Interlude

She was glad to leave. There was a gleam to the doctor's eyes she didn't like. At first she thought he was perverted, and he might be, she didn't really have any proof. But, she knew that gleam was dangerous. It reminded her too much of Scagletti when he spoke of his vision. Well it wasn't that bad, but it was pretty close.

Nanoha eyed the uncharacteristic tight grip on the steering wheel. Fate never held it that way unless something bothered her. And she had an idea of what it was. The doctor hadn't exactly left the greatest impression on her wife.

Her hand went to rest on the back of Fate's neck where stress usually built up. Yep. There it was. Good. It's not that bad. She could always gauge Fate's stress level by her neck. When it got really bad her muscles would get as hard as rocks. That's when her head tended to shift around stiffly.

"That's good" her hands relaxed as Nanoha's gentle rubbing soothed her.

She continued until she felt Fate was completely relaxed. "So where are we going?" Fate had made reservations for diner but never told her where it was.

She smiled mysteriously. "A new place. I think you'll like it."

************###########****************

"Careful with her"

The teenage boy practically drooled at the spiffy black sports car. I love my job. "Yes ma'am!" He went to grab the keys, but Fate wouldn't let go.

They spent a few seconds playing tug of war before Nanoha intervened.

"Fate"

"Hmm" she glared at the teenager, who just tugged on her keys again.

"Let go."

One finger, then another painstakingly slow lifted from the keys, till two were left. But, even so the boy couldn't pry the keys loose.

Nanoha gently rubbed her shoulders. "Come on honey. You can do it."

The final finger lifted and the boy held the keys triumphantly.

"Thank you, ma'am"

There better not be a scratch on her. Fate glared at him and watched her car leave in the hands of an immature teenage boy.

Knowing full well what her wife was thinking even if she didn't hear it, Nanoha took the liberty to rub soothing circles on her back. "Everything will be fine." She reassured while she pulled Fate away from the scene of the crime. For it was a crime for anyone besides Fate to touch her car. While she never opposed her driving it the few times she did, Fate would always, without fail, even in freezing weather, run a full on inspection of every square inch of the car. That's why given the choice she preferred the sedan. It was more to her liking too. Safe with a really strong cage, much better than the speed racer her wife liked to drive.

"Takamachi-Harloawn" Fate told the usher behind the podium. The car for the moment forgotten in light of making their date a night to remember.

"Right this way."

He walked them to an ornate circular step painted as a cloud. "Just step right here."

They stood in the center, Nanoha looking confused.

Pop. Crack. It was the sound of cement breaking as hairline cracks, which soon became jagged cuts formed at the step's base.

Nanoha had a sudden sense of vertigo and grabbed onto Fate who wrapped her arm around her shoulders keeping her steady as the ground suddenly wobbled beneath their feet.

"Enjoy your stay at Sky High" the usher called as the former step rose.

Nanoha tapped her foot on the magic cloud she now stood on, kicking up a few white puffs. "Wow." Even though she didn't come across them often in her line of work, she could tell it was an impressive transformation spell. Her attention shifted to the thing she loved most, other than her family. The sky. Her arms stretched out into the vast dark blue as her eyes closed enjoying the breeze caressing her body and gently blowing through her hair. "I love this."

Fate smirked smugly as she watched Nanoha taking it all in. I knew she'd like it and this is just the beginning.

As they rose higher the air grew colder and Fate felt Nanoha shiver beside her. Although she knew Nanoha didn't notice, too excited to be in the sky to care. She took a step behind her and had her arms go over Nanoha's shoulders, her body blanketing Nanoha's like a cape.

"Cold?" she whispered as she silently casted a heat spell.

Nanoha leaned into Fate. "Not with you keeping me warm."

Fate merely held her tighter.

Five minutes later they rose into a cloud layer. There was nothing to see for a while. It was rather thick. But when they finally broke through and surfaced into an expanse of clear inky blackness where the moonlight was brightest and the stars overhead twinkled merrily their eyes widened. Waiters and waitresses hustled and bustled, of course with dignity in their fine waist coats and trousers or skirts, as they went from table to table resting on the cloud's surface.

"Welcome to Sky High" the hostess greeted with a smile. "Come right this way please." She turned and walked them to their table.

Fate and Nanoha absently followed her while their gaze traveled around the place in absolute amazement. The restaurant was the most unique place they've ever seen and that was saying a lot when you lived on a magic world. There were no walls and no ceiling just vast open space and the atmosphere separating them from outer space. The only décor was nature's beauty and the cloud shapes that slowly shifted and changed as they moved. It was truly a wonder to behold.

When they reached their table, in their own little private sector away from all the hustle and bustle, they took their seats. The chairs movement causing miniature waves of cloud dust. The hostess rested their menus on the table and told them the waiter would be with them soon.

Nanoha tilted her head up watching the stars. There were so many. She could even see the tiniest of stars that on the ground filled with all the lights in the city and neighborhood street lights would have been drowned out.

She turned to Fate, who was watching her with a gentle smile. She smiled too. She was in her favorite place with the person she loved most about to have diner. This was definitely one of their best dates they ever had.

"May I take your order" the waiter suddenly intruded.

Nanoha was too distracted to go through the menu and it didn't matter because she could always rely on Fate.

"Yes we'd like…"

She didn't pay attention as Fate placed their order, knowing she'd get her something she'd like. Instead she watched the fluffy landscape with rolling hills and cloud shape figures.

Fate was pouring them some wine when Nanoha suddenly spoke.

"We should bring Vivio next time. She'd love this too."

Fate nodded as she handed her a glass of wine. She raised her's. "To us."

Nanoha joined her. Their glasses clinked together. "To us." She smiled before taking a sip.

*******************################*****************************

All too soon their wonderfully romantic date was coming to a close. Nanoha laughed at something Fate said as she assisted her out of the car. Fate fumbled with the house keys, eventually getting the door open.

The moment they entered Nanoha was hit with a sense of nostalgia as the familiar scent permeating through the house reminded her of her childhood.

"Smells like your mother's been baking." Fate said as she got a whiff of some delicious pastries. If she wasn't stuffed with the night's meal she would have gone for some right now. Momoko's baking was second to none. She smiled fondly as she remembered the many times she indulged her sweet tooth at Nanoha's home. Momoko constantly giving her a new cookie, cake, or other delicacy she made for her to try. It was because of her; she loved sweets so much and had to have at least one pastry a day. Rather ironic when her wife who lived and worked at her mother's bakery shop didn't crave sweets as much as she did.

They were heading for the stairs, which happened to be near the living room when they saw flashing light.

"Dad, you're still up." Nanoha was surprised to see him watching some TV.

He silently stood up from the couch and glared at Fate. Her stomach coiled into knots as she reverted to the nervous teenager stared down by her date's father when she dropped her off. "I see you still can't bring my daughter back before curfew." He spoke roughly, but his eyes twinkled and Fate almost sighed in relief.

"Dad!" Nanoha scolded. She couldn't believe him she was a grown woman and married. She understood she'd be his littler girl forever, but really! She placed her hands on her hips and glowered at him.

Shiro was distinctly reminded of Momoko when she was angry with him. He held up his hands defensively. "It was a joke! A joke!"

Nanoha didn't let up. It wasn't funny.

"Tell her Fate." Shiro pleaded.

She had a moment of wickedness and just couldn't let the opportunity slip by. "I don't know." She drawled and Shiro had a bad feeling. "It didn't sound like a joke. I think he was serious honey." Fate placed a hand on Nanoha's shoulder and shot Shiro a sympatric look as she felt her wife's muscles bunch up.

Shiro's stomach plummeted and he started regretting ever thinking about playing this prank as Nanoha marched toward him. It was rather sad when the daughter could out intimidate the father.

"Dad" Nanoha glared up at him.

Here it comes. Shiro braced himself.

Nanoha wrapped her arms around him, her head resting on his chest. "Good night."

Shiro looked confused as he hugged her back. He thought he was a goner for sure. He glanced at Fate questioningly and saw her wink. Why that little. He smiled shaking his head. "Good night Nanoha."

She pulled back and smiled.

He watched her go, passing by Fate as she went to the stairs.

Before going up, she turned to her father. "But next time I appreciate you not giving my wife a heart attack." She said sweetly with a deathly glare, causing Shiro to inwardly wince. She went up while sending Fate a quick message.

Don't keep me waiting.

I won't.

He eyed Fate, who was silently smirking. "Well played."

"Why thank you."

"She looks happy."

"She is."

They stared, sizing each other up.

Shiro broke first. "Enough of this. Come here." He grinned while holding his arms out.

Fate smiled warmly and walked in. But, instead of a hug she found her head trapped in his arm as his hand ruffled through her hair in a gentle noogie.

"I can't believe I fell for that."

"You! What about me!" Fate proclaimed while her hands pushed against his arm in attempt to free herself.

He let her go. They glared at each other.

30 seconds passed.

They were still glaring.

40 seconds.

Lips started trembling.

50 seconds.

Shoulders started shaking.

1 minute.

Soft laughter broke out.

"You did go pretty pale." Shiro commented as the laughter died down.

"Well you scared me for a moment there."

"Sorry" Shiro sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck.

"It's okay. Seeing you scared of your own daughter was enough." Fate chuckled as he frowned.

"You won't tell anyone?" It would be the end of him if she did.

"So long as you don't pull that prank on me again."

"Deal." He held his hand out.

Fate grasped it in a firm hold and they shook sealing the deal.

"Good night Fate."

"Night Dad." Fate said warmly before heading up stairs.

Shiro's heart skipped a beat. She said it without any hesitation. With a much lighter step in his walk, he opened the door to the guest room and joined his wife, waiting for him in bed.

**************#############******************

"How did it-" Momoko started.

"go?" Nanoha finished when Fate entered their bedroom.

Both knew of their spouses prank. Momoko advised her husband against it. Nanoha didn't mind playing along and liked giving her father a taste of his own medicine.

"It went well. Your father-"

"Fate and I"

"Have an understanding." Fate and Shiro simultaneously told their wives.

***********#############*************

Guest room

"She wasn't mad?"

"No." He raised the blanket as he got in bed and rested beside Momoko. "She even called me dad and she said it naturally."

Momoko turned so she could see his face. "No" she uttered in disbelief. "Really?"

He nodded. That moment was like the time he heard his kids say their first words, "mommy" and "daddy." He had to wait so long, but when they said it. He got so excited, and happy, and proud. The list could go on forever and he still wouldn't be able to describe the feeling. He just hoped he'd hear her say it again just like tonight.

"I can't believe it." She did though, although she was in awe of it.

"I know. I think we're finally getting through to her."

*************##########*****************

Meanwhile in Nanoha and Fate's Bedroom

"Good." Nanoha snuggled along Fate's side. "I wouldn't like it if you two were fighting."

"Me too." Fate wrapped her arm around her before kissing the top of her head. "Night Nanoha."

"Night (yawn) Fate."