Disclaimer: This is an adaptation of a book of the same title by Radclyffe. I do not own this work of fiction or any of the story or characters in this, nor the original Safe Harbor and Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha.

Chapter Eleven

'Fate - you there?'

Fate fingered the button on the microphone clipped to her shirt.

'I copy, Mariel.'

'See the couple at the Lobster Pot there's a child missing.'

'Ten-four,' Fate said curtly as she began to hurry the few blocks to the restaurant. It was not unusual for children to wander away from their parents, but it was always cause for concern. Traffic was heavy and unpredictable, and with the miles of beachfront, the water posed a very real danger as well. She found anxious parents and a boy who looked to be about ten waiting for her.

'I'm Deputy Sheriff Testarossa,' she said. 'What happened?'

'Our daughter,' the father began, 'she's lost. We were just walking, looking in the windows. When we stopped for ice cream for the kids, Sandy was gone. We thought-'

'Bill- ' his wife interrupted in a cautionary tone.

'It's my fault,' the young boy said tremulously. 'I was supposed to be holding her hand, but then a couple of guys on rollerblades came between us and we got separated. She was still right beside me' he choked back sobs and hung his head.

His mother pulled him close. 'It's all right, Nick, well find her. It's not your fault.'

'How long ago did you last see her?' Fate asked gently, trying to keep them calm.

The husband and wife looked at each other in confusion. 'Maybe a half hour?' he said uncertainly.

'And her full name?'

'Sandra Lynn James. She's six.'

'What is she wearing?' Fate continued, jotting notes on her small pad.

'Blue jeans, a yellow tee shirt and red sneakers,' her mother informed Fate.

'Sheriff,' the father hesitated softly, 'our daughter is...'

Fate looked up quickly. 'Yes?'

'She can't communicate very well. She's not very verbal; she's easily distracted. She won't react the way a child usually does if they're lost.'

'What will she do?'

He shrugged. 'It's hard to say. She might sit for hours watching something that catches her attention, or she may just wander.'

'Can she swim?'

The mother stifled a cry and grasped her husband's hand.

'No,' he said desperately.

'Tell me what she likes, what does she like to do?'

For a moment both parents appeared confused.

'She likes the colour red,' her brother said into the silence, 'and she loves birds, any kind of birds.' He took a step toward Fate, his face determined, 'I want to go with you, to look for her.'

Fate knelt down until her face was level with his. 'Your parents are pretty upset. I need you to stay with them, to make sure they're okay. And I need you to think of anything else about your sister that will help us find her. I'm going to give you a special number that you can call to reach me anytime. Okay?'

He searched her face, then nodded. 'All right.'

'Good,' she said as she straightened. 'Mariel,' she signalled into her mike.

'Go ahead, Fate,' a static-y voice replied.

'Wake up Lowran, and have both him and Vice Granscenic call me. Inform the Chief, and the doctor, of what we have. If someone finds a little girl, they may take her to the clinic.'

'Right away.'

Fate turned to the family. 'I want you to wait at the police station. I'll have an officer take you there in a minute. I want to start a store-by-store search back along the way you came. Do you have a picture I can take?'

'Yes,' the child's mother replied, fumbling through her handbag for her wallet. 'Here's her school picture.' She smoothed the picture tenderly with the tips of her fingers before handing it to Fate.

'Please find her, Sheriff.'

Fate tucked the photo into her front shirt pocket. 'Yes, ma'am, I will.'

Fate radioed headquarters as she walked to the nearest shop. 'Mariel, have Lowran pick up this family and transport them to the station, and have Granscenic start a car check at the town line.'

'You don't think someone took her?' Mariel gasped in alarm.

'It's routine, Mariel,' Fate replied grimly. 'And call me with any information you get, okay?'

'Absolutely.'

Fate spent the next two hours personally talking to every shopkeeper west of the place where the Jameses could last be sure their daughter had been with them. She scanned the crowds constantly, checking the benches and doorways along the route where the child might have stopped. There was no sign of the child. Finally, she phoned the station to speak with Tiida.

'It's no good, Chief, we need help. It's going to be dark in an hour and a half, and it will be twice as hard to sort through the crowds. She's either injured somewhere, someone has her, or she's hiding somehow. Can you get volunteers, with a copy of her picture, to start a street-by-street search?'

'There's a womens' health group that's pretty organized. They can pull people together faster than I can at random. Where do you want them?'

'Have them meet me at the Town Hall in half an hour.'

On her way there, she stopped to have photocopies of Sandy's picture made. She was gratified to find fifteen people waiting for instructions when she arrived. As she handed out the child's picture and organized the volunteers into pairs with specific assignments, she saw Nanoha Takamachi and her office staff arrive. She motioned for the doctor to join her.

'Is there anything special I should tell them about the child?' Fate asked. 'You spoke with her parents?'

'I did, and aside from what sounds like some form of autism, she's perfectly healthy. My biggest concern is that it's getting colder, and if she's out all night, hypothermia is a real danger.'

'I know. I want her found before dark.' Fate turned back to the volunteers, directing them off to their search. 'I've called the Coast Guard to begin scanning the shore, and the water. Where will you be if I need you?'

'Vita and Aina are both out searching, so I closed the office. I might as well wait there. You can page me. I've got the Jeep, so I'm mobile. Here's my card,' she answered, scribbling her beeper number on the back. 'Will you call me when you have something?' She searched Fate's face, knowing that she must be feeling the stress. Her dark red eyes were more intense than usual, if that was possible, and her voice a little brusque, but her face betrayed nothing of her emotions. God, was she always this controlled? Nanoha couldn't help but wonder at what cost the stoic sheriff maintained her calm. As a physician she knew how high that price could be. 'Fate?'

Fate was staring out over the harbor, her concentration barely penetrated by Nanoha's voice. 'Do you see that?' Fate asked softly.

Nanoha followed her line of sight, perplexed. 'What? The kites?'

Fate nodded, her gaze captured by a particularly decorative red wide-winged kite. 'She likes birds, her brother said, and the colour red.'

Nanoha stared at her, and then up at the sky. 'Where would she go to get closer to them?'

'Toward the water, out onto one of the piers,' Fate said grimly. 'Will you call the sheriff and have him send one of the men out to check the piers at the west end? I'll start closer to where she was last seen.'

'Yes, of course.'

Fate looked down at her, fixing her eyes on Nanoha's as she gently took her hand. She pressed her fingers lightly. 'Thanks.'

Nanoha felt the brief touch to the bone. The sounds of the crowd receded as her gaze locked with Fate's. She was riveted in place, scarcely drawing a breath. In that moment, she realized that Fate Testarossa was the most intriguing woman she had ever met. And she was beautiful. 'And I'm in big trouble,' Nanoha thought. She swallowed, wondering if she would ever be able to look away. Thankfully, someone demanded Fate's attention at that moment, and Fate released her hand, turning aside.

Nanoha took a shaky breath. Right, find a phone, Nanoha girl, you can do that. Just walk away from her. She has no idea what she's doing, she hasn't a clue to the effect she has on any lesbian with a heartbeat.

And Nanoha realized with a shock that that was probably true. Fate didn't know. And if she didn't know, what did that say about her? Nanoha considered what little she knew of Fate's past. Some part of her had assumed that Fate was a lesbian, seemed to ping her gaydar, and because Nanoha found her attractive. But perhaps she wasn't or perhaps she didn't know that she was! Nanoha shook her head either way, it lets me out. There's no way I'm getting involved with someone who's just coming out, or God forbid, straight!

She watched Fate stride down the sidewalk toward the center of town and willed her heart to stop pounding. It didn't work, but she tried to tell herself it was only her worry over the little girl.

It was close to eight o'clock when Nanoha tossed the last chart onto the cart beside her desk. It had been dark for two hours. She couldn't imagine how the parents must feel, or how frightened the child must be. She hated it when children were sick. It was often impossible to explain to them what was happening, or why she had to do things that hurt them. Too often, she simply had to do what needed to be done, accepting that sometimes she caused pain in the name of healing. But it never got easier. She thought about Arisa, the woman she had loved for ten years, through med school and Arisa's surgical residency, until it had ended four years ago. Arisa had the surgeon's wonderful, and irritating, ability to detach herself at will from emotions that threatened her equilibrium. A necessary skill for the operating room, but a deadly one for a relationship. She had been so damn hard to resist, though, that Nanoha had forgiven her for every hurt but the last. Even her disarming grin and her pledge of undying love could not sway Nanoha then. That was part of the reason she needed to avoid any fantasies about the enigmatic Deputy Sheriff. She had that same irresistible quality of bravado and rakish appeal that Arisa had had. Once was enough! Fate Testarossa might be charming, and gallant, and brave, but she was dangerous, too.

Nanoha jerked in her seat when the phone rang. 'Yes?' she said abruptly.

'I have her, Doctor. We'll be there in five minutes. The parents are on their way,' Fate stated over her car phone.

'What's her status?' Nanoha asked as she rose from behind her desk.

'She's not talking. She's not even crying. But I don't see any obvious injuries. We're just up the street'

'Bring her back to the procedure room.'

'Roger that.'

Nanoha looked up a moment later to find Fate standing in the door of her examining room with a bundle in her arms. A tousled blond head poked out of a green flak jacket emblazoned with the Marine Corp insignia.

'Put her up on the table,' Nanoha indicated brusquely as she reached for a stethoscope. Fate settled the child carefully on the paper-covered surface as Nanoha turned to the little girl with a smile on her face.

'Hi, sweetie,' she said. 'I'm Dr. Takamachi. Can you tell me your name?' She laid her hand gently on the child's knee as she spoke. The little girl's skin was cool to her touch.

'Fate, there's a blanket in the warmer behind you. Get it for me, will you?'

Fate wrapped the soft flannel around the young patient's shoulders as Nanoha placed a plastic thermometer sleeve against the child's earlobe. The little girl watched her in silence, but she didn't seem to be afraid.

'Her temperature is a little low, but not dangerously so,' Nanoha commented as she placed the bell of her stethoscope against the small chest. She noted the strong steady beat with satisfaction. Looking down, she realized the girl's shoes and socks were missing.

'What happened to her shoes?' she asked as she slipped the stethoscope into her pocket.

'I took them off,' Fate replied. 'They were wet.'

Now that she was satisfied that the child was in no danger, Nanoha really looked at Fate for the first time.

'You're soaked, Fate! What happened?'

Fate shrugged. 'She climbed out to the edge of a tide pool, following the kites, I think. The tide had come in quite a ways before I found her.'

Nanoha shuddered inwardly at the image of a small child trapped by the swirling waters, unable to climb out and unlikely to be able to swim. She knew that rescue had come barely in time, and only then because of the intelligence and tireless dedication of the woman beside her. A woman, she noted now, who was shivering slightly while she waited to help further.

'You need to get out of those clothes, Fate,' she said gently.

'I'll stay if you need me,' Fate responded quietly.

Nanoha shook her head. 'She's fine. Her parents should be here soon. Go on.'

'I've got clothes in the squad car. I'll just be a minute,' Fate said, reluctant to leave. She had known instinctively that the little girl was in no danger, but she was captivated by watching Nanoha Takamachi work. Nanoha took charge with a degree of command that Fate was used to, but with a gentleness and empathy that had been absent in the world of men Fate had inhabited. Fate was moved in a way she didn't understand, stirred by the interplay of fierce concentration and compassionate warmth that suffused Nanoha's elegant features.

Nanoha gave her a stern but fond look. 'Go!'

Fate smiled, snapping a crisp salute. 'Yes, ma'am!'

She slipped out as Sheriff Lanster entered with the little girl's parents rushing before him. The satisfying sounds of relieved cries and a happy reunion followed her retreat.

It took a few moments for Nanoha to convince the child's parents that she was absolutely fine, but finally they began to relax after the hours of frantic worry. At length she glanced toward the hall, stunned to silence by what she saw. Fate stood quietly at the door, watching. She had pulled on a pair of faded grey sweat pants and a tee shirt, well-worn clothes that accentuated the shear physicality of her form; stretching tight across her toned shoulders and the curves of her chest, exposing the toned muscles in her arms, clinging to her hips and strong muscled thighs. Nanoha's throat tightened as her heart began to race. She wanted to look away; she wanted to deny the unmistakable wave of desire; she wanted not to find this unusual woman more beautiful than anything she had ever seen. Mercifully, the parents spied Fate standing there and descended upon her, releasing Nanoha from the gaze that unwittingly held her captive.

Fate was clearly uncomfortable with the attention as Mr. James gripped her hand, shaking it furiously as he exclaimed, 'Thank you so much, Sheriff. I can't tell you how much we appreciate what you've done!'

'You're welcome - really,' Fate responded, while trying to extricate her hand from his vice-like grasp. At last he stepped aside, only to be replaced in an instant by his wife. She gazed up at Fate for a moment, her tear-reddened eyes fixed on Fates. Then, unexpectedly, she laid her palm against Fate's cheek in a gentle caress.

'I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't found her,' she whispered softly.

Nanoha watched, transfixed, as Fate tenderly placed her hand over the woman's trembling fingers and clasped them softly.

'I would never let you lose your daughter,' Fate murmured.

Fate's burgundy eyes lifted above the woman's head and found Nanoha's gaze. The depth of her compassion lay open before her, and Nanoha was amazed that she ever could have questioned Fate's feelings. Her caring, exposed for an instant, had the intensity of a mortal wound. Nanoha comprehended in that moment that what Fate hid so well with her strict professionalism and rigid discipline was a degree of empathy that clearly verged on painful. That she hid it unconsciously, probably even from herself, came from years of habit. Nanoha had no doubt of that.

She wondered what hurt had necessitated those barricades, and found herself even more intrigued by the impossibly beautiful, impossibly compelling sheriff. Fate blushed under Nanoha's intense scrutiny, finally looking away. The parents continued their thanks as they gathered their children and followed Sheriff Lanster out, leaving Nanoha and Fate alone in the sudden silence.

'Well, I -' Fate began.

'Have you -' Nanoha said simultaneously.

They laughed, each relaxing as the hours of tension finally dissipated. Fate leaned against the doorjamb and regarded Nanoha with a smile.

'You were saying?'

'I'm starving. How about you?'

'I didn't have dinner, and I don't remember lunch.' Fate glanced at her watch, frowning. 'Unfortunately, its eight o'clock on a Saturday night. We'll never get in anywhere.'

Nanoha held up one finger, motioning her to silence as she lifted the phone from the wall behind her. She dialed a number from memory. 'Sammi? Nanoha Takamachi. Can you fit me in? Yes, right away would be great.' She paused for a second, glancing up at Fate. 'No - for two.'

She laughed, colouring slightly. 'Don't jump to conclusions. We'll be right over.'

'The Flagstaff,' she said as she replaced the receiver, 'let's go.'

'Wait a second,' Fate protested, gesturing to her attire. 'Look at me. I can't go like this!'

Any further looking at Fate Testarossa was exactly what Nanoha did not want to do. 'You look great,' she said, meaning it. 'Besides, this is Provincetown. There is no dress code. No arguing!'

For once, Fate accepted the order, sensing there was no room for negotiation. In truth, the crowd was casual as the hostess led them to a corner table with a beautiful view of the harbor. When chilled champagne in a bucket appeared at their side, she raised an eyebrow in question.

Nanoha shrugged, embarrassed. 'Old friends. I knew both the owners in Boston years ago.' And now they're trying to match-make!

She busied herself pouring the champagne, disconcerted by Fate's silence. She looked across the table into her searching eyes. 'What?' she asked.

'Tell me about Boston,' Fate replied. The look on Nanoha's face when she mentioned it told Fate whatever happened there haunted Nanoha still. She wanted to know what caused that fleeting glimmer of pain.

Nanoha could pretend she didn't understand, but decided in an unguarded moment not to. She rarely spoke of her personal life, but she wanted to now. Fate was looking at her as if her next words were the only things that mattered, and Nanoha wanted her to know. She wasn't ready to ask herself why.

'I lived there for ten years, during my residency, and a few years after. My lover trained there also, and we both went into practice at Boston General when we finished. Sammi and Cindy, the women who own this place, were good friends of ours. They moved here to follow their dream of owning a restaurant, and when Arisa left me, they convinced me to move here. At first, I thought it would just be temporary, until I got my life in order. But now I know that this is my life.'

'Had you been together long, you and Arisa?' Fate asked, her eyes never leaving Nanoha's face.

'Since medical school - almost twelve years.' Without being asked, she continued. 'I was an ER attending. She was a trauma surgeon, and dashing as hell. All the women were after her, and finally she strayed. I found her with one of the nurses in an on call room in the middle of the day. She said it was the first time, but I'll never know, will I? She left me a short time after that.' She couldn't keep the pain from her voice, and she was shocked to find tears in her eyes. Tears that she knew were not so much for Arisa, but for her own disappointment in love.

'I'm sorry,' Fate murmured, hearing the tremulousness in Nanoha's voice. 'That was stupid of me. I didn't mean to stir up old wounds.'

Nanoha smiled grimly. 'Don't be sorry. I thought what we had was forever. I was mistaken. I won't make that mistake again.'

Fate understood the subject was closed. 'My dojo is about finished. Still interested in training?' she asked, searching for safer ground.

'Absolutely,' Nanoha responded enthusiastically, grateful to turn the conversation away from herself, and genuinely eager to discuss their mutual attraction to the martial arts. 'When?'

Fate laughed. 'You remind me of Teana. Always ready to go.'

'Thanks, I think. How's she doing?'

'Really well. She's got natural ability, and if she stays with it, she'll be good.'

'I'm glad to hear it. She's needed some direction.'

Fate debated discussing her concerns about Teana with Nanoha, but decided she shouldn't betray the girl's confidence. She sensed Nanoha would know what to do if things got out of hand, and resolved to talk to her if and when the need arose.

'So how about tomorrow morning? Six-thirty?' Fate asked.

Nanoha laughed ruefully, realizing that for Fate, Sunday was no different than any other day of the week. She obviously had no concept of sleeping in.

'I'll be there. Now let's order. I have to go home and go to bed.'

Fate looked at her in surprise before Nanoha's gentle laughter informed her of the joke.

The meal passed quickly as they spoke of the tourist season and exchanged light gossip about the small-town inhabitants. The food was excellent and the effect of the shared champagne relaxing. They had just ordered coffee when Nanoha realized that Fate's eyes were riveted on someone across the room.

'Excuse me a moment,' Fate said, as she stood and moved resolutely away.

Nanoha glanced after her as she approached two women seated across the room. The loneliness she felt at Fate's sudden absence surprised her. For a time, she had forgotten where she was, or what she needed to do the next day. She had been totally immersed in the moment, and enjoying Fates company tremendously. Fate was unexpectedly insightful, humorous, and entirely focused on Nanoha. It was a heady mixture, considering how physically attractive she was as well. In that way she reminded Nanoha of Arisa, and for the briefest of instants, she panicked. Then she took a breath and reminded herself that they were just having dinner, not getting engaged. When Fate returned a few moments later, she was strangely quiet.

'Are you all right?' Nanoha asked at length.

Fate looked up in surprise. 'Yes, of course.'

'Do you know them well? Lindy and Precia?' Nanoha asked, indicating the couple across the room.

'No, not really,' Fate responded quietly. 'Precia is my mother.'

Nanoha was momentarily at a loss. God, this woman was full of surprises! She remembered how vague Fate had been about her past, and know it was a painful subject. 'Did you know that she was here in Provincetown?' she asked carefully.

'I knew,' Fate said, as she slowly stirred her coffee.

'And -?'

'And I'm not sure what, really,' Fate continued. 'I know she was part of the reason I came here, but I'm not sure what I hope to accomplish. I haven't told my father she's here, and that must mean something.'

'Will he be angry?'

'I'm not sure. I think so. He still hasn't accepted my leaving the Marine Corp, and I'm certain he would think she was part of the reason.'

'Was she?'

Fate was silent for a moment, staring across the moon lit harbor, trying to find the words to explain what she felt six months ago when her life changed so drastically. She had given herself many reasons why the Marine Corp, the only family she had ever known, no longer suited her. She had given herself just as many reasons why Provincetown was the place she should be, but she had never admitted what part her mother's presence played in these decisions. She turned her gaze to Nanoha, hoping the uncertainly she felt didn't show in her face. Nanoha regarded her calmly, waiting without judgement. Fate felt her acceptance and the tension ebbed from her body. She stretched her long frame and gave Nanoha a wan smile.

'Yes, I suppose she was,' Fate began slowly. 'I've known for awhile she was here, but it's been years since we had contact. I grew up trying not to think about her. Most of the time I succeeded. My father made it impossible for us to see one another when I was young, and we never spoke of her.' She looked at Nanoha quickly. 'Don't misunderstand. I love my father, even though he was wrong. He probably acted out of wounded pride, but I never doubted that he loved me. For most of my life, I loved the Marines, too.'

Nanoha laughed. 'Oh, I don't doubt that. In uniform or out, you will always be a Marine!' Suddenly serious, wanting very much to know, she asked, 'So why did you leave?'

It finally felt like time, Fate thought to herself.

Fate gazed past Nanoha to the moonlit water as she chose her words carefully. It seemed important for Nanoha to understand. 'I was born and raised a Marine. I had never left home. It was time to leave - time to build my own life. I think I wanted my mother to be part of it.'

'I hope it works out,' Nanoha said softly.

Fate nodded, pushing her empty cup to the side. 'Thanks.' She glanced at her watch and said apologetically, 'I'm afraid I have to go. I have to get back to work - '

Nanoha was becoming accustomed to Fate's devotion to her job, recognizing that working was what made her comfortable. She wished their evening wasn't at an end, and wished even more that she hadn't enjoyed it quite so much.

Note: Sorry this chapter took longer, but I'm going to be quite busy for a while so it will be at most a week between updates.