I'm gonna stop apologising for short chapters. From now on, this will be more or less my chapter length. Do I need a disclaimer by the way, 'cuz I just realised...I don't have one.

Ragnarok: No, I'm not gonna demonise Yuuno. I don't really mind him that much. He will actually be a pretty nice guy because, well, maybe I was too subtle, but he's actually trying to reconcile Fat and Nanoha. The reason why Hayate doesn't like him...well, you just have to read.

Well, enjoy.

"We're almost there," Vice calls from the front.

"Ready?" Fate asks us. I can just hear her over the sound of the chopper. I nod, fiddling with my device. "Subaru?"

"Hai!" She says cheerfully. Why the heck is she always so cheerful?

"Okay, I'll go over the plan once more, alright? Listen carefully." We lean in closer. "You two, will infiltrate the base. I'll be providing a distraction in the front. You two head to the Central mainframe..."

"..Following the blueprints in Tea's device..." Subaru continues

"...Which I will plug into the main computer." Fate nods.

"Your device has been linked to the computers at Section Six. The data will be transferred immediately. Also, when you enter, try not to get drawn into fights. Avoid detection, but if you are discovered, dispatch your opponents quickly. I won't be able to help you when you're inside. If they discover you after the transfer is complete, don't fight, just run. Got it?"

"Hai!" We say in unison.

"Good." She smiles warmly at us. "Try to relax, you two. If you get too excited, you might make a mistake." We nod.

"Fate, one minute to drop point."

"Roger." The ramp lowers, admitting a strong gust of wind. She gestures to us and we follow her partway down. The wind tugs at her long golden hair, pulling I around her face. Over the course of the past few weeks, I've only ever seen a kind expression on her face, but now it is replaced by a determined look. Her eyes are hard and somehow, she just seems stronger. Like Nanoha.

I watch the ground whirl by. A few hundred meters away, I see our destination.

Subaru POV

"Now, Fate!" Vice yells.

"Good luck. Take care of each other, ne?" She runs down the rest of the ramp and jumps out gracefully. "Bardiche, set up!"

A sphere of yellow magic engulfs her as she plummets to the ground. It fades away to a golden streak that arcs towards our destination.

"Your turn girls!"

"Come on, Tea!" I grab her hand. "Mech Calliber, let's go!"

Alright pal. Wing Road.

Fate POV

I dodge backwards, avoiding a blast of magic from a drone. Glancing up, I see a familiar trail of blue magic. Be careful...

"Bardiche."

Yes Sir. Haken Form.

I leap forward at the drones.

"Thank God! You're awake!" I open my eyes slowly. The light hurts my eyes. My head throbs slightly. I see a figure standing over my. It's blurred, but I can make out short brown hair and the familiar clips.

"Hayate?" She grins.

"The one and only," she declares. She helps me sit up. "I guess this means you're still right up here." She taps my head.

"Ow." I wince. Blinking a few times, my vision sharpens. "Rob Lucci?" I ask, naming the villain we were after.

"Taken care of. I don't know what happened to you though. There was something wrong with the communications. We lost contact for a few minutes and when we arrived you were already out. Do you remember what happened?"

I closed my eyes and replayed the battle. An explosion. The bodies of comrades. Fate... I open my eyes again. That was...real? It couldn't be. Fate wouldn't...but she did. I saw it with my own eyes. She...Fate. I grip the sheets tightly.

"Nanoha?" Hayate's voice is concerned. I don't -can't- answer. "Nanoha?" She repeats, the worry in her voice is evident. I force myself to look at her.

"I...I can't really remember. There were so many explosions. It was so...confusing."

"You don't have to remember." She places a hand on my shoulder. "We beat him. That's all that matters."

I wish it was.

"-Fate will be so glad to hear you're awake."

"..."

"What?" She leans in closer.

"I don't want to see her."

Fate POV

I walk into the cafeteria after a long day training Erio and Caro. I smile to myself, thinking about how fast they are progressing. They really are talented. They'll be amazing mages one day. Looking around, I see Nanoha seated alone at a table near the floor-to-ceiling-windows. Yuuno isn't next to her, like he has been for the past four days. Hayate said something about meeting with Yuuno later... I should pay more attention. Getting my food, I walk over cautiously.

"Can I sit here?" She looks at me. I can see a million different emotions in her eyes. Then she turns away.

"I guess so." I take a seat opposite her and dig in. She picks at her food, staring out the window.

"Um...Nanoha?" She glances back at me. "Is something...bothering you?" She shakes her head. Reeeeal smooth, Fate. Suddenly, I remember something I wanted to talk to her about. "Hey, Nanoha, do you think that," I hesitate. She looks at me. "That something's bothering Teana?"

"What makes you say that?" Her tone is neutral.

"Well, she seems to be distracted. And moody. She's also training a lot after practise... I'm worried about her." She doesn't answer and for a long moment, I thought that she wouldn't. Then she says:

"I think she's still upset about the incident at Hotel Augsta. She'll get over it, hopefully. If not then..." she toys with Raising Heart, rubbing the red jewel unconsciously, "I'll handle it."

"I see." I feel a little nervous. Whenever she toys with Raising Heart I can't help thinking of...those two words. But at the same time, I'm relieved. Nanoha will know what to do. I pick up my fork again and resume my meal. "You know, Fate..." I give a start. Raising my gaze, I meet her eyes. Those slate blue orbs. I feel like I'm drowning in the sky...

"Yes, Nanoha?" I ask softly. Something flickers in her stoic expression.

"About that time-"

"Hey, Nanoha!" Yuuno greets. "Hello Fate." He grins at me.

"Hey, Yuuno." I recover first, smiling at him.

"Ahh, Yuuno. You surprised me." She also smiles at him. He laughs.

"It's good to see you guys talking like you used to." Not exactly like we used to. He leans down and kisses her cheek. She blushes cutely, glancing at me. I close my eyes for a few seconds. Opening them again, I put on a teasing smile at them.

"Well, I'll see you two lovebirds later. My breaks over." I get up, taking my tray.

"See you later then," Yuuno waves. "Don't work too hard."

"I'll try not too." I return his wave. "Bye, Nanoha."

Her reply is barely audible. "Goodbye, Fate."

Back in my office, I collapse into my chair and close the shutters. I bury my head in my arms.

It hurt more than I thought it would.

Yeah, this was my shortest chapter so far. I just decided to move something from here to the next chapter. The only reason you're getting this now is because I got two days holiday. And another one on Friday. I LOVE HOLIDAYS.

Anyway, expect the next chapter mid-week after the next. (If that makes any sense) I got got a chess tournament next week for three days, doesanyoneevenreadthis so I'll probably write between matches.

5 reviews and I'll post it end of next week. I'm setting the bar high BECAUSE I'M LAZY THAT'S WHY.