A/N: I decided it was time to pick up this story again. My apologies for the delay in updating this one, but it was another case of not knowing where the story should go exactly. A few readers have mentioned in reviews elsewhere that they missed when I wrote pure NanoFate, and they are absolutely right. I've already written four more chapters after this, and I will update with them after they have been proofread and finalized.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from or the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha anime, nor any other movie, actor, brand, song, or character referenced or stated in this story.


Rum-Runner Girls

by : ~Nissanity~

Chapter 8 – Get a Wiggle On


~October, 1923~

Fate POV

Life has a interesting way of presenting you with opportunities that test your character and resolve, even though failure to succeed is not really an option if you decide you can't do it. That was a thought I had mulled over often over the course of the past three months. When Shamal and Hayate offered me the chance to provide all the house liquor for The Orchid Lounge, I thought I had finally arrived and everything would be smooth sailing from here on out. Little did I know that the most difficult journey of my life was actually just beginning.

Unexpectedly long days usually turned into endless nights of stoking fires and making new mashes. The equipment would often break down, and I soon learned how to fix parts in creative ways one would never think possible. The profits were minimal in comparison to the amount of work and cost of repairs necessary, but at the end of the day I did feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that I was at least pursuing some sort of goal in life.

I still continued to do runs with Teana with the same frequency as before on top of it. We were now running almost nothing but brand-name liquor, usually imported illegally from Canada. The demand for all types of alcohol, both premium and house, steadily grew as the club's two new star performers became increasingly popular throughout Chicago.

Nanoha suffered the most in the beginning with my unpredictable hours, leaving her guessing if and when she could spend time with me. Fortunately for her, she and Carim were now finding new fame and glory with modeling offers coming in almost daily for them. They had kept their word to Yuuno from The Herald Examiner that they would only do exclusive work with him for two months, but once that agreement had lapsed the demand for their time and attention exploded. It seemed their unavailability for so long only fueled the desire to pursue them once they were free to do so. Our time together became less and less frequent over the past few months, although we both tried to be understanding and supportive of each others changing lives.

"How far along are you guys coming with the whiskey batch?" I asked Nove as I removed my hat to wipe the sweat from my forehead. The weather outside was turning cold and wet that Saturday morning, causing the basement where we worked to become steamy and muggy inside.

"We will have to replace the mash soon. It's about used up," she said as she continually stoked the coal fire under the still.

I groaned internally, although I didn't want to let on that I didn't have the time or energy to make yet another trip to the general store for ingredients. "Alright, I'll make sure you guys have what you need by Monday since you're off tomorrow," I assured her and Dieci as I began to climb the basement stairs.

"We finished the rum order already. You'll probably want to take it to the club soon so that we can have the containers back for the next batch," Dieci then said.

"Got it. Nanoha is stopping by for a little bit. I'll run it after we get back." I exited through the basement door and leaned my back against it once it was shut. I then fished the pack of cigarettes out of my front pocket and fumbled for my lighter. Once I had one lit, I took a long drag before closing my eyes and resting my head against the door.

"Fate-chan...?" I heard a voice suddenly say in front of me.

"Hmm?" I muttered as my eyes popped open again. Before me was a set of brilliant sapphire eyes staring at me with genuine concern. I glanced down and found the cigarette that was in my hand a second ago was now between Nanoha's fingers. She took a drag from it while she studied me closely.

"Nanoha!" I cried out and reached out to hug her to me. Nanoha giggled at my sudden reaction to her presence and returned the embrace happily.

"Nyahaha! I think you feel asleep standing up, Fate-chan." She kissed me on the cheek once and then pulled away to face me again.

"It's been a really long week," I replied. I rose up from the door and reached for her hand to lead her to my apartment at the end of the hallway.

"More like a long month," she corrected me. "I feel like I hardly see you anymore."

I turned around to face her while still walking backwards. "I'm sorry, Nanoha. But you've been pretty busy too, right?" I noticed she was holding a package wrapped in brown paper under one of her arms.

"Yep! I wanted to show you what they let me take home from my modeling gig yesterday."

"Which catalog was that for again?" I asked as I unlocked my apartment door to let us both inside.

"Sears-Roebuck."

"That's right. I forgot," I said as I shut the door behind me. "You and Carim have had so many jobs lately."

"Um-hmm, now that we aren't stuck doing those stupid interviews with Yuuno anymore."

I leaned against the dining room table and pulled her close to me. "So, is there anything you wanted to do today?"

"Well, we're not going anywhere until you take a shower," she said and touched me on the nose playfully.

I grimaced as she pulled away. "Sorry. I can't even imagine what I smell like right now. I've been downstairs all night."

Nanoha frowned with the look of concern again. "Maybe you're working too hard, Fate-chan?"

"There's no such thing. But it will get better soon. It has to," I assured her.

"Okay..." she agreed reluctantly. She began to pull me towards the bathroom door using the tie hanging loosely around my neck. I clumsily pulled off my shoes and vest as she drug me across the room.

"You can put on a record while you wait if you'd like? I won't be too long," I told her in the doorway leading to the bathroom.

"We'll see. You just get in the shower already."

"Okay, I'll see you soon," I said as she pushed me inside and closed the bathroom door. I shook my head and slapped my cheeks a few times in an attempt to wake myself up for the day ahead with her. I decided to leave my remaining soiled clothing in a pile on the floor before turning on the facets in the shower. As soon as the temperature of the water became ideal, I stepped inside and could immediately feel layers of grime and sweat washing away down the drain.

I heard the bathroom door open up again about a minute later. "Is that you, Nanoha?" I asked.

"Who else would it be, Fate-chan?" she replied with a hint of playful sarcasm. "I was just coming in to take these clothes away. I wanted to make sure you didn't try to put them back on again."

"Thank you! I have another set of clean clothes hanging up that I was going to wear instead."

I was letting the water cascade over my face and hair when I heard the shower curtain slide open behind me. I turned slightly and was surprised to see Nanoha now standing behind me, wearing nothing but a smile. She entered into the shower and shut the curtain again.

"Nanoha, what are you doing?" I asked over my shoulder. She wrapped her warm arms around my waist in response.

"Just making sure you take care of yourself," she replied. I felt her then kiss my shoulder a few times before leaning her head against my back.

"I appreciate your concern. You should stand under the water. I don't want you to get cold or anything."

"In a minute," she replied and instead reached over to grab the bar of soap resting in the rack under the rails of my rib shower. This was the first time she and I had showered together at my apartment. We usually spent our rare moments alone together at her place. Her apartment was much nicer and was equipped with a bathtub as well, unlike mine that only had the freestanding shower.

"That tickles," I laughed as she rubbed soapy hands along my back and down my sides.

"Do you want me to stop?" she asked as she moved her hands around to my stomach.

I shook my head and gripped the bars in front of me. "No, not at all." I moaned slightly when I felt her press her naked body harder against my back.

"Good, because I wasn't going to anyway."

"Aha! Aah..." I gasped when I felt her take my breast in her hand and run her thumb along its sensitive tip. I moved my hand to grip her thigh to keep her pressed up against to me. It had been a long time since I had felt her soft skin against mine and I was more than eager to be able to touch her as well.

"Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere. Let me take care of you first," she said as she slid her hand down the smooth skin of my abdomen. She moved my long hair out of the way to press her lips against my neck intimately. I felt her begin to caress me gently between my legs at the same time, sending a shock wave of arousal through me that made my knees almost buckle.

"Nanoha..." Every stroke and flick of her fingers sent the blood roaring through my veins and clouded my vision before me. It was too good. Too long overdue. I continued to shift restlessly under her touch as I struggled to remain standing. I eventually dropped to my knees to the tile flooring with Nanoha still clinging to me.

"Fate... cha... Are you okay?"" she whispered fervently as she continued to guide me to the first wave of pleasure.

I nodded and whimpered as she pushed her fingers against me harder. I held my breath in anticipation when I felt her move her hand away to position behind me. She enter inside me in one motion, causing me to cry out in a mixture of pleasure and need. "Oh god, Nanoha..." I moaned as I ground myself against her hand.

I could feel Nanoha's soft lips pressed against my back and between my shoulder blades as she held me close to her. I was vaguely aware of the water cascading over both of us as I lost myself completely in her touch. For those few moments, the only thing I knew in my world was the sensations she caused with her consistent movements inside of me. I bit my lip to hold back the screams of pleasures as the ripples of ecstasy eventually flooded over me.

I had just caught my breath before I found my hands exploring her next. Nanoha's body arched and shuddered with her back against the wall, she too lost in the haze of arousal and desire.

"Fate-chan, please...?" she pleaded. I moved my mouth to her breasts and sucked and licked each peak hungrily. She gasped and slid her hands through my tangled hair to guide me where she needed me most. My lips trailed a path down her stomach as she led me between her legs, and I responded with intimate strokes of my tongue.

"Oh god... right there!" she said as her thighs clenched around my ears. My tender persistence continued until I felt her entire body become rigid beneath me. She lost control and kicked and convulsed from an overpowering release. I grasped her waist in my hands to draw her out another time, although she hadn't anticipated my resolve to bring her to climax again.

"Don't stop," she muttered hoarsely once she felt the second wave coming. I ran my tongue along her swollen nerves until she was close again. I finally moved my hand to enter inside of her, causing her to lose her last shreds of self-control. I moaned in satisfaction as when name escaped her lips repeatedly and echoed loudly across the bathroom walls.

"That was intense..." Nanoha said breathlessly and collapsed into my arms afterward. I pushed hair and water away from my face and laughed a little as I supported her against me.

"Yeah, it was. Maybe we shouldn't go so long next time?" I replied.

"I wouldn't object to that. There has to be a better way than this."

"You mean, better than us having sex in one of our bathrooms every few weeks? I don't know, it almost seems romantic?"

"Fate-chan..." she sulked.

I stood up from the floor and helped Nanoha to her feet before turning the water off. "I'm not sure what to say, honestly? Our schedules are so busy right now."

"I know," she replied as we exited the shower, with both of us wrapping white cotton towels around our bodies. I placed my hair back into its usual low ponytail. She replaced the barrettes in her short hair again. "I just wish there was more that I could do to help you out somehow," she added.

"Help me out? I'm not sure how you would? Besides, you need to worry about yourself too. I doubt you're getting enough sleep between performing at night and all these extra jobs."

"Is this just a bad time for us to be in a relationship?" she then asked with a heavy sigh. I turned to face her and tried to mask my disappointment at the statement.

"Do you think it is?"

Although the notion had crossed my mind a few times over the months, any inkling of losing her usually pushed those thoughts away on my end. Nanoha had been the unwavering rock between the two of us as we both pursued our goals in life. Now with her questioning the timing of our relationship, I was tempted to let those thoughts of doubt that had been hanging around the edges of my mind creep in as well.

"I'm worried that I'm taking you away from what you need to do," she said. "Like right now, for example. I'm sure there is something else more important that you could be doing. Or maybe sleeping a little?"

I shook my head and strengthened my resolve. "No, the most important thing right now is us being here together," I tried to assure her as I pulled her closer to me. "Don't worry, I'll be fine. I'd rather spend time with you when I can."

"Okay," she replied with her face buried in my chest. She allowed me to hold her for a few moments before she pulled away. "Oh, I forgot to show you what they gave me yesterday." She turned away from me to retrieve the brown paper bag she had left by the front doorway earlier.

I walked over to the closet and pulled out the clean suit from inside while she open up the package. After placing the clothing on the bed, I turned around and found her wearing a feminine brown trenchcoat over her white towel. "Wow, that looks really... expensive! They really just gave that to you?" I asked.

She smiled and nodded excitedly. "Yep! Carim got one, too. They said it was because she and I did such a good job. Just in time for winter, right?"

I approached her across the room again and wrapped my arms around her underneath the coat. "Well, you look beautiful in it, Nanoha."

Nanoha pressed her lips to mine in response, first gently as I felt her hand trail up my shoulder to the back of my neck. I allowed myself to be lost in the moment again with her as we parted lips and moved against each others mouths eagerly. As I clung to her, I could feel the words welling up inside me that I knew had been lying it wait for quite some time. Maybe even since the first time I had met her.

"Nanoha...?"

"Yes, Fate-chan?"

I closed my eyes and rested my forehead against hers. "I think I'm in - "

The sound of a car horn honking outside my window pulled me away from my haze and sent me crashing back to earth in an instant. I smiled apologetically when she pouted at me for allowing the interruption of our moment. I let Nanoha go and crossed the room to look out the window where the sound was coming from. I found Teana sitting outside in the driver's seat of the Lincoln looking visible grumpy and upset.

"I think I'm in trouble," I said as I watched my partner's impatient actions in the vehicle. "Shit.. .I forgot that we had a run today. I'm sorry Nanoha, but I think I have to break our plans again."

Nanoha nodded sullenly at the unexpected news. I couldn't help but notice tears brimming her eyes. "It's okay, Fate-chan. I understand," she said quietly.

I glanced out the window again. "Man, Teana looks really angry this morning. I doubt it's because I wasn't outside when she got here."

"Didn't she finally go out on a date with Subaru last night?" Nanoha asked as she walked towards the bathroom to retrieve her clothing.

"Hmmm... Maybe it didn't go well?"

I slipped my towel off near the bed and started to get dressed myself. I could feel Nanoha eyeing my half-naked form as she reentered the room after dressing again in the bathroom. She crossed the room to assist me in putting on my side-lacer bra.

"It's hard to keep my hands off you right now," she said as she concentrated on pulling the strings tighter.

I sighed and pulled my shirt up over my shoulders and started buttoning it. "I know. I feel the exact same way." After I tucked it in, Nanoha stood in front of me with my tie in her hand. She pulled my collar up first and placed the loop over my head. She then pulled my collar back down and made sure my tie was on straight for me.

"Do you think you can give me a ride to the club? I have rehearsal today with Carim this afternoon. If not, I can take the trolley."

"No, we can take you," I replied. "We have to stop by there anyway to pick up the payment for today's run."

"Where are you having to go today?" she asked as we walked out of my apartment.

"We're picking up some of premium whiskey today from up north. It's coming in through Milwaukee this time. It's through a little seafood restaurant by the bay."

"You have to go that far?" Her question was laced with disappointment again.

"It's only about a six-hour trip total. I'll be back before you know it," I assured her. "Although, after that I've got to move some rum so I can get the containers back. And then I have to get the ingredients to start a new mash as soon as possible. I don't think I'll be able to see your show tonight, honestly."

"I understand, Fate-chan," she said again quietly.

Before she and I walked out the front door of the apartment complex, I noticed Nove and Dieci standing outside the basement door on their smoke break. "I should be back before you guys have to leave. If not, just shut it down as usual," I told them. They both waved in response.

"How does it feel to be a boss now?" Nanoha asked as we exited out the door into the chilly October morning. She grasped my arm from warmth as we walked down the walkway towards the car.

"It's a lot of more responsibility than I thought it would be. Sometimes I feel like I'm just babysitting," I admitted.

"Hey, Teana!" Nanoha greeted cheerfully as we approached the vehicle and its sulking driver. Teana's mood seemed to become less foul when she noticed Nanoha was with me. It really was difficult for anyone to stay angry with her around. Her cheerful and infectious smile was able to brighten most people's days.

"Hey, Nanoha," she replied with a genuine smile. "I didn't realize you stayed here last night?"

"I just stopped by to say hi to Fate-chan this morning." I held open the door for her and she slid over to the middle of the front seat. The soft top on the car was currently up, and I chose to squeeze in beside her for the body warmth versus riding in the backseat.

"How did it go last night with Subaru?" I asked. Teana immediately frowned again and pulled the car away from the curb. She shifted into second gear in a huff.

"She is such a pain in the ass..." she grumbled.

"Ah, not good then?" Nanoha guessed.

"No, not good at all. It was terrible. But what can you expect from her, really?"

I continued to press her for more information. "Is that it then? No more dates?"

Teana looked over to me and Nanoha a few times and shifted in her seat uncomfortably. "No... I agreed to go out with her again next week."

Nanoha clapped her hands together and held them in front of her mouth in an attempt to hide her smile from Teana. She looked over to me, and we both couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Shut up!" Teana shouted as a blush peppered her cheeks. She then glanced over at Nanoha's brown overcoat. "Is that new?" she asked, obviously changing the subject.

"Um-hmm! I got it after modeling for a catalog yesterday."

"Did they pay you pretty well on top of that?"

"Yeah, it wasn't bad. They offered me another job for next week, too." Nanoha reached over and rested her hand above my knee. She looked over at me tentatively, as if the make sure I was okay with the news.

"That's great, Nanoha," I said and kissed her on the cheek.

"Pretty soon you guys will never see each other at this rate," Teana mentioned as turned the car down a new street.

"Y-Yeah... That is something we are having to deal with, honestly," Nanoha replied.

Teana hummed thoughtfully. "It seems like it would be easier if you two just moved in together? Between what you both make now, you could probably afford something decent."

Nanoha paused in the conversation as she seemed to contemplate Teana's words. She then looking over at me with her eyes shining brightly, almost imploring me to agree to the possibility of us living together. I met her gaze steadily as I considered whether it was too soon or not for us to be exploring that option. I finally just shook my head reluctantly.

"I don't know, Nanoha... I may end up getting too spoiled coming home to you every night. How could we possibly handle something like that?"

My back crashed against the door frame when Nanoha threw herself against me. The impact sent my hat flying off my head to floorboard below. "Would you really want to live with me, Fate-chan?" she asked eagerly.

"I'd be crazy not to, wouldn't I?" Nanoha grabbed my face in my hands and pressed her lips hard against mine, pinning me against the door.

"Ah, geez..." I heard Teana groan beside us when she didn't pull away. "I'm never suggesting anything to you guys again."

Nanoha immediately turned around in the seat and wrapped her arms around Teana's shoulders. "Thank you, Teana," she said happily.

Teana blushed furiously as we pulled into the alleyway behind The Orchid Lounge. "N-No problem, Nanoha," she stammered.

After exiting the car, we all approached the back door of the lounge and entered into the hallway that led to the kitchen. I grabbed Nanoha by the hand to stop her before we got too far into the club. "I'll be there in a minute, Teana," I said. She waved over her shoulder and continued walking towards the office without me.

"Are you really sure about this, Fate-chan?" Nanoha then asked.

"More than anything, Nanoha. I'm not sure how much time I have to help you look for a place, though?"

Nanoha leaned forward and gave me a quick kiss. "Leave that to me then. I'll find us something."

"You're too good to me, you know that?"

"Maybe?" she replied playfully. "But I don't mind. As long as you trust me with it."

I nodded. "I do. You have much better taste than me, after all."

"Ah! I'm so happy about this, Fate-chan!" she suddenly exclaimed and threw her arms around me again. "I just... I really hate your apartment. I'm sorry."

I had to laugh at her candidness. "I know. I do, too. It's terrible."

"I'll come by your place again tomorrow morning before church," she added as we started walking towards the end of the hallway again.

"Okay, I'll see you then." Nanoha left one last lingering kiss on my cheek before we walked away in opposite directions. She headed towards the dressing room in the back of the club. I pushed opened the office door to find Teana again and was instead greeted by the sight of Shamal with her arms crossed over her chest. Hayate was sitting behind the desk with a glean in her eyes.

"So.. what's this I hear about you shacking up with one of our star performers, hmm?" Shamal asked playfully.

oOOOo

Nanoha POV

I practically skipped down the hallway to the dressing room and burst through the door, completely surprising Carim inside. She fumbled with one of her earrings and caught it against her chest before gaping at me with a wide-eyed expression.

"You scared the shit out of me, Nanoha," she gasped.

"Sorry! Wait, what are you doing here so early?"

"Ginga dropped me off here. She has a run in Lafayette with Subaru. So, what has you so excited today?"

"Oh, nothing..." I replied coyly as I sat down in the chair next to her.

Carim narrowed her eyes and turned fully in her seat to face me. "Am I really going to have to draw it out of you, Nanoha?"

I bit my bottom lip and raised my eyebrows at her expectantly. One of my favorite things was tease Carim with news like this, especially when it had something to do with Fate. She and I almost had a rivalry going regarding our relationships, with each of us in playful competition over which one of ours was progressing better than the others.

"You have to guess," I finally said.

"Guess?" she repeated. "Well, if you're acting like this happy is has to do with her. Damnit! And I was doing so well with Ginga, too."

I smiled and leaned an elbow against the dressing room table. "Teana suggested that Fate and I move in together, and she said yes," I announced.

"AAHH!" she screamed and threw her arms around me. "Nanoha! How am I supposed to compete with that?!"

I hugged her back tightly, but as she pulled away from me I could feel my smile fall a little. "Well, it is great. But we aren't moving too fast, are we?"

"Well, maybe?" Carim replied thoughtfully. "But you two are meant for each other. Time doesn't matter in your case, honestly."

"You're right. Plus I'll be able to see her so much more now, I think."

"Well, let's hurry up. We might as well get rehearsal out of the way. Maybe we can go looking for your new apartment together this afternoon?"

"You would help me out?" I asked.

"Of course! I'll probably drag Ginga along if she gets back in time. That way I can drop a few hints of my own in the process," she said with a playful wink. A soft knock unexpectedly came to the dressing room door while we continued to get ready for rehearsal.

"Come in!" I said loudly.

"Hellooooo?" a cheerful voice called out. Carim and I were immediately on our feet when we caught sight of our visitor.

"Hayate! I didn't realize you were here at the club. How are you today?" Carim asked.

Hayate waved her hand. "I'm doing good. I came to say congratulations to Nanoha. I just heard the news about you and Fate," she said.

I could feel my cheeks flush in embarrassment. "Thank you. I guess word travels fast, huh?"

"There are no secrets in the family. I was actually thinking of taking you both out to lunch today to celebrate."

"Oh, that would be wonderful! But what about rehearsal?"

"It's fine. I'm sure you can skip it for just one day. We'll make it a girls' day out," she replied and abruptly turned to walk back out the door. Carim and I scrambled to collect our belongs to hurry after her.

"What is she up to?" Carim whispered as we followed behind her in the hallway.

"I have no idea." Hayate rarely held informal engagements with us, albeit it was mostly due to her busy schedule. With the business of the club growing more and more everyday, she often found herself tied up with juggling that on top of her other business ventures and laundering practices.

"I hope you don't mind, I have to make a quick stop first before we go to lunch?" she mentioned as we approached her white Mercedes parked behind the club.

"Of course. If we can help with anything, just let us know," I replied. I squeezed into the middle of the front seat first. Carim slide in beside me and shut the passenger door behind her.

"It's possible I may need your help, actually." Hayate pulled out of the parking spot and began driving us to the unknown destination. "So, I hear you two have been getting a lot of extra modeling jobs now?" she then asked.

"Yes, we have. But we don't allow it to affect our work at the club in any way," I replied.

Hayate smiled. "I know. You both have been nothing but good to the family and I thank you for that. I hope that we will be able to keep you with us for a long as possible."

"You treat us so well. I don't have plans on going anywhere," I said.

"Me, neither," Carim added.

"That's good to hear."

A comfortable silence fell over the cab of the car as we left our bustling section of Chicago and entered into a more residential district of town. New brick bungalow-style homes lined the streets at each turn we took.

"This development is one of the family's investments," Hayate said to us as we pulled up to the curb in front of one of the homes. I first noticed the broken front window that was boarded up from the inside. The lawn looked in disarray with trash littered across the front of it, while the grass itself looked like it hadn't been trimmed in quite some time.

"Yuck. What happened here?" Carim asked the eyesore in the middle of the other pristine houses.

"The previous tenant was a drunk. I had Vita throw him out a few days ago. This is the first time I've been able to stop by to see the damage myself. It's the price you pay for being a landlord, honestly. Not all renters are this bad, though. Just some of them."

Carim and I were careful not to step on any of the broken glass littering the porch as we approached the house. Hayate unlocked the front door and pushed her way inside. The living room was filled with trash as well, and there was an unidentifiable smell coming from the direction of the kitchen.

"Well, this certainly needs a lot of work..." Hayate mumbled as she looked around.

"It's not too bad, though," I said as I looked up the stairs, although I was sure there was an equal mess to be discovered on the other end of them. "It just needs to be cleaned really well."

"So you think it has potential?" she asked me while standing in the middle of the trashed living room.

"Well, of course! It would be a great home once it was all fixed up again. A little paint and wallpaper could go a long way."

Hayate smiled and slapped me hard on the shoulder. I then felt her press something into my hand. "Great! I'll leave it up to you then, Nanoha. One less thing I have to worry about."

I looked down at the key to the front door in my hand as she passed by me. "Wait, Hayate! I'm sorry, but I don't really have time to clean this up. I mean, I can try to, but between the jobs and performing - "

"Are you sure, Nanoha? I thought you would want to be able to fix up your new home with Fate how you see fit?" she said in the doorway. I clutched the key in my hand and turned towards to Carim. She was grinning at me broadly.

"Well, shit! You really beat me and Ginga now!" Carim said happily and gave me a huge hug.

I stood with my arms at my sides in a state of shock and disbelief. "Is this really happening?" I asked quietly as I looked around the house.

"Yes. Now let's get out of here before I throw up. I'm starving anyway." Hayate left me in my stupor as she exited the house to head back to the car.

I shook my head and ran out the front door after her. "I really can't accept this," I tried to protest as I caught up with her on the walkway.

"Don't worry about it. You guys just stay here until you decide whether you want to live here or not. If you do, you can buy it from me. If you end up not wanting it after all, I'll just sell it. But at least it will be fixed up and liveable again in the meantime."

I finally nodded. "Okay, I can handle that."

"So, are you guys ready to eat?" she asked as she walked back to the car. I turned around one last time to take in the sight of where Fate and I would be calling home soon. I removed my set of keys from the pocket of my overcoat and slid the new key to the house onto the keyloop.

"No place like home. Right, Nanoha?" Carim said when I finally climbed into the car beside her.

I smiled brightly at her and Hayate. "You're absolutely right, Carim. Everything is pretty much perfect now."


A/N: Infamous last words, right? I'll update soon ~Nissanity