Author's Notes: The word length will only grow with each chapter, so for those expecting a long read, you'll get it.

It went smoother than Hayate would have believed. Way too smooth. She delayed and hesitated for two whole weeks before fulfilling her promise to Nanoha, and seven day later she found herself holding a two hundred pages working project plan, a research team made up by the best in the Bureau, funds enough to start a war, and Nanoha Takamichi's consent letter. A new state-of-the-arts laboratory was being built even as she sat passively in the meeting room; vague thoughts drifting between intense self-disgust and shock.

Perhaps it was because she played the fool once more, turning a blind eye against reality on how the TSAB functions, or any organizations to boot. She should've known that ethics doesn't exist when it comes to power play; of course the plan would've been approved. Those were the dark thoughts of Hayate Yagami as she exited the room and headed straight to her own. On the way, she tripped a few overly excited scientists who were elected to manage the Ace of Aces' cloning project and gave an especially noisy bastard rambling like an idiot how delightful it is to 'dissect dear Nanoha-chan' a hard kick below the groin, without anyone noticing. None of these improved her feelings however, they simple served to teach her once more the grim side of life. Behind, Rein followed quietly without a word thinking really hard for a way to break Hayate's dark mood. Perhaps if she could force a Unison –

They've reached the Commander's Room. Slipping inside with a long sigh as the door closed behind her, Hayate turned around and hugged Rein suddenly with all the strength in her body. She ignored the immediate yelps of suffocation – "Ow! Mistress Hayate, stop! Can't – breathe!" – and her thoughts wandered back to that fateful day, the day she let her guard down and permitted all these madness for a good friend's cry. She had prayed then never to regret this one decision she made.

Regret has never left her since.

"… Hayate?"

"… I'm fine now, Rein. Thanks for everything." Hayate mustered her utmost courage and released the Unison Device, who although seemed slightly flustered was a great deal more concerned about her Mistress' state of mind. Steeling her heart, Hayate sat before her computer and began her routine hacking into the Saint King Hospital's security system; specifically the surveillance camera on the third floor, room 300 which housed a patient named Fate Testarossa Harlaown. And she watched.

It was a simple room with a single bed covered by pure, white sheets. Furniture are scarce; there was only a small table beside the bed to hold flowers and another at the front for a television. On the bed sat a beautiful blonde whose eyes bore piercing red and a gentle smile across her lips, except that there was no one around for her to smile at. At the poorest of glance it might look like she's dreaming, but her eyes were wide open. And yet she sat still as stone, staring and smiling, lips moving without a sound as if talking to the thin air before her –

A knock. Fate's body jerked before leaping off her bed and running towards the door, yelling, "Welcome in!" Nanoha had arrived with flowers as usual, her smile a grimace as she glanced left and right in panic before shoving Fate back into the room, the door slamming behind her with a loud bang. Fate laughed brightly as Nanoha stared daggers at her best friend, "How many times do I have to tell you not to shout – You know what, forget what I just said, you'll just do it again next time." Fate hid a triumphant grin with her right hand and replied, "Best I don't hold back then, the next time you come to visit – Hey, what's with the face?" Fate cupped Nanoha's cheek with both her arms and smiled gently, "C'mon girl, smile."

Even Hayate's face grew distorted with grief, but Nanoha's acting was excellent. She stared at the extended right stump and smiled as if nothing was out of the ordinary, "Sorry, I'm just tired from work today, y' know. And Signum came again."

Fate smiled knowingly and sat lightly on her bed, motioning for Nanoha to do the same, "Weird. That makes the fourth time in a week already. Is she still not telling you why she's shadowing you?"

Nanoha sat and shook her head slightly, "No idea. I tried asking Hayate, but even she doesn't know about it. Well, I can't exactly complain since she's helping me out big time with the new students, although I couldn't say the same for them, haha."

You lie better than me now, Nanoha. You know very well why Signum was there, Hayate thought numbly.

Fate took a second to visualize the disaster, and nodded solemnly, "Mm. The two of you together would bring the fires of hell, noble intentions and all – Ow!" Nanoha nonchalantly shot an instant fist at her partner's head and pulled at Fate's left ear. The Enforcer literally squealed as Nanoha began twisting – "It was a joke – AH! – Sorry, sorry! I won't do it aaaaaaaaAAAHHHH!"

Nanoha one, Fate zero. The poor woman held her aching ear and muttered pitifully, "Uuu… You're so violent today, are you having a period... Er… Never mind." Black aura had literally flared from the Ace of Aces and killed off whatever Fate had wanted to say. The blonde inwardly sighed as she looked to think back to the days when they were so young, wondering what possibly could have gone wrong to reverse their position so.

Nanoha two, Fate zero.

The steady silence grew long as they both turned and faced the sun set idly; neither one wanting to break away from the warmth and peace they mutually shared. Rein left dinner on the table, but Hayate didn't even notice.

"Hey, Nanoha… when can I leave the hospital?"

It was a dispirited question. One that she asked Nanoha every day.

"Until you get well… Is what I will like to say, but I don't know, Fate. I really don't."

Fate looked downwards and tightened her imaginary right fist, "If it wasn't for you and Vivio… I would have left this place long ago. I am not sick, I have my duties to perform, and yet I'm trapped here doing nothing at all."

Nanoha's face was utterly blank of emotion, but Fate did not notice. The old her might have known that something was wrong by heart, but then Nanoha was such a skilled liar now she wore her masks as quickly as breathing. She held Fate's left palm and spoke gently, "I'll be here with you, always. I know it's painful, but please, until you get well – Until the illusion disappears –"

Hayate knew it coming. Nanoha knew it better, but she did not bother to dodge. Mad as a rabid dog Fate struck away Nanoha's hand and screamed vehemently at her, "I – AM – NOT – SICK! MY RIGHT ARM IS HERE; I COULD MOVE IT, FEEL IT, TOUCH WITH IT, AND I CAN EVEN CUT MY WAY OUT RIGHT NOW IF YOU DIDN'T TAKE BARDICHE AWAY! WHY DO YOU ALL INSIST THAT MY ARM IS GONE? GRAHH!" Fate grabbed for the vase and flung it at Nanoha's head with deadly force. At such close range she didn't even need to aim, and the resulting bloodshed was an astonishing shower of red as the vase shattered into a million fragments. Incredibly the brunette braced the impact without the slightest flinch even as blood flowed freely down her neck, swift as a river stream. There was a momentary stagger, but she recovered instantly and hugged the raging Fate with all her strength and feelings, blocking out the wavering dizziness that threatened to dye everything black.

Ten minutes later, Fate's struggle finally subsided as she grew aware again about her surroundings. She took one look at Nanoha and fell into deepest pit of despair, "Noooo… Not again… No…" A hellish groan erupted from her lips, "Why? Why is this happening? Why… I'm sorry, Nanoha, I'm so sorry…"

The brunette simply smiled. With a low whisper she brought her face close to Fate and swore quietly, "Do you still remember? I am the sword that cuts down all enemies; I am the shield that protects everyone; I am the heart that gives strength and belief; but most of all –" Nanoha took a deep breath before continuing,

" – But most of all, I love you with all my heart, and will never, ever, leave your side. So don't be sad… Do you love me, Fate?" At the mention of her name the blonde flinched and went completely red as she buried her face behind Nanoha's neck.

"… Yes."

"And I, too. No matter what."

Nanoha three, Fate zero.

Gently she put Fate lightly on bed, skillful hands already working on a healing spell as she slipped off her tattered uniform, her lips curling sensually at the blushing blonde while brushing off the many, glittering fragments. Hayate's fingers was half a second away from pressing the screen remote's off button –

"Nanoha…"

"Hmm…?" She slipped a hand into Fate's white shirt to feel her smooth, naked back. Fate was totally snared in a state of delirium, and yet she still managed to whisper her question,

"I heard that a new lab is being made… Just a few kilos away… From here. What is it for?"

Her movements froze. For a second Nanoha looked as if she was caught completely off-guard, but then she smiled sweetly at Fate and answered, "It's a secret. But I guess I can tell you this little bit," She looked backwards and directly at the surveillance camera, winked once, then turned back to continue smiling at a dazed Fate T. Harlaown,

"Its name, is Project Future."

Nanoha twenty one, Hayate zero.

The screen went blank, and for a long time the Commander did not move, did not see, did not breathe. Under the blanket of utter darkness and the absence of Rein, Hayate hugged herself tightly.

And shivered.

[Playback complete. Saving record to permanent memory, event designated codename 'Project Future'. Next selected time year 0082 month 3 day 15 1200. Begin playback.]