit the fan.

"So where is this place that we're going for breakfast anyway?" Hayate glanced over at her friend, grinning. "That's the best part, its right around the corner from the hospital. I figured we could park the car and then walk over, less for us to worry about when we head to the welcome conference." Nanoha smiled. "Alright, sounds like a plan. You nervous?" She looked at Hayate, whose smile softened as she kept her eyes on the road. "I know I'm ready, but yes, when it comes down to it, I'm nervous." Hayate glanced at Nanoha, who was lost in her own thoughts. "Did you think I wouldn't be?"

Nanoha sighed as she responded. "I knew you probably were, but you do a much better job of hiding what you're thinking. I have my heart on my sleeve half the time."

"That's one of your best qualities, everyone can see how genuine you are. I told you, you just need to work on your game face more!" Nanoha smiled when she heard her best friend say that, feeling better overall.

The girls chatted quietly over the rest of the ride, before pulling into the hospital's employee parking lot 15 mins later. Since it was still early, the day shift had only started to trickle in. "Perfect, we have plenty of time, it's only 6:15. The diner should be around the corner" Hayate started walking to the stairs, eager to get to her destination. Nanoha laughed to herself as she watched her friend's determined stride. The brunette, though shorter than Nanoha, could really haul when she wanted to.

The diner was indeed a short walk, as promised, only around the corner from hospital. Hayate suddenly whirled around before they walked in. "Nanoha, I look okay right? The hair's good, make-up, clothes, everything?" Nanoha smiled and she looked into the normally laughing blue eyes that had taken on a serious glint. "Yes Hayate, you look good. I'd be flirting with you, if we hadn't already established that as a useless endeavor." Hayate grinned, her mischievous look settling back in and she turned around, grabbed the door and strode in. Nanoha followed closely, wondering what trouble this adventure might get them in.

The diner 'Whitey's', was one of those 50's retro places, old advertising signs hanging on the walls, chrome accents and vinyl seats running along the length of the counter. There were also pictures of wolves in a few key places, but in such a way that you didn't really notice them. While there were some people eating in the place, it wasn't too crowded. The sign at the front said please seat yourself, along with a list of that day's specials. Nanoha eyed the board appreciatively. "Woah, Hayate, these specials look really good. How did you find out about this place?"

Hayate led them over to a booth along the windows. "When I went for orientation, one of the 2nd year residents told me about it. I guess they stay open all night, great for the 3am munchies and coffee. Not only that, the brother and sister who own it also own 'The Blue Wolf', so they take their food seriously. They keep the connection really low key, though. I guess they want each place to stand on its own merit."

Nanoha sat back with the menu, now seriously impressed. 'The Blue Wolf' was one of the best restaurants in the city, annually making the Best Of lists in multiple categories. "Well I should have learned by now, not to doubt you when it comes to food."

"Hi there, can I get you girls anything to drink?" Nanoha looked up into a pair of serious crimson eyes under long silvery white hair. The woman had a small smile, offsetting her serious look. Nanoha instantly knew, this was absolutely the woman Hayate was now obsessed with. Nanoha smiled back, "Yes, I'd like a glass of water and a large OJ". Nanoha looked at Hayate, who was determined not to look up. "Coffee please" she said softly.

The silver haired woman nodded, "I'll grab those drinks for you guys and be right back". She turned and headed back to the counter. Nanoha watched her glide away, slightly in awe of the grace with which she moved. "Damn, Hayate….now I know why you called so early." Hayate said nothing as she read her menu, but turned an interesting shade of red.

Elsewhere

"Ok that looks good, we can close up and bring him up to the ICU. Good work, Testarossa." "Thanks Dr. Yamamoto." The one addressed as Testarossa looked up at her scrub nurse and held her hand out. "Staple gun, please." Once she had it, all her attention was focused on closing the incision. Burgandy eyes never wavered, and several people in the OR couldn't help but fantasize about what it would be like to have that stare focused on them. Once she was done, she cleaned off the betadine, and placed a clean dressing over the incision. "Okay guys, that's it for me, let's get him ready to roll." As the rest of the OR staff started to unscrew the halo pins and get the patient back onto the ICU bed, Fate Testerossa stretched her arms over her head and cracked her back and neck as she went to scrub out. Dr. Yamamoto, the attending on call overnight had already scrubbed out and went to find the patient's family to update them.

"Niiiice catch Fate. Yamamoto was definitely impressed by that catch, I'm sure that's why he let you take lead. He almost never lets second years lead!" Fourth year resident Haru Miyazaki was grinning ear to ear as he watched Fate scrub out. "I knew you were an ass kicker, that's why I picked you as my minion."

Fate started laughing as she washed her hands. "Ohh come on, I don't think you had a choice in the matter, Chrono was the one who made out the assignments."

"Yeah, but I told him to give me someone good!"

"And if I hadn't been like a little sister to him, you still would have taught me the same?"

"Awww Fate, don't say things like that! How could I not, we clicked instantly, you're like my sister from another mister!"

Fate started laughing so hard she doubled over. "Ohh my god, I was not expecting that to come out of your mouth. Don't let Rico hear you sweet talking me like that, he'll get jealous."

Haru was laughing now too. "You're right, he'd be quite jealous, and he might not feed you for a while…"

"NOOOOO! That's a serious threat, he promised me that chocolate cake he makes the next time I cone over! If you mess that one up for me Haru, mentor or not, I'll owe you an ass kicking." If there was one thing Fate could never joke about, it was her sweets. As someone with not just one sweet tooth, but sweet teeth, she took her deserts seriously.

"Nahh, I know better darling. Now let's get this guy up to the ICU so we can round and get out of here."

Fate nodded and headed back into the OR, where the rest of the staff was transferring the patient onto the ICU bed to bring him back upstairs. When anesthesia gave the go ahead, they started heading up. Fate was finishing her second of seven years of her neurosurgery residency. Technically, she was a third year starting today, though it didn't feel like. Especially since she'd had night call for the past 2 weeks. Talk about losing track of your life, when your nights were days and vice versa, it tended to skew one's perspective. Once she finished rounds, she had a few days off, which she planned to spend couch surfing and catching up on her DVR. When she came back, she would be the junior resident on the neurovascular service. She was looking forward to that. The only downside was that Haru wouldn't be taking night call anymore, since year five was research dedicated. Though it would be nice to wander over to Haru and Rico's apartment and know both of them would be there. I'm really lucky that I got Haru as a mentor and we work so well together. Not everyone else was as lucky.

They got up to the ICU with the patient and brought him back to his room. The room was immediately buzzing with activity, the nurses getting the patient settled back, and the ICU fellow making his way into the room for the surgery report. "Ahhh the crimson goddess returns." Fate turned around, knowing immediately who was behind the teasing voice. "Who knew you actually thought so highly of me Arf? You getting this one?" Arf started laughing as she went to help untangle wires. "Nahh, I had the bad luck to be charge last night." Fate looked back at everyone, "Who's taking the patient? Are you guys ready for report?" "I'm taking him, I'm ready when you are." The nurse who spoke was Mariko, who Fate had become friends with when she had done her ICU rotation. Fate smiled at her as she got started.

"Alright, 53 year old male, who as you guys know became unresponsive last night. CT scan showed significant increase in the size of his bleed, so we took him down for emergent clot evacuation. We got the clot out pretty easily, but it looks like there might be some residual damage, so we're going to leave him intubated for now and see how he does waking up. We'll leave it up to the ICU team if they want seizure monitoring or not. We do want another CT scan, but later today in the afternoon, around 1pm would be good. As usual, blood pressure less than 140, post-op antibiotics, Keppra for seizure prophylaxis. Let us know if you have any questions." Haru nodded at Fate, pleased with the report she gave. "Thanks Fate! Dinner later still?" Mariko asked as Fate finished. "Yup, wouldn't miss it. I'll text you when I get up."

They stepped out of the room to let the nurses work and sat in the nurse's station to finish their post op notes. Arf came out a few minutes later. "That was well done. I think your mentor has done a good job so far, even if he didn't have much to work with." Arf winked at Fate, then stuck her tongue out. "Mou, Arf come on, you know it was the other way around, Haru didn't ruin me" Haru shook his head, "Hello guys, still here! At least do me the courtesy of a quick escape before you talk about me, my ears are ringing enough as it is! Fate, I'll catch you in rounds in 20, I'm going to grab a bite before we start."

Fate sat back in her chair and took off her scrub cap and took her hair out of its messy bun. Arf sat next to her. "Man, watch out when you let your hair down, your fan club is gonna stroke out." Sure enough, a small kyaah was heard from around the corner then a crash as a chair went flying into the opposite desk, as its previous occupant had gotten up so quickly that it was unknown where they went flying off to. Fate sighed. "I don't know why I have a fan club, it's a pain in the ass most of the time. I mean I know I'm not ugly, but seriously? I can't be that good looking." Arf shook her head in disbelief. "Girl, you are something else, you're drop dead gorgeous and if I was inclined to play for that team, I'd be all over you. Luckily, I am not so inclined and can therefore screw your head back on straight. Your nickname isn't The Crimson Goddess for nothing you know."

"I really wish it wasn't."

"Well, nothing you can do about it now. Just don't break many more hearts and you'll be fine. And speaking of breaking hearts, you going to the welcome conference this morning once you finish rounds? I know your mother will be heartbroken if you don't…" Arf said it teasingly, as they both knew Precia Testarossa did not get heartbroken.

"Well I suppose I must. Rounds should go quickly, so I'll grab a quick bite before I head over. If there's one thing I can't do, it's take my mother on an empty stomach." Fate finished her post op note and stood up. "Tell my cousin I say hi when you see him!"

"Sure thing. Watch out for your fan club when you leave!"

Fate laughed as she walked away, and as she turned the corner immediately ran into several people. "Oopmh, ohh man, I'm sorry!" Fate dropped her scrub cap but couldn't retrieve it, as she was blocked by 5 people attempting to pick it up at the same time. "No worries, Fate!" "It was our fault!" "We'll get it for you!" "You look so awake after surgery! No one else looks like you do coming out of the OR!" Fate backed up with her hands held up. "Ummm you know what guys, it's fine, I'll grab another downstairs." Fate turned around and practically ran for the back elevators. The last thing she heard as the doors closed was Arf laughing hysterically and the screams of her self-proclaimed fan club as they fought over the scrub cap. "Who knew adults could still act like teenagers?! Dear god, get me into my bed" Fate said as she leaned against the wall while the elevator started to move.