Well, I almost got it in a week...late by two days, damn it! Close enough... it's a little short, though. Anyway, think of it as a 'Yay! We aren't dead!' present. I wrote a one-shot for christmas so I'll publish it tomorrow...as an appology ofr the short chapter.

I can't believe I forgot to say this, but THANK YOU TO ALL MY REVIEWERS! Especially heartbreak3r, my first reviewer! and to everyone else.

I stare at him. Dammit. And it was going so well too. Why did he have to appear? I can only watch as he walks away with her and leaves the blonde Enforcer behind. Curse you, Yunno Scrya.

Her voice calls me. Telling me something. I start to move, but -stop. Why, though? Why should I? That girl is...she is the one who... That's right. She did. So why must I? Indeed. Why? Her voice rings out again. Slightly desperate. Confused. I face her. Look her in the eyes. I see realisation. And something else. Fear.

I slip on my shoes and make my way to the others. That nightmare again.. I feel sick. The memory of it always leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I re-join them, immersed in my thoughts.

Hayate POV

Fate-chan looks absolutely gorgeous! Hayate, you are a genius. I mentally pat my back. Nanoha also looks stunning. And lets not forget myself. I look pretty damn beautiful too...but let's not get carried away. Right! Focus!

"Hey, Fate-chan. What do you think?"

"Eh?"

"The dress," I explain, patiently. "What do you think of Nanoha's dress?"

"Uhmm," she raises her head to look at Nanoha. "I -it l-looks,"she stutters and blushes adorably. I think I'm getting a nosebleed.

"Like it? I picked it out myself," I grin devilishly.

"Y-yeah, it's nice."

We enter the building and head to the auction hall. There is an awkward silence since Fate doesn't usually start the conversation, Nanoha doesn't want to start the conversation and I know if I try anything, the both of them will ignore me. So we stand there, taking in the suroundings. Fate is the first to cave in. Unsurprisingly.

"I'll go check around the area." Then she leaves. As the clack of her high-heels fade away, I pull Nanoha along.

"Come on, might as well scout the auction hall, Nanoha-chan."

We go up the stairs to the second floor of the hall.

"Wow, this place is well guarded," she remarks. "If it's a normal emergency, these guys shhould be able to handle it."

"Yup, and we'll only act in case of a severe emergency. Remember that," I fix her with a stare. "I don't want you Starlight Breaking normal theives." She pouts.

"I only did that once."

"Twice."

"Once. The second time, well, he was going to hurt Fa-" she stops abruptly. Then looks at me. "I really don't want to talk about it, Hayate."

"So both of you are just going to stay like this? Avoiding each other?" She mumbled something like 'It's for the best.'

"No, it's not. Look, I'm not going to force you to talk to her. I just want you guys not to act like you don't know each other. Or hate each other. And if she tries to talk to you, give her a chance, alright?"

"Okay," she says softly.

"Thank you." I hug her.

Nanoha POV

I lay awake, listening to the familiar torrent of notes. Fate...

It's been so long since I heard her play. But for some reason, it sounds different...

It's the same notes, the same song...everything is the same...yet it's changed.

Then I realised. It hurt.

Listening to her play...hurt. It reminded me of everything we had. And lost.

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't escape it. The flow of music pierced my ears through whatever covering I placed over them to muffle it.

Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep that night.

I look at Fate out of the corner of my eye. Clad in the black dress that Hayate picked out for her, she looks absolutely gorgeous.

Not that it matters, she thought harshly. It doesn't change anything.

Erio POV

"Let's go, Caro."

"Un." The pink haired girl nodded and they ran outside.

"Strada, set up." He changeed into his barrier jacket, ready to fend of the drones. And although he didn't show it, Erio was worried. Fate-san...what actually happened?

"Fate-san?" he called out as she passed him. He stopped as he realised she was probably visiting Nanoha.

Without knowing why, he followed her. He stood on the otherside of the door. And listened.

"Nanoha."

"Go away."

"Nanoha?"

"I said, get out."

"I don't-"

"I know what you did," came the whisper. "I saw it, otherwise I wouldn't have believed it. That you could do that."

"Nanoha, I-" he couldn't hear anything but low murmering and then footsteps. He froze for a second before scrambling away. He needn't have bothered. Fate walked past him without so much a glance in his direction.

"Erio!" Caro called out a warning.

He looked up to see the first of the drones appearing. He lifted Strada and charged.

Nanoha POV

Hayate left the room as the aution started. A few seconds later, Fate appeared. She stood near me, not saying anything, looking down at the floor. Hayate's words echoed in my mind. Alright, alright...

"So how are they doing?" I ask her.

"Excuse me?" she asked, surprised.

"Erio and Caro," I clarify.

"Oh...good, I guess. They work together well." she paused before saying, "You trained them really well, Nanoha." I nod.

"They're good kids. You raised them well." A few seconds of silence follows. Then:

"Nanoha I-" The announcers voice cuts her off.

"-And please welcome the young archeologist, Yunno Scrya." We both turn to look. Sure enough, Yunno walks on stage. I smile. He didn't tell me he would be here.

Fate POV

After the auction, I change back into my uniform and do what I normallly do. Investigate. After a few people, I walk up to Yunno.

"Fate!" he exclaims, smiling.

"Hey, Yunno," I smile a fake smile. "I need to ask some question, if you don't mind."

"Ask away," he waves his hands carelessly.

"...and that's all." I finish.

"It's nice to see you back on the job, Fate." he grins at me.

"Yeah," I reply, unenthusiatically.

"Yunno!" I hear her voice behind me.

"Hey, Nanoha," his grin grows even wider. He kisses her gently. I look away as Nanoha giggles.

"Nyahaha."

"It was nice seeing you, Fate."

"You too." They walk away, talking animatedly. I can't help but watch them until they disappear. Then I continue with the investigation.

Yunno POV

"So have you and Fate made up yet?" I ask her.

"Mmm."

"Yes or no?"

"No." she looks away. "But I'm working on it. And you," she turns back to me. "Why didn't you tell me you where here?"

"Ah, I wanted to surprise you," I reply playfully, kissing her again. She blushes. We continue talking. Well, at least she's trying. I hate to see her arguing with her best friend.