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

Author's Notes: Holy cow! I am so sorry this has taken me so long to update. I will try harder for the next chapter. A really really really really big thank you to ZonaRose; nissanity; nanofatehere; nanofatelicious; Derka; nanofate and Guest 1 for your wonderful and passionate reviews as well as prompts to update. I enjoy every word :-) Also big thank you to all those following this story.

This chapter is for all of you.

Derka: Some bum kicking in this chapter you will enjoy :-) Would Nanoha reject Fate? All will be revealed in due time… however, my girlfriend will kill me if this story has too sad an ending so ya there will be lots of drama but ultimately happiness lol. Go NanoFate! Mmm port and I have a history together, good and bad… :-P How was the week-end? Wish aldi could make $5 bourbons lol. Have you tried coffee tequila?

WARNING: Some violence and mild to severe profanity! It is all necessary…


Chapter 22

Protect

Nanoha's POV.

I am standing in the middle of a path. This path looks familiar. I have been here before. I turn to one side and notice the city in the distance. I look in the opposite direction. The path here seems to go on forever towards the unknown. On either side of me are tall cherry blossom trees with pink and white flowers. All is still but I anticipate what I know will happen. I shield my eyes with my hand as a strong gust of wind blows capriciously around me whipping my hair wildly. I watch the cherry blossom branches bend and dance to the rhythm of the wind. The flowers as if waiting for this moment release their petals at the mercy of the current. The sky is littered with the familiar yet breathtaking pink and white specks.

This time I reach out and capture a petal gently in the palms of my hands. I open them with a smile and watch the once petal emerge into a delicate butterfly. I watch it as it joins the rest fluttering around me. I bask in this magical scene until I remember that they will soon move. I will not loose them this time. The butterflies start moving along the path. I follow. I notice a few moments later that some have already started veering off the designated path. If this is a dream then nothing can hurt me, right?

I step off the path and continue with them into the darkening forest. I shiver at the loss of light and warmth. It is getting darker and darker. Even the butterflies are getting harder to see. I notice some are flying in different directions as if lost. No I cannot loose them. Please, please, I cannot loose sight of them. As the last light disappears I feel frightened at the prospect of being alone in the unknown darkness. Suddenly an intense light floods my eyes from all around me. I briefly close my eyes at the blinding light. Slowly I squint and once my eyes have adjusted I gasp in awe.

"Woah!"

The butterflies have turned a beautiful gold and are glowing. It is as if they knew I couldn't see and are lighting the path before me. Judging from the light there are considerably fewer of them. Some must not have glowed and gotten lost forever more in this dark forest. The glow of the remaining butterflies provides moral. I strengthen my resolve and pick up my pace with them so as not to be left behind.

The forest is eerily silent. My footsteps echo loudly with each step I take. Then unexpectedly out of nowhere water droplets start to descend the dark abyss from above. I wrap my arms around me and keep walking. The rain gets harder and harder becoming a torrential downpour. The glow of the butterflies is getting blurry and dimmer, yet it is still there. I notice some of them find shelter among the trees and wait for the rain to stop. I stop with the majority of them when suddenly a loud thunder clap explodes overhead and in seconds the entire forest is illuminated by lightening. I gasp at the sight I briefly catch. Hundreds and thousands of butterflies are littering the damp forest floor waiting to be consumed back into the cycle of life.

I awake with a start. It was just a dream. I look at my alarm clock: 3:42am. I lie back down. My mind takes me straight away to my dream… I look back at my clock. It is the very early start of the second day since Fate left with her parents. I wonder how she is. I wonder if she is thinking of me too. Some part of me hopes she is.

I miss her.

We never got to talk about what happened at the club. My face heats up at the thought of our almost kiss and then frowns at the bathroom memory and scars. So much has happened since I have met her yet there is still this cloud of mystery surrounding her.

This time apart has made one thing very clear though. I have very strong feelings for Fate. I am not too sure what they are but I am prepared to find out if Fate is willing as well.

I hope she is. I do not know what I would do, silly, listen to yourself Nanoha. Fate wouldn't have acted the way she did at the club if she didn't share similar feelings. Or was it the drug talking? Will it be awkward between us when we next see each other? What if she doesn't want anything to do with me? So many questions only she holds the answers to. I also want to ask her if she'd like to join my family, Hayate and I this week-end as we will be going to a hot spring resort.

I miss her. I sigh deeply. I better get some sleep. I hope she will return tomorrow. There is so much I want to talk to her about. I look over at Yuuno. He is sound asleep curled up in a ball next to me. I gently stroke his fur and get comfortable, closing my eyes and drifting off again …

… I wake to the sound of my phone ringing. I fumble clumsily in search of it. Where did I put the damn thing? Ah, found it under my pillow. I glance at the caller ID, its Hayate.

"Heya." I answer with a yawn.

"I thought you were never going to pick up. Did I wake you?"

"Kind of." I yawn again and check the time, 9:45 in the morning.

"The early bird catches the worm Nanoha."

"Mmm… I cherish my sleep unlike some."

"Hahaha there is plenty of time to sleep when you're dead. Hey the reason I am calling is that you will never believe what has happened. The Golden Butterfly has struck again." I hear the excitement in her voice.

"Ya but he always eventually does."

"True but this time he struck closer to home: Sensei's dojo."

This got my attention. Sleep now gone from my mind. "Wow! What happened?"

"The guy vandalised her dojo by tagging his signature on the wall where she keeps all the dojo code of ethics. I know not very big in his list of crimes but get this Sensei is actually the lead investigator in the Golden Butterfly case. This definitely was a more personal attack on her."

"Wow, the plot thickens. How did you find all this out?"

"Ah well, um you see… I wasonadate." She mumbles.

"Sorry Hayate, what was that? You were what?"

"I um was out with Sempai."

"Oooh. The plot thickens indeed." I giggle.

"Ya well, anyway, changing subjects, interested in going for coffee this morning since you are up? Unless you have work?"

"Sure but I will grill you for details later."

"Haha see you in front of Straight Rainbow Café in 45 minutes?"

"See you then." I hang up the phone and get myself ready. Fortunately the café is just up the road from here so I do not have to rush. I take a shower, get dressed and feed Yuuno before I grab my purse. I exit my apartment and look at Fate's and Linith's apartment door.

"Please come back today. I'm lonely without you." I whisper. I start to make my way down along the corridor when I notice small dark like droplets on the floor.

I bend down to get a closer look. I wonder what it is. I tap it with my middle finger of my left hand and examine it closer. It is almost dry. The substance looks almost black in colour, however, I notice a dark red note in it. If I had to take a guess I'd say it was blood. I glance back at the floor and notice the blood like substance has left a trail from the start of the corridor all the way to Linith's and Fate's apartment. I will have to ask Linith later about it. I glance at my watch and realise I have to pick up the pace or I will be late. I grab a tissue from my pocket and clean my finger then proceed out of the apartment complex.

I make it just on time at the café and notice Hayate is already there seated on one of the tables outside.

"Hey sorry I hope I didn't make you wait long." I take a seat opposite her on the small table.

"Not at all. I already placed our orders with Subaru. I got you a mocha, is that good?"

"Perfect. So spill and don't leave out the juicy details."

"Hahaha you are getting as bad as me. Well I bumped into Sempai last night and we decided to go out for a drink. Turns out she is a police officer who works under Harlaown-Sensei who, like I said is the lead investigator in the Golden Butterfly case. Anyway we were out drinking and lost track of time and before we knew it, it was just before sunrise when she got a call from Sensei urging her to come to the dojo. Obviously I tagged along. We arrived at the dojo where Sensei and some other police officers were. Of course I had to wait until the police basically dusted the area and collected all the evidence. Once they were done I was allowed to check out the scene. The police kept everything low key so as not to draw in the media. But man! Nanoha you should have seen it. The spray painted butterfly was hauntingly beautiful yet also devastating as it desecrated her dojo. It felt like a beautiful mockery of the police. Anyway, going back to the story, you know Zafira? Sempei's Rottweiler we met once going for karate training that I always say I want to take home?"

I nod in recognition leaning forward in anticipation of what she will say next.

"Turns out Zaffy must have made contact with the perp at some stage. There was blood on his snout. They took some for DNA analysis but reckon it will turn out empty. I think they also lifted some fingerprints but it will probably also come back with nothing. I guess they will still be able to use it should more DNA evidence surface in future or when they finally catch him. Harlaown-Sensei believes that Zaffy must have bitten the guy and judging by Zaffy's size it would have left a pretty painful injury. I guess this will help them in future when they catch him as it will leave marks and maybe even scars. But they are also checking with the hospitals for anyone having gone in for a dog bite. I'm so thankful that nothing happened to Zaffy though. This guy could have done anything to him. Didn't I say it was escalating?"

Just as she asks this Subaru comes out with our drink orders.

"Your Mochas ladies." She places them down in front of us.

"Thank you Subaru. How's Tiana doing?" I ask.

"She is good. I have her slaving away in the kitchen in a cute little apron." Subaru and Tiana co-own the Straight Rainbow café. They have been together since school and even though they argue a lot they love each other very much. Hayate says they argue so much because the make up sex is great…

"Nanoha are you alright, your face seems a little flushed?" Crap I need to get my mind out of the gutter.

"Um, ya nyahaha it's a bit humid today." I gingerly say while fanning my face with my hand.

"Well I better…" Just as she gets those three words out she's interrupted.

"Hey looky here guys, it's the dyke with her playthings." Hayate, Subaru and I face the owner of those insulting words. They came from a man who looks like he is in his twenties. He's wearing dirty blue jeans and a flannel shirt with the sleaves ripped of. The buttons on his shirt are undone to about mid way to his chest. His shaved head emphasises the tattoo on his neck. There are three guys, his henchmen I assume, with him, dressed in almost the same manner.

"Please don't harass my customers. We don't want any trouble, please leave." Subaru fiercely yet politely stands her ground.

"Trouble you say? You and your cunt munching girlfriend are the only trouble in this area. We are simply good Samaritans cleaning up the streets of unwanted dykes." Says the skin head as matter of fact.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" Hayate intervenes.

"Ah another dyke. You know what your problem is? You need a real man between your legs, right boys hahahaha." Skinhead and posse all start to laugh at skinhead's statement making all our bloods boil.

"And create more idiots? You've got to be joking. You and your goons along with your low IQ and medieval views are the only thing keeping society from progressing." Hayate steps forward and challenges. Frankly speaking I agree with her but also know when to pick my battles. These four idiots can easily overpower us and cause some serious damage or worse.

"Why you little bitch." Head henchman spits out. He takes a step towards Hayate. "I'm going to teach your mouth and cunt a pretty little lesson." The skin head lifts his hand up across the left side of his face and is about to back hand Hayate when someone brushes past me, walks up to Hayate and pushes her out of the way at lightning speed. Said person effortlessly blocks the back hand and strikes the skinhead with their finger tips on his Adam's apple.

All I see are blonde strands flying wildly in front of me and the head henchman on the floor holding his throat and gasping violently. The three remaining men stare incredulously at their leader and at the blonde woman before them.

"Fate!" I cry out and am about to take a step towards her when she says.

"Take the others and step back." I nod even though she has her back to me. I run up to Hayate and grab her and Subaru's hand and step back a few metres.

"Subaru, call the police." I say whilst keeping my eyes on Fate. Subaru rushes inside of the café leaving Hayate and I to watch.

"What the hell?" One of the men says. The three advance towards Fate. They are like hyena advancing onto a lioness. I clutch Hayate's hand harder. Please let the police get here.

Fate watches the men. She seems very calm and composed. They surround her. One man decides to be the first and rushes towards her. Fate avoids his blow and crouches down sweeping his feet from under him with her leg. Another takes this opportunity and tries his luck. Fate stands blocks his punch to her face and sidesteps to deliver a nasty blow to his ribs winding him whilst maintaining hold of him with one hand. The third man advances. Fate still holding onto the second guy uses him as a shield. Without giving the third man much though she kicks him in the groin. I feel Hayate flinch at the sight of the third man doubled over holding his crown jewels. It's all over in seconds.

Fate lets go of the human shield and moves towards the leader who is still on the floor clutching his throat and coughing whilst trying to back peddle away from her. I watch Fate's back as she moves towards him. She is saying something to him but I cannot hear it. I watch the skinheads face as she is talking. He seems surprised then a look of fear spreads across his face. He nods to her and shakily stands up. The arrogant bully from moments ago is gone, replaced by a bundle of nerves. I wonder what she has said to him.

The skinhead leader grunts to his posse who slowly pick themselves off the ground. Fate turns to look at the three as they make their way to their leader. The leader whispers something to them and their face contort first with surprise then fear just like their boss did. I think I can even see one of them sweat. I catch movement from the corner of my eye and notice Tiana and Subaru have both come out and stand next to Hayate and I.

"The police will be here shortly." Tiana declares.

The skinhead leader nods to Fate and to his posse. The men move towards us. Instinctively we all take a step back which makes them stop. Then something incredible happens.

The leader removes his hand from his throat and speaks.

"I…" He coughs to regain his vocal cords. "I want to apologise for our earlier behaviour. If I had known you were connected to Mistress Testarossa I wouldn't have made such a mistake. Please accept our deepest apologises. We will never bother you or your establishment ever again." We are all gobsmacked. Then the next miracle of the day happens. They all bow very low to us. I watch with amazement at the scene before us. As the men turn to leave I notice what the tattoo on the leader's neck actually is: a butterfly. The men walk away from us and make their way back to Fate. I watch as they bow deeply to her and make their hasty escape. What just happened? How are they linked to Fate? What is going on?

Just then I hear sirens in the background. Better late than never. My eyes track the retreating figures of the men then turn back to Fate. She is standing a few metres away watching me. Fate…

"Fate."I breathe out as I run towards her and tackle her in a fierce hug. "I've missed you so very much." Instinctively I feel her stiffen at the hug. I take in her familiar scent that reminds me of warm spices and honey. Oh God how I have missed her. I bury my face in her shoulder. "Where have you been?" At this question I notice the faintest flinch from her body. She doesn't answer. I release her and look up to meet her gaze.

What I see makes me gasp. Fate looks absolutely worn and pale. Her hair doesn't seem to possess the same shine to it and her face seems very gaunt. I notice dark lines under eyes which seem to be so very tired. I lift my left hand and gently place it on her right cheek. Her skin is much too cold to the touch. Fate seems to relax to my touch and closes her eyes whilst leaning into my hand. My hand seems to be the only thing keeping her up.

The world around us disappears. No one else matters. It's just her and I. I gaze at her face and feel cold fingers touch my right hand. I don't have to look down to know it is her. Our fingers interlace for the first time with the familiarity of an eternity together. It feels so very natural. I feel a content sigh on my left hand that's on her face. It's as if she is only now able to breathe. I feel the same. She is my air allowing me to breathe, to survive. Oh how I have missed her. There is no awkwardness in our actions towards each other.

"What happened to you?" I ask her in an almost whisper. Her eyes slowly flicker open. She seems so very vulnerable and tired, completely opposite from moments ago.

Before she has time to reply the sirens are literally on top of us and a police car screeches to a halt in front of the café disrupting us.

A woman jumps out followed by a man ready for the action that was already taken care of.

"Hayate?" Questions the police woman surprise evident on her face.

"Arf?" Replies Hayate.

"Sempai!" I respond.

"Nanoha? What the hell are you two doing…" Arf's words are caught in her throat as she spots Fate.

"It can't be! Alicia?" I look at Sempai then back at Fate. Fate's face seems to have become paler if that is even possible and a brief look of recognition appears in her eyes. Sempai looks at Fate as if she can't believe what is in front of her. It's as if she is looking at a ghost.

"Alicia is that really you?"

To be continued…