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

Author's Notes: Thank you Ris aeto btheta and Lance58 for you lovely reviews. I will keep posting chapters, hopefully once a week. Hayate will be cheekier ;-) in future chapters as only Hayate can be :-D

Thank you also to those following this story.

And now chapter 7…

Enjoy!


Chapter 7

Ice

Fate's POV.

I awoke to the sound of a key being clumsily inserted into the key hole of the metal door. I yawn and sit up in bed. My ribs are tender but feeling a lot better. Finally the person on the other side of the door manages to unlock it and pushes it open. A small warm smile greets me with the person who has just entered juggling a tray of food, keys and a folder.

Linith.

"Fate, did I wake you?"

"No" I lie.

"Ouch that cut on your lip looks nice and sore. Did you get into a fight with the target last night?"

"No" the truth. I lower my head at the though of the family man from last night.

"Ah… I see" she says. No explanations needed. Not that I would give one anyway. Linith sets down the tray of food and the folder beside me on the bed. "Lunch or should I say dinner seeing how late it is already. I took the liberty of making sure you got adequate hours of sleep considering when you got back." She smiles again.

"Thank you" I reply no hint of emotion visible on my face.

"There is no need to thank me. Your health is important. I guess I should fill you in on your next mission." She states as she gets up and moves towards the sink. She opens the tap and pulls out a tissue from her lab coat pocket. I watch as she wets a corner of the tissue turns around and makes her way back to me. She bends down and starts dabbing my cut with it seemingly getting rid of the excess dry blood around it. Her other hand dips down into her lab coat once more and she pulls out a small bottle. She opens the bottle and the familiar smell instantly hits my nostrils, disinfectant.

Linith always carries it with her.

She pours some disinfectant on the other corner of the tissue. "This may sting a little Fate, not that you ever complain about it anyway." I watch her lean in again and dab my cut. I would love it to sting. I would love to feel the burning sensation of it on my lip. It would take my mind off last night.

Linith leans in closer as if inspecting my cut and whispers softly so only I can hear "You had no choice. It isn't your fault. Stay strong Fate." She leans back and more loudly adds "It's not a bad cut, should heal nicely."

She takes a big risk in getting caught doing this but then again Linith has always done this. Ever since she has been assigned to me Linith has been secretly giving me brief encouragements, slight hand squeezes and words of comfort. I have mixed feelings about it. On one side it helps me confirm that I am not crazy, it stops me from freezing the left over shards of my broken heart completely. However it is also a curse. Linith's comforting words torment me. It is a constant reminder of my past self that is no more. I will not confide this to Linith though.

It is a matter of time before Linith gets caught. The Project does not tolerate interference with their Experiments. I am an Experiment and Linith my teacher and guardian. She sometimes accompanies me on missions instead of mother and Jail. It depends on how high profile the client is.

Linith has taught me how to stay alive as well as nursed me back to health when missions have turned sour. She has taught me strategy and human psychology as well as educated me about the world. She makes sure I stay healthy and fit and that I have all basic necessities like food, clothing and weapons during missions. She is supposed to be indifferent towards me. She is to report back to mother my every movement. Everything I say or do is recorded as I am an Experiment. It is important for my conditioning. However Linith is different from others working for the Project. She doesn't see me as an experiment. She cares but can only do so much.

One day she will get caught. One day it will all end.

The Project is always watching and listening to everything going on in this building as is testament by the camera in the room and if possible to most matters outside as well. Members belonging to the Project are everywhere.

"Okay so this next mission. The bad news is that unfortunately we have to leave as soon as possible. The good news is that it doesn't involve direct contact with the targets."

I nod to show I am listening as I pull the tray towards me and start eating without tasting. Linith opens the folder she had brought along with her and scans the contents with her eyes before she continues: "The objective is the target's home this time. The client wants to send a message to its owner by burning it down to the ground."

A task like this can surely be done by the client or at least his henchmen. It isn't too hard to burn a house down. I guess he just doesn't want to get caught doing it. Same as with all the others. They do not want to get their already dirty hands even dirtier, if that is even possible. They also want the prestige of knowing they hired the Project to do it. They want their targets to know that the Project is involved.

"So the client would like it to be a big display therefore wants you to perform the task at night. He wants I quote 'the city to glow'. According to his information the owner will be returning home late so we shouldn't be interrupted." Linith closes the file and looks at me. "I will be accompanying you on this mission. Precia has to attend to another… um…"

"Experiment" I finish what she struggles to say.

"Yes." She says guiltily and picks up my empty tray. "Would you like a change of clothes before we head off?"

I look down at my black cargo pants and shirt. "No, the ones I am wearing are fine, thank you." I do not need new clothes. The ones I am wearing are already stained with the unjust retribution I sought. I look at my hands. They are also stained with blood, blood from countless innocents that I punished. Even thought I cannot see the blood I know it is there, tattooed on the surface of my skin, reminding me of my sins.

"Okay so let's make our way." Linith says as she walks to the door again juggling the tray, folder and keys. "I have the van ready for us outside." She opens the door and drops the folder. I pick it up and walk out behind her. We both head down a flight of stairs and walk into the research facility.

In the main research facility everything is white: the walls, the tables, the chairs, the lab coats, monitors, everything. The look is sterile but clean. Anything out of the ordinary is picked up straight away. My dark clothes contrasts with the blinding surroundings. I notice several closed doors, some that I have never been through while others I wish to forget about. All eyes are on us as we walk through the lab. Linith nods to a few people, hands the tray to a colleague and takes an access card out from her top shirt pocket.

I look into the eyes of the people working here. Some are here due to circumstance probably forced, some because they are just as malicious as the Project and some are probably clueless. Most know that I am the daughter of Precia Testarossa and take a few steps back as well as lower their gaze not wanting to be caught accidentally staring too long. The punishment for interfering is severe.

As we head towards the exit I hear low murmuring behind me, not caring what is being said I carry on behind Linith. I look ahead and see two guards on either side of the door and a stair case to one side leading down into another unknown area below us. The guards scan Linith's access card and allow us to exit. They look at me with the same indifference I give them, we are all trained by the Project.

As we step outside I notice that it is dark. I have slept throughout the entire day. It doesn't matter. The night suits me better anyway. The van is parked right in front of the building. Linith opens the passenger door, I hand her the folder I'd been carrying and step in. She closes the door behind me and heads around to the driver side.

Normally procedures are quite strict as to heading out to a mission. However because I am with Linith things are always a little different. Linith sits beside me on the driver's side and buckles her seat belt. She leans over and opens the glove compartment, pulls out the black bag and hands it to me.

I sigh, look out towards the building one more time through the tinted glass of the van and place the bag over my head, engulfing me in darkness. Fortunately it is breathable material although at this point it may just be a comforting reprieve if it weren't. I wouldn't have to be a puppet anymore.

Linith breaks me out of my thoughts: "You know Fate, it won't be long before you won't need that bag anymore. I have spoken to Mistress Testarossa about your progress and she seemed pleased." Linith starts the van, puts the car in gear and heads off to our destination. I think Linith is oblivious to the Projects real intentions. Like me they give her only bits and pieces.

The black cloth over my head is all part of my conditioning. Jail told me as much although I could have guessed it. It probably has something to do with ultimate control the Project has over the Experiment, the shameful domination. It also doesn't bother me anymore. I wonder if that is a good or bad thing? Well judging from what Linith has just said it's a good thing for the Project. I stop thinking and listen to the sound of the engine. It's safer than my thoughts. I can feel that Linith wants to talk but doesn't dare. The van is probably bugged.

The trip is done in silence and before I know it I am allowed to take the bag off my head and put on gloves. I stare at the house in front of me. People would probably call it sweet and cosy. I look to the right and left of the house. Good at least the other houses aren't too close so as to catch on fire although you can never control burning embers. Furthermore it seems that no one is home on either house next to the soon to be burning one. The targets house is dark and the curtains are drawn. Linith parks a little further away so as not to draw suspicion.

I look around and notice that no one is in sight. Everything seems calm in this quiet neighbourhood that is until I disturb it. I walk around to the side of the house and just before I turn the corner I make out Linith spray painting my calling card for the target onto the pavement in front of the house.

I look up at the windows and notice there aren't any burglar bars on any of them. I scan the house carefully to make sure there isn't an alarm system and to make sure no one is home. I am not surprised to find that there isn't one. This is supposed to be a peaceful safe neighbourhood.

With my gloves on I break the glass of a window waist high to the floor and big enough for me to crawl in. There is no need to be quiet. I break the entire glass frame so it doesn't hinder me. I climb into the house. All is still. The glass under my feet crunches as I walk away from the window and make my way further into the house. I walk into the kitchen and start looking for anything flammable. I would normally bring things with me but know that most people stock materials that can be used to start a fire. I go through the cupboards but then notice the gas stove. I do not want to cause an explosion but use it to start fires around the house. I switch on the stove and proceed to spread the fire all around the house. I open windows to let fires best friend oxygen in. I stand inside for a bit watching, making sure it spreads. Satisfied I walk out the front door and turn around. It is amazing how fast fire can spread when it has its three essential components: oxygen, fuel and heat. Heat… I want to feel it.

The house is almost entirely consumed in flames. They seem to be coming out the windows chasing out the black suffocating smoke.

I take the glove off my right hand and stretch it towards the fire.

"Fate what are you doing?" Linith calls out.

The fire feels icy against my outstretched hand. I feel goosebumps spread along my arm. Why doesn't it feel hot? Isn't fire supposed to burn? What does this mean? I take a step forward standing dangerously close to the fire, my hand still outstretched. My blonde hair is dancing wildly around me with the air currents produced from the flames.

"Fate" Linith tries again but I don't hear her. My focus is on the inferno in front of me. I listen to the roar of the fire consuming the house. I am hypnotised by the demons playing within the flames. The clothing on my right arm seems to be smoking and I can smell the hair on my hand burning. I stretch my hand further and make contact with the fire. I feel nothing but am aware of a different kind of smell reaching my nostrils. I feel like I am in a trance. Time seems to freeze.

Suddenly someone knocks my hand away from the alluring flames and grabs my shirt pulling me away from the fire. I stand still in a daze and look at Linith. She looks angry, worried and scarred all at once.

"Fate what the hell were you doing? Oh my God look at your hand." She picks up my right sleeve wincing at the heat from the fabric. I look at it as well. The fire is producing ample light for us to see. I must have had it in the flames for a brief couple of seconds but that was enough to cause noticeable burns.

"We have to get out of here." Linith pulls me to the van, opens the door and pushes me in. She gets in on the other side and speeds off leaving the as promised glow of the burning house behind us.

We are at a considerable distance away from the fire. I can't hear it anymore but can still make out the light and smell the smoke. We passed several fire trucks along the way. They will never get there in time. Linith parks on the side of the road without turning the engine off. Flakes of black ash seem to be descending from the icy heavens. They lightly brush the windscreen on their way down as if praising us for their existence. Linith puts the overhead light on in the van and picks up my right arms.

"This isn't good but it could have been worse. We need to get it checked out by the doctor back at the Fortress. Hopefully it shouldn't scar much. What were you thinking?"

I look at my hand. It stings but the pain is manageable. It is actually a welcome feeling to the nothingness or guilt I usually feel.

Linith places both hands on either side of my cheeks and lifts my face to face her. She looks me in the eyes. Her eyes are so very different from mother's. She seems to be trying to find an answer in mine but what she hopes to find is no longer there. She will be disappointed. There is neither hope nor life left in them. She bows her head her hand still on my cheeks. A tear escapes her now closed eyes. Is she crying? Why is she sad? I do not understand.

"I am sorry." Linith whispers as we drive back to the Fortress.

To be continues …