Time spent together and time pulled apart. This cycle seems to have been the pattern of our lives since we first met. Like two planets rushing closer then pulling away, but always in orbit with the other; ever wishing for a merging but never quite making it. But to one day come together for good was our dream and the promise we made on return from our first TSAB mission apart; that one day when one of us returned the other would be waiting to welcome them home and that someday, when frontline duty was over, we would set up a place of our own where we could be together.

A Place To Call Home

It was of that promise that Fate's mind dwelled as she pulled up outside Nanoha and Vivio's house late one night. It had been about a year since Section 6 split up; days that had largely carried fond memories among the spikes of fear and adrenalin, too fond perhaps. She turned the power off and leaned back in the leather seat of her black Ferrari, staring at the darkened windows of their house.

What I didn't forsee was how much living together at Section 6 would affect me. Having that future dream and then simply sharing brief moments between missions didn't hurt so much as it was simply a glimpse of the future. But at Section 6 we were living as if we were a couple for a year and may have become an actual one had Vivio not showed up so soon. Be it in her own way she made us more of a couple than before and the parting at the end all the harder. But to pursue our careers first for now is what we agreed on, even if Nanoha's career direction changed along the way.

Since then though it's become harder and harder for me to work on the frontlines, because I've had more than a mere taste of how good living life with her is. That's why I've been working so hard to get there sooner, but it may well be that when Vivio has grown up Nanoha will want to return to the frontline and complete her career and then we'll never realise our dream till we're old maids.

Stepping out of the car and closing the door she gave a dry chuckle at the image of her and Nanoha together slumped in wheelchairs, it was both amusing and also somehow terrifying.

Could I cope with waiting so long? But we promised.

She sighed and walked up to the door, fingering the key-card in her pocket.

Well such doubts can wait for now. I can't ruin my precious leave time with them.

She removed the key-card from her pocket and stared at the picture of Nanoha and Vivio hugging on the back and smiled.

My key-card. The one Nanoha gave me and my passport home.

She swiped the key-card on the scanner by the door and entered quietly to try and avoid waking the inhabitants.

Unless they're not in at all?

Fate started feeling anxious as she stood in the moonlit landing.

I was hoping to surprise her as I wasn't sure if I could get any leave a week ago, but thankfully a couple of days opened up at the last minute. Still I guess I should of checked with Nanoha all the same.

She checked the time on the hall clocks luminous hands.

22.02

Nanoha might have already gone to bed, but then again knowing Nanoha's workaholic tendency she might well be working in her study at the rear of the house instead. Instinct guided Fate through the kitchen and around the dining table to the study door. She'd only been in the house a half dozen times but knew her way around as easily as if she'd been there a lifetime.

How many times have I pictured being here whilst on missions? Of living here with her? Even Tea noticed how often I was spacing out on our last mission.

There was a dim light radiating from under the study door; Fate smiled wryly.

From computer panels if I'm not mistaken. She'd better not be pushing herself too hard.

Reaching the door she was about to knock when she heard a faint noise from within. She listened hard and heard it again. It sounded like a sob. She froze and then softly slid the study door open and stepped inside.

Her ears weren't deceiving her. In front of several computer panels in the narrow, cluttered office room overlooking the rear garden Nanoha was bent over a sleek black desk, with her head resting on her arms and body shaking. As Fate stepped in her head snapped up towards the door in alarm.

"Vivio?" Then her eyes widened as she saw whose silhouette was actually standing there.

"Fate-chan?" her tone was both hopeful and apprehensive as she instinctively wiped at her face with her right arm. "Is that really you?"

Fate nodded, unsure what to say.

"Nanoha," she finally said in a hushed voice, "what's wrong?"

When Nanoha didn't respond Fate really began to worry. And that tripled when Nanoha's face moved to an attempted smile and she rose with a small shake of her head.

"Silly, nothing's wrong. I just had a hard day at the office. How come you're here?"

Nanoha quickly embraced Fate in a tight hug, her words almost convincing enough to fool even Fate as she returned the hug.

"I got some leave and thought I'd surprise you, but what happened at work to make you cry?"

"Errr, nothing really. It was just a tough day...Ummm."

Fate pulled away from the embrace and looked Nanoha firmly in the eyes.

"Nanoha, if there's something's upsetting you this much I need you to tell me what it is or else I'll only worry a thousand times more than it's worth."

Nanoha sighed and glanced at the floor and then up at Fate. Her eyes were brimming again but she held back the tears and gave a small nod of her head before moving past Fate towards the door.

"Let's go to the kitchen. We can talk whilst I get you something to eat, but it's really nothing that serious."

"Mmmhmm," Fate said in a tone which dripped with cynicism. "I'd like to hear it all the same."

If there was ever anyone who was a master of downplaying her own troubles it's Nanoha.

"Have you eaten?" Nanoha asked as she switched on the kitchen and dining area lights and moved over to the counter.

Fate shook her head.

"I didn't have time as I was rushing to get here so I snacked."

"What would you like? We have..." Nanoha began reeling off dishes as she opened various cupboard doors and the fridge. Fate leaned forwards on the counter that separated the kitchen from the dining room and watched her.

Maybe her recollection was wrong but Nanoha looked paler and thinner than when she last saw her a couple of months ago. She glanced about the room. It was messy. Be it Nanoha hadn't had any warning to tidy before she came but she began wondering what life was like when she wasn't visiting. It suddenly occurred to her that Nanoha might well be putting on a brave front whenever she called home or came around.

Realising Nanoha had finished and was waiting for an answer Fate picked one of the dishes she'd heard mentioned from Nanoha's spiel and watched as Nanoha started getting down pans and a chopping board, before glancing at Fate with a small smile.

"It'll be about thirty minutes if that's okay?"

Fate nodded.

It feels so right being here, even just watching her chopping up food. And although she's lost some weight her figure is still incredibly beautiful, although for me it'll always be the warmth about me that's the best thing about it: Since I was 9 until now.

Right now however Nanoha's tears kept chipping away at her mind like an itch. She had thought of waiting until the food was ready but waiting even another few seconds quickly became unbearable.

Who or what in the world made Nanoha cry? She seemed fine a few weeks ago when we spoke, but then again it's hard to tell by monitor and especially with her.

"So, what is it that's upsetting you so much Nanoha?"

The chopping slowed considerably.

"It's, it's simply me being silly."

Fate waited but Nanoha didn't go on and continued chopping. Sighing Fate moved round the counter and wrapped her arms around Nanoha's waist.

"And why is Nanoha being silly?"

Nanoha relaxed into the hold as she always did and the chopping slowed to a near stop before starting again.

"It's just that lately I've been feeling a bit down, maybe overworked and so..."

"So?"

"Well sometimes being here alo...I find it overwhelms me a little."

Nanoha had finished chopping and put down the knife but remained resting in Fate's arms.

"It's nothing to worry about," she attempted to finish and began to rise from Fate's hold but Fate kept her arms about Nanoha.

"Nanoha, I've never known you to cry just from being overworked. Is that the real reason you're feeling so down?"

The pause confirmed it wasn't but Nanoha wouldn't respond.

"Is it so secret that you can't trust me with it?" Fate whispered into Nanoha's right ear and felt Nanoha tremble in her arms.

"Nanoha!"

"I'm sorry Fate. Ever since we came here, but especially recently this house has felt so empty. It hasn't felt like a home at all and so I get a little lonely at times."

Fate's eyes widened.

"But why didn't you say something? What about Yuuno and Arf?"

Nanoha gave an unhappy laugh that turned out more like a sob.

"I didn't want to worry you with such a minor thing. After all it's my fault I can't stop...or I worry about bringing Vivio up or I feel so low. I mean Yuuno and Arf have been great but they're not living here and besides they could never make this place a home or give me what I need."

Fate felt her own eyes starting to well up as she began to see the picture of life Nanoha had been hiding so well. Of Nanoha on her own late at night when Vivio had gone to bed with no-one around and so pouring herself into working late in her office night after night. And she suspected she knew why Nanoha had been so reluctant to tell her, she'd think that she was betraying her promise to Fate by admitting she was struggling to cope.

"Nanoha, however selfish it is please tell me what it is you need to make this house a home and to make you truly happy."

Nanoha bit her lip.

"You know right?" She pleaded in a whisper. "But we promised, so I'll..."

"Tell me anyway. We can work out the details later. But until I hear what your heart truly wants from your lips I can't help you. What is it you need to make this house a home?"

"You!" Nanoha whispered passionately, her face awash with tears. "Always and only you! I haven't been able to stop thinking about you being here for so long now Fate. When I'm alone, when I'm down...The number of times I've read and re-read your messages, and when you said you probably couldn't get leave this time round I felt so down. But this is what we agreed and I can manage somehow."

"Nanoha, I'm so sorry," Fate whispered and felt a tear run down her right cheek, shortly followed by one on her left. "I had no idea. I was so naive thinking that I was the only one who couldn't stop spacing out and longing to be home..."

"Fate."

"...and all the time you've been so brave holding down the fort here alone. I don't deserve someone as good as you."

"You're wrong! I'm the lucky one!"

Nanoha turned and buried her head into Fate's neck as her arms wrapped round Fate. Fate returned the close embrace and then began slowly stroking Nanoha's long brown hair. They stayed like this for a while as Fate pondered and Nanoha sobbed, both basking in the others warmth and closeness long sought.

"Nanoha?"

"Um?"

"Do you honestly think you can manage for just six months more?"

Nanoha nodded.

"I've been working so hard because I wanted to return to you both as soon as possible and there is a way. It should be fine but I'll check tomorrow. And I'll also think of some ways to try and make things easier for you when we're apart."

Nanoha nodded and pulled away from Fate, who wiped away a stray tear from her cheek. With a far happier smile she managed a choked,

"Thanks."

Fate returned the smile,

"My pleasure."

She gave Nanoha a playful bat to the top of her head. "And next time your feeling so down for heavens sake tell me Nanoha. It's selfish to keep your true feelings to yourself."

Nanoha giggled and rapped Fate back.

"I don't want to hear that from someone who didn't tell me she was spacing out on missions."

Fate shrugged and smiled.

"Well I guess it's something I need to work on too."

Her gaze was drawn into Nanoha's bright blue eyes and she felt a dangerous stirring to kiss her on the lips, and saw the same desire reflected in Nanoha's eyes. But neither did for the sake of the other.

Not just yet.

Instead Fate bent down and kissed Nanoha on the forehead as Nanoha had done to her the night of their promise.

"Within 6 months I promise I shall be seeing a lot more of you and Vivio, Nanoha, one way or the other."

"So long as it's nothing stupid," Nanoha said.

"Trust me," whispered Fate, "I've promised so I'll do my very best to make it come true."

Nanoha blushed and spun back to handling the cooking.

"If Fate-chan keeps distracting me then she'll end up with no food."

"Ah, but I thought Nanoha wanted to be distracted?" Fate replied lightly. "Is there something I can be doing to help out?"

Nanoha pointed out where the dishes, cups and cutlery were and quickly the meal came together and disappeared. They spent the night huddled together. The next few days flew by filled with talks over how to handle Vivio, arrangements made by Fate with the TSAB, catching up with Nanoha's friends and day trips out together. All too soon they were hugging and pulling apart again. As they did Fate slipped a small screen into Nanoha's hand.

"This will reach me anytime, anywhere, unless I'm actually engaged on a frontline mission, be it with a slight time delay. But if you ever start feeling too low in the next few months ring it okay."

Nanoha's eyes opened wide.

"These are usually only for HQ staff right?"

Fate shrugged.

"I called in a few favours, and you are still the Ace of Aces after all."

Fate found herself wrapped anew in a bear hug.

"Thank you Fate-chan, for everything. Please be safe."

Fate nodded and reluctantly pulled away.

"You too Nanoha! And I will. I've promised. Within 6 months I will turn our house into a home."

"Bye Fate-mama," Vivio called with arms outstretched and immediately got swept into a big hug of her own. "Will Fate-mama be gone long?"

"A while sweetheart, but for the last time this time. Then I'll be around much more."

Vivio wrapped her arms around Fate and squeezed tightly.

"S'okay but don't be too long. Nanoha-mama and I miss you."

"Um" Fate managed and only just avoided shedding a tear.

How have I managed to go for so long so far apart from them? Still, only a little bit more and it will all be fine.

Then with a smile and a wave to Nanoha and Vivio she stepped into the black Ferrari and sped off towards the TSAB tower. The planets had split again but this time it felt like the orbiting wouldn't be so endless.

It was with a spring in her step that Nanoha returned with Vivio up the path to their house.

Just 6 months time and I'll be able to say I'm coming home to Fate.