Disclaimer: I do not own MGLN but my girlfriend reckons she should!
Author's Notes: A big than you to Guest; William Lockheart; Derka; Guest; Guest 1; ZonaRose; kurosunoiku; LC Rina; nanofatelicious and nanofatehere for you reviews for the last chapter. You guys are the best! I really appreciate you reviews. Thank you! Also a big thank you to all those following this story.
Thank you Niteprincess for favouriting this story (wasn't possible to send you a PM to say thank you).
Derka: Don't worry Quattro will definitely get a good beating…soon-ish. I am jealous that you do not suffer hangovers. Lucky! :-P Sounds like you always win kings cup :-D Favourite alcohol?
And now the moment you have all been waiting for. What did Nanoha see? The answers lie below…
Chapter 20
Safe
Nanoha's POV.
Oh my God. I gasp in surprise, awe and horror.
Fate swivels her head around.
"What's wrong?" Directly behind me is a mirror. Fate turns only to be caught by the reflection of her back in the mirror. My eyes are transfixed in front of me. I look at Fate and notice the surprise on her face as she gazes in the mirror. I watch as that surprise turns into what looks like disgust. Her eyes lock with mine for a brief second and I recognise shame in them. She turns her head away from me and the mirror.
I dare return my eyes to her back. Occupying most of her back it is the most intricate black and golden butterfly wings tattoo. The wings are tattooed in such a way that it looks like they are her wings coming out of her shoulder blades. They are beautiful yet for some reason they evoke such sadness. I look closely. It can't be. Are those scars? Littered all over her back are scars of various thickness and length. If you took a quick glance you might miss them. They almost look like they are part of the wings giving off the impression of being the powdery veins forming a puzzle of untold horrors.
I tentatively reach out with my hand to a particularly thick looking scar. My fingers brush the skin of her back lightly. Fate flinches at the contact. I remove my hand. How did something like this happen? Who could have done something like this? How could they? Clearly evil does exist. Oh they look like they would have hurt so very much. Oh Fate! Did you go through this alone?
"You are disgusted, aren't you? Hahaha I can't blame you." I could hear bitterness in her voice laced with anger.
"No I'm not." I watch as she puts her singlet top on leaving her bra on. Her hands go to her head and I see her fingers digging into her temples and forehead. Her mind seems to be flooding with memories and emotions.
"Liar!" Anger evident in her voice. Fate starts rocking back and forth. I quickly stretch my arms out and hold her.
"I would never lie to you Fate, never." She struggles in my embrace but I won't let go. "I am disgusted in whoever did this to you."
"I deserved it." The conviction with which she says this breaks my heart.
"No you didn't. No one deserves this." Fate stops struggling. I feel her lean into me. "Fate?" She must have passed out again. I feel her chest rising and falling steadily. Gently I lie back still cradling her in my arms. I ever so slowly place her head on the bed and move myself next to her.
I need to get changed. I carefully shift. This doesn't wake her. I continue to move until I am almost off the bed. I am about to stand when I feel something pulling on my skirt. I look down and notice a hand clutching at the fabric.
"Don't leave me, please." My heart aches at those words. I couldn't leave her even if I wanted to.
I kneel down and place a kiss on her forehead. "I will never leave. I am just getting changed into something more comfortable. I will be right here." With this Fate seems to relax a little and releases the hold on my skirt.
I quickly grab the clothes Hayate got me and get changed. I put on my sleep wear. I turn to look at Fate and rub my forehead. What happened? Is this why Fate seems so devoid of emotions? No, that is not right. She has so many emotions locked up inside. I have seen such a spectrum tonight, but unfortunately due to the drink spiking. Fate! I want to protect you. Will you let me in? I want to help free you from your pain.
So much has happened tonight, first with the dancing, then the revelation of the drink spiking and finally her pain. How did she know her drink was spiked? Who did she fight with in the bathroom? Are the drugs and fight related? And who inflicted those scars on her back? I have so many questions. I want to ask Fate, but will it hurt her to think about it and will she tell me? Hopefully the morning light will bring some answers.
I hope things won't be awkward tomorrow.
I switch off the light and crawl back into bed, right next to Fate. She is curled in a foetal position. I can imagine her like this as a child. Curled in this exact position. Vulnerable to whomever inflicted those wounds. Alone and scared. Was Linith there? Is this what she meant when she said she was powerless? Fate shifts and her hands cling to my shirt. She brings them back to her and I am forced to move with her. I place my right arm around her waist.
I want to keep you safe. My eyes close, the day's events taking their toll on my energy. So much has happened yet I have so many questions. I am so tired.
I drift to sleep…
"I'm sor…" I wake up with a start. What was that? Fate? Fate is moving next to me and talking. I sit up.
"Mmm…Sorry…better…" What is she saying? Her back arches violently to an unknown touch from her dreams.
"Fate?" Her breathing picks up. It is almost like she has just done a 100 metre sprint.
"My fault…no…mmmm…please…mmmm…" Her back arches yet again. It is almost like she is having a seizure. Her breathing is shallow and fast. If I had to take a guess, I'd say she is reliving the painful memories of those scars. I need to wake her.
"Fate, honey, wake up. Fate." I place my hand on her forehead. It is clammy and hot. Her hair is sticking to her face. "Fate." I say a little more forcefully. I try to nudge her with my hand. She won't wake. I have to wake her from this nightmare.
Her body twists and writhes to a pain I can not comprehend. Her hands grip onto the bed sheets. She turns. Her back is to me. I shift closer to her. Her breathing is so fast. She is hyperventilating.
"…stop…stop…STOP…belong to you…obey…" Fate. I place my arms around her and press my front into her back. I hold on tight to her. Her body is so tense. Her skin feels like it is on fire. I can feel her heart slamming against her chest, begging for release. I whisper in her ear.
"Shhh Fate, I am here. They cannot touch you as long as I am here. You are safe. Shhh. You are safe with me." Her back arches once more then falls limp. Her breathing is still fast. "I'm here. I won't leave. You can sleep peacefully in my arms." I won't leave you.
Her breathing starts to slow. Thank goodness, she is relaxing.
"Na…noha…"She breathes out almost painfully.
"Yes Fate I am here. I am right here with you. I won't let go." If I catch the person who did this to her and who keeps doing this in her dreams I will…I clench my teeth…I will make them regret it. I gently stroke Fate's forehead and cheek. Her breathing is deepening and slowing down. She is sleeping peacefully again. I won't let you go. I want to know everything about you. My eyes close again…
I yawn and slowly open my eyes. I look at my watch 9:12am. I feel a warm body next to me and a smile unconsciously forms on my lips. I lean into the soft body and breathe in the sent I have become addicted to. She is still asleep. I hear a knock on the main door and hear Linith's voice. She sounds surprised. I hear several people conversing with her then footsteps coming closer and closer. I prop myself in bed and anticipate a knock on the bedroom door, however, the knock never comes instead I hear Linith's anxious voice and the door swinging open.
There at the entrance is a woman I have never seen before. Fate almost magically jumps out of bed from a deep sleep. There is surprise in her eyes. Surprise and is that fear?
"Well, well, well." The woman with striking purple hair says. I see Linith looking apologetic behind her and a man with the same colour hair as this woman next to Linith.
"Mother! What are you doing here?" Fate asks almost timidly. So this is her mother.
"Can't a mother check on her daughter?" There is something in her voice I can't quite place. I am not sure I like it.
"Of course, forgive me Mother. I am just surprised." Fate replies. Fate's mother looks at her then she makes eye contact with me. A shiver runs down my spine, they seem very cold.
"Indeed. Get dressed and come out to introduce us properly to your friend." At this Fate's mother turns around and walks out of the room followed by the man and Linith.
"Yes Mother."
"Linith, coffee." I hear in the corridor.
"Yes Mistress." Mistress? Is Fate's family really wealthy? I thought Linith was family. I turn to look at Fate. She is already dressed. How did she do that so quickly? She seems distracted.
"Fate?"
"We can't keep Mother waiting." In a flash she is out the door. Just what is going on? Well only one way of finding out. I search for my clothes from last night and put them on. I look around the room for a hair brush. Ah spotted one. I am sure Fate won't mind. I brush my knotted hair and head out the door to where everyone is.
In the kitchen everyone is sitting around the table except for Linith who seems to be making coffee. She notices me.
"Coffee Nanoha?"
"Please, that would be wonderful." Linith smiles at me and again she seems to be apologising with her eyes. I smile back to reassure her. It's not like we got caught doing something other than sleeping. I look at the table again and notice Hayate is also seated. She looks at me with a look that says 'awkward'.
"Fate tells me that I have you to thank for watching over her after her drink got spiked. Sit." It wasn't a request but an order. This woman holds an overbearing aura.
"Fate would have done the same thing for me." I feel the heat on my cheeks as I say this.
"Indeed." Fate's mother replies. I glance up at her then look at Fate. She seems very rigid sitting there. Her usual mask back in place. I turn to look at the man who could be Fate's mother's brother. He has his arms crossed and a creepy grin on his face as he stares at me and Hayate.
"Where are your manners Fate. Why don't you introduce us to your friends?" The man speaks.
"Um…this is…" Fate begins only to be interrupted.
"Jail Scaglietti, I am dear Fate's father you could say and this gorgeous specimen here is her mother Precia Testarossa." Something is so odd here. My warning bells are going off.
"It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Nanoha, I live next door and this is Hayate my best friend."
"It's a pleasure to meet you both, dare I say Fate has said nothing about the both of you." Mr. Scaglietti says. Does Fate not talk about us to her family? I am temporarily taken out of my thoughts by Linith placing a cup of coffee in front of everyone.
"Thank you Linith." She smiles at me then looks at Mrs. Testarossa who motions her to sit with her eyes. The air is so thick you could cut it with a knife. I steal a quick glance at Fate. Her eyes are downcast. What is she thinking?
"Mrs. Testarossa, Mr. Scaglietti I am sorry for the way you found Fate and I this morning. I stayed with her as she was unwell last night." I offer.
"No need for explanations and please call us Precia and Jail. After all you are our daughter's friends."
"O-okay, if you insist." Awkward silence reigns. Almost on cue everyone reaches for their coffees and takes a sip, all except Fate.
"I missed your call yesterday Linith." Precia states breaking the silence.
"I am terribly sorry, I completely forgot." Linith quickly counters.
"I thought so and here I was thinking that something terrible must have happened to you and my precious child, so Jail was kind enough to drive me here to make sure."
"Fate you mustn't worry your poor mother like that." Jail adds.
"I didn't mean to worry you Mother." This entire interaction seems a little strange. I can't quite place my finger on what it is but it seems all so emotionless and mechanical, but it all feels wrong.
"And you know I have missed you so much that I decided to come pick you up today to spend some quality time with us."
"Huh?"
"You heard me Fate." Fate seems completely and utterly surprised at this.
"Speaking of which. We should probably head sweetheart. We have much to do." Jail points to his watch.
"You are quite right." Precia answers him and smiles. "Fate." She orders as her and Jail stand.
"Yes Mother." Fate stands and walks towards them. Jail places his hand on her shoulder. She doesn't seem to react. Her eyes are expressionless. She seems to be acting on auto pilot.
"It was a pleasure meeting you all. I am very sure we will meet again." Jail voices. "We will see ourselves out." Fate turns towards the door, Jail guiding her with his hand still on her shoulder.
"Thank you for looking after Fate." Precia says as she too turns to leave. We all watch as the front door is opened and they slowly exit with Fate leading the way.
"Wait." Linith breaks the silence and makes her way to the door. Before she has time to speak I hear Precia tell her.
"I will speak with you later." And with that they make their exit, leaving Linith standing by the door and Hayate and I sitting at the table.
I have a foreboding feeling in my gut for some strange reason. Should I have let Fate go? But what could I do? It was her family. Maybe I am over exaggerating things and it will all be alright.
Linith gently shuts the door and turns around towards us.
"That was rather unexpected."
"Ya and kind of awkward." Hayate speaks for the first time this morning.
"Hahaha they are kind of strict. Well I am sure that we will see Fate again before long." It was almost as if Linith was saying this to reassure herself.
I hope to see her soon too.
To be continued…
