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

Author's Notes: I have left this story for way too long… Life has been keeping me busy in good ways and bad. I will finish it though. Not sure how I feel about this chapter - need to get back into the rhythm of writing.

Thank you to Zarosguth; ForeverYoung97; Lance58; Guest; nanofatelicious and Fate-Chan2015 for your beautiful reviews.

Zarosguth: Quattro sure is a crazy woman! Unfortunately a bit more Regius before Quattro… People are going to find out a bit more in this chapter…

ForeverYoung97: I am so happy you liked chapter 30. I hope I don't disappoint with this chapter as I get back in the swing of writing. Lots to look forward to ;-)

Lance58: Regius is back…

Thank you to Apple2; Fate T. Harlaown; HowlingSilverWolf; TLoZTFH; awesome sauces12; Sharfa; firecaster-hikaru; IrinaDiamond; Kaze504; norg; megameneko707 (I really hope I didn't forget anyone but if I did I'm really sorry) who have favourited and are following Papillon. A big thank you also to everyone who is reading this story.

Thank you all for your patience.

WARNING: The end of the following chapter contains distressing material which may be confronting for some readers. Please do not read if easily overwhelmed. I do not mean to offend or hurt anyone with this chapter.


2nd ARC

Chapter 31

Questions

Nanoha's POV.

I don't know what to think of this afternoon's event. I am angry for Fate. I do not understand how she can be so calm about this. Is it a testament to how often this has happened? What exactly has happened for someone from her family to do this to her? Does her mother know this goes on? I have so many questions. The more I see the more questions I seem to have.

I want to get to know every aspect of her.

At least I was able to salvage some of her clothes. I shut the washing machine and put it on its cycle. I may need to wash them twice, maybe even three times. This was clearly an attack on Fate, if the faeces and message were any indications; Linith's things weren't as damaged. Not that either of them have very much. Have they left their belongings at another residence? Maybe where Fate's mother lives? Where does she live? Still more questions.

I brush my hair out of my eyes. Hopefully I will get to ask Fate all of this soon enough. I mean now that they are staying with me, it will be easier. Linith has the guest bedroom and Fate would not accept anything but the couch. Fortunately it has enough space for her.

I slowly make my way back to the living room where I had left Fate and Linith. As I enter the space I notice that they are standing quite close to each other. Linith is gesturing quite passionately with her hands and whispering furiously. Fate on the other hand seems quite resigned. Her shoulders are slightly hunched forward. She seems quite tired. I want nothing more than to let her rest her head on my chest and take her worries away.

I watch as Fate notices me. She smiles a small smile to me. However, it has me worried. It feels so resigned, so final, so lost yet strangely so happy. I can't hide my concern. What is happening? I know she has stopped listening to Linith. Her eyes only seem to see me. I try to read them but I can't understand.

Linith seems to be halfway through saying something when she stops finally realising she had lost Fate a while ago, maybe even before now. She follows Fate's gaze and see's me.

It had felt wonderful having Fate with me this weekend, watching her smile and laugh, seeing her relax, kissing her. I felt like I could keep her safe but… even with the short amount of time we have been back, something feels oddly off now. And judging from her expression right at this moment I know she feels it too. Something is happening but I will be damned if I loose Fate to it!

I take a resolute step forward. Fate's eyes are still on me as if drinking me for the last time. Somehow I feel like she is taking comfort before… before what?

"Fate just got a call for work and I was just informing her that is it ludicrous to go to work right now after everything that has happened, not to mention how late it is." I hear what seems like pleading in Linith's voice as she tries to draw me into the conversation in the hopes that I may perhaps persuade Fate to stay.

The words seem to snap Fate back to the conversation they must have been having prior to my arrival. I watch as Fate closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, holding it before exhaling.

"You know that I have to go." Fate says through clenched teeth as she turns towards Linith. I hear anger there, something I never though I would ever hear towards Linith for some reason. It feels like they are having a silent conversation, no more like an argument, between what they are saying. "I do not have a choice." Fate almost whispers to Linith. "And you know this better than anyone." I see Fate's jaw clench tightly after this.

What does she mean by that? I am suddenly transported back to the first time we kissed. Fate had said something similar.

I feel like I am missing some crucial part of this conversation. Are they arguing because Fate has to go to work tonight? I do agree that it is quite late and with what has happened it would be better to wait until tomorrow but… is that really what they are at odds with? I would have thought that Fate working for her mother would give her some sort of allowance in this situation, however, maybe it is the complete opposite and she is duty bound. My parents would definitely give me some time off should I require it. Although, I have a feeling that my parents and Fate's mother are very different people.

"Let me at least speak to your mother, she may say otherwise." Linith tries again. It sounds like she doesn't even believe what she is saying. I thought she was working with her mother. So where is she going tonight?

Fate doesn't say anything. Linith takes this silence as her cue and turns back to me.

"Nanoha, would it be possible to borrow your phone? I fear ours is probably broken." Linith asks.

"Sure thing. It's cordless, feel free to take it to the bedroom for some privacy." I point to my landline on the kitchen corner. No one really rings me on that phone. I am not even sure why I have it.

"Thank you." Linith replies as she takes the phone and heads into her bedroom. I watch as she closes the door before turning back to Fate. She seems like Atlas, with the weight of the world on her shoulders. What it she not telling me?

I take a step towards her, she matches me and we meet halfway. I search her face for all the answers to all my questions. I see her smile sadly as if she knows what I am doing. She also knows I won't get any of the answers that I am looking for. I gently place my hand on her cheek. She holds it with her hand and leans into my touch. She closes her eyes and relishes in the contact. I have come to find that she very much likes this. I watch as she kisses my palm ever so softly before her beautiful burgundy eyes re-open. She takes a further step forward and wraps her arms around me protectively.

"I want to stay with you like this forever." She whispers into the room.

"We can." I reply. I feel Fate tense.

"I can't, I have to go soon."

"Fate, where are you going?"

"I have to meet my mother's business associate… of sorts." I feel like she wants to say more. "Will you still hug me when I return?"

The question takes me by complete surprise. Fate seems so vulnerable as she asks me this. I will never stop being in wonder of this woman and her very many sides. I smile, "Of course I will."

"Even if…" Fate hesitates.

"Even if what?" I gently prod.

"Even if…things get complicated… and…" But she doesn't continue. I sense the fear behind those words. What does she mean by complicated? I pull back slightly from her so I can look into her eyes.

"What is going on Fate?" I ask, hoping she may answer and help decode the enigma that is Fate's life. I need to know, now more than ever.

I see the struggle on her face. I have a feeling she wants to tell me yet another part of her stops herself. She turns her head and looks at a spot on the wall. She may just crack if she keeps looking at me so I gently place my hands on her cheeks and turn her head back to me.

"I won't judge you Fate." I tell her and place a soft kiss on her lips. My thumb caresses her skin. Fate looks at me with sadness etched on her beautiful features.

"Nanoha." She says my name, her voice almost breaking. "I want to tell you everything so badly but…everything is just so... You will hate me." How could I ever hate this incredible woman before me? I don't think it is remotely possible.

"I could never hate you." I am sure of that, however, I see disbelief in her eyes.

"You don't know the things… the things I have done." Her voice is so very small. She honestly believes I will hate her. There is only one way to show her.

"Tell me. Tell me and I will prove it to you." Again my lips find their way to hers and softly convey that single promise. Fate bites her bottom lip. I can tell she is on the verge of spilling everything and freeing herself of some part of this torment kept inside for her alone to suffer.

"I… I am the…" But before I even get the chance to hear the rest her body stiffens as we hear a beep coming from her back pocket. Whatever Fate was about to tell me gets lost in the distraction. Damn phone choosing now to interrupt us. I just hope I will get the chance to have that answer before she leaves. I feel that whatever she was going to tell me would have been the key to the puzzle.

Fate shifts slightly and drops her arms from around me. She takes a step back and reaches for the phone in her back pocket. I just happen to read a couple of words: "here"; "forward" and "R" before she switches her phone back off and returns it to her back pocket with a heavy sigh. Something doesn't feel right. Fate places her palm on the side of her face, pushing her hand up to her forehead and through her hair. She looks at me. Her look tells me she has to go. I do not fully understand what her and Linith where talking about but I do understand Linith's need in keeping Fate here. I have the same burning need.

I hear the bedroom door click open. Fate and I both turn to watch Linith step out. She has a very frustrated look on her face. Her eyes seem angry. She looks at Fate and conveys our fears. Fate's mother must have said she needed to go.

I break the heavy silence, "Do you really have to go, can't they reschedule?" I plead with Fate.

She shakes her head, "I can't. I need to do this for Mother." Fate takes a step back. "I have to go. The car is waiting." She takes another step back and turns for the door.

Why does it feel so final? This is all wrong.

I rush to her, kiss her on the cheek and whisper in her ear, "I'll be waiting to give you that hug when you return." When you return home to me. Her lips curve up slightly at my words. She opens the door.

"Fate?" Linith calls out to her. "Don't… don't do anything you don't want to do." Fate's head moves but I am not sure if it is a nod. She closes the door behind her and is gone.

I turn to Linith. "What do you mean by that statement? Where exactly is she going?" All I want to do is follow Fate out that door, find her and bring her back. Lock the door and keep her with me, safe.

Linith sighs. She moves over to the couch and sits. I silently follow. She motions for me to sit next to her. We sit in silence for a moment. I wait for her to explain.

"Nanoha, I can tell your relationship with Fate has changed over the weekend." She says this very matter of fact. It isn't a question either. Do I deny it? I guess it is pretty obvious. We must be pretty transparent.

"It has. We aren't ready to share it with everyone just yet. Fate seemed anxious of people finding out." I never had the feeling it was because I was a woman but perhaps it has something to do with this secrecy surrounding her. "What does this have to do with where Fate is going?"

"I am very happy for you both. I can perfectly understand her hesitation in people finding out though. What I tell you now will indeed create more questions, however, I can only tell you so much. Hopefully it will shed some light on some things. It is for your own protection that you don't know too much. Everything will eventually be revealed." Linith takes a deep breath lowering her voice as if she is afraid of being heard.

What the hell is going on? This feels like something out of a movie. What does she mean for my protection? What is Fate involved in? All I can do is watch her, waiting for more.

"Fate does indeed work for her mother." Linith continues. "That much is true. The nature of what she does, no, what she had and has to do is complicated. However, you must understand that her feelings for you are genuine and true. Never doubt them! The transformation I have seen in her since we have moved here is phenomenal. And that is because of you."

What does she mean with what Fate has to do? All I am told is that everything is complicated. I am about to voice my question when Linith lifts her hand to stop me.

"Nanoha, I know this isn't fair of me to ask considering you do not know the entire story but please do not give up on her. Things will get difficult and confusing. It will be at this time that Fate will need you the most." I see Linith take a deep breath before continuing. "Her mother is a very powerful woman who commands a very powerful organisation. You could say that Fate is an employee under her mother. I have been with Fate since she was a little girl. She never had a choice as to what she would end up doing. She was groomed and trained to join the family business. As a result she didn't have much contact with the outside world. I cannot discuss the nature of what she is made to do for her mother. Fate is loyal to a fault and as such will do anything to make her mother happy, anything her mother asks. Now I can tell you that her mother isn't the most nurturing of people and has certainly taken advantage of this side of Fate."

As I listen to all this it almost feels like I am having an out of body experience. It all feels so surreal. I instantly think of Fate's numerous injuries. She did say one was from helping her mother with an experiment. My mind goes a million miles a second with all the possible explanations. Some seem so far fetched.

"It's almost like you are describing the mafia or something like that." I shake my head at how absurd that sounds out loud but looking at Linith I stop. What? It can't be. "Linith? Is it?"

Linith doesn't even look at me as she continues. My mouth goes dry. It's pretty much a confirmation, isn't it?

"The situation is a little more complex than that. It isn't black or white. I can't tell you much more. However, things may soon come to light exposing everything. I am truly sorry for how cryptic this all must sound." Linith stops there letting me process what she has just said.

How do I process this? I am not sure what to think about this.

An immediate flashback to when we were attacked outside Subaru's and Tiana's café instantly comes to mind. Fate somehow made the men stop and apologise. They obviously work for her mother. Why didn't I see that sooner? Just how big is this organisation?

"I don't understand. Why are you telling me this now? Am I in some sort of danger finding this out?" So many questions race in my head. "What about Fate? Where is she going tonight? How involved is she in this?" My voice rises slightly.

Linith shifts closer and attempts to place her hand on my knee. I immediately stand shrugging the hand off.

"No! How can you tell me all this and expect me to… to understand what I am hearing?" I must sound almost hysterical. This is something out of a movie, even a book but not something that would happen in my life. Is this what Fate has been trying to tell me?

"Nanoha."

What kind of things has she done? You can't be involved, be part of the mafia without having done some things for them can you?

"Nanoha!" Linith calls a little louder. I stop my internal panic and look down at her sitting on the couch. I see sympathy reflected in her eyes. "Nanoha, please sit." I hesitate but give in and sit next to her again.

"This can't be happening. What if I hadn't wanted to be involved with all this? I never got a choice." I feel anger bubble up within me.

"I honestly don't think it would have mattered if you had known from the start. The heart wants what the heart wants, irrespective of circumstance. I never expected any of this to happen but I can't deny that I am happy it did. I could have told you when we first met but I admit I selfishly let everything happen even when I saw Fate struggle to fight her own desires and demons. I certainly wasn't going to stop her from experiencing something so wonderful. I think you will both be able to save each other, I hope you can. I am truly sorry for placing so much on your shoulders. I wanted Fate to experience a different way of life other than by her mother's command."

"I am so confused. This all sounds crazy. You make it sound like it's some sort of a game. A game I may not have wanted to be a part of. You knew people would be affected." She is playing with people's emotions and now drops this bombshell expecting me to understand. Somehow though it strangely all makes sense.

"Unfortunately this isn't a game. I am guilty of many things Nanoha. Things I will never be able to atone for. However, meeting you was the best thing that has ever happened to Fate and I do not regret it. If you truly want out of all this, I won't stop you and I certainly won't blame you. Fate certainly wouldn't either. We will be gone by the morning. I can't tell you any more than this. I'm truly sorry for everything."

Is Fate a criminal? I can't believe that. Not everyone in a mafia like organisation is necessarily a criminal. But when your mother is at the top does that change things? Is this why she hates herself so much? Is this the reason her eyes reflect such sadness? Why she struggles telling me anything? Is this why she thinks I will hate her? Again more questions.

Does it change my feelings? Would I still have been attracted to Fate knowing what she is involved with? What is she involved with exactly? My mind is trying to formulate an answer, however, my heart is screaming the only answer I know for sure and without a doubt. Yes! I would still be undeniably attracted to Fate, regardless of the circumstances. The anger that had been building up within me suddenly evaporates. A single statement flows from my heartbeat: I would have still fallen in love with her.

That truth resonates within me and takes the wind out of me. I would have still hopelessly, passionately and madly fallen in love with her. A smile forms on my lips and just as suddenly drops. The beautiful truth is filled with a very uncertain future.

"Why tell me now? Won't you get in trouble for this?"

"I would have liked things to remain as they are a little longer, however, the situation is un-expectantly changing and fast. I fear for Fate. She has never had a choice in the matter, she is just as much a victim in all of this. Although I don't think people will necessarily see it that way. I hope to get her side of the story out before all hell breaks loose." Linith seems very determined. I see the same fire in her eyes from when we first met. She wants to protect Fate. Is something going to go down?

"Is something going to happen?"I ask worriedly. Not knowing all the facts makes this all very frightening.

"Things are out of our control. Something will undoubtedly happen and probably soon. Certain events have made sure of that." Again she is so very cryptic, not really telling me anything at all.

"What happened in your apartment today, was it related to all this? Is this why she didn't want the police involved?" I ask knowing full well that Linith will probably not be able to supply the answers.

I see her nod her head. "Fate comes from a very different world and as such interacts and crosses paths with many different kinds of people." That is one way of putting it. "The police would be grossly ill-equipped. They cannot be involved just yet. The timing isn't right." I fear that is all I will get on that subject.

"We will do everything in our power to keep you out of this Nanoha. We can be out of your life if that is what you wish." Linith gently continues.

But I am a part of all of this.

How can they be out of my life? Do I want them to leave? They could never erase the memories. I don't want them erased.

"I need time to think. Please stay, don't leave." I feel such a headache coming on.

"Certainly, take as much time as you need. I would advise not discussing this with anyone though. We will stay until you say otherwise. Thank you Nanoha! I know after all I have said it may all seem crazy but we appreciate everything you have done for us."

I can't process much more right now. I get up and slowly make my way to my room, entering it and closing the door behind me. How do I process this information? It seems so… unreal. I don't have much time to think about it as I hear my phone ring. I walk up to the bed and pick it up. I don't recognise the number. I could always let it ring…

"Hello, Nanoha speaking." I say as I answer it.

"Nanoha, it's Arf. I hope you don't mind me calling, I got your number off of Hayate."

"Not at all Arf-senpai. How can I help you?" Maybe she has forgotten something. We only just saw her.

"I was wondering how you were considering the events of tonight." Arf-senpai asks. If only she knew. Why would she ask me though? My home wasn't vandalised. This all seems too coincidental for some reason.

"You should probably be asking Fate and Linith that question. I have had nothing done to me." Is it a good idea for her to talk to them though? Considering the information I have just learnt. Just what exactly have a learnt though? I don't know very much more.

"I am hoping to be able to catch a moment with Fate soon. I'm assuming they are staying with you?"

Just what is Arf-senpai after? "Yes they are."

"Ah that's good. You are very kind. Now I realise nothing has been done to you, however, whoever did this to them may try again and your property may inadvertently get damaged as they may not care for the distinction between your things and Fate's." That thought hadn't even crossed my mind. Will this person target me or destroy my property in order to get to Fate? No! Things are just that and can be replaced. I may need to get my parents or Hayate to look after Yuuno for a bit though, just in case.

"I hadn't even thought of that." How messy this has all become. Especially with the new although very limited bit of information from Linith.

"I know that Fate didn't want the police involved but in my opinion this is the wrong move. However, my hands are tied until she does make a statement. Saying that though, I will have a patrol car or myself make rounds in the area now and again just to be sure."

With the police in the area will things, dare I say get more complicated? Linith didn't want the police involved either, saying they were 'ill-equipped'. But Arf-senpai seems to have a genuine concern. I mean she knew Alicia so maybe she can help.

"Nanoha? Are you still there?"

"Yes, sorry. I would appreciate that." What should I do? I would feel better knowing police are patrolling the area but… Should I come clean to Arf-senpai who can maybe help or should I keep quiet?

"And now you also have my number in case you need to contact me. Um… I know through Hayate that you have been spending a lot of time with Fate for the last couple of months since she has been in the city." Where is she going with this? "I was wondering if you knew where Fate was before she moved here."

I have no idea. It seems I am not the only one trying to find answers. I remember Linith saying they were from just outside the city. But that could be anywhere.

"I'm sorry they never really said and I'm embarrassed to say that I never asked." Which is the truth.

"Not to worry, I will ask Fate when I get the chance." I wonder if she will get an answer. There is a pause on the line. I have a feeling there is more to this phone call.

"Is there something specific you wanted to ask me Arf-senpai?" Best to be blunt sometimes. Maybe I will be so lucky as to get a straight answer from at least one person.

I hear her chuckle on the other end. "I am pretty obvious aren't I? Well no point postponing it any longer. Have you by any chance noticed anything suspicious or out of the ordinary happening particularly surrounding them?"

Everything about them is out of the ordinary. Have I noticed anything suspicious? Well, yes! Almost everything. With my conversation with Linith earlier and now with Arf-senpai everything seems glaringly suspicious. Part of me, I'm ashamed to say may have chosen to ignore some of it. Why though? Because of Fate. Because I was happy. But… even though Linith has said that Fate has been different and better, maybe even happy. It makes me think as to what she must have been like before. I see her struggle everyday with something, something bigger than me, bigger than any one of us. And I feel like I have selectively paid attention to that for my own happiness. I should have pushed more.

I will push more.

Linith did say that now wasn't the right time to notify the police, that they couldn't handle it just yet. My gut feeling says to trust that. My heart says to believe in her words. I make a decision, whether it is the right or wrong one only time will tell.

"Suspicious? Fate and Linith? Apart from their place being vandalised, I am afraid I haven't noticed no. Why do you ask?" I reply. Was it too much? Believable?

"Oh…" She sounds unconvinced. Can she tell I am lying? Or am I just being paranoid after what I have learnt? When everything explodes as Linith said it would, am I going to be implicated? Implicated in what though? I don't know anything. So the answer should be no. But am I really worried about me or Fate? What exactly will happen when things turn?

"Look Nanoha, I am concerned for their wellbeing. I am not sure what exactly is going on but be careful. This isn't a game!" Arf-senpai's words scare me, she knows more than she is letting on. "You have my number should anything come up." She is giving me an option. She knows I know something more. I need to speak to Fate.

"Thank you Arf-senpai." There is nothing else to say until I have spoken with Fate.

"Goodnight Nanoha."

"Goodnight." I hang up the phone and sit on my bed.

Today has been a surreal day. Even though I don't know very much more I feel like my brain is suffering from information overload. I haven't had much time to process anything. I feel like I have been given nothing more but everything at the same time. The answers are much closer now. I just need to know where to look. Arf-senpai is somehow involved. Being in the police makes me worry. Is it coincidence that she is asking about Fate after her things have been vandalised or is there more? I feel like there is so much more. Linith is certainly right, a chain-reaction has been set in motion. I am in the middle of something too big to comprehend.

I lie down on my bed and close my eyes. What am I missing? Have I made the right decision? My heart says yes but there is this niggling feeling in the back of my mind.

I need to think… My mind drifts off…

I wake up with a start. I had that butterfly dream yet again. Or is it a nightmare? It always leaves me feeling a little uncomfortable. The butterflies die all around me and the few remaining disappear in the blackened forest. Why can't I keep up with them?

I need a drink of water. I shake my head and carefully climb out of bed, watching Yuuno as he burrows deeper in the blankets.

I open the door to my bedroom and quietly make my way to the kitchen. Everything is so silent except for the almost thunderous ticking sounds of the second hand of the wall clock. I am still finding it hard to believe everything that Linith told me, not to mention the awkward call with Arf-senpai. It all feels so far fetched. How do I begin to make sense of it all? I was hoping when I woke up that it was all a dream…

I slowly creep up to the couch Fate is using and notice the blankets are still neatly folded on the side. She hasn't come back. A shiver runs down my spine. Where is she? I glance at the clock on the wall. 4:45AM. Should I wake Linith? I don't even know Fate's number. What do I do? Did her mother ask her to do something dangerous? Too many scenarios are running wild in my mind when they are all silenced by a noise. I strain my ears to try and hear it again, to find its source.

There it is again! I glance in the dark around my apartment. It isn't coming from in here. I slowly make my way to the door leading outside. I hear the sound once more. It sounds like someone is stepping on broken glass. I probably wouldn't have heard it during the day, but in the silence of the night it almost sounds too loud. There is only one place that noise can be coming from. I slip on some shoes, take my keys and as quietly as I can muster unlock and open the door.

I look across the hall and notice the door to Linith's and Fate's place is slightly ajar. Who could this be and at this hour too? My heart is beating so very fast. This could be the dumbest thing I have done yet. I should wake Linith or call Arf-senpai. However, an overwhelming feeling tells me I know who this is. As carefully as I can without alerting the person I make my way to the door. I manage to poke my head through the gap. It takes a few moments to become reacquainted with the mess and particularly the smell.

I hear another noise almost like a muffle and my eyes automatically snap in the direction of Fate's bedroom. I squint in the darkness and make out a shape just past the threshold to the bedroom door. This mysterious person is crouched down on the floor with their head tucked into their knees. Their hands are wrapped around their body as if to shield them from all the damage.

I hear another muffled sound and it suddenly becomes clear that this person is trying to mute their crying. This knowledge is so heart wrenching. Before I know what I am doing my legs are moving and I'm making my way to the heart of the chaos, to Fate, the debris crunching beneath my every step.

If Fate has heard me she doesn't show it. The backdrop with the stench and words on the wall is a truly devastating imagery. I can't leave her here like this. The reality of the situation is striking. The words Linith and Arf uttered come back to me ten fold. This isn't a game. Someone will get hurt and from what I can see one person is already hurting.

I reach her and crouch down next to her. The city lights through the window, its curtain ripped and lost in the mess, allows me to see. The entropy surrounding us seems strangely fitting. I see her shoulders shake ever so slightly.

This isn't right. Nothing that could make her cry is right. How I wish to take her pain away. I would carry all her burdens if only to give her some reprieve. I don't know much of what is going on but I do know from what I can see in front of me, from what I have seen, that Fate is being ripped apart by it.

My fingers gently ghost over the skin of her arm, trailing gently until I reach her fingertips that are holding on for dear life onto her leg. I can't be sure but her wrist seems a little darker. I carefully place my hand over it. My other arm makes its way around her back. I keep my promises! Fate hasn't moved an inch, her shoulders still shake yet no sound has escaped her since I have entered the room, bar her uneven breathing.

I place my head softly on her shoulder and pull her slightly towards me. How I wish to shield her from everything. I am not sure how long we sit like this for. Her breathing seems to have evened out and her shoulders have stopped shaking. No words have been uttered. What would we say? What could I say? No words would make anything better at this moment. Especially since I have no idea what has happened.

This moment makes me acutely aware that no criminal enjoying what they are doing would be behaving like this, would be breaking into so many shards. Whatever she is doing it appears that she is forced to. My mind is still racing with where she went tonight and why she has come back this way.

My feelings towards Fate haven't changed even with the small bit of information from Linith and the warning of Arf-senpai. If anything they have become stronger.

I don't care how powerful her mother is. I will fight this, I will fight for Fate. Suddenly the room seems oppressive, a reminder of the chaos surrounding her, a reminder of all the hurt and damage. I fear Fate may have fallen asleep. I lace my fingers with hers and feel her respond by tightening her hold. Still nothing is said, nothing can be said, nothing needs to be said. I stand taking her hand with me making her stand too.

We cannot stay in this room any longer. I need to take her where she can feel safe and loved. I need to get her out of here. I do not wait another moment as I turn and lead her out of the stench and mess. I open the door to my apartment. We quietly make our way to the bathroom were I switch the light on, making us both wince with its harshness. I briefly let go of her hand and leave her in the bathroom to grab some clothing for her to sleep in.

When I return I notice that she hasn't moved at all. Her hair is covering part of her face. Her head is bowed with her hands by her side, fists clenched. The light attracts attention to the areas I would have missed in the darkness, making them painfully stand out.

Her hair seems to be in a bit of a mess, most of it loose from its usual pony tail. My breath catches as I notice that the skin on both of her wrists are a burning red colour, patches of blue coming through. My eyes travel up her arms to her face looking for any more injuries where I notice tear tracks lead down to her chin and… I drop the clothing I had clutched to me.

Her now very crinkled shirt seems to be ripped from the collar all the way to the middle of her chest, I can see her bra through the opening. Angry scratch lines mark her clavicle and neck. I quickly scan the rest of her body, particularly her jeans. Part of me feels relief that it all seems to be how I remember it when she left but another part of me is extremely anxious at the possibilities…

Fate turns her head at the scrutiny and bites her bottom lip. I can only guess to stop herself from crying. The sight breaks another little piece inside of me. I rush to her. My arms loop around her neck and pull her down to me almost frantically, holding her to me. I feel her body shudder and slowly but surely her arms tentatively reach up to hold on to me.

How can somebody do this? Clearly judging by the marks on her wrists someone held her, held her against her will to… I can't even finish that though. I doesn't seem like they got that far… or did they? I don't think they have.

"Fate, did they…?" I can't even find my voice to finish the questions. I feel her shake her head to signify no in the crook of my neck. Relief floods me but… Someone still tried, someone still hurt her.

I feel wetness on my neck as she silently cries. Tears soak my shirt. How could this have happened? Her earlier conversation with Linith comes back to me in this moment. They knew something like this could happen. I feel sudden anger at the thought. This could have been prevented. Linith knew this may happen. Yet she let her go? Why? Just what the hell is going on?

Was she working for her mother? Is she aware of this too? The earlier conversation with Linith suggests yes. Why would her mother make her do this? Fate clearly doesn't want this. Is Linith just a slave to the organisation too? Why would anyone let Fate go through with this? Has this happened before?

My anger dissipates just as quickly as it appeared. There is no place for anger right now. I need to be here for Fate and not scare her away. Tonight seems to have been traumatising enough.

Will I be strong enough to go through this with her?

My heart is telling me that no matter what, I am already in too deep and that I will jump into the fray for her. My head on the other hand is saying I need to stay away from this. I know which one I will listen to, which one I have already decided on way before I knew some of the truth. Could I maybe talk to Arf-senpai about this and get her to help me. Did Alicia have to do the same things? There is no denying the injuries every time she goes to 'work'. The scars on her back speak of years of untold pain. This is abuse, plain and simple. How could I not see this before? Everything is right in front of my face, everything is currently in my arms.

My arms pull her even closer to me. Her front is completely pressed into me. There is no space between us. My worry fades slightly at the feeling of her, of her breathing and alive, of her here with me. Can I keep her safe? I had let her go but I never imagined this to happen. I softly kiss her behind her ear. I can smell cigarette smoke in her hair. Its lingering scent along with the angry red marks and scratches are the effects as to where she was. I will try my hardest to keep her safe. I never would have imagined my life would take this journey. I will need to speak to Arf-senpai but first I will need to speak to Fate. Not tonight though. She has been through enough.

Right at this moment I do not care about all the things she may have done. Whatever may happen I will see it through with her.

I may not know what the future holds for her, for us, but I do know what my heart tells me.

I reluctantly release her. I look at the new marks on her body. Marks that shouldn't be there. I feel so many emotions all at once. I want to snap the person who did this in two. I want to hold her to me forever more.

"No one has the right to touch you without your permission." I whisper to her, words I had spoken when we first met. Fate looks at me with bloodshot eyes. We both know it is more complicated than that. Complicated, a word I have come to understand in a short space of time. A word I have come to dislike.

I gently run my hands over her neck, trying to trace away the marks, etched there on the surface of her skin, trying to conquer the pain held within the tissue. Her eyes close. I place the softest of kisses on her neck and down to her collar bone. If there is a storm coming then I can be the calm before it. I try to erase all the hurt done tonight and replace it with my touches, caresses, kisses. I want to be her refuge in the chaos.

I don't care what she has done. I only know what my heart tells me.

And it's telling me loud and clear that I love her!

To be continued…