The Club, a MGLN Alternate Universe

"You're getting MARRIED?!" Shamal squealed excitedly as the women met in the rooms where Hayate stored all the costumes. The busty blonde clapped her hands joyfully, her breasts bouncing a bit in the sexy dress she was wearing.

"It's been a year," Nanoha smiled as the brown haired woman explained, "we thought it was about time." The stylishly dressed lady added, "Though it's just a commitment ceremony, since we can't get married legally yet."

"Congratulations," Signum said seriously, the taller woman dressed in a business suit cut kinda sexy. "Have you told Hayate yet?" she asked curiously.

"I'm hoping to have the ceremony here," Nanoha admitted. "It that or rent someplace, since our home really isn't big enough."

"I think you'd get a instant yes," Vita laughed as the shorter girl in a fluffy, lolita style dress added, "just be ready for her to take over the ceremony."

"I can live with that," Nanoha laughed.

"You're just lazy," Shamal teased. She looked thoughtful as she asked her, "What are you two going to wear?"

"We're debating traditional kimono or western style clothes," Nanoha admitted, "I think the kimonos would be pretty, but they're hard to wear."

"Oh yeah," Vita agreed, having been forced into a few kimonos by Hayate.

"Is Hayate here? I thought I saw her go into her office earlier?" Nanoha wondered.

"I think so, but...," Vita started.

"I'll go see if she's still there," Nanoha rushed off.

"She didn't let you finish," Shamal said with a impish smile as all of them trailed after her out into the main bar.

"You're going to enjoy this, aren't you?" Signum noted as they watched Nanoha hurry over to the office at the back of the club.

"Damn right," Shamal smirked as they watched Nanoha knock, then open the door without waiting. Her yelp was music to their ears.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"Oops," Lindy noted as she cradled Hayate in her arms. Both women were topless, and her larger breasts were mushed up against Hayate's as they were just necking on the other woman's plush office chair.

"Crap," Hayate agreed. "I should have locked the door," she added, reluctantly pulling away from Lindy.

"Well, I did distract you a bit," Lindy admitted as she grabbed her blouse along with Hayate's shirt. Both women were tempted to carry on, but the mood was kind of ruined. Besides, they might end up traumatizing someone else. Poor Fate might rush in, for instance.

Both women were pretty much dressed when there was a much more tentative knock on the door. "Come in," Hayate called.

Nanoha was still blushing faintly as she came inside. "I am SO sorry," she said sheepishly, looking at the floor.

"I should have locked the door," Hayate conceded, "but I got distracted."

"Sorry about that," Lindy added just a bit smugly. After all, she was the one who succeeded in distracting Hayate THAT much.

"Anyway, I wanted to ask you for a favour," Nanoha admitted shyly.

"Oh?" Hayate asked curiously.

"Though I guess I should talk to Lindy too," Nanoha admitted. She faced the older woman and took a steadying breath, "Can I have your daughter's hand in marriage?"

There was a beat of dead silence as she processed that, then Lindy squealed. "You're getting MARRIED?!" she yelped.

"Well, a commitment ceremony, anyway," Nanoha smiled at the beaming woman. "I take it you're okay with the idea?"

"Oh yes!" Lindy said, "You'll make Fate so happy."

Hayate smiled, then curiously asked, "What did you want to see me about?"

Nanoha looked at her warmly, "Well, you're welcome to say no, but... we were hoping we could hold the ceremony here at the club."

Hayate grinned at that, "You had to ask?"

"Well, the others thought you'd agree but...," Nanoha shrugged.

"You talked to...?" Lindy blinked.

"They KNEW I brought Lindy in here," Hayate made a face, "they should have warned you."

"Knowing Vita they probably took a photo of my reaction..." Nanoha sighed.

Lindy smirked, "Dibs on the photo."

"Lindy!" Hayate laughed. She looked at Nanoha curiously, "Any ideas for a date?"

"I was thinking summer," Nanoha admitted "we'd both like to invite family too, could we have the club for a weekend?"

"I think we could manage," Hayate nodded, then they began to discuss the nitty gritty details of the ceremony, decorations and so on.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Fate Testarossa was running late, so she hurried down to the steps by jumping over the last few. She aced the landing, the slim blond smiling impishly as she nodded to the bouncer, "Hello, Signum."

"Fate," Signum gave her a measured nod. Curiously she noted, "Nanoha isn't here yet."

"I know," Fate said, slipping by her and heading in.

The club was busy, with young women crowding the tables and talking together in the booths. A few booths had the privacy curtains shut too, which thankfully muffled sounds well too. Not that everyone couldn't guess what was happening.

Smiling wryly Fate headed up to the bar, nodding to familiar faces. Arisa was waiting tables in her ghost girl outfit, for some reason, while Vita and Shamal were also serving. Up at the bar Teana was serving drinks and unconsciously charming several young woman, all while completely unaware she was doing it. It would be annoying if Tea wasn't such a totally nice kid.

"Hi Tea," Fate smiled. Noting the almost glow about her she added, "You look cheerful. Did something nice happen?"

Teana actually blushed redly and nearly fumbled a glass. It was adorable, really. "Nothing, nothing," she lied weakly.

Fate hid a smile. It was a good bet something happened with Subaru, and by the look of it they had gotten together. Good, they were sweet together and Fate hoped they'd be happy. "Is Hayate in?" she asked curiously.

"She's in her office," Tea said. She paused and added, "Alone, too."

Fate HAD in fact heard about Nanoha's... shock, a few days ago, and snickered softly. "Thanks," she said as she headed back to Hayate's office. Fate knocked, waiting, then opened the door when she heard a muffled come in.

"Oh, Fate," Hayate looked a bit sheepish, a slight blush colouring her cheeks.

"Hello, Hayate," Fate smiled back. "I understand you kind of broke Nanoha a few days ago?"

Hayate really was cute when she blushed, probably because it was so rare. "Sorry about that," she said with a sigh.

"Thank you for agreeing to let us have our ceremony here," Fate said as she sat opposite Hayate at the neat desk. "That NEARLY makes up for it," she teased.

"I'm going to be living that down for awhile," Hayate sighed.

"Yup," Fate agreed willingly. She leaned forward a bit, "Thought that partially is what I came here to see you about."

"Living it down?" Hayate looked quizzical.

"You and my mother," Fate said steadily.

"Ah," Hayate said weakly. She took a breath, "What can I do for you?"

Fate met her eyes coolly. "I know you and Lindy are seeing each other, and I'm okay with that," she said. "But I know your reputation, too."

Hayate puffed out a breath, "That's fair, I suppose, but..."

Fate held up a hand. "My only request is that if you are just playing with Lindy, you'll let her know," Fate said seriously. "I think she has fallen for you deeply, and I don't want to see her hurt."

"I'm not playing," Hayate smiled wryly, "it may surprise you to know I'm probably more frightened of being hurt than she is. What is she decides this is just a fling and goes back to men?"

"I don't think you have to worry about that," Fate said, a bit surprised. "I don't think Lindy's seen anyone since she adopted me, and she's very... faithful. She sort of swore off relationships when Chrono's father died."

Once again Hayate noted how rarely Fate used 'mother' or 'mom' to refer to Lindy and mentally cursed Precia. The woman had messed her biological daughter up good. "I'm very serious about Lindy, Fate," she told her, "I'm going to do my best not to hurt her."

"All right, then," Fate puffed out a sigh. "I will say I'm glad that you are making Lindy so happy. I haven't seen her this happy in years."

"So, you approve of my seeing her?" Hayate had to ask.

"I'm deferring judgement," Fate smiled wryly, then excused herself.

To be continued...

Notes: Was planing to finish this up today, but I keep being called in early to work. Etc etc. Anyway, expect at least one more chapter.