Disclaimer: I do not own MGLN but my girlfriend reckons she should!

Author's Notes: Thanks to Redmoon021 and Lance58 for the reviews and to all following this story. Finally the chapter you have all been waiting for Nanoha and Fate finally meet :-)

I have decided to change the rating down to a T for now but will change it back to an M-rating along the track when things get heated.

Hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 10

Peace

Fate's POV.

I look at my watch, 17:47. I have finished scouting the area. I know were most things are located in this area. Tomorrow I will scout further. Everything is committed to memory, the police department, the best hiding spots and vantage points, shortcuts, deep alleyways to disappear in, the grocer absolutely everything is committed to memory. There can be no room for errors on future missions due to my lack of knowledge. Future missions… I do not want to think what they will entail now that I am living here in Uminari city. I have to try harder to make mother happy although I am not too sure I understand what happiness is anymore.

I should be heading back to the apartment. Linith will be waiting. With a deep sigh I stop. I should take the train, it will get me back faster.

I watch as the streets start to crowd. I guess everyone is going home from work. I remember this from a long time ago before I became the Projects property and from Linith's teachings. I need to get used to the crowds again. I need to walk amongst all these people and learn to go with their flow so I am able to vanish within it should the need arise. I am a little nervous, what if they can see right through me and what I do? No get a grip! I shouldn't be silly. Of course they won't know what I do or who I am. There is that saying that you can disappear in a crowd. No one cares who you are. People are just trying to get to their destinations. I shake my head and run my left hand through my hair. I still have bandages on my right hand from the last mission.

I inhale and step into the thick blanket of commuters that seems to be heading towards the train station. So far so good. As predicted no one cares nor looks. I feel like an ant marching with the colony. I place the hoody of my black jacket over my head and stuff my hands in my pockets. I tune in and out to others conversations whilst keeping an eye out for potential danger. Trust no one but your instincts.

"I can't believe you said that to the waiter, the poor thing. He blushed so deeply and almost dropped your cappuccino. You are so cheeky Hayate nyahaha."

That laugh seems to vibrate through me. It is an open, honest and free laugh. I listen…

"I was just complimenting him, there is nothing wrong with that. Plus you were the one to tell me that people need to be complimented more."

What a strange conversation. I peek to my right to get a look at the two girls. The one named Hayate is almost right next to me and her friend with the open, honest and free laugh is next to her.

"Well I did but going out right and saying he had a nice firm arse was a bit too much for a first compliment for the shy boy."

"Hahaha well it did look nice and firm. I simply told the truth."

"Hayate you have no shame with neither men nor women."

"Ah Nanoha in truth I am simply showing you flirting techniques so that one day you make your sensei proud and shamelessly seduce."

Nanoha and Hayate. Those are their names. Nanoha and Hayate. I like the sound of them. I wonder what it would be like to say them aloud. A luxury I will not indulge in.

"Hahaha whatever Hayate." I look at the girl named Nanoha. She has a side ponytail and her eyes are momentarily closed as she laughs that unique laugh. Suddenly her eyes open and are looking directly into mine, piercing my soul with their intensity.

Damn I got caught. I quickly look away and bow my head down.

"That's whatever Hayate-Sensei to you." The other girl unknowingly saves me by distracting her friend. Both girls are laughing now as I lose sight of them in the sea of people.

I walk a few more minutes listening to snippets of other peoples lives all around me. I must remember that it takes longer to get to the train station when it is crowded. How different this all is to where I was yesterday at this time.

The station seems even more crowded if that's even possible. I am at the front of the designated platform waiting for the train to arrive. I stand behind a row of commuters that are standing behind the yellow line that mustn't be crossed when a train is approaching or departing. There is a constant buzz as people talk. The train pulls up and I along with what must seem like hundreds of people step inside. We are crammed in tightly. People still manage to fill the carriage then finally the doors shut. As the train starts everyone shifts slightly. It is impossible to fall as you are almost intimately surrounded by strangers who keep you standing.

A few moments pass when I notice a strange feeling on my waist. We are all boxed in so tight that people are unfortunately pressed against one another. Suddenly the pressure on my waist is gone and I almost believe it was my mistake when I feel it on my backside. No there is no mistake that someone behind me is feeling me up.

What should I do? Do I make a scene, draw attention to myself and pommel this creep or wait? It can't be long to the next stop. I can wait it out. It wouldn't be good to be noticed on the first day. I can endure this. I have endured worse. I close my eyes trying to gain control over my anger to snap this creeps wrist.

The creep seems to gain more courage from my lack of reaction and silence by groping my backside. His slimy hands feel their way around to their owner's content. I grit my teeth and imagine a hundred and one ways to break his fingers and hand. Come on Fate you can do this. He isn't an assigned target plus you deserve this in the long run. Yes that is right. I do deserve this. I sigh in resignation and accept my predicament. For in the grand scheme of things what I have done is worse than what this pervert is currently doing.

The pervert behind me gets bolder and puts both his hands on my hips. He feels his way down then slowly he slides his hands up under my jacket and shirt. His hands make contact with bare skin. I involuntarily jerk at the sudden contact. I can imagine the grin on his face and mentally berate myself for giving him the satisfaction.

His hands go higher and higher and just before he reaches my bra someone yells next to me.

"Keep your filthy hands to yourself pervert." I turn to see a familiar face who somehow magically managed to swim through the sea of people to make it next to me and is looking directly at said pervert. I watch amazed as her left hand flies to the man's face and makes contact with the perp's nose who in turn releases me and cups his nose with both hands. At the exact same moment the train stops and its doors open releasing a wave of people. My hand is gripped tightly and I am dragged out with the rest.

My mind is in a slight daze as I am led away from the station. I look down at our joined hands. Her hand is unlike the creep's ones. Hers is holding onto mine securely yet gently. Her hand is radiating warmth. I have never been touched like this. My mind starts to race. What is this? Why did she intervene? She wouldn't if she knew who I really am and what I have done.

We reach a quieter area. My captor stops walking and turns to face me maintaining her hold on my hand. I take a better look at her and notice the colour of her eyes. Blue, I once read a long long time ago, is the colour of infinity and peace. Nanoha…

"They have no right to touch you like that." She says to me. "Perverts think just because they are on a crowded train they can get away with it but you mustn't let them. No one has the right to touch you without your permission." I blink at what she says. No one has the right to touch me without my permission. That right gets forfeited the moment you become property of the Project.

"Oh damn I think I lost Hayate on the train." At that she pulls out her phone from her pocket and presses a few buttons then puts it back into her pocket. "Sorry I haven't even introduced myself, I seem to be doing that a lot today nyahaha, my name is Nanoha. It is a pleasure to meet you."

A beautiful smile graces her face as she introduces herself. Her head is slightly tilted to the side as she waits for a response from me. This is were Linith's Conversation 101 classes come in.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, my name is Fate" I reply.

"Fate" she says as if tasting the sound. "What a beautiful name. This may be a long shot but could it be that you are Linith's niece?"

How does she know that? Who does she work for?

"Yes I am. How do you know that?"

"You will never believe this but I am your neighbour. I met Linith this morning. What a coincidence nyahaha. Isn't it a small world?"

Ah that explains it.

"Indeed it is. Thank you for…um…coming to my rescue on the train." At this an interesting red tint materialises on Nanoha's cheeks.

"It's my pleasure Fate, what he was doing was wrong. More people should stand up to them." She says and tries to look directly into my eyes.

"Hey Nanoha." Someone shouts from a distance. I turn to see a brunette running to catch up. I recognise this person to be Hayate. Hayate makes it to us panting heavily with her hands on her knees. "Man am I unfit. Thanks for the text Nanoha, I would never have found you otherwise. Hahaha way to go by the way. One minute I was chatting to you and the next you somehow managed to move in that overly crowded carriage and deck that guy, hahaha the Devil strikes again. What was he doing?" At this question she looks from Nanoha to me then to our still linked hands. A grin slowly starts to adorn her face. "I see you managed to catch yourself a damsel in distress. Nice. You learn fast my young Padawan and to think I only showed you flirting techniques. At this rate you will surpass your Sensei."

At this Nanoha and I instantly release our hands. The red tint on Nanoha's cheeks seem to get a shade darker. I immediately notice coldness take back residence on my fingers.

"Hayate!" Nanoha says as she playfully hits Hayate on the shoulder then winces. "Ow my hand is a little tender."

At that I feel guilty. Again someone got hurt because of me. Nanoha seems to take notice of my sudden change in aura and says "I would gladly do it again although I would love to learn to punch properly first."

"So what happened? I am assuming it has something to do with this mysterious blonde." Hayate asks.

"Ah yes, first things first Fate this is my best friend Hayate, Hayate this is Fate who coincidentally happens to be my new neighbour."

"Yo." Hayate says as she casually salutes me. I nod in return.

"Well you see, whilst chatting to you on the train I saw a pervert feeling up Fate here. I saw red and decided to intervene."

"That's my girl. It's a shame you missed the look on that creeps face, it was priceless and you." Hayate looks at me whilst pointing an accusing finger to my nose.

"Yes?"

"No one is ever allowed to touch you without your permission." If only it were that simple. I nod to her to keep her happy.

"Hey why don't we all go back to my place for dinner and invite Linith and celebrate new neighbours as well as new friendships?"

"Good plan Nanoha." Hayate says to which they both look at me. And here I was hopping to go virtually un-noticed in the area. Damn! I guess this is what Linith was talking about when she said I should blend in as much as possible.

"Thank you. I and Linith, I am sure would be pleased to accept your invitation."

"Yay lets go."

What exactly have I gotten myself into…

To be continued…