Wing Road. A path of blue light raised over road as Subaru raced toward her target. Bursts of energy were directed at her, but she dodged them easily, never taking her eyes off her target. Cross Fire Shoot. Orange shots took down the robots aiming at her. Subaru grinned. "Nice one Tia!" The man in front of her had glanced back. A look of panic crossed his face as her realised how close his pursuer was. Subaru leaped into the air, closing the final distance. "Revolver Knuckle!" She yelled, smashing into him. And the building behind. As the dust cleared, she got up, grinning triumphantly. She turned around to see her partner running up the her.

"Good shooting Tia." Teana opened her mouth to say something, but the voice of their instructor cut her off.
"Great teamwork, guys." A certain White Devil complimented them as she descended. She was proud of her students. "Although try not to have so much collateral damage, Subaru." She nodded at the broken wall as she summoned binds to restrain their target.
"Eh heh..." Subaru rubbed her head sheepishly.
"Well then, let's see how lightning team is doing. " Nanoha opened up a screen. "Hello, Vita-chan." she greeted the redhead. "How was the mission?"
"They work together well," the knight admitted. "They make a good team. Although they missed several good opportunities and took longer than they should have."
"Nyahaha. Give them a break, Vita. They've only ben training for two months. It's alright for their standard."
The other instructor sighed. "I'll see you back at base then." Nanoha nodded and closed the screen. She turned back to her students.


Fate looked up at the night sky. The stars glimmered in the distance. One of them was Earth. For a moment she longed to be back on the planet she grew up in. Everything was so much simpler then. Her job. Her family...Nanoha...She shook her head. No point in reminiscing. Dreaming won't make things how they were. She turned her gaze down. The cathedral was on a hill, well, more of a small mountain. At the very bottom, she could see the city lights. If she looked even further, she could just glimpse the coastline. And the headquaters of Riot Force 6. She could clearly distinguish it. A cluster of lights seperated from the rest. Somewhere there...was Nanoha. She felt a pang of guilt at the thought of her.

"Mind if I join you?" came Carim's voice from behind her. She shook her head. The older blonde leaned back against the railing and asked cheerfully, "Looking forward to getting back?"
Fate sighed. "Hayate practically forced me to go."
"I'll take that as a yes then." Fate looked at her host. And saw the amusement in her eyes.
"You're laughing at me," she complained.
"I am not." Carim giggled. Fate gave her a look. "Okay," she admitted. "I am. But it's funny. How you act like you aren't glad to be put back on active duty."
"Thats-"
"Don't try to deny it. You been so restless for the past two months."
"Two and a half."
"See what I mean?" There was a pause. "Hayate said she finished the preparations already. How 'bout you? I don't see a whole lot of packing going on in there," she nodded in the direction of Fate's room.
Fate shrugged. "I'm used to moving around. I don't keep much stuff with me."
"I see." Carim yawned. "Well, goodbye Fate. I'm sorry, but I probably won't be able to see you off tomorrow." She turned to leave.
"It's okay. Thank you for letting me stay, Gracia-san."
Carim smiled at her. "I told you to call me Carim, didn't I? And we have so many unused rooms here, it wasn't really a problem. If you want to, you can come and stay again."
"I doubt Hayate would let me."
Carim laughed. "That does sound like Hayate. Well, give her my best, alright? Also, can you play that song one last time? You are really an amazing pianist."
Fate blushed. "Sure."


Fate POV

Looking around the room, it was almost exactly as it was when I first came here. Not that I had much stuff to begin with. All I needed -and had- was Bardiche, my clothes and a few personal items. All of which -except for Bardiche- was packed away into a small suitcase. I had a few more stuff, but that was in my old apartment. With my packing done, I decided to grant Carim's wish. Afterall, it wasn't too much trouble. And it would take my mind off the day to of me dreaded it, for obvious reasons. Another part looked forward to it, glad to finally be back on active duty. I step into the room and made my way to the piano. Running my hands over the glossy surface I sighed and sat down. I took a deep breath to calm myself. Usually, I never feel like this. The only exception is Nanoha. But then again, it always is Nanoha. Closing my eyes, I start to play letting my fingers move instinctively. And thought about her.

I hopped into my car and drove down the winding road that led to Cranagan. My suitcase was in the back. I had said my goodbyes to Sister Schach and a few others. Oh my God, I can't believe I actually agreed. Well not really agreed. More like forced. But anyway, I can't believe I'm actually going. I stop at a red light and slam my head on the steering wheel. Calm down. Calm down. Think happy thoughts. Taking a deep breatth, I lift my head up and and continue driving. At least you'll get to see Erio and Caro. Shari as well. And Vita. Hayate said Vice would be there too, didn't she?I relaxed into my seat. The headquaters loomed in front of me. I blinked. I'm already here? Oh shit. Damn, damn damn. Keep calm. Calm down

I park my beloved sports car and make my way to the main building. Hayate is there, waiting for me.

"Fate-chan!" she greets me with a grin on her face. As if she didn't force me into this. She ignores my glare and hurries me into the elevator. "We're on the top floor,"She informs me, pressing the number seven. We get out of the lift and pass two doors before she stops. "This is your room," she smiles at me. For the first timem I relax. It's a genuine smile, as if she's really glad I'm back. Not her 'Yes! You've fallen right into my trap. Now you'll have to cosplay for the rest of your life! Bwahahahaha!' smile. She leads me inside. "Well, what do you think?"

I look around the room. To my left is a small kitchen which is connected straight to the living room. The center of the room is sunken in with sofas ining three of the four sides, surrounding a coffee table. On the fourth side is a low table with a flat screen TV. Past the are french doors leading out into a balcony. To my right is a staircase which leads up to the partial second floor. It extends from the far end of the room to over the living room. Stepping up on to the wooden stairs, I take in the second floor. Another set of glass doors. My bed is next to the left wall. On my right is a door which probably leads to the bathroom along with a few shelves filled with books from my own apartment. But what really catches my eye is the black upright piano against the left wall. So she wasn't lying.

Hayate has a goofy grin on her face. "Well?" she repeats. I glance over the room again. Definitely better than a cabin on a warship. I turn back to her, smiling.
"It's not bad?" I say, speaking for the first time.
"Not bad? It's bloody awesome. Do you know how long it took me to get it like this? Okay, fine. Not that long, but still!" she says all this with an expression of mock horror.
I laugh. I miss being around her."So what do I do now?"
She glances at her watch. "It's almost four now. Why don't you take a shower and a nap? I'll meet you at seven for dinner in the cafeteria. After that I'll show you around and you can meet the forwards."
"Sounds good."
"Oh, and Fate?" I turn around.
"Welcome back, Enforcer T. Harloawn." she salutes me.
I grin at her. "It's good to be back, Commander Yagami." I respond, saluting playfully.
"Glad to hear it, Fate. I'll see you at seven."


Hayate POV

Bwahahaha! Yes! My plan is working. So far. Now I just need to see how Nanoha reacts...

"Hayate,"Fate's voice snaps me out of my daze. "Are you feeling okay?"
"Y-yeah, why wouldn't I?" I stammer out as she sits down. Now her concern turns to suspicion.
"What did you do?" she asks, narrowing her eyes at me.
"Nothing. Not a thing. I haven't done anything." I sweat drop. Not yet anyway. I need to distract her. "Sooo did you run into anyone yet?" She shakes her head.
"Not yet. You said you'll show me around later, right?"
"Of course. Signum isn't here though. She's out investigating something. Oh, that reminds me. Shari wanted to see Bardiche, check if he's functioning properly."
Fate stretches her arms out behind her. "Mm. It's been about three months, right? Well, I think Bardiche is still okay. Though I myself will need to get back in shape."
"Well that's what you get for leaving active duty. Signum will be back tomorrow, why don't you spar with her?"
"I think I will." She finishes the last of her meal.
"Well," I say, getting up. "Let's introduce everyone to the new Lightning Captain, shall we?"


Fate POV

I have to say: I'm impressed. Hayate has really worked hard to get this facility up and running. She has all the best mages, latest technology, everything. I've given Bardiche to Shari. She says he'll be ready by tomorrow. We're on our way to meet the forwards now. I can't wait to see Erio and Caro. It must have been at least half a year since I saw them. And there they are.

"Erio! Caro!" I call out to them. They turn. I see the shock register on their faces. Caro recovers first.
"Fate-san!" she tackles me in a hug. I laugh.
"Wow, you've grown taller, Caro." I hold her at arms length, kneeling down. "You too, Erio." He nods, still dazed.
"I didn't know you were coming, Fate-san," Caro's cheerful voice draws my attention. I smile.
"Well, I didn't know until yesterday as well."
"Huh?" Erio asks.
"Hayate persuaded me to come just yesterday." I stress at the 'persuaded', shooting Hayate a look. She smiles.
"So you guys better work hard, kay? After all the trouble I took to persuade Fate to come."
"Hai!" they say in unison.

"So you're finally back, huh?" Vita's gruff voice makes me look up. Well not so much up...
"Hello, Vita." I greet her. "You haven't grown at least."
"Why you-" she raises her hammer.
"Calm down, Vita." Hayate says. "She's only telling the truth after all."
"Hayate!" She can't hit her mistress so she turns her death glare on me.
"Hehe.." I hide behind Hayate. "Um, where are the other forwards," I change the subject to avoid bloodshed. My blood is very important after all.
"They're still training with Nan-" A look from Erio silences her. "Um, sor-"
"It's alright, Caro." I force a smile, "It doesn't matter." An awkward silence follows.
"Well, you can see them next time," declares Hayate. "It's about time we turn in."
Erio nods in agreement. "We'll see you tomorrow, Fate-san." He leads Caro away and they wave goodbye.

The walk back to the room in made in silence. When we reach the doors to our respective rooms, Hayate smiles at me. "Goodnight, Fate-chan."
"'night, Hayate."

I enter my room. It doesn't feel like it though. It's still unfamiliar, unknown. I fall on my bed, thinking about the last few hours. It's been a long day. Tomorrow will be an even longer one. Despite that, I find myself looking forward to it. This is what I've been missing the past few months. I think I'll spar with Signum tomorrow like Hayate suggested. I should get back in shape as soon as possible. I wonder if I'll see her tomorrow.