A/N: YO! finally updated this... i do hope everyone will forgive me for this though. i finally realized how hard it is to maintain 2 fanfics and now i'm trying to balance them evenly. :) so i hope this can make it up for it.

Now to thank the reviewers :

deltawaves: Yes, this story already has an ending planned for it :)

Mello-san: Ummm... haha I hope the date would go well.. guess you need to find out?

Asuka47: ofcourse! Fate is cute specially if she's blushing.

EXpERieNCed: haha just a cameo i swear. i need to point how Nanoha had power before without encountering Fate. and yes, after this, i'll invoke some fighting. (readying my mecha-magical girls fighting materials)

Honulicious: as far as the flashback in the last 2 chapters, yes they worked in the past. thanks for not mindng the fast pace :D

hinagiku13: i hope this date will turn out well?

floire: Thanks for the review... i do hope you will find this update good enough since i know i might destroy your expectations... :(

ZonaRose: haha it's alright about not leaving a review. the important part for me is if you found the chapter enjoyable. Well Sakura didn't told nanoha 'exactly' about Fate.

dark-atrox: Well Sakura can be considered as the magical girl of all magical girl.. just paying atribute to her and she is just a cameo. And about Vita,,, :D just smiling about it.

MangamanZX: not really a X-over to ccs. just a minor cameo i should no probs, keep the suggestions coming! :)

kaito kenshin: thank you for your review. i do hope you won't get turned off with this chappie though.

Lily Testarossa: i hope i won't disappoint you.. :(

mode: All i can say is not all first dates are fluff...

Lance58: *blush* umm thank you... am not a great writer, just sharing what i imagine i guess. please don't kill me for this chapter..

hmm,, I think i thanked all those who reviewed. now, thanks to those who gave time to read this and now i give you the new chapter!

Chapter 9: fail means chance

Date. One word and it made Fate's mind work like crazy. She had been rummaging her closet for the perfect clothes but it's either spare uniforms, training uniforms, casual clothes and very formal dresses and tuxedos. It didn't came to her mind that she had been on a clothes hunt for an hour already. After a few more minutes, she was down to two selections, a black strapless cocktail dress that goes all the way down to her knees. It's decorated with bits of diamonds and a crisscross gold trimming. While the other is a white fitted long-sleeved polo with golden trims that's paired with a black slacks. The latter was plain but comforting to her and it weighed a lot in her conquest of the perfect clothes.

She sighed. She still can't decide on what to wear. 'This is the time I think I need Hayate's advice.' She mulled over, examining the clothes before her. But the though of her brunette commander deciding on what she will wear sent chills down her spine. The different designs, the unusual look… she shivered at the thought. "Definitely not Hayate." She blinked and raised the two clothes atop her device. "Bardirche, what do you think?" she asked the device. When the yellow triangle intelligent device didn't answer, Fate chuckled to herself for her sudden question. "Who am I kidding asking Bardirche." She mused out loud.

[Sir I recommend the pants over the dress. Your vehicle is something a dress cannot match.] Bardiche stated, surprising its master.

Startled by her device's opinion, Fate had her eyes wide open like saucers and her mouth agape. Imitating a fish out of water for a few minutes, she swallowed her saliva and agreed with her device. "Atta' boy! Do you know how much I owe my life to you Bardirche?" She said happily.

[Yes sir. I'll gladly accept a new check up as payment sir.] The device commented, sounding a little cocky.

Fate laughed at how her device was talking to her. She shook her head and only accuse a certain brunette device master that did the alteration to her Bardirche. With all of the clothing decided, Fate looked at her clock and it showed 17:33. Panic gushed through her veins yet again. "Crud! I haven't even set a place yet!" and a new dilemma smacked into Fate's plate.

The ride back to the Takamachi residence was jumpy. Jumpy in terms of Vivio being excited at her mama's date with Fate. It made Nanoha wonder if the 10 year old already know what a date really means or having a relationship with the same sex.

"Hey Vivio don't jump so much. You're making me sick." Yuuno complained, clutching his stomach through the fabric of his shirt. It made the honey-reddish haired captain laugh. "You never change Yuuno. I guess that explains why you preferred to work at the infinite library." Nanoha said, giggling at how Yuuno was trying his best to calm his stomach.

"But uncle Yuuno! Mama will have a date!"

The blond gave up in trying to make Vivio stay put and he opted to crawl back to the passenger seat and hold the bouncy Vivio in place. Using his own set of spell, he casted a green like chains that restricted the child from moving. "Chain Bind" he said happily, finally getting the car to stop bouncing.

"Gah! You're mean uncle Yunno! Kris! SET U-"

But even before Vivio can set up her barrier jacket, Nanoha looked at her from the rear view mirror, smiling menacingly. The same smile that cause fear to her students. "Viv-io~ What did I say about using your magic?" She said in a threatening sweet voice. Her threatening smile even made Kris back down and hides behind Vivio.

"But mama! He started it!" the child whined, using her right index finger to point at Yuuno. Well her fingers were the only thing that isn't bound to Yuuno's magic and can actually move. She's currently slumped on the seat as she can't move much due to Yuuno's magic. "Unfair! Uncle Yuuno's bind magic is usually inescapable." She continued to whine as she struggle free from the chains.

Nanoha and Yuuno just laughed at how persistent Vivio is. With a few more minutes, they arrived at Nanoha's house and the adults exited the vehicle as soon as the engine died down.

"Mama! Mou! Don't leave me here!" Vivio cried, still bound by Yuuno's magic at the back seat of the car.

Thinking that the punishment was enough, Yuuno was about to release the child but Nanoha stopped him. Looking at purple eyes, he saw the glint of another 'Instructor Takamachi lesson' heading Vivio's way.

"Raising heart, please." Nanoha commanded her device, which flew around her head.

[Yes my master. Barrier jacket set up. Stand by mode.]

With the set up process completed and Nanoha is in aggressive mode, Nanoha gripped the green chains that's wrapped around Vivio's small body and instantly crushing it with her hands. She smiled at her daughter who just looked at her in awe. "Now let's go and prepare your dinner Vivio." She said as if it's the most common thing in the world. Deactivating her barrier jacket, she made her way inside her house, leaving the astonished blonds.

"And that was supposed to be a rank A spell too. Tsk! Your mama is being her 'aerial instructor' mode on the way home." Yunno cursed. It had been eight years since he taught the white mage how to use Raising Heart and he had wondered if it was even a good thing or bad. He felt his shirt being tugged by Vivio and his eyes looked at the curious orbs of Vivio. "What is it sweetie?" He asked.

"I think mama was really mad because you chained me. You know how much she hated the idea of me being chained like an animal." Vivio teased her uncle before skipping away from the now paling Yuuno.

"I think I need to write up my will now." Yuuno mumbled as he followed Vivio inside the house.

It was already 7:30 and Nanoha was being pushed by her daughter down the stairs with enthusiasm. The matriarch found it amusing how her little girl was more excited of her mother spending time with Fate. Thinking of playing a few tricks on her daughter, she leaned back and put all her weight on her back that made Vivio off balance and fell on the ground. "Augh! Gravity weighing me down! I can't move!" Nanoha pretended, holding her laughter to herself.

Vivio squirmed out of her mother's limp body, which she can tell is pretending. "Mama! Getoff! You'll be late!" She moaned in agony, as her mother's body was too heavy for her. Seeing her rabbit formed device, she weakly smiled at it, which indicated to let her transform.

With a nod, Sacred Heart did some punches while floating and in an instant Vivio transformed into her adult form. No barrier jacket and just Kris transformation magic with the alteration of her clothing to match her body.

The change completely threw Nanoha offguard. She skillfully rolled and took up a fight stance as her now adult-transformed daughter who was in a stance aswell. A smirk was evident on their faces while feeling each other's movement. "Now Vivio, what did mama say about barrier jacket setup inside the house?" she said, grinning like a cat.

"But it was mama's fault. And you said 'No barrier jacket', I didn't activate a barrier jacket right? Just a normal transformation magic." The child in adult form answered happily. It was one of the few occasions that she get to spar with her beloved mama. She shifted her weight up front and was about to land a punch on her mother when a blue magic circle appeared under her and multiple blue magic ropes tying her in place. "Argh! Uncle Yuuno!" Vivio cried out lour, struggling away from the magic binds.

Yunno came out from the living area with an apologetic expression. He has a hand at the back of his head as he forced a laughter while facing the Takamachi women. Seeing that his magic is starting to corrode on Vivio's body. 'Just great… another high ranking bind corrodes under her armor. Like mother like daughter.' He sighed and pointed his thumb on the living area. "Your date is here Nanoha." He informed Nanoha and gave Vivio a 'you-know-what-to-do' look.

With the bind completely gone and Vivio finally moving freely, she quickly lunges an attack to Nanoha. Confident smirk graced her lips since she knew her mother was not expecting the surprise attack. Instead of surprising her mother, the heterochromatic-eyed child was the one taken by shock. Her right fist, which she intended to inflict damage to her mother, is now being blocked by Nanoha's right open palm and a small smile gracing her mother's face. "AWW! And here I thought I finally got an upper hand with mama!" she whined.

Nanoha just chuckled and gave her daughter a light pat on the head. "Shall we go and see Fate-chan and Zafira now?" she asked her daughter who powered down and happily nodded her head. She knew her daughter like haing Zafira to watch over her and somehow it struck her as odd since the child prefers Zafira than Yuuno to watch over her. The three of them made their way to the living area where Zafira and Fate sat and waited for them.

Fate was nerous so to speak. She patiently seated at the comfortable couch while Zafira was sitting just adjacent to her, feeling all calm. The blue wolf was in his human form, tanned and muscular body rested calmly on the chair. "Ne Zafira, who was that blond guy?" she asked. She had notice that Zafira just nodded his head silently to the blond-haired man whom she felt she had seen before.

Zafira opened his left eye and examined the enforcer's worried look. He was already informed by his mistress that Fate knew nothing of the Takamachi and would like to keep it that way until it was revealed by Nanoha herself or Hayate. He grunted and shrugged from his position, thinking of the words he will say to the blond. "He is a friend of the mistress from Earth." He told the blond enforcer.

"Oh… So he's an Earthling?"

Zafira shook his head. "No. He's a mid-childan like you. He's the head librarian of the Infinity Library." He informed Fate.

Hearing the information regarding the 'Infinite Library', Fate finally remembered why the guy was familiar to her. She had heard of his name a few times from her brother and twin sister. Though her brother always call him 'ferret-boy librarian'. she smiled at the thought of her brother insulting her rival. 'Wait, rival? Rival in what?' she wondered. "Umm, is he somehow related to Nanoha?" she dared asked the stoic man. But her question was in vain as Zafira kept his moth shut.

Fate's train of thoughts and mental debate been interrupted when a child jumped on her lap and red/green eyes stared at her. Fate saw a wide-smiling child on her lap and she was startled at first then calmed down upon realizing it was Vivio. She patted the child on the head and gave her a kiss on her forehead. "Hello Vivio, good evening." She said softly.

"Mou! Vivio! Don't jump on our guests. Sorry Fate-chan, Vivio was just excited to see you." Nanoha's voice rung to Fate's ears like an angel's voice and she quickly looked at her side and saw Nanoha.

The enforcer was in awe. Her date, Nanoha, was wearing plain casual clothes. A long light pink dress and a pair of white sandals. It was plain but beautiful for Nanoha. This sight made Fate's throat go dry and stare at the aerial instructor. But her admiration for the mahogany-haired woman came to a halt and her awed expression slightly turned grim when she saw Yuuno beside Nanoha, smiling at them. 'Now I'm having second thoughts of this date. Heck he might be her husband and Vivio's father!' she mentally scolded herself, not noticing her slender brows are now showing a frown.

Everyone noticed Fate's blank stare and frown over Yuuno. Nanoha just gave Yuuno a curious look with a raised of a brow, silently saying 'What did you do to her?'. The Wolkenritter guardian held his laughter and just let out a grunt so that he won't start laughing hard. Yuuno felt like he was being sliced by a scythe and he knew who was the one giving that feeling to him. He shivered aswell when Nanoha gave her a questioning look and he just returned a 'Nothing!' look aswell.

"Fate-san? Hello?" Vivio called out to her idol, waving her small hand infront of Fate's dazed face.

"Fate-chan, are you okay?" Nanoha asked, leaning close to Fate.

Hearing the melodious voice of Nanoha, Fate finally snapped out of her reverie. She sheepishly blushed and apologized for spacing out.

"It's alright. Shall we go now? I don't want to take up too much of your time Fate-chan." The aerial instructor suggested, knowing Fate might end up spacing out a lot from staying. She picked up her daughter and gave her to Zafira who gladly took the child. "Now Vivio, behave with Zafira and Yuuno-kun alright?" she requested to her daughter who enthusiastically agreed by nodding her head.

"Don't worry mama, Zaffy will take good care of me!" Said Vivio.

"Aw! Why does Vivio only think Zafira will take care of you? I'm here too! You're so unfair Vivio, I wonder if those genes of yours have any hatred towards me." Yuuno whined, feigning a pout.

The older Takamachi took this chance to drag Fate out of her house before her family starts to blurt out things that needed to be a secret. Actually, she hated keeping her background a secret, but due to certain circumstances, she needs to keep things in the dark.

Outside the house, Nanoha was surprised to see that aside from her own car, there's no black sports car that Fate usually drives. She gave Fate a questioning look and recived a silent shy apology.

"Umm, my car is being repaired. I hope it's alright if I use my bike? Umm, I'll drive safe! Promise!" Fate blurted out in one breath. She knew that using her bike was not the most suitable ride for a date but she has no choice. 'Unless we fly. But we'll be spotted by a certain conniving commander.'

"Well Fate-chan is certainly original. But I must admit, you driving a bike like that just boosts up your appeal. I might fall for you if you keep it up." Nanoha said with a hint of mirth in her voice.

Fate felt her stomach doing backflips when she heard Nanoha saying she might fall for her. Her face lit up like Christmas tree seeing Nanoha's sweet smile to her. "u-umm… Please don't tease me Nanoha." she said, fidgeting under Nanoha's gaze. taking out her kes from her pocket, she lead the way to her bike. "Let's go?" she asked, offering a spare helmet to her companion.

Nanoha gladly took the helmet. Before putting it on her head, she took a few minutes to check on Fate's outfit and found the blond enforcer was looking rather dashing for the night. 'Mental note: must praise Fate for her outfit.' She noted as she put on the helmet and mounting sideway on the bike after Fate started it.

The driver felt Nanoha's hand snaked its way on her waist. First she was surprised that the woman knew where to hold and how to sit since she was wearing a dress and she blushed under her helmet knowing where Nanoha was holding. She fought the urge to lean closer to Nanoha's touch and focused all her attention and will power to the road.

After a long thirty minute, drive south of central Mid, Fate stopped before a not-so classy restaurant. It may show some elegance but not to the point like a five-star restaurant. Fate hoped that Nanoha will like it since the place was recommended by her twin sister after consulting and begging her twin not to laugh at her. She gave a quick glance to her date who just removed her helmet and examined the area. 'Please let her like it!' mentally pleading while waiting for Nanoha to react.

The restaurant was not classy and it was perfect as Nanoha see it. It's a restaurant that specializes in Earth's cuisine and she had to admit she missed the taste of her home planet's food. Her arm linked with her date and she happily pulled Fate inside the restaurant. "You've done your research well Fate! How did you know I miss my home world's cuisine?" she asked gleefully.

Fate scratched her temples as she blushes at the sight of a happy Nanoha. "U-umm… I have good sources." She told her companion. As soon as they stepped inside, the patrons of the restaurant stopped dead on what they were doing and stared at Fate. Caught in awe, the patrons' couldn't believe their luck that Fate was there and with another woman no less.

Knowing the stares was all focused on her, Fate deliberately ignored all of the gawking and murmurs and just focused on her date. With Nanoha cling on her arm, shepostured herself in a dignified manner as they proceeded to the podium and ask for the reservation that Alicia had placed for them. They were lead to a table by a waiter and Fate took the liberty to act like a gentleman and assisted Nanoha to her seat. She did this out of instinct, which earned her a gentle 'thanks' from Nanoha. when her date is seated properly, she rushed to her own seat and proceeded to order their food to the waiter.

"So, Fate-chan." Nanoha called out, hoping to get Fate's full attention. When the blond was indeed paying attention to her , she found it quite remarkable how Fate's crimson eyes blend well with the flickering candle that's placed between them. "Thank you for taking me out today. Might I say I find you very stunning tonight."

Fate blushed yet again. "T-thank you Nanoha. uh… Y-You look beautiful. She stuttered, mentally slapping herself for the pathetic behavior.

"Nyahaha, don't be shy Fate-chan, it's just me. So, while waiting, shall we get to know each other? I would like to know more about the famous 'Enforcer Harlaown'." Nanoha inquired. She was really getting curious of the famed enforcer and now was the time to know about her.

"uh, sure? I'm not certain I'm that interesting. In return, I want to know about you too, Nanoha." Fate responded with a soft smile. 'atleast this way, I can learn more about her and her background.'

Nanoha tapped her chin with her right index finger, posing as she's thinking of something. "Hayate already told me about you being the daughter of Dr. Precia Testarossa and your brother is Chrono-kun, but I don't get the whole 'Harlaown' thing."

"Oh! That? My mom married Chrono-nii's mother." She briefly explained, feeling nervous what Nanoha might react regarding her family. But to Fate's relief, Nanoha didn't even show any negative reactions. Just another sweet smile.

"That's nice. Finding true love is quite sweet."

Fate agreed. "Yes. So umm, I hope its alright to ask, but how come I never saw you before you entered RF6 six months ago?"

"I was confined for a year due to some 'minor' accident that delayed my application in the force." Nanoha answered, filtering any more details regarding it.

Crimson eyes soften its gaze to Nanoha and the aerial captain felt Fate's worried expression. Gently placing her hand over Fate's own, she showed the blond an assuring look that she was far from danger now. "I have Hayate to look after me eve though I know she just wants to lighten my workload by not making me sortie." She told Fate.

"So that's why you never go to battle when we have any attacks. Well aside a day ago." Fate realized.

"Yeps! Then I wonder, Fate-chan is a rank S+ without limiter correct?" Nanoha got a nod of an answer. "And a AA with limiter." Another nod. "So, how did Fate-chan became strong and learned magic?" she asked.

"I attended the 'St. Hilde Academy of Magic' for my basic magic training and 'Fourth Ground Forces Academy' for my military training. Aerial studies was taught to my there by Admiral Midget Crowbel." She told Nanoha. Somehow she felt Nanoha's hand flinch a little when she mentioned her teacher's name. giving her date a curious look, Nanoha waved her off and said it was nothing. "Alright, so about the enforcer studies, I practically lived in Artha so I learned a lot of the military from my mom, Lindy Harlaown and Chrono-nii." She ended her explanation.

Nanoha was amazed at Fate's background regarding TSAB. Compared to her, Fate was groomed to be a TSAB mage unlike her who just stumbled with an injured Yuuno in Ferret mode and was asked to help him gather some powerful artifacts and there she met the guild and Hayate. She was not groomed to be a mage nor was told of her risks. All she knew was loving the sky she came to call her sanctuary. "Amazing Fate-chan! I met Lindy-san before and I must say she is an admirable woman. And Chrono-kun's a great admiral too."

"Thanks. I try to be like them in terms of being a mage." Fate said shyly. "I think Nanoha's the amazing one. You are a rank B mage and yet you are the most renowned aerial combat instructor. Caro and Erio speak highly of you." somehow she felt Nanoha's hand flinch again.

"I just do what I usually do. I don't want anyone else undergo the pain of not flying anymore." The mahogany-haired captain said solemnly. Her hand gripped a little tighter on Fate's, feeling a surge of sadness as she remember her darkest time.

The blond felt the changed in her companion's demeanor and opted to affectionately hold Nanoha's hand back. Not thinking straight and acting on instinct, Fate raised Nanoha's hand to level her face and lightly kissed the back of her hand. It was her gesture to her sister in making her smile though she never tried it on anyone else. Realizing her sudden action and seeing Nanoha staring at her, blushing, she felt panic surge her veins and released Nanoha's hand from her grip. "O-Oh! Gomen! I wasn't-umm… I thought you were sad and I just did how I make my sis smile." She said in panic.

Nanoha was silent, toning out of any sounds. The only thing that occupied her mind was her crazy drumming heartbeat and the warmth on the back of her palm from Fate's lips. Her mind was in turmoil and it was the first time she had experienced it. Not even Yuuno gave her those feelings.

Fate continued to apologize as Nanoha didn't respond to her, thinking she might've offended her companion. She only stopped and saw Nanoha finally responding whe the waiter gave them their food.

The rest of dinner was quiet as much to Fate's fear. She kept on blaming herself for her actions and cursed the day she took 'flirting lesson' from her twin. She felt hurt, fearing that what she did might scare Nanoha away from her. 'So much for Signum's effort of telling me I like Nanoha. this sucks and its my fault.'

Unknown to Fate, Nanoha was having a hard time calming her heart and managing her thoughts. Whenever she glances at the blond enforcer, she can feel a blush creeping on her cheeks and her heart racing. 'I swear Hayate's antics is rubbing off me. Oh god is she staring at me? I hope I'm pretty enough-UGH! Am acting like a school girl!'

Both stared at their own plates, deep in thought until they finally called it a night. Fate apologized agan and this time, Nanoha just told her it was alright. Even along the ride back to Nanoha's house, Fate kept on apologizing for her action, that is until hey got to Nanoha's drive way.

"I'm sorry again Nanoha. I was just not thinking straight and I didn't like seeing you sad like that." Fate apologized for the nth time.

Getting tired of repeatedly telling the enforcer it was alright, Nanoha approached Fate and kissed her cheek. She smiled with Fate's shocked expression. "There we're even. Thank you for taking me out tonight Fate-chan. Next time maybe?" she told the blond who was still dazed.

Still lost in her turmoiled emotion, Fate found the courage to ask the thing that's eating her up. "Umm I hope your husband won't get mad at me since you um…" Fate was again silenced by Nanoha by a kiss. Not just any kiss but a quick peck on the lips. Even before she can react, Nanoha was now making her way to her door and giving her a curt bow before entering her house.

Still lost and now confused, Fate rode her bike back to Long Arch dorms and mindlessly went to her room. Without even changing and focused on the last events, she was disturbed by a call from her device.

[Text message from Raising Heart sir. Shall I show it?] Baridirche informed its master.

"Nanoha?" she groaned and felt fear again. "P-please…" she replied shakily.

With an instant, Baridirche materialized a blue plate monitor and showed a ten word text. Reading the message, Fate felt her stomach backflip and cold sweat run down her whole body. She couldn't help but widely smile and jump on her bed like a child.

[Yuuno-kun is not my husband. I'm still single Fate-chan. (^-^)]

A/N: so,,, how was it? please give me your feedbacks and i'll try my best next time. thanks!

Snow-shuriken signing OUT~