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

Author's Notes: Hi everyone, I know the update is a day or two late but to make it up to you all I have made this a double chapter. This chapter marks the end of the first arc. I hope it doesn't disappoint. We finally get Fate's answer…

A massive thank you to Lance58; Zarosguth; nanofatehere; Will Lockhart; nanofatelicious; kurosunoiku; BlueNinja114 and those who have favourite, are following and reading this story. It is always such a delight getting your reviews and knowing you are enjoying the story. Thank you guys :-)

Zarosguth: Fate is indeed a relative of Alicia. I won't say anymore without spoiling the story. How Precia got a hold of Fate will all come to light in the future chapters. I like the name Ms Insane-O Testarossa, it made me laugh :-) She is definitely obsessed with Alicia but obviously doesn't see it that way. I like your train of thoughts. Something happening to either Linith or Nanoha or both… would definitely negatively influence Fate and that may be exactly what happens… but we shall wait and see :-) and of course there will be lots more butterflies ;-)

Nanofatehere: I will never give up on this story, promise :-) some updates may take a bit longer but I will definitely finish it. I hope you like this chapter; it has more NanoFate and is a bit longer than my usual chapter lengths :-)

Will Lockhart: Alicia is definitely the person Precia admired and still admires (obsessively) the most. They were both orphans trained to be weapons of war. You are correct Alicia is not Precia's daughter. I wanted to take a different approach (considering they look nothing alike). The answers to Nanoha's question will be revealed below :-) The truth will somewhat be told… It will come to a climax eventually but not yet. Precia will definitely use Nanoha but how will have to be seen in the future chapters ;-) And as for the Project. Will it complete its task? We shall see… :-)

nanofatelicious: Last chapter was definitely a foreshadowing. Things will start to get heated in the next arc with plans coming into fruition and lies becoming exposed. Precia will not disappoint… ;-)

Sorry for the long A/N, without further ado here is the next chapter.


Chapter 28

Kiss

Fate's POV.

"Is that how you got the injuries to your arm and leg?" Nanoha asks.

A buzzing takes over the empty sound within my ears after her question. I slightly shake my head to try get rid of it. How do I answer that? Linith once said that you can hide the truth in plain sight and people won't be any wiser. They do not put two and two together. Would it work in this case? I do not want lie to Nanoha yet I cannot tell her the entire truth.

"Yes it is." I go for honesty without elaborating. The alcohol in my system is fuelling my answers as well as my inner desires to want Nanoha to know me and my secrets… and still accept me. I turn to look at Nanoha. She seems deep in thought with what I have just said. I can see the cute crease lines on her forehead.

I lift my hand from the water and with my middle finger run it across her forehead trying to smooth the worry lines from her beautiful face that should always be happy. It has the desired effect because moments later I hear her infectious giggle at my action.

"That is better." I say. Nanoha turns to look at me taking my hand in hers. The lines are right back on her face. I do not want her to worry. It seems a little lie will have to be told. It can't be bad if it is to see her smile again right? "It was an accident. I surprised a dog during one of her experiments and it reacted the way any animal would. It was completely and entirely my fault." Well that didn't end up being a complete lie for the most part…

Nanoha's eyes are fixed on my bitten arm. She is lightly tracing the skin with her finger tips. It sends delightful shivers down my spine.

"Mou, Fate, you need to be more careful. I don't like seeing you injured." A warm feeling spreads throughout me. I smile.

"I will." We sit in silence a while. In this moment with Nanoha, my other life seems like a millions miles away. I feel content, even happy. I wish this week-end never had to end. Is this what life could have felt like if things were different? What it could be like if I managed to make Mother happy? But I also want to make Nanoha happy…

If somebody had told me a couple of weeks ago that I would be here at a hot springs resort with someone I care deeply for other than Mother, I would have laughed… well maybe not laughed but definitely wouldn't have believed them. Actually, the thought of being here with Mother would have been ludicrous enough.

Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined myself in this position. I turn to my side and look at her… Nanoha… The reason for all of this. The reason Mother isn't my top priority at the moment. The reason I don't feel unbearable guilt at that thought. The reason the demons in my mind have quietened. The reason I am able to feel. The reason I am laughing. The reason for the unusual rhythm of my heart. All Nanoha…

Indeed she has some sort of power. I feel her in every cell within my body. No longer are they pulled and attracted towards her. They have absorbed parts of her being. I feel my blood moving through my veins and arteries with renewed vigour. I feel life being breathed in every organ contained in my chest. I feel my chest expanding. My mind feels intoxicated by her mere presence alone. Reasoning and logic all but forgotten. All of this is because of this blue eyed woman next to me. No doubt guilt and self-loathing will return with force after this weekend but for the first time I do not care and somewhere deep within me I feel a sensation I hadn't felt for a while, being reborn: hope.

Damn the consequences. Live in the moment. The sake is certainly helping that train of thought, the sake and being submerged willingly in Nanoha's gentle and caring aura.

I need these memories…just as Linith said. I will need them to ultimately survive…

"Fate?" I hear Nanoha call softly.

I realise that my face had been turned to her but that my eyes must have seemed unfocussed. I blink, smile and answer, "Hmm?"

"Where did you go just now?" She asks.

"I was thinking of infinity and peace." I reply. I notice a puzzled look on her face. "Of you." I elaborate simply. Nanoha smiles shyly at my response and lowers her eyes.

I feel Nanoha scoot closer until her side is right against mine. She places her head on my shoulder. My body seems to relax almost instantly with her touch and nearness.

I wonder what I would be doing right now if I hadn't met Nanoha. Probably be on a mission… A thought suddenly strikes me. I need to find out what Mother has said to Nanoha and Hayate about… Alicia.

"Nanoha?"

"Hmm?"

"What did my Mother tell you about…Alicia?" Upon hearing the question Nanoha lifts her head from my shoulder. Her fingertips stop tracing my injured arm and instead she grasps my hand as if making sure I wouldn't run again. It didn't take me long when I met Nanoha to realise that she is a very tactile person. It is one of her many traits that I've become comfortable with and surprisingly like very much.

"She said…," Nanoha pauses; I give her hand a squeeze urging her to continue. "She said that when you were really young she and your father separated. Alicia used to live with her and you with your father. She said that one day you were spending time with her and Alicia had gone out with your father." I can tell Nanoha is trying to gauge my reaction. She is trying to see whether or not she should continue. I manage a small nod that asks her to go on. "She said the weather had been atrocious and that there had been an accident. Your sister and father didn't make it…" Nanoha looks incredibly sad as she says the last part.

So this is the cover story Mother is using. Granted it is probably the only lie that could adequately explain why Alicia is no more. Hopefully it will placate Arf.

I snap out of my inner musings and take Nanoha's hand holding onto mine towards my face. I brush my cheek with the back of her hand and give it a feather like kiss. I have a feeling I know what Nanoha is thinking. "It's okay, it was a long time ago." Which is true.

Mother and Jail used to call me Alicia. Mother seemed to have more fondness and gentleness in her voice and demeanour when she called me by that name. However, I did nothing but make her angry, no matter what I did it seemed that all I managed was to disappoint her. She had once said that I do not act as I was supposed to. I am still not sure what she means by that but I haven't stopped trying to seek her approval and happiness. It was around that time that she had stopped calling me Alicia but rather Fate and with it came a whole different tone and demeanour.

Nanoha seems to relax visibly by my answer and action. I'd never would have thought that I'd let someone be so close to me.

"What was she like? Alicia I mean. Oh I've asked something completely insensitive…"

I cut her off with a finger to her lips, her very warm lips. "It's ok, I honestly don't mind." I smile at her and remove my finger. It's not like she was my real sister, she was just a fragment of myself. We stare back at the Milky Way whilst I think of the best way to answer.

"Well," I begin and feel Nanoha put her head on my shoulder again. I feel bold enough to rest my head against hers and reach around to place my arm around her. I start tracing gentle lines along her skin. "Alicia was quite outgoing, she was a very happy person. She could make anyone laugh. I think you would have been great friends if you had ever met each other."

"Really?" Nanoha asks.

I close my eyes and savour the feeling of her. "Yes." Talking to Nanoha is so easy; she makes me want to tell her everything although I have to settle for half truths. "You would have both gotten along like a house on fire." I chuckle. It is quite easy to differentiate Alicia as a completely different person, in essence she practically was.

"Alicia liked to be everyone's hero; she had a heart of gold. That is how she met Arf. Arf had gotten in trouble with some bullies and Alicia stepped in. Several black eyes later both girls were victorious and had become instant friends." I remember those days clearly. We were inseparable until… I can't think about it. Those memories have no place here tonight with Nanoha.

"Would you like some more sake?" I ask as I take my hand away from around her to grab the bottle. Nanoha lifts her head from my shoulder and nods a yes.

I pour us both a glass and we toast to the memory of Alicia. I notice that the mood as gotten a little sombre and serious. I decide to take matters into my own hands to change it. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be doing this quite so willingly without a lot of alcohol in my system to help.

"We have become far too serious for such a beautiful evening and I intend to change that. Today I have become aware of a little weakness of yours that I will be exploiting to my delight." I grin as her eyes look at me with confusion and then as if a light switch is turned on she smiles whilst trying to back away.

"Don't you dare Fate. I'm warning you." She giggles as she tries to move away. Nanoha has caught on to my intentions. However, I'm a few steps ahead of her and grab her ankle. The water isn't very deep. You can sit comfortably around the edges of the pool. It gets a little deeper in the middle but you can still kneel whilst your head remains above the surface.

Nanoha starts full on laughing as I drag her back towards me. She tries to splash me with the water but I don't let go. "I still owe you one for the flour incident earlier." I say as she tries to wiggle out of my grasp. Again Nanoha is laughing too hard to respond.

I manage to hold onto her waist with both my hands and bring her even closer. I press my finger tips into her skin. Nanoha jolts like she is having a seizure and grasps onto my hands, laughing. I can't help myself and laugh right along with her. I am sure we are making far too much noise but somehow we don't care. How I wish to stay with her like this forever…

I stop tickling her but leave my hands on the soft skin of her waist. The only sound is of our heavy breathing. We have even managed to scare the frogs and crickets into silence. I look up at her. Nanoha has somehow managed to make her way onto my lap. She is straddling me with the most content smile on her lips and the wildest looking hair.

I notice her chest is heaving with every breath she is taking. I notice her breasts moving along with her chest. My eyes linger there for a bit before they make their way up to the tempting valley between them right up to her clavicle following it to the beautiful dip of her throat. I watch the water droplets travel down the smooth expanse of her neck, wishing it could be me. My eyes focus on the delicate line of her jaw right up to her chin then up to the most enticing and perfectly full lips. I watch as they are slightly parted open but then curve up in the tell tale sign of a smile. I unconsciously lick my lips.

My eyes finally follow the curve of her lips up to the darkened smouldering eyes that have been tracking my journey. They tell me everything my shattered heart longs to hear. They make promises I want to surrender to, desires I wish to experience.

The intensity is so strong that it hurts. I close my eyes and breathe in deeply. Slowly I bring her towards me until she is flush against me. My arms wrap around her waist holding her tightly. My head is resting in the crook of her neck. I am afraid of letting go to my desires, of letting go to her untold promises. I am afraid of what it could mean. I am afraid of the change it will bring. I am afraid that it will have to eventually end without even starting. I am afraid of losing control. I am afraid of losing Nanoha.

I bury my head in her neck and breathe her in. I try and memorise all that I can.

Nanoha cradles my head against her. She runs her hand through my hair massaging my scalp. Her thighs are brushing up against my sides. Every inch of her skin touching mine moulds perfectly to me. I can hear her slightly fast heart beat. Her warmth is embracing. I do not want to let go. I can feel my fear waiting on the outskirts of my mind, waiting to take hold as soon as I let go of Nanoha.

There is so much I wish I could tell her…My heart seems to overflow with emotions and feelings quite foreign to me but somewhere deep within I feel like I am cheating her. I need to keep that thought away for a little while longer. Enjoy this moment. Don't let the dark thoughts in. Focus on the present.

Nanoha's other hand traces indistinct patterns on the base of my neck. I feel her fingertips slowly and gently move along towards my shoulder blades. The sensation is soothing as if she was aware of my inner turmoil. Her other hand is still coiled around my head keeping me to her.

I close my eyes and loose myself to her touch. Her fingertips brush along my shoulder blades, to the dip where my spine is. I feel her trace my scars reverently. Her touch feels like she is trying to erase every painful memory permanently contained within the fibrous tissue. No one has ever touched me there so gently. My back only knew the harsh reality of punishments, until now.

I try to memorise everything, the feelings, touch, heart beats, breathes, absolutely everything.

I am completely cocooned in Nanoha. Oh how I long to stop time right at this moment and be lost in her embrace forever more. I feel like I could drift off right here. I breathe in deeply and slowly pull myself slightly away from her. We will start looking like prunes if we stay in the water any longer.

"We should probably think of getting out before we are completely wrinkled." I say.

Nanoha's eyes are twinkling. Without thinking I lean forward and tilt my head up slightly. My eyes flutter closed as I place a soft kiss on the corner of her mouth.

"Thank you Nanoha." I whisper as I move my head back to gaze at her. Nanoha's eyes are closed yet she has the biggest grin adorning her lips.

Nanoha's POV.

I am lying in my futon next to Fate. I can hear Hayate softly snoring away. We eventually left the water right after Fate's kiss. Granted it wasn't on the lips but it was perfect nonetheless. I feel slightly giddy and my head is still in a daze. She had initiated it. This weekend has definitely proved to be magical. Fate seems to be so much more relaxed allowing me to see more of her hidden self. Yet there is something underlying that makes me worried. There is so much sadness in some of her actions. I long to replace that sadness but I need to know where it comes from first.

We have come so far since the first day we met. I want to be closer still. I can't get enough of her.

My mind is just about ready to drift off when I hear a beeping sound. It happens just once. The occupant of the futon next to me slowly gets up and moves as quietly as possible to the end of her bed. I hear a zipper being carefully opened. Fate must be checking her bag. I see light coming from a small device illuminate her face. Goodness, I will never get tired of seeing her.

Hang on… I had no idea she had a phone. I have never seen her with it before. I watch her face as she reads what must be a message. Her jaw suddenly seems to tense and her face hardens. She seems upset. I wonder what the message has said and from whom it is this late at night.

The light disappears as Fate replaces the phone in her bag. I hear the zipper again. I briefly close my eyes as she makes her way around and back into bed.

Sleep seems to have eluded me as I know think of what the message could possibly have said. I try and stop thinking and focus on Hayate's snoring to lull me back to sleep. I can barely hear Linith's deep breathing next to her. I wonder if Fate snores. I bet it would cute if she did. That thought puts a smile to my face.

I hear the covers rustle next to me as Fate tries to get comfortable. It's quiet for a few moments except for Hayate before I hear the rustle next to me again. Fate must be struggling to get to sleep. Something tells me it is because of the text. I am about to ask if she is alright when I hear her exhale loudly and push the covers off.

I see her get up and watch as she slowly and silently leaves the room. Where could she be going? I wait a few seconds, get up, put my shoes on and follow suit. I notice she has gone outside. Fortunately there is a moon out tonight making it easier to see in the darkness. I watch Fate disappear in the forest before I quietly follow.

The forest is alive with all sorts of sounds of hidden nocturnal creatures. I walk a little faster to hopefully catch up.

I stop for a moment to listen where she has gone when I hear a loud thud followed by a small cry. Fate! I run under the moonlight towards the sound.

I arrive at the scene and notice Fate with her arm extended towards a tree. Her head is bent down and leaning against the arm. Her other arm is clenched at her sides. I hear her breathing heavily.

"Fate?" I tentatively call. The sounds surrounding us go quiet.

I watch as her head snaps back in shock at being caught. Her arms both come to rest against her sides as she stands rigid.

"Fate, are you alright?"

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be sleeping?" She doesn't answer my question, unsurprisingly.

"I could be asking you the same thing."

"I… I couldn't sleep." Fate turns her head in shame. She brings her hand to rub her temple.

I come closer to her and notice the unmistaken crimson colour of blood on her knuckles. I rush towards her and take her hand in mine.

"Oh Fate." At this she tries to pull it free from my hand but I won't let go.

Silence envelops us for a moment before the frogs and crickets resume their cacophony of sounds.

"Nanoha…" She whispers into the air as if saying it too loud would be taboo.

"Fate, I am here for you. I will never leave." I hear her breathe deeply. I see the silent struggle going on behind her eyes. "You do not have to go through this alone." I gently caress her hand. The frogs and crickets are frantically competing with each other in the background.

"Fate, I like you very much. It hurts me to see you suffering alone." Fate looks at me. The sounds surrounding us are drowned out. The intensity of her gaze takes my breath away.

"I like you too." Again she says this in barely a whisper. My heart skips a beat. She likes me too! Without realising it we are leaning towards each other like two magnets seeking our opposite, our balance. I feel the warmth of her breath shuddering in anticipation against my face at what we know is to come, at the inevitable. Her eyes are keeping me hypnotised.

I am right where I belong, right where I am meant to be.

I can't wait any longer. I unconsciously lick my lips and close the distance. Her eyes flutter closed as do mine. My heart beat accelerates. Fate meets me halfway in what I can only describe as an explosion of the senses.

Her lips are soft and cold against my warm ones. It is everything I ever wished for. It is more than I ever imagined!

All I feel is this wanting, this yearning. I feel like I have been finally awakened to life. How did I live without Fate all this time?

Our lips move as one. There is no mistaking we are a perfect fit in every way. I can't seem to get enough of her. She seems to feel the same way. After a moment Fate lightly pulls back. The kiss ends much too quickly.

I look into her haunting eyes. She lets me see all the emotions. I watch through the windows to her soul. I watch a mixture of what I think is surprise, affection, peace, lust and happiness. Then something happens. All too quickly these emotions are being pushed away by her demons giving way to confusion. I watch as her mind finally catches up with what just transpired and what I can only assume is her defence mechanism kicking in.

Fate takes a step back. She holds her temples with her hands and shuts her eyes tightly forbidding me access to her soul.

"Oh no, no, no, no, no ,no… what have I done." I watch surprised by the sudden change. Fate crouches on the ground. "We mustn't, we can't, I can't…"

I take a step towards her. "Fate?" I hesitantly call out to her but it is as if she doesn't hear me. Her demons won't let my voice come through.

"What have I done? What have I done? I am not allowed."

"Not allowed?" What does she mean? I want to comfort her. I want to quell the chaos ranging rampant in her mind.

I close the distance between us and place my hand gently on her back. Fate flinches, stands and takes a step back. She seems like a cornered wild animal.

"This wasn't ever meant to happen." She says through clenched teeth.

"But you wanted it to happen just as much as I did." I counter.

"What I want is irrelevant." Her hands are in her hair, nails digging angrily into her own scalp.

"I want you!" I boldly declare. At this Fate stops all movement as if she can't believe what I have just said. I repeat myself, "I want you!"

"No, you don't know what you want. You don't know who I am or what I have done." She says almost defeated.

"It doesn't matter to me."

"It should." She shouts. "Don't you understand? I will hurt you." Fate takes a step towards me. I have never seen her angry before. "I will even take delight in hurting you." She says with a smirk on her lips, a smirk that I notice does not reach her eyes.

"I do not believe you!" I try to counter.

"Hahaha you don't do you? What makes you so sure?" Her voice sounds hollow. This isn't Fate; these are her demons and fears talking. She approaches me aggressively. I can't help but take a step back. "Good, you should be afraid of me, I am a monster."

"N-no!" I shout back. I have to fight for her, fight for us.

"Don't be so naïve, I will hurt you." Fate pushes me and my back collides against a tree. At lightning speed she is on me, her hands grasping my sleep shirt. "I will hurt you so badly." She pushes me back violently against the tree while still maintaining a hold of me. "It is what I do best." I am intimidated by her but not afraid. I stare into her eyes. They are daring me to defy her. I see the confusion and frustration. I see the self-loathing.

"Why can't you understand that?" She shouts in my face.

I push my head away from the tree and bring my face millimetres from hers. "Because I am stubborn!"

With that she roughly collides her lips against mine. I feel the desperation and anger in her kiss. Again she pushes me against the tree. Upon contact with the familiar trunk her teeth connect with my bottom lip and pierce the skin. I gasp momentarily opening my mouth. Fate takes this opportunity and our tongues meet. The feeling is euphoric. No words could do it justice.

Even though the kiss is sloppy, wet and rough it is perfect in every way. My hands reach up to coil around her neck and pull her even closer to me. I can taste the metallic tang of my own blood. A moan resonates from deep within me but is muffled by the all consuming kiss.

Fate once again is the first to break away. I do not let her get very far as I maintain a vice like hold of her neck. Her forehead rests against mine. Her eyes are closed. Our fast breathes intermingle. I know she is afraid.

"I will never let you go. You can't push me away Fate. I'm yours." I bring her lips to mine once again and seal those words forever more.

This kiss is neither aggressive nor tentative. It is passionate. All my feelings, hopes, dreams, desires are placed within it. I feel Fate respond to it without reservation or hesitation. Our mouths open to let our tongues feel each other again and they dance together. I feel her hands release my shirt and make their way to my hips. Her arms circle my hips and pull me into her. I hear a deep almost growl coming from Fate's throat as our hips connect. It momentarily takes my breath away.

I am addicted to her and her lips, her eyes, her words, her sadness, her anger, her secrets, her touch… I am addicted to everything about her. I now understand how love can be all consuming. Yes love.

I want to give myself completely and entirely to her and only her for the rest of eternity. I have never felt anything quite this powerful in my entire life. I have been incomplete until this day.

I smile into the kiss. I finally understand what was missing in my life.

Again our lips part a few millimetres. Our breaths are ragged. She moves her head and places her right cheek to lie against my cheek.

"Nanoha." She whispers ever so softly in my ear which sends a shiver down my spine. "Please don't let go." Her murmur sends a ripple throughout my soul. It echoes in my heart and makes it cry. I tighten my hold on her.

"Never." I whisper back.

To be continued…