Hoping that you guys like this chapter. I thought I'd add a bit more at the end, so it was a bit longer than I thought'd be. Also thought I'd have Signum and Fate join them, since Signum and Fate's conversation started before theirs, and wasn't all too long. But anyways, hoping that it's alright, and that everyone enjoys. Or something like that. Oh yeah, apparently my personality type is ENFP, for those that have taken the Myers-Briggs Personality Test.

Sometimes I wonder, would things be different if I had told anyone so long ago on that fateful day? Maybe I never would have met Yuuno. Then I never would have been a magical girl, and I never would have met Fate. But maybe that would have been better. Then I wouldn't have these nightmares all the time, reliving what happened over and over again. I wouldn't have fallen in love, and wouldn't have to deal with the pain of knowing that your love will never be returned. Yeah, looking back on it, things would've been better if I had told the cops back then. But then again, the cops may not have believed me. My parents didn't, when I told them that the doctor was a bad man. They just said that the doctor helped people, so he was good. But that doctor only helped himself. So maybe even if I had said something, nothing would be different. But at least I wouldn't be filled with the guilt of not saying anything. After all, I've already got enough pressure with the secret of my love. With both of these pressing down on me, it's no wonder I'm stuck in bed with a fever.

Unsweetened Dreams V

By:

2takuya

Nanoha was lying idly in a bed. Shamal was sitting in a chair, a few feet away. It was obvious that Nanoha wasn't trusted to lie in the bed quietly without trying to go anywhere on her own. Then again, given the chance, she probably would try, to go somewhere that is.

So there was really only one option the instructor had at the moment, with her friend reading patient records or something boring. The only thing Nanoha could do was think; since sleeping was out of the question. Every time her eyes closed, that dream came back to her. And yet, with her eyes open, the only thing she could think about was things she should have done differently, and play out scenarios of how things could have been different.

Shamal, on the other hand, wasn't really reading patient files. Well, she had been, and they had been Nanoha's, but now she was watching her friend. Nanoha was lying quietly in the bed, which was different than what normally happened. Normally Nanoha would keep pestering until she convinced Shamal to let her leave and get some work done. The girl always insisted that nothing was wrong, that she should be productive and get something done.

Nanoha lying in bed, being cooperative, was definitely something new, and that's how Shamal knew something was up. That and the things that Nanoha had been saying since she had gotten there. But Nanoha only seemed to say strange things when Fate was around. Then again, that was most definitely because Nanoha could tell anything to Fate. It was quite obvious how much Nanoha liked Fate, but for some reason she had decided not to say anything about it. It was funny at first, because Nanoha would get very flustered whenever she was around Fate, but it was kind of getting old. Especially now that it was obvious that Fate liked Nanoha as well, but neither of them realized that the other one liked them.

Things like that, they get old fast. How come it was always so obvious to everyone else but the people involved? Well, that was why Signum was off talking to Fate at the moment. Shamal's job was to get Nanoha to admit it.

"Nanoha, are you feeling better?" Shamal's voice spoke, breaking Nanoha out of her thoughts.

Nanoha gazed at Shamal for a few moments; she seemed a bit lost, as though she was trying to figure something out. "Mm, I'm fine," she mumbled quietly, slowly focusing in on Shamal.

"Are you sure? You don't feel too warm, do you?" Shamal was just stalling, hoping to get Nanoha's attention just a bit more before she brought up the topic she really wanted to talk about.

"No, I'm fine," Nanoha responded, a small smile on her face. She didn't want Shamal to worry about her. Heck, she didn't want anyone to worry about her. Hm, maybe that's why she didn't say anything all that time ago. It'd make sense; she's always been that way.

"Really? You're not lonely without Fate, are you? Do you want me to call her and have her stop by for a while?" Shamal asked, a pleasant smile on her face. She asked the question like a doctor would ask for symptoms. She was very cunning, and definitely not someone you'd want to cross.

"Mm," Nanoha mumbled quietly, a positive answer to Shamal's questions. Yeah, she really wanted Fate right now. She was just so confused, and she couldn't sleep, not without having those dreams. She just wanted Fate to come and get rid of all those thoughts. "I miss her."

Shamal was quiet for a moment, quite shocked that Nanoha had been so honest. Normally the girl would turn ten shades of red and sputter out some answer, trying to deny her feelings. Well, the girl was red, just not in the same way. Her fever was probably helping her to be a bit more honest.

"You just saw her this morning though, Nanoha. You miss her already?" Shamal asked, letting her surprise coat her words. She was hoping to get more information from Nanoha, whether it is on the girl's feelings for Fate, or maybe the reason behind the girl's unusual behavior.

This time, Nanoha did blush, as she realized how she had answered Shamal's question, and that Shamal was right. Fate did only leave that morning; it had only been a few hours. And yet, Nanoha was so tired. There really wasn't much of a reason for her to be tired, she'd been lying in bed for the entire time, and she had slept for most of the night. And no matter how tired she was, she couldn't go to sleep.

She had been asleep, for a while this morning. But after Fate had left, she had woken up again, woken by that horrid dream. But Fate didn't know, and Nanoha didn't want her knowing. She didn't want to keep Fate busy with her, she didn't want to be spoiled like that, it wouldn't be fair to Fate.

"That's not what I meant," Nanoha mumbled quietly, finally responding to Shamal's question. She seemed to be responding at a slower rate than normal, like it was taking a while for either her to think of an answer, or to realize what had been said.

"So then you don't miss Fate?" Shamal asked, a sly grin on her face now. "So if Fate were on her way over, you wouldn't care?" She knew that Signum and Fate were down the hall, they were close enough that they could hear the conversation. Shamal always knew when Signum was around, just like Nanoha could sense when Fate was around. But the fever seemed to make it harder for Nanoha to feel Fate.

Fate, for her part, had frozen in surprise at Shamal's words. Nanoha didn't want her there? Maybe she had made her friend feel uncomfortable before. It wouldn't be a surprise; she had been hugging her more than she needed to, and whispering things that only a lover would say. But she had thought it was alright, Nanoha had seemed to calm down. Maybe it had just been the fever, and now that Nanoha was feeling a little more awake she realized what had happened.

"No!" Nanoha shouted in surprise, or at least attempted to. Her voice cracked, and it sounded weaker than normal. But to all listening, they knew it was a shout all the same. "That's- that's not what I meant. I- Of course I want to see Fate," she mumbled quietly, struggling to explain herself, only further embarrassing herself in the process. "But Fate's busy, and it wouldn't be fair." The last part seemed more like an added thought.

Signum played her part well, a hand on Fate's shoulder to stop her. Nanoha didn't need to know that they were there yet; the conversation hadn't come to an end just yet. Fate, though not to happy, had decided to follow Signum's silent request. They would stay silent and listen to the end of the conversation.

"What wouldn't be fair? That Fate would have to stay here while you're sick?" Shamal asked, leading her young friend on. Just a few more pushes, and she'd have the answer she wanted.

Nanoha nodded her conformation, a small frown on her face. She was staring up at the ceiling, trying to piece her thoughts together. "Mm, she'd just get bored." Nanoha said quietly, twiddling her thumbs at this point. "And I'm scared."

There, now she'd gotten her. That was what Shamal had been waiting for, something to catch on to, to start a conversation to find answers. Of course, she couldn't do this on her own. That was why Signum walked in the door with Fate on her heels.

Nanoha hadn't seen it coming, and the look of surprise on her face made it obvious. But that surprise quickly turned into a small smile. She was thrilled Fate had come to visit her, and it was obvious to both Signum and Shamal. Heck, even Fate could tell Nanoha was happy to see her, she just didn't realize there was a deeper meaning behind it. Ignorance isn't always bliss.

Fate played her role well; she walked to Nanoha's bed side and grabbed her hand, holding in her own as she took a seat. Signum walked closer to Shamal, taking a seat on the desk next to her lover.

"What are you afraid of?" Signum asked, not even bothering to beat around the bush. But that's why she was there, her straightforwardness tended to bring out answers from both Fate and Nanoha.

Nanoha stiffened in response, sending a fleeting glance to Fate that went unnoticed. To everyone but Signum, that is. She just felt no need in saying anything about it; it would only pull attention away from the question she had asked.

The next look that passed Nanoha's face was easily readable. They all recognized it in an instant. Nanoha was going to try and pretend that nothing was the matter. Of course, none of them planned on letting her.

Surprisingly, it was Fate who got rid of Nanoha's stubbornness. Fate swiftly rose from her chair and instead moved herself to Nanoha's bed, surprising everyone in the room. She then lifted Nanoha's head so that she could lean back on the pillow, and had Nanoha's head lying on her chest instead. Fate knew that Nanoha would protest instantly, and before even a word could be uttered she began stroking her friend's hair. Fate knew how to get rid of Nanoha's stubbornness, and that only added to make her a more formidable person.

Signum and Shamal watched silently, both surprised by Fate's actions. What surprised the two even more was that Nanoha was about to protest, which would have been understandable, when Fate began stroking her hair. And instantly Nanoha's eyes slid shut, and a look of pure bliss crossed the instructor's face.

And so Signum asked again, what Nanoha was afraid of. And this time, Nanoha was more willing to answer. Though her words were slurred, the speaker on the verge of sleep. And as Nanoha drifted to a restful sleep, the others managed to piece together what the girl had said.

"That Fate will leave, because I need too much attention. That I'll be too weak, and won't be strong enough to stay with Fate. That Doctor Taichi will come back, and he won't be stopped this time."

So anyways, that's the chapter for you all! But you all know who Doctor Taichi is, if not, then well . . . got nothing to say to that. Anyways, Doctor Taichi was a character I just came up with, a few moments ago as I added that bit in. So much more that gets revealed later on. Wondering how much I can surprise you guys with my story.

Anyways, please be sure to review, even if it's just like one word. I still like getting reviews, makes me very happy. Don't be afraid to leave advice, I'm always looking to improve!